bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond employer brand content: The role of employer brand process attributes in understanding employees' reactions toward their employer
Authors: Kanwal Hira , Van Hoye Greet
Published: July 2023

Employees play a central role in organizational functioning and representation. HR managers thus strive to create an attractive employer image that stimulates employees' attachment and ambassadorship. However, presently, there is limited research about how employees perceive and react toward their organization's employer brand. More importantly, the studies available have focused on content attributes only (i.e., instrumental and symbolic image dimensions). This has resulted in limited (content‐based) understanding of the construct and failure to incorporate its branding‐related aspects (process attributes) which represent the crux of employer branding theory. Thus, using the HRM system strength theory and employer branding literature, this article examines three process characteristics (i.e., employer brand distinctiveness, consistency, and consensus) vis‐à‐vis instrumental and symbolic content attributes to understand employee reactions (i.e., employer attractiveness, organizational identification, and employee ambassadorship). Data were collected at two times through Prolific Academic with 254 UK and US employees. Results suggest that employer brand process attributes are valuable sources to enhance employees' identification with their organization. Moreover, distinctiveness and consistency seem especially instrumental in enhancing employees' attractiveness perceptions and display of positive ambassadorship. In addition, the process attributes explain significant incremental and unique variance beyond content attributes in employee reactions.
Plasma levels of fibrinolytic and coagulation biomarkers in HIV‐infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy: A case‐control study in a Northern Ghanaian population
Authors: Derigubah Charles A. , Nkansah Charles , Mensah Kofi , Appiah Samuel K. , Osei‐Boakye Felix , Odame Enoch , Owusu Michael , Serwaa Dorcas , Hubert Maxwell A. , Bani Simon Bannison , Kuugbee Eugene , Issahaku Razak G. , Debrah Alexander Y. , Addai‐Mensah Otchere
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

Impaired coagulation and fibrinolysis have been implicated in thromboembolism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals. This study evaluated the plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and coagulation biomarkers in HIV‐infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods

This matched case‐control study from March to December, 2020 comprised 76 participants: 38 HIV‐positive individuals on HAART and 38 apparently healthy HIV‐negative individuals as controls. Blood samples were collected for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), D‐dimers, PAI‐1, and soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) estimations. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly lower in HIV seropositive individuals on HAART compared with HIV seronegative controls (25.90 s vs. 29.0 s, p = 0.030); however, PT, SFMC, D‐dimers, and PAI‐1 were significantly higher among the HIV‐seropositive individuals compared with the controls: PT: (16.29 s ± 2.16 vs. 15.15 s ± 2.60, p = 0.010), SFMC: [8.53 ng/mL (8.03–9.12) vs. 7.84 ng/mL (7.32–8.58), p = 0.005]), D‐Dimer: [463.37 ng/mL (402.70–526.33) vs. 421.11 ng/mL (341.11–462.52), p = 0.015], and PAI‐1: [12.77 ng/mL (10.63–14.65) vs. 11.27 ng/mL (10.08–12.95), p = 0.039]. PAI‐1 showed a moderate positive correlation with D‐Dimer (r = 0.659, p < 0.001) and SFMC (r = 0.463, p = 0.003) among HIV‐positive individuals on HAART. There was a strong positive correlation between the plasma PAI‐1 concentration and the HIV viral load (r = 0.955, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

HIV‐seropositive individuals on HAART have deranged coagulation and fibrinolytic markers. Higher HIV viral load correlates strongly with elevated plasma levels of PAI‐1 antigens. Periodic assessment of markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis be included in the management of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
Circ_0058063 regulates cell vitality and proliferation in oesophageal squamous‐cell carcinomas
Authors: Yang Yixuan , Zhu Bing , Ning Zhaofeng , Wang Xiaodong , Li Zhaoxia , Zhang Chunxia , Wen Linchun
Published: July 2023

Oesophageal squamous‐cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a malignant tumor of the digestive system with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown the promoting effect of hsa_circ_0058063 (circ_0058063) on ESCC, but the potential regulatory mechanisms of circ_0058063 in ESCC remain largely unclear. The levels of circ_0058063, microRNA‐4319 (miR‐4319) and mRNA of thrombospondin‐1 (THBS1) were indicated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in ESCC tissues and cells. Meanwhile, the level of THBS1 was quantified by western blot analysis. In addition, the cell functions were examined by CCK8 assay, Edu assay, flow cytometry assay and transwell assay. Furthermore, the interplay between miR‐4319 and circ_0058063 or THBS1 was detected by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Finally, an in vivo experiment was implemented to confirm the effect of circ_0058063. The level of circ_0058063 and THBS1 were increased, and the miR‐4319 level was decreased in ESCC tissues in contrast to that in normal tissues and cells. For functional analysis, circ_0058063 deficiency inhibited cell vitality, cell proliferation, migration and invasion in ESCC cells, whereas promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR‐4319 was confirmed to repress the progression of ESCC cells by suppressing THBS1. In mechanism, circ_0058063 acted as a miR‐4319 sponge to regulate the level of THBS1. Besides, circ_0058063 knockdown also attenuated tumour growth in vivo. Circ_0058063 facilitates the development of ESCC through increasing THBS1 expression by regulating miR‐4319, which also offered an underlying targeted therapy for ESCC treatment.
Taxonomic studies based on leaf epidermal microanatomy using high‐resolution microscopy in Lamiaceous species and their antimicrobial effects
Authors: Ameen Fuad
Published: July 2023

The knowledge of essential oil antimicrobial activity of Lamiaceous species is assessed to describe its effects. The comprehensive foliar trichomes and stomatal morphology of the leaves of essential oil‐bearing plants from the family Lamiaceae revealed diverse antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the foliar anatomical traits of 19 Lamiaceous taxa belonging to different tribes using light and scanning electron microscopy to correctly diagnose the species. The microanatomy of the foliar epidermis, trichomes diversity, and the stomatal apertural complex was visualized. Quantitative measurements were noted to describe the variations and the qualitative aspects for example, polygonal shape epidermal cells were examined. The stomatal aperture of four types and trichomes appendages both non‐glandular and glandular was identified. Significant variation was found in both quantitative and qualitative traits, including unique ornamentation on the trichomes. The taxonomic key was constructed for accurate identification using qualitative morpho‐structural traits. The outcomes of this research explored taxonomically to accurately identify the Lamiaceous species using anatomical characters. This study will provide provides the ecological adaptation linked to evolutionary traits of leaf surfaces that evolve with time to adapt the harsh environmental conditions.

Research Highlights

Investigated foliar anatomical traits of 19 Lamiaceous species

The anatomy and antimicrobial activity of essential oil yielding Lamiaceae species.

SEM revealed diverse aspects including peculiar sculptured trichomes

Microscopic identification of different stomatal complex
Biochar impacts on soil nitrogen and carbon dynamics in a Spodosol amended with biosolids and inorganic fertilizer
Authors: Lu Yanyan , Silveira Maria Lucia , Vendramini Joao M. B. , Li Yuncong
Published: July 2023

Despite evidence suggesting that biochar can retain nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N), and reduce the risks of transport, research on the co‐application of biochar with organic and inorganic fertilizer sources is limited. Three laboratory studies (herein referred to as static incubation, column leaching, and batch sorption) were conducted to evaluate the impacts of two biochar materials (pine and grass biochar generated at temperatures of 800 and 400°C, respectively) on N and carbon (C) dynamics in soils amended with different N sources (ammonium nitrate, Class B, and Class AA biosolids). Nitrogen sources were applied at an equivalent rate of 180 kg N ha−1 while biochar was applied at a 1% (w/w) rate. Biochar effects on soil N and C dynamics were variable and dependent on biochar and N sources. A negligible but significant effect of pine biochar in reducing NH4 leaching was observed; however, both biochar materials were ineffective in reducing NO3 or inorganic N leaching. Reductions in leachate NH4 by pine biochar were attributed to relative greater ability of this material to retain NH4 than grass biochar. Both biochar materials exhibited no ability to sorb NO3. Similarly, biochar had no effect on soil N2O emissions. Class B biosolids resulted in greater N leaching and soil N2O emissions compared to other fertilizers. This response was likely due to inherently high levels of inorganic N and moisture, which possibly favored denitrification. Further research is warranted to better understand the underlying mechanisms controlling soil N and C dynamics and responses to co‐application with fertilizer sources.
Heterotypic communication as the promoter of phenotypic plasticity of cancer cells: The role of cancer secretomes
Authors: Zelanis André , Barcick Uilla , Racorti Nathália de Vasconcellos , Salardani Murilo
Published: July 2023

Cellular communication relies on signaling circuits whose statuses are mainly modulated by soluble biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and metabolites as well as extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, the active secretion of such biomolecules is critical for both cell homeostasis and proper pathophysiological responses in a timely fashion. In this context, proteins are among the main modulators of such biological responses. Hence, profiling cell line secretomes may be an opportunity for the identification of “signatures” of specific cell types (i.e., stromal or metastatic cells) with important prognostic/therapeutic value. This review will focus on the biological implications of cell secretomes in the context of cancer, as well as their functional roles in shaping the tumoral microenvironment (TME) and communication status of participating cells.
Comparison of uncertainty quantification methods for cloud simulation
Authors: Janjić T. , Lukáčová‐Medviďová M. , Ruckstuhl Y. , Wiebe B.
Published: July 2023

Quantification of evolving uncertainties is required for both probabilistic forecasting and data assimilation in weather prediction. In current practice, the ensemble of model simulations is often used as a primary tool to describe the required uncertainties. In this work, we explore an alternative approach, the so‐called stochastic Galerkin (SG) method, which integrates uncertainties forward in time using a spectral approximation in stochastic space. In an idealized two‐dimensional model that couples nonhydrostatic weakly compressible Navier–Stokes equations to cloud variables, we first investigate the propagation of initial uncertainty. Propagation of initial perturbations is followed through time for all model variables during two types of forecast: the ensemble forecast and the SG forecast. Series of experiments indicate that differences in performance of the two methods depend on the system state and truncations used. For example, in more stable conditions, the SG method outperforms the ensemble of simulations for every truncation and every variable. However, in unstable conditions, the ensemble of simulations would need more than 100 members (depending on the model variable) and the SG method more than a truncation at five to produce comparable but not identical results. As estimates of the uncertainty are crucial for data assimilation, secondly we instigate the use of these two methods with the stochastic ensemble Kalman filter. The use of the SG method avoids evolution of a large ensemble, which is usually the most expensive component of the data assimilation system, and provides results comparable with the ensemble Kalman filter in the cases investigated.
Commonly Neglected Ester Groups Enhanced Microwave Absorption
Authors: Jin Haoshan , Zhou Jintang , Tao Jiaqi , Gu Yansong , Yu Chunyi , Chen Ping , Yao Zhengjun
Published: July 2023

Oxygen‐containing functional groups have high potential to excite polarization loss. The nature and mechanism of the polarization loss brought on by oxygen‐containing functional groups, however, remain unclear. In this study, metal‐organic framework precursors are in situ pyrolyzed to produce ultrathin carbon nanosheets (UCS) that are abundant in oxygen functional groups. By altering the pyrolysis temperature, the type and concentration of functional groups are altered to produce good microwave absorption capabilities. It is demonstrated that the main processes of electromagnetic loss are polarization caused by “field effects and induced effects” brought on by strongly polar ester functional groups. Moreover, links between various oxygen functional groups and structural flaws are established, and their respective contributions to polarization are sharply separated. The sample with the highest ester group content ultimately achieves an effective absorption bandwidth of 6.47 GHz at a pyrolysis temperature of 800°C. This research fills a theoretical hole in the frequently overlooked polarization mechanism in the microwave band by defining the key polarization parameters in chaotic multiple dipole systems and, in particular, redefining the significance of ester groups.
Building a Bridge: Writing and Reading Connections in Early Childhood
Authors: Quinn Margaret F. , Traga Philippakos Zoi A.
Published: July 2023

Reading and writing are essential components of literacy. Children's initial preschool experiences with literacy set important foundations for later school success. Instruction that can create a bridge between reading and writing to support children's developing understandings in both these areas of literacy has powerful implications for their literacy growth. This teaching and learning in action guide explores meaningful connections between reading and writing by examining the way in which one prekindergarten teacher supports children's reading–writing skills across various components of written language (i.e., sounds, letters, words, sentences, and content) and within various instructional contexts (centers, small groups, large group/read‐aloud). This article shares research‐based approaches in the context of specific examples in which the focal teacher fosters meaningful reading and writing connections using two key read‐alouds as starting points. How do we make reading–writing connections in preschool across contexts and learning experiences to support children's literacy in meaningful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate ways and make connections visible to children? What high‐quality reading and writing experiences influence preschoolers' engagement in activities? What ways are reading and writing addressed in your classroom across various instructional contexts (i.e., whole group, small group, centers)?
Impact of biochar amendments on soil water and plant uptake dynamics under different cropping systems
Authors: Thao Touyee , Arora Bhavna , Ghezzehei Teamrat A.
Published: July 2023

Application of biochar amendments in agricultural systems has received much attention in recent years. In this study, we assess the 5‐year impacts of biochar application on soil water and plant interactions for an irrigated fresh market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and a rainfed pasture (Poaceae) cropping system. In particular, we focus on three varieties of locally produced biochar from agricultural waste materials—almond shell, walnut shell, and almond pruning residues that are pyrolyzed using a mobile pyrolysis unit. We used the soil hydrological model HYDRUS‐1D to explicitly track seasonal and annual soil water fluxes through changes in water retention, drainage, evaporation, and plant water uptake under biochar application. Modeling results show that the application of biochar at 5% increased soil water availability within the top 20 cm for a rainfed system, irrespective of biochar amendment type. This is clearly indicative of higher plant water uptake and greater water use efficiency (WUE) under biochar application. In contrast, a similar biochar amendment for the irrigated system did not affect WUE, instead reducing seasonal soil evaporation loss and thereby reducing irrigation demand. In both cropping systems, year‐to‐year variability in precipitation significantly impacted the total amount of water saved under biochar application with certain amendments retaining more water than others. Given that biochar application increased water retention irrespective of cropping systems, we further used a simple approach to determine yield trade‐off, if any, between control and biochar treatments. Our economic balance clearly demonstrates that the water saved by amending soil with biochar does not offset the yield disparity if compensated with carbon credits and therefore, application of biochar should be actively considered for both its direct and indirect benefits to potential greenhouse gas mitigation (e.g., diverting orchard waste from open burning), water savings, and soil health.
Good manufacturing practice production of CD34+ progenitor-derived NK cells for adoptive immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: de Jonge P. K. J. D. , van Hauten P. M. M. , Janssen L. D. , de Goede A. L. , Berrien-Elliott M. M. , van der Meer J. M. R. , Mousset C. M. , Roeven M. W. H. , Foster M. , Blijlevens N. , Hobo W. , Fehniger T. A. , Jansen J. H. , Schaap N. P. M. , Dolstra H.
Published: July 2023

Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is a promising, well-tolerated adjuvant therapeutic approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For reproducible NK cell immunotherapy, a homogenous, pure and scalable NK cell product is preferred. Therefore, we developed a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant, cytokine-based ex vivo manufacturing process for generating NK cells from CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). This manufacturing process combines amongst others IL15 and IL12 and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist StemRegenin-1 (SR1) to generate a consistent and active NK cell product that fits the requirements for NK cell immunotherapy well. The cell culture protocol was first optimized to generate NK cells with required expansion and differentiation capacity in GMP-compliant closed system cell culture bags. In addition, phenotype, antitumor potency, proliferative and metabolic capacity were evaluated to characterize the HSPC-NK product. Subsequently, seven batches were manufactured for qualification of the process. All seven runs demonstrated consistent results for proliferation, differentiation and antitumor potency, and preliminary specifications for the investigational medicinal product for early clinical phase trials were set. This GMP-compliant manufacturing process for HSPC-NK cells (named RNK001 cells) is used to produce NK cell batches applied in the clinical trial ‘Infusion of ex vivo-generated allogeneic natural killer cells in combination with subcutaneous IL2 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia’ approved by the Dutch Ethics Committee (EudraCT 2019-001929-27).
Safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Saad Baraa , Nasser Maya , Matar Reem H. , Nakanishi Hayato , Tosovic Danijel , Than Christian A. , Taha-Mehlitz Stephanie , Taha Anas
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Rapid weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) translates to an increased need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) intervention. Laparoscopically Assisted Transgastric ERCP (LA-ERCP) has emerged to address the issue of accessing the excluded stomach. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following RYGB.

Methods

The Cochrane, EMBASE, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Daily and Epub databases were searched from inception to May 2022 using the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies reported participants older than 18 years who underwent the LA-ERCP procedure, following RYGB, and outcomes of patients.

Results

27 unique studies met the inclusion criteria with 1283 patients undergoing 1303 LA-ERCP procedures. 81.9% of the patients were female and the mean age was 52.18 ± 13.38 years. The rate of concurrent cholecystectomy was 33.6%. 90.9% of procedures were undertaken for a biliary indication. The mean time between RYGB and LA-ERCP was 89.19 months. The most common intervention performed during the LA-ERCP was a sphincterotomy (94.3%). Mean total operative time was 130.48 min. Mean hospital length of stay was 2.697 days. Technical success was 95.3%, while clinical success was 93.8%. 294 complications were recorded with a 20.6% complication rate. The most frequent complications encountered were pancreatitis (6.8%), infection (6.1%), bleeding (3.4%), and perforation (2.5%). Rate of conversion to open laparotomy was 7%.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis presents preliminary evidence to suggest the safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following RYGB. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure using studies with long-term patient follow-up.
Text analysis of job offers for mismatch of educational characteristics to labour market demands
Authors: Beręsewicz Maciej , Cherniaiev Herman , Mantaj Andrzej , Pater Robert
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, the traditional ways of job seeking have become less popular than digital methods. Recruitment websites are more attractive to job seekers since they provide easy, convenient access to a greater number of job vacancies. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that job vacancies published online are often unstructured and confusing. Studies related to online job vacancies are usually restricted to a short duration and a small number of recruitment websites. Such studies frequently use proxies for skills and occupations, or aggregate them into wider groups. The aim of our research is to provide full educational characteristics of job vacancies in Poland and calculate a complete list of educational mismatches. We introduce an approach that includes stages of source selection; data collection; and extraction of occupations, qualifications, and skills. We describe difficulties with data scraping and ways to overcome them. Thanks to our large dataset, we are able to determine and describe the labour demand. We also show the results of a survey that estimates educational traits of the labour supply. To measure mismatch between education and labour supply and demand, we use structural compliance indices. The paper also offers a case study for chosen occupational groups. Our findings reveal the greatest mismatch is in education and job-related skills, with the least mismatch occurring between geographic regions.
Properties and Effects of a Drug-Loaded Haemostatic Sponge
Authors: Wang Lusha , Meng Jia , Jia Xujing , Wang Wei , Wang Jiayan , Huang Jibin , Wu Di , Zhang Xiuqiang , Xu Ming
Published: July 2023

Some cases of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) require surgical treatment and postoperative nasal packing, but bleeding and adhesion are common complications after nasal surgery. Biodegradable drug-loaded implants hold great therapeutic options for the treatment of CRS, but little data are available regarding the properties and effects of a novel drug-loaded haemostatic sponge (DLHS) in the nasal cavity and sinus. In this study, in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to test the physicochemical properties and investigate the biocompatibility and effectiveness of DLHS. The results showed that DLHSs present outstanding porosity and liquid absorption capacity, which might enhance their haemostatic ability, and they possess sustained-release ability for drugs. Further clinical trials confirmed their clinical efficacy and safety, and there was no evidence of adrenal cortical suppression. This study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of a novel biodegradable drug-loaded sponge with the possibility of being used in CRS patients, and it may reduce inflammation and minimize adhesions via controlled local drug delivery without measurable systemic exposure.
Academic dishonesty and monitoring in online exams: a randomized field experiment
Authors: Alguacil Maite , Herranz-Zarzoso Noemí , Pernías José C. , Sabater-Grande Gerardo
Published: July 2023

Cheating in online exams without face-to-face proctoring has been a general concern for academic instructors during the crisis caused by COVID-19. The main goal of this work is to evaluate the cost of these dishonest practices by comparing the academic performance of webcam-proctored students and their unproctored peers in an online gradable test. With this aim in mind, we carried out a randomized field experiment using a simple video surveillance system through Google Meet during an online closed-book final exam of an Introduction to Microeconomics course. Given that all conditions except for webcam monitoring were identical, differences in between-subjects scores are attributed to academic dishonesty. After controlling for potential confounding factors, including gender, academic degree, instructor, previous score and whether students were repeaters or not, we found that those students who were proctored via webcam obtained statistically significant lower scores in the final exam than those who were not using this surveillance system with a low level of invasiveness. Inspection of the potential factors behind these differences in scores suggests that the poorer performance of proctored students is more related to academic dishonesty than to reasons involving anxiety or heterogeneity factors.
Synthesis and Retrofit of Multiperiod Heat Exchanger Networks Considering Heat Transfer Enhancement and Environmental Impact
Authors: Isafiade Adeniyi Jide
Published: July 2023

Heat transfer enhancement has been used to achieve lower heat transfer area and reduced utility requirements in heat exchanger network synthesis problems involving retrofit. This paper presents a technique for implementing heat transfer enhancements in both grassroot and retrofit heat exchanger network synthesis problems involving multiperiod operations. For the grassroot scenario, the approach adopted involves extending the stage-wise superstructure model for multiperiod heat exchanger network synthesis to accommodate various options of tube-side and shell-side heat transfer enhancement techniques. The extended model is then applied to a retrofit scenario using the reduced superstructure synthesis approach. The results obtained demonstrate the benefits of heat transfer enhancement through reduced operating costs in the grassroot and retrofit scenarios. For the grassroot scenario, the operating and capital costs obtained in this paper are 12.3% and 20% lower than solutions obtained using conventional non-enhanced synthesis methods, while for the retrofit scenario, solutions which compare favourably with literature solutions, and which has the potential to be more environment friendly by virtue of lower energy utilisation, are obtained.
Predicting vehicle prices via quantum-assisted feature selection
Authors: Dollen David Von , Neukart Florian , Weimer Daniel , Bäck Thomas
Published: July 2023

Feature selection is a technique used to reduce complexity and improve performance in regards to generalization, fit, and accuracy of prediction for machine learning models. A central challenge in this selection process is that the search over the space of features to find the subset of k optimal features is a known NP-Hard problem. In this work, we study metrics for encoding the combinatorial search as a binary quadratic model, such as Generalized Mean Information Coefficient and Pearson Correlation Coefficient in application to the underlying regression problem of price prediction. We compare predictive model performance in regards to leveraging quantum-assisted vs. classical subroutines for the search, using minimum redundancy maximal relevancy as the heuristic for our approach. We cross validate predictive models on a real world problem of price prediction, and show a performance improvement of mean absolute error scores for our quantum-assisted method $$(1471.02 \pm {135.6})$$

(
1471.02
±

135.6

)

vs. similar methodologies such as greedy selection $$(1707.2 \pm {168})$$

(
1707.2
±
168
)

, recursive feature elimination $$(1678.3 \pm {143.7})$$

(
1678.3
±

143.7

)

, and all features $$(1546.2 \pm {154}$$

(
1546.2
±
154

). Our findings show that by leveraging quantum assisted routines we find solutions which increase the quality of predictive model output while reducing the input dimensionality to the learning algorithm on synthetic and real-world data.
The characterization of the particle normal stresses of concentrated granular suspensions by local rheometry
Authors: d'Ambrosio Enzo , Blanc Frédéric , Lemaire Elisabeth
Published: July 2023

The normal and shear viscosities of non-Brownian suspensions are measured by optical suspension imaging for particle volume fractions

$\phi$

between

$0.3\phi _m$

and

$0.98\phi _m$

, where

$\phi _m$

is the jamming fraction. Two distinct refractive-index-matched suspensions, made with the same polymethyl methacrylate spherical particles dispersed in a mixture of water and Triton X-100, are studied. One is density-matched while the other one is negatively buoyant. They are both sheared in a Couette rheometer where the velocity and particle volume fraction fields are measured. The shear viscosity and the second particle normal stress

$\varSigma _{22}^p$

are determined through the study of these profiles in the neutrally buoyant suspension, while the third particle normal stress

$\varSigma _{33}^p$

is deduced from the analysis of the vertical

$\phi$

profiles measured in the negatively buoyant suspension. Our results indicate that the shear viscosity decreases with shear stress

$\varSigma _{12}$

, and that this shear-thinning behaviour can be captured by the variation of

$\phi _m$

with

$\varSigma _{12}$

. We show that

$\varSigma _{33}^p$

is proportional to

$\varSigma _{12}$

, and that

$\varSigma _{33}^p/\eta _0\dot {\gamma }$

is a function of only

$\phi /\phi _m(\varSigma _{12})$

. The values of

$\varSigma _{22}^p$

deduced from the radial

$\phi$

profiles are consistent with the results of Zarraga et al. (J. Rheol., vol. 44, 2000, pp. 185–220). We conclude by discussing our results in the framework of the

$\mu (J)$

rheology for viscous numbers

$J$

ranging from

$2\times 10^{-4}$

to

$3\times 10^1$

. We obtain very good agreement with the results obtained by Boyer et al. for

$J\lesssim 10^{-1}$

(Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 107, 2011, 188301) and by Zarraga et al. for

$J\gtrsim 10^{-1}$

.
Institutionalizing health technology assessment in Ethiopia: seizing the window of opportunity
Authors: Erku Daniel , Walker Damian , Caruso Ana A. , Wubishet Befikadu , Assefa Yibeltal , Abera Samuel , Hailu Alemayehu , Scuffham Paul
Published: July 2023

Ethiopia’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) requires an efficient and equitable health priority-setting practice. The Ministry of Health aims to institutionalize health technology assessment (HTA) to support evidence-based decision making. This commentary highlights key considerations for successful formulation, adoption, and implementation of HTA policies and practices in Ethiopia, based on a review of international evidence and published normative principles and guidelines. Stakeholder engagement, transparent policymaking, sustainable financing, workforce education, and political economy analysis and power dynamics are critical factors that need to be considered when developing a national HTA roadmap and implementation strategy. To ensure ownership and sustainability of HTA, effective stakeholder engagement and transparency are crucial. Regulatory embedding and sustainable financing ensure legitimacy and continuity of HTA production, and workforce education and training are essential for conducting and interpreting HTA. Political economy analysis helps identify opportunities and constraints for effective HTA implementation. By addressing these considerations, Ethiopia can establish a well-designed HTA system to inform evidence-based and equitable resource allocation toward achieving UHC and improving health outcomes.
The role of bilingualism in paired-associate and cross-situational word learning
Authors: Neveu Anne , Kaushanskaya Margarita
Published: July 2023

In adulthood, novel words are commonly encountered in the context of sequential language learning, and to a lesser extent, when learning a new word in one's native language. Paired-associate (PAL) and cross-situational word learning (CSWL) paradigms have been studied separately, under distinct theoretical umbrellas, limiting the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the learning process in each. We tested 126 monolinguals and 111 bilinguals on PAL and CSWL, manipulating familiarity and measuring verbal working memory. Results revealed highly similar learning performance across groups, both demonstrating better performance in PAL than in CSWL, similar sensitivity to familiarity, and similar reliance on phonological working memory. We observed a trend such that bilinguals outperformed monolinguals in PAL but not in CSWL, but this trend was weak. Findings indicate limited effects of bilingualism on word learning in adulthood and suggest highly similar word learning mechanisms in learners with different linguistic experiences.
Capturing (Optimal) Relaxed Plans with Stable and Supported Models of Logic Programs
Authors: RANKOOH MASOOD FEYZBAKHSH , JANHUNEN TOMI
Published: July 2023

We establish a novel relation between delete-free planning, an important task for the AI planning community also known as relaxed planning, and logic programming. We show that given a planning problem, all subsets of actions that could be ordered to produce relaxed plans for the problem can be bijectively captured with stable models of a logic program describing the corresponding relaxed planning problem. We also consider the supported model semantics of logic programs, and introduce one causal and one diagnostic encoding of the relaxed planning problem as logic programs, both capturing relaxed plans with their supported models. Our experimental results show that these new encodings can provide major performance gain when computing optimal relaxed plans, with our diagnostic encoding outperforming state-of-the-art approaches to relaxed planning regardless of the given time limit when measured on a wide collection of STRIPS planning benchmarks.
The Effect of Genetic Predisposition to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Traits on Recruitment Bias in a Study of Cognitive Aging
Authors: Gomez Lina M. , Mitchell Brittany L. , McAloney Kerrie , Adsett Jessica , Garden Natalie , Wood Madeline , Diaz-Torres Santiago , Garcia-Marin Luis M. , Breakspear Michael , Martin Nicholas G. , Lupton Michelle K.
Published: July 2023

The recruitment of participants for research studies may be subject to bias. The Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing (PISA) aims to characterize the phenotype and natural history of healthy adult Australians at high future risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants approached to take part in PISA were selected from existing cohort studies with available genomewide genetic data for both successfully and unsuccessfully recruited participants, allowing us to investigate the genetic contribution to voluntary recruitment, including the genetic predisposition to AD. We use a polygenic risk score (PRS) approach to test to what extent the genetic risk for AD, and related risk factors predict participation in PISA. We did not identify a significant association of genetic risk for AD with study participation, but we did identify significant associations with PRS for key causal risk factors for AD, IQ, household income and years of education. We also found that older and female participants were more likely to take part in the study. Our findings highlight the importance of considering bias in key risk factors for AD in the recruitment of individuals for cohort studies.
A Bayesian Formulation for Estimating the Composition of Earth's Crust
Authors: Pease Gailin , Gelb Anne , Lee Yoonsang , Keller Brenhin
Published: July 2023

Due to the inaccessibility of Earth's deep interior, geologists have long attempted to estimate the composition of the continental crust from its seismic properties. Despite numerous sources of error including nonuniqueness in the mapping between composition and seismic properties, the corresponding uncertainties have typically been estimated qualitatively at best. We propose a Bayesian approach that uses mineralogical modeling to combine prior knowledge about the composition of the crust with seismic data to give a posterior distribution of the predicted composition at any location, combined with a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the average composition of the Earth's crust. Our approach yields an estimated composition of 59.5% silica in the upper crust (90% credible interval 58.9 %–60.1%), 57.9% in the middle crust (90% credible interval 57.2%–58.6%), and 53.6% in the lower crust (90% credible interval 53.0%–54.2%). Our estimate exhibits less compositional stratification over depth and a more intermediate composition in the upper and middle crust than previous estimates. Testing our approach on a simulated crust reveals the importance of prior assumptions in estimating the composition of the crust from its seismic properties, and suggests that future work should focus on quantifying those assumptions.
CAMK2D: a novel molecular target for BAP1-deficient malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Karnan Sivasundaram , Ota Akinobu , Murakami Hideki , Rahman Md. Lutfur , Wahiduzzaman Md , Hasan Muhammad Nazmul , Vu Lam Quang , Hanamura Ichiro , Inoko Akihito , Riku Miho , Ito Hideaki , Kaneko Yoshifumi , Hyodo Toshinori , Konishi Hiroyuki , Tsuzuki Shinobu , Hosokawa Yoshitaka
Published: July 2023

Malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is a rare but aggressive malignancy. Although the molecular genetics of MMe is known, including BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1) gene alterations, the prognosis of MMe patients remains poor. Here, we generated BAP1 knockout (BAP1-KO) human mesothelial cell clones to develop molecular-targeted therapeutics based on genetic alterations in MMe. cDNA microarray and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses revealed high expression of a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II subunit delta (CAMK2D) gene in the BAP1-KO cells. CAMK2D was highly expressed in 70% of the human MMe tissues (56/80) and correlated with the loss of BAP1 expression, making it a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for BAP1-deficient MMe. We screened an anticancer drugs library using BAP1-KO cells and successfully identified a CaMKII inhibitor, KN-93, which displayed a more potent and selective antiproliferative effect against BAP1-deficient cells than cisplatin or pemetrexed. KN-93 significantly suppressed the tumor growth in mice xenografted with BAP1-deficient MMe cells. This study is the first to provide a potential molecular-targeted therapeutic approach for BAP1-deficient MMe.
Associations between 3D surface scanner derived anthropometric measurements and body composition in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Guarnieri Lopez Manuel , Matthes Katarina L , Sob Cynthia , Bender Nicole , Staub Kaspar
Published: July 2023

Background

3D laser-based photonic scanners are increasingly used in health studies to estimate body composition. However, too little is known about whether various 3D body scan measures estimate body composition better than single standard anthropometric measures, and which body scans best estimate it. Furthermore, little is known about differences by sex and age.

Methods

105 men and 96 women aged between 18 and 90 years were analysed. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis was used to estimate whole relative fat mass (RFM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). An Anthroscan VITUSbodyscan was used to obtain 3D body scans (e.g. volumes, circumferences, lengths). To reduce the number of possible predictors that could predict RFM, VAT and SMI backward elimination was performed. With these selected predictors linear regression on the respective body compositions was performed and the explained variations were compared with models using standard anthropometric measurements (Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR)).

Results

Among the models based on standard anthropometric measures, WC performed better than BMI and WHtR in estimating body composition in men and women. The explained variations in models including body scan variables are consistently higher than those from standard anthropometrics models, with an increase in explained variations between 5% (RFM for men) and 10% (SMI for men). Furthermore, the explained variation of body composition was additionally increased when age and lifestyle variables were added. For each of the body composition variables, the number of predictors differed between men and women, but included mostly volumes and circumferences in the central waist/chest/hip area and the thighs.

Conclusions

3D scan models performed better than standard anthropometric measures models to predict body composition. Therefore, it is an advantage for larger health studies to look at body composition more holistically using 3D full body surface scans.
Impact of climate risk materialization and ecological deterioration on house prices in Mar Menor, Spain
Authors: Lamas Rodríguez Matías , Garcia Lorenzo Mari Luz , Medina Magro Manuel , Perez Quiros Gabriel
Published: July 2023

The frequency and severity of extreme events related to climate change have intensified worldwide in the last decades. It is documented that increasing extreme rainfall and flooding cause more nutrient runoff into waterbodies, initiating numerous harmful algal bloom (HAB) events, especially in fragile ecosystems. We analyze the dramatic economic damage of one of these episodes in Mar Menor, the largest salt-water lagoon in Europe. We show that when the public perceived the severity of environmental degradation, the return on housing investment was 43% lower in the surroundings than in similar neighboring zones 6 years after the HAB (2015). This represents a loss in housing wealth of more than 4000 million euros, around ten times the gains of changing from dry-farming to irrigated crops, which makes this ecosystem fragile. Hence, we quantify some of the economic consequences of ecological deterioration linked to episodes of Global Climate Change.
Tackling FGFR3-driven bladder cancer with a promising synergistic FGFR/HDAC targeted therapy
Authors: Wang Zechen , Muthusamy Viswanathan , Petrylak Daniel P. , Anderson Karen S.
Published: July 2023

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide and FGFR3 alterations are particularly common in BC. Despite approval of erdafitinib, durable responses for FGFR inhibitors are still uncommon and most patients relapse to metastatic disease. Given the necessity to discover more efficient therapies for BC, herein, we sought to explore promising synergistic combinations for BC with FGFR3 fusions. Our studies confirmed the synergy between FGFR and HDAC inhibitors in vitro and demonstrated its benefits in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that quisinostat can downregulate FGFR3 expression by suppressing FGFR3 translation. Additionally, quisinostat can also sensitize BC cells to erdafitinib by downregulating HDGF. Furthermore, the synergy was also confirmed in BC cells with FGFR3 S249C. This study discovers a new avenue for treatment of FGFR3-driven BC and uncovers new mechanistic insights. These preclinical studies pave the way for a direct translation of this combination to early phase clinical trials.
Comprehensive analysis of intercellular communication in the thermogenic adipose niche
Authors: Shamsi Farnaz , Zheng Rongbin , Ho Li-Lun , Chen Kaifu , Tseng Yu-Hua
Published: July 2023

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is responsible for regulating body temperature through adaptive thermogenesis. The ability of thermogenic adipocytes to dissipate chemical energy as heat counteracts weight gain and has gained considerable attention as a strategy against obesity. BAT undergoes major remodeling in a cold environment. This remodeling results from changes in the number and function of brown adipocytes, expanding the network of blood vessels and sympathetic nerves, and changes in the composition and function of immune cells. Such synergistic adaptation requires extensive crosstalk between individual cells in the tissue to coordinate their responses. To understand the mechanisms of intercellular communication in BAT, we apply the CellChat algorithm to single-cell transcriptomic data of mouse BAT. We construct an integrative network of the ligand-receptor interactome in BAT and identify the major signaling inputs and outputs of each cell type. By comparing the ligand-receptor interactions in BAT of mice housed at different environmental temperatures, we show that cold exposure enhances the intercellular interactions among the major cell types in BAT, including adipocytes, adipocyte progenitors, lymphatic and vascular endothelial cells, myelinated and non-myelinated Schwann cells, and immune cells. These interactions are predicted to regulate the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, the inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and neurite growth. Together, our integrative analysis of intercellular communications in BAT and their dynamic regulation in response to housing temperatures provides a new understanding of the mechanisms underlying BAT thermogenesis. The resources presented in this study offer a valuable platform for future investigations of BAT development and thermogenesis.
Self-correcting quantum many-body control using reinforcement learning with tensor networks
Authors: Metz Friederike , Bukov Marin
Published: July 2023

Quantum many-body control is a central milestone en route to harnessing quantum technologies. However, the exponential growth of the Hilbert space dimension with the number of qubits makes it challenging to classically simulate quantum many-body systems and, consequently, to devise reliable and robust optimal control protocols. Here we present a framework for efficiently controlling quantum many-body systems based on reinforcement learning (RL). We tackle the quantum-control problem by leveraging matrix product states (1) for representing the many-body state and (2) as part of the trainable machine learning architecture for our RL agent. The framework is applied to prepare ground states of the quantum Ising chain, including states in the critical region. It allows us to control systems far larger than neural-network-only architectures permit, while retaining the advantages of deep learning algorithms, such as generalizability and trainable robustness to noise. In particular, we demonstrate that RL agents are capable of finding universal controls, of learning how to optimally steer previously unseen many-body states and of adapting control protocols on the fly when the quantum dynamics is subject to stochastic perturbations. Furthermore, we map our RL framework to a hybrid quantum–classical algorithm that can be performed on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices and test it under the presence of experimentally relevant sources of noise.
A simplified and facile preparation method for the [Ca24Al28O64]4+(e−)4 electride
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Chen Yunlei , Sun Yongfang , Wang Fei , Wen Xiao-Dong , Ye Tian-Nan
Published: July 2023

A simplified and facile preparation procedure for C12A7:e− from C12A7:O2− CA and CaH2.