bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different neural mechanisms for nonsalient trained stimuli and physically salient stimuli in visual processing
Authors: Wang Zile , Zhang Qi , Hao Yuxiang , Xu Shuangxing
Published: December 2023

Previous studies have shown that nonsalient trained stimuli could capture attention and would be actively suppressed when served as distractors. However, it was unclear whether nonsalient trained stimuli and physically salient stimuli operate through the same attentional neural mechanism. In the current study, we investigated this question by recording event‐related potentials (ERPs) of searching for the two stimuli separately after matching the difficulty. The present results provided additional evidence for the function of the suppression in that it may terminate a shift of attention. For the N1 component, the nonsalient trained stimuli had a shorter latency and larger amplitude than the physically salient stimuli whether presented as targets or distractors. It indicated that the nonsalient trained stimuli had an earlier sensory processing and greater visual attention orienting. The N2 posterior‐contralateral (N2pc) amplitude of the physically salient target was larger than the nonsalient trained target. This suggested that physically salient stimuli had a stronger ability to capture attention. However, when they presented as distractors, only the nonsalient trained stimuli could elicit the PD component. Therefore, active suppression of the physically salient stimuli was more difficult than the nonsalient trained stimulus with the same difficulty. For the P3 component, the amplitude of the physically salient stimuli was larger than that of the nonsalient trained stimuli, both as targets and distractors, which indicated that the top‐down controlled process of outcome evaluation for the salient triangle was stronger. Overall, these results suggested that they were processed via different neural mechanisms in the early sensory processing, attentional selection, active suppression, and the outcome‐evaluation process.
Affectivity and satisfaction in the relationship of Pakistani couples is mediated by dyadic coping‐based gratitude
Authors: Shujja Sultan , Adil Adnan
Published: December 2023

A substantial body of research supports a positive association between interpersonal gratitude and relationship satisfaction in couples; however, dyadic coping‐based gratitude (DC‐G) has not been investigated from a dyadic stress and coping perspective. The current study aimed to investigate the mediating role of DC‐G between trait affectivity and relationship satisfaction in couples. We collected data from both members of dyads (N = 300 married couples) for the study variables as a pre‐requisite for conducting dyadic data analysis using an actor–partner interdependent mediation model (APIMeM). The findings suggest that husbands' positive affect significantly predicted wives' relationship satisfaction via DC‐G (actor–partner effect). However, the mediating effect of DC‐G appeared to be stronger for the actor–actor and partner–partner effects compared with the cross‐partner effect, which supports the actor‐only effect. Further, wives' DC‐G mediated between husbands' negative affect and wives' relationship satisfaction, suggesting a mediating effect of DC‐G for wives but not for husbands. The implications are discussed within the context of couples' relationships.
Crystal structure of human serum albumin in complex with megabody reveals unique human and murine cross‐reactive binding site
Authors: De Felice Sofia , Romanyuk Zhanna , Chinellato Monica , Zoia Giulia , Linciano Sara , Kumada Yoichi , Pardon Els , Steyaert Jan , Angelini Alessandro , Cendron Laura
Published: December 2023

The pharmacokinetic properties of small biotherapeutics can be enhanced via conjugation to cross‐reactive albumin‐binding ligands in a process that improves their safety and accelerates testing through multiple pre‐clinical animal models. In this context, the small and stable heavy‐chain‐only nanobody NbAlb1, capable of binding both human and murine albumin, has recently been successfully applied to improve the stability and prolong the in vivo plasma residence time of multiple small therapeutic candidates. Despite its clinical efficacy, the mechanism of cross‐reactivity of NbAlb1 between human and murine serum albumins has not yet been investigated. To unveil the molecular basis of such an interaction, we solved the crystal structure of human serum albumin (hSA) in complex with NbAlb1. The structure was obtained by harnessing the unique features of a megabody chimeric protein, comprising NbAlb1 grafted onto a modified version of the circularly permutated and bacterial‐derived protein HopQ. This structure showed that NbAlb1 contacts a yet unexplored binding site located in the peripheral region of domain II that is conserved in both human and mouse serum albumin proteins. Furthermore, we show that the binding of NbAlb1 to both serum albumin proteins is retained even at acidic pH levels, thus explaining its extended in vivo half‐life. The elucidation of the molecular basis of NbAlb1 cross‐reactivity to human and murine albumins might guide the design of novel nanobodies with broader reactivity toward a larger panel of serum albumins, thus facilitating the pre‐clinical and clinical phases in humans.
A numerical study of ocean surface‐layer response to atmospheric shallow convection: Impact of cloud shading, rain, and cold pools
Authors: Brilouet Pierre‐Etienne , Redelsperger Jean‐Luc , Bouin Marie‐Noëlle , Couvreux Fleur , Villefranque Najda
Published: December 2023

The response of the oceanic surface layer to atmospheric shallow convection is explored using realistic atmospheric large eddy simulations coupled with an oceanic 1D model with high vertical resolution. The effects of cloud shading, rain, and enhanced heat loss due to gust fronts on the edge of cold pools and their interactions are investigated in a case study of the Cooperative Indian Ocean Experiment on Intraseasonal Variability/Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation experiment in the tropical Indian Ocean, during a suppressed phase of the Madden–Julian Oscillation. Conditions of low surface wind and strong solar heating result in diurnal warming of the oceanic surface of  2 °C over a depth of 1 m. Analysis of specific periods covering the diurnal cycle shows the contrasting effects of cloud shading, rain, and turbulent heat fluxes under the cold pools on the sea temperature at the surface and below. On the one hand, decreasing the solar radiation (cloud shading) results in slight cooling extended horizontally and penetrating down to 1–2 m depth, depending on the time of the day. On the other hand, turbulent heat fluxes enhanced up to 300 Wm by gusts and freshwater lenses due to rain act together and more locally. They isolate and strongly cool a thin inner layer at the surface, which eventually destabilizes the surface layer and propagates the cooling downward. The exact relative part and efficiency of these processes depend on the time evolution of the thermal stratification and vertical turbulent mixing in the oceanic upper layer. Surface cooling of up to 0.5 °C may occur in a few tens of minutes and last for several hours, significantly mitigating the effects of diurnal warming over large extents.
Development of a compact laser‐based heating stage for in situ spectroscopic characterizations
Authors: Colbea Claudiu , Plodinec Milivoj , Willinger Marc , van Bokhoven Jeroen A. , Artiglia Luca
Published: December 2023

In this work, we present a recent advancement in high‐temperature instrumentation in the form of a heating stage that enables studies to be performed in the temperature range of 20–1250°C under high‐vacuum, millibar, and atmospheric pressure conditions (10−7–1000 mbar). The newly developed laser‐based heating solution is described in detail. Its functionality is highlighted in this study in the form of a heating stage compatible with in situ ambient pressure X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS). The proof‐of‐concept experiment presented in this work involves a polycrystalline nickel foil, a material of considerable interest in the scientific field due to its applications in catalysis, batteries, and electrochemistry. Owing to the intrinsic oxophilicity of nickel, the experiment targeted the high‐temperature oxidation (600°C) and reduction (1050°C) that serves interest as both, a pretreatment and preparation method, and as a model reaction for the redox behavior of non‐noble materials under reactive conditions. Complete and reversible surface state changes from metallic to oxide and back to metallic were achieved through stepwise variations of the gas phase composition and temperature. The heating stage showed high stability at high temperatures under reducing and oxidizing conditions, demonstrating the benefit of this design. The in situ characterization possibilities enabled by this stage will allow a better understanding of the inherent properties of materials that function at high temperatures, leading to their optimization in relevant application fields such as catalysis, materials, and surface science.
Unusual Raman Enhancement Effect of Ultrathin Copper Sulfide
Authors: Kim Gwangwoo , Jeong Du Won , Lee Geonhee , Lee Suok , Ma Kyung Yeol , Hwang Hyuntae , Jang Seunghun , Hong John , Pak Sangyeon , Cha SeungNam , Cho Donghwi , Kim Sunkyu , Lim Jongchul , Lee Young‐Woo , Shin Hyeon Suk , Jang A‐Rang , Lee Jeong‐O
Published: December 2023

In surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), 2D materials are explored as substrates owing to their chemical stability and reproducibility. However, they exhibit lower enhancement factors (EFs) compared to noble metal‐based SERS substrates. This study demonstrates the application of ultrathin covellite copper sulfide (CuS) as a cost‐effective SERS substrate with a high EF value of 7.2 × 104. The CuS substrate is readily synthesized by sulfurizing a Cu thin film at room temperature, exhibiting a Raman signal enhancement comparable to that of an Au noble metal substrate of similar thickness. Furthermore, computational simulations using the density functional theory are employed and time‐resolved photoluminescence measurements are performed to investigate the enhancement mechanisms. The results indicate that polar covalent bonds (Cu─S) and strong interlayer interactions in the ultrathin CuS substrate increase the probability of charge transfer between the analyte molecules and the CuS surface, thereby producing enhanced SERS signals. The CuS SERS substrate demonstrates the selective detection of various dye molecules, including rhodamine 6G, methylene blue, and safranine O. Furthermore, the simplicity of CuS synthesis facilitates large‐scale production of SERS substrates with high spatial uniformity, exhibiting a signal variation of less than 5% on a 4‐inch wafer.
Band Engineering Through Pb‐Doping of Nanocrystal Building Blocks to Enhance Thermoelectric Performance in Cu3SbSe4
Authors: Wan Shanhong , Xiao Shanshan , Li Mingquan , Wang Xin , Lim Khak Ho , Hong Min , Ibáñez Maria , Cabot Andreu , Liu Yu
Published: December 2023

Developing cost‐effective and high‐performance thermoelectric (TE) materials to assemble efficient TE devices presents a multitude of challenges and opportunities. Cu3SbSe4 is a promising p‐type TE material based on relatively earth abundant elements. However, the challenge lies in its poor electrical conductivity. Herein, an efficient and scalable solution‐based approach is developed to synthesize high‐quality Cu3SbSe4 nanocrystals doped with Pb at the Sb site. After ligand displacement and annealing treatments, the dried powders are consolidated into dense pellets, and their TE properties are investigated. Pb doping effectively increases the charge carrier concentration, resulting in a significant increase in electrical conductivity, while the Seebeck coefficients remain consistently high. The calculated band structure shows that Pb doping induces band convergence, thereby increasing the effective mass. Furthermore, the large ionic radius of Pb2+ results in the generation of additional point and plane defects and interphases, dramatically enhancing phonon scattering, which significantly decreases the lattice thermal conductivity at high temperatures. Overall, a maximum figure of merit (zTmax) ≈ 0.85 at 653 K is obtained in Cu3Sb0.97Pb0.03Se4. This represents a 1.6‐fold increase compared to the undoped sample and exceeds most doped Cu3SbSe4‐based materials produced by solid‐state, demonstrating advantages of versatility and cost‐effectiveness using a solution‐based technology.
Inducing 2D Structure at Grain‐Boundary via Triazinane Molecular Modification to Improve Stability of Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gong Hongkang , Song Qi , Zhang Chenhui , Sun Fulin , Zhu Ting , Jing Xiping , You Fangtian , Liang Chunjun , He Zhiqun
Published: December 2023

Active layers of p–i–n organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are passivated by star‐shape, multifunctional triazinane molecules, cyanuric acid (CA), and Tris(dibutylhydroxy‐ benzyl)isocyanuric acid (TPCA). The most interesting is that CA is used as a bulk additive is able to induce a two‐dimensional (2D) structure at grain boundaries (GBs) of the perovskite when excess PbI2 is present. TPCA is also important to use as a perovskite surface modifier and to reduce the defects in perovskite layer further. The reduced ideality factors, enhanced photoluminescence, and prolonged lifetimes all indicate suppression of non‐radiative recombination. The combination of the two substantially improves fill‐factors and open‐circuit voltages of the devices. This leads to markedly enhanced stabilities of the devices.
Demeter: An automatic framework for data migration in open data lakes
Authors: Kim Dasol , Han Jiwoo , Son Siwoon , Gil Myeong‐Seon , Moon Yang‐Sae , Won Heesun
Published: December 2023

An open data lake stores various forms and types of open data, and there is an increasing demand to manage raw data in tables rather than files for efficient data exploration and analysis. In this paper, we investigate the data management of open data lakes and recognize the limitations of table migration and related problems. First, open data lakes have problems of preprocessing complexity, scale limitation, and platform dependency due to the traditional data management method and open data characteristics. Second, existing studies for table migration have problems of lack of scalability, migration incompleteness, and scale limitation. In this work, we present a novel automation framework, called Demeter, which solves three problems inherent in open data lakes by expanding automation. Specifically, it supports automating catalog collection and preprocessing tasks to solve preprocessing complexity and scale limitation. It also supports platform universality for representative data platforms through the automation of catalog analysis and detailed processing logic. Demeter then solves three problems in table migration by adopting Airbyte, an open‐source ELT platform, and by enhancing automation capability with the Airbyte manager. We verify that Demeter resolves all the problems above through extensive experiments and proves its scalability and universality. In addition, significantly outperforms CKAN by Demeter up to 508.5% in automation performance, up to 207.28% in processing time, and up to 917.17% in migration performance. These results indicate that Demeter is an excellent automation framework that increases the utilization of large‐scale open data and supports reliable Internet‐scale migration.
Privacy‐preserving in the smart healthcare system using steganography and chaotic functions based on DNA
Authors: Esmaeelzadeh Rostam Habib , Motameni Homayun , Enayatifar Rasul
Published: December 2023

The smart healthcare system is one of the Internet of Things‐based applications that are increasingly used nowadays. One of the requirements of this system is privacy‐preserving, which should protect the disclosure of the patient record contents. In the present paper, a combination of chaotic functions and a new DNA‐based steganography method, and image blocking are suggested to protect patients' privacy‐preserving. First, the image is blocked, and the initial key for the chaotic function will be gained by using the centers of the blocks. Then the data and image are transformed into DNA sequences. Finally, one of the randomly chosen DNA strands of data is XOR with the center of one randomly selected block and will be placed in one of the block pixels. The failure to send the initial key separately to generate random numbers, as well as the random selection of secret data bits and image pixels for steganography has increased the security of the proposed method. The simulation results not only indicate the quality of the stego‐image but also show better performance of the proposed method than the existing methods.
Enzymatic Degradation of Starch—Usage of β‐Cyclodextrin for Inactivation of Pullulanase
Authors: Ulbrich Marco , Bültena Matthias , Flöter Eckhard
Published: December 2023

The cyclic oligosaccharide β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CDx) is investigated regarding its ability on principle to reduce the debranching activity of pullulanase (PUL) or even terminate the enzymatic hydrolysis process of starch polymers completely. For this purpose, dissolved β‐CDx (aqueous solution) is mixed with the diluted PUL compound (solution) and conditioned (stirred at 40 °C for various durations [0, 20, 40, and 60 min; at 26.75 nmol β‐CDx U−1] and at various β‐CDx dosages [5.35, 13.375, 26.75, and 53.5 nmol β‐CDx U−1; reaction time 60 min]). The PUL‐CDx‐mixtures are subsequently added to a 2.5% w/w starch solution (related to the initial specific debranching activity; 1593.6 NPUN g−1/557.8 U g−1) and gently stirred for 20 min at 40 °C before final thermal inactivation. The obtained samples are diluted and characterized molecularly, i.e., by means of size exclusion chromatography (SEC). An increasing β‐CDx dosage reduces the degree of molecular degradation systematically reflecting a successively reduced enzyme activity. However, the reaction time (PUL‐CDx‐mixture) has no impact on the enzyme's activity since the starch degradation is marginally and the SEC‐chromatograms similar to the one of the initial starch. Restrictions of the enzyme inhibiting effect of β‐CDx are found terminating the hydrolysis process in a starch suspension.
Mass spectrometric analysis of transition metal complexes formed through contact of artificial sweat with circulating Euro coins
Authors: Rezaei Azar , Heiles Sven , Spengler Bernhard , Schindler Siegfried
Published: December 2023

It is well‐known that some metals/alloys sensitize the skin of susceptible individuals. Trace amounts of metals and chemical compounds containing metal ions can affect human health, i. e., cause allergy or inflammation. However, the details of this metal‐induced allergic reaction are not well understood. Complexes of nickel, copper, and zinc are known to be easily formed through contact of metal alloys with ubiquitously available organic compounds such as triacylglycerols, amino acids, urea, and fatty acids found in skin secretions or skin care products. Thus, an analytical technique is required to characterize and identify metal complexes formed on metallic everyday products, ideally offering a chemically specific, laterally resolved view of allergy‐causing processes. Here we present a mass‐spectrometry‐based analytical workflow to characterize metal‐containing compounds formed on the surface of 1‐euro coins when in contact with artificial sweat. This study identified different metal complexes by using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Surface imaging of 1‐Euro coins employing laser‐based mass spectrometry revealed the lateral distribution of Zn, Cu, and Ni complexes with low‐micrometer resolution.
Celestial holography and AdS3/CFT2 from a scaling reduction of twistor space
Authors: Bu Wei , Seet Sean
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Celestial amplitudes obtained from Mellin transforming 4d momentum space scattering amplitudes contain distributional delta functions, hindering the application of conventional CFT techniques. In this paper, we propose to bypass this problem by recognizing Mellin transforms as integral transforms projectivizing certain components of the angular momentum. It turns out that the Mellin transformed wavefunctions in the conformal primary basis can be regarded as representatives of certain cohomology classes on the minitwistor space of the hyperbolic slices of 4d Minkowski space. Geometrically, this amounts to treating 4d Minkowski space as the embedding space of AdS3. By considering scattering of such on-shell wavefunctions on the projective spinor bundle ℙ𝕊 of Euclidean AdS3, we bypass the difficulty of the distributional properties of celestial correlators using the traditional AdS3/CFT2 dictionary and find conventional 2d CFT correlators for the scaling reduced Yang-Mills theory living on the hyperbolic slices. In the meantime, however, one is required to consider action functionals on the auxiliary space ℙ𝕊, which introduces additional difficulties. Here we provide a framework to work on the projective spinor bundle of hyperbolic slices, obtained from a careful scaling reduction of the twistor space of 4d Minkowski spacetime.
Lower bound on the radii of light rings in traceless black-hole spacetimes
Authors: Hod Shahar
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Photonspheres, curved hypersurfaces on which massless particles can perform closed geodesic motions around highly compact objects, are an integral part of generic black-hole spacetimes. In the present compact paper we prove, using analytical techniques, that the innermost light rings of spherically symmetric hairy black-hole spacetimes whose external matter fields are characterized by a traceless energy-momentum tensor cannot be located arbitrarily close to the central black hole. In particular, we reveal the physically interesting fact that the non-linearly coupled Einstein-matter field equations set the lower bound $$ {r}_{\gamma}\ge \frac{6}{5}{r}_H $$

r
γ

≥

6
5

r
H

on the radii of traceless black-hole photonspheres, where rH is the radius of the outermost black-hole horizon.
Uncovering acoustic signatures of pore formation in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Tempelman Joshua R. , Mudunuru Maruti K. , Karra Satish , Wachtor Adam J. , Ahmmed Bulbul , Flynn Eric B. , Forien Jean-Baptiste , Guss Gabe M. , Calta Nicholas P. , DePond Phillip J. , Matthews Manyalibo J.
Published: December 2023

We present a machine learning workflow to discover signatures in acoustic measurements that can be utilized to create a low-dimensional model to accurately predict the location of keyhole pores formed during additive manufacturing processes. Acoustic measurements were sampled at 100 kHz during single-layer laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) experiments, and spatio-temporal registration of pore locations was obtained from post-build radiography. Power spectral density (PSD) estimates of the acoustic data were then decomposed using non-negative matrix factorization with custom $$\varvec{k}$$

k

-means clustering (NMF$$\varvec{k}$$

k

) to learn the underlying spectral patterns associated with pore formation. NMF$$\varvec{k}$$

k

returned a library of basis signals and matching coefficients to blindly construct a feature space based on the PSD estimates in an optimized fashion. Moreover, the NMF$$\varvec{k}$$

k

decomposition led to the development of computationally inexpensive machine learning models which are capable of quickly and accurately identifying pore formation with classification accuracy of supervised and unsupervised label learning greater than 95% and 90%, respectively. The intrinsic data compression of NMFk, the relatively light computational cost of the machine learning workflow, and the high classification accuracy makes the proposed workflow an attractive candidate for edge computing toward in-situ keyhole pore prediction in LPBF.
Quercetin influences intestinal dysbacteriosis and delays alveolar epithelial cell senescence by regulating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling in pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wu Wenjuan , Wu Xinhui , Qiu Lingxiao , Wan Ruijie , Zhu Xiaoming , Chen Song , Yang Xinying , Liu Xueya , Wu Jizhen
Published: December 2023

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease with high mortality. This study aims to explore the protective mechanism of quercetin against pulmonary fibrosis regarding cell senescence and gut microbiota. Rats were intratracheally injected with bleomycin (BLM) to establish a pulmonary fibrosis rat model. RLE-6TN cells were stimulated with BLM to build the model of alveolar epithelial cell senescence, and RLE-6TN-derived conditional medium (CM) was harvested to further culture fibroblasts. Histopathological changes were assessed by H&E and Masson staining. α-SMA expression was assessed by immunofluorescence assay. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) cytokine assay were conducted to assess cellular senescence. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The fibrosis-, senescence-, and PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling–related proteins were examined by western blot. In BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats, quercetin exerted its protective effects by reducing histological injury and collagen deposition, lessening cellular senescence, and regulating gut microbiota. In BLM-induced alveolar epithelial cell senescence, quercetin inhibited senescence, lessened SASP cytokine secretion of alveolar epithelial cells, and further ameliorated collagen deposition in fibroblasts. In addition, quercetin might exert its functional effects by regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, quercetin regulated intestinal dysbacteriosis in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis rats, especially boosting the abundance of Akkermansia. To conclude, our findings provide an in-depth understanding of the potential mechanism behind the protective role of quercetin against pulmonary fibrosis.
A 0.46–0.52-THz fully-differential quasi-monostatic FMCW radar transceiver in 90-nm SiGe BiCMOS
Authors: Mangiavillano Christoph , Kaineder Alexander , Stelzer Andreas
Published: December 2023

A 0.46–0.52-THz fully-differential quasi-monostatic frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar transceiver was designed in a 90-nm SiGe bipolar CMOS technology with $$\textit{f}_{ \textit{T}}/{f}_{\text{max}}$$

f
T

/

f
max

of 300/480 GHz. The transceiver chip has an area of 2.84 $$\text{mm}^{2}$$

mm
2

. A multiply-by-24 frequency multiplier chain is used to generate a 0.48-THz signal from a 20-GHz input signal. Two 0.48-THz push–push doublers are driven in quadrature for a differential output signal with a measured effective isotropic radiated power of up to $$-$$
-
8.8 dBm at the transmitter at 0.47 THz. A differential subharmonic receiver mixer with a stacked quad topology achieves a measured system conversion gain of 7 dB and a measured single-sideband noise figure of 25.2 dB at 0.471 THz. FMCW radar measurements are performed using an on-board frequency source of a credit card-sized demonstrator at a bandwidth of 60 GHz.
Seltene ZNS-Metastasierung eines peripheren T-Zell-Lymphoms
Authors: Pirich Theo , Calabek-Wohinz Bernadette , Freydl Elisabeth , Oberndorfer Stefan
Published: December 2023

Die Metastasierung in das zentrale Nervensystem (ZNS) bei T‑Zell-Lymphomen ist ein seltenes klinisches Szenario. Zu den häufigsten Subtypen mit ZNS-Beteiligung gehören periphere T‑Zell-Lymphome (PTCL) und anaplastische großzellige Lymphome (ALCL). Neurologische Symptome bei einer sekundären ZNS-Beteiligung entwickeln sich in der Regel subakut bis akut. Die diagnostischen Maßnahmen umfassen die klinisch neurologische Untersuchung, eine Gadolinium-verstärkte MRT der gesamten Neuroachse, eine Liquoranalyse und gegebenenfalls eine Hirnbiopsie. Die ZNS-Metastasierung von T‑Zell-Lymphomen stellt, aufgrund ihrer Seltenheit, eine diagnostische Herausforderung dar und muss von anderen Erkrankungen, wie infektiologischen, autoimmunen oder anderen neoplastischen Ursachen, abgegrenzt werden. Zu den Behandlungsoptionen gehören die systemische Chemotherapie, die intrathekale Chemotherapie und die Strahlentherapie. Die Prognose für eine sekundäre ZNS-Beteiligung bei T‑Zell-Lymphomen ist, trotz der zahlreichen Behandlungsoptionen, in der Regel ungünstig. In diesem Fallbericht wird über eine durch Biopsie nachgewiesene ZNS-Metastase eines peripheren T‑Zell-Lymphoms berichtet. Ziel der Literaturübersicht inklusive des Fallberichts ist es, das Verständnis für die klinischen Merkmale, die diagnostischen Modalitäten, die Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und die Prognose der ZNS-Metastasierung von peripheren T‑Zell-Lymphomen zu verbessern.
Stand des Verfahrens zur Auswahl eines Standorts für die Tiefenlagerung des hochradioaktiven Abfalls in Deutschland
Authors: Schafmeister Maria-Theresia
Published: December 2023

Das vorliegende Essay gibt einen Überblick zum Standortauswahlprozess für die Endlagerung des hochradioaktiven Abfalls in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Dieses Verfahren stellt einen Paradigmenwechsel gegenüber dem früheren Versuch der Ausweisung eines Standortes dar, indem zunächst einzig geologische Kriterien hinsichtlich der Sicherheit der Einlagerung und nicht politisch-wirtschaftliche Einzelinteressen von Regionen entscheidend sein sollen. Der aktuelle Stand der Forschung bildet weitergehende Wissensbedarfe gut ab. Derzeit besonders diskutierte Aspekte im Rahmen der Einengung der großen Teilgebiete auf Standortregionen zur übertägigen Erkundung werden angesprochen.
New indices to balance α-diversity against tree size inequality
Authors: Zhang Li , Quinn Brady K. , Hui Cang , Lian Meng , Gielis Johan , Gao Jie , Shi Peijian
Published: December 2023

The number and composition of species in a community can be quantified with α-diversity indices, including species richness (R), Simpson’s index (D), and the Shannon–Wiener index ($$H^\prime$$

H
′

). In forest communities, there are large variations in tree size among species and individuals of the same species, which result in differences in ecological processes and ecosystem functions. However, tree size inequality (TSI) has been largely neglected in studies using the available diversity indices. The TSI in the diameter at breast height (DBH) data for each of 999 20 m × 20 m forest census quadrats was quantified using the Gini index (GI), a measure of the inequality of size distribution. The generalized performance equation was used to describe the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of the cumulative proportion of DBH and the cumulative proportion of number of trees per quadrat. We also examined the relationships of α-diversity indices with the GI using correlation tests. The generalized performance equation effectively described the rotated and right-shifted Lorenz curve of DBH distributions, with most root-mean-square errors (990 out of 999 quadrats) being < 0.0030. There were significant positive correlations between each of three α-diversity indices (i.e., R, D, and $$H^\prime$$

H
′

) and the GI. Nevertheless, the total abundance of trees in each quadrat did not significantly influence the GI. This means that the TSI increased with increasing species diversity. Thus, two new indices are proposed that can balance α-diversity against the extent of TSI in the community: (1 − GI) × D, and (1 − GI) × $$H^\prime$$

H
′

. These new indices were significantly correlated with the original D and $$H^\prime$$

H
′

, and did not increase the extent of variation within each group of indices. This study presents a useful tool for quantifying both species diversity and the variation in tree sizes in forest communities, especially in the face of cumulative species loss under global climate change.
Electrochemical anodization of cast titanium alloys in oxalic acid for biomedical applications
Authors: Safwat Engie M. , Abdel-Gawad Soha A. , Shoeib Madiha A. , El-Hadad Shimaa
Published: December 2023

Titanium and its alloys have numerous biomedical applications thanks to the composition and morphology of their oxide film. In this study, the colorful oxide films were formed by anodizing cast Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-7Nb alloys in a 10% oxalic acid solution for 30 s at different voltages (20–80 V) of a direct current power supply. Atomic force microscopy was used as an accurate tool to measure the surface roughness of thin films on the nanometer scale. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were performed to analyze surface morphology and phase structure. According to the results, the produced titanium oxide layer showed high surface roughness, which increased with increasing anodizing voltage. The impact of anodizing voltages on the color and roughness of anodized layers was surveyed. The corrosion resistance of the anodized samples was studied in simulated body fluid at pH 7.4 and a temperature of 37 °C utilizing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the potentiodynamic polarization method. The anodized samples for both alloys at 40 V were at the optimal voltage, leading to a TiO2 layer formation with the best compromise between oxide thickness and corrosion resistance. Also, findings showed that TiO2 films produced on Ti-6Al-7Nb alloys had superior surface roughness properties compared to those of Ti-6Al-4V alloys, making them more appropriate for orthopedic applications. From the obtained data and the fruitful discussion, it was found that the utilized procedure is simple, low-cost, and repeatable. Therefore, anodization in 10% oxalic acid proved a viable alternative for the surface finishing of titanium alloys for biomedical applications.
Total neoadjuvant therapy for each locally advanced rectal cancer?
Authors: Piringer Gudrun
Published: December 2023

The treatment paradigm for locally advanced rectal cancer has changed in recent years. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision and postoperative chemotherapy has been the standard of care since many years. With this multidisciplinary approach the local recurrence rate is low, but the occurrence of distant metastases and impairments of quality of life due to bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction are still unresolved problems. The integration of induction or consolidation chemotherapy into the neoadjuvant setting, a watch-and-wait strategy without surgery for patients with clinical complete response, the integration of immunotherapy into the neoadjuvant setting in microsatellite-instable rectal cancer as well as the selective omission of neoadjuvant radiotherapy now represent different treatment options and enable individualization of therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the latest developments in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer and a discussion on which patients need more intensive or less intensive therapy.
Analysis of the Relationship Between Sexual Violence and Assertive Behavior in Young Spanish Adults
Authors: López-Barranco Pedro José , Jiménez-Ruiz Ismael , Leal-Costa César , Jiménez-Barbero José Antonio
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Research on sexual violence is of particular importance because of the prevalence and consequences of such violence in the young adult population. The identification of possible protective factors may be one step towards helping ameliorate this problem. We therefore analyzed the relationship between sexual violence and assertive behaviors in a population of young adults.

Method

A cross-sectional, correlational study. Data were collected between February 7, 2022, and August 9, 2022, in a population of young adults from Spanish universities. The sample consisted of 473 young adults between 19 and 24 years of age.

Results

The prevalence of violence perpetrated and experienced in the sample was high. Men reported a higher level of violence perpetration than women. Relationships are indicated between different types of assertive behaviors and sexual violence. In this regard, a higher degree of assertive behavior as a response is a protective factor against experiencing sexual violence in both sexes, while non-assertive behavior is a risk factor. In the case of sexual violence perpetration, overly assertive behavior is a risk factor.

Conclusions

A number of assertive behaviors were identified that may be considered risk or protective factors for sexual violence.

Policy Implications

Research enables the development of targeted, evidence-based intervention programs that can lead to a reduction in sexual violence in the young adult population.
What Challenges Do Researchers Face in the Study of Inclusive Science Education?
Authors: Pawlak Felix , Menthe Jürgen , Watts Elizabeth , Stinken-Rösner Lisa
Published: December 2023

The study of inclusive science education poses researchers with new challenges and tasks. There is an inherent complexity within this field as it requires understanding of science subject matter in combination with the normative demands of inclusive pedagogy. A Delphi study was conducted to systematically survey research challenges that arise in the research of inclusive science education from the perspective of experts. In the Delphi study, challenges for research on inclusive science education were identified using an exploratory approach in the first round. In the course of the following rounds, a consensus could be reached for eight challenges (> 50% agreement, IQR < 1, SD < 1.5). These included challenges known from the literature, e.g. a lack of suitable research instruments. The results also showed a change or an overcoming of challenges documented in earlier articles. For example, many experts, no longer experience a lack of research studies as a challenge. Alongside the progress made in the research field of inclusive science education, challenges still need to be addressed, such as the discrepancy between existing theoretical approaches and actual teaching practices. Future research must address these issues.
The vitality of religious communities—A contribution model based on the sociological and theological discourse
Authors: Zimmer Miriam , Sellmann Matthias
Published: December 2023

The article elaborates a concept of the vitality of religious communities. Defined on the basis of previous research, it enables an identification of the determinants that make a (religious) collective vital. An examination of the theoretical discourse and recent studies on religious vitality reveals two distinct discussions. On the one hand, the sociology of religion that disregards the mesolevel; on the other, theology typically lacks a scientific foundation. This paper integrates the strength of both disciplines: the former’s explicit operationalization and abstract reflection along with the latter’s sensemaking and proximity to the field. In doing so, we provide a definition of the vitality of religious communities on the basis of the discussion of the vitality of species and ecosystems in life science. This definition is further refined with a view to organizational studies. Here, the vitality of religious communities can be described and measured in four dimensions: (operative) functionality, (shared) identity, (situational) performance, and (transformational) impact. Theological discourse and recent research point to four attributes of a (religious) community that are expected to influence vitality: professionalism, spirituality, contextuality and intentionality. Finally, the contribution model brings together the vitality dimensions and its influence factors in a coherent framework, offering concrete hypotheses for further research in both disciplines and guidance for empirical research.
Regulation of gene-edited plants in Europe: from the valley of tears into the shining sun?
Authors: Puchta Holger
Published: December 2023

Some 20 years ago, the EU introduced complex regulatory rules for the growth of transgenic crops, which resulted in a de facto ban to grow these plants in fields within most European countries. With the rise of novel genome editing technologies, it has become possible to improve crops genetically in a directed way without the need for incorporation of foreign genes. Unfortunately, in 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that such gene-edited plants are to be regulated like transgenic plants. Since then, European scientists and breeders have challenged this decision and requested a revision of this outdated law. Finally, after 5 years, the European Commission has now published a proposal on how, in the future, to regulate crops produced by new breeding technologies. The proposal tries to find a balance between the different interest groups in Europe. On one side, genetically modified plants, which cannot be discerned from their natural counterparts, will exclusively be used for food and feed and are—besides a registration step—not to be regulated at all. On the other side, plants expressing herbicide resistance are to be excluded from this regulation, a concession to the strong environmental associations and NGOs in Europe. Moreover, edited crops are to be excluded from organic farming to protect the business interests of the strong organic sector in Europe. Nevertheless, if this law passes European parliament and council, unchanged, it will present a big step forward toward establishing a more sustainable European agricultural system. Thus, it might soon be possible to develop and grow crops that are more adapted to global warming and whose cultivation will require lower amounts of pesticides. However, there is still a long way to go until the law is passed. Too often, the storm of arguments raised by the opponents, based on irrational fears of mutations and a naive understanding of nature, has fallen on fruitful ground in Europe.
Effects of Liquiritin on Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury by Regulating Nurr1 via the YAP-INF2-Mitochondrial Fission Pathway
Authors: Fan Yao , Zhang Xi , Zhou Hui , Zhang Zhanwei
Published: December 2023

This study investigated whether liquiritin can alleviate cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury by regulating Nurr1 to mediate mitochondrial homeostasis. SH-SY5Y cells were subjected to glucose deprivation and reperfusion to establish a cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury model in vitro. Cell viability and apoptosis were then determined using a cell counting kit and flow cytometry analysis. The degree of mitochondrial swelling was evaluated using a cell mitochondria isolation kit. Reactive superoxide generation, mitochondrial membrane potential, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and mitochondrial ultrastructure were analyzed using dihydroethidium, JC-1 (5,5′,6,6′-tetrachloro1,1′,3,3′-tetramethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide), luciferase-based ATP bioluminescent assays, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot assays were conducted to detect levels of mitochondrial fission-related factors. Glucose deprivation and reperfusion exposure significantly reduced the viability and induced apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells, indicating that glucose deprivation and reperfusion exposure successfully induced cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury. Glucose deprivation and reperfusion exposure also increased the degree of mitochondrial swelling, promoted an increase in superoxide, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP enzyme levels. Cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury also significantly increases Drp1 and Fis1 protein expression, reduces mitofusin-2 and optic atrophy 1 levels, increases nuclear receptor-related 1 and inverted formin-2 expression, and decreases yes-associated protein expression. Electron microscopy further revealed sparse mitochondria and broken cristae. However, these findings were reversed by liquiritin in a dose-dependent manner and were further abolished after carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone treatment. Our study suggests that the protective effects of liquiritin on cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury are linked to nuclear receptor-related 1 upregulation, followed by the regulation of yes-associated protein-inverted formin-2-mitochondrial fission pathways. Liquiritin may represent a novel therapeutic agent for treating cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury.

Graphical Abstract
Heatstroke presentations to urban hospitals during BC’s extreme heat event: lessons for the future
Authors: Gossack-Keenan Kira , Yeom David Seonguk , Kanu Josephine , Hau Jeffrey P. , Rosychuk Rhonda J. , Clark Dylan , Bola Rajan , Tze Caris , Niosco Chris , Emery Hayley , Yeung Phillip , Hohl Corinne M.
Published: December 2023

Background

Climate change is leading to more extreme heat events in temperate climates that typically have low levels of preparedness. Our objective was to describe the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of adults presenting to hospitals with heatstroke during BC’s 2021 heat dome.

Methods

We conducted a review of consecutive adults presenting to 7 hospitals in BC’s Lower Mainland. We screened the triage records of all patients presenting between June 25th and 30th, 2021 for complaints related to heat, and reviewed the full records of those who met heatstroke criteria. Our primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used Mann–Whitney U tests and logistic regression to investigate associations between patient and treatment factors and mortality.

Results

Among 10,247 consecutive presentations to urban hospitals during the extreme heat event, 1.3% (139; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.1–1.6%) met criteria for heatstroke. Of heatstroke patients, 129 (90.6%) were triaged into the two highest acuity levels. Patients with heatstroke had a median age of 84.4 years, with 122 (87.8%) living alone, and 101 (84.2%) unable to activate 911 themselves. A minority (< 5, < 3.6%) of patients presented within 48 h of the onset of extreme heat. Most patients (107, 77.0%) required admission, and 11.5% (16) died in hospital. Hypotension on presentation was associated with mortality (odds ratio [OR] 5.3).

Interpretation

Heatstroke patients were unable to activate 911 themselves, and most presented with a 48-h delay. This delay may represent a critical window of opportunity for pre-hospital and hospital systems to prepare for the influx of high-acuity resource-intensive patients.
Underwater image enhancement via histogram similarity-oriented color compensation complemented by multiple attribute adjustment
Authors: Wang Hao , Frery Alejandro C. , Li Mingjie , Ren Peng
Published: December 2023

Underwater images are often influenced by color casts, low contrast, and blurred details. We observe that images taken in natural settings typically have similar histograms across color channels, while underwater images do not. To improve the natural appearance of an underwater image, it is critical to improve the histogram similarity across its color channels. To address this problem, we develop a histogram similarity-oriented color compensation method that corrects color casts by improving the histogram similarity across color channels in the underwater image. In addition, we apply the multiple attribute adjustment method, including max-min intensity stretching, luminance map-guided weighting, and high-frequency edge mask fusion, to enhance contrast, saturation, and sharpness, effectively addressing problems of low contrast and blurred details and eventually enhancing the overall appearance of underwater images. Particularly, the method proposed in this work is not based on deep learning, but it effectively enhances a single underwater image. Comprehensive empirical assessments demonstrated that this method exceeds state-of-the-art underwater image enhancement techniques. To facilitate public assessment, we made our reproducible code available at https://gitee.com/wanghaoupc/UIE_HS2CM2A.
The Household and Court of James IV of Scotland, 1488-1513
Authors: Hepburn William
Published: December 2023

A fresh perspective on the role of the court in late medieval Scotland, highlighting its centrality to the effective government for which James IV is renowned.