bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting troponin biomarker elevation from electrocardiograms using a deep neural network
Authors: Hilgendorf Lukas , Petursson Petur , Gupta Vibha , Ramunddal Truls , Andersson Erik , Lundgren Peter , Dworeck Christian , Ljungman Charlotta , Boren Jan , Rawshani Aidin , Omerovic Elmir , Smith Gustav , Mandalenakis Zacharias , Skoglund Kristofer , Rawshani Araz
Published: October 2024

Background

Elevated troponin levels are a sensitive biomarker for cardiac injury. The quick and reliable prediction of troponin elevation for patients with chest pain from readily available ECGs may pose a valuable time-saving diagnostic tool during decision-making concerning this patient population.

Methods and results

The data used included 15 856 ECGs from patients presenting to the emergency rooms with chest pain or dyspnoea at two centres in Sweden from 2015 to June 2023. All patients had high-sensitivity troponin test results within 6 hours after 12-lead ECG. Both troponin I (TnI) and TnT were used, with biomarker-specific cut-offs and sex-specific cut-offs for TnI. On this dataset, a residual convolutional neural network (ResNet) was trained 10 times, each on a unique split of the data. The final model achieved an average area under the curve for the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.7717 (95% CI±0.0052), calibration curve analysis revealed a mean slope of 1.243 (95% CI±0.075) and intercept of −0.073 (95% CI±0.034), indicating a good correlation between prediction and ground truth. Post-classification, tuned for F1 score, accuracy was 71.43% (95% CI±1.28), with an F1 score of 0.5642 (95% CI±0.0052) and a negative predictive value of 0.8660 (95% CI±0.0048), respectively. The ResNet displayed comparable or surpassing metrics to prior presented models.

Conclusion

The model exhibited clinically meaningful performance, notably its high negative predictive accuracy. Therefore, clinical use of comparable neural networks in first-line, quick-response triage of patients with chest pain or dyspnoea appears as a valuable option in future medical practice.
Spatial distribution of dark heartwood and wood rot in sugar maple at the northern edge of its range
Authors: Voyer David , Demers Audrey , Gennaretti Fabio , Bédard Steve , Havreljuk Filip , Grondin Pierre , Achim Alexis
Published: October 2024

The wood of sugar maple trees ( Acer saccharum Marsh.) is generally perceived as containing more defects, such as dark heartwood and wood rot, at the northern limit of its range compared to southern locations; however, assessments of these internal defects have primarily relied on direct observation, limiting the scope of analysis. To enable large-scale assessments, models are needed to estimate the internal quality of individual trees based on external defects. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the relationships between external and internal defects within sugar maple stems. Then, large-scale estimates of the importance of such defects were produced to understand the effects of site conditions and climate. Increment cores were sampled from 1108 trees across 108 plots. Results revealed that the probability of wood rot and the proportion of internal defects were associated with the presence of cracks and fungal fruiting bodies. Also, colder sites increased the probability of wood rot as well as the proportion of the stem affected by internal defects. Moreover, the western Balsam fir–Yellow birch subdomain had both the highest probability of wood rot and the greatest proportion of internal defects. Future studies should examine how this spatial distribution could evolve with climate change.
Algebraic realisation of three fermion generations with $$S_3$$ family and unbroken gauge symmetry from $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$
Authors: Gourlay Liam , Gresnigt Niels
Published: October 2024

Building on previous work, we extend an algebraic realisation of three fermion generations within the complex Clifford algebra $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$

C
ℓ
(
8
)

by incorporating a $$U(1)_{em}$$

U

(
1
)

em

gauge symmetry. The algebra $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$

C
ℓ
(
8
)

corresponds to the algebra of complex linear maps from the (complexification of the) Cayley–Dickson algebra of sedenions, $$\mathbb {S}$$
S
, to itself. Previous work represented three generations of fermions with $$SU(3)_C$$

S
U

(
3
)

C

colour symmetry permuted by an $$S_3$$

S
3

symmetry of order-three, but failed to include a U(1) generator that assigns the correct electric charge to all states. Furthermore, the three generations suffered from a degree of linear dependence between states. By generalising the embedding of the discrete group $$S_3$$

S
3

, corresponding to automorphisms of $$\mathbb {S}$$
S
, into $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$

C
ℓ
(
8
)

, we include an $$S_3$$

S
3

-invariant U(1) that correctly assigns electric charge. First-generation states are represented in terms of two even $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$

C
ℓ
(
8
)

semi-spinors, obtained from two minimal left ideals, related to each other via the order-two $$S_3$$

S
3

symmetry. The remaining two generations are obtained by applying the $$S_3$$

S
3

symmetry of order-three to the first generation. In this model, the gauge symmetries, $$SU(3)_C\times U(1)_{em}$$

S
U

(
3
)

C

×
U

(
1
)

em

, are $$S_3$$

S
3

-invariant and preserve the semi-spinors. As a result of the generalised embedding of the $$S_3$$

S
3

automorphisms of $$\mathbb {S}$$
S
into $$\mathbb {C}\ell (8)$$

C
ℓ
(
8
)

, the three generations are now linearly independent.
Generalized UC plane partitions
Authors: Zhang Shengyu , Yan Zhaowen
Published: October 2024

We define the generalized vertex operators expressed by charged fermions and state vectors corresponding to the n-partition. The action of the generalized vertex operators on state vectors and the generalized universal character (UC) plane partitions have been investigated by the fermion calculus techniques. Furthermore, we construct the infinite scalar product and the generating function associated with the generalized UC plane partitions.
The non-orientable 4-genus of 11 crossing non-alternating knots
Authors: Fairchild Megan
Published: October 2024

The non-orientable 4-genus of a knot [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] is defined to be the minimum first Betti number of a non-orientable surface [Formula: see text] smoothly embedded in [Formula: see text] so that [Formula: see text] bounds [Formula: see text]. We will survey the tools used to compute the non-orientable 4-genus, and use various techniques to calculate this invariant for non-alternating 11 crossing knots. We will also view obstructions to a knot bounding a Möbius band given by the double branched cover of [Formula: see text] branched over [Formula: see text].
Investigating nonlinear optical properties of pulsed Nd:YAG laser-excited ZnO/Mn/SiO2 nanocomposites at 532nm
Authors: Molahasani N. , Moghaddasi M. , Abrinaei F.
Published: October 2024

A hydrothermal synthesis approach was employed to fabricate ZnO and ZnO/Mn nanoparticles. Subsequently, the Stöber method was utilized to prepare ZnO/SiO2 and ZnO/Mn/SiO2 nanocomposites using the hydrothermally synthesized ZnO and ZnO/Mn nanoparticles. The successful synthesis of bare ZnO and ZnO-based nanocomposites was confirmed through FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. Linear optical characterization led to the calculation of band gap energy amounts utilizing Tauc plot approach. The impact of Mn and SiO2 additives on the nonlinear optical parameters of the ZnO/Mn/SiO2 nanocomposites was evaluated through a [Formula: see text]-scan setup under pulsed Nd:YAG laser operated at 532[Formula: see text]nm wavelength. Experimental [Formula: see text]-scan effects revealed that both bare ZnO and ZnO-based nanocomposites exhibited negative nonlinearity, for which the values could be controlled by the incorporation of additives to achieve enhanced third-order nonlinear susceptibility values in the order of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]esu. Outcomes demonstrated that while adding of Mn to ZnO host increased the nonlinear optical parameters, the inclusion of SiO2 led to a slight decrease. However, the simultaneous presence of ZnO, Mn, and SiO2 resulted in the highest nonlinear optical response. These findings suggest that ZnO/Mn/SiO2 nanocomposites exhibit a robust nonlinear optical behavior, offering promising prospects as nonlinear media.
Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, Cross-Correlation and Clustering of Global 7Be Activity Concentration
Authors: Ogunjo Samuel Toluwalope
Published: October 2024

Daily [Formula: see text] activity concentrations data across 21 global locations between 2010 and 2017 from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) were analyzed using multifractal formalism. The multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis revealed that [Formula: see text] distribution across the 21 locations are multifractal ([Formula: see text]) with a wide range of fractal exponents. The observed multifractality was found to be statistically significant except at two locations (RN45 and RN47). The multifractal strength ([Formula: see text]) and Holder’s exponent ([Formula: see text]) were used to group the locations into 3 clusters with K-means algorithm. The relationship between [Formula: see text] and five drivers (Southern Oscillation Index — SOI, North Atlantic Oscillation — NAO, Total Sunspot number — Tot_SN, Northern hemisphere Sunspot number — NH_SN and Southern hemisphere sunspot number — SH_SN) was investigated using multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis. The multifractal cross-correlation between [Formula: see text] and drivers was found to be 0.06–0.21(SOI), 0.08–0.23 (NAO), 0.04–0.27 (Tot_SN), 0.05–0.25 (NH_SN) and 0.04–0.27 (SH_SN). NAO was found to be the strongest driver of [Formula: see text]. The location, RN16 in Yellowknife Canada, showed strong cross-correlation with the five drivers.
Prospects of Rice Husk-Derived Nanosilica
Authors: Sharma Rama
Published: October 2024

Silica is regarded as a significant inorganic material widely employed for various purposes. The rapid advancement of the method of extracting silica from plant matter has led to the substantial application of silica in industry. One of the most essential plants in the world that provides humans with carbohydrates is rice. One of the primary agricultural wastes that contains significant amounts of silicate is rice husk (RH). An overview of thermal and chemical approaches for producing nanosilica from rice husks is provided in this paper. This paper examines RH silica’s sustainable uses, particularly in functional materials for the environment and biomedical. Regarding environmental concerns, RH-silica materials can be employed in integrated processes, adsorption and catalysis to purify gas and decontaminate wastewater. RH-silica compounds are used in biosensing and bioimaging in the biomedical field. To summarize, high-silica biomass has the potential to serve as a cheap supply of precursors for the development of high-value silicon and silica compounds that may find use in many applications.
Microwave Green Synthesis of Alumina Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Characterization and Microbial Effect
Authors: Isam Amenah , Shanan Zainab J.
Published: October 2024

This research set out to provide a faster, easier, and more efficient process for nanoparticle (NP) synthesis of aluminum oxide NPs preparation by microwave irradiation, using plant extracts separately and in the same way (tea, coffee, rosemary), which is an easy-to-use and inexpensive method. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffractometer analysis technique (XRD). The X-ray analysis shows the structure has a polycrystalline nature with a hexagonal phase. The optical properties were studied using ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer, where the energy gap was determined. The surface morphology properties of the prepared aluminum NPs were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy verified the presence of Al-O, C–O, and C–H bonds, this study confirms the high reducing and capping capacity of aluminum NPs via biomolecules found in the plant extract. The inhibitory activity of these Al2O3-NPs was observed, along with their potential to enter the bacterial cell wall and hinder its activity.
Assessing the Impact of Credibility and Security on Customers E-Trust in the Context of Indian Banks
Authors: Jyoti  , Kesharwani Subodh , Chaudhry Sohail S.
Published: October 2024

E-banking requires a high level of trust because it involves disclosure of vital and confidential information which customers are often reluctant to share because of the risks involved. With the growth of technology, there has been an increase in cyber threats. While transacting online customers fear the security of their personal information to safeguard against financial losses and unwanted disturbance. Thus, customers’ perceived security and credibility have a critical role in influencing their trust in E-banking. Whereas the identified literature has not paid much attention to studying the impact of identified E-service quality dimensions (credibility and security) on E-trust, particularly in the developing nations context. Therefore, to fill the existing gap, the study seeks to measure the impact of credibility and security dimensions of E-service quality on customers’ E-trust in the context of Indian banks. The sample for the study is taken from customers of public and private sector banks of Delhi/NCR. A total of 420 complete and suitable responses were received for final analysis. During data collection, it was ensured that the respondent is over the age of 18, has an active bank account, and has been using banking E-services for at least six months. Data for the study is analyzed using FEA, CFA, and SEM via using SPSS 24 and AMOS 21 software. The findings of the study reveal that both the credibility and security dimensions of E-service quality have a strong impact in influencing customer trust in E-banking. Banks’ focus on enhancing credibility and security measures creates value in customers’ eyes that as a result enhances their faith in the service provider.
Challenges in Transitioning from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0: A Multicriteria Analysis
Authors: León Omar , Puente Javier , Fernandez Isabel , Luna Manuel
Published: October 2024

In this study, we evaluate the transition from Industry 4.0 (I4.0) to Industry 5.0 (I5.0) using a multicriteria approach that integrates the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy Inference Systems (FISs). Key criteria identified through a comprehensive literature review include sustainability, human factors, resilience and organizational management, which are critical for the successful implementation of I5.0. AHP is utilized to rank these criteria and assign relative weights, reflecting their importance in the overall evaluation. FIS is employed to manage the inherent uncertainty and imprecision in decision-making within the context of I5.0. The results provide a holistic view of how companies navigate this transition, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. This study offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting I5.0, emphasizing the utility of combining multicriteria approaches for strategic decision-making in dynamic industrial environments. These findings aim to support organizations in making informed decisions, fostering a more innovative, sustainable and human-centric industry. The combination of these methodologies provides a robust foundation for future research and practical applications in advancing I5.0.
Stiff yet Bendy: Tubular Transmissions for Driving Surgical Robots through Flexible Endoscopes
Authors: Dang Khoa T. , Hatch Carter , Connor Peter , Qiu Stephen , Qin Tony , Alterovitz Ron , Webster Robert J. , Rucker Caleb
Published: October 2024

Concentric push–pull robots delivered through flexible endoscopes work best if their laser-cut transmission tubes have high axial stiffness, high torsional stiffness and low bending stiffness. This paper simultaneously addresses all three output stiffness values in the transmission design problem, explicitly considering axial stiffness, whereas prior work on laser-cut tube design has focused on the bending/torsional stiffness ratio. We demonstrate an inherent trade-off present in existing laser-cut patterns: it is difficult to simultaneously achieve high axial stiffness and low bending stiffness because these properties are very tightly correlated. To break this correlation and design all three stiffness independently, we propose a new type of laser material removal pattern that leverages local stiffness asymmetry (EI[Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] EI[Formula: see text]) in discrete bending segments separated by segments of solid tube. These discrete asymmetric segments are then rifled down the tube to achieve global stiffness symmetry. We parameterize the design and provide a study of the properties through finite-element analysis. We also consider the effect of interference between the tubes when the discrete segments are not aligned. Results show that our discrete asymmetric segment concept can achieve high axial stiffness and torsional stiffness better than previously suggested laser patterns while maintaining equally low bending stiffness. We also experimentally validated the proposed design’s properties and actuation performance with professionally manufactured prototype Nitinol tubes for use in an endoscopic robot system.
Mechanistic Explanation of Activation and Inhibition of Crucial Enzymes Involved in Melanin Production
Authors: Suyash Shreyansh , Mishra Avinash , Tembhre Manoj Kumar
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (Tyrp2) play a pivotal role in melanin production within melanocytes. Both share a high degree of structural and sequence similarity, with a Root-Mean-Square Deviation (RMSD) of 0.75 Å and 62% sequence similarity, including 43% sequence identity. Despite these similarities, differences in the allosteric sites, particularly the residues that constitute these sites, contribute to distinct regulatory mechanisms. This study elucidates the contrasting allosteric modulation of tyrosinase and Tyrp2 by two flavonoids: (a) luteolin and (b) apigenin, respectively. Luteolin demonstrated its allosteric inhibitory property against tyrosinase by disturbing the spatial arrangement of histidine residues critical for copper coordination, essential for enzymatic activity. Conversely, apigenin serves as an allosteric activator for Tyrp2, enhancing structural stability and maintaining the active site conformation. Despite the structural resemblance between luteolin and apigenin, differentiated by a single hydroxyl group, their impact on melanin synthesis diverges — luteolin inhibits, whereas apigenin stimulates the process. Both showed high binding affinity at the allosteric site of tyrosinase and Tyrp2. Luteolin significantly alters the spatial arrangement of key histidine residues (HIS180, HIS202 and HIS211), forming coordination bonds in tyrosinase, affecting copper coordination and coordination with the peroxide (O22−) ion. However, apigenin did not remain bound to tyrosinase for an extended period, ruling out its role as an allosteric modulator. In contrast, apigenin stayed at the allosteric site of the Tyrp2 protein and showed a positive allosteric regulator role. The findings offer a mechanistic view of melanin synthesis regulation, demonstrating the potential of subtle structural variations in modulators to selectively influence enzyme activity in related biosynthetic pathways. This underscores the intricate control within melanogenic systems and the possibility of targeting these pathways for therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
Less Is More: Unlocking Semi-Supervised Deep Learning for Vulnerability Detection
Authors: Yu Xiao , Lin Guancheng , Hu Xing , Keung Jacky Wai , Xia Xin
Published: October 2024

Deep learning has demonstrated its effectiveness in software vulnerability detection, but acquiring a large number of labeled code snippets for training deep learning models is challenging due to labor-intensive annotation. With limited labeled data, complex deep learning models often suffer from overfitting and poor performance. To address this limitation, semi-supervised deep learning offers a promising approach by annotating unlabeled code snippets with pseudo-labels and utilizing limited labeled data together as training sets to train vulnerability detection models. However, applying semi-supervised deep learning for accurate vulnerability detection comes with several challenges. One challenge lies in how to select correctly pseudo-labeled code snippets as training data, while another involves mitigating the impact of potentially incorrectly pseudo-labeled training code snippets during model training. To address these challenges, we propose the semi-supervised vulnerability detection (SSVD) approach. SSVD leverages the information gain of model parameters as the certainty of the correctness of pseudo-labels and prioritizes high-certainty pseudo-labeled code snippets as training data. Additionally, it incorporates the proposed noise-robust triplet loss to maximize the separation between vulnerable and non-vulnerable code snippets to better propagate labels from labeled code snippets to nearby unlabeled snippets and utilizes the proposed noise-robust cross-entropy loss for gradient clipping to mitigate the error accumulation caused by incorrect pseudo-labels. We evaluate SSVD with nine semi-supervised approaches on four widely-used public vulnerability datasets. The results demonstrate that SSVD outperforms the baselines with an average of 29.82% improvement in terms of F1-score and 56.72% in terms of MCC. In addition, SSVD trained on a certain proportion of labeled data can outperform or closely match the performance of fully supervised LineVul and ReVeal vulnerability detection models trained on 100% labeled data in most scenarios. This indicates that SSVD can effectively learn from limited labeled data to enhance vulnerability detection performance, thereby reducing the effort required for labeling a large number of code snippets.
SHIELD: Security-Aware Scheduling for Real-Time DAGs on Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Senapati Debabrata , Bhagat Pooja , Karfa Chandan , Sarkar Arnab
Published: October 2024

Many control applications in real-time cyber-physical systems are represented as Directed Acyclic Graphs (
DAGs
) due to complex interactions among their functional components, and executed on distributed heterogeneous platforms. Data communication between dependent task nodes running on different processing elements are often realized through message transmission over a public network, and are hence susceptible to multiple security threats such as
snooping
,
alteration
, and
spoofing
. Several alternative security protocols having varying security strengths and associated implementation overheads are available in the market, for incorporating
confidentiality
,
integrity
, and
authentication
on the transmitted messages. While message size and correspondingly its associated transmission overheads may be marginally increased due to the assignment of security protocols, significant computation overheads must be incurred for securing the message at the location of its source task node and for unlocking security/message extraction at the destination. Obtained security strengths and associated computation overheads vary depending on the set of protocols chosen for a given message from an available pool of protocols. Given lower bounds on the security demands of an application’s messages, selecting the appropriate protocols for each message such that a system’s overall security is maximized while satisfying constraints related to the resource, task precedence and deadline, is a challenging and computationally hard problem. In this article, we propose an efficient heuristic strategy called
SHIELD
for security-aware real-time scheduling of DAG-structured applications to be executed on distributed heterogeneous systems. The efficacy of the proposed scheduler is exhibited through extensive simulation-based experiments using two DAG-structured application benchmarks. Our performance evaluation results demonstrate that
SHIELD
significantly outperforms two greedy baseline strategies
SHIELDb
in terms of solution generation times (i.e., runtimes) and
SHIELDf
in terms of achieved security utility. Additionally, a case study on the
Traction Control
application in automotive systems has been included to exhibit the applicability of
SHIELD
in real-world settings.
Actuality Entailments
Authors: Nadathur Prerna
Published: October 2024

In 1999, Rajesh Bhatt observed a curious interaction between modality and grammatical aspect: Under imperfective marking, ability modals describe “pure,” potentially unrealized abilities, but their perfectively marked counterparts instead describe actual events. These apparently nonmodal interpretations are known as actuality entailments. The effect has resisted straightforward explanation on standard semantic approaches to both aspect and modality: Perfective aspect is typically taken to introduce a bounded or episodic temporal perspective, and there is no obvious reason that this should erase the core contribution (i.e., hypotheticality) of a modal predicate. This article discusses the scope and distribution of actuality entailments, including their extension to nonabilitative and necessity modals. I survey a number of proposed accounts of the phenomenon, focusing in turn on the structural (compositional) interaction between modality and aspect and on the individual semantic contributions of the implicated elements. I conclude by noting some aspects of the phenomenon that—despite a wealth of literature—have yet to be thoroughly explored and may thus help to adjudicate between existing analyses.
From Endangerment to (Re)Emergence: Child Language, Acquisition, and Reclamation
Authors: McDermott Ashley E. , Meek Barbra A. , Whitney Anna
Published: October 2024

What does it mean to acquire an endangered language as a child? How does acquisition manifest across different endangered language scenarios? We propose a view of language acquisition and transmission that encompasses a broad range of language endangerment contexts beyond monolingual settings and thus reframes language endangerment through insights from children's speech, across learning contexts, and in relation to community ideologies. We consider how children's language practices affect and are affected by two interrelated projects: (a) institutional definitions of language endangerment and (b) community processes of self-determination. We conclude that attention to child language teases apart the socially constructed dimensions of languages and linguistic boundaries and highlights the vitalities that emerge through children's participation in acts of language reclamation.
Population Size and Language Change: An Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Bromham Lindell
Published: October 2024

There is increasing interest in the way that the size, composition, and environment of populations influence the way that their languages evolve. There are two reasons why an exploration of population and language change from the perspective of evolutionary biology might be useful. First, some of the relevant hypotheses rest explicitly or implicitly on theories developed in evolutionary biology, so it is important to critically evaluate the fit of these theories to language change. Second, methods developed in evolutionary biology have been applied to evaluating these hypotheses. Instead of aiming for a comprehensive review of the interaction between population size and language change, the focus of this review is on analogies drawn to processes in biological evolution (e.g., founder effects), processes that may have interesting parallels in both species and languages (e.g., evolution of complexity in small populations), and techniques from evolutionary biology that have been applied to language data (e.g., Wright-Fisher models).
A Label-Free Electrochemical Detection of Cadmium Ions Using Aptamer-Based Biosensor
Authors: Zaras Izabela , Kralka Ewa , Olszewski Marcin , Jarczewska Marta
Published: October 2024

Cadmium is considered one of the most toxic pollutants that can be found in water as well as in soil, which might accumulate in living organisms causing severe effects such as skeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases. Hence, it is necessary to develop methods allowing for sensitive and fast detection as well as portability. One possibility is the application of biosensors containing aptamer strands as receptor layer selective towards cadmium ions. Here, we present studies on the utilization of DNA aptamer strand for fabrication of sensing layer toward cadmium ions on gold disk macroelectrodes. It is shown that proposed aptasensor enables Cd2+ ions detection in the range from 10 to 50 nM with LOD of 9.5 nM and exhibits high selectivity towards cadmium cations with a response at least two times higher than that for interfering ions. Moreover, studies on the stability revealed that sensing layer preserved its binding properties after storage and allowed for cadmium ions detection in the range from 10 to 50 nM and the aptamer sensing layer could be regenerated and applied for another set of analysis of cadmium ions.
Anodal tDCS improves neuromuscular adaptations to short-term resistance training of the knee extensors in healthy individuals
Authors: Angius Luca , Ansdell Paul , Škarabot Jakob , Goodall Stuart , Thomas Kevin , Cowper Gavin , Santarnecchi Emiliano , Kidgell Dawson J. , Howatson Glyn
Published: October 2024

The initial increase in maximal strength during resistance training is attributed to neural adaptations. Acute administration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to improve motor function and neural adaptations in healthy and clinical populations. This study measured the neuromuscular and neural response to acute (single training session) and short-term (3 wk) resistance training with tDCS. Greater neuromuscular and neural adaptations were only found following 3 wk of resistance training.
Unveiling the Efficiency of the Moment Distribution Method: A Geometric Series Perspective
Authors: Nouri Mahdi
Published: October 2024

The moment distribution method, originally introduced by Hardy Cross in his influential publication “Analysis of Continuous Frames by Distributing Fixed‐End Moments” (published in Transactions of the ASCE, 1932;96(1793):1–10), is widely recognized as a fundamental aspect of both structural engineering and global education. This iterative technique aims to improve solution accuracy at each step of distribution and has stood the test of time. In our study, we delve into the mathematical foundation of this method and make a crucial discovery: the terms generated during iterations follow a geometric series pattern. By leveraging this property, we propose a streamlined formula for efficiently calculating the sum of all the terms produced in each step of distribution iteration. Through comparative analysis with alternative methods, we highlight the method’s superior precision and robustness in structural analysis. Our investigation primarily focuses on demonstrating the geometric series nature of the terms generated through iterative moment distribution, providing specific theorems as references. Ultimately, our objective is to present concise, closed‐form mathematical solutions that showcase the practical effectiveness of this method in various applications within the field of structural engineering.
Evaluation of Quality of Life in First‐Degree Relatives of Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa Using Family Dermatology Life Quality Index
Authors: Javaheri Rojan , Handjani Farhad , Parvizi Mohammad Mahdi , Bouazzi Dorra , Jemec Gregor Borut Ernst
Published: October 2024

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects the quality of life (QoL) of afflicted patients. This current study was designed to assess the QoL of first‐degree relatives of HS patients and the various associated parameters.

Methods: We conducted this cross‐sectional study at the Outpatient Dermatology Clinics of Shahid Faghihi Hospital and Imam Reza Clinic, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2021 to 2022. Thirty‐nine first‐degree relatives of thirty‐nine patients with HS were selected to enter this cross‐sectional study, through the census sampling method. The Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was used to determine the scores.

Results: A total of 39 patients (24 men and 15 women) with HS were included in the present study. The mean total score of the FDLQI questionnaire was 9.10 ± 6.77, which indicates a moderate impact on the QoL of the first‐degree relatives of HS patients. In HS patients with underlying diseases, FDLQI scores were greater. Other first‐degree relatives had a higher average overall FDLQI score than the patient’s spouse. Comorbid first‐degree relatives showed considerably higher FDLQI scores than those without. FDLQI scores increased with first‐kin age.

Conclusion: The FDLQI score of first‐degree relatives of HS patients is considerably affected by any other underlying condition. Additionally, FDLQI scores were substantially associated with the first‐degree relative’s relationship with the patient (spouse vs. other relation) and the patient’s and relative’s underlying diseases.
Nutrtional and Phytochemical Characterstics of Fruits and Vegetable Wastes as Livestock Feed: A Case Study in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Yohannes Mitiku , Kechero Yisehak , Tadele Yilkal
Published: October 2024

Fruit and vegetable producers were creating a large amount of waste in homes, cafeterias, and agroprocessing units. The majority of this waste is composted and disposed in landfills and waterways. Recycling these wastes as animal feedstuffs will lessen food‐feed competition and minimize environmental hazards. This study was carried out in the Gamo zone of southern Ethiopia, in the heart of the southern rift valley, to ascertain the nutritional profiles of fruit and vegetable by‐products in relation to livestock feed potentials. All fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) samples were collected from homes, marketing facilities, restaurants, and waste disposal facilities. Proximate, detergent fiber component, minerals, and antinutritional factors were among the analyses performed on the collected samples. The results showed that, highest CP values recorded from banana leaf, 15.8 ± 0.8 (%DM) followed by avocado peel (14 ± 0.8) among fruit by‐products and that of highest values of vegetable components were obtained from Moringa oleifera strip (20.6 ± 1.25) sweet potato (18.5 ± 1.55), respectively. The highest ME (MJ/kg DM) contents obtained from avocado and mango by‐products among fruit wastes, while that of highest values recorded for cassava and potato peel (12.2 ± 0.4) and (11.3 ± 0.1) among vegetable components, respectively. The antinutrients included in FVW, namely, tannin, oxalate, and phytate, did not exceed the maximum permissible level for animal needs, which is less than 5% of DM. The macro‐ and micromineral profiles of these by‐products also show encouraging results that contribute to maintaining the mineral needs of farm animals. FVW can be a viable and alternative source of supplemental feed for farm animals that primarily rely on low‐quality natural pasture and crop residues, and can partially replace more expensive feedstuffs and their efficient reuse would minimize environmental impacts associated with the disposal of such wastes.
The Correlation Between Serum Tumor Markers and Liver Metastasis of Lung Cancer
Authors: Bu Xiaoyuan , Shi Xintong , Wu Yingjun , Wu Yinxiang , Li Lu , Gao Liping , Xiao Zhiwei , Chen Jiquan
Published: October 2024

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the changes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), keratin‐19 fragment antigen 21‐1 (cyfra21‐1), and liver metastases of lung cancer.

Methods: Eighty patients who had lung cancer that had spread to their liver diagnosed in our hospital from October 2021 to October 2023 (Group A), 80 individuals with advanced lung cancer who have metastasized to other sites (Group B), and 80 individuals with lung cancer who have not spread (control group) were selected as the study objects. LDH, NSE, and serum cyfra21‐1 levels of patients in the three groups were detected, and pathological results were used as the diagnostic gold standard. ROC curves were drawn to examine the clinical value of NSE, cyfra21‐1, and LDH levels in the distinct types of lung cancer identification of liver metastases.

Results: There was no remarkable variation in pathological types among the three groups (p > 0.05), but there were remarkable variations in TNM stage and lymph node metastasis among the three groups (p < 0.05). The levels of cyfra21‐1, NSE, and LDH in Group A and Group B were greater compared to those in the control group (p < 0.05), and the levels of cyfra21‐1, NSE, and LDH in Group A were greater compared to those in Group B (p < 0.05). The critical value, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of serum cyfra21‐1 in the distinct identification of liver metastasis of lung cancer were 8.22 ng/mL, 37.42%, 65.18%, and 0.508, respectively. The critical value, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of NSE for distinct types of lung cancer identification of liver metastases were 23.96 ng/mL, 64.56%, 81.23%, and 0.723, respectively. The critical value, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of LDH for differential diagnosis of liver metastasis of lung cancer were 304.78 U/L, 75.65%, 85.73%, and 0.821.

Conclusion: The serum levels of NSE, cyfra21‐1, and LDH in patients with liver metastasis of lung cancer were remarkably greater compared to patients without liver metastasis, which can be useful as a clinical auxiliary in determining lung cancer metastasis.
A Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of C‐Shaped Canal Configuration in Maxillary Molars Among an Iranian Population
Authors: Nikkerdar Nafiseh , Moslehi Mohammad , Golshah Amin
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and configuration of C‐shaped canal morphology in maxillary molars in an Iranian population residing in Kermanshah Province of Iran using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 2290 CBCT scans of 804 maxillary first molars, 1049 maxillary second molars, and 437 maxillary third molars. The Maxillary Upper‐C Classification System was used for the detection of C‐shaped canal morphology, and the classification by Jo et al. was used for assessment of the configuration of C‐shaped canals. Data were analyzed by the Chi‐square test (α = 0.05).

Results: The prevalence of C‐shaped canals in the maxillary first, second, and third molars was 1%, 7%, and 9%, respectively. Type III other types (B‐P) was the most frequent configuration followed by type I subtype C (MB‐DB). The prevalence of C‐shaped canal morphology was not significantly different among different age groups (p  > 0.05); however, its prevalence in females was almost twice that in males (p  < 0.05). The prevalence of C‐shaped canals was not significantly different in the right and left quadrants (p = 0.099). The most frequent configuration was type I subtype B (DB‐P) in males, and type III other types (B‐P) in females (p = 0.364).

Conclusion: The prevalence of C‐shaped canals in maxillary first, second, and third molars was 1%, 7%, and 9%, respectively. C‐shaped canals were more common in females, and type III other types (B‐P) was the most frequent configuration in our study population.
Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Comparative Studies: Transcatheter Versus Surgical Closure for Postinfarct Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Yamaguchi Akira , Shimamura Junichi , Fukuhara Shinichi , Ueyama Hiroki , Takagi Hisato , Kuno Toshiki
Published: October 2024

Background: Postinfarct ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Transcatheter closure is a potential alternative to surgical closure for PIVSD patients.

Objective: This meta‐analysis compares the clinical outcomes of transcatheter closure versus surgical closure for PIVSD.

Methods: A systemic search of PubMed and Embase until January 2023 identified studies comparing transcatheter versus surgical PIVSD closure. Primary outcomes included short‐term mortality. Short‐term mortality referred to the number of in‐hospital or 30‐day deaths. Secondary outcomes comprised residual shunt/reintervention incidence, difference in time from AMI or PIVSD diagnosis to intervention, the presence of cardiogenic shock, incidence of perioperative mechanical support, PIVSD size difference, and overall mortality at follow‐up.

Results: Seven studies comprising 603 patients were included. Short‐term mortality (OR, 1.30; 95% CI [0.90, 1.89]; p = 0.17; I2  = 3.0%) did not significantly differ between the two groups. The incidence of residual shunt/reintervention (OR, 3.56; CI, 1.33–9.59; p = 0.01; I2  = 63.0%) and PIVSD size (mean difference, −3.94 mm; CI [−6.90, −0.99]; p = 0.09; I2  = 83.0%) were significantly different; however, the other secondary outcomes were not significantly different.

Conclusion: Transcatheter and surgical closure demonstrate similar short‐term mortality. Despite a higher incidence of residual shunt or reintervention in transcatheter closure, it may be a viable option in patients with small size of PIVSD.
Inhibitory Effect of (2S)‐Pinocembrin From Goniothalamus macrophyllus on the Prostaglandin E2 Production in Macrophage Cell Lines
Authors: Teruna Hilwan Yuda , Rullah Kamal , Hendra Rudi , Utami Rahayu , Islami Deri , Mohd Faudzi Siti Munirah , Mohd Aluwi Mohd Fadhlizil Fasihi , Lam Kok Wai
Published: October 2024

Pinocembrin (PCB), a flavonoid known for its anti‐inflammatory properties, has been approved for various clinical trial applications. To evaluate deeper into the anti‐inflammatory potential of the specific enantiomer of natural PCB, we conducted the first investigation into the efficacy of the pure enantiomer (2S)‐PCB in modulating inflammatory mediators induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in both murine RAW 264.7 and human U937 macrophage cell lines. This particular compound was isolated from Goniothalamus macrophyllus (Annonaceae), a native plant of Indonesia. This plant has been used traditionally as an herbal medicine to alleviate inflammation. (2S)‐PCB was isolated from the stem bark of G. macrophyllus by defatting with n‐hexane followed by maceration with methanol. Purification was performed using several chromatographic techniques. The absolute configuration was determined using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy. This compound was then tested for its inhibitory activity on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and subjected to docking simulations. The results indicated that (2S)‐PCB significantly suppressed the production of PGE2 induced by LPS in both RAW 264.7 and U937 cell lines. The docking simulations revealed that (2S)‐PCB reduced PGE2 levels by suppressing mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation through inhibiting p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK). These findings suggest that the compound may prevent worsening of septic shock caused by bacterial infection.
BTN2A1: A Novel Target to Boost Tumor Killing Capacity of Human γδ T Cells
Authors: Kabelitz Dieter
Published: October 2024

γδ T cells have recently raised great interest as effector cells in cancer immunotherapy because of their HLA-independent mode of action and their broad tumor reactivity. To translate the application of γδ T cells into clinically effective immunotherapies, specific tumor targeting and/or boosting of γδ T-cell activation in vivo seem to be a critical step. In this issue, Le Floch and colleagues report a new strategy for enabling γδ T cells to be specifically activated to kill acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells and solid tumor cells using agonistic BTN2A1 antibodies.

See related article by Le Floch et al., p. 1677
Figure 5 from USP36 SUMOylates Las1L and Promotes Its Function in Pre–Ribosomal RNA ITS2 Processing
Authors: Li Yanping , Yang Yunhan , Sears Rosalie C. , Dai Mu-Shui , Sun Xiao-Xin
Published: October 2024

SUMOylation of Las1L regulates its cellular localization and association with the pre-60S ribosome. A, Las1L SUMOylation does not affect its interaction with Nol9. The HEK293 cells transfected with WT Las1L, the K565R mutant, or control vector were assayed by Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB. B and C, Mutating K565 does not affect the half-life of Las1L. HeLa cells transfected with WT Las1L or the K565R mutant were treated with 100 μg/mL cycloheximide (CHX) and harvested at different time points, followed by IB. A representative experiment is shown in B, and the quantification from the three independent experiments is shown in C. D, Mutating K565 does not affect Las1L ubiquitination determined by Ni2+-NTA beads PD under denaturing conditions. The ubiquitinated Las1L and total protein ubiquitination are indicated. The protein expression is shown in the bottom panels. E, Las1L SUMOylation at K565 affects its nucleoplasmic translocation. HeLa cells transfected with Flag-Las1L (WT or the K565R mutant) together with scr or SENP3 siRNA were immunostained with anti-Flag (green) and anti-SENP3 (red), followed by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining for DNA (blue). F, Mutating K565 attenuates the interaction of Las1L with the pre-60S ribosome. The HEK293 cells transfected with WT Flag-Las1L, the K565R mutant, or control vector were assayed by Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB to detect the indicated ribosomal proteins.
Figure 2 from USP36 SUMOylates Las1L and Promotes Its Function in Pre–Ribosomal RNA ITS2 Processing
Authors: Li Yanping , Yang Yunhan , Sears Rosalie C. , Dai Mu-Shui , Sun Xiao-Xin
Published: October 2024

Mapping the interaction of USP36 with the Las1L–Nol9 complex. A and B, The C-terminal domain of USP36 binds to Las1L and Nol9. H1299 cells transfected with Flag-USP36 or its deletion mutants were assayed by Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB (A). Diagram of USP36 indicating the C-terminal Las1L–Nol9–binding domain is shown in B. USP, ubiquitin-specific protease. C and D, USP36 binds to the CC domain of Las1L. H1299 cells transfected with Flag-Las1L or its deletion mutants together with V5-USP36 were subjected to Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB (C). The diagram of Las1L domains is shown in D. HEPN, higher eukaryotes and prokaryotes nucleotide-binding domain; LCT, Las1L C-terminal tail; CC, coiled-coil. E and F, USP36 binds to the NTD domain of Nol9. H1299 cells transfected with Flag-Nol9 or its deletion mutants together with V5-USP36 were subjected to Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB (E). The diagram of Nol9 domains is shown in F. NTD, N-terminal domain; PNK, polynucleotide kinase; CTD, C-terminal domain. G and H, USP36 binds to Las1L and Nol9 independently. H1299 cells transfected with WT Flag-Las1L or the Nol9-binding defective mutant (G) or Flag-Nol9 or its Las1L-binding defective mutant (H) were subjected to Co-IP with anti-Flag antibody, followed by IB.