bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MD2 deficiency prevents high‐fat diet‐induced AMPK suppression and lipid accumulation through regulating TBK1 in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Luo Wu , Ye Lin , Hu Xue‐ting , Wang Mei‐hong , Wang Min‐xiu , Jin Lei‐ming , Xiao Zhong‐xiang , Qian Jian‐chang , Wang Yi , Zuo Wei , Huang Li‐jiang , Liang Guang
Published: March 2022

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most predominant form of liver diseases worldwide. Recent evidence shows that myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2), a protein in innate immunity and inflammation, regulates liver injury in models of NAFLD. Here, we investigated a new mechanism by which MD2 participates in the pathogenesis of experimental NAFLD.

Methods

Wild‐type, Md2−/− and bone marrow reconstitution mice fed with high‐fat diet (HFD) were used to identify the role of hepatocyte MD2 in NAFLD. Transcriptomic RNA‐seq and pathway enrich analysis were performed to explore the potential mechanisms of MD2. In vitro, primary hepatocytes and macrophages were cultured for mechanistic studies.

Results

Transcriptome analysis and bone marrow reconstitution studies showed that hepatocyte MD2 may participate in regulating lipid metabolism in models with NAFLD. We then discovered that Md2 deficiency in mice prevents HFD‐mediated suppression of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). This preservation of AMPK in Md2‐deficient mice was associated with normalized sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) transcriptional program and a lack of lipid accumulation in both hepatocytes and liver. We then showed that hepatocyte MD2 links HFD to AMPK/SREBP1 through TANK binding kinase 1 (TBK1). In addition, MD2‐increased inflammatory factor from macrophages induces hepatic TBK1 activation and AMPK suppression.

Conclusion

Hepatocyte MD2 plays a pathogenic role in NAFLD through TBK1‐AMPK/SREBP1 and lipid metabolism pathway. These studies provide new insight into a non‐inflammatory function of MD2 and evidence for the important role of MD2 in NALFD.
Investigation of the interaction of dense noble gas plasmas with cold cathodes: II Arc spot ignition on Au, Pd and Pt cathodes
Authors: Frohnert Sonja , Mentel Jürgen
Published: March 2022

Investigations of the ignition of cathode spots by arcs operated in atmospheric pressure noble gas atmosphere on electrodes made of Al, Cu, Ti and graphite are extended to electrodes made of Au, Pd and Pt. Rods with a diameter of 2 mm are inserted in a UHV tight stainless steel vessel filled with Ar 5.6 or Kr 4.8. The negatively biased electrodes are brought into interaction with arc plasma by a magnetic blast field. Their end faces are mostly polished with diamond grinding powder, some Pd electrodes are additionally glowed, and other Pd electrodes are pasted with Pd powder. The arc spot ignition is observed by short time photography, streak camera records and temporally highly resolved optical spectroscopy for a lower and higher voltage applied between the arc plasma and the commutation electrode. Measurements of the commutation time tc elapsing between a signal generated by the arc plasma in front of the commutation electrode and the start of the commutation current show that at low voltages tc is in parts drastically increased by oxide layers. The measurements of tc for different electrode materials demonstrate that tc decreases with decreasing boiling temperature of the material. It confirms that not only ions of the filling gas but also of vaporized electrode material in front of the commutation electrode initiate and promote the arc spot ignition. SEM records show that different electrode treatments cause primarily different arc traces on the electrode surface.
Intelligence benefit of the 3‐methoxytyramine to tyramine ratio in equine urine
Authors: Elbourne Madysen , Cawley Adam , Stanley Shawn , Bowen Christopher , Fu Shanlin
Published: March 2022

Equine urine analysis has evolved over time to detect thousands of urinary compounds for doping control in the horse racing industry. The longitudinal assessment of 3‐methoxytyramine to tyramine ratio (3‐MT/T) values in equine urine by GC–MS profiling was investigated to support the Racing NSW Equine Biological Passport (EBP) for detection of dopaminergic manipulation in racehorses. This involved comparison of routine urine samples to administration studies of Sinemet, a common Parkinson's disease medication containing levodopa. Using an endogenous reference compound (ERC) in a urinary ratio enabled greater confidence to provide intelligence of pharmaceutical manipulation as distinct from physiological variation. Population reference limits (PRLs) of 776 ng/ml for urinary 3‐MT and 5.3 for 3‐MT/T, together with the use of individual reference limits (IRLs), are proposed.
Characterization and Hydroisomerization Performance of Mg‐Promoted, Pt/ZSM‐23‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Bogomolova Tatiana S. , Lisitsyn Alexander S. , Ayupov Artem B. , Yu. Gerasimov Evgeny , Klimov Oleg V. , Noskov Alexander S. , Yu. Smirnova Marina
Published: March 2022

The effect of Mg on the acidic and metal functions in Pt/ZSM‐23 catalysts has been studied, using both pure zeolite (Z) and preshaped ZSM‐23/Al2O3composite (ZA) and varying the content and method of Mg loading. N2physisorption, CO chemisorption, H2/O2titration, XRD, TEM, TPR, and FTIR were employed to characterize the phase composition, textural and acidic properties, platinum location and dispersion. The shaping procedure used left the acidity of the parent zeolite virtually intact, while Pt dispersion on the composite support was greatly increased. Despite the increased CPt/CH+ratio, the Pt/ZA catalyst underperformed Pt/Z in the yield of branched isomers produced in n‐decane hydroconversion. Irrespective of the support, its impregnation with Mg allowed tuning the surface acidity and improving the isomerization selectivity above the level characteristic of unpromoted Pt/Z. However, the addition of Mg through ion‐exchange resulted in an opposite effect on the catalyst selectivity. Possible reasons of such a complex behavior are discussed.
An Ion‐selective Electrode Based on Ti3C2 Solid‐state Transduction for Rapid Detection of Lead Ion Concentration in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Liu Jingyan , Xu Zonglin , Yang Mei , Zhang Shilin , Tang Aidong
Published: March 2022

Conduction layer plays an important role in ion‐selective electrodes (ISEs) with solid‐state transduction. Herein, a lead ISE was prepared with Ti3C2 as the conductive layer, which has less water film and good anti‐interference ability to O2, CO2 and light. Concentration of lead ions can be quickly determined by detecting the electromotive force of the galvanic cell. In 10−3–10−7 M, the Nernst slope is found to be 28.3±1.02 mV/decade. And the detection limit is 4.4×10−8 M (n=3). It indicates that Ti3C2 is suitable for the conductive layer in solid ISEs.
Antibody response to the messenger RNA‐1273 vaccine (Moderna) in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Cuadrado Antonio , del Barrio María , Fortea José Ignacio , Amigo Lidia , San Segundo David , Rodriguez‐Cundin María Paz , Rebollo María Henar , Fernandez‐Santiago Roberto , Castillo Federico , Achalandabaso Maria , Echeverri Juan , Anderson Edward J. , Rodríguez‐Sanjuan Juan Carlos , López‐Hoyos Marcos , Crespo Javier , Fábrega Emilio
Published: March 2022

Different reports have shown the clinical and serologic response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in the general population, but few studies have examined these responses in transplant recipients. We assessed the vaccine immunogenicity of two doses (100 μg) of the mRNA‐1273 vaccine (Moderna) administered with a 28‐day interval in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) at follow‐up at the Marques de Valdecilla University Hospital. LTRs without a history of COVID‐19 infection were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against the spike protein (S) a median of 43 days after receiving the second Moderna vaccine dose. Clinical data, including immunosuppressive regimen and routine laboratory data, were obtained from the medical record of each patient up to 3 months before the date of the first vaccination. Factors associated with serologic response were evaluated through logistic regression. In total, 129 LTRs who had anti‐S results were included. Most patients were men (n = 99; 76.7%) with a median age of 63 years (interquartile range, 56–68). Alcohol (43.4%) and chronic hepatitis C (18.6%) were the most frequent causes of liver transplantation. A positive anti‐S IgG response was observed in 113 LTRs (87.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 80.8–92.2). A strong inverse relationship between mycophenolate mofetil use and serologic response was found (odds ratio, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02–0.26; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Most LTRs develop an immunological response to the Moderna SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA‐based vaccine. An immunosuppressive regimen that includes mycophenolate predicts a weak serologic response.
Mac‐2‐binding protein glycan isomer predicts all malignancies after sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Kawata Kazuhito , Atsukawa Masanori , Ohta Kazuyoshi , Chida Takeshi , Noritake Hidenao , Arai Taeang , Iwakiri Katsuhiko , Yasuda Satoshi , Toyoda Hidenori , Okubo Tomomi , Hiraoka Atsushi , Watanabe Tsunamasa , Uojima Haruki , Nozaki Akito , Tani Joji , Morishita Asahiro , Kageyama Fujito , Sasada Yuzo , Nagasawa Masamichi , Matsushita Masahiro , Oyaizu Tatsuki , Mikami Shigeru , Ikegami Tadashi , Abe Hiroshi , Matsuura Kentaro , Tanaka Yasuhito , Tsubota Akihito
Published: March 2022

Despite reports of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after achieving sustained virological response (SVR), only few studies have demonstrated the incidence of other (non‐HCC) malignancies. This study aimed to clarify the incidence, survival probability, and factors associated with malignancy, especially non‐HCC malignancies, in patients with chronic HCV infection after achieving SVR. In this retrospective study, records of 3580 patients with chronic HCV infection who achieved SVR following direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment were analyzed. The cumulative post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies was 0.9%, 3.1%, and 6.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The survival probability for patients with non‐HCC malignancies was 99.1%, 78.8%, and 60.2% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, and the rate was significantly lower than that for patients with HCC. The Cox proportional hazards regression model identified Mac‐2‐binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi) cutoff index (COI) ≥ 1.90 at baseline and ≥ 1.50 at 12 weeks following DAA treatment as significant and independent factors associated with the post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies. Furthermore, patients with either M2BPGi COI ≥ 1.90 at baseline or M2BPGi COI ≥ 1.50 at SVR12 had a significantly higher risk of post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies than of HCC. Conclusion: M2BPGi measurements at baseline and SVR12 may help predict the post‐SVR incidence of non‐HCC malignancies in patients with chronic HCV infection who achieved SVR following DAA treatment. Early identification of these patients is critical to prolong patient survival.
Ablation of high‐mobility group box‐1 in the liver reduces hepatocellular carcinoma but causes hyperbilirubinemia in Hippo signaling‐deficient mice
Authors: Athavale Dipti , Song Zhuolun , Desert Romain , Han Hui , Das Sukanta , Ge Xiaodong , Komakula Sai Santosh Babu , Chen Wei , Gao Shenglan , Lantvit Daniel , Guzman Grace , Nieto Natalia
Published: March 2022

Silencing the Hippo kinases mammalian sterile 20‐like 1 and 2 (MST1/2) activates the transcriptional coactivator yes‐associated protein (YAP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatocyte‐derived high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) regulates YAP expression; however, its contribution to HCC in the context of deregulated Hippo signaling is unknown. Here, we hypothesized that HMGB1 is required for hepatocarcinogenesis by activating YAP in Hippo signaling‐deficient (Mst1/2
ΔHep) mice. Mst1/2
ΔHep mice developed HCC within 3.5 months of age and had increased hepatic expression of HMGB1 and elevated YAP activity compared to controls. To understand the contribution of HMGB1, we generated Mst1/2&Hmgb1
ΔHep mice. They exhibited decreased YAP activity, cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis, atypical ductal cell expansion, and HCC burden at 3.5 months compared to Mst1/2
∆Hep mice. However, Mst1/2&Hmgb1
ΔHep mice were smaller, developed hyperbilirubinemia, had more liver injury with intrahepatic biliary defects, and had reduced hemoglobin compared to Mst1/2
ΔHep mice. Conclusion: Hepatic HMGB1 promotes hepatocarcinogenesis by regulation of YAP activity; nevertheless, it maintains intrahepatic bile duct physiology under Hippo signaling deficiency.
Computational profiling of natural compounds as promising inhibitors against the spike proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2 wild‐type and the variants of concern, viral cell‐entry process, and cytokine storm in COVID‐19
Authors: Kar Pallab , Saleh‐E‐In Md. Moshfekus , Jaishee Nishika , Anandraj Akash , Kormuth Emil , Vellingiri Balachandar , Angione Claudio , Rahman Pattanathu K. S. M. , Pillay Suntheren , Sen Arnab , Naidoo Devashan , Roy Ayan , Choi Yong E.
Published: March 2022

The continuous spread and evolution of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), and the rapid surge in infection cases in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) evoke a dire need for effective therapeutics. In this study, we explored the inhibitory potential of a library of 605 phytocompounds, selected from Indian medicinal plants with reported antiviral and anti‐inflammatory activities, against the receptor‐binding domain of spike proteins of the SARS‐CoV‐2 wild‐type and the variants of concern, including variants B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). Our approach was based on extensive molecular docking, assessment of drug‐likeness, and robust molecular dynamics simulations. We also identified promising inhibitory candidates against the host (human) proteins associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 spike activation and attachment, namely, ACE2 receptor, proteases TMPRSS2 and CTSL, and the endocytic regulator AAK1. In addition, we screened promising inhibitory compounds against the human proinflammatory cytokines‐ IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ, that are associated with the adverse cytokine storm in COVID‐19 patients. Our analysis returned an encouraging list of promising inhibitory candidates that includes: abietatriene against the spike proteins of the SARS‐CoV‐2 wild‐type and the variants of concern; taraxerol against the human ACE2, CTSL and TNF‐α; β‐amyrin against the human TMPRSS2; cynaroside against the human AAK1 and IL‐1β; and friedelin against the human IL‐6 and IFN‐γ. Our findings provide substantial evidence for the inhibitory potential of these compounds and encourage further in vitro and in vivo studies to validate their use as safe and effective therapeutics against COVID‐19.
Bayesian deep learning–based1H‐MRSof the brain: Metabolite quantification with uncertainty estimation using Monte Carlo dropout
Authors: Lee Hyeong Hun , Kim Hyeonjin
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To develop a Bayesian convolutional neural network (BCNN) with Monte Carlo dropout sampling for metabolite quantification with simultaneous uncertainty estimation in deep learning–based proton MRS of the brain.

Methods

Human brain spectra were simulated using basis spectra for 17 metabolites and macromolecules (N = 100 000) at 3.0 Tesla. In addition, actual in vivo spectra (N = 5) were modified by adjusting SNR and linewidth with increasing severity of spectral degradation (N = 50). A BCNN was trained on the simulated spectra to generate a noise‐free, line‐narrowed, macromolecule signal‐removed, metabolite‐only spectrum from a typical human brain spectrum. At inference, each input spectrum was Monte Carlo dropout sampled (50 times), and the resulting mean spectrum and variance spectrum were used for metabolite quantification and uncertainty estimation, respectively.

Results

Using the simulated spectra, the mean absolute percent errors of the BCNN‐predicted metabolite content were < 10% for Cr, Glu, Gln, mI, NAA, and Tau (< 5% for Glu, NAA, and mI). For all metabolites, the correlations (r's) between the ground‐truth error and BCNN‐predicted uncertainty ranged 0.72–0.94 (0.83 ± 0.06;p < 0.001). Using the modified in vivo spectra, the extent of variation in the estimated metabolite content against the increasing severity of spectral degradation tended to be smaller with BCNN than with linear combination of model spectra (LCModel). Overall, the variation in metabolite content tended to be more highly correlated with the uncertainty from BCNN than with the Cramér‐Rao lower‐bounds from LCModel (0.938 ± 0.019 vs. 0.881 ± 0.057 [p = 0.115]).

Conclusion

The BCNN with Monte Carlo dropout sampling may be used in deep learning–based MRS for the estimation of uncertainty in the machine‐predicted metabolite content, which is important in the clinical application of deep learning–based MRS.
A copula‐based approach on optimal allocation of hot standbys in series systems
Authors: Zhang Jiandong , Zhang Yiying
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we propose a copula‐based approach to study the allocation problem of hot standbys in series systems composed of two heterogeneous and dependent components. By assuming that the lifetimes of components and spares are dependent and linked via a general survival copula, optimal allocation strategies are presented for the case of one and two redundancies at the component level. Further, redundancies allocation mechanisms are also compared between the allocations at the component level and the system level. For the case of one hot standby, we find that the performance of the redundant system at the component level is always worse than that at the system level. For the case of two hot standbys, the reversed allocation principle (i.e., Barlow–Proschan principle) is valid. Numerical examples and applications are also provided as illustrations. A real application on improving tensile strength of cables in high voltage electricity transmission network systems is presented for showing the applicability of our results.
Gender integration and elementary‐age students' classroom belongingness: The importance of other‐gender peers
Authors: Martin Carol Lynn , Xiao Sonya Xinyue , DeLay Dawn , Hanish Laura D. , Fabes Richard A. , Morris Stacy , Oswalt Krista
Published: March 2022

Most US students attend coeducational classes, but to what extent do students feel integrated into the entire classroom of their peers, especially with other‐gender (OG) peers? The major goal of this study was to investigate how variations in gender integration (GI), measured by students' expectancies about inclusion, efficacy, and social costs of interacting with OG peers, predicted school liking and classroom supportiveness over an academic year, using a short‐term longitudinal design. We also explored how students' expectancies changed over the year. Participants included elementary school students (515 school‐age children; 51% boys, Mage = 9.08 years, SD = 1.00; 3–5th grade; 26 classrooms). A two‐wave latent change score model showed that changes over the year varied depending on the type of expectancy, grade, and gender, with decreases in inclusion and efficacy for boys. Longitudinal path analyses conducted to assess whether GI expectancies predicted school belongingness showed that students' levels of OG inclusion in the Fall uniquely predicted changes in levels of school liking and classroom community over the year, even with many controls in the model. The findings demonstrate that students' relationships with OG peers matter for having a sense of belonging in school, and educators should support and encourage these relationships.
Reachable set bounding for discrete‐time nonlinear positive systems with time‐varying delay and disturbance
Authors: Zhu Xingao , Liu Shutang , Sun Yuangong
Published: March 2022

This article studies the problem of reachable set bounding for the discrete‐time nonlinear positive systems with time‐varying delay and disturbance for the first time. Discrete‐time nonlinear positive systems whose vector fields are homogeneous of degree greater than one and order preserving are discussed. By using a novel technique which does not involve the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional approach, necessary and sufficient criteria are established to guarantee all the state trajectories of the system converge exponentially within a special ball. Moreover, we extend the main results to general nonlinear time‐varying systems with disturbance. Finally, numerical examples well show the superiority of the obtained results.
Mingled Metal Oxides Catalyst for Direct Carbonylation of Glycerol into Glycerol Carbonate
Authors: Pandey Preeti H. , Pawar Hitesh S.
Published: March 2022

The escalation of CO2 into the atmosphere has encouraged the development of sustainable pathways to produce materials and chemicals from CO2. In the present manuscript, an attempt has been made for direct carbonylation of glycerol into Glycerol carbonate (GC) by using CO2 over mingled metal oxide (MMO) catalyst. Several single, bi and trimetal oxides catalysts were explored for direct carbonylation of glycerol. Among the tested catalysts, Cu incorporated MMO showed the profound effect to obtain maximum glycerol conversion and GC selectively. However, a series of MMO catalysts with variable Cu loading were synthesized by simple co‐precipitation method and tested for direct carbonylation of glycerol. Of all tested Cu loaded MMO catalyst, 5 % Cu loaded MMO catalyst (CuO/CeO2/ZnO) showed highest GC selectivity (99 %). Furthermore, the process intensification study was conducted to investigate the influence of various reaction parameters on glycerol conversion and GC yield such as catalyst loading, temperature, CO2 pressure, time, and solvent concentration. The intensified process resulted into 57.4 % glycerol conversion with 57.2 % GC yield and 99.65 % selectivity. Moreover, the in‐depth physicochemical characterisations of the synthesised MMO catalyst were conducted by using various surface analytical techniques. The synthesised MMO has showed a synergistic and protagonistic effect for direct carbonylation of glycerol. The recyclability study was performed to examine the robustness and efficency of the MMO catalyst that showed the consistency in the GC yield, conversion and selectivity without any significant loss after six consecutive runs. Also, the plausible reaction mechanism over MMO catalyst was proposed. The reported methodology has explored a simple, robust and efficient process for direct carbonylation of glycerol by using MMO catalyst with higher yield and selectivity of GC.
Ring‐Opening Copolymerization of Cyclic Anhydrides and Epoxides by bis(amidinate)tin(II) Complex via Binary Catalyst System
Authors: Thumrongpatanaraks Wipavee , Pongpanit Tanyawan , Chumsaeng Phongnarin , Jaenjai Tiphanan , Yimthachote Supajittra , Phomphrai Khamphee
Published: March 2022

Bis(amidinate) tin(II) complex (1) was reported as active catalyst for ring‐opening copolymerization of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides via a binary catalyst system. Polymerizations of six combinations of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides were carried out giving highly alternating poly(anhydride‐alt‐epoxide) with narrow dispersities, except for cyclohexene oxide where significant amount of ether linkage up to 62 % was observed. This ether linkages could be diminished by increasing the amount of cocatalyst to over 3 equiv. Six well‐known cocatalysts were screened where PPNCl was found to be the best cocatalyst.
Highly Strengthened and Toughened Zn–Li–Mn Alloys as Long‐Cycling Life and Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode for Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yanyi , Yang Xinxin , Hu Yixuan , Hu Kailong , Lin Xi , Liu Xingjun , Reddy Kolan Madhav , Xie Guoqiang , Qiu Hua‐Jun
Published: March 2022

Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) using aqueous electrolyte, recently, have been a hot topic owing to the high safety, low cost, and high specific energy capacity. However, the formation of dendrite and side reactions on the Zn anode during cycling inhibit the application of ZIBs. An advanced Zn anode by alloying a small amount of Li and Mn with Zn is hereby reported. It is found that Li and Mn can form cationic ions which restrain lateral diffusion of Zn ions and regulate zinc electrodeposition through the electrostatic shield mechanism. As a result, the formation of Zn dendrite is greatly inhibited. This process also mitigates the formation of Zn‐based byproduct and Zn passivation. Consequently, the symmetric ZnLiMn/ZnLiMn cell presents a small overpotential of 30 mV at 1 mA cm–2, greatly enhanced cycling durability (1000 h at a current density of 1 mA cm–2), and a dendrite‐free morphology after cycles. Moreover, the authors find that the ZnLiMn alloy has greatly enhanced mechanical properties. The assembled ZnLiMn/MnO2 full cell can retain 96% capacity after 400 cycles at 1 C. Thus, the alloying low‐cost Li/Mn strategy is very promising for large‐scale production of dendrite‐free Zn electrode in rechargeable ZIBs.
Relaxed virtual memory in Armv8-A
Authors: Simner Ben , Armstrong Alasdair , Pichon-Pharabod Jean , Pulte Christopher , Grisenthwaite Richard , Sewell Peter
Published: March 2022

Virtual memory is an essential mechanism for enforcing security boundaries, but its relaxed-memory concurrency semantics has not previously been investigated in detail. The concurrent systems code managing virtual memory has been left on an entirely informal basis, and OS and hypervisor verification has had to make major simplifying assumptions.

We explore the design space for relaxed virtual memory semantics in the Armv8-A architecture, to support future system-software verification. We identify many design questions, in discussion with Arm; develop a test suite, including use cases from the pKVM production hypervisor under development by Google; delimit the design space with axiomatic-style concurrency models; prove that under simple stable configurations our architectural model collapses to previous “user” models; develop tooling to compute allowed behaviours in the model integrated with the full Armv8-A ISA semantics; and develop a hardware test harness.

This lays out some of the main issues in relaxed virtual memory bringing these security-critical systems phenomena into the domain of programming-language semantics and verification with foundational architecture semantics.
Estimating Worst-case Resource Usage by Resource-usage-aware Fuzzing
Authors: Chen Liqian , Huang Renjie , Luo Dan , Ma Chenghu , Wei Dengping , Wang Ji
Published: March 2022

Worst-case resource usage provides a useful guidance in the design, configuration and deployment of software, especially when it runs under a context with limited amount of resources. Static resource-bound analysis can provide sound upper bounds of worst-case resource usage but may provide too conservative, even unbounded, results. In this paper, we present a resource-usage-aware fuzzing approach to estimate worst-case resource usage. The key idea is to guide the fuzzing process using resource-usage amount together with resource-usage relevant coverage. Moreover, we leverage semantic patch to make use of static analysis information (including control-flow, function-call, etc.) to instrument the original program, for the sake of aiding the subsequent fuzzing. We have conducted experiments to estimate worst-case resource usage of various resources in real-world programs, including heap memory, stack depths, sockets, user-defined resources, etc. The preliminary experimental results show the promising ability of our approach in estimating worst-case resource usage in real-world programs, compared with two state-of-the-art fuzzing tools (AFL and MemLock).
Efficacy and safety of CARTIGROW® in patients with articular cartilage defects of the knee joint: a four year prospective studys
Authors: Pathak Shirish , Chaudhary Deepak , Reddy K. Raghuveer , Acharya Kiran K. V. , Desai Sanjay M.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Research shows autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a promising treatment for articular cartilage lesions. In this study, we assessed mid-term efficacy and safety of gel-based ACI or autologous adult live cultured chondrocytes (CARTIGROW®) implantation in patients with cartilage defects of the knee joint.

Methods

In this prospective, open-label study, patients (19–38 years) with focal, international cartilage repair society grade III or IV articular cartilage defects of the knee joint were enroled at four centres across India from April 2015 to September 2015. Punch biopsy was conducted to harvest cartilage, from which chondrocytes were isolated and cultured, and the characterised chondrocytes were implanted into the cartilage defect. Key efficacy outcomes were assessed by quantitative changes in international knee documentation committee (IKDC), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and qualitative changes in magnetic resonance imaging at six months and four years from baseline.

Results

Of the14 patients enroled in the study, all patients completed the six month follow-up and 11 completed the four year follow-up. The IKDC score improved significantly from 32.84 ± 9.25 at baseline to 67.49 ± 13.03 at six months (mean difference [MD] 34.66 ± 13.00, p < 0.0001) and to 60.18 ± 10.33 at four years (MD 28.21 ± 15.14, p = 0.0001). The VAS score reduced from 72.00 ± 14.40 at baseline to 16.64 ± 17.03 at six months (MD 55.36 ± 24.50, p < 0.0001) and further to 12.72 ± 9.05 at four years (MD 62.09 ± 10.66, p < 0.0001). All patients showed improvement on MRI of the knee joint. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Autologous adult live cultured chondrocytes (CARTIGROW®) implantation showed good mid-term efficacy in patients with cartilage defects of the knee joint with no side-effects.
A novel radiological method to evaluate the posterior tympanotomy depth for cochlear implantation: our experience in 257 patients
Authors: Mandour Mahmoud , Elfarargy Haitham H. , Lotfy Rasha , Elsheikh Mohamed N. , Barbara Maurizio , Elzayat Saad
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to validate our novel proposed radiological evaluation of the posterior tympanotomy (PT) depth. This dimension represents the bone of the facial recess needed to be drilled to get access into the middle ear during cochlear implantation.

Methods

It was a retrospective observational study that included 257 patients who underwent cochlear implantation from July 2018 to April 2021 in tertiary referral institutions. Two physicians evaluated the preoperative HRCT to measure the PT depth in the oblique para-sagittal cut. On the other hand, two other physicians evaluated the unedited surgical videos to judge the PT depth and classified it into an ordinary PT or deep PT. Then, the preoperative radiological measurements were correlated with the intraoperative findings.

Results

The radiological PT depth ranged from 2.5 to 5.4 mm with a mean of 3.91 ± 0.886. Sixty-six patients had ordinary PT, and 191 patients had deep PT. Spearman’s correlation coefficient revealed a strong correlation between the preoperative radiological PT depth measurements and the intraoperative PT depth judgments (p value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

We created a novel radiological method to measure the posterior tympanotomy depth. This method was valid, reproducible, and reliable in the preoperative radiological evaluation of the PT depth with high sensitivity (91.71%), specificity (90.62%), and accuracy (91.44%). We also found a significant impact of the PT depth on the PT difficulty during cochlear implantation.
Correction to: Prevalence and predictors of bowel dysfunction in a large multiple sclerosis outpatient population: an Italian multicenter study
Authors: Bisecco Alvino , Fornasiero Arianna , Bianco Assunta , Cortese Antonio , D’Amico Emanuele , Mataluni Giorgia , Sinisi Leonardo , Spitaleri Daniele , Docimo Renato , Buscarinu Maria Chiara , Mirabella Massimiliano , Crisafulli Sebastiano Giuseppe , Zanghì Aurora , Nicoletti Carolina Gabri , Salvetti Marco , Baione Viola , Patti Francesco , Marfia Alessandra Girolama , Sibilia Grazia , Scarano Valentina , Orlando Davide , Stabile Giovanni , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Gallo Antonio
Published: March 2022

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The given and family names of authors were Interchanged except the following author Maria Chiara Buscarinu, Carolina Gabri Nicoletti, Alessandra Girolama Marfia and Antonio Gallo.
Association between oral health and advisability of oral feeding in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Furuya Junichi , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Hidaka Rena , Matsubara Chiaki , Motomatsu Yuko , Kabasawa Yuji , Tohara Haruka , Sato Yuji , Miyake Satoshi , Minakuchi Shunsuke
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Maintenance of oral feeding is important in terms of maintaining and improving the quality of life in terminal cancer patients receiving palliative care. Although adequate oral health status is essential for oral feeding in hospitalized patients, the relationship between oral health and oral feeding in patients receiving palliative care remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine how the general condition and oral health status of these patients relate to decisions regarding their nutritional intake methods.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 103 terminal cancer patients (59 men and 44 women; mean age, 73.8 ± 10.9 years) who received palliative care between April 2017 and August 2019. The nutritional method was assessed using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). We assessed two types of nutritional methods: (1) the method advised by the attending physician until the initial dental examination (FOIS-I) and (2) the recommended method based on consultation with a palliative care doctor and dentist after the initial oral examination (FOIS-R). Furthermore, the participants’ basic information and Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS) and Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) scores were assessed.

Results

There was a divergence between FOIS-I and FOIS-R. FOIS-R was significantly higher than FOIS-I (p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the time until death, DSS score, and OHAT score had a significant impact on determining the food form for oral feeding.

Conclusions

Appropriate oral health assessment is important in determining the food form and indication for oral feeding among patients receiving palliative care.
Corrosion, mechanical and bioactivity properties of HA-CNT nanocomposite coating on anodized Ti6Al4V alloy
Authors: Dalili Faezeh , Aghdam Rouhollah Mehdinavaz , Soltani Reza , Saremi Mohsen
Published: March 2022

Hydroxyapatite-carbon nanotubes (HA-CNTs) nanocomposite coating was applied by electrophoretic method on anodized Ti alloy to investigate its stability in simulated body fluid (SBF). The biocoating was characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) for microstructure, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallography. The effect of CNTs concentration on the coating properties was also investigated and found out that CNTs up to 5% has various improving effect on the system. It increased corrosion resistance and adhesion of the coating to the substrate and decreased the number of cracks on the coating. The results of the in vitro test showed that the cell viability increased with increasing the concentration of CNTs to 3 wt.% CNTs.
Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation in the Timahdite–Almis Guigou area (Middle Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Amrani Samir , Hinaje Said , El Fartati Mohamed , Gharmane Youssef , Yaagoub Driss
Published: March 2022

The groundwater in the Timahdite–Almis Guigou area flows through fluvio-lacustrine and volcanic formations of Plio-Quaternary age and Liassic limestone. The groundwater resources in this area are used for drinking water and irrigation of agricultural plots. 18 groundwater samples were collected for this study. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters analysed, such as temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, HCO3−, SO42−, NO2−, NO3−, faecal Coliforms, total Coliforms and faecal Streptococci, are used to characterise the quality of the groundwater and its suitability for drinking and for irrigation. The Piper and Gibbs diagrams and the saturation index were used to study the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater. The quality of these was assessed on the basis of bacteriological quantification and water quality index (WQI) for drinking, and calculation of sodium percentage (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and permeability index (PI) for irrigation. The mineral saturation index in groundwater indicates that only carbonate minerals tend to precipitate, especially in the form of dolomite. On the other hand, the evaporative minerals are still undersaturated. The bacteriological quality and the water quality index (WQI) of this area are considered to be generally good to poor quality, with the exception of a few points, near the public dump of Almis Guigou, plateau of Lamrijate (Timahdite), Aït Hamza and Aït Ghanem, that show significant bacterial contamination and high concentrations of sodium, chlorides and nitrates. According to the calculation of the (Na%), the (SAR) and (PI), the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation.
Mathematical model of the combustion process for turbojet engine based on fuel properties
Authors: Białecki Tomasz
Published: March 2022

This paper presents the impact of the alternative fuels properties on the parameters characterizing the combustion process in a turbojet engine, expressed in the form of a mathematical model. Laboratory tests, bench tests and a regression analysis of the obtained results were conducted. The developed and published combustion process models were briefly described. It has been demonstrated that these models were insufficient in taking into account the impact of fuel properties on the course of the combustion process. The experimental data enabled developing a mathematical model of the combustion process using statistical methods. The developed model, unlike other currently known models, takes into account the chemical composition of the fuel to a greater extent, which is characterized by its physicochemical properties. Mathematical model enables predicting engine operating parameters and the emissions characteristics, based on analysing laboratory test results, and can be used as a tool verifying the environmental impact of new fuels, through predicting the exhaust gas emissions.
Effects of Climate Change on the Production of Polysaccharides and Phycobiliproteins by Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Bornet et Flahault
Authors: Llopis Paula , García-Abad Laura , Pretel María Teresa , Montero María Adriana , Jordán Manuel Miguel , Asencio Antonia Dolores
Published: March 2022

Nostoc commune synthesizes polysaccharides and phycobiliproteins under natural conditions, but little is known about how environmental changes could affect their production. In this study, colonies of N. commune were subjected to increases in ultraviolet radiation, ammonium concentration, electrical conductivity, and temperature, to assess the potential changes in the concentrations of polysaccharides and phycobiliproteins. The results indicate that UVB radiation significantly increased the synthesis of polysaccharides (F = 62.691; p < 0.01), while UVA radiation caused a significant increase in the production of total phycobiliproteins (F = 22.472, p < 0.01) phycocyanin (F = 8.546, p < 0.01), phycoerythrin (F = 12.876, p < 0.01), and allophycocyanin (F = 58.143, p < 0.001). Also, 50 µM NH4Cl significantly increased the synthesis of polysaccharides (F = 45.706; p < 0.01) while increased near significant total phycobiliproteins (F = 5.043, p < 0.1), phycoerythrins (F = 4.57, p < 0.1), allophycocyanin (F = 4.892, p < 0.1), and phycocyanin (F = 4.921, p < 0.1). Furthermore, a conductivity value of 4 mScm−1 enhanced near significant the production of polysaccharides (F = 4.816; p < 0.1) and phycocyanin (F = 9.728, p < 0.1). Nevertheless, a significant effect of total phycobiliproteins was observed (F = 23.686, p < 0.01), as well as allophycocyanin (F = 57.092, p < 0.001), and phycoerythrin (F = 13.928, p < 0.01). Finally, the optimal temperature for the synthesis of polysaccharides was 30 °C. Also, 30 ºC significantly increased the synthesis of total phycobiliproteins (F = 292.211, p < 0.001), as well as on phycocyanin (F = 126.433, p < 0.001) and allophycocyanin (F = 7.991, p < 0.05). These data indicate the ability of N. commune to modify its synthesis of polysaccharides and phycobiliproteins in response to extreme environmental conditions related to climate change, underscoring the interest in N. commune for future applied research on the biotechnological and pharmaceutical production of both types of compounds.
Foliated Schwarz symmetry of solutions to a cooperative system of equations involving nonlocal operators
Authors: Greco Antonio , Jarohs Sven
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we prove foliated Schwarz symmetry of solutions to a cooperatively coupled system of equations involving nonlocal operators. Here, the class of nonlocal operators covers in particular the case of the fractional Laplacian. Moreover, we give an explicit example of a nonlocal nonlinear system, in which our result can be applied.
Typology of English–Korean code ambiguation
Authors: Lee Seongyong
Published: March 2022

Bilingual code ambiguation (CA), also known as language play or punning, has been discussed for bilingual creativity as it requires English users to manipulate two languages in a single utterance (Moody & Matsumoto, 2003). Since Moody and Matsumoto (2003) suggested English–Japanese CA in the lyrics of Japanese popular (J-pop) music, some studies have paid attention to diverse aspects of bilingual creativity performed in this complex linguistic phenomenon (Luk, 2013; Rivlina, 2015; Scherling, 2016). They have reported non-native English users’ control over linguistic knowledge in phonological analogy (Moody & Matsumoto, 2003; Scherling, 2016), semantic relatedness and blending (Luk, 2013; Moody & Matsumoto, 2003), and socio-pragmatic functions (Luk, 2013; Rivlina, 2015). They have further suggested that CA needs to be viewed as bilinguals’ performative use of English and a local language to achieve symbolic goals (Moody & Matsumoto, 2003; Scherling, 2016).
Introduction to the Special Issue on the International Joint Conference on Rules and Reasoning, RuleML+RR 2019
Authors: FODOR PAUL , MONTALI MARCO
Published: March 2022

This special issue of Theory and Practice of Logic Programming consists of extended versions of five selected papers from the 3rd International Joint Conference on Rules and Reasoning (RuleML+RR 2019). RuleML+RR 2019 was held in conjunction with the 5th Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence, GCAI 2019, as part of the Bolzano Rules and Artificial INtelligence Summit in Bolzano, Italy, from 17 to 19 of September 2019.
Extreme Hydrometeorological Events, a Challenge for Gravimetric and Seismology Networks
Authors: Van Camp Michel , de Viron Olivier , Dassargues Alain , Delobbe Laurent , Chanard Kristel , Gobron Kevin
Published: March 2022

Extreme events will become more common due to global change, requiring enhanced monitoring and pushing conventional observation networks to their limits. This encourages us to combine all the possible sources of information to obtain a complete picture of extreme events and their evolution. This commentary builds on an example of the July 2021 catastrophic floods that hit northwest Europe, for which the use of seismometer and gravimeter captures complementary data and brings a new understanding of the event and its dynamics. A sudden increase in seismic noise coincides with the testimony reporting on a “tsunami” downstream of the geophysical station. Concurrently, the gravimeter showed increasing saturation of the weathered zone, showing less and less water accumulation and increasing runoff. When rain re‐intensified after a 3‐hr break, the subsoil's saturation state induced an accelerated runoff increase, as revealed by the river flow, in a much stronger way than during the rainy episodes just before. We show that the gravimeter detected the saturation of the catchment subsoil and soil in real‐time. When the rain re‐intensified, this saturation resulted in a sudden, devastating and deadly flood. Our study opens up the possibility of integrating real‐time gravity in early warning systems for such events.
Driving chemical reactions with polariton condensates
Authors: Pannir-Sivajothi Sindhana , Campos-Gonzalez-Angulo Jorge A. , Martínez-Martínez Luis A. , Sinha Shubham , Yuen-Zhou Joel
Published: March 2022

When molecular transitions strongly couple to photon modes, they form hybrid light-matter modes called polaritons. Collective vibrational strong coupling is a promising avenue for control of chemistry, but this can be deterred by the large number of quasi-degenerate dark modes. The macroscopic occupation of a single polariton mode by excitations, as observed in Bose-Einstein condensation, offers promise for overcoming this issue. Here we theoretically investigate the effect of vibrational polariton condensation on the kinetics of electron transfer processes. Compared with excitation with infrared laser sources, the vibrational polariton condensate changes the reaction yield significantly at room temperature due to additional channels with reduced activation barriers resulting from the large accumulation of energy in the lower polariton, and the many modes available for energy redistribution during the reaction. Our results offer tantalizing opportunities to use condensates for driving chemical reactions, kinetically bypassing usual constraints of fast intramolecular vibrational redistribution in condensed phase.
Hollow-core optical fibre sensors for operando Raman spectroscopy investigation of Li-ion battery liquid electrolytes
Authors: Miele Ermanno , Dose Wesley M. , Manyakin Ilya , Frosz Michael H. , Ruff Zachary , De Volder Michael F. L. , Grey Clare P. , Baumberg Jeremy J. , Euser Tijmen G.
Published: March 2022

Improved analytical tools are urgently required to identify degradation and failure mechanisms in Li-ion batteries. However, understanding and ultimately avoiding these detrimental mechanisms requires continuous tracking of complex electrochemical processes in different battery components. Here, we report an operando spectroscopy method that enables monitoring the chemistry of a carbonate-based liquid electrolyte during electrochemical cycling in Li-ion batteries with a graphite anode and a LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 cathode. By embedding a hollow-core optical fibre probe inside a lab-scale pouch cell, we demonstrate the effective evolution of the liquid electrolyte species by background-free Raman spectroscopy. The analysis of the spectroscopy measurements reveals changes in the ratio of carbonate solvents and electrolyte additives as a function of the cell voltage and show the potential to track the lithium-ion solvation dynamics. The proposed operando methodology contributes to understanding better the current Li-ion battery limitations and paves the way for studies of the degradation mechanisms in different electrochemical energy storage systems.