bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ability of human TIM1 to bind phosphatidylethanolamine enhances viral uptake and efferocytosis compared to rhesus and mouse orthologs
Authors: Zhang Lizhou , Kitzmiller Claire E. , Richard Audrey S. , Popli Sonam , Choe Hyeryun
Published: October 2024

T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin (TIM) family proteins facilitate the clearance of apoptotic cells, are involved in immune regulation, and promote infection of enveloped viruses. These processes are frequently studied in experimental animals, such as mice or rhesus macaques, but functional differences among the TIM orthologs from these species have not been described. Previously, we reported that while all three human TIM proteins bind phosphatidylserine (PS), only human TIM1 (hTIM1) binds phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and that this PE-binding ability contributes to both phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells and viral infection. Here, we show that rhesus macaque TIM1 (rhTIM1) and mouse TIM1 (mTIM1) bind PS but not PE, and that their inability to bind PE makes them less efficient than hTIM1. We also show that alteration of only two residues of mTIM1 or rhTIM1 enables them to bind both PE and PS, and that these PE-binding variants are more efficient at phagocytosis and mediating viral entry. Further, we demonstrate that the mucin domain also contributes to the binding of the virions and apoptotic cells, although it does not directly bind phospholipid. Interestingly, contribution of the hTIM1 mucin domain is more pronounced in the presence of a PE-binding head domain. These results demonstrate that rhTIM1 and mTIM1 are inherently less functional than hTIM1, owing to their inability to bind PE and their less functional mucin domains. They also imply that mouse and macaque models underestimate the activity of hTIM1.

IMPORTANCE

We previously reported that human T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin protein 1 (TIM1) binds phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as well as phosphatidylserine (PS), and that PE is exposed on the apoptotic cells and viral envelopes. Moreover, TIM1 recognition of PE contributes to phagocytic clearance of apoptotic cells and virus uptake. Here, we report that unlike human TIM1, murine and rhesus TIM1 orthologs bind only PS, and as a result, their ability to clear apoptotic cells or promote virus infection is less efficient. These findings are significant because they imply that the activity of TIM1 in humans is greater than what the studies conducted in common animal models would indicate.
Unraveling the role of UilS, a urea-induced acyl-homoserine lactonase that enhances
Serratia marcescens
fitness, interbacterial competition, and urinary tract infection
Authors: Tuttobene Marisel R. , Arango Gil Brayan S. , Di Venanzio Gisela , Mariscotti Javier F. , Sieira Rodrigo , Feldman Mario F. , Ramirez María Soledad , García Véscovi Eleonora
Published: October 2024

Serratia marcescens
, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, is an opportunistic human pathogen and a frequent cause of urinary tract infections. Clinical isolates often exhibit resistance to multiple antibiotics, posing challenges for successful treatment. Understanding its pathogenic mechanisms is crucial for elucidating new potential targets to develop effective therapeutic interventions and manage
S. marcescens
infections. This work identifies
u
rea-
i
nduced
l
actonase of

S
erratia

(UilS), a lactonase encoded in the
S. marcescens
RM66262 strain isolated from a patient with a urinary tract infection. The study explores the bacterium’s response to urea, a major component of urine, and its impact on
uilS
expression. We found that UilS degrades acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) autoinducers traditionally associated with quorum sensing mechanisms. Surprisingly, UilS is able to degrade self and non-self AHL, exhibiting quorum-quenching activity toward
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. We found that LuxR regulates
uilS
expression that is enhanced in the presence of AHL. In addition, urea-dependent induction of UilS expression is controlled by the transcriptional response regulator CpxR. UilS confers fitness advantage to
S. marcescens
, especially in the presence of urea, emphasizing the adaptive plasticity of strains to modulate gene expression based on environmental signals and population density. We also discovered a novel bacterial killing capacity of
S. marcescens
that involves UilS, indicating its importance in the interspecies interaction of
Serratia
. Finally, we found that a
uilS
mutant strain displays attenuated colonization in a mouse model of catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
uilS
is present in clinical but absent in environmental isolates, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to host-specific selective pressures.

IMPORTANCE

This work reveals the acyl-homoserine lactonase
u
rea-
i
nduced
l
actonase of

S
erratia

as a novel virulence factor of
Serratia marcescens
, unraveling a potential target to develop antimicrobial strategies and shedding light on the complex regulatory network governing pathogenicity and adaptation to host environments.
Multiple variables influence the finely calibrated antioxidant defenses of
Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Purcell Erin B.
Published: October 2024

The obligate anaerobe
Clostridioides difficile
encodes multiple reductases to detoxify molecular oxygen and reactive oxygen species. Caulat and colleagues have characterized the activity and regulation of four such reductases (L. C. Caulat, A. Lotoux, M. C. Martins, N. Kint, et al., mBio 15:e01591-24, 2024,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01591-24
). Each proved critical for clostridial survival in a different range of oxygen concentrations; together, they ameliorate a broad range of oxidative stress levels. Moreover, two previously uncharacterized regulators were found to control reductase gene expression in response to oxidative stress. The genetic repressor Rex and the reductase FdpF are both sensitive to the NAP
+
:NADH ratio, which is affected by a cell’s metabolic state as well as redox activity. While oxygen is known to influence the expression of metabolism genes in
C. difficile
, the mechanisms for cross-talk between the pathways that respond to oxidative and metabolic stress are not well known. The NADH dependence of Rex and FdpF may represent a newly mapped junction between these pathways.
High prevalence of carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
complex in a tertiary hospital over a decade
Authors: Cai Shiqi , Quan Jingjing , Wang Zhengan , Hu Huangdu , Han Xinhong , Jiang Yan , Yang Qing , Yu Yunsong , Zhou Zhihui
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem resistance in the carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (CRECC) over a decade in a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang, China. From January 2011 to December 2021, we collected a total of 931
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (ECC) isolates from a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang, China. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the molecular characteristics of the CRECC isolates. For carbapenem-resistant strains, efflux inhibitor assay and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed to evaluate the function of efflux pumps. A total of 82 CRECC isolates were detected, and the rate of resistance for carbapenems was 8.8%, increasing from 5.5% in 2011 to 18.3% in 2019, with an overall increasing trend, with
Enterobacter hormaechei
subsp
. hoffmannii
being the predominant species. Among the CRECC, 24 (24/931) isolates were found to produce carbapenemases, including NDM-1, NDM-5, IMP-4, and KPC-2. Among all carbapenemases, NDM-1 was the most prevalent, accounting for 62.5% (15/24) of carbapenemases, followed by NDM-5 (5/24). Genes encoding extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (47/82) and AmpC (76/82) were also identified, with
bla
SHV-12
and
bla
ACT
being the predominant ones, respectively. Multilocus sequence typing revealed 28 different sequence types, among which ST78 was the predominant, followed by ST93 and ST177. IncFIB was the most common type of plasmid replicon. Efflux inhibitor assay and qRT-PCR indicated that the overexpression of efflux pumps was involved in carbapenem resistance mechanisms. Additionally, disrupted outer membrane proteins also contribute to carbapenem resistance. The detection rate of CRECC was rising in the tertiary hospital.
Bla
NDM-1
and
bla
NDM-5
were the main carbapenem resistance genes. Our study revealed the presence of carbapenem-resistant ECC strains, emphasizing the need for effective infection prevention approaches to reduce the prevalence of CRECC.

IMPORTANCE

The emergence and spread of the carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
complex (CRECC) have become a significant public health problem. CRECC strains frequently harbor multiple drug resistance genes and can be epidemic within healthcare facilities. The study explored the characteristics and prevalence of CRECC strains in the same hospital over a decade, which provides a theoretical basis for epidemiologic surveillance and clinical treatment.
Clinical and neuroimaging patterns of perinatal intracranial haemorrhage in fetuses and term-born neonates: a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Hausman-Kedem Moran , Libzon Stephanie , Fattal Valevski Aviva , Malinger Gustavo , Krajden Haratz Nina , Tokatly Latzer Itay , Blumovich Amit , Roth Jonathan , Constantini Shlomi , Mandel Dror , Ben-Sira Liat , Shiran Shelly I
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To characterise perinatal, clinical and neuroimaging patterns and aetiology of perinatal intracranial haemorrhage (pICH), and to assess potential differences between cases diagnosed antenatally and postnatally.

Methods

Prospective, observational, single-centre study of 110 consecutive cases of pICH identified in the fetal or neonatal period or diagnosed with presumed pICH between 2014 and 2023. Prematurity-related cases were excluded. Antenatal and postnatal MRI data were analysed for patterns and mechanisms of haemorrhage and their potential aetiology. Potential associations between pICH with perinatal and clinical risk factors were also explored.

Results

Fifty-nine of the 110 included cases (53.6%) were diagnosed antenatally (termination of pregnancy, n=22), and postnatal data on 81/88 (92%) children were available. Intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) was the most common haemorrhage type (83/110 (75.5%)) and was more common prenatally (p=0.004). Subpial haemorrhage was exclusively diagnosed postnatally (p<0.001), and it was more commonly detected in primigravida women (p=0.013). The germinal matrix was the most common origin of IVH (n=56, 50.9%) occuring more frequently prenatally (p<0.001), whereas sinus venous thrombosis-related IVH was more commonly detected postnatally (p=0.002). Subdural haemorrhage was associated with haematological abnormalities (p=0.023). Genetic disorders caused 31.9% of the cases (15 of 47 tested cases). Genetic disorders and associated congenital anomalies were more common in the prenatally diagnosed group (p=0.038 and p=0.04, respectively).

Conclusions

The patterns and pathogenesis of pICH appear to be different for prenatally and postnatally diagnosed cases and for types of haemorrhages. Given the important role of genetic factors in prenatal intracranial haemorrhage, next-generation sequencing is indicated in these cases.
Atypical presentation of arachnoid web causing paraparesis with absence of sensory symptoms
Authors: Hiatt Kyly M , Cauchi John , Payne Christopher
Published: October 2024

We present a man in his 60s with a dorsal thoracic arachnoid web spanning levels T6-T8. The patient presented with gait abnormalities, severe neuropathic lower back pain and mild urinary incontinence without sensory deficits. He underwent laminectomy with arachnoid web fenestration. At the 6-week postoperative follow-up appointment, he had increased muscle strength in his lower extremities and was able to walk without shuffling his feet, with a straight back and standing upright. This is a marked improvement from his previous hunched and shuffling gait. He has had partial resolution of his neuropathic low back pain. Arachnoid webs are often confused with other neurological disorders, most commonly idiopathic ventral cord herniation, which prolongs the time to surgical intervention. Eventual fenestration of our patient’s web led to significant improvement in gait and partial relief of his neuropathic low back pain.
Karius testing in the identification ofCoxiella burnetiiinfective endocarditis presenting with acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Smith Michael James , Welsh Connor , Gonzalez Daniel , Wang David Z
Published: October 2024

Our case highlights an atypical presentation ofCoxiella burnetiiendocarditis with acute ischaemic stroke in a male patient in his 60s. The patient had undergone a congenital bicuspid aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve and an ascending aortic root graft with a pacemaker. He experienced intermittent fevers, chills and malaise over 15 months leading up to his presentation. During our diagnostic process, we used the newly developed Karius test, which detects microbial cell-free DNA in the patient’s serum. The patient was treated with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine for 24 months along with surgical removal and replacement of his aortic valve and graft. Our case underscores the utility of the Karius test and the essential role of neurology in the multidisciplinary team.
Associations of the ‘weekend warrior’ physical activity pattern with mild dementia: findings from the Mexico City Prospective Study
Authors: O'Donovan Gary , Petermann-Rocha Fanny , Ferrari Gerson , Medina Catalina , Ochoa-Rosales Carolina , Sarmiento Olga L L , Ibáñez Agustín
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To investigate associations of the ‘weekend warrior’ physical activity pattern with mild dementia.

Methods

Participants in the Mexico City Prospective Study were surveyed from 1998 to 2004 and re-surveyed from 2015 to 2019. Participants were asked about leisure time physical activity at baseline. Those who exercised up to once or twice per week were termed ‘weekend warriors’ and those who exercised more often were termed ‘regularly active’. A Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess mild dementia at re-survey. Cox models were adjusted for age, sex, education, income, blood pressure, smoking, body mass index, civil status, sleep, diet and alcohol at baseline. The attributable fraction was defined as the proportion of cases that would not exist if all adults were to exercise once or twice per week or more often.

Results

The analysis included 10 033 adults of mean (SD) age 51 (10) years followed for 16 (2) years. There were 2400 cases when mild dementia was defined as a score of ≤22 on the MMSE. Compared with the group that reported no sport or exercise, the hazard ratio was 0.75 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.91) in the weekend warrior group, 0.89 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.02) in the regularly active group and 0.84 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.95) in the combined group. The attributable fraction was 13% (95% CI 5% to 21%). Similar results were observed when mild dementia was defined as a score of ≤23 on the MMSE.

Conclusions

This longitudinal analysis suggests that the weekend warrior physical activity pattern is associated with a reduced risk of mild dementia.
Association between musculoskeletal sonographic features and response to treatment in patients with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Gutierrez Jessica , Thib Sydney , Koppikar Sahil , Cook Richard J , Eder Lihi
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate the association between musculoskeletal sonographic features and clinical features, as well as treatment outcomes, in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted involving patients with active PsA. Disease activity was assessed clinically at baseline and 3–6 months after initiating therapy, with a Disease Activity Index for PsA (DAPSA) score calculated. A baseline ultrasound examination of 64 joints, 28 tendons and 16 entheses evaluated the following lesions: synovitis, peritenonitis, enthesitis, tenosynovitis, new bone formation and erosions. Total scores for each lesion and total inflammatory and structural scores were calculated. The association between baseline sonographic scores and treatment outcomes was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models (for drug persistence) and generalised estimating equation models for DAPSA change.

Results

A total of 135 treatment periods (107 patients) were analysed. Multivariable analysis showed that a greater reduction in DAPSA score at follow-up was associated with higher baseline synovitis (β −3.89), peritenonitis (β −3.93) and enthesitis structural scores (β −2.91). Additionally, the total inflammatory score independently predicted DAPSA change (β −5.23) regardless of the total structural damage score. Drug persistence was analysed in 105 treatment periods, revealing that a higher sonographic erosion score was associated with earlier drug discontinuation (adjusted HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.61).

Conclusion

The study results provide preliminary evidence supporting the utility of musculoskeletal ultrasound in predicting treatment response and drug persistence in PsA.
The dynamics of static hairy black holes and thermodynamics through gravitational decoupling in quantum space
Authors: Mansour N. , Toghrai T. , El Boukili A. , Benami Abdellah , Daoudia A. K. , Sedra M. B.
Published: October 2024

In this study, we explore various essential aspects of a noncommutative theory that incorporates space deformation. Through the Extended Gravitational Decoupling (EGD) approach within the Strong Energy Condition (SEC), we investigate the gravitational decoupling method to obtain static black hole solutions that satisfy Einstein’s field equations with a vacuum tensor. The analysis concentrates on the thermodynamics of the static solution, examining and deriving expressions for various thermodynamic quantities. This investigation explores how temperature, free energy, and specific heat depend on the horizon radius, considering different values for both hairy and noncommutative parameters. The study suggests that thermodynamically, smaller hairy black holes exhibit greater stability compared to larger ones. It also reveals a nontrivial relationship between the horizon radius, temperature range, and specific values of the hairy parameters for static hairy black holes when considered in thermodynamic equilibrium with their Hawking radiation. The discussion extends to the implications of the first law of black hole thermodynamics in the context of the noncommutative hairy case.
DFE Error Propagation Mitigation Using Feed Forward Equalizer and Forward Error Correction in 25 Gb/s NRZ Transceiver
Authors: Zhan Yongzheng , Li Rengang , Li Tuo , Zou Xiaofeng , Hu Qingsheng
Published: October 2024

In order to mitigate DFE error propagation to reduce bit error rate (BER), a 25[Formula: see text]Gb/s Non-Return-To-Zero (NRZ) transceiver including a five-tap decision feedback equalizer (DFE) combined with a dedicated feed forward equalizer (FFE) was first constructed and was found to be helpful in improving signal integrity and reduce errors in high-speed data transmission, which can lead to more reliable and efficient communication. In this transceiver, the effect of multi-tap FFE on error probability with different burst error run lengths was evaluated through a cumulative-probability distribution model. Then, forward error correction (FEC) with different correction capabilities can be also employed to correct burst errors for a better BER performance. Probability-based BER with single/double burst error correcting FEC was derived and a joint optimization of FFE and FEC can be further explored to achieve the target BER. Results show that compared with two-tap FFE, FFE with a post-cursor tap can obtain a BER improvement of 1.5[Formula: see text]dB at the BER of [Formula: see text], and also enlarge the horizontal opening degree of DFE, which is 0.74 unit interval (UI). Double burst error correcting FEC obtaining 2.2[Formula: see text]dB coding gain at the BER of [Formula: see text] outperforms single one. When the FEC error correcting capability is 16, the combination of double burst error correcting FEC and three-tap FFE can reduce BER from [Formula: see text] to approximately [Formula: see text]. FEC with a larger error correction capability is more likely to achieve the target BER and reduce the complexity of the combination equalizer while ensuring a better equalization performance. The proposed NRZ transceiver, as a part of the physical interface, can be applied to high-speed interconnection scenarios, such as Ethernet, PCIe, and Chiplet.
A Hybrid Structure Noise Shaping SAR ADC
Authors: Ren Shengle , Li Xiangyu , Shao Zhuqiang , Gong Meng , Ren Mingyuan
Published: October 2024

Hybrid structure noise shaping (NS) SAR ADC combines both SAR ADC and sigma–delta ADC technologies with the advantages of high precision and low power consumption. In NS SAR ADC, mismatch error shaping (MES) method is used to solve the mismatch of low-level capacitors, and Data Weighted Averaging (DWA) method is used to solve the mismatch of high-level capacitors. The single-input comparator is improved into a dual-input comparator. The buffer and integrator circuits are realized by the static op-amp. The noise of op-amp is reduced by chopper technology and the accuracy of ADC is improved. A high-precision NS-SAR ADC with a sampling frequency of 1MSps and bandwidth of 25[Formula: see text]kHz was designed using the GSMC 90[Formula: see text]nm process. When the input signal is at full scale, the ENOB of the NS SAR ADC is higher than 14.73 bits, the SFDR is higher than 98[Formula: see text]dB, the average power consumption is 567.93[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W and the quality factor is 169.2[Formula: see text]dB.
Alteration of Seifert surfaces
Authors: Inoue Ayumu
Published: October 2024

We introduce the notion of alteration of a surface embedded in a 3-manifold extending that of compression. We see that any two Seifert surfaces of a link are related to each other by a “single” alteration, even if they are not by compression.
Spatial Vibration Response of a Beam Under a Moving Train Considering Track Irregularities: An Analytical Approach
Authors: Cai Yong , Zhang Laifu , Lv Xiaoyong , Chen Haijun
Published: October 2024

The rapid development of high-speed railways has brought significant attention to the coupled vibration issues of the train–bridge system. Vertical track irregularities, as one of the primary excitation sources of train–bridge system vibrations, is essentially a stochastic process. In this study, a beam model considering spatial vibrations is established to analyze the dynamic response under the passage of a train. Statistical methods, Laplace transform and Duhamel’s integral technique, are employed to derive the mean square value (MSV) and autocorrelation function (ACF) of the train’s vertical response, as well as the average and standard deviation (SD) of the beam’s bending–torsional coupled vibration response. The accuracy of the proposed analytical approach was verified using the Newmark-[Formula: see text] algorithm and Monte Carlo simulation. In numerical examples, the displacement response of the beam is mainly explored for the influence of train speed and beam span. The results indicate that the maximum SD of displacement at mid-span occurs when the train is about to leave, which diminishes with higher train speeds and shorter beam spans. For a speed ranging from 250[Formula: see text]km/h to 350[Formula: see text]km/h, an increase in speed leads to a noticeable rise in the peak value of vertical average displacement. Due to high-frequency excitation causing the attenuation of low-frequency structural response, the MSV of the train’s displacement decreases with increasing speed.
Response of a Memristor to an External Noise Signal
Authors: Filatov D. O. , Vrzheshch D. V. , Dubkov A. A.
Published: October 2024

The impact of an external noise signal on a memristor is studied. Under Gaussian white noise, the memristor switches randomly between the high resistance state and the low resistance one in the random telegraph signal (RTS) mode. Such a behavior is typical for the stochastic bistable systems. The power spectral density of the electric current flowing through the memristor switching in the RTS mode manifested series of equally spaced drops at the Kramers rates of the RTS process and their higher harmonics against the background of the [Formula: see text] Lorentz decay. This result indicates the memristor to absorb the noise signal energy not uniformly (over the entire broadband noise spectrum) but resonantly, at specific frequencies inherent to the memristor itself. The experimental results are interpreted on the base of the model of Brownian particle motion in a bistable potential. The results of this study demonstrate the fundamental properties of the memristor as a stochastic multistable system.
The primes perform a Benford dance
Authors: Berger Arno , Rahmatidehkordi Ardalan
Published: October 2024

This paper develops a new description of the asymptotics for the empirical distributions of significands and significant digits associated with [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the [Formula: see text]th prime number. The work utilizes the space of probability measures on the significand, endowed with a suitable Kantorovich metric, as well as finite-dimensional projections thereof. For sequences sufficiently close to [Formula: see text], it is shown that the limit points of the associated empirical distributions form a circle that is made up of all rescalings of a single absolutely continuous distribution, and is centered at a distribution known as Benford’s law (BL). The precise rate of convergence to that circle is determined. Moreover, even in the infinite-dimensional setting of significands the convergence is seen to occur along a distinguished low-dimensional object, in fact, along a smooth curve intimately related to BL. By connecting [Formula: see text] and BL in a new way, the results rigorously confirm well-documented experimental observations and complement known facts in the literature.
Fabrication of Anti-Reflective Film for Solar Cells through Hot Embossing Process Using Laser-Patterned Mold: Parametric Analysis and Optimization
Authors: Datta Subir , Deshmukh Swarup S. , Kar Tuhin , Goswami Arjyajyoti
Published: October 2024

This research reports the development of anti-reflective films for solar cell application by employing the hot embossing technique with laser-patterned microstructures. The goal is to increase the light-trapping ability of crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafers by employing micro-textured polycarbonate films to decrease surface reflectance. A series of micron-sized rhombus patterns were first created on the titanium-grade-5 mold using a fiber laser, and then, polycarbonate sheets were hot embossed under the optimized conditions. In order to investigate the influence of the embossing temperature, pressure, and time on the average reflectance and surface roughness of the films, a parametric analysis was carried out through the Taguchi method. The most effective embossing parameters were the embossing temperature of [Formula: see text]C, pressure of 50 kg/cm2, and an 8 min embossing duration, which resulted in a significant decrease of 41.53% reflectivity. The findings in the existing study and a fuzzy logic-based multi-objective optimization approach also supported these findings, suggesting the scalability and efficiency of the process. It is evident that the proposed method could provide a more significant cost reduction in fabricating anti-reflective films with large-area applications to optoelectronics devices such as solar cells, LEDs, and optical sensors. This study opens the door to further studies about using micro-patterned films to enhance light management for other energy-efficient devices.
An Efficient Intrusion Detection System Using a Multiscale Deep Bi-directional GRU Network to Detect Blackhole Attacks in IoT-based WSNs
Authors: Geo Francis E. , Sheeja S. , Antony John E. F. , Joseph Jismy
Published: October 2024

The IoT’s remarkable growth rate has attracted cybercriminals’ attention more than ever. The rising number of cyberattacks on IoT devices and intermediary communication mediums support the assertion. There are various ways for attackers to tamper with the IoT data distribution service. Since it affects data secrecy, the Blackhole attack was the most serious. For intrusion detection, deep learning algorithms are essential to IoT cyber security. Systems for detecting intrusions have been created to identify various attacks outside the firewall’s capability. The IDS categorizes the normal and abnormal aspects of the system based on its properties. In an integrated wired and wireless context, we developed a deep learning model to identify approved and unauthorized APs and detect Blackhole attacks in networks where raw traffic data has been gathered. To select the best feature sets exactly, we employ Sand Cat Swarm Optimization (SCSO), which tries to detect malicious attempts with the maximum detection rate possible. The Multiscale Deep Bi-directional GRU (MDBGRU) network also functions as a potent classifier, handling deep feature classification and threat detection in the complex IoT network environment. The outcomes of the suggested method’s detection accuracy are 99.27%, precision 89.34%, recall 84.32%, F1-score 77.31%, and Intrusion Detection Rate (IDR) 80.33%.
On the Photo-Thermoelastic Interaction in a Functionally Graded Medium Due to Nonlocal Heat Transport
Authors: Sur Abhik
Published: October 2024

This study focuses on the photo-thermoelastic interaction for a functionally graded semiconductor in the context of nonlocal heat conduction law. The medium is assumed to be functionally graded in which, the graded changes have been justified by the exponential variation of the material gradients. The bounding plane of the medium is influenced by a periodically varying heat source. The heat transport equation is governed by the nonlocal Moore–Gibson–Thompson (MGT) theory, which assimilates the memory-dependent derivative within a slipping interval. Laplace and the Fourier transform techniques have been utilized to arrive at the solutions of the governing equations. Moreover, the solutions in real space-time domain can be determined upon successively applying the inversion of the Fourier transform with the help of residual calculus, in which, the poles of the integrand have calculated numerically in complex domain by accomplishing Laguerre’s method. Also, the inversion of the Laplace transform has been performed numerically using a method based on Fourier series expansion technique. From the numerical estimates, the profound effect of various parameters such as the nonlocal parameter, correlating length parameter and the time-delay parameter on the thermophysical quantities has been discussed. From the numerical study, the superiority of a nonlinear kernel function compared to a linear kernel is analyzed. A comparative study of the existing literature with the present results have been depicted. A validation example is also considered to show the accuracy and efficiency of the current demonstration.
A Comprehensive Study on Heterogeneous Media with Spherical Cavity: The Higher-Order Fractional Triple-Phase-Lag Thermoelasticity with Local Kernels
Authors: Abouelregal Ahmed E. , Alsaeed S. S. , Sedighi Hamid M. , Elzayady Mohamed E. , Hafezi Ahmad Reza
Published: October 2024

Fractional calculus has recently been successfully integrated into thermoelastic theories. While many existing models rely on fractional operators with anomalous kernels, this study introduces a new approach that derives triple-phase-lag (TPL) thermoelastic thermal conductivity using higher-order fractional derivatives with local, nonanomalous kernels. By applying the Taylor series expansion of higher-order fractional derivatives, as proposed by Caputo and Fabrizio, this model offers enhanced approximations for heat flux, temperature gradients, and thermal displacement. Unlike previous models, it incorporates nonlocal effects, phase lags, and higher-order time derivatives, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the interactions between heat and mechanical forces on materials. The model’s effectiveness is demonstrated by its application to an infinite, heterogeneous thermoelastic medium with a spherical cavity, where it was analyzed under various parameters, including higher-order fractional time derivatives and the heterogeneity index. Results show that an increase in the heterogeneity index intensifies the temperature gradient, leading to greater temperature variations throughout the medium. This effect is attributed to the inhomogeneous properties of the material, which influence thermal conduction and heat transfer processes.
Internal congruences modulo powers of 5, 7 and 13 for certain partition functions
Authors: Tang Dazhao
Published: October 2024

In this paper, by applying some recurrences and iterative computations of certain matrices, we prove some internal congruences modulo powers of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for certain partition functions, including [Formula: see text]-regular partition functions, [Formula: see text]-regular bipartition functions and cubic partition pair function. Further, we conjecture that these internal congruences are just some initial cases in the corresponding internal congruence families. As applications, we establish some non-standard congruences satisfied by the above partition functions. Finally, we raise two related questions that merit further investigation.
Unexpected large remnant polarization in Sn-doped Bi4Ti3O12 ferroelectric film by chemical solution deposition
Authors: Zhang Y. , Song D. P. , Hui Z. Z. , Zhu H. N. , Yang J.
Published: October 2024

The A-site rare earth-doped Bi4Ti3O[Formula: see text] (BTO) has been highly interested in nonvolatile ferroelectric random memory devices, piezoelectric devices, electro-optical devices, capacitors, sensors, transducers, etc., due to its low coercive field and superior fatigue resistance properties. However, single B-site doping has not received corresponding attention. In this work, BTO and Bi4Ti[Formula: see text]Sn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] (BTS) thin films were prepared by sol–gel method, in which the doping of Sn effectively restrained the grain growth and decreased the grain size, as well as diminished the formation of oxygen vacancies and enhanced the breakdown field. This leads to a significant enhancement of the ferroelectric properties of the BTO films. The final BTS films exhibit excellent saturation P–E loops with a remnant polarization (2[Formula: see text]) of 94.4[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]C/cm2 and a coercive field (2[Formula: see text]) of 0.69[Formula: see text]MV/cm at a maximum electric field of 2.8[Formula: see text]MV/cm. The ferroelectric fatigue and dielectric properties of BTS film were also characterized. The results suggest that doping of Sn at B-site can effectively improve the breakdown strength and enhance the ferroelectric properties of the BTO film.
Reverse Contests as a Means to Reduce Polluting Activity
Authors: Avrahami Judith , Budescu David V. , Kareev Yaakov
Published: October 2024

Contests are situations in which contestants invest efforts, time or money to win a valuable prize (e.g., political or advertising campaigns, R&D races) forfeiting their bids irrespective of the outcome of the contest. Game-theoretic analyses stipulate that, in equilibrium, total investment would dissipate — equal the value of the prize. However, experimental studies of contests revealed considerable over-dissipation, with investments exceeding the value of the prize. In light of these findings, and findings that punishments are more effective than rewards in bringing about socially desirable behavior, we propose a reverse contest, in which contestants compete to avoid a penalty imposed on the highest polluter, to curb polluting production. “Investments” are thus the profits given up by reducing profitable (but polluting) production. In four experiments (total [Formula: see text]), groups of randomly re-matched agents repeatedly (for 40 rounds) decided how much of their available funds to invest in profitable production, knowing that the one who invested the most would be fined. Players were characterized by their funds and productivity rate. In every group there was at least one agent who would profit if investing all funds and being penalized. We tested (a) If agents invest, in production, less than their full funds. (b) Whether the profits given up by reduced production exceed the penalty. (c) How any effects observed change with time. We manipulated group size, penalty size, group composition (homogeneous or heterogeneous), and whether the participants knew that production was polluting. Across the four experiments, we observed that: (a) Investments in production were much lower than the maximum possible (64% of the maximum). (b) The profits given up by reduced investments were higher than the penalty (by 57%). (c) Investments went up and the profits given up went down over the first few rounds, but then stabilized. All in all, our data indicate that reverse context may prove a valuable tool at the hands of policy makers wishing to curb polluting activity.
A Survey of Coreference and Zeros Resolution for Arabic
Authors: Aloraini Abdulrahman , Yu Juntao , Aliady Wateen , Poesio Massimo
Published: October 2024

Coreference resolution is the task of resolving mentions that refer to the same entity into clusters. The area and its tasks are crucial in natural language processing (NLP) applications. Extensive surveys of this task have been conducted for English and Chinese; not too much for Arabic. The few Arabic surveys do not cover recent progress and the challenges for Arabic anaphora; and do not cover zero resolution and comprehensive resolution of zeros and full mentions, or anaphora resolution beyond coreference (e.g., bridging). In this paper, we examine the state-of-the-art for Arabic anaphora resolution, highlighting the challenges and advances in this field. We provide a comprehensive survey of the methods employed for Arabic coreference resolution, as well as an overview of the existing datasets and challenges. The goal is to equip researchers with a thorough understanding of Arabic anaphora resolution and to suggest potential future directions in the field.
A Lipid-Raft Theory of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Rappoport Ari
Published: October 2024

I present a theory of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that explains its symptoms, pathology, and risk factors. To do this, I introduce a new theory of brain plasticity that elucidates the physiological roles of AD-related agents. New events generate synaptic and branching candidates competing for long-term enhancement. Competition resolution crucially depends on the formation of membrane lipid rafts, which requires astrocyte-produced cholesterol. Sporadic AD is caused by impaired formation of plasma-membrane lipid rafts, preventing the conversion of short- to long-term memory and yielding excessive tau phosphorylation, intracellular cholesterol accumulation, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Amyloid β (Aβ) production is promoted by cholesterol during the switch to competition resolution, and cholesterol accumulation stimulates chronic Aβ production, secretion, and aggregation. The theory addresses all of the major established facts known about the disease and is supported by strong evidence.
Genetic and Epigenetic Dysregulation of Transcriptional Enhancers in Cancer
Authors: Botten Giovanni A. , Xu Jian
Published: October 2024

Enhancers are noncoding DNA sequences responsible for orchestrating gene expression programs by interacting with transcription factors and chromatin regulators within complex genome structures. However, their fundamental functions can be disrupted by genetic and epigenetic alterations, leading to aberrant enhancer activation or rewiring that contributes to oncogenesis. Analyzing dysregulated enhancer landscapes reveals new subtype-defining genomic features, such as enhancer hijacking, and identifies disease-relevant transcriptional regulators as potential targets for developing enhancer-targeting therapeutic strategies. Here, we delve into evolving concepts and technologies for studying enhancers; discuss how genetic, epigenetic, and topological alterations disrupt enhancer regulation to promote oncogenic gene expression; and underscore the importance of understanding the regulatory principles governing enhancer function to guide therapeutic strategies. Furthermore, we highlight key challenges and emerging opportunities in targeting enhancers and their regulators to improve cancer classification, prognosis, and treatment.
Distinct Essentiality of the Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain in Proliferating Cells in Vivo
Authors: Bosc Claudie , Chandel Navdeep S.
Published: October 2024

Mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) activity is essential for in vivo cell proliferation, particularly in cancer, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and endothelial cells involving ATP production and biosynthesis. The RC is essential for the oxidative tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle to produce intermediates that funnel into anabolic pathways to synthesize lipids, proteins, and nucleotides. By contrast, mitochondrial respiration has a distinct role in other proliferating cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs) and stem cells whereby mitochondria are dispensable for in vivo cell proliferation but determine cell fate and function through several signaling mechanisms. In this review, we discuss how the mitochondrial RC is an anabolic engine that supports the proliferation of cancer cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and endothelial cells while mitochondria serve as central hubs that integrate metabolic signals to control Treg and stem cell fate and function in vivo.
Development of PROTAC Degrader Drugs for Cancer
Authors: Vetma Vesna , O'Connor Suzanne , Ciulli Alessio
Published: October 2024

The development of novel drug modalities is necessary to overcome the current critical issues in the treatment of cancer, namely toxicity, insufficient efficacy, and the development of resistance. Unlike classical small molecule inhibitors that only block a single function or interaction of a protein involved in oncogenic signaling, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) degrade the entire protein, thus offering a potential paradigm shift. PROTACs are bivalent small molecules that recruit a target protein in proximity to an E3 ligase, promoting the transfer of ubiquitin, which marks the protein for proteasomal degradation. Because of their unique properties, PROTACs offer an attractive alternative as targeted therapeutics. The first PROTAC entered the clinic 5 years ago, and since then more than 30 have followed. In this review, we discuss the current compounds being investigated in the clinic, the key aspects of their design, and their potential for treating cancer.
From Roe to Dobbs: 50 Years of Cause and Effect of US State Abortion Regulations
Authors: Myers Caitlin
Published: October 2024

The Roe era was hardly a monolith. For more than 50 years—beginning with abortion reforms in the 1960s and continuing through the Dobbs decision in 2022—state regulations of abortion were neither uniform nor consistent. States reformed and repealed abortion bans leading up to the Roe decision in 1973. Following Roe, they enacted both demand-side regulations of people seeking abortions and supply-side regulations of people providing abortions. The resulting laboratory of state policies affords natural experiments that have yielded evidence on the effects of abortion regulations on demographic, health, economic, and other social outcomes. I present a brief history of state policy variation from 1967 through 2016 and review the empirical scholarship studying its effects. This literature demonstrates that the liberalization of abortion access in the 1960s and 1970s allowed women greater control over their fertility, resulting in increased educational attainment and earnings. Subsequent state restrictions in the 1980s through 2010s had the opposite effect, particularly when they increased the financial and logistical costs of obtaining an abortion. I conclude with a discussion of implications for the post-Dobbs era, considering to what extent evidence from the past foretells the future.
Designs for Vaccine Studies
Authors: Halloran M. Elizabeth
Published: October 2024

Due to dependent happenings, vaccines can have different effects in populations. In addition to direct protective effects in the vaccinated, vaccination in a population can have indirect effects in the unvaccinated individuals. Vaccination can also reduce person-to-person transmission to vaccinated individuals or from vaccinated individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals. Design of vaccine studies has a history extending back over a century. Emerging infectious diseases, such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, have stimulated new interest in vaccine studies. We focus on some recent developments, such as target trial emulation, test-negative design, and regression discontinuity design. Methods for evaluating durability of vaccine effects were developed in the context of both blinded and unblinded placebo crossover studies. The case-ascertained design is used to assess the transmission effects of vaccines. The novel ring vaccination trial design was first used in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
La1−xSrxF3−x: A Solid-State Electrolyte for Fluoride Ion Battery with High Ionic Conductivity and Wide Electrochemical Potential Window
Authors: Kawahara Kazuaki , Ishikawa Ryo , Sasano Shun , Shibata Naoya , Ikuhara Yuichi
Published: October 2024

Fluoride ion conductors are developed for use as solid-state electrolytes in fluoride ion batteries which are one of promising candidates for next-generation storage batteries. Ba-doped LaF3 (La0.9Ba0.1F2.9: LBF) is mainly used as a solid-state electrolyte in fluoride ion batteries. However, room temperature conductivity of LBF is considerably low, on the order of 10−6 S cm−1 and it is still unclear the optimal elements to be doped to LaF3. In this study, we have explored La0.9Sr
x
Ba0.1−x
F2.9 system (x = 0, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1), in which Ba in LBF is substituted for Sr and investigated the composition dependence of ionic conductivity. We elucidate that the higher concentration of Sr without Ba can significantly improve the ionic conductivity, and the maximum ionic conductivity of La0.9Sr0.1F2.9 is 1.5 × 10−5 S cm−1 at room temperature, which is one order of magnitude larger than that of LBF. The higher ionic conductivity of LSF is due to the larger grain size and higher sintering density of LSF compared to LBF, which results in lower grain boundary resistance. The LSF total ionic conductivity of 10−4 S cm−1 can be achieved at 350 K, which significantly lowers operating temperature of fluoride ion batteries down to 350 K.