bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-time Automated Traffic Management Scheme Using Blockchain Based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Ali Elaf Mohsen , Abdulla Salma Hameedi , Awheed Hassan
Published: July 2024

The drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), will be crucial for addressing issues in airspace and developing traffic management. This paper’s goal will provide a review of recent research, which focuses on the development of the system based on four requirements: accuracy of position, system quality, power consumption, and user interface. Additionally, upgrades in computer vision algorithms will be implemented to capture specific information from UAVs that have captured video and images, facilitating communication with other research endeavors. On enhancing traffic flow prediction and analysis methods, addressing the challenges posed by increased numbers of UAVs (multiUAVs) and how to overcome roundabouts and obstacles, in conjunction with their consequences. This paper will summarize all methods used in mining data and leveraging it to identify the most suitable way to reduce accidents and enhance monitoring. We focused on the YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithm and compared all versions. It was observed that the eighth version is considered the best, and students can benefit from it in projects related to computer vision. Then, the YOLO output can be passed to the Queuing theory for time control, specifically for side applications.
„Ich kann mich nicht aufraffen“ – Betätigungswünsche analysieren
Authors: Lang Rebecca
Published: July 2024

Eine Betätigungsanalyse ist die Grundlage für die Planung einer klientenzentrierten und betätigungsorientierten Intervention. Wie aber geht man vor, wenn Klient*innen die Betätigung nicht, noch nicht oder nicht mehr ausführen? Rebecca Lang beschreibt, wie Ergotherapeut*innen Betätigungswünsche analysieren und Klient*innen darin unterstützen, bedeutsame Betätigungen auszuführen.
Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg – Reflexion als therapeutisches Mittel
Authors: Nicolai Ann-Kathrin , Di Paola Anthony
Published: July 2024

Das Reflektieren ist eine praktische Methode, die sowohl erfahrenen Ergotherapeut*innen als auch Lernenden, Lehrenden sowie Berufs-einsteiger*innen in verschiedenen Settings und Fachbereichen gute Dienste leisten kann. Dieses therapeutische Mittel erleichtert den so wichtigen Transfer von Erreichtem in den Alltag von Klient*innen. Ann-Kathrin Nicolai und Anthony Di Paola haben Kartensets entwickelt, die das Reflektieren erleichtern.
Bedaquiline: An Insight Into its Clinical Use in Multidrug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Ahmad Asad , Akhtar Juber , Ahmad Mohammad , Khan Mohammad Irfan , Wasim Rufaida , Islam Anas , Singh Aditya
Published: July 2024

Every year, the World Health Organization reports 500,000 new cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), which poses a serious global danger. The increased number of XDR-TB and MDR-TB cases reported worldwide necessitates the use of new therapeutic approaches. The main issues with the antitubercular medications now in use for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis are their poor side effect profile, reduced efficacy, and antimicrobial resistance. One possible remedy for these problems is bedaquiline. The need for better treatment strategies is highlighted by the strong minimum inhibitory concentrations that bedaquiline (BDQ), a novel anti-TB medicine, exhibits against both drug-resistant and drug-susceptible TB. Bedaquiline may be able to help with these problems. Bedaquiline is a medication that is first in its class and has a distinct and particular mode of action. Bedaquiline is an ATP synthase inhibitor that is specifically directed against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some nontuberculous mycobacteria. It is metabolized by CYP3A4. Bedaquiline preclinical investigations revealed intralesional drug biodistribution. The precise intralesional and multi-compartment pharmacokinetics of bedaquiline were obtained using PET bioimaging and high-resolution autoradiography investigations. Reduced CFU counts were observed in another investigation after a 12-week course of therapy. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews of phase II trials on bedaquilineʼs efficacy in treating drug-resistant tuberculosis in patients reported higher rates of cure, better culture conversion, and lower death rates when taken in conjunction with a background regimen. Here is a thorough medication profile for bedaquiline to aid medical professionals in treating individuals with tuberculosis.
Contribution of Temporal Fine Structure Cues to Concurrent Vowel Identification and Perception of Zebra Speech
Authors: Serrao Delora Samantha , Theruvan Nikhitha , Fathima Hasna , Pitchaimuthu Arivudai Nambi
Published: July 2024

Introduction The limited access to temporal fine structure (TFS) cues is a reason for reduced speech-in-noise recognition in cochlear implant (CI) users. The CI signal processing schemes like electroacoustic stimulation (EAS) and fine structure processing (FSP) encode TFS in the low frequency whereas theoretical strategies such as frequency amplitude modulation encoder (FAME) encode TFS in all the bands.

Objective The present study compared the effect of simulated CI signal processing schemes that either encode no TFS, TFS information in all bands, or TFS only in low-frequency bands on concurrent vowel identification (CVI) and Zebra speech perception (ZSP).

Methods Temporal fine structure information was systematically manipulated using a 30-band sine-wave (SV) vocoder. The TFS was either absent (SV) or presented in all the bands as frequency modulations simulating the FAME algorithm or only in bands below 525 Hz to simulate EAS. Concurrent vowel identification and ZSP were measured under each condition in 15 adults with normal hearing.

Results The CVI scores did not differ between the 3 schemes (F (2, 28) = 0.62, p = 0.55, η2
p = 0.04). The effect of encoding TFS was observed for ZSP (F (2, 28) = 5.73, p = 0.008, η2
p = 0.29). Perception of Zebra speech was significantly better with EAS and FAME than with SV. There was no significant difference in ZSP scores obtained with EAS and FAME (p = 1.00)

Conclusion For ZSP, the TFS cues from FAME and EAS resulted in equivalent improvements in performance compared to the SV scheme. The presence or absence of TFS did not affect the CVI scores.
Distal Positioning of the Ulnar Shortening Plate Increases Symptomatic Removal: A Comparative Analysis of Ulnar Shortening Osteotomy Plate Positioning and Symptomatic Hardware Removal
Authors: Hoy John F. , Smith Shelby R. , Hanson Zachary C. , Fernandez John J. , Simcock Xavier C.
Published: July 2024

Background Ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO) is a common procedure to treat symptomatic ulnar-sided wrist symptoms in patients with positive ulnar variance who fail nonoperative management. Plate placement on the volar, dorsal, or subcutaneous border of the ulna has been described. There remains debate regarding the optimal plate placement to minimize soft tissue irritation and the need for plate removal. The goal of this study is to determine whether plate position along the volar cortex versus along the subcutaneous border, as well as the distance of the plate from the ulnar styloid, affects the risk of symptomatic hardware requiring removal.

Methods In total, 112 USO procedures on 107 patients performed between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. The position of the plate on the ulna and the distance of the plate from the ulnar styloid were assessed radiographically. Demographic information, visual analog scale pain scores, disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand scores, and incidence of hardware removal were collected and compared between plate location groups.

Results The overall symptomatic hardware removal rate was 79%. There was no difference in the rate of symptomatic hardware removal between volar (80%) and subcutaneous (77%) plate locations (p = 0.69) at a mean follow-up time of 26 months. The mean distance from the distal plate to the ulnar styloid was higher in cases in which hardware was retained (p = 0.03).

Conclusion We found no difference in hardware removal rates based on volar versus subcutaneous plate placement after USO. Cases in which hardware was not removed had a higher mean distance from the distal plate to the ulnar styloid. Further prospective studies are warranted to determine optimal plate positioning to minimize hardware irritation after USO.
Developing Interventions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Schwalk Audra J. , Patel Niral M. , Madisi Nagendra Y.
Published: July 2024

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable, progressive respiratory disease that may have a significant negative impact on the morbidity and mortality of affected patients. A substantial portion of the world's population is affected by COPD, and despite optimal medical management with medications, supplemental oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation, many patients are left debilitated because of this disease. Bronchoscopic treatment modalities offer a less-invasive method for the treatment of refractory COPD compared to surgical interventions and have expanded the potential therapeutic options for these patients. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is aimed at decreasing the hyperinflation and air trapping that occur in emphysema, and the most studied and successful intervention is endobronchial valve placement. Endobronchial coils, polymeric sealants, and thermal ablation are other researched alternatives. Additional interventional procedures are being investigated for the treatment of the mucus hypersecretion and cough that are associated with the chronic bronchitis phenotype of COPD and include targeted lung denervation, metered dose spray cryotherapy, deobstruction balloon, and bronchial rheoplasty. This review summarizes the most recent evidence pertaining to available therapies for the management of COPD, including chronic bronchitis, with a particular focus on bronchoscopic interventions.
Definition and Epidemiology of Sepsis
Authors: Arina Pietro , Hofmaenner Daniel A. , Singer Mervyn
Published: July 2024

Here we review the epidemiology of sepsis, focusing on its definition, incidence, and mortality, as well as the demographic insights and risk factors that influence its occurrence and outcomes. We address how age, sex, and racial/ethnic disparities impact upon incidence and mortality rates. Sepsis is more frequent and severe among the elderly, males, and certain racial and ethnic groups. Poor socioeconomic status, geographic location, and pre-existing comorbidities also elevate the risk of developing and dying from sepsis. Seasonal variations, with an increased incidence during winter months, is also apparent. We delve into the predictive value of disease severity scores such as the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. We also highlight issues relating to coding and administrative data that can generate erroneous and misleading information, and the need for greater consistency. The Sepsis-3 definitions, offering more precise clinical criteria, are a step in the right direction. This overview will, we hope, facilitate understanding of the multi-faceted epidemiological characteristics of sepsis and current challenges.
Acute Management of Sepsis beyond 24 Hours
Authors: Premachandra Antoine , Heming Nicholas
Published: July 2024

Sepsis manifests as a dysregulated immune response to an infection, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and potentially death or long-term health issues. Sepsis remains a major health challenge globally, causing approximately 50 million cases and 11 million deaths annually. Early management of sepsis focuses on source control, antimicrobial treatment, and supporting vital organ function. Subsequent care includes metabolic, nutritional, and immune therapies to address the complex needs of septic patients. Metabolic management is based on obtaining moderate glucose targets. Nutritional support aims to mitigate hypercatabolism and muscle wasting, but aggressive early nutrition does not improve outcomes and could even be harmful. Immune modulation is crucial due to the dual nature of sepsis-induced immune responses. Corticosteroids have shown benefits in shock and organ dysfunction reversal and in mortality reduction with current guidelines recommending them in vasopressor therapy-dependent patients. In conclusion, sepsis management beyond the initial hours requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on metabolic, nutritional, and immune system support tailored to individual patient needs to enhance survival and recovery.
Recurrent Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Occurred in an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Child with Mutated Lipoprotein Lipase Gene during Asparaginase Therapy
Authors: Wang Shiyuan , Li Jun , Li Ying , Liu Xiaoming , Chang Lixian , Zhao Beibei , Zhang Li , Zou Yao , Ruan Min , Zhu Xiaofan
Published: July 2024

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and hyperlipidemia are severe complications of L-Asparaginase (L-Asp) during the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Herein, we reported a 9-year-old B-ALL boy who underwent abnormal hypertriglyceridemia and CVST presenting as seizures and disturbance of consciousness twice during the induction therapy. Fortunately, he survived treatment with anticoagulant and lipid-lowering therapy. No thrombophilia-related gene mutation was detected, but a heterozygous mutation in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene was identified. His neurological symptoms were managed with short-term anticoagulant therapy and long-term lipid-lowering therapy. This case illustrated the manifestation and potential pathogenesis of CVST and highlighted the essentiality of screening baseline lipid profile and dyslipidemia- and thrombophilia-related gene mutation.
Trends of Incidence and Outcomes of Childhood Severe Malaria in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria: A 4-Year Cross-Sectional Study from 2019 to 2022
Authors: Ibrahim Olayinka Rasheed , Alao Michael Abel , Issa Amudalat , Mohammed Bashir , Suleiman Bello Mohammed , Mokuolu Olugbenga Ayodeji
Published: July 2024

Objective Nigeria ranks highest globally in malaria burden, disproportionately affecting children. This study investigated trends in the incidence and outcomes of 948 children with cases of severe malaria in a tertiary hospital in northwestern Nigeria.

Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of children with severe malaria between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. We extracted relevant data, including sociodemographics, clinical features, as well as hospitalization outcomes (death or discharge), and the trends analyzed over the period.

Results Of the 8,295 pediatric admissions during the study period, 948 (11.4%) were cases of severe malaria. The trends of severe malaria (incidence) showed a surge of 17.3% in 2020 from 11.4% in 2019 and subsequently declined to 9.9% in 2022 (p < 0.001). There was a decline in the proportion of under-fives with severe malaria from 47.5% observed in 2019 to 43.7% in 2022 (p = 0.019). The overall mortality rate (malaria specific) was 7.2% (68/948) which rose from 2.3% in 2019 to 10.3% in 2020 and declined to 8.5% in 2022, p = 0.003. The proportion of malaria-specific deaths (from all-cause mortality) increased from 4.6% in 2019 to 17.3% in 2020 and declined to 9.3% in 2022 (p = 0.004). Among under-fives, there was no significant change in the malaria-specific mortality rate (from 3.2% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2020, 6.4% in 2021 and 10.3% in 2022, p = 0.104) and the proportion of malaria-specific deaths in under-fives among malaria deaths (from 66.7% in 2019 to 52.9% in 2022, p = 0.653). Among the clinical features, the presence of cerebral malaria and acute kidney injury had the highest case fatality rate (57.1%).

Conclusion Despite the initial surge in severe malaria cases during the coronavirus disease 2019 era, there has been an overall progressive decline in childhood severe malaria. However, among those under-fives, the trends in malaria deaths remained unchanged.
Government decision-making and the site of power in New Labour’s ‘levelling up’: reconsidering economic regionalism
Authors: O’Shea Jerry
Published: July 2024

Debates about England’s geographic inequalities and the extent to which the problem is intertwined with the ‘Westminster system’ of government are often light on historical perspective. Few recall that “levelling up” was a New Labour slogan before it was a Conservative one. Making use of recently released archival material and interviews with former ministers and officials, this article explores a project that aimed to tackle England’s geographic inequalities through strategic and unapologetically undemocratic bodies at the regional level, the Regional Development Agencies (1998–2012). This vison of ‘levelling up’ was accompanied by an alternative understanding of how England’s spatial economic divergences relate to wider economic challenges. The project gave new powers and spending to regionally based public bodies despite simultaneously reinforcing political centralisation, demonstrating the ongoing relevance of key aspects of the ‘Westminster Model’ while underlining the need for nuance when employing the framework. Concerning contemporary policy debates, the article invites us to reconsider economic regionalism as a pragmatic means to counter economic disparities while complex political questions and arrangements are worked through.
The developmental mechanics of divergent buckling patterns in the chick gut
Authors: Gill Hasreet K. , Yin Sifan , Lawlor John C. , Huycke Tyler R. , Nerurkar Nandan L. , Tabin Clifford J. , Mahadevan L.
Published: July 2024

Tissue buckling is an increasingly appreciated mode of morphogenesis in the embryo, but it is often unclear how geometric and material parameters are molecularly determined in native developmental contexts to generate diverse functional patterns. Here, we study the link between differential mechanical properties and the morphogenesis of distinct anteroposterior compartments in the intestinal tract—the esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine. These regions originate from a simple, common tube but adopt unique forms. Using measured data from the developing chick gut coupled with a minimal theory and simulations of differential growth, we investigate divergent lumen morphologies along the entire early gut and demonstrate that spatiotemporal geometries, moduli, and growth rates control the segment-specific patterns of mucosal buckling. Primary buckling into wrinkles, folds, and creases along the gut, as well as secondary buckling phenomena, including period-doubling in the foregut and multiscale creasing-wrinkling in the hindgut, are captured and well explained by mechanical models. This study advances our existing knowledge of how identity leads to form in these regions, laying the foundation for future work uncovering the relationship between molecules and mechanics in gut morphological regionalization.
Positive regulation of Hedgehog signaling via phosphorylation of GLI2/GLI3 by DYRK2 kinase
Authors: Yoshida Saishu , Kawamura Akira , Aoki Katsuhiko , Wiriyasermkul Pattama , Sugimoto Shinya , Tomiyoshi Junnosuke , Tajima Ayasa , Ishida Yamato , Katoh Yohei , Tsukada Takehiro , Tsuneoka Yousuke , Yamada Kohji , Nagamori Shushi , Nakayama Kazuhisa , Yoshida Kiyotsugu
Published: July 2024

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, plays an essential role in development and tumorigenesis, making it a promising drug target. Multiple negative regulators are known to govern Hh signaling; however, how activated Smoothened (SMO) participates in the activation of downstream GLI2 and GLI3 remains unclear. Herein, we identified the ciliary kinase DYRK2 as a positive regulator of the GLI2 and GLI3 transcription factors for Hh signaling. Transcriptome and interactome analyses demonstrated that DYRK2 phosphorylates GLI2 and GLI3 on evolutionarily conserved serine residues at the ciliary base, in response to activation of the Hh pathway. This phosphorylation induces the dissociation of GLI2/GLI3 from suppressor, SUFU, and their translocation into the nucleus. Loss of
Dyrk2
in mice causes skeletal malformation, but neural tube development remains normal. Notably, DYRK2-mediated phosphorylation orchestrates limb development by controlling cell proliferation. Taken together, the ciliary kinase DYRK2 governs the activation of Hh signaling through the regulation of two processes: phosphorylation of GLI2 and GLI3 downstream of SMO and cilia formation. Thus, our findings of a unique regulatory mechanism of Hh signaling expand understanding of the control of Hh-associated diseases.
Adult neurogenesis is necessary for functional regeneration of a forebrain neural circuit
Authors: Brenowitz Eliot A. , Lent Karin L. , Miller Kimberly E. , Perkel David J.
Published: July 2024

In adult songbirds, new neurons are born in large numbers in the proliferative ventricular zone in the telencephalon and migrate to the adjacent song control region HVC (acronym used as proper name) [A. Reiner
et al.
,
J. Comp. Neurol.
473
, 377–414 (2004)]. Many of these new neurons send long axonal projections to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA). The HVC–RA circuit is essential for producing stereotyped learned song. The function of adult neurogenesis in this circuit has not been clear. A previous study suggested that it is important for the production of well-structured songs [R. E. Cohen, M. Macedo-Lima, K. E. Miller, E. A. Brenowitz,
J. Neurosci.
36
, 8947–8956 (2016)]. We tested this hypothesis by infusing the neuroblast migration inhibitor cyclopamine into HVC of male Gambel’s white-crowned sparrows (
Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii
) to block seasonal regeneration of the HVC–RA circuit. Decreasing the number of new neurons in HVC prevented both the increase in spontaneous electrical activity of RA neurons and the improved structure of songs that would normally occur as sparrows enter breeding condition. These results show that the incorporation of new neurons into the adult HVC is necessary for the recovery of both electrical activity and song behavior in breeding birds and demonstrate the value of the bird song system as a model for investigating adult neurogenesis at the level of long projection neural circuits.
A tandem activity-based sensing and labeling strategy reveals antioxidant response element regulation of labile iron pools
Authors: Pezacki Aidan T. , Gonciarz Ryan L. , Okamura Toshitaka , Matier Carson D. , Torrente Laura , Cheng Ke , Miller Sophia G. , Ralle Martina , Ward Nathan P. , DeNicola Gina M. , Renslo Adam R. , Chang Christopher J.
Published: July 2024

Iron is an essential element for life owing to its ability to participate in a diverse array of oxidation–reduction reactions. However, misregulation of iron-dependent redox cycling can also produce oxidative stress, contributing to cell growth, proliferation, and death pathways underlying aging, cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic diseases. Fluorescent probes that selectively monitor loosely bound Fe(II) ions, termed the labile iron pool, are potentially powerful tools for studies of this metal nutrient; however, the dynamic spatiotemporal nature and potent fluorescence quenching capacity of these bioavailable metal stores pose challenges for their detection. Here, we report a tandem activity-based sensing and labeling strategy that enables imaging of labile iron pools in live cells through enhancement in cellular retention. Iron green-1 fluoromethyl (IG1-FM) reacts selectively with Fe(II) using an endoperoxide trigger to release a quinone methide dye for subsequent attachment to proximal biological nucleophiles, providing a permanent fluorescent stain at sites of elevated labile iron. IG1-FM imaging reveals that degradation of the major iron storage protein ferritin through ferritinophagy expands the labile iron pool, while activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) antioxidant response elements (AREs) depletes it. We further show that lung cancer cells with heightened NRF2 activation, and thus lower basal labile iron, have reduced viability when treated with an iron chelator. By connecting labile iron pools and NRF2-ARE activity to a druggable metal-dependent vulnerability in cancer, this work provides a starting point for broader investigations into the roles of transition metal and antioxidant signaling pathways in health and disease.
Flp/
FRT
-mediated disruption of
ptex150
and
exp2
in
Plasmodium falciparum
sporozoites inhibits liver-stage development
Authors: McConville Robyn , Krol Jelte M. M. , Steel Ryan W. J. , O’Neill Matthew T. , Davey Bethany K. , Hodder Anthony N. , Nebl Thomas , Cowman Alan F. , Kneteman Norman , Boddey Justin A.
Published: July 2024

Plasmodium falciparum
causes severe malaria and assembles a protein translocon (PTEX) complex at the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) of infected erythrocytes, through which several hundred proteins are exported to facilitate growth. The preceding liver stage of infection involves growth in a hepatocyte-derived PVM; however, the importance of protein export during
P. falciparum
liver infection remains unexplored. Here, we use the FlpL/
FRT
system to conditionally excise genes in
P. falciparum
sporozoites for functional liver-stage studies. Disruption of PTEX members
ptex150
and
exp2
did not affect sporozoite development in mosquitoes or infectivity for hepatocytes but attenuated liver-stage growth in humanized mice. While PTEX150 deficiency reduced fitness on day 6 postinfection by 40%, EXP2 deficiency caused 100% loss of liver parasites, demonstrating that PTEX components are required for growth in hepatocytes to differing degrees. To characterize PTEX loss-of-function mutations, we localized four liver-stage
Plasmodium
export element (PEXEL) proteins.
P. falciparum
liver specific protein 2 (LISP2), liver-stage antigen 3 (LSA3), circumsporozoite protein (CSP), and a
Plasmodium berghei
LISP2 reporter all localized to the periphery of
P. falciparum
liver stages but were not exported beyond the PVM. Expression of LISP2 and CSP but not LSA3 was reduced in
ptex150-FRT
and
exp2-FRT
liver stages, suggesting that expression of some PEXEL proteins is affected directly or indirectly by PTEX disruption. These results show that PTEX150 and EXP2 are important for
P. falciparum
development in hepatocytes and emphasize the emerging complexity of PEXEL protein trafficking.
SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in an angiotensin II–induced heart-on-a-chip disease model and extracellular vesicle screening
Authors: Wu Qinghua , Rafatian Naimeh , Wagner Karl T. , Blamer Jacob , Smith Jacob , Okhovatian Sargol , Aggarwal Praful , Wang Erika Yan , Banerjee Arinjay , Zhao Yimu , Nash Trevor R. , Lu Rick Xing Ze , Portillo-Esquivel Luis Eduardo , Li Chen Yu , Kuzmanov Uros , Mandla Serena , Virlee Elizabeth , Landau Shira , Lai Benjamin Fook , Gramolini Anthony O. , Liu Chuan , Fleischer Sharon , Veres Teodor , Vunjak-Novakovic Gordana , Zhang Boyang , Mossman Karen , Broeckel Ulrich , Radisic Milica
Published: July 2024

Adverse cardiac outcomes in COVID-19 patients, particularly those with preexisting cardiac disease, motivate the development of human cell-based organ-on-a-chip models to recapitulate cardiac injury and dysfunction and for screening of cardioprotective therapeutics. Here, we developed a heart-on-a-chip model to study the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in healthy myocardium established from human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and a cardiac dysfunction model, mimicking aspects of preexisting hypertensive disease induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). We recapitulated cytopathic features of SARS-CoV-2-induced cardiac damage, including progressively impaired contractile function and calcium handling, apoptosis, and sarcomere disarray. SARS-CoV-2 presence in Ang II–treated hearts-on-a-chip decreased contractile force with earlier onset of contractile dysfunction and profoundly enhanced inflammatory cytokines compared to SARS-CoV-2 alone. Toward the development of potential therapeutics, we evaluated the cardioprotective effects of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human iPSC which alleviated the impairment of contractile force, decreased apoptosis, reduced the disruption of sarcomeric proteins, and enhanced beta-oxidation gene expression. Viral load was not affected by either Ang II or EV treatment. We identified MicroRNAs miR-20a-5p and miR-19a-3p as potential mediators of cardioprotective effects of these EVs.
Attenuating midline thalamus bursting to mitigate absence epilepsy
Authors: Dong Ping , Bakhurin Konstantin , Li Yuhui , Mikati Mohamad A. , Cui Jianmin , Grill Warren M. , Yin Henry H. , Yang Huanghe
Published: July 2024

Advancing the mechanistic understanding of absence epilepsy is crucial for developing new therapeutics, especially for patients unresponsive to current treatments. Utilizing a recently developed mouse model of absence epilepsy carrying the BK gain-of-function channelopathy D434G, here we report that attenuating the burst firing of midline thalamus (MLT) neurons effectively prevents absence seizures. We found that enhanced BK channel activity in the BK-D434G MLT neurons promotes synchronized bursting during the ictal phase of absence seizures. Modulating MLT neurons through pharmacological reagents, optogenetic stimulation, or deep brain stimulation effectively attenuates burst firing, leading to reduced absence seizure frequency and increased vigilance. Additionally, enhancing vigilance by amphetamine, a stimulant medication, or physical perturbation also effectively suppresses MLT bursting and prevents absence seizures. These findings suggest that the MLT is a promising target for clinical interventions. Our diverse approaches offer valuable insights for developing next generation therapeutics to treat absence epilepsy.
Molecular analysis of a self-organizing signaling pathway for
Xenopus
axial patterning from egg to tailbud
Authors: Azbazdar Yagmur , De Robertis Edward M.
Published: July 2024

Xenopus
embryos provide a favorable material to dissect the sequential steps that lead to dorsal–ventral (D-V) and anterior–posterior (A-P) cell differentiation. Here, we analyze the signaling pathways involved in this process using loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches. The initial step was provided by Hwa, a transmembrane protein that robustly activates early β-catenin signaling when microinjected into the ventral side of the embryo leading to complete twinned axes. The following step was the activation of
Xenopus
Nodal-related growth factors, which could rescue the depletion of β-catenin and were themselves blocked by the extracellular Nodal antagonists Cerberus-Short and Lefty. During gastrulation, the Spemann–Mangold organizer secretes a cocktail of growth factor antagonists, of which the BMP antagonists Chordin and Noggin could rescue simultaneously D-V and A-P tissues in β-catenin-depleted embryos. Surprisingly, this rescue occurred in the absence of any β-catenin transcriptional activity as measured by β-catenin activated Luciferase reporters. The Wnt antagonist Dickkopf (Dkk1) strongly synergized with the early Hwa signal by inhibiting late Wnt signals. Depletion of Sizzled (Szl), an antagonist of the Tolloid chordinase, was epistatic over the Hwa and Dkk1 synergy. BMP4 mRNA injection blocked Hwa-induced ectopic axes, and Dkk1 inhibited BMP signaling late, but not early, during gastrulation. Several unexpected findings were made, e.g., well-patterned complete embryonic axes are induced by Chordin or Nodal in β-catenin knockdown embryos, dorsalization by Lithium chloride (LiCl) is mediated by Nodals, Dkk1 exerts its anteriorizing and dorsalizing effects by regulating late BMP signaling, and the Dkk1 phenotype requires Szl.
Evidence of a contact-induced change
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad
Published: July 2024

South Central Tibeto-Burman (also known as Kuki-Chin) forms a group of fifty languages spoken in the border area of Bangladesh, India and Burma. Due to their geographic distribution, speakers of South Central (SC) languages are in close contact with the superstrate languages, Bangla, Hindi and Burmese. The inevitable consequence of this longstanding contact on lesser-known languages of this region is understudied, especially structural diffusions. This paper presents a detailed discussion on relative-correlative (RC-CRC) construction in Hyow, a Southeastern SC language spoken by approximately four thousand people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, where they are in close contact with Bangla and Marma (a dialect of Burmese). This empirical study demonstrates how RC-CRC construction in Hyow is structurally and distributionally similar to those in IA languages, taking a critical look at the existing literature on IA languages and using data therein for a comparative study. In doing so, this paper provides examples from Bangla, Hindi and Sanskrit, and refutes some of the observations made in previous scholarly works. This paper also explores how they might have developed in Hyow, which otherwise uses a nominalization as native strategy for forming relative clauses. Even though most part of this paper discusses the RC-CRC constructions in Hyow as a consequence of language contact, this paper presents new insights on RC-CRC constructions in Bangla as well comparing to other IA languages.
Translanguaging
Authors: Treffers-Daller Jeanine
Published: July 2024

Since the launch of the term translanguaging in 1994, the multiple discursive practices that are grouped under
this label have been explored in over 3000 papers, covering a variety of contexts, both within and outside education. While the
term has clearly resonated with researchers and practitioners, here it is argued that it is unclear what it means exactly, because
there are no diagnostic criteria specifying what it is. Extensive criticism has also been put forward in the academic literature,
showing that central claims are untenable in the face of overwhelming counter-evidence from a range of fields, including studies
on code-switching, bilingual education, bilingual first language acquisition, language contact and language processing. However,
translanguaging can become a useful instrument for researchers and practitioners if the concept is narrowed down to what it was
coined for, namely pedagogical practices that are beneficial for multilingual learners. In order for this to happen, clear
diagnostic criteria need to be provided for the identification of translanguaging, and research evidence from neuroscientific,
structural, psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic studies on multilingualism needs to be integrated into its conceptualization.
Broadband super-resolution wavelength-controlled zoom metalens
Authors: Zhao Fen , Huang Baoze , Liu Qingxiao , Yang Junbo
Published: July 2024

A design method is proposed for a broadband super-resolution wavelength-controlled zoom metalens with simultaneous modulation of phase, dispersion, and amplitude, and on the basis of enhancing the axial zoom capability of the metalens, the point spread function of the metalens is continuously compressed using the hierarchical direct binary search algorithm, so that the full width at half maximum of the metalens is continuously close to or even less than the diffraction limit of 0.5λ/NA (NA is the numerical aperture). As a theoretical verification, a super-resolution wavelength-controlled zoom metalens was designed operating in the wavelength range of 68–80 μm. The simulation results show that its axial zoom capability is about 1.65 times that of the conventional diffractive metalens, and the lateral resolution in the wavelength range of 68–80 μm is less than the diffraction limit.
Mechanisms in the photocatalytic breakdown of persistent pharmaceutical and pesticide molecules over TiO2-based photocatalysts: A review
Authors: Nair Niraj , Gandhi Vimal , Shukla Atindra , Ghotekar Suresh , Nguyen Van-Huy , Varma Kiran
Published: July 2024

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) based photocatalysts have been widely used as a photocatalyst for the degradation of various persistent organic compounds in water and air. The degradation mechanism involves the generation of highly reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radicals, which react with organic compounds to break down their chemical bonds and ultimately mineralize them into harmless products. In the case of pharmaceutical and pesticide molecules, TiO2 and modified TiO2 photocatalysis effectively degrade a wide range of compounds, including antibiotics, pesticides, and herbicides. The main downside is the production of dangerous intermediate products, which are not frequently addressed in the literature that is currently available. The degradation rate of these compounds by TiO2 photocatalysis depends on factors such as the chemical structure of the compounds, the concentration of the TiO2 catalyst, the intensity, the light source, and the presence of other organic or inorganic species in the solution. The comprehension of the degradation mechanism is explored to gain insights into the intermediates. Additionally, the utilization of response surface methodology is addressed, offering a potential avenue for enhancing the scalability of the reactors. Overall, TiO2 photocatalysis is a promising technology for the treatment of pharmaceutical and agrochemical wastewater, but further research is needed to optimize the process conditions and to understand the fate and toxicity of the degradation products.
Phonon mode at interface and its impact on interfacial thermal transport
Authors: Shan Shuyue , Zhang Zhongwei , Volz Sebastian , Chen Jie
Published: July 2024

Due to the minimization and integration of micro/nano-devices, the high density of interfaces becomes a significant challenge in various applications. Phonon modes at interface resulting from the mismatch between inhomogeneous functional counterparts are crucial for interfacial thermal transport and overall thermal management of micro/nano-devices, making it a topic of great research interest recently. Here, we comprehensively review the recent advances on the theoretical and experimental investigations of interfacial phonon mode and its impact on interfacial thermal transport. Firstly, we summarize the recent progresses of the theoretical and experimental characterization of interfacial phonon modes at various interfaces, along with the overview of the development of diverse methodologies. Then, the impact of interfacial phonon modes on interfacial thermal transport process are discussed from the normal modal decomposition and inelastic scattering mechanisms. Meanwhile, we examine various factors influencing the interfacial phonon modes and interfacial thermal transport, including temperature, interface roughness, interfacial mass gradient, interfacial disorder, and so on. Finally, an outlook is provided for future studies. This review provides a fundamental understanding of interfacial phonon modes and their impact on interfacial thermal transport, which would be beneficial for the exploration and optimization of thermal management in various micro/nano-devices with high density interfaces.
Contrast learning with hard example mining for few-shot fault diagnosis of rolling bearings
Authors: An Zenghui , Wang Houliang , Yan Yinglong , Jia Shi , Wang Lubin , Yang Rui
Published: July 2024

Deep learning has become a powerful technique for effectively extracting features in the field of rolling bearing fault diagnosis. However, in the case of sparse labeled sample data, the feature distribution is quite different, and simple samples are used repeatedly, leading to challenges in fault diagnosis, including insufficient feature learning and inaccurate fault classification. Therefore, a contrastive learning method is proposed for few-shot scenarios, incorporating hard example mining to address these challenges. In this framework, the similarities and differences of samples are used to construct positive and negative sample pairs, which help deepen the model to recognize and learn the internal correlation and pattern between samples. On this basis, the hard example mining strategy is adopted to further optimize the sample distribution in the feature space. These learned features are then classified by a classifier. Experimental results show that the fault diagnosis model proposed in this paper achieves high accuracy.
Failure mechanisms of the thyristor switch in pulsed arc electrohydraulic discharges
Authors: Yu Yingbo , Kang Zhongjian
Published: July 2024

In order to study the failure mechanism of the thyristor switch in the application of electric pulse fracturing, an underwater pulse power discharge experimental platform was built, the impedance characteristics of the plasma channel were analyzed and the circuit equivalence was carried out for each discharge stage. Then, based on the Silvaco simulation software, a theoretical thyristor model was established. By observing the distribution of the internal carriers and current density, the turn-on and turn-off processes of the thyristor switch under high voltage were analyzed. The formation factors of peak voltage in the turn-off process were studied, the easy breakdown position was pointed out, and a method to suppress the reverse peak voltage by creating critical damping oscillations in the discharge circuit was proposed. Finally, a pulsed power discharge experiment was carried out to verify the theoretical analysis. The experimental results show that the discharge waveform conforms to the theoretical analysis, and the high voltage breakdown damage of the thyristor is also consistent with the theoretical simulation model. Furthermore, the proposed thyristor protection method can greatly suppress the reverse voltage spike, reduce the peak voltage by 52%, and effectively avoid the damage caused by withstand voltage breakdown in the application of pulse power discharge.
A simple method to prepare and characterize ZnO/V2O5 nanostructure thin films for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic uses in visible light
Authors: Kadhim Marwah J , Mahdi M A , Hassan J J , Inaya Hana H , Awad Zahraa A
Published: July 2024

In this research, we investigated the enhancement of the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO nanorods by incorporating vanadium pentoxide (V2O5). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were initially prepared by the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. Subsequently, vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles, produced by laser ablation, were deposited onto the ZnO nanorods via drop casting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images verified that ZnO grew in the morphology of nanorods and nanotubes, while V2O5 exhibited the structure of tree leaves and nanoparticles. The XRD technique was used to investigate the crystalline structure of the produced ZnO/ V2O5 nanostructure. The high band gap in ZnO limits the efficiency of photocatalysis under visible light. Building a core–shell structure with materials such as V2O5 can boost their performance in such conditions. The prepared samples appeared photodegradation rate of the MB dye reached 39% after 9 h of exposure to visible light. The photoelectrochemical cell measurement of the prepared ZnO/ V2O5 nanostructures demonstrated a positive response to light and achieved a relatively high photoconversion efficiency of 0.084% at 0.35 V, surpassing the results of earlier investigations. The M-S analysis revealed that the ZnO/ V2O5 nanostructure thin films exhibited n-type conductivity, characterized by a negative flat band potential VFB.
Verification of quantum networks using the GHZ paradox
Authors: Ye Huan , Yang Xue , Luo Ming-Xing
Published: July 2024

The Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger (GHZ) paradox shows that it is possible to create a multipartite state involving three or more particles in which the measurement outcomes of the particles are correlated in a way that cannot be explained by classical physics. We extend it to witness quantum networks. We first extend the GHZ paradox to simultaneously verify the GHZ state and Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen states on triangle networks. We then extend the GHZ paradox to witness the entanglement of chain networks consisting of multiple GHZ states. All the present results are robust against the noise.
Davidson base as an appropriate base for the shell model in the case of 1p- and 1h-nuclei
Authors: Sobhani Hadi , Luo Yan-An , Jalili Amir , Hassanabadi Hassan
Published: July 2024

This study endeavors to develop an improved set of basis functions for nuclear shell-model calculations. The shell model, a well-established approach to understanding nuclear structure, typically employs the harmonic oscillator potential within the mean-field approximation. Given the extensive validation and consistency of harmonic oscillator results with experimental data, we propose a modification by incorporating a centrifugal term that converges toward the Davidson potential. This potential has been extensively studied, and we aim to extract relevant experimental data for the simplest cases in the shell model, namely one-particle and one-hole nuclei. A comprehensive comparison between the Davidson-based results and the harmonic oscillator calculations is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new basis functions.
Half-metallic ferromagneticWeyl fermions related to dynamic correlations in the zinc-blende compound VAs
Authors: Ding 丁 Xianyong 献勇 , Wei 魏 Haoran 皓然 , Zhu 朱 Ruixiang 瑞翔 , Xiao 肖 Xiaoliang 晓亮 , Wu 吴 Xiaozhi 小志 , Wang 王 Rui 锐
Published: July 2024

The realization of 100% polarized topological Weyl fermions in half-metallic ferromagnets is of particular importance for fundamental research and spintronic applications. Here, we theoretically investigate the electronic and topological properties of the zinc-blende compound VAs, which was deemed as a half-metallic ferromagnet related to dynamic correlations. Based on the combination of density functional theory and dynamical mean field theory, we uncover that the half-metallic ferromagnet VAs exhibits attractive Weyl semimetallic behaviors which are very close to the Fermi level in the DFT + U regime with effect U values ranging from 1.5 eV to 2.5 eV. Meanwhile, we also investigate the magnetization-dependent topological properties; the results show that the change of magnetization directions only slightly affects the positions of Weyl points, which is attributed to the weak spin–orbital coupling effects. The topological surface states of VAs projected on semi-infinite (001) and (111) surfaces are investigated. The Fermi arcs of all Weyl points are clearly visible on the projected Fermi surfaces. Our findings suggest that VAs is a fully spin-polarized Weyl semimetal with many-body correlated effects in the effective U values range from 1.5 eV to 2.5 eV.