bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ancient mitogenomes from Pre-Pottery Neolithic Central Anatolia and the effects of a Late Neolithic bottleneck in sheep (
Ovis aries
)
Authors: Sandoval-Castellanos Edson , Hare Andrew J. , Lin Audrey T. , Dimopoulos Evangelos A. , Daly Kevin G. , Geiger Sheila , Mullin Victoria E. , Wiechmann Ingrid , Mattiangeli Valeria , Lühken Gesine , Zinovieva Natalia A. , Zidarov Petar , Çakırlar Canan , Stoddart Simon , Orton David , Bulatović Jelena , Mashkour Marjan , Sauer Eberhard W. , Horwitz Liora Kolska , Horejs Barbara , Atici Levent , Özkaya Vecihi , Mullville Jacqui , Parker Pearson Michael , Mainland Ingrid , Card Nick , Brown Lisa , Sharples Niall , Griffiths David , Allen David , Arbuckle Benjamin , Abell Jordan T. , Duru Güneş , Mentzer Susan M. , Munro Natalie D. , Uzdurum Melis , Gülçur Sevil , Buitenhuis Hijlke , Gladyr Elena , Stiner Mary C. , Pöllath Nadja , Özbaşaran Mihriban , Krebs Stefan , Burger Joachim , Frantz Laurent , Medugorac Ivica , Bradley Daniel G. , Peters Joris
Published: April 2024

Occupied between ~10,300 and 9300 years ago, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic site of Aşıklı Höyük in Central Anatolia went through early phases of sheep domestication. Analysis of 629 mitochondrial genomes from this and numerous sites in Anatolia, southwest Asia, Europe, and Africa produced a phylogenetic tree with excessive coalescences (nodes) around the Neolithic, a potential signature of a domestication bottleneck. This is consistent with archeological evidence of sheep management at Aşıklı Höyük which transitioned from residential stabling to open pasturing over a millennium of site occupation. However, unexpectedly, we detected high genetic diversity throughout Aşıklı Höyük’s occupation rather than a bottleneck. Instead, we detected a tenfold demographic bottleneck later in the Neolithic, which caused the fixation of mitochondrial haplogroup
B
in southwestern Anatolia. The mitochondrial genetic makeup that emerged was carried from the core region of early Neolithic sheep management into Europe and dominates the matrilineal diversity of both its ancient and the billion-strong modern sheep populations.
Spatially resolved immune exhaustion within the alloreactive microenvironment predicts liver transplant rejection
Authors: Barbetta Arianna , Rocque Brittany , Bangerth Sarah , Street Kelly , Weaver Carly , Chopra Shefali , Kim Janet , Sher Linda , Gaudilliere Brice , Akbari Omid , Kohli Rohit , Emamaullee Juliet
Published: April 2024

Allograft rejection is common following clinical organ transplantation, but defining specific immune subsets mediating alloimmunity has been elusive. Calcineurin inhibitor dose escalation, corticosteroids, and/or lymphocyte depleting antibodies have remained the primary options for treatment of clinical rejection episodes. Here, we developed a highly multiplexed imaging mass cytometry panel to study the immune response in archival biopsies from 79 liver transplant (LT) recipients with either no rejection (NR), acute T cell–mediated rejection (TCMR), or chronic rejection (CR). This approach generated a spatially resolved proteomic atlas of 461,816 cells (42 phenotypes) derived from 96 pathologist-selected regions of interest. Our analysis revealed that regulatory (HLADR+Treg) and PD1+T cell phenotypes (CD4+and CD8+subsets), combined with variations in M2 macrophage polarization, were a unique signature of active TCMR. These data provide insights into the alloimmune microenvironment in clinical LT, including identification of potential targets for focused immunotherapy during rejection episodes and suggestion of a substantial role for immune exhaustion in TCMR.
Simultaneous analysis of pMHC binding and reactivity unveils virus-specific CD8 T cell immunity to a concise epitope set
Authors: Kristensen Nikolaj Pagh , Dionisio Edoardo , Bentzen Amalie Kai , Tamhane Tripti , Kemming Janine Sophie , Nos Grigorii , Voss Lasse Frank , Hansen Ulla Kring , Lauer Georg Michael , Hadrup Sine Reker
Published: April 2024

CD8 T cells provide immunity to virus infection through recognition of epitopes presented by peptide major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs). To establish a concise panel of widely recognized T cell epitopes from common viruses, we combined analysis of TCR down-regulation upon stimulation with epitope-specific enumeration based on barcode-labeled pMHC multimers. We assess CD8 T cell binding and reactivity for 929 previously reported epitopes in the context of 1 of 25 HLA alleles representing 29 viruses. The prevalence and magnitude of CD8 T cell responses were evaluated in 48 donors and reported along with 137 frequently recognized virus epitopes, many of which were underrepresented in the public domain. Eighty-four percent of epitope-specific CD8 T cell populations demonstrated reactivity to peptide stimulation, which was associated with effector and long-term memory phenotypes. Conversely, nonreactive T cell populations were associated primarily with naive phenotypes. Our analysis provides a reference map of epitopes for characterizing CD8 T cell responses toward common human virus infections.
Resident tissue macrophages: Key coordinators of tissue homeostasis beyond immunity
Authors: Zhao Jia , Andreev Ilya , Silva Hernandez Moura
Published: April 2024

Resident tissue macrophages (RTMs) encompass a highly diverse set of cells abundantly present in every tissue and organ. RTMs are recognized as central players in innate immune responses, and more recently their importance beyond host defense has started to be highlighted. Despite sharing a universal name and several canonical markers, RTMs perform remarkably specialized activities tailored to sustain critical homeostatic functions of the organs they reside in. These cells can mediate neuronal communication, participate in metabolic pathways, and secrete growth factors. In this Review, we summarize how the division of labor among different RTM subsets helps support tissue homeostasis. We discuss how the local microenvironment influences the development of RTMs, the molecular processes they support, and how dysregulation of RTMs can lead to disease. Last, we highlight both the similarities and tissue-specific distinctions of key RTM subsets, aiming to coalesce recent classifications and perspectives into a unified view.
Acinetobacter junii
: an emerging One Health pathogen
Authors: Aguilar-Vera Alejandro , Bello-López Elena , Pantoja-Nuñez Gabriel Iván , Rodríguez-López Gloria M. , Morales-Erasto Vladimir , Castillo-Ramírez Santiago
Published: April 2024

Acinetobacter junii
is an opportunistic human and animal pathogen severely understudied. Here, we conducted the largest genomic epidemiological study on this pathogen to date. Our data show that this bacterium has spread globally. Also, we found that some human and non-human isolates are not well differentiated from one another, implying transmission between clinical and non-clinical, non-human settings. Remarkably, human but also some non-human isolates have clinically important antibiotic resistance genes, and some of these genes are located in plasmids. Given these results, we put forward that
A. junii
should be considered an emerging One Health problem. In this regard, future molecular epidemiological studies about this species will go beyond human isolates and will consider animal-, plant-, and water-associated environments.

IMPORTANCE

Acinetobacter baumannii
is the most well-known species from the genus
Acinetobacter
. However, other much less studied
Acinetobacter
species could be important opportunistic pathogens of animals, plants and humans. Here, we conducted the largest genomic epidemiological study of
A. junii
, which has been described as a source not only of human but also of animal infections. Our analyses show that this bacterium has spread globally and that, in some instances, human and non-human isolates are not well differentiated. Remarkably, some non-human isolates have important antibiotic resistance genes against important antibiotics used in human medicine. Based on our results, we propose that this pathogen must be considered an issue not only for humans but also for veterinary medicine.
Tectonic fractures induced by strike-slip faulting in intracratonic ultradeep carbonate rocks: Insights from the finite element method and self-adaptive constraints computational model for boundary conditions
Authors: Li Yuntao , Ding Wenlong , Han Jun , Chen Xuyun , Huang Cheng , Li Jingtian , Ding Shihao
Published: April 2024

Numerical simulations of the paleostress field during a period of tectonic fracture formation and rock failure criteria are used to quantitatively predict the development and occurrence of tectonic fractures induced by the formation of the SB18 fault zone in the Middle Ordovician Yijianfang Formation of the Shunnan area, Tarim Basin, China. The results of acoustic emission experiments, mechanical property measurements, and tectonic fracture occurrence observations obtained from core descriptions and fullbore formation microimager logs are combined with the Andersonian model of faulting and the finite element method, which is widely used for the numerical simulation of stress fields, to investigate the paleotectonic and in situ stress fields via numerical simulation. The quantitative prediction of the opening pressure and opening sequence of tectonic fractures is based on the occurrence of tectonic fracture, numerical simulation of in situ stresses, and coordinate system conversion. The results show that the width of the fracture zone induced by strike-slip faulting is ~310 m. The degree of fracture development is significantly increased when the Young’s modulus, paleostress difference, and paleostress difference coefficient of the rock are elevated. The current horizontal principal stress is positively correlated with the distance from the fault, and the elevated areal density of the secondary faults causes a clockwise deflection of the horizontal stress direction. SSE-striking shear fractures with orientations ranging from 140° to 150° and two sets of tensional fractures with orientations ranging from −40° to −35° and 55° to 60° are preferentially opened in the water injection development stage of the reservoir. As the horizontal stress difference, horizontal stress difference coefficient, and angle between the maximum horizontal principal stress and a fracture decrease, the fracture opening pressure decreases. At the structural highs (burial depths <6225 m) and lows (burial depths >6225 m), the fracture burial depth is positively and negatively correlated with the opening pressure, respectively. Quantitative prediction of tectonic fracture developmental characteristics, opening pressure, and the opening sequence and investigation of the main factors that control their development can help to identify and support opportunities for hydrocarbon exploration and development of fractured carbonate reservoirs.
Impact of informal caregiving on depressive symptoms among a national cohort of men
Authors: King Tania L , Vitaliano Peter P , Maheen Humaira , Taouk Yamna
Published: April 2024

Background

There is evidence that unpaid caregiving can have negative effects on the mental health of female caregivers; however, evidence of impacts on male caregivers is limited. This study addressed this gap by examining associations between becoming a caregiver and depressive symptoms among men.

Methods

We used data from waves 1–2 (2013, 2016) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Male Health (Ten to Men). Effects of incident caregiving on depressive symptoms were estimated using augmented inverse probability treatment weighting, with adjustment for potential confounders. Incident caregiving was assessed as a binary variable (became a caregiver vs not), and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (moderate to severe depressive symptoms; yes, no). Main analysis was prospective, drawing on wave 1 (caregiving) and wave 2 (depressive symptoms), and sensitivity analyses modelled cross-sectional associations.

Results

In the main analysis, incident caregiving in wave 1 was associated with depressive symptoms in the subsequent wave, with an average treatment effect of 0.11 (95% CI 0.06, 0.17) and equating to a risk ratio of 2.03 (95% CI 1.55, 2.51). Associations were robust to several sensitivity analyses, with cross-sectional associations supporting the main prospective analyses.

Conclusion

These results provide evidence of the association between caregiving and depressive symptoms among male caregivers. This has important implications for policy and support programmes. As we seek to shift caregiving responsibilities toward a more gender-equal distribution of care, policy must recognise that, like female caregivers, male caregivers also experience mental health impacts related to their caregiving role.
Treatment-free survival outcomes from the phase II study of nivolumab and salvage nivolumab/ipilimumab in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (HCRN GU16-260-Cohort A)
Authors: Atkins Michael B , Jegede Opeyemi A , Haas Naomi B , Mcdermott David F , Bilen Mehmet A , Stein Mark , Sosman Jeffrey , Alter Robert , Plimack Elizabeth R , Ornstein Moshe C , Hurwitz Michael , Peace David J , Einstein David , Catalano Paul J , Hammers Hans , Regan Meredith M
Published: April 2024

Background

As part of a partitioned survival analysis, treatment-free survival (TFS) can characterize the overall survival time patients spend between the cessation of immunotherapy and the start of subsequent therapy; both with and without toxicity. Significant TFS was reported for the nivolumab/ipilimumab arms of the CheckMate 067 and 214 trials for patients with advanced melanoma or renal cell carcinoma (aRCC), respectively, where immunotherapy was often halted for toxicity rather than a predefined treatment endpoint. We therefore sought to assess TFS in the HCRN GU16-260 trial, which was designed to reduce toxicity and cap immunotherapy duration.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 128 patients with clear-cell aRCC treated with first-line nivolumab monotherapy for up to 2 years. Salvage nivolumab/ipilimumab for up to 1 year was provided to eligible patients with disease progression at any point or stable disease at 48 weeks (29% of patients). TFS was defined as the area between Kaplan-Meier curves for a time from registration to protocol therapy cessation and for a time from registration to subsequent systemic therapy initiation or death, estimated from 36-month mean times. The time on or off protocol treatment with grade 3+treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) was also captured.

Results

At 36 months from enrollment, 68.3% of patients were alive: 96.8% of International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) favorable-risk patients and 56.6% of those with intermediate/poor-risk, respectively. The 36-month mean time on protocol therapy was 11.5 months including 0.6 months with grade 3+TRAEs (16.0 months for favorable-risk patients and 9.6 months for intermediated/poor-risk patients). The 36-month mean TFS for the whole population was 9.4 months (12.9 months including 1.5 months with grade 3+TRAEs for favorable-risk and 8.0 months including 1.0 months with grade 3+TRAEs for intermediate/poor-risk). At 36 months, 65.6% of favorable-risk patients and 27.1% of intermediate/poor-risk patients were alive and subsequent systemic treatment-free.

Conclusions

Nivolumab monotherapy with salvage nivolumab/ipilimumab in non-responders is an active treatment approach in treatment-naïve patients with aRCC and, similar to nivolumab/ipilimumab in CheckMate 214, results in substantial TFS and toxicity-free TFS. TFS was greatest in patients with favorable-risk disease, supporting the use of an immunotherapy-only regimen in this population.
Oral PD-L1 inhibitor GS-4224 selectively engages PD-L1 high cells and elicits pharmacodynamic responses in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Odegard Jared M , Othman Ahmed A , Lin Kai-Wen , Wang Adele Y , Nazareno Jonathan , Yoon Oh Kyu , Ling John , Lad Latesh , Dunbar P Rod , Thai Dung , Ang Edmond , Waldron Nicholas , Deva Sanjeev
Published: April 2024

Background

Checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway are effective therapies in a range of immunogenic cancer types. Blocking this pathway with an oral therapy could benefit patients through greater convenience, particularly in combination regimens, and allow flexible management of immune-mediated toxicities.

Methods

PD-L1 binding activity was assessed in engineered dimerization and primary cell target occupancy assays. Preclinical antitumor activity was evaluated in ex vivo and in vivo human PD-L1-expressing tumor models. Human safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and biomarker activity were evaluated in an open-label, multicenter, sequential dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors. Biomarkers evaluated included target occupancy, flow cytometric immunophenotyping, plasma cytokine measurements, and T-cell receptor sequencing.

Results

GS-4224 binding caused dimerization of PD-L1, blocking its interaction with PD-1 and leading to reversal of T-cell inhibition and increased tumor killing in vitro and in vivo. The potency of GS-4224 was dependent on the density of cell surface PD-L1, with binding being most potent on PD-L1–high cells. In a phase 1 dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors, treatment was well tolerated at doses of 400–1,500 mg once daily. Administration of GS-4224 was associated with a dose-dependent increase in plasma GS-4224 exposure and reduction in free PD-L1 on peripheral blood T cells, an increase in Ki67 among the PD-1-positive T-cell subsets, and elevated plasma cytokines and chemokines.

Conclusions

GS-4224 is a novel, orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of PD-L1. GS-4224 showed evidence of expected on-target biomarker activity, including engagement of PD-L1 and induction of immune-related pharmacodynamic responses consistent with PD-L1 blockade.

Trial registration number

NCT04049617.
Longitudinal analysis of PD-L1 expression in patients with relapsed NSCLC
Authors: John Nikolaus , Schlintl Verena , Sassmann Teresa , Lindenmann Jörg , Fediuk Melanie , Wurm Robert , Douschan Philipp , Zacharias Martin , Kalson Lipika , Posch Florian , Absenger Gudrun , Brcic Luka , Jost Philipp J , Terbuch Angelika
Published: April 2024

Background

The use and approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) depends on PD-L1 expression in the tumor tissue. Nevertheless, PD-L1 often fails to predict response to treatment. One possible explanation could be a change in PD-L1 expression during the course of the disease and the neglect of reassessment. The purpose of this study was a longitudinal analysis of PD-L1 expression in patients with relapsed NSCLC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed PD-L1 expression in patients with early-stage NSCLC and subsequent relapse in preoperative samples, matched surgical specimens and biopsy samples of disease recurrence. Ventana PD-L1 (SP263) immunohistochemistry assay was used for all samples. PD-L1 expression was scored based on clinically relevant groups (0%, 1%–49%, and ≥50%). The primary endpoint was the change in PD-L1 score group between preoperative samples, matched surgical specimens and relapsed tumor tissue.

Results

395 consecutive patients with stages I–III NSCLC and 136 (34%) patients with a subsequent relapse were identified. For 87 patients at least two specimens for comparison of PD-L1 expression between early stage and relapsed disease were available. In 72 cases, a longitudinal analysis between preoperative biopsy, the surgically resected specimen and biopsy of disease recurrence was feasible. When comparing preoperative and matched surgical specimens, a treatment-relevant conversion of PD-L1 expression group was found in 25 patients (34.7%). Neoadjuvant treatment showed no significant effect on PD-L1 alteration (p=0.39). In 32 (36.8%) out of 87 cases, a change in PD-L1 group was observed when biopsies of disease relapse were compared with early-stage disease. Adjuvant treatment was not significantly associated with a change in PD-L1 expression (p=0.53). 39 patients (54.2%) showed at least 1 change into a different PD-L1 score group during the course of disease. 14 patients (19.4%) changed the PD-L1 score group twice, 5 (6.9%) of them being found in all different score groups.

Conclusion

PD-L1 expression shows dynamic changes during the course of disease. There is an urgent need for consensus guidelines to define a PD-L1 testing strategy including time points of reassessment, the number of biopsies to be obtained and judgment of surgical specimens.
Day-to-day variation in trace and macro-mineral concentrations in corn and mixed grass–legume silages of Canadian commercial dairy herds
Authors: Duplessis M. , Dubois K. , Royer I.
Published: April 2024

The aims were to assess the day-to-day variation in trace minerals (TM), macro-minerals, dry matter, and physical effectiveness factor in grass–legume and corn silages and to evaluate the variance partition. Grass–legume and corn silage samples were collected in nine Canadian dairy herds during two episodes of five consecutive days at 4 weeks apart by the same individual. All variables were analyzed in duplicate. The proportion of variation due to the farm was more variable within TM than macro-minerals. Using TM software reference values of silages for formulating rations can lead to important errors. Except for physical effectiveness factor, the within-farm variations between sampling episodes were more marked for mixed grass–legume than corn silage. For most of the minerals and nutrients analyzed, the sampling + day-to-day variations were the main source of variability, accounting for over 50% of the within-farm variance for both silage types. The remaining within-farm variance was explained by subsampling and laboratory analyses. The high within-herd variation suggests that a silage sampling over more than 1 day can be useful to get a representative sample for TM analysis. Accurate nutrients and TM values when formulating cow diets is essential to cow health and productivity.
Hong–Ou–Mandel interference: a spectral–temporal analysis
Authors: Drago Christian , Brańczyk Agata M.
Published: April 2024

Hong–Ou–Mandel interference is most dramatic when the photons involved are perfectly indistinguishable. Departures from this ideal scenario, however, are also interesting and useful to consider. In this tutorial, we analyze scenarios where the degree of the photons’ distinguishability depends on their spectral and temporal “overlap”. We first consider photons that are both spectrally pure and spectrally separable. We then generalize this to include spectrally entangled (but still spectrally pure) photons and spectrally mixed (but still spectrally separable) photons. This tutorial equips researchers with tools for a deeper understanding of this interesting phenomenon and its various applications.
Assessing the influence of climate controls on grapevine biophysical responses: a review of Ontario viticulture in a changing climate
Authors: Williamson Jessica A. , Petrone Richard M. , Valentini Riccardo , Macrae Merrin L. , Reynolds Andrew
Published: April 2024

Climate change presents unique challenges for grape growers across the world. In Ontario, three distinct viticultural regions are experiencing climatic shifts towards warmer growing seasons. According to historical records collected from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Lake Erie North Shore has transitioned from an intermediate-to-warm growing season classification, the Niagara Peninsula from the lower to upper limits of the intermediate zone, and Prince Edward County from cool to intermediate, when analyzing their average growing season temperatures. Terroir is directly related to vine water status, an indicator of grapevine stress. Biophysical responses controlled by air temperature and precipitation include fluctuations in vapour pressure deficits, evapotranspiration, and water-use-efficiency rates, as well as soil water content levels. By conducting an extensive literature review, the development of a conceptual model addresses how variations in climatic controls, under the scope of climate change, may influence grapevine water status, biophysical responses, and associated production outcomes for Ontario vineyards. Cool-to-intermediate air temperatures, when paired with increased precipitation will lead to no or low vine stress, increasing photosynthesis and transpiration rates, and variable plant water-use-efficiency levels, producing higher yields and lower quality grapes, if no management strategies are applied. Oppositely, higher air temperature as a product of climate change, when paired with variable precipitation may produce mild-to-severe stress, reducing yield, and increasing grape quality. With the appropriate management strategies, both traditional and new, growers may be able to accommodate for the influence of climate change on their vineyards.
Strong gravitational lensing, quasi-periodic oscillations and constraints from EHT observations for quantum-improved charged black hole
Authors: Molla Niyaz Uddin , Chaudhary Himanshu , Mustafa G. , Debnath Ujjal , Maurya S. K.
Published: April 2024

We investigate strong gravitational lensing by quantum-improved charged black holes characterized by an additional parameter denoted as $$\omega $$
ω
, in addition to the mass M and charge Q. Our findings reveal that when both the parameters Q/2M and $$\omega /4M^2$$

ω
/
4

M
2

increase simultaneously, various astrophysical consequences, such as the deflection angle $$\alpha _D(u)$$

α
D

(
u
)

and angular image separation increase. Concurrently, the angular position $$\theta _{\infty }$$

θ
∞

, relative magnification $$r_{mag}$$

r

mag

, and the time delay $$\Delta T_{2,1}$$

Δ

T

2
,
1

between the first and second relativistic images also decrease with the growing values of the parameters Q/2M and $$\omega /4M^2$$

ω
/
4

M
2

. It is also observed that the Einstein ring $$\theta _1^E$$

θ
1
E

for the quantum-improved charged black hole is more significant than those for Schwarzschild, quantum-improved Schwarzschild, and Reisner–Nordström black holes. As with supermassive black holes such as $$M87^*$$

M

87
∗

and $$SgrA^*$$

S
g
r

A
∗

, it is observed that to be a viable astrophysical black hole, the EHT results constrain the parameter space ($$\omega /4M^2$$

ω
/
4

M
2

, Q/2M). Remarkably, the EHT results for $$SgrA^*$$

S
g
r

A
∗

impose more stringent limits on the parameter space of quantum-improved charged black holes compared to those established by the EHT results for$$M87^*$$

M

87
∗

. We investigate the radial profiles of orbital and radial harmonic oscillation frequencies as a function of the dimensionless coupling constants and black hole mass. The main characteristics of test particle quasi-periodic oscillations close to stable circular orbits in the black hole equatorial plane are also examined. We study the positioning of resonant radii in the background of quantum-improved charged black holes for high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations models: warped disc (WD) models, relativistic precession (RP) and its types, and epicyclic resonance (ER) and its variants.
Biocomputation: Moving Beyond Turing with Living Cellular Computers
Authors: Goñi-Moreno Ángel
Published: April 2024

Leveraging the synergies between theoretical CS and synthetic biology to create powerful cellular computers and move beyond Turing computation.
Poisoning Data to Protect It
Authors: Mone Gregory
Published: April 2024

New ways are being developed to shield data from being used to train artificial intelligence without owners' permission.
Unpacking the Dynamics of Harm in Game Cheating Communities: A Guiding Framework for Cross-Industry Intervention
Authors: Cho Selina , Lusthaus Jonathan , Flechais Ivan
Published: April 2024

As a part of the broader investigation into the social dynamics within game cheating communities, this study sheds light on the risks faced by users that surpass the conventional boundaries of gaming environments. Drawing on insights from interviews with 70 individuals with cheating experiences and a literature review, we present a framework that categorises the observed social dynamics into four distinct collectives, each varying in size and characteristics. This framework offers a nuanced perspective on how individuals engage with cheating, portraying these communities as complex networks with potential victims and perpetrators, rather than mere assemblies of rule-breakers. Through expert feedback, we evaluate the applicability of our framework in practice, and identify three areas of concern that warrant attention by both the gaming industry and broader sectors: the pervasiveness of toxic behaviours, the absence of ethical boundaries, and the oversight of supporting roles that facilitate cheating. This research surfaces the need for targeted strategies to safeguard players who are not adequately covered by traditional safety measures in gaming.
Integrated In-Plane Nanofluidic Devices for Resistive-Pulse Sensing
Authors: Young Tanner W. , Kappler Michael P. , Call Ethan D. , Brown Quintin J. , Jacobson Stephen C.
Published: April 2024

Single-particle (or digital) measurements enhance sensitivity (10- to 100-fold improvement) and uncover heterogeneity within a population (one event in 100 to 10,000). Many biological systems are significantly influenced by rare or infrequent events, and determining what species is present, in what quantity, and the role of that species is critically important to unraveling many questions. To develop these measurement systems, resistive-pulse sensing is used as a label-free, single-particle detection technique and can be combined with a range of functional elements, e.g., mixers, reactors, filters, separators, and pores. Virtually, any two-dimensional layout of the micro- and nanofluidic conduits can be envisioned, designed, and fabricated in the plane of the device. Multiple nanopores in series lead to higher-precision measurements of particle size, shape, and charge, and reactions coupled directly with the particle-size measurements improve temporal response. Moreover, other detection techniques, e.g., fluorescence, are highly compatible with the in-plane format. These integrated in-plane nanofluidic devices expand the toolbox of what is possible with single-particle measurements.
Benefit-Sharing by Design: A Call to Action for Human Genomics Research
Authors: Mc Cartney Ann M. , Scholz Amber Hartman , Groussin Mathieu , Staunton Ciara
Published: April 2024

The ethical standards for the responsible conduct of human research have come a long way; however, concerns surrounding equity remain in human genetics and genomics research. Addressing these concerns will help society realize the full potential of human genomics research. One outstanding concern is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from research on human participants. Several international bodies have recognized that benefit-sharing can be an effective tool for ethical research conduct, but international laws, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing, explicitly exclude human genetic and genomic resources. These agreements face significant challenges that must be considered and anticipated if similar principles are applied in human genomics research. We propose that benefit-sharing from human genomics research can be a bottom-up effort and embedded into the existing research process. We propose the development of a “benefit-sharing by design” framework to address concerns of fairness and equity in the use of human genomic resources and samples and to learn from the aspirations and decade of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.
Ferroelectric Based Low Power MOSFET for DC/RF Applications: Machine Learning Assisted Statistical Variation Analysis
Authors: Singh Abhay Pratap , Baghel R. K. , Tirkey Sukeshni
Published: April 2024

The analog/radio-frequency (RF) performance of a ferroelectric-based substrate metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (FE-MOSFET) with dielectric spacer was designed and proposed. The utilization of gate side wall spacers aims to mitigate short-channel effects (SCEs), and improve overall device performance. Simulation results demonstrate enhanced performance metrics, including improved transconductance (80%), reduced gate leakage (95.4%), and enhanced cutoff frequency (25%), making this design a promising candidate for next-generation high-performance analog and RF applications. Additionally, a novel machine learning (ML)-assisted approach is proposed for investigating the spacer-based FE-MOSFET to reduce the computational cost of numerical TCAD device simulations with the help of conventional- artificial neural network (C-ANN). This method is reported for the first-time ML-based C-ANN for Fe-based low-power MOSFET, matches the similar accuracy of physics-based TCAD with the fastest learning rate and fastest computational speed (in 95–100 s). An ML-based prediction replacement for physics-based TCAD is developed to save around 8–10 h of runtime for each iteration. Because ML predictions can never be 100% accurate, it is essential to ensure approximately zero mean-square error in the final results.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Elemental Crystallogen Thin Films
Authors: Tomasini Pierre
Published: April 2024

A consolidation of the fundamentals of elemental crystallogen chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a necessity in view of the extensive evidence accumulated over the last few decades. An in-depth understanding of deposition mechanisms via hydrides asks for a discerning understanding of molecular hydrogen dissociative adsorption, precursor thermal decomposition, and CVD growth rates. With those, a groundbreaking paradigm shift comes to light. GR activation energy E(GR) fingerprints the surface energy. SE ≈ 2 × E(GR)/(a×a), where SE is surface energy, E(GR) activation energy, a lattice parameter. Hydride precursor thermal decomposition consistency with the corresponding solid growth kinetics is demonstrated. Heterogeneous TD kinetics captures a solid deposition and not a gas phase molecular reaction. Thermodynamic equilibrium is achieved during the heterogeneous thermal decomposition of silicon precursors. The popular split between mass-transfer and kinetic regimes is not supported by evidence. Three mechanisms are apparent. The first is controlled by a Si–H bond dissociation energy. The second is controlled by an H–H bond dissociation energy. The last is controlled by a Si–Si bond dissociation energy as lattice sites are sealed off with Si–H bonds.
Loss of ADAM15 in female mice does not worsen pressure overload cardiomyopathy, independent of ovarian hormones
Authors: Krishnan Vidhya , Atanasova Nikki , Aujla Preetinder K. , Hupka Devon , Owen Caroline A. , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: April 2024

Loss of ADAM15 in female mice, unlike the male mice, does not worsen the cardiomyopathy following cardiac pressure overload. Ovariectomy does not worsen the post-TAC cardiomyopathy in female Adam15−/ − mice compared with female WT mice. Lack of deleterious impact of Adam15 deficiency in female mice is not because of the protective effects of ovarian hormones but could be due to a less prominent role of ADAM15 in cardiac response to post-TAC remodeling in female mice.
Enhancing Quality Fruit Composition in Red Currant Cultivars by Foliar Calcium Application across Preharvest and Postharvest Stages
Authors: Panfilova Olga , Kahramanoğlu Ibrahim , Ondrasek Gabrijel , Ryago Nelli , Leonteva Larisa , Wan Chunpeng (Craig) , Tsoy Mikhail , Okatan Volkan , Golyaeva Olga , Loretts Olga , Kukhar Viktor , Karpukhin Mikhail
Published: April 2024

Foliar calcium (Ca) treatment exhibits strong potential for enhancing yield and quality in some fruit crops. This study aimed to assess the impact of foliar application of Ca-organomineral (Ca-OM) suspension on total soluble solids (TSS) and Ca dynamics in leaves and berries across five red currant cultivars during the vegetation and storage. A randomized block design with two treatments: (1) Control (without Ca-OM treatment) and (2) foliar Ca-OM treatment, with three repetitions, was applied on five different red currant cultivars. Although foliar Ca-OM treatments did not impact Ca or TSS in leaves, they positively influenced Ca and TSS in fruits, displaying significant variability among cultivars. In addition, Ca-OM treatment increased berry density, reduced abscission, and inhibited the development of diseases, extending storage periods for “Lvovyanka,” “Vika,” and “Gazel” cultivars by three to seven days compared to the Ca-OM untreated control. Ca-OM treatment in the early stages of the ontogenesis of currants provided a high percentage of Ca intake in berries. At the stage of complete maturation, the Ca content in berries decreased and depended on the ripening period of the cultivars. Before harvesting, Ca-OM increased the strength of berries (Fc) and reduced the shedding of berries in the clusters (Fs). At the vegetation stage, Ca-OM increased TSS in berries, and the content of TSS depended on the genotype and weather conditions. The Ca-OM treatment and low temperatures contributed to preserving berry density, reducing the shedding of berries and PLW, and restraining the development of diseases during storage. In addition, the high content of TSS and Ca in berries against the background of a slow rate of decrease in berry density in the Ca-OM variants ensured an extension of the shelf life of “Lvovyanka,” “Vika,” and “Gazel” by three to seven days compared to the control untreated with Ca-OM. Clustering analyses identified these cultivars as similar in terms of TSS and calcium content in fruits, emphasizing their common traits. The study underscores the potential of foliar Ca treatment to enhance berry quality during growth and storage, significantly improve storage duration, and fortify resistance against adverse factors, presenting promising opportunities for elevating yield and quality in specific red currant cultivars.
A Scoping Review of Income Support Programs Offered to Older Adults Living in South Asian Countries between 2000 and 2021
Authors: Rajwar Eti , Pundir Prachi , Challa Sanjana , Prince Alyssa Maria , Parsekar Shradha S. , Vogt Tobias
Published: April 2024

Income support programs (ISPs) are important social policy measures to reduce the risk of poverty among older adults. Over the years, developing countries including South Asian countries have introduced various ISPs to support the older population. This scoping review will provide information on ISPs for older adults in South Asia and will map the evidence available on the impact of these programs. This scoping review uses the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) methodology. Older adults living in South Asia were included, and ISPs were considered as the “concept.” Eight electronic databases and organizational/governmental websites were searched for English language publications from January 2000 to May 2021. Four authors independently screened and extracted the data and analyzed it by descriptive statistics. A total of 115 studies provided information on ISPs for older adults and 25 on the impact of these programs. The identified studies covered all types of ISPs; however, government‐sponsored or pillar 0 (ISP classification) programs were the most common. They also covered a vast spectrum of all types of study designs. The most common schemes are social pensions that work towards sustainable development goals (Goal 1.3) of social protection for all. Future research should focus on studying the impact of ISPs and expanding the ISPs for older adults in low‐coverage countries.
Healthcare Decision-Making in a Crisis: A Qualitative Systemic Review Protocol
Authors: Al Qaf’an Ehmaidy , Alford Stewart , Porteous Kimberley , Lim David
Published: April 2024

Background. Throughout history, communities have faced outbreaks of infectious diseases and other natural and man-made disasters that pose significant threats to lives, public health, and business continuity. Many of these disasters are crises that require critical decisions to be made in a short, crucial time with limited information and unforeseen circumstances amidst panic, fear, and shock. The COVID-19 pandemic is a recent example, with public leaders responding to and formulating strategies to attenuate the relentless waves of transmission and surges in resource demands. The pandemic underscored the importance of understanding how healthcare leaders make decisions in-crisis and what factors healthcare leaders prioritize in their decision-making process. Methods/Design. PubMed(NLM), Embase(Ovid), Scopus(Elsevier), Business Source(EBSCOhost), and ProQuest will be searched for primary qualitative studies published in English to explore the multi-faceted decision-making processes of healthcare leaders during a public health crisis. A meta-ethnographic approach will synthesize insights into healthcare leaders’ experiences and perspectives and generate a conceptual theory of decision-making in crisis. Discussion. Understanding how healthcare leaders make critical decisions during public health crises takes advantage of the lessons learned to inform how future health crises are managed. (This systematic review is registered in PROSPERO: CRD42023475382).
Combustion Characteristic Prediction of Dual Direct Injection Fuel (Diesel‐Propane) on RCEM Based on an Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Setiawan Ardhika , Lim Ocktaeck
Published: April 2024

Studies from around the world show that engines using biofuel, LPG, and CNG emit fewer pollutants than those using conventional fuels. Experimental research has focused on a rapid compression and expansion machine (RCEM) that resembles a compression ignition (CI) engine. It uses dual direct injection fuel, diesel and propane (DP), with propane injection timing varying from 0 to 40 before top dead center (BTDC) and diesel injection timing remaining at 10 BTDC. The compression ratio was changed at points 17 and 19 by adjusting the RCEM connecting rod. A converge simulation program was used to run the simulation model, which was used to examine how the fire and inflow inside the chamber developed. The ANN method was used to predict pressure, temperature, power, TKE, and ITE data output based on propane energy fraction, compression ratio, and SOI of propane as input data parameters. It was noticed that the ANN prediction on experimental data has a higher accuracy compared to the simulation prediction. The R and MSE values were used to identify the accuracy of the prediction on output parameter data. ANN generalization capability is comparatively high when trained with large enough databases. The highest accuracy of prediction was produced on TKE, which had an MSE of 0.003715 and R value of 0.99981 from 287900 sample data. This shows that the ANN model is quite accurate in forecasting output experimental data.
On the Performance of MMSE Channel Estimation in Massive MIMO Systems over Spatially Correlated Rician Fading Channels
Authors: Arellano Jorge F. , Altamirano Carlos Daniel , Carvajal Mora Henry Ramiro , Orozco Garzón Nathaly Verónica , Almeida García Fernando Darío
Published: April 2024

Massive multiple-input-multiple-output (M-MIMO) offers remarkable advantages in terms of spectral, energy, and hardware efficiency for future wireless systems. However, its performance relies on the accuracy of channel state information (CSI) available at the transceivers. This makes channel estimation pivotal in the context of M-MIMO systems. Prior research has focused on evaluating channel estimation methods under the assumption of spatially uncorrelated fading channel models. In this study, we evaluate the performance of the minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) estimator in terms of the normalized mean square error (NMSE) in the uplink of M-MIMO systems over spatially correlated Rician fading. The NMSE allows for easy comparison of different M-MIMO configurations, serving as a relative performance indicator. Besides, it is an advantageous metric due to its normalization, scale invariance, and consistent performance indication across diverse scenarios. In the system model, we assume imperfections in channel estimation and that the random angles in the correlation model follow a Gaussian distribution. For this scenario, we derive an accurate closed-form expression for calculating the NMSE, which is validated via Monte-Carlo simulations. Our numerical results reveal that as the Rician K-factor decreases, approaching Rayleigh fading conditions, the NMSE improves. Additionally, spatial correlation and a reduction in the antenna array interelement spacing lead to a reduction in NMSE, further enhancing the overall system performance.
Experimental Comparison of the Effect of Using Synthetic, Semi-Synthetic, and Mineral Engine Oil on Gasoline Engine Parts Wear
Authors: Kallas Mohammad Maher , Al Sabek Mohammad Saed , Saoud Younes
Published: April 2024

This paper includes the laboratory and experimental methodology used to compare the effect of using mineral, semi-synthetic, and synthetic engine oil on the parts wear of a four-stroke gasoline internal composition engine (ICE). Three test platforms included three engines with identical, technical, and design specifications. They were operated under the same investment, ambient, and climatic conditions. The first engine was equipped with synthetic oil, the second with semi-synthetic oil, and the third with mineral engine oil. All of them had (SAE10W40 API: SL/CF). All test platforms were operated through three stages with variable loads for up to 1,500 operating hours (hr). Oil drain intervals (ODI) were every 100 operating hours. Used oil samples were taken to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of viscosity, total base number TBN, flash point, metals wear Irion (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and wear index (WI) to investigate the effect of all oils on the wear of engine parts and by comparing the changes in wear. The used oil analysis (UOA) results were drawn that showed the superiority of the use of synthetic oil over semi-synthetic and mineral. It prolonged the technical engine’s lifetime.
Comparison of Bioinspired Techniques for Tracking Maximum Power under Variable Environmental Conditions
Authors: Yadav Dilip , Singh Nidhi , Giri Nimay Chandra , Bhadoria Vikas Singh , Sarker Subrata Kumar
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a comparative analysis of bioinspired algorithms employed on a PV system subject to standard conditions, under step-change of irradiance conditions, and a partial shading condition for tracking the global maximum power point (GMPP). Four performance analysis and comparison techniques are artificial bee colony, particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithm, and a new metaheuristic technique called jellyfish optimization, respectively. These existing algorithms are well-known for tracking the GMPP with high efficiency. This paper compares these algorithms based on extracting GMPP in terms of maximum power from a PV module running at a uniform (STC), nonuniform solar irradiation (under step-change of irradiance), and partial shading conditions (PSCs). For analysis and comparison, two modules are taken: 1Soltech-1STH-215P and SolarWorld Industries GmbH Sunmodule plus SW 245 poly module, which are considered to form a panel by connecting four series modules. Comparison is based on maximum power tracking, total execution time, and minimum number of iterations to achieve the GMPP with high tracking efficiency and minimum error. Minitab software finds the regression equation (objective function) for STC, step-changing irradiation, and PSC. The reliability of the data (P-V curves) was measured in terms of p value, R, R2, and VIF. The R2 value comes out to be near 1, which shows the accuracy of the data. The simulation results prove that the new evolutionary jellyfish optimization technique gives better results in terms of higher tracking efficiency with very less time to obtain GMPP in all environmental conditions, with a higher efficiency of 98 to 99.9% with less time of 0.0386 to 0.1219 sec in comparison to ABC, GA, and PSO. The RMSE value for the proposed method JFO (0.59) is much lower than that of ABC, GA, and PSO.