bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Risk Characterisation of Hardware Threats to Automotive Systems
Authors: Pickford James , Attale Rasadhi , Shaikh Siraj , Nguyen Hoang Nga , Harrison Lee
Published: April 2024

The increasing dependence of modern automotive systems on electronics and software poses cybersecurity risks previously not factored into design and engineering of such systems. Attacks on hardware components, communication modules and embedded software – many of which are purposefully designed for automotive control and communications – are the key focus of this paper. We adopt a novel approach to characterise such attacks using Gajski-Kuhn Y-charts to represent attack manipulation across behavioural, structural and physical domains. Our selection of attacks is evidence-driven demonstrating threats that have been demonstrated to be feasible in the real-world. We then risk assess impact of such threats using the recently adopted ISO/SAE 21434 standard for automotive cybersecurity risk assessment, including mitigations for potential adoption. Our work serves to provide unique insights into the complex dynamic of hardware vulnerabilities and how the industry may address system-level security and protection of modern automotive platforms.
A Practical Guide to Weak Instruments
Authors: Keane Michael P. , Neal Timothy
Published: April 2024

We survey the weak instrumental variables (IV) literature with the aim of giving simple advice to applied researchers. This literature focuses heavily on the problem of size inflation in two-stage least squares (2SLS) two-tailed t-tests that arises if instruments are weak. A common standard for acceptable instrument strength is a first-stage F of 10, which renders this size inflation modest. However, 2SLS suffers from other important problems that exist at much higher levels of instrument strength. In particular, 2SLS standard errors tend to be artificially small in samples where the 2SLS estimate is close to ordinary least squares (OLS). This power asymmetry means the t-test has inflated power to detect false positive effects when the OLS bias is positive. The Anderson-Rubin (AR) test avoids this problem and should be used in lieu of the t-test even with strong instruments. We illustrate the practical importance of this issue in IV papers published in the American Economic Review from 2011 to 2023. Use of the AR test often reverses t-test results. In particular, IV estimates that are close to OLS and significant according to the t-test are often insignificant according to AR. We also show that for first-stage F in the 10–20 range there is a high probability that OLS estimates will be closer to the truth than 2SLS. Hence we advocate a higher standard of instrument strength in applied work.
Nuclear Parton Distribution Functions After the First Decade of LHC Data
Authors: Klasen Michael , Paukkunen Hannu
Published: April 2024

We present a review of the conceptual basis, current knowledge, and recent progress regarding global analysis of nuclear parton distribution functions (PDFs). After introducing the theoretical foundations and methodological approaches for the extraction of nuclear PDFs from experimental data, we discuss how different measurements in fixed-target and collider experiments provide increasingly precise constraints on various aspects of nuclear PDFs, including shadowing, antishadowing, the EMC effect, Fermi motion, flavor separation, deuteron binding, and target-mass and other higher-twist effects. Particular emphasis is given to measurements carried out in proton–lead collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, which have revolutionized the global analysis during the past decade. These measurements include electroweak boson, jet, light hadron, and heavy flavor observables. Finally, we outline the expected impact of the future Electron Ion Collider and discuss the role and interplay of nuclear PDFs with other branches of nuclear, particle, and astroparticle physics.
Simulating Discharge Curves of an All-Aqueous TRAB to Identify Pathways for Improving System Performance
Authors: Cross Nicholas R. , Rau Matthew J. , Gorski Christopher A. , Logan Bruce E. , Hall Derek M.
Published: April 2024

Thermally regenerative ammonia batteries (TRABs) are an emerging technology that use low temperature heat (T < 150 °C) to recharge a flow battery that produces electrical power on demand. The all-aqueous copper TRAB can provide high power densities and thermal energy efficiencies relative to other devices that harvest energy from waste heat, but its performance is adversely impacted by the crossover of undesired species through the membrane and lower cell voltages compared to conventional batteries. In this work, we developed a numerical model to simulate discharge curves while accounting for crossover inefficiencies without tracking all electrolyte species through the membrane. The model was able to successfully reproduce discharge curves across a diverse range of battery conditions using a single fitting parameter to account for decay of electrode standard potential due to species crossover with minimal error (< 5%). The model was then used to simulate different design scenarios to estimate changes in energy output from alterations to the aspects of the battery electrolyte chemistry. Results from this study are used to identify pathways for improving future TRAB designs with respect to energy capacity and cost-effectiveness of the technology.
Investigation of Performance Degradation and Control Strategies of PEMFC under Three Typical Operating Conditions
Authors: Zhang Zikuan , Yang Daozeng , Yao Huan , Chu Tiankuo , Li Bing
Published: April 2024

Accelerated durability test methods exist for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. However, there is no standardized method for estimating their lifetime. Moreover, the coupling degradation mechanism under typical automotive conditions remains obscure, severely hindering durability improvement. The present study investigated the degradation behavior and the mechanism and control strategies under three typical operating conditions. The dynamic load rate should not exceed 150 mA cm−2 s−1 to ensure proper response times and voltage decay rates. The continuous runtime should not exceed 5 h to cater for longer operations with a slow rate of voltage decay. For the purge strategy during the shutdown condition, the auxiliary load purge condition had a lower voltage decay rate, which can significantly reduce the unnecessary attenuation during the shutdown. After characterization with electrochemical test methods, the degradation mechanism under three typical operating conditions was mainly manifested by the attenuation of catalytic activity and the impairment of mass transfer capacity. Furthermore, this study further clarified the quantitative relationship between degradation mechanism and performance decline, guiding the optimization of actual on-board control strategies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Potential JAK2 Inhibitors from Selected Natural Compounds: A Promising Approach for Complementary Therapy in Cancer Patients
Authors: Vaziri-Amjad Samaneh , Rahgosha Reza , Taherkhani Amir
Published: April 2024

Background. Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) plays a pivotal role in numerous essential biological processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis in human cells. Prior studies have indicated that inhibiting JAK2 could be a promising strategy to mitigate cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Objectives. This study aimed to estimate the binding affinity of 79 herbal compounds, comprising 46 flavonoids, 21 anthraquinones, and 12 cinnamic acids, to the ATP-binding cleft of JAK2 to identify potential herbal inhibitors of JAK2. Methods. The binding affinities between ligands and JAK2 were calculated utilizing AutoDock 4.0 software in conjunction with the Cygwin environment. Cross-validation was conducted using the Schrödinger tool. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to evaluate the stability of docked poses for the most significant JAK2 inhibitors. Furthermore, the Discovery Studio Visualizer tool was utilized to elucidate interactions between the top-ranked JAK2 inhibitors and residues within the JAK2 ATP-binding site. Results. Twelve flavonoids, two anthraquinones, and three cinnamic acids demonstrated substantial binding affinities to the protein kinase domain of the receptor, with a criterion of ΔGbinding < −10 kcal/mol. Among the studied flavonoids, anthraquinones, and cinnamic acid derivatives, orientin, chlorogenic acid, and pulmatin emerged as the most potent JAK2 inhibitors, exhibiting ΔGbinding scores of −14.49, −11.87, and −10.76 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the docked poses of orientin, pulmatin, and chlorogenic acid remained stable throughout 60 ns computer simulations. The average root mean square deviation values calculated for JAK2 when complexed with orientin, chlorogenic acid, and pulmatin were 2.04 Å, 2.06 Å, and 1.95 Å, respectively. Conclusion. This study underscores the robust inhibitory potential of orientin, pulmatin, and chlorogenic acid against JAK2. The findings hold promise for the development of novel and effective drugs for cancer treatment.
Impact of Preoperative Neutrophil to Prealbumin Ratio Index (NPRI) on Short-Term Complications and Long-Term Prognosis in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Radical Surgery for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Jiang Wenliang , Xia Yong , Liu Yujun , Cheng Shaoqi , Wang Wenya , Guan Zhenghui , Dou Hongmei , Zhang Changhe , Wang Honggang
Published: April 2024

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the impact and predictive value of the preoperative NPRI on short-term complications and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cCancer (CRC). Methods. A total of 302 eligible CRC patients were included, assessing five inflammation—and nutrition-related markers and various clinical features for their predictive impact on postoperative outcomes. Emphasis was on the novel indicator NPRI to elucidate its prognostic and predictive value for perioperative risks. Results. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified a history of abdominal surgery, prolonged surgical duration, CEA levels ≥5 ng/mL, and NPRI ≥ 3.94 × 10−2 as independent risk factors for postoperative complications in CRC patients. The Clavien–-Dindo complication grading system highlighted the close association between preoperative NPRI and both common and severe complications. Multivariate analysis also identified a history of abdominal surgery, tumor diameter ≥5 cm, poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumors, and NPRI ≥ 2.87 × 10−2 as independent risk factors for shortened overall survival (OS). Additionally, a history of abdominal surgery, tumor maximum diameter ≥5 cm, tumor differentiation as poor/undifferentiated, NPRI ≥ 2.87 × 10−2, and TNM Stage III were determined as independent risk factors for shortened disease-free survival (DFS). Survival curve results showed significantly higher 5-year OS and DFS in the low NPRI group compared to the high NPRI group. The incorporation of NPRI into nomograms for OS and DFS, validated through calibration and decision curve analyses, attested to the excellent accuracy and practicality of these models. Conclusion. Preoperative NPRI independently predicts short-term complications and long-term prognosis in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery, enhancing predictive accuracy when incorporated into nomograms for patient survival.
Pericapsular Nervous Group Block versus Suprainguinal Fascia Iliaca Block Using the Same Injection Volume in Primary HIP Arthroplasty Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Álvarez Luis Baeza , González José Manuel López , Miramontes Gustavo Illodo , Gómez Bárbara María Jiménez , Colon María Vega , Aguirre Alejandra Williams , Reza Pablo Casas , Álvarez Servando López , Liao Shu-Wei , Ho Bing-Ying , Yang Meng-Ta , Hou Jin-De , Liu Chih-Chung , Wu I-Chi , Lin Jui-An , Galluccio Felice
Published: April 2024

Objectives. To determine the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block’s postoperative analgesic efficacy and safety compared to the suprainguinal fascia iliaca (SFI) block in patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty using the same injectate volume. Material and Methods. Between January 2021 and March 2022, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) classification I–III patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty were included in this study. After standard monitoring and subarachnoid anesthesia, an ultrasound-guided PENG or SFI block with 20 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine was performed for postoperative analgesia. All patients were assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS) at presurgery, upon arrival at the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and in the postoperative period at 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours. The need for analgesic rescue and adverse effects was also assessed. Results. A total of 130 patients were included in the study (62 PENG block and 68 SFI block). Both blocks were equally effective in managing postoperative pain without any statistically significant differences except at 12 h (p=0.023), where the deviation found was not clinically relevant. The median total morphine consumption was 0 mg [0–2] in the PENG block group and 0 mg [0–2] in the SFI block group. A more significant motor block was found in the first 6 hours in the SFI block group (p=0.001). There was no significant difference in the ease of performing PENG (79%) or SFI (85%) blocks. No major complications were recorded in both groups, and patient satisfaction was high (83.9% for the PENG block group vs. 91.2% for the SFI block group). Discussion. Both blocks have been demonstrated to be effective for postoperative analgesia in hip arthroplasty and should be integrated as a multimodal analgesic strategy. The lesser degree of motor block recorded in the first hours with the PENG block makes it the most suitable option for early recovery. Both techniques were easy and safe to perform.
Organizational Support for Nurses’ Career Planning and Development: A Scoping Review
Authors: Kallio Hanna , Liljeroos Hanna , Koivunen Marita , Kuusisto Anne , Hult Marja , Kangasniemi Mari
Published: April 2024

Aim. To systematically map and identify key knowledge on organizational support for nurses’ career planning and development. Design. Scoping review. Methods. Systematic electronic searches were carried out with the CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in May 2022. The searches were limited to scientific, peer-review papers that were published in English from January 2012 to May 2022. Data were extracted and synthetized and are presented in tables and text. The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results. We identified 1,400 papers and 28 met the inclusion criteria. Organizations recognized nurses’ career planning and development in relation to the individual’s professional development and the organization’s need to promote high-quality services and workforce engagement. The organizational support included strategic work to ensure there were adequate resources and purposeful vacancies and a structured framework based on objective qualification criteria and equal assessment. Organizations focused on sharing knowledge, structured career planning, and interpersonal support. Support within the nursing profession and multilayered interprofessional collaboration were also important. Conclusion. Nurses’ career planning and development was linked to their personal development and the organization’s aims and required support from both fellow nurses and other professionals. Implications for the Nursing Management. Identifying the organizational structures and methods that are needed to support nurses’ career planning and development can help nursing management to evaluate and develop strategies that improve the attractiveness of a nursing career and nurses’ engagement.
Fracture Resistance of Simulated Immature Teeth Filled with Three Types of Calcium Silicate Cement after Intracanal Medication with Ca(OH)2: An Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Sriprasart Kuttalee , Wimonchit Suwit
Published: April 2024

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1‐day fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth with an apical plug with ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus, and RetroMTA after calcium hydroxide intracanal medication. Materials and Methods. Sixty extracted, single‐rooted human mandibular premolars were randomly divided into six groups of 10 teeth each. Firstly, to standardize the 9 mm root length, the crowns were cut off at and 9 mm below the cementoenamel junction transversely. Simulations for immature apices were carried out by using No. 1–6 Peeso reamers to pass through the apex to obtain a diameter of 1.7 mm at the apical opening. One group served as a negative control without any treatment, while the other groups received 30 days of calcium hydroxide intracanal medication. Four groups were plugs with 4 mm of ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus, RetroMTA, and gutta‐percha, respectively. The last one was served as a positive control group without filling inside. After 1 day of incubation, specimens were vertically loaded in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until fracture occurred. The peak load to fracture (Newton) and fracture pattern were recorded. A one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test was used for data analysis. Results. The highest mean load to fracture was shown in the negative control group (543.33 ± 37.17 N), followed by ProRoot MTA (432.82 ± 68.06 N), MTA Angelus (396.92 ± 59.93 N), RetroMTA (389.08 ± 56.25 N), and gutta‐percha (283.28 ± 43.40 N), and the lowest belonged to the positive control group (239.98 ± 27.19 N). The significant differences were found between both the control and experimental groups with an apical plug with calcium silicate cement (p  < 0.05). There were no significant differences among those three apical plugs (p  > 0.05). Conclusion. Apical plugs with ProRoot MTA, MTA Angelus, and RetroMTA had an immediate strengthening effect on simulated immature teeth after calcium hydroxide intracanal medication had been used.
The Relationship between Reasons for Smartphone Use, Addictive Use Tendencies, Fear of Missing Out, Depression, and Life Satisfaction: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Stirnberg Jan , Margraf Jürgen , Precht Lena-Marie , Brailovskaia Julia
Published: April 2024

Introduction: In the present cross-sectional study, we investigated whether reasons for smartphone use are similar to those of social media use. Also, we explored links between reasons of smartphone use and mental health variables (problematic smartphone use, FOMO, depression symptoms, and life satisfaction) in Germany during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Methods: Overall, 571 smartphone users (Mage = 31.60, SDage = 12.73) provided their reasons for smartphone use. The reasons were assigned to six categories by an inductive qualitative content analysis. Results: Five of six reasons were similar to those of social media described by previous research. “Search for social interaction” goes along with less problematic smartphone use and depression symptoms and more life satisfaction. “Search for positive feelings” is associated with lower life satisfaction. More depressed people, those with problematic smartphone use tendencies, higher FOMO, and lower life satisfaction tend to “escape from negative emotions.” Discussion: Our results help to understand the relationships between reasons for smartphone use and mental health variables.
Larger Degree of Renal Function Decline in Chronic Kidney Disease Is a Favorable Factor for the Attenuation of eGFR Slope Worsening by SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Miyaoka Yoshitaka , Moriyama Takahito , Saito Suguru , Rinno Sho , Kato Miho , Tsujimoto Ryuji , Suzuki Rie , China Rieko , Nagai Miho , Kanno Yoshihiko
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) have beneficial effects on the renal function of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, although the types of patients suitable for this treatment remain unclear. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on CKD patients who were treated with SGLT2I in our department from 2020 to 2023. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) just before treatment was defined as the baseline and the difference between pre-and post-treatment eGFR slopes were used to compare the improvement of renal function. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent factors for its improvement. Results: A total of 128 patients were analyzed (mean age: 67.2 years; number of women: 28 [22%]). The mean eGFR was 42.1 mL/min/1.73 m2, and urine protein was 0.66 g/gCr. The eGFR slopes of patients with an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were improved significantly after treatment (−0.28 to −0.14 mL/min/1.73 m2/month, p < 0.001) but were worsened in patients with an eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Logistic analysis for the improvement in eGFR slopes showed that women (odds ratio [OR], 5.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–27.3; p = 0.03), use of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (OR, 11.79; 95% CI, 1.05–132.67; p = 0.012) and rapid decline of eGFR before treatment (OR, 12.8 per mL/min/1.73 m2/month decrease in eGFR; 95% CI, 3.32–49.40; p < 0.001) were significant independent variables. Conclusion: SGLT2Is may have beneficial effects, especially for rapid decliners of eGFR, including advanced CKD.
Research Progress on Cognitive Frailty in Older Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Yuan Yuqing , Chang Jing , Sun Qianmei
Published: April 2024

Background: As the medical challenges posed by the ageing population become increasingly severe, the proportion of older people among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing every year. Summary: The prevalence of frailty in patients with CKD is significantly higher than that in the general population, and older patients are also a high-risk group for frailty and cognitive impairment. Cognitive frailty, as an important subtype of frailty, is a syndrome characterised by cognitive dysfunction caused by physiological factors, excluding Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. It is characterised by the coexistence of physical frailty and cognitive impairment. Previous studies have mainly focused on cognitive impairment, and there is limited research on cognitive frailty, particularly in older patients with CKD. Key Messages: This article provides a comprehensive review of the concept, epidemiology, screening methods, prevention, and treatment measures and possible pathogenesis of cognitive frailty in patients with CKD.
Del acuerdo y diálogo hipotético al diálogo y el acuerdo real
Authors: Delgado Lombana César Augusto
Published: April 2024

Este artículo tiene por objetivo examinar la propuesta del libro titulado Lo que nos debemos unos a otros. ¿Qué significa ser moral? en clave de dos propósitos centrales. El primero tiene que ver con el esfuerzo de interpretar, según Scanlon, la idea de diálogo y acuerdo hipotético afincada en el corazón de la estructura del contractualismo sostenido por él. El segundo consiste en generar un diálogo entre la propuesta de Scanlon y Habermas con el fin de evidenciar cómo, a través de la concepción habermasiana “del uso del lenguaje tendiente al acuerdo”, es posible generar un paso de la concepción de diálogo y acuerdo hipotético al diálogo y acuerdo real con el ánimo de robustecer la idea de intercambio de razones incrustado en el corazón del contractualismo de Scanlon.
Construcción de identidad desde las narraciones con una perspectiva psicohistórica
Authors: Ojeda Pérez Robert , Lizcano Roa Julie Paola
Published: April 2024

Este artículo surge de la investigación realizada al interior de la línea “Didácticas pedagógicas” del Doctorado en educación y sociedad de la Universidad de la Salle, donde surge la pregunta ¿cómo se debe explicar y recuperar la memoria e identidad de una sociedad? Al establecer diálogos entre la historia, la filosofía y la psicología, hemos recurrido a un enfoque psicohistórico de tipo cualitativo, teórico–documental, donde se retoman conceptos que se pueden aplicar en una reflexión sobre la identidad, desde la narrativa para reconstruir la historia de un sujeto en relación con su entorno social. En esta medida, se encontró que la mejor manera de construir la memoria es teniendo en cuenta los hechos del pasado, la cotidianidad presente y el horizonte de expectativa del futuro; todo esto reunido en una trama narrativa que posibilita, desde la psicohistoria, una introspección para fomentar un cambio de mentalidad a nivel cultural.
Problemas, contenidos y acciones relacionados con los derechos humanos en la escuela. El caso de cinco instituciones educativas y una fundación social
Authors: Malagón Aldana Yurany Andrea
Published: April 2024

El artículo se centra en el análisis de los problemas, contenidos y acciones relacionado con la enseñanza, práctica y defensa de los Derechos Humanos en la escuela. Surge a partir de un documento producido en la línea de Educación y Pedagogía UPN-CINDE 32, en el cual se aborda la pregunta: ¿De qué manera las prácticas pedagógicas que se llevan a cabo en su institución involucran problemas, contenidos o acciones relacionadas con los derechos humanos? Esta pregunta fue realizada a docentes y coordinadores de cinco instituciones educativas y una Asociación sin ánimo de lucro. La técnica utilizada fue la entrevista semiestructurada. Con la información recolectada, se realizaron matrices de articulación de códigos y mapas de sentido para elaborar los documentos analíticos. Los hallazgos más significativos giran en torno a la transversalidad de los derechos humanos en la escuela, la participación de la comunidad en la promoción y defensa de los mismos, las relaciones de poder en la escuela, el papel del docente como sujeto político y el contexto social como escenario de apropiación de los Derechos Humanos.
Construcción de los planes de vida de los y las jóvenes: Una experiencia de investigación en la vereda la Doctora, Sabaneta- Antioquia
Authors: Cardona Ángela María , Valencia Elizabeth , Duque Jaime Humberto , Londoño Vásquez David Alberto
Published: April 2024

En este artículo se muestran los resultados de un trabajo de investigación, que da cuenta de la relevancia que tiene para los y las jóvenes el pensarse como sujetos activos, que pueden y deben tomar sus propias decisiones en aras de consolidarse como sujetos políticos, creadores de sus propias historias e identidades, asumiendo nuevos retos y fronteras desde la lectura e interpretación de sus experiencias vitales; de igual manera, se presentan los hallazgos encontrados en las distintas narraciones de los y las jóvenes participantes.
Andariegos entre risas y rasguños
Authors: Benavides R Gabriel , Castro C Liliana
Published: April 2024

El presente documento se ofrece a consideración de los amables lectores a modo de una bitácora en la que se quiere compartir el camino recorrido por una andariega y un andariego en busca de algunas pistas para pensarse los vínculos entre niñas y niños, docentes y familias. Esto en aras de favorecer procesos formativos más armónicos; no solos de las y los primeros, sino de los adultos también.

¿Qué necesidad tenemos de ponernos en movimiento y salir de la comodidad que puede ofrecer un sitio conocido? ¿Por qué, para qué y cómo caminar juntos? Digamos básicamente que la intención es dejar de ser transeúntes grises, anónimos, afanados (al menos por algún trayecto) y encontrarnos para ser caminantes, compartir el sendero con la esperanza de identificar nuevos destinos. Por eso a continuación, apreciados compañeros de viaje, les compartimos los motivos que nos llevaron a caminar, las metas que nos propusimos, la manera como transcurrió la travesía y los logros de nuestra caminata.
NETosis Drives Blood Pressure Elevation and Vascular Dysfunction in Hypertension
Authors: Krishnan Jaya , Hennen Elizabeth M. , Ao Mingfang , Kirabo Annet , Ahmad Taseer , de la Visitación Néstor , Patrick David M.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are composed of DNA, enzymes, and citrullinated histones that are expelled by neutrophils in the process of NETosis. NETs accumulate in the aorta and kidneys in hypertension. PAD4 (protein-arginine deiminase-4) is a calcium-dependent enzyme that is essential for NETosis. TRPV4 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4) is a mechanosensitive calcium channel expressed in neutrophils. Thus, we hypothesize that NETosis contributes to hypertension via NET-mediated endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction.

METHODS:

NETosis-deficient
Padi4

−/−

mice were treated with Ang II (angiotensin II). Blood pressure was measured by radiotelemetry, and vascular reactivity was measured with wire myography. Neutrophils were cultured with or without ECs and exposed to normotensive or hypertensive uniaxial stretch. NETosis was measured by flow cytometry. ECs were treated with citrullinated histone H3, and gene expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Aortic rings were incubated with citrullinated histone H3, and wire myography was performed to evaluate EC function. Neutrophils were treated with the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A. Calcium influx was measured using Fluo-4 dye, and NETosis was measured by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS:

Padi4

−/−

mice exhibited attenuated hypertension, reduced aortic inflammation, and improved EC-dependent vascular relaxation in response to Ang II. Coculture of neutrophils with ECs and exposure to hypertensive uniaxial stretch increased NETosis and accumulation of neutrophil citrullinated histone H3. Histone H3 and citrullinated histone H3 exposure attenuates EC-dependent vascular relaxation. Treatment of neutrophils with the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A increases intracellular calcium and NETosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

These observations identify a role of NETosis in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Moreover, they define an important role of EC stretch and TRPV4 as initiators of NETosis. Finally, they define a role of citrullinated histones as drivers of EC dysfunction in hypertension.
Open-Endedness in Genelife
Authors: Packard Norman H. , McCaskill John S.
Published: April 2024

We explore the open-ended nature of evolution in Genelife, an evolutionary extension of Conway’s Game of Life cellular automaton in which “live” cell states are endowed at birth with a genome that affects their local dynamics and can be inherited. Both genetic sequences and locally connected spatial patterns are analyzed for novelty, keeping track of all new structures, and innovation is quantified using activity statistics. The impacts of both spatial symmetry breaking with nontotalistic rules and superimposed density regulation of the live state proliferation on the open-ended nature of the evolution are explored. Conditions are found where both genetic and spatial patterns exhibit open-ended innovation. This innovation appears to fall short of functional biological innovation, however, and potential reasons for this are discussed.
MR imaging of the magnetic fields induced by injected currents can guide improvements of individualized head volume conductor models
Authors: Gregersen Fróði , Eroğlu Hasan H. , Göksu Cihan , Puonti Oula , Zuo Zhentao , Thielscher Axel , Hanson Lars G.
Published: April 2024

Volume conductor models of the human head are routinely used to estimate the induced electric fields in transcranial brain stimulation (TBS) and for source localization in electro- and magnetoencephalography (EEG and MEG). Magnetic resonance current density imaging (MRCDI) has the potential to act as a non-invasive method for dose control and model validation but requires very sensitive MRI acquisition approaches.

A double-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) method is here introduced. It combines fast and sensitive imaging of the magnetic fields generated by the current flow of transcranial electric stimulation with increased robustness to physiological noise. For validation, noise floor measurements without injected currents were obtained in five subjects for an established multi-echo gradient-echo (MGRE) sequence and the new EPI method. In addition, data with current injection were acquired in each subject with a right-left (RL) and anterior-posterior (AP) electrode montage with both sequences to assess the accuracy of subject-specific detailed head models.

In line with previous findings, the noise floor measurements showed that the MGRE results suffered from spatial low-frequency noise patterns, which were mostly absent in the EPI data. A recently published approach optimizes the ohmic conductivities of subject-specific head models by minimizing the difference between simulated and measured current-induced magnetic fields. Here, simulations demonstrated that the MGRE noise patterns have a larger negative impact on the optimization results than the EPI noise. For the current injection measurements, a larger discrepancy was found for the RL electrode montage compared with the AP electrode montage consistently for all subjects. This discrepancy that remained in part also after optimization of the ohmic conductivities, was similar for the data of the two sequences and larger than the measurement noise, and thus demonstrates systematic biases in the volume conductor models.

We have shown that EPI-based MRCDI is superior to established techniques by mitigating the effects of previously reported spatial low-frequency noise in MRCDI if limited spatial resolution is acceptable. Additionally, the consistent inter-subject results indicate that MRCDI is capable of picking up inaccuracies in computational head models and will be useful to guide systematic improvements.
Linear Codes for Hyperdimensional Computing
Authors: Raviv Netanel
Published: April 2024

Hyperdimensional computing (HDC) is an emerging computational paradigm for representing compositional information as high-dimensional vectors and has a promising potential in applications ranging from machine learning to neuromorphic computing. One of the long-standing challenges in HDC is factoring a compositional representation to its constituent factors, also known as the recovery problem. In this article, we take a novel approach to solve the recovery problem and propose the use of random linear codes. These codes are subspaces over the Boolean field and are a well-studied topic in information theory with various applications in digital communication. We begin by showing that hyperdimensional encoding using random linear codes retains favorable properties of the prevalent (ordinary) random codes; hence, HD representations using the two methods have comparable information storage capabilities. We proceed to show that random linear codes offer a rich subcode structure that can be used to form key-value stores, which encapsulate the most used cases of HDC. Most important, we show that under the framework we develop, random linear codes admit simple recovery algorithms to factor (either bundled or bound) compositional representations. The former relies on constructing certain linear equation systems over the Boolean field, the solution to which reduces the search space dramatically and strictly outperforms exhaustive search in many cases. The latter employs the subspace structure of these codes to achieve provably correct factorization. Both methods are strictly faster than the state-of-the-art resonator networks, often by an order of magnitude. We implemented our techniques in Python using a benchmark software library and demonstrated promising experimental results.
Is Learning in Biological Neural Networks Based on Stochastic Gradient Descent? An Analysis Using Stochastic Processes
Authors: Christensen Sören , Kallsen Jan
Published: April 2024

In recent years, there has been an intense debate about how learning in biological neural networks (BNNs) differs from learning in artificial neural networks. It is often argued that the updating of connections in the brain relies only on local information, and therefore a stochastic gradient-descent type optimization method cannot be used. In this note, we study a stochastic model for supervised learning in BNNs. We show that a (continuous) gradient step occurs approximately when each learning opportunity is processed by many local updates. This result suggests that stochastic gradient descent may indeed play a role in optimizing BNNs.
What Determines the East Asian Winter Temperature during El Niño?—Role of the Early Onset El Niño and Tropical Indian Ocean Warming
Authors: Shiozaki Masahiro , Tokinaga Hiroki , Mori Masato
Published: April 2024

Atmospheric teleconnections from the Pacific El Niño are key to determining the East Asian winter climate. Using the database for policy decision-making for future climate change (d4PDF) large-ensemble simulations, the present study investigates a mechanism for the warm and cold East Asian winters during El Niño with a focus on atmospheric teleconnections triggered by anomalous sea surface temperature (SST) patterns in the tropical Indo-Pacific. Our results show that the western Pacific (WP) teleconnection pattern plays a primary role in the warm winters in East Asia. The WP pattern tends to appear in years when both an early El Niño and the positive phase of the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) mode develop in boreal autumn. In those years, the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) strongly warms in the following winter, forming a distinct zonal contrast in precipitation anomalies over the tropical Indo-Pacific through a reduced Walker circulation. The Rossby wave source anomalies indicate that the WP pattern is associated with the weakened Indo-Pacific Walker circulation. By contrast, the WP pattern does not dominate in the cold winters due to the absence of strong TIO warming. The present study proposes a mechanism that promotes the excitation of the WP pattern through the upper-troposphere divergence in East Asia associated with the Walker circulation modulated by the tropical Indo-Pacific interbasin interaction.

Significance Statement

The East Asian winter temperature variability is controlled not only by the strong atmospheric internal variability in the midlatitudes and high latitudes but also by remote forcing from the tropical ocean. Our study investigates how El Niño exerts diverse impacts on the East Asian winter temperature, depending on where atmospheric convection intensifies in the tropical Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Our results show that an intense warming of the tropical Indian Ocean and the early development of El Niño are the major factors for warm winters in East Asia. Given that a precursor of the intense Indian Ocean warming appears in boreal autumn, our findings should contribute to the improvement of seasonal prediction for the East Asian winter climate.
Bile Duct Injuries During Urgent Cholecystectomy at a Safety Net Teaching Hospital: Attending Experience and Time of Day May Matter
Authors: Ugarte Chaiss , Zielsdorf Shannon , Ugarte Ramsey , Kagan Odeya , Murphy Ryan , Martin Matthew J. , Inaba Kenji , Schellenberg Morgan
Published: April 2024

Background: Bile duct injury (BDI) is one of the most severe complications during cholecystectomy. Early identification of risk factors for BDI may permit risk reduction strategies and inform patient consent.

Objective: This study aimed to define patient, provider, and systemic factors associated with BDI; BDI incidence; and short-term outcomes of BDI after urgent cholecystectomy.

Methods: Patients who underwent urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were retrospectively screened (2020-2022). All patients who sustained BDI were included without exclusions. Demographics, clinical data, and outcomes were collected and compared with descriptive statistics.

Results: During the study period, BDI occurred in 4 (0.5%) of 728 patients who underwent urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Most BDI cases (75%) took place overnight or during the weekend. The attending surgeon was almost exclusively (75%) in their first year of practice. BDI was recognized during index operation in 2 cases (50%). Hepatobiliary surgery performed the bile duct repair in all 4 cases. Two complications occurred (50%). All patients were followed by hepatobiliary surgery in the outpatient setting and returned to their baseline level of function within 2 months of hospital discharge.

Conclusion: Most BDI occurred in procedures attended by first-year faculty during after hours cholecystectomies, suggesting a role for increased proctorship in early career attendings in addition to in-hours cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The timely return to baseline function experienced by these patients emphasizes the favorable outcomes associated with early recognition of BDI and involvement of hepatobiliary surgery. Further examination with multicenter evaluation would be beneficial to validate these study findings.
Executive Approval Dynamics in Presidential and Parliamentary Democratic Regimes
Authors: Martínez-Gallardo Cecilia , Love Gregory J. , Hartlyn Jonathan , Carlin Ryan E. , Hellwig Timothy , Singer Matthew M.
Published: April 2024

Does the type of democratic regime matter for public evaluations of leaders? We argue two characteristics intrinsic to presidential and parliamentary regimes lead to divergent patterns of executive approval. For presidents, direct elections foster more personal leader-voter linkages; for prime ministers, dependence on the legislature for survival contributes to more institutionalized party systems. These two mechanisms should generate higher approval at the outset of a term—larger honeymoons— for presidents than for prime ministers, but also more rapid decline. Analyses of data from 40 countries produce evidence consistent with these constitutionally-based distinctions. Yet we uncover important within-regime differences. Within presidential systems, approval patterns vary along with paths to power—first-election versus re-election, and elected versus unelected. Within parliamentarism, honeymoons are greater for prime ministers overseeing single-party majoritarian governments. Study findings advance long-standing debates about the relative merits of presidential and parliamentary systems—particularly the tradeoff between democratic responsiveness and stability.
Unpacking vaping in schools: Voices from the school community
Authors: Lockett Catriona , Shah Smita , Rizzo Liu Kym , Towns Susan , Smith Rebecca , Mooney-Somers Julie
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

In early 2021, Western Sydney school principals expressed heightened concern about rising e-cigarette usage among high school students. This prompted us to assess knowledge, attitudes and perceptions surrounding adolescent vaping in students, school staff and parents, and their preferred strategies to effectively communicate prevention messages.

Design:

Exploratory qualitative study.

Setting:

Participants included students (aged 12–16 years), school staff and parents from government high schools in Greater Western Sydney, Australia.

Methods:

We held research workshops with 162 students, 133 school staff and 29 parents across seven schools. We used interactive activities which included individual written responses, small-group brainstorming and open group discussions. Data analysis was undertaken by two researchers using Framework Analysis.

Results:

Findings demonstrated differing perceptions among students, staff and parents regarding reasons why adolescents vape. Although common motives emerged, such as the perception that vaping differs from smoking, social normalisation, peer pressure and mental health considerations, there were important differences in emphasis. Students were concerned about dependency and vaping to cope, staff were concerned about the impact of vaping on students’ learning and behaviour, and parents were concerned about being ill-equipped to support their children. Strategies to tackle vaping also differed, with an emphasis on education and engagement over surveillance and consequences.

Conclusion:

Adolescent vaping is a pressing concern within Australian school communities, necessitating a comprehensive, holistic approach supported by strong partnerships between the health and education sectors. Addressing this issue effectively demands heightened education and engagement among students, staff and parents.
A Novel Mechanism of MSCs Responding to Occlusal Force for Bone Homeostasis
Authors: Wang F. , Wang H. , Zhang H. , Sun B. , Wang Z.
Published: April 2024

Alveolar bone, as tooth-supporting bone for mastication, is sensitive to occlusal force. However, the mechanism of alveolar bone loss after losing occlusal force remains unclear. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of nonhematopoietic (CD45–) cells in mouse alveolar bone after removing the occlusal force. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and endothelial cell (EC) subsets were significantly decreased in frequency, as confirmed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The osteogenic and proangiogenic abilities of MSCs were impaired, and the expression of mechanotransducers yes associated protein 1 ( Yap) and WW domain containing transcription regulator 1 ( Taz) in MSCs decreased. Conditional deletion of Yap and Taz from LepR+ cells, which are enriched in MSCs that are important for adult bone homeostasis, significantly decreased alveolar bone mass and resisted any further changes in bone mass induced by occlusal force changes. Interestingly, LepR-Cre; Yapf/f; Tazf/f mice showed a decrease in CD31hi endomucin (Emcn)hi endothelium, and the expression of some EC-derived signals acting on osteoblastic cells was inhibited in alveolar bone. Mechanistically, conditional deletion of Yap and Taz in LepR+ cells inhibited the secretion of pleiotrophin (Ptn), which impaired the proangiogenic capacity of LepR+ cells. Knockdown in MSC-derived Ptn repressed human umbilical vein EC tube formation in vitro. More important, administration of recombinant PTN locally recovered the frequency of CD31hiEmcnhi endothelium and rescued the low bone mass phenotype of LepR-Cre; Yapf/f; Tazf/f mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that occlusal force governs MSC-regulated endothelium to maintain alveolar bone homeostasis through the Yap/Taz/Ptn axis, providing a reference for further understanding of the relationship between dysfunction and bone homeostasis.
Lived Experiences of Adult Caregiver “Nonmusicians” and “Nonsingers” in Early Childhood Music Classes
Authors: Salvador Karen , Menon Saleel Adarkar
Published: April 2024

Many adults do not see themselves as musical, and about 17% believe they are tone deaf. People who identify as tone deaf often believe this condition is congenital and permanent and prevents them from ever singing accurately. In many early childhood music (ECM) classes, adults participate as musical models, interacting with their children by moving, chanting, vocalizing, and singing. Using phenomenological inquiry, we explored the lived experiences of six adult self-identified nonmusicians/nonsingers as they made music with their child over the course of a 10-week session of ECM. Participants reported changes in their thinking about what makes someone a musician, evolving feelings about their singing voices, and increased enjoyment of singing and willingness to sing. We conclude with implications for ECM teachers and other music educators working with adults who see themselves as unmusical.