bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A Downregulates Angiogenesis in Psoriasis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Luengas-Martinez Andrea , Ismail Dina , Paus Ralf , Young Helen S.
Published: May 2023

Background

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-A-mediated angiogenesis participates in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, thus inviting the hypothesis that anti-VEGF-A therapy could be beneficial in psoriasis. While anti-angiogenic agents are used in oncology and ophthalmology, these therapeutic strategies remain unexplored for the management of psoriasis.

Objective

Our objective was to investigate ex vivo how VEGF-A blockade impacts blood vessels, epidermis and immune cells in organ-cultured plaque and non-lesional skin from patients with psoriasis.

Methods

Skin biopsies from patients with psoriasis (n = 6; plaque and non-lesional skin) and healthy controls (n = 6) were incubated with anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab, Avastin®) or a human IgG1 isotype control for 72-h in serum-free organ culture. CD31/LYVE-1, Ki-67, and mast cell tryptase expression were assessed by quantitative immunohistomorphometry. VEGF-A levels in plasma, PBMCs and skin culture supernatants were measured.

Results

Inhibition of VEGF-A blocked all free VEGF-A ex vivo, reduced blood vessel area and the number of blood vessel endothelial cells in plaques of psoriasis (*p < 0.05). The treatment effect correlated significantly with levels of VEGF-A in organ culture supernatants (r = 0.94; *p < 0.05) from plaque skin and with plasma levels of VEGF-A from patients with psoriasis (r = 0.943; *p = 0.017).

Conclusions

These ex vivo data are the first studies to objectively investigate the potential of VEGF-A inhibition as a novel adjuvant treatment strategy for psoriasis. Taken together, our data encourage further investigation by clinical trial to explore whether downregulating pathological angiogenesis has clinical utility, especially in patients with severe psoriasis or those with elevated levels of VEGF-A in plasma and/or skin.
A Laser‐Induced Mo2CTx MXene Hybrid Anode for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Bayhan Zahra , El‐Demellawi Jehad K. , Yin Jian , Khan Yusuf , Lei Yongjiu , Alhajji Eman , Wang Qingxiao , Hedhili Mohamed N. , Alshareef Husam N.
Published: May 2023

MXenes, a fast‐growing family of two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides, are promising for electronics and energy storage applications. Mo2CTx MXene, in particular, has demonstrated a higher capacity than other MXenes as an anode for Li‐ion batteries. Yet, such enhanced capacity is accompanied by slow kinetics and poor cycling stability. Herein, it is revealed that the unstable cycling performance of Mo2CTx is attributed to the partial oxidation into MoOx with structural degradation. A laser‐induced Mo2CTx/Mo2C (LS‐Mo2CTx) hybrid anode has been developed, of which the Mo2C nanodots boost redox kinetics, and the laser‐reduced oxygen content prevents the structural degradation caused by oxidation. Meanwhile, the strong connections between the laser‐induced Mo2C nanodots and Mo2CTx nanosheets enhance conductivity and stabilize the structure during charge–discharge cycling. The as‐prepared LS‐Mo2CTx anode exhibits an enhanced capacity of 340 mAh g−1 vs 83 mAh g−1 (for pristine) and an improved cycling stability (capacity retention of 106.2% vs 80.6% for pristine) over 1000 cycles. The laser‐induced synthesis approach underlines the potential of MXene‐based hybrid materials for high‐performance energy storage applications.
Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Ultrathin Holey Graphdiyne Nanosheets for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Hao Wenjun , Su Xinyu , Lu Shan , Wang Jiaqian , Chen Hui , Chen Qinlong , Wang Bo , Kong Xueqian , Jin Chuanhong , Han Gaorong , Han Zhongkang , Müllen Klaus , Chen Zongping
Published: May 2023

Graphdiyne (GDY) is a fascinating graphene‐like 2D carbon allotrope comprising sp and sp2 hybridized carbon atoms. However, GDY materials synthesized by solution‐phase methods normally come as thick and porous films or amorphous powders with severely disordered stacking modes that obstruct macroscopic applications. Here, a facile and scalable synthesis of ultrathin holey graphdiyne (HGDY) nanosheets is reported via palladium/copper co‐catalyzed homocoupling of 1,3,5‐triethynylbenzene. The resulting freestanding 2D HGDY self‐assembles into 3D foam‐like networks which can in situ anchor clusters of palladium atoms on their surfaces. The Pd/HGDY hybrids exhibit high electrocatalytic activity and stability for the oxygen reduction reaction which outperforms that of Pt/C benchmark. Based on the ultrathin graphene‐like sheets and their unique 3D interconnected macrostructures, Pd/HGDY holds great promise for practical electrochemical catalysis and energy‐related applications.
Control of Halogen Atom in Inorganic Metal‐Halide Perovskites Enables Large Piezoelectricity for Electromechanical Energy Generation
Authors: Khan Asif Abdullah , Rana Md Masud , Wang Sasa , Fattah Md Fahim Al , Kayaharman Muhammed , Zhang Kaiping , Benedict Shawn , Goldthorpe IA , Zhou Y. Norman , Sargent Edward H. , Ban Dayan
Published: May 2023

Regulating the strain of inorganic perovskites has emerged as a critical approach to control their electronic and optical properties. Here, an alternative strategy to further control the piezoelectric properties by substituting the halogen atom (I/Br) in the CsPbX3 perovskite (X = Cl, Br) structure is adopted. A series of piezoelectric materials with excellent piezoelectric coefficients (d33) are unveiled. Iodine‐incorporated CsPbBr2I demonstrates the record intrinsic piezoelectric response (d33 ≈47 pC N−1) among all inorganic metal halide perovskites. This leads to an excellent electrical output power of ≈ 0.375 mW (24.8 µW cm−2 N−1) in the piezoelectric energy generator (PEG) which is higher than those of the pristine/mixed perovskite references with CsPbX3 (X = I, Br, Cl). With its structural phase remaining unchanged, the strained CsPbBr2I retains its superior piezoelectricity in both thin film and nanocrystal powder forms, further demonstrating its repeatability and versatility of applications. The origin of high piezoelectricity is found to be due to halogen‐induced anisotropic lattice strain in the unit‐cell along the c‐axis, and octahedral distortion. This study reveals an avenue to design new piezoelectric materials by modifying their halide constituents and paves the way to design efficient PEGs for improved electromechanical energy conversion.
CodeBERT‐Attack: Adversarial attack against source code deep learning models via pre‐trained model
Authors: Zhang Huangzhao , Lu Shuai , Li Zhuo , Jin Zhi , Ma Lei , Liu Yang , Li Ge
Published: May 2023

Over the past few years, the software engineering (SE) community has widely employed deep learning (DL) techniques in many source code processing tasks. Similar to other domains like computer vision and natural language processing (NLP), the state‐of‐the‐art DL techniques for source code processing can still suffer from adversarial vulnerability, where minor code perturbations can mislead a DL model's inference. Efficiently detecting such vulnerability to expose the risks at an early stage is an essential step and of great importance for further enhancement. This paper proposes a novel black‐box effective and high‐quality adversarial attack method, namely CodeBERT‐Attack (CBA), based on the powerful large pre‐trained model (i.e., CodeBERT) for DL models of source code processing. CBA locates the vulnerable positions through masking and leverages the power of CodeBERT to generate textual preserving perturbations. We turn CodeBERT against DL models and further fine‐tuned CodeBERT models for specific downstream tasks, and successfully mislead these victim models to erroneous outputs. In addition, taking the power of CodeBERT, CBA is capable of effectively generating adversarial examples that are less perceptible to programmers. Our in‐depth evaluation on two typical source code classification tasks (i.e., functionality classification and code clone detection) against the most widely adopted LSTM and the powerful fine‐tuned CodeBERT models demonstrate the advantages of our proposed technique in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, our results also show (1) that pre‐training may help CodeBERT gain resilience against perturbations further, and (2) certain pre‐training tasks may be beneficial for adversarial robustness.
Enhancing Total Optical Throughput of Microscopy with Deep Learning for Intravital Observation
Authors: Chen Runze , Peng Shiyi , Zhu Liang , Meng Jia , Fan Xiaoxiao , Feng Zhe , Zhang Hequn , Qian Jun
Published: May 2023

The significance of performing large‐depth dynamic microscopic imaging in vivo for life science research cannot be overstated. However, the optical throughput of the microscope limits the available information per unit of time, i.e., it is difficult to obtain both high spatial and temporal resolution at once. Here, a method is proposed to construct a kind of intravital microscopy with high optical throughput, by making near‐infrared‐II (NIR‐II, 900–1880 nm) wide‐field fluorescence microscopy learn from two‐photon fluorescence microscopy based on a scale‐recurrent network. Using this upgraded NIR‐II fluorescence microscope, vessels in the opaque brain of a rodent are reconstructed three‐dimensionally. Five‐fold axial and thirteen‐fold lateral resolution improvements are achieved without sacrificing temporal resolution and light utilization. Also, tiny cerebral vessel dilatations in early acute respiratory failure mice are observed, with this high optical throughput NIR‐II microscope at an imaging speed of 30 fps.
High‐performance thin layer chromatography method development, validation, and assessment of enzymatic inhibition potential of Potentilla fulgens hydroalcoholic roots extract
Authors: Chaudhary Sushil Kumar , Kar Amit , Bhardwaj Pardeep Kumar , Sharma Nanaocha , Mukherjee Pulok K.
Published: May 2023

Potentilla fulgens is known as Himalayan Cinquefoil and Lyngniangbru, rich in polyphenolic constituents and used as folk medicine by inhabitants of northeast India. This study intended to develop and validate a high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography method for the quantification of catechin in the Potentilla fulgens roots extract and explore its antioxidant potential, acetylcholinesterase, and hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase inhibition activity. The separation was achieved using the mobile phase of toluene: ethyl acetate: acetone: formic acid (6:6:6:1, v/v) in which the Potentilla fulgens roots extract delivered a condensed peak at RF 0.58 equivalent to catechin as a phytomarker. The amount of catechin in the Potentilla fulgens roots extract was found to be 2.01% w/w. Potentilla fulgens roots extract showed abundant 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl scavenging potential with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration values of 43.39 ± 1.43 μg/ml and inhibited acetylcholinesterase and hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase in a concentration‐dependent manner against (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration 74.78 ± 1.2 and 64.02 ± 1.7 μg/ml, respectively). The developed and validated high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography method is easy, accurate, and appropriate. These results support the use of Potentilla fulgens as folk medicine and suggest that Potentilla fulgens might be utilized as a rich source of natural antioxidants as well as acetylcholinesterase and hydroxymethylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase enzyme inhibitory agents.
Study on the gap width between the steel plate and concrete panels on behavior of the buckling‐restrained steel plate shear walls
Authors: Munesi Ali , Gholhaki Majid , Sharbatdar Mohammad Kazem , Pachideh Vahid
Published: May 2023

The steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are reckoned as one of the lateral load‐resisting systems with a high ductility and strength as well as a great energy dissipation capacity, which have been widely used in the recent years. One of the most important drawbacks of the SPSWs concerns their shear buckling due to which the behavioral parameters of this system is considerably undermined. To overcome this issue, the buckling‐restrained (BR) SPSWs have been developed, which have succeeded in resolving the drawbacks of the conventional SPSWs. This paper has investigated behavior of the BRSPSWs subjected to the cyclic loadings. To examine the nonlinear static behavior of the BRSPSWs, four experimental specimens including the specimen without concrete panel, the specimen with concrete panel and gap width equal to zero (directly connected to the steel plate) and the specimens with gap width 20 and 40 mm, were built in the laboratory with a scale of 1:2 and then subjected to the cyclic loadings. Afterwards, the specimens were numerically simulated considering the gap widths 0, 20 and 40 mm. After the process of verification, a parametric study was performed, in which cyclic performance of the specimens subjected to the reversed loadings according to ATC‐24 protocol was investigated. Based on the obtained results, the specimen without concrete panel has the lowest energy dissipation capacity, which is due to the local and lateral buckling. Additionally, the pinching phenomenon was significant in this specimen. In contrast, the specimens with gap width 20 and 40 mm exhibited an energy dissipation capacity six times greater than that of the specimens without panel or even gap. Moreover, it was observed that the shear capacity of the specimens with the concrete panels increased by nearly 50%.
Turning on the Lights with Renewable Energy: Solar PV Mini-Grid System for Lighting in Myanmar
Authors: Chen Li-Chun
Published: May 2023

Myanmar targets 100% electrification by 2030 through both of grid extension and off-grid electrification under the National Electrification Plan (NEP). Despite all the policies and plans of the government, a significant population living in remote rural areas will remain far from the nation grid and unable to afford connection fees in the distant future. The Myanmar Department of Rural Development, which is the leading government agency in implementing the off-grid component of the NEP, therefore seeks assistance from advanced countries and international societies, including Taiwan. Based on the local conditions of targeted villages, the International Cooperation Development Fund proposes a tailored pilot project for rural Myanmar. The project achieved the development goals of inclusive growth and environmental protection through access to affordable and renewable energy and demonstrated that even the poor or vulnerable groups in developing countries can contribute to a net-zero society.
The Legitimacy and Effectiveness of Local Content Requirements: A Case of the Offshore Wind Power Industry in Taiwan
Authors: Chiang Yachi
Published: May 2023

This study begins with a background introduction to the development of the offshore wind power industry and the local content requirement policies in Taiwan. Subsequently, it discusses the conflict and exceptions between local content requirement (LCR) policies and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, further to probe into the pros and cons discussed in the literature about LCR policies, with particular emphasis on the energy sector. In the conclusion and policy recommendations section, the author suggests that the effectiveness of LCR policies differs across countries, and that the Taiwanese government should find its own way on a trial-and-error basis. It should also be considered that the government could align the LCR policies with the WTO framework to avoid conflict by designing them more carefully.
Defining and Explaining Irregular Migration
Authors: Ambrosini Maurizio , Hajer Minke H. J.
Published: May 2023

International migration has become a crucial issue on the political agenda around the world. Yet it is still difficult to define the phenomenon of irregular migration precisely and to determine which immigrants exactly fall within this definition. Therefore, this chapter will discuss the issue of defining irregular migration. Moreover, it will provide various explanations for irregular migration and why it is so difficult to eradicate it in democratic states with market economies. We will identify six main reasons for the presence of irregular migrants in receiving countries, concluding that irregular migration mirrors several societal contradictions rather than being an effect of external pressure.
The Political Challenge of Irregular Migration
Authors: Ambrosini Maurizio , Hajer Minke H. J.
Published: May 2023

Millions of irregular immigrants live and circulate in receiving countries, often doing so for many years. They raise many challenges for political institutions, especially in states that claim to comply with democratic standards and to respect human rights. This causes deep dilemmas about the political treatment of unwanted immigrants. In this chapter we will discuss the political treatment of irregular immigrants once they have in some way settled in receiving developed countries, considering their access to (some) social services and their selective management by authorities and societies.
Digital ist besser!? – Wie Software das Verständnis von guter Schule neu definiert
Authors: Troeger Jasmin , Zakharova Irina , Macgilchrist Felicitas , Jarke Juliane
Published: May 2023

In diesem Beitrag werden die Entwicklung und der Vertrieb von Bildungstechnologien untersucht: Lernsoftware und Schulverwaltungssoftware. Gefragt wird, welche Probleme diese Software aus Sicht ihrer Softwaregestaltungsteams lösen soll, und wie dabei eine „gute Schule“ imaginiert wird. Analysiert werden Interviews mit Softwaregestaltungsteams, das heißt, Geschäftsführer*innen, Entwickler*innen, Designer*innen, Projektmanager*innen, Vertriebler*innen und weiteren an der Entwicklung und Distribution von Schulsoftware beteiligten Personen. Zwei zentrale Themenfelder werden identifiziert: Die Gestaltungsteams zielen darauf, (1) die Entlastung der schulisch relevanten Akteur*innen zu ermöglichen und (2) Eigenverantwortlichkeit an Lernende und Schulen zu übertragen. Welche Spannungen dabei entstehen und wie diese Ziele „gute Schule“ als individualisiert jedoch kollektiviert und als reibungslos jedoch spannungsreich entwerfen, wird im Fazit diskutiert. Der Beitrag skizziert zudem alternative Fluchtlinien zu anderen Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten und kartiert weitere Fragen für zukünftige Forschung zur Entwicklung von digitalen Bildungstechnologien.
Introduction
Authors: Ong Corinne , Tortajada Cecilia , Arora Ojasvee
Published: May 2023

This guidebook on urban water demand management in ASEAN seeks to document and synthesise good WDM policies, measures, and practices, relevant to ASEAN stakeholders. In particular, the guidebook is expected to be useful to policymakers interested in considering non-structural (Soft approaches/non-price mechanisms such as public education campaigns and school curricula, water efficiency audits and benchmarking, outreach and communication through utility bills, etc.) approaches to water management; to regulators in monitoring and incentivising performance in the water sector; and water service providers in increasing their service efficiency.
Über Geschmack lässt sich nicht streiten?
Authors: Haars Maximilian
Published: May 2023

In diesem Artikel wird eingehend untersucht, welche auf den Erwerb von Wissen bezogene Rolle die Geschmackswahrnehmung in der Forschung zu den einzelnen Pharmaka bei dem römischen Arzt Galen von Pergamon spielt. Hierzu wird 1.) durch eine Quellenuntersuchung plausibel gemacht, dass die gegenüber seinen Vorgängern – insbesondere Dioskurides und Sextius Niger – mitunter vermehrten, detaillierteren und abweichenden Geschmacksangaben auf eigenen Forschungen Galens beruhen, 2.) die Forschungspraxis Galens rekonstruiert und 3.) die Darstellung seiner Ergebnisse in sprachlicher und logischer Hinsicht untersucht sowie die Besonderheit gegenüber der traditionellen Arzneimittellehre herausgestellt. Ausgehend davon wird dafür plädiert, a) dass der gustatorischen Wahrnehmung bei Galen eine besondere Bedeutung zukommt, die über ihre traditionell deskriptive Funktion weit hinausweist, indem er b) ausgehend von der Erkenntnis, dass Geschmack und Arzneimittelwirkung zusammenhängen, den Geschmacksqualitäten eine Indikatorfunktion zuweist für ein viel grundlegenderes, die Arzneimittelwirkung verursachendes Prinzip, und somit c) den Boden bereitet hat für eine auch nach Geschmacksprinzipien einteilende Pharmakognosie, die ihren Höhepunkt erst sehr viel später erreichen sollte. Mit Blick auf eine bis heute ausgeübte Praxis der gustatorischen Prüfung pflanzlicher Drogen in der Pharmazie, die wie jede andere naturwissenschaftliche Disziplin den sinnlichen Bezug zu ihrem Gegenstand ansonsten weitgehend verloren hat, möchte der Beitrag daher einen Anreiz geben, die „Geschichte pharmazeutisch-medizinischen Schmeckens“ zu studieren.
The numerical Hodge standard conjecture for the square of a simple abelian variety of prime dimension
Authors: Koshikawa Teruhisa
Published: May 2023

We prove the numerical Hodge standard conjecture for the square of a simple abelian variety of prime dimension, and also in some related cases.
Contribution of the BioballTM head–neck adapter to the restoration of femoral offset in hip revision arthroplasty with retention of a well-fixed cup and stem
Authors: Chimeno Clara , Fernández-Valencia Jenaro Ángel , Alías Alfonso , Serra Adrià , Postnikov Yury , Combalia Andrés , Muñoz-Mahamud Ernesto
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Failure to restore the femoral offset of the native hip is a potential cause of dysfunctional hip arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to report our experience of using a modular head–neck adapter in revision THA, specifically analyzing its usefulness as a tool to correct a slightly diminished femoral offset.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective single-center study including all hip revisions performed at our institution from January 2017 to March 2022 where the BioBallTM head–neck metal adapter was used. The preoperative and one year follow-up modified Merle d’Aubigné hip score was used to evaluate functional outcomes.

Results

Of a total of 34 cases included for revision, the head–neck adapter system was used specifically in six patients (17.6%) to increase femoral offset, retaining both the acetabular and femoral components. In this subgroup of patients, mean offset decrease after primary THA was 6.6 mm (4.0–9.1), equivalent to a mean 16.3% femoral offset reduction. The median modified Merle d’Aubigné score went from 13.3 preoperatively to 16.2 at one year follow-up.

Conclusion

The use of a head–neck adapter is a safe and reliable procedure that may allow the surgeon to easily correct a slightly diminished femoral offset in a dysfunctional THA without the need to revise well-fixed prosthetic components.
Phase behavior and structure of a biocompatible microemulsion based on Tween 20, 2-ethylhexylglycerine and isopropyl palmitate in water
Authors: Schmidt Robert Franz , Prause Albert , Prévost Sylvain , Doutch James , Gradzielski Michael
Published: May 2023

Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable mixtures of water and oil. For many applications, such as in cosmetics, it is important that the components are biocompatible. For the formulation of a new biocompatible microemulsion based on Tween 20 (Tw20) surfactant, the glycerol ether 2-ethylhexylglycerin (EHG) is employed as an alternative to commonly used short- to medium chain alcohols as cosurfactant. Tw20 itself is not capable of any significant solubilization but the addition of EHG allows to enhance the solubilization capacity for the polar oil isopropyl palmitate (IPP) largely. At a Tw20 to EHG molar ratio of 1:12, i.e., very large excess of cosurfactant, the solubilization capacity is increased by nearly three orders of magnitude compared to a pure Tw20 solution. The resulting oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion is studied using static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The SANS spectra are analyzed with a core–shell ellipsoid model, which indicates formation of oblate droplets at higher EHG content. Dynamic light scattering experiments confirm the presence of microemulsion droplets with hydrodynamic radii increasing from 3.8 to 19.8 nm upon addition of cosurfactant. In summary, this study shows that EHG is a cosurfactant that enhances the solubilization properties of a biocompatible surfactant largely and thereby renders it very useful for formulations.
A systematic review of EEG neurofeedback in fibromyalgia to treat psychological variables, chronic pain and general health
Authors: Torres Carlos Barbosa , Barona Eloísa Julia Guerrero , Molina Mónica Guerrero , Sánchez María Elena García-Baamonde , Manso Juan Manuel Moreno
Published: May 2023

This paper is the first up-to-date review of the various EEG-neurofeedback treatments for fibromyalgia patients and their psychological, physiological and general health consequences. Searches were made of the PubMed, PsycNet, Google Scholar and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines for empirical peer-reviewed articles on EEG-neurofeedback treatment of fibromyalgia, yielding a final selection of 17 studies that met the inclusion criteria: (1) published articles and doctoral theses; (2) conducted between 2000 and 2022; (3) reporting empirical and quantitative data. These articles show that there is a wide range of protocols with different designs and procedures to treat fibromyalgia using EEG-neurofeedback techniques. The main symptoms that showed improvement were anxiety, depression, pain, general health and symptom severity, whilst the most commonly used method was traditional EEG neurofeedback based on a sensorimotor rhythm protocol. It may be concluded from the review that the lack of consistency and uniqueness of the protocols makes it very difficult to generalise results, despite the individual improvements identified. This review provides instructions and information that could guide future research and clinical practise, with the data extracted helping to gain a deeper understanding of the state of the art and the needs of the technique for this population group.
Better Distance Labeling for Unweighted Planar Graphs
Authors: Gawrychowski Paweł , Uznański Przemysław
Published: May 2023

A distance labeling scheme is an assignment of labels, that is, binary strings, to all nodes of a graph, so that the distance between any two nodes can be computed from their labels without any additional information about the graph. The goal is to minimize the maximum length of a label as a function of the number of nodes. A major open problem in this area is to determine the complexity of distance labeling in unweighted planar (undirected) graphs. It is known that, in such a graph on n nodes, some labels must consist of $$\varOmega (n^{1/3})$$

Ω
(

n

1
/
3

)

bits, but the best known labeling scheme constructs labels of length $$O(\sqrt{n}\log n)$$

O
(

n

log
n
)

(Gavoille, Peleg, Pérennes, and Raz in J Algorithms 53:85–112, 2004). For weighted planar graphs with edges of length polynomial in n, we know that labels of length $$\varOmega (\sqrt{n}\log n)$$

Ω
(

n

log
n
)

are necessary (Abboud and Dahlgaard in FOCS, 2016). Surprisingly, we do not know if distance labeling for weighted planar graphs with edges of length polynomial in n is harder than distance labeling for unweighted planar graphs. We prove that this is indeed the case by designing a distance labeling scheme for unweighted planar graphs on n nodes with labels consisting of $$O(\sqrt{n})$$

O
(

n

)

bits with a simple and (in our opinion) elegant method. We also show how to extend this to graphs with small weight and (unweighted) graphs with bounded genus. We augment the construction for unweighted planar graphs with a mechanism (based on Voronoi diagrams) that allows us to compute the distance between two nodes in only polylogarithmic time while increasing the length to $$O(\sqrt{n\log n})$$

O
(

n
log
n

)

. The previous scheme required $$\varOmega (\sqrt{n})$$

Ω
(

n

)

time to answer a query in this model.
Deep learning algorithm development for river flow prediction: PNP algorithm
Authors: Bak Gwiman , Bae Youngchul
Published: May 2023

Deep learning algorithms developed in recent decades have performed well in prediction and classification using accumulated big data. However, as climate change has recently become a more serious global problem, natural disasters are occurring frequently. When analyzing natural disasters from the perspective of a data analyst, they are considered as outliers, and the ability to predict outliers (natural disasters) using deep learning algorithms based on big data acquired by computers is limited. To predict natural disasters, deep learning algorithms must be enhanced to be able to predict outliers based on information such as the correlation between the input and output. Thus, algorithms that specialize in one field must be developed, and specialized algorithms for abnormal values must be developed to predict natural disasters. Therefore, considering the correlation between the input and output, we propose a positive and negative perceptron (PNP) algorithm to predict the flow rate of rivers using climate change-sensitive precipitation. The PNP algorithm consists of a hidden deep learning layer composed of positive and negative neurons. We built deep learning models using the PNP algorithm to predict the flow of three rivers. We also built comparative deep learning models using long short-term memory (LSTM) to validate the performance of the PNP algorithm. We compared the predictive performance of each model using the root mean square error and symmetric mean absolute percentage error and demonstrated that it performed better than the LSTM algorithms .
Mafic and ultramafic rock fragments on Chios Island, Greece: puzzling pieces within the Tethyan ophiolite belts of the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Koglin Nikola , Meinhold Guido
Published: May 2023

In the southeastern part of Chios Island, Greece, exotic blocks of amphibolites and serpentinized peridotite can be found within a narrow, approximately N–S elongated area adjacent to non-metamorphosed sedimentary strata of Triassic age to its west and of Cenozoic age to its east. In this work, we present for the first time petrological and mineral chemical data for the amphibolites and ultramafic rock fragments from SE Chios Island, describe their possible origin and estimate the metamorphic pressure–temperature conditions and the age of metamorphic overprint. The protoliths of the amphibolites were mafic rocks of enriched (Type I amphibolite) and normal (Type II amphibolite) mid-ocean ridge character metamorphosed under upper amphibolite-facies conditions at 640–780 °C and 5–7 kbar. U–Pb isotopic data from titanite from three amphibolites yielded early Middle to early Late Jurassic lower intercept ages, which we interpret as the age of metamorphism during oceanic lithosphere emplacement. The peridotite is strongly serpentinized, mainly containing lizardite, which implies low-grade metamorphic conditions. With the exception of alteration rims, Cr- and Mg-numbers of the chrome spinel from the serpentinized peridotite range from 10–26 and 69–79, respectively, a range similar to abyssal peridotites of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. We suggest that the amphibolites and ultramafic rocks represent separate fragments within a mélange, most likely of tectonic rather than accretionary origin. Metamorphism of the amphibolites took place prior to their presumed emplacement in the mélange. The mafic and ultramafic rock fragments of Chios preserve a different sort of subcontinental signature than that largely reported elsewhere within the Eastern Mediterranean ophiolite belts. A correlation with rocks of mélange units in western Turkey or in the northern and/or southern Aegean region is discussed.
Evidence of the Schwinger Mechanism from Lattice QCD
Authors: Ferreira Mauricio Narciso
Published: May 2023

In quantum chromodynamics (QCD), gluons acquire a mass scale through the action of the Schwinger mechanism. This mass emerges as a result of the dynamical formation of massless bound-states of gluons which manifest as longitudinally coupled poles in the vertices. In this contribution, we show how the presence of these poles can be determined from lattice QCD results for the propagators and vertices. The crucial observation that allows this determination is that the Schwinger mechanism poles induce modifications, called “displacements”, to the Ward identities (WIs) relating two- and three-point functions. Importantly, the displacement functions correspond precisely to the Bethe–Salpeter amplitudes of the massless bound-states. We apply this idea to the case of the three-gluon vertex in pure Yang–Mills SU(3). Using lattice results in the corresponding WI, we find an unequivocal displacement and show that it is consistent with the prediction based on the Bethe–Salpeter equation.
On the maximal number of columns of a $$\Delta $$-modular integer matrix: bounds and computations
Authors: Averkov Gennadiy , Schymura Matthias
Published: May 2023

We study the maximal number of pairwise distinct columns in a $$\varDelta $$
Δ
-modular integer matrix with m rows. Recent results by Lee et al. provide an asymptotically tight upper bound of $$\mathcal {O}\left( m^2\right) $$

O

m
2

for fixed $$\varDelta $$
Δ
. We complement this and obtain an upper bound of the form $$\mathcal {O}(\varDelta )$$

O
(
Δ
)

for fixed m, and with the implied constant depending polynomially on m.
The Role of Information in Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Dickins Thomas E.
Published: May 2023

The Modern Synthesis has received criticism for its purported gene-centrism. That criticism relies on a concept of the gene as a unit of instructional information. In this paper I discuss information concepts and endorse one, developed from Floridi, that sees information as a functional relationship between data and context. I use this concept to inspect developmental criticisms of the Modern Synthesis and argue that the instructional gene arose as an idealization practice when evolutionary biologists made comment on development. However, a closer inspection of key claims shows that at least some associated with the Modern Synthesis were in fact adopting the data led definition I favour and made clear arguments for the role of developmental processes beyond genetic input. There was no instructional gene.
Priority setting in the German healthcare system: results from a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Meusel V. , Mentzakis E. , Baji P. , Fiorentini G. , Paolucci F.
Published: May 2023

Worldwide, social healthcare systems must face the challenges of a growing scarcity of resources and of its inevitable distributional effects. Explicit criteria are needed to define the boundaries of public reimbursement decisions. As Germany stands at the beginning of such a discussion, more formalised priority setting procedures seem in order. Recent research identified multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a promising approach to inform and to guide decision-making in healthcare systems. In that regard, this paper aims to analyse the relative weight assigned to various criteria in setting priority interventions in Germany. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was employed in 2015 to elicit equity and efficiency preferences of 263 decision makers, through six attributes. The experiment allowed us to rate different policy interventions based on their features in a composite league table (CLT). As number of potential beneficiaries, severity of disease, individual health benefits and cost-effectiveness are the most relevant criteria for German decision makers within the sample population, the results display an overall higher preference towards efficiency criteria. Specific high priority interventions are mental disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
Mental Health Professionals’ Experiences of Adapting Mental Health Interventions for Autistic Adults: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis
Authors: Moore Laura , Larkin Fionnuala , Foley Sarah
Published: May 2023

Autistic adults experience high rates of metal health difficulties and face significant barriers to accessing appropriate mental health care. Empirical research and recent professional guidelines emphasise the importance of modifying standard mental health interventions to best meet the needs of autistic adults. This systematic review explored mental health professionals’ experiences of adapting mental health interventions for autistic adults. A systematic search was conducted on CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science in July 2022. The findings from 13 identified studies were synthesised using thematic synthesis. Three major analytical themes were generated, the unique experience of adapting interventions for autistic clients, factors which facilitate successful adaptations, and challenges to adapting interventions. Each theme contained a number of subsequent sub-themes. Professionals view the process of adapting interventions to be a highly individualised process. A range of personal traits, professional experiences, and systemic, service-based issues were identified in facilitating or challenging this individualised process. Further research regarding adaptations with different intervention models and increased supportive resources are required to enable professionals to successfully adapt interventions for autistic adult clients.
Optimization of graphene dose for improved electrochemical performance of silicon–graphene negative electrodes in lithium batteries
Authors: Sanad Moustafa M. S. , Shenouda Atef Y.
Published: May 2023

Different percentages of nanoparticles graphene (G) were mixed with nano-micron sized silicon (Si) particles as follows: 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt% graphene to silicon ratios. The crystal structure of pure Si powder pattern has cubic phase SEM, TEM/SAED and XPS equipments were implemented to study the surface properties of the prepared G@Si composites. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement for the G@Si cell revealed two broad cathodic peaks, related to the deposition of Li2O thin layer on Si particles and the lithiation process of Si to form lithium silicide. Meanwhile, the oxidation of LixSi into Si and Li ionis confirmed by the anodic strong peak at 0.56 V. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed high interfacial resistance ~ 1825 Ω for pure Si anode in comparison with that of G@Si composite anode. It is concluded that graphene acts as a conductive shielding pathway to inhibit the large volume change and minimize the capacity fading during successive galvanostatic cycling of G@Si composite anode materials versus Li/Li+. Accordingly, the specific discharge capacity of 30%G@Si cell delivered about 1240 and 900 mAhg−1 for 1st and 100th charge–discharge cycles, respectively.
The development and validation of a global advanced development framework for the pharmacy workforce: a four-stage multi-methods approach
Authors: Meilianti Sherly , Galbraith Kirsten , Bader Lina , Udoh Arit , Ernawati Desak , Bates Ian
Published: May 2023

Background

Studies have indicated that a generalisable and translatable global framework is a useful tool for supporting career progression and recognising advanced practice.

Aim

To develop and validate a global advanced competency development framework as a tool to advance the pharmacy profession globally.

Method

A four-stage multi-methods approach was adopted. In sequence, this comprised an assessment of initial content and a cultural validation of the advanced level framework. Following this, we conducted a transnational modified Delphi followed by an online survey sampling the global pharmacy leadership community. Finally, a series of case studies was constructed exemplifying the framework implementation.

Results

Initial validation resulted in a modified draft competency framework comprising 34 developmental competencies across six clusters. Each competency has three phases of advancement to support practitioner progression. The modified Delphi stage provided feedback on framework modifications related to cultural issues, including missing competencies and framework comprehensiveness. External engagement and case study stages provided further validity on the framework implementation and dissemination.

Conclusion

The four-staged approach demonstrated transnational validation of a global advanced competency framework as a mapping and development tool for the pharmacy professions. Further study is needed to develop a global glossary of terminologies on advanced and specialist practice. Also, developing an accompanying professional recognition system and education and training programmes to support framework implementation is recommended.
Experimental Semiotics: A Systematic Categorization of Experimental Studies on the Bootstrapping of Communication Systems
Authors: Delliponti Angelo , Raia Renato , Sanguedolce Giulia , Gutowski Adam , Pleyer Michael , Sibierska Marta , Placiński Marek , Żywiczyński Przemysław , Wacewicz Sławomir
Published: May 2023

Experimental Semiotics (ES) is the study of novel forms of communication that communicators develop in laboratory tasks whose designs prevent them from using language. Thus, ES relates to pragmatics in a “pure,” radical sense, capturing the process of creating the relation between signs and their interpreters as biological, psychological, and social agents. Since such a creation of meaning-making from scratch is of central importance to language evolution research, ES has become the most prolific experimental approach in this field of research. In our paper, we report the results of a study on the scope of recent ES and evaluate the ways in which it is relevant to the study of language origins. We coded for multiple levels across 13 dimensions related to the properties of the emergent communication systems or properties of the study designs, such as type of goal (coordination versus referential), modality of communication, absence or presence of turn-taking, or the presence of vertical vs. horizontal transmission. We discuss our findings and our classification, focusing on the advantages and limitations of those trends in ES, and in particular their ecological validity in the context of bootstrapping communication and the evolution of language.
Geospatial Assessment of Long-Term Changes (1937–2019) in Mangrove Vegetation and Shoreline Dynamics of Godavari Estuary, East Coast of India
Authors: Dev Roy Snigdha , Trivedi Shivam
Published: May 2023

Godavari mangroves are the second largest mangrove ecoregion of India located on its eastern coast. Mangroves perform major ecological functions including shoreline stabilization and coastal protection. They have undergone serious alterations, largely induced by human activities resulting in increased vulnerability to coastal flooding. A reliable database on mangroves distribution and temporal changes is essential for their effective management and conservation. Present study analyzes the long-term changes in mangroves, as well as the geomorphological changes along the coast of Godavari Estuary over a span of 82 years (1937–2019), using topographical maps, remotely sensed multi-temporal satellite imageries for five time periods. Results indicated that the rate of land uses conversions of agricultural fields, degraded areas, mudflats and mangrove vegetation into aquaculture significantly increased during the late 1990s. About 40 percent of it was constructed on mangrove areas between 1980 and 2019. The area under aquaculture was estimated to be 6,388.62 ha in 2000, almost doubling-up to 11,924.67 ha in 2019. Mangrove cover in this region increased by 15.95 percent between 2000 and 2019 (including 11.9 percent in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary) due to increased protection, consequent regeneration and accretion. Shift in Hope Island spit was observed in north and northwest directions, gradually growing nearly 3.84 km. High-resolution declassified satellite data were found very helpful for long-term mangrove mapping and analyzing geomorphological changes; enabling a better understanding of these regions to help decision makers/planners to find better solutions to existing coastal issues. The paper concludes with some recommendations to restore and conserve the existing mangrove cover in the study area.
Cosmetic nanomaterials in the environment: nano-zinc oxide and zinc-influence on soil microorganisms
Authors: Abdelmeged Elsayed A. , Brunetti Gianluca , Shetaya Waleed H. , Marzouk Ezzat R.
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of water-containing sunblock products with different residual quantities of bulk ZnO or ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) on soil microorganisms using a bioassay toxicity experiment. The two forms of ZnO were studied at different concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 mg L−1, and leachates obtained from the water disposal during a handwashing simulation experiment were also evaluated, along with raw sunblocks containing both bulk ZnO and ZnO NPs (at 50% and 100%). The key characteristics of each type of ZnO material were analyzed using multiple analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). The outcomes revealed that the stability of ZnO nanoparticles was considerably high, with the highest dissolution rate estimated after 36 h as 0.19% of the sunblock's overall ZnO NPs concentration. The different forms of pure ZnO used in the bacterial bioassay demonstrated that the Zn concentration of 10 mg L−1 exhibited the largest inhibition zone area compared to the other treatments. The disc diffusion bioassay findings confirmed that ZnO NPs are active components with greater toxicity than bulk ZnO. These results demonstrated that the antimicrobial effect was exclusively due to the nano-specific influence at higher concentrations. However, additional research is needed to understand better the environmental effects of different types of ZnO particles disposed of by sunblock users. Examining how such substances react in actual environmental conditions is crucial, as they contain various diverse ingredients that may cause varying reactions compared to bulk ZnO particles.
Targeted delivery of budesonide in acetic acid induced colitis: impact on miR-21 and E-cadherin expression
Authors: Seoudi Shaymaa S. , Allam Eman A. , El-Kamel Amal H. , Elkafrawy Hagar , El-Moslemany Riham M.
Published: May 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation along the gastrointestinal tract. For IBD effective treatment, developing an orally administered stable drug delivery system capable of targeting inflammation sites is a key challenge. Herein, we report pH responsive hyaluronic (HA) coated Eudragit S100 (ES) nanoparticles (NPs) for the targeted delivery of budesonide (BUD) (HA-BUD-ES-NPs). HA-BUD-ES-NPs showed good colloidal properties (274.8 ± 2.9 nm and − 24.6 ± 2.8 mV) with high entrapment efficiency (98.3 ± 3.41%) and pH-dependent release profile. The negative potential following incubation in simulated gastrointestinal fluids reflected the stability of HA coat. In vitro studies on Caco-2 cells showed HA-BUD-ES-NPs biocompatibility and enhanced cellular uptake and anti-inflammatory effects as shown by the significant reduction in IL-8 and TNF-α. The oral administration of HA-BUD-ES-NPs in an acetic acid induced colitis rat model significantly mitigated the symptoms of IBD, and improved BUD therapeutic efficacy compared to drug suspension. This was proved via the improvement in disease activity index and ulcer score in addition to refined histopathological findings. Also, the assessment of inflammatory markers, epithelial cadherin, and mi-R21 all reflected the higher efficiency of HA-BUD-ES-NPs compared to free drug and uncoated formulation. We thus suggest that HA-BUD-ES-NPs provide a promising drug delivery platform for the management and site specific treatment of IBD.

Graphical Abstract