bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A longitudinal study of autism spectrum disorder characteristics in adolescents with restrictive type anorexia nervosa during and after underweight
Authors: Nuyttens Marieke , Simons Annik , Antrop Inge , Glazemakers Inge
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This prospective, longitudinal study aims to compare the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) during and after underweight in order to help unravel the complex link between both conditions.

Methods

24 adolescents with AN completed the youth self‐report, autism spectrum quotient (AQ) or autism spectrum quotient adolescent version (AQ – adolescent) and a questionnaire designed by the researchers during a state of underweight and after weight recovery.

Results

AQ total score and several AQ subscale scores at the time of underweight are significantly higher than after weight recovery with medium to large effect sizes. Linear modelling cannot prove a significant effect of weight gain, internalizing problems or medication use on AQ score, but it does show an association between AQ during underweight and AQ after weight recovery.

Conclusions

The results highlight the complexity of the link between AN and ASD characteristics. Although a clear change in AQ score is seen in part of the participants, this effect cannot be generalized and a link with weight change cannot be demonstrated. It seems likely that ASD characteristics in AN are a combination of trait and state: underweight and starvation might exacerbate potentially present traits. Part of our results may indicate the existence of subgroups based on AQ score during underweight. Our study supports the theory that more ASD characteristics at T1 may result in a poorer outcome and a higher need for specified and intensive treatment.
Effect of Temperature and Salinity on the Biochemical Composition of Artemia franciscana KELLOGG 1906, from Araya (Venezuela) and San José (México)
Authors: Correa Francisco , Camacho Víctor , Rodríguez Diana , Cordero Beatriz , De La Rosa‐Vélez Jorge , Alvarez Zoraya , Sánchez Roselena
Published: October 2023

The effect of different temperature and salinity combinations on the biochemical composition of Artemia franciscana from Venezuela and Mexico, is analyzed. Temperatures were 22 ± 0.5 °C, 26 ± 0.5 °C and 30 ± 0.5°C; salinities were 30‰, 60‰, and 120‰. Chaetoceros sp. was used as food. According to Tukey's Multiple Range Analysis for the A. franciscana population from Araya and San José, there were differences in the biochemical parameters and survival percentages among treatments and between populations. A positive correlation is observed among proximate composition values and survival, total length and growth rates. The observed variations reflect a genetic component resulting from the life history of the populations, and a non‐genetic component produced by the experimental conditions.
Book Review
Authors: Brandell Roy A.
Published: October 2023

Male Reproduction: Multi Disciplinary Overview, edited by Francisco Martinez‐Garcia and Javier Regadera.
Genetic and Cellular Analysis of Male Germ Cell Development
Authors: OLASO ROBERT , HABERT RENÉ
Published: October 2023

Abstract: The evolution of the germline has been studied for many decades. Although the pathway of germ cell primordial migration and the kinetic evolution of the gonocytes are well known, their genetic and cellular controls are poorly understood. Recently, a genetic approach using gene knockout and a cellular investigation using several germ cell culture models has allowed a better understanding of the involvement of several genes and factors in the development of germ cells during fetal and neonatal life. Because of the obvious importance of the development of primordial germ cells and gonocytes in adult fertility and its eventual alteration by toxins or xenobiotics, a better knowledge of these interactions appears as an important research area.
Transmembrane Versus Soluble Stem Cell Factor Expression in Human Testis
Authors: FOX RACHAEL A. , SIGMAN MARK , BOEKELHEIDE KIM
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: The interaction between stem cell factor (SCF), a ligand produced by Sertoli cells, and its c‐kit receptor on germ cells is necessary for successful spermatogenesis in animal models. SCF can be alternatively spliced into soluble and transmembrane forms, and it is the transmembrane form that is required for spermatogenesis in rodents. c‐Kit receptors are also present on Leydig cells, and soluble SCF has been implicated in the regulation of testosterone production. This study had two goals: To test the hypothesis that the extent of germ cell production in human males is correlated with the expression of transmembrane SCF, and to examine the relationship between testosterone production and the expression of soluble SCF in humans. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the ratio of transmembrane‐to‐soluble SCF in testicular tissue. Clinical analysis, hormonal measurements, and histological methods were used to evaluate the causes of infertility and to seek correlations with the pattern of SCF expression. SCF was preferentially expressed as the transmembrane type in all testicular samples, regardless of the state of germ cell production. Furthermore, the percent of transmembrane SCF expression was independent of clinical and histopathological diagnosis (rs = −0.111, n = 28) and unrelated to the extent of spermatogenesis. This contrasts with rat models of testicular injury that exhibit a decreased proportion of transmembrane SCF with atrophy. A significant correlation (rs = 0.665, P < .02, n = 16) was found between testosterone levels and percent soluble SCF, which suggests that, in humans, there may be a regulatory interaction between soluble SCF and testosterone.
Screening for AZF Deletion in a Large Series of Severely Impaired Spermatogenesis Patients
Authors: MARTÍNEZ M. C. , BERNABÉS M. J. , GÓMEZ E. , BALLESTEROS A. , LANDERAS J. , GLOVER G. , GÍL‐SALOM M. , REMOHÍ J. , PELLICER A.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Recent investigations have pointed to a high prevalence of Y chromosome submicroscopic deletions in men with severely impaired spermatogenesis. We report on the incidence in 128 infertile men, in whom karyotype, sperm count, and hormonal parameters were evaluated. Patients with abnormal karyotype (other than an abnormal Y chromosome) or sperm concentration of more than 2 million/mL were excluded. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral leukocytes of 57 men with azoospermia and 71 with severe oligospermia. Molecular analysis was performed by 3 multiplex polymerase chain reactions using a set of 9 sequence tagged sites (STSs) from 3 different regions of the Y chromosome: AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc. In 7% of the studied patients Yq microdeletions were detected, with a high prevalence in men with azoospermia (14%). No deletions were detected in the AZFa region. Deletions were present in AZFb, AZFc, or both regions. The deletion observed in 1 patient that did not overlap with the DAZ region demonstrates that genes other than DAZ may also be involved in the pathogenesis of some subsets of male infertility. Furthermore, common Yq deletions present different testicular pictures, suggesting that some unknown factors may be disturbing spermatogenesis. Because men with severe infertility suffer a high risk of Y chromosome deletion, screening for these men is recommended prior to treatment with assisted reproduction.
Differential Actions of Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on Interstitial Fluid Volume and Immunoglobulin G Concentrations in Adult Rat Testis
Authors: HEDGER MARK P. , MUIR JULIE A.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT:Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists regulate testicular interstitial fluid (tIF) volume, most probably via specific receptors on Leydig cells. The aim of this study was to confirm the interaction between GnRH and Leydig cells in regulation of testicular fluid, and to examine the effects on serum proteins in testis. Unilateral intratesticular injection of a GnRH agonist (100 ng/testis) caused a 50% reduction in tIF volume within 2 hours. Destruction of Leydig cells by treatment with ethane dimethane sulfonate also caused a similar decline in tIF volume; however, GnRH agonist treatment had no additional influence on this response in Leydig cell‐depleted testes. GnRH agonist treatment had no effect on serum protein permeability in testis as indicated by maintenance of the tIF/serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration gradient. Injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 100 IU) had no effect on tIF volume at 2 hours, but increased the permeability of the testicular vasculature to serum IgG. At 20 hours after hCG injection, tIF volume was increased twofold, while the testicular permeability barrier to IgG appeared to have been restored. These data indicate that the acute inhibitory action of GnRH on vascular fluid permeability is dependent upon Leydig cells, confirming that these cells are the primary site of GnRH action on testicular vasculature. The data also indicate that supraphysiological doses of hCG cause a rapid increase in testicular permeability to serum proteins, which occurs prior to the well‐characterized stimulation of tIF volume. These data provide further evidence that the concentration of serum proteins in tIF and the volume of tIF are both under regulatory control involving Leydig cells, but are independently regulated.
Correlation of CASA Velocity and Linearity Parameters With Sperm Mobility Phenotype in Turkeys
Authors: KING LAURA M. , HOLSBERGER DENISE R. , DONOGHUE ANN M.
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Since all domestic turkeys are produced through artificial insemination, a measurable sperm characteristic that would be predictive of fertility would allow for the culling of poor males, resulting in improved reproductive efficiency. The sperm mobility test (SMT), which quantifies sperm penetration into an Accudenz solution, has been shown to correlate highly with fertilization potential of individual turkeys. Since this sire‐selection test is based on the differences in sperm mobility between whole ejaculates from individual males, the objective of this study was to determine whether specific sperm velocity parameters would correlate with the SMT and to determine whether these characteristics could account for phenotypic differences in sperm mobility observed between males. The SMT was used to rank males within a flock (n = 110) in triplicate and to classify them into high, average, and low sperm mobility phenotypes on the basis of the sperm mobility index. Several sperm velocity parameters were evaluated for each male by a computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA) system, the Hobson Sperm Tracker. The types of measurements taken of 200 sperm tracks/ejaculate included the following: curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP), straight‐line velocity (VSL), linearity (LIN), beatcross frequency (BCF), and mean angular displacement (MAD). Significant positive correlations were found between VSL, LIN, BCF, and sperm mobility, and a significant negative correlation was seen between MAD and sperm mobility. Subpopulations of sperm that had penetrated the Accudenz solution were isolated from each mobility phenotype and were analyzed by CASA, and significant correlations were again observed between VSL, LIN, BCF, and sperm mobility. We conclude that sperm velocity and linearity contribute to overall sperm mobility phenotype and are important characteristics of turkey sperm function.
Effects of Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone, and Epidermal Growth Factor on Expression and Kinase Activity of Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase 5 in Leydig TM3 and Sertoli TM4 Cell Lines
Authors: MUSA FATHEL RAHMAN M. , TAKENAKA IKUMASA , KONISHI RYOJI , TOKUDA MASAAKI
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: We examined the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the expression and kinase activity of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in Leydig TM3 and Sertoli TM4 cell lines. Hormonal regulation of the expression and activity of Cdk5 by using normal and hypophysectomized rat testes was also investigated to elucidate its role. Cdk5 levels and kinase activity were significantly elevated in TM3 cells that were grown in the presence of 7.5% serum, EGF, or LH and were associated with an increase in testosterone production compared with controls. These increases were accompanied by an increase in proliferation of TM3 cells after treatment with serum or EGF but not with LH suggest that Cdk5 may be involved in cellular differentiation that is induced with LH treatment. In contrast, the presence of neither serum, EGF, nor FSH had a significant effect on Cdk5 activity levels in the Sertoli TM4 cell line, and there was no correlation with proliferative activity or transferrin levels. A significant decrease in Cdk5 expression and activity were noted in rat testis after hypophysectomy compared with normal rat testis and is associated with a simultaneous decrease in testosterone and transferrin levels. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Cdk5 was strongly expressed in the nuclei and cytoplasm of Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and peritubular cells of normal adult rat testis. After hypophysectomy, the pattern of Cdk5 staining differed markedly from that in normal rat testis and a profound reduction in staining of Cdk5 was observed in each tubule. Our results suggest that LH and EGF influence and modulate Cdk5 expression and activity in Leydig TM3 cells and may, conceivably, be involved in signal transduction cascades that are initiated by hormones or growth factors. Cdk5 in Sertoli TM4 cells is likely to possess some constitutive functions that are not affected by the cells' proliferation state. Moreover, Cdk5 is probably involved in the constitutive and hormonally stimulated activities of the rat testis, in addition to its involvement in cell proliferation.
Pronunciation Plus: Practice Through Interaction
Authors: Levis John M.
Published: October 2023

Martin Hewings and Sharon Goldstein. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998
New Vistas, Student Book 1
Authors: Wong Sophia
Published: October 2023

H. Douglas Brown, with Anne Albarelli‐Siegfried, Federico Salas, Alice Savage, and Masoud Shafiei. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents, 1999
Impact Grammar: Grammar Through Listening
Authors: Valerio Eduardo M.
Published: October 2023

Rod Ellis and Stephen Gaies. (1999)
Grammar Links 2: A Theme‐Based Course for Reference and Practice
Authors: Tsai Hsin‐Chun Jamie
Published: October 2023

M. Kathleen Mahnke and Elizabeth O'Dowd. (1999).
The Julene Kendell Case: A Video Ethnography of Teaching in an Elementary English as a Second Language (ESL) Classroom [CD‐ROM]
Authors: Potter Kristina
Published: October 2023

R. Carl Harris, Melanie Harris, Julene Kendell, and David Baker. Provo, UT: Harris Video Cases, 1998
Idioms Books for the ESL Classroom
Authors: Cooper Thomas C.
Published: October 2023

Longman Idioms Dictionary: (1998). Addison Wesley Longman (Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE, England).

Longman American Idioms Dictionary: (1999). Pearson Education (Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE, England).

Traveling the World Through Idioms Judi Kadden.: (1998). The University of Michigan Press (839 Greene Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48106‐1104 USA.

Idioms Organiser: Jon Wright. (1999). Language Teaching Publications (114a Church Road, Hove BN3 2EB, England).

American Idioms and Some Phrases Just for Fun: Edward Swick. (1999). Barron's Educational Series (250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York 11788 USA).
A bioartificial and vasculomorphic bone matrix‐based organoid mimicking microanatomy of flat and short bones
Authors: Toni Roberto , Barbaro Fulvio , Di Conza Giusy , Zini Nicoletta , Remaggi Giulia , Elviri Lisa , Spaletta Giulia , Quarantini Enrico , Quarantini Marco , Mosca Salvatore , Caravelli Silvio , Mosca Massimiliano , Ravanetti Francesca , Sprio Simone , Tampieri Anna
Published: October 2023

We engineered an in vitro model of bioartificial 3D bone organoid consistent with an anatomical and vascular microenvironment common to mammalian flat and short bones. To achieve this, we chose the decellularized–decalcified matrix of the adult male rat scapula, implemented with the reconstruction of its intrinsic vessels, obtained through an original intravascular perfusion with polylevolactic (PLLA), followed by coating of the PLLA‐fabricated vascularization with rat tail collagen. As a result, the 3D bone and vascular geometry of the native bone cortical and cancellous compartments was reproduced, and the rat tail collagen–PLLA biomaterial could in vitro act as a surrogate of the perivascular extracellular matrix (ECM) around the wall of the biomaterial‐reconstituted cancellous vessels. As a proof‐of‐concept of cell compatibility and site‐dependent osteoinductive properties of this bioartificial 3D construct, we show that it in vitro leads to a time‐dependent microtopographic positioning of rat mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), initiating an osteogenic fate in relation to the bone compartment. In addition, coating of PLLA‐reconstructed vessels with rat tail collagen favored perivascular attachment and survival of MSC‐like cells (mouse embryonic fibroblasts), confirming its potentiality as a perivascular stroma for triggering competence of seeded MSCs. Finally, in vivo radiographic topography of bone lesions in the human jaw and foot tarsus of subjects with primary osteoporosis revealed selective bone cortical versus cancellous involvement, suggesting usefulness of a human 3D bone organoid engineered with the same principles of our rat organoid, to in vitro investigate compartment‐dependent activities of human MSC in flat and short bones under experimental osteoporotic challenge. We conclude that our 3D bioartificial construct offers a reliable replica of flat and short bones microanatomy, and promises to help in building a compartment‐dependent mechanistic perspective of bone remodeling, including the microtopographic dysregulation of osteoporosis.
Sustained elimination of parenteral support in adult patients with under 60 cm of small intestine: A case series
Authors: Catron Hilary , Hanson Corrine , Beerman Laura , Carney Jaime , Janiak Kathryn , Gerhardt Brandi , Rochling Fedja , Mercer David
Published: October 2023

Patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) are often managed by expert multidisciplinary teams. One of the main goals in the management of SBS is the weaning of parenteral support (PS). Weaning of PS removes the risks associated with long‐term central line placement and eliminates the need for intestinal transplant. Whereas several papers detail the ongoing care and management of patients with SBS who are dependent on PS, there are few reports discussing the successful weaning of PS in this patient population. We present five case studies examining weaning of PS in adult patients with <60‐cm small bowel and partial or full colon who were enrolled in a multidisciplinary adult intestinal rehabilitation program. The case studies demonstrate weaning can occur >2 years after initial assessment and enrollment in an expert program. The ability of the program to focus on individualized care and frequent patient communication is key to PS weaning in patients with SBS.
GPR velocity correction method in transversely heterogeneous media based on CMP data
Authors: Ling Jianyu , Qian Rongyi , Zhang Jun , Ma Zhenning , Liu Xu
Published: October 2023

Determining ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) velocity has always been a critical problem. The GPR velocity estimation method based on common midpoint (CMP) data has been widely used because of its simplicity. However, we found that in sediment investigation and soil assessment, transversal heterogeneity is universal, which violates the basic assumption of velocity estimation through CMP data. Due to the rapid change of underground media and the limitation of the scope of some surveying areas, the CMP survey line will inevitably be selected in the area where the velocity changes laterally, making it difficult to obtain accurate velocity. To address this problem, we propose a velocity correction method. First, we determined the characteristics of CMP data and the corresponding velocity spectra acquired in transversely heterogeneous media through numerical simulations. Subsequently, we found that the simulated CMP data could determine the location of changes in the underground medium, and that the velocity obtained from the semblance analysis could be corrected according to the location where the medium changes laterally. We then used models wherein the thickness, relative permittivity and proportion of abnormal parts varied independently or simultaneously to verify the proposed velocity correction method. The results show that our method can control the GPR velocity error within 3.44%, and the precision is about 0.002 m/ns. Finally, we conducted a sediment investigation experiment on a channel bar in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. We determined the interface at which the sediment changed transversely and obtained the corresponding electromagnetic velocity using the proposed method. This study provides a reliable method for determining the GPR velocity in transversal heterogeneous media, which is of great significance for various practical applications.
Enhancement of nonlinear optical properties of nanocarbon cluster C60 by aluminum doping
Authors: Zhao Yaoxiao , Chen Weixing , Li Mengyang , Yuan Kun , An Meng
Published: October 2023

The search for good nonlinear optical (NLO) materials is of utmost importance in laser technology and optical information science, making it a popular research topic in materials science. It is reported that the introduction of alkali metal Li can enhance the NLO properties of nanocarbon materials. Here, metal Al, which exhibits similar electron transfer characteristics to Li, was used for the first time to enhance the NLO properties of nanocarbon cluster C60, which possesses a large delocalized π structure and the highest yield in the fullerene family. Density functional theory calculations in combination with Boltzmann distribution showed that the most thermodynamically stable Al@Ih(1812)‐C60 exhibited good second‐order NLO properties, which originated from the noncentrosymmetry geometry and one extra delocalized electron on Ih(1812)‐C60 from the 3p shell of inner Al. Density of state analysis indicated that the molecular orbitals of Al@Ih(1812)‐C60 were primarily formed by Ih(1812)‐C60 with minimal Al participation, and the presence of Al always resulted in an antibonding orbital effect. Bond critical point and electron localization function analyses indicated almost no covalent interaction between Al and Ih(1812)‐C60. Exohedral functionalization was employed to further stabilize Al@Ih(1812)‐C60 with radical character, and the infrared spectrum was also analyzed in detail. This study has promising implications for expanding the potential applications of fullerenes in optical devices.
Beyond Prediction Similarity: ShapGAP for Evaluating Faithful Surrogate Models in XAI
Authors: Mariotti Ettore , Sivaprasad Adarsa , Moral Jose Maria Alonso
Published: October 2023

The growing importance of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) has highlighted the need to understand the decision-making processes of black-box models. Surrogation, emulating a black-box model (BB) with a white-box model (WB), is crucial in applications where BBs are unavailable due to security or practical concerns. Traditional fidelity measures only evaluate the similarity of the final predictions, which can lead to a significant limitation: considering a WB faithful even when it has the same prediction as the BB but with a completely different rationale. Addressing this limitation is crucial to develop Trustworthy AI practical applications beyond XAI. To address this issue, we introduce ShapGAP, a novel metric that assesses the faithfulness of surrogate models by comparing their reasoning paths, using SHAP explanations as a proxy. We validate the effectiveness of ShapGAP by applying it to real-world datasets from healthcare and finance domains, comparing its performance against traditional fidelity measures. Our results show that ShapGAP enables better understanding and trust in XAI systems, revealing the potential dangers of relying on models with high task accuracy but unfaithful explanations. ShapGAP serves as a valuable tool for identifying faithful surrogate models, paving the way for more reliable and Trustworthy AI applications.
HOLY: An Ontology Covering the Hydrogen Market
Authors: Ascencion Arevalo Kiara M. , Neunsinger Christoph , Zimmermann Roland , Blum Ralph , Weakly Kendra
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the Hydrogen Ontology (HOLY), a domain ontology modeling the complex and dynamic structures of hydrogen-based markets. The hydrogen economy has become a politically and economically crucial sector for the transition to renewable energy, accelerating technological and socio-economic innovations. However, the attainment of market insights requires a large variety of informational concepts which are predominantly found in unstructured text data. HOLY provides the necessary structure for the representation of these concepts. Through a top-down approach, HOLY defines taxonomies based on a hierarchical structure of products and applications. In addition, to ensure reusability, the ontology incorporates components from established ontologies in its structure. As a result, HOLY consists of over 100 classes defining information about organizations, projects, components, products, applications, markets, and indicators. Hence, our work contributes to the systemic modeling of the hydrogen domain with a focus on its value chain. Formally, we represent and validate the ontology with Semantic Web Technologies. HOLY includes lexical-semantic information (e.g., synonyms, hyponyms, definitions, and examples) to simplify data integration into knowledge acquisition systems. Therefore, we provide a foundation for the retrieval, storage, and delivery of market insights. A first application based on HOLY at the Fraunhofer IIS offers an up-to-date market overview of developments in the fuel cell environment.
Geotechnical variability of the soils of Quito, Ecuador: a geodatabase study
Authors: Othman M.M. , Hen-Jones R. , Zapata C. , Jiménez E. , De Luca F. , Holcombe E.A. , Vardanega P.J.
Published: November 2023

This paper presents a new geotechnical database for the soils of Quito, Ecuador. The geotechnical database is then used to investigate the best fit probability distributions for the key geotechnical parameters contained in the database. Using the Akaike information criteria for best fit selection, SPT (N), plasticity index, Vs30, peak friction angle (direct shear), and apparent cohesion (triaxial) are best represented by a Weibull distribution. The peak friction angle (triaxial) is best fitted with a truncated normal distribution. The database is also used to develop transformation models to allow for the estimation of more complex geotechnical parameters from intrinsic ones. This analysis shows that the transformation model between Vs30 and SPT (N) has high coefficients of determination and is statistically significant. Finally, the systematic collection of information in the database is used to investigate the assumption, based on engineering judgement by local practitioners, that soil derived from volcanic deposits and volcano-lacustrine sediments in the northern part of Quito has different geotechnical properties with respect to the southern zone of the city beyond the value of shear wave velocity whose difference is embedded in the soil classification map of the seismic code.
Screening Instrument for Dysphagia in People with an Intellectual Disability (SD-ID): Quick and Reliable Screening by Caregivers
Authors: van der Woude T. S. , Schüller-Korevaar R. M. , Ulgiati A.M. , Pavlis-Maldonado G.J. , Hovenkamp-Hermelink J.H.M. , Dekker A.D.
Published: November 2023

Background and Aim

Timely diagnosis of dysphagia is important for people with an intellectual disability. Periodic screening of each individual by speech-language therapists is barely feasible with respect to limited resources. Therefore, preselection of individuals with an increased dysphagia risk through screening by caregivers is crucial.

Objective

This study aimed to develop the novel Screening instrument for Dysphagia for people with an Intellectual Disability (SD-ID).

Methods

The SD-ID was developed, validated and optimised in two rounds. Version 3, consisting of nine risk factors and 20 items concerning eating/drinking behaviour, was thoroughly studied for feasibility, concurrent validity and reliability, and then optimised.

Outcomes and Results

The SD-ID (version 3) was filled out in an average of four minutes (feasibility). A strong positive association was found between scores on SD-ID and Dysphagia Disorder Survey (concurrent validity). Test-retest and interrater reliability were very good. Two additional risk factors were added and two items removed to yield the final version 4. The most optimal cut-off score appeared to be either 4 or 5.

Conclusions and Implications

The SD-ID is a reliable instrument to screen for an increased risk of dysphagia in people with an intellectual disability. Ideally it is part of a cyclic work process: Screening with SD-ID (step 1), diagnostic work-up if necessary (step 2), recommendations (step 3), and evaluation (step 4).
Laws of Large Numbers for Weighted Sums of Independent Random Variables: A Game of Mass
Authors: Avena Luca , da Costa Conrado
Published: November 2023

We consider weighted sums of independent random variables regulated by an increment sequence and provide operative conditions that ensure a strong law of large numbers for such sums in both the centred and non-centred case. The existing criteria for the strong law are either implicit or based on restrictions on the increment sequence. In our setup we allow for an arbitrary sequence of increments, possibly random, provided the random variables regulated by such increments satisfy some mild concentration conditions. In the non-centred case, convergence can be translated into the behaviour of a deterministic sequence and it becomes a game of mass when the expectation of the random variables is a function of the increment sizes. We identify various classes of increments and illustrate them with a variety of concrete examples.
Using Bayesian Neural Networks for Uncertainty Assessment of Ore Type Boundaries in Complex Geological Models
Authors: Jordão Helga , Sousa António Jorge , Soares Amílcar
Published: November 2023

Building an orebody model is a key step in the design and operation of a mine because it provides the basis for follow-up mine decisions. Recently, it was shown that convolutional neural networks can successfully reproduce the manual geological interpretation of a complex ore deposit. The deep learning approach mitigates the shortcomings of a labor-intensive process that greatly limits the speed at which geological resources can be updated. However, convolutional neural network architectures lack the ability to measure the confidence of their predictions. In this study, we tried to assess the uncertainty of the boundaries of these domains so that the characterization of metal grades within them can account for this uncertainty. We explored and compared Monte Carlo Dropout and Bayesian neural networks to assess the uncertainty of deep convolutional neural network models trained to predict geological domains conditioned to drill-hole data. Monte Carlo Dropout uncertainty maps reflect the uncertainty in geological interpretations. The uncertainty is highest in areas where the interpreter/geologist had more difficulty delineating the boundaries of geological bodies. This is known as geological interpretation uncertainty. In contrast, Bayesian neural network uncertainty is visible depending on ore type frequency, complexity, and heterogeneity. Bayesian neural networks are able to better represent the uncertainty regarding the unknown. The application example here is a real case study of several ore types from a polymetallic sulfide orebody located in the south of Portugal.
First-person constraints on dynamic-mechanistic explanations in neuroscience: The case of migraine and epilepsy models
Authors: Pokropski Marek , Suffczynski Piotr
Published: November 2023

According to recent discussion, cross-explanatory integration in cognitive science might proceed by constraints on mechanistic and dynamic-mechanistic models provided by different research fields. However, not much attention has been given to constraints that could be provided by the study of first-person experience, which in the case of multifaceted mental phenomena are of key importance. In this paper, we fill this gap and consider the question whether information about first-person experience can constrain dynamic-mechanistic models and what the character of this relation is. We discuss two cases of such explanatory models in neuroscience, namely that of migraine and of epilepsy. We argue that, in these cases, first-person insights about the target phenomena significantly contributed to explanatory models by shaping explanatory hypotheses and by indicating the dynamical properties that the explanatory models of these phenomena should account for, and thus directly constraining the space of possible explanations.
Skeleton Ground Truth Extraction: Methodology, Annotation Tool and Benchmarks
Authors: Yang Cong , Indurkhya Bipin , See John , Gao Bo , Ke Yan , Boukhers Zeyd , Yang Zhenyu , Grzegorzek Marcin
Published: November 2023

Skeleton Ground Truth (GT) is critical to the success of supervised skeleton extraction methods, especially with the popularity of deep learning techniques. Furthermore, we see skeleton GTs used not only for training skeleton detectors with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), but also for evaluating skeleton-related pruning and matching algorithms. However, most existing shape and image datasets suffer from the lack of skeleton GT and inconsistency of GT standards. As a result, it is difficult to evaluate and reproduce CNN-based skeleton detectors and algorithms on a fair basis. In this paper, we present a heuristic strategy for object skeleton GT extraction in binary shapes and natural images. Our strategy is built on an extended theory of diagnosticity hypothesis, which enables encoding human-in-the-loop GT extraction based on clues from the target’s context, simplicity, and completeness. Using this strategy, we developed a tool, SkeView, to generate skeleton GT of 17 existing shape and image datasets. The GTs are then structurally evaluated with representative methods to build viable baselines for fair comparisons. Experiments demonstrate that GTs generated by our strategy yield promising quality with respect to standard consistency, and also provide a balance between simplicity and completeness.
Influence of Fault System Geometry and Slip Rates on the Relative Role of Coseismic and Interseismic Stresses on Earthquake Triggering and Recurrence Variability
Authors: Sgambato Claudia , Faure Walker Joanna P. , Roberts Gerald P. , Mildon Zoë K. , Meschis Marco
Published: November 2023

We model Coulomb stress transfer (CST) due to 30 strong earthquakes occurring on normal faults since 1509 CE in Calabria, Italy, including the influence of interseismic loading, and compare the results to existing studies of stress interaction from the Central and Southern Apennines, Italy. The three normal fault systems have different geometries and long‐term slip‐rates. We investigate the extent to which stress transfer can influence the occurrence of future earthquakes and what factors may govern the variability in earthquake recurrence in different fault systems. The Calabrian, Central Apennines, and Southern Apennines fault systems have 91%, 73%, and 70% of faults with mean positive cumulative CST in the time considered; this is due to fewer faults across strike, more across strike stress reductions, and greater along‐strike spacing in the three regions respectively. In regions with close along strike spacing or few faults across strike, such as Calabria and Southern Apennines, the stress loading history is mostly dominated by interseismic loading and most faults are positively stressed before an earthquake occur on them (96% of all faults that ruptured in Calabria; 94% of faults in Southern Apennines), and some of the strongest earthquakes occur on faults with the highest mean cumulative stress of all faults prior to the earthquake. In the Central Apennines, where across strike interactions are the predominant process, 79% of earthquakes occur on faults positively stressed. The results highlight that fault system geometry plays a central role in characterizing the stress evolution associated with earthquake recurrence.
Targeting the COMMD4–H2B protein complex in lung cancer
Authors: Tang Ming , Burgess Joshua T. , Fisher Mark , Boucher Didier , Bolderson Emma , Gandhi Neha S. , O’Byrne Kenneth J. , Richard Derek J. , Suraweera Amila
Published: November 2023

Background

Lung cancer is the biggest cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85–90% of all lung cancers. Identification of novel therapeutic targets are required as drug resistance impairs chemotherapy effectiveness. COMMD4 is a potential NSCLC therapeutic target. The aims of this study were to investigate the COMMD4-H2B binding pose and develop a short H2B peptide that disrupts the COMMD4-H2B interaction and mimics COMMD4 siRNA depletion.

Methods

Molecular modelling, in vitro binding and site-directed mutagenesis were used to identify the COMMD4-H2B binding pose and develop a H2B peptide to inhibit the COMMD4-H2B interaction. Cell viability, DNA repair and mitotic catastrophe assays were performed to determine whether this peptide can specially kill NSCLC cells.

Results

Based on the COMMD4-H2B binding pose, we have identified a H2B peptide that inhibits COMMD4-H2B by directly binding to COMMD4 on its H2B binding binding site, both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of NSCLC cell lines with this peptide resulted in increased sensitivity to ionising radiation, increased DNA double-strand breaks and induction of mitotic catastrophe in NSCLC cell lines.

Conclusions

Our data shows that COMMD4-H2B represents a novel potential NSCLC therapeutic target.
Vagal sensory neurons mediate the Bezold–Jarisch reflex and induce syncope
Authors: Lovelace Jonathan W. , Ma Jingrui , Yadav Saurabh , Chhabria Karishma , Shen Hanbing , Pang Zhengyuan , Qi Tianbo , Sehgal Ruchi , Zhang Yunxiao , Bali Tushar , Vaissiere Thomas , Tan Shawn , Liu Yuejia , Rumbaugh Gavin , Ye Li , Kleinfeld David , Stringer Carsen , Augustine Vineet
Published: November 2023

Visceral sensory pathways mediate homeostatic reflexes, the dysfunction of which leads to many neurological disorders1. The Bezold–Jarisch reflex (BJR), first described2,3 in 1867, is a cardioinhibitory reflex that is speculated to be mediated by vagal sensory neurons (VSNs) that also triggers syncope. However, the molecular identity, anatomical organization, physiological characteristics and behavioural influence of cardiac VSNs remain mostly unknown. Here we leveraged single-cell RNA-sequencing data and HYBRiD tissue clearing4 to show that VSNs that express neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 (NPY2R) predominately connect the heart ventricular wall to the area postrema. Optogenetic activation of NPY2R VSNs elicits the classic triad of BJR responses—hypotension, bradycardia and suppressed respiration—and causes an animal to faint. Photostimulation during high-resolution echocardiography and laser Doppler flowmetry with behavioural observation revealed a range of phenotypes reflected in clinical syncope, including reduced cardiac output, cerebral hypoperfusion, pupil dilation and eye-roll. Large-scale Neuropixels brain recordings and machine-learning-based modelling showed that this manipulation causes the suppression of activity across a large distributed neuronal population that is not explained by changes in spontaneous behavioural movements. Additionally, bidirectional manipulation of the periventricular zone had a push–pull effect, with inhibition leading to longer syncope periods and activation inducing arousal. Finally, ablating NPY2R VSNs specifically abolished the BJR. Combined, these results demonstrate a genetically defined cardiac reflex that recapitulates characteristics of human syncope at physiological, behavioural and neural network levels.
Interplay between driveline infection, vessel wall inflammation, cerebrovascular events and mortality in patients with left ventricular assist device
Authors: Hupe Juliane , Worthmann Hans , Ravenberg Kim K. , Grosse Gerrit M. , Ernst Johanna , Haverich Axel , Bengel Frank M. , Weissenborn Karin , Schmitto Jan D. , Hanke Jasmin S. , Derlin Thorsten , Gabriel Maria M.
Published: October 2023

In patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), infections and thrombotic events represent severe complications. We investigated device-specific local and systemic inflammation and its impact on cerebrovascular events (CVE) and mortality. In 118 LVAD patients referred for 18F-FDG-PET/CT, metabolic activity of LVAD components, thoracic aortic wall, lymphoid and hematopoietic organs, was quantified and correlated with clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and outcome. Driveline infection was detected in 92/118 (78%) patients by 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Activity at the driveline entry site was associated with increased signals in aortic wall (r = 0.32, p < 0.001), spleen (r = 0.20, p = 0.03) and bone marrow (r = 0.20, p = 0.03), indicating systemic interactions. Multivariable analysis revealed independent associations of aortic wall activity with activity of spleen (β = 0.43, 95% CI 0.18–0.68, p < 0.001) and driveline entry site (β = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01–0.06, p = 0.001). Twenty-two (19%) patients suffered CVE after PET/CT. In a binary logistic regression analysis metabolic activity at the driveline entry site missed the level of significance as an influencing factor for CVE after adjusting for anticoagulation (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1–1.33, p = 0.05). Metabolic activity of the subcutaneous driveline (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.24, p = 0.016) emerged as independent risk factor for mortality. Molecular imaging revealed systemic inflammatory interplay between thoracic aorta, hematopoietic organs, and infected device components in LVAD patients, the latter predicting CVE and mortality.
Robots at your doorstep: acceptance of near-future technologies for automated parcel delivery
Authors: Said Maher , Aeschliman Spencer , Stathopoulos Amanda
Published: October 2023

The logistics and delivery industry is undergoing a technology-driven transformation, with robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles expected to play a key role in meeting the growing challenges of last-mile delivery. To understand the public acceptability of automated parcel delivery options, this U.S. study explores customer preferences for four innovations: autonomous vehicles, aerial drones, sidewalk robots, and bipedal robots. We use an Integrated Nested Choice and Correlated Latent Variable (INCLV) model to reveal substitution effects among automated delivery modes in a sample of U.S. respondents. The study finds that acceptance of automated delivery modes is strongly tied to shipment price and time, underscoring the importance of careful planning and incentives to maximize the trialability of innovative logistics options. Older individuals and those with concerns about package handling exhibit a lower preference for automated modes, while individuals with higher education and technology affinity exhibit greater acceptance. These findings provide valuable insights for logistics companies and retailers looking to introduce automation technologies in their last-mile delivery operations, emphasizing the need to tailor marketing and communication strategies to meet customer preferences. Additionally, providing information about appropriate package handling by automated technologies may alleviate concerns and increase the acceptance of these modes among all customer groups.
A Korean emotion-factor dataset for extracting emotion and factors in Korean conversations
Authors: Yoo SoYeop , Lee HaYoung , Song JeIn , Jeong OkRan
Published: October 2023

Humans express their emotions in various ways, such as through facial expressions and voices. In particular, emotions are directly expressed or indirectly implied in the text of utterance. Research on the technology to identify emotions included in human speech and generate utterances is being conducted in conversational artificial intelligence technology. Despite the importance of recognizing the factors of previously generated emotions to generate emotion-based utterances, most of the existing datasets only provide the classification of emotions in text and utterances. In addition, in the case of Korean datasets, the classification of emotions is not diverse, and it is mainly biased toward negative emotion classification. In this paper, we propose KEmoFact, a Korean emotion-factor dataset for extracting emotion and factors in Korean conversations. We also define two tasks for the KEmoFact dataset, EFE (Emotion Factor Extraction) and EFPE (Emotion-Factor Pair Extraction), and propose baseline models for the tasks. We contribute to the study of conversational artificial intelligence, especially in Korean, one of the low-resource languages, by proposing the KEmoFact dataset and suggesting baseline models for two tasks.
An analysis of variants in TARDBP in the Korean population with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: comparison with previous data
Authors: Sung Wonjae , Kim Jin-Ah , Kim Yong Sung , Park Jinseok , Oh Ki-Wook , Sung Jung-Joon , Ki Chang-Seok , Kim Young-Eun , Kim Seung Hyun
Published: November 2023

The TARDBP gene variant is a known major cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with limited reports of Korean patients with ALS harboring the variants in TARDBP. This large cohort study introduces four ALS patients who share the p.M337V variant of the TARDBP, allowing for an investigation of clinical characteristics and prognosis by analyzing previously reported cases with the same variant. From November 2014 to August 2022, participants were recruited from two tertiary hospitals in Seoul, Korea. Clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with ALS carrying the variant in TARDBP were evaluated. Previous articles demonstrating subjects’ characteristics were reviewed. Four patients were identified with the pathogenic missense variant (c.1009A>G; p.M337V) in the TARDBP. The mean age of onset was 55 years old, and none of the patients showed severe cognitive impairment. Sixty-three patients carrying the p.M337V variant in TARDBP from this study and previous reports delineated young age of onset (51.6 years), high frequency of bulbar onset patients (61.9%), and low comorbidity of frontotemporal dementia. This study reveals the presence of pathogenic variant of TARDBP in Korea and emphasizes the importance of genetic screening of the TARDBP gene, in diagnosing ALS and evaluating prognosis among familial and simplex ALS patients in Korea.
Long distance laser filamentation using Yb:YAG kHz laser
Authors: Walch Pierre , Mahieu Benoît , Moreno Victor , Produit Thomas , Andral Ugo , André Yves-Bernard , Bizet Laurent , Lozano Magali , Herkommer Clemens , Moret Michel , Jung Robert , Bessing Robert , Klingebiel Sandro , Bertho Yann , Metzger Thomas , Mysyrowicz André , Wolf Jean-Pierre , Kasparian Jérôme , Houard Aurélien
Published: October 2023

In the framework of the Laser Lightning Rod project, whose aim is to show that laser-induced filaments can guide lightning discharges over considerable distances, we study over a distance of 140 m the filaments created by a laser system with J-range pulses of 1 ps duration at 1 kHz repetition rate. We investigate the spatial evolution of the multiple filamentation regime using the fundamental beam at 1030 nm or using combination with the second and third harmonics. The measurements were made using both a collimated beam and a loosely focused beam.