bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Localized Ultra‐Low Velocity Zone as a Strong Scatterer at the Core‐Mantle Boundary Beneath Central America
Authors: Li Jiewen , Sun Daoyuan , Tian Dongdong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSmall‐scale scatterers in the lower mantle contain key information on the recycling process in the whole mantle. Resolving the fine structures of these scatterers is crucial for understanding the dynamic evolution in the deep Earth. Here, we search for scatterers in the lower mantle beneath Central America and the northwestern Pacific Ocean by events in South America and PKP recordings in Japan. In this work, we perform migration of PKP precursors on the source and receiver sides by raytracing to obtain the distribution map of scatterers, after considering 3D heterogeneous structures. Furthermore, we locate a distinct scatterer at the core‐mantle boundary (CMB) beneath Central America that generates strong PKP precursors with unique slowness and back‐azimuth by array processing, which is compatible with the migration result. Based on waveform modeling, this scatterer is essentially a localized ultra‐low velocity zone (ULVZ) with approximately P‐wave velocity reduction of 6% and a lateral extent of 3°. Heated up of the subducted lithosphere by the core or partial melting of the subducted oceanic crust are plausible sources of the localized ULVZ at the CMB we detect here in the subduction region.
A game‐theoretic cooperative path planning strategy using hybrid heuristic optimization algorithm
Authors: Zhu Yutong , Zhang Ye 
Published: December 2024

AbstractA novel method based on game theory and LCD‐SCA optimization algorithm is proposed for solving the cooperative path planning challenge for multiple UAVs in a desired formation configuration. The cooperative path planning problem is solved by identifying the optimal strategy for the Stackelberg‐Nash game. The conventional sine‐cosine algorithm method is enhanced by incorporating linear differential decrement, chaos theory, and differential evolution, and the proposed heuristic method is integrated into the path planning problem. An optimal strategy for finding the game by minimising the global cost function via the heuristic method is integrated. Extensive simulation and comparison results are provided to evaluate the performance through simulation, compared with the previous work on path planning.
Pothole detection‐you only look once: Deformable convolution based road pothole detection
Authors: Tang Pei , Lv Mao , Ding Zhenyu , Xu Weikai , Jiang Minnan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe detection of road potholes plays a crucial role in ensuring passenger comfort and the structural safety of vehicles. To address the challenges of pothole detection in complex road environments, this paper proposes a model focusing on shape features (pothole detection you only look once, PD‐YOLO). The model aims to overcome the limitations of multi‐scale feature learning caused by the use of fixed convolutional kernels in the baseline model, by constructing a feature extraction module that better adapts to variations in the shape of potholes. Subsequently, a cross‐stage partial network was designed using a one‐time aggregation method, simplifying the model while enabling the network to fuse information between feature maps at different stages. Additionally, a dynamic sparse attention mechanism is introduced to select relevant features, reducing redundancy and suppressing background noise. Experiments conducted on the VOC2007 and GRDDC2020_Pothole datasets reveal that compared to the baseline model YOLOv8, PD‐YOLO achieves improvements of 3.9% and 2.8% in mean average precision, with a frame rate of approximately 290 frames per second, effectively meeting the accuracy and real‐time requirements for pothole detection. The code and dataset for this paper are located at: https://github.com/woyijiankou/PD‐YOLO.
Hunters’ knowledge, perceived risks, and agency trust associated with chronic wasting disease, and beliefs about CWD management
Authors: Vaske Jerry J. , Miller Craig A. 
Published: December 2024

Context Wildlife agencies spend considerable effort developing comprehensive communication programs to educate various publics about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Deer hunters are important in CWD management, especially regarding surveillance and testing. Aims This article examined the influence of the number of years CWD had been in a state on hunters’ knowledge of the disease. Knowledge level was then related to perceived risks associated with CWD, trust in the agency responsible for managing CWD and beliefs about CWD management. Methods Survey data were obtained from resident deer hunters in the US states of Kansas (n = 1170), North Dakota (n = 3242) and Illinois (n = 1237). State of residence served as one independent variable. The second independent variable was knowledge of CWD. Respondents were asked eight true/false questions regarding CWD (0 = incorrect, 1 = correct). A knowledge index was created by summing the correct responses. The index was categorized as low, medium, and high knowledge. There were four multiple-item dependent variables: risk to deer, risk to humans, hunters’ trust in the CWD management agency, and beliefs about CWD management. Key results Kansas hunters had the highest knowledge, followed by North Dakota, then Illinois. As knowledge increased, perceived risk to humans decreased, and perceived risk to deer increased. There was a positive relationship between knowledge and trust in agency information. Across beliefs, high knowledge hunters agreed with positively worded statements and disagreed with negatively worded items more than either of the other two knowledge groups. Low knowledge respondents always reported the lowest belief scores, and the middle knowledge group was always in between the other two groups. All tests were statistically significant, but effect sizes were minimal. Conclusions CWD existed in Kansas for only 4 years when the study was conducted. Kansas hunters reported the highest percentage of correct knowledge questions. By comparison, the disease had existed in Illinois for 20 years; Illinois hunters reported the lowest percentage of correct responses. Knowledge is influenced by the newness of a disease. With a new disease, people attend to information campaigns. Over time, experience tempers concerns and knowledge about diseases. Implications Findings highlight complexities managers should consider when designing communication strategies to influence wildlife disease knowledge.
Rethinking Paradoxical Bulging of the Masseter Muscle Following Botulinum Toxin Injection: An Ultrasound Evaluation
Authors: Lin Frank , Roberts Stefania , Magnusson Mark 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
Paradoxical masseter bulge (PMB) is an uncommon complication following treatment with botulinum neurotoxin-A (BoNT-A). This is currently believed to be caused by the uneven distribution of BoNT-A within the masseter, resulting in stronger, compensatory, contraction of the superficial head relative to its deeper heads.

Objectives
To visualize under ultrasound which part of the masseter muscle is chiefly responsible for PMB and to propose a framework for assessment and prevention of the complication.

Methods
A case series of 6 patients presenting with PMB were identified in the practice of 2 experienced doctors over 24 months. Case notes, photographs, and videos were reviewed along with static and dynamic ultrasound examinations to assess masseter architecture and patterns of contraction.

Results
In 7 of 8 affected masseter muscles, PMB was associated with retained movement of a deeper portion of the masseter bulging superficially during contraction. In all cases, the bulge appeared to originate from anterior or posterior compartments of the muscle. This supports the concept that masseter contraction can be classified functionally by anterior or posterior compartments, rather than anatomically by the traditional superficial, deep, and intermediate heads.

Conclusions
Paradoxical muscle bulging of the masseter may originate from the deeper portion of the muscle bulging superficially. In addition, the authors propose that masseters can be considered functionally as having anterior and posterior functional units. This classification may enable clinical and ultrasound preassessment for anterior or posterior dominance and the injection technique to be adjusted to minimize the risk of PMB.

Level of Evidence: 5 (Diagnostic)
Research and Application of Adhesion Optimization Control in the Traction System of Permanent Magnet High-Speed EMU Trains
Authors: Gan Weiwei , Wu Yeqing , Bai Zhonghao , Human Yunqin , Hou Zhaowen , Li Xueming , Chen Ke 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
When the permanent magnet high-speed EMU(Electrical Multiple Unit) train runs at extremely high speeds, it is necessary to solve the problem of optimal exertion of wheel-rail adhesion to ensure the adhesion utilization rate of the train and the smooth and safe operation of the vehicle. To improve the adhesion utilization rate of the train and passenger comfort, this paper proposes an adaptive adhesion utilization control strategy for permanent magnet high-speed EMU trains. This method automatically identifies the wheel-rail state, matches the wheel-rail adhesion characteristics, automatically adjusts the adhesion control parameters according to the wheelset idling and sliding state, reduces the fluctuation range of traction force, improves the stability of traction force exertion, and effectively improves the adhesion utilization control performance of the permanent magnet high-speed EMU train. Both simulation and experimental tests demonstrate this method's superiority over traditional control methods. It has been shown to enhance adhesion utilization efficiency by over 5% and to significantly narrow the traction force adjustment range by more than 10%. It also improves passenger comfort indicators such as train stability and comfort, and enhances the safety of train operation.
A scientific case for revisiting the embryonic chicken model in biomedical research
Authors: McGrew Mike J , Holmes Tana , Davey Megan G 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe availability of fertilised chicken eggs and the accessibility and rapid development of the avian embryo, have been utilised in biomedical scientific research to make fundamental discoveries including of developmental processes that are common to all vertebrates, advances in teratology, the understanding of tumour growth and metastasis, angiogenesis, cancer drug assessment and vaccine development as well as advances in understanding avian specific biology. However, recent innovations in chicken transgenesis, genome engineering and surrogate host technology in chickens have only been utilised in a few of these fields of research, specifically some areas of developmental biology, avian sex determination and immunology. To understand why other biomedical fields have not adopted modern chicken transgenic tools, we investigated the non-technical summaries of projects granted in the UK under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 between 2017-2023 to assess when and how chicken embryos are used in research, and if they were considered as a Replacement model for other species.HighlightsEvidence for a lack of uptake of the chicken embryo as a partial replacement modelCase examples of the reduction in animal numbers when chicken models are usedProposed action plan for the avian developmental biology communityAbstract Figure
Engineered human lymph node stroma model for examining interstitial fluid flow and T cell egress
Authors: Hammel Jennifer H , Arneja Abhinav , Cunningham Jessica , Wang Maosen , Schumaecker Sophia , Orihuela Yamilet Macias , Ozulumba Tochukwu , Zatorski Jonathan , Braciale Thomas J , Luckey Chance John , Pompano Rebecca R , Munson Jennifer M 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe lymph node (LN) performs essential roles in immunosurveillance throughout the body. Developing in vitro models of this key tissue is of great importance to enhancing physiological relevance in immunoengineering. The LN consists of stromal populations and immune cells, which are highly organized and bathed in constant interstitial flow. The stroma, notably the fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and the lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), play crucial roles in guiding T cell migration and are known to be sensitive to fluid flow. During inflammation, interstitial fluid flow rates drastically increase in the LN. It is unknown how these altered flow rates impact crosstalk and cell behavior in the LN, and most existingin vitromodels focus on the interactions between T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells rather than with the stroma. To address this gap, we developed a human engineered model of the LN stroma consisting of FRC-laden hydrogel above a monolayer of LECs in a tissue culture insert with gravity-driven interstitial flow. We found that FRCs had enhanced coverage and proliferation in response to high flow rates, while LECs experienced decreased barrier integrity. We added CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and found that their egress was significantly decreased in the presence of interstitial flow, regardless of magnitude. Interestingly, 3.0 µm/s flow, but not 0.8 µm/s flow, correlated with enhanced inflammatory cytokine secretion in the LN stroma. Overall, we demonstrate that interstitial flow is an essential consideration in the lymph node for modulating LN stroma morphology, T cell migration, and inflammation.
Centella asiaticaTissue Culture-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Multifaceted Approach to Skincare Applications
Authors: Chang Tsong-Min , Wu Chung-Chin , Huang Huey-Chun , Wang Shr-Shiuan , Chuang Ching-Hua , Kao Pei-Lun , Tang Wei-Hsuan , Liu Luke Tzu-Chi , Qiu Wei-Yin , Percec Ivona , Chen Charles , Kuo Tsun-Yung 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundCentella asiaticahas long been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Asian medicine. Its wound healing, skin improvement, and neuroprotective properties have been widely studied. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by cells and contain bioactive components with therapeutic properties.ObjectivesThis study aims to characterize EVs isolated fromC. asiaticatissue culture and investigate their therapeutic properties usingin-vitroassays.MethodsEVs were isolated fromC. asiaticatissue culture and their properties were characterized by cell-free chemical assays which investigated free radical activity, metal chelation, and total polyphenol content. Mouse melanoma, human fibroblast and keratinocyte cell cultures were used to characterize cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular melanin and tyrosinase assay, skin integrity and pro-inflammatory gene expression level by quantitative PCR.ResultsC. asiaticaEVs were found to contain high levels of polyphenol, which contributed to their radical scavenging and metal chelating properties and mitigated hydrogen peroxide-induced intracellular ROS. The EVs were further able to reduce intracellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity, and upregulate skin barrier genes procollagen type I, aquaporin 3, and filaggrin. The inhibitory effect ofC. asiaticaEVs on inflammation was evident in downregulation of expression of pro-inflammatory genes COX2 as well as nitric oxide production.ConclusionsThe beneficial effects ofC. asiaticaEVs warrant further studies as promising formulations in skin care applications.
Distinct differentiation trajectories leave lasting impacts on gene regulation and function of V2a interneurons
Authors: Elder Nicholas H. , Majd Alireza , Bulger Emily A. , Samuel Ryan M. , Zholudeva Lyandysha V. , McDevitt Todd C. , Fattahi Faranak 
Published: December 2024

SummaryDuring development, early regionalization segregates lineages and directs diverse cell fates. Sometimes, however, distinct progenitors produce analogous cell types. For example, V2a neurons, are excitatory interneurons that emerge from different anteroposterior progenitors. V2a neurons demonstrate remarkable plasticity after spinal cord injury and improve motor function, showing potential for cell therapy. To examine how lineage origins shape their properties, we differentiated V2a neurons from hPSC-derived progenitors with distinct anteroposterior identities. Single-nucleus multiomic analysis revealed lineage-specific transcription factor motifs and numerous differentially expressed genes related to axon growth and calcium handling. Bypassing lineage patterning via transcription factor-induced differentiation yielded neurons distinct from both developmentally relevant populations and human tissue, emphasizing the need to follow developmental steps to generate authentic cell identities. Usingin silicoandin vitroloss-of-function analyses, we identified CREB5 and TCF7L2 as regulators specific to posterior identities, underscoring the critical role of lieage origins in determining cell states and functions.
High KIR diversity in Uganda and Botswana children living with HIV
Authors: Mukisa John , Kyobe Samuel , Amujal Marion , Katagirya Eric , Diphoko Thabo , Sebetso Gaseene , Mwesigwa Savannah , Mboowa Gerald , Retshabile Gaone , Williams Lesedi , Mlotshwa Busisiwe , Matshaba Mogomotsi , Jjingo Daudi , Kateete David P. , Joloba Moses L. , Mardon Graeme , Hanchard Neil , Hollenbach Jill A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractKiller-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are essential components of the innate immune system found on the surfaces of natural killer (NK) cells. TheKIRs encoding genes are located on chromosome 19q13.4 and are genetically diverse across populations.KIRs are associated with various disease states including HIV progression, and are linked to transplantation rejection and reproductive success. However, there is limited knowledge on the diversity ofKIRs from Uganda and Botswana HIV-infected paediatric cohorts, with high endemic HIV rates. We used next-generation sequencing technologies on 312 (246 Uganda, 66 Botswana) samples to generateKIRallele data and employed customised bioinformatics techniques for allelic, allotype and disease association analysis. We show that these sample sets from Botswana and Uganda have different KIRs of different diversities. In Uganda, we observed 147 vs 111 alleles in the Botswana cohort, which had a more than 1 % frequency. We also found significant deviation towards homozygosity for theKIR3DL2gene for both rapid (RPs) and long-term non-progressors (LTNPs)in the Ugandan cohort. The frequency of the bw4-80I ligand was also significantly higher among the LTNPs than RPs (8.9 % Vs 2.0%, P-value: 0.032). In the Ugandan cohort,KIR2DS4*001(OR: 0.671, 95 % CI: 0.481-0.937, FDR adjusted Pc=0.142) andKIR2DS4*006(OR: 2.519, 95 % CI: 1.085-5.851, FDR adjusted Pc=0.142) were not associated with HIV disease progression after adjustment for multiple testing. Our study results provide additional knowledge of the genetic diversity ofKIRs in African populations and provide evidence that will inform future immunogenetics studies concerning human disease susceptibility, evolution and host immune responses.
Phantom epistasis through the lens of genealogies
Authors: Ignatieva Anastasia , Ferreira Lino A. F. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPhantom epistasis arises when, in the course of testing for gene-by-gene interactions, the omission of a causal variant (with a purely additive effect on the phenotype) causes the spurious inference of a significant interaction between two SNPs. This is more likely to arise when the two SNPs are in relatively close proximity, so while true epistasis between nearby variants could be commonplace, in practice there is no reliable way of telling apart true epistatic signals from false positives. By considering the causes of phantom epistasis from a genealogy-based perspective, we leverage the rich information contained within reconstructed genealogies (in the form of ancestral recombination graphs) to address this problem. We propose a novel method for explicitly quantifying how likely it is that a given pairwise interaction is the result of phantom epistasis, which can be applied to pairs of SNPs regardless of the genetic distance between them. Our method uses only publicly-available data and so does not require access to the phenotypes and genotypes used for detecting interactions. Using simulations, we show that the method has good sensitivity at even low genetic distances (around 0.5cM), and demonstrate its power to detect phantom epistasis using real data from previous studies. This opens up the exciting possibility of distinguishing spurious interactions incisfrom those reflecting real biological effects.
The gold complex auranofin sensitizes platinum resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin
Authors: Abdalbari Farah H , Forgie Benjamin N , Zorychta Edith , Goyeneche Alicia A , Noman Abu Shadat M , Telleria Carlos M 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAlthough there are numerous studies on drug development for ovarian cancer (OC), survival rates for this disease remain low due to platinum (Pt) resistance. Following several rounds of Pt- based chemotherapy, OC cells develop resistance by increasing DNA repair and antioxidant systems. This study aimed to design a treatment approach to combat recurrent stages of OC by repurposing the anti-rheumatic gold complex auranofin (AF). Here we demonstrate that AF enhances the efficacy of cisplatin (CDDP) in Pt-resistant epithelial OC (EOC) cells. The drug combination induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, PARP cleavage, DNA damage, and ROS overproduction. These results suggest the high potential for combining AF with CDDP as a second-line therapy for recurrent EOCs.
Tuning mechanicalmilieuxof tissue templates and their cellular inhabitants to guide mechanoadaptation
Authors: Putra Vina D. L. , Sansalone Vittorio , Kilian Kristopher A. , Knothe Tate Melissa L. 
Published: December 2024

Mechanomics describes the adaptation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to their mechanical environment, via cytoskeletal remodeling, as well as changes in shape and volume, ultimately resulting in emergent lineage commitment. Here we elucidated effects of exogenous microtubule stabilization, using paclitaxel (PAX), on stem cells’ capacity to sense and adapt to changes in their local mechanical environment. We studied the interplay between the living, evolving cells and their mechanical environment using established experimental and computational tools for respective delivery and prediction of shape and volume changing stresses. Stiffened and volumetrically larger microtubule-stabilized MSCs and their experienced significantly different normal and shear stress compared to control cells when exposed to identical bulk laminar flow (0.2 dyn/cm2) for one hour. These spatiotemporal mechanical cues transduced to the nucleus via the cytoskeleton, triggering significantly different changes in gene expression indicative of emergent lineage commitment than those observed in control cells. Using a paired computational model, we further predicted a range of mechanoadaptation responses of microtubule-stabilized cells to scaled up flow magnitudes (1 and 2 dyn/cm2). Hence, MSCs adapt to as well as modulate their own mechanical environment via cytoskeletal remodeling and lineage commitment - microtubule stabilization changes not only MSCs’ mechanoadaptive machinery, their capacity to adapt, and their lineage commitment, but also their mechanical environment. Taken as a whole, these studies corroborate our working hypothesis that MSCs and their mechanoadaptive machinery serve as sensors and actuators, intrinsically linked to their lineage potential via mechanoadaptive feedback loops which are sensitive to exogenous modulation via biochemical and biophysical means.ClassificationBiological Systems Engineering, Computational Simulations, Cell Biology, Biophysics