bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decoding sensorimotor information from somatosensory cortex by flexible epicortical μECoG arrays in unrestrained behaving rats
Authors: Kılınç Bülbül Deniz , Walston Steven T , Duvan Fikret Taygun , Garrido Jose A , Güçlü Burak 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective. Brain–computer interfaces (BCI) are promising for severe neurological conditions and there are ongoing efforts to develop state-of-the-art neural interfaces, hardware, and software tools. We tested the potential of novel reduced graphene oxide (rGO) electrodes implanted epidurally over the hind limb representation of the primary somatosensory (S1) cortex of rats, and compared them to commercial platinum–iridium (Pt–Ir) 16-channel electrodes (active site diameter: 25 μm). Approach. Motor and somatosensory information was decoded offline from microelectrocorticography (μECoG) signals recorded while unrestrained rats performed a simple behavioral task: pressing a lever and the subsequent vibrotactile stimulation of the glabrous skin at three displacement amplitude levels and at two sinusoidal frequencies. μECoG data were initially analyzed by standard time–frequency methods. Next, signal powers of oscillatory bands recorded from multiple electrode channels were used as features for sensorimotor classification by a machine learning algorithm. Main results. Both electrode types performed quite well and similar to each other for predicting the motor interval and the presence of the vibrotactile stimulus. Average accuracies were relatively lower for predicting 3-class vibrotactile frequency and 4-class amplitude level by both electrode types. Significance. Given some confounding factors during the free movement of rats, the results show that both sensory and motor information can be recorded reliably from the hind limb area of S1 cortex by using μECoG arrays. The chronic use of novel rGO electrodes was demonstrated successfully. The hind limb area may be convenient for the future evaluation of new tools in neurotechnology, especially those for bidirectional BCIs.
Transcranial focused ultrasound remotely modulates extrastriate visual cortex by stimulating frontal eye field with subregion specificity
Authors: Yu Kai , Schmitt Samantha , Ni Yunruo , Crane Emily C , Smith Matthew A , He Bin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective. Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has emerged as a powerful neuromodulation tool characterized by its deep penetration and precise spatial targeting to influence neural activity. Our study directed low-intensity tFUS stimulation onto a region of prefrontal cortex (the frontal eye field, or FEF) of a rhesus macaque to examine its impact on a remote site, the extrastriate visual cortex (area V4) through this top-down modulatory circuit that has been studied extensively with electrical microstimulation. Approach. To measure the impact of tFUS stimulation, we recorded local field potentials and multi-unit spiking activities from a multi-electrode array implanted in the visual cortex. To deliver tFUS stimulation, we leveraged a customized 128-element random array ultrasound transducer with precise spatial targeting. Main results. We observed that tFUS stimulation in FEF produced modulation of V4 neuronal activity, either through enhancement or suppression, dependent on the pulse repetition frequency of the tFUS stimulation. Electronically steering the transcranial ultrasound focus through the targeted FEF cortical region produced changes in the level of modulation, indicating that the tFUS stimulation was spatially targeted within FEF. Modulation of V4 activity was confined to specific frequency bands, and this modulation was dependent on the presence or absence of a visual stimulus during tFUS stimulation. A control study targeting the insula produced no effect, emphasizing the region-specific nature of tFUS neuromodulation. Significance. Our findings shed light on the capacity of tFUS to modulate specific neural pathways and provide a comprehensive understanding of its potential applications for neuromodulation within brain networks.
Probing marginal stability in the spherical p = 2 model
Authors: Niedda Jacopo , Tonolo Tommaso , Gradenigo Giacomo 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the marginally stable nature of the low-temperature trivial spin-glass phase in spherical p = 2 spin glass by perturbing the system with three different kinds of non-linear interactions. In particular, we compare the effect of three additional dense four-body interactions, namely ferromagnetic couplings, purely disordered couplings and couplings with competing disordered and ferromagnetic interactions. Our study, characterized by the effort to present in a clear and pedagogical way the derivation of all the results, shows that the marginal stability property of the spherical spin glass depends in fact on which kind of perturbation is applied to the system. In general, a certain degree of frustration is needed in the additional terms in order to induce a transition from a trivial to a non-trivial spin-glass phase. On the other hand, the addition of generic non-frustrated interactions does not destabilize the trivial spin-glass phase.
Estimation of long-term stability of precision inductance measures using different methods
Authors: Velychko Oleh , Shvedova Viktoriia , Gordiyenko Tetyana 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Inductance is a physical quantity that characterizes the ability of a conductor to accumulate magnetic field energy when an electric current flows. Considering the small number of standards of a similar level of accuracy in the world, it is interesting to study the behavior of individual characteristics of such standards using known research methods. The long-term stability of measures is an important metrological characteristic that characterizes the change in the nominal value of a standard or measure over time. Regular metrological research of the long-term stability of precision inductance measures with nominal values of 10 mH and 100 mH have been carried out since 2009. Analysis of the long-term behavior of precision inductance measures included checking the primary measurement data for randomness and outliers using Abbe’s and Grubb’s tests. The detection of anomalous results significantly affects the estimation of the random error component and the standard uncertainty of the reproduction of the inductance measure. There is a significant change in the inductance of both measures over the entire observation period, which is confirmed by Abbe’s test. At the same time, this change is most significant in the first years, and then the change in inductance occurs slowly. The analysis of the functional change in inductance using the Grubb’s test showed that, depending on the research object itself, different analytical dependencies can be used for describing the functional trend. The criterion for choosing the best approximation can be both the ‘criterion of the reliability of the approximation’ and the standard deviation of the ‘cleaned’ measured data. The practical value of this work is the possibility of accumulating and integrating the obtained experimental data for standards of a similar accuracy class in different countries, which makes it possible to further improve the methods of their construction, stabilization of reproducible characteristics and operational features.
Vincent of Lérins
Authors: Fairbairn Donald 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This chapter suggests that Vincent is probably not the author of the Obiectiones, that he is the author/editor of the Excerpta, and that his Commonitorium is not specifically directed against Augustine. Then it considers the Christology of the Commonitorium and the Excerpta, demonstrating the generally Cyrillian and Augustinian character of Vincent’s Christology. Indeed, Vincent’s famous focus on orthodox Christian tradition is largely explained in response to ‘Nestorius’. Based on significant omissions in Vincent’s quotations of Augustine in the Excerpta, the chapter argues that while he agrees with Augustine on Christology, Vincent reasons logically from Christology to grace very differently. Specifically, he seems to reject the idea that the predestination of the humanity of Christ implies the predestination of the Christian in a strictly parallel way. The chapter concludes by noting the substantial consistency of Cassian’s and Vincent’s thought, with Cassian providing most of the depth on grace, and Vincent most of the precision on Christology. Combining their thought provides an understanding of a Gallic approach to Christology and the logic of grace, which is not beholden to Augustine and which does not revolve around degrees of emphasis on grace and human freedom.
Prosper of Aquitaine
Authors: Fairbairn Donald 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This chapter describes the well-known shift in Prosper’s thought from restricting God’s salvific will to the elect early in his life, to arguing robustly for God’s universal salvific will in De uocatione. The chapter surveys scholarly opinion on the various factors that led to this shift and then argues, on the basis of a close reading of the Epitaphium, that Prosper’s increasing appreciation of the Saviour’s identity as the eternal Son—gained as a result of opposing ‘Nestorianism’—played a role in his development. While we have little data on which to make a judgement, we can be reasonably confident that Prosper’s Christology was broadly Cyrillian, and the universal significance of the Word’s descent to the human sphere was part of what pushed him to affirm God’s universal salvific will, in opposition both to the later Augustine and to his own earlier view. We may recognize that the earlier Prosper reasoned from the Fall to predestination and only then to the Incarnation, whereas the later Prosper reasoned from the Fall to the Incarnation, and thus to an understanding of grace that includes universal aspects. We may also recognize that this is the way Cassian and Vincent have always reasoned from Christology to grace; Prosper’s transition from one sequential logic to a different one throws into relief the differences between the Gallic writers and Augustine.
BFAST: joint dimension reduction and spatial clustering with Bayesian factor analysis for zero-inflated spatial transcriptomics data
Authors: Xu Yang , Lv Dian , Zou Xuanxuan , Wu Liang , Xu Xun , Zhao Xin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The development of spatially resolved transcriptomics (ST) technologies has made it possible to measure gene expression profiles coupled with cellular spatial context and assist biologists in comprehensively characterizing cellular phenotype heterogeneity and tissue microenvironment. Spatial clustering is vital for biological downstream analysis. However, due to high noise and dropout events, clustering spatial transcriptomics data poses numerous challenges due to the lack of effective algorithms. Here we develop a novel method, jointly performing dimension reduction and spatial clustering with Bayesian Factor Analysis for zero-inflated Spatial Transcriptomics data (BFAST). BFAST has showcased exceptional performance on simulation data and real spatial transcriptomics datasets, as proven by benchmarking against currently available methods. It effectively extracts more biologically informative low-dimensional features compared to traditional dimensionality reduction approaches, thereby enhancing the accuracy and precision of clustering.
Prospective relationship between family screen time rules, obesogenic behaviours, and childhood obesity
Authors: Hashemi Ladan , Ghasemi Maryam , Schlichting Deborah , Pirouzi Maryam , Grant Cameron , Swinburn Boyd 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Family screen use rules (FSRs) could plausibly protect against the development of childhood obesity, although the mechanisms underlying these protective effects remain largely unexplored. This research aimed to investigate prospectively the associations between exposure to FSRs at age 24 months, obesogenic behaviours (excessive screen time and short sleep duration) at age 45 months, and obesity at age 54 months. Additionally, a model proposing the mediating role of obesogenic behaviours in the association between FSRs and childhood obesity was tested. Data were obtained from 5733 children and their mothers participating in the ‘Growing Up in New Zealand’ study. Logistic regressions examined the association between three FSRs (rules on quality, quantity and timing of screen time, and different numbers of FSRs), obesogenic behaviours, and childhood obesity. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to assess the potential mediating roles of obesogenic behaviours in the association between FSRs and zBMI. Neither exposure to individual nor all three FSRs was significantly associated with lower odds of obesity. However, protective effects of FSRs were observed concerning obesogenic behaviours. Exposure to individual or all three FSRs correlated with reduced odds of not meeting screen time and sleep duration recommendations. SEM analysis indicated no direct association between FSRs and zBMI; nevertheless, a significant indirect association was identified through the mediation of obesogenic behaviours. These findings suggest the potential benefits of promoting the adoption of FSRs as a promising population-based strategy to enhance child health behaviours and mitigate the risk of childhood obesity.
Insights into interspecies protein binding variability using clindamycin as an example
Authors: Ahmed Hifza , Böhmdorfer Michaela , Jäger Walter , Zeitlinger Markus 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
In the preclinical development of new drugs, animal models are often employed to predict their efficacy in humans, relying on translational pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies. We performed in vitro experiments focusing on the comparison of plasma protein binding (PPB) and bacterial growth dynamics of clindamycin, a commonly used antimicrobial agent, across a range of drug concentrations and plasma environments.

Methods
Human, bovine and rat plasma were used for determining PPB of clindamycin at various antibiotic concentrations in buffer and media containing 20% to 70% plasma or pure plasma using ultrafiltration (UF) and equilibrium dialysis (ED). Also bacterial growth and time–kill assays were performed in Mueller–Hinton broth (MHB) containing various percentages of plasma.

Results
Protein binding of clindamycin correlated well between UF and ED. Notably, clindamycin exhibited substantially lower protein binding to rat plasma compared with human and bovine plasma. Staphylococcus aureus growth was significantly reduced in 70% human, bovine, and rat plasma after 4, 8 and 24 h compared with standard MHB. Time–kill data demonstrated that bacterial counts at both 20% and 70% plasmas were less when compared with MHB at drug concentrations lower than MIC after 4 and 8 h of incubation. For rat plasma, the difference was maintained over 24 h of incubation. Furthermore, a complete bacterial killing at 16 mg/L was observed after 24 h in 20% and 70% human and bovine plasma, but not for rat plasma.

Conclusions
Recognizing interspecies differences in PB might be essential for optimizing the translational relevance of preclinical studies.
Giant mesenteric lipoma in a pre-school child: a case report
Authors: Rwomurushaka Evance Salvatory , Amsi Patrick , Lodhia Jay 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Lipomas are common benign tumors, typically affecting subcutaneous tissues in the head, neck, trunk, and upper limbs, particularly in individuals over 40 years old. However, visceral involvement, such as mesenteric lipomas, is exceedingly rare, with fewer than 50 pediatric cases reported in the English literature. Mesenteric lipomas are generally asymptomatic but may present with non-specific symptoms like abdominal distension or signs of partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Imaging modalities such as abdominal ultrasound and CT scan often reveal a well-differentiated fatty tumor, but histological confirmation is essential for diagnosis and management. We present a case of a 3-year-old female who experienced progressive abdominal distension over the course of a year. Imaging identified a large lipomatous tumor, which was surgically excised. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a mesenteric lipoma.
Overestimation of clinical N-staging in microsatellite instable gastric cancers is associated with VEGF-C signaling and CD8+ T-cell dynamics
Authors: Tsai Chun-Yi , Tai Tzong-Shyuan , Huang Shih-Chiang , Chen Tsung-Hsing , Hsu Jun-Te , Yeh Chun-Nan , Lai Ying-Chieh , Lin Gigin , Yeh Ta-Sen 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Microsatellite instable (MSI) gastric cancers exhibit reduced lymph node (LN) metastasis and improved survival compared to microsatellite stable (MSS) counterparts. However, to our longstanding observation, clinical N-staging (cN) is frequently overestimated in MSI cases. The clinical implications and underlying mechanisms of this discrepancy warrant further investigation.

Materials and methods
We conducted a comprehensive review of clinicopathological data from a 141 MSI and 1119 MSS gastric cancer patients. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 were assessed using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. High-parameter flow cytometry was employed to analyze subsets of CD8+ T cells within the tumors.

Results
Multivariate analysis revealed that MSI status was an independent prognostic factor, alongside the LN ratio and AJCC8 pathology staging. MSI gastric cancers exhibited a reduced LN ratio, particularly at advanced T-staging, compared to MSS counterparts, while maintaining an equivalent LN yield. Overestimation of cN by computed tomography preoperatively was frequent in MSI gastric cancers but was more commonly underestimated in MSS counterparts. VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression were lower in MSI tumors. MSI gastric cancers showed an increased total number of CD8+ T cells, albeit with a lower proportion of effector memory cells expressing CD45RA (EMRA) and CD8+ CXCR4+ T cells, compared to MSS counterparts.

Conclusion
Frequent overestimation of clinical N-staging in MSI gastric cancers is associated with VEGF-C signaling and CD8+ T-cell dynamics and should be cautiously interpreted, as it might misguide therapeutic options.
Comparative RNA profiling identifies stage-specific phasiRNAs and coexpressed Argonaute genes in Bambusoideae and Pooideae species
Authors: Bélanger Sébastien , Zhan Junpeng , Yu Yunqing , Meyers Blake C 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Phased, small interfering RNAs (PhasiRNAs) play a crucial role in supporting male fertility in grasses. Earlier work in maize (Zea mays) and rice (Oryza sativa)—and subsequently many other plant species—identified premeiotic 21-nucleotide (nt) and meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs. More recently, a group of premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs was discovered in the anthers of 2 Pooideae species, barley (Hordeum vulgare) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Whether premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs and other classes of reproductive phasiRNAs are conserved across Pooideae species remains unclear. We conducted comparative RNA profiling of 3 anther stages in 6 Pooideae species and 1 Bambusoideae species. We observed complex temporal accumulation patterns of 21-nt and 24-nt phasiRNAs in Pooideae and Bambusoideae grasses. In Bambusoideae, 21-nt phasiRNAs accumulated during meiosis, whereas 24-nt phasiRNAs were present in both premeiotic and postmeiotic stages. We identified premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs in all 7 species examined. These phasiRNAs exhibit distinct biogenesis mechanisms and potential Argonaute effectors compared to meiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs. We show that specific Argonaute genes coexpressed with stage-specific phasiRNAs are conserved across Bambusoideae and Pooideae species. Our degradome analysis identified a set of conserved miRNA target genes across species, while 21-nt phasiRNA targets were species-specific. Cleavage of few targets was observed for 24-nt phasiRNAs. In summary, this study demonstrates that premeiotic 24-nt phasiRNAs are present across Bambusoideae and Pooideae families, and the temporal accumulation of other classes of 21-nt and 24-nt phasiRNA differs between bamboo and Pooideae species. Furthermore, targets of the 3 classes of phasiRNAs may be rapidly evolving or undetectable.
Consortia under the OHADA Law and the interest of wage earners
Authors: Ndangoh Medret Lekunga 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The economic development of commercial companies, matched with the desire to modernize the size and structure of commercial companies and business units, is manifested by the multiplication of branches and the creation of subsidiaries, which leads to the creation and the multiplication of consortia. This may be a plus for the business world, but, for the wage earners, it is mostly characterized by the disregard of their interest. The aim of this article is to show the legal apprehension of the situation of wage earners in a consortium under OHADA law. What are the mechanisms put in place by the law to remedy the unpleasant legal situation of wage earners in the consortium? In conceiving the possibility for commercial companies to come together through various ties to form an entity called a consortium, the OHADA Treaty had to see in which way the interests of those who play a major role (wage earners) for the development of such companies will be safeguarded. This article has a double interest: socio-moral interest and a scientific interest—socio-moral interest, in that it tries to examine how the interest of wage earners, which is mainly alimentary and will not be abandoned in favour of capital interest; and a scientific interest as it endeavours to reconcile the application of two rules of law: that of company law and of labour law.