bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus flavipes L-methionine γ-lyase-β-cyclodextrin conjugates with improved stability, catalytic efficiency and anticancer activity
Authors: El-Sayed Ashraf S. A. , Shindia Ahmed , Emam Esraa , Labib Mai , El-Deen Eman Nour , Seadawy Mohamed G. , Yassin Marwa A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAspergillus flavipes L-methionine γ-lyase (MGL) has been authenticated as a powerful anticancer agent towards various solid tumors, however, the catalytic efficiency and stability of this enzyme remains the main challenge for its further in vivo applications. Thus, the objective of this study was to enhance the catalytic efficiency, structural stability of A. flavipes MGL, in addition to boost their anticancer activity, via conjugation with β-cyclodextrin. The purified A. flavipes MGL was (38.1 μmol/mg/min) was conjugated with β-cyclodextrin, with immobilization yield 80%. The conjugation process of MGL with β-cyclodextrin was verified from the FTIR analysis, molecular docking analysis, ensuring the covalent conjugation process via the hydrogen, and hydrophobic interactions with the cyclodextrin hydroxyl groups and MGL surface amino acids residues. The free and CD-MGL have the same optimum reaction temperature 37 °C, reaction pH 7.5 and pH stability pH 6.5–8.0. The CD-MGL conjugates had a significant stability to proteinase K and trypsin digestion. The affinity of CD-MGL was increased by ~ 2 folds to L-methionine (KM 3.1 mM), compared to the free one (KM 7.2 mM), as well as the catalytic efficiency of MGL was increased by 1.8 folds upon cyclodextrin conjugation. The higher affinity of CD-MGL for L-methionine might be due to re-orientation of the MGL to bind with the substrate by multiple interactions hydrogen, hydrophobic and covalent bonds compared to the free one. The thermal stability of MGL was increased by ~ 2 folds for the tested treatments, upon cyclodextrin conjugation. The in vitro anticancer activity of CD-MGL was enhanced by 2 folds against the HCT-116 (IC50 value 13.9 μmol/mg/min) and MCF7 (IC50 value 9.6 μmol/mg/min), compared to the free MGL (~ 21.4 μmol/mg/min). The enzymes displayed a significant activity against the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in vivo, with an obvious improvement on the liver tissues, as revealed from the histopathological sections
A context-based model of collaborative inhibition during memory search
Authors: Angne Hemali , Cornell Charlotte A. , Zhang Qiong 
Published: November 2024

AbstractContrary to common intuition, a group of people recalling information together remembers less than the same number of individuals recalling alone (i.e., the collaborative inhibition effect). To understand this effect in a free recall task, we build a computational model of collaborative recall in groups, extended from the Context Maintenance and Retrieval (CMR) model, which captures how individuals recall information alone. We propose that in collaborative recall, one not only uses their previous recall as an internal retrieval cue, but one also listens to someone else’s recall and uses it as an external retrieval cue. Attending to this cue updates the listener’s context to be more similar to the context of someone else’s recall. Over an existing dataset of individual and collaborative recall in small and large groups, we show that our model successfully captures the difference in memory performance between individual recall and collaborative recall across different group sizes from 2 to 16, as well as additional recall patterns such as recency effects and semantic clustering effects. Our model further shows that collaborating individuals reach similar areas in the context space, whereby their contexts converge more than the contexts of individuals recalling alone. This convergence constrains their ability to search memories effectively and is negatively associated with recall performance. We discuss the contributions of our modeling results in relation to previous accounts of the collaborative inhibition effect.
Working memory as a representational template for reinforcement learning
Authors: Shibata Kengo , Klar Verena , Fallon Sean J. , Husain Masud , Manohar Sanjay G. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWorking memory (WM) and reinforcement learning (RL) both influence decision-making, but how they interact to affect behaviour remains unclear. We assessed whether RL is influenced by the format of visual stimuli held in WM, either feature-based or unified, object-based representations. In a pre-registered paradigm, participants learned stimulus-action combinations that provided reward through 80% probabilistic feedback. In parallel, participants retained the RL stimulus in WM and were asked to recall this stimulus after each RL choice. Crucially, the format of representation probed in WM was manipulated, with blocks encouraging either separate features or bound objects to be remembered. Incentivising a feature-based WM representation facilitated feature-based learning, shown by an improved choice strategy. This reveals a role of WM in providing sustained internal representations that are harnessed by RL, providing a framework by which these two cognitive processes cooperate.
Determinants of chemoselectivity in ubiquitination by the J2 family of ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes
Authors: Swarnkar Anuruti , Leidner Florian , Rout Ashok K , Ainatzi Sofia , Schmidt Claudia C , Becker Stefan , Urlaub Henning , Griesinger Christian , Grubmüller Helmut , Stein Alexander 
Published: November 2024

AbstractUbiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2) play a crucial role in the attachment of ubiquitin to proteins. Together with ubiquitin ligases (E3), they catalyze the transfer of ubiquitin (Ub) onto lysines with high chemoselectivity. A subfamily of E2s, including yeast Ubc6 and human Ube2J2, also mediates noncanonical modification of serines, but the structural determinants for this chemical versatility remain unknown. Using a combination of X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and reconstitution approaches, we have uncovered a two-layered mechanism that underlies this unique reactivity. A rearrangement of the Ubc6/Ube2J2 active site enhances the reactivity of the E2-Ub thioester, facilitating attack by weaker nucleophiles. Moreover, a conserved histidine in Ubc6/Ube2J2 activates a substrate serine by general base catalysis. Binding of RING-type E3 ligases further increases the serine selectivity inherent to Ubc6/Ube2J2, via an allosteric mechanism that requires specific positioning of the ubiquitin tail at the E2 active site. Our results elucidate how subtle structural modifications to the highly conserved E2 fold yield distinct enzymatic activity.
E‐ and H‐plane beamwidth‐reconfigurable MIMO antenna
Authors: Du Mingye , Liu Weiyang , Liang Yanzhen , He Peng , Ge Lei 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA novel E‐ and H‐plane beamwidth‐reconfigurable Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna is presented here. The antenna consists of four two‐dimensional directional reconfigurable antenna elements that utilizes Positive‐Intrinsic‐Negative (PIN) diodes to achieve stable beamwidth reconfiguration in both the E‐plane and the H‐plane. Simulated and testing results of the fabricated prototype demonstrate that the operating frequency of the antenna ranges from 2.52 to 2.68 GHz across four different states. The beamwidth can switch between approximately 65° and 95° in both planes. The isolation between units exceeds 25 dB, and the radiation performance is stable with high efficiency. This antenna is particularly suitable for applications in 5G indoor communications.
Under the magnifying glass: A combined 3D model applied to cloudy warm Saturn-type exoplanets around M dwarfs
Authors: Kiefer S. , Bach-Møller N. , Samra D. , Lewis D. A. , Schneider A. D. , Amadio F. , Lecoq-Molinos H. , Carone L. , Decin L. , Jørgensen U. G. , Helling Ch. 
Published: November 2024

Context. Warm Saturn-type exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs are particularly suitable for an in-depth cloud characterisation through transmission spectroscopy because the contrast of their stellar to planetary radius is favourable. The global temperatures of warm Saturns suggest efficient cloud formation in their atmospheres which in return affects the temperature, velocity, and chemical structure. However, a consistent modelling of the formation processes of cloud particles within the 3D atmosphere remains computationally challenging.
Aims. We explore the combined atmospheric and micro-physical cloud structure and the kinetic gas-phase chemistry of warm Saturn-like exoplanets in the irradiation field of an M dwarf. The combined modelling approach supports the interpretation of observational data from current (e.g. JWST and CHEOPS) and future missions (PLATO, Ariel, and HWO).
Methods. A combined 3D cloudy atmosphere model for HATS-6b was constructed by iteratively executing the 3D general circulation model (GCM) expeRT/MITgcm and a detailed kinetic cloud formation model, each in its full complexity. The resulting cloud particle number densities, particle sizes, and material compositions were used to derive the local cloud opacity which was then used in the next GCM iteration. The disequilibrium H/C/O/N gas-phase chemistry was calculated for each iteration to assess the resulting transmission spectrum in post-processing.
Results. We present the first model atmosphere that iteratively combines cloud formation and 3D GCM simulation and applied it to the warm Saturn HATS-6b. The cloud opacity feedback causes a temperature inversion at the sub-stellar point and at the evening terminator at gas pressures higher than 10−2 bar. Furthermore, clouds cool the atmosphere between 10−2 bar and 10 bar, and they narrow the equatorial wind jet. The transmission spectrum shows muted gas-phase absorption and a cloud particle silicate feature at ~10 μm.
Conclusions. The combined atmosphere-cloud model retains the full physical complexity of each component and therefore enables a detailed physical interpretation with JWST NIRSpec and MIRI LRS observational accuracy. The model shows that warm Saturn-type exoplanets around M dwarfs are ideal candidates for a search for limb asymmetries in clouds and chemistry, for identifying the cloud particle composition by observing their spectral features, and for identifying in particular the cloud-induced strong thermal inversion that arises on these planets.
Einfluss einer Gangjustierhilfe auf die
Oberkörperbewegung
Authors: Anders Christoph , Dürrschnabel Damian 
Published: November 2024

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund  Trotzdem der Mensch auf ca. 3 Millionen Jahre Evolution des
aufrechten Ganges zurück blicken kann ist dieser Prozess, wie auch alle anderen
evolutionären Prozesse nicht als abgeschlossen zu betrachten. Dies gilt
insbesondere unter sich ständig ändernden Umweltbedingungen. Um hier zu
optimieren wurde eine Orthesen-ähnliche Einlage, die so genannte
Gangjustierhilfe (GJH), die medial im Bereich des Fersenbeines appliziert wird
entwickelt. Die vorliegende Studie evaluiert die Auswirkung der GJH beim
beschuhten Gehen auf die Gehgeschwindigkeit und die Oberkörperbewegung beim
Gehen.
Materialien und Methoden  Dafür wurden 40 gesunde Probanden (20 Frauen,
19–35 Jahre) während des Gehens über festen Boden bei selbst gewählter normaler,
sowie betont langsamer und schneller Gehgeschwindigkeit untersucht. Die Messung
der Gehgeschwindigkeit erfolgte über ein Lichtschrankensystem, die
Oberkörperbewegungen wurden über Inertialsensoren, die verwackelungsfrei am
Sternumbefestigt waren erfasst. Zur Auswertung kamen dabei die Beschleunigung,
sowie die Winkelgeschwindigkeiten in jeweils drei Achsen.
Ergebnisse  Die mittleren Gehgeschwindigkeiten waren bei Anwendung der GJH
für normales und betont schnelles Gehen signifikant höher als ohne GJH (Normal,
ohne GJH 1,41±0,05 m/s (MW±95% CI), mit GJH 1,47±0,04 m/s; schnell, ohne GJH
1,79±0,06 m/s, mit GJH 1,82±0,05 m/s). Für die Oberkörperbewegungen konnte
während der Lastübernahme (0–5% normierter Gangzyklus) eine signifikant
schnellere Extensionsbewegung des Oberkörpers nachgewiesen werden.
Schlussfolgerungen  Die GJH bewirkt somit einen lokomotionsaktivierenden
Effekt und unabhängig davon eine erhöhte Aufrichtbewegung des Oberkörpers, die
zu einer Rückverlagerung des Körperschwerpunktes und damit zu einem verbesserten
funktionellen Gangbild beiträgt. Diese verstärkte Aufrichtung kann darüber
hinaus als Baustein zur Sturzprophylaxe unserer immer älter werdenden
Bevölkerung beitragen.
Frontal Bone Morphology in Different Age and Gender Groups Using Computed Tomography
Authors: Hajizadeh Barfejani Arnavaz , Noroozi Amirhossein , Karagah Aida , Tofangchiha Maryam , Taghavi-Damghani Farnaz , Alizadeh Ahad 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background The shape of the forehead is primarily determined by the frontal bone, which holds significance for health and aesthetics. This study evaluated the morphology of the frontal bone in different age groups and genders using computed tomography (CT).
Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on CT scan results of 220 patients divided into three age groups: 20–29.27, 29.27–47.54, and 47.54–95 years. The investigation explored the lower and upper angles compared with the Sella–Nasion (SN) line, the maximum frontal projection with Nasion in the SN plan, and the variations in frontal thickness across different angles (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees) relative to the SN plane. All data were analyzed using R software, considering the significance level p < 0.05.
Results Of 220 patients, 119 were men, and the mean age of the participants was 41.09 ± 18.06 years. The average upper frontal slope (UFS) angle was 56.96 ± 8.17 degrees, which was 59.35 ± 7.92 degrees in females and 54.94 ± 7.86 degrees in males. The mean lower frontal slope (LFS) angle was 86.30 ± 7.96 degrees, which was 90.71 ± 6.67 degrees in females and 82.55 ± 7.00 degrees in males. The average contour nasion (C–N) distance was 7.51 ± 3.72 mm. Also, the frontal thickness at an angle of 15 degrees had the highest value of 13.08 ± 2.68 mm and at 30 degrees had the lowest value of 5.81 ± 1.56 mm. A significant difference was observed between the UFS and LFS among males and females (p < 0.001). Across all age groups, men exhibited a steeper angle, indicating a greater posterior inclination than women. Moreover, males with upper ages reported a significant increase in C–N distance and frontal projection (p < 0.05).
Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of considering gender-specific variations in frontal bone structure when planning cosmetic or reconstructive procedures involving the forehead.
Fetal Gastroschisis: Maternal Epidemiologic Profile and Influence of
Possible Risk Factors on Neonatal Outcomes
Authors: Muniz Thalita Diógenes , Rolo Liliam Cristine , Araujo Júnior Edward 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate the maternal
epidemiological profile for gastroschisis as well as to assess whether the
presence of meconium at birth was associated with adverse neonatal outcomes.
Methods  This was a retrospective observational cohort study that included
52 neonates with gastroschisis whose mothers had delivery at our service. The
variables observed were the following: 1) socio-demographic data, 2)
ultrasonographic data, 3) birth data, and 4) neonatal outcomes. Simple
(univariate) and multiple (multivariate) logistic regression models were used to
examine the influence of meconium on neonatal outcomes.
Results  Mean maternal age and body mass index (BMI) of the pregnant women
were 21.9 years and 23.3 kg/m2, respectively. There was a similarity between
mixed (50%) and white (48.1%) races, and 27.7% (13) reported to use an oral
contraceptive (OC). Mean birth weight was 2,386.9 grams, and 24 of the neonates
(46.2%) were premature (<37 weeks). The majority of neonates had neonatal
sepsis (40.4%) and 39 were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with a
median length of stay of 31 days. Forty neonates required mechanical
ventilation, with a median duration of 5 days. Primary closure was achieved in
50% (26) of cases. Although not significant and with low precision, the point
estimate suggested that the presence of meconium at birth, on average, reduced
the chance of primary closure (OR=0.26, CI 95% [0.06; 1.16], p=0.077).
Conclusion  Pregnant women with gastroschisis fetuses were more likely to
be young, primigravida, with a normal BMI, white or mixed, and with a history of
OC use. There was no evidence of an association between the presence of meconium
at birth and adverse perinatal outcomes.
Different Evaluation Strategies of Oncological CT Examinations with Regard to Professional Experience: A Clinical Study Using Eye-tracking
Authors: Kluge Sara , Schülke Christoph , Ites Hannah Christin , Zoubi Tarek , Dewald Cornelia L.A. , Heindel Walter , Buerke Boris , Höink Anna Janina 
Published: November 2024

AbstractContrast-enhanced CT is the standard imaging technique in oncological objectives. Rates of missed pathologies depend on work experience of the respective radiologists. Thus the aim of this study is to analyze the eye movements of professionals while reading CT images in order to evaluate whether the eye-fixation patterns and search strategies of experienced radiologists could explain higher detection rates of pathologies and whether such patterns can be learned.Anonymized images of 10 patients were presented to three medical students and six radiologists with different levels of work experience. During image analysis, ocular fixation positions were recorded using an eye-tracking software tool. The CT scans were analyzed retrospectively, considering the individual course of disease with the issue of successful detection of all pathologies. Visual attention and dwell time of ocular fixation on clinically important abnormalities or areas with pathological findings, general search patterns, and time efficiency were assessed. For statistical analysis, interobserver variability and accuracy of lesion detection were evaluated taking into account individual experience.The results revealed that observer sensitivity depends on work experience due to a more systematic order of inspection and a well-known course of disease, e.g. in case of metastatic spread. The areas of missed pathologies mostly included secondary findings. Inexperienced readers changed the stratification considerably more often and required more time for reporting or detecting pathologies.Our results suggest that experienced radiological physicians reduce their amount of missed findings by looking more systematically at images and by applying a more targeted inspection of clinically important regions.
Artificial Intelligence-based Assessment of Facial Symmetry Aesthetics of Saudi Arabian Population
Authors: Alam Mohammad Khursheed , Alfawzan Ahmed Ali 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate facial symmetry aesthetics (FSA) in the Saudi Arabian population using artificial intelligence (AI).Two hundred and ten people from a range of demographic backgrounds participated in an observational cross-sectional study that was done at a hospital. Standardized posed photos of the face and smile were taken using a Canon camera utilizing a stratified random sample approach. Webceph software (Korea) with AI was used to evaluate macro, micro, and tiny aesthetic factors. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests, post hoc Bonferroni testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and descriptive statistics. The computation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) was utilized to assess the dependability of AI evaluations.All variables had ICCs of more than 0.97, indicating exceptional dependability for the AI-based evaluations. Between the Class I and Class III malocclusion groups, there were significant variations in right mandibular body length (p < 0.001), with Class III patients exhibiting greater values. While no significant changes were identified for other characteristics, paired t-tests showed a significant divergence in mandibular body length between the right and left sides (p = 0.001). In Class III malocclusion, there was a significant preference for right deviation in the direction of mandibular deviation (p = 0.005). These results imply that AI is capable of accurately identifying some anatomical characteristics associated with face aesthetics, especially when it comes to differentiating between Class III malocclusions.In conclusion, the Saudi Arabian population's facial symmetry assessments via AI have demonstrated a high degree of reliability and consistency. Notably, the length of the mandible on the right side has emerged as a crucial feature in discriminating between malocclusion classes. The study emphasizes how AI might improve the accuracy of assessments of face aesthetics and our knowledge of facial features connected to malocclusion.
Feasibility of a novel 5F plastic stent in endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis
Authors: Nakahara Kazunari , Igarashi Yosuke , Sekine Akihiro , Satta Yusuke , Niwa Haruka , Sato Junya , Kobayashi Shinjiro , Otsubo Takehito , Tateishi Keisuke 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMany reports have demonstrated the efficacy of endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder stenting (EGBS) for acute cholecystitis (AC), most of which have traditionally used a 7F plastic stent. The study aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a novel 5F plastic stent in EGBS for AC.We designed a retrospective study that compared the outcomes between 7F and 5F stents in patients undergoing EGBS. Among 147 patients who underwent endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for AC between January 2019 and July 2023, 104 who underwent EGBS using a 7F (n = 53) or 5F (n = 51) plastic stent were included in the analysis.The technical success rate for EGBS, clinical success rate for AC, and early adverse events (AEs) rate in the 7F and 5F groups were 92.5% vs 100%, 100% vs 98.0%, and 5.7% vs 3.9%, respectively, with no significant differences. However, only in the 7F group, four patients failed stent insertion and three patients developed postprocedure pancreatitis. Furthermore, incidence of hyperamylasemia was lower in the 5F group (24.5% vs 9.8%, P = 0.047). The late AE rate did not differ significantly between the 7F and 5F groups (14.3% vs 10.0%). The median time to late AE was 238 days for the 7F group and 187 days for the 5F group, with no significant difference.A 5F stent can provide outcomes comparable to those of a 7F stent and help prevent hyperamylasemia.