bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The gut–brain axis in appetite, satiety, food intake, and eating behavior: Insights from animal models and human studies
Authors: Clarke Georgia S. , Page Amanda J. , Eldeghaidy Sally 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe gut–brain axis plays a pivotal role in the finely tuned orchestration of food intake, where both homeostatic and hedonic processes collaboratively control our dietary decisions. This interplay involves the transmission of mechanical and chemical signals from the gastrointestinal tract to the appetite centers in the brain, conveying information on meal arrival, quantity, and chemical composition. These signals are processed in the brain eventually leading to the sensation of satiety and the termination of a meal. However, the regulation of food intake and appetite extends beyond the realms of pure physiological need. Hedonic mechanisms, including sensory perception (i.e., through sight, smell, and taste), habitual behaviors, and psychological factors, exert profound influences on food intake. Drawing from studies in animal models and human research, this comprehensive review summarizes the physiological mechanisms that underlie the gut–brain axis and its interplay with the reward network in the regulation of appetite and satiety. The recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques, with a focus on human studies that enable investigation of the neural mechanisms underpinning appetite regulation are discussed. Furthermore, this review explores therapeutic/pharmacological strategies that hold the potential for controlling food intake.
Performance‐Oriented Understanding and Design of a Robotic Tadpole: Lower Energy Cost, Higher Speed
Authors: Chao Xu , Hameed Imran , Navarro‐Alarcon David , Jing Xingjian 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTA compliant plate driven by an active joint is frequently employed as a fin to improve swimming efficiency due to its continuous and compliant kinematics. However, very few studies have focused on the performance‐oriented design of multijoint mechanisms enhanced with flexible fins, particularly regarding critical design factors such as the active‐joint ratio and dimension‐related stiffness distribution of the fin. To this aim, we developed a robotic tadpole by integrating a multijoint mechanism with a flexible fin and conduct a comprehensive investigation of its swimming performance with different tail configurations. A dynamic model with identified hydrodynamic parameters was established to predict propulsive performance. Numerous simulations and experiments were conducted to explore the impact of the active‐joint ratio and the dimension‐related stiffness distribution of the fin. The results reveal that (a) tails with different active‐joint ratios achieve their best performance at a small phase difference, while tails with a larger active‐joint ratio tend to perform worse than those with a smaller active‐joint ratio when a larger phase difference is used; (b) the optimal active‐joint ratio enables the robot to achieve superior performance in terms of swimming velocity and energy efficiency; and (c) with the same surface area, a longer fin with a wide leading edge and a narrow trailing edge can achieve higher swimming speeds with lower energy consumption. This work presents novel and in‐depth insights into the design of bio‐inspired underwater robots with compliant propulsion mechanisms.
Obstetric ultrasound and women with obesity: Do we need industry guidance?
Authors: Russo Kate , Quinton Ann 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAustralia, like many developed countries is experiencing an obesity crisis, with maternal obesity associated with increased risks of fetal and maternal complications. For obstetric sonographers, there are technical challenges to exclude a fetal anomaly or pregnancy complication in a woman with obesity. Furthermore, scan times are often longer, greater probe pressure is needed and follow up scans are often undertaken to complete examinations. There are numerous studies reporting high rates of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) amongst sonographers and papers that provide tips and tricks to improve imaging and ergonomics. However, there is no specific industry guidance by way of a guideline, consensus statement or position paper from our leading professional associations, on how we can address this complex issue obstetric sonographers encounter when scanning women with obesity, or our communication with women about the difficulties faced. Given the high and increasing rates of obesity, the high risk of pain and WRMSDs for sonographers and limitations associated with these examinations, this raises the question—is it time for our industry to discuss guidance and communication in obstetric ultrasound for women with obesity to mitigate sonographer risk of WRMSDs, while ensuring safe, high quality care for these women?
Thinking Contemporary Forms of Government after the Break of Tradition
Authors: Jalušič Vlasta , Heuer Wolfgang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis chapter explains the aim, the background and the most important questions that this book attempts to answer. While proceeding from Hannah Arendt’s thesis of the “break in the (political) tradition” that occurred with the totalitarianisms of the twentieth century, the book analyses some main trends in existing forms of government and their relation to historical forms. Possible conceptual frameworks are examined to gain a deeper understanding of current trends and phenomena: i.e. illiberalism, authoritarianism, Bonapartism, bureaucracy, rule by decree, rule by experts, populism, and anti-political tendencies. The authors elaborate on the new styles of politics gaining democratic legitimacy in elections and referendums and hybrid forms of governing and power that might escape the traditional framework of the division of powers. Political concepts, topics, and institutions neglected within the hegemonic currents of political theory that did not re-emerge after post-Second World War Western political thought are also examined: the prospects of democracy with councils and peoples’ assemblies as inclusive political institutions, the future of federalism, global sustainability in relation to nature and politics, and the question of the necessary conditions for political action, i.e. plurality and courage.
Atoms at Rest
Authors: Raven Will 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn this chapter, we consider the factors that lead to complexity in atomic lines. We will learn that all spectral lines have a fundamental (natural) width and exist as a spread of frequencies rather than a single frequency. The width of atomic lines can also be affected by external factors such as pressure and laser power. This will be related to what we observe when probing an atom with a laser. In addition, we will learn about how this fundamental width is related to the lifetime of a state, how many photons per second an atom can absorb from a laser, and the two major types of experimental plots known as absorption plots and transmission plots.
Atoms in Motion
Authors: Raven Will 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn this chapter, we explore how motion can affect the perceived frequency of waves, with significant implications for spectroscopy. We cover the broadening and shifting of atomic line frequencies due to atomic movement and investigate the roles of velocity and temperature in these phenomena. Key topics include the Doppler effect, Doppler broadening, the Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity distribution, and the Equipartition Theorem. Additionally, the chapter discusses the application of the Doppler effect in astronomy.
Use of aqueous polyvinyl alcohol in binder jetting of Inconel 718
Authors: Paul Sourabh , Smith Patrick J. , Mumtaz Kamran 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBinders used in binder jetting often pose health and environmental risks during processing and post processing operations. The print-heads which are used to deposit binder selectively on the feedstock are prone to clogging, despite the trend of print-heads being highly customised to suit different kinds of binders. These factors often hide the advantages of binder jetting as an additive manufacturing process, especially its scalability and its faster printing rates in comparison to powder bed fusion methods. The work presented here takes a step back and focuses on the development of an aqueous, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based liquid binder that is easy to manufacture and store, safe to handle, and can be reliably jetted to print parts. The feedstock considered was Inconel 718, a nickel-based super alloy which can be effectively processed by binder jetting without niobium segregation. PVA was added to the Inconel 718 powder in dry, granular form to manufacture a modified feedstock. The study also investigated the role of molecular weight of the PVA used, sintering environments and post-processing methods like hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on process responses like part densification, tensile strength, and hardness. Three different types of PVA were chosen which had molecular weights 10,000 g/mol (low molecular weight or LMW), 26,000 g/mol (medium molecular weight or MMW), and 84,000 g/mol (high molecular weight or HMW). The compatibility of the liquid, aqueous PVA-based binders with virgin Inconel 718 was examined by measuring the contact angle. The liquid, aqueous binder having MMW PVA reported better wetting with the Inconel 718 powder with a wetting angle of 26.6 which was lower than the wetting angle of 42.4°, seen in case of a commercial resin-based binder. The green strength reported by the MMW PVA liquid binder was 220 kPa which was higher than the other two PVA-based liquid binders. Green parts, upon successful printing, were sintered at 1260 °C. It was observed that a part printed using MMW PVA had a densification of 96.16% when sintered in 99.98% by volume argon gas, which increased to 98.96% after undergoing HIP. The same part reported a densification of 88.69% when sintered in a 95% by volume N2 and 5% by volume H2 gaseous environment, which was later attributed to the uptake of nitrogen by the chromium present in Inconel 718, which prevented necking between particles. Tensile specimens printed using MMW PVA, sintered in a 99.98% argon environment, showed the highest ultimate tensile strength of 220 MPa, which increased to 1010 MPa after the HIP process, which can be compared to commercially available Inconel 718.
Diacerein ameliorates amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis via targeting the TGFβ1/α-SMA/Smad3 pathway
Authors: Farouk Hadir , Moustafa Passant E. , Khattab Marwa S. , El-Marasy Salma A. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study is aimed at investigating the possible protective effect of diacerein (DIA) against AMD-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Rats were classified into 4 groups: a normal group that received distilled water, control group that received AMD (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 21 days to induce pulmonary fibrosis, and 2 treatment groups that received diacerein, in 2 dose levels (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o., respectively) in addition to AMD (100 mg/kg, p.o.), for 21 days. Lung function test was assessed using a spirometer; serum and tissue were collected. Biochemical, real-time PCR, histopathological, and immunohistopathological analyses were carried out. AMD reduced tidal volume (TV), peripheral expiratory rate (PER), forced vital capacity (FVC), serum reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, Beclin, and LCII, while it elevated transform growth factor (TGF-β1) gene expression, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Smad3, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (p-STAT3), and p62 lung content. Also, AMD elevated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and caspase-3 protein expression. DIA elevated TV, PER, FVC, serum GSH level, Beclin, and LCII, while it reduced TGF-β1 gene expression, serum MDA level, α-SMA, Smad3, p-STAT-3, and p62 lung content. Moreover, DIA reduced TNF-α and caspase-3 protein expression. DIA attenuated AMD-induced pulmonary fibrosis via alleviating the TGF1/α-SMA/Smad3 pathway, reducing STAT-3 activation, and combating oxidative stress and inflammation in addition to promoting autophagy and abrogating apoptosis.
Normative data on measures of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and the effect of pretest conditions in a large Danish non-diabetic CVD-free population from the Lolland-Falster Health Study
Authors: Hansen Christian S. , Christensen Marie Mathilde Bjerg , Vistisen Dorte , Jepsen Randi , Ellervik Christina , Jørgensen Marit Eika , Fleischer Jesper 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a common diabetic complication associated with excess morbidity and mortality. CAN is also seen in conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Normative reference data for cardiovascular autonomic function are used to stratify individuals into those with and without CAN. However, reference thresholds for both cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) and heart rate variability (HRV) are scarce and based on small sample sizes. The aim of the study was to establish contemporary normative reference thresholds based on a large non-diabetic population free of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods
Cardiovascular autonomic function, CARTs and 5-min HRV indices were assessed in individuals without diabetes and CVD from the Lolland-Falster Health Study (2018–2020) by applying the point-of-care device Vagus™. Age-specific normative reference thresholds were estimated by using log-transformed quantile regression models at the 5th and 10th percentile, with adjustments made for sex. Models assessing the association between age and HRV indices were further adjusted for heart rate.

Results
We present age-specific normative reference thresholds for cardiovascular autonomic function, including CARTs and HRV, for 875 individuals (48% females) aged 15–85 years. The reference thresholds are presented for both the 5th and 10th lower percentile. Higher age was inversely associated with all outcomes. Females tended to have a higher parasympathetic drive compared to males. Pre-test conditions did not affect CARTs significantly.

Conclusions
The presented age-related normative reference thresholds for both CARTs and HRV indices based on a large Danish cohort may facilitate improved quality of research and treatment.
The use of a clip prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer with microcalcifications may not always be required
Authors: Talec Henri , Aubé Christophe , Guerin-Charbonnel Catherine , Berge Pierre 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now a common first line therapy for breast cancer. International guidelines recommend placement of a clip before commencement of therapy to assist with localizing the tumor bed in the event of excellent response—this takes up time and resources. The microcalcifications associated usually persist after chemotherapy and could serve as an alternative marker. We investigated to determine prognostic criteria to avoid the need for a marker clip before neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast tumors associated with microcalcifications.

Methods
We performed a 7 year single-center bi-site retrospective analytical observational study of 88 women with calcified breast carcinoma treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our bi-site institution between September 2015 and September 2022. This study includied two groups (clip-free tumor localization vs. clip-free tumor non-localization), and investigating quantitative and qualitative predictive factors. The clip-free tumor localization after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was defined by the visibility of residual calcifications on both views of the pre-operative mammogram on the day of or the day prior to surgery.

Results
The mean age of the 88 women included in our population was 52.8 years (± 12.7 years standard deviation). Of the 90 tumors with microcalcifications, 64 carcinomas (71.1%) were localizable with no marker clip after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The main predictive factors significantly associated with clip-free tumor localization were number of calcifications > 10 (P < 0.0001), grade 2 tumor (P = 0.003) with a probability of locating tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy of 97.9%, 95% CI [95.6; 99.0].

Conclusion
More than 10 microcalcifications in a grade 2 breast tumor at the initial diagnosis may obviate the need for a marker clip.
Inequity aversion and the stability of majority rule
Authors: Le Minh Tung , Saporiti Alejandro 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDespite the empirical support for other-regarding behavior in humans, spatial voting theory has largely overlooked the role of social preferences. This work takes the perspective that individuals not only harbour selfish preferences regarding material possessions, but also experience emotions such as envy and guilt regarding the possessions of others. By exploring how these emotions, manifested as inequity aversion, shape collective decision-making, this research deviates from the predominant focus on self-interest. Instead, it delves into the influence of guilt and envy on distributive politics, proposing two sensible constraints on these emotions, called limited and chained other-regardingness. These domain conditions on social preferences are aligned with the empirical estimates of inequity aversion; and they aim to ensure the stability (non-emptiness), uniqueness, and fairness of the majority-rule core.
Evaluating deep learning techniques for optimal neurons counting and characterization in complex neuronal cultures
Authors: Rio-Alvarez Angel , Marcos Pablo García , González Paula Puerta , Serrano-Pertierra Esther , Novelli Antonello , Fernández-Sánchez M. Teresa , González Víctor M. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The counting and characterization of neurons in primary cultures have long been areas of significant scientific interest due to their multifaceted applications, ranging from neuronal viability assessment to the study of neuronal development. Traditional methods, often relying on fluorescence or colorimetric staining and manual segmentation, are time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to error, raising the need for the development of automated and reliable methods. This paper delves into the evaluation of three pivotal deep learning techniques: semantic segmentation, which allows for pixel-level classification and is solely suited for characterization; object detection, which focuses on counting and locating neurons; and instance segmentation, which amalgamates the features of the other two but employing more intricate structures. The goal of this research is to discern what technique or combination of those techniques yields the optimal results for automatic counting and characterization of neurons in images of neuronal cultures. Following rigorous experimentation, we conclude that instance segmentation stands out, providing superior outcomes for both challenges.

Graphical abstract
Identifying the optimal pathway for characterizing neurons in complex cultures through structured experimentation
A Deep Learning-based Pipeline for Segmenting the Cerebral Cortex Laminar Structure in Histology Images
Authors: Wang Jiaxuan , Gong Rui , Heidari Shahrokh , Rogers Mitchell , Tani Toshiki , Abe Hiroshi , Ichinohe Noritaka , Woodward Alexander , Delmas Patrice J. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractCharacterizing the anatomical structure and connectivity between cortical regions is a critical step towards understanding the information processing properties of the brain and will help provide insight into the nature of neurological disorders. A key feature of the mammalian cerebral cortex is its laminar structure. Identifying these layers in neuroimaging data is important for understanding their global structure and to help understand the connectivity patterns of neurons in the brain. We studied Nissl-stained and myelin-stained slice images of the brain of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), which is a new world monkey that is becoming increasingly popular in the neuroscience community as an object of study. We present a novel computational framework that first acquired the cortical labels using AI-based tools followed by a trained deep learning model to segment cerebral cortical layers. We obtained a Euclidean distance of $$\varvec{1274.750 \pm 156.400}$$

1274.750
±
156.400

$$\varvec{\mu m}$$

μ
m

for the cortical labels acquisition, which was in the acceptable range by computing the half Euclidean distance of the average cortex thickness ($$\varvec{1800.630~ \mu m}$$

1800.630

μ
m

). We compared our cortical layer segmentation pipeline with the pipeline proposed by Wagstyl et al. (PLoS biology,18(4), e3000678 2020) adapted to 2D data. We obtained a better mean $$\varvec{95^{th}}$$

95

th

percentile Hausdorff distance (95HD) of $$\varvec{92.150~ \mu m}$$

92.150

μ
m

. Whereas a mean 95HD of $$\varvec{94.170~ \mu m}$$

94.170

μ
m

was obtained from Wagstyl et al. We also compared our pipeline’s performance against theirs using their dataset (the BigBrain dataset). The results also showed better segmentation quality, $$\varvec{85.318 \%}$$

85.318
%

Jaccard Index acquired from our pipeline, while $$\varvec{83.000 \%}$$

83.000
%

was stated in their paper.
Increased Levels of Circulating Methylglyoxal Have No Consequence for Cerebral Microvascular Integrity and Cognitive Function in Young Healthy Mice
Authors: Berends Eline , Vangrieken Philippe , Amiri Naima , van de Waarenburg Marjo P. H. , Scheijen Jean L. J. M. , Hermes Denise J. H. P. , Wouters Kristiaan , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Schalkwijk Casper G. , Foulquier Sébastien 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDiabetes and other age-related diseases are associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a by-product of glycolysis and a major precursor in the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), is increased in individuals with diabetes and other age-related diseases and is associated with microvascular dysfunction. We now investigated whether increased levels of circulating MGO can lead to cerebral microvascular dysfunction, blood–brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Mice were supplemented or not with 50 mM MGO in drinking water for 13 weeks. Plasma and cortical MGO and MGO-derived AGEs were measured with UPLC-MS/MS. Peripheral and cerebral microvascular integrity and inflammation were investigated. Cerebral blood flow and neurovascular coupling were investigated with laser speckle contrast imaging, and cognitive tests were performed. We found a 2-fold increase in plasma MGO and an increase in MGO-derived AGEs in plasma and cortex. Increased plasma MGO did not lead to cerebral microvascular dysfunction, inflammation, or cognitive decline. This study shows that increased concentrations of plasma MGO are not associated with cerebral microvascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment in healthy mice. Future research should focus on the role of endogenously formed MGO in cognitive impairment.