bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modality aware contrastive learning for multimodal human activity recognition
Authors: Dixon Sam , Yao Lina , Davidson Robert 
Published: April 2024

SummaryHuman activity recognition is a well‐established research problem in ubiquitous computing. The increased dependency on various smart devices in our daily lives allows us to investigate the sensor data world produced by multimodal sensors embedded in smart devices. However, the raw sensor data are often unlabeled and annotating this vast amount of data are a costly exercise that can often lead to privacy breaches. Self‐supervised learning‐based approaches are at the forefront of learning semantic representation from unlabeled sensor data, including when applied to human activity recognition tasks. As inferring human activity depends on multimodal sensors, addressing the modality difference and inter‐modality dependencies in a model is an important process. This paper proposes a novel self‐supervised learning approach, modality aware contrastive learning (MACL), for representation learning using multimodal sensor data. The approach uses different sensing modalities to create different views of an input signal. Thus, the model is able to learn the representations by maximizing the similarity among different sensing modalities of the same input signal. Extensive experiments were performed on four publicly available human activity recognition data sets to verify the effectiveness of our proposed MACL method. The experimental evaluation results show that the MACL method attains a comparable performance for human activity recognition to the compared baseline models, directly exceeding the performance of models using standard augmentation transformation strategies.
Unravelling the Competition between Internal Conversion and Intersystem Crossing in Twisted molecule 9‐Phenylacridine by Femtosecond Time‐resolved Spectroscopy
Authors: Hu Ke , He Xiaoxiao , Jin PeiPei , Wang Xueli , Pan Haifeng , Chen Jinquan 
Published: April 2024

Abstract9‐Phenylacridine (9‐PA) is an important acridine‐based medicine that has been proven to possess significant anticancer activity and can be used as a photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent. Meanwhile, the possible twisting of the C−C single bond at the C9 position after photo‐excitation makes it a potential probe responsive to changes in the viscosity of living cells. However, the photophysical properties of 9‐PA is poorly understood. In this study, we utilized femtosecond time‐resolved spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculation methods to investigate the excited state dynamics of 9‐PA in solutions with different viscosities. Notably, we demonstrated that the viscosity could strongly influence the deactivation pathway of the initially populated S1 (ππ*) state of 9‐PA. In low‐viscosity solutions, the single bond at the C9 could twist after photo‐excitation, leading to a conformation that shows efficient intersystem crossing. However, such process is suppressed in high‐viscosity solutions, resulting a ~2.5 times higher internal conversion (IC) yield. A full picture of the excited state deactivation mechanism of 9‐PA is proposed.
Loading Determination of DMTr‐substituted Resins for Large‐scale Oligonucleotide Synthesis
Authors: Döring Thomas , Weiland Kevin , Plattner Carolin , Huber Tobias , Bächle Dirk , Samson Daniel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe loading (i.e., substitution) of solid supports for oligonucleotide synthesis is an important parameter in large‐scale manufacturing of oligonucleotides. Several key process parameters are dependent on the substitution of the solid support, including the number of phosphoramidite nucleoside equivalents used in the coupling step. For dimethoxytrityl (DMTr)–loaded solid supports, the substitution of the resin is determined by quantitatively cleaving the DMTr protecting group from the resin under acidic conditions and then analyzing the DMTr cation extinction by UV/vis spectroscopy. The spectrometric measurement can be performed at 409 nm or the global extinction maximum of 510 nm. The substitution is then calculated based on the Lambert‐Beer law analogously to the substitution determination of Fmoc‐substituted resins. Below, the determination of the molar extinction coefficient at 510 nm in a solution of 10% dichloroacetic acid in toluene and subsequent determination of the DMTr loading of DMTr‐substituted resins is reported. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Determination of the molar extinction coefficient at 510 nm in DCA Deblock solutionBasic Protocol 2: Substitution determination of DMTr‐substituted resins by cleavage of the DMTr cation
Pilot and data power optimization problems in multiple Aerial Relay Stations cell‐free communication systems
Authors: Duc Bui Anh , Hoang Tran Manh , Phuong Nguyen Thu , Tran Xuan Nam , Hiep Pham Thanh 
Published: April 2024

SummaryA cell‐free (CF) technology and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) acting as aerial relay stations (ARSs) are gradually viewed as viable technologies for usage in sixth‐generation (6G) wireless networks owing to their outstanding advantages, such as large coverage, uniform service quality, huge connections, flexible deployment in all geographical areas, and high line‐of‐sight (LoS) probability. As a result, the combination of the CF model and UAVs is suitable for densely populated urban areas, shopping malls, festivals, and locations with complex geography. Furthermore, the integration of the CF model and UAV communication can improve system quality and is considered an entirely new research direction as there is no comprehensive investigation of this combined model. In this study, we investigate the quality of the multi‐ARS CF communication system, where ARSs are equipped with multiple antennas and stochastic distribution within a specific region to simultaneously serve numerous ground users. We establish a closed‐form formulation for the uplink and downlink throughput of individual users by using the matched filtering method and conjugate beamforming technology, respectively. Moreover, we propose a novel method to optimize the pilot and data transmission power coefficients for improving channel estimation and increasing throughput per user, thereby ensuring a high quality of service. The power optimization method is executed via the successive convex approximation (SCA) method, second‐order cone program (SOCP), and linear program. We evaluate system performance according to the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of user throughput based on various parameters, such as the number of users, the number of ARSs, and the length of pilot sequences. The analytical findings also reveal that the system with the proposed power optimization method is always superior to the system without the proposed method in both uplink and downlink.
Evaluation of dual p16/Ki‐67 immunostaining on anal cytology specimens
Authors: Smithgall Marie C. , Towne William S. , Gonzalez Abel A. , Cimic Adela 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionDual immunostaining for p16/Ki67 is FDA‐approved for use on liquid‐based cervical cytology specimens; however, the utility of dual staining in anal cytology especially for ASCUS risk stratification is not well established.MethodsWe investigated dual staining performance on anal cytology specimens and correlated with subsequent cytologic interpretation, high‐risk HPV status, and anal biopsy results. Dual staining for p16/Ki‐67 was performed on all liquid‐based anal cytology specimens from December 2021 to June 2022 (n = 43).ResultsThree patients had high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL/AIN2‐3) on biopsy; dual staining was positive in all three cases. All HR‐HPV negative cases were negative for dual staining. Among the 12 ASCUS samples with subsequent anal biopsy results all also had HR‐HPV testing. Due to small sample size of cases with squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) diagnosed on biopsy, the sensitivity and positive predictive value was not calculated. However, the specificity and negative predictive value of p16/Ki‐67 dual staining for SIL of any grade on biopsy were 1 (95% CI: 0.66–1) and 0.9 (95% CI: 0.65–0.97) respectively, whereas the specificity and negative predictive value of HR‐HPV testing for SIL of any grade on biopsy were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.14–0.79) and 0.8 (95% CI: 0.41–0.96) respectively.ConclusionDual p16/Ki‐67 staining indicates transforming HPV infection and could help serve as an ancillary test for risk stratification for atypical anal cytology specimens. Among ASCUS samples, dual staining was specific for SIL of any grade with a high negative predictive value and therefore could be useful in clinical practices with limited availability for follow‐up care.
Following the p63/Keratin5 basal cells in the sensory and non‐sensory epithelia of the vomeronasal organ
Authors: LeFever Noah M. , Katreddi Raghu Ram , Dolphin Nikki M. , Mathias Nick A. , Forni Paolo E. 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThe vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a part of the accessory olfactory system, which detects pheromones and chemical factors that trigger a spectrum of sexual and social behaviors. The vomeronasal epithelium (VNE) shares several features with the epithelium of the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). However, it is a distinct neuroepithelium populated by chemosensory neurons that differ from the olfactory sensory neurons in cellular structure, receptor expression, and connectivity. The vomeronasal organ of rodents comprises a sensory epithelium (SE) and a thin non‐sensory epithelium (NSE) that morphologically resembles the respiratory epithelium. Sox2‐positive cells have been previously identified as the stem cell population that gives rise to neuronal progenitors in MOE and VNE. In addition, the MOE also comprises p63 positive horizontal basal cells, a second pool of quiescent stem cells that become active in response to injury. Immunolabeling against the transcription factor p63, Keratin‐5 (Krt5), Krt14, NrCAM, and Krt5Cre tracing experiments highlighted the existence of horizontal basal cells distributed along the basal lamina of SE of the VNO. Single cell sequencing and genetic lineage tracing suggest that the vomeronasal horizontal basal cells arise from basal progenitors at the boundary between the SE and NSE proximal to the marginal zones. Moreover, our experiments revealed that the NSE of rodents is, like the respiratory epithelium, a stratified epithelium where the p63/Krt5+ basal progenitor cells self‐replicate and give rise to the apical columnar cells facing the lumen of the VNO.
Social–ecological predictors of spotted hyena navigation through a shared landscape
Authors: Wilkinson Christine E. , Xu Wenjing , Luneng Solli Amalie , Brashares Justin S. , Chepkisich Christine , Osuka Gerald , Kelly Maggi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHuman–wildlife interactions are increasing in severity due to climate change and proliferating urbanization. Regions where human infrastructure and activity are rapidly densifying or newly appearing constitute novel environments in which wildlife must learn to coexist with people, thereby serving as ideal case studies with which to infer future human–wildlife interactions in shared landscapes. As a widely reviled and behaviorally plastic apex predator, the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a model species for understanding how large carnivores navigate these human‐caused ‘landscapes of fear’ in a changing world. Using high‐resolution GPS collar data, we applied resource selection functions and step selection functions to assess spotted hyena landscape navigation and fine‐scale movement decisions in relation to social–ecological features in a rapidly developing region comprising two protected areas: Lake Nakuru National Park and Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya. We then used camera trap imagery and Barrier Behavior Analysis (BaBA) to further examine hyena interactions with barriers. Our results show that environmental factors, linear infrastructure, human–carnivore conflict hotspots, and human tolerance were all important predictors for landscape‐scale resource selection by hyenas, while human experience elements were less important for fine‐scale hyena movement decisions. Hyena selection for these characteristics also changed seasonally and across land management types. Camera traps documented an exceptionally high number of individual spotted hyenas (234) approaching the national park fence at 16 sites during the study period, and BaBA results suggested that hyenas perceive protected area boundaries' semi‐permeable electric fences as risky but may cross them out of necessity. Our findings highlight that the ability of carnivores to flexibly respond within human‐caused landscapes of fear may be expressed differently depending on context, scale, and climatic factors. These results also point to the need to incorporate societal factors into multiscale analyses of wildlife movement to effectively plan for human–wildlife coexistence.
Testing sea urchin and green sea turtle consumption of the allelopathic macroalga Galaxaura divaricata
Authors: Nieder Carolin , Heatwole Siobhan Jean , Liao Chen‐Pan , Lee Chen‐Lu , Chen Chaolun Allen , Liu Shao‐Lun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGalaxaura divaricata is a partially calcified macroalga that hampers coral recruitment, growth, and recovery via the excretion of allelopathic secondary metabolites. Herbivorous fishes are not major consumers of Galaxaura spp. and there is a need to understand feeding preferences for Galaxaura divaricata in other macroherbivores, like sea urchins and green sea turtles that could act as potential controlling agents. Under certain environmental conditions, G. divaricata can proliferate and overgrow degraded reefs for several years, as documented for several coral patch reefs in the lagoon of Dongsha Atoll, South China Sea. This study aimed to experimentally test the feeding preferences of five species of sea urchin and two individual green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, for G. divaricata. Specifically, we quantified and compared the consumption rates of the allelopathic G. divaricata with Gracilaria edulis, a nonallelopathic, fleshy red alga, known to be highly favored by herbivores. Results showed that the five urchin species fed on both G. edulis and G. divaricata. However, urchins consumed 2–8 times less wet weight of G. divaricata (range 0.3–3.1 g urchin−1 24 h−1) compared to G. edulis (range 0.6–18 g urchin−1 24 h−1), suggesting that urchin grazing may exert some control on G. divaricata abundance but is likely ineffective for a large‐scale removal of the alga. Further, both green sea turtles avoided G. divaricata and selectively fed on G. edulis. More experiments are needed to test the potential role of herbivores in controlling the overgrowth of coral competitive and allelopathic macroalgae, like Galaxaura on coral reefs.
Elastic–plastic criterion solution of deep roadway surrounding rock based on intermediate principal stress and Drucker–Prager criterion
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Wei Youyu , Jiang Tian , Hao Fuxu , Xu Haofu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractExcavation‐induced rock failure and deformation near an underground opening boundary is closely associated with the intermediate principal stress, strain softening and rock mass dilation. By combining theoretical analysis and numerical simulation to explore the mechanical evolution of the roadway surrounding rock during excavation. The elastic–plastic criterion solutions for surrounding rock stress, displacement, and the plastic zone of a circular roadway were deduced by including the intermediate principal stress, strain softening and rock mass dilation, based on the Drucker–Prager criterion and the nonassociated flow rule. Furthermore, ABAQUS finite element software was utilized for numerical simulations to scrutinize the influence of mechanical parameters on stress redistribution, surface displacement, and plastic range. The results of the numerical simulations verify the reliability of the theoretical analysis and affirm the high consistency of the results with the theoretical solution. The research findings indicate that the strength of surrounding rock is significantly influenced by the intermediate principal stress, and the deformation and failure of rock mass are primarily impacted by rock mass dilation, while strain softening mainly affects the thickness of the fractured zone. Moreover, the study reveals that enhancing the residual strength of the surrounding rock can improve its resistance to deformation and failure. Furthermore, the excavation of the roadway is observed to increase the original rock stress in the surrounding rock, but increasing the ground support strength effectively controls the deformation and failure of surrounding rock. Ultimately, the research outcomes offer valuable references for engineering calculations and ground support design of surrounding rock in deep roadways.
Response stopping under conflict: The integrative role of representational dynamics associated with the insular cortex
Authors: Ghin Filippo , Eggert Elena , Gholamipourbarogh Negin , Talebi Nasibeh , Beste Christian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCoping with distracting inputs during goal‐directed behavior is a common challenge, especially when stopping ongoing responses. The neural basis for this remains debated. Our study explores this using a conflict‐modulation Stop Signal task, integrating group independent component analysis (group‐ICA), multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA), and EEG source localization analysis. Consistent with previous findings, we show that stopping performance is better in congruent (nonconflicting) trials than in incongruent (conflicting) trials. Conflict effects in incongruent trials compromise stopping more due to the need for the reconfiguration of stimulus–response (S–R) mappings. These cognitive dynamics are reflected by four independent neural activity patterns (ICA), each coding representational content (MVPA). It is shown that each component was equally important in predicting behavioral outcomes. The data support an emerging idea that perception‐action integration in action‐stopping involves multiple independent neural activity patterns. One pattern relates to the precuneus (BA 7) and is involved in attention and early S–R processes. Of note, three other independent neural activity patterns were associated with the insular cortex (BA13) in distinct time windows. These patterns reflect a role in early attentional selection but also show the reiterated processing of representational content relevant for stopping in different S–R mapping contexts. Moreover, the insular cortex's role in automatic versus complex response selection in relation to stopping processes is shown. Overall, the insular cortex is depicted as a brain hub, crucial for response selection and cancellation across both straightforward (automatic) and complex (conditional) S–R mappings, providing a neural basis for general cognitive accounts on action control.
A comparative analysis of risk factor associations with interval and screen‐detected breast cancers: A large UK prospective study
Authors: Barnes Isobel , Garcia‐Closas Montserrat , Gathani Toral , Sweetland Siân , Floud Sarah , Reeves Gillian K. ,   the Million Women Study Collaborators
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe associations of certain factors, such as age and menopausal hormone therapy, with breast cancer risk are known to differ for interval and screen‐detected cancers. However, the extent to which associations of other established breast cancer risk factors differ by mode of detection is unclear. We investigated associations of a wide range of risk factors using data from a large UK cohort with linkage to the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme, cancer registration, and other health records. We used Cox regression to estimate adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between risk factors and breast cancer risk. A total of 9421 screen‐detected and 5166 interval cancers were diagnosed in 517,555 women who were followed for an average of 9.72 years. We observed the following differences in risk factor associations by mode of detection: greater body mass index (BMI) was associated with a smaller increased risk of interval (RR per 5 unit increase 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.11) than screen‐detected cancer (RR 1.27, 1.23–1.30); having a first‐degree family history was associated with a greater increased risk of interval (RR 1.81, 1.68–1.95) than screen‐detected cancer (RR 1.52, 1.43–1.61); and having had previous breast surgery was associated with a greater increased risk of interval (RR 1.85, 1.72–1.99) than screen‐detected cancer (RR 1.34, 1.26–1.42). As these differences in associations were relatively unchanged after adjustment for tumour grade, and are in line with the effects of these factors on mammographic density, they are likely to reflect the effects of these risk factors on screening sensitivity.
Valorization of guabirobeira leaf extracts (Campomanesia xanthocarpa) through pressurized liquid extraction and aqueous infusion: assessment of phytochemical composition, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities
Authors: Bagatini Lucíola , Fischer Bruno , Zandoná Giovana Paula , Moroni Liziane Schittler , Junges Alexander , Kempka Aniela Pinto , Rombaldi Cesar Valmor 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe leaves of guabirobeira contain important phenolic and flavonoid compounds, known for their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and antinociceptive activities. The purpose of this work was to obtain extracts from guabirobeira leaves through aqueous infusion and pressurized liquid extraction with water, ethanol, and a combination of water–ethanol (ratio 1:1, v/v; PLE‐W:E). Subsequently, we used liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to identify the chemical compounds, and to study the antioxidant activity in rat brain cells; thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria were also seen.RESULTSAccording to the findings, all four extracts contained a significant amount of phytochemical compounds. Among them, the PLE‐W:E extract showed a higher concentration of flavonoids, demonstrating significant antioxidant activity in in vitro assays of TBARS and ROS in rat brain cells. It also exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.CONCLUSIONGuabirobeira leaf extracts hold promise as a potential source of bioactive compounds. These extracts can be applied across various sectors, including cosmetics and skincare products, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, natural preservatives, and functional materials. By exploring these potential applications, valuable contributions can be made to the field of sustainable chemistry and pharmacy, furthering the utilization of guabirobeira leaf extracts in diverse industries. This approach also aligns with the promotion of environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).