bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Discovery of psoralen as a quorum sensing inhibitor suppresses Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence
Authors: Wen Fulong , Wu Yi , Yuan Yang , Yang Xiting , Ran Qiman , Gan Xiongyao , Guo Yidong , Wang Xinrong , Chu Yiwen , Zhao Kelei 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common opportunistic pathogen with growing resistance and presents heightened treatment challenges. Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication system that contributes to the production of a variety of virulence factors and is also related to biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa. Compared to traditional antibiotics which kill bacteria directly, the anti-virulence strategy by targeting QS is a promising strategy for combating pseudomonal infections. In this study, the QS inhibition potential of the compounds derived from the Traditional Chinese Medicines was evaluated by using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses. The results showed that psoralen, a natural furocoumarin compound derived from Psoralea corylifolia L., was capable of simultaneously inhibiting the three main QS regulators, LasR, RhlR, and PqsR of P. aeruginosa. Psoralen had no bactericidal activity but could widely inhibit the production of extracellular proteases, pyocyanin, and biofilm, and the cell motilities of the model and clinical P. aeruginosa strains. RNA-sequencing and quantitative PCR analyses further demonstrated that a majority of QS-activated genes in P. aeruginosa were suppressed by psoralen. The supplementation of psoralen could protect Caenorhabditis elegans from P. aeruginosa challenge, especially for the hypervirulent strain PA14. Moreover, psoralen showed synergistic antibacterial effects with polymyxin B, levofloxacin, and kanamycin. In conclusions, this study identifies the anti-QS and antibiofilm effects of psoralen against P. aeruginosa strains and sheds light on the discovery of anti-pseudomonal drugs among Traditional Chinese Medicines.

Key points
• Psoralen derived from Psoralea corylifolia L. inhibits the virulence-related phenotypes of P. aeruginosa.
• Psoralen simultaneously targets the three core regulators of P. aeruginosa QS system and inhibits the expression of a large part of downstream genes.
• Psoralen protects C. elegans from P. aeruginosa challenge and enhances the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics.
Recurrent benign fibrous histiocytoma of the bone benefits from denosumab followed by malignant transformation: a case report
Authors: Laureline Wetterwald , Patrick Omoumi , Tu Nguyen , Stephane Cherix , Ana Dolcan , Daniela Ferraro , Chiara Saglietti , Igor Letovanec , Antonia Digklia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBenign fibrous histiocytoma of the bone (BFHB) is a rare mesenchymal tumor, representing less than 1% of all benign bone tumors. This controversial entity is characterized by a mixture of fibroblasts arranged in a storiform pattern, varying amounts of osteoclast-type giant cells and foamy macrophages. Curettage or simple resection is usually curative. However, it was reported that up to 11% of the patients suffer from relapse. Here, we report a case of malignant transformation of BFHB after long-lasting disease stabilization under denosumab therapy.
Forensic taphonomic experimental design matters: a study assessing clothing and carrion biomass load on scavenging in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Adams Kara Sierra , Finaughty Devin Alexander , Gibbon Victoria Elaine 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe identification of unknown human remains is a significant and ongoing challenge in South Africa, worsened by the country’s high murder rate. The rate of decomposition in South Africa is significantly influenced by vertebrate scavenging, which, if not considered, can impede the accurate estimation of the post-mortem interval. Scavenging patterns vary greatly depending on the environment and ecological region, and there is limited data for the Western Cape province. To address this gap, two clothed and uncaged pig carcasses weighing 60 kg each were placed in the field in July 2021 and January 2022, respectively. Motion-activated infrared-capable trail cameras were used to observe decomposition, scavenger species, and their activities. Additionally, a comparative sample of 16 unclothed carcasses deployed between 2014 and 2016 in the same habitat were analyzed to assess the impact of clothing and biomass load. The study found three main results: (1) Regardless of habitat or biomass load, it took significantly less time to reach decomposition milestones (25%, 50%, and 75%) during the summer season; (2) the presence of mongoose scavengers had a greater impact on the time required to reach milestones during winter compared to summer; and (3) single carcass deployments reached the milestones faster than multi-carcass deployments in both seasons. This research highlights the potential inaccuracy of current methods for estimating the post-mortem interval when scavenging activity is not considered or documented in the underlying experimental data, particularly for environments or ecological biomes where scavengers actively impact decomposition rates.
Drooling may be Associated with Dysphagia Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Sapmaz Atalar Merve , Genç Gençer , Bulut Serpil 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring the process of the multiple sclerosis (MS), persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) may experience drooling (sialorrhea) issues that are frequently disregarded. The exact cause of drooling in PwMS is poorly understood. This study aims to assess potential risk factors for drooling seen in PwMS. The study included 20 PwMS with drooling and 19 PwMS without drooling. The participants’ sociodemographic data and clinical parameters were noted. To evaluate dysphagia, fatigue, and hypersalivation, the Dysphagia in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire (DYMUS), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and objective saliva flow rate measurement with cottons placed in Stensen ducts and under the tongue (swab test) were used, respectively. The study employed univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify the risk factors linked to drooling. Gender, age, disease duration, MS type, and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores did not differ between the two groups. There was a significant increase in the DYMUS and submandibular/sublingual (SM/SL) saliva flow rate values in PwMS with drooling (p = 0.009 and p = 0.019, respectively). However, in our study, hypersalivation was not observed in PwMS with or without drooling. In the univariate model, DYMUS, SM/SL saliva flow rate, and FSS were found to be risk factors for drooling in PwMS. But only DYMUS was shown to be a significant risk factor in the multivariate model obtained by the backward (Wald) elimination method (p = 0.023). Finally, our research is the first to demonstrate the relationship between drooling and the presence of dysphagia symptoms in PwMS. This is a very important study to determine the nature of drooling in PwMS. This finding shows that our study will serve as a reference for choosing the best method for drooling treatment.
EvoFolio: a portfolio optimization method based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms
Authors: Guarino Alfonso , Santoro Domenico , Grilli Luca , Zaccagnino Rocco , Balbi Mario 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOptimal portfolio selection—composing a set of stocks/assets that provide high yields/returns with a reasonable risk—has attracted investors and researchers for a long time. As a consequence, a variety of methods and techniques have been developed, spanning from purely mathematics ones to computational intelligence ones. In this paper, we introduce a method for optimal portfolio selection based on multi-objective evolutionary algorithms, specificallyNondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), which tries tomaximizethe yield andminimizethe risk, simultaneously. The system, namedEvoFolio, has been experimented on stock datasets in a three-years time-frame and varying the configurations/specifics of NSGA-II operators.EvoFoliois aninteractivegenetic algorithm, i.e., users can provide their own insights and suggestions to the algorithm such that it takes into account users’ preferences for some stocks. We have performed tests with optimizations occurring quarterly and monthly. The results show howEvoFoliocan significantly reduce the risk of portfolios consisting only of stocks and obtain very high performance (in terms of return). Furthermore, considering the investor’s preferences has proved to be very effective in the portfolio’s composition and made it more attractive for end-users. We argue thatEvoFoliocan be effectively used by investors as a support tool for portfolio formation.
An end-to-end machine learning approach with explanation for time series with varying lengths
Authors: Schneider Manuel , Greifzu Norbert , Wang Lei , Walther Christian , Wenzel Andreas , Li Pu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAn accurate prediction of complex product quality parameters from process time series by an end-to-end learning approach remains a significant challenge in machine learning. A special difficulty is the application of industrial batch process data because many batch processes generate variable length time series. In the industrial application of such methods, explainability is often desired. In this study, a 1D convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm with a masking layer is proposed to solve the problem for time series of variable length. In addition, a novel combination of 1D CNN and class activation mapping (CAM) technique is part of this study to better understand the model results and highlight some regions of interest in the time series. As a comparative state-of-the-art unsupervised machine learning method, the One-Nearest Neighbours (1NN) algorithm combined with dynamic time warping (DTW) was used. Both methods are investigated as end-to-end learning methods with balanced and unbalanced class distributions and with scaled and unscaled input data, respectively. The FastDTW and DTAIDistance algorithms were investigated for the DTW calculation. The data set is made up of sensor signals that was collected during the production of plastic parts. The objective was to predict a quality parameter of plastic parts during production. For this research, the quality parameter will be a difficult or only destructively measurable parameter and both methods will be investigated for their applicability to this prediction task. The application of the proposed approach to an industrial facility for producing plastic products shows a prediction accuracy of 83.7%. It can improve the reverence method by approximately 1.4%. In addition to the slight increase in accuracy, the CNN training time was significantly reduced compared to the DTW calculation.
Postural control and trunk stability on sway parameters in adults with and without chronic low back pain
Authors: Sung Paul S. , Lee Dongchul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Postural sway changes often reflect functional impairments in adults with chronic low back pain (LBP). However, there is a gap in understanding how these individuals adapt their postural strategies to maintain stability.

Purpose
This study investigated postural sway distance and velocity, utilizing the center of pressure (COP) and center of gravity (COG), between adults with and without LBP during repeated unilateral standing trials.

Methods
Twenty-six subjects with LBP and 39 control subjects participated in the study. Postural sway ranges, COP/COG sways, and sway velocities (computed by dividing path length by time in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions over 10 s) were analyzed across three unilateral standing trials.

Results
A significant group interaction in sway range difference was observed following repeated trials (F = 5.90, p = 0.02). For COG sway range, significant group interactions were demonstrated in both directions (F = 4.28, p = 0.04) and repeated trials (F = 5.79, p = 0.02). The LBP group demonstrated reduced ML sway velocities in the first (5.21 ± 2.43 for the control group, 4.16 ± 2.33 for the LBP group; t = 1.72, p = 0.04) and second (4.87 ± 2.62 for the control group, 3.79 ± 2.22 for the LBP group; t = 1.73, p = 0.04) trials.

Conclusion
The LBP group demonstrated decreased ML sway velocities to enhance trunk stability in the initial two trials. The COG results emphasized the potential use of trunk strategies in augmenting postural stability and optimizing neuromuscular control during unilateral standing.
Der algebraische Hintergrund eines prä-algebraischen Zugangs zu den ganzen Zahlen und zu den Brüchen
Authors: Wittmann Erich Ch. 
Published: February 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Beitrag wird ein von Hans Freudenthal eröffneter Zugang zu den ganzen Zahlen und zu den Brüchen ausgearbeitet und mit einer algebraischen Hintergrundtheorie versehen. Charakteristisch für diesen Zugang ist, dass er vom Rechnen ausgeht und neben dem Hankelschen Permanenzprinzip auch vom Leibnizschen Identitätsprinzip Gebrauch macht.Die hier entwickelte Theorie ist für den Unterricht handlungsleitend und kann daher Platz in praxisnahen Mathematikvorlesungen für Lehramtsstudierende sowie in Fortbildungen für Lehrkräfte finden.
Deciding whether a lattice has an orthonormal basis is in co-NP
Authors: Hunkenschröder Christoph 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe show that the problem of deciding whether a given Euclidean lattice L has an orthonormal basis is in NP and co-NP. Since this is equivalent to saying that L is isomorphic to the standard integer lattice, this problem is a special form of the lattice isomorphism problem, which is known to be in the complexity class SZK. We achieve this by deploying a result on characteristic vectors by Elkies that gained attention in the context of 4-manifolds and Seiberg-Witten equations, but seems rather unnoticed in the algorithmic lattice community. On the way, we also show that for a given Gram matrix $$G \in \mathbb {Q}^{n \times n}$$

G
∈

Q

n
×
n

, we can efficiently find a rational lattice that is embedded in at most four times the initial dimension n, i.e. a rational matrix $$B \in \mathbb {Q}^{4n \times n}$$

B
∈

Q

4
n
×
n

such that $$B^\intercal B = G$$

B
⊺

B
=
G

.
Developing the littering behavior model focusing on implementation intention: a challenge to anti-environmental behavior
Authors: Mori Yasuhiro , Nakamata Tomoko , Kuwayama Risa , Yuki Shintaro , Ohnuma Susumu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMarine litter and plastic pollution are pressing concerns demanding immediate attention. Understanding psychological processes causing anti-environmental behavior is crucial to prevent littering. Even when people have the intention not to litter, they may still engage in littering behaviors. Therefore, this study develops a littering behavior model that incorporates the concept of implementation intention. This proposed model suggests that the willingness to admit to littering within a specific context is introduced between the behavioral intention and the actual behavior. For this study, a web questionnaire survey was conducted in Japan, yielding 4642 valid responses. We developed question items considering response bias toward socially undesirable content. Through this approach, we gathered participant responses that revealed a tendency to litter depending on the situation. The results of structural equation modeling confirmed the model’s validity, suggesting that implementation intention was a direct determinant of littering behavior. The model demonstrated that individuals may still engage in littering behavior in specific situations, despite having a goal of not littering, due to the influence of implementation intention. Accordingly, efficient interventions should be designed in alignment with this behavioral model.
Age and sex-dependent sensitivity analysis of a common carotid artery model
Authors: Schäfer Friederike , Sturdy Jacob , Hellevik Leif Rune 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe common carotid artery (CCA) is an accessible and informative site for assessing cardiovascular function which makes it a prime candidate for clinically relevant computational modelling. The interpretation of supplemental information possible through modelling is encumbered by measurement uncertainty and population variability in model parameters. The distribution of model parameters likely depends on the specific sub-population of interest and delineation based on sex, age or health status may correspond to distinct ranges of typical parameter values. To assess this impact in a 1D-CCA-model, we delineated specific sub-populations based on age, sex and health status and carried out uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis for each sub-population. We performed a structured literature review to characterize sub-population-specific variabilities for eight model parameters without consideration of health status; variations for a healthy sub-populations were based on previously established references values. The variabilities of diameter and distensibility found in the literature review differed from those previously established in a healthy population. Model diameter change and pulse pressure were most sensitive to variations in distensibility, while pressure was most sensitive to resistance in the Windkessel model for all groups. Uncertainties were lower when variabilities were based on a healthy sub-population; however, the qualitative distribution of sensitivity indices was largely similar between the healthy and general population. Average sensitivity of the pressure waveform showed a moderate dependence on age with decreasing sensitivity to distal resistance and increasing sensitivity to distensibility and diameter. The female population was less sensitive to variations in diameter but more sensitive to distensibility coefficient than the male population. Overall, as hypothesized input variabilities differed between sub-populations and resulted in distinct uncertainties and sensitivities of the 1D-CCA-model outputs, particularly over age for the pressure waveform and between males and females for pulse pressure.
The 'Tilt' and the 'Pacific Uplift' in 'Global Britain's' ties with the Pacific Islands
Authors: Saddington Liam 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFollowing the 2016 vote to leave the European Union, the British government sought to construct the UK as “Global Britain” to reinvigorate its foreign policy. Subsequently, in 2019, the UK government announced a “Pacific Uplift” to facilitate greater engagement with the Pacific Island States. Alongside Australia’s “Pacific Step Up” and New Zealand’s “Pacific Reset”, this engagement is part of a wider shift in foreign relations as Western powers seek to counter perceived Chinese influence in the region. Within this article, I consider the changing relationship between the UK and the Pacific Island States. I argue that the UK’s “Pacific Uplift” was shaped by colonial legacies despite the absence of discussion of them. I contend that the UK’s re-engagement with Pacific Islanders is influenced by the announcement of the Australian-UK-US (AUKUS) security alliance and the UK’s wider military presence continues to be framed by colonial legacies. Finally, I argue that climate-ocean governance has been utilised by the UK to leverage influence as a partner rather than a former colonial power. I advocate for greater scrutiny of the UK’s changing relationship with Pacific Island States.
Kenyan Free-Tailed Bats Demonstrate Seasonal Birth Pulse Asynchrony with Implications for Virus Maintenance
Authors: Lunn Tamika J. , Jackson Reilly T. , Webala Paul W. , Ogola Joseph , Forbes Kristian M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEcological information on wildlife reservoirs is fundamental for research targeting prevention of zoonotic infectious disease, yet basic information is lacking for many species in global hotspots of disease emergence. We provide the first estimates of synchronicity, magnitude, and timing of seasonal birthing in Mops condylurus, a putative ebolavirus host, and a co-roosting species, Mops pumilus (formerly Chaerephon pumilus). We show that population-level synchronicity of M. condylurus birthing is wide (~ 8.5 weeks) and even wider in M. pumilus (> 11 weeks). This is predicted to promote the likelihood of filovirus persistence under conditions of bi-annual birthing (two births per year). Ecological features underlying the magnitude of the birth pulse—relative female abundance (higher than expected for M. condylurus and lower for M. pumilus, based on literature) and reproductive rate (lower than expected)—will have countering effects on birthing magnitude. Species-specific models are needed to interpret how identified birth pulse attributes may interact with other features of molossid ebolavirus ecology to influence infection dynamics. As a common feature of wildlife species, and a key driver of infection dynamics, detailed information on seasonal birthing will be fundamental for future research on these species and will be informative for bat-borne zoonoses generally.
Optimization of Hot Gas Welding of Hybrid Thermoplastic-Thermoset Composites Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Steiner Grete , Kuttner Dominik , Lochner Hans , Thor Michael 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this study, the influence of four different process parameters on hot gas welding of CF/epoxy fiber composites functionalized with a PA6 thermoplastic film is investigated. Additional experiments are carried out on specimens adorned with triangular beads of coupling material that are printed onto the plates, ensuring extra material within the joining zone. This approach offers a great advantage for compensating geometric tolerances. The parameters considered are common process parameters for regular two-step processes: Heating element temperature (THE), heating time (HT), welding force (F) and welding time (HTF). The design of experiments (DoE) is planned according to the Taguchi method. An orthogonal array is used to set up the experimental plan. Three factor levels of each welding parameter are considered. The test series are carried out with two sample variants. In the second sample variant, additional thermoplastic material is placed in the joining zone. The strength of the welded joints is investigated by tensile shear tests according to DIN EN 1465. The results show that the welding force has the greatest influence on the welding strength. Heating times of 20 s were found to be optimal. Within the first sample variant, a saturation behavior of the welding force can be observed at 500 N. Higher heating element temperatures (500 °C) and welding forces (1165 N) are advantageous using additional material. High welding temperatures result in a negative effect on the interdiffusivity of the polymer chains.