Shape Of Pattern Research Articles

MCT1 lactate transporter blockade re-invigorates anti-tumor immunity through metabolic rewiring of dendritic cells in melanoma

Dendritic cells (DC) are key players in antitumor immune responses. Tumors exploit their plasticity to escape immune control; their aberrant surface carbohydrate patterns (e.g., glycans) shape immune responses through lectin binding, and manipulate the metabolism of immune cells, including DCs to alter their function and escape immune surveillance. DC metabolic reprogramming could induce immune subversion and tumor immune escape. Here we explore metabolic features of human DC subsets (cDC2s, cDC1s, pDCs) in melanoma, at single cell level, using the flow cytometry-based SCENITH (Single-Cell ENergetIc metabolism by profiling Translation inHibition) method. We demonstrate that circulating and tumor-infiltrating DC subsets from melanoma patients are characterized by altered metabolism, which is linked to their activation status and profile of immune checkpoint expression. This altered metabolism influences their function and affects patient clinical outcome. Notably, melanoma tumor cells directly remodel the metabolic profile of DC subsets, in a glycan-dependent manner. Strikingly, modulation of the mTOR/AMPK-dependent metabolic pathways and/or the MCT1 lactate transporter rescue cDC2s and cDC1s from skewing by tumor-derived glycans, Sialyl-Tn antigen and Fucose, and restore anti-tumor T-cell fitness. Our findings thus open the way for appropriate tuning of metabolic pathways to rescue DCs from tumor hijacking and restore potent antitumor responses.

Temperature‐Driven Topological Transformations in Prestressed Cellular Metamaterials

AbstractStimuli‐responsive materials are able to alter their physicochemical properties, e.g., shape, color, or stiffness, upon exposure to an external trigger, e.g., heat, light, or humidity, exhibiting environmental adaptability. Their capacity to undergo shape reconfiguration, pattern transformation, and property modulation enables multifunctionality. In this work, two strategies are harnessed, i.e., prestressed assembly and temperature‐dependent stiffness reversal, to introduce a class of temperature‐responsive metamaterials capable of undergoing topological transformations, endowing them with smart functionality. Through a combination of mechanics theory, numerical simulations, and thermomechanical experiments, the physical mechanisms underlying the temperature‐triggered topological transformations leading to pattern switches are first elucidated, and then the insights are leveraged to demonstrate tunable bandgaps and robotic capturers. These findings reveal the attainment of giant negative and positive values of coefficient of thermal expansion, accompanied by isotropic expansion and shrinkage under thermal actuation within a fairly rapid timeframe, below 6 s. The strategy here presented is versatile as it relies on a pair of off‐the‐shelf 3D printable materials, can be up‐ and down‐scaled, and can also be realized through other physical stimuli, e.g., light and moisture, paving the way for use in multifunctional applications, including stimulus‐triggered morphing devices, autonomous sensors and actuators, and reconfigurable soft robots.

Urban Geography Compression Patterns: Non-Euclidean and Fractal Viewpoints

The intersection of fractals, non-Euclidean geometry, spatial autocorrelation, and urban structure offers valuable theoretical and practical application insights, which echoes the overarching goal of this paper. Its research question asks about connections between graph theory adjacency matrix eigenfunctions and certain non-Euclidean grid systems; its explorations reflect accompanying synergistic influences on modern urban design. A Minkowski metric with an exponent between one and two bridges Manhattan and Euclidean spaces, supplying an effective tool in these pursuits. This model coalesces with urban fractal dimensions, shedding light on network density and human activity compression. Unlike Euclidean geometry, which assumes unique shortest paths, Manhattan geometry better represents human movements that typically follow multiple equal-length network routes instead of unfettered straight-line paths. Applying these concepts to urban spatial models, like the Burgess concentric ring conceptualization, reinforces the need for fractal analyses in urban studies. Incorporating a fractal perspective into eigenvector methods, particularly those affiliated with spatial autocorrelation, provides a deeper understanding of urban structure and dynamics, enlightening scholars about city evolution and functions. This approach enhances geometric understanding of city layouts and human behavior, offering insights into urban planning, network density, and human activity flows. Blending theoretical and applied concepts renders a clearer picture of the complex patterns shaping urban spaces.

Natural Compounds from Alhagi maurorum as Potential HCC and HepG2 Inhibitors: An Integrated Study using Pharmacophore Development, Molecular Docking, MD Simulation, and DFT Approaches.

The rise in the frequency of liver cancer all over the world makes it a prominent area of research in the discovery of new drugs or repurposing of existing drugs. This article describes the pharmacophore-based structure-activity relationship (3DQSAR) on the secondary metabolites of Alhagi maurorum to inhibit human liver cancer cell lines Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoma G2 (HepG2) which represents the molecular level understanding for isolated phytochemicals of Alhagi maurorum. The definite features, such as hydrophobic regions, average shape, and active compounds' electrostatic patterns, were mapped to screen phytochemicals. The 3D-QSAR model generates pharmacophore-based descriptors and alignment of active compounds. Further, docking studies were performed on the active compounds to check out their binding affinity with the active site of the target proteins. It was further validated by applying molecular simulations, and the results were found to be accurate. The geometrical optimization and energy gap of the hit compound were calculated by the density functional theory (DFT). Then, ADMET was performed on this hit compound for drug-like features and toxicity. Out of 59 compounds, eight ligands were found active after the 3D-QSAR study. After that, molecular docking was performed on the active compounds F72, F52, F54, F29, F37, F38, F25, and F29, which were recognized as potential targets, and the docking results showed that compound F52 (also an FDA-approved drug) was the best hit. F52 was found to be the best hit against liver cancer cell lines HCC and HepG2. This study would be helpful for early drug discovery optimization and lead identification.

Inter‐population variations of saccular otolith of Walton's mudskipper (Periophthalmus waltoni) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

AbstractUnderstanding population structure is crucial for predicting species' responses to environmental change and elucidating evolutionary history. This study investigated the population structure of Periophthalmus waltoni in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using landmark‐based geometric morphometrics (GMM) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT) methods on sagittal otoliths. The objectives were to (i) examine otolith shape variation across different populations and (ii) compare GMM and DWT methods for resolving population differences. Both methods distinguished populations based on general otolith shape, with DWT revealing finer details due to its high accuracy in detecting otolith margins. Interestingly, populations from Sistan‐Baluchestan and Hormozgan, despite geographical separation, showed minimal variation in shape, suggesting environmental factors may influence otolith morphology. Distinct otolith shapes in the Khuzestan population, likely due to geographic isolation, may be influenced by the mangrove forests near Qeshm Island acting as barriers to larval dispersal. This aligns with molecular data and indicates that the relatively young eastern Persian Gulf may also contribute to these differences. Our findings revealed distinct geographical patterns in otolith shape, highlighting the influence of local environmental factors and larval dispersal on population differentiation. These results provide valuable insights into P. waltoni's population structure and evolutionary history, advancing our understanding of its adaptation to the diverse environmental conditions of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Printed textile metasurfaces for gain and directivity enhancement

Abstract Wearable printed electronics are of significant recent interest for use in on-body communication devices, including antennas that are readily integrated into textiles using additive manufacturing. Directly printing the device onto textile reduces the need for costly, time-intensive processing steps; however, textile substrates impose design and performance limitations given that the design must be compatible with on-body usage and must also remain below maximum safe radiation levels. Herein, we present a passive solution for improving the performance of a commercial off the shelf omnidirectional antenna using textile metasurfaces. A modular system was developed for gain enhancement and pattern shaping using three metasurface elements with a band stop resonance at 6 GHz, where reflection is used to enhance gain. The versatility of a wearable metasurface is demonstrated for two of the designs which also offer a band pass at 2.4 GHz. Radiation pattern measurements conducted in an anechoic chamber showed that the metasurface achieved a gain improvement of up to 7.2 dB. This methodology enables a wearable, low-profile, passive, and non-destructive system for the improvement of existing wearable communication devices.

Characterizing the In Utero Phenome of the Chiari II Malformation—A Network Medicine Approach, Using Fetal MRI

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo apply a network medicine‐based approach to analyze the phenome of the prenatal fetal MRI and biometric findings in the Chiari II malformation (CM II) to detect specific patterns and co‐occurrences.MethodA single‐center retrospective review of fetal MRI scans obtained in fetuses with CM II was performed. Co‐occurrence analysis was utilized to generate a phenotypic comorbidity matrix and visualized by Gephi software. Traditional univariate regression and geometric thin‐plate spline methodology were used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relationships between morphometric measurements and geometric landmarks of the spine, skull, and brain deformations.ResultsThe CM II phenome consists of 35 nodes interconnected by 979 edges with a density of 0.828. Key “hubs” identified within this network include spinal bony defects, reduced posterior fossa dimensions, and vermis ectopia. The brain edema phenotype appearing only in the fetal stage but disappearing after postnatal surgery, links to increased postnatal morbidity and demonstrates distinct shape patterns by geometric analysis. Traditional univariate regression reveals correlations among spinal defects, posterior fossa dimensions, and caudal extent of vermis ectopia. The degree of brain rearrangement versus spinal bony rearrangement shows a correlation (r = 0.721, p = 0.0023) by partial least‐squares analysis.ConclusionThe CM II prenatal phenome is a multifaceted network centered around three key elements—spinal bony defects, small posterior fossa, and vermis ectopia—with strong interconnections. Fetal brain edema emerged as an exclusively prenatally detectable and transient phenotype of prognostic relevance.

Ecology and Phylogenetic Position of the Spoon Worm, Ikeda pirotansis (Menon and DattaGupta, 1962), (Annelida: Echiura) in Kuwait, Northwestern Arabian Gulf

ABSTRACTIkeda pirotansis (Menon and DattaGupta 1962), previously known only from intertidal habitats, is now reported for the first time from subtidal habitats in Kuwait, northwestern Arabian Gulf. This finding eliminates its ecological separation from its congener Ikeda taenioides, which is endemic to Japan. The comparison of proboscis morphology (shape, length and colour pattern) between intertidal and subtidal I. pirotansis shows no significant differences. Furthermore, mtDNA extracted from proboscis samples and analysed for the COX1 gene revealed no genetic distance between intertidal and subtidal samples, confirming that I. pirotansis also colonises subtidal habitats. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the I. pirotansis from Kuwait and India clustered together, forming a monophyletic clade, and warrants more extensive regional sampling to study the detailed taxonomic and evolutionary history of the order Echiuroidea.

SMAD2/3 signaling determines the colony architecture in a hydrozoan, Dynamena pumila.

Most hydrozoan cnidarians form complex colonies that vary in size, shape, and branching patterns. However, little is known about the molecular genetic mechanisms responsible for the diversity of the hydrozoan body plans. The Nodal signaling pathway has previously been shown to be essential for setting up a new body axis in a budding Hydra. This budding process is often compared to the branching of colonial hydrozoans, suggesting that the signaling mechanisms underlying branching and budding are evolutionarily conserved. Using the colonial hydrozoan Dynamena pumila, we demonstrated that colony architecture depends on the activity level of SMAD2/3-mediated signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of the SMAD2/3-mediated Nodal signaling pathway resulted in an altered architecture of D. pumila primary colony, resembling naturally occurring malformation. Additionally, we identified a Nodal-related gene in D. pumila and observed its expression at the earliest stage of new colony module formation. Taken together, our results suggest that TGF-β signaling pathway plays an important role in shaping the morphology of hydrozoan colony.

Exploring the Patterns Shaping Communication in the Turkish Construction Industry

Exploring the Patterns Shaping Communication in the Turkish Construction Industry

Antidune simulations using continuum‐based models

AbstractThe interactions of supercritical flows with sand or gravel beds in river channels or tidal inlets lead to the formation of antidunes. These bedforms are generally identified as nearly periodic sedimentary patterns of symmetrical shape that are in phase with the surface waves in the flow and have important effects on flow resistance and bedload transport. In addition, they play a fundamental role on morphodynamical processes in estuarine systems, on the scour around hydraulic infrastructure, and their bed signature can help to interpret paleofloods from sedimentary records. Despite the importance and ubiquity of antidunes in environmental flows, very few numerical simulations have captured their dynamics. In this work, we develop a model that couples the shallow‐water and Exner equations in two‐dimensions (2D) and demonstrate that a higher‐level theory can reproduce the experimental antidune results of Pascal et al. (2021), independent of interactions at the particle scale. The flows are characterised by Froude numbers between 1.31 and 1.45, sediment diameters of mm and with 3° mean bed slopes. Using this information, we aim to identify the minimum requirements for a numerical model to capture in detail the migration of these bedforms. We use spectral analysis and compute statistics of bed elevation to determine the relevant temporal and spatial scales associated to the antidune propagation. The results of the model yield new insights on the mechanisms of bedform migration, providing tools to improve their description and assess the morphodynamic feedbacks.

Модель обработки и классификации сигналов ЭКГ на основе интеграции CNN, LSTM и метода двойного внимания

Heart rhythm abnormalities diagnosis or classification via electrocardiogram (ECG) in the field of signal processing is regarded as a challenging problem. Classifying ECG signals under the rules of the "Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)" and the inter-patient scheme increases the difficulty of the challenge. AAMI classifies the ECG signal into the following categories: N, S, V, F, and Q. The S category is difficult to detect since its shape pattern is like the N category. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a novel, robust, end-to-end, and efficient model for ECG signal classification by integrating the "Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)", "Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)" and dual attention techniques. The architecture of the model includes an encoder-decoder unit built from LSTMs and a dual attention unit with two levels: the first is based on Squeeze-and-Excitation (SE) networks that are incorporated into CNN sections, and they are responsible for weighting the Local Heartbeat Shape Pattern (LHSP) features caught by CNN sections, while the second is based on the Bahdanau scheme, which is incorporated into the encoder-decoder unit, and it is responsible for weighting the Global Heartbeat (GH) features caught by the LSTMs. The suggested model can extract the distinctive features that balance local and global information for optimizing the ECG signal diagnosis. The presented approach is superior to previous methods in the literature and comparable to a cardiologist's performance. The introduced model attained the following F1-Scores: 99.12%, 99.89%, 96.48%, and 99.89% for classifying F, V, S, and N beats, respectively.

Molecular-scale kinetic Monte Carlo simulation of pattern formation in photoresist materials for EUV nanolithography

A kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation tool for modeling the pattern formation process in photoresist materials for extreme ultraviolet (photon energy 92 eV) nanolithography is presented. The availability of such a tool should support the progress toward novel materials and experimental procedures that lead to an improved pattern resolution. The molecular-scale simulations describe the process in a stochastic and mechanistic manner and include the excitation of high-energy electrons upon light absorption, the creation of a charged-particle cloud, electron-induced chemical degradation of the photoresist molecules, the resulting bond formation between neighboring degraded molecules, and a chemical development step after which a pattern of the remaining non-dissolved molecules is obtained. The method is applied to the application-relevant class of Sn-oxocore photoresist materials and uses their known electronic structure and optical electron energy loss function. The validity of the approach is tested by comparing measured and simulated total electron yield spectra and photoelectron spectra. A demonstration of the method is given by calculating the dose and pitch dependent average shape and stochastic variability (line edge roughness) of line patterns that are obtained for rectangular and sine-wave illumination, assuming various scenarios that determine how molecular-scale degradation will lead to bond creation. We show how from these simulations the ultimate pattern resolution can be deduced. The findings are analyzed systematically using results of KMC simulations that reveal the size of the cloud of degraded molecules around a point of absorption (blur length) and that further reveal the sensitivity to uniform illumination (contrast curves), and using percolation theory. We find that KMC modeling captures the consequences of the strong gradients in the density of degraded molecules and of the stochasticity of the patterning process that simplified models do not include, leading to a significantly improved view of the final pattern quality.

Trends analysis and future study of the pharmaceutical industry field: a scoping review.

The main aim of this study was to explore and understand the emerging developments, changes, and patterns shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry is evolving rapidly due to scientific breakthroughs, societal changes, and technological advancements. Companies can adapt, and innovate to stay competitive and advance healthcare objectives by understanding the changes and patterns shaping the future. We conducted a thorough Scoping Review across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, focusing on future trends in the pharmaceutical industry. Studies were carefully selected based on predefined criteria, ensuring a comprehensive and relevant collection. We identified and selected 24 studies that met our predefined criteria from a pool of 3617 studies. These studies served as the foundation for a detailed exploration of trends within the pharmaceutical industry. This compilation offers a profound understanding of the diverse forces propelling change, including technological advancements, regulatory shifts, evolving market dynamics, and regional nuances. This research highlights transformative trends such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, blockchain technology, and digital integration revolutionizing drug discovery, development, manufacturing, and delivery. However, successful implementation hinges on addressing challenges through practical strategies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and region-specific considerations. Future research should explore implementation approaches, facilitating the effective translation of these innovations into tangible healthcare benefits. This forward-looking analysis empowers the pharmaceutical industry to strategically position itself for long-term success in addressing evolving global needs.

‘Opacity, scale and abstraction in Ai Weiwei’s migration trilogy’

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the trilogy of feature-length documentaries directed by Ai Weiwei devoted to the global refugee crisis beginning with Human Flow, The Rest and ending with Rohingya. I address the significant thematic and formal differences among these films to consider how these sharpen the aesthetic and political engagement. Against a longstanding photojournalistic repertoire of refugee visualities, I consider how this migration trilogy invites us to think differently about human movement, placelessness, and sense of place, by delicately balancing between images of individuals and (sometimes) talking heads against massive, often abstract aerial/drone backdrops that signpost the shape and scale of migration patterns and displacements. This tension between abstraction and specificity, between scale and detail, enables these films to straddle between varied affective registers and more traditional invocations of melodramatic pathos in ways that foreground the instability and fluidity of documentary’s signifying practices. Rather than adhere strictly to a project of illumination and transparency so foundational to documentary’s ‘jargons of authenticity’, I consider the productive uses of opacity and abstraction across the trilogy, to argue for their political value as strategies that engage the limits of representation while simultaneously bringing visibility to those who exist in globalization’s shadows.

Compact metasurface antenna for Sub-6 GHz applications with isolated n77/n78 bands using CSRR

Abstract A compact (0.35 λ 0 × 0.35 λ 0 where λ 0 is free space wavelength at the lower resonance frequency 3.50 GHz) bio-inspired tulip flower-shaped antenna (TFSA) is proposed. A double negative (DNG) metamaterial complementary split ring resonator (CSRR) is introduced near the feed in the hybrid triangular-circular patch which inserts a notch-band (4.20–4.38 GHz) in the wide bandwidth (3.15–7.05 GHz) and makes the antenna response dual-band. Consequently, this results in in-band interference reduction in 5G-Sub-6 GHz applications. A slotted FSS is placed at a distance of 28.507 mm beneath the monopole-reduced ground of the antenna to enhance the reduced gain from 4.39 dBi to 7.22 dBi. A further gain is improved to 12.84 dBi by placing a full copper surface (0.35 λ 0 × 0.35 λ 0 ) as the reflector layer is placed below FSS at 1.6 mm. Finally, prototyped TFSA with FSS and reflector model achieve a dual bands reflection coefficient response (3.15–4.20 GHz): n77/n78, and (4.38–7.03 GHz): n46/n47/n96/n102/n79. The antenna reflection coefficient is tested using Keysight 14 GHz FieldFox Microwave Analyzer N9916A, and radiation patterns in the E-plane and H-plane are measured using an 18 GHz anechoic chamber. The comparison of simulated results with measured results is found an excellent match in bandwidth and with shapes of gain radiation patterns. The reflector and FSS jointly make the radiation pattern strong in the E-plane above the TFSA radiator. The antenna is well suited for n77/n78 (3.30–4.20 GHz), n79(4.40–4.99 GHz), n46 (5150–5925 MHz), n47 (5855–5925 MHz), n96/n102 (5925–6425 MHz), 5.8 GHz HiperLAN, WiMAX 3.5 GHz applications. An electrical equivalent circuit model of the proposed TFSA antenna is presented and validated using ADS software.

A sectional classification of Diplazium Sw. (Athyriaceae), based on plastid genomic, nuclear ribosomal, and morphological evidence

AbstractThe twinsorus‐fern genus Diplazium represents one of the most diverse genera within the lady‐fern family Athyriaceae, encompassing over 300 species, with the highest species diversity concentrated in tropical Asia and the Neotropics. Despite recent progress in phylogenetic studies of Diplazium, the infrageneric classification of this fern group remains challenging, particularly in D. subg. Callipteris. In this study, we explored the phylogenetic relationships within Diplazium using plastid (plastome and amplicon sequences) and nuclear ribosomal data, based on an extensive species sampling. Our phylogenetic analyses, using plastid and nuclear ribosomal datasets, congruently support 4 major clades and 12 subclades. Although deep relationships along the backbone were consistently well resolved using plastomes, nuclear ribosomal genomes and three concatenated plastid markers, cyto‐nuclear discordance was detected within subclades of D. subg. Callipteris. Considering our phylogenetic framework, we propose a classification of Diplazium with a particular focus on sectional delimitation. This classification comprises 4 previously recognized subgenera, and introduces 12 newly established sections. Our infrageneric divisions receive additional support from non‐molecular evidence, including stipe scales, leaf architecture, pinna/pinnule shape, indument and venation patterns, sori and spore features, and geographical distributions.

Разработка компактной широкополосной антенны со стабильной формой диаграммы направленности для применения в составе малоразмерных БпЛА

This paper presents a method to obtain a stable toroidal radiation pattern in a wide frequency range for a small-sized antenna based on a printed asymmetrical dipole. The method lies in the application of a broadband rectangular exciter (first arm) and matching it with a 50-Ohm input connector using a quarter-wave transformer based on microstrip transmission lines and a special form of a second arm. According to the proposed method, a printed antenna has been designed with two wide matching bands with reflection coefficient levels (module S11) of no more than minus 10 dB: 1677-2786 MHz (50%) and 3230-3801 MHz (16.2%). It forms a toroidal field in the frequency range of 1500-4000 MHz with a gain of at least 2 dBi in the direction of maximum radiation. The shape of the radiation pattern is quite stable over the entire frequency range; the maxima are polarized perpendicular to the antenna axis. The designed antenna was manufactured, and its characteristics were measured. This antenna is primarily applied to wireless communication systems for unmanned aerial systems and is intended to be installed on unmanned aerial vehicles to provide radio coverage in all azimuth directions. The manufactured antenna is compact (the antenna printed circuit board, without connector, is 63×22.5×1 mm3 or 0.35λmax×0.125λmax×0.006λmax); it is light (no more than 10 g including the connector), and its unique shape allows the antenna to be used without a dome, not reducing the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle.

Nail Disorders as clues to systemic disease.

Disorders of the nail unit can provide important clues to underlying systemic diseases. Onychodystrophy or nail abnormalities include altered nail color, shape, or texture, with morphology and growth patterns often related to local anatomic factors such as edema, vascular supply, and neurologic innervation. Associated pain or loss of function can also affect daily activities. Because nail changes may be due to a range of systemic diseases, we chose to provide a systems-based broad overview of the common nail findings in patients with internal disease.

Dominant wind patterns shaping grain-size records at IODP Site U1430 in the East (Japan) Sea since the early Pleistocene: Northwesterly surface winds vs. upper westerlies

Dominant wind patterns shaping grain-size records at IODP Site U1430 in the East (Japan) Sea since the early Pleistocene: Northwesterly surface winds vs. upper westerlies