bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral microbiome associated with differential ratios of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
and
Streptococcus cristatus
Authors: Wang Qingguo , Wang Bing-Yan , Pratap Siddharth , Xie Hua
Published: January 2024

Periodontitis has recently been defined as a dysbiotic disease caused by an imbalanced oral microbiota. The transition from commensal microbial communities to periodontitis-associated ones requires colonization by specific pathogens, including
Porphyromonas gingivalis
. We previously reported an antagonistic relationship between
Streptococcus cristatus
and
P. gingivalis
. To determine the role of
S. cristatus
in altering the interactions of
P. gingivalis
with other oral bacteria in a complex context, we collected dental plaque samples from patients with periodontitis and assigned them to two groups based on the ratios of
S. cristatus
and
P. gingivalis
. We then characterized the microbial profiles of the dental plaque samples using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and compared the oral microbial composition and functional capabilities of the group with high
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratios with the low ratio group. Taxonomic annotation revealed significant differences in the microbial composition at both the genus and species levels between the low and high
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratio groups. Notably, a higher microbial diversity was observed in the samples with low
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratios. Furthermore, the antibiotic resistance gene profiles of the two groups were also distinct, with a significantly increased abundance of the genes in the dental plaque samples with low
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratios. It, therefore, indicates that the
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratios influenced the virulence potential of the oral microbiome. Our work shows that enhancing the
S. cristatus-P. gingivalis
ratio in oral microbial communities can be an attractive approach for revising the dysbiotic oral microbiome.

IMPORTANCE

Periodontitis, one of the most common chronic diseases, is linked to several systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Although
Porphyromonas gingivalis
is a keystone pathogen that causes periodontitis, its levels, interactions with accessory bacteria and pathobionts in the oral microbiome, and its association with the pathogenic potential of the microbial communities are still not well understood. In this study, we revealed the role of
Streptococcus cristatus
and the ratios of
S. cristatus
and
P. gingivalis
in modulating the oral microbiome to facilitate a deeper understanding of periodontitis and its progression. The study has important clinical implications as it laid a foundation for developing novel non-antibiotic therapies against
P. gingivalis
and improving the efficiency of periodontal treatments.
Late Jurassic Tethyan igneous records in North Sumatra: Geochronological and geochemical constraints
Authors: Xu Chang , Wang Yuejun , Qian Xin , Yu Xiaoqing , Murtadha Sayed
Published: January 2024

The Jurassic igneous rocks on Sumatra Island are important for investigating the Mesotethyan evolution and regional correlation in Southeast Asia. This paper presents new laser ablation–multicollector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry zircon U-Pb-Hf geochronological and isotopic, whole-rock elemental, and Sr-Nd isotopic data for the newly identified Glebruk dolerite and andesite in North Sumatra. New zircon dating results suggest that these mafic–intermediate volcanic rocks, with ages of 150–146 Ma, were formed during the Late Jurassic. The Glebruk dolerite and andesite belong to the calc-alkaline series, are enriched in the light rare earth elements, and exhibit depletion in Nb, Ta, and Ti. Thus, they resemble arc-like volcanic rocks. They have low (87Sr/86Sr)i ratios of 0.7038–0.7048 and strong positive εNd(t) and εHf(t) values of +6.4 to +7.5 and +4.8 to +18.6, respectively. Their geochemical signatures suggest that these Late Jurassic volcanic rocks were derived from a depleted mantle wedge that was metasomatized by the slab-derived melts. The Glebruk volcanic rocks were formed in a continental arc setting in response to the Late Jurassic northward subduction of the Woyla Ocean beneath West Sumatra. Our results and regional geological observations suggest that the Mesotethyan subduction-related igneous rocks could extend from South Qiangtang through West Yunnan to North Sumatra. The Woyla Ocean could represent the southern extension of the Mesotethyan Ocean.
Supplemental Material: Nannofossil imprints across the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum
Authors: Slater Sam , al. et
Published: January 2024

Table S1 and Figure S1.  
Supplemental Material: Duration of Sturtian “Snowball Earth” glaciation linked to exceptionally low mid-ocean ridge outgassing
Authors: Dutkiewicz Adriana , al. et
Published: January 2024

Figure S1, Table S1, and Videos S1 and S2.  
Harlequin ichthyosis, prenatal diagnosis: the ultrasound recognition
Authors: González Ricardo Alfonso , Ojeda Andrea Veronica , Nova Nathalia Andrea , Prasca Richard Jose
Published: January 2024

Harlequin ichthyosis (HI) is an extremely rare disease with a prevalence of less than 1/300 000 live newborns and no more than 100 cases reported worldwide. It corresponds to a genodermatoses autosomal recessive inheritance, typically, with postnatal recognition due to the complexity of prenatal diagnosis. Advances in prenatal genetic testing allow sequencing of the affected gene and confirmation of the diagnosis after recognition of ultrasound markers. The prenatal acknowledgement of the disease significantly marks the course of the pregnancy; considering the perinatal high risk and neonatal mortality, this entity can be classified as lethal. Taking into account the legislation of each country, the possibility of pregnancy termination should be considered as an acceptable option. We present a case of prenatally diagnosed HI in the first ultrasound evaluation by the Maternal Fetal Medicine unit at 29 weeks of gestation, in which after counselling to the parents, the interruption of the gestation was decided.
Cemento-ossifying fibroma transforming to osteosarcoma
Authors: Haidry Naqoosh , Shivhare Peeyush , Mokhtar Ejaz Ahmad , Kumar Tarun
Published: January 2024

Ossifying fibroma is a type of fibro-osseous lesion categorised into cemento-ossifying fibroma and juvenile ossifying fibroma. Malignant transformation of fibro-osseous lesions is documented especially for fibrous dysplasia, but scarcity is seen when we search for malignant transformation of ossifying fibroma. Thus, we are presenting an extremely rare case of cemento-ossifying fibroma transforming into osteosarcoma with long sequential radiographic details.
Invasive pneumococcal disease serotype 23B1 causing multifocal septic arthritis, myositis and retroperitoneal abscess
Authors: Drummond Kate , Holmes Natasha E
Published: January 2024

We describe a case of a previously healthy unvaccinated man in his 70s who developed penicillin-susceptible bacteraemic invasive pneumococcal disease due to non-vaccine serotype 23B with the unusual manifestations of multifocal myositis, intramuscular abscesses, polyarticular septic arthritis and synovitis. Blood cultures drawn prior to antibiotic therapy and culture of iliopsoas collection were helpful in making the diagnosis. At follow-up, he had persistent hip pain attributed to avascular necrosis of the head of femur, a possible late complication of his pyomyositis.
National Volume-Based Procurement (NVBP) exclusively for insulin: towards affordable access in China and beyond
Authors: Yuan Jing , Li Minghui , Jiang Xiangxiang , Lu Zhiqiang Kevin
Published: January 2024

Universal access to insulin remains a global public health challenge mainly due to its high price. After unsuccessful healthcare reforms attempting to lower insulin prices over the past several decades, the novel pooled procurement—also known as the national volume-based procurement (NVBP)was initiated exclusively for insulin in China. The NVBP exclusively for insulin represents a unique approach to conquering the challenges in the pooled procurement many low-income and middle-income countries face. In this paper, we described how the pooled procurement mechanism was implemented for insulin in China. Forty-two insulin products from 11 companies were procured, with a median price reduction of 42.08%. The procurement price ranged from US$0.35 to US$1.63 (¥2.35–¥10.97) per defined daily dose (DDD). The median procurement price per DDD was US$$0.54 (¥3.63) for human insulins and US$0.92 (¥6.18) for analogue insulin (p<0.001), respectively. A total of 32 000 medical facilities participated in the procurement, and the pooled demand for insulin was 1.61 billion daily doses, with an estimated saving of US$2.85 billion (¥19 billion) for the first year of the procurement agreement. Insulin affordability and accessibility improved substantially. This study reveals that the NVBP exclusively for insulin could effectively reduce insulin prices and improve access to this essential medicine. Even though the pooled procurement option looks efficient, its long-term impacts on the healthcare system should be closely monitored.
Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Sang-Hyun , Park Sun-Young , Heo In , Hwang Eui-Hyoung , Shin Byung-Cheul , Hwang Man-Suk
Published: January 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to establish clinical evidence for acupuncture by analysing data from trials that demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) with the following research question: Is acupuncture treatment effective for symptom alleviation in patients with WAD compared with other usual care?

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, ScienceOn, KMBASE, Korean Studies Information Service System, Korea Med, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System and Research Information Sharing Service were searched from their inception to 1 October 2023.

Eligibility criteria

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using acupuncture on patients with WAD. The outcomes were the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score or numerical rating scale score for neck pain, the range of motion (ROM) of the neck, the Neck Disability Index and safety.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent researchers analysed and extracted data from the selected literatures. The risk of bias and the quality of evidence were assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, respectively.

Results

A total of 525 patients with WAD from eight RCTs were included in this study. The meta-analysis revealed that the outcomes showed significant differences in the pain VAS score (standard mean difference (SMD): −0.57 (–0.86 to –0.28), p<0.001) and ROM-extension (SMD: 0.47 (0.05 to 0.89), p=0.03). The risk of bias assessment revealed that four studies published after 2012 (50%, 4 out of 8 studies) showed low bias in most domains. The pain VAS score was graded as having moderate certainty.

Conclusion

Acupuncture may have clinical value in pain reduction and increasing the ROM for patients with WAD. High-quality RCTs must be conducted to confirm the efficacy of acupuncture in patients with WAD.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42021261595.
Status and treatment of patients with uterine fibroids in hospitals in central China: a retrospective study from 2018 to 2021
Authors: Yan Wei , Yuan Suzhen , Zhou Da , Zhang Minli , Yang Shuhao , Wang Wenwen , Wang Shixuan
Published: January 2024

Objective

To evaluate the hospitalised patients with uterine fibroids (UFs) and describe treatment patterns in hospital-treated patients in central China from 2018 to 2021.

Design

A retrospective analysis.

Setting

The gynaecology departments of class A and class B secondary and tertiary hospitals in Hubei Province, China.

Participants

101 008 patients diagnosed with UFs from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

Results

The hospitalised patients with UFs increased with age, reaching a peak at ages 45–49 years and then gradually decreasing. Among these patients, 19.05% had anaemia symptoms. Women aged 25–29 years were more likely to be treated with laparoscopic myomectomy (62.22%), while women aged 20–24 years tend to choose open myomectomy (34.58%). Women over age 45 years who had entered perimenopause tended to be treated with laparoscopic hysterectomy (64.85% for those aged 65–69 years). Patients with fibroid with moderate-to-severe anaemia mostly chose hysterectomy. As a whole, the proportion of patients who chose laparoscopic hysterectomy was similar to that of patients who chose laparoscopic myomectomy (31.38% vs 31.14%). Only 2.08% of UFs were treated with high-frequency MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS). The number of patients who choose laparoscopic surgery or MRgFUS treatment was increasing year by year. After stratifying by hospital grade, we found that women treated at class A tertiary hospitals were more likely to have laparoscopic than open surgery (66.12% vs 31.26%). At class B secondary hospitals, 61.9% of the patients underwent myomectomy. By contrast, hysterectomy was used to treat the majority of patients at class A secondary hospitals and class B tertiary hospitals (57.79% and 57.57%, respectively). Use of MRgFUS was mainly concentrated within class A tertiary hospitals.

Conclusion

UFs affect mainly women in childbearing period. Most patients chose to receive treatment at class A tertiary hospitals, among which laparoscopic myomectomy was the mainstream surgical method for patients in Hubei Province.

Trial registration number

NCT05840042.
Initiating pre-exposure prophylaxis in the inpatient setting: a quality improvement project
Authors: Flynn Sarah , Adamo Meredith , Kochanska Marta , Garcia-Grossman Ilana
Published: January 2024

Many patients who are at high risk of HIV transmission do not receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). HIV risk counselling and PrEP initiation have historically been limited to outpatient settings. Here we describe a novel quality improvement project at San Francisco’s main safety-net hospital designed to incorporate universal screening for active HIV risk factors and PrEP initiation into standard inpatient care. Interventions included education sessions and dissemination of clinical materials to increase providers’ knowledge and comfort with HIV risk screening, prevention counselling and prescribing PrEP. We implemented new workflows on the inpatient medicine service to encourage providers to universally screen all patients at the time of admission and initiate PrEP for appropriate patients during their hospitalisation. Over the first 9 months of the initiative, 14 inpatients were started on PrEP during their admission. As PrEP was initiated in particularly vulnerable patients, using inpatient admissions to engage at-risk patients in HIV prevention may help to reduce disparities in HIV outcomes.
Fibrosis in IBD: from pathogenesis to therapeutic targets
Authors: Rieder Florian , Mukherjee Pranab K , Massey William J , Wang Yan , Fiocchi Claudio
Published: January 2024

Background

Intestinal fibrosis resulting in stricture formation and obstruction in Crohn’s disease (CD) and increased wall stiffness leading to symptoms in ulcerative colitis (UC) is among the largest unmet needs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fibrosis is caused by a multifactorial and complex process involving immune and non-immune cells, their soluble mediators and exposure to luminal contents, such as microbiota and environmental factors. To date, no antifibrotic therapy is available. Some progress has been made in creating consensus definitions and measurements to quantify stricture morphology for clinical practice and trials, but approaches to determine the degree of fibrosis within a stricture are still lacking.

Objective

We herein describe the current state of stricture pathogenesis, measuring tools and clinical trial endpoints development.

Design

Data presented and discussed in this review derive from the past and recent literature and the authors’ own research and experience.

Results and conclusions

Significant progress has been made in better understanding the pathogenesis of fibrosis, but additional studies and preclinical developments are needed to define specific therapeutic targets.
Contribution of causes of death to changing inequalities in life expectancy by income in Finland, 1997–2020
Authors: Tarkiainen Lasse , Martikainen Pekka , Junna Liina , Remes Hanna
Published: January 2024

Background

Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality originate from different causes of death. Alcohol-related and smoking-related deaths are major drivers of mortality inequalities across Europe. In Finland, the turn from widening to narrowing mortality disparities by income in the early 2010s was largely attributable to these causes of death. However, little is known about recent inequalities in life expectancy (LE) and lifespan variation.

Methods

We used individual-level total population register-based data with annual information on disposable household income and cause-specific mortality for ages 30–95+, and assessed the contribution of smoking on mortality using the Preston-Glei-Wilmoth method. We calculated trends in LE at age 30 and SD in lifespan by income quintile in 1997–2020 and conducted age and cause-of-death decompositions of changes in LE.

Results

Disparity in LE and lifespan variation by income increased in 2015–2020, largely attributable to the stagnation of both measures in the lowest income quintile. The LE gap between the extreme quintiles in 2018–2020 was 11.2 (men) and 5.9 (women) years, of which roughly 40% was attributable to alcohol and smoking. However, the recent widening of the gap and the stagnation in LE in the lowest quintile over time were not driven by any specific cause-of-death group.

Conclusions

After a decade of narrowing inequalities in LE and lifespan variation in Finland, the gaps between income groups are growing again. Increasing LE disparity and stagnating mortality on the lowest income levels are no longer attributable to smoking and alcohol-related deaths but are more comprehensive, originating from most cause-of-death groups.
Power of saying ‘I Don’t Know’: psychological safety and participatory strategies for healthcare leaders
Authors: Hunt David Francis
Published: January 2024

As healthcare systems grow increasingly complex and integrate with other services and sectors, creating complex patient pathways, this inevitably leads to additional layers within a system. Consequently, high-tier leaders become progressively detached from the inner workings of the systems in which they operate. Several barriers exist that may deter a leader from embracing uncertainty and acknowledging the limits of their expertise in these systems. These barriers range from personal insecurities about perception to organisational stigmas that compound these concerns through expectations of infallible leadership. In this article, I draw on my experience as an embedded researcher and someone who has taught leadership in healthcare settings to examine the importance of leadership vulnerability, considering not only for the leaders themselves but also for fostering a learning and innovative culture within the organisation. I focus on two fundamental tenets: psychological safety and participatory approaches to innovation. In addition, I offer practical considerations for embracing vulnerability and discuss the ensuing benefits. Given the rapidly evolving complexities in healthcare and paradigm-shifting innovations, such as the integration of digital solutions, this article serves as a call to action. It urges leaders to embrace uncertainty, encourage participation and venture into the unknown.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of mycophenolic acid and clinical outcomes of lupus nephritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wuttiputhanun Thunyatorn , Naiyarakseree Nuanjanthip , Udomkarnjananun Suwasin , Kittanamongkolchai Wonngarm , Asada Leelahavanichkul , Chariyavilaskul Pajaree , Townamchai Natavudh , Avihingsanon Yingyos
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a primary immunosuppressive agent used in the treatment of lupus nephritis (LN). While therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of MPA is well established in organ transplantation, its role in LN treatment remains uncertain. Our objective was to review and summarise current knowledge on TDM of MPA in the LN treatment.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in the online databases, specifically targeted patients diagnosed with LN receiving MPA treatment. The included studies had to report both MPA pharmacokinetic parameters and renal outcomes. A random-effects model meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between clinical responses and MPA pharmacokinetics.

Results

A total of 1507 studies were initially screened, resulting in the inclusion of 16 studies for meta-analysis, encompassing 433 patients. The response group exhibited significantly higher MPA area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) compared with the non-response group (51.44±21.73 mg·h/L vs 30.30±16.24 mg·h/L). The weighted mean difference (WMD) of MPA-AUC between responders and non-responders was 16.83 mg·h/L (95% CI 10.59 to 23.06; p<0.001). Similarly, trough concentration (C0) of MPA showed a strong association with renal response, evidenced by C0values of 2.50±1.73 mg/L in the response group vs 1.51±1.33 mg/L in the non-response group (WMD 1.37 mg/L; 95% CI 0.77 to 1.97; p<0.001). There was no significant relationship identified between MPA-AUC and adverse events.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis emphasised the meaningful correlation between MPA AUC and C0with renal response in LN treatment. Randomised controlled trials are necessary to validate this approach and determine its superiority over fixed dosing in the context of LN treatment.
Association of firefighting exposures with lung function using a novel job exposure matrix (JEM)
Authors: Goldfarb David G , Prezant David J , Zeig-Owens Rachel , Hall Charles B , Schwartz Theresa , Liu Yang , Kavouras Ilias G
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Characterisation of firefighters’ exposures to dangerous chemicals in smoke from non-wildfire incidents, directly through personal monitoring and indirectly from work-related records, is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between smoke particle exposures (P) and pulmonary function.

Methods

The study period spanned from January 2010 through September 2021. Routine firefighting P were estimated using fire incident characteristics, response data and emission factors from a novel job exposure matrix. Linear mixed effects modelling was employed to estimate changes in pulmonary function as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Models controlled for age, race/ethnicity, height, smoking and weight.

Results

Every 1000 kg P was associated with 13 mL lower FEV1(β=−13.34; 95% CI=−13.98 to −12.70) over the entire 12-year follow-up period. When analysing exposures within 3 months before PFT measurements, 1000 kg P was associated with 27 mL lower FEV1(β=−26.87; 95% CI=−34.54 to −19.20). When evaluating P estimated within 3 months of a pulmonary function test (PFT), stronger associations were observed among those most highly exposed to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster (β=−12.90; 95% CI=−22.70 to −2.89); the association of cumulative exposures was similar for both highly and less highly exposed individuals.

Discussion

Smoke particle exposures were observed to have modest short-term and long-term associations with pulmonary function, particularly in those who, previously, had high levels of WTC exposure. Future work examining the association between P and pulmonary function among non-WTC exposed firefighters will be essential for disentangling the effects of ageing, routine firefighting and WTC exposures.
Degradation mechanisms of soil arching under a localized cyclic surface loading
Authors: Tao Fengjuan , Ye Guanbao , Zhang Zhen , Han Jie , Zhang Rongjun , Liu Liu
Published: January 2024

Soil arching causes stress redistribution in many earth structures, such as pile-supported embankments and buried structures. A localized cyclic surface load (e.g., footing and traffic load) would weaken the arching effect and cause structural safety at potential risk. This paper presents a series of trapdoor tests using transparent soil to investigate the degradation mechanisms of soil arching subjected to a localized cyclic surface load. The particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was adopted to monitor the inner soil deformations during test. The test results show that soil arching under localized cyclic surface loading first degraded locally on the trapdoor center and then progressed from the center to the entire trapdoor. The soil arching degraded faster within a lower backfill, on a wider trapdoor, and under a higher load frequency of localized surface loading. Owing to the volumetric expansion during trapdoor movement, the average vertical stress with soil arching increased faster under localized surface loading than that without soil arching. After full degradation of soil arching, the stress increment and vertical displacement contours with and without arching effect gradually tended to be similar. Finally, an empirical method was proposed to predict the soil arching ratio under localized cyclic surface loading.
Studying the electrode distribution in a rotary triboelectric nanogenerator using a magnetic stir plate
Authors: Bolukbas Cansu , Perdomo Natalia Vargas , Cuccia Louis A.
Published: January 2024

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) were invented to harvest energy from the contact electrification between two materials by electrostatic induction. TENGs have attracted much attention over the last few decades because of the large variability of low-cost materials, their high voltage output, and low current range. The rotatory TENG (R-TENG) is one of the most common operational mode with demonstrated high performance according to their design and working parameters. Designing and understanding TENGs is an ongoing research challenge for those who are new to this field. Herein, we provide a simple reproducible design of R-TENGs using a Teflon™ stir bar in a polystyrene Petri dish to study the effect of electrode distribution and the influence of the triboelectric pair on the electrical output.
Experimental and numerical performance analysis of alccofine-based crumb rubber concrete under quasi-static cyclic load
Authors: Haldar Puja , Karmakar Somnath
Published: January 2024

Structure, during its design period, may face unpredictable dynamic loading: wind, earthquake, and blast. Unavoidably, loading rates impact the dynamic behaviours of structures. Besides, the infrastructure system is more susceptible to dynamic loading. Therefore, a study on the dynamic behaviour of concrete under quasi-static cyclic load is inevitable. Fortunately, the researchers explored that innovative materials could respond better to extreme dynamic loading. One of the serious issues is the demolition of rubber tyres, which may be solved by converting the same into crumb form as an innovative construction material. In the present study, experimental and finite element method-based numerical analysis shows a substantial improvement in fatigue, flexural, ductility, inelastic performance, and energy dissipation capacity of the alccofine-based crumb rubber concrete beam. These performances are observed experimentally under monotonic and quasi-static cyclic loads. The load-carrying capacity has also been predicted analytically; the results agree with the experimental and numerical ones.
Reissner–Nordström black holes in quintic quasi-topological gravity
Authors: Olamaei A. R. , Bazrafshan A. , Ghanaatian M.
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates charged black holes within the framework of quintic quasi-topological gravity, focusing on their thermodynamics, conserved quantities, and stability. We construct numerical solutions and explore their thermodynamic properties, supplemented by the study of analytically solvable special cases. By verifying the first law of thermodynamics, we validate our approach and compare our findings to those of Einstein gravity. The physical properties of the solutions are examined across anti-de Sitter, de Sitter, and flat spacetime backgrounds. Our analysis reveals that anti-de Sitter solutions demonstrate thermal stability, while de Sitter and flat solutions lack this property. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results and propose potential avenues for future research in this field.
Quantumness near a Schwarzschild black hole
Authors: Haddadi S. , Yurischev M. A. , Abd-Rabbou M. Y. , Azizi M. , Pourkarimi M. R. , Ghominejad M.
Published: January 2024

The merging of quantum information science with the relativity theory presents novel opportunities for understanding the enigmas surrounding the transmission of information in relation to black holes. For this purpose, we study the quantumness near a Schwarzschild black hole in a practical model under decoherence. The scenario we consider in this paper is that a stationary particle in the flat region interacts with its surroundings while another particle experiences free fall in the vicinity of a Schwarzschild black hole’s event horizon. We explore the impacts of Hawking radiation and decoherence on the system under investigation and find that these effects can limit the survival of quantum characteristics, but cannot destroy them completely. Hence, the results of this study possess the potential to yield valuable insights into the comprehension of the quantum properties of a real system operating within a curved space-time framework.
Dimensionally continued black holes sourced by a conformally coupled scalar field and Chaplygin-like dark fluid
Authors: Ali Askar , Saifullah Khalid
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study the higher dimensional black holes of Lovelock gravity coupled with a conformal scalar field. The matter source of gravity is suggested to come from the Chaplygin-like dark fluid, i.e., the hybrid of a dark matter and dark energy. We primarily focus on dimensionally continued gravity where the coupling parameters are reduced into two independent parameters, i.e., the Newtonian and cosmological constants. In this specific case of Lovelock gravity, we derive the metric function that describes the hairy black holes surrounded by dark fluid. For these objects, the basic thermodynamic quantities are worked out. We discuss how the unified dark fluid affects both local and global thermodynamic stabilities. We also demonstrate that the radiation spectrum is proportional to the change in entropy of the hairy black holes. Lastly, the hairy black holes in the presence of Chaplygin-like dark fluid are briefly investigated within the context of generic Lovelock gravity.
Axion-like particles at future $$e^- p$$ collider
Authors: Mosala Karabo , Sharma Pramod , Kumar Mukesh , Goyal Ashok
Published: January 2024

In this work, we explore the possibilities of producing Axion-Like Particles (ALPs) in a future$$e^-p$$e-pcollider. Specifically, we focus on the proposed Large Hadron electron collider (LHeC), which can achieve a center-of-mass energy of$$\sqrt{s} \approx 1.3$$s≈1.3 TeV, enabling us to probe relatively high ALP masses with$$m_a \lesssim 300$$ma≲300 GeV. The production of ALPs can occur through various channels, including$$W^+W^-$$W+W-,$$\gamma \gamma $$γγ,ZZ, and$$Z\gamma $$Zγ-fusion within the collider environment. To investigate this, we conduct a comprehensive analysis that involves estimating the production cross section and constraining the limits on the associated couplings of ALPs, namely$$g_{WW}$$gWW,$$g_{\gamma \gamma }$$gγγ,$$g_{ZZ}$$gZZ, and$$g_{Z\gamma }$$gZγ. To achieve this, we utilize a multiple-bin$$\chi ^2$$χ2analysis on sensitive differential distributions. Through the analysis of these distributions, we determine upper bounds on the associated couplings within the mass range of 5 GeV$$\le m_a \le $$≤ma≤300 GeV. The obtained upper bounds are of the order of$$\mathcal{O}(10^{-1})$$O(10-1)for$$g_{\gamma \gamma }$$gγγ($$g_{WW}$$gWW,$$g_{ZZ}$$gZZ,$$g_{Z\gamma }$$gZγ) in$$m_a \in $$ma∈ [5, 200 (300)] GeV considering an integrated luminosity of 1 ab$$^{-1}$$-1. Furthermore, we compare the results of our study with those obtained from other available experiments. We emphasize the limits obtained through our analysis and showcase the potential of the LHeC in probing the properties of ALPs.
Reentrant phase transition in holographic thermodynamicsof Born–Infeld AdS black hole
Authors: Bai Ning-Chen , Song Li , Tao Jun
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study the phase tranisions in the extended holographic thermodynamics of Born–Infeld AdS black holes. The extended gravitational thermodynamics of black holes is related to the thermodynamics of the dual field theory by varying both cosmological constant and Newton’s constant. With topological analysis and numerical calculation, we find that the reentrant large-small-large black hole phase transition still exists in $$D=4$$

D
=
4

. Interestingly, a similar reentrant phase transition is also observed in the dual field theory, between the high-, low- and high-entropy thermal states. For higher dimension $$D>4$$

D
>
4

, only the van der Waals like phase transition is observed, both in the bulk and the dual field theory.
A Commentary on the Progress of Big Data in Combinatorial Optimization
Authors: Cheng Eddie , Guo Longkun , Mao Yaping , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: January 2024

In this short note, we give remarks regarding big data in combinatorial optimization, with recent progress in this area, as presented in this special issue of Parallel Processing Letters.
Distributed Learning Mechanisms for Anomaly Detection in Privacy-Aware Energy Grid Management Systems
Authors: Syu Jia-Hao , Lin Jerry Chun-Wei , Srivastava Gautam
Published: January 2024

Smart grids have become an emerging topic due to net-zero emissions and the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology focused on achieving targeted energy distribution and maintaining operating reserves. In order to prevent cyber-physical attacks, issues related to the security and privacy of grid systems are receiving much attention from researchers. In this paper, privacy-aware energy grid management systems with anomaly detection networks and distributed learning mechanisms are proposed. The anomaly detection network consists of a server and a client learning network, which collaboratively learn patterns without sharing data, and periodically train and exchange knowledge. We also develop learning mechanisms with federated, distributed, and split learning to improve privacy and use Q-learning for decision-making to facilitate interpretability. To demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed schemes, extensive simulations are conducted in different energy grid environments with different target distributions, ORRs, and attack scenarios. The experimental results show that the proposed schemes not only improve management performance but also enhance privacy and security levels. We also compare the management performance and privacy level of the different learning machines and provide usage recommendations.
GANonymization: A GAN-Based Face Anonymization Framework for Preserving Emotional Expressions
Authors: Hellmann Fabio , Mertes Silvan , Benouis Mohamed , Hustinx Alexander , Hsieh Tzung-Chien , Conati Cristina , Krawitz Peter , André Elisabeth
Published: January 2024

In recent years, the increasing availability of personal data has raised concerns regarding privacy and security. One of the critical processes to address these concerns is data anonymization, which aims to protect individual privacy and prevent the release of sensitive information. This research focuses on the importance of face anonymization. Therefore, we introduce GANonymization, a novel face anonymization framework with facial expression-preserving abilities. Our approach is based on a high-level representation of a face, which is synthesized into an anonymized version based on a generative adversarial network (GAN). The effectiveness of the approach was assessed by evaluating its performance in removing identifiable facial attributes to increase the anonymity of the given individual face. Additionally, the performance of preserving facial expressions was evaluated on several affect recognition datasets and outperformed the state-of-the-art methods in most categories. Finally, our approach was analyzed for its ability to remove various facial traits, such as jewelry, hair color, and multiple others. Here, it demonstrated reliable performance in removing these attributes. Our results suggest that GANonymization is a promising approach for anonymizing faces while preserving facial expressions.
On the Use of Quality Diversity Algorithms for the Travelling Thief Problem
Authors: Nikfarjam Adel , Neumann Aneta , Neumann Frank
Published: January 2024

In real-world optimisation, it is common to face several sub-problems interacting and forming the main problem. There is an inter-dependency between the sub-problems, making it impossible to solve such a problem by focusing on only one component. The travelling thief problem (TTP) belongs to this category and is formed by the integration of the travelling salesperson problem (TSP) and the knapsack problem (KP). In this paper, we investigate the inter-dependency of the TSP and the KP by means of quality diversity (QD) approaches. QD algorithms provide a powerful tool not only to obtain high-quality solutions but also to illustrate the distribution of high-performing solutions in the behavioural space.

We introduce a multi-dimensional archive of phenotypic elites (MAP-Elites) based evolutionary algorithm using well-known TSP and KP search operators, taking the TSP and KP score as the behavioural descriptor. MAP-Elites algorithms are QD-based techniques to explore high-performing solutions in a behavioural space. Afterwards, we conduct comprehensive experimental studies that show the usefulness of using the QD approach applied to the TTP. First, we provide insights regarding high-quality TTP solutions in the TSP/KP behavioural space. Afterwards, we show that better solutions for the TTP can be obtained by using our QD approach, and it can improve the best-known solution for a number of TTP instances used for benchmarking in the literature.
Life in the Midwater: The Ecology of Deep Pelagic Animals
Authors: Haddock Steven H.D. , Choy C. Anela
Published: January 2024

The water column of the deep ocean is dark, cold, low in food, and under crushing pressures, yet it is full of diverse life. Due to its enormous volume, this mesopelagic zone is home to some of the most abundant animals on the planet. Rather than struggling to survive, they thrive—owing to a broad set of adaptations for feeding, behavior, and physiology. Our understanding of these adaptations is constrained by the tools available for exploring the deep sea, but this tool kit is expanding along with technological advances. Each time we apply a new method to the depths, we gain surprising insights about genetics, ecology, behavior, physiology, diversity, and the dynamics of change. These discoveries show structure within the seemingly uniform habitat, limits to the seemingly inexhaustible resources, and vulnerability in the seemingly impervious environment. To understand midwater ecology, we need to reimagine the rules that govern terrestrial ecosystems. By spending more time at depth—with whatever tools are available—we can fill the knowledge gaps and better link ecology to the environment throughout the water column.
Aqueous Casting of Polymeric Electrolyte Membranes for Solid Rechargeable Na Batteries
Authors: Peta Gayathri , Samala Nagaprasad Reddy , Breuer Ortal , Konar Rajashree , Elias Yuval , Grinberg Ilya , Fayena-Greenstein Miryam , Aurbach Doron
Published: January 2024

Organic solid electrolytes for rechargeable batteries are usually produced by dissolving or suspending all components and casting. For decades, acetonitrile has been widely used despite its rapid reaction with alkali metals, forming toxic products such as cyanide. Using large amounts of acetonitrile for industrial applications may pose health and environmental concerns. In addition, researchers claim that even if the solid electrolyte membranes contain residual trace water, this may positively affect the transport properties of Na ions in PEO, and those batteries with electrolytes containing trace water showed significantly improved electrochemical performance. Here, an aqueous medium was considered for casting solid polymer electrolyte membranes. Na ions conducting membranes produced with water were characterized and compared to traditional ones, produced with organic solvents. Spectral studies and electrochemical measurements of symmetric cells with Na metal electrodes under static and dynamic conditions and all-solid-state Na batteries showed that the membranes cast from aqueous media are similar to their counterparts, cast from organic volatile solvents. Surprisingly, the water-cast membranes exhibit better performance as solid electrolytes than similar membranes prepared with organic solvents.
Review —Recent Advances in Yttrium Titanate Pyrochlores: Crystal Structure and Impact of Doping Elements
Authors: Supriya Subramani
Published: January 2024

The invention of yttrium titanates (Y2Ti2O7) with various exciting properties in electroceramics has created great attention among industrialists and researchers. Improving the materials of pyrochlore oxides with significant properties for future electronic devices became essential. The Y2Ti2O7 is one such cubic pyrochlore at room temperature, having excellent dielectric and luminescence properties. This article comprehensively reviews the basics and state-of-the-art in developing Y2Ti2O7 ceramics. This material is widely used for electronic devices: transducers, capacitors, optoelectronic components, and light modulators. This review focuses on the fabrication methods and crystal structure mechanisms for optimizing functional properties and current challenges. Moreover, the effect of doping elements of Y2Ti2O7-based ceramics is briefly discussed. Also, future perspectives are provided to spotlight new and trending research directions in this materials research.
Ameliorated DC Insulation Performance of EPDM through Chemical Grafting with a Voltage Stabilizer
Authors: Zhang Jibin , Li Zhongyuan , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2024

Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Rubber (EPDM) is widely utilized as a high-performance insulation material in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable accessories, owing to its exceptional electrical and thermal properties. In this study, we have successfully synthesized and employed 4-vinyl oxyacetophenone (VPE) as a modification agent to develop the chemically grafted EPDM materials (EPDM-g-VPE) just through thermal crosslinking reaction and melt blending approach. Infrared spectroscopy results reveal that during thermal cross-linking process, VPE efficiently grafted onto EPDM molecular-chains through free radical addition reaction. Following VPE grafting, the DC dielectric breakdown strength and electrical conductivity of EPDM are significantly increased and noticeably decreased respectively. Theoretical electronic structure calculations corroborate that VPE’s electron-affinity and energy-gap enable it to efficiently absorb thermal electron energy without undergoing collision ionization, thereby enhancing EPDM’s breakdown resistance. Simultaneously, VPE molecules exhibit a high affinity for capturing electron charge carriers within EPDM polymer-molecules. Space charge and thermally stimulated current tests demonstrate that the stable and uniformly distributed charge traps can be effectively introduced into EPDM matrix by grafting VPE modification, thereby suppressing transport and injection of charge carriers. Consequently, this approach substantially improves DC electrical insulation performance of EPDM. This research not only successfully enhances the electrical insulation performance of EPDM but also showcases the wide-ranging potential of chemical modification technology in cable accessory materials.
The impact of forearm immobilization and acipimox administration on muscle amino acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in healthy, young volunteers
Authors: Dirks Marlou L. , Jameson Tom S. O. , Andrews Rob C. , Dunlop Mandy V. , Abdelrahman Doaa R. , Murton Andrew J. , Wall Benjamin T. , Stephens Francis B.
Published: January 2024

We demonstrate that 2 days of forearm cast immobilization in healthy young volunteers leads to the rapid development of insulin resistance, which is accompanied by accelerated muscle amino acid efflux in the absence of impaired muscle amino acid uptake. Acutely elevated fasting nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) availability as a result of acipimox supplementation worsened muscle insulin resistance without affecting amino acid kinetics, suggesting increased muscle NEFA uptake may contribute to inactivity-induced insulin resistance but does not cause anabolic resistance.
Vestibular control of deep and superficial lumbar muscles
Authors: Gallina Alessio , Abboud Jacques , Blouin Jean-Sébastien
Published: January 2024

We investigated the vestibular control of the deep and superficial lumbar extensor muscles using electrical vestibular stimuli. Vestibular stimuli elicited preferential activation of the longissimus muscle over the multifidus muscle. We did not observe clear regional activation of lumbar muscle subregions in response to the vestibular stimuli. Our findings show that the central nervous system can finely tune the vestibular control of individual lumbar muscles and suggest minimal regional variations in the activation of lumbar muscle subregions.
Abnormally low sensorimotor α band nonlinearity serves as an effective EEG biomarker of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Özkurt Tolga Esat
Published: January 2024

This study suggests a nonlinearity measure that differentiates Parkinson’s disease (PD) dopamine OFF-state scalp EEG data from those of dopamine ON-state patients and healthy subjects. Unlike typical PD cortical biomarkers based on β band activity, this metric shows elevation upon dopaminergic medication in the α band. We provide evidence supporting its potential as an early-stage promising PD biomarker that can be estimated from noninvasive EEG recordings with low resolution and SNR.
A Multilevel Wavelet Decomposition Network Hybrid Model Utilizing Cyclic Patterns for Stock Price Prediction
Authors: Wen H. R. , Yuan Mingchuan , Wang Shuxin , Liang Lixin , Fu Xianghua
Published: January 2024

Stock price prediction is an important and complex time-series problem in academia and financial industries. Stock market prices are voted by all kinds of investors and are influenced by various factors. According to the literature studies, such as Elliott’s wave theory and Howard’s market cycle investment theory, the cyclic patterns are significant characteristics of the stock market. However, even several studies that do consider cyclic patterns (or similar concepts) suffered from the data leakage or boundary problems, which could be impractical for real applications. Inspired by the abovementioned, we propose a hybrid deep learning model called mWDN-LSTM, which correctly utilizes the cyclic patterns’ information to predict stock price while avoiding the data leakage and alleviating boundary problems. According to the experiments on two different datasets, our model mWDN-LSTM outperforms the well-known benchmarks such as CNN-LSTM on the same experimental setup and demonstrates the effectiveness of utilizing cyclic patterns in stock price prediction.