bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On a paradox in quantum mechanics and its resolution
Authors: Banyadsin Padtarapan , De Vincenzo Salvatore
Published: May 2023

Consider a free Schrödinger particle inside an interval with walls characterized by the Dirichlet boundary condition. Choose a parabola as the normalized state of the particle that satisfies this boundary condition. To calculate the variance of the Hamiltonian in that state, one needs to calculate the mean value of the Hamiltonian and that of its square. If one uses the standard formula to calculate these mean values, one obtains both results without difficulty, but the variance unexpectedly takes an imaginary value. If one uses the same expression to calculate these mean values but first writes the Hamiltonian and its square in terms of their respective eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, one obtains the same result as above for the mean value of the Hamiltonian but a different value for its square (in fact, it is not zero); hence, the variance takes an acceptable value. From whence do these contradictory results arise? The latter paradox has been presented in the literature as an example of a problem that can only be properly solved by making use of certain fundamental concepts within the general theory of linear operators in Hilbert spaces. Here, we carefully review those concepts and apply them in a detailed way to resolve the paradox. Our results are formulated within the natural framework of wave mechanics, and to avoid inconveniences that the use of Dirac’s symbolic formalism could bring, we avoid the use of that formalism throughout the article. In addition, we obtain a resolution of the paradox in an entirely formal way without addressing the restrictions imposed by the domains of the operators involved. We think that the content of this paper will be useful to undergraduate and graduate students as well as to their instructors.
Efficient 1.5D full waveform inversion in the Laplace-Fourier domain
Authors: Kontakis Apostolos , Rovetta Diego , Colombo Daniele , Sandoval-Curiel Ernesto
Published: May 2023

Accurate near-surface characterization and velocity model building are important for a number of geotechnical and geophysical applications. 3D full waveform inversion (FWI) can be used to generate a detailed velocity model, but must be provided with a good initial velocity model. A method for producing such an initial velocity model is explored in this paper. Assuming that the near-subsurface can be locally approximated by an effective flat-layered medium, a specialized form of acoustic FWI is proposed. The inversion is based on regularized least-squares in the Laplace-Fourier domain as a measure to mitigate the cycle-skipping problem. Forward modeling is carried out by solving a number of independent finite-difference problems in parallel, for a set of horizontal wavenumbers. The set is determined adaptively, using a pair of algorithms discussed in detail. A numerical implementation of the inverse Hankel transform, used to synthesize data in the frequency-offset domain, is also described. The forward modeling scheme is validated against analytic solutions of the Helmholtz equation, showing good agreement between the two. FWI is tested by inverting a synthetic dataset consisting of flat layers with embedded velocity anomalies. Important features are recovered after inversion at a small number of complex frequencies, providing a detailed initial model for successive 3D FWI.
Composition-based aluminum alloy selection using an artificial neural network
Authors: Fatriansyah Jaka Fajar , Rizqillah Raihan Kenji , Suhariadi Iping , Federico Andreas , Kurniawan Ade
Published: May 2023

Materials selection for aluminum alloys with desired fatigue properties and other mechanical properties is very difficult. Usually, when fatigue properties are maximized, other mechanical properties should be compromised. In this paper, an artificial neural network, was utilized to build two prediction models that has the purpose of predicting fatigue life from composition and inverse design to predict composition from fatigue properties as a tool for materials selection. A first model was built to predict fatigue life using information on alloy composition, heat treatment, and other mechanical properties. The second model is an inversion of the first model, which predicts the material compositions to get the desired fatigue performance and other mechanical properties. Both models produce good performances based on the R
2 scoring metric, where the values were found to be 0.92 and 0.96 for the first and second models, respectively. This study proved that the inversion model for predicting composition based on fatigue properties can reach acceptable accuracy and can be used as a materials selection tool. In addition, to investigate how atomic properties can affect fatigue life, the third model was built. It was found that atomic properties, such as electronegativity and the radius of alloying elements, are closely related to fatigue life and can be used to predict fatigue life as well. The significance of our work is that users can design new alloys for specific applications as well as select available alloys based on fatigue property criteria.
Dynamic damage characteristic of CFRP target by Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake impact at high speed
Authors: Tang Enling , Wang Xinxin , Li Lei , Peng Hui , Chen Chuang , Han Yafei , Chang Mengzhou , Guo Kai , He Liping
Published: May 2023

The development of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has revolutionized the light-weight protection materials industry. In the field of aviation, understanding the damage characteristics of CFRP under high-speed impacts is vital to design aero turbofan engines with lightweight fan cases. This study uses a refined solid model of CFRP laminates created by TexGen. ABAQUS/Explicit and VUMAT user subroutine were used to simulate the failure process of CFRP laminates caused by ballistic impact experiments. The study performs a detailed analysis of data recorded during the experiment conducted where Ti-6Al-4V alloy flakes impacted CFRP laminates at velocities ranging from 156.9 m s−1 to 297 m s−1 using a light gas gun. Image recordings through high-speed cameras and 3D-DIC help identify macroscopic damage characteristics like morphology and strain of CFRP laminates. Reliability of numerical simulations was verified via dynamic strain time history curves, scanning electron microscope microstructure images and damage element morphology. Deformation processes such as matrix cracking, fiber pull-out, and delamination play a crucial role in absorbing most of the initial kinetic energy of Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake, and therefore protect the laminate. Given our findings combined with the deformation characteristics and energy absorption mechanism of ballistic impacts, a reliable numerical simulation method for the damage characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V alloy flake penetrating CFRP laminates is presented that provides a basis for designing composite case containment systems.
Recent progress in solar cells based on one dimensional ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Peksu Elif , Coskun Asya , Karaagac Hakan
Published: May 2023

In recent years, one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures, including nanorods, nanowires and nanotubes have been receiving a great deal of research attention due to their special and outstanding many characteristics that play a very important role in the manufacture of high-performance devices, including photodetectors, solar cells, light emitting diodes and power nano-generators with novel functionalities. So far, a variety of inorganic semiconductor materials, including titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silicon, and gallium oxide, have been utilized to produce 1D structures for the construction of high-performance electronic and opto-electronic devices. Due to its stability, high conductivity, high electron affinity, and outstanding electron mobility, zinc oxide (ZnO) stands out among the others as a material that is particularly appealing to be employed in a variety of opto-electronic device applications. This review article initially presents a review of recent research activities related to the synthesis of 1D ZnO nanostructures employing various growth routes and their use in photovoltaic applications to highlight the attractive properties of these nanostructures. In particular, a special focus is given on the progress in 1D ZnO nanostructures based inorganic solar cells, including all-inorganic perovskites, Cu2ZnSn(S, Se)2, CdS, CdTe, AgBiS2, Cu(In, Ga)Se2 and multi-crystalline silicon solar cells. The article also provides a brief overview of the various types of solar cell structures employing 1D ZnO nanostructures in a variety of roles such as capping layers, electron transfer layers, buffer layers, window layers, antireflection and passivation layers, as well as active components for solar cells. At the end, future research opportunities and challenges for solar cells based on 1D ZnO nanostructures are discussed.
Experimental validation of contact resonance AFM using long massive tips
Authors: Zimron-Politi Nadav , Tung Ryan C
Published: May 2023

In this work, we present an experimental validation of a new contact resonance atomic force microscopy model developed for sensors with long, massive tips. A derivation of a new technique and graphical method for the identification of the unknown system parameters is presented. The technique and contact resonance model are experimentally validated. The agreement between our contact resonance experimental measurements and values obtained from nanoindentation show a minimal error of 1.4%–4.5% and demonstrate the validity of the new contact resonance model and system parameter identification technique.
Femtosecond laser irradiation as a novel method for nanosheet growth and defect generation in g-C3N4
Authors: Pennings Joel , Bastug Azer Bersu , Uceda Marianna , Karimi Reza , Ashrafi-Belgabad Aydin , Xu Alexander H , Sanderson Joseph , Pope Michael A , Yavuz Mustafa
Published: May 2023

Among the many recently developed photo-catalytic materials, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) shows great promise as a catalytic material for water splitting, hydrogen generation, and related catalytic applications. Herein, synthesized bulk g-C3N4 is simply irradiated under a 35 fs pulse at mixed photon energies (800 nm and its second harmonic). g-C3N4 was synthesized from melamine following a facile thermal polymerization procedure. The prepared material was introduced, in an aqueous environment, to the femtosecond laser for various lengths of time. The treated material demonstrates a significant increase in surface area, relative to the untreated samples, indicating that irradiation is a successful method for exfoliation. The subsequent characterization reveals that the mixed irradiation process drives significant defect generation and sheet growth, which is not seen under 800 nm irradiation. Extended mixed irradiation results in 4 nm thick nanosheets with lateral dimensions 4× that of the bulk material. The treated material shows improved dye absorption/removal. This novel method of defect generation and nanosheet growth shows great potential as a g-C3N4 pre-treatment method for co-catalytic applications. Herein it is shown that femtosecond laser irradiation drives exfoliation beyond 100 nm particle sizes, and sheet-like morphologies under extended irradiation, which must be taken into account when using this method to improve material performance.
Investigating the impact of skull vibrations on motor responses to focused ultrasound neuromodulation in small rodents and methods to mitigate them
Authors: Hesselink Jake W , Krasnichuk Chris , Benaceur Amine , Johnson Aidan , Li Siyun , Kiss Zelma H T , Pichardo Samuel
Published: May 2023

Objective. Focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation non-invasively alters brain activity, likely via acoustic radiation force with dynamics of the pulse repetition frequency (PRF). PRF impacts neuromodulation as well as indirect auditory activation, a confound linked to skull vibrations. This study aimed to minimize these vibrations, by adjusting and randomizing PRF, and determine their impact on FUS-induced motor activity. We hypothesized that: the skull would vibrate most at a specific PRF; randomizing PRF would reduce skull vibrations without affecting motor responses; and FUS would yield motor activity while actuator-induced skull vibrations would not. Approach. Three objectives were studied in parallel using C57Bl/6 mice (n = number of mice used per objective). First, skull vibration amplitude, measured as a percentage of maximum amplitude per treatment, was recorded via contact microphone over a range of PRFs to assess the PRF-dependency of skull vibrations (n = 19). Vibrations were then compared between random and fixed PRFs (n = 15). Lastly, motor responses were compared between fixed 1.5 kHz PRF FUS, random PRF FUS, air-puff stimulation, sham stimulation, and vibration induction via piezoelectric actuator (n = 30). Main Results. The study found amplitude peaked at 1.51 kHz (88.1 ± 11.5%), significantly higher than at 0.54 kHz (75.5 ± 15.1%; p = 0.0149). Random PRF reduced amplitude by 4.2% (p = 0.0181). Motor response rates to actuator-induced skull vibrations at the PRF (5.73 ± 6.96%) and its third harmonic (22.9 ± 22.7%) were not significantly different than sham (14.1 ± 11.6%), but lower than FUS (70.2 ± 16.3%; p < 0.0001). Significance. Based on these results, PRF near 0.5 kHz may best avoid skull vibrations, while random PRF could be utilized to slightly reduce vibration amplitude. The results also suggested that skull vibrations likely do not significantly impact motor responses to FUS neuromodulation.
Numerical study of impurity effects on ion temperature gradient modes in tokamak edge plasmas based on the Euler matrix eigenvalue method
Authors: Tao Y Q , Sun P J
Published: May 2023

Low-Z impurity injection is frequently used for divertor detachment operations in current tokamaks; however, the impurity effects on the main plasma are yet to be fully understood. In this paper, the impurity effects on the ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes in tokamak edge plasmas are investigated based on the Euler matrix eigenvalue method. The eigen-equations with multiple ion species are established from the fundamental gyrokinetic theory, in which each ion species is treated equally. A novel and efficient gyro-kinetic code is developed for this numerical study, and the code’s availability to examine quasi-linear ITG modes is demonstrated by its comparison with existing results. At the pedestal top parameters in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak high-β

p
H-mode plasmas, the ITG mode behavior is investigated in pure deuterium plasmas and with impurities. Impurities can induce destabilizing or stabilizing effects on ITG modes, which are determined by the impurity density scale length. The inwardly peaked impurity density profile tends to reduce the ITG growth rate. The effect strength also increases with the impurity charge concentration. The effects of impurity species, including boron, carbon, neon and argon, are also evaluated. Numerical results show that the strength of destabilizing or stabilizing effect inverses with impurity ion charge at the same effective charge.
Electron impact cross-sections and rate coefficients of Si+2 ions relevant to collisional radiative modeling of silicon plasma
Authors: Baghel S S , Priti  , Srivastava R
Published: May 2023

We report on the fine structure resolved electron impact excitation (EIE) cross-sections of Si+2 from its ground state 3s
2 (J= 0) to the 41 excited fine structure levels of the configurations 3s3p, 3p
2, 3s3d, 3s4s, 3s4p, 3s5s, 3s4d, 3s4f, 3s5p, 3s5d and 3s5f using relativistic distorted wave theory. The excitation cross-sections from the excited metastable levels (3P0,3P2) of the configuration 3s3p to higher excited levels as well as for some other dominant transitions relevant to plasma modeling are also obtained. In addition, the ionization cross-sections are evaluated from the ground and metastable levels to higher ionized state Si+3 (2S1/2). The calculated cross-sections are utilized to obtain the rate coefficients corresponding to EIE and ionization processes affecting the intensity of prominent Si+2 emission lines 379.61, 380.65, 456.78, and 457.48 nm recorded through optical emission spectroscopic measurements by Wang et al (2020 Phys. Plasmas
27 063513) on laser produced silicon plasma. Further, the rate coefficients corresponding to radiative, and three body recombination are also presented. The reported cross-sections and rate coefficients will be useful for developing rigorous collisional radiative model for the diagnostics of silicon plasma.
Effect of TiN barrier layer in Cu-based ohmic contact of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor
Authors: Chang Bei Rong , Panda Debashis , Weng You-Chen , Yang Chih Yi , Chang Edward Yi
Published: May 2023

Ti/TiN/Cu is established to be an enabling alternative to the better-known Au-based ohmic contact metals such as Ti/Al/Ni/Au. The Cu-based option delivers lower contact resistance and smoother surface morphology and is proven to be compatible with AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) device processing. The TiN layer serves as an effective Cu-diffusion barrier as no detectable Cu-diffusion was observed when subjected to thermal treatment up to 600 °C. There is a tendency of N-diffusion across the Ti/GaN interface near which N-deficiency in the GaN epitaxial layer and formation of a nano-sheath of TiN were found. This ultrathin layer of TiN works to further improve the ohmic performance of the electric contact, as reflected in lowered contact resistivity ρ

C
. It is possible to manufacture the TiN thin films with low sheet resistance at a high deposition rate by adjusting the ratios between argon and nitrogen gas flows during sputtering deposition. Contact resistivity ρ

C
, tested for the AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices fabricated on Si substrate according to the transmission line method standard was found to be as low as 3.65 × 10−6 Ω cm2 (R
C = 0.54 Ω mm). The outcomes benchmark favorably against many reported metal-stacking structures for ohmic contacts. The robustness of surface morphology and interface sharpness against thermal treatments make the established ohmic stack structures suitable for scalable device fabrications.
Impact of Soret effect on hydrogen and helium retention in PFC tungsten under ELM-like conditions
Authors: Dasgupta Dwaipayan , Blondel Sophie , Martínez Enrique , Maroudas Dimitrios , Wirth Brian D.
Published: May 2023

In our previous work, we have demonstrated using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics simulations that the fluxes of helium and self-interstitial atoms in the presence of a thermal gradient in tungsten are directed opposite to the heat flux, indicating that species transport is governed by a Soret effect, namely, thermal-gradient-driven diffusion, characterized by a negative heat of transport that drives species transport uphill, i.e. from the cooler to the hot regions of the tungsten sample. In this work, the findings of our thermal and species transport analysis have been implemented in our cluster-dynamics code, Xolotl, which has been used to compute temperature and species profiles over spatiotemporal scales representative of plasma-facing component (PFC) tungsten under typical reactor operating conditions, including extreme heat loads at the plasma-facing surface characteristic of plasma instabilities that induce edge localized modes (ELMs). We demonstrate that the steady-state species profiles, when properly accounting for the Soret effect, vary significantly from those where temperature-gradient-driven transport is not accounted for and discuss the implications of such a Soret effect on the response to plasma exposure of plasma-facing tungsten. Although our cluster-dynamics simulations do not yet include self-clustering of helium or hydrogen blister formation, our simulation results show that the Soret effect substantially reduces helium and hydrogenic species retention inside PFC tungsten.
Study of the senescence of rice leaves through stationary and time-resolved photoluminescence
Authors: Fonthal G , Tirado-Mejía L , Giraldo-Pinto L A
Published: May 2023

This work describes the relationship between the complex of photosystem I and photosystem II in the senescence process of rice leaves observed through changes in the optical response. We studied three varieties of rice plants at different aging times using time-resolved photoluminescence to measure the time decay of the emission, and stationary photoluminescence, to measure the emission wavelength. The spectra obtained with the former technique were fitted with decreasing exponential functions. Two relaxation times were obtained, one ranging between 1.0 and 1.7 ns, and the other, from 5.0 to 10.5 ns. They are associated with the electron’s deexcitation of PSI and PSII, respectively, and these decay times increase as the leaf senescence process takes place. The spectra obtained with stationary photoluminescence were fitted with Voigt functions. These spectra exhibit two main peaks around 683 and 730 nm, which could be associated mainly with PSII and PSI emissions, respectively. The PSI de-excitation exhibits higher dispersive processes because chlorophyll-a molecules in it move away from each other, decreasing their concentration. Therefore, it takes longer for electrons to recombine during photosynthesis, as seen in the time-resolve response. Articulating the results of both photoluminescence techniques, the changes in the response of the photosystems of the living rice leaves during senescence are evidenced.
Motor unit placement in a realistic muscle cross section model: performance of a new algorithm and effects of muscle architecture on surface EMG power spectral components
Authors: Miralles Francesc
Published: May 2023

Objetive. Surface electromyogram (sEMG) characteristics are strongly dependent on the spatial localization of motor units (MU). Thus, the definition of the muscle architecture is a crucial step in the simulation of sEMG. Muscles cross section or even the shape of the MU territories is not a regular geometric figure. Moreover, MU may have different fibre densities, and its distribution may not be random but follow a spatial regionalization by type. Despite these prior conditions, the method for MU placement in a muscle model should be able to achieve constant muscle fibre density, which is a generally accepted property of any muscle. Approach. An algorithm was developed that meets the previously established requirements for the distribution of MU in a muscle model. The algorithm considers the muscle cross section and MU territories as bitmaps and encodes the muscle fibre density distribution by pixel brightness. This allowed the use of digital image processing techniques to optimally distribute the MU. The impact of the different muscle architectures on sEMG was investigated using one of the most accepted models of motor unit pool recruitment combined with a model of MU action potential simulation. element-citationitalic Main results. The algorithm produced a completely regionalized architecture with constant muscle fibre density in a muscle with both an irregular cross-section and elliptic MU territory. Significance. In addition to the improvement in the realism of the muscle simulations, the algorithm allowed the investigation of the influence of the spatial distribution of MU on the sEMG power spectrum, thus helping to explain the existing inability to detect changes in motor unit recruitment strategies through the spectral analysis of interference patterns.
Li-Yorke 𝑛-chaos and distributional 𝑛-chaos in Banach spaces
Authors: Zhu Pengxian , Yang Qigui
Published: May 2023

This paper deals with the chaotic behavior of linear operators on Banach spaces in both discrete and continuous cases. The inheritances of chaos for linear operators and

C
0

C_0

-semigroups are obtained. More precisely, for any positive integer

n
≥
2

n\geq 2

, both Li-Yorke

n
n

-chaos and distributional

n
n

-chaos are proved to be inherited under iterations for a linear operator. One further shows that a

C
0

C_0

-semigroup

{

T
t

}

t
≥
0

\{T_t\}_{t\geq 0}

and every single operator

T
t

T_t

share the same Li-Yorke

n
n

-scrambled set and distributionally

n
n

-scrambled set for any positive integer

n
≥
2

n\geq 2

. In particular, the Li-Yorke

n
n

-chaos and distributional

n
n

-chaos become the Li-Yorke chaos and distributional chaos when

n
=
2

n=2

, respectively. Some equivalent criteria for dense

n
n

-chaos and generic

n
n

-chaos of linear operators and

C
0

C_0

-semigroups are also established for any

n
≥
2

n\geq 2

.
Impact of Allocation Concealment and Blinding in Trials Addressing Treatments for COVID-19: A Methods Study
Authors: Zeraatkar Dena , Pitre Tyler , Diaz-Martinez Juan Pablo , Chu Derek , Rochwerg Bram , Lamontagne Francois , Kum Elena , Qasim Anila , Bartoszko Jessica J , Brignardello-Peterson Romina
Published: May 2023

We aimed to assess the impact of allocation concealment and blinding on the results of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) trials, using the World Health Organization COVID-19 database (to February 2022). We identified 488 randomized trials comparing drug therapeutics with placebo or standard care in patients with COVID-19. We performed random-effects meta-regressions comparing the results of trials with and without allocation concealment and blinding of health-care providers and patients. We found that, compared with trials with allocation concealment, trials without allocation concealment may estimate treatments to be more beneficial for mortality, mechanical ventilation, hospital admission, duration of hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation, but results were imprecise. We did not find compelling evidence that, compared with trials with blinding, trials without blinding produce consistently different results for mortality, mechanical ventilation, and duration of hospitalization. We found that trials without blinding may estimate treatments to be more beneficial for hospitalizations and duration of mechanical ventilation. We did not find compelling evidence that COVID-19 trials in which health-care providers and patients are blinded produce different results from trials without blinding, but trials without allocation concealment estimate treatments to be more beneficial compared with trials with allocation concealment. Our study suggests that lack of blinding may not always bias results but that evidence users should remain skeptical of trials without allocation concealment.
Preparing for the market entry of adalimumab biosimilars in the US in 2023: A primer for specialty pharmacists
Authors: Cisek Stefanie , Choi David , Stubbings JoAnn , Bhat Shubha
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The impact of the market entry of adalimumab biosimilars on clinical practices and specialty pharmacies is explained. A roadmap is also provided for how pharmacists can successfully navigate this landscape.

Biosimilars have previously been introduced as a mechanism to help curb biologic expenditures, with biosimilars undergoing an abbreviated regulatory approval process that focuses on biosimilarity and generating product competition. Adalimumab is currently the leading product in the biologics market, generating approximately $20 to $30 billion in sales worldwide consecutively from 2019 to 2021. Many adalimumab biosimilars are slated to enter the market in 2023 and become available for patient use. However, compared to other biosimilars, adalimumab biosimilars have several unique considerations, such as interchangeability and concentration, that will impact pharmacy practices and workflows. Because pharmacists embedded in clinical practices and specialty pharmacies will be significantly involved in the processes relating to adalimumab biosimilar implementation, adoption, and use, a primer on understanding the various adalimumab biosimilar products available and considerations surrounding these products with regard to workflow and patient use is critical. Several resources are also provided to help pharmacists successfully navigate the adalimumab biosimilar landscape.

Conclusion

The biosimilar landscape continues to evolve, and 2023 will see the launch of several adalimumab biosimilar products, which vary with regard to formulation, concentration, and interchangeability status. Pharmacists are well positioned to educate providers and patients about this landscape and help implement an efficient workflow to support adalimumab biosimilar adoption and use.
Organ-quarantined therapy: in situ normothermic machine perfusion of the renal allograft in a patient with a kidney transplant and an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Qiu Jiang , Wang Mian , Yu Shuangjin , Wu Guobin , Wu Weibin , Chen Haiwei , He Yu , Chen Tong , Tu Yizhong , Ruan Hehuan , Chen Guodong , Zhou Yiming , Wang Changxi , Chang Guangqi , He Xiaoshun
Published: May 2023

To prevent kidney ischemia injury from common iliac artery blockage during surgical resection of AAA, we developed an in situ closed NMP system to specifically maintain the physiological support of the renal allograft, and we called this therapeutic method “organ-quarantined therapy (OQT)”. This OQT method runs a novel idea and platform for organ therapy that enables targeted treatment of specific organs while minimizing systemic adverse effects.This approach has the potential to significantly reduce overall drug dosage and minimize systemic toxicity, making OQT a safe, efficient, and low-toxicity option.
Litigation as Statecraft: Small States and the Law of the Sea
Authors: Guilfoyle Douglas
Published: May 2023

Why do small states invoke dispute resolution mechanisms against great powers when compliance seems unlikely? This article explores how and why litigation may be useful to small states even in cases where there is no prospect of immediate compliance. It suggests that small states use litigation as a tool of legal statecraft to achieve strategic outcomes. The author argues that litigation provides political leverage to small states by inflicting a ‘legitimacy penalty’ on a respondent state. Litigation allows a small state to frame its grievance as an attack on the community values enshrined in international law, mobilizing support to its cause while challenging both the legitimacy of the impugned act and potentially the respondent state. Using the dispute between Mauritius and the United Kingdom over the ‘detachment’ of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian territory as a case study, this article argues that legitimacy concerns can be turned against a great or greater power by a smaller state to impose a cost and concludes that legally-framed arguments which also invoke community interests are most effective for applicants.
Shorter time to initiation of biologic therapy in the setting of a hidradenitis suppurativa specialty clinic
Authors: Kearney Niamh , O’Donohoe Sarah , Hughes Rosalind , Kirby Brian
Published: May 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic condition with a significant psychological and physical burden but a paucity of effective treatments. Early intervention with adalimumab improves disease outcomes. Two previous studies in Denmark and Northern Ireland have identified a time of 8.2 and 2.9 years, respectively, from first HS systemic/dermatology consultation to commencing a biologic. We aimed to evaluate the time from disease onset and from first specialty HS clinic review to the initiation of biologic therapy. We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients on biologic treatment for HS. The mean diagnostic delay was 12.4 years. The mean time from disease onset to biologic initiation was 14.8 years. Prior to a biologic, patients received a median of 3.3 treatments from the specialty HS clinic. The median time to biologic from first presentation at the specialty HS clinic was 1 year. This is shorter than the therapeutic delay reported in dermatology clinics in Denmark and Northern Ireland, providing evidence on the importance of specialized HS treatment. However, to make an impact with specialized HS care and earlier biologic initiation, diagnostic delay needs to be reduced.
Source-sink migration of natural enemies drives maladaptation of victim populations in sink habitats
Authors: Chu Xiao-Lin , Buckling Angus , Zhang Quan-Guo
Published: May 2023

Natural enemies are critical drivers of species biogeography, and they may often limit the evolutionary adaptation and persistence of victim populations in sink habitats. Source-sink migration is also a major determinant of adaptation in sink habitats. Here, we specifically suggest that source-sink migration of enemies reduces evolutionary adaptation of victim populations in sink habitats. The underlying mechanisms may include depressed population size (which limits the supply of genetic variation) and enforced resistance evolution in victims (which shows a trade-off with growth performance). We experimentally tested this hypothesis using a model microbial system, bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens (victim) and its lytic bacteriophage (enemy). The ancestral bacterial strain had lower growth performance at a cold temperature (10 °C, considered as sink habitat) than at its optimal temperature (28 °C, source habitat). Evolutionary adaptation took place in bacterial populations that evolved alone in the cold environment. When phages were present, no significant abiotic adaptation was observed. Crucially, phage immigration from source populations caused maladaptation, i.e., decreased growth performance relative to the ancestral genotype, although this was not the case when there was simultaneous immigration of phage and bacteria. Therefore, enemy-mediated intraspecific apparent competition could lead to prosperity in core habitats causing hardship in edge habitats.
Indirect genetic effects increase heritability estimates for male and female extra-pair reproduction
Authors: Dobson Sarah , Dunning Jamie , Burke Terry , Chik Heung Ying Janet , Schroeder Julia
Published: May 2023

The question of why females engage in extra-pair behaviors is long-standing in evolutionary biology. One suggestion is that these behaviors are maintained through pleiotropic effects on male extra-pair behaviors (genes controlling extra-pair reproduction are shared between sexes, but only beneficial to one sex, in this case, males). However, for this to evolve extra-pair reproduction must be both heritable and positively genetically correlated between sexes. Previous studies have suggested low heritability with no evidence for between-sex genetic correlations in extra-pair reproduction. However, these have not considered indirect genetic effects (derived from the behavior of others, IGEs) from the social partner, the influence of the social partner’s genotype on the phenotype of an individual, despite the potential of IGEs to uncover hidden heritable variation. Using data from a closed-house sparrow population with a genetic pedigree spanning two decades, we tested the influence of social partner IGEs on heritable variation and genetic correlation estimates of extra-pair reproduction. We found that the inclusion of IGEs resulted in larger heritable genetic variance for both male and female extra-pair heritability. While IGEs did not change between-sex genetic correlations, we found they reduced uncertainty in those estimates. Future studies should consider the effect of IGEs on the mechanisms of sex-specific extra-pair reproduction.
The gap-free genome of mulberry elucidates the architecture and evolution of polycentric chromosomes
Authors: Ma Bi , Wang Honghong , Liu Jingchun , Chen Lin , Xia Xiaoyu , Wei Wuqi , Yang Zhen , Yuan Jianglian , Luo Yiwei , He Ningjia
Published: May 2023

Mulberry is a fundamental component of the global sericulture industry, and its positive impact on our health and the environment cannot be overstated. However, the mulberry reference genomes reported previously remained unassembled or unplaced sequences. Here, we report the assembly and analysis of the telomere-to-telomere gap-free reference genome of the mulberry species, Morus notabilis, which has emerged as an important reference in mulberry gene function research and genetic improvement. The mulberry gap-free reference genome produced here provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to study the structure and function of centromeres. Our results revealed that all mulberry centromeric regions share conserved centromeric satellite repeats with different copies. Strikingly, we found that M. notabilis is a species with polycentric chromosomes and the only reported polycentric chromosome species up to now. We propose a compelling model that explains the formation mechanism of new centromeres and addresses the unsolved scientific question of the chromosome fusion-fission cycle in mulberry species. Our study sheds light on the functional genomics, chromosome evolution, and genetic improvement of mulberry species.
Chronic Stress Decreases Lactation Performance
Authors: Josefson Chloe C , De Moura Pereira Lucelia , Skibiel Amy L
Published: May 2023

Synopsis

The ability to provision offspring with milk is a significant adaptive feature of mammals that allows for considerable maternal regulation of offspring beyond gestation, as milk provides complete nutrition for developing neonates. For mothers, lactation is a period of marked increases in energetic and nutritive demands to support milk synthesis; because of this considerable increase in demand imposed on multiple physiological systems, lactation is particularly susceptible to the effects of chronic stress. Here, we present work that explores the impact of chronic stress during lactation on maternal lactation performance (i.e., milk quality and quantity) and the expression of key milk synthesis genes in mammary tissue using a Sprague–Dawley rat model. We induced chronic stress using a well-established, ethologically relevant novel male intruder paradigm for 10 consecutive days during the postpartum period. We hypothesized that the increased energetic burden of mounting a chronic stress response during lactation would decrease lactation performance. Specifically, we predicted that chronic exposure to this social stressor would decrease either milk quality (i.e., composition of proximate components and energy density) or quantity. We also predicted that changes in proximate composition (i.e., lipid, lactose, and protein concentrations) would be associated with changes in gene expression levels of milk synthesis genes. Our results supported our hypothesis that chronic stress impairs lactation performance. Relative to the controls, chronically stressed rats had lower milk yields. We also found that milk quality was decreased; milk from chronically stressed mothers had lower lipid concentration and lower energy density, though protein and lactose concentrations were not different between treatment groups. Although there was a change in proximate composition, chronic stress did not impact mammary gland expression of key milk synthesis genes. Together, this work demonstrates that exposure to a chronic stressor impacts lactation performance, which in turn has the potential to impact offspring development via maternal effects.
Separation principle of delay perturbed singular systems
Authors: Ben Mrad Khawla , Ellouze Ines
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we establish a separation principle for a class of time-varying delay perturbed singular systems. Furthermore, we propose a singular observer to estimate the system states. Based on the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals, the practical stability of the proposed singular observer is achieved. These results are applied to show that a separation principle for perturbed singular systems can be obtained. Eventually, we provide a numerical example to verify the validity of the proposed results.
Variations in the activity of proteolytic and lipidic enzymes of wild and cultured individuals of the prawn Macrobrachium tenellum Smith, 1871 (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) fed with different diets
Authors: Martínez-Salazar Nathali , De los Santos-Romero Rodolfo , Alvarez-González Carlos Alfonso , Martínez-García Rafael , Garcia-Guerrero Marcelo U
Published: May 2023

The freshwater longarm river prawn (Macrobrachium tenellumSmith, 1871) is common in the coastal lagoons and freshwater bodies of the Mexican Pacific region. Its potential for aquaculture has been investigated recently, including evaluating its nutritional needs by investigating the digestive enzymatic activity of wild and culture individuals. We collected wild prawns from three different habitats and fed two laboratory-prepared diets and a commercial food for two months. The levels of lipase, trypsin, and leucine aminopeptidase were measured at the time of sampling and after one and two months of culture. Survival and growth were also recorded. It was observed that food consumption during culture causes a significant increase in growth and survival as well as a tendency towards an increase in the digestive enzymatic activity with time. The habitat of origin can also influence performance in digestion from the start.
A case of smoke without fire: children’s book author unsuccessful in dragon character copyright claim against department store chain John Lewis
Authors: Clark Simon , Zahra Rubab
Published: May 2023

An author who alleged that John Lewis had copied her book for their dragon-themed Christmas advertisement was forced to publish on her website the judgment finding that no copying had taken place.
Is specialized metabolite regulation specialized?
Authors: Kliebenstein Daniel J
Published: May 2023

Recent technical and theoretical advances have generated an explosion in the identification of specialized metabolite pathways. In comparison, our understanding of how these pathways are regulated is relatively lagging. This and the relatively young age of specialized metabolite pathways has partly contributed to a default and common paradigm whereby specialized metabolite regulation is theorized as relatively simple with a few key transcription factors and the compounds are non-regulatory end-products. In contrast, studies into model specialized metabolites, such as glucosinolates, are beginning to identify a new understanding whereby specialized metabolites are highly integrated into the plants’ core metabolic, physiological, and developmental pathways. This model includes a greatly extended compendium of transcription factors controlling the pathway, key transcription factors that co-evolve with the pathway and simultaneously control core metabolic and developmental components, and finally the compounds themselves evolve regulatory connections to integrate into the plants signaling machinery. In this review, these concepts are illustrated using studies in the glucosinolate pathway within the Brassicales. This suggests that the broader community needs to reconsider how they do or do not integrate specialized metabolism into the regulatory network of their study species.
Use of Levetiracetam for Post-Traumatic Seizure Prophylaxis in Combat-Related Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Atwood Rex , Walker Patrick , Walper Daniel , Elster Eric , Bradley Matthew
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Post-traumatic seizure (PTS) prophylaxis is recommended in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at high risk for PTSs, but consensus on the optimal pharmacologic therapy has not yet been established. Levetiracetam is frequently used for seizure prophylaxis in combat-related TBI, but its efficacy and safety in this patient population has not yet been described.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 687 consecutive casualties transferred to the CONUS from October 2010 to December 2015 was analyzed. Seventy-one patients with combat-related injuries and radiographic evidence of skull fractures or intracranial hemorrhage were included. Data collection included demographics and injury characteristics including initial Glasgow Coma Scale, computed tomography findings, interventions, and 6-month Glasgow Outcome Score.

Results

All patients in this cohort were male, with an average age of 25 (median 24; Interquartile range (IQR) 4.5) and an average Injury Severity Score of 28 (median 27; IQR 15). The most common mechanism of injury was explosive blast (76%). Penetrating TBI was common (51%). Most patients (88.7%) were administered seizure prophylaxis. Of these, the majority (61/63) received levetiracetam, and the additional two were administered phenytoin. The remaining 11.3% of patients were deemed not to require seizure prophylaxis. The incidence of seizures while on prophylaxis was low (2.8%) and occurred in patients who suffered transcranial gunshot wounds and ultimately died. No serious adverse effects were attributed to levetiracetam.

Conclusions

Levetiracetam appears to be a safe and effective medication for PTS prophylaxis in combat casualties. The rate of PTSs in combat-related TBI on appropriate prophylaxis is low.
Rapidly evolving Galactic plane outbursts in NEOWISE: revisiting the Galactic nova rate with the first all-sky search in the mid-infrared
Authors: Zuckerman Liam , De Kishalay , Eilers Anna-Christina , Meisner Aaron M , Panagiotou Christos
Published: May 2023

The Galactic nova rate is intimately linked to our understanding of its chemical enrichment and progenitor channels of Type Ia supernovae. Yet past estimates have varied by more than an order of magnitude (≈10–300 yr−1), owing to limitations in both discovery methods as well as assumptions regarding the Galactic dust distribution and extragalactic stellar populations. Recent estimates utilizing synoptic near-infrared surveys have begun to provide a glimpse of a consensus (≈25–50 yr−1); however, a consistent estimate remains lacking. Here, we present the first all-sky search for Galactic novae using 8 yr of data from the Near Earth Object WISE (NEOWISE) mid-infrared (MIR) survey. Operating at 3.4 and 4.6 µm where interstellar extinction is negligible, the 6-month cadence NEOWISE data set offers unique sensitivity to discover slowly evolving novae across the entire Galaxy. Using a novel image subtraction pipeline together with systematic selection criteria, we identify a sample of 49 rapidly evolving MIR outbursts as candidate Galactic novae. While 27 of these sources are known novae, the remaining are previously missed nova candidates discovered in this work. The unknown events are spatially clustered along the densest and most heavily obscured regions of the Galaxy where previous novae are severely underrepresented. We use simulations of the NEOWISE survey strategy, the pipeline detection efficiency, and our criteria to derive a Galactic nova rate of $47.9^{+3.1}_{-8.3}$ yr−1. The discovery of these exceptionally bright (yet overlooked) nova candidates confirms emerging suggestions that optical surveys have been highly incomplete in searches for Galactic novae, highlighting the potential for MIR searches in revealing the demographics of Galactic stellar outbursts.