bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical informed memory networks for solving PDEs: implementation and applications
Authors: Sun Jiuyun , Dong Huanhe , Fang Yong
Published: January 2024

With the advent of physics informed neural networks (PINNs), deep learning has gained interest for solving nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) in recent years. In this paper, physics informed memory networks (PIMNs) are proposed as a new approach to solving PDEs by using physical laws and dynamic behavior of PDEs. Unlike the fully connected structure of the PINNs, the PIMNs construct the long-term dependence of the dynamics behavior with the help of the long short-term memory network. Meanwhile, the PDEs residuals are approximated using difference schemes in the form of convolution filter, which avoids information loss at the neighborhood of the sampling points. Finally, the performance of the PIMNs is assessed by solving the KdV equation and the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, and the effects of difference schemes, boundary conditions, network structure and mesh size on the solutions are discussed. Experiments show that the PIMNs are insensitive to boundary conditions and have excellent solution accuracy even with only the initial conditions.
Some remarks on compositeness of
*
Authors: Chen 陈 Chang 畅 , Meng 孟 Ce 策 , Xiao 肖 Zhiguang 志广 , Zheng 郑 Han-Qing 汉青
Published: January 2024

Recently, the LHCb experimental group found an exotic state

from the

process. A key question is whether it is just a molecule or may have a confined tetraquark ingredient. To investigate this, different methods were used, including a two-channel (

and

) K-matrix unitarization and a single-channel Flatté-like parametrization method analyzed utilizing the pole counting rule and spectral density function sum rule. These analyses demonstrated that

is a molecular state, although the possibility that there may exist an elementary ingredient cannot be excluded, according to an approximate analysis of its production rate.
De-Higgsing in eleven-dimensional supergravity on the squashed S
7
Authors: Nilsson B E W , Pope C N
Published: January 2024

In this paper we construct the subset of modes on S
7 that are relevant in the compactification of eleven-dimensional supergravity on a squashed S
7 when restricted to the sector that comprises singlets under the

S
p
(
1
)
×
S
p
(
2
)

isometry of the squashed sphere. Some of the properties of these modes, connected to the transition from the round S
7 to the squashed S
7, are analysed in detail. Special features of the Rarita–Schwinger operator, described in earlier work by Buchdahl, are explained and related to properties of the squashed S
7 operator spectrum obtained in previous work by the authors. We then discuss how the singlet modes give rise to supermultiplets in the left-squashed case, the phenomenon of de-Higgsing, and what happens to the AdS4 fields in these supermultiplets under an orientation reversal (‘skew-whiffing’) of the squashed S
7. Finally, we consider the possible choices of boundary conditions that appear for some of these fields in AdS4 in the case of the right-squashed non-supersymmetric compactification, and how these choices may affect the stability of the gravity theory.
Gauge theory for quantum XYZ spin glasses
Authors: Itoi C , Sakamoto Y
Published: January 2024

Nishimori’s gauge theory is extended to the quantum XYZ p-spin glass model in finite dimensions. This enables us to obtain useful correlation equalities, which show also that Duhamel correlation functions at an arbitrary temperature are bounded by those in the corresponding classical model on the Nishimori line. These bounds give that the spontaneous magnetization vanishes in any low temperature even if the model enters the

Z

2

-symmetry broken spin glass phase. This theory explains well-known fact from experiments and numerical calculations that the magnetic susceptibility does not diverge in the spin glass transition. The new gauge theory together with the known phase diagram of the Edwards–Anderson model can specify the spin glass region in the coupling constant space of the quantum Heisenberg XYZ spin glass model.
A high Q-factor metamaterial sensor based on electromagnetically induced transparency-like
Authors: Shen Zhaoyang , Zhang Hang , Zhang Jing
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes an electromagnetically induced transparency-like (EIT-like) metamaterial with a high-quality factor (143.54), which is composed of a square ring resonator (SRR) and a cross-shaped resonator (CR). The designed metamaterial generates a sharp transparency peak at 15.79 GHz. The electric field distributions reveal that appearance of the transparency window results from the coupling between bright mode and dark mode. Moreover, analysis of the surface current distributions verifies that the EIT-like effect is induced by the destructive interference of the electric dipoles . Furthermore, the metamaterial is equated to a circuit model, which provides a better fit to the simulated transmission spectrum. These theories fully explain the generation mechanism of the EIT-like phenomenon. In addition, the EIT-like metamaterial is able to detect the dielectric constant of the target analyte (glucose solution), and the sensing performance is evaluated. The results demonstrate that the sensitivity (S) is 4.80 GHz R−1IU−1 and the figure of merit (FOM) reaches 43.71. The proposed EIT-like metamaterial shows prominent sensing abilities, consequently it has potential applications in environmental monitoring, biological and chemical measurements.
GAD plasma-assisted synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Messai Ridha , Ferhat Mohammed Fouad , Belmekki Bilal , Alam Mir Waqas , Al-Othoum Mohd Al Saleh , Sadaf Shima
Published: January 2024

In this study we present an efficient method for synthesizing highly pure ZnO nanoparticles using a Gliding Arc Discharge (GAD) plasma system as a non-thermal plasma source. This approach offers distinct advantages over conventional techniques, including simplicity, a short synthesis time, utilization of readily available air as the source gas, and potential scalability, rendering it a promising alternative for sustainable ZnO nanoparticle production. The synthesized nanoparticles physicochemical properties were characterized using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, we evaluated the effectiveness of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles for wastewater treatment by assessing their photocatalytic activity against methylene blue (MB), Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB), and Congo Red (CR) under UV light irradiation for 2 h and 30 min. The results confirmed the successful synthesis of highly pure ZnO nano-powder with an average size of 27.18 nm and a band gap energy of 3.28 eV in an exceptionally brief duration and through straightforward steps. Additionally, GAD plasma-assisted ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a significant dye removal rate, showcasing their potential as highly effective materials for photocatalytic wastewater treatment. This study contributes new insights into the application of GAD plasma for nanoparticle synthesis.
Window size analysis in ultrasonic temperature estimation with timeshifts
Authors: Uyğun Mustafa , Küçüka M Serhan , Özkurt Ahmet
Published: January 2024

In this work, ultrasonic timeshift method for temperature change estimation was investigated for 2D simulated in-silico synthetic ultrasonic signals. Digital phantom tissue was created in MATLAB environment and acoustic simulation was running on k-Wave toolbox for two different temperature conditions. First temperature distribution was assigned to tissue as uniform 37 °C. Second temperature distribution is Gaussian form with peak at tissue center as 45 °C and tails of Gaussian curve is 37 °C. Signal was analyzed with ultrasonic timeshift method for temperature change estimation. This method is based on four steps, calibration with tissue constant, finding timeshift with cross correlation algorithm, find slope of timeshift vector respect to timestep, and multiply tissue constant and slope of local timeshift vector. This multiplication gives temperature change of local point. In this work, window size of smoothing filter of timeshift vector and linear fitting to timeshift—timestep data was analyzed as parametrically with range 3λ to 10λ with a 1λ increment for both windows equally. As a result, window parameters as 5λ to 7λ give best results, maximum absolute error is 0.82 °C, 0.97 °C and 0.92 °C respectively and mean absolute error is ∼0.35 °C. As a verify, different analysis was performed on different temperature distribution with discrete two peak curves.
Numerical investigation of pull in control of rectangular AA1050 rolling ingot through the design of convex mould during direct chill casting process
Authors: Fegade Ritesh , Tated Rajendrakumar , Nehete Rupendra
Published: January 2024

The pull in effect/concavity on the lateral faces of the ingot is formed during the solidification of the ingot due to the thermal stresses induced in the ingot. A part of rolling ingots with pull in effect are cut by a conventional cutting process which affects the recovery and increases wastage and cost of production. In the present work, an elemental death and birth technique was used to develop a numerical model to study mechanical and thermal behavior during the solidification of AA1050 rolling ingot. The results of the model are validated with the results of the Williams model available in the literature. Furthermore, different mould designs provided with convexity on lateral surfaces with a convexity radius of 16 mm to 26 mm were numerically analyzed. A series of numerical simulations were conducted with varying mould convexity with an increment value of one. The results revealed that, providing convexity to the mould is an effective method to control the pull in effect during the direct chill casting process. The convexity radius of 26 mm is enough to completely eliminate the pull in radius of 23.34 mm for the rectangular AA1050 ingot.
Rewiring driven evolution of quenched frustrated signed network
Authors: Kožić Sven Benjamin , Giampaolo Salvatore Marco , Zlatić Vinko
Published: January 2024

A framework for studying the behavior of a classically frustrated signed network in the process of random rewiring is developed. We describe jump probabilities for change in frustration and formulate a theoretical estimate in terms of the master equation. Stationary thermodynamic distribution and moments are derived from the master equation and compared to numerical simulations. Furthermore, an exact solution of the probability distribution is provided through suitable mapping of rewiring dynamic to birth and death processes with quadratic asymptotically symmetric transition rates.
Evidence Networks: simple losses for fast, amortized, neural Bayesian model comparison
Authors: Jeffrey Niall , Wandelt Benjamin D
Published: January 2024

Evidence Networks can enable Bayesian model comparison when state-of-the-art methods (e.g. nested sampling) fail and even when likelihoods or priors are intractable or unknown. Bayesian model comparison, i.e. the computation of Bayes factors or evidence ratios, can be cast as an optimization problem. Though the Bayesian interpretation of optimal classification is well-known, here we change perspective and present classes of loss functions that result in fast, amortized neural estimators that directly estimate convenient functions of the Bayes factor. This mitigates numerical inaccuracies associated with estimating individual model probabilities. We introduce the leaky parity-odd power (l-POP) transform, leading to the novel ‘l-POP-Exponential’ loss function. We explore neural density estimation for data probability in different models, showing it to be less accurate and scalable than Evidence Networks. Multiple real-world and synthetic examples illustrate that Evidence Networks are explicitly independent of dimensionality of the parameter space and scale mildly with the complexity of the posterior probability density function. This simple yet powerful approach has broad implications for model inference tasks. As an application of Evidence Networks to real-world data we compute the Bayes factor for two models with gravitational lensing data of the Dark Energy Survey. We briefly discuss applications of our methods to other, related problems of model comparison and evaluation in implicit inference settings.
Deep learning of crystalline defects from TEM images: a solution for the problem of ‘never enough training data’
Authors: Govind Kishan , Oliveros Daniela , Dlouhy Antonin , Legros Marc , Sandfeld Stefan
Published: January 2024

Crystalline defects, such as line-like dislocations, play an important role for the performance and reliability of many metallic devices. Their interaction and evolution still poses a multitude of open questions to materials science and materials physics. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments can provide important insights into how dislocations behave and move. The analysis of individual video frames from such experiments can provide useful insights but is limited by the capabilities of automated identification, digitization, and quantitative extraction of the dislocations as curved objects. The vast amount of data also makes manual annotation very time consuming, thereby limiting the use of deep learning (DL)-based, automated image analysis and segmentation of the dislocation microstructure. In this work, a parametric model for generating synthetic training data for segmentation of dislocations is developed. Even though domain scientists might dismiss synthetic images as artificial, our findings show that they can result in superior performance. Additionally, we propose an enhanced DL method optimized for segmenting overlapping or intersecting dislocation lines. Upon testing this framework on four distinct real datasets, we find that a model trained only on synthetic training data can also yield high-quality results on real images–even more so if the model is further fine-tuned on a few real images. Our approach demonstrates the potential of synthetic data in overcoming the limitations of manual annotation of TEM image data of dislocation microstructure, paving the way for more efficient and accurate analysis of dislocation microstructures. Last but not least, segmenting such thin, curvilinear structures is a task that is ubiquitous in many fields, which makes our method a potential candidate for other applications as well.
Sparse optical flow outliers elimination method based on Borda stochastic neighborhood graph
Authors: Wang Yifan , Li Yang , Wang Jiaqi , Lv Haofeng , Guo Jinshi
Published: January 2024

During the tracking of moving targets in dynamic scenes, efficiently handling outliers in the optical flow and maintaining robustness across various motion amplitudes represents a critical challenge. So far, studies have used thresholding and local consistency based approaches to deal with optical outliers. However, there is subjectivity through expert-defined thresholds or delineated regions, and therefore these methods do not perform consistently enough under different target motion amplitudes. Other studies have focused on complex statistical-mathematical modeling which, although theoretically valid, requires significant computational resources. Aiming at the above problems this paper proposes a new method to calculate the optical outliers by using stochastic neighborhood graph combined with the Borda counting method, which reduces the computation amount on the basis of objectively eliminating the outliers. Sparse optical flow (SOF) values are used as the overall population and the outlier and inlier SOF values are used as samples. Analyze the dissimilarity between SOF data points, obtaining the dissimilarity matrix, introducing the Gaussian function to smooth and reduce the dimensionality of the dissimilarity matrix, and then normalizing the smoothing matrix to generate the binding matrix, where the probability sum of each node to other nodes in the matrix is equal to 1. Stochastic neighborhood graphs are then generated based on a binding matrix to obtain the outlier probabilities of data points in different neighborhood graphs, and outlier samples are obtained based on the probability. To avoid the subjectivity of the expert thresholds, the outlier probabilities are weighted and ranked to calculate the data point Borda scores to obtain accurate optical outliers. The experimental results show that the method in this paper is robust to different amplitude motions and real scenarios, and the accuracy, precision and recall of outliers elimination are better than the current mainstream algorithms.
Semi-Infinite Highest Weight Categories
Authors: Brundan Jonathan , Stroppel Catharina
Published: January 2024

We develop axiomatics of highest weight categories and quasi-hereditary algebras in order to incorporate two semi-infinite situations which are in Ringel duality with each other; the underlying posets are either upper finite or lower finite. We also consider various more general sorts of stratified categories. In the upper finite cases, we give an alternative characterization of these categories in terms of based quasi-hereditary algebras and based stratified algebras, which are certain locally unital algebras possessing triangular bases.
On the existence of homogeneous solitons of gradient type for the G_{2}-Laplacian flow
Authors: Fino Anna , Raffero Alberto
Published: January 2024

In this note, we prove the existence of homogeneous gradient solitons for the G

2

_2

-Laplacian flow by providing the first known example of this type. This result singles out the G

2

_2

-Laplacian flow as the first known geometric flow admitting homogeneous gradient solitons on spaces that are one-dimensional extensions in the sense of Petersen and Wylie [Differential Geom. Appl. 84 (2022), Paper No. 101929, 29].
Kernel approximation for weighted Bergman spaces on tube domains
Authors: Huang Yun , Qian Tao , Zhang Dawei
Published: January 2024

Based on recent advancements of reproducing kernels in several complex variables, the theory of rational approximation for weighted Bergman spaces on tube domains over cones is developed. By verifying the boundary vanishing property, the existence of optimal parameters and the corresponding orthogonal functions are obtained.
Strong localizations of the Kobayashi distance
Authors: Nikolov Nikolai , Ökten Ahmed Yekta
Published: January 2024

Recently, the visibility property of Kobayashi (almost) geodesics has been used to provide localizations of the Kobayashi distance. In this note, we provide sufficient growth conditions for the Kobayashi distance to obtain new strong multiplicative and additive localization results. Curiously, the conditions we provide are deeply related to the behaviour of the Kobayashi geodesics.
Weyl asymptotics for functional difference operators with power to quadratic exponential potential
Authors: Qiu Yaozhong
Published: January 2024

We continue the program first initiated by Laptev, Schimmer, and Takhtajan [Geom. Funct. Anal. 26 (2016), pp. 288–305] and develop a modification of the technique introduced in that paper to study the spectral asymptotics, namely the Riesz means and eigenvalue counting functions, of functional difference operators

H
0

=

F

−
1

M

cosh
⁡
(
ξ
)

F

H_0 = \mathcal {F}^{-1} M_{\cosh (\xi )} \mathcal {F}

with potentials of the form

W
(
x
)
=

|

x

|

p

e

|

x

|

β

W(x) = \left \lvert {x} \right \rvert ^pe^{\left \lvert {x} \right \rvert ^\beta }

for either

β
=
0

\beta = 0

and

p
>
0

p > 0

or

β
∈
(
0
,
2
]

\beta \in (0, 2]

and

p
≥
0

p \geq 0

. We provide a new method for studying general potentials which includes the potentials studied by Laptev, Schimmer, and Takhtajan [Geom. Funct. Anal. 26 (2016), pp. 288–305] and [J. Math. Phys. 60 (2019), p. 103505]. The proof involves dilating the variance of the gaussian defining the coherent state transform in a controlled manner preserving the expected asymptotics.
Rational curves and Seshadri constants on Enriques surfaces
Authors: Galati Concettina , Knutsen Andreas
Published: January 2024

We prove that classes of rational curves on very general Enriques surfaces are always

2
2

-divisible. As a consequence, we compute the Seshadri constant of any big and nef line bundle on a very general Enriques surface, proving that it coincides with the value of the

ϕ
\phi

-function introduced by Cossec [Math. Ann. 271 (1985), pp. 577–600].
A note on the 𝑉-invariant
Authors: Conca Aldo
Published: January 2024

Let

R
R

be a finitely generated

N

\mathbb N

-graded algebra domain over a Noetherian ring and let

I
I

be a homogeneous ideal of

R
R

. Given

P
∈
A
s
s
(
R

/

I
)

P\in Ass(R/I)

one defines the

v
v

-invariant

v
P

(
I
)

v_P(I)

of

I
I

at

P
P

as the least

c
∈

N

c\in \mathbb N

such that

P
=
I
:
f

P=I:f

for some

f
∈

R
c

f\in R_c

. A classical result of Brodmann [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 74 (1979), pp. 16–18] asserts that

A
s
s
(
R

/

I
n

)

Ass(R/I^n)

is constant for large

n
n

. So it makes sense to consider a prime ideal

P
∈
A
s
s
(
R

/

I
n

)

P\in Ass(R/I^n)

for all the large

n
n

and investigate how

v
P

(

I
n

)

v_P(I^n)

depends on

n
n

. We prove that

v
P

(

I
n

)

v_P(I^n)

is eventually a linear function of

n
n

. When

R
R

is the polynomial ring over a field this statement has been proved independently also by Ficarra and Sgroi in their recent preprint [Asymptotic behaviour of the

v
\text {v}

-number of homogeneous ideals, https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.14243, 2023].
The ratios conjecture for real Dirichlet characters and multiple Dirichlet series
Authors: Čech Martin
Published: January 2024

Conrey, Farmer and Zirnbauer introduced a recipe to find asymptotic formulas for the sum of ratios of products of shifted L-functions. These ratios conjectures are very powerful and can be used to determine many statistics of L-functions, including moments or statistics about the distribution of zeros.

We consider the family of real Dirichlet characters, and use multiple Dirichlet series to prove the ratios conjectures with one shift in the numerator and denominator in some range of the shifts. This range can be improved by extending the family to include non-primitive characters. All of the results are conditional under the Generalized Riemann hypothesis.

This extended range is good enough to enable us to compute an asymptotic formula for the sum of shifted logarithmic derivatives near the critical line. As an application, we compute the one-level density for test functions whose Fourier transform is supported in

(
−
2
,
2
)

\left (-2,2\right )

, including lower-order terms.
Label-free proteomic comparison reveals ciliary and nonciliary phenotypes of IFT-A mutants
Authors: Leggere Janelle C. , Hibbard Jaime V.K. , Papoulas Ophelia , Lee Chanjae , Pearson Chad G. , Marcotte Edward M. , Wallingford John B.
Published: January 2024

DIFFRAC is a powerful method for systematically comparing proteome content and organization between samples in a high-throughput manner. By subjecting control and experimental protein extracts to native chromatography and quantifying the contents of each fraction using mass spectrometry, it enables the quantitative detection of alterations to protein complexes and abundances. Here, we applied DIFFRAC to investigate the consequences of genetic loss of Ift122, a subunit of the intraflagellar transport-A (IFT-A) protein complex that plays a vital role in the formation and function of cilia and flagella, on the proteome of Tetrahymena thermophila. A single DIFFRAC experiment was sufficient to detect changes in protein behavior that mirrored known effects of IFT-A loss and revealed new biology. We uncovered several novel IFT-A−regulated proteins, which we validated through live imaging in Xenopus multiciliated cells, shedding new light on both the ciliary and non-ciliary functions of IFT-A. Our findings underscore the robustness of DIFFRAC for revealing proteomic changes in response to genetic or biochemical perturbation.
New horizons in subdural haematoma
Authors: Rickard Frances , Gale John , Williams Adam , Shipway David
Published: January 2024

Subdural haematoma (SDH) is a common injury sustained by older people living with frailty and multimorbidity, and typically following falls from a standing height. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet use are commonly indicated in older people with SDH, but few data inform decision-making surrounding these agents in the context of intracranial bleeding. Opposing risks of rebleeding and thrombosis must therefore be weighed judiciously. Decision-making can be complex and requires detailed awareness of the epidemiology to ensure the safest course of action is selected for each patient. Outcomes of surgical decompression in acute SDH are very poor in older people. However, burr hole drainage can be safe and effective in older adults with symptomatic chronic SDH (cSDH). Such patients need careful assessment to ensure symptoms arise from cSDH and not from coexisting medical pathology. Furthermore, the emerging treatment of middle meningeal artery embolisation offers a well-tolerated, minimally invasive intervention which may reduce the risks of rebleeding in older adults. Nonetheless, UK SDH management is heterogenous, and no accepted UK or European guidelines exist at present. Further randomised trial evidence is required to move away from clinical practice based on historic observational data.
Autosomal recessive plantar keratoderma with ragged periungual hyperkeratosis caused by a homozygous missense variant in KRT16
Authors: Nanda Arti , Chang Yi-Han , Cheng Hui-Ching , Lai I Tzu , Al-Lafi Atlal , McGrath John A , Hsu Chao-Kai
Published: January 2024

In the present study, we report a consanguineous Kuwaiti pedigree with pseudo-dominant inheritance of a recessive KRT16 variant in which homozygotes had focal nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma accompanied by ragged periungual hyperkeratosis. The key value of this submission is that we believe we have identified the first autosomal recessive inherited skin disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in the keratin 16 gene, KRT16. Our findings expand both the genetic basis and phenotypic expression of inherited KRT16-related disorders.
Atopic dermatitis and cognitive function: a sibling comparison study among males in Sweden
Authors: Smith Kelsi A , Hiyoshi Ayako , Vingeliene Snieguole , von Kobyletzki Laura , Montgomery Scott
Published: January 2024

A previous study indicated that atopic dermatitis (AD) was associated with better cognitive function in males during late adolescence. This association was examined among 2 021 369 males who had a medical examination and cognitive function testing during a military conscription assessment in late adolescence in Sweden. Sibling-comparison analysis to tackle confounding indicated that AD is associated with poorer cognitive function, suggesting AD in childhood is detrimental for the development of cognitive function.
MRI-predicted extramural vascular invasion and tumour deposit are main predictors of disease-free survival in patients undergoing surgical resection for rectal cancer
Authors: Di Fabio Francesco , Allievi Niccolo , Lord Amy , Bhagwanani Anisha , Venkatasubramaniam Arcot , Arnold Steve , Moran Brendan
Published: January 2024

Background

MRI is crucial in staging patients with rectal cancer and planning treatment. The aim was to analyse the prognostic role of MRI-predicted tumour deposits and/or extramural vascular invasion (mrTD/EMVI) in a cohort of patients with rectal cancer undergoing surgical resection, with selective neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).

Method

Retrospective analysis of a single-centre cohort of consecutive patients with rectal cancer undergoing low anterior resection or abdominoperineal excision between 2008 and 2020. Unit policy was selective nCRT for MRI-predicted threatened or involved circumferential resection margin (mrCRM), or radiologically involved pelvic sidewall nodes. The primary outcome was disease-free survival. Secondary outcomes were rates of local recurrence, distant recurrence and overall survival.

Results

A total of 314 patients were analysed. Median age was 65 years (female/male: 114/200). A total of 54/314 (17%) had nCRT and 35 patients (11%) underwent abdominoperineal excision. Median follow-up was 64 months. Overall, local recurrence was detected in 18/314 (5.7%) and distant recurrence in 45/314 (14.3%). In patients not receiving nCRT (n = 260), local recurrence was detected in 11/260 (4.2%) and distant recurrence in 35/260 (13.5%). Disease-free survival was 80.5% at 5 years. Specifically, disease-free survival was 89% in mrTD/EMVI-negative and mrCRM-negative, 67% in mrTD/EMVI-positive and mrCRM-negative, and 64% in the mrCRM-positive rectal cancer (log-rank, P < 0.001). On multivariable Cox-regression analysis mrTD/EMVI was the only MRI variable associated with disease-free survival (hazard ratio 2.95; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

mrTD/EMVI is a major prognostic indicator. Rectal cancer patients with mrCRM-negative and mrTD/EMVI-negative have excellent long-term outcomes with surgery alone. Patients with mrTD/EMVI-positive should be selectively stratified for neoadjuvant treatments in future clinical trials.
Differential microRNA editing may drive target pathway switching in human temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Lau Kelvin E How , Nguyen Ngoc T , Kesavan Jaideep C , Langa Elena , Fanning Kevin , Brennan Gary P , Sanz-Rodriguez Amaya , Villegas-Salmerón Javier , Yan Yan , Venø Morten T , Mills James D , Rosenow Felix , Bauer Sebastian , Kjems Jørgen , Henshall David C
Published: January 2024

MicroRNAs have emerged as important regulators of the gene expression landscape in temporal lobe epilepsy. The mechanisms that control microRNA levels and influence target choice remain, however, poorly understood. RNA editing is a post-transcriptional mechanism mediated by the adenosine acting on RNA (ADAR) family of proteins that introduces base modification that diversifies the gene expression landscape. RNA editing has been studied for the mRNA landscape but the extent to which microRNA editing occurs in human temporal lobe epilepsy is unknown. Here, we used small RNA-sequencing data to characterize the identity and extent of microRNA editing in human temporal lobe epilepsy brain samples. This detected low-to-high editing in over 40 of the identified microRNAs. Among microRNA exhibiting the highest editing was miR-376a-3p, which was edited in the seed region and this was predicted to significantly change the target pool. The edited form was expressed at lower levels in human temporal lobe epilepsy samples. We modelled the shift in editing levels of miR-376a-3p in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Reducing levels of the edited form of miR-376a-3p using antisense oligonucleotides resulted in extensive gene expression changes, including upregulation of mitochondrial and metabolism-associated pathways. Together, these results show that differential editing of microRNAs may re-direct targeting and result in altered functions relevant to the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy and perhaps other disorders of neuronal hyperexcitability.
Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha by miR-203a-3p reduces hypertrophic scar formation via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Zhao Shixin , Liu Hengdeng , Wang Hanwen , He Xuefeng , Tang Jinming , Qi Shaohai , Yang Ronghua , Xie Julin
Published: January 2024

Background

Hypertrophic scar (HS) is a common fibroproliferative skin disease that currently has no truly effective therapy. Given the importance of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) in hypertrophic scar formation, the development of therapeutic strategies for endogenous inhibitors against PIK3CA is of great interest. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of miR-203a-3p (PIK3CA inhibitor) against excessive scar.

Methods

Bioinformatic analysis, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, miRNA screening and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays were used to identify the possible pathways and target molecules mediating HS formation. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to clarify the role of PIK3CA and miR-203a-3p in HS. Mechanistically, transcriptomic sequencing, immunoblotting, dual-luciferase assay and rescue experiments were executed.

Results

Herein, we found that PIK3CA and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR pathway were upregulated in scar tissues and positively correlated with fibrosis. We then identified miR-203a-3p as the most suitable endogenous inhibitor of PIK3CA. miR-203a-3p suppressed the proliferation, migration, collagen synthesis and contractility as well as the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts in vitro, and improved the morphology and histology of scars in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-203a-3p attenuated fibrosis by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by directly targeting PIK3CA.

Conclusions

PIK3CA and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are actively involved in scar fibrosis and miR-203a-3p might serve as a potential strategy for hypertrophic scar therapy through targeting PIK3CA and inactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
Riboflavin-based photocatalysis for aerobic oxidative S–N bond formation of thiols and amines
Authors: Oka Marina , Takeda Aki , Iida Hiroki
Published: January 2024

A novel organophotocatalytic process using riboflavin derivatives, which allows aerobic oxidative multistep S–S, S–N, and S–O bond formations of thiols and amines, is presented herein. The reaction proceeded under mild metal-free conditions using air (1 atm) as an environmentally friendly oxidant, yielding sulfinamides and sulfonamides.
Oxovanadium(IV) heteromacrocyclic complexes as ionophores for iodide-selective electrodes
Authors: Moriuchi-Kawakami Takayo , Higashikado Akihisa , Hirahara Masanari , Fujimori Keiichi , Moriuchi Toshiyuki
Published: January 2024

Highly selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrodes, based on oxovanadium(IV) complexes of heteromacrocyclic compounds as new iodide-selective ionophores for ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), were fabricated with a composition of PVC (28.1 wt%), plasticizers (69.3 wt%), ionophores (2.6 wt%), and cation excluders (15 mol% relative to the ionophore). The electrode prepared from oxovanadium(IV) tetraphenyl porphyrin with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as the membrane solvent and tetradodecylammonium chloride (TDDACl) as the cation excluder was found to exhibit the best sensitivity over a wide concentration range from 5.0 × 10–7 to 2.1 × 10–2 M with a Nernstian response of −59.02 mV per decade and the highest ion-selectivity toward I− ions over perchlorate ions (I−/ClO4− = 91).
The Xpert MTB/RIF Cycle Threshold Value Predicts Mycobacterium tuberculosis Transmission to Close Contacts in a Brazilian Prospective Multicenter Cohort
Authors: Garcia Leandro S , Costa Allyson G , Araújo-Pereira Mariana , Spener-Gomes Renata , França Aguiar Amanda , Souza Alexandra B , Lima Lucas O A , Benjamin Aline , Rocha Michael S , Moreira Adriana S R , Silva Jaquelane , Santos Saulo R N , Lourenço Maria Cristina , Figueiredo Marina C , Turner Megan M , Kritski Afranio L , Rolla Valeria C , Sterling Timothy R , Andrade Bruno B , Cordeiro-Santos Marcelo ,   RePORT Brazil Consortium, Gomes-Silva Adriano , Andrade Alice M S , Bezerra André Luiz , Carvalho Anna Cristina Calçada , Silveira Anna Karla , Nogueira Betânia M F , Carvalho Brenda K S , de Loiola Bruna Pires , Stanis Carolina Arana Schmaltz , de Freitas Medeiros Eline Naiane , Ignácio Francine Peixoto , Santos Hayna Malta , Oliveira Jamile G , Silva Jéssica Rebouças , Neto João Marine , Arriaga María B , Silva-Freitas Maria Luciana , de Melo Mayla Gabriele Miranda , Placido-Pereira Rosa Maria , Almeida-Da-Silveira Samyra , de Souza Nascimento Vanessa
Published: January 2024

Background

The Xpert MTB/RIF rapid molecular test provides a quantitative measure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) DNA in the form of cycle threshold (Ct) values. This information can be translated into mycobacterial load and used as a potential risk measure of bacterial spread for tuberculosis (TB) cases, which can impact infection control. However, the role of Ct values in assessing Mtb transmission to close contacts has not yet been demonstrated.

Methods

A prospective study was performed to investigate the association between Xpert MTB/RIF Ct values and Mtb transmission to close contacts of patients with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB in a multicenter Brazilian cohort. We evaluated clinical and laboratory data (age, sex, race, smoking habits, drug use, alcohol use, chest X-ray, Xpert MTB/RIF results) among pulmonary TB cases, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) results at baseline and after 6 months, for close contacts who had a negative result at baseline.

Results

A total of 1055 close contacts of 382 pulmonary TB cases were included in the study. The median Ct values from TB cases of QFT-Plus–positive (at baseline or 6 months) close contacts were lower compared with those who were QFT-Plus–negative. An adjusted logistic regression demonstrated that reduced Ct values from the index cases were independently associated with QFT-Plus conversion from negative to positive (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.32) after adjusting for clinical characteristics.

Conclusions

Close contacts of pulmonary TB index cases who exhibit low Xpert MTB/RIF Ct values displayed higher rates of TB infection, reflecting Mtb transmission.
Optimizing a linear ‘Doggybone’ DNA vaccine for influenza virus through the incorporation of DNA targeting sequences and neuraminidase antigen
Authors: Cunliffe Robert F , Stirling David C , Razzano Ilaria , Murugaiah Valarmathy , Montomoli Emanuele , Kim Sungwon , Wane Madina , Horton Helen , Caproni Lisa J , Tregoning John S
Published: January 2024

Influenza virus represents a challenge for traditional vaccine approaches due to its seasonal changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. Nucleic acid vaccines can overcome some of these challenges, especially through the inclusion of multiple antigens to increase the breadth of response. RNA vaccines were an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but for future outbreaks DNA vaccines may have some advantages in terms of stability and manufacturing cost that warrant continuing investigation to fully realize their potential. Here, we investigate influenza virus vaccines made using a closed linear DNA platform, Doggybone™ DNA (dbDNA), produced by a rapid and scalable cell-free method. Influenza vaccines have mostly focussed on Haemagglutinin (HA), but the inclusion of Neuraminidase (NA) may provide additional protection. Here, we explored the potential of including NA in a dbDNA vaccine, looking at DNA optimization, mechanism and breadth of protection. We showed that DNA targeting sequences (DTS) improved immune responses against HA but not NA. We explored whether NA vaccine-induced protection against influenza virus infection was cell-mediated, but depletion of CD8 and NK cells made no impact, suggesting it was antibody-mediated. This is reflected in the restriction of protection to homologous strains of influenza virus. Importantly, we saw that including both HA and NA in a single combined vaccine did not dampen the immune response to either one. Overall, we show that linear dbDNA can induce an immune response against NA, which may offer increased protection in instances of HA mismatch where NA remains more conserved.
Suitability of containerized toxicant to control Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) threatening cave species in Bexar County, Texas
Authors: Kramm Mathew M , Lampman Jacob R , Jackson Daniel , Montalvo Andrea E , Lopez Roel R
Published: January 2024

Several protected troglobitic invertebrate species are known to occur in caves on Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas, United States. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) identified red-imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta (hereafter RIFA) (Buren 1972) as the primary threat to cave species’ nutrient sources, cave crickets, Ceuthophilus secretus (Scudder 1894). Per the service’s recommendations, Joint Base San Antonio—Camp Bullis currently implements boiling water mound injections with digging for RIFA control. However, treatment effectiveness is highly variable and largely dependent on the time of day, weather, and personnel diligence. Toxicants have been used for RIFA treatment throughout the world, but concerns exist that traditional applications of toxicant bait around caves might be accessible and inadvertently affect nontarget arthropods, including cricket populations. To mitigate this accessibility, physically limiting access to the toxicant from crickets may be an option. Our objectives were to (i) compare and evaluate the effectiveness of Amdro (Hydramethylnon) and Advion (Indoxacarb) granular baits housed in Ants-No-More Bait Stations (Kness MFG. Inc., Albia, IA) and (ii) evaluate the distance of effectiveness of each bait within a bait station. Ultimately, we observed a 98% reduction in RIFA mound abundance from both baits. Additionally, RIFA mounds within 10 m of the containerized toxicant were reduced by 70%. Our pilot study suggested that Ants-No-More Bait Stations are an effective way to reduce RIFA mounds by 70% if placed 10 m from each other. In practice, this could include bait stations completely covering a particular distance to a cave entrance or fewer bait stations in a ring barrier at a single radial distance to a cave entrance. Containerized toxicants may be a cost-effective and safe RIFA control option around protected cave environments, but further studies are needed to determine potential effects on nontarget arthropods, optimal bait station configuration, and potential effects of biomagnification.
A low-dose thrombolytic infusion protocol for safe and successful treatment of left ventricular assist device thrombosis: a case series
Authors: Gorantla Ramakrishna , Albaeni Aiham , Choudhry Muhammad W , Conti Vincent , Lick Scott , Khalife Wissam I , Chatila Khaled
Published: January 2024

Background

Pump thrombosis is a serious complication of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) therapy. In this study, we aim to report a novel protocol of an intermittent, low-dose, and slow infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (alteplase).

Case summary

We treated seven LVAD pump thrombosis events (HeartMate® II and HeartWare) in four patients with a median age of 52 years (31–63), and all were female. The protocol was applied from January 2015 to December 2018, and it consisted of an intermittent, low-dose, and slow infusion of systemic thrombolytic therapy in the intensive care unit. This therapy resulted in successful resolution of pump thrombosis in six out of seven events. Bleeding complication occurred in one patient, which included a ruptured haemorrhagic ovarian cyst and a small cerebellar intra-parenchymal haemorrhage. All patients were discharged home in a stable condition, except one patient who died during hospitalization because of severe sepsis, pump thrombosis with subsequent pump exchange, and multi-organ failure.

Discussion

A low-dose, prolonged, and systemic thrombolytic infusion protocol is an effective and relatively safe treatment that can lead to a sustained resolution of pump thrombosis with low bleeding complications and failure rates.
Communicating about sexual activity and intimacy after a heart attack: a cross-sectional survey of Australian health professionals
Authors: Lilly Kara , Walsh Anthony Leo , Foreman Rachelle , Moran Claire , Taylor Jane
Published: January 2024

Aims

Sexual activity and intimacy improve quality of life for heart attack survivors. After a heart attack, patients frequently experience sexual dysfunction and anxiety about resuming sexual activity. However, most health professionals do not discuss sex or intimacy with their patients. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions and practices of Australian health professionals in discussing sexual activity and intimacy with heart attack survivors and the barriers to achieving this.

Methods and results

This study employed a cross-sectional study design and online self-administered survey questionnaire. Study participants were a convenience sample of Australian health professionals working with cardiac patients, including general practitioners, cardiologists, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, registered nurses, and allied health professionals. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations to understand the different perspectives of health professional groups and the overall sample. Of 252 respondents, almost all believed discussing sex and intimacy with heart attack survivors was important, yet less than a quarter reported regularly doing so. About three-quarters reported feeling comfortable discussing sex and intimacy with either men or women, with half comfortable to do so with patients from diverse cultures. Barriers included lack of time, privacy, consumer resources, and protocols to guide discussions.

Conclusion

This research supports the need for structural changes such as a clinical protocol, longer and more private consultations, staff training, and culturally appropriate patient-oriented resources to support health professionals to guide discussions about sexual activity and intimacy with patients who have had a heart attack.
The symptom perception processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation in patients with heart failure: a qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Lee Solim , Nolan Amy , Guerin Julie , Koons Brittany , Matura Lea Ann , Jurgens Corrine Y , Dickson Victoria Vaughan , Riegel Barbara
Published: January 2024

Aims

Patients with heart failure (HF) experience various signs and symptoms and have difficulties in perceiving them. Integrating insights from patients who have engaged in the process of symptom perception is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the theoretical concept of symptom perception. This study aimed to describe how patients with HF perceive symptoms through the processes of monitoring, awareness, and evaluation and what influences the process.

Methods and results

Using a qualitative descriptive design, we conducted in-person semi-structured interviews with a purposeful sample of 40 adults experiencing an unplanned hospitalization for a HF symptom exacerbation. We elicited how patients monitor, become aware of, and evaluate symptoms prior to hospitalization. Data were analysed using directed qualitative content analysis. One overarching theme and three major themes emerged. Patients demonstrated Body listening, which involved active and individualized symptom monitoring tactics to observe bodily changes outside one's usual range. Trajectory of bodily change involved the patterns or characteristics of bodily changes that became apparent to patients. Three subthemes—sudden and alarming change, gradual change, and fluctuating change emerged. Patients evaluated symptoms through an Exclusionary process, sequentially attributing symptoms to a cause through a cognitive process of excluding possible causes until the most plausible cause remained. Facilitators and barriers to symptom monitoring, awareness, and evaluation were identified.

Conclusion

This study elaborates the comprehensive symptom perception process used by adults with HF. Tailored nursing interventions should be developed based on the factors identified in each phase of the process to improve symptom perception in HF.