bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypofractionated versus conventional fractionation external beam radiotherapy in intermediate and high risk localized prostate cancer
Authors: Samuel Eileen , Zaman Saliha , Bakar Muhammad Abu , Fareed Muhammad Mohsin
Published: February 2024

Background

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men, and its incidence is increasing which is attributed to increased screening programs. The treatment options of intermediate and high risk prostate cancer include radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy. Hypofractionated radiotherapy is becoming more popular lately due to better understanding of the radiobiology of prostate cancer and favorable logistics.

Objective

To compare the toxicity and efficacy of hypofractionated versus conventional fractionation external beam radiotherapy in patients with intermediate and high risk localized prostate cancer treated in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and Research Center, Lahore (SKMCH & RC).

Methodology

We retrospectively conducted this study on histopathologically confirmed 114 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma who underwent treatment from January 2013 till December 2018. These patients were treated with radical radiotherapy along with hormonal therapy as per indication. Data was collected from electronic hospital system and analyzed by SPSS version 23.

Results

114 patients were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 68 years (61–75). 88% of patients had stage III-IVA disease at the time of diagnosis. Mean PSA and GS was 33 ± 39 SD and 7 ± 0.9 SD respectively. 89% (n = 102) received radiotherapy with 69% of patients receiving dose of 60 Gy in 20 fractions. Among patients who received hypofractionated dose, 86% (n = 61) of them were categorized as high risk and 14% (n = 10) were intermediate risk, whereas among conventional group 90% (n = 28) were high risk patients and 10% (n = 3) were of intermediate risk. In hypofractionated dose group, 14% (n = 10) developed grade 2 proctitis and 8% (n = 6) developed grade 2 cystitis, in contrast to conventional dose group in which only 3 patients (5%) developed grade 2 GI toxicity and 2 patients (2.9%) had grade 2 GU toxicity. However, these toxicities and their grade were clinically insignificant when compared with the dose groups (p = 0.11). 5 year overall survival for hypofractionated radiotherapy versus conventional dose was 100% and 90% respectively with 95% Cl and p value of 0.3 (clinically insignificant), whereas 5 year disease free survival was 100% and 75% for hypofractionation versus conventional EBRT respectively with 95% CI and p value of 0.04 (clinically significant).

Conclusion

Hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with intermediate and high risk localized prostate cancer has better disease free survival at the expense of higher risk for proctitis and cystitis but no difference in overall survival as compared to conventional dose of radiation.
A Sustainable Dual Cross-Linked Cellulose Hydrogel Electrolyte for High-Performance Zinc-Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Haodong , Gan Xiaotang , Yan Yuyang , Zhou Jinping
Published: February 2024

Aqueous rechargeable Zn-metal batteries (ARZBs) are considered one of the most promising candidates for grid-scale energy storage. However, their widespread commercial application is largely plagued by three major challenges: The uncontrollable Zn dendrites, notorious parasitic side reactions, and sluggish Zn2+ ion transfer. To address these issues, we design a sustainable dual cross-linked cellulose hydrogel electrolyte, which has excellent mechanical strength to inhibit dendrite formation, high Zn2+ ions binding capacity to suppress side reaction, and abundant porous structure to facilitate Zn2+ ions migration. Consequently, the Zn||Zn cell with the hydrogel electrolyte can cycle stably for more than 400 h under a high current density of 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, the hydrogel electrolyte also enables the Zn||polyaniline cell to achieve high-rate and long-term cycling performance (> 2000 cycles at 2000 mA g−1). Remarkably, the hydrogel electrolyte is easily accessible and biodegradable, making the ARZBs attractive in terms of scalability and sustainability.
One Health governance principles for AMR surveillance: a scoping review and conceptual framework
Authors: Ruckert Arne , Harris Fiona , Aenishaenslin Cécile , Aguiar Raphael , Boudreau-LeBlanc Antoine , Pedro Carmo Luís , Labonté Ronald , Lambraki Irene , Parmley E. Jane , Wiktorowicz Mary E.
Published: February 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health issue with serious implications for health, food security, and livelihoods. Collective action, from local to global, that draws on the One Health (OH) approach to facilitate collaboration between the human, animal, and environmental sectors is required to inform initiatives to mitigate AMR. For AMR surveillance, this involves applying an intersectoral, multistakeholder perspective to guide the co-creation of knowledge and policy around the collection, analysis, and application of surveillance data to detect, monitor, and prevent AMR health threats. Currently, there is little available evidence on how to operationalize a OH approach to support integrated AMR surveillance systems, or on how the governance of such systems facilitates intersectoral action on AMR. We conducted a scoping review of the literature to identify the governance domains most relevant to applying the OH approach to the design and evaluation of AMR surveillance systems. We found that governance is a crucial component of the development of surveillance systems equipped to tackle complex, structural issues such as AMR. The governance domains identified include participation, coordination and collaboration, management, sustainability, accountability and transparency, and equity. These domains are relevant throughout all stages of policy design, implementation, and evaluation of AMR surveillance systems. Equity is both a domain and an essential component of the other domains. All the domains are interdependent and co-constitutive, so that progress in one domain can accelerate progress in another. The conceptual framework presented in this article can inform the design and evaluation of OH AMR governance systems and other complex health challenges that have similar barriers and facilitators to OH governance. The qualitative evaluation questions developed for each domain facilitate assessment of the breadth (the range of actors involved in governance) and depth (how meaningful their engagement is) for each domain relevant to OH governance. Finally, the prioritization of formal, sustainable, and democratic governance of AMR can help to facilitate achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and promote conservation of the use of antimicrobials for future generations.
Pattern of anuran infection by acanthocephalans from the Cerrado, Northeastern Brazil with a summary for South America
Authors: dos Santos B.R. , Teixeira A.A.M. , do Nascimento J.M. , Brito S.V.
Published: February 2024

In Brazil, acanthocephalans parasitise anurans in several biomes. In the present study, we performed an analysis of acanthocephalan infections across 175 anuran individuals from the Cerrado biome, belonging to ten species:Boana raniceps, Pithecopus hypochondrialis, Scinax fuscomarginatus, Scinax x-signatus,Leptodactylus pustulatus, Leptodactylus macrosternum, Leptodactylus vastus, Physalaemus cuvieri, Adenomera hylaedactyla, andElachistocleis piauiensis.We also verified the specificity of the parasites using theSTD* index. Additionally, we conducted a survey of acanthocephalan infection in anurans in South America. The studied assemblage in the Brazilian Cerrado presented 57 parasitised hosts of 175 specimens (overall prevalence: 32.6%). In total, 437 acanthocephalans cystacanths were recorded, among which 286 presented the same morphotype but could not be identified, 148 belonged to the genusCentrorhynchus, and three belonged toOncicola. Unidentified acanthocephalans had a higher prevalence inL. vastus(53.85%) and the highest intensity was inL. pustulatus(17±16). The highest prevalence ofCentrorhynchussp. was in the speciesS. fuscomarginatus(28.57%), while the highest intensity was observed inL. vastus(111). The taxonOncicolasp. it had a prevalence of 3.23% and an intensity of 3 only in S.x-signatus. The highest specificity was recorded forOncicolasp. (STD*= 1), whereas the lowest was found inCentrorhynchussp. (STD*= 2.21). Finally, according to the survey for South America, we found ten records of acanthocephalan taxa parasitizing 58 species of anurans distributed in seven countries (Brazil with the most records).
Host-specific Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in shelter dogs from central Europe
Authors: Szydłowicz Magdalena , Zajączkowska Żaneta , Lewicka Antonina , Łukianowski Błażej , Kamiński Mateusz , Holubová Nikola , Sak Bohumil , Kváč Martin , Kicia Marta
Published: February 2024

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis and microsporidia are unicellular opportunistic pathogens that can cause gastrointestinal infections in both animals and humans. Since companion animals may serve as a source of infection, the aim of the present screening study was to analyse the prevalence of these intestinal protists in fecal samples collected from dogs living in 10 animal shelters in central Europe (101 dogs from Poland and 86 from the Czech Republic), combined with molecular subtyping of the detected organisms in order to assess their genetic diversity. Genus-specific polymerase chain reactions were performed to detect DNA of the tested species and to conduct molecular subtyping in collected samples, followed by statistical evaluation of the data obtained (using χ2 or Fisher's tests). The observed prevalence was 15.5, 10.2, 1 and 1% for G. intestinalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Cryptosporidium spp. and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, respectively. Molecular evaluation has revealed the predominance of dog-specific genotypes (Cryptosporidium canis XXe1 subtype; G. intestinalis assemblages C and D; E. cuniculi genotype II; E. bieneusi genotypes D and PtEbIX), suggesting that shelter dogs do not pose a high risk of human transmission. Interestingly, the percentage distribution of the detected pathogens differed between both countries and individual shelters, suggesting that the risk of infection may be associated with conditions typical of a given location.
Mādayān ī Wīrāzagān: a newly discovered Middle Persian text: transliteration, transcription, and translation
Authors: Nikoghosyan Ruben
Published: February 2024

In 2017, the editio princeps of a newly discovered Middle Persian text, the “Mādayān ī Wīrāzagān” or simply “Wīrāzagān”, was published by Raham Asha. This text, which is important not only from a literary and religious perspective, but also from a mythological point of view, was previously unknown to the scholarly community. The Middle Persian original of the text is found in the Codex TD 26 (49r-62v), preserved in the library of the K.R. Cama Oriental Institute, Mumbai. The manuscript was first discovered and studied by R. Asha in March 2011. The preliminary remarks on the Mādayān ī Wīrāzagān and other texts contained in the Codex TD 26 (Ms. R 494) were published in 2012 in the journal of the same institution. Here I present a translation (accompanied by the transliteration and transcription) of the original text published on pages 3–16 of Asha's book.
Lazy, Selfish and Ruthless: Marketing Legal Information Services
Authors: Leopold Matthew
Published: February 2024

“I will build it and so they will come” is not an effective strategy for any business or business function, Matthew Leopold tells us, and in this article, based on his presentation at the BIALL Conference in Belfast, he expands on this, exploring the importance of marketing legal information services internally and externally. Drawing on marketing principles and insights from renowned marketing thought leaders and academic research, this paper presents a four-step framework to enhance marketing effectiveness: understanding marketing's role, capturing attention through relevance and connection, delivering impactful communications and implementing actionable campaigns. By employing these strategies, legal information professionals can effectively promote their library services, enhance their visibility and meet the evolving needs of their audience.
Increasing Your Visibility and Going Beyond Your Job Title: the Pros and Cons of Saying Yes to Everything
Authors: Hunter Ian
Published: February 2024

This article by Ian Hunter, which has been adapted from his BIALL Conference presentation at the Belfast Europa Hotel, examines increasing the visibility of law firm library and information services in terms of what should be done and what should not be done. Or, as Ian puts it: “Is saying yes to everything really the right thing to do?”
Commercial Awareness in the Law Library: a New Role for Academic Law Librarians?
Authors: Cummings Lauren
Published: February 2024

In this article, which expands on a lightning talk that was delivered at the BIALL Conference 2023, Lauren Cummings discusses how she developed and delivered a commercial awareness workshop to third-year students at Goldsmiths, University of London. She then reflects on how employability training relates to information skills and how developing these skills can help students from less advantaged backgrounds achieve their career goals. Lauren also discusses how employability work might fit into the role of the academic law librarian.
Blazing a Trail with Library Apprenticeships
Authors: Sullivan Emma , Smythe Sandra
Published: February 2024

In this article Emma Sullivan and Sandra Smythe go through the presentation they gave at the BIALL conference entitled “Apprenticeship pathways into the library, information and knowledge profession”. Emma and Sandra co-Chair the CILIP Trailblazer group, which is currently developing a Level 7 Library, Information and Knowledge Professional Apprenticeship Standard. Here they discuss how and why they became involved with the group and why the apprenticeship route is so important for the profession, both for employees and employers. (For more background to the CILIP apprenticeship schemes see page 140 of the Autumn 2023 issue of LIM.)
Rooted in turbulence: arguing ethnicity in folk narratives about violence
Authors: Zhao Yuanhao
Published: February 2024

This article begins with a folk idea, or stereotype, attached to the Hui Muslim minority in China: that of being violent. The analysis focuses on how ideas of ethnicity are contextualized in folk or popular narratives about violence. Specifically, cases presented in this article are narratives where different aspects of violence feature either positively or negatively: as a collective ethnic mark of being unreasonable, as martial spirit, as fighting prowess and so forth. This article argues that differently contextualized ideas of being violent or narratives about violent events enable Hui and non-Hui to not only establish ethnic turfs, but also to co-exist and merge ethnic boundaries, rendering ethnic borders open to redrawing and straddling.
3‐D Ionospheric Imaging Over the South American Region With a New TEC‐Based Ionospheric Data Assimilation System (TIDAS‐SA)
Authors: Aa Ercha , Zhang Shun‐Rong , Erickson Philip J. , Wang Wenbin , Coster Anthea J. , Rideout William
Published: February 2024

This study has developed a new TEC‐based ionospheric data assimilation system for 3‐D regional ionospheric imaging over the South American sector (TIDAS‐SA) (45°S–15°N, 35°–85°W, and 100–800 km). The TIDAS‐SA data assimilation system utilizes a hybrid Ensemble‐Variational approach to incorporate a diverse set of ionospheric data sources, including dense ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) line‐of‐sight Total Electron Content (TEC) data, radio occultation data from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate‐2 (COSMIC‐2), and altimeter TEC data from the JASON‐3 satellite. TIDAS‐SA can produce a reanalyzed three‐dimensional (3‐D) electron density spatial variation with a high time cadence, yielding spatial‐temporal resolution of 1° (latitude) × 1° (longitude) × 20 km (altitude) × 5 min. This allows us to reconstruct and study the 3‐D ionospheric morphology with multi‐scale structures. The performance of the data assimilation system is validated against independent ionosonde and in situ measurements through an experiment for a strong geomagnetic storm event on 03–04 November 2021. The results demonstrate that TIDAS‐SA can provide detailed and altitude‐resolved information that accurately characterizes the storm‐time ionospheric disturbances in vertical and horizontal domains over the equatorial and low‐latitude regions of South America.
A UK prospective multicentre decision impact, decision conflict and economic evaluation of the 21-gene assay in women with node+ve, hormone receptor+ve, HER2-ve breast cancer
Authors: Holt Simon , Verrill Mark , Pettit Laura , Rigg Anna , Hickish Tamas , Archer Caroline , Dent Jo , Dillon Marianne , Nathan Mark , Barthelmes Ludger , Rehman Shazza , Sharaiha Yousef , Innis Paige , Sai-Giridhar Priya , Khawaja Saira
Published: February 2024

Background

For a tumour profiling test to be of value, it needs to demonstrate that it is changing clinical decisions, improving clinical confidence, and of economic benefit. This trial evaluated the use of the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score® assay against these criteria in 680 women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative early breast cancer with 1–3 lymph nodes positive (LN+) in the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

Prior to receipt of the Recurrence Score (RS) result, both the physician and the patient were asked to state their preference for or against chemotherapy and their level of confidence on a scale of 1–5. Following receipt of the RS result, the physician and patient were asked to make a final decision regarding chemotherapy and record their post-test level of confidence.

Results

Receipt of the RS result led to a 51.5% (95% CI, 47.2–55.8%) reduction in chemotherapy, significantly increased the relative and absolute confidence for both physicians and patients and led to an estimated saving to the NHS of £787 per patient.

Conclusion

The use of the Oncotype DX assay fulfils the criteria of changing clinical decisions, improving confidence and saving money.
Patients’ perceptions and practices of informing relatives: a qualitative study within a randomised trial on healthcare-assisted risk disclosure
Authors: Nääs Charlotta , von Salomé Jenny , Rosén Anna
Published: February 2024

In a multicentre randomised controlled trial (DIRECT), we evaluate whether an intervention of providing direct letters from healthcare professionals to at-risk relatives (ARRs) affects the proportion of ARRs contacting a cancer genetics clinic, compared with patient-mediated disclosure alone (control). With the aim to explore how the patients included in the trial perceived and performed risk communication with their ARRs we analysed 17 semi-structured interviews with reflexive thematic analysis. All patients described that they disclosed risk information to all close relatives themselves. No integrity-related issues were reported by patients offered the intervention, and all of them accepted direct letters to all their ARRs. Patients’ approaches to informing distant relatives were unpredictable and varied from contacting all distant ARRs, sharing the burden with the family, utilising the offer of sending direct letters, vaguely relying on others to inform, or postponing disclosure. Most patients limited their responsibility to the disclosure, although others wanted relatives to get genetic counselling or felt a need to provide additional information to the ARRs before ending their mission. We also identified confusion about the implication of test results, who needed risk information, and who was responsible for informing ARRs. These misunderstandings possibly also affected risk disclosure. This study revealed that despite accepting the direct letters to be sent to all relatives, the patients also contributed to risk disclosure in other ways. It was only in some situations to distant relatives that the healthcare-assisted letter was the only means of communication to the ARRs.
Renal denervation improves cardiac function independently of afterload and restores myocardial norepinephrine levels in a rodent heart failure model
Authors: Miklovič Matúš , Gawryś Olga , Honetschlägerová Zuzana , Kala Petr , Husková Zuzana , Kikerlová Soňa , Vaňourková Zdeňka , Jíchová Šárka , Kvasilová Alena , Kitamoto Misuzu , Maxová Hana , Puertas-Frias Guillermo , Mráček Tomáš , Sedmera David , Melenovský Vojtěch
Published: February 2024

Renal nerves play a critical role in cardiorenal interactions. Renal denervation (RDN) improved survival in some experimental heart failure (HF) models. It is not known whether these favorable effects are indirect, explainable by a decrease in vascular afterload, or diminished neurohumoral response in the kidneys, or whether RDN procedure per se has direct myocardial effects in the failing heart. To elucidate mechanisms how RDN affects failing heart, we studied load-independent indexes of ventricular function, gene markers of myocardial remodeling, and cardiac sympathetic signaling in HF, induced by chronic volume overload (aorto-caval fistula, ACF) of Ren2 transgenic rats. Volume overload by ACF led to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction, myocardial remodeling (upregulated Nppa, MYH 7/6 genes), increased renal and circulating norepinephrine (NE), reduced myocardial NE content, increased monoaminoxidase A (MAO-A), ROS production and decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (+) nerve staining. RDN in HF animals decreased congestion in the lungs and the liver, improved load-independent cardiac function (Ees, PRSW, Ees/Ea ratio), without affecting arterial elastance or LV pressure, reduced adverse myocardial remodeling (Myh 7/6, collagen I/III ratio), decreased myocardial MAO-A and inhibited renal neprilysin activity. RDN increased myocardial expression of acetylcholinesterase (Ache) and muscarinic receptors (Chrm2), decreased circulating and renal NE, but increased myocardial NE content, restoring so autonomic control of the heart. These changes likely explain improvements in survival after RDN in this model. The results suggest that RDN has remote, load-independent and favorable intrinsic myocardial effects in the failing heart. RDN therefore could be a useful therapeutic strategy in HF.
Effect of bulbospongiosus muscle injection with botulinum-A toxin for treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation; a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Almekaty Khaled , Ghaith Ahmed , Ragab Maged , Rashed Ayman , Hagras Ayman , Ghoneem Ayman , Raheem Amr Abdel , Zahran Mohamed H.
Published: February 2024

This study aimed at assessing a new line of treatment for lifelong premature ejaculation which is botulinum-A toxin injection into the bulbospongiosus muscle. Sixty patients with lifelong premature ejaculation were independently randomized into 2 groups; group I, 100 U botulinum-A toxin at 10 U/ml saline was injected with ultrasound guidance into the bulbospongiosus muscle and group II which was injected with similar volume of saline. The primary outcome was to compare both groups for changes in the Premature Ejaculation Profile (PEP), Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time (IELT) and partner’s satisfaction at 1, 3 and 6 months after intervention. The second outcome was to compare the adverse events in both groups. Fifty-seven patients completed the study. In group I, the mean PEP increased significantly at 1- (P = 0.02) and 3- months (P = 0.04) with insignificant increase at 6-month (P = 0.6) of follow-up. Also, no significant changes had been noted in IELT or partner’s satisfaction scores throughout the study duration (P > 0.05). In group II, no significant changes had been noted in the PEP, IELT and partner’s satisfaction scores throughout the study duration (P > 0.05). There were insignificant differences in the changes in the mean PEP (P = 0.7, 0.6 and 0.4), IELT (P = 0.6,0.6 and 0.5) and partner’s satisfaction scores (P = 0.5,0.7 and 0.3) in comparison to the baseline values at 1-, 3- and 6- months, respectively between both groups. Adverse events were observed in only 3 patients (5.3%). In group I, mild erectile dysfunction and post micturition dribbling were reported in one patient each. Where in group II, one patient reported bleeding per urethra (P = 0.5). To conclude, injection of botulinum-A toxin into bulbospongiosus seems to be safe but failed to prove clinical efficacy for treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation when compared to placebo.
Ultrafast electronic relaxation pathways of the molecular photoswitch quadricyclane
Authors: Borne Kurtis D. , Cooper Joseph C. , Ashfold Michael N. R. , Bachmann Julien , Bhattacharyya Surjendu , Boll Rebecca , Bonanomi Matteo , Bosch Michael , Callegari Carlo , Centurion Martin , Coreno Marcello , Curchod Basile F. E. , Danailov Miltcho B. , Demidovich Alexander , Di Fraia Michele , Erk Benjamin , Faccialà Davide , Feifel Raimund , Forbes Ruaridh J. G. , Hansen Christopher S. , Holland David M. P. , Ingle Rebecca A. , Lindh Roland , Ma Lingyu , McGhee Henry G. , Muvva Sri Bhavya , Nunes Joao Pedro Figueira , Odate Asami , Pathak Shashank , Plekan Oksana , Prince Kevin C. , Rebernik Primoz , Rouzée Arnaud , Rudenko Artem , Simoncig Alberto , Squibb Richard J. , Venkatachalam Anbu Selvam , Vozzi Caterina , Weber Peter M. , Kirrander Adam , Rolles Daniel
Published: February 2024

The light-induced ultrafast switching between molecular isomers norbornadiene and quadricyclane can reversibly store and release a substantial amount of chemical energy. Prior work observed signatures of ultrafast molecular dynamics in both isomers upon ultraviolet excitation but could not follow the electronic relaxation all the way back to the ground state experimentally. Here we study the electronic relaxation of quadricyclane after exciting in the ultraviolet (201 nanometres) using time-resolved gas-phase extreme ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy combined with non-adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. We identify two competing pathways by which electronically excited quadricyclane molecules relax to the electronic ground state. The fast pathway (<100 femtoseconds) is distinguished by effective coupling to valence electronic states, while the slow pathway involves initial motions across Rydberg states and takes several hundred femtoseconds. Both pathways facilitate interconversion between the two isomers, albeit on different timescales, and we predict that the branching ratio of norbornadiene/quadricyclane products immediately after returning to the electronic ground state is approximately 3:2.
A high-efficiency programmable modulator for extreme ultraviolet light with nanometre feature size based on an electronic phase transition
Authors: Vaskivskyi Igor , Mraz Anze , Venturini Rok , Jecl Gregor , Vaskivskyi Yevhenii , Mincigrucci Riccardo , Foglia Laura , De Angelis Dario , Pelli-Cresi Jacopo-Stefano , Paltanin Ettore , Fainozzi Danny , Bencivenga Filippo , Masciovecchio Claudio , Mihailovic Dragan
Published: February 2024

The absence of efficient light modulators for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray photons considerably limits their real-life application, particularly when even slight complexity of the beam patterns is required. Here we report on a novel approach to reversible imprinting of a holographic mask in an electronic Wigner crystal material with a sub-90-nm feature size. The structure is imprinted on a sub-picosecond timescale using EUV laser pulses, and acts as a high-efficiency diffraction grating that deflects EUV or soft X-ray light. The imprinted nanostructure is stable after the removal of the exciting beams at low temperatures, but can be easily erased by a single heating beam. Modelling shows that the efficiency of the device can exceed 1%, approaching state-of-the-art etched gratings, but with the benefit of being programmable and tunable over a large range of wavelengths. The observed effect is based on the rapid change of lattice constant upon transition between metastable electronically ordered phases in a layered transition metal dichalcogenide. The proposed approach is potentially useful for creating tunable light modulators in the EUV and soft X-ray spectral ranges.
Evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility tests for Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas species using disks containing a high dose of meropenem
Authors: Endo Shoichiro , Tada Tatsuya , Oshiro Satoshi , Hishinuma Tomomi , Tohya Mari , Watanabe Shin , Sekiguchi Jun-Ichiro , Abe Masaki , Nakada Koji , Kirikae Teruo
Published: February 2024

The emergence and dissemination of carbapenem-resistant species of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas have become a serious health concern. Routine antimicrobial disk susceptibility tests in clinical laboratories cannot distinguish between isolates that are highly carbapenem-resistant and those that are moderately carbapenem-resistant. The present study describes antimicrobial susceptibility tests using disks containing high doses (1000 μg) of meropenem. The diameters of inhibition zones were significantly negatively correlated with the MICs of Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter species for meropenem (R2: 0.93 and 0.91, respectively) and imipenem (R2: 0.75 and 0.84, respectively). Double disk synergy tests using clavulanic acid or sodium mercaptoacetate can detect ESBL or MBL producers. Susceptibility tests using disks containing high doses of meropenem can easily detect highly carbapenem-resistant isolates in a quantitative manner. These disks may be useful in bacteriological laboratories because of their technical ease, stability, and relatively low cost.
Detection, differentiation and localization of replay attack and false data injection attack based on random matrix
Authors: Shen Yuehao , Qin Zhijun
Published: February 2024

Replay attack and false data injection attack (FDIA) are two common types of cyber-attacks against supervisory control and data acquisition systems, aiming to disrupt the normal operation of the power system by falsifying meter measurements. In this paper, we proposed a systematic methodology to defend hybrid attack with both replay attack and FDIA. Specifically, we propose a detection method applying random matrix theory to: (1) detect the hybrid attack on static state estimation, and (2) distinguish FDIA from replay attack as well as localize falsified measurements. Firstly, short-term forecast on load and renewable power generation is conducted to obtain the predicted measurements. Secondly, random variables are calculated by differentiating the forecasting measurements and real-time measurements. A random matrix is consequently constructed with the above random variables. Thirdly, hybrid attacks are detected by the changes of the linear eigenvalue statistics of the random matrix obtained by the sliding time window. More importantly, a novel multi-label classifier to distinguish replay attack from FDIA is designed to localize FDIA by combining SVD decomposition and eigenvalue analysis with convolutional neural network (SVD-CNN). Finally, comprehensive simulations on the IEEE 14-bus system and IEEE 57-bus system are provided to validate the performance of the proposed method. It is shown that the proposed detection method has strong detection ability by filtering measurement noise. Moreover, the proposed SVD-CNN improves the accuracy in FDIA localization.
Identification of a novel macrophage-related prognostic signature in colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Dongfa , Zheng Tingjin , Huang Shangyuan , Liu Rui , Guan Shuwen , Zhang Zhishan
Published: February 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadliest illnesses all around the world. Growing proofs demonstrate that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are of critical importance in CRC pathogenesis, but their mechanisms remain yet unknown. The current research was designed to recognize underlying biomarkers associated with TAMs in CRC. We screened macrophage-related gene modules through WGCNA, selected hub genes utilizing the LASSO algorithm and COX regression, and established a model. External validation was performed by expression analysis using datasets GSE14333, GSE74602, and GSE87211. After validating the bioinformatics results using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, we identified SPP1, C5AR1, MMP3, TIMP1, ADAM8 as potential biomarkers associated with macrophages in CRC.
Assessing depression and anxiety among young adults after epidemics and pandemics: a cross-sectional study in Anyang, China
Authors: Wang Guoqing , Sabran Kamal
Published: February 2024

It has been well established that pandemics affect mental health, yet few studies have been conducted in China regarding this issue following COVID-19's gradual decline and the recent H1N1 influenza outbreak. In response to this research gap, this investigation explores the risk factors linked to depression and anxiety symptoms among young adults in this specific setting. Data were collected via an online cross-sectional survey of 385 young adults living in Anyang city, Henan Province, China, between June 15 and July 21, 2023. Respondents were assessed for anxiety and depression symptoms using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scales. Additionally, to examine the factors that influenced the study, we utilized an ordered logit regression model. Results revealed depression and anxiety prevalence rates of 33.3% and 21.6%, respectively. Several factors were found to increase the likelihood of depression and anxiety among young adults, including gender, age, education status, marital status, and attitudes towards epidemics. Participants' concerns about pandemics and viruses had a significant negative impact relationship on depression levels. Women report moderate to severe anxiety more frequently than men. An evident correlation can be observed between the educational attainment level and the influence of depression and anxiety.
A 3D printed sheath flow interface for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection in flow
Authors: Morder Courtney J. , Schultz Zachary D.
Published: February 2024

A 3D printed flow cell for SERS detection was developed that incorporated sheath flow to confine analytes near the SERS substrate. The device was optimized by analyzing both molecules and particles with and without sheath flow for SERS detection.
Fabrication of highly conductive, flexible, and hydrophobic Kevlar®@Ni–P–B@Cu@CS fabric with excellent self-cleaning performance for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Shao Qinsi , Wang Hao , Zhang Leilei , Wang Xihai , Zhang Hengxin , Bai Ruicheng , Fu Hongshan
Published: February 2024

A simple and cost-effective method to prepare a novel multilayer-structured Kevlar®@nickel-phosphorus-boron@copper@copper stearate composite fabric with outstanding properties is successfully developed.
Redox Mo-chloro-species-coupled Se oxidation conversion in low-corrosion ionic liquids for fast-kinetics and durable Zn batteries
Authors: Wang Bo , Tang Yongchao , Yan Jianping , Zhang Yufei , Ye Minghui , Wen Zhipeng , Du Wencheng , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Cheng Chao
Published: February 2024

By incorporating in situ-activated redox Mo-chloro species into Se conversion reactions of the 1T-MoSe2 cathode, a Zn–MoSe2 battery with boosted kinetics and ultralong cyclability is initially achieved with a novel low-corrosion ionic liquid electrolyte.
Inducing porosity in xylose-derived FeNC electrocatalysts for alkaline oxygen reduction
Authors: Mazzoli Lorenzo , Pedersen Angus , Kellner Simon , Hunter Robert D. , Cai Rongsheng , Wang Mengnan , Sivula Kevin , Haigh Sarah J. , Barrio Jesús
Published: February 2024

Kayexalate was employed to decrease the particle size of Xylose-based hydrochars, which after oxygen activation led to enhanced specific surface area. The resulting FeNC catalyses the alkaline oxygen reduction at industrial current densities.
Nature-inspired safe and efficient hair dyes: beyond the traditional hair dyes
Authors: Zhang Ting , Hu Junfei , Guo Linghong , Gu Zhipeng , Jiang Xian , Li Yiwen
Published: February 2024

This review concludes the recent advance of nature-inspired hair dyes including categories and preparation, emphasizing the interaction between pigment and hair. The pigmentation mechanisms and color-tuning strategies are also elaborated.
Functional deep eutectic solvent for lignocellulose valorization via lignin stabilization and cellulose functionalization
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Lv Pingli , Ji Hairui , Ji Xingxiang , Tian Zhongjian , Chen Jiachuan
Published: February 2024

The pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with a functional DES that incorporates choline chloride (ChCl) and glyoxylic acid (GA) resulted in a high removal of lignin and hemicellulose, lignin stabilization, and cellulose functionalization.
ZIF-67-derived Se-doped CoSe2 grown on carbon nanofibers as oxygen electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn–air batteries
Authors: Cui Wenjing , Xu Shaoshuai , Bai Jie , Li Chunping , Sun Xingwei
Published: February 2024

Se-doping can reduce the charge transfer resistance and enhance the OER kinetics. CNFs significantly improved the electrical conductivity of the materials. The ZIF-67-derived carbon skeleton provides an electron transport channel.
Fabrication of a high performance flexible capacitive porous GO/PDMS pressure sensor based on droplet microfluidic technology
Authors: Pan ShengYuan , Zhang Tao , Zhang Cheng , Liao Ningbo , Zhang Miao , Zhao Tianchen
Published: February 2024

The fabrication method of a high-performance capacitive flexible porous GO/PDMS pressure sensor based on droplet microfluidic technology.
Role of the leucine-rich repeat protein kinase 2 C-terminal tail in domain cross-talk
Authors: Sharma Pallavi Kaila , Weng Jui-Hung , Manschwetus Jascha T. , Wu Jian , Ma Wen , Herberg Friedrich W. , Taylor Susan S.
Published: February 2024

Leucine-rich repeat protein kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a multi-domain protein encompassing two of biology's most critical molecular switches, a kinase and a GTPase, and mutations in LRRK2 are key players in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The availability of multiple structures (full-length and truncated) has opened doors to explore intra-domain cross-talk in LRRK2. A helix extending from the WD40 domain and stably docking onto the kinase domain is common in all available structures. This C-terminal (Ct) helix is a hub of phosphorylation and organelle-localization motifs and thus serves as a multi-functional protein : protein interaction module. To examine its intra-domain interactions, we have recombinantly expressed a stable Ct motif (residues 2480–2527) and used peptide arrays to identify specific binding sites. We have identified a potential interaction site between the Ct helix and a loop in the CORB domain (CORB loop) using a combination of Gaussian accelerated molecular dynamics simulations and peptide arrays. This Ct-Motif contains two auto-phosphorylation sites (T2483 and T2524), and T2524 is a 14-3-3 binding site. The Ct helix, CORB loop, and the CORB-kinase linker together form a part of a dynamic ‘CAP’ that regulates the N-lobe of the kinase domain. We hypothesize that in inactive, full-length LRRK2, the Ct-helix will also mediate interactions with the N-terminal armadillo, ankyrin, and LRR domains (NTDs) and that binding of Rab substrates, PD mutations, or kinase inhibitors will unleash the NTDs.
Few‐shot object detection based on global context and implicit knowledge decoupled head
Authors: Li Shiyue , Yang Guan , Liu Xiaoming , Huang Kekun , Liu Yang
Published: February 2024

The acquisition cycle of remote sensing images is slow, and the labelling process encounters challenges, which have become prominent with the rapid development of remote sensing image object detection research. Therefore, this article provides a way to make the model better capture the diversity and contextual relationships in the data, and solve this problem by more than just data augmentation. Specifically, this method is a few‐shot object detection method for remote sensing based on global context combined with implicit knowledge decoupled head (GC‐IKDH). This method first uses a segmentation strategy to convert high‐resolution images into low‐resolution images and expands the sample size through a generative model. Secondly, GC attention is introduced to generate a GC vector by weighting and averaging the information of each position in the input sequence, which helps the model better understand the semantics of the input sequence. Finally, an IKDH is added to improve the model head, which is used to learn specific features in the data so that the model can better handle the diversity in the data. Experimental results show that GC attention and IKDH boosting provide a good performance boost to the baseline model. Compared with other few‐shot samples, this method achieves state‐of‐the‐art performance under different shot settings and highly competitive results on two benchmark datasets (NWPU VHR‐10 and DIOR).
A novel Wasserstein generative adversarial network for stochastic wind power output scenario generation
Authors: Zhang Xiurong , Li Daoliang , Fu Xueqian
Published: February 2024

A novel Wasserstein generative adversarial network (WGAN) is proposed for stochastic wind power output scenario generation. Wasserstein distance with gradient penalty adapts to the gradient vanishing problem that is easy to occur in the new energy generation scenario. This model has better robustness and generalization ability than the traditional generative adversarial network. WGAN is optimized to simulate ideal wind power scenarios. The generated data are measured by cumulative distribution function (CDF) and continuously ranked probability score to evaluate the performance of the proposed model. Compared with the probability models, the proposed model is data‐driven, that is, it can simulate wind power scenarios based on historical samples rather than probability hypothesis, and it can independently learn the space‐time correlation of wind power generation in different locations. Experiments show that the CDF curve of data generated by the proposed WGAN is highly coincident with that of real data.
Hybrid model for wind power estimation based on BIGRU network and error discrimination‐correction
Authors: Li Yalong , Jin Ye , Dan Yangqing , Zha Wenting
Published: February 2024

Accurate estimation of wind power is essential for predicting and maintaining the power balance in the power system. This paper proposes a novel approach to enhance the accuracy of wind power estimation through a hybrid model integrating neural networks and error discrimination‐correction techniques. In order to improve the accuracy of estimation, a bidirectional gating recurrent unit is developed, forming an initial wind power estimation curve through training. Additionally, a sequential model‐based algorithmic configuration optimizes bidirectional gating recurrent unit's network hyperparameters. To tackle estimation errors, a multi‐layer perceptron combined with sequential model‐based algorithmic configuration is employed to create a classification model that automatically discerns the quality of estimates. Subsequently, an innovative correction model, based on grey relevancy degree and relevancy errors, is devised to rectify erroneous estimates. The final estimates result from a summation of the initial estimates and the values derived from error corrections. By analysing the real data from a wind farm in northwest China, a simulation test validates the proposed hybrid model. Experimental results demonstrate a substantial improvement in modelling accuracy when compared to the initial model.
Integrated control strategy of BESS in primary frequency modulation considering SOC recovery
Authors: Liu Yiqi , Chen Meiru , Xie Bing , Ban Mingfei
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes a comprehensive control strategy for a battery energy storage system (BESS) participating in primary frequency modulation (FM) while considering the state of charge (SOC) recovery. On the one hand, when the frequency fluctuations are outside the dead zone of the FM, variable coefficient virtual sag control and variable coefficient virtual inertia control are coordinated for more accurate primary FM. Also, an assisted FM strategy is proposed, where the temporal alignment of assisted FM is determined by the regional segmentation of the frequency deviation and SOC, and it enables the BESS to recover SOC concurrently during its involvement in primary FM. On the other hand, when the frequency fluctuations are inside the dead zone of the FM, typical S‐type functions are deployed to dynamically establish the mutual constraints relationships of SOC recovery demand coefficient and frequency deviation. Subsequently, the recovery control coefficients are derived, and accordingly, a SOC recovery strategy is proposed. Finally, simulation results verify the efficacy of the proposed control strategy in the grid primary FM system and demonstrate that the strategy expedites the SOC recovery and concurrently diminishes the conventional unit output.
Explaining the high nitrogen abundances observed in high-z galaxies via population III stars of a few thousand solar masses
Authors: Nandal Devesh , Regan John A. , Woods Tyrone E. , Farrell Eoin , Ekström Sylvia , Meynet Georges
Published: February 2024

The chemical enrichment of the early Universe is a crucial element in the formation and evolution of galaxies, and Population III (Pop III) stars must play a vital role in this process. In this study, we examine metal enrichment from massive stars in the early Universe’s embryonic galaxies. Using radiation hydrodynamic simulations and stellar evolution modelling, we calculated the expected metal yield from these stars. Specifically, we applied accretion rates from a previous radiation-hydrodynamic simulation to inform our stellar evolution modelling, executed with the Geneva code, across 11 selected datasets, with final stellar masses between 500 and 9000 M⊙. Our results demonstrate that the first generation of Pop III stars within a mass range of 2000−9000 M⊙ result in N/O, C/O and O/H ratios compatible with the values observed in very high-z galaxies GN-z11 and CEERS 1019. The ejecta of these Pop III stars are predominantly composed of 4He, 1H, and 14N. Our Pop III chemical enrichment model of the halo can accurately reproduce the observed N/O and C/O ratios, and, by incorporating a hundred times more zero-metallicity interstellar material with the stellar ejecta, it accurately attains the observed O/H ratio. Thus, a sub-population of extremely massive Pop III stars, with masses surpassing approximately 2000 M⊙, effectively reproduces the CNO elemental abundances observed in high-z JWST galaxies to date. We closely reproduced the observed Ne/O ratio in CEERS 1019 employing a model with several thousand solar masses and non-zero metallicity, and we projected a 12C/13C ratio of 7, substantially lower than the solar ratio of around 90. The significant nitrogen enrichment predicted by Pop III stars with a few thousand solar masses not only reinforces the argument for a heavy seed formation pathway for massive black holes at redshifts as high as z = 10.6 but it also accentuates the need for deeper investigations into their complex nature and pivotal role in the early Universe.