bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suppression of double-stranded RNA sensing in cancer: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential
Authors: Young Addison A. , Bohlin Holly E. , Pierce Jackson R. , Cottrell Kyle A.
Published: September 2024

Immunotherapy has emerged as a therapeutic option for many cancers. For some tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors show great efficacy in promoting anti-tumor immunity. However, not all tumors respond to immunotherapies. These tumors often exhibit reduced inflammation and are resistant to checkpoint inhibitors. Therapies that turn these ‘cold’ tumors ‘hot’ could improve the efficacy and applicability of checkpoint inhibitors, and in some cases may be sufficient on their own to promote anti-tumor immunity. One strategy to accomplish this goal is to activate innate immunity pathways within the tumor. Here we describe how this can be accomplished by activating double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) sensors. These sensors evolved to detect and respond to dsRNAs arising from viral infection but can also be activated by endogenous dsRNAs. A set of proteins, referred to as suppressors of dsRNA sensing, are responsible for preventing sensing ‘self’ dsRNA and activating innate immunity pathways. The mechanism of action of these suppressors falls into three categories: (1) Suppressors that affect mature RNAs through editing, degradation, restructuring, or binding. (2) Suppressors that affect RNA processing. (3) Suppressors that affect RNA expression. In this review we highlight suppressors that function through each mechanism, provide examples of the effects of disrupting those suppressors in cancer cell lines and tumors, and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting these proteins and pathways.
Reanalysis of the Huygens GCMS dataset
Authors: Gautier T. , Serigano J. , Das K. , Coutelier M. , Hörst S. M. , Szopa C. , Vinatier S. , Trainer M. G.
Published: September 2024

Context. More than 15 years after its landing on the surface of Titan, the data returned by the Huygens probe remain the only available in situ information on Titan’s lower atmosphere and its methane content.

Aims. In this work, we present a reanalysis of the Huygens probe data obtained by the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GCMS) instrument on board Huygens. GCMS measured the atmospheric composition almost continuously during the Huygens probe descent by acquiring mass spectra between 145 km of altitude and Titan’s surface. We first focus on the recollection, reconstruction, and recalibration of the GCMS dataset to facilitate similar future work.

Methods. We then reevaluate the methane vertical profile in Titan’s lower atmosphere by applying novel mass spectra data-treatment methods to this dataset.

Results. In addition to finding a slightly lower methane mixing ratio than those previously reported using GCMS measurements above the Huygens probe landing site, our work has revealed several kilometric to subkilometric-scale oscillations in the methane vertical profile below 30 km of altitude.

Conclusions. We discuss several hypotheses that could explain these features, such as multiple layers of optically thin clouds or local convection cells, and strongly encourage the reanalysis of other Huygens datasets to further investigate these variations in the methane mixing ratio.
Decay of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the expanding solar wind: WIND observations
Authors: Verdini Andrea , Hellinger Petr , Landi Simone , Grappin Roland , Montagud-Camps Victor , Papini Emanuele
Published: September 2024

We have studied the decay of turbulence in the solar wind. Fluctuations carried by the expanding wind are naturally damped because of flux conservation, slowing down the development of a turbulent cascade. The latter also damps fluctuations but results in plasma heating. We analyzed time series of the velocity and magnetic field (v and B, respectively) obtained by the WIND spacecraft at 1 au. Fluctuations were recast in terms of the Elsasser variables, z± = v ± B/√4πρ, with ρ being the average density, and their second- and third-order structure functions were used to evaluate the Politano-Pouquet relation, modified to account for the effect of expansion. We find that expansion plays a major role in the Alfvénic stream, those for which z+ ≫ z−. In such a stream, expansion damping and turbulence damping act, respectively, on large and small scales for z+, and also balance each other. Instead, z− is only subject to a weak turbulent damping because expansion is a negligible loss at large scales and a weak source at inertial range scales. These properties are in qualitative agreement with the observed evolution of energy spectra that is described by a double power law separated by a break that sweeps toward lower frequencies for increasing heliocentric distances. However, the data at 1 au indicate that injection by sweeping is not enough to sustain the turbulent cascade. We derived approximate decay laws of energy with distance that suggest possible solutions for the inconsistency: in our analysis, we either overestimated the cascade of z± or missed an additional injection mechanism; for example, velocity shear among streams.
The SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey: X-ray beacons at late cosmic dawn
Authors: Wolf J. , Salvato M. , Belladitta S. , Arcodia R. , Ciroi S. , Di Mille F. , Sbarrato T. , Buchner J. , Hämmerich S. , Wilms J. , Collmar W. , Dwelly T. , Merloni A. , Urrutia T. , Nandra K.
Published: September 2024

Context. The Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG)/extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA) All-Sky Survey (eRASS) is expected to contain ∼100 quasars that emitted their light when the universe was less than a billion years old, that is, at z > 5.6. By selection, these quasars populate the bright end of the active galactic nuclei (AGN) X-ray luminosity function, and their space density offers a powerful demographic diagnostic of the parent super-massive black hole (SMBH) population.

Aims. Of the ⪆400 quasars that have been discovered at z > 5.6 to date, less than 15% have been X-ray detected. We present a pilot survey to uncover the elusive X-ray luminous end of the distant quasar population.

Methods. We have designed a quasar selection pipeline based on optical, infrared and X-ray imaging data from DES DR2, VHS DR5, CatWISE2020 and the eRASS (up to its four-pass cumulative version, eRASS:4). The core selection method relies on SED template fitting. We performed optical follow-up spectroscopy with the Magellan/LDSS3 instrument for the redshift confirmation of a subset of candidates. We have further obtained a deeper X-ray image of one of our candidates with Chandra ACIS-S.

Results. We report the discovery of five new quasars in the redshift range 5.6 < z < 6.1. Two of these quasars are detected in eRASS and are, therefore, X-ray ultra-luminous by selection. We also report the detection of these quasars at radio frequencies. The first one is a broad absorption line quasar, which shows significant, order-of-magnitude X-ray dimming over 3.5 years, corresponding to six months in the quasar rest frame. The second X-ray detected quasar is a jetted source with compact morphology. We show that a blazar configuration is likely for this source, making it one of the most distant blazars known to date.

Conclusions. With our pilot study, we demonstrate the power of eROSITA as a discovery machine for luminous quasars in the epoch of reionization. The X-ray emission of the two eROSITA detected quasars are likely to be driven by different high-energetic emission mechanisms, a diversity which we will further explore in a future systematic full-hemisphere survey.
Emergence of high-mass stars in complex fiber networks (EMERGE)
Authors: Socci A. , Hacar A. , Bonanomi F. , Tafalla M. , Suri S.
Published: September 2024

Context. Despite their variety of scales throughout the interstellar medium, filaments in nearby low-mass clouds appear to have a characteristic width of ∼0.1 pc from the analysis ofHerschelobservations. The validity and origin of this characteristic width, however, has been a matter of intense discussions during the last decade.

Aims. We made use of the EMERGE Early ALMA Survey comprising seven targets among low- (OMC-4 South, NGC 2023), intermediate- (OMC-2, OMC-3, LDN 1641N), and high-mass (OMC-1, Flame Nebula) star-forming regions in Orion, which include different physical conditions, star formation histories, mass, and density regimes. All targets were homogeneously surveyed at high- spatial resolution (4.5″or ∼2000 au) in N2H+(1–0) using a dedicated series of ALMA+IRAM-30m observations, and previous works identified a total of 152 fibers throughout this sample. Here, we aim to characterise the variation in the fiber widths under the different conditions explored by this survey.

Methods. We characterised the column density and temperature radial profiles of fibers using the automatic fitting routine FilChap, and systematically quantified its main physical properties (i.e. peak column density, width, and temperature gradient).

Results. The Orion fibers show a departure from the isothermal condition with significant outward temperature gradients with ∇TK> 30 K pc−1. The presence of such temperature gradients suggests a change in the equation of state for fibers. By fitting their radial profiles, we report a median full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼0.05 pc for the Orion fibers, with a corresponding median aspect ratio of ∼2. Along with their median, theFWHMvalues for individual cuts are consistently below the proposed characteristic width of 0.1 pc. More relevantly, we observe a systematic variation in these fiberFWHMbetween different regions in our sample. We also find a direct inverse dependence of the fiberFWHMon their central column density,N0, above ≳1022cm−2, which agrees with the expectedN0−FWHManti-correlation predicted in previous theoretical studies.

Conclusions. Our homogeneous analysis returns the first observational evidence of an intrinsic and systematic variation in the fiber widths across different star-forming regions. While sharing comparable mass, length, and kinematic properties in all of our targets, fibers appear to adjust theirFWHMto their density and to the pressure in their host environment.
The Three Hundred: The existence of massive dark matter-deficient satellite galaxies in cosmological simulations
Authors: Contreras-Santos A. , Buitrago F. , Knebe A. , Rasia E. , Pearce F. R. , Cui W. , Power C. , Winstanley J.
Published: September 2024

The observation of a massive galaxy with an extremely low dark matter content (i.e. NGC 1277) has posed questions about how such objects form and evolve in a hierarchical universe. We here report on the finding of several massive, dark matter-deficient galaxies in a set of 324 galaxy clusters theoretically modelled by means of full-physics hydrodynamical simulations. We first focus on two example galaxies selected amongst the most massive and dark matter-deficient ones. By tracing the evolution of these galaxies, we find that their lack of dark matter is a result of multiple pericentre passages. While orbiting their host halo, tidal interactions gradually strip away dark matter while preserving the stellar component. A statistical analysis of all massive satellite galaxies in the simulated clusters shows that the stellar-to-total mass ratio today is strongly influenced by the number of orbits and the distance at pericentres. Galaxies with more orbits and closer pericentres are more dark matter-deficient. Additionally, we find that massive, dark matter-deficient galaxies at the present day are either the remnants of very massive galaxies at infall or former central galaxies of infalling groups. We conclude that such massive yet dark matter-deficient galaxies exist and are natural by-products of typical cluster galaxy evolution, with no specific requirement for an exotic formation scenario.
Time-inconsistent linear quadratic optimal control problem for forward–backward stochastic differential equations
Authors: Lü Qi , Ma Bowen
Published: September 2024

We study the time-inconsistent linear quadratic optimal control problem for forward–backward stochastic differential equations with potentially indefinite cost weighting matrices for both the state and the control variables. Our research makes two contributions. Firstly, we introduce a novel type of Riccati equation system with parameters and constraint conditions, known as the generalized equilibrium Riccati equation. This equation system offers a comprehensive solution for the closedloop equilibrium strategy of the problem at hand. Secondly, we establish the well-posedness of the generalized equilibrium Riccati equation for the one-dimensional case, provided certain conditions are met.
Analyse comparée des dynamiques forestières dans deux vallées du Haut Atlas central (Maroc). Retour sur le vieux débat « population-marché-institutions »
Authors: Auclair Laurent , Aubert Pierre-Marie
Published: September 2024

L’analyse diachronique de documents aériens met en évidence des dynamiques forestières fort différentes dans deux vallées voisines du Haut Atlas central marocain (Aït Bou Guemez et Aït Bou Oulli) au cours de la seconde moitié du XXe siècle. Comment interpréter de telles différences dans ces vallées placées dans le même contexte montagnard et bioclimatique ? Trois séries chronologiques de données sont examinées dans le cadre d’une analyse synchronique et diachronique du système socioécologique : 1) la croissance démographique ; 2) l’accès au marché et la transformation des systèmes de production familiaux ; 3) le rôle tenu par les institutions gestionnaires de la forêt : institutions communautaires locales (agdals) et institution nationale (Service forestier). La pertinence de l’approche comparative repose sur des différences significatives entre les vallées : disponibilité des ressources forestières, accès au marché et processus de développement, fonctionnement des institutions gestionnaires. En conclusion, nous soulignons deux éléments pour la réorientation de la stratégie forestière du Maroc dans les régions de montagne : 1) la reconnaissance des capacités gestionnaires des communautés locales ; 2) la mise en place de dispositifs de médiation efficients dans les forêts ravagées par les conflits intercommunautaires. En insistant sur la fonction médiatrice et d’arbitrage du service forestier, il devient possible d’envisager une forme de complémentarité entre les deux modes d’intervention.
Notfälle in der Medikamentösen Tumortherapie
Authors: Handke Analena , Hilser Thomas , Bögemann Martin , Schlack Katrin , Grünwald Viktor
Published: September 2024

Hintergrund Immunmodulatorische Therapien gewinnen immer größere Bedeutung in der Uro-Onkologie. Aus diesem Grund werden wir vermutlich immer häufiger mit Nebenwirkungen konfrontiert werden. Hinzu kommt eine immer größere Zahl an Kombinationen mit anderen Wirkmechanismen. Als Folge dieser Therapie können immun-vermittelte Nebenwirkungen auftreten. Diese unterscheiden sich von den Nebenwirkungen einer Chemotherapie und anderen zielgerichteten Therapien und erfordern daher andere Behandlungsstrategien.

Ziel der Arbeit Anhand der aktuellen Literatur werden die Daten zur Graduierung und stadienabhängigen Management dargelegt sowie mit Beispielen aus der Praxis anschaulich dargestellt.

Material und Methoden Literaturrecherche zur Detektion und Therapiemanagement von im Rahmen der immunonkologischen Therapie vermittelten Nebenwirkungen.

Ergebnisse Die behandlungsbezogenen Ereignisse können prinzipiell alle Organsystem betreffen, häufig sehen finden sich Toxizitäten im Bereich der Haut, wie Ausschlag oder Pruritus, Hypo- oder Hyperthyreosen, Arthritiden, Muskelschmerzen und gastrointestinale Symptome. In der Häufigkeit sind die meisten Nebenwirkungen Grad 1 bis 2 zuzuordnen, jedoch auch Grad 3 bis 4 Toxizitäten sind grundsätzlich gut zu therapieren, sofern sie frühzeitig erkannt werden. Seltene Komplikationen wie neurologische Toxizitäten, Pneumonitis oder auch Karditis können bei zu später Diagnose einen fulminanten Verlauf entwickeln.

Diskussion Selbst Notfälle sind gut zu managen, wenn wir die wichtigsten Nebenwirkungen und therapeutischen Optionen kennen. Dabei kommt den immunvermittelten Nebenwirkungen ein besonderer Stellenwert zu, weil sie grundsätzlich jedes Organsystem betreffen können. So lange wir jedoch bei Patienten, die Symptome zeigen, an die Möglichkeit einer Toxizität durch Checkpointinhibitoren denken, sind die meisten Nebenwirkungen gut zu therapieren und daher kontrollierbar.
From Gaps to Solutions: Semi-Structured Interviews to Identify Care Gaps in Breast Cancer Care and How to Solve Them with Digital Solutions
Authors: Pross Therese , Karsten Maria Margarete , Blohmer Jens-Uwe
Published: September 2024

Standardized treatment pathways should make it easier for medical staff and patients to achieve the best possible individual treatment outcome by making sure all relevant information are taken into consideration. The aim of this paper is to identify gaps in care along the treatment pathway through semi-structured patient interviews. Subsequently, it will be discussed if mobile health applications can close these identified gaps in care.

Nine semi-structured interviews of patients with invasive lobular breast cancer were conducted in March 2023 in German at the breast cancer center at Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, which were subsequently transcribed word for word and processed using a thematic analysis approach.

Eight recurring themes are identified in the patient interviews: 1. Limited capacity to absorb information, 2. Discrepancy between information needs and information provision, 3. Need for individual initiative, 4. Uncertainty, 5. not being seen and heard, 6. Patient’s desires and suggestions for improvement, 7. Use of mobile health apps, 8. Support through an app for patients.

The identified gaps in care of breast cancer patients can be largely addressed through the use of digital health solutions after the establishment of regulatory frameworks, thus improving care for patients with early breast cancer.

The interviews were done within a registry for which ethical approval was obtained by the Ethics Committee of Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin EA4/180/17.
Unravelling the Causal Relationship between Endometriosis and the Risk for Developing Venous Thromboembolism: A Pooled Analysis
Authors: De Corte Pauline , Milhoranca Igor , Mechsner Sylvia , Oberg Anna Sara , Kurth Tobias , Heinemann Klaas
Published: September 2024

Objective To investigate the effect of endometriosis on venous thromboembolism (VTE) in oral contraceptive (OC) users. Pooled analysis on a harmonized dataset compromising international patient-centric cohort studies: INAS-VIPOS, INAS-SCORE, and INAS-FOCUS. Eleven European countries, the United States, and Canada. Individuals being newly prescribed an OC with or without an endometriosis and no VTE history.

Methods Detailed information was captured using self-administered questionnaires at baseline and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. Self-reported VTEs were medically validated and reviewed by an independent adjudication committee. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated per 10,000 woman-years. The association of endometriosis on VTE was determined in a time-to-event analysis, calculating crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Results A total of 22,072 women had an endometriosis diagnosis, and 91,056 women did not. Women with endometriosis contributed 78,751 woman-years during which 41 VTE events occurred (IR: 5.2/10,000, 95% CI: 3.7–7.1) compared to 127 VTEs during 310,501 woman-years in women without endometriosis (IR: 4.1/10,000, 95% CI: 3.4–4.9). The hazard ratio of VTE in women with endometriosis was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.24–2.57) using stabilized IPTW controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, education, age at menarche, and family history of VTE. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed similar results.

Conclusion These results highlight the importance of considering endometriosis as a potential factor contributing to VTE in women using OC; however, further research on the relationship between endometriosis and VTE is warranted.
Indian Hand Anthropometry: First Web Space Angle Measurement in A Population of 800 Subjects
Authors: Lad Parag B. , Thatte Mukund R. , Reddy Maryada V. , Ghanghurde Bipin , N. Venkateshwaran , Phadnis Ashish
Published: September 2024

Background The first web space of the hand plays a crucial role in determining the hand's span. Our study aims to examine and quantify the first web space angle in both hands of adult individuals within the Indian population with no upper limb pathologies. The primary objective of this study is to establish normative data. These data will be useful in surgical correction for the first web release, recommending corrective splints, and calculating the percentage of disability in hand function.

Materials and Methods Data from 800 individuals from various regions across India, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years who had no pathology in both upper limbs were collected. A goniometer was used to measure the first web space angle of both hands by keeping the forearm pronated, elbow flexed, and arms adducted. The subjects from different states were divided into various zones.

Results In 800 subjects, the average measurement in the right hand was 97.28 degrees, and in the left hand, 99.76 degrees. In males, the average measurement in the right hand was 97.54 degrees, and in the left hand, it was 99.61 degrees. In females, in the right hand, it was 96.93 degrees, and in the left hand 100 degrees. The result was recorded in subjects from each zone in the country.

Conclusion The large sample size from various parts of the country makes the study more reliable. The technique of measuring the angles was easily reproducible. Our findings provide crucial normative data for clinicians and therapists.
Accessory Axillary Breast Management: Is Primary Skin Excision Necessary?
Authors: Chauhan Neha
Published: September 2024

Axillary breasts are a common entity with a reported incidence of 2 to 6% in women and 1 to 3% in men. They are more common amongst Asians than Caucasians, namely amongst South East Asians and Indians, with the highest incidence amongst Japanese. While modalities like CoolScupting™, Kybella™ injections, and BodyTite™ have been used by surgeons for management of axillary breasts, the most effective treatment for this condition remains surgical management involving a combination of liposuction of the axillary breast with excision of the gland and skin. In the author's experience, primary skin excision always leaves a long visible scar that widens over time, at times leading to contractures and restricted axillary movements even when closure looks tension free on the table. Any skin excess is best dealt with secondarily. The author uses a modified protocol without any primary skin excision in axillary breast management to achieve excellent results with minimal scars.
Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Childhood Wilms Tumors Treated in a Tertiary Cancer Center from North India
Authors: Saha Soumitra , Srinivasan Shyam , Nanda Sambit Swarup , Chowdhury Zachairah , Ranjan Raghwesh , Pal Ankita , Pande Pooja , Mukherji Ashutosh , Kanwar Vikramjit Singh
Published: September 2024

In India and other lower-middle-income countries, the progress in the management of Wilms tumor (WT) has lagged behind when compared to the developed countries. In the current study, we highlight the outcomes of 61 children with WT treated at an oncological center in northern India. Our study found that the patient demographics, including age and gender distribution, closely paralleled other Indian studies. Notably, 24% of patients had distant metastasis at diagnosis. An upfront biopsy was performed in majority of the patient with a remarkable concordance rate of over 90%, with no significant complications associated with the procedure. Our surgical approach, guided by image-defined risk factors, resulted in 84% of patients undergoing delayed surgery after chemotherapy. Notably, the incidence of intraoperative complications, including tumor spill, was minimal. Treatment abandonment and toxic death due to sepsis emerged as significant challenges, affecting 22% and 7% of our patient cohort, respectively. The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival were 70% and 84%, respectively. The age group of 6 to 8 years and stage V disease emerged as adverse factors influencing EFS. In summary, our study highlights the multifaceted nature of WT management in resource-constrained settings with survival rates promising but still lagging behind high-income countries. Addressing challenges such as treatment abandonment and reducing toxic death is imperative to enhance outcomes of WT in India.
Long-Term Effects of Childhood Exposure to War on Domestic Violence
Authors: Ajefu Joseph B. , Casale Daniela
Published: September 2024

This paper highlights the scarring effects of early life exposure to civil war, by examining the impact of exposure to conflict in childhood on the incidence of domestic violence in adulthood among married women. To estimate these effects, we use a difference-in-differences model which exploits variation in exposure to Nigeria’s 30-month-long civil war by year of birth and ethnicity. Our results, based on the 2008 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey, show that women exposed to the war during childhood are more likely to be victims of domestic violence in adulthood compared to those not exposed to the war, with larger effects observed for those exposed at younger ages. Additionally, we explore the mechanisms through which exposure to civil war might affect domestic violence and find some support for both the normalisation of violence and weakened bargaining power hypotheses. Understanding the root causes of domestic violence is important given the high prevalence in developing countries and the deleterious consequences for women and their children.
Achievement of low turn-on voltage in Ga2O3 Schottky and heterojunction hybrid rectifiers using W/Au anode contact
Authors: Chiang Chao-Ching , Li Jian-Sian , Wan Hsiao-Hsuan , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen J.
Published: September 2024

The use of the low work function (4.5 eV) tungsten (W) as a rectifying contact was studied to obtain low on-voltages in W/Ga2O3 Schottky rectifiers and NiO/Ga2O3 heterojunction rectifiers that were simultaneously fabricated on a single wafer. The devices were produced with varying proportions of relative areas and diameters, encompassing a spectrum from pure Schottky Barrier Diode (SBD) to pure Heterojunction Diode (HJD) configurations. The turn-on voltages with W contacts ranged from 0.22 V for pure Schottky rectifiers to 1.50 V for pure HJDs, compared to 0.66 and 1.77 V, respectively, for Ni/Au contacts. The reverse recovery times ranged from 31.2 to 33.5 ns for pure Schottky and heterojunction rectifiers. Switching energy losses for the SBD with W contacts were ∼20% of those for HJDs. The reverse breakdown voltages ranged from 600 V for SBDs to 2400 V for HJDs. These are the lowest reported turn-on voltage values for 600/1200 V-class Ga2O3 rectifiers that extend the range of applications of these devices down to the voltages of interest for electric vehicle charging applications.
The development of a cognitive screening protocol for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples: the Guddi Way screen
Authors: McIntyre Michelle , Cullen Jennifer , Turner Caoilfionn , Bohanna India , Lakhini Ali , Rixon Kylie
Published: September 2024

Background Many Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are exposed to risk factors for cognitive impairment. However, culturally appropriate methods for identifying potential cognitive impairment are lacking. This paper reports on the development of a screen and interview protocol designed to flag possible cognitive impairments and psychosocial disability in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults over the age of 16 years. Methods The Guddi Way screen includes items relating to cognition and mental functions across multiple cognitive domains. The screen is straightforward, brief, and able to be administered by non-clinicians with training. Results Early results suggest the Guddi Way screen is reliable and culturally acceptable, and correctly flags cognitive dysfunction among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. Conclusions The screen shows promise as a culturally appropriate and culturally developed method to identify the possibility of cognitive impairments and psychosocial disability in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. A flag on the Guddi Way screen indicates the need for referral to an experienced neuropsychologist or neuropsychiatrist for further assessment and can also assist in guiding support services.
A neural algorithm for computing bipartite matchings
Authors: Dasgupta Sanjoy , Meirovitch Yaron , Zheng Xingyu , Bush Inle , Lichtman Jeff W. , Navlakha Saket
Published: September 2024

Finding optimal bipartite matchings—e.g., matching medical students to hospitals for residency, items to buyers in an auction, or papers to reviewers for peer review—is a fundamental combinatorial optimization problem. We found a distributed algorithm for computing matchings by studying the development of the neuromuscular circuit. The neuromuscular circuit can be viewed as a bipartite graph formed between motor neurons and muscle fibers. In newborn animals, neurons and fibers are densely connected, but after development, each fiber is typically matched (i.e., connected) to exactly one neuron. We cast this synaptic pruning process as a distributed matching (or assignment) algorithm, where motor neurons “compete” with each other to “win” muscle fibers. We show that this algorithm is simple to implement, theoretically sound, and effective in practice when evaluated on real-world bipartite matching problems. Thus, insights from the development of neural circuits can inform the design of algorithms for fundamental computational problems.
Relative genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inferred from free energy perturbation approaches
Authors: Urwin Derek J. , Tran Elise , Alexandrova Anastassia N.
Published: September 2024

Utilizing molecular dynamics and free energy perturbation, we examine the relative binding affinity of several covalent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon - DNA (PAH-DNA) adducts at the central adenine of NRAS codon-61, a mutational hotspot implicated in cancer risk. Several PAHs classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as probable, possible, or unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity are found to have greater binding affinity than the known carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). van der Waals interactions between the intercalated PAH and neighboring nucleobases, and minimal disruption of the DNA duplex drive increases in binding affinity. PAH-DNA adducts may be repaired by global genomic nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER), hence we also compute relative free energies of complexation of PAH-DNA adducts with RAD4-RAD23 (the yeast ortholog of human XPC-RAD23) which constitutes the recognition step in GG-NER. PAH-DNA adducts exhibiting the greatest DNA binding affinity also exhibit the least RAD4-RAD23 complexation affinity and are thus predicted to resist the GG-NER machinery, contributing to their genotoxic potential. In particular, the fjord region PAHs dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, benzo[g]chrysene, and benzo[c]phenanthrene are found to have greater binding affinity while having weaker RAD4-RAD23 complexation affinity than their respective bay region analogs B[a]P, chrysene, and phenanthrene. We also find that the bay region PAHs dibenzo[a,j]anthracene, dibenzo[a,c]anthracene, and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene exhibit greater binding affinity and weaker RAD4-RAD23 complexation affinity than B[a]P. Thus, the study of PAH genotoxicity likely needs to be substantially broadened, with implications for public policy and the health sciences. This approach can be broadly applied to assess factors contributing to the genotoxicity of other unclassified compounds.
Reversed I
1
Cu
4
single-atom sites for superior neutral ammonia electrosynthesis with nitrate
Authors: Zhou Bing , Tong Yawen , Yao Yancai , Zhang Weixing , Zhan Guangming , Zheng Qian , Hou Wei , Gu Xiang-Kui , Zhang Lizhi
Published: September 2024

Electrochemical ammonia (NH
3
) synthesis from nitrate reduction (NITRR) offers an appealing solution for addressing environmental concerns and the energy crisis. However, most of the developed electrocatalysts reduce NO
3
−
to NH
3
via a hydrogen (H*)-mediated reduction mechanism, which suffers from undesired H*-H* dimerization to H
2
, resulting in unsatisfactory NH
3
yields. Herein, we demonstrate that reversed I
1
Cu
4
single-atom sites, prepared by anchoring iodine single atoms on the Cu surface, realized superior NITRR with a superior ammonia yield rate of 4.36 mg h
−1
cm
−2
and a Faradaic efficiency of 98.5% under neutral conditions via a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism, far beyond those of traditional Cu sites (NH
3
yield rate of 0.082 mg h
−1
cm
−2
and Faradaic efficiency of 36.5%) and most of H*-mediated NITRR electrocatalysts. Theoretical calculations revealed that I single atoms can regulate the local electronic structures of adjacent Cu sites in favor of stronger O-end-bidentate NO
3
−
adsorption with dual electron transfer channels and suppress the H* formation from the H
2
O dissociation, thus switching the NITRR mechanism from H*-mediated reduction to PCET. By integrating the monolithic I
1
Cu
4
single-atom electrode into a flow-through device for continuous NITRR and in situ ammonia recovery, an industrial-level current density of 1 A cm
−2
was achieved along with a NH
3
yield rate of 69.4 mg h
−1
cm
−2
. This study offers reversed single-atom sites for electrochemical ammonia synthesis with nitrate wastewater and sheds light on the importance of switching catalytic mechanisms in improving the performance of electrochemical reactions.
Pronominal address in the linguistic landscape of Hispanic Philadelphia
Authors: Guarin Daniel
Published: September 2024

This study explores pronominal address forms in the linguistic landscape of Hispanic Philadelphia, examining how
Spanish-speaking communities use second-person singular pronouns (tú, usted, vos) in public signage. The research objectives were
to identify which pronouns of address are employed and determine the variables influencing their usage. A corpus of 250 signs was
analyzed across three Hispanic neighborhoods and virtual spaces, considering variables such as location, authorship,
language composition, and speech act. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to assess
the impact of these variables on pronoun choice. The findings reveal that only “tú” and “usted” are present in the linguistic
landscape, with “tú” being slightly more prevalent (55.2%). Language composition (p = 0.035) and
speech act (p < 0.001) significantly influence pronoun selection, while
location and authorship do not. Bilingual signs tend to favor “usted”, whereas monolingual
signs prefer “tú”. Regarding speech acts, requests are more likely to use “usted”, while invitations and
persuasive messages favor “tú”. The study concludes that while there is no evidence of a new speech community emerging, there is a
convergence in pronominal use across diverse Hispanic neighborhoods, suggesting linguistic accommodation in written language.
These findings contribute to our understanding of pronominal treatment in diasporic contexts and highlight the complexity of
address forms in Spanish.
Final report, ongoing key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, ozone at ambient level, comparison with CMS/ITRI, March 2024
Authors: Viallon Joële , Idrees Faraz , Moussay Philippe , Wielgosz Robert , Norris Jim , Trask Peter , Chen Shih-Fang , Feng Yun
Published: September 2024

Main text

As part of the ongoing key comparison BIPM.QM-K1, a comparison has been performed between the ozone standard of Chinese Taipei maintained by the Industrial Technology Research Institute/Center for Measurement Standards (CMS/ITRI) and the common reference standard of the key comparison, maintained by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM). The instruments have been compared over a nominal ozone amount fraction range of 0 nmol mol−1 to 500 nmol mol−1.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Characterization of bulk trap density using fully I–V-based optoelectronic differential ideality factor in multi-layer MoS2 FETs
Authors: Kim Soyeon , Yoo Jaewook , Park Seohyeon , Lee Hongseung , Song Hyeonjun , Lim Seongbin , Park Minah , Kim Choong-Ki , Kim TaeWan , Kim Bongjoong , Bae Hagyoul
Published: September 2024

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has excellent optoelectronic properties, chemical stability, and a two-dimensional (2D) structure, making MoS2 a very versatile field-effect device material. Herein, we characterize MoS2 and utilize a photo-responsive I–V technique for extracting the energy distribution of the bulk traps in multi-layer MoS2 field effect transistors (FET). This method uses the differential ideality factor in both dark and light conditions. The differential ideality factor enables the efficient quantitative extraction of the device trap density by considering the nonlinear characteristics of the subthreshold region (V
ON < V
GS < V
T). To accurately differentiate between the sub-bandgap traps and the interface traps near the conduction band, near-infrared light (λ= 1530 nm) optical illumination was used for the light state characterization. The bulk trap densities under dark state and light state conditions were derived for multi-layer (7-layer and 9-layer) MoS2 FET channels, and the influence of light illumination and overall multi-layer thickness on the bulk trap density was confirmed. The accurate extraction of the trap density enables the design of MoS2 FETs with long-term stability and high optoelectronic performance.
Anisotropic vanadium dioxide-based metasurfaces for polarization-multiplexed holograms in the terahertz region
Authors: Cao Sicheng , Chen Zhenxuan , Zhang Runxuan , Tang Chaoxian , Chen Zijun , Nie Ruixing , Zhao Feng , Huang Shenyi , Song Zhengyong
Published: September 2024

Holography plays a significant role in optical research and has been utilized in numerous applications. Metasurface holograms are attracting more and more attention with the advancement of their efficient wavefront reshaping. However, the realization of multi-channel holograms and dynamic switching of them still remain challenging in the terahertz band. In this paper, anisotropic vanadium dioxide (VO2) metasurfaces are used to realize four-channel holograms at 1.5 THz. It is assembled by a set of VO2 meta-atoms with independent phase control for different channels. Depending on the polarization of incident wave and the state of VO2, four channels are independently selected. After optimization to eliminate crosstalk between top and bottom layers, two holograms are projected under x- and y-polarized incidences when VO2 is metallic. Similarly, two additional holograms are achieved as VO2 is insulating. As a novel solution to terahertz multi-channel holography, this work may be applied to compact optical system and high-volume optical encryption.
Multi-level Surfel Map Construction for Accurate Localization in Intelligent Vehicles
Authors: Li Yicheng , Ke ChangJing , Cai Yingfeng , Wang Hai
Published: September 2024

The role of mapping in achieving accurate localization in intelligent vehicles is crucial. Accurate maps enable intelligent vehicles to attain accuracy in localization and path planning, ultimately enhancing the safety and overall driving experience. However, the interference of dynamic objects poses a challenge to map updates and subsequent localization. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel algorithm for constructing multi-level semantic surfel maps, along with a corresponding hierarchical localization method. The proposed method divides the map into three levels: semantic level, surfel level, and trajectory level. During the map construction phase, we utilize semantic segmentation technology to accurately distinguish between static and dynamic environments, filter out dynamic point clouds, and focus solely on modeling static scenes. This effectively eliminates the interference of dynamic objects on map updates, ensuring the construction of a precise and reliable static environment model. In the subsequent hierarchical localization phase, a node-level localization method is introduced, which achieves coarse localization by matching perception information with the map.The results of experiments conducted in various scenarios indicate an average absolute trajectory error of 4cm between the transformation matrices of each node in the map. Our algorithm achieves a 92% success rate in node-level localization and an average pose-level localization error of 8.2cm, demonstrating the feasibility and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
Self-calibratable absolute modular rotary encoder: a theoretical feasibility study
Authors: Gurauskis Donatas , Mažeika Dalius , Kilikevičius Artūras
Published: September 2024

This paper introduces a self-calibratable absolute modular rotary encoder based on the equal division average method, designed to significantly enhance measurement accuracy and simplify installation. The proposed design integrates multiple optical sensors into the encoder stator Printed circuit board, enabling precise absolute position measurement through the averaging of sensors data. This multi-sensor approach compensates for alignment and installation inaccuracies, which are common issues in conventional modular encoders. To validate the design and predict encoder behaviour prior to manufacturing, a theoretical modelling of virtual optical sensors is performed. Based on experimentally collected cross-calibration data from a real optical encoder, this modelling framework enables to estimate the efficiency of self-calibration algorithm with sufficient accuracy and optimize the design and performance of the encoder. The obtained results confirm that the proposed measurement system significantly reduces error margin, improving the reliability and precision of position feedback. The initial position deviation of several hundreds of arcseconds might be reduced and kept below 8 arcseconds by using two or more additional optical sensors, even with the 0.5 mm misalignment of the encoder stator.
Dynamic modeling and vibration analysis for motorized spindle with uncertainties
Authors: Feng Wei , Shang Long , Liu Baoguo , Zhang Yun , Zhang Yao , Yang Huaiwen , Li Dongya
Published: September 2024

Uncertainties inevitably exist in motorized spindle and it is difficult to accurately describe its dynamics based on a deterministic model. In this paper, a dynamic model of motorized spindle with uncertainty is proposed. The deterministic dynamic model of the motorized spindle rotor system is built by the finite element method, and the uncertainties are constructed by the polynomial chaos expansion method. The impact of each uncertainty parameter on the critical speed of the system is investigated by adopting the Sobol global sensitivity analysis method. The effects of uncertainties including the bearing stiffness, the material Young’s modulus, the disc mass and the unbalanced excitation on the vibration response of motorized spindle are analyzed. The modal experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the model. The results show that the uncertainties have a great influence on the vibration characteristics of the motorized spindle, in which the bearing stiffness mainly affects the high-order frequency response of the system, while the Young’s modulus affects all the order frequency response of the system. The influence of hybrid uncertainties on the frequency response of the system is more complex. This study provides a guidance to the design of motorized spindle.
A deep learning GNSS spoofing and jamming detection method with dual-frequency C/N0 heatmap
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Yang Jingjing , Huang Ming
Published: September 2024

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is vulnerable to interference due to the open signal structure and low signal strength, posing a significant threat to the billions of terminals worldwide that rely on GNSS receivers for precise positioning, navigation, and timing services. In this paper, we propose a cloud-edge framwork for GNSS spoofing and jamming monitoring, comprising the data acquisition module, GNSS monitoring module, detecting and reporting module. In this framwork, we design a deep learning (DL) method for detecting GNSS interference through Dual-frequency Carrier-to-Noise density ratio (C/N0
) heatmaps (DD-C/N0). This method involves extracting and correlating features from C/N0 heatmaps of visible navigation satellites operating in the GPS L1 and L2 frequency bands, allowing the identification of anomalous patterns. A U-BLOX receiver was utilized to capture the GNSS satellite signals, while commercial jammers and Software-defined radio (SDR) HackRF One kits were employed to simulate the interference sources. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves significantly higher performance, with an accuracy of 99% and 98% on the public dataset and real-time testing data, compared to unsupervised, semi-supervised, and supervised detectors that rely solely on single-channel data (L1 frequency band). Integrated with the DD-C/N0 method, the online GNSS monitoring system will be improved and deployed to automate spoofing and jamming detection tasks in the next step.
Design of hybrid optimized PI controller for power conditioning circuit of piezoelectric energy harvester
Authors: Thulasi V , Lakshmi P , Sangeetha S
Published: September 2024

Piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) are vital in the present day to encourage advancing technology through producing sustainable energy and dealing with economic and ecological issues associated with batteries. The required stable energy production from the PEH is challenging due to its erratic behaviour with input. As such, a power conditioning circuit with an optimized controller is proposed in this paper. The proportional integral (PI) controller is utilized to control the boost converter of the PEH system. The conventional approach of selecting the controller parameters, such as proportional gain (KP
) and integral gain (Ki
), fails to produce optimal outcomes and is time-consuming. Metaheuristic optimization techniques such as Aquila Optimization, African Vulture’s Optimization Algorithm (AVOA) and Hybrid Aquila Optimizer-based AVOA (HAOAVOA) are used to optimize the controller parameter. The different stages of the PEH system (rectifier, boost converter without controller, boost converter with un-optimized controller and boost converter with optimized controller) are simulated and analysed using MATLAB-SIMULINK®software. An experimental study is executed to validate the performance of the PEH system with optimized controller. The experimentally obtained response is compared with the simulation results. In which the HAOAVOA optimized PI controller gives the better response. Furthermore, the power conditioning circuit with a hybrid optimized controller produces an output of 12 V for the input of 6 V.