bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Haptic shared control improves neural efficiency during myoelectric prosthesis use
Authors: Thomas Neha , Miller Alexandra J. , Ayaz Hasan , Brown Jeremy D.
Published: January 2023

Clinical myoelectric prostheses lack the sensory feedback and sufficient dexterity required to complete activities of daily living efficiently and accurately. Providing haptic feedback of relevant environmental cues to the user or imbuing the prosthesis with autonomous control authority have been separately shown to improve prosthesis utility. Few studies, however, have investigated the effect of combining these two approaches in a shared control paradigm, and none have evaluated such an approach from the perspective of neural efficiency (the relationship between task performance and mental effort measured directly from the brain). In this work, we analyzed the neural efficiency of 30 non-amputee participants in a grasp-and-lift task of a brittle object. Here, a myoelectric prosthesis featuring vibrotactile feedback of grip force and autonomous control of grasping was compared with a standard myoelectric prosthesis with and without vibrotactile feedback. As a measure of mental effort, we captured the prefrontal cortex activity changes using functional near infrared spectroscopy during the experiment. It was expected that the prosthesis with haptic shared control would improve both task performance and mental effort compared to the standard prosthesis. Results showed that only the haptic shared control system enabled users to achieve high neural efficiency, and that vibrotactile feedback was important for grasping with the appropriate grip force. These results indicate that the haptic shared control system synergistically combines the benefits of haptic feedback and autonomous controllers, and is well-poised to inform such hybrid advancements in myoelectric prosthesis technology.
Magnetic field and nuclear spin influence on the DNA synthesis rate
Authors: Stovbun Sergey V. , Zlenko Dmitry V. , Bukhvostov Alexander A. , Vedenkin Alexander S. , Skoblin Alexey A. , Kuznetsov Dmitry A. , Buchachenko Anatoly L.
Published: January 2023

The rate of a chemical reaction can be sensitive to the isotope composition of the reactants, which provides also for the sensitivity of such “spin-sensitive” reactions to the external magnetic field. Here we demonstrate the effect of the external magnetic field on the enzymatic DNA synthesis together with the effect of the spin-bearing magnesium ions ($$^{25}$$

25

Mg). The rate of DNA synthesis monotonously decreased with the external magnetic field induction increasing in presence of zero-spin magnesium ions ($$^{24}$$

24

Mg). On the contrary, in the presence of the spin-bearing magnesium ions, the dependence of the reaction rate on the magnetic field induction was non-monotonous and possess a distinct minimum at 80–100 mT. To describe the observed effect, we suggested a chemical scheme and biophysical mechanism considering a competition between Zeeman and Fermi interactions in the external magnetic field.
The role of Nd3+ concentration in the modulation of the thermometric performance of Stokes/anti-Stokes luminescence thermometer in NaYF4:Nd3+
Authors: Maciejewska K. , Marciniak L.
Published: January 2023

The growing popularity of luminescence thermometry observed in recent years is related to the high application potential of this technique. However, in order to use such materials in a real application, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the processes responsible for thermal changes in the shape of the emission spectrum of luminophores. In this work, we explain how the concentration of Nd3+ dopant ions affects the change in the thermometric parameters of a thermometer based on the ratio of Stokes (4F3/2 → 4I9/2) to anti-Stokes (4F7/2,4S3/2 → 4I9/2) emission intensities in NaYF4:Nd3+. It is shown that the spectral broadening of the 4I9/2 → 4F5/2, 2H9/2 absorption band observed for higher dopant ion concentrations enables the modulation of the relative sensitivity, usable temperature range, and uncertainty of temperature determination of such a luminescent thermometer.
The importance of contrast features in rat vision
Authors: Schnell Anna Elisabeth , Vinken Kasper , de Beeck Hans Op
Published: January 2023

Models of object recognition have mostly focused upon the hierarchical processing of objects from local edges up to more complex shape features. An alternative strategy that might be involved in pattern recognition centres around coarse-level contrast features. In humans and monkeys, the use of such features is most documented in the domain of face perception. Given prior suggestions that, generally, rodents might rely upon contrast features for object recognition, we hypothesized that they would pick up the typical contrast features relevant for face detection. We trained rats in a face-nonface categorization task with stimuli previously used in computer vision and tested for generalization with new, unseen stimuli by including manipulations of the presence and strength of a range of contrast features previously identified to be relevant for face detection. Although overall generalization performance was low, it was significantly modulated by contrast features. A model taking into account the summed strength of contrast features predicted the variation in accuracy across stimuli. Finally, with deep neural networks, we further investigated and quantified the performance and representations of the animals. The findings suggest that rat behaviour in visual pattern recognition tasks is partially explained by contrast feature processing.
Modulation of trigeminal neuropathic pain by optogenetic inhibition of posterior hypothalamus in CCI-ION rat
Authors: Islam Jaisan , KC Elina , So Kyoung Ha , Kim Soochong , Kim Hyong Kyu , Park Yoon Young , Park Young Seok
Published: January 2023

Posterior hypothalamus (PH), an important part of the descending pain processing pathway, has been found to be activated in trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. However, there are very few studies conducted and information regarding its implications in trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP). Therefore, we aimed to ascertain whether optogenetic inhibition of PH could affect the outcomes of a chronic constriction injury in the infraorbital nerve (CCI-ION) rat model. Animals were divided into the TNP animal, sham, and naive-control groups. CCI-ION surgery was performed to mimic TNP symptoms, and the optogenetic or null virus was injected into the ipsilateral PH. In vivo single-unit extracellular recordings were obtained from both the ipsilateral ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and contralateral ventral posteromedial (VPM) thalamus in stimulation “OFF” and “ON” conditions. Alterations in behavioral responses during the stimulation-OFF and stimulation-ON states were examined. We observed that optogenetic inhibition of the PH considerably improved behavioral responses in TNP animals. We found increased and decreased firing activity in the vlPAG and VPM thalamus, respectively, during optogenetic inhibition of the PH. Inhibiting PH attenuates trigeminal pain signal transmission by modulating the vlPAG and trigeminal nucleus caudalis, thereby providing evidence of the therapeutic potential of PH in TNP management.
Development of serum-free and grain-derived-nutrient-free medium using microalga-derived nutrients and mammalian cell-secreted growth factors for sustainable cultured meat production
Authors: Yamanaka Kumiko , Haraguchi Yuji , Takahashi Hironobu , Kawashima Ikko , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: January 2023

Considering the amount of global resources and energy consumed, and animal welfare issues associated with traditional meat production, cultured meat production has been proposed as a solution to these problems and is attracting worldwide attention. Cultured meat is produced by culturing/proliferating animal muscle cells in vitro. This process requires significant amounts of culture medium, which accounts to a major portion of the production cost. Furthermore, it is composed of nutrients derived from grains and heterotrophic microorganisms and fetal bovine serum (FBS), which will impact the sustainability of cultured meat in future. Here, we developed a novel medium containing nutrients extracted from microalga and cell-secreted growth factors. First, rat liver epithelial RL34 cells were cultured by adding Chlorella vulgaris extract (CVE) to inorganic salt solution. The supernatant, containing the RL34 cell-secreted growth factors, was used as the conditioned medium (CM). This CM, with CVE added as a nutrient source, was applied to primary bovine myoblast cultures. This serum-free and grain-derived-nutrient-free medium promoted the proliferation of bovine myoblasts, the main cell source for cultured beef. Our findings will allow us to take a major step toward reducing production costs and environmental impacts, leading to an expansion of the cultured meat market.
Exploring the potential of intranasally administered naturally occurring quercetin loaded into polymeric nanocapsules as a novel platform for the treatment of anxiety
Authors: Mahmoud Khaled Y. , Elhesaisy Nahla A. , Rashed Abdelrahman R. , Mikhael Ebram S. , Fadl Mahmoud I. , Elsadek Mahmoud S. , Mohamed Merna A. , Mostafa Merna A. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Halema Omar M. , Elnemer Youssef H. , Swidan Shady A.
Published: January 2023

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent forms of psychopathology that affects millions worldwide. It gained more importance under the pandemic status that resulted in higher anxiety prevalence. Anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepines have an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio resulting in a shift toward active ingredients with better safety profile such as the naturally occurring quercetin (QRC). The delivery of QRC is hampered by its low water solubility and low bioavailability. The potential to enhance QRC delivery to the brain utilizing polymeric nanocapsules administered intranasally is investigated in the current study. Polymeric nanocapsules were prepared utilizing the nanoprecipitation technique. The best formula displayed a particle size of 227.8 ± 11.9 nm, polydispersity index of 0.466 ± 0.023, zeta potential of − 17.5 ± 0.01 mV, and encapsulation efficiency % of 92.5 ± 1.9%. In vitro release of QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules exhibited a biphasic release with an initial burst release followed by a sustained release pattern. Behavioral testing demonstrated the superiority of QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules administered intranasally compared to QRC dispersion administered both orally and intranasally. The prepared QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules also demonstrated good safety profile with high tolerability.
Atypical influence of biomechanical knowledge in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome-towards a different perspective on body representation
Authors: Filbrich L. , Verfaille C. , Vannuscorps G. , Berquin A. , Barbier O. , Libouton X. , Fraselle V. , Mouraux D. , Legrain V.
Published: January 2023

Part of the multifaceted pathophysiology of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is ascribed to lateralized maladaptive neuroplasticity in sensorimotor cortices, corroborated by behavioral studies indicating that patients present difficulties in mentally representing their painful limb. Such difficulties are widely measured with hand laterality judgment tasks (HLT), which are also used in the rehabilitation of CRPS to activate motor imagery and restore the cortical representation of the painful limb. The potential of these tasks to elicit motor imagery is critical to their use in therapy, yet, the influence of the body’s biomechanical constraints (BMC) on HLT reaction time, supposed to index motor imagery activation, is rarely verified. Here we investigated the influence of BMC on the perception of hand postures and movements in upper-limb CRPS. Patients were slower than controls in judging hand laterality, whether or not stimuli corresponded to their painful hand. Reaction time patterns reflecting BMC were mostly absent in CRPS and controls. A second experiment therefore directly investigated the influence of implicit knowledge of BMC on hand movement judgments. Participants judged the perceived path of movement between two depicted hand positions, with only one of two proposed paths that was biomechanically plausible. While the controls mostly chose the biomechanically plausible path, patients did not. These findings show non-lateralized body representation impairments in CRPS, possibly related to difficulties in using correct knowledge of the body’s biomechanics. Importantly, they demonstrate the challenge of reliably measuring motor imagery with the HLT, which has important implications for the rehabilitation with these tasks.
Angiotensin II type 1a receptor deficiency alleviates muscle atrophy after denervation
Authors: Takayama Suguru , Inoue Kazuho , Ogura Yuji , Hoshino Seiko , Sugaya Takeshi , Ohata Keiichi , Kotake Hitoshi , Ichikawa Daisuke , Watanabe Minoru , Kimura Kenjiro , Shibagaki Yugo , Kamijo-Ikemori Atsuko
Published: January 2023

The study aim was to determine if suppressed activation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1) prevents severe muscle atrophy after denervation. The sciatic nerves in right and left inferior limbs were cut in AT1a knockout homo (AT1a−/−) male mice and wild-type (AT1a+/+) male mice. Muscle weight and cross-sectional areas of type IIb muscle fibers in gastrocnemius muscle decreased at 7 and 21 days postdenervation in both AT1a−/− mice and AT1a+/+ mice, and the reduction was significantly attenuated in the denervated muscles of AT1a−/− mice compared to the AT1a+/+ mice. Gene expressions in the protein degradation system [two E3 ubiquitin ligases (muscle RING-finger protein-1 and Atrogin-1)] upregulated at 7 days postdenervation in all denervated mice were significantly lower in AT1a−/− mice than in AT1a+/+ mice. Activations of nuclear factor κB and Forkhead box subgroup O1, and protein expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were significantly suppressed in the AT1a−/− mice compared with those in the AT1a+/+ mice. In addition, suppressed apoptosis, lower infiltration of M1 macrophages, and higher infiltration of M2 macrophages were significantly observed at 21 days postdenervation in the AT1a−/− mice compared with those in the AT1a+/+ mice. In conclusion, the AT1 receptor deficiency retarded muscle atrophy after denervation.
Restricted-magnesium-vapor-reduction of amorphous SiO/C precursors to polycrystalline Si/SiOx/C hybrid anodes
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhang Fan , Zhu Wenqiang , Xi Xiaoming , Yang Lezhi , Tu Feiyue , Feng Qingge , Li Tingting , Yang Yahui , Yang Lishan
Published: January 2023

A method that combines disproportionation and magnesium-vapor-reduction in one step, which is different from traditional magnesium thermal reduction, was designed for synthesizing advanced silicon-based anode materials.
Influence of heat transfer and wetting angle on condensable fluid flow through nanoporous anodic alumina membranes
Authors: Loimer Thomas , Podgolin Stepan K. , Sodagar-Abardeh Javad , Petukhov Dmitrii I. , Eliseev Andrei A.
Published: January 2023

The flow of isobutane and of freon 142b (1-chloro-1,1-difluoro-ethane) through anodic alumina membranes with pore diameters between 18 and 60 nm in a capillary condensation regime is experimentally and theoretically explored.
A trifunctional N-doped activated carbon–ceria shell, derived from covalent porphyrin polymers for promoting Pt activity in fuel cell cathode performance
Authors: Modak Arindam , Velayudham Parthiban , Bendikov Tatyana , Mohan Roopathy , Schechter Alex
Published: January 2023

Covalent porous porphyrin-derived N-doped hollow carbon-containing ceria as an excellent support for Pt dispersion, improving durability and activity in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell applications.
Catalytic activation via π-backbonding in halogen bonds
Authors: Wang Andrew , Kennepohl Pierre
Published: January 2023

Halogen bonding (XB) could help lower the activation barrier of reactions through nucleophilic modulation, a technique rarely explored previously but demonstrated here by this proof-of-concept study.
Examining iron complexes with organic ligands by laboratory XAFS
Authors: Motz Damian , Praetz Sebastian , Schlesiger Christopher , Henniges Jonathan , Böttcher Florian , Hesse Bernhard , Castillo-Michel Hiram , Mijatz Steven , Malzer Wolfgang , Kanngießer Birgit , Vogt Carla
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the application of laboratory X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy (XAFS) in the field of iron coordination chemistry, especially for compounds with larger organic ligands and usually low contents of the metal.
Fluidics for energy harvesting: from nano to milli scales
Authors: Wu Nan , Brahmi Youcef , Colin Annie
Published: January 2023

This review summarizes recent works of water-based energy harvesting systems of triboelectric energy and osmotic energy with operation scales ranging from miniature systems to large scale attempts.
Ionovoltaic electricity generation over graphene-nanoplatelets: protein-nanofibril hybrid materials
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Lianlian , Solin Niclas
Published: January 2023

Devices with an active layer made from protein nanofibrils, graphite nanoplatelets and salts can harvest electricity from evaporating water.
Time-dependent exfoliation study of MoS2 for its use as a cathode material in high-performance hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Priya Surbhi , Mandal Debabrata , Chowdhury Ananya , Kansal Sakshi , Chandra Amreesh
Published: January 2023

Quick and precise exfoliation of bulk molybdenum sulphide into few layers can bring a quantum leap in the electrochemical performance of this material.
Polyoxometalate-immobilized carbon nanotube constructs triggered by host–guest assembly result in excellent electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Malakar Amit , Mandal Samir , Sen Gupta Ria , Islam Sk Safikul , Manna Kunal , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: January 2023

Copper-based polyoxometalate-immobilized freestanding carbon nanotube constructs exhibit exponential increase in EMI shielding with conductivity triggered through the host–guest electrostatic assembly between POMs and CNT.
Non-directed C–H arylation of electron-deficient arenes by synergistic silver and Pd3 cluster catalysis
Authors: Yao Jian , Bai Jiahui , Kang Xi , Zhu Manzhou , Guo Yinlong , Wang Xiaoming
Published: January 2023

A new approach for the challenging C–H arylation of simple arenes using synergistic silver and a robust cationic Pd3 cluster catalyst is disclosed. The Pd3 core most likely remains intact with Pd3Ar species as the key intermediate.
Effective carrier-free gene-silencing activity of sphingosine-modified siRNAs
Authors: Fernandez Charlene , Giorgees Ifrodet , Goss Eva , Desaulniers Jean-Paul
Published: January 2023

Triazole-derivatized sphingosine-labelled siRNAs were generated from d-sphingosine and these siRNAs display effective gene-silencing in the absence of a transfection carrier.
CO2 free production of ethylene oxide via liquid phase epoxidation of ethylene using niobium oxide incorporated mesoporous silica material as the catalyst
Authors: Maqbool Muhammad , Akhter Toheed , Faheem Muhammad , Nadeem Sohail , Park Chan Ho , Mahmood Asif
Published: January 2023

Ethylene Oxide (EO) is an essential raw material used in various consumer products like different glycol derivatives, ethoxylates, and polymers.
Dual ligand approach increases functional group tolerance in the Pd-catalysed C–H arylation of N-heterocyclic pharmaceuticals
Authors: Beckers Igor , Bugaev Aram , De Vos Dirk
Published: January 2023

Ligand combination of a 2-pyridone with traditional phosphines enables superior functional group tolerance in the C–H (hetero)arylation of pharmaceutically relevant N-heterocyclic scaffolds.
AlphaFold accelerates artificial intelligence powered drug discovery: efficient discovery of a novel CDK20 small molecule inhibitor
Authors: Ren Feng , Ding Xiao , Zheng Min , Korzinkin Mikhail , Cai Xin , Zhu Wei , Mantsyzov Alexey , Aliper Alex , Aladinskiy Vladimir , Cao Zhongying , Kong Shanshan , Long Xi , Man Liu Bonnie Hei , Liu Yingtao , Naumov Vladimir , Shneyderman Anastasia , Ozerov Ivan V. , Wang Ju , Pun Frank W. , Polykovskiy Daniil A. , Sun Chong , Levitt Michael , Aspuru-Guzik Alán , Zhavoronkov Alex
Published: January 2023

A novel CDK20 small molecule inhibitor discovered by artificial intelligence based on an AlphaFold-predicted structure demonstrates the first application of AlphaFold in hit identification for efficient drug discovery.
Removal of hemolysis interference in serum Raman spectroscopy by multivariate curve resolution analysis for accurate classification of oral cancers
Authors: Anjikar Ajinkya , Jadhav Priyanka , Hole Arti , Paneerselvam Rajapandian , Ingle Arvind , Yamamoto Tatsuyuki , Noothalapati Hemanth , C. Murali Krishna
Published: January 2023

Removing hemolysis components in serum by MCR-ALS assisted Raman spectroscopy. Disease specific information in serum preserved after MCR-ALS analysis. Digital removal of undesirable components in Raman spectra improves oral cancer diagnosis.
Supported rhenium catalysts for the hydrogenation of levulinic acid derivatives: limits and potential
Authors: Bacchiocchi Riccardo , De Maron Jacopo , Tabanelli Tommaso , Bianchi Daniele , Cavani Fabrizio
Published: January 2023

Levulinic acid derivatives, such as alkyl levulinates, are suitable starting reactants for the production of fuel components, namely γ-valerolactone (GVL), alkyl valerates, pentanol, and pentylvalerate (PV).
Stabilizing lattice oxygen and interface chemistry of Ni-rich and Co-poor cathodes for high-energy lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wei Wu , Wang Zhihong , Yao Liyun , Jiang Hao , Li Chunzhong
Published: January 2023

We have developed a CeO2−x-coated quaternary Ni-rich and Co-poor cathode to eliminate lattice oxygen emission and stabilize interface chemistry, enabling the long cycling and fast Li-ion diffusion of LIBs.
Semi-quantitative determination of active sites in heterogeneous catalysts for photo/electrocatalysis
Authors: Ren Jing , Chi Haoyuan , Tan Ling , Peng Yung-Kang , Li Guangchao , Meng-Jung Li Molly , Zhao Yufei , Duan Xue
Published: January 2023

This review focuses on exploring the defect active sites by determining the location and type and semi-quantitative calculation of defect concentrations by a variety of representational methods.
Multifunctional tunable ZnFe2O4@MnFe2O4 nanoparticles for dual-mode MRI and combined magnetic hyperthermia with radiotherapy treatment
Authors: Shabalkin Ilia D. , Komlev Alexey S. , Tsymbal Sergey A. , Burmistrov Oleg I. , Zverev Vladimir I. , Krivoshapkin Pavel V.
Published: January 2023

We have developed a new core@shell composition system ZnFe2O4@MnFe2O4 for the full cycle of cancer treatment. During the study, the effect of the influence of particles on MRI diagnostics, radiotherapy and magnetic hyperthermia was evaluated.
Near-infrared emission of a novel nonconventional luminophore for in vitro imaging
Authors: Zhang Qinbin , Huang Chuan , Huang Shilu , Xie Haijiao , Huang Qing , Guo Mingming
Published: January 2023

Luminogens without recognizable luminophores are attracting increasing attention owing to their particular photophysical properties and outstanding biocompatibility features.
Flower-like 1T/2H-MoS2@α-Fe2O3 with enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption capabilities in the low frequency range
Authors: Wu Mei , Wang Hongchang , Liang Xiaohui , Wang Dunhui
Published: January 2023

In this work, we designed the flower-like structure of 1T/2H-MoS2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites with high-efficiency microwave absorption, in which the α-Fe2O3 microdrums are attached to the surface of 1T/2H-MoS2 constituting flower-like morphology.
A simplified space vector pulse width modulation method for a three‐level four‐leg inverter considering the neutral point potential balance
Authors: Zhang Zhi , Chen Haohui , Li Yiyun , Chen Sizhe , Liu Chang , Zhang Zhaoyun
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a simple three‐dimensional space vector modulation method in ghγ coordinates for a three‐level four‐leg neutral‐point‐clamped inverter. The idea uses redundant vectors as centre points to establish two‐level space vector diagrams simplifying the original space, the first sector of which is designated as subspaces, where a modulation process is implemented. The duty cycle and all possible switching sequences in a tetrahedron can be calculated automatically without manual storage and can avoid a full‐scale search process. Additionally, the neutral point potential can be balanced by three types of charge through cancellation. Such features enable the inverter to demonstrate good performance under closed‐loop control. Moreover, the proposed method can be applied to a multilevel inverter. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed concept.
Towards optimal phased-array tile configurations for large new-generation radio telescopes and their application to NenuFAR
Authors: Girard J. N. , Zarka P.
Published: January 2023

Context.Recent instrumental developments have aimed to build large digital radio telescopes made of ~100k antennas. The massive data rate required to digitise all elements drives the instrumental design towards the hierarchical distribution of elements by groups of𝒪(10) that form small analogue phased arrays that lower the computational burden by one to two orders of magnitude.

Aims.We study possible optimal layouts for a tile composed of five to 22 identical elements. We examine the impact of the tile layout on the overall response of an instrument.

Methods.We used two optimisation algorithms to find optimal arrangements of elements in the tile using: (i) a deterministic method (Kogan) based on beam pattern derivative properties; and (ii) a stochastic method (modified simulated annealing) to find global optima minimising the side-lobe level while increasing the field of view (FOV) of the tile, a required condition for all-sky surveys.

Results.We find that optimal tile arrangements are compact circular arrays that present some degree of circular symmetry while not being superimposable to any rotated version of themselves. The ‘optimal’ element number is found to be 16 or 17 antennas per tile. These could provide a maximum side-lobe level (SLL) of −33 dB (−24 dB) used with dipole (isotropic) elements. Due to constraints related to the analogue phasing implementation, we propose an approaching solution but with a regular arrangement on an equilateral lattice with 19 elements. By introducing random relative rotations between tiles, we compared and found that the 19-element equilateral tile results in better grating lobe mitigation and a larger FOV than that of rectangular tiles of 16 antennas.

Conclusions.Optimal tile arrangements and their regular versions are useful to maximise the sensitivity of new-generation hierarchical radio telescopes. The proposed solution was implemented in NenuFAR, a pathfinder of SKA-LOW at the Nançay Radio Observatory.
Modeling time delays from two reprocessors in active galactic nuclei
Authors: Jaiswal Vikram Kumar , Prince Raj , Panda Swayamtrupta , Czerny Bożena
Published: January 2023

Context. Continuum time delays from accretion disks in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have long been proposed as a tool for measuring distances to monitored sources. However, the method faces serious problems as a number of effects must be taken into account, including the contribution from the broad line region (BLR).

Aims. In this paper, we model the expected time delays when both the disk reprocessing of the incident X-ray flux and further reprocessing by the BLR are included, with the aim to see whether the two effects can be disentangled.

Methods. We used a simple response function for the accretion disk, without relativistic effects, and we used a parametric description to account for the BLR contribution. We included only the scattering of the disk emission by the BLR inter-cloud medium. We also used artificial light curves with one-day samplings to check whether the effects are likely to be seen in real data.

Results. We show that the effect of the BLR scattering on the predicted time delay is very similar to the effect of the rising height of the X-ray source, without any BLR contribution. This brings additional degeneracy for potential applications in the future, when attempting to recover the parameters of the system from the observed time delays in a specific object. Both effects, however, modify the slope of the delay-versus-wavelength curve when plotted in log space, which opens a way to obtaining bare disk time delay needed for cosmology. In addition, when the disk irradiation is strong, the modification of the predicted delay by the BLR scattering and by X-ray source height become considerably different. In this regard, simulations of the expected bias are also presented.
Identifying preflare spectral features using explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Panos Brandon , Kleint Lucia , Zbinden Jonas
Published: January 2023

The prediction of solar flares is of practical and scientific interest; however, many machine learning methods used for this prediction task do not provide the physical explanations behind a model’s performance. We made use of two recently developed explainable artificial intelligence techniques called gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) and expected gradients (EG) to reveal the decision-making process behind a high-performance neural network that has been trained to distinguish between Mg IIspectra derived from flaring and nonflaring active regions, a fact that can be applied to the task of short timescale flare forecasting. The two techniques generate visual explanations (heatmaps) that can be projected back onto the spectra, allowing for the identification of features that are strongly associated with precursory flare activity. We automated the search for explainable interpretations on the level of individual wavelengths, and provide multiple examples of flare prediction using IRIS spectral data, finding that prediction scores in general increase before flare onset. Large IRIS rasters that cover a significant portion of the active region and coincide with small preflare brightenings both in IRIS and SDO/AIA images tend to lead to better forecasts. The models reveal that Mg IItriplet emission, flows, as well as broad and highly asymmetric spectra are all important for the task of flare prediction. Additionally, we find that intensity is only weakly correlated to a spectrum’s prediction score, meaning that low intensity spectra can still be of great importance for the flare prediction task, and that 78% of the time, the position of the model’s maximum attention along the slit during the preflare phase is predictive of the location of the flare’s maximum UV emission.
Electron density revealing the boundaries of Mercury’s magnetosphere via serendipitous measurements by SORBET during BepiColombo first and second Mercury swing-bys
Authors: Griton L. , Issautier K. , Moncuquet M. , Pantellini F. , Kasaba Y. , Kojima H.
Published: January 2023

Aims. We aim to establish the boundaries of Mercury’s magnetosphere through a comparison of the drops and rises of the electron density revealed by PWI/SORBET, during BepiColombo’s first and second swing-bys of Mercury carried out on 1 October 2021 and 23 June 2022, with global 3D magnetohydrodynamic simulations.

Methods. SORBET was switched on during both swing-bys and its radio spectra were re-analysed using a new method based on the theory of the quasi-thermal-noise spectroscopy and adapted to measurements registered with a non-deployed antenna (as planned for the entire cruise phase). In parallel, magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) global simulations of Mercury’s magnetosphere were run under different solar wind conditions. Profiles of the electron density obtained from SORBET data were compared with three MHD simulations, using different values for solar wind sonic Mach numbers and plasma β.

Results. Three drops and rises of electron density are clearly identified with the boundaries of the magnetosphere (bow shock, magnetopause, and boundary of a region dominated by closed magnetic field lines) on the inbound part of the first Mercury swing-by.

Conclusions. On the inbound part of the first swing-by, a good match is found between the SORBET data and the MHD simulations, revealing the quick reorganisation of the Mercury’s magnetosphere in a variable solar wind. This study also highlights the essential role of the electron density in the future detection of Mercury’s magnetosphere boundaries once BepiColombo will orbit the planet from December 2025.
Prospects of electricity storage
Authors: Topalović Zejneba , Haas Reinhard , Ajanović Amela , Sayer Marlene
Published: January 2023

With the expansion of renewables in the electricity markets, research on electricity storage economics is needed for a better understanding of the utilization of these systems and for improving the performance of intermittent variable generation. Collected up-to-date research of electricity storage systems published in a wide range of articles with high impact factors gives a comprehensive review of the current studies regarding all relevant parameters for storage utilization in the electricity markets. Valuable research of technical characteristics from the literature is broadened with the electricity storage analyses from an economic point-of-view. Analysis of selected technologies, considering different perspectives such as their profitability, technical maturity, and environmental aspect, is a valuable addition to the previous research on electricity storage systems. Comparing conducted analysis with the selected literature, electricity storage technologies are analyzed concerning their viability in the electricity markets. Given the current outlook of the electricity market, the main problems for storage's wider integration are still energy storage costs. These can be overcome with different applications of energy storage systems, integration of new market players, or a combination of storage technologies along with the implementation of new energy policies for storage.
Vorbehaltsaufgaben für die Fachkrankenpflege
Authors: Pelz Sabrina , Wilpsbäumer Stefan , Dubb Rolf , Kaltwasser Arnold , Keienburg Christa , Ullrich Lothar
Published: January 2023

Empfehlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Fachkrankenpflege und Funktionsdienste e. V. (DGF), welche Aufgaben nur durch Fachpflegepersonen mit abgeschlossener zweijähriger Weiterbildung Intensivpflege und Anästhesie auf der Intensivstation durchführen sollten.
Molecular Docking Studies of Rifampicin – rpoB
complex: Repurposing Drug Design Implications for against Plasmodium
falciparum Malaria through a Computational Approach
Authors: Yadav Upasana , Pandey Jaya
Published: January 2023

Malaria is one of the world’s most devastating diseases, infecting well
over 300 million people annually and killing between 2 and 3 million worldwide.
Increasing parasite resistance to many existing drugs is exacerbating disease.
Resistance to commonly used malarial drugs is increasing the need to develop new
drugs urgently. Due to the slow pace and substantial costs of new drug
development, repurposing of old drugs which is recently increasingly becoming an
attractive proposition of highly efficient and effective way of drug discovery
led us to study the drug rifampicin for this purpose. The present paper aims to
investigate the route of Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast-targeted
proteins that putatively encode β subunits of RNA polymerase with an
objective to develop an effective antimalarial drug. Homology searching for
conserved binding site to the rifampicin drug and the functional analysis of
rpoB gene were done. Multiple Sequence alignment analysis of
rpoB was compared with that in E.coli – rpoB
and M. tuberculosis – rpoB. Docking studies of
Rifampicin – rpoB complex was also done for finding
binding affinity. The results of computational studies showed that rifampicin is
a potential drug for malaria.
Fasting Plasma Glucose Increase and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as
Risk Predictors of Clinical Outcome of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus
Authors: Petrakis Vasilios , Panagopoulos Periklis , Trypsianis Grigorios , Papazoglou Dimitrios , Papanas Nikolaos
Published: January 2023

Aim of the study To evaluate fasting plasma glucose (FPG) increase and
neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as risk predictors of severe clinical
outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) hospitalised
patients.

Patients and methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients hospitalised
between March 2020 and February 2021 were studied retrospectively. The NLR ratio
at admission and FPG increase (day 7, day with maximal FPG) were evaluated in
association with the clinical progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results Three hundred patients (165 men, 135 women) were included in the
study. The mean age was 67.17±8.65 years. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia was
diagnosed in 170 patients (56.7%). Fifty-four patients (18%)
were intubated and 49 (16.3%) died. Greater increase in FPG (79.5 vs.
44.5 mg/dL for day 1–7, p<0.001; and 113.5 vs.
75 mg/dL for day 1-day with maximum glucose value,
p<0.001) and higher NLR at admission (10.65 vs. 6.85) were seen in
patients with need of high-flow oxygen compared to those without need, and they
were associated with a higher probability of intubation and death.

Conclusion FPG increase and NLR could be significant risk predictors of
severe COVID-19 pneumonia in T2DM hospitalised patients.
3-Factor versus 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrates for the Reversal of Vitamin K Antagonist-Associated Coagulopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Puchstein Dorothea , Kork Felix , Schöchl Herbert , Rayatdoost Farahnaz , Grottke Oliver
Published: January 2023

Long-term anticoagulation is used worldwide to prevent or treat thrombotic events. Anticoagulant therapy using vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) is well established; however, anticoagulants carry an increased risk of potentially life-threatening bleeding. In cases of bleeding or need for surgery, patients require careful management, balancing the need for rapid anticoagulant reversal with risk of thromboembolic events. Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) replenish clotting factors and reverse VKA-associated coagulopathy. Two forms of PCC, 3-factor (3F-PCC) and 4-factor (4F-PCC), are available. Using PRISMA methodology, we systematically reviewed whether 4F-PCC is superior to 3F-PCC for the reversal of VKA-associated coagulopathy. Of the 392 articles identified, 48 full texts were reviewed, with 11 articles identified using criteria based on the PICOS format. Data were captured from 1,155 patients: 3F-PCC, n = 651; 4F-PCC, n = 504. ROBINS-I was used to assess bias. Nine studies showed international normalized ratio (INR) normalization to a predefined goal, ranging from ≤1.5 to ≤1.3, following PCC treatment. Meta-analysis of the data showed that 4F-PCC was favorable compared with 3F-PCC overall (odds ratio [OR]: 3.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.88–6.52, p < 0.0001) and for patients with a goal INR of ≤1.5 or ≤1.3 (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.42–8.39, p = 0.006; OR: 3.25; 95% CI: 1.30–8.13, p = 0.01, respectively). However, heterogeneity was substantial (I
2 = 62%, I
2 = 70%, I
2 = 64%). Neither a significant difference in mortality (OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.42–1.24, p = 0.23) nor in thromboembolisms was reported. These data suggest that 4F-PCC is better suited than 3F-PCC for the treatment of patients with VKA-associated coagulopathy, but further work is required for a definitive recommendation.
Spontaneous Rupture of Choledochal Cyst: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Juvaina P. , Aleena K.T. , Riyaz Arakkal , Devarajan E. , Ranjit P. , Jyothi E.R. Rani
Published: January 2023

Choledochal cyst (CDC) is a rare surgical cause of cholestatic jaundice in infants. Spontaneous rupture is an unusual presentation of a previously undiagnosed CDC and is also a rare cause of biliary peritonitis in children. Here, we report a case of a 1-year-old boy who was evaluated for progressive abdominal distension. Ultrasonogram showed gross ascites with echogenic particles, dilated common bile duct (CBD), common hepatic duct (CHD), and upstream intra hepatic biliary radicle dilatation (IHBRD). CECT sections of the abdomen showed gross ascites and IHBRD with disproportionate dilatation of CHD and CBD. At laparotomy, a type 1 CDC with rupture of the anterior wall was found. The cyst was excised followed by hepaticojejunostomy. In a sick child with abdominal pain, cholestatic jaundice and biliary ascites, a high index of suspicion during imaging will help in the correct diagnosis and surgery for a potentially fatal ruptured CDC.
Bleeding Risk in Elderly Patients with Venous Thromboembolism Who Would Have Been Excluded from Anticoagulation Trials
Authors: Schenker Carla , Stalder Odile , Méan Marie , Tritschler Tobias , Righini Marc , Rodondi Nicolas , Aujesky Drahomir
Published: January 2023

Older patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are underrepresented in clinical anticoagulation trials. We examined to which extent elderly patients with VTE would be excluded from such trials and compared the bleeding risk between hypothetically excluded and enrolled patients. We studied 991 patients aged ≥65 years with acute VTE in a prospective multicenter cohort. We identified 12 landmark VTE oral anticoagulation trials from the eighth and updated ninth American College of Chest Physician Guidelines. For each trial, we abstracted the exclusion criteria and calculated the proportion of our study patients who would have been excluded from trial participation. We examined the association between five common exclusion criteria (hemodynamic instability, high bleeding risk, comorbidity, co-medication, and invasive treatments) and major bleeding (MB) within 36 months using competing risk regression, adjusting for age, sex, and periods of anticoagulation. A median of 31% (range: 20–52%) of our patients would have been excluded from participation in the landmark trials. Hemodynamic instability (sub-hazard ratio [SHR]: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.7), comorbidity (SHR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), and co-medication (SHR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0–2.3) were associated with MB. Compared to eligible patients, those with ≥2 exclusion criteria had a twofold (SHR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.38–3.39) increased risk of MB. Overall, about one-third of older patients would not be eligible for participation in guideline-defining VTE anticoagulation trials. The bleeding risk increases significantly with the number of exclusion criteria present. Thus, results from such trials may not be generalizable to older, multimorbid, and co-medicated patients.
Complications of Arterial Transcatheter Embolization for Treatment of Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Authors: Lindquester Will S.
Published: January 2023

Transcatheter embolization is an effective minimally invasive treatment for nonvariceal gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. While many patients with GI bleeding can be treated endoscopically, transcatheter embolization is an important therapy in patients with bleeding refractory to endoscopic management and serves as an alternative to surgery. Despite having lower morbidity than surgical management of GI bleeding, transcatheter embolization has its own set of risks and complications. Moreover, embolization can be performed with a variety of embolic agents, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Knowledge of complications specific to transcatheter embolization is essential for interventional radiologists as well as all physicians involved in managing patients with GI hemorrhage.
The line rogue wave solutions of the nonlocal Davey–Stewartson I equation with PT symmetry based on the improved physics-informed neural network
Authors: Zhang Yabin , Liu Haiyi , Wang Lei , Sun Wenrong
Published: January 2023

In the paper, we employ an improved physics-informed neural network (PINN) algorithm to investigate the data-driven nonlinear wave solutions to the nonlocal Davey–Stewartson (DS) I equation with parity-time (PT) symmetry, including the line breather, kink-shaped and W-shaped line rogue wave solutions. Both the PT symmetry and model are introduced into the loss function to strengthen the physical constraint. In addition, since the nonlocal DS I equation is a high-dimensional coupled system, this leads to an increase in the number of output results. The PT symmetry also needs to be learned that is not given in advance, which increases challenges in computing for multi-output neural networks. To address these problems, our objective is to assign various levels of weight to different items in the loss function. The experimental results show that the improved algorithm has better prediction accuracy to a certain extent compared with the original PINN algorithm. This approach is feasible to investigate complex nonlinear waves in a high-dimensional model with PT symmetry.
A VME: Versa Module Europa, crate controller for high speed data acquisition of heterogeneous, multi-detector systems
Authors: Jain Mamta , Subramaniam E. T. , Chatterjee Shouri
Published: January 2023

Modern day complex experiments in physics demand highly efficient data acquisition (DAQ) systems capable of acquiring a large number of signals with a very high resolution and near zero dead time, without compromising on the event rate handling capability. To cater to the ever growing demands of the DAQ systems, an intelligent controller with a sequencer and an in-built busy logic has been developed. The heart of the controller is a field programmable gate array that provides (a) a sequencer engine, which holds a list of read–write commands that will be executed upon receiving a valid trigger, (b) a dual port random access memory divided into two blocks of 16 kbytes, each of which is configured in a ping-pong fashion to support data acquisition and data transfer functionalities simultaneously, thereby reducing the dead time, (c) a busy logic interface that validates the master strobe or trigger, a scalar for triggers received, and a time stamp engine for time stamping the events with 10 ns interval, (d) the Versa Module Europa (VME) backplane interface for 32 bit data transfer standards of the VME, and (e) a superspeed universal serial bus communication interface to transfer the data to a computer/single board computer (SBC). The SBC is capable of booting locally or through net via a preboot execution environment from a netboot server, and it contains the driver, libraries, and data server for data collection. A throughput of 32 megabytes per second (MB/s) has been achieved with an event size of 288 signals at an event rate of 30 kiloevents per second with medium slow slave modules, which may further increase up to 45 MB/s with faster slave modules. The VME controller supports an event size (number of signals) of up to 1023 in a single VME crate. Thus, this sequencer engine based VME crate controller development facilitates collection of a high volume of data with a large number of signals at higher event rates and the least dead time; it is named as Readout Ordained Sequencer Engine.