bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Path Planning for Unmanned Surface Vessels Based on AIS Data
Authors: Qian Dongjin , Liu Haiqing , Wang Shengli , Zhang Shuo , Shi Jingyi
Published: February 2024

To address the issues of poor endpoint convergence and suboptimal path quality in global path planning for unmanned surface vessels (USVs), this paper proposes an endpoint-convergence oriented improved genetic algorithm based on AIS data. Firstly, utilizing a genetic algorithm with an endpoint-convergence objective function, a set of paths with strong endpoint convergence is selected. Secondly, to overcome the limitations of a single optimization algorithm, a multi-objective path planning approach is employed using a genetic algorithm, thereby improving the distance and trajectory smoothness in global path planning for unmanned ships. Finally, the planned paths are evaluated by comparing them with the real paths from AIS data. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other traditional algorithms in terms of average path turn count and turn angle, reducing them by an average of 35.41% and 35.72%, respectively. Moreover, the proposed method exhibits the smallest error compared to the real trajectories, with an average reduction of 18.26%. These results validate the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed approach in improving path quality, reducing path turn count, and achieving better alignment with actual trajectories.
Simulation and Application of Windowing for High-Grade Steel Thick-Wall Casing in Ultradeep Wells: A Case Study of ST102 Well
Authors: Zhang Guangfu , Tang Ming , He Shiming , Wang Shuangning , Jing Yadong , Liu Xiaoshen , Liu Dong
Published: February 2024

Windowing processes in ultradeep wells (> 7000 m) with high steel grade (TP155V) and thick-wall (15.83 mm) casing not only face complex underground environments with high temperature and pressure but also have the difficulty of long operation time and high cost. To improve the success rate and operational efficiency, CAE software was used to establish the casing windowing side-drilling simulation model and optimize the windowing milling cone. Field applications were used to further demonstrate the simulation results. The main conclusions are as follows. The simulation shows that the milling shoulder and the outer circle of the cone top are the main working faces in window opening and window repair. The conical milling cone has the largest windowing stress, highest windowing efficiency, and regular shape of the window. A casing with a depth of 7473 m, wall thickness of 15.83 mm, and steel grade TP155V was successfully windowing using six conical milling cone in the ST102 well, taking 51.76 h, and generating 94 kg iron chips in total; the average milling speed was 0.06 m/h; The casing windowing progress can be determined by observing the return state of the cuttings. ST102 well set three records in China for the deepest drilling depth, highest steel grade, and thickest wall thickness.
Research on Crack Limit Dimension of Pressure Vessel Based on FAD Diagram
Authors: Zhang Meige , Chen Xiumei
Published: February 2024

Pressure vessels are widely used in petrochemical, aerospace, transportation and other industries. In the process of processing, it will form surface opening defects, and these defects will threaten the production safety. In order to effectively avoid the occurrence of safety accidents and understand the service life of pressure vessels, it is necessary to predict and analyze the crack limit size. In response to the problem of complex stress and difficulty in theoretical calculation after cracks appear on the surface of pressure vessels, this article uses the ANSYS Workbench platform to simulate and analyze the pressure vessels and obtain relevant parameters such as stress intensity factor and stress. Through calculation, the toughness ratio and load ratio are obtained. Using the FAD Failure Assessment Diagram, the ultimate crack size of pressure vessels under safety conditions is obtained. This method provides a reference for crack analysis methods and safe use of pressure vessels.
Research on Improving the Tribological Properties of Bearings under Cryogenic Conditions
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Zhuanghua , Liu Dongchang , Tian Zhen , Xie Saipeng , Wang Xiaodong , Dai Jun , Bu Chunguang
Published: February 2024

Bearings, as one of the most central components of rotating equipment, are widely used both in servo steering gear, aerospace and other fields. However, for extremely cryogenic conditions, the life of bearings is low, so it is necessary to carry out the tribological design of bearings to improve its cryogenic performance. In this paper, four kinds of optimized and improved plain bearings are designed. The tribological tests of these four bearings under extreme cryogenic working conditions were carried out using the developed bearing simulation test rig. The results show that under the same load and rotational speed conditions, the preparation of micro-weave structure on the surface of the shaft tile or the preparation of composite coating on the surface of the journal can improve the friction and wear performance of the bearings to a certain extent. When both methods are used at the same time, the friction reduction and anti-friction wear effect of the sliding bearing is better. This study not only provides theoretical guidance and technical support for improving the cryogenic tribological performance of bearings, but also has important practical significance for the future development of rotating equipment in the low-temperature field.
Research on Optimization Method of Allocation of Equipment Maintenance Devices Based on Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Zhang Baojun , Song Weixing , Che Chengxiang , Wang Gang , Wang Jiangli
Published: February 2024

In order to scientifically and efficiently allocate maintenance devices to improve the military economic benefits of equipment maintenance, combined with the characteristics of equipment maintenance work, the optimization goals of minimizing the completion time of batch maintenance tasks, minimizing the average maintenance time of a single equipment, and minimizing the consumption of labor costs were proposed. Based on flexible scheduling of maintenance processes, an optimization model is established, and the HNSGSA algorithm is designed to solve the problem by combining the advantages of NSGA-II and SA. According to the sensitivity analysis of the objective function on maintenance devices allocation, an optimization method for maintenance devices configuration is proposed.
Experimental Verification of Torque Calculation Method for Shield Screw Conveyor
Authors: Chun Li Xing , Fu Yue , Li Ziliang
Published: February 2024

The normal function of the shield spiral dumper has an important impact on the safe and efficient tunnelling of EPB shield, and the driving torque is the key decisive parameter that determines whether the spiral dumper can function normally. On the self-designed and commissioned manufacturing model test platform, the indoor reproduction test of EPB shield screw conveyor slag simulation was carried out. The theoretical calculated values were highly consistent with the test results, and the average relative error of the three tests was 8.65% to 9.18% at 6 rpm. The average relative error after entering the steady state was 4.6%, and the maximum relative error was 8.9% at 15 rpm. Through the shield model screw conveyor laboratory test, the correctness and validity of the proposed shield screw driving torque calculation model were verified and the proposed theoretical calculation method has good practical application. It is obvious that this calculation method has sufficient validity in the design of shield screw device.
Research on Tensile Test of Dissimilar Steel Body Solder Joints
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Hou Chunjuan
Published: February 2024

With 22 mnb5 St16 and ordinary steel as the research object, under the conditions of medium frequency spot welding connection plate welding, solder joint for the electric logging under shear load test, determination of solder joints, solder joint and away from the solder joint around the base of strain, according to measurement data analysis of solder joints and the deformation regularity of parent metal. The test results show that the strain in the spot welding joint distribution is uneven, the center of the welding strain is small, large deformation mainly exist in the heat affected zone, near the solder heat affected zone is the main area prone to give in. Away from the solder joint area of the parent metal, the influence of solder joint is small, mainly tensile strain, and strain as the load increases, solder joint strain is negative, the center is linear, and basic antisymmetric location of strain values different test points.
IGSA-PNN-based Methods for Power Transformer Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Yanyu , Qiu Peng , Liu Yang , Guo Yishen , Peng Cheng
Published: February 2024

To enhance the precision of power transformer fault diagnosis, it is necessary to make improvements. Aiming at the shortcomings of Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) network experience selection smoothing factor and avoiding the shortcomings of traditional Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) easy 0to fall into local optimum and convergence speed slow, a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) model using chaos sequence to improved GSA for power transformer fault diagnosis is proposed. Firstly, chaos sequence is used to increase the diversity of gravitational particles to avoid falling into local optimum during the training process. Then, the improved GSA algorithm is used to optimize the parameters of the PNN model itself to improve the prediction accuracy of the model. Finally, the prediction results are compared with the prediction results of other traditional diagnostic models. The results show that IGSA-PNN fault diagnosis model performs better in generalization ability and classification accuracy.
Beam optics distortion caused by orbit deviation at strong sextupole magnets in SuperKEKB
Authors: Sugimoto H. , Ohnishi Y. , Morita A. , Koiso H.
Published: February 2024

The SuperKEKB is an electron-positron double-ring
asymmetric-energy collider at the High Energy Accelerator Research
Organization (KEK) in Japan. It uses a novel collision method
referred to as the nano-beam scheme to avoid the so-called hourglass
effect. The highest peak luminosity achieved thus far is
4.65 × 1034 cm-2s-1, which was
reached on June 8th, 2022. Although the SuperKEKB holds
the record for the world's highest instantaneous luminosity, several
unresolved issues prevent a further increase in luminosity. One of
the major issues is inadequate stability and reproducibility of the
beam orbit and optics. This paper discusses optics distortion caused
by orbit deviation near strong sextupole magnets. Numerical
estimations indicate that a horizontal orbit deviation of a few tens
of micrometers induces a sizable distortion of the optical functions
at the interaction point. Analyses of the amount of betatron tune
feedback and orbit at sextupole magnets used for crab waist and
vertical local chromaticity correction indicate that the
beam-current dependence of the vertical tune shift is attributable
to the change of the beam orbit at the sextupoles. The orbit
fluctuation at the sextupoles causes beta-beating and makes stable
operation at high beam currents more difficult. The results show
that orbit tuning at the sextupoles improves both the injection
efficiency and the detector background level. Optics deterioration
within a few days is another urgent issue in high-beam-current
operation. A vertical orbit change of a few tens of microns at
sextupole magnets installed in arc cells is a matter of concern
according to numerical estimations.
Impedance driven collective effects in CEPC
Authors: Wang N. , Zhang Y. , Xu H.S. , Liu Y.D. , Li J.T. , Lin C.T. , Wang Y.T. , Zheng H.J. , Zhai J.Y.
Published: February 2024

The Circular Electron Positron Collider is a double ring
lepton collider covering beam energy from 45 GeV (Z) to 180 GeV
(tt-bar). Beam coupling impedance and the collective effects that
are triggered by the impedance are important subjects when targeting
high machine performance of an electron positron collider. A robust
impedance model is required for the instabilities evaluations as
well as to investigate their possible mitigations. Meanwhile, a
thorough investigation on the collective effects is essential to
identify the critical issues on the beam instabilities. In this
paper, a detailed impedance model has been built for the collider
ring and dominant impedance contributors have been identified by
evaluating the effective impedances. The potential collective
instabilities driven by the impedance are also discussed.
Challenges of the FCC-ee civil engineering studies
Authors: Bromiley L. , Cunningham R.
Published: February 2024

The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is
planning a Future Circular Collider (FCC), to be the successor of
the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Significant civil
engineering is required to accommodate the physics experiments and
associated infrastructure. The 90.6 km, 5.5 m diameter tunnel will
be situated in the Geneva region, straddling the Swiss-French
border. Civil engineering studies are to incorporate the needs of
both the FCC lepton collider (FCC-ee) and the FCC hadron collider
(FCC-hh), as the tunnel will host both machines successively.
Search on stable binary and ternary compounds of two-dimensional transition metal halides
Authors: Hvazdouski Dzmitry Ch , Baranava Мaryia S , Korznikova Elena A , Kistanov Andrey A , Stempitsky Viktor R
Published: February 2024

Ab initio driven density functional theory-based high throughput simulations have been conducted to search for stable two-dimensional (2D) structures based on transition metal halides. Binary MeX2 and MeXY (Me—transition element, X and Y–Cr, Br, I, where X ≠ Y) 2D structures in two structural polymorphic modifications, which are 1T-phase and 1H-phase, have been studied. The main structural stability criteria, such as heat formation energy, elasticity constants, and phonon spectra and the following ab initio molecular dynamics simulations have been used to determine the stability of studied compounds. It has been shown that 35 MeX2 and 32 MeXY 2D structures comply with given stability criteria. Photocatalytic properties of these stable 2D MeX2 and 2D MeXY have been investigated. Based on the calculated band gap size E
g, work function Ф and electron affinity χ, it has been found that among all stable compounds 13 MeX2 and 16 MeXY 2D structures are promising photocatalysts for water splitting. However, only 7 compounds have solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency overcome the 10% threshold, which is a critical parameter for solar hydrogen generation to be an economically viable resource. Among MeX2 2D structures 1T-CdI2 and 1H-VBr2 possess a STH efficiency of 11.58% and 17.23%. In the case of 2D MeXY, STH efficiencies are 22.79% (1T-ZnClI), 15.20% (1T-CdClI), 22.13% (1T-ZnBrI), 12.11% (1T-CdBrI) and 19.76% (1H-VClBr). Moreover, as a result of this work, a comprehensive publicly available database, containing detailed calculation parameters and fundamental properties of the discovered 2D transition metal halides, has been created.
Investigation of machining rate and surface roughness in wire EDM of Al6063/WC/ZrO2 composite using response surface methodology
Authors: Janagarathinam P , Subramanian M , Dhanalakshmi C Sowmya , Madhu P
Published: February 2024

The aim of the current work is to explore the machinability behavior of Al6063/WC/ZrO2 metal matrix composites (MMC) produced through a stir casting process through wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process. In order to examine the effects of process parameters such as voltage (V), pulse on time (Ton) and pulse off time (Toff) on material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR), the experiments were conducted by adapting Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in conjunction with the central composite design (CCD). A second-order regression model has been developed to predict the response parameters and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to validate the significance of the models. Using the desirability function approach, the parameters were set for the highest MRR and the minimum SR value. The prediction was within a tolerable average error range. A total of 19 sets of tests were developed to obtain six possible solutions. The most suitable solution among these six has been found by a confirmatory experiment. The results indicate that voltage and its interactions have significantly affected both the responses than Ton and Toff. Overall, it can be said that the study of the Al6063/WC/ZrO2 MMCs using WEDM process parameters demonstrated improved casting and machining qualities.
Strength of minority ties: the role of homophily and group composition in a weighted social network
Authors: Nicolás-Carlock José R , Boyer Denis , Smith-Aguilar Sandra E , Ramos-Fernández Gabriel
Published: February 2024

Homophily describes a fundamental tie-formation mechanism in social networks in which connections between similar nodes occur at a higher rate than among dissimilar ones. In this article, we present an extension of the weighted social network (WSN) model that, under an explicit homophily principle, quantifies the emergence of attribute-dependent properties of a social system. To test our model, we make use of empirical association data of a group of free-ranging spider monkeys in Yucatan, Mexico. Our homophilic WSN model reproduces many of the properties of the empirical association network with statistical significance, specifically, the average weight of sex-dependent interactions (female-female, female-male, male-male), the weight distribution function, as well as many weighted macro properties (node strength, weighted clustering, and weighted number of modules), even for different age group combinations (adults, subadults, and juveniles). Furthermore, by performing simulations with fitted parameters, we show that one of the main features of a spider monkey social system, namely, stronger male-male interactions over female-female or female-male ones, can be accounted for by an asymmetry in the node-type composition of a bipartisan network, independently of group size. The reinforcement of connections among members of minority groups could be a general structuring mechanism in homophilic social networks.
Quinary forms and paramodular forms
Authors: Dummigan N. , Pacetti A. , Rama G. , Tornaría G.
Published: February 2024

We work out the exact relationship between algebraic modular forms for a two-by-two general unitary group over a definite quaternion algebra, and those arising from genera of positive-definite quinary lattices, relating stabilisers of local lattices with specific open compact subgroups, paramodular at split places, and with Atkin-Lehner operators. Combining this with the recent work of Rösner and Weissauer, proving conjectures of Ibukiyama on Jacquet-Langlands type correspondences (mildly generalised here), provides an effective tool for computing Hecke eigenvalues for Siegel modular forms of degree two and paramodular level. It also enables us to prove examples of congruences of Hecke eigenvalues connecting Siegel modular forms of degrees two and one. These include some of a type conjectured by Harder at level one, supported by computations of Fretwell at higher levels, and a subtly different congruence discovered experimentally by Buzzard and Golyshev.
The desire machine
Authors: Forrester Paul
Published: February 2024

The experience machine poses the most important problem for hedonist theories of well-being. I argue that desire satisfactionism faces a similar problem: the desire machine. Upon entering this machine, your desires are altered through some minor neurosurgery. In particular, the machine causes you to desire everything that actually happens. The experience machine constructs a simulated world that matches your preexisting desires. The desire machine reconstructs your conative state to match the preexisting world. Desire satisfactionism recommends entering the desire machine because you will then have more satisfied desires, but this is unintuitive. In this paper, I consider how desire satisfactionists might avoid the result that entering the desire machine increases one’s well-being. First, I further motivate why this problem arises. Second, I consider coherence-based norms of rational desire change. Finally, I argue that introducing a substantive account of fitting desire is the only plausible solution, but that this response requires abandoning pure subjectivism about well-being.
Conserved autophagy and diverse cell wall composition: unifying features of vascular tissues in evolutionarily distinct plants
Authors: Michalak Kornel M , Wojciechowska Natalia , Marzec-Schmidt Katarzyna , Bagniewska-Zadworna Agnieszka
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

The formation of multifunctional vascular tissues represents a significant advancement in plant evolution. Differentiation of conductive cells is specific, involving two main pathways, namely protoplast clearance and cell wall modification. In xylogenesis, autophagy is a crucial process for complete protoplast elimination in tracheary elements, whose cell wall also undergoes strong changes. Knowledge pertaining to living sieve elements, which lose most of their protoplast during phloemogenesis, remains limited. We hypothesized that autophagy plays a crucial role, not only in complete cytoplasmic clearance in xylem but also in partial degradation in phloem. Cell wall elaborations of mature sieve elements are not so extensive. These analyses performed on evolutionarily diverse model species potentially make it possible to understand phloemogenesis to an equal extent to xylogenesis.

Methods

We investigated the distribution of ATG8 protein, which is an autophagy marker, and cell wall components in the roots of ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms (monocots, dicot herbaceous plants and trees). Furthermore, we conducted a bioinformatic analysis of complete data on ATG8 isoforms for Ceratopteris richardii.

Key Results

The presence of ATG8 protein was confirmed in both tracheary elements and sieve elements; however, the composition of cell wall components varied considerably among vascular tissues in the selected plants. Arabinogalactan proteins and β-1,4-galactan were detected in the roots of all studied species, suggesting their potential importance in phloem formation or function. In contrast, no evolutionary pattern was observed for xyloglucan, arabinan or homogalacturonan.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the involvement of autophagy in plants is universal during the development of tracheary elements that are dead at maturity and sieve elements that remain alive. Given the conserved nature of autophagy and its function in protoplast degradation for uninterrupted flow, autophagy might have played a vital role in the development of increasingly complex biological organizations, including the formation of vascular tissues. However, different cell wall compositions of xylem and phloem in different species might indicate diverse functionality and potential for substance transport, which is crucial in plant evolution.
507 - Dupilumab demonstrates greater improvement in disease activity than standard-of-care H1-antihistamines in CSU
Authors: Beck Lisa A , Casale Thomas B , Mortensen Eric , Laws Elizabeth , Thomas Ryan B , Chuang Chien-Chia
Published: February 2024

IntroductionChronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by wheals and/or angioedema recurring for >6 weeks. Cumulative distribution function (CDF) curves compare cumulative probabilities of response between treatments across responder definition spectrums.

Methods

LIBERTY-CSU CUPID Study A (NCT04180488) was a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial of dupilumab treatment for 24 weeks in patients with CSU remaining symptomatic despite standard-of-care (SOC) H1-antihistamines. Patients were randomized to receive add-on dupilumab (dupilumab/SOC) or placebo (placebo/SOC) subcutaneously every 2 weeks. CDF curves were plotted for the distribution of possible within-patient response for Urticaria Activity Score over 7 days (UAS7), Itch Severity Score over 7 days (ISS7), and Hives Severity Score over 7 days (HSS7) for dupilumab/SOC and placebo/SOC arms.

Results

In CDF analysis at Week 24, more patients experienced UAS7, ISS7, and HSS7 improvements with dupilumab/SOC than placebo/SOC; 74.2% vs 50.0% of patients (dupilumab/SOC vs placebo/SOC) achieved ≥11-point reductions (minimal important difference [MID] threshold) in UAS7. Similarly, 78.8% vs 51.7% of patients (dupilumab/SOC vs placebo/SOC) reached ≥5-point reductions (MID threshold) in ISS7 and HSS7. The responder proportion was ≥20% greater for dupilumab/SOC vs placebo/SOC for response thresholds of 9.5- to 22-point reductions for UAS7, 4.5- to 11-point reductions for ISS7, and 5- to 11-point reductions for HSS7.

Conclusion

Irrespective of within-patient responder thresholds, greater proportions of patients experienced improvement in UAS7, ISS7, and HSS7 with dupilumab/SOC vs placebo/SOC at Week 24. Overall safety was consistent with the known dupilumab safety profile.
541 - Real-world effectiveness of dupilumab in adult and adolescent patients with atopic dermatitis: 3-year data from the PROSE registry
Authors: Simpson Eric L , Lockshin Ben , Lee Lara Wine , Shao Liyang , Ozarslan Bengisu , Korotzer Andrew
Published: February 2024

Background

Dupilumab has shown efficacy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in clinical trials, but there is a need for long-term data on patients starting dupilumab treatment for atopic dermatitis in a real-world setting.

Methods

PROSE (NCT03428646) is an ongoing 5-year, prospective, observational study of patients aged ≥12 years who initiated commercially available dupilumab treatment for AD per country-specific prescribing information. Patients received a loading dose of dupilumab at baseline, without restrictions on post-baseline dosing changes or concomitant medication and were encouraged to stay in the study if they discontinued dupilumab. Data presented are descriptive, from a 3-year interim analysis.

Results

857 patients were enrolled. In these patients, mean (SD) age was 40.1 (17.9) years, AD duration 17.4 (16.2) years, and dupilumab treatment duration 23.1 (13.7) months (M). Mean (SE) baseline EASI total score was 16.2 (0.4), Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 7.1(0.1), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) 13.3 (0.3), and skin pain NRS 5.4 (0.1). 189 (22.1%) patients had withdrawn by data cut-off; the most common reasons for discontinuation were withdrawal of consent in 76 patients and loss to follow-up in 30. Mean (SE) EASI total score was 5.6 (0.4) at 3M, 2.9 (0.2) at 12M, 2.7 (0.4) at 24M, and 1.7 (0.3) at 36M. Mean (SE) change from baseline in Peak Pruritus NRS was −3.5 (0.2) at 3M, −4.2 (0.2) at 12M, −4.7 (0.2) at 24M, and −5.1 (0.3) at 36M. Mean (SE) change from baseline in DLQI was −7.4 (0.3) at 3M, −8.3 (0.7) at 12M, −9.2 (0.9) at 24M, and −8.8 (1.5) at 36M. Mean (SE) change from baseline in skin pain NRS was −3.3 (0.3) at 3M, −3.8 (0.2) at 12M, −4.0 (0.3) at 24M, and −4.6 (0.3) at 36M. Safety findings were consistent with the previously described safety profile of dupilumab.

Conclusion

In this interim analysis of the PROSE registry, sustained disease control was observed in patients with moderate-to-­severe AD for up to 3 years after initiating dupilumab treatment.
Magnetically guided surgery after primary systemic therapy for breast cancer: implications for enhanced axillary mapping
Authors: Pantiora Eirini , Eriksson Staffan , Wärnberg Fredrik , Karakatsanis Andreas
Published: February 2024

Background

Superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles perform comparably to radioisotope ± blue dye for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer, even when injected up to 8 weeks before surgery. Using superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles for sentinel lymph node detection after primary systemic therapy, and the maximum time frame of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticle administration have not been investigated.

Methods

This cohort study included cN0/1-to-ycN0 patients undergoing sentinel lymph node detection or targeted axillary dissection. All patients received superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles either before primary systemic therapy or before surgery, and radioisotope on the day of surgery.

Results

For 113 patients analysed, superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles were injected a median of 3 (range 0–248) days before surgery, with a 97.4% detection rate compared with 91.2% for radioisotope (P = 0.057). Concordance for radioisotope was 97.1% and this was not affected by timing of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticle injection (Kendall’s tau 0.027; P = 0.746). The median sentinel lymph node yield was 3 (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 2–3) for superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles and 2 (i.q.r. 2–3) for radioisotope (P < 0.001). In targeted axillary dissection, detection was 100% for superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles and 81.8% for radioisotope (P = 0.124). The index node was magnetic in 93.9% and radioactive in 66.7% (P = 0.007), an outcome that was not affected by any factors. For patients with metastases, superparamagnetic iron nanoparticle detection was 100% and radioisotope-based detection was 84.2% (P = 0.083), with superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles detecting more metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (median of 1 (i.q.r. 1–2) for superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles compared with a median of 1 (i.q.r. 0–1) for radioisotope; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Injection before primary systemic therapy is feasible and does not affect concordance with radioisotope. Superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles perform comparably to radioisotope, but detect more sentinel lymph nodes and have a higher rate of detection of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes.
Is surgical risk of aortic arch aneurysm repair underestimated? A novel perspective based on 30-day versus 1-year mortality
Authors: Rajesh Kavya , Levine Dov , Murana Giacomo , Castagnini Sabrina , Bianco Edoardo , Childress Patra , Zhao Yanling , Kurlansky Paul , Pacini Davide , Takayama Hiroo
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVES

The decision to undergo aortic aneurysm repair balances the risk of operation with the risk of aortic complications. The surgical risk is typically represented by perioperative mortality, while the aneurysmal risk relates to the 1-year risk of aortic events. We investigate the difference in 30-day and 1-year mortality after total arch replacement for aortic aneurysm.

METHODS

This was an international two-centre study of 456 patients who underwent total aortic arch replacement for aneurysm between 2006 and 2020. Our primary end-point of interest was 1-year mortality. Our secondary analysis determined which variables were associated with 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 65.4 years (interquartile range 55.1–71.1) and 118 (25.9%) were female. Concomitantly, 91 (20.0%) patients had either an aortic root replacement or aortic valve procedure. There was a drop in 1-year (81%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 78–85%) survival probability compared to 30-day (92%, 95% CI 90–95%) survival probability. Risk hazards regression showed the greatest risk of mortality in the first 4 months after discharge. Stroke [hazard ratio (HR) 2.54, 95% CI (1.16–5.58)], renal failure [HR 3.59 (1.78–7.25)], respiratory failure [HR 3.65 (1.79–7.42)] and reoperation for bleeding [HR 2.97 (1.36–6.46)] were associated with 1-year mortality in patients who survived 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an increase in mortality up to 1 year after aortic arch replacement. This increase is prominent in the first 4 months and is associated with postoperative complications, implying the influence of surgical insult. Mortality beyond the short term may be considered in assessing surgical risk in patients who are undergoing total arch replacement.
Deglycosylated RBD produced in Pichia pastoris as a low-cost sera COVID-19 diagnosis tool and a vaccine candidate
Authors: Idrovo-Hidalgo Tommy , Pignataro María F , Bredeston Luis M , Elias Fernanda , Herrera María G , Pavan María F , Foscaldi Sabrina , Suireszcz Mayra , Fernández Natalia B , Wetzler Diana E , Paván Carlos H , Craig Patricio O , Roman Ernesto A , Ruberto Lucas A M , Noseda Diego G , Ibañez Lorena I , Czibener Cecilia ,   Argentinian AntiCovid Consortium, Blaustein M , Bredeston L , Craig P O , D’Alessio C , Elías F , Fernandez N B , Gudesblat G , Herrera M G , Ibañez L I , Idrovo-Hidalgo T , Nadra A D , Noseda D G , Pavan C , Pignataro M F , Roman E , Ruberto L , Rubinstein N , Santos J , Wetzler D , Zelada A , Ugalde Juan E , Nadra Alejandro D , Santos Javier , D’Alessio Cecilia
Published: February 2024

During the COVID-19 outbreak, numerous tools including protein-based vaccines have been developed. The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris (synonymous to Komagataella phaffii) is an eukaryotic cost-effective and scalable system for recombinant protein production, with the advantages of an efficient secretion system and the protein folding assistance of the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells. In a previous work, we compared the expression of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor Binding Domain in P. pastoris with that in human cells. Although the size and glycosylation pattern was different between them, their protein structural and conformational features were indistinguishable. Nevertheless, since high mannose glycan extensions in proteins expressed by yeast may be the cause of a nonspecific immune recognition, we deglycosylated RBD in native conditions. This resulted in a highly pure, homogenous, properly folded and monomeric stable protein. This was confirmed by circular dichroism and tryptophan fluorescence spectra and by SEC-HPLC, which were similar to those of RBD proteins produced in yeast or human cells. Deglycosylated RBD was obtained at high yields in a single step, and it was efficient in distinguishing between SARS-CoV-2-negative and positive sera from patients. Moreover, when the deglycosylated variant was used as an immunogen, it elicited a humoral immune response ten times greater than the glycosylated form, producing antibodies with enhanced neutralizing power and eliciting a more robust cellular response. The proposed approach may be used to produce at a low cost, many antigens that require glycosylation to fold and express, but do not require glycans for recognition purposes.
Barriers to seeking tobacco cessation services: a qualitative assessment of university students’ needs in Qatar
Authors: Al-Jindi Lama , Al-Sulaiman Naema , Al-Jayyousi Ghadir Fakhri
Published: February 2024

The prevalence of tobacco use in the Middle East is alarmingly high, especially among university students; most users initiate tobacco use during adolescence and young adulthood. Evidence-based cessation services can be beneficial when quitting tobacco use; however, these services are underutilized. This study aimed to explore the barriers preventing university students in Qatar from seeking tobacco cessation services. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Qatar University students who are current or former tobacco users (n = 18/2); most current cigarette smokers were also waterpipe users. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The major barriers to seeking tobacco cessation services included misconceptions regarding nicotine addiction, negative perceptions of the cessation services’ effectiveness, self-efficacy regarding the ability to quit without seeking cessation services, concerns and preferences regarding practitioners’ characteristics at clinics, masculine culture that discourages men from seeking cessation help, social stigma around women who use tobacco in Arab culture, and a lack of time to visit cessation clinics. Our findings address gaps in the literature regarding the individual and sociocultural barriers to seeking tobacco cessation among youth in Qatar. A better understanding of these barriers can facilitate successful promotion of tobacco cessation services and enhance cessation-seeking behaviors.
Changing Clinical Epidemiology of Plasmodium vivax Malaria as Transmission Decreases: Population-Based Prospective Panel Survey in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Fontoura Pablo S , Macedo Evelyn G , Calil Priscila R , Corder Rodrigo M , Rodrigues Priscila T , Tonini Juliana , Esquivel Fabiana D , Ladeia Winni A , Fernandes Anderson R J , Johansen Igor C , Silva Marcos F , Fernandes Amanda O S , Ladeia-Andrade Simone , Castro Marcia C , Ferreira Marcelo U
Published: February 2024

Background

Malarial infections are often missed by microscopy, and most parasite carriers are asymptomatic in low-endemicity settings. Whether parasite detectability and its ability to elicit symptoms change as transmission declines remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a prospective panel survey with repeated measurements on the same participants over 12 months to investigate whether Plasmodium vivax detectability by microscopy and risk of symptoms upon infection varied during a community-wide larviciding intervention in the Amazon basin of Brazil that markedly reduced vector density. We screened 1096 to 1400 residents in the intervention site for malaria by microscopy and quantitative TaqMan assays at baseline and twice during intervention.

Results

We found that more P vivax infections than expected from their parasite densities measured by TaqMan assays were missed by microscopy as transmission decreased. At lower transmission, study participants appeared to tolerate higher P vivax loads without developing symptoms. We hypothesize that changes in the ratio between circulating parasites and those that accumulate in the bone marrow and spleen, by avoiding peripheral blood microscopy detection, account for decreased parasite detectability and lower risk of symptoms under low transmission.

Conclusions

P vivax infections are more likely to be subpatent and remain asymptomatic as malaria transmission decreases.
Human Cytomegalovirus mRNA-1647 Vaccine Candidate Elicits Potent and Broad Neutralization and Higher Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Responses Than the gB/MF59 Vaccine
Authors: Hu Xintao , Karthigeyan Krithika P , Herbek Savannah , Valencia Sarah M , Jenks Jennifer A , Webster Helen , Miller Itzayana G , Connors Megan , Pollara Justin , Andy Caroline , Gerber Linda M , Walter Emmanuel B , Edwards Kathryn M , Bernstein David I , Hou Jacob , Koch Matthew , Panther Lori , Carfi Andrea , Wu Kai , Permar Sallie R
Published: February 2024

Background

MF59-adjuvanted gB subunit (gB/MF59) vaccine demonstrated approximately 50% efficacy against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) acquisition in multiple clinical trials, suggesting that efforts to improve this vaccine design might yield a vaccine suitable for licensure.

Methods

A messenger RNA (mRNA)–based vaccine candidate encoding HCMV gB and pentameric complex (PC), mRNA-1647, is currently in late-stage efficacy trials. However, its immunogenicity has not been compared to the partially effective gB/MF59 vaccine. We assessed neutralizing and Fc-mediated immunoglobulin G (IgG) effector antibody responses induced by mRNA-1647 in both HCMV-seropositive and -seronegative vaccinees from a first-in-human clinical trial through 1 year following third vaccination using a systems serology approach. Furthermore, we compared peak anti-gB antibody responses in seronegative mRNA-1647 vaccinees to that of seronegative gB/MF59 vaccine recipients.

Results

mRNA-1647 vaccination elicited and boosted HCMV-specific IgG responses in seronegative and seropositive vaccinees, respectively, including neutralizing and Fc-mediated effector antibody responses. gB-specific IgG responses were lower than PC-specific IgG responses. gB-specific IgG and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis responses were lower than those elicited by gB/MF59. However, mRNA-1647 elicited higher neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses.

Conclusions

Overall, mRNA-1647 vaccination induced polyfunctional and durable HCMV-specific antibody responses, with lower gB-specific IgG responses but higher neutralization and ADCC responses compared to the gB/MF59 vaccine.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03382405 (mRNA-1647) and NCT00133497 (gB/MF59).
Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Deficiency in CD11c-Expressing Phagocytes Mediates Early Inflammatory Responses and Enhances Mycobacterium tuberculosis Control
Authors: Chauhan Kuldeep S , Dunlap Micah D , Akter Sadia , Gupta Ananya , Ahmed Mushtaq , Rosa Bruce A , Dela Peña Noreen B , Mitreva Makedonka , Khader Shabaana A
Published: February 2024

Early innate immune responses play an important role in determining the protective outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling in immune cells regulates the expression of key downstream effector molecules that mount early antimycobacterial responses. Using conditional knockout mice, we studied the effect of abrogation of NF-κB signaling in different myeloid cell types and its impact on Mtb infection. Our results show that the absence of IKK2-mediated signaling in all myeloid cells resulted in increased susceptibility to Mtb infection. In contrast, the absence of IKK2-mediated signaling in CD11c+ myeloid cells induced early proinflammatory cytokine responses, enhanced the recruitment of myeloid cells, and mediated early resistance to Mtb. Abrogation of IKK2 in MRP8-expressing neutrophils did not affect disease pathology or Mtb control. Thus, we describe an early immunoregulatory role for NF-κB signaling in CD11c-expressing phagocytes and a later protective role for NF-κB in LysM-expressing cells during Mtb infection.
“High Politics” and Everyday Practices at the Border: Emerging Communities of Practice in the High North
Authors: Græger Nina
Published: February 2024

Using the concept of communities of practice, the article explores how boundary-crossing practices on borders vulnerable to states' “high politics” have developed overtime, leading to the formation of communities of doers bound by shared interests in learning and performing shared practices. Existing research on how diplomats, civilian and military staff in the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has shown how shared professional identities that cut across organizational, cultural and national boundaries has led to the emergence of communities of practice though everyday informal interaction. This article examines the emergence of long-term everyday border-crossing practices between Norway and Russia in the High North region and the extent to which they have been contested or continued in situations of tension or conflict between the West and Russia, and especially following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Studying how these communities of doers engage in shared repertoires and practices that transcend and blur, rather than challenge the border may also shed new light onhow we understand the relationship between international politics and local politics. Arguably, the social dynamics of such boundary-work have also contributed to confidence-building and low tension, also beyond the border on which it takes place.
The Perceived Fit Between Music and Movement: A Multisensory Account of Dance as a Novel Feature Type
Authors: Olsson Tyler
Published: February 2024

Whether you are a sophisticated critic or an untrained spectator, when it comes to our experience of dance, we are generally able to appreciate the way a dancer’s bodily movements fit the music. Our experience of dance thus lends itself to a range of crossmodal judgments, that is, our perception of dance enables us to make claims that purport to be about how bodily movements which can be visually seen fit together with aspects of the music which can be heard or felt. But we are not determined to perceive every case of fit unproblematically. That it is possible one may fail to initially perceive a fit that others claim ought to be viewable suggests that there is a normative dimension to this phenomenon. In this article, I argue that we can explain the source of this normativity with a multisensory account of dance. More specifically, I argue that dance is a novel feature type, a feature of perceptual experience that is essentially multimodal. The basic perception of dance, which grounds more sophisticated forms of judgment concerning crossmodal fit downstream, is the actualization of a unique multisensory capacity that non-inferentially tracks a real, fundamental connection between music and movement.
Comparison of daptomycin and glycopeptide efficacy and safety for the treatment of Gram-positive infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Boulekbache Abdelwahab , Maldonado Fanny , Kavafian Raphael , Ferry Tristan , Bourguignon Laurent , Goutelle Sylvain , Lega Jean-Christophe , Garreau Romain
Published: February 2024

Background

The indications of daptomycin have been extended to off-label indications including prosthesis-related infection, and bone and joint infection (BJI). However, efficacy and safety have not been thoroughly demonstrated compared with the standard of care. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the treatment effect of daptomycin and glycopeptides for complicated infections.

Materials and methods

MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing daptomycin and standard of care for Gram-positive infections, published until 30 June 2021. The primary outcome was defined as all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were clinical and microbiological success. The main safety outcome was any severe adverse event (SAE) (grade  ≥3).

Results

Overall, eight RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, totalling 1095 patients. Six (75%) were in complicated skin and soft-structure infections, one (12.5%) in bacteraemia and one (12.5%) in a BJI setting. Six RCTs used vancomycin as a comparator and two used either vancomycin or teicoplanin. All-cause mortality and clinical cure were not different between groups. The microbiological cure rate was superior in patients who received daptomycin [risk ratio (RR) = 1.17 (95% CI: 1.01–1.35)]. The risk of SAEs [RR = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.36–0.90)] was lower in the daptomycin arm.

Conclusions

While daptomycin is associated with a significantly lower risk of SAEs and a better microbiological eradication, substantial uncertainty remains about the best treatment strategy in the absence of good-quality evidence, especially in bacteraemia and endocarditis where further RCTs should be conducted.
Non-allergist healthcare workers views on delivering a penicillin allergy de-labelling inpatient pathway: identifying the barriers and enablers
Authors: Powell Neil , Upton Mathew , Kent Bridie , Sandoe Jonathan , Tonkin-Crine Sarah
Published: February 2024

Background

Non-allergist delivered PADL is supported by UK and World Health Organization guidelines but is not yet routine in UK hospitals. Understanding the views of healthcare workers (HCWs) on managing patients with penA records and exploring perspectives on delivering a PADL inpatient pathway are required to inform the development of non-allergist delivered PADL pathways.

Objective

To explore the perspectives of non-allergist HCWs working in medical specialties on managing patients with penA records, and to explore the enablers and barriers to embedding PADL as a standard of care for inpatients.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medicines optimization pharmacy technicians working in a district general hospital in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

The PADL pathway was considered a shared responsibility of the multidisciplinary team, which needed to be structured and supported by a framework. PADL aligns with HCW roles but time to deliver PADL was a barrier. Training for HCWs on the benefits of PADL and delivering PADL for those patients where a penicillin might be beneficial during the current episode of care would both motivate HCWs to deliver PADL.

Discussion and conclusion

The PADL pathway was acceptable to HCWs and aligned with their roles and current healthcare processes but their capacity to deliver PADL in a time pressured environment was a significant barrier.