bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the feasibility of interpretable machine learning for globular cluster detection
Authors: Dold Dominik , Fahrion Katja
Published: April 2022

Extragalactic globular clusters (GCs) are important tracers of galaxy formation and evolution because their properties, luminosity functions, and radial distributions hold valuable information about the assembly history of their host galaxies. Obtaining GC catalogues from photometric data involves several steps which will likely become too time-consuming to perform on the large data volumes that are expected from upcoming wide-field imaging projects such as Euclid. In this work, we explore the feasibility of various machine learning methods to aid the search for GCs in extensive databases. We use archivalHubbleSpace Telescope data in theF475WandF850LPbands of 141 early-type galaxies in the Fornax and Virgo galaxy clusters. Using existing GC catalogues to label the data, we obtained an extensive data set of 84929 sources containing 18556 GCs and we trained several machine learning methods both on image and tabular data containing physically relevant features extracted from the images. We find that our evaluated machine learning models are capable of producing catalogues of a similar quality as the existing ones which were constructed from mixture modelling and structural fitting. The best performing methods, ensemble-based models such as random forests, and convolutional neural networks recover ∼90−94% of GCs while producing an acceptable amount of false detections (∼6−8%), with some falsely detected sources being identifiable as GCs which have not been labelled as such in the used catalogues. In the magnitude range 22 < m4_g ≤ 24.5 mag, 98−99% of GCs are recovered. We even find such high performance levels when training on Virgo and evaluating on Fornax data (and vice versa), illustrating that the models are transferable to environments with different conditions, such as different distances than in the used training data. Apart from performance metrics, we demonstrate how interpretable methods can be utilised to better understand model predictions, recovering that magnitudes, colours, and sizes are important properties for identifying GCs. Moreover, comparing colour distributions from our detected sources to the reference distributions from input catalogues finds great agreement and the mean colour is recovered even for systems with fewer than 20 GCs. These are encouraging results, indicating that similar methods trained on an informative sub-sample can be applied for creating GC catalogues for a large number of galaxies, with tools being available for increasing the transparency and reliability of said methods.
Discovery of X-shaped morphology of the giant radio galaxy 0503-286
Authors: Dabhade Pratik , Krishna Gopal
Published: April 2022

The high surface-brightness sensitivity of the galactic and extragalactic all-sky mwa survey (GLEAM) image of the giant radio galaxy (GRG) 0503-28 at 70–230 MHz has revealed an inversion-symmetric bending of its two lobes, while maintaining a ∼200 kpc wide strip-like radio emission gap between their bent portions. This lends the source the appearance of a mega-sized X-shaped radio galaxy. Identifying the emission gap with the presence of a gaseous layer, probably a WHIM-filled sheet in the cosmic web, we suggest that the layer is the most likely cause of the inversion-symmetric bending of the two radio lobes. Multiple observational manifestations of such gaseous layers are noted. The two lobes of this GRG, known to extend very asymmetrically from the host galaxy, are remarkably symmetric about the emission gap, confirming a curious trend noted earlier for double radio sources of normal dimensions. The anomalous radio spectral gradient reported for the northern lobe of this GRG is not substantiated.
Oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome: a singular variation of a rare syndrome: a case report
Authors: Sahoo Nandakishore , Rana Praneet K. , Semi Ravinder S. , Shetty Lakshmi
Published: April 2022

Background:A positive prenatal history of maternal fever has been found to express as a range of defects in infants including limb reduction, central nervous system defects, facial dysmorphogenesis and foetal death. Oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome is a rare spectrum of congenital disorders characterised by malformations of the tongue, mandible, maxilla and limbs. They present as sporadic cases with extremely low incidence and seldom occur with associated syngnathia. Syngnathia can manifest as fibrous, bony or in combination.Observation:Here we represent a rare case of Oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome type IV E with combination of syngnathia, cleft palate, retrognathia and hypoglossia-hypodactylomelia. An early surgical release of syngnathia was undertaken on having features of failure to thrive, high risk of aspiration and related complications due to enteral feeding.Conclusion:Delaying the surgical procedure could result in growth restriction and progressive ankylosis of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It is essential to document the singular variant of Oromandibular limb hypogenesis syndrome (OLHS) to the medical literature.
Häufige Hautveränderungen bei Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kamann Stefanie
Published: April 2022

Ein erhöhter Blutzuckerspiegel bei noch unbemerktem oder schlecht eingestelltem Diabetes kann Veränderungen an Haut und Hautanhangsgebilden, wie z. B. den Zehennägeln, begünstigen. Ist der Blutzucker dauerhaft erhöht, steigt der Zuckergehalt im Gewebe und an den Schleimhäuten, was die dort angesiedelten Pilze wie Candida albicans zu vermehrtem Wachstum anregt [1]. Beim Typ-1-Diabetes treten zudem andere autoimmun-bedingte Hauterkrankungen gehäuft auf wie z. B. die Vitiligo. Des Weiteren entstehen durch die modernen Diabetestechnologien, die über einen längeren Zeitraum an der Haut festkleben, ganz neue dermatologische Herausforderungen wie Hautirritationen, Juckreiz und sogar Kontaktallergien unter den applizierten Sensoren und Pumpenkatheterpflastern.
Efficacy and Safety of Hypomethylating Agents in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: A Single-Arm Meta-analysis
Authors: Zheng Xinhui , Lv Liwei , Li Xiangjun , Jiang Erlie
Published: April 2022

Background Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a myeloid neoplasm with features of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and myeloproliferative neoplasm presenting with peripheral blood monocytosis and an inherent risk for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia, while the abnormal DNA methylation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of MDS, which is a disease of disordered differentiation. Recently, with the rapid development of molecular biology, hypomethylating agents (HMAs) for the treatment of MDS has gradually become a research focus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits and risks of HMAs for patients with CMML.

Materials and Methods PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and three Chinese databases were searched for studies published before November 2020 that used HMAs in CMML.

Results The pooled objective response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), and partial response (PR) were 50.0, 21.0, and 2.0%, respectively. The proportion of patients with minor response (MR) was significantly higher for decitabine (DAC) than for azacitidine (AZA). There was no significant difference in hematologic improvement, ORR, CR, and PR rates between the DAC and AZA groups. Hematological toxicity included neutropenia grade 3/4 (14.0%), anemia grade 3/4 (17.0%), and thrombocytopenia grade 3/4 (22.0%).

Conclusion This study showed that HMAs were effective and safe in the treatment of CMML, but large multicenter study would be needed to confirm the efficacy of HMAs for the treatment of CMML with different risk level and genetic abnormality, to support individualization treatment theoretically.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in French-Speaking Pediatric Intensive Care Units: Study of Practices
Authors: Denis Manon , Lauzier Benjamin , Roumeliotis Nadia , Orliaguet Gilles , Emeriaud Guillaumes , Javouhey Etienne , Brossier David
Published: April 2022

Best strategies for managing severe pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) are not established, with wide variations among professional practices. The main objective of this study was to assess compliance with updated pediatric TBI management guidelines (2019). A survey was distributed among French-speaking pediatric intensive care physicians from April 1 to June 30, 2019. The survey was based on a clinical case with a total of 70 questions that cover the 15 items of the 2019 TBI guidelines. The questions evaluated the assessment and management of TBI during the acute and intensive care phases. Of 487 e-mails sent, 78 surveys were included. Guidelines were adhered to (> 60%) for 10 of 15 items in the guidelines. Strong adherence to recent guideline changes was achieved for seizure prophylaxis with levetiracetam (n = 21/33, 64%) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide threshold (n = 52, 67%). However, management of the sodium and glucose thresholds and the role of transcranial Doppler were not consistent with the guidelines. Assessment of brain tissue oxygenation (n = 12, 16%) and autoregulation (n = 35, 45%) was not a common practice. There was strong agreement among clinicians on the intracranial pressure (> 80%) and cerebral perfusion pressure (> 70%) thresholds used according to age. Overall, stated practices for the management of TBI appear to be relatively standardized among responders. Variations persist in areas with a lack of evidence and pediatric-specific recommendations.
Catastrophic Progressive Hearing Loss in Childhood
Authors: Hayes Deborah , Dreith Susan
Published: April 2022

We present a report on a 5-year-old child with a complex medical and audiologic history who exhibited catastrophic progression in hearing loss. Hearing loss was initially attributed to bacterial meningitis at age 3 months; progression was apparently related to perilymph fistula at age 8 years. Etiologies associated with progressive hearing loss in children as well as signs of progression and monitoring protocols for children at risk for progressive hearing loss are discussed.

Abbreviations: ABR = auditory brainstem response, CMV = cytomegalovirus, JCIH = Joint Committee on Infant Hearing, LVA = large vestibular aqueduct, PPHN = persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, TCH = The Children's Hospital
Digitale Transformation: Nicht digitalisieren ist keine Option
Authors: Gocke Peter
Published: April 2022

Nach über zwei Jahren, in denen die Corona-Pandemie unser Denken und Handeln beeinflusst und die öffentliche Diskussion dominiert hat, erfährt das Ausmaß der Belastungen für unser Zusammenleben durch den russischen Überfall auf die Ukraine eine weitere, nicht vorhergesehene Steigerung. Wir sind weiter von dem entfernt, was wir uns als „Normalität“ wünschen, als zuvor.
Krieg in der Ukraine: Kliniken helfen
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: April 2022

Seit dem Kriegsbeginn in der Ukraine am 24. Februar haben deutsche Krankenhäuser umfangreiche Unterstützung organisiert. Zudem wurden auch Patienten aufgenommen, die in der Ukraine nicht mehr behandelt werden können.
Ergebnisse im Detail: Besser als gedacht
Authors: Kucera Martin
Published: April 2022

Die erste Messung des Digitalradar Krankenhaus zum digitalen Reifegrad zeigt, dass deutsche Krankenhäuser im internationalen Vergleich gar nicht so schlecht da stehen.
Künstliche Intelligenz im Krankenhaus: Digitaler Feinschliff auf Station
Authors: Hohnstein Aileen
Published: April 2022

Die Technische Universität München hat einen Algorithmus entwickelt, der mit hoher Genauigkeit Hautkrankheiten klassifizieren kann. In der Dermatologie des Klinikums der Universität München wird er derzeit für die klinische Routine einsatzfähig gemacht. Die Projektpartner versprechen sich dadurch eine verbesserte Patientenversorgung.
Intersektorale Gesundheitszentren (IGZ): Knotenpunkt der integrierten Versorgung
Authors: Sturm Heidrun , Schmid Andreas
Published: April 2022

Ein Team der Uniklinik Tübingen und der Oberender AG hat im Auftrag der KBV untersucht, wie das Behandlungsspektrum einer bettenführenden Erweiterten Ambulanten Versorgung (EAV) genauer gefasst werden dann. Das Gutachten zeigt, wie hoch die Potenziale von Intersektoralen Gesundheitszentren (IGZ) für integrierte und interprofessionelle Versorgungsansätze sind.
A wavelet-based set of constructive masses for the Minkowskian Feynman propagator
Authors: Battle Guy
Published: April 2022

We continue our pursuit of Minkowskian quantum field theory—specifically, a nonperturbative analysis of the characteristic functional generating the time-ordered Wightman distributions for the quartic scalar field interaction. As in a previous paper, our starting point is the Minkowskian Feynman propagator for the free scalar field theory analyzed by a system of expansion functions in space-time. Here, we choose a significantly different system of expansion functions. We start with an L2-orthonormal wavelet basis {Ψw:w∈W}, where each Ψw has the properties of a Daubechies wavelet in the temporal coordinate and the properties of a Meyer wavelet in the spatial coordinates. We consider the matrix elements Gww′(m) of the mass-m Feynman propagator based on the expansion functions vw=Lw−1Ψw, where Lw denotes the length scale of w∈W. For every finite Λ⊂W, we let GΛ(m) denote the Λ × Λ matrix of such elements. We define a constructive mass to be any value of m such that GΛ(m) is nonsingular for each finite Λ⊂W. We prove that the set of such masses is at least co-countable (although we expect every mass value to be constructive). For an arbitrary constructive mass m and an arbitrary finite Λ⊂W, we rigorously construct the interacting characteristic functional as an integral in amplitudes, where the Λ-cutoff on the quartic interaction is supplemented by a cutoff on the free-field action defined by GΛ(m)−1.
Transient abnormal signal acquisition system based on approximate entropy and sample entropy
Authors: Jiang Jun , Tian Shulin , Tian Yu , Zhou Yi , Hu Cong
Published: April 2022

In the field of time domain measurement, with increasing complexity of measured signals, the periodic stationarity of signals is destroyed and the transient non-stationarity starts to stand out, specifically manifested as frequent presence of transient abnormal signals, such as burrs, harmonics, noises, and modulating waves in the periodic signals. By applying the entropy estimation of signals to the field of time domain measurement, this paper designs a transient abnormal signal acquisition system based on approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn). In the process of data acquisition, the ApEn and SampEn of sampled data are computed in real time and the complexities of measured signals are differentiated, thus realizing abnormal signal detection. The experimental results demonstrate that SampEn generally has a higher sensitivity and wider application than ApEn in the detection process of transient abnormal signals. The study can provide a new method for the design of a time-domain measuring instrument with abnormal signal detection ability.
Neuromorphic photonic circuit modeling in Verilog-A
Authors: Singh Jagmeet , Morison Hugh , Guo Zhimu , Marquez Bicky A. , Esmaeeli Omid , Prucnal Paul R. , Chrostowski Lukas , Shekhar Sudip , Shastri Bhavin J.
Published: April 2022

One of the significant challenges in neuromorphic photonic architectures is the lack of good tools to simulate large-scale photonic integrated circuits. It is crucial to perform simulations on a single platform to capture the circuit’s behavior in the presence of both optical and electrical components. Here, we adopted a Verilog-A based approach to model neuromorphic photonic circuits by considering both the electrical and optical properties. Verilog-A models for the primary optical devices, such as lasers, couplers, waveguides, phase shifters, and photodetectors, are discussed, along with studying the composite devices such as microring resonators. Model parameters for different optical devices are extracted and tuned by analyzing the measured data. The simulated and experimental results are also compared for validation of Verilog-A models. Finally, a single photonic neuron circuit is simulated by implementing input, weight, and non-linear activation function by using lasers, microring resonators, and modulator, respectively. Electro-optical rapid co-simulation would significantly improve the efficiency of optimizing the devices and provide an accurate simulation of the circuit performance.
Critical temperature for volume ignition of deuterium–tritium fuel in inertial confinement fusion: Effects of hydrodynamic instabilities
Authors: Xu Rui-Hua , Wen Wu , Zhao Ying-Kui
Published: April 2022

Volume ignition is an alternative approach to inertial confinement fusion. Due to igniting the whole fuel region rather than the central hot spot compared with the central hot-spot ignition, more laser energy is needed for volume ignition. Therefore, it is much desirable to examine the ignition margin for volume ignition. Hydrodynamic instabilities are major factors responsible for degrading inertial confinement fusion implosion performance. Hydrodynamic instabilities usually bring dramatic deformations of the fuel target, and accordingly, more radiation energy loss leaks from the fuel region. Therefore, the focus of this paper is on how they influence the radiation energy loss and increase critical temperatures for volume ignition. The present results show that critical ignition temperature increases both with the perturbation mode number and the perturbation amplitudes. What is more, we find that perturbations with longitudinal mode have a greater impact than those with latitudinal mode, and targets with lower deuterium–tritium mass are more vulnerable to perturbations. The present results are important and offer support for subsequent ignition-target design.
Investigating radiatively driven, magnetized plasmas with a university scale pulsed-power generator
Authors: Halliday Jack W. D. , Crilly Aidan , Chittenden Jeremy , Mancini Roberto C. , Merlini Stefano , Rose Steven , Russell Danny R. , Suttle Lee G. , Valenzuela-Villaseca Vicente , Bland Simon N. , Lebedev Sergey V.
Published: April 2022

We present first results from a novel experimental platform that is able to access physics relevant to topics including indirect-drive magnetized inertial confinement fusion, laser energy deposition, various topics in atomic physics, and laboratory astrophysics (for example, the penetration of B-fields into high energy density plasmas). This platform uses the x rays from a wire array Z-pinch to irradiate a silicon target, producing an outflow of ablated plasma. The ablated plasma expands into ambient, dynamically significant B-fields (∼5 T), which are supported by the current flowing through the Z-pinch. The outflows have a well-defined (quasi-1D) morphology, enabling the study of fundamental processes typically only available in more complex, integrated schemes. Experiments were fielded on the MAGPIE pulsed-power generator (1.4 MA, 240 ns rise time). On this machine, a wire array Z-pinch produces an x-ray pulse carrying a total energy of ∼15 kJ over ∼30 ns. This equates to an average brightness temperature of around 10 eV on-target.
Investigation of bubble dynamics in a micro-channel with obstacles using a conservative phase-field lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Zhang Ang , Su Dongbo , Li Chuangming , Zhang Ying , Jiang Bin , Pan Fusheng
Published: April 2022

Simulating bubble dynamics impacting on obstacles is challenging because of large liquid-to-gas density ratio and complex interface deformation. In this study, a conservative phase-field model, based on a modified Allen–Cahn equation, is employed to accurately capture the bubble interface, and the lattice Boltzmann model is applied to solve the flow field. The bubble rises under the influence of buoyancy force and surface tension force, and complex topology changes, such as rotation, breakup, and squeeze deformation, are predicted in the presence of obstacles. Three dimensionless numbers, including Reynolds, Eötvös, and Morton numbers, are used to characterize bubble dynamics, and two shape indicators, including the revised Blaschke coefficient and the oblateness degree, are introduced to obtain a more systematic assessment of the bubble shape. Effects of flow parameters and obstacle geometries on bubble dynamics impacting on obstacles are investigated to render a quantitative investigation with physical insights. Model extension to the 3D case, the low-viscosity flow and non-pure fluid is further remarked, which can shed light onto future development of physically informed models for predicting the bubble behavior in more real scenarios.
Top-contact organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Paudel Pushpa Raj , Dahal Drona , Radha Krishnan Raj Kishen , Skowrons Michael , Lüssem Björn
Published: April 2022

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) transduce ionic into electric signals, which makes them a promising candidate for a wide range of bio-electronic applications. However, despite their promise, the influence of their device geometry on performance is still not fully understood. Here, two different device geometries—top contact and bottom contact OECTs—are compared in terms of their contact resistance, reproducibility, and switching speed. It is shown that bottom contact devices have faster switching times, while their top-contact counterparts are superior in terms of slightly reduced contact-resistance and increased reproducibility. The origin of this trade-off between speed and reproducibility is discussed, which provides optimization guidelines for a particular application.
Linear and weakly nonlinear dominant dynamics in a boundary layer flow
Authors: Xiao Dandan , Zhang Wenqiang , Sun Qiangqiang , Mao Xuerui
Published: April 2022

The aim of this paper is to investigate the linear and weakly nonlinear dynamics in flow over a flat-plate with leading edge. Linear optimal and suboptimal inflow perturbations are obtained using a Lagrangian multiplier technique. In particular, the suboptimal inflow conditions and the corresponding downstream responses are investigated in detail for the first time. Unlike the suboptimal dynamics reported in other canonical cases such as the backward-facing step flow, the growth rate of the suboptimal perturbation is in the same order as the optimal one, and both of them depend on the lift-up mechanism even though they are orthogonal. The suboptimal mode has an additional layer of vorticity that penetrates into the boundary layer farther downstream, generating a second patch of high- and low-speed streaks. The farther suboptimal ones spread to the free-stream without entering the boundary layer. The weakly nonlinear dynamics are examined by decomposing the flow field into multiple orders of perturbations using the Volterra series. Small structures in the higher order perturbations mainly concentrate in the region farther away from wall, suggesting a mechanism of outward perturbation developments, which is opposite with the well reported inward development of perturbations, i.e., from free-stream to boundary layer. The significance of these modes is then demonstrated through a prediction of flow field from the inflow condition by exploiting the orthogonality of the modes.
Long-read sequencing in fungal identification
Authors: Hoang Minh Thuy Vi , Irinyi Laszlo , Meyer Wieland
Published: April 2022

Long-read sequencing is currently supported by sequencing platforms from Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore Technologies, both of which generate ultra-long reads. Metabarcoding and metagenomics are the two approaches used when implementing sequencing. Metabarcoding involves the amplification and sequencing of selected nucleic acid regions, while in a metagenomic approach extracted nucleic acids are sequenced directly without prior amplification. Both approaches have associated advantages and disadvantages, which, in combination with long-read sequencing, provide a promising new approach for fungal identification and diagnosis of mycoses, on which we will reflect in this short review.
A systematic review on assessment and management of preventive cardiovascular care in primary health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men
Authors: McBride Katharine , Nguyen Jayden , Dowling Anna , Howard Natasha J. , Franks Christine , Hillier Susan , Wade Vicki , King Veronica , Rigney Janice , Burton Nyunmiti , Mitchell Julie Anne , Nicholls Stephen J. , Paquet Catherine , Brown Alex
Published: April 2022

In promoting positive cardiovascular health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, there is a need to ensure provision of high-quality risk assessment and management in primary healthcare settings. There is some evidence of gender gaps for Australian women in the provision of cardiovascular risk assessment and management; however, there is little understanding of whether these gaps are also present for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. A mixed-method systematic review was utilised to synthesise existing evidence on the provision of assessment and management against guideline-recommended care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and determine whether gender disparities in provision of care exist for this population. Sixteen studies that report gender-specific data indicate there are significant gaps in the provision of assessment and management for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men alike. There is no evidence of incorporation of social and emotional wellbeing into cardiovascular care and limited studies outlining the assessment and management of behaviours and factors that may be protective of cardiovascular health. Furthermore, little is known about the provision of care in mainstream primary health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Organisational influence on the co-production of fire science: overcoming challenges and realising opportunities
Authors: Glenn Evora , Yung Laurie , Wyborn Carina , Williams Daniel R.
Published: April 2022

Addressing the challenges of wildland fire requires that fire science be relevant to management and integrated into management decisions. Co-production is often touted as a process that can increase the utility of science for management, by involving scientists and managers in knowledge creation and problem solving. Despite the documented benefits of co-production, these efforts face a number of institutional barriers. Further research is needed on how to institutionalise support and incentivise co-production. To better understand how research organisations enable and constrain co-production, this study examined seven co-produced wildland fire projects associated with the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), through in-depth interviews with scientists, managers and community members. Results provide insights into how organisational structures and cultures influence the co-production of fire science. Research organisations like RMRS may be able to institutionalise co-production by adjusting the way they incentivise and evaluate researchers, increasing investment in science delivery and scientific personnel overall, and supplying long-term funding to support time-intensive collaborations. These sorts of structural changes could help transform the culture of fire science so that co-production is valued alongside more conventional scientific activities and products.
Origin and early evolution of the plant terpene synthase family
Authors: Jia Qidong , Brown Reid , Köllner Tobias G. , Fu Jianyu , Chen Xinlu , Wong Gane Ka-Shu , Gershenzon Jonathan , Peters Reuben J. , Chen Feng
Published: April 2022

Significance

Land plants produce numerous terpenoids that regulate development and mediate environmental interactions. Thus, how typical plant terpene synthase (
TPS
) genes originated and evolved to create terpenoid diversity is of fundamental interest. By investigating
TPSs
from the genomes and transcriptomes of diverse taxa of green plants, it was demonstrated here that the ancestral
TPS
gene originated in land plants after divergence from green algae and encoded a bifunctional
ent
-kaurene synthase for phytohormone biosynthesis. This ancestral
TPS
then underwent gene duplication at least twice early in land plant evolution, leading to three ancient
TPS
lineages reflecting sub-functionalization of class I and II activities for phytohormone biosynthesis and neo-functionalization from primary to secondary metabolism, followed in each case by dynamic functional divergence.
Fast growth can counteract antibiotic susceptibility in shaping microbial community resilience to antibiotics
Authors: Amor Daniel R. , Gore Jeff
Published: April 2022

Significance

Antibiotic exposure stands among the most used interventions to drive microbial communities away from undesired states. How the ecology of microbial communities shapes their recovery—e.g., posttreatment shifts toward
Clostridioides difficile
infections in the gut—after antibiotic exposure is poorly understood. We study community response to antibiotics using a model community that can reach two alternative states. Guided by theory, our experiments show that microbial growth following antibiotic exposure can counteract antibiotic susceptibility in driving transitions between alternative community states. This makes it possible to reverse the outcome of antibiotic exposure through modifying growth dynamics, including cooperative growth, of community members. Our research highlights the relevance of simple ecological models to better understand the long-term effects of antibiotic treatment.
Advanced age increases frequencies of de novo mitochondrial mutations in macaque oocytes and somatic tissues
Authors: Arbeithuber Barbara , Cremona Marzia A. , Hester James , Barrett Alison , Higgins Bonnie , Anthony Kate , Chiaromonte Francesca , Diaz Francisco J. , Makova Kateryna D.
Published: April 2022

Significance

Multiple human genetic diseases are caused by mutations in the maternally transmitted DNA of mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. It is important to study how these mutations arise and accumulate with age, especially because humans in many societies now choose to have children at an older age. However, this is difficult to accomplish in humans, particularly for female germline cells, oocytes. To overcome this limitation, we studied mitochondrial mutation origins and accumulation with age in a primate model species, rhesus macaque. We found that new mutations accumulate the fastest in metabolically active liver and the slowest in oocytes. Thus, primate oocytes might have developed a mechanism to protect their mitochondrial DNA from excessive mutations, allowing reproduction later in life.
PD-1 cooperates with AIRE-mediated tolerance to prevent lethal autoimmune disease
Authors: Policheni Antonia N. , Teh Charis E. , Robbins Alissa , Tuzlak Selma , Strasser Andreas , Gray Daniel H. D.
Published: April 2022

Significance

A variety of mechanisms safeguard the body from autoimmune reactions, yet how these processes cooperate is largely unclear. Using a range of mouse genetic models, we uncover a critical tolerogenic axis between the autoimmune regulator, AIRE, and the immune checkpoint molecule, PD-1. Their combined loss induced an early-onset lethal autoimmune syndrome driven by autoreactive CD4
+
T cells that could not be restrained by regulatory T cells. These data shed light on how central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms work together, and highlight thymic function as a potentially key modifier of responses to anti–PD-1 therapies.
Inhaling salbutamol may decrease time to exhaustion in some contexts of heavy endurance performances
Authors: Helge T. , Godhe M. , Berglund B. , Ekblom B.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: To study the effect of inhaling a beta‐agonist (salbutamol) compared to placebo on skiing and cycling performance in well‐trained elite athletes. Methods: Three different exercise protocols were used, all with a cross‐over double blind placebo‐controlled design. Participants inhaled 800 µg salbutamol or a placebo prior to the test, which was repeated on a following day with the participants inhaling the other substance. Fifteen junior elite skiers performed four free‐style high intensity sprints (1100 m/work time 3.5–4.5 min). Twelve elite cyclists carried out a short cycling protocol, starting with two 5 min submaximal workloads followed by a maximal intermittent performance test to exhaustion. Another 12 elite cyclists performed the maximal intermittent performance test to exhaustion after a 150 min long submaximal cycling protocol. Results: Group mean time for the ski sprints increased, with no difference between treatment groups. In the short cycling protocol time to exhaustion was 9.1% (95% CI 52–161) lower after inhaling salbutamol compared to placebo and in the long cycling protocol time to exhaustion was 9.1% (95% CI – 121–267) lower after inhaling salbutamol compared to placebo. Blood lactate, heart rate and ventilation increased during submaximal exercise with salbutamol compared to placebo in the short cycling protocol (p < .05). Conclusion: This study could not confirm any positive performance effects from inhaling 800 µg salbutamol compared to placebo in skiing and high‐intensity intermittent cycling performance. Instead, time to exhaustion in the maximal intermittent performance test was lower in both cycling protocols.

Highlights

There was no difference in performance time between salbutamol and placebo treatment in real‐life applicable repeated ski sprints.

Time to exhaustion in the maximal intermittent performance test was 9.1% lower after inhaling salbutamol compared to placebo, both when performed after 10 and 150 min of submaximal cycling.
Polarization-resolved analysis to solid high-order harmonic generation
Authors: Huang Tengfei , Li Liang , Li Jiapeng , Zhu Xiaosong , Lan Pengfei , Lu Peixiang
Published: April 2022

We propose a quantitative polarization-resolved quantum trajectory approach to analyse the solid high-order harmonic generation (HHG). By using this approach, we can distinguish the ionization channels of different polarization components in HHG. We take the HHG in hBN under two counter-rotating circularly polarized fields as an example. We find that the right and left circular polarized high harmonics are contributed by the electron trajectories with the ionization channel around the high symmetry points K and K′ respectively. Furthermore, the intensity of the right and left circular polarization harmonics is determined by the interference between these electron trajectories. Our work offers a quantitatively polarization-resolved analysis to understand the underlying mechanism in HHG in the view of electron reciprocal space trajectory.
Construction of highly efficient carbon dots-based polymer photonic luminescent solar concentrators with sandwich structure
Authors: Xin Wei , Wang Jianying , Xu Bing , Wu Jun , Wang Jun , Ren Zhanpeng , Cai Chen , Xue Chenglong , Li Jinhua , Wang Xianbao
Published: April 2022

The enhancement of photoluminescence (PL) emission and waveguide play a key role in improving the optical efficiency of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). In this work, to boosting PL emission and waveguide simultaneously, one photonic crystal (PC) structure (crystalline colloid arrays (CCAs)) was introduced into carbon dots (CDs)-based polymer LSCs. A sandwich-structured CDs-based polymer photonic LSC, comprising glass/CDs-based polymer PC film/glass, was created. First, CDs-based colloidal crystal suspensions were prepared by co-assembly of monodispersed p(MMA-NIPAm) colloids and multicolor-emitting CDs in HEMA monomer induced by the evaporation-driven assembly. The obtained suspensions not only had uniform PL and structural colors, but showed enhanced PL emission. Second, the above suspensions were sandwiched between two glass sheets and finally a photonic polymer LSC with sandwiched structure (25 × 25 × 1.8 mm3) were formed via one-step photopolymerization technique. Remarkably, the optimal CDs-based polymer photonic LSCs with sandwiched structure not only had high transparence at visible range (>60%), but exhibited PL emission enhancement (at least 2 times). Furthermore, the maximum external optical efficiency (η

opt
) of 5.84% could be achieved based on yellow-emitting CDs-based polymer photonic LSC. The high external optical efficiency was mainly attributed to the PL emission enhancement and good PC waveguide.
Experimental investigation of the factors that affect the magnitude of the centripetal force exerted on a rotating body in a flipped classroom
Authors: Pierratos Theodoros , Sotirios Mandiliotis , Eirini Dermitzaki
Published: April 2022

Teaching of centripetal force in secondary education is a challenging task because of its central role in the circular and rotational motion. The specific equipment needed for experiments that explore the physical law which governs the centripetal force is usually limited in schools. The experiment presented in this paper, is based on a device which was made from scratch. It has been used in a flipped classroom to engage students in an inquiry-based experimental process. In the synchronous and asynchronous distance learning sessions students worked on the experimental data of circular motion and the uncertainties of them. They made predictions for the dependence of centripetal force on mass, angular velocity and radius of rotation and they got familiar with the scientific methodology. According to their responses to a short questionnaire posed, most of them had a positive attitude towards the teaching module applied.
Optimization of a customized simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique algorithm for phase-contrast breast computed tomography
Authors: Donato S , Brombal L , Arana Peña L M , Arfelli F , Contillo A , Delogu P , Di Lillo F , Di Trapani V , Fanti V , Longo R , Oliva P , Rigon L , Stori L , Tromba G , Golosio B
Published: April 2022

Objective. To introduce the optimization of a customized GPU-based simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (cSART) in the field of phase-contrast breast computed tomography (bCT). The presented algorithm features a 3D bilateral regularization filter that can be tuned to yield optimal performance for clinical image visualization and tissues segmentation. Approach. Acquisitions of a dedicated test object and a breast specimen were performed at Elettra, the Italian synchrotron radiation (SR) facility (Trieste, Italy) using a large area CdTe single-photon counting detector. Tomographic images were obtained at 5 mGy of mean glandular dose, with a 32 keV monochromatic x-ray beam in the free-space propagation mode. Three independent algorithms parameters were optimized by using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), spatial resolution, and noise texture metrics. The results obtained with the cSART algorithm were compared with conventional SART and filtered back projection (FBP) reconstructions. Image segmentation was performed both with gray scale-based and supervised machine-learning approaches. Main results. Compared to conventional FBP reconstructions, results indicate that the proposed algorithm can yield images with a higher CNR (by 35% or more), retaining a high spatial resolution while preserving their textural properties. Alternatively, at the cost of an increased image ‘patchiness’, the cSART can be tuned to achieve a high-quality tissue segmentation, suggesting the possibility of performing an accurate glandularity estimation potentially of use in the realization of realistic 3D breast models starting from low radiation dose images. Significance. The study indicates that dedicated iterative reconstruction techniques could provide significant advantages in phase-contrast bCT imaging. The proposed algorithm offers great flexibility in terms of image reconstruction optimization, either toward diagnostic evaluation or image segmentation.
Extraction of the edge/areal components and path of the reverse gate leakage in a GaN HEMT from measurements
Authors: Prasannanjaneyulu Bhavana , Rawal D S , Karmalkar Shreepad
Published: April 2022

Reverse gate leakage, I
G, limits the reliability of gallium nitride high electron mobility transistors. We extract the components of I
G flowing into the edge and area of the gate from the measured I
G versus gate to source voltage, V
GS, data of both low and high I
G devices. The components are separated by analyzing the change in I
G with gate length, L
G. We estimate the short and long channel limits of L
G for which the I
G flows predominantly into the edge and area, respectively. Prior one-dimensional I
G models based on the areal field are valid for simulating long channel devices. However, the I
G of short channel devices should be modeled using the edge field, and can be reduced by techniques like field plate or high-k passivation which reduce the edge field. Also, we find the measured I
G to be independent of the un-gated length, implying that I
G flows via the channel rather than surface. Our work dispels any prior misperception of I
G being area dominated irrespective of L
G and gives the right direction for modeling and control of I
G.
Seismic performance assessment of steel frames upgraded with shape memory alloy re-centering dampers for passive protection of structures subjected to seismic excitations using high-performance NiTiHfPd material
Authors: S Dizaji Farzad , S Dizaji Mehrdad
Published: April 2022

This study explores a super-elastic memory alloy re-centering damper device and investigates its performance in improving the response of steel frame structures subjected to multi-level seismic hazard. The configuration of the device was initially proposed by the authors in a different paper. The proposed super-elastic memory alloy re-centering damper (SMARD) counts on high-performance shape memory alloy (SMA) bars for re-centering capability and employs friction springs to augment its deformation capacity. First of all, this study explores the super-elastic response of NiTiHfPd SMAs under various conditions and illustrates their application into seismic applications. In order to collect experimental data, uniaxial tests are conducted on super-elastic NiTiHfPd SMAs in the temperature range of −35 °C–25 °C and at the loading frequencies of 0.05 Hz to 1.0 Hz with four different strain amplitudes. The effects of loading rate and temperature on super-elastic characteristics of NiTiHfPd SMAs are examined. Then, an analytical model of six-story and nine-story steel special moment frame buildings with installed SMARDs is developed to determine the dynamic response of the building. Finally, nonlinear response time history analyses are conducted to assess the behavior of controlled and uncontrolled buildings under 44 ground motion records. Results show that SMARDs can enormously mitigate the dynamic response of steel frame structures at different seismic hazard levels and, at the same time, enhance their post-earthquake functionality.
Revisiting dark matter freeze-in and freeze-out through phase-space distribution
Authors: Du Yong , Huang Fei , Li Hao-Lin , Li Yuan-Zhen , Yu Jiang-Hao
Published: April 2022

We revisit dark-matter production through freeze-in and
freeze-out by solving the Boltzmann equations at the level of the
phase-space distribution f(p,t). Using the 2 ⟶ 2 annihilation
and the 1 ⟶ 2 decay processes for illustration, we compare the
resulting dark-matter relic abundance with that from the
number-density approach. In the transition regime between freeze-in
and freeze-out, we find the difference can be quite significant, or
even by orders of magnitude if the annihilation of dark-matter
particles or the decaying mediator is neglected. The freeze-in
production in the 2 ⟶ 2 and the 1 ⟶ 2 processes can also result
in non-thermal phase-space distributions, or even multi-modal ones
with out-of-equilibrium decay, which can potentially affect
structure formation at late times. We also investigate how elastic
scatterings can distort such non-thermal distributions.
Gravitational radiation from a binary system in odd-dimensional spacetime
Authors: Khlopunov M. , Gal'tsov D.V.
Published: April 2022

We explore possible manifestations of an odd number of extra dimensions in gravitational radiation, which are associated with violation of Huygens' principle in flat odd-dimensional spacetime. Our setup can be regarded as the limit of an infinite compactification radius in ADD model and is not viable as realistic cosmology, but it still may be useful as a simple analytically solvable model catching certain features of more realistic scenarios. The model consists of two point masses moving inside a flat three-dimensional brane, embedded in a five-dimensional Minkowski space and interacting only through a massless scalar field localized on the same brane, while gravitational radiation is emitted into the bulk. This setup avoids the difficulties associated with taking into account the gravitational stresses binding the system, which require the cubic terms in the perturbative gravitational Lagrangian, and permits to limit ourselves to linearized theory. We calculate radiation in a linearized five-dimensional gravity generalizing the Rohrlich-Teitelboim approach to extract the emitted part of the retarded gravitational field. The source term consists of a local contribution from point particles and a non-local contribution from scalar field stresses, which is calculated using the DIRE approach to post-Newtonian expansions. In the nonrelativistic limit, we find an analog of the quadrupole formula containing an integral over the history of the particles' motion preceding the retarded time. We also show that, for an observer on the brane, the radiation contains a third polarization: the breathing mode.
Alloyed Au/Pd nanoparticles formed by laser ablation of thin films in liquid
Authors: Nastulyavichus A A , Shelygina S N , Khaertdinova L F , Rudenko A A , Kirilenko D A , Kudryashov S I , Ionin A A
Published: April 2022

The formation of alloyed Au/Pd nanoparticles (NPs) from thin magnetron-deposited Au–Pd films by nanosecond laser ablation in water is investigated. The films weight loss dependence is studied by thickness, intensity and laser pulses per point. Prepared NPs are transferred onto the silica wafer and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as optical and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopies. NPs size distribution was obtained using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method.