bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral breathing-valley locking in two-dimensional kagome lattice Ta3I8
Authors: Lu Jiajun , Chen Hongxin , Zhao Xiuwen , Hu Guichao , Yuan Xiaobo , Ren Junfeng
Published: February 2024

The exploration of valley-related physics is essential to the development and refinement of valleytronics. Here, a paradigm called chiral breathing-valley locking (CBVL) is proposed, in which two chiral “breathing” phases are completely locked to their valley indexes. Utilizing first-principles calculations, a two-dimensional (2D) kagome lattice with large spontaneous valley polarization (VP), namely, monolayer Ta3I8, is proposed to realize CBVL. There are two breathing phases with chiral symmetry in Ta3I8, and they can change to each other under some conditions. The valley indexes change between “−K” and “K” along the breathing of the two chiral symmetric phases, so CBVL can be obtained. Remarkably, the VP is up to 199.7 meV, so CBVL can cause the obvious switching of the anomalous valley Hall effect (AVHE). Additionally, a 2D Janus Kagome structure TaI4X4 is constructed to confirm experimentally the feasibility of electric field modulation on the CBVL. The built-in electric field and the breathing mode can mutually influence each other in TaI4X4, which provides a synergistic regulation of the AVHE. Our findings broaden the horizon for exploring AVHE materials and provide a platform for future valleytronic applications.
Flow and heat transfer performance of asymmetric fractal tree network in fractal porous media
Authors: Chen Yanli , Ren Tianlong , Jiang Wenwen , Zhang Xuebing
Published: February 2024

This study aims to investigate the fluid transport and heat transfer characteristics in fractal porous media, introduce asymmetric factors to derive a generalized optimization principle for asymmetric branching flow and heat transfer, and obtain the optimal radius ratio for the superior flow resistance/heat resistance model; and the accurate models of permeability and thermal conductivity of asymmetric tree-fractal networks are developed and validated against the traditional Murray's law and symmetric tree-fractal network models. The results show that (a) the symmetric case can be regarded as a special case of the asymmetric fractal network model, and Murray's law is correct only for the symmetric bifurcation (flow percentage Ψi = 0.5), and the errors predicted by Murray's law for the asymmetric case with a flow percentage of 10% (Ψi = 0.1, n = 1) are 23.5% and 33.1% with respect to the optimal radius ratio of flow and heat transfer, respectively. (b) The symmetric case has the largest flow resistance and the smallest thermal resistance. The asymmetric length factor and radius ratio have significant effects on the dimensionless flow resistance/thermal resistance of the asymmetric fractal network, and there is a critical radius ratio (βm = 0.84), where a larger asymmetric length factor is detrimental to the flow of the tree-like branching network when β < βm, while the opposite effect is observed when β > βm. (c) The asymmetric radius factor affects the optimal radius ratio for thermal conductivity, but does not change the maximum value of thermal conductivity. (d) The pressure gradient and heat transfer coefficient in the fractal microchannel are related to the variation of the volume flow rate and the increase in the heat flux will weaken heat transfer.
Optimization of high-temperature gas parameters and analysis of the impact of oil shale thickness on the in situ development process
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Yang , Li Yongan , Sun Tengfei
Published: February 2024

In situ shale oil extraction is an efficient and environmentally friendly development method. This article employs in situ extraction technology to heat shale oil, optimizing its high-temperature gas parameters based on indicators such as cumulative oil production rate and cumulative power consumption in the shale oil region. Using the optimized high-temperature gas parameters, an exploration of shale oil with different thicknesses was conducted. The results indicate that out of nine different high-temperature gas parameters, five cannot induce complete fracturing in the shale oil region. Models II, III, I, and IV each reach the onset of shale oil fracturing in the entire region after 870, 900, 1020, and 1080 days, respectively. The heating rate factor peaks at 1620, 1620, 1800, and 1980 days, with values of 0.277, 0.305, 0.317, and 0.32, respectively. Compared to Model II, the peak of the heating rate factor in Model I is the highest, showing an increase of 15.52%. Among these models, Model I has the lowest unit volume power consumption at 1063.41 kW/m3. The unit volume power consumption in Model I exhibits the most significant reduction, with a maximum decrease of 16.45% compared to the other three shale oil models of different thicknesses. The research results provide a basis for the engineering development of shale oil.
Effects of straw mulching, liming, and soil texture on ammonia volatilisation: a study of conventional and enhanced efficiency fertilisers
Authors: Cassim Bruno Maia Abdo Rahmen , Cordioli Vitor Rodrigues , Chilante Guilherme Frelo , Mazzi Fabrício Linares , Muniz Antonio Saraiva , Inoue Tadeu Takeyoshi , Batista Marcelo Augusto
Published: February 2024

Context In no-tillage agriculture, maintenance of soil cover combined with liming without incorporation increases nitrogen (N) loss via ammonia (NH3) volatilisation, decreasing the efficiency of nitrogen fertilisers. Aims To quantify N losses by NH3 volatilisation from conventional and enhanced efficiency fertilisers applied to a clayey and a sandy loam soil subjected or not to lime (CaCO3) application and straw mulching. Methods Two laboratory experiments were carried out; one using a clayey soil, and the other using a sandy loam soil. Both experiments followed a 4 × 2 × 2 factorial design with four N sources (urea, urea-NBPT, urea-formaldehyde, and ammonium sulfate), absence and presence of liming, and absence and presence of Brachiaria ruziziensis straw mulching. NH3 volatilisation was measured using closed flasks containing filter paper soaked with sulfuric acid and quantified by titration with sodium hydroxide. Key results NH3 volatilisation was up to 62% of the N applied. Losses due to NH3 volatilisation from both soil types decreased in the following order of treatment: liming + straw mulching > straw mulching only > liming only. Urea-formaldehyde and ammonium sulfate were the most efficient in reducing NH3 emissions. However, when ammonium sulfate was applied to a clayey soil after liming, it resulted in higher NH3 emissions than conventional urea. Conclusions Urea-formaldehyde showed better performance in reducing NH3 losses due to greater stability in the presence of straw or liming. Implications Soils with straw and limestone can lead to large NH3 volatilisation losses if urea conventional is broadcast.
Capillary oxygen regulates demand–supply coupling by triggering connexin40-mediated conduction: Rethinking the metabolic hypothesis
Authors: Kowalewska Paulina M. , Milkovich Stephanie L. , Goldman Daniel , Sandow Shaun L. , Ellis Christopher G. , Welsh Donald G.
Published: February 2024

Coupling red blood cell (RBC) supply to O
2
demand is an intricate process requiring O
2
sensing, generation of a stimulus, and signal transduction that alters upstream arteriolar tone. Although actively debated, this process has been theorized to be induced by hypoxia and to involve activation of endothelial inwardly rectifying K
+
channels (K
IR
) 2.1 by elevated extracellular K
+
to trigger conducted hyperpolarization via connexin40 (Cx40) gap junctions to upstream resistors. This concept was tested in resting healthy skeletal muscle of

Cx40
−/−

and endothelial

K
IR
2.1
−/−

mice using state-of-the-art live animal imaging where the local tissue O
2
environment was manipulated using a custom gas chamber. Second-by-second capillary RBC flow responses were recorded as O
2
was altered. A stepwise drop in PO
2
at the muscle surface increased RBC supply in capillaries of control animals while elevated O
2
elicited the opposite response; capillaries were confirmed to express Cx40. The RBC flow responses were rapid and tightly coupled to O
2
; computer simulations did not support hypoxia as a driving factor. In contrast, RBC flow responses were significantly diminished in

Cx40
−/−

mice. Endothelial

K
IR
2.1
−/−

mice, on the other hand, reacted normally to O
2
changes, even when the O
2
challenge was targeted to a smaller area of tissue with fewer capillaries. Conclusively, microvascular O
2
responses depend on coordinated electrical signaling via Cx40 gap junctions, and endothelial K
IR
2.1 channels do not initiate the event. These findings reconceptualize the paradigm of blood flow regulation in skeletal muscle and how O
2
triggers this process in capillaries independent of extracellular K
+
.
Bio-catalyzed oxidation self-charging zinc–polymer batteries
Authors: Pan Jun , Liu Yanhong , Yang Jian , Wu Jiawen , Fan Hong Jin
Published: February 2024

Oxidation self-charging batteries have emerged with the demand for powering electronic devices around the clock. The low efficiency of self-charging has been the key challenge at present. Here, a more efficient autoxidation self-charging mechanism is realized by introducing hemoglobin (Hb) as a positive electrode additive in the polyaniline (PANI)-zinc battery system. The heme acts as a catalyst that reduces the energy barrier of the autoxidation reaction by regulating the charge and spin state of O
2
. To realize self-charging, the adsorbed O
2
molecules capture electrons of the reduced (discharged state) PANI, leading to the desorption of zinc ions and the oxidation of PANI to complete self-charging. The battery can discharge for 12 min (0.5 C) after 50 self-charging/discharge cycles, while there is nearly no discharge capacity in the absence of Hb. This biology-inspired electronic regulation strategy may inspire new ideas to boost the performance of self-charging batteries.
Highly stable and fast response photodetector based on double perovskite Cs2AgBiCl6 crystals
Authors: Han Zhengyu , Dai Mengjia , Zeng Zhichen , Ye Chunhui , Dai Rucheng , Wang Zhongping , Sun Xiaoyu , Zhang Zengming
Published: February 2024

Photodetectors have attracted extensive research interest owing to their widespread applications. Although perovskite crystals with outstanding optoelectronic properties have proved to be promising candidates for photodetectors, the development is hindered by the instability of perovskite crystals. In this work, we fabricated the photodetector based on high quality Cs2AgBiCl6 crystals. Under 415 nm excitation (0.72 mW cm−2) at voltage of 20 V, the photodetector exhibits good responsivity of 4.45 μA W−1 and detectivity of 2.75 × 108 Jones, respectively. Also, the photodetector shows fast response with rise time 57 ms (

τ
r

) and fall times of 57 ms (

τ
1

) and 832 ms (

τ
2

). Furthermore, the photodetector demonstrates high stability and maintains its good performance even after exposure to vacuum, high temperature and humid conditions.
A novel algorithm for complex transfer conditions in bearing fault diagnosis
Authors: Dong Jingchuan , Su Depeng , Jiang Hongyu , Gao Yubo , Chen Tao
Published: February 2024

Transfer learning in bearing fault diagnosis can effectively improve model generalization and accelerate the practical application of fault diagnosis algorithms. However, previous algorithms primarily focused on simple transfer conditions like known target domain data or the same device. In industrial practice, the conditions for algorithm transfer are more complex. Therefore, cross-domain fault diagnosis under complex transfer conditions is a challenging task with significant practical value. This paper proposes a new bearing fault diagnosis algorithm based on attention mechanism and feature enhancement, which provides better feature extraction capabilities. The main approach involves performing deep aliasing on deep features and training the model to identify domain-invariant classification features under extreme conditions for effective fault diagnosis. Additionally, our network performs well in handling low signal-to-noise ratio problems. Extensive experiments were conducted on three different bearing case studies to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, showing superior performance compared to other deep transfer learning methods.
Chest x-ray diagnosis via spatial-channel high-order attention representation learning
Authors: Gao Xinyue , Jiang Bo , Wang Xixi , Huang Lili , Tu Zhengzheng
Published: February 2024

Objective. Chest x-ray image representation and learning is an important problem in computer-aided diagnostic area. Existing methods usually adopt CNN or Transformers for feature representation learning and focus on learning effective representations for chest x-ray images. Although good performance can be obtained, however, these works are still limited mainly due to the ignorance of mining the correlations of channels and pay little attention on the local context-aware feature representation of chest x-ray image. Approach. To address these problems, in this paper, we propose a novel spatial-channel high-order attention model (SCHA) for chest x-ray image representation and diagnosis. The proposed network architecture mainly contains three modules, i.e. CEBN, SHAM and CHAM. To be specific, firstly, we introduce a context-enhanced backbone network by employing multi-head self-attention to extract initial features for the input chest x-ray images. Then, we develop a novel SCHA which contains both spatial and channel high-order attention learning branches. For the spatial branch, we develop a novel local biased self-attention mechanism which can capture both local and long-range global dependences of positions to learn rich context-aware representation. For the channel branch, we employ Brownian Distance Covariance to encode the correlation information of channels and regard it as the image representation. Finally, the two learning branches are integrated together for the final multi-label diagnosis classification and prediction. Main results. Experiments on the commonly used datasets including ChestX-ray14 and CheXpert demonstrate that our proposed SCHA approach can obtain better performance when comparing many related approaches. Significance. This study obtains a more discriminative method for chest x-ray classification and provides a technique for computer-aided diagnosis.
Conversion of sugarcane biomass into sustainable fabrics: softening of fibers using alkali and silicone softener treatment
Authors: Qadir Muhammad Bilal , Alsaiari Mabkhoot , Ali Zulfiqar , Afzal Ali , Khaliq Zubair , Irfan Muhammad , Rahman Abdul , Jalalah Mohammed , Harraz Farid A
Published: February 2024

This study addresses environmental concerns related to sugarcane biomass as an industrial fuel source by exploring its potential for textile applications. Bagasse undergoes sequential alkali-H2O2 treatment, followed by varying concentrations of silicone softener (50 g l−1 − 100 g l−1 − 150g l−1). The goal is to enhance fiber fineness and softness. Comprehensive physical and chemical characterization reveals significant alterations in treated fibers, impacting surface morphology, crystallinity, linear density, and moisture regain. Results indicate a decline in fiber linear density from 59.47tex to 48.84tex, thus improved fineness, moisture regain initial from 6.9% to 4.7%, reduced crystallinity, and enhanced mechanical strength with silicone softener treatment. Treated fibers show promise as a sustainable alternative to conventional cotton, emphasizing the importance of sugarcane biomass for eco-friendly textile manufacturing.
Multi-objective optimization and evolution of dissimilar welding process between Cr-Mo steel and austenitic stainless steel for power plant application
Authors: Benlamnouar Mohamed Farid , Bensaid Nabil , Saadi Tahar , Badji Riad
Published: February 2024

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the welding parameters’ effects on mechanical properties of dissimilar welds between Cr-Mo steel grade (P11) and austenitic stainless steel (AISI 316LN). To determine the best welding parameters, variance analysis (ANOVA), desirability function, and perturbation analysis were used to create regression models and identify the significant parameters influencing tensile strength and hardness gaps in the weld joints. The results indicated that welding speed is the most significant parameter affecting both the austenitic hardness gap and tensile strength, while gas flow has the most significant impact on the hardness gap of Cr-Mo steel. Furthermore, welding speed positively influences the mechanical properties of dissimilar weld, whereas welding current has a slight negative effect on tensile strength. The optimum welding parameters were found to be 130 A for welding current, 70 mm min−1 for welding speed, and 13 l min−1 for welding gas flow, resulting in hardness gap values of 18.10 HV (Stainless steel side), 27.38 HV (Cr-Mo steel side), and a tensile strength of 453.90 MPa. The optimum parameter effect is concentrated at the weld interfaces between the fusion zone and the heat-affected zone. This effect led to limitations in grain coarsening, a reduction in the martensite and delta ferrite phase percentages, a slight increase in the bainite ratio, and a decrease in carbide precipitations. As a result, a homogenization of strain distribution in the optimum weld was achieved, leading to ductile fracture in Cr-Mo steel.
Research in methodologies for modelling the oral cavity
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Suhaib , French Andrew P , Valstar Michel F , Yakubov Gleb E
Published: February 2024

The paper aims to explore the current state of understanding surrounding in silico oral modelling. This involves exploring methodologies, technologies and approaches pertaining to the modelling of the whole oral cavity; both internally and externally visible structures that may be relevant or appropriate to oral actions. Such a model could be referred to as a ‘complete model’ which includes consideration of a full set of facial features (i.e. not only mouth) as well as synergistic stimuli such as audio and facial thermal data. 3D modelling technologies capable of accurately and efficiently capturing a complete representation of the mouth for an individual have broad applications in the study of oral actions, due to their cost-effectiveness and time efficiency. This review delves into the field of clinical phonetics to classify oral actions pertaining to both speech and non-speech movements, identifying how the various vocal organs play a role in the articulatory and masticatory process. Vitaly, it provides a summation of 12 articulatory recording methods, forming a tool to be used by researchers in identifying which method of recording is appropriate for their work. After addressing the cost and resource-intensive limitations of existing methods, a new system of modelling is proposed that leverages external to internal correlation modelling techniques to create a more efficient models of the oral cavity. The vision is that the outcomes will be applicable to a broad spectrum of oral functions related to physiology, health and wellbeing, including speech, oral processing of foods as well as dental health. The applications may span from speech correction, designing foods for the aging population, whilst in the dental field we would be able to gain information about patient’s oral actions that would become part of creating a personalised dental treatment plan.
A 3D-printed phantom for stereotactic body radiation therapy simulation
Authors: Yu Ying-Hao , Yen Tsung-Yu , Hung Shih-Kai , Chen Shi-He , Wang Kuei-Ying
Published: February 2024

In modern radiation therapy for lung cancer, examining the uncertainty between tumor motion and beam delivery is vitally important. To lower the radiation dose delivery to the patient’s normal tissue, narrowing the irradiation field margin to hit the tumor accurately is critical. Thus we proposed a phantom that simulates the thorax and lung tumor’s motions by employing a 3D printing technique. The lung tumor is controlled by a linear miniature Delta robot arm, with a maximum displacement of 20 mm in each direction. When we simulated the thoracic breathing movements at 12 mm in A–P (Anterior-Posterior), the control errors were within 10%. The average tracking errors of the prosthetic tumor were within 1.1 mm. Therefore, the 3D-printed phantom with a robot arm can provide a reliable simulation for training and dosimetry measurement before lung radiotherapy, especially SBRT.
A two-step Rayleigh-Schrödinger Brillouin-Wigner approach to transition energies
Authors: Delafosse Loris , Hussein Amr , Yalouz Saad , Robert Vincent
Published: February 2024

Perturbative methods are attractive to describe the electronic structure of molecular systems because of their low-computational cost and systematically improvable character. In this work, a two-step perturbative approach is introduced combining multi-state Rayleigh-Schrödinger (effective Hamiltonian theory) and state-specific Brillouin-Wigner schemes to treat degenerate configurations and yield an efficient evaluation of multiple energies. The first step produces model functions and an updated definition of the perturbative partitioning of the Hamiltonian. The second step inherits the improved starting point provided in the first step, enabling then faster processing of the perturbative corrections for each individual state. The here-proposed two-step method is exemplified on a model-Hamiltonian of increasing complexity.
Experimental study on strain and stress of steady device in a catenary for a high-speed railway
Authors: Pan Like , Chen Liming , Peng Peihuo , He Fan , Zhang Haibo , Xing Tong , Yang Caizhi
Published: February 2024

Steady device is an important component in a catenary for a high-speed railway. It plays an important role in ensuring the current collection quality and stable and reliable operation of the train. In this paper, the strain distributions of positioner tube, column and pin sleeve in the positioning device are measured by strain gauges in our laboratory, and the variation laws of axial and transverse strains, and axial stresses of the three key components under different horizontal and oblique loads, and lifting heights of positioner are studied and analyzed. It is found that the strains and axial stresses of all measuring points basically have a linear relationship with the horizontal load, which are little affected by the oblique load. There is an ‘arch’ change law between these strains/stresses and the lifting height of positioner. For the stresses of two measuring points at the same section, the tensile stress is generally higher than the compressive stress. The maximum tensile stress occurs on positioner tube, which is the weakest part. This work provides the technical support for the material selection, structural design and detection of the positioning device.
Prediction of 4D stress field evolution around additive manufacturing-induced porosity through progressive deep-learning frameworks
Authors: Rezasefat Mohammad , Hogan James D
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the application of machine learning models to predict time-evolving stress fields in complex three-dimensional structures trained with full-scale finite element simulation data. Two novel architectures, the multi-decoder CNN (MUDE-CNN) and the multiple encoder–decoder model with transfer learning (MTED-TL), were introduced to address the challenge of predicting the progressive and spatial evolutional of stress distributions around defects. The MUDE-CNN leveraged a shared encoder for simultaneous feature extraction and employed multiple decoders for distinct time frame predictions, while MTED-TL progressively transferred knowledge from one encoder–decoder block to another, thereby enhancing prediction accuracy through transfer learning. These models were evaluated to assess their accuracy, with a particular focus on predicting temporal stress fields around an additive manufacturing (AM)-induced isolated pore, as understanding such defects is crucial for assessing mechanical properties and structural integrity in materials and components fabricated via AM. The temporal model evaluation demonstrated MTED-TL’s consistent superiority over MUDE-CNN, owing to transfer learning’s advantageous initialization of weights and smooth loss curves. Furthermore, an autoregressive training framework was introduced to improve temporal predictions, consistently outperforming both MUDE-CNN and MTED-TL. By accurately predicting temporal stress fields around AM-induced defects, these models can enable real-time monitoring and proactive defect mitigation during the fabrication process. This capability ensures enhanced component quality and enhances the overall reliability of additively manufactured parts.
Optic nerve haemangioblastoma in association with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: case report and literature review
Authors: Vásquez Montoya Juan David , Velez Jorge Mario , Naranjo Vanegas Melisa , Montes Jimenez Natalia
Published: February 2024

Optic nerve haemangioblastoma (ONH) is an uncommon, benign, non-meningothelial, mesenchymal tumour of unclear origin. Most are associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome (71%), and only 40 cases have been reported in the medical literature. Most of the patients develop non-specific visual symptoms, including decreased visual acuity and/or loss of visual fields, exophthalmos, trigeminal neuralgia, and retroorbital pain. Optic nerve sheath meningioma and optic nerve glioma are among the differential diagnoses that may be considered in this location. Contrast-enhanced MRI is considered an optimal diagnostic tool, which helps to determine some characteristics that guide towards an adequate diagnosis and treatment. We present a 42-year-old patient with a history of VHL syndrome in whom a cerebellar lesion and optic nerve lesions were evidenced, and we did a review of the literature and case analysis.
Green Chromatographic Assay of Toxic Impurities of Cyproheptadine: In Silico Toxicity Profiling
Authors: Emam Raghda A , Emam Aml A
Published: February 2024

Cyproheptadine (CYP) is an antihistaminic and anti-serotonin drug used to improve the clinical course of hospitalized patients severely affected by COVID-19 and requiring supplemental oxygen. Thin layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometry method was developed and validated for the estimation of CYP and its impurity, dibenzosuberone and its degradation product: 10, 11-dihydroxy-dibenzosuberone. The toxicity profiles of CYP impurity and degradation product were studied and the in silico data, using pre-ADMET software, proved their toxicity. A developing system of hexane: methanol: ethyl acetate: formic acid: triethylamine (8:1:1:0.05:0.1, by volume) was used with densitometric scanning at 245 nm. International Conference of Harmonization guidelines were obeyed for method validation. The proposed method was applied on CYP pharmaceutical formulation whose results showed no significant difference from results of the reported chromatographic method regarding accuracy and precision. Method’s greenness was evaluated by analytical Eco scale, Green Analytical Procedure Index, and Analytical greenness approach tools. The developed method can be applied for safety check analysis of CYP containing formulations and detection and even quantification of its related toxic components in quality control laboratories at high sensitivity up to 20-fold than the reported chromatographic method.
Modelling costs of interventional pulmonary embolism treatment: implications of US trends for a European healthcare system
Authors: Mohr Katharina , Keeling Brent , Kaier Klaus , Neusius Thomas , Rosovsky Rachel P , Moriarty John M , Rosenfield Kenneth , Abele Christina , Farmakis Ioannis T , Keller Karsten , Barco Stefano , Channick Richard N , Giri Jay S , Lookstein Robert A , Todoran Thomas M , Christodoulou Konstantinos C , Hobohm Lukas , Lanno Michelle , Reed Jamie , Binder Harald , Konstantinides Stavros V , Valerio Luca , Secemsky Eric A
Published: February 2024

Aims

Catheter-directed treatment (CDT) of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is entering a growth phase in Europe following a steady increase in the USA in the past decade, but the potential economic impact on European healthcare systems remains unknown.

Methods and results

We built two statistical models for the monthly trend of proportion of CDT among patients with severe (intermediate- or high-risk) PE in the USA. The conservative model was based on admission data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2016–20 and the model reflecting increasing access to advanced treatment from the PERT™ national quality assurance database registry 2018–21. By applying these models to the forecast of annual PE-related hospitalizations in Germany, we calculated the annual number of severe PE cases and the expected increase in CDT use for the period 2025–30. The NIS-based model yielded a slow increase, reaching 3.1% (95% confidence interval 3.0–3.2%) among all hospitalizations with PE in 2030; in the PERT-based model, increase would be steeper, reaching 8.7% (8.3–9.2%). Based on current reimbursement rates, we estimated an increase of annual costs for PE-related hospitalizations in Germany ranging from 15.3 to 49.8 million euros by 2030. This calculation does not account for potential cost savings, including those from reduced length of hospital stay.

Conclusion

Our approach and results, which may be adapted to other European healthcare systems, provide a benchmark for healthcare costs expected to result from CDT. Data from ongoing trials on clinical benefits and cost savings are needed to determine cost-effectiveness and inform reimbursement decisions.
Association between peripheral endothelial function and myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Vartiainen Niklas , Hartikainen Juha E K , Laitinen Tiina M , Kuikka Paavo-Ilari , Mussalo Hanna , Laitinen Tomi P
Published: February 2024

Aims

Endothelial dysfunction is a systemic disorder and risk factor for atherosclerosis. Our aim was to assess whether there is a relation between peripheral endothelial function and myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and results

We prospectively studied 54 patients, who had a positive result for obstructive CAD in coronary CT angiography. Myocardial perfusion (15O)H2O positron emission tomography was imaged at rest and during adenosine-induced maximal vasodilation. Peripheral endothelial function was assessed by measuring flow-mediated dilation (FMD) with ultrasound from the left brachial artery. There was a statistically significant correlation between FMD and global hyperaemic myocardial blood flow (MBF; r = 0.308, P = 0.023). The correlation remained statistically significant when controlling for gender, height, and diastolic blood pressure at rest (r = 0.367, P = 0.008). Receiver operating character analysis, however, yielded an area under curve of only 0.559 (P = 0.492) when FMD was used to predict reduced MBF (below 2.3 mL/g/min). Patients with significantly decreased MBF (n = 14) underwent invasive coronary angiography. FMD showed an inverse correlation with the severity of the most significant stenosis (r = −0.687, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Peripheral endothelial function is related with hyperaemic MBF and with the severity of CAD in invasive coronary angiography. Due to insufficient sensitivity and specificity in the identification of reduced MBF, FMD is not suitable for clinical practice at the individual level. However, it works at the population level as a research tool when assessing endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD.
Insights into adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations in an international cohort of patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Peltenburg Puck J , van den Heuvel Lieke M , Kallas Dania , Bell Cheyanne , Denjoy Isabelle , Behr Elijah R , Field Ella , Kammeraad Janneke A E , Yap Sing-Chien , Probst Vincent , Ackerman Michael J , Blom Nico A , Wilde Arthur A M , Clur Sally-Ann B , van der Werf Christian
Published: February 2024

Aims

In patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a rare inherited arrhythmia syndrome, arrhythmic events can be prevented by medication and lifestyle recommendations. In patients who experience breakthrough arrhythmic events, non-adherence plays an essential role. We aimed to investigate the incidence and potential reasons for non-adherence to medication and lifestyle recommendations in a large, international cohort of patients with CPVT.

Methods and results

An online multilingual survey was shared with CPVT patients worldwide by their cardiologists, through peer-recruitment, and on social media from November 2022 until July 2023. Self-reported non-adherence was measured using the validated Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) and a newly developed questionnaire about lifestyle. Additionally, validated questionnaires were used to assess potential reasons for medication non-adherence. Two-hundred-and-eighteen patients completed the survey, of whom 200 (92%) were prescribed medication [122 (61%) female; median age 33.5 years (interquartile range: 22–50)]. One-hundred-and-three (52%) were prescribed beta-blocker and flecainide, 85 (43%) beta-blocker, and 11 (6%) flecainide. Thirty-four (17%) patients experienced a syncope, aborted cardiac arrest or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock after diagnosis. Nineteen (13.4%) patients were exercising more than recommended. Thirty (15%) patients were non-adherent to medication. Female sex [odds ratio (OR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3–12.0, P = 0.019], flecainide monotherapy compared to combination therapy (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.6–31.0, P = 0.010), and a higher agreement with statements regarding concerns about CPVT medication (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, P < 0.001) were independently associated with non-adherence.

Conclusion

The significant rate of non-adherence associated with concerns regarding CPVT-related medication, emphasizes the potential for improving therapy adherence by targeted patient education.
LaMYC7, a positive regulator of linalool and caryophyllene biosynthesis, confers plant resistance to Pseudomonas syringae
Authors: Dong Yanmei , Wei Ziling , Zhang Wenying , Li Jingrui , Han Meixian , Bai Hongtong , Li Hui , Shi Lei
Published: February 2024

Linalool and caryophyllene are the main monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds in lavender; however, the genes regulating their biosynthesis still remain many unknowns. Here, we identified LaMYC7, a positive regulator of linalool and caryophyllene biosynthesis, confers plant resistance to Pseudomonas syringae. LaMYC7 was highly expressed in glandular trichomes, and LaMYC7 overexpression could significantly increase the linalool and caryophyllene contents and reduce susceptibility to P. syringae in Nicotiana. In addition, the linalool possessed antimicrobial activity against P. syringae growth and acted dose-dependently. Further analysis demonstrated that LaMYC7 directly bound to the promoter region of LaTPS76, which encodes the terpene synthase (TPS) for caryophyllene biosynthesis, and that LaTPS76 was highly expressed in glandular trichomes. Notably, the LaMYC7 promoter contained hormone and stress-responsive regulatory elements and responded to various treatments, including ultraviolet, low temperature, salt, drought, methyl jasmonate, and P. syringae infection treatments. Under these treatments, the changes in the linalool and caryophyllene contents were similar to those in LaMYC7 transcript abundance. Based on the results, LaMYC7 could respond to P. syringae infection in addition to being involved in linalool and caryophyllene biosynthesis. Thus, the MYC transcription factor gene LaMYC7 can be used in the breeding of high-yielding linalool and caryophyllene lavender varieties with pathogen resistance.
Comparisons of landings to scientific advice indicate overshooting within the common TAC for skates and rays in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Batsleer Jurgen , Griffiths Christopher A , Bleeker Katinka , Johnston Graham , Cardinale Massimiliano , Lorance Pascal
Published: February 2024

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) typically provides advice on fishing opportunities on a stock-by-stock basis. Nevertheless, levels of total allowable catch (TAC) are sometimes set for a collection of stocks and species (i.e. a common TAC). An explicit expectation of these is that landings will scale with ICES advice, especially when ICES advice is used to calculate the common TAC. This expectation is tested for skates and rays in the Northeast Atlantic, spanning 26 stocks, 8 species, and 3 ecoregions. Using ICES landings and ICES advice data from 2016 to 2022, we show that landings of several stocks and species have overshot their respective ICES advice, whereas others have undershot. Specifically, some stocks of blonde ray (Raja brachyura) in North Sea and Celtic Seas ecoregions are being landed at a rate that often exceeds double its ICES advice. By collating species based on their ICES assessment category and life-history traits, we find that those considered data-poor and potentially most vulnerable to fishing are consistently landed at higher-than-expected rates in the Celtic Seas. This study questions the appropriateness of a common TAC for skates and rays and calls for shifts towards the use of single-stock catch allocations and the application of advanced stock assessment methodologies.
Interim Report of the Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 XBB–Containing Vaccines
Authors: Chalkias Spyros , McGhee Nichole , Whatley Jordan L , Essink Brandon , Brosz Adam , Tomassini Joanne E , Girard Bethany , Edwards Darin K , Wu Kai , Nasir Arshan , Lee Diana , Avena Laura E , Feng Jing , Deng Weiping , Montefiori David C , Baden Lindsey R , Miller Jacqueline M , Das Rituparna
Published: February 2024

Background

Monovalent Omicron XBB.1.5–containing vaccines were approved for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 2023–2024 immunizations.

Methods

This ongoing, open-label, phase 2/3 study evaluated messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273.815 monovalent (50-µg Omicron XBB.1.5 spike mRNA) and mRNA-1273.231 bivalent (25-µg each Omicron XBB.1.5 and BA.4/BA.5 spike mRNAs) vaccines, administered as fifth doses to adults who previously received primary series, third doses of an original mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, and fourth doses of an Omicron BA.4/BA.5 bivalent vaccine. Interim safety and immunogenicity 29 days after vaccination are reported.

Results

Participants (randomized 1:1) received 50-µg of mRNA-1273.815 (n = 50) or mRNA-1273.231 (n = 51); median intervals (interquartile range) from prior BA.4/BA.5 bivalent doses were 8.2 (8.1–8.3) and 8.3 (8.1–8.4) months, respectively. Fold increases in neutralizing antibody (nAb) against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants from prebooster nAb levels were numerically higher against XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, EG.5.1, BA.2.86, and JN.1 than BA.4/BA.5, BQ.1.1, or D614G on day 29. Monovalent vaccine also cross-neutralized FL.1.5.1, EG.5.1, BA.2.86, HK.3.1, HV.1, and JN.1 variants in a participant subset (n = 20) 15 days after vaccination. Reactogenicity was similar to that of mRNA-1273 vaccines.

Conclusions

XBB.1.5-containing mRNA-1273 vaccines elicit robust, diverse nAb responses against more recent SARS-CoV-2 variants, including JN.1, supporting the XBB.1.5-spike update for COVID-19 vaccines.
Specifics of spinal neuropathology in the molecular age
Authors: Kresbach Catena , Hack Karoline , Ricklefs Franz , Schüller Ulrich
Published: February 2024

Tumors located in the spinal cord and its coverings can be diagnostically challenging and require special consideration regarding treatment options. During the last decade, important advances regarding the molecular characterization of central and peripheral nervous system tumors were achieved, resulting in improved diagnostic precision, and understanding of the tumor spectrum of this compartment. In particular, array-based global DNA methylation profiling has emerged as a valuable tool to delineate biologically and clinically relevant tumor subgroups and has been incorporated in the current WHO classification for central nervous system tumors of 2021. In addition, several genetic drivers have been described, which may also help to define distinct tumor types and subtypes. Importantly, the current molecular understanding not only sharpens diagnostic precision but also provides the opportunity to investigate both targeted therapies as well as risk-adapted changes in treatment intensity. Here, we discuss the current knowledge and the clinical relevance of molecular neuropathology in spinal tumor entities.
Spinal ependymal tumors
Authors: Westphal Manfred , Mohme Malte
Published: February 2024

Spinal ependymomas are strictly to be subdivided into intramedullary lesions and extramedullary lesions as they are histologically and genetically distinct. Whereas the intramedullary lesions (SPE) are assigned to the WHO grade 2 and very rarely grade 3, the extramedullary lesions or myxopapilary tumors (MPE) are only as recently also assigned to WHO grade 2. The major difference is that in general, an intramedullary lesion of grade 2 remains confined to the local site of origin, even when rarely recurring after complete resection. In contrast, the MPEs have the capacity to spread throughout the cerebrospinal fluid compartment but can also be controlled by cautious complete resection.

We here review the clinical features of spinal ependymomas, contrasting the entities, and describe the treatment found best from the literature to manage these lesions including interdisciplinary approaches.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for treatment of spinal metastasis: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: McVeigh Luke G , Linzey Joseph R , Strong Michael J , Duquette Elizabeth , Evans Joseph R , Szerlip Nicholas J , Jackson William C
Published: February 2024

Background

Advances in local and systemic therapies continue to improve overall survival for patients with cancer, increasing the incidence of spine metastases. Up to 15% of patients with solid tumors develop spinal metastases. Spinal metastases can be particularly devastating for quality of life given the potential pain, neurological deficits from spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome, spinal instability, and pathological fractures that may result. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) with or without adding less invasive surgical techniques for stabilization or separation has gained favor. SBRT uses smaller, more precise treatment volumes, allowing for higher doses per fracture, thus increasing ablative abilities.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review using MEDLINE, Embase (Elsevier), and Web of Science to identify all articles investigating the effectiveness of SBRT in providing local disease control, pain control, and relief of spinal cord compression for patients with metastatic disease of the spine.

Results

The review yielded 84 articles that met inclusion criteria. The evidence indicates SBRT provides excellent local control and pain control for patients with spine metastesis, and this remains true for patients with spinal cord compression managed with surgical separation followed by postoperative spine SBRT.

Conclusion

While not all patients are appropriate candidates for SBRT, carefully considering appropriate frameworks that consider the patient’s overall prognosis can guide a multidisciplinary team toward the patients who will benefit the most from this treatment modality.
Barriers to Hepatitis C Treatment and Interest in Telemedicine-Based Care Among Clients of a Syringe Access Program
Authors: Loy Dorothy E , Kamis Kevin , Kanatser Ruth , Rowan Sarah E
Published: February 2024

Background

Sharing equipment for injection drug use is the most common mode of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in the United States, yet people who inject drugs (PWID) historically have low rates of HCV treatment. New strategies are needed to expand access to HCV treatment among PWID. Co-locating HCV treatment at syringe access programs (SAPs) reduces barriers to treatment, and telemedicine-based treatment programs could expand access further.

Methods

To evaluate interest in a co-localized or telemedicine-based program at an SAP in Denver, Colorado, we surveyed 171 SAP clients to understand barriers to HCV treatment and comfort with various appointment modalities.

Results

Eighty-nine of the surveyed SAP clients (52%), 50 of whom had not completed treatment, reported current or prior HCV infection. The most commonly cited reasons for not seeking HCV treatment were ongoing drug use, logistic barriers, and medical system barriers. Eighty-eight percent of clients with HCV reported that they would be more likely to get treatment if they were able to do so at the SAP, and the rate was higher among people who reported reluctance to seek medical care in general (98% vs 77%, P = .011). In-person appointments were preferred, though 77% of respondents were comfortable with a video appointment. However, only 60% of SAP clients reported having access to a phone, and fewer (48%) had access to video capability.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that telemedicine-based treatment at an SAP could improve access to HCV treatment, but successful implementation would require attention to barriers impacting clients’ ability to participate in telemedicine appointments.
Efficient natural plasmid transformation of Vibrio natriegens enables zero-capital molecular biology
Authors: Specht David A , Sheppard Timothy J , Kennedy Finn , Li Sijin , Gadikota Greeshma , Barstow Buz
Published: February 2024

The fast-growing microbe Vibrio natriegens is capable of natural transformation where it draws DNA in from media via an active process under physiological conditions. Using an engineered strain with a genomic copy of the master competence regulator tfoX from Vibrio cholerae in combination with a new minimal competence media (MCM) that uses acetate as an energy source, we demonstrate naturally competent cells which are created, transformed, and recovered entirely in the same media, without exchange or addition of fresh media. Cells are naturally competent to plasmids, recombination with linear DNA, and cotransformation of both to select for scarless and markerless genomic edits. The entire process is simple and inexpensive, requiring no capital equipment for an entirely room temperature process (zero capital protocol, 104 cfu/μg), or just an incubator (high-efficiency protocol, 105−6 cfu/μg). These cells retain their naturally competent state when frozen and are transformable immediately upon thawing like a typical chemical or electrochemical competent cell. Since the optimized transformation protocol requires only 50 min of hands-on time, and V. natriegens grows quickly even on plates, a transformation started at 9 AM yields abundant culturable single colonies by 5 PM. Further, because all stages of transformation occur in the same media, and the process can be arbitrarily scaled in volume, this natural competence strain and media could be ideal for automated directed evolution applications. As a result, naturally competent V. natriegens could compete with Escherichia coli as an excellent chassis for low-cost and highly scalable synthetic biology.