bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetocrystalline anisotropy of interstitially and substitutionally Sn-doped MnBi for high temperature permanent magnet applications
Authors: Choi Minyeong , Hong Yang-Ki , Won Hoyun , Yeo Chang-Dong , Choi Byung-Chul , Park Jihoon , Lee Woncheol
Published: October 2023

First-principles calculations were performed to calculate the electronic structures of low temperature phase (LTP) MnBi (Mn50Bi50) and substitutionally and interstitially Sn-doped MnBi [Mn50Bi25Sn25, (Mn0.5Bi0.5)66.7Sn33.3]. Brillouin function predicts the temperature dependence of saturation magnetization M(T). Sn substitution for Bi in MnBi (Mn50Bi25Sn25) changes the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant (Ku) from −0.202 MJ/m3 (the in-plane magnetization) for LTP MnBi to 1.711 MJ/m3 (the out-of-plane magnetization). In comparison, the Ku remains negative but slightly decreases to −0.043 MJ/m3 when Sn is interstitially doped in MnBi [(Mn0.5Bi0.5)66.7Sn33.3]. The Curie temperature (TC) decreases from 716 K for LTP Mn50Bi50 to 445 K for Mn50Bi25Sn25 and 285 K for (Mn0.5Bi0.5)66.7Sn33.3. Mn50Bi25Sn25 has a lower magnetic moment of 5.034 μB/f.u. but a higher saturation magnetization of 64.2 emu/g than (Mn0.5Bi0.5)66.7Sn33.3 with a magnetic moment of 6.609 μB/f.u. and a saturation magnetization of 48.2 emu/g because the weight and volume of the substitutionally Sn-doped MnBi are smaller than the interstitially Sn-doped MnBi. The low Curie temperature and magnetization for Sn-doped MnBi are attributed to the high concentration of Sn. Thus, future study needs to focus on low Sn-concentrated MnBi.
Investigating the electric field distribution in the human brain model induced by a high focality transcranial magnetic coil
Authors: Wang Yong , Yang Yonghui , Qi Yihao , Gong Enzhong , Zhang Haiyang , Shi Liantao , Li Zhengguo
Published: October 2023

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique for treating various neurological disorders. The geometry of the TMS coil determines the focality, stimulation field strength, and stimulation depth of the induced electric field. In this paper, we introduce a novel coil, named the eccentric folding coil (EFC). We used Sim4Life, a three-dimensional human tissue medical electromagnetic simulation software, and the brain models of the subjects from the population head model repository to conduct finite element simulations of the eccentric folding coil, circular coil, and figure-eight coil, implying that the largest EFC has a focal area of 19.5 cm2 less than the smallest circular coil, and the EFC of any size has a smaller focal area than the figure-8 coil of the same size. Furthermore, we stimulated the model from three directions with the coil and measured the electric field responses of the model, confirming that stimulation varied in different directions. Additionally, we applied EFC to four representative human models and found that the electric field in different subjects’ brains differed by 3.03 mm in stimulation depth and 12.9 cm2 in focal area, suggesting that personalized human head modeling and electromagnetic analysis are essential for TMS treatment. In the future, we will explore using different types of TMS devices for patients with different conditions to achieve more precise and customized treatment.
Cooperation and deception through stigmergic interactions in human groups
Authors: Bassanetti Thomas , Cezera Stéphane , Delacroix Maxime , Escobedo Ramón , Blanchet Adrien , Sire Clément , Theraulaz Guy
Published: October 2023

Stigmergy is a generic coordination mechanism widely used by animal societies, in which traces left by individuals in a medium guide and stimulate their subsequent actions. In humans, new forms of stigmergic processes have emerged through the development of online services that extensively use the digital traces left by their users. Here, we combine interactive experiments with faithful data-based modeling to investigate how groups of individuals exploit a simple rating system and the resulting traces in an information search task in competitive or noncompetitive conditions. We find that stigmergic interactions can help groups to collectively find the cells with the highest values in a table of hidden numbers. We show that individuals can be classified into three behavioral profiles that differ in their degree of cooperation. Moreover, the competitive situation prompts individuals to give deceptive ratings and reinforces the weight of private information versus social information in their decisions.
Affect in the pragmeme of delivering a health directive
Authors: Tseng Ming-Yu
Published: October 2023

This study investigates how affect is manifested in the pragmeme of delivering a health directive in the Covid-19
context and how affect co-participates in the pragmeme. This research draws on theoretical insights from pragmeme theory,
relevance theory, and the recent distributed language view, with the aim of contributing to the development of a
language-body-environment perspective on pragmatic acts. By way of illustration, two videos used in BBC reports were analyzed, one
featuring the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s order to the British people to stay at home and the other being an unofficial,
self-made video that also appeals to the public to remain at home. This paper argues that affect in its various manifestations
embodies affective potential, which should be regarded as being part and parcel of the pragmeme.
Research and application of composite stochastic resonance in enhancement detection
Authors: Gao 高 Rui 蕊 , Jiao 焦 Shangbin 尚彬 , Xue 薛 Qiongjie 琼婕
Published: October 2023

Aiming at the problem that the intermediate potential part of the traditional bistable stochastic resonance model cannot be adjusted independently, a new composite stochastic resonance (NCSR) model is proposed by combining the Woods–Saxon (WS) model and the improved piecewise bistable model. The model retains the characteristics of the independent parameters of WS model and the improved piecewise model has no output saturation, all the parameters in the new model have no coupling characteristics. Under α stable noise environment, the new model is used to detect periodic signal and aperiodic signal, the detection results indicate that the new model has higher noise utilization and better detection effect. Finally, the new model is applied to image denoising, the results showed that under the same conditions, the output peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and the correlation number of NCSR method is higher than that of other commonly used linear denoising methods and improved piecewise SR methods, the effectiveness of the new model is verified.
Graphdiyne (CnH2n−2)/NiWO4 self-assembled p–n junction characterized with in situ XPS for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Zhang Linqing , Lei Minjun , Jin Zhiliang
Published: October 2023

As is well known, how to deeply understand the charge separation and charge transfer capabilities of catalysts, as well as how to optimize these capabilities of catalysts to improve hydrogen production performance, remains a huge challenge. In recent years, a new type of carbon material graphdiyne (GDY) has been proposed. GDY acetylene has a special atomic arrangement that graphene does not have a two-dimensional network of sp2 and sp conjugated intersections makes it easier to construct active sites and improve photocatalytic ability. In addition, GDY also has the advantage of adjusting the bandgap of other catalysts and inhibiting carrier recombination, making it more prone to hydrogen evolution reactions. In addition to using mechanical ball milling to produce GDY, NiWO4 without precious metals was also prepared. The sheet-like structure of GDY in the composite catalyst provides a anchoring site and more active sites for the granular NiWO4. And the composite catalyst fully enhances the good conductivity of GDY and its unique ability to enhance electron transfer, greatly improving the ability of NiWO4 as a single substance. Through in-situ x-ray photoelectron spectrometer, it was demonstrated that a p–n heterojunction was constructed between GDY and NiWO4 in the composite catalyst, further enhancing the synergistic effect between the two, resulting in a hydrogen production rate of 90.92 μmol for the composite catalyst is 4.56 times higher than that of GDY and 4.97 times higher than that of NiWO4, respectively, and the stability of the composite catalyst is significantly higher than that of each single catalyst.
Feature space reduction method for ultrahigh-dimensional, multiclass data: random forest-based multiround screening (RFMS)
Authors: Hanczár Gergely , Stippinger Marcell , Hanák Dávid , Kurbucz Marcell T , Törteli Olivér M , Chripkó Ágnes , Somogyvári Zoltán
Published: October 2023

In recent years, several screening methods have been published for ultrahigh-dimensional data that contain hundreds of thousands of features, many of which are irrelevant or redundant. However, most of these methods cannot handle data with thousands of classes. Prediction models built to authenticate users based on multichannel biometric data result in this type of problem. In this study, we present a novel method known as random forest-based multiround screening (RFMS) that can be effectively applied under such circumstances. The proposed algorithm divides the feature space into small subsets and executes a series of partial model builds. These partial models are used to implement tournament-based sorting and the selection of features based on their importance. This algorithm successfully filters irrelevant features and also discovers binary and higher-order feature interactions. To benchmark RFMS, a synthetic biometric feature space generator known as BiometricBlender is employed. Based on the results, the RFMS is on par with industry-standard feature screening methods, while simultaneously possessing many advantages over them.
Emerging questions on the mechanisms and dynamics of 3D genome evolution in spiralians
Authors: Rogers Thea F , Simakov Oleg
Published: October 2023

Information on how 3D genome topology emerged in animal evolution, how stable it is during development, its role in the evolution of phenotypic novelties and how exactly it affects gene expression is highly debated. So far, data to address these questions are lacking with the exception of a few key model species. Several gene regulatory mechanisms have been proposed, including scenarios where genome topology has little to no impact on gene expression, and vice versa. The ancient and diverse clade of spiralians may provide a crucial testing ground for such mechanisms. Sprialians have followed distinct evolutionary trajectories, with some clades experiencing genome expansions and/or large-scale genome rearrangements, and others undergoing genome contraction, substantially impacting their size and organisation. These changes have been associated with many phenotypic innovations in this clade. In this review, we describe how emerging genome topology data, along with functional tools, allow for testing these scenarios and discuss their predicted outcomes.
Investigation of the BERT model on nucleotide sequences with non-standard pre-training and evaluation of different k-mer embeddings
Authors: Zhang Yao-zhong , Bai Zeheng , Imoto Seiya
Published: October 2023

Motivation

In recent years, pre-training with the transformer architecture has gained significant attention. While this approach has led to notable performance improvements across a variety of downstream tasks, the underlying mechanisms by which pre-training models influence these tasks, particularly in the context of biological data, are not yet fully elucidated.

Results

In this study, focusing on the pre-training on nucleotide sequences, we decompose a pre-training model of Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) into its embedding and encoding modules to analyze what a pre-trained model learns from nucleotide sequences. Through a comparative study of non-standard pre-training at both the data and model levels, we find that a typical BERT model learns to capture overlapping-consistent k-mer embeddings for its token representation within its embedding module. Interestingly, using the k-mer embeddings pre-trained on random data can yield similar performance in downstream tasks, when compared with those using the k-mer embeddings pre-trained on real biological sequences. We further compare the learned k-mer embeddings with other established k-mer representations in downstream tasks of sequence-based functional prediction. Our experimental results demonstrate that the dense representation of k-mers learned from pre-training can be used as a viable alternative to one-hot encoding for representing nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, integrating the pre-trained k-mer embeddings with simpler models can achieve competitive performance in two typical downstream tasks.

Availability and implementation

The source code and associated data can be accessed at https://github.com/yaozhong/bert_investigation.
Phoenixin-14 as a novel direct regulator of porcine luteal cell functions
Authors: Mlyczyńska Ewa , Kurowska Patrycja , Wachowska Dominika , Grzesiak Małgorzata , Dupont Joelle , Rak Agnieszka
Published: October 2023

Phoenixin is a neuropeptide with a well-established role in the central regulation of reproductive processes; however, knowledge regarding its role in the ovary is limited. One of the main active phoenixin isoforms is phoenixin-14, which acts through G protein–coupled receptor 173. Our research hypothesis was that phoenixin-14 is expressed in porcine corpus luteum and exerts luteotropic action by affecting the endocrine function of luteal cells through G protein–coupled receptor 173 and protein kinase signaling. Luteal cells were cultured to investigate the effect of phoenixin-14 (1–1000 nM) on endocrine function. We showed that phoenixin-14 and G protein–coupled receptor 173 are produced locally in porcine corpus luteum and their levels change during the estrous cycle. We detected phoenixin-14 immunostaining in the cytoplasm and G protein–coupled receptor 173 in the cell membrane. Plasma phoenixin levels were highest during the early luteal phase. Interestingly, insulin, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, and prostaglandins decreased phoenixin-14 levels in luteal cells. Phoenixin-14 increased progesterone, estradiol, and prostaglandin E2 secretion, but decreased prostaglandin F2α, upregulated the expression of steroidogenic enzymes, and downregulated receptors for luteinizing hormone and prostaglandin. Also, phoenixin-14 increased the expression of G protein–coupled receptor 173 and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, protein kinase B, inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase A, and had mixed effect on AMP-activated protein kinase alpha and protein kinase C. G protein–coupled receptor 173 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mediated the effect of phoenixin-14 on endocrine function of luteal cells. Our results suggest that phoenixin is produced by porcine luteal cells and can be a new regulator of their function.
Novel therapeutic targets and emerging treatments for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Zheng Wayne C , Chan William , Dart Anthony , Shaw James A
Published: October 2023

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Even with excellent control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, adverse cardiovascular events remain a significant clinical problem worldwide, including among those without any traditional ASCVD risk factors. It is necessary to identify novel sources of residual risk and to develop targeted strategies that address them. Lipoprotein(a) has become increasingly recognized as a new cardiovascular risk determinant. Large-scale clinical trials have also signalled the potential additive cardiovascular benefits of decreasing triglycerides beyond lowering LDL-C levels. Since CANTOS (Anti-inflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease) demonstrated that antibodies against interleukin-1β may decrease recurrent cardiovascular events in secondary prevention, various anti-inflammatory medications used for rheumatic conditions and new monoclonal antibody therapeutics have undergone rigorous evaluation. These data build towards a paradigm shift in secondary ASCVD prevention, underscoring the value of targeting multiple biological pathways in the management of both lipid levels and systemic inflammation. Evolving knowledge of the immune system, and the gut microbiota may result in opportunities for modifying previously unrecognized sources of residual inflammatory risk. This review provides an overview of novel therapeutic targets for ASCVD and emerging treatments with a focus on mechanisms, efficacy, and safety.
SARS-CoV-2 spike variants differ in their allosteric responses to linoleic acid
Authors: Oliveira A Sofia F , Shoemark Deborah K , Davidson Andrew D , Berger Imre , Schaffitzel Christiane , Mulholland Adrian J
Published: October 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein contains a functionally important fatty acid (FA) binding site, which is also found in some other coronaviruses, e.g. SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The occupancy of the FA site by linoleic acid (LA) reduces infectivity by ‘locking’ the spike in a less infectious conformation. Here, we use dynamical-nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (D-NEMD) simulations to compare the allosteric responses of spike variants to LA removal. D-NEMD simulations show that the FA site is coupled to other functional regions of the protein, e.g. the receptor-binding motif (RBM), N-terminal domain (NTD), furin cleavage site, and regions surrounding the fusion peptide. D-NEMD simulations also identify the allosteric networks connecting the FA site to these functional regions. The comparison between the wild-type spike and four variants (Alpha, Delta, Delta plus, and Omicron BA.1) shows that the variants differ significantly in their responses to LA removal. The allosteric connections to the FA site on Alpha are generally similar to those on the wild-type protein, with the exception of the RBM and the S71–R78 region, which show a weaker link to the FA site. In contrast, Omicron is the most different variant, exhibiting significant differences in the RBM, NTD, V622–L629, and furin cleavage site. These differences in the allosteric modulation may be of functional relevance, potentially affecting transmissibility and virulence. Experimental comparison of the effects of LA on SARS-CoV-2 variants, including emerging variants, is warranted.
Systematic literature review and meta-analysis of HER2 amplification, overexpression, and positivity in colorectal cancer
Authors: Singh Harshabad , Kang Ashley , Bloudek Lisa , Hsu Ling-I , Corinna Palanca-Wessels Maria , Stecher Michael , Siadak Muriel , Ng Kimmie
Published: October 2023

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death globally. Recent clinical trials suggest an emerging role for HER2 as a potential clinically relevant biomarker in CRC. Testing for HER2 in CRC is not standard practice; consequently, the prevalence of HER2 positivity (HER2+) in patients with CRC remains uncertain.

Methods

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to generate estimates of proportions of patients with CRC with HER2 overexpression or HER2 amplification and HER2+ (either overexpression or amplification), overall and in patients with rat sarcoma virus (RAS) wild-type cancer. HER2+ was defined as 1) immunohistochemistry with a score of 3+, 2) immunohistochemistry with a score of 2+ and in situ hybridization+, or 3) next-generation sequencing positive.

Results

Of 224 studies identified with information on HER2 in CRC, 52 studies used a US Food and Drug Administration–approved assay and were selected for further analysis. Estimated HER2+ rate was 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.4% to 5.0%) overall (n = 17 589). HER2+ rates were statistically higher in RAS wild-type (6.1%, 95% CI = 5.4% to 6.9%) vs RAS mutant CRC (1.1%, 95% CI = 0.3% to 4.4%; P < .0001). Despite limited clinical information, we confirmed enrichment of HER2+ CRC in patients with microsatellite stable and left-sided CRC.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides an estimate of HER2+ CRC and confirms enrichment of HER2 in microsatellite stable, left-sided, RAS wild-type CRC tumors. Our work is important given the recently described clinical efficacy of HER2-targeted therapies in HER2+ CRC and informs strategies for incorporation of HER2 testing into standard of care.
Effect of aerobic exercise on erectile function: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Khera Mohit , Bhattacharyya Samir , Miller Larry E
Published: October 2023

Background

The health benefits of regular aerobic exercise are well established, although there is limited high-quality evidence regarding its impact on erectile function.

Aim

To determine the effect of aerobic exercise on erectile function in men and to identify factors that may influence this effect.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of aerobic exercise on erectile function via the Erectile Function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF). The mean difference in IIEF-EF scores between the aerobic exercise and nonexercising control groups was estimated by a random-effects meta-analysis. Meta-regression was used to evaluate the association of moderator variables on meta-analysis results.

Outcomes

The IIEF-EF score is reported on a 6-30 scale, with higher values indicating better erectile function.

Results

Among 11 randomized controlled trials included in the analysis, aerobic exercise resulted in statistically significant improvements in IIEF-EF scores as compared with controls, with a mean difference of 2.8 points (95% CI, 1.7-3.9; P < .001) and moderate heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 53%). The effect of aerobic exercise on erectile function was greater in men with lower baseline IIEF-EF scores, with improvements of 2.3, 3.3, and 4.9 points for mild, moderate, and severe erectile dysfunction, respectively (P = .02). The meta-analysis results were not influenced by publication bias or individual study effects.

Clinical Implications

Health care providers should consider recommending regular aerobic exercise as a low-risk nonpharmacologic therapy for men experiencing erectile difficulties.

Strengths and Limitations

The primary strength of this review was the generation of level 1 evidence on a topic of general interest regarding sexual health in men. However, the included studies evaluated diverse groups, which may complicate data interpretation for specific segments of the population.

Conclusion

Regular aerobic exercise can improve the erectile function of men, particularly those with lower baseline IIEF-EF scores.
The battle plans in the 17th century on the example of the ‘ordres de bataille’ album by Eric Dahlbergh. Research model proposal
Authors: Balcerek Mariusz
Published: October 2023

The article’s purpose is to present an original method of analysis of battle plans (orders of battle, battle orders, battle patterns, and battle settings) from the 17th century. We analysed 253 patterns from Eric Dahlbergh’s Album, which was a gift for King Charles XI of Sweden. In this text, we will take a look at the settings presented in Dahlbergh’s album. We hope that it will allow us to learn about the development process of the 17th-century arrays. What was the typical 17th-century order of battle like? Was it symmetrical or asymmetrical? How many throws and lines did it consist of? What was the ratio of the width to the depth of the army? Was the pattern composed of compact or linear elements? How did the formations (cavalry and infantry) stack up against each other? What was the frequency of intervals and higher tactical units? Thanks to the developed method, we obtained data for many patterns for the first time in history. They made it possible to characterize the patterns accurately and determine the time they changed. It is of paramount importance for the study of the European military in the early modern period.
Acidic extracellular pH drives accumulation of N1-acetylspermidine and recruitment of protumor neutrophils
Authors: Kato Miki , Maeda Keisuke , Nakahara Ryuichi , Hirose Haruka , Kondo Ayano , Aki Sho , Sugaya Maki , Hibino Sana , Nishida Miyuki , Hasegawa Manami , Morita Hinano , Ando Ritsuko , Tsuchida Rika , Yoshida Minoru , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Yanai Hideyuki , Shimamura Teppei , Osawa Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2023

An acidic tumor microenvironment plays a critical role in tumor progression. However, understanding of metabolic reprogramming of tumors in response to acidic extracellular pH has remained elusive. Using comprehensive metabolomic analyses, we demonstrated that acidic extracellular pH (pH 6.8) leads to the accumulation of N1-acetylspermidine, a protumor metabolite, through up-regulation of the expression of spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1). Inhibition of SAT1 expression suppressed the accumulation of intra- and extracellular N1-acetylspermidine at acidic pH. Conversely, overexpression of SAT1 increased intra- and extracellular N1-acetylspermidine levels, supporting the proposal that SAT1 is responsible for accumulation of N1-acetylspermidine. While inhibition of SAT1 expression only had a minor effect on cancer cell growth in vitro, SAT1 knockdown significantly decreased tumor growth in vivo, supporting a contribution of the SAT1-N1-acetylspermidine axis to protumor immunity. Immune cell profiling revealed that inhibition of SAT1 expression decreased neutrophil recruitment to the tumor, resulting in impaired angiogenesis and tumor growth. We showed that antineutrophil-neutralizing antibodies suppressed growth in control tumors to a similar extent to that seen in SAT1 knockdown tumors in vivo. Further, a SAT1 signature was found to be correlated with poor patient prognosis. Our findings demonstrate that extracellular acidity stimulates recruitment of protumor neutrophils via the SAT1-N1-acetylspermidine axis, which may represent a metabolic target for antitumor immune therapy.
Progress in the application of molecular imaging in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Tan Jia , Zhang Guangying , Hao Jiaqi , Cai Huawei , Wu Dingping , Su Zhuoxiao , Liu Beibei , Wu Min
Published: October 2023

Psychiatric disorders have always attracted a lot of attention from researchers due to the difficulties in their diagnoses and treatments. Molecular imaging, as an emerging technology, has played an important role in the researchers of various diseases. In recent years, molecular imaging techniques including magnetic resonance spectroscopy, nuclear medicine imaging, and fluorescence imaging have been widely used in the study of psychiatric disorders. This review will briefly summarize the progression of molecular imaging in psychiatric disorders.
Right Ventricular Contractility and Pulmonary Arterial Coupling After Less Invasive Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Adly George , Mithoefer Oliver , Elliott Epps John , Hajj Jennifer M. , Hambright Elizabeth , Jackson Gregory R. , Inampudi Chakradhari , Atkins Jessica , Griffin Jan M. , Carnicelli Anthony P. , Witer Lucas J. , Kilic Arman , Houston Brian A. , Vanderpool Rebecca R. , Tedford Ryan J.
Published: October 2023

Right ventricular failure contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation. Recent data suggest a less invasive strategy (LIS) via thoracotomy may be associated with less right ventricular failure than conventional median sternotomy (CMS). However, the impact of these approaches on load-independent right ventricular (RV) contractility and RV-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling remains uncertain. We hypothesized that the LIS approach would be associated with preserved RV contractility and improved RV-PA coupling compared with CMS. We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent durable, centrifugal left ventricular assist device implantation and had paired hemodynamic assessments before and after implantation. RV contractility (end-systolic elastance [Ees]), RV afterload (pulmonary effective arterial elastance [Ea]), and RV-PA coupling (Ees/Ea) were determined using digitized RV pressure waveforms. Forty-two CMS and 21 LIS patients were identified. Preimplant measures of Ees, Ea, and Ees/Ea were similar between groups. After implantation, Ees declined significantly in the CMS group (0.60–0.40, p = 0.008) but not in the LIS group (0.67–0.58, p = 0.28). Coupling (Ees/Ea) was unchanged in CMS group (0.54–0.59, p = 0.80) but improved significantly in the LIS group (0.58–0.71, p = 0.008). LIS implantation techniques may better preserve RV contractility and improve RV-PA coupling compared with CMS.
National Legislative Favorability and Insurance Coverage for Adult and Adolescent Gender-Affirming Surgery
Authors: LaValley Myles N. , Diaddigo Sarah E. , Asadourian Paul A. , Feuer Grant B. , Warner Paige E. , Rohde Christine H.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Despite established medical necessity, laws prohibiting coverage discrimination, and increasing numbers of transgender and gender-diverse patients seeking gender-affirming surgery (GAS), cost and restrictive insurance policies continue to be the most common barriers. As recent legislation places further restrictions on GAS, this study aimed to provide an updated review of insurance policies and assess the relationship between legislative favorability and coverage.

Methods:

Insurance policies of groups representing 80% market coverage in each state were collected for gender-affirming chest, genital, and facial surgery. Policies were categorized based on previously published methodologies: never-covered, case-by-case, and preauthorization. The relationship between established scores of legislative favorability and policy coverage in each state was analyzed and compared across regions.

Results:

Of the 316 analyzed policies, coverage was preauthorized most often for genital (94.0%), masculinizing top (93%), feminizing top (74%), and facial reconstruction (24%). Higher legislative scores in the Northeast and West, and individual states were predictive of increased genital, facial, and all forms of adolescent GAS, but were not correlated to chest GAS.

Conclusions:

Compared with previous studies, our findings suggest that there is a growing acceptance of GAS as medically necessary. However, the correlation between legislative scores and genital, face, and adolescent GAS coverage may suggest increased reliance on sociopolitical factors for access in the absence of comprehensive medical guidelines, which are more established for chest reconstruction. Significantly higher coverage of masculinizing versus feminizing chest surgery suggests additional burden of proof for GAS with a cosmetic overlap.
Transconjunctival Fat Repositioning Using Barbed Sutures
Authors: Han Jungkyu , Han Seungkyu
Published: October 2023

Transconjunctival orbital fat repositioning is a surgical technique that resolves protruding orbital fat and sunken tear troughs through a single procedure. The procedure involves incision of the conjunctiva and dissection of the tear trough and orbicularis retaining ligaments, followed by repositioning of the sufficiently released orbital fat as a pedicle. Various techniques have been used to fixate the repositioned fat, including direct suturing of the fat to the target area (internal fixation) and suturing the repositioned fat pedicle and pulling out the suture toward the lower eyelid skin (external fixation). There are technical challenges attributable to both techniques, including a narrow operative field of view (internal fixation) and a high likelihood of relapse because the fat is not sutured directly to the tear trough area (external fixation). To overcome these disadvantages, the authors present a novel technique comprising barbed sutures.
A Surgical Management Algorithm for Type 4 Parry-Romberg Syndrome
Authors: Gu Tianyi , Yu Panxi , Teng Li , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2023

Background:

Type 4 Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) affects multiple facial esthetic units involving many tissue types, requiring both bone and soft tissue restoration and requiring different surgical procedures over a long period of time. To date, the timing and sequence of these operations remains controversial.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed to introduce our surgical management algorithm for type 4 PRS and to evaluate its safety and efficacy according to long-term follow-up results.

Results:

Six Chinese patients (5 females and 1 male) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The follow-up period ranged from 23 to 90 months (mean 51.83 mo). All patients were satisfied with the improvement in facial appearance after staged bone and soft tissue reconstruction. No major complications were reported except for 1 case of infection after Medpor implantation.

Conclusions:

For severe PRS, both bone and soft tissue reconstruction is recommended. Enlargement of the bony framework provides a good foundation for subsequent soft tissue restoration. Alloplastic implants in the maxilla can be problematic if the patient has undergone either a zygomatic or maxillary osteotomy. The anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap is a reliable choice for large soft tissue deficits in type 4 PRS. We hope that reporting our surgical management algorithm with long-term follow-up results will improve the personalized treatment of these patients.
Reconstruction of Nasal Tip Using “Seagull-shaped” Cavum Concha Cartilage Composite Scaffold
Authors: Gao Fu-Lei , Lu Bo-Lun , Zhang Liu-Cheng , Mao Xi-Yuan , Sun Xiao-Ming , Zhang Yu-Guang
Published: October 2023

Background:

The nasal tip plays a crucial role both esthetically and functionally. The application of nasal tip grafts is an effective method for improving nasal tip form. Ear cartilage is a common choice for nasal tip grafts, but it still presents several challenges in clinical application that need to be addressed. This study aims to address the issues associated with the use of ear cartilage in clinical rhinoplasty applications through the development of a novel septal extension graft using ear cartilage for nasal tip reconstruction.

Methods:

From May 2018 to April 2022, a total of 132 cases of nasal tip reconstruction surgeries were performed using a seagull-shaped nasal septum extension graft, constructed with bilateral cavum concha cartilage. Among these cases, 25 patients had previously undergone rhinoplasty using silicone implant, 7 patients had undergone augmentation rhinoplasty using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, whereas the rest were primary rhinoplasty cases. All patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 months to 4 years postoperatively, with photographs taken to assess the nasal tip morphology.

Results:

In this study, all patients exhibited good healing of the incisions made at the posterior aspect of the auricular concha, with no occurrences of hematoma and inconspicuous scarring. In 116 cases, significant improvement in nasal appearance and a realistic nasal tip form were achieved postoperatively, yielding satisfactory outcomes. Only 16 patients experienced minor issues with nasal tip morphology, which were subsequently improved through further surgical procedures.

Conclusion:

This study reports a surgical technique for nasal tip refinement using bilaterally harvested cavum concha cartilage to construct a seagull-shaped nasal septal extension graft. The procedure has achieved satisfactory outcomes, and its application is worth extending to clinical practice.
Outcomes of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy Performed for Functional Nasolacrimal Obstruction With Delay on Dacryoscintigraphy
Authors: Hodgson Kevin , Hussain Ahsen
Published: October 2023

Purpose:

To report the demographics and outcomes of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) following dacryoscintigraphy (DSG) performed for a series of patients with functional epiphora.

Methods:

Case series of endonasal DCR outcomes in patients with symptomatic epiphora with no evidence of lacrimal hypersecretion or lacrimal pump failure, minimal regurgitation noted on syringing, and DSG-confirmed delayed drainage. A successful outcome was defined as 80% subjective improvement or resolution of tearing on the operated side. Patient charts, DSG results, and operative records were examined, and data were collected. Relevant literature was reviewed and discussed.

Results:

The case series included 15 eyes of 10 patients. The mean age was 61.7 years at the time of surgery. Most cases (n=13) had post-sac obstruction, retention, or delay. One patient had pre and post-sac retention. A total of 12 cases had success after endonasal DCR, and 3 cases had failure. Follow-up for all operated patients was over 6 months. There were no reported complications by the surgeon or patients.

Conclusions:

Patients with functional epiphora confirmed by DSG seem to have a high success rate after endonasal DCR. In patients with symptomatic epiphora with subjective patency on syringing, the use of DSG in decision-making and outcome prediction may be supported. Further studies, including clinic-based tests, to demonstrate functional obstruction are warranted.
A three-interface random pore model: the reduction of iron oxide in chemical looping and green steel technologies
Authors: Wong Jasper J. , Iruretagoyena Diana , Shah Nilay , Fennell Paul S.
Published: October 2023

Accurate modelling of the gaseous reduction of porous iron oxide powders or fines is important in industry for (i) reinventing the carbon intensive production of iron and steel and (ii) chemical looping technologies in the sphere of carbon capture and storage. A new three-interface random pore model is derived and applied to the gaseous reduction of hematite (

Fe

2

O

3

) to iron (Fe). The structural reaction–diffusion model is able to describe three simultaneously reacting oxide layers,

Fe

2

O

3

, magnetite (

Fe

3

O

4

) and wustite (

Fe

w

O

). The geometric nature of the model encodes structural information about the particles (porosity, surface area, pore length and size distribution), measured here by experiment. The model is usefully able to separate structural particle properties from individual rates of reaction and product layer diffusion. The results have been compared and fitted to thermogravimetric experiments between

800
–

1000

∘

C

and three

CO

/

CO

2

gas mixtures. Rate constants for each indvidual reaction have been obtained and fit well to Arrhenius plots. The reduction of

Fe

2

O

3

–

Fe

3

O

4

was controlled by diffusion and reaction kinetics, while the reduction of

Fe

3

O

4

–

Fe

w

O

and

Fe

w

O

–Fe was limited by reaction kinetics. Metallization rates of the iron oxide powders were rapid, showing promise for both hydrogen-based direct reduced iron and chemical looping processes.
Microswimmer trapping in surface waves with shear
Authors: Ventrella F. M. , Pujara N. , Boffetta G. , Cencini M. , Thiffeault J.-L. , De Lillo F.
Published: October 2023

Many species of phytoplankton migrate vertically near the surface of the ocean, in search of either light or nutrients. These motile organisms are affected by ocean surface waves. We derive a set of wave-averaged equations to describe the motion of microswimmers with spheroidal body shapes that includes several additional effects, such as gyrotaxis, settling and wind-driven shear. In addition to the well-known Stokes drift, the microswimmer trajectories depend on their orientation in a way that can lead to trapping at a particular depth; this in turn can affect transport of organisms, and may help explain observed phytoplankton layers in the ocean.
Existence of travelling waves in a spatial model of bacteria quiescence
Authors: Chapwanya Michael , Dumani Phindile
Published: October 2023

This work presents a reaction–diffusion model that captures the spatio-temporal evolution of a bacterial colony and takes into account the quiescent stage. Using the theory of monotone wavefronts for cooperative and partially degenerate reaction–diffusion systems, we establish the existence of travelling waves and show that the spreading speed coincides with the minimal wave speed. Furthermore, we show the existence of travelling waves using the method of constructing a pair of upper and lower solutions for a non-cooperative partially degenerate differential system of equations. Results demonstrate that neglecting dormant cell dynamics overestimates the spreading speed of the colony. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate our results.
Uniqueness in an inverse problem of fractional elasticity
Authors: Covi Giovanni , de Hoop Maarten , Salo Mikko
Published: October 2023

We study a nonlinear inverse problem for fractional elasticity. In analogy to the classical problem of linear elasticity, we consider the unique recovery of the Lamé parameters associated with a linear, isotropic fractional elasticity operator from fractional Dirichlet-to-Neumann data. In our analysis, we make use of a fractional matrix Schrödinger equation via a generalization of the so-called Liouville reduction to the case of fractional elasticity. We conclude that unique recovery is possible if the Lamé parameters agree and are constant in the exterior, and their Poisson ratios agree everywhere. Our study is motivated by the significant recent activity in the field of nonlocal elasticity.
A decrease in the age of respired carbon from the terrestrial biosphere and increase in the asymmetry of its distribution
Authors: Sierra Carlos A. , Quetin Gregory R. , Metzler Holger , Müller Markus
Published: October 2023

We provide here a model-based estimate of the transit time of carbon through the terrestrial biosphere, since the time of carbon uptake through photosynthesis until its release through respiration. We explored the consequences of increasing productivity versus increasing respiration rates on the transit time distribution and found that while higher respiration rates induced by higher temperature increase the transit time because older carbon is respired, increases in productivity cause a decline in transit times because more young carbon is available to supply increased metabolism. The combined effect of increases in temperature and productivity results in a decrease in transit times, with the productivity effect dominating over the respiration effect. By using an ensemble of simulation trajectories from the Carbon Data Model Framework (CARDAMOM), we obtained time-dependent transit time distributions incorporating the twentieth century global change. In these simulations, transit time declined over the twentieth century, suggesting an increased productivity effect that augmented the amount of respired young carbon, but also increasing the release of old carbon from high latitudes. The transit time distribution of carbon becomes more asymmetric over time, with more carbon transiting faster through tropical and temperate regions, and older carbon being respired from high latitude regions.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene’.
Ecosystem and soil respiration radiocarbon detects old carbon release as a fingerprint of warming and permafrost destabilization with climate change
Authors: Schuur Edward A. G. , Hicks Pries Caitlin , Mauritz Marguerite , Pegoraro Elaine , Rodenhizer Heidi , See Craig , Ebert Chris
Published: October 2023

The permafrost region has accumulated organic carbon in cold and waterlogged soils over thousands of years and now contains three times as much carbon as the atmosphere. Global warming is degrading permafrost with the potential to accelerate climate change as increased microbial decomposition releases soil carbon as greenhouse gases. A 19-year time series of soil and ecosystem respiration radiocarbon from Alaska provides long-term insight into changing permafrost soil carbon dynamics in a warmer world. Nine per cent of ecosystem respiration and 23% of soil respiration observations had radiocarbon values more than 50‰ lower than the atmospheric value. Furthermore, the overall trend of ecosystem and soil respiration radiocarbon values through time decreased more than atmospheric radiocarbon values did, indicating that old carbon degradation was enhanced. Boosted regression tree analyses showed that temperature and moisture environmental variables had the largest relative influence on lower radiocarbon values. This suggested that old carbon degradation was controlled by warming/permafrost thaw and soil drying together, as waterlogged soil conditions could protect soil carbon from microbial decomposition even when thawed. Overall, changing conditions increasingly favoured the release of old carbon, which is a definitive fingerprint of an accelerating feedback to climate change as a consequence of warming and permafrost destabilization.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene’.
Estimating regional fossil fuel CO2concentrations from14CO2observations: challenges and uncertainties
Authors: Maier Fabian , Levin Ingeborg , Gachkivskyi Maksym , Rödenbeck Christian , Hammer Samuel
Published: October 2023

The direct way to estimate the regional fossil fuel CO2surplus (ΔffCO2) at a station is by measuring the Δ14CO2depletion compared with a respective background. However, this approach has several challenges, which are (i) the choice of an appropriate Δ14CO2background, (ii) potential contaminations through nuclear14CO2emissions and (iii) masking of ΔffCO2by14C-enriched biosphere respiration. Here we evaluate these challenges and estimate potential biases and typical uncertainties of14C-based ΔffCO2estimates in Europe. We show that Mace Head (MHD), Ireland, is a representative background station for the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) atmosphere station network. The mean ΔffCO2representativeness bias when using the MHD Δ14CO2background for the whole observation network is of order 0.1 ± 0.3 ppm. At ICOS sites, the median nuclear contamination leads to 25% low-biased ΔffCO2estimates if not corrected for. The ΔffCO2masking due to14C-enriched heterotrophic CO2respiration can lead to similar ΔffCO2biases as the nuclear contaminations, especially in summer. Our evaluation of all components contributing to the uncertainty of ΔffCO2estimates reveals that, due to the small ffCO2signals at ICOS stations, almost half of the14C-based ΔffCO2estimates from integrated samples have an uncertainty that is larger than 50%.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene'.
A special issue preface: Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene
Authors: Eglinton Timothy I. , Graven Heather D. , Raymond Peter A. , Trumbore Susan E.
Published: October 2023

The Anthropocene is defined by marked acceleration in human-induced perturbations to the Earth system. Anthropogenic emissions of CO
2
and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and attendant changes to the global carbon cycle are among the most profound and pervasive of these perturbations. Determining the magnitude, nature and pace of these carbon cycle changes is crucial for understanding the future climate that ecosystems and humanity will experience and need to respond to. This special issue illustrates the value of radiocarbon as a tool to shed important light on the nature, magnitude and pace of carbon cycle change.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Radiocarbon in the Anthropocene'.