bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of streamer, pressure wave, and vortex induced by nanosecond pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharges
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Tang Weiwei , Wang Yanhui , Wang Dezhen
Published: February 2024

In this study, a two-dimensional fluid model is employed to simulate the streamer, pressure wave, and vortex in surface dielectric barrier discharge driven by nanosecond pulse voltage (ns-SDBD). It comprises a numerical model with two interconnected modules: discharge dynamics and gas flow dynamics. These modules are coupled through the physical variables including ‘EHD force’, ‘thermal source’, ‘velocity field’, ‘gas temperature’, and ‘gas pressure’. Our research primarily focuses on the underlying physical mechanisms of pressure waves and vortices for plasma-based flow control. The generation of pressure waves is attributed to the rapid gas heating by pulsed discharge, whereas the formation and development of the vortex are related to the ionic wind (EHD effect) provided by the plasma. To thoroughly understand and optimize flow control performance, an investigation into the effects of various discharge parameters, such as voltage amplitude and polarity, is conducted. Additionally, several SDBD modules are arranged in series, each featuring a dual three-electrode configuration. Subsequently, the dynamic behaviors of multiple streamers, pressure waves, and vortices, along with their interactions, are explored.
Multiple asymmetric couplings induced unconventional corner mode in topolectrical circuits
Authors: Jiang Hengxuan , Wang Xiumei , Chen Jie , Zhou Xingping
Published: February 2024

We investigate the emergence of unconventional corner mode in a two-dimensional (2D) topolectrical circuits induced by asymmetric couplings. The non-Hermitian skin effect of two kinked one-dimensional (1D) lattices with multiple asymmetric couplings are explored. Then we extend to the 2D model, derive conditions for the non-Hermitian hybrid skin effect and show how the corner modes are formed by non-reciprocal pumping based on 1D topological modes. We provide explicit electrical circuit setups for realizing our observations via realistic LTspice simulation. Moreover, we show the time varying behaviors of voltage distributions to confirm our results. Our study may help to extend the knowledge on building the topological corner modes in the non-Hermitian presence.
Quantum dot laser dynamics and external filtered modes under the influence of double-filtered optical feedback
Authors: Mahdi Alaa S , Al Husseini Hussein B
Published: February 2024

We study the dynamics and solution structure of a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) laser system that gets delayed FOF from two filter loops: the double-filtered optical feedback (DFOF) laser. Two filters are utilized in optical communication applications to regulate and stabilize the laser output, which served as the inspiration for this study. The entire mathematical model of the DFOF laser consists of delay differential equations for the inversion of the QD laser with the two filters. We focus on continuous-wave DFOF QD laser systems because reliable laser source operation is essential for optical communication applications. These basic responses are called external filtered modes (EFMs), and they significantly affect the stability and structure of the EFMs as well as the laser’s performance in comparison to the single FOF QD laser. The parameter C

eff
is a measure of the interference between the two filter fields, and it is identified as a key to the EFM structure. To analyse how the structure and stability of the EFMs depend on all the filter and feedback loop parameters, we make extensive use of the EFM surface in the (Ω(ω
s), C

eff
, Y

s
)-space of frequency s, filter phase difference C

eff
, and population inversion Y

s
of the QD laser. In general, the EFM surface is the natural object that should be taken into account to comprehend the dynamical characteristics of the DFOF laser. In general, our study involved searching for regions in the QD laser output with stable amplitude and frequency. The time delay suppression is dependent on the spectral width Λ of the filter and how far it is from the solitary laser frequency, according to numerical calculations. In addition to studying the dynamic behavior using a bifurcation diagram at the filter working areas, the results showed two stages of operation due to the occurrence of phase entanglement stochastic.
Single photon emission from in situ created nitrogen-vacancies in chemical vapor deposition grown single crystal diamond
Authors: Shukla Vivek K , Poswal H K , Kala A , Achanta V G , Majumder A , Saha K , Rai Padmnabh
Published: February 2024

The work reports the manipulation of nitrogen-vacancy centres in chemical vapor deposition grown single crystal diamonds by incorporation of nitrogen, boron and oxygen during the growth process. Single photon emission measurements were performed on diamond samples by using continuous wave and pulsed laser of wavelength 532 nm. The second order auto-correlation measurement

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on nitrogen incorporated diamond sample shows the anti-bunching behavior of photons emerging from the population of one- and two-color centres. However, the correlation measurement

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on oxygen and boron incorporated diamond samples show the anti-bunching behaviour of photons due to population of two- and three-color centres present in the samples. The result opens the possibilities of in situ development of nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond during the growth process for next generation quantum computing devices.
Dynamical model of antibiotic responses linking expression of resistance genes to metabolism explains emergence of heterogeneity during drug exposures
Authors: Stevanovic Mirjana , Teuber Carvalho João Pedro , Bittihn Philip , Schultz Daniel
Published: February 2024

Antibiotic responses in bacteria are highly dynamic and heterogeneous, with sudden exposure of bacterial colonies to high drug doses resulting in the coexistence of recovered and arrested cells. The dynamics of the response is determined by regulatory circuits controlling the expression of resistance genes, which are in turn modulated by the drug’s action on cell growth and metabolism. Despite advances in understanding gene regulation at the molecular level, we still lack a framework to describe how feedback mechanisms resulting from the interdependence between expression of resistance and cell metabolism can amplify naturally occurring noise and create heterogeneity at the population level. To understand how this interplay affects cell survival upon exposure, we constructed a mathematical model of the dynamics of antibiotic responses that links metabolism and regulation of gene expression, based on the tetracycline resistance tet operon in E. coli. We use this model to interpret measurements of growth and expression of resistance in microfluidic experiments, both in single cells and in biofilms. We also implemented a stochastic model of the drug response, to show that exposure to high drug levels results in large variations of recovery times and heterogeneity at the population level. We show that stochasticity is important to determine how nutrient quality affects cell survival during exposure to high drug concentrations. A quantitative description of how microbes respond to antibiotics in dynamical environments is crucial to understand population-level behaviors such as biofilms and pathogenesis.
Manipulation of internal blockage in triangular triple quantum dot
Authors: Qi 齐 Yue 月 , Wei 魏 Jian-Hua 建华
Published: February 2024

We utilize the calculation of hierarchical equations of motion to demonstrate that the spin-dependent properties between adjacent quantum dots (QDs) can be changed by breaking the internal symmetry configuration, corresponding to the inversion of dominant chiral states. In the linear triple quantum dots (LTQDs) connected to two electron reservoirs, we can observe that the blockage appears at the triangle triple quantum dots (TTQDs) by gradually increasing the coupling strength between next-nearest double QDs. When the initial coupling between LTQDs has altered, the internal chiral circulation also undergoes the corresponding transform, thus achieving qualitative regulation and detection of the blocking region. We also investigate the response of the chiral circulation to the dot–lead coupling strength, indicating the overall robust chiral circulation of the TTQDs frustration.
Diagnosing ratio of electron density to collision frequency of plasma surrounding scaled model in a shock tube using low-frequency alternating magnetic field phase shift
Authors: Wu 吴 Ming-Xing 明兴 , Xie 谢 Kai 楷 , Liu 刘 Yan 艳 , Xu 徐 Han 晗 , Zhang 张 Bao 宝 , Tian 田 De-Yang 得阳
Published: February 2024

A non-contact low-frequency (LF) method of diagnosing the plasma surrounding a scaled model in a shock tube is proposed. This method utilizes the phase shift occurring after the transmission of an LF alternating magnetic field through the plasma to directly measure the ratio of the plasma loop average electron density to collision frequency. An equivalent circuit model is used to analyze the relationship of the phase shift of the magnetic field component of LF electromagnetic waves with the plasma electron density and collision frequency. The applicable range of the LF method on a given plasma scale is analyzed. The upper diagnostic limit for the ratio of the electron density (unit: m−3) to collision frequency (unit: Hz) exceeds 1 × 1011, enabling an electron density to exceed 1 × 1020 m−3 and a collision frequency to be less than 1 GHz. In this work, the feasibility of using the LF phase shift to implement the plasma diagnosis is also assessed. Diagnosis experiments on shock tube equipment are conducted by using both the electrostatic probe method and LF method. By comparing the diagnostic results of the two methods, the inversion results are relatively consistent with each other, thereby preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the LF method. The ratio of the electron density to the collision frequency has a relatively uniform distribution during the plasma stabilization. The LF diagnostic path is a loop around the model, which is suitable for diagnosing the plasma that surrounds the model. Finally, the causes of diagnostic discrepancy between the two methods are analyzed. The proposed method provides a new avenue for diagnosing high-density enveloping plasma.
The effect of lookahead on phase transition in migration of three species with cyclic predator–prey relations
Authors: Kayacan O , Middendorf M
Published: February 2024

A three-species predator–prey system with cyclic predator–prey relations (also called the rock–paper–scissors game) on a one-dimensional lattice where all individuals migrate in the same direction is studied. Each individual can look ahead within a certain range and can stop its migration when too many predators occur within its lookahead range. Simulation experiments revealed that the three species can coexist within a wide range of model parameter values, providing insights into the dynamical phase transition between coexisting and single phases.
Graph sampling based deep metric learning for cross-view geo-localization
Authors: Jia Haozhang
Published: February 2024

Cross-view geo-localization has emerged as a novel computer vision task that has garnered increasing attention. This is primarily attributed to its practical significance in the domains of drone navigation and drone-view localization. Moreover, the work is particularly demanding due to its inherent requirement for cross-domain matching. There are generally two ways to train a neural network to match similar satellite and drone-view images: presentation learning with classifiers and identity loss, and metric learning with pairwise matching within mini-batches. The first takes extra computing and memory costs in large-scale learning, so this paper follows a person-reidentification method called QAConv-GS, and implements a graph sampler to mine the hardest data to form mini-batches, and a QAConv module with extra attention layers appended to compute similarity between image pairs. Batch-wise OHEM triplet loss is then used for model training. With these implementations and adaptions combined, this paper significantly improves the state of the art on the challenging University-1652 dataset.
Review: Recent advances for the diffusion model
Authors: Wei Yufeng
Published: February 2024

As the generative model technology becomes more and more popular, more and more people have invested in the research of the current State-of-the-art (SOTA) generative model-diffusion model. This paper reviews all SOTA generation models using the diffusion model for text-to-image generation since the emergence of the diffusion model, including the denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM), DALL·E model, imagen model, stable diffusion model, and diffusion transformer architecture (DiT) model. In the theoretical section, the basic principles behind the diffusion model are reviewed in detail in the way of mathematical calculation, including the training process of the model and the mathematical principles behind the sampling process. Moreover, this paper focuses on the technical characteristics of these models and various improvements made after model iteration, such as model structure optimization, more efficient and accurate training methods, and the application of other optimization techniques widely used in the field of deep learning to diffusion models. In the end, the technical route of the development of the diffusion model is summarized, and some predictions are made.
Asymptotic feature pyramid based YOLOv5s for birds detection
Authors: Cai Jiajie , Huang Han , Song Feiyang
Published: February 2024

The detection of all sorts of birds has become increasingly important in the fields of ecological balance and biological protection. To tackle the problems of low accuracy, high omission rate and low detection confidence levels in the application of artificial intelligence and deep learning in bird detection, this paper proposes a bird detection method that leverages the YOLOv5s model and incorporates the asymptotic feature pyramid network module (AFPN). Diverging from the conventional pyramid network module (FPN), AFPN offers a more efficient solution, characterized by reduced computation time and memory consumption. It also minimizes conflicts that may arise during feature training. To further enhance the model’s performance and efficiency, the project introduces an object detection regression loss function along with several distinct loss functions. These functions are employed to train and analyze a standardized dataset, enabling the identification of an optimal solution. Through rigorous model construction, training, and repeated testing, notable improvements have been achieved in the accuracy rate and other relevant indicators, meeting the necessary application standards. This refined method exhibits great potential for fulfilling diverse bird detection requirements.
Improving polygon image segmentation by enhancing U-Net architecture
Authors: Li Da
Published: February 2024

The crucial task of polyp recognition in medical imaging plays a pivotal role in the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. Semantic segmentation, particularly utilizing sophisticated deep learning models such as U-Net, has demonstrated promising results in the realm of polyp segmentation. However, the traditional U-Net structure sometimes grapples with accurately delineating the edges of polyps, which subsequently impacts the overall performance of segmentation. To address this issue, the current study introduces a novel approach by proposing a modified framework of U-Net, equipped with an enhanced edge loss function. This function is designed to ameliorate the accuracy of segmentation within polyp images. The aim is to elevate the model’s capacity to capture intricate details, specifically the edges, which is an area where standard U-Net structures often falter. Experimental outcomes of this study serve to underscore the effectiveness of the proposed approach in accomplishing superior segmentation of edges and improved overall performance in polyp recognition. By successfully tackling the challenges inherent to polyp edge segmentation, the modified U-Net model contributes significantly towards more precise diagnostic systems in the field of medical imaging. Consequently, this research is poised to make a valuable contribution to advancements in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer.
An improved DDPG algorithm based on evolution-guided transfer in reinforcement learning
Authors: Bai Xueqian , Wang Haonian
Published: February 2024

Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) algorithms help agents take actions automatically in sophisticated control tasks. However, it is challenged by sparse reward and long training time for exploration in the application of Deep Neural Network (DNN). Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs), a set of black box optimization techniques, are well applied to single agent real-world problems, not troubled by temporal credit assignment. However, both suffer from large sets of sampled data. To facilitate the research on DRL for a pursuit-evasion game, this paper contributes an innovative policy optimization algorithm, which is named as Evolutionary Algorithm Transfer - Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (EAT-DDPG). The proposed EAT-DDPG takes parameters transfer into consideration, initializing the DNN of DDPG with the parameters driven by EA. Meanwhile, a diverse set of experiences produced by EA are stored into the replay buffer of DDPG before the EA process is ceased. EAT-DDPG is an improved version of DDPG, aiming at maximizing the reward value of the agent trained by DDPG as much as possible within finite episodes. The experimental environment includes a pursuit-evasion scenario where the evader moves with the fixed policy, and the results show that the agent can explore policy more efficiently with the proposed EAT-DDPG during the learning process.
Knee replacement patients and wearable knee pads
Authors: Zhang Yishen
Published: February 2024

This paper proposes a novel solution to the common problem of knee stiffness experienced by patients following knee replacement surgery. The paper suggests designing a wearable knee pad that is fitted with three 6-axis IMU sensors to monitor, evaluate, and process the movement data of the patient’s knee in real-time. The data collected would then be used to provide appropriate recovery methods and encouragement to the patients. This paper highlights the advancements in wearable technology and remote patient monitoring, which allow for the improvement of postoperative care and behavioural change in knee replacement surgery patients. The literature review section examines the role of mHealth technologies and wearable sensors in remote patient monitoring and behaviour change for total knee arthroplasty patients. The research recommends integrating mobile health and wearable sensor technologies for remote patient monitoring and behaviour change interventions in these patients for enhanced postoperative care and improved patient outcomes. The proposed methodology includes user-friendly interfaces that provide continuous monitoring, personalized rehabilitation programs, and enhanced patient engagement using machine learning algorithms to recognize patterns and anomalies in knee motion data. The data analysis section employs various filtering, segmentation, normalization, and statistical methods to ensure accurate and meaningful data analysis. The document concludes by highlighting the need for further research to optimize and validate these technologies and interventions.
Current and future challenges when operating the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter
Authors: Kreße T. ,   the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter Group
Published: February 2024

The Liquid Argon (LAr) Calorimeters are employed by ATLAS for precision electromagnetic calorimetry and for hadronic and forward calorimetry. They also provide inputs to the first level of the ATLAS trigger system.

The LAr Calorimeters have been operated during regular ATLAS data taking since 2008. All critical parameters, like LAr purity and temperature, have been kept at stable values resulting in reliable signal pulses. In 2022, the LHC collider has increased the luminosity leading to a pile-up of up to 70 interactions per bunch crossing. In the high luminosity phase, HL-LHC, planned to be fully functional in 2029, the pile-up will increase up to 200 interactions per bunch crossing.

This contribution will highlight the present and future challenges in the operation of such a detector.
Pipeline for performance evaluation of flavour tagging dedicated Graph Neural Network algorithms
Authors: Brianti Greta , Iuppa Roberto , Cristoforetti Marco
Published: February 2024

Machine Learning is a rapidly expanding field with a wide range of applications in science. In the field of physics, the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest particle accelerator, utilizes Neural Networks for various tasks, including flavour tagging. Flavour tagging is the process of identifying the flavour of the hadron that initiates a jet in a collision event, and it is an essential aspect of various Standard Model and Beyond the Standard Model studies. Graph Neural Networks are currently the primary machine-learning tool used for flavour tagging. Here, we present the AUTOGRAPH pipeline, a completely customizable tool designed with a user-friendly interface to provide easy access to the Graph Neural Networks algorithm used for flavour tagging.
A prototype 4D-tracking demonstrator based on the TimeSPOT developments
Authors: Loi A. , Addison M. , Anderlini L. , Brundu D. , Boscardin M. , Cadeddu S. , Cardini A. , Cossu G.M. , Dalla Betta G.-F. , Frontini L. , Garau M. , Lai A. , La Delfa L. , Lampis A. , Liberali V. , Passaleva G. , Piccolo L. , Ronchin S. , Stabile A. , Veltri M.
Published: February 2024

We present first results obtained with a prototype 4D-tracking demonstrator, using sensors and electronics developed within the TimeSPOT project, and tested on a positive charged pion beam at CERN SPS. The setup consists of five small tracking layers in a row, having area of about 3 mm2 each, three of which equipped with 3D-trench silicon sensors and two with 3D-column diamond sensors. The five layers are then read-out by a KC705 Xilinx board on a PC. We describe the demonstrator structure and operation and illustrate preliminary results on its tracking capabilities.
Hough Transform FPGA solution for High Energy Physics online fast tracking
Authors: Alfonsi F. , Del Corso F. , Gabrielli A.
Published: February 2024

In the coming years, significant upgrades are planned for ATLAS and other High Energy
Physics experiments at CERN. Both the technologies and methodologies employed will undergo
changes for the scheduled runs at the end of the decade. The LHC accelerator itself will also
undergo multiple modifications, allowing it to achieve a peak of instantaneous luminosity up to
5–7.5 × 1034 cm-2 s-1. These enhancements will necessitate the
experiments to handle a greater number of events at the conclusion of the data acquisition
chain. For instance, ATLAS will be compelled to employ online tracking for its inner detector,
aiming to achieve a final event rate of 10 kHz from the 1 MHz originating from the Calorimeters
and the Muon Spectrometer trigger discrimination. Among the architectures explored to expedite
fast tracking, there is consideration of a “hardware accelerator” farm, an infrastructure made
of interconnected accelerators such as GPUs and FPGAs, designed to accelerate the tracking
processes. The project presented here proposes a tuned Hough Transform algorithm implementation on
high-end FPGA technology, specifically designed to adapt to various tracking situations. A
development platform comprising software and firmware tools has been created to study different
datasets. This platform utilizes software to simulate the firmware and to perform hardware
tests. AMD-Xilinx FPGAs were chosen to implement and asses the system, with specific boards such
as the VC709, the VCU1525 and the Alveo U250. Strategies such as low-level design for the firmware
architecture, leveraging the card's features like PCI Express data transfer, and the > 1 million
gates array available have been exploited. The system underwent testing using internally simulated
events generated within the ATLAS environment. Simulated 200 pile up events were used to evaluate
the algorithm effectiveness. The average processing time was estimated to be below 5 μs,
with the capability to concurrently process two events per algorithm instance. Internal efficiency
tests have shown conditions where track finding performance for single muon tracking exceeded
95%.
Test bench of a 100 Gbps radiation hardened link for future particle accelerators
Authors: Martina F. , Baron S. , Moreira P. , Baszczyk M. , Biereigel S. , Klekotko A. , Kulis S.
Published: February 2024

Pioneering physics experiments require increasingly faster data transfers and high-throughput electronics, which drives the research towards a new class of serialisers and optical links. In this framework, the DART28, a 100 Gbps radiation tolerant serialiser and driver, has been designed in 28 nm CMOS technology, submitted in April and delivered in August 2023. The development has been coupled with an FPGA based emulation, which provided an early assessment of its behaviour, a scalable system-level demonstrator and an effective evaluation tool for compatible commercial solutions. The challenges faced in this research and the architecture of both the hardware setup and the firmware will be described.
Novel developments on the OpenIPMC project
Authors: Calligaris Luigi , Dell'Aquila Carlos Ruben , Grossi Bassi Antono Vitor , Muller Cascadan André , Ardila-Perez Luis Eduardo , Fuchs Marvin , Akpinar Alp , Peck Andrew , Gastler Daniel , Fedi Giacomo
Published: February 2024

We present the recent developments in the context of the OpenIPMC project, which proposes a free and open-source Intelligent Platform Management Controller (IPMC) software and an associated controller mezzanine card for use in ATCA electronic boards. We discuss our experience in the operation of OpenIPMC on prototype boards designed for the upgrades of particle physics experiments at CERN and we show the addition of new features and support for new protocols in the firmware of the controller mezzanine card.
A high time resolution and high dynamic range ASIC for the micro-vertex detector in the PANDA experiment
Authors: Zhang H. , Hirono T. , Peric I.
Published: February 2024

A monolithic pixel sensor test chip for the PANDA
micro-vertex detector has been implemented in a 180 nm HVCMOS
technology on a high resistivity substrate. The sensor should have
very high time resolution (1 ns sigma) and high dynamic range (up to
1000). The pixel electronics contains a charge sensitive amplifier,
a feedback circuit and two comparators. One comparator receives the
fast signal and enables accurate time measurement. The other
comparator receives the low pass filtered signal and is used for
precise amplitude measurement. This publication presents several
novel features of the PANDA ASIC, its characterization and several
measurement results.
Analysis of compressive strength of sustainable fibre reinforced foamed concrete using machine learning techniques
Authors: Ayyanar Dhanalakshmi , Ali Shahul Hameed Masthan
Published: February 2024

This study emphasizes the usage of Silica Fume (SF) and Marble Sludge Powder (MSP) as a partial replacement for fly ash in Fibre Reinforced Foamed Concrete (FRFC). The compressive strength for various samples was analyzed using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) methods. In this research work, the utilization of silica fume, fly ash, marble sludge powder, polypropylene fiber, and foaming agent in fiber-reinforced foamed concrete is presented and a sincere attempt has been made to use silica fume and marble sludge powder for the replacement of fly ash with various percentages. In addition to that polypropylene fiber (PPF) was used in various proportions of 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%. The Feed Forward Propagation (FFP) network of the machine learning method with one hidden layer was taken as the ANN structure of FRFC. In this ANN work, cement, silica fume, fly ash, marble sludge powder, foaming agent, water, and polypropylene fiber were used as input parameters and compressive strength is the output parameter. The correlation coefficient with the ANN methods was found as 0.940 for compressive strength. In machine learning techniques, the ANN method was found to be accurate in estimating and analyzing strength prediction responses with effective parameters.
Development of ambitious and realistic targets to reduce short-lived climate pollutant emissions in nationally determined contributions: case study for Colombia
Authors: Malley Christopher S , Pedraza Jenniffer I , González Luisa , del Carmen Cabeza Maria , Gaitan Mauricio , Melo John H , Ulloa Silvia , Kuylenstierna Johan C I , Haeussling Seraphine , Lefèvre Elsa N
Published: February 2024

Limiting global temperature increases to below 1.5 °C requires reductions in Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), like methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which is rarely reflected in targets within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Colombia’s 2020 NDC is explored as a case study for how Governments can integrate SLCP mitigation targets into climate change commitments. Methane and HFC mitigation contribute approximately 9% of Colombia’s GHG reduction commitment, and a separate target is included to reduce black carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2014 levels. These targets are shown to be ambitious, due to the inclusion of a new black carbon target, realistic due to the identification of mitigation measures to achieve them, and additional to CO2 mitigation. Analysis of the planning process establishing these targets emphasises the importance of long-term planning to obtain agreement between coordinating institutions and implementing institutions on the utility of SLCP targets, and capacity-building within national institutions.
Strain-induced magnetic anisotropy of multi-domain epitaxial EuPd2 thin films
Authors: Schuck Alfons G , Kölsch Sebastian , Valadkhani Adrian , Mazin Igor I , Valentí Roser , Huth Michael
Published: February 2024

Europium intermetallic compounds show a variety of different ground states and anomalous physical properties due to the interactions between the localized 4f electrons and the delocalized electronic states. Europium is also the most reactive of the rare earth metals which might be the reason why very few works are concerned with the properties of Eu-based thin films. Here we address the low-temperature magnetic properties of ferromagnetic EuPd2 thin films prepared by molecular beam epitaxy. The epitaxial (111)-oriented thin films grow on MgO (100) with eight different domain orientations. We analyze the low-temperature magnetic hysteresis behavior by means of micromagnetic simulations taking the multi-domain morphology explicitly into account and quantify the magnetic crystal anisotropy contribution. By ab initio calculations we trace back the microscopic origin of the magnetic anisotropy to thin film-induced uniform biaxial strain.
Diffusive and ballistic transport in thin InSb nanowire devices using a few-layer-graphene-AlO
x
gate
Authors: Shani Lior , Lueb Pim , Menning Gavin , Gupta Mohit , Riggert Colin , Littmann Tyler , Hackbarth Frey , Rossi Marco , Jung Jason , Badawy Ghada , Verheijen Marcel A , Crowell Paul A , Bakkers Erik P A M , Pribiag Vlad S
Published: February 2024

Quantum devices based on InSb nanowires (NWs) are a prime candidate system for realizing and exploring topologically-protected quantum states and for electrically-controlled spin-based qubits. The influence of disorder on achieving reliable quantum transport regimes has been studied theoretically, highlighting the importance of optimizing both growth and nanofabrication. In this work, we consider both aspects. We developed InSb NW with thin diameters, as well as a novel gating approach, involving few-layer graphene and atomic layer deposition-grown AlO
x
. Low-temperature electronic transport measurements of these devices reveal conductance plateaus and Fabry–Pérot interference, evidencing phase-coherent transport in the regime of few quantum modes. The approaches developed in this work could help mitigate the role of material and fabrication-induced disorder in semiconductor-based quantum devices.
3-braid knots with maximal 4-genus
Authors: Baader Sebastian , Lewark Lukas , Misev Filip , Truöl Paula
Published: February 2024

We classify 3-braid knots whose topological 4-genus coincides with their Seifert genus, using McCoy’s twisting method and the Xu normal form. In addition, we give upper bounds for the topological 4-genus of positive and strongly quasipositive 3-braid knots.
The Aesthete as Monster
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

This chapter shows how Wilde was brought back to the foreground of American culture by Leslie and Sewell Stokes’ play, Oscar Wilde, produced in Los Angeles and starring Laird Cregar (1940). It develops Harry M. Benshoff’s point that Wilde was the originator of the sexually suspect monster on-screen, by looking at the ways in which Wildean wit and effeminacy were repackaged, first, in B-movie horrors like The Old Dark House (1932) and then—with direct references to Wilde and decadence—in films noirs, such as Laura (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), and A Double Life (1947). It then illustrates how Albert Lewin’s adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) was filtered through the noir lens of its time, and how Wilde’s own descriptions helped to define noir lighting.
Oscar Wilde, Hollywood Rebel
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

This brief conclusion draws together the main points that the book makes on (1) how Wilde shaped Hollywood cinema (and the limitation of our understanding of this) and (2) how seeing Wilde through Hollywood can reshape how we read him. In the first case it discusses how Wilde and the ‘Wilde-ish’ helped to define the aesthetics of American cinema up to the early 1950s. In the second, it suggests that film-makers were able to make his works and, in consequence, Wilde himself the figure that they wanted him to be and so this Conclusion discusses how their version of Wilde can shift our perspective on his works, from their criminality and violent potential to their anticipations of the cinematic gaze and epigrammatic wit.
Radical prostatectomy cancer grade and percentage of Gleason pattern 4 estimated by global vs individual tumor grading correlate differently with the risk of biochemical recurrence in Grade Group 2 and 3 cancers
Authors: Kryvenko Oleksandr N , Epstein Jonathan I , Merhe Ali , Iakymenko Oleksii A , De Almeida E Silva Junior Ricardo , Chanamolu Dimple Kumar , Briski Laurence M , Kwon Deukwoo , Nemov Ivan , Punnen Sanoj , Pollack Alan , Stoyanova Radka , Parekh Dipen J , Jorda Merce , Gonzalgo Mark L
Published: February 2024

Objectives

There are 2 grading approaches to radical prostatectomy (RP) in multifocal cancer: Grade Group (GG) and percentage of Gleason pattern 4 (GP4%). We investigated whether RP GG and GP4% generated by global vs individual tumor grading correlate differently with biochemical recurrence.

Methods

We reviewed 531 RP specimens with GG2 or GG3 cancer. Each tumor was scored separately with assessment of tumor volume and GP4%. Global grade and GP4% were assigned by combining Gleason pattern 3 and 4 volumes for all tumors. Correlation of GG and GP4% generated by 2 methods with biochemical recurrence was assessed by Cox proportional hazard regression and receiver operating characteristic curves, with optimism adjustment using a bootstrap analysis.

Results

Median age was 63 (range, 42-79) years. Median prostate-specific antigen was 6.3 (range, 0.3-62.9) ng/mL. In total, the highest-grade tumor in 371 (36.9%) men was GG2 and in 160 (30.1%) men was GG3. Global grading was downgraded from GG3 to GG2 in 37 of 121 (30.6%) specimens with multifocal disease, and 145 of 404 (35.9%) specimens had GP4% decreased by at least 10%. Ninety-eight men experienced biochemical recurrence within a median of 13 (range, 3-119) months. Men without biochemical recurrence were followed up for a median of 47 (range, 12-205) months. Grade Group, GP4%, and margin status correlated with the risk of biochemical recurrence using highest-grade tumor and global grading, but the degrees of these correlations varied and were statistically significantly different between the 2 grading approaches.

Conclusions

Grade Group, GP4%, and margin status derived by global vs individual tumor grading predict postoperative biochemical recurrence statistically significantly differently. This difference has important implications if results derived from cohorts graded using different methods are compared.
The molecular modification, expression, and the antibacterial effects studies of human lysozyme
Authors: Xu Kewei , Ma Chuanyuan , Wu Changyun , Wu Dan
Published: February 2024

Human lysozyme (hLYZ) has attracted considerable research attention due to its natural and efficient antibacterial abilities and widespread uses. In this study, hLYZ was modified to enhance its enzyme activity and expressed in a Pichia pastoris expression system. A combination mutant HZM(2R-K)-N88D/V110S demonstrated the highest enzyme activity (6213 ± 164 U/mL) in shake flasks, which was 4.07-fold higher when compared with the original strain. Moreover, the recombinant P. pastoris was inducted in a 3 L bioreactor plus methanol/sorbitol co-feeding. After 120 h induction, the antibacterial activity of hLYZ reached 2.23 ± 0.12 × 105 U/mL, with the specific activity increasing to 1.89 × 105 U/mg, which is currently the highest specific activity obtained through recombinant expression of hLYZ. Also, hLYZ supernatants showed 2-fold inhibitory effects toward Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus when compared with HZM(2R-K). Our research generated a hLYZ mutant with high antibacterial capabilities and provided a method for screening of high-quality enzymes.
Penalized deep partially linear cox models with application to CT scans of lung cancer patients
Authors: Sun Yuming , Kang Jian , Haridas Chinmay , Mayne Nicholas , Potter Alexandra , Yang Chi-Fu , Christiani David C , Li Yi
Published: February 2024

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally, highlighting the importance of understanding its mortality risks to design effective patient-centered therapies. The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) employed computed tomography texture analysis, which provides objective measurements of texture patterns on CT scans, to quantify the mortality risks of lung cancer patients. Partially linear Cox models have gained popularity for survival analysis by dissecting the hazard function into parametric and nonparametric components, allowing for the effective incorporation of both well-established risk factors (such as age and clinical variables) and emerging risk factors (eg, image features) within a unified framework. However, when the dimension of parametric components exceeds the sample size, the task of model fitting becomes formidable, while nonparametric modeling grapples with the curse of dimensionality. We propose a novel Penalized Deep Partially Linear Cox Model (Penalized DPLC), which incorporates the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) penalty to select important texture features and employs a deep neural network to estimate the nonparametric component of the model. We prove the convergence and asymptotic properties of the estimator and compare it to other methods through extensive simulation studies, evaluating its performance in risk prediction and feature selection. The proposed method is applied to the NLST study dataset to uncover the effects of key clinical and imaging risk factors on patients’ survival. Our findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between these factors and survival outcomes.
Theory of Mind impairment in childhood narcolepsy type 1: a case–control study
Authors: Veneruso Marco , Del Sette Paola , Cordani Ramona , Lecce Serena , Pizza Fabio , Chiarella Lorenzo , Venturino Cristina , Nobili Lino , Plazzi Giuseppe
Published: February 2024

Narcolepsy type 1 is a central disorder of hypersomnolence characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and other rapid eye movement sleep-related manifestations. Neurophysiological studies suggest that narcolepsy type 1 patients may experience impairment in emotional processing due to structural and functional changes in limbic structures and associated areas. However, the only study exploring narcolepsy behavioural responses found no impairment in the ability to recognize emotions, possibly due to compensatory mechanisms. The present study was designed to fill this gap in the literature by investigating the behavioural impairment related to emotional processing focusing on an advanced socio-cognitive skill, namely Theory of Mind, in paediatric narcolepsy type 1 patients. Twenty-two narcolepsy type 1 children and adolescents (six female; age range: 8.0–13.5) and 22 healthy controls matched for age and sex (six female; age range: 8.9–13.0) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation to assess socio-economic status, verbal abilities, working memory, social anxiety and Theory of Mind via a verbal task (i.e. Strange Stories task) and a visual task (i.e. Silent Films). Narcolepsy type 1 patients were also evaluated for disease severity. Patients exhibited impairment in Theory of Mind skills, as assessed both through both verbal (controls median = 8; patients median = 5; P = 0.009) and visual tasks (controls median = 8; patients median = 6; P = 0.003), compared to healthy controls. Correlation analyses showed that verbal and visual Theory of Mind was negatively related to narcolepsy severity (ρ = −0.45, P = 0.035 and ρ = −0.52, P = 0.012), and daytime sleepiness (ρ = −0.48, P = 0.025 and ρ = −0.45, P = 0.038). Our study shows a selective impairment in the Theory of Mind domain in children and adolescents with narcolepsy type 1. In addition, our results highlight a link between symptom severity and Theory of Mind, suggesting that lower Theory of Mind levels are associated with higher symptom severity. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to disentangle the direction of this relation and to disambiguate if narcolepsy severity impaired children’s Theory of Mind or if Theory of Mind skills modulate the severity of narcolepsy symptoms by providing a greater ability to avoid cataplexy.
Synthesis and biodegradation of atactic polymer based on 3-hydroxybutanoic acid
Authors: Yokaryo Hiroto , Nakayama Atsuyoshi , Kawasaki Norioki , Yamano Naoko , Ida Sayuri , Tokiwa Yutaka
Published: February 2024

Atactic poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] with varying enantiomer ratios was synthesized using a combination of renewable (R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid and its racemic mixture. The melting temperature of the synthesized atactic polymers was consistently lower than that of poly[(R)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid], exhibiting a decreasing trend with an increasing enantiomer ratio. The biodegradability of the synthesized polymers was assessed through enzymatic and seawater degradation studies.
Léon Walras and Alfred Marshall: microeconomic rational choice or human and social nature?
Authors: Arena Richard , Caldari Katia
Published: February 2024

Alfred Marshall’s and Léon Walras’s works have often been compared in the literature, on the one hand underlining their several differences and on the other hand focussing on their possible resemblances building what was called ‘neoclassical economics. This interpretation failed to pay due attention, however, to a number of important aspects that in fact stand in the way of a proper understanding of these two authors’ contributions. This paper focuses on the analogies to be found between Walras’s and Marshall’s analyses of economic behaviour, which are related not to a supposed affiliation to a common neo-classical tradition but to a common conception of the relation between human economic agents and society.
Comprehensive Analysis of PKD1 and PKD2 by Long-Read Sequencing in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Xu Dechao , Mao Aiping , Chen Libao , Wu Le , Ma Yiyi , Mei Changlin
Published: February 2024

Background

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is mainly caused by heterogeneous variants in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes. Genetic analysis of PKD1 has been challenging due to homology with 6 PKD1 pseudogenes and high GC content.

Methods

A single-tube multiplex long-range-PCR and long-read sequencing-based assay termed “comprehensive analysis of ADPKD” (CAPKD) was developed and evaluated in 170 unrelated patients by comparing to control methods including next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.

Results

CAPKD achieved highly specific analysis of PKD1 with a residual noise ratio of 0.05% for the 6 pseudogenes combined. CAPKD identified PKD1 and PKD2 variants (ranging from variants of uncertain significance to pathogenic) in 160 out of the 170 patients, including 151 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertion-deletion variants (indels), 6 large deletions, and one large duplication. Compared to NGS, CAPKD additionally identified 2 PKD1 variants (c.78_96dup and c.10729_10732dup). Overall, CAPKD increased the rate of variant detection from 92.9% (158/170) to 94.1% (160/170), and the rate of diagnosis with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants from 82.4% (140/170) to 83.5% (142/170). CAPKD also directly determined the cis-/trans-configurations in 11 samples with 2 or 3 SNVs/indels, and the breakpoints of 6 large deletions and one large duplication, including 2 breakpoints in the intron 21 AG-repeat of PKD1, which could only be correctly characterized by aligning to T2T-CHM13.

Conclusions

CAPKD represents a comprehensive and specific assay toward full characterization of PKD1 and PKD2 variants, and improves the genetic diagnosis for ADPKD.
Mortality and comorbidities in a Nationwide cohort of HIV-infected adults: comparison to a matched non-HIV adults’ cohort, France, 2006–18
Authors: Vallée Alexandre , Majerholc Catherine , Zucman David , Livrozet Jean-Michel , Laurendeau Caroline , Bouée Stéphane , Prevoteau du Clary François
Published: February 2024

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe the mortality rate and associated comorbidities in a nationwide population-based cohort of persons living with HIV (PLWHIV) and to compare it with mortality in an age and gender-matched cohort of non-HIV individuals in France.

Methods

Using data from the French national health data system, we identified and included 173 712 PLWHIV (66.5% men) and 173 712 non-HIV participants (66.5% men) matched for age and gender. PLHIV were identified based on ICD-10 HIV diagnoses, HIV-specific laboratory tests, and/or prescriptions for antiretroviral therapy specific to HIV. Hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality were assessed using multiple Cox regression models.

Results

During the 13 years of follow-up (2006–18), we observed 20 018 deaths among PLWHIV compared with 6262 deaths among non-HIV participants (11.52% vs. 3.60%, P < 0.001). The over-mortality of PLWHIV was expressed by univariable HR = 2.135 (2.072–2.199), which remained significant after adjustment for region, Complementary Universal Health Insurance and AME, with multivariable HR = 2.182 (2.118–2.248). The results remained significant after adjusting for comorbidities, including infectious diseases [HR = 1.587 (1.538–1.638)]. Notably, PLWHIV were more importantly associated with mortality in women [HR = 2.966 (2.767–3.180)], compared in men [HR = 1.961 (1.898–2.027)].

Conclusion

Although the life expectancy of PLWHIV has globally increased, the causes of death should be prioritized in prevention policies and care management. Gender-specific policies should be highlighted, as we observed a higher impact of HIV mortality in women.