bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profile control and oil displacement in high temperature and salinity reservoirs: Evaluation of deformable microgel system
Authors: Pahlevani Hossein , Baghban Salehi Mahsa , Saghandali Farzin , Moghanloo Rouzbeh G. , Taghikhani Vahid
Published: August 2024

Viscoelastic microgels have been successfully used as profile control and enhanced oil recovery agents in oil reservoirs. In this paper, a novel microgel made of acrylamide monomer and 2‐Acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid was synthesized using inverse emulsion polymerization. The spherical shape of microgel particles and their corresponding size distribution were confirmed by series of microscopic images. Additional tests such as morphology and swelling tests indirect characterization of structural properties via rheology tests, and viscoelastic tests of spherical microgels were performed for 5 different aqueous solutions. The flow curve of all aqueous solutions illustrated three areas of shear thinning, static state, and shear thickening representing presence of dispersed system and confirming formation of microgel suspension. According to results of the oscillatory frequency sweep test “superior” viscoelastic properties were demonstrated. Also, no structural fracture occurred in the frequency range of 0.01–100 Hz with elastic modulus of 105, 3.63, 2.4, 3, and 1.6, respectively. Furthermore, excellent swelling properties were observed in presence of monovalent, divalent ions, and brine. In addition, performance of microspheres microgel suspension (MMS) in formation water were evaluated using a micro and macro floodingexperiment setup. Due to the elastic modulus of microgel system (2.4 Pa) and its viscoelastic properties, deformation capability and the ability to maintain initial shape of microgels, the oil recovery was increased to 83.77, which was 2.02 times more than that of water flooding displacement. The MMS macro‐flooding test indicated the alteration of the core from oil‐wet to water‐wet. Also, the pressure drop created during water injection compared to during oil injection increased from 0.67 to 9.62 after treatment with MMS. The characteristics and displacement performance of a deformable microgel make it a good candidate for in‐depth gel treatment and sweep efficiency improvement.
High prevalence of medication errors in a secondary‐level Lithuanian hospital: A prospective cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Butauskaite J. , Zumbakyte A. , Aukstikalne L. , Pancere J. , Zukaitiene S. , Karinauske E.
Published: August 2024

As the population continues to age, the occurrence of chronic illnesses and comorbidities that often necessitate the use of polypharmacy has been on the rise. Polypharmacy, among other factors that tend to coincide with chronic diseases, such as obesity, impaired kidney and liver function, and older age, can increase the risk of medication errors (MEs). Our study aims to evaluate the prevalence of MEs in the Internal medicine, Cardiology, and Neurology departments at the secondary‐level university hospital. We conducted a prospective observational study of 145 patients’ electronic or paper‐based data of inpatient prescriptions and patients' pharmacokinetic risk factors, such as an impairment of renal and/or hepatic function, weight, and age. All included patients collectively received 1252 prescribed drugs. The median (Q1; Q3) number of drugs per patient was 8 (7;10). At least one ME was identified in 133 out of the 145 patients, indicating a significantly higher prevalence than hypothesized (91.7% vs. 50%; p < .001). There was moderate, positive correlation between the quantity of prescribed drugs and the number of MEs, meaning that the more drugs are prescribed, the higher the number of identified MEs (Spearman's ρ = 0.428; p < .001). These findings suggest that there is a need for continuous medication education activity for prescribing physicians, continuous evaluation of prescription appropriateness to objectively identify the MEs and to contribute to more rational patient treatment.
Granular cell tumour—A case of recurrent pneumonia due to an endobronchial lesion
Authors: Mathew Alwyn , Al‐Tanjy Ahmad , Abdeen Yazan
Published: August 2024

Granular cell tumours are rare, mostly benign masses that arise from Schwann cells. Their pathophysiology is poorly understood, but the lesions are often seen in the breast, tongue, and skin. In this case report, we discuss a 34‐year‐old patient with recurrent pneumonia. The patient had several comorbidities, and was intubated due to respiratory distress and eventually placed on tracheostomy. During the procedure, she was noted to have a right middle lobe endobronchial lesion. It was excised and identified as a granular cell tumour. The patient was later weaned off the ventilator and discharged without any complications.
Soil, forage, and weed attributes following tillage in grazed no‐tillage triticale pasture
Authors: Holman Johnathan D. , Mauler Payton S. , Obour Augustine K. , Roozeboom Kraig L. , Simon Logan M. , Assefa Yared
Published: August 2024

Grazing annual forages in dryland cropping systems has been used to integrate crop and livestock systems, rejuvenate soils, enhance in‐field nutrient cycling and soil organic carbon (SOC), and increase net returns by eliminating harvest expenses and feed delivery. However, cattle (Bos taurus) could potentially degrade soil physical properties by increasing compaction and reducing water infiltration in no‐tillage (NT) systems. Minimum tillage (MT) may help correct some of these potential soil quality concerns. The objective of this study was to quantify MT effects on soil properties, forage mass, and weeds compared to NT in a grazed winter triticale [×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus (Secale × Triticum)] annual forage system from 2020 to 2022 near Jetmore, KS. The experiment had two tillage treatments, NT and MT (sweep plow to a depth of 5–13 cm twice during summer fallow), in a grazed continuous winter triticale cropping system. Bulk density was greater in June, pre‐till (1.31 g cm−3), compared to August, post‐till (1.23 g cm−3), across tillage treatments. The mean weight diameter of dry aggregates decreased, and wind‐erodible fraction increased with MT. Across years, the mean weight diameter of water‐stable aggregates was greater with NT compared to MT. The SOC stocks did not differ between tillage practices near the soil surface, but MT increased SOC at the 5‐ to 15‐cm depth. Nitrate (NO3‐N) concentration was 28% higher with MT compared to NT across depths at the August sampling time. Soil pH was slightly lower in NT (5.81) compared to MT (5.94). Penetration resistance was high due to frequently dry soil conditions, but there were no differences between tillage systems. Early‐season forage biomass was greater in MT compared to NT in one out of two seasons. Our findings suggest that MT could be used to mitigate adverse effects of grazing on soil bulk density in NT systems but could cause short‐term decreases in dry and wet aggregate stability and increased wind‐erodible fraction.
Critical climate awareness as a science education outcome
Authors: Clark Heather F.
Published: August 2024

This paper presents the argument that climate change should be taught in schools as a sociopolitical and scientific process, and that students should be able to use their science knowledge to think critically about climate change as a social justice issue. A necessary and achievable outcome of science education is critical climate awareness—an understanding of the systems and structures that create and sustain climate change inequities. Through a participatory design research partnership, a high school chemistry course was designed and studied that focused on this outcome. Data from a single group, mixed method pre/postdesign show how a group of Black and Latinx urban youth appropriated critical climate awareness from the curriculum they experienced and how they used this awareness to explain climate change as a scientific and sociopolitical process. The findings show that students became concerned about climate change, if they were not already, and that they improved their knowledge of scientific concepts specific to climate change. In their explanations of climate change, students foregrounded sociopolitical processes that result in changes to physical systems, assigned agency for carbon emissions to diverse social actors in ways attentive to power dynamics, and articulated differences in consequences and solutions based on the racial and socioeconomic demographics of communities. This work has implications for transforming science classrooms into incubators for climate justice.
3D Printing Photonic Crystals: A Review
Authors: Kang Youlong , Zhao Jing , Zeng Yi , Du Xin , Gu Zhongze
Published: August 2024

Living organisms in nature possess diverse and vibrant structural colors generated from their intrinsic surface micro/nanostructures. These intricate micro/nanostructures can be harnessed to develop a new generation of colorful materials for various fields such as photonics, information storage, display, and sensing. Recent advancements in the fabrication of photonic crystals have enabled the preparation of structurally colored materials with customized geometries using 3D printing technologies. Here, a comprehensive review of the historical development of fabrication methods for photonic crystals is provided. Diverse 3D printing approaches along with the underlying mechanisms, as well as the regulation methods adopted to generate photonic crystals with structural color, are discussed. This review aims to offer the readers an overview of the state‐of‐the‐art 3D printing techniques for photonic crystals, present a guide and considerations to fabricate photonic crystals leveraging different 3D printing methods.
Highly Transmittance, Mechanical, Thermally Stable Silver Nanowires Network Using ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Trinh Ly Thi , To Thi Tu Linh , Ko Pyeongsam , Woo Kyoohee , Kwon Sin , Rho Jinsung , Youn Hongseok
Published: August 2024

This research addresses challenges with silver nanowires (Ag NWs) as transparent conductive electrodes (TCEs) and heaters in commercial devices. Here, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are first reported as a protective layer for Ag NWs. Multi‐physics simulations confirm enhanced thermal stability due to improved heat dissipation, temperature distribution, and thermal conductivity from ZnO. When Ag NWs are surrounded by air, heat transfers mainly through convection and radiation because of air's low conduction coefficient. Encasing Ag NWs in ZnO enhances heat transfer to the ZnO surface, accelerating cooling and dissipating more heat into the atmosphere via convection. The results show composite's efficiency in the Joule effect, maintaining a consistent temperature of 78 °C for 700 s after 500 bending cycles, a significant improvement over Ag NWs operating for only 5 s at 80 °C. Additionally, the composite film exhibited exceptional performance, including a sheet resistance of 9.8 Ω sq−1 and an optical transmittance of 96.96 %, outperforming Ag NWs, which have a sheet resistance of 12 Ω sq−1 and a transmittance of 94.11%. The combination of enhanced electrical, thermal, and mechanical stability, along with impressive optical properties, makes Ag NWs/ZnO NPs a promising candidate for transparent conductive electrode materials in various applications.
Battery‐Free, Wireless Multi‐Modal Sensor, and Actuator Array System for Pressure Injury Prevention
Authors: Han Hyeonseok , Park Hyunwoo , Cho Seokjoo , Lee Sung‐Uk , Choi Jungrak , Ha Ji‐Hwan , Park Jaeho , Jung Young , Kim Hyunjin , Ahn Junseong , Kwon Yeong Jae , Oh Yong Suk , Je Minkyu , Park Inkyu
Published: August 2024

Simultaneous monitoring of critical parameters (e.g., pressure, shear, and temperature) at bony prominences is essential for the prevention of pressure injuries in a systematic manner. However, the development of wireless sensor array for accurate mapping of risk factors has been limited due to the challenges in the convergence of wireless technologies and wearable sensor arrays with a thin and small form factor. Herein, a battery‐free, wireless, miniaturized multi‐modal sensor array is introduced for continuous mapping of pressure, shear, and temperature at skin interfaces. The sensor array includes an integrated pressure and shear sensor consisting of 3D strain gauges and micromachined components. The mechanically decoupled design of the integrated sensor enables reliable data acquisition of pressure and shear at skin interfaces without the need for additional data processing. The sensor platform enables the analysis of interplay among localized pressure, shear, and temperature in response to changes in the patient's movement, posture, and bed inclination. The validation trials using a novel combination of wireless sensor arrays and customized pneumatic actuator demonstrate the efficacy of the platform in continuous monitoring and efficient redistribution of pressure and shear without repositioning, thereby improving the patient's quality of life.
New Insights on the Corrosion Behavior of a Cr–W–V–Mo‐Rich Stainless Steel Containing Cr7C3–Cr23C6 Core–Shell Carbides: A Comparative Study
Authors: Maher Majdouline , Iraola‐Arregui Itziar , Lasri Mohammed , Idouhli Rachid , Ben Youcef Hicham , Rhouta Benaissa , Trabadelo Vera
Published: August 2024

The goal of this study is to provide new insights into the corrosion mechanism of core‐shell carbides containing steels. The corrosion behavior of two heat‐treated Cr–W–V–Mo‐rich stainless steels is evaluated using electrochemical techniques. The studied steels have different carbides microstructure, the first has core–shell carbides (Cr7C3–Cr23C6) in a ferritic matrix, while the second has conventional Cr23C6 carbides in a duplex matrix. The open‐circuit potential results show a nobler behavior of the duplex sample; it is noticed in the potentiodynamic polarization curves where the core–shell carbides containing steel have an oxidation peak at −0.37 V versus saturated calomel electrode with a current density of 0.19 mA cm−2, contrary to the duplex steel that shows a passive behavior. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrates the presence of two degradation mechanisms in the core–shell carbide steel, while the other steel is governed by charge transfer only. These findings are supported by scanning electron microscopy examination that shows the preferential corrosion of the shell while the core and the duplex matrix are kept intact. The passive film stability is evaluated using Mott–Schottky analysis and it shows the presence of a higher defect density on the passive film of the core–shell carbides containing steel.
Situations as Relational Presences
Authors: Döbler Marie‐Kristin , Schmidl Alexander
Published: August 2024

What is a situation? For good reasons, (micro)sociological approaches focus on different aspects, elements, and perspectives. However, the polyphony can be confusing and prevent a fruitful dialog between theories and disciplines. Therefore, we aim to provide an integrative concept: drawing on phenomenological and interactionist understandings of “the situation,” we conclude that what is crucial are the emerging relations of forms of presence, leading to an understanding of situations as relational presences. To this end, we distinguish dimensions of presence, and forms of presence, and formulate a heuristic as a tool for precisely naming the constituent conditions of situations and their different levels.
Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Injury to the Vascular Endothelial Through NLRP3‐Mediated Pyroptosis
Authors: Huo Chuanyi , Zhu Ying , Fang Xiaoqi , Cui Jianwei , Ye Hui , Zhao Haotang , Ye Lin , Zhou Liting
Published: August 2024

The health risks associated with microplastics have attracted widespread attention. Polystyrene microplastics (PS‐MPs) can induce damage to cardiac tissue, while pyroptosis‐mediated injury to the vascular endothelial plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The study intended to explore the role and mechanism of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) mediated pyroptosis in PS‐MPs causing the injury of vascular endothelial cells. In vivo, Wistar rats were exposed to 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg/d 0.5 μm PS‐MPs. In vitro, the human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used for mechanistic studies. siRNA was used for silencing the NILRP3 gene. H&E staining and flow cytometry were performed to examine the vascular injury and cell membrane damage. The oxidative stress was detected by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and corresponding kits. ELISA were used to measure the levels of inflammatory factors. Real‐time PCR and western blot were used to measure the expression of pyroptosis signaling pathway. In rats, PS‐MPs could cause vascular damage, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response, and activated the pyroptosis signaling pathway. HUVECs exposure to PS‐MPs, the vitality decreased in a dose‐dependent manner, ROS and MDA were significantly increased while SOD was decreased. PS‐MPs induced the onset of pyroptosis signaling pathway in HUVECs. Cell membrane damage and the levels of IL‐Iβ and IL‐18 in HUVECs significantly increased, those are symbols for the development of pyroptosis. Inhibition of NLRP3‐mediated pyroptosis effectively protected HUVECs from PS‐MPs‐induced damage. Pyroptosis played a vital role in controlling the vascular endothelial injury caused by PS‐MPs.
Genomic selection optimization in blueberry: Data‐driven methods for marker and training population design
Authors: Adunola Paul , Ferrão Luis Felipe V. , Benevenuto Juliana , Azevedo Camila F. , Munoz Patricio R.
Published: August 2024

Genomic prediction is a modern approach that uses genome‐wide markers to predict the genetic merit of unphenotyped individuals. With the potential to reduce the breeding cycles and increase the selection accuracy, this tool has been designed to rank genotypes and maximize genetic gains. Despite this importance, its practical implementation in breeding programs requires critical allocation of resources for its application in a predictive framework. In this study, we integrated genetic and data‐driven methods to allocate resources for phenotyping and genotyping tailored to genomic prediction. To this end, we used a historical blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosun L.) breeding dataset containing more than 3000 individuals, genotyped using probe‐based target sequencing and phenotyped for three fruit quality traits over several years. Our contribution in this study is threefold: (i) for the genotyping resource allocation, the use of genetic data‐driven methods to select an optimal set of markers slightly improved prediction results for all the traits; (ii) for the long‐term implication, we carried out a simulation study and emphasized that data‐driven method results in a slight improvement in genetic gain over 30 cycles than random marker sampling; and (iii) for the phenotyping resource allocation, we compared different optimization algorithms to select training population, showing that it can be leveraged to increase predictive performances. Altogether, we provided a data‐oriented decision‐making approach for breeders by demonstrating that critical breeding decisions associated with resource allocation for genomic prediction can be tackled through a combination of statistics and genetic methods.
Breast cancer screening and early detection programs in Iran: A health policy analysis and recommendations
Authors: Dolatshahi Zeinab , Dehkordi Pouran Raeissi , Gorji Hassan Abolghasem , Hashemi Seyed Massoud , Reisi Nahid , Khalilabad Toraj Harati
Published: August 2024

Screening and early detection programs for breast cancer (BC) have significantly reduced mortality rates and enhanced survival rates globally. Breast cancer screening programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries like Iran need improvement. This study examines Iran's breast cancer screening and early detection (BCSED) policies, employing the Policy Triangle Model in two phases: a review of 27 documents including various related sources related of policies and strategies, followed by 20 semi‐structured interviews across four distinct levels: policy, regional, clinical, and community levels. Content analysis for documents and MAXQDA2020 software for the second phase were used, and findings integrated. In our analysis of 27 national documents and 20 interviews, we found 10 themes, 19 sub‐themes, and 42 specific codes across four dimensions of the mentioned framework. Main themes in the context dimension covered deficient interactions, deficiency in knowledge management, cultural challenges, and socioeconomic challenges. From the analysis of 27 national documents, we recognized service excellence schemes, personal health encouragement, and service levels. Policy formulation and monitoring and evaluation emerged as central themes for the process dimension, while stakeholder challenges were prominent in the actors' dimension. BCSED programs are multifactorial issues. Proposed strategies to address these issues include the dedicated funds for BC prevention programs, strengthening the Ministry of Health's stewardship role, elevating public awareness, and conducting systematic screening trials in select cities to provide valuable national evidence for future policymaking.
A Structural, Spectroscopic and DFT Theoretical Comparison of the cis and trans Isomers of a Cyclohexasilane
Authors: Rodríguez Díaz Gerardo Antonio , González León Roberto Andrés , Hadlington Terrance J. , Antony Jürgen H. , Camacho Cristopher , Ballestero‐Martínez Ernesto
Published: August 2024

We report a synthesis of the trans and cis isomers of 1,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,2,3,3,5,5,6,6‐octamethyl‐1,4‐diphenylcyclohexasilane (3), together with the solid‐state structure of cis‐3. Both isomers were characterized using multinuclear NMR and UV spectroscopies and were compared based on these data, together with DFT calculations. Remarkably, we found that both isomers of 3 showcase redshifted UV maxima when compared with other known cyclosilanes. To explain this, the theoretical calculations show that the transitions involved in the excited states of trans‐3 and cis‐3 have, in addition to the expected σ conjugation component of the Si6 ring, significant π contributions of phenyl substituents. The results presented herein show the effect of the substituent's electronic properties regarding reactivity of intermediates, reaction yield, identity, and electronic properties of novel silicon‐containing molecules.
A Method and Device for Tunnel Defect Detection Based on Image Automatic Collection and 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Deng Xufang , Zhou Zheng , Chen Zhenghu , Xu Yi , Cai Wei
Published: August 2024

Long-distance tunnels are essential hydraulic structures that guarantee the safe operation and optimal performance of engineering projects. Monitoring the operational status of tunnels through regular inspections is crucial to promptly detect defects such as seepage, collapses, and damages. This proactive approach prevents structural instability, damages, and blockages, ensuring the safe and stable operation of engineering projects. Water conveyance tunnels are typically long-distance, enclosed spaces with no illumination and no satellite navigation signals. Traditional manual inspection methods suffer from low efficiency, poor accuracy, and high safety risks. The tunnel defect detection method based on image automatic collection and 3D reconstruction addresses these challenges. It enables rapid inspections during flood periods and comprehensive examinations during dry seasons, adapting to the tunnel's water conditions. This method facilitates unmanned intelligent inspections of long-distance tunnels, three-dimensional visualization, and multi-period comparative analysis of defects, offering vast prospects for widespread application. Finally, the proposed method and device were experimentally applied in a practical engineering drainage tunnel to demonstrate their effectiveness and reliability.
Surface Settlement Induced by Excavation of Double-Line Shield Tunnel
Authors: Zhao Mingzhe , Wang Haifeng , Zhang Jiaxin , Ji Xiaoyi , Zhang Jiahao , Liu Yao , Li Yaxiu , Xing Bowen
Published: August 2024

In the construction of the Harbin Metro Line 3 twin-bore tunnel project, the ABAQUS numerical simulation method was employed to investigate the impact of various grouting thicknesses, burial depth ratios, tunnel spacing, and excavation pressures on the geological conditions of the project. Corresponding construction control measures were proposed. The study revealed: (1) Grouting thickness is inversely proportional to ground settlement, with an optimal thickness of 0.3 m; (2) Lateral ground settlement increases with an increasing depth ratio, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease, closely related to soil arching effects; (3) As the distance (L) between two parallel tunnels increases, the peak ground settlement of the left and right tunnels decreases. Smaller tunnel spacing leads to stronger mutual interactions, resulting in a “V”-shaped settlement deformation within the overlapping disturbance zone. When the tunnel spacing is sufficiently large, the mutual interference between the two tunnels diminishes, and the ground settlement deformation is considered the superimposition of two independent tunnel settlements, forming a “W”-shaped settlement trench; (4) Excavation pressure exceeds the static soil pressure, causing soil disturbance, leading to an uplift of the soil in front of the tunnel face and an expansion of the plastic zone in the surrounding soil, ultimately resulting in increased subsequent surface settlement.
Effect of Iron Tailings Fine Powder as Admixture on the Properties of Cement Mortar and Concrete
Authors: Tai Wei , Tong Xiaogen , Zhang Kaifeng , Luo Zuoqiu
Published: August 2024

The paper conducts feasibility tests on iron tailings fine powder as concrete mineral admixture, and compares its performance with traditional admixture fly ash and ground limestone powder to make effective use of stone powder resources. The fluidity and mechanical properties of cement mortar of the three admixtures are respectively tested. And the influence on compressive strength, shrinkage and chloride penetration resistance of C30, C35 and C40 concrete under different curing conditions. The results show that the chemical composition of iron tailings is similar to that of fly ash and belongs to siliceous powder. The 1, 2 and 3 h mobility losses of iron tailings and fly ash are similar, but higher than those of limestone powder. The mortar strength of the first three admixtures at 14d age is close to that of the other two admixtures at 14–60d age, and the activity index and strength change with age are consistent. Under different curing conditions, the compressive strength of the three kinds of admixture concrete is as follows: fly ash concrete > iron tailings powder concrete > limestone powder concrete; The addition of iron tailings is beneficial to improve the shrinkage performance and chloride ion penetration resistance of concrete, and can play a role in filling the micro-pore structure, which has the technical feasibility as an inert admixture.
Experimental Study on the Influence of Erosive Solution on Unconfined Compressive Strength of Fiber Reinforced Cemented Soil
Authors: Xu Lina , Gomba Tatenda Kelvin , Niu Lei , Song Daohan
Published: August 2024

Many erosive environments, such as acidic or various salts, can cause damage to structures like roads, tunnels, and buildings. Various tests were conducted to investigate how the strength of cemented soil is affected by different soaking periods, types of saline solutions, and fibers. Samples including and excluding basalt fibers were tested in water, acid, and salt solutions for 1, 8, 19, 39, and 54 days. The results show that the strength of cemented soil soaked in clear water gradually increases with the increase of maintenance days, which is the development law of strength of cemented soil. As the soaking time increases, the unconfined compressive strength of soil samples soaked in acidic and salt environments gradually decreases. The addition of fiber to cemented soil slightly increases its strength compared to soil without fiber in the same solution concentration. This suggests that fiber has a distinct role in protecting cemented soil from erosion caused by erosive solutions.
A systematic investigation on dark matter-electron scattering in effective field theories
Authors: Liang Jin-Han , Liao Yi , Ma Xiao-Dong , Wang Hao-Lin
Published: August 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we systematically investigate the general dark matter-electron interactions within the framework of effective field theories (EFTs). We consider both the non-relativistic (NR) EFT and the relativistic EFT descriptions of the interactions with the spin of dark matter (DM) up to one, i.e., the scalar (ϕ), fermion (χ), and vector (X) DM scenarios. We first collect the leading-order NR EFT operators describing the DM-electron interactions, and construct especially the NR operators for the vector DM case. Next, we consider all possible leading-order relativistic EFT operators including those with a photon field and perform the NR reduction to match them onto the NR EFT. Then we rederive the DM-bound-electron scattering rate within the NR EFT framework and find that the matrix element squared, which is the key input that encodes the DM and atomic information, can be compactly decomposed into three terms. Each term is a product of a DM response function (a0,1,2), which is essentially a factor of Wilson coefficients squared, and its corresponding generalized atomic response function $$ \left({\overset{\sim }{W}}_{0,1,2}\right) $$

W
~

0
,
1
,
2

. Lastly, we employ the electron recoil data from the DM direct detection experiments (including XENON10, XENON1T, and PandaX-4T) to constrain all the non-relativistic and relativistic operators in all three DM scenarios. We set strong bounds on the DM-electron interactions in the sub-GeV region. Particularly, we find that the latest PandaX-4T S2-only data provide stringent constraints on dark matter with a mass greater than approximately 20 MeV, surpassing those from the previous XENON10 and XENON1T experiments.
More on spin-2 operators in holographic quantum mechanics
Authors: Zhang Shuo
Published: August 2024

Abstract

We study the spectrum, unitarity bound and holographic central charge of spin-2 operators in a warped AdS2 × S2 × T4 × $$ {\mathcal{I}}_{\psi } $$

I
ψ

× $$ {\mathcal{I}}_{\rho } $$

I
ρ

background in the Type IIB theory. We were able to identify a class of solutions that is completely independent of the functions that define the background solution. We comment on the relation of our results to the previous ones in the literature.
Monge solutions for discontinuous Hamilton-Jacobi equations in Carnot groups
Authors: Essebei Fares , Giovannardi Gianmarco , Verzellesi Simone
Published: August 2024

In this paper we study Monge solutions to stationary Hamilton–Jacobi equations associated to discontinuous Hamiltonians in the framework of Carnot groups. After showing the equivalence between Monge and viscosity solutions in the continuous setting, we prove existence and uniqueness for the Dirichlet problem, together with a comparison principle and a stability result.
The association of quantitative PSMA PET parameters with pathologic ISUP grade: an international multicenter analysis
Authors: Soeterik Timo F. W. , Heetman Joris G. , Hermsen Rick , Wever Lieke , Lavalaye Jules , Vinken Maarten , Bahler Clinton D. , Yong Courtney , Tann Mark , Kesch Claudia , Seifert Robert , Telli Tugce , Chiu Peter Ka-Fung , Wu Kwan Kit , Zattoni Fabio , Evangelista Laura , Segalla Emma , Barone Antonio , Ceci Francesco , Rajwa Pawel , Marra Giancarlo , Mazzone Elio , Van Basten Jean-Paul A. , Van Melick Harm H. E. , Van den Bergh Roderick C. N. , Gandaglia Giorgio ,   on behalf of the EAU-YAU Prostate Cancer Working Party
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To assess if PSMA PET quantitative parameters are associated with pathologic ISUP grade group (GG) and upgrading/downgrading.

Methods

PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without pelvic lymph node dissection staged with preoperative PSMA PET at seven referral centres worldwide were evaluated. PSMA PET parameters which included SUVmax, PSMAvolume, and total PSMA accumulation (PSMAtotal) were collected. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the association between PSMA PET quantified parameters and surgical ISUP GG. Decision-tree analysis was performed to identify discriminative thresholds for all three parameters related to the five ISUP GGs The ROC-derived AUC was used to determine whether the inclusion of PSMA quantified parameters improved the ability of multivariable models to predict ISUP GG ≥ 4.

Results

A total of 605 patients were included. Overall, 2%, 37%, 37%, 10% and 13% patients had pathologic ISUP GG1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. At multivariable analyses, all three parameters SUVmax, PSMAvolume and PSMAtotal were associated with GG ≥ 4 at surgical pathology after accounting for PSA and clinical T stage based on DRE, hospital and radioligand (all p < 0.05). Addition of all three parameters significantly improved the discrimination of clinical models in predicting GG ≥ 4 from 68% (95%CI 63 – 74) to 74% (95%CI 69 – 79) for SUVmax, 72% (95%CI 67 – 76) for PSMAvolume, 74% (70 – 79) for PSMAtotal and 75% (95%CI 71 – 80) when all parameters were included (all p < 0.05). Decision-tree analysis resulted in thresholds that discriminate between GG (SUVmax 0–6.5, 6.5–15, 15–28, > 28, PSMAvol 0–2, 2–9, 9–20 and > 20 and PSMAtotal 0–12, 12–98 and > 98). PSMAvolume was significantly associated with GG upgrading (OR 1.03 95%CI 1.01 – 1.05). In patients with biopsy GG1-3, PSMAvolume ≥ 2 was significantly associated with higher odds for upgrading to ISUP GG ≥ 4, compared to PSMAvolume < 2 (OR 6.36, 95%CI 1.47 – 27.6).

Conclusion

Quantitative PSMA PET parameters are associated with surgical ISUP GG and upgrading. We propose clinically relevant thresholds of these parameters which can improve in PCa risk stratification in daily clinical practice.
Diagnosing drivers of tropical precipitation biases in coupled climate model simulations
Authors: Respati Muhamad Reyhan , Dommenget Dietmar , Segura Hans , Stassen Christian
Published: August 2024

In this study, we analyse the large-scale biases in tropical precipitation climatology of two different types of coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation models (GCMs): the coupled model intercomparison project (CMIP) models and ICON-Sapphire, a global storm-resolving model. We employ the simple globally resolved energy balance (GREB) diagnostic precipitation model to evaluate four drivers of the precipitation biases in the simulations: surface specific humidity, surface relative humidity, tropospheric mean and variability in the vertical motion. The tropical precipitation biases in the CMIP and ICON-Sapphire simulations are surprisingly similar in their patterns and also in the elements forcing them. The results of our analysis using the GREB model show that the precipitation biases result from both biases in the sensitivity to the four forcing fields and biases in the simulated forcing fields themselves. The most significant bias for both, the CMIP and ICON-Sapphire simulations, is a too high sensitivity to the mean vertical circulation ($${\omega }_{\text{mean}}$$

ω
mean

) and bias in the $${\omega }_{\text{mean}}$$

ω
mean

climatology itself. This also holds for specific long-standing biases, such as the double intertropical convergence zone problem. Meanwhile, biases in the climatology of specific and relative humidity play only a minor role but contribute to an overall small increase in precipitation in CMIP models that may be related to the “drizzling” bias. These results can give insights to the modelling community regarding model development, and illustrate that the GREB diagnostic precipitation model applied is a good tool for evaluating the drivers of large-scale tropical precipitation.
Explaining recovery from coma with multimodal neuroimaging
Authors: Pozeg Polona , Jöhr Jane , Prior John O. , Diserens Karin , Dunet Vincent
Published: August 2024

The aim of this prospective, observational cohort study was to investigate and assess diverse neuroimaging biomarkers to predict patients’ neurological recovery after coma. 32 patients (18–76 years, M = 44.8, SD = 17.7) with disorders of consciousness participated in the study. Multimodal neuroimaging data acquired during the patient’s hospitalization were used to derive cortical glucose metabolism (18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography), and structural (diffusion-weighted imaging) and functional connectivity (resting-state functional MRI) indices. The recovery outcome was defined as a continuous composite score constructed from a multivariate neurobehavioral recovery assessment administered upon the discharge from the hospital. Fractional anisotropy-based white matter integrity in the anterior forebrain mesocircuit (r = 0.72, p < .001, 95% CI: 0.87, 0.45), and the functional connectivity between the antagonistic default mode and dorsal attention resting-state networks (r = − 0.74, p < 0.001, 95% CI: − 0.46, − 0.88) strongly correlated with the recovery outcome. The association between the posterior glucose metabolism and the recovery outcome was moderate (r = 0.38, p = 0.040, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.02). Structural (adjusted R2 = 0.84, p = 0.003) or functional connectivity biomarker (adjusted R2 = 0.85, p = 0.001), but not their combination, significantly improved the model fit to predict the recovery compared solely to bedside neurobehavioral evaluation (adjusted R2 = 0.75). The present study elucidates an important role of specific MRI-derived structural and functional connectivity biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of recovery after coma and has implications for clinical care of patients with severe brain injury.
IMPDH2 suppression impedes cell proliferation by instigating cell cycle arrest and stimulates apoptosis in pediatric hepatoblastoma
Authors: Li Linman , Wu Yichi , Huang Hong-ting , Yong June-kong , Lv Zicheng , Zhou Yi , Xiang Xuelin , Zhao Jie , Xi Zhifeng , Feng Hao , Xia Qiang
Published: August 2024

Background

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common pediatric liver tumor, presenting significant therapeutic challenges due to its high rates of recurrence and metastasis. While Inosine Monophosphate Dehydrogenase 2(IMPDH2) has been associated with cancer progression, its specific role and clinical implications in HB have not been fully elucidated.

Methods

This study utilized Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Tissue Microarray (TMA) for validation. Following this, IMPDH2 was suppressed, and a series of in vitro assays were conducted. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Additionally, the study explored the synergistic therapeutic effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and doxorubicin (DOX) on HB cell lines.

Results

The study identified a marked overexpression of IMPDH2 in HB tissues, which was strongly correlated with reduced Overall Survival (OS) and Event-Free Survival (EFS). IMPDH2 upregulation was also found to be associated with key clinical-pathological features, including pre-chemotherapy alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, presence of preoperative metastasis, and the pre-treatment extent of tumor (PRETEXT) staging system. Knockdown of IMPDH2 significantly inhibited HB cell proliferation and tumorigenicity, inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. Notably, the combination of MMF, identified as a specific IMPDH2 inhibitor, with DOX, substantially enhanced the therapeutic response.

Conclusion

The overexpression of IMPDH2 was closely linked to adverse outcomes in HB patients and appeared to accelerate cell cycle progression. These findings suggest that IMPDH2 may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target for HB.

Impact

The present study unveiled a significant overexpression of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) in hepatoblastoma (HB) tissues, particularly in association with metastasis and recurrence of the disease. The pronounced upregulation of IMPDH2 was found to be intimately correlated with adverse outcomes in HB patients. This overexpression appears to accelerate the progression of the cell cycle, suggesting that IMPDH2 may serve as a promising candidate for both a prognostic marker and a therapeutic target in the context of HB.
Scalable approaches for generating, validating and incorporating data from high-throughput functional assays to improve clinical variant classification
Authors: Padigepati Samskruthi Reddy , Stafford David A. , Tan Christopher A. , Silvis Melanie R. , Jamieson Kirsty , Keyser Andrew , Nunez Paola Alejandra Correa , Nicoludis John M. , Manders Toby , Fresard Laure , Kobayashi Yuya , Araya Carlos L. , Aradhya Swaroop , Johnson Britt , Nykamp Keith , Reuter Jason A.
Published: August 2024

As the adoption and scope of genetic testing continue to expand, interpreting the clinical significance of DNA sequence variants at scale remains a formidable challenge, with a high proportion classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUSs). Genetic testing laboratories have historically relied, in part, on functional data from academic literature to support variant classification. High-throughput functional assays or multiplex assays of variant effect (MAVEs), designed to assess the effects of DNA variants on protein stability and function, represent an important and increasingly available source of evidence for variant classification, but their potential is just beginning to be realized in clinical lab settings. Here, we describe a framework for generating, validating and incorporating data from MAVEs into a semi-quantitative variant classification method applied to clinical genetic testing. Using single-cell gene expression measurements, cellular evidence models were built to assess the effects of DNA variation in 44 genes of clinical interest. This framework was also applied to models for an additional 22 genes with previously published MAVE datasets. In total, modeling data was incorporated from 24 genes into our variant classification method. These data contributed evidence for classifying 4043 observed variants in over 57,000 individuals. Genetic testing laboratories are uniquely positioned to generate, analyze, validate, and incorporate evidence from high-throughput functional data and ultimately enable the use of these data to provide definitive clinical variant classifications for more patients.
Optimal decision rules for marked point process models
Authors: van Lieshout M. N. M.
Published: August 2024

We study a Markov decision problem in which the state space is the set of finite marked point patterns in the plane, the actions represent thinnings, the reward is proportional to the mark sum which is discounted over time, and the transitions are governed by a birth-death-growth process. We show that thinning points with large marks maximises the discounted total expected reward when births follow a Poisson process and marks grow logistically. Explicit values for the thinning threshold and the discounted total expected reward over finite and infinite horizons are also provided. When the points are required to respect a hard core distance, upper and lower bounds on the discounted total expected reward are derived.
Suspicious transaction alert and blocking system for cryptocurrency exchanges in metaverse’s social media universes: RG-guard
Authors: Gürfidan Remzi
Published: August 2024

In this study, we propose an effective system called RG-Guard that detects potential risks and threats in the use of cryptocurrencies in the metaverse ecosystem. In order for the RG-Guard engine to detect suspicious transactions, Ethereum network transaction information and phishing wallet addresses were collected, and a unique dataset was created after the data preprocessing process. During the data preprocessing process, we manually distinguished the features within the original dataset that contained potential risk indicators. The learning process of the RG-Guard engine in risk classification was achieved by developing a deep learning model based on LSTM + Softmax. In the training process of the model, RG-Guard was optimised for maximum accuracy, and optimum hyperparameters were obtained. The reliability and dataset performance of the preferred LSTM + Softmax model were verified by comparing it with algorithms used in risk classification and detection applications in the literature (Decision tree, XG boost, Random forest and light gradient boosting machine). Accordingly, among the trained models, LSTM + Softmax has the highest accuracy with an F1-score of 0.9950. When a cryptocurrency transaction occurs, RG-Guard extracts the feature vectors of the transaction and assigns a risk level between 1 and 5 to the parameter named βrisk. Since transactions with βrisk >  = 3 are labelled as suspicious transactions, RG-Guard blocks this transaction. Thus, thanks to the use of the RG-Guard engine in metaverse applications, it is aimed to easily distinguish potential suspicious transactions from instant transactions. As a result, it is aimed to detect and prevent instant potential suspicious transactions with the RG-Guard engine in money transfers, which have the greatest risk in cryptocurrency transactions and are the target of fraud. The original dataset prepared in the proposed study and the hybrid LSTM + Softmax model developed specifically for the model are expected to contribute to the development of such studies.
Ground-truth generation through crowdsourcing with probabilistic indexes
Authors: Sánchez Joan Andreu , Vidal Enrique , Bosch Vicente , Quirós Lorenzo
Published: August 2024

Automatic transcription of large series of historical handwritten documents generally aims at allowing to search for textual information in these documents. However, automatic transcripts often lack the level of accuracy needed for reliable text indexing and search purposes. Probabilistic Indexing (PrIx) offers a unique alternative to raw transcripts. Since it needs training data to achieve good search performance, PrIx-based crowdsourcing techniques are introduced in this paper to gather the required data. In the proposed approach, PrIx confidence measures are used to drive a correction process in which users can amend errors and possibly add missing text. In a further step, corrected data are used to retrain the PrIx models. Results on five large series are reported which show consistent improvements after retraining. However, it can be argued whether the overall costs of the crowdsourcing operation pay off for the improvements, or perhaps it would have been more cost-effective to just start with a larger and cleaner amount of professionally produced training transcripts.