bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing Future Pediatric Care Providers with a Clinical Informatics Elective
Authors: Rungvivatjarus Tiranun , Bialostozky Mario , Chong Amy Z. , Huang Jeannie S. , Kuelbs Cynthia L.
Published: June 2024

Background Clinical informatics (CI) has reshaped how medical information is shared, evaluated, and utilized in health care delivery. The widespread integration of electronic health records (EHRs) mandates proficiency among physicians and practitioners, yet medical trainees face a scarcity of opportunities for CI education.

Objectives We developed a CI rotation at a tertiary pediatric care center to teach categorical pediatric, pediatric–neurology, and medicine–pediatric residents foundational CI knowledge and applicable EHR skills.

Methods Created in 2017 and redesigned in 2020, a CI rotation aimed to provide foundational CI knowledge, promote longitudinal learning, and encourage real-world application of CI skills/tools. Led by a team of five physician informaticist faculty, the curriculum offers personalized rotation schedules and individual sessions with faculty for each trainee. Trainees were tasked with completing an informatics project, knowledge assessment, and self-efficacy perception survey before and after rotation. Paired t-test analyses were used to compare pre- and postcurriculum perception survey.

Results Thirty-one residents have completed the elective with their projects contributing to diverse areas such as medical education, division-specific initiatives, documentation improvement, regulatory compliance, and operating plan goals. The mean knowledge assessment percentage score increased from 77% (11.6) to 92% (10.6; p ≤ 0.05). Residents' perception surveys demonstrated improved understanding and confidence across various informatics concepts and tools (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion Medical trainees are increasingly interested in CI education and find it valuable. Our medical education curriculum was successful at increasing residents' understanding, self-efficacy, and confidence in utilizing CI concepts and EHR tools. Future data are needed to assess the impact such curricula have on graduates' proficiency and efficiency in the use of CI tools in the clinical workplace.
Versatility of the Keystone Design Perforator Island Flaps in Resurfacing Soft Tissue Defects
Authors: Sahu Ranjit Kumar , Mahadik Kaushik , Giri Sanjay Kumar , Suba Santanu , Mallik Mainak , Panda Ritesh , Kanungo Aparna , Minz Reena , Rout Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2024

Background The keystone design perforator island flap (KDPIF) is unique among local flaps because of its high potential for adaptation. We describe our experience with the use of the keystone flap for the reconstruction of a variety of defects in different regions of the body concerning its versatility, surgical outcomes, complications, postoperative pain, operative time, and esthetic outcomes.

Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at our institute from June 2021 to June 2023 where the use of KDPIFs in resurfacing soft tissue defects of different etiopathogenesis was evaluated and the data were analyzed.

Results Forty-four patients were included in the study with soft tissue defects of various etiologies and at different locations. The largest flap raised was 18 × 10 cm and the smallest was 4 × 2 cm. The average intraoperative time for completion of the procedure was 74.86 minutes (range: 45–120 minutes). The success rate of flap survivability was 95.45% with two patients having total flap loss necessitating another reconstructive option. Partial flap dehiscence which healed secondarily was observed in two patients. Postoperative pain showed a significant fall of 83.7% from baseline and 82.9% of cases were extremely satisfied with the esthetic outcome.

Conclusion The keystone flap is a valuable reconstructive tool in the armamentarium of a plastic surgeon. It is technically reproducible, suitable to be done in resource-limited settings, and provides contiguous tissue with good vascularity and fewer complications.
The Association between Anthropometric Indicators and Colorectal Polyps and Diverticulosis
Authors: Najafi Mobaraki Sahar , Joukar Farahnaz , Maroufizadeh Saman , Baghaee Massood , Asgharnezhad Mehrnaz , Mansour-Ghanaei Fariborz
Published: June 2024

Introduction Colonic polyps and diverticulosis are common colon findings on colonoscopy. One of the risk factors of colorectal polyps and diverticulosis is the anthropometric index. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between the anthropometric index and colorectal findings.

Methods In this cross-sectional study, we included 536 patients referred to Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran, in 2023 for colonoscopy evaluation. Demographical data, clinical characteristics, and colonoscopy findings were recorded for further analysis. All data were analyzed using SPSS.16 by considering a significant level < 0.05

Results The results showed that 35.4% of the patients had polyps, with the majority having a single polyp. The patient's mean age was 55.94 ± 13.33 years; most were females (54.1%). The most common type of polyp was pedunculated, and most were located in the sigmoid colon. The prevalence of diverticular was 11.4%, most of which were also located in the sigmoid colon. Obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of polyps, while overweight individuals had a higher risk of diverticula (P < 0.05). Age, rural residence, and low physical activity level were identified as factors associated with an increased risk of polyps and diverticula.

Conclusion The findings suggest that obesity and overweight are risk factors for polyps and diverticula, respectively. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors and develop preventive strategies for colorectal diseases. These results support the need for preventive strategies and screening programs to reduce the risk of future colorectal lesions.
Constipation in Women with High-Grade Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer: Does the Extent of Cervical Lesion Invasion Influence the Severity of Constipation and Compromise Quality of Life?
Authors: Abreu Glicia Estevam de , Palácio Gabriel Perez , Silva Eduarda Alvarez , Braga Antônio Vítor Martinelli , Silva Paulo André Lago
Published: June 2024

Introduction Constipation is a common clinical condition, particularly among cancer patients.

Objective To assess the prevalence and severity of CF in women with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL) and cervical cancer (CC), as well as the impact of this condition on their daily lives.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center. To assess the presence and severity of constipation, the Rome IV criteria, and the Constipation Scoring System (CSS) were used. To assess the impact of constipation on daily life, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used.

Results The study included 153 patients with HSIL or CC, with a median age of 44 (IQR 35–56) years. Constipation was reported in 54 (35.3%) patients, 33 (61.1%) of those with HSIL, and 21 (38.9%) of those with CC. In constipated patients, the median number of positive Rome IV criteria items was 3 (IQR 2–5). "Irregular or hard stools" was the most common complaint, affecting 41 (75.9%) of the patients. In patients with CC, the use of analgesic medications was associated with constipation (p = 0.016). There is no link between constipation and invasive cancer (p = 0.492). Constipation had a daily impact of 7.5 (IQR 4.75–9), with no relationship between VAS and clinical diagnosis (HSIL or CC) [7 (IQR 3-9) X 8 (5-9.5), p-value = 0.536] The more severe the constipation, the more disturbing it is to these women's daily lives.

Conclusion Constipation is common in women with cervical lesions, affecting their daily lives regardless of their severity.
Kritik an Reinigung: Keine saubere Sache
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: June 2024

Mit den Kliniken Köln und der Gesundheit Nord in Bremen standen im April gleich zwei kommunale Klinikverbünde wegen Mängeln bei der Reinigung in der Kritik. Während in Bremen die Krankenhaushygiene den Anstoß gab, war es in Köln ein TV-Beitrag.
Barmherzige Brüder München: Millionenverlust erwartet
Authors: Schmidt Hartmut
Published: June 2024

“Börsenexperte Hartmut Schmidt analysiert für kma die Jahresabschlüsse ausgewählter Kliniken” + “kma Online Ausführliche Berichte lesen Sie jeden Monat auf kma Online unter www.kma-online.de/kassensturz”
Vorhaltepauschalen: Segen oder Fluch der neuen Vergütungsstrukturen
Authors: Heeser Alexandra
Published: June 2024

Die Vorhaltepauschalen sind neben den Leistungsgruppen Kernpunkt der Reform. Sie können zu den gewünschten Strukturverbesserungen führen und der Grundstein für ein tragfähiges Zukunftskonzept sein. Ob sie die gewünschte Entbürokratisierung bringen und die Kliniken retten, bleibt abzuwarten.
Trendstudie: Entscheidungsstrukturen müssen sich verändern
Authors: Nacci Claudia
Published: June 2024

Eine aktuelle Umfrage unter Ärztinnen im Klinikbetrieb zeigt, warum eine Transformation des Führungsstils zum Wohle des medizinischen Personals und der Patienten dringend erforderlich ist.
Evaluation of Hepatic Shear Wave Elastography to Assess Liver Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia Patients and Its Correlation with Liver Histology and Surgical Outcomes: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ahmad Md Fahim , Solanki Shailesh , Kanojia Ravi Prakash , Bhatia Anmol , Lal Sadhna B. , Saxena Akshay K. , Gupta Kirti
Published: June 2024

Introduction The native liver survival in biliary atresia (BA) depends on various factors, and one of the crucial factors is the rate of progression of liver fibrosis after portoenterostomy, but there is no reliable investigation to assess it. This study evaluated shear wave elastography (SWE) to detect liver fibrosis in BA patients and assess its utility during follow-up.

Materials and Methods This was an observational study; SWE was done preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 and 6 months. The SWE values were analyzed to determine their correlations with preoperative liver histology as well as with postoperative SWE variation between different postoperative outcomes.

Results Twenty-one patients were included in the study; the preoperative SWE values were strongly correlated with liver biopsy grading (p < 0.001). At the 3 months postoperatively, SWE was done for 18 children: 12 in group A (patent bilioenteric drainage on hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan) and 6 (nonpatent) in group B; mean SWE value was 12.8 and 17.3 kPa, respectively (p < 0.001). Ten children from group A underwent SWE 6 months postoperatively, and the mean value was 13.23 kPa.

Conclusion The SWE values correlate with liver histology grading, suggesting a reliable alternative to biopsy. Additionally, the baseline SWE values and their trend during follow-up can provide information on the disease's progression.
Effect of Plate Inclination and Osteotomy Positioning on Rock-back following Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy in Dogs
Authors: Mclean Euan J. , Foo Merianna , Toh Yan S. , Kaye Benjamin M. , Simcock James O.
Published: June 2024

Objective Rock-back is a reported complication following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO), whereby tibial plateau angle (TPA) increases postoperatively. The mechanism of rock-back is not fully understood, although a recent ex vivo investigation demonstrated that osteotomy exit cut angle (ECA) and inclination of the plate in the sagittal plane might be risk factors. The purpose of this study was to explore these relationships in a clinical dog population. We hypothesized that dogs with rock-back would have a higher degree of plate inclination and downward ECA compared with those without rock-back.

Materials and Methods Medical records and radiographs of dogs that underwent TPLO between January 2021 and January 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. TPA was recorded preoperatively, postoperatively, and at follow-up. Plate inclination, ECA, and descriptive data were collected. Observers measuring TPA were blinded to other variables. Rock-back was defined as a change in TPA ≥ 2.

Results Ninety-five TPLO procedures met the inclusion criteria (n = 87 dogs). Rock-back was identified in 21% of TPLOs (n = 20/95). The mean increase in TPA in the rock-back group was 3.2 ± 2.6. Plate inclination and ECA were not correlated with the presence of rock-back. Descriptive variables did not have a significant correlation with rock-back.

Conclusion Plate inclination and ECA did not have a relationship with rock-back when defined as a postoperative TPA change ≥2 degrees, in this clinical retrospective study.
Annual response patterns in activity and demographic parameters of reptile species occupying a predictable Mediterranean climate
Authors: How Richard A.
Published: June 2024

Context Annual patterns in behaviour and demography define longer-term changes in reptile populations, probability of species detection and risks of local extinction. Aims To determine seasonal activity and demographic parameters of species in an isolated assemblage adapted to a seasonally predictable climate. Methods A 37-year pitfall trapping, capture–release study in a 338-ha inner-city bushland experiencing a Mediterranean climate. Pit trap methodology changed after 7 years. Results Reproductive activity of 29 species peaked during austral spring to early summer with hatching or births occurring from late summer to early autumn. Growth, as determined from size changes over demi-monthly periods, indicated sexual maturity varied from <1 year to 5 years. Five of eight uniquely marked species had longevity exceeding a decade while individuals within six species moved over a kilometre. Dimorphism in adult length and mass was significantly greater in females for 15 of the 18 species with adequate data. Adult male activity peaked earlier in spring than adult females’ over the latter 30 years; hatchlings had different species-specific activity and annual cohort survival patterns. Activity declined in adults through summer and autumn before brumation in late autumn and winter in all species and age-size categories. Capture frequency in most species changed between methodologies. Conclusions Species had broadly similar seasonal activity but different demographic parameters within an isolated reptile assemblage currently experiencing increasing temperature and declining rainfall. Implications Comprehending seasonal variation is essential for interpreting decadal-long changes in reptile numbers experiencing a drying climate that alters activity, reproduction and survival to inform species detectability and likely extinction risk.
Thinning by cluster breaking: Active matter and shear flows share thinning mechanisms
Authors: Mo Ruoyang , Xu Ding , Xu Ning
Published: June 2024

Among many unexpected phenomena of active matter is the recently observed superfluid-like thinning (viscosity drop) behavior of bacteria suspensions. Understanding this peculiar self-propelled thinning by active matter is of theoretical and practical importance. Here, we find that, although distinct in driving mechanisms, active matter and shear flows exhibit similar thinning behaviors upon the increase of self-propulsion and shear forces, respectively. Our structural characterizations reveal that they actually share the same cluster-breaking mechanism of thinning. How fast and how shattered the cluster is broken determines the (dis)continuity of the thinning. This explains why adding active particles to Newtonian fluids can cause thinning, in which rotation of active particles play a key role in breaking clusters. Our work proposes a mechanism of self-propelled thinning and further establishes the underlying connections between active matter and shear flows.
ETV5 promotes lupus pathogenesis and follicular helper T cell differentiation by inducing osteopontin expression
Authors: Park Jiho , Lee Jongeun , Hur Yunjung , Kim Chan-Johng , Kim Han Bit , Um Dahun , Kim Da Som , Lee June-Yong , Park Sungjun , Park Youngjae , Kim Tae-Kyung , Im Sin-Hyeog , Kim Sung Won , Kwok Seung-Ki , Lee Yoontae
Published: June 2024

Follicular helper T (T
FH
) cells mediate germinal center reactions to generate high affinity antibodies against specific pathogens, and their excessive production is associated with the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). ETV5, a member of the ETS transcription factor family, promotes T
FH
cell differentiation in mice. In this study, we examined the role of ETV5 in the pathogenesis of lupus in mice and humans. T cell–specific deletion of
Etv5
alleles ameliorated T
FH
cell differentiation and autoimmune phenotypes in lupus mouse models. Further, we identified
SPP1
as an ETV5 target that promotes T
FH
cell differentiation in both mice and humans. Notably, extracellular osteopontin (OPN) encoded by
SPP1
enhances T
FH
cell differentiation by activating the CD44-AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore,
ETV5
and
SPP1
levels were increased in CD4
+
T cells from patients with SLE and were positively correlated with disease activity. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that ETV5 is a lupus-promoting transcription factor, and secreted OPN promotes T
FH
cell differentiation.
Ecuadorian Quechua and Quechuan classification
Authors: Floyd Simeon
Published: June 2024

According to the traditional Quechuan classification which has dominated Andean historical linguistics since the
1960s, the Ecuadorian Quechua group (Andean Quichua, Amazonian Quichua, Colombian Ingano, and lower Pastaza Inga in Peru) belongs
to the “Quechua II” branch, supposedly including all northern and southern Quechuas, and to the “Quechua IIB” sub-branch, said to
also include the Chachapoyas-Lamas Quechua group and the “coastal” Quechua documented by Domingo de Santo Tomás in the mid-16th
century. This study evaluates the traditional classification of Ecuadorian Quechua and shows that it does not meet the basic
standards of subgrouping based on shared innovations. Special attention is given to the historical status of contrastive complex
stops, traditionally claimed to be an Aymara-influenced innovation in Cuzco Quechua, supposedly transferred to Ecuadorian Quechua
through “superstrate” influence; instead, it is demonstrated that these sounds have correspondences across the Quechuan family,
confirming them as retentions that are uninformative for classification. The study goes on to individually evaluate all proposed
criteria for the traditional classification of Ecuadorian Quechua, finding that none hold up as shared innovations, leading to the
conclusion that Ecuadorian Quechua is an independent branch of the Quechuan family. Historical records document how this branch
originated in Ecuador when Quechua was first introduced by the Incas, then was adopted by the Spanish as a colonial standard, and
then became fragmented into four modern languages, all within a period of about 500–600 years.
Tourism Done by Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Communities in Brazil’s First World Heritage Mixed Site
Authors: Oliveira dos Santos Renato , Miranda Mendonça Teresa Cristina , Moraes Edilaine Albertino , Raimundo Sidnei
Published: June 2024

Tourism as a sociocultural and economic phenomenon has been configured as an object of public policy actions, investments and research, mainly in countries located in the so-called “Third World,” emerging, developing and peripheral regions (aka the Global South). In the Latin American context, since 1970 tourism has been interpreted as a possible strategy for development and poverty reduction. However, the way in which tourism has been established historically is potentially exclusionary (both from the point of view of those who travel and those who operate activities related to the sector, as well as the receiving communities). In the analysis of popular participation processes in development projects in Latin America, it is possible to identify what is referred to as a “silent majority,” comprised the peripheral population. This population is also represented by indigenous and traditional communities that have consistently been marginalized and excluded from significant political, social, and economic processes. Given this context, we describe the case of the Nhandereko Community-Based Tourism Network, composed of indigenous people and traditional communities (maroons and “caiçaras”), which had in July 2019, part of their territory (Paraty and the Ilha Grande Bay in Angra dos Reis–Rio de Janeiro) entitled a mixed world heritage site by UNESCO (i.e., both a cultural and natural site, expressing the richness of local diversity through living culture, associated with the way of life and cultural references of traditional communities). This can unveil and teach us, through community organization and tourism, other ways of valuing and safeguarding traditions, socio-economic development, governance, and political and social resistance.

Information

© The Authors 2024
ESCRT disruption provides evidence against trans-synaptic signaling via extracellular vesicles
Authors: Dresselhaus Erica C. , Harris Kathryn P. , Blanchette Cassandra R. , Koles Kate , Del Signore Steven J. , Pescosolido Matthew F. , Ermanoska Biljana , Rozencwaig Mark , Soslowsky Rebecca C. , Parisi Michael J. , Stewart Bryan A. , Mosca Timothy J. , Rodal Avital A.
Published: June 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by many cell types, including neurons, carrying cargoes involved in signaling and disease. It is unclear whether EVs promote intercellular signaling or serve primarily to dispose of unwanted materials. We show that loss of multivesicular endosome-generating endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery disrupts release of EV cargoes from Drosophila motor neurons. Surprisingly, ESCRT depletion does not affect the signaling activities of the EV cargo Synaptotagmin-4 (Syt4) and disrupts only some signaling activities of the EV cargo evenness interrupted (Evi). Thus, these cargoes may not require intercellular transfer via EVs, and instead may be conventionally secreted or function cell-autonomously in the neuron. We find that EVs are phagocytosed by glia and muscles, and that ESCRT disruption causes compensatory autophagy in presynaptic neurons, suggesting that EVs are one of several redundant mechanisms to remove cargoes from synapses. Our results suggest that synaptic EV release serves primarily as a proteostatic mechanism for certain cargoes.
Optimizing optoelectronic performance: impact of polar-terminated zinc oxide on MoS2 Van der Waals heterostructure
Authors: Das Tanmay , Vempati Sesha
Published: June 2024

We report a study on the stability, optical absorption and modulated electronic properties of the ZnO(000

1
―

) and MoS2 Van der Waals heterostructure using density functional theory. We employed a supercell of ZnO/MoS2 hybrid and specifically explored the effects of creating an interface with the O-terminated face of ZnO while considering the interlayer interaction. We observed an increase in the band gap opening of MoS2 within the hybrid structure (1.37 eV) is primarily attributed to in-plane strain, with minimal contribution from the identified charge transfer occurring from MoS2 to ZnO. Notably, the hybrid structure exhibits enhanced photo absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions, highlighting their significance for optoelectronic applications.
Investigating the effect of O2 plasma treatment on the operational characteristics of Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT
Authors: Liu An-Chen , Huang Yu-Wen , Chen Hsin-Chu , Dong Yi-Jun , Tu Po-Tsung , Hsu Lung-Hsing , Lai Yung-Yu , Yeh Po-Chun , Huang I-Yu , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the effect of O2 plasma treatment on the physical and electrical properties of the surface region in Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). We demonstrate that O2 plasma treatment significantly reduces the gate leakage current and enhances the on/off ratio by three orders of magnitude compared to devices without treatment. The O2 plasma treatment removes organic chemical residue and forms Ga–O bonds on the AlGaN surface beneath the gate metal. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that the treatment effectively forms a Ga–O compound oxide layer, which provides surface passivation. Furthermore, atomic force microscope analysis reveals a 50% reduction in surface roughness after the O2 plasma treatment. Using O2 plasma oxidation treatment caused a shift in the threshold voltage (VTH
) of Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT. Initially measured at −5.26 V, the VTH
value shifted to +0.5 V. Furthermore, we also employ TCAD simulation to assist in the process developed during the manufacturing process. It is worth noting that the drain current decreases as the Ga–O compound oxide layer increases. This is due to effectively depleted the polarization charges at the AlGaN/GaN interfaces during E-mode operation when reducing the thickness of the AlGaN layer beneath the gate metal. Our results demonstrate the importance of O2 plasma surface treatment in achieving optimal device performance. This study systematically discusses the effect of O2 plasma on AlGaN/GaN surface properties and the formation of Ga–O bonding. It offers insights into developing high-performance Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMT.
Strain-induced polarization modulation at GaN/Ti interface for flexible thin-film sensor
Authors: Chen Renfeng , Chen Kaixuan , Ran Junxue , Song Yijian , Qu Xiaodong , Yang Kewei , Ji Xiaoli , Wang Junxi , Wei Tongbo
Published: June 2024

We have demonstrated an effective piezoelectric polarized interface modulation in a GaN/Ti Schottky structure and fabricated a flexible GaN-based sensor using a double-transfer method. Chemical etching of the Ni sacrificial layer successfully removes the temporary substrate without damaging the metal electrodes. The fabricated flexible GaN-based sensor, with top and bottom Ti metal Schottky contacts, exhibits a current on/off characteristic under external strain. Specifically, the current shows a 53.9% reduction under 2.3% tensile strain and a 67.8% enhancement under −2.3% compressive strain at a 5 V bias voltage. It was found that the light/dark current ratio in the GaN/Ti Schottky junction significantly increases near zero-bias voltage under 2.3% tensile strain, likely indicating an enhanced built-in piezoelectric polarized field at the interface. This work advances the study of flexible sensors based on wurtzite III–V nitrides for wearable electronics and optoelectronics.
Cosmological measurements from the CMB and BAO are insensitive to the tail probability in the assumed likelihood
Authors: Krywonos J. , Paradiso S. , Krolewski A. , Joudaki S. , Percival W.J.
Published: June 2024

When fitting cosmological models to data, a Bayesian framework is commonly used, requiring
assumptions on the form of the likelihood and model prior. In light of current tensions between
different data, it is interesting to investigate the robustness of cosmological measurements to
statistical assumptions about the likelihood distribution from which the data was drawn. We
consider the impact of changes to the likelihood caused by uncertainties due to the finite number
of mock catalogs used to estimate the covariance matrix, leading to the replacement of the
standard Gaussian likelihood with a multivariate t-distribution. These changes to the likelihood
have a negligible impact on recent cosmic microwave background (CMB) lensing and baryon acoustic
oscillation (BAO) measurements, for which covariance matrices were measured from mock catalogs.
We then extend our analysis to perform a sensitivity test on the Gaussian likelihoods typically
adopted, considering how increasing the size of the tails of the likelihood (again using a
 t-distribution) affects cosmological inferences. For an open ΛCDM model constrained by
BAO alone, we find that increasing the weight in the tails shifts and broadens the resulting
posterior on the parameters, with a ∼0.2–0.4σ effect on ΩΛ and
Ωk. In contrast, the CMB temperature and polarization constraints in ΛCDM
showed less than 0.03σ changes in the parameters, except for {τ,
ln(1010
A
s), σ
8, S
8, σ
8Ω0.25
m, z
re,
109
A
s
e
-2τ
} which shifted by around 0.1–0.2σ. If we use solely ℓ < 30 data, the amplitude A
s
e
-2τ
varies in the posterior mean by 0.7σ 
and the error bars increase by 6%. We conclude, at least for current-generation CMB and BAO
measurements, that uncertainties in the shape and tails of the likelihood do not contribute to
current tensions.
Erratum: Ricci reheating reloaded
Authors: Laverda Giorgio , Rubio Javier
Published: June 2024

We rectify an erroneous rescaling factor that affects the last coefficient of the parametric formulas in equations (2.28), (2.29) and (2.34). New figures are included in order to correct for the mismatch. For a smoother read, we refer the reader to the updated arXiv version of this work arXiv:2307.03774.
Quantum speedup and non-Markovianity of an atom in structured reservoirs: pseudomodes as a good description of environmental memory
Authors: Hadipour Maryam , Haseli Soroush , Haddadi Saeed
Published: June 2024

Following the recent paper (Teittinen et al 2019 New J. Phys.
21 123041), one can see that in general there is no simple relation between non-Markovianity and quantum speed limit. Here, we investigate the connection between quantum speed limit time and non-Markovianity of an atom in structured environments (reservoirs) whose dynamics is governed by an exact pseudomode master equation (Garraway 1997 Phys. Rev. A 55 2290). In particular, we find an inverse relation between them, which means that the non-Markovian feature of the quantum process leads to speedup of evolution. Thus, there is a link between quantum speedup and memory effects for specific cases of dynamical evolution. Our results might shed light on the relationship between the speedup of quantum evolution and the backflow of information from the environment to the system.
Effect of symmetry-breaking on the MHD edge stability limit of tokamak plasmas
Authors: Puchmayr J. , Dunne M. , Strumberger E. , Willensdorfer M. , Zohm H. , Hindenlang F. ,   the ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: June 2024

We demonstrate for the first time that symmetry-breaking in tokamak plasmas reduces the window of stable edge operational space, leading to a lower achievable edge pressure gradient. Predictive simulations with the linear magnetohydrodynamic stability code CASTOR3D show a reduction of the critical pressure gradient by up to 30%, in agreement with experimental observations. The analysis has been extended to experimental plasmas considering, for the first time, ion diamagnetic drift effects in realistic non-axisymmetric (3D) tokamak geometry. The 3D geometry in plasmas with edge localised modes (ELMs) increases the growth rate of edge instabilities compared to the axisymmetric case. Further reducing the edge pressure gradient eliminates the instabilities corresponding to an experiment with suppressed ELMs, reproducing the empirically observed threshold for ELM suppression. Our findings highlight the importance of predictions of the ELM occurrence in full 3D geometry for future tokamak devices with intentionally and unintentionally broken axisymmetry.
FLIPEC, an ideal MHD free-boundary axisymmetric equilibrium solver in the presence of macroscopic flows
Authors: F.-Torija Daza G. , Reynolds-Barredo J.M. , Sanchez R. , Loarte A. , Tribaldos V.
Published: June 2024

The most relevant features of FLIPEC (Free fLow Iterative Plasma Equilibrium Code) are presented. This new code iteratively calculates free-boundary, axisymmetric ideal MHD equilibria with arbitrary poloidal and toroidal plasma flows. FLIPEC is a mature code that has emerged from a complete overhaul of a previous version (F-Torija Daza 2022 et al
Nucl. Fusion
62 126044). It uses a (inverse) curvilinear coordinate representation for the Grad–Shafranov–Bernoulli equation system, which allows FLIPEC to extend its free-boundary capabilities to arbitrary plasma shapes and removes many limitations with regards to the distance between plasma and external coils. Run-time stabilization of vertical modes has also been implemented by means of artificial feedback coils. Finally, active targeting schemes have also been included. These capabilities are illustrated on two very different cases: the ITER tokamak baseline configuration and a NSTX spherical tokamak equilibrium.
Validation of the VUV-reflective coating for next-generation liquid xenon detectors
Authors: Bajpai D. , Best A. , Ostrovskiy I. , Poitras D. , Wang W.
Published: June 2024

Coating detector materials with films highly reflective in
the vacuum ultraviolet region improves sensitivity of the
next-generation rare-event detectors that use liquid xenon. In this
work, we investigate the MgF2-Al-MgF2 coating designed to
achieve high reflectance at 175 nm, the mean wavelength of liquid
xenon (LXe) scintillation. The coating was applied to an unpolished,
passivated copper substrate mimicking a realistic detector component
of the proposed nEXO experiment, as well as to two unpassivated
substrates with “high” and “average” levels of polishing. After
confirming the composition and morphology of the thin-film coating
using TEM and EDS, the samples underwent reflectance measurements in
LXe and gaseous nitrogen (GN2). Measurements in LXe exposed the
coated samples to -100°C for several hours. No peeling of
the coatings was observed after several thermal cycles. Polishing is
found to strongly correlate with the measured specular reflectance
(R
spec). In particular, 5.8(5)% specular spike
reflectance in LXe was measured for the realistic sample at
20° of incidence, while the values for similar angles of
incidence on the high and average polish samples are 62.3(1.3)% and
27.4(7)%, respectively. At large angles (66°–75°),
the R
spec in LXe for the three samples increases to
23(5)%, 80(8)%, and 84(18)%, respectively. The
 R
spec at around 45° was measured in both GN2
and LXe for average polish sample and shows a reasonable agreement.
Importantly, the total reflectance of the samples is comparable and
estimated to be 92(8)%, 85(8)%, and 83(8)% in GN2 for the
realistic, average, and high polish samples, respectively. This is
considered satisfactory for the next-generation LXe experiments that
could benefit from using reflective films, such as nEXO and DARWIN,
thus validating the design of the coating.
Advanced radiation detector design for applications in food safety and national security
Authors: Bross A. , Dukes E.C. , Hansen S. , Pla-Dalmau A. , Rubinov P.
Published: June 2024

We describe a new concept for a radiation detector based on extruded scintillator technology and commercially available solid-state photo-detectors. The detector is simple in construction, robust, very efficient, cost-effective and easily scalable in size from tens of cm2 to tens of m2. We describe two possible applications: flagging radioactive food contamination and detection of illicit radioactive materials, such as those potentially used in a dirty bomb.
Front-end electronics development of large-area SiPM arrays for high-precision single-photon time measurement
Authors: Zhi W. , Cao R.K. , Tang J.N. , Wang M.X. , Tan Y.Q. , Wu W.H. , Xu D.L.
Published: June 2024

TRopIcal DEep-sea Neutrino Telescope (TRIDENT) plans to
incorporate silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) with superior time
resolution in addition to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) into its
detection units, namely hybrid Digital Optical Modules (hDOMs), to
improve its angular resolution. However, the time resolution
significantly degrades for large-area SiPMs due to the large
detector capacitance, posing significant challenges for the readout
electronics of SiPMs in hDOM. We analyzed the influences of series
and parallel connections when constructing a large-area SiPM array
and designed a series-parallel connection SiPM array with
differential output. We also designed a high-speed pre-amplifier
based on transformers (MABA-007159) and radio frequency amplifiers
(BGA2803), and an analog multi-channel summing circuit based on
operational amplifiers (LMH6629). We measured the single photon
time resolution (SPTR) of a 4 × 4 SiPM (Hamamatsu
S13360-3050PE) array (12 × 12 mm2) of approximately
300 ps FWHM. This front-end readout design enables the large-area
SiPM array to achieve high-precision single photon time measurement
in one readout channel.
A quantitative framework for characterizing the current and obtaining a future sustainable agricultural production mix meeting environmental, nutritional, and economic goals
Authors: Chaudhary Abhishek , Krishna Vaibhav
Published: June 2024

Transitioning toward sustainable agriculture production is key in achieving sustainable development goals. However, quantifying the sustainability status of current agricultural mix and figuring out a future sustainable crop and livestock production mix that is nutritionally adequate, low in environmental impact and profitable to farmers, is a formidable challenge for any country. Here through a case-study on Indian agriculture, we demonstrate the application of a framework to first characterize the current agricultural mix by comparing 31 sustainability indicators with respective benchmarks across nutrition (social), environment and economic dimensions in each of the 36 Indian states. Next, we demonstrate the application of mathematical optimization algorithms to calculate the sustainable production mix in each state with the objective of maximizing the farmers’ profit under the constraint that the total national agricultural production meets the nutritional requirements of population without exceeding the current environmental footprint levels. Characterization results show that India does not produce enough of certain micronutrients (vitamin-E, and choline) and the carbon, nitrogen and freshwater footprints exceed their planetary boundaries while the farmers’ income remains below national targets. Optimization algorithm generated the sustainable production amounts of 138 crop and livestock items in each state and showed that fruits, vegetables, legumes, and oilseeds production needs to increase by 50%–100% while the cereals production amounts need to reduce to 50% of current levels in India. This will result in an increase in farmer’s income by 25% on average, fulfil the nutritional requirements of population and reduce the environmental footprint by 10%. Our approach can act as a template for other countries in collecting necessary data on sustainability indicators and determining optimum crop and livestock mix.
Reply to Comment on ‘Critical points of Potts and O(N) models from eigenvalue identities in periodic Temperley–Lieb algebras’
Authors: Jacobsen Jesper Lykke
Published: June 2024

The authors replies to the comment made by Yang and Zhou (2024 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.) on his 2015 paper entitled ‘Critical points of Potts and O(N) models from eigenvalue identities in periodic Temperley–Lieb algebras’ (Jacobsen 2015 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.
48 454003).
Z2classification of FTR symmetric differential operators and obstruction to Anderson localization
Authors: Bal Guillaume , Wang Zhongjian
Published: June 2024

This paper concerns theZ2classification of Fermionic Time-Reversal (FTR) symmetric partial differential Hamiltonians on the Euclidean plane. We consider the setting of two insulators separated by an interface. Hamiltonians that are invariant with respect to spatial translations along the interface are classified into two categories depending on whether they may or may not be gapped by continuous deformations. Introducing a related odd-symmetric Fredholm operator, we show that the classification is stable against FTR-symmetric perturbations. The property that non-trivial Hamiltonians cannot be gapped may be interpreted as a topological obstruction to Anderson localization: no matter how much (spatially compactly supported) perturbations are present in the system, a certain amount of transmission in both directions is guaranteed in the nontrivial phase. We present a scattering theory for such systems and show numerically that transmission is indeed guaranteed in the presence of FTR-symmetric perturbations while it no longer is for non-symmetric fluctuations.
Quantum Fisher information power of quantum evolutions
Authors: Zhao Jun-Long , Zhou Yan-Hui , Chen Dong-Xu , Su Qi-Ping , Zong Xiao-Lan , Wu Qi-Cheng , Yang Ming , Yang Chui-Ping
Published: June 2024

Quantum metrology is an important field in quantum information and plays a crucial role in quantum parameter estimation. Quantum Fisher information (QFI) is widely used to characterize the precision of quantum parameter estimation. However, a full understanding of the precision for different parameterization processes and the role of quantum evolutions in quantum parameter estimations, remains a crucial area of research. In this paper, we introduce a new concept, named as quantum Fisher information power (QFI power), to characterize the QFI-creating capability of quantum evolutions. At the same time, we take both unitary and non-unitary evolutions as examples and study QFI power. The results show that: (i) For unitary evolutions described by spin angular momentum operators, the dynamic of QFI power is dependent on the z component of the Bloch vector, and the rotating angle; (ii) For non-unitary evolutions under decoherence channels, QFI cannot be enhanced when the initial probe state belongs to zero QFI set, and the QFI power is negative when the initial probe state has maximal QFI; (iii) For the

PT

- and

APT

-symmetric non-unitary evolutions, the dynamics of QFI power exhibit oscillations in symmetry unbroken regime, while the phenomenon of stable value (SV) occurs in broken regimes with the SV = 1.
On positively divisible non-Markovian processes
Authors: Canturk Bilal , Breuer Heinz-Peter
Published: June 2024

There are some positively divisible non-Markovian processes whose transition matrices satisfy the Chapman–Kolmogorov equation. These processes should also satisfy the Kolmogorov consistency conditions, an essential requirement for a process to be classified as a stochastic process. Combining the Kolmogorov consistency conditions with the Chapman–Kolmogorov equation, we derive a necessary condition for positively divisible stochastic processes on a finite sample space. This necessary condition enables a systematic approach to the manipulation of certain Markov processes in order to obtain a positively divisible non-Markovian process. We illustrate this idea by an example and, in addition, analyze a classic example given by Feller in the light of our approach.
The Harer-Zagier and Jackson formulas and new results for one-face bipartite maps
Authors: Chen Ricky
Published: June 2024

The study of bipartite maps (or Grothendieck’s dessins d’enfants) is closely connected with geometry, mathematical physics and free probability. Here we study these objects from their permutation factorization formulation using a novel character theory approach. We first present some general symmetric function expressions for the number of products of two permutations respectively from two arbitrary, but fixed, conjugacy classes indexed by

α
\alpha

and

γ
\gamma

that produce a permutation with

m
m

cycles. Our next objective is to derive explicit formulas for the cases where

α
\alpha

corresponds to full cycles, i.e., one-face bipartite maps. We prove a far-reaching explicit formula, and show that the number for any

γ
\gamma

can be iteratively reduced to that of products of two full cycles, which implies an efficient dimension-reduction algorithm for building a database of all these numbers. Note that the number for products of two full cycles can be computed by the Zagier-Stanley formula. Also, in a unified way, we easily prove the celebrated Harer-Zagier formula and Jackson’s formula, and we may obtain explicit formulas for several new families as well.
An inner product on Adelic measures with applications to the Arakelov–Zhang pairing
Authors: Oberly Peter
Published: June 2024

We define an inner product on a vector space of adelic measures over a number field. We find that the norm induced by this inner product governs weak convergence at each place of

K
K

. The canonical adelic measure associated to a rational map is in this vector space, and the square of the norm of the difference of two such adelic measures is the Arakelov–Zhang pairing from arithmetic dynamics. We find that the norm of a canonical adelic measure associated to a rational map is commensurate with a height on the space of rational functions with fixed degree. As a consequence, we show that the Arakelov–Zhang pairing of two rational maps

f
f

and

g
g

is, when holding

g
g

fixed, commensurate with the height of

f
f

.
Simultaneous clustering and estimation of networks in multiple graphical models
Authors: Li Gen , Wang Miaoyan
Published: June 2024

Gaussian graphical models are widely used to study the dependence structure among variables. When samples are obtained from multiple conditions or populations, joint analysis of multiple graphical models are desired due to their capacity to borrow strength across populations. Nonetheless, existing methods often overlook the varying levels of similarity between populations, leading to unsatisfactory results. Moreover, in many applications, learning the population-level clustering structure itself is of particular interest. In this article, we develop a novel method, called Simultaneous Clustering and Estimation of Networks via Tensor decomposition (SCENT), that simultaneously clusters and estimates graphical models from multiple populations. Precision matrices from different populations are uniquely organized as a three-way tensor array, and a low-rank sparse model is proposed for joint population clustering and network estimation. We develop a penalized likelihood method and an augmented Lagrangian algorithm for model fitting. We also establish the clustering accuracy and norm consistency of the estimated precision matrices. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method with comprehensive simulation studies. The application to the Genotype-Tissue Expression multi-tissue gene expression data provides important insights into tissue clustering and gene coexpression patterns in multiple brain tissues.
Preventing New Gram-negative Resistance Through Beta-lactam De-escalation in Hospitalized Patients With Sepsis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Teshome Besu F , Park Taehwan , Arackal Joel , Hampton Nicholas , Kollef Marin H , Micek Scott T
Published: June 2024

Background

Whether antibiotic de-escalation reduces the risk of subsequent antibiotic resistance is uncertain. We sought to determine if beta-lactam (BL) antibiotic de-escalation is associated with decreased incidence of new Gram-negative resistance in hospitalized patients with sepsis.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, patients with sepsis who were treated with at least 3 consecutive days of BL antibiotics, the first 2 days of which were with a broad-spectrum BL agent defined as a spectrum score (SS) of ≥7 were enrolled. Patients were grouped into three categories: (1) de-escalation of beta-lactam spectrum score (BLSS), (2) no change in BLSS, or (3) escalation of BLSS. The primary outcome was the isolation of a new drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria from a clinical culture within 60 days of cohort entry. Fine-Gray proportional hazards regression modeling while accounting for in-hospital death as a competing risk was performed.

Findings

Six hundred forty-four patients of 7742 (8.3%) patients developed new gram-negative resistance. The mean time to resistance was 23.7 days yielding an incidence rate of 1.85 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71–2.00) per 1000 patient-days. The lowest incidence rate was observed in the de-escalated group 1.42 (95% CI: 1.16–1.68) per 1000 patient-days. Statistically significant reductions in the development of new gram-negative resistance were associated with BL de-escalation compared to no-change (hazards ratio (HR) 0.59 [95% CI: .48–.73]).

Conclusions

De-escalation was associated with a decreased risk of new resistance development compared to no change. This represents the largest study to date showing the utility of de-escalation in the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.