bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Listening Otherwise: Relationalities of the Othered
Authors: Campbell Mark V.
Published: August 2023

In this forum piece, I explore the potential of listening as a performative act by focusing on the experiences and skills essential to the practice of DJing. I find the field of remix studies a fruitful arena to expand and explore the possibilities of music studies beyond the silos of contemporary musical analysis and scholarship.
Reorienting Intimacies: Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s First Canadian Solo Exhibition
Authors: Coby Laura M.
Published: August 2023

With widespread global lockdowns in our recent collective memory, we know what it is like to be isolated from one another and what it might mean for shared touch or breath to be forbidden. In a violent political climate, still feeling the aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, how might we reassess what intimacy can look like? Attending to mass loss and grief, I turn to the work of queer, contemporary artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres to consider to how the sensorial and material coincide with individual and collective affect. Moving through essay and interview forms, this piece looks at Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s first solo exhibition in Canada, Summer/Winter, curated by Rui Mateus Amaral at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto in 2022. This timely exhibition began as Summer, but as time progressed, the show transitioned into Winter, altering the composition of many of the installation artworks. In conversation with Amaral, we explore interpretive possibilities, curatorial practices, transitional tensions, significance of place, and life-affirming grief present in the show. Amaral’s curatorial choreography considers how spectators orient themselves in relation to the artworks and, in turn, how they might reorient themselves towards one another and the world outside of the museum walls. Through theoretical vignettes, in conversation queer of color theorists and performance scholars, this piece explores the generative possibilities of loss in Gonzalez-Torres’s work and how we might turn to the past to imagine more kind and pleasurable futures in the present. By engaging deeply with Gonzalez-Torres’s artwork and Amaral’s curation, this piece thinks through the affective, choreographic, political, and relational registers of Summer/Winter to envision otherwise possibilities for how to care for one another.
Research progress of physics of electrowetting display devices
Authors: Liu Fei-Long , Cheng Yan-Kun , Zhang Jing-Heng , Tang Biao , Zhou Guo-Fu ,   Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Published: August 2023

Electrowetting refers to the phenomenon of modifying the surface tension between a liquid and a solid by adjusting the externally applied electric potential between the liquid and solid electrodes, thereby changing the contact angle between the two and causing a deformation and displacement of the droplets. Electrowetting electronic paper display is a new reflective “paper-like” display technology based on a rapid response microfluidic control technology. It has the advantages of low energy consumption, visual health, and flexibility of commercial electrophoretic electronic paper display products, while breaking through the bottlenecks of “full-color” and “video-speed response” that currently restrict the application of electronic paper display technology. In this paper, several physical directions involved in electrowetting display devices, especially wetting and electrowetting, binary phase fluid mechanics, microscopic and interfacial physics, photophysics, dielectric physics, thermophysics, and transient physics, are systematically reviewed; the basic principles of device operation, microscopic and mesoscopic physical pictures, internal mechanisms of device operation, and device reliability are also discussed in detail.
4 K GM-type pulse tube cryocooler with large cooling capacity
Authors: Liu Xu-Ming , Pan Chang-Zhao , Zhang Yu , Liao Yi , Guo Wei-Jie , Yu Da-Peng ,   Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China,   International Quantum Academy, Shenzhen 518048, China
Published: August 2023

Owing to the advantages of large cooling capacity, low vibration and high reliability, GM-type pulse tube cryocoolers at liquid helium temperature have important applications in frontier fields of condensed matter physics research, quantum computing, etc. The phase shifter has an important influence on the cooling performance of pulse tube cryocooler. Previous researches on the phase shifter of GM-type pulse tube cryocooler mainly focused on the effect of a single phase shifter on the performance of the cryocooler at liquid helium temperature. In this paper, based on Sage software, a simulation model of a 4 K two-stage gas-coupled GM-type pulse tube cryocooler is first designed and constructed. The influence of the phase shifters of the two stages on the first-stage and the second-stage temperatures are calculated. The adjustment and optimization process of the cryocooler to obtain the liquid helium temperature is studied. Numerical simulations are given below. 1) The lowest temperature of the model is only about 100 K when the phase shifters of the two stages are closed. The lowest temperature of the model can be reduced to 2.7 K by optimizing the first-stage orifice valve, the second-stage orifice valve, the first-stage double-inlet valve and the second-stage double-inlet valve in sequence. 2) The first-stage orifice valve, the second-stage orifice valve, and the second-stage double-inlet valve have a significant effect on reducing the cooling temperature of the second stage, while the first-stage double-inlet valve has little effect on reducing the temperature of the second stage. 3) The first-stage orifice valve and the second-stage double-inlet valve have a significant effect on reducing the cooling temperature of the first stage, and the first-stage double-inlet valve has little effect on reducing the temperature of the first stage. The second-stage orifice valve will worsen the first stage performance. Finally, an experimental system is constructed. The lowest temperature of the experimental prototype can reach 3.1 K, and the cooling capacity of 0.8 W can be produced at 4.2 K, which is presently the best result obtained by the domestic two-stage gas-coupled valve-separated GM type pulse tube cryocooler. This research can not only promote the independent construction of domestic 4 K refrigeration platform, but also support the relevant frontier basic scientific research and the development of important scientific instruments and equipment. In the future, the structure of the first-stage cold-end heat exchanger and the impedance matching between the compressor and the cryocooler will be improved, and the gas coupling characteristics inside the cryocooler will be studied theoretically and experimentally in depth.
Mechanism study of all-dielectric metamaterial wideband reflector based on quasi-canonical mode
Authors: Jiang Le-Xin , Xie Zhen-Long , Guo Ze-Hong , Qiu Yi-Ning , Chen Yi-Hang ,   Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Structure and Fundamental Interactions of Matter, Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Published: August 2023

All-dielectric metamaterial broadband reflectors have the advantages of low loss, high reflection efficiency, and compact structure. An in-depth understanding of the formation mechanism of their reflection bands is of great significance in optimizing metamaterial structure and performance, and in further designing novel photonic devices as well. In this work, two all-dielectric metamaterial broadband reflectors are constructed by using discrete silicon nanopillar array and silicon nanopillar array connected with a silicon sublayer. The quasi-normal modes of the metamaterial reflectors are solved. Combining the quasi-normal modes with the scattering matrix theory, we obtain the fitted reflection spectra of the metamaterial, and then reveal that the zero-frequency quasi-normal mode has a substantial influence on the accuracy of the fitting results. A dispersion relation analysis method is proposed to accurately solve the zero-frequency quasi-normal mode. Furthermore, the fitted resonance reflection spectrum and background reflection spectrum are obtained by using high-Q-value quasi-normal mode and low-Q-value quasi-normal mode, respectively. Our results show that the broadband reflection of the considered metamaterial reflectors should be attributed to the background reflection induced by the low-Q quasi-normal modes. The research method proposed in this paper can also be used for discussing quasi bound states in the continuum, Mie resonances, and other resonance phenomena, which provides a new way for interpreting the spectral characteristics of metamaterials.
Development of a novel prediction model based on protein structure for identifying RPE65-associated inherited retinal disease (IRDs) of missense variants
Authors: Wu Jiawen , Sun Zhongmou , Zhang Dao wei , Liu Hong-Li , Li Ting , Zhang Shenghai , Wu Jihong
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a prediction model to classify RPE65-mediated inherited retinal disease (IRDs) based on protein secondary structure and to analyze phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants in a Chinese cohort.

Methods

Pathogenic or likely pathogenic missense variants of RPE65 were obtained from UniProt, ClinVar, and HGMD databases. The three-dimensional structure of RPE65 was retrieved from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and modified with Pymol software. A novel prediction model was developed using LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression to identify RPE65-associated IRDs. A total of 21 Chinese probands with RPE65 variants were collected to analyze phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants.

Results

The study found that both pathogenic and population missense variants were associated with structural features of RPE65. Pathogenic variants were linked to sheet, β-sheet, strands, β-hairpins, Fe2+ (iron center), and active site cavity, while population variants were related to helix, loop, helices, and helix–helix interactions. The novel prediction model showed accuracy and confidence in predicting the disease type of RPE65 variants (AUC = 0.7531). The study identified 25 missense variants in Chinese patients, accounting for 72.4% of total mutations. A significant correlation was observed between clinical characteristics of RPE65-associated IRDs and changes in amino acid type, specifically for missense variants of F8 (H68Y, P419S).

Conclusion

The study developed a novel prediction model based on the protein structure of RPE65 and investigated phenotype-protein structure correlations of RPE65 missense variants in a Chinese cohort. The findings provide insights into the precise diagnosis of RPE65-mutated IRDs.
Influencia de la bacteria megaterium en las propiedades de resistencia y durabilidad del hormigón parcialmente sustituido con metacaolín
Authors: Rameshkumar Vighnesh , Vaishnavi Devi S. S.
Published: August 2023

El hormigón es uno de los materiales más utilizados en el sector de la edificación. Inevitablemente, el concreto gana fuerza y desarrolla grietas por contracción durante el proceso de curado. Las grietas por contracción proporcionan un punto de entrada para que los fluidos reactivos ingresen al núcleo de concreto. En condiciones favorables, los fluidos reducen el pH del núcleo y, en consecuencia, corroen las barras de refuerzo. Esta investigación muestra el uso de Bacillus Megaterium MTCC 3353, que produce carbonato de calcio y cierra las fisuras diminutas. En el estudio también se realizó la sustitución parcial de cemento por metacaolín. Se observó que las muestras de hormigón de base biológica mejoraron los parámetros de resistencia mecánica y durabilidad. La precipitación de calcita se validó mediante un estudio de microestructura. Los ensayos FESEM y XRD muestran la presencia de calcita (carbonato de calcio) en el interior de la estructura de hormigón. Se probó el crecimiento de las bacterias cuando se les añadieron superplastificantes. Las bacterias mostraron un crecimiento normal en comparación con las pruebas convencionales.
Fracture behavior of slag & fly ash-based geopolymer concrete in comparison with opc-based conventional concrete, including the effect of steel and hybrid fibers
Authors: Singh Pranay , Singh Brijesh , Ojha P N , Trivedi Amit , Singh Abhishek , Pede Chirag
Published: August 2023

The study presents an experimental investigation of the fracture behavior of hardened slag and fly ash-based alkali-activated normal and high-strength geopolymer concrete compared with conventional Ordinary Portland Cement (O.P.C.) based concrete with steel and hybrid fibers. The fracture parameters considered in the experimental investigation include fracture energy, stress intensity factor, energy release rate, and characteristic length. The study concludes that the observed differences in conventional and geopolymer concrete's fracture and mechanical performance agree with the microstructural differences between these concrete systems reported in past literature. The slag-based geopolymer concrete is marginally inferior to the O.P.C.-based concrete, with similar compressive strength in fracture performance. Also, hybrid fiber reinforcement improves the fracture performance of geopolymer concrete more than steel fiber alone. Contrary to geopolymer concrete, steel fiber reinforced conventional concrete is superior to hybrid fiber reinforced conventional concrete in terms of fracture behavior.
Del movimiento individual a los cambios de distribución: Integración de datos de movimiento en modelos basados en el individuo para evaluar los efectos poblacionales del cambio global.
Authors: Graciá Eva , Rodríguez-Caro Roberto C. , Jiménez-Franco Mª Victoria , Sanz-Aguilar Ana , Botella Francisco , Anadón José Daniel , García-García Ángel Luis , Wiegand Thorsten , Giménez Andrés
Published: August 2023

El estudio del movimiento de los individuos informa directamente sobre los tamaños de las áreas de campeo, las rutas migratorias o la selección de hábitat. Pero, además, la integración de datos de movimiento en modelos ecológicos permite además abordar mayores escalas. En este trabajo mostramos los resultados de nuestra línea de investigación utilizando STEPLAND, un modelo basado en el individuo de desarrollo propio. El modelo se parametrizó con datos de movimiento, demográficos y genéticos de tortugas terrestres (Testudo graeca) del SE de España. Llevamos a cabo diferentes experimentos de simulación con el fin de contestar a cuestiones sobre los efectos del cambio global en la conservación de la especie. A nivel de especie, identificamos aquellos rasgos evolutivos de las tortugas, como el almacenamiento de esperma por parte de las hembras, que evitan las extinciones en hábitats antropizados. A escala de paisaje, evaluamos el impacto del abandono agrícola y la intensificación en la dinámica poblacional de esta especie de vida larga. La intensificación afectó negativamente las tasas reproductivas, la densidad de población y la probabilidad de extinción de T. graeca, con respuestas de retardo de 20, 30 y 130 años respectivamente. Finalmente, en un contexto regional, pretendemos simular las primeras etapas de una expansión. Los primeros resultados sugieren patrones característicos de surfing genético, un proceso que afecta la expansión de especies de baja dispersión afectadas por deriva genética. Creemos que nuestra línea de investigación ejemplifica bien que el valor científico de los datos de movimiento excede el nivel de individuo.
Patrones comportamentales y detección de causas de mortalidad en águila perdicera (Aquila fasciata) a través del acelerómetro triaxial de emisores GPS-GSM
Authors: Iglesias-Lebrija Juan José , García Marta , Serrano José Manuel , Álvarez Ernesto , de la Fuente Sergio , Marco Miguel , Galán Manuel , Moraleda Virginia
Published: August 2023

El acelerómetro de los emisores GPS es una herramienta muy útil que permite inferir patrones comportamentales en fauna silvestre. Una de las aplicaciones más interesantes en especies amenazadas es determinar sus causas de mortalidad. La mayoría de los dispositivos GPS-GSM para seguimiento de fauna actualmente llevan incorporados un medidor de aceleración en los tres ejes del espacio, denominado acelerómetro, el cual posibilita la interpretación de los cambios posición en cada momento del animal. En este estudio utilizamos ejemplares de águila perdicera en cautividad (n=4) y en el medio natural (n=72) equipados con emisores GPS-GSM mediante arnés torácico de la marca Ornitela y el modelo OT-30 para inferir comportamientos de manera remota mediante interpretación de las gráficas de acelerometría. Los resultados muestran que la información que aporta el eje “x” en la posición equilibrada del emisor, el eje “y” en los balanceos hacia adelante y el eje “z” que complementa a los anteriores, permiten llevar a cabo una interpretación visual rápida de comportamientos básicos como alimentación, vuelo, peleas territoriales, descanso, incubación, o ceba de los pollos. Pero que adquiere una relevancia muy importante en la determinación de la causa de la muerte, especialmente de especies amenazadas, lo cual puede tener repercusión jurídica en el caso de condenas penales.
Cambios en el paisaje, características del hábitat y uso de éste por Parnassius apollo en Sierra Nevada (España)
Authors: Martinez Juan Gabriel , Ayerbe Emilio , Tinaut Alberto
Published: August 2023

Cambios en el paisaje, características del hábitat y uso de este por parte de Parnassius apollo en Sierra Nevada (España). Se ha mostrado recientemente que las poblaciones de Parnassius apollo en Sierra Nevada muestran signos de reducción del flujo génico, en particular entre la zona Oriental y Occidental del macizo montañoso. En este trabajo mostramos que las apolo no utilizan en la actualidad la zona de conexión natural entre ambas áreas, el Puerto de la Ragua, a pesar de ser un lugar tradicional de presencia de la especie, lo que podría explicar la diferenciación genética entre poblaciones occidentales y orientales. Se muestra además que la disponibilidad de plantas nutricias para larvas y adultos es menor en las cotas más bajas del Puerto, y se discuten los factores que podrían explicar la desaparición de la especie de la zona.
An In-depth Investigation of the Pertinent Challenges Inherent in Hydroponics, Aeroponics, Aquaponics, and the Efficacy of Bioponics-based Organic Solutions in Mitigating Them
Authors: Thomas Reji Kurien , Bose Satyam Khagen
Published: August 2023

This study looks at current issues with hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics and explores if organic bioponics-based solutions are a viable alternative that is also sustainable. The study's findings emphasize the need of maintaining root health and nutrient delivery in aeroponic systems, monitoring water quality and striking a balance between the health of fish and plants in aquaponic systems, and maximizing resource utilization in both systems. The utilization of natural pest and disease management techniques and the sustainable use of resources are just two advantages of bioponics, according to comparative studies. The absence of organic food sources, inefficient insect control, and expensive upfront costs are cited as challenges. The development of various organic nutrient sources, optimisation of biological control agents, analysis of commercial feasibility and scalability, automation of processes, integration of technology, and environmental impact analysis are some future research objectives. This study demonstrates how bioponics may help progress environmentally friendly farming methods. By pursuing the suggested future research lines, scientists can further support organic farming methods, improve the effectiveness of food production, and lessen the influence of agriculture on the environment. By identifying low-cost organic material for Agri input development like that done in the year long trials done by VIRENXIA with IIT-Delhi, appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable crop growth can be achieved. It also aims to create a virtuous cycle between society and an inclusive academic system, by providing knowledge and practices for emerging farmers and upgrading the capabilities of agriculture sectors, in responding to the development needs of rural India.
Effect of POLY4 Application on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
Authors: Sunitha B. , Gopinath K. A. , Kumari V. Visha , Ramanjaneyulu A. V. , Suvana S.
Published: August 2023

Aim: To evaluate the effect of POLY4 Application on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut.

Study Design: Randomized Block Design.

Place and Duration of Study: Gungal Research Farm, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture, Hyderabad, India between June 2022 and October 2022.

Methodology: A field experiment was conducted at Gungal Research Farm, ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dry land Agriculture, Hyderabad, and Telangana during the Kharif season of 2022 to the evaluate the Impact of POLY4 Application on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut. The experiment was assigned in ten treatments, laid out in Randomized Block design with three replications. The treatments were T1-Recommended NPK (20:40:50 kg ha-1) + gypsum @ 500 kg ha-1, T2-Recommended NP only, T3-Recommended NPK, T4-Recommended NP + 50% K through MOP, T5-Recommended NP + 100% of rec. K through Poly4, T6-Recommended NP + 100% of rec. K through Poly4 + gypsum @ 310 kg ha-1, T7-Recommended NP + 50% of rec. K through Poly4, T8-Recommended NP + 50% of rec. K through Poly4 + gypsum @ 310 kg ha-1, T9-Recommended NP + gypsum @ 500 kg ha-1 and T10-Control.

Results: The application of Recommended NP(20:40 kg ha-1) + 100% of rec. K(50 kg ha-1) through POLY4 (T5) treatment resulted in a significant increase in both plant height and leaf area at vegetative (18.1 cm and 320.4 cm2 plant-1), at flowering (31.9 cm and 554.7 cm2 plant-1),at pegging (39.5 cm and 785.3 cm2 plant-1), at pod formation (48.5 cm and 1088.5 cm2 plant-1), and at the harvest (54.4 cm and 359.5 cm2 plant-1) respectively compared to the control. Significantly higher pod yield (1556 kg ha-1) was recorded under Recommended NP (20:40 kg ha-1) + 100% K (50 kg ha-1) through POLY4 (T5). The lower yield (844 kg ha-1) was recorded in control (T10).

Conclusion: Polyhalite, also known as POLY4, is a highly effective fertilizer that provides potassium (K), sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) in a more efficient manner compared to equivalent soluble salts. Based on the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that application of 100% K through polyhalite (POLY4) along with recommended doses of nitrogen and phosphorus (20:40 kg ha-1) in sandy loam soil was the best performing treatment.
Pneumocephalous: Radiological Presentation of Intra-cranial Hypotension after Spinal Anaesthesia
Authors: Khan Isra , Alvi Emad , Khalid Saifullah , Khanam Sameera , Mohammad Saad , Khan Mohammad Nasim
Published: August 2023

Pneumocephalus is a commonly encountered entity in patients of head trauma and post-op cases of neurosurgery, however it is rarely observed after spinal anaesthesia.

It commonly presents orthostatic hypotension associated with severe headache, nausea and vomiting. We report a case of pneumocephalus following spinal anaesthesia administered for open hernia repair.

The proposed mechanisms of pneumocephalus secondary to spinal tapping are the ball-valve mechanism (1) and the inverted soda-bottle effect (2).
Mitochondrial DNA Fragmentation and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Hosgood H. Dean , Davitt Meghan , Cawthon Richard , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Blechter Batel , Wong Jason Y.Y. , Rahman Mohammad L. , Hu Wei , Männistö Satu , Albanes Demetrius , Rothman Nathaniel , Lan Qing
Published: August 2023

Importance

Research suggests that increased mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is associated with increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL); however, no studies to date have evaluated whether the mitochondrial DNA fraction with breaks (mtDNAfb) is associated with risk of NHL.

Objective

To evaluate the association of mtDNAfb with NHL risk.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nested case-control study, which used prospectively collected samples as part of baseline enrollment (from 1985 through 1988) of 29 133 men who smoked for the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study conducted in southwest Finland, included 107 incident NHL cases and 107 controls (matched on date of birth ±5 years). Analyses were conducted from January to September 2022.

Exposure

High-throughput real-time polymerase chain reaction assays quantifying mtDNAfb.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incident NHL cases were identified in the ATBC Study through April 30, 2002, using the Finnish Cancer Registry and the Register of Causes of Death. The mtDNAfb was quantified and categorized based on the median, tertile, and quartile distributions among controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated using conditional logistic regression models to assess the associations between categorized mtDNAfb and future risk of NHL, controlling for age, body mass index, number of cigarettes smoked per day, number of pack-years, and mtDNAcn.

Results

A total of 29 133 men (median [IQR] age, 57.2 [52.6-62.5] years) participated in ATBC Study. Higher mtDNAfb was associated with an increased risk of NHL (median OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.40-5.93) in a dose-dependent manner (quartile 2 vs 1 OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.43-3.40; quartile 3 vs 1 OR, 3.58; 95% CI, 1.39-9.24; quartile 4 vs 1 OR, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.30- 8.99; P = .004 for trend).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study’s findings suggest that increased mtDNAfb is associated with an increased future risk of NHL. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings, particularly among women and nonsmokers.
Abdominal Pain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Fry Brian T. , Finks Jonathan F.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remains one of the most commonly performed operations for morbid obesity and is associated with significant long-term weight loss and comorbidity remission. However, health care utilization rates following RYGB are high and abdominal pain is reported as the most common presenting symptom for those seeking care.

Observations

Given the limitations of physical examination in patients with obesity, correct diagnosis of abdominal pain following RYGB depends on a careful history and appropriate use of radiologic, laboratory and endoscopic studies, as well as a clear understanding of post-RYGB anatomy. The most common etiologies of abdominal pain after RYGB are internal hernia, marginal ulcer, biliary disease (eg, cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis), and jejunojejunal anastomotic issues. Early identification of the etiology of the pain is essential, as some causes, such as internal hernia or perforated gastrojejunal ulcer, may require urgent or emergent intervention to avoid significant morbidity. While laboratory findings and imaging may prove useful, they remain imperfect, and clinical judgment should always be used to determine if surgical exploration is warranted.

Conclusions and Relevance

The etiologies of abdominal pain after RYGB range from the relatively benign to potentially life-threatening. This Review highlights the importance of understanding key anatomical and technical aspects of RYGB to guide appropriate workup, diagnosis, and treatment.
Intraoperative Identification of Thyroid and Parathyroid Tissues During Human Endocrine Surgery Using the MasSpec Pen
Authors: DeHoog Rachel J. , King Mary E. , Keating Michael F. , Zhang Jialing , Sans Marta , Feider Clara L. , Garza Kyana Y. , Bensussan Alena , Krieger Anna , Lin John Q. , Badal Sunil , Alore Elizabeth , Pirko Christopher , Brahmbhatt Kirtan , Yu Wendong , Grogan Raymon , Eberlin Livia S. , Suliburk James
Published: August 2023

Importance

Intraoperative identification of tissues through gross inspection during thyroid and parathyroid surgery is challenging yet essential for preserving healthy tissue and improving outcomes for patients.

Objective

To evaluate the performance and clinical applicability of the MasSpec Pen (MSPen) technology for discriminating thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph node tissues intraoperatively.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this diagnostic/prognostic study, the MSPen was used to analyze 184 fresh-frozen thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph node tissues in the laboratory and translated to the operating room to enable in vivo and ex vivo tissue analysis by endocrine surgeons in 102 patients undergoing thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy procedures. This diagnostic study was conducted between August 2017 and March 2020. Fresh-frozen tissues were analyzed in a laboratory. Clinical analyses occurred in an operating room at an academic medical center. Of the analyses performed on 184 fresh-frozen tissues, 131 were included based on sufficient signal and postanalysis pathologic diagnosis. From clinical tests, 102 patients undergoing surgery were included. A total of 1015 intraoperative analyses were performed, with 269 analyses subject to statistical classification. Statistical classifiers for discriminating thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph node tissues were generated using training sets comprising both laboratory and intraoperative data and evaluated on an independent test set of intraoperative data. Data were analyzed from July to December 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Accuracy for each tissue type was measured for classification models discriminating thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph node tissues using MSPen data compared to gross analysis and final pathology results.

Results

Of the 102 patients in the intraoperative study, 80 were female (78%) and the median (IQR) age was 52 (42-66) years. For discriminating thyroid and parathyroid tissues, an overall accuracy, defined as agreement with pathology, of 92.4% (95% CI, 87.7-95.4) was achieved using MSPen data, with 82.6% (95% CI, 76.5-87.4) accuracy achieved for the independent test set. For distinguishing thyroid from lymph node and parathyroid from lymph node, overall training set accuracies of 97.5% (95% CI, 92.8-99.1) and 96.1% (95% CI, 91.2-98.3), respectively, were achieved.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, the MSPen showed high performance for discriminating thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph node tissues intraoperatively, suggesting this technology may be useful for providing near real-time feedback on tissue type to aid in surgical decision-making.
The effects of flattening filter‐free beams and aperture shape controller on the complexity of conventional large‐field treatment plans
Authors: Hui Cheukkai B. , Pourmoghaddas Amir , Mutaf Yildirim D.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of using flattening filter‐free (FFF) beams and the aperture shape controller (ASC) on the complexity of conventional large‐field treatment plans.

Methods and materials

A total of 24 head and neck (H&N) and 24 prostate with pelvic nodes treatment plans were used in this study. Each plan was reoptimized using the original clinical objectives with both flattened and FFF beams, as well as six different ASC settings. The dosimetric qualities of each plan cohort were evaluated using commonly used dose‐volume histogram values, and plan complexities were assessed through metrics including monitor unit (MU)/Dose, change in gantry speed, multileaf collimator (MLC) speed, the edge area ratio metric (EM), and the equivalent square length.

Results

No significant differences in dosimetric qualities were found between plans with flattened and FFF beams. The ASC settings did not have significant effects on dosimetric qualities in the H&N plan cohort, but the “very high” ASC setting resulted in poorer dosimetric results for the prostate plans. Plans with FFF beams had significantly higher MU/Dose compared to plans with flattened beams. The use of flattening filter (FF) had significant effects on the change in gantry speed, with flattened beams producing plans that required higher change in gantry speed. However, the FF did not have significant effects on MLC speed, EM, or equivalent square length. In contrast, ASC settings had significant effects on these three metrics; increasing the ASC level resulted in plans with decreasing MLC speed, lower edge area ratio, and higher equivalent square length.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that using FFF beams with various ASC settings, except for the “very high” level, can produce plans with reduced complexities without compromising dosimetric qualities in conventional large‐field treatment plans.
Unpredictably Disordered Distribution of Hetero‐Blended Graphene Oxide Flakes with Non‐Identical Resistance in Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: Lee Subin , Choi Seon Yeon , Jang Byung Chul , Lee Dong Hyun , Cho Joon Young , Han Joong Tark , Yoo Hocheon , Kim Hyun Ho
Published: August 2023

In this study, a new concept of physical unclonable functions (PUFs) is introduced comprising reduced graphene oxide (GO) materials. To create a disordered conductivity distribution, two types of GO are used: HGO, are produced by the conventional Hummers’ method, and PGO, produced by Brodie's method with an additional unique purification procedure. It is found that PGO becomes graphene‐like after room‐temperature chemical reduction. These two reduced GOs have a distinct conductivity difference of up to 104 times. By blending these two materials, a random mixture is created that can generate a highly unpredictable electrical signal, serving as an ideal security key with strong randomness and uniqueness. The optimized PUF device, based on this approach, demonstrates excellent performance in generating secure keys.
Localized Spoof Surface Plasmon Skyrmions Excited by Guided Waves
Authors: Li Si‐Qi , Du Chao‐Hai , Yin Da‐Li , Cai Xin‐Wei , Xu Tie‐Quan , Wang Yue , Li Fan‐Hong , Zhu Yu , Zhang Feng
Published: August 2023

Recently, skyrmions are constructed in the system of localized spoof surface plasmons (LSSPs), showing topological robustness and near‐equidistant multi‐resonant response. Guided wave excitation of the LSSP skyrmions plays an elementary role in large‐scale planar integration and construction of complex networks. However, it is not investigated. In this study, the LSSP skyrmions are excited by guided waves supported by two kinds of widely used transmission lines, microstrip line and coplanar waveguide. Space‐coiling meta‐structures with different shapes that support LSSP skyrmions are etched on the ground planes as defected ground structures (DGSs). All structures including resonator, transmission line, input and output ports are in one plane. The structures are fabricated on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and the near‐equidistant multi‐resonant spectra of the LSSP skyrmions are measured. Moreover, to reduce the material loss, the structure is made on MgB2 superconducting film, and the quality factor (Q‐factor) is increased by seven times compared to the corresponding mode on PCB. This study paves the way for the massive planar integration of the LSSP skyrmions and the construction of complex networks with the LSSP skyrmions, and provides an idea for developing metasurfaces with low material loss in the microwave and terahertz bands.
Virus‐Like Nanotherapeutic for Spatiotemporally Enhancing Antigen Presentation and Cross‐Presentation toward Potential Personalized Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Xiaodi , Yuan Pengfei , Yang Haiyuan , Zong Xiaoqing , Yang Caiqi , Chen Xinjie , Li Yuchao , Yan Xiaodie , Wen Yaoqi , Zhu Tianci , Zhang Qian , Xue Wei , Dai Jian
Published: August 2023

One of the major causes of immunotherapy resistance is the loss of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC‐I) molecules in tumor cells or the downregulation of the class I antigen presentation pathway. In this study, a novel virus‐like nanotherapeutic (siRNA@HCM) is developed via encapsulating nanosized siRNA nanoparticles in a hybrid membrane comprising a personalized tumor cell membrane and a universal 293T membrane expressing the mutant vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (mVSV‐G). Upon intravenous administration, siRNA@HCM accumulates at the tumor site and provides two potent driving forces for antitumor immunity. First, mVSV‐G induces the fusion of siRNA@HCM with tumor cell membranes and directly injects siRNAs into the cytoplasm, significantly improving tumor intrinsic MHC‐I antigen presentation. Moreover, mVSV‐G can promote the maturation of dendritic cells, thereby achieving highly efficient antigen cross‐presentation. The results demonstrate that spatiotemporally enhancing tumor intrinsic antigen presentation and cross‐presentation via siRNA@HCM can achieve satisfactory antitumor efficacy and excellent biocompatibility. Immune infiltration analysis shows that siRNA@HCM treatment turns cold tumors into hot tumors. In addition, it significantly promotes the therapeutic effect of programmed death‐1 inhibitor. In summary, virus‐like nanotherapeutics present a promising approach to enhance the antitumor immune response, with distinct advantages for potential personalized therapy and clinical applications.
An H2S‐BMP6 Dual‐Loading System with Regulating Yap/Taz and Jun Pathway for Synergistic Critical Limb Ischemia Salvaging Therapy
Authors: Hu Jiateng , Xu Zhijue , Liao Donghui , Jiang Yihong , Pu Hongji , Wu Zhaoyu , Xu Xintong , Zhao Zhen , Liu Jianqiang , Lu Xinwu , Liu Xiaobing , Li Bo
Published: August 2023

Critical limb ischemia, the final course of peripheral artery disease, is characterized by an insufficient supply of blood flow and excessive oxidative stress. H2S molecular therapy possesses huge potential for accelerating revascularization and scavenging intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, it is found that BMP6 is the most significantly up‐expressed secreted protein‐related gene in HUVECs treated with GYY4137, a H2S donor, based on the transcriptome analysis. Herein, a UIO‐66‐NH2@GYY4137@BMP6 co‐delivery nanoplatform to strengthen the therapeutic effects of limb ischemia is developed. The established UIO‐66‐NH2@GYY4137@BMP6 nanoplatform exerts its proangiogenic and anti‐oxidation functions by regulating key pathways. The underlying molecular mechanisms of UIO‐66‐NH2@GYY4137@BMP6 dual‐loading system lie in the upregulation of phosphorylated YAP/TAZ and Jun to promote HUVECs proliferation and downregulation of phosphorylated p53/p21 to scavenge excessive ROS. Meanwhile, laser‐doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), injury severity evaluation, and histological analysis confirm the excellent therapeutic effects of UIO‐66‐NH2@GYY4137@BMP6 in vivo. This work may shed light on the treatment of critical limb ischemia by regulating YAP, Jun, and p53 signaling pathways based on gas‐protein synergistic therapy.
Formamidine Engineering the Lattice Distortion of Chiral Halide Perovskites for Efficient Blue Circularly Polarized Emission
Authors: Guan Qianwen , Ye Huang , Zhu Tingting , Zhang Xinyuan , You Shihai , Wu Jianbo , Zheng Youxuan , Liu Xitao , Luo Junhua
Published: August 2023

Chiral halide perovskites have emerged as promising circularly polarized light sources due to their great potential applications in 3D displays, optical data storage, and optical communication devices. However, to date, chiral halide perovskites with efficient blue circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) are scarcely unearthed. Herein, through formamidine engineering to decrease lattice distortion, the first new types of chiral corrugated 2D halide perovskites are presented (R/S)‐(BPEA)FAPbBr4·H2O (2‐R/S) (BPEA = 4‐bromophenylethylaminium, FA = formamidinium). Interestingly, driven by the incorporation of FA organic cations, the chiral perovskite layer realizes the transformation from (100)‐oriented (R/S)‐(BPEA)2PbBr4·H2O (1‐R/S) to (110)‐oriented 2‐R/S accompanying with reduced lattice distortion. More importantly, (110)‐oriented chiral perovskites 2‐R exhibit remarkable blue CPL with large asymmetry factors (glum =8.4 × 10−3). This work offers an exciting approach to realizing efficient blue CPL and promotes their further applications in photoelectronic devices.
Magnetic Field Sensor Based on Magnetic Optical Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Liu Zhenhua , Wang Yuxin , Zhang Chonglei
Published: August 2023

Surface plasmon resonance with high sensitivity is widely used in molecular dynamics detection. Herein, a magneto‐optic surface plasmon resonance (MOSPR) sensor based on Au/Co/Au thin film for detecting magnetic fields is developed. The strong coupling between the magneto‐optical waveguide mode and the surface plasmon resonance mode is analyzed and the linear relationship between the reflectivity of the MOSPR sensor and the magnetic field is established. The response, response–recovery time, and dispersion relationship for different magnetic fields are also numerically simulated. Additionally, experimental data on the MOSPR sensor's response to magnetic fields at room temperature (25 °C) are obtained. During the experiment, a differential signal in the light path is applied to reduce the noise generated by the environment. The results demonstrate that the MOSPR sensor exhibits high response, ultrafast response time, and long‐term stability. The study provides a promising approach for detecting magnetic fields with high sensitivity and accuracy.
Optimization of Thermoelectric Property of n‐Type Mg3Sb2 Near Room Temperature via Mn&Se Co‐Doping
Authors: Wang Runyu , Luo Siyun , Mo Xiaobo , Liu Hang , Liu Tong , Lei Xiaobo , Zhang Qinyong , Zhang Jianjun , Huang Lihong
Published: August 2023

The Bi2Te3 family has been considered a state‐of‐the‐art thermoelectric material for room‐temperature applications for over half a century. However, scarcity of the material Te has been a persistent issue. Recently, the discovery of n‐type Mg3(Bi, Sb)2‐based materials provides new hope for replacing traditional Bi2Te3, but their thermoelectric properties near room temperature still need improvement for application to practical devices. Herein, a competitive figure of merit of ≈0.8 at 300 K and a high power factor greater than 30 µW cm−1 K−2 at 300 K in n‐type Mg3.14Mn0.06Bi1.4Sb0.59Se0.01 is reported, benefiting from the rationally tuned carrier concentration of 2.29×1019 cm−3 at room temperature. Substituting the Mg site with Mn in Mg3.2Bi1.4Sb0.59Se0.01 changes the dominant carrier scattering mechanism from a mixed scattering of acoustic phonons and ionized impurities to acoustic phonon scattering. Mn doping in Mg3.2Bi1.4Sb0.59Se0.01 also enhances the mobility to 180 cm2 V−1 s−1, reduces the thermal conductivity, and significantly increases the quality factor β of the material. The high room temperature thermoelectric performance of n‐type Mn&Se co‐doped Mg3(Bi, Sb)2‐based materials makes them a highly competitive substitute for commercialized n‐type Bi2Te3.
Comparison of the effects of open and laparoscopic approach on body composition in gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A propensity score‐matched study
Authors: Takeoka Tomohira , Yamamoto Kazuyoshi , Kurokawa Yukinori , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Kawabata Ryohei , Omori Takeshi , Imamura Hiroshi , Fujita Junya , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Doki Yuichiro
Published: August 2023

Aim

To compare the effects of open (OG) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) on body composition and muscle strength.

Methods

This study performed a propensity score matching analysis using cases from a large‐scale, multicenter, phase III randomized controlled trial concerning oral nutritional supplements after gastrectomy and analyzed both the whole and matched cohorts. Measurements of body composition and hand grip strength (HGS) were performed at baseline (preoperatively) and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after gastrectomy.

Results

Of 835 patients, 275 and 560 underwent OG and LG, respectively. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and HGS loss were significantly lesser in the LG group than in the OG group. The propensity score‐matched analysis, including 120 pairs of patients, confirmed that the % SMM loss values at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 POM were −4.5%, −4.0%, −4.7%, −4.6%, and −5.8% in the OG group and −3.0%, −1.9%, −2.4%, −2.2%, and −2.7% in the LG group, respectively. The % SMM loss was significantly lesser in the LG group than in the OG group (repeated measures ANOVA p < 0.001). The HGS loss was non‐significantly smaller in the LG group than in the OG group.

Conclusion

Skeletal muscle mass loss was significantly lesser in the LG group than in the OG group in both cohorts, indicating that LG may be more effective than OG for maintaining muscle mass.
Low anterior resection syndrome: Incidence and association with quality of life
Authors: Homma Yuko , Mimura Toshiki , Koinuma Koji , Horie Hisanaga , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Sata Naohiro
Published: August 2023

Aim

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) causes devastating symptoms and impairs quality of life (QOL). Although its incidence and risk factors have been reported, these data are scarce in Japan. This study aimed to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of LARS as well as to evaluate its association with QOL in Japanese patients.

Method

Patients with anal defecation at the time of the survey between November 2020 and April 2021 were included, among those who underwent anus‐preserving surgery for rectal tumors between 2014 and 2019 in tertiary referral university hospital. The severity of LARS and QOL were evaluated with the LARS score and the Japanese version of the fecal incontinence quality of life scale (JFIQL), respectively. Primary endpoint was the incidence of major LARS. Secondary endpoints were risk factors and association with JFIQL.

Results

Of 332 eligible patients, 238 (71.7%) answered the LARS survey completely. The incidence of major LARS was 22% overall, and 48% when limited to lower tumors. Independent risk factors included lower tumors (OR: 7.0, 95% CI: 2.1–23.1, p = 0.001) and surgical procedures with lower anastomoses (OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.2–18.5, p = 0.03). The JFIQL generic score correlated moderately with the LARS score (correlation coefficient of −0.65). The JFIQL generic score was also significantly lower in lower tumors.

Conclusions

The incidence of major LARS is 22% in Japanese patients, and independent risk factors include lower tumors and surgical procedures with lower anastomoses. More severe LARS is associated with worse QOL which is significantly more impaired in patients with lower tumors.