bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Évaluation à six mois de l’impact d’une formation multimodale et séquentielle à l’empathie des étudiants de second cycle d’études médicales
Authors: Retornaz Chloé , Buffel du Vaure Céline , Piot Marie Aude , Jaunay Louis-Baptiste , Jaury Philippe
Published: January 2024

Contexte : L’empathie du médecin influence positivement la santé des patients mais un déclin au début des stages cliniques a été constaté dans la majorité des études. Des interventions spécifiques sont mises au point pour y remédier. Objectif : Cette étude longitudinale a pour but d’évaluer l’évolution de l’empathie d’étudiants français en quatrième année des études médicales après une formation intégrative à la relation thérapeutique comprenant des cours théoriques, des groupes Balint, des jeux de rôle et des examens cliniques objectifs structurés avec patients standardisés. Méthodes : Les niveaux d’empathie ont été mesurés avec la version française de la Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy − Medical Student (JSPE-MS) au début et à la fin de l’enseignement, puis six mois plus tard. L’étude a été effectuée sur les données appariées de 110 étudiants. Le critère de jugement principal est la différence des scores moyens obtenus à la JSPE-MS entre les trois temps d’évaluation. Les analyses ont été faites par tests de Student pour données appariées. Résultats : Les résultats sur la cohorte appariée indiquent que l’empathie des étudiants en médecine ayant suivi la formation et répondu à l’étude n’a pas changé de manière significative pendant la quatrième année et les six mois qui ont suivi. Conclusion : Une formation intégrative à la relation thérapeutique, dispensée en même temps que les premiers stages cliniques, peut contribuer à préserver l’empathie clinique. Ces résultats viennent renforcer l’intérêt d’une formation multimodale et séquentielle pour l’apprentissage de l’empathie des étudiants en médecine.
Liver-Directed Therapy Combined with Systemic Therapy: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Young Shamar , Hannallah Jack , Goldberg Dan , Khreiss Mohammad , Shroff Rachna , Arshad Junaid , Scott Aaron , Woodhead Gregory
Published: January 2024

In the past several decades, major advances in both systemic and locoregional therapies have been made for many cancer patients. This has led to modern cancer treatment algorithms frequently calling for active interventions by multiple subspecialists at the same time. One of the areas where this can be clearly seen is the concomitant use of locoregional and systemic therapies in patients with primary or secondary cancers of the liver. These combined algorithms have gained favor over the last decade and are largely focused on the allure of the combined ability to control systemic disease while at the same time addressing refractory/resistant clonal populations. While the general concept has gained favor and is likely to only increase in popularity with the continued establishment of viable immunotherapy treatments, for many patients questions remain. Lingering concerns over the increase in toxicity when combining treatment methods, patient selection, and sequencing remain for multiple cancer patient populations. While further work remains, some of these questions have been addressed in the literature. This article reviews the available data on three commonly treated primary and secondary cancers of the liver, namely, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and metastatic colorectal cancer. Furthermore, strengths and weaknesses are reviewed and future directions are discussed.
Chemoembolization Plus Ablation: Current Status
Authors: Dadrass Farnaz , Acree Pascal , Kim Edward
Published: January 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The treatment landscape for HCC has evolved significantly over the past decade, with several modalities available to treat various stages of disease. The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system provides a foundation for treatment guidance. However, given the complex nature of HCC, a more nuanced approach is often required, especially for lesions sized between 3 and 5 cm. This review aims to analyze the available treatments for early-stage HCC lesions between 3 and 5 cm, with a focus on the therapeutic potential and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)–ablation. Additional therapies including TACE, ablation, transarterial radioembolization, and surgical resection are also reviewed and compared with TACE–ablation. TACE–ablation is a viable therapeutic option for early-stage HCC lesions between 3 and 5 cm. Surgical resection remains the gold standard. Although recent studies suggest radiation segmentectomy may be a curative approach for this patient population, further studies are needed to compare the relative efficacies between TACE–ablation and radiation segmentectomy.
Thermal Ablation in the Liver: Heat versus Cold—What Is the Role of Cryoablation?
Authors: D'Souza Donna L. , Ragulojan Ranjan , Guo Chunxiao , Dale Connie M. , Jones Christopher J. , Talaie Reza
Published: January 2024

Cryoablation is commonly used in the kidney, lung, breast, and soft tissue, but is an uncommon choice in the liver where radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) predominate. This is in part for historical reasons due to serious complications that occurred with open hepatic cryoablation using early technology. More current technology combined with image-guided percutaneous approaches has ameliorated these issues and allowed cryoablation to become a safe and effective thermal ablation modality for treating liver tumors. Cryoablation has several advantages over RFA and MWA including the ability to visualize the ice ball, minimal procedural pain, and strong immunomodulatory effects. This article will review the current literature on cryoablation of primary and secondary liver tumors, with a focus on efficacy, safety, and immunogenic potential. Clinical scenarios when it may be more beneficial to use cryoablation over heat-based ablation in the liver, as well as directions for future research, will also be discussed.
Outcomes after Embolization in Pediatric Abdominal Solid Organ Injury: A Trauma Center Experience
Authors: Gowda Samarth , Ghosh Tushar , Rajagopal Rengarajan , Garg Pawan , Khera Pushpinder , Sinha Arvind , Yadav Taruna
Published: January 2024

Background Trauma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide among children. Nonoperative management is the standard of care in hemodynamically stable children with blunt abdominal solid organ injury. Embolization is a potential pathway, which has shown increasing evidence for benefit in adult trauma patients. However, the data in children is limited.

Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of hospital data of all children (<18 years of age), presenting to a tertiary-care trauma center in India, with history of blunt trauma from January 2021 to June 2023, was performed. Preprocedural imaging, angiographic and embolization details, number of blood transfusions, and length of hospital stay were assessed.

Results Two hundred and sixteen children (average age: 11.65 years) presented with a history of abdominal trauma during the study period. Eighty four children were FAST positive, out of whom, 67 patients had abdominal solid organ injury on computed tomography. Liver was the most commonly injured solid organ (n = 45), followed by the spleen and kidney. Ten children had solid abdominal organ arterial injuries for which eight children underwent embolization. The average length of hospital stay in embolization group (n = 8) was 4 days, as compared to 11 days in children undergoing operative management (n = 2). At 6 months follow-up, all children were asymptomatic.

Conclusion Superselective embolization is a safe and feasible procedure in appropriately selected children with abdominal injury.
Bifid Penis—A case report
Authors: Sharma L. K.
Published: January 2024

A rare case of bifid penis has been presented. The litrature on the subject has been reviewed.
Physics-informed machine learning of the correlation functions in bulk fluids
Authors: Chen Wenqian , Gao Peiyuan , Stinis Panos
Published: January 2024

The Ornstein–Zernike (OZ) equation is the fundamental equation for pair correlation function computations in the modern integral equation theory for liquids. In this work, machine learning models, notably physics-informed neural networks and physics-informed neural operator networks, are explored to solve the OZ equation. The physics-informed machine learning models demonstrate great accuracy and high efficiency in solving the forward and inverse OZ problems of various bulk fluids. The results highlight the significant potential of physics-informed machine learning for applications in thermodynamic state theory.
Neutron penumbral image reconstruction with a convolution neural network using fast Fourier transform
Authors: Song Jianjun , Zheng Jianhua , Chen Zhongjing , Chen Jihui , Wang Feng
Published: January 2024

In Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), the asymmetry of a hot spot is an important influence factor in implosion performance. Neutron penumbral imaging, which serves as an encoded-aperture imaging technique, is one of the most important diagnostic methods for detecting the shape of a hot spot. The detector image is a uniformly bright range surrounded by a penumbral area, which presents the strength distribution of hot spots. The present diagnostic modality employs an indirect imaging technique, necessitating the reconstruction process to be a pivotal aspect of the imaging protocol. The accuracy of imaging and the applicable range are significantly influenced by the reconstruction algorithm employed. We develop a neural network named Fast Fourier transform Neural Network (FFTNN) to reconstruct two-dimensional neutron emission images from the penumbral area of the detector images. The FFTNN architecture consists of 16 layers that include a FFT layer, convolution layer, fully connected layer, dropout layer, and reshape layer. Due to the limitations in experimental data, we propose a phenomenological method for describing hot spots to generate datasets for training neural networks. The reconstruction performance of the trained FFTNN is better than that of the traditional Wiener filtering and Lucy–Richardson algorithm on the simulated dataset, especially when the noise level is high as indicated by the evaluation metrics, such as mean squared error and structure similar index measure. This proposed neural network provides a new perspective, paving the way for integrating neutron imaging diagnosis into ICF.
Development of a large flow electro-hydrostatic actuator equipped with four magnetostrictive-actuated pumps
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Zhu Yuchuan , Ge Shenghong , Ling Jie
Published: January 2024

With the advantages of high energy density, high accuracy, and fast response, smart material-driven electro-hydrostatic actuators (SMEHAs) have attracted significant attention in recent years. However, the low flow rate of SMEHAs constrains their application. One potential solution to enhance the flow rate is to increase the number of smart material-actuated pumps. In view of this, this paper proposes a new configuration of an electro-hydrostatic actuator equipped with four magnetostrictive-actuated pumps (FMEHA) to achieve a large flow rate. The mathematical model of the FMEHA is established to investigate the driving phase matching between pumps and the active flow distribution valve. The physical prototype of FMEHA is fabricated. Simulations and experiments are conducted to assess its performance under various driving parameters, including the number of pumps, driving phase, frequency, and amplitude. The optimal driving parameters for the FMEHA are determined based on the results obtained. Experimental findings demonstrate that with a driving phase of 340°, a frequency of 250 Hz, and an amplitude of 20 A, the FMEHA achieves a maximum flow rate of 6.2 l/min.
Solving the one dimensional vertical suspended sediment mixing equation with arbitrary eddy diffusivity profiles using temporal normalized physics-informed neural networks
Authors: Zhang Shaotong , Deng Jiaxin , Li Xi'an , Zhao Zixi , Wu Jinran , Li Weide , Wang You-Gan , Jeng Dong-Sheng
Published: January 2024

Analytical solutions are practical tools in ocean engineering, but their derivation is often constrained by the complexities of the real world. This underscores the necessity for alternative approaches. In this study, the potential of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINN) for solving the one-dimensional vertical suspended sediment mixing (settling-diffusion) equation which involves simplified and arbitrary vertical Ds profiles is explored. A new approach of temporal Normalized Physics-Informed Neural Networks (T-NPINN), which normalizes the time component is proposed, and it achieves a remarkable accuracy (Mean Square Error of 10−5 and Relative Error Loss of 10−4). T-NPINN also proves its ability to handle the challenges posed by long-duration spatiotemporal models, which is a formidable task for conventional PINN methods. In addition, the T-NPINN is free of the limitations of numerical methods, e.g., the susceptibility to inaccuracies stemming from the discretization and approximations intrinsic to their algorithms, particularly evident within intricate and dynamic oceanic environments. The demonstrated accuracy and versatility of T-NPINN make it a compelling complement to numerical techniques, effectively bridging the gap between analytical and numerical approaches and enriching the toolkit available for oceanic research and engineering.
Modeling of the non-Maxwellian response of DT plasmas to alpha particle transport in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) hotspot
Authors: Du Bao , Kang Dongguo , Zou Shiyang , Liu Chang , Deng Luan , Ge Fengjun , Dai Zhensheng , Cai Hongbo , Zhu Shaoping
Published: January 2024

In the alpha particle transport in ICF hotspot, previous models focus mainly on how the incident particles lose their energy but lost sight of how the target particles will respond to this lost energy. In this paper, we developed a novel single-scattering model based on the Monte Carlo method, which abandons the stopping-power and models every single-scattering event in the alpha particle life. It enables to describe both the energy stopping of the incident alpha particle and the target particles response to the collisions. With this model, it shows that the target DT-ions at the ICF hotspot boundary will be non-Maxwellian distributed after colliding with the high-energy alpha particles, which refers to a much higher fusion reactivity compared with a Maxwellian one. At the same time, this model gives a longer and dispersed alpha particle range in hotspot plasmas and suggests that the traditionally used stopping power models would overestimate the stopping ability of the target particles.
A fiber-integrated ultrabroadband optical power sensor based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and U-shaped fiber with bandwidth ranging from 405 nm to 7.767 μm
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Liu Jie , Zhang Yangyuan , Li Xiaolan , Miao Yinping
Published: January 2024

The ultrabroadband photodetectors are considered to hold significant potential for applications in optical sensing and communication. In this study, we report an ultrabroadband fiber-integrated optical power sensor (FOPS) based on the photothermal effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The device consists of two main components: the U-shaped fiber (UF) and the photosensitive unit (PSU), wherein the PSU is comprised of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) doped with MWCNTs. Under illumination, the photothermal effect of MWCNTs causes a thermal expansion of the PDMS, resulting in compression deformation of UF and transmission spectrum blueshift. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed device achieves an optical photodetection ranging from 405 nm to 7.767 μm with a responsivity of 0.484 nm/mW. The response time exhibits a rising edge of 13 s and a falling edge of 7 s. Additionally, the device has integrated light motion tracking capability, achieving a displacement resolution of incident light as 1.25 nm/mm. As the proposed FOPS has advantages of ultrabroad detection band and high responsivity, it is a promising design for light detection.
Study of chaos in the Darcy–Bénard convection problem with Robin boundary condition on the upper surface
Authors: Siddheshwar P. G. , Soibam Davita Devi , Laroze D.
Published: January 2024

Possibility of chaos is studied in Darcy–Bénard convection using the Dirichlet and the Robin boundary condition at the lower and upper boundaries, respectively. Comparison is made with the results of Dirichlet (classical-Darcy–Bénard convection, CDBC) and Neumann boundary condition (Barletta–Darcy–Bénard convection, BDBC). It is found that the cell size at onset is bigger in the case of BDBC compared to the generalized-Darcy–Bénard convection (GDBC) and much bigger compared to CDBC. The critical-Darcy–Rayleigh number of BDBC is found to be the least and that of CDBC is the largest. Nonlinear-stability-analysis is performed leading to the scaled-generalized-Vadasz–Lorenz model (SGVLM). In deriving this model, help is sought from a local-nonlinear-stability-analysis that yields the form of the convective-mode. The SGVLM is shown to be dissipative and conservative, with its bounded solution trapped within an ellipsoid. Onset of chaos and its characteristics are studied using the Hopf–Rayleigh-number, the Lorenz-butterfly-diagram, and the plot of the amplitude of the convective-mode vs the control-parameter, R, which is the eigenvalue. Chaos sets in earlier in CDBC and much later in BDBC when compared to that in GDBC. Beyond the onset of chaos is seen a sequence of chaotic and periodic motions, with the latter sometimes being present for an extended period.
Fluid classification through well logging is conducted using the extreme gradient boosting model based on the adaptive piecewise flatness-based fast transform feature extraction algorithm
Authors: Sun Youzhuang , Zhang Junhua , Zhang Yongan
Published: January 2024

In recent years, fluid prediction through well logging has assumed a pivotal role in the realm of oil and gas exploration. Seeking to enhance prediction accuracy, this paper introduces an adaptive piecewise flatness-based fast transform (APFFT) algorithm in conjunction with the XGBoost (extreme gradient boosting) method for logging fluid prediction. Initially, the APFFT technology is employed to extract frequency-domain features from the logging data. This algorithm dynamically determines the optimal frequency interval, transforming raw logging curves into frequency domain data. This adaptive process enhances the preservation of frequency domain information reflective of fluid characteristics, simultaneously minimizing the impact of noise and non-fluid compositions. Subsequently, the acquired frequency domain features are utilized as inputs to construct an XGBoost model for fluid prediction. To validate the efficacy of this proposed approach, real logging data were collected, and an extensive experimental evaluation was conducted. The experimental findings underscore the substantial advantages of the APFFT-XGBoost method over traditional machine learning models such as XGBoost, random forest, K-nearest neighbor algorithm, support vector machine, and backpropagation neural network in logging fluid prediction. The proposed method demonstrates the ability to accurately capture fluid features, leading to improved prediction accuracy and stability.
Rheo-microscopy and flow properties of crystallizing agitated sucrose dispersions
Authors: Hartge Hannah M. , Flöter Eckhard , Vilgis Thomas A.
Published: January 2024

Crystallization from highly supersaturated, agitated (sheared and stirred) solution is a highly non-equilibrium process. Despite being an often observed and intended process, basic scientific research on the rheology of such systems is lacking. This paper presents findings on changes in flow properties and particle formation during crystallization out of highly supersaturated sucrose solution under shear. For this, sucrose solution is subjected to steady shear in a plate-plate rheometer until a high crystal fraction is reached. Rheo-microscopy is performed in order to allow in situ visual observation of the crystal formation. These experiments show the complex interactions of crystal growth and rheological properties. While a high amount of hard particles is formed, the system changes from a homogeneous solution to a highly concentrated hard-particle suspension. At the same time, overall viscosity and loss modulus drop significantly, while the storage modulus rises during crystallization. In addition, image analysis is performed on microscopy images taken at different stages of the process. It confirms that significant decrease in viscosity coincides with major crystal growth, which is explained by the decrease in solute concentration in the continuous phase.
Response of second-mode instability to backward-facing steps in a high-speed flow
Authors: Gong Geng , Tu Guohua , Wan Bingbing , Li Chenhui , Chen Jianqiang , Hu Weibo
Published: January 2024

Stability in a Mach 4.5 boundary layer over backward-facing steps (BFSs) is investigated using numerical methods. Two types of cases are considered with different laminar inflow conditions, imposed with single-frequency or broadband-frequency modes, respectively. Compared with the typical K-type transition over a flat plate, the boundary layer transition initiated by 90 kHz-frequency second mode appears to follow the same pattern but with a noticeable delay over the step. A larger step height leads to a better inhibition of the downstream Λ-vortices and thus a later transition, providing the step height is smaller than the local boundary layer thickness. Moreover, both the frequency weighted power spectral density and the root mean square of the streamwise velocity indicate the presence of Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) instability when the step height is equivalent to the thickness of the nearby boundary layer. There may exist an optimal step height for suppressing single-frequency (90 kHz) mode without exciting significant K–H modes. Similar to the previous studies on roughness, BFS can act as an amplifier for the low-frequency second modes and a suppressor for the high-frequency second modes. The critical frequency is equal to that of the unstable mode whose synchronization point is exactly located at the step corner. Additionally, the correction effects of the step induce the change of the phase speed of the fast mode, which correspondingly results in the movement of the synchronization point. Generally, the BFS is not able to completely alleviate the transition initiated by the broadband-frequency second modes but can still delay the boundary layer transition in a certain degree by suppressing the high-frequency unstable waves.
Experimental detection of topological surface waves at a magnetized plasma interface in the Voigt configuration
Authors: Mehrpour Bernety Hossein , Murphy Zink Declan , Piriaei Daniel , Cappelli Mark A.
Published: January 2024

This Letter reports on the experimental observation of a topologically non-trivial electromagnetic wave propagating perpendicular to an applied magnetic field at the interface between a gaseous plasma and metal. The resulting one-way wave-guiding is a demonstration of topological non-reciprocity associated with the edge state within the gap between the lower and upper X-modes of the bulk plasma. Electromagnetic wave excitation using simple dipole antennas results in a 20 dB isolation at 10.8 GHz with the plasma biased with a magnetic field of 87 mT. We show that reducing the magnetic field gradually diminishes the strength of the transmitted wave due to the closing of the X-mode gap.
A numerical method to mimic an experimental wind gust generator: The immersed boundary gust generator
Authors: Boulbrachene K. , Breuer M.
Published: January 2024

To generate horizontal wind gusts in a classical wind tunnel, Wood, Breuer, and Neumann [A novel approach for artificially generating horizontal wind gusts based on a movable plate: The paddle,” J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 230, 105170 (2022)] developed a new wind gust generator denoted the “paddle.” The working principle relies on the partial blocking of the outlet of the wind tunnel nozzle by a plate that vertically moves into the free-stream. Based on laser-Doppler anemometer measurements of the velocity at only a few locations, the basic functionality of the device was proven. The objective of the present contribution is to numerically mimic the gust generator and the flow field induced by the paddle in the test section. Contrary to the single-point measurements, the three-dimensional time-resolved simulation delivers the entire flow field and thus allows to investigate all details of the generated gust. To describe the paddle motion, the immersed boundary method with a continuous and direct forcing approach is implemented into a finite-volume flow solver for large-eddy simulations. A uniform and a non-uniform distribution of the Lagrangian markers are investigated where the latter ensures that an excessive increase in the computational resources required can be avoided. The predictions allow to characterize the resulting flow features induced by the paddle in great detail. Furthermore, a comparison of the numerical and experimental results is carried out based on the time histories of the streamwise and vertical velocity components at certain positions showing a close agreement. Finally, the forces acting on the fluid by the moving paddle are evaluated.
Vortex dynamics in the near wake of a surface-mounted hemisphere
Authors: Liu Jiaxin , Wang Jinjun , Zhu Yichen , Pan Chong
Published: January 2024

The dynamics of vortical structures for the flow over an isolated surface-mounted hemisphere are investigated with time-resolved particle image velocimetry and hydrogen bubble visualization techniques. The 10 mm height hemisphere is completely submerged in the laminar boundary layer, and the Reynolds number based on the hemisphere height is 780. The interactions for a quasi-streamwise vortex, hairpin vortex, and counter-rotating hairpin vortex are explored for the first time in the hemispherical wake, and the three-dimensional hemisphere wake is reconstructed based on the time-resolved stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurement. It is found that these three structures shed or oscillate at the same frequency, and the periodic oscillations of the quasi-streamwise vortex are caused by the periodic shedding of the hairpin vortex. Furthermore, the mechanisms for the formation and evolution of the counter-rotating vortex structures upstream of hairpin vortices are revealed. Finally, a refined instantaneous three-dimensional structure of the vortex system in the near wake of the hemisphere is presented.
Vibrational mode-specificity in the dynamics of the OH− + CH3I multi-channel reaction
Authors: Tasi Domonkos A. , Czakó Gábor
Published: January 2024

We report a comprehensive characterization of the vibrational mode-specific dynamics of the OH− + CH3I reaction. Quasi-classical trajectory simulations are performed at four different collision energies on our previously-developed full-dimensional high-level ab initio potential energy surface in order to examine the impact of four different normal-mode excitations in the reactants. Considering the 11 possible pathways of OH− + CH3I, pronounced mode-specificity is observed in reactivity: In general, the excitations of the OH− stretching and CH stretching exert the greatest influence on the channels. For the SN2 and proton-abstraction products, the reactant initial attack angle and the product scattering angle distributions do not show major mode-specific features, except for SN2 at higher collision energies, where forward scattering is promoted by the CI stretching and CH stretching excitations. The post-reaction energy flow is also examined for SN2 and proton abstraction, and it is unveiled that the excess vibrational excitation energies rather transfer into the product vibrational energy because the translational and rotational energy distributions of the products do not represent significant mode-specificity. Moreover, in the course of proton abstraction, the surplus vibrational energy in the OH− reactant mostly remains in the H2O product owing to the prevailing dominance of the direct stripping mechanism.
Strain accumulation and relaxation on crack formation in epitaxial AlN film on Si (111) substrate
Authors: Aqib Muhammad , Pouladi Sara , Moradnia Mina , Kumar Rheno Paul Rajesh , Kim Nam-In , Ryou Jae-Hyun
Published: January 2024

The formation of cracks is often observed in the epitaxial growth of ultrawide-bandgap aluminum nitride (AlN) semiconductor films on economical and versatile silicon (Si) substrates due to the significant differences in in-plane lattice parameters and thermal expansion coefficients between the film and the substrate, which hampers the development of template, buffer layer, and device structure with a relatively thick AlN layer for devices. The present study aims to elucidate the conditions of crack formation through a simple but comprehensive estimation of strain energy accumulation and relaxation by lattice strain, misfit dislocation density, and crack formation. Strain energy in the epitaxial film from lattice and thermal mismatches is evaluated by an elastic strain equation tailored to the epitaxy of the hexagonal crystal structure. The effects of temperature, thickness, and dislocation density on the lattice and dislocation strain energies of the film are also considered. Finally, the comparison in the changes in the total strain energy and cleavage energy with decreasing temperature shows that cleavage energy is higher than strain energy if the film is thinner than 400 nm but becomes lower than the strain energy if the film is thicker than 400 nm during cooldown, suggesting the crack formation, which matches well with experimental observations.
Long-distance dispersal of the endangered Pacific nurse shark (Ginglymostoma unami, Orectolobiformes) in Costa Rica revealed through acoustic telemetry
Authors: Madrigal-Mora Sergio , Chávez Elpis J. , Arauz Randall , Lowe Christopher G. , Espinoza Mario
Published: January 2024

Long-distance movements associated with environmental and ecological drivers are common in a wide array of mobile marine species. Understanding such movements and associated drivers is particularly important for management and conservation of threatened species, which may be exposed to anthropogenic threats throughout their range. Pacific nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma unami) are endangered because of their interactions with fisheries and a lack of biological knowledge as a recently described species. Little is known about this species’ movements throughout its broad distribution in the tropical Pacific coast of Latin America. Using passive acoustic telemetry, we report the longest ranging movement so far observed for Pacific nurse sharks. A male individual, measuring 176-cm total length at the time of tagging, travelled over 390 km within 46 days along the North Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. These findings highlight the importance of collaboration and data exchange among researchers to enable monitoring of broader geographical ranges and provide critical insight into the movement capabilities of this endangered species. Defining marine corridors and identifying essential habitats for Pacific nurse sharks may be necessary to mitigate fishing-related impacts if these longer distance movements are common across their population.
Photoionization cross sections of Ethylene oxide
Authors: Fófano Jhenifer M H , H Ribas Mylena , Fujimoto Milton M
Published: January 2024

In this work a theoretical study for photoionization of Ethylene oxide is presented. The photoionization cross section (PICS) for each of the nine valence orbitals and also the summed cross sections are presented. Electronic structure calculations are done to obtain the required molecular properties and the Variational Schwinger method with Padé approximants is used to calculate the PICS. The results are shown in four different approaches: dipole-length/velocity form, static-exchange and static-exchange-polarization levels. The partial PICS for each orbital shows which symmetries of continuum states are responsible for resonance features and how the polarization effects affect the cross sections magnitudes near the threshold. PICS calculations indicate which parent ion state is generated according to the corresponding ionization energies. A correlation is proposed suggesting that the different ionic fragments can be preferentially produced by different electronic states of the parent ion, based on their ionic fragment appearance energies. The summed cross section of all valence orbitals of Ethylene oxide is compared with the results of Acetaldehyde and the analysis suggests that the PICSs, in a given energy range, can be used to identify these isomers. A comparison of our results for EtO and Acetaldehyde with available experimental results for Acetaldehyde and Ethenol demonstrated the the results of three isomers are similar in magnitude in the energy range from 9 to 12 eV. Furthermore, for acetaldehyde, we observed quantitative agreement with the experiment, indicating the reliability of our calculations.
An individual-based model to explore the impact of psychological stress on immune infiltration into tumour spheroids
Authors: Leschiera Emma , Al-Hity Gheed , Flint Melanie S , Venkataraman Chandrasekhar , Lorenzi Tommaso , Almeida Luis , Audebert Chloe
Published: January 2024

In recent in vitro experiments on co-culture between breast tumour spheroids and activated immune cells, it was observed that the introduction of the stress hormone cortisol resulted in a decreased immune cell infiltration into the spheroids. Moreover, the presence of cortisol deregulated the normal levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-10. We present an individual-based model to explore the interaction dynamics between tumour and immune cells under psychological stress conditions. With our model, we explore the processes underlying the emergence of different levels of immune infiltration, with particular focus on the biological mechanisms regulated by IFN-γ and IL-10. The set-up of numerical simulations is defined to mimic the scenarios considered in the experimental study. Similarly to the experimental quantitative analysis, we compute a score that quantifies the level of immune cell infiltration into the tumour. The results of numerical simulations indicate that the motility of immune cells, their capability to infiltrate through tumour cells, their growth rate and the interplay between these cell parameters can affect the level of immune cell infiltration in different ways. Ultimately, numerical simulations of this model support a deeper understanding of the impact of biological stress-induced mechanisms on immune infiltration.
A public-key quantum group blind signature scheme based on single-qubit rotations
Authors: Tian Fuyao , Lu Dianjun , Wang Chengxiang , Yao Weixin
Published: January 2024

With the continuous development of quantum technology, the quantum signature as an application of quantum cryptography has received great attention. In this paper, we propose a public-key quantum group blind signature scheme based on single-qubit rotations. In this scheme, the group manager generates a public key. Each group member randomly generates his own private key according to the public key. The signer uses his private key and random sequence to generate the signature. The verifier uses the public key to verify the correctness of the quantum signature. The public and private keys can be reused, which simplifies the key management of the signature system. In this scheme, the random sequence is used to enhance the security of the scheme. At the same time, the quantum efficiency is improved by using single-qubit rotations. The security analysis shows that our scheme can ensure the security of the keys, the unforgeability and the non-deniability of the signature.
Cooperative activation of sodium channels for downgrading the energy efficiency in neuronal information processing
Authors: Yan 严 Haoran 浩然 , Yan 颜 Jiaqi 家琦 , Yu 俞 Lianchun 连春 , Shao 邵 Yu-Feng 玉峰
Published: January 2024

The Hodgkin–Huxley model assumes independent ion channel activation, although mutual interactions are common in biological systems. This raises the problem why neurons would favor independent over cooperative channel activation. In this study, we evaluate how cooperative activation of sodium channels affects the neuron’s information processing and energy consumption. Simulations of the stochastic Hodgkin–Huxley model with cooperative activation of sodium channels show that, while cooperative activation enhances neuronal information processing capacity, it greatly increases the neuron’s energy consumption. As a result, cooperative activation of sodium channel degrades the energy efficiency for neuronal information processing. This discovery improves our understanding of the design principles for neural systems, and may provide insights into future designs of the neuromorphic computing devices as well as systematic understanding of pathological mechanisms for neural diseases.
What are we really decoding? Unveiling biases in EEG-based decoding of the spatial focus of auditory attention
Authors: Rotaru Iustina , Geirnaert Simon , Heintz Nicolas , Van de Ryck Iris , Bertrand Alexander , Francart Tom
Published: January 2024

Objective. Spatial auditory attention decoding (Sp-AAD) refers to the task of identifying the direction of the speaker to which a person is attending in a multi-talker setting, based on the listener’s neural recordings, e.g. electroencephalography (EEG). The goal of this study is to thoroughly investigate potential biases when training such Sp-AAD decoders on EEG data, particularly eye-gaze biases and latent trial-dependent confounds, which may result in Sp-AAD models that decode eye-gaze or trial-specific fingerprints rather than spatial auditory attention. Approach. We designed a two-speaker audiovisual Sp-AAD protocol in which the spatial auditory and visual attention were enforced to be either congruent or incongruent, and we recorded EEG data from sixteen participants undergoing several trials recorded at distinct timepoints. We trained a simple linear model for Sp-AAD based on common spatial patterns filters in combination with either linear discriminant analysis (LDA) or k-means clustering, and evaluated them both across- and within-trial. Main results. We found that even a simple linear Sp-AAD model is susceptible to overfitting to confounding signal patterns such as eye-gaze and trial fingerprints (e.g. due to feature shifts across trials), resulting in artificially high decoding accuracies. Furthermore, we found that changes in the EEG signal statistics across trials deteriorate the trial generalization of the classifier, even when the latter is retrained on the test trial with an unsupervised algorithm. Significance. Collectively, our findings confirm that there exist subtle biases and confounds that can strongly interfere with the decoding of spatial auditory attention from EEG. It is expected that more complicated non-linear models based on deep neural networks, which are often used for Sp-AAD, are even more vulnerable to such biases. Future work should perform experiments and model evaluations that avoid and/or control for such biases in Sp-AAD tasks.
Volcano transition in a system of generalized Kuramoto oscillators with random frustrated interactions
Authors: Lee Seungjae , Jeong Yeonsu , Son Seung-Woo , Krischer Katharina
Published: January 2024

In a system of heterogeneous (Abelian) Kuramoto oscillators with random or ‘frustrated’ interactions, transitions from states of incoherence to partial synchronization were observed. These so-called volcano transitions are characterized by a change in the shape of a local field distribution and were discussed in connection with an oscillator glass. In this paper, we consider a different class of oscillators, namely a system of (non-Abelian) SU(2)-Lohe oscillators that can also be defined on the 3-sphere, i.e. an oscillator is generalized to be defined as a unit vector in four-dimensional Euclidean space. We demonstrate that such higher-dimensional Kuramoto models with reciprocal and nonreciprocal random interactions represented by a low-rank matrix exhibit a volcano transition as well. We determine the critical coupling strength at which a volcano-like transition occurs, employing an Ott–Antonsen ansatz. Numerical simulations provide additional validations of our analytical findings and reveal the differences in observable collective dynamics prior to and following the transition. Furthermore, we show that a system of unit 3-vector oscillators on the 2-sphere does not possess a volcano transition.
VAMP5 promotes Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis and regulates phagosome maturation in macrophages
Authors: Sakurai Chiye , Yamashita Natsumi , Azuma Kento , Hatsuzawa Kiyotaka
Published: January 2024

Phagosome formation and maturation reportedly occur via sequential membrane fusion events mediated by synaptosomal-associated protein of 23 kDa (SNAP23), a plasma membrane-localized soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family. Vesicle-associated membrane protein 5 (VAMP5), also a plasmalemma SNARE, interacts with SNAP23; however, its precise function in phagocytosis in macrophages remains elusive. To elucidate this aspect, we investigated the characteristics of macrophages in the presence of VAMP5 overexpression or knockdown and found that VAMP5 participates in Fcγ receptor-mediated phagosome formation, although not directly in phagosome maturation. Overexpressed VAMP5 was localized to the early phagosomal membrane but no longer localized to the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1-positive maturing phagosomal membrane. Analyses using compound-based selective inhibitors demonstrated that VAMP5 dissociation from early phagosomes occurs in a clathrin- and dynamin-dependent manner and is indispensable for SNAP23 function in subsequent membrane fusion during phagosome maturation. Accordingly, to the best of our knowledge, we demonstrate, for the first time, that VAMP5 exerts an immunologically critical function during phagosome formation and maturation via SNARE-based membrane trafficking in macrophages.
The criminal justice system in alcohol use treatment: a nationwide analysis of racial disparities in treatment referral and completion
Authors: Stenersen Madeline R , Peltier MacKenzie , McKee Sherry A
Published: January 2024

Background

Alcohol use and the criminal justice (CJ) system have long been integrally connected in the United States and have both disproportionally impacted Communities of Color. Despite this connection, scholarly literature has largely focused on substance use as a whole, and little literature has examined the influence of race on CJ referral to alcohol treatment and treatment outcomes.

Methods

A total of 749,349 cases from the treatment episodes dataset discharge were used in the current study. A series of ANOVA and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the impact of race on (i) likelihood of referral to alcohol treatment by the CJ system and (ii) the association between CJ referral and treatment completion.

Results

Results revealed significant disparities in both who is referred to alcohol treatment by the CJ system and the association of that referral to treatment completion. Notably, American Indian/Alaska Native people were significantly more likely than people of all other races to be referred by the CJ system. However, American Indian/Alaska Native people showed the smallest association between CJ referral and treatment completion.

Conclusions

Contrary to previous literature, findings showed that referral of and positive association between CJ referral and treatment completion are not equal across people of different races. Taken together, these results highlight continued racial inequities in the role of the CJ system in alcohol treatment and the unique potential for non-CJ-related treatment to best serve people combatting alcohol use disorder.
Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits Merkel cell carcinoma growth
Authors: Garman Khalid A , Thoreson Nicholas , Strong Jennifer , Hallaert Patrick , Gelb Tara , Shen Min , Hall Matthew D , Brownell Isaac
Published: January 2024

The direct antitumour effects of mTOR inhibitors against cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have prompted a paradigm shift towards using sirolimus for allograft rejection prophylaxis in patients with high-risk SCC who have had a solid organ transplant (SOT). Patients who have had an SOT are at higher risk for Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), yet there is little evidence concerning potential antitumour effects of immunosuppressive drugs against MCC. Screening seven immunosuppressive drugs in six MCC cell lines revealed that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) had strong antitumour activity (surpassing mTOR inhibitors) and higher potency in MCC vs. other cancer types. MMF also inhibited MCC tumour growth in mice. Our preclinical findings strongly suggest the utility of MMF in patients with MCC who require immunosuppression.
An expanded hydrogen-bonded organic framework formed by a tetrakis(terphenyl)ethene derivative
Authors: Yamaguchi Mao , Tomás Mario de la Hoz , Fujiwara Ayano , Oketani Ryusei , Okubo Kohei , Oka Kouki , Tohnai Norimitsu , Douhal Abderrazzak , Hisaki Ichiro
Published: January 2024

A low-density hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with channel aperture with dimensions of 33.8 Å × 55.2 Å was constructed from a tetrakis(terphenyl)ethene derivative. The structure was successfully characterized by single crystalline X-ray diffraction analysis. Although solvent molecules are included in the channel, the present framework is one of the HOFs with the largest aperture. The framework is based on H-bonded sql-networks that stack in an eclipse fashion. The interlayer interactions were thoroughly investigated on the basis of the crystal structure. Interestingly, thee analogues of tetraarylethene-based tetracarboxylic acids, including the title compounds, formed the same H-bonded sql-network as a lower-dimensional supramolecular motif. However, the motifs are assembled in completely different ways to give the corresponding three types of the framework, indicating the importance of precise design of the secondary interactions between the lower dimensional motifs. In solid state, the molecular unit of the constructed HOF shows a largely Stokes-shifted and strong emission due to a fast (< 15 ps) ICT and a relatively slower (90 ps) intermolecular PT reaction, while in DMF it exhibits a strong H-bond with the solvent.