bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of thickness and saturation direction over magnetostatic mode energies and profiles in Ni80Fe20 antidots
Authors: Chiroli S , Faurie D , Adeyeye A O , Zighem F
Published: October 2024

The magnetization dynamics of square arrays of circular antidots fabricated on Si(001) substrates using deep ultraviolet lithography with a 248 nm exposing wavelength have been studied. The effects of thickness (40 nm and 80 nm) and the in-plane direction of the applied magnetic field on the magnetostatic mode energies were investigated through ferromagnetic resonance experiments and micromagnetic simulations for both thicknesses. The experimental results and the simulations allowed the determination of nature of the magnetostatic modes nature measured at angles of 0° and 45° between the applied magnetic field and the axis of the square array. Notably, in this geometry, the main modes do not disapear when the sample is rotated; instead, the localization of the modes follow the rotation of the applied field, with a variation in measured intensity directly related to the surface area occupied by the localized mode.
Ultrafast structural transition and electron-phonon/phonon–phonon coupling in antimony revealed by nonadiabatic molecular dynamics
Authors: Niu Meng , Qin Shun-Yao , Wang Bai-Qian , Chen Nian-Ke , Li Xian-Bin
Published: October 2024

Real-time time-dependent density-functional theory molecular dynamics (rt-TDDFT-MD) reveals the nonadiabatic dynamics of the ultrafast photoinduced structural transition in a typical phase-change material antimony (Sb) with Peierls distortion (PD). As the excitation intensity increases from 3.54% to 5.00%, three distinct structural transition behaviors within 1 ps are observed: no PD flipping, nonvolatile-like PD flipping, and nonstop back-and-forward PD flipping. Analyses on electron-phonon and phonon–phonon couplings indicate that the excitation-activated coherent A1g phonon mode by electron-phonon coupling drives the structural transition within several hundred femtoseconds. Then, the energy of coherent motions are transformed into that of random thermal motions via phonon–phonon coupling, which prevents the A1g-mode-like coherent structure oscillations. The electron-phonon coupling and coherent motions will be enhanced with increasing the excitation intensity. Therefore, a moderate excitation intensity that can balance the coherent and decoherent thermal movements will result in a nonvolatile-like PD flipping. These findings illustrate important roles of nonadiabatic electron-phonon/phonon–phonon couplings in the ultrafast laser-induced structural transitions in materials with PD, offering insights for manipulating their structures and properties by light.
Analysis of an Accurate Iterative Technique with Attenuation Compensation in Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence
Authors: Cholemari Murali R , Vishnubhatla Sri Hari
Published: October 2024

Iterative techniques in Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) evaluations are theoretically analysed. Correction for laser light attenuation is also incorporated in the analysis. Conditions for the convergence of the results and the scalings for the errors are derived. The results are validated against experiments. It is shown that the optimal strategy for implementation of iterative PLIF evaluation with attenuation correction is on the ensemble mean of the fluorescence field. Compared to the implementation with instantaneous fluorescence images, this approach is not only far more efficient computationally, but also is assured to converge monotonically and extremely rapidly, with minimal errors. This is suggested to be a viable and useful technique for PLIF in general, but especially for cases where a reference cell is unfeasible for explicit attenuation correction.
Turbulent transport mechanisms and their impact on the pedestal top of JET plasmas with small-ELMs
Authors: Dicorato M , Muraglia M , Camenen Y , Garcia J , Garbet X , Hatch D R , Merlo G , de la Luna E , Štancar Ž , Garzotti L , Zotta V K , Rimini F , Frigione D ,   JET Contributors,   EUROfusion Tokamak Exploitation Team
Published: October 2024

Understanding the transport mechanisms that regulate the H-mode pedestal structure is crucial for developing regimes with edge dynamics that are compatible with the thermal and particle load constraints of plasma facing components. In this regard, at the JET tokamak, H-mode plasma regimes featuring small-ELM (BSE) dynamics have been developed, expelling less plasma energy per ELM compared to the standard type-I ELM. The pedestal of these new regimes remains stable against peeling-ballooning modes, leaving its structure unexplained. In this study, three baseline H-mode JET discharges—a reference with type-I ELM and two BSE regimes—are selected to investigate the turbulent transport mechanisms occurring in pedestals with different structures. The turbulence analysis is conducted using local gyrokinetic simulations around the pedestal top position. The results show that at ion scales, while hybrid ITG-KBM and KBM are destabilized in the type-I ELM discharge, the BSE regimes are dominated by hybrid ITG-TEM, suggesting a different role of turbulent transport in the two cases. At electron scales, both regimes are dominated by toroidal and slab ETG, the latter extending up to very small scales. Simulations of turbulence driven by hybrid ITG-TEM focuses on the impact and competition of electromagnetic (EM) effects and equilibrium

E

×

B

shearing. A strong EM stabilization mechanism is found, resulting in a saturated turbulence regime with spectra different from those in the electrostatic limit (ES
l
). Additionally, while increasing

E

×

B

shearing reduces transport in ES
l
simulations, it is observed to have the opposite effect in the EM regime. Finally, stiff ETG transport is also shown to produce transport levels compatible with experimental observations. The findings of this study suggest the EM stabilization and its competition with

E

×

B

shearing as new key elements that determine the nature of the turbulent transport mechanisms around the pedestal top, which need to be considered in reduced models for pedestal limits.
Preface
Authors: Dai Wanyang
Published: October 2024

As an annual academic conference, ICPMS has been successfully held over the last 7 years in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Yichang and online platform, attracted delegates from more than 10 countries and regions including China, Thailand, Japan, the United States, South Korea.

During May 23-25, 2024, the 7th International Conference on Physics, Mathematics and Statistics (ICPMS2024) was successfully held in Yichang, China and online platform! This conference included keynote speeches, invited speeches, oral and poster presentations, and featured multi-topic special sessions, including: Fusion and Plasma Physics, Gravitation and Cosmology, Non-localized quantum mechanics and quantum entanglement, Engineering Thermophysics, Electrical Materials and Applications.

Prof. Lixing Zhou from Tsinghua University, Prof. Qiwei Zhan from Zhejiang University and Prof. Fang Wang from Beihang University attended the conference and delivered keynote speeches. In addition, experts and scholars from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Surgut State University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, and other universities and institutes shared more than 20 wonderful speeches.

This conference proceedings included 22 accepted articles selected from 54 submissions, all the papers have been through rigorous review and process to meet the requirements of international publication standard. We would like to express our gratitude to the reviewers of these manuscripts, who provided constructive criticism and stimulated comments and suggestions to the authors. We are extremely grateful as organizers, technical program committee and editors and extend our most sincere thanks to all the authors for their excellent contribution and work. Our sincere gratitude also goes to the IOP Publishing editors and managers for their helpful cooperation during the preparation of the proceedings.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee of ICPMS2024.

List of Technical Program Committee is available in this Pdf.
A coupling method for CRUD mass calculation based on Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model
Authors: Cao Chengque , Li Huaibin
Published: October 2024

The corrosion products occur in the pressure boundary in the pressurized water reactor primary loop which is known as CRUD. CRUD could increase the risks of crud induced power shift and crud induced localized corrosion. The mechanism of CRUD production depends on nucleate boiling. Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model has been currently proved as effective means to understand flow boiling character. In this research, the input data of thermo-hydraulic parameter is obtained by CFD method. The CRUD mass has been calculated based on thermo-hydraulic and chemical coupled model. The main calculation code in this article is FLUENT and CAMPSIS. The calculation results show that the CRUD does most likely occur the 3rd grid mixing vanes from the top of the fuel rod. The maximum CRUD mass is closer to the position of onset of nucleate boiling.
Evaluation of geological hazard susceptibility in Xixia Xichuan area based on support vector machine
Authors: Zhou Xin , Zhu Kun , Zhang Enjing , Lu Yaobang , Fu Yongpeng
Published: October 2024

Geological hazards seriously affect the personal and property safety of regional residents, in the Xichuan area, a real-time monitoring and early warning system could have provided timely alerts before the landslide, potentially averting the tragic loss of life and destruction.So it is very important to carry out geological hazard susceptibility assessment and hazard prevention. The Xixia area of Xichuan is selected as the study area, and the support vector machine model is used to evaluate the susceptibility of geological hazards in the study area. Through Kendall factor correlation analysis, the susceptibility evaluation indexes of the study area are selected, the evaluation index system of the study area is established, and the thematic layers and attribute data of the evaluation indexes are extracted through GIS technology. The MATLAB platform was used to establish linear kernel function (LN-SVM), polynomial kernel function (PL-SVM), radial basis kernel function (RBF-SVM), sigmoid kernel function (Sigmoid-SVM) based on the four support vector machine models of the study area were used to evaluate and classify the susceptibility of geological hazards. ROC curves were plotted to check the accuracy of the evaluation results of the four kernel functions, and the most suitable kernel function model for the study area was selected. The results show that the RBF-SVM model has high evaluation accuracy and is most suitable for the evaluation of geological hazard susceptibility in the study area. Finally, GIS technology was applied to partition the evaluation results into susceptibility zones. The evaluation results show that 86.14% of the geological hazards in Xixia Xichuan area are of medium and high susceptibility, and the evaluation results have certain practical significance for the prevention and control of geological hazards in Xixia Xichuan area.
Degradation mechanism of SiC diodes under thermal and irradiation stress
Authors: Chen Fan , Kong Zebin , Wang Kunshu , Qin Linsheng , Liu Yuan
Published: October 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC)-based diodes are widely used due to their high temperature resistance. In this paper, breakdown voltage of 4H-SiC JBS diodes and capacitance-voltage of 4H-SiC MOS capacitors with identical interfacial structure were both measured at high temperature to study their interfacial properties. By analyzing the variation of interfacial properties, the correlation between thermal stress and failure mode of 4H-SiC JBS diodes was further established to reveal their degradation mechanism. During initial high temperature storage, interfacial negative effective charge density of 4H-SiC JBS diodes may increase, leading to the decrease of breakdown voltage. As storage time increases, interfacial charge density began reducing, resulting in the increase of breakdown voltage. Avalanche luminescence verifies that the variation of interfacial charge density under thermal stress led to the degradation of 4H-SiC JBS diodes and further affected their breakdown voltage. Finally, degradation mechanism of SiC-JBS, SiC-SBD and SiC-PIN diodes under irradiation stress was investigated. After irradiation, forward current of some SiC diodes increased at a small forward voltage. However, the reverse characteristics deteriorated obviously and even failed.
Design and validation of a DMA-inspired device for in-vivo measurement of human skin mechanics: a finite element analysis approach
Authors: Yang Guyeli , Pang Xin , Liu Anchen , Li Congcong , Zhu Jun , Huang Ran , Ma Xin
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a novel method for measuring the mechanical properties of human skin in-vivo, inspired by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). We designed and applied a DMA-like device to living human skin and validated its functionality through finite element analysis (FEA) on an ideally elastic skin model. The device features multiple testing modes, including horizontal movement in both same and opposite directions with optional pre-stretching. Stress-strain behaviours obtained from FEA align with initial setup parameters, serving as powerful tools for further research into the mechanical properties of skin. This method is expected to have potential significance in biomechanical theory, clinical, and healthcare applications.
Investigation into the Suppression Effect of Water Mist on the Self-ignition and Flame Propagation of High-pressure Hydrogen Release
Authors: Yu Ke , Hu Yong , Gao Chunyan , Jiang Yong
Published: October 2024

The self-ignition accident of pressurized hydrogen leakage is regarded as one of the big potential risks in its wide utilization. In this work, a detailed investigation into the suppression effect of water mist on the hydrogen self-ignition and flame propagation is performed. A parametric study of the effect of water concentration and droplet size on flame dynamic is conducted. The results show that the fine water mist effectively reduces the shock-heating temperature, significantly prolonging the ignition time and distance. The water droplets have a direct contact with the fast growing flame, which leads to more intense two-phase interaction that results in the decoupling of shock wave from the leading flame and a more pronounced bimodal flame structures. The droplet size is found to have small effect when the water concentration is low, and the mist with a medium size of 50 μm shows a better inhibitory performance.
Extraction and Characterization of Cellulose from Kelp (Laminaria japonica) Residue
Authors: Liu Zhenhua , Xie Wei , Ye Lan , Yuan Yuan
Published: October 2024

Kelp residue is the byproduct of industrial production of sodium alginate from kelp. An in-depth utilization of kelp residue not only creates higher economic value but also opens up a new pathway for comprehensive utilization of kelp. In this study, a method of first removing acid-soluble ash and then depleting protein was employed to extract cellulose components from kelp residue. Single-factor experiments demonstrated that treating kelp residue with 1.2 mol/L hydrochloric acid at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:5 effectively removed acid-soluble ash. Subsequently, further treatment with 3% NaOH at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:10, conducted at 100 °C for 140 minutes, reduced the protein content in the extract to below 1%, with a cellulose yield of 33.5%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that characteristic peaks attributed to cellulose existed in the extractive, while electron microscopy observations indicated that the extracted kelp residue cellulose exhibited irregular thin-sheet structures. The cellulose obtained in this study lays the foundation for its further utilization and processing into cellulose-derived products.
Numerical Investigation into Gas-Solid Fluidized Bed Reactors for Activating the Iron-based Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst
Authors: Zhao Jianning , Bu Yifeng , Li Chengxiang , Tong Ruili , Men Zhuowu , Ma Xinbin
Published: October 2024

The present work conducted experimental and computational fluid dynamics simulation studies on the hydrodynamic characteristics of gas-solid fluidized bed reactors for activating the iron-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. In order to provide reliable guidance for the design and scale-up of the reactor, the present study applied experimental data from a pilot fluidized bed device to verify the accuracy of the drag force model used in the two-fluid model and further used the validated drag force model to simulate an industrial-scale fluidized bed activation reactor. It was found that the bubbling-EMMS drag model can accurately simulate the pilot-scale fluidized bed in the flow regimes ranging from bubbling to turbulent fluidization. Simulation studies on the industrial-scale fluidized bed activation reactor showed that the reactor was in a turbulent fluidization regime under the designed operating gas velocity, with high gas-solid dispersion efficiency, reasonable utilization of reactor space, and low gas-solid separation load.
Fabrication and optimization of parameters of high-performance polyamide thin film composite membranes for desalination
Authors: Razzaq Muhammad , Hussain Ajaz , Musaddiq Sara , Hussain Dilshad , Kanwal Javaria , Wabaidur Saikh Mohammad , Asif Hafiz Muhammad , Ahmed Muhammad Mahboob , Verpoort Francis
Published: October 2024

Herein, we report the synthesis of polyamide thin film composite (PA-TFC) membranes through interfacial polymerization (IP) using an aqueous solution of diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM) and terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) in n-hexane, onto polysulfone (PSF) surface. The synthesized membranes were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and contact angle measurement. To optimize the conditions for better membrane function, desalination (%) and permeate flow rate (L/m2.h.bar) were evaluated as a function of synthesis conditions. The membrane efficiency for salt rejection was evaluated against NaCl using a bench-top cross-flow filtration assembly where the membrane showed up to 73.13% salt rejections of NaCl. While the salt rejection of Na2SO4 and MgSO4 showed up to 84.92% and 82.94%. The promising synthesized membranes exhibited a permeate flux of 41.7 L/m2.hr.bar. The contact angle analysis revealed that the synthesized PA-TFC membranes are hydrophilic as the value of contact angle measured as 109°–100°. The synthesized membrane offered facile and effective access for the synthesis of high-performance PA-TFC membranes.
Long-range alternative splicing contributes to neoantigen specificity in glioblastoma
Authors: Ji Mingjun , Yu Qing , Yang Xin-Zhuang , Yu Xianhong , Wang Jiaxin , Xiao Chunfu , An Ni A , Han Chuanhui , Li Chuan-Yun , Ding Wanqiu
Published: October 2024

Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development of immunotherapies for cancers, such as glioblastoma (GBM). Neoantigens resulting from genomic mutations and dysregulated alternative splicing have been studied in GBM. However, these studies have primarily focused on annotated alternatively-spliced transcripts, leaving non-annotated transcripts largely unexplored. Circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs), abnormally regulated in tumors, are correlated with the presence of non-annotated linear transcripts with exon skipping events. But the extent to which these linear transcripts truly exist and their functions in cancer immunotherapies remain unknown. Here, we found the ubiquitous co-occurrence of circRNA biogenesis and alternative splicing across various tumor types, resulting in large amounts of long-range alternatively-spliced transcripts (LRs). By comparing tumor and healthy tissues, we identified tumor-specific LRs more abundant in GBM than in normal tissues and other tumor types. This may be attributable to the upregulation of the protein quaking in GBM, which is reported to promote circRNA biogenesis. In total, we identified 1057 specific and recurrent LRs in GBM. Through in silico translation prediction and MS-based immunopeptidome analysis, 16 major histocompatibility complex class I-associated peptides were identified as potential immunotherapy targets in GBM. This study revealed long-range alternatively-spliced transcripts specifically upregulated in GBM may serve as recurrent, immunogenic tumor-specific antigens.
Automated lepidopteran pest developmental stages classification via transfer learning framework
Authors: Qin Wei-bo , Abbas Arzlan , Abbas Sohail , Alam Aleena , Chen De-hui , Hafeez Faisal , Ali Jamin , Romano Donato , Chen Ri-Zhao
Published: October 2024

The maize crop is highly susceptible to damage caused by its primary pests, which poses considerable challenges in manually identifying and controlling them at various larval developmental stages. To mitigate this issue, we propose an automated classification system aimed at identifying the different larval developmental stages of 23 instars of 4 major lepidopteran pests: the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée; Lepidoptera: Crambidae), the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius; Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Employing 5 distinct Convolutional Neural Network architectures—Convnext, Densenet121, Efficientnetv2, Mobilenet, and Resnet—we aimed to automate the process of identifying these larval developmental stages. Each model underwent fine-tuning using 2 different optimizers: stochastic gradient descent with momentum and adaptive moment estimation (Adam). Among the array of models tested, Densenet121, coupled with the Adam optimizer, exhibited the highest classification accuracy, achieving an impressive 96.65%. The configuration performed well in identifying the larval development stages of all 4 pests, with precision, recall, and F1 score evaluation indicators reaching 98.71%, 98.66%, and 98.66%, respectively. Notably, the model was ultimately tested in a natural field environment, demonstrating that Adam_Densenet121 model achieved an accuracy of 90% in identifying the 23 instars of the 4 pests. The application of transfer learning methodology showcased its effectiveness in automating the identification of larval developmental stages, underscoring promising implications for precision-integrated pest management strategies in agriculture.
Machine learning approaches for risk prediction after percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zaka Ammar , Mutahar Daud , Gorcilov James , Gupta Aashray K , Kovoor Joshua G , Stretton Brandon , Mridha Naim , Sivagangabalan Gopal , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Chow Clara K , Zaman Sarah , Jayasinghe Rohan , Kovoor Pramesh , Bacchi Stephen
Published: October 2024

Aims

Accurate prediction of clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is essential for mitigating risk and peri-procedural planning. Traditional risk models have demonstrated a modest predictive value. Machine learning (ML) models offer an alternative risk stratification that may provide improved predictive accuracy.

Methods and results

This study was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies and Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched until 1 November 2023 for studies comparing ML models with traditional statistical methods for event prediction after PCI. The primary outcome was comparative discrimination measured by C-statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between ML models and traditional methods in estimating the risk of all-cause mortality, major bleeding, and the composite outcome major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Thirty-four models were included across 13 observational studies (4 105 916 patients). For all-cause mortality, the pooled C-statistic for top-performing ML models was 0.89 (95%CI, 0.84–0.91), compared with 0.86 (95% CI, 0.80–0.93) for traditional methods (P = 0.54). For major bleeding, the pooled C-statistic for ML models was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.77–0.84), compared with 0.78 (95% CI, 0.77–0.79) for traditional methods (P = 0.02). For MACE, the C-statistic for ML models was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.75–0.91), compared with 0.71 (95% CI, 0.69–0.74) for traditional methods (P = 0.007). Out of all included models, only one model was externally validated. Calibration was inconsistently reported across all models. Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool demonstrated a high risk of bias across all studies.

Conclusion

Machine learning models marginally outperformed traditional risk scores in the discrimination of MACE and major bleeding following PCI. While integration of ML algorithms into electronic healthcare systems has been hypothesized to improve peri-procedural risk stratification, immediate implementation in the clinical setting remains uncertain. Further research is required to overcome methodological and validation limitations.
Factors influencing patient engagement in decision-making for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Dong Fengwei , Wu Yaping , Wang Qing , Huang Yan , Wu Qing
Published: October 2024

Aims

Patient engagement in decision-making could improve healthcare quality and health outcome, which has been emphasized in atrial fibrillation (AF) management guidelines. However, patients report relatively low level of engagement in decision-making for catheter ablation (CA). Therefore, this study aims to explore the influencing factors of AF patient engagement in decision-making for CA.

Methods and results

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 836 patients were recruited from six tertiary hospitals in Shanghai. Adapted version of the Control Preferences Scale, Chinese version of the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale, Chinese version of the Facilitation of Patient Involvement Scale, and the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire were used to measure patient engagement in decision-making, health literacy, perception of physician facilitation, and AF knowledge, respectively. Of the 750 patients who returned valid questionnaires, 20.2% of the patients reported active engagement in decision-making, 39.5% reported collaborative engagement, and 40.3% reported passive engagement. Compared with patients perceiving passive engagement, those with collaborative or active engagement were more likely to be female and have higher income, moderate European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) class (II and III), higher perception of physician facilitation, higher health literacy, and higher AF knowledge (P < 0.05 for all). The collaborative engagement group exhibited a shorter AF duration.

Conclusion

The degree of patient engagement in CA decision-making varied, with most perceiving passive engagement. Patient engagement in decision-making was influenced by gender, income, duration of AF, EHRA class, perception of physician facilitation, health literacy, and AF knowledge.
Comprehensive vs. standard remote monitoring of cardiac resynchronization devices in heart failure patients: results of the ECOST-CRT study
Authors: Klein Cédric , Kouakam Claude , Lazarus Arnaud , de Groote Pascal , Bauters Christophe , Marijon Eloi , Mouquet Frédéric , Degand Bruno , Guyomar Yves , Mansourati Jacques , Leclercq Christophe , Guédon-Moreau Laurence ,   ECOST-CRT study Investigators, Guedon-Moreau Laurence , Degand Bruno , Guyomar Yves , Mansourati Jacques , Babuty Dominique , Pons Maxime , Guy-Moyat Benoit , Deharo Jean-Claude , Gras Daniel , Himbert Caroline , Leclercq Christophe , Pasquie Jean-Luc , Eschalier Romain , Marzak Halim , Boursier Michel , Jourda François , Anselme Frédéric , Gorka Hervé , Billon Olivier , Champ-Rigot Laure , Ait Said Mina , Taieb Jérôme , Badoz Marc , Laborderie Julien , Belhameche Mohamed , Ploux Sylvain , de Guillebon Maxime , Dompnier Antoine , Boveda Serge , Gomes-Ferreira Sophie , Giraudeau Cédric , Peyrol Michael , Winum Pierre , Gal Benjamin , Blangy Hugues , Le Vavasseur Olivier , Duparc Alexandre , Forelle Laura , Behaghel Albin , Fouche Renaud , Laurent Gabriel , Barake Hassan , Reuter Sylvain , Sultan Pierre , Da Costa Antoine
Published: October 2024

Aims

Integrating remote monitoring (RM) into existing healthcare practice for heart failure (HF) patients to improve clinical outcome remains challenging. The ECOST-CRT study compared the clinical outcome of a comprehensive RM scheme including a patient questionnaire capturing signs and symptoms of HF and notifications for HF specific parameters to traditional RM in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices.

Methods and results

Patients were randomized 1:1 to standard daily RM (notification for technical parameters and ventricular arrhythmias; control group) or comprehensive RM (adding a monthly symptom questionnaire and notifications for biventricular pacing, premature ventricular contraction, atrial arrhythmias; active group). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or hospitalization for worsening HF (WHF). Six hundred fifty-two patients (70.4 ± 10.3 years, 73% men, left ventricular ejection fraction 29.1 ± 7.6%, 68% CRT-Defibrillators, 32% CRT-Pacemakers) were enrolled. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an early termination of the study, so the mean follow-up duration was 18 ± 8 months. No statistically significant difference in the primary endpoint was found between the groups [59 (18.3%) control vs. 77 (23.3%) active group; log-rank test P = 0.13]. Among the secondary endpoints, the MLHF questionnaire showed a larger share of patients with improvement of quality of life compared to baseline in the active group (78%) vs. control (61%; P = 0.03).

Conclusion

The study does not support the notion that comprehensive RM, when compared to standard RM, in HF patients with CRT improves the clinical outcome of all-cause mortality or WHF hospitalizations. However, this study was underpowered due to an early termination and further trials are required.

Registration

Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT03012490
MISIP: a data standard for the reuse and reproducibility of any stable isotope probing-derived nucleic acid sequence and experiment
Authors: Simpson Abigayle , Wood-Charlson Elisha M , Smith Montana , Koch Benjamin J , Beilsmith Kathleen , Kimbrel Jeffrey A , Kellom Matthew , Hunter Christopher I , Walls Ramona L , Schriml Lynn M , Wilhelm Roland C
Published: October 2024

DNA/RNA-stable isotope probing (SIP) is a powerful tool to link in situ microbial activity to sequencing data. Every SIP dataset captures distinct information about microbial community metabolism, process rates, and population dynamics, offering valuable insights for a wide range of research questions. Data reuse maximizes the information derived from the labor and resource-intensive SIP approaches. Yet, a review of publicly available SIP sequencing metadata showed that critical information necessary for reproducibility and reuse was often missing. Here, we outline the Minimum Information for any Stable Isotope Probing Sequence (MISIP) according to the Minimum Information for any (x) Sequence (MIxS) framework and include examples of MISIP reporting for common SIP experiments. Our objectives are to expand the capacity of MIxS to accommodate SIP-specific metadata and guide SIP users in metadata collection when planning and reporting an experiment. The MISIP standard requires 5 metadata fields—isotope, isotopolog, isotopolog label, labeling approach, and gradient position—and recommends several fields that represent best practices in acquiring and reporting SIP sequencing data (e.g., gradient density and nucleic acid amount). The standard is intended to be used in concert with other MIxS checklists to comprehensively describe the origin of sequence data, such as for marker genes (MISIP-MIMARKS) or metagenomes (MISIP-MIMS), in combination with metadata required by an environmental extension (e.g., soil). The adoption of the proposed data standard will improve the reuse of any sequence derived from a SIP experiment and, by extension, deepen understanding of in situ biogeochemical processes and microbial ecology.
An anisotropic equation of state for solid solutions, with application to plagioclase
Authors: Myhill R
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a framework for building anisotropic equations of state for solid solutions. The framework satisfies the connections between elastic and thermodynamic properties required by Maxwell’s relations. It builds on a recent anisotropic equation of state for pure phases under small deviatoric stresses, adding a dependence on a vector $\boldsymbol {n}$, whose components $n_i$ contain the molar amounts of independent end-members in the solid solution. These end-members may have distinct chemical compositions, site species occupancies or electronic spin states. The high albite-anorthite (C$\bar{\text{1}}$) plagioclase solid solution is used to illustrate the formulation.
A new politics of international criminal justice: accountability in Ukraine and the Israel–Gaza war
Authors: Jacob Cecilia
Published: October 2024

Protecting civilian populations affected by violent conflict and mass atrocities is a challenge in global politics, particularly in view of the persistence of contestation over the application of the Responsibility to Protect principle and geopolitical gridlock in the UN Security Council. Over the past decade, there has been a pronounced rise in international accountability mechanisms to fill protection gaps in the multilateral system. Increasingly, international accountability mechanisms have been activated in the early phases of conflict situations to counter atrocities, promoting protection in ‘real time’. This article proposes that the deepening association between accountability and protection is best understood as an emergent human protection transnational legal order (HPTLO), a mode of decentralized governance that was driven by diverse agency across borders and aimed at solving problems of a global reach through legal ordering. The article provides an account of the formation and character of the HPTLO, demonstrates how it is operating in the context of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and identifies key risks and opportunities that these developments present to the global governance of human protection.
TcdB From Hypervirulent Clostridioides difficile Induces Neuronal Loss and Neurotransmitter Alterations in the Intrinsic Enteric Nervous System
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zhou Qi , Gu Hanyang , Yang Ming , Lin Xinghao , Wang Mengjie , Zhai Huaqian , Zhang Feng , Luo Yongneng , Chen Linjie , Wan Shuangshuang , Chen Yu , Chen Wei , Jin Dazhi , Hu Hui
Published: October 2024

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a predominant cause of intestinal infections. The intrinsic enteric nervous system (ENS) occupies the intestinal tissue in large numbers and intricately regulates various aspects of intestinal function. Nonetheless, the specific effects of CDI on the intrinsic ENS remain underexplored. Herein, we employed the toxin B variant (TcdB2) derived from hypervirulent C difficile to elucidate the impact of CDI on neurons located in colonic wall. We found that TcdB2 directly induced dose-dependent cytopathic effects on enteric neurons both in vitro and in adult mice colons. Notably, an increased expression of choline acetyltransferase and neural nitric oxide synthase in colonic neurons prior to the onset of cytopathic changes following treatment with TcdB2 were observed, both in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that during CDI, TcdB not only causes neuronal loss but also alters the composition of neurotransmitters in the ENS.
Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) using a continuous ambulatory delivery device (CADD) allowing treatment with multiple daily doses: a brief report of a Norwegian experience
Authors: Skogen Vegard , Helleren Rita , Jacobsen Marianne Giske , Opsal Anne , Gallefoss Frode
Published: October 2024

Background

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is safe, effective and increasingly available. While OPAT in Norwegian healthcare has been rare, a new continuous ambulatory delivery device (CADD) allowing multiple daily dosing treatments has been innovated making OPAT more accessible.

Objectives

To describe the clinical outcome and safety using CADD in an OPAT setting.

Methods

Adult patients in need of parenteral antibiotic treatment were offered OPAT and discharged with a programmable digital infusion pump allowing multiple daily dosings.

Results

Altogether, 170 patients were included in the study, among which 21% of all patients (36 of 170) were readmitted to hospital while receiving OPAT or within 30 days after end of intravenous antibiotics. None of the 170 patients died due to OPAT and allergies were not noticeable as a problem.

Conclusions

We have developed a safe and clinically effective programme offering OPAT in accordance with Norwegian antibiotic treatment guidelines.
Plant stoichiometry in relation to relative growth rate
Authors: Ågren Göran I
Published: October 2024

Plants need certain proportions between elements for proper growth and functioning. These proportions vary with growth conditions and it has generally been found that with increasing relative growth rates P:N should increase (the growth rate hypothesis). However, the proportions between N and other elements change with growth rates, and how this determines which element is limiting growth is not well studied, but it is possible that limitations of other elements could restrain plant growth more than N. Using results from nine studies with birch plants (Betula pendula) with different limiting elements (N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu) under steady-state growth, I have investigated how the switch, defined as the ideal proportion, between which element is limiting growth varies with relative growth rate. The ideal proportion of element:N increases with increasing relative growth rate for K, P, Zn and Mn but a slight decline for Mg and S. The changes in element:N ratios are strongest at low relative growth rates. The consequences of these results for plant properties under global change are discussed.
Stomata: gatekeepers of uptake and defense signaling by green leaf volatiles in maize
Authors: Maleki Feizollah A , Seidl-Adams Irmgard , Felton Gary W , Kersch-Becker Mônica F , Tumlinson James H
Published: October 2024

Plants adapt to balance growth–defense tradeoffs in response to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are released after biotic and abiotic stresses and function as damage-associated signals in plants. Although, GLVs enter plants primarily through stomata, the role of stomatal regulation on the kinetics of GLV uptake remains largely unknown. Here, we illustrate the effect of stomatal closure on the timing and magnitude of GLV uptake. We closed stomata by either exposing maize (Zea mays) plants to darkness or applying abscisic acid, a phytohormone that closes the stomata in light. Then, we exposed maize seedlings to (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and compared its dynamic uptake under different stomatal conditions. Additionally, we used (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, an isomer of (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol not made by maize, to exclude the role of internal GLVs in our assays. We demonstrate that closed stomata effectively prevent GLV entry into exposed plants, even at high concentrations. Furthermore, our findings indicate that reduced GLV uptake impairs GLV-driven induction of biosynthesis of sesquiterpenes, a group of GLV-inducible secondary metabolites, with or without herbivory. These results elucidate how stomata regulate the perception of GLV signals, thereby dramatically changing the plant responses to herbivory, particularly under water stress or dark conditions.
Molecular characteristics of advanced colorectal cancer and multi-hit PIK3CA mutations
Authors: Yasin Faiza , Sokol Ethan , Vasan Neil , Pavlick Dean C , Huang Richard S P , Pelletier Maureen , Levy Mia Alyce , Pusztai Lajos , Lacy Jill , Zhang Janie Yue , Ross Jeffrey S , Cecchini Michael
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Approximately 20% of patients living with colorectal cancer (CRC) have activating mutations in their tumors in the PIK3CA oncogene. Two or more activating mutations (multi-hit) for the PIK3CA allele increase PI3K⍺ signaling compared to single-point mutations, resulting in exceptional response to PI3K⍺ inhibition. We aimed to identify the prevalence of PIK3CA multi-hit mutations in metastatic CRC to identify patients who may benefit from PI3K inhibitors.

Methods

The Foundation Medicine database (Boston, MA, USA) was analyzed for patients with CRC who underwent genomic profiling on tumor DNA isolated during routine clinical care from 2013 to 2021. Molecular and clinical variables were abstracted for patients with PIK3CA mutations.

Results

We identified 49 051 patients with CRC who underwent Foundation Medicine testing. 710/41154 (1.7%) patients had multi-hit PIK3CA mutations, of which 53% were male (n = 448) with a median age of 60. Microsatellite status was available for 697 patients with multi-hit PIK3CA and 17.6% (123/697) were microsatellite instability-high. Clinically relevant mutations in KRAS and BRAFV600E were seen in 459/710 (64.7%) and 65/710 (9.1%), respectively. The 4 most common PIK3CA variants were H1047R (9.8%), E545K (9.2%), E542K (9.0%), and R88Q (7.1%). The most common variant pair was E542K-E545K (4.7%).

Conclusions

Multi-hit mutations in PIK3CA are seen in 1.7% of advanced CRC, a meaningful prevalence given the high burden of CRC worldwide, and may represent a subset of patients that have enhanced sensitivity to PI3K inhibition. Future investigation regarding the clinical utility of PI3K inhibitors is warranted in multi-hit PIK3CA CRC.
Self-regulated analgesia in males but not females is mediated by endogenous opioids
Authors: Dean Jon G , Reyes Mikaila , Oliva Valeria , Khatib Lora , Riegner Gabriel , Gonzalez Nailea , Posey Grace , Collier Jason , Birenbaum Julia , Chakravarthy Krishnan , Wells Rebecca E , Goodin Burel , Fillingim Roger , Zeidan Fadel
Published: October 2024

Converging lines of preclinical and clinical research indicate that females, in stark contrast to males, display an increased prevalence of chronic pain. Females also demonstrate weaker analgesic efficacy in response to opioid therapies when compared with males. These sex-specific differences may be driven by dimorphic endogenous opioidergic responses. In rodent models, analgesia exhibited in males but not females was reversed by inhibiting endogenous opioidergic reception. In humans, the sex-specific endogenous system(s) supporting the direct attenuation of evoked pain has not been identified. To determine whether opioidergic blockade reverses self-regulated analgesia in males as compared to females, the present study combined two operationally analogous clinical trials (n = 98; 51 females and 47 males). In a double-blinded, counterbalanced study involving healthy (n = 39) and chronic low back pain (n = 59) populations, a high-dose naloxone (μ-, κ-, δ-opioid antagonist) vs. placebo-saline cross-over design (15 mg/kg bolus +0.1 mg/kg/h) tested the hypothesis that endogenous opioids mediate analgesia in males but not females. An 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) (0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain imaginable) evaluated pain ratings in response to noxious heat stimulation (49 °C; calf). After baseline pain testing, participants were randomized to a validated four-session mindfulness meditation or sham mindfulness meditation training intervention. Participants practiced their respective meditation during noxious heat, intravenous high-dose naloxone, and placebo saline, respectively. In males and females, meditation significantly lowered evoked pain during saline infusion. Intravenous naloxone inhibited analgesia in males, but pain relief was well preserved in females. The present findings indicate that endogenous opioids mediate self-regulated analgesia in males but not females and underscore the need to establish sex-specific pain therapeutics.
Overinference from Weak Signals and Underinference from Strong Signals
Authors: Augenblick Ned , Lazarus Eben , Thaler Michael
Published: October 2024

When people receive new information, sometimes they revise their beliefs too much, and sometimes too little. We show that a key driver of whether people overinfer or underinfer is the strength of the information. Based on a model in which people know which direction to update in, but not exactly how much to update, we hypothesize that people will overinfer from weak signals and underinfer from strong signals. We then test this hypothesis across four different environments: abstract experiments, a naturalistic experiment, sports betting markets, and financial markets. In each environment, our consistent and robust finding is overinference from weak signals and underinference from strong signals. Our framework and findings can help harmonize apparently contradictory results from the experimental and empirical literatures.
Don’t go with the flow: cranial adaptations of stream tadpoles in the Afrobatrachian family Arthroleptidae
Authors: Schweiger Susan , Rödel Mark-Oliver , Hammel Jörg U , Müller Hendrik
Published: October 2024

Arthroleptidae are an ecologically diverse group of sub-Saharan frogs. Arthroleptid tadpoles predominately occur in slow flowing to torrent waters. Their musculoskeletal system and the relationship between tadpole morphology and lifestyle are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the cranial morphology of four arthroleptid tadpoles occurring in different microhabitats: Leptopelis parkeri, Astylosternus occidentalis, Trichobatrachus robustus, and Nyctibates corrugatus. The crania of the tadpoles of A. occidentalis, N. corrugatus, and T. robustus are highly modified relative to L. parkeri, with wide and partly or completely fused cornua trabeculae, a fused cartilago labialis superior, as well as several modifications of the palatoquadrate, such as a broad commissura quadratocranialis and a processus ventralis which expands the surface for the origin of the large m. orbitohyoideus. The processus hyoquadratis is an evolutionary novelty, forming a functional unit together with the ceratohyale in the cranium of N. corrugatus. Finally, we compared the cranial morphology of these arthroleptids to other lotic and non-lotic species. Although the processus ventralis is not a generalized feature of the cranium in lotic species, it is not present in lentic species.
A Collaborative Online International Learning Experience for Doctoral Nursing Students and Faculty From Three Countries: Reshaping the Educational Landscape
Authors: Cornelius Judith Bacchus , Downing Charlene , Ogunfowokan Adesola A. , Ntshingila Nompumelelo , Okoro Florence , Enweana Ijeoma , Olagunju Oluwayemisi
Published: October 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic presented opportunities for educational innovations and the development of intercultural learning experiences. A global health assignment guided by a collaborative online international learning pedagogy was assigned to doctoral nursing students from three different countries. Icebreaker activities, along with the Culturally You diagram, commenced the team-building process. Students, mentored by course faculty, completed the assignment, a 10-minute presentation and reflections. Positive trends in intercultural sensitivity scores were observed, highlighting exposure to a new teaching platform, global health issues, and the value of faculty mentorship. While challenges existed, successful collaborations could thrive even during a pandemic.