bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First-principles study of the magnetic and optical properties of PtSe2 doped with halogen elements F, Cl, and Br
Authors: Li Mengting , Cen Weifu , Tian Zean
Published: March 2024

The electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of halogen-doped two dimensional PtSe2 are investigated by using the first-principles ultra-soft pseudopotential plane wave method based on density functional theory. It is shown that the doped PtSe2 is more stable under Bottom-Se conditions than under Top-Se conditions, and the higher the doping concentration (C
d), the lower the band gap. At C
d = 5.56%, the Cl- and Br-doped PtSe2 are transformed from a non-magnetic semiconductor to a magnetic n-type semiconductor with a magnetic moment (M
B) of 1 μB; while neither the F-doped PtSe2 nor the pristine PtSe2 is magnetic. When C
d = 11.1%, the F-doped PtSe2 at the first neighborhood becomes magnetic metal with M
B = 1.39 μB; while that doped at the second nearest neighbor retains a semiconductor with M
B = 0. Thus Cl- and Br-doped PtSe2, as well as the first-neighbor F-doped PtSe2 can be well applied in spintronic devices. The optical properties are enhanced for all three doping systems with an obvious peak appearing in the infrared light region. Absorption and reflectivity curve still has a peak in the infrared light region.
On the sensitivity of defect modes outside the first photonic bandgap in optical sensors based on defected 1D photonic crystals
Authors: Kamenev A O , Efimov I M , Vanyushkin N A , Gevorgyan A H
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we investigated the possibility of using of defect modes (DMs) in the second photonic bandgap (PBG) in defective one dimensional (1D) photonic crystals (PCs) for creating optical sensors. The dependencies of the relative sensitivities on the defect layer (DL) thickness for the first and second PBGs at optimized PC parameters are obtained and compared and the advantage of the first PBG over the second PBG in all ranges of the DL thickness is shown. However, as the order of the defect mode (DM) and optical contrast of the structure increase, this relative advantage becomes less prominent. The behavior of the DMs and their relative sensitivity outside the PBG when DL thickness changes are considered. The dependences of the relative sensitivity on different parameters of the PC for DM in the first and second PBGs are also compared. This work is mainly theoretical and aims at finding general patterns that can be generalized to any specific examples and parameters of 1D PC with DL for any practical realizable sensors.
Analytical studies on third-order chaotic systems with Sprott type nonlinearities and their microcontroller implementation
Authors: Sivaganesh G , Srinivasan K , Fozin Fonzin T , Kuate P D Kamdem , Raja Mohamed I
Published: March 2024

The evolution of chaos in a generic third-order autonomous mathematical model with nonlinearities described by simple mathematical functions is reported in this paper. The nonlinearities termed as Sprott type nonlinear functions are used in the design of a class of third-order systems exhibiting chaotic behavior. The evolution and confirmation of chaos in their system dynamics is observed through numerical simulation studies of one-parameter bifurcation diagrams and Lyapunov exponents. Analytical solutions are developed for systems with piecewise-linear nonlinear functions. Finally, the microcontroller implementation of the third-order system equations with different nonlinearities and analog circuit simulation results are presented to confirm the numerical and analytical results. Chaos in generic third-order systems studied through numerical, analytical and microcontroller results has been reported in the literature for the first time.
Investigation of RF performance of Ku-band GaN HEMT device and an in-depth analysis of short channel effects
Authors: Raychaudhuri Jagori , Mukherjee Jayjit , Kumar Sudhir , Rawal D S , Mishra Meena , Ghosh Santanu
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we have characterized an AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) with a short gate length (Lg ≈ 0.15 μm). We have studied the effect of short gate length on the small signal parameters, linearity parameters and gm-gd ratio in GaN HEMT devices. To understand how scaling results in the variation of the above-mentioned parameters a comparative study with higher gate length devices on similar heterostructure is also presented here. We have scaled down the gate length but the barrier thickness(tbar) remained same which affects the aspect ratio (Lg/tbar) of the device and its inseparable consequences are the prominent short channel effects (SCEs) barring the optimum output performance of the device. These interesting phenomena were studied in detail and explored over a temperature range of −40 °C to 80 °C. To the best of our knowledge this paper explores temperature dependence of SCEs of GaN HEMT for the first time. With an approach to reduce the impact of SCEs a simulation study in Silvaco TCAD was carried out and it is observed that a recessed gate structure on conventional heterostructure successfully reduces SCEs and improves RF performance of the device. This work gives an overall view of gate length scaling on conventional AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.
Few particles with an impurity in a one-dimensional harmonic trap
Authors: Rojo-Francàs A , Isaule F , Juliá-Díaz B
Published: March 2024

We present a comprehensive study of the static properties of a mobile impurity interacting with a bath with a few particles trapped in a one-dimensional harmonic trap. We consider baths with either identical bosons or distinguishable particles and we focus on the limiting case where the bath is non-interacting. We provide numerical results for the energy spectra and density profiles by means of the exact diagonalization of the Hamiltonian, and find that these systems show non-trivial solutions, even in the limit of infinite repulsion. A detailed physical interpretation is provided for the lowest energy states. In particular, we find a seemingly universal transition from the impurity being localized in the center of the trap to being expelled outside the majority cloud. We also develop an analytical ansatz and a mean-field solution to compare them with our numerical results in limiting configurations.
Suppressing the degeneration of quantum resources through coupling auxiliary qubits
Authors: Xing Ling-Ling , Yang Huan , Kong Min , Zhang Gang
Published: March 2024

The nonlocal advantage of quantum coherence (NAQC), quantum coherence (QC), and quantum entanglement are promising quantum resources to achieve various quantum information tasks. However, the decoherence of quantum resource is detrimental to the implementation of quantum information processing, and it brings enormous challenge to the application of quantum resource. Here, consider that Alice and Bob possess a two-qubit X state, and the two-qubit X state is composed of two atoms. Bob’s atom interacts with a reservoir, and Alice's atom is subjected to the influence of amplitude damping channel. We design an effective scheme by coupling auxiliary qubits with reservoir, and this scheme can significantly suppress the dissipation of the NAQC, QC, and quantum entanglement. The results reveal that the NAQC, QC, and quantum entanglement degenerate with the increase of time t in the strong coupling regime or weak coupling regime when absenting auxiliary qubits. If one adds some auxiliary qubits in the reservoir, these quantum resources can be strengthened both in the strong coupling regime and weak coupling regime. Auxiliary qubits can help us effectively resist the dissipation of these quantum resources. In comparison with the QC and quantum entanglement, the NAQC is most fragile and it is most vulnerable to the influences of reservoir and noise channel. One needs introduce more auxiliary qubits to suppress the dissipation of the NAQC, especially in the scenarios of the weak coupling regime and strong channel parameter. In this sense, our investigations may provide a potent technique for restraining decoherence and offer a new platform for quantum resource application.
Gauge preheating with full general relativity
Authors: Adshead Peter , Giblin John T. , Grutkoski Ryn , Weiner Zachary J.
Published: March 2024

We study gauge preheating following pseudoscalar-driven inflation in full general
relativity. We implement the Baumgarte-Shapiro-Shibata-Nakamura (BSSN) scheme to solve the full
nonlinear evolution of the metric alongside the dynamics of the pseudoscalar and gauge fields. The
dynamics of the background and emission of gravitational waves are broadly consistent with
simulations in a Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) spacetime. We find large,
localized overdensities in the BSSN simulations of order δ = δρ/ρ ∼ 30, and
the dimensionless power spectrum of δ peaks above unity. These overdense regions are seeded
on length scales only slightly smaller than the horizon, and have a compactness C ∼ 0.1. The
scale of peak compactness is shorter than the Jeans length, which implies that pressure of the
matter fields plays an important role in the evolution of these objects.
Perturbatively including inhomogeneities in axion inflation
Authors: Domcke Valerie , Ema Yohei , Sandner Stefan
Published: March 2024

Axion inflation, i.e. an axion-like inflaton coupled to an Abelian gauge field through a Chern-Simons interaction, comes with a rich and testable phenomenology.
This is particularly true in the strong backreaction regime, where the gauge field production heavily impacts the axion dynamics.
Lattice simulations have recently demonstrated the importance of accounting for inhomogeneities of the axion field in this regime. We propose a perturbative scheme to account for these inhomogeneities while maintaining high computational efficiency.
Our goal is to accurately capture deviations from the homogeneous axion field approximation within the perturbative regime as well as self-consistently determine the onset of the non-perturbative regime.
Curvature-enhanced multipartite coherence in the multiverse*
Authors: Wu 吴 Shu-Min 树民 , Wang 王 Chun-Xu 春旭 , Wang 王 Rui-Di 锐迪 , Li 李 Jin-Xuan 金璇 , Huang 黄 Xiao-Li 晓理 , Zeng 曾 Hao-Sheng 浩生
Published: March 2024

Here, we study the quantum coherence of N-partite Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) and W states in the multiverse consisting of N causally disconnected de Sitter spaces. Interestingly, N-partite coherence increases monotonically with curvature, whereas the curvature effect destroys quantum entanglement and discord, indicating that the curvature effect is beneficial to quantum coherence and harmful to quantum correlations in the multiverse. We find that with an increase in n expanding de Sitter spaces, the N-partite coherence of the GHZ state increases monotonically for any curvature, whereas the quantum coherence of the W state decreases or increases monotonically depending on the curvature. We find a distribution relationship, which indicates that the correlated coherence of the N-partite W state is equal to the sum of all bipartite correlated coherence in the multiverse. Multipartite coherence exhibits unique properties in the multiverse, suggesting that it may provide some evidence for the existence of the multiverse.
Near MDS and near quantum MDS codes via orthogonal arrays
Authors: Pang Shanqi , Zhang Chaomeng , Chen Mengqian , Zhang Miaomiao
Published: March 2024

Near maximum distance separable (NMDS) codes are closely related to interesting objects in finite geometry and have nice applications in combinatorics and cryptography. But there are many unsolved problems about construction of NMDS codes. In this paper, by using symmetrical orthogonal arrays (OAs), we construct a lot of NMDS, m-MDS and almost extremal NMDS codes. Quantum error-correcting codes (QECCs) play a central role in quantum information processing and can protect quantum information from various quantum noises. We present a general method for constructing QECCs over mixed alphabets through asymmetrical OAs. Since quantum maximum distance separable (QMDS) codes over mixed alphabets with the dimension equal to one have not been found in all the literature so far, the definition of a near QMDS code over mixed alphabets is proposed. By using asymmetrical OAs, we obtain many such codes.
Quantitative detection of rebar corrosion by magnetic memory based on first-principles
Authors: Yang Mao , Zhang Hong , Ma Xiaotao , Zheng Yu , Zhou Jianting
Published: March 2024

Reinforcement corrosion seriously impacts the bearing capacity and durability of reinforced concrete(RC) structures. It is very important to detect reinforcement’s corrosion state in concrete timely and effective. This paper introduced the magnetic memory method to the quantitative detection of reinforcement corrosion. Based onfirst- principles, the causes of material magnetism were explained from the point of view of particles. The microscopic models of reinforcement corrosion were established and the correlation between the absolute value of magnetization M and mass loss rate α had been analyzed. The experiment of magnetic memory testing of the rebar corrosion was carried out, and the magnetic induction curves of the rebars at different mass loss rates were obtained. Finally, the random forest algorithm was used to realize the quantitative recognition of steel corrosion. The results of microscopic models showed that |M| increased nonlinearly with α. The tangential and normal magnetic induction curves obtained by the experiment showed a trend of overall movement and increasing volatility with the increase of α, then four magnetic indexes (I
1xn
, I
1zn
, I
2xn
, I
2zn
) were proposed based on tangential and normal magnetic induction curves to characterize the mass loss rate α. The regularity of I-α curves was consistent with that of |M|-α curves obtained by the microscopic model. The random forest algorithm was introduced to solve the nonlinear and discrete problems of magnetic indexes, and a hierarchical prediction model of rebar corrosion was established. The prediction accuracy of the model was 85.7%, which can realize the state recognition of steel bars under low corrosion degrees.
Observing Schrödinger’s cat with artificial intelligence: emergent classicality from information bottleneck
Authors: Zhang Zhelun , You Yi-Zhuang
Published: March 2024

We train a generative language model on the randomized local measurement data collected from Schrödinger’s cat quantum state. We demonstrate that the classical reality emerges in the language model due to the information bottleneck: although our training data contains the full quantum information about Schrödinger’s cat, a weak language model can only learn to capture the classical reality of the cat from the data. We identify the quantum–classical boundary in terms of both the size of the quantum system and the information processing power of the classical intelligent agent, which indicates that a stronger agent can realize more quantum nature in the environmental noise surrounding the quantum system. Our approach opens up a new avenue for using the big data generated on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices to train generative models for representation learning of quantum operators, which might be a step toward our ultimate goal of creating an artificial intelligence quantum physicist.
Elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose levels correlate with neuropathy in patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder independently of the blood thiamine levels
Authors: Papantoniou Michail , Zampelis Thomas , Kokotis Panagiotis , Tzavellas Elias , Paparrigopoulos Thomas , Chatzipanagiotou Stylianos , Nikolaou Chrysoula , Rentzos Michail
Published: March 2024

Aims

Chronic alcohol consumption is well known to cause peripheral neuropathy, affecting both small and large nerve fibers. The aim of this study was to correlate biochemical and neurophysiological findings and investigate possible biomarkers and risk factors for pathogenetic mechanisms of neuropathy in patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

Ninety patients diagnosed with AUD were enrolled in this prospective study over a period of 3 years. Serum biochemical parameters, as well as thiamine blood levels, were determined upon admission. Every subject was assessed by clinical neurological examination, followed by Nerve Conduction Studies, Quantitative Sensory Testing, and Sympathetic Skin Response. Fifty age and gender-matched patients without a diagnosis of AUD were used as the control group.

Results

Peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed in 54 patients (60%). Among them, pure large fiber neuropathy was found in 18 patients, pure small fiber neuropathy in 12 patients, and both large and small fiber neuropathy was diagnosed in 24 patients. Elevated liver enzymes and fasting glucose levels upon admission were significantly correlated with neuropathy. Lower blood thiamine levels (than reference) were found in seven patients and were not correlated with neuropathy.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that alcohol-related liver dysfunction and hyperglycemia may contribute as risk factors of peripheral neuropathy in patients diagnosed with AUD, while blood thiamine levels do not correlate with neuropathy. Moreover, we suggest that liver enzymes and the De Ritis ratio could be potentially used as biomarkers for the incidence and severity of alcohol-related neuropathy.
Socio-Digital Challenges for Social Work in the Metaverse
Authors: Relinque-Medina Fernando , Álvarez-Pérez Pablo
Published: March 2024

The metaverse will have a direct impact on the way we relate to each other as. The interest of the young population explains the extent to which this new developing technological paradigm is already present in our society, generating environments where people will feel part of them and where interactions will be more authentic, immersive, and it remains to be seen whether these relationships will also be more inclusive. The article identifies these challenges through a literature review, making a categorical comparison with the professional competences of social work drawn from the professional codes of standards and competences. A qualitative analysis has been carried out to identify those competences that may be affected by one or more social challenges arising from the popularisation of the metaverse. It presents important challenges for social work, such as changes in community, governance and individual behaviour, as well as implications for ethics, privacy and the way we understand social intervention that require an epistemological, methodological and practical debate in the profession, as yet unpublished, to adapt to this new socio-virtual dimension in which millions of people have already settled. Finally, v-social work is proposed as a new professional field with specific competences.
My Journey to Become a Social Worker: Defining Moments of Professional Identity Formation
Authors: Hochman Yael , Pitowsky-Nave Noga
Published: March 2024

Whilst a main task of social work education is to develop the student's professional identity, the literature on social workers’ identity formation is limited. Drawing on twenty-one reflective written assignments, this qualitative study examined defining moments as perceived by third-year Israeli social work students—moments seen as most influential in their process of professional identity formation. The crafting of a social worker identity was found to be an ongoing and spiral process, unfolding across three main spheres: (1) coping with challenges as an opportunity for development; (2) sparkling experiences validating the emerging professional identity; and (3) intersections of personal and professional identities. The findings suggested that through a process of guided reflection and discussion, often facilitated in supervisory sessions and classroom settings, students were able to transform their experiences into cornerstones for structuring their emerging professional identity. These dynamics underscore the significance of directly incorporating professional identity exploration as an integral part of the social work curriculum.
Association constants of guanine oligomers with alkali-metal ions studied using atmospheric pressure droplet IR-laser ablation mass spectrometry
Authors: Kawashima Fusae , Okutsu Kenichi , Kohno Jun-ya
Published: March 2024

Guanine (G) molecules form a stable tetramer with a metal ion called a G-quartet. We observed G-quartets by using atmospheric pressure droplet Infrared-laser ablation mass spectrometry, which enables us to analyze the abundance of chemical species in solutions. We estimated the association constants of Gn and M+ (M+ = Li+, Na+, and K+) from the intensities of G1–5H+ and G1–4M+ in the obtained mass spectra. The larger association constants of G4 than those of Gn (n ≠ 4) indicate the stability of G-quartets.
Integrated proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic profiling reveals that the gibberellin–abscisic acid hub runs flower development in the Chinese orchid Cymbidium sinense
Authors: Ahmad Sagheer , Lu Chuqiao , Gao Jie , Wei Yonglu , Xie Qi , Jin Jianpeng , Zhu Genfa , Yang Fengxi
Published: March 2024

The seasonal flowering Chinese Cymbidium produce an axillary floral meristem and require a dormancy period during cold conditions for flower development. However, the bud activation mechanism remains elusive. This study evaluates the multi-omics across six stages of flower development, along with functional analysis of core genes to decipher the innate mechanism of floral bud initiation and outgrowth in the Chinese orchid Cymbidium sinense. Transcriptome and proteome analyses identified 10 modules with essential roles in floral bud dormancy and activation. Gene clusters in the early stages of flower development were mainly related to flowering time regulation and meristem determination, while the late stages were correlated with hormone signaling pathways. The metabolome identified 69 potential hormones in which gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were the main regulatory hubs, and GA4 and GA53 exhibited a reciprocal loop. Extraneous GA application caused rapid elongation of flower buds and promoted the expression of flower development genes. Contrarily, exogenous ABA application extended the dormancy process and ABA inhibitors induced dormancy release. Moreover, CsAPETALA1 (CsAP1) was identified as the potential target of ABA for floral bud activation. Transformation of CsAP1 in Arabidopsis and its transient overexpression in C. sinense protoplasts not only affected flowering time and floral organ morphogenesis in Arabidopsis but also orchestrated the expression of flowering and hormone regulatory genes. The presence of ABA response elements in the CsAP1 promoter, rapid downregulation of CsAP1 after exogenous ABA application, and the activation of the floral bud after ABA inhibitor treatment suggest that ABA can control bud outgrowth through CsAP1.
Assembling intelligence in United Nations peacekeeping: between transformation and path dependency
Authors: De Franco Chiara , Moe Louise Wiuff
Published: March 2024

This article traces the evolution of intelligence in United Nations peacekeeping through a practice-based assemblage lens. We address a gap in the literature by transcending the focus on ‘peacekeeping intelligence’ as merely an evolving policy instrument. Instead, we employ an ‘analytic of assemblage’ that reveals the intrinsic ambiguity of both the concept of peacekeeping intelligence, and the related competing perspectives as well as forms of expertise among stakeholders. We select the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC, 1960–1964), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH, 2004–2017), and the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA, 2013–2023) as cases to reconstruct the historical evolution of intelligence within peacekeeping. Our analysis reveals profound tensions between efforts to transform intelligence for broader goals like the protection of civilians, on the one hand, and the persistent dominance of military knowledge and tactical priorities in its implementation, on the other. We convey the enduring predominance of military priorities shaping intelligence practices across spatio-temporal contexts, grounded in historical legacies of doctrinal developments, training and regional collaborations. The analysis thereby highlights the interplay between contingency and the influence of enduring power structures in shaping the evolving peacekeeping assemblage. This offers a perspective that links assemblage approaches with the analysis of not only emergence but also path dependency influenced by historical and geopolitical contexts and suggests that strengthening such analytical link holds wider potential for advancing contributions of assemblage approaches to critical security studies.
The causes of bacterial bloodstream infections and antimicrobial resistance patterns in children attending a secondary care hospital in Bhaktapur, Nepal, 2017–2022: a retrospective study
Authors: Shrestha Raj Kumar , Shrestha Dhruba , Sah Ashok Kumar , Thapa Ashmita , Shrestha Nipun , Raya Ganendra Bhakta , Furushima Kenshi , Dhoubhadel Bhim Gopal , Parry Christopher M
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among children in Nepal are limited. Here we have characterized the causes of bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs), antimicrobial resistance patterns and the mechanisms of β-lactamase production in Enterobacterales among children attending outpatient and inpatient departments of a secondary care paediatric hospital in Nepal.

Methods

We retrospectively collected demographic and clinical data of culture-proven bacterial BSIs between January 2017 and December 2022 among children <18 years attending a 50-bedded paediatric hospital. Stored isolates were subcultured for antimicrobial susceptibility testing against commonly used antimicrobials. Enterobacterales displaying non-susceptibility to β-lactams were phenotypically and genotypically investigated for ESBLs, plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) β-lactamases and carbapenemases.

Results

A total of 377 significant bacteria were isolated from 27 366 blood cultures. Among 91 neonates with a BSI, Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 39, 42.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 15, 16.3%) and Acinetobacter baumannii complex (n = 13, 14.1%) were most common. In the non-neonates, 275/285 (96.5%) infections were community-acquired including Staphylococcus aureus (n = 89, 32.4%), Salmonella Typhi (n = 54, 19.6%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 32, 11.6%). Among the 98 S. aureus, 29 (29.6%) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli demonstrated non-susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems in both community and hospital-acquired cases. For E. coli and K. pneumoniae, blaCTX-M (45/46), blaEBC (7/10) and blaOXA-48 (5/6) were common among their respective groups.

Conclusions

We determined significant levels of AMR among children attending a secondary care paediatric hospital with BSI in Nepal. Nationwide surveillance and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship policies are needed to combat the challenge imposed by AMR.
Structure-based design, biophysical characterization, and biochemical application of the heterodimeric affinity purification tag based on the Schistosoma japonicum glutathione-S-transferase (SjGST) homodimer
Authors: Du Yan , Kobashigawa Yoshihiro , Okazaki Kyo , Ogawa Mizuki , Kawaguchi Tomoyuki , Sato Takashi , Morioka Hiroshi
Published: March 2024

Schistosoma japonicum glutathione-S-transferase (SjGST), the so-called GST-tag, is one of the most widely used protein tags for the purification of recombinant proteins by affinity chromatography. Attachment of SjGST enables the purification of a protein of interest (POI) using commercially available glutathione-immobilizing resins. Here we produced an SjGST mutant pair that forms heterodimers by adjusting the salt bridge pairs in the homodimer interface of SjGST. An MD study confirmed that the SjGST mutant pair did not disrupt the heterodimer formation. The modified SjGST protein pair coexpressed in Escherichia coli was purified by glutathione-immobilized resin. The stability of the heterodimeric form of the SjGST mutant pair was further confirmed by size exclusion chromatography. Surface plasmon resonance measurements unveiled the selective formation of heterodimers within the pair, accompanied by a significant suppression of homodimerization. The heterodimeric SjGST exhibited enzymatic activity in assays employing a commercially available fluorescent substrate. By fusing one member of the heterodimeric SjGST pair with a fluorescent protein and the other with the POI, we were able to conveniently and sensitively detect protein–protein interactions using fluorescence spectroscopy in the pull-down assays. Thus, utilization of the heterodimeric SjGST would be a useful tag for protein science.
Administration of a bacterial lysate to the airway compartment is sufficient to inhibit allergen-induced lung eosinophilia in germ-free mice
Authors: Michael Ashley N , Pivniouk Oksana , Ezeh Peace C , Banskar Sunil , Hahn Seongmin , DeVries Avery , O’Connell Kathryn , Pivniouk Vadim , Vercelli Donata
Published: March 2024

The nexus between eosinophils and microbes is attracting increasing attention. We previously showed that airway administration of sterile microbial products contained in dust collected from traditional dairy farms virtually abrogated bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophilia and other cardinal asthma phenotypes in allergen-sensitized specific pathogen–free (SPF) mice. Interestingly, comparable inhibition of allergen-induced BAL eosinophilia and promotion of airway barrier integrity were found upon administration of a sterile, pharmacological-grade bacterial lysate, OM-85, to the airway compartment of allergen-sensitized SPF mice. Here, we asked whether intrinsic properties of airway-delivered microbial products were sufficient to inhibit allergic lung inflammation or whether these effects were mediated by reprogramming of the host microbiota. We compared germ-free (GF) mice and offspring of GF mice associated with healthy mouse gut microbiota and maintained under SPF conditions for multiple generations (Ex-GF mice). These mice were treated intranasally with OM-85 and evaluated in the ovalbumin and Alternaria models of allergic asthma focusing primarily on BAL eosinophilia. Levels of allergen-induced BAL eosinophilia were comparable in GF and conventionalized Ex-GF mice. Airway administration of the OM-85 bacterial lysate was sufficient to inhibit allergen-induced lung eosinophilia in both Ex-GF and GF mice, suggesting that host microbiota are not required for the protective effects of bacterial products in these models and local airway exposure to microbial products is an effective source of protection. OM-85–dependent inhibition of BAL eosinophilia in GF mice was accompanied by suppression of lung type 2 cytokines and eosinophil-attracting chemokines, suggesting that OM-85 may work at least by decreasing eosinophil lung recruitment.
Good Politicians: Experimental Evidence on Motivations for Political Candidacy and Government Performance
Authors: Gulzar Saad , Khan Muhammad Yasir
Published: March 2024

How can we motivate good politicians—those that will carry out policy that is responsive to citizens’ preferences—to enter politics? In a field experiment in Pakistan, we vary how political office is portrayed to ordinary citizens. Emphasizing prosocial motives for holding political office instead of personal returns—such as the ability to help others versus enhancing one’s own respect and status—raises the likelihood that individuals run for office and that voters elect them. A year later, the treatment improves the alignment of policy with citizens’ preferences. These effects emerge only when treatments are randomly delivered in a public setting. Taken together, the results demonstrate that how politics is perceived shapes who decides to run for office, who is elected, as well the policies that democracies deliver.
Incidence of Suboptimal Fluoroscopic Outlet Imaging of the Sacrum and Pelvic Retroversion Necessary for Optimal Views
Authors: Patterson Joseph T. , Brown Michael , Hasegawa Ian G. , Becerra Jacob A. , Duong Andrew M. , Reddy Akhil , Gary Joshua L.
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES:

To estimate the prevalence of suboptimal fluoroscopy of sacral outlet images due to anatomic and equipment dimensions. Pelvic retroversion is hypothesized to mitigate this issue.

METHODS:

Design:

In silico simulations using retrospectively collected computed tomography (CT) data from human patients.

Setting:

Level I trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria:

Adults with OTA/AO 61 pelvic ring disruptions treated with posterior pelvic fixation between July and December 2021.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons:

C-arm tilt angles required to obtain 3 optimal fluoroscopic sacral outlet images, defined as vectors from pubic symphysis to S2 and parallel to the first and second sacral neural foramina, were calculated from sagittal CT images. A suboptimal view was defined as collision of the C-arm radiation source or image intensifier with the patient/operating table at the required tilt angle simulated using the dimensions of 5 commercial C-arm models and trigonometric calculations. Incidence of suboptimal outlet views and pelvic retroversion necessary to obtain optimal views without collision, which may be obtained by placement of a sacral bump, was determined for each view for all patients and C-arm models.

RESULTS:

CT data from 72 adults were used. Collision between patient and C-arm would occur at the optimal tilt angle for 17% of simulations and at least 1 view in 68% of patients. Greater body mass index was associated with greater odds of suboptimal imaging (standard outlet: odds ratio [OR] 0.84, confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.89, P < 0.001; S1: OR 0.91, CI 0.87–0.97, P = 0.002; S2: OR 0.85, CI 0.80–0.91, P < 0.001). S1 anterior sacral slope was associated with suboptimal S1 outlet views (OR 1.12, Cl 1.07–1.17, P < 0.001). S2 anterior sacral slope was associated with suboptimal standard outlet (OR 1.07, Cl 1.02–1.13, P = 0.004) and S2 outlet (OR 1.16, Cl 1.09–1.23, P < 0.001) views. Retroversion of the pelvis 15–20 degrees made optimal outlet views possible without collision in 95%–99% of all simulations, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Suboptimal outlet imaging of the sacrum is associated with greater body mass index and sacral slope at S1 and S2. Retroversion of the pelvis by 15–20 degrees with a bump under the distal sacrum may offer a low-tech solution to ensure optimal fluoroscopic imaging for percutaneous fixation of the posterior pelvic ring.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Practices and Outcomes Associated With Sublingual Buprenorphine Use in a Critically Ill Population
Authors: Vanini Denis J. , Corvelli Jenna M. , Maynard Kaylee M. , Rappaport Stephen H. , Grasso Gina , Jones Raquel , Acquisto Nicole M. , Schult Rachel F.
Published: March 2024

IMPORTANCE:

Buprenorphine for opioid use disorder (OUD) is commonly used in the outpatient setting with increasing use in hospitalized patients. However, there is limited literature describing its use in critically ill populations.

OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective was to report the practices of buprenorphine prescribing among ICU teams. We also assessed the effect of a novel initiation strategy on opioid requirements in the ICU and the incidence of precipitated withdrawal.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS:

Single-center, retrospective, descriptive study of patients receiving buprenorphine in the ICU.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

The main outcome was to describe the use of buprenorphine in ICU patients through indication, initiation strategy, dosing information, and time from ICU admission to the first dose. We also detailed the incidence of precipitated withdrawal overall and the difference in opioid requirements before and after a low-dose induction strategy (buprenorphine initiated while receiving full agonist opioids [5-d titration from 150 μg to 4 mg four times daily]).

RESULTS:

A total of 153 patients were included. Most patients (86.3%) received buprenorphine for treatment of OUD. Of the 75 patients taking buprenorphine before admission, 46 (61%) had it restarted within 24 hours of ICU admission. Among 95 patients requiring buprenorphine induction, 57 (60%) underwent standard induction and 38 (40%) underwent low-dose induction, with only one instance of precipitated withdrawal. Median morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of concomitant full agonist opioids in patients completing low-dose induction decreased from 1057.5 mg to 262.5 mg in the 24 hours before initiation compared with the 24 hours after target buprenorphine dose was reached (p < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

Use of sublingual buprenorphine was most often in patients with OUD. Timely continuation of home buprenorphine in the ICU was suboptimal. Both standard and low-dose induction strategies appear to be safe with a low risk of precipitating withdrawal. When implemented appropriately, low-dose buprenorphine induction may lead to significant reduction in full agonist opioids in critically ill patients.
Suture Net Technique for Mid-face Superficial Fat Compartments Restoration
Authors: Chen Lu , Liu Zhimo , Zhang Yuyu , Bian Weiwei , Cheng Liying
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Facial fold and groove formation is influenced by the ptosis of the superficial fat compartments in the mid-face region.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to design a facial rejuvenation technique that targets sagging of the mid-face fat compartments and achieves a youthful facial configuration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 102 patients underwent suture net restoration. Each specific ptosis fat compartment was carefully lifted and held at the regional facial ligaments to effectively restore volume distribution. Patient outcomes were evaluated through preoperative and postoperative photography comparison, 3-D photographic analysis, and postoperative evaluations.

RESULTS

Significant mid-cheek rejuvenation was observed. The procedure resulted in a remarkable, 10.89% increase in malar projection. The nasolabial fold improved by at least 1 grade in 61.43% of the patients and by at least 2 grades in 37.14%. A total of 87.65% of the patients expressed high satisfaction or satisfaction with the outcomes of the procedure.

CONCLUSION

By specifically targeting the mid-face ptosis fat compartments, the technique demonstrated significant enhancements of both the nasolabial fold and the malar projection. The results indicate that this novel technique holds promise as an efficient approach for satisfactorily addressing facial aging concerns.
Assessing the Reproducibility of Research Based on the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Data
Authors: Li Xinyu , Feng Yubo , Gong Yang , Chen You
Published: March 2024

Objective

This article aims to assess the reproducibility of Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) data-driven studies by analyzing the data queries used in their research processes.

Methods

Studies using MAUDE data were sourced from PubMed by searching for “MAUDE” or “Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience” in titles or abstracts. We manually chose articles with executable queries. The reproducibility of each query was assessed by replicating it in the MAUDE Application Programming Interface. The reproducibility of a query is determined by a reproducibility coefficient that ranges from 0.95 to 1.05. This coefficient is calculated by comparing the number of medical device reports (MDRs) returned by the reproduced queries to the number of reported MDRs in the original studies. We also computed the reproducibility ratio, which is the fraction of reproducible queries in subgroups divided by the query complexity, the device category, and the presence of a data processing flow.

Results

As of August 8, 2022, we identified 523 articles from which 336 contained queries, and 60 of these were executable. Among these, 14 queries were reproducible. Queries using a single field like product code, product class, or brand name showed higher reproducibility (50%, 33.3%, 31.3%) compared with other fields (8.3%, P = 0.037). Single-category device queries exhibited a higher reproducibility ratio than multicategory ones, but without statistical significance (27.1% versus 8.3%, P = 0.321). Studies including a data processing flow had a higher reproducibility ratio than those without, although this difference was not statistically significant (42.9% versus 17.4%, P = 0.107).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the reproducibility of queries in MAUDE data-driven studies is limited. Enhancing this requires the development of more effective MAUDE data query strategies and improved application programming interfaces.
The Functional Role of Pinwheel Topology in the Primary Visual Cortex of High-Order Animals for Complex Natural Image Representation
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Zhong Haixin , Dai Wei P , Yu Yuguo
Published: March 2024

The primary visual cortex (V1) of high-level animals exhibits a complex organization of neuronal orientation preferences, characterized by pinwheel structure topology, yet the functional role of those complex patterns in natural image representation remains largely unexplored. Our study first establishes a new self-evolving spiking neural network (SESNN) model, designed to mimic the functional topological structure of orientation selectivity within V1. We observe the emergence of a particularly new “spread-out” firing patterns from center to the surround of the pinwheel structures in response to natural visual stimuli in pinwheel structures, propagating from pinwheel centers and spreading to iso-orientation domains—a pattern not found in salt- and-pepper organizations. To investigate this phenomenon, we propose a novel deep recurrent U-Net architecture to reconstruct images from V1’s spiking activity across time steps and assess the encoded information entropy of different firing patterns via the model’s predicted uncertainty, offering a spatiotemporal analysis of V1’s functional structures. Our findings reveal a trade-off between visual acuity and coding time: the “spread-out” pattern enhances the representation of complex visual details at the cost of increased response latency, while salt-and-pepper organizations, lacking such domains, prioritize rapid processing at the expense of reduced visual acuity. Additionally, we demonstrate that this trade-off is modulated by the size of iso-orientation domains, with larger domains—supported by denser neuronal populations—substantially improving both visual acuity, coding efficiency, and robustness, features diminished in smaller domains and salt-and-pepper arrangements. Our research provides a foundational understanding of the principles underlying efficient visual information representation and suggests novel strategies for advancing the robustness and performance of image recognition algorithms in artificial intelligence.
VISUALIZING THE NUCLEATING AND CAPPED STATES OF F-ACTIN BY Ca2+-GELSOLIN: SAXS DATA BASED STRUCTURES OF BINARY AND TERNARY COMPLEXES
Authors: Sagar Amin , Peddada Nagesh , Choudhary Vikas , Mir Yawar , Garg Renu , Ashish
Published: March 2024

Structural insight eludes on how full-length gelsolin depolymerizes and caps F-actin, while the same entity can nucleate polymerization of G-actins. Employing small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data analysis, we deciphered these two contrasting assemblies. Mixing Ca2+-gelsolin with F-actin in high salt F-buffer resulted in depolymerization of ordered F-actin rods to smaller sized species which became monodisperse upon dialysis with low salt G-buffer. These entities were the ternary (GA2) and binary (GA) complexes of gelsolin and actin with radius of gyration and maximum linear dimension of 4.55 and 4.68 nm, and 15 and 16 nm, respectively. In contrast, upon mixing G-actin with Ca2+-gelsolin in G-buffer, rapid association of higher order species started. Using size exclusion chromatography in-line with SAXS, we confirmed that initially GA and GA2species are formed as seen upon depolymerization of F-actin, followed by dialysis. Interestingly, while GA2could seed formation of native-like F-actin in both G- and F-buffer, GA failed in G-buffer. Thus, GA2and GA are the central species formed via depolymerization or towards nucleation. SAXS profile referenced modeling revealed that: 1) in GA, actin is bound to the C-terminal half of gelsolin, and 2) in GA2, second actin binds to the open N-terminal half accompanied by dramatic rearrangements across gelsolin’s g1-g2 and g3-g4 linkers. Importantly, first structural insight is provided into the two probable models for GA2with two actins in parallel, but differentially stacked: one in polymerization competent, and other in incompetent manner, suggesting latter to represent capped state along with the inert GA.

TOC Abstract

Highlights

Orderly decrement in the length of F-actin by Ca2+-gelsolin was tracked by SAXS.

Residual re-association in 1:2 ratio in F-buffer was quenched by dialysis in G-buffer.

Identical GA and GA2entities formed upon mixing F- or G-actin with Ca2+-gelsolin.

Models of nucleation competent, GA2showed differential stacking of two G-actins.

N-terminal half of gelsolin reposition as GA2changes to or from GA, the capped state.
WITHDRAWN: Elephant rumble vocalizations: spectral substructures and superstructures
Authors: Rantsiou Emmanouela
Published: March 2024

Withdrawal Statement

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Double-stranded RNA induces retinal pigment epithelium cell degeneration and inflammation
Authors: Klokman Garrett , Xu YongYao , Bond Kyle , Wu Xiaoqiu , Schustak Joshua , Mandelbaum Jorgi , Twarog Michael , Han Hongwei , Paulina Mary-Kate , Coble Matthew , Hayden Christopher , Galarneau Jean-Rene , Demirs John , Qiu Yubin , Esterberg Robert , Huang Qian , Prasanna Ganesh , Saint-Geniez Magali , Aranda Jorge , Bao Yi
Published: March 2024

RIG-I signaling has been previously implicated as a driver of inflammation to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is known to initiate RIG-I signaling and lead to a type I interferon response. We show through shRNA knockdown that RIG-I is essential for initiating an interferon response in iPS-RPE in response to both synthetic dsRNA-mimetic 3p-hpRNA and the double-stranded retrotransposable elementAlu. Analysis of human tissue from patients suffering from AMD show accumulation of dsRNA, peaking at the geographic atrophy (GA) stage. Using a new murine model of 3p-hpRNA subretinal challenge to RPE cells, we confirmed that accumulation of dsRNA initiates a type I interferon response, as well as RPE and photoreceptor degeneration. Although RPE response to synthetic dsRNA was acute, extensive leukocyte migration was observed. The results from this study verify the importance of RIG-I signaling in regulating inflammation in the subretinal space and implicates dsRNA accumulation as a driver of AMD pathogenesis.