bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A macrocyclic amine-based electrolyte for lithium–sulfur batteries: Li ion encapsulation regulates electrode performance
Authors: Zhou Ji , Gong Wenbing , Meng Xiaodong , Zhang Jiawen , Zhou Xueqin , Chen Shang , Bielawski Christopher W. , Geng Jianxin
Published: October 2023

The widespread use of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is hindered by slow cathode kinetics, the shuttle effect, and dendrite growth on the anode. We show that these challenges can be overcome by replacing a linear ether (i.e., 1,2-dimethoxyethane) in commonly used electrolytes with a macrocyclic amine, 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (TMTAC). Theoretical studies and experimental data indicate that the cavity of TMTAC matches a Li ion to form a robust solvation structure. Such a solvation structure not only leads to 3D deposition of Li2S on the cathode, which is responsible to the reduced overpotentials of Li2S nucleation and decomposition, but also suppresses Li dendrite growth on the anode. Moreover, the shuttle effect of polysulfides is effectively suppressed as the quantity of free TMTAC in the TMTAC-based electrolyte is substantially reduced. As a result, coin-type cells prepared with TMTAC-based electrolytes exhibit outstanding performance metrics for all key device parameters. Furthermore, pouch-type cells can be prepared with high sulfur loadings (e.g., 3.43 mg cm−2) and a low electrolyte to sulfur ratio (e.g., 6.16 μl mg−1) while maintaining a high areal specific capacity (3.38 mA h cm−2). This work demonstrates that the effective solvation of critical ions in energy storage devices is paramount to achieving peak performance.
Investigations on shear band formation in metallic nanolayered composites
Authors: Dong Shujing , Zhou Caizhi , Chen Tianju
Published: October 2023

While metallic nanolayered composites exhibit ultrahigh strength, they can fail due to shear bands propagation. Shear bands are affected by many factors, such as layer thickness and stacking fault energy. There is a growing demand to simultaneously prevent shear bands while harnessing the high strength potential derived from the dense interface nanostructures. The mechanisms of shear band formation vary among different nanolayered composites, and some of these mechanisms are investigated. The importance of utilizing advanced computational tools to understand shear band formation is highlighted. This review comprehensively addresses the influencing factors of shear band formation, strategies for shear band suppression, and the underlying mechanisms of shear band formation within metallic nanolayered composites.
A simple, isotropic depolarized light source
Authors: Foreman K. D. , Gay T. J.
Published: October 2023

Unpolarized light can be an important tool in optical experiments. Producing it, however, can prove to be a challenge. Natural sources of light that are commonly thought of as unpolarized are, in fact, either weakly polarized or not practical sources of light in a laboratory setting. Standard, commercially available light depolarizers produce unpolarized light only after the polarization state of the light across the diameter of the output beam has been averaged. Locally, such beams are highly polarized. In this work, we report a simple, low cost light depolarizer capable of producing light with a total polarization of less than 1% for a 15-mm diameter output beam. Based upon diffuse scattering, the light transmitted through the depolarizer discussed here produces only small polarizations locally, with the total polarization for a 1.25-mm diameter area being <6%. The effects of the depolarizer on the transmitted beam’s intensity are also reported.
Enhancement of spin Seebeck effect in Fe3O4/Pt thin films with
α
-Fe nanodroplets
Authors: Venkat G. , Cox C. D. W. , Zhou Z. , Leo N. , Kinane C. J. , Caruana A. J. , Morrison K.
Published: October 2023

In this study, we demonstrate an enhancement of the measured spin Seebeck coefficient in Fe3O4/Pt bilayer films due to an increase in Fe nanodroplets formed by pulsed laser deposition. Four bilayer films were deposited at the same time from a highly textured target, resulting in a general increase in droplet formation that was confirmed to be Fe rich by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Of these four films, there were two distinct groupings with differing density of α-Fe droplets, where the bilayer with higher droplet density exhibited a 64% increase in the measured spin Seebeck coefficient from 38 to 63 nV m/W.
Perovskite single crystals with tin–lead gradient for improved ionization radiation detection
Authors: Wu Jie , Wang Xin , Xu Yubing , Pan Yuzhu , Chai Shunjie , Zhao Jingda , Cheng Qi , Zhao Zhiwei , Li Qing , Bae Byung Seong , Fayemi Omolola Esther , Zhou Jianming , Zhu Ying , Lei Wei
Published: October 2023

Compared with the pure lead-based MAPbBr3 (MA = CH3NH3) perovskite single crystals (PSCs), tin–lead alloy (MAPbxSn1−xBr3) PSCs with higher carrier mobility and longer carrier lifetime are expected to perform as better-quality ionization radiation detectors. In this work, we design MAPbBr3–MAPb0.9Sn0.1Br3–MAPb0.8Sn0.2Br3 structure detectors by employing solution-process epitaxial growth. Because of the gradient change in tin element proportion, the relatively low mismatch rates between different PSC layers can effectively reduce defects generated at the interface, which improves charge collection efficiency. Moreover, band barriers between different PSC layers form depletion layers due to the differences in band structure, and the high resistivity and built-in electric field of depletion layers can suppress dark current under high voltages. The optimized detector exhibits a high x-ray detection sensitivity of 6.76 × 104μC Gy−1 cm−2 and the lowest detectable dose rate of 7.4 nGy s−1 under 40 kVp x-ray radiation. Based on 241Am (5.95 MeV) α particle irradiation, tin–lead HD has lower detection noise and more obvious response compared to MAPbBr3 PSCs. The electron mobility was indicated as high as 612 cm2 s−1 V−1, and the mobility-lifetime (μτ) products were measured to be 3.5 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 using the Hecht equation, demonstrating superior transport properties.
Phenylpropiolic acid isolated in cryogenic nitrogen and xenon matrices: NIR and UV-induced study
Authors: Lopes S. , Nikitin T. , Fausto R.
Published: October 2023

Phenylpropiolic acid (C6H5C≡CCOOH, PPA) isolated in nitrogen and xenon cryogenic matrices was studied by infrared spectroscopy. The experimental studies were complemented by a series of quantum chemical calculations carried out at the density functional theory (B3LYP) and MP2 levels of theory (with different basis sets). The calculations predicted the existence of two planar PPA conformers, differing in the arrangement of the carboxylic group. The higher-energy trans-PPA conformer has a negligible population in the gas phase at room temperature and was prepared in situ in the N2 cryomatrix through vibrationally-induced rotamerization of the lower-energy cis-PPA conformer, achieved using selective narrowband infrared excitation of the OH stretching coordinate of the latter species. Broadband UV (λ > 235 nm) irradiation of matrix-isolated cis-PPA was also undertaken, leading to the observation of cis-PPA → trans-PPA isomerization. No other UV-induced photoreactions were observed. The in situ generated trans-PPA conformer was found to decay back to cis-PPA in the dark by tunneling, and its lifetimes under different experimental conditions were determined. The assignment of the infrared spectra of both conformers is presented, considerably extending the vibrational information available on this molecule.
Direct x-ray scattering signal measurements in edge-illumination/beam-tracking imaging and their interplay with the variance of the refraction signals
Authors: Buchanan Ian , Cipiccia Silvia , Peiffer Carlo , Navarrete-León Carlos , Astolfo Alberto , Partridge Tom , Esposito Michela , Fardin Luca , Bravin Alberto , Hagen Charlotte K , Endrizzi Marco , Munro Peter RT , Bate David , Olivo Alessandro
Published: October 2023

X-ray dark-field or ultra-small angle scatter imaging has become increasingly important since the introduction of phase-based x-ray imaging and is having transformative impact in fields such as in vivo lung imaging and explosives detection. Here, we show that dark-field images acquired with the edge-illumination method (either in its traditional double mask or simplified single mask implementation) provide a direct measurement of the scattering function, which is unaffected by system-specific parameters such as the autocorrelation length. We show that this is a consequence both of the specific measurement setup and of the mathematical approach followed to retrieve the dark-field images. We show agreement with theoretical models for datasets acquired both with synchrotron and laboratory x-ray sources. We also introduce a new contrast mechanism, the variance of refraction, which is extracted from the same dataset and provides a direct link with the size of the scattering centers. We show that this can also be described by the same theoretical models. We study the behavior of both signals vs key parameters such as x-ray energy and scatterer radius. We find this allows quantitative and direct scattering measurements during imaging, with implications in all fields where dark-field imaging is used.
Effects of taper ratio on the aerodynamic forces and flow field of two tandem square cylinders
Authors: Zhang Jitao , Jing Hongmiao , Han Mengjiao , Yu Chunfang , Liu Qingkuan
Published: October 2023

To explore the influence of taper ratio on aerodynamic characteristics of tandem square cylinders, three-dimensional (3D) large eddy simulations of flow around two tandem square cylinders at the Reynolds number (Re) = 2 × 103 are carried out with a spacing ratio G/D = 4, where G is the cylinder center-to-center distance and D is the cylinder width. Different taper ratios of ξ = 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% are considered. The influence of taper ratio on aerodynamic coefficient, wind pressure coefficient, mean, and instantaneous flow fields are comprehensively studied. The mechanism of variation in flow fields is revealed, and the mathematical relationship between the taper ratio and aerodynamic characteristics is established, which can provide theoretical reference for design and construction of tandem structures. The results indicate that the taper ratio has significant influence on the mean force coefficient, fluctuating force coefficient, surface mean and fluctuating pressure coefficients, and vortex shedding frequency (fvs). As increase in the taper ratio, the mean force in the along-wind direction, fluctuating force in the across-wind direction, and surface pressure of the two cylinders will be decreased, but the vortex shedding frequency will be increased. The taper ratio has negligible influence on the flow separation location of the upstream cylinder. However, reattachment location of the shear layer moves backward along the leeward surface of the downstream cylinder, and width of the shear layer gradually becomes narrower and closer to surface of the two cylinders. The vortex shedding strength and vortex energy distribution of the two cylinders will be reduced as a result of the narrower shear layer. Meanwhile, coherence and periodicity of the vortex shedding will also be weakened, which results in reduction in the aerodynamic forces and increase in the vortex shedding frequency.
Oblique collisions of three wet spheres
Authors: Davis Robert H.
Published: October 2023

Oblique collisions of three solid spheres coated with thin viscous layers are simulated, both to elucidate the interesting physics of the collision outcomes and to lay the groundwork for a new approach to modeling flows of many wet particles. Included in the analysis are fluid viscous and capillary forces, as well as solid contact and friction forces. A novel approach is developed based on a rotating polar coordinate system for each particle pair in near contact, including the possibility that a given particle is in simultaneous contact with both other particles. As the Stokes number (a dimensionless ratio of particle inertia and viscous forces) is increased, the collision outcome progresses from full agglomeration (all three particles sticking together due to viscous and capillary forces) to partial agglomeration (two particles sticking together while the third one separates) to full separation (all three particles separating post-collision). The results are also sensitive to various physical and geometrical properties, such as the ratio of fluid film thickness to particle diameter, the coefficient of friction, and the collision angles.
Locality error free effective core potentials for 3d transition metal elements developed for the diffusion Monte Carlo method
Authors: Ichibha Tom , Nikaido Yutaka , Bennett M. Chandler , Krogel Jaron T. , Hongo Kenta , Maezono Ryo , Reboredo Fernando A.
Published: October 2023

Pseudopotential locality errors have hampered the applications of the diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) method in materials containing transition metals, in particular oxides. We have developed locality error free effective core potentials, pseudo-Hamiltonians, for transition metals ranging from Cr to Zn. We have modified a procedure published by some of us in Bennett et al. [J. Chem. Theory Comput. 18, 828 (2022)]. We carefully optimized our pseudo-Hamiltonians and achieved transferability errors comparable to the best semilocal pseudopotentials used with DMC but without incurring in locality errors. Our pseudo-Hamiltonian set (named OPH23) bears the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of many-body-first-principles calculations in fundamental science research of complex materials involving transition metals.
The impact of the cognitive effects of L1 orthographic depth and morphological complexity on L2 French morphographic processing
Authors: Serrau Vera , Gunnarsson-Largy Cecilia , Largy Pierre
Published: October 2023

Orthographic depth has been shown to influence the default orthographic processing mechanisms. However, the question of the impact of L1 orthographic depth on the processing of L2 orthography is still open. Crucially, current studies on orthographic depth tend to focus on the processing of simple words and do not consider other factors that interact with orthographic depth, such as morphological complexity. Our study is a preliminary investigation of whether the processing of L2 written inflected words shows crosslinguistic cognitive transfer effects of L1 orthographic depth and L1 morphological complexity. We focus on homophonic vs. heterophonic French subject-verb agreement (arrive / arrivent [aʁiv] (‘arrives’ (3sg) / ‘arrive’ (3pl)) vs.part[paʁ]/ partent[paʁt] (‘leaves’ (3sg) / ‘leave’ (3pl)) in two groups of experienced L2 French learners whose L1 is Spanish or Italian (both exhibiting shallow orthography and complex morphology) vs. English (exhibiting deep orthography and simple morphology). Results suggest that during the processing of L2 written inflected words, L2 learners whose L1 is morphologically complex with shallow orthography rely more on orthography-oriented morphological (sub-lexical) processing; whilst L2 learners whose L1 is morphologically simple with deep orthography rely more on phonology-oriented lexical processing.
Microanalysis of Clinical Interaction (MCI)
Authors: Gerwing Jennifer , Healing Sara , Menichetti Julia
Published: October 2023

A pragmatic agenda for clinical communication must derive sound practice recommendations based on investigations of actual clinical practice rather than idealized practice. While it is reasonable to recommend that clinicians foster the inclusion and active participation of their patients, if such recommendations are based on top-down ideals rather than a sound, bottom-up empirical base, they are vulnerable to implementation challenges.

This chapter introduces microanalysis of clinical interaction (MCI), which uses videorecorded consultations between clinicians and patients to reveal authentic communicative practice in interaction. We will briefly describe its history, unique features and affordances, and examples from studies that have applied it. We then focus on its potential utility for explicating how to accomplish patients’ inclusion and active participation in interaction.
Face-to-face intercultural communication and mediated intercultural communication as related to health communication
Authors: Kecskés István
Published: October 2023

The chapter argues that any communication happens in a specific context composed of three aspects: individual experience-based sociocultural aspect (CA), actual situational aspect (SA), and aspect of language as a tool of communication (LA). CA refers to the attitudinal frame of reference a person develops throughout his/her life and brings into the interaction through intersubjectivity. SA includes the psychological, social and physical variables affecting common ground building. LA means the language repertoire of the individual with its conceptual knowledge. These aspects are always present but affect interaction in different degrees depending on whether it happens face-to-face or through a medium and it is situated closer to the intracultural or intercultural end of the continuum. The chapter discusses the substantiations of these aspects.
Negotiation and joint construction of meaning (or why health providers need philosophy of communication)
Authors: Jasczcolt Kasia M. , Berthon Lidia
Published: October 2023

Meaning is often agreed on through negotiation, whose purpose can be clarification or joint construction of what starts as a ‘fuzzy thought’, or settling on a mutually acceptable way forward in communication and establishing common ground. The paper offers a critical introduction to main approaches to negotiating meaning, focusing on concepts that help explicate it, such as conventions, intentions, and meaning co-construction on one hand, and accountability, perception of authority, and normative expectations on the other. It then moves to the question of negotiating commitments, in particular as applied to Doctor-Patient Talk. It concludes with outlining the advantages of providing doctors with an understanding of dynamic pragmatics, highlighting that negotiating meaning does not inevitably lead to a loss of authority.
Metapragmatics and reflections in support of knowledge transfer and common ground in doctor-patient interaction
Authors: Kuna Agnes , Hámori Ágnes
Published: October 2023

In doctor-patient interactions, successful knowledge transfer and mutual understanding play a key role. To achieve them, participants need to construct common ground and collaborate jointly on meanings, while also overcoming difficulties arising from asymmetry of knowledge. These processes are often supported by a meta-management of discourse, mainly by the use of metapragmatic reflections. This paper investigates the metapragmatic expressions and meta-comments in 24 doctor-patient interactions, including 4 G.P. consultations, 12 dental appointments and 8 educational videos. The analysis demonstrates that metapragmatic reflections and comments may serve as an important means for the dynamic management of knowledge transfer and common ground in the domains of information, interaction and feelings, and help to adjust attention, negotiate interpretations, and resolve misunderstandings in the consultations.
Vinculin is required for interkinetic nuclear migration (INM) and cell cycle progression
Authors: Ochoa Andrea , Herrera Antonio , Menendez Anghara , Estefanell María , Ramos Carlota , Pons Sebastian
Published: October 2023

Vinculin is an actin-binding protein (ABP) that strengthens the connection between the actin cytoskeleton and adhesion complexes. It binds to β-catenin/N-cadherin complexes in apical adherens junctions (AJs), which maintain cell-to-cell adhesions, and to talin/integrins in the focal adhesions (FAs) that attach cells to the basal membrane. Here, we demonstrate that β-catenin targets vinculin to the apical AJs and the centrosome in the embryonic neural tube (NT). Suppression of vinculin slows down the basal-to-apical part of interkinetic nuclear migration (BAINM), arrests neural stem cells (NSCs) in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and ultimately dismantles the apical actin cytoskeleton. In the NSCs, mitosis initiates when an internalized centrosome gathers with the nucleus during BAINM. Notably, our results show that the first centrosome to be internalized is the daughter centrosome, where β-catenin and vinculin accumulate, and that vinculin suppression prevents centrosome internalization. Thus, we propose that vinculin links AJs, the centrosome, and the actin cytoskeleton where actomyosin contraction forces are required.
Fifteen Years of Millimeter Accuracy Lunar Laser Ranging with APOLLO: Data Set Characterization
Authors: Battat J. B. R. , Adelberger E. , Colmenares N. R. , Farrah M. , Gonzales D. P. , Hoyle C. D. , McMillan R. J. , Murphy T. W. , Sabhlok S. , Stubbs C. W.
Published: October 2023

We present data from the Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation (APOLLO) covering the 15 yr span from 2006 April through the end of 2020. APOLLO measures the Earth–Moon separation by recording the round-trip travel time of photons from the Apache Point Observatory to five retro-reflector arrays on the Moon. The APOLLO data set, combined with the 50 yr archive of measurements from other lunar laser ranging (LLR) stations, can be used to probe fundamental physics such as gravity and Lorentz symmetry, as well as properties of the Moon itself. We show that range measurements performed by APOLLO since 2006 have a median nightly accuracy of 1.7 mm, which is significantly better than other LLR stations.
Effectively modulating spatial vortex four-wave mixing in a diamond atomic system
Authors: Ba 巴 Nuo 诺 , Jiang 姜 Ming-Qi 明奇 , Fei 费 Jin-You 金友 , Wang 王 Dan 丹 , Jiang 蒋 Hai-Lin 海林 , Wang 王 Lei 磊 , Wang 王 Hai-Hua 海华
Published: October 2023

Due to the spatial characteristics of orbital angular momentum, vortex fields can be applied in the fields of quantum storage and quantum information. We study the realization of spatially modulated vortex fields based on four-wave mixing in a four-level atomic system with a diamond structure. The intensity and spiral phase of the vortex field are effectively transferred to the generated four-wave mixing field. By changing the detuning of the probe field, the phase and intensity of the generated vertex four-wave mixing field can be changed. When the probe field takes a large detuning value, the spatial distribution of the intensity and phase of the vertex four-wave mixing field can be effectively tuned by adjusting the Rabi frequency or detuning value of the coupled field. At the same time, we also provide a detailed explanation based on the dispersion relationship, and the results agree well with our simulation results.
Time evolution of spread complexity in quenched Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick model
Authors: Afrasiar Mir , Basak Jaydeep Kumar , Dey Bidyut , Pal Kunal , Pal Kuntal
Published: October 2023

We use the spread complexity (SC) of a time-evolved state after a sudden quantum quench in the Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick (LMG) model prepared in the ground state as a probe of the quantum phase transition when the system is quenched toward the critical point. By studying the growth of the effective number of elements of the Krylov basis that contributes to the SC more than a preassigned cutoff, we show how the two phases of the LMG model can be distinguished. We also explore the time evolution of spread entropy after both non-critical and critical quenches. We show that the sum contributing to the spread entropy converges slowly in the symmetric phase of the LMG model compared to that in the broken phase, and for a critical quench, the spread entropy diverges logarithmically at late times.
Effect of Cu doping on structural and magnetic properties of Cu
x
Zn1-x
Fe2O4 nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Jamdade Shrinivas G , Tambade Popat S , Rathod Sopan M
Published: October 2023

Nano-ferrites with chemical equation Cu
x
Zn1-x
Fe2O4 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7) were prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion method to study structural and magnetic properties along with antibacterial and antifungal activity. The samples are sintered in air at 400 °C for 4 h. The samples are characterised by x-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet (UV), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM) tools. Presence of some secondary phases are noticed in the samples. XRD data is utilised to calculate lattice parameter, crystallite size, lattice strain, and density of ferrite samples. The crystallite size varies between 6.3 and 7.7 nm and lattice strain has value between 0.11–0.15. Also, VSM is used to calculate saturation magnetisation, coercivity and remanent magnetisation of synthesised samples. The saturation magnetisation as high as 32.8 emu g−1 is obtained for x = 0.7 composition. The magnetic Cu
x
Zn1-x
Fe2O4 nanoparticles have shown good antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Microstructure evolution and constitutive analysis of nuclear grade AISI-316H austenitic stainless steel during thermal deformation
Authors: Huang Jian , Pang Zong-xu , Guan Ji-chun , Fan Liu-qun , Zhang Jian-ping , Sun Dian-dong , Wang Yong
Published: October 2023

Compression experiments were performed on AISI-316H austenitic stainless steel using Gleeble-3800 at temperatures ranging from 900 °C and 1200 °C and strain rates ranging from 0.01 and 10 s−1, up to the actual strain of 0.69. The tests aimed to examine the material’s microstructure evolution and flow stress behavior. Based on OM and EBSD studies, it was found that thermal deformation mostly induces discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX). The proportion of recrystallization nucleation increases steadily with increasing deformation temperature, while the impact of strain rate on recrystallization is complex. At the same deformation temperature, the recrystallization volume fraction initially declines and rises as the strain rate rises. In low strain rate regime, the longer (deformation) time available for grain boundary migration, the higher recrystallization volume fraction. In high strain rate regime, the higher stored energy (and thus the increased boundary velocity) raises the probability of nucleation events, stimulating twin formation. As a result, the twin promotes a dynamic recrystallization (DRX) process. An abundance of Σ3 twins was notably observed in uniformly refined recrystallized grains at a true strain of 0.69, at a temperature of 1200 °C, and a strain rate of 10 s−1. As a result, it was discovered that DRX occurs at higher strain rates and deformation temperatures. In addition, the flow stress curves were modified to account for adiabatic heating at strain rates exceeding 1 s−1. The findings demonstrated that adiabatic heating increased when strain level and strain rate increased and deformation temperature decreased. The strain compensation Arrhenius model is developed following the given stress–strain curve while considering strain. The model exhibits high accuracy, with a correlation value of 0.986. According to a kinetic study, the average activation energy for hot deformation of the tested steel was 444.994 kJ/mol. These findings provide fundamental insights into the microstructure control technology and the outstanding mechanical properties of the austenitic stainless steel AISI-316H.
Multiomics dynamic learning enables personalized diagnosis and prognosis for pancancer and cancer subtypes
Authors: Lu Yuxing , Peng Rui , Dong Lingkai , Xia Kun , Wu Renjie , Xu Shuai , Wang Jinzhuo
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches in cancer analysis typically utilize a ‘one-size-fits-all’ methodology characterizing average patient responses. This manner neglects the diverse conditions in the pancancer and cancer subtypes of individual patients, resulting in suboptimal outcomes in diagnosis and treatment. To overcome this limitation, we shift from a blanket application of statistics to a focus on the explicit recognition of patient-specific abnormalities. Our objective is to use multiomics data to empower clinicians with personalized molecular descriptions that allow for customized diagnosis and interventions. Here, we propose a highly trustworthy multiomics learning (HTML) framework that employs multiomics self-adaptive dynamic learning to process each sample with data-dependent architectures and computational flows, ensuring personalized and trustworthy patient-centering of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Extensive testing on a 33-type pancancer dataset and 12 cancer subtype datasets underscored the superior performance of HTML compared with static-architecture-based methods. Our findings also highlighting the potential of HTML in elucidating complex biological pathogenesis and paving the way for improved patient-specific care in cancer treatment.
Signal detection statistics of adverse drug events in hierarchical structure for matched case–control data
Authors: Heo Seok-Jae , Jeong Sohee , Jung Dagyeom , Jung Inkyung
Published: October 2023

The tree-based scan statistic is a data mining method used to identify signals of adverse drug reactions in a database of spontaneous reporting systems. It is particularly beneficial when dealing with hierarchical data structures. One may use a retrospective case–control study design from spontaneous reporting systems (SRS) to investigate whether a specific adverse event of interest is associated with certain drugs. However, the existing Bernoulli model of the tree-based scan statistic may not be suitable as it fails to adequately account for dependencies within matched pairs. In this article, we propose signal detection statistics for matched case–control data based on McNemar’s test, Wald test for conditional logistic regression, and the likelihood ratio test for a multinomial distribution. Through simulation studies, we demonstrate that our proposed methods outperform the existing approach in terms of the type I error rate, power, sensitivity, and false detection rate. To illustrate our proposed approach, we applied the three methods and the existing method to detect drug signals for dizziness-related adverse events related to antihypertensive drugs using the database of the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System.
Social Work with No Recourse to Public Fund Migrants: Obstacles and Strategies
Authors: Lacey Jonathan , Moran Nicola
Published: October 2023

Migrants with no recourse to public funds (NRPFs) are vulnerable to destitution due to the NRPF condition attached to their immigration status. In this quantitative study, fifty-five social workers in England completed an anonymous online survey identifying the obstacles faced in their practice with NRPF migrants and any strategies they developed to overcome these impediments. Informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, the study identified four main obstacles when working with NRPF migrants: lack of resources to support NRPF migrants; lack of knowledge/skills; negative attitudes from colleagues and insufficient institutional support. Compared to their local authority counterparts, NHS social workers expressed lower levels of confidence in their knowledge and skill level, and received less specific training, organisational guidance and support in their work with NRPF migrants. A 4-fold typology of strategies used by social workers to overcome obstacles was devised from responses to an open-ended question. In addition to the need for more resourcing, the findings suggest a need for social work education and training on how to effectively support NRPF migrants using extant legislation and agencies, and suggest knowledge exchange to promote inter-agency collaboration.
Tailored biomedical materials for wound healing
Authors: Liu Wenhui , Zu Lihua , Wang Shanzheng , Li Jingyao , Fei Xiaoyuan , Geng Meng , Zhu Chunlei , Shi Hui
Published: October 2023

Wound healing is a long-term, multi-stage biological process that mainly includes haemostatic, inflammatory, proliferative and tissue remodelling phases. Controlling infection and inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration can contribute well to wound healing. Smart biomaterials offer significant advantages in wound healing because of their ability to control wound healing in time and space. Understanding how biomaterials are designed for different stages of wound healing will facilitate future personalized material tailoring for different wounds, making them beneficial for wound therapy. This review summarizes the design approaches of biomaterials in the field of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and tissue regeneration, highlights the advanced precise control achieved by biomaterials in different stages of wound healing and outlines the clinical and practical applications of biomaterials in wound healing.
Navigating diagnostic challenges in syphilitic alopecia: insights from dermoscopy
Authors: Agbara Ijeoma C , Nnaji Thomas O , Enechukwu Nkechi A , Emeka Chika M , Oyim-Elechi Oluchukwu C
Published: October 2023

This report emphasizes the diagnostic difficulties in differentiating syphilitic alopecia from alopecia areata, as exclamation mark hairs that have previously been known to be the diagnostic hallmark and discriminating sign of alopecia areata can also be seen in syphilitic alopecia. A holistic evaluation is vital in improving diagnostic accuracy, especially in a resource-poor setting.
Association between placental oxygen transport and fetal brain cortical development: a study in monochorionic diamniotic twins
Authors: Abaci Turk Esra , Yun Hyuk Jin , Feldman Henry A , Lee Joo Young , Lee Hyun Ju , Bibbo Carolina , Zhou Cindy , Tamen Rubii , Grant Patricia Ellen , Im Kiho
Published: October 2023

Normal cortical growth and the resulting folding patterns are crucial for normal brain function. Although cortical development is largely influenced by genetic factors, environmental factors in fetal life can modify the gene expression associated with brain development. As the placenta plays a vital role in shaping the fetal environment, affecting fetal growth through the exchange of oxygen and nutrients, placental oxygen transport might be one of the environmental factors that also affect early human cortical growth. In this study, we aimed to assess the placental oxygen transport during maternal hyperoxia and its impact on fetal brain development using MRI in identical twins to control for genetic and maternal factors. We enrolled 9 pregnant subjects with monochorionic diamniotic twins (30.03 ± 2.39 gestational weeks [mean ± SD]). We observed that the fetuses with slower placental oxygen delivery had reduced volumetric and surface growth of the cerebral cortex. Moreover, when the difference between placenta oxygen delivery increased between the twin pairs, sulcal folding patterns were more divergent. Thus, there is a significant relationship between placental oxygen transport and fetal brain cortical growth and folding in monochorionic twins.
Your place or mine? The neural dynamics of personally familiar scene recognition suggests category independent familiarity encoding
Authors: Klink Hannah , Kaiser Daniel , Stecher Rico , Ambrus Géza G , Kovács Gyula
Published: October 2023

Recognizing a stimulus as familiar is an important capacity in our everyday life. Recent investigation of visual processes has led to important insights into the nature of the neural representations of familiarity for human faces. Still, little is known about how familiarity affects the neural dynamics of non-face stimulus processing. Here we report the results of an EEG study, examining the representational dynamics of personally familiar scenes. Participants viewed highly variable images of their own apartments and unfamiliar ones, as well as personally familiar and unfamiliar faces. Multivariate pattern analyses were used to examine the time course of differential processing of familiar and unfamiliar stimuli. Time-resolved classification revealed that familiarity is decodable from the EEG data similarly for scenes and faces. The temporal dynamics showed delayed onsets and peaks for scenes as compared to faces. Familiarity information, starting at 200 ms, generalized across stimulus categories and led to a robust familiarity effect. In addition, familiarity enhanced category representations in early (250–300 ms) and later (>400 ms) processing stages. Our results extend previous face familiarity results to another stimulus category and suggest that familiarity as a construct can be understood as a general, stimulus-independent processing step during recognition.
Point mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues of human cardiomyocytes cause cellular remodelling of cardiac excitation contraction-coupling
Authors: Xia Yanli , Zhang Xiao-hua , Yamaguchi Naohiro , Morad Martin
Published: October 2023

Aims

CRISPR/Cas9 gene edits of cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) in human-induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) provide a novel platform for introducing mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues and examining the resulting excitation contraction (EC)-coupling remodelling consequences.

Methods and results

Ca2+-signalling phenotypes of mutations in RyR2 Ca2+-binding site residues associated with cardiac arrhythmia (RyR2-Q3925E) or not proven to cause cardiac pathology (RyR2-E3848A) were determined using ICa- and caffeine-triggered Ca2+ releases in voltage-clamped and total internal reflection fluorescence-imaged wild type and mutant cardiomyocytes infected with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-targeted ER-GCaMP6 probe. (i) ICa- and caffeine-triggered Fura-2 or ER-GCaMP6 signals were suppressed, even when ICa was significantly enhanced in Q3925E and E3848A mutant cardiomyocytes; (ii) spontaneous beating (Fura-2 Ca2+ transients) persisted in mutant cells without the SR-release signals; (iii) while 5–20 mM caffeine failed to trigger Ca2+-release in voltage-clamped mutant cells, only ∼20% to ∼70% of intact myocytes responded respectively to caffeine; (iv) and 20 mM caffeine transients, however, activated slowly, were delayed, and variably suppressed by 2-APB, FCCP, or ruthenium red.

Conclusion

Mutating RyR2 Ca2+-binding residues, irrespective of their reported pathogenesis, suppressed both ICa- and caffeine-triggered Ca2+ releases, suggesting interaction between Ca2+- and caffeine-binding sites. Enhanced transmembrane calcium influx and remodelling of EC-coupling pathways may underlie the persistence of spontaneous beating in Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release-suppressed mutant myocytes.
A novel pathogenic variant in MRAP2 in an obese patient with successful outcome of bariatric surgery
Authors: Gatta-Cherifi Blandine , Laboye Alexandre , Gronnier Caroline , Monsaingeon-Henry Maud , Meulebrouck Sarah , Baron Morgane , Bertin Françoise , Pupier Emilie , Cambos Sophie , Poitou Christine , Beyec-Le Bihan Johanne Le , Bonnefond Amélie
Published: October 2023

Mutations in genes encoding proteins located in the leptin/melanocortin pathway have been identified in the rare cases of genetic obesities. Heterozygous variants of MRAP2, encoding a G coupled-protein receptor accessory protein implicated in energy control notably via the melanocortin-4 receptor, have been recently identified. A 24-year-old patient with early-onset severe obesity (body mass index [BMI]: 64 kg/m2) associated with hypertension, respiratory complications, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes was referred to our department. Sleeve gastrectomy was successful. A new heterozygous variant in MRAP2 (NM_138409.4: c.154G>C/p.G52R) variant was identified in the patient DNA. Functional assessment confirmed that this new variant was pathogenic. We report a new pathogenic loss-of-function mutation in MRAP2 in a patient suffering from a severe multicomplicated obesity. This confirms the metabolic phenotype in patients with this monogenic form of obesity. Longer follow-up will be necessary. Our finding will allow a personalized medicine.
Prognostic value of chronic kidney disease in patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion
Authors: Della Rocca Domenico G , Magnocavallo Michele , Van Niekerk Christoffel J , Gilhofer Thomas , Ha Grace , D'Ambrosio Gabriele , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Gianni Carola , Galvin Jennifer , Vetta Giampaolo , Lavalle Carlo , Di Biase Luigi , Sorgente Antonio , Chierchia Gian-Battista , de Asmundis Carlo , Urbanek Lukas , Schmidt Boris , Geller J Christoph , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya R , Mansour Moussa , Saw Jacqueline , Horton Rodney P , Gibson Douglas , Natale Andrea
Published: October 2023

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often coexist and share an increased risk of thrombo-embolism (TE). CKD concomitantly predisposes towards a pro-haemorrhagic state. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of CKD in patients undergoing percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO).

Methods and results

A total of 2124 consecutive AF patients undergoing LAAO were categorized into CKD stage 1+2 (n = 1089), CKD stage 3 (n = 796), CKD stage 4 (n = 170), and CKD stage 5 (n = 69) based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline. The primary endpoint included cardiovascular (CV) mortality, TE, and major bleeding. The expected annual TE and major bleeding risks were estimated based on the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. A non-significant higher incidence of major peri-procedural adverse events (1.7 vs. 2.3 vs. 4.1 vs. 4.3) was observed with worsening CKD (P = 0.14). The mean follow-up period was 13 ± 7 months (2226 patient–years). In comparison to CKD stage 1+2 as a reference, the incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly higher in CKD stage 3 (log-rank P-value = 0.04), CKD stage 4 (log-rank P-value = 0.01), and CKD stage 5 (log-rank P-value = 0.001). Left atrial appendage occlusion led to a TE risk reduction (RR) of 72, 66, 62, and 41% in each group. The relative RR of major bleeding was 58, 44, 51, and 52%, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with moderate-to-severe CKD had a higher incidence of the primary composite endpoint. The relative RR in the incidence of TE and major bleeding was consistent across CKD groups.
Novel ecological implications of non-toxic Microcystis towards toxic ecotype in population—promoting toxic ecotype dominance at various N levels and cooperative defense against luteolin-stress
Authors: Guo Zhonghui , Li Jieming , Luo Di , Zhang Mingxia
Published: October 2023

Microcystin (MC)-producing (MC+) and MC-free (MC−) Microcystis always co-exist and interact during Microcystis-dominated cyanobacterial blooms (MCBs), where MC+Microcystis abundance and extracellular MC-content (EMC) determine the hazard extent of MCBs. The current study elucidated intraspecific interaction between MC+ and MC−Microcystis at various nitrogen (N) levels (0.5–50 mg/L) and how such N-mediated interaction impacted algicidal and EMC-inhibiting effect of luteolin, a natural bioalgicide. Conclusively, MC+ and MC−Microcystis were inhibited mutually at N-limitation (0.5 mg/L), which enhanced the algicidal and EMC-inhibiting effects of luteolin. However, at N-sufficiency (5–50 mg/L), MC−Microcystis promoted MC+ ecotype growth and dominance, and such intraspecific interaction induced the cooperative defense of two ecotypes, weakening luteolin's algicidal and EMC-inhibiting effects. Mechanism analyses further revealed that MC+Microcystis in luteolin-stress co-culture secreted exopolymeric substances (EPSs) for self-protection against luteolin-stress and also released more EMC to induce EPS-production by MC−Microcystis as protectants, thus enhancing their luteolin-resistance and promoting their growth. This study provided novel ecological implications of MC−Microcystis toward MC+ ecotype in terms of assisting the dominant establishment of MC+Microcystis and cooperative defense with MC+ ecotype against luteolin, which guided the application of bioalgicide (i.e. luteolin) for MCBs and MCs pollution mitigation in different eutrophication-degree waters.
Mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in animals and plants
Authors: Fernandes Chantal , Casadevall Arturo , Gonçalves Teresa
Published: October 2023

Alternaria species are cosmopolitan fungi darkly pigmented by melanin that infect numerous plant species causing economically important agricultural spoilage of various food crops. Alternaria spp. also infect animals, being described as entomopathogenic fungi but also infecting warm-blooded animals, including humans. Their clinical importance in human health, as infection agents, lay in the growing number of immunocompromised patients. Moreover, Alternaria spp. are considered some of the most abundant and potent sources of airborne sensitizer allergens causing allergic respiratory diseases, as severe asthma. Among the numerous strategies deployed by Alternaria spp. to attack their hosts, the production of toxins, carrying critical concerns to public health as food contaminant, and the production of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteases, can be highlighted. Alternaria proteases also trigger allergic symptoms in individuals with fungal sensitization, acting as allergens and facilitating antigen access to the host subepithelium. Here, we review the current knowledge about the mechanisms of Alternaria pathogenesis in plants and animals, the strategies used by Alternaria to cope with the host defenses, and the involvement Alternaria allergens and mechanisms of sensitization.
SpheroScan: a user-friendly deep learning tool for spheroid image analysis
Authors: Akshay Akshay , Katoch Mitali , Abedi Masoud , Shekarchizadeh Navid , Besic Mustafa , Burkhard Fiona C , Bigger-Allen Alex , Adam Rosalyn M , Monastyrskaya Katia , Gheinani Ali Hashemi
Published: October 2023

Background

In recent years, 3-dimensional (3D) spheroid models have become increasingly popular in scientific research as they provide a more physiologically relevant microenvironment that mimics in vivo conditions. The use of 3D spheroid assays has proven to be advantageous as it offers a better understanding of the cellular behavior, drug efficacy, and toxicity as compared to traditional 2-dimensional cell culture methods. However, the use of 3D spheroid assays is impeded by the absence of automated and user-friendly tools for spheroid image analysis, which adversely affects the reproducibility and throughput of these assays.

Results

To address these issues, we have developed a fully automated, web-based tool called SpheroScan, which uses the deep learning framework called Mask Regions with Convolutional Neural Networks (R-CNN) for image detection and segmentation. To develop a deep learning model that could be applied to spheroid images from a range of experimental conditions, we trained the model using spheroid images captured using IncuCyte Live-Cell Analysis System and a conventional microscope. Performance evaluation of the trained model using validation and test datasets shows promising results.

Conclusion

SpheroScan allows for easy analysis of large numbers of images and provides interactive visualization features for a more in-depth understanding of the data. Our tool represents a significant advancement in the analysis of spheroid images and will facilitate the widespread adoption of 3D spheroid models in scientific research. The source code and a detailed tutorial for SpheroScan are available at https://github.com/FunctionalUrology/SpheroScan.