bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of site-diversified, fully functionalized diazirine probes for chemical proteomic applications
Authors: Tan Yan , Fu Songsen , Yang Tao , Xie Yuxin , Shen Guyi , Yan Jie , Zhao Yufen , Ni Feng
Published: July 2022

A site-diversified probe strategy exploits more complete labeling profiles for a given scaffold, showing useful applications for chemical proteomics.
Improved thermal stability and power consumption performances of Ge1Sb9 phase change thin films via doping yttrium
Authors: Xu Shengqing , Wu Weihua , Gu Han , Zhou Xiaochen , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei
Published: July 2022

Y-doped Ge1Sb9 thin films have higher crystallization temperature and data retention capacity.
An extensive theoretical study on the thermochemistry of aromatic compounds: from electronic structure to group additivity values
Authors: Zhu Shan , Xiong Zhuofan , Zhou Chong-Wen
Published: July 2022

An extensive and reliable database of the thermodynamic properties of C6–C12 aromatic molecules is constructed by using quantum chemistry calculations.
[Fe4S4] cubane in sulfite reductases: new insights into bonding properties and reactivity
Authors: Khan Shahriar N. , Griffith Alexa , De Proft Frank , Miliordos Evangelos , Havenith Remco W. A. , Bykov Dmytro , Cunha Ana V.
Published: July 2022

The dissimilatory sulfite reductase enzyme has very characteristic active site where the substrate binds to an iron site, ligated by a siroheme macrocycle and a thiol directly connected to a [Fe4S4] cluster.
Electronic fractal patterns in building Sierpinski-triangle molecular systems
Authors: L. Lage L. , Latgé A.
Published: July 2022

Fractal features in the electronic properties of Sierpinski triangle flakes and molecular chains are explored simulating experimental synthesized fractal nanostructures.
Glycosylated gold nanoparticles in point of care diagnostics: from aggregation to lateral flow
Authors: Baker Alexander N. , Hawker-Bond George W. , Georgiou Panagiotis G. , Dedola Simone , Field Robert A. , Gibson Matthew I.
Published: July 2022

Antibody-based lateral flow (immune) assays are well established, but here the emerging concept and potential of using glycans as the detection agents is reviewed.
Synthesis and structural properties of high-entropy nanoalloys made by physical and chemical routes
Authors: Barbero Andrea , Moreira Da Silva Cora , Ortiz Pena Nathaly , Kefane Nour , Jaafar Abdallah , Thorey Maxence , Bouaia Hicham , Nelayah Jaysen , Wang Guillaume , Amara Hakim , Ricolleau Christian , Huc Vincent , Alloyeau Damien
Published: July 2022

Chemical and physical synthesis methods were developed to fabricate high entropy nanoalloys containing up to five metals. TEM was exploited to reveal size and compositional effects on the nanophase diagram of these complex nanostructures.
Subsurface and solid solution-type defect engineering in the CoCr2O4–Bi2WO4–NiS2 nanocomposite for the visible-light degradation of doxycycline and removal of chromium and its genotoxic evaluation in Allium cepa
Authors: Balasurya S. , Okla Mohammad K. , Al-amri Saud S. , Alaraidh Ibrahim A. , Al-ghamdi Abdullah A. , Soufan Walid , Abdel-Maksoud Mostafa A. , Abdelaziz Ramadan F , Studenik Christian R. , Khan S. Sudheer
Published: July 2022

The double Z-scheme subsurface and solid solution-type defect engineering in CoCr2O4–Bi2WO4–NiS2 nanocomposite allow it to be used for the treatment of contaminated environmental water.
Fabrication of D–A–D type conducting polymer, carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticle-based laccase biosensor for catechol detection
Authors: Deniz Sıddıka Aybüke , Goker Seza , Toppare Levent , Soylemez Saniye
Published: July 2022

A sensing platform for catechol detection incorporating triple key materials based on SiNPs, D–A–D type conducting polymer, and MWCNTs.
An excellent multifunctional photocatalyst with a polyoxometalate–viologen framework for CEES oxidation, Cr(vi) reduction and dye decolorization under different light regimes
Authors: Yang Lin , Zhang Zhong , Zhang Chaonan , Li Shuang , Liu Guocheng , Wang Xiuli
Published: July 2022

{Mo8O26} clusters were first introduced into the cobalt–viologen framework to yield a novel 2D POMOF, which exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance towards CEES oxidation, Cr(vi) reduction and dyes decolorization under different light regimes.
Li6.58Na7.43Sr4(B9O18)(B12O24)Cl: unprecedented combination of the largest two highly polymerized isolated B–O clusters with novel isolated B9O18 FBB
Authors: Wang Feixiang , Yang Yun , Jin Congcong , Pan Shilie
Published: July 2022

A new borate exhibiting the unprecedented combination of the largest two highly polymerized B–O clusters with novel B9O18 FBB was obtained. And the corresponding design strategies for borates with two polymerized B–O clusters are proposed.
How drifting and evaporating pebbles shape giant planets
Authors: Bitsch Bertram , Schneider Aaron David , Kreidberg Laura
Published: July 2022

Atmospheric abundances of exoplanets are thought to constrain the planet formation pathway because different species evaporate at different temperatures and therefor radii in the protoplanetary disk, leaving distinct signatures inside the accreted planetary atmosphere. In particular the planetary C/O ratio is thought to constrain the planet formation pathway because of the condensation sequence of H2O, CO2, CH4, and CO, resulting in an increase in the gas phase C/O ratio with increasing distance to the host star. Here we use a disk evolution model including pebble growth, drift, and evaporation coupled with a planet formation model that includes pebble and gas accretion as well as planet migration to compute the atmospheric compositions of giant planets. We compare our results to the recent observational constraints of the hot Jupiters WASP-77A b and τ Boötis b. WASP-77A b’s atmosphere features subsolar C/H, O/H, and H2O/H with slightly super-solar C/O, while τ Boötis b’s atmosphere features super-solar C/H, O/H, and C/O with subsolar H2O/H. Our simulations qualitatively reproduce these measurements and show that giants similar to WASP-77A b should start to form beyond the CO2 evaporation front, while giants similar to τ Boötis b should originate from beyond the water ice line. Our model allows for the formation of subsolar and super-solar atmospheric compositions within the same framework. On the other hand, simulations without pebble evaporation, as used in classical models, cannot reproduce the super-solar C/H and O/H ratios of τ Boötis b’s atmosphere without the additional accretion of solids. Furthermore, we identify the a viscosity parameter of the disk as a key ingredient regarding planetary composition because the viscosity drives the inward motion of volatile enriched vapor, which is responsible for the accretion of gaseous carbon and oxygen. Depending on the planet’s migration history through the disk across different evaporation fronts, order-of-magnitude differences in atmospheric carbon and oxygen abundances should be expected. Our simulations additionally predict super-solar N/H for τ Boötis b and solar N/H for WASP-77A b. We thus conclude that pebble evaporation is a key ingredient to explain the variety of exoplanet atmospheres because it can explain both subsolar and super-solar atmospheric abundances.
Laser spot thermography for defect detection on mild steel at higher temperatures (30–600 °C)
Authors: Puthiyaveettil Nithin , Rajagopal Prabhu , Balasubramaniam Krishnan
Published: July 2022

This paper studies the performance of laser spot thermography (LST) in defect detection on a mild steel sample at different temperatures (30–600 °C). In laser spot thermography, a laser spot is used to scan over the surface of the sample and the thermal profile is monitored using a thermal camera. For checking the feasibility/capability of laser spot thermography in defect detection under higher temperatures, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed using a commercial FE software package. This FE model is used to understand the heat transfer phenomenon during defect detection at higher temperatures, even after oxidation temperature. The influence of the oxide layer formation (scale) at higher temperatures (above 500 °C) in defect detection is established using the validated model. The thermal properties and optical properties of this oxide layer are different from those of the base metal; this will lead to a drastic variation in the thermal profile after the oxidation temperature. An oxide layer at 600 °C is introduced in the improved numerical model as a thin resistive layer at the top surface with a thickness of 50 μm. The thermal properties of the layer are assigned as the scale properties. FE modeling results show better agreement with experimental results even at 600 °C. Thus, the applicability of LST in high temperatures is experimentally proved.
Large tunneling magnetoresistance and low resistance-area product in CrSe2/NiCl2/CrSe2 van der Waals magnetic tunnel junction
Authors: Guo Xiaoyan , Zhu Yu , Yang Baishun , Zhang Xiaolin , Han Xiufeng , Yan Yu
Published: July 2022

The emergence of two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW) intrinsic magnets offers exciting opportunities to explore high-performance vdW magnetic tunnel junctions (vdW MTJs) and miniaturization of devices beyond Moore's law for future energy efficient nano-electronic devices. In this work, using first principles calculations, we investigate the spin-dependent transport of vdW MTJs formed by two vdW ferromagnetic (FM) CrSe2 electrodes and an interlayer antiferromagnetic bilayer NiCl2 barrier (CrSe2/NiCl2/CrSe2 vdW MTJ). We find that in contrast to the large resistance-area (RA) products higher than several kilohms square micrometer in crystalline MgO based MTJs with high tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) ratios, the large TMR ratio of about 5200% and the low RA products ranging from 0.11 to 6 Ω μm2 are simultaneously achieved in the CrSe2/NiCl2/CrSe2 vdW MTJ at zero bias due to the spin-dependent tunnel transport associated with the FM CrSe2 electrode and the significant spin filtering effect associated with the half-metallic bilayer NiCl2 barrier. Moreover, the TMR ratio of the CrSe2/NiCl2/CrSe2 vdW MTJ increases first with increasing bias voltage and then decreases with the further increase in the bias voltage after reaching the highest value, and the optimized bias voltage can significantly promote the TMR ratio up to 12 000%. Our results pave the way to develop high-performance vdW MTJs with both large TMR ratios and low RA products for future spintronic applications.
Inscription of lateral superlattices in semiconductors using structured light
Authors: Hnatovsky C. , Zudov M. A. , Austing D. G. , Bogan A. , Mihailov S. J. , Hilke M. , West K. W. , Pfeiffer L. N. , Studenikin S. A.
Published: July 2022

We propose a non-destructive, all-optical technique to imprint embedded lateral superlattices near semiconductor heterostructures by illuminating the samples with a stable interference pattern generated by a phase diffraction grating. We demonstrate the technique on an ultrahigh mobility GaAs/AlGaAs sample with a Si δ-doping by inducing a persistent charge redistribution at cryogenic temperatures in the doping layer containing DX-centers. Weiss commensurability oscillations in the magnetoresistance of the light-induced superlattice are observed and analyzed to obtain its characteristics.
Variational vs perturbative relativistic energies for small and light atomic and molecular systems
Authors: Ferenc Dávid , Jeszenszki Péter , Mátyus Edit
Published: July 2022

Variational and perturbative relativistic energies are computed and compared for two-electron atoms and molecules with low nuclear charge numbers. In general, good agreement of the two approaches is observed. Remaining deviations can be attributed to higher-order relativistic, also called non-radiative quantum electrodynamics (QED), corrections of the perturbative approach that are automatically included in the variational solution of the no-pair Dirac–Coulomb–Breit (DCB) equation to all orders of the α fine-structure constant. The analysis of the polynomial α dependence of the DCB energy makes it possible to determine the leading-order relativistic correction to the non-relativistic energy to high precision without regularization. Contributions from the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian, for which expectation values converge slowly due the singular terms, are implicitly included in the variational procedure. The α dependence of the no-pair DCB energy shows that the higher-order (α4Eh) non-radiative QED correction is 5% of the leading-order (α3Eh) non-radiative QED correction for Z = 2 (He), but it is 40% already for Z = 4 (Be2+), which indicates that resummation provided by the variational procedure is important already for intermediate nuclear charge numbers.
Evaluating conservation strategies for the endangered daisy
Authors: Monks Leonie , Coates David , McArthur Shelley , Standish Rachel J.
Published: July 2022

Context To establish translocated populations of threatened plants with the genetic resources to adapt to changing environmental conditions, the source of propagation material is an important consideration. Aim We investigated the fitness consequences of genetic rescue and admixture for the threatened annual daisy Schoenia filifolia subsp. subulifolia, and the common S. filifolia subsp. filifolia, to inform seed-sourcing strategies for translocations of the threatened subspecies. Methods We evaluated genetic diversity of two populations of S. filifolia subsp. subulifolia and four populations of S. filifolia subsp. filifolia by using microsatellite markers. We grew seedlings from each study population and cross-pollinated inflorescences within and among populations of the same subspecies, and between subspecies. We evaluated the fitness consequences of each cross by using seed set, seed weight and seed viability. Key results There was a lower genetic diversity in the small (<50 plants, Nar = 3.28, He = 0.42) compared to the large (>10 000 plants, Nar = 4.42, He = 0.51) population of S. filifolia subsp. subulifolia, although none of the measures was significantly different, and seed fitness was slightly, although not significantly, reduced in interpopulation crosses compared with the small population. Genetic diversity was similar between the threatened and widespread subspecies; however, the subspecies were genetically divergent (Fst = 0.242–0.294) and cross-pollination between subspecies produced negligible amounts of seeds (<3% seed set). Conclusions Although genetic rescue or admixture of S. filifolia subsp. subulifolia would not necessarily result in greatly increased levels of genetic diversity or seed fitness, we still consider it a potential option. Negligible seed set in crosses between subspecies indicates that deliberate hybridisation is not a possibility. Implications Studies of fitness consequences of admixture or genetic rescue are rare yet critical to assessing the benefits of different translocation strategies.
Intervention effects in L1 and L2 English raising
Authors: Franciotti Pamela , Martohardjono Gita
Published: July 2022

We investigate L1 Italian-L2 English speakers using three
types of subject raising constructions: Raising over lexical DPs,
pronominal DPs, and topicalizations. We test locality constraints in
L2 English, including how intervention effects affect the L2
processing of A-dependencies and whether exceptionality to certain
locality constraints are learnable. Three main findings emerged: (i)
L2 speakers are sensitive to intervention, yet exceptions to
locality can be learned; (ii) intervening DPs elicited higher
processing loads only for native controls; (iii) raising with
topicalizations facilitated processing only for native speakers,
even though topicalization is grammatical in the L2er’s L1. Results
indicate that native and non-native grammars eventually converge,
exceptionality to universal constraints is learnable, and
differences between native and non-native speakers lies primarily in
processing.
Feature reconfiguration at the syntax-discourse interface
Authors: Smeets Liz
Published: July 2022

This study examines L1 transfer in the L2 acquisition of
feature mappings associated with Italian Clitic Left Dislocation
(CLLD) by native speakers of English and Romanian. In Italian,
insertion of a clitic after dislocating a direct object is
restricted to [+anaphor] objects (López, 2009) and in Romanian to [+specific] objects.
Extending the Feature Reassembly Hypothesis (Lardiere, 2009) to the syntax-discourse
interface, successful acquisition is arguably more difficult for the
L1 Romanian group than the L1 English group due to the need for
feature reassembly. The findings show convergence with the target
language only for the L1 English group in the near-native levels of
L2 proficiency. The results suggest that reconfiguration is prone to
fossilization when reassembly is required.
Particles
Authors: Gergel Remus , Reich Ingo , Speyer Augustin
Published: July 2022

This chapter provides a general background to the field of particles by introducing major classifications and considerations
from synchronic, diachronic, and contrastive perspectives. It builds on earlier literature from the respective fields. In
doing so, it also prepares the ground for the individual chapters, which it previews and puts into perspective with the
general theme of the volume.
From up-toning intensifying particle to scalar focus particle
Authors: Eberhardt Irina
Published: July 2022

The paper proposes a new developmental path from up-toning intensifying particle to additive scalar
focus particle based on a diachronic corpus analysis of the German focus particles zumal
‘especially’, gar ‘even’, and sogar ‘even’. The meaning shift took place about 1600 and was
facilitated by shared morpho-syntactic and semantic properties of the source and target meanings. Critical (ambiguous) and
isolating contexts play a crucial role in the study. The data indicate the occurrence of two types of critical contexts, a
syntactically motivated one and a semantically motivated one. Furthermore, the new developmental path is argued to follow a
general cross-linguistic tendency of additive scalar focus particles to develop from scalar expressions in a broader
sense.
A comparative study of German auch and Italian anche
Authors: Cognola Federica , Moroni Manuela Caterina , Bidese Ermenegildo
Published: July 2022

In this paper we carry out a systematic comparison between the German and Italian particles
auch and anche (meaning “also”) and provide a formal account of the data couched within
the cartographic approach to syntax (Cinque 1999; Rizzi 1997; Cinque & Rizzi 2010). Based on the
available literature and on novel data, we show that in both languages this particle exhibits three main functions: (i)
additive particle; (ii) connective adverb (residual in Italian) and (iii) modal particle – which correlate with a different
syntactic status of the particle (head or maximal projection) and with a different position within the clause. When used as an
additive particle, auch/anche lexicalize a head in the lower portion of the clause and function as focalizers
(in the sense of Kayne 1998, 2005). When
they are connective adverbs, they are maximal projections hosted in a functional projection dedicated to adverbs. Finally,
when used as a modal particle auch/anche are heads found in the higher portion of the IP layer. German
auch and Italian anche are however not identical, since when used as an additive
particle, German auch, but not Italian anche, is compatible with discontinuous constructions
in which a given XP in the scope of auch can be moved to Spec,CP leaving auch within the
clause. Moreover, German auch is compatible with a variety of illocutionary types in its use as a modal
particle, whereas anche can only be used in declarative clauses. We show that the former fact follows from
asymmetries in movement options between the two languages (topics move in German but not in Italian) and the latter results
from the nature of anche as a polarity item.
Modal particles in questions and wh-sensitivity
Authors: Modicom Pierre-Yves
Published: July 2022

This study concentrates on the use of modal particles (MPs) in non-standard questions (such as rhetorical
questions or surprise-disapproval questions), both in German and in French. For French, the items considered here as MPs are
bien, diable and donc. Their behavior in non-standard questions is interpreted in the
light of Bayer & Obenauer’s (2011) proposal for German non-standard questions.
Special attention is devoted to the “Small PrtP construction” where the particle combines with a wh-item. I
discuss the hypothesis of a specific path of pragmaticalization for particles in non-standard wh-questions
that would involve focus-sensitivity. Starting from the MP-equivalent uses of French and German focus particles
seulement and nur, I turn to bien, donc and
diable, three particles that are not subject to focus-sensitivity. All three items have other uses
outside of interrogative contexts where they either interact preferably with items denoting sets of alternatives, or where
they are used to mark the high degree of a quality or the atypicality of an entity. From these usages, I derive the semantic
value associated with each particle in non-standard questions. The conclusion is that sensitivity to scales and sets of
alternatives is very likely to play a major role in the rise of illocution-modifying particles in
wh-questions.
PP-internal particles in Dutch as evidence for PP-internal discourse structure
Authors: Trotzke Andreas , Haegeman Liliane
Published: July 2022

Drawing on evidence from Dutch, this paper presents the new observation that discourse particles can not
only appear at the level of CP, but also inside the PP domain. In particular, we demonstrate that Dutch dan
can receive a non-temporal interpretation, and in this reading dan can appear as a functional head inside a
complex PP constituent. After having established a detailed structural analysis of this phenomenon, we look beyond Dutch and
compare the discourse function that dan has inside the PP to the role that its German cognate
denn plays at the level of CP. We conclude that both cases can be analyzed along the same lines because
they express the same abstract discourse function: Both PP-internal dan and German denn are
discourse-navigating devices that link ‘a ground’ to ‘a figure’, only differing in their semantic domains of application.
Modelling of Kelvin probe surface voltage and photovoltage in dielectric-semiconductor interfaces
Authors: Bonilla Ruy Sebastian
Published: July 2022

The characterisation of dielectric-semiconductor interfaces via Kelvin probe surface voltage and photovoltage has become a widespread method of extracting the electrical properties influencing optoelectronic devices. Kelvin probe offers a versatile, contactless and vacuum-less technique able to provide useful insights into the electronic structure of semiconductor surfaces. Semiconductor theory has long been used to explain the observations from surface voltage measurements, often by making large assumptions about the characteristics of the system. In this work I report an updated theoretical treatment to model the results of Kelvin probe surface voltage and photovoltage measurements including four critical mechanisms: the concentration of charge stored in interface surface states, the charge stored in different locations of a surface dielectric thin film, the changes to effective lifetime and excess carrier density as a result of charge redistribution, and the non-uniformity of charge observed on most large scale thin film coatings used for passivation and optical improvement in optoelectronic devices. A full model is drawn and solved analytically to exemplify the role that these mechanisms have in surface voltage characterisation. The treatment in this work provides crucial understanding of the mechanisms that give rise to surface potential in semiconductors. As such this work will help the design and development of better optoelectronic devices.
Indium-gallium-zinc oxide Schottky diodes on softening substrates for rectifying bioelectronic circuits
Authors: Guerrero Edgar , Rocha-Flores Pedro Emanuel , Gutierrez-Heredia Gerardo , Cogan Stuart F , Voit Walter E , Maeng Jimin
Published: July 2022

Incorporating electronic components onto soft materials facilitates the development of compliant electronics suited for bioelectronic applications. In this work, we present indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (IGZO) Schottky diodes fabricated on a stimuli-responsive polymer that undergoes softening (i.e. orders-of-magnitude drop in modulus) upon exposure to physiological stimuli. These diodes rectify megahertz radio-frequency (RF) signals in half-wave rectification circuits across the softening of the polymer substrate and withstand mechanical and chemical stresses such as repeated folding up to 10 000 cycles and aging in a simulated physiological medium for up to two weeks. The effects of thermal annealing and ultraviolet-ozone treatment processes are evaluated using dynamic mechanical analysis and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques, showing that these processes lead to a large improvement in the interface properties of the platinum-IGZO Schottky contact while preserving the thermomechanical properties of the softening polymer substrate. The RF rectification capabilities of these diodes in softened and deformed states are particularly interesting for the next generation of soft wireless bioelectronics.
Numerical study on pressure drop characteristics for turbulent flow in conical spiral tubes
Authors: Saksena Dipak P , Lakhera Vikas J
Published: July 2022

The study of pressure drop characteristics in a curved tube is important as it has extensive application in coiled tube heat exchangers, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The literature review suggests that the pressure drop characteristics at the coil level as well as at local level for the curved tubes with varying curvature i. e. conical spiral tubes require further investigations. The objective of the present work is to investigate the flow resistance characteristics of turbulent fluid flow in conical spiral tubes with uniform wall temperature heating with the numerical simulation approach using ANSYS Fluent. The conical spiral tubes with different curvature and cone taper angle ranging from 10° to 60° were modelled and simulated for the Reynolds number range of 104 to 105. The CFD results reveal that the total pressure drop and the local cross-flow pressure loss coefficient increased with Reynolds number, cone taper angle and curvature ratio. The results also show that the friction factor and the cross-flow coefficient increased significantly in the tube at a cone taper angle of 60° due to an enhancement in the secondary flow and hence the pressure loss. For the given curvature radius and tube diameter of the conical spiral tube there exists an optimum Reynolds number at which the dimensionless cross-flow pressure coefficient has an optimum value. A correlation to predict the friction factor as a function of Reynolds number and cone taper angle is proposed for the turbulent flow in conical spiral tubes. For the usual practically applicable curvature ratio of less than 0.1 in curved tubes, the pressure drop prediction using the proposed correlation is found to be within ±10% of the numerical simulation results.
Between reduced powers and ultrapowers, II.
Authors: Farah Ilijas , Shelah Saharon
Published: July 2022

We prove that, consistently with ZFC, no ultraproduct of countably infinite (or separable metric, non-compact) structures is isomorphic to a reduced product of countable (or separable metric) structures associated to the Fréchet filter. Since such structures are countably saturated, the Continuum Hypothesis implies that they are isomorphic when elementarily equivalent.
Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and the risk for sudden cardiac arrest and for all-cause death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Eroglu Talip E , Coronel Ruben , Zuurbier Coert J , Blom Marieke , de Boer Anthonius , Souverein Patrick C
Published: July 2022

Aims

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are antidiabetic agents that can have direct cardiac effects by impacting on cardiac ion transport mechanisms that control cardiac electrophysiology. We studied the association between SGLT-2i use and all-cause mortality and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a cohort study among patients initiating a new antidiabetic drug class on or after January 2013 through September 2020 was conducted. A Cox regression with time-dependent covariates was performed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of SCA and all-cause mortality comparing SGLT-2is with other second- to third-line antidiabetic drugs. Stratified analyses were performed according to sex, diabetes duration (<5 or ≥5 years), and the presence of cardiovascular disease.

Results

A total of 152 591 patients were included. Use of SGLT-2i was associated with a reduced HR of SCA when compared with other second- to third-line antidiabetic drugs after adjustment for common SCA risk factors, although this association marginally failed to reach statistical significance [HR: 0.62, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.38–1.01]. The HR of all-cause mortality associated with SGLT-2i use when compared with other second- to third-line antidiabetics was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.39–0.48) and did not vary by sex, diabetes duration, or the presence of cardiovascular disease. SGLT-2i use remained associated with lower all-cause mortality in patients without concomitant insulin use (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.50–0.63).

Conclusion

SGLT-2i use was associated with reduced all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. The association between use of SGLT-2i and reduced risk of SCA was not statistically significant.
The road to a transcatheter edge-to-edge repair: patient experiences leading up to the procedure and in the early recovery period
Authors: Adhami Nassim , Rozor Mihaela , Percy Celeste , Achtem Leslie , Johnston Sylvia , Nathoo Naureen , Pak Melissa , Polderman Jopie , Lauck Sandra B
Published: July 2022

Aims

Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation who are at increased risk for cardiac surgery and are receiving optimal medical therapy. Little is known about patients’ perspectives on their journey of care, including their experiences leading up to treatment and their early recovery period. The aim of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of their journey to TEER and their perspectives on early recovery.

Methods and results

We conducted a qualitative study using interpretive description. A purposive sample of 12 patients from a purposive sample, 3–6 monthspost-TEER procedure, were recruited from a tertiary hospital. The median age of the patients was 79 years, with seven males and five females. Data collection included semi-structured interviews over the phone. Data analysis followed an iterative process and utilized thematic analysis. There were four central themes highlighting the experiences of the patients leading up to their procedure: (i) escalating challenges with everyday life; (ii) plummeting losses; (iii) choosing and readiness to proceed with TEER; and (iv) the long and uncertain waiting time. The theme-improved health status highlights the experiences of patients in their early recovery.

Conclusion

Patients’ experiences of waiting for TEER are complex and involve multifaceted challenges related to their worsening cardiac symptoms and navigating the healthcare system. Therefore, care pathways must be put in place to provide continuity of care and support.
Performance of high-resolution impact and vibration sources for underground seismic exploration of clay formations at the scale of a rock laboratory
Authors: Wawerzinek Britta , Lüth Stefan , Esefelder Roman , Giese Rüdiger , Krawczyk Charlotte M
Published: July 2022

Low permeability, high retention capacity and self-sealing ability are advantageous characteristics that are attributed to argillaceous rocks. In contrast, other properties of clay, such as internal heterogeneities, strong attenuation and anisotropic behaviour, pose major challenges for underground exploration techniques. Although with regard to the underground storage of nuclear waste, the seismic exploration in the underground itself is of great importance to fill the gap between surface and borehole investigations. Furthermore, to prevent destruction of the host rock during exploration this demands low to non-invasive techniques. To approach these issues, a seismic survey was carried out in the Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (Switzerland) using a gallery-based acquisition with an operating range up to several decametres. The seismic campaign included three-component borehole sensors and two different seismic source types (pneumatic impact and magnetostrictive vibroseis source). An executed source comparison analysed the characteristics of the different source types, for example frequency or amplitude behaviour of the generated wavefield, to assess their performance under similar conditions at the meso scale and to reveal their strengths and weaknesses in clay. Based on these findings, we performed traveltime and reflection analyses that demonstrate their potential to characterize clay formations and to map internal structures.

The highest seismic velocities are found in the carbonate-rich sandy facies (vPmax = 4000 m s−1, vSmax = 2050 m s−1), slower velocities are found in the sandy facies (vPmax = 3720 m s−1, vSmax = 1840 m s−1) and the slowest velocities are found in the shaly facies (vPmax = 3220 m s−1, vSmax = 1480 m s−1). The seismic velocity anisotropy is larger within the shaly facies (AvP = 23 per cent, AvS = 32 per cent) compared to the sandy facies (AvP = 9 per cent, AvS = 12 per cent) and it is more pronounced for S-waves than P-waves. Thus, non-invasive meso-scale seismic techniques are suited to characterize the Opalinus Clay in great detail.
An approach to enhance topic modeling by using paratext and nonnegative matrix factorizations
Authors: Flores-Garrido Marisol , García-Velázquez Luis Miguel , López-Vázquez Julieta Arisbe
Published: July 2022

Given the growing expansion in the development and use of computational methods in humanities research, it is necessary to propose methodologies that properly explore the questions posed by different disciplines, considering the locality of both data and the process behind its generation. In the present work, we explore the problem of automatically identifying the main topics in collections of Nahua discourses known as huehuetlahtollis. Each document in the collections is introduced through an extended title, and it is a natural question if enhancing the role of title terms during the unsupervised learning process could enrich results. Aiming at explainability, we consider a model based on nonnegative matrix factorizations (NMF). An overview of the historical process behind the composition of the explored corpora suggests that titles reflect the point of view of the collection’s compiler in manners that justify viewing the paratext as a supplementary source on the material. Therefore, we propose a bi-objective NMF scheme that appropriately reflects the a priori knowledge on the corpus, linking and combining the information of titles and content to improve the accuracy in identifying topic groups and relevant terms within a corpus. By comparing three different schemes against the labels assigned by an expert, we show that our model better reflects the nature of data, translating into higher accuracy. Finally, we present some insights on the studied corpora derived from our analysis of identified relevant terms.
The impact of galactic feedback on the shapes of dark matter haloes
Authors: Chua Kun Ting Eddie , Vogelsberger Mark , Pillepich Annalisa , Hernquist Lars
Published: July 2022

We quantify the impact of galaxy formation on dark matter halo shapes using cosmological simulations at redshift z = 0. Using magnetohydrodynamic simulations from the IllustrisTNG project, we focus on haloes of mass $10^{10\!-\!14} \, \rm M_{\odot }$ from the 50 Mpc (TNG50) and 100 Mpc (TNG100) boxes and compare them to dark matter-only (DMO) analogues and other simulations, e.g. Numerical Investigation of a Hundred Astrophysical Objects (NIHAO) and Evolution and Assembly of GaLaxies and their Environments (EAGLE). We further quantify the prediction uncertainty by varying the feedback models using smaller 25 ${\rm Mpc}\, h^{-1}$ boxes. We find that (i) galaxy formation results in rounder haloes compared to DMO simulations, in qualitative agreement with past results. Haloes of mass ${\approx }2\times 10^{12} \, \rm M_{\odot }$ are most spherical, with an average minor-to-major axial ratio of $\langle s \rangle$ ≈ 0.75 in the inner halo, an increase of 40 per cent compared to their DMO counterparts. No significant difference is present for low-mass $10^{10} \, \rm M_{\odot }$ haloes; (ii) stronger feedback, e.g. increasing galactic wind speed, reduces the impact of baryons; (iii) the inner halo shape correlates with the stellar mass fraction, explaining the dependence of halo shapes on feedback models; and (iv) the fiducial and weaker feedback models are most consistent with observational estimates of the Milky Way halo shape. At fixed halo mass, very diverse and possibly unrealistic feedback models all predict inner shapes closer to one another than to the DMO results. Because of the large halo-to-halo variation in halo shape, a larger observational sample is required to statistically distinguish different baryonic prescriptions.
Galaxy cluster aperture masses are more robust to baryonic effects than 3D halo masses
Authors: Debackere Stijn N B , Hoekstra Henk , Schaye Joop
Published: July 2022

Systematic uncertainties in the mass measurement of galaxy clusters limit the cosmological constraining power of future surveys that will detect more than 105 clusters. Previously, we argued that aperture masses can be inferred more accurately and precisely than 3D masses without loss of cosmological constraining power. Here, we use the Baryons and Haloes of Massive Systems (BAHAMAS) cosmological, hydrodynamical simulations to show that aperture masses are also less sensitive to changes in mass caused by galaxy formation processes. For haloes with $m_\mathrm{200m,dmo} \gt 10^{14} \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{M_\odot }$, binned by their 3D halo mass, baryonic physics affects aperture masses and 3D halo masses similarly when measured within apertures similar to the halo virial radius, reaching a maximum reduction of $\approx 3 \, \mathrm{per\, cent}$. For lower mass haloes, $10^{13.5} \lt m_\mathrm{200m,dmo} / h^{-1} \, \mathrm{M_\odot }\lt 10^{14}$, and aperture sizes $\sim 1 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{cMpc}$, representative of weak lensing observations, the aperture mass is consistently reduced less ($\lesssim 5 \, \mathrm{per\, cent}$) than the 3D halo mass ($\lesssim 10 \, \mathrm{per\, cent}$ for m200m). The halo mass reduction evolves only slightly, by up to 2 $\mathrm{per\, centage}$ points, between redshift 0.25 and 1 for both the aperture mass and m200m. Varying the simulated feedback strength so the mean simulated hot gas fraction covers the observed scatter inferred from X-ray observations, we find that the aperture mass is consistently less biased than the 3D halo mass, by up to $2 \,$$\mathrm{per\, centage}$ points at $m_\mathrm{200m,dmo} = 10^{14} \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{M_\odot }$. Therefore, aperture mass calibrations provide a fruitful path to reduce the sensitivity of future cluster surveys to systematic uncertainties.
DSIF modulates RNA polymerase II occupancy according to template G + C content
Authors: Deng Ning , Zhang Yue , Ma Zhihai , Lin Richard , Cheng Tzu-Hao , Tang Hua , Snyder Michael P , Cohen Stanley N
Published: July 2022

The DSIF complex comprising the Supt4h and Supt5h transcription elongation proteins clamps RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) onto DNA templates, facilitating polymerase processivity. Lowering DSIF components can differentially decrease expression of alleles containing nucleotide repeat expansions, suggesting that RNAPII transit through repeat expansions is dependent on DSIF functions. To globally identify sequence features that affect dependence of the polymerase on DSIF in human cells, we used ultra-deep ChIP-seq analysis and RNA-seq to investigate and quantify the genome-wide effects of Supt4h loss on template occupancy and transcript production. Our results indicate that RNAPII dependence on Supt4h varies according to G + C content. Effects of DSIF knockdown were prominent during transcription of sequences high in G + C but minimal for sequences low in G + C and were particularly evident for G + C-rich segments of long genes. Reanalysis of previously published ChIP-seq data obtained from mouse cells showed similar effects of template G + C composition on Supt5h actions. Our evidence that DSIF dependency varies globally in different template regions according to template sequence composition suggests that G + C content may have a role in the selectivity of Supt4h knockdown and Supt5h knockdown during transcription of gene alleles containing expansions of G + C-rich repeats.
SMGR: a joint statistical method for integrative analysis of single-cell multi-omics data
Authors: Song Qianqian , Zhu Xuewei , Jin Lingtao , Chen Minghan , Zhang Wei , Su Jing
Published: July 2022

Unravelling the regulatory programs from single-cell multi-omics data has long been one of the major challenges in genomics, especially in the current emerging single-cell field. Currently there is a huge gap between fast-growing single-cell multi-omics data and effective methods for the integrative analysis of these inherent sparse and heterogeneous data. In this study, we have developed a novel method, Single-cell Multi-omics Gene co-Regulatory algorithm (SMGR), to detect coherent functional regulatory signals and target genes from the joint single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (scATAC-seq) data obtained from different samples. Given that scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq data can be captured by zero-inflated Negative Binomial distribution, we utilize a generalized linear regression model to identify the latent representation of consistently expressed genes and peaks, thus enables the identification of co-regulatory programs and the elucidation of regulating mechanisms. Results from both simulation and experimental data demonstrate that SMGR outperforms the existing methods with considerably improved accuracy. To illustrate the biological insights of SMGR, we apply SMGR to mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) and identify the MPAL-specific regulatory program with significant peak-gene links, which greatly enhance our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and potential targets of this complex tumor.
Model-Predicted Impact of ECG Monitoring Strategies During Bedaquiline Treatment
Authors: van Beek Stijn W , Tanneau Lénaïg , Meintjes Graeme , Wasserman Sean , Gandhi Neel R , Campbell Angie , Viljoen Charle A , Wiesner Lubbe , Aarnoutse Rob E , Maartens Gary , Brust James C M , Svensson Elin M
Published: July 2022

Background

The M2 metabolite of bedaquiline causes QT-interval prolongation, making electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of patients receiving bedaquiline for drug-resistant tuberculosis necessary. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between M2 exposure and Fridericia-corrected QT (QTcF)-interval prolongation and to explore suitable ECG monitoring strategies for 6-month bedaquiline treatment.

Methods

Data from the PROBeX study, a prospective observational cohort study, were used to characterize the relationship between M2 exposure and QTcF. Established nonlinear mixed-effects models were fitted to pharmacokinetic and ECG data. In a virtual patient population, QTcF values were simulated for scenarios with and without concomitant clofazimine. ECG monitoring strategies to identify patients who need to interrupt treatment (QTcF > 500 ms) were explored.

Results

One hundred seventy patients were included, providing 1131 bedaquiline/M2 plasma concentrations and 1702 QTcF measurements; 2.1% of virtual patients receiving concomitant clofazimine had QTcF > 500 ms at any point during treatment (0.7% without concomitant clofazimine). With monthly monitoring, almost all patients with QTcF > 500 ms were identified by week 12; after week 12, patients were predominantly falsely identified as QTcF > 500 ms due to stochastic measurement error. Following a strategy with monitoring before treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 in simulations with concomitant clofazimine, 93.8% of all patients who should interrupt treatment were identified, and 26.4% of all interruptions were unnecessary (92.1% and 32.2%, respectively, without concomitant clofazimine).

Conclusions

Our simulations enable an informed decision for a suitable ECG monitoring strategy by weighing the risk of missing patients with QTcF > 500 ms and that of interrupting bedaquiline treatment unnecessarily. We propose ECG monitoring before treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12 after starting bedaquiline treatment.
Gauged sigma models and exceptional dressing cosets
Authors: Sakatani Yuho , Uehara Shozo
Published: July 2022

The Poisson–Lie (PL) T-duality is a generalized T-duality based on the Lie algebra of the Drinfel’d double. In particular, when we consider the PL T-duality of a coset space, the dual space is found to be a generalized coset space, which is called the dressing coset. We investigate an extension of the dressing cosets to the U-duality setup. We propose the gauged actions for various branes in M-theory and type IIB theory, where the generalized metric is constructed by using the exceptional Drinfel’d algebra (EDA) and the gauge algebra is a certain isotropic subalgebra of the EDA. By eliminating the gauge fields, the gauged action reduces to the standard brane action on a certain reduced background, which we call the exceptional dressing coset. We also propose an alternative definition of the exceptional dressing cosets based on Sfetsos’s approach and reproduce a known example of non-Abelian T-duality in the U-duality-covariant formulation.