bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrications of twisted moiré photonic crystal and random moiré photonic crystal and their potential applications in light extraction
Authors: Alnasser Khadijah , Li Shan , Sidhik Siraj , Kamau Steve , Hou Jin , Hurley Noah , Alzaid Ayman , Wang Sicheng , Yan Hao , Deng Jiangdong , Omary Mohammad A , Mohite Aditya D , Cui Jingbiao , Lin Yuankun
Published: October 2023

Twisted moiré photonic crystal is an optical analog of twisted graphene or twisted transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers. In this paper, we report the fabrication of twisted moiré photonic crystals and randomized moiré photonic crystals and their use in enhanced extraction of light in light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Fractional diffraction orders from randomized moiré photonic crystals are more uniform than those from moiré photonic crystals. Extraction efficiencies of 76.5%, 77.8% and 79.5% into glass substrate are predicted in simulations of LED patterned with twisted moiré photonic crystals, defect-containing photonic crystals and random moiré photonic crystals, respectively, at 584 nm. Extraction efficiencies of optically pumped LEDs with 2D perovskite (BA)2(MA)
n−1PbnI3n+1 of n = 3 and (5-(2′-pyridyl)-tetrazolato)(3-CF3−5-(2′-pyridyl)pyrazolato) platinum(II) (PtD) have been measured.
An uncertainty aided framework for learning based liver T
1ρ
mapping and analysis
Authors: Huang Chaoxing , Wong Vincent Wai-Sun , Chan Queenie , Chu Winnie Chiu-Wing , Chen Weitian
Published: October 2023

Objective. Quantitative

T

1
ρ

imaging has potential for assessment of biochemical alterations of liver pathologies. Deep learning methods have been employed to accelerate quantitative

T

1
ρ

imaging. To employ artificial intelligence-based quantitative imaging methods in complicated clinical environment, it is valuable to estimate the uncertainty of the predicated

T

1
ρ

values to provide the confidence level of the quantification results. The uncertainty should also be utilized to aid the post-hoc quantitative analysis and model learning tasks. Approach. To address this need, we propose a parametric map refinement approach for learning-based

T

1
ρ

mapping and train the model in a probabilistic way to model the uncertainty. We also propose to utilize the uncertainty map to spatially weight the training of an improved

T

1
ρ

mapping network to further improve the mapping performance and to remove pixels with unreliable

T

1
ρ

values in the region of interest. The framework was tested on a dataset of 51 patients with different liver fibrosis stages. Main results. Our results indicate that the learning-based map refinement method leads to a relative mapping error of less than 3% and provides uncertainty estimation simultaneously. The estimated uncertainty reflects the actual error level, and it can be used to further reduce relative

T

1
ρ

mapping error to 2.60% as well as removing unreliable pixels in the region of interest effectively. Significance. Our studies demonstrate the proposed approach has potential to provide a learning-based quantitative MRI system for trustworthy

T

1
ρ

mapping of the liver.
Size effects on a one-dimensional defective phononic crystal sensor
Authors: Shu Zhenzhao , Zhang Gongye , Cong Yu , Gu Shuitao
Published: October 2023

The influence of size effects on one-dimensional defective phononic crystal (PnC) sensors based on simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET) is studied in this paper. PnCs have been widely used in high-sensitivity gas and liquid sensors by introducing defects to disrupt the perfect PnC modes. In comparison with classical elasticity theory, the SSGET includes two microstructure-related material parameters that can accurately reflect the size effects of the structure. In this paper, the stiffness matrix method was used to calculate the transmission coefficients of the proposed model, avoiding the numerical instability of the transfer matrix method. The results show that the size effects at the microscale affect the perfect PnC bandgap’s frequency range, and the microstructure constants impress the resonant frequency while detecting liquids. Consequently, the accuracy of the sensor is reduced. These findings provide a theoretical basis for designing microscale PnC sensors.
Self-repairing elastomer based on imidazole π–π stacking interaction
Authors: Chen Shaojun , Ren Zhenghe , Chen Ming , Chen Heng , Zhuo Haitao , Zhong Haiqiang
Published: October 2023

Most self-healing materials have complex chemical structures and require cumbersome preparation processes, which seriously limit their large-scale application in the fields of electronic skins, wearable devices, biomedical applications and soft robotics. In this study, self-healing elastomers based on π–π stacking between imidazole groups were prepared by simpler and faster photo-polymerization with butyl acrylate (BA) and 1-vinyl imidazole (VIM), coded as BVn. Due to the imidazole groups in the side chains, the prepared elastomers had excellent self-repairing properties. After healing at 60 °C for 24 h, the strength and elongation at break of the repaired sample recovered to 97.2% and 95.4% of the original values, respectively. Importantly, the BVn based elastomers relied on π–π stacking interactions between imidazole groups rather than covalent crosslinks and could be recycled. These new self-repairing composite elastomers with high thermal stabilities, high elongations at break, good recoverabilites and high self-repairing efficiencies have great application potentials.
Evaporation residue cross sections of superheavy nuclei based on optimized nuclear data*
Authors: Li 李 Jia-Xing 佳星 , Zhang 张 Hong-Fei 鸿飞
Published: October 2023

This study proposes an optimized method for estimating atomic nucleus masses by combining the finite-range droplet model (FRDM) with the support vector machine algorithm. The optimization process significantly improves the accuracy of the FRDM by reducing the root mean square error from 0.606 to 0.253 MeV. The optimized mass data obtained from this method are then used to calculate the evaporation residue cross-sections (ERCSs) for fusion-evaporation reactions, employing the di-nuclear system model. The experimental results for the 48Ca+238U reaction are relatively well reproduced using these optimized mass data. Additionally, the study investigates the impact of mass uncertainties on fusion and survival probabilities. By considering the mass uncertainties, the ERCSs for new elements 119 and 120 are predicted based on the obtained optimized mass data.
Integrated model control simulations of the electron density profile and the implications of using multiple discrete pellet injectors for control
Authors: Bosman T.O.S.J. , Koechl F. , Ho A. , de Baar M.R. , Krishnamoorthy D. , van Berkel M.
Published: October 2023

Pellet injection is regarded as the only realistic actuator for core density control in future reactors such as ITER and DEMO. However, a control strategy that can reliably regulate the plasma close to operational limits using multiple pellet injectors is not yet available. In this paper, we present the first integrated model control simulations where a dedicated model-predictive controller is included in JINTRAC. We show that, when continuous actuators are considered, a simple transport model with a steady-state disturbance rejection paradigm is capable of capturing the particle transport dynamics for multiple transport models and scenarios. This in turn allows the model-predictive controller to deal with the uncertainty and minimize the control error given the limited actuation space. Furthermore, we show that for ITER and DEMO relevant pellet sizes, the discrete, nonlinear dynamics of pellet injection will limit the control performance and jeopardize the constraints if not accounted for by the controller. Hence, we conclude that for high-performance control on future reactors, controllers will have to be developed that explicitly deal with the discrete pellet dynamics.
A 3D-printed blood-brain barrier model with tunable topology and cell-matrix interactions
Authors: Paone Louis S , Benmassaoud Mohammed Mehdi , Curran Aidan , Vega Sebastián L , Galie Peter A
Published: October 2023

Recent developments in digital light processing (DLP) can advance the structural and biochemical complexity of perfusable in vitro models of the blood–brain barrier. Here, we describe a strategy to functionalize complex, DLP-printed vascular models with multiple peptide motifs in a single hydrogel. Different peptides can be clicked into the walls of distinct topologies, or the peptide motifs lining channel walls can differ from those in the bulk of the hydrogel. The flexibility of this approach is used to both characterize the effects of various bioactive domains on endothelial coverage and tight junction formation, in addition to facilitating astrocyte attachment in the hydrogel surrounding the endothelialized vessel to mimic endothelial–astrocyte interaction. Peptides derived from proteins mediating cell-extracellular matrix (e.g. RGD and IKVAV) and cell–cell (e.g. HAVDI) adhesions are used to mediate endothelial cell attachment and coverage. HAVDI and IKVAV-lined channels exhibit significantly greater endothelialization and increased zonula-occluden-1 (ZO-1) localization to cell–cell junctions of endothelial cells, indicative of tight junction formation. RGD is then used in the bulk hydrogel to create an endothelial–astrocyte co-culture model of the blood–brain barrier that overcomes the limitations of previous platforms incapable of complex topology or tunable bioactive domains. This approach yields an adjustable, biofabricated platform to interrogate the effects of cell-matrix interaction on blood–brain barrier mechanobiology.
Human vascularized bile duct-on-a chip: a multi-cellular micro-physiological system for studying cholestatic liver disease
Authors: Du Yu , de Jong Iris E M , Gupta Kapish , Waisbourd-Zinman Orit , Har-Zahav Adi , Soroka Carol J , Boyer James L , Llewellyn Jessica , Liu Chengyang , Naji Ali , Polacheck William J , Wells Rebecca G
Published: October 2023

Exploring the pathogenesis of and developing therapies for cholestatic liver diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains challenging, partly due to a paucity of in vitro models that capture the complex environments contributing to disease progression and partly due to difficulty in obtaining cholangiocytes. Here we report the development of a human vascularized bile duct-on-a-chip (VBDOC) that uses cholangiocyte organoids derived from normal bile duct tissue and human vascular endothelial cells to model bile ducts and blood vessels structurally and functionally in three dimensions. Cholangiocytes in the duct polarized, formed mature tight junctions and had permeability properties comparable to those measured in ex vivo systems. The flow of blood and bile was modeled by perfusion of the cell-lined channels, and cholangiocytes and endothelial cells displayed differential responses to flow. We also showed that the device can be constructed with biliary organoids from cells isolated from both bile duct tissue and the bile of PSC patients. Cholangiocytes in the duct became more inflammatory under the stimulation of IL-17A, which induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells and differentiated Th17 cells to transmigrate across the vascular channel. In sum, this human VBDOC recapitulated the vascular-biliary interface structurally and functionally and represents a novel multicellular platform to study inflammatory and fibrotic cholestatic liver diseases.
Grating assisted temperature insensitive micro-ring resonator biosensor
Authors: Kumar Verma Yogesh , Kumari Soumya , Mani Tripathi Saurabh
Published: October 2023

A grating-assisted temperature-insensitive micro-ring resonator bio-sensor is reported using the finite-difference time-domain simulation method. In addition to choosing a negative thermo-optic coefficient (TOC) material, water, to nullify temperature-induced wavelength shift, optimization of the opto-geometric parameters provided a precisely zero-temperature sensitivity (TS) state of the structure. The negative TOC of water counterbalances the positive shift in resonance wavelength originating from Si waveguides. The grating structure delocalizes the core field into the analyte region, which enhances field–matter interaction to offer high bulk refractive index (RI) and affinity sensing. The advantage of incorporating grating structure in the ring has been demonstrated by comparing the bulk RI sensitivity and affinity sensitivity with and without the grating structure. Without the circular grating array, the bulk RI sensitivity is 214 nm RIU−1, and the affinity sensitivity is 0.139 nm nm−1. Using grating in the ring structure offers an improved bulk RI sensitivity of 525 nm RIU−1 and an adlayer sensitivity of 0.515 nm nm−1. We calculated the system limit of detection of the structure as ∼2

×

10

−
6

 RIU. The fabrication tolerance of geometrical parameters, in the form of 10% variation in hole radius and 5% variation in other widths of our sensor, reveals a nominal TS of ∼6 pm ∘C−1. Changing the cladding analyte from pure water to other aqueous solutions, e.g. urine samples, also has a small impact on TS. The present work is useful in RI-dependent monitoring of the constituents present in aqueous medium-based bio-analytes samples in a variable ambient temperature environment.
A Spectral Sequence from Khovanov Homology to Knot Floer Homology
Authors: Dowlin Nathan
Published: October 2023

A well-known conjecture of Rasmussen states that for any knot

K
K

in

S

3

S^{3}

, the rank of the reduced Khovanov homology of

K
K

is greater than or equal to the rank of the reduced knot Floer homology of

K
K

. This rank inequality is supposed to arise as the result of a spectral sequence from Khovanov homology to knot Floer homology. Using an oriented cube of resolutions construction for a homology theory related to knot Floer homology, we prove this conjecture.
Relationship between microorganisms and volatile components in each fermentation process in the kusaya gravy that plays an important role in the manufacturing of kusaya, a traditional Japanese fermented fish product
Authors: Kita Kosuke , Unno Ryosuke , Osada Takahiro , Yoshiyama Hiromori , Masaki Sachiko , Nogimura Sakura , Matsutani Minenosuke , Ishikawa Morio , Suzuki Toshihiro
Published: October 2023

The relationship between the microbiota and volatile components of kusaya gravy involved in the manufacturing of kusaya, a traditional Japanese fermented fish product, in the Izu Islands (Niijima and Hachijojima) and the fermentation processes are not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the microbiota and volatile compounds involved in the manufacturing and management of kusaya gravy. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene-based amplicon sequencing revealed that the microbiota in kusaya gravy was significantly different between the two islands, and the microbiota hardly changed during each fermentation process. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis also revealed that the volatile components were strongly related to the microbiota in kusaya gravy, with Hachijojima samples containing sulfur-containing compounds and Niijima samples containing short-chain fatty acids. Therefore, our findings suggest that kusaya gravy is a characteristic fermented gravy with a stable microbiota, and the fermented pickling gravy is fermented by microorganisms.
Machine learning analysis of pretreatment skin biopsies predicts nonresponse to dupilumab in patients with eczematous dermatitis
Authors: Murphy Michael J , Hwang Erica , Singh Katelyn , Lee Trinity , Cohen Jeffrey M , Damsky William
Published: October 2023

While dupilumab has revolutionized the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), a subset of patients may fail to respond or worsen after dupilumab initiation. Using a retrospective cohort of 53 dupilumab responders and 17 nonresponders, we developed a logistic regression classifier to predict nonresponse using 7 cytokine staining and histological features derived from pretreatment biopsies. Our model demonstrated an accuracy of 95.7%, a sensitivity of 88.2%, a specificity of 98.1% and a PPV of 93.8% for predicting nonresponse using leave-one-out cross-validation, underscoring treatment-relevant immunological heterogeneity in eczema and demonstrating the potential of using machine learning and tissue biomarkers to predict dupilumab nonresponse.
Testing the feasibility of a co-designed intervention, comprising self-managed, home-based, exercise training with embedded behavioural support and compression therapy for people with venous leg ulcers receiving treatment at home (FISCU-II)
Authors: Klonizakis Markos , Gumber Anil , McIntosh Emma , Levesley Maria , Horspool Michelle , Logan Pip
Published: October 2023

Background

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) heal slowly, are painful for patients and are costly for healthcare systems; they also affect patients’ quality of life. Previous work suggests that supervised exercise training used in combination with compression therapy may offer clinical benefits. However, a large population of people with VLUs are unable to access such an intervention due to frailty and age.

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of ‘FISCU Home’ (a co-designed, 12-week home-based self-managed lifestyle programme based on exercise and behaviour support) as an adjunct therapy to compression in people with VLUs.

Methods

Forty people with VLUs, receiving treatment at home, were recruited from community nursing and tissue viability teams, and via a newspaper advertisement. Participants were randomized 1 : 1 either to exercise with behaviour support (three times per week) plus compression therapy or compression only. The feasibility of the programme was assessed using progression criteria that included exercise attendance rate, loss to follow-up, patient preference(s) and adverse events (AEs). Baseline assessments were repeated at 12 weeks and 6 months. Secondary outcomes (i.e. ulcer recurrence, healing rate and healing time) were also documented at these intervals. Intervention and healthcare utilization costs were calculated.

Results

The study recruitment rate was 65%, while 75% of the exercise group participants attended all scheduled exercise sessions. All participants completed compression therapy. No serious AEs or exercise-related AEs were reported. Median (interquartile range) ulcer healing time was shorter in the exercise group [29 (7–108) vs. 42 (6–116) weeks].

Conclusions

The feasibility and acceptability of both a home- and exercise-based lifestyle intervention in conjunction with compression therapy and the study procedures are supported.
Diverse functional interaction driven by control-default network hubs supports creative thinking
Authors: Zhuang Kaixiang , Zeitlen Daniel C , Beaty Roger E , Vatansever Deniz , Chen Qunlin , Qiu Jiang
Published: October 2023

Complex cognitive processes, like creative thinking, rely on interactions among multiple neurocognitive processes to generate effective and innovative behaviors on demand, for which the brain’s connector hubs play a crucial role. However, the unique contribution of specific hub sets to creative thinking is unknown. Employing three functional magnetic resonance imaging datasets (total N = 1,911), we demonstrate that connector hub sets are organized in a hierarchical manner based on diversity, with “control-default hubs”—which combine regions from the frontoparietal control and default mode networks—positioned at the apex. Specifically, control-default hubs exhibit the most diverse resting-state connectivity profiles and play the most substantial role in facilitating interactions between regions with dissimilar neurocognitive functions, a phenomenon we refer to as “diverse functional interaction”. Critically, we found that the involvement of control-default hubs in facilitating diverse functional interaction robustly relates to creativity, explaining both task-induced functional connectivity changes and individual creative performance. Our findings suggest that control-default hubs drive diverse functional interaction in the brain, enabling complex cognition, including creative thinking. We thus uncover a biologically plausible explanation that further elucidates the widely reported contributions of certain frontoparietal control and default mode network regions in creativity studies.
Application of the Aliivibrio fischeri bacterium bioassay for assessing single and mixture effects of antibiotics and copper
Authors: Narciso Alessandra , Barra Caracciolo Anna , Grenni Paola , Rauseo Jasmin , Patrolecco Luisa , Spataro Francesca , Mariani Livia
Published: October 2023

The Aliivibrio fischeri bioassay was successfully applied in order to evaluate the acute effect of sulfamethoxazole (SMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), chlortetracycline (CTC) and copper (Cu), alone or in binary, ternary, and overall mixture. The toxicity results are reported in terms of both effective concentrations, which inhibited 50% of the bacterium bioluminescence (EC50%), and in Toxic Units (TUs). The TUs were compared with predicted values obtained using the Concentration Addition model (CA). Finally, the toxicity of water extracts from a soil contaminated by the three antibiotics (7 mg Kg−1 each) in the presence/absence of copper (30 mg Kg−1) was also evaluated. Copper was the most toxic chemical (EC50: 0.78 mg L-1), followed by CTC (EC50: 3.64 mg L−1), CIP (96 mg L−1) and SMX (196 mg L−1). Comparing the TU and CA values of the mixtures, additive effects were generally found. However, a synergic action was recorded in the case of the CIP+Cu co-presence and antagonistic effects in the case of CTC+Cu and the ternary mixture (containing each antibiotic at 0.7 mg L−1), were identified. Soil water extracts did not show any toxicity, demonstrating the buffering ability of the soil to immobilize these chemicals.
To cheat or not to cheat: cheatable and non-cheatable virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Guadarrama-Orozco Katya Dafne , Perez-Gonzalez Caleb , Kota Kokila , Cocotl-Yañez Miguel , Jiménez-Cortés Jesús Guillermo , Díaz-Guerrero Miguel , Hernández-Garnica Mariel , Munson Julia , Cadet Frederic , López-Jácome Luis Esaú , Estrada-Velasco Ángel Yahir , Fernández-Presas Ana María , García-Contreras Rodolfo
Published: October 2023

Important bacterial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa produce several exoproducts such as siderophores, degradative enzymes, biosurfactants, and exopolysaccharides that are used extracellularly, benefiting all members of the population, hence being public goods. Since the production of public goods is a cooperative trait, it is in principle susceptible to cheating by individuals in the population who do not invest in their production, but use their benefits, hence increasing their fitness at the expense of the cooperators’ fitness. Among the most studied virulence factors susceptible to cheating are siderophores and exoproteases, with several studies in vitro and some in animal infection models. In addition to these two well-known examples, cheating with other virulence factors such as exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, eDNA production, secretion systems, and biofilm formation has also been studied. In this review, we discuss the evidence of the susceptibility of each of those virulence factors to cheating, as well as the mechanisms that counteract this behavior and the possible consequences for bacterial virulence.
Genomic insight into the salt tolerance and proteolytic activity of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Lee Sugyeong , Seo Sumin , Sul Sooyoung , Jeong Do-Won , Lee Jong-Hoon
Published: October 2023

We assessed the salt tolerance and proteolytic activity of 40 genome-published Bacillus subtilis strains isolated from fermented Korean foods to illuminate the genomic background behind the functionality of B. subtilis in high-salt fermentation. On the basis of the salt tolerance and phenotypic proteolytic activity of the 40 strains, we selected five strains exhibiting different phenotypic characteristics. Comparative genomic analyses of these five strains provided genomic insight into the salt tolerance and proteolytic activity of B. subtilis. Two-component system (TCS) genes annotated as ybdGJK and laterally acquired authentic ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter system genes of tandem repeat structure might contribute to increase salt tolerance. The additional possession of gene homologs for CAAX protease family proteins and components of Clp (caseinolytic protease) complex, ATP-dependent Clp proteolytic subunit ClpP and AAA+ (ATPases associated with diverse cellular Activities) family ATPases, might determine the proteolytic activity of B. subtilis. This study established the scientific foundation for the viability and functionality of B. subtilis in high-salt fermentation.
Using Physiological System Networks to Elaborate Resilience Across Frailty States
Authors: Hao Meng , Zhang Hui , Li Yi , Hu Xiaoxi , Hu Zixin , Jiang Xiaoyan , Wang Jiucun , Sun Xuehui , Liu Zuyun , Davis Daniel , Jin Li , Wang Xiaofeng
Published: October 2023

Background

Aging is characterized by loss of resilience, the ability to resist or recover from stressors. Network analysis has shown promise in investigating dynamic relationships underlying resilience. We aimed to use network analysis to measure resilience in a longitudinal cohort of older adults and quantify whole-system vulnerabilities associated with frailty.

Methods

We used data from the Rugao Longitudinal Ageing Study, including 71 biomarkers from participants classified as robust, prefrail, or frail. We quantified biomarker correlations and topological parameters. Additionally, we proposed propagation models to simulate damage and recovery dynamics, investigating network resilience under various conditions.

Results

We classified 1 754 individuals into robust (n = 369), prefrail (n = 1 103), and frail (n = 282) groups with 71 biomarkers. Several biomarkers were linked to frailty, including those related to blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), kidney function, platelets, and white blood cells. Each frailty stage was associated with increased network correlations. The frail network showed increased average degree and connectance, decreased average path length and diameter, and reduced modularity compared to robust and prefrail networks. Hub biomarkers, particularly β2-microglobulin and platelet count, played a significant role, potentially propagating dysfunction across physiological systems. Simulations revealed that damage to critical hubs led to longer recovery times in the frail network than robust and prefrail networks.

Conclusions

Network analysis could serve as a valuable tool for quantifying resilience and identifying vulnerabilities in older adults with frailty. Our findings contribute to understanding frailty-related physiological disturbances and offer potential for personalized healthcare interventions targeting resilience in older populations.
Comparison of pharmaceutical properties and biological activities of prednisolone, deflazacort, and vamorolone in DMD disease models
Authors: Liu Grace , Lipari Philip , Mollin Anna , Jung Stephen , Teplova Irina , Li Wencheng , Ying Lanqing , More Vijay , Lennox William , Yeh Shirley , McGann Eric , Moon Young-Choon , Rice Cari , Huarte Eduardo , Gruszka Barbara , Ray Balmiki , Goodwin Elizabeth , Buckendahl Patricia , Yurkow Edward , Braughton Bruce , Narasimhan Jana , Welch Ellen , Voronin Gregory , Weetall Marla
Published: October 2023

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive disabling X-linked recessive disorder that causes gradual and irreversible loss of muscle, resulting in early death. The corticosteroids prednisone/prednisolone and deflazacort are used to treat DMD as the standard of care; however, only deflazacort is FDA approved for DMD. The novel atypical corticosteroid vamorolone is being investigated for treatment of DMD. We compared the pharmaceutical properties as well as the efficacy and safety of the three corticosteroids across multiple doses in the B10-mdx DMD mouse model. Pharmacokinetic studies in the mouse and evaluation of p-glycoprotein (P-gP) efflux in a cellular system demonstrated that vamorolone is not a strong P-gp substrate resulting in measurable central nervous system (CNS) exposure in the mouse. In contrast, deflazacort and prednisolone are strong P-gp substrates. All three corticosteroids showed efficacy, but also side effects at efficacious doses. After dosing mdx mice for two weeks, all three corticosteroids induced changes in gene expression in the liver and the muscle, but prednisolone and vamorolone induced more changes in the brain than did deflazacort. Both prednisolone and vamorolone induced depression-like behavior. All three corticosteroids reduced endogenous corticosterone levels, increased glucose levels, and reduced osteocalcin levels. Using micro-computed tomography, femur bone density was decreased, reaching significance with prednisolone. The results of these studies indicate that efficacious doses of vamorolone, are associated with similar side effects as seen with other corticosteroids. Further, because vamorolone is not a strong P-gp substrate, vamorolone distributes into the CNS increasing the potential CNS side-effects.
Ruxolitinib accelerates influenza A virus adaptation in the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line
Authors: Malenovská Hana
Published: October 2023

Aim

To investigate the effect of ruxolitinib medium supplement, separately and in combination with trypsin, on influenza A virus (IAV) adaptation and propagation in the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line.

Methods and results

Two consecutive passages of three egg-based IAV strains were performed in the MDCK cell line with medium (a) without additives; (b) with a combination of ruxolitinib and trypsin; (c) with ruxolitinib; and (d) trypsin. Adaptation without a medium additive failed in both passages. After a single passage, the probability of the IAV adaptation was highly significantly influenced by the type of additive (binomial generalized linear model, χ22 = 23.84, P < 0.00001). The highest probability of adaptation was achieved with the combination of ruxolitinib and trypsin, followed by ruxolitinib alone and trypsin. After the two consecutive passages, the influence of the type of medium additive on the probability of virus adaptation was no longer significant. In two of three IAV MDCK-adapted strains, the type of medium additive had no significant influence on virus yields.

Conclusion

Ruxolitinib accelerates the adaptation of IAV in the MDCK cell line both individually and together with trypsin.
Better Together: How Clustering Can Attenuate Hedonic Decline
Authors: Chen Jinjie , Redden Joseph P
Published: October 2023

How should consumers sequence the different stimuli they consume: cluster each stimulus together, or intermix them to break things up? Surprisingly, prior literature has provided little insight into this question, even though consumers face it on a regular basis. We propose that clustering each stimulus type together can prolong enjoyment (vs. intermixing the types). Six studies confirm that clustering slows hedonic decline, and process evidence shows this happens because clustering leads people to attend more to the different details offered by a stimulus during repeated exposures. We also establish two boundary conditions for this effect: clustering does not slow hedonic decline in the presence of regular intervening distractions, or for impoverished stimuli lacking rich details. The present work is among the first to examine the interplay of consumption sequence and hedonic decline, and the findings provide consumers and firms with practical guidance on how to consider sequencing experiences to enjoy them longer.
Diversification, vertical integration and economic resilience: evidence from intercity truck flows during COVID-19 in China
Authors: Fang Da , Guo Yan , Zhang Haochen
Published: October 2023

This article examines economic resilience by combining high-frequency truck flows and the lockdown policy shock during COVID-19 in China. We discover that the truck flows in regions with higher levels of diversification and vertical integration see a smaller decrease in response to the COVID-19 shock. Dynamically, such moderating effects of diversification and vertical integration get smaller with the recovery of interregional economic linkages. Diversification and integration also mitigate the negative impact from nonlocal infection cases. The association between the industrial structure attributes and economic resilience is more prominent in regions with lower centrality in the nationwide intercity truck flow network.
Geopolitical decoupling and global production networks: the case of Ukrainian industries after the 2014 Crimean annexation
Authors: Blažek Jiří , Lypianin Anton
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the decoupling of Ukrainian aerospace, defense and electro-engineering industries resulting from the Russian Crimean annexation in 2014. Conceptually, we contribute to global value chain/global production network research by developing the notion of geopolitical decoupling, thus augmenting the existing 2-fold typology. Moreover, the article elaborates a typology of recoupling. Empirically, we investigate patterns of decoupling from Russia and recoupling via alternative production networks as well as patterns of decoupling/recoupling according to the position of companies in the production hierarchy. We found a neat pattern of decoupling from Russia according to tier but profoundly different dynamics of recoupling with the European Union and Asia.
Assessment of intrafractional motion of the cervix–uterus by MR-guided radiotherapy system
Authors: Nagao Ayaka , Okamoto Hiroyuki , Nakayama Hiroki , Chiba Takahito , Fujiyama Daisuke , Kuwahara Junichi , Sakasai Tatsuya , Kashihara Tairo , Kaneda Tomoya , Inaba Koji , Okuma Kae , Murakami Naoya , Igaki Hiroshi
Published: October 2023

The uterus is known as one of the moving organs. We evaluated the movement of the uterus during irradiation and the effects of changes in the surrounding organs using a magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiotherapy system. Seven patients with cervical cancer underwent pre- and posttreatment MR imaging to assess changes in the positioning of the uterus and cervix as well as the alterations in bladder and rectal volume. The study revealed that the movements of the uterus were greater than that of the cervix and showed a tendency to correlate with the bladder rather than the rectum. We also examined whether intrafractional motion could lead to insufficient dose coverage of the clinical target volume (CTV), specifically focusing on the D98% of the CTV in the uterine body and cervix. The impact of intrafractional motion on the D98% varied among patients, with one out of the seven patients experiencing an average dosimetric change of −2.6 Gy in the uterus, although larger planning target volume margins of 1.5 cm were applied, therefore, indicating the need for individualized optimal margins in each case. Online adaptive radiotherapy offers the advantage of modifying the treatment plan when irradiating moving organs, such as the uterus. However, it should be noted that this approach may result in longer overall treatment times compared with the traditional methods. Therefore, we must carefully consider the influence of intrafractional organ motions when opting for such a treatment.
Surgical treatment for a giant venous malformation of the parotid area
Authors: Urabe Ryotaro , Miyamae Makoto , Minegishi Yoshiki , Nakai Kunihiro
Published: October 2023

This report discusses the surgical treatment of a giant parotid venous malformation (VM) that had grown beyond the dimensions of the parotid gland, causing significant displacement. Special attention was paid to identifying the facial nerve, which was found to traverse the surface of the VM. Although, in our case, the facial nerve ran superficially on the VM, it is possible that a portion of it penetrated the mass. A two-stage excision and revision surgery strategy was employed due to the complexity of assessing deformities after removing the giant lesion. During the initial surgery, the displaced superficial lobe of the parotid gland was repositioned to its original location and carefully laid over the facial nerve, ensuring its safety during the subsequent procedure.
An emulator-based halo model in modified gravity – I. The halo concentration–mass relation and density profile
Authors: Ruan Cheng-Zong , Cuesta-Lazaro Carolina , Eggemeier Alexander , Li Baojiu , Baugh Carlton M , Arnold Christian , Bose Sownak , Hernández-Aguayo César , Zarrouk Pauline , Davies Christopher T
Published: October 2023

In this series of papers, we present an emulator-based halo model for the non-linear clustering of galaxies in modified gravity cosmologies. In the first paper, we present emulators for the following halo properties: the halo mass function, concentration–mass relation and halo-matter cross-correlation function. The emulators are trained on data extracted from the forge and bridge suites of N-body simulations, respectively, for two modified gravity (MG) theories: f(R) gravity, and the DGP model, varying three standard cosmological parameters Ωm0, H0, σ8, and one MG parameter, either $\bar{f}_{R0}$ or rc. Our halo property emulators achieve an accuracy of ${\lesssim}1\ \hbox{per cent}$ on independent test data sets. We demonstrate that the emulators can be combined with a galaxy–halo connection prescription to accurately predict the galaxy–galaxy and galaxy–matter correlation functions using the halo model framework.
Constraints on pre-SN outbursts from the progenitor of SN 2023ixf using the large binocular telescope
Authors: Neustadt J M M , Kochanek C S , Smith M Rizzo
Published: October 2023

The progenitor of SN 2023ixf was an ∼104.8 to $10^{5.0}\, \text{L}_\odot$ star (∼9 to $14\, \text{M}_\odot$ at birth) obscured by a dusty $\dot{M} \simeq 10^{-5}\, \text{M}_\odot \rm \, yr^{-1}$ wind with a visual optical depth of τV ≃ 13. This is required by the progenitor spectral energy distribution, the post-SN X-ray and H α luminosities, and the X-ray column density estimates. In Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) data spanning 5600 to 400 d before the supernova (SN), there is no evidence for optical variability at the level of $\sim 10^3\, \text{L}_\odot$ in R band, roughly three times the predicted luminosity of the obscured progenitor. This constrains direct observation of any pre-SN optical outbursts where there are LBT observations. However, models of the effects of any pre-SN outburst on the dusty wind show that an outburst of essentially any duration exceeding ∼5 times the luminosity of the progenitor would have detectable effects on the dust optical depth for decades. While the dust obscuration here is high, all red supergiants have dusty winds, and the destruction (or formation) of dust by even short-lived transients will always have long-term effects on the observed brightness of the star because changes in the dust optical depths after a luminous transient occur very slowly.
Evolution of low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations in GX 339-4 during its 2021 outburst using AstroSat data
Authors: Mondal Santanu , Salgundi Anirudh , Chatterjee Debjit , Jana Arghajit , Chang H-K , Naik Sachindra
Published: October 2023

The black hole X-ray binary GX 339-4 showed an X-ray outburst during 2021. The AstroSat captured this outburst when the source entered into the intermediate flux state while the count rate was declining. The source showed an alternating flux profile in a time-scale of ≲100 ks, where the hard energy band was more variable than the soft band. The energy-dependent timing study showed that the observed quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) was prominent in the low-energy bands, with its nearly sub-harmonic and harmonic components. These components appear and disappear with time, as observed in the orbit-wise QPO study. The Q-value, fractional rms, and 4.8–5.6 Hz frequency infer the QPOs as type-B and the spectral state as soft intermediate. The rms spectra of all orbits exhibiting QPOs show an increase in amplitude till ∼10 keV, beyond which it starts decreasing. This may indicate that ∼10 keV photons contributed relatively more in QPOs than other energy band photons. The Lorentzian normalization of the type-B QPO in different energy bands is consistent with the 10 keV peak. The energy-dependent time lag is complex and could be associated with the Comptonizing corona or jet. Finally, we discuss possible reasons behind the origin of different timing properties observed.
Close encounters of star–black hole binaries with single stars
Authors: Ryu Taeho , de Mink Selma E , Farmer Rob , Pakmor Rüdiger , Perna Rosalba , Springel Volker
Published: October 2023

Multibody dynamical interactions of binaries with other objects are one of the main driving mechanisms for the evolution of star clusters. It is thus important to bring our understanding of three-body interactions beyond the commonly employed point-particle approximation. To this end, we here investigate the hydrodynamics of three-body encounters between star–black hole (BH) binaries and single stars, focusing on the identification of final outcomes and their long-term evolution and observational properties, using the moving-mesh hydrodynamics code AREPO. This type of encounter produces five types of outcomes: stellar disruption, stellar collision, weak perturbation of the original binary, binary member exchange, and triple formation. The two decisive parameters are the binary phase angle, which determines which two objects meet at the first closest approach, and the impact parameter, which sets the boundary between violent and non-violent interactions. When the impact parameter is smaller than the semimajor axis of the binary, tidal disruptions and star-BH collisions frequently occur when the BH and the incoming star first meet, while the two stars mostly merge when the two stars meet first instead. In both cases, the BHs accrete from an accretion disc at super-Eddington rates, possibly generating flares luminous enough to be observed. The stellar collision products either form a binary with the BH or remain unbound to the BH. Upon collision, the merged stars are hotter and larger than the main sequence stars of the same mass at similar age. Even after recovering their thermal equilibrium state, stellar collision products, if isolated, would remain hotter and brighter than main sequence stars until becoming giants.
An ALMA Survey of M-dwarfs in the Beta Pictoris Moving Group with two new debris disc detections
Authors: Cronin-Coltsmann Patrick F , Kennedy Grant M , Kral Quentin , Lestrade Jean-François , Marino Sebastian , Matrà Luca , Wyatt Mark C
Published: October 2023

Previous surveys in the far-infrared have found very few, if any, M-dwarf debris discs among their samples. It has been questioned whether M-dwarf discs are simply less common than earlier types, or whether the low detection rate derives from the wavelengths and sensitivities available to those studies. The highly sensitive, long-wavelength Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) can shed light on the problem. This paper presents a survey of M-dwarf stars in the young and nearby Beta Pictoris Moving Group with ALMA at Band 7 (880 μm). From the observational sample, we detect two new sub-mm excesses that likely constitute unresolved debris discs around GJ 2006 A and AT Mic A and model distributions of the disc fractional luminosities and temperatures. From the science sample of 36 M-dwarfs including AU Mic, we find a disc detection rate of 4/36 or 11.1$^{+7.4}_{-3.3}$ per cent that rises to 23.1$^{+8.3}_{-5.5}$ per cent when adjusted for completeness. We conclude that this detection rate is consistent with the detection rate of discs around G- and K-type stars and that the disc properties are also likely consistent with earlier type stars. We additionally conclude that M-dwarf stars are not less likely to host debris discs, but instead their detection requires longer wavelength and higher sensitivity observations than have previously been employed.
NEATH – II. N2H+ as a tracer of imminent star formation in quiescent high-density gas
Authors: Priestley F D , Clark P C , Glover S C O , Ragan S E , Fehér O , Prole L R , Klessen R S
Published: October 2023

Star formation activity in molecular clouds is often found to be correlated with the amount of material above a column density threshold of ${\sim} 10^{22} \, {\rm cm}^{-2}$. Attempts to connect this column density threshold to a volume density above which star formation can occur are limited by the fact that the volume density of gas is difficult to reliably measure from observations. We post-process hydrodynamical simulations of molecular clouds with a time-dependent chemical network, and investigate the connection between commonly observed molecular species and star formation activity. We find that many molecules widely assumed to specifically trace the dense, star-forming component of molecular clouds (e.g. HCN, HCO+, CS) actually also exist in substantial quantities in material only transiently enhanced in density, which will eventually return to a more diffuse state without forming any stars. By contrast, N2H+ only exists in detectable quantities above a volume density of $10^4 \, {\rm cm}^{-3}$, the point at which CO, which reacts destructively with N2H+, begins to deplete out of the gas phase on to grain surfaces. This density threshold for detectable quantities of N2H+ corresponds very closely to the volume density at which gas becomes irreversibly gravitationally bound in the simulations: the material traced by N2H+ never reverts to lower densities, and quiescent regions of molecular clouds with visible N2H+ emission are destined to eventually form stars. The N2H+ line intensity is likely to directly correlate with the star formation rate averaged over time-scales of around a Myr.
Investigating the orbital evolution of the eccentric HMXB GX 301–2 using long-term X-ray light curves
Authors: Manikantan Hemanth , Kumar Manish , Paul Biswajit , Rana Vikram
Published: October 2023

We report the orbital decay rate of the high-mass X-ray binary GX 301–2 from an analysis of its long-term X-ray light curves and pulsed flux histories from CGRO/BATSE, RXTE/ASM, Swift/BAT, Fermi/GBM, and MAXI by timing the pre-periastron flares over a span of almost 30 yr. The time of arrival of the pre-periastron flares exhibits an energy dependence (hard lag) and the orbital period decay was estimated after correcting for it. This method of orbital decay estimation is unaffected by the fluctuations in the spin rate of the X-ray pulsar associated with variations in the mass accretion rate. The resulting $\dot{P}_\textrm {orb}$ = −(1.98 ± 0.28) × 10−6 s s−1 indicates a rapid evolution time-scale of $|P_\textrm {orb}/\dot{P}_\textrm {orb}|\sim 0.6\times 10^{5}$ yr, making it the high mass X-ray binary with the fastest orbital decay. Our estimate of $\dot{P}$orb is off by a factor of ∼2 from the previously reported value of −(3.7 ± 0.5) × 10−6 s s−1 estimated from pulsar TOA analysis. We discuss various possible mechanisms that could drive this rapid orbital decay and also suggest that GX 301–2 is a prospective Thorne–Żytkow candidate.