bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical modeling and multi-parameter influence analysis of piston wind in the ultra-high-speed elevator hoistway
Authors: Liu Qingjie , Zhang Ruijun , Zhang Jibin , Sun Shuai , Huang Wenqi
Published: December 2023

The high-speed airflow generated when an ultra-high-speed elevator runs in the hoistway will cause a significant piston effect. Therefore, it is essential to study the variation law of the piston wind in the hoistway and the influence of different parameters on the piston wind in the hoistway. This paper first establishes the theoretical model of the piston wind in the hoistway when the elevator ascends, descends, and intersects based on the unsteady flow theory of the Bernoulli principle. The effectiveness and accuracy of the theoretical model are verified through experimental measurements and numerical simulations. Second, based on the verified theoretical model, the influence of the five parameters of the car speed, car height, hoistway height, blockage ratio, and frictional resistance coefficient on the variation law of the piston wind and ventilation rate in the hoistway is systematically analyzed. Integrating the five parameters, a multi-parameter universal theoretical formula for hoistway ventilation rate is proposed. Finally, a gray correlation analysis is performed on each influencing parameter, which showed that the piston wind in the elevator hoistway is most affected by the blockage ratio, followed by the car speed, hoistway height, and frictional resistance coefficient, and is least affected by the car height.
Revisiting contrast mechanism of lateral piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Kim Jaegyu , Cho Seongwoo , Yeom Jiwon , Eom Seongmun , Hong Seungbum
Published: December 2023

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) has been widely used for the nanoscale analysis of piezoelectric properties and ferroelectric domains. Although PFM is useful because of its simple and nondestructive features, PFM measurements can be obscured by non-piezoelectric effects that could affect the PFM signals or lead to ferroelectric-like behaviors in non-ferroelectric materials. Many research studies have addressed related technical issues, but they have primarily focused on vertical PFM. Here, we investigate significant discrepancies in lateral PFM signals between the trace and the retrace scans, which are proportional to the scan angle and the cantilever lateral tilting discrepancy. The discrepancies in PFM signals are analyzed based on intrinsic and extrinsic components, including out-of-plane piezoresponse, electrostatic force, and other factors. Our research will contribute to the accurate PFM measurements for the visualization of ferroelectric in-plane polarization distributions.
Locating saddle points using gradient extremals on manifolds adaptively revealed as point clouds
Authors: Georgiou A. , Vandecasteele H. , Bello-Rivas J. M. , Kevrekidis I.
Published: December 2023

Steady states are invaluable in the study of dynamical systems. High-dimensional dynamical systems, due to separation of time scales, often evolve toward a lower dimensional manifold M. We introduce an approach to locate saddle points (and other fixed points) that utilizes gradient extremals on such a priori unknown (Riemannian) manifolds, defined by adaptively sampled point clouds, with local coordinates discovered on-the-fly through manifold learning. The technique, which efficiently biases the dynamical system along a curve (as opposed to exhaustively exploring the state space), requires knowledge of a single minimum and the ability to sample around an arbitrary point. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique on the Müller–Brown potential mapped onto an unknown surface (namely, a sphere). Previous work employed a similar algorithmic framework to find saddle points using Newton trajectories and gentlest ascent dynamics; we, therefore, also offer a brief comparison with these methods.
High-temperature and high-pressure thermal property measurements of SiO2 crystals
Authors: Fan Xuanhui , Zhou Jing , Zhang Zhongyin , Zhang Kewen , Li Donghao , Tang Dawei , Zhu Jie
Published: December 2023

The investigation of materials’ behavior under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, such as the correlation with structural characteristics and thermal properties, holds significant importance. However, the challenges associated with the experimental implementation have, to a certain extent, constrained such research endeavors. We utilized the ultrafast laser based non-contact thermal measurement method combined with an externally heated moissanite-anvil-cell to characterize the thermal conductivity of [10-10] oriented SiO2 crystals under high temperature (300–830 K) and high pressure (0–15 GPa) conditions. We investigated the impact of extreme conditions on the microstructure from both Raman spectroscopy and thermal perspectives. The presence of kinetic hindrances associated with the transformation of α-quartz to coesite and stishovite was identified and confirmed. It expands the comprehension and application of the SiO2 pressure–temperature phase diagram in this range and provides insights into the intricate relationship between extreme environments and material structure formation through the analysis of thermal characteristics.
Gut dysbiosis: Ecological causes and causative effects on human disease
Authors: Winter Sebastian E. , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: December 2023

The gut microbiota plays a role in many human diseases, but high-throughput sequence analysis does not provide a straightforward path for defining healthy microbial communities. Therefore, understanding mechanisms that drive compositional changes during disease (gut dysbiosis) continues to be a central goal in microbiome research. Insights from the microbial pathogenesis field show that an ecological cause for gut dysbiosis is an increased availability of host-derived respiratory electron acceptors, which are dominant drivers of microbial community composition. Similar changes in the host environment also drive gut dysbiosis in several chronic human illnesses, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms informs approaches to causatively link compositional changes in the gut microbiota to an exacerbation of symptoms. The emerging picture suggests that homeostasis is maintained by host functions that control the availability of resources governing microbial growth. Defining dysbiosis as a weakening of these host functions directs attention to the underlying cause and identifies potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Phosphatidylserine synthesis controls oncogenic B cell receptor signaling in B cell lymphoma
Authors: Omi Jumpei , Kato Taiga , Yoshihama Yohei , Sawada Koki , Kono Nozomu , Aoki Junken
Published: December 2023

Cancer cells harness lipid metabolism to promote their own survival. We screened 47 cancer cell lines for survival dependency on phosphatidylserine (PS) synthesis using a PS synthase 1 (PTDSS1) inhibitor and found that B cell lymphoma is highly dependent on PS. Inhibition of PTDSS1 in B cell lymphoma cells caused a reduction of PS and phosphatidylethanolamine levels and an increase of phosphoinositide levels. The resulting imbalance of the membrane phospholipidome lowered the activation threshold for B cell receptor (BCR), a B cell–specific survival mechanism. BCR hyperactivation led to aberrant elevation of downstream Ca2+ signaling and subsequent apoptotic cell death. In a mouse xenograft model, PTDSS1 inhibition efficiently suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival. Our findings suggest that PS synthesis may be a critical vulnerability of malignant B cell lymphomas that can be targeted pharmacologically.
Reddish-orange emitting Eu2−x
Gd
x
Ge2O7 pyrogermanate ceramic phosphors: synthesis and role of Eu3+/Gd3+ substitution on the optical features
Authors: Martins Guilherme M , Caixeta Fábio J , de Souza Vitor Dos S , Gonçalves Rogéria R , Dias Anderson
Published: December 2023

In this work, highly luminescent pyrogermanates were successfully synthesized through the solid-state reaction route, and the role of gradual Eu3+ substitution for Gd3+ on the structure and photoluminescent properties of Eu2−x
Gd
x
Ge2O7 pyrogermanates was investigated. Pure Eu2Ge2O7 ceramic is triclinic, belonging to the P1 (#1) space group, and by increasing the x values, the crystal structure changes with the partial substitution of Eu3+ ions by the Gd3+ ions into the chemical lattice. The other phase-pure ceramic, Gd2Ge2O7, belongs to the tetragonal P41212 (#92) space group. Complete solid solubility was attained for x ⩽ 1.6, where Gd3+ replaced Eu3+ in the triclinic structure. It was verified that the band gap energies are dependent on the crystalline structure, increasing as Gd replaced Eu in the Eu2−x
Gd
x
Ge2O7. The lowest band gap value (5.13 eV) was observed for the triclinic Eu2Ge2O7, and the highest one (5.88 eV) for the tetragonal Gd2Ge2O7. Highly intense reddish-orange emission (quantum efficiency up to 91.9%), through excitation at charge transfer band and Ln3+
f–f transitions were evaluated as the Gd substitution rises. Substitution-sensitive phase change at the nanoscale was monitored by Eu3+ emission, validating the presence of Eu3+ in the triclinic and/or tetragonal phase depending on the chemical composition (or the Gd3+/Eu3+ ratio). The chromaticity diagram figured out a reddish-orange emission, making them promising materials for high-entropy and photonic devices as solid-state lighting using excitation by near UV light-emitting devices.
Current–voltage characteristics in single layer SrIrO3 films deposited on LaAlO3(100) substrate
Authors: Chaurasia Rachna , Pramanik A K
Published: December 2023

Here, we investigate the structural and electrical properties on SrIrO3 films grown on LaAlO3 (100) substrate with varying thickness (18, 25 and 40 nm). The x-ray diffraction shows good quality epitaxial films without any chemical impurity. The out-of-plane lattice parameter increases with the film thickness. All the films show a semiconducting behavior where the resistivity increases with increasing thickness. Our analysis shows at high temperature the charge conduction mechanism follows Mott’s two-dimensional variable-range-hopping model. Detailed current–voltage (I–V) measurements show a linear Ohmic behavior at room temperature, however, a prominent deviation from linearity has been observed at low temperatures where the exponent n (

I
∝

V
n

) increases with decreasing temperature, reaching

n
 
∼

1.5 at low temperature. Analysis of I–V data indicates that the charge conduction has dominant contribution of Poole–Frenkel mechanism rather than Schottky behavior. This evolution of charge transport with temperature is quite intriguing which may be related to the development of low temperature magnetism in films of SrIrO3.
Reading recognition of pointer meters based on an improved UNet++ network
Authors: Huo Yonglong , Bai Hongyi , Sun Laijun , Fang Yanru
Published: December 2023

Pointer meters are widely used in modern industries, such as petrochemical applications, substations, and nuclear power plants. To overcome the reading errors and inaccurate measurements due to uneven or fluctuating illumination in practical applications, this paper proposes an improved UNet++ network for recognizing pointer meter readings. First, the scale invariant feature transform feature-matching algorithm is used to adjust the captured tilted meter images to a symmetrical and upright shape. Then, the UNet++ network is used to segment the scale and pointer regions in the dashboard to eliminate background interference. Furthermore, part of the convolution in the UNet++ network is replaced with dilated convolution with different expansion rates to expand the perceptual field during network training. In the UNet++ network jump connection, the attention mechanism module is also introduced in the path to enhance the region’s features to be segmented and suppress the parts of the non-segmented area. A hybrid loss function is used for the network model training to prevent the imbalance of the segmented region share. Finally, the distance method is used to read the gauge representation. Experiments were conducted to compare the performance of the proposed method with that of the original UNet++ network in terms of feasibility and precision. The experimental results showed that the recognition reading accuracy was significantly improved by the enhanced network, with the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity reaching 98.65%, 84.33%, and 99.38%, respectively. Furthermore, when using the improved UNet++ network for numerical reading, the average relative error was only 0.122%, indicating its robustness in a natural environment.
Degradation state detection and local map optimization for enhancing the SOTIF of map-matching-based fusion localization system
Authors: Cao Lipeng , Luo Yugong , Wang Yongsheng , Chen Jian , He Yansong
Published: December 2023

In scenarios involving local map missing and local environmental changes, map-matching localization systems (MMLS) may experience degradation in localization due to the deficiency of texture and geometrical features. This consequently leads to a decrease in localization accuracy or divergence in a map-matching-based fusion localization system (MMBFLS). To address this issue and ensure the safety of the intended functionality of autonomous vehicles, this study proposes a degradation state detection and local map optimization-based fusion localization frame. To detect the degradation state of pose estimation in MMLS, the analysis of the mathematical mechanisms underlying the localization degradation in MMLS is conducted first. Subsequently, a degradation state detection method based on incremental matrix eigenvalue analysis is proposed, which leverages the magnitude of individual eigenvalues of the incremental matrix to determine the corresponding degradation state and isolates it accordingly. Furthermore, we employ sliding window-based factor graph optimization to maintain a local map that matches Light detection and ranging point clouds, compensating for the degraded states and thereby ensuring the localization performance of MMBFLS. Real-world sensor data is collected to validate the proposed method. The results indicate that the accuracy of the proposed degradation detection method reached as high as 94.67%. Moreover, the proposed localization framework can effectively ensure the localization accuracy of MMBFLS in typical highway scenarios.
Multi-step prediction of chlorophyll concentration based on adaptive graph-temporal convolutional network with series decomposition
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhang Hongbo , Li Xiao , Song Wenyang , Xv Chongxuan , Zhao Xueliang
Published: December 2023

Chlorophyll concentration can well reflect the nutritional status and algal blooms of water bodies, and is an important indicator for evaluating water quality. The prediction of chlorophyll concentration change trend is of great significance to environmental protection and aquaculture. However, there is a complex and indistinguishable nonlinear relationship between many factors affecting chlorophyll concentration. In order to effectively mine the nonlinear features contained in the data. This paper proposes a time-series decomposition adaptive graph-time convolutional network prediction model. Firstly, the original sequence is decomposed into trend component and periodic component by moving average method. Secondly, based on the graph convolutional neural network, the water quality parameter data is modeled, and a parameter embedding matrix is defined. The idea of matrix decomposition is used to assign weight parameters to each node. The adaptive graph convolution learns the relationship between different water quality parameters, updates the state information of each parameter, and improves the learning ability of the update relationship between nodes. Finally, time dependence is captured by time convolution to achieve multi-step prediction of chlorophyll concentration. The validity of the model is verified by the water quality data of the coastal city Beihai. The results show that the prediction effect of this method is better than other methods. It can be used as a scientific resource for environmental management decision-making.
RUL prediction method for rolling bearing using convolutional denoising autoencoder and bidirectional LSTM
Authors: Yao Xuejian , Zhu Junjun , Jiang Quansheng , Yao Qin , Shen Yehu , Zhu Qixin
Published: December 2023

Remaining useful life (RUL) prediction of rolling bearing plays an important role in maintaining the safety of the equipment. However, the data collected from industrial scene often contains noises, which affects the RUL prediction precision of rolling bearing. To overcome the above problem, a data-driven scheme for RUL prediction of rolling bearing is proposed based on convolutional denoising autoencoder (CDAE) and bidirectional long short-term memory network (Bi-LSTM). In the proposed method, the vibration signal is directly used as input of the prognostics network model. Then, a denoising network model based on CDAE is built to reduce the effect of noise. Through stacking the convolutional autoencoder, the noise component is automatically removed from the raw data. Finally, the network model based on Bi-LSTM is established to extract the high-dimensional degradation characteristics of bearing and estimate the RUL of the rolling bearing. The experimental results on the Xi’an Jiaotong University bearing dataset show that the proposed method has satisfied performance of RUL prediction.
Bromination of 2D materials
Authors: Freiberger Eva Marie , Steffen Julien , Waleska-Wellnhofer Natalie J , Hemauer Felix , Schwaab Valentin , Görling Andreas , Steinrück Hans-Peter , Papp Christian
Published: December 2023

The adsorption, reaction and thermal stability of bromine on Rh(111)-supported hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene were investigated. Synchrotron radiation-based high-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed XPS allowed us to follow the adsorption process and the thermal evolution in situ on the molecular scale. On h-BN/Rh(111), bromine adsorbs exclusively in the pores of the nanomesh while we observe no such selectivity for graphene/Rh(111). Upon heating, bromine undergoes an on-surface reaction on h-BN to form polybromides (170–240 K), which subsequently decompose to bromide (240–640 K). The high thermal stability of Br/h-BN/Rh(111) suggests strong/covalent bonding. Bromine on graphene/Rh(111), on the other hand, reveals no distinct reactivity except for intercalation of small amounts of bromine underneath the 2D layer at high temperatures. In both cases, adsorption is reversible upon heating. Our experiments are supported by a comprehensive theoretical study. DFT calculations were used to describe the nature of the h-BN nanomesh and the graphene moiré in detail and to study the adsorption energetics and substrate interaction of bromine. In addition, the adsorption of bromine on h-BN/Rh(111) was simulated by molecular dynamics using a machine-learning force field.
SOLID: a novel similarity metric for mono-modal and multi-modal deformable image registration
Authors: Tzitzimpasis Paris , Zachiu Cornel , Raaymakers Bas W , Ries Mario
Published: December 2023

Medical image registration is an integral part of various clinical applications including image guidance, motion tracking, therapy assessment and diagnosis. We present a robust approach for mono-modal and multi-modal medical image registration. To this end, we propose the novel shape operator based local image distance (SOLID) which estimates the similarity of images by comparing their second-order curvature information. Our similarity metric is rigorously tailored to be suitable for comparing images from different medical imaging modalities or image contrasts. A critical element of our method is the extraction of local features using higher-order shape information, enabling the accurate identification and registration of smaller structures. In order to assess the efficacy of the proposed similarity metric, we have implemented a variational image registration algorithm that relies on the principle of matching the curvature information of the given images. The performance of the proposed algorithm has been evaluated against various alternative state-of-the-art variational registration algorithms. Our experiments involve mono-modal as well as multi-modal and cross-contrast co-registration tasks in a broad variety of anatomical regions. Compared to the evaluated alternative registration methods, the results indicate a very favorable accuracy, precision and robustness of the proposed SOLID method in various highly challenging registration tasks.
Super-resolution dual-layer CBCT imaging with model-guided deep learning
Authors: Zhu Jiongtao , Su Ting , Zhang Xin , Cui Han , Tan Yuhang , Zheng Hairong , Liang Dong , Guo Jinchuan , Ge Yongshuai
Published: December 2023

Objective. This study aims at investigating a novel super resolution CBCT imaging approach with a dual-layer flat panel detector (DL-FPD). Approach. With DL-FPD, the low-energy and high-energy projections acquired from the top and bottom detector layers contain over-sampled spatial information, from which super-resolution CT images can be reconstructed. A simple mathematical model is proposed to explain the signal formation procedure in DL-FPD, and a dedicated recurrent neural network, named suRi-Net, is developed based upon the above imaging model to nonlinearly retrieve the high-resolution dual-energy information. Physical benchtop experiments are conducted to validate the performance of this newly developed super-resolution CBCT imaging method. Main Results. The results demonstrate that the proposed suRi-Net can accurately retrieve high spatial resolution information from the low-energy and high-energy projections of low spatial resolution. Quantitatively, the spatial resolution of the reconstructed CBCT images from the top and bottom detector layers is increased by about 45% and 54%, respectively. Significance. In the future, suRi-Net will provide a new approach to perform high spatial resolution dual-energy imaging in DL-FPD-based CBCT systems.
X-ray absorption near-edge, terahertz and Raman spectroscopies evidence growth-orientation dependent cation order, phase transitions and spin–phonon coupling in half-metallic Ca2FeMoO6 thin films
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Prajapati G L , Rajput Parasmani , Mavani Krushna R
Published: December 2023

The disorder due to anti-site cation distribution is intrinsic to the double perovskites wherein the crystal orientations of the substrate template are predicted to offer different degrees of cation order in thin film form. To demonstrate this effect, epitaxial thin films of half-metallic double perovskite Ca2FeMoO6 (CFMO) were prepared on (100) and (111) oriented LaAlO3 substrates in vacuum and nitrogen atmospheres. The findings using X-ray absorption near-edge structure, Terahertz (THz) and Raman spectroscopies, in combination with magnetization show that (111) epitaxial template effectively restricts the Fe–Mo anti-site cation disorder. A resultantly enhanced cation order in (111) films induces dramatic transformations in its properties as follows: (i) significantly enhanced ferromagnetic exchange interactions and saturation magnetization, (ii) a significant increase in the Curie temperatures, (iii) a metallic behavior down to much lower temperature (∼75 K) compared to that down to 200 K for (100) film, (iv) an enhanced spin–phonon coupling. The complex THz optical conductivity spectra evaluated in the framework of Drude and Drude–Smith phenomenological models and the temperature-dependent Raman data fitted to the Balkanski model corroborate well to indicate an enhanced cation order in (111) films. While this study establishes a dominant role of crystallographic orientation in the much-desired control of cation order in double perovskites, a demonstration of the same in room temperature half-metallic CFMO system could reinforce its technological utility both as active and passive components in emergent spintronic functionalities.
Influence of adding manganese chromium-layered double oxide on the optical, magnetic and dielectric properties of cobalt spinel ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Rekaby M , Abou-Aly A I
Published: December 2023

Hydrotalcite-like materials such as layered double oxides (LDOs) are promising materials for many technological applications. Linking the multilayer structure of LDOs with the exceptional optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties of spinel ferrites could result in advanced nanocomposites for photovoltaic, magneto-recording, and high-frequency applications. For that purpose, nanocomposites of type manganese chromium-layered double oxide/cobalt spinel ferrite, (MnCr)-LDOx/CoFe2O4 (x = 1, 3, and 5 wt%), were produced by the co-precipitation route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the successful incorporation of MnCr-LDO in CoFe2O4 lattice. After a 5 wt% addition of MnCr-LDO, the lattice parameter of pure CoFe2O4 increased from 8.3832 Å to 8.4136 Å, the crystallite size increased from 18.7 nm to 21.7 nm, and the strain dropped from 2.15 to 2.04. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed cubic morphologies for (MnCr)-LDOx/CoFe2O4 nanocomposites. Two strong absorbance peaks appeared in the Ultraviolet- visible (UV-vis) spectra (at ∼270 and ∼370 cm−1). The energy band gap and Urbach energy were estimated for the prepared samples. The composite sample (MnCr)-LDO1 wt%/CoFe2O4 recorded the highest band gap values (Eg1 = 3.39 eV, Eg2 = 4.46 eV, and Eg3 = 5.89 eV), while the (MnCr)-LDO3 wt%/CoFe2O4 sample had a relatively high Urbach energy value (1.35 eV). Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis showed room temperature ferromagnetic (RTFM) behavior for the prepared composites. The saturation magnetization (Ms) value declined as the MnCr-LDO addition to CoFe2O4 increased, and the (MnCr)-LDO3 wt%/CoFe2O4 sample acquired the highest Ms (64.428 emu g−1) among all the produced composites. Pure CoFe2O4 had a much higher coercivity (Hc = 1158.1 Oe) than (MnCr)-LDOx/CoFe2O4 (x = 1, 3, and 5 wt%) nanocomposites (Hc = 1119.8, 978.48, and 984.16 Oe). Moreover, complex impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed in frequency range of 50 Hz- 5 MHz using Nyquist plots and electric modulus analysis. Nyquist plots were fitted to an analogous electric circuit consisting of a resistor R1 connected in series to two parallel constant phase element- resistor circuits (CPE-R). On the other hand, a different circuit comprises of two CPE, capacitor (C1), and resistor all connected in parallel was used to model CoFe2O4.
Structural changes in the crystal lattice in enamel under Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation and oven heated by Rietveld analysis
Authors: Rabelo Neto J S , da Ana P A , Mazzocchi V L , Valério M E G , Zezell D M
Published: December 2023

Changes in the crystal lattices and compositions of the dental enamel powders were evaluated after oven or Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation. A decrease in the Ca/P ratio to levels close to the ideal theoretical value of laser irradiation caused a considerable decrease in the hydroxyapatite crystallite size but without changes in the crystallographic phase. These changes alter the material, can affect the demineralization process, and are useful for the prevention of caries and dental erosion.
Parametric instability in the pure-quartic nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Zhang 张 Yun-Hong 云红 , Liu 刘 Chong 冲
Published: December 2023

We study the nonlinear stage of modulation instability (MI) in the non-intergrable pure-quartic nonlinear Schrödinger equation where the fourth-order dispersion is modulated periodically. Using the three-mode truncation, we reveal the complex recurrence of parametric resonance (PR) breathers, where each recurrence is associated with two oscillation periods (PR period and internal oscillation period). The nonlinear stage of parametric instability admits the maximum energy exchange between the spectrum sidebands and central mode occurring outside the MI gain band.
Photonuclear reactions on stable isotopes of selenium at bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 10−23 MeV
Authors: Rasulova F.A. , Aksenov N.V. , Alekseev S.I. , Aliev R.A. , Belyshev S.S. , Chuprakov I. , Fursova N.Yu. , Madumarov A.S. , Khushvaktov J.H. , Kuznetsov A.A. , Yuldashev B.S.
Published: December 2023

In this study, experiments were performed at bremsstrahlung end-point energies of 10−23 MeV with the beam from the MT-25 microtron using the
γ-activation technique. The experimental values of relative yields were compared with theoretical results obtained on the basis of TALYS with the standard parameters and the combined model of photonucleon reactions. Including isospin splitting in the combined model of photonucleon reactions allows describing experimental data on reactions with proton escape in the energy range from 10 to 23 MeV. Therefore, taking into account isospin splitting is necessary for a correct description of the decay of the giant dipole resonance.
Strahler number of natural language sentences in comparison with random trees
Authors: Tanaka-Ishii Kumiko , Tanaka Akira
Published: December 2023

The Strahler number was originally proposed to characterize the complexity of river bifurcation and has found various applications. This article proposes a computation of the Strahler number’s upper and lower limits for natural language sentence tree structures. Through empirical measurements across grammatically annotated data, the Strahler number of natural language sentences is shown to be almost 3 or 4, similar to the case of river bifurcation as reported by Strahler (1957 Eos Trans. Am. Geophys. Union
38 913–20). Based on the theory behind this number, we show that there is a kind of lower limit on the amount of memory required to process sentences. We consider the Strahler number to provide reasoning that explains reports showing that the number of required memory areas to process sentences is 3–4 for parsing (Schuler et al 2010 Comput. Linguist.
36 1–30), and reports indicating a psychological ‘magical number’ of 3–5 (Cowan 2001 Behav. Brain Sci.
24 87–114). An analytical and empirical analysis shows that the Strahler number is not constant but grows logarithmically. Therefore, the Strahler number of sentences is derived from the range of sentence lengths. Furthermore, the Strahler number is not different for random trees, which could suggest that its origin is not specific to natural language.
Decellularized extracellular matrix scaffold seeded with adipose-derived stem cells promotes neurorestoration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulation
Authors: Su Xiaochen , Teng Menghao , Zhang Yingang , Ji Wenchen
Published: December 2023

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes tissue destruction and neuronal apoptosis, which impede neural function recovery. Therefore, promoting neuronal regeneration and neural pathway reconstruction is crucial. In this study, a novel and facile decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffold seeded with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) (dECM scaffolds/ADSCs) was reported. The dECM scaffold maintained the original three-dimensional network structure of spinal cord tissue and contained various small pores. In vitro studies demonstrated that dECM scaffolds exhibited excellent biocompatibility, facilitated efficient adhesion and proliferation of ADSCs, and promoted the secretion of neurotrophin-3 and neuronal differentiation in the microenvironment after SCI. In vivo studies further showed that dECM scaffolds/ADSCs could alleviate inflammatory and apoptotic reactions, providing a favorable microenvironment for promoting endogenous nerve regeneration rather than glial scars formation, ultimately achieving recovery of hind limb function in rats. Notably, ICG-001 effectively reversed the therapeutic effect of dECM scaffolds/ADSCs, proving that dECM scaffolds/ADSCs promoted functional recovery after SCI by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Overall, dECM scaffolds/ADSCs can simulate the physiological characteristics of the spinal cord and exert neurorestorative potential, providing a new therapeutic strategy for SCI.
High-strength and high-toughness ECM films with the potential for peripheral nerve repair
Authors: Wang Fangfang , Wang Haiyang , Shan Xiaotong , Mei Jin , Wei Peng , Song Qinghua , Chen Weiwei
Published: December 2023

Extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds are widely applied in the field of regeneration as the result of their irreplaceable biological advantages, and the preparation of ECM scaffolds into ECM hydrogels expands the applications to some extent. However, weak mechanical properties of current ECM materials limit the complete exploitation of ECM’s biological advantages. To enable ECM materials to be utilized in applications requiring high strength, herein, we created a kind of new ECM material, ECM film, and evaluated its mechanical properties. ECM films exhibited outstanding toughness with no cracks after arbitrarily folding and crumpling, and dramatically high strength levels of 86 ± 17.25 MPa, the maximum of which was 115 MPa. Such spectacular high-strength and high-toughness films, containing only pure ECM without any crosslinking agents and other materials, far exceed current pure natural polymer gel films and even many composite gel films and synthetic polymer gel films. In addition, both PC12 cells and Schwann cells cultured on the surface of ECM films, especially Schwann cells, showed good proliferation, and the neurite outgrowth of the PC12 cells was promoted, indicating the application potential of ECM film in peripheral nerve repair.
A novel multi-layer modular approach for real-time fuzzy-identification of gravitational-wave signals
Authors: Barone Francesco Pio , Dell’Aquila Daniele , Russo Marco
Published: December 2023

Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo ground-based interferometers are instruments capable to detect gravitational wave (GW) signals exploiting advanced laser interferometry techniques. The underlying data analysis task consists in identifying specific patterns in noisy timeseries, but it is made extremely complex by the incredibly small amplitude of the target signals. In this scenario, the development of effective GW detection algorithms is crucial. We propose a novel layered framework for real-time detection of GWs inspired by speech processing techniques and, in the present implementation, based on a state-of-the-art machine learning approach involving a hybridization of genetic programming and neural networks. The key aspects of the newly proposed framework are: the well structured, layered approach, and the low computational complexity. The paper describes the basic concepts of the framework and the derivation of the first three layers. Even if, in the present implementation, the layers are based on models derived using a machine learning approach, the proposed layered structure has a universal nature. Compared to more complex approaches, such as convolutional neural networks, which comprise a parameter set of several tens of MB and were tested exclusively for fixed length data samples, our framework has lower accuracy (e.g. it identifies

45
%

of low signal-to-noise-ration GW signals, against

65
%

of the state-of-the-art, at a false alarm probability of 10−2), but has a much lower computational complexity (it exploits only 4 numerical features in the present implementation) and a higher degree of modularity. Furthermore, the exploitation of short-term features makes the results of the new framework virtually independent against time-position of GW signals, simplifying its future exploitation in real-time multi-layer pipelines for gravitational-wave detection with new generation interferometers.
Reply to ‘A commentary on “US power sector carbon capture and storage under the Inflation Reduction Act could be costly with limited or negative abatement potential”’
Authors: Grubert Emily , Sawyer Frances
Published: December 2023

Here we reply to a comment by Dr. Robert Kennedy from the US Department of Energy (DOE) on our paper ‘US power sector carbon capture and storage under the Inflation Reduction Act could be costly with limited or negative abatement potential,’ which found that the 45Q carbon oxide sequestration tax credit incentivizes behaviors under profit-maximizing conditions that could increase rather than decrease GHG emissions in the power sector relative to a counterfactual without the tax credit. Our reply addresses claims that regulatory structures would prevent the negative outcomes we model in the original paper; that our cost and performance assumptions are inaccurate; and that other technologies will see growth. We show that the comment provides no evidence that our original analysis is incorrect and that information that has emerged since the March 2023 publication of our paper supports our assumptions, including public statements by carbon capture project proponents and new information about expected project costs. We agree with Dr. Kennedy that the incentives we highlight where 45Q might incentivize higher emissions at high cost are shocking; we disagree that we have incorrectly characterized these incentives. We share a belief that many of these loopholes can be closed, and disagree that they have already been closed.
Digital and manual interfollicular Ki-67 are associated with a progression-free survival in patients with low-grade follicular lymphoma
Authors: Nasir Aqsa , Hegerova Livia , Yousaf Hira , Forster Colleen L , Shanley Ryan , Linden Michael A , Bachanova Veronika , Yohe Sophia
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Novel histopathologic prognostic factors are needed to identify patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) at risk of inferior outcomes. Our primary objective was to evaluate the Ki-67 proliferative index in follicular and interfollicular areas in tissue biopsy specimens from patients with newly diagnosed FL and correlate with clinical outcomes. Our secondary objective was to correlate PD-L1 and LAG-3 with clinical outcomes.

Methods

Seventy cases of low-grade FL from the University of Minnesota were evaluated with Ki-67 immunohistochemical stain. Ki-67 expression as a continuous variable was interpreted digitally and manually in follicular and interfollicular areas. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by Cox regression, and hazard ratios (HRs) per 10-point increase in Ki-67 were calculated.

Results

Progression-free survival at 4 years was 28% (95% CI, 19%-41%). Interfollicular, but not follicular, Ki-67 was associated with PFS by manual (HR, 1.33; P = .01) and digital (HR, 1.38; P = .02) analysis. Digital and manual Ki-67 were only moderately correlated but demonstrated similar effects on PFS. At 4 years, OS was 90% with no association with follicular or interfollicular Ki-67 proliferation.

Conclusions

Higher interfollicular Ki-67 by either digital or manual analysis is associated with a poorer PFS in patients with low-grade FL. These results suggest further validation of this marker is warranted to improve pathologic risk stratification at FL diagnosis. PD-L1 and LAG-3 were not associated with PFS or OS.
ASHP and ASHP Foundation Pharmacy Forecast 2024: Strategic Planning Guidance for Pharmacy Departments in Hospitals and Health Systems
Authors: DiPiro Joseph T , Hoffman James M , Schweitzer Pamela , Chisholm-Burns Marie A , Nesbit Todd W , Fabian Tanya J , Cunningham Francesca E , Barrett Alexis , Fine Michael J , Tichy Eric , Hernandez Inmaculada , Scott Christopher M , Norman Christy , Nelson Scott D , Kumah-Crystal Yaa
Published: December 2023

Purpose: The 2024 ASHP Pharmacy Forecast identifies and contextualizes emerging issues and trends that will influence healthcare, health systems, and the pharmacy profession and provides recommendations to inform long-term strategic planning that should prompt action by pharmacists and health-system leaders.

Methods: Drawing on the “wisdom of crowds” concept, a survey was constructed with 6 general themes, each with 6 to 9 focused statements and a seventh theme on preparedness (58 survey items in total). The size of and representation within the survey panel were intended to capture opinions from a wide range of pharmacy leaders. The survey instructed panelists to consider the likelihood of the events/scenarios described in the statements occurring in the next 5 years as being likely, somewhat likely, somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely. Then, survey panelists assessed the preparedness (from very unprepared to very prepared) for 12 of the statements.

Results: The 6 survey themes identified were Urgent Public Health Priorities, Responding to the Mental Health Crisis, Achieving Care Equity, New Disease Paradigms and Treatment Innovations, Workforce: Focus on Culture for the Future, and Artificial Intelligence: Can Ethics and Regulators Catch Up? The survey was completed by 250 respondents, yielding an 88% response rate. Analysis of survey results was provided by chapter authors along with strategic recommendations to guide actions for each theme.

Conclusion: The focus of the Pharmacy Forecast is on large-scale, long-term trends that will influence healthcare and the pharmacy profession over months and years and not on day-to-day situational dynamics. The report provides insight to stimulate thinking and discussion and provides a starting point to proactively position leaders, their teams, and departments for potential future events and trends.
Embedding a Novel Screening Programme for Sexually Transmitted Infections Within an Ambulatory Emergency Surgical Admissions Unit: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Ganesh Divolka , Mahon Ciara , Jones Sian , Please Helen , Hughes Mike , Peckham-Cooper Adam
Published: December 2023

Aims

To establish a sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening programme for females presenting to an Emergency Ambulatory Surgical Clinic (ASC), and to analyse incidence and prevalence of STIs as an underlying cause for their abdominal pain.

Methods

Observational cohort study in ASC of a tertiary hospital. Between December 2021 to December 2022, females aged 18-44 years presenting with abdominal pain were offered self-collected vulvovaginal swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea as part of a new standardised diagnostic pathway. Positive results were referred to local sexual health services for treatment and contact tracing. Main outcome measures included number of patients consenting to the screening programme and number of positive swab results.

Results

The cohort comprised 297 eligible patients; 259 with 20 patients declining testing and 18 samples rejected. A total of 5.4% of swabs were positive (2 gonorrhoea, 12 chlamydia) with mean age of 24.5. All positive patients presented with lower abdominal pain and of these, only 25% had a documented sexual history during assessment. 7 had further imaging with 4 results diagnosing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). 4 patients were treated for PID empirically. Remaining patients were treated for non-specific pain or unrelated pathology.

Conclusions

Undiagnosed STIs are prevalent, and have known fertility and public health risks. Young females with lower abdominal pain provide an opportunistic and arguably necessary screening cohort in ASC with good uptake of self-testing. Results demonstrate high incidence of positive tests, suggesting that inclusion of sexual history during assessment is vital to identify those with highest STI risk.
“I didn’t personally think it would change my life, but it has”: The experience following emergency laparotomy for older people living with frailty
Authors: Price Angeline , Pearce Lyndsay , Smith Jonathan , Martin Peter , Griffiths Jane
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Older people living with frailty are at high risk of adverse clinical outcomes following emergency laparotomy, including early death, hospital readmission and functional decline. Despite this, there is a paucity of literature exploring patient experience of surgery in this group, particularly following hospital discharge. There is therefore limited information to guide the development of service delivery models that support optimal post-operative recovery and improve overall experience.

Methods

Twenty older people, aged ≥65 years, with a Clinical Frailty Scale score of ≥ 4 and who had undergone emergency laparotomy were recruited from eight hospital sites. Participants were interviewed 3 weeks following their surgery, or the earliest convenient date. Interviews were undertaken either face to face or via telephone and explored the peri-operative and early recovery experience. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants described physical, psychological, and social implications following emergency laparotomy which extended further than hospital discharge. Recovery was perceived to be an ongoing and slow process of returning to ‘normal self’. Although generally satisfied with in-hospital care, a lack of access to discharge advice and community follow up left some participants feeling ‘abandoned’ and uncertain once they returned home, hindering recovery.

Conclusions

Older people living with frailty experience multifaceted consequences of emergency laparotomy that result in a prolonged recovery phase and care needs. Multi-disciplinary post-operative pathways are imperative in addressing these holistic care needs. Better access to information and enhanced community support could improve patient experience and facilitate ongoing recovery.
Emergency general surgery exposure for core surgical trainees in Scotland – training or service provision?
Authors: Walter Amy , Gibson Simon
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Emergency general surgery (EGS) is a key aspect of general surgical training. The core surgical quality indicators (QI) suggest core trainees (CSTs) should be involved in dealing with emergency patients 1x week. However, there are ongoing concerns that CSTs miss important training prospects due to service provision. We aimed to compare the distribution of on-call vs elective work for CSTs across different EGS centres in Scotland.

Methods

CSTs in general surgery in Scotland were asked to volunteer an anonymised copy of their on-call rota in 2023, which was subsequently analysed for on-call vs elective shifts. An anonymous survey was distributed assessing compliance to QIs.

Results

Ten rotas were analysed, including 3 tertiary centres and 7 district general hospitals (DGH). 90% of trainees were involved in EGS at least 1x week; 6 were on a junior-tier rather than registrar rota. In a six-month period, CSTs average 51 (42-67) on-call shifts, correlating to >60% of their rota. Those on a registrar rota and in DGHs tended to have less (45 vs 54, 50 vs 55 respectively). Four rotas have dedicated CEPOD shifts.

Conclusion

Increased exposure to EGS can have positive effects for CSTs. Our results show CSTs have ample on-call rota commitments, thus become familiar with EGS presentations. However, excess service provision for CSTs has been shown to negatively impact training. Thus, training centres must aim to protect training opportunities. Provision of dedicated CEPOD shifts alongside admitting shifts may help maximise satisfaction and training in EGS.