bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Balance functions and primitive reflexes in dyslexic children
Authors: Hazzaa Nagwa , Shalaby Amany , Hassanein Sahar , Khattab Ahmed , Metwally Nancy , Naeem Fathy
Published: February 2023

Background

Dyslexia is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder accordingly; investigating primitive reflexes – which considered as indicator for neuromotor maturation – possibly be of clinical value for evaluating dyslexic children.

Objectives

To assess balance functions and primitive reflexes in dyslexic children.

Material and methods

The study was conducted on 60 children divided into two groups. Control group consists of 20 normal children and study group consists of 40 children with dyslexia (diagnosed by Arabic Reading Screening test (ARST) and Modified Arabic Dyslexia Screening Test (MADST). Both study and control groups aged from 6 6/12 to 9 years old. They were subjected to clinical diagnostic tests for primitive reflexes and balance function tests (office tests, computerized dynamic posturography (CDP), sensory organization test (SOT)).

Results

Dyslexic children have poorer balance functions compared to control group. Sixty seven percent of the study group has retained primitive reflexes.

Conclusions

Dyslexic children have poorer balance functions in challenging situations and have retained primitive reflexes indicating delayed neural maturation. Dyslexia is a medical complex that needs assessment and management of balance functions and primitive reflexes for better quality of life.
Enhanced Intertwined Spin and Charge Orders in the t–J Model in a Small J Case
Authors: Zhang Yu , Mei Jiawei , Chen Weiqiang
Published: February 2023

The one-band t–J model captures strong correlations in cuprate high-temperature superconductors. It accounts for the various intertwined spin and charge orders, and the superconductivity in the phase diagrams. To see the correlation effect on the intertwined orders, we implement the density matrix renormalization group method to simulate the t–J model in a small J case with t/J = 10, which is in a deeper Mott region than that with t/J ≃ 3 in cuprate superconducting compounds. We examine the results on a six-leg lattice with both the nearest and next-nearest-neighbor hoppings and antiferromagnetic coupling, and find the absence of superconductivity and enhanced intertwined spin and charge orders in the phase diagram. Besides the stripe phases, we find a new SDW + CDW phase in which the spin modulation is a (π, π) antiferromagnetism, while the wavelength of the charge modulation is shorter than that of the stripe phases. Our results suggest the enhanced intertwined orders and suppressed superconductivity in the deep Mott region.
The impact of

f(G,T)

gravity on the evolution of cavity in the cluster of stars
Authors: Manzoor Rubab , Awais Sadiq M , Hussain Imdad
Published: February 2023

This paper investigates the evolution of cavities for the cluster of stars in the context of extended Gauss–Bonnet gravity. We assume a spherically symmetric geometry along with locally anisotropic fluid distribution. It is assumed that the proper radial distance among neighboring stellar components stays unchanged during purely areal evolution stage. We provide some analytical solutions by using general formulism in

f
(

G

,
T
)

gravitation theory. The thick-shells cavities at one or both boundary surfaces are found to satisfy the Darmois conditions. Moreover, we also investigate the physical behavior of cavity models by considering the stellar

4
U
1820
−
30

,

PSR

 
J
0740
+
6620

and

PSR

 
J
0348
+
0432

. We conclude that the dark matter has a strong impact on the evolution of cavities in the cluster of stars.
The role of low-energy electrons in the charging process of LISA test masses
Authors: Taioli Simone , Dapor Maurizio , Dimiccoli Francesco , Fabi Michele , Ferroni Valerio , Grimani Catia , Villani Mattia , Weber William Joseph
Published: February 2023

The estimate of the total electron yield is fundamental for our understanding of the test-mass charging associated with cosmic rays in the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission and in the forthcoming gravitational wave observatory LISA. To unveil the role of low energy electrons in this process owing to galactic and solar energetic particle events, in this work we study the interaction of keV and sub-keV electrons with a gold slab using a mixed Monte Carlo (MC) and ab-initio framework. We determine the energy spectrum of the electrons emerging from such a gold slab hit by a primary electron beam by considering the relevant energy loss mechanisms as well as the elastic scattering events. We also show that our results are consistent with experimental data and MC simulations carried out with the GEANT4-DNA toolkit.
Two-photon absorption dynamics by a rectangular entangled-photon pulse with time delay
Authors: Oka Hisaki
Published: February 2023

We theoretically analyze the transient dynamics in two-photon absorption (TPA) driven by a rectangular pulse consisting of entangled photons with time delay in terms of verifying the quantum virtual-state spectroscopy (VSS) method. We consider two types of three-level atomic systems: one is the atomic system having an intermediate state between ground and excited states, considered in common TPA, and another is the atomic system having an intermediate state above the excited state, assumed in the original VSS theory. We show that for common TPA configuration VSS does not occur at all, whereas for the original VSS configuration VSS-like signals can be obtained regardless of whether the incident photons are entangled or not, where photon entanglement simply contributes to the enhancement of the signal. In addition, by introducing frequency cutoff to the spectrum of incident photons, we also show that the VSS-like signal disappears even for the original VSS configuration when the intermediate state is completely virtually excited. Thus, the obtained results suggest that both the broad spectrum of incident photons causing the real excitation of intermediate state and energy configuration of intermediate state above the excited state are essential for VSS-like signals and that VSS in itself does not occur in a strict sense at least. The effect of unphysical parameters appearing in the original VSS scheme, recently theoretically predicted, is also discussed.
Calibration of strapdown magnetic vector measurement systems based on a plane compression method
Authors: Li Supeng , Cheng Defu , Wang Yi , Zhao Jing
Published: February 2023

The strapdown magnetic vector measurement system, which can measure the magnetic vector and the attitude of a magnetometer simultaneously, has wide applications in geophysical prospecting, etc. Calibration of systematic errors, including magnetometer errors and misalignment errors, is essential for this system. Traditional methods calibrate these two errors separately, with the problem of cumbersome steps and being dependent on special data acquisition methods, such as rotation. An original method that combines a plane compression method with an ellipsoid fitting method is proposed in this paper, which can simultaneously complete the calibration calculation of magnetometer error and misalignment error in one experiment. The calculation can be performed using the spatial scatter point data required by the traditional attitude-independent magnetometer calibration method, and no additional mechanical equipment is required. A mathematical analysis of this method is performed to study the elements decreasing the measurement accuracy of the system, and numerical simulation and field experiments are performed to validate the analysis. The results indicate that the method can contribute to the accuracy improvement of magnetic vector measurement systems.
Demystifying data evaluation in the measurement of periodic structures
Authors: Nečas D , Yacoot A , Valtr M , Klapetek P
Published: February 2023

Periodic structures are often found in various areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology with many of them being used for metrological purposes either to calibrate instruments, or forming the basis of measuring devices such as encoders. Evaluating the period of one or two-dimensional periodic structures from topography measurements, e.g. performed using scanning probe microscopy, can be achieved using different methodologies with many grating evaluation methods having been proposed in the past and applied to a handful of examples. The optimum methodology for determining the grating period/pitch is not immediately obvious. This paper reports the results of extensive large-scale simulations and analysis to evaluate the performance of both direct and Fourier space data processing methods. Many thousands of simulations have been performed on a variety of different gratings under different measurement conditions and including the simulation of defects encountered in real life situations. The paper concludes with a summary of the merits and disadvantages of the methods together with practical recommendations for the measurements of periodic structures and for developing algorithms for processing them.
Fault diagnosis of driving gear in rack and pinion drives based on multi-scale local binary pattern extraction and sparse representation
Authors: Yuan Hang , Lei Zhenxing , You Xianglong , Dong Zhe , Zhang Huijuan , Zhang Chi , Zhao Yubin , Liu Jianjuan
Published: February 2023

Rack and pinion drives (RPDs) are key components of battery-swapping systems (BSSs) used in electric heavy trucks; the faults occurring in these drives reduce the efficiency, accuracy, quality of battery swapping, and even pose potential safety risks. The operating conditions of RPD driving gear in BSSs are characterized by speed fluctuations, relatively low speeds, and reciprocating motion. To assess the driving gear fault characteristics under these conditions, based on the solution of image recognition under complex and low illumination conditions, this study proposes a fault diagnosis framework that includes adaptive down-sampling, three-dimensional acceleration data fusion, multi-scale local binary pattern (MS-LBP) extraction, and sparse representation. First, adaptive down-sampling is used to smooth out the speed fluctuation. Subsequently, MS-LBP extraction is employed to obtain efficient fault features at low speed. Finally, dictionary learning and sparse representations are conducted on the MS-LBP features. The effectiveness and advantages of the proposed diagnosis approach are demonstrated using monitoring data acquired from a BSS. Moreover, comparative studies demonstrate that the proposed fault diagnosis method yields improved performance.
Innovative sensor for refractive index monitoring based on a plastic optical fiber side-polished in a ‘V’-bent structure
Authors: Wang Jinyu , Sun Guodong , Ning Yanong , Li Zhen , Zhao Lin , Wang Jiqiang , Liu Tongyu , Zhang Wei , Dong Guofeng , Grattan Kenneth T V
Published: February 2023

An innovative probe design, based on plastic optical fiber (POF) which has been designed around a side-polished fiber, bent into a ‘V’ shape, is reported. Such a probe offers an innovative approach to monitoring of the surrounding refractive index (RI) of the material under study. The underlying principle is that such a side-polished optical fiber configured in this way can give rise to an enhanced evanescent field. This structure, with the optical fiber slot, was used to fix the side-polished POF. As a result, the POF probe created this way has been optimized using different intersection angles, circular chamfer radius and different polished depths. The maximum sensitivity achieved with the use of this probe reaches 206.4 dB/refractive index unit over the range of RI from 1.33 to 1.40. In the design, the half intersection angle, the circular chamfer radius and the polished depth were set to 30°, 1.12 mm and 194.6 μm, respectively. Such a probe based on inexpensive POF has significant potential for a variety of low-cost, RI sensing applications.
Buried graphene heterostructures for electrostatic doping of low-dimensional materials
Authors: Gumprich A , Liedtke J , Beck S , Chirca I , Potočnik T , Alexander-Webber J A , Hofmann S , Tappertzhofen S
Published: February 2023

The fabrication and characterization of steep slope transistor devices based on low-dimensional materials requires precise electrostatic doping profiles with steep spatial gradients in order to maintain maximum control over the channel. In this proof-of-concept study we present a versatile graphene heterostructure platform with three buried individually addressable gate electrodes. The platform is based on a vertical stack of embedded titanium and graphene separated by an intermediate oxide to provide an almost planar surface. We demonstrate the functionality and advantages of the platform by exploring transfer and output characteristics at different temperatures of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors with different electrostatic doping configurations. Furthermore, we back up the concept with finite element simulations to investigate the surface potential. The presented heterostructure is an ideal platform for analysis of electrostatic doping of low-dimensional materials for novel low-power transistor devices.
A multi-objective based radiomics feature selection method for response prediction following radiotherapy
Authors: Pan XiaoYing , Liu Chen , Feng TianHao , Qi X Sharon
Published: February 2023

Objective. Radiomics contains a large amount of mineable information extracted from medical images, which has important significance in treatment response prediction for personalized treatment. Radiomics analyses generally involve high dimensions and redundant features, feature selection is essential for construction of prediction models. Approach. We proposed a novel multi-objective based radiomics feature selection method (MRMOPSO), where the number of features, sensitivity, and specificity are jointly considered as optimization objectives in feature selection. The MRMOPSO innovated in the following three aspects: (1) Fisher score to initialize the population to speed up the convergence; (2) Min-redundancy particle generation operations to reduce the redundancy between radiomics features, a truncation strategy was introduced to further reduce the number of features effectively; (3) Particle selection operations guided by elitism strategies to improve local search ability of the algorithm. We evaluated the effectiveness of the MRMOPSO by using a multi-institution oropharyngeal cancer dataset from The Cancer Imaging Archive. 357 patients were used for model training and cross validation, an additional 64 patients were used for evaluation. Main results. The area under the curve (AUC) of our method achieved AUCs of 0.82 and 0.84 for cross validation and independent dataset, respectively. Compared with classical feature selection methods, the AUC of MRMOPSO is significantly higher than the Lasso (AUC = 0.74, p-value = 0.02), minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance criterion (mRMR) (AUC = 0.73, p-value = 0.05), F-score (AUC = 0.48, p-value < 0.01), and mutual information (AUC = 0.69, p-value < 0.01) methods. Compared to single-objective methods, the AUC of MRMOPSO is 12% higher than those of the genetic algorithm (GA) (AUC = 0.68, p-value = 0.02) and particle swarm optimization algorithm (AUC = 0.72, p-value = 0.05) methods. Compared to other multi-objective feature selection methods, the AUC of MRMOPSO is 14% higher than those of multiple objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) (AUC = 0.68, p-value = 0.02) and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA2) (AUC = 0.70, p-value = 0.03). Significance. We proposed a multi-objective based radiomics feature selection method. Compared to conventional feature reduction algorithms, the proposed algorithm effectively reduced feature dimension, and achieved superior performance, with improved sensitivity and specificity, for response prediction in radiotherapy.
Voltage control of the quantum scattering time in InAs/GaSb/InAs trilayer quantum wells
Authors: Meyer M , Schmid S , Jabeen F , Bastard G , Hartmann F , Höfling S
Published: February 2023

We study the evolution of the quantum scattering time by gate voltage training in the topological insulator (TI) based on InAs/GaSb/InAs trilayer quantum wells. Depending on the minimal gate voltage applied during a gate voltage sweep cycle, the quantum scattering time can be improved by 50% from 0.08 ps to 0.12 ps albeit the transport scattering time is rather constant around 1.0 ps. The ratio of the quantum scattering time versus transport scattering time scales linearly with the charge carrier density and varies from 10 to 30, indicating Coulombic scattering as the dominant scattering mechanism. Our findings may enable to improve bulk and edge properties of TIs based on InAs/GaSb quantum well heterostructures solely by means of an electric field rather than temperature which opens the paths towards their application for macroscopic devices.
A spin–orbit scattering–enhanced high upper critical field at the LaAlO3/KTaO3(111) superconducting interface
Authors: Zhang Zitao , Jiang Weimin , Shao Tingna , Qiao Yujie , Chen Xingyu , Zhao Qiang , Chen Meihui , Dou Ruifen , Xiong Changmin , Nie Jiacai
Published: February 2023

Spin–orbit interaction is essential to enhance the in-plane upper critical field of two-dimensional superconductors. Here, we report the LaAlO3/KTaO3 (111) superconducting interface (T
c,0 ≈ 0.475 K) with a high in-plane upper critical field (∼1.6 T), which is approximately 1.8 times the Pauli paramagnetic limit. The H

−

T superconducting phase diagram is well-fitted by the Klemm–Luther–Beasley (KLB) theory, and the relevant spin–orbit scattering (SOS) length is approximately 32 nm. Furthermore, normal-state magnetotransport measurements show signatures of weak antilocalization caused by strong spin–orbit coupling in LaAlO3/KTaO3 (111). The spin diffusion length derived from magnetotransport measurements was 40 nm at 2 K, which is comparable with the SOS length. The conformity of the phase diagram with the KLB theory and the consistency of normal state spin diffusion length and superconducting SOS length indicate that the high in-plane upper critical field at the LaAlO3/KTaO3 (111) superconducting interface is enhanced by SOS.
Flexible organic solar cell to power modern cardiac pacemakers: Versatile for all age groups, skin types and genders
Authors: Chamola Paritosh , Mittal Poornima
Published: February 2023

Bio-medical electronic components execute an vital part in medical services. Powering these devices is a task. Thus, the biomedical electronic devices which are able to self-harvest and store power are in huge demand. Present pacemakers are powered by batteries which have limited volume for energy packing and are compulsory to be changed. This needs a surgical intervention and is costly, with attachment of complications and risk. The objective of this paper is to validate if a subdermal PPV-PCBM [poly (2-methoxy-5-{3′,7′-dimethyloctyloxy}-p-phenylene vinylene) and {6,6}-phenyl C61—butyric acid methyl ester] active layer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic photo-voltaic (OPV) device could power a cardiac pacemaker. Power yield of 0.05 milliWatts (mW), 0.45 milliWatts & 2.1 milliWatts for African, Asian & Caucasian skin tones are gained at 2-millimeter implementation depth, acceptable to operate cardiac pacemaker demanding approximate power of 10 microWatts. Additionally, results correspondingly display higher output power is generated if the skin is thinner and brighter.
Rate coefficients for vibrational-translational transition processes of NO and CO from efficient forced harmonic oscillator model
Authors: Xie Meng , Cheng XinLu
Published: February 2023

The rate coefficients of the vibrational-translational (V-T) process for NO-NO and CO-CO gas collisions are studied by the forced oscillator model. The most suitable potential parameters α for the Lennard-Jones(L-J) potential is obtained. The appropriate spatial influence factor is optimized by calculating the collision probability. Under the Bessel approximation, we use the more accurate methods Rydberg–Klynning–Rees (RKR) and Variational Algebraic Method (VAM) to calculate the vibration level energy. The accuracy of forced harmonic oscillator(FHO) transition probability is improved, especially at high vibrational quantum numbers. These methods provide some new reliable data on collision rate coefficients for the gas collision of NO-NO and CO-CO. Especially, for collisions at higher temperatures and higher vibration quantum numbers.
Broadband carbon-based all-dielectric metamaterial absorber enhanced by high-contrast gratings based spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Guo Mengchao , Wang Xiaokun , Zhuang Haiyan , Tang Dongming , Zhang Baoshan , Yang Yi
Published: February 2023

In this paper, high-contrast gratings based spoof surface plasmon polaritons (HCG-based SSPPs), as a new mechanism of all-dielectric metamaterial absorbers (ADMMAs), are used to enhance their bandwidth. Accordingly, a broadband ADMMA is designed with carbon black composite. It consists of a cylinder array structure which is made of this composite. The simulation results show that broadband absorption is realized from 6.1 GHz to 18 GHz with three absorption peaks under a total thickness of 3.9 mm. The first peak is attributed to HCG-based SSPPs, while the other two are attributed to diffraction effects. The improved impedance matching characteristic in a wide band also makes an important contribution. The experimental results are agreed roughly with the simulation results. In addition, the structure designed is not a standard HCG, indicating that HCG-based SSPPs are expected to become universal mechanism of ADMMAs. It is believed that this work will push forward further studies on more applications of HCG-based SSPPs in ADMMAs.
Tunneling potential actions from canonical transformations
Authors: Espinosa José R. , Jinno Ryusuke , Konstandin Thomas
Published: February 2023

A new formulation for obtaining the tunneling action for vacuum decay based on the so-called tunneling potential was developed recently. In the original derivation, the new action
was obtained by requiring that its variation led to the correct equations of motion and the same value for the action as evaluated on the Euclidean bounce. We present an alternative derivation of the tunneling potential action via canonical transformations. We discuss both single-field and multi-field cases as well as the case with gravity. We also comment on the possible application of the new approach to the calculation of the functional determinant prefactor in the tunneling rate.
Black holes in dRGT massive gravity with the signature of EHT observations of M87*
Authors: Hendi S.H. , Jafarzade Kh. , Eslam Panah B.
Published: February 2023

The recent Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observations of the M87* have led to a surge of
interest in studying the shadow of black holes. Besides, investigation of time evolution and
lifetime of black holes helps us to veto/restrict some theoretical models in gravitating
systems. Motivated by such exciting properties, we study optical features of black holes, such as
the shadow geometrical shape and the energy emission rate in modified gravity. We consider a
charged AdS black hole in dRGT massive gravity and look for criteria to restrict the free
parameters of the theory. The main goal of this paper is to compare the shadow of the mentioned
black hole in a rotating case with the EHT data to obtain the allowed regions of the model
parameters. Therefore, we employ the Newman-Janis algorithm to build the rotating counterpart of
static solution in dRGT massive gravity. We also calculate the energy emission rate for the
rotating case and discuss how the rotation factor and other parameters affect the emission of
particles around the black holes.
Synchronization dynamics of phase oscillators with generic adaptive coupling
Authors: Jin Xin , Wu Yong-Gang , Lü Hua-Ping , Xu Can
Published: February 2023

Adaptive coupling schemes among interacting elements are ubiquitous in real systems ranging from physics and chemistry to neuroscience and have attracted much attention in recent years. Here, we extend the Kuramoto model by considering a particular adaptive scheme in a system of globally coupled oscillators. The homogeneous coupling is correlated with the global coherence of the population that is weighted by the generic nonlinear feedback function of the amplitude of the order parameter. The studied model is analytically tractable that generalizes the theory of Kuramoto for synchronization transition. We develop a mean-field theory by establishing the self-consistent equation describing the stationary dynamics in the thermodynamic limit. Importantly, the Landau damping effect, which turns out to be far more generic, is revealed in the framework of the linear stability analysis of the resonant pole theory. Furthermore, the relaxation rate of the order parameter in the subcritical region is obtained from a universal formula. Our study can deepen the understanding of synchronization transitions and other related collective dynamics in networked oscillators with adaptive interaction schemes.
Rating by detection: an artifact detection protocol for rating EEG quality with average event duration
Authors: Wȩsierski Daniel , Rufuie Mehrdad Rahimzadeh , Milczarek Olga , Ziembla Wojciech , Ogniewski Paweł , Kołodziejak Anna , Niedbalski Paweł
Published: February 2023

Objective. Quantitative evaluation protocols are critical for the development of algorithms that remove artifacts from real electroencephalography (EEG) optimally. However, visually inspecting the real EEG to select the top-performing artifact removal pipeline is infeasible while hand-crafted EEG data allow assessing artifact removal configurations only in a simulated environment. This study proposes a novel, principled approach for quantitatively evaluating algorithmically corrected EEG without access to ground truth in real-world conditions. Approach. Our offline evaluation protocol uses a detector to score the presence of artifacts. It computes their average duration, which measures the recovered EEG’s deviation from the modeled background activity with a single score. As we expect the detector to make generalization errors, we employ a generic and configurable Wiener-based artifact removal method to validate the reliability of our detection protocol. Main results. Quantitative experiments extensively compare many Wiener filters and show their consistent rankings agree with their theoretical assumptions and expectations. Significance. The rating-by-detection protocol with the average event duration measure should be of value for EEG practitioners and developers. After removing artifacts from real EEG, the protocol experimentally shows that reliable comparisons between many artifact filtering configurations are possible despite the missing ground-truth neural signals.
The NEWS-G detector at SNOLAB
Authors: Balogh L. , Beaufort C. , Brossard A. , Caron J.-F. , Chapellier M. , Coquillat J.-M. , Corcoran E.C. , Crawford S. , Dastgheibi-Fard A. , Deng Y. , Dering K. , Durnford D. , Garrah C. , Gerbier G. , Giomataris I. , Giroux G. , Gorel P. , Gros M. , Gros P. , Guillaudin O. , Hoppe E.W. , Katsioulas I. , Kelly F. , Knights P. , Langrock S. , Lautridou P. , Manthos I. , Martin R.D. , Matthews J. , Mols J.-P. , Muraz J.F. , Neep T. , Nikolopoulos K. , O'Brien P. , Piro M.C. , Rowe N. , Santos D. , Samuleev P. , Savvidis G. , Savvidis I. , Vazquez de Sola Fernandez F. , Vidal M. , Ward R. , Zampaolo M.
Published: February 2023

The New Experiments With Spheres-Gas (NEWS-G) collaboration
intends to achieve sub-GeV/c2 Weakly Interacting
Massive Particles (WIMPs) detection using Spherical Proportional
Counters (SPCs). SPCs are gaseous detectors relying on ionisation
with a single ionization electron energy threshold. The latest
generation of SPC for direct dark matter searches has been installed
at SNOLAB in Canada in 2021. This article details the different
processes involved in the fabrication of the NEWS-G experiment. Also
outlined in this paper are the mitigation strategies, measurements
of radioactivity of the different components, and estimations of
induced background event rates that were used to quantify and
address detector backgrounds.
Outcome determinism in measurement-based quantum computation with qudits
Authors: Booth Robert I , Kissinger Aleks , Markham Damian , Meignant Clément , Perdrix Simon
Published: February 2023

In measurement-based quantum computing (MBQC), computation is carried out by a sequence of measurements and corrections on an entangled state. Flow, and related concepts, are powerful techniques for characterising the dependence of the corrections on previous measurement outcomes. We introduce flow-based methods for MBQC with qudit graph states, which we call

Z

d

-flow, when the local dimension is an odd prime. Our main results are a proof that

Z

d

-flow is a necessary and sufficient condition for a strong form of outcome determinism. Along the way, we find a suitable generalisation of the concept of measurement planes to this setting and characterise the allowed measurements in a qudit MBQC. We also provide a polynomial-time algorithm for finding an optimal

Z

d

-flow whenever one exists.
First-principles calculation and experimental study on the effect of rare earth Ce and Nd on the corrosion behavior of Mg alloys
Authors: Liu Xiaolian , Jia Ruiling , Fu Xiaoyu , Cheng Wenhua , Zhang Huixia , Zhao Erjun
Published: February 2023

In this study, the influence mechanism of rare earth elements Ce and Nd on the corrosion behavior of Mg alloy was studied by combining experimental characterization with the first-principles calculation. The changes of work function and surface energy of the rare Earth phase and matrix phase in binary rare Earth Mg alloys Mg-0.3%Ce and Mg-0.3%Nd. In addition, the electronic properties of the second rare Earth phase and matrix phase, and the correlation between the interface energy of the second rare Earth phase and matrix and the corrosion behavior of Mg alloys were investigated. The experimental results show that Mg12Ce and Mg12Nd as the second phases of Mg-0.3%Ce and Mg-0.3%Nd, respectively, have not obvious roles in the galvanic corrosion of the alloys. The corrosion morphology of the two alloys is similar, the matrix undergoes filamentary corrosion through the grain to a large area. The results of the first-principles calculation show that the binding energy of the rare Earth phase is higher than that of the matrix phase, this implied the addition of light rare Earth elements Ce and Nd can improve the stability of the second phase. The work function of different surfaces of the second phase is similar to that of the matrix phase, so limited effect of the rare Earth phase on corrosion behavior has been found. In addition, the addition of rare Earth Ce and Nd will decrease the surface stability of Mg matrix, this result reaffirms the higher corrosion rates of Mg-0.3%Ce and Mg-0.3%Nd over that of the pure Mg.
Effectiveness of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor loaded nanoparticles in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Uğurlu Nagihan , Erdal Ebru , Malekghasemi Soheil , Demirbilek Murat
Published: February 2023

Diabetic Retinopathy (DRP) is a disease consisting of all the structural and functional changes that develop in the retinal layer of the eye due to diabetes. DRP is the most important cause of blindness between the ages of 20–74 in the world, and the most successful standard treatment option in the treatment of DRP is intravitreal injections. To synthesize acetazolamide loaded nanoparticles to be applied intravitreal treatment of DRP and to examine the in vitro efficacy of the nanoparticles. ACZ loaded PHBV nanoparticles (PHBV-ACZ NPs) formulations were prepared. Nanoparticles with a particle size of 253.20 ± 0.55 nm. A DRP model was established and characterized in HRMEC cells. The effect of the nanoparticles on permeability has been investigated and carrier proteins in BRB due to the development of DRP has been investigated. To establish the in vitro DRP model, HRMEC was stimulated with Recombinant human 165 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), thereby temporarily reducing the expression levels of endothelial junction proteins, increasing the number of intercellular spaces in the monolayers of HRMECs. It was determined that after the cells were exposed to Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) loaded nanoparticles, permeability decreased and protein expression increased.
Deformable registration with intensity correction for CESM monitoring response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Jailin Clément , Milioni De Carvalho Pablo , Mohamed Sara , Vancamberg Laurence , Amr Farouk Ibrahim Moustafa , Gomaa Mohammed Mohammed , Kamal Rasha Mohammed , Muller Serge
Published: February 2023

This paper proposes a robust longitudinal registration method for Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography in monitoring neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Because breast texture intensity changes with the treatment, a non-rigid registration procedure with local intensity compensations is developed. The approach allows registering the low energy images of the exams acquired before and after the chemotherapy. The measured motion is then applied to the corresponding recombined images. The difference of registered images, called residual, makes vanishing the breast texture that did not changed between the two exams. Consequently, this registered residual allows identifying local density and iodine changes, especially in the lesion area. The method is validated with a synthetic NAC case where ground truths are available. Then the procedure is applied to 51 patients with 208 CESM image pairs acquired before and after the chemotherapy treatment. The proposed registration converged in all 208 cases. The intensity-compensated registration approach is evaluated with different mathematical metrics and through the repositioning of clinical landmarks (RMSE: 5.9 mm) and outperforms state-of-the-art registration techniques.
Cobalt atoms anchored on nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres for efficient electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction to H2O2
Authors: Huang Xiao , Zhang Jingjing , Luo Guanyu , Wang Deli
Published: February 2023

Electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a promising alternative to the costly anthraquinone method. However, the sluggish kinetics of ORR on most electrocatalysts restricts its wide application. Therefore, exploring electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity for two–electron ORR is significant. Herein, cobalt atoms anchored on nitrogen-doped hollow carbon spheres (Co–NHCS) are presented for H2O2 electrosynthesis. The Co–NHCS catalyst exhibits excellent H2O2 electrosynthesis performance in acidic media with high reactivity with an ORR potential of 0.581 V at 1.0 mA cm−2 and H2O2 selectivity up to 90%. Moreover, the H2O2 output in the assembled device reaches 2980 mg l−1 h−1 with high Faraday efficiency. The enhanced performance of Co–NHCS originates from the hollow structure and center sites of Co introduction. This work affords a facile strategy for the fabrication of high-efficient carbon-based materials for H2O2 electrosynthesis.
Salem numbers with minimal trace
Authors: Chen Qiong , Wu Qiang
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a new method to compute lower and upper bounds for Salem numbers with a given trace and a given degree is given. With this method, it is proven that the smallest trace of Salem numbers of degree

22
22

is

−
1

-1

. Further, new lower bounds for degree of Salem numbers with minimal trace

−
5

-5

and

−
6

-6

are given. All Salem numbers of trace

−
2

-2

and degree

24
24

,

26
26

are given. This includes

7
7

additional Salem numbers of degree

26
26

beyond what was previously known. The auxiliary functions related to Chebyshev polynomials, which are adapted to Salem number, are used in this work.
The Role of Unpredictability in Maintaining Control of the Security Forces in the Gambia
Authors: Dwyer Maggie
Published: February 2023

This research explores a classic predicament of authoritarian leaders—the need for a strong security force to deter opposition alongside a fear of the threats that a strong force could pose. By providing a unique view into the security services in The Gambia under President Jammeh (1994–2017), it argues that fostering uncertainty was the key tool in maintaining control of the armed forces. It situates this approach in the context of wider theories of institutional arbitrariness. The research demonstrates how unpredictability was operationalized through multiple, overlapping practices targeting both the structural level and routine aspects of military life. It also looks at international opportunities as an avenue to mitigate some of the negative effects of pervasive uncertainty in the forces. The research provides new insights into the internal dynamics of state security forces by drawing on data newly available after The Gambia’s democratic political transition of 2017. This includes interviews with members of the forces, testimonies from the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC), court martial transcripts, and other government reports.
The grass is always greener on the nearer side
Authors: Murphy Lisa , Andrawis Madonna , Beatty Paula , Blasco Marta Costa , Doyle Claire , Long Amy , McFeely Orla , O’Mahony Sarah , Wolinska Anna , Hackett Caitriona , Salim Asad , Tobin Anne-Marie
Published: February 2023

Global warming is becoming an increasingly urgent area of concern, and the field of healthcare is not exempt. This study examines the role that satellite clinics play in reducing the production of carbon emissions, and making our practice more sustainable and carbon neutral as a result.
In vitro detection of suspected drug in maculopapular drug reaction to antibiotics using secreted cytokines from drug-specific activated T cells
Authors: Dharanisankar Sushmitha , Chandrashekar Laxmisha , Selvarajan Sandhiya , Rajappa Medha , Ramassamy Sivaranjini
Published: February 2023

Background

Maculopapular drug eruption (MPE) in reaction to antibiotics is associated with enhanced expression of T-helper (Th)1 cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) or Th2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-5. Identifying the culprit drug usually involves rechallenge, which may not be forthcoming. Memory lymphocytes remain responsive to the culprit drug long after the reaction has resolved. On reactivation in vitro, there is increased proliferation and expression of certain markers, which provides us with an opportunity to predict the causal drug.

Objectives

The study aimed to assess drug-specific cytokine production (IL-5 and IFN-gamma) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants to predict the causal antibiotic in cases of MPE.

Methods

PBMCs of 18 patients who developed MPE to 20 suspected antibiotics (2 patients had 2 suspected antibiotic allergies each), along with 11 drug-matched healthy controls, were incubated for 5 days with the respective drugs at 2 different concentrations. Secreted cytokines were measured in the supernatants, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IL-5 and IFN-gamma, at 6 h of incubation, then on day 2 and day 5.

Results

Drug-specific IL-5 and IFN-gamma production could be demonstrated in 65% and 74% of the cases, respectively. Maximal secretion of IL-5 and IFN-gamma was observed on day 5 and day 2 of incubation, respectively. The cut-off delta values, defined as the difference in cytokine concentration between drug-stimulated and unstimulated samples, were 4 pg mL−1 for IL-5 and 6 pg mL−1 for IFN-gamma.

Conclusions

The measurement of drug-specific secretion of IL-5 and IFN-gamma using ELISA is a valuable method for detecting antibiotic-induced MPE.
Folliculocentric papules in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Micallef Daniel , Pisani David , Boffa Michael J
Published: February 2023

A 30-year-old White man who was a renal transplant recipient presented with an eruption of folliculocentric papules with keratin spines.
Cortical and thalamic modulation of auditory gating in the posterior parietal cortex of awake mice
Authors: Wang Shuai , Li Zijie , Wang Xuejiao , Li Jinhong , Wang Xueru , Chen Jingyu , Li Yingna , Wang Changming , Qin Ling
Published: February 2023

Auditory gating (AG) is an adaptive mechanism for filtering out redundant acoustic stimuli to protect the brain against information overload. AG deficits have been found in many mental illnesses, including schizophrenia (SZ). However, the neural correlates of AG remain poorly understood. Here, we found that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) shows an intermediate level of AG in auditory thalamocortical circuits, with a laminar profile in which the strongest AG is in the granular layer. Furthermore, AG of the PPC was decreased and increased by optogenetic inactivation of the medial dorsal thalamic nucleus (MD) and auditory cortex (AC), respectively. Optogenetically activating the axons from the MD and AC drove neural activities in the PPC without an obvious AG. These results indicated that AG in the PPC is determined by the integrated signal streams from the MD and AC in a bottom-up manner. We also found that a mouse model of SZ (postnatal administration of noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist) presented an AG deficit in the PPC, which may be inherited from the dysfunction of MD. Together, our findings reveal a neural circuit underlying the generation of AG in the PPC and its involvement in the AG deficit of SZ.
1-Year Outcomes of Lung Transplantation for Coronavirus Disease 2019–Associated End-Stage Lung Disease in the United States
Authors: Okumura Kenji , Jyothula Soma , Kaleekal Thomas , Dhand Abhay
Published: February 2023

Background

Lung transplantation can provide quality of life and survival benefits for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–associated end-stage lung disease. Characteristics and outcomes of these lung transplant recipients are limited to mostly single-center experiences or provide a short-term follow-up.

Methods

Characteristics of deceased donors and adult lung transplant recipients for COVID-19–associated end-stage lung disease between August-2020 and June-2022 were analyzed using deidentified United Network for Organ Sharing database. Post-transplant patient survival of COVID-19 recipients was analyzed and compared with non–COVID-19 recipients. Secondary outcomes were length of hospitalization, post-transplant complications, and rates of organ rejection.

Results

During the study period, 400 lung transplants for COVID-associated end-stage lung disease comprised 8.7% of all lung transplants performed in United States. In the COVID-19 group, Hispanic males received lung transplants at significantly higher rates. The COVID-19 group was younger and had greater need for intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, and receipt of antibiotics pre-lung transplant. They had higher lung allocation score, with a shorter wait-list time and received more double lung transplants compared with non–COVID-19 recipients. Post-transplant, the COVID-19 cohort had longer hospital stays, with similar 1-year patient survival (COVID, 86.6% vs non–COVID, 86.3%). Post-transplant, COVID-19–associated deaths were 9.2% of all deaths among lung transplant recipients.

Conclusions

Lung transplantation offers a effective option for carefully selected patients with end-stage lung disease from prior COVID-19, with short-term and long-term outcomes similar to those for lung transplant recipients of non–COVID-19 etiology.
The ‘General Theory 4.0’ research programme: macroeconomics when Keynes eventually escapes Debreu and meets Ulysses and Einstein
Authors: Togati Teodoro Dario
Published: February 2023

In this paper, I propose a new research programme, the ‘General Theory (GT) 4.0’, aimed at restoring the academic influence of Keynes, against many contemporary misunderstandings, by defending his view that macroeconomics is an autonomous discipline with respect to standard theory. This paper focuses on two specific, complementary lines of defence. The first is to show that the metaphor of ‘Ulysses’ journey home’ for understanding Keynes, recently proposed in the literature, provides an intuitive, plastic representation of his major autonomy claims. The second is to suggest that such claims are not ad hoc, but in tune with the postulates of a scientific revolutionary paradigm, such as the relativity theory, reflecting the fact that Keynes and Einstein—despite obvious differences in their respective domains—shared the same ontology, the metaphysical world view of time and epistemology.
Successful aortic valve replacement by overexpanding a SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve for a large aortic annulus (>900 mm2): a case report
Authors: Sherwood Dalton , Nguyen Peter , Caranasos Thomas , Vavalle John
Published: February 2023

Background

There are limited commercial valve sizes available for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This makes it challenging or even prohibitive to perform TAVI on large aortic annuli.

Case summary

A 78-year-old male with known low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis presented with progressive dyspnoea, chest pressure, and decompensated heart failure. Successful off-label TAVI was performed for tricuspid aortic valve stenosis with an aortic annulus of >900 mm2. An Edwards S3 29 mm valve was overexpanded with an extra 7 mL of volume at valve deployment. No complications occurred, and only trivial paravalvular leak was seen following implantation. The patient died from a non-cardiovascular cause 8 months following the procedure.

Discussion

Patients that require aortic valve replacement with prohibitive surgical risk and have very large aortic valve annuli pose significant technical challenges. This case shows the feasibility of TAVI by overexpanding an Edwards S3 valve.
Effect of dronedarone vs. placebo on atrial fibrillation progression: apost hocanalysis from ATHENA trial
Authors: Blomström-Lundqvist Carina , Naccarelli Gerald V , McKindley David S , Bigot Gregory , Wieloch Mattias , Hohnloser Stefan H
Published: February 2023

Aims

This post hoc analysis of the ATHENA trial (NCT00174785) assessed the effect of dronedarone on the estimated burden of atrial fibrillation (AF)/atrial flutter (AFL) progression to presumed permanent AF/AFL, and regression to sinus rhythm (SR), compared with placebo.

Methods and results

The burden of AF/AFL was estimated by a modified Rosendaal method using available electrocardiograms (ECG). Cumulative incidence of permanent AF/AFL (defined as ≥6 months of AF/AFL until end of study) or permanent SR (defined as ≥6 months of SR until end of study) were calculated using Kaplan–Meier estimates. A log-rank test was used to assess statistical significance. Hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a Cox model, adjusted for treatment group. Of the 4439 patients included in this analysis, 2208 received dronedarone, and 2231 placebo. Baseline and clinical characteristics were well balanced between groups. Overall, 304 (13.8%) dronedarone-treated patients progressed to permanent AF/AFL compared with 455 (20.4%) treated with placebo (P < 0.0001). Compared with those receiving placebo, patients receiving dronedarone had a lower cumulative incidence of permanent AF/AFL (log-rank P < 0.001; HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.56–0.75), a higher cumulative incidence of permanent SR (log-rank P < 0.001; HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.09–1.29), and a lower estimated AF/AFL burden over time (P < 0.01 from Day 14 to Month 21).

Conclusion

These results suggest that dronedarone could be a useful antiarrhythmic drug for early rhythm control due to less AF/AFL progression and more regression to SR vs. placebo, potentially reflecting reverse remodeling.

Clinical trial registration

NCT00174785