bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polarization independent lattice-coupled terahertz toroidal excitation
Authors: Bhattacharya Angana , Singh Chouhan Bhagwat , Singh Rajan , Bhowmik Bhairov K , Kumar Gagan
Published: July 2023

The toroidal dipole excitation is important for metamaterial research because of its low-loss attribute. In this study, we demonstrate numerically and experimentally, a unique toroidal metasurface that modulates a broad resonance into a sharp mode, independent of the polarization of the incident terahertz (THz) radiation, by coupling the inherent toroidal dipole excitation to the lattice mode of the metasurface. The advantage of polarization independence enables the excitation of ‘lattice-coupled toroidal mode’ for both the orthogonally polarized states of the incident THz radiation in the metasurface. The interaction of the two resonances results in the enhancement of the quality factor of the metasurface at the point of resonance matching. The surface current profile as well as multipole analysis of scattered powers by electric, magnetic, and toroidal dipoles confirm the domineering effect of toroidal dipole excitation for both the polarization states of incident THz radiation. Such a lattice-matched toroidal excitation-based device has the potential to impact the development of polarization-independent THz components for ultrasensitive sensors, lattice-enhanced equipment, and slow light devices for light–matter interaction.
Quantitative analysis and evaluation of the optimization method of transformer partial discharge ultrasonic sensor monitoring
Authors: Jiang Youhua , Shang Xingsen , Jiang Xiangwei , Chen Bo
Published: July 2023

Accurate partial discharge (PD) measurement is critical to ensure the stable operation of transformers. The ultrasonic method is a low-cost, safe, and reliable technology that is widely available and provides real-time monitoring capability. The PD ultrasonic signals propagation is complex and severely attenuated in the transformer, which greatly affects the measurement accuracy of the sensor. In order to improve the accurate monitoring of PD in complicated transformer environments, an optimization monitoring method based on sub-scene detection and quantitative analysis and evaluation is proposed in this paper. Firstly, to address this concern, a sub-scene monitoring method is designed and explores the optimal monitoring points separately. In addition, establish the partition model of an oil-immersed power transformer, and compare the ultrasonic wave propagation characteristics and sound pressure attenuation characteristics of different monitoring points. Then, analyzed by wavelet transform algorithm and Pearson correlation coefficient to determine the best monitoring point location for each scene. Finally, we further tested the proposed method through extensive experiments based on simulations, testbed, and trial deployment. The experimental results have demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of the proposed method in transformer PD monitoring under complicated environments.
Prior knowledge-based residuals shrinkage prototype networks for cross-domain fault diagnosis
Authors: Hu Junwei , Li Weigang , Zheng Xiujuan , Tian Zhiqiang , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2023

In engineering practice, device failure samples are limited in the case of unexpected catastrophic faults, thereby limiting the application of deep learning in fault diagnosis. In this study, we propose a prior knowledge-based residual shrinkage prototype network to resolve the fault diagnosis challenges under limited labeled samples. First, our method combines general supervised learning and metric meta-learning to extract prior knowledge from the labeled source data by utilizing a denoised residual shrinkage network. Further, the knowledge extracted from the supervised learning is used for prototype metric training to achieve a better feature representation for the fault diagnosis. Finally, our approach outperforms a series of baseline methods in the few-shot cross-domain diagnostic task on the gearbox and bearing datasets. A diagnosis accuracy of more than 95% has been achieved in a variety of working conditions for diagnostic tasks, which is far higher than the existing basic method.
ConTriFormer: triggers-guided contextual informer for remaining useful life prediction of rolling bearings
Authors: Pang Bin , Hua Zhenghao , Zhao Dekuan , Xu Zhenli
Published: July 2023

Rolling bearings are critical components in many industrial fields, and their stability directly affects the performance and safety of the industrial equipment. Accurate prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) of rolling bearings is a heated topic in modern research. Traditional strategies are unable to efficiently exploit the significant features of the data, resulting in the inability to determine the starting time of prediction along with a reduced prediction accuracy. Accordingly, this paper proposes a novel data-driven prediction model named ConTriFormer, which incorporates multi-feature triggers focusing on various scales of input signals, and the ConvNeXt V2 sparse convolution strategy within the contextual Informer architecture for estimating RUL. Firstly, significant feature indicators of the original data are calculated to construct feature triggers, resulting in a multi-feature fusion. Secondly, the starting time for prediction is obtained through quantified results from fault-sensitive triggers. Thirdly, the original signal with triggers embedded is encoded and organized into sparse matrices to facilitate the simplification of subsequent computations. Sparse features and dynamic context information reflecting bearing state changes are obtained through ConvNeXt V2 sparse convolution, which is input into the Informer structure with contextual attentive structures inside for better adaptability to long time-span dynamic data and lower spatiotemporal complexity for feature mining and prediction. Finally, the prediction results are obtained by mapping output values to the remaining life through a fully connected layer. The proposed algorithm is compared with mainstream deep learning algorithms such as Bi-LSTM and Convolutional Transformer using the XJTU-SY dataset and PHM 2012 dataset, and the effectiveness of model is verified with ablation study. Results show that, the proposed method can more accurately predict RUL, providing a high-precision and intelligent method for prognostics health management of rolling bearings.
Achieving high carrier separation over Bi4O5I2 through Ni doping for improved photocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Chen Zhuohua , Jin Xiaoli , Lan Qing , Li Xin , Huang Qunzeng , Liu Wenmin , Guo Yuwei , Xie Haiquan , Ye Liqun
Published: July 2023

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is considered to be an appealing way of alleviating environmental pollution and energy shortages simultaneously under mild condition. However, the activity is greatly limited by the poor separation of the photogenerated carriers. Ion doping is a feasible strategy to facilitate the charge transfer. In this work, Ni-doped Bi4O5I2 photocatalyst is successfully fabricated using a one-pot hydrothermal method. A few doping levels appear in the energy band of Bi4O5I2 after Ni doping, which are used as springboards for electrons transition, thus promoting photoexcited electrons and holes separation. As a consequence, a remarkably enhanced yield of CO and CH4 (6.2 and 1.9 μmol g−1 h−1) is obtained over the optimized Bi4O5I2-Ni15, which is approximately 2.1 and 3.8 times superior to pure Bi4O5I2, respectively. This work may serve as a model for the subsequent research of Bi-based photocatalysts to implement high-performance CO2 photoreduction.
Two dimensional boron nitride growth on nickel foils by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy from elemental B and N sources
Authors: Batista-Pessoa Walter , Wallart Xavier , Vignaud Dominique
Published: July 2023

The growth of two dimensional sp2-bonded boron nitride (2D-BN) was studied in a plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy set-up, using independent boron and nitrogen sources. We studied the growth conditions on polycrystalline Ni foils: B and N respective fluxes, growth temperature and time, which are influencing the surface morphology, stoichiometry and the 2D-BN domain size. Using a B/N precursor flux ratio ≫1 yields films with incorporated boron largely in excess and intermixed with 2D-BN. On the contrary, precursor flux ratios from moderately B-rich to moderately N-rich leads to stoichiometric 2D-BN. The optimum growth temperature is found to be 900 °C, a temperature for which the crystallographic quality is improved compared to lower temperatures thanks to the increased adatom surface mobility although a partial sublimation of BN occurs. Increasing the growth time under the optimized settings shows that the growth does not occur in a layer-by-layer mode, but rather by stacking BN domains on top of each other with a rather slow lateral extension of the domains.
Investigation on the moving load identification for bridges based on long-gauge strain sensing and skew-Laplace fitting
Authors: Yang Jing , Hou Peng , Yang Caiqian , Zhou Yunong , Zhang Guanjun
Published: July 2023

Vehicle loads have long-term and repeated characteristics, affecting the service and safety performance of bridges. Therefore, the identification method of moving load is a meaningful research field. This paper proposes a novel method of moving load identification based on long-gauge strain sensing to solve the shortcomings of weigh-in-motion techniques and traditional monitoring technology. The theoretical derivation shows that the envelope area of the long-gauge strain influence line is directly proportional to the vehicle weight. The load identification is conducted based on this relation. Then, the extremum of the influence line is extracted by Laplace function fitting, which is used to identify the speed and wheelbase. A series of numerical simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The numerical simulation results show that the identification errors of vehicle speed and gross vehicle weight (GVW) are less than 3%, and the overall error of the wheelbase is less than 5%. In addition, the experiment researchers present the identification error of GVW as less than 10%, which indicates that the proposed identification method has excellent practicability and robustness.
Characterizing the fundamental bending vibration of a linear polyatomic molecule for symmetry violation searches
Authors: Jadbabaie Arian , Takahashi Yuiki , Pilgram Nickolas H , Conn Chandler J , Zeng Yi , Zhang Chi , Hutzler Nicholas R
Published: July 2023

Polyatomic molecules have been identified as sensitive probes of charge-parity violating and parity violating physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). For example, many linear triatomic molecules are both laser-coolable and have parity doublets in the ground electronic

X
˜

2

Σ
+

(
010
)

state arising from the bending vibration, both features that can greatly aid BSM searches. Understanding the

X
˜

2

Σ
+

(
010
)

state is a crucial prerequisite to precision measurements with linear polyatomic molecules. Here, we characterize the fundamental bending vibration of

174

YbOH using high-resolution optical spectroscopy on the nominally forbidden

X
˜

2

Σ
+

(
010
)

→

A
˜

2

Π

1

/

2

(
000
)

transition at 588 nm. We assign 39 transitions originating from the lowest rotational levels of the

X
˜

2

Σ
+

(
010
)

state, and accurately model the state’s structure with an effective Hamiltonian using best-fit parameters. Additionally, we perform Stark and Zeeman spectroscopy on the

X
˜

2

Σ
+

(
010
)

state and fit the molecule-frame dipole moment to

D

m
o
l

=
2.16
(
1
)

D and the effective electron g-factor to

g
S

=
2.07
(
2
)

. Further, we use an empirical model to explain observed anomalous line intensities in terms of interference from spin–orbit and vibronic perturbations in the excited

A
˜

2

Π

1

/

2

(
000
)

state. Our work is an essential step toward searches for BSM physics in YbOH and other linear polyatomic molecules.
Neutral particle acceleration by spatially modulated laser pulses
Authors: Yan J Y , Wang W , Wei Q , Wang P X
Published: July 2023

The velocity gain of neutral particles (atoms, molecules, etc) from laser acceleration is always small. A possible scheme to obtain a high speed neutral particle beam is multistage acceleration. However, according to previous theoretical and experimental studies, generally, lateral acceleration is larger than longitudinal acceleration. These transverse velocities destroy the expected quality of the longitudinally transmitted neutral particle beam. In order to realize multistage accelerations of neutral particle, it is necessary to restrain the beam divergence caused by lateral acceleration. How to optimize and utilize these laterally accelerated neutral particles is worthy of in-depth study. In this paper, we use a multi-mode combined laser pulse and a flattened Gaussian laser pulse to accelerate the neutral atoms. The transverse divergence of the beam is well controlled while the longitudinal acceleration is retained, which provides the possibility for improving the beam quality of neutral particles as well as the corresponding multistage acceleration.
Silicon-based subwavelength grating polarization beam splitter with asymmetric directional coupler
Authors: Wang Zhibin , Zhao Mengxiong , Yin Shaojie , Jia Mengfei , Hou Xuwei
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a novel polarization beam splitter (PBS) is proposed. The silicon-based subwavelength grating (SWG) is successfully applied to the asymmetric directional coupled PBS, and the research shows that its performance has improved in many aspects. By carefully optimizing structural parameters, the transverse electric (TE) polarization is in a reflected state in the SWG, which effectively weakens the coupling strength, while the transverse magnetic (TM) polarization is almost unaffected. Simulation results show that the bandwidths of TE polarization and TM polarization are 200 nm (1450–1650 nm) and 141 nm (1450–1650 nm) in the extinction ratio of >20 dB, respectively, while the insertion loss is <0.5 dB and <1.3 dB, respectively. The PBS is very robust to the process production. With the manufacturing error exceeding 20 nm, the performance is only reduced by 0.6 dB, effectively solving the problem of complex preparation process.
Influence of ac Stark shift on below-threshold harmonic generation of H
2+
molecular ions in intense laser fields
Authors: Du Ling-Ling , Wang Zhi-Bing , Jin Fa-Cheng , Wang Guo-Li , Li Peng-Cheng
Published: July 2023

The effects of laser-induced ac Stark shift on the high-order harmonic generation below the ionization threshold of H

2
+

molecular ions are investigated. The results show that several sub-peak harmonics generated in the vicinity of odd harmonics are clearly observed. Combined with the synchrosqueezing transform of the quantum time-frequency spectrum and a two-state model, we confirm that the transition between the first excited state related to ac Stark-shift and the ground state contributes to the sub-peak harmonics generation. In addition, we find some fine oscillatory structures of the sub-peak harmonic due to spectral interference. The sub-peak harmonics generation and spectral oscillations can be controlled by the laser intensity and the pulse duration. Our study provides a new alternative way to measure the energy difference of ac Stark shift between the excited state and the ground state of atoms and molecules in intense laser fields.
Performance assessment of a tightly baffled, long-legged divertor configuration in TCV with SOLPS-ITER
Authors: Sun G. , Reimerdes H. , Theiler C. , Duval B.P. , Carpita M. , Colandrea C. , Février O.
Published: July 2023

Numerical simulations explore a possible tightly baffled, long-legged divertor (TBLLD) concept in a future upgrade of the tokamak à configuration variable (TCV). The SOLPS-ITER code package is used to compare the exhaust performance of several TBLLD configurations with results from unbaffled and baffled TCV configurations. The investigated TBLLDs feature a range of radial gaps between the separatrix and the divertor baffles, with a smaller gap resulting in tighter baffling. All modeled TBLLDs are predicted to lead to a denser and colder plasma in front of the targets and increase the power handling by factors of 2–3 compared to the present, baffled, divertor and by up to a factor of 12 compared to the original, unbaffled, configuration. This improved TBLLD performance is attributed to an increased neutral confinement with more plasma–neutral interactions in the divertor region. Both power handling capability and neutral confinement increase with tighter baffling. The core compatibility of TBLLDs with nitrogen seeding is also evaluated and the detachment window, with acceptable core pollution, for these TBLLDs is explored, showing a reduction of the required upstream impurity concentration to achieve detachment by up to 18% with tighter baffling.
Dosimetric analysis of a compartmental model for radioligand uptake in tumor lesions
Authors: Galler M , Chibolela C , Rogasch J M M , Huang K , Siefert J , Schatka I , Amthauer H
Published: July 2023

Radioligand therapy is a targeted cancer therapy that delivers radiation to tumor cells based on the expression of specific markers on the cell surface. It has become an important treatment option in metastasized neuroendocrine tumors and advanced prostate cancer. The analysis of absorbed doses in radioligand therapies has gained much attention and remains a challenging task due to individual pharmacokinetics. As an alternative to the often used sum of exponential functions in intra-therapeutic dosimetry, a basic compartmental model for the pharmacokinetics of radioligands is described and analyzed in this paper. In its simplest version, the model behavior is determined by the uptake capacity and the association constant and can be solved analytically. The model is extended with rates for excretion from the source compartment and externalization from the lesion compartment. Numerical calculations offer an insight into the quantitative effects of the model parameters on the absorbed dose in the tumor lesion. This analysis helps understanding the importance of clinically relevant factors, e.g. the effect on absorbed doses of modified radioligands that bind to albumin. Using clinical data, the potential application in intra-therapeutic dosimetry is illustrated and compared to the bi-exponential function which lacks a mechanistical basis. While the compartmental model is found to constitute a feasible alternative in these examples, this has to be confirmed by further clinical studies.
Minimal boundaries for operator algebras
Authors: Clouâtre Raphaël , Thompson Ian
Published: July 2023

We study boundaries for unital operator algebras. These are sets of irreducible

∗
*

-representations that completely capture the spatial norm attainment for a given subalgebra. Classically, the Choquet boundary is the minimal boundary of a function algebra and it coincides with the collection of peak points. We investigate the question of minimality for the non-commutative counterpart of the Choquet boundary and show that minimality is equivalent to what we call the Bishop property. Not every operator algebra has the Bishop property, but we exhibit classes of examples that do. Throughout our analysis, we exploit various non-commutative notions of peak points for an operator algebra. When specialized to the setting of

C

∗

\mathrm {C}^*

-algebras, our techniques allow us to provide a new proof of a recent characterization of those

C

∗

\mathrm {C}^*

-algebras admitting only finite-dimensional irreducible representations.
North-South type dynamics of relative atoroidal automorphisms of free groups on a relative space of currents
Authors: Guerch Yassine
Published: July 2023

This paper, which is the second of a series of three papers, studies dynamical properties of elements of

Out
⁡
(

F

n

)

\operatorname {Out}(F_{\mathtt n})

, the outer automorphism group of a nonabelian free group

F

n

F_{\mathtt n}

. We prove that, for every exponentially growing outer automorphism of

F

n

F_{\mathtt n}

, there exists a preferred compact topological space, the space of currents relative to a malnormal subgroup system, on which

ϕ
\phi

acts by homeomorphism with a North-South dynamics behavior.
On Le Jan-Sznitman’s stochastic approach to the Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Dascaliuc Radu , Pham Tuan , Thomann Enrique
Published: July 2023

The paper explores the symbiotic relation between the Navier-Stokes equations and the associated stochastic cascades. Specifically, we examine how some well-known existence and uniqueness results for the Navier-Stokes equations can inform about the probabilistic features of the associated stochastic cascades, and how some probabilistic features of the stochastic cascades can, in turn, inform about the existence and uniqueness (or the lack thereof) of solutions. Our method of incorporating the stochastic explosion gives a simpler and more natural method to construct the solution compared to the original construction by Le Jan and Sznitman. This new stochastic construction is then used to show the finite-time blowup, non-existence of minimal blowup data, and non-uniqueness of the initial value problem for the Montgomery-Smith equation. We exploit symmetry properties inherent in our construction to give a simple proof of the global well-posedness results for small initial data in scale-critical Fourier-Besov spaces. We also obtain the pointwise convergence of the Picard iteration associated with the Fourier-transformed Navier-Stokes equations.
Improved imaging and preservation of lysosome dynamics using silver nanoparticle-enhanced fluorescence
Authors: Soha Sumaiya A. , Santhireswaran Araniy , Huq Saaimatul , Casimir-Powell Jayde , Jenkins Nicala , Hodgson Gregory K. , Sugiyama Michael , Antonescu Costin N. , Impellizzeri Stefania , Botelho Roberto J.
Published: July 2023

Silver nanoparticles enhance fluorescence via surface plasmons. Here, we show that loading lysosomes with silver nanoparticles enhances the fluorescence of fluorochromes and GFP-based molecular probes for lysosomes. This affords reduced excitation and exposure, reducing photobleaching and phototoxicity, and preserving lysosome dynamics.
From Cheerful Bedtime Story to Sad Christmas Film: How Medium, Mode, and Genre Reshape We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Authors: Hosay Maureen
Published: July 2023

Despite a largely positive reception, the 2016 film adaptation of the widely popular and acclaimed picturebook We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Rosen and Oxenbury 1989) has also received criticism. A number of parents have even taken to the internet to share their experiences of children being very upset, and even crying. Indeed, the film has been deemed sadder and more depressing than the picturebook, particularly in relation to its treatment of the character of the bear. Using these critiques as a springboard, this paper argues that they are—in large part—caused by the change of medium and genre. Drawing from Klaus Kaindl’s mode—medium—genre taxonomy (Kaindl 2013), this paper investigates the changes in the medial, modal, and generic dimensions between the two works as being closely intertwined. In order to gain a better understanding of those dynamics, this paper will provide a thorough multimodal breakdown of one scene from the picturebook and the film (textual, visual, and aural modes), and examine how the new medium affordances, multimodal arrangement, and generic conventions reshape the work and its subsequent reception.
Sources of carbon supporting the fast growth of developing immature moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) culms: inference from carbon isotopes and anatomy
Authors: Wang Shitephen , Epron Daniel , Kobayashi Keito , Takanashi Satoru , Dannoura Masako
Published: July 2023

Phyllostachys edulis is a spectacularly fast-growing species that completes its height growth within 2 months after the shoot emerges without producing leaves (fast-growing period, FGP). This phase was considered heterotrophic, with the carbon necessary for the growth being transferred from the mature culms via the rhizomes, although previous studies observed key enzymes and anatomical features related to C4-carbon fixation in developing culms. We tested whether C4-photosynthesis or dark-CO2 fixation through anaplerotic reactions significantly contributes to the FGP, resulting in differences in the natural abundance of δ13C in bulk organic matter and organic compounds. Further, pulse-13CO2-labelling was performed on developing culms, either from the surface or from the internal hollow, to ascertain whether significant CO2 fixation occurs in developing culms. δ13C of young shoots and developing culms were higher (−26.3 to −26.9 ‰) compared to all organs of mature bamboos (−28.4 to −30.1 ‰). Developing culms contained chlorophylls, most observed in the skin tissues. After pulse-13CO2-labelling, the polar fraction extracted from the skin tissues was slightly enriched in 13C, and only a weak 13C enrichment was observed in inner tissues. Main carbon source sustaining the FGP was not assimilated by the developing culm, while a limited anaplerotic fixation of respired CO2 cannot be excluded and is more likely than C4-photosynthetic carbon fixation.
MEDIPIPE: an automated and comprehensive pipeline for cfMeDIP-seq data quality control and analysis
Authors: Zeng Yong , Ye Wenbin , Stutheit-Zhao Eric Y , Han Ming , Bratman Scott V , Pugh Trevor J , He Housheng Hansen
Published: July 2023

Cell-free methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing (cfMeDIP-seq) has emerged as a promising liquid biopsy technology to detect cancers and monitor treatments. While several bioinformatics tools for DNA methylation analysis have been adapted for cfMeDIP-seq data, an end-to-end pipeline and quality control framework specifically for this data type is still lacking. Here, we present the MEDIPIPE, which provides a one-stop solution for cfMeDIP-seq data quality control, methylation quantification, and sample aggregation. The major advantages of MEDIPIPE are: (i) ease of implementation and reproducibility with Snakemake containerized execution environments that will be automatically deployed via Conda; (ii) flexibility to handle different experimental settings with a single configuration file; and (iii) computationally efficiency for large-scale cfMeDIP-seq profiling data analysis and aggregation.

Availability and implementation

This pipeline is an open-source software under the MIT license and it is freely available at https://github.com/pughlab/MEDIPIPE.
Evaluation of AlphaFold-Multimer prediction on multi-chain protein complexes
Authors: Zhu Wensi , Shenoy Aditi , Kundrotas Petras , Elofsson Arne
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Despite near-experimental accuracy on single-chain predictions, there is still scope for improvement among multimeric predictions. Methods like AlphaFold-Multimer and FoldDock can accurately model dimers. However, how well these methods fare on larger complexes is still unclear. Further, evaluation methods of the quality of multimeric complexes are not well established.

Results

We analysed the performance of AlphaFold-Multimer on a homology-reduced dataset of homo- and heteromeric protein complexes. We highlight the differences between the pairwise and multi-interface evaluation of chains within a multimer. We describe why certain complexes perform well on one metric (e.g. TM-score) but poorly on another (e.g. DockQ). We propose a new score, Predicted DockQ version 2 (pDockQ2), to estimate the quality of each interface in a multimer. Finally, we modelled protein complexes (from CORUM) and identified two highly confident structures that do not have sequence homology to any existing structures.

Availability and implementation

All scripts, models, and data used to perform the analysis in this study are freely available at https://gitlab.com/ElofssonLab/afm-benchmark.
Mountains as refugia in the Dry Chaco: phylogeography and species distribution modelling of the southernmost chilli pepper, Capsicum chacoense Hunz. (Solanaceae)
Authors: Scaldaferro Marisel A , Sérsic Alicia , Romanutti Alejandra A , Acosta M Cristina
Published: July 2023

Phylogeographical studies combined with species distribution modelling can provide evidence for past climate refugia. During the Pleistocene, the Chaco phytogeographical province (ChPP) underwent changes in the distribution range, and the flora might have found refugia in different habitats according to their climatic requirements. This contribution aims to infer the effects of historical geoclimatic changes on the evolutionary history of Capsicum chacoense, the southernmost chilli pepper growing in the ChPP. We analysed 27 localities with plastid markers and 23 with nuclear markers, covering the geographical range of the species. We performed statistical phylogeography, in addition to current and past species distribution modelling. We found three haploclades, diverging 2.3–1 Mya, intermingled throughout the mountain ranges of the ChPP as a consequence of glacial cycles. According to the species distribution modelling, the expansion of the species distribution occurred during interglacial periods. We found two dispersal routes from south to north of the species distribution, concomitant with the migration routes of birds that disperse their fruits. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity showed the highest genetic diversity values at higher elevations. The main orographic systems of the study area were identified as areas of presumed population stability. Consequently, mountains are priority regions for conservation because they contain areas with high genetic diversity.
Kernel methods for causal functions: dose, heterogeneous and incremental response curves
Authors: Singh R , Xu L , Gretton A
Published: July 2023

We propose estimators based on kernel ridge regression for nonparametric causal functions such as dose, heterogeneous and incremental response curves. The treatment and covariates may be discrete or continuous in general spaces. Because of a decomposition property specific to the reproducing kernel Hilbert space, our estimators have simple closed-form solutions. We prove uniform consistency with finite sample rates via an original analysis of generalized kernel ridge regression. We extend our main results to counterfactual distributions and to causal functions identified by front and back door criteria. We achieve state-of-the-art performance in nonlinear simulations with many covariates, and conduct a policy evaluation of the US Job Corps training programme for disadvantaged youths.
Comparison of idiopathic and drug-induced epidermal necrolysis in children
Authors: Welfringer-Morin Anne , Bataille Pauline , Drummond David , Bellon Nathalia , Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Bonigen Julie , Schmartz Sophie , Giraud-Kerleroux Laura , Moulin Florence , De Saint Blanquat Laure , Bremond-Gignac Dominique , Hadj-Rabia Smail , Bodemer Christine
Published: July 2023

In this monocentric retrospective study in a French paediatric reference centre, children with idiopathic epidermal necrolysis (EN) had more severe disease than those with drug-induced EN during the acute stage. In our study, no EN was attributed to infection.
Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 is enriched at the centrosome in human cells
Authors: Bodin Alexia , Greibill Logan , Gouju Julien , Letournel Franck , Pozzi Silvia , Julien Jean-Pierre , Renaud Laurence , Bohl Delphine , Millecamps Stéphanie , Verny Christophe , Cassereau Julien , Lenaers Guy , Chevrollier Arnaud , Tassin Anne-Marie , Codron Philippe
Published: July 2023

The centrosome, as the main microtubule organizing centre, plays key roles in cell polarity, genome stability and ciliogenesis. The recent identification of ribosomes, RNA-binding proteins and transcripts at the centrosome suggests local protein synthesis. In this context, we hypothesized that TDP-43, a highly conserved RNA binding protein involved in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, could be enriched at this organelle. Using dedicated high magnification sub-diffraction microscopy on human cells, we discovered a novel localization of TDP-43 at the centrosome during all phases of the cell cycle.

These results were confirmed on purified centrosomes by western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy. In addition, the co-localization of TDP-43 and pericentrin suggested a pericentriolar enrichment of the protein, leading us to hypothesize that TDP-43 might interact with local mRNAs and proteins. Supporting this hypothesis, we found four conserved centrosomal mRNAs and 16 centrosomal proteins identified as direct TDP-43 interactors. More strikingly, all the 16 proteins are implicated in the pathophysiology of TDP-43 proteinopathies, suggesting that TDP-43 dysfunction in this organelle contributes to neurodegeneration.

This first description of TDP-43 centrosomal enrichment paves the way for a more comprehensive understanding of TDP-43 physiology and pathology.
A male perspective on alopecia areata: are we doing enough?
Authors: Asfour Leila , Haddad Wissam , Bokhari Laita , Campbell Chel , Schilling Sue , Montgomery Kerry , Sinclair Rodney
Published: July 2023

There is a misconception that alopecia areata (AA) does not affect males to the same extent as females. A recent Alopecia UK study exploring men’s perspective on alopecia stated that men requested that the psychological impact of AA on men needs to be better recognized. Their results demonstrate that men can feel ‘isolated and self-conscious about their appearance within a society in which there exists minimal understanding of male AA’. A review from the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation raised the concern of suicide risk in young men and boys with AA. We share a 48-year-old man's experience of AA and the risks associated with his Janus kinase inhibitor therapy.
Bimekizumab in hidradenitis suppurativa: a valid and effective emerging treatment
Authors: Molinelli Elisa , Gambini Daisy , Maurizi Andrea , De Simoni Edoardo , Sapigni Claudia , Belleggia Sara , Rizzetto Giulio , Offidani Annamaria , Simonetti Oriana
Published: July 2023

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which many inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-17 are involved in the pathophysiology. We describe a rapid improvement in the skin lesions of HS in patients with psoriasis treated with bimekizumab.
Crude Mortality Associated With the Empirical Use of Polymyxins in Septic Patients in a Setting of High Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria: Retrospective Analysis of a Cohort
Authors: Bezerra Camila L P A M , dos Santos Eusébio L , Oliveira Maura S , Dias Maria Beatriz S , Levin Anna S , Freire Maristela P , Boszczowski Icaro , Salomão Matias C
Published: July 2023

Background

Our aim in this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact on mortality of the empirical use of polymyxin as therapy for carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) in septic patients. The study was performed at a tertiary academic hospital in Brazil, from January 2018 to January 2020, the pre–coronavirus disease 2019 period.

Methods

We included 203 patients with suspected sepsis. The first doses of antibiotics were prescribed from a “sepsis antibiotic kit”, which contained a selection of drugs, including polymyxin, with no preapproval policy. We developed a logistic regression model to assess risk factors associated with 14-day crude mortality. Propensity score for polymyxin was used to control biases.

Results

Seventy (34%) of 203 patients had infections with at least 1 multidrug-resistant organism isolated from any clinical culture. Polymyxins in monotherapy or in combination therapy were prescribed to 140 of the 203 (69%) patients. The overall 14-day mortality rate was 30%. The 14-day crude mortality was associated with age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.05; P = .01), SOFA (sepsis-related organ failure assessment) score value (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.09–1.32; P < .001), CR-GNB infection (aOR, 3.94; 95% CI, 1.53–10.14; P = .005), and time between suspected sepsis and antibiotic administration (aOR, 0.73; 95% CI, .65–.83; P < .001). The empirical use of polymyxins was not associated with decreased crude mortality (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, .29–1.71; P = .44).

Conclusions

Empirical use of polymyxin for septic patients in a setting with high CR-GNB prevalence was not associated with decreased crude mortality.
Maternal Colonization Versus Nosocomial Transmission as the Source of Drug-Resistant Bloodstream Infection in an Indian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Robinson Matthew L , Johnson Julia , Naik Shilpa , Patil Sunil , Kulkarni Rajesh , Kinikar Aarti , Dohe Vaishali , Mudshingkar Swati , Kagal Anju , Smith Rachel M , Westercamp Matthew , Randive Bharat , Kadam Abhay , Babiker Ahmed , Kulkarni Vandana , Karyakarte Rajesh , Mave Vidya , Gupta Amita , Milstone Aaron M , Manabe Yukari C
Published: July 2023

Background

Drug-resistant gram-negative (GN) pathogens are a common cause of neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries. Identifying GN transmission patterns is vital to inform preventive efforts.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study, 12 October 2018 to 31 October 2019 to describe the association of maternal and environmental GN colonization with bloodstream infection (BSI) among neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Western India. We assessed rectal and vaginal colonization in pregnant women presenting for delivery and colonization in neonates and the environment using culture-based methods. We also collected data on BSI for all NICU patients, including neonates born to unenrolled mothers. Organism identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were performed to compare BSI and related colonization isolates.

Results

Among 952 enrolled women who delivered, 257 neonates required NICU admission, and 24 (9.3%) developed BSI. Among mothers of neonates with GN BSI (n = 21), 10 (47.7%) had rectal, 5 (23.8%) had vaginal, and 10 (47.7%) had no colonization with resistant GN organisms. No maternal isolates matched the species and resistance pattern of associated neonatal BSI isolates. Thirty GN BSI were observed among neonates born to unenrolled mothers. Among 37 of 51 BSI with available NGS data, 21 (57%) showed a single nucleotide polymorphism distance of ≤5 to another BSI isolate.

Conclusions

Prospective assessment of maternal GN colonization did not demonstrate linkage to neonatal BSI. Organism-relatedness among neonates with BSI suggests nosocomial spread, highlighting the importance of NICU infection prevention and control practices to reduce GN BSI.
Effectiveness of Adjunctive High-Dose Infliximab Therapy to Improve Disability-Free Survival Among Patients With Severe Central Nervous System Tuberculosis: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Manesh Abi , Gautam Priyanka , Kumar D Selwyn Selva , Mannam Pavithra , Jasper Anitha , Gunasekaran Karthik , Thomas Naveen Cherian , Benjamin Rohit Ninan , Inbaraj Leeberk Raja , Devasagayam Emily , George Mithun Mohan , Karthik Rajiv , Abraham Ooriapadickal Cherian , Vanjare Harshad A , Sivadasan Ajith , Appaswamy Prabhakar Thirumal , Jonathan Edmond , Michael Joy S , Samuel Prasanna , Varghese George M
Published: July 2023

Background

Few treatment options exist for patients with severe central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis (TB) worsening due to inflammatory lesions, despite optimal antitubercular therapy (ATT) and steroids. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of infliximab in these patients are sparse.

Methods

We performed a matched retrospective cohort study based on Medical Research Council (MRC) grading system and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores comparing 2 groups of adults with CNS TB. Cohort A received at least 1 dose of infliximab after optimal ATT and steroids between March 2019 and July 2022. Cohort B received only ATT and steroids. Disability-free survival (mRS score ≤2) at 6 months was the primary outcome.

Results

Baseline MRC grades and mRS scores were similar between the cohorts. Median duration before initiation of infliximab therapy from start of ATT and steroids was 6 (IQR: 3.7–13) months and for neurological deficits was 4 (IQR: 2–6.2) months. Indications for infliximab were symptomatic tuberculomas (20/30; 66.7%), spinal cord involvement with paraparesis (8/30; 26.7%), and optochiasmatic arachnoiditis (3/30; 10%), worsening despite adequate ATT and steroids. Severe disability (5/30 [16.7%] and 21/60 [35%]) and all-cause mortality (2/30 [6.7%] and 13/60 [21.7%]) at 6 months were lower in cohort A versus cohort B, respectively. In the combined study population, only exposure to infliximab was positively associated (aRR: 6.2; 95% CI: 2.18–17.83; P = .001) with disability-free survival at 6 months. There were no clear infliximab-related side effects noted.

Conclusions

Infliximab may be an effective and safe adjunctive strategy among severely disabled patients with CNS TB not improving despite optimal ATT and steroids. Adequately powered phase 3 clinical trials are required to confirm these early findings.
Estimated Prevalence and Awareness of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among US Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, January 2017–March 2020
Authors: Lewis Karon C , Barker Laurie K , Jiles Ruth B , Gupta Neil
Published: July 2023

During January 2017–March 2020, approximately 2.2 million noninstitutionalized civilian US adults had hepatitis C; one-third were unaware of their infection. Prevalence was substantially higher among persons who were uninsured or experiencing poverty. Unrestricted access to testing and curative treatment is needed to reduce disparities and achieve 2030 elimination goals.
Needs and demands for mHealth cardiac health promotion among individuals with cardiac diseases: a patient-centred design approach
Authors: Jahre Lisa Maria , Lortz Julia , Rassaf Tienush , Rammos Christos , Mallien Charlotta , Skoda Eva-Maria , Teufel Martin , Bäuerle Alexander
Published: July 2023

Aims

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main contributors to disability and mortality worldwide. Meanwhile, risk factors can be modified by lifestyle changes. mHealth is an innovative and effective way to deliver cardiac health promotion. This study aims to examine the needs and demands regarding the design and contents of an mHealth intervention for cardiac health promotion among individuals with cardiac diseases. Different clusters were determined and analysed in terms of the intention to use an mHealth intervention.

Methods and results

A cross-sectional study was conducted via a web-based survey. Three hundred and four individuals with coronary artery diseases (CADs) and/or congestive heart failure (CHF) were included in the data analysis. Descriptive statistics were applied to evaluate needs and demands regarding an mHealth intervention. A k-medoids cluster analysis was performed. Individuals with CAD and CHF favoured an mHealth intervention that supports its users permanently and is easily integrated into everyday life. Handheld devices and content formats that involve active user participation and regular updates were preferred. Three clusters were observed and labelled high, moderate, and low burden, according to their psychometric properties. The high burden cluster indicated higher behavioural intention towards use of an mHealth intervention than the other clusters.

Conclusion

The results of the study are a valuable foundation for the development of an mHealth intervention for cardiac health promotion following a user-centred design approach. Individuals with cardiac diseases report positive attitudes in the form of high usage intention regarding mHealth. Highly burdened individuals report a high intention to use such interventions.
Fully automatic estimation of global left ventricular systolic function using deep learning in transoesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Berg Erik Andreas Rye , Taskén Anders Austlid , Nordal Trym , Grenne Bjørnar , Espeland Torvald , Kirkeby-Garstad Idar , Dalen Håvard , Holte Espen , Stølen Stian , Aakhus Svend , Kiss Gabriel
Published: July 2023

Aims

To improve monitoring of cardiac function during major surgery and intensive care, we have developed a method for fully automatic estimation of mitral annular plane systolic excursion (auto-MAPSE) using deep learning in transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE). The aim of this study was a clinical validation of auto-MAPSE in patients with heart disease.

Methods and results

TOE recordings were collected from 185 consecutive patients without selection on image quality. Deep-learning-based auto-MAPSE was trained and optimized from 105 patient recordings. We assessed auto-MAPSE feasibility, and agreement and inter-rater reliability with manual reference in 80 patients with and without electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings. Mean processing time for auto-MAPSE was 0.3 s per cardiac cycle/view. Overall feasibility was >90% for manual MAPSE and ECG-enabled auto-MAPSE and 82% for ECG-disabled auto-MAPSE. Feasibility in at least two walls was ≥95% for all methods. Compared with manual reference, bias [95% limits of agreement (LoA)] was −0.5 [−4.0, 3.1] mm for ECG-enabled auto-MAPSE and −0.2 [−4.2, 3.6] mm for ECG-disabled auto-MAPSE. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for consistency was 0.90 and 0.88, respectively. Manual inter-observer bias [95% LoA] was −0.9 [−4.7, 3.0] mm, and ICC was 0.86.

Conclusion

Auto-MAPSE was fast and highly feasible. Inter-rater reliability between auto-MAPSE and manual reference was good. Agreement between auto-MAPSE and manual reference did not differ from manual inter-observer agreement. As the principal advantages of deep-learning-based assessment are speed and reproducibility, auto-MAPSE has the potential to improve real-time monitoring of left ventricular function. This should be investigated in relevant clinical settings.
Policy-induced expansion of organic farmland: implications for food prices and welfare
Authors: Mérel Pierre , Qin Zhiran , Sexton Richard J
Published: July 2023

Public policies increasingly support the expansion of organic agriculture as part of a menu of food and environmental initiatives. A little-studied yet crucial element of such expansion, especially in light of scientific evidence on lower yields of organic crops, is its impact on overall food production and food prices, especially for poorer households. In this paper, we first establish a positive empirical relationship between countries’ propensity to produce and consume organic foods and their per-capita income. Such correlation suggests that, even if rich countries’ consumers can benefit from an increase in the organic farmland share, poor countries’ consumers would likely face higher conventional food prices. We then develop and calibrate a model of world food demand and supply to assess the implications of a policy-driven expansion in organic farmland. Our results for four major grains and oilseeds show that raising the organic cropland share in rich countries from 3 to 15 per cent increases food prices in poor countries by up to 6.3 per cent, with central values of 1.2–2.5 per cent, and a commensurate reduction in consumer welfare. Model parameterisations indicate that farmers in poor countries benefit from higher crop prices, while consumers in rich countries are largely unaffected and sometimes benefit. In all cases, poor countries’ consumers bear most of the distortion burden. In our preferred parameterisation, a 3 per cent increase in cropland in rich countries is needed to offset the food price increase in poor countries.