bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wigner time delay in atomic photoionization
Authors: Kheifets Anatoli S
Published: January 2023

For over a century since the Nobel prize winning work by Einstein (1905 Ann. Phys.
17 132), atomic photoionization was thought to be an instantaneous process. Recent experimental advances in ultrashort laser pulse generation has allowed to resolve this process in time. The concept of time delay introduced by Wigner (1955 Phys. Rev.
98 145–7) in particle scattering appears to be central to the time resolution of photoionization. In this review, we examine the fundamental concepts of time-resolved atomic ionization processes. We will follow the recent literature and show how the initial disagreements between theory and experiment, which persisted for nearly a decade, were finally reconciled. We will also outline the exciting prospects of this field driven by modern experimental and computational technologies.
Robust two-state swap by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage
Authors: Genov Genko T , Rochester Simon , Auzinsh Marcis , Jelezko Fedor , Budker Dmitry
Published: January 2023

Efficient initialization and manipulation of quantum states is important for numerous applications and it usually requires the ability to perform high fidelity and robust swapping of the populations of quantum states. Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) has been known to perform efficient and robust inversion of the ground states populations of a three-level system. However, its performance is sensitive to the initial state of the system. In this contribution we demonstrate that a slight modification of STIRAP, where we introduce a non-zero single-photon detuning, allows for efficient and robust population swapping for any initial state. The results of our work could be useful for efficient and robust state preparation, dynamical decoupling and design of quantum gates in ground state qubits via two-photon interactions.
MINAS TIRITH: a new tool for simulating radiation-induced DNA damage at the cell population level
Authors: Thibaut Y , Gonon G , Martinez J S , Petit M , Vaurijoux A , Gruel G , Villagrasa C , Incerti S , Perrot Y
Published: January 2023

Objective. The mechanisms of radiation-induced DNA damage can be understood via the fundamental acquisition of knowledge through a combination of experiments and modeling. Currently, most biological experiments are performed by irradiating an entire cell population, whereas modeling of radiation-induced effects is usually performed via Monte Carlo simulations with track structure codes coupled to realistic DNA geometries of a single-cell nucleus. However, the difference in scale between the two methods hinders a direct comparison because the dose distribution in the cell population is not necessarily uniform owing to the stochastic nature of the energy deposition. Thus, this study proposed the MINAS TIRITH tool to model the distribution of radiation-induced DNA damage in a cell population. Approach. The proposed method is based on precomputed databases of microdosimetric parameters and DNA damage distributions generated using the Geant4-DNA Monte Carlo Toolkit. First, a specific energy

z

was assigned to each cell of an irradiated population for a particular absorbed dose

D
abs

,

following microdosimetric formalism. Then, each cell was assigned a realistic number of DNA damage events according to the specific energy

z
,

respecting the stochastic character of its occurrence. Main results. This study validated the MINAS TIRITH tool by comparing its results with those obtained using the Geant4-DNA track structure code and a Geant4-DNA based simulation chain for DNA damage calculation. The different elements of comparison indicated consistency between MINAS TIRITH and the Monte Carlo simulation in case of the dose distribution in the population and the calculation of the amount of DNA damage. Significance. MINAS TIRITH is a new approach for the calculation of radiation-induced DNA damage at the cell population level that facilitates reasonable simulation times compared to those obtained with track structure codes. Moreover, this tool enables a more direct comparison between modeling and biological experimentation.
SDA-UNet: a hepatic vein segmentation network based on the spatial distribution and density awareness of blood vessels
Authors: Tong Guoyu , Jiang Huiyan , Yao Yu-Dong
Published: January 2023

Objective. Hepatic vein segmentation is a fundamental task for liver diagnosis and surgical navigation planning. Unlike other organs, the liver is the only organ with two sets of venous systems. Meanwhile, the segmentation target distribution in the hepatic vein scene is extremely unbalanced. The hepatic veins occupy a small area in abdominal CT slices. The morphology of each person’s hepatic vein is different, which also makes segmentation difficult. The purpose of this study is to develop an automated hepatic vein segmentation model that guides clinical diagnosis. Approach. We introduce the 3D spatial distribution and density awareness (SDA) of hepatic veins and propose an automatic segmentation network based on 3D U-Net which includes a multi-axial squeeze and excitation module (MASE) and a distribution correction module (DCM). The MASE restrict the activation area to the area with hepatic veins. The DCM improves the awareness of the sparse spatial distribution of the hepatic veins. To obtain global axial information and spatial information at the same time, we study the effect of different training strategies on hepatic vein segmentation. Our method was evaluated by a public dataset and a private dataset. The Dice coefficient achieves 71.37% and 69.58%, improving 3.60% and 3.30% compared to the other SOTA models, respectively. Furthermore, metrics based on distance and volume also show the superiority of our method. Significance. The proposed method greatly reduced false positive areas and improved the segmentation performance of the hepatic vein in CT images. It will assist doctors in making accurate diagnoses and surgical navigation planning.
Optimization of tin-based inverted perovskite solar cell with MoS2 interlayer by one-dimensional simulation
Authors: Luo Wei , Xu Jianxiang , Liu Siyuan
Published: January 2023

Organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received extensive attention due to their excellent performances, but most of the absorber layers of such solar cells contain the toxic lead element. Replacing lead with environmentally friendly elements is one of the most essential tasks in the PSCs research field. Tin-based PSCs have emerged owing to their excellent light absorption characteristics. In this work, an Sn-based PSCs inverted structure with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as the interfacial layer is proposed, and the performance is studied by the numerical simulation program SCAPS-1D. The influence of the main parameters of the MoS2 layer and absorber layer and the interfacial defect state on the solar cell performance parameters is studied. This study shows that the 20 nm MoS2 layer can improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) by up to 20%. The optimized results from the structure give a PCE of 18.13%, which is comparable to popular solar cells. This work provides a new idea for developing PSCs with a combination of the inorganic hole transport layer and molybdenum disulfide in the future.
APC Nb3Sn superconductors based on internal oxidation of Nb–Ta–Hf alloys
Authors: Xu X , Peng X , Wan F , Rochester J , Bradford G , Jaroszynski J , Sumption M
Published: January 2023

In the last few years, a new type of Nb3Sn superconducting composite, containing a high density of artificial pinning centers (APC) generated via an internal oxidation approach, has demonstrated a significantly superior performance relative to present, state-of-the-art commercial Nb3Sn conductors. This was achieved via the internal oxidation of Nb-4at.%Ta-1at.%Zr alloy. On the other hand, our recent studies have shown that internal oxidation of Nb–Ta–Hf alloys can also lead to dramatic improvements in Nb3Sn performance. In this work we follow up on this latter approach, fabricating a 61-stack APC wire based on the internal oxidation of Nb-4at.%Ta-1at.%Hf alloy, and compare its critical current density (J
c) and irreversibility field with APC wires made using Nb-4at.%Ta-1at.%Zr. A second goal of this work was to improve the filamentary design of APC wires in order to improve their wire quality and electromagnetic stability. Our new modifications have led to significantly improved residual resistivity ratio and stability in the conductors, while still keeping non-Cu J
c at or above the conductor J
c specification required by the proposed Future Circular Collider. Further improvement via optimization of the wire recipe and design is ongoing. Finally, additional work needed to make APC conductors ready for applications in magnets is discussed.
Measuring ionization time lag of polar molecules with a calibrated attoclock
Authors: Che Jiayin , Chen Chao , Wang Shang , Xin Guoguo , Chen Yanjun
Published: January 2023

Electrons in atoms and molecules can not respond immediately to the action of intense laser field. There is a time lag (about 100 attoseconds) between instants of the field maximum and the ionization-rate maximum. This lag characterizes the response time of the electronic wave function to a strong-field ionization event and has important effects on dynamics of the ionized electron. For polar molecules with a large permanent dipole, the direct measurement or calculation of the absolute time lag is difficult. Here, a calibrated attoclock procedure, which is related to a simple Coulomb-induced temporal correction to electron trajectories, is proposed to measure the relative time lag of two different ionization events. Using this procedure, the relative lag of polar molecules in two consecutive half laser cycles can be probed with high time resolution.
Non-analyticity in holographic complexity near critical points
Authors: Sood Uday , Kruczenski Martin
Published: January 2023

The region near a critical point is studied using holographic models of second-order phase transitions. In a previous paper, we argued that the quantum circuit complexity of the vacuum (C
0) is the largest at the critical point. When deforming away from the critical point by a term

the complexity

C
(
τ
)

has a piece non-analytic in τ, namely

C
0

−
C
(
τ
)
∼

|

τ
−

τ
c

|

ν
(
d
−
1
)

+

a
n
a
l
y
t
i
c

. Here, as usual,

ν
=

1

d
−
Δ

and ξ is the correlation length

ξ
∼

|

τ
−

τ
c

|

−
ν

and there are possible logarithmic corrections to this expression. That was derived using numerical results for the Bose–Hubbard model and general scaling considerations. In this paper, we show that the same is valid in the case of holographic complexity providing evidence that the results are universal, and at the same time providing evidence for holographic computations of complexity.
Investigation on Mechanical characterization of abutilon indicum fiber nonwoven fabric reinforced epoxy composite materials
Authors: Mohanraj C M , Ramesh Kumar R , Mathanbabu M , Ashokkumar M
Published: January 2023

Natural fibres find their way into many engineering applications in the automobile and aerospace sectors owing to their eco-friendly nature. Natural fiber produced from agricultural residue, is capable of enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials while lowering their overall cost. The main aim of the current study is to investigate such natural fiber, nonwoven fabric reinforced composites. In this work, samples reinforced by non-woven Abutilon indicum (AI) fibre are manufactured with varying fibre weight percentages, such as 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, using the hand layup method and needle-punching process to make the fabric and composite. Mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, and compressive tests were using a universal testing machine, and impact tests were performed using an izod impact tester, in addition to morphological and thermal studies were performed on the above composites and their respect compositions. The effect of the fibres on FTIR and TGA was also investigated. In order to understand the bonding behaviors and the fractured composite specimens were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The findings revealed that the highest values of tensile and flexural strength were observed to be 39.796 MPa and 62.329 MPa at 35 wt% fibre and maximum impact strength and compressive strength were 0.441 joules and 47.45 Mpa at 35 wt% fibre.
Differentiable physics-enabled closure modeling for Burgers’ turbulence
Authors: Shankar Varun , Puri Vedant , Balakrishnan Ramesh , Maulik Romit , Viswanathan Venkatasubramanian
Published: January 2023

Data-driven turbulence modeling is experiencing a surge in interest following algorithmic and hardware developments in the data sciences. We discuss an approach using the differentiable physics paradigm that combines known physics with machine learning to develop closure models for Burgers’ turbulence. We consider the one-dimensional Burgers system as a prototypical test problem for modeling the unresolved terms in advection-dominated turbulence problems. We train a series of models that incorporate varying degrees of physical assumptions on an a posteriori loss function to test the efficacy of models across a range of system parameters, including viscosity, time, and grid resolution. We find that constraining models with inductive biases in the form of partial differential equations that contain known physics or existing closure approaches produces highly data-efficient, accurate, and generalizable models, outperforming state-of-the-art baselines. Addition of structure in the form of physics information also brings a level of interpretability to the models, potentially offering a stepping stone to the future of closure modeling.
Use of Clinical Decision Support to Improve the Laboratory Evaluation of Monoclonal Gammopathies
Authors: Pearson Daniel S , McEvoy Dustin S , Murali Mandakolathur R , Dighe Anand S
Published: January 2023

Objectives

There is considerable variation in ordering practices for the initial laboratory evaluation of monoclonal gammopathies (MGs) despite clear society guidelines to include serum free light chain (sFLC) testing. We assessed the ability of a clinical decision support (CDS) alert to improve guideline compliance and analyzed its clinical impact.

Methods

We designed and deployed a targeted CDS alert to educate and prompt providers to order an sFLC assay when ordering serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) testing.

Results

The alert was highly effective at increasing the co-ordering of SPEP and sFLC testing. Preimplementation, 62.8% of all SPEP evaluations included sFLC testing, while nearly 90% of evaluations included an sFLC assay postimplementation. In patients with no prior sFLC testing, analysis of sFLC orders prompted by the alert led to the determination that 28.9% (800/2,769) of these patients had an abnormal κ/λ ratio. In 452 of these patients, the sFLC assay provided the only laboratory evidence of a monoclonal protein. Moreover, within this population, there were numerous instances of new diagnoses of multiple myeloma and other MGs.

Conclusions

The CDS alert increased compliance with society guidelines and improved the diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected MGs.
Comparative epigenome analysis using Infinium DNA methylation BeadChips
Authors: Ding Wubin , Kaur Diljeet , Horvath Steve , Zhou Wanding
Published: January 2023

The arrival of the Infinium DNA methylation BeadChips for mice and other nonhuman mammalian species has outpaced the development of the informatics that supports their use for epigenetics study in model organisms. Here, we present informatics infrastructure and methods to allow easy DNA methylation analysis on multiple species, including domesticated animals and inbred laboratory mice (in SeSAMe version 1.16.0+). First, we developed a data-driven analysis pipeline covering species inference, genome-specific data preprocessing and regression modeling. We targeted genomes of 310 species and 37 inbred mouse strains and showed that genome-specific preprocessing prevents artifacts and yields more accurate measurements than generic pipelines. Second, we uncovered the dynamics of the epigenome evolution in different genomic territories and tissue types through comparative analysis. We identified a catalog of inbred mouse strain-specific methylation differences, some of which are linked to the strains’ immune, metabolic and neurological phenotypes. By streamlining DNA methylation array analysis for undesigned genomes, our methods extend epigenome research to broad species contexts.
Transcriptomic response and immunological responses to chimpanzee adenovirus- and MVA viral-vectored vaccines for RSV in healthy adults
Authors: Green C , McGinley J , Sande C , Capone S , Makvandi-Nejad S , Vitelli A , Silva-Reyes L , Bibi S , Otasowie C , Sheerin D , Thompson A , Dold C , Klenerman P , Barnes E , Dorrell L , Rollier C , Pollard A , O’Connor D
Published: January 2023

Cohorts of healthy younger adults (18–50yrs) and healthy older adults (60–75yrs) were immunized intramuscularly or intranasally with an adenovirus-vectored RSV vaccine (PanAd3-RSV) as a prime dose and boosted with PanAd3-RSV or a poxvirus-vectored vaccine (MVA-RSV) encoding the same insert. Whole blood gene expression was measured at baseline, 3- and 7-days post vaccination. Intramuscular prime vaccination with PanAd3-RSV induced differential expression of 643 genes (DEGs, FDR < 0.05). Intranasal prime vaccination with PanAd3-RSV did not induce any differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in blood samples at 3 days post vaccination. Intranasally primed participants showed greater numbers of DEGS on boosting than intramuscularly primed participants. The most highly enriched biological processes related to DEGs after both prime and boost vaccination were type-1 interferon related pathways, lymphocytic and humoral immune responses.
Expeditive Chromatographic Methods for Quantification of Solifenacin Succinate along with its Official Impurity as the Possible Acid Degradation Product
Authors: Eissa Maya S , Kamel Ebraam B , Hegazy Maha A , Fayed Ahmed S
Published: January 2023

Two selective stability-indicating procedures were adopted for the quantification of Solifenacin succinate (SOL) along with its acid degradant, in its powder form or in pharmaceutical tablet. Under stress conditions, the acid degradation pathway of SOL was investigated, its official impurity (SOL imp-A) was obtained as the possible acid degradation product, also. A densitometric technique based on the separation of SOL from SOL imp-A employing HPTLC plates prelaminated with silica gel 60 F254 as the stationary phase and a developing solution containing methanol:chloroform:ammonia (8:1:1, v/v/v) and UV scanning of the developed bands at 220 nm. Linear regression analysis data for the calibration plot of SOL showed perfect linear relationships throughout the range of concentration 10–60 μg/band. A reversed phase C18 analytical column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 μm) was also used to separate the mixture at a flow rate of 1 mL/min, using acetonitrile:0.05 M phosphate buffer (70:30, v/v) as the mobile phase and phosphoric acid to set pH = 3.5. Quantification was obtained at 220 nm using peak area and linear calibration curve across a concentration range of 10–70 μg/mL. The recommended procedures were applied to the existing dosage form, and they generated satisfactory results.
Treatment With Adalimumab 80 mg Every Other Week in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results of Treatment Intensification in Clinical Practice
Authors: Calvo Moya Marta , González Lama Yago , Ruíz Antorán Belén , Omella Usieto Ignacio , el Hajra Martinez Ismael , Santos Pérez Elena , Menchén Viso Belén , Matallana Royo Virginia , González Partida Irene , de Lucas Tellez de Meneses Rocío , Bella Castillo Pablo , González Rodriguez Macarena , Vera Mendoza María Isabel
Published: January 2023

Background

Loss of response to anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequent and, in case of low drug levels, treatment intensification is recommended. In addition, in cases in which clinical response without attainment of remission (clinical, endoscopic, or radiological), intensification could be justified since higher drug levels are associated with better outcomes. For adalimumab (ADA), the standard intensification regimen is 40 mg every week (ew). Availability of ADA 80 mg prefilled pens has enabled every other week (eow) intensification. We assessed the clinical efficacy of intensification with ADA 80 mg eow.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Spain. Patients with IBD receiving maintenance ADA 80 mg eow with clinical, biomarker, and drug-level assessments were included. Demographics and clinical, biological, and endoscopic evaluation of the disease before and after ADA intensification, and pharmacokinetic assessments, were collected.

Results

Eighty-seven patients (72 Crohn’s disease, 15 ulcerative colitis; average age 50 years) were included. Reasons for ADA intensification were: low ADA levels—<5 µg mL−1—(17%), low ADA levels—<5 µg mL−1—without clinical response (63%), clinical response without clinical remission (15%) and active disease on objective evaluation (including colonoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, capsule endoscopy, and/or intestinal ultrasound; 5%). Following treatment intensification to ADA 80 mg eow, 75 patients (86%) were in clinical remission and 69 (79.3%) were in biologic remission (clinical remission and normalization of biomarkers). After a median follow-up of 19 months (interquartile range 13–25), 63 patients (72%) remained on treatment and in clinical remission. There were no serious infections, hospitalizations, or deaths. Drug costs did not increase with the 80 mg eow regimen versus a standard intensification regimen.

Conclusions

ADA intensification to 80 mg eow was safe, effective, and did not increase drug costs versus standard intensification to 40 mg ew in our experience.
Caregiving to Older Adults With a Physical Limitation: Evidence From the Mexican Health and Aging Study
Authors: Díaz-Venegas Carlos , Samper-Ternent Rafael , Wong Rebeca
Published: January 2023

Background and Objectives

Many older adults face physical limitations to performing activities of daily life (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily life (IADLs) and seek help performing them. In Mexico, family caregivers, especially spouses and adult children, traditionally take care of older adults. However, a detailed characterization of the care received has not been thoroughly provided. We sought to identify socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related differences in receiving help among older adults reporting physical limitations.

Research Design and Methods

Using the 2012 wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study, we provided information on adults aged 60 and older who reported one or more physical limitations and whether they received help or not. We estimated 2 logistic regression models to obtain the odds ratios (ORs) of receiving help among individuals with an ADL limitation and those with an IADL limitation.

Results

Adults with ADL limitations received, on average, approximately 10.7 hr of assistance per day, whereas those with at least 1 IADL limitation received around 7.7 hr of help per day. Women were more likely to receive help with ADLs than men (OR = 2.35). Individuals with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis also received more help with both ADLs and IADLs.

Discussion and Implications

Our work suggests that help received does respond to the care needs of older adults, but future research should focus on the burden of care for caregivers and expand this analysis using a longitudinal data approach.
Rendering International Human Rights Law Fit for Purpose on Climate Change
Authors: Venn Alice
Published: January 2023

The present article addresses the unique legal and operational challenges encountered in the adoption of a human rights-based approach to climate change under international law. It examines the suitability for purpose of the international human rights regime and outlines the key steps to be taken in the requisite advancement of recourse to justice in climate matters. Five central challenges are addressed, namely, of the exclusivity of climate law and international human rights law, the operational barriers within the UN human rights system, specific legal challenges facing the UN Treaty Body mechanisms, the causation challenges associated with attributing responsibility for climate harm to states and, finally, the extraterritorial application of international human rights law. These challenges represent some of the most significant hurdles emerging through the literature and practice, which need to be overcome to enable international human rights law to better provide recourse to justice to climate-vulnerable states, groups and individuals.
Liberal intervention's renewed crisis: responding to Russia's growing influence in Africa
Authors: Jacobsen Katja Lindskov , Larsen Karen Philippa
Published: January 2023

Liberal intervention actors often understand Russian engagements in Africa through a great power vacuum logic. This logic sees Russian influence as resulting from Russia filling a vacuum where other (notably liberal) interveners downscale. This article unpacks that vacuum logic and explores its consequences and effects. On the one hand, the vacuum logic is central to representations of Russia as an entirely external ‘other’, which contribute to constituting a ‘liberal’ intervention approach and community. On the other hand, exploring Russia's presence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and in Mali challenges this representation, as examples of pragmatic co-existence between Russian and liberal actors become visible. The cases of Mali and CAR also illustrate other challenge, including how the vacuum logic dismisses host state agency and renders longstanding critique of liberal intervention seemingly unnecessary, legitimizing a one-directional critique of Russia's presence in Africa. Failing to appreciate the constitutive and dismissive effects of this great power vacuum logic risks confronting liberal interveners in ways that make them ill-equipped to address critical shortcomings of their own approach. Leaving shortcoming unaddressed may inadvertently provide further grounds for (rather than counter) Russian influence, where Russian actors may take advantage of anti-colonial sentiments and security shortcomings.
Climate change, international justice and global order
Authors: Sengupta Sandeep
Published: January 2023

The world today faces an unprecedented climate crisis. This is not just an environmental challenge, but also a major threat to global order in the twenty-first century. One of its defining features is the sharp disconnect that exists between those responsible for causing the problem and those bearing its worst impacts, and the unwillingness of the former to take remedial action to the extent required. What is even more remarkable is the degree to which meaningful recognition and redressal of justice claims in the international climate debate have now been almost completely cast aside and relegated to the background, as was seen in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The article thus asks: can international order be sustained without meeting basic claims of climate justice? To answer this, it first goes back in time to recall how equity and justice considerations were incorporated in the original multilateral responses to climate change. It then reviews how these key elements of climate justice are reflected in the current climate regime. In examining the contrast between the past and the present, it also explores some of the other factors that have now complicated international climate justice claims. Finally, it assesses what this means from the perspective of global order and why the failure to substantively address key climate justice concerns poses significant risks to future global order and stability.
Promise or peril? Exploring the gender dimension of pragmatic peacebuilding
Authors: Donovan Outi
Published: January 2023

International efforts to manage conflict, instability and war-to-peace transitions have undergone a change. Where ‘liberal peace’ once informed peacebuilding strategies, international agencies now frame their work with recourse to ‘sustaining peace’. This change signals a shift towards pragmatism in thinking about conflict and peace-making in the face of the limitations of liberal peace. What is notable in the move to pragmatic modes of peacebuilding is the emphasis on women as agents of peace. While gender-sensitive peacebuilding is not a new concept, the prominent role it plays in the pragmatic peace merits attention. Drawing on feminist pragmatism, I argue that pragmatic peace represents a significant opportunity for shifting peacebuilding practice towards more gender-equal and gender-sensitive modalities. Yet, an investigation into the gender dimension of pragmatic peace in post-Gaddafi Libya, implemented through empowerment programs, finds the promise unfulfilled. While such initiatives have had some successes in supporting women's collective action, capacity-building programs have not only failed to create meaningful opportunities for exercising agency, but have instrumentalized women's participation and reinforced existing patterns of inequality among women. The experiences of those to be empowered suggest that empowerment initiatives fall prey to the type of technocratic and de-politicizing peril that has characterized liberal peace interventions.
Zone balancing: India and the Quad's new strategic logic
Authors: Tarapore Arzan
Published: January 2023

When a state faces a rising great power rival, it has a range of balancing options from which to choose. But a balancing state may consider many of the most common options to be either too costly or unduly provocative. Thus India, for example, considered 2020 to be a strategic watershed—with a clearly more aggressive China on the border, and a clearly more disorderly international system after the COVID pandemic—but has undertaken only modest military balancing. What alternative options do such erstwhile balancers have? This article addresses both those theoretical and empirical puzzles, by introducing the novel concept of ‘zone balancing’ as another option in a balancing state's repertoire. Zone balancing seeks to shape the international field of competition in which the balancer and rival operate—specifically, to build the capacity and resilience of third-party states, to shrink the rival's ability to coerce them. This article advances that concept and uses it to explain India's post-2020 strategic adjustment, and especially its warmer embrace of the Quad—the minilateral grouping comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States. Zone balancing effectively explains the Quad's recently-clarified strategic logic, and predicts some of its limitations.
(s)INE: (soft-graft)-induced new entry tear after elephant trunk procedure
Authors: Lorenz Veronica , Muzzi Luigi , Tommasino Giulio , Tucci Enrico , Neri Eugenio
Published: January 2023

Elephant trunk and frozen elephant trunk are established procedures for the treatment of aortic arch pathologies, such as aneurysm or dissection. The aim of open surgery is to re-expand the true lumen, favouring correct organ perfusion and the thrombosis of the false lumen. Frozen elephant trunk, with its stented endovascular portion, is sometimes associated with a life-threatening complication: the stent graft-induced new entry. In the literature, many studies reported the incidence of such issue after thoracic endovascular prosthesis or frozen elephant trunk, but in our knowledge, there are no case studies about the occurrence of stent graft-induced new entry with the use of soft grafts. For this reason, we decided to report our experience, highlighting how the use of a Dacron graft can cause distal intimal tears. We decided to coin the term soft-graft-induced new entry to indicate the development of an intimal tear induced by the soft prosthesis in the arch and proximal descending aorta.
Two-staged surgical repair of Berry syndrome type 2B
Authors: Byeman Connor J , Young Krista , Ashwath Ravi
Published: January 2023

Berry syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease that requires complete corrective surgery. In certain extreme cases, such as ours, a two-stage as opposed to single-stage repair is a possibility. In doing so, we also used annotated and segmented three-dimensional models for the first time in Berry syndrome, adding to growing evidence that such models enhance the understanding of complex anatomy for surgical planning.
Preoperative Levosimendan therapy reduces postoperative right ventricular failure in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation
Authors: Sugimura Yukiharu , Kalampokas Nikolaos , Arikan Metin , Rellecke Phillip , Dalyanoglu Hannan , Tudorache Igor , Westenfeld Ralf , Boeken Udo , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam , Aubin Hug
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

Perioperative mortality and complications still remain high after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, especially in highly compromised patient cohorts. Here, we evaluate the effects of preoperative Levosimendan therapy on peri- and postoperative outcomes after LVAD implantation.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 224 consecutive patients with LVAD implantation for end-stage heart failure between November 2010 and December 2019 in our centre with regard to short- and longer-term mortality as well as incidence of postoperative right ventricular failure (RV-F). Out of these, 117 (52.2%) received preoperative i.v. Levosimendan therapy within 7 days before LVAD implantation (Levo group).

RESULTS

In-hospital, 30-day and 5-year mortality was comparable (in-hospital mortality: 18.8% vs 23.4%, P = 0.40; 30-day mortality: 12.0% vs 14.0%, P = 0.65; Levo vs control group). However, in the multivariate analysis, preoperative Levosimendan therapy significantly reduced postoperative RV-F but increased postoperative vasoactive inotropic score ([RV-F: odds ratio 2.153, confidence interval 1.146–4.047, P = 0.017; vasoactive inotropic score 24 h post-surgery: odds ratio 1.023, confidence interval 1.008–1.038, P = 0.002). These results were further confirmed by 1:1 propensity score matching of 74 patients in each group. Especially in the subgroup of patients with normal preoperative RV function, the prevalence of postoperative RV-F was significantly lower in the Levo- group as compared to the control group (17.6% vs 31.1%, P = 0.03; respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative Levosimendan therapy reduces the risk of postoperative RV-F, especially in patients with normal preoperative RV function without effects on mortality up to 5 years after LVAD implantation.
Computed tomography-guided aortic valve neocuspidization: details of preoperative assessment and surgical technique
Authors: Todurov Borys , Mokryk Igor , Batsak Bogdan , Ponych Nataliya
Published: January 2023

The original Ozaki technique involves sizing and trimming the neovalve cusps during cross-clamp. It leads to prolongation of the ischaemic time, as compared to standard aortic valve replacement. We use preoperative computed tomography scanning of the patient's aortic root to develop personalized templates for each leaflet. With this method, autopericardial implants are prepared before the initiation of the bypass. It permits maximally adopting the procedure to the patient’s individual anatomy and to shorten the cross-clamp time. We present a case of a computed tomography-guided aortic valve neocuspidization and concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting with excellent short-term results. We discuss the feasibility and technical details of the novel technique.
Prognostic implications of prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite in resected non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Mikubo Masashi , Satoh Yukitoshi , Ono Mototsugu , Sonoda Dai , Hayashi Shoko , Naito Masahito , Matsui Yoshio , Shiomi Kazu , Matsuura Masaaki , Ito Satoru
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

Cyclooxygenase-2-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is highly involved in the promotion of cancer progression. The end product of this pathway, PGE-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM), is a stable metabolite of PGE2 that can be assessed non-invasively and repeatedly in urine samples. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamic changes in perioperative PGE-MUM levels and their prognostic significance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Between December 2012 and March 2017, 211 patients who underwent complete resection for NSCLC were analysed prospectively. PGE-MUM levels in 2 spot urine samples taken 1 or 2 days preoperatively and 3–6 weeks postoperatively were measured using a radioimmunoassay kit.

RESULTS

Elevated preoperative PGE-MUM levels were associated with tumour size, pleural invasion and advanced stage. Multivariable analysis revealed that age, pleural invasion, lymph node metastasis and postoperative PGE-MUM levels were independent prognostic factors. In matched pre- and postoperative urine samples obtained from patients who are eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy, an increase in PGE-MUM levels following resection was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 3.017, P = 0.005). Adjuvant chemotherapy improved survival in patients with increased PGE-MUM levels after resection (5-year overall survival, 79.0 vs 50.4%, P = 0.027), whereas survival benefit was not observed in those with decreased PGE-MUM levels (5-year overall survival, 82.1 vs 82.3%, P = 0.442).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased preoperative PGE-MUM levels can reflect tumour progression and postoperative PGE-MUM levels are a promising biomarker for survival after complete resection in patients with NSCLC. Perioperative changes in PGE-MUM levels may aid in determining the optimal eligibility for adjuvant chemotherapy.
The culture-promotion effect of multinationals on trade: the IKEA case
Authors: Bourny Dylan , Mirza Daniel , Turcu Camelia
Published: January 2023

In this article, we investigate how some MNEs which spread their home culture over time and space to the rest of the world are affecting, in turn, trade flows from home. By selling products embodying cultural information related to their country of origin, those MNEs embrace the role of ambassadors of their home country. We argue that IKEA offers an ideal case to identify a multinational’s culture-promotion effect on trade. We build a dataset on IKEA’s presence in foreign markets between 1995 and 2015 and merge it with disaggregated product level trade between pairs of countries. We find solid evidence of an externality linked to IKEA: a setting of an IKEA new store in a destination increases trade flows by around 2% from Sweden for products that resemble to what the multinational offers (despite being completely unrelated to that multinational). This result is driven primarily by the products identified to encompass a high-cultural content. Other robustness checks and tests seem to be very much consistent with the hypothesis of IKEA promoting the Swedish culture to the world.
Cryo-EXLO Manipulation of FIB Specimens for Cryo-TEM
Authors: Giannuzzi Lucille A , Colletta Michael , Yu Yue , Kourkoutis Lena F , Iams Andrew D , Beggs Kyle , Kassab Alain J
Published: January 2023

This work describes cryogenic ex situ lift out (cryo-EXLO) of cryogenic focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) thinned specimens for analysis by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The steps and apparatus necessary for cryo-EXLO are described. Methods designed to limit ice contamination include use of an anti-frost lid, a vacuum transfer assembly, and a cryostat. Cryo-EXLO is performed in a cryostat with the cryo-shuttle holder positioned in the cryogenic vapor phase above the surface of liquid N2 (LN2) using an EXLO manipulation station installed inside a glove box maintained at < 10% relative humidity and inert (e.g., N2 gas) conditions. Thermal modeling shows that a cryo-EXLO specimen will remain vitreous within its FIB trench indefinitely while LN2 is continuously supplied. Once the LN2 is cut off, modeling shows that the EXLO specimen will remain vitreous for over 4 min, allowing sufficient time for the cryo-transfer steps which take only seconds to perform. Cryo-EXLO was applied successfully to cryo-FIB-milled specimen preparation of a polymer sample and plunge-frozen yeast cells. Cryo-TEM of both the polymer and the yeast shows minimal ice contamination with the yeast specimen maintaining its vitreous phase, illustrating the potential of cryo-EXLO for cryo-FIB-TEM of beam-sensitive, liquid, or biological materials.
Graded impact of obstacle size on scanning by RNase E
Authors: Richards Jamie , Belasco Joel G
Published: January 2023

In countless bacterial species, the lifetimes of most mRNAs are controlled by the regulatory endonuclease RNase E, which preferentially degrades RNAs bearing a 5′ monophosphate and locates cleavage sites within them by scanning linearly from the 5′ terminus along single-stranded regions. Consequently, its rate of cleavage at distal sites is governed by any obstacles that it may encounter along the way, such as bound proteins or ribosomes or base pairing that is coaxial with the path traversed by this enzyme. Here, we report that the protection afforded by such obstacles is dependent on the size and persistence of the structural discontinuities they create, whereas the molecular composition of obstacles to scanning is of comparatively little consequence. Over a broad range of sizes, incrementally larger discontinuities are incrementally more protective, with corresponding effects on mRNA stability. The graded impact of such obstacles suggests possible explanations for why their effect on scanning is not an all-or-none phenomenon dependent simply on whether the size of the resulting discontinuity exceeds the step length of RNase E.
Acute Peritoneal Histoplasmosis Mimicking Ovarian Cancer and Review of the Literature on Histoplasma Peritonitis
Authors: Szvalb Ariel D , Yepez Guevara Eduardo , Euscher Elizabeth , Nahmod Karen A , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P
Published: January 2023

Peritoneal histoplasmosis is a rare entity with few cases reported in the literature. We present a case of isolated acute peritoneal histoplasmosis that mimicked an advanced ovarian malignancy in a patient undergoing antitumor necrosis factor therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. We also reviewed the literature on Histoplasma peritonitis.
Spectrum of auto-inflammatory diseases in Morocco: a monocentric experience
Authors: Souali Manal , Sakhi Asmaa , Benbrahim Ansari Ghita , Mikou Nabiha , Bousfiha Ahmed Aziz , Bouayed Kenza
Published: January 2023

Objective

Auto-inflammatory diseases (AIDs) result from mutations in genes of the innate immune system leading to periodic multisystemic inflammation. We aimed to describe the clinical, biological and molecular features (when available) and outcomes of Moroccan patients with AIDs.

Methods

Patient data were collected retrospectively and analysed over a 13-year period.

Results

Among 30 patients, 60% had FMF, 16% mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) and 24% other AIDs. The mean age at first consultation was 6.9 years, and the mean diagnostic delay was 3 years. Consanguinity was reported in 16 cases. IgA vasculitis was associated with 33% of FMF patients, in whom the main clinical features were fever (88.8%), abdominal pain (100%), arthralgias (88.8%) and arthritis (50%), and the most frequent mutation was M694V (66%). All FMF patients were treated with colchicine. Most MKD patients were confirmed by elevated urinary mevalonic acid levels, and four of five MKD patients received targeted therapy. Chronic recurrent osteomyelitis patients were confirmed by radiological and histological analysis. Two cases of Marshall syndrome were diagnosed according to validated criteria. A case of familial pustular psoriasis was diagnosed based on histological analysis and a patient with Muckle–Wells syndrome by clinical features. The outcome was favourable in 76%, partial in 13%, and three deaths were reported.

Conclusion

FMF and MKD are the most reported diseases. AIDs are probably underestimated because they are unknown to clinicians. The aim of this work is to raise awareness among paediatricians about AIDs and create a network for best practice.
REDUCTION OF THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DOSE TO THE GONADS OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT MALES THROUGH USE OF A TUNGSTEN-CONTAINING RUBBER SHEET
Authors: Kosaka Hiroyuki , Tamura Mikoto , Hattori Shota , Monzen Hajime
Published: January 2023

This study aims to measure the shielding effect of a novel tungsten rubber sheet (TRS) on the exposure of male gonads to ionizing radiation during upper abdominal and abdominal plus pelvic computed tomography (CT) examinations. The air kerma at the gonad with and without shielding was measured using an anthropomorphic body phantom. Gonads were shielded using: (1) 360° wrap with TRS (0.5-mm thick) and (2) 180° wrap with TRS. The air kerma at a position of male gonads in a pelvic scan was 21.8 mGy, even when the gonads were in the off-axis range. The TRS reduced the dose to the male gonads in abdominal plus pelvic CT examinations by 61% and 38% for the 360° and 180° TRS wrap, respectively.
In vitro study to identify ligand‐independent function of estrogen receptor‐α in suppressing DNA damage‐induced chondrocyte senescence
Authors: Zhang Xiurui , Xiang Shiqi , Zhang Yiqian , Liu Silvia , Lei Guanghua , Hines Sophie , Wang Ning , Lin Hang
Published: January 2023

In osteoarthritis (OA), chondrocytes undergo many pathological alternations that are linked with cellular senescence. However, the exact pathways that lead to the generation of a senescence‐like phenotype in OA chondrocytes are not clear. Previously, we found that loss of estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) was associated with an increased senescence level in human chondrocytes. Since DNA damage is a common cause of cellular senescence, we aimed to study the relationship among ERα levels, DNA damage, and senescence in chondrocytes. We first examined the levels of ERα, representative markers of DNA damage and senescence in normal and OA cartilage harvested from male and female human donors, as well as from male mice. The influence of DNA damage on ERα levels was studied by treating human chondrocytes with doxorubicin (DOX), which is an often‐used DNA‐damaging agent. Next, we tested the potential of overexpressing ERα in reducing DNA damage and senescence levels. Lastly, we explored the interaction between ERα and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) pathway. Results indicated that the OA chondrocytes contained DNA damage and displayed senescence features, which were accompanied by significantly reduced ERα levels. Overexpression of ERα reduced the levels of DNA damage and senescence in DOX‐treated normal chondrocytes and OA chondrocytes. Moreover, DOX‐induced the activation of NF‐κB pathway, which was partially reversed by overexpressing ERα. Taken together, our results demonstrated the critical role of ERα in maintaining the health of chondrocytes by inhibiting DNA damage and senescence. This study also suggests that maintaining the ERα level may represent a new avenue to prevent and treat OA.