bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertical and lateral random vibration of high-temperature superconductor maglev under high-speed operation conditions
Authors: Huang Zhichuan , Hong Ye , Ke Zhihao , Liu Jianxin , Deng Zigang
Published: January 2023

High-temperature superconductor (HTS) maglev systems shows significant potential to be applied to high-speed rail transportation based on its passive stable levitation owing to the coupling between the HTS bulks and permanent magnetic guideway (PMG). As one of the key factors to guarantee the safe and stable operation of HTS maglev, the dynamic characteristics of the HTS bulks reflecting the operational performance of the HTS maglev system under high-speed running conditions should be focused on. Therefore, this paper, based on H-formulation, established a finite element model of an HTS-PMG system, and assessed its feasibility by experiments. Moreover, the random free vibration of the HTS bulk caused by guideway random irregularity at high speed is also studied by this validated model. The random vibration characteristics and temperature variation of the HTS bulk at three high speeds (600 km h−1, 800 km h−1, and 1000 km h−1) under vertical vibration, lateral vibration, and vertical-lateral coupling vibration, respectively, are compared. The results show that at high speed, vertical vibration can only cause the fluctuation of levitation height, while lateral vibration and vertical-lateral coupled vibration will affect both lateral offset and levitation height. Compared with the mere vertical or lateral vibration mode, the levitation height attenuation and temperature rise of the coupling vibration mode is greater due to more energy loss caused by magnetic flux motion, but it can aid in the suppression of the vibration in the vertical and lateral directions. The increase of velocity intensifies the vibration strength of the HTS bulk and increases the fluctuation of the levitation height, lateral offset, and temperature rise. However, vibrations at a certain high speed causes a limited temperature rise and thus a limited influence on the bulk performance, and the HTS bulk is still in the safe operating range at a maximum speed of 1000 km h−1. These conclusions are anticipated to provide some references for future high-speed applications of the HTS maglev system.
Role of the scalar

in the process

*
Authors: Zhang Han , Lyu Yun-He , Liu Li-Juan , Wang En
Published: January 2023

Based on BESIII measurements of the reaction

, we investigate this process by considering the S-wave pseudoscalar-pseudoscalar interaction within the unitary chiral approach and the contributions from the intermediate resonances

and

. Our calculation can reasonably reproduce the experimental data, and our results imply that

, which is dynamically generated from the S-wave pseudoscalar-pseudoscalar interaction, plays an important role in this process, and the contributions from the intermediate resonances

and

are also necessary. More precise measurements of this process in future can shed light on the nature of

and

.
A 64 channels ASIC for the readout of the silicon strip detectors of the PANDA micro-vertex detector
Authors: Mazza G. , Calvo D. , Cossio F. , De Remigis P. , Mignone M. , Wheadon R. , Silvestrin L. , Tessaro M.
Published: January 2023

The ToASt ASIC is a 64 channel integrated circuit designed for the readout of the double-sided silicon strip sensors that will equip the micro-vertex detector of the PANDA experiment. The ToASt ASIC operates with a 160 MHz clock, which defines also the time resolution. A common time stamp is distributed to all channels to provide a common time reference for time of arrival and time over threshold measurements. Two 160 Mb/s serial lines provide the interface to the data concentrator. ToASt is implemented in a commercial 110 nm CMOS technology with triplicated logic to protect against single event upsets.
Intensified Tpx3Cam, a fast data-driven optical camera with nanosecond timing resolution for single photon detection in quantum applications
Authors: Nomerotski A. , Chekhlov M. , Dolzhenko D. , Glazenborg R. , Farella B. , Keach M. , Mahon R. , Orlov D. , Svihra P.
Published: January 2023

We describe a fast data-driven optical camera, Tpx3Cam, with nanosecond scale timing resolution and 80 Mpixel/sec throughput. After the addition of intensifier, the camera is single photon sensitive with quantum efficiency determined primarily by the intensifier photocathode. The single photon performance of the camera was characterized with results on the gain, timing resolution and afterpulsing reported here. The intensified camera was successfully used for measurements in a variety of applications including quantum applications. As an example of such application, which requires simultaneous detection of multiple photons, we describe registration of photon pairs from the spontaneous parametric down-conversion source in a spectrometer. We measured the photon wavelength and timing with respective precisions of 0.15 nm and 3 ns, and also demonstrated that the two photons are anti-correlated in energy.
DART28-FPGA implementation study for future high-speed links
Authors: Wanotayaroj C. , Mendes E. , Baron S. , Kulis S.
Published: January 2023

The data link from the detectors to the back-end stage must keep up with the requirements from the upcoming generation of High Energy Physics experiments. Last year, we presented at TWEPP the investigation on the feasibility and limitation of high data-rate links based on the 4-Level Pulse-Amplitude Modulation (PAM4) technology. Commercial PAM4 technology poses strict constraints on the data rate of links which translates into a highly complex rad-hard SerDes design. Alternatively, pushing the limit of the Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) modulated signals, a line rate of up to 28 Gbps can be realized. This is less constraining thanks to the possibility of bypassing retimers of NRZ modules. As a part of the Work Package 6 of the CERN EP Research and Development programme, the feasibility as well as the availability in the telecom and datacom market of such NRZ links have been investigated. The rate of 25.65 Gbps per lane (an integer multiplication of the 40.0798 MHz Bunch Clock) with NRZ modulation have been identified as the target for the next generation of detector-to-backend links. The Demonstrator ASIC for Radiation-Tolerant Transmitter in 28 nm (DART28) chip, designed at 28 nm and targeting high-radiation hardness, is currently being designed at this data rate with a custom protocol and a Reed-Solomon Forward Error Correction (FEC). A proof-of-concept on FPGA emulating the DART28 protocol has been built for early evaluation. The system uses commercially available optoelectronics transceivers and FPGA platforms to implement the DART28 data path containing a scrambler, interleaver and FEC. The VCU129 Xilinx Virtex Ultrascale+ and Intel Stratix 10 evaluation boards were used for this work. In this paper, the implementation of the demonstrator systems will be presented. The performance characteristic of these links will be discussed and the FEC performance will be compared to that of an ideal model.
Prototyping serial powering for the ATLAS ITk pixel detector
Authors: Senger T.
Published: January 2023

The high luminosity upgrade for the LHC at CERN requires a complete overhaul of the current inner detectors of ATLAS and CMS. A serial powering scheme has been chosen to cope with the constraints of the new pixel detectors. A prototype stave consisting of up to 8 quad modules, based on the new readout chips developed by the RD53 collaboration in 65 nm CMOS technology, RD53A and ITkPixV1, has been set up in Bonn. This contribution covers the results obtained with RD53A modules and presents first measurements with a full ITkPixV1.1 serial powering chain.
The CMS pixel detector for the High Luminosity LHC
Authors: Cassese A.
Published: January 2023

The LHC machine will be upgraded to increase its peak luminosity to 5–7.5 × 1034 cm−2 s−1 and to possibly reach an integrated luminosity of 3000–4000 fb−1, with an average number of pileup events of 140–200. The CMS experiment needs to be upgraded to keep up with the new challenges: the unprecedented radiation environment translates to the detector requirement of high resilience, while the increased number of events per bunch crossing requires higher detector granularity. Thus a completely new Inner Tracker will be installed. Design choices for the Inner Tracker Phase-2 upgrade, highlighting R&D activities and technological approaches, will be presented.
Detector design and performance tests of the ESS-neutron Beam Loss Monitor detectors
Authors: Segui L. , Dolenc Kittelmann I. , Papaevangelou T. , Aune S. , Benedetti F. , Gougnaud F. , Lahonde C. , Legou P. , Mariette Y. , Marroncle J. , Mikulec B. , Nadot V. , Tsiledakis G. , Shea T.J. , Zamantzas C.
Published: January 2023

A new type of beam loss monitor has been developed based on
the detection of fast neutrons produced by beam losses in hadron
linear accelerators. This neutron sensitive Beam Loss Monitor (nBLM)
has been concieved to fulfil the requirements of the European
Spallation Source (ESS) and it will be part of the ESS neutron
sensitive BLM system (ESS-nBLM). It has been specifically designed
for the low energy part, where only neutrons and gammas produced by
the loss can exit the accelerator vessel. Here other types of BLM,
based on charged particle detection, suffer from the lack of signal
compared to the photon background induced by the radio-frequency
cavities. However, it can also be operated in regions of higher
energy. The detector is of the Micromegas type and have been
designed at IRFU to be able to detect fast neutrons while having a
small sensitivity to gammas and thermal neutrons. In this work we
focus on the proof of neutron-to-gamma rejection and the first
operation of the detector in real beam conditions during the
commissioning of LINAC4 (CERN). Controlled beam losses were provoked
and have been detected by the nBLM detector installed, demonstrating
also the discrimination of the neutron signal from RF x-ray
background.
Technological diffusion trends suggest a more equitable future for rooftop solar in the United States
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Eric , Kim James Hyungkwan , Darghouth Naïm
Published: January 2023

Equity has become central in the academic and regulatory discourse shaping the future of residential-scale clean energy technologies in the United States, particularly rooftop solar. Here, we develop a holistic perspective on these issues by analyzing rooftop solar adoption trends using two alternative forecasting methods: an inside-view forecast based on historical solar adoption data, and an outside-view forecast based on adoption data for other emerging consumer technologies. We show how rooftop solar, like other emerging consumer technologies, has become more equitably adopted over time. We show that solar diffusion patterns are largely consistent with those of other technologies. Both forecasting methods suggest that clean energy technologies should be expected to become more equitably adopted over time. Policy could accelerate this process by supporting low-income adoption without unduly curbing overall diffusion.
Different mechanisms for the extremely hot central-eastern China in July–August 2022 from a Eurasian large-scale circulation perspective
Authors: Wang Ziqian , Luo Haolin , Yang Song
Published: January 2023

In July and August of 2022, unprecedented and long-lasting heatwaves attacked central and eastern China (CEC); and the most affected area was in the Yangtze River (YR) basin. The extreme heatwaves and associated drought and wildfire had significant social impacts, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Observational analysis indicates that the heatwaves were regulated by anomalous anticyclone in the mid-upper troposphere over northern CEC. Specifically, the easterly anomalies at the southern flank of the anticyclone caused air isentropic sliding and transported low moist enthalpy (cold and dry) air to the YR basin, contributing to anomalous sinking motions and extreme heatwaves. In comparison, heatwaves were more serious in August than in July due to stronger upper-level anomalous anticyclone and associated easterlies. Importantly, different mechanisms were responsible for the heatwaves in the two months. In July, the relatively weaker anticyclonic anomaly over northern CEC was dominated by the forcing of diabatic heating over northwestern South Asia (NWSA), corresponding with the record-breaking rainfall in and around Pakistan. In August, a powerful anticyclonic condition for the CEC heatwaves originated from an extreme silk road pattern (SRP), superposing the effect of NWSA diabatic heating due to persistent downpour. We notice that another upstream anticyclonic node in the SRP also created heatwaves in Europe. Therefore, the CEC extreme heat was actually associated with other concurrent extremes over the Eurasian continent through large-scale atmospheric teleconnections in 2022.
Green Energy Potential in University Building’s Roofs, Assessed Through the Possibility for Installation of Commercial Photovoltaic Systems
Authors: Beloev H. I. , Iliev I. K. , Ilieva D. I. , Terziev A. K. , Ivanov M.
Published: January 2023

The presented paper reveals the analyses of green energy potential in university building’s roofs, assessed through the possibility of the installation of commercial photovoltaic systems. The studied roofs are part of the existing buildings of the University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Bulgaria. Extensive electricity consumption and production analyses are made, based on recent accounting, measurements, and forecasted data. The estimated production of electricity from the proposed photovoltaic plant on the roofs of buildings 2, 9, 10 and UPZ of RU “Angel Kanchev”, is in the amount of 1 212 MWh/year, which constitutes 68.2% of the electricity consumed in 2019. The proposed measures will lead to the estimated 992.63 tons/year of CO2 emissions saved, and the annual CO2 emissions of RU “Angel Kanchev” will be reduced by 68.3%.
Numerical verification of the calorimeter concept for determining the calorific value of unidentified gaseous fuels
Authors: Markowski J , Imiłkowski P , Netter K , Jesionek K , Mądry J , Wieczorkiewicz G
Published: January 2023

Measurement of the calorific value of fuels with the use of the present calorimeter structures requires specific conditions and takes a relatively long time. These requirements are related to the assurance of appropriate environmental parameters, i.e. temperature, air humidity in the room within a narrow range of variability, which means there is a need to require ensuring laboratory conditions for the measurement. This situation is closely related to the complicated measurement methodology. Therefore, taking into account these problems, the market need has been defined resulting from the specificity of the operation of industrial installations, in which it is important to evaluate the quality of the consumed or produced gaseous fuel. This article presents an innovative concept of a calorimeter designed to determine the calorific value of gaseous fuels, and also describes a mathematical model of the device made in the SciLab environment, which is the basis for further considerations.
Literature review of mobile spatial data collection and related to reality as a basis for the geomatics applications
Authors: Saad F H , Jasim O Z , Albayati M M A
Published: January 2023

The evolution of new information communication strategies has been aided by the development of new technology, devices, and applications over the last two decades. The utilization of digital media platforms, ubiquitous technologies, and technologies based on spatial data has blurred the lines between virtual and physical locations, with access via digital devices, particularly mobile devices. This paper aims to review the mobile spatial data MSD collection literature and related empirical approaches worldwide and demonstrates how researchers have analysed human mobility utilizing smartphone-GPS sensors, and call detail records CDRs spatial data collection methods. We offered an in-depth analysis of 129 publications from several databases that exhibit relevant solutions or prototypes, examining their emphasis areas, design aims, and contributions to design and approach. The article argued the techniques of mobile spatial data collection, processing, and technology applications and summarized the outcomes of articles correlated with Urban Transportation Modem, urban spatial data, and public health and infection domains over recent decades. The paper is concluded that mobile spatial data enables planners, policymakers, and stakeholders to analyse, specify, and customize crucial information to help and support decision-making. finally, it is possible to integrate the newest information and technology fields such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to gain more accurate features in estimating, predicting and studying several phenomena whether natural, socioeconomic, environmental, etc. Also, the article involves highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each spatial data collection technique.
Asmarat inventory interpretation for tourism land use planning and growth management
Authors: Alwan Kareem Hassan , Omran Shahad Hussein
Published: January 2023

The city is considered a centre for attracting many residents in various ways, and this led to the great increase and the emergence of many problems and transformations at the organizational and planning level and the urban environment, which demonstrated many attempts to control these variables and maintain the balanced growth of cities to achieve sustainable urban planning. Hilla city is facing today an excessive population increase and a shortage of local production. The research deals with the importance of the land inventory and what Hilla city contains from the developmental capabilities, especially the tourist inventory and it’s smart management, that would create new opportunities and growth poles to manage growth in it and reduce the momentum on the centre also the importance of the ancient city of Babylon and that it is located on the outskirts of Hilla city helps in achieving economies and increasing income through the profits it achieves through the internal and external tourism and attracting the other investments to create job opportunities through the application of the theory of economic growth poles, which showed the importance and role of the tourist inventory and it’s management in achieving regional development to arrive at the importance of the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities taking over the media focus and promotion of tourism through audio-visual media and the preparation of a detailed illustrated guide showing the sites, and a reference to the importance of the Development Department for tourism development using smart technologies to advance and increase it its local product.
The evaluation of carbon monoxide emissions using regression analysis and GIS techniques
Authors: Dhumad S Z , Jasim O Z , Hamed N H
Published: January 2023

In the last few years, Baghdad city has witnessed substantial changes in the land use/land cover, a significant increase in the number of inhabitants, number of vehicles, and industrial activities. As a result, air pollutants from traffic, industries, cooking, and waste incineration are relatively increased. Moreover, Baghdad city is considered an attractive location for a large number of humans, where the potential for human exposure to relatively high air pollutants makes Baghdad city a good target of investigation in recent studies related to air pollution in urban areas. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is one of the air pollutants, which is considered colourless and odourless mainly emitted from the uncompleted process of fuel combustion. CO has negative impacts on human health. The evaluation of Carbon monoxide in urban areas usually requires the implementation of appropriate methods, which can enable an understanding of the relationship between CO sources and receptors to adopt proper strategies for pollution mitigation within urban areas. In this study, we proposed a model based on the integration between GIS data and regression analysis to predict hourly CO concentrations in an urban area, Baghdad, Iraq. Regression modelling was carried out depending on independent variables (Temperature, Humidity, Wind speed, Wind direction, Solar Radiation, Built-up area, Agricultural lands, Water, Barren land, Road length) and dependent variables included samples of hourly CO concentrations during 2019. The modelling results indicated that the correlation coefficient was achieved at 0.8845, while the Root mean squared error was 0.1208 ppm. On the other hand, the R-squared was 0.74 according to the testing data and 0.78 according to the training data. The presented regression model might be adopted as an evaluation tool for the air pollutants studies in Iraq. The presented model might be used as an efficient tool for the air pollutants evaluation in Iraq. This can support private agencies and the government in Iraq. The proposed regression model can be upgraded to be more generalized for other locations in Iraq by collecting more environmental and geographic information like air pollutants related to CO such as CO2, traffic data, roads condition, building height, and elevation that can improve the proposed model.
Identifying the parameters influencing the adoption of electric intermediate public transport: a case area of Gwalior city
Authors: Jain Jagrati , Sai Sesidhar V , Vardhan Prasanth
Published: January 2023

The emission from transportation sectors is identified to contribute to air pollution and the same has brought electric mobility as an emerging solution to the problem. Electric mobility has yet to become a mainstream option for India’s vast population in terms of transportation, making it critical to understand people’s attitudes and preferences in choosing Electric Vehicles (EVs) over the convention once. Therefore, to understand the perceptions and factors which influence the adoption, a study is conducted in the area of Gwalior City. Some of the most influencing factors were selected from the literature study. And then a questionnaire was designed, where Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) operators were asked to choose on a scale of 1 to 5 (where 1 is highly important 5 beings I don’t know situations). Top influential factors like Purchase cost, Operation, and maintenance cost (O&M cost) were getting in this article, Vehicle capacity and battery swapping facility were found as the main influencing factors for Electric Vehicle adoption. A discrete choice model is used to generate utility equations. This was done for two operators of Intermediate Public Transport in Gwalior which are 4-Seater and 8-Seater respectively. Binomial regression analysis gave the utility values of selected factors, which the operators consider before adopting the Electric Vehicle. The results of the research will be helpful in understanding operators/drivers of Intermediate Public Transport, especially in the Intermediate Public Transport market. Results will help planners and policymakers to make sound decisions.
Random error propagation on electron beam dynamics for a 50 MeV S-band linac
Authors: Purwar H , Goutierre E , Guler H , Rossetti Conti M , Chance S , Gonnin A , Monard H , Bacci A , Sebag M , Cohen J , Bruni C
Published: January 2023

The stability and the quality of particle beams are of utmost importance for many emerging linac installations. The impact on beam properties damage of beam electromagnetic element misalignments and jitter/fluctuations in various accelerator sub-systems should be properly known, as usually such shot-to-shot fluctuations cannot be avoided. On top of that, knowing which parameters the machine is most sensitive to is of utmost to take precautionary measures to reduce the beam degradation and thus improve beam stability and quality. This simulation work focuses on a 50 MeV S-band linear accelerator based on RF photoinjector electron source. The sensitivity of the beam parameters towards several errors has been studied collectively as well as individually for each accelerator element. While the emittance at the end of the linac is dominated by the laminar behavior in the accelerating section, the main emittance degradation comes mainly from orbit errors located at the linac entrance.
Influence of electrode processing and electrolyte composition on multiwall carbon nanotube negative electrodes for sodium ion batteries
Authors: Fuente Cuesta Aida , Dickson Stewart A M , Naden Aaron B , Lonsdale Cameron , Irvine John T S
Published: January 2023

Nanostructured one-dimensional multiwall-carbon nanotubes have a variety of advantageous properties including good electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, and thus have been widely investigated for use in lithium-ion battery electrodes as conductive and microstructural additives, though they also possess some electrochemical activity. Their application to sodium-ion batteries has been less extensively researched, and therefore a greater understanding of the electrochemical reaction with sodium, and effects of slurry composition and electrolyte formulation is warranted, especially as these are likely components in future Na-ion electrode formulations. Here, we report the fabrication of aqueous and organic multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) negative electrodes processed by ball milling. The binder of choice is noted to greatly affect the electrochemical performance, both in terms of capacity retention and rate capability over a range of current densities from 25 to 500 mA g−1. Switching from a carbonate- to diglyme-based electrolyte considerably improves initial coulombic efficiencies (∼10%–60%), attributed to less extensive formation of solid electrolyte interphase, and enables a reversible mechanism with capacities up to 150 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles depending upon the binder used. Ex-situ characterization of the discharged and cycled carbon nanotubes by powder x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy provide an insight into how MWCNTs undergo sodiation and demonstrate a partially reversible structural transformation during cycling when using the diglyme-based electrolyte. This work lays the foundation for a better understanding of these versatile materials, especially when used in the most promising alternative energy storage technology to lithium ion.
Mathematical model of the petroleum products mass balancing in their supply network through the detection of excessive losses by the least squares method
Authors: Samoilenko Oleksandr
Published: January 2023

A method for balancing the mass of petroleum products in their entire supply network, from the manufacturer to the car fuel tank, was proposed. The method is based on the analysis of differences that occur during double measurements of the same mass using different instruments during each delivery-acceptance operation. The analysis of these differences was performed using the least squares method (LSM) by composition and solving equations. As a result, LSM-balanced mass values were obtained for each petroleum delivery-acceptance operation and for the supply network as a whole. Balancing is performed by detecting losses that occur before the mass measurements or during the mass measurements of each measuring instrument. Additive and/or multiplicative losses can be detected. The additives have the same losses for each delivery-acceptance operation, regardless of the measured mass. The multiplicative losses increased in proportion to the measured mass. The measurement uncertainty was strictly developed according to the LSM. The simulated test example shows that the losses were determined with a sufficiently high accuracy. A key condition for this is to ensure the traceability of the mass measurements by calibrating all measuring devices involved in the network. The application of this method will allow petroleum products suppliers to find and eliminate sources of excessive natural and technological losses in a timely manner. It is of equal importance to identify weaknesses in the supply network where thefts can occur.
Implementing a transmission line electrical circuit model in a complementary metamolecule waveguide
Authors: Veldes G P
Published: January 2023

Initially, we construct the metamolecule from its constituent meta-atoms, namely, a split ring resonator (SRR) and a complementary SRR (CSRR) which have characteristic oscillator frequencies in the microwave frequency band (especially in the X-band). Next, an one-dimensional metamolecule waveguide is created from an array of the CSRR-SRR metamolecules. The CSRR is the negative image of the SRR therefore this waveguide is called Complementary Metamolecule Waveguide (CM-WG). Using electromagnetic (EM) simulations, we study the operation frequency bands of the CM-WG changing the polarization of the incident EM wave as well as its unit cell dimension. In continue, we develop an electrical transmission line model, we precisely calculate the electric and magnetic coupling coefficients between the metamolecules and verify the results of the EM simulations. We conclude, from the electromagnetic simulations and the analytical considerations, that the polarization of the incident EM wave and the distance between the metamolecules affect the bandwidth of the frequency bands as well as the properties of the propagation.
Orthogonal rational functions with real poles, root asymptotics, and GMP matrices
Authors: Eichinger Benjamin , Lukić Milivoje , Young Giorgio
Published: January 2023

There is a vast theory of the asymptotic behavior of orthogonal polynomials with respect to a measure on

R

\mathbb {R}

and its applications to Jacobi matrices. That theory has an obvious affine invariance and a very special role for

∞
\infty

. We extend aspects of this theory in the setting of rational functions with poles on

R

¯

=

R

∪
{
∞
}

\overline {\mathbb {R}} = \mathbb {R} \cup \{\infty \}

, obtaining a formulation which allows multiple poles and proving an invariance with respect to

R

¯

\overline {\mathbb {R}}

-preserving Möbius transformations. We obtain a characterization of Stahl–Totik regularity of a GMP matrix in terms of its matrix elements; as an application, we give a proof of a conjecture of Simon – a Cesàro–Nevai property of regular Jacobi matrices on finite gap sets.
‘I found it the only place that spoke the same language’: a thematic analysis of messages posted to an online peer support discussion forum for people living with dementia
Authors: Talbot Catherine V , Coulson Neil S
Published: January 2023

Background

Despite the proliferation of online support communities, little is known about how people with dementia engage with them.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the content of messages exchanged between members of the asynchronous Talking Point online discussion forum.

Method

Using the sub-forum ‘I have dementia’, 100 conversation threads were randomly selected yielding 863 individual messages for analysis. Our data set was subjected to reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were generated: journeying through dementia, reciprocal peer support and therapeutic creativity. The findings suggest that individuals used the forum to share their experiences of obtaining and adjusting to a dementia diagnosis, their current symptoms and how they addressed the challenges of daily living as well as the impacts on mood, confidence and connectedness. The forum was viewed as a safe space to reflect on the future and what it might hold for them and loved ones. Throughout these discussions, users supported each other, particularly in relation to the emotional impact of diagnosis and shared experiential information and advice, with referrals to external sources of support commonplace. Discussion around the role of therapeutic creativity was evident and its role as a coping mechanism described. Through engagement, a sense of community and companionship was evident and new members welcomed, supported and encouraged to join in.

Discussion

The forum appears to be filling an important gap in post-diagnostic support provision, particularly for those with rare forms of dementia. Clinicians, support workers and organisations could consider recommending online support forums to people with dementia.
CATHe: detection of remote homologues for CATH superfamilies using embeddings from protein language models
Authors: Nallapareddy Vamsi , Bordin Nicola , Sillitoe Ian , Heinzinger Michael , Littmann Maria , Waman Vaishali P , Sen Neeladri , Rost Burkhard , Orengo Christine
Published: January 2023

Motivation

CATH is a protein domain classification resource that exploits an automated workflow of structure and sequence comparison alongside expert manual curation to construct a hierarchical classification of evolutionary and structural relationships. The aim of this study was to develop algorithms for detecting remote homologues missed by state-of-the-art hidden Markov model (HMM)-based approaches. The method developed (CATHe) combines a neural network with sequence representations obtained from protein language models. It was assessed using a dataset of remote homologues having less than 20% sequence identity to any domain in the training set.

Results

The CATHe models trained on 1773 largest and 50 largest CATH superfamilies had an accuracy of 85.6 ± 0.4% and 98.2 ± 0.3%, respectively. As a further test of the power of CATHe to detect more remote homologues missed by HMMs derived from CATH domains, we used a dataset consisting of protein domains that had annotations in Pfam, but not in CATH. By using highly reliable CATHe predictions (expected error rate <0.5%), we were able to provide CATH annotations for 4.62 million Pfam domains. For a subset of these domains from Homo sapiens, we structurally validated 90.86% of the predictions by comparing their corresponding AlphaFold2 structures with structures from the CATH superfamilies to which they were assigned.

Availability and implementation

The code for the developed models is available on https://github.com/vam-sin/CATHe, and the datasets developed in this study can be accessed on https://zenodo.org/record/6327572.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Evaluating Child Interviews Conducted by Child Protective Services Workers and Police Investigators
Authors: Baugerud Gunn Astrid , Røed Ragnhild Klingenberg , Hansen Helle B G , Poulsen Julie Schøning , Johnson Miriam S
Published: January 2023

High-quality interviews that follow best-practice guidelines are the best means available to frontline child protective service (CPS) workers and specially trained police officers to investigate and detect abuse and maltreatment. In Norway, the CPS and police are trained in the same interview method. In the current quantitative study, we investigate sixty-five interviews conducted by the CPS of children ages 4–8 years and seventy-two interviews conducted by the police of children ages 3–6 years. Our analysis shows that the CPS workers presented more open-ended invitations and fewer suggestive questions than the police officers. However, the CPS also asked more option-posing questions. Still, this finding may indicate that CPS workers come closer than police officers to follow best practice guidelines when they conduct child interviews. It should be noted that the police are also trained in an extended interview method, unlike the CPS workers. The number of open-ended invitations was sparse in both samples. Differences in the span of children’s ages in the two samples and different legal frameworks may have affected the findings. Implications for interview training are discussed.
Gyral peaks and patterns in human brains
Authors: Zhang Songyao , Zhang Tuo , He Zhibin , Li Xiao , Zhang Lu , Zhu Dajiang , Jiang Xi , Liu Tianming , Han Junwei , Guo Lei
Published: January 2023

Cortical folding patterns are related to brain function, cognition, and behavior. Since the relationship has not been fully explained on a coarse scale, many efforts have been devoted to the identification of finer grained cortical landmarks, such as sulcal pits and gyral peaks, which were found to remain invariant across subjects and ages and the invariance may be related to gene mediated proto-map. However, gyral peaks were only investigated on macaque monkey brains, but not on human brains where the investigation is challenged due to high inter-individual variabilities. To this end, in this work, we successfully identified 96 gyral peaks both on the left and right hemispheres of human brains, respectively. These peaks are spatially consistent across individuals. Higher or sharper peaks are more consistent across subjects. Both structural and functional graph metrics of peaks are significantly different from other cortical regions, and more importantly, these nodal graph metrics are anti-correlated with the spatial consistency metrics within peaks. In addition, the distribution of peaks and various cortical anatomical, structural/functional connective features show hemispheric symmetry. These findings provide new clues to understanding the cortical landmarks, as well as their relationship with brain functions, cognition, behavior in both healthy and aberrant brains.
Recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding with extended anticoagulation: the VTE-PREDICT risk score
Authors: de Winter Maria A , Büller Harry R , Carrier Marc , Cohen Alexander T , Hansen John-Bjarne , Kaasjager Karin A H , Kakkar Ajay K , Middeldorp Saskia , Raskob Gary E , Sørensen Henrik T , Visseren Frank L J , Wells Philip S , Dorresteijn Jannick A N , Nijkeuter Mathilde ,   VTE-PREDICT study group, Braekkan Sigrid K , Burggraaf Louise , Cannegieter Suzanne C , Farjat Alfredo , Pap Akos Ferenc , Goldhaber Samuel , Grosso Michael , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Lensing Anthonie W A , Pieper Karen , Schulman Sam , Shi Minggao , Virdone Saverio
Published: January 2023

Aims

Deciding to stop or continue anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after initial treatment is challenging, as individual risks of recurrence and bleeding are heterogeneous. The present study aimed to develop and externally validate models for predicting 5-year risks of recurrence and bleeding in patients with VTE without cancer who completed at least 3 months of initial treatment, which can be used to estimate individual absolute benefits and harms of extended anticoagulation.

Methods and results

Competing risk-adjusted models were derived to predict recurrent VTE and clinically relevant bleeding (non-major and major) using 14 readily available patient characteristics. The models were derived from combined individual patient data from the Bleeding Risk Study, Hokusai-VTE, PREFER-VTE, RE-MEDY, and RE-SONATE (n = 15,141, 220 recurrences, 189 bleeding events). External validity was assessed in the Danish VTE cohort, EINSTEIN-CHOICE, GARFIELD-VTE, MEGA, and Tromsø studies (n = 59 257, 2283 recurrences, 3335 bleeding events). Absolute treatment effects were estimated by combining the models with hazard ratios from trials and meta-analyses. External validation in different settings showed agreement between predicted and observed risks up to 5 years, with C-statistics ranging from 0.48–0.71 (recurrence) and 0.61–0.68 (bleeding). In the Danish VTE cohort, 5-year risks ranged from 4% to 19% for recurrent VTE and 1% –19% for bleeding.

Conclusion

The VTE-PREDICT risk score can be applied to estimate the effect of extended anticoagulant treatment for individual patients with VTE and to support shared decision-making.
In vitroreciprocal interactions between yeasts from human cutaneous mycobiota and parabens used in cosmetics
Authors: Benlaassri Mohammed , Ecale Florine , Crepin Alexandre , Rodier Marie-Helene , Venisse Nicolas , Cateau Estelle
Published: January 2023

Parabens are substances with antifungal and antibacterial properties, suspected to be endocrine disruptors and widely used as preservatives in cosmetics. In this case, exposure to these compounds is mainly dermal and interactions may occur with skin components including cutaneous mycobiota. In this work, we have explored the in vitro reciprocal interactions between three parabens (methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben) and yeasts from the human cutaneous mycobiota (Candida parapsilosis, Cryptococcus uniguttulatus, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa) by studying the effect of these parabens on fungal growth and the fungal ability to metabolize the tested compounds. Our results showed that, at the tested concentrations, the growth of three strains of C. parapsilosis was not influenced by the presence of parabens. Whereas, using the same parabens concentrations, growth of C. uniguttulatus and R. mucilaginosa was completely inhibited by ethylparaben since the first day of contact, whereas these same fungi were not sensitive to the two other parabens, even after seven days of incubation. The presence of a lamellar wall in these basidiomycete fungi as well as the physico-chemical properties of ethylparaben could explain this selective inhibition. Additionally, C. parapsilosis and R. mucilaginosa degraded 90% to 100% of propylparaben after seven days of incubation but had no effect on the other tested parabens. Thus, their enzymes seem to only degrade long chain parabens. In the same conditions, C. uniguttulatus did not degrade any paraben. This inability may be due to the absence of fungal enzymes able to degrade parabens or to the possible inaccessibility of intracellular enzymes due to the polysaccharide capsule. Our work has shown that parabens can act differently from one fungus to another within the cutaneous mycobiota. These preliminary results have evidenced that in vitro parabens, contained in cosmetic products, could be involved in the occurrence of a state of dysbiosis. The tested yeasts from the cutaneous mycobiota can also be involved in the degradation of parabens and thereby reduce, according to the produced metabolites and their activities, the risk of endocrine disruption they can induce.
Genomic prediction of switchgrass winter survivorship across diverse lowland populations
Authors: Tilhou Neal W , Poudel Hari P , Lovell John , Mamidi Sujan , Schmutz Jeremy , Daum Christopher , Zane Matthew , Yoshinaga Yuko , Lipzen Anna , Casler Michael D
Published: January 2023

In the North-Central United States, lowland ecotype switchgrass can increase yield by up to 50% compared with locally adapted but early flowering cultivars. However, lowland ecotypes are not winter tolerant. The mechanism for winter damage is unknown but previously has been associated with late flowering time. This study investigated heading date (measured for two years) and winter survivorship (measured for three years) in a multi-generation population generated from two winter-hardy lowland individuals and diverse southern lowland populations. Sequencing data (311,776 markers) from 1,306 individuals were used to evaluate genome-wide trait prediction through cross-validation and progeny prediction (n = 52). Genetic variance for heading date and winter survivorship was additive with high narrow-sense heritability (0.64 and 0.71, respectively) and reliability (0.68 and 0.76, respectively). The initial negative correlation between winter survivorship and heading date degraded across generations (F1  r = −0.43, pseudo-F2  r = −0.28, pseudo-F2 progeny r = −0.15). Within-family predictive ability was moderately high for heading date and winter survivorship (0.53 and 0.52, respectively). A multi-trait model did not improve predictive ability for either trait. Progeny predictive ability was 0.71 for winter survivorship and 0.53 for heading date. These results suggest that lowland ecotype populations can obtain sufficient survival rates in the northern United States with two or three cycles of effective selection. Despite accurate genomic prediction, naturally occurring winter mortality successfully isolated winter tolerant genotypes and appears to be an efficient method to develop high-yielding, cold-tolerant switchgrass cultivars.
CRISPR-screen identifies ZIP9 and dysregulated Zn2+ homeostasis as a cause of cancer-associated changes in glycosylation
Authors: Rømer Troels Boldt , Khoder-Agha Fawzi , Aasted Mikkel Koed Møller , de Haan Noortje , Horn Sabrina , Dylander August , Zhang Tao , Pallesen Emil Marek Heymans , Dabelsteen Sally , Wuhrer Manfred , Høgsbro Christine Flodgaard , Thomsen Emil Aagaard , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm , Wandall Hans H
Published: January 2023

Introduction

In epithelial cancers, truncated O-glycans, such as the Thomson-nouveau antigen (Tn) and its sialylated form (STn), are upregulated on the cell surface and associated with poor prognosis and immunological escape. Recent studies have shown that these carbohydrate epitopes facilitate cancer development and can be targeted therapeutically; however, the mechanism underpinning their expression remains unclear.

Methods

To identify genes directly influencing the expression of cancer-associated O-glycans, we conducted an unbiased, positive-selection, whole-genome CRISPR knockout-screen using monoclonal antibodies against Tn and STn.

Results and Conclusions

We show that knockout of the Zn2+-transporter SLC39A9 (ZIP9), alongside the well-described targets C1GALT1 (C1GalT1) and its molecular chaperone, C1GALT1C1 (COSMC), results in surface-expression of cancer-associated O-glycans. No other gene perturbations were found to reliably induce O-glycan truncation. We furthermore show that ZIP9 knockout affects N-linked glycosylation, resulting in upregulation of oligo-mannose, hybrid-type, and α2,6-sialylated structures as well as downregulation of tri- and tetra-antennary structures. Finally, we demonstrate that accumulation of Zn2+ in the secretory pathway coincides with cell-surface presentation of truncated O-glycans in cancer tissue, and that over-expression of COSMC mitigates such changes. Collectively, the findings show that dysregulation of ZIP9 and Zn2+ induces cancer-like glycosylation on the cell surface by affecting the glycosylation machinery.
Stress, relational turbulence, and communal coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Jones Hannah E , Theiss Jennifer A , Yoon Deborah B
Published: January 2023

This study examined how increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to relational turbulence and undermined dyadic coping. Using longitudinal data, this study also explored how enacting communal coping mitigates stress and conditions of relational turbulence over time. A sample of 151 U.S. dyads (302 individuals) completed online surveys about their relationship once per week for four weeks during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Consistent with hypotheses, stress was positively associated with the relationship conditions that give rise to relational turbulence and heightened relational turbulence was negatively associated with communal coping. Longitudinal analyses revealed that communal coping enacted in one week was associated with decreased stress and improved relationship quality in subsequent weeks. The findings are discussed in terms of their practical implications and contributions to theory.