bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction and Segmentation Analysis in Green Science: A Maximum Likelihood Approach
Authors: Jurabek Usarov , Agzamov Avazkhon , Rizaev Nurbek , Djurayeva Makhfuza
Published: October 2024

In the context of the current environmental crisis, the importance of effective communication strategies for promoting sustainable development is undeniable. This article is devoted to the study of audience segmentation methods in green science initiatives using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method. The main focus is on the development of approaches that allow for more accurate and effective division of target groups, such as scientists, politicians and activists in order to maximize the influence on each of them. The study presents the results of the analysis of interactions within and between communities, which allows for the optimization of communication strategies for different audiences. The application of MLE in community segmentation emphasizes its importance for increasing the effectiveness of environmental initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development.
Enhancing Environmental Statistics Based on The System of Environmental-Economic Accounting 2012 (SEEA) in the Republic of Uzbekistan
Authors: Tashbaeva Rano , Sterzinger Hermann , Ruzimov Ulugbek , Isokhujaeva Munira
Published: October 2024

This paper advocates for the implementation of the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA) as a crucial tool for enhancing the system for collecting and analysing information. The text discusses the challenges and opportunities in environmental statistics in Uzbekistan, emphasizing the importance of integrating official statistics, policy, and science to foster a green economy. It highlights the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (2020-2025), which aims to improve environmental data collection and analysis. Despite these efforts, issues such as incomplete data, lack of public access, and inadequate coordination among state bodies persist. The study explores the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting, a tool that measures the relationship between the environment and the economy, offering insights for sustainable development. Uzbekistan’s potential implementation of the SEEA is outlined, with a focus on improving environmental management, informing policy, and meeting international standards. The roadmap for the SEEA’s implementation includes stages such as methodology development, data collection, and monitoring, aimed at enhancing decision-making processes and fostering sustainable natural resource use.
Design of composite optical nanofibers for new all-solid-state Raman wavelength converters
Authors: Lebrun Sylvie , Bouhadida Maha , Dampt Théo , Fauvel Mathieu , Larat Christian , Azzoune Abderrahim , Beugnot Jean-Charles , Divay Laurent
Published: October 2024

We present the design of composite optical nanofibers (ONF) coated with thin layers of nonlinear materials, Titanium dioxyde (TiO2) and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), for the realization of new all-solid Raman wavelength converters for an emission around 1.5 μm. Our simulations show that Stimulated Raman Scattering can be obtained with moderate input peak powers, typical ONF geometrical parameters, and layer thicknesses deposited which are technologically achievable: a few tens of nm for TiO2 and a few hundreds of nm for PMMA. This study enlarges the field of applications of ONF in nonlinear optics and lasers by opening the way to the coating by other materials such as doped polymers.
Einbezug der Eltern bei schmerzhaften Handlungen
Authors: Saint Paul Erika , Balice-Bourgois Colette , Marston Mark , Zumstein-Shaha Maya
Published: October 2024

Frühgeborene und kranke Neugeborene in der Neonatologie sind mehrmals täglich schmerzhaften Handlungen ausgesetzt. Zur Prävention und Linderung der dadurch ausgelösten Schmerzen werden Maßnahmen durch Fachpersonen ergriffen. Eltern werden dabei kaum eingebunden. Die Intervention NEODOL© bietet eine Vorgehensweise, Eltern systematisch bei schmerzhaften Handlungen in der Neonatologie einzubeziehen. Die bisher nur auf Italienisch verfügbare Intervention wurde nun auf Deutsch übersetzt.
21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Detected in Neonatal Screening: High
Probability of False Negativity in Late Onset Form
Authors: David Jan , Hrubá Zuzana , Vinohradská Hana , Hedelová Monika , Fialová Alena , Votava Felix
Published: October 2024

Aim Despite the high sensitivity of neonatal screening in detecting the
classical form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase
deficiency, one of the unclear issues is identifying asymptomatic children with
late onset forms. The aim of this nationwide study was to analyse the
association between genotype and screened level of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in
patients with the late onset form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency and to quantify
false negativity.

Methods In the Czech Republic, 1,866,129 neonates were screened
(2006–2022). Among this cohort, 159 patients were confirmed to suffer from
21-hydroxylase deficiency, employing the 17-hydroxyprogesterone
birthweight/gestational age-adjusted cut-off limits, and followed by the genetic
confirmation. The screening prevalence was 1:11,737. Another 57 patients who
were false negative in neonatal screening were added to this cohort based on
later diagnosis by clinical suspicion. To our knowledge, such a huge nationwide
cohort of false negative patients has not been documented before.

Results Overall, 57 patients escaped from neonatal screening in the
monitored period. All false negative patients had milder forms. Only one patient
had simple virilising form and 56 patients had the late onset form. The
probability of false negativity in the late onset form was 76.7%. The difference
in 17-hydroxyprogesterone screening values was statistically significant
(p<0.001) between severe forms (median 478.8 nmol/L) and milder (36.2 nmol/L)
forms. Interestingly, the higher proportion of females with milder forms was
statistically significant compared with the general population.

Conclusions A negative neonatal screening result does not exclude milder
forms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency during the differential diagnostic procedure
of children with precocious pseudopuberty.
Evaluation of Treatment and Recurrence-Free Survival in Patients with Early HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Real-Life Data Comparing Public and Private Healthcare
Authors: Capella Mariana Pilon , Lealdini Viviane , Aguiar Pedro
Published: October 2024

Introduction The present study was designed to compare the treatment provided in private and public health care facilities for women positive for early breast cancer of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) subtype, who received anti-HER2 therapy in neoadjuvant or adjuvant settings, with an evaluation of the recurrence-free survival (RFS) and pathological complete response (pCR) rates.

Materials and Methods The current is a retrospective study carried out at the Instituto Brasileiro de Controle do Cancer (IBCC Oncologia), in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. We included patients treated between 2015 and 2020.

Results The study included 472 medical records of early HER2-positive breast cancer patients treated in the public and private health care systems who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments. The pathological complete response (pCR) was related to a lower recurrence rate and a longer recurrence-free survival (RFS). The results showed no statistically significant difference between the public and private health care systems in terms of RFS.

Discussion Although the public health care patients were diagnosed with more advanced diseases than the private health care patients, both presented similar survival rates. In spite of the small number of patients evaluated, the dual HER2 blockade did not improve the clinical outcomes. These findings should be confirmed through studies with a larger number of patients and a longer follow-up period.
15.8.3 Naphthyridines (Update 2024)
Authors: Walker J. C. L.
Published: October 2024

This review is an update to the earlier Science of Synthesis contribution describing methods for the synthesis of naphthyridines. It focuses on the literature published in the period 2005–2023. Naphthyridines are widely used compounds with a broad range of applications, for example, in active pharmaceutical ingredients and as ligands for metal-based catalysts.
20.2.11.2 Alk-2-enoic Acids (Update 2024)
Authors: Durandetti M. , Franck X.
Published: October 2024

The α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid motif stands out for its versatility and utility in constructing complex molecular structures, spanning pharmaceuticals to natural products. This review describes the published methods for the synthesis of alk-2-enoic acids reported between 2007 and 2023. It is an update to the original Science of Synthesis review (Section 20.2.11), published in 2007. The focus lies on novel synthetic approaches facilitating the incorporation of the α, β-unsaturated carboxylic acid motif from a range of starting materials, including diversely functionalized or unfunctionalized alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, alkenes, and alkynes.
7 Photocatalysis in Chemical Biology
Authors: Kohyama A. , Winssinger N.
Published: October 2024

Controlling the space and time of chemical processes has led to great benefits in biological research. From this perspective, photocatalytic reactions have been developed to be a breakthrough in chemical biology. In combination with a photocatalyst, visible-light irradiation turns on the reaction system by converting an inactive species into an active one. This review showcases the principle of photocatalytic reactions and some applications in chemical biology by focusing on the cooperative use of active species and proximity effects.
A thousand tiny theories: The colonized subject, postcolonial literature, and decolonial epistemologies
Authors: Greedharry Mrinalini
Published: October 2024

Psychoanalysis has, from its origins, made a claim to superior interpretative knowledge of literature than literary studies itself, often using its knowledge of literature to affirm and reaffirm its own colonial logics. In this paper, I examine how this colonial epistemological position is reaffirmed in literary interpretations of postcolonial and decolonial writing, even as psychosocial studies works to decolonize the psy disciplines. Through discussion of Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions trilogy, I argue instead that postcolonial writing offers its own autotheory of the colonized mind which opens a pathway to decolonizing the authority of the psy disciplines.
The impact of COVID-19 on the debate on open science: a qualitative analysis of published materials from the period of the pandemic
Authors: Benson Marshall Melanie , Pinfield Stephen , Abbott Pamela , Cox Andrew , Alperin Juan Pablo , Barata Germana Fernandes , Chtena Natascha , Dorsch Isabelle , Fleerackers Alice , Oliveira Monique , Peters Isabella
Published: October 2024

This study is an analysis of the international debate on open science that took place during the pandemic. It addresses the question, how did the COVID-19 pandemic impact the debate on open science? The study takes the form of a qualitative analysis of a large corpus of key articles, editorials, blogs and thought pieces about the impact of COVID on open science, published during the pandemic in English, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. The findings show that many authors believed that it was clear that the experience of the pandemic had illustrated or strengthened the case for open science, with language such as a “stress test”, “catalyst”, “revolution” or “tipping point” frequently used. It was commonly believed that open science had played a positive role in the response to the pandemic, creating a clear ‘line of sight’ between open science and societal benefits. Whilst the arguments about open science deployed in the debate were not substantially new, the focuses of debate changed in some key respects. There was much less attention given to business models for open access and critical perspectives on open science, but open data sharing, preprinting, information quality and misinformation became most prominent in debates. There were also moves to reframe open science conceptually, particularly in connecting science with society and addressing broader questions of equity.
Influence of acoustic modes on resonance properties of a quartz tuning fork immersed in superfluid 4He and liquid mixtures 3He–4He
Authors: Chagovets V. К. , Syvokon V. Е. , Sokolov S. S.
Published: October 2024

The oscillating quartz tuning fork method has been used to study resonance phenomena in experimental cells of different sizes filled with superfluid 4He and concentrated liquid mixtures of 3He–4He. An analysis of the temperature dependence of the resonance frequencies of the tuning forks showed that in a number of cases, the incompressible fluid model is not sufficient to interpret the experimental results and that acoustic processes in the cell should be taken into account. The frequencies of the resonances of the first sound in cylindrical geometry are estimated and their influence on the resonant frequencies of the tuning fork is shown, which can lead to a distortion of the shape of the resonant line. A comparison is made between experimental results for superfluid 4He and mixtures of 3He-4He with light isotope concentrations of 5% and 15%. It is shown that, in contrast to pure helium, the model of a viscous incompressible fluid cannot be applied to mixtures, even in the absence of first acoustic resonances. This can be explained by the fact that, when studying concentrated solutions, the excitation of the second sound along with the first can have a noticeable effect on the resonance characteristics of the tuning fork.
Better Understanding Burning Plasmas in Inertial Confinement Fusion
Authors: Ikenson Ben
Published: October 2024

Showcasing detailed diagnostics of “up-scattered” neutron energy spectrum
All-optical platform for ultrasound transmission matrix measurements
Authors: Moisseev Ron , Rosenthal Amir
Published: October 2024

Piezoelectric ultrasound transducers are constrained by size, bandwidth, and angular response, limiting their ability to fully characterize the acoustic properties of objects. In this study, we introduce a novel modular all-optical platform for ultrasound generation and detection to overcome these limitations, demonstrating wideband operation (>50 MHz), omnidirectional response, and high signal fidelity. Ultrasound generation is performed via the optoacoustic effect by illuminating an optically absorbing coating with spatially modulated pulsed light, and ultrasound detection is carried out using a silicon-photonic acoustic detector. By illuminating patterns that span a basis and scanning the detector, the full transmission matrix is measured, consisting of the acoustic waveforms for all the transmitter–receiver pairs in the measurement geometry. Our method is experimentally demonstrated in transmission mode for beam steering, beam focusing, and imaging, achieving excellent agreement with the theory.
Quantifying the effects of neutron fluence on proton signal retention in CR-39
Authors: Russell L. , Johnson T. M. , Lawrence Y. , Reichelt B. , Vanderloo N. , Cufari M. , Buschmann B. I. , Dannhoff S. , DeVault A. , Doeg E. , Evans T. , Foo B. C. , Frankel R. , Kunimune J. H. , Pearcy J. A. , Vargas J. , Gatu Johnson M. , Frenje J.
Published: October 2024

This paper reports on investigations on the impact of higher neutron fluences on the detection efficiency of protons with CR-39, a charged particle track detector. CR-39 is widely used as a diagnostic for inertial fusion applications and is an integral component of numerous particle diagnostics at the OMEGA laser facility and National Ignition Facility. As experiments continue to produce higher and higher yields, existing diagnostics are impacted by higher particle fluences than they were originally designed for. This paper presents data from experiments measuring proton signal on pieces of CR-39 with different levels of neutron fluence with two different etch times. The experiments show a decrease in signal recovery with increased neutron fluence, which is exacerbated at longer etch times. At 3 h etch time, data suggest a 17% ± 7% signal loss at 1.3 × 105 neutron-induced tracks per cm2 and a 67% ± 21% loss at 6 h etch time. Careful signal isolation techniques can recover most of the proton tracks even with moderate neutron fluence.
Point defect distributions in ultrafast laser-induced periodic surface structures on β-Ga2O3
Authors: Ramdin Daram N. , DeAngelis Emma , Noor Mohamed Yaseen , Haseman Micah S. , Chowdhury Enam A. , Brillson Leonard J.
Published: October 2024

β-Ga2O3 has received widespread attention due to its ultrawide bandgap, which potentially permits applications in extreme conditions. Ultrafast laser irradiation of β-Ga2O3 provides a means for exploring the response of the material under such conditions, which could result in the generation of point defects as well as a localized modification of structural features that could yield properties that differ from the pristine surface. However, an understanding of defects generated by femtosecond laser irradiation in the vicinity of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) remains to be explored. We correlate topographic features with optical and electronic properties by combining near-nm scale resolution cathodoluminescence with Kelvin probe force microscopy. Defects are found to correlate with crystalline order and near-surface morphology, as well as changes in work function. They are also suggested to be closely related to the formation of high spatial frequency LIPSS. These results suggest a need for precise tuning of laser irradiation conditions as well as possible post-processing to control defects in future Ga2O3 devices.
Re-configurable digital bandwidth interleaved sampling system based on fast spectrum sensing
Authors: Chen Li , Ye Peng , Pan Zhixiang , Zhao Yu , Huang Wuhuang , Yang Kuojun
Published: October 2024

The complexity of systems with parallel acquisition architectures has increased sharply with the continuous growth of signal bandwidth, and sampling precision has been greatly challenged. Considering that the signal to be measured usually exhibits sparsity in the frequency domain, this paper proposes a re-configurable bandwidth interleaved acquisition architecture to maximize test flexibility and accuracy. The sampling process is divided into two stages: sensing and re-configurable acquisition. In the sensing stage, the signal spectrum distribution is roughly understood using a sparse Fourier transform. Based on the spectrum sensing results, the subband selection and the adaptive adjustment of the mixing local oscillator in the acquisition system are performed. Ultimately, these steps enhance sampling accuracy. This paper verifies the effectiveness of this method on a 10 GHz acquisition system, demonstrating that it can significantly reduce data redundancy. In addition, it improves acquisition accuracy compared to traditional bandwidth interleaved systems. The experimental results indicate that re-configurable sampling can significantly improve the quality of sampling results. This is evidenced by a signal-to-noise ratio improvement of over 7.4 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range improvement of over 4.7 dB compared to traditional sampling results.
Electron density measurement of an ionospheric-like plasma using an impedance probe
Authors: Liu Xiangqun , Liu Yu , Yu Pengcheng , Yue Han , Jin Rong , Zhang Yichen , Lei Jiuhou
Published: October 2024

In this work, an impedance probe was designed to measure ionospheric low-density plasma. The probe is made of short cylindrical dipoles with an antenna 20 cm in length and 0.25 cm in diameter, which can operate in the frequency range of 0–100 MHz. Combined with a vector network analyzer, the performance of the probe was tested in laboratory-created ionospheric-like plasma, and the results were compared with those of the Langmuir probe measurements. The densities measured by the two methods show a consistent trend, and the impedance probe data show much smaller uncertainties, which suggests that the impedance probe can achieve high-precision measurements. Furthermore, by fitting the antenna phase data, the electron-neutral collision frequency can also be obtained. Therefore, the impedance probe provides a feasible method for exploring low-density partially ionized plasma and can be expanded to actual ionospheric exploration in the future.
Three dimensional time-variation simulator for water flooding reservoir based on “effective water flux”
Authors: Zhou Zili , Jia Hu , Zhang Rui , Ding Bin , Geng Xiangfei
Published: October 2024

Long-term water flooding leads to changes in pore throat structure, resulting in alterations in macroscopic reservoir petrophysical parameters. However, commercial numerical simulation software does not have this capability. Ignoring variations in physical parameters during the formulation of development plans and numerical simulations can lead to significant prediction errors, which severely impacts oil field recovery. This paper, based on an analysis of effective flow rate and waterflood intensity, proposes a new erosion degree characterization parameter: Effective water flux, to represent the time-varying patterns of physical parameters. It is embedded into a black oil model to develop a time-variation simulator, whose accuracy and stability in both black oil and time-variation models are validated through comparison with the commercial numerical simulation software CMG. The study further explores the effects of different parameter variations on the development process. It was found that increases in permeability and oil viscosity exacerbate heterogeneity and reduce displacement efficiency, while decreases in residual oil saturation and water phase permeability under residual oil saturation enhance water flooding efficiency. In complex models, the effects of variations in different parameters intertwine, collectively influencing development outcomes. This paper advances the development of time-variation numerical simulation technology.
Sequence disorder-induced first order phase transition in confined polyelectrolytes
Authors: Stepanyan V. , Badasyan A. , Morozov V. , Mamasakhlisov Y. , Podgornik R.
Published: October 2024

We consider a statistical mechanical model of a generic flexible polyelectrolyte, comprised of identically charged monomers with long-range electrostatic interactions and short-range interactions quantified by a disorder field along the polymer contour sequence, which is randomly quenched. The free energy and the monomer density profile of the system for no electrolyte screening are calculated in the case of a system composed of two infinite planar bounding surfaces with an intervening oppositely charged polyelectrolyte chain. We show that the effect of the contour sequence disorder, mediated by short-range interactions, leads to an enhanced localization of the polyelectrolyte chain and a first order phase transition at a critical value of the inter-surface spacing. This phase transition results in an abrupt change of the pressure from negative to positive values, effectively eliminating polyelectrolyte mediated bridging attraction.
Concentration and cavitation in the Riemann solutions to the Umami Chaplygin Euler equations
Authors: Li Shiwei , Wang Hui
Published: October 2024

The concentration phenomena in fluid dynamics can be mathematically described by delta-shocks. With the introduction of flux-function, the Riemann problem for the Euler system with Umami Chaplygin gas equation of state is discussed. What Umami Chaplygin gas means is that the fluid obeys the pressure–density relation where the pressure is negative and is a new generalization of Chaplygin gas. The solutions with six kinds of structures are constructed. Unlike the Chaplygin gas, the delta-shock occurs in solutions, even though the system is strictly hyperbolic and two characteristic fields are genuinely nonlinear. The generalized Rankine–Hugoniot relation and entropy condition for delta-shock are clarified. Additionally, the phenomena of concentration and cavitation and the formation of delta-shocks and vacuum states in solutions are identified and analyzed as the Umami Chaplygin gas pressure and flux-function vanish simultaneously. It is proved that as the pressure and flux-function drop to zero, any solution consisting of two shocks tends to the delta-shock solution of the pressureless Euler system, and any solution consisting of two rarefaction waves tends to the vacuum Riemann solution of the pressureless Euler system. Finally, some numerical results exhibiting the processes of formation of delta-shocks and vacuum states are presented.
Phonon-assisted Auger decay of excitons in doped transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers
Authors: Scharf Benedikt , Perebeinos Vasili
Published: October 2024

The competition between the radiative and nonradiative lifetimes determines the optical quantum yield and plays a crucial role in the potential optoelectronic applications of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Here, we show that, in the presence of free carriers, an additional nonradiative decay channel opens for excitons in TMDC monolayers. Although the usual Auger decay channel is suppressed at low doping levels by the simultaneous momentum and energy conservation laws, exciton–phonon coupling relaxes this suppression. By solving a Bethe–Salpeter equation, we calculate the phonon-assisted Auger decay rates in four typical TMDCs as a function of doping, temperature, and dielectric environment. We find that even for a relatively low doping of 1012 cm−2, the nonradiative lifetime ranges from 16 to 165 ps in different TMDCs, offering competition to the radiative decay channel.
Immiscible non-Newtonian displacement flows in stationary and axially rotating pipes
Authors: Liu W. , Larachi F. , Taghavi S. M.
Published: October 2024

We examine immiscible displacement flows in stationary and rotating pipes, at a fixed inclination angle in a density-unstable configuration, using a viscoplastic fluid to displace a less viscous Newtonian fluid. We employ non-intrusive experimental methods, such as camera imaging, planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and ultrasound Doppler velocimetry (UDV). We analyze the impact of key dimensionless numbers, including the imposed Reynolds numbers (Re, Re*), rotational Reynolds number (Rer), capillary number (Ca), and viscosity ratio (M), on flow patterns, regime classifications, regime transition boundaries, interfacial instabilities, and displacement efficiency. Our experiments demonstrate distinct immiscible displacement flow patterns in stationary and rotating pipes. In stationary pipes, heavier fluids slump underneath lighter ones, resulting in lift-head and wavy interface stratified flows, driven by gravity. Decreasing M slows the interface evolution and reduces its front velocity, while increasing Re* shortens the thin layer of the interface tail. In rotating pipes, the interplay between viscous, rotational, and capillary forces generates swirling slug flows with stable, elongated, and chaotic sub-regimes. Progressively, decreasing M leads to swirling dispersed droplet flow, swirling fragmented flow, and, eventually, swirling bulk flow. The interface dynamics, such as wave formations and velocity profiles, is influenced by rotational forces and inertial effects, with Fourier analysis showing the dependence of the interfacial front velocity's dominant frequency on Re and Rer. Finally, UDV measurements reveal the existence/absence of countercurrent flows in stationary/rotating pipes, while PLIF results provide further insight into droplet formation and concentration field behavior at the pipe center plane.
Mechanosensitive fluorescence lifetime probes for investigating the dynamic mechanism of ferroptosis
Authors: Liang Xing , Zhao Yuping , Yan Jun , Zhang Qian , James Tony D. , Lin Weiying
Published: October 2024

Deciphering the dynamic mechanism of ferroptosis can provide insights into pathogenesis, which is valuable for disease diagnosis and treatment. However, due to the lack of suitable time-resolved mechanosensitive tools, researchers have been unable to determine the membrane tension and morphology of the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope during ferroptosis. With this research, we propose a rational strategy to develop robust mechanosensitive fluorescence lifetime probes which can facilitate simultaneous fluorescence lifetime imaging of the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy using the unique mechanosensitive probes reveal a dynamic mechanism for ferroptosis: The membrane tension of both the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope decreases during ferroptosis, and the nuclear envelope exhibits budding during the advanced stage of ferroptosis. Significantly, the membrane tension of the plasma membrane is always larger than that of the nuclear envelope, and the membrane tension of the nuclear envelope is slightly larger than that of the nuclear membrane bubble. Meanwhile, the membrane lesions are repaired in the low-tension regions through exocytosis.
Effect of a cash transfer intervention on memory decline and dementia probability in older adults in rural South Africa
Authors: Rosenberg Molly , Beidelman Erika T. , Chen Xiwei , Whiteson Kabudula Chodziwadziwa , Pettifor Audrey , Bassil Darina T. , Berkman Lisa , Kahn Kathleen , Tollman Stephen , Kobayashi Lindsay C.
Published: October 2024

Evidence on cash transfers as a population-level intervention to support healthy cognitive aging in low-income settings is sparse. We assessed the effect of a cash transfer intervention on cognitive aging outcomes in older South African adults. We leveraged the overlap in the sampling frames of a Phase 3 randomized cash transfer trial [HIV Prevention Trial Network (HPTN) 068, 2011–2015] and an aging cohort [Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community (HAALSI), 2014–2022] in rural Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. In 2011/12, young women and their primary caregivers were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive a monthly cash transfer or control. In 2014/2015, 862 adults aged 40+ y living in trial households were enrolled in the HAALSI cohort, with cognitive data collected in three waves over 7 y. We estimated the impact of the intervention on rate of memory decline and dementia probability scores. Memory decline in the cash transfer arm was 0.03 SD units (95% CI: 0.002, 0.05) slower per year than in the control arm. Dementia probability scores were three percentage points lower in the cash transfer arm than the control arm (β = −0.03; 95% CI: −0.05, −0.001). Effects were consistent across subgroups. A modestly sized household cash transfer delivered over a short period in mid- to later-life led to a meaningful slowing of memory decline and reduction in dementia probability 7 y later. Cash transfer programs could help stem the tide of new dementia cases in economically vulnerable populations in the coming decades.
TheDrosophilatracheal terminal cell as a model for branching morphogenesis
Authors: Gavrilchenko Tatyana , Simpkins Alison G. , Simpson Tanner , Barrett Lena A. , Hansen Pauline , Shvartsman Stanislav Y. , Schottenfeld-Roames Jodi
Published: October 2024

The terminal cells of theDrosophilalarval tracheal system are perhaps the simplest delivery networks, providing an analogue for mammalian vascular growth and function in a system with many fewer components. These cells are a prime example of single-cell morphogenesis, branching significantly over time to adapt to the needs of the growing tissue they supply. While the genetic mechanisms governing local branching decisions have been studied extensively, an understanding of the emergence of a global network architecture is still lacking. Mapping out the full network architecture of populations of terminal cells at different developmental times ofDrosophilalarvae, we find that cell growth follows scaling laws relating the total edge length, supply area, and branch density. Using time-lapse imaging of individual terminal cells, we identify that the cells grow in three ways: by extending branches, by the side budding of new branches, and by internally growing existing branches. A generative model based on these modes of growth recapitulates statistical properties of the terminal cell network data. These results suggest that the scaling laws arise from the coupled contributions of branching and internal growth. This study establishes the terminal cell as a uniquely tractable model system for further studies of transportation and distribution networks.
Small field chaos in spin glasses: Universal predictions from the ultrametric tree and comparison with numerical simulations
Authors: Aguilar-Janita Miguel , Franz Silvio , Martin-Mayor Victor , Moreno-Gordo Javier , Parisi Giorgio , Ricci-Tersenghi Federico , Ruiz-Lorenzo Juan J.
Published: October 2024

Replica symmetry breaking (RSB) for spin glasses predicts that the equilibrium configuration at two different magnetic fields are maximally decorrelated. We show that this theory presents quantitative predictions for this chaotic behavior under the application of a
vanishing
external magnetic field, in the crossover region where the field intensity scales proportionally to

1
/

N

, being
N
the system size. We show that RSB theory provides universal predictions for chaotic behavior: They depend only on the zero-field overlap probability function

P
(
q
)

and are independent of other system features. In the infinite volume limit, each spin-glass sample is characterized by an infinite number of states that have a tree-like structure. We generate the corresponding probability distribution through efficient sampling using a representation based on the Bolthausen–Sznitman coalescent. Using solely

P
(
q
)

as input we can analytically compute the statistics of the states in the region of vanishing magnetic field. In this way, we can compute the overlap probability distribution in the presence of a small vanishing field and the increase of chaoticity when increasing the field. To test our computations, we have simulated the Bethe lattice spin glass and the 4D Edwards–Anderson model, finding in both cases excellent agreement with the universal predictions.
Measuring neutron star radius with second and third generation gravitational wave detector networks
Authors: Bandopadhyay Ananya , Kacanja Keisi , Somasundaram Rahul , Nitz Alexander H , Brown Duncan A
Published: October 2024

The next generation of ground-based interferometric gravitational wave detectors will observe mergers of black holes and neutron stars throughout cosmic time. A large number of the binary neutron star merger events will be observed with extreme high fidelity, and will provide stringent constraints on the equation of state of nuclear matter. In this paper, we investigate the systematic improvement in the measurability of the equation of state with increase in detector sensitivity by combining constraints obtained on the radius of a1.4M⊙neutron star from a simulated source population. Since the measurability of the equation of state depends on its stiffness, we consider a range of realistic equations of state that span the current observational constraints. We show that a single 40 km Cosmic Explorer detector can pin down the neutron star radius for a soft, medium and stiff equation of state with a precision of 10 m within a decade, whereas the current generation of ground-based detectors like the Advanced LIGO-Virgo network would takeO(105)years to do so for a soft equation of state.
Comparison of deep-learning multimodality data fusion strategies in mandibular osteoradionecrosis NTCP modelling using clinical variables and radiation dose distribution volumes
Authors: Humbert-Vidan Laia , Patel Vinod , King Andrew P , Urbano Teresa Guerrero
Published: October 2024

Objective. Normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modelling is rapidly embracing deep learning (DL) methods, acknowledging the importance of spatial dose information. Finding effective ways to combine information from radiation dose distribution maps (dosiomics) and clinical data involves technical challenges and requires domain knowledge. We propose different multi-modality data fusion strategies to facilitate future DL-based NTCP studies. Approach. Early, joint and late DL multi-modality fusion strategies were compared using clinical and mandibular radiation dose distribution volumes. These were contrasted with single-modality models: a random forest trained on non-image data (clinical, demographic and dose-volume metrics) and a 3D DenseNet-40 trained on image data (mandibular dose distribution maps). The study involved a matched cohort of 92 osteoradionecrosis cases and 92 controls from a single institution. Main results. The late fusion model exhibited superior discrimination and calibration performance, while the join fusion achieved a more balanced distribution of the predicted probabilities. Discrimination performance did not significantly differ between strategies. Late fusion, though less technically complex, lacks crucial inter-modality interactions for NTCP modelling. In contrast, joint fusion, despite its complexity, resulted in a single network training process which included intra- and inter-modality interactions in its model parameter optimisation. Significance. This study is a pioneering effort in comparing different strategies for including image data into DL-based NTCP models in combination with lower dimensional data such as clinical variables. The discrimination performance of such multi-modality NTCP models and the choice of fusion strategy will depend on the distribution and quality of both types of data. Multiple data fusion strategies should be compared and reported in multi-modality NTCP modelling using DL.
An in-silico study of conventional and FLASH radiotherapy iso-effectiveness: potential impact of radiolytic oxygen depletion on tumor growth curves and tumor control probability
Authors: González-Crespo I , Gómez F , López Pouso Ó , Pardo-Montero J
Published: October 2024

Objective. This work aims to investigate the iso-effectiveness of conventional and FLASH radiotherapy on tumors through in-silico mathematical models. We focused on the role of radiolytic oxygen depletion (ROD), which has been argued as a possible factor to explain the FLASH effect. Approach. We used a spatiotemporal reaction-diffusion model, including ROD, to simulate tumor oxygenation and response. From those oxygen distributions we obtained surviving fractions (SFs) using the linear-quadratic (LQ) model with the oxygen enhancement ratios (OERs). We then employed the calculated SFs to describe the evolution of preclinical tumor volumes through a mathematical model of tumor response, and we also extrapolated those results to calculate tumor control probabilities (TCPs) using the Poisson-LQ approach. Main results. Our study suggests that the ROD effect may cause differences in SF between FLASH and conventional radiotherapy, especially in low α/β and poorly oxygenated cells. However, a statistical analysis showed that these changes in SF generally do not result in significant differences in the evolution of preclinical tumor growth curves when the sample size is small, because such differences in SF may not be noticeable in the heterogeneity of the population of animals. Nonetheless, when extrapolating this effect to TCP curves, we observed important differences between both techniques (TCP is lower in FLASH radiotherapy). When analyzing the response of tumors with heterogeneous oxygenations, differences in TCP are more important for well oxygenated tumors. This apparent contradiction with the results obtained for homogeneously oxygenated cells is explained by the complex interplay between the heterogeneity of tumor oxygenation, the OER effect, and the ROD effect. Significance. This study supports the experimentally observed iso-effectiveness of FLASH and conventional radiotherapy when analyzing the volume evolution of preclinical tumors (that are far from control). However, this study also hints that tumor growth curves may be less sensitive to small variations in SF than tumor control probability: ROD may lead to increased SF in FLASH radiotherapy, which while not large enough to cause significant differences in tumor growth curves, could lead to important differences in clinical TCPs. Nonetheless, it cannot be discarded that other effects not modeled in this work, like radiation-induced immune effects, can contribute to tumor control and maintain the iso-effectiveness of FLASH radiotherapy. The study of tumor growth curves may not be the ideal experiment to test the iso-effectiveness of FLASH, and experiments reporting TCP or D
50 may be preferred.
Improving microvascular sensitivity of color Doppler using phase mask based flow recycling algorithm
Authors: Yu Hao , Zhang Jiabin , Yin Jingyi , Yang Jinyu , Chen Daichao , Xia Yu , Zhang Jue
Published: October 2024

Objective. Blood flow sensitivity is a crucial metric for appraising the effectiveness of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI). Color Doppler velocity maps based on classic autocorrelation techniques are widely used in clinical practice. However, these techniques often produce twinkling artifacts in noisy regions due to the inherent randomness of noise phases. To mitigate artifacts and improve image quality, Power Mask (PoM) technology becomes imperative. Nevertheless, PoM technology unintentionally filters out small flow signals that have similar power and frequency characteristics to noise signals, thereby reducing the imaging system’s sensitivity to flow. Approach. To address this issue, a novel Flow Recycling Algorithm (FRA) based on phase anomaly is introduced in this study. This algorithm, excavating small flow signals from noise, aims to enhance the small flow signals with low-velocity by the phase characteristics of the color Doppler flow information. Main results. Experiments in multi-organ imaging have shown that the FRA-CDFI approach is more effective in suppressing twinkling artifacts in noisy regions, preserving intricate small flow signals, and markedly improving small blood flow sensitivity. This novel approach provides adequate technical support for clinical ultrasound imaging of organs with dense small blood vessels, such as the brain, kidneys, liver, and more. Significance. As a novel post-processing method, FRA-CDFI holds significant potential for future deployment in clinical high-frame-rate ultrasound imaging devices.
The influence of heart rate on the relationship between pulse transit time and systolic blood pressure
Authors: Fu Zhizhong , Song Xinyue , Qin Tianyi , Chen Yifan , Ding Xiaorong
Published: October 2024

Objective. Pulse transit time (PTT) is a popular indicator of blood pressure (BP) changes. However, the relationship between PTT and BP is somehow individual dependent, resulting in the inaccuracy of PTT-based BP estimation. Confounding factors, e.g. heart rate (HR), of PTT and BP could be the primary cause. In this study we attempt to explore the impact of HR as a window to look at the influence of confounding factors on the relationship between PTT and BP. Approach. We investigated the relationship between PTT and systolic BP (SBP) at different HR levels by introducing the heterogeneous treatment effects (HTE) as a quantitative indicator. Compared to the average HR calculated using traditional indicators (e.g. regression coefficient, correlation coefficient), the HTE calculation method can compute the relationship between PTT and SBP at different HR levels, and reduce the influence of confounding factors. Main results. We analyzed the HTE of PTT and SBP of 47 subjects who are resting healthy young people with varying levels of HR. The results showed that the strength of the HTE of PTT and SBP varied with HR, indicating that the strength of the causal relationship between PTT and SBP is subject to HR levels. Whereas the correlation between SBP and PTT was individual dependent; either the strength or the direction of the correlation can vary with HR. We further investigated the group in which PTT and SBP exhibited a negative correlation, and found that about 50% of the subjects showed enhanced strength of HTE with an increase in HR and the remaining showed the opposite. Significance. HR has an impact on the relationship between PTT and SBP. This means that HR needs to be considered when PTT is used as an indicator of SBP.
Effect of central plasma pressure on high-order harmonics of 1/1 quasi-interchange instability in a central weak magnetic shear tokamak configuration
Authors: Xie Y , Ma J , Guo W
Published: October 2024

Numerical investigations of linear and nonlinear stages of quasi-interchange instability in a cylindrical tokamak geometry with a flat q-profile in the core region are conducted using eigenvalue and initial value codes, respectively. It is found that there exists a dependent relationship between the central plasma pressure

p
0

(of the initial pressure profile) and the dominant harmonic of the quasi-interchange instability. As

p
0

increases, m = n > 1 mode would be dominant in the linear stage and even in the nonlinear stage, where m and n are the poloidal and toroidal mode number, respectively. In addition, with

p
0

increasing, the fast growth of other harmonics is inevitable and will deeply affect the evolution of

m
=
n

dominant quasi-interchange instability.
Enhancing light trapping for improved efficiency of perovskite solar cells: design and analysis
Authors: Sen Riya , Menka
Published: October 2024

A hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is explored for its potential to achieve high-efficiency and cost-effective solar energy conversion, especially through improved light management. In this paper, COMSOL Multiphysics is utilized to explore PSCs with light trapping nanostructures which will enhance the optical and electrical properties. A nanometer-scale concave structure is proposed in this paper to direct and capture light. This configuration is compared to a planar structure to see how it affect PSCs optoelectronic performance. Electrical simulations showed that concave nanostructured PSCs increase carrier generation and collect more carriers. The short-circuit current rose from 3.91 mA for the planar structure to 4.95 mA for the concave structure. Power conversion efficiency for concave PSCs increased 11% compared to the planar construction after choosing optimal height of concave structure. Thus, the performance investigation by combined optical and electrical analysis of nanostructures shows that it has the ability to build high-efficiency PSCs with light-trapping approach.