bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and time points to inhibit ferroptosis in human osteoarthritis
Authors: Xu Yangyang , Yang Zhenyu , Dai Tianming , Xue Xiang , Xia Dong , Feng Zhencheng , Huang Jian , Chen Xiaosheng , Sun Shengjie , Zhou Jing , Dai Yunmeng , Zong Jiaqi , Li Siming , Meng Qingqi
Published: December 2023

Ferroptosis is a form of cell death that is triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and is closely associated with osteoarthritis. The primary interventions for inhibiting ferroptosis in osteoarthritis are anti-lipid peroxidation and iron chelation. The objective of our study is to investigate the characteristics of ferroptosis in osteoarthritis and identify the optimal time points for inhibiting ferroptosis to alleviate disease progression. Ferroptosis-related alterations and markers of OA were analyzed in paired intact and damaged cartilages from OA patients by immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, mitochondrial membrane potential and immunohistochemistry. We also compared Ferroptosis-related alterations in cartilage of mild, moderate, and severe OA (according to the modified Mankin score). In addition, we compared the effect of Fer-1 on ferroptosis and the protection of chondrocytes by detecting markers of both ferroptosis and OA by immunofluorescence, CCK8 and qRT-PCR. Ferroptosis-related alterations (GPX4 downregulation, ACSL4 upregulation, MDA, LPO accumulation, Mitochondrial membrane potential decreased) in the damaged area cartilage were more severe than those in the intact area and increased with the progression of OA. Compared with mild OA group, the activity of chondrocytes treated with Fer-1 (a ferroptosis inhibitor) was increased, mitochondrial function was improved, and ferroptosis was reduced (GPX4 upregulation, SLC7A11 upregulation, ACSL4 downregulation,), and promoted the expression of COL2A1 and inhibited the expression of MMP13. However, these changes were not observed in moderate and severe OA chondrocytes. Ferroptosis occurs in a region-specific manner and is exacerbated with the progression of human OA cartilage degeneration. Inhibition of ferroptosis might had a therapeutic effect on chondrocytes with mild OA but had no significant therapeutic effect on chondrocytes with moderate to severe OA.
Plakophilin 2 gene therapy prevents and rescues arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in a mouse model harboring patient genetics
Authors: Bradford William H. , Zhang Jing , Gutierrez-Lara Erika J. , Liang Yan , Do Aryanne , Wang Tsui-Min , Nguyen Lena , Mataraarachchi Nirosh , Wang Jie , Gu Yusu , McCulloch Andrew , Peterson Kirk L. , Sheikh Farah
Published: December 2023

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a fatal genetic heart disease characterized by cardiac arrhythmias, in which fibrofatty deposition leads to heart failure, with no effective treatments. Plakophilin 2 (PKP2) is the most frequently mutated gene in ARVC, and although altered RNA splicing has been implicated, there are no models to study its effect and therapeutics. Here, we generate a mouse model harboring a PKP2 mutation (IVS10-1G>C) affecting RNA splicing, recapitulating ARVC features and sudden death starting at 4 weeks. Administering AAV-PKP2 gene therapy (adeno-associated viral therapy to drive cardiac expression of PKP2) to neonatal mice restored PKP2 protein levels, completely preventing cardiac desmosomal and pathological deficits associated with ARVC, ensuring 100% survival of mice up to 6 months. Late-stage AAV-PKP2 administration rescued desmosomal protein deficits and reduced pathological deficits including improved cardiac function in adult mice, resulting in 100% survival up to 4 months. We suggest that AAV-PKP2 gene therapy holds promise for circumventing ARVC associated with PKP2 mutations, including splice site mutations.
DNA-functionalized metal or metal-containing nanoparticles for biological applications
Authors: Liu Bei , Duan Huijuan , Liu Zechao , Liu Yuechen , Chu Hongqian
Published: December 2023

Typical nanoparticles functionalized by DNA (e.g. AuNPs, UCNPs, MOFs, MONPs and QDs).
Antiproliferative activity of Fe(ii), Co(ii), Ni(ii), Cu(ii), and Zn(ii) complexes of dithiocarbamate: synthesis, structural characterization, and thermal studies
Authors: Singh Anupam , Shiv Kunal , Singh Ranjeet , Bharty M. K. , Manna Partha Pratim , Prasad Lal Bahadur
Published: December 2023

Five new metal complexes of Fe(ii) (1), Co(ii) (2), Ni(ii) (3), Cu(ii) (4), and Zn(ii) (5), derived from an N-cyclohexyl N-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl) dithiocarbamate ligand as anticancer drug. Complex 5 showed more potential antiproliferative activity.
The confusion about S-scheme electron transfer: critical understanding and a new perspective
Authors: Li Fang , Fang Zhaohui , Xu Zhihua , Xiang Quanjun
Published: December 2023

This perspective focuses on the controversial issue of S-scheme electron transfer. It delves into the theoretical criteria and persistence of the driving force for S-scheme electron transfer.
Synergistic dispersion and biodegradation of oil in seawater based on Janus nanosheets and oil-degrading bacteria
Authors: Zhao Haosen , Hu Xin , Kang Hu , Yang Dongdong , Bao Mutai , Li Yiming
Published: December 2023

Janus nanosheets synergistically interact with oil-degrading bacteria for marine oil spill remediation.
Preventive effect of low-carbohydrate high-fat dietary pattern on liver disease caused by alcohol consumption via a 6pgd-involved mechanism in mice
Authors: Qiu Jiannan , Dong Fan , Zhuge Hui , Han Qiang , Li Jiaomei , Guo Rui , Dou Xiaobing , Li Jiayu , Li Songtao
Published: December 2023

A proposed model for LCHF-diet alleviated ALD.
Temperature-driven evolution of ceria–zirconia-supported AuPd and AuRu bimetallic catalysts under different atmospheres: insights from IL-STEM studies
Authors: Chinchilla Lidia , Manzorro Ramón , Olmos Carol , Chen Xiaowei , Calvino José J. , Hungría Ana B.
Published: December 2023

An illustration of the impact of oxidizing atmospheres at high temperature and at room temperature on the structure of bimetallic AuPd-supported nanoparticles.
Correction: Elaborating the interplay between the detecting unit and emitting unit in infrared quantum dot up-conversion photodetectors
Authors: Xua Qiulei , Yang Xinxin , Liu Jiao Jiao , Li Fei , Chang Ruiguang , Wang Lei , Wang A Qiang , Wu Zhenghui , Shen Huaibin , Du Zuliang
Published: December 2023

Correction for ‘Elaborating the interplay between the detecting unit and emitting unit in infrared quantum dot up-conversion photodetectors’ by Qiulei Xu et al., Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 8197–8203, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3NR01237A.
MFI nanosheets: a rising star in zeolite materials
Authors: Zhang Jiaxing , Ren Limin , Zhang Anfeng , Guo Xinwen , Song Chunshan
Published: December 2023

MFI nanosheet zeolites, which integrate dual merits of hierarchical zeolites and nano zeolites, with an optimal diffusion efficiency, are regarded as a highly desired material for catalytic reactions and membrane separation.
Cloke–Wilson rearrangement: a unique gateway to access five-membered heterocycles
Authors: Nazeer Usman , Mushtaq Aqsa , Zahoor Ameer Fawad , Hafeez Freeha , Shahzadi Irum , Akhtar Rabia
Published: December 2023

Cloke–Wilson rearrangement is utilized to process cyclopropyl constituting functional groups and results in stable five-membered heterocycles. This rearrangement is also involved in the total synthesis of various natural products.
Two active species from a single metal halide precursor: a case study of highly productive Mn-catalyzed dehydrogenation of amine-boranes via intermolecular bimetallic cooperation
Authors: Gulyaeva Ekaterina S. , Osipova Elena S. , Kovalenko Sergey A. , Filippov Oleg A. , Belkova Natalia V. , Vendier Laure , Canac Yves , Shubina Elena S. , Valyaev Dmitry A.
Published: December 2023

Unprecedented cooperation between mononuclear cationic and hydride metal complexes enables highly efficient Mn-catalyzed hydrogen production from various amine-boranes at low catalyst loading.
Exploring the potential of cobalt hydroxide and its derivatives as a cost-effective and abundant alternative to noble metal electrocatalysts in oxygen evolution reactions: a review
Authors: Shamraiz Umair , Majeed Abdul , Raza Bareera , Ain Noor ul , Badshah Amin
Published: December 2023

Exploration of various cobalt-based hydroxides for oxygen evolution reaction applications.
Impact of the fluorination degree of ether-based electrolyte solvents on Li-metal battery performance
Authors: Lin Yangju , Yu Zhiao , Yu Weilai , Liao Sheng-Lun , Zhang Elizabeth , Guo Xuelin , Huang Zhuojun , Chen Yuelang , Qin Jian , Cui Yi , Bao Zhenan
Published: December 2023

Electrolytes using fluorinated solvents have proven effective in improving the cycling life of Li-metal batteries, by forming a robust solid–electrolyte interphase through decomposition of anion and fluorinated solvent molecules.
Low-temperature rapid UV sintering of sputtered TiO2 for flexible perovskite solar modules
Authors: Yoo Yongseok , Seo Gabseok , Park Hee Jeong , Kim Jichan , Jang Jihun , Cho Woosum , Kim Ji Hwan , Shin Jooyeon , Choi Ji Seong , Lee Donghyeon , Baek Se-Woong , Lee Sungkoo , Kang Seong Min , Kim Min-cheol , Sung Yung-Eun , Bae Seunghwan
Published: December 2023

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted considerable attention because of their outstanding photovoltaic performance and low fabrication cost.
Developing an FexCoyLaz-based amorphous aerogel catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction via high throughput synthesis
Authors: Cai Bijun , Xu Shaomeng , Chen Zhuyang , Li Weixuan , Zhu Ronggui , Xi Shibo , Xu Chen , Xiang X.-D.
Published: December 2023

High-throughput synthesis was used to fabricate ternary FexCoyLaz-based aerogel electrocatalysts for stoichiometric assessment. This work suggests a feasible way to find water-splitting non-precious metal electrocatalysts.
Electrochemically engineered domain: nickel–hydroxide/nickel nitride composite for alkaline HER electrocatalysis
Authors: Chukwuneke Chikaodili E. , Kawashima Kenta , Li Hao , Marquez Raul A. , Son Yoon Jun , Smith Lettie A. , Celio Hugo , Henkelman Graeme , Mullins C. Buddie
Published: December 2023

The impact of in situ electrooxidation in a Ni3N electrocatalyst on its hydrogen evolution activity and electrochemical stability was investigated in alkaline media.
A high-efficiency NiFeSe4/NiSe2 bifunctional electrocatalyst with outstanding oxygen evolution reaction and overall water splitting performance
Authors: Mu Lan , Qiu Shipeng , Zhao Gang , zhang Baojie , Liao Wenbo , Zhao Ning , Xu Xijin
Published: December 2023

NiFeSe4/NiSe2-8 h had good overall water splitting performance. The heterostructure of the prepared NiFeSe4/NiSe2-8 h promoted the redistribution of electrons and improved the conductivity of the material.
A new anchoring group to fabricate single-molecule junctions: diphenyl sulfide
Authors: Hu Zhonghao , Wang Yanze , Liang Lei , Wang Mingzhen , Xiao Bohuai , Li Yunchuan
Published: December 2023

A new anchor (–SPh) was confirmed with the ability to enable reproducible molecular junction formation.
The role of spontaneous orientation polarization on charge storage behavior at an interface between organic semiconductor layers
Authors: Yamanaka Takahiko , Nakanotani Hajime , Adachi Chihaya
Published: December 2023

Optically generated carriers are pinned at the organic/organic interface if the two organic layers have a large polarization difference, underlining that the combination of polar molecules is crucial to extend the carrier lifetime.
Manipulating the benzenyl π-bridge of bisanthracene derivatives (BDs) for highly efficient deep-blue OLED emitters with CIEy = 0.06
Authors: Jin Pengcheng , Yang Xilin , Yang Ben , Wang Xiao-Tian , Su Wen-Tao , Zhan Shu-Hang , Chen Xiliang , Sun Huaming , Su Shi-Jian , Hu Jian-Yong
Published: December 2023

Four high-efficiency deep-blue fluorescent emitters based on bisanthracene derivatives (BDs) and their applications in deep-blue OLEDs are demonstrated.
Structural and functional coupling in cross-linking uracil-DNA glycosylase UDGX
Authors: Liang Chuan , Yang Ye , Ning Ping , Chang Chenyan , Cao Weiguo
Published: December 2023

Enzymes in uracil-DNA glycosylase (UDG) superfamily are involved in removal of deaminated nucleobases such as uracil, methylcytosine derivatives such as formylcytosine and carboxylcytosine, and other base damage in DNA repair. UDGX is the latest addition of a new class to the UDG superfamily with a sporadic distribution in bacteria. UDGX type enzymes have a distinct biochemical property of cross-linking itself to the resulting AP site after uracil removal. Built on previous biochemical and structural analyses, this work comprehensively investigated the kinetic and enzymatic properties of Mycobacterium smegmatis UDGX. Kinetics and mutational analyses, coupled with structural information, defined the roles of E52, D56, D59, F65 of motif 1, H178 of motif 2 and N91, K94, R107 and H109 of motif 3 play in uracil excision and cross-linking. More importantly, a series of quantitative analyses underscored the structural coupling through inter-motif and intra-motif interactions and subsequent functional coupling of the uracil excision and cross-linking reactions. A catalytic model is proposed, which underlies this catalytic feature unique to UDGX type enzymes. This study offers new insight on the catalytic mechanism of UDGX and provides a unique example of enzyme evolution.
The Effect of Rating Method on Reliability of Judgments of Strain Across Populations
Authors: Sauder Cara L. , Kapsner-Smith Mara R. , Simmons Emily , Meyer Tanya , Doyle Philip C. , Eadie Tanya L.
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

Variability in auditory-perceptual ratings of voice limits their utility, with the poorest reliability often noted for vocal strain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an experimental method, called visual sort and rate (VSR), promoted stronger rater reliability than visual analog scale (VAS), for ratings of strain in two clinical populations: adductor laryngeal dystonia (ADLD) and vocal hyperfunction (VH).

Method:

Connected speech samples from speakers with ADLD and VH as well as age- and sex-matched controls were selected from a database. Fifteen inexperienced listeners rated strain for two speaker sets (25 ADLD speakers and five controls; 25 VH speakers and five controls) across four rating blocks: VAS-ADLD, VSR-ADLD, VAS-VH, and VSR-VH. For the VAS task, listeners rated each speaker for strain using a vertically oriented 100-mm VAS. For the VSR task, stimuli were distributed into sets of samples with a range of severities in each set. Listeners sorted and ranked samples for strain within each set, and final ratings were captured on a vertically oriented 100-mm VAS. Intrarater reliability (Pearson's
r
) and interrater variability (mean of the squared differences between a listener's ratings and group mean ratings) were compared across rating methods and populations using two repeated-measures analyses of variance.

Results:

Intrarater reliability of strain was significantly stronger when listeners used VSR compared to VAS; listeners also showed significantly better intrarater reliability in ADLD than VH. Listeners demonstrated significantly less interrater variability (better reliability) when using VSR compared to VAS. No significant effect of population or interactions was found between listeners for measures of interrater variability.

Conclusions:

VSR increases intrarater reliability for ratings of vocal strain in speakers with VH and ADLD. VSR decreases variability of auditory-perceptual judgments of strain between inexperienced listeners in these clinical populations. Future research should determine whether benefits of VSR extend to voice clinicians and/or clinical settings.
Nonlinear‐disturbance‐observer‐based predictive control for trajectory tracking of planar motors
Authors: Huang Su‐Dan , Xu Zhi‐Hui , Cao Guang‐Zhong , Wu Chao , He Jiangbiao
Published: December 2023

To improve the trajectory tracking performance of planar motors against disturbances, model predictive position control (MPPC) methods using the non‐linear disturbance observer (NDO) are proposed in this study. Based on the single‐axis dynamic model with disturbances, a single‐axis NDO is designed using an extended state observer approach. The designed NDO is expressed as a third‐order non‐linear state‐space equation in which the position error, velocity error, and lumped disturbance in the single axis are taken as the state variables. Two MPPC methods are developed based on the NDO. In the first MPPC, the disturbance is embedded into the prediction model using the NDO, and a controller is designed to minimise a quadratic cost function, which is established by applying the prediction model with disturbance. The output of the controller is the control action. In the second MPPC, a controller is used to minimise the quadratic cost function, which is built by employing the prediction model without disturbance. The sum of the output of the controller and the compensated disturbance estimated by the NDO is the control action. The comparative experiment is performed on a planar motor system self‐developed in the laboratory. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is verified via the experimental results.
Designing of an extract production protocol for industrial application of cell‐free protein synthesis technology: Building from a current best practice to a quality by design approach
Authors: Melinek Beatrice Judith , Tuck Jade , Probert Philip , Branton Harvey , Bracewell Daniel G.
Published: December 2023

Cell‐Free Protein Synthesis (CFPS) has, over the past decade, seen a substantial increase in interest from both academia and industry. Applications range from fundamental research, through high‐throughput screening to niche manufacture of therapeutic products. This review/perspective focuses on Quality Control in CFPS. The importance and difficulty of measuring the Raw Material Attributes (RMAs) of whole cell extract, such as constituent protein and metabolite concentrations, and of understanding and controlling these complicated enzymatic reactions is explored, for both centralised and distributed industrial production of biotherapeutics. It is suggested that a robust cell‐free extract production process should produce cell extract of consistent quality; however, demonstrating this is challenging without a full understanding of the RMAs and their interaction with reaction conditions and product. Lack of technology transfer and knowledge sharing is identified as a key limiting factor in the development of CFPS. The article draws upon the experiences of industrial process specialists, discussions within the Future Targeted Healthcare Manufacturing Hub Specialist Working Groups and evidence drawn from various sources to identify sources of process variation and to propose an initial guide towards systematisation of CFPS process development and reporting. These proposals include the development of small scale screening tools, consistent reporting of selected process parameters and analytics and application of industrial thinking and manufacturability to protocol development.
Integrated modelling of vacuum flashover development: Above‐surface processes and breakdown threshold analyses
Authors: Sun Guangyu , Yao Yitong , Yang Xiong , Guo Baohong , Zhang Shu , Wang Chao , Lian Ruhui , Song Baipeng , Mu Haibao , Zhang Guanjun
Published: December 2023

The flashover in vacuum is a rapid interfacial discharge across the insulator surface when subjected to high applied voltage. Here a theoretical model covering above‐surface processes is introduced. The model calculates the flashover threshold in vacuum, with revised secondary electron emission avalanche theory and improved desorbed neutral transport model. The model serves as the first part of an integrated flashover model, aiming for consistent treatment of both above‐surface and subsurface processes during the entire flashover development. The flashover threshold is obtained by combining the desorbed neutral pressure at given applied voltage and the gas breakdown criterion dictated by the Paschen's law. An analytical formula for threshold estimation containing physical parameters, and a simplified formula consisting of empirical coefficients are introduced, catering for both conceptual understanding and practical application. The derived formulae are validated by experimental data for a variety of insulator materials. The theory generalisation for non‐uniform electric field distribution is further discussed.
Health evaluation and dangerous reptile detection using a novel framework powered by the YOLO algorithm to design high‐content cellular imaging systems
Authors: Pandey Saroj Kumar , Kumar Ankit , Yadav Dhirendra Prasad , Sinha Anurag , Hassan Md. Mehedi , Singh N. K. , Bhatnagar Yash , Garg Namit
Published: December 2023

This novel approach in animal biology could revolutionize identifying endangered species, addressing the issue of misclassifying potentially harmful animals based solely on visual characteristics. Particularly impactful for farmers in agricultural fields, it aims to reduce the heightened risk of venomous animal attacks, ultimately improving safety. Due to a lack of accessible education, illiterate farmers are more susceptible to adopting superstitious beliefs, which tragically leads to fatal snakebites even when medical treatment is readily available. Furthermore, environmental factors can unexpectedly hold typically non‐threatening animals responsible for a large number of human deaths each year. However, the complexity of human recognition of these hazards has prompted the development of a novel design approach aimed at simplifying the process. Integration of the ResNet learning algorithm in conjunction with You Only Look Once (YOLOv5) within the framework is recommended to facilitate real‐time processing and improve accuracy. This combined approach not only speeds up animal recognition but also takes advantage of ResNet's deep learning capabilities. The first phase entails deploying YOLOv5 to detect the presence of snakes in the proposed study, achieving a remarkable 87% precision in snake detection thanks to the synergistic fusion of ResNet and YOLOv5.
ETXRE: Energy and delay efficient routing metric for RPL protocol and wireless sensor networks
Authors: Nait Abbou Aiman , Manner Jukka
Published: December 2023

Internet of Things is an emerging paradigm based on interconnecting physical and virtual objects with each other and to the Internet. Most connected things fall into the category of constrained devices, with restricted resources (processing power, memory, and energy). These low‐power and lossy networks (LLNs) are known for their instability, high loss rates and low data rates, which makes routing one of the most challenging problems in low‐cost communications. A routing protocol for low‐power and lossy networks (RPL) is a proactive dynamic routing protocol based on IPv6. This protocol defines an objective function (OF) that utilises a set of metrics to select the best possible path to the destination. Minimum rank hysteresis objective function (MRHOF) and objective function zero (OF0) are the most basic OFs, where the first one selects the path to the sink based on the expected transmission count (ETX) metric, and OF0 is based on the hop count (HC). These two metrics prioritise either brute performance (i.e. ETX) or simplicity (i.e. HC). Therefore, using a single metric with an OF can either limit the performance or have an inefficient impact on load management and energy consumption. To overcome these challenges, a routing metric based on MRHOF OF which takes into consideration the link‐based routing metric (i.e. ETX) and node‐based metric (i.e. remaining energy) for route selection is provided. Expected transmission count remaining energy (ETXRE) is evaluated through 36 scenarios with different parameters. Preliminary results show that ETXRE outperforms ETX and RE in terms of end‐to‐end delay by an average of at least 17%, packet delay by 13% and consumes 10% less energy.
Kieferorthopädisches Behandlungskonzept zur Therapie der
bilateralen, diphyodontischen Inzisiven-Gemination bei gleichzeitiger
Eckzahnimpaktion – Ein Fallbericht
Authors: Wiechens Bernhard , Meyer-Marcotty Philipp
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund Dentale Anomalien sind durchschnittlich in jeder 5.
Hauptbehandlungskasuistik anzutreffen, allerdings zeigen sich verschiedene
Häufigkeiten und Graduierungen der Kategorien. Besonders in Kombination
verschiedener Anomalien imponieren schnell unikate Kasuistiken, denen nur mit
schwach belegten Empfehlungen begegnet werden kann.

Fallvorstellung Die 10-jährige Patientin stellte sich in der
Poliklinik für Kieferorthopädie aufgrund ihrer gestörten
Frontzahnästhetik vor. Diagnostisch konnte eine paarige diphyodontische
Gemination der zentralen Inzisivi und gleichzeitige Eckzahnimpaktion befundet
werden, die mittels Extraktion der Anomalie und Transplantation der zweiten
Prämolaren des Gegenkiefers, unter Zuhilfenahme einer
Multi-Bracket-Apparatur und skelettal-getragenen Führungsapparatur,
behandelt wurde.

Schlussfolgerungen Die Kasuistik konnte erfolgreich nach avisiertem
Behandlungskonzept therapiert werden. Die umfangreiche Behandlung machte den
enormen Stellenwert der interdisziplinären Versorgung deutlich und
konnte sich als brauchbare Therapiekonzeption für äquivalente
Fälle, bei gegebener fachlicher Infrastruktur, erweisen.
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Pediatric Age: Risk Factors and Prognosis
Authors: Pais-Cunha Inês , Almeida Ana I. , Curval Ana R. , Fonseca Jacinta , Melo Cláudia , Sampaio Mafalda , Sousa Raquel
Published: December 2023

Introduction Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but potentially fatal disease in pediatric age with an important morbimortality. In adults several factors have been associated with worse outcomes, however there are still few studies in children. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with clinical manifestations and long-term sequelae in pediatric CVT.

Methods Retrospective analysis of pediatric inpatients admitted to a tertiary-care hospital due to CVT between 2008 and 2020.

Results Fifty-four children were included, 56% male, median age of 6.5 years (9 months–17.3 years). Permanent risk factors were identified in 13 patients (malignancy, 8; hematologic condition, 5) and transient risk factors in 47, including head and neck infections (57%) and head trauma (15%). Multiple venous sinuses involvement was present in 65% and the deep venous system was affected in four patients. Seventeen percent had intracranial hemorrhage and 9% cerebral infarction. Sixty-four percent of patients with multiple venous sinuses involvement presented with severe clinical manifestations: impaired consciousness, intracranial hypertension, acute symptomatic seizures or focal deficits. Regarding long-term prognosis, six patients had major sequelae: epilepsy (n = 3), sensory motor deficits (n = 2), and cognitive impairment (n = 3). Permanent risk factors were associated with severe clinical manifestations (p = 0.043). Cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhage were associated with major sequelae (p = 0.006 and p = 0.03, respectively, adjusted for age and sex).

Conclusion Permanent risk factors, involvement of multiple venous sinuses, intracranial hemorrhage, and cerebral infarction, were related to worse prognosis. Detection and early management of risk factors may limit CVT extension and reduce its morbimortality.
Linear Endoscopic Ultrasound Examination of the Biliary System and Its Clinical Applications
Authors: Chavan Radhika , Gandhi Chaiti , Patel Maitrey , Solanki Rushil , Rajput Sanjay
Published: December 2023

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination of the biliary system plays pivotal role in pancreatobiliary studies. EUS offers a safe and noninvasive method of the biliary tract disorder evaluation. Although radial EUS provides a straightforward orientation, practicing biliary system examination with a curvilinear echoendoscope is advisable because of its added therapeutic benefits. Linear EUS may pose challenge in understanding the orientation and tracing nondilated bile duct in the beginning. However, adopting a systematic station-wise approach can help in comprehending the orientation and effectively tracing the entire bile duct. In this review, we have discussed linear EUS examination of the bile duct and gallbladder from various stations and its clinical applications.
The way I see the world, the way I envy others: a person-centered investigation of worldviews and the malicious and benign forms of envy among adolescents and adults
Authors: Ng Jacky C. K. , Chong Joanne Y. H. , Ng Hilary K. Y.
Published: December 2023

Previous research had extensively studied the consequences of dispositional malicious and benign envy, while relatively few studies examined its determinants. Although one’s worldviews have been proposed to shape the experience of malicious and benign envy, empirical studies directly investigating this notion are scarce. To address this gap, we adopted a person-centered approach to identify different individual profiles that underlie five generalized beliefs about the world, operationalized as five social axiom dimensions. We then examined how these profiles were associated with dispositional malicious and benign envy among both adolescents and working adults (N = 1248). As suggested by latent profile analysis, a 3-profile solution provided the best fit to the data in both groups. Two latent profiles (skeptical-pessimistic and hopeful-optimistic profiles) were similar across groups, while two distinct profiles (flexible and reserved profiles) were identified in adolescents and adults respectively. A series of comparisons indicated that people with different profiles experienced malicious and benign envy differently. In general, dispositional malicious envy was stronger among those in the skeptical-pessimistic profile, while dispositional benign envy was stronger among those in the hopeful-optimistic profile. Overall, our findings facilitate discussions on the similarities and differences in worldview profiles and experiences of envy across developmental groups.
Probing surface states: A study of UCF and WAL in Bi1.9Sb0.1Te2Se topological insulator
Authors: Wang Wei , Hu Shengjing , Xie Qiyun
Published: December 2023

In the exploration of three-dimensional quaternary topological insulators, understanding surface states has become pivotal for unraveling the underlying physics and tapping into potential applications. Our study delves into the temperature and magnetic field-angle dependence of universal conductance fluctuations (UCF) and weak anti-localization (WAL) effects in a Bi1.9Sb0.1Te2Se topological insulator-based mesoscopic device. Conventionally, other low-temperature transport phenomena in probing surface states may inevitably face interference from three-dimensional bulk conductance. However, we experimentally demonstrate that, at low temperatures, UCF reflects the properties of two-dimensional topological surface states more accurately, thereby providing a more reliable and distinct way to confirm their existence. Moreover, we carefully analyze the temperature-dependent WAL using the Hikami–Larkin–Nagaoka model, proposing a crucial role for charge puddles associated with electrostatic fluctuations in the electron dephasing process. Our findings not only emphasize the key role of UCF in unveiling the underlying behavior of topological surface states but also offer a deeper understanding of phase-coherent transport in quaternary topological insulators.
Spatial resolution improvement by a super-resolution technique depending on training process in the background-orientated schlieren analyses
Authors: Ota Katsunari , Ukai Takahiro , Wakai Tatsuya
Published: December 2023

The effectiveness of the enhanced deep super-resolution network (EDSR), which is a super-resolution technique based on the deep convolutional neural network, is investigated for the improvement of spatial resolution during a background-orientated schlieren (BOS) analysis, and its suitable training process in the EDSR method is clarified. Consequently, a training dataset consisting of the simple dot patterns leads to a better image quality due to super-resolution because the image captured in the BOS measurement shows the similar dot patterns. When the image is enlarged at a large magnification ratio, it is important to adjust an image size in the training dataset individually for each magnification ratio, thereby obtaining a good estimation accuracy of the pixel displacement in the BOS analysis. A measurement error is improved by 62% compared with that of the Bicubic method, which is a classical spatial resolution improvement technique at the magnification ratio of 8. The present result shows that the EDSR method with the best training conditions provides a reasonable pixel displacement vector field up to the magnification ratio of 8 for the BOS analysis; however, its effectiveness depends on flow structure.
Theoretical validation and experimental calibration of a variable Mach number tunnel with continuous wave-elimination
Authors: Zhang Bo , Yi Shihe , Zhao Yuxin , Lu Xiaoge , Yang Rui
Published: December 2023

The increasing demand for wide-range aircraft techniques drives the development of variable Mach number test facilities. Existing tunnels can provide uniform flow at design case, but the imperfect wave-elimination at non-design cases leads to insufficient flow uniformity, limited variation range, and complex operation. By applying flowfield inverse design and elasticity inverse design, this paper designs a continuous wave-elimination variable Mach number nozzle. The nozzle is validated by the perfect nozzle theory. By a single jack, the nozzle can deform to the perfect nozzles with different Mach numbers, eliminating the Mach waves continuously and achieving the high-quality test flow. The numerical evaluation validates the design and supports the fabrication of continuous wave-elimination variable Mach number tunnel for the National University of Defense Technology. The flow visualizations by Schlieren and nanoparticle-tracer based planar laser scattering technique indicate no vortices or waves induced by imperfect nozzle geometry. The Mach number calibrations show that the maximum deviations are less than 0.6%, and the standard deviations meet the national advanced standards. These results show that the tunnel eliminates the Mach waves at different Mach numbers through simple operation, providing a wider variable Mach range and a higher flow quality.
Microcombs in fiber Fabry–Pérot cavities
Authors: Musgrave Jonathan , Huang Shu-Wei , Nie Mingming
Published: December 2023

Optical frequency combs, which consist of precisely controlled spectral lines covering a wide range, have played a crucial role in enabling numerous scientific advancements. Beyond the conventional approach that relies on mode-locked lasers, microcombs generated from microresonators pumped at a single frequency have arguably given rise to a new field within cavity nonlinear photonics, which has led to a robust exchange of ideas and research between theoretical, experimental, and technological aspects. Microcombs are extremely attractive in applications requiring a compact footprint, low cost, good energy efficiency, large comb spacing, and access to nonconventional spectral regions. The recently arising microcombs based on fiber Fabry–Pérot microresonators provide unique opportunities for ultralow noise and high-dimensional nonlinear optics. In this review, we comprehensively examine the recent progress of fiber Kerr microcombs and discuss how various phenomena in fibers can be utilized to enhance the microcomb performances that benefit a plethora of applications.
Utilising locally based energy supplements in leucaena and corn stover diets to increase the average daily gain of male Bali cattle and the income of smallholder farmers
Authors: Hidayat Julian , Panjaitan Tanda , Dahlanuddin   , Harper Karen , Poppi Dennis
Published: December 2023

Context Supplementing a leucaena-based diet with locally available energy sources is an important strategy to extend the use of leucaena, increase liveweight (LW) gain of Bali cattle and increase profit for the smallholder. Aims This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various local energy supplements in leucaena-based diets on the LW gain of Bali cattle and income-over-feed costs (IOFC). Methods Forty male Bali cattle were divided into five treatment groups (n = 8) and each was fed one of the following diets: (A) control diet, including leucaena ad libitum, with corn stover at 0.5% DM LW and mineral mix, (B) control + cassava meal at 1.0% DM LW, (C) control + cassava peel at 1.0% DM LW, (D) control + cassava peel and corn grain mix at 1.0% DM LW or (E) control + commercial feed at 1.0% DM LW. The experiment was run for 140 days, which included a 20-day adaptation period. Parameters measured included intake, digestibility, imbibed-water intake, LW gain, rumen and faecal parameters, feed conversion and IOFC. Key results Supplementation of local energy sources in combination with leucaena and corn stover diets increased LW gain of male Bali cattle above that of the control diet (P < 0.05). The bulls receiving the cassava peel and corn mix supplement had the highest LW gain (0.57 ± 0.09 kg/day), which was associated with an increase in digestible organic-matter intake (DOMI). There were no treatment differences (P > 0.05) in the rumen parameters (rumen fluid pH, rumen ammonia-N concentration and volatile fatty acids) and all parameters were optimum for rumen digestion. Conclusions The addition of local energy supplements supplied at 1% of LW improved growth rate and extended the use of a limited amount of leucaena and provided a higher IOFC. Implications Replacing approximately 40% of leucaena with energy sources can have three benefits, including an increase in LW gain, an increased capacity of farmers to feed more cattle per hectare and an increased income per cattle being fattened. This can increase the production scale and subsequent farmer income, provided that the energy sources are available at affordable prices and obtainable.
Engagement in oral production
Authors: Phuong Thao Le Hong , Macalister John
Published: December 2023

Interaction is recognised as an important contributor to language learning but in many classrooms opportunities to interact meaningfully are limited. This situation can be addressed when teachers make decisions about adapting the materials they are working with. The result is likely to be learners who are more engaged in multiple ways and who therefore learn more effectively. This article reports on a two-phase investigation of English language learning in Grade 5 classes in Vietnam. In the first phase, twenty-one classes were observed to form an understanding of standard practices in these classes. In the second phase, a small, replicable adaptation of coursebook material was made and implemented with an intervention class for one semester. Three dimensions of engagement were investigated, and on each learners in the intervention class were considerably more engaged than in the comparison class, or in the first phase classes. This study demonstrates what it is possible to achieve through a small coursebook innovation.
MSCT-UNET: multi-scale contrastive transformer within U-shaped network for medical image segmentation
Authors: Xi Heran , Dong Haoji , Sheng Yue , Cui Hui , Huang Chengying , Li Jinbao , Zhu Jinghua
Published: December 2023

Objective. Automatic mutli-organ segmentation from anotomical images is essential in disease diagnosis and treatment planning. The U-shaped neural network with encoder–decoder has achieved great success in various segmentation tasks. However, a pure convolutional neural network (CNN) is not suitable for modeling long-range relations due to limited receptive fields, and a pure transformer is not good at capturing pixel-level features. Approach. We propose a new hybrid network named MSCT-UNET which fuses CNN features with transformer features at multi-scale and introduces multi-task contrastive learning to improve the segmentation performance. Specifically, the multi-scale low-level features extracted from CNN are further encoded through several transformers to build hierarchical global contexts. Then the cross fusion block fuses the low-level and high-level features in different directions. The deep-fused features are flowed back to the CNN and transformer branch for the next scale fusion. We introduce multi-task contrastive learning including a self-supervised global contrast learning and a supervised local contrast learning into MSCT-UNET. We also make the decoder stronger by using a transformer to better restore the segmentation map. Results. Evaluation results on ACDC, Synapase and BraTS datasets demonstrate the improved performance over other methods compared. Ablation study results prove the effectiveness of our major innovations. Significance. The hybrid encoder of MSCT-UNET can capture multi-scale long-range dependencies and fine-grained detail features at the same time. The cross fusion block can fuse these features deeply. The multi-task contrastive learning of MSCT-UNET can strengthen the representation ability of the encoder and jointly optimize the networks. The source code is publicly available at: https://github.com/msctunet/MSCT_UNET.git.
Optimization of Leaky-ESN parameters based on dragonfly and whale algorithm
Authors: Gong Yuanpeng , Lun Shuxian , Li Ming , Lu Xiaodong
Published: December 2023

In this research, we present a spiral flying mode-based dragonfly algorithm (DA-WOA). Since the traditional Dragonfly algorithm (DA) has a

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flight, the final results obtained are random in nature and have poor global search capability. Changing to a spiral flight pattern not only enlarges the search area but also makes it easy to find the optimal solution. The Swish function is also used to optimize the various flight coefficients of the DA to avoid the gradient descent approaching 0. Adding a fitness coefficient to the final position updating equation can better control the distance between dragonflies and natural enemies and thus find the optimal solution. The convergence speed of the DA-WOA algorithm and the superiority of the global search are verified by 13 test functions. In this paper, DA-WOA is applied to Leaky-ESN to optimize three parameters of the Leaky-ESN system, namely, the leakage rate (α), the spectral radius of the connectivity weight matrix (ρ), and the input scale factor (s

in
). The experimental results demonstrate that DA-WOA has very strong prediction ability as well as very quick convergence speed for the predicted Sin and MG time series.
Development of a Collective Thomson Scattering diagnostic system on SNU X-pinch device
Authors: Lee Jongmin , Kim Jung-Hwa , Park Sungbin , You Yong Sung , Lee Jae-seok , Ghim Y.-c. , Hwang Y.S.
Published: December 2023

The Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) diagnostic system has been developed for the X-pinch device at Seoul National University. The system is designed to measure various parameters of plasma jets, including plasma temperature and plasma flow velocity. For the flow velocity measurement, the second harmonic Nd:YAG laser and the collection optics are oriented in order to ensure the scattering vector is aligned with the flow direction. The collection optics have been optimized to maximize photon efficiency. Due to the requirement of high spectral dispersion and resolution for the diagnosis of CTS spectra, the spectrometer is designed with a dispersion of 0.004 nm/pixel. The spectral dispersion and resolution of the system has been measured. The CTS diagnostic system will contribute to a deeper understanding of X-pinch plasma dynamics and the development of advanced High Energy Density Plasma (HEDP)-based technologies.
Conceptual study of a two-layer silicon pixel detector to tag the passage of muons from cosmic sources through quantum processors
Authors: Sarıca Ulaşcan
Published: December 2023

Recent studies in quantum computing have shown that quantum
error correction with large numbers of physical qubits are limited
by ionizing radiation from high-energy particles. Depending on the
physical setup of the quantum processor, the contribution of muons
from cosmic sources can constitute a significant fraction of these
interactions. As most of these muons are difficult to stop, we
perform a conceptual study of a two-layer silicon pixel detector to
tag their hits on a solid-state quantum processor instead. With a
typical dilution refrigerator geometry model, we find that
efficiencies greater than 50% are most likely to be achieved if at
least one of the layers is operated at the deep-cryogenic (<1 K)
flanges of the refrigerator. Following this finding, we further
propose a novel research program that could allow the development of
silicon pixel detectors that are fast enough to provide input to
quantum error correction algorithms, can operate at deep-cryogenic
temperatures, and have very low power consumption.
Characterization of iLGADs using soft X-rays
Authors: Liguori Antonio , Barten Rebecca , Baruffaldi Filippo , Bergamaschi Anna , Borghi Giacomo , Boscardin Maurizio , Brückner Martin , Butcher Tim Alexander , Carulla Maria , Centis Vignali Matteo , Dinapoli Roberto , Ebner Simon , Ficorella Francesco , Fröjdh Erik , Greiffenberg Dominic , Hammad Ali Omar , Hasanaj Shqipe , Heymes Julian , Hinger Viktoria , King Thomas , Kozlowski Pawel , Lopez-Cuenca Carlos , Mezza Davide , Moustakas Konstantinos , Mozzanica Aldo , Paternoster Giovanni , Paton Kirsty A. , Ronchin Sabina , Ruder Christian , Schmitt Bernd , Thattil Dhanya , Xie Xiangyu , Zhang Jiaguo
Published: December 2023

Experiments at synchrotron radiation sources and X-ray
Free-Electron Lasers in the soft X-ray energy range
(250 eV–2 keV) stand to benefit from the adaptation of the
hybrid silicon detector technology for low energy photons. Inverse
Low Gain Avalanche Diode (iLGAD) sensors provide an internal gain,
enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and allowing single photon
detection below 1 keV using hybrid detectors. In addition, an
optimization of the entrance window of these sensors enhances their
quantum efficiency (QE).

In this work, the QE and the gain of a batch of different iLGAD
diodes with optimized entrance windows were characterized using soft
X-rays at the Surface/Interface:Microscopy beamline of the Swiss
Light Source synchrotron. Above 250 eV, the QE is larger than
55% for all sensor variations, while the charge collection
efficiency is close to 100%. The average gain depends on the
gain layer design of the iLGADs and increases with photon energy. A
fitting procedure is introduced to extract the multiplication factor
as a function of the absorption depth of X-ray photons inside the
sensors. In particular, the multiplication factors for electron- and
hole-triggered avalanches are estimated, corresponding to photon
absorption beyond or before the gain layer, respectively.