bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La contraception dans d’autres pays
Authors: Rodrigues Marcio A. Hipolito , Carneiro Marcia Mendonça
Published: March 2022

Au Brésil, les femmes ont un accès gratuit à la contraception à travers le système de santé publique, le Système de santé unifié (SUS), qui propose différentes méthodes contraceptives : préservatifs masculins et féminins, diaphragme, spermicide, dispositif intra-utérin au cuivre (DIU), hormones contraceptives combinées orales et injectables, progestatifs oraux microdosés et injections trimestrielles d’acétate de médroxyprogestérone (DMPA), pilule d’urgence, stérilisation féminine et vasectomie. Cependant, les difficultés à planifier les rendez-vous, le manque d’informations des femmes sur les méthodes contraceptives et l’offre limitée des différentes méthodes contribuent aux taux élevés de grossesses non désirées. Le taux d’utilisation des méthodes contraceptives par les femmes brésiliennes âgées de 18 à 49 ans est d’environ 62 % ; les régions les plus pauvres du pays et un faible niveau d’éducation sont parmi les principaux facteurs associés à un taux d’utilisation réduit. Des défis sont ainsi à relever pour minimiser les taux de grossesses non désirées, encore trop élevés, tels qu’une meilleure distribution et une meilleure offre pour toutes les régions du pays, ainsi qu’une meilleure formation des professionnels impliqués dans les soins de santé des femmes.
Design of real-time data acquisition system for interferometer-based electron density diagnostics on EAST
Authors: Yao Y. , Li W. , Zhang Y. , Song Y. , Liu H. , Jie Y.
Published: March 2022

Laser-aided interferometers are employed as the common diagnostics for electron density measurements. On the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), we have four main electron density diagnostics—the far-infrared hydrogen cyanide interferometer, polarimeter/interferometer, carbon dioxide (CO2) dispersion interferometer, and solid-state source interferometer. For interferometers, the phase difference brought by the change in electron density can be acquired via mixers. A real-time data acquisition (DAQ) system is needed to calculate the highly precise density values. In this paper, a field-programmable gate array is employed to implement the system with fast Fourier transform-based demodulation technology. A highly precise analog/digital converter is employed for readout and digitization of the waveform including multiple frequency signals from high-performance Schottky mixers. The system has been simulated, and the results show that it can meet the requirements of the accuracy of interferometers on the EAST. Furthermore, the framework of the DAQ system also offers a reference of the data processing method to the future laser-aided interferometers.
Mixing and localization in random time-periodic quantum circuits of Clifford unitaries
Authors: Farshi Tom , Toniolo Daniele , González-Guillén Carlos E. , Alhambra Álvaro M. , Masanes Lluis
Published: March 2022

How much do local and time-periodic dynamics resemble a random unitary? In the present work, we address this question by using the Clifford formalism from quantum computation. We analyze a Floquet model with disorder, characterized by a family of local, time-periodic, and random quantum circuits in one spatial dimension. We observe that the evolution operator enjoys an extra symmetry at times that are a half-integer multiple of the period. With this, we prove that after the scrambling time, namely, when any initial perturbation has propagated throughout the system, the evolution operator cannot be distinguished from a (Haar) random unitary when all qubits are measured with Pauli operators. This indistinguishability decreases as time goes on, which is in high contrast to the more studied case of (time-dependent) random circuits. We also prove that the evolution of Pauli operators displays a form of mixing. These results require the dimension of the local subsystem to be large. In the opposite regime, our system displays a novel form of localization, produced by the appearance of effective one-sided walls, which prevent perturbations from crossing the wall in one direction but not the other.
Boundary effects and quadrupole contribution in sum frequency generation spectroscopy
Authors: Hirano Tomonori , Morita Akihiro
Published: March 2022

Calculation of time correlation functions is a primary task in the computational analysis of sum frequency generation spectroscopy. This paper resolved basic issues to extract interface signals from the calculation. These issues stem from the boundary to restrict the bulk region, which renders the practical computation feasible at a finite and affordable cost. The boundary is found to have significant influences on the time correlation functions, which is closely related to the quadrupole contribution in the nonlinear susceptibility. Thus, we thoroughly examined these influences to establish a proper treatment in performing reliable spectroscopic analysis. We elucidated the distinction of the present boundary effects from the quadrupole contribution and also established a proper center of molecule to minimize the quadrupole effect in the time correlation functions. In the case of liquid water, the proper center was found to be close to the center of mass of a water molecule.
Development of an inertial piezoelectric pump with separable chamber
Authors: Li Longhai , Hou Yi , Hu Dianbin , Hu Renhui , He Lipeng , Cheng Guangming
Published: March 2022

This paper presents an inertial pump with rectangular piezoelectric actuators. The mass block adhered at the free end of the actuator increases the actuator deformation, and the pump chamber is separable. Theoretical and experimental analyses are conducted. The different drive modes with the mass block, different excitation electric signals, and their influence on the performance of the piezoelectric pump are investigated. The drive mode is divided into the mass block adhered with two rectangular piezoelectric actuators, one of the actuators, and actuators without mass blocks. The square wave, sine wave, and triangle wave constitute different excitation electric signals. The experimental results prove that the pump with the mass block adhered with two rectangular piezoelectric actuators and driven by the square wave has a wide working frequency range and high performance. The highest flow rate reached is 72 ml/min at 160 V, 20 Hz. The pump with the mass block adhered with one of the actuators and driven by the square wave generates the loudest noise of 97.6 dB at 160 V, 35 Hz.
Effects of dielectric constant and secondary electron emission coefficient on discharge characteristics and products of Ar/NH3 DBD
Authors: Zhao Ni , Yang Huan , Yao Congwei , Wang Chuang , Chen Chi , Dang Jian , Yang Xiaoping , Chang Zhengshi
Published: March 2022

Atmospheric Ar/NH3 dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is a type of uniform dielectric barrier discharge that has potential applications in surface treatment, thin film surface deposition, hydrogen storage, etc. The characteristics and the application effects of Ar/NH3 DBD are strongly dependent on dielectric materials, electrode structures, and gas atmospheres. In this paper, a one-dimensional fluid numerical simulation model was established to investigate the effects of dielectric constant and secondary electron emission coefficient (SEEC) of the barrier dielectric material on the discharge characteristics and product distributions in Ar/NH3 gas mixture. The results show that increasing dielectric constant makes the discharge moment slightly earlier (discharge phase 17.5°–5°) and has a greater effect on the discharge intensity (discharge current), plasma parameters, and discharge products as well as their yields. While increasing SEEC makes the discharge moment significantly earlier (discharge phase 27.5° to −5°), it has less influence on the discharge intensity (discharge current), plasma parameters, and discharge products and their yields. On this basis, a possible strategy was proposed to describe the effect of the two dielectric parameters on the discharge characteristics and products.
Nonlinear signal processing with magnonic superlattice with two periods
Authors: Morozova M. A. , Matveev O. V. , Sharaevskii Yu. P. , Nikitov S. A. , Sadovnikov A. V.
Published: March 2022

In this work, we provide investigations of nonlinear spin wave propagation in magnonic superlattice. Magnonic superlattice is a ferromagnetic film loaded on a dielectric ceramic substrate with the copper grating with two periods. It is shown that a superlattice with two periods allows the formation of narrower bandgaps as compared to magnonic crystal with one period. Nonlinear effects, such as the generation of spin wave excitations at half-frequency, caused by first-order parametric processes, and a nonlinear shift of the bandgap, caused by a change in the longitudinal component of magnetization with an increase in the input signal power, are revealed. For the experimental study, the Brillouin light scattering spectroscopy was used, and the theoretical model was built using the transfer matrix method.
Laser-driven, ion-scale magnetospheres in laboratory plasmas. II. Particle-in-cell simulations
Authors: Cruz Filipe D. , Schaeffer Derek B. , Cruz Fábio , Silva Luis O.
Published: March 2022

Ion-scale magnetospheres have been observed around comets, weakly magnetized asteroids, and localized regions on the Moon and provide a unique environment to study kinetic-scale plasma physics, in particular in the collision-less regime. In this work, we present the results of particle-in-cell simulations that replicate recent experiments on the large plasma device at the University of California, Los Angeles. Using high-repetition rate lasers, ion-scale magnetospheres were created to drive a plasma flow into a dipolar magnetic field embedded in a uniform background magnetic field. The simulations are employed to evolve idealized 2D configurations of the experiments, study highly resolved, volumetric datasets, and determine the magnetospheric structure, magnetopause location, and kinetic-scale structures of the plasma current distribution. We show the formation of a magnetic cavity and a magnetic compression in the magnetospheric region, and two main current structures in the dayside of the magnetic obstacle: the diamagnetic current, supported by the driver plasma flow, and the current associated with the magnetopause, supported by both the background and driver plasmas with some time-dependence. From multiple parameter scans, we show a reflection of the magnetic compression, bounded by the length of the driver plasma, and a higher separation of the main current structures for lower dipolar magnetic moments.
Photoinduced interlayer dynamics in Td-MoTe2: A broadband pump-probe study
Authors: Cheng Meixin , Zhong Shazhou , Rivas Nicolas , Dekker Tina , Petruk Ariel Alcides , Gicala Patrick , Pichugin Kostyantyn , Chen Fangchu , Luo Xuan , Sun Yuping , Tsen Adam W. , Sciaini Germán
Published: March 2022

We report on time-resolved broadband transient reflectivity (tr-bb-TR) measurements performed on a bulk single crystal of Td-MoTe2 as a function of the incident pump fluence (F). Tr-bb-TR data unveil photoinduced electronic changes progressing on the sub-picosecond timescale as well as the dynamics of the coherent low-frequency 1A1 interlayer shear phonon. Our results indicate a gradual evolution of both the TR and the 1A1 Fourier intensity spectra as a function of F, ruling out the threshold-like change that has been associated with the ultrafast photoinduced Td → 1T ′ phase transition. We also observe a large redshift of the 1A1 Fourier spectral features, which implies that large renormalization effects are taking place on the interband transitions that are dielectrically susceptible to the 1A1 interlayer shear phonon displacement.
The mechanism behind the high radiation tolerance of Fe–Cr alloys
Authors: Agarwal S. , Butterling M. , Liedke M. O. , Yano K. H. , Schreiber D. K. , Jones A. C. L. , Uberuaga B. P. , Wang Y. Q. , Chancey M. , Kim H. , Derby B. K. , Li N. , Edwards D. J. , Hosemann P. , Kaoumi D. , Hirschmann E. , Wagner A. , Selim F. A.
Published: March 2022

Fe–Cr alloys are at the forefront for high radiation tolerant materials with long-standing validated performance. Yet, the detailed mechanism behind their high radiation resistance is in question and understanding the effect of varying Cr percentage is a grand challenge limiting further improvements. Here, we applied depth-resolved positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and Doppler broadening spectroscopy to study the effect of Cr alloying on the formation and evolution of atomic size clusters induced by ion-irradiation in Fe. We also used atom probe tomography to investigate the possible presence of Cr clusters or α′ phase precipitates with high Cr composition. The study reveals that the well-known resistance to radiation in Fe–Cr alloys may arise from the stabilization of vacancy clusters around Cr atoms, which act as sinks for radiation-induced defects. This implies that Cr atoms do not provide a direct sink for interstitials; rather defect complexes that consist of Cr atoms and vacancies, in turn, act as sinks for irradiation-induced vacancies and interstitials. we also find that lower amounts of Cr create smaller defect clusters that act as efficient sinks for radiation damage, but larger quantities of Cr form a defect structure that is less homogenous and larger in size, resulting in less efficient damage recombination. No evidence of α′ was found before or after irradiation, which indicates that it does not contribute to the observed radiation tolerance.
Pressure evolution in a diamond anvil cell without a pressure medium
Authors: Jiang Dawei , Cao Min , Zhang Xiaotong , Gao Yang , Han Yonghao
Published: March 2022

The inhomogeneity in pressure inside the sample chamber of a diamond anvil cell (DAC) poses a major challenge to the accurate measurement of the properties of materials under high pressures, especially when the pressure medium solidifies under compression or is prohibited in the experiment. In this paper, the authors systematically investigate the pressure gradient in a DAC sample chamber and its evolution over time with changes in temperature. The results show that pressure gradients were formed along both the radial and the axial directions upon compression, and gradually decayed with time and increasing temperature. After a period of relaxation at room temperature, the pressure gradient along the axial direction gradually decayed and a new equilibrium was established. A similar process was observed along the radial direction but required a longer period before reaching equilibrium. Appropriate heating of the sample can cut the relaxation time to the order of tens of minutes and smoothen the pressure gradient in both directions. The electrical properties of olivine were significantly different when the measurements were conducted before and after relaxation was complete, indicating that the relaxation in pressure is essential for acquiring reliable data in a DAC under high pressures.
Flexible fast responding solar-blind photodetectors based on (TmGa)2O3 films grown on mica
Authors: Qu Qiulin , Liu Qi , Chen Lufeng , Li Yingxiang , Pan Hang , Chen Jian , Li Mingkai , Lu Yinmei , He Yunbin
Published: March 2022

As an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor, gallium oxide (Ga2O3) holds great application potential in deep-ultraviolet (DUV) photodetectors. While the performance of photodetectors based on crystalline Ga2O3 thin films grown on hard substrates has been continuously improved, photodetectors based on amorphous Ga2O3 grown on less-stringent substrates in a more convenient and accessible way emerged as alternative technology and received increasing attention. Herein, we choose thulium (Tm) for doping and grow amorphous Tm-Ga2O3 films on non-lattice-matched flexible mica substrates. Thanks to the larger bandgap of Tm2O3 (∼6.5 eV) and stronger Tm–O bond, the (TmxGa1−x)2O3 films possess broadened bandgap and lessened oxygen vacancies compared to pure Ga2O3. Consequently, the photodetectors that were produced based on these amorphous (TmxGa1−x)2O3 films exhibit high performances with both low dark current and fast response speed (36.47 pA and 0.07 s at x = 0.05) and well maintain the performance after multiple cycles of bending at radius as small as 5 mm. This work sheds light on the development of flexible devices based on amorphous (TmxGa1−x)2O3 for solar-blind DUV detection.
Atomistic simulation framework for molten salt vapor–liquid equilibrium prediction and its application to NaCl
Authors: Tran Leann , Škvára Jiří , Smith William R.
Published: March 2022

Knowledge of the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) properties of molten salts is important in the design of thermal energy storage systems for solar power and nuclear energy production applications. The high temperatures involved make their experimental determination problematic, and the development of both macroscopic thermodynamic correlations and predictive molecular-based methodologies are complicated by the requirement to appropriately incorporate the chemically reacting vapor-phase species. We derive a general thermodynamic-based atomistic simulation framework for molten salt VLE prediction and show its application to NaCl. Its input quantities are temperature-dependent ideal-gas free energy data for the vapor phase reactions and density and residual chemical potential data for the liquid. If these are not available experimentally, the former may be predicted using standard electronic structure software, and the latter may be predicted by means of classical atomistic simulation methodology. The framework predicts the temperature dependence of vapor pressure, coexisting phase densities, vapor phase composition, and vaporization enthalpy. It also predicts the concentrations of vapor phase species present in minor amounts (such as the free ions), quantities that are extremely difficult to measure experimentally. We furthermore use the results to obtain an approximation to the complete VLE binodal dome and the critical properties. We verify the framework for molten NaCl, for which experimentally based density and chemical potential data are available in the literature. We then apply it to the analysis of NaCl simulation data for two commonly used atomistic force fields. The framework can be readily extended to molten salt mixtures and to ionic liquids.
Exploring Technologies to Better Link Physical Evidence and Digital Information for Disaster Victim Identification
Authors: Lovell David , Vella Kellie , Muñoz Diego , McKague Matt , Brereton Margot , Ellis Peter
Published: March 2022

Disaster victim identification (DVI) entails a protracted process of evidence collection and data matching to reconcile physical remains with victim identity. Technology is critical to DVI by enabling the linkage of physical evidence to information. However, labelling physical remains and collecting data at the scene are dominated by low-technology paper-based practices. We ask, how can technology help us tag and track the victims of disaster? Our response to this question has two parts. First, we conducted a human–computer interaction led investigation into the systematic factors impacting DVI tagging and tracking processes. Through interviews with Australian DVI practitioners, we explored how technologies to improve linkage might fit with prevailing work practices and preferences; practical and social considerations; and existing systems and processes. We focused on tagging and tracking activities throughout the DVI process. Using insights from these interviews and relevant literature, we identified four critical themes: protocols and training; stress and stressors; the plurality of information capture and management systems; and practicalities and constraints. Second, these findings were iteratively discussed by the authors, who have combined expertise across electronics, data science, cybersecurity, human–computer interaction and forensic pathology. We applied the themes identified in the first part of the investigation to critically review technologies that could support DVI practitioners by enhancing DVI processes that link physical evidence to information. This resulted in an overview of candidate technologies matched with consideration of their key attributes. This study recognises the importance of considering human factors that can affect technology adoption into existing practices. Consequently, we provide a searchable table (as Supplementary information) that relates technologies to the key considerations and attributes relevant to DVI practice, for readers to apply to their own context. While this research directly contributes to DVI, it also has applications to other domains in which a physical/digital linkage is required, and particularly within high stress environments with little room for error. Key PointsDisaster victim identification (DVI) processes require us to link physical evidence and digital information. While technology could improve this linkage, experience shows that technological “solutions” are not always adopted in practice.Our study of the practices, preferences and contexts of Australian DVI practitioners suggests 10 critical considerations for these technologies.We review and evaluate 44 candidate technologies against these considerations and highlight the role of human factors in adoption.
An improved sparsity-enhanced decomposition signal method based on GMC and TQWT for rolling bearing faults
Authors: Zhang Yong , Ye Junjie , He Wangpeng , Cai Gaigai , Hu Jie , Shi Baoquan
Published: March 2022

Mechanical equipment is always exposed to poor working environments, such as high humidity, high temperature and heavy loads, which may lead to serious damage in key components. It is critical to identify the initial fault in time to avoid huge economic losses and casualties. In extracting the fault characteristics of a rolling bearing, its characteristic frequency is always disturbed by strong noise. In order to accurately separate the fault features from the strong noisy signal, an improved sparsity-enhanced decomposition signal method using the nonconvex penalty term of generalized minimax-concave and the dictionary term of tunable Q-factor wavelet transform is presented in this paper. An adaptive method for selecting regularization parameters is presented to subtly minimize the signal-to-noise ratio and root mean square error. Moreover, in order to reduce calculation cost, the forward–backward splitting algorithm is employed to maintain the convexity of the proposed sparsity. A simulation study and two practical fault experiments are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method in rolling bearing faults.
Fabrication and magnetoelectric investigation of flexible PVDF-TrFE/cobalt ferrite nanocomposite films
Authors: Sapkota Bedanga , Hasan Md Tanvir , Martin Alix , Mahbub Rifat , Shield Jeffrey E , Rangari Vijaya
Published: March 2022

Flexible nanocomposite films, with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CFN) as the ferromagnetic component and polyvinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) copolymer as the ferroelectric matrix, were fabricated using a blade coating technique. Nanocomposite films were prepared using a two-step process; the first process involves the synthesis of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles using a sonochemical method, and then incorporation of various weight percentages (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles into the PVDF-TrFE to form nanocomposites. The ferroelectric polar β phase of PVDF-TrFE was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Thermal studies of films showed notable improvement in the thermal properties of the nanocomposite films with the incorporation of nanoparticles. The ferroelectric properties of the pure polymer/composite films were studied, showing a significant improvement of maximum polarization upon 5wt% CFN loading in PVDF-TrFE composite films compared to the PVDF-TrFE film. The magnetic properties of as-synthesized CFN and the polymer nanocomposites were studied, showing a magnetic saturation of 53.7 emu g−1 at room temperature, while 10% cobalt ferrite-(PVDF-TrFE) nanocomposite shows 27.6 emu/g. We also describe a process for fabricating high optical quality pure PVDF-TrFE and pinhole-free nanocomposite films. Finally, the mechanical studies revealed that the mechanical strength of the films increases up to 5 wt% loading of the nanoparticles in the copolymer matrix and then decreases. This signifies that the obtained films could be suited for flexible electronics.
Microwave-induced thermoacoustic signal characteristics in a dynamic temperature environment
Authors: Evans Audrey L , Ma Chu , Hagness Susan C
Published: March 2022

We conduct a simulation-based study to investigate the impact of a dynamic temperature environment on the characteristics of microwave-induced thermoacoustic signals. We investigate thermoacoustic signals that are generated using an interstitial microwave ablation antenna powered by a microsecond pulsed microwave source. Two temperature regimes are examined: first, a spatially uniform temperature throughout the medium to experimentally validate the simulation model, and second, the realistic, spatially nonuniform temperature profiles that arise during microwave ablation. We employ a multi-physics model that considers electromagnetics, heat transfer, and acoustic physics to simulate the coupled processes of microwave absorption and heating of the medium and thermoacoustic signal generation and propagation. An interstitial coaxial antenna is used to generate microsecond microwave pulses that simultaneously induce microwave heating and excite thermoacoustic signals via microwave pulse absorption. We find that thermoacoustic signal characteristics are highly temperature-dependent and thus change significantly within an environment where temperature varies through space and time. Furthermore, the temperature-dependent properties within the active region of the antenna drive the evolution of thermoacoustic signal characteristics. Temperature-dependent thermoacoustic signal characteristics can be exploited to track the progress of microwave ablation. Consequently, microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging is a promising method for monitoring microwave ablation in real-time.
Plug-and-play adaptive optics for two photon high-speed volumetric imaging
Authors: Chung Chang-Ling , Furieri Tommaso , Lin Jyun-Yi , Chang Ting-Chen , Lee Jye-Chang , Chen Yi-Fan , Pan Ming-Kai , Bonora Stefano , Chu Shi-Wei
Published: March 2022

To understand brain functions, it is important to study functional connectivity among stereoscopically distributed neurons. Since the brain is composed of 3D neuron networks, volumetric imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution is highly desirable. Two-photon microscopy (2PM) conveniently offers 3D tissue imaging with sub-micrometer resolution based on its intrinsic optical sectioning and deep penetration capabilities. However, the main challenge lies in the volumetric imaging speed and contrast reduction in deep tissue due to aberration. In this study, we integrate a tunable acoustic gradient lens and a plug-and-play adaptive-optics lens into 2PM. The former provides ∼100 kHz axial scan rate, achieving volumetric imaging rate in 1–10 Hz range, while the latter enhances image contrast by nearly two-fold in deep brain regions via correcting both systematic and sample aberrations. The combination offers a practical approach toward high-speed, high-contrast optical volumetric imaging of brain tissues.
Right fronto-parietal networks mediate the neurocognitive benefits of enriched environments
Authors: Brosnan Méadhbh B. , Shalev Nir , Ramduny Jivesh , Sotiropoulos Stamatios N. , Chechlacz Magdalena
Published: March 2022

Exposure to enriched environments throughout a lifetime, providing so-called reserve, protects against cognitive decline in later years. It has been hypothesized that high levels of alertness necessitated by enriched environments might strengthen the right fronto-parietal networks to facilitate this neurocognitive resilience. We have previously shown that enriched environments offset age-related deficits in selective attention by preserving grey matter within right fronto-parietal regions. Here, using neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, we examined the relationship between enriched environments, microstructural properties of fronto-parietal white matter association pathways (three branches of the superior longitudinal fasciculus), structural brain health (atrophy), and attention (alertness, orienting and executive control) in a group of older adults. We show that exposure to enriched environments is associated with a lower orientation dispersion index within the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 which in turn mediates the relationship between enriched environments and alertness, as well as grey and white matter atrophy. This suggests that enriched environments may induce white matter plasticity (and prevent age-related dispersion of axons) within the right fronto-parietal networks to facilitate the preservation of neurocognitive health in later years.
IL-36γ in enthesitis-related juvenile idiopathic arthritis and its association with disease activity
Authors: Majumder Sanjukta , Guleria Shivika , Aggarwal Amita
Published: March 2022

IL-36 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies (SpA) like psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) category of juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a form of juvenile SpA, however, no data is available on the role of IL-36 in this disease. IL-36α, β, γ and IL-36R mRNA expression in blood and synovial fluid mononuclear cells and IL-36α, γ, IL-36Ra, IL-6, and IL-17 levels were measured in serum and synovial fluid (SF). IL-36γ production by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) upon stimulation with pro-inflammatory cytokines and its effect on FLS were also studied. mRNA levels of IL-36α, IL-36γ, and IL-36R were increased in PBMCs of ERA patients as compared to healthy controls however only IL-36γ was measurable in the serum of one-third of patients. In SFMCs, all four mRNA were detectable but were lower than RA patients. SF IL-36γ levels correlated with disease activity score (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001), SF IL-6 (r = 0.4, P = 0.0063) and IL-17 levels (r = 0.57, P = 0.0018). Pro-inflammatory cytokines increased the expression of IL-36γ and IL-6 in FLS cultures. SFs from five ERA patients also increased expressions of IL-36γ and IL-6 in FLS which could be blocked by using IL-36Ra. This suggests that pro-inflammatory cytokines aid in the upregulation of IL-36γ which in turn may upregulate the expression of IL-6. This might lead to a positive feedback loop of inflammation in ERA. Association of SF levels of IL-36γ with disease activity further supports this possibility. IL-36Ra based therapy may have a role in ERA.
Hepatitis B Virus-related Care Quality in Patients With Hepatitis B/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection Versus Hepatitis B Monoinfection: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Tzu-Hao , Hunt Christine M , Maier Marissa M , Lowy Elliott , Beste Lauren A
Published: March 2022

Background

Guideline-adherent hepatitis B virus (HBV) care is critical for patients with HBV, particularly patients with HBV-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) given increased risks of liver-related complications. However, a comprehensive assessment of HBV-related care in patients with HBV-HIV is lacking.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed adherence to HBV-related care guidelines in all patients with HBV-HIV and HBV monoinfection (HBV-M) in the national Veterans Health Administration healthcare system in 2019.

Results

We identified 1021 patients with HBV-HIV among 8323 veterans with chronic HBV. Adherence to HBV guidelines was similar or better in HBV-HIV versus HBV-M, including HBV treatment (97% vs 71%), biannual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance (55% vs 55%) for patients with cirrhosis, hepatitis A virus screening (69% vs 56%), hepatitis C virus screening (100% vs 99%), and on-therapy alanine aminotransferase monitoring (95% vs 96%). Compared with those seeing gastroenterology (GI) or infectious diseases (ID) providers, patients without specialty care were less likely to receive antiviral treatment (none, 39%; GI, 80%; ID, 84%) or HCC surveillance (none, 16%; GI, 66%; ID, 47%). These findings persisted in multivariable analysis. Compared with ID care alone, a higher proportion of patients with HBV-HIV seen dually by GI and ID received HCC surveillance (GI + ID 73% vs ID 31%) and on-therapy HBV-DNA monitoring (GI + ID, 82%; ID, 68%).

Conclusions

Patients with HBV-HIV received similar or higher rates of guideline-adherent HBV-related care than patients with HBV-M. Patients with HBV-HIV under dual GI and ID care achieved higher quality care compared with ID care alone. Specialty care was independently associated with higher quality HBV care in patients with HBV-HIV and HBV-M.
Two case reports of transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation of Sapien 3 and MyVal in degenerated biological tricuspid prosthesis valves
Authors: Jensen Rebekka Vibjerg , Jensen Jesper Khedri , Christiansen Evald Høj , Tang Mariann , Nielsen Jens Cosedis , Terkelsen Christian Juhl
Published: March 2022

Background

Patients with severe tricuspid valve stenosis or dysfunction following degeneration of biological valve prosthesis in tricuspid position are complex, have substantial comorbidity, and very high surgical risk.

Case summary

We report two cases with transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation in patients with degenerated tricuspid bioprosthesis with transfemoral and transjugular access with Sapien 3 valve and MyVal, respectively.

Discussion

In patients with high surgical risk, transcatheter tricuspid valve implantation is a good alternative. Careful consideration of optimal access site, device size, and delivery system is paramount. This case report demonstrates technically feasible and safe transcatheter valve-in-valve implantantion in tricuspid position and highlights the importance of meticulous procedure planning.
Identification of undiagnosed atrial fibrillation using a machine learning risk-prediction algorithm and diagnostic testing (PULsE-AI) in primary care: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial in England
Authors: Hill Nathan R , Groves Lara , Dickerson Carissa , Ochs Andreas , Pang Dong , Lawton Sarah , Hurst Michael , Pollock Kevin G , Sugrue Daniel M , Tsang Carmen , Arden Chris , Wyn Davies David , Martin Anne Celine , Sandler Belinda , Gordon Jason , Farooqui Usman , Clifton David , Mallen Christian , Rogers Jennifer , Camm Alan John , Cohen Alexander T
Published: March 2022

Aims

The aim of the PULsE-AI trial was to assess the effectiveness of a machine learning risk-prediction algorithm in conjunction with diagnostic testing for identifying undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) in primary care in England.

Methods and results

Eligible participants (aged ≥30 years without AF diagnosis; n = 23 745) from six general practices in England were randomized into intervention and control arms. Intervention arm participants, identified by the algorithm as high risk of undiagnosed AF (n = 944), were invited for diagnostic testing (n = 256 consented); those who did not accept the invitation, and all control arm participants, were managed routinely. The primary endpoint was the proportion of AF, atrial flutter, and fast atrial tachycardia diagnoses during the trial (June 2019–February 2021) in high-risk participants. Atrial fibrillation and related arrhythmias were diagnosed in 5.63% and 4.93% of high-risk participants in intervention and control arms, respectively {odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.15 (0.77–1.73), P = 0.486}. Among intervention arm participants who underwent diagnostic testing (28.1%), 9.41% received AF and related arrhythmia diagnoses [vs. 4.93% (control); OR (95% CI): 2.24 (1.31–3.73), P = 0.003].

Conclusion

The AF risk-prediction algorithm accurately identified high-risk participants in both arms. While the proportions of AF and related arrhythmia diagnoses were not significantly different between high-risk arms, intervention arm participants who underwent diagnostic testing were twice as likely to receive arrhythmia diagnoses compared with routine care. The algorithm could be a valuable tool to select primary care groups at high risk of undiagnosed AF who may benefit from diagnostic testing.
Of Zombies, Witches and Wizards – Tales of Sovereignty
Authors: Krieger Heike
Published: March 2022

Don Herzog’s book Sovereignty RIP offers a tour d’horizon of one strand of sovereignty’s conceptual history and its changing meanings over time. It culminates in a ferocious call to bury the notion of sovereignty and replace it with concepts such as jurisdiction, authority and state. Based on insights from conceptual history, in particular about basic concepts, the review essay criticizes Herzog’s approach. It questions whether one can convincingly denounce the concept of sovereignty by relying predominantly on episodes from Anglo-American history as Herzog does. Instead, the essay tells two alternative stories in order to first argue that ignoring other narratives risks misunderstanding and misinterpreting the current re-rise of sovereignty-related discourses and that, second, sovereignty remains an important tool to understand how both the constitutional state and multilevel governance work. Eventually it would be more pernicious to discard the concept of sovereignty instead of engaging with it and confronting its diverging conceptions.
Does sports participation increase risk in patients with long QT syndrome? Results from a large French cohort
Authors: Davydoff Caroline , Andorin Antoine , Minois Damien , Arnaud Marine , Minier Mathilde , Sacher Frédéric , Martins Raphael , Clementy Nicolas , Gourraud Jean Baptiste , Probst Vincent
Published: March 2022

Aims

Sports practice, especially in competition, is usually restrained in patients diagnosed with long QT syndrome (LQTS). Although data are scarce, a low incidence of cardiac arrhythmic events (CAEs) during sports practice is reported. We aim to evaluate the incidence of CAE during sports practice in LQTS patients.

Methods and results

All consecutive patients above 18 years of age diagnosed with LQTS and prospectively followed at the referral centre for inherited arrhythmia syndrome received a survey to retrospectively assess their sports practice prior to and after the diagnosis of LQTS. Two hundred and forty-six patients were included (57% females). The median age was 43 years, and the median QTc was 457 ms (428; 482). Patients reported a total of 4092 years [1376 (34%) after diagnosis] of sports practice: 2905 (77%) [1138 (39%) after diagnosis] years of leisure practice and 1187 (23%) [238 (20%) after diagnosis] years of competitive practice. One hundred and eighty (73%) patients practiced sport prior to the diagnosis of LQTS and 170 (69%) after. Prior to the diagnosis, four (2%) patients presented a CAE during leisure sports practice and one during competition. After diagnosis, only one patient presented a CAE, appropriately treated by an implantable cardioverter defibrillator discharge, in the context of beta-blocker non-compliance. The CAE event rate was 0.0007 events/year in the 1376 years of total sports practice after the diagnosis of LQTS.

Conclusion

After the diagnosis of LQTS, the occurrence of CAE is very low during sports practice, even in competitive practice. There was no CAE in patients properly treated with beta-blocker therapy with good compliance.
Metagenomic survey of the microbiome of ancient Siberian permafrost and modern Kamchatkan cryosols
Authors: Rigou Sofia , Christo-Foroux Eugène , Santini Sébastien , Goncharov Artemiy , Strauss Jens , Grosse Guido , Fedorov Alexander N , Labadie Karine , Abergel Chantal , Claverie Jean-Michel
Published: March 2022

In the context of global warming, the melting of Arctic permafrost raises the threat of a reemergence of microorganisms some of which were shown to remain viable in ancient frozen soils for up to half a million years. In order to evaluate this risk, it is of interest to acquire a better knowledge of the composition of the microbial communities found in this understudied environment. Here, we present a metagenomic analysis of 12 soil samples from Russian Arctic and subarctic pristine areas: Chukotka, Yakutia and Kamchatka, including nine permafrost samples collected at various depths. These large datasets (9.2 × 1011 total bp) were assembled (525 313 contigs > 5 kb), their encoded protein contents predicted, and then used to perform taxonomical assignments of bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic organisms, as well as DNA viruses. The various samples exhibited variable DNA contents and highly diverse taxonomic profiles showing no obvious relationship with their locations, depths or deposit ages. Bacteria represented the largely dominant DNA fraction (95%) in all samples, followed by archaea (3.2%), surprisingly little eukaryotes (0.5%), and viruses (0.4%). Although no common taxonomic pattern was identified, the samples shared unexpected high frequencies of β-lactamase genes, almost 0.9 copy/bacterial genome. In addition to known environmental threats, the particularly intense warming of the Arctic might thus enhance the spread of bacterial antibiotic resistances, today's major challenge in public health. β-Lactamases were also observed at high frequency in other types of soils, suggesting their general role in the regulation of bacterial populations.
Hnrnpul1 controls transcription, splicing, and modulates skeletal and limb development in vivo
Authors: Blackwell Danielle L , Fraser Sherri D , Caluseriu Oana , Vivori Claudia , Tyndall Amanda V , Lamont Ryan E , Parboosingh Jillian S , Innes A Micheil , Bernier François P , Childs Sarah J
Published: March 2022

Mutations in RNA-binding proteins can lead to pleiotropic phenotypes including craniofacial, skeletal, limb, and neurological symptoms. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are involved in nucleic acid binding, transcription, and splicing through direct binding to DNA and RNA, or through interaction with other proteins in the spliceosome. We show a developmental role for Hnrnpul1 in zebrafish, resulting in reduced body and fin growth and missing bones. Defects in craniofacial tendon growth and adult-onset caudal scoliosis are also seen. We demonstrate a role for Hnrnpul1 in alternative splicing and transcriptional regulation using RNA-sequencing, particularly of genes involved in translation, ubiquitination, and DNA damage. Given its cross-species conservation and role in splicing, it would not be surprising if it had a role in human development. Whole-exome sequencing detected a homozygous frameshift variant in HNRNPUL1 in 2 siblings with congenital limb malformations, which is a candidate gene for their limb malformations. Zebrafish Hnrnpul1 mutants suggest an important developmental role of hnRNPUL1 and provide motivation for exploring the potential conservation of ancient regulatory circuits involving hnRNPUL1 in human development.
Metabarcoding versus mapping unassembled shotgun reads for identification of prey consumed by arthropod epigeal predators
Authors: Paula Débora Pires , Barros Suellen Karina Albertoni , Pitta Rafael Major , Barreto Marliton Rocha , Togawa Roberto Coiti , Andow David A
Published: March 2022

Background

A central challenge of DNA gut content analysis is to identify prey in a highly degraded DNA community. In this study, we evaluated prey detection using metabarcoding and a method of mapping unassembled shotgun reads (Lazaro).

Results

In a mock prey community, metabarcoding did not detect any prey, probably owing to primer choice and/or preferential predator DNA amplification, while Lazaro detected prey with accuracy 43–71%. Gut content analysis of field-collected arthropod epigeal predators (3 ants, 1 dermapteran, and 1 carabid) from agricultural habitats in Brazil (27 samples, 46–273 individuals per sample) revealed that 64% of the prey species detections by either method were not confirmed by melting curve analysis and 87% of the true prey were detected in common. We hypothesized that Lazaro would detect fewer true- and false-positive and more false-negative prey with greater taxonomic resolution than metabarcoding but found that the methods were similar in sensitivity, specificity, false discovery rate, false omission rate, and accuracy. There was a positive correlation between the relative prey DNA concentration in the samples and the number of prey reads detected by Lazaro, while this was inconsistent for metabarcoding.

Conclusions

Metabarcoding and Lazaro had similar, but partially complementary, detection of prey in arthropod predator guts. However, while Lazaro was almost 2× more expensive, the number of reads was related to the amount of prey DNA, suggesting that Lazaro may provide quantitative prey information while metabarcoding did not.
KOREF_S1: phased, parental trio-binned Korean reference genome using long reads and Hi-C sequencing methods
Authors: Kim Hui-su , Jeon Sungwon , Kim Yeonkyung , Kim Changjae , Bhak Jihun , Bhak Jong
Published: March 2022

Background

KOREF is the Korean reference genome, which was constructed with various sequencing technologies including long reads, short reads, and optical mapping methods. It is also the first East Asian multiomic reference genome accompanied by extensive clinical information, time-series and multiomic data, and parental sequencing data. However, it was still not a chromosome-scale reference. Here, we updated the previous KOREF assembly to a new chromosome-level haploid assembly of KOREF, KOREF_S1v2.1. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) PromethION, Pacific Biosciences HiFi-CCS, and Hi-C technology were used to build the most accurate East Asian reference assembled so far.

Results

We produced 705 Gb ONT reads and 114 Gb Pacific Biosciences HiFi reads, and corrected ONT reads by Pacific Biosciences reads. The corrected ultra-long reads reached higher accuracy of 1.4% base errors than the previous KOREF_S1v1.0, which was mainly built with short reads. KOREF has parental genome information, and we successfully phased it using a trio-binning method, acquiring a near-complete haploid-assembly. The final assembly resulted in total length of 2.9 Gb with an N50 of 150 Mb, and the longest scaffold covered 97.3% of GRCh38’s chromosome 2. In addition, the final assembly showed high base accuracy, with <0.01% base errors.

Conclusions

KOREF_S1v2.1 is the first chromosome-scale haploid assembly of the Korean reference genome with high contiguity and accuracy. Our study provides useful resources of the Korean reference genome and demonstrates a new strategy of hybrid assembly that combines ONT's PromethION and PacBio's HiFi-CCS.