bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards precise LET measurements based on energy deposition of therapeutic ions in Timepix3 detectors
Authors: Félix-Bautista Renato , Hamad Yasmin , Yáñez-González Tomás , Ochoa-Parra Pamela , Granja Carlos , Martišíková Mária , Mairani Andrea , Gehrke Tim
Published: May 2024

Objective. There is an increasing interest in calculating and measuring linear energy transfer (LET) spectra in particle therapy in order to assess their impact in biological terms. As such, the accuracy of the particle fluence energy spectra becomes paramount. This study focuses on quantifying energy depositions of distinct proton, helium, carbon, and oxygen ion beams using a silicon pixel detector developed at CERN to determine LET spectra in silicon. Approach. While detection systems have been investigated in this pursuit, the scarcity of detectors capable of providing per-ion data with high spatial and temporal resolution remains an issue. This gap is where silicon pixel detector technology steps in, enabling online tracking of single-ion energy deposition. The used detector consisted of a 300 µm thick silicon sensor operated in partial depletion. Main results. During post-processing, artifacts in the acquired signals were identified and methods for their corrections were developed. Subsequently, a correlation between measured and Monte Carlo-based simulated energy deposition distributions was performed, relying on a two-step recalibration approach based on linear and saturating exponential models. Despite the observed saturation effects, deviations were confined below 7% across the entire investigated range of track-averaged LET values in silicon from 0.77 keV µm−1 to 93.16 keV µm−1. Significance. Simulated and measured mean energy depositions were found to be aligned within 7%, after applying artifact corrections. This extends the range of accessible LET spectra in silicon to clinically relevant values and validates the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. These findings pave the way towards LET-based dosimetry through an approach to translate these measurements to LET spectra in water. This will be addressed in a future study, extending functionality of treatment planning systems into clinical routine, with the potential of providing ion-beam therapy of utmost precision to cancer patients.
Development of an inertia-driven resonant piezoelectric stack pump based on the flexible support structure
Authors: Chen Jian , Jin Rong , Gao Wenzhi , Liu Changhai , Zeng Yishan , Wang Jingwu
Published: May 2024

This paper proposes an inertia-driven resonant piezoelectric stack pump based on a flexible support structure to solve the problem that the piezoelectric stack cannot effectively drive the diaphragm pump to transport liquid due to too small output displacement and too high resonant frequency when one end is fixed. Under the inertial force generated by the vibration of the piezoelectric stack’s mass center during its deformation, the whole piezoelectric stack will vibrate with the flexible support structure; and a large displacement and inertial force can be achieved to drive the pump at the resonant frequency. Piezoelectric pumps are designed with a diaphragm pump and a piezoelectric stack based on the flexible support structure. The piezoelectric vibrator includes a piezoelectric stack, a preloading component and a flexible support plate. A fixed support plate and three flexible support plates with different stiffnesses were fabricated and assembled with the same piezoelectric stack and diaphragm pump respectively to construct four piezoelectric pump prototypes with different resonant frequencies. The temperature rise characteristics of the piezoelectric stack were experimentally studied to determine the safe range of the driving voltage and frequency. Then the output performances of the piezoelectric pumps were tested. Under a sinusoidal driving voltage of 100 Vpp, the piezoelectric pump based on the fixed support structure cannot pump water, while the piezoelectric pumps based on the flexible support structure achieved the maximum flow rates of 89.0 ml min−1, 123.4 ml min−1 and 197.4 ml min−1 at the resonant frequencies of 262 Hz, 297 Hz and 354 Hz, and the maximum backpressures of 4.4 kPa, 7.5 kPa and 11.0 kPa at 266 Hz, 309 Hz and 365 Hz.
Electrical/thermal triggering on shape memory composite tubes with different braiding angles
Authors: Yang Qin , Liu Renyi , Gu Bohong , Sun Baozhong , Han Chaofeng , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2024

2D braided shape memory composite (SMPC) tubes, with near-net shape manufacturing and programmable, are widely utilized in smart structures. Here we have developed braided tubes of continuous carbon fiber reinforced shape memory polyurethane (SMPU) composites. This innovative design yields a synergistic boost in both mechanical strength, shape memory functionality, and dual-trigger responsiveness. The mechanical properties, electrical/thermal shape memory performance, and recovery force of the SMPC tubes with various braiding angles have been investigated. The effects of braiding angle, temperature dependence, and applied current on the mechanical properties and shape memory properties were revealed. We found a substantial increase in compression load and ring stiffness as the braiding angle increased and the temperature decreased. The SMPC tubes exhibited a recovery ratio of 99% under electrical and thermal triggering, demonstrating a more rapid shape recovery compared to the SMPU tubes solely under thermal triggering. The large-angle specimens exhibited shorter recovery times, higher recovery forces (up to 11.40 N), and faster responses upon electrical stimulation. The ability of SMPC tubes to generate a recovery force several times greater than their weight holds great potential for expanding the applications of smart actuators.
Characterization of titanium dioxide nanomaterials synthesized from leaf extract of Pogostemon cablin Benth and their potential antifungal activity
Authors: Shukla Mohee , Narain Satya , Kumar Ashwani , Dikshit Anupam
Published: May 2024

Recently, dermal infections caused by fungus have increased drastically, affecting people’s daily lives and causing embarrassment. These infections are either due to dermatophytes or non-dermatophytic fungi. Basically, three genera of dermatophytes namely Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermohyton are the main cause of dermatophytosis. Candida albicans is also responsible for some dermal infections as a non-dermatophytic fungus. Traditional antifungal compounds cause side effects and resistance in fungi, so better and non-toxic alternatives are needed. Now a day’s, nanotechnology is widely used in the pharmaceutical field and has proven to be a good antifungal agent. This study used TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) against four human pathogens Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, and Candida albicans. Green and chemical synthesis methods were used for the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles. In green synthesis, we used aqueous leaf extract of Pogostemon cablin Benth. The formation of TiO2 nanoparticles is confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. According to XRD, the average size of chemically synthesized nanoparticles was 70.52 nm, while green synthesized nanoparticles were 71.82 nm. All the characterizations support that Pogostemon cablin aqueous extract can synthesize TiO2 nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined according to the broth microdilution recommended assay. This study concluded that green synthesized TiO2 NPs showed good results against all four pathogens.
Transient behaviour analysis in silicon carbide alpha particle detector using TCAD and SRIM simulation
Authors: He Xiaoying , Cao Pengcheng , Lu Zhangyu , Rao Lan , Xin Xiangjun
Published: May 2024

Time response characteristics of α particle detector are crucial for monitoring radiation fields varied with time and its characterization of pulse radiation field. Here, SRIM-informed TCAD simulation is utilized to visually investigate the transient behaviors of carriers and alpha particles in 4H-SiC Schottky barrier detectors for the time response characteristics. We identified external bias voltage and incident particle energy as key factors to influence transient current pulse broadening. Low-energy alpha particles result in low initial kinetic energy of the ionization-generated carriers, leading to transient current broadening and reduced time resolution characteristics. Conversely, high-energy alpha particles ionize carrier with high drift velocity, preventing the broadening effect. Our simulation provides a planform and valuable guidance for optimizing alpha particle detector, selecting appropriate bias voltages, and enhancing time resolution capabilities.
Core-shell NiS-poly-2-aminothiophenol/NiO nanocomposite of ring-shape for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Rabia Mohamed , Esayed Asma M , Alkallas Fatemah H , Ben Gouider Trabelsi Amira
Published: May 2024

A novel ring-shaped NiS-poly-2-aminothiophenol NiO (NiS-P2ATP/NiO) core–shell nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized and extensively analyzed, presenting itself as a promising material for a two-electrode configuration pseudo-supercapacitor, tested in both basic and acidic mediums. The SEM analysis reveals the construction of open-ring shapes, characterized by a wall thickness of approximately 120 nm and a height of around 100 nm. To confirm the elements and crystallinity behavior of this nanocomposite, XPS and XRD analyses are used, while FTIR is performed to confirm the functional groups. The electrical properties of this nanocomposite were thoroughly investigated through various techniques, including charge/discharge, cyclic voltammetry, and EIS. The efficiency of the fabricated supercapacitor was assessed through measured specific capacitance (CS), energy density (E), power density (P), Ragone plot, and the values of RS and RCT resistances. The specific capacitance value is significantly higher at 59.8 F g−1 compared to the basic medium’s CS value of 30 F g−1. In the acidic medium, the E values reached 5.0 W h kg−1, while in the basic electrolyte, it amounted to 2.5 W h kg−1. The produced P achieved impressive values, reaching 28800 and 28700 W kg−1 at 0.2 A g−1 in the acidic and basic mediums, correspondingly. The unique behavior of this novel composite suggests its potential for industrial applications of polymer materials, given its ease of preparation, mass production feasibility, and cost-effectiveness. The findings of this study open doors for the practical implementation of such innovative materials in energy storage technologies.
Energy spectra of elemental groups of cosmic rays with the KASCADE experiment data and machine learning
Authors: Kuznetsov M.Yu. , Petrov N.A. , Plokhikh I.A. , Sotnikov V.V.
Published: May 2024

We report the reconstruction of the mass component spectra of cosmic rays (protons,
helium, carbon, silicon and iron) and their mean mass composition, at energies from 1.4 to 100 PeV. The results are derived from the archival data of the extensive air shower experiment
KASCADE. We use a novel machine learning technique developed specifically for this
reconstruction, and post-LHC hadronic interaction models: QGSJet-II.04, EPOS-LHC and
Sibyll 2.3c. We have found an excess of the proton component and a deficit of intermediate
and heavy nuclei components compared to the original KASCADE results. The spectra of protons and
helium show a knee-like behavior at ∼ 4.4 PeV and ∼ 11 PeV, with significances
5.2σ and 3.9σ, respectively. The spectrum of the iron component has a
hint (2.4σ) of a hardening at ∼ 4.5 PeV, which can be interpreted as a counterpart of
a hardening in the proton spectrum at 166 TeV, recently reported by the GRAPES-3
experiment. The systematic uncertainties of our analysis were found to be smaller than those of
the original KASCADE, as well as those of IceTop and TALE experiments, over the most part of the
energy range studied. We also estimated separately the uncertainty related to the difference
between the three mentioned hadronic interaction models. We also compute a mean logarithm mass of
CR flux as a function of energy. It is in agreement with the results of IceTop, TALE and LHAASO
within the uncertainties.
Parity-violating scalar trispectrum from a rolling axion during inflation
Authors: Fujita Tomohiro , Murata Tomoaki , Obata Ippei , Shiraishi Maresuke
Published: May 2024

We study a mechanism of generating the trispectrum (4-point correlation) of curvature
perturbation through the dynamics of a spectator axion field and U(1) gauge field during
inflation. Owing to the Chern-Simons coupling, only one helicity mode of gauge field experiences
a tachyonic instability and sources scalar perturbations. Sourced curvature perturbation exhibits
parity-violating nature which can be tested through its trispectrum. We numerically compute
parity-even and parity-odd component of the sourced trispectrum. It is found that the ratio of
parity-odd to parity-even mode can reach 𝒪(10%) in an exact equilateral momentum
configuration. We also investigate a quasi-equilateral shape where only one of the momenta is
slightly longer than the other three, and find that the parity-odd mode can reach, and more
interestingly, surpass the parity-even one. This may help us to interpret a large parity-odd
trispectrum signal extracted from BOSS galaxy-clustering data.
Strip method to construct a two-dimensional quasilattice with eight-fold symmetry
Authors: Huang 黄 Weishen 伟深 , Fu 傅 Xiujun 秀军
Published: May 2024

Based on the substitution rule and symmetry, we propose a method to generate an octagonal quasilattice consisting of square and rhombus tiles. Local configurations and Ammann lines are used to guide the growth of the tiles in a quasiperiodic order. The structure obtained is a perfect eight-fold symmetric quasilattice, which is confirmed by the radial distribution function and the diffraction pattern.
Microstripe pattern substrate consisting of alternating planar and nanoprotrusive regions improved hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes’ unidirectional alignment and functional properties
Authors: Saotome Hideo , Yatsuka Yukiko , Minowa Osamu , Shinotsuka Kei , Tsuchida Katsuharu , Hirose Hitomi , Dai Kotaro , Tokuno Hisako , Hayakawa Tomohiro , Hiranuma Hidenori , Hasegawa Akari , Nakatomi Ichiro , Okazaki Atsuko , Okazaki Yasushi
Published: May 2024

The alignment of each cell in human myocardium is considered critical for the efficient movement of cardiac tissue. We investigated 96-well microstripe-patterned plates to align human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs), which resemble fetal myocardium. The aligned CMs (ACMs) cultured on the microstripe-patterned plates exhibited pathology, motor function, gene expression, and drug response that more closely resembled those of adult cells than did unaligned CMs cultured on a flat plate (FCMs). We used these ACMs to evaluate drug side effects and efficacy, and to determine whether these were similar to adult-like responses. When CMs from patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCMs) were seeded and cultured on the microstripe-patterned plates or layered on top of the ACMs, both sets of HCMs showed increased heart rate and synchronized contractions, indicating improved cardiac function. It is suggested that the ACMs could be used for drug screening as cells representative of adult-like CMs and be transplanted in the form of a cell sheet for regenerative treatment of heart failure.
Genipin crosslinked quaternary ammonium chitosan hydrogels for wound dressings
Authors: Wang Ling , Ding Xiaoyue , Li Jingyu , Li Man , Ding Peng , Guo Wei , Wu Qiaoyun , Sun Yanfang , Jiang Guohua , Okoro Oseweuba Valentine , Mirzaei Mahta , Shavandi Amin , Fan Lihong , Nie Lei
Published: May 2024

Bacterial infection can lead to various complications, such as inflammations on surrounding tissues, which can prolong wound healing and thus represent a significant clinical and public healthcare problem. Herein, a report on the fabrication of a novel genipin/quaternized chitosan (CS) hydrogel for wound dressing is presented. The hydrogel was prepared by mixing quaternized CS and genipin under 35 °C bath. The hydrogels showed porous structure (250–500 μm) and mechanical properties (3000–6000 Pa). In addition, the hydrogels displayed self-healing ability and adhesion performance on different substrates. Genipin crosslinked quaternized CS hydrogels showed antibacterial activities against E. coli and S. aureus. The CCK-8 and fluorescent images confirmed the cytocompatibility of hydrogels by seeding with NIH-3T3 cells. The present study showed that the prepared hydrogel has the potential to be used as wound dressing.
Condition numbers for real eigenvalues of real elliptic ensemble: weak non-normality at the edge
Authors: Tarnowski Wojciech
Published: May 2024

Sensitivity of an eigenvalue λ

i
to the perturbation of matrix elements is controlled by the eigenvalue condition number defined as

κ
i

=

⟨

L
i

|

L
i

⟩
⟨

R
i

|

R
i

⟩

, where

⟨

L
i

|

and

|

R
i

⟩

are left and right eigenvectors to the eigenvalue λ

i
. In random matrix theory the squared eigenvalue condition number is also known as the eigenvector self-overlap. In this work we calculate the asymptotics of the joint probability density function of the real eigenvalue and the square of the corresponding eigenvalue condition number for the real elliptic ensemble in the double scaling regime of almost Hermiticity and close to the edge of the spectrum. As a byproduct, we also calculate the one-parameter deformation of the Scorer’s function.
Electrical, optical and nonlinear optical process in spray pyrolyzed Zn:CuO nanostructures for optoelectronic device applications
Authors: Corda Neil , Thundiyil Ramseena , Ani Aninamol , Anusha  , P Poornesh , Rao Ashok , Manjunatha KB
Published: May 2024

Nanostructured pure and Zn doped CuO thin films were deposited on a glass substrate at 400 °C using the chemical spray pyrolysis method. The fabricated thin films were characterized to study the compositional, structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction spectra show the polycrystalline nature of the sample and confirm the monoclinic phase of copper oxide. Raman analysis further confirms the absence of cuprous oxide phases and impurities. High absorbance in the visible region was observed for the films with bandgap values ranging from 1.7–2.0 eV. A near-band edge emission peak in the red region is recorded in the photoluminescence spectra. Uniformly distributed nanoparticles are observed in SEM images. Hall effect measurements indicate p-type conductivity and 5% Zn doped copper oxide showed the highest conductivity and carrier concentration. The non-linear absorption coefficient (β
eff) of the samples was obtained with the help of z-scan method with a Helium-Neon laser under the CW regime. Zn doping results in an increase in nonlinear absorption, supporting the use of Zn:CuO for optoelectronic devices.
Navigating the frontiers of graphene quality control to enable product optimisation and market confidence
Authors: Marchesini Sofia , Paton Keith R , Pollard Andrew J
Published: May 2024

With graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials now enhancing products used in everyday life, the scale of industrial production of many different types of 2D nanomaterials requires quality control (QC) processes that can be performed rapidly, non-destructively, in-line and in a cost-effective manner. These materials must be repeatably produced with targeted material properties, to reduce the costs associated with nonconformity of products, and so multiple QC methods that can monitor different material properties are required. Herein, we describe different measurands and associated techniques that either have the potential to be used for QC, or are already being used in this way, whether that off-line, at-line or in-line. The advantages and disadvantages of different techniques are detailed, as well as possible solutions that can ensure confidence in these methods and lead to measurement traceability in this growing industry.
In-sensor neuromorphic computing using perovskites and transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Li Shen-Yi , Li Ji-Tuo , Zhou Kui , Yan Yan , Ding Guanglong , Han Su-Ting , Zhou Ye
Published: May 2024

With the advancements in Web of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and other emerging technologies, there is an increasing demand for artificial visual systems to perceive and learn about external environments. However, traditional sensing and computing systems are limited by the physical separation of sense, processing, and memory units that results in the challenges such as high energy consumption, large additional hardware costs, and long latency time. Integrating neuromorphic computing functions into the sensing unit is an effective way to overcome these challenges. Therefore, it is extremely important to design neuromorphic devices with sensing ability and the properties of low power consumption and high switching speed for exploring in-sensor computing devices and systems. In this review, we provide an elementary introduction to the structures and properties of two common optoelectronic materials, perovskites and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Subsequently, we discuss the fundamental concepts of neuromorphic devices, including device structures and working mechanisms. Furthermore, we summarize and extensively discuss the applications of perovskites and TMDs in in-sensor computing. Finally, we propose potential strategies to address challenges and offer a brief outlook on the application of optoelectronic materials in term of in-sensor computing.
Tackling the small data problem in medical image classification with artificial intelligence: a systematic review
Authors: Piffer Stefano , Ubaldi Leonardo , Tangaro Sabina , Retico Alessandra , Talamonti Cinzia
Published: May 2024

Though medical imaging has seen a growing interest in AI research, training models require a large amount of data. In this domain, there are limited sets of data available as collecting new data is either not feasible or requires burdensome resources. Researchers are facing with the problem of small datasets and have to apply tricks to fight overfitting. 147 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved from PubMed, published in English, up until 31 July 2022 and articles were assessed by two independent reviewers. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyse (PRISMA) guidelines for the paper selection and 77 studies were regarded as eligible for the scope of this review. Adherence to reporting standards was assessed by using TRIPOD statement (transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis). To solve the small data issue transfer learning technique, basic data augmentation and generative adversarial network were applied in 75%, 69% and 14% of cases, respectively. More than 60% of the authors performed a binary classification given the data scarcity and the difficulty of the tasks. Concerning generalizability, only four studies explicitly stated an external validation of the developed model was carried out. Full access to all datasets and code was severely limited (unavailable in more than 80% of studies). Adherence to reporting standards was suboptimal (<50% adherence for 13 of 37 TRIPOD items). The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive survey of recent advancements in dealing with small medical images samples size. Transparency and improve quality in publications as well as follow existing reporting standards are also supported.
Momentum accelerates evolutionary dynamics
Authors: Harper Marc , Safyan Joshua
Published: May 2024

We combine momentum from machine learning with evolutionary dynamics, where momentum can be viewed as a simple mechanism of intergenerational memory similar to epigenetic mechanisms. Using information divergences as Lyapunov functions, we show that momentum accelerates the convergence of evolutionary dynamics including the continuous and discrete replicator equations and Euclidean gradient descent on populations. When evolutionarily stable states are present, these methods prove convergence for small learning rates or small momentum, and yield an analytic determination of the relative decrease in time to converge that agrees well with computations. The main results apply even when the evolutionary dynamic is not a gradient flow. We also show that momentum can alter the convergence properties of these dynamics, for example by breaking the cycling associated to the rock–paper–scissors landscape, leading to either convergence to the ordinarily non-absorbing equilibrium, or divergence, depending on the value and mechanism of momentum.
Multifractal analysis of the perimeters of glaciers in the Svalbard Archipelago
Authors: Carpineti Marina , Lupo Sepe Valerio , Senese Antonella , Traversa Giacomo , Diolaiuti Guglielmina A , Vailati Alberto
Published: May 2024

The investigation of the evolution of glaciers largely relies on the characterisation of extensive quantities like their mass, area, and perimeter. In this work we use fractal and multifractal analysis to investigate the non-extensive structural properties of the perimeters of glaciers in the Svalbard Archipelago. We show that the perimeters of the glaciers exhibit a fractal structure with a fractal dimension

D
f

≃
1.25

, independently from the area of the glaciers. The investigation of the multifractal properties of the perimeters shows that small glaciers exhibit a more pronounced multifractal structure, as witnessed by the larger range of generalized dimensions Dq
needed to characterise them. The range ΔD

q
of generalised dimensions required to characterise the multifractal perimeter of a glacier exhibits a power-law dependence with exponent −1.2 from the area, and represents a non-extensive parameter able to grab effectively the dependence of the multifractal structure of the perimeters on the size of glaciers. The comparison with similar results obtained in a previous study performed on glaciers in the Lombardy region of the Italian Alps confirms the robustness of the analysis performed, which does not appear to be affected by the morphology of the substrate or by climate conditions.
The twin peaks of learning neural networks
Authors: Demyanenko Elizaveta , Feinauer Christoph , Malatesta Enrico M , Saglietti Luca
Published: May 2024

Recent works demonstrated the existence of a double-descent phenomenon for the generalization error of neural networks, where highly overparameterized models escape overfitting and achieve good test performance, at odds with the standard bias-variance trade-off described by statistical learning theory. In the present work, we explore a link between this phenomenon and the increase of complexity and sensitivity of the function represented by neural networks. In particular, we study the Boolean mean dimension (BMD), a metric developed in the context of Boolean function analysis. Focusing on a simple teacher-student setting for the random feature model, we derive a theoretical analysis based on the replica method that yields an interpretable expression for the BMD, in the high dimensional regime where the number of data points, the number of features, and the input size grow to infinity. We find that, as the degree of overparameterization of the network is increased, the BMD reaches an evident peak at the interpolation threshold, in correspondence with the generalization error peak, and then slowly approaches a low asymptotic value. The same phenomenology is then traced in numerical experiments with different model classes and training setups. Moreover, we find empirically that adversarially initialized models tend to show higher BMD values, and that models that are more robust to adversarial attacks exhibit a lower BMD.
Profiles and the impact of affective temperaments on alcohol use disorder: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kurihara Kazuhiro , Koda Munenaga , Zamami Yu , Shinzato Hotaka , Takaesu Yoshikazu , Kondo Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2024

Aims

This study aimed to explore the profiles and impact of affective temperaments, together with social and clinical backgrounds, including affective symptoms, in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Methods

This study included 314 low-risk drinkers and 257 patients with AUD. To assess affective temperament, we used the short version of the temperament evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego. To evaluate depressive and mixed symptoms, the quick inventory of depressive symptomatology self-report Japanese version and 12-item questionnaire for the quantitative assessment of the depressive mixed state were used. We compared the profiles of affective temperaments as well as social and clinical backgrounds, including affective symptoms, between the two groups and further performed logistic regression analyses to explore the factors contributing to AUD.

Results

Our analysis showed higher cyclothymic, hyperthymic, and irritable temperament scores and lower depressive temperament scores in patients with AUD than that in nonclinical drinkers. Regarding other social and clinical backgrounds, patients with AUD were less educated and employed and more experienced depressive and mixed symptoms. Logistic regression analysis identified hyperthymic temperament as a positive contributor and depressive temperament as a negative contributor to AUD.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated potential bipolarity in patients with AUD, as manifested by a more hyperthymic temperament in contrast to less depressive temperament. Despite their self-perceived adaptive temperament profiles, patients showed poorer social outcomes and more affective symptoms. This gap may be partly explained by a lack of insight unique to AUD psychology, which potentially disturbs problem recognition.
CellsFromSpace: a fast, accurate, and reference-free tool to deconvolve and annotate spatially distributed omics data
Authors: Thuilliez Corentin , Moquin-Beaudry Gaël , Khneisser Pierre , Marques Da Costa Maria Eugenia , Karkar Slim , Boudhouche Hanane , Drubay Damien , Audinot Baptiste , Geoerger Birgit , Scoazec Jean-Yves , Gaspar Nathalie , Marchais Antonin
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Spatial transcriptomics enables the analysis of cell crosstalk in healthy and diseased organs by capturing the transcriptomic profiles of millions of cells within their spatial contexts. However, spatial transcriptomics approaches also raise new computational challenges for the multidimensional data analysis associated with spatial coordinates.

Results

In this context, we introduce a novel analytical framework called CellsFromSpace based on independent component analysis (ICA), which allows users to analyze various commercially available technologies without relying on a single-cell reference dataset. The ICA approach deployed in CellsFromSpace decomposes spatial transcriptomics data into interpretable components associated with distinct cell types or activities. ICA also enables noise or artifact reduction and subset analysis of cell types of interest through component selection. We demonstrate the flexibility and performance of CellsFromSpace using real-world samples to demonstrate ICA’s ability to successfully identify spatially distributed cells as well as rare diffuse cells, and quantitatively deconvolute datasets from the Visium, Slide-seq, MERSCOPE, and CosMX technologies. Comparative analysis with a current alternative reference-free deconvolution tool also highlights CellsFromSpace’s speed, scalability and accuracy in processing complex, even multisample datasets. CellsFromSpace also offers a user-friendly graphical interface enabling non-bioinformaticians to annotate and interpret components based on spatial distribution and contributor genes, and perform full downstream analysis.

Availability and implementation

CellsFromSpace (CFS) is distributed as an R package available from github at https://github.com/gustaveroussy/CFS along with tutorials, examples, and detailed documentation.
Investigation of network reorganization after epilepsy surgery is worth the effort
Authors: Sainburg Lucas E , Morgan Victoria L
Published: May 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Connectome reorganization associated with temporal lobe pathology and its surgical resection’ by Larivière et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae141).
Pathologic RFC1 repeat expansions do not contribute to the development of inflammatory neuropathies
Authors: Nagy Sara , Carr Aisling , Mroczek Magdalena , Rinaldi Simon , Curro Riccardo , Dominik Natalia , Japzon Nicole , Magrinelli Francesca , Lunn Michael P , Manji Hadi , Reilly Mary M , Cortese Andrea , Houlden Henry
Published: May 2024

Biallelic expansions of the AAGGG repeat in the replication factor C subunit 1 (RFC1) have recently been described to be responsible for cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome. This genetic alteration has also allowed genetic classification in up to one-third of cases with idiopathic sensory neuropathy. Here, we screened a well-characterized cohort of inflammatory neuropathy patients for RFC1 repeat expansions to explore whether RFC1 was increased from background rates and possibly involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory neuropathy. A total of 259 individuals with inflammatory neuropathy and 243 healthy controls were screened for the AAGGG repeat expansion using short-range flanking PCR and repeat-primed PCR. Cases without amplifiable PCR product on flanking PCR and positive repeat-primed PCR were also tested for the mostly non-pathogenic expansions of the AAAGG and AAAAG repeat units. None of the patients showed biallelic AAGGG expansion of RFC1, and their carrier frequency for AAGGG was comparable with controls [n = 27 (5.2%) and n = 23 (4.7%), respectively; P > 0.5]. Data suggest that the pathologic expansions of AAGGG repeats do not contribute to the development of inflammatory neuropathies nor lead to misdiagnosed cases. Accordingly, routine genetic screening for RFC1 repeat expansion is not indicated in this patient population.
Antitumor activity of niclosamide-mediated oxidative stress against acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Yang Jing , Liu Yong , Du Zefan , Zhou Qin , Yang Luo , Ye Qianyun , Pan Jingxuan , Zou Waiyi , Chen Chun , Jin Bei
Published: May 2024

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous clonal disease originated from B- or T-cell lymphoid precursor cells. ALL is often refractory or relapses after treatment. Novel treatments are anxiously needed in order to achieve a better response and prolonged overall survival in ALL patients. In the present study, we aimed at examining the antitumor effect of niclosamide on ALL. We investigated the effects of niclosamide on the proliferation and apoptosis in vitro, the growth of ALL cells in xenografted NOD-Prkdcem26Cd52 il2rgem26Cd22 /Nju (NCG) mice. The results showed that niclosamide treatment potently inhibited the growth of ALL cells and induced apoptosis via elevating the levels of reactive oxygen species and activating TP53. These findings suggest that niclosamide may be a promisingly potential agent for ALL therapy.
Neural and psychological correlates of post-traumatic stress symptoms in a community adult sample
Authors: Bainter Sierra A , Goodman Zachary T , Kupis Lauren B , Timpano Kiara R , Uddin Lucina Q
Published: May 2024

A multitude of factors are associated with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. However, establishing which predictors are most strongly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms is complicated because few studies are able to consider multiple factors simultaneously across the biopsychosocial domains that are implicated by existing theoretical models. Further, post-traumatic stress disorder is heterogeneous, and studies using case-control designs may obscure which factors relate uniquely to symptom dimensions. Here we used Bayesian variable selection to identify the most important predictors for overall post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and individual symptom dimensions in a community sample of 569 adults (18 to 85 yr of age). Candidate predictors were selected from previously established risk factors relevant for post-traumatic stress disorder and included psychological measures, behavioral measures, and resting state functional connectivity among brain regions. In a follow-up analysis, we compared results controlling for current depression symptoms in order to examine specificity. Poor sleep quality and dimensions of temperament and impulsivity were consistently associated with greater post-traumatic stress disorder symptom severity. In addition to self-report measures, brain functional connectivity among regions commonly ascribed to the default mode network, central executive network, and salience network explained the unique variability of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. This study demonstrates the unique contributions of psychological measures and neural substrates to post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Capitalism, Austerity, and Fascism
Authors: Konzelmann Suzanne J
Published: May 2024

There is a strong resonance between events of the inter-war years and today. These include a questioning of laissez-faire capitalism and austerity, and the rise of so-called ‘populist’ parties on both the left and right. Clara Mattei’s (2022) The Capital Order: How Economists Invented Austerity and Paved the Way to Fascism thus makes an interesting contribution, by locating the key argument of her book in the febrile period of European history between the wars. According to Mattei, the First World War disrupted the pre-war capitalist system to such an extent that it created a crisis of capitalism, itself. As a result, following the end of hostilities, there was a conscious effort to restore the pre-war ‘capital order’ by means of a technocratic ‘austerity strategy’, and this was strongly linked to the rise of fascism. We argue that the inter-relationship between capitalism, austerity, and fascism during the 1920s and 1930s was rather more complex, and that to make sense of this, it is necessary to broaden the focus beyond Italy and Great Britain and the international financial conferences at Brussels (1920) and Genoa (1922). Otherwise, we risk misunderstanding and mis-diagnosing our own times, as those inter-war politicians, financiers, and economists discovered to their cost. We therefore also include Germany and the USA and base our analysis on the events of the entire inter-war period.
Case report: unravelling the puzzle of unicuspid aortic valve with multimodality imaging
Authors: Pang Li , Colantonio Mark A , Arvon Jessica , Raybuck Bryan , Balla Sudarshan
Published: May 2024

Background

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) represents a rare congenital anomaly characterized by two subtypes: acommissural unicuspid aortic valve and unicommissural unicuspid aortic valve. Acommissural UAV is often diagnosed and corrected during the neonatal period due to haemodynamic instability. Unicommissural UAV leads to aortic stenosis (AS) in early adulthood. The diagnostic challenge associated with UAV primarily stems from its eccentric orifice opening and valvular calcification, resulting in difficult visualization of the commissures and localization of the orifice plane. This case report aims to demonstrate the unique morphological features of UAV through a comprehensive analysis using multimodality imaging.

Case summary

A 61-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for recurrent episodes of dyspnoea. Severe AS was diagnosed on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) by Doppler haemodynamic measurement. However, follow-up transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and CT transcatheter aortic valve replacement showed moderate AS by planimetry. Following this, patient was monitored closely, but her dyspnoea kept worsening. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed due to persistent dyspnoea, identifying UAV with eccentric loophole orifice with unicommissural attachment and opposite free leaflet edge. The patient was managed medically.

Discussion

TTE is the test of choice for AS that defines valvular morphology by direct visualization and grades the severity by haemodynamic measurement. However, the accuracy of TTE can be limited by poor acoustic windows and heavy valvular calcification. TEE measures aortic valve area (AVA) by planimetry that requires accurate localization of the AV orifice plane. Similarly, it applies to multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). While CMR is expensive and mainly available in tertiary centres, it can provide additional information when there is discordance.
Gradient-based joint inversion of point-source moment tensor and station-specific time-shifts
Authors: Phạm Thanh-Son
Published: May 2024

The misalignment of the observation and predicted waveforms in regional moment tensor inversion is mainly due to seismic models’ incomplete representation of the Earth's heterogeneities. Current moment tensor inversion techniques, allowing station-specific time-shifts to account for the model error, are computationally expensive. Here, we propose a gradient-based method to jointly invert moment-tensor parameters, centroid depth and unknown station-specific time-shifts utilizing the modern functionalities in deep learning frameworks. A $L_2^2$ misfit function between predicted synthetic and time-shifted observed seismograms is defined in the spectral domain, which is differentiable to all unknowns. The inverse problem is solved by minimizing the misfit function with a gradient descent algorithm. The method's feasibility, robustness and scalability are demonstrated using synthetic experiments and real earthquake data in the Long Valley Caldera, California. This work presents an example of fresh opportunities to apply advanced computational infrastructures developed in deep learning to geophysical problems.
Once Is Not Enough: Seasonal Patterns in Abundance of Hydromedusae Are Not Consistent in the Coastal Waters of the Bay of Panama
Authors: De León Alexandra , Collin Rachel
Published: May 2024

Synopsis

Hydromedusae and other gelatinous zooplankton are poorly understood but important consumers in the plankton. Blooms of large-bodied medusae, which may have detrimental ecological impacts, have captured significant attention, yet the seasonal patterns of local abundance and diversity, and the factors that control them, are not well documented for the much more diverse tiny hydromedusae. There is virtually no published information on their phenology or ecology in tropical coastal systems. It has previously been suggested that increased productivity stimulated by upwelling promotes production of tiny hydromedusa and blooms as their abundance can be much higher during upwelling than during non-upwelling periods in the tropics. However, this conclusion was based on a single year of sampling in the Bay of Panama. To determine if a single year of sampling is sufficient to understand seasonal patterns in abundance and occurrence of blooms, we repeated this study 20 years later. Sampling 153 times between April 2022 and April 2023, we found similar genus-level diversity and overall counts of animals compared to the previous study, with medusae of Bougainvillia, Campalecium, Obelia, and Turritopsis accounting for 79% of the animals collected. However, we found that relative abundance was much higher during the non-upwelling season compared to the upwelling season, the opposite result compared to the previous study. These results highlight how strong baseline understanding of phenologies and the ecological conclusions drawn from them must be based on multiple years of data, even in regions with very strong seasonal changes in environmental conditions. In the case of the upwelling regions of the Tropical Eastern Pacific, further research is necessary to understand the generalizability of these patterns and to determine if contrasting results are due to inter-annual differences in oceanographic drivers or changing environmental baselines.
Management of neo-esophagus-airway fistula after esophagectomy for oesophageal cancer: systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bertrand Thibaud , Chatellier Gilles , Mercier Olaf
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

Neo-oesophageal-airway fistula (NEAF) between gastric conduit and airway is a rare but life-threatening complication of oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer. Optimal treatment remains unknown. A meta-analysis of good-quality case series may help determine whether nonoperative management (NOM) only, upfront surgery (S), or NOM followed by surgery is associated with better 1-year post-treatment mortality, resumption of oral diet and fistula recurrence.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for publications in English reporting case series of management and survival in patients with NEAF. Of the 177 identified studies, 62 were duplicates and 95 were not relevant to our topic. Three studies were excluded after a full-text review, due to absence of reporting of 1-year survival. Exclusion criteria to identified publications were: abstract only, malignant NEAF, absence of oesophagectomy and esogastric anastomosis, fewer than 5 patients and NEAF not the main focus of the study. Data-extraction was conducted in accordance with MOOSE guidelines. Data were pooled using random-effects model.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies (302 patients) were included. One-year post-treatment mortality was considerably lower with NOM followed by surgery [33%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.17–0.48] than with NOM (68%; 95% CI, 0.39–0.97) or S (67%; 95% CI, 0.36–0.98). Fistula location was not associated with 1-year mortality. Neither resumption of an oral diet nor fistula recurrence differed significantly across treatment strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

NOM to prepare patients for surgery followed by surgical repair may provide the highest 1-year survival of patients with NEAF. However, patient selection criteria to each of 3 treatment strategies may have affected our findings.
Planning maintenance when resources are limited: a study of periodic opportunistic replacement
Authors: Cavalcante Cristiano A V , Scarf Phil , Melo Yan R , Rodrigues Augusto J S , Alotaibi Naif
Published: May 2024

Accepted by: M. Zied Babai

We study an aged-based replacement policy with two control limits. The first triggers opportunistic replacement and the second triggers a guaranteed replacement. The policy is novel because: the instances for component replacement are restricted to instances of time, which we call slots, that arise periodically; and a slot provides an opportunity for replacement with a particular probability. The policy models contexts in which maintenance is periodic, and resources are limited or execution of maintenance is not guaranteed. The policy is important for practice because it is simple and reflects the common reality of time-based maintenance planning. Long-run cost per unit time and average availability are calculated in a renewal-reward framework. Numerical study indicates that, if opportunities are rare, guaranteed replacement is beneficial and opportunities should be taken early in the life of a system. Using the policy, a maintainer can evaluate the cost–benefit of investing more resources to reduce the time between slots. Specific analysis and policy comparisons can be carried out using a web-application developed by the authors.