bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lattice Strain and Surface Activity of Dislocation‐Distorted AgPd Nanoalloys Under Preoxidation and Catalysis Condition
Authors: Wang Junpeng , Li Ke , Guo Longfei , Pan Bowei , Jin Tao , Li Zhen , Tang Quan , Chen Fuyi
Published: August 2023

Although line defects endow excellent catalytic performance by undercoordinated sites with compressive tensile strain, few studies have systematically unraveled the relationship between dislocation, strain, and electrochemical activity for formate oxidation reactions (FOR). Herein, a novel approach for synthesizing defect‐rich nanomaterials at room temperature is proposed for the first time. The heated and dealloyed AgPd nanoparticles (hd‐AgPd NPs) substantially improve the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity by introducing compressive strain to tune its electronic structure. Electrochemical experiments show that the mass activity of hd‐AgPd NPs for FOR is 5.3 times higher than that of pure Pd nanoparticle catalysts. Following a 3600 s chronoamperometric process, a portion of the dislocation vanishes, but the strain persists on the AgPd (111) facet. The mechanisms for activity enhancement are further explored through density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations, which show that compressive strain effectively alters its electronic structure and decreases the energy of the rate‐determining step during the reaction, significantly enhancing the FOR performance and stability. The results of electrochemical performance and physical characterization show that lattice strain has a more significant impact on FOR performance than alloying and preoxidation. This study presents a new approach to produce high‐performance catalysts by inducing strain into nanoparticles.
Determination of Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Cross‐Linked, Hydroxypropylated, and Dual Modified Corn Starch and Investigation of Its Use as Gelling Agent in Soft Confectionery
Authors: Kibar Emine Aytunga Arik , Aslan Özlem , Bakan Ayşe , Özer Hayrettin
Published: August 2023

In this study dual‐modified corn starches are prepared by hydroxypropylation and cross‐linking. The physicochemical properties of dual modified starch are compared with its native and single‐modified counterparts, and its performance as a gelatin substitute in confectionery products is determined. The gelatinization enthalpy values for hydroxypropylated, cross‐linked, and native starch samples are 8.3, 13.4, and 12.7 J g−1 ds−1, respectively. Hydroxypropylation decreases the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy values, while cross‐linking increases them significantly. The retrogradation endotherm is not observed for hydroxypropylated sample. In addition, retrogradation enthalpy of native starch decreases from 7.8 to 6.4 J g−1 ds−1 through crosslinking. Gelatinization and retrogradation properties of dual modified samples depend on the reaction sequence and the level of cross‐linking agent. It is observed via XRD diffraction patterns that when hydroxypropylation is applied as a pre‐treatment, degree of crystallization increased up to 55 ± 2%. However, when crosslinking is applied first, the effect of hydroxypropylation becomes limited due to the more stable structure developed by cross‐linking. Texture analysis reveals that dual modified starches improve textural properties, and they are promising thickening agents that can be used as gelatin substitute for jelly confectionaries.
Atypical extravertebral ventral cervical disc extrusion in a dog
Authors: Azoulay Florian , Couturier Jérôme , El Baze Jean‐Rémy , Besson Julie , Rault Delphine
Published: August 2023

A 6‐year‐old cocker spaniel dog was investigated by computed tomography for a marked neck pain more evident on ventroflexion. Cervical disc extrusion of mineralised nucleus pulposus material was identified in the vertebral canal dorsally to the C4–C5 intervertebral space, with spinal cord compression. Another mineralised material was also identified at an unusual location, ventrally to the C2–C3 intervertebral space. Ventral slot at C4–C5 intervertebral disc allowed surgical removal of the compressive disc, and longus colli muscles dissection at C2–C3 level allowed removal of the identified material, confirmed histologically as degenerated (mineralised) nucleus pulposus. Ventral paravertebral disc extrusion of degenerated nucleus pulposus extrusion is rarely described in human medicine. This case report illustrates the anatomical and imaging key points that support the diagnostic approach to a previously undescribed presentation of disc extrusion in dog.
Super-Schur polynomials for Affine Super Yangian Y($$ \hat{\mathfrak{gl}} $$1|1)
Authors: Galakhov Dmitry , Morozov Alexei , Tselousov Nikita
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We explicitly construct cut-and-join operators and their eigenfunctions — the Super-Schur functions — for the case of the affine super-Yangian Y($$ \hat{\mathfrak{gl}} $$

gl
̂

1|1). This is the simplest non-trivial (semi-Fock) representation, where eigenfunctions are labeled by the superanalogue of 2d Young diagrams, and depend on the supertime variables (pk, θk). The action of other generators on diagrams is described by the analogue of the Pieri rule. As well we present generalizations of the hook formula for the measure on super-Young diagrams and of the Cauchy formula. Also a discussion of string theory origins for these relations is provided.
LEX-EFT: the Light Exotics Effective Field Theory
Authors: Carpenter Linda M. , Murphy Taylor , Smylie Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We propose the creation of a Light Exotics Effective Field Theory (LEX-EFT) catalog. LEX-EFT is a generic framework to capture all interactions between the Standard Model (SM) and all (or at least a large class of) theoretically allowed exotic states beyond the Standard Model (bSM), indexed by their SM and bSM charges. These states are light enough to be on or nearly on shell in some collider processes. This framework, which subsumes beyond the Standard Model paradigms as generally as possible, is meant to extend recent successful implementations of bSM EFTs and complement e.g. the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT), which can capture the off-shell effects of exotic fields. In this work, we review a general method for the construction of a complete list of gauge-invariant operators involving SM interactions with light exotics via iterative tensor product decomposition, up to the desired order in mass dimension. Each operator is characterized by specific Clebsch-Gordan coefficients determined by the charge flow; we show how this charge flow affects the range of EFT validity and cross sections associated with an effective operator. We create an example catalog of exotic scalars coupling to SM gauge boson pairs, and we highlight some operators with exotic weak SU(2)L charges that can produce spectacular LHC phenomenology. We further demonstrate the utility of the LEX-EFT approach with several examples of effects on kinematic distributions and cross sections that would not be captured by EFTs agnostic to the exotic degrees of freedom and may evade the main inclusive collider searches tailored to the existing preferred set of standard bSM theories.
Dark top partner
Authors: Cai Haiying , Cacciapaglia Giacomo
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Composite Higgs models with extended symmetries can feature mesonic dark matter candidates. In fundamental CHMs, the origin of dark parity can be explained in the UV theory. Combined with top partial compositeness, this leads to non-chiral Yukawa interaction connecting mesonic DM with one dark top partner and one SM top. We examine the DM phenomenology in SU(6)/SO(6) and SU(6)/Sp(6) CHMs with the presence of dark top partners. Phenomenological constraints require the mass of top partner in even parity to be of the multi-TeV order.
End of the world brane in double scaled SYK
Authors: Okuyama Kazumi
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We study the end of the world (EOW) brane in double scaled SYK (DSSYK) model. We find that the boundary state of EOW brane is a coherent state of the q-deformed oscillators and the associated orthogonal polynomial is the continuous big q-Hermite polynomial. In a certain scaling limit, the big q-Hermite polynomial reduces to the Whittaker function, which reproduces the wavefunction of JT gravity with an EOW brane. We also compute the half-wormhole amplitude in DSSYK and show that the amplitude is decomposed into the trumpet and the factor coming from the EOW brane.
The asymptotic weak gravity conjecture in M-theory
Authors: Cota Cesar Fierro , Mininno Alessandro , Weigand Timo , Wiesner Max
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The tower Weak Gravity Conjecture predicts infinitely many super-extremal states along every ray in the charge lattice of a consistent quantum gravity theory. We show this far-reaching claim in five-dimensional compactifications of M-theory on Calabi-Yau 3-folds for gauge groups with a weak coupling limit. We first characterize the possible weak coupling limits, building on an earlier classification of infinite distance limits in the Kähler moduli space of M-theory compactifications. We find that weakly coupled gauge groups are associated to curves on the compactification space contained in generic fibers or in fibers degenerating at finite distance in their moduli space. These always admit an interpretation as a Kaluza-Klein or winding U(1) in a dual frame or as part of a dual perturbative heterotic gauge group, in agreement with the Emergent String Conjecture. Using the connection between Donaldson-Thomas invariants and Noether-Lefschetz theory, we then show that every ray in the associated charge lattice either supports a tower of BPS states or of non-BPS states, and prove that these satisfy the super-extremality condition, at least in the weak coupling regime.
Encoded information of mixed correlations: the views from one dimension higher
Authors: Ghodrati Mahdis
Published: August 2023

Abstract

After reviewing the JT gravity, we discuss the four saddles in the mixed correlation measures of black holes Hawking radiation in the setup of geometric evaporation of [1]. By looking from 1d higher point of view and partial dimensional reduction, we examine the phase structures and the universalities for these four saddles. We also discuss the behavior of quantum error correction codes for each of these four phases, reaching to consistent results. Then, instead of dimension reduction between Einstein gravity and JT, we try to explore the connections between partition functions and saddles of 3d Chern-Simons and 2d BF theories, 2d Liouville and 2d Wess-Zumino-Witten models, and also the dimensionally reduced 1d Schwarzian and 1d particles on group. We specifically sketch on the connections between these theories in the setup of mixed correlations and island formulation.
Maximization through optimization? On the relationship between hybrid performance and parental genetic distance
Authors: Würschum Tobias , Zhu Xintian , Zhao Yusheng , Jiang Yong , Reif Jochen C. , Maurer Hans Peter
Published: August 2023

Heterosis is the improved performance of hybrids compared with their parental components and is widely exploited in agriculture. According to quantitative genetic theory, genetic distance between parents at heterotic quantitative trait loci is required for heterosis, but how heterosis varies with genetic distance has remained elusive, despite intensive research on the topic. Experimental studies have often found a positive association between heterosis and genetic distance that, however, varied in strength. Most importantly, it has remained unclear whether heterosis increases continuously with genetic distance or whether there is an optimum genetic distance after which heterosis declines again. Here, we revisit the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance and provide perspectives on how to maximize heterosis and hybrid performance in breeding, as well as the consequences for the design of heterotic groups and the utilization of more exotic material and genetic resources.
High tibial osteotomy versus unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for Kellgren–Lawrence grade 3–4 knee osteoarthritis in younger patients: comparable improvements in patient‐reported outcomes, adjusted for osteoarthritis grade and sex
Authors: Hoorntje A. , Pronk Y. , Brinkman J. M. , van Geenen R. C. I. , van Heerwaarden R. J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Previous studies comparing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) have seldom accounted for differing patient characteristics between both groups. This study compared patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of HTO and UKA patients, adjusted for preoperative PROs, osteoarthritis grade and sex.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed analysing prospectively collected PROs, namely the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and pain/satisfaction scores, collected preoperatively and at 6 months, 12 months and 24 months postoperatively. Consecutive medial opening‐wedge HTOs and medial UKAs from 2016–2019, with a preoperative Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥ 3, aged 50–60 years, were included. Linear mixed model analyses, with the OKS over time as the primary outcome, were used.

Results

We included 84 HTO patients (mean age 55.0 ± 3.0, 79% male, mean BMI 27.8 ± 3.4, 75% Kellgren–Lawrence grade 3) and 130 UKA patients (mean age 55.7 ± 2.8, 47% male, mean BMI 28.7 ± 4.0, 36% Kellgren–Lawrence grade 3). Response rates were ≥ 87% at all time points. Corrected for preoperative PROs, Kellgren–Lawrence grade and sex, the HTO group had a 2.5 (95% CI 1.0–4.0) points lower OKS over time than the UKA group (p = 0.001). The Numeric Rating Scale scores (NRS; 0–10) for pain at rest and during activity were higher (p < 0.01) in the HTO group. The EQ‐5D‐descriptive system (p < 0.01), NRS satisfaction (p < 0.01), anchor function and pain scores (p < 0.01) were lower over time in the HTO group.

Conclusion

UKA patients had better OKS scores, pain and satisfaction scores over time than HTO patients. However, the observed differences were below their established minimal clinically important differences. Therefore, from the patients’ perspective, HTO did not appear to be inferior to UKA under the indications outlined in this study.

Level of evidence Level IV.
Application of external torque enhances the detection of subtle syndesmotic ankle instability in a weight‐bearing CT
Authors: Peiffer M. , Dhont T. , Cuigniez F. , Tampere T. , Ashkani‐Esfahani S. , D’Hooghe P. , Audenaert E. , Burssens A.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Acute syndesmotic ankle injuries continue to impose a diagnostic dilemma and it remains unclear whether weightbearing and/or external rotation should be added during the imaging process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess if combined weightbearing and external rotation increases the diagnostic sensitivity of syndesmotic ankle instability using weightbearing CT (WBCT) imaging, compared to isolated weightbearing.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with an acute syndesmotic ankle injury were analysed using a WBCT (N = 21; Age = 31.6 ± 14.1 years old). Inclusion criteria were an MRI confirmed syndesmotic ligament injury imaged by a WBCT of the ankle during weightbearing and combined weightbearing‐external rotation. Exclusion criteria consisted of fracture associated syndesmotic injuries. Three‐dimensional (3D) models were generated from the CT slices. Tibiofibular displacement and talar rotation were quantified using automated 3D measurements (anterior tibiofibular distance (ATFD), Alpha angle, posterior Tibiofibular distance (PTFD) and Talar rotation (TR) angle in comparison to the contralateral non‐injured ankle.

Results

The difference in neutral‐stressed Alpha angle and ATFD showed a significant difference between patients with a syndesmotic ankle lesion and contralateral control (P = 0.046 and P = 0.039, respectively). The difference in neutral‐stressed PTFD and TR angle did not show a significant difference between patients with a syndesmotic ankle lesion and healthy ankles (n.s.).

Conclusion

Application of combined weightbearing‐external rotation reveals an increased ATFD in patients with syndesmotic ligament injuries. This study provides the first insights based on 3D measurements to support the potential relevance of applying external rotation during WBCT imaging. In clinical practice, this could enhance the current diagnostic accuracy of subtle syndesmotic instability in a non‐invasive manner. However, to what extent certain displacement patterns require operative treatment strategies has yet to be determined in future studies.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Technology diffusion and uneven development
Authors: Knez Klemen
Published: August 2023

We propose a conceptualisation of the process of technology adoption that takes into account the uneven relative costs of technology implementation, especially country differences in wage levels. The novelties and contributions of our approach are the following. First, we introduce a dynamic macroeconomic model of technology diffusion, which is the first to directly account for the difference in factor cost proportions in an endogenous cross-country setting. Second, we utilise the Cross-country Historical Adoption of Technology (CHAT) and Penn World Table databases to calibrate the model using non-linear approximation across countries and technologies, which explains about 50% of the variability in technology density. Third, the results of the calibrated model offer a new insight into the dynamics and patterns of technology diffusion of differently developed countries, offering both an approximation of the average technology adoption across differently developed countries over time and an approximation of the relative technology density adoption curves, which are country specific generalisations of the logistic curves and depend highly on the general level of development and wage levels.
Realizing the AF4-UV-SAXS on-line coupling on protein and antibodies using high flux synchrotron radiation at the CoSAXS beamline, MAX IV
Authors: Bolinsson Hans , Söderberg Christopher , Herranz-Trillo Fátima , Wahlgren Marie , Nilsson Lars
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we demonstrate the coupling of synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to asymmetrical flow-field flow fractionation (AF4) for protein characterization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time AF4 is successfully coupled to a synchrotron for on-line measurements on proteins. This coupling has potentially high impact, as it opens the possibility to characterize individual constituents of sensitive and/or complex samples, not suited for separation using other techniques, and for low electron density samples where high X-ray flux is required, e.g., biomolecules and biologics. AF4 fractionates complex samples in native or close to native environment, with low shear forces and system surface area. Many orders of magnitude in size can be fractionated in one measurement, without having to reconfigure the experimental setup. We report AF4 fractionations with correlated UV and statistically adequate SAXS data of bovine serum albumin and a monoclonal antibody and evaluate SAXS data recorded for the two protein systems.

Graphical Abstract
Derivation of Anomalous Behavior from Interacting Oscillators in the High-Temperature Regime
Authors: Gonçalves Patrícia , Hayashi Kohei
Published: August 2023

A microscopic model of interacting oscillators, which admits two conserved quantities, volume, and energy, is investigated. We begin with a system driven by a general nonlinear potential under high-temperature regime by taking the inverse temperature of the system asymptotically small. As a consequence, one can extract a principal part (by a simple Taylor expansion argument), which is driven by the harmonic potential, and we show that previous results for the harmonic chain are covered with generality. We consider two fluctuation fields, which are defined as a linear combination of the fluctuation fields of the two conserved quantities, volume, and energy, and we show that the fluctuations of one field converge to a solution of an additive stochastic heat equation, which corresponds to the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, in a weak asymmetric regime, or to a solution of the stochastic Burgers equation, in a stronger asymmetric regime. On the other hand, the fluctuations of the other field cross from an additive stochastic heat equation to a fractional diffusion equation given by a skewed Lévy process.
Left anterior cerebral artery arising from a right internal carotid artery: a rare case of carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis
Authors: Fuentes-Redondo Talía , Arráez-Aybar Luis-Alfonso , Navia-Álvarez Pedro
Published: August 2023

Carotid-anterior cerebral artery anastomosis (carotid-ACA anastomosis) is described as infrequent vascular connections between the pre-ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). The embryological origin of these variant is still unclear and they are often associated to other vascular anomalies of the circle of Willis, as well as to the presence of aneurysms. Carotid-ACA anastomosis is often right-sided although left and bilateral cases have also been described. We report a rare case by MR angiography of a carotid-ACA anastomosis in which the abnormal vessel arises from the right ICA and takes an infraoptic course to join the A2 segment of the contralateral ACA, making this vascular anomaly function as a ‘left ACA with an origin at the right ICA’. The A1 segment of the left ACA is absent and both A2 segments of the ACAs present fenestration. To our knowledge, no similar cases have been reported in English literature so far.
Bye bye, linearity, bye: quantification of the mean for linear CRNs in a random environment
Authors: Sinzger-D’Angelo Mark , Startceva Sofia , Koeppl Heinz
Published: August 2023

Molecular reactions within a cell are inherently stochastic, and cells often differ in morphological properties or interact with a heterogeneous environment. Consequently, cell populations exhibit heterogeneity both due to these intrinsic and extrinsic causes. Although state-of-the-art studies that focus on dissecting this heterogeneity use single-cell measurements, the bulk data that shows only the mean expression levels is still in routine use. The fingerprint of the heterogeneity is present also in bulk data, despite being hidden from direct measurement. In particular, this heterogeneity can affect the mean expression levels via bimolecular interactions with low-abundant environment species. We make this statement rigorous for the class of linear reaction systems that are embedded in a discrete state Markov environment. The analytic expression that we provide for the stationary mean depends on the reaction rate constants of the linear subsystem, as well as the generator and stationary distribution of the Markov environment. We demonstrate the effect of the environment on the stationary mean. Namely, we show how the heterogeneous case deviates from the quasi-steady state (Q.SS) case when the embedded system is fast compared to the environment.
Deep learning–based assessment of CT markers of sarcopenia and myosteatosis for outcome assessment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer after high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment
Authors: Nowak Sebastian , Kloth Christoph , Theis Maike , Marinova Milka , Attenberger Ulrike I. , Sprinkart Alois M. , Luetkens Julian A.
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic value of CT-based markers of sarcopenia and myosteatosis in comparison to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score for survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

Materials and methods

For 142 retrospective patients, the skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMRD), fatty muscle fraction (FMF), and intermuscular fat fraction (IMFF) were determined on superior mesenteric artery level in pre-interventional CT. Each marker was tested for associations with sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and ECOG. The prognostic value of the markers was examined in Kaplan-Meier analyses with the log-rank test and in uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazards (CPH) models.

Results

The following significant associations were observed: Male patients had higher BMI and SMI. Patients with lower ECOG had lower BMI and SMI. Patients with BMI lower than 21.8 kg/m2 (median) also showed lower SMI and IMFF. Patients younger than 63.3 years (median) were found to have higher SMRD, lower FMF, and lower IMFF. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, significantly lower survival times were observed in patients with higher ECOG or lower SMI. Increased patient risk was observed for higher ECOG, lower BMI, and lower SMI in univariable CPH analyses for 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival. Multivariable CPH analysis for 1-year survival revealed increased patient risk for higher ECOG, lower SMI, lower IMFF, and higher FMF. In multivariable analysis for 2- and 3-year survival, only ECOG and FMF remained significant.

Conclusion

CT-based markers of sarcopenia and myosteatosis show a prognostic value for assessment of survival in advanced pancreatic cancer patients undergoing HIFU therapy.

Clinical relevance statement

The results indicate a greater role of myosteatosis for additional risk assessment beyond clinical scores, as only FMF was associated with long-term survival in multivariable CPH analyses along ECOG and also showed independence to ECOG in group analysis.

Key Points

• This study investigates the prognostic value of CT-based markers of sarcopenia and myosteatosis for patients with pancreatic cancer treated with high-intensity focused ultrasound.

• Markers for sarcopenia and myosteatosis showed a prognostic value besides clinical assessment of the physical status by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score. In contrast to muscle size measurements, the myosteatosis marker fatty muscle fraction demonstrated independence to the clinical score.

• The results indicate that myosteatosis might play a greater role for additional patient risk assessments beyond clinical assessments of physical status.
Standardizing the estimation of ischemic regions can harmonize CT perfusion stroke imaging
Authors: Peerlings Daan , Bennink Edwin , Dankbaar Jan W. , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Emmer Bart J. , Hoving Jan W. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. , Marquering Henk A. , van Voorst Henk , de Jong Hugo W. A. M. ,   On behalf of the CLEOPATRA (cost-effectiveness of CT perfusion for patients with acute ischemic stroke) healthcare evaluation and the DUST (Dutch acute stroke) study investigators
Published: August 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the real-world variation in CT perfusion (CTP) imaging protocols among stroke centers and to explore the potential for standardizing vendor software to harmonize CTP images.

Methods

Stroke centers participating in a nationwide multicenter healthcare evaluation were requested to share their CTP scan and processing protocol. The impact of these protocols on CTP imaging was assessed by analyzing data from an anthropomorphic phantom with center-specific vendor software with default settings from one of three vendors (A–C): IntelliSpace Portal, syngoVIA, and Vitrea. Additionally, standardized infarct maps were obtained using a logistic model.

Results

Eighteen scan protocols were studied, all varying in acquisition settings. Of these protocols, seven, eight, and three were analyzed with center-specific vendor software A, B, and C respectively. The perfusion maps were visually dissimilar between the vendor software but were relatively unaffected by the acquisition settings. The median error [interquartile range] of the infarct core volumes (mL) estimated by the vendor software was − 2.5 [6.5] (A)/ − 18.2 [1.2] (B)/ − 8.0 [1.4] (C) when compared to the ground truth of the phantom (where a positive error indicates overestimation). Taken together, the median error [interquartile range] of the infarct core volumes (mL) was − 8.2 [14.6] before standardization and − 3.1 [2.5] after standardization.

Conclusions

CTP imaging protocols varied substantially across different stroke centers, with the perfusion software being the primary source of differences in CTP images. Standardizing the estimation of ischemic regions harmonized these CTP images to a degree.

Clinical relevance statement

The center that a stroke patient is admitted to can influence the patient’s diagnosis extensively. Standardizing vendor software for CT perfusion imaging can improve the consistency and accuracy of results, enabling a more reliable diagnosis and treatment decision.

Key Points

• CT perfusion imaging is widely used for stroke evaluation, but variation in the acquisition and processing protocols between centers could cause varying patient diagnoses.

• Variation in CT perfusion imaging mainly arises from differences in vendor software rather than acquisition settings, but these differences can be reconciled by standardizing the estimation of ischemic regions.

• Standardizing the estimation of ischemic regions can improve CT perfusion imaging for stroke evaluation by facilitating reliable evaluations independent of the admission center.
Histological response to radiotherapy is an early event in myxoid liposarcoma
Authors: Lam Suk Wai , Silva Tulio M. , Traast-Kooistra Jolanda , Bruijn Inge Briaire-de , van den Akker Brendy , Bakker Pauline A. C. , Lansu Jules , Haas Rick L. M. , Bovée Judith V. M. G.
Published: August 2023

Compared to other sarcomas, myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) is exceptionally sensitive to radiation therapy, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The objective was to assess the tissue-based changes in MLS during and after neoadjuvant radiotherapy in 26 patients of the DOREMY trial. Morphological assessment was performed on biopsies pre-treatment, after 8 fractions, 16 factions, and after surgical resection and included percentage of viable tumor cells, hyalinization, necrosis, and fatty maturation. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry was performed for apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3), anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2), activity of mTOR signaling (phospho-S6), hypoxia (CAIX), proliferation (Ki67), inflammation (CD45 and CD68), and microvessel density (CD34 Chalkley count). A pronounced reduction in vital tumor cells was observed early with a drop to 32.5% (median) tumor cells (IQR 10–93.8%) after 8 fractions. This decreased further to 10% (IQR 5–30%) after 16 fractions and 7.5% (IQR 5–15%) in the surgical specimen. All but one patient had an excellent response with < 50% remaining tumor cells. Inversely, treatment response was mainly observed as hyalinization and less often as fatty maturation. Additionally, a decrease of inflammatory cells was noticed especially during the first eight fractions. Microvessel density remained stable over time. Immunohistochemical markers for apoptosis, anti-apoptosis, activity of mTOR signaling, proliferation, and hypoxia did not show any marked changes within the remaining tumor cells during and after radiotherapy. As a modest dose of neoadjuvant radiotherapy induces profound tissue changes in MLS, mainly during the first 8 fractions, current findings might suggest that in a carefully selected patient population further deintensification of radiotherapy might be explored.
Geometric morphometrics of macro- and meiofaunal priapulid pharyngeal teeth provides a proxy for studying Cambrian “tooth taxa”
Authors: Wernström Joel Vikberg , Slater Ben J. , Sørensen Martin V. , Crampton Denise , Altenburger Andreas
Published: August 2023

Priapulids are marine, benthic ecdysozoan worms that feed using a distinctive toothed pharynx. While only a handful of lineages have survived to the present day, the Cambrian priapulid stem group left behind a rich record of articulated body fossils and characteristic trace fossils in the form of burrows. Recently, the fossil record of isolated priapulid cuticular elements including pharyngeal teeth has gained increased attention as a means of revealing cryptic priapulid taxa otherwise unknown among macrofossils. In this study, we focus on the ecological implications of shape variation in the teeth of extant and extinct priapulids, which display substantial morphological differences between taxa and life stages. We define a landmarking scheme to capture shape variation in priapulid teeth and apply it to our dataset, which includes a breadth of tooth specimens from extant macrofaunal and meiofaunal lineages alongside numerous Cambrian priapulid teeth preserved as isolated small carbonaceous fossils. Through ordination of the principal components of shape, we explore the priapulid tooth morphospace and find evidence that its occupancy has expanded since Cambrian times, indicating a corresponding expansion of the group’s ecological niche. We also employ our geometric morphometric approach to make linear discriminant analysis-based taxon assignments based on tooth morphology, which can be helpful for classifying enigmatic “tooth taxa” known solely from fossil teeth. Finally, we use discriminant analysis to study tooth shapes from a functional perspective, considering known ecologies to characterize the ecological functions of unclassified isolated teeth.
Molecular evidence of the absence of Metagonimus yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912) in Europe: report of Metagonimus sp. in cyprinoid fish from the River Danube in Hungary
Authors: Cech Gábor , Gyöngy Martina , Sándor Diána , Molnár Kálmán , Sellyei Boglárka , Varga Ádám , Székely Csaba
Published: August 2023

Trematodes of the genus Metagonimus Katsurada, 1912 (Digenea: Heterophyidae) are zoonotic parasites that cause infections in humans, with most cases reported in Southeast Asia. Larvae from the second intermediate host, called metacercariae, of one of human-infecting species, M. yokogawai (Katsurada, 1912), have been reported from cyprinoid fish in Europe. In the present study, we provided DNA-based evidence that metacercariae of Metagonimus, which are commonly found in the scales of various cyprinoids in Central Europe (Danube River in Hungary) do not belong to M. yokogawai. Sequence analysis of the ITS region, 28S rDNA, and cox1 genes showed that this species is clearly distinct from all Asian species, including M. yokogawai, which probably does not occur in Europe. Metacercariae from cyprinoids might belong to Metagonimus romanicus (Ciurea, 1915), an insufficiently known species described from Romania.
Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve subclinical hypothyroidism by immunocompetence mediating apoptosis inhibition on thyroid cells in aged mice
Authors: Li Chuyu , Rui Qiang , Dong Xiaohan , Ning Song , Zhou Jing , Wu Huimin , Jiang Chunyan , Cui Yugui , Liu Jiayin , Jiang Jun , Qin Lianju
Published: August 2023

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) affects 10% of the global population, which is most prevalent in women and the elderly. However, it remains debatable whether the elderly with subclinical hypothyroidism needs thyroxine supplement. Human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) could play important roles in autoimmune diseases, suggesting that hAMSC be a candidate to regulate the thyroid function of female age-related subclinical hypothyroidism. Herein, we established the model of SCH in the aged female mice. This study was designed to investigate whether human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) could effect on immune regulation, apoptosis inhibition of thyroid cells, thyroid function, blood lipid levels, and heart function. In addition, qualified hAMSCs were intravenously injected into aged female SCH mice via the tail vein on day 0 and day 10. The levels of thyroid hormone and blood lipids as well as cardiac function, serum immunological indexes, and apoptosis of thyroid cells were then analyzed on day 5, 10, 15, and 20; meanwhile, the quantity of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg immune cells in peripheral blood was evaluated before and on day 20 post-injection. Our study demonstrated that after hAMSC transplantation, the thyroid functions, blood lipid levels, and heart function indexes of age-related SCH (AR-SCH) mice were significantly improved. Consistent with this, Th1 and Treg cells increased significantly, while Th2 and Th17 cells decreased in peripheral blood. Apoptosis was also suppressed in the thyroid cells. In summary, hAMSC delivery can potentially be a safe and effective therapy for treating SCH in the elderly, improving related complications by immunomodulatory and apoptosis inhibition.
Brain activity in response to food images in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia
Authors: Katsumata Ryo , Hosokawa Takayuki , Manabe Noriaki , Mori Hitoshi , Wani Kenta , Ishii Katsunori , Tanikawa Tomohiro , Urata Noriyo , Ayaki Maki , Nishino Ken , Murao Takahisa , Suehiro Mitsuhiko , Fujita Minoru , Kawanaka Miwa , Haruma Ken , Kawamoto Hirofumi , Takao Toshihiro , Kamada Tomoari
Published: August 2023

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are caused and exacerbated by consumption of fatty foods. However, no study has evaluated brain activity in response to food images in patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI). This study aimed to compare food preference and brain activity when viewing food images between patients with DGBI and healthy controls.

Methods

FD and IBS were diagnosed using the ROME IV criteria. Food preference was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Brain activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in response to food images was investigated using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Results

Forty-one patients were enrolled, including 25 with DGBI. The mean VAS scores for all foods (controls vs. FD vs. IBS: 69.1 ± 3.3 vs. 54.8 ± 3.8 vs. 62.8 ± 3.7, p = 0.02), including fatty foods (78.1 ± 5.4 vs. 43.4 ± 6.3 vs. 64.7 ± 6.1, p < 0.01), were the lowest in patients with FD among all groups. Patients with FD had significantly higher brain activity in the left PFC than those with IBS and healthy controls (mean z-scores in controls vs. FD vs. IBS: − 0.077 ± 0.03 vs. 0.125 ± 0.04 vs. − 0.002 ± 0.03, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with DGBI, particularly those with FD, disliked fatty foods. The brain activity in patients with DGBI differed from that in healthy controls. Increased activity in the PFC of patients with FD was confirmed.
3D bio-printed hydrogel inks promoting lung cancer cell growth in a lab-on-chip culturing platform
Authors: Krakos Agnieszka , Cieślak Adrianna , Hartel Eliza , Łabowska Magdalena Beata , Kulbacka Julita , Detyna Jerzy
Published: August 2023

The results of a lab-on-chip (LOC) platform fabrication equipped with a hydrogel matrix is reported. A 3D printing technique was used to provide a hybrid, “sandwiched” type structure, including two microfluidic substrates of different origins. Special attention was paid to achieving uniformly bio-printed microfluidic hydrogel layers of a unique composition. Six different hydrogel inks were proposed containing sodium alginate, agar, chitosan, gelatin, methylcellulose, deionized water, or 0.9% NaCl, varying in proportions. All of them exhibited appropriate mechanical properties showing, e.g., the value of elasticity modulus as similar to that of biological tissues, such as skin. Utilizing our biocompatible, entirely 3D bio-printed structure, for the first time, a multi-drug-resistant lung cancer cell line (H69AR) was cultured on-chip. Biological validation of the device was performed qualitatively and quantitatively utilizing LIVE/DEAD assays and Presto blue staining. Although all bio-inks exhibited acceptable cell viability, the best results were obtained for the hydrogel composition including 3% sodium alginate + 7% gelatin + 90% NaCl (0.9%), reaching approximately 127.2% after 24 h and 105.4% after 48 h compared to the control group (100%). Further research in this area will focus on the microfluidic culture of the chosen cancer cell line (H69AR) and the development of novel drug delivery strategies towards appropriate in vivo models for chemotherapy and polychemotherapy treatment.

Graphical abstract
The economic cost of social distancing during a pandemic: an optimal control approach in the SVIR model
Authors: Ramponi Alessandro , Tessitore M. Elisabetta
Published: August 2023

We devise a theoretical model for the optimal dynamical control of an infectious disease whose diffusion is described by the SVIR compartmental model. The control is realized through implementing social rules to reduce the disease’s spread, which often implies substantial economic and social costs. We model this trade-off by introducing a functional depending on three terms: a social cost function, the cost supported by the healthcare system for the infected population, and the cost of the vaccination campaign. Using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle, we are able to characterize the optimal control strategy in three instances of the social cost function, the linear, quadratic, and exponential models, respectively. Finally, we present a set of results on the numerical solution of the optimally controlled system by using Italian data from the recent COVID-19 pandemics for the model calibration.
Adapting empirical solar radiation pressure model for BDS-3 medium Earth orbit satellites
Authors: Chen Xinghan , Ge Maorong , Liu Yang , He Lina , Schuh Harald
Published: August 2023

For the precise orbit determination (POD) of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) constellation, it is very difficult to precisely model the solar radiation pressure (SRP) force acting on GNSS satellites. For GPS satellites, the ECOM model developed by the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe has been utilized by most of International GNSS Service (IGS) analysis centers. However, it should be adapted and optimized to the characteristics of satellites of each GNSS system or even individual satellites. It was extended to the ECOM2 model for GLONASS satellites and then for Galileo satellites by employing a box–wing model. Since November 2020, the third generation of the BeiDou satellite system (BDS-3) has been in its full operation and there are about 200 globally distributed IGS ground stations tracking BDS-3 signals, which creates a great potential to evaluate and optimize its SRP modeling. From the POD processing carried out in this study, we found significant fluctuations of up to 20 cm in overlapping orbit differences for satellites over eclipses in the radial direction and of about 20 and 50 cm in the cross and along directions for ECOM2 and ECOM models. Then, based on numerical analyses we demonstrate that the fourth- and sixth-order sine terms in the Sun direction can significantly reduce the overlapping orbit differences of ECOM. Therefore, an adapted SRP model by adding the fourth- and sixth-order sine periodical terms in the Sun direction to the ECOM model is presented. The adapted model is then validated for BDS-3 POD and orbit prediction. Results show that fluctuations in the amplitude of overlapping estimated orbits using ECOM models are reduced from 20 to < 10 cm in the radial-track component and satellite laser ranging residuals are reduced to half by the adapted SRP model. For the predicted BDS-3 satellite orbits, the RMS values over deep eclipses can be improved from about 7, 14 and 26 cm to about 3, 5 and 12 cm, in the radial, cross and along directions, respectively, compared to the ECOM model.
Risk-shifting, concentration risk, and heterogeneous borrowers
Authors: Fittje Jens
Published: August 2023

This article analyzes the effect of endogenous valuations-based capital requirements on risk-shifting in a closed economy DSGE Model. It adds to the existing literature by including concentration risk into the portfolio allocation of the commercial banks. It finds that capital requirements move procyclically, which amplifies the expansionary effect of monetary easing. The movement of the capital requirements is asymmetric, which creates a risk-shifting impulse. Sticky bank capital rents can strengthen this risk-shift.
Non-linear effects on the population performance of Bighead Carp under different maturation schedules
Authors: Dean Erik K. , Drake D. Andrew R. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: August 2023

Bighead Carp currently threatens to invade the Laurentian Great Lakes from the Mississippi River, but the novel climatic conditions it will encounter by expanding northwards could affect its population performance. Bighead Carp in colder climates exhibits slower growth and matures later, with later maturation typically leading to larger adult size and increased fecundity and survival. Accordingly, the life-history strategies of Bighead Carp at its northern range limits could differ from those observed in its current invaded range. To explore how population performance could differ across changing environmental conditions, we used a stage- and age-based matrix population model parameterized with values reported for Bighead Carp populations around the world. The model was used to evaluate how different ages of maturity and their resulting impacts to body size, survival, and fecundity could impact rates of population growth and establishment. Age of maturity had a non-linear effect on population growth, with maturation at intermediate ages (4–6 years) resulting in better performance. However, performance differed less between maturation ages when fecundity was allowed to increase disproportionately with body size. Greater population growth at younger ages of maturity suggest that invasion at lower latitudes could enable establishment in fewer years due to faster rates of development in warmer temperatures. Across all maturation schedules, population growth was most sensitive to the recruitment of age-1 individuals and least sensitive to adult survival, and vital rates overall varied more in their contribution to population growth at younger ages of maturity. Thus, understanding the factors that control age-1 recruitment would inform projections of population performance for Bighead Carp in the Laurentian Great Lakes.
Efficacy, safety, and cost-minimization analysis of axicabtagene ciloleucel and tisagenlecleucel CAR T-Cell therapies for treatment of relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma
Authors: Ghanem Buthainah
Published: August 2023

Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) and tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) are chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies used to treat adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (rrFL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy. In the absence of head-to-head clinical trials, this study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of axi-cel and tisa-cel in the treatment of rrFL after at least two lines of treatment. Overall response rate (ORR) and safety signals were compared using reporting odds ratios (RORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at p < 0.05. Progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DoR), and overall survival (OS) were compared using the Kaplan?Meier method with a log-rank test. Cost and cost-minimization analyses of drug acquisition, drug administration, serious adverse events (AEs), and relapsed management were calculated. Costs were extracted from the IBM-Micromedex Red Book, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and existing literature. Statistical analyses were conducted using Microsoft Excel and R version 4.0.5. No statistically significant differences were observed between axi-cel and tisa-cel in terms of ORR, DoR, and OS (p > 0.05). PFS was significantly better with tisa-cel (p < 0.05). Axi-cel was significantly associated with higher incidences of CRS, neurologic events, and grade 3–4 AEs than tisa-cel (ROR > 1, p < 0.05). Axi-cel and tisa-cel cost $512,021 and $450,885 per patient, respectively, resulting in savings of US$61,136 with tisa-cel over axi-cel. Tisa-cel appears to have a better safety profile, fewer serious AEs, lower mortality rate, and lower cost than axi-cel.