bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction heating for desorption of surface contamination for high-repetition laser-driven carbon-ion acceleration
Authors: Kojima Sadaoki , Miyatake Tatsuhiko , Sakaki Hironao , Kuroki Hiroyoshi , Shimizu Yusuke , Harada Hisanori , Inoue Norihiro , Dinh Thanh Hung , Hata Masayasu , Hasegawa Noboru , Mori Michiaki , Ishino Masahiko , Nishiuchi Mamiko , Kondo Kotaro , Nishikino Masaharu , Kando Masaki , Shirai Toshiyuki , Kondo Kiminori
Published: July 2023

This study reports the first experimental demonstration of surface contamination cleaning from a high-repetition supply of thin-tape targets for laser-driven carbon-ion acceleration. The adsorption of contaminants containing protons, mainly water vapor and hydrocarbons, on the surface of materials exposed to low vacuum (>10−3 Pa) suppresses carbon-ion acceleration. The newly developed contamination cleaner heats a 5-μm-thick nickel tape to over 400 °C in 100 ms by induction heating. In the future, this heating method could be scaled to laser-driven carbon-ion acceleration at rates beyond 10 Hz. The contaminant hydrogen is eliminated from the heated nickel surface, and a carbon source layer—derived from the contaminant carbon—is spontaneously formed by the catalytic effect of nickel. The species of ions accelerated from the nickel film heated to various temperatures have been observed experimentally. When the nickel film is heated beyond ∼150 °C, the proton signal considerably decreases, with a remarkable increase in the number and energy of carbon ions. The Langmuir adsorption model adequately explains the temperature dependence of desorption and re-adsorption of the adsorbed molecules on a heated target surface, and the temperature required for proton-free carbon-ion acceleration can be estimated.
Assessing knowledge of English verb placement and subject-verb agreement among multilingual students in grades 5–7 in Norway
Authors: Walla Dianna
Published: July 2023

This study investigates knowledge of English verbal morphosyntax among multilingual students and their L1 Norwegian peers in grades 5–7 in Norway. L1 Norwegian speakers have previously shown transfer from Norwegian to verb placement or subject-verb agreement in L2 English, but their multilingual peers may have an advantage in acquiring these properties in L3 English due to their knowledge of other languages. A written test examining verb placement in verb-second (V2) contexts and subject-verb agreement was used to compare L1 Norwegian students with their multilingual peers, who spoke a variety of different L1s in the home. The results showed that the difference in mean scores alone was not significant between the L1 Norwegian group and the multilingual group, but when grade level and academic achievement were controlled for, linguistic group membership did significantly predict better performance by the multilingual group for some, but not all, grammatical conditions examined.
The effect of hearing loss on balance in subjects with cognitive disorders
Authors: Baydan-Aran Mine , Aksoy Songul , Şahin Ülkü Kezban , Caliskan Hatice , Kırdı Nuray , Doğu Burcu Balam
Published: July 2023

Background:

Falls among older adults are a major health issue. Cognitive impairment is known to be an independent risk factor for falls with around 60% of people with cognitive impairment falling each year. Presbycusis is also associated increased risk of falls in older adults.

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between hearing loss and balance in subjects with cognitive disorders.

Methods:

Pure tone air and bone conduction thresholds, speech recognition thresholds and discrimination were measured. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and Adaptation Test (ADT) were performed.

Results:

Subjects with mild hearing loss has the highest scores on SOT and composite scores while subjects with severe hearing loss has worst scores. There was no statistically significant difference between groups on ADT scores.

Conclusions:

Hearing loss and cognitive disorders are independent risk factors for impaired balance among older adults with cognitive decline. Hearing and balance assessment and rehabilitation should be considered in the routine evaluations of older adults.
Clockwork cosmology
Authors: Wood Kieran , Saffin Paul M. , Avgoustidis Anastasios
Published: July 2023

The higher order generalisation of the clockwork mechanism to gravitational interactions provides a means to generate an exponentially suppressed coupling to matter from a fundamental theory of multiple interacting gravitons, without introducing large hierarchies in the underlying potential and without the need for a dilaton, suggesting a possible application to the hierarchy problem. We work in the framework of ghost free multi-gravity with “nearest-neighbour” interactions, and present a formalism by which one is able to construct potentials such that the theory will always exhibit this clockwork effect. We also consider cosmological solutions to the general theory, where all metrics are of FRW form, with site-dependent scale factors/lapses. We demonstrate the existence of multiple deSitter vacua where all metrics share the same Hubble parameter, and we solve the modified Einstein equations numerically for an example clockwork model constructed using our formalism, finding that the evolution of the metric that matter couples to is essentially equivalent to that of general relativity at the modified Planck scale. It is important to stress that while we focus on the application to clockwork theories, our work is entirely general and facilitates finding cosmological solutions to any ghost free multi-gravity theory with “nearest-neighbour” interactions. Moreover, we clarify previous work on the continuum limit of the theory, which is generically a scalar-tensor braneworld, using the Randall-Sundrum model as a special case and showing how the discrete-clockwork cosmological results map to the continuum results in the appropriate limit.
New exact solutions in multi-scalar field cosmology
Authors: Russo Jorge G.
Published: July 2023

We use the method of the superpotential to derive exact solutions describing inflationary cosmologies in multi-field models.
An example that describes a solution that interpolates between two de Sitter universes is described in detail.
New analytical solutions for axion-dilaton cosmologies are also presented.
Science with the Einstein Telescope: a comparison of different designs
Authors: Branchesi Marica , Maggiore Michele , Alonso David , Badger Charles , Banerjee Biswajit , Beirnaert Freija , Belgacem Enis , Bhagwat Swetha , Boileau Guillaume , Borhanian Ssohrab , Brown Daniel David , Leong Chan Man , Cusin Giulia , Danilishin Stefan L. , Degallaix Jerome , De Luca Valerio , Dhani Arnab , Dietrich Tim , Dupletsa Ulyana , Foffa Stefano , Franciolini Gabriele , Freise Andreas , Gemme Gianluca , Goncharov Boris , Ghosh Archisman , Gulminelli Francesca , Gupta Ish , Kumar Gupta Pawan , Harms Jan , Hazra Nandini , Hild Stefan , Hinderer Tanja , Siong Heng Ik , Iacovelli Francesco , Janquart Justin , Janssens Kamiel , Jenkins Alexander C. , Kalaghatgi Chinmay , Koroveshi Xhesika , Li Tjonnie G.F. , Li Yufeng , Loffredo Eleonora , Maggio Elisa , Mancarella Michele , Mapelli Michela , Martinovic Katarina , Maselli Andrea , Meyers Patrick , Miller Andrew L. , Mondal Chiranjib , Muttoni Niccolò , Narola Harsh , Oertel Micaela , Oganesyan Gor , Pacilio Costantino , Palomba Cristiano , Pani Paolo , Pasqualetti Antonio , Perego Albino , Périgois Carole , Pieroni Mauro , Piccinni Ornella Juliana , Puecher Anna , Puppo Paola , Ricciardone Angelo , Riotto Antonio , Ronchini Samuele , Sakellariadou Mairi , Samajdar Anuradha , Santoliquido Filippo , Sathyaprakash B.S. , Steinlechner Jessica , Steinlechner Sebastian , Utina Andrei , Van Den Broeck Chris , Zhang Teng
Published: July 2023

The Einstein Telescope (ET), the European project for a third-generation gravitational-wave detector, has a reference configuration based on a triangular shape consisting of three nested detectors with 10 km arms, where each detector has a 'xylophone' configuration made of an interferometer tuned toward high frequencies, and an interferometer tuned toward low frequencies and working at cryogenic temperature. Here, we examine the scientific perspectives under possible variations of this reference design. We perform a detailed evaluation of the science case for a single triangular geometry observatory, and we compare it with the results obtained for a network of two L-shaped detectors (either parallel or misaligned) located in Europe, considering different choices of arm-length for both the triangle and the 2L geometries. We also study how the science output changes in the absence of the low-frequency instrument, both for the triangle and the 2L configurations. We examine a broad class of simple 'metrics' that quantify the science output, related to compact binary coalescences, multi-messenger astronomy and stochastic backgrounds, and we then examine the impact of different detector designs on a more specific set of scientific objectives.
Monte Carlo averaging for uncertainty estimation in neural networks
Authors: Tassi Cedrique Rovile Njieutcheu , Börner Anko , Triebel Rudolph
Published: July 2023

Although convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are widely used in modern classifiers, they are affected by overfitting and lack robustness leading to overconfident false predictions (FPs). By preventing FPs, certain consequences (such as accidents and financial losses) can be avoided and the use of CNNs in safety- and/or mission-critical applications would be effective. In this work, we aim to improve the separability of true predictions (TPs) and FPs by enforcing the confidence determining uncertainty to be high for TPs and low for FPs. To achieve this, we must devise a suitable method. We proposed the use of Monte Carlo averaging (MCA) and thus compare it with related methods, such as baseline (single CNN), Monte Carlo dropout (MCD), ensemble, and mixture of Monte Carlo dropout (MMCD). This comparison is performed using the results of experiments conducted on four datasets with three different architectures. The results show that MCA performs as well as or even better than MMCD, which in turn performs better than baseline, ensemble, and MCD. Consequently, MCA could be used instead of MMCD for uncertainty estimation, especially because it does not require a predefined distribution and it is less expensive than MMCD.
Artificial nervous systems – a technology to achieve biologically modeled intelligence and control for robotics
Authors: Narcross Fredric
Published: July 2023

Migrating from machine learning and deep learning into the next wave of technology will likely require biological replication rather than biological inspiration. An approach to achieving this requires duplicating entire nervous systems, or at least parts thereof. In theory, these artificial nervous systems (ANS) could reproduce everything required for a system to be biologically intelligent even to the point of being self-aware. This would additionally entail that the resultant systems have the ability to acquire information from both their internal and external environments as well as having the ability to act within the external environment using locomotion and manipulators. Robots are a natural answer for the resultant mechanism and if supplied with an artificial nervous system, the robot might be expected to achieve biologically modelled intelligence (BMI) and control. This paper will provide an overview of the tools for creating artificial nervous systems, as well as provide a roadmap for utilizing the tools to develop robots with general-purpose learning skills and biologically modelled intelligence.
Real-time estimation of altitude and airspeed under large airflow angles in flight test
Authors: Zhubin Fan , Ruikun Yuan
Published: July 2023

In the flight test, many test subjects need to enter the large airflow angle. Due to the large airflow angle, the position error of air data sensor is big, and the altitude and airspeed of the aircraft are not accurate, which not only affects the effectiveness of the test results, but also affects the safety of the test flight. This paper proposes two real-time altitude and airspeed estimation methods, including the GPS method and constant wind field method. The GPS method is commonly used in the airspeed calibration, which mainly uses the GPS height change to correct the static pressure, but it depends on the aircraft total pressure sensor to get the airspeed. The constant wind field method directly calculates the true airspeed not depending on the pressure measurement, but it is greatly affected by the wind stability. During the flight test, using this method, the real-time monitoring can provide pilots with accurate altitude and airspeed reference.
Research on Monte Carlo simulation of CAT III auto-landing system
Authors: Ru Tan , Zhichao Yao
Published: July 2023

Approach/Landing is the phase of most accidents occur to endanger civil aircraft safety. CAT III autoland operation can improve the safety and reliability of aircraft when approach and landing in bad weather conditions, and reduce pilot’s working loads, so CAT III autoland control law design is an important task in advanced flight control system research. However, the most of the related researches are requirement based rather and scenario based. Firstly, the article analyzes the Monte Carlo simulation requirements based on airworthiness requirements of auto-landing system and proposes a Monte Carlo simulation model scheme considering the uncertainty of aircraft dynamic model and the actuator model, the error of sensors and the disturbance of wind, then implements the simulation based on a desktop simulation platform. The simulation result shows that the designed auto-landing system can assure the safe and stable landing of the aircraft on the condition of all kinds of uncertainty, the touchdown point, the vertical landing speed and the attitude are all compliance with the expectation criteria, satisfying the requirement of airworthiness items.
Design and analysis of an inflatable recovery platform for shipborne UAV
Authors: Bo Dong , Lv Shengli
Published: July 2023

It is difficult to recover drones for small ships (such as destroyers). Therefore, it is necessary to design a new carrier-borne UAV recovery platform, achieving the purpose of rapid recovery of offshore UAV. This paper presents a fast unfolding and folding inflatable structure for small ship UAV offshore recovery. This paper analyze some static response of the UAV recovery platform. Firstly, parking positions of UAV on the runway surface is a factor. Secondly, runway surface materials is also a factor. Thirdly, airbag’s internal pressure also affects static response of the platform. It is find that static responses such as deformation and stress more sensitive to the runway surface material and the position of UAV, and the transverse deformation is sensitive to the runway surface material, but not to the internal pressure of the airbag.
Research on user requirements preprocessing of imaging reconnaissance satellites
Authors: Zhao Yulong , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yan , Pan Xianjun
Published: July 2023

Aiming at how to solve the problem of optimal matching between imaging reconnaissance user requirements and satellite resources, this paper conducts research on the preprocessing of imaging reconnaissance satellite requirements. First, considering the remote sensor type and resolution of imaging satellites, a requirement-resource matching matrix is constructed to realize the preliminary matching between user requirements and imaging reconnaissance satellite resources. Secondly, starting from the time constraints, by calculating the observation time window of requirement and resources, the time requirements of satellite resources and user requirements are matched. Finally, in order to solve the problem that the same observation task can be completed by multiple imaging satellites, a conflict resolution method based on resource consumption is proposed, which effectively improves the preprocessing ability of user requirements.
Minimum path deviation rapid online path planning of unmanned aerial vehicles with avoidance zones constraints
Authors: Liu Xin , Chai Pengfei , Cheng Peng , Han Jinkai , Wang Zeyuan
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates a minimum path deviation online path planning problem for UAV with constrainted avoidance zones. The nonlinear and nonconvex of this problem make the path planning is very time consuming and not acceptable for using onboard. Three new state variables and two control variables are redefined to convert the nonconvex problem into a second-order cone convex programming problem, which can be solved in polynomial time by primal-dual interior-point method, theoretical proof demonstrates the equivalence of the relaxed convex problem and the original problem. We propose a sequential second-order cone programming algorithm in order to get the optimal solution of the convexified problem. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness and less time-consuming of the proposed algorithm, no initial guess required and efficient solving process indicate that the algorithm has potential future for online path planning applications.
Load calibration experiment analysis for scaled model of large aspect ratio wing
Authors: Sun Qiaozhen , Zhang Bocheng , Yuan Haoqian
Published: July 2023

Load calibration experiment is the key work for flight load verification and flight test of civil aircraft. The efficiency of the flight load verification is meaningfully determined by the reliability of load calibration experiment. This paper aims to theoretically and experimentally study the load calibration of civil aircraft wing with large aspect ratio and elastic beam based on the scaled model, which includes the design of fixed device for wing loading, the data processing, the basic hypothesis test, the selection of regression variables and optimisation of regression equation, etc. Firstly, the systematic error is eliminated based on the sample difference method. Then, on the basis of the multiple linear regression method, the multi-collinearity among variables is weakened by using the multi-collinearity verification technology. Subsequently, the abnormal sample points are eliminated by the means of cyclic residual analysis. Finally, the optimized variables are screened with the method of the stepwise linear regression, and the load equations for the civil aircraft wing with large aspect ratio can be established. It is demonstrated that the calculated results verifies well with the engineering requirements by comparing with experimental results, and the error is smaller than 5%.
Optimal Landing Zone Selection and Online Trajectory Programming Method for Lunar Lander
Authors: Deng Yanpeng , Mu Rongjun , Wu Peng
Published: July 2023

To achieve a safe landing on the lunar surface with complex terrain, online landing zone selection is required. A DEM-based landing zone selection technique is proposed. The method firstly obtains several candidate landing zones by analyzing the gradient and variance information from the DEM, and then selects the integrated candidate landing zone by the overlap ratio. Finally, the optimal trajectory programming is carried out with the current state of the lander as the initial value and each integrated candidate landing zone as the final position, and the optimal landing zone is selected by comparing the required fuel to each landing zone. Compared with the classical DEM-based online landing site selection technique, the proposed method does not perform terrain reconstruction, responds quickly, and achieves real-time performance, and it also reduces fuel consumption, provides residual fuel for the subsequent landing phase, and increases the reliability of the landing process. Simulation results show that the proposed method is able to select several candidate landing zones in complex terrain, meanwhile, it is capable of achieving the optimal trajectory programming with the target of these several candidate landing zones, and finally, the optimal landing zone is selected by comparing the fuel consumption of each path.
An apparatus for low-temperature measurement using a spherical acoustic resonator
Authors: Qin H L , Zhou G , Li Q
Published: July 2023

Acoustic Gas Thermometry (AGT) is one of the most accurate methods of measuring thermodynamic temperature. The principal work of this research is the design of the measurement platform of AGT with a Pulse tube refrigerator temperatures between 4.2∼20K. The static simulation of the spherical resonator are concluded. Stress checking and heat leakage analysis of the system are emphasized. The system will be experimental used in the future.
Caesium- and sodium-filled pressure controlled heat pipe at NRC
Authors: Dedyulin Sergey , Gotoh Masahiko
Published: July 2023

What if you could tune the temperature of the fixed point used to calibrate your thermometer continuously between the freezing points of zinc (692.677 K) and silver (1234.93 K) while maintaining the uniform temperature environment (±10 mK) along 20 cm zone for hours at a time and with an uncertainty approaching a fraction of a mK? We are aiming to do exactly that by using a set of caesium- and sodium-filled pressure controlled heat pipes previously established at NRC. The original pressure controlled heat pipe furnaces have been recommissioned with a number of changes to improve their function as a calibration by comparison apparatus. In particular, the new gas handling system capable of controlling the pressure within ±4 ppm was installed side by side with the previously reported one. In this paper, we show the temperature performance of legacy NRC caesium- and sodium-filled pressure controlled heat pipes when connected to the new gas handling system.
Strain-enabled defect migration and defect activation in monolayer MoS2
Authors: Nechiyil Divya , Gokul M A , Shukla Ashutosh , Kumar G V Pavan , Rahman Atikur
Published: July 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) materials possess remarkable strain tolerance and exhibit strain-tunable properties, making them highly promising for flexible device applications. Defects within these materials significantly impact their optoelectronic response to strain. In this study, we investigate the influence of strain on the electrical properties of monolayer MoS2, emphasizing the pivotal role played by intrinsic defects in shaping the material’s electrical and optoelectronic response under strain. We observed an enhancement in photocurrent and persistent photoconductivity at specific strains, indicating the activation of defects at these strain values, thus enhancing the photoresponse. Moreover, our device exhibits diodic behavior at specific strain values after prolonged measurements under a static field, suggesting a reduction in the migration energy of defects caused by the applied strain. This finding holds significant implications for memory, logic, and flexible devices. Additionally, we observe an increase in electron mobility under tensile strain, with our flexible field-effect transistor exhibiting higher mobility (∼38 cm2 (V·s)−1) at 0.4% strain. Our study provides insight into the role of strain in the activation and migration of defects in monolayer MoS2 and opens up new avenues for the development of multifunctional ultra-thin flexible devices and memory applications.
Dissipation and irreversibility in computing
Authors: Ferry David K , Porod Wolfgang
Published: July 2023

There has been much discussion for decades over the proper concepts of minimum dissipation per logic gate and what is required for computation, as well as early arguments over logically reversible machines. Here these arguments, and the thermodynamics related to them, are discussed in terms of what is required for a computing machine. This gives a set of requirements for a valid computer that arise already from Turing and a set of limitations on energy dissipation and entropy. Here, the requirements set by Turing on what can and cannot be a computing machine are introduced, and how these limits affect not only the machine, but individual bits and a general need for irreversibility, are discussed. Then, it is shown that there is a minimum dissipation for a bit operation, and this is imposed both by Turing’s requirements as well as by noise in the system. Finally, it is shown that information entropy differs from physical entropy and care must be taken in trying to connect the two quantities. How these requirements, and new ones, affect quantum computation is also discussed.
Multicoloured light source gives compressive spectroscopy a boost
Authors: Wogan Tim
Published: July 2023

Researchers in the US have unveiled a solid-state electronic device array that produces time-modulated light at tunable wavelengths.
Sony ventures into quantum computing
Authors: Boerkamp Martijn
Published: July 2023

Japanese electronics giant Sony is to join other investment groups in a £42m venture in the UK quantum computing firm Quantum Motion.
Thrown away
Authors: Tierney Tom
Published: July 2023

Tom Tierney reviews Wasteland: the Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters by journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis.
Fast kernel methods for data quality monitoring as a goodness-of-fit test
Authors: Grosso Gaia , Lai Nicolò , Letizia Marco , Pazzini Jacopo , Rando Marco , Rosasco Lorenzo , Wulzer Andrea , Zanetti Marco
Published: July 2023

We propose an accurate and efficient machine learning approach for monitoring particle detectors in real-time. The goal is to assess the compatibility of incoming experimental data with a reference dataset, characterising the data behaviour under normal circumstances, via a likelihood-ratio hypothesis test. The model is based on a modern implementation of kernel methods, nonparametric algorithms that can learn any continuous function given enough data. The resulting approach is efficient and agnostic to the type of anomaly that may be present in the data. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of this strategy on multivariate data from drift tube chamber muon detectors.
Follicular development and ovary aging: single-cell studies
Authors: Zhao Hong , Wang Yifu , Yang Yihua
Published: July 2023

Follicular development is a critical process in reproductive biology that determines the number of oocytes and interacts with various cells within the follicle (such as oocytes, granulosa cells, cumulus cells, and theca cells), and plays a vital role in fertility and reproductive health because of the dogma of a limited number of oogonia. Dysregulation of follicular development can lead to infertility problems and other reproductive disorders. To explore the physiological and pathological mechanisms of follicular development, immunology-based methods, microarrays, and next-generation sequencing have traditionally been used for characterization at the tissue level. However, with the proliferation of single-cell techniques, research has uncovered unique molecular mechanisms in individual cells that have been masked by previous holistic analyses. In this review, we briefly summarize the achievements and limitations of traditional methods in the study of follicular development. Simultaneously, we focus on how to understand the physiological process of follicular development at the single-cell level and reveal the pathological mechanisms and relevant intervention targets. Moreover, we also delineate the limitations and application prospects of single-cell sequencing in follicular development research.
Mechanism of BLIMP1/TRIM66/COX2 in human decidua participates in parturition
Authors: Zhou Wei , Geng Huizhen , Huang Yihong , Shi Shaole , Wang Zilian , Wang Dongyu
Published: July 2023

The mechanism underlying the initiation of parturition remains unclear. Cyclooxygenase 2 and prostaglandins in decidual membrane tissue play an important role in the “parturition cascade.” With the advancement of gestation, the expression of the transcriptional suppressor B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 in the decidual membrane gradually decreases. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, we found that B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 has a binding site in the distal intergenic of PTGS2(COX2). Tripartite motif-containing protein 66 is a chromatin-binding protein that usually performs transcriptional regulatory functions by “reading” histone modification sites in chromatin. In this study, tripartite motif-containing protein 66 exhibits the same trend of expression as B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 in the decidua during gestation. Moreover, the co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed that tripartite motif-containing protein 66 combined with B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1. This finding indicated that tripartite motif-containing protein 66 formed a transcription complex with B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1, which coregulated the expression of COX2. In animal experiments, we injected si-Blimp1 adenoviruses (si-Blimp1), Blimp1 overexpression plasmid (Blimp1-OE), and Trim66 overexpression plasmid (Trim66-OE) through the tail vein of mice. The results showed that B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 and tripartite motif-containing protein 66 affected the initiation of parturition in mice. Therefore, the present evidence suggests that B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 and tripartite motif-containing protein 66 partially participate in the initiation of labor, which may provide a new perspective for exploring the mechanism of term labor.
Alexithymia prevalence in individuals with chronic urticaria and its association with illness severity and therapeutic profile
Authors: Cherrez-Ojeda Ivan , Thomsen Simon Francis , Giménez-Arnau Ana
Published: July 2023

Forty-two per cent of patients with chronic urticaria in our study had alexithymia. Female patients had approximately 48% higher odds of having alexithymia. Patients with uncontrolled urticaria had 58% higher odds of having alexithymia. Among those with mild urticaria activity, the likelihood of having alexithymia was twice that of urticaria-free individuals. The use osf older first-generation antihistamines doubled the odds of having alexithymia. Patients with chronic urticaria with cardiovascular comorbidities had a 2.5-fold increased risk of alexithymia.
Primary care blood tests show lipid profile changes in pre-symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Thompson Alexander G , Marsden Rachael , Talbot Kevin , Turner Martin R
Published: July 2023

Multiple sources of evidence suggest that changes in metabolism may precede the onset of motor symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study aimed to seek evidence for alterations in the levels of blood indices collected routinely in the primary care setting prior to the onset of motor symptoms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Premorbid data, measured as part of routine health screening, for total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, glycated haemoglobin A1c and creatinine were collected retrospectively from (i) a cohort of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients attending a specialist clinic (n = 143) and (ii) from primary care–linked data within UK Biobank. Data were fitted using linear mixed effects models with linear b-splines to identify inflection points, controlling for age and sex. In specialist amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic cases, models indicated decreasing levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol prior to an inflection point in the years before symptom onset (total cholesterol 3.25 years, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 1.25 years), after which they stabilized or rose. A similar pattern was observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases within UK Biobank, occurring several years prior to diagnosis (total cholesterol 7 years, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 7.25 years), differing significantly from matched controls. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol followed a similar pattern but was less robust to sensitivity analyses. Levels of triglyceride remained stable throughout. Glycated haemoglobin temporal profiles were not consistent between the clinic and biobank cohorts. Creatinine level trajectories prior to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis did not differ significantly from controls but decreased significantly in the symptomatic period after an inflection point of 0.25 years after symptom onset (clinic cohort) or 0.5 years before diagnosis (UK Biobank). These data provide further evidence for a pre-symptomatic period of dynamic metabolic change in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, consistently associated with alterations in blood cholesterols. Such changes may ultimately contribute to biomarkers applicable to population screening and for pathways guiding the targeting of preventative therapy.
Development and Validation of a SPE–HPLC Method for Quantification of Rhein, Emodin, Chrysophanol and Physcion in Rhamnus petiolaris Boiss. & Balansa
Authors: Köseoğlu Yılmaz Pelin , Kolak Ufuk
Published: July 2023

Anthraquinones exhibit a significant group of natural and synthetic quinone derivatives because of their biological activities and industrial applications. Rhamnaceae is one of the families known to contain different kinds of anthraquinones. In this study, it was aimed to quantify rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion in fruits of Rhamnus petiolaris Boiss. & Balansa belonging to Rhamnaceae by solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The anthraquinones were separated using a C18 analytical column. Gradient elution was performed using a mobile phase consisted of 0.1% o-phosphoric acid solution and methanol. Analytes were detected at 254 nm. Calibration curves were prepared in the range of 0.25–5.00 μg/mL for rhein, chrysophanol, physcion, 1.00–50.00 μg/mL for emodin. Limits of detection and quantification were between 0.07–0.11 and 0.20–0.34 μg/mL, respectively. Relative standard deviations were ≤ 5.78% in repeatability and intermediate precision studies. Accuracy was determined as relative mean error (8.17–12.06%). Extraction was achieved by maceration with acetone and ethanol, followed by hydrophilic–lipophilic balance solid phase extraction. Recoveries were between 96.2 and 109.6%. The developed and validated method was successfully performed to quantify rhein, emodin, chrysophanol and physcion in R. petiolaris fruit extracts. Only physcion was not detected above limit of detection.
Degrees of Comment on Keynes on Uncertainty: Review Article on Keynes on Uncertainty and Tragic Happiness: Complexity and Expectations by Anna M. Carabelli
Authors: Meeks J Gay
Published: July 2023

Oscar Wilde suggests that a book on which critics are agreed must be a ‘very obvious and shallow production’. This review article on Anna Carabelli’s 2021 book (a volume which helpfully draws together the fruits of her more than forty years’ research into Keynes’s method and ways of thought) involves five books that seem to invite the critical dissent that Wilde would have applauded. In her book, Carabelli displays her customary scholarship in writing about Keynes himself but is briskly dismissive of almost all commentators on his treatment of uncertainty and method. In what may be termed a fourth degree of comment - commenting on her comments on others’ comments on Keynes - I take issue with some of her attacks, especially over the extent to which Keynes regarded convention as a stabilising factor and over whether Keynes is misinterpreted by ‘followers of Hume’. A puzzle Carabelli seems to miss concerns which Hume is leading these ‘followers’ – in terms of current controversy, the ‘old’, the ‘new’ or perhaps yet another Hume. The nature of Hume’s own response to his famous sceptical challenge to inductive reasoning is in dispute, and it is contentious which of his two major works better shows this. Also subject to fierce debate is the relation of the philosophy in Keynes’s 1921 Treatise on Probability to the economics in his 1936 General Theory. Carabelli’s detailed history of thought perspective on how Keynes’s ideas grew encounters both rival historical slants and comment from a more purely analytical angle.
Aortic valve calcification is promoted by interleukin-8 and restricted through antagonizing CXC motif chemokine receptor 2
Authors: Dhayni Kawthar , Chabry Yuthiline , Hénaut Lucie , Avondo Carine , Boudot Cedric , Ouled-Haddou Hakim , Bigot-Corbel Edith , Touati Gilles , Caus Thierry , Messaoudi Hind , Bellien Jérémy , Tribouilloy Christophe , Messika-Zeitoun David , Zibara Kazem , Kamel Saïd , Bennis Youssef
Published: July 2023

Aims

Inflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), for which there is currently no pharmacological treatment. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that interleukin-8 (IL-8), known to be involved in arterial calcification, also promotes aortic valve calcification (AVC) and to evaluate whether pharmacologically blocking the IL-8 receptor, CXC motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), could be effective in preventing AVC progression.

Methods and results

A cohort of 195 patients (median age 73, 74% men) diagnosed with aortic valve stenosis (severe in 16.9% of cases) were prospectively followed by CT for a median time of 2.6 years. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that baseline IL-8 serum concentrations were associated with rapid progression of AVC, defined as an annualized change in the calcification score by CT ≥ 110 AU/year, after adjustment for age, gender, bicuspid anatomy, and baseline disease severity. In vitro, exposure of primary human aortic valvular interstitial cells (hVICs) to 15 pg/mL IL-8 induced a two-fold increase in inorganic phosphate (Pi)-induced calcification. IL-8 promoted NFκB pathway activation, MMP-12 expression, and elastin degradation in hVICs exposed to Pi. These effects were prevented by SCH527123, an antagonist of CXCR2. The expression of CXCR2 was confirmed in hVICs and samples of aortic valves isolated from patients with CAVD, in which the receptor was mainly found in calcified areas, along with MMP-12 and a degraded form of elastin. Finally, in a rat model of chronic kidney disease-associated CAVD, SCH527123 treatment (1 mg/kg/day given orally for 11 weeks) limited the decrease in aortic cusp separation, the increase in maximal velocity of the transaortic jet, and the increase in aortic mean pressure gradient measured by echocardiography, effects that were associated with a reduction in hydroxyapatite deposition and MMP-12 expression in the aortic valves.

Conclusion

Overall, these results highlight, for the first time, a significant role for IL-8 in the progression of CAVD by promoting calcification via a CXCR2- and MMP-12-dependent mechanism that leads to elastin degradation, and identify CXCR2 as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of CAVD.
Unusual presentation of acute spinal cord injury with ischaemic electrocardiographic changes: a case report
Authors: Hussein Hossameldin , Ali Wessam
Published: July 2023

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality with an incidence of 40–83/million/year. Sympathetic denervation in SCI leads to cardiovascular abnormalities including orthostatic hypotension, rhythm disturbance, and repolarization changes. Electrocardiographic (ECG) findings include bradyarrhythmias, ectopic beats, long QT interval, and ST-T changes that may be mistaken for myocardial ischaemia.

Case summary

A patient in their 40 s with free past medical history was referred to our centre with the diagnosis of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. On presentation, chest pain was diffuse and radiating to the back. Twelve-lead ECG showed deep symmetrical T-wave inversion. Echocardiography and cardiac troponin were normal. The patient was scheduled for multi-slice computed tomography coronary angiography which was normal; however, a few hours after admission, the patient developed rapidly progressive motor weakness in both lower limbs with urine retention. Examination revealed motor power Grade 1 in both lower limbs. All sensations were diminished with a sensory level at T6. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging spine revealed neoplastic infiltration of the whole vertebrae with D5/D6 fracture exerting spinal cord compression. The patient was referred for urgent decompression surgery.

Conclusion

Electrocardiographic changes could be the earliest sign for ongoing SCI. ST-elevation is reported in higher levels of complete injury, while ST depression and inverted T waves can occur independent of lesion level or severity. Misinterpretation of these changes may cause a delay in reaching the correct diagnosis. We highlight the importance of considering neurological causes for ischaemic-like ECG changes, as early recognition could prevent irreversible functional loss.
The effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the endothelium and the microcirculation: from bench to bedside and beyond
Authors: Dimitriadis Kyriakos , Adamopoulou Eleni , Pyrpyris Nikolaos , Sakalidis Athanasios , Leontsinis Ioannis , Manta Eleni , Mantzouranis Emmanouil , Beneki Eirini , Soulaidopoulos Stergios , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , Fragkoulis Christos , Aggeli Konstantina , Tsioufis Konstantinos
Published: July 2023

Aims

The beneficial cardiovascular effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors irrespective of the presence of diabetes mellitus are nowadays well established and they already constitute a significant pillar for the management of heart failure, irrespective of the ejection fraction. The exact underlying mechanisms accountable for these effects, however, remain largely unknown. The direct effect on endothelial function and microcirculation is one of the most well studied. The broad range of studies presented in this review aims to link all available data from the bench to bedside and highlight the existing gaps as well as the future directions in the investigations concerning the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on the endothelium and the microcirculation.

Methods and results

An extensive search has been conducted using the MEDLINE/PubMed database in order to identify the relevant studies. Preclinical data suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors directly affect endothelial function independently of glucose and specifically via several interplaying molecular pathways, resulting in improved vasodilation, increased NO production, enhanced mitochondrial homeostasis, endothelial cell viability, and angiogenesis as well as attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Clinical data systematically confirm this beneficial effect on the endothelium, whereas the evidence concerning the effect on the microcirculation is conflicting.

Conclusion

Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors attenuate endothelial and microvascular dysfunction via a combination of mechanisms, which play a role in their beneficial cardiovascular effect.
Electrocardiography and Holter monitoring in patients with Cardiac AL Amyloidosis
Authors: Fingrova Z , Havranek S , Kuchynka P , Linhart A , Palecek T
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Aim

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) reflects an infiltrative heart disease with poor prognosis. Aim of the study was to recognise differences between patients with and without CA in 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and 24hr Holter ECG monitoring and identify dependence of ECG and Holter ECG monitors on disease progression.

Methods

We prospectively analyzed clinical profile, echocardiographical pattern, ECG and 24hr Holter monitoring in 39 (66 (62; 71) years, 62% males) consecutive patients with AL amyloidosis screened to cardiac involvement.

Results

Out of all patients, CA was confirmed in 26 (67%) patients. All patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis manifested at least one pathology on ECG, what was contrast to low prevalence in patients without cardiac involvement (54%), p < 0.001. Abnormal Holter ECG was seen in 77 % and 62 % of patients with and without cardiac involvement, respectively. Patients with cardiac involvement and E/A or E/E´ ratio above median manifested higher numbers of VPBs than rest of subjects (median 195 (IQR 31; 546) vs. 6 (3; 40); p = 0.02, and 195 (31; 274) vs. 14 (5; 54); p = 0.04, respectively). During follow-up 19 (7; 59) month, 19 (73%) of patients with cardiac AL amyloidosis died. The proportion of surviving patients was higher in subjects with QRS < 100ms and QTc < 450ms (both p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Standard 12-lead ECG seems to be method with excellent negative predictive value for exclusion of CA. Advanced CA is associated with higher number of both premature atrial and ventricular beats. QRS and QTc duration seems to be a marker of earlier mortality of patients with CA.
Impact of clinical pharmacist led theory-based discharge counselling service on clinical outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome: preliminary results of a randomized controlled study
Authors: Demirci M Y , Okuyan B , Sancar M , Mutlu B
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: None.

It is aimed to evaluate impact of clinical pharmacist-led theory-based discharge counselling service on hospital readmission and medication adherence of patients with acute coronary syndrome. In this prospective parallel randomized controlled study, adult patients who were hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome in the cardiology clinic of tertiary university hospital was recruited between January 15 and June 15, 2021. The patients were assigned by permutated block randomization into the control group or study group that received clinical pharmacist-led theory-based discharge counselling service. The clinical pharmacist, within the scope of discharge counselling services, provided medication reconciliation, medication review, individually prepared patient medicine (pill) card, patient education (based on Health Belief Model by using written material and video, and counseling (based on Health Belief Model by using written material and video, and verbally [by using Teach back method especially for patients with low health literacy]) and counseling (using behavior change techniques based on The Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior [COM-B] model) and telephone follow-up within 12 months. The control group received usual care. According to preliminary results of this study, in the control group 30-day readmission rate was higher than study group (%5.7 vs %0.0, respectively; p = 0.06). In control group nonadherence rate (%10.3) was higher than study group (%1.2) within 30 days of discharge (p<0.05). The early findings of our study demonstrated theory-based patient counselling service had positive impact on medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome.