bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis induced by sunitinib therapy in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Park Dong Jin , Lee Donghyoun , Park In Kyu
Published: July 2024

Introduction:

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by multiple gas-filled cysts in the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with numerous conditions. Benign PCI can occur secondary to certain medications, such as anticancer-targeted therapies. Here, we report a rare case of PCI that developed following sunitinib therapy for metastatic RCC and was successfully managed with conservative treatment without surgery.

Patient concerns:

A 57-year-old woman with a medical history of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) referred to the Department of General Surgery after completion of the 16th cycle of sunitinib because of abnormal findings on abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT), suggesting necrotizing enteritis with pneumoperitoneum involving the ileum. At the time of presentation to the Department of General Surgery, she was asymptomatic and had no abnormal findings on examination other than the imaging findings.

Diagnosis:

Sunitinib-induced PCI, metastatic RCC, liver cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus.

Interventions:

She was admitted to the general ward for conservative treatment, and sunitinib was discontinued. Conservative treatments included nil per os, total parenteral nutrition, antibiotics, H2-blockers, and oxygen therapy.

Outcomes:

On the fifth day of hospitalization, the PCI showed moderate resolution on plain radiography, and she was discharged on the seventh day. Follow-up CT imaging 3 months later demonstrated complete resolution of PCI.

Conclusion:

This case emphasizes that the decision between conservative versus surgical treatment for PCI should be based not solely on radiological findings but rather on a comprehensive assessment, including the underlying condition, vital signs, physical examinations, and blood tests.
Treatment with ensitrelvir for COVID-19 in hospitalized patients of very advanced age: Case series
Authors: Tomita Takafumi , Miyazawa Shogo , Sonoyama Takuhiro
Published: July 2024

Introduction:

Ensitrelvir fumaric acid (ensitrelvir) is an orally active 3C-like protease inhibitor used to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Ensitrelvir was granted an emergency use authorization in Japan in 2022, but reports on the effectiveness and safety of ensitrelvir in actual clinical settings are limited.

Methods:

Here, we report a case series of 9 patients with laboratory-confirmed symptomatic coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) who completed a 5-day course of ensitrelvir at Tomita Hospital from November 2022 to April 2023. Data on clinical symptoms, oxygen saturation, and food intake were collected for 14 days, beginning on the first day of ensitrelvir administration. The outcome of COVID-19 in each patient was also evaluated during this period.

Results:

All patients were female, 80 years old or older, and the mean age was 90.2 ± 5.5 years. All patients received ensitrelvir within 2 days after the onset of COVID-19. At baseline, 7 among the 9 patients had their body temperature above 37.5 °C and all of them had oxygen saturation levels of 94% or higher. All patients recovered without worsening of COVID-19, and none received oxygen or additional antiviral drugs during the observation period; no deaths were reported within 14 days. After receiving ensitrelvir for 5 days, all patients had resolution of fever (<37 °C). There was no significant decrease in food intake of patients due to COVID-19. All patients maintained oxygen saturation above 93%.

Conclusion:

Our results provide information on the real-world usage of ensitrelvir in elderly, hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and suggests that ensitrelvir is an option for treatment of COVID-19 in these population.
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension in a patient without corpus callosum: A case report
Authors: Zhou Yang , Tong Chenglin
Published: July 2024

Rationale:

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a well-established condition typically presenting with disabling orthostatic headache. Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) is one of the most common human brain malformations with a wide spectrum of associated malformations, chromosomal abnormalities, and clinical syndromes.

Patient concerns:

A 53-year-old woman presented with recurrent orthostatic headache for about 1 month. The head computed tomography examination of the patient showed CCA and the initial pressure of subsequent lumbar puncture was only 5 centimeters cerebrospinal fluid. Magnetic resonance imaging examination confirmed CCA with gray matter heterotopia.

Diagnosis:

The final diagnose was SIH related headache with CCA.

Intervention:

The patient’s symptom improved after oral hydration, intravenous fluids, and bed rest.

Outcome:

Favorable outcome was observed.

Lessons:

Although this co-occurrence of SIH and CCA is probably coincidental, this finding suggests that the developmental malformations of the brain may lead to structural changes in brain tissue or disturbances in cerebrospinal fluid production and reflux, resulting in pathological changes over time.
A unique case report of mulberry second molar in a non-syphilitic patient
Authors: Harizanova Zdravka , Popova Ferihan , Peycheva Marieta
Published: July 2024

Rationale:

The common embryologic neural origin of the ectoderm includes the epidermal layer of the skin and the amelodentinal components of the teeth which can result in numerous diseases damaging both skin and dentition. Three main dental abnormalities were described as a consequence of congenital syphilis: Hutchinson incisors, bud molars, and mulberry molars which usually affect all permanent first molars.

Patient concerns:

As far as we know, this case is the first reported for mulberry second molar in a non-syphilitic patient. Ten projections globular in shape were presented on the occlusal surface of the second mandibular molar.

Diagnoses:

The findings were characteristic for mulberry molars and therefore diagnosed as mulberry molars.

Interventions and outcomes:

No prosthetic treatment was conducted, just topical fluoride application was performed, and periodic observations were scheduled.

Lessons:

It is recommended that gynecologists and pediatricians should be provided with additional information about the local and systemic factors that can lead to developmental diseases of the teeth.
Burden and determinants of renal dysfunction and in-hospital mortality among acute stroke patients in Ethiopia: A hospital-based observational study
Authors: Nigussie Ermiyas Wondimagegn , Abera Eyob Girma , Woldemariam Maekel Belay
Published: July 2024

Stroke, a leading global cause of mortality and neurological impairment, is often complicated by renal failure, exacerbating in-hospital risks and mortality. Limited understanding exists regarding renal failure prevalence in Ethiopian acute stroke patients. This study examines renal function abnormalities in acute stroke patients at Jimma Medical Center (JMC). A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at JMC from December 5, 2023, to March 15, 2024. A structured data collection tool was developed after comprehensive review of pertinent literature, encompassing variables pertinent to the study objectives. Following data quality assurance, information was coded and inputted into EpiData version 3.1, subsequently analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for confounding variables, with statistical significance set at P < .05. The mean age of participants was 60.5 ± 15.5 years, with 129 (64.5%) being male. Forty-five participants (22.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.9, 28.9) exhibited renal dysfunction. Advanced age (≥70 years), hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiac disease, history of transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke type were identified as significant predictors of renal dysfunction among hospitalized stroke patients. The mortality rate was 3.7 times higher in stroke patients with renal dysfunction compared to those with normal renal function (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.41, 6.22). Renal function abnormalities were prevalent among hospitalized acute stroke patients, emphasizing the significance of renal dysfunction as a frequent comorbidity. Older age, hypertension, DM, cardiac disease, history of TIA/stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke type emerged as statistically significant predictors of renal dysfunction. Furthermore, renal dysfunction was identified as a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality following stroke.
Characteristics of Patients Receiving Complex Case Management in an Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Charles Lesley , Jensen Lisa , Añez Delfin Jorge Mario , Norman Erin , Dobbs Bonnie , Tian Peter George Jaminal , Parmar Jasneet
Published: July 2024

Background:

Improving transitions in care is a major focus of health care planning. In the research team’s prior intervention study, the length of stay (LOS) was reduced when patients at high risk for readmission were identified early in their acute care stay and received complex management.

Objective:

This study will describe the characteristics of patients receiving complex case management in an urban acute care hospital.

Primary Practice Setting:

Acute care hospital.

Methodology and Sample:

This was a retrospective chart review of patients in a previous quality assurance study. A random selection of patients who previously underwent high-risk screening using the LACE (Length of stay; Acuity of the admission; Comorbidity of the patient; Emergency department use) index and received complex case management (the intervention group) were reviewed. The charts of a random selection of patients from the previous comparison group were also reviewed. Patient characteristics were collected and compared using descriptive statistics.

Results:

In the intervention group, more patients had their family physicians (FPs) documented (93.1% [81/87] vs. 89.2% [66/74]). More patients in the intervention group (89.7% [77/87] vs. 85.1% [63/74]) lived at home prior to admission. More patients in the intervention group had a family caregiver involved (44.8% [39/87] vs. 41.9% [31/74]). At discharge, more patients in the intervention group (87.1% [74/85]) were discharged home compared with the comparison group (78.4% [58/74]).

Implications for Case Management Practice:

(1) Having an identified FP, living at home, and having family caregiver(s) characterized those with lower LOS and discharged home. (2) Case management, risk screening, and discharge planning improve patient outcomes. (3) This study identified the importance of having a FP and engaged family caregivers in improving care outcomes.
Does preperitoneal packing increase venous thromboembolim risk among trauma patients? A prospective multicenter analysis across 17 level I trauma centers
Authors: Knowlton Lisa Marie , Sauaia Angela , Moore Ernest E. , Knudson M. Margaret ,   For the CLOTT Study Group
Published: July 2024

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic fractures are associated with a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Among treatment options, including pelvic angioembolization (PA), preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP), and pelvic open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), PPP has been postulated as a VTE risk factor. We aimed to characterize the risk of VTE among pelvic fracture patients receiving PPP, PA or ORIF.

METHODS

We used observational data from a 17-site Consortium of Leaders in the Study of Traumatic Thromboembolism (CLOTT) study group, a US level I trauma center collaborative working to identify factors associated with posttraumatic VTE, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or pulmonary thrombosis. The CLOTT criteria included age 18 to 40 years with at least one independent VTE risk factor. We compared outcomes of PPP, PA, and pelvic ORIF to reference of no pelvic intervention. Our primary outcome was VTE. A competing risk analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Among 1,387 pelvic fracture patients, VTE incidence was 5.6%. The ORIF patients were most likely to develop VTE (24.7%), while VTE incidence for PPP was 9.0% and 2.6% for PA. After multivariate, risk-competing analysis, none of the three treatment interventions for pelvic fractures were significantly associated with VTE. Initiation of VTE prophylaxis in the first 24 hours of admission independently halved VTE incidence (hazard ratio, 0.55; confidence interval, 0.33–0.91).

CONCLUSION

Pelvic fracture interventions do not appear to be independent risk factors for VTE in our study. Initiation of VTE pharmacoprophylaxis within the first 24 hours of admission remains critical to significantly decreasing VTE formation in this high-risk population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Study; Level III.
“I’d like to think I’d be able to spot one if I saw one”: How science journalists navigate predatory journals
Authors: Fleerackers Alice , Moorhead Laura L. , Alperin Juan Pablo
Published: July 2024

Predatory journals—or journals that prioritize profits over editorial and publication best practices—are becoming more common, raising concerns about the integrity of the scholarly record. Such journals also pose a threat for the integrity of science journalism, as journalists may unwillingly report on low quality or even highly flawed studies published in these venues. This study sheds light on how journalists navigate this challenging publishing landscape through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 23 health, science, and environmental journalists about their perceptions of predatory journals and strategies for ensuring the journals they report on are trustworthy. We find that journalists have relatively limited awareness and/or concern about predatory journals. Much of this attitude is due to confidence in their established practices for avoiding problematic research, which largely centre on perceptions of journal prestige, reputation, and familiarity, as well as writing quality and professionalism. Most express limited awareness of how their trust heuristics may discourage them from reporting on smaller, newer, and open access journals, especially those based in the Global South. We discuss implications for the accuracy and diversity of the science news that reaches the public.
The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 nsp14 Proofreading on Nucleoside Antiviral Activity: Insights from Genetic and Pharmacological Investigations
Authors: Peng Ju-Yi , Lahser Fred , Warren Christopher , He Xi , Murray Edward , Wang Dai
Published: July 2024

Nucleoside analogues are a class of well-established antiviral agents that act by being directly incorporated into the viral genome during the replication process, resulting in chain termination or the induction of lethal mutations. While many nucleoside analogues have exhibited broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of viruses, their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 is limited. The lack of activity is hypothesized to be attributed to the proofreading function of viral nsp14 exonuclease. In this study, the role of the nsp14 proofreading in modulating nucleoside antiviral activity was investigated using genetic and pharmacological approaches. Introduction of exonuclease attenuation or disabling mutations to nsp14 led to either severe replication defect or increased sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV replicons to specific nucleoside analogues. In contrast, repurposing of HCV NS5A inhibitors to suppress nsp14 exonuclease activity is insufficient to enhance the potency of nucleoside analogues. These findings provided further support for nsp14 as a target for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral development and highlighted the complex interplay between nsp14 proofreading and RNA replication.
A global perspective of the prevalence of low language in children: a scoping review and evidence and gap map protocol
Authors: Jones Lisa Irene , Krahe Michelle A , Giesberts Amy , Downes Martin , Ware Robert S , Reilly Sheena
Published: July 2024

Objective

The objective of this scoping review is to identify, categorize, and map the existing evidence of low language prevalence in children aged 4 to 18 years globally. Additionally, it seeks to explore associated factors, and map evidence gaps to improve future reporting practices.

Introduction

The study of language difficulties in children has evolved over the years, marked by changing terminologies and criteria. Understanding why prevalence varies is critical to address the need for accurate prevalence estimates, highlight factors influencing reported frequency, and inform policy, resource allocation, and research priorities.

Inclusion criteria

This review will consider studies that report low language prevalence for children aged 4 to 18 years from any country that are derived from studies or epidemiological samples in community/population settings, including households, birth registers/cohorts, and schools. To encompass the changing use of terminologies and criteria, the term low language is used as an umbrella term to describe children whose language development is behind their peers.

Methods

This review protocol is guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Key databases will be systematically searched for English-language studies, published between 01 January 1970 to 30 June 2023. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, while three reviewers will assess full texts. The final selection of studies will undergo review by a broader expert group and data extraction will be conducted by one reviewer and verified for accuracy. The findings will be presented in narrative format, including tables and figures to aid in data presentation.
The Silent Threat: Unveiling the Mystery of Post-Op Hypoxemia after Open Heart Surgery
Authors: Mallick Hamdan , Khalid Abdullah , Khan Yasir , Hashmi Shiraz , Shahabuddin Syed
Published: July 2024

Hypoxemia is a well-known postoperative complication following open heart surgery. There is minimal literature and a lack of consensus on postoperative hypoxemia as a complication following open heart surgery and its relation to adverse outcomes, risk factors, and population characteristics. This is especially more apparent in lower middle-income countries where there is a double burden of disease. We aimed to determine the predictive and risk factors for postoperative hypoxemia due to the high incidence of associated complications that include increased morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay.

This study was a retrospective analysis, evaluating first-time open-heart surgery patients over a period of one year from January to December 2020. Data was collected prospectively through the section of cardiothoracic surgery’s computerized database, using standardized data collection strategies and definitions.

The overall prevalence of hypoxemia was estimated to be 73 (11.8%). Morbidity and Mortality were significantly higher in the hypoxemic group. Male gender, diabetes, hypertension, low EF%, CBP time, increased preoperative PaCO2, were found to be independent risk factors for the development of hypoxemia.

From the results of this study, it could be concluded that the magnitude of hypoxemia is substantial after on-pump open heart surgery. High risk and independent factors identified from this study were cumulatively grouped and preventive use of BiPAP was found to be a possible option to prevent hypoxemia This study highlights the importance of one of the underestimated post op morbid factors that has cost, quality, and outcome implications.
An Orthogonal T7 Replisome for Continuous Hypermutation and Accelerated Evolution inE. coli
Authors: Diercks Christian S. , Sondermann Philipp J. , Rong Cynthia , Dik David A. , Gillis Thomas G. , Ban Yahui , Schultz Peter G.
Published: July 2024

Systems that perform continuous hypermutation of designated genes without compromising the integrity of the host genome can dramatically accelerate the evolution of new or enhanced protein functions. We describe an orthogonal DNA replication system inE. colibased on the controlled expression of the replisome of bacteriophage T7. The system replicates circular plasmids that enable high transformation efficiencies and seamless integration into standard molecular biology workflows. Engineering of T7 DNA polymerase yielded variant proteins with mutation rates of 1.7 × 10−5substitutions per basein vivo– 100,000-fold above the genomic mutation rate. Continuous evolution using the mutagenic T7 replisome was demonstrated by expanding the substrate scope of TEM-1 β-lactamase and increase activity 1,000-fold against clinically relevant monobactam and cephalosporin antibiotics in less than one week.
Building Predictive Understanding of Microbial Ecology by Bridging Microbial Growth Kinetics and Microbial Population Dynamics
Authors: Cheng Zhang , Xia Weibo , McKelvey Sean , He Qiang , Chen Yuzhou , Yuan Heyang
Published: July 2024

Modeling microbial communities can provide predictive insights into microbial ecology, but current modeling approaches suffer from inherent limitations. In this study, a novel modeling approach was proposed to address those limitations based on the intrinsic connection between the growth kinetics of guilds and the dynamics of individual microbial populations. To implement the modeling approach, 466 samples from four full-scale activated sludge systems were retrieved from the literature. The raw samples were processed using a data transformation method that not only increased the dataset size by three times but also enabled quantification of population dynamics. Most of the 42 family-level core populations showed overall dynamics close to zero within the sampling period, explaining their resilience to environmental perturbation. Bayesian networks built with environmental factors, perturbation, historical abundance, population dynamics, and mechanistically derived microbial kinetic parameters classified the core populations into heterotrophic and autotrophic guilds. Topological data analysis was applied to identify keystone populations and their time-dependent interactions with other populations. The data-driven inferences were validated directly using the Microbial Database for Activated Sludge (MiDAS) and indirectly by predicting population abundance and community structure using artificial neural networks. The Bray-Curtis similarity between predicted and observed communities was significantly higher with microbial kinetic parameters than without parameters (0.70 vs. 0.66), demonstrating the accuracy of the modeling approach. Implemented based on engineered systems, this modeling approach can be generalized to natural systems to gain predictive understandings of microbial ecology.
Structural Dynamics of LDL Receptor Interactions with E498A and R499G Variants of PCSK9
Authors: Azhar Nur Alya Amirah , Nawawi Hapizah , Chua Yung-An , Jusoh Siti Azma
Published: July 2024

The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) plays an integral role in cellular cholesterol uptake and lipid metabolism by primarily regulating hepatic clearance of plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Physiologically, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type-9 (PCSK9) attenuates LDLR function by binding to the LDLR extracellular domain, leading to its lysosomal degradation and thereby preventing the total depletion of circulating LDL-C. However, pathogenic variants of PCSK9 are able to reduce the availability of LDLR, thus significantly increasing plasma LDL-C levels. Despite this understanding, the detailed molecular mechanism of LDLR-PCSK9 interaction remains elusive due to the lack of a full atomistic structure of LDLR. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to predict LDLR structural dynamics upon binding to PCSK9. Furthermore, two PCSK9 variants, E498A and R499G that were identified in clinically diagnosed Malaysian FH patients were investigated for their mutational effects. The simulations, spanning 500 ns, were conducted for three LDLR-PCSK9 complexes: LDLR-PCSK9 wild-type (WT), LDLR-PCSK9 (E498A), and LDLR-PCSK9 (R499G). Throughout the simulations, PCSK9 structure remained highly stable, in contrast to the LDLR structure that sampled large conformational space. The WT complex exhibited the least change, whereas the R499G complex displayed the most pronounced conformational rearrangement. During the simulations of WT and E498A complexes, the β-propeller domain of LDLR formed interactions with the prodomain of PCSK9. Aligned with the observation, the MM/GBSA analysis revealed that the E498A complex exhibited the highest LDLR-PCSK9 binding affinity (−63.81 kcal/mol), followed by the WT complex (−33.07 kcal/mol), and the R499G complex (−24.21 kcal/mol). These findings provide novel insights into the dynamic interactions between LDLR and PCSK9, highlighting the importance of structural flexibility in mediating their functional relationship. Further studies with complete LDLR structures are required to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying LDLR-PCSK9-mediated cholesterol homeostasis.
Horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA in transmissible cancer
Authors: Gori Kevin , Baez-Ortega Adrian , Strakova Andrea , Stammnitz Maximilian R , Wang Jinhong , Chan Jonathan , Hughes Katherine , Belkhir Sophia , Hammel Maurine , Moralli Daniela , Bancroft James , Drydale Edward , Allum Karen M , Brignone María Verónica , Corrigan Anne M , de Castro Karina F , Donelan Edward M , Faramade Ibikunle A , Hayes Alison , Ignatenko Nataliia , Karmacharya Rockson , Koenig Debbie , Lanza-Perea Marta , Lopez Quintana Adriana M , Meyer Michael , Neunzig Winifred , Pedraza-Ordoñez Francisco , Phuentshok Yoenten , Phuntsho Karma , Ramirez-Ante Juan C , Reece John F , Schmeling Sheila K , Singh Sanjay , Tapia Martinez Lester J , Taulescu Marian , Thapa Samir , Thapa Sunil , van der Wel Mirjam G , Wehrle-Martinez Alvaro S , Stratton Michael R , Murchison Elizabeth P
Published: July 2024

Although somatic cell genomes are usually entirely clonally inherited, nuclear DNA exchange between cells of an organism can occur sporadically by cell fusion, phagocytosis or other mechanisms1–3. This phenomenon has long been noted in the context of cancer, where it could be envisaged that DNA horizontal transfer plays a functional role in disease evolution4–13. However, an understanding of the frequency and significance of this process in naturally occurring tumours is lacking. The host-tumour genetic discordance of transmissible cancers, malignant clones which pass between animals as allogeneic grafts, provides an opportunity to investigate this. We screened for host-to-tumour horizontal transfer of nuclear DNA in 174 tumours from three transmissible cancers affecting dogs and Tasmanian devils, and detected a single instance in the canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT). This involved introduction of a 15-megabase dicentric genetic element, composed of 11 rearranged fragments of six chromosomes, to a CTVT sublineage occurring in Asia around 2,000 years ago. The element forms the short arm of a small submetacentric chromosome, and derives from a dog with ancestry associated with the ancient Middle East. The introduced DNA fragment is transcriptionally active and has adopted the expression profile of CTVT. Its 143 genes do not, however, confer any obvious advantage to its spatially restricted CTVT sublineage. Our findings indicate that nuclear DNA horizontal transfer, although likely a rare event in tumour evolution, provides a viable mechanism for the acquisition of genetic material in naturally occurring cancer genomes.
Gamma Approximation of Stratified Truncated Exact test (GASTE-test) & Application
Authors: Wendling Alexandre , Galiez Clovis
Published: July 2024

The analysis of binary outcomes and features, like the effect of vaccination on health, often relies on 2×2 contingency tables. However, confounding factors like age or gender calls for stratified analysis, by creating sub-tables, which is common in bioscience, epidemiological, social research or meta-analyses. Traditional methods for testing associations across strata, e.g. the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) test, struggle with small sample sizes and heterogeneity of effects between strata. Exact tests can address these issues, but are computationally expensive. To address these challenges, the Gamma Approximation of Stratified Truncated Exact (GASTE) test is proposed, leveraging the gamma distribution to approximate the distribution of the exact statistic of combination of p-values with discrete support under stratification, providing fast and accurate p-value calculations even when effects vary between strata. The GASTE method provides better control of type I error rates, offering more sensitive and reliable detections. It is computationally efficient, broadening the applicability of exact tests in research fields with stratified binary data. Applications in ecological and sociological studies, associations of Alpine plants and admissions case in Berkeley University, demonstrate the advantages of GASTE method. It offers substantial improvements over traditional approaches and available as an open-source python package athttps://github.com/AlexandreWen/gaste.
Design of a large energy acceptance beamline using fixed field accelerator optics
Authors: Steinberg A. F. , Appleby R. B. , Yap J. S. L. , Sheehy S. L.
Published: July 2024

Large energy acceptance arcs have been proposed for applications such as cancer therapy, muon accelerators, and recirculating linacs. The efficacy of hadron therapy can be improved by reducing the energy layer switching time, however this is currently limited by the small momentum acceptance of the beam delivery system (<±1%). A “closed-dispersion arc” with a large momentum acceptance has the potential to remove this bottleneck, however such a beamline has not yet been constructed. We have developed a design methodology for large momentum acceptance arcs with Fixed Field Accelerator optics, applying it to a demonstrator beam delivery system for protons at 0.5–3.0 MeV (±42% momentum acceptance) as part of the Technology for Ultra-Rapid Beam Operation project at the University of Melbourne. Using realistic magnetic fields, a beamline has been designed with zero dispersion at either end. An algorithm has been devised for the construction of permanent magnet Halbach arrays for this beamline with multipole error below one part in 104, using commercially available magnets. The sensitivity to errors has been investigated, finding that the delivered beam is robust in realistic conditions. This study demonstrates that a closed-dispersion arc with fixed fields can achieve a large momentum acceptance, and we outline future work required to develop these ideas into a complete proof-of-principle beam delivery system that can be scaled up for a medical facility.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Leptonic and semileptonic decays of mesons in the domain model of the QCD vacuum
Authors: Voronin Vladimir
Published: July 2024

The leptonic and semileptonic decays of mesons are investigated within the domain model of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) vacuum and hadronization. The domain model is the mean-field approach based on the statistical ensemble of almost everywhere homogeneous Abelian (anti-)self-dual gluon fields which reproduces main features of low-energy QCD and allows one to deduce a nonlocal effective meson action. Using this meson action, the leptonic decay constants, form factors and branching ratios of semileptonic decays are evaluated simultaneously with masses of mesons. The results are compared to experimental data or other approaches.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Resource analysis of quantum algorithms for coarse-grained protein folding models
Authors: Linn Hanna , Brundin Isak , García-Álvarez Laura , Johansson Göran
Published: July 2024

Protein folding processes are a vital aspect of molecular biology that is hard to simulate with conventional computers. Quantum algorithms have been proven superior for certain problems and may help tackle this complex life science challenge. We analyze the resource requirements for simulating simplified yet computationally challenging protein folding models on a quantum computer, assessing the feasibility of these existing approaches in the current and near-future technological landscape. We calculate the minimum number of qubits, interactions, and two-qubit gates necessary to build a heuristic quantum algorithm with the specific information of a folding problem. Particularly, we focus on the resources needed to build quantum operations based on the Hamiltonian linked to the protein folding models for a given amino acid count. Such operations are a fundamental component of these quantum algorithms, guiding the evolution of the quantum state for efficient computations. Specifically, we study coarse-grained folding models on the lattice and the fixed backbone side-chain conformation model and assess their compatibility with the constraints of existing quantum hardware given different bit encodings. We conclude that the number of qubits required falls within current technological capabilities. However, the limiting factor is the high number of interactions in the Hamiltonian, resulting in a quantum gate count unavailable today.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dimers and discrete breathers in Bose-Einstein condensates in a quasi-periodic potential
Authors: Konotop Vladimir V.
Published: July 2024

A quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate loaded into a quasi-periodic potential created by two sublattices of comparable amplitudes and incommensurate periods is considered. Although the conventional tight-binding approximation is not applicable in this setting, the description can still be reduced to a discrete model that accounts for the modes below the mobility edge. In the respective discrete lattice, where no linear hopping exists, solutions and their dynamics are governed solely by nonlinear interactions. Families of nonlinear modes, including those with no linear limit, are described with a special focus on dimers, which correspond to breather solutions of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with a quasi-periodic potential. The breathers are found to be stable for negative scattering lengths. Localization and stable propagation of breathers are also observed for positive scattering lengths at relatively weak and moderate nonlinearities.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum query complexity of Boolean functions under indefinite causal order
Authors: Abbott Alastair A. , Mhalla Mehdi , Pocreau Pierre
Published: July 2024

The standard model of quantum circuits assumes operations are applied in a fixed sequential “causal” order. In recent years, the possibility of relaxing this constraint to obtain causally indefinite computations has received significant attention. The quantum switch, for example, uses a quantum system to coherently control the order of operations. Several computational and information-theoretical advantages have been demonstrated, raising questions as to whether advantages can be obtained in a more unified complexity theoretic framework. In this paper, we approach this problem by studying the query complexity of Boolean functions under general higher-order quantum computations. To this end, we generalize the framework of query complexity from quantum circuits to quantum supermaps to compare different models on an equal footing. We show that the recently introduced class of quantum circuits with quantum control of causal order cannot lead to any reduction in query complexity, and that any potential advantage arising from causally indefinite supermaps can be bounded by the polynomial method, as is the case with quantum circuits. Nevertheless, we find some functions for which the minimum error with which they can be computed using two queries is strictly lower when exploiting causally indefinite supermaps.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ultrabroad-band x-ray source using a picosecond, laser-driven plasma accelerator
Authors: Lemos N. , King P. M. , Rusby D. , Pagano I. , Sinclair M. , Marsh K. A. , Shaw J. L. , Milder A. L. , Pak A. , Pollock B. B. , Aufderheide M. , Hartemann F. V. , Wu S. Q. , Hwang Y. , Hegelich B. M. , Moody J. , Michel P. , Joshi C. , Albert F.
Published: July 2024

An ultrabroad-band x-ray source, with photon energies from 10 keV to >1 MeV, based on a picosecond laser-driven plasma accelerator, is characterized and used to radiograph high-energy-density-science relevant targets. The measured yield of 1012 photons/shot is reaching the necessary photon yields to radiograph, in a single shot, high areal density objects and matter under extreme conditions. By focusing a short laser pulse (120 J, 1 ps) into a gas jet, a <100 mrad electron beam with energies up to 350 MeV and up to 70 nC of charge was produced by a combination of laser self-modulation instability and direct laser acceleration. A foil placed at the exit of the gas jet is used to convert part of the electron beam energy into x rays through inverse bremsstrahlung and/or inverse Compton scattering, generating a bright, broad-band, high-photon-energy beam. This beam is used to radiograph a gold half hohlraum with a high-density sphere inside with relevant characteristics for high-energy-density science and inertial confinement fusion.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Energy Level Gradients from Surface to Bulk in Hybrid Metal-Halide Perovskite Thin Films
Authors: Bourelle Sean A. , Zhang Xie , Feldmann Sascha , Zhang Baiyu , Mathieson Angus , Eyre Lissa , Abolins Haralds , Winkler Thomas , Van de Walle Chris G. , Deschler Felix
Published: July 2024

Variations in local strain, defect densities, and composition of hybrid metal-halide perovskites have been reported to create heterogeneous energy landscapes in thin films, which impact charge-carrier diffusion and recombination dynamics. Here, we employ one- and two-photon transient absorption spectroscopy to selectively probe the dynamics of charge carriers from surface and bulk regions of methylammonium lead bromide thin films. Differences in the transient absorption spectra indicate that an energy gradient of approximately 100 meV is formed between the higher band-gap surface and lower band-gap bulk regions. Thus, during their lifetime, photoexcited carriers move away from the surface to recombine in the bulk, where our experiments detect long-lived charge populations despite the significant band splitting that has conventionally been assumed to inhibit efficient radiative recombination. Supported by first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that bright emission can still arise from the bulk with states that occupy a wide range of momenta in the vicinity of the band extrema, which show strong dipole transitions. Our results report that photoexcitations in the hybrid perovskites avoid defect-rich surface regions, and that particularly strong emission is generated from accumulated excitation populations in the bulk.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effect of Nonunital Noise on Random-Circuit Sampling
Authors: Fefferman Bill , Ghosh Soumik , Gullans Michael , Kuroiwa Kohdai , Sharma Kunal
Published: July 2024

In this work, drawing inspiration from the type of noise present in real hardware, we study the output distribution of random quantum circuits under practical nonunital noise sources with constant noise rates. We show that even in the presence of unital sources such as the depolarizing channel, the distribution, under the combined noise channel, never resembles a maximally entropic distribution at any depth. To show this, we prove that the output distribution of such circuits never anticoncentrates—meaning that it is never too “flat”—regardless of the depth of the circuit. This is in stark contrast to the behavior of noiseless random quantum circuits or those with only unital noise, both of which anticoncentrate at sufficiently large depths. As a consequence, our results shows that the complexity of random-circuit sampling under realistic noise is still an open question, since anticoncentration is a critical property exploited by both state-of-the-art classical hardness and easiness results.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Superstructure reflections in tilted perovskites
Authors: Beanland Richard , Sjökvist Robin
Published: July 2024

The superstructure spots that appear in diffraction patterns of tilted perovskites are well documented and easily calculated using crystallographic software. Here, by considering a distortion mode as a perturbation of the prototype perovskite structure, it is shown how the structure-factor equation yields Boolean conditions for the presence of superstructure reflections. This approach may have some advantages for the analysis of electron diffraction patterns of perovskites.
Likelihood-based interactive local docking into cryo-EM maps in ChimeraX
Authors: Read Randy J. , Pettersen Eric F. , McCoy Airlie J. , Croll Tristan I. , Terwilliger Thomas C. , Poon Billy K. , Meng Elaine C. , Liebschner Dorothee , Adams Paul D.
Published: July 2024

The interpretation of cryo-EM maps often includes the docking of known or predicted structures of the components, which is particularly useful when the map resolution is worse than 4 Å. Although it can be effective to search the entire map to find the best placement of a component, the process can be slow when the maps are large. However, frequently there is a well-founded hypothesis about where particular components are located. In such cases, a local search using a map subvolume will be much faster because the search volume is smaller, and more sensitive because optimizing the search volume for the rotation-search step enhances the signal to noise. A Fourier-space likelihood-based local search approach, based on the previously published em_placement software, has been implemented in the new emplace_local program. Tests confirm that the local search approach enhances the speed and sensitivity of the computations. An interactive graphical interface in the ChimeraX molecular-graphics program provides a convenient way to set up and evaluate docking calculations, particularly in defining the part of the map into which the components should be placed.
(η6-Benzene)chlorido[(S)-2-(4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenolato]ruthenium(II)
Authors: Kelani Monsuru T. , Muller Alfred , Lammertsma Koop
Published: July 2024

The title compound, [Ru(C12H14NO2)Cl(η6-C6H6)], exhibits a half-sandwich tripod stand structure and crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121. The arene group is η6 π-coordinated to the Ru atom with a centroid-to-metal distance of 1.6590 (5) Å, with the (S)-2-(4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenolate chelate ligand forming a bite angle of 86.88 (19)° through its N and phenolate O atoms. The pseudo-octahedral geometry assumed by the complex is completed by a chloride ligand. The coordination of the optically pure bidentate ligand induces metal centered chirality onto the complex with a Flack parameter of −0.056.
Effects of virtual makeups' perceived augmentation on consumers' perceived value
Authors: Wu Ruijuan , Xiong Sha , Zhang Chenghu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine how perceived augmentation of virtual makeup influences consumers’ perceived value (utilitarian and hedonic value).

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducts an empirical study, and investigates 474 respondents.

Findings

The results show that perceived augmentation positively influences utilitarian and hedonic value. The wow-effect mediates the impact of perceived augmentation on utilitarian value. Immersion mediates the impact of perceived augmentation on two types of perceived value. Perceived ease of use moderates the influence of perceived augmentation on utilitarian value. Recreational shopper does not moderate the effect of perceived augmentation on hedonic value.

Practical implications

The study provides practical implications for beauty e-retailers.

Originality/value

This study examines the effect of perceived augmentation, supplements the literature on virtual makeup and AR technology application and enriches the literature on consumer experience of using AR technology.
Central bank digital currencies – a bibliometric analysis on research themes in pursuit of research trends
Authors: Ghosh Kaushik , Das Prabir Kumar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the characteristics of cross-border central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) while pinpointing research trends and adoption variables at both individual and macroeconomic levels. Additionally, it delves into the impact of terminology within CBDC-related scholarly literature themes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors perform a bibliometric study using the metadata of academic papers about CBDC from ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science (WoS), three reputable research databases. Word maps are produced using VOSviewer, an open-source bibliometric analytics program, to find pertinent and predominate words and phrases based on their frequency, placement, connection and co-occurrence. Additionally, the authors use the R programing language to assess the Jaccard similarity between bibliometric metadata and the financial terms in the Loughran-McDonald Master Dictionary (LMMD).

Findings

The study pinpoints the factors that affect CBDC adoption at the micro and macroeconomic levels. Insights into prospective future study themes are provided by the analysis of the metadata corpus, which shows significant and predominate words/phrases and themes in CBDC literature. Notably, the relatively low Jaccard similarity scores in the scholarly literature on CBDC-related topics across all three bibliometric databases suggest a restricted concentration on financial issues. This shows that CBDC research is still in its early stages and that there are still many undiscovered financial aspects.

Originality/value

The identification of literature’s themes using dominant and pertinent words based on bibliometric metadata, considering factors such as frequency and co-occurrence, enriches the evolving field of meta-analysis. Additionally, the use of the Jaccard index to assess the coverage of financial terms within bibliometric metadata represents a unique approach, shedding light on the distinctive aspects of CBDC research.