bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sparing the Perineal Body: A Modification of the Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty for Anorectal Malformations with Rectovestibular Fistulae
Authors: Badillo Andrea , Tiusaba Laura , Jacobs Shimon Eric , Al-Shamaileh Tamador , Feng Christina , Russell Teresa Lynn , Bokova Elizaveta , Sandler Anthony , Levitt Marc A.
Published: March 2023

Background The posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) used to repair an anorectal malformation (ARM) with a rectovestibular fistula involves incising the perineal body skin and the sphincter muscles and a posterior sagittal incision to the coccyx. Perineal body dehiscence is the most common and morbid complication post-PSARP which can have a negative impact on future bowel control. With consideration of all the other approaches described to repair this anomaly, we developed a perineal body sparing modification of the standard PSARP technique.

Methods Four patients with ARM with a rectovestibular fistula were repaired with a perineal body sparing modified PSARP at a single institution between 2020 and 2021. The incision used was limited, involving only the length of the anal sphincter, with no incision anterior or posterior to the planned anoplasty. Dissection of the distal rectum and fistula was performed without cutting the perineal body. Once the distal rectum was mobilized off the posterior vaginal wall and out of the vestibule, the perineal body muscles, where the fistula had been, were reinforced and an anoplasty was then performed.

Results Operative time was the same as for a standard PSARP. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. No postoperative dilations were performed. All patients healed well with an excellent cosmetic result. All are too young to assess for bowel control.

Conclusion We present a new technique, a modification of the traditional PSARP for rectovestibular fistula, which spares the perineal body. This approach could eliminate the potential complication of perineal body dehiscence.
Recommendations for Designing, Conducting and Reporting Clinical Observational Studies in Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Weiermayer Petra , Frass Michael , Fibert Philippa , Klein-Laansma Christien , Ulbrich-Zürni Susanne
Published: March 2023

Background Clinical observational studies are an important methodological approach in human and veterinary research, examining and describing treatment experience with good external validity. There are currently few observational studies in the field of homeopathic veterinary medicine.

Aim The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for designing, conducting and reporting observational studies in homeopathic veterinary medicine.

Materials and Methods A literature review was performed using various search strategies for identifying guidelines and checklist tools relevant for observational studies, veterinary research and homeopathy. Useful guidelines were selected. Prior recommendations for designing and conducting observational studies in human homeopathic medicine were supplemented with recommendations for homeopathic veterinary medicine that were evaluated by an expert panel.

Results The veterinary extension of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Veterinary (STROBE-Vet) statement was identified as a useful tool to improve the reporting quality of observational studies, and it has been supplemented here with additional recommendations that are applicable to homeopathy. STROBE-Vet is complemented in the literature by several reports, checklists and guidelines on veterinary medicine in general, such as the Checklist for One Health Epidemiological Reporting of Evidence (COHERE) and the Animal Health Surveillance Reporting Guidelines (AHSURED). Identified items that related to laboratory animal research were excluded as non-relevant to our study.

Conclusion Clinical observational studies are an important methodological approach, having currently unrealized potential in the field of homeopathic veterinary medicine. With relatively minor adjustments, the practical guidelines and checklists available to researchers in designing, conducting and reporting observational studies in human homeopathic medicine have been adapted for homeopathic veterinary medicine, for which high quality can be assured by implementing recommendations such as those in STROBE-Vet. With the emergence of the One Health concept, the COHERE checklist can be viewed with growing significance.
Use of Propeller Flaps for the Reconstruction of Defects around the Ankle
Authors: Benedetti Fernando , Kafury Paola , Reyes-Arceo Fabiola , Lizardo Carmelo , Reina Federico , Zuluaga Mauricio
Published: March 2023

Background This article describes the clinical results of the use of propeller flaps during reconstruction of coverage defects around the ankle.

Methods A retrospective study of all patients with bone and soft tissue defects around the ankle reconstruction using propeller flap between January 2021 and December 2022 was conducted. Flap survival rate and complications were the outcomes variables.

Results A total of 14 reconstructions in 13 patients (mean age: 45.8 ± 16.7 years) using propeller flaps were performed in the study period. The medial malleolus was the most affected area (n = 5) and the defect size ranged from 12 to 33.7 cm2. The posterior tibial artery was used as a perforator in 11 flaps. Complications were identified in five flaps, four developed venous congestion and one case, reactivation of infection. Only one propeller flap presented complete failure associated with necrosis. Good soft tissue coverage was achieved in 13 of 14 flaps.

Conclusion Propeller flaps proved to be a valid management option during reconstruction of bone and soft tissue defects around the ankle, offering adequate coverage in most cases. Adequate patient selection is important to decrease the risk of complications.
Juvenile Dermatomyositis and Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Overlap
Authors: Shatnawi Hani , Ailabouni Dona , Shatnawi Ahmad Mohammad , Makahleh Faisal Mohammad Hussain , AlBalawi Bader , Namas Rajaie
Published: March 2023

The overlapping nature of autoimmune diseases makes diagnosing and stratifying prognosis extremely difficult. Scleromyositis, the most common overlap syndrome, is typically seen in adults and is rarely seen in children. An overlap syndrome like scleromyositis would have clinical features of at least two connective tissue diseases (juvenile dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis). Furthermore, the presence of anti-PM/Scl antibodies is critical. We describe a patient who presented with widespread skin tightening, hoarseness of voice, dysphagia, and muscle weakness that had been present for 6 months. The patient was diagnosed with overlap juvenile scleromyositis (scleroderma-dermatomyositis overlap). In practice, distinguishing this syndrome from dermatomyositis and scleroderma is critical.
Predicting Factors of Brucella melitensis Bacteremia in Children Admitted with Brucellosis
Authors: Erat Tuğba , Ercan Tuğba Meliha Fatma , Aslan Halil , Solmaz Abdullah
Published: March 2023

Objective Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease. Isolation of Brucella melitensis in blood culture is accepted as the gold standard for diagnosis. This study aims to determine the predictive factors of B. melitensis bacteremia in pediatric patients followed up with brucellosis.

Methods Two-hundred twenty pediatric brucellosis patients were included in the study. The epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded.

Results The patients comprised 63.2% males and 36.8% females with a mean age of 10.45 ±  4.36 years (range, 1–18 years), and 70.5% were younger than 14 years old. B. melitensis was isolated in the blood culture in 33.6% of patients. In the epidemiological history of pediatric patients with bacteremic brucellosis, there was a history of dealing with, owning, or working with livestock. In patients with brucellosis, fever and weight loss, hepatomegaly, and arthritis were more common in patients with bacteremia than in those without bacteremia. Among laboratory findings, leukopenia, low albumin value, and high C-reactive protein were calculated as predictors of Brucella bacteremia in patients with brucellosis.

Conclusion In regions where brucellosis is endemic, serum agglutination tests may be positive without clinical findings. Brucellosis can mimic many other diseases, so the definitive diagnosis is demonstrated by bacteremia. Blood cultures should be taken in patients with predictive factors suggestive of brucellosis.
Burden and Patterns of Medical Emergencies during Ramadan Fasting: A Narrative Review
Authors: Beshyah Anas S. , Elamouri Jamila S. , Almagdub Ihab , Abdulrahman Husen , Hafidh Khadija , Beshyah Salem A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction Acute medical problems may occur more frequently during Ramadan fasting (RF). We aimed to provide a narrative overview of the global literature on medical emergencies during RF.

Methods This is a nonsystematic review of the international literature from one major medical online database (PubMed, National Institutes of Health, United States). The relevant literature was narrated in a concise thematic account.

Results There is a variable impact in the burden and time distribution of emergency services and hospitalization during RF that may require readjustment of resource allocation. Studies of the risk of accidents and injuries may be increased overall or at specified times, around Iftar time. A classical impact of emergencies has been the risk of worsening peptic ulcer disease. RF impacts diabetic emergencies such as severe hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis, particularly in type 1 diabetes and poorly controlled patients. Glucocorticoid replacement therapy may represent a challenge to patients and physicians that require education and dose adjustment. Acute neurological conditions of interest include the “first day of Ramadan headache,” epilepsy, and strokes. Several studies evaluated the risk of the acute coronary syndrome and heart failure with inconsistent findings. RF may impact the renal and urological systems through stone disease, renal colic, and acute kidney. The impact on hematological conditions was mostly focused on the safety of anticoagulant therapy during Ramadan.

Conclusion The review addresses the emergency medical encounters of the fasting patient during Ramadan to allow a holistic and ethnically sensitive approach to medical care under circumstances where decisions have to be taken with no delay.
k-th singular locus moduli algebras of singularities and their derivation Lie algebras
Authors: Ma Guorui , Yau Stephen S.-T. , Zuo Huaiqing
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we introduce a series of new invariants for singularities. A new conjecture about the non-existence of negative weight derivations of the new k-th singular locus moduli algebras for weighted homogeneous isolated hypersurface singularities is proposed. We verify this conjecture in some cases.
Spectroscopic study of low-pressure microwave-induced helium discharge in the extreme ultraviolet wavelength range
Authors: Yu Yue , Ye Zeyi , Li Wenbin , Yin Bintong , Qi Runze , Wang Zhanshan
Published: March 2023

In this work, as a promising laboratory-based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source, microwave (MW)-induced helium discharge is studied and analyzed based on spectroscopic measurements at low pressures. The helium emission spectrum in the EUV wavelength range is presented to show all the relatively strong EUV lines. A Maxwellian shape is assumed for the electron energy distribution, and a corona model is applied to evaluate the plasma parameters under low-pressure conditions. The intensities of a pair of emission lines at 30.38 and 58.43 nm, which are the strongest in the spectrum and of great astrophysical interest, are studied under gradient discharge powers and pressures. After correcting for plasma reabsorption, the intensity ratio of the two lines is used to obtain the electron temperature (Te), which is found to vary within the range of 3.7–5.6 eV. Electron density (ne) is deduced from a global discharge model, which is of the order of magnitude of 1010 cm−3. From experimental determination and mechanism analyses, the optimal discharge pressure is found to be within 1.45–2.18 mbar for the 34.38 nm line and the vicinity of 3.45 mbar for the 58.43 nm line. This work explores the dependency of physical behavior of discharge on different working conditions based on a EUV spectroscopic study and theoretical analyses and determines the optimal working condition to produce the strongest EUV emission lines of the low-pressure MW-induced helium discharge.
Flow-through charge detection mass spectrometry to categorize micron-sized particles
Authors: Allred Parker , Christie Eric , Song Yixin , Austin Daniel E. , Chiang Shiuh-hua Wood , Hawkins Aaron R.
Published: March 2023

This paper outlines the use of charge detection mass spectrometry to simultaneously measure the charge and mass of micron-sized particles. In a flow-through instrument, the detection of charge was achieved through charge induction onto cylindrical electrodes that connect to a differential amplifier. Mass was determined by particle acceleration under the influence of an electric field. Particles ranging from 30 to 400 fg (3 to 7 µm diameter) were tested. The detector design can measure particle mass within 10% accuracy for particles up to 620 fg with total charge ranging from 500e− to 56 ke−. This charge and mass range are expected to be relevant for dust on Mars.
Analyzing bursting synchronization in structural connectivity matrix of a human brain under external pulsed currents
Authors: Sayari Elaheh , Gabrick Enrique C. , Borges Fernando S. , Cruziniani Fátima E. , Protachevicz Paulo R. , Iarosz Kelly C. , Szezech José D. , Batista Antonio M.
Published: March 2023

Cognitive tasks in the human brain are performed by various cortical areas located in the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is separated into different areas in the right and left hemispheres. We consider one human cerebral cortex according to a network composed of coupled subnetworks with small-world properties. We study the burst synchronization and desynchronization in a human neuronal network under external periodic and random pulsed currents. With and without external perturbations, the emergence of bursting synchronization is observed. Synchronization can contribute to the processing of information, however, there are evidences that it can be related to some neurological disorders. Our results show that synchronous behavior can be suppressed by means of external pulsed currents.
Fabrication of Cu oxide/TiO2 p–n nanojunctions by stress-induced migration
Authors: Kimura Yoshinari , Tohmyoh Hironori
Published: March 2023

Many Cu oxide/TiO2 p–n nanojunctions were fabricated by introducing the concept of using n-type TiO2 layers to the fabrication method of p-type Cu oxide nanowires by stress-induced migration. Cu oxide/TiO2 nanojunctions were formed along with nanowire growth by heating a Cu thin film with TiO2 passivation layers of different thicknesses. The presence of p–n nanojunctions at the Cu oxide/TiO2 interface was analyzed by current–voltage and electrochemical impedance measurements. The sheet resistance of the samples decreased as the TiO2 thickness increased from 0 to 20 nm and then increased with increasing TiO2 thickness. The shapes of Nyquist plots consisted of two semicircles, one distorted semicircle, and two distorted semicircles for samples without a TiO2 layer, with 2 or 20 nm TiO2 layer, and with 100 or 200 nm TiO2 layer, respectively. The TiO2 thickness dependence of these electrical characteristics suggests that electrical conduction in the sample heated with a TiO2 passivation layer was through the Cu oxide grain surface, Cu oxide/TiO2 interface, and Cu oxide nanowires. In the equivalent circuit representing this electrical conduction, the capacitance values at the Cu oxide/TiO2 interface decreased with increasing TiO2 thickness. These results suggest that a thicker TiO2 passivation layer led to the formation of more p–n nanojunctions at the Cu oxide/TiO2 interface.
Plume characterization of a waveguide ECR thruster
Authors: Inchingolo M. R. , Merino M. , Navarro-Cavallé J.
Published: March 2023

A circular waveguide electron cyclotron resonance plasma thruster prototype driven by microwaves at 5.8 GHz (80–300 W) is characterized. The magnetic field is generated by a combination of Sm-CoYXG32 magnets and an electromagnet, which enables the tuning of the resonance position and magnetic nozzle shape. The main plasma plume properties are analyzed by using electrostatic probes when the mass flow rate (Xenon), microwave power, electromagnet current, and propellant injector design are varied. An estimation of the propulsive performance of the device is also presented. Results show that a single radial injector hole is not sufficient for a symmetric ion current profile and that magnetic nozzle shape and strength tuning can significantly affect the divergence angle and thruster floating potential. A utilization efficiency of up to 70% and electron temperatures of up to 16 eV have been measured.
High-entropy design for dielectric materials: Status, challenges, and beyond
Authors: Yang Bingbing , Liu Yiqian , Lan Shun , Dou Lvye , Nan Ce-Wen , Lin Yuan-Hua
Published: March 2023

Dielectric materials featured with polarization at an applied electric field have been demonstrated with a wide range of applications such as energy storage and conversion, thus triggering tremendous efforts in scientific and industrial research. To date, numerous strategies have been explored to improve the performance of dielectric materials; especially, the recently reported high-entropy design enabling flexible composition configuration and tunable functional properties has attracted increasing attention. In this contribution, we review the very recent investigations and applications of high-entropy design for dielectric materials, including dielectric energy storage, electrocalorics, piezoelectrics, and ferroelectrics, and address the challenges and remaining concerns. Finally, we suggest future research directions for the preparation and in-depth structure characterization of high-entropy dielectric materials. This review will provide a holistic view of the most state-of-the-art high-entropy dielectric materials and envision prospects of high-entropy design for dielectrics.
PyQMC: An all-Python real-space quantum Monte Carlo module in PySCF
Authors: Wheeler William A. , Pathak Shivesh , Kleiner Kevin G. , Yuan Shunyue , Rodrigues João N. B. , Lorsung Cooper , Krongchon Kittithat , Chang Yueqing , Zhou Yiqing , Busemeyer Brian , Williams Kiel T. , Muñoz Alexander , Chow Chun Yu , Wagner Lucas K.
Published: March 2023

We describe a new open-source Python-based package for high accuracy correlated electron calculations using quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) in real space: PyQMC. PyQMC implements modern versions of QMC algorithms in an accessible format, enabling algorithmic development and easy implementation of complex workflows. Tight integration with the PySCF environment allows for a simple comparison between QMC calculations and other many-body wave function techniques, as well as access to high accuracy trial wave functions.
Comparative study on the forming characteristics and penetration effects of shaped charge jet in water and air
Authors: Gu Yangchen , Wang Jinxiang , Li Heng , Liu Liangtao , Tang Kui , Ma Teng , Lin Shangjian
Published: March 2023

In order to analyze the influence of a water medium on the forming process and penetration performance of a shaped charge jet, a comparative study was carried out on an underwater shaped charge jet (USCJ) and a shaped charge jet (SCJ) in air. The virtual mass hypothesis is proposed to analyze the forming mechanism of USCJs. The arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian algorithm is adopted to carry out a series of simulation calculations considering the impact of standoff height and liner cone angle. The penetration test of the shaped charge jet in two media is carried out, and the experimental results verify the effectiveness of the theory and simulation. The differences of SCJ formation and penetration in air and water are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the USCJ exhibits a higher jet head velocity, higher cumulative kinetic energy, and a greater penetration ability than those of the jet in air. The depth of penetration (DOP) initially increases and subsequently decreases with an increase in the standoff height. The optimal standoff height of the USCJ is approximately 4–4.5 times greater than the charge diameter, whereas the SCJ in air is approximately 3.5–4 times greater than the charge diameter. Additionally, the DOP of the jet decreases at the optimal standoff height with an increase in the cone angle.
The role of boron related defects in limiting charge carrier lifetime in 4H–SiC epitaxial layers
Authors: Ghezellou Misagh , Kumar Piyush , Bathen Marianne E. , Karsthof Robert , Sveinbjörnsson Einar Ö. , Grossner Ulrike , Bergman J. Peder , Vines Lasse , Ul-Hassan Jawad
Published: March 2023

One of the main challenges in realizing 4H–SiC (silicon carbide)-based bipolar devices is the improvement of minority carrier lifetime in as-grown epitaxial layers. Although Z1/2 has been identified as the dominant carrier lifetime limiting defect, we report on B-related centers being another dominant source of recombination and acting as lifetime limiting defects in 4H–SiC epitaxial layers. Combining time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurement in near band edge emission and 530 nm, deep level transient spectroscopy, and minority carrier transient spectroscopy (MCTS), it was found that B related deep levels in the lower half of the bandgap are responsible for killing the minority carriers in n-type, 4H–SiC epitaxial layers when the concentration of Z1/2 is already low. The impact of these centers on the charge carrier dynamics is investigated by correlating the MCTS results with temperature-dependent TRPL decay measurements. It is shown that the influence of shallow B acceptors on the minority carrier lifetime becomes neutralized at temperatures above ∼422 K. Instead, the deep B related acceptor level, known as the D-center, remains active until temperatures above ∼570 K. Moreover, a correlation between the deep level concentrations, minority carrier lifetimes, and growth parameters indicates that intentional nitrogen doping hinders the formation of deep B acceptor levels. Furthermore, tuning growth parameters, including growth temperature and C/Si ratio, is shown to be crucial for improving the minority carrier lifetime in as-grown 4H–SiC epitaxial layers.
Acoustic interaction force between two particles immersed in a viscoelastic fluid
Authors: Eslami Fatemeh , Hamzehpour Hossein , Derikvandi Sanaz , Amir Bahrani S.
Published: March 2023

The interaction acoustic radiation force in a standing plane wave applied to each small solid sphere in a two-particle system immersed in a viscoelastic fluid is studied in a framework based on perturbation theory. In this work, the first- and second-order perturbation theories are used in the governing equations with considering the upper-convected Maxwell model to obtain mathematical modeling. We use the finite element method to carry out simulations and describe the behavior of the viscoelastic fluid. The mathematical development is validated from three literature case studies: a one-particle system in a viscous fluid, a two-particle system in a viscous fluid, and a one-particle system in a viscoelastic fluid. The novelty of this study is to establish the acoustic interaction force between two spherical particles immersed in a viscoelastic fluid. The results show that the acoustic interaction force between two spheres is greater in a viscous fluid in comparison with the viscoelastic fluid with the same shear viscosity. This behavior is due to the relaxation time effect. It is also indicated that the acoustic interaction force between the particles decreases by the relaxation time and increases by the fluid's viscosity. A mathematical formula is proposed for the acoustic interaction force between particles located close to each other in a viscoelastic fluid.
Electroosmotic mixing of non-Newtonian fluid in an optimized geometry connected with a modulated microchamber
Authors: Majhi M. , Nayak A. K. , Weigand B.
Published: March 2023

The main objective of this work is to enhance the micromixing of different species transported through the electrokinetic mechanism applicable in lab-on-a-chip devices used in BioMEMS. In this process, it is essential to predict the efficiency and precision of the micromixture for the quick and correct mixing. In this paper, a numerical study is conducted to investigate the mixing quantification of the electroosmotic micromixer with a nozzle–diffuser shaped channel connected to reservoirs located at both ends of the channel with a microchamber located in the middle of the channel modulated with an inner rectangular obstacle. Since enhancing mixing quality is the paramount factor, this study examines how the design of the mixing chamber (circular and triangular), the size of the inner obstacle, the conical angle of the nozzle–diffuser channel, and the electric double layer height influence the flow inside the electroosmotic micromixer. Numerical simulations have been performed by using the Poisson–Nernst–Planck based Cauchy momentum equations for a non-Newtonian power-law fluid. This study focuses on both the mixing enhancement and the performance evaluation factor by lowering the pressure drop with variation of geometric modulation. The reservoir end wall effects are considered for the flow rate and mixing of the power-law fluids with variation of different flow parameters. After obtaining the optimal values of the effective parameters used in the micromixers for the experiments, regardless of the geometry of the obstacles, the present model is formulated and validated, and the results are presented. According to the findings, it is observed that the height and width of the inner obstacle, Debye–Hückel parameter, and the slope of the channel have a significant role in the overall mixing quality. The mixing efficiency is improved up to 90% for Newtonian fluid and 96% for shear thickening fluid by using obstacle fitted in the microchamber of the system. In addition, the results demonstrate that shear thickening fluids have better mixing performance than shear thinning fluids, which can be helpful in the fabrication of advanced micromixers.
Constraining nonlinear time series modeling with the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Munch Stephan B. , Rogers Tanya L. , Symons Celia C. , Anderson David , Pennekamp Frank
Published: March 2023

Forecasting the response of ecological systems to environmental change is a critical challenge for sustainable management. The metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) posits scaling of biological rates with temperature, but it has had limited application to population dynamic forecasting. Here we use the temperature dependence of the MTE to constrain empirical dynamic modeling (EDM), an equation-free nonlinear machine learning approach for forecasting. By rescaling time with temperature and modeling dynamics on a “metabolic time step,” our method (MTE-EDM) improved forecast accuracy in 18 of 19 empirical ectotherm time series (by 19% on average), with the largest gains in more seasonal environments. MTE-EDM assumes that temperature affects only the rate, rather than the form, of population dynamics, and that interacting species have approximately similar temperature dependence. A review of laboratory studies suggests these assumptions are reasonable, at least approximately, though not for all ecological systems. Our approach highlights how to combine modern data-driven forecasting techniques with ecological theory and mechanistic understanding to predict the response of complex ecosystems to temperature variability and trends.
Plant and microbial sciences as key drivers in the development of metabolomics research
Authors: Aharoni Asaph , Goodacre Royston , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: March 2023

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the coinage of the term metabolome [S. G. Oliver
et al
.,
Trends Biotech.
16
, 373–378 (1998)]. As the field rapidly advances, it is important to take stock of the progress which has been made to best inform the disciplines future. While a medical-centric perspective on metabolomics has recently been published [M. Giera
et al
.,
Cell Metab.
 
34
, 21–34 (2022)], this largely ignores the pioneering contributions made by the plant and microbial science communities. In this perspective, we provide a contemporary overview of all fields in which metabolomics is employed with particular emphasis on both methodological and application breakthroughs made in plant and microbial sciences that have shaped this evolving research discipline from the very early days of its establishment. This will not cover all types of metabolomics assays currently employed but will focus mainly on those utilizing mass spectrometry–based measurements since they are currently by far the most prominent. Having established the historical context of metabolomics, we will address the key challenges currently facing metabolomics and offer potential approaches by which these can be faced. Most salient among these is the fact that the vast majority of mass features are as yet not annotated with high confidence; what we may refer to as definitive identification. We discuss the potential of both standard compound libraries and artificial intelligence technologies to address this challenge and the use of natural variance–based approaches such as genome-wide association studies in attempt to assign specific functions to the myriad of structurally similar and complex specialized metabolites. We conclude by stating our contention that as these challenges are epic and that they will need far greater cooperative efforts from biologists, chemists, and computer scientists with an interest in all kingdoms of life than have been made to date. Ultimately, a better linkage of metabolome and genome data will likely also be needed particularly considering the Earth BioGenome Project.
A generating model for Finnish nominal inflection using distributional semantics
Authors: Nikolaev Alexandre , Chuang Yu-Ying , Baayen R. Harald
Published: March 2023

Finnish nouns are characterized by rich inflectional variation, with obligatory marking of case and number, with optional possessive suffixes and with the possibility of further cliticization. We present a model for the conceptualization of Finnish inflected nouns, using pre-compiled fasttext embeddings (300-dimensional semantic vectors that approximate words’ meanings). Instead of deriving the semantic vector of an inflected word from another word in its paradigm, we propose that an inflected word is conceptualized by means of summation of latent vectors representing the meanings of its lexeme and its inflectional features. We tested this model on the 2,000 most frequent Finnish nouns and their inflected word forms from a corpus of Finnish (84 million tokens). Visualization of the semantic space of Finnish using t-SNE clarified that a ‘main effects’ additive model does not do justice to the semantics of inflection. In Finnish, how number is realized turns out to vary substantially with case. Further interactions emerged with the possessive suffixes and the clitics. By taking these interactions into account, the accuracy of our model, evaluated with the fasttext embeddings as gold standard, improved from 76% to 89%. Analyses of the errors made by the model clarified that 7.5% of errors are due to overabundance (and hence not true errors), and that 16.5% of the errors involved exchanges of semantically highly similar stems (lexemes). Our results indicate, first, that the semantics of Finnish noun inflection are more intricate than assumed thus far, and second, that these intricacies can be captured with surprisingly high accuracy by a simple generating model based on imputed semantic vectors for lexemes, inflectional features, and interactions of inflectional features.
Translation in CLIL
Authors: Gaballo Viviana
Published: March 2023

Translation in CLIL? It may seem a contradiction in terms. CLIL means Content and Language Integrated Learning, and is based on the assumption that content is taught through the second/foreign language. No room is left to the learners’ mother tongue, which is either declared off limits or used in very limited cases. So, what is the role of translation in CLIL? Is there any place for it at all? In the past few years, there has been a series of hectic efforts put in by schools and universities to organise CLIL programmes and teacher training courses, and a number of studies have appeared to help with the process. In spite of the wide support that is now being given to the use of the first language in language learning, CLIL proponents tend to neglect the role of translation in content and language learning. Drawing on current research on CLIL, this study sets out to investigate the nature of the contribution that translation makes to language and content learning. The work is grounded on research conducted on empirical data drawn from CLIL courses taught since 2005, inspired by social constructivist pedagogy in a networked learning environment, and a collaborative translation approach.
Effect of video gaming on some central auditory processing abilities in school aged children, cross sectional study
Authors: Hazzaa Nagwa Mohamed , Shalaby Amani Ahmed , Eissa Heba Mohamed El Sayed , Galal Eman Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Objectives:

The effect of video games playing was variable in the literature. On one hand, it leads to boosting brain function in response speed, concentration, attention and spatial cognition, on the other hand, a certain type of games have negative effects on the cognition and proper processing of the central nervous system. In The best of the authors knowledge, there is no study investigated the effects of video gaming on central auditory processing in school-aged children, so the objective of this work is to study the effect of video gaming on some central auditory processing abilities in school-aged children.

Methods:

50 children aged 6–12 years old, playing video games > 2 h/d, were subjected to psychometric, basic audiological evaluation, history of mobile phone use and Central Auditory Processing (CAP) Disorders. CAP evaluation included; Speech Intelligibility In Noise (SPIN), Arabic Dichotic Digits (DD), Memory and Auditory Vigilance tests.

Results:

The highest percentage of abnormality in CAP abilities was in selective attention ability followed by sequential memory besides the negative correlation with duration (hours) of video gaming use per day.

Conclusion:

Video gaming has a negative impact on CAP abilities in children, particularly auditory attention and memory.
A Time-Dependent-Density-Functional-Theory Study of Charge Transfer Processes of Li2+ Colliding with Ar in the MeV Region
Authors: Zhang Hui-Hui , Yu Wan-Dong , Gao Cong-Zhang , Qu Yi-Zhi
Published: March 2023

We study charge transfer of a multi-electron collision system Li2+ + Ar using the time-dependent density functional theory non-adiabatically coupled to the molecular dynamics. By implementing the particle number projection method, the single- and double-charge transfer cross sections are extracted at MeV energies, which are in good agreement with the experimental data available. The analysis of charge transfer probabilities shows that for energies higher than 1.0 MeV, the single-charge transfer occurs for a broader range of impact parameters, while the double-charge transfer is dominated by close collisions. To gain the population of captured electrons on the projectile, we compute the orbital projection probabilities. It is found that the electrons of the Ar atom will most possibly transfer to the 2p orbitals of the Li2+, and only a small portion of captured electrons distribute on the s orbitals. This work verifies the capability of the present methodology in dealing with charge transfer in dressed ion collisions at MeV energies.
High-photoresponsivity heterojunction based on MoTe2/2D electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface
Authors: Zhou Xiaowei , Li Bocheng , Tian Xiaochen , Jiang Yucheng , Zhao Run , Zhao Meng , Gao Ju , Xing Jie , Qiu Jie , Liu Guozhen
Published: March 2023

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are ideal elements for many optoelectronic devices owing to their outstanding optoelectrical performance under visible and infrared light. Heterostructures composed of TMDs and other non-TMD materials may exhibit rich properties. In this study, a high-performance heterojunction based on 2D MoTe2 and 2D electron gas (2DEG) at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface was fabricated. The device exhibits good current rectification properties with a high rectification ratio exceeding 103 and a low leakage current (∼1 nA at −6 V bias). Moreover, a high photoresponsivity of ∼800 A W−1 and a large specific detectivity of 4 × 1012 Jones at 405 nm were also obtained at room temperature. Heterostructures based on 2D TMDs and oxide 2DEG are expected to become essential elements in multifunctional microdevices and optoelectronic devices.
Semimetal contacts to monolayer semiconductor: weak metalization as an effective mechanism to Schottky barrier lowering
Authors: Su Tong , Li Yueyan , Wang Qianqian , Zhao Weiwei , Cao Liemao , Ang Yee Sin
Published: March 2023

Recent experiment has uncovered semimetal bismuth (Bi) as an excellent electrical contact to monolayer MoS2 with ultralow contact resistance. The contact physics of the broader semimetal/monolayer-semiconductor family beyond Bi/MoS2, however, remains largely unexplored thus far. Here we perform a comprehensive first-principle density functional theory investigation on the electrical contact properties between six archetypal two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) semiconductors, i.e. MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, WSe2, MoTe2 and WTe2, and two representative types of semimetals, Bi and antimony (Sb). As Bi and Sb work functions energetically aligns well with the TMDC conduction band edge, Ohmic or nearly-Ohmic n-type contacts are prevalent. The interlayer distance of semimetal/TMDC contacts are significantly larger than that of the metal/TMDC counterparts, which results in only weak metalization of TMDC upon contact formation. Intriguingly, such weak metalization generates semimetal-induced gap states (SMIGSs) that extends below the conduction band minimum, thus offering an effective mechanism to reduce or eliminate the n-type Schottky barrier height (SBH) while still preserving the electronic structures of 2D TMDC. A modified Schottky–Mott rule that takes into account SMIGS, interface dipole potential, and Fermi level shifting is proposed, which provides an improved agreement with the density functional theory-simulated SBH. We further show that the tunneling-specific resistivity of Sb/TMDC contacts are generally lower than the Bi counterparts, thus indicating a better charge injection efficiency can be achieved through Sb contacts. Our findings reveal the promising potential of Bi and Sb as excellent companion electrode materials for advancing 2D semiconductor device technology.
TOPAS-imaging: extensions to the TOPAS simulation toolkit for medical imaging systems
Authors: Lee Hoyeon , Cheon Bo-Wi , Feld Joseph W , Grogg Kira , Perl Joseph , Ramos-Méndez José A , Faddegon Bruce , Min Chul Hee , Paganetti Harald , Schuemann Jan
Published: March 2023

Objective. The TOol for PArticle Simulation (TOPAS) is a Geant4-based Monte Carlo software application that has been used for both research and clinical studies in medical physics. So far, most users of TOPAS have focused on radiotherapy-related studies, such as modeling radiation therapy delivery systems or patient dose calculation. Here, we present the first set of TOPAS extensions to make it easier for TOPAS users to model medical imaging systems. Approach. We used the extension system of TOPAS to implement pre-built, user-configurable geometry components such as detectors (e.g. flat-panel and multi-planar detectors) for various imaging modalities and pre-built, user-configurable scorers for medical imaging systems (e.g. digitizer chain). Main results. We developed a flexible set of extensions that can be adapted to solve research questions for a variety of imaging modalities. We then utilized these extensions to model specific examples of cone-beam CT (CBCT), positron emission tomography (PET), and prompt gamma (PG) systems. The first of these new geometry components, the FlatImager, was used to model example CBCT and PG systems. Detected signals were accumulated in each detector pixel to obtain the intensity of x-rays penetrating objects or prompt gammas from proton-nuclear interaction. The second of these new geometry components, the RingImager, was used to model an example PET system. Positron–electron annihilation signals were recorded in crystals of the RingImager and coincidences were detected. The simulated data were processed using corresponding post-processing algorithms for each modality and obtained results in good agreement with the expected true signals or experimental measurement. Significance. The newly developed extension is a first step to making it easier for TOPAS users to build and simulate medical imaging systems. Together with existing TOPAS tools, this extension can help integrate medical imaging systems with radiotherapy simulations for image-guided radiotherapy.
Development and characterization of modular mouse phantoms for end-to-end testing and training in radiobiology experiments
Authors: Wegner Marie , Frenzel Thorsten , Krause Dieter , Gargioni Elisabetta
Published: March 2023

Objective. In radiation oncology, experiments are often carried out using mice as a model for in vivo research studies. Due to recent technological advances in the development of high-precision small-animal irradiation facilities, the importance of quality assurance for both dosimetry and imaging is increasing. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the possibility to produce complex models from a three-dimensional data set and to build cost-effective phantoms that can easily be adapted to different purposes. The aim of this work was therefore to develop detailed anatomical mouse models for quality assurance and end-to-end testing of small-animal irradiation and imaging by means of AM. Approach. Two mouse phantom concepts were designed, constructed, and examined for this purpose. The first model includes cavities corresponding to the most important organs. The final solid model was constructed using AM in two separate parts that can be attached with a plug connection after filling these cavities with tissue-equivalent mixtures. Moreover, different radiation dosimeters can be placed in the lower part of the model. For the second concept, AM was used for building modules like the phantom outer shell and bones, so that different mixtures can be used as a filling, without modifying the phantom structure. Main results. CT as well as Micro-CT scans of both concepts showed an excellent quality and adequate image contrast, with material attenuation properties close to those of mouse tissues, apart from the current bone surrogates. Radiation dose measurements with radiochromic films were, with some exceptions in areas with larges bone volumes, in agreement with calculations within less than ±4%. Significance. AM shows great potential for the development of mouse models that are inexpensive, easy to adapt, and accurate, thus enabling their use for quality assurance in small-animal radiotherapy and imaging. The introduction of such 3D-printable mouse phantoms in the workflow could also significantly reduce the use of living animals for optimization and testing of new imaging and irradiation protocols.
Introduction and verification of FEDM, an open-source FEniCS-based discharge modelling code
Authors: Jovanović Aleksandar P , Loffhagen Detlef , Becker Markus M
Published: March 2023

This paper introduces the finite element discharge modelling (FEDM) code, which was developed using the open-source computing platform FEniCS (https://fenicsproject.org). Building on FEniCS, the FEDM code utilises the finite element method to solve partial differential equations. It extends FEniCS with features that allow the automated implementation and numerical solution of fully coupled fluid-Poisson models including an arbitrary number of particle balance equations. The code is verified using the method of exact solutions and benchmarking. The physically based examples of a time-of-flight experiment, a positive streamer discharge in atmospheric-pressure air and a low-pressure glow discharge in argon are used as rigorous test cases for the developed modelling code and to illustrate its capabilities. The performance of the code is compared to the commercial software package COMSOL Multiphysics® and a comparable parallel speed-up is obtained. It is shown that the iterative solver implemented by FEDM performs particularly well on high-performance compute clusters.
Sociogenesis in unbounded space: modelling self-organised cohesive collective motion
Authors: Neu Zohar , Giuggioli Luca
Published: March 2023

Maintaining cohesion between randomly moving agents in unbounded space is an essential functionality for many real-world applications requiring distributed multi-agent systems. We develop a bio-inspired collective movement model in 1D unbounded space to ensure such functionality. Using an internal agent belief to estimate the mesoscopic state of the system, agent motion is coupled to a dynamically self-generated social ranking variable. This coupling between social information and individual movement is exploited to induce spatial self-sorting and produces an adaptive, group-relative coordinate system that stabilises random motion in unbounded space. We investigate the state-space of the model in terms of its key control parameters and find two separate regimes for the system to attain dynamical cohesive states, including a Partial Sensing regime in which the system self-selects nearest-neighbour distances so as to ensure a near-constant mean number of sensed neighbours. Overall, our approach constitutes a novel theoretical development in models of collective movement, as it considers agents who make decisions based on internal representations of their social environment that explicitly take into account spatial variation in a dynamic internal variable.
Concatenated deleting machines and their characteristics
Authors: Nancy A , Balakrishnan S
Published: March 2023

In this work, we study the performance of one shot and concatenated deleting machines (DMs). We show that the output state of one shot DMs are mixed inseparable, and do not violate Bell’s inequality but can be used as a teleportation channel for all values of the input state parameters. On the other hand, we observe in the concatenation of different DMs that the output states are mixed inseparable and do not violate Bell’s inequality, and cannot be used as a teleportation channel. Further, some important attributes such as inseparability, violation of Bell’s inequality, and teleportation fidelity of the DMs remain unchanged under the order of concatenation. In this context of a teleportation channel, one shot DMs are useful when compared to concatenated DMs.