bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing Glass Contamination in Radiology: What Can We Do to Minimize Its Impact?
Authors: Perera Seran , Kumar Shanesh , Zadow Steven , Lim WanYin
Published: July 2024

Introduction There is a risk of glass contamination with the use of single-dose glass ampoules. Complications of injection include infection and granuloma formation and this is widely described in anesthetic literature. To date, there is no data on the effect of different ampoule opening methods on the degree of glass contamination.

Purpose This article explores different ampoule opening methods and determines if any method is superior to the others with respect to glass contamination frequency. This article also increases awareness of glass contamination and its potential complications in the radiology community.

Methods A controlled trial was undertaken with 15 glass ampoules filled with normal saline, divided into three groups. The ampoules in each of the group were opened via each method: freehand, ampoule breaker, and ampoule opener. The solution was aspirated with an 18-gauge drawing-up needle, which was centrifuged and decantered to be placed onto slides and inspected under light microscopy to assess the glass contaminants.

Results Between each cohort, the freehand opening provided the least number of glass particles with 42, followed by the ampoule breaker and snapper. The greatest size of glass contamination was seen from the ampoule snapper at 300 μm, while the lowest average particle size was seen from the ampoule breaker.

Conclusion The study confirmed presence of glass contamination in all three methods. Freehand opening minimized the number of particulates, while the ampoule breaker minimized the average particulate size. The ampoule snapper produced larger glass particulates in the trials and was deemed the least effective method.
Hearing Improvement after Radiation Therapy for a Facial Nerve Schwannoma: Report of a Case and Review of Literature
Authors: Pecorari Isabella L. , Ghosh Sayak R. , Moskowitz Howard S. , Agarwal Vijay
Published: July 2024

Introduction While facial nerve schwannomas are considered benign, they can impart various significant clinical effects due to pressure on nearby cerebrovascular structures within the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Although surgical resection and/or radiation therapy often provide definitive treatment of such tumors, posttreatment hearing loss is a common finding. In this report, we present the case of a patient with a facial nerve schwannoma successfully treated with radiotherapy with resultant hearing improvement, an extremely rare clinical finding.

Case Presentation A 63-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of progressively worsening hearing loss and tinnitus. Brain imaging demonstrated an enhancing lesion of the right CPA measuring 2.7 × 2.1 × 3.1 cm. Pretreatment audiometry evaluation revealed sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear with a pure-tone average (PTA) of 74 dB, speech threshold (ST) of 75 dB, and speech discrimination (SD) of 0%. The patient proceeded with attempted surgical resection, aborted due to significant facial nerve stimulation, and ultimately underwent radiation therapy (50.4 Gy, 28 fractions). At the 1-year follow-up visit, the patient reports subjective hearing loss resolution with PTA of 34 dB, 30 dB ST, and 88% SD on audiological evaluation.

Conclusion Although radiation therapy for schwannomas within the CPA has historically been associated with hearing loss, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) may provide improved clinical outcomes compared with high-dose radiosurgery. Given the effectiveness of this treatment modality and improved quality of life offered to patients over surgery, FSRT may be considered an initial management option for patients with facial nerve schwannomas.
High-speed rail new towns and their impacts on urban sustainable development: a spatial analysis based on satellite remote sensing data
Authors: Zou Shaohui , Fan Xiangbo , Wang Lei , Cui Yuanzheng
Published: July 2024

With the rapid expansion of China’s high-speed rail network, numerous high-speed rail new towns have been established. While these new towns have brought about significant economic opportunities, they also impose pressure on local resources and environment. Accurately assessing the impacts of high-speed rail new towns on urban sustainable development is therefore a crucial issue to address. Our study employs satellite remote sensing data and spatial econometric methods to evaluate the impacts of 223 high-speed rail new towns in China from 2011 to 2021. The results indicate a gradual narrowing of development disparities among high-speed rail new towns in different cities. The construction of high-speed rail new towns has facilitated the sustainable development of cities. Notably, central high-speed rail new towns demonstrate a more considerably driving effect on the urban sustainable development compared to peripheral ones. The findings of the study provide valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in China and other countries embarking on high-speed rail development projects. Our research highlights the importance of considering the potential impacts of high-speed rail new towns on the urban sustainable development and the need for careful planning and management to ensure that these newly-established towns contribute to a more sustainable urban future.
Employing hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks in optoelectronic applications
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: July 2024

Compared to other topological crystalline frameworks, HOFs offer unique advantages for sensors, memristors, neuromorphic computing, and artificial synapses.
Bunching enhancement for coherent harmonic generation by using phase merging effects
Authors: Feng Ke , Jiang Kangnan , Hu Runshu , Luan Shixia , Wang Wentao , Li Ruxin
Published: July 2024

In this paper, promising but simple schemes are investigated to enhance the micro-bunching of relativistic electron beams for coherent harmonic generation (CHG) by using phase merging effects. In contrast to the standard CHG scheme, two specially designed dispersion sections (DSs) are adopted with the DS-modulator–DS configuration. The phase space of the e beam is appropriately coupled in the first DS, and the electrons within one seed wavelength can merge to the same phase with a matched second DS. Micro-bunching of the e beam can thus be enhanced by a large margin with much higher-harmonic components. Taking e beams from laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) as an example, start-to-end simulations are performed to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed schemes with several configurations. The beam current can be optimized to several tens to hundreds of kiloamperes, and the radiation power reaches hundreds of megawatts in the extreme ultraviolet regime within a 3.5 m-long beamline. The proposed schemes offer new opportunities for future compact free-electron lasers driven by LWFAs and provides prospects for truly compact and widely applicable systems.
On the Mathieu conjecture for Sp(N) and G2
Authors: Zwart Kevin
Published: July 2024

As a direct continuation of Zwart [J. Math. Phys. 64(10), 101701 (2023)], which is built on the work of Müger and Tuset [Indagationes Math. 35(1), 114 (2024)], we reduce the Mathieu conjecture, formulated by Mathieu [Algèbra Non Commutative, Groupes Quantiques et Invariants, edited by Alex, J. and Cauchon, G. (Société Mathématique de France, Reims, 1997), Vol. 2, pp. 263–279], for Sp(N) and G2 to a conjecture involving functions over Rn×(S1)m with n,m∈N0. The proofs rely on Euler-style parametrizations of these groups, a specific version of the KAK decomposition, which we discuss and prove.
Influence of local structures on amorphous alumina exhibiting resistance random-access memory function
Authors: Kubota Masato , Kato Seiichi
Published: July 2024

Amorphous alumina resistance random-access memory is a promising candidate as a next-generation nonvolatile memory. It is intriguing that the nonvolatile memory function emerges in only amorphous samples, unlike crystalline samples. We studied local structures of amorphous alumina samples and Al2O3 polycrystalline using atomic pair distribution function measurements. We derived the Al–Al, O–O, and Al–O atomic distances for each sample. By comparing them, we revealed that the subtle difference in the local structure significantly influences the performance of a nonvolatile memory function.
Compact ultrafast neutron sources via bulk acceleration of deuteron ions in an optical trap
Authors: Lei Zhiyu , Ma Hanghang , Zhang Xiaobo , Yu Lin , Zhang Yihang , Li Yutong , Weng Suming , Chen Min , Zhang Jie , Sheng Zhengming
Published: July 2024

A scheme for a quasi-monoenergetic high-flux neutron source with femtosecond duration and highly anisotropic angular distribution is proposed. This scheme is based on bulk acceleration of deuteron ions in an optical trap or density grating formed by two counter-propagating laser pulses at an intensity of ∼1016W/cm2 in a near-critical-density plasma. The deuterons are first pre-accelerated to an energy of tens of keV in the ambipolar fields formed in the optical trap. Their energy is boosted to the MeV level by another one or two laser pulses at an intensity of ∼1020W/cm2, enabling fusion reactions to be triggered with high efficiency. In contrast to previously proposed pitcher–catcher configurations, our scheme can provide spatially periodic acceleration structures and effective collisions between deuterons inside the whole target volume. Subsequently, neutrons are generated directly inside the optical trap. Our simulations show that neutron pulses with energy 2–8 MeV, yield 1018–1019n/s, and total number 106–107 in a duration ∼400 fs can be obtained with a 25 μm target. Moreover, the neutron pulses exhibit unique angularly dependent energy spectra and flux distributions, predominantly along the axis of the energy-boosting lasers. Such microsize femtosecond neutron pulses may find many applications, such as high-resolution fast neutron imaging and nuclear physics research.
Structures and dynamics of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine in neutral and basic aqueous solutions by spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Guixiu , Yu Pengyun , Wang Jianping
Published: July 2024

8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-dexyoguanine (8-oxo-dG) can be tautomerized to a 6-enolate,8-keto tautomer through nearby-NH deprotonation at elevated pH. In this work, the N3-protonated 8-oxo-dG tautomers in deuterated pH-buffer solutions were studied using steady-state UV/Vis, FTIR, and ultrafast two-dimensional IR spectroscopies. The presence of 6,8-diketo and C6-anionic tautomers at neutral to basic conditions (pD = 7.4–12.0) was revealed by UV/Vis and FTIR results and was further confirmed by 2D IR signals in both diagonal and off-diagonal regions. However, the C6-enol tautomer, which may be an intermediate during the transition from 6,8-diketo to C6-enolate,C8-keto, was not observed appreciably due to its extreme low population. Furthermore, the neutral-to-anionic tautomeric transition of N3H-8-oxo-dG studied in this work occurs under more basic conditions than the N1H-8-oxo-dG reported previously, showing a higher pKa value for N3H than N1H. Finally, vibrational relaxation of the carbonyl stretching mode was found to be both molecular site dependent and pD dependent for 8oxo-dG. Taken together, this work shows that the ultrafast infrared spectroscopic method is effective for examining tautomers and their dynamics in nucleic acids.
Non-adiabatic electronic relaxation of tetracene from its brightest singlet excited state
Authors: Scognamiglio A. , Thalmann K. S. , Hartweg S. , Rendler N. , Bruder L. , Coto P. B. , Thoss M. , Stienkemeier F.
Published: July 2024

The ultrafast relaxation dynamics of tetracene following UV excitation to the bright singlet state S6 has been studied with time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. With the help of high-level ab initio multireference perturbation theory calculations, we assign photoelectron signals to intermediate dark electronic states S3, S4, and S5 as well as to a low-lying electronic state S2. The energetic structure of these dark states has not been determined experimentally previously. The time-dependent photoelectron yields assigned to the states S6, S5, and S4 have been analyzed and reveal the depopulation of S6 within 60 fs, while S5 and S4 are populated with delays of about 50 and 80 fs. The dynamics of the lower-lying states S3 and S2 seem to agree with a delayed population coinciding with the depopulation of the higher-lying states S4–S6 but could not be elucidated in full detail due to the low signal levels of the corresponding two-photon ionization probe processes.
Magnetic resonance velocimetry reveals secondary flow in falling films at the microscale
Authors: Saliba Georges C. , Korvink Jan G. , Brandner Juergen J.
Published: July 2024

To design better falling film microreactors, concrete knowledge of the flow and the ability to produce complex channel structures are necessary. The efficiency of falling film microreactors is most often determined by studying the composition of the liquid after it has exited the system. In the present study, Magnetic Resonance Velocimetry is used to obtain three-dimensional, three-component velocity fields inside of falling films flowing in open microchannels. The microchannels were made by two-photon polymerization. It was possible to resolve the complex shape of the liquid–gas interface and to observe, for the first time, secondary flow inside of a falling film at the microscale.
Infrared spectra of partially deuterated water dimers in the fundamental O–D stretch region
Authors: Barclay A. J. , McKellar A. R. W. , Moazzen-Ahmadi N.
Published: July 2024

Spectra of mixed H/D water dimers are studied in the mid-infrared region of the O–D stretch fundamental (2630–2800 cm−1) using a pulsed supersonic slit jet and a tunable optical parametric oscillator infrared source. Over 30 bands, belonging to nine of the ten possible isotopologues (only H2O–HOD is missed), are observed and analyzed. The implications for excited state tunneling splittings, lifetime effects, and vibrational shifts are discussed. These are the first significant new experimental results on (gas phase) mixed water dimers in over 25 years, and they are valuable for testing water dimer theoretical calculations, a field which continues to be of lively current interest.
Predicting trajectories of dryland wetland vegetation transformation under climate change: a case study of the northern Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
Authors: Johnston-Bates Jaiden , Grieger Rebekah , Capon Samantha J.
Published: July 2024

Dryland wetland vegetation is, paradoxically, both highly sensitive and extremely resilient to environmental change. In the short-term, rapid responses of wetland biota and ecological processes to wetting and drying, which influence ecosystem structure and function, enable rapid reproduction which enhances long-term resilience. However, over longer periods, mechanisms such as seed dormancy and persistent seed and egg banks enable dryland wetland ecosystems to recover after major environmental perturbations such as mega-droughts or wildfire. Climate change is likely to have a significant effect on key drivers of ecological response in dryland wetlands, including hydrology and its interface with other climatic stimuli, e.g. temperature, as well as the frequency and intensity of extreme events. Like species, wetland ecosystems may respond to climate change in three main ways, namely, disappear, persist without significant adjustment, or transform. Here, we consider the conditions under which each of these responses may eventuate for dryland wetlands, by using wetland vegetation of the northern Murray–Darling Basin Australia, as a case study. We also explore what wetland transformation might entail in this region in terms of wetland ecological character and the key values this supports. Finally, we consider the implications for wetland policy and management at present and as trajectories of wetland change unfold.
New preliminary records of the Ranong guitarfish (Rhinobatos ranongensis Last, Séret & Naylor, 2019) in Southwest Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Ichsan Muhammad , Pridina Niomi , Herman
Published: July 2024

We recorded 23 Ranong guitarfish (Rhinobatos ranongensis) in Southwest Aceh, Indonesia. Measured specimens ranged between 72 and 87 cm total length. There are 20 recorded guitarfish species (Genus Rhinobatos) and so far, three of them have been recorded in Indonesia: Jimbaran shovelnose ray (Rhinobatos jimbaranensis), Indonesian shovelnose ray (Rhinobatos pengali) and Shaw’s shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatos thouiniana). Rhinobatos ranongensis is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN and found in the Eastern Indian Ocean. The only recorded samples are from Andaman Sea, Myanmar and western Thailand. The specimens that landed in Southwest Aceh is the first recorded in Indonesia and the largest ever recorded.
Reintroduction to the edge of its range: quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) to Wadderin Sanctuary in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia
Authors: Short Jeff
Published: July 2024

Context Quenda (bandicoots, Isoodon fusciventer) have shown a major decline in range since European settlement, contracting to the more mesic coastal and forest zones in south-west Western Australia. Key actions to recover this species include broad-scale fox control, cat control and reintroductions. Most reintroductions have been to coastal and forest habitats. Aims To monitor the reintroduction of quenda to fox-free habitat of Wadderin Sanctuary in the wheatbelt of Western Australia, close to the eastern and drier margin of the species’ former range. Methods Relative abundance of the population was monitored over a 12-year period by regular standardised trapping throughout the sanctuary. Key results Quenda were reintroduced in 2010 and have persisted for >12 years. They were protected from fox predation by an exclusion fence, but were subject to a low level of cat predation for the first 8 years. Quenda showed both a ~20% drop in mean body condition over time and a trend of decreasing number of pouch young per female over time, likely a result of a succession of dry years and intra-and inter-specific competition for food resources. However, despite this, the index of abundance suggests that quenda numbers substantially increased, aided by high annual recruitment, in years following removal of the feral cat. Conclusions Quenda appear resilient at this site despite consecutive years of very low rainfall and apparent competition for food resources. Implications Quenda seem able to persist on the drier margin of their former range when protected from high levels of predation.
Measuring what counts in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander care: a review of general practice datasets available for assessing chronic disease care
Authors: McBride Kelly Liam , Wong Deborah , Timothy Andrea
Published: July 2024

Background Large datasets exist in Australia that make de-identified primary healthcare data extracted from clinical information systems available for research use. This study reviews these datasets for their capacity to provide insight into chronic disease care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the extent to which the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty are reflected in data collection and governance arrangements. Methods Datasets were included if they collect primary healthcare clinical information system data, collect data nationally, and capture Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We searched PubMed and the public Internet for data providers meeting the inclusion criteria. We developed a framework to assess data providers across domains, including representativeness, usability, data quality, adherence with Indigenous Data Sovereignty and their capacity to provide insights into chronic disease. Datasets were assessed against the framework based on email interviews and publicly available information. Results We identified seven datasets. Only two datasets reported on chronic disease, collected data nationally and captured a substantial number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. No dataset was identified that captured a significant number of both mainstream general practice clinics and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. Conclusions It is critical that more accurate, comprehensive and culturally meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare data are collected. These improvements must be guided by the principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance. Validated and appropriate chronic disease indicators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be developed, including indicators of social and cultural determinants of health.
The role of placental kisspeptin in trophoblast invasion and migration: an assessment in Kiss1r knockout mice, BeWo cell lines and human term placenta
Authors: Panting E. N. , Weight J. H. , Sartori J. A. , Coall D. A. , Smith J. T.
Published: July 2024

Context There is mounting evidence implicating kisspeptin signalling in placental development and function. Aims This study aimed to elucidate kisspeptin’s role in trophoblast invasion and migration using three experimental models. Methods First, we examined the mouse fetus and placenta in a kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) knockout (KO) model. Fetal/placental weights and gene expression (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) were assessed. Second, we determined kisspeptin effects on a human trophoblast (BeWo) cell line in vitro. Third, we examined KISS1 and KISS1R gene expression in human placenta from term and pre-term pregnancies. Key results No difference was found in fetal or placental weight between Kiss1r KO and wildtype mice. However, expression of the trophoblast invasion marker, Mmp2 mRNA, was greater in the placental labyrinth zone of Kiss1r KO mice. BeWo cell models of villus cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast cells exhibited kisspeptin protein expression, with greater expression in syncytiotrophoblast, consistent with KISS1 mRNA. Kisspeptin treatment inhibited the migratory potential of cytotrophoblast-like cells. Finally, while no difference was seen in KISS1 and KISS1R mRNA between term and pre-term placentas, we saw a difference in the relative expression of each gene pre-term. We also observed a positive correlation between KISS1 expression and maternal body mass index. Conclusions Our results indicate that kisspeptin may inhibit trophoblast invasion. Implications Further investigation is required to clarify specific regulatory mechanisms.
Global decarbonization potential of CO
2
mineralization in concrete materials
Authors: Driver Justin G. , Bernard Ellina , Patrizio Piera , Fennell Paul S. , Scrivener Karen , Myers Rupert J.
Published: July 2024

CO
2
mineralization products are often heralded as having outstanding potentials to reduce CO
2
-eq. emissions. However, these claims are generally undermined by incomplete consideration of the life cycle climate change impacts, material properties, supply and demand constraints, and economic viability of CO
2
mineralization products. We investigate these factors in detail for ten concrete-related CO
2
mineralization products to quantify their individual and global CO
2
-eq. emissions reduction potentials. Our results show that in 2020, 3.9 Gt of carbonatable solid materials were generated globally, with the dominant material being end-of-life cement paste in concrete and mortar (1.4 Gt y
–1
). All ten of the CO
2
mineralization technologies investigated here reduce life cycle CO
2
-eq. emissions when used to substitute comparable conventional products. In 2020, the global CO
2
-eq. emissions reduction potential of economically competitive CO
2
mineralization technologies was 0.39 Gt CO
2
-eq., i.e., 15% of that from cement production. This level of CO
2
-eq. emissions reduction is limited by the supply of end-of-life cement paste. The results also show that it is 2 to 5 times cheaper to reduce CO
2
-eq. emissions by producing cement from carbonated end-of-life cement paste than carbon capture and storage (CCS), demonstrating its superior decarbonization potential. On the other hand, it is currently much more expensive to reduce CO
2
-eq. emissions using some CO
2
mineralization technologies, like carbonated normal weight aggregate production, than CCS. Technologies and policies that increase recovery of end-of-life cement paste from aged infrastructure are key to unlocking the potential of CO
2
mineralization in reducing the CO
2
-eq. footprint of concrete materials.
Memory effects of prior subculture may impact the quality of multiomic perturbation profiles
Authors: Bortel Patricia , Hagn Gerhard , Skos Lukas , Bileck Andrea , Paulitschke Verena , Paulitschke Philipp , Gleiter Lion , Mohr Thomas , Gerner Christopher , Meier-Menches Samuel M.
Published: July 2024

Mass spectrometry-based omics technologies are increasingly used in perturbation studies to map drug effects to biological pathways by identifying significant molecular events. Significance is influenced by fold change and variation of each molecular parameter, but also by multiple testing corrections. While the fold change is largely determined by the biological system, the variation is determined by experimental workflows. Here, it is shown that memory effects of prior subculture can influence the variation of perturbation profiles using the two colon carcinoma cell lines SW480 and HCT116. These memory effects are largely driven by differences in growth states that persist into the perturbation experiment. In SW480 cells, memory effects combined with moderate treatment effects amplify the variation in multiple omics levels, including eicosadomics, proteomics, and phosphoproteomics. With stronger treatment effects, the memory effect was less pronounced, as demonstrated in HCT116 cells. Subculture homogeneity was controlled by real-time monitoring of cell growth. Controlled homogeneous subculture resulted in a perturbation network of 321 causal conjectures based on combined proteomic and phosphoproteomic data, compared to only 58 causal conjectures without controlling subculture homogeneity in SW480 cells. Some cellular responses and regulatory events were identified that extend the mode of action of arsenic trioxide (ATO) only when accounting for these memory effects. Controlled prior subculture led to the finding of a synergistic combination treatment of ATO with the thioredoxin reductase 1 inhibitor auranofin, which may prove useful in the management of NRF2-mediated resistance mechanisms.
Clustered protocadherin
cis
-interactions are required for combinatorial cell–cell recognition underlying neuronal self-avoidance
Authors: Wiseglass Gil , Boni Nadir , Smorodinsky-Atias Karina , Rubinstein Rotem
Published: July 2024

In the developing human brain, only 53 stochastically expressed clustered protocadherin (cPcdh) isoforms enable neurites from individual neurons to recognize and self-avoid while simultaneously maintaining contact with neurites from other neurons. Cell assays have demonstrated that self-recognition occurs only when all cPcdh isoforms perfectly match across the cell boundary, with a single mismatch in the cPcdh expression profile interfering with recognition. It remains unclear, however, how a single mismatched isoform between neighboring cells is sufficient to block erroneous recognitions. Using systematic cell aggregation experiments, we show that abolishing cPcdh interactions on the same membrane (
cis
) results in a complete loss of specific combinatorial binding between cells (
trans
). Our computer simulations demonstrate that the organization of cPcdh in linear array oligomers, composed of
cis
and
trans
interactions, enhances self-recognition by increasing the concentration and stability of cPcdh
trans
complexes between the homotypic membranes. Importantly, we show that the presence of mismatched isoforms between cells drastically diminishes the concentration and stability of the
trans
complexes. Overall, we provide an explanation for the role of the cPcdh assembly arrangements in neuronal self/non-self-discrimination underlying neuronal self-avoidance.
Mutant androgen receptor induces neurite loss and senescence independently of ARE binding in a neuronal model of SBMA
Authors: Karliner Jordyn , Liu Yuhong , Merry Diane E.
Published: July 2024

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a slowly progressing neuromuscular disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ)-encoding CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene, leading to AR aggregation, lower motor neuron death, and muscle atrophy. AR is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates neuronal architecture and promotes axon regeneration; however, whether AR transcriptional functions contribute to disease pathogenesis is not fully understood. Using a differentiated PC12 cell model of SBMA, we identified dysfunction of polyQ-expanded AR in its regulation of neurite growth and maintenance. Specifically, we found that in the presence of androgens, polyQ-expanded AR inhibited neurite outgrowth, induced neurite retraction, and inhibited neurite regrowth. This dysfunction was independent of polyQ-expanded AR transcriptional activity at androgen response elements (ARE). We further showed that the formation of polyQ-expanded AR intranuclear inclusions promoted neurite retraction, which coincided with reduced expression of the neuronal differentiation marker β-III-Tubulin. Finally, we revealed that cell death is not the primary outcome for cells undergoing neurite retraction; rather, these cells become senescent. Our findings reveal that mechanisms independent of AR canonical transcriptional activity underly neurite defects in a cell model of SBMA and identify senescence as a pathway implicated in this pathology. These findings suggest that in the absence of a role for AR canonical transcriptional activity in the SBMA pathologies described here, the development of SBMA therapeutics that preserve this activity may be desirable. This approach may be broadly applicable to other polyglutamine diseases such as Huntington’s disease and spinocerebellar ataxias.
High-throughput screen identifies non inflammatory small molecule inducers of trained immunity
Authors: Knight Hannah Riley , Ketter Ellen , Ung Trevor , Weiss Adam , Ajit Jainu , Chen Qing , Shen Jingjing , Ip Ka Man , Chiang Chun-yi , Barreiro Luis , Esser-Kahn Aaron
Published: July 2024

Trained immunity is characterized by epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming in response to specific stimuli. This rewiring can result in increased cytokine and effector responses to pathogenic challenges, providing nonspecific protection against disease. It may also improve immune responses to established immunotherapeutics and vaccines. Despite its promise for next-generation therapeutic design, most current understanding and experimentation is conducted with complex and heterogeneous biologically derived molecules, such as β-glucan or the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. This limited collection of training compounds also limits the study of the genes most involved in training responses as each molecule has both training and nontraining effects. Small molecules with tunable pharmacokinetics and delivery modalities would both assist in the study of trained immunity and its future applications. To identify small molecule inducers of trained immunity, we screened a library of 2,000 drugs and drug-like compounds. Identification of well-defined compounds can improve our understanding of innate immune memory and broaden the scope of its clinical applications. We identified over two dozen small molecules in several chemical classes that induce a training phenotype in the absence of initial immune activation—a current limitation of reported inducers of training. A surprising result was the identification of glucocorticoids, traditionally considered immunosuppressive, providing an unprecedented link between glucocorticoids and trained innate immunity. We chose seven of these top candidates to characterize and establish training activity in vivo. In this work, we expand the number of compounds known to induce trained immunity, creating alternative avenues for studying and applying innate immune training.
Ancient genomes reveal over two thousand years of dingo population structure
Authors: Souilmi Yassine , Wasef Sally , Williams Matthew P. , Conroy Gabriel , Bar Ido , Bover Pere , Dann Jackson , Heiniger Holly , Llamas Bastien , Ogbourne Steven , Archer Michael , Ballard J. William O. , Reed Elizabeth , Tobler Raymond , Koungoulos Loukas , Walshe Keryn , Wright Joanne L. , Balme Jane , O’Connor Sue , Cooper Alan , Mitchell Kieren J.
Published: July 2024

Dingoes are culturally and ecologically important free-living canids whose ancestors arrived in Australia over 3,000 B.P., likely transported by seafaring people. However, the early history of dingoes in Australia—including the number of founding populations and their routes of introduction—remains uncertain. This uncertainty arises partly from the complex and poorly understood relationship between modern dingoes and New Guinea singing dogs, and suspicions that post-Colonial hybridization has introduced recent domestic dog ancestry into the genomes of many wild dingo populations. In this study, we analyzed genome-wide data from nine ancient dingo specimens ranging in age from 400 to 2,746 y old, predating the introduction of domestic dogs to Australia by European colonists. We uncovered evidence that the continent-wide population structure observed in modern dingo populations had already emerged several thousand years ago. We also detected excess allele sharing between New Guinea singing dogs and ancient dingoes from coastal New South Wales (NSW) compared to ancient dingoes from southern Australia, irrespective of any post-Colonial hybrid ancestry in the genomes of modern individuals. Our results are consistent with several demographic scenarios, including a scenario where the ancestry of dingoes from the east coast of Australia results from at least two waves of migration from source populations with varying affinities to New Guinea singing dogs. We also contribute to the growing body of evidence that modern dingoes derive little genomic ancestry from post-Colonial hybridization with other domestic dog lineages, instead descending primarily from ancient canids introduced to Sahul thousands of years ago.
Optimal design of large-scale nonlinear Bayesian inverse problems under model uncertainty
Authors: Alexanderian Alen , Nicholson Ruanui , Petra Noemi
Published: July 2024

We consider optimal experimental design (OED) for Bayesian nonlinear inverse problems governed by partial differential equations (PDEs) under model uncertainty. Specifically, we consider inverse problems in which, in addition to the inversion parameters, the governing PDEs include secondary uncertain parameters. We focus on problems with infinite-dimensional inversion and secondary parameters and present a scalable computational framework for optimal design of such problems. The proposed approach enables Bayesian inversion and OED under uncertainty within a unified framework. We build on the Bayesian approximation error (BAE) approach, to incorporate modeling uncertainties in the Bayesian inverse problem, and methods for A-optimal design of infinite-dimensional Bayesian nonlinear inverse problems. Specifically, a Gaussian approximation to the posterior at the maximum a posteriori probability point is used to define an uncertainty aware OED objective that is tractable to evaluate and optimize. In particular, the OED objective can be computed at a cost, in the number of PDE solves, that does not grow with the dimension of the discretized inversion and secondary parameters. The OED problem is formulated as a binary bilevel PDE constrained optimization problem and a greedy algorithm, which provides a pragmatic approach, is used to find optimal designs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for a model inverse problem governed by an elliptic PDE on a three-dimensional domain. Our computational results also highlight the pitfalls of ignoring modeling uncertainties in the OED and/or inference stages.
Comparative study of sodium and potassium compounds as promoters for growth of monolayer MoS2 with high crystal quality on SiO2/Si substrate
Authors: Xiong Jun , Wu Qiang , Cai Xinwei , Zhu Yiming , Lin Guangyang , Li Cheng
Published: July 2024

Monolayer MoS2 is promising candidate for fabrication of optoelectronic devices due to its direct bandgap nature and high carrier mobility. Alkali metal compounds have been demonstrated to be helpful promoters for the growth of large single crystal monolayer MoS2 on SiO2/Si substrate. However, the catalytic mechanism of alkali metal compounds is still under debate. Herein, we compared the surface morphology, optical properties, and electrical properties of monolayer MoS2 flakes grown on SiO2/Si substrate assisted by promoters containing potassium or sodium cations and halogen (chlorine) or non-halogen (hydroxide) anions, i.e. NaCl, NaOH, KCl and KOH. Based on the analysis of existing growth mechanism, we proposed that the alkali metal cation, plays a dominant role in promoting the lateral growth of monolayer MoS2 and obtaining high crystal quality. Furthermore, potassium has a greater promoting effect than sodium. By optimizing growth conditions, monolayer triangular MoS2 flakes with large lateral size over 160 μm were grown assisted by KCl promoter. Raman and PL spectra verified excellent crystal quality of the flakes, with typical electron mobilities of 2.98 and 20 cm2 V−1 s−1 for the back-gated filed effect transistors fabricated on as-grown and fresh SiO2/Si substrates, respectively.
On the thermodynamics of Barium Oxyfluoride precursor in YBCO growth via the MOD process
Authors: De Angelis M , Tomellini M
Published: July 2024

Barium Oxyfluoride plays an important role, as a precursor species, in the nucleation and growth of YBa2Cu3O7−δ
(YBCO) via the low fluorine metal organic decomposition (MOD low-fluorine) route. In this contribution, we present a study on the thermodynamics of oxyfluoride by processing experimental data on YBCO growth on LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates. The analysis allows one to determine the standard enthalpy and the standard entropy changes for oxyfluoride formation from barium oxide and barium fluoride. To identify the thermodynamically more favorable route to oxyfluoride formation in the MOD low-fluorine process, the free energy change for the formation of the precursor, through reactions involving gas water, has been determined. The free energy of formation via fluoride and water indicates higher stability of oxygen rich oxyfluoride for

P

HF

2

P

H

2

O

<

10

−
6

. In the framework of nucleation theory, the present results are needed to study the effect of precursor composition on film orientation.
Features of magnetic structures in perforated films due to the finite thickness of the sample
Authors: Magadeev Eugene , Vakhitov Robert , Kanbekov Raushan
Published: July 2024

The paper examines ferromagnetic films with strong uniaxial anisotropy of the ‘easy plane’ type, in which vortex-like inhomogeneities can arise in the presence of artificially created perforations. A universal approach has been developed that makes it possible to reduce the problem of calculating demagnetizing fields in a film of arbitrary thickness to the simplest case, when the film thickness is large. It has been shown that the influence of demagnetizing fields causes the magnetization vector to necessarily move out of the sample plane, and the spatial distribution of magnetization corresponding to this effect has been studied. It has been revealed that the contribution of demagnetizing fields to the total energy of the magnet changes slightly during the transition from a homogeneous structure to an inhomogeneous one.
Non-pillar mining of upper coal seam layers with double-roadway driving using a flexible-formwork pre-cast partition wall
Authors: Cao Xiaofan , Wang Song , Wang Xiaoli , Lei Pingbo , chen Wenfu
Published: July 2024

When mining layered coal seams, three-soft coal seams, high-gas coal seams, or hard-roof coal seams with the application of gob-side entry retention technology, various practical problems that seriously threaten construction safety arise, such as roadway deformation, shear failure of the roadway supporting body, and air leakage in the goaf. To effectively address these issues, in this work, a novel, pillar-free, coal mining technique based on a flexible-formwork pre-cast partition wall was proposed and applied to a case study: working face 2301 (upper) at Yuecheng Coal Mine, China. The principles of the technique and the characteristics of the movement in the surrounding rock were comprehensively examined. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, the support parameters of the roadway and flexible-formwork pre-cast partition wall were determined and applied in the case study. From our analysis, it was demonstrated that the parameters of the flexible-formwork pre-cast partition wall and roadway support are reasonably designed, achieving effective roadway retention. Combined with a top cutting and pressure relief process, the roadway deformation can be eventually stabilised with the mining of the working face and does not affect the subsequent use of the roadway. From the acquired data, a good agreement between the field real-time measurements and the numerical simulation software measurements was found, which is helpful for the analysis of technological perspectives of the proposed framework. The introduced technology can effectively solve the technical problems existing in the traditional gob-side entry retention. It can not only realize non-pillar mining, but also double-roadway driving without coal pillars in 2301 working face can be achieved, which significantly improves the technical and economic index of the mine.
A load impedance emulation active interface for piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters
Authors: Schiavo Alessandro Lo , Costanzo Luigi , Vitelli Massimo
Published: July 2024

A single stage active AC/DC electronic interface able to emulate the optimal load impedance of a Resonant Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester (RPVEH) is proposed. As theoretically shown, unlike an electronic interface that emulates an optimal load generator, an interface that emulates an optimal load impedance does not require adaptation to the acceleration of input vibrations. This allows the use of a very simple control, avoiding the implementation of Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms that require lossy microcontrollers. Thus, the proposed interface is equipped with a simple analog controller allowing the RPVEH to work in its Maximum Power Point in both steady-state and variable conditions of vibrations, without recurring to multivariable perturbative approaches, as it happens for the most of single stage AC/DC interfaces proposed in the literature. The absence of perturbative techniques allows a significant improvement of both stationary and dynamic performances. Experimental tests of a prototype of the proposed interface confirm the theoretical findings and the predicted behavior.
Exploration HTL-Free all inorganic mixed halide perovskite solar cells: effects of 4-ADPA passivation
Authors: Kaur Navdeep , Pandey Rahul , Madan Jaya
Published: July 2024

The incredible PV performance of thin-film perovskite solar cells has garnered the attention of researchers. Mixed halide perovskite outweighs pure halide perovskite in its ability to optimize PV performance while performing material composition engineering. All inorganic mixed halide (AIMH) perovskite CsPbI2Br has shown stable performance against thermal variations. This study mainly highlights the performance of HTL (Hole transport layer) free, passivated solar cell structure with utilization of the SCAPS-1D simulator. The inclusion of passivation layer 4-ADPA(4-aminodiphenylamine) between active layer CsPbI2Br and the end electrode mitigates the occurrence of charge carrier recombination. The thickness of passivation layer 4-ADPA is optimized for the range 100 nm–1000 nm, and 100 nm is decided as the optimum width based on the evaluated PV performance of SnO2/CsPbI2Br/4-ADPA/anode. 4-ADPA layer with an optimum thickness of 100 nm, is embedded with a CsPbI2Br layer, and the performance of solar cell has been investigated under the collective impact of BDD (bulk defect density)/thickness of CsPbI2Br for the range (1012 cm−3 to 1018 cm−3)/(50 nm to 500 nm) respectively. Further, this study investigated the capacitance–voltage (C-V), Mott—Schottky (1/C2), and Nyquist plot (C-F) performance of solar cells under the influence of only BDD for two cell configurations (corresponding to maximum and minimum delivered PCE i.e., thickness/BDD is 200 nm/1012 cm−3 and 500 nm/1018 cm−3 respectively). The highest 13.27% of PCE is extracted from HTL-free, 4-ADPA passivated all inorganic PSC, at 200 nm/1012 cm−3 of thickness/BDD respectively. This technique encourages researchers to explore more cost-effective, HTL-free passivated solar cell structures.
Energy and time characterization of the newly acquired clover detector in Jordan
Authors: Ababneh E , Qbelat A S , Imran M MA , Al-Bashaish S R , Okoor S , Darabee A , Mousa M S
Published: July 2024

A comprehensive overview of the Balqarad clover detector acquired by Al-Balqa Applied University in Jordan is given in detail. The detector consists of four high-purity germanium crystals, accompanied by a composite scintillation active shield. Through meticulous testing involving a range of radioactive sources such as 137Cs, 60Co, and 241Am, we evaluate the performance of the clover detector. The associated digital data acquisition system incorporates specialized and unconventional time registers, operating in event-by-event mode. Our objective is to elucidate the energy and time characteristics exhibited by the new system under different operational modes, employing specifically designed offline software. Our findings encompass vital aspects. These aspects include the determination of the optimal time window value for processing data obtained from gamma detection measurements. Another issue that has been considered is the analysis of hit pattern distribution within each individual crystal. Additionally, we calculate the addback factor for the 60Co source, accounting for gamma energies of 1173 keV and 1332 keV while also considering the influence of time window increment.
Hamiltonian formulation of linear non-Hermitian systems
Authors: Zhang Qi
Published: July 2024

In the case of a linear non-Hermitian system, I prove that it's possible to construct a Hamiltonian in such a way that the equations governing the non-Hermitian system can be exactly expressed using Hamilton's canonical equations. Initially, I demonstrate this within the discrete representation framework and subsequently extend it to continuous representation. Through this formulation employing the Hamiltonian, I can pinpoint a conserved charge using Noether's theorem and identify adiabatic invariants. When this approach is applied to Hermitian systems, all the obtained results converge to the well-known outcomes associated with the Schrödinger equation.