bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medulloblastoma with Subcutaneous Spread: A Rare Entity
Authors: Srinivasan Siddharth , Hegde Ajay , Nair Rajesh , Menon Girish
Published: September 2023

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Histological subclassification and adjuvant therapy have improved prognostication and outcome. Extraneural metastasis remains a poor prognostic factor and subcutaneous seeding is rarely encountered and reported in the pediatric population. We report a 3-year-old child who rapidly presented with subcutaneous seeding a month following gross total resection of his tumor.
Factors Associated with Intradiscal Vacuum Phenomenon after Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fracture
Authors: Sasagawa Takeshi , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Takagi Yasutaka
Published: September 2023

Introduction Posttraumatic kyphosis of the thoracolumbar spine is a possible cause of deterioration of activities of daily living. Thus, postoperative kyphosis is an important issue in treating traumatic thoracolumbar fractures. The intradiscal vacuum phenomenon (IVP) after a traumatic thoracolumbar fracture is considered an important predictor of severe kyphosis after implant removal. However, the associated factors are not yet clear.

Methods The study included data from 94 intervertebral discs on the cephalocaudal side of 47 fractured vertebrae of 45 patients for traumatic thoracolumbar fracture due to high-energy trauma. We assessed the demographics of patients (age, sex, cause of injury, location of injured vertebra, fracture type, cephalocaudal side), imaging finding (kyphosis angle of fractured vertebra at the injury, endplate fracture on computed tomography [CT], intervertebral injury on magnetic resonance image [MRI]), and IVP on CT conducted more than 6 months after surgery. We divided the intervertebral discs into an IVP group and a non-IVP group. To identify factors associated with an IVP, univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted.

Results IVP was observed in 27 (29%) of 94 intervertebral discs on CTs conducted at an average of 14.0 months postoperatively. In univariate analysis, the IVP group (n = 27) had a significantly more cephalic side of the injured vertebra, endplate fracture on CT, and disc injury on MRI compared with the non-IVP group (n = 67). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with IVP. The cephalic side (odds ratio [OR] = 4.183, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.269–13.785) and endplate fracture on CT (OR = 9.564, 95% CI = 1.940–47.143) were identified as independent factors associated with IVP.

Conclusions IVP was observed in 27 (29%) of 94 intervertebral discs. The cephalic side and endplate fracture on CT were identified as independent factors associated with IVP.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of critical result notification protocol of biochemistry laboratory at a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Thota Silpa , Bitla Aparna R.
Published: September 2023

Objectives:

Critical value reporting is an essential aspect of laboratory medicine, ensuring prompt communication of life-threatening results to clinicians for immediate action. Existing guidelines emphasize the importance of timely notification, but protocols may vary. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the protocol for reporting critical results in the biochemistry laboratory of a tertiary care hospital and proposed alternative protocols for improvement.

Materials and Methods:

Data were collected over a 6-month period, including the total number of investigations, critical values detected, parameters analyzed, and clinical departments involved. Quality indicators such as turnaround time (TAT), unsuccessful reporting rates, and clinical actions taken were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.

Statistical Analysis:

All statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, United States). Data were presented as numbers and percentages.

Results:

Out of 390,000 investigations, 0.5% had critical values. Serum potassium (55.9%) had the highest frequency of critical values, followed by sodium, calcium, and glucose. The emergency department received the highest number of critical alerts. The success rate of critical result reporting within 1 hour was 86.8%, while unsuccessful reporting accounted for 10.7%. The causes of unsuccessful reporting included outpatient requests and delayed intimation due to patient transfers. Corrective action was taken in 91% of cases, with documentation primarily in nurse charts.

Conclusion:

Evaluation of the protocol for reporting critical results identified areas for improvement. Recommendations included revising the critical value list, reducing TAT through process optimization and automation, enhancing staff training and awareness, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and maintaining incident records. Implementing these changes can enhance compliance, reduce errors, and improve patient care.
Anatomical Step-by-Step Dissection of Complex Skull Base Approaches for Trainees: Surgical Anatomy of the Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Anterior Cranial Fossa
Authors: Agosti Edoardo , Alexander A. Yohan , Leonel Luciano C. P. C. , Graepel Stephen , Choby Garret , Pinheiro-Neto Carlos D. , Peris Celda Maria
Published: September 2023

Introduction The development of endoscopic techniques has made endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) to the anterior cranial fossa (ACF) increasingly popular. Still, the steps and nuances involved in the approach may be difficult to understand for trainees. Thus, we aim to didactically describe the EEAs to the ACF in an anatomically based, step-by-step manner with supplementary clinical cases.

Methods Six cadaveric head specimens were dissected. Endoscopic endonasal Draf I, IIA, IIB, and III frontal sinusotomies, endoscopic endonasal superior ethmoidectomy, and endoscopic endonasal transcribriform and transplanum approaches were modularly performed. The specimens were photodocumented with endoscopic techniques.

Results Draf I frontal sinusotomy started with the complete removal of the anteromedial portion of the agger nasi cell, exposing the medial orbital wall, cranial base, and anterior cribriform plate. Draf II frontal sinusotomy proceeded with the removal of the floor of the frontal sinus between the lamina papyracea and the middle turbinate (IIa), and the nasal septum (IIb) until the first olfactory filaments were exposed. Draf III proceeded by creating a superior septal window just below the floor of the frontal sinus. The bone of the ACF bounded by the limbus sphenoidale posteriorly, frontal sinus anteriorly, and the medial orbital walls bilaterally was removed; the cribriform plate was removed; and the crista galli was dissected free from the dural leaflets of the falx cerebri and removed.

Conclusion We provide a step-by-step dissection describing basic surgical steps and anatomy of the EEAs to the ACF to facilitate the learning process for skull base surgery trainees.
Amniotic Membrane Dressings in the Treament of Chronic Ulcers
Authors: Abhyankar Dr. Suhas V. , Kini Dr. U. Anand , Ananthakrishna Dr. N.C.
Published: September 2023

Twenty cases make basis of observations made while being treated for chronic non-healing wounds other than those due to thermal injury (Burns). Stored Amniotic Membrane is used to cover these wounds. Results are presented.
Study of Serum Protein Profiles in Burn Patients
Authors: Mahajan Dr. R.K. , Abraham Dr. R. , Menezes Dr. Leo Theobald , Thomas Dr. A.G.
Published: September 2023

66 patients of varying degrees of burns were divided in 6 groups on % of total body surface burns. Serum electrophoresis studies on all, were carried out at definite Intervals. Total (i) Serum proteins, (ii) Albumin globulin ratio and (iii) Alfal, Alfa2, Beta and Gamma globulin levels were studied. Levels of Alfa2 globulins in group VI (60% of T.B.S. burns) were found significantly altered and proved to be of prognostic value.
From rhetoric to regulation: inferring lobbying influence on EU efforts to regulate $$\text {CO}_2$$ emissions of cars using network analysis
Authors: Sick Harald
Published: September 2023

This study shows how the automotive industry was able to influence the final legislation of the Community Strategy to reduce$${CO}_{2}$$

CO

2

emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles, even though the European Commission’s introductory comments were supported by a competing interest group coalition: environmentalist NGOs. To operationalize and analyze the influence of lobbying on the EU policy formulation process, I utilize an approach not yet widely used in interest group research: discourse network analysis and inferential network analysis with exponential random graph models. This methodological combination allows me to parse the political debate within different phases of the EU policy process to gain insights into how automotive lobbyists were able to shape the final legislation in accordance with their interests and which political decision-makers empowered them to do so. Surprisingly, the party affiliation of Members of the European Parliament played only a subordinate role, whereas the origin of the MEPs was a significant predictor of whether they supported the proposals of environmentalist NGOs or the automotive industry. The latter’s proposals were adopted in the European Commission’s proposal and subsequently in the final regulation. Since the method can be easily applied to case studies from different policy areas, it provides a promising framework for the analysis of EU lobbying in general. Moreover, the network approach is easily extendable, allowing future research to integrate different strands of EU lobbying research that go beyond influence analysis.
Γ–convergence for nearly incompressible fluids
Authors: Bella Peter , Feireisl Eduard , Oschmann Florian
Published: September 2023

We consider the time-dependent compressible Navier–Stokes equations in the low Mach number regime in a family of domains Ωɛ ⊂ Rd converging in the sense of Mosco to a domain Ω ⊂ Rd, d ∈ {2, 3}. We show the limit is the incompressible Navier–Stokes system in Ω.
Current state of the art and future directions for implantable sensors in medical technology: Clinical needs and engineering challenges
Authors: Yogev David , Goldberg Tomer , Arami Amir , Tejman-Yarden Shai , Winkler Thomas E. , Maoz Ben M.
Published: September 2023

Implantable sensors have revolutionized the way we monitor biophysical and biochemical parameters by enabling real-time closed-loop intervention or therapy. These technologies align with the new era of healthcare known as healthcare 5.0, which encompasses smart disease control and detection, virtual care, intelligent health management, smart monitoring, and decision-making. This review explores the diverse biomedical applications of implantable temperature, mechanical, electrophysiological, optical, and electrochemical sensors. We delve into the engineering principles that serve as the foundation for their development. We also address the challenges faced by researchers and designers in bridging the gap between implantable sensor research and their clinical adoption by emphasizing the importance of careful consideration of clinical requirements and engineering challenges. We highlight the need for future research to explore issues such as long-term performance, biocompatibility, and power sources, as well as the potential for implantable sensors to transform healthcare across multiple disciplines. It is evident that implantable sensors have immense potential in the field of medical technology. However, the gap between research and clinical adoption remains wide, and there are still major obstacles to overcome before they can become a widely adopted part of medical practice.
The role of electron current in high-β plasma equilibria
Authors: Kurshakov V. A. , Timofeev I. V.
Published: September 2023

This paper is aimed at investigating the role of electrons in creation of currents in plasma equilibria with high plasma pressure (β≈1). Despite the long history of studies of these equilibria, there is still no consensus on what kind of particle species is responsible for the creation of the diamagnetic current and what characteristic size the current layer should have. For example, simulations of isothermal plasma injection into a multi-cusp magnetic trap [J. Park et al., Front. Astron. Space Sci. 6, 74 (2019)] demonstrate the formation of a transition layer with a thickness comparable to the electron Larmor radius, where the equilibrium current is carried by electrons. At the same time, studies of a diamagnetic bubble created by a hot-ion plasma in a mirror trap [I. Kotelnikov, Plasma Phys. Control Fusion 62, 075002 (2020)] assume ion dominance and completely ignore electron currents. In this paper, we show that the equilibrium initially governed by the ion diamagnetic current is unstable against perturbations at the ion-cyclotron frequency harmonics, and this instability forces the plasma to come to a new equilibrium state in which the current is mainly created by the E×B-drift of electrons. The same type of equilibrium is also found to form in a more realistic problem setup when plasma is continuously injected into the uniform vacuum magnetic field.
Optimization of target compression for high-gain fast ignition via machine learning
Authors: Song Huanyu , Wu Fuyuan , Sheng Zhengming , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2023

The hydrodynamic scaling relations are of great importance for the design and optimization of target compression in laser-driven fusion. In this paper, we propose an artificially intelligent method to construct the scaling relations of the implosion velocity and areal density for direct-drive fast ignition by combining one-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations and machine learning methods. It is found that a large fuel mass and a high areal density required for high-gain fusion can be obtained simultaneously by optimizing the implosion velocity with less compression laser energy, taking full advantage of the separation of the compression and ignition processes in the fast ignition scheme. The obtained scaling relations are applied to the implosion design for the double-cone ignition scheme [Zhang et al., “Double-cone ignition scheme for inertial confinement fusion,” Philos. Trans. R. Soc., A 378(2184), 20200015 (2020)]. An optimized implosion is proposed with an areal density of 1.30 g/cm2 and a fuel mass of 215.7 μg with a compression laser energy of 168 kJ. Two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations are further employed to validate the results. Our methods and results may be useful for the optimization of fusion experiments toward high-gain fusion.
Fabrication and characterization of an AlGaN light emitting diode with Al-doped ZnO as a current spreading tunnel junction layer
Authors: Ukita Shun , Tajiri Takeyoshi , Uchida Kazuo
Published: September 2023

We fabricated an AlGaN light emitting diode (LED) with a heavily Al-doped n-type ZnO layer on a p-type contact layer as a tunnel junction (TJ) to improve carrier injection into the LED. We characterized its electrical and optical properties and compared them to those of an AlGaN LED without ZnO. From the I–V characteristic of the LED with ZnO, we observed a threshold voltage of circa 2 V, which could be due to Zener breakdown of the type II heterostructure of n-ZnO/p-GaN as a TJ. From the electroluminescence measurement, we observed a similar emission peak in both AlGaN LEDs at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, but a broad emission band around 365 nm in the LED with ZnO. This emission could be originating from ZnO photoexcited by the UV LED emission. The dependence of these peak intensities on input currents shows that there is a monotonic increase in the light emission intensity for the UV LED emission, but a saturation behavior after the threshold voltage for the emission from the ZnO. This saturation behavior is attributed to an overflow of photoexcited electron–hole pairs into p-GaN, strongly suggesting that n-ZnO/p-GaN works as a TJ. Electroluminescence data also show that the presence of the ZnO film facilitates current spreading, which enables device operation at large input currents. Therefore, ZnO can work as a current spreading TJ layer and improve the performance of the AlGaN LED.
Microstructure characterization of electric field assisted sintering (EFAS) sintered metallic and ceramic materials using local thermal diffusivity measurement
Authors: Hua Zilong , Merighe Patrick , Rufner Jorgen , Preston Arin , Schley Robert , Wang Yuzhou , Doran Spencer , Hurley David
Published: September 2023

Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS, also referred to as spark plasma sintering) is a powerful technology for the consolidation of powder materials. The high heating rate during the sintering process is critical for minimizing energy consumption, but it can also cause microstructure heterogeneities in sintered parts, such as spatially varied porosity. The examination of localized porosity usually requires the use of a scanning electron microscope with a carefully prepared surface. In this paper, photothermal radiometry is used to measure local thermal diffusivity and extract localized porosity of EFAS-sintered parts by using a percolation-threshold model. Applying this approach, we identified the radial position-dependent porosity variation in EFAS parts, which is likely formed due to the large temperature gradient during the sintering process. This approach has a unique advantage because it can measure samples with minimal or no surface preparation, enabling the possibility of in situ characterization in EFAS with proper system modification. Necessary modifications on the measurement approach for EFAS deployment and in situ characterization are also discussed.
Phase equilibria of “syngas” components, aiming for separation by flash distillation
Authors: Shapira Roei , Tzabar Nir
Published: September 2023

Syngas is a mixture containing methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, and it is generated in various processes, such as gasification or methane production via steam reforming. It is desired to separate the syngas to its components in order to create a reliable clean source of energy from methane and hydrogen and to reduce emissions by capturing carbon dioxide. As for today, there is no available data on phase equilibrium of syngas in the literature, which is essential for developing separation processes by distillation. The composition of the syngas depends on its source; therefore, the method for calculating the phase equilibrium shall support any initial composition of the syngas. In the current research, we perform phase stability analysis, using tangent plane distance function and minimizing Helmholtz free energy of the system using two mixing rules: van der Waals and Wong and Sandler. The main strength of the suggested method is its ability to predict any number of phases, avoiding the need for prior knowledge. The current manuscript presents an analysis of binary mixtures of the syngas components, CH4 + CO2, CH4 + CO, CH4 + H2, CO2 + CO, CO2 + H2, and CO + H2, in order to fit the model's parameters to experimental data from the literature, at various temperatures. The aim of this research is to determine which mixing rule shall be further used and to determine the temperature dependent parameters. The parameters fitting is done by minimizing the sum of square errors using “steepest decent” and Fibonacci search method.
On epidemic spreading in metapopulation networks with time-varying contact patterns
Authors: Han Dun , Wang Juquan , Shao Qi
Published: September 2023

Considering that people may change their face-to-face communication patterns with others depending on the season, we propose an epidemic model that incorporates a time-varying contact rate on a metapopulation network and its second-neighbor network. To describe the time-varying contact mode, we utilize a switched system and define two forms of the basic reproduction number corresponding to two different restrictions. We provide the theoretical proof for the stability of the disease-free equilibrium and confirm periodic stability conditions using simulations. The simulation results reveal that as the period of the switched system lengthens, the amplitude of the final infected density increases; however, the peak infected density within a specific period remains relatively unchanged. Interestingly, as the basic reproduction number grows, the amplitude of the final infected density within a period gradually rises to its maximum and then declines. Moreover, the contact rate that occupies a longer duration within a single period has a more significant influence on epidemic spreading. As the values of different contact rates progressively increase, the recovery rate, natural birth rate, and natural death rate all decrease, leading to a larger final infection density.
The formation of bioaerosols in the reopening of an occluded airway
Authors: Gumulya M. , Mead-Hunter R. , Mullins B. J.
Published: September 2023

The reopening of an occluded airway can lead to the formation of droplets and aerosols, which can be released during exhalation, providing a possible mechanism of disease transmission. In this study, the flow behavior of airway occlusions (“plugs”) close to their point of rupture is examined using a free-surface model (volume of fluid), such that factors influencing the formation of droplets during their reopening can be identified. The propagation of airway occlusions is highly influenced by recirculating flow at the edge of the front interface, where significant fluctuations of wall shear stresses occur. The resulting drag force causes the rear interface to advance at a greater rate, destabilizing the plug. As the plug thickness decreases, a thin film with uniform thickness forms, resulting in a disk-like structure around the centerline. Rupture occurs around the disk formation largely due to surface tension instability. At lower pressures, smaller disks form causing the rupture to occur through a puncture point (forming no droplets); at higher pressures, a larger disk forms, with rupture occurring along the disk edge and at the center (forming multiple droplets). Upon reopening, a jet of air is produced, causing a temporary increase in shear stress along the wall. However, the magnitude and duration of this increase do not scale directly to the applied pressure, as the formation of droplets and irregularities in airway lining were found to disrupt the flow field and the shear stresses at the wall.
Hydrodynamic investigation of a parabolic breakwater for wave energy focusing
Authors: Xu Jin , Ning Dezhi , Mayon Robert , Zhao Ming
Published: September 2023

The integration of wave energy converters (WECs) with a breakwater can reduce construction and maintenance costs and enhance the energy conversion performance of WECs. Intelligent use of a parabolic breakwater to focus water waves to a specific region can significantly increase the available wave energy. However, the theoretically calculated focal point of a parabolic breakwater may not always coincide with the observed wave focusing position. To determine the actual position of the focal point for installing the WEC, both numerical simulations and experimental research are conducted to investigate hydrodynamic characteristics of the parabolic breakwater. The realized focal point is found to be located at a position separated from the theoretical position, and its location varies with the incident wavelength. The underlying cause of this behavior is identified and investigated. The effects of chord length, parabolic wall aspect ratio, and incident wave directions on the wave amplitude at the focal point are examined. It is found that the shift in the actual focusing position exhibits a cyclic configuration as the incident wavelength changes, with the observed focal point revolving around the theoretical focal point. The position of the recorded focal point is determined by the interaction between the incident and reflected wave crests. The wave amplitudes at the theoretical focal point reaches their maxima when the focal lengths are nearly equal to integer multiples of half incident wavelength. The wave amplitudes at both the theoretical and observed focal points are shown to magnify with increasing chord length and with decreasing focal length. The parabolic wall is demonstrated to consistently maintain a substantial focusing effect for incident wave angles up to 15°.
Gated nanoparticle transport in a functional group modified nanopore
Authors: He Xiaohan , Zhao Juncheng , Shi Liuyong , Zhou Teng , Wen Liping
Published: September 2023

Inspired by nature, functionalized nanopores have become an important platform in the field of sensing. In this article, we constructed a mathematical model for the gate-controlled manipulation of nanoparticle motion inside pH-responsive polyelectrolyte-modified nanopores and theoretically studied the synergistic control of gate electrode and polyelectrolyte brush layer on nanoparticle motion. By efficiently modifying the charge density and polarity of the polyelectrolyte brush layer located within the nanopore, the gate electrode is capable of actively regulating the velocity of nanoparticle transport through the nanopore. At a solution pH of 5, the higher the gate potential, the faster the nanoparticle transport through the nanopore, which is significantly different from the solution pH of 6. When the gate potential is negative, the degree of ion current blockage increases with increasing gate potential. These results establish a theoretical foundation for the development of novel functionalized nanopores that can be utilized in the field of nanopore sensing.
Study on hydrogen-induced delayed cracking of steering shaft
Authors: Liu Yi-ou , Yang Xiao , Liu Yan , Pan Hengpei , Li Xuefeng , Chen Jieming , Wang Zhenzhong , Zhang Xinyao , Gao Lingqing
Published: September 2023

A 17-4PH steering shaft in the ship was brittle fractured during service, and its chemical composition, microstructure, fracture morphology of the material, and force simulations were analyzed. The results show that the failure mode of the shaft is hydrogen-induced delayed cracking, and the crack source is located on the outer surface of the contact position between the steering shaft and the end of the transfer shaft. Both the stress simulation analysis and the residual stress test prove that there is a greater stress concentration near the source region, which can easily lead to the migration and aggregation of hydrogen (H) during service, thus causing hydrogen-induced delayed cracking. The microstructure of a failure specimen with tempered and higher tensile strength will lead to higher sensitivity to hydrogen.
A conjugate numerical model for the thermal analysis of the regenerative cooling of an X-51A-like aircraft
Authors: Zhang Chen , Gao Hui , Zhao Jiajun , Jin Haichuan , Wen Dongsheng
Published: September 2023

A conjugated computational fluid dynamics model using convective thermal boundaries is proposed for the thermal analysis of the regenerative cooling system of an X-51A-like hypersonic aircraft in conditions closer to realistic scenarios. By X-51A-like, we mean that the convective boundaries of the cooling system are determined according to the structure and flight conditions (Mach 6 and an altitude of 20 km) of the X-51A Waverider. The aerodynamic heating, supersonic combustion, and convective heat transfer with an interior (fuel tank) are simulated from an engineering perspective. The flow, heat transfer, and pyrolysis characteristics of endothermic hydrocarbon fuels (EHFs) flowing in B-channels (bottom), S-channels (side), and T-channels (top) considering buoyancy effect are simulated and compared. A distinct temperature distribution difference in the solid region is observed between the cases with different boundary conditions. However, the cooling performance of EHFs is insensitive to the type of thermal boundary. Five indices, the maximum temperature, outlet temperature, n-decane conversion, total heat sink, and pressure drop, are compared to comprehensively assess the cooling performance. The cooling demands in the B-channels and S-channels are about 1.3 times those in the T-channels because of the additional cooling effect from the adjacent fuel tank. This study should be of great significance in the practical and systematic design of regenerative cooling systems.
Modeling and transmission dynamics of Zika virus through efficient numerical method
Authors: Alfwzan Wafa F. , Raza Ali , Martin-Vaquero Jesus , Baleanu Dumitru , Rafiq Muhammad , Ahmed Nauman , Iqbal Zafar
Published: September 2023

Zika virus infection is a vastly transmitted disease among humans. It was carried worldwide by international travelers. In 2016, Zika virus infection was present in more than 20 countries and territories in America. Thousands of cases were diagnosed in Cabo Verde, western Africa. Fifty-seven regions suffered from Zika virus in 2020, and the World Health Organization reported more than one hundred thousand cases worldwide. In this work, the modeling and transmission dynamics of Zika virus are studied dynamically and numerically. Positivity, boundedness, reproduction number, equilibria, and local stability are part of the numerical analysis. New nonstandard numerical techniques are examined for the said model. The primary purpose is to maintain the continuous model’s behavior and dynamical properties. The proposed nonstandard finite approximation is studied according to the consistency and local stability of the solutions. Some numerical examples clearly show the improvement of the new schemes compared to other well-known methods.
Analytical study on two new (3 + 1)-dimensional Painlevé integrable equations: Kink, lump, and multiple soliton solutions in fluid mediums
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid , Alhejaili Weaam , El-Tantawy S. A.
Published: September 2023

In this work, two new (3 + 1)-dimensional integrable wave equations are investigated. The complete Painlevé integrability of the two suggested equations will be investigated using Mathematica. We employ the method of Hirota to formally derive two sets of multiple soliton solutions for the two suggested models. Additionally, using symbolic computation with Maple, we provide a variety of lump solutions for the two suggested models. Other exact solutions of distinct structures, such as periodic, singular, and many other physical nonlinear structures, will be determined. We should mention here that the proposed two new models will assist many authors that are working in the field of fluids and plasma physics, in understanding the scenarios of the nonlinear waves that arise in different physical systems. Also, this study will contribute to understanding the nature of nonlinear waves that arise in the seas and oceans.
New Lomax-G family of distributions: Statistical properties and applications
Authors: Sapkota Laxmi Prasad , Kumar Vijay , Gemeay Ahmed M. , Bakr M. E. , Balogun Oluwafemi Samson , Muse Abdisalam Hassan
Published: September 2023

This research article introduces a new family of distributions developed using the innovative beta-generated transformation technique. Among these distributions, the focus is on the inverse exponential power distribution, which exhibits unique reverse-J, inverted bathtub, or monotonically increasing hazard functions. This paper thoroughly investigates the distribution’s key characteristics and utilizes the maximum likelihood estimation method to determine its associated parameters. To assess the accuracy of the estimation procedure, the researchers conducted a simulation experiment, revealing diminishing biases and mean square errors with increasing sample sizes, even when working with small samples. Moreover, the practical applicability of the proposed distribution is demonstrated by analyzing real-world COVID-19 and medical datasets. The article establishes that the proposed model outperforms existing models by using model selection criteria and conducting goodness-of-fit test statistics. The potential applications of this research extend to various fields where modeling and analyzing hazard functions or survival data are crucial. Additionally, the study contributes to advancing probability theory and statistical inferences.
Divergent roles for STAT4 in shaping differentiation of cytotoxic ILC1 and NK cells during gut inflammation
Authors: Scarno Gianluca , Mazej Julija , Laffranchi Mattia , Di Censo Chiara , Mattiola Irene , Candelotti Arianna M. , Pietropaolo Giuseppe , Stabile Helena , Fionda Cinzia , Peruzzi Giovanna , Brooks Stephen R. , Tsai Wanxia Li , Mikami Yohei , Bernardini Giovanni , Gismondi Angela , Sozzani Silvano , Di Santo James P. , Vosshenrich Christian A. J. , Diefenbach Andreas , Gadina Massimo , Santoni Angela , Sciumè Giuseppe
Published: September 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells and type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1) require signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) to elicit rapid effector responses and protect against pathogens. By combining genetic and transcriptomic approaches, we uncovered divergent roles for STAT4 in regulating effector differentiation of these functionally related cell types.
Stat4
deletion in
Ncr1
-expressing cells led to impaired NK cell terminal differentiation as well as to an unexpected increased generation of cytotoxic ILC1 during intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically,
Stat4
-deficient ILC1 exhibited upregulation of gene modules regulated by STAT5 in vivo and an aberrant effector differentiation upon in vitro stimulation with IL-2, used as a prototypical STAT5 activator. Moreover, STAT4 expression in NCR
+
innate lymphocytes restrained gut inflammation in the dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model limiting pathogenic production of IL-13 from adaptive CD4
+
T cells in the large intestine. Collectively, our data shed light on shared and distinctive mechanisms of STAT4-regulated transcriptional control in NK cells and ILC1 required for intestinal inflammatory responses.
CEP104/FAP256 and associated cap complex maintain stability of the ciliary tip
Authors: Legal Thibault , Parra Mireya , Tong Maxwell , Black Corbin S. , Joachimiak Ewa , Valente-Paterno Melissa , Lechtreck Karl , Gaertig Jacek , Bui Khanh Huy
Published: September 2023

Cilia are essential organelles that protrude from the cell body. Cilia are made of a microtubule-based structure called the axoneme. In most types of cilia, the ciliary tip is distinct from the rest of the cilium. Here, we used cryo-electron tomography and subtomogram averaging to obtain the structure of the ciliary tip of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. We show that the microtubules at the tip are highly crosslinked with each other and stabilized by luminal proteins, plugs, and cap proteins at the plus ends. In the tip region, the central pair lacks typical projections and twists significantly. By analyzing cells lacking a ciliary tip–enriched protein CEP104/FAP256 by cryo-electron tomography and proteomics, we discovered candidates for the central pair cap complex and explained the potential functions of CEP104/FAP256. These data provide new insights into the function of the ciliary tip and the mechanisms of ciliary assembly and length regulation.
A twist in the tail: Of T cell subsets and disease
Authors: Pillai Shiv
Published: September 2023

In this issue of JEM, the work of Joachim et al. (2023. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20231028) on knockin mice with a specific tail mutation in LAT provides valuable insights about cytotoxic CD4+ T cells and human inflammatory diseases.
The biophysical properties of TRIC-A and TRIC-B and their interactions with RyR2
Authors: Hu Jianshu , Venturi Elisa , Sigalas Charalampos , Murayama Takashi , Nishi Miyuki , Takeshima Hiroshi , Sitsapesan Rebecca
Published: September 2023

Trimeric intracellular cation channels (TRIC-A and TRIC-B) are thought to provide counter-ion currents to enable charge equilibration across the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR) and nuclear membranes. However, there is also evidence that TRIC-A may interact directly with ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) and 2 (RyR2) to alter RyR channel gating. It is therefore possible that the reverse is also true, where the presence of RyR channels is necessary for fully functional TRIC channels. We therefore coexpressed mouse TRIC-A or TRIC-B with mouse RyR2 in HEK293 cells to examine if after incorporating membrane vesicles from these cells into bilayers, the presence of TRIC affects RyR2 function, and to characterize the permeability and gating properties of the TRIC channels. Importantly, we used no purification techniques or detergents to minimize damage to TRIC and RyR2 proteins. We found that both TRIC-A and TRIC-B altered the gating behavior of RyR2 and its response to cytosolic Ca2+ but that TRIC-A exhibited a greater ability to stimulate the opening of RyR2. Fusing membrane vesicles containing TRIC-A or TRIC-B into bilayers caused the appearance of rapidly gating current fluctuations of multiple amplitudes. The reversal potentials of bilayers fused with high numbers of vesicles containing TRIC-A or TRIC-B revealed both Cl− and K+ fluxes, suggesting that TRIC channels are relatively non-selective ion channels. Our results indicate that the physiological roles of TRIC-A and TRIC-B may include direct, complementary regulation of RyR2 gating in addition to the provision of counter-ion currents of both cations and anions.
Catalyst-free synthesis of ammonia using dc-driven atmospheric-pressure plasma in contact with water
Authors: Ramoy Mary , Shirai Naoki , Sasaki Koichi
Published: September 2023

Atmospheric-pressure plasma, generated using a dc power supply, in contact with water was investigated as a green, catalyst-free method for the ammonia synthesis. Stable nitrogen plasmas were generated inside bubbles which were obtained by inserting a dielectric tube with the gas flow into water. A higher production rate was obtained at a higher discharge current, a higher flow rate of nitrogen, and a lower conductivity of water. In addition, the production rate when the water worked as the cathode of the discharge was higher than that with the inverted polarity of the dc power supply. The maximum production rate of ∼0.98 µmol min−1 was realized at the optimized discharge condition, which is higher than the literature value obtained using a dc discharge in contact with water (Hawtof et al 2019 Sci. Adv.
5 eaat5778). We also discussed the possible reaction fields for the ammonia synthesis in the experimental condition.
ScGAN: a generative adversarial network to predict hypothetical superconductors
Authors: Kim Evan , Dordevic S V
Published: September 2023

Despite having been discovered more than three decades ago, high temperature superconductors (HTSs) lack both an explanation for their mechanisms and a systematic way to search for them. To aid this search, this project proposes ScGAN, a generative adversarial network (GAN) to efficiently predict new superconductors. ScGAN was trained on compounds in Open Quantum Materials Database and then transfer learned onto the SuperCon database or a subset of it. Once trained, the GAN was used to predict superconducting candidates, and approximately 70% of them were determined to be superconducting by a classification model–a 23-fold increase in discovery rate compared to manual search methods. Furthermore, more than 99% of predictions were novel materials, demonstrating that ScGAN was able to potentially predict completely new superconductors, including several promising HTS candidates. This project presents a novel, efficient way to search for new superconductors, which may be used in technological applications or provide insight into the unsolved problem of high temperature superconductivity.
RS-RCNN: an indoor window detection algorithm for autonomous spraying robot
Authors: Ji Xiaofei , Li Yazhou , Cao Jiangtao
Published: September 2023

The limitations of deep learning detection algorithms based on convolutional neural networks stem from the local characteristics inherent in convolutional operations. To overcome this issue, an RS-RCNN (ResNet_50 + Swin Transformer RCNN) object detection algorithm is proposed as an extension of Faster-RCNN. This algorithm incorporates the fusion of ResNet_50 and Swin Transformer networks as backbone networks for feature extraction. Moreover, it integrates the AAM_HRFPN (Attention Aggregation Module High resolution network) multi-feature fusion network and incorporates a linear attention mechanism. By employing the SIoU loss calculation method, the proposed RS-RCNN network enhances the representation of global context information and local semantic information, while improving fusion efficiency and detection accuracy. Compared to typical object detection networks, the proposed network achieves an AP value of 0.877, which is 7.4% points higher than the original network. The successful application of this method presents a novel solution for robot detection of non-spraying areas.
Advances in the design and use of carbon dots for analytical and biomedical applications
Authors: Adeola Adedapo O , Clermont-Paquette Adryanne , Piekny Alisa , Naccache Rafik
Published: September 2023

Carbon dots (CDs) have garnered significant interest for their potential use in multiple applications due to their size, fluorescent properties, high photostability, low toxicity and biocompatibility. CDs can be tailored for specific needs, as they can be synthesized with diverse precursors and techniques for functionalization. Since the applications of CDs are rapidly expanding, this review highlights recent developments in this burgeoning field. Specifically, we describe advances in CD synthesis tailored for applications that include pH and temperature sensing, biochemical analysis, and bioimaging. We also discuss various challenges and practical solutions that will drive CD-based research forward. Challenges include the lack of standardized synthesis and purification methods for CDs, the lack of clarity regarding their mechanism of action, and procedural flaws in their applications. In conclusion, we provide recommendations for collaboration among disciplines to bridge existing knowledge gaps and address the key challenges required for CDs to be fully commercialized.
Dual-function tunable metasurface for polarization-insensitive electromagnetic induction transparency and dual-band absorption
Authors: Qi Yunping , Zhou Zihao , Shi Qiang , Wen Yujiao , Wang Li , Zhao Shiyu , Zhang Shu , Wang Xiangxian
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we propose a dual-operating mode metasurface based on graphene and vanadium dioxide (VO2), which can switch operating modes by changing the temperature. At room temperature (25 °C), the metasurface can generates a polarization-insensitive electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT)-like effect that can be modulated by changing the Fermi energy level (E
F) of graphene (through adding external voltage). In addition, the theoretical results derived from the two-particle model are in good agreement with the simulation results based on the finite element method. At high temperature (68 °C), the metasurface mode of operation can be changed to a dual-band absorber, providing absorption of 78.6% and 99.9% at 1.13 THz and 2.16 THz, respectively. Both absorption peaks can be dynamically tuned by changing the E
F of graphene. The metasurface is also simultaneously polarization insensitive and has a wide incidence angle. The proposed metasurface can be used as a slow light device with a maximum group delay of 0.5 ps at room temperature and as a refractive index sensor with a maximum sensitivity of 0.5 THz/RIU at high temperature. The designed metasurface offers a new way for designing multifunctional terahertz devices, slow light devices, and refractive index sensors.
A weakly supervised NMF method to decipher molecular subtype-related dynamic patterns in breast DCE-MR images
Authors: Guan Jian , Fan Ming , Li Lihua
Published: September 2023

Objective. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is an important imaging modality for breast cancer diagnosis. Intratumoral heterogeneity causes a major challenge in the interpretation of breast DCE-MRI. Previous studies have introduced decomposition methods on DCE-MRI to reveal intratumoral heterogeneity by analyzing distinct dynamic patterns within each tumor. However, these methods estimated the dynamic patterns and their corresponding component coefficients in an unsupervised manner, without considering any clinically relevant information. Approach. To decipher molecular subtype-related dynamic patterns, we propose a weakly supervised nonnegative matrix factorization method (WSNMF), which is able to decompose the pixel kinetics of DCE-MRI with image-level subtype labels. The WSNMF is developed based on a discriminant nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) to utilize coarse-grained subtype information, in which between- and within-class scatters are defined on the mean vector of component coefficients over all pixels in each tumor, rather than directly on the vector of component coefficients of each pixel. Main results. Experiments demonstrated that the dynamic patterns identified by WSNMF had superior performance in distinguishing between luminal A and the other subtype tumors. The classification performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). WSNMF yielded better classification performance (AUC = 0.822) than other heterogeneity analysis methods, including two partitioning-based methods (KPC with AUC = 0.697 and TTP with AUC = 0.760) and two unsupervised decomposition-based methods (PCA with AUC = 0.774 and NMF with AUC = 0.797). Significance. Our method adds a valuable new perspective into DCE-MRI decomposition-based heterogeneity analysis by taking advantage of intrinsic tumor characteristics to improve the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Automatic ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid nodules: a combination of deep learning and KWAK TI-RADS
Authors: Zhang Jingqi , Wang Qingsong , Zhao Jingwen , Yu Hui , Wang Fei , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2023

Objective. There has been a considerable amount of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) methods highlighted in the field of ultrasonic examination (USE) of thyroid nodules. However, few researches focused on the automatic risk classification, which was the basis for determining whether fine needle aspiration (FNA) was needed. The aim of this work was to implement automatic risk level assessment of thyroid nodules. Approach. Firstly, 1862 cases of thyroid nodules with the results of USE and FNA were collected as the dataset. Then, an improved U-Net++ model was utilized for segmenting thyroid nodules in ultrasound images automatically. Finally, the segmentation result was imported into a multi-task convolutional neural network (MT-CNN), the design of which was based on the clinical guideline called KWAK TI-RADS. Apart from the category of benign and malignant, the MT-CNN also exported the classification result of four malignant features, solid component (SC), hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity (HMH), microlobulated or irregular margin (MIM), microcalcification (MC), which were used for counting the risk level in KWAK TI-RADS. Main results. The performance of the improved U-Net++ was evaluated on our test set, including 302 cases. The Dice coefficient and intersection over union reached 0.899, 0.816, respectively. The classification accuracy rates of SC, HMH, MIM, MC, were 94.5%, 92.8%, 86.1%, 88.9%, while the false positive (FP) rate was 6.0%, 5.6%, 10.6%, 12.9% respectively. As for the category of benign and malignant, the precision and recall rates were 93.7% and 94.4%. Significance. The proposed CAD method showed favourable performance in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules. Compared with other methods, it could provide reports closer to clinical practice for doctors.