bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALMA Band 9 upgrade: A feasibility study
Authors: Realini S. , Hesper R. , Barkhof J. , Baryshev A.
Published: March 2024

We present the results of a study on the feasibility of upgrading the existing ALMA Band 9 receivers (602-720 GHz). In the current configuration, each receiver is a dual channel heterodyne system capable of detecting orthogonally polarized signals through the use of a wire grid and a compact arrangement of mirrors. The main goals of the study are the upgrade of the mixer architecture from Double-Sideband (DSB) to Sideband-separating (2SB), the extension of the IF and RF bandwidth, and the analysis of the possibilities of improving the polarimetric performance. We demonstrate the performance of 2SB mixers both in the lab and on-sky with the SEPIA660 receiver at APEX, which shows image rejection ratios exceeding 20 dB and can perform successful observations of several spectral lines close to the band edges. The same architecture in ALMA Band 9 would lead to an increase in the effective spectral sensitivity and a gain of a factor two in observation time. We set up also an electromagnetic model of the optics to simulate the polarization performance of the receivers, which is currently limited by the cross-polar level and the beam squint, i.e. pointing mismatch between the two polarizations. We present the results of the simulations compared to the measurements and we conclude that the use of a polarizing grid is the main responsible of the limitations.
IRAM 30-meter millimeter follow-up of deep OSIRIS-GTC optical surveys
Authors: Sánchez-Portal M. , Bongiovanni A. , Cepa J. , González-Serrano J.I. , González J.J. , González-Otero M. , Padilla-Torres C.P. , Pérez García A.M. , Pintos-Castro I. , Pérez-Martínez R.M. , Cruz-González I. , Negrete A. , Beyoro-Amado Z. , Pović M.
Published: March 2024

It is broadly accepted that CO is a reliable tracer of H2 in massive IR (LIR ≳ 109 L⊙) galaxies, and that there are clear correlations between LIR and L’CO that are qualitatively independent of environment and even redshift. We present two tales on the search for 12CO emission from dusty star-forming galaxies in both field (Lockman Hole, z < 0.1) and cluster (Zw Cl0024.1+1652, z ∼ 0.4) environments, according to the capabilities of the EMIR receiver at the IRAM-30m telescope. The observed galaxies are part of two follow-up programs in the millimetre regime of the spectroscopic Lockman-SpReSO and GLACE surveys in the optical (OSIRIS / 10.4m GTC). From these data we derived LIR and L’CO estimations and put them in the framework of the historic records according to the literature for each environmental case. We provide insights about some practical limits of the current facilities (IRAM observatories, ALMA, LMT) to get reliable estimations for IR at low and intermediate redshifts. Our results suggest that the amount of cold gas and the star formation efficiency increase with the cluster-centric distance, hence pointing to an environmental dependency.
Constraining the mass and redshift evolution of the hydrostatic mass bias using the gas mass fraction in galaxy clusters
Authors: Wicker R. , Douspis M. , Salvati L. , Aghanim N.
Published: March 2024

The gas mass fraction in galaxy clusters is a quantity which can be used as a robust cosmological probe. It is however subject to various effects from the baryonic physics inside galaxy clusters, which may bias the obtained cosmological constraints. Among different aspects of the baryonic physics, in these proceedings we focus on the impact of the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption. From X-ray measurements of cluster gas fraction in the Planck-ESZ sample, we analyse the hydrostatic mass bias B, constraining a possible mass and redshift evolution of this quantity and its impact on the cosmological constraints. We show a degeneracy between the redshift dependence of the bias and cosmological parameters. In particular we find a 3.8σ evidence for a redshift dependence of the bias when assuming a Planck prior on Ωm. On the other hand, assuming a constant mass bias would lead to the extreme large value of Ωm > 0.860. We however show these results to be depending on the mass and redshift selections inside the main sample. Nevertheless, in all the analyses we find a value for the amplitude of the bias that is consistent with B ∼ 0.8, as expected from hydrodynamical simulations and local measurements, but still in tension with the low value of B ∼ 0.6 derived from the combination of cosmic microwave background primary anisotropies with cluster number counts. We also discuss cosmological constraints obtained from gas fraction data, combined with other probes like cluster number counts.
The non-holonomic Herglotz variational problem
Authors: Massa Enrico , Pagani Enrico
Published: March 2024

The geometric approach to the study of the Herglotz problem developed in Massa and Pagani [J. Math. Phys. 64, 102902 (2023)] is extended to the case in which the evolution of the system is subject to a set of non-holonomic constraints. The original setup is suitably adapted to the case in study. Various aspects of the problem are considered: the direct derivation of the evolution equations; the super-lagrangian approach; the resulting super-Hamiltonian and its relation with Pontryagin’s maximum principle; the abnormality index of the extremals; the invariance properties of the theory and the consequent existence of Herglotz Lagrangians gauge equivalent to ordinary ones.
Numerical investigation of effect of the design parameters of the counter-flow jet for drag reduction in hypersonic low-Reynolds number regime
Authors: Yoon H. , Suzuki K.
Published: March 2024

Due to the correlation of design parameters of the counter-flow jet in addition to the complexity of the flow field, understanding the mechanism of the counter-flow jet for drag reduction and flow control remains challenging. Furthermore, to satisfy the demands of the space transportation system, investigating the counter-flow jet's suitability for a range of flight conditions is critical. To solve these problems, a study was performed by varying the pressure ratio (PR) and exit Mach number of the counter-flow jet at hypersonic low-Reynolds number regime. For numerical simulations, laminar, axisymmetric Navier–Stokes equations were solved by the total variation diminishing scheme with second-order accuracy in space and the explicit strong stability preserving the Runge–Kutta method. With given numerical conditions, the flow field was categorized as the long penetration mode (LPM) based on the penetration length and the fluctuation of the flow field at the high-Reynolds number regime. By reducing the free-stream flow Reynolds number while keeping other parameters unchanged, the flow field transitioned from the LPM to a stable LPM, short penetration mode, or long penetration with periodically oscillation mode. The critical Reynolds number for the transition of the flow field is highly dependent on the exit Mach number of the counter-flow jet and PR. The extended jet layer was the primary reason for the fluctuation of the drag coefficient. Furthermore, with the counter-flow jet at certain flight conditions, drag can be reduced by up to 78% regardless of the stability of the flow field.
Macromolecular insight into the adsorption and migration properties of CH4/CO2/N2 in bituminous coal matrix under uniaxial strain loading
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhu Hongqing , Kang Rongxue
Published: March 2024

Gas adsorption–migration in coal is of crucial importance for coalbed methane (CBM) recovery; however, the effect of coal deformation on it is not yet very clear, especially at the molecular level. In this study, the effects of uniaxial tension–compression strains on the CH4/CO2/N2 adsorption–migration characteristics in bituminous coal matrix were investigated by integrating the grand canonical Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods. The results show that the dual-mode equation fits the isothermal adsorption results, and the adsorption concentration and Langmuir volume are positively correlated with strain. Tension strain has a small effect on a thermodynamic factor but a large effect on Henry constant. In addition, the swelling resistance of coal matrix is positively correlated with tension strain which has a greater impact on the shear resistance of coal matrix containing CO2. The average mass density of the gas is linearly positively correlated with strain that has a large impact on N2 stability. More significantly, the self-diffusion coefficient (Ds) of CH4 is larger than that of CO2/N2, and the relationship between Fick diffusion coefficient and strain is roughly similar to that between Ds and strain. Also, the mass transfer of CO2 permeation is more significant compared to N2, especially for tension strain. These research results provide a basis for the optimization design of CBM recovery in deformed coal reservoirs.
Deep insights into the mechanism of nitrogen on the endurance enhancement in ferroelectric field effect transistors: Trap behavior during memory window degradation
Authors: Huang Yuanquan , Yuan Hongye , Nie Bowen , Gong Tiancheng , Wang Yuan , Lv Shuxian , Jiang Pengfei , Wei Wei , Yang Yang , Chai Junshuai , Wu Zhicheng , Wang Xiaolei , Luo Qing
Published: March 2024

The nitridation process can significantly improve the quality of the interfacial layer and suppress the unrecoverable electron trapping of the interfacial states during cycling, which is the main cause of endurance enhancement. In this work, through in-depth analysis of defect behavior during memory window (MW) degradation in ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFETs), it is found that the degradation of FeFET devices with SiON interfacial layer starts within the HZO layer, while the degradation process of FeFET devices with SiO2 interlayer initially begins at the interlayer and then penetrates into the HZO layer. First, the MW degradation processes of nitridation/non-nitridation devices are measured and compared. Moreover, through the extended measure-stress-measure method, three types of defects are defined and the defect behaviors including trapping kinetics and energy locations during degradation are systematically investigated. The mechanism of nitrogen on the endurance enhancement is finally revealed. These results are valuable to better understand the reliability issues of FeFET and pave the way for future process optimization.
Molecular mechanism of the metal-independent production of hydroxyl radicals by thiourea dioxide and H
2
O
2
Authors: Mao Li , Quan Zhuo , Liu Zhi-Sheng , Huang Chun-Hua , Wang Zi-Han , Tang Tian-Shu , Li Pei-Lin , Shao Jie , Liu Ya-Jun , Zhu Ben-Zhan
Published: March 2024

It is well-known that highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (HO
•
) can be produced by the classic Fenton system and our recently discovered haloquinone/H
2
O
2
system, but rarely from thiol-derivatives. Here, we found, unexpectedly, that HO
•
can be generated from H
2
O
2
and thiourea dioxide (TUO
2
), a widely used and environmentally friendly bleaching agent. A carbon-centered radical and sulfite were detected and identified as the transient intermediates, and urea and sulfate as the final products, with the complementary application of electron spin-trapping, oxygen-18 isotope labeling coupled with HPLC/MS analysis. Density functional theory calculations were conducted to further elucidate the detailed pathways for HO
•
production. Taken together, we proposed that the molecular mechanism for HO
•
generation by TUO
2
/H
2
O
2
: TUO
2
tautomerizes from sulfinic acid into ketone isomer (TUO
2
-K) through proton transfer, then a nucleophilic addition of H
2
O
2
on the S atom of TUO
2
-K, forming a S-hydroperoxide intermediate TUO
2
-OOH, which dissociates homolytically to produce HO
•
. Our findings represent the first experimental and computational study on an unprecedented new molecular mechanism of HO
•
production from simple thiol-derived sulfinic acids, which may have broad chemical, environmental, and biomedical significance for future research on the application of the well-known bleaching agent and its analogs.
Mechanical quenching phenomenon in diamond
Authors: Su Zhengping , Duan Yu , Tian Yusong , Guo Shukuan , Li Penghui , Wang Lin , Bu Yeqiang , Nie Anmin , Wang Hongtao , Tian Yongjun , Yang Wei
Published: March 2024

The structure of dislocation cores, the fundamental knowledge on crystal plasticity, remains largely unexplored in covalent crystals. Here, we conducted atomically resolved characterizations of dislocation core structures in a plastically deformed diamond anvil cell tip that was unloaded from an exceptionally high pressure of 360 GPa. Our observations unveiled a series of nonequilibrium dislocation cores that deviate from the commonly accepted “five-seven-membered ring” dislocation core model found in FCC-structured covalent crystals. The nonequilibrium dislocation cores were generated through a process known as “mechanical quenching,” analogous to the quenching process where a high-energy state is rapidly frozen. The density functional theory–based molecular dynamic simulations reveal that the phenomenon of mechanical quenching in diamond arises from the challenging relaxation of the nonequilibrium configuration, necessitating a large critical strain of 25% that is difficult to maintain. Further electronic-scale analysis suggested that such large critical strain is spent on the excitation of valance electrons for bond breaking and rebonding during relaxation. These findings establish a foundation for the plasticity theory of covalent materials and provide insights into the design of electrical and luminescent properties in diamond, which are intimately linked to the dislocation core structure.
Limited evidence of biased offspring sex allocation in a cavity-nesting conspecific brood parasite
Authors: Wells Caitlin P , Lyon Bruce E , Thow Caroline M , Stair Tez , Jones Melissa , Hinton Mitch , Eadie John M
Published: March 2024

Sex allocation theory predicts that mothers should bias investment in offspring toward the sex that yields higher fitness returns; one such bias may be a skewed offspring sex ratio. Sex allocation is well-studied in birds with cooperative breeding systems, with theory on local resource enhancement and production of helpers at the nest, but little theoretical or empirical work has focused on birds with brood parasitic breeding systems. Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are a conspecific brood parasite, and rates of parasitism appear to increase with density. Because female wood ducks show high natal philopatry and nest sites are often limiting, local resource competition (LRC) theory predicts that females should overproduce male offspring—the dispersing sex—when competition (density) is high. However, the unique features of conspecific brood parasitism generate alternative predictions from other sex allocation theory, which we develop and test here. We experimentally manipulated nesting density of female wood ducks in 4 populations from 2013 to 2016, and analyzed the resulting sex allocation of >2000 ducklings. In contrast to predictions we did not find overproduction of male offspring by females in high-density populations, females in better condition, or parasitic females; modest support for LRC was found in overproduction of only female parasitic offspring with higher nest box availability. The lack of evidence for sex ratio biases, as expected for LRC and some aspects of brood parasitism, could reflect conflicting selection pressures from nest competition and brood parasitism, or that mechanisms of adaptive sex ratio bias are not possible.
Central visual pathways affected by degenerative retinal disease before and after gene therapy
Authors: Ashtari Manzar , Bennett Jean , Leopold David A
Published: March 2024

Genetic diseases affecting the retina can result in partial or complete loss of visual function. Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a rare blinding disease, usually inherited in an autosomally recessive manner, with no cure. Retinal gene therapy has been shown to improve vision in LCA patients caused by mutations in the RPE65 gene (LCA2). However, little is known about how activity in central visual pathways is affected by the disease or by subsequent gene therapy.

Functional MRI (fMRI) was used to assess retinal signal transmission in cortical and subcortical visual structures before and 1 year after retinal intervention. The fMRI paradigm consisted of 15-s blocks of flickering (8 Hz) black and white checkerboards interleaved with 15 s of blank (black) screen. Visual activation in the brain was assessed using the general linear model, with multiple comparisons corrected using the false discovery rate method.

Response to visual stimulation through untreated eyes of LCA2 patients showed heightened fMRI responses in the superior colliculus and diminished activities in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) compared to controls, indicating a shift in the patients’ visual processing towards the retinotectal pathway. Following gene therapy, stimuli presented to the treated eye elicited significantly stronger fMRI responses in the LGN and primary visual cortex, indicating some re-engagement of the geniculostriate pathway (GS) pathway. Across patients, the post-treatment LGN fMRI responses correlated significantly with performance on a clinical test measuring light sensitivity.

Our results demonstrate that the low vision observed in LCA2 patients involves a shift in visual processing toward the retinotectal pathway, and that gene therapy partially reinstates visual transmission through the GS pathway. This selective boosting of retinal output through the GS pathway and its correlation to improved visual performance, following several years of degenerative retinal disease, is striking. However, while retinal gene therapy and other ocular interventions have given hope to RPE65 patients, it may take years before development of therapies tailored to treat the diseases in other low vision patients are available.

Our demonstration of a shift toward the retinotectal pathway in these patients may spur the development of new tools and rehabilitation strategies to help maximize the use of residual visual abilities and augment experience-dependent plasticity.
Cardiac implantable electronic devices and bloodstream infections: management and outcomes
Authors: Özkartal Tardu , Demarchi Andrea , Conte Giulio , Pongan Damiano , Klersy Catherine , Caputo Maria Luce , Bergonti Marco , Bernasconi Enos , Gaia Valeria , Granger Christopher B , Auricchio Angelo
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Bloodstream infection (BSI) of any cause may lead to device infection in cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) patients. Aiming for a better understanding of the diagnostic approach, treatment, and outcome, patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy and defibrillator (CRT-D) hospitalized with BSI were investigated.

Methods

This is a single-centre, retrospective, cohort analysis including consecutive ICD/CRT-D patients implanted between 2012 and 2021. These patients were screened against a list of all hospitalized patients having positive blood cultures consistent with diagnosed infection in any department of a local public hospital.

Results

The total cohort consisted of 515 patients. Over a median follow-up of 59 months (interquartile range 31–87 months), there were 47 BSI episodes in 36 patients. The majority of patients with BSI (92%) was admitted to non-cardiology units, and in 25 episodes (53%), no cardiac imaging was performed. Nearly all patients (85%) were treated with short-term antibiotics, whereas chronic antibiotic suppression therapy (n = 4) and system extraction (n = 3) were less frequent. Patients with BSI had a nearly seven-fold higher rate (hazard ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 3.9–11.2; P < .001) of all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Diagnostic workup of defibrillator patients with BSI admitted to a non-cardiology unit is often insufficient to characterize lead-related endocarditis. The high mortality rate in these patients with BSI may relate to underdiagnosis and consequently late/absence of system removal. Efforts to increase an interdisciplinary approach and greater use of cardiac imaging are necessary for timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Network power and mental health policy in post-war Liberia
Authors: Patterson Amy S , Clark Mary A , Rogers Al-Varney
Published: March 2024

This article traces the influence of network power on mental health policy in Liberia, a low-income, post-conflict West African country. Based on key informant interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis, the work uses an inductive approach to uncover how a network of civil society groups, government officials, diasporans and international NGOs shaped the passage, implementation and revision of the country’s 2009 and 2016 mental health policies. With relations rooted in ties of information, expertise, resources, commitment and personal connections, the network coalesced around a key agent, the Carter Center, which connected members and guided initiatives. Network power was evident when these actors channelled expertise, shared narratives of post-war trauma and mental health as a human right, and financial resources to influence policy. Feedback loops appeared as policy implementation created new associations of mental health clinicians and service users, research entities and training institutes. These beneficiaries offered the network information from lived experiences, while also pressing their own interests in subsequent policy revisions. As the network expanded over time, some network members gained greater autonomy from the key agent. Network power outcomes included the creation of government mental health institutions, workforce development, increased public awareness, civil society mobilization and a line for mental health in the government budget, though concerns about network overstretch and key agent commitment emerged over time. The Liberian case illustrates how networks need not be inimical to development, and how network power may facilitate action on stigmatized, unpopular issues in contexts with low state capacity. A focus on network power in health shows how power can operate not only through discrete resources such as funding but also through the totality of assets that network linkages make possible.
The genetic admixture and assimilation of Ahom: a historic migrant from Thailand to India
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Singh Prajjval Pratap , Pasupuleti Nagarjuna , Tripathy Veena Mushrif , Chauley Milan Kumar , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Rai Niraj
Published: March 2024

The Northeastern region of India is considered a gateway for modern humans’ dispersal throughout Asia. This region is a mixture of various ethnic and indigenous populations amalgamating multiple ancestries. One reason for such amalgamation is that, South Asia experienced multiple historic migrations from various parts of the world. A few examples explored genetically are Jews, Parsis and Siddis. Ahom is a dynasty that historically migrated to India during the 12th century. However, this putative migration has not been studied genetically at high resolution. Therefore, to validate this historical evidence, we genotyped autosomal data of the Modern Ahom population residing in seven sister states of India. Principal Component and Admixture analyses haave suggested a substantial admixture of the Ahom population with the local Tibeto-Burman populations. Moreover, the haplotype-based analysis has linked these Ahom individuals mainly with the Kusunda (a language isolated from Nepal) and Khasi (an Austroasiatic population of Meghalaya). Such unexpected presence of widespread population affinities suggests that Ahom mixed and assimilated a wide variety of Trans-Himalayan populations inhabiting this region after the migration. In summary, we observed a significant deviation of Ahom from their ancestral homeland (Thailand) and extensive admixture and assimilation with the local South Asian populations.
Revealing the Genetic Diversity of Chinese Chlamydia trachomatis Strains Directly From Clinical Samples Through Selective Whole Genome Amplification
Authors: Chen Wentao , Zhou Chuchan , Su Xin , Yin Xiaona , Yuan Weixi , Hu Chuncai , Zhao Wei
Published: March 2024

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis is the causative agent of the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infections globally. Whole genome sequencing is essential for molecular Chlamydia surveillance; however, its application is hampered by the pathogen's low abundance in clinical specimens and the expensive labor-intensive nature of existing enrichment methodologies for Chlamydia.

Methods

We developed a targeted whole genome amplification tool termed SWITCH by integrating phi29 DNA polymerase-mediated amplification with meticulously designed primer sets to enrich the C trachomatis genome, followed by whole genome sequencing. This method underwent evaluation through testing synthetic and clinical specimens.

Results

SWITCH demonstrated robust ability to achieve up to 98.3% genomic coverage of C trachomatis from as few as 26.4 genomic copies present in synthetic specimens, and it exhibited excellent performance across diverse C trachomatis serovars. Utilizing SWITCH, we directly generated 21 Chlamydia genomes from 26 clinical samples, enabling us to gain insights into the genetic relationships and phylogeny of current Chlamydia strains circulating in the country. Remarkably, this study marked the first instance of generating Chinese Chlamydia genomes directly from clinical samples.

Conclusions

SWITCH represents a practical cost-efficient approach to enrich the Chlamydia genome directly from clinical specimens, offering an efficient avenue for molecular surveillance of Chlamydia.
Response of bilateral Wilms tumor to chemotherapy suggests histologic subtype and guides treatment
Authors: Duncan Colton , Sarvode Mothi Suraj , Santiago Teresa C , Coggins Jordan A , Graetz Dylan E , Bishop Michael W , Mullen Elizabeth A , Murphy Andrew J , Green Daniel M , Krasin Matthew J , Davidoff Andrew M
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients with bilateral Wilms tumor initially receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink the tumors and increase the likelihood of successful nephron-sparing surgery. Biopsy of poorly responding tumors is often done to better understand therapy resistance. The purpose of this retrospective, single-institution study was to determine whether initial chemotherapy response is associated with tumor histology, potentially obviating the need for biopsy or change in chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients with synchronous bilateral Wilms tumors who underwent surgery at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital from January 2000 to March 2022 were considered for this study. A mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to evaluate the likelihood of the tumor being stromal predominant, as predicted by tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

A total of 68 patients were eligible for this study. Tumors that increased in size had an odds ratio of 19.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.46 to 155.03) for being stromal predominant vs any other histologic subtype. Age at diagnosis was youngest in patients with stromal-predominant tumors, with a mean age of 18.8 (14.1) months compared with all other histologic subtypes (χ2 = 7.05, P = .07). The predictive value of a tumor growing combined with patient aged younger than 18 months for confirming stromal-predominant histology was 85.7% (95% CI = 57.18% to 93.5%).

Conclusions

Tumors that increased in size during neoadjuvant chemotherapy were most frequently stromal-predominant bilateral Wilms tumor, especially in younger patients. Therefore, nephron-sparing surgery, rather than biopsy, or extension or intensification of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, should be considered for bilateral Wilms tumors that increase in volume during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly in patients aged younger than 18 months.
Exploring the clinical relevance of “Angico Gum”: an effective biopolymer for topical protection of oesophageal mucosa in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients
Authors: Bingana Rudy Diavila , Nicolau Lucas Antonio Duarte , Sales Thiago Meneses Araújo Leite , Paula Suliana Mesquita , do Carmo Neto João Pedro , Castro Isabela Araújo Linhares , Teixeira Luiz Fernando Lopes Soares , Franco Alvaro Xavier , Ribeiro Fábio de Oliveira Silva , de Paula Regina Célia Monteiro , Medeiros Jand Venes Rolim , da Silva Durcilene Alves , Sifrim Daniel , Souza Marcellus Henrique Loiola Ponte
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Angico gum (AG) (Anadenanthera colubrina var. Cebil [Griseb.] Altschul) is utilized by some Brazilian communities to alleviate symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Here, we aimed to investigate the “in vitro” topical protective capacity of AG on human esophageal mucosa.

Methods

Biopsies of the distal esophageal mucosa were collected from 35 patients with heartburn (24 non-erosive and 11 with erosive oesophagitis (EE)) and mounted in Üssing chambers. AG was applied topically, followed by exposure with acid solution (pH 2.0 or pH 1.0), where transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and The transepithelial permeability for fluorescein was assessed. The incubation of the AG labeled with FITC in the esophageal mucosa was localized by fluorescence microscopy.

Key findings

Pretreatment with AG prevented the drop in TER induced by acid solution, as well as significantly decreases the fluorescein permeability in non-erosive patients. The protective effect of AG was sustained for up to 120 min both in biopsies of non-erosive and erosive esophagitis. Confocal microscope images showed mucosal luminal adherence of FITC-labeled AG.

Conclusion

AG had a prolonged topical protective effect against acid solution in mucosal biopsies of patients with non-erosive and erosive esophagitis.
MUST dome design based on dome seeing quantitative evaluation
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Lao Junsen , Wang Zhuoxiao , Cai Zheng , Guo Liquan , Bian Qi , Zheng Yamin , Zhuang Yongchen , Zhang Yifan , Li Pei , Wang Zichao , Dai Xiaodong , Lu Lu , Marchiori Gianpietro , De Lorenzi Simone , Huang Lei
Published: March 2024

The Multiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST) project is led by Tsinghua University, which entrusted the European Industrial Engineering (EIE) GROUP with the design, manufacture, and assembly of the dome. Located on Saishiteng Mountain in Qinghai Province, MUST benefits from exceptional atmospheric seeing conditions etc. Local dome seeing may be comparable to atmospheric seeing and requires careful consideration. This research, based on numerical simulations, focuses on refining the dome structure and temperature regulation strategies to achieve optimal dome seeing. The existing simulations only consider nighttime dome seeing and overlook the impact of daytime dome heating on nighttime conditions. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) part mostly relies on a steady-state k − ε model, which cannot simulate transient processes or capture optical turbulence. In this study, a comprehensive multiphysics field coupling simulation was conducted, encompassing radiation heat transfer, fluid heat transfer, CFD, and ray tracing. Simulations include both daytime and nighttime scenarios, taking into account the daytime heating of the dome due to solar irradiation, as well as dome seeing under natural ventilation at night. The CFD utilizes the large eddy simulation model, enabling three-dimensional transient simulation and the simulation of optical turbulence. Ultimately, the broadening of the point spread function was statistically analysed after a certain integration time, facilitating a quantitative evaluation of dome seeing. This numerical simulation approach is closer to real world conditions, improving simulation accuracy and addressing the shortcomings of existing simulations. Some qualitative conclusions are consistent with practical engineering experience. In the end, the dome seeing was successfully regulated to 0.21 arcsec, meeting the observational requirements.
Turbulence properties of interplanetary coronal mass ejection flux ropes at 1 au
Authors: Shaikh Zubair I
Published: March 2024

Interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) is a massive, coherent magnetic structure emitting from the Sun in interplanetary space and plays an essential role in space weather processes. Here, we focus on determining the turbulent characteristics of magnetic field fluctuations in 358 ICMEs magnetic flux ropes (MFR) at 1 au using Wind spacecraft data. We observed that during injection, inertial, and dissipation scales, the average spectral index of the analysed MFRs is −1.70 ± 0.26, −1.64 ± 0.06, and −2.31 ± 0.40, respectively. It implies that overall the turbulence inside the ICME MFR has a Kolmogorow (f−5/3) type spectrum. We observe the nature of the spectral index to be unaffected by the MFR boundary and the presence of a background magnetic field. Thus, coherent MFRs show some turbulent characteristics. The low compressibility value during injection and the inertial scale indicate that Alfvénic fluctuations may dominate at these scales. We observe spectral break at the dissipation scale, but low normalized magnetic helicity denied the role of wave activity. Therefore, thorough research of the causes of a spectral break during the ICME MFR is necessary. Our results are relevant to exploring the energy cascade process, plasma heating, and energetic particle modulation in low plasma beta structures.
Office or home versus 24-h blood pressure measurement in stable kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Eleftheriadis Georgios , Naik Marcel G , Osmanodja Bilgin , Halleck Fabian , Schrezenmeier Eva , Liefeldt Lutz , Choi Mira , Bachmann Friederike , Avaniadi Despina Parthenopi , von Hoerschelmann Ellen , Lücht Christian , Zaks Marina , Duettmann Wiebke , Budde Klemens
Published: March 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to quantify hypertension control and evaluate concordance between all commonly available blood pressure (BP) modalities in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).

Methods

For this prospective cross-sectional study, 89 stable KTRs were recruited at the Charité Transplant Outpatient Clinic. For each study participant office [manual office BP (MOBP) and automated office BP (AOBP)], 7-day home (HBPM) and 24-hour ambulatory BP (24h-ABPM) measurements were performed.

Results

80 of the 89 patients recruited had sufficient BP recordings. The mean BP for MOBP, AOBP, HBPM and 24h-ABPM was 129/73, 126/71, 131/85 and 130/81 mmHg, respectively. Uncontrolled hypertension, as defined by 24h-ABPM (mean ≥130/80 mmHg), was present in 53 (66%) patients. MOBP, AOBP and HBPM classified 19 (24%), 22 (28%) and 41 (51%) patients, respectively, as ‘uncontrolled hypertensive’. The Bland–Altman plot showed good agreement between systolic MOBP, AOBP, HBPM and daytime-ABPM (mean bias: −1 ± 13 mmHg, −4 ± 13 mmHg, 1 ± 10 mmHg, respectively). Uncontrolled night-time hypertension was present in 74 (93%) KTRs, with 71 (89%) patients showing a non-physiological dipping pattern. Moderate positive correlation between daytime-ABPM/HBPM and night-time-ABPM (Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.62–0.73), followed by MOBP/AOBP (Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.49–0.59) was noted. Estimated eGFR and proteinuria displayed weak correlation with 24h-, daytime- and night-time-ABPM (absolute values of Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.04–0.41). No robust association with either 24h-, daytime- or night-time-ABPM was observed for volume status exams.

Conclusions

Masked hypertension is highly prevalent in KTRs, especially due to high rates of uncontrolled night-time hypertension. HBPM shows the narrowest limits of agreement with daytime-ABPM. Daytime-ABPM and HBPM show the highest, albeit clinically insufficient, correlation with night-time-ABPM. Systematic integration of 24h-ABPM into clinical practice, as proposed by the 2023 ESH guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension, should not be withheld for the KTR population. Clinical trials evaluating the treatment of hypertension in KTRs are urgently needed.
Clinopyroxenite Xenoliths Record Magma Transport and Crystallization in the Middle and Upper Crust: A Case Study from the Rockeskyllerkopf Volcanic Complex, West Eifel, Germany
Authors: Shaw Cliff S J
Published: March 2024

Clinopyroxenite xenoliths comprising cumulus clinopyroxene ± amphibole together with intercumulus phlogopite ± olivine ± apatite ± titanite form a large part of the xenolith load in the oldest deposits of the Rockeskyllerkopf Volcanic Complex (RVC) in the West Eifel volcanic field. The xenoliths also contain xenocrysts of olivine and clinopyroxene derived from mantle peridotite and clinopyroxene from lower crustal granulite. The clinopyroxenite xenoliths are divided into five groups on the basis of their modal mineralogy and mineral compositions. Groups 1 to 4 define a continuous compositional trend indicative of fractionation of a mafic alkaline magma. Group 5 xenoliths are compositionally distinct and have been tentatively linked to high pressure crystallization of phonolitic magma within the RVC system. Thermobarometry of the group 1 to 4 xenoliths indicates that they crystallized between 1 and 4 kilobars, equivalent to a depth of 4 to 14 km. Group 1 to 3 xenoliths all crystallized at between 1050°C and 1150°C, whereas the amphibole-rich group 4 xenoliths give temperature estimates of ~900°C. The clinopyroxenites share a common parent magma with clinopyroxene–phlogopite veins found in subcontinental lithospheric mantle xenoliths. However, the vein forming mama was richer in incompatible elements, in particular Zr and Hf and is interpreted to be an early formed batch of magma with the clinopyroxenites crystallizing from magma derived from the same mantle, which had been depleted by the earlier phase of melting. Intrusion of magma began around 155 ky prior to the eruption of the RVC. Fe–Mg interdiffusion profiles in zoned clinopyroxene show that the magma that formed the xenoliths was present in the crust for up to 28 ky prior to the eruption. However, most samples give interdiffusion times between 1.5 and 9.9 ky. Based on xenocryst residence times and the calculated P–T conditions for clinopyroxene, there were at least seven separate batches of magma emplaced below Rockeskyllerkopf, probably as sills.
Machine Learning in Petrology: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives
Authors: Petrelli Maurizio
Published: March 2024

This article reports on the state-of-the-art and future perspectives of machine learning (ML) in petrology. To achieve this goal, it first introduces the basics of ML, including definitions, core concepts, and applications. Then, it starts reviewing the state-of-the-art of ML in petrology. Established applications mainly concern the so-called data-driven discovery and involve specific tasks like clustering, dimensionality reduction, classification, and regression. Among them, clustering and dimensionality reduction have been demonstrated to be valuable for decoding the chemical record stored in igneous and metamorphic phases and to enhance data visualization, respectively. Classification and regression tasks find applications, for example, in petrotectonic discrimination and geo-thermobarometry, respectively. The main core of the manuscript consists of depicting emerging trends and the future directions of ML in petrological investigations. I propose a future scenario where ML methods will progressively integrate and support established petrological methods in automating time-consuming and repetitive tasks, improving current models, and boosting discovery. In this framework, promising applications include (1) the acquisition of new multimodal petrologic data; (2) the development of data fusion techniques, physics-informed ML models, and ML-supported numerical simulations; and (3) the continuous exploration of the ML potential in petrology. To boost the contribution of ML in petrology, our main challenges are: (1) to improve the ability of ML models to capture the complexity of petrologic processes, (2) progressively link ML algorithms with the physical and thermodynamic nature of the investigated problems, and (3) to start a collaborative effort among researchers coming from different disciplines, both in research and teaching.
Histopathological comparison of Sjögren-related features between paired labial and parotid salivary gland biopsies of sicca patients
Authors: Nakshbandi Uzma , van Ginkel Martha S , Verstappen Gwenny M P J , Spijkervet Fred K L , Arends Suzanne , Haacke Erlin A , Liefers Silvia C , Vissink Arjan , Bootsma Hendrika , Kroese Frans G M , van der Vegt Bert
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To compare focus score and other histopathological features between paired labial and parotid salivary gland biopsies in a diagnostic cohort of suspected Sjögren’s disease (SjD) patients.

Methods

Labial and parotid salivary gland biopsies were simultaneously obtained from patients with sicca complaints, suspected of having SjD. Biopsies were formalin fixed and paraffin embedded. Sections were stained with haematoxylin & eosin, and for CD3, CD20, CD45, cytokeratin, CD21, Bcl6, activation-induced deaminase (AID) and IgA/IgG. Focus score and other histopathological features characteristic for SjD were analysed.

Results

Based on the expert opinion of three experienced rheumatologists, 36 patients were diagnosed as SjD and 63 as non-SjD sicca patients. When taking all patients together, absolute agreement of various histopathological features between labial and parotid biopsies was high and varied between 80% (focus score) and 93% [(pre-)lymphoepithelial lesions (LELs)]. More labial gland biopsies had a focus score ≥1 compared with their parotid counterpart. Accordingly, the area of infiltrate was larger in labial gland biopsies. When considering only SjD patients, labial glands contained significantly fewer B-lymphocytes and germinal centres/mm2, and less severe LELs compared with parotid glands.

Conclusion

Labial and parotid glands from SjD patients contain similar histopathological key features, and thus both glands can be used for diagnosis and classification of SjD. However, parotid salivary glands reveal more evident B-lymphocyte-related features, while labial glands exhibit more inflammation, which may be partially unrelated to SjD.
Sulforaphane Improves Redox Homeostasis and Right Ventricular Contractility in a Model of Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Conzatti Adriana , Colombo Rafael , Siqueira Rafaela , Campos-Carraro Cristina , Turck Patrick , Luz de Castro Alexandre , Belló-Klein Adriane , Sander da Rosa Araujo Alex
Published: March 2024

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), imposing overload on the right ventricle (RV) and imbalance of the redox state. Our study investigated the influence of treatment with sulforaphane (SFN), found in cruciferous vegetables, on RV remodeling and redox homeostasis in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH. Male Wistar rats were separated into 4 groups: control (CTR); CTR + SFN; MCT; and MCT + SFN. PAH induction was implemented by a single dose of MCT (60 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Treatment with SFN (2.5 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) started on the seventh day after the MCT injection and persisted for 2 weeks. After 21 days of PAH induction, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and oxidative stress evaluation was performed. The MCT group showed an increase in RV hypertrophy, RV systolic area, RV systolic, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and PVR and exhibited a decrease in the RV outflow tract acceleration time/ejection time ratio, RV fractional shortening, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion compared to CTR (P < 0.05). SFN-treated PAH attenuated detrimental changes in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and PVR parameters. Catalase levels and the glutathione/Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio were diminished in the MCT group compared to CTR (P < 0.05). SFN increased catalase levels and normalized the glutathione/GSSG ratio to control levels (P < 0.05). Data express the benefit of SFN treatment on the cardiac function of rats with PAH associated with the cellular redox state.
MURAMYL DIPEPTIDE CAUSES MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION AND INTESTINAL INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE RESPONSES IN RATS
Authors: Zhao Lu-Jia , Dai Xiao-Yong , Ye You-Wen , Pang Xiu-Feng , Jiang Meng , Tan Wan-Yi , Xu Ying-Hui , Su Ji-Feng , Shi Bin
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Intestinal flora and the translocation of its products, such as muramyl dipeptide (MDP), are common causes of sepsis. MDP is a common activator of the intracellular pattern recognition receptor NOD2, and MDP translocation can cause inflammatory damage to the small intestine and systemic inflammatory responses in rats. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of MDP on the intestinal mucosa and distant organs during sepsis and the role of the NOD2/AMPK/LC3 pathway in MDP-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the intestinal epithelium. Methods: Fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five treatment groups: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) only, 1.5 and 15 mg/kg MDP+LPS, and 1.5 and 15 mg/kg MDP+short-peptide enteral nutrition (SPEN)+LPS. The total caloric intake was the same per group. The rats were euthanized 24 h after establishing the model, and peripheral blood and small intestinal mucosal and lung tissues were collected. Results: Compared to the LPS group, both MDP+LPS groups had aggravated inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosal and lung tissues, increased IL-6 and MDP production, increased NOD2 expression, decreased AMPK and LC3 expression, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. Compared to the MDP+LPS groups, the MDP+SPEN+LPS groups had decreased IL-6 and MDP production, increased AMPK and LC3 protein expression, and protected mitochondrial and organ functions. Conclusions: MDP translocation reduced mitochondrial autophagy by regulating the NOD2/AMPK/LC3 pathway, causing mitochondrial dysfunction. SPEN protected against MDP-induced impairment of intestinal epithelial mitochondrial function during sepsis.