bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precise Fermi level engineering in a topological Weyl semimetal via fast ion implantation
Authors: Mandal Manasi , Chotrattanapituk Abhijatmedhi , Woller Kevin , Wu Lijun , Xu Haowei , Hung Nguyen Tuan , Mao Nannan , Okabe Ryotaro , Boonkird Artittaya , Nguyen Thanh , Drucker Nathan C. , Chen Xiaoqian M. , Momiki Takashi , Li Ju , Kong Jing , Zhu Yimei , Li Mingda
Published: June 2024

The precise controllability of the Fermi level is a critical aspect of quantum materials. For topological Weyl semimetals, there is a pressing need to fine-tune the Fermi level to the Weyl nodes and unlock exotic electronic and optoelectronic effects associated with the divergent Berry curvature. However, in contrast to two-dimensional materials, where the Fermi level can be controlled through various techniques, the situation for bulk crystals beyond laborious chemical doping poses significant challenges. Here, we report the milli-electron-volt (meV) level ultra-fine-tuning of the Fermi level of bulk topological Weyl semimetal tantalum phosphide using accelerator-based high-energy hydrogen implantation and theory-driven planning. By calculating the desired carrier density and controlling the accelerator profiles, the Fermi level can be experimentally fine-tuned from 5 meV below, to 3.8 meV below, to 3.2 meV above the Weyl nodes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals the crystalline structure is largely maintained under irradiation, while electrical transport indicates that Weyl nodes are preserved and carrier mobility is also largely retained. Our work demonstrates the viability of this generic approach to tune the Fermi level in semimetal systems and could serve to achieve property fine-tuning for other bulk quantum materials with ultrahigh precision.
Depth-selective x-ray diffraction using energy-dispersive x-ray detector and straight capillary optics
Authors: Fukumoto Shotaro , Okuda Masaki , Matsuyama Tsugufumi , Tsuji Kouichi
Published: June 2024

Depth-selective x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was developed. In this technique, XRD spectra were measured using an energy dispersive (ED) x-ray detector at fixed angles. A straight capillary optic was used to define the incident x-ray beam, and a second straight capillary defined the beam path from the sample to detector. Thereby, only the XRD spectrum at the small intersection of two capillary optics could be obtained. A depth-selective XRD is possible by changing the sample position in depth. Many XRD peaks appear in a high-energy range more than 10 keV in the ED spectrum. The detection of these peaks will be advantageous for depth analysis because of low absorption in the sample. Depth-selective measurement would be advantageous over general XRD. In this study, depth-selective and ED-XRD spectra are demonstrated for the layered sample, which consisted of film-like Si powder and a muscovite film.
CMOS-compatible high-speed endless automatic polarization controller
Authors: Wang Weiqin , Zhou Ziwen , Zeng Yifan , Liu Jingze , Yao Gengqi , Wu Hao , Ding Yunhong , Zhou Siyan , Yan Siqi , Tang Ming
Published: June 2024

Automatic polarization controllers find broad applications in various fields, including optical communication, quantum optics, optical sensing, and biomedicine. Currently, the predominant integrated automatic polarization controllers employ either lithium niobate or silicon platforms. Devices based on lithium niobate platforms exhibit excellent performance; however, their fabrication complexity hinders widespread commercial deployment. In contrast, silicon-based integrated automatic polarization controllers benefit from complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatibility and reduced fabrication costs. Nevertheless, these silicon automatic polarization controllers suffer from low tracking speeds, peaking at merely 1.256 krad/s. In this study, we demonstrated a silicon high-speed automatic polarization controller, incorporating innovative thermal tuning units combined with a sophisticated control algorithm. The response time of these thermal tuning units has been markedly decreased to 3.2 µs. In addition, we have implemented a novel automatic polarization control algorithm, utilizing gradient descent techniques, on a field-programmable gate array control board. The synergy of the rapid thermal tuning unit and the advanced control algorithm has enabled us to attain an unprecedented polarization control speed of up to 20 krad/s, with this rate being solely limited by the capabilities of our characterization equipment. To our knowledge, this speed is the fastest yet reported for a silicon-based integrated automatic polarization control chip. The proposed device represents a significant breakthrough in the field of silicon-based automatic polarization controllers, paving the way for the future integration of additional polarization management devices. Such an advancement would mark a substantial leap in the realm of integrated photonics, bridging the gap between performance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and technological integration.
Deriving a fundamental equation for macroscopic stress in chemically strengthened glass: A thermodynamic model
Authors: Terakado Nobuaki , Matsumoto Kota , Murai Daichi , Ebukuro Shingo , Takahashi Yoshihiro , Kizaki Kazuro , Fujiwara Takumi , Orihara Shuji , Orihara Yoshio
Published: June 2024

Traditionally, the stuffing model has been used to describe stress generation in chemically strengthened glass. Nevertheless, the associated unrealistic conditions, including an imaginary volume expansion and its suppression in an adiabatic closed system, inhibit a thorough understanding of the process. In this study, we propose a thermodynamic model in an isothermal open system to enable ion exchange without an imaginary volume expansion. We derive a fundamental equation and verify it using atomistic images obtained by Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. This study paves the way for further atomistic design and development of strengthened glasses.
Optimization of quenching characteristics of a multi-chamber arrester
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Tao Bin , Jiang Hui , Wang Shiqiang , Bi Xiaolei , Ma Mengbai
Published: June 2024

Lightning is a major cause of tripping faults in overhead transmission lines. Multi-chamber lightning arresters are widely used to protect high-voltage lines from lightning because of their reliable arc-quenching performance. This paper analyzes the development and quenching process of an arc after a lightning breakdown arrester and studies the quenching mechanism of a multi-chamber arc structure based on its structural characteristics. We built an impulse-current test platform and carried out an impulse-current test for the multi-chamber arrester. The arc motion was captured by a high-speed camera, and the height, speed, and temperature of the arc ejection were obtained by signal processing. The multi-chamber arrester structure is optimized by using the maximum arc ejection height and the maximum ejection speed as metrics to find the optimal combination of the quenching-hole diameter and depth and the gap distance of the multi-chamber structure.
A general particle modeling method for complex geometries
Authors: Kang Jiangnan , Sun Yijie , Zhou Ziqi , Sun Zhongguo , Xi Guang
Published: June 2024

Particle modeling for complex geometries is a challenge for the wide application of particle methods in engineering fields. The traditional modeling method with Cartesian coordinates faces difficulties in accurately representing boundary shapes and would lose flow details near the slender structure. The modeling method with the signed distance field (SDF) and particle shifting technique can obtain a uniform boundary-fitting particle distribution. However, the accuracy and efficiency of SDF construction, as well as the conservation of geometry volume after discretizing the model into particles, need to be further improved. In this paper, a general particle modeling method is proposed for arbitrary geometries. A double search technique is proposed to quickly construct the narrowband signed distance field (NSDF) near the geometry boundary. A scanning method is developed for the NSDF to determine the inner/outer relationship between the non-narrowband grids and the geometry. In addition, a volume compensation technique is proposed to ensure the volume conservation of the particle model. A modeling evaluation system is established, and three evaluation indicators are proposed to evaluate the quality of particle distribution and total volume conservation for particle models. Complex geometries such as the Stanford bunny, the Stanford dragon, and the centrifugal impeller are modeled to validate the accuracy and convergence of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can achieve a more uniform and accurate boundary-fitting particle distribution for complex geometries, and it can also effectively model tiny structures while significantly reducing total geometry volume error.
Explicit model for a mixture of Eulerian fluids based on kinetic theory
Authors: Čolić Milana
Published: June 2024

Within extended thermodynamics, a mixture of non-reactive Eulerian fluids is described with the multi-velocity and multi-temperature system of Euler-like equations, consisting in conservation laws for mass densities and balance laws for momentum and energy densities of each mixture component. The source terms are of phenomenological nature and appear in the system due to the mutual interaction between species. The aim of this paper is to derive such a macroscopic model starting from the system of Boltzmann-like equations describing a mixture of both monatomic and polyatomic gases. The method relies on an exact maximum entropy principle and evaluation of the Boltzmann multi-species collision operators for the collision kernel used in a recent rigorous mathematical analysis. Based on the obtained highly non-linear momentum and energy production terms, we propose a non-linear closure for the phenomenological model in the case of multi-velocity/single-temperature and single-velocity/multi-temperature. For the multi-velocity and multi-temperature case, we propose a closure via linearization in the neighborhood of the mixture mean velocity and temperature.
Advantageous early-life environments cushion the genetic risk for ischemic heart disease
Authors: Baker Samuel , Biroli Pietro , van Kippersluis Hans , von Hinke Stephanie
Published: June 2024

In one of the first papers on the impact of early-life conditions on individuals’ health in older age, Barker and Osmond [
Lancet
,
327
, 1077–1081 (1986)] show a strong positive relationship between infant mortality rates in the 1920s and ischemic heart disease in the 1970s. We merge historical data on infant mortality rates to 370,000 individual records in the UK Biobank using information on local area and year of birth. We replicate the association between the early-life infant mortality rate and later-life ischemic heart disease in our sample. We then go “beyond Barker,” by showing considerable genetic heterogeneity in this association that is robust to within-area as well as within-family analyses. We find no association between the polygenic index and heart disease in areas with the lowest infant mortality rates, but a strong positive relationship in areas characterized by high infant mortality. These findings suggest that advantageous environments can cushion one’s genetic disease risk.
The epithelial
C15ORF48/miR-147-NDUFA4
axis is an essential regulator of gut inflammation, energy metabolism, and the microbiome
Authors: Xiong Min , Liu Ze , Wang Bintao , Sokolich Thomas , Graham Natalie , Chen Meirong , Wang Wei-Le , Boldin Mark P.
Published: June 2024

Chronic inflammation is epidemiologically linked to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling gut inflammation remains insufficient, hindering the development of targeted therapies for IBD and CRC. In this study, we uncovered
C15ORF48/miR-147
as a negative regulator of gut inflammation, operating through the modulation of epithelial cell metabolism.
C15ORF48/miR-147
encodes two molecular products, C15ORF48 protein and miR-147-3p microRNA, which are predominantly expressed in the intestinal epithelium.
C15ORF48/miR-147
ablation leads to gut dysbiosis and exacerbates chemically induced colitis in mice. C15ORF48 and miR-147-3p work together to suppress colonocyte metabolism and inflammation by silencing
NDUFA4
, a subunit of mitochondrial complex IV (CIV). Interestingly, the C15ORF48 protein, a structural paralog of NDUFA4, contains a unique C-terminal α-helical domain crucial for displacing NDUFA4 from CIV and its subsequent degradation.
NDUFA4
silencing hinders NF-κB signaling activation and consequently attenuates inflammatory responses. Collectively, our findings have established the
C15ORF48/miR-147
-
NDUFA4
molecular axis as an indispensable regulator of gut homeostasis, bridging mitochondrial metabolism and inflammation.
An aggregated mitochondrial distribution in preimplantation embryos disrupts nuclear morphology, function, and developmental potential
Authors: Lee In-Won , Tazehkand Abbas Pirpour , Sha Zi-Yi , Adhikari Deepak , Carroll John
Published: June 2024

A dispersed cytoplasmic distribution of mitochondria is a hallmark of normal cellular organization. Here, we have utilized the expression of exogenous
Trak2
in mouse oocytes and embryos to disrupt the dispersed distribution of mitochondria by driving them into a large cytoplasmic aggregate. Our findings reveal that aggregated mitochondria have minimal impact on asymmetric meiotic cell divisions of the oocyte. In contrast, aggregated mitochondria during the first mitotic division result in daughter cells with unequal sizes and increased micronuclei. Further, in two-cell embryos, microtubule-mediated centering properties of the mitochondrial aggregate prevent nuclear centration, distort nuclear shape, and inhibit DNA synthesis and the onset of embryonic transcription. These findings demonstrate the motor protein-mediated distribution of mitochondria throughout the cytoplasm is highly regulated and is an essential feature of cytoplasmic organization to ensure optimal cell function.
Modular binder technology by NGS-aided, high-resolution selection in yeast of designed armadillo modules
Authors: Stark Yvonne , Menard Faye , Jeliazkov Jeliazko R. , Ernst Patrick , Chembath Anupama , Ashraf Mohammed , Hine Anna V. , Plückthun Andreas
Published: June 2024

Establishing modular binders as diagnostic detection agents represents a cost- and time-efficient alternative to the commonly used binders that are generated one molecule at a time. In contrast to these conventional approaches, a modular binder can be designed in silico from individual modules to, in principle, recognize any desired linear epitope without going through a selection and hit-validation process, given a set of preexisting, amino acid–specific modules. Designed armadillo repeat proteins (dArmRP) have been developed as modular binder scaffolds, and we report here the generation of highly specific dArmRP modules by yeast surface display selection, performed on a rationally designed dArmRP library. A selection strategy was developed to distinguish the binding difference resulting from a single amino acid mutation in the target peptide. Our reverse-competitor strategy introduced here employs the designated target as a competitor to increase the sensitivity when separating specific from cross-reactive binders that show similar affinities for the target peptide. With this switch in selection focus from affinity to specificity, we found that the enrichment during this specificity sort is indicative of the desired phenotype, regardless of the binder abundance. Hence, deep sequencing of the selection pools allows retrieval of phenotypic hits with only 0.1% abundance in the selectivity sort pool from the next-generation sequencing data alone. In a proof-of-principle study, a binder was created by replacing all corresponding wild-type modules with a newly selected module, yielding a binder with very high affinity for the designated target that has been successfully validated as a detection agent in western blot analysis.
Unraveling dynamic protein structures by two-dimensional infrared spectra with a pretrained machine learning model
Authors: Wu Fan , Huang Yan , Yang Guokun , Ye Sheng , Mukamel Shaul , Jiang Jun
Published: June 2024

Dynamic protein structures are crucial for deciphering their diverse biological functions. Two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy stands as an ideal tool for tracing rapid conformational evolutions in proteins. However, linking spectral characteristics to dynamic structures poses a formidable challenge. Here, we present a pretrained machine learning model based on 2DIR spectra analysis. This model has learned signal features from approximately 204,300 spectra to establish a “spectrum-structure” correlation, thereby tracing the dynamic conformations of proteins. It excels in accurately predicting the dynamic content changes of various secondary structures and demonstrates universal transferability on real folding trajectories spanning timescales from microseconds to milliseconds. Beyond exceptional predictive performance, the model offers attention-based spectral explanations of dynamic conformational changes. Our 2DIR-based pretrained model is anticipated to provide unique insights into the dynamic structural information of proteins in their native environments.
Inverse conductivity problem with one measurement: uniqueness of multi-layer structures
Authors: Kong Lingzheng , Deng Youjun , Zhu Liyan
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we study the recovery of multi-layer structures in inverse conductivity problem by using one measurement. First, we define the concept of Generalized Polarization Tensors (GPTs) for multi-layered medium and show some important properties of the proposed GPTs. With the help of GPTs, we present the perturbation formula for general multi-layered medium. Then we derive the perturbed electric potential for multi-layer concentric disks structure in terms of the so-called generalized polarization matrix, whose dimension is the same as the number of the layers. By delicate analysis, we derive an algebraic identity involving the geometric and material configurations of multi-layer concentric disks. This enables us to reconstruct the multi-layer structures by using only one partial-order measurement.
Intrinsic second-order magnon thermal Hall effect
Authors: Li Jun-Cen , Zhu Zhen-Gang
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we study the intrinsic contribution of nonlinear magnon thermal Hall Effect. We derive the intrinsic second-order thermal Hall conductivity of magnon by the thermal scalar potential method and the thermal vector potential method. We find that the intrinsic second-order magnon thermal Hall conductivity is related to the thermal Berry-connection polarizability. We apply our theory to the monolayer ferromagnetic Hexagonal lattice, and we find that the second-order magnon thermal Hall conductivity can be controlled by changing Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya strength and applying strain.
Fast annealing fabrication of porous CuWO4 photoanode for charge transport in photoelectrochemical water oxidation
Authors: Ma Zili , Yin Yanjun , Jiang Ye , Luo Weihao , Xu Jinyu , Chen Yan , Bao Zhiyong , Guo Chaozhong , Lv Jun
Published: June 2024

Ternary-phase CuWO4 oxide with an electronic band gap of 2.2–2.4 eV is a potential candidate photoanode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Herein, we present an efficient method to prepare CuWO4 film photoanode by combining hydrothermal method and hybrid microwave annealing (HMA) process. In comparison with conventional thermal annealing (CTA), HMA can achieve CuWO4 thin film within minutes by using SiC susceptor. When the CuWO4 photoanode is prepared by HMA, its PEC water oxidation performance improves from 0.21 to 0.29 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE comparing with the one prepared by CTA. The origin of the enhanced photocurrent was investigated by means of complementary physical characterizations and PEC methods. The results demonstrated that the obtained HMA processed CuWO4 photoanode not only exhibited intrinsic porous nanostructures but also abundant surface hydroxyl groups, which facilitated sufficient mass transport and the charge transfer. Our results highlight the application of HMA for the fast fabrication of porous film photo-electrodes without using sacrificial template.
Test for the deep: magnetic loading characterization of elastomers under extreme hydrostatic pressures
Authors: Zhao Yukai , Zhang Chengqian , Yang Xuxu , Cao Xunuo , Feng Tao , Zhou Fanghao , Wang Xuanqi , Zhao Peng , Li Tiefeng
Published: June 2024

Soft robot incarnates its unique advantages in deep-sea exploration, but grapples with high hydrostatic pressure’s unpredictable impact on its mechanical performances. In our previous work, a self-powered soft robot showed excellent work performance in the Mariana Trench at a depth of 11 000 m, yet experienced notable degradation in deforming capability. Here, we propose a magnetic loading method for characterizing elastomer’s mechanical properties under extremely high hydrostatic pressure of up to 120 MPa. This method facilitates remote loading and enables in-situ observation, so that the dimensions and deformation at high hydrostatic pressure are obtained and used for calculations. The results reveal that the Young’s modulus of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) monotonously increases with pressure. It is found that the relative increase in Young’s modulus is determined by its initial value, which is 8% for an initial Young’s modulus of 2200 kPa and 38% for 660 kPa. The relation between initial Young’s modulus and relevant increase can be fitted by an exponential function. The bulk modulus of PDMS is about 1.4 GPa at 20 °C and is barely affected by hydrostatic pressure. The method can quantify alterations in the mechanical properties of elastomers induced by hydrostatic pressure, and provide guidance for the design of soft robots which serve in extreme pressure environment.
Dynamics and sorting of run-and-tumble particles in fluid flows with transport barriers
Authors: Vilela Rafael Dias , Grados Alfredo J , Angilella Jean-Régis
Published: June 2024

We investigate the dynamics of individual run-and-tumble particles in a convective flow which is a prototype of fluid flows with transport barriers. We consider the most prevalent case of swimmers denser than the background fluid. As a result of gravity and the effects of the carrying flow, in the absence of swimming the particles either sediment or remain in a convective cell. When run-and-tumble also takes place, the particles may move to upper convective cells. We derive analytically the probability of uprise. Since that probability in a given fluid flow can vary strongly across species, our findings inspire a purely dynamical mechanism for species extraction in the dilute regime. Numerical simulations support our analytical predictions and demonstrate that a judicious choice of the fluid flow’s parameters can lead to particle sorting with an arbitrary degree of purity.
Power system investment optimization to identify carbon neutrality scenarios for Italy
Authors: Di Bella Alice , Canti Federico , Prina Matteo Giacomo , Casalicchio Valeria , Manzolini Giampaolo , Sparber Wolfram
Published: June 2024

In 2021 the European Commission has proposed the Fit-for-55 policy package, requiring European countries to reduce their CO2 emissions by 55% with respect to 1990 by the year 2030, a first step to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Energy system modeling can be a valuable tool for national policymakers to choose the most appropriate technologies to achieve these goals efficiently. This article presents a model of the Italian power system realized employing the open energy modeling framework, Oemof. A linear programming optimization is implemented to evaluate how to minimize system costs at decreasing CO2 emissions in 2030. The developed tool is applied to evaluate different research questions: (i) pathway towards full decarbonization and power self-sufficiency of the electricity sector in Italy, (ii) relevance of flexibility assets in power grids: li-ion batteries, hydrogen storage and transmission lines reinforcement. A 55% CO2 emissions reduction for the actual Italian power sector can be achieved through an increase of 30% of the total annual system cost. Achieving complete decarbonization and self-sufficiency increases significatively annual expenditures. However, cost mitigation is plausible through the integration of sector coupling methodologies or the adoption of a broader spectrum of technological solutions. Flexibility measures appear instrumental for decarbonization, particularly transmission lines, demanding a substantial expansion beyond the stated plans for 2030. This infrastructure is crucial in Italy to facilitate the transfer of renewable electricity generated in the Southern regions to the Northern areas, where a large portion of the electricity demand is located.
Sex, Sexuality, Gender, and Feminism
Authors: Browning Gary
Published: June 2024

Murdoch’s novels deal centrally with sex and sexuality. She was a supporter of the decriminalization of homosexuality before it was made legal in 1967. The Bell stands out as a major work highlighting the suffering of a repressed homosexual, Michael Meade, who has to contend with the illegality of, and social hostility to homosexuality. In many subsequent novels Murdoch deals with homosexual couples, and over time she registers the increasing acceptance of homosexuality. Late novels include bisexual characters and cross-dressers. She is also mindful of the pressures on women, showing the restrictions in marriage to which women were subject. Her use of male narrators has been controversial, with some commentators taking her to endorse male dominance, but Murdoch is better seen as using the device to expose the partiality and sexism of male attitudes. Murdoch is a feminist. She shows the problems of women, but she does not regard women as either possessing or needing to develop special qualities. She sees women as sharing human qualities with men.
Detecting gene–environment interactions from multiple continuous traits
Authors: Lin Wan-Yu
Published: June 2024

Motivation

Genetic variants present differential effects on humans according to various environmental exposures, the so-called “gene–environment interactions” (GxE). Many diseases can be diagnosed with multiple traits, such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. I developed a multivariate scale test (MST) for detecting the GxE of a disease with several continuous traits. Given a significant MST result, I continued to search for which trait and which E enriched the GxE signals. Simulation studies were performed to compare MST with the univariate scale test (UST).

Results

MST can gain more power than UST because of (1) integrating more traits with GxE information and (2) the less harsh penalty on multiple testing. However, if only few traits account for GxE, MST may lose power due to aggregating non-informative traits into the test statistic. As an example, MST was applied to a discovery set of 93 708 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) individuals and a replication set of 25 200 TWB individuals. From among 2 570 487 SNPs with minor allele frequencies ≥5%, MST identified 18 independent variance quantitative trait loci (P < 2.4E−9 in the discovery cohort and P < 2.8E−5 in the replication cohort) and 41 GxE signals (P < .00027) based on eight trait domains (including 29 traits).

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/WanYuLin/Multivariate-scale-test-MST-
Associations of amyloid-β oligomers and plaques with neuropathology in the AppNL-G-F mouse
Authors: Tang Jiabin , Huang Helen , Muirhead Robert C J , Zhou Yue , Li Junheng , DeFelice John , Kopanitsa Maksym V , Serneels Lutgarde , Davey Karen , Tilley Bension S , Gentleman Steve , Matthews Paul M
Published: June 2024

Amyloid-β pathology and neurofibrillary tangles lead to glial activation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the levels of amyloid-β oligomers, amyloid-β plaques, glial activation and markers related to neurodegeneration in the AppNL-G-F triple mutation mouse line and in a knock-in line homozygous for the common human amyloid precursor protein (Apphu mouse). The relationships between neuropathological features were characterized with immunohistochemistry and imaging mass cytometry. Markers assessing human amyloid-β proteins, microglial and astrocytic activation and neuronal and synaptic densities were used in mice between 2.5 and 12 months of age. We found that amyloid-β oligomers were abundant in the brains of Apphu mice in the absence of classical amyloid-β plaques. These brains showed morphological changes consistent with astrocyte activation but no evidence of microglial activation or synaptic or neuronal pathology. In contrast, both high levels of amyloid-β oligomers and numerous plaques accumulated in AppNL-G-F mice in association with substantial astrocytic and microglial activation. The increase in amyloid-β oligomers over time was more strongly correlated with astrocytic than with microglia activation. Spatial analyses suggested that activated microglia were more closely associated with amyloid-β oligomers than with amyloid-β plaques in AppNL-G-F mice, which also showed age-dependent decreases in neuronal and synaptic density markers. A comparative study of the two models highlighted the dependence of glial and neuronal pathology on the nature and aggregation state of the amyloid-β peptide. Astrocyte activation and neuronal pathology appeared to be more strongly associated with amyloid-β oligomers than with amyloid-β plaques, although amyloid-β plaques were associated with microglia activation.
The immunoreactive signature of monocyte-derived dendritic cells from patients with Down syndrome
Authors: Nakashima Kentaro , Imai Takashi , Shiraishi Akira , Unose Ryoko , Goto Hironori , Nagatomo Yusaku , Kojima-Ishii Kanako , Mushimoto Yuichi , Nishiyama Kei , Yamamura Kenichiro , Nagata Hazumu , Ishimura Masataka , Kusuhara Koichi , Koga Yuhki , Sakai Yasunari , Ohga Shouichi
Published: June 2024

The clinical spectrum of Down syndrome (DS) ranges from congenital malformations to premature aging and early-onset senescence. Excessive immunoreactivity and oxidative stress are thought to accelerate the pace of aging in DS patients; however, the immunological profile remains elusive. We investigated whether peripheral blood monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) in DS patients respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) distinctly from non-DS control MoDCs. Eighteen DS patients (age 2–47 years, 12 males) and 22 controls (age 4–40 years, 15 males) were enrolled. CD14-positive monocytes were immunopurified and cultured for 7 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IL-4, yielding MoDCs in vitro. After the LPS-stimulation for 48 hours from days 7 to 9, culture supernatant cytokines were measured by multiplex cytokine bead assays, and bulk-prepared RNA from the cells was used for transcriptomic analyses. MoDCs from DS patients produced cytokines/chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, MCP-1, and IP-10) at significantly higher levels than those from controls in response to LPS. RNA sequencing revealed that DS-derived MoDCs differentially expressed 137 genes (74 upregulated and 63 downregulated) compared with controls. A gene enrichment analysis identified 5 genes associated with Toll-like receptor signaling (KEGG: hsa04620, P = 0.00731) and oxidative phosphorylation (hsa00190, P = 0.0173) pathways. MoDCs obtained from DS patients showed higher cytokine or chemokine responses to LPS than did control MoDCs. Gene expression profiles suggest that hyperactive Toll-like receptor and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathways configure the immunoreactive signature of MoDCs in DS patients.
Claw coloration in the fiddler crab Leptuca uruguayensis has no correlation with male quality
Authors: Graham Zackary A , de Jesus Florentino Jônatas , Smithers Samuel P , Menezes João C T , de Carvalho José Eduardo , Palaoro Alexandre V
Published: June 2024

Sexual selection is thought to play a major role in the evolution of color due to the correlation between a signaler’s physiological state and the displayed color. As such, researchers often investigate how color correlates to the quality of the signaler. However, research on the relationship between color and individual quality is often taxonomically limited and researchers typically investigate how color phenotypes relate to one index of quality, such as a linear measure of body size. Here, we investigated the relationship among body size, claw size, claw muscle mass, lipid content, and the color of the claw in male fiddler crabs (Leptuca uruguayensis) which wield an exaggerated claw that varies in color from brown to red. We hypothesized that if the color was correlated to one or more indices of male quality, the color displayed on the claws of male L. uruguayensis could be under sexual selection. We found L. uruguayensis claw color varies substantially among the individuals we photographed. However, we did not find a correlation between claw color and indices of quality; neither brightness nor hue correlated to the indices of quality we measured. Our findings suggest that claw color in L. uruguayensis is unlikely to have evolved to signal quality, but may instead function as a species identity or as a non-indicator sexual signal.
Predicting elevated natriuretic peptide in chest radiography: emerging utilization gap for artificial intelligence
Authors: Kagawa Eisuke , Kato Masaya , Oda Noboru , Kunita Eiji , Nagai Michiaki , Yamane Aya , Matsui Shogo , Yoshitomi Yuki , Shimajiri Hiroto , Hirokawa Tatsuya , Ishida Shunsuke , Kurimoto Genki , Dote Keigo
Published: June 2024

Aims

This study assessed an artificial intelligence (AI) model’s performance in predicting elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels from chest radiograms and its effect on diagnostic performance among healthcare professionals.

Methods and results

Patients who underwent chest radiography and BNP testing on the same day were included. Data were sourced from two hospitals: one for model development, and the other for external testing. Two final ensemble models were developed to predict elevated BNP levels of ≥ 200 pg/mL and ≥ 100 pg/mL, respectively. Humans were evaluated to predict elevated BNP levels, followed by the same test, referring to the AI model’s predictions. A total of 8390 images were collected for model creation, and 1713 images, for tests. The AI model achieved an accuracy of 0.855, precision of 0.873, sensitivity of 0.827, specificity of 0.882, f1 score of 0.850, and receiver-operating-characteristics area-under-curve of 0.929. The accuracy of the testing by 35 participants significantly improved from 0.708 ± 0.049 to 0.829 ± 0.069 (P < 0.001) with the AI assistance (an accuracy of 0.920). Without the AI assistance, the accuracy of the veterans in the medical career was higher than that of early-career professionals (0.728 ± 0.051 vs. 0.692 ± 0.042, P = 0.030); however, with the AI assistance, the accuracy of the early-career professionals was rather higher than that of the veterans (0.851 ± 0.074 vs. 0.803 ± 0.054, P = 0.033).

Conclusion

The AI model can predict elevated BNP levels from chest radiograms and has the potential to improve human performance. The gap in utilizing new tools represents one of the emerging issues.
Initial real-world data on catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation using the novel lattice-tip focal pulsed-field ablation catheter
Authors: Tohoku Shota , Bordignon Stefano , Schaack David , Hirokami Jun , Urbanek Lukas , Urbani Andrea , Kheir Joseph , Schmidt Boris , Chun Kyoung-Ryul Julian
Published: June 2024

Aims

Technological advancements have contributed to the enhanced precision and lesion flexibility in pulsed-field ablation (PFA) by integrating a three-dimensional mapping system combined with a point-by-point ablation strategy. Data regarding the feasibility of this technology remain limited to some clinical trials. This study aims to elucidate initial real-world data on catheter ablation utilizing a lattice-tip focal PFA/radiofrequency ablation (RFA) catheter in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results

Consecutive patients who underwent catheter ablation for persistent AF via the lattice-tip PFA/RFA catheter were enrolled. We evaluated acute procedural data including periprocedural data as well as the clinical follow-up within a 90-day blanking period. In total, 28 patients with persistent AF underwent AF ablation either under general anaesthesia (n = 6) or deep sedation (n = 22). In all patients, pulmonary vein isolation was successfully achieved. Additional linear ablations were conducted in 21 patients (78%) with a combination of successful anterior line (n = 13, 46%) and roof line (n = 19, 68%). The median procedural and fluoroscopic times were 97 (interquartile range, IQR: 80–114) min and 8.5 (IQR: 7.2–9.5) min, respectively. A total of 27 patients (96%) were interviewed during the follow-up within the blanking period, and early recurrent AF was documented in four patients (15%) including one case of recurrent AF during the hospital stay. Neither major nor minor procedural complication occurred.

Conclusion

In terms of real-world data, our data confirmed AF ablation feasibility utilizing the lattice-tip focal PFA/RFA catheter in patients with persistent AF.
Understanding recurrent groin pain following periacetabular osteotomy: assessment of psoas tendon mechanics using discrete element analysis
Authors: Sunil Kumar Karadi H , Van Damme Floris , Van den Borr Ide , Khanduja Vikas , Audenaert Emmanuel , Malviya Ajay
Published: June 2024

Recurrent groin pain following periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a challenging problem. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the position and dynamics of the psoas tendon as a potential cause for recurrent groin pain following PAO. A total of 386 PAO procedures, performed between January 2013 and January 2020, were identified from a single surgeon series. Thirteen patients (18 hips) had a psoas tendinopathy, as confirmed with relief of symptoms following a diagnostic injection into the psoas tendon. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scans pre- and post-operatively. The data from CT scan was used to manually segment bony structures and create 3D models using Mimics software (Materialise NV). A validated discrete element analysis model using rigid body springs was used to predict psoas tendon movement during hip circumduction and walking. The distance of the iliopsoas tendon to any bony abnormality was calculated. All computational analyses were performed using MATLAB software. Thirteen hips (13/18) showed bony malformations (spurs, hypertrophic callus or delayed union and malunion) secondary to callus at the superior pubic ramus. The mean minimal distance of the iliopsoas tendon to osteotomy site was found to be 13.73 mm (σ = 3.09) for spurs, 10.99 mm (σ = 2.85) for hypertrophic callus and 11.91 mm (σ = 2.55) for canyon type. In normal bony healing, the mean minimal distance was 18.55 mm (σ = 4.11). Using a validated computational modelling technique, this study has demonstrated three different types of malformation around the superior pubic osteotomy site, which are associated with psoas impingement. In all of the cases, the minimal distance of the iliopsoas tendon to the osteotomy site was reduced by 59–74%, as compared with the normal anatomy.
Maximizing the impact of community outreach and engagement at US cancer centers
Authors: Ramanadhan Shoba , Daly James , Lee Rebekka M , Mallick Kamini , Augenbraun Samantha L , Emmons Karen M
Published: June 2024

In 2016, the National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers funding opportunity was expanded to require community outreach and engagement (COE), with explicit attention to cancer inequities, community engagement, and implementation science in the centers’ catchment areas. Resource limitations constrain these activities, and we conducted a qualitative study to understand what COE leaders see as critical needs and supports to increase impact. In the spring of 2021, we interviewed leaders from 56 of 64 cancer centers with COE programs and analyzed the data using a reflexive, thematic approach.

We identified 6 categories of needs: 1) centering community engagement among leadership and non-COE researchers, 2) increasing training on implementation science/practice, 3) improving integration into cross-center networks, 4) increasing funding for staffing and sustainment, 5) revising funder guidance and reporting, and 6) facilitating data utilization. COEs need long-term, systems-focused investments to engage communities, increase research translation, and advance health equity.
The Concept of Bullying
Authors: Srabstein Jorge C.
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines bullying as it has been defined in research studies, portrayed in the media, and understood within cultural contexts, social settings, and legal frameworks. Above all, it underscores, in a medical context, the multifaceted aspects of bullying and its overlap with other facets of maltreatment, including all forms of abuse, victimization, aggression, violence, harassment, intimidation, disrespect, humiliation, exclusion, and neglect. In this context, it advances the notion of a spectrum of maltreatment, underscoring the importance of psychosocial issues at a level not seen in the last five decades, since the lethal aspects of child abuse came to public awareness.
Polyvictimization and Revictimization
Authors: Srabstein Jorge C.
Published: June 2024

People who have been bullied and/or subjected to other forms of victimization are likely to have been exposed more than once in their lifetime to the same or different types of maltreatment. Based on a survey of a sample of US children and adolescents, we know that almost 11% of young people 17 years old and younger have reached a threshold score of polyvictimization, and that 66% of children and adolescents who were victimized by peers or siblings were revictimized within one year. It is known that polyvictims are at a very significant risk of experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder, as compared to nonvictims as well as victims of one to three types of violence. There is also documented research evidence underscoring the cumulative psychological effect of revictimization. An individual’s polyvictimization or revictimization and its associated cumulative effect should be taken into consideration and included in the assessment and anamnesis of any person seeking psychiatric treatment.
National Initiatives for the Prevention of Bullying and Other Forms of Maltreatment
Authors: Srabstein Jorge C.
Published: June 2024

National initiatives to avert bullying and other forms of victimization have been developed around the world. More than 300 laws have been enacted globally in the last three decades, along with implementation of research-based prevention strategies. This chapter examines legislative initiatives in the context of their preventive objectives, which could be prevention of victimization from occurring, stopping ongoing maltreatment, and/or preventing the progression of health problems associated with abuse. Future laws for the prevention of victimization should recognize the co-occurrence of diverse types of maltreatment across social settings and along the life span, as well as their link to public health risks. Therefore, future national legislative initiatives ought to be drafted within a public health framework, with a prevention approach geared to all age groups, through developmentally appropriate strategies.
Workplace Bullying and Other Forms of Maltreatment
Authors: Srabstein Jorge C.
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines what is known about the nature and prevalence of bullying and other forms of maltreatment occurring at work. In contrast to previous reviews of this subject, it widens the range of potential victims and perpetrators by including the customers in the scope of work environment stakeholders. In doing so, the review advances the notion that the field of workplace victimization should also encompass the study of potential maltreatment between consumers and providers and/or the corporations that employ them. Emphasis is given to the mistreatment of employees by their employers or corporations through endangerment, misguidance, unfairness, and, above all, overwork. It is recommended that future public health research related to workplace bullying consider, among other objectives, the development of large well-controlled studies of interventions aimed at workplace maltreatment prevention, as well the implementation of periodic national or regional surveys to ascertain the rate of prevalence of workplace maltreatment and associated health and well-being risks.
Bullying and Other Forms of Maltreatment in Cyberspace
Authors: Srabstein Jorge C.
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores what is known about all forms of maltreatment that may affect people who interact in cyberspace. It examines cyberbullying and cybercrimes, their prevalence, correlates, and ill effects, along with a brief synopsis of existing cyberbullying prevention strategies. The chapter recommends that future research attempting cross-country comparisons of youth prevalence of cyberbullying and its health correlates would benefit from access to the national data collected by more than 90 countries or territories in the Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS), an international surveillance project designed to measure and assess behavioral risk factors, including cyberbullying, among young people 13 to 17 years old. The chapter also highlights the need to establish cross-country comparisons of the prevalence of cyberbullying among adults, as well as the necessity to develop longitudinal studies to better ascertain the antecedents and health consequence of exposure to cyberbullying across the life span, as well as its association with other forms of victimization. Furthermore, the chapter proposes a cybervictimization definition that is specific and inclusive of the wide range of forms of maltreatment in cyberspace.
Extreme genetic signatures of local adaptation in a notorious rice pest, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Peng Yan , Mao Kaikai , Li Hongran , Ping Junfen , Zhu Jingyun , Liu Xinye , Zhang Zhuting , Jin Minghui , Wu Chao , Wang Nan , Yesaya Alexander , Wilson Kenneth , Xiao Yutao
Published: June 2024

Climatic variation stands as a significant driving force behind genetic differentiation and the evolution of adaptive traits. Chilo (C.) suppressalis, commonly known as the rice stem borer, is a highly destructive pest that crucially harms rice production. The lack of natural population genomics data has hindered a more thorough understanding of its climate adaptation, particularly the genetic basis underlying adaptive traits. To overcome this obstacle, our study employed completely resequenced genomes of 384 individuals to explore the population structure, demographic history, and gene flow of C. suppressalis in China. This study observed that its gene flow occurred asymmetrically, moving from central populations to peripheral populations. Using genome-wide selection scans and genotype-environment association studies, we identified potential loci that may be associated with climatic adaptation. The most robust signal was found to be associated with cold tolerance, linked to a homeobox gene, goosecoid (GSC), whose expression level was significantly different in low and high latitudes. Moreover, downregulating the expression of this gene by RNAi enhances its cold tolerance phenotypes. Our findings have uncovered and delved into the genetic foundation of the ability of C. suppressalis to adapt to its environment. This is essential in ensuring the continued effectiveness and sustainability of novel control techniques.