bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculation of Thermal Fields when Drilling Small-Sized Holes in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic
Authors: Dudarev Aleksandr S.
Published: June 2023

The Purpose of the paper. The study of thermal physics of the process of drilling polymer composite materials based on the capabilities of the engineering package Comsol Multiphysics. Determination of the values of temperatures arising in the cutting zone when drilling with a cutting tool in polymer composite materials, namely, in carbon fiber. Establishment of the depth of heat propagation inside the workpiece from the edge of the formed hole of the polymer composite material. In this work, the Fourier heat equations are used. Numerical simulation of the drilling process wascarried out in the engineering package COMSOL Multiphysics. A technique for modeling thermal effects during drilling of carbon fiber reinforced plastics in the Comsol Multiphysics environment has been developed. As a result of computer calculation, temperature fields were obtained at the edge of the carbon fiber reinforced plastic hole. The study of the thermal state of carbon plastics has been carried out. On the basis of the conducted research, it was revealed that the temperature during drilling of carbon fiber reaches 650 K. The distance over which heat spreads from the edges of the hole into the workpiece for carbon fiber is 3 mm. The developed technique for modeling the thermal impact of cutting polymer composite materials in the COMSOL Multiphysics environment can significantly simplify complex analytical calculations, help to avoid overheating of the part during drilling, which improves the quality of processing.
Comparison of the Corrosion Behavior of TiNi Alloys with Martensitic and Austenitic Structures
Authors: Churakova Anna , Kayumova Elina
Published: June 2023

The work is devoted to the study of the corrosion behavior of TiNi alloys with the original austenitic and martensitic structure in various states. In the course of the research, it was found that the rate of corrosion destruction for coarse-grained and ultrafine-grained Ti49.0Ni51.0 alloys is different: the coarse-grained alloy turned out to be less corrosion resistant and the destruction rate was higher than the corrosion rate in the ultrafine-grained state. X-ray phase analysis of TiNi alloys revealed that as a result of corrosion processes, a change in the phase composition of the alloy occurs, accompanied by the formation of TiNi hydride - TiNiH1.4. In the ultrafine-grained state, the volume fraction of the formed hydride is higher than in the coarse-grained state. This is typical for both alloys, however, in the martensitic alloy, the volume fraction is higher than in the austenitic one.
Plasma Coatings for Protection Against Hydroabrasive and Cavitation Wear
Authors: Kuzmin Victor , Gulyaev Igor , Sergachev Dmitriy , Tambovcev Alexander , Palagushkin Boris , Lebedev Oleg
Published: June 2023

The results of research work on the application of coatings designed to protect the working surfaces of machine parts and mechanisms operating under conditions of hydroabrasive and cavitation wear are presented. Coatings were produced by supersonic atmospheric plasma spraying of powder materials using air as a plasma gas. The experimental list of materials was chosen taking into account the experience of the authors in protecting the details of the propulsion and steering complex of river vessels using coatings applied by subsonic thermal plasma flows.
Formation of Graphite Materials by Decomposition of Liquid Hydrocarbons Heated to High Temperatures
Authors: Karavaev Dmitrii , Matygullina Elena , Sirotenko Lyudmila , Saucedo-Zendejo Felix Raymundo
Published: June 2023

The possibility of forming materials, blanks and products made of graphite by decomposition of liquid hydrocarbons heated to high temperatures has been shown. Optimal modes for growing bulk products in liquid hydrocarbons have been determined. It is presented the Raman spectra of the obtained of graphite materials samples with the signs of presence of carbon nanostructures of various types in these materials.
Theory and Practice of Creation Highly Effective Combined Processes for Surface Hardening of Parts of Transport Engineering
Authors: Chudina O.V. , Prikhodko V.M. , Simonov D.S.
Published: June 2023

A theoretical approach to the rational choice of technological combinations that allow to create optimal structures on the surface of steel products that can effectively resist wear and fatigue is considered. An example of a highly efficient combined process including laser alloying and nitriding is given. The application of the principles of the structural theory of strength makes it possible to purposefully form structures that can effectively resist complex multifactorial phenomena occurring in the surface layers, increasing the wear resistance and crack resistance, and, consequently, the reliability and durability of heavily loaded parts of transport equipment.
Manufacturing Technology of Multilayer Metal Filters
Authors: Shirokozhukhova Anna , Kovalev Sergey , Ryazantsev Alexandr
Published: June 2023

The article presents methods for obtaining micro-holes in the manufacture of fine metal filter elements. The analysis of the results of experimental studies of filter samples with holes made by electron beam and electroerosion perforation methods is carried out. The advantages of using multilayer structures in the manufacture of filters are substantiated. The research works carried out contribute to improving the manufacturability of products of new generations of technology, which is important for mechanical engineering.
Thickness and uniformity analysis of thin and heat-resistant targets
Authors: Fisichella Maria , Delaunay Franck , Capirossi Vittoria , Pinna Federico , Calvo Daniela , Campostrini Matteo , Cappuzzello Francesco , Cavallaro Manuela , Iazzi Felice , Massara Antonio , Rigato Valentino , Ursino Martina
Published: June 2023

The thickness and uniformity characterisation of the first prototypes of thin tellurium and germanium targets evaporated on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite for NUMEN project is reported. The contribution of such targets to the energy resolution on reaction ejectiles is evaluated.
DICE: Apparatus for Detection of Internal Conversion Electrons
Authors: Reed Lauren E. , Renisch Dennis , Düllmann Christoph E.
Published: June 2023

An apparatus for the Detection of Internal Conversion Electrons (DICE) has been built and commissioned at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) for the study of recoil ion sources of 239Pu, which emit 235mU nuclei that deexcite to the ground state by emitting low-energy internal conversion (IC) electrons. We present an overview of DICE and its commissioning with 207Bi and 235mU electron sources, demonstrating that DICE allows the detection and counting of IC electrons from 235mU deexcitation. Our preliminary 235mU half-life of ≈ 26 min agrees with literature. DICE is thus an interesting tool to broaden analytical capabilities for recoil ion source characterization via studies of the peculiar decay of 235mU.
Spherical powders: Control over the size and morphology of powders for additive manufacturing and enriched stable isotope nuclear targets
Authors: Zach Michael , Brashear Dane , Duran Jonah , Żrodowski Łukasz , Kalicki Bartosz , Choma Tomasz , Sołowiow Marcin , Adler Steven
Published: June 2023

Metal powders are a fundamental starting point for fabricating many types of nuclear targets. Elemental powder properties can differ drastically between batches, even when using the same method. Therefore, the variation in morphology and the size of metal powders can cause variable quality and produce inconsistent results with what are otherwise proven target manufacturing techniques. Additive manufacturing has additional requirements for higher quality and more uniform feedstock. The production of spheroidized powders with uniform, reproducible properties and a narrow size distribution represents unexplored opportunities for experiments. These opportunities include experimenting with solid metals that can now flow like liquids, new options for powder handling and dispensing, and new target fabrication methods using additive manufacturing. The Stable Isotope Materials and Chemistry Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory obtained an AMAZEMET rePowder ultrasonic metal atomization tool for creating limited batches of fully dense, free flowing, spherical powders with a narrow size distribution of extremely rare materials. Early results are presented with materials that were produced. The team explores the anticipated limits of this instrument with extremely rare materials (e.g., enriched stable isotopes) and highlights research into new fabrication techniques that provide additional options benefitting the international nuclear target community.
Production of powder targets for neutron-induced cross section measurements
Authors: Moens André , Amador Celdran Pedro , Hein Herwin , Sibbens Goedele , Vanleeuw David , Van Winckel Stefaan
Published: June 2023

Nuclear powder targets for neutron-induced cross section measurements were prepared by pressing. The choice of the production technique was related to the type of nuclear experiment and the quality of the powder. This paper describes the production process of unsintered compacts of 94Mo, 95Mo, 96Mo metal powders and 239PuO2 powder with a thickness as low as possible by uniaxial pressing of powders. Special attention goes to the difficulties encountered during the preparation process of 239PuO2 pellets. Investigation on the presence of impurities and so the quality of the PuO2 material was performed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and by thermal analysis.
Installation and commissioning of the stripping foil system in the new CERN PS booster 160 MeV H− injection region
Authors: Weterings Wim , Bracco Chiara , Jorat Louise , Renner Elisabeth
Published: June 2023

During Long Shutdown 2 (LS2) at CERN, the new Linac4 (L4) accelerator was connected to the PS Booster (PSB) to inject 160 MeV H− beam into the 4 superposed PSB rings. In order to achieve this, a completely new H− charge-exchange injection chicane system, with 200 µg/cm2 carbon stripping foil units, to convert the negative hydrogen ions into protons, by stripping off the electrons, has been installed. Beam commissioning of this system started in December 2020 and different types of foils have been used for this purpose. In parallel, stripping efficiency measurements, of different foil types, continued to take place with the stripping foil test stand in the L4 Transfer Line. This paper briefly recalls the final design, and installation of, the main components in the PSB injection region, before reporting on the important results obtained during measurements and commissioning with beam.
Experimental study on bearing capacity of corroded angle steel members of in-service transmission towers
Authors: Zhu Binrong , Huang Yao , Li Zheng , Chen Bin , Liao Hailin
Published: June 2023

The tower is the load-bearing structure of the overhead transmission line. Due to the complex operating environment and other factors, the transmission tower is prone to corrosion, which weakens the bearing capacity of the tower and affects the safe operation of the power grid. Through the investigation of the corrosion situation of the transmission towers in service, the angle steel members were removed from the in-service transmission towers, and the axial compression bearing capacity test was carried out. As the corrosion rate increases, the bearing capacity of components shows a decreasing trend, and due to the existence of corrosion, and at the same corrosion rate, due to the location of corrosion, The corrosion depth and corrosion area are different, and the axial compression bearing capacity of the components fluctuates greatly.
OP-Logistik – keep it simple: Ist der „One Entry Point“ die Lösung?
Authors: Scheerer Helmut , Kimmich Tabea
Published: June 2023

Optimale logistische Prozesse sind für einen reibungslosen Versorgungsablauf in unserem OP elementar 1. Die Herausforderung besteht darin zu überprüfen, inwieweit automatisierte Prozesse zur Sicherstellung der Materialversorgung möglich sind: Ein einfacher und stabiler Materialanforderungsprozess sollte unser Ziel sein. Doch wie lassen sich vorhandene Schwachstellen eliminieren und Prozesse der Materiallogistik im OP optimieren?
Innovative OP-Logistik: Versorgungs- und Implantatelogistik unter Einbeziehung von Patientensicherheit, schlanken Prozessen und Wirtschaftlichkeit
Authors: Vogl Thomas , Füchtmeier Bernd , Daschner Michael
Published: June 2023

OP-Abteilungen sind permanent im Fokus, denn dies sind sowohl die sensibelsten als auch kostenintensivsten Bereiche eines Krankenhauses. Aus dieser Situation heraus entwickelte sich in den letzten Jahren innerhalb der OP-Abteilung ein Dienstleister, der viele sekundäre Prozesse im Bereich der Versorgungs- und Materialwirtschaft im Hintergrund steuert: Die OP-Logistik. Zu diesem Aufgabenbereich gehört auch die Weiterentwicklung der Material- und Implantatelager: Neben den modernen Anforderungen (Struktur, Organisation) wurden viele Innovationen implementiert. Dargestellt wird dies am Beispiel der Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Orthopädie und Sportmedizin am Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder in Regensburg.
Wissensvermittlung innerhalb einer Minute
Authors: Körner Melinda , Bärens Dieter
Published: June 2023

Arbeitsabläufe im OP sind meist mit Wartezeiten verbunden. Am Diakovere Friederikenstift wird diese Wartezeit für Kurzfortbildungen genutzt. Das Zauberwort heißt „One Minute Wonder“: Innerhalb einer Minute wird Wissen aus verschiedenen Themenbereichen aufgebaut oder aufgefrischt – damit Wartezeit zu Informationszeit wird.
How have music emotions been described in Google books? Historical trends and corpus differences
Authors: Xu Liang , Xu Min , Jiang Zehua , Wen Xin , Liu Yishan , Sun Zaoyi , Li Hongting , Qian Xiuying
Published: June 2023

Human records can assist us in understanding real descriptions and expected ideals of music. The present work examined how have music emotions been described in millions of Google books. In general, positive adjectives were more regularly used to describe music than negative adjectives, demonstrating a positivity bias in music. The emotional depiction of music has shifted over time, including a decrease in the frequency of emotional adjectives used in English books over the past two centuries, and a sudden surge in the usage of positive adjectives in simplified Chinese books during China’s Cultural Revolution. Negative adjectives were substantially less employed to describe music in simplified Chinese books than in English books, reflecting cultural differences. Finally, a comparison of different corpora showed that emotion-related adjectives were more frequently used to describe music in fictional literature.
Corrigendum to: Cadmium thiosulfate complexes can be assimilated by a green alga via a sulfate transporter but do not increase Cd toxicity
Authors: Boily Frédéric , Fortin Claude , Campbell Peter G. C.
Published: June 2023

 Environmental context Thiosulfate is present in natural waters, especially those influenced by sulfide oxidation, and it has a marked affinity for metals such as cadmium. Normally the binding of cadmium by thiosulfate would be expected to reduce the metal’s bioavailability. However, here we demonstrate that algal uptake of cadmium is enhanced in the presence of thiosulfate, indicating that Cd can enter the alga via a novel route as an intact Cd-thiosulfate complex.

 Rationale For a given free metal ion activity in the exposure solution, the Biotic Ligand Model assumes that metal uptake will be independent of the various ligands present in solution that are buffering [Mz+]. In this context, we have evaluated cadmium bioavailability in the absence or presence of thiosulfate, using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as the test alga.

 Methodology Short-term exposures (≤41 min) were run with a fixed concentration of the free Cd2+ ion (3.0 ± 0.1 nM), buffered with either nitrilotriacetate or thiosulfate, to determine Cd uptake. Subsequent long-term exposures (72 h) over a range of free Cd2+ concentrations were used to determine the effects of Cd on algal growth.

 Results Contrary to Biotic Ligand Model predictions, Cd uptake was enhanced when Cd2+ was buffered with thiosulfate. Removal of sulfate from this exposure medium increased Cd uptake; conversely, if [SO42−] was increased, Cd uptake decreased. In the absence of thiosulfate, Cd uptake was unaffected by changes in [SO42−]. In the long-term exposures, the cellular Cd quota needed to reduce algal growth by 50% was significantly higher in the presence of thiosulfate than in its absence.

 Discussion In the presence of thiosulfate, Cd can enter the algal cell not only by cation transport but also by transport of the intact Cd-thiosulfate complex via the anion transporter responsible for sulfate uptake. We speculate that some of the Cd taken up by anion transport remains in complexed form and is less bioavailable than the Cd that enters the cell via cation transport.
George Ernest Rogers 1927–2021
Authors: Rogers Racheline (Lynn)
Published: June 2023

George Rogers (1927–2021) was elected to Fellowship of the Academy in 1977 for his outstanding contributions to our knowledge of the molecular structure of keratins and the biochemistry of keratinisation. He was a pioneer in the application of electron microscopy to hair and wool ultrastructure and to that of the hair follicle. He discovered citrulline in keratin proteins, and the enzymes, roles, and histochemical localisation of transglutaminase and peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD). He was the first to demonstrate ribosomal-dependent keratin protein synthesis in 1965 followed by detailed studies of the biosynthesis of hair keratin proteins. His research initiated studies on the molecular events in the development of the feather follicle and later led to the cloning and characterisation of the clustered genes of feather and related avian keratins. He also cloned and characterised genes for the three classes of wool keratin proteins and studied the transcription of keratin genes. In 1977, he was awarded a DSc by the University of Adelaide in recognition for his work. In 2013, he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia.
Preface to the special issue, ‘Sustainable Development on Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance’
Authors: Wan Zhanhong
Published: June 2023

This special issue of Marine and Freshwater Research, ‘Sustainable Development on Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance’, highlights the recent advancements in these areas that were presented at the 4th International Symposium on Water Resource and Environmental Management (WREM 2021). Featuring 12 articles of significant scientific value, this collection primarily focuses on the sustainable development of water resources management, policy and governance.
All-magneto-optical grating bio-sensors based on enhanced transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect
Authors: Amanollahi Mansoureh , Zamani Mehdi
Published: June 2023

Herein, a novel structure composed of an all-magneto-optical periodic grating, without using noble metals, is presented to enhance the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (TMOKE). This is done by calculating the relative changes in the reflection amplitudes for the p-polarized wave using the finite element method (FEM) with COMSOL Multiphysics. Bio-sensing applications of the proposed structure can be possible by detecting alternation in the refractive index of the analyte medium through monitoring of the TMOKE. The simultaneous operation of the magneto-optic layer as a sensing layer is the advantage of our idea, where direct interaction with the analyte happens, leading to the suppression of the wave reflection amplitudes, and finally leading to extreme TMOKE in a magneto-optical (MO) grating (the TMOKE amplitudes are near 0.8 in this work). And since TMOKE shows a Fano-like shape, we calculate sensitivity and figure of merit (FoM) by fitting them together. This results in high sensitivity, and the value of the FoM is remarkable (between 2×103 and 3×103 refractive index unit) at resonance angles for different refractive indices, which makes our proposed structure able to be utilized for bio-sensing applications.
Wave breaking amplitudes of Langmuir modes in electron-positron-ion-dusty plasmas
Authors: Maity Chandan , Karmakar Mithun
Published: June 2023

In contrast to the conventional studies on low frequency dust acoustic or dust ion acoustic waves, the investigation is done here on the wave characteristics of high frequency Langmuir modes in electron-positron-ion-dusty plasmas. In the wave analysis, the electrons, positrons, and ions are considered to follow relativistic dynamics. Whereas negative or positive polarity massive dust grains form a fixed charge neutralizing background. Within the Sagdeev pseudopotential approach, the wave breaking amplitudes of such high frequency oscillations are derived. The wave breaking amplitudes are shown to depend on various system parameters like equilibrium ion-to-electron density ratio, relativistic Lorentz factor associated with the phase velocity of oscillations, etc. It has been demonstrated that, even though the dust grains do not participate in the wave dynamics, the nature of their charge polarity and the values of equilibrium dust density have profound effects on the wave breaking amplitudes. We expect that the results of our investigation in such dusty plasma medium may have some relevance in the space plasma research.
Electrostatic wave propagation and self-streaming effect in an electron-hole plasma
Authors: Elgarawany Amany Z , Gamal Yosr E E-D , El-Hafeez Samy A , Tolba Reda E , Moslem Waleed M
Published: June 2023

Electrostatic nonlinear waves which transfer energy through the semiconductor are investigated. A quantum hydrodynamic plasma system composed of self-streaming electrons and holes is examined. The basic equations are reduced to one evolution equation called a modified nonlinear Schrödinger (mNLS) equation. The stability and instability regions are studied with respect to the wavenumber and different plasma effects such as degenerate pressure, Bohm potential, and collisions. The mNLS equation is solved analytically to obtain three kinds of nonlinear envelope wave packet modes. It is found that there are different regions of stability and instability depending on various quantum effects. The electrons’ and holes’ self-streaming velocity is studied and manipulated for the three types of nonlinear envelope waves ‘dark soliton, bright soliton, and rogue wave’. The dark envelope wave packet is generated in a stable region. When the electrons and holes streaming velocities become faster, the wave amplitude becomes taller and the pulses have higher frequency. The bright envelope wave packet exists in the unstable region. For low streaming velocities, the rogue wave amplitude becomes shorter, however, when the streaming velocities reach a critical value the amplitude increases suddenly six times. The self-heating could be produced as the tunneling electrons and holes exchange their energy with the lattice, which may decrease the lifetime of the semiconductors. The present results are helpful in realizing the physical solution to the intrinsic heating problem in semiconductors.
Transforming characterization data into information in the case of perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kirchartz Thomas , Das Basita
Published: June 2023

In many emerging solar cell technologies, it is a significant challenge to extract the electronic properties of materials and interfaces inside a working device from experimental data. In many cases, approaches frequently used in mature technologies such as crystalline silicon are inapplicable as they require many material parameters to be known a-priori, which is rarely the case for novel materials. Based on this challenge for material and device characterization, this perspective discusses the different strategies for data interpretation that have been developed or are in the process of being developed for the specific case of halide perovskite solar cells. The specific focus of this work is to discriminate between experimental data and strategies to extract useful information from data. This information can then be used to make informed decisions about strategies for process and material innovations.
Acousto-optic Scanning Spatial-switching Multiphoton Lithography
Authors: Jiao Binzhang Jiao , Chen Fayu , Liu Yuncheng , Fan Xuhao , Zeng Shaoqun , Dong Qi , Deng Leimin , Gao Hui , Xiong Wei
Published: June 2023

Despite of tremendous potential of multiphoton lithography (MPL) in laboratorial and industrial applications, simultaneous achievement of high throughput, high accuracy, high design freedom, and a broad range of material structuring capabilities remains a long-pending challenge. To address the issue, we propose an acousto-optic scanning with spatial-switching multispots (AOSS) method. Inertia-free acousto-optic scanning and nonlinear swept techniques have been developed for achieving ultrahigh-speed and aberration-free scanning. Moreover, a spatial optical switch concept has been implemented to significantly boost the lithography throughput while maintaining high resolution and high design freedom. An eight-foci AOSS system has demonstrated a record-high 3D printing rate of 7.6×10^7 voxel/s, which is nearly one order of magnitude higher than earlier scanning MPL, exhibiting its promise for future scalable 3D nanomanufacturing.
A detailed study of interpretability of deep neural network based top taggers
Authors: Khot Ayush , Neubauer Mark S , Roy Avik
Published: June 2023

Recent developments in the methods of explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) allow researchers to explore the inner workings of deep neural networks (DNNs), revealing crucial information about input–output relationships and realizing how data connects with machine learning models. In this paper we explore interpretability of DNN models designed to identify jets coming from top quark decay in high energy proton–proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. We review a subset of existing top tagger models and explore different quantitative methods to identify which features play the most important roles in identifying the top jets. We also investigate how and why feature importance varies across different XAI metrics, how correlations among features impact their explainability, and how latent space representations encode information as well as correlate with physically meaningful quantities. Our studies uncover some major pitfalls of existing XAI methods and illustrate how they can be overcome to obtain consistent and meaningful interpretation of these models. We additionally illustrate the activity of hidden layers as neural activation pattern diagrams and demonstrate how they can be used to understand how DNNs relay information across the layers and how this understanding can help to make such models significantly simpler by allowing effective model reoptimization and hyperparameter tuning. These studies not only facilitate a methodological approach to interpreting models but also unveil new insights about what these models learn. Incorporating these observations into augmented model design, we propose the particle flow interaction network model and demonstrate how interpretability-inspired model augmentation can improve top tagging performance.
Mitigation of nitrogen vacancy photoluminescence quenching from material integration for quantum sensing
Authors: Henshaw Jacob , Kehayias Pauli , Basso Luca , Jaris Michael , Cong Rong , Titze Michael , Lu Tzu-Ming , Lilly Michael P , Mounce Andrew M
Published: June 2023

The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond has demonstrated great promise in a wide range of quantum sensing. Recently, there have been a series of proposals and experiments using NV centers to detect spin noise of quantum materials near the diamond surface. This is a rich complex area of study with novel nano-magnetism and electronic behavior, that the NV center would be ideal for sensing. However, due to the electronic properties of the NV itself and its host material, getting high quality NV centers within nanometers of such systems is challenging. Band bending caused by space charges formed at the metal-semiconductor interface force the NV center into its insensitive charge states. Here, we investigate optimizing this interface by depositing thin metal films and thin insulating layers on a series of NV ensembles at different depths to characterize the impact of metal films on different ensemble depths. We find an improvement of coherence and dephasing times we attribute to ionization of other paramagnetic defects. The insulating layer of alumina between the metal and diamond provide improved photoluminescence and higher sensitivity in all modes of sensing as compared to direct contact with the metal, providing as much as a factor of 2 increase in sensitivity, decrease of integration time by a factor of 4, for NV T
1 relaxometry measurements.
Human milk EV-miRNAs: a novel biomarker for air pollution exposure during pregnancy
Authors: Holzhausen Elizabeth A , Kupsco Allison , Chalifour Bridget N , Patterson William B , Schmidt Kelsey A , Mokhtari Pari , Lurmann Fredrick , Baccarelli Andrea A , Goran Michael I , Alderete Tanya L
Published: June 2023

Exposure to ambient and near-roadway air pollution during pregnancy has been linked with several adverse health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies. Emerging research indicates that microRNA (miRNA) expression can be altered by exposure to air pollutants in a variety of tissues. Additionally, miRNAs from breast tissue and circulating miRNAs have previously been proposed as a biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the associations between pregnancy exposures to ambient (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, O3) and near-roadway air pollution (total NO
x
, freeway NO
x
, non-freeway NO
x
) with breast milk extracellular vesicle miRNA (EV-miRNA), measured at 1-month postpartum, in a cohort of 108 Latina women living in Southern California. We found that PM10 exposure during pregnancy was positively associated with hsa-miR-200c-3p, hsa-miR-200b-3p, and hsa-let-7c-5p, and was negatively associated with hsa-miR-378d. We also found that pregnancy PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with hsa-miR-200c-3p and hsa-miR-200b-3p. First and second trimester exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 was associated with several EV-miRNAs with putative messenger RNA targets related to cancer. This study provides preliminary evidence that air pollution exposure during pregnancy is associated with human milk EV-miRNA expression.
Colonial Compensation and the Judicial Process: South Korea–Japan Disputes Revisited
Authors: Kim Marie Seong-Hak
Published: June 2023

Recent disputes between the Republic of Korea and Japan over colonial compensation have dealt a severe blow to their bilateral relations. In 2018, the Supreme Court of Korea ordered two Japanese corporations to pay damages to Korean laborers who had been forced to work at their factories under Japanese rule. The judgments, which ran directly counter to the earlier rulings of the Japanese Supreme Court for the same parties, reflected longstanding disagreement over the legality of Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910 and differences of interpretation concerning the 1965 treaties that restored diplomatic relations. Examination of judicial decisions in South Korea over the years indicates that the forced-laborer compensation issue had consistently been viewed as an internal problem, until it became an issue in domestic and judicial politics. In early 2023, the South Korean government announced that it would no longer demand that Japanese companies compensate Korean plaintiffs, who would instead be paid from a government fund. The forced laborer litigation and its aftermath have revealed the limits of the judicial process in resolving historical problems surrounding South Korea–Japan relations in ways that may be relevant to efforts around the globe to redress past injustices through adjudication.
P107 Clinical priorities when treating psoriasis: insights from a real-world data study of tildrakizumab
Authors: Becher Gabrielle , Stephen Karen , McInnes Alison , Heald Adrian , Riley Paul , Davies Mark , Ali Murad , Kasujee Ismail
Published: June 2023

Achieving clear skin when treating psoriasis is the clinical priority for some clinicians, but it may not be the priority for all patients; wellbeing may be more important. To gain insights into the relative importance of clear skin for wellbeing, we retrospectively reviewed real-world data from four specialist dermatology departments in England and Scotland. We assessed the evolution in absolute Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores in 122 adults treated with tildrakizumab for plaque psoriasis, to determine whether a reduction in PASI scores to < 3 or < 1 was needed to achieve a DLQI of 1 or 0. Mean age was 49 years (range 17–82). Median time since diagnosis was 18 years (range 4–67). Median time on treatment with tildrakizumab was 9 months (range 1–21). At baseline, the median PASI score was 12 (range 0–40) and median DLQI was 20 (range 0–30). The proportion of patients with PASI < 3 increased from 6% at baseline to 60% at final visit, and with PASI < 1 from 3% to 48%. The proportion of patients with PASI < 1 was greater for patients having > 52 weeks of data (61%) than for patients having > 28 weeks of data (52%). The median DLQI score at baseline was 20 (range 0–30) and that at final visit was 1 (range 0–22). The proportion of patients with a DLQI of 0 or 1 increased from 4% at baseline to 54% at final visit. The proportion of patients with a DLQI of 0 or 1 was no different for patients having > 52 weeks of data (52%) than for patients having > 28 weeks of data (56%). An improvement in the PASI score to < 1 or < 3 was accompanied by a reduction in DLQI to 1 or 0, but it was not a requirement. Tildrakizumab demonstrated substantial improvement in psoriasis signs and in patient quality of life comparable with other interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors in UK clinical practice. The PASI score decreased and was maintained in line with the thinking that IL-23p19 antagonists such as tildrakizumab have good survival. An improvement in the PASI score to < 1 or < 3 may not be necessary for a patient to feel that their life is unaffected by their psoriasis. It may be prudent for clinicians to prioritize patient wellness and durability of treatment rather than aim for clear skin in every patient.

Funding sources: Almirall.
Suffering Illness as an Ascetic: Lessons for Women in Pain
Authors: Stahl Devan
Published: June 2023

Women’s pain remains underappreciated, undertheorized, and undertreated in both medicine and theology. The ascetic practices of women in pain, however, can help Christians understand and navigate their own pain and suffering, particularly because they are experienced in the context of chronic illness and disability. In what follows, I argue that Christians would do better to view the pain that accompanies disability and chronic illness as a potential resource for spiritual practice rather than an example of sin or evil. I begin with a brief overview of the most common theological explanations for the relationship between disability and sin within contemporary Christian writings on disability. What is often neglected in these conversations is the acknowledgment of pain in the disability experience. Likewise, discussions of evil often attempt to explain the existence of pain and suffering, but rarely address the practical realities of pain. As a way to begin to remedy the lack of attention to the experience of chronic pain for those living with illness and disability, I consider what it would mean to live faithfully with pain by examining the lives of three holy women who provide examples of what it means to interpret, manage, and share their pain within the body of Christ.
The effects of inversion polymorphisms on patterns of neutral genetic diversity
Authors: Charlesworth Brian
Published: June 2023

The strong reduction in the frequency of recombination in heterozygotes for an inversion and a standard gene arrangement causes the arrangements to become partially isolated genetically, resulting in sequence divergence between them and changes in the levels of neutral variability at nucleotide sites within each arrangement class. Previous theoretical studies on the effects of inversions on neutral variability have assumed either that the population is panmictic or that it is divided into 2 populations subject to divergent selection. Here, the theory is extended to a model of an arbitrary number of demes connected by migration, using a finite island model with the inversion present at the same frequency in all demes. Recursion relations for mean pairwise coalescent times are used to obtain simple approximate expressions for diversity and divergence statistics for an inversion polymorphism at equilibrium under recombination and drift, and for the approach to equilibrium following the sweep of an inversion to a stable intermediate frequency. The effects of an inversion polymorphism on patterns of linkage disequilibrium are also examined. The reduction in effective recombination rate caused by population subdivision can have significant effects on these statistics. The theoretical results are discussed in relation to population genomic data on inversion polymorphisms, with an emphasis on Drosophila melanogaster. Methods are proposed for testing whether or not inversions are close to recombination–drift equilibrium, and for estimating the rate of recombinational exchange in heterozygotes for inversions; difficulties involved in estimating the ages of inversions are also discussed.
African Gowns and Turkish Buttons: Global Horizons of Material Expertise in a German Town
Authors: Hahn Philip
Published: June 2023

This article enquires into how townspeople in early modern Germany invested objects of foreign origin with meaning in the context of urban material culture. The basis of the argument are two interconnected case studies from Ulm in south-west Germany. The first part analyses how the seventeenth-century merchant Christoph Weickmann made sense of African artefacts which he displayed to visitors in his cabinet of curiosities, showing that his appreciation of them was closely linked to contemporary urban notions, regimes and practices of sartorial distinction. The second part zooms in on another object from Weickmann’s collection, a prayer chain with ‘Turkish’ buttons, the actual origin of which he kept secret. The biography of this object can, however, be reconstructed from the surviving narrative of its maker, Hans Ulrich Krafft, a patrician from Ulm who learned the craft of button-making and besides excelled at repairing mechanical clocks during his captivity in Tripoli in the 1570s. In his narrative, Krafft boasted about his skills as an artisan, but the manuscript was kept in the family. Nor did Weickmann, who later acquired some of the buttons made by Krafft, disclose their story, which would not have befitted a member of the patriciate. The two case studies thus demonstrate how the ‘foreignness’ of such artefacts was just one of several layers of meaning and value that were produced by the local urban community in interaction with the material qualities of the objects.
O-039 Fertilization: Mechanisms of pronuclear migration and genome unification
Authors: Cavazza T
Published: June 2023

Most early human embryos contain aneuploid cells. Aneuploidy often arises during the early mitotic divisions of the embryo, but its origin remains elusive. Human zygotes that cluster their nucleoli at the pronuclear interface are thought to be more likely to develop into healthy euploid embryos.

I will present data showing how the parental genomes cluster with nucleoli in each pronucleus in human and bovine zygotes. Parental genome clustering is required for the reliable unification of the parental genomes after fertilization. During the migration of intact pronuclei, the parental genomes polarize toward each other in a process driven by centrosomes, dynein, microtubules, and nuclear pore complexes. The maternal and paternal chromosomes eventually cluster at the pronuclear interface, in close proximity to each other, yet separated. Parental genome clustering ensures the rapid unification of the parental genomes upon nuclear envelope breakdown. However, clustering often fails, leading to chromosome segregation errors and micronuclei that are incompatible with healthy embryonic development.

In summary, our data reveal why nucleolar clustering correlates with the formation of healthy euploid embryos. In addition, we used automated analysis of nucleolar trajectories and clustering. Our results support the use of nucleolar clustering as a parameter to identify zygotes with higher developmental potential.
O-051 Refreezing and rebiopsy – are these worth it?
Authors: Verpoest W
Published: June 2023

Preimplantation genetic testing of embryos offers the opportunity to avoid the transmission of hereditary disorders to the offspring by selecting out embryos affected by a single gene mutation or mutations (PGT-M), structural rearrangements of chromosomes (PGT-SR), aneuploidy (PGT-A) as well as polygenic risk (PGT-P). Over the last two decades, laboratory techniques have seen tremendous developments including extended embryo culture to blastocyst stage, trophectoderm biopsy and vitrification. The latter technique is highly efficient and allows multiple freezing and warming cycles when performed in proficient laboratories. At the same time whole genome analysis techniques provide the opportunity to analyse embryonic DNA in great detail for multiple indications simultaneously.

The PGT process is sensitive to both biological and technical issues which sometimes lead to a failed PGT result. Failure of PGT diagnosis is reported to occur in between 2-12% of PGT cycles depending on the methodology used. The main causes of inconclusive diagnosis are DNA amplification failure and non-concurrent results. Independent variables that influence inconclusive results are day of embryo biopsy, number of cells taken at biopsy and the quality of the IVF laboratory. In order to seize every opportunity in reaching a diagnosis and optimize reproductive outcome for the patient, rebiopsy and retesting (double biopsy and double cryopreservation) can be performed. In situations where embryos need to be biopsied for PGT for reasons of newly found genetic indications or the clinical need for PGT-A, and after an initial cryopreservation, single biopsy and double cryopreservation may be performed with potential effect on subsequent reproductive outcome.

A limited number of studies have addressed both the feasibility as well as the success rate of rebiopsy and refreezing. Most studies conclude that the technique is efficient in terms of diagnostic efficiency and reproductive outcome, when performed in expert laboratories. A few studies have addressed the health of the children after multiple biopsy and multiple freezing and have not shown increased risks. Larger studies are needed to establish the true clinical and health-economic value of rebiopsy and refreezing. The speaker will give an overview of existing evidence in literature and assess whether it is safe and worthwile to go the extra mile and consider refreezing and rebiopsy for PGT.

Trial registration number

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O-059 ntermetabolites of cholesterol synthesis in granulosa cell and oocyte aging
Authors: Liu C , Lijun D , Haixiang S
Published: June 2023

With the development of society, there has been a significant delay in female fertility and an increasing desire for childbearing among females of advanced maternal age in recent decades. Nevertheless, women over 35 years old have more risk of infertility and miscarriage compared to young women, due to decreased oocyte quality. These changes are mainly caused by meiotic defects, especially aneuploidy. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms of aging-related meiotic defects and aneuploidy in oocytes is of great significant for improving the pregnancy outcomes of aged women.

Oocytes are enveloped by granulosa cells (GCs) to form follicles, which constitute the reproductive units in ovaries. GCs form a metabolic community with oocytes for oocyte growth and maturation. Numerous studies have reported that metabolic coupling between GCs and oocytes could affect the process of oocyte meiosis resumption, spindle assembly, and chromatin arrangement. Maternal aging is related to disruption of oocyte-GC interactions that leads to disorders of the oocyte meiotic process. Therefore, abnormal metabolic coupling between GCs and oocytes is an important reason for decreased quality in aged oocytes.

To further clarify the metabolic coupling changes between GCs and oocytes during ovarian aging, we systematically characterized the dynamic changes in the overall transcriptomic landscapes of oocytes and GCs from young and aged mice throughout oocyte meiosis (during the growing oocyte [GO], full-grown oocyte [FGO], metaphase I [MI] oocyte [MIO], and metaphase II [MII] oocyte [MIIO] phases). Data revealed that the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, an essential metabolic pathway that uses acetyl-CoA to produce cholesterol and isoprenoids, was specifically highly expressed in GCs with the resumption of oocyte meiosis, and the expression of MVA pathway in GCs decreased with age. Atorvastatin-mediated inhibition of MVA metabolism in GCs decreased the first polar body extrusion (PBE) rate, and increased oocyte meiotic defects and aneuploidy in young cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Further studies showed that the effect of the MVA pathway on oocyte meiosis was mainly regulated by protein isoprenoylation mediated by the inter-metabolites of cholesterol synthesis. Importantly, upregulation of the MVA pathway in aged GCs could ameliorate the depletion of ovarian reserve, decrease oocyte meiotic defects, and improve oocyte quality.

In conclusion, metabolite in granulosa cell is an important factor determining the oocyte quality; MVA pathway in GCs is a critical regulator of meiotic maturation and euploidy in oocytes, and age-associated MVA pathway abnormalities contribute to oocyte meiotic defects and aneuploidy; Supplementation of inter-metabolites of cholesterol synthesis is a new therapeutic target for clinical intervention to improve oocyte quality.

Trial registration number

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