bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zero‐DeepSub: Zero‐shot deep subspace reconstruction for rapid multiparametric quantitative MRI using 3D‐QALAS
Authors: Jun Yohan , Arefeen Yamin , Cho Jaejin , Fujita Shohei , Wang Xiaoqing , Grant P. Ellen , Gagoski Borjan , Jaimes Camilo , Gee Michael S. , Bilgic Berkin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To develop and evaluate methods for (1) reconstructing 3D‐quantification using an interleaved Look‐Locker acquisition sequence with T2 preparation pulse (3D‐QALAS) time‐series images using a low‐rank subspace method, which enables accurate and rapid T1 and T2 mapping, and (2) improving the fidelity of subspace QALAS by combining scan‐specific deep‐learning‐based reconstruction and subspace modeling.

Theory and Methods

A low‐rank subspace method for 3D‐QALAS (i.e., subspace QALAS) and zero‐shot deep‐learning subspace method (i.e., Zero‐DeepSub) were proposed for rapid and high fidelity T1 and T2 mapping and time‐resolved imaging using 3D‐QALAS. Using an ISMRM/NIST system phantom, the accuracy and reproducibility of the T1 and T2 maps estimated using the proposed methods were evaluated by comparing them with reference techniques. The reconstruction performance of the proposed subspace QALAS using Zero‐DeepSub was evaluated in vivo and compared with conventional QALAS at high reduction factors of up to nine‐fold.

Results

Phantom experiments showed that subspace QALAS had good linearity with respect to the reference methods while reducing biases and improving precision compared to conventional QALAS, especially for T2 maps. Moreover, in vivo results demonstrated that subspace QALAS had better g‐factor maps and could reduce voxel blurring, noise, and artifacts compared to conventional QALAS and showed robust performance at up to nine‐fold acceleration with Zero‐DeepSub, which enabled whole‐brain T1, T2, and PD mapping at 1 mm isotropic resolution within 2 min of scan time.

Conclusion

The proposed subspace QALAS along with Zero‐DeepSub enabled high fidelity and rapid whole‐brain multiparametric quantification and time‐resolved imaging.
One‐step in‐situ growth of CNTs on oxidized carbon fiber: Effects of catalyst concentration and growth time on mechanical properties of carbon fiber
Authors: Yao Zhiqiang , Zhang Kaining , Xia Anqi , Wang Dongzhi , Wang Chengguo , Li Huaifu , Chen Yulin
Published: January 2024

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was performed to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on oxidized carbon fiber (CF). First, CF was oxidized by a simple and gentle way to increase the number of active groups and the optimal treatment time was determined. Then, effects of catalyst concentration and growth time on morphologies and loading amount of CNTs, the properties of CF/CNTs reinforcements, and the interlayer properties of CF/CNTs composites were explored. When the catalyst concentration and growth time were controlled at a reasonable level, CNTs can be uniformly grown on the CF surface. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was characterized and the fracture surfaces of CF/CNTs composites were observed. The results demonstrated that when the catalyst precursor was kept at 0.05 mol/L and the growth time was controlled at 10 min, CNTs had the best strength effect and the ILSS increased by 30.25% compared to that of composites without CNTs. The fracture surface showed that CNTs can penetrate the matrix at the interface and enhance the interface through mechanical interlocking effect. The CNTs‐induced interphase allows the stress inside the composites to propagate continuously between resin and fibers, thereby heightening the load carrying capacity.

Highlights

A simple and gentle way was performed to activate CF without strength reduction.

The influence mechanism of various parameters was revealed in detail.

The mechanism of CNTs enhancing the interface was revealed.
Fatigue performance of carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer strengthened single‐edge cracked steel plates: Effects of adhesive property and CFRP arrangement
Authors: Ke Lu , Chen Ailong , Feng Zheng , Li Chuanxi , Li Youlin
Published: January 2024

Carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) is increasingly used to improve the fatigue behavior of damaged steel structures due to its advantages, including high strength and convenient processing. However, several issues, such as the effects of the adhesive property and CFRP arrangement, still need to be studied. In this study, a total of 20 single‐cracked steel specimens were tested under fatigue load, including two unstrengthened specimens, six single‐sided strengthened specimens, and 12 double‐sided strengthened specimens. The failure mode, fatigue life, crack propagation pattern, and interface damage development were obtained from experiments. The results show that epoxy resin structural adhesives (adhesives Araldite 420 and J133C) have the best bonding properties with CFRP. For the conventional epoxy adhesives, Araldite 420 and J133C can considerably improve fatigue life, which increased by more than 44.84 times to unstrengthened specimens. CFRP plate strengthening can significantly improve the fatigue life of single‐edge cracked steel plates. For the double‐sided strengthened specimens, the fatigue life can be improved by 6.93–44.84 times that of unstrengthened specimens. For the single‐sided, the fatigue life can be improved by 2.24–2.77 times. Properties of epoxy adhesive have a more significant effect on fatigue life compared to the thickness of the CFRP plate due to debonding.

Highlights

Ductile epoxy adhesives are most conducive to improving the fatigue behavior of CFRP strengthened steel plates.

The fatigue life of steel plates can be improved by increasing the thickness of CFRP plates and using double‐sided CFRP strengthening.

Interface debonding is the main failure mode of CFRP plates strengthening single‐edge cracked steel plates under fatigue.
The expanded spectrum of human disease associated with GREB1L likely includes complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Zhao Emily , Bomback Miles , Khan Atlas , Krishna Murthy Sarath , Solowiejczyk David , Vora Neeta L. , Gilmore Kelly L. , Giordano Jessica L. , Wapner Ronald J. , Sanna‐Cherchi Simone , Lyford Alex , Jelin Angie C. , Gharavi Ali G. , Hays Thomas
Published: January 2024

Objective

GREB1L has been linked prenatally to Potter's sequence, as well as less severe anomalies of the kidney, uterus, inner ear, and heart. The full phenotypic spectrum is unknown. The purpose of this study was to characterize known and novel pre‐ and postnatal phenotypes associated with GREB1L.

Methods

We solicited cases from the Fetal Sequencing Consortium, screened a population‐based genomic database, and conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify disease cases associated with GREB1L. We present a detailed phenotypic spectrum and molecular changes.

Results

One hundred twenty‐seven individuals with 51 unique pathogenic or likely pathogenic GREB1L variants were identified. 24 (47%) variants were associated with isolated kidney anomalies, 19 (37%) with anomalies of multiple systems, including one case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, five (10%) with isolated sensorineural hearing loss, two (4%) with isolated uterine agenesis; and one (2%) with isolated tetralogy of Fallot.

Conclusion

GREB1L may cause complex congenital heart disease (CHD) in humans. Clinicians should consider GREB1L testing in the setting of CHD, and cardiac screening in the setting of GREB1L variants.
Photoinduced Toxicity Caused by Gold Nanozymes and Photodynamic Dye Encapsulated in Submicron Polymer Shell
Authors: Sergeev Igor S. , Maksimova Elizaveta A. , Moiseeva Ekaterina O. , Griaznova Olga Yu. , Perkov Sergei A. , Demina Polina A. , Zaytsev Valeriy D. , Koksharov Yury A. , Rider Maxim A. , Zavidovskiy Ilya A. , Rudakovskaya Polina G. , Romanov Roman I. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Orlova Anna O. , Deyev Sergey M. , Gorin Dmitry A.
Published: January 2024

The development of nanozymes, artificial enzymes made from inorganic nanoparticles, is widely studied due to their affordability, durability, and strength. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed to imitate peroxidase, glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The last one transforms intracellular hydrogen peroxide into molecular oxygen, whose deficiency is characteristic of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Thus, gold nanoparticles are thought to enhance the overall effectiveness of photodynamic therapy. However, the enzyme‐like activity of nanoparticles rapidly decreases in biological media, due to the aggregation and formation of the so‐called “protein corona”. In this study, polymeric submicrocapsules loaded with AuNPs and a photodynamic dye are fabricated via Layer‐by‐Layer (LbL) assembly. The enhancement of photodynamic treatment efficacy by in situ production of oxygen by the catalase‐like effect of AuNPs is investigated. Polymeric capsules are thoroughly characterized in terms of physicochemical and catalytic properties, and as a proof of concept, their therapeutic potential is evaluated in vitro. Furthermore, encapsulated AuNPs shows significantly lower aggregation both upon storage and during the reaction course. The results shows that the polymer capsules, containing AuNPs and photodynamic dye, show significantly higher light‐induced cytotoxicity in comparison to the individual photodynamic dye, suggesting a synergistic effect between the formation of molecular oxygen by catalase‐like gold nanozymes and photodynamic action.
The impact of phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibition or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition on right and left ventricular remodeling in heart failure due to chronic volume overload
Authors: Tykvartova Tereza , Miklovic Matus , Kotrc Martin , Skaroupkova Petra , Kazdova Ludmila , Trnovska Jaroslava , Skop Vojtech , Kolar Michal , Novotny Jiri , Melenovsky Vojtech
Published: January 2024

While phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibition (PED5i) may prevent hypertrophy and failure in pressure‐overloaded heart in an experimental model, the impact of PDE5i on volume‐overload (VO)‐induced hypertrophy is unknown. It is also unclear whether the hypertrophied right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) differ in their responsiveness to long‐term PDE5i and if this therapy affects renal function. The goal of this study was to elucidate the effect of PDE5i treatment in VO due to aorto‐caval fistula (ACF) and to compare PDE5i treatment with standard heart failure (HF) therapy with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi). ACF/sham procedure was performed on male HanSD rats aged 8 weeks. ACF animals were randomized for PDE5i sildenafil, ACEi trandolapril, or placebo treatments. After 20 weeks, RV and LV function (echocardiography, pressure‐volume analysis), myocardial gene expression, and renal function were studied. Separate rat cohorts served for survival analysis. ACF led to biventricular eccentric hypertrophy (LV: +68%, RV: +145%), increased stroke work (LV: 3.6‐fold, RV: 6.7‐fold), and reduced load‐independent systolic function (PRSW, LV: −54%, RV: −51%). Both ACF ventricles exhibited upregulation of the genes of myocardial stress and glucose metabolism. ACEi but not PDE5i attenuated pulmonary congestion, LV remodeling, albuminuria, and improved survival (median survival in ACF/ACEi was 41 weeks vs. 35 weeks in ACF/placebo, p = .02). PDE5i increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels in the lungs, but not in the RV, LV, or kidney. PDE5i did not improve survival rate and cardiac and renal function in ACF rats, in contrast to ACEi. VO‐induced HF is not responsive to PDE5i therapy.
Simulation‐based inference for reliability model selection and parameter calibration: An application to fatigue
Authors: Ben Abdessalem Anis
Published: January 2024

Selecting a “useful” model among a set of competing candidate models is a common problem in many disciplines and particularly in engineering applications. For a modeller, the best model fulfills a certain purpose best (e.g., the ability to accurately predict new data, good interpolation, precise estimates of lower/upper percentiles, etc.), which is typically assessed by comparing model simulations to the observed data. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) which is a statistical learning technique is used in this work for reliability model selection and parameter calibration using small/moderate fatigue life data sets. This is always the case in material fatigue due to the high cost and low efficiency of fatigue tests which are bottleneck problem when designing components/structures with regard to fatigue. The ABC is a likelihood‐free based method which means that it needs only a generative model to simulate the data. The proposed method provides a formal rank of the competing reliability models by eliminating gradually the least likely models in a parsimonious manner. It is flexible since it offers the possibility to use different metrics to measure the discrepancy between simulated and observed data. The choice of the appropriate distance function depends essentially on the purpose of model selection. Through various examples, it has been demonstrated that the ABC method has a number of very attractive properties, which makes it especially useful in probabilistic risk assessment and reliability analysis.
Fluorescent 5H‐Pyrano[3,2‐c]chromenes: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties and Sensing of Nucleophilic Anions
Authors: Chernov Nikita M. , Panov Maxim S. , Domotskaya Mariya Yu. , Spiridonova Dar'ya V. , Chistyi Leonid S. , Shutov Roman V. , Nikolaev Dmitrii M. , Ryazantsev Mikhail N. , Yakovlev Igor P.
Published: January 2024

We report the development of a convenient organocatalytic method for the synthesis of 5H‐pyrano[3,2‐c]chromenes from chromone‐containing acrylates and ethyl cyanoacetate. The synthesis is characterized by simple conditions (ethanol, basic catalysis) and good yields (up to 90 %). The synthesized pyrano[3,2‐c]chromenes are a promising new class of fluorescent compounds. They have intense fluorescence in the yellow‐green region of the spectrum (495–554 nm) with high quantum yields (up to 72 %) and exhibit large Stokes shifts (3514–5856 cm−1). We have demonstrated the possible application of the obtained pyrano[3,2‐c]chromenes as selective “turn‐off” sensors for nucleophilic anions, such as cyanide, sulfide and sulfite.
Augmenting Neutrophil Extracellular Traps with Carbonized Polymer Dots: A Potential Treatment for Bacterial Sepsis
Authors: Lin Chin‐Jung , Hwang Tsong‐Long , Wang Robert Y. L. , Nain Amit , Shih Ren‐Hong , Chang Lung , Lin Han‐Jia , Harroun Scott G. , Chang Huan‐Tsung , Huang Chih‐Ching
Published: January 2024

Sepsis is a life‐threatening condition that can progress to septic shock as the body's extreme response to pathogenesis damages its own vital organs. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) accounts for 50% of nosocomial infections, which are clinically treated with antibiotics. However, methicillin‐resistant strains (MRSA) have emerged and can withstand harsh antibiotic treatment. To address this problem, curcumin (CCM) is employed to prepare carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) through mild pyrolysis. Contrary to curcumin, the as‐formed CCM‐CPDs are highly biocompatible and soluble in aqueous solution. Most importantly, the CCM‐CPDs induce the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) from the neutrophils, which entrap and eliminate microbes. In an MRSA‐induced septic mouse model, it is observed that CCM‐CPDs efficiently suppress bacterial colonization. Moreover, the intrinsic antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and anticoagulation activities resulting from the preserved functional groups of the precursor molecule on the CCM‐CPDs prevent progression to severe sepsis. As a result, infected mice treated with CCM‐CPDs show a significant decrease in mortality even through oral administration. Histological staining indicates negligible organ damage in the MRSA‐infected mice treated with CCM‐CPDs. It is believed that the in vivo studies presented herein demonstrate that multifunctional therapeutic CPDs hold great potential against life‐threatening infectious diseases.
Recent Advances in the Modification and Improvement of Bioprosthetic Heart Valves
Authors: Tong Qi , Cai Jie , Wang Zhengjie , Sun Yiren , Liang Xuyue , Xu Qiyue , Mahamoud Oumar Abdel , Qian Yongjun , Qian Zhiyong
Published: January 2024

Valvular heart disease (VHD) has become a burden and a growing public health problem in humans, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. An increasing number of patients with severe VHD need to undergo heart valve replacement surgery, and artificial heart valves are in high demand. However, allogeneic valves from donors are lacking and cannot meet clinical practice needs. A mechanical heart valve can activate the coagulation pathway after contact with blood after implantation in the cardiovascular system, leading to thrombosis. Therefore, bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) are still a promising way to solve this problem. However, there are still challenges in the use of BHVs. For example, their longevity is still unsatisfactory due to the defects, such as thrombosis, structural valve degeneration, calcification, insufficient re‐endothelialization, and the inflammatory response. Therefore, strategies and methods are needed to effectively improve the biocompatibility and longevity of BHVs. This review describes the recent research advances in BHVs and strategies to improve their biocompatibility and longevity.
Strain Effects in Ru‐Au Bimetallic Aerogels Boost Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wei Wei , Guo Fei , Wang Cui , Wang Lingwei , Sheng Zhizhi , Wu Xiaodong , Cai Bin , Eychmüller Alexander
Published: January 2024

To improve the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a key component in water‐splitting applications, there is an urgent desire to develop efficient, cost‐effective, and stable electrocatalysts. Strain engineering is proving an efficient strategy for increasing the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts. This work presents the development of Ru‐Au bimetallic aerogels by a simple one‐step in situ reduction‐gelation approach, which exhibits strain effects and electron transfer to create a remarkable HER activity and stability in an alkaline environment. The surface strain induced by the bimetallic segregated structure shifts the d‐band center downward, enhancing catalysis by balancing the processes of water dissociation, OH* adsorption, and H* adsorption. Specifically, the optimized catalyst shows low overpotentials of only 24.1 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline electrolytes, surpassing commercial Pt/C. This study can contribute to the understanding of strain engineering in bimetallic electrocatalysts for HER at the atomic scale.
Nature‐Inspired Wet Drug Delivery Platforms
Authors: Ma Yutian , Cao Jian , Li Shiyao , Wang Lili , Meng Yufei , Chen Yupeng
Published: January 2024

Nature has created various organisms with unique chemical components and multi‐scale structures (e.g., foot proteins, toe pads, suckers, setose gill lamellae) to achieve wet adhesion functions to adapt to their complex living environments. These organisms can provide inspirations for designing wet adhesives with mediated drug release behaviors in target locations of biological surfaces. They exhibit conformal and enhanced wet adhesion, addressing the bottleneck of weaker tissue interface adhesion in the presence of body fluids. Herein, it is focused on the research progress of different wet adhesion and bioinspired fabrications, including adhesive protein‐based adhesion and inspired adhesives (e.g., mussel adhesion); capillarity and Stefan adhesion and inspired adhesive surfaces (e.g., tree frog adhesion); suction‐based adhesion and inspired suckers (e.g., octopus' adhesion); interlocking and friction‐based adhesion and potential inspirations (e.g., mayfly larva and teleost adhesion). Other secreted protein‐induced wet adhesion is also reviewed and various suckers for other organisms and their inspirations. Notably, one representative application scenario of these bioinspired wet adhesives is highlighted, where they function as efficient drug delivery platforms on target tissues and/or organs with requirements of both controllable wet adhesion and optimized drug release. Finally, the challenges of these bioinspired wet drug delivery platforms in the future is presented.
Slip‐resistant connections subjected to freeze‐thaw cycles
Authors: Fuente‐García Alfonso , Serrano‐López Miguel Ángel , López‐Colina Carlos , López‐Gayarre Fernando
Published: January 2024

There are many examples of steel structures subjected to severe environmental conditions with bolted connections directly exposed to climatic agents such as steel bridges, mining transfer towers, wind towers etc. In this experimental research, non‐slip joints with M16 and M20 bolts have been studied. The specimens were subjected to fourteen 12 h freeze‐thaw cycles, with periodic immersion in water and temperature oscillation. Subsequently, the connections were subjected to a slip test under monotonic load. The results were compared with other equal joints not subjected to freeze‐thaw cycles and kept at room temperature for the same time. Some interesting conclusions are extracted from this piece of research. It was observed that freeze‐thaw cycles negatively affect the slip resistance of non‐slip joints with GB+ZE surfaces, even with a slight increase in clamping force. Samples with SR and GB surfaces increase in their slip resistance was observed.
A Novel Method for Operation Monitoring of Thyristor Converter Based on Real‐Time Virtual Measurement of Valve Current in LCC‐HVDC
Authors: He Yuchen , Li Xiaohua , Yin Shanshan , Li Hao , Cai Zexiang
Published: January 2024

The thyristor converter is a core equipment for AC/DC hybrid power grids of high‐voltage direct current (HVDC) where overheating does harm to its reliability. In reality, overheating is closely related to the broken three‐phase symmetry when the AC side is disturbed. Particularly, when commutation failures occur, the valve forced to reconduct will suffer from severe short‐circuit current for a long period, risking the overheating damage. Therefore, the accurate measurement of valve current is fundamental to acquire valve temperature. This paper adopts a real‐time virtual measurement scheme, which is based on temporal features of the converter terminal current, to calculate valve current fundamental for the calculation of valve loss under the transient state. Then, an equivalent circuit model is built based on the actual heat‐flow path of the converter valve, considering the high thermal sensitivity of the heat source material layer. Next, a monitoring system for transient valve temperature is established. Finally, the proposed method is tested in CIGRE HVDC benchmark model. The simulation results indicate that the proposed method can reflect the actual valve state, and model the actual heat transfer process more accurately compared to the Foster network, which can support the basic configuration of the overheat protection. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Air pollution, public health expenditure, and physical health: Evidence from China
Authors: Jiang Wei , Li Wei , Chen Yunfei
Published: January 2024

Air pollution is known to have adverse effects on physical health, but the influence of public health expenditure (PHE) on physical health has received less attention. This study utilizes 2 years of panel data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to investigate the effects of air pollution and PHE on physical health. The main findings reveal that, for each unit increase in SO2, there is a corresponding decrease of 0.006 in physical health. For each unit increase in PHE, there is a 0.838 increase in physical health. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of air pollution on public health varies among different groups. Notably, air pollution has more detrimental effects on women's health compared to men, and middle‐aged and elderly individuals are more vulnerable to air pollution. Additionally, urban residents are more susceptible to the adverse effects of air pollution compared to rural residents. Furthermore, PHE positively impacts women's health and significantly enhances the health of rural residents. People residing in western and central regions are more susceptible to air pollution than those in the eastern regions. This underscores the importance of tailoring environmental pollution reduction and PHE increase policies to address the unique needs of various groups and regions in order to promote overall improvements in residents' health.
Spatiotemporal modulation of nitric oxide and Notch signaling by hemodynamic-responsive Trpv4 is essential for ventricle regeneration
Authors: Yu Chunxiao , Li Xueyu , Ma Jinmin , Liang Shuzhang , Zhao Yan , Li Qi , Zhang Ruilin
Published: January 2024

Zebrafish have a remarkable ability to regenerate injured hearts. Altered hemodynamic forces after larval ventricle ablation activate the endocardial Klf2a-Notch signaling cascade to direct zebrafish cardiac regeneration. However, how the heart perceives blood flow changes and initiates signaling pathways promoting regeneration is not fully understood. The present study demonstrated that the mechanosensitive channel Trpv4 sensed the altered hemodynamic forces in injured hearts and its expression was regulated by blood flow. In addition to mediating the endocardial Klf2a-Notch signal cascade around the atrioventricular canal (AVC), we discovered that Trpv4 regulated nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the bulbus arteriosus (BA). Further experiments indicated that Notch signaling primarily acted at the early stage of regeneration, and the major role of NO signaling was at the late stage and through TGF-β pathway. Overall, our findings revealed that mechanosensitive channels perceived the changes in hemodynamics after ventricle injury, and provide novel insights into the temporal and spatial coordination of multiple signaling pathways regulating heart regeneration.
Description of a new freshwater bacterium Aquirufa regiilacus sp. nov., classification of the genera Aquirufa, Arundinibacter, Sandaracinomonas, and Tellurirhabdus to the family Spirosomataceae, classification of the genus Chryseotalea to the family Fulvivirgaceae and Litoribacter to the family Cyclobacteriaceae, as well as classification of Litoribacter alkaliphilus as a later heterotypic synonym of Litoribacter ruber
Authors: Pitt Alexandra , Lienbacher Stefan , Schmidt Johanna , Neumann-Schaal Meina , Wolf Jacqueline , Hahn Martin W.
Published: January 2024

Strains LEOWEIH-7CT and LEPPI-3A were isolated from the Leopoldskroner Weiher, a lake located in the city of Salzburg, Austria. 16S rRNA gene similarities and phylogenetic reconstructions with 16S rRNA gene sequences as well as based on genome sequences revealed that the new strains belong to the A. antheringensis branch of the genus Aquirufa. Calculated whole-genome average nucleotide identity (gANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values with the closely related type strains showed that the two strains represent a single new species. The strains grew aerobically and chemoorganotrophically, and the cells were rod shaped, on average 0.8 µm long and 0.3 µm wide, red pigmented and motile by gliding. The genome size of both strains was 2.6 Mbp and the G+C value was 41.9%. The genomes comprised genes predicted for the complete light-harvesting rhodopsin system and various carotenoids. We proposed to establish the name Aquirufa regiilacus sp. nov. for strain LEOWEIH-7CT (=DSM 116390T = JCM 36347T) as the type strain. Strain LEPPI-3A (=DSM 116391 = JCM 36348) also belongs to this new species. The calculated genome-based phylogenetic tree revealed that Aquirufa and some other genera currently allocated in the family Cytophagaceae need a reclassification. Aquirufa, Arundinibacter, Sandaracinomonas, and Tellurirhabdus should be designated to the family Spirosomataceae, the genus Chryseotalea to the family Fulvivirgaceae, and the genus Litoribacter to the family Cyclobacteriaceae. Furthermore, based on calculated gANI and dDDH values, Litoribacter alkaliphilus should be reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of Litoribacter ruber.
Hilbert–Schmidt Estimates for Fermionic 2-Body Operators
Authors: Christiansen Martin Ravn
Published: January 2024

We prove that the 2-body operator $$\gamma _{2}^{\Psi }$$

γ

2

Ψ

of a fermionic N-particle state $$\Psi $$
Ψ
obeys $$\Vert \gamma _{2}^{\Psi }\Vert _{\textrm{HS}}\le \sqrt{5}N$$

‖

γ

2

Ψ

‖

HS

≤

5

N

, which complements the bound of Yang (Rev Mod Phys 34:694, 1962) that $$\Vert \gamma _{2}^{\Psi }\Vert _{\textrm{op}}\le N$$

‖

γ

2

Ψ

‖

op

≤
N

. This estimate furthermore resolves a conjecture of Carlen–Lieb–Reuvers (Commun Math Phys 344:655–671, 2016) concerning the entropy of the normalized 2-body operator. We also prove that the Hilbert–Schmidt norm of the truncated 2-body operator $$\gamma _{2}^{\Psi ,T}$$

γ

2

Ψ
,
T

obeys the inequality $$\Vert \gamma _{2}^{\Psi ,T}\Vert _{\textrm{HS}}\le \sqrt{5N\,\textrm{tr}\,(\gamma _{1}^{\Psi }(1-\gamma _{1}^{\Psi }))}$$

‖

γ

2

Ψ
,
T

‖

HS

≤

5
N

tr

(

γ

1

Ψ

(
1
-

γ

1

Ψ

)

)

.
Estimating the impact of label design on reducing the risk of medication errors by applying HEART in drug administration
Authors: Aceves-Gonzalez Carlos , Caro-Rojas Angela , Rey-Galindo John A. , Aristizabal-Ruiz Luz , Hernández-Cruz Karen
Published: January 2024

Medication errors are one of the biggest problems in healthcare. The medicines’ poor labelling design (i.e. look-alike labels) is a well-recognised risk for potential confusion, wrong administration, and patient damage. Human factors and ergonomics (HFE) encourages the human-centred design of system elements, which might reduce medication errors and improve people’s well-being and system performance.

Objective

The aim of the present study is twofold: (i) to use a human reliability analysis technique to evaluate a medication administration task within a simulated scenario of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and (ii) to estimate the impact of a human-centred design (HCD) label in medication administration compared to a look-alike (LA) label.

Method

This paper used a modified version of the human error assessment and reduction technique (HEART) to analyse a medication administration task in a simulated NICU scenario. The modified technique involved expert nurses quantifying the likelihood of unreliability of a task and rating the conditions, including medicine labels, which most affect the successful completion of the task.

Results

Findings suggest that error producing conditions (EPCs), such as a shortage of time available for error detection and correction, no independent checking of output, and distractions, might increase human error probability (HEP) in administering medications. Results also showed that the assessed HEP and the relative percentage of contribution to unreliability reduced by more than 40% when the HCD label was evaluated compared to the LA label.

Conclusion

Including labelling design based on HFE might help increase human reliability when administering medications under critical conditions.
Activation of cytotoxic lymphocytes through CD6 enhances killing of cancer cells
Authors: Gurrea-Rubio Mikel , Wu Qi , Amin M. Asif , Tsou Pei-Suen , Campbell Phillip L. , Amarista Camila I. , Ikari Yuzo , Brodie William D. , Mattichak Megan N. , Muraoka Sei , Randon Peggy M. , Lind Matthew E. , Ruth Jeffrey H. , Mao-Draayer Yang , Ding Shengli , Shen Xiling , Cooney Laura A. , Lin Feng , Fox David A.
Published: January 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated efficacy and improved survival in a growing number of cancers. Despite their success, ICIs are associated with immune-related adverse events that can interfere with their use. Therefore, safer approaches are needed. CD6, expressed by T-lymphocytes and human NK cells, engages in cell–cell interactions by binding to its ligands CD166 (ALCAM) and CD318 (CDCP1). CD6 is a target protein for regulating immune responses and is required for the development of several mouse models of autoimmunity. Interestingly, CD6 is exclusively expressed on immune cells while CD318 is strongly expressed on most cancers. Here we demonstrate that disrupting the CD6-CD318 axis with UMCD6, an anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody, prolongs survival of mice in xenograft mouse models of human breast and prostate cancer, treated with infusions of human lymphocytes. Analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells showed that augmentation of lymphocyte cytotoxicity by UMCD6 is due to effects of this antibody on NK, NKT and CD8 + T cells. In particular, tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes from UMCD6-treated mice expressed higher levels of perforin and were found in higher proportions than those from IgG-treated mice. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis of human NK-92 cells treated with UMCD6 revealed that UMCD6 up-regulates the NKG2D-DAP10 receptor complex, important in NK cell activation, as well as its downstream target PI3K. Our results now describe the phenotypic changes that occur on immune cells upon treatment with UMCD6 and further confirm that the CD6-CD318 axis can regulate the activation state of cytotoxic lymphocytes and their positioning within the tumor microenvironment.
Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, successes and challenges: report on the first international conference dedicated to the clinical translation of this unique adoptive cell immunotherapy
Authors: Sharma Amit , Ren Xiubao , Rosato Antonio , Sangiolo Dario , Wang Zibing , Tettamanti Sarah , Zhang Yi , Rettinger Eva , Fenix Kevin Aaron , Sommaggio Roberta , Cappuzzello Elisa , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo G. H.
Published: January 2024

On August 30, 2023, experts from Germany and abroad met to discuss the successes and challenges of cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) therapy, that recently celebrated its 30th anniversary providing treatment for cancer. This first virtual conference was hosted by CIO Bonn, a certified Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) funded by German Cancer Aid (DKH). In addition to keynote speakers involved in CIK cell clinical trials or optimized preclinical models to improve this adoptive cell immunotherapy, more than 100 attendees from around the world also participated in this event. Initiatives to establish the International Society of CIK Cells (ISCC) and a stronger CIK cell network guiding preclinical research and future clinical trials were also announced.
Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of ivosidenib in advanced IDH1-mutant cholangiocarcinoma: findings from the phase III ClarIDHy study
Authors: Fan Bin , Abou-Alfa Ghassan K. , Zhu Andrew X. , Pandya Shuchi S. , Jia Hongxia , Yin Feng , Gliser Camelia , Hua Zhaowei , Hossain Mohammad , Yang Hua
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Report pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) findings from the phase III ClarIDHy study and any association between PK/PD parameters and treatment outcomes in this population.

Methods

Patients with mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) advanced cholangiocarcinoma were randomized at a 2:1 ratio to receive ivosidenib or matched placebo. Crossover from placebo to ivosidenib was permitted at radiographic disease progression. Blood samples for PK/PD analyses, a secondary endpoint, were collected pre-dose and up to 4 h post-dose on day (D) 1 of cycles (C) 1 − 2, pre-dose and 2 h post-dose on D15 of C1 − 2, and pre-dose on D1 from C3 onwards. Plasma ivosidenib and D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All clinical responses were centrally reviewed previously.

Results

PK/PD analysis was available for samples from 156 ivosidenib-treated patients. Ivosidenib was absorbed rapidly following single and multiple oral doses (time of maximum observed plasma concentration [Tmax] of 2.63 and 2.07 h, respectively). Ivosidenib exposure was higher at C2D1 than after a single dose, with low accumulation. In ivosidenib-treated patients, mean plasma 2-HG concentration was reduced from 1108 ng/mL at baseline to 97.7 ng/mL at C2D1, close to levels previously observed in healthy individuals. An average 2-HG inhibition of 75.0% was observed at steady state. No plasma 2-HG decreases were seen with placebo. Plasma 2-HG reductions were observed in ivosidenib-treated patients irrespective of best overall response (progressive disease, or partial response and stable disease).

Conclusion

Once-daily ivosidenib 500 mg has a favorable PK/PD profile, attesting the 2-HG reduction mechanism of action and, thus, positive outcomes in treated patients with advanced mIDH1 cholangiocarcinoma.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02989857 Registered February 20, 2017.
A spatial measure-valued model for radiation-induced DNA damage kinetics and repair under protracted irradiation condition
Authors: Cordoni Francesco G.
Published: January 2024

In the present work, we develop a general spatial stochastic model to describe the formation and repair of radiation-induced DNA damage. The model is described mathematically as a measure-valued particle-based stochastic system and extends in several directions the model developed in Cordoni et al. (Phys Rev E 103:012412, 2021; Int J Radiat Biol 1–16, 2022a; Radiat Res 197:218–232, 2022b). In this new spatial formulation, radiation-induced DNA damage in the cell nucleus can undergo different pathways to either repair or lead to cell inactivation. The main novelty of the work is to rigorously define a spatial model that considers the pairwise interaction of lesions and continuous protracted irradiation. The former is relevant from a biological point of view as clustered lesions are less likely to be repaired, leading to cell inactivation. The latter instead describes the effects of a continuous radiation field on biological tissue. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the above stochastic systems, characterizing its probabilistic properties. We further couple the model describing the biological system to a set of reaction–diffusion equations with random discontinuity that model the chemical environment. At last, we study the large system limit of the process. The developed model can be applied to different contexts, with radiotherapy and space radioprotection being the most relevant. Further, the biochemical system derived can play a crucial role in understanding an extremely promising novel radiotherapy treatment modality, named in the community FLASH radiotherapy, whose mechanism is today largely unknown.
Topology optimization of acoustic bandgap crystals for topological insulators
Authors: Li Weibai , Hu Jie , Lu Guoxing , Huang Xiaodong
Published: January 2024

Recent advances in topology optimization methods have driven the development of bandgap crystals. These artificial materials with maximized operational bandwidth provide the basis for wave manipulation and investigating the topological phase of matter. However, it is still challenging to efficiently design acoustic bandgap crystals via existing topology optimization methods. Most previous studies considering only a volume fraction constraint on the constituent material may have impractical wide band gaps due to the pseudo-air resonant modes. To solve this issue, this paper establishes a new topology optimization method for creating acoustic bandgap crystals periodically composed of solid and air. We adopt a constraint on air permeability to ensure the connective air channels within the periodic microstructures, which is more applicable in engineering practice. The optimized unit cells from the proposed method are further analyzed to realize topologically protected states, providing opportunities for multi-dimensional wave manipulation in acoustic systems. Numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in designing acoustic crystals with broad bandgaps on any given band orders, and gapped/gapless edge states and corner states can be achieved in resulting topological insulators.
Utility of brain imaging in pediatric patients with a suspected accidental spinal injury but no brain injury-related symptoms
Authors: Sirén Aapo , Nyman Mikko , Syvänen Johanna , Mattila Kimmo , Hirvonen Jussi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Imaging is the gold standard in diagnosing traumatic brain injury, but unnecessary scans should be avoided, especially in children and adolescents. Clinical decision-making rules often help to distinguish the patients who need imaging, but if spinal trauma is suspected, concomitant brain imaging is often conducted. Whether the co-occurrence of brain and spine injuries is high enough to justify head imaging in patients without symptoms suggesting brain injury is unknown.

Objective

This study aims to assess the diagnostic yield of brain MRI in pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed accidental spinal trauma but no potential brain injury symptoms.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical and imaging data of pediatric patients (under 18 years old) who have undergone concomitant MRI of the brain and spine because of acute spinal trauma in our emergency radiology department over a period of 8 years. We compared the brain MRI findings in patients with and without symptoms suggesting brain injury and contrasted spine and brain MRI findings.

Results

Of 179 patients (mean age 11.7 years, range 0–17), 137 had symptoms or clinical findings suggesting brain injury, and 42 did not. None of the patients without potential brain injury symptoms had traumatic findings in brain MRI. This finding also applied to patients with high-energy trauma (n = 47) and was unrelated to spinal MRI findings.

Conclusion

Pediatric accidental trauma patients with suspected or confirmed spine trauma but no symptoms or clinical findings suggesting brain injury seem not to benefit from brain imaging.
Parasitological and molecular investigation of consequences of raw meat feeding (BARF) in dogs and cats: implications for other pets living nearby
Authors: Tuska-Szalay Barbara , Papdeák Viktória , Vizi Zsuzsanna , Takács Nóra , Hornok Sándor
Published: January 2024

Considering the original nature of carnivorism among dogs and cats, nowadays these pets are increasingly fed BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/Bone And Raw Food) diet to improve their health conditions. However, this diet may also carry health risks, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and infection with pathogens including parasites. In our study, fecal samples of 89 pet animals kept on BARF diet were subjected to coprological examination followed by molecular analyses. Six of them shed eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. This result was confirmed with PCR and sequencing, and in one case, the DNA of Fasciola hepatica was also demonstrated. In addition, oocysts of Cystoisospora canis, a Cystoisospora ohioensis-like sp. and Eimeria stiedai, as well as sporocysts of a Sarcocystis sp. were also detected. All samples were negative for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. In conclusion, no evidence was found for the infection of BARF-fed dogs and cats with parasites that are usually associated with this diet and considered as clinico-pathological risk factors for these pets themselves (e.g., N. caninum, T. gondii). However, fluke eggs (probably originating from ruminants) and oocysts of E. stiedai (from rabbit liver in the food) were demonstrated as pseudoparasites. These species are usually not considered among parasite-associated risks of BARF-feeding, implying that other animals living near BARF-fed pets are neglected in this context. However, where intermediate hosts of D. dendriticum occur in urban areas, BARF-feeding may indirectly affect later other dogs and cats. It was also shown here that BARF-feeding may contribute to the contamination of the environment with E. stiedai oocysts, thus increasing the risks of biliary coccidiosis in nearby living pet rabbits that would otherwise not have access to oocysts of E. stiedai.

Graphical abstract
The interior climate and its microclimatic variation of temperate forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Simon Alois , Fierke Jonas , Reiter Ernesto J. , Loguercio Gabriel A. , Heinrichs Steffi , Putzenlechner Birgitta , Joelson Natalia Z. , Walentowski Helge
Published: January 2024

Knowledge on mesoclimatic zonation and microclimatic variations within mountain forest ecosystems is crucial for understanding regional species turnover and effects of climate change on these systems. The temperate mountain forests in the Andean region of South America are among the largest and contiguous natural deciduous forest areas in the world. Due to their pronounced disturbance regime and different successional stages, a climatic zonation combined with the characterisation of its microclimatic variation is important to identify thresholds of species occurrences.

We used micro-loggers to measure air temperature and relative humidity for one year at 40 measurement locations along longitudinal and elevation gradients in mountain forests in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Our results unveil mesoclimatic patterns within these forests characterised by variations in temperature and vapour pressure deficit along the elevational gradient in general, but also at different times of the year. For example,Austrocedrus chilensisandNothofagus dombeyiforests differed mainly by temperature and its diurnal range in the warmest months of the year. Also, differences between forest stands and gaps were more pronounced in the warmest months of the year and at lower elevations, with up to 2.5 K higher temperatures in the second half of the day in gaps. We found clear indications that shrubland ofNothofagus antarcticarepresenting a successional stage after disturbances alters the mesoclimatic pattern, favouring forest fire ignition. Such mesoclimatic variations have a major influence on tree species turnover and ecological processes within these forest ecosystems.

The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between topography, climate, and vegetation in shaping the spatial patterns of species occurrences.