bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of energy partition in fission and pre-neutron fragment distributions on post-neutron fragment yields, application for 235U(nth,f)
Authors: Tudora Anabella
Published: May 2023

The key role in the calculation of post-neutron fragment yields (independent FPY) is played by the pre-neutron fragment distributions Y(A,TKE) and the prompt neutron multiplicity (calculated in the frame of a prompt emission model). The knowledge of excitation energies of fully accelerated fragments is crucial in any prompt emission model. So that the influence on independent FPY of two methods of total excitation energy (TXE) partition, one based on modeling at scission and another on a parameterization at the full acceleration of fragments, and of two reliable Y(A,TKE) data of 235U(nth,f) is investigated by using the deterministic prompt emission model with a detailed treatment of sequential emission DSE. The independent FPY results Y(Ap) and Y(Z,Ap) obtained with both methods of TXE partition and both Y(A,TKE) distributions describe reasonably well the experimental data. The use of different TXE partitions and Y(A,TKE) data does not change the positions of the most pronounced peaks and dips in the Y(Ap) structure, only their magnitude is influenced by Y(A,TKE), while the TXE partition influences the position of less pronounced peaks and dips in the structures of Y(Ap) and Y(Np) (Np=Ap-Z). The influence of both the TXE partition and the Y(A,TKE) data on different kinetic energy distributions of post-neutron fragments is less pronounced than that on Y(Ap) and Y(Np)
Experimental Evaluation of Energy Resolutions for Pulsed Neutron Beam in the KURNS-LINAC
Authors: Matsuo Yasunori , Jun-ichi Hori , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Yashima Hiroshi , Terada Kazushi , Kanda Takashi , Sano Tadafumi
Published: May 2023

In this study, experimental evaluations for the energy resolution of pulsed neutron flux in the neutron path were carried out. The capture gamma-rays from a Ta-181 sample were measured by BGO detectors with a TOF method, and the TOF spectra for well-known resonances were obtained. The energy resolution was evaluated by comparing a full width at half maximum of the Ta-181 resonances in the JENDL-4.0. In order to obtain relationships between the energy resolution and the pulsed neutron beam width, the measurements were carried out with the pulsed neutron beam width of 4 μsec, 1 μsec and 0.1 μsec, respectively. As the experimental results, the energy resolution of neutron energy range from 4 eV to 125 eV corresponding to each pulse width were evaluated. For example, the energy resolution at 4.28 eV (Ta-181 first resonance peak) was about 0.5 % for a pulse width of 4 μsec.
Neutrons propagation in Lead: A feasibility study for experiments in the RSV TAPIRO fast research reactor
Authors: Fabrizio Valentina , Burgio Nunzio , Castelluccio Donato Maurizio , Falconi Luca , Grasso Giacomo , Lodi Francesco , Mengoni Alberto , Peluso Vincenzo , Pergreffi Roberto , Santagata Alfonso , Sarotto Massimo
Published: May 2023

The increasing worldwide interest in Lead-cooled Fast Reactors (LFRs) substantiates the need to validate the analytical codes and methods used to support their design. For neutronic analyses, this is chiefly reflected in assessing the impact of nuclear data uncertainties on the integral and local parameters resulting from such analyses. The aim of refining nuclear data moves continuous efforts for more accurate measurements, be them differential or integral, for which adequate facilities are required. The availability at the ENEA's Casaccia research center of a fast source reactor – RSV TAPIRO – provides a unique opportunity to perform new integral experiments in support of fast reactors, including LFRs, owing to the well-characterized neutron spectrum of the thermal column. A series of experiments has been envisaged, dealing with the use of Lead in a reactor. The experiments concern the propagation of neutrons through blocks of materials representing relevant elements of a reactor core, and ranging from pure Lead to mixtures reproducing portions of the reflector and shield in LFRs. The paper is focused on the feasibility study of some of these experiments in which Lead and mixture blocks are inserted in the so-called thermal column of the RSV TAPIRO reactor and irradiated by the neutron flux emerging from the Copper reflector surrounding the reactor core.
Neutron cross section measurements for BUC approaches
Authors: Kopecky Stefan , Oprea Andreea , Paradela Carlos , Schillebeeckx Peter
Published: May 2023

Criticality safety analysis is required at various stages of the back-end of the fuel cycle, i.e. reprocessing, transport, storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). To account for the reduction in reactivity due to fuel burnup, the Burn-Up Credit (BUC) concept was introduced. Evidently, this concept depends on the quality of nuclear data, in particular the absorption cross sections of some key nuclides. A dedicated programme has been established at the GELINA facility of the JRC-Geel to produce accurate cross section data and validate the evaluated nuclear data libraries for neutron interactions with fission fragments that are relevant for a BUC approach. In this work, cross section data for 103Rh and 155Gd are presented and the results are compared with the main evaluation libraries, showing good agreement in the thermal energy region with ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JEFF-3.3, but not with JENDL-4.0 for 103Rh.
Nuclear fragmentation cross section measurements with the FOOT experiment
Authors: Zarrella Roberto
Published: May 2023

FOOT (FragmentatiOn Of Target) is an applied nuclear physics experiment that aims at a full characterization of the nuclear fragmentation processes of interest for Particle Therapy and Radiation Protection in Space. The physics program foresees a set of measurements in direct and inverse kinematics using particle beams and targets with composition similar to human tissues and spacecraft shielding materials. The final goal of the experiment is the measurement of double differential cross sections with respect to angle and fragment energy in the 100-800 MeV/u range with a precision better than 5%. The FOOT Collaboration is currently completing the development of the apparatus and data acquisition campaigns with partial setups have already started. In this paper, an overview of the current status of the experiment is given, together with a summary of the preliminary results obtained from the first measurements with 16O beams.
Progress in the Evaluation and Validation of n+56,57Fe Cross Sections
Authors: Trkov A. , Capote R. , Bernard D. , Beyer R. , Danon Y. , Daskalakis A. , Junghans A. , Kostal M. , Leconte P. , Schulc M. , Simakov S.
Published: May 2023

There has been a continued effort since 2019 within the IAEA INDEN collaboration to improve the evaluation of neutron induced reactions on iron isotopes. The reason for the 30% underestimation of the neutron leakage spectrum from a thick iron sphere was found primarily to be due to the overestimation of the inelastic cross sections in the 56Fe evaluated data file produced within the CIELO project of the OECD/NEA Data Bank. The over-estimation of the neutron flux between the resonances near 300 keV was traced to neglecting the fluctuating nature of the total cross section of 57Fe in the fast neutron energy range, since the evaluated resolved resonance range of 57Fe extended only up to 190 keV. The added 1/v background in the "iron window" below 28 keV is in excellent agreement with the independently evaluated one in the JENDL-5.0 library that included the direct capture component in the evaluation. Performance of the updated 56,57Fe evaluations was tested on a set of criticality benchmarks from the ICSBEP Handbook, including the dependence on reflector thickness and on new deep penetration shielding benchmark using a 252Cf(sf) neutron source undertaken at Rez, Czech Republic. Neutron leakage for 43 MeV incident neutrons was also validated.
Why trust nuclear data evaluations with Bayesian networks
Authors: Schnabel Georg , Capote Roberto , Aldama Daniel L.
Published: May 2023

Bayesian networks were recently suggested as a framework for nuclear data evaluation. Their theory was to some extent described in a recent preprint and some example evaluations were presented. However, due to their newness in the context of nuclear data evaluation and consequently the lack of experience with them within the community makes it dicult to develop trust in the underlying methodology and consequently also the results produced by it. In this contribution, we aim to make a case why evaluators can trust this methodology in principle but will also elaborate on the fact that Bayesian networks are not a silver bullet for evaluation work. On the contrary, evaluators must assess and quantify essential assumptions about nuclear models and experiments with the same dilligence that is already necessary for the application of the wellestablished Generalized Least Squares (GLS) method. We also explain that the increased ease and flexibility to introduce assumptions regarding nuclear models, experiments and their relationships can help an evaluator to rigorously account for assumptions that are very often neglected in evaluations with the GLS method, such as the non-negativity of cross sections, relative experimental normalization uncertainties and the non-linearity in ratios of cross sections. We believe that adopting the Bayesian network paradigm can help both humans to produce evaluations with clearly traceable assumptions and machines to deal with nuclear data more eciently in terms of execution speed and storage size requirements.
75 Years of Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data Compilations
Authors: Pritychenko B.
Published: May 2023

The comprehensive experimental nuclear reaction data compilations were pioneered at the Metallurgical Laboratory, University of Chicago, and Los Alamos National Laboratory [1, 2] for the Manhattan Project needs. In 1947 many Manhattan Project alumni moved to a newly created Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to work on nuclear physics research and data compilations [3–6] in support of nuclear science and reactor research activities. Since the beginning, the data project has relied heavily on computer technologies available at the time, and Brookhaven compilations have been stored in the Sigma Center Information Storage and Retrieval System (SCISRS) that predated the Exchange Format (EXFOR) database.

In the following years, the reaction compilations evolved and gained an international component. Currently, the compilation efforts are coordinated by the Nuclear Reaction Data Centers network (NRDC) worldwide, which was founded in 1979 and operates under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The data compilations in the USA are coordinated by the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC), Brookhaven National Laboratory for the United States Nuclear Data Program (USNDP). The database compilations represent one of the oldest continuously-operated scientific collaborations that continue to archive and disseminate nuclear data for nuclear science and technology.
Statistical Uncertainty Quantification of Probability Tables for Unresolved Resonance Cross Sections
Authors: Tada Kenichi , Endo Tomohiro
Published: May 2023

The probability table method is an important method to treat the self-shielding effect in the unresolved resonance region. A probability table is generated by using many “ladders” that represent pseudo resonance structures. This study developed a quantification method of the statistical uncertainty of a probability table. The product of the probability table and average cross section in each probability bin was considered as the target of the statistical uncertainty of the probability table. The central limit theorem (CLT), bootstrap method, and jackknife method were adopted to calculate the statistical uncertainty. The statistical uncertainties calculated using these methods were compared with the reference results. The calculation results showed that the statistical uncertainties obtained by CLT were similar to those of the other methods. Because the CLT calculation time was faster than that of the other methods, CLT was deemed as the best method for calculating the statistical uncertainty of the probability table. The statistical uncertainty quantification of the probability table developed in this study was implemented in nuclear data processing code FRENDY version 2. FRENDY version 2 can generate a probability table using the tolerance of the statistical uncertainty of the probability table.
Evaluation of Thermal Neutron Scattering Law and Cross Sections for Calcium Hydride
Authors: Laramee Briana K. , Hawari Ayman I.
Published: May 2023

Presented here are the calculated thermal scattering law (TSL) and thermal neutron scattering cross sections for Calcium Hydride, hereafter referred to by its chemical symbol CaH2. The only other such data prior to this evaluation are thermal neutron scattering libraries in the JEFF database, which do not fully capture the scattering physics of the CaH2 system. The data in this evaluation are calculated from first principles; Density Functional Theory (DFT) is used to calculate the phonon density of states (DOS), which is the primary input required to derive the TSL. The TSL and cross sections have been evaluated for the three non-equivalent atom cites in the CaH2: Ca, H1, and H2. Each evaluation has been submitted to the NNDC for consideration in the next ENDF/B database release.
Overview of the dissemination of n_TOF experimental data and resonance parameters
Authors: Dupont E. , Otuka N. , Rochman D. , Nogèure G. , Aberle O. , Alcayne V. , Altieri S. , Amaducci S. , Andrzejewski J. , Babiano-Suarez V. , Bacak M. , Balibrea J. , Beltrami C. , Bennett S. , Bernardes A.P. , Berthoumieux E. , Beyer R. , Boromiza M. , Bosnar D. , Caamaño M. , Calviño F. , Calviani M. , Cano-Ott D. , Casanovas A. , Cerutti F. , Cescutti G. , Chiaveri E. , Colombetti P. , Colonna N. , Console Camprini P. , Cortés G. , Cortés-Giraldo M.A. , Cosentino L. , Cristallo S. , Dellmann S. , Di Castro M. , Di Maria S. , Diakaki M. , Dietz M. , Domingo-Pardo C. , Dressler R. , Durán I. , Eleme Z. , Fargier S. , Fernández B. , Fernández-Domínguez B. , Finocchiaro P. , Fiore S. , Furman V. , García-Infantes F. , Gawlik-Ramięga A. , Gervino G. , Gilardoni S. , González-Romero E. , Guerrero C. , Gunsing F. , Gustavino C. , Heyse J. , Hillman W. , Jenkins G.D. , Jericha E. , Junghans A. , Kadi Y. , Kaperoni K. , Kaur G. , Kimura A. , Knapová I. , Kokkoris M. , Kopatch Y. , Krtička M. , Kyritsis N. , Ladarescu I. , Lederer-Woods C. , Lerendegui-Marco J. , Lerner G. , Manna A. , Martínez T. , Masi A. , Massimi C. , Mastinu P. , Mastromarco M. , Maugeri E.A. , Mazzone A. , Mendoza E. , Mengoni A. , Michalopoulou V. , Milazzo P.M. , Mucciola R. , Murtas F. , Musacchio-Gonzalez E. , Musumarra A. , Negret A. , Pérez de Rada A. , Pérez-Maroto P. , Patronis N. , Pavón-Rodrgíuez J.A. , Pellegriti M.G. , Perkowski J. , Petrone C. , Pirovano E. , Plaza J. , Pomp S. , Porras I. , Praena J. , Quesada J.M. , Reifarth R. , Romanets Y. , Rubbia C. , Sánchez-Caballero A. , Sabaté-Gilarte M. , Schillebeeckx P. , Schumann D. , Sekhar A. , Smith A.G. , Sosnin N.V. , Stamati M.E. , Sturniolo A. , Tagliente G. , Tarifeño-Saldivia A. , Taríro D. , Torres-Sánchez P. , Vagena E. , Valenta S. , Variale V. , Vaz P. , Vecchio G. , Vescovi D. , Vlachoudis V. , Vlastou R. , Wallner A. , Woods P.J. , Wright T. , Zarrella R. , Žugec P.
Published: May 2023

The n_TOF neutron time-of-flight facility at CERN is used for nuclear data measurements. The n_TOF Collaboration works closely with the Nuclear Reaction Data Centres (NRDC) network to disseminate the experimental data through the international EXFOR library. In addition, the Collaboration helps integrate the results in the evaluated library projects. The present contribution describes the dissemination status of n_TOF results, their impact on evaluated libraries and ongoing efforts to provide n_TOF resonance parameters in ENDF-6 format for further use by evaluation projects.
Ongoing Updates to NNDC Web Services
Authors: Shu Benjamin , Mason Donnie
Published: May 2023

The National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) provides nuclear data through 40 websites, many of which are being updated to make data easier to find. The most visible change is a site-wide navigation menu that links to the NNDC’s most-visited databases. The Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) front page now also has a chart interface for visual exploration of its data. NuDat 3.0 provides a faster, smoother, and feature-rich interactive Chart of Nuclides. The Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) website has been updated with improved response times and decay diagrams. More recently, the NNDC has focused on standardizing its web development process. Through the use of Git version control and Gradle Build Tool, the NNDC intends to improve existing websites and guide the creation of new ones.
GRE@T-PIONEeR: Teaching the nuclear data pipeline using innovative pedagogical methods
Authors: Cabellos Oscar , Demazière Christophe , Dulla Sandra , Garcia-Herranz Nuria , Miró Rafael , Macian Rafael , Szieberth Máté , Buchet Emma , Maurice Suzi , Strola Samy
Published: May 2023

GRE@T-PIONEeR - GRaduate Education Alliance for Teaching the PhysIcs and safety Of NuclEar Reactors - is a project funded by the Euratom – Horizon 2020 Framework Programme which aims at developing and providing specialised and advanced courses in computational and experimental reactor physics at the graduate level (MSc and PhD levels) and post-graduate level, as well as the staff members working in the nuclear industry. One of the work packages of GRE@T-PIONEeR is devoted to developing a specific course on the nuclear data pipeline processes and to present the role of nuclear data to play in calculations of innovative reactor systems. This course covers all steps in the nuclear data life cycle, starting from the measurements to their validation and final use in nuclear reactor calculations. Beyond the technical contents of the courses being developed, the paper describes the use of innovative pedagogical methods and active learning techniques, such as flipped classes, aimed at promoting student learning.
Sonographische Normwerte für das Schilddrüsenvolumen Erwachsener – woher kommen sie und wie sind sie zu bewerten?
Authors: Seifert Philipp , Gühne Falk , Drescher Robert , Freesmeyer Martin
Published: May 2023

Der obere Grenzwert für das Schilddrüsenvolumen beträgt bei Frauen 18 ml und bei Männern
25 ml. Diese Referenzgrößen werden fachgebietsübergreifend in vielen Kliniken und Praxen
verwendet und gelehrt. Insofern sind sie auch Grundlage therapeutischer Entscheidungen. Doch
wo kommen die Normalwerte für das Schilddrüsenvolumen her und auf Basis welcher Untersuchungen
wurden sie etabliert? Sollten diese Obergrenzen in der klinischen Routine als universeller
Maßstab angewendet werden und welche Faktoren können die physiologische Organgröße
beeinflussen? Der folgende Artikel widmet sich einer kritischen Betrachtung der
weitverbreiteten Referenzwerte für das Volumen der Schilddrüse in der erwachsenen
Bevölkerung.
Extrathyreoidale Nebenbefunde bei der Schilddrüsensonografie
Authors: Veit Franziska , Prößdorf Andreas
Published: May 2023

Bei der sonografischen Untersuchung der Schilddrüse (SD) fallen regelmäßig extrathyreoidale Nebenbefunde auf, die je nach ihrer klinischen Relevanz einer weiterführenden Abklärung bedürfen können. Von besonderer Bedeutung sind dabei unter anderem klinisch inapparente Nebenbefunde, die jedoch für den Patienten eine therapeutische Konsequenz haben, wie zum Beispiel Karotisstenosen oder Nebenschilddrüsenadenome. Es ist daher wichtig, zervikale Nebenbefunde zu erkennen und richtig einzuordnen, um so, wenn erforderlich, weiterführende Bildgebung zu veranlassen und andere Fachabteilungen einzubinden.
Nur mit Beteiligung
Authors: Lukuc Sarah
Published: May 2023

Auf einer selbst organisierten Demo überreicht der Bundesverband sein Positionspapier an Regierungsvertreter und fordert: „Eine praxisorientierte Einführung der Krankenhausreform – und unsere Beteiligung an den Plänen.“
Willkommen auf Station
Authors: Jäger Simon , Herlach Stephanie
Published: May 2023

Lesen Sie hier, warum es sich lohnt, in eine herzliche und authentische Willkommenskultur für internationale Pflegekräfte zu investieren, wie bürokratische Hürden gut zu meistern sind und was zu beachten ist, wenn man die neuen Kollegen länger als 2 Jahre halten möchte.
An Unusual Case of Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy (PME): Familial Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Body (FENIB)
Authors: Das Debarup , Chakraborty Uddalak , Dubey Souvik , Bhattacharya Bhaswar , Pandit Alak
Published: May 2023

Progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME) is a spectrum with epileptic encephalopathy and myoclonus. In this case report authors describe a young patient presenting with refractory multifocal myoclonus with multiple seizure types with dyscognitive features. He was bed-bound with complete dependency on his caregivers. His electroencephalogram had an encephalopathy pattern, and his magnetic resonance imaging showed gross cortical atrophy. In this patient, the working clinical diagnosis of epileptic encephalopathy with PME phenotype had a wide differential list including neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, Lafora body disease, sialidosis, myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers, dentatorubro-pallidoluysian atrophy, Unverricht–Lundborg, and other rare disorders such as Gaucher's disease and other genetic causes. Eventually after ruling out all common etiologies, whole-exome sequencing revealed a SERPINI1 gene mutation in exon 9 showing a pathogenic variant c1175G > A (p.Gly392Glu) which associated with PME as a part of familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies.
Plastic Bronchitis and Human Bocavirus: A Report of Three Cases
Authors: Yilmaz Asli Imran , Çopur Ahmet , Parlatan Havva , Çağlar Hanife Tuğçe , Ünal Gökçen , Ercan Fatih , Yazar Abdullah , Özdemir Mehmet , Pekcan Sevgi
Published: May 2023

This study aims to investigate and analyze the clinical features of coexisting human bocavirus (HBoV) positivity and plastic bronchitis (PB). We present three cases with no known history of cardiac surgery who presented with cough, progressive dyspnea, and atelectasis. They tested positive for HBoV in a real-time polymerase chain reaction of both nasal lavage fluids. They were diagnosed with PB as a result of bronchoscopy and pathology. PB is a rare disease characterized by forming thick rigid casts in the tracheobronchial tree, which can progress to respiratory failure. While asthma or atopy-related type 1 PB was observed in one patient, two patients were diagnosed with PB, which was thought to have developed secondary to viral infections of unknown etiology. As far as we know, HBoV-associated PB cases are rare in the literature. Besides the commonly known infectious agents, we identified a relationship with HBoV in all the presented cases.
Moral self-consistency as the self-organization of moral identity: A social-cognitive approach
Authors: Arvanitis Alexios
Published: May 2023

Within social-cognitive accounts of moral behavior, moral self-consistency or integrity, as conceptualized by Blasi, is assumed to link moral identity to moral behavior. The present study provides a novel account of moral self-consistency as an aspect of the self-organization of moral identity. I used two elements of moral identity to study moral self-consistency: moral values and moral scripts. The moral self-consistency of 410 participants was operationalized as the extent to which their responses on moral values, measured by the Moral Foundations Questionnaire, predicted their responses on moral scripts, measured by the Moral Foundations Vignettes. I identified two types of moral self-consistency: (1) individualizing and (2) binding. As predicted, when the respondents’ moral integrity was activated, (a) individualizing moral self-consistency was greater if it focused on individual moral integrity rather than national moral integrity, and (b) liberals exhibited more binding moral self-consistency than conservatives. This paper discusses the implications and limitations of the present study, as well as the potential for further development of social-cognitive accounts of moral identity.

“If you want to be a good person, make sure you know where true goodness really lies. Don’t just go through the motions of being good.”

Ajahn Fuang Jotiko, Buddhist Monk (Bhikkhu, 1993, p. 10)
Gas Phase Hydrogenated and Deuterated Fullerene Cations
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Dong Zhenru , Ge Yanan , Liu Jia , Chen Yang , Zhen Junfeng , Qin Liping
Published: May 2023

H/D accretion, especially onto ionized fullerenes, is expected to be very efficient in space. In this work, we study hydrogenated and deuterated fullerene cations and their photodissociation behavior in the gas phase. The experimental results show that hydrogenated fullerene cations (i.e., [C60H
n
]+ and [C70H
n
]+, n up to 30) and deuterated fullerene cations (i.e., [C60D
n
]+ and [C70D
n
]+, n up to 21) are formed efficiently through the ion-atom collision reaction pathway. Upon irradiation, the hydrogenated and deuterated fullerene cations dissociate into fullerene cations and H/H2 or D/D2 species. The structures of the newly formed hydrogenated and deuterated fullerene cations (C58 and C60) and the bonding energies for these reaction pathways are investigated by means of quantum chemical calculations. The competition between hydrogenation and dehydrogenation is confirmed, and the hydrogenation-to-dehydrogenation ratio in the accretion processes in the gas phase is determined. We infer that the proportion of accreted hydrogen and deuterium atoms on the surface of fullerenes is similar to that of hydrogen and deuterium atoms in the interstellar environment where these fullerenes are located, especially when the interstellar environments are similar to our experimental conditions, i.e., the hot environment.
Detection of the Milky Way Reflex Motion Caused by the Magellanic Clouds in Different Observation Accuracy
Authors: Cao Ya-Nan , Tian Hao , Shao Shi , Xue Xiang-Xiang , Liu Yi-Zhou , Fan Zhou , Li Jing
Published: May 2023

Motivated by recent studies of the perturbation of the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) on the Milky Way (MW) and the planned multi-band wide-field deep survey named Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST), we explore the detection limit of the MW reflex motion due to the MCs infall in different observation precision using an MW-MCs-mass galaxy from magpie simulation to provide a reference for the CSST survey. By involving different errors of distance, proper motion, and radial velocity, we investigate the reflex motion characterized by the velocity shift in each velocity component. We find the strongest shifts in the tangential velocities, which align with the motion direction of the MCs. In the ideal case that distance errors dominate, we find a relative distance error of 10% can allow the reliable detection of velocity shifts in tangential velocities within 100 kpc, and a relative distance error of 30% is the minimum requirement to detect the reliable tangential velocity shifts of about 40 km s−1 within 50 kpc. Different errors of proper motions in combination with a relative distance error of 10% or 20% show an error of 0.1 mas yr−1 in proper motions can guarantee the reliable detection of velocity shifts in V

l
and V

b
up to 80–100 kpc and an error of 0.15 mas yr−1 is the minimum requirement. In the other ideal case that radial velocity errors dominate, we find a radial velocity error of 20 km s−1 can present reliable reflex motion in line-of-sight velocity up to 70 kpc, while the detection volume will be reduced to 50 kpc as the radial velocity error increases to 40 km s−1. When the radial velocity error is larger than 60 km s−1, the velocity shifts cannot be detected anymore. In addition, we find that reliable detection of reflex motion requires at least 20% of the whole sample.
3D bioprinted vascularized lung cancer organoid models with underlying disease capable of more precise drug evaluation
Authors: Choi Yoo-mi , Lee Haram , Ann Minjun , Song Minyeong , Rheey Jinguen , Jang Jinah
Published: May 2023

Despite encouraging progress in the development of in vitro cancer models, in vitro cancer models that simultaneously recapitulate the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and its diverse cellular components and genetic properties remain lacking. Here, an advanced vascularized lung cancer (LC) model is proposed, which includes patient-derived LC organoids (LCOs), lung fibroblasts, and perfusable vessels using 3D bioprinting technology. To better recapitulate the biochemical composition of native lung tissues, a porcine lung-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (LudECM) hydrogel was produced to offer physical and biochemical cues to cells in the LC microenvironment. In particular, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis-derived lung fibroblasts were used to implement fibrotic niches similar to actual human fibrosis. It was shown that they increased cell proliferation and the expression of drug resistance-related genes in LCOs with fibrosis. In addition, changes in resistance to sensitizing targeted anti-cancer drugs in LCOs with fibrosis were significantly greater in LudECM than in that Matrigel. Therefore, assessment of drug responsiveness in vascularized LC models that recapitulate lung fibrosis can help determine the appropriate therapy for LC patients accompanied by fibrosis. Furthermore, it is expected that this approach could be utilized for the development of targeted therapies or the identification of biomarkers for LC patients accompanied by fibrosis.
Strength enhancement and retention in magnesium subjected to uniaxial compression using centralized partial drill holes
Authors: Krishnan Anirudh Venkatraman , Gupta Manoj
Published: May 2023

The automotive industry approached light weighting vehicles using alloys and composites of aluminium and magnesium to improve fuel efficiency. They further introduced sensors to gain insight into real-time monitoring of their components. In the biomedical industry, reducing stiffness of implants, promoting cell proliferation, providing controlled drug delivery, and enabling real-time monitoring of implants has been the focus. With magnesium being a biocompatible material, research on improving the material properties of biocompatible magnesium alloys and composites is ongoing. However, tracking the efficiency of these implants in-vivo is essential and can be done using appropriate sensors. But the question of where to place them and would it affect the structural integrity of the implant needs to be answered. While previous research has explored the effect of through holes in different directions and materials, the effect of a controlled drill hole has not yet been explored. Hence, this study varies the drill depths in pure magnesium from 1 mm to 2.5 mm and drill diameter from 1 mm to 2.5 mm respectively in an 8 mm diameter cylinder to study the same. Further, an exploratory work on the effect of shape of the drill hole has also been taken up. Results convey that the sample with 1 mm drill diameter and 1.5 mm drill depth provided optimum results.
Multi-Branch CNN GRU with attention mechanism for human action recognition
Authors: Verma Updesh , Tyagi Pratibha , Aneja Manpreet Kaur
Published: May 2023

For recognition of human actions, deep neural networks have been widely used in recent years including convolutional neural networks. They have gained very much popularity due to their effectiveness in feature representation over traditional approaches. But at the same time, deep learning networks faced some challenges such as the requirement of a sufficient amount of labelled data which are rarely available and the non-availability of computationally effective resources for deep neural networks. To overcome these challenges, multi-head deep learning architecture by combining Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) with attention mechanism is proposed in this research for recognition of human actions. Three lightweight CNN heads GRU are utilized, and attention mechanisms are introduced in each head for the effective representation of important features and suppression of other undesired features. Three benchmark datasets PAMAP2, UCI-HAR and WISDM are taken for experimentation on proposed model. The performance of this architecture outperformed other models in terms of achieved accuracy, F-1 score and computational efficiency. The proposed approach obtained accuracy of 99.23%, 94.19% and 98.65% on WISDM, UCI-HAR and PAMAP2 datasets.
The optimized anticoagulation strategy in prolonged hemodialysis
Authors: Thielemans Raïsa , Vanommeslaeghe Floris , Josipovic Iván , De Somer Filip , Devreese Katrien , Boone Matthieu , Van Biesen Wim , Eloot Sunny
Published: May 2023

Background

During extended (nocturnal) hemodialysis (ENHD), the dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) can be administered as a single injection or as a divided dose over different time points. Our hypothesis was that a single injection might be sufficient to maintain dialyzer fiber patency. In addition, we investigated whether the biochemical clotting parameter anti-Xa accurately predicts fiber blocking.

Methods

Our hypothesis was tested in 20 stable patients on ENHD in a random cross-over setting during two consecutive midweek sessions. The regular total dose of LMWH (i.e. enoxaparin, Clexane® 40–100  mg, Sanofi, Belgium) was either given (i) in a single injection at the dialysis start or (ii) divided over two injections, at the start and halfway the dialysis session. Blood samples were taken from the arterial blood line at different time points to determine plasma anti-Xa activity levels. Post-dialysis, the rinsed and dried hemodialyzers were scanned with a reference micro-computed tomography (µCT) scanning technique, and non-blocked fibers were counted in a central cross-section of the dialyzer outlet potting (ImageJ, NIH, USA).

Results

The percentage of open fibers in the dialyzers after a single injection of LMWH [91 (61–96)%] versus divided administration [94 (79–98)%] was not different. Time averaged anti-Xa activity levels were clinically not significantly different between both sessions. Anti-Xa activity levels correlated with the administered anticoagulation doses normalized for body weight, but not with the percentages open fibers in the dialyzers.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that there is no need to administer enoxaparin over two injections for ENHD up to 8 h. The usefulness of monitoring anti-Xa levels to predict fiber patency, assessed by µCT, can be questioned, but further clinical trials are needed.
Transaxillary approach enhances postoperative recovery after mitral valve surgery
Authors: Malvindi Pietro Giorgio , Wilbring Manuel , De Angelis Veronica , Bifulco Olimpia , Berretta Paolo , Kappert Utz , Di Eusanio Marco
Published: May 2023

OBJECTIVES

Several thoracic incisions have been described and different techniques used for cardiopulmonary bypass, myocardial protection, and valve exposure in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the early outcomes of patients operated using a simplified minimally invasive approach through a right transaxillary (TAxA) access with those achieved with conventional full sternotomy (FS) operations.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent mitral valve surgery between 2017 and 2022 at 2 academic centres were reviewed. Among them, 454 patients were operated through minimally invasive mitral valve surgery TAxA access and 667 patients through FS; associated aortic and coronary arteries surgery (CABG) procedures, infective endocarditis, redo and urgent operations were excluded. A propensity-matched analysis was performed using 17 preoperative variables.

RESULTS

Two well-balanced cohorts including a total of 804 patients were analysed. The rate of mitral valve repair was similar in both groups. Operative times were shorter in the FS group; nevertheless, in patients operated with a minimally invasive approach, there was a trend towards decreasing cross-clamp time over the study period (P = 0.07). In the TAxA group, 30-day mortality was 0.25%, and postoperative cerebral stroke rate was 0.7%. TAxA mitral surgery was associated with shorter intubation time (P < 0.001) and intensive care unit stay (P < 0.001). After a median hospital stay of 8 days, 30% of patients who had TAxA surgery were discharged home versus 5% in the FS group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with FS access, TAxA approach provides at least similar excellent early outcomes in terms of perioperative morbidity and mortality and allows shorter mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay with a higher rate of patients able to be discharged home without any further period of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
Evolution of Metabolome and Transcriptome Supports a Hierarchical Organization of Adaptive Traits
Authors: Lai Wei-Yun , Otte Kathrin A , Schlötterer Christian
Published: May 2023

Most organismal phenotypes have a polygenic basis, which enables adaptive phenotypic responses on ecological time scales. While adaptive phenotypic changes are highly parallel in replicate populations, this does not apply to the contributing loci. In particular for small populations, the same phenotypic shift can be fueled by different sets of alleles at alternative loci (genetic redundancy). Although this phenomenon is empirically well supported, the molecular basis of the genetic redundancy is not yet understood. To fill this gap, we compared the heterogeneity of the evolutionary transcriptomic and metabolomic response in ten Drosophila simulans populations which evolved parallel high-level phenotypic changes in a novel temperature environment but used different allelic combinations of alternative loci. We showed that the metabolome evolved more parallel than the transcriptome, confirming a hierarchical organization of molecular phenotypes. Different sets of genes responded in each evolved population but led to the enrichment of similar biological functions and a consistent metabolic profile. Since even the metabolomic response was still highly heterogeneous across evolved populations, we propose that selection may operate on pathways/networks.
Convergence rate of inertial forward–backward algorithms based on the local error bound condition
Authors: Liu Hongwei , Wang Ting , Liu Zexian
Published: May 2023

The ‘inertial forward–backward algorithm’ (IFB) is a powerful algorithm for solving a class of convex non-smooth minimization problems, IFB relies on an inertial parameter $\gamma _{k}$ whose tuning is crucial for achieving accelerated convergence speeds as compared to the classical forward–backward algorithm. Under the local error bound condition, it is known that IFB converges R-linearly as soon as the inertial parameter satisfies ${\sup _{k}}{\gamma _{k}} \leqslant \tilde{\gamma } <1.$ On the contrary, we are not aware of any convergence result for the case ${\sup _{k}}{\gamma _{k}} = 1.$ In this paper, we consider six different choices of inertial parameters satisfying this last condition, and show convergence of the corresponding IFB algorithms under the local error bound condition. Finally, we propose a class of inertial forward–backward algorithm with an adaptive modification (IFB_AdapM) and show that it enjoys the same convergence results.
Neglected tropical diseases in Republic of Guinea: disease endemicity, case burden and the road towards the 2030 target
Authors: Cherif Mahamoud Sama , Keita Mory , Dahal Prabin , Guilavogui Timothé , Beavogui Abdoul Habib , Diassy Lamine , Conde Mohamed , Touré Abdoulaye , Delamou Alexandre
Published: May 2023

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) predominantly affect vulnerable and marginalized populations in tropical and subtropical areas and globally affect more than one billion people. In Guinea, the burden of NTDs is estimated to be >7.5 disability-adjusted life years per million inhabitants. Currently the Guinea NTDs master plan (2017–2020) has identified eight diseases as public health problems: onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, leprosy, human African trypanosomiasis and Buruli ulcer. In this review we discuss the past and the current case burden of the priority NTDs in Guinea, highlight the major milestones and discuss current and future areas of focus for achieving the 2030 target outlined by the World Health Organization.
Determination of Gemcitabine and Sorafenib in Spiked Human Plasma Using Multivariate Model Update Chemometric Methods
Authors: Sharkawi Marco M Z , Mohamed Norhan R , El-Saadi Mohammed T , Amin Noha H
Published: May 2023

Background

Gemcitabine (GEM), a pyrimidine nucleoside, has been used as a first-line treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sorafenib (SOR), a nonselective multi-kinase inhibitor, is used as a chemotherapeutic agent in different types of cancers including NSCLC in preclinical studies. Co-administration of GEM and SOR was found to be effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of NSCLC.

Objective

The aim of the present work is to determine the studied drugs in spiked human plasma simultaneously through resolving the overlapping spectra and removing the interference of the plasma matrix.

Method

Two updated chemometric models were developed using UV absorbance of the drugs, which named principal component regression (PCR) and partial least-squares (PLS) for determination of GEM and SOR in the ranges of 5–25 and 2–22 µg/mL, respectively.

Results

Validation of the two updated models has been achieved in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, and the results were satisfactory. The two methods had the advantages of high predictive ability of the studied drugs with high precision and accuracy. Moreover, there was no significant difference obtained when statistical comparison was done between the developed and reported methods, showing good validity of the suggested methods.

Conclusions

The two updated models have the advantages of being rapid, accurate, sensitive, and cost-effective for the determination of GEM and SOR in quality control laboratories without any need for initial separation procedures.

Highlights

Two updated chemometric methods, PCR and PLS, were developed for the estimation of GEM and SOR in spiked human plasma using their UV absorbance data.
Activating Citizenship through NGO-Led Litigation: Shaping the Neoliberal State to Eradicate Manual Scavenging in India
Authors: Kahle Alena , Hammerslev Ole
Published: May 2023

Sanitation work in India is largely carried out by the historically marginalized Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, without proper devices or safety gear, as so-called ‘manual scavenging’. To counter manual scavenging, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have turned to courts and litigation as a form of resistance. This brought about some successes: manual scavenging was repeatedly outlawed, and several high-profile court cases have ordered local governments to take very explicit steps to eradicate it. However, manual scavenging persists rampantly, leading several authors to argue that litigation has failed in its purpose. We critically evaluate this claim by examining the underlying root question: what purpose do NGOs ascribe to litigation in their efforts to eradicate manual scavenging in the first place? Our analysis is based on a multi-method, qualitative research approach combining analysis of documents of, and interviews with, a total of 23 NGOs. Using the lens of active citizenship, we conclude that NGOs seek to shift responsibility to the government, of which it has absolved itself under neoliberalism, remind the government of its duty to serve its citizens, and overall participate politically. Specific features of courts, such as mandamus and a mediation-oriented approach, were mentioned as uniquely enabling petitioners to exercise active citizenship and force government officials to at least consider manual scavengers’ interests.
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Compare Immunogenicity to Cell-Based Versus Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccines in Children
Authors: Williams Katherine V , Li Zhu-Nan , Zhai Bo , Alcorn John F , Nowalk Mary Patricia , Levine Min Z , Kim Sara S , Flannery Brendan , Moehling Geffel Krissy , Merranko Amanda Jaber , Collins Mark , Susick Michael , Clarke Karen S , Zimmerman Richard K , Martin Judith M
Published: May 2023

Background

Few studies have focused on the immune response to more recent influenza vaccine formulations such as cell-cultured inactivated influenza vaccine (ccIIV4) or live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) in older children and young adults, or differences in immunoglobulin response using newer antibody landscape technology.

Methods

Participants ages 4–21 were randomized to receive ccIIV4 (n = 112) or LAIV4 (n = 118). A novel high-throughput multiplex influenza antibody detection assay was used to provide detailed IgG, IgA, and IgM antibody isotypes, along with hemagglutination inhibition levels (HAI), measured pre- and 28 days post-vaccination.

Results

The HAI and immunoglobulin isotype response to ccIIV4 was greater than LAIV4, with significant increases in IgG but not IgA or IgM. The youngest participants had the highest LAIV4 response. Prior LAIV4 vaccination was associated with a higher response to current season ccIIV4. Cross-reactive A/Delaware/55/2019(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies were present pre-vaccination and increased in response to ccIIV4, but not LAIV4. Immunoglobulin assays strongly correlated with and confirmed the findings of HAI titers to measure immune response.

Conclusions

Age and prior season vaccination may play a role in the immune response in children and young adults to ccIIV4 and LAIV4. While immunoglobulin isotypes provide high-level antigen-specific information, HAI titers alone can provide a meaningful representation of day 28 post-vaccination response.

Clinical Trials No

NCT03982069
Is there a Day of the Week Effect on Panel Response Rate to an Online Questionnaire Email Invitation?
Authors: Howard Chloe , Greaves Lara M , Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G
Published: May 2023

Does the day of the week an email is sent inviting existing participants to complete a follow-up questionnaire for an annual online survey impact response rate? We answer this question using a preregistered experiment conducted as part of an ongoing national probability panel study in New Zealand. Across 14 consecutive days, existing participants in a panel study were randomly allocated a day of the week to receive an email inviting them to complete the next wave of the questionnaire online (N = 26,126). Valid responses included questionnaires completed within 31 days of receiving the initial invitation. Results revealed that the day the invitation was sent did not affect the likelihood of responding. These results are reassuring for researchers conducting ongoing panel studies and suggest that, once participants have joined a panel, the day of the week they are contacted does not impact their likelihood of responding to subsequent waves.