bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A numerical study on high-temperature effects of exploding shock waves
Authors: Saranyamol V. S. , Vamsi Krishna Talluri , Ibrahim Sugarno Mohammed
Published: January 2023

A planar shock of initial strength MS = 3.0 was focused to a tiny region in space using a spherically converging test section. The shock accelerates inside the test section, collides with the focusing end wall, and gets reflected. Numerical studies show that the flow behind reflected shock behaves like an expanding jet moving through a confined area. It was observed that this expansion caused the formation of a mushroom-shaped structure. Thermodynamic characterization of the mushroom structure was made, and it was found that the gas temperature inside the mushroom structure is higher than that across the reflected shock itself. High-temperature effects, such as temperature-dependent Cp variations and dissociation–recombination reactions of the test gas, were added to the simulations to better understand the effect of temperature on the expanding hot gas. A reduction of 39% in the peak temperature value was obtained at the focusing end wall. Also, the flow inside the mushroom structure was observed to be a reactive mixture of a hot gas slug. It is observed that prominent molecular dissociation and recombination take place inside the mushroom structure, which is absent across the reflected shock.
Diffusion and dynamics of noble gases in hydroquinone clathrate channels
Authors: Rodríguez-García Brais , Piñeiro Manuel M. , Pérez-Rodríguez Martín
Published: January 2023

In the present work, we study the behavior of the noble gases He, Ne, Ar, and Kr inside a hydroquinone clathrate (HQC) by using all-atom molecular dynamics. Larger elements of the same group were not considered due to their inability to fit inside the HQC cavities. By using the umbrella sampling technique, we have obtained the following inter-cage transition barriers—which are arguably the main factor determining the type of diffusion of the gases—at 310 K and 0.1 MPa: 1192; 2204; 6450; 10 730 kJ mol−1 for the guests He, Ne, Ar, and Kr, respectively. These energy barriers were found to have a linear relation with atomic radii (σ). We have tested this tendency with CH4, due to its intermediate size between Ar and Kr, obtaining a barrier of 8926 kJ mol−1, in excellent agreement with the results for noble gases.
Study on high-speed water entry of the projectile passing through an ice hole in a low-temperature environment based on a modified thermodynamic cavitation model
Authors: Hu Xinyu , Wei Yingjie , Wang Cong
Published: January 2023

It is a complicated problem to study high-speed water entry of a projectile passing through an ice hole in a polar environment. This involves the constraint of the ice hole on the free surface and low-temperature cavitation during the water entry. In this paper, a numerical method involving a modified thermodynamic cavitation model is introduced to study the water entry process. The numerical method is validated by comparing the numerical results of cavity evolution with the experimental data. The cavity dynamics of the projectile passing through the overwater ice hole at high speed and different ambient temperatures are studied. The cavity evolution, flow field, and motion state of the projectile are analyzed. The results show that a nested cavity forms when the projectile passes through the ice hole at high speed. The drop in temperature accelerates the surface closure and deep pinch-off. The effect of the temperature on cavity evolution weakens as the Froude number (Fr) increases. Moreover, at high Fr, the temperature alters the appearance of the ripple on the cavity surface and the growth trend of the cavity size. The drop in temperature reduces the content of the vapor in the cavity and changes the flow characteristics. At a low temperature, the hydrodynamic drag of the projectile passing through the ice hole increases, and the pressure distribution on the surface of the projectile is different.
Development of rapid and sensitive loop-mediated isothermal method for on-site visual identification of tissue origin of pig by using mitochondrial COI gene sequences
Authors: Kumari Sarita , Kumar R. R. , Mendiratta S. K. , Mahala Anurag , Kumar Arun , Jawla Jyoti
Published: January 2023

Context The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods have great potential to identify the species origin of the tissue in meat and meat products at isothermal temperature and are also suitable for field conditions. Aim The present study aimed to develop a rapid, specific, and sensitive assay based on the LAMP technique for identification of tissue of pig origin. Methods The pig-specific primers were designed by targeting the mitochondrial COI gene. The amplification temperature and time for the LAMP reaction were optimised as 64°C and 45 min. The analysis of the amplified product was performed on the basis of the development of colour after the addition of intercalating SYBR Green I dye, and also by the ladder-like pattern on agarose-gel electrophoresis. Key results The assay was found to be highly specific for DNA templates of pig origin and showed no cross-reactivity with other food animals, viz. cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. The analytical sensitivities of the LAMP and PCR assays were recorded as up to 0.00001 ng and 0.1 ng respectively, of the absolute DNA content. The laboratory validation of the developed method was performed on blind samples and an admixture of meat from different food animals, viz. cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig. The analysis could be performed in an hour by using supernatant from Phire Animal Tissue Direct PCR kit-treated tissue, excluding the complex process of nucleic acid extraction. Conclusion The LAMP assay was found to be cost-effective, easy to perform, and highly species-specific for pig tissue in meat and meat admixture. The result of the assay can be analysed with the naked eye without the need for sophisticated equipment. Compared with pre-standardised PCR assay, the developed LAMP method was quite sensitive and could be performed within 1 h, from sampling to analysis results. Implications The developed LAMP assay is low resource-based single-tube approach that could be exploited significantly in the fields of diagnostics, agriculture, and aquaculture.
Microbial population dynamics decouple growth response from environmental nutrient concentration
Authors: Fink Justus Wilhelm , Held Noelle A. , Manhart Michael
Published: January 2023

How the growth rate of a microbial population responds to the environmental availability of chemical nutrients and other resources is a fundamental question in microbiology. Models of this response, such as the widely used Monod model, are generally characterized by a maximum growth rate and a half-saturation concentration of the resource. What values should we expect for these half-saturation concentrations, and how should they depend on the environmental concentration of the resource? We survey growth response data across a wide range of organisms and resources. We find that the half-saturation concentrations vary across orders of magnitude, even for the same organism and resource. To explain this variation, we develop an evolutionary model to show that demographic fluctuations (genetic drift) can constrain the adaptation of half-saturation concentrations. We find that this effect fundamentally differs depending on the type of population dynamics: Populations undergoing periodic bottlenecks of fixed size will adapt their half-saturation concentrations in proportion to the environmental resource concentrations, but populations undergoing periodic dilutions of fixed size will evolve half-saturation concentrations that are largely decoupled from the environmental concentrations. Our model not only provides testable predictions for laboratory evolution experiments, but it also reveals how an evolved half-saturation concentration may not reflect the organism’s environment. In particular, this explains how organisms in resource-rich environments can still evolve fast growth at low resource concentrations. Altogether, our results demonstrate the critical role of population dynamics in shaping fundamental ecological traits.
Ena/VASP clustering at microspike tips involves lamellipodin but not I-BAR proteins, and absolutely requires unconventional myosin-X
Authors: Pokrant Thomas , Hein Jens Ingo , Körber Sarah , Disanza Andrea , Pich Andreas , Scita Giorgio , Rottner Klemens , Faix Jan
Published: January 2023

Sheet-like membrane protrusions at the leading edge, termed lamellipodia, drive 2D-cell migration using active actin polymerization. Microspikes comprise actin-filament bundles embedded within lamellipodia, but the molecular mechanisms driving their formation and their potential functional relevance have remained elusive. Microspike formation requires the specific activity of clustered Ena/VASP proteins at their tips to enable processive actin assembly in the presence of capping protein, but the factors and mechanisms mediating Ena/VASP clustering are poorly understood. Systematic analyses of B16-F1 melanoma mutants lacking potential candidate proteins revealed that neither inverse BAR-domain proteins, nor lamellipodin or Abi is essential for clustering, although they differentially contribute to lamellipodial VASP accumulation. In contrast, unconventional myosin-X (MyoX) identified here as proximal to VASP was obligatory for Ena/VASP clustering and microspike formation. Interestingly, and despite the invariable distribution of other relevant marker proteins, the width of lamellipodia in MyoX-KO mutants was significantly reduced as compared with B16-F1 control, suggesting that microspikes contribute to lamellipodium stability. Consistently, MyoX removal caused marked defects in protrusion and random 2D-cell migration. Strikingly, Ena/VASP-deficiency also uncoupled MyoX cluster dynamics from actin assembly in lamellipodia, establishing their tight functional association in microspike formation.
Phoxonic bandgap modulation in optomechanical crystals with shifting hole
Authors: Ao Lihong , Ramiere Aymeric
Published: January 2023

Optomechanical crystals (OMCs) control light and mechanical vibrations by simultaneously presenting photonic and phononic bandgaps. Tuning the position of these bandgaps is essential to address different technological applications. In this study, we present a one-dimensional OMC with wings and a hole whose position is shifting sideways. Simulations of the photonic and phononic band diagrams show that the hole shift effectively controls the width and position of the band gaps. Furthermore, the hole shift also opens new photonic bandgaps that extend the frequency range with full photonic bandgaps. The width of the phononic bandgap is maximum for a hole shift

σ
=
0.28

to be 42% wider than without a hole shift. Despite large band movements induced by the hole shift, the average displacement is null, which means that the hole shift does not impact the photon and phonon density of states (DOS). These results can be used to optimize the design of optomechanical cavities for specific frequency range applications.
Rapid assessment of slope deformation in 3D point cloud considering feature-based simplification and deformed area extraction
Authors: He Leping , Yan Zhongmin , Hu Qijun , Xiang Bo , Xu Hongbiao , Bai Yu
Published: January 2023

Calculating deformation values and determining deformation areas are essential for slope monitoring and safety management. Recently, terrestrial laser scanning has been widely used for deformation monitoring due to to its speed and efficiency. However, handling a large amount of point cloud data to obtain the deformed area is still challenging. To rapidly evaluate slope deformation information, this study proposes a simplification algorithm for point cloud data based on multi-parameter feature preservation. The proposed method retains feature points (i.e. inflection points and edge points) and simplifies data with the octree structure. In addition, a method based on cloud-to-mesh for displacement is used where the winding number is introduced for the signed function. Next, the deformed area over the level of detection is extracted using density-based spatial clustering for applications with a noise clustering algorithm. To verify the reduction method, two types of slope field data are used for experiments. The results reveal that the proposed point cloud approach is superior to the conventional algorithms. Furthermore, the highway slope in Mianyang is selected as a case study to validate the performance of the proposed method. The entire monitoring area is stable with a deformation of approximately 0.43 mm, and only four regions are deformed over the study period. When the mean displacement value is considered in different deformation regions, the minimum deformation is −82.02 mm and the maximum deformation is 85.31 mm. Moreover, comparative experiments on deformation calculation are conducted and reveal the superior performance of the proposed method.
Influence of neonatal endotracheal tube dimensions on oscillometry-acquired reactance: a bench study
Authors: Pigmans Rosemijne R W P , van Leuteren Ruud W , Scholten Anouk W J , Veneroni Chiara , van Kaam Anton H , Hutten Jeroen , Dellacà Raffaele L , de Jongh Frans H C
Published: January 2023

Objective. To examine the influence of the endotracheal tube (ETT) on respiratory reactance (Xrs) measured with the forced oscillation technique (FOT) and develop a correction method for it. Approach. In a bench study, the reactance of ETTs (Xtube) with different dimensions was measured on a breathing test lung in various respiratory settings. Main results. Xtube can be accurately predicted by a fitted formula, with an R2 of 0.97, with negligible effects due to changes in respiratory pattern and lung volume. Significance. The developed formula offers the ability to measure ETT-independent Xrs values of patients, improving the potential of FOT for lung function testing in mechanically ventilated newborns.
Monopolar and bipolar electrooculography signal characteristics due to target displacements—have we seen the whole picture?
Authors: Barbara Nathaniel , Camilleri Tracey A , Camilleri Kenneth P
Published: January 2023

The development of electrooculography (EOG)-based human-computer interface systems is generally based on the processing of the commonly referred to horizontal and vertical bipolar EOG channels, which are computed from a horizontally-aligned and another vertically-aligned pair of electrodes, respectively. Horizontal (vertical) target displacements are assumed to result in changes in the horizontal (vertical) EOG channel only, and any cross-talk between the bipolar channels is often neglected or incorrectly attributed solely to electrode misalignment with respect to the ocular rotation axes. Objective. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that such cross-talk is intrinsic to the geometric relationship between the orientation of the verging ocular globes and the planar displacement of the gaze target with respect to the primary gaze position. Approach. Since it is difficult to record actual EOG data with electrodes which are perfectly-aligned with the ocular rotation axes, this is studied by simulating the EOG potential values for various horizontally- and vertically-displacing targets using a dipole model of the eye. Main results. We show that cross-talk between the horizontal and vertical bipolar EOG channels is manifested even if the electrodes are aligned with the ocular rotation axes. Specifically, for a horizontally- (vertically-)displaced target, while the monopolar EOG signals obtained from the horizontally- (vertically-)aligned electrodes exhibit an expected predominant potential displacement, a smaller displacement is also exhibited in the monopolar EOG signals obtained from the vertically- (horizontally-)aligned electrodes. These unexpected displacements in the vertically- (horizontally-)aligned monopolar channels may have different magnitudes, resulting in an effective potential displacement in the vertical (horizontal) bipolar EOG channel. Significance. This is significant as it shows that, unlike in many works published so far for EOG-based ocular pose estimation, it is not sufficient to only use the horizontal (vertical) bipolar EOG channel to estimate the horizontal (vertical) displacement of the ocular pose.
Full f and
δf
gyrokinetic particle simulations of Alfvén waves and energetic particle physics
Authors: Lu Zhixin , Meng Guo , Hatzky Roman , Hoelzl Matthias , Lauber Philipp
Published: January 2023

In this work, we focus on the development of the particle-in-cell scheme and its application to the studies of Alfvén waves and energetic particle (EP) physics in tokamak plasmas. The

δ
f

and full f schemes are formulated on the same footing adopting mixed variables and the pullback scheme for electromagnetic problems. The TRIMEG-GKX code (Lu et al 2021 J. Comput. Phys.
440 110384) has been upgraded using cubic spline finite elements and full f and

δ
f

schemes. The toroidal Alfvén eigenmode (TAE) driven by EPs has been simulated for the International Tokamak Physics activity (ITPA)-TAE case featured by a small electron skin depth

∼

1.18
×

10

−
3

m

, which is a challenging parameter regime for electromagnetic simulations, especially for the full f model. The simulation results using the

δ
f

scheme are in good agreement with previous work. Excellent performance of the mixed variable/pullback scheme has been observed for both full f and

δ
f

schemes. Simulations with mixed full f EPs and

δ
f

electrons and thermal ions demonstrate the good features of this novel scheme in mitigating the noise level. The full f scheme is a natural choice for EP physics studies, which allows for large variations of EP profiles and distributions in velocity space, providing a powerful tool for kinetic studies using realistic experimental distributions related to intermittent and transient plasma activities.
Small-scale clumping of dark matter and the mean free path of ionizing photons at z = 6
Authors: Cain Christopher , D'Aloisio Anson , Iršič Vid , Gangolli Nakul , Dhami Sanya
Published: January 2023

Recently, the mean free path of ionizing photons in the z = 6 intergalactic medium (IGM) was measured to be very short, presenting a challenge to existing reionization models. At face value, the measurement can be interpreted as evidence that the IGM clumps on scales M ≲ 108
M
⊙, a key but largely untested prediction of the cold dark matter (CDM) paradigm. Motivated by this possibility, we study the role that the underlying dark matter cosmology plays in setting the z > 5 mean free path. We use two classes of models to contrast against the standard CDM prediction: (1) thermal relic warm dark matter (WDM), representing models with suppressed small-scale power; (2) an ultralight axion exhibiting a white noise-like power enhancement. Differences in the mean free path between the WDM and CDM models are subdued by pressure smoothing and the possible contribution of neutral islands to the IGM opacity. For example, comparing late reionization scenarios with a fixed volume-weighted mean neutral fraction of 20% at z = 6, the mean free path is 19 (45)% longer in a WDM model with mx
= 3 (1) keV. The enhanced power in the axion-like model produces better agreement with the short mean free path measured at z = 6. However, drawing robust conclusions about cosmology is hampered by large uncertainties in the reionization process, extragalactic ionizing background, and thermal history of the Universe. This work highlights some key open questions about the IGM opacity during reionization.
Gas gain measurement for charged particle spectroscopy using glass GEM in low-pressure P-10 gas
Authors: Unno Y. , Fujiwara T. , Kishimoto Y. , Sanami T.
Published: January 2023

A glass gas electron multiplier (GEM) was tested to evaluate performance for charged particle spectroscopy in a gas chamber. The test was done with varying low-pressure Ar/CH4 mixture gas (9:1, P-10) for evaluation of effective electron multiplication gain (gas gain) with the relationship between supplied voltage to GEM (GEM ΔV), energy and timing resolution of signals. The GEM ΔV is parameterized as a function of gas gain and pressure from experimental results. The signal-to-noise ratio on the anode signal was significantly improved due to electron multiplication by the glass GEM in comparison with traditional grid gas ionization chamber. A test using Ar/CO2 mixture gas (9:1) shows that GEM ΔV is successfully reduced with keeping gas gain and energy resolution comparable. Time difference between anode and cathode signals behaves reasonably with drift time of initial electrons. We conclude that charged particle spectrometer using glass GEM can be designed by using obtained parameter. The spectrometer is useful especially for low energy charged particle due to the gas gain.
Detection of fast neutrons with the pixel detector Timepix3
Authors: Granja C. , Uhlar R. , Chuprakov I. , Alexa P. , Sansarbayar E. , Gledenov Y.M. , Poklop D. , Olsansky V. , Marek L. , Vuolo M. , Pacik J.
Published: January 2023

We examined the response of the pixel detector Timepix3 with silicon sensor to well-defined fast neutron fields. Part of the pixel detector silicon sensor was additionally equipped with a neutron mask of distinct converter regions. The mask consists of separate thermal and fast neutron regions using 6LiF and hydrogen (plastic) converters, respectively. Measurements were performed with mono-energetic fast neutrons produced at D-D and D-T sources from a Van de Graaff accelerator and a neutron generator, respectively. Data were collected with low background including measurements with moderator material to provide a thermalized neutron component. All the signals produced in the detector were analyzed and decomposed in terms of the spectral-tracking response of the pixel detector. The effect of the fast and thermal components of the neutron converter were determined and compared with direct interactions in the silicon sensor which are significant and can be dominant for fast neutrons. We identify and classify the neutron-induced tracks in terms of the broad-type particle-event track classes. A partial overlap is unavoidable with tracks from direct detection of other radiations in particular protons and low-energy light ions as well as X rays. This will limit the neutron-event discrimination in mixed-radiation fields. The detection response according sensor-mask region was examined and calibrated for the investigated neutron fields. The neutron detection efficiency is selectively derived for the detector particle-event classes. This approach enables to enhance the neutron-discrimination and suppress background and unwanted events. This work enables to extend the response matrix of the detector for broad-type radiations to include neutrons both fast and thermal. The results serve to enhance the sensitivity and determine the neutron component in unknown and mixed-radiation fields such as outer space and particle radiotherapy environments.
Interaction of a tubular charged-particle beam with eigenwaves of a plasma solid-state cylinder located in strong longitudinal magnetic field
Authors: Averkov Yu O , Prokopenko Yu V , Yakovenko V M
Published: January 2023

An electrodynamic system in which a magnetized tubular electron beam blows around a cylindrical solid-state plasma waveguide located coaxially in a longitudinal magnetic field is theoretically studied. It has been established, when quasi-stationary conditions are satisfied, hybrid bulk-surface or surface electromagnetic waves of helicon origin are excited in the waveguide. The waveguide eigenwaves are excited by the space-charge field of beam with matching of the longitudinal spectral components of electric field. It is noted that helicons and waves of their nature are formed in a conducting plasma medium in the assistance of an external magnetic field. It is shown the instability of coupled waves of the electrodynamic system is due to the Vavilov–Cherenkov effect.
Proposal for D0-brane anti-D0-brane action
Authors: Klusoň J
Published: January 2023

We propose an action for the D0-brane anti-D0-brane system that has its exact solution corresponding to the marginal tachyon profile defined for arbitrary constant separation of these D-branes. We also find its covariant formulation and generalization to higher dimensional Dp-branes.
Wave correlations and quantum noise in cosmology
Authors: Leonhardt Ulf
Published: January 2023

Wave noise is correlated. While it may look random in space, correlations appear in space–time, because the noise is carried by wave propagation. These correlations of wave noise give rise to fluctuation forces such as the Casimir force, they are responsible for the particle creation in the dynamical Casimir effect and in the expanding Universe. This paper considers the noise correlations for light waves in non-exponentially expanding flat space. The paper determines the high-frequency asymptotics of the correlation spectrum in the conformal vacuum. These noise correlations give rise to a nontrivial vacuum energy that may appear as the cosmological constant.
Ni3S4/NiS/rGO as a promising electrocatalyst for methanol and ethanol electro-oxidation
Authors: Azizi Sadegh , Askari Mohammad Bagher , Moghadam Mohammad Taghi Tourchi , Seifi Majid , Di Bartolomeo Antonio
Published: January 2023

We present a one-step hydrothermal synthesis of hybrids consisting of nickel sulfides in the form of Ni3S4–NiS (NN) and Ni3S4–NiS-rGO (NNR), i.e. with the addition of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), for application as catalysts. After accurate physical characterization and confirmation of successful synthesis, we evaluate the ability of these catalysts in the processes of methanol and ethanol oxidation. The precise electrochemical analyses show relatively good potential and excellent cyclic stability in methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) and ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) processes. The comparison of the two catalysts shows the superiority of NNR over NN, confirming that rGO introduces a higher specific surface area and a higher electrical conductivity in the NNR structure. In the process of MOR, NNR has an oxidation peak at a current density of 55 mA cm−2 and a peak potential of 0.54 V. In EOR, this peak is located at a current density of 11 mA cm−2 and at a peak potential of 0.59 V. NNR has 97% and 94% stability in MOR and EOR after 1000 consecutive cycles, respectively, which are acceptable values.
QM-cluster model study of CO2 hydration mechanisms in metal-substituted human carbonic anhydrase II
Authors: Summers Thomas J , DeYonker Nathan J
Published: January 2023

Human carbonic anhydrase (CA) metalloenzymes utilize a Zn2+-containing active site to catalyze the interconversion of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. The Zn2+ ion may be replaced with other divalent transition metals, though the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme will be reduced. In this work, quantum mechanical cluster models of the active site are used to map the reaction profile for the hydration mechanism of carbon dioxide. The Lipscomb proton transfer and Lindskog rotation mechanisms were examined for the native Zn2+-enzyme along with variants where the metal was substituted with Cd2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+. The findings highlight the impact the metal coordination geometry has on the reaction profile. The results also suggest Fe2+, which is the functional metal for a prototypical CA of an anaerobic bacterium, might also be functional for human CA if cultured within an anaerobic environment.
Mixed methods and lower eigenvalue bounds
Authors: Gallistl Dietmar
Published: January 2023

It is shown how mixed finite element methods for symmetric positive definite eigenvalue problems related to partial differential operators can provide guaranteed lower eigenvalue bounds. The method is based on a classical compatibility condition (inclusion of kernels) of the mixed scheme and on local constants related to compact embeddings, which are often known explicitly. Applications include scalar second-order elliptic operators, linear elasticity, and the Steklov eigenvalue problem.
Corrigendum to “Schatten class Hankel operators on the Segal-Bargmann space and the Berger-Coburn phenomenon”
Authors: Hu Zhangjian , Virtanen Jani
Published: January 2023

The authors provide a correct proof of Theorem 1.2 and correct the statement of Theorem 2.6 in their paper, which appeared in Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 375 (2022), 3733–3753.
Coordinated efforts of different actin filament populations are needed for optimal cell wound repair
Authors: Hui Justin , Nakamura Mitsutoshi , Dubrulle Julien , Parkhurst Susan M.
Published: January 2023

Assembly and contraction of the actomyosin ring involved in cell wound repair requires highly dynamic interplay among linear actin structures, branched actin structures, and myosin. As rapid wound repair is essential for survival, cells have found ways to invoke different mechanisms of repair when one of these is absent.
The intralaminar thalamus: a review of its role as a target in functional neurosurgery
Authors: Arnts Hisse , Coolen Stan E , Fernandes Filipe Wolff , Schuurman Rick , Krauss Joachim K , Groenewegen Henk J , van den Munckhof Pepijn
Published: January 2023

The intralaminar thalamus, in particular the centromedian-parafascicular complex, forms a strategic node between ascending information from the spinal cord and brainstem and forebrain circuitry that involves the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia. A large body of evidence shows that this functionally heterogeneous region regulates information transmission in different cortical circuits, and is involved in a variety of functions, including cognition, arousal, consciousness and processing of pain signals. Not surprisingly, the intralaminar thalamus has been a target area for (radio)surgical ablation and deep brain stimulation (DBS) in different neurological and psychiatric disorders. Historically, ablation and stimulation of the intralaminar thalamus have been explored in patients with pain, epilepsy and Tourette syndrome. Moreover, DBS has been used as an experimental treatment for disorders of consciousness and a variety of movement disorders. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the underlying mechanisms of stimulation and ablation of the intralaminar nuclei, historical clinical evidence, and more recent (experimental) studies in animals and humans to define the present and future role of the intralaminar thalamus as a target in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Association between cancer, CHA2DS2VASc risk, and in-hospital ischaemic stroke in patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Matetic Andrija , Mohamed Mohamed O , Essien Utibe R , Guha Avirup , Elkaryoni Ahmed , Elbadawi Ayman , Van Spall Harriette G C , Mamas Mamas A
Published: January 2023

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly encountered in cancer patients. We investigated the CHA2DS2VASc score, and its association with in-hospital ischaemic stroke in patients with cancer who were hospitalized for AF.

Methods and results

Using the United States National Inpatient Sample, all hospitalizations with principal diagnosis of AF between October 2015 and December 2018 were stratified by cancer diagnosis, type, and CHA2DS2VASc risk categories (low risk, low-moderate risk, moderate-high risk). In-hospital ischaemic stroke and its association with the CHA2DS2VASc risk score was assessed across the groups using hierarchical multivariable logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Discrimination of CHA2DS2VASc score for in-hospital ischaemic stroke was evaluated with Receiver Operating Characteristic and Area Under the Curve (AUC). Among 1 341 870 included hospitalizations, 71 965 (5.4%) had comorbid cancer. Cancer patients had a higher proportion of moderate-high CHA2DS2VASc risk compared with their non-cancer counterparts (86.5% vs. 82.3%, P < 0.001). Compared with their low CHA2DS2VASc risk counterparts, cancer patients in low-moderate and moderate-high risk scores had similar odds of developing stroke (aOR 1.28 95% CI 0.22–7.63 and aOR 1.78 95% CI 0.41–7.66, respectively). The CHA2DS2VASc risk score had poor discrimination for ischaemic stroke in the cancer group (AUC 0.538 95% CI 0.477–0.598).

Conclusion

Cancer patients with AF have high CHA2DS2VASc risk. Discrimination of CHA2DS2VASc for ischaemic stroke is lower in cancer than non-cancer patients, and CHA2DS2VASc may not be adequate in determining ischaemic risk in cancer population.
Robotic-assisted aberrant thoracic duct ligation for persistent chyle-leak post cervical rib resection
Authors: Thuraisingam Amalan
Published: January 2023

Chyle leak following cervical rib resection is a serious uncommon complication. Aberrant anatomy can further confound treatment and require the involvement of multiple specialties to delineate the ducts course and allow successful management.
Whole Genome Resource and Genetic Analysis of Magnaporthe oryzae from Two Field Isolates in Northeast China
Authors: Jiang Zhaoyuan , Liu Xiaomei , Li Li , Zou Xiaowei , Sun Hui
Published: January 2023

To screen candidate fungal genes that may relate to avirulence genes corresponding to the host resistance genes, we characterized two field isolates of Magnaporthe oryzae that cause rice blast disease, especially in northeast China, and performed whole-genome resequencing of these two isolates. The genome assembly and annotation data was submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Our study unveils the predicted fungal effectors of two dominant M. oryzae isolates in northeast China, providing a resource for Avr genes to clone.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Should Twin-Specific Growth Charts Be Used to Assess Fetal Growth in Twin Pregnancies?
Authors: Hiersch Liran , Barrett Jon , Fox Nathan S. , Rebarber Andrei , Kingdom John , Melamed Nir
Published: January 2023

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022;227(1):10–28)

A hallmark of twin pregnancy is a slower fetal growth rate during the third trimester, as compared with singleton pregnancies. Twin fetuses therefore have a higher proportion that are small for gestational age (SGA), that is, with a birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age.
Incidental Detection of Maternal Malignancy by Fetal Cell-Free DNA Screening
Authors: Rink Britton D. , Stevens Blair K. , Norton Mary E.
Published: January 2023

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2022;140:121–131)

Early detection and targeted treatment of human disorders are the goal of precision medicine. The advancing technology of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is increasingly being applied in screening, diagnosis, and treatment of several disease processes.
Vaginal Bromocriptine for Treatment of Adenomyosis: Impact on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Transvaginal Ultrasound
Authors: Andersson Johanna K. , Mucelli Raffaella Pozzi , Epstein Elisabeth , Stewart Elizabeth A. , Gemzell-Danielsson Kristina
Published: January 2023

(Abstracted from Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020;254:38–43)

Adenomyosis is a common, benign uterine disease that causes heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. A diagnosis of adenomyosis traditionally required hysterectomy, but now can be made based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or transvaginal ultrasound (TVU).
Corrective Osteotomy for Symptomatic Radial Head and Neck Malunions in the Skeletally Immature
Authors: Bhashyam Abhiram R. , Hadley Scott R. , Beatty Evan W. , Waters Peter M. , Bae Donald S.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Radial head and neck fracture malunion can lead to pain, stiffness, deformity, and functional limitations. This study analyzed the early radiographic and functional outcomes of corrective osteotomy for symptomatic radial head and/or neck malunion in skeletally immature patients.

Methods:

Thirteen pediatric patients treated with corrective osteotomy for symptomatic radial head and/or neck malunion from 2004 to 2018 were identified. Radiographic union, range of motion, pain, and complications were recorded. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Broberg and Morrey Elbow Scale.

Results:

The average age at the time of surgery was 12.3 years (range: 8.6 to 16.3). The mean time from injury to osteotomy was 7.5 months (range: 2 to 24.1 mo). Before osteotomy, mean radial head-shaft angulation was 23 degrees (range: 5 to 57 degrees), mean displacement was 76% (range: 0 to 55), average elbow flexion contracture was 18 degrees (range: 0 to 60 degrees), and average elbow flexion was 112 degrees (range: 95 to 135 degrees). After a mean follow-up of 14.3 months, 12 of 13 osteotomies (92%) healed; 1 patient had a painless nonunion. The number of patients reporting pain decreased from 9 to 2 (P=0.012). Radiographic alignment and range of motion improved in all patients. Mean angulation and displacement improved to 8 degrees (range: 2 to 15 degrees, P=0.001) and 3% (range: 0 to 18 degrees, P=0.001), respectively. Mean elbow flexion contracture was reduced to 5 degrees (range: 0 to 30 degrees, P=0.008), and the average elbow flexion increased to 128 degrees (range: 100 to 135 degrees, P<0.001). Three patients underwent implant removal for complications, including heterotopic ossification and avascular necrosis. Physeal arrest did not lead to any adverse sequelae. The sole case of avascular necrosis had a reduced range of motion but no pain. The mean postoperative Broberg and Morrey score was 91.1; 7 patients had excellent postoperative scores, 4 good, and 2 fair.

Conclusions:

Corrective osteotomy for symptomatic malunion of the radial head and/or neck in skeletally immature patients can improve elbow alignment, motion, pain, and function. Preservation of the soft-tissue attachments to the proximal epiphysis and rigid internal fixation are critical components of this surgical technique.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level IV.
Cardiovascular toxin-induced hyperglycemic and hypoarousal pathology-associated cognitive impairment: an in silico and in vivo validation
Authors: Sundari S. Karpagam Kumara , Alturki Mansour , Steinke Ian , Deruiter Jack , Ramesh Sindhu , Govindarajulu Manoj Y. , Almaghrabi Mohammed , Pathak Suhrud , Rassa A. Mohamed , Shafeeq K. A. S. Mohamed , Lowery Payton , Nadar Rishi M. , Babu R. Jayachandra , Ren Jun , Rani K. Reeta Vijaya , Smith Forrest , Moore Timothy , Dhanasekaran Muralikrishnan
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose:

Medication-induced cardiotoxicity is a significant factor in the attrition of drugs during preclinical and clinical development processes. Patients with diabetes mellitus (hyperglycemic) are more than twice as likely to experience cardiac failure. Additionally, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients often display significant hyperarousal-related clinical anomalies such as fear, panic, nervousness, pain, and seizures. Consequently, hyperarousal in patients with inadequate metabolic outcomes (hyperglycemic conditions) is usually treated with drugs that block sodium/calcium channels, augment inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) neurotransmission, and reduce excitatory (glutamatergic) neurotransmission. These perilous combined clinical-pathological conditions of hyperglycemia and hypoarousal may result in severe learning disabilities and cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, only a few studies have investigated the synergistic effects of hypoarousal and hyperglycemia on cognition.

Methods:

General behavioral assessment, plus maze, Y-maze spontaneous alternation, Hebb-Williams maze and Passive avoidance paradigm were evaluated in this study. The current study assessed the in silico structural properties attributed to its pharmacodynamic actions and interaction with Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and insulin receptors using Schrodinger and LigPrep software.

Results:

The administration of alloxan and phenytoin induced significant learning and cognitive deficiencies. Based on the in silico studies, alloxan is a better drug to induce hyperglycemia as compared to the well-established hyperglycemic agent, streptozotocin (STZ).

Conclusions:

The current study indicated that administering alloxan and phenytoin to rodents can serve as a valid animal model to understand the pathophysiology associated with hypoarousal and hyperglycemia-mediated cognitive impairment and to identify novel therapeutic interventions for hyperglycemic and hypoarousal-related learning and cognitive deficiency.
Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with early breast cancer: update 2023
Authors: Köpke Melitta M. , Aktas Bahriye , Ditsch Nina
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

In recent years, the therapy of breast carcinoma has evolved at a rapid pace. Therapies from metastasis are pushing into the (neo)adjuvant treatment of breast carcinoma at ever shorter intervals.

Recent findings

Biomarker-based therapeutic approaches became more and more en vogue to guide (neo)adjuvant endocrine therapy and chemotherapy.

This article reviews recent data developments in early breast cancer (EBC) and current recommendations in diagnosis and therapy.
Is there a role for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer?
Authors: Praiss Aaron M. , Moukarzel Lea A. , Zivanovic Oliver
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

Our objective is to provide a history, rationale, and review of the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Recent findings

In the last decade, there has been an increase in the literature regarding HIPEC in the treatment of ovarian cancer. The rationale for HIPEC extends from earlier trials demonstrating improved survival using intraperitoneal chemotherapy. HIPEC provides a one-time opportunity for intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the time of cytoreduction and with the addition of hyperthermia. Cisplatin HIPEC has been demonstrated to have a survival benefit when used in the interval cytoreductive setting. In terms of safety, nephroprotection remains a key concern when administering HIPEC. Sodium thiosulfate provides nephroprotection and should be considered when performing HIPEC. Various institutions have created multidisciplinary protocols for administering HIPEC, which include operating room staff, nursing, anesthesia, pharmacy, and surgical teams.

HIPEC has a role in the treatment paradigm of ovarian cancer. Currently, HIPEC is approved in the interval cytoreductive surgery setting. Further trials are needed to understand the appropriate timing, chemotherapeutic agents, and protocolization of HIPEC.
The influence of age and sex on the prognostic importance of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, selected circulating biomarkers and other markers of subclinical cardiovascular damage
Authors: Olesen Thomas Bastholm , Pareek Manan , Vishram-Nielsen Julie K.K. , Olsen Michael Hecht
Published: January 2023

Purpose of review

There is an increasing need for improved risk stratification to better individualize cardiovascular preventive measures. Although age and sex are strong and easily obtained cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), their influence on the prognostic importance of other CVRF, circulating biomarkers and other markers of subclinical cardiovascular damage has not previously been systematically and critically appraised. Therefore, we have revisited the European MORGAM and the Danish MONI10 cohorts.

Recent findings

Theoretically, the relative risk of many CVRF is expected to be lower in older healthy individuals due to a combination of selection bias by disease, higher absolute risk primarily due to older age, and the fact that the CVRF and markers may primarily influence or reflect early parts of the cardiovascular disease process. This influence of age may vary between sexes, as the cardiovascular disease process is delayed and possibly different in women compared with men.

Adjusted for the remaining Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) CVRF, higher SBP, serum cholesterol, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, left ventricular mass index and atherosclerotic plaques were more closely associated with outcomes in individuals younger than 52 years with some sex-specific differences, whereas higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and urine albumin/creatine ratio were more closely associated with outcomes in subjects aged 61 or 71 years.
Conjunctival Melanoma in 430 Cases: Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Orbital Invasion on Tumor Recurrence, Metastasis, and Death
Authors: Bas Zeynep , Dockery Philip W. , Lally Sara E. , Shields Jerry A. , Shields Carol L.
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

To compare the clinical features at presentation and treatment outcomes of conjunctival melanoma by absence/presence of orbital invasion.

Methods:

A retrospective review of patients with conjunctival melanoma managed at a single tertiary referral center from April 18, 1974, to September 9, 2019.

Results:

Of 430 patients with conjunctival melanoma, 21 (5%) had orbital invasion at presentation. A comparison between the 2 groups (orbital invasion absent vs. present) revealed that the orbital invasion group had a higher frequency of prior eyelid incisional biopsy (5% vs. 24%, P = 0.006), greater tumor basal diameter (12.2 vs. 17.3, P = 0.009), greater tumor thickness (2.4 vs. 7.0, P < 0.001), more quadrants involved (1.8 vs. 2.5, P = 0.002), and more clock hours involved (4.4 vs. 5.8, P = 0.037). In addition, those with orbital invasion were more likely to undergo exenteration as primary treatment (1% vs. 24%, P < 0.001). Multivariate relative risk regression analysis revealed that variables predictive of orbital invasion included greater tumor thickness (P < 0.001) and greater involvement of the fornix (P = 0.031) and tarsus (P = 0.033). Outcomes revealed orbital invasion group with greater 5-year/10-year distant metastatic rate (16%/21% vs. 63%/63%, P = 0.005), and greater melanoma-related death rate (7%/13% vs. 38%/53%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

Conjunctival melanoma with orbital invasion at presentation demonstrate larger, more extensive tumors involving the fornix or tarsus, and with greater rate of melanoma-related metastasis and death.