bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing geo-literacy situation-based learning in social studies for promoting geo-literacy in grade 11 students
Authors: Khrongchuen Patcharaphon , Buaraphan Khajornsak
Published: October 2023

Situation-based learning is a pedagogy emphasizing the utilization of everyday-life situation in teaching and learning geology, an important, attribute Geo literacy. This research aimed to develop the Geo-Literacy Situation-based Learning Model (GLSBL). This study was a documentary research, which the researchers employed content analysis to analyze five documents related to Geo literacy and Situation-based learning. The result of analysis yieleded the GLSBL model consisted of six teaching steps: 1) Introduce interesting situation, 2) Explore the situation, 3) Construct knowledge of the situation, 4) Apply knowledge, 5) Discuss and conclude knowledge, and 6) Evaluate learning. At final, the authors raised one example of a GLSBL lesson plan in social studies to teach physical environment and human activities topic for grade11. This is one concrete example for other teachers in applying GLSBL in other topics or subjects.
Validity of E-Book Based on Problem-Based Learning with Higher Order Thinking Skills Oriented for Senior High School
Authors: Agustin Silvia , Razi Pakhrur
Published: October 2023

Human resources with a high level of thinking abilities, such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, teamwork, independence, cross-cultural understanding, and ICT literacy, are needed for the growth of the 21st century. However, cultivating a high level of thinking abilities is still insufficient and does not fulfill the necessities of the 21st century. An e-book based on problem-based learning and oriented toward higher-order thinking skills is developed as a result of this research. Measurement of the e-book’s validity is the aim of this study. This research used a descriptive methodology and a questionnaire for collecting data. The questionnaire instrument is a validation sheet with four e-book validation criteria consisting of several indicators. E-book validation has shown valid findings with an average of 0.87 valid categories. The results of the research show that the product can be used as a learning resource for students and teachers to achieve learning goals and meet the demands of the 21st century.
Study experimental time resolution limits of recent ASICs at Weeroc with different SiPMs and scintillators
Authors: Saleem Tasneem , Ahmad Salleh , Cizel Jean-Baptiste , De La Taille Christophe , Morenas Maxime , Nadig Vanessa , Perez Florent , Schulz Volkmar , Gundacker Stefan , Fleury Julien
Published: October 2023

Medical applications, such as Positron Emission Tomography
(PET), and space applications, such as Light Detection and Ranging
(LIDAR), are in need of highly specialized ASICs. Weeroc, in
collaboration with different partners, is highly involved in
developing a new generation of front-end ASICs. In the context of a
joined LIDAR project among Weeroc, CNES, and Airbus, Weeroc is
working on the development of Liroc, an ASIC for space LIDAR
application. Weeroc is also working on advancing ASICs for medical
applications with Radioroc under development and intended to be used
for PET applications.

This study experimentally evaluates the time resolution limits of
these ASICs in different configurations, with some of the most
recent silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technologies available on the
market, coupled to different scintillation crystals. The best
single-photon time resolution (SPTR) was achieved using FBK NUV-HD
SiPMs with an FWHM of 90 ps with Liroc and 73 ps with
Radioroc. Furthermore, the coincidence time resolution (CTR) of
Radioroc was studied with different crystal sizes. Using a large
LYSO:Ce,Ca crystal of (3 × 3 × 20 mm3) with Broadcom
Near UltraViolet-Metal in Trench (NUV-MT) yields a CTR of 127 ps
(FWHM). The best CTR of Radioroc was determined to 83 ps (FWHM)
with Broadcom NUV-MT SiPMs coupled to LYSO:Ce,Ca
(2 × 2 × 3 mm3)) from Taiwan Applied Crystal (TAC).
Mechanisms of octopus arm search behavior without visual feedback
Authors: Sivitilli Dominic M , Strong Terrell , Weertman Willem , Ullmann Joseph , Smith Joshua R , Gire David H
Published: October 2023

The octopus coordinates multiple, highly flexible arms with the support of a complex distributed nervous system. The octopus’s suckers, staggered along each arm, are employed in a wide range of behaviors. Many of these behaviors, such as foraging in visually occluded spaces, are executed under conditions of limited or absent visual feedback. In coordinating unseen limbs with seemingly infinite degrees of freedom across a variety of adaptive behaviors, the octopus appears to have solved a significant control problem facing the field of soft-bodied robotics. To study the strategies that the octopus uses to find and capture prey within unseen spaces, we designed and 3D printed visually occluded foraging tasks and tracked arm motion as the octopus attempted to find and retrieve a food reward. By varying the location of the food reward within these tasks, we can characterize how the arms and suckers adapt to their environment to find and capture prey. We compared these results to simulated experimental conditions performed by a model octopus arm to isolate the primary mechanisms driving our experimental observations. We found that the octopus relies on a contact-based search strategy that emerges from local sucker coordination to simplify the control of its soft, highly flexible limbs.
The Solution for Building and Developing a Community-based Tourism Model in Ly Son Island District – Quang Ngai Province
Authors: Trang N T T
Published: October 2023

Community-based tourism (CBT) is one of the forms of tourism that is being formed and developed in rural Vietnam on the basis of exploiting the value of eco-tourism resources, agriculture, and indigenous cultural lifestyles. Ly Son Island District in Quang Ngai Province is home to the Imperial Hoang Sa Navy. On the island, there are unique natural landscapes exploiting tourism services such as Thoi Loi Volcano, Gieng Tien, Hang Pagoda, To Vo Gate, etc. With a long history of development, Ly Son has rich cultural resources, many historical relics, and a rich system of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. However, the development of community tourism here has become uncontrolled and fragmented; at this point, there is no link between community tourism services, and they have not yet formed a complete product to meet visitors’ requirements. With the participatory approach, in-depth interviews, fieldwork, and ABCD method (Assets Based for Community Development), this study analyzes the potential, current situation, and orientation of building and developing a model of CBT at Ly Son Island district, Quang Ngai.
Magnetic, morphological, and photocatalytic studies of Cu2+ doped Mg-Zn ferrite nanoparticles
Authors: Pund Sangita N , Nagwade Pratik A , Nagawade Arvind V , Thopate Shankar R , Bagade Arun V
Published: October 2023

Due to their distinctive characteristics, including their optical, catalytic, electrical, and magnetic properties, spinel ferrite nanoparticles attract more interest. Also, the substitution of transition metals like copper in ferrites has the potential to control their physical characteristics and could improve their catalytic and magnetic capabilities. Cu2+ doped Mg-Zn ferrite samples show a change in behaviour from superparamagnetic to soft ferrimagnetic. The photocatalytic studies for the CuxMg0.5Zn0.5-xFe2O4 (x= 0.1 to 0.5, and Δx= 0.1) nano-ferrites are conducted in visible light to investigate the methylene blue photodecomposition capability. The Cu-Mg-Zn nano-ferrites displayed unique behaviour in terms of Magnetic, and photocatalytic activity. These outcomes show that the Cu-Mg-Zn ferrite samples are apply to water remediation.
Modification in Magnetic Properties of CoFe2O4 Ferrite Nanoparticles Induced by 100MeV O+7 Ion Irradiation
Authors: Chandra Grish , Srivastava R C , Reddy V R
Published: October 2023

In this work CoFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles were prepared via sol-gel method using citric acid as chelating agent. The prepared nanoparticles was sintered at 700°C and the crystallite size is found 34 nm. In this investigation the effect of irradiation of 100 MeV O+7 beam on these nanoparticles with two fluences 5×1012 and 5×1013 ions/cm2 are studied. After irradiation the crystallite size is found to be reduced which is confirmed by transmission electron micrograph. The retentivity and coercivity changes with a measurable value while the saturation magnetization reduces slightly. The value of remanent magnetization increased from 30 emu/g to 34.6 emu/g, it can be attributed to increase of magnetic hardness. The increase in squareness ratio after irradiation leads to increase in anisotropic energy barrier of CoFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles. Anisotropy field about doubles after irradiation and corresponding anisotropy constant also doubles with the used fluences.
Molybdenum powder coating on steel substrate to study three body wear resistance
Authors: Umashankar Darshan , Thakshak D S , Nayaka Deekshith J , Hiremath Shivakumar R , Suhas R D
Published: October 2023

Steel rollers are most commonly used in conveyor system across different industries like mining and construction. In the conveyor rollers used in mining industry, the steel specimen of the roller is in continuous contact with another metal of the same or different material rolling and sliding on that surface. In this motion of the roller, the third body i.e., the sand, grits and dust of various sizes may be entrapped in the interface of the roller material. The third body induced causes the wear due to its abrading action. To reduce this abrading action, a layer of molybdenum coating is developed on the steel substrate to improve its wear resistance by using the plasma spray technique, a thermal spray method. The experimental procedures were performed according to standard ASTM G65 method. The results were compared and tabulated in full factorial method. The SEM and EDAX results were obtained. The average specific wear rate [Ks] of the coated specimen is reduced by 30% when compared with the uncoated specimen.
Structural, Morphological, and Dielectric Properties of Gd3+ modified LaPO4 Ceramics
Authors: Khanna Kanchan , Kumar Akshay , Dwivedi Sunil K. , Kumar Sunil
Published: October 2023

Gd3+ modified LaPO4 (Gd
x
La1-x
PO4, where x = 0.02, 0.04 & 0.06) ceramics have been prepared using Auto Combustion. X-Ray diffractograms analysis shows that samples exhibits pure monoclinic structural phase upto x = 0.04 without presence of any other secondary phases whereas in x = 0.6, some secondary phases appears. The FESEM micrographs show grain growth, densification along with compactness of grains whereas EDS micrographs confirm the presence of elements according to stoichiometric proportion. Elemental mapping gives information about uniform distribution of elements. The dielectric relaxation behavior of prepared ceramics confirms from Cole-Cole model whereas dielectric loss gives information about conductivity of samples which has also be confirmed from conductivity profile.
Dye-sensitized solar cell employing chitosan-based biopolymer electrolyte
Authors: Majumdar Simantini , Mondal Archita , Mahajan Ankita , Bhattacharya Swapan Kumar , Ray Ruma
Published: October 2023

Conductivity and transport properties of a cost-effective and environment friendly chitosan based solid biopolymer electrolytes which form mechanically robust thick film, have been reported here. A maximum ionic conductivity of ∼ 10-4 S/cm has been achieved by optimizing the concentrations of the salt (LiClO4) and the plasticizer (EC) in the biopolymer electrolyte. Ion transport properties of the biopolymer electrolytes are studied from Raman spectroscopy. A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), with a sandwich structure, is fabricated with chemically synthesized ZnO (∼ 60 nm) as the nanoporous semiconductor material coated with Rose Bengal dye as a photosensitizer, the chitosan biopolymer as electrolyte and platinum as counter electrode. Linear Sweep Voltammetry analysis of the DSSCs illustrates the photovoltaic performance of these cells. Without any external addition of redox couple in the biopolymer electrolytic system, a maximum short-circuit current density of JSC
= 0.556 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage Voc = 0.605 V with power conversion efficiency 0.051 % is achieved by the DSSC.
Preparation and characterisation of nickel oxide and nickel oxide codoped with magnesium and zinc
Authors: Sunny Erin Ann , Nazar Nahan , Bhagyalakshmi M , Sooryanarayanan S , Chithra Mohan A , Thomas Jomol Mariyam , Nair Varsha , Sivasubramanian G , Sreekanth K M , Sreedhar K M
Published: October 2023

The present work focuses on the formulation and characterisation of undoped NiO and NiO codoped with Mg and Zn. The samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometer and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. For the detection of elements present in the samples, energy dispersive x-ray analysis was employed. Two sets of codoped samples were prepared varying the amount of Mg and Zn. A set of codoped samples was prepared keeping the quantity of Mg at a fixed value and allowed the quantity of Zn to fluctuate. The second set of codoped samples was prepared keeping the extent of Zn at a fixed value and allowed the quantity of Mg to fluctuate. The bandwidth of undoped and codoped materials was computed raising Tauc plot. Crystallite size was computed following Scherrer formula.
Cooling channel selection for big rectangular plastic parts in injection molding
Authors: Adzhar M S M , Harun M N , Saad A P M
Published: October 2023

There are various of types cooling channel designs that have been explored by many researchers to find the best cooling channel that resulted in the optimum results in the injection molding process. The previous research reported that the correct selection of cooling channels in mold design affects the quality of the product and the total cycle time, thus it affected the quality and profit in the manufacturing [1]. The problem in mold design is selecting the correct cooling channel design to ensure the heat transfer distribution is in uniform condition. This paper analysed the effectiveness of four types of different cooling channel designs, the diameter size of the cooling channel, and the variable of coolant temperature in the big rectangular plastic product with the same injection parameters and material type. The objective is to determine the effect of using different cooling channel designs on the cooling time and warpage effect with different coolant temperatures. The commercial mold flow software was used to simulate the injection behaviour to determine the quality of the warpage and total cooling time in the injection molding process. The result found that using a cooling channel type with arrays of the baffle, array bubbler, and conformal cooling channel can reduce the cooling time by almost 50% compared to the conventional cooling channel. The increased coolant temperature in the cooling channel also affects the increase in the cooling time.
Optical Conductivity Analysis of Green CuO Nanoparticles Using Plant Leaf Extract
Authors: Arunkumar B , Meenakshi R , Thamarai selvi S , Raja N , Meganathan T
Published: October 2023

The optical properties of green synthesized CuO nanoparticles such as absorption coefficient, refractive index, band gap, dielectric constant and optical conductivity were analyzed. XRD shows that upon temperature treatment of green CuO nanoparticles, the crystal size increases and thus the crystallinity increases due to the decrease in the number of crystals per unit area. Due to the high crystallinity, the absorption coefficient exhibits a high electronic shift and the refractive index exhibits good polarization of the ions. Thus the dielectric constant of the real and imaginary regions decreases as the photon energy increases. Higher temperatures exhibit higher photon energy levels. Optical conductivity has induced electron annihilation due to the absorption coefficient of increased photo energy light; Hence the optical conductivity analysis of Lantana camara capped CuO nanoparticles indicated the stability of electrical conductivity with increase in photo power.
Impact of materials on performance of Vine Robot
Authors: Borkar Archit , Bene Shubham , Gonal Mahesha , Shankar B.S. Manohar
Published: October 2023

Vine Robots are soft continuum robots designed with low-cost fabrication and for the navigation of difficult environments. Due to their movement patterns resembling those of natural vines, these robots also known as “everting vine robots” grow by pressure-driven eversion. This paper presents the impact of different materials on the performance of Vine Robot. Three of the most easily accessible materials namely Transparent LDPE (125 Microns), Black LDPE (150 Microns) and Tarpaulin HDPE (250 Microns) were acquired and utilized in fabricating the body of Vine Robot. Under the application of these materials, difference in various properties of the robot were studied. By systematic study, the suitability of one material over the other was determined in specific environmental scenarios.
Case study of electrical, structural and optical properties of CdSe Quantum Dots using DFT based computational tools.
Authors: Abid Abyaz
Published: October 2023

Recent advancement in the field of nano-structured electronic devices has finely tuned up various progenition and manufacturing process of Quantum Dots that can directly harvest energy from solar power. Duly acknowledging different types of procuring processes, the paper primarily focuses on eight different CdSe (Cadmium Selenide) Quantum DOT samples which are initially synthesized in the material testing lab from the available precursor. Structural and electrical properties of these synthesized nano materials are inspected using DFT (Density function theory) based commercial tool - ESPRESSO. Later on, different photo luminous spectroscopic methods are used to understand the optical characteristics of the CdSe based nanomaterials. Light scattering method is applied to comprehend greater insights about the same sampled nano materials based on different parameters such as – polydispersity index (PI), Stokes shift analysis, zeta potential etc. Finally, the most equipped CdSe Quantum DOT sample is chosen for future purpose and a sensitive case study covering diverse advantages, disadvantages and future challenges of QDOTs is carried out.
Certification of welder for tungsten inert gas welding in unmanned aerial vehicle systems
Authors: Subramanya N , Satheesh Kumar A R , Visakh D G , Balasubramanya K
Published: October 2023

Aluminum and its alloys is one of the extensively used non-ferrous metal in aerospace engineering applications due to its excellent properties like higher strength to weight ratio, non-magnetic property, high thermal conductivity, good machinability, recyclability, and excellent formability. However, welding of aluminum and its alloys has always been a challenge due to drastic reduction in strength near heat affected zone (HAZ). Due to softness, ductility, lower melting point of aluminum and its alloys impose additional challenges to weld aluminum alloy components. Due to this, the quality and quantum of skill set needed to weld aluminum alloy joints for flight critical components is much more than that of welding of ferrous materials. The qualification and certification of welder is one of the prime requirements in welding applications especially in aerospace industry. This paper mainly discusses the various aspects involved in qualifying and certifying a welder for tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding process of aluminum alloys, which is treated as one of the special processes. The welder certification is a written verification that weld joints produced by welder meets the prescribed standard of welder performance. It is to verify the ability of an individual to execute a qualified welding procedure specification to produce a sound weld. Aluminum alloy 6xxx series is considered for base metal for sample preparation and weld joint assessment studies, as it is one of the prevalently used aluminum alloy material in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications. Weld samples are prepared as per internationally practiced standards and welding procedure specification (WPS) is recorded. Various mechanical tests carried out on weld samples during certification process are discussed in the paper. Weld joints are subjected to tensile testing, bending test and macro test. The certifying agencies are involved at every stage to ensure consistency of welder performance.
Effect of elevated temperature on rice husk ash based self-compacting alkali activated slag concrete mixes under different cooling regimes
Authors: Lekhan H N , Manjunath R , Neha S N , Prashanth M H
Published: October 2023

Here an attempt has been made to develop self-compacting alkali activated slag concrete mix using Rice Husk Ash as Binder. Investigation on the mechanical properties and residual strength when subjected to temperature of 200,400,600,800°C retention period1hour. The Rice husk ash Self Compacting Alkali Activated Slag Concrete mixes was made with GGBS, Rice husk ash and Lime as the binder, with its content varying from 550 to 650 kg/m3of fresh concrete. The W/B ratio of mixes varied in 0.7-0.88 range. The alkaline solutions had Na2O percentages in the range 5-7 with constant activator modulus maintained at 1. Final mix considered had lower water content, higher percentage of RHA and higher compressive strength. Trails showed Processed Rice Husk Ash30%, lime20% and GGBS50% for binder content 600kg/m3 and 6% Na2O dosage showed greater compressive strength and lower water binder ratio compared to other trail mixes. Results showed the slump flow, L–Box, U-box and V-Funnel as greater than 650mm, 0.85, 20mm and 10s resp. Fire damage of RSAASC was measured by subjecting to elevated temperature between 200-800°C for a retention period of 1hour. Cooled to room using furnace cooling, air cooling and sudden cooling. Results indicated reduced compressive strength with increased temperature.
Design and Comparison of three Unconventional Shaped DRAs for 60GHz Application
Authors: Rao Reyya Sohit , Sahu Rashmi Ranjan , Mohanty Shashi Shankar , Panda Ribhu Abhusan
Published: October 2023

Shape modification and analysis of a conventional circular dielectric resonating antenna for 60 GHz application has been included in this paper. With The conformist shapes have been modified and a comparative study has been done among the unconventional designs based on scattering parameter, antenna gain and directivity. The circular shaped DRA has been modified as Biconvex, Plano convex and biconcave shaped DRA. With the dimension 20 mm × 20 mm × 1.6 mm, FR4 Epoxy material is used for the substrate. Alumina_92pct material with a dielectric constant of 9.2 has been used for the dielectric resonators. Frequency range from 55 GHz to 65 GHz has been considered and the resonant frequencies have been found as 58.7 GHz, 59.7 GHz and 55.5 GHz for Biconvex DRA, Plano Concave DRA and Biconcave DRA respectively. A comparative study has been done among all these three DRAs to find out the best DRA for 60 GHz WLAN application.
Design of a single layer single band 5G FSS as shielding materials
Authors: Florence Esther , Samuel Robinson R , Vimal Samsingh R , Abirami Sakthi
Published: October 2023

This paper deals with a novel Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) Electromagnetic shield that operates in the low 5G vertical applications. This FSS is designed for the purpose of serving as an electromagnetic shield to eliminate EMI. The FSS designed operates at a frequency of 5GHz with a bandwidth of 1.45GHz providing a shielding of more than 40dB. The proposed FSS uses a polyester sheet as substrate and uses silver for the metallization of the FSS. Since the proposed FSS is symmetric, it behaves similarly when a Transverse Electric (TE) or a Transverse Magnetic (TM) wave is incident. The structure was designed and simulated using CST software. The results show that this FSS blocks electromagnetic radiation at lower frequencies as intended.
Microstrip patch antenna design using mathematically modeled metamaterial cell
Authors: Satarkar P R , Lohani R B
Published: October 2023

Metamaterial is an artificial material made up of different types of structural designs on a dielectric substrate. In this paper, a broad investigation is being carried out by mathematically modeling and simulating a single negative metamaterial cell comprising a square split ring resonator with two rings. This metamaterial cell has negative permeability values for a particular frequency range. By enhancing properties like bandwidth, reflection loss, and gain in microstrip patch antennae, these metamaterial cells demonstrate unusually remarkable applications in this field. The resonance frequency obtained by simulating the metamaterial cell is compared with the calculated value from the circuit model. The resonance frequency expression is made simple by evaluating the effective permittivity of the substrate after loading the metallic structure on a dielectric substrate. The resonant frequency predicted analytically is found to be extremely close to the frequency obtained by modeling metamaterial structure. A parameter-retrieval method utilising the S parameters is used to determine the curves for the complex permeability of the metamaterial based on its unit element. In order to obtain the S parameters, modeling software is used. This modeled cell is used for designing a rectangular microstrip patch antenna. The parameters such as bandwidth, Gain, return loss, antenna, and metamaterial-based antenna are compared and recorded.
Study of low-cost, flexible graphite-based sensor for human finger movement
Authors: Kaviguru M , Pavithra T , Sobana A , Naveena S M , Anitha G , Suresh V , Gangadhara S , Venkadesh T
Published: October 2023

Paper-based sensor devices have grown prominently in recent decades owing to their flexibility, light weight, biodegradability, and low cost. Pencil traces on the paper are the protuberant component to sense the physical parameter variation, and the geometry on the paper substrate plays a vital role in sensing applications. This study used the commercially available pencil as an electrode on a paper substrate that senses the mechanical strain on human finger movements. Two different geometries of the paper substrate were considered, and the optimized geometry was identified. Two different grades (HB and 8B) pencils were used as the drawing instrument to draw the graphite on the paper. The repeated experimental results show a better version of the proposed sensor for measuring human finger movements. The grade HB pencil provides excellent results compared to the other grade pencils.
Metamaterial Based Wearable Antenna with Low SAR
Authors: Mujawar Mehaboob , Basarakod Kaveri , Kalal Aishwarya , Goudar Bhagyashree
Published: October 2023

In this paper, Wearable antenna based on metamaterial (MTM) with a low specific absorption rate (SAR) has been developed. The suggested antenna design has four metamaterial unit cells underneath the radiating element in the same plane as the ground, together with partial ground. Rectangular patches with I-shaped slots are used to create the MTM unit cells. The jeans fabric is positioned on top of the metamaterials. The MTM unit cells were significant in reducing SAR. Through comparative simulated analysis, such as reflection coefficient, VSWR, radiation patterns, and other antenna parameters, HFSS software presents the performance of the suggested antenna
Patterns, timing, and environmental drivers of secondary growth in two physiologically distinct Mediterranean alpine shrub species
Authors: Albrecht Eike Corina , Dobbert Svenja , Pape Roland , Löffler Jörg
Published: October 2023

Alpine plants are particularly sensitive to climate change, and in the Mediterranean, less frequent winter cold and prolonged summer drought are expected to shift the growth patterns of species, altering their range and strategies to cope with these dual climatic stressors. However, adaptive strategies for drought and frost and their impact on performance of species are poorly explored, with critical timescales relevant for growth insufficiently reflected and a focus on a limited set of environmental drivers. Here, we explored the growth processes of two physiologically distinct Mediterranean alpine shrub species: Cytisus galianoi (green-stemmed species) and Astragalus granatensis (dimorphic species). By measuring the daily stem diameter changes of 26 specimens over six consecutive years (2015–2020) using dendrometers, as well as the corresponding soil temperature and soil moisture conditions, we identified bimodal annual growth patterns (i.e. two phases of growth), water-related timing of growth, and drought- and frost-related environmental constraints. By implementing correlation analyses, linear mixed effects models, and partial least-squares regression, we found pregrowth temperature and moisture drivers to be highly relevant for growth in both species, suggesting a temporal decoupling of growth and resource acquisition. However, the underlying mechanisms were contrasting. While the spring growth of C. galianoi was promoted by pregrowth winter conditions, the autumn growth of A. granatensis was promoted by pregrowth summer conditions. Thus, resource acquisition is likely to be optimized when the traits of species allow physiological activity at high gain and low costs, i.e. when adaptive mechanisms reduce resource consumption to cope with frost and drought. This is during winter for frost-tolerant green-stemmed species and during summer for drought-avoidant dimorphic species, leading to species-specific time windows of growth. Understanding these species-specific growth mechanisms contributes to answering the overarching question of when and how woody plants grow and helps in understanding their adaptability to future climate variability, particularly in sensitive alpine environments, where plant species are evolutionally adapted to physical peculiarities and reach their low-temperature limit.
Open loci of ideals with applications to birational maps
Authors: Hassanzadeh S. , Mostafazadehfard Maral
Published: October 2023

In this work we show that the loci of ideals in principal class, ideals of grade at least two, and ideals of maximal analytic spread are Zariski open sets in the parameter space. As an application, we show that the set of birational maps of clear polynomial degree

d
d

over an arbitrary projective variety

X
X

, denoted by

B
i
r
(
X

)

d

Bir(X)_{d}

, is a constructible set. This extends a previous result by Blanc and Furter.
Maps between relatively hyperbolic spaces and between their boundaries
Authors: Mackay John , Sisto Alessandro
Published: October 2023

We study relations between maps between relatively hyperbolic groups/spaces and quasisymmetric embeddings between their boundaries. More specifically, we establish a correspondence between (not necessarily coarsely surjective) quasi-isometric embeddings between relatively hyperbolic groups/spaces that coarsely respect peripherals, and quasisymmetric embeddings between their boundaries satisfying suitable conditions. Further, we establish a similar correspondence regarding maps with at most polynomial distortion.

We use this to characterise groups which are hyperbolic relative to some collection of virtually nilpotent subgroups as exactly those groups which admit an embedding into a truncated real hyperbolic space with at most polynomial distortion, generalising a result of Bonk and Schramm for hyperbolic groups.
Comparison of DNA methylation and cytology tests in urine to detect upper tract urothelial carcinoma: A paired-design diagnostic study
Authors: Wei Wei , Wu Danting , Zhang Zhishu , Liu Junfeng , Deng Jun , Zhang Xiaoli , Ding Degang
Published: October 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of a DNA methylation test, compare that test with cytology alone, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) alone, and cytology plus FISH, and explore reasons that may influence the accuracy of liquid biopsy.

Methods

We included 37 patients and 12 negative control individuals between April 2019 and May 2022. All patients had undergone radical nephroureterectomy, nephrectomy, diagnostic ureteroscopy, or tissue biopsy. Urine samples were collected for DNA methylation testing, cytology, and FISH. Test performance was calculated, and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn for comparison.

Results

Median patient age was 66 years, and κ = 0.576 (P < .001) for the DNA methylation test and tissue pathology. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the DNA methylation test were 76%, 100%, 100%, and 74%, respectively, compared with 31%, 100%, 100%, and 50%, respectively, for cytology. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of cytology plus FISH were 66%, 100%, 100%, and 67%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of the DNA methylation test was 0.879 (P < .001), and the AUC of cytology plus FISH was 0.828 (P < .001).

Conclusions

The test performance of DNA methylation was satisfactory. The DNA methylation test for the detection of upper tract urothelial carcinoma demonstrated better sensitivity than did cytology alone or cytology with FISH, but the accuracy of the combined tests was still acceptable. Further prospective studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the clinical value of this promising method.
optima: an open-source R package for the Tapestri platform for integrative single cell multiomics data analysis
Authors: Pei Dong , Griffard Rachel , Yellapu Nanda Kumar , Nissen Emily , Koestler Devin C
Published: October 2023

The Tapestri platform offers DNA and protein analysis at the single-cell level. Integrating both types of data is beneficial for studying multiple cell populations in heterogeneous microenvironments, such as tumor tissues. Here, we present optima, an R package for the processing and analysis of data generated from the Tapestri platform. This package provides streamlined functionality for raw data filtering, integration, normalization, transformation, and visualization. Insights gained from the optima package help users to identify unique cell populations and uncover surface protein expression patterns. The results generated by optima help researchers elucidate dynamic changes at the single-cell level in heterogeneous microenvironments.

Availability and implementation

This package is available in Github: https://github.com/rachelgriffard/optima.
Exploring shared features in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Jain Angita , Udine Evan , van Blitterswijk Marka
Published: October 2023

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Genetic risk factor clustering within and across neurodegenerative diseases’ by Koretsky et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad161).
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Study the Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses During Indoor Clubbing Events (ANRS0066s ITOC Study)
Authors: Luong Nguyen Liem Binh , Goupil de Bouillé Jeanne , Menant Lola , Noret Marion , Dumas Audrey , Salmona Maud , Le Goff Jérôme , Delaugerre Constance , Crépey Pascal , Zeggagh Jeremy ,   the ITOC Study Group, Gabassi A , Minier M , Mercier Delarue S , Mahjoub N , Yazdanpanah Y , Lert F , Gaudart J , Tattevin P , Spire B , Garlantezec R , Hoang A , Yazdanpanah Y , Delaugerre C , Lert F , Gaudart J , Tattevin P , Spire B , Garlantezec R , Crépey P , Luong Nguyen L B , Zeggagh J , Noret M , Hoang A , Goupil de Bouillé J , Dumas A , Ben Mechlia M , Doré V , Necol C , Diane D , Pinault C , Le Mestre S , Mhajoub N , Drouet V , Mhajoub N , Bleibtreu A , Germain R , Pourriel M , Tonglet S , Olivier A , Lesecq M-A , Salette J , Zerah J , Lesaulnier F , Plenel E , Hocquart F , Gatinel S , Mateescu M , Concado A , Musa J , Taglietti G , Garnier L , Winter P , Kiddy Smile  , Mathieu O , Thyrache S , Howe E , Gras L
Published: October 2023

Background

In the context of the circulation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, vaccination re-authorized mass indoor gatherings. The “Indoor Transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)” (ITOC) trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05311865) aimed to assess the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses during an indoor clubbing event among participants fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Methods

ITOC, a randomized controlled trial in the Paris region (France), enrolled healthy volunteers aged 18–49 years, fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no comorbidities or symptoms, randomized 1:1 to be interventional group “attendees” or control “non-attendees.” The intervention was a 7-hour indoor event in a nightclub at full capacity, with no masking, prior SARS-CoV-2 test result, or social distancing required. The primary outcome measure was the number of reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–determined SARS-CoV-2–positive subjects using self-collected saliva 7 days post-gathering in the per-protocol population. Secondary endpoints focused on 20 other respiratory viruses.

Results

Healthy participants (n = 1216) randomized 2:1 by blocks up to 10 815 attendees and 401 non-attendees, yielding 529 and 287 subjects, respectively, with day-7 saliva samples. One day-7 sample from each group was positive. Looking at all respiratory viruses together, the clubbing event was associated with an increased risk of infection of 1.59 (95% CI, 1.04–2.61).

Conclusions

In the context of low Delta variant of concern circulation, no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among asymptomatic and vaccinated participants was found, but the risk of other respiratory virus transmission was higher.

Clinical Trials Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05311865.
Is Short-Course Antibiotic Therapy Suitable for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infections in Onco-hematology Patients With Febrile Neutropenia? Results of a Multi-institutional Analysis
Authors: Feng Xiaomeng , Qian Chenjing , Fan Yuping , Li Jia , Wang Jieru , Lin Qingsong , Jiang Erlie , Mi Yingchang , Qiu Lugui , Xiao Zhijian , Wang Jianxiang , Hong Mei , Feng Sizhou
Published: October 2023

Background

Several studies have suggested that short-course antibiotic therapy was effective in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bloodstream infections (BSI) in immunocompetent patients. But similar studies in patients with hematological malignancies were rare.

Methods

This cohort study included onco-hematology patients at 2 hematology centers in China. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance the confounding factors. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate the effect of short-course antibiotic therapy on clinical outcomes.

Results

In total, 434 patients met eligibility criteria (short-course, 7–11 days, n = 229; prolonged, 12–21 days, n = 205). In the weighted cohort, the univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that short course antibiotic therapy had similar outcomes to the prolonged course. The recurrent PA infection at any site or mortality within 30 days of completing therapy occurred in 8 (3.9%) patients in the short-course group and in 10 (4.9%) in the prolonged-course group (P = .979). The recurrent infection within 90 days occurred in 20 (9.8%) patients in the short-course group and in 13 (6.3%) patients in the prolonged-course group (P = .139), and the recurrent fever within 7 days occurred in 17 (8.3%) patients in the short-course group and in 15 (7.4%) in the prolonged-course group (P = .957). On average, patients who received short-course antibiotic therapy spent 3.3 fewer days in the hospital (P < .001).

Conclusions

In the study, short-course therapy was non-inferior to prolonged-course therapy in terms of clinical outcomes. However, due to its biases and limitations, further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to generalize our findings.
Oral anticoagulant treatment and risk of kidney disease—a nationwide, population-based cohort study
Authors: Vestergaard Ane Emilie Friis , Jensen Simon Kok , Heide-Jørgensen Uffe , Adelborg Kasper , Birn Henrik , Carrero Juan-Jesus , Christiansen Christian Fynbo
Published: October 2023

Background

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as first-line treatment of atrial fibrillation. Whether DOAC use is associated with lower risks of kidney complications compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) remains unclear. We examined this association in a nationwide, population-based cohort study.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study including patients initiating oral anticoagulant treatment within 3 months after an atrial fibrillation diagnosis in Denmark during 2012–18. Using routinely collected creatinine measurements from laboratory databases, we followed patients in an intention-to-treat approach for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. We used propensity-score weighting to balance baseline confounders, computed weighted risks and weighted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing DOACs with VKAs. We performed several subgroup analyses and a per-protocol analysis.

Results

We included 32 781 persons with atrial fibrillation initiating oral anticoagulation (77% initiating DOACs). The median age was 75 years, 25% had a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and median follow-up was 2.3 (interquartile range 1.1–3.9) years. The weighted 1-year risks of AKI were 13.6% in DOAC users and 15.0% in VKA users (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82; 0.91). The weighted 5-year risks of CKD progression were 13.9% in DOAC users and 15.4% in VKA users (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79; 0.92). Results were similar across subgroups and in the per-protocol analysis.

Conclusions

Initiation of DOACs was associated with a decreased risk of AKI and CKD progression compared with VKAs. Despite the potential limitations of observational studies, our findings support the need for increased clinical awareness to prevent kidney complications among patients who initiate oral anticoagulants.
Predictive Performance of Cell-Free Nucleic Acid-Based Multi-Cancer Early Detection Tests: A Systematic Review
Authors: LeeVan Elyse , Pinsky Paul
Published: October 2023

Background

Cancer-screening tests that can detect multiple cancer types, or multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests, have emerged recently as a potential new tool in decreasing cancer morbidity and mortality. Most MCED assays are based on detecting cell-free tumor DNA (CF-DNA) in the blood. MCEDs offer the potential for screening for cancer organ sites with high mortality, both with and without recommended screening. However, their clinical utility has not been established. Before clinical utility can be established, the clinical validity of MCEDs, i.e., their ability to predict cancer status, must be demonstrated. In this study we performed a systematic review of the predictive ability for cancer of cell-free-nucleic acid-based MCED tests.

Content

We searched PubMed for relevant publications from January 2017 to February 2023, using MeSH terms related to multi-cancer detection, circulating DNA, and related concepts. Of 1811 publications assessed, 61 were reviewed in depth and 20 are included in this review. For almost all studies, the cancer cases were assessed at time of diagnosis. Most studies reported specificity (generally 95% or higher) and overall sensitivity (73% median). The median number of cancer types assessed per assay was 5. Many studies also reported sensitivity by stage and/or cancer type. Sensitivity generally increased with stage.

To date, relatively few published studies have assessed the clinical validity of MCED tests. Most used cancer cases assessed at diagnosis, with generally high specificity and variable sensitivity depending on cancer type and stage. The next steps should be testing in the intended-use population, i.e., asymptomatic persons.
Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium Definitions for Tricuspid Regurgitation and Trial Endpoints
Authors: Hahn Rebecca T , Lawlor Matthew K , Davidson Charles J , Badhwar Vinay , Sannino Anna , Spitzer Ernest , Lurz Philipp , Lindman Brian R , Topilsky Yan , Baron Suzanne J , Chadderdon Scott , Khalique Omar K , Tang Gilbert H L , Taramasso Maurizio , Grayburn Paul A , Badano Luigi , Leipsic Jonathon , Lindenfeld JoAnn , Windecker Stephan , Vemulapalli Sreekanth , Redfors Bjorn , Alu Maria C , Cohen David J , Rodés-Cabau Josep , Ailawadi Gorav , Mack Michael , Ben-Yehuda Ori , Leon Martin B , Hausleiter Jörg
Published: October 2023

Interest in the pathophysiology, etiology, management, and outcomes of patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has grown in the wake of multiple natural history studies showing progressively worse outcomes associated with increasing TR severity, even after adjusting for multiple comorbidities. Historically, isolated tricuspid valve surgery has been associated with high in-hospital mortality rates, leading to the development of transcatheter treatment options. The aim of this first Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document is to standardize definitions of disease etiology and severity, as well as endpoints for trials that aim to address the gaps in our knowledge related to identification and management of patients with TR. Standardizing endpoints for trials should provide consistency and enable meaningful comparisons between clinical trials. A second Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortium document will focus on further defining trial endpoints and will discuss trial design options.
Clinical outcomes with the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in patients with atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multi-centre, real-world cohort study
Authors: Jang Jaehyuk , Park Soyoon , Kim Soohyun , Kim Sung-Hwan , Oh Yong-Seog , Sa Young Kyoung , Hwang Youmi , Jang Sung-Won , Ihm Sang-Hyun , Choi Young
Published: October 2023

Aims

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes and reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We investigated the clinical outcomes with and without the use of SGLT2is in patients with T2DM and concomitant AF.

Methods and results

We derived patient data from a clinical data warehouse constructed from the electronic medical records of seven medical centres. Data for 11 012 patients diagnosed with both AF and T2DM were analysed. New SGLT2i users were classified into the SGLT2i group and those who were not prescribed SGLT2is were classified into the control group. We performed a 1:2 propensity score (PS)-matching analysis. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or hospitalization due to heart failure (HF) events in 3 years. The PS-matched population consisted of 1115 patients in the SGLT2i group and 2050 patients in the control group. Incidence of the primary endpoint was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group [8.4 vs. 14.6%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55–0.87]. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors use was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.29–0.67) and HF hospitalization (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59–0.99). Adverse renal events, defined as >50% increase in serum creatinine level or initiation of dialysis, occurred less often in the SGLT2i group (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.38–0.66, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Use of SGLT2is in patients with T2DM and concomitant AF was associated with reduced mortality or HF hospitalization events.