bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drug release from Pluronic F68 hydrogels
Authors: Di Spirito Nicola Antonio , Di Baia Chiara , Grizzuti Nino , Pasquino Rossana , de Gennaro Bruno
Published: March 2024

The evaluation of drug percutaneous absorption plays a pivotal role in assessing the efficacy of dermal/transdermal drug delivery systems. Drug therapies rely on biomedical systems capable of precisely regulating drug dosage, controlling the rate of drug release, and mitigating the common side effects associated with many drug delivery formulations. Pluronics are being broadly used as amphiphilic excipients in many drug delivery systems due to their capacity to create supramolecular assemblies in water, exhibiting significant potential for sustained drug delivery. We herein report on the release kinetics of diclofenac sodium contained in novel biocompatible drug delivery systems consisting of aqueous solutions of Pluronic F68. The latter is tested as a release vehicle for percutaneous administration of diclofenac sodium. Its release from Pluronic F68 nanoassemblies in water was experimentally examined by means of a static Franz-type diffusion cell, equipped with a porous membrane simulating the skin absorption, and supported by rheology. Furthermore, the drug release process was modeled through a mass balance for the diclofenac sodium describing its diffusion in pseudostationary conditions through the porous membrane.
Chemical bonding dictates drastic critical temperature difference in two seemingly identical superconductors
Authors: Lavroff Robert H. , Munarriz Julen , Dickerson Claire E. , Munoz Francisco , Alexandrova Anastassia N.
Published: March 2024

Though YB
6
and LaB
6
share the same crystal structure, atomic valence electron configuration, and phonon modes, they exhibit drastically different phonon-mediated superconductivity. YB
6
superconducts below 8.4 K, giving it the second-highest critical temperature of known borides, second only to MgB
2
. LaB
6
does not superconduct until near-absolute zero temperatures (below 0.45 K), however. Though previous studies have quantified the canonical superconductivity descriptors of YB
6
’s greater Fermi-level (E
f
) density of states and higher electron–phonon coupling (EPC), the root of this difference has not been assessed with full detail of the electronic structure. Through chemical bonding, we determine low-lying, unoccupied 4f atomic orbitals in lanthanum to be the key difference between these superconductors. These orbitals, which are not accessible in YB
6
, hybridize with π B–B bonds and bring this π-system lower in energy than the σ B–B bonds otherwise at E
f
. This inversion of bands is crucial: the optical phonon modes we show responsible for superconductivity cause the σ-orbitals of YB
6
to change drastically in overlap, but couple weakly to the π-orbitals of LaB
6
. These phonons in YB
6
even access a crossing of electronic states, indicating strong EPC. No such crossing in LaB
6
is observed. Finally, a supercell (the M k-point) is shown to undergo Peierls-like effects in YB
6
, introducing additional EPC from both softened acoustic phonons and the same electron-coupled optical modes as in the unit cell. Overall, we find that LaB
6
and YB
6
have fundamentally different mechanisms of superconductivity, despite their otherwise near-identity.
DNA nanomachines reveal an adaptive energy mode in confinement-induced amoeboid migration powered by polarized mitochondrial distribution
Authors: Liu Yixin , Wang Ya-Jun , Du Yang , Liu Wei , Huang Xuedong , Fan Zihui , Lu Jiayin , Yi Runqiu , Xiang Xiao-Wei , Xia Xinwei , Gu Hongzhou , Liu Yan-Jun , Liu Baohong
Published: March 2024

Energy metabolism is highly interdependent with adaptive cell migration in vivo. Mechanical confinement is a critical physical cue that induces switchable migration modes of the mesenchymal-to-amoeboid transition (MAT). However, the energy states in distinct migration modes, especially amoeboid-like stable bleb (A2) movement, remain unclear. In this report, we developed multivalent DNA framework-based nanomachines to explore strategical mitochondrial trafficking and differential ATP levels during cell migration in mechanically heterogeneous microenvironments. Through single-particle tracking and metabolomic analysis, we revealed that fast A2-moving cells driven by biomimetic confinement recruited back-end positioning of mitochondria for powering highly polarized cytoskeletal networks, preferentially adopting an energy-saving mode compared with a mesenchymal mode of cell migration. We present a versatile DNA nanotool for cellular energy exploration and highlight that adaptive energy strategies coordinately support switchable migration modes for facilitating efficient metastatic escape, offering a unique perspective for therapeutic interventions in cancer metastasis.
Resonances in electron scattering from H2 around the H(2l) + H−(1s2) dissociation limit
Authors: Bingham Peter S , Gorfinkiel Jimena D
Published: March 2024

We have performed high-level R-matrix scattering calculations to identify and characterise the resonances potentially involved in dissociative electron attachment (DEA) of H2 at around 14.5 eV. DEA experiments (Krishnakumar et al 2018 Nat. Phys.
4 149) indicate an asymmetric production of H− around this scattering energy that can only be explained if more than one resonance is involved in the process. The theoretical description of the anion distribution requires accurate data (energy and lifetime) for the resonances involved, currently missing from the literature. We attempt to provide these data for all the resonances identified in the appropriate energy range for bond lengths 1.1 a
0 to 4.0 a
0. Our resonance results are insufficient to confirm the validity of a simple model of anion yield asymmetry used to reproduce the experimental results.
Calculation of forbidden transitions in doubly ionized neodymium (Nd III) of interest for kilonova nebular phase analysis
Authors: Maison L , Palmeri P , Quinet P
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we present new radiative rate calculations for forbidden transitions, namely magnetic dipole (M1) and electric quadrupole (E2) transitions, involving all the experimentally known energy levels within the 4f4 ground configuration of doubly ionized neodymium (Nd III). To do this, and in order to estimate the accuracy of the results obtained, two independent computational approaches based on the pseudo-relativistic Hartree–Fock and the fully relativistic Dirac-Hartree–Fock methods were used. The transition probabilities calculated with these two approaches showed good overall agreement, in particular for the most intense forbidden lines for which the relative differences did not exceed 25%. From these new atomic data, some astrophysical implications were deduced such as the possibility (or not) of observing some [Nd III] lines on the infrared spectra recorded by the James Webb Space Telescope, more precisely for the analysis of nebular phase kilonova spectra following compact object mergers.
Phase diagram and crossover phases of topologically ordered graphene zigzag nanoribbons: role of localization effects
Authors: Le Hoang-Anh , Lee In-Hwan , Kim Young Heon , Eric Yang S-R
Published: March 2024

We computed the phase diagram of zigzag graphene nanoribbons as a function of on-site repulsion, doping, and disorder strength. The topologically ordered phase undergoes topological phase transitions into crossover phases, which are new disordered phases with non-universal topological entanglement entropy that exhibits significant variance. We explored the nature of non-local correlations in both the topologically ordered and crossover phases. In the presence of localization effects, strong on-site repulsion and/or doping weaken non-local correlations between the opposite zigzag edges of the topologically ordered phase. In one of the crossover phases, both

e
−

/

2

solitonic fractional charges and spin-charge separation were absent; however, charge-transfer correlations between the zigzag edges were possible. Another crossover phase contains solitonic

e
−

/

2

fractional charges but lacks charge transfer correlations. We also observed properties of non-topological, strongly disordered, and strongly repulsive phases. Each phase on the phase diagram exhibits a different zigzag-edge structure. Additionally, we investigated the tunneling of solitonic fractional charges under an applied voltage between the zigzag edges of undoped topologically ordered zigzag ribbons, and found that it may lead to a zero-bias tunneling anomaly.
Direction-dependent conductivity in planar Hall set-ups with tilted Weyl/multi-Weyl semimetals
Authors: Ghosh Rahul , Mandal Ipsita
Published: March 2024

We compute the magnetoelectric conductivity tensors in planar Hall set-ups, which are built with tilted Weyl semimetals (WSMs) and multi-Weyl semimetals (mWSMs), considering all possible relative orientations of the electromagnetic fields (

E

and

B

) and the direction of the tilt. The non-Drude part of the response arises from a nonzero Berry curvature in the vicinity of the WSM/mWSM node under consideration. Only in the presence of a nonzero tilt do we find linear-in-

|

B

|

terms in set-ups where the tilt-axis is not perpendicular to the plane spanned by

E

and

B

. The advantage of the emergence of the linear-in-

|

B

|

terms is that, unlike the various

|

B

|
2

-dependent terms that can contribute to experimental observations, they have purely a topological origin, and they dominate the overall response-characteristics in the realistic parameter regimes. The important signatures of these terms are that they (1) change the periodicity of the response from π to 2π, when we consider their dependence on the angle θ between E and B; and (2) lead to an overall change in sign of the conductivity depending on θ, when measured with respect to the

B

=
0

case.
BiCFormer: Swin Transformer based model for classification of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules
Authors: Zhao Xiaoping , Xu Jingjing , Lin Zhichen , Xue Xingan
Published: March 2024

Pulmonary cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide, and the detection of benign and malignant nodules in the lungs can be an important aid in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. Existing convolutional neural networks inherit their limitations by extracting global contextual information, and in most cases prove to be less efficient in obtaining satisfactory results. Transformer-based deep learning methods have obtained good performance in different computer vision tasks, and this study attempts to introduce them into the task of computed tomography (CT) image classification of lung nodules. However, the problems of sample scarcity and difficulty of local feature extraction in this field. To this end, we are inspired by Swin Transformer to propose a model named BiCFormer for the task of classifying and diagnosing CT scan images of lung nodules. Specifically, first we introduce a multi-layer discriminator generative adversarial network module for data augmentation to assist the model in extracting features more accurately. Second, unlike the encoder of traditional Transformer, we divide the encoder part of BiCFormer into two parts: bi-level coordinate (BiC) and fast-partial-window (FPW). The BiC module has a part similar to the traditional channel attention mechanism is able to enhance the performance of the model, and is more able to enhance the representation of attention object features by aggregating features along two spatial directions. The BiC module also has a dynamic sparse attention mechanism that filters out irrelevant key-value pairs in rough regions, allowing the model to focus more on features of interest. The FPW module is mainly used to reduce computational redundancy and minimize feature loss. We conducted extensive experiments on the LIDC-IDRI dataset. The experimental results show that our model achieves an accuracy of 97.4% compared to other studies using this dataset for lung nodule classification, making it an effective and competitive method.
Microscopic derivation of Vlasov–Dirac–Benney equation with short-range pair potentials
Authors: Feistl Manuela , Pickl Peter
Published: March 2024

We present a probabilistic proof of the mean-field limit and propagation of chaos of a N-particle system in three dimensions with pair potentials of the form

N

3
β
−
1

ϕ
(

N

β

x
)

for

β
∈

[
0
,

1
7

]

and

ϕ
∈
 

L

∞

(

R

3

)
∩

L
1

(

R

3

)

. In particular, for typical initial data, we show convergence of the Newtonian trajectories to the characteristics of the Vlasov–Dirac–Benney system with delta-like interactions. The proof is based on a Gronwall estimate for the maximal distance between the exact microscopic dynamics and the approximate mean-field dynamics. Thus our result leads to a derivation of the Vlasov–Dirac–Benney equation from the microscopic N-particle dynamics with a strong short range force.
Ammonia synthesis by plasma catalysis in an atmospheric RF helium plasma
Authors: Vervloedt S C L , von Keudell A
Published: March 2024

The in-plasma-catalytic synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen admixed to a helium RF plasma is studied with infrared absorption spectroscopy, optical emission spectroscopy, and through chemical kinetics modeling. Sandblasted glass is used as support for iron, platinum, and copper catalysts up to a surface temperature of 150 

∘

C

. It is shown that the optimum ammonia production occurs at very small N2/(N2+H2) ratios with an increase of concentration with plasma power. The global kinetic modelling agrees well with the data for a variation of the N2+H2 admixture and the absorbed plasma power. The introduction of the catalyst enhances ammonia production by up to a factor of 2. Based on the comparison with the modelling, this is linked to a change in the electron kinetics due to the presence of the catalyst. It is postulated that introducing the catalyst increases the reduced electric field because it reduces the secondary electron emission coefficient. As a result, the dissociation of N2 is stimulated, thereby enhancing the NH3 formation. These experiments show that the impact of the catalyst on the plasma performance in noble gas-diluted RF plasmas can be more important than the impact of the plasma on any catalytic surface process.
Making the leap. Part I. Modelling the reconstructed lensing convergence PDF from cosmic shear with survey masks and systematics
Authors: Barthelemy Alexandre , Halder Anik , Gong Zhengyangguang , Uhlemann Cora
Published: March 2024

The last few years have seen the development of a promising theoretical framework for statistics of the cosmic large-scale structure — the theory of large deviations (LDT) for modelling weak-lensing one-point statistics in the mildly nonlinear regime. The goal of this series of papers is to make the leap and lay out the steps to perform an actual data analysis with this theoretical tool. Building upon the LDT framework, in this work (paper I) we demonstrate how to accurately model the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of a reconstructed Kaiser-Squires convergence field under a realistic mask, that of the third data release of the Dark Energy Survey (DES). We also present how weak lensing systematics and higher-order lensing corrections due to intrinsic alignments, shear biases, photo-z errors and baryonic feedback can be incorporated in the modelling of the reconstructed convergence PDF. In an upcoming work (paper II) we will then demonstrate the robustness of our modelling through simulated likelihood analyses, the final step required before applying our method to actual data.
Isotope impact on Alfvén eigenmodes and fast ion transport in DIII-D
Authors: Van Zeeland M.A. , Bass E. , Du X.D. , Heidbrink W.W. , Chrystal C. , Crocker C. , DeGrandchamp G. , Haskey S. , Liu D. , Gonzalez-Martin J. , Thome K.E. , Yu G. , Zhu Y.
Published: March 2024

Measurements of beam driven Alfvén Eigenmode (AE) activity in matched deuterium (D) and hydrogen (H) DIII-D plasmas show a dramatic difference in unstable mode activity and fast ion transport for a given injected beam power. The dependence of the unstable AE spectrum in reversed magnetic shear plasmas on beam and thermal species is investigated in the current ramp by varying beam power in a sequence of discharges for fixed thermal and beam species at fixed density. In general, a spectrum of Reversed Shear Alfvén Eigenmodes (RSAEs) and Toroidal Alfvén Eigenmodes (TAEs) are driven unstable with sub-Alfvénic D beam injection while primarily only RSAEs are driven unstable for the H beam cases investigated. Further, for a given beam power, the driven AE amplitude is always reduced with H beams relative to D and for H thermal plasma relative to pure D or mixed D/H plasmas. Estimates of the fast ion stored energy combined with modeling using the hybrid kinetic-MHD code MEGA indicate that the dominant mechanism contributing to the difference between H and D beam drive is the faster classical slowing down of H beam ions relative to D and the resultant lower beam ion pressure. Calculations of the AE induced stored energy deficits using the reduced critical gradient model TGLFEP show quantitative agreement with the observed dependencies on injected power, isotope and minimum safety factor.
Borane (B
m
H
n
), Hydrogen rich, Proton Boron fusion fuel materials for high yield laser-driven Alpha sources
Authors: Turcu I.C.E. , Margarone D. , Giuffrida L. , Picciotto A. , Spindloe C. , Robinson A.P.L. , Batani D.
Published: March 2024

We propose for the first time, a new fuel-material for laser-driven Proton Boron (P-B) fusion nuclear reactions. We propose, Hydrogen rich, Borane (B
m
H
n
) materials as fusion fuel as compared to Boron Nitride (BN) presently used. We estimate more than 10-fold increase in the yield of nuclear fusion reactions, and Alpha-prticle flux, when, for example Ammonia Borane (BNH6) laser-target material will be used compared to the state of the art normalized flux ∼108 Alphas/sr/J from BN targets. BNH6 contains ∼1000× higher concentration of Hydrogen compared to BN. We report the manufacture
of the
first solid-pellets Ammonia Borane laser-targets. To obtain high Flux Alpha sources from repetitive lasers we propose new BNH6 target geometries: liquid (molten) droplets/jets; or translated tape- or disc-targets coated with BNH6 powder. Targets would be irradiated in low pressure, ambient buffer gas. To enhance the fusion/Alpha yield of ultra-high intensity PetaWatt laser-target interaction we propose nano- and micro-structured Borane targets.
As applications, we propose to use the Alpha-driven nuclear reactions inside the laser-driven Borane targets for new schemes to produce short-lived medical radioisotopes.
Such laser-driven radioisotope beamlines would be installed directly in
hospitals. Borane materials, like Diborane (6), B2H6, are also proposed as nuclear-fuels for laser-driven Proton-Boron fusion energy generation. The high dilution of Boron in Hydrgen B/H = 33% would need to be further enahnced to B/H < 15% to cut radiation losses from the hot and dense fusion pellet.
An emerging tool in healthcare: wearable surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Kitahama Yasutaka , Egawa Mariko , Dwivedi Prabhat K , Yang William , Goda Keisuke
Published: March 2024

This perspective explores the progressive domain of wearable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), underscoring its potential to revolutionize healthcare. As an advanced variation of traditional Raman spectroscopy, SERS offers heightened sensitivity in detecting molecular vibrations. Applied in wearable technology, it provides a mechanism for continuous, non-invasive, real-time monitoring of chemical and biomolecular processes in the human body through biofluids such as sweat and tears. This underscores its immense potential in enabling early disease detection and facilitating personalized medicine. However, the adoption of wearable SERS is not without challenges, which include device miniaturization, reliable biofluid sampling, user comfort, biocompatibility, and data interpretation. Nevertheless, this perspective emphasizes that the fast-paced advancements in nanotechnology and data sciences render these challenges surmountable. In summary, the perspective presents wearable SERS as a promising innovation in healthcare’s future landscape. It has the potential to enhance individual health outcomes significantly and lower healthcare costs by promoting a preventive health management approach.
The Linguistic Roots of Ancient Greek
Authors: Ringe Don
Published: March 2024

This book traces the development of Proto-Indo-European into Ancient Greek of about the 5th century bc, attempting to recover the relative chronology of changes whenever possible and to explore in detail how the Ancient Greek dialects diversified. It is roughly parallel to From Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Germanic (2nd ed.; Oxford University Press, 2017) and is intended for readers who have at least begun to learn Ancient Greek and are interested in its prehistory. Readers should be aware that this book is not a complete historical and comparative grammar of Greek.
The phonological development of Proto-Greek
Authors: Ringe Don
Published: March 2024

This chapter discusses the regular sound changes that took place in the development of Greek down to (approximately) the point at which the dialects began to diverge. Chronological relationships between the changes are determined, to the extent that is possible; the attestation of Mycenaean Greek in the Linear B script is employed as a fixed chronological point. Developments of laryngeals are discussed in exceptional detail because they were complex. The sources and development of Proto-Greek *h and the development of inherited *y, which were also complex, are discussed in detail. More straightforward changes, discussed more briefly, include early developments of nasals and of obstruent clusters, conditioned unrounding of labiovelars, aspirate devoicing, an odd loss of voiceless dentals stops before word-final *i, and the development of the distinctive Greek restrictions on the placement of accent.
The development of Proto-Greek inflectional morphology
Authors: Ringe Don
Published: March 2024

This chapter discusses the changes in inflectional morphology that took place in the development of Greek down to (approximately) the point at which the dialects began to diverge. Tense and aspect stems, mood suffixes, the augment, verb endings, nonfinite forms, and the accent patterns of Greek verbs are each discussed in detail. The development of the nominal system is organized somewhat differently. The case system and the accent-and-ablaut patterns, both of which were simplified in Greek, are treated first. Stem types of nouns and adjectives are then discussed one by one, with detailed lists of inherited members of stem classes. Inflectional endings are treated separately, as are pronouns and numerals.
The Attic-Ionic dialects
Authors: Ringe Don
Published: March 2024

Attic-Ionic occupies a distinctive place among Ancient Greek dialect groups. It is both the best-attested group (by far) and the group that most obviously constitutes a clade in a reasonably strict sense of the term. This chapter discusses the origin and diversification of the Attic-Ionic dialect group, as well as distinctive changes that spread through the group after it was well diversified. The relative chronology of changes affecting the Attic dialect is discussed in detail, with references to earlier work, since our extensive attestation of Attic makes that relative chronology exceptionally easy to recover (thus providing a natural laboratory for studies of linguistic relative chronology in the distant past). Most of the chapter discusses phonological changes, but the (few) shared morphological changes are also treated, notably the origin and spread of secondary 3pl. -σαν.
Widely shared later innovations
Authors: Ringe Don
Published: March 2024

This chapter discusses innovations which cut across older, well-established dialect groupings and which therefore must have spread across existing dialect boundaries. Sound changes discussed include the second compensatory lengthening and other changes to ns-clusters; the loss of the digamma and its consequences; contractions of vowels in hiatus and the system of long mid vowels; outcomes of Proto-Greek affricates; and psilosis. Among morphological changes the most important are the development of 3pl. imperatives, the development of subjunctives and optatives, and extensive changes to perfect stems. None of these changes is characteristic of a single dialect group. All, however, gave rise to salient differences between dialects, and none is confined to a single dialect.
Implementation of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 genotyping to guide antidepressant use in a large rural health system
Authors: Petry Natasha J , Van Heukelom Joel , Schultz April J , Jacobsen Kristen , Baye Jordan F , Mills Sarah , Figueroa Debbie M , Massmann Amanda
Published: March 2024

Purpose

We describe the implementation and ongoing maintenance of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 focused pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing to guide antidepressant and antianxiety medication prescriptions in a large rural, nonprofit health system.

Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric conditions. Sanford Health implemented PGx testing for metabolism of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes 2C19 and 2D6 in 2014 to inform prescribing for multiple medications, including antidepressant and antianxiety therapies. As guidelines, genotype to phenotype translation, panel offerings, and other resources are updated, we adapt our approach. We make educational and informational materials available to providers and patients. Pharmacogenomic clinical pharmacists review PGx results with discrete values and provide guidance documentation in the electronic medical record. A robust clinical decision support system is in place to provide interruptive alerts, noninterruptive alerts, and genomic indicators. A referral-based interdisciplinary clinic is also available to provide in-depth education to patients regarding PGx results and implications. Additionally, partnering with our health plan has expanded access to PGx testing for patients with anxiety or depression.

Conclusion

The implementation and maintenance of Sanford Health’s PGx program to guide antidepressant and antianxiety medication use continues to evolve and requires a multipronged approach relying on both human and informatics-based resources.
Epigenome-augmented eQTL-hotspots reveal genome-wide transcriptional programs in 36 human tissues
Authors: Liu Huanhuan , Chen Qinwei , Guo Jintao , Zhou Ying , You Zhiyu , Ren Jun , Zeng Yuanyuan , Yang Jing , Huang Jialiang , Li Qiyuan
Published: March 2024

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are used to inform the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells. However, the specificity of genome-wide eQTL identification is limited by stringent control for false discoveries. Here, we described a method based on the non-homogeneous Poisson process to identify 125 489 regions with highly frequent, multiple eQTL associations, or ‘eQTL-hotspots’, from the public database of 59 human tissues or cell types. We stratified the eQTL-hotspots into two classes with their distinct sequence and epigenomic characteristics. Based on these classifications, we developed a machine-learning model, E-SpotFinder, for augmented discovery of tissue- or cell-type-specific eQTL-hotspots. We applied this model to 36 tissues or cell types. Using augmented eQTL-hotspots, we recovered 655 402 eSNPs and reconstructed a comprehensive regulatory network of 2 725 380 cis-interactions among eQTL-hotspots. We further identified 52 012 modules representing transcriptional programs with unique functional backgrounds. In summary, our study provided a framework of epigenome-augmented eQTL analysis and thereby constructed comprehensive genome-wide networks of cis-regulations across diverse human tissues or cell types.
Citizen silence: Missed opportunities in citizen science
Authors: Hall Damon M , Avellaneda-Lopez Pedro M , Ficklin Darren L , Knouft Jason H , Lowry Christopher
Published: March 2024

Citizen science is personal. Participation is contingent on the citizens’ connection to a topic or to interpersonal relationships meaningful to them. But from the peer-reviewed literature, scientists appear to have an acquisitive data-centered relationship with citizens. This has spurred ethical and pragmatic criticisms of extractive relationships with citizen scientists. We suggest five practical steps to shift citizen-science research from extractive to relational, reorienting the research process and providing reciprocal benefits to researchers and citizen scientists. By virtue of their interests and experience within their local environments, citizen scientists have expertise that, if engaged, can improve research methods and product design decisions. To boost the value of scientific outputs to society and participants, citizen-science research teams should rethink how they engage and value volunteers.
Oesophageal fluoroscopy in adults—when and why?
Authors: Scharitzer Martina , Pokieser Peter , Ekberg Olle
Published: March 2024

Oesophageal fluoroscopy is a radiological procedure that uses dynamic recording of the swallowing process to evaluate morphology and function simultaneously, a characteristic not found in other clinical tests. It enables a comprehensive evaluation of the entire upper gastrointestinal tract, from the oropharynx to oesophagogastric bolus transport. The number of fluoroscopies of the oesophagus and the oropharynx has increased in recent decades, while the overall use of gastrointestinal fluoroscopic examinations has declined. Radiologists performing fluoroscopies need a good understanding of the appropriate clinical questions and the methodological advantages and limitations to adjust the examination to the patient’s symptoms and clinical situation. This review provides an overview of the indications for oesophageal fluoroscopy and the various pathologies it can identify, ranging from motility disorders to structural abnormalities and assessment in the pre- and postoperative care. The strengths and weaknesses of this modality and its future role within different clinical scenarios in the adult population are discussed. We conclude that oesophageal fluoroscopy remains a valuable tool in diagnostic radiology for the evaluation of oesophageal disorders.
Is it too early to recommend local treatment in oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a plea for equipoise
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Chufal Kundan Singh , Miller Alexis Andrew , Bajpai Ram , Umesh Preetha , Dawer Aashita , Tandon Sarthak , Gandhidasan Senthilkumar , Dua Bharat , Bhatia Kratika , Gairola Munish
Published: March 2024

Oligometastatic non-small cell lung cancer (OMD NSCLC) has been proposed to bridge the spectrum between non-metastatic and widely metastatic states and is perceived as an opportunity for potential cure if removed. Twelve clinical trials on local treatment have been reported, yet none are conclusive. These trials informed the development of a joint clinical practice guideline by the American & European Societies for Radiation Oncology, which endorses local treatment for OMD NSCLC. However, the heterogeneity between prognostic factors within these trials likely influenced outcomes and can only support guidance at this time. Caution against an uncritical acceptance of the guideline is discussed, as strong recommendations are offered based on expert opinion and inconclusive evidence. The guideline is also examined by a patient’s caregiver, who emphasizes that uncertain evidence impedes shared decision making.
Ultrasonography-based staging of inflammatory granulomatous mastitis and estimation of steroid response
Authors: Alper Fatih , Abbasguliyev Hasan , Yalcin Ahmet , Cankaya Bahar Yilmaz , Ozmen Sevilay , Akçay Müfide Nuran , Aydin Fahri , Yeşilyurt Mustafa
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study is to present novel diagnostic ultrasonography (USG)-based classification of inflammatory granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to assess and compare dosage responses of locoregional steroid therapy.

Methods

From January 2017 through March 2023, total of 230 biopsy-proven IGM patients were reclassified (grades I, II, and III) according to USG-based morphological features. The injection applications were grouped in Group1 (40 mg/mL between years 2017 and 2019) versus Group2 (80 mg/mL between years 2019 and 2023), and effectiveness was analysed for each grade in between groups.

Results

The mean age was 31 years old (range: 19-60) with median follow-up period of 7 months. The most common clinical presentation was breast mass accompanying draining skin sinuses of the affected skin and hypoechogenic mass with tubular extensions was the most prevalent feature on USG examination. As per USG-based features, 79 (34.3%) patients were redefined as grade I, 64 (27.8%) as grade II, and 87 (37.8%) as grade III. All patients underwent locoregional steroid injection only. The average number of treatments in the first group was 6 (±3 SD) with an effective dose of 40 mg/mL in the first group, and 4 (±2 SD) with an effective dose of 80 mg/mL in the second group. The generalized linear mixed model was used to investigate effects between groups (P < .05).

Conclusions

High-dose steroid treatment was effective in burnout lesions (grades II and III), and it was found to be statistically significant in lowering number of treatments irrespective of grade.

Advances in knowledge

This novel classification could be a convenient tool in terms of common language between radiologists and clinicians. In addition, our study is a pioneer in comparing steroid dosage with no relapse in IGM patients.
Working on a dream: bringing up the level of interface spectroscopy to the bulk level
Authors: Tahara Tahei
Published: March 2024

Liquid interfaces are unique environments in which a variety of fundamental phenomena occur. Therefore, it is important to obtain a molecular-level understanding of liquid interfaces for both basic science and industrial applications. However, it is not an easy task to investigate molecules in the interface region that only has nanometer thicknesses. Second-order nonlinear spectroscopy, or even-order nonlinear spectroscopy more generally, is intrinsically interface-selective because the relevant nonlinear signal is generated only in the region in which the inversion symmetry is broken under the dipole approximation. In the past 2 decades, we have been developing and applying new interface nonlinear spectroscopic methods, aiming to bring up the level of knowledge on interfacial molecules to that on molecules in solution. During this attempt, we developed electronic sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, heterodyne-detected electronic sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, and heterodyne-detected vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, as well as fourth-order Raman spectroscopy. We also extended the methods to femtosecond time-resolved measurements. Using these methods, we are now able to study the structure and dynamics at liquid interfaces, in particular exposed interfaces such as air/liquid interfaces, at a similar level to the study for solution. I overview our interface research while describing thoughts we had at each turning point.
The triangular crusty nose: a clinical clue for pemphigus in the context of mask wearing
Authors: Dumont Shireen , Russo Giuseppe , Loretan Audrey , Laffitte Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a widespread adoption of mask wearing. With prolonged use of facial masks, an increasing number of new-onset inflammatory facial dermatoses have been observed, along with flaring of pre-existing dermatoses. Common dermatoses triggered by facial mask wearing include contact dermatitis, maskne (a subtype of mechanical acne) and mask-induced rosacea. In this report, we present two cases of pemphigus vulgaris, presenting first with a well-defined triangular crusty nose induced by mask wearing during the COVID pandemic.
Co-trimerization of benzonitriles with guanidine hydrochloride: synthesis of 2-bromo-4,6-diaryl-1,3,5-triazine derivatives bearing electron-withdrawing groups
Authors: Chitose Youhei , Tamura Yuika , Tsuchiya Youichi , Adachi Chihaya
Published: March 2024

In recent decades, various types of aryl-substituted 1,3,5-triazine derivatives have been applied in many research fields, including biomedical chemistry, non-linear optics, and organic electronics. However, the substituent scope for 4,6-diaryl-1,3,5-triazines (DAr-TRZs) remains limited. Here, we present our work on the synthesis of 2-amino- and 2-bromo-DAr-TRZ derivatives bearing electron-withdrawing groups on the aryl rings. Our synthetic methods successfully provided trifluoromethyl-, nitrile-, and nitro-substituted DAr-TRZs. These will expand the structural diversity of conventional triazine-based functional materials.
Decision analysis in cardiac surgery: a scoping review and methodological primer
Authors: Vervoort Dominique , Lee Grace S , Lia Hillary , Afzal Abdul Muqtader , Tam Derrick Y , Ouzounian Maral , Takkenberg Johanna J M , Wijeysundera Harindra C , Fremes Stephen E
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

Randomized controlled trials are the gold standard for evidence generation in medicine but are limited by their real-world generalizability, resource needs, shorter follow-up durations and inability to be conducted for all clinical questions. Decision analysis (DA) models may simulate trials and observational studies by using existing data and evidence- and expert-informed assumptions and extend analyses over longer time horizons, different study populations and specific scenarios, helping to translate population outcomes to patient-specific clinical and economic outcomes. Here, we present a scoping review and methodological primer on DA for cardiac surgery research.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases for cardiac surgery DA studies published until December 2021. Articles were summarized descriptively to quantify trends and ascertain methodological consistency.

RESULTS

A total of 184 articles were identified, among which Markov models (N = 92, 50.0%) were the most commonly used models. The most common outcomes were costs (N = 107, 58.2%), quality-adjusted life-years (N = 96, 52.2%) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (N = 89, 48.4%). Most (N = 165, 89.7%) articles applied sensitivity analyses, most frequently in the form of deterministic sensitivity analyses (N = 128, 69.6%). Reporting of guidelines to inform the model development and/or reporting was present in 22.3% of articles.

CONCLUSION

DA methods are increasing but remain limited and highly variable in cardiac surgery. A methodological primer is presented and may provide researchers with the foundation to start with or improve DA, as well as provide readers and reviewers with the fundamental concepts to review DA studies.
Contextual factors influencing the equitable implementation of precision medicine in routine cancer care in Belgium
Authors: Schmitt Tugce , Delnord Marie , Cauët Emilie , Van Valckenborgh Els , Van den Bulcke Marc
Published: March 2024

Background

Precision medicine represents a paradigm shift in health systems, moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more individualized form of care, spanning multiple scientific disciplines including drug discovery, genomics, and health communication. This study aims to explore the contextual factors influencing the equitable implementation of precision medicine in Belgium for incorporating precision medicine into routine cancer care within the Belgian health system.

Methods

As part of a foresight study, our approach evaluates critical factors affecting the implementation of precision oncology. The study scrutinizes contextual, i.e. demographic, economic, societal, technological, environmental, and political/policy-related (DESTEP) factors, identified through a comprehensive literature review and validated by a multidisciplinary group at the Belgian Cancer Center, Sciensano. An expert survey further assesses the importance and likelihood of these factors, illuminating potential barriers and facilitators to implementation.

Results

Based on the expert survey, five key elements (rising cancer rates, dedicated healthcare reimbursement budgets, increasing healthcare expenditures, advanced information technology solutions for data transfer, and demand for high-quality data) are expected to influence the equitable implementation of precision medicine in routine cancer care in Belgium in the future.

Conclusions

This work contributes to the knowledge base on precision medicine in Belgium and public health foresight, exploring the implementation challenges and suggesting solutions with an emphasis on the importance of comparative analyses of health systems, evaluation of health technology assessment methods, and the exploration of ethical issues in data privacy and equity.
The prevalence of alcohol-related deaths in autopsies performed in Lithuania between 2017 and 2020: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Miščikienė Laura , Štelemėkas Mindaugas , Petkevičienė Janina , Rehm Jürgen , Lange Shannon , Trišauskė Justina
Published: March 2024

Background

Consumption of alcohol is a risk factor for non-communicable and infectious diseases, mental health problems, and can lead injuries and violence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol-involved deaths among decedents who died of external causes and underwent autopsy in Lithuania.

Methods

Study includes age persons of any age (from 0 to 110 years) who died and were autopsied in Lithuania from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020. Data were obtained from the Lithuanian State Register of Deaths and Their Causes.

Results

Among external causes of death, the presence of alcohol was detected in 55.0% of cases. Male decedents had a significantly higher number of positive BAC level recorded, at 46.6%, compared with female decedents (32.1%; P < 0.001). The highest incidence of deaths where the alcohol was detected in the deceased’s blood was found when the decedent was listed as being in the victims of assault group (71.5%, 95% CI 65.4–77.2). However, the highest median BAC score was found for those in the accidents group (59.7%, 95% CI: 58.2–61.2, BAC 2.42 ‰, IQR 1.86).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that alcohol use may be a contributing factor in a wide range of fatal incidents, including accidents, injuries, and cases of violent intent. Inequalities between males and females were identified, with a higher proportion of males with alcohol detected in blood at the time of death.
Editorial: Theme issue on the ecology of soil microorganisms
Authors: Baldrian Petr , Pennanen Taina , Kohout Petr , Fritze Hannu
Published: March 2024

Inoculation of common bean seed with diversified bacterial synthetic communities can induce deep modifications of both seed and seedling microbiota, even in living potting soil.
Effects of blooming and fruit thinning on the yield, fruit quality, and leaf photosynthesis of peach cultivar ‘Xiahui 5’ in China
Authors: Zhang Binbin , Chen Hong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Guo Shaolei , Wang Xiaojun , Sun Meng , Yu Mingliang , Ma Ruijuan
Published: March 2024

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of different thinning treatments on yield, fruit quality, and leaf photosynthesis of ‘Xiahui 5’ peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch).

Materials and Methods

The suitable thinning period and loading capacity of ‘Xiahui 5’ peach were explored in production and a theoretical basis for efficient and high-yield cultivation of ‘Xiahui 5’ peach was provided, including blossom-thinning+fruit-thinning at 20 d after full bloom (DAFB)+fruit thinning at 40 DAFB, blossom-thinning+fruit-thinning at 40 DAFB, fruit-thinning at 20 DAFB+fruit-thinning at 40 DAFB, and fruit-thinning at 40 DAFB, with neither blossom-thinning nor fruit-thinning as control. The yield, fruit quality, and leaf photosynthesis were detected. The thinning treatments were carried out between April and May 2012 in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, China. The intensity of thinning with spacing was approximately 20 cm between fruits.

Results

Thinning fruit twice (20 DAFB+40 DAFB) saved labour (260.4 h/ha) and improved the weight (186.45 g) of individual fruit, the yield (980.55 kg/ha), and the internal and external fruit quality (red saturation, the ratio between red and yellow saturation), as well as enhancing the water-use efficiency (8.19 mmol/mol) and apparent CO2-use efficiency (140.58 mmol/mol) values of leaves. The effect of thinning fruit twice was better than blossom thinning+fruit thinning, or fruit thinning only once.

Conclusions

Collectively, thinning blossoms and fruit is a blossom- and fruit-management method suitable for peach production areas in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China. In addition, thinning fruit twice (20 DAFB+40 DAFB) during the young fruit period and before entering the core-hardening period is suitable for achieving a reasonable load of ‘Xiahui 5’ peach. Flower thinning was not the recommended strategy for ‘Xiahui 5’ peach in terms of a reasonable load.
Differential Item Functioning Along the Old Age Continuum: Contrasting Chronological Age With Contextual Variables in the Assessment of Gains and Losses Across Advanced Old Age
Authors: Kaspar Roman , Diehl Manfred , Wahl Hans-Werner
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The fourth age is considered a life stage with a high likelihood of age-related losses. However, very old age extends over decades, and little is known about how transitions that may happen during this age period (e.g., developing support needs or adopting caregiving roles) or lack thereof might change perceptions of age-related gains or losses. Many subjective age scales assume implicitly that they work across advanced old age, but data to support this assumption are scarce. This study reports findings on (1) diverging, age-specific understandings of age-related change and (2) whether very old adults’ functional health, received social support, and caregiving roles, rather than chronological age, account for such differences.

Methods

Data came from the nationally representative survey “Old Age in Germany D80+” conducted in 2020/2021, comprising 10,578 individuals aged 80–106 years.

Results

At equivalent levels of perceived gains and losses, adults in the early fourth age reported more “freedom in daily life,” less “dependency on others,” and fewer “needs to reduce activities,” whereas adults in the late fourth age reported more “appreciation of others.” Chronological age, as such, was not the primary source of this response shift. Rather, functional health, social support, and caregiving responsibilities accounted for the differences in how older adults interpreted and reported specific age-related gains and losses.

Discussion

Findings underscore that across the multiple decades of the fourth age, interpretations of aging experiences vary and depend on a person’s own late-life health and functioning and on that of significant others.