bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A single level set function approach for multiple material-phases applied to full-waveform inversion in the time domain
Authors: de Castro P B , Silva E C N , Fancello E A
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a multiple material-phase level-set approach for acoustic full-waveform inversion in the time domain. By using a single level set (LS) function, several level values are used to define virtual boundaries between material phases with different (and known) wave propagation velocities. The aim of the proposed approach is to provide a suitable framework to identify multiple/nested inclusions or a finite number of almost homogeneous sedimentary layers with sharp interfaces between them. The use of a single LS function provides a significant reduction in the number of variables to be identified, when compared with the usual multi-material phase approaches defined by multiple functions, especially for problems with a high number of degrees of freedom. Numerical experiments show satisfactory results in identifying simultaneously different interfaces. Cases with and without inverse crime are evaluated, showing that the approach is reasonably robust in dealing with such a condition.
A novel microwave Doppler method for mass estimation of machine-picked seed cotton
Authors: Zhang Feng , Feng Jingan , Liu Ya , Shao Wenping , Li Yuhang , Wang Shu , Lv Jiangfeng
Published: February 2024

Obtaining information on cotton yields and creating a spatial map of cotton production is the starting point for implementing precision agriculture. Microwave technology has been used for yield estimation in China for crops such as corn and soybeans and has shown strong applicability. However, research on cotton yield estimation using microwave technology is weak. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for seed cotton mass estimation based on the microwave Doppler method and designs bench tests to prove the feasibility of the method. First, a seed cotton speed estimation model was established based on the microwave Doppler effect and fast Fourier transform. On this basis, a seed cotton velocity estimation experiment was designed to study the effects of sensor installation angle and position, pipe collision friction, air resistance, and the interaction force between the seed cotton on the seed cotton movement velocity. The power spectral density (PSD) of the acquired microwave data is then estimated using the modified periodogram method. The least squares method was used to establish a linear regression model between seed cotton mass and the corresponding PSD, and finally the free-fall mass experiment and pneumatic conveying mass experiment yielded that the estimation errors of seed cotton mass were 7.30% and 6.17%, respectively. The experimental results show that the estimation error is small when using microwave technology for seed cotton mass estimation, which meets the requirements of actual operation.
The normal Casimir–Lifshitz force for laterally moving graphene
Authors: Antezza Mauro , Emelianova N , Khusnutdinov N
Published: February 2024

We consider the system of two parallel sheets of graphene which are moving with relative parallel velocity

v

⃗

and calculate the Casimir energy by using the scattering approach. We analyze in detail the normal (perpendicular to the planes) Casimir force for two systems—graphene/graphene and ideal metal/graphene. In the non-relativistic case v ≪ v
F, the relative correction to the Casimir energy

(

E

v

−

E

0

)

/

E

0

is proportional to the (v/c)2 (the maximum value is 0.0033 for the gapeless case and v = v
F) for the first system, and it is zero up to the Fermi velocity v = v
F for system ideal metal/graphene.
Imaging and characterization of optical emission from ex vivo tissue during conventional and UHDR PBS proton therapy
Authors: Vasyltsiv Roman , Rahman Mahbubur , Harms Joseph , Clark Megan , Gladstone David J , Pogue Brian W , Zhang Rongxiao , Bruza Petr
Published: February 2024

Objective. Imaging of optical photons emitted from tissue during radiotherapy is a promising technique for real-time visualization of treatment delivery, offering applications in dose verification, treatment monitoring, and retrospective treatment plan comparison. This research aims to explore the feasibility of intensified imaging of tissue luminescence during proton therapy (PT), under both conventional and ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) conditions. Approach. Conventional and UHDR pencil beam scanning (PBS) PT irradiation of fresh ex vivo porcine tissue and tissue-mimicking plastic phantom was imaged using intensified complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor(CMOS) cameras. The optical emission from tissue was characterized during conventional irradiation using both blue and red-sensitive intensifiers to ensure adequate spectral coverage. Spectral characterization was performed using bandpass filters between the lens and sensor. Imaging of conventional proton fields (240 MeV, 10 nA) was performed at 100 Hz frame rate, while UHDR PBS proton delivery (250 MeV, 99 nA) was recorded at 1 kHz frame rate. Dependence of optical emission yield on proton energy was studied using an optical tissue-mimicking plastic phantom and a range shifter. Finally, we demonstrated fast beam tracking capability of fast camera towards in vivo monitoring of FLASH PT. Main results. Under conventional treatment dose rates optical emission was imaged with single spot resolution. Spot profiles were found to agree with the treatment planning system calculation within >90% for all spectral bands and spot intensity was found to vary with spectral filtration. The resultant polychromatic emission presented a maximum intensity at 650 nm and decreasing signal at lower wavelengths, which is consistent with expected attenuation patterns of high fat and muscle tissue. For UHDR beam imaging, optical yield increased with higher proton energy. Imaging at 1 kHz allowed continuous monitoring of delivery during porcine tissue irradiation, with clear identification of individual dwell positions. The number of dwell positions matched the treatment plan in total and per row showing adequate temporal capability of iCMOS imaging. Significance. For the first time, this study characterizes optical emission from tissue during PT and demonstrates our capability of fast optical tracking of pencil proton beam on the tissue anatomy in both conventional and UHDR setting. Similar to the Cherenkov imaging in radiotherapy, this imaging modality could enable a seamless, independent validation of PT treatments.
Magnetorheological variable stiffness and damping flexible joint with cam working surface for industrial robot
Authors: Wu Lifan , Dong Xiaomin , Yang Baolin
Published: February 2024

In order to improve the environmental adaptability and interaction stability of industrial robotic arms, a flexible joint with variable damping and stiffness based on magnetorheological (MR) technology was proposed. The mechanical models for variable stiffness and damping of MR flexible joint were established, and the relationship between cam surface and variable stiffness element was derived based on the energy method. Subsequently, the variation patterns of equivalent stiffness and damping of the prototype under different excitations were experimentally tested, and the test results show that its mechanical properties meet the design requirements. To further verify the performance of the MR flexible joint on the robotic arm, we setup a collision buffering test system and investigated the buffering performance of the system under different working conditions. The buffering test results indicate that when the current of variable stiffness element is 2.0 A, the peak collision acceleration of the system after installing the MR flexible joint decreases by about 40.19% compare with the rigid collision.
Correlation between impurity radiation rollover and divertor detachment with boundary impurity seeding in HL-2A
Authors: Ye Hao Ran , Tan Qing Yi , Wang Zhe , Huang Qian Hong , Zhong Yi Jun , Cao Cheng Zhi , Fu Cai Long , Yang Tao , Gong Xue Yu
Published: February 2024

Divertor detachment has significant potential for reducing the divertor target thermal load, and impurity seeding is the primary method for achieving divertor detachment. In this study, different impurity seeding scenarios (N, Ne, and Ar) at the boundary region of HL-2A were simulated using the SOLPS-ITER code. Density scans revealed that when the divertor target electron temperature dropped below 5 eV, a rollover in impurity radiation from the core edge regions of Ar, N, and Ne occurred, and the radiation from impurities in the divertor started to increase concurrently, indicating a correlation between impurity radiation rollover and divertor detachment. Impurity radiation rollover is discovered to be primarily related to impurity transport, which is governed by thermal and friction forces.Prior to divertor detachment, the dominance of thermal forces over friction forces causes impurity ions to transport upstream. However, after detachment, friction forces dominate the impurity ions transport to the divertor region. After analyzing the density and velocity of impurity ions in different charge states, it was found that the core radiation rollover after detachment is mainly caused by high charge state impurity ions. Furthermore, the ability of the divertor to achieve particle flow rollover primarily depends on whether the decrease in plasma pressure (
P

t

) exceeds the decrease in plasma temperature (
T

t

1

/

2
).
Soliton solutions of the improved perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation having parabolic law with non-local nonlinearity in the presence of chromatic and spatio-temporal dispersion terms
Authors: Esen Handenur , Onder Ismail , Secer Aydin , Ozisik Muslum , Bayram Mustafa
Published: February 2024

This paper was organized to examine the analytical solutions of the improved perturbed parabolic-law nonlinear Schrodinger equation including non-local nonlinearity in the presence of chromatic and spatio-temporal dispersion. This model mostly makes use of studying the propagation of optical pulses in fiber optic communication systems. We performed the Sinh-Gordon equation expansion method so that we produce the analytical solutions of the model under consideration. It was confirmed that the acquired solutions satisfy the main model. Therefore, bright and dark soliton solutions were retrieved; besides, various 3D and 2D graphical illustrations of the solitons were demonstrated via appropriate values of the parameters. Furthermore, this manuscript focused on the parameters’ effect on the acquired solitons behavior.
Niosomes containing paclitaxel and gold nanoparticles with different coating agents for efficient chemo/photothermal therapy of breast cancer
Authors: Zenjanab Masuomeh Kaveh , Pakchin Parvin Samadi , Fathi Marziyeh , Abdolahinia Elaheh Dalir , Adibkia Khosro
Published: February 2024

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers in women, and chemotherapy is usually used to overcome this cancer. To improve drug delivery to cancer sites and reduce their side effects, nanocarriers such as niosomes (NIOs) are used. Moreover, a combination of other therapeutic methods like photothermal therapy (PTT) can help to enhance the chemotherapy effect. The aim of this research is the design a nanocarrier that simultaneously delivers chemotherapy and PTT agents. To achieve this goal, NIOs containing paclitaxel (PTX) as a chemotherapeutic agent and spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coated with citrate, chitosan (CS), and polyamidoamine (PAMAM) as a PTT agent were synthesized by thin hydration methods. Their physicochemical properties were determined by dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Cellular uptake, cell cytotoxicity, hyperthermia, and apoptosis effects of the proposed system were investigated in the MCF-7 BC cell line. The cellular uptake of NIOs/AuNPs–PAMAM (99.21%) and NIOs/AuNPs–CS (98.93%) by MCF-7 cells was higher than that of NIOs/AuNPs (79.55%), demonstrating that surface charge plays a key role in the cellular uptake of NPs. The MTT assay showed the cell viability of 45.48% for NIOs/AuNPs/PTX, 34.24% for NIOs/AuNPs–CS/PTX, and 37.67% for NIOs/AuNPs–PAMAM/PTX after 48 h of treatment. However, the application of hyperthermia significantly decreased the viability of cells treated with NIOs/AuNPs/PTX (37.72%), NIOs/AuNPs–CS/PTX (10.49%), and NIOs/AuNPs–PAMAM/PTX (4.1%) after 48 h. The apoptosis rate was high in NIOs/AuNPs–PAMAM/PTX (53.24%) and NIOs/AuNPs–CS/PTX (55.4%) confirming the data from MTT. In conclusion, the result revealed that combined PTT with chemotherapy increased cell cytotoxicity effects against the MCF-7 cells, and the AuNPs with various coating agents affected cellular uptake and hyperthermia which can be considered for efficient BC therapy.
Germanene: demonstration of the conversion from mode-locked to Q-switched mode-locked in Er-doped fiber laser
Authors: Han Yunao , Fan Weiyu , Sun Shuo , Bai Caixun , Wang Guomei , Zhang Huanian , Zhang Wenfei , Li Chonghui , Xu Shicai , Fu Shenggui , Lu Cheng
Published: February 2024

Some two-dimensional layered mono-elemental materials have been reported as saturable absorbers (SAs) for the generation of various soliton phenomena, and many excellent results have been achieved. In our experiment, we made thin films of germanene-polyvinyl alcohol (Ge-PVA) and applied them as SA in Er-doped fiber lasers, investigated Ge’s characteristics, and demonstrated the conversion from mode-locked to Q-switched mode-locked (QML). The conventional mode-locked operation with a repetition rate of 9.63 MHz and a central wavelength of 1559.7 nm was stably triggered when the pump power exceeded the threshold of 40 mW. QML pulse with a central wavelength of 1530.26 nm and the maximum pulse energy of 86 nJ can be obtained by changing the pump power and polarization state of the light in the cavity. This work reveals the excellent optical properties of Ge SA in ultrafast fiber lasers and provide a new approach for the generation of QML pulses.
Dual-shot approach for polarization retrieval through a scattering medium
Authors: Roy Abhijit , Parvin Reajmina , Karmakar Ankita , Mandal Abhishek , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Brundavanam Maruthi M
Published: February 2024

A dual-shot technique based on the field basis addition of two statistically independent speckle patterns is developed to recover an input polarization through a scattering layer. It is proposed theoretically, and demonstrated both numerically and experimentally that by tuning the linear polarization orientation of the reference speckle pattern to 0° and 45° w.r.t. the x-axis, polarization retrieval of an object beam through a scattering layer can be achieved by measuring the degree of polarization of the superposed speckle pattern. The proposed technique can have a wide range of applications in polarization sensing and biomedical imaging.
Symplectic rigidity of O’Grady’s tenfolds
Authors: Giovenzana Luca , Grossi Annalisa , Onorati Claudio , Veniani Davide
Published: February 2024

We prove that any symplectic automorphism of finite order of an irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifold of O’Grady’s

10
10

-dimensional deformation type is trivial.
BMO-type functionals, total variation, and Γ-convergence
Authors: Lahti Panu , Nguyen Quoc-Hung
Published: February 2024

We study the BMO-type functional

κ

ε

(
f
,

R

n

)

\kappa _{\varepsilon }(f,\mathbb {R}^n)

, which can be used to characterize bounded variation functions

f
∈

B
V

(

R

n

)

f\in \mathrm {BV}(\mathbb {R}^n)

. The

Γ
\Gamma

-limit of this functional, taken with respect to

L

l
o
c

1

L^1_{\mathrm {loc}}

-convergence, is known to be

1
4

|

D
f

|

(

R

n

)

\tfrac 14 |Df|(\mathbb {R}^n)

. We show that the

Γ
\Gamma

-limit with respect to

L

l
o
c

∞

L^{\infty }_{\mathrm {loc}}

-convergence is
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="one fourth StartAbsoluteValue upper D Superscript a Baseline f EndAbsoluteValue left-parenthesis double-struck upper R Superscript n Baseline right-parenthesis plus one fourth StartAbsoluteValue upper D Superscript c Baseline f EndAbsoluteValue left-parenthesis double-struck upper R Superscript n Baseline right-parenthesis plus one half StartAbsoluteValue upper D Superscript j Baseline f EndAbsoluteValue left-parenthesis double-struck upper R Superscript n Baseline right-parenthesis comma">

1
4

|

D
a

f

|

(

R

n

)
+

1
4

|

D
c

f

|

(

R

n

)
+

1
2

|

D
j

f

|

(

R

n

)
,

\tfrac 14 |D^a f|(\mathbb {R}^n)+\tfrac 14 |D^c f|(\mathbb {R}^n)+\tfrac 12 |D^j f|(\mathbb {R}^n),

\]
which agrees with the “pointwise” limit in the case of special functions of bounded varation.
Spectral stability under removal of small segments
Authors: He Xiang
Published: February 2024

In the present paper, we deepen the works of L. Abatangelo, V. Felli, L. Hillairet and C. Léna on the asymptotic estimates of the eigenvalue variation under removal of segments from the domain in

R

2

\mathbb {R}^2

. We get a sharp asymptotic estimate when the eigenvalue is simple and the removed segment is tangent to a nodal line of the associated eigenfunction. Moreover, we extend their results to the case when the eigenvalue is not simple.
On the asymmetric additive energy of polynomials
Authors: McGrath Oliver
Published: February 2024

We prove a general result concerning the paucity of integer points on a certain family of 4-dimensional affine hypersurfaces. As a consequence, we deduce that integer-valued polynomials have small asymmetric additive energy.
Hilbert’s tenth problem in anticyclotomic towers of number fields
Authors: Ray Anwesh , Weston Tom
Published: February 2024

Let

K
K

be an imaginary quadratic field and

p
p

be an odd prime which splits in

K
K

. Let

E
1

E_1

and

E
2

E_2

be elliptic curves over

K
K

such that the

Gal
⁡
(

K
¯

/

K
)

\operatorname {Gal}(\bar {K}/K)

-modules

E
1

[
p
]

E_1[p]

and

E
2

[
p
]

E_2[p]

are isomorphic. We show that under certain explicit additional conditions on

E
1

E_1

and

E
2

E_2

, the anticyclotomic

Z

p

\mathbb {Z}_p

-extension

K

anti

K_{\operatorname {anti}}

of

K
K

is integrally diophantine over

K
K

. When such conditions are satisfied, we deduce new cases of Hilbert’s tenth problem. In greater detail, the conditions imply that Hilbert’s tenth problem is unsolvable for all number fields that are contained in

K

anti

K_{\operatorname {anti}}

. We illustrate our results by constructing an explicit example for

p
=
3

p=3

and

K
=

Q

(

−
5

)

K=\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt {-5})

.
Rossby Waves
Authors: Davidson P A
Published: February 2024

A second form of wave motion can be supported by background rotation, called Rossby waves. These take the form of a slow, quasi-geostrophic motion, and they play a critical role in the atmospheres of the earth and the gas giants. The chapter starts by describing Rossby waves in their simplest environment, that is, between infinite plane boundaries. This is followed by a description of Rossby waves in a sliced cylinder. The chapter closes with a discussion of the physical origins of Rossby waves. Rossby waves are of immense importance in oceanic and atmospheric flows, and so there is a large literature devoted to them. Some suggestions for further reading are given at the end of the chapter.
Instability I
Authors: Davidson P A
Published: February 2024

Rotating flows are readily destabilized by an angular momentum distribution which decreases with radius, known as Rayleigh’s centrifugal instability. This chapter reviews the classical stability analysis of Rayleigh (for inviscid flow) and Taylor (for viscous flow), as well as the associated experimental evidence. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the destabilizing role of axial flow on a swirling fluid, where the analogy between swirl and buoyancy turns out to be important. This classical instability is now fairly well understood, and several suggestions for further reading are provided at the end of this chapter.
Zonal (East–West) Winds and Rossby-Wave Turbulence
Authors: Davidson P A
Published: February 2024

One of the most striking features of the weather layers on Jupiter and Saturn are the bands of intense east–west winds that alternate in direction with latitude. It has long been appreciated that these east–west winds are a result of an interplay between turbulence and Rossby waves, although the precise details of that interplay are still disputed. These zonal winds, and their relationship to Rossby waves, are discussed in some detail in this chapter. This remains an area of intense research, as increasingly accurate astrophysical measurements fuels an ongoing debate.
The origins and evolution of the Stalinist Gulag
Authors: Barenberg Alan
Published: February 2024

This chapters traces the development of a vast system of exile settlements and prison camps from the beginning of Stalin’s Revolution from above in 1929, which sought to collectivize the peasantry and rapidly industrialize, until the attempts by his successors to radically reform the system following his death in 1953. Although the Bolsheviks first established prison camps soon after taking power in 1917, it was not really until the second half of the 1920s that the Gulag began to take shape as a system. This chapter argues that the growth of the system was closely related to changes in Soviet society at large, including operations targeting class and national enemies, campaigns of terror against perceived political enemies, and attempts to police the cities and countryside. Significant attempts to reform the Gulag and shrink its size coincided with the period of uncertainty and reform following Stalin’s death in 1953.
Survival, illness, and death
Authors: Barenberg Alan
Published: February 2024

This chapter examines the prospects of prisoners and exiles for survival, and what strategies they used to improve their chances to endure until release. In explaining survival, illness, and death, it balances the agency of inmates with structural conditions beyond their control. It also explores one of the central paradoxes of the Gulag: while prisoners and exiles were severely abused and ruthlessly exploited for their labor, the Gulag had a reasonably well-developed system for treating illnesses and preserving the health and labor power of inmates. Utilizing the latest research on sickness and mortality, this chapter examines overall trends in the deadliness of the Stalinist Gulag, a particularly important debate in the scholarship. As it demonstrates, sickness and death rates in camps and exile villages were consistently higher than those in Soviet society at large, and death rates skyrocketed during times of great stress, particularly famine and war.
Missing data and missed infections: investigating racial and ethnic disparities in SARS-CoV-2 testing and infection rates in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Authors: Sauer Sara M , Fulcher Isabel R , Matias Wilfredo R , Paxton Ryan , Elnaiem Ahmed , Gonsalves Sean , Zhu Jack , Guillaume Yodeline , Franke Molly , Ivers Louise C
Published: February 2024

Routinely collected testing data have been a vital resource for public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic and have revealed the extent to which Black and Hispanic persons have borne a disproportionate burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections and hospitalizations in the United States. However, missing race and ethnicity data and missed infections due to testing disparities limit the interpretation of testing data and obscure the true toll of the pandemic. We investigated potential bias arising from these 2 types of missing data through a case study carried out in Holyoke, Massachusetts, during the prevaccination phase of the pandemic. First, we estimated SARS-CoV-2 testing and case rates by race and ethnicity, imputing missing data using a joint modeling approach. We then investigated disparities in SARS-CoV-2 reported case rates and missed infections by comparing case rate estimates with estimates derived from a COVID-19 seroprevalence survey. Compared with the non-Hispanic White population, we found that the Hispanic population had similar testing rates (476 tested per 1000 vs 480 per 1000) but twice the case rate (8.1% vs 3.7%). We found evidence of inequitable testing, with a higher rate of missed infections in the Hispanic population than in the non-Hispanic White population (79 infections missed per 1000 vs 60 missed per 1000).
Development and application of an inexpensive open-source dendrometer for detecting xylem water potential and radial stem growth at high spatial and temporal resolution
Authors: Gleason Sean M , Stewart Jared J , Allen Brendan , Polutchko Stephanie K , McMahon Jordan , Spitzer Daniel , Barnard David M
Published: February 2024

There is currently a need for inexpensive, continuous, non-destructive water potential measurements at high temporal resolution (<1 min). We describe here the development and testing of an entirely open-source dendrometer that, when combined with periodic Scholander pressure chamber measurements, provides sub-minute resolution estimates of water potential when placed on tissues exhibiting little or no secondary growth (petioles, monocotyledon stems). The dendrometer can also be used to measure radial growth of stems and branches when placed on dicotyledon and gymnosperm species. The dendrometer can be interfaced directly with a computer in real time in the lab or greenhouse, or connected to a datalogger for long periods of use in the field on batteries. We tested this device on a herbaceous dicotyledon (Helianthus annuus) (petioles and stems) and a monocotyledon (Zea mays) species (stems) for 1 week during dehydration and re-watering treatments under laboratory conditions. We also demonstrated the ability of the device to record branch and trunk diameter variation of a woody dicotyledon (Rhus typhina) in the field. Under laboratory conditions, we compared our device (hereafter ‘contact’ dendrometer) with modified versions of another open-source dendrometer (the ‘optical’ dendrometer). Overall, contact and optical dendrometers were well aligned with one another, with Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.77 to 0.97. Both dendrometer devices were well aligned with direct measurements of xylem water potential, with calibration curves exhibiting significant non-linearity, especially at water potentials near the point of incipient plasmolysis, with pseudo R2 values (Efron) ranging from 0.89 to 0.99. Overall, both dendrometers were comparable and provided sufficient resolution to detect subtle differences in stem water potential (ca. 50 kPa) resulting from light-induced changes in transpiration, vapour pressure deficit and drying/wetting soils. All hardware designs, alternative configurations, software and build instructions for the contact dendrometers are provided.
Family-Centered Early Intervention Deaf/Hard of Hearing (FCEI-DHH): Support Principles
Authors: Szarkowski Amy , Moeller Mary Pat , Gale Elaine , Smith Trudy , Birdsey Bianca C , Moodie Sheila T F , Carr Gwen , Stredler-Brown Arlene , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine ,   FCEI-DHH International Consensus Panel, Berke Michele , Binder Doris , Carr Gwen , Cloete Natasha , Crace Jodee , Crowe Kathryn , Dauer Frank , DesGeorges Janet , Dirks Evelien , Fellinger Johannes , Ferguson Bridget , Grover Anita , Hofer Johannes , Holten Sonja Myhre , Holzinger Daniel , Hopkins Karen , Laugen Nina Jakhelln , Lillo-Martin Diane , Magongwa Lucas , Martin Amber , McCall Jolanta , McCarthy Melissa , McDonnell Teresa , Movallali Guita , Müllegger-Treciokaite Daiva , Olson Stephanie B , Olusanya Bolajoko O , Pittman Paula , Porter Ann , Russell Jane , Sarkar Snigdha , Seaver Leeanne , Storbeck Claudine , Stredler-Brown Arlene , Thompson Nanette , Windisch Sabine , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine , Young Alys , Zheng Xuan , Holzinger Daniel
Published: February 2024

This article is the sixth in a series of eight articles that comprise a special issue on Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and their families, or FCEI-DHH. The Support Principles article is the second of three articles that describe the 10 Principles of FCEI-DHH, preceded by the Foundation Principles, and followed by the Structure Principles, all in this special issue. The Support Principles are composed of four Principles (Principles 3, 4, 5, and 6) that highlight (a) the importance of a variety of supports for families raising children who are DHH; (b) the need to attend to and ensure the well-being of all children who are DHH; (c) the necessity of building the language and communication abilities of children who are DHH and their family members; and (d) the importance of considering the family’s strengths, needs, and values in decision-making.
Family-Centered Early Intervention Deaf/Hard of Hearing (FCEI-DHH): Structure Principles
Authors: Szarkowski Amy , Gale Elaine , Moeller Mary Pat , Smith Trudy , Birdsey Bianca C , Moodie Sheila T F , Carr Gwen , Stredler-Brown Arlene , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine ,   FCEI-DHH International Consensus Panel, Berke Michele , Binder Doris , Carr Gwen , Cloete Natasha , Crace Jodee , Crowe Kathryn , Dauer Frank , DesGeorges Janet , Dirks Evelien , Fellinger Johannes , Ferguson Bridget , Grover Anita , Hofer Johannes , Holten Sonja Myhre , Holzinger Daniel , Hopkins Karen , Laugen Nina Jakhelln , Lillo-Martin Diane , Magongwa Lucas , Martin Amber , McCall Jolanta , McCarthy Melissa , McDonnell Teresa , Movallali Guita , Müllegger-Treciokaite Daiva , Olson Stephanie B , Olusanya Bolajoko O , Pittman Paula , Porter Ann , Russell Jane , Sarkar Snigdha , Seaver Leeanne , Storbeck Claudine , Stredler-Brown Arlene , Thompson Nanette , Windisch Sabine , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine , Young Alys , Zheng Xuan , Holzinger Daniel
Published: February 2024

This article is the seventh in a series of eight articles that comprise a special issue on family-centered early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families, or FCEI-DHH. This article, Structure Principles, is the third of three articles (preceded by Foundation Principles and Support Principles) that describe the 10 FCEI-DHH Principles. The Structure Principles include 4 Principles (Principle 7, Principle 8, Principle 9, and Principle 10) that highlight (a) the importance of trained and effective Early Intervention (EI) Providers, (b) the need for FCEI-DHH teams to work collaboratively to support families, (c) the considerations for tracking children’s progress through developmental assessment, and (d) the essential role of progress monitoring to continuously improve systems.
Family-Centered Early Intervention Deaf/Hard of Hearing (FCEI-DHH): Call to Action
Authors: Szarkowski Amy , Birdsey Bianca C , Smith Trudy , Moeller Mary Pat , Gale Elaine , Moodie Sheila T F , Carr Gwen , Stredler-Brown Arlene , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine , Holzinger Daniel
Published: February 2024

This Call to Action is the eighth and final article in this special issue on Family-Centered Early Intervention (FCEI) for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and their families, or FCEI-DHH. Collectively, these articles highlight evidence-informed actions to enhance family well-being and to optimize developmental outcomes among children who are DHH. This Call to Action outlines actionable steps to advance FCEI-DHH supports provided to children who are DHH and their families. It also urges specific actions to strengthen FCEI-DHH programs/services and systems across the globe, whether newly emerging or long-established. Internationally, supports for children who are DHH are often siloed, provided within various independent sectors such as health/medicine, education, early childhood, and social and disability services. With this Call to Action, we urge invested parties from across relevant sectors to join together to implement and improve FCEI-DHH programs/services and systems, build the capacity of early intervention (EI) Providers and other professionals, extend research regarding FCEI-DHH, and fund EI supports, systems, and research, all with the aim of advancing outcomes for families and their children who are DHH.
Association of apolipoprotein levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality
Authors: Zhang Jiarong , Song Xinru , Li Zhi , Xu Haibo , Shu Haotian , Li Jun , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2024

Aims

Research has shown that apolipoproteins (Apos) are potential indicators of heart health and death. We investigated the associations of Apo levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Methods and results

We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Web of Science for English language studies up to 28 November 2022. We used Stata 17.0 to summarize the estimated effects with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also conducted subgroup analyses according to study location, year of publication, individual age, follow-up years, and sample size. Moreover, we performed a sensitivity analysis to evaluate bias in our study. This study included 23 studies with 152 854 individuals in total. The level of ApoA was negatively related to cardiovascular mortality [odds ratio (OR) = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.52–0.93]. An increased ratio of ApoB/A1 was a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality (OR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.48–3.07) and all-cause mortality (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.52–2.77). The level of ApoB was positively related to cardiovascular mortality (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.85–1.47), but the difference was not statistically significant. However, the associations between ApoB or ApoA1 and all-cause mortality were not obvious. Our subgroup analyses showed that the location, year of publication, individual age, and follow-up years of the studies affected the heterogeneity of our study to varying degrees. The sensitivity analysis showed that our results were almost robust, apart from excluding the article by Nomikos (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65–0.92) and Zeng (OR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.65–0.91), when investigating the relationship between ApoA1 and all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

In this study, we found that Apo levels were linked to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Our study strengthens the evidence on the association between the level of Apos and cardiac health and may provide ideas for regulating the level of Apos to promote public health.
A comprehensive diversity analysis on the gut microbiomes of ASD patients: from alpha, beta to gamma diversities
Authors: Chen Hongju (Daisy) , Li Lianwei , Yu Fubing , Ma Zhanshan (Sam)
Published: February 2024

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to influence as many as 1% children worldwide, but its etiology is still unclear. It has been suggested that gut microbiomes play an important role in regulating abnormal behaviors associated with ASD. A de facto standard analysis on the microbiome-associated diseases has been diversity analysis, and nevertheless, existing studies on ASD-microbiome relationship have not produced a consensus. Here, we perform a comprehensive analysis of the diversity changes associated with ASD involving alpha-, beta-, and gamma-diversity metrics, based on 8 published data sets consisting of 898 ASD samples and 467 healthy controls (HC) from 16S-rRNA sequencing. Our findings include: (i) In terms of alpha-diversity, in approximately 1/3 of the studies cases, ASD patients exhibited significantly higher alpha-diversity than the HC, which seems to be consistent with the “1/3 conjecture” of diversity-disease relationship (DDR). (ii) In terms of beta-diversity, the AKP (Anna Karenina principle) that predict all healthy microbiomes should be similar, and every diseased microbiome should be dissimilar in its own way seems to be true in approximately 1/2 to 3/4 studies cases. (iii) In terms of gamma-diversity, the DAR (diversity-area relationship) modeling suggests that ASD patients seem to have large diversity-area scaling parameter than the HC, which is consistent with the AKP results. However, the MAD (maximum accrual diversity) and RIP (ratio of individual to population diversity) parameters did not suggest significant differences between ASD patients and HC. Throughout the study, we adopted Hill numbers to measure diversity, which stratified the diversity measures in terms of the rarity—commonness—dominance spectrum. It appears that the differences between ASD patients and HC are more propounding on rare-species side than on dominant-species side. Finally, we discuss the apparent inconsistent diversity-ASD relationships among different case studies and postulate that the relationships are not monotonic.
Optimized protocols for RNA interference in Macrostomum lignano
Authors: Mouton Stijn , Mougel Alexandra , Ustyantsev Kirill , Dissous Colette , Melnyk Oleg , Berezikov Eugene , Vicogne Jérôme
Published: February 2024

Macrostomum lignano, a marine free-living flatworm, has emerged as a potent invertebrate model in developmental biology for studying stem cells, germline, and regeneration processes. In recent years, many tools have been developed to manipulate this worm and to facilitate genetic modification. RNA interference is currently the most accessible and direct technique to investigate gene functions. It is obtained by soaking worms in artificial seawater containing dsRNA targeting the gene of interest. Although easy to perform, the original protocol calls for daily exchange of dsRNA solutions, usually until phenotypes are observed, which is both time- and cost-consuming. In this work, we have evaluated alternative dsRNA delivery techniques, such as electroporation and osmotic shock, to facilitate the experiments with improved time and cost efficiency. During our investigation to optimize RNAi, we demonstrated that, in the absence of diatoms, regular single soaking in artificial seawater containing dsRNA directly produced in bacteria or synthesized in vitro is, in most cases, sufficient to induce a potent gene knockdown for several days with a single soaking step. Therefore, this new and highly simplified method allows a very significant reduction of dsRNA consumption and lab work. In addition, it enables performing experiments on a larger number of worms at minimal cost.
2ʹ-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation by Attenuating Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Damage Via Directly Inhibiting STAT3
Authors: Chen Meilin , Wei Shuchun , Wu Xiaohan , Xiang Zixuan , Li Xiangyun , He Haodong , Liao Fei , Wang Xiaoli , Zhang Jixiang , Yu Baoping , Dong Weiguo
Published: February 2024

Background

The currently available clinical therapeutic drugs for ulcerative colitis (UC) are considered inadequate owing to certain limitations. There have been reports on the anti-inflammatory effects of 2ʹ-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA). However, whether HCA can improve UC is still unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of HCA on UC and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods

The pharmacological effects of HCA were comprehensively investigated in 2 experimental setups: mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated fetal human colon (FHC) cells. Furthermore, the interaction between HCA and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was investigated using molecular docking. The FHC cells with STAT3 knockdown or overexpression and mice with intestinal epithelium-specific STAT3 deletion (STAT3ΔIEC) were used to evaluate whether STAT3 mediated the pharmacological effects of HCA.

Results

2ʹ-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde attenuated dysregulated expression of inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner while increasing the expression of tight junction proteins, reducing the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells, and effectively alleviating inflammation both in vivo and in vitro. 2ʹ-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde bound directly to STAT3 and inhibited its activation. The modulation of STAT3 activation levels due to STAT3 knockdown or overexpression influenced the mitigating effects of HCA on colitis. Further analysis indicated that the remission effect of HCA was not observed in STAT3ΔIEC mice, indicating that STAT3 mediated the anti-inflammatory effects of HCA.

Conclusions

We present a novel finding that HCA reduces colitis severity by attenuating intestinal mucosal barrier damage via STAT3. This discovery holds promise as a potential new strategy to alleviate UC.
M-estimation for common epidemiological measures: introduction and applied examples
Authors: Ross Rachael K , Zivich Paul N , Stringer Jeffrey S A , Cole Stephen R
Published: February 2024

M-estimation is a statistical procedure that is particularly advantageous for some comon epidemiological analyses, including approaches to estimate an adjusted marginal risk contrast (i.e. inverse probability weighting and g-computation) and data fusion. In such settings, maximum likelihood variance estimates are not consistent. Thus, epidemiologists often resort to bootstrap to estimate the variance. In contrast, M-estimation allows for consistent variance estimates in these settings without requiring the computational complexity of the bootstrap. In this paper, we introduce M-estimation and provide four illustrative examples of implementation along with software code in multiple languages. M-estimation is a flexible and computationally efficient estimation procedure that is a powerful addition to the epidemiologist’s toolbox.
The Burden of Hepatitis A Outbreaks in the United States: Health Outcomes, Economic Costs, and Management Strategies
Authors: Horn Emily K , Herrera-Restrepo Oscar , Acosta Anna M , Simon Alyssa , Jackson Bianca , Lucas Eleanor
Published: February 2024

Background

Hepatitis A (HepA) vaccines are recommended for US adults at risk of HepA. Ongoing United States (US) HepA outbreaks since 2016 have primarily spread person-to-person, especially among at-risk groups. We investigated the health outcomes, economic burden, and outbreak management considerations associated with HepA outbreaks from 2016 onwards.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted to assess HepA outbreak-associated health outcomes, health care resource utilization (HCRU), and economic burden. A targeted literature review evaluated HepA outbreak management considerations.

Results

Across 33 studies reporting on HepA outbreak-associated health outcomes/HCRU, frequently reported HepA-related morbidities included acute liver failure/injury (n = 6 studies of 33 studies) and liver transplantation (n = 5 of 33); reported case fatality rates ranged from 0% to 10.8%. Hospitalization rates reported in studies investigating person-to-person outbreaks ranged from 41.6% to 84.8%. Ten studies reported on outbreak-associated economic burden, with a national study reporting an average cost of over $16 000 per hospitalization. Thirty-four studies reported on outbreak management; challenges included difficulty reaching at-risk groups and vaccination distrust. Successes included targeted interventions and increasing public awareness.

Conclusions

This review indicates a considerable clinical and economic burden of ongoing US HepA outbreaks. Targeted prevention strategies and increased public awareness and vaccination coverage are needed to reduce HepA burden and prevent future outbreaks.
Interventionism and Intelligibility: Why Depression Is Not (Always) a Brain Disease
Authors: Gibson Quinn Hiroshi
Published: February 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious condition with a large disease burden. It is often claimed that MDD is a “brain disease.” What would it mean for MDD to be a brain disease? I argue that the best interpretation of this claim is as offering a substantive empirical hypothesis about the causes of the syndrome of depression. This syndrome-causal conception of disease, combined with the idea that MDD is a disease of the brain, commits the brain disease conception of MDD to the claim that brain dysfunction causes the symptoms of MDD. I argue that this consequence of the brain disease conception of MDD is false. It incorrectly rules out genuine instances of content-sensitive causation between adverse conditions in the world and the characteristic symptoms of MDD. Empirical evidence shows that the major causes of depression are genuinely psychological causes of the symptoms of MDD. This rules out, in many cases, the “brute” causation required by the brain disease conception. The existence of cases of MDD with non-brute causes supports the reinstatement of the old nosological distinction between endogenous and exogenous depression.
Testing unit root non-stationarity in the presence of missing data in univariate time series of mobile health studies
Authors: Fowler Charlotte , Cai Xiaoxuan , Baker Justin T , Onnela Jukka-Pekka , Valeri Linda
Published: February 2024

The use of digital devices to collect data in mobile health studies introduces a novel application of time series methods, with the constraint of potential data missing at random or missing not at random (MNAR). In time-series analysis, testing for stationarity is an important preliminary step to inform appropriate subsequent analyses. The Dickey–Fuller test evaluates the null hypothesis of unit root non-stationarity, under no missing data. Beyond recommendations under data missing completely at random for complete case analysis or last observation carry forward imputation, researchers have not extended unit root non-stationarity testing to more complex missing data mechanisms. Multiple imputation with chained equations, Kalman smoothing imputation, and linear interpolation have also been used for time-series data, however such methods impose constraints on the autocorrelation structure and impact unit root testing. We propose maximum likelihood estimation and multiple imputation using state space model approaches to adapt the augmented Dickey–Fuller test to a context with missing data. We further develop sensitivity analyses to examine the impact of MNAR data. We evaluate the performance of existing and proposed methods across missing mechanisms in extensive simulations and in their application to a multi-year smartphone study of bipolar patients.
A toy model for gas sloshing in galaxy clusters
Authors: Roediger E , Vaezzadeh I , Nulsen P
Published: February 2024

We apply a toy model based on ‘pendulum waves’ to gas sloshing in galaxy clusters. Starting with a galaxy cluster potential filled with a hydrostatic intracluster medium (ICM), we perturb all ICM by an initial small, unidirectional velocity, i.e. an instantaneous kick. Consequently, each parcel of ICM will oscillate due to buoyancy with its local Brunt–Väisälä (BV) period, which we show to be approximately proportional to the cluster radius. The oscillation of gas parcels at different radii with different periods leads to a characteristic, outward-moving coherent pattern of local compressions and rarefactions; the former form the sloshing cold fronts (SCFs). Our model predicts that SCFs (i) appear in the cluster centre first, (ii) move outwards on several Gyr time-scales, (iii) form a staggered pattern on opposite sides of a given cluster, (iv) each move outwards with approximately constant speed; and that (v) inner SCFs form discontinuities more easily than outer ones. These features are well known from idealized (magneto)hydrodynamic simulations of cluster sloshing. We perform comparison hydrodynamic + N-body simulations where sloshing is triggered either by an instantaneous kick or a minor merger. Sloshing in these simulations qualitatively behaves as predicted by the toy model. However, the toy model somewhat overpredicts the speed of sloshing fronts, and does not predict that inner SCFs emerge with a delay compared to outer ones. In light of this, we identify the outermost cold front, which may be a ‘failed’ SCF, as the best tracer of the age of the merger that set a cluster sloshing.