bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing the Future of Urban Design: Exploring Human and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration in Planning and Design for the Sustainable Built Environment (Case Study: IKN Nusantara)
Authors: Kurniawan A. , Saragih V.C. , Wiranti A. , Rahmadi D. , Poerbo H.W.
Published: September 2024

The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) brings new opportunities and challenges in various sectors, including urban design. Indonesia is currently undergoing massive development, marked by the relocation of the capital to IKN Nusantara, which envisions the capital as a smart city that demands complexity in its realization. So, exploring AI technology in the design process becomes an opportunity. This research explores urban planning and design methods by employing AI technology collaboratively with human thinking in the West IKN Area. This research method involves using 3 AI, from ChatGPT 3.5 and Bard AI for planning brainstorming process, Autodesk Forma for 3D design simulation, and ReRender AI for realistic scene visualization, where these 3 processes also collaborate with human ability. So, the findings of this research highlight the role and involvement of AI and humans in every urban design process, where AI can make a valuable contribution. However, the final decision and creativity still come from human thinking. It is hoped that this exploratory study of urban design involving AI can provide new insights for urban actors regarding new dimensions in the planning and design process that continuously evolve with technology.
Fabrication of Sugar Bagasse-Dervied Activated Biochar using 2-Step Method: Pyrolysis and Steam Hydrothermal Reaction
Authors: Trung Kien Pham , Thi Thao Nguyen Bui , Ngo Quan Tran
Published: September 2024

Vietnam is a leading producer of sugarcane, and sugarcane bagasse (SB), a by-product of sugarcane processing, can be repurposed as a raw material for manufacturing highly interconnected capillary porous structure activated carbon (AC). This process involves two main steps: (1) pyrolysis and (2) steam hydrothermal activation. During pyrolysis, sugarcane bagasse is subjected to heating at 550°C for 3 hours in the condition of lacking O2, leading to thermal decomposition and the formation of carbon-rich biochar. This initial step plays a crucial role in establishing the structure of the activated carbon. Subsequently, the biochar undergoes hydrothermal activation using a 1M HCl agent at 180°C for 24 hours. The obtained biochar has partial interconnected porous structure with the approximately size of 2µm. This process further enhances the porous structure of the biochar, resulting in a highly porous interconnected capillary network. By utilizing sugarcane bagasse, an abundant biomass resource, Vietnam can contribute to the production of sustainable activated carbon with desirable properties. This underscores the potential for eco-friendly and resource-efficient practices within the country’s sugar industry.
Study on Production of Soft Candy Mixed Extract from Atalantia buxifolia (Poir.) Oliv.
Authors: Vo Bui Anh , Ngo My Ngoc , Ruml Tomas
Published: September 2024

In this research, phenolics were extracted from Atalantia buxifolia by using ultrasound-assisted extraction method (UAE). The factors affecting total phenolics content (TPC) optimized by the RSM-BBD model. After optimization, the extract was determined for antioxidant activity and mixed into soft candy. The results of this study show that optimal conditions include temperature (51.31°C), ultrasound time (38.48 minutes), and ultrasound power (71.31%). IC50 of the extract by ABTS+ free radical scavenging was 3.508 mg/mL. The optimal content of citric acid supplemented with candy product was 0.6% and the product could be preserved for at least 30 days.
Continuously-tunable, compact, freespace notch-filter design using an all-dielectric metagrating capped with a low-loss phase change material
Authors: Tripathi Devdutt , Vyas Hardik S , Hegde Ravi
Published: September 2024

Active metasurfaces utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) are currently under investigation for applications in free-space optical communication, optical signal processing, neuromorphic photonics, quantum photonics, and compact LiDAR. Attention has now turned towards novel PCM like Sb2S3 which exhibit lower optical absorption and reasonable values of refractive-index contrast in comparison to traditional data-storage PCM. We propose and numerically study the class of all-dielectric metagratings capped with low-loss PCM and predict the possibility of continuously tunable resonances whose quality factors degrade gracefully during the amorphous-to-crystalline phase transition of the PCM. Specifically, we consider the CMOS-compatible silicon-nitride on silica substrate material platform for simple and asymmetric metagratings (in particular, the symmetric-broken dimerization) and Sb2S3 capping. Our numerical study predicts that notch-filters operating around the 1550 nm NIR wavelength window can be achieved with tuning range of over 76 nm with Q-factors ranging from 784 (amorphous-phase) to 510 (crystalline-phase) (a degradation in Q of about 35%) and insertion loss of about 0.9 dB. These performance figures are a significant improvement over previously published designs utilizing data-storage PCMs and other traditional notch-filter mechanisms. We examine the influence of grating dimerization and geometrical parameters on performance metrics of the notch-filter and predicts the possibility to trade-off rejection-band and in-band spectral transmission properties. Lastly, we perform a study of all-optical phase change mechanism. Our study is promising for the miniaturization of tunable notch-filter based optical systems.
Reliable resistive switching and synaptic simulation behaviors in ammonium polyphosphate-based memristor with non-inert Al electrode
Authors: Zhai Dashuai , Zhao Lulu , Gao Zexin , Wang Yanqing , Guo Jiajun , Xiao Xia
Published: September 2024

Memristive devices that integrate storage and computing capabilities are highly promising candidates for artificial synapses in neuromorphic systems. However, achieving both cost-effectiveness and high-performance in memristors remains a substantial challenge. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP), an all-inorganic ionic polymer, has been utilized in the fabrication of memristive devices due to its distinctive poly-ionic properties and exceptional ion mobility. In this study, a two-terminal APP-based memristor with an Al/APP/ITO structure was fabricated. The experimental results revealed improved bipolar resistive switching behavior, characterized by lower operating voltages, enhanced endurance performance, and extended retention time. Detailed data fitting and chemical bonding analysis suggest that the physical mechanism underlying resistive switching involves a combination of interfacial Schottky barrier and conductive filaments. Furthermore, adjustable device conductance is achieved by applying consecutive positive and negative voltage sweeps. Various synaptic functions, including excitatory postsynaptic current, short-term paired-pulse facilitation, long-term potentiation /depression, and spike-timing-dependent plasticity, are effectively emulated. This study presents an effective approach to enhancing the memristive characteristics of APP-based devices and positions APP as a viable candidate for innovative neuromorphic architectures.
Synthesis of NiO-SnO2 cauliflower-like gas sensor material using a facile hydrothermal method for acetone detection
Authors: Saber S , Rozali S , Haseeb A S M A
Published: September 2024

The present study has successfully synthesized a cauliflower-like hierarchy microstructure of NiO-SnO2 through a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method for acetone detection. S2 sensor, containing 0.25 mole% Ni, exhibited great performance in acetone gas sensing, with a response of 1734 at 1000 ppm at 350 °C, two times more than pristine SnO2. At lower concentrations, the responses were recorded to be 325, 170, 70, and 35 for 200 ppm, 100 ppm, 50 ppm, and 20 ppm of acetone balanced in nitrogen, respectively. Moreover, at the optimal operating temperature, 350 °C, swift response and recovery times of 8 s and 2 min 18 s were recorded when exposed to 20 ppm of acetone balanced in nitrogen, respectively. Also, the sensor was further assessed for its ability to distinguish acetone from other gases by exposing it to equal concentrations of 200 ppm of acetone, carbon dioxide, ammonia, and ethanol, all balanced in nitrogen, and tested at 350 °C. The sensor showed 142.74-, 143.39-, and 2.42-times higher responses in acetone than carbon dioxide, ammonia, and ethanol, respectively, indicating outstanding selectivity for detecting acetone. Lastly, the sensor showed remarkable operational stability when tested over repeated exposure cycles of acetone gas.
Model-free distortion canceling and control of quantum devices
Authors: Fouad Ahmed F , Youssry Akram , El-Rafei Ahmed , Hammad Sherif
Published: September 2024

Quantum devices need precise control to achieve their full capability. In this work, we address the problem of controlling closed quantum systems, tackling two main issues. First, in practice the control signals are usually subject to unknown classical distortions that could arise from the device fabrication, material properties and/or instruments generating those signals. Second, in most cases modeling the system is very difficult or not even viable due to uncertainties in the relations between some variables and inaccessibility to some measurements inside the system. In this paper, we introduce a general model-free control approach based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL), that can work for any controllable closed quantum system. We train a deep neural network (NN), using the REINFORCE policy gradient algorithm to control the state probability distribution of a controllable closed quantum system as it evolves, and drive it to different target distributions. We present a novel controller architecture that comprises multiple NNs. This enables accommodating as many different target state distributions as desired, without increasing the complexity of the NN or its training process. The used DRL algorithm works whether the control problem can be modeled as a Markov decision process (MDP) or a partially observed MDP. Our method is valid whether the control signals are discrete- or continuous-valued. We verified our method through numerical simulations based on a photonic waveguide array chip. We trained a controller to generate sequences of different target output distributions of the chip with fidelity higher than 99%, where the controller showed superior performance in canceling the classical signal distortions.
A 1940-2020 spatiotemporal analysis of thermal discomfort days in Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Wong Meei Chyi , Wang Jingyu , Zhi Xiefei , Dong Luojie
Published: September 2024

The high temperature and humidity make Southeast Asia (SEA) one of the regions most susceptible to the occurrence of thermal discomfort days (TDDs) in the world. In the context of global warming, SEA’s rapid population growth and urban expansion further exacerbated the region’s exposure to TDD, posing greater risks in public health. However, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the understanding of the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of TDD, as well as its projection in the future. By utilizing the newly released ERA5 datasets of Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), this study presented the 81-year analysis of TDDs in SEA countries, spanning from 1940 to 2020, with projections extending to 2100. While the mean increase in UTCI was relatively modest, the corresponding rise in TDD likelihood was disproportionately larger, indicating a heightened risk of exposure. A distinct contrast was observed between continental and maritime regions, with maritime countries showing smaller absolute rises in both indices but larger trends in TDD frequency due to oceanic moderating effects. Seasonal analyses highlighted the dominant influence of the East Asia monsoon over SEA, and spatial analyses revealed a negative correlation between TDD occurrence and elevation, with low-lying areas being hotspots. Projections for 2050 suggest continued warming. These findings underscore the urgency of proactive measures to address climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable maritime and low-lying areas, providing valuable insights for enhancing climate resilience and adaptation in SEA. Our findings reveal critical insights into the trends and future scenarios of thermal discomfort in the region, underscoring the urgent need for effective climate adaptation strategies.
On the use of kolmogorov–arnold networks for adapting wind numerical weather forecasts with explainability and interpretability: application to madeira international airport
Authors: Alves Décio , Mendonça Fábio , Mostafa Sheikh Shanawaz , Morgado-Dias Fernando
Published: September 2024

This study examines the application of machine learning to enhance wind nowcasting by using a Kolmogorov-Arnold Network model to improve predictions from the Global Forecast System at Madeira International Airport, a site affected by complex terrain. The research addresses the limitations of traditional numerical weather prediction models, which often fail to accurately forecast localized wind patterns. Using the Kolmogorov-Arnold Network model led to a substantial reduction in wind speed and direction forecast errors, with a performance that reached a 48.5% improvement to the Global Forecast System 3 h nowcast, considering the mean squared error. A key outcome of this study comes from the model’s ability to generate mathematical formulas that provide insights into the physical and mathematical dynamics influencing local wind patterns and improve the transparency, explainability, and interpretability of the employed machine learning models for atmosphere modeling.
Transforming martensite in NiTi within nanoseconds
Authors: Lünser Klara , Neumann Bruno , Schmidt Daniel , Ge Yuru , Hensel Daniel , Khosla Mallika , Gaal Peter , Fähler Sebastian
Published: September 2024

Martensitic transformations enable various emerging applications like the shape memory effect and elastocaloric applications in NiTi. Increasing the speed of this transformation can shorten the response time for actuation and increase the power density of caloric cooling systems. Up to now, research on the speed and possible time limits of the martensitic transformation in NiTi has been limited to milli- and microsecond experiments. The dynamics of the transformation for shorter time scales are therefore unknown. Here, we report the fastest transformations in NiTi so far by heating an epitaxial NiTi film with a ns laser pulse and tracking the martensitic transition with in-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction. We find that the martensite to austenite transition upon heating can proceed within the 7 ns pulse duration of the laser, but it requires substantial overheating as the rate of the transformation increases with the driving energy. The austenite to martensite transition is slower because cooling proceeds by conductive heat transfer, but with appropriate undercooling, the complete transformation from martensite to austenite and back only takes 200 ns. We compare our results to previous experiments on the Heusler alloy Ni–Mn–Ga and (K, Na)NbO3 and find very similar trends, which reveal that fast martensitic transformations in general follow a universal scaling law.
Finding high-performance MOFs for effective SF6/N2 separation through high-throughput computational screening and machine learning
Authors: Sezgin Pelin , Gulbalkan Hasan Can , Keskin Seda
Published: September 2024

Given the rapidly expanding pool of synthesized and hypothetical metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), testing every single material for SF6/N2 separation by iterative experimental methods or computationally demanding molecular simulations is not practical. In this study, we integrated high-throughput computational screening and machine learning (ML) approaches to evaluate SF6/N2 mixture adsorption and separation performances of over 25 000 different types of synthesized and hypothetical MOFs (hypoMOFs), representing the largest set of structures studied for SF6/N2 separation to date. SF6/N2 mixture adsorption data that we produced for synthesized MOFs using molecular simulations were utilized to develop ML models to accurately and quickly predict SF6 and N2 uptakes, SF6/N2 selectivities, SF6 working capacities, adsorbent performance scores, and regenerabilities of both synthesized and hypoMOFs. Results showed the MOF space that we studied exhibits very high SF6/N2 selectivities in the range of 1.8–4204 at 1 bar in addition to high SF6 working capacities between 0.04–5.68 mol kg−1 at an adsorption pressure of 1 bar and desorption pressure of 0.1 bar at room temperature. The top-performing MOF adsorbents for SF6/N2 mixture separation were identified to have Zn, Cu, Ni metals; terphenyl, pyridine, naphthalene linkers; and medium pore sizes. Our comprehensive computational approach offers a highly efficient alternative to brute-force computer simulations by enabling the rapid assessment of the MOF adsorbents for SF6/N2 separation and provides molecular insights into the key structural features of the most promising adsorbents.
Taking dual function materials (DFM) from the laboratory to industrial applications: a review of DFM operation under realistic integrated CO2 capture and utilization conditions
Authors: Gharamaleki Soudabeh Bahrami , Reina Tomas Ramirez , Duyar Melis S
Published: September 2024

Integrated CO2 Capture and Utilization (ICCU) is gathering momentum as a promising strategy to curb harmful CO2 emissions. This approach enables the use of dilute emissions as a source of carbon for chemical synthesis through processes like methanation, reverse water gas shift, or dry reforming of methane. One ICCU approach is performed using dual function materials (DFMs), which contain adsorbent and catalytic components. While utilizing DFMs for CO2 capture and conversion can potentially enhance reaction yields and lower costs by intensifying CO2 utilization processes, the practical use of these materials under relevant industrial settings is limited. Bringing this technology to real applications demands a deep scientific exploration, particularly regarding their behavior in the presence of impurities and high levels of oxygen. Herein we critically analyze the performance of different adsorbents and catalysts under realistic conditions for CO2 capture and conversion into methane or syngas. Additionally, we discuss the stability of DFMs when exposed to various contaminants that typically poison heterogeneous catalysts and identify several research gaps in this area.
Harms associated with retinal implantation of a stimulating electrode array to treat outer-retinal degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of safety
Authors: Hallum Luke E , Cloherty Shaun L
Published: September 2024

Retinal implantation of an electrode array is an emerging treatment for vision loss caused by outer-retinal degeneration. This article collects and analyses harms associated with the treatment reported in the peer-reviewed literature, thus enabling informed decision-making by patients, clinicians, researchers, engineers, and policymakers. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and clinical trials registries for peer-reviewed journal articles reporting harms outcomes. We extracted data from articles including study design, definitions of ‘serious adverse event’, and timing of adverse events. We applied the McMaster tool to these articles to assess the risk of bias in harms assessment and reporting. Our searches returned 585 abstracts. We reviewed the full text of 59 articles describing 11 different devices. McMaster scores ranged from 3 to 12 (maximum 15; higher scores indicate less risk). We compiled a comprehensive list of all serious and non-serious adverse events associated with retinal implantation. Several harms were common across devices. Our meta-analysis showed that serious adverse events are log-uniformly distributed throughout follow-up. Improved reporting and further clinical studies are needed to develop a reliable safety profile of retinal implantation. Our findings will help guide the design, conduct, and reporting of future clinical trials of retinal implantation and other emerging treatments for vision loss. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022308123.)
Structural optimization and parameter investigation of trapezoidal shape soft pneumatic actuator
Authors: Vellaiyan Venkatesan , R Venkateshkumar , Bijalwan Vishwanath , Singh Yogesh
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the effects of actuator design parameters on the performance of developed trapezoidal shaped soft pneumatic actuator, optimizes its geometric structure using the finite element method and validates its performance experimentally. To optimize the soft pneumatic actuator, the effects of structural parameters such as wall thickness, gap between the adjacent chambers, passive layer thickness, width of inside chamber and the bending angle of the actuator were evaluated. Finite Element Analysis is used to determine the displacement variation of actuator with different levels of applied pressures. A Global Analysis of Variance was conducted to determine the influence of variables affecting the displacements of soft pneumatic actuator was determined. The ANOVA results, a geometric actuator with a wall thickness of 1.5 mm, gap between chambers of 4 mm, passive layer thickness of 2 mm and the width of inside chamber of 4 mm is recommended for the actuator to be achieve maximum bending angle. The proposed actuator model can be used to select the suitable actuator for grasping soft objects without deformation. In addition, experiment was conducted to correlate the results with finite element analysis data.
Public Life and Public Virtues
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

The book argues that “public life,” while embracing politics and economics, is an essential dimension of everyone’s lives. It is life lived together in society. In this “common space” we explore our identities and discover a sense of meaning and values. What are the most striking social challenges in the light of which we need to identify robust public virtues? The need is to understand “politics” differently as a way of serving society rather than a competition between political parties. Public virtues should include values that challenge the social status quo rather than values that simply reinforce “the establishment.” Against contemporary libertarian tendencies, we need to recover the notion of “self-discipline” as an important basis for a sense of social responsibility.
A Sense of Place
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

A “sense of place” embraces the important value of rootedness and having a sense of identity and belonging. The vital question is who truly belongs in a place? Thomas Merton’s provocative essay “The Street is for Celebration” contrasts those who genuinely inhabit a place and those who are merely “dumped” and have to fight for recognition. “Place” obviously has a physical dimension but a deep “sense of place” also relates to being truly present and committed to a place. Being truly “placed” counters the privatization of public space which prioritizes commercial interests over what will benefit the whole community. A “sense of place” should no longer be limited to “the local” but should embrace a wider world and be just, beautiful, open-minded, ecological, humane, and diverse.
Cultivating Public Virtues
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

How are we to cultivate public virtues? This involves citizens working together to identify issues of mutual concern. There are a variety of ways in which public values or virtues can be cultivated—for example, by local faith communities or local clubs. However, the chapter focuses on two particular contexts—school education and public leadership. Schools need to encourage a sense of social responsibility and public service among their students. The educators should treat students with respect and also help them to orientate their lives towards purposeful ways of existing and acting. Turning to public leadership, what makes for “the good leader”? The chapter suggests that public leadership should go beyond efficient management or dominating personalities. The “good leader” seeks to contribute to the greater good of society. Leadership needs to be based on ethical strength, authenticity, honesty, and being committed to a sense of service.
Conclusion
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

The Conclusion outlines some contemporary dysfunctions that undermine public values. It then goes on to reflect briefly again on the thought of Michel de Certeau, the outstanding twentieth-century French Jesuit social scientist and spirituality scholar—especially in reference to public values. The Conclusion emphasizes that the public virtues outlined in the book seek to promote a vision of a “good society.” The Conclusion also briefly mentions the “Seven Principles of Public Life” set out by the British Committee on Standards in Public Life. The Conclusion ends by emphasizing the book’s provocative framework for creating a more equal and just society.
miniSNV: accurate and fast single nucleotide variant calling from nanopore sequencing data
Authors: Cui Miao , Liu Yadong , Yu Xian , Guo Hongzhe , Jiang Tao , Wang Yadong , Liu Bo
Published: September 2024

Nanopore sequence technology has demonstrated a longer read length and enabled to potentially address the limitations of short-read sequencing including long-range haplotype phasing and accurate variant calling. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of the performance of single nucleotide variant (SNV) identification and computing resource usage for the state-of-the-art approaches. In this work, we introduce miniSNV, a lightweight SNV calling algorithm that simultaneously achieves high performance and yield. miniSNV utilizes known common variants in populations as variation backgrounds and leverages read pileup, read-based phasing, and consensus generation to identify and genotype SNVs for Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads. Benchmarks on real and simulated ONT data under various error profiles demonstrate that miniSNV has superior sensitivity and comparable accuracy on SNV detection and runs faster with outstanding scalability and lower memory than most state-of-the-art variant callers. miniSNV is available from https://github.com/CuiMiao-HIT/miniSNV.
NeoDesign: a computational tool for optimal selection of polyvalent neoantigen combinations
Authors: Yu Wenqian , Yu Hongwu , Zhao Jingjing , Zhang Hena , Ke Kalam , Hu Zhixiang , Huang Shenglin
Published: September 2024

Motivation

Tumor polyvalent neoantigen mRNA vaccines are gaining prominence in immunotherapy. The design of sequences in vaccine development is crucial for enhancing both the immunogenicity and safety of vaccines. However, a major challenge lies in selecting the optimal sequences from the large pools generated by multiple peptide combinations and synonymous codons.

Results

We introduce NeoDesign, a computational tool designed to tackle the challenge of sequence design. NeoDesign comprises four modules: Library Construction, Optimal Path Filtering, Linker Addition, and λ-Evaluation. It aims to identify the optimal protein sequence for tumor polyvalent neoantigen vaccines by minimizing linker usage, avoiding unexpected neoantigens and functional domains, and simplifying the structure. It also provides a preference scheme to balance mRNA stability and protein expression when designing mRNA sequences for the optimal protein sequence. This tool can potentially improve the sequence design of tumor polyvalent neoantigen mRNA vaccines, thereby significantly advancing immunotherapy strategies.

Availability and implementation

NeoDesign is freely available on https://github.com/HuangLab-Fudan/neoDesign and https://figshare.com/projects/NeoDesign/221704.
Patient-derived tau and amyloid-β facilitate long-term depression in vivo: role of tumour necrosis factor-α and the integrated stress response
Authors: Hu Neng-Wei , Ondrejcak Tomas , Klyubin Igor , Yang Yin , Walsh Dominic M , Livesey Frederick J , Rowan Michael J
Published: September 2024

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the deposition of two pathognomonic proteins amyloid-β and tau. It is well documented that synaptotoxic soluble amyloid-β aggregates facilitate synaptic long-term depression, a major form of synaptic weakening that correlates with cognitive status in Alzheimer’s disease. Whether synaptotoxic tau, which is also associated strongly with progressive cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies, also causes facilitation remains to be clarified. Young male adult and middle-aged rats were employed. Synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β were obtained from different sources including (i) aqueous brain extracts from patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Pick’s disease tauopathy; (ii) the secretomes of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from individuals with trisomy of chromosome 21; and (iii) synthetic amyloid-β. In vivo electrophysiology was performed in urethane anaesthetized animals. Evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were recorded from the stratum radiatum in the CA1 area of the hippocampus with electrical stimulation to the Schaffer collateral–commissural pathway. To study the enhancement of long-term depression, relatively weak low-frequency electrical stimulation was used to trigger peri-threshold long-term depression. Synaptotoxic forms of tau or amyloid-β were administered intracerebroventricularly. The ability of agents that inhibit the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α or the integrated stress response to prevent the effects of amyloid-β or tau on long-term depression was assessed after local or systemic injection, respectively. We found that diffusible tau from Alzheimer’s disease or Pick’s disease patients’ brain aqueous extracts or the secretomes of trisomy of chromosome 21 induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, like Alzheimer’s disease brain-derived amyloid-β and synthetic oligomeric amyloid-β, potently enhanced synaptic long-term depression in live rats. We further demonstrated that long-term depression facilitation by both tau and amyloid-β was age-dependent, being more potent in middle-aged compared with young animals. Finally, at the cellular level, we provide pharmacological evidence that tumour necrosis factor-α and the integrated stress response are downstream mediators of long-term depression facilitation by both synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β. Overall, these findings reveal the promotion of an age-dependent synaptic weakening by both synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β. Pharmacologically targeting shared mechanisms of tau and amyloid-β synaptotoxicity, such as tumour necrosis factor-α or the integrated stress response, provides an attractive strategy to treat early Alzheimer’s disease.
Oscillatory cortico-cortical connectivity during tactile discrimination between dynamic and static stimulation
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Liu Yuan , Wang Guoyao , Cheng Qian , Ming Dong
Published: September 2024

Fine sensory modalities play an essential role in perceiving the world. However, little is known about how the cortico-cortical distinguishes between dynamic and static tactile signals. This study investigated oscillatory connectivity during a tactile discrimination task of dynamic and static stimulation via electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings and the fast oscillatory networks across widespread cortical regions. While undergoing EEG recordings, the subject felt an electro-tactile presented by a 3-dot array. Each block consisted of 3 forms of stimulation: Spatio-temporal (dynamic), Spatial (static), and Control condition (lack of electrical stimulation). The average event-related potential for the Spatial and Spatio-temporal conditions exhibited statistically significant differences between 25 and 75, 81 and 121, 174 and 204 and 459 and 489 ms after stimulus onset. Based on those times, the sLORETA approach was used to reconstruct the inverse solutions of EEG. Source localization appeared superior parietal at around 25 to 75 ms, in the primary motor cortex at 81 to 121 ms, in the central prefrontal cortex at 174 to 204 and 459 to 489 ms. To better assess spectral brain functional connectivity, we selected frequency ranges with correspondingly significant differences: for static tactile stimulation, these are concentrated in the Theta, Alpha, and Gamma bands, whereas for dynamic stimulation, the relative energy change bands are focused on the Theta and Alpha bands. These nodes’ functional connectivity analysis (phase lag index) showed 3 distinct distributed networks. A tactile information discrimination network linked the Occipital lobe, Prefrontal lobe, and Postcentral gyrus. A tactile feedback network linked the Prefrontal lobe, Postcentral gyrus, and Temporal lobe. A dominant motor feedforward loop network linked the Parietal cortex, Prefrontal lobe, Frontal lobe, and Parietal cortex. Processing dynamic and static tactile signals involves discriminating tactile information, motion planning, and cognitive decision processing.
A U-turn wiring technique for reverse-angled branches adjacent to ectasia: a case series
Authors: Yamaguchi Masashi , Tanaka Yutaka , Sato Daisuke , Saito Shigeru
Published: September 2024

Background

The reverse-wiring technique (RWT) using a hairpin-bend wire is useful for percutaneous coronary intervention of a bifurcation lesion with an extremely angulated side branch (SB); however, it is not necessarily effective in some anatomical situations. We report a novel SB wiring technique, the U-turn wiring technique (UWT), that is useful for wiring an extremely angled SB proximal to the ectasia.

Case summary

In the first case, the bare wire took a U-turn in the ectasia of the diagonal branch and crossed towards the angled left anterior descending artery, but a coronary dissection occurred in the diagonal branch due to the continuous wire-pushing force. Therefore, in the second case, we used a microcatheter with distal flexibility to prevent guidewire-induced vessel injury at the ectasia site and safely advanced the wire to the distal portion of the extremely angulated SB.

Discussion

The UWT takes advantage of the ectasia as a space to U-turn the guidewire. The UWT does not require a hairpin-bend guidewire or a dual-lumen catheter. The guidewire can be easily pushed forward through a reversed SB. After successful wire insertion, the guidewire can be easily advanced deep into the side branch. The UWT facilitates wire crossing to a reverse-angled branch utilizing the coronary ectasia anatomy through a simple manipulation.
Increased cardiovascular morbidity and reduced life expectancy in a large Italian cohort of patients with resistance to thyroid hormone β (RTHβ)
Authors: Campi Irene , Censi Simona , Prodam Flavia , Petrone Luisa , Brigante Giulia , Porcelli Tommaso , Ruggeri Rosaria Maddalena , Vigone Maria Cristina , Rurale Giuditta , Lio Serafino , Pelusi Carla , Persani Luca
Published: September 2024

Objective

Decreased survival and higher cardiovascular morbidity have been recently reported in a UK cohort of 61 RTHβ patients, but there is no evidence from other countries.

Design

Retrospective cohort study from an historical group of 284 Italian RTHβ patients, diagnosed between 1984 and 2023.

Methods

We collected data on diagnosis of 284 cases and longitudinal data of 249 RTHβ who carried heterozygous pathogenic variants in the THRB gene. We studied how thyroid function and recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension and diabetes, affected overall mortality and major cardiovascular events.

Results

The cumulative prevalence of sinus/supraventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation was 40% and 18%, respectively. FT4 values 57% higher than the upper limit of normal were associated with premature cardiovascular manifestations. Major cardiovascular events (MACEs) occurred in RTHβ patients at a median age (IQR) of 59.4 years (50.4-66.4) and early mortality resulted in a mean of 11 years of life lost. While at univariable analysis hypertension, dyslipidemia, high fasting glucose/diabetes were also associated with MACEs, at multivariable analysis only age at diagnosis, increased fT4 levels, and male gender remained significantly associated with MACEs and age at diagnosis and higher fT4 levels with mortality. Previous thyroidectomy or radioiodine therapy had no statistically significant effect in the prevention of major cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

These data should raise the general awareness on the cardiovascular risk and prompt a proactive cardiovascular monitoring in RTHβ, especially in men and those with fT4 levels above 30 pmol/L.
Characterization of Aeromonas salmonicida mesophilic isolates from Alberta (Canada) allows the development of a more sensitive Dictyostelium discoideum predation test
Authors: St-Laurent Rébecca E , Vincent Antony T , Paquet Valérie E , Leduc Gabrielle R , Lorenc Natalia , Ronholm Jennifer , Liu Xiaoji , Charette Steve J
Published: September 2024

Aeromonas salmonicida is studied using Dictyostelium discoideum as a model host, with predation resistance measured as a key parameter. Aeromonas salmonicida mesophilic isolates exhibit inconclusive results with the amoebic model. This study focuses on new mesophilic isolates (S24-S38, S26-S10, and S28-S20) from Alberta, Canada, and introduces an improved predation test method. Phylogenetic analysis reveals two subgroups, with S24-S38 and S26-S10 clustering with the subspecies pectinolytica from Argentina, and S28-S20 with strains from India (Y567) and Spain (AJ83), showcasing surprising mesophilic strain diversity across geographic locations. Predation tests were carried out with various mesophilic and psychrophilic strains of A. salmonicida, including Alberta isolates. The amoeba cell lines used were DH1-10 and AX2. Although the mesophilic isolates were very resistant to predation by the amoeba DH1-10, some lost this resistance to the AX2 strain, which appeared more voracious in the conditions tested. In addition, when diluting the culture medium used in a predation test with AX2, a loss of the capacity to predation resistance was observed for all the mesophilic isolates, including the highly resistant S28-S20 isolate. This study provides insights into the predation resistance of A. salmonicida isolates and offers avenues for better characterizing mesophilic isolates.
Understanding the Prevalence and Risk Factor Profile of Olfactory Impairment and Its Impact on Patient Health Indicators and Economic Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Asian Adults
Authors: Man Ryan E K , Wong Chiew Meng Johnny , Gupta Preeti , Fenwick Eva K , Aravindhan Amudha , Teo Neville Wei Yang , Charn Tze Choong , Forde Ciaran , Lamoureux Ecosse L
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

There is a paucity of data on the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of olfactory impairment (OI) on key health indicators and economic outcomes in Asian populations. We aimed to address these gaps in a population of community-dwelling older adults.

Research Design and Methods

We included 2 101 participants (mean age ± standard deviation [SD]: 72.9 ± 8.1 years; 55.1% women) from the baseline assessment of the Population Health and Eye Disease Profile in Elderly Singaporeans (PIONEER) study (2017–2022). Any OI was based on a score of <11 on the 16-item identification segment of the Sniffin’ Sticks test battery; subcategorized into hyposmia (score 9–10) and anosmia (score ≤8). Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle risk determinants, health indicators (health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, daily caloric intake, frailty, and cognitive impairment), and economic outcomes (healthcare expenditure, productivity loss) were assessed via standardized clinical testing and validated questionnaires. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were utilized to explore the risk factor profile of OI across its severity spectrum and its impact on health indicators and economic outcomes.

Results

The census-adjusted prevalence of any OI, hyposmia, and anosmia were 34.0%, 20.5%, and 13.5%, respectively. Older age and male gender were associated with increased likelihood of hyposmia and anosmia, while the presence of diabetes and >4 days/week alcohol consumption were associated with increased odds of having anosmia only (all p < .05). Both hyposmia and anosmia were also associated with more than twofold increased odds of having CI.

Discussion and Implications

Over a third of our community-dwelling older Singaporean population had OI, with 1-in-10 experiencing total olfaction loss. Those with OI had more than double the odds of having CI, regardless of its severity. Our results suggest the importance of community-based programs aimed at detecting and delaying the progression of OI in high-risk individuals.
ModelBark: a toy model to study bark formation in woody species
Authors: Gutiérrez-Climent Álvaro , Nuño Juan Carlos , López de Heredia Unai , Soto Álvaro
Published: September 2024

The study of growth of woody species is a challenging issue, primarily due to the complexity of the involved processes, which span broad spatial and temporal scales. Very often, this latter aspect almost precludes complete experimentation, thereby hindering the comparison between theoretical predictions and real-world observations. Computer simulations offer an alternative approach, allowing for data collection based on theoretical assumptions, and has been applied to the analysis of different features in plant development, as the production of secondary vascular tissues, xylem and phloem, in woody plants. However, the simulation of bark development faces added difficulties, due to the scarcity of experimental observations to base the model on. In this article, we introduce a computer model designed to simulate bark formation based on mechanical stimuli acting on the various types of cells comprising this tissue. Our model can be conceptualized as a cellular automaton of variable size with non-local updating rules. By adjusting the parameters defining the model, we investigate the most influential factors in bark development, obtaining the most common bark types observed in trees. Furthermore, we provide an intuitive interface, making it suitable for educational purposes as well.
Amikacin treatment in patients with Enterobacterales bacteraemia: impact of MIC on mortality
Authors: Zohar Iris , Ben David Debby , Schwartz Orna , Pomerantz Adam , Caliari Gabriel , Hoffman Elinoar , Maor Yasmin
Published: September 2024

Background

Recently, breakpoints of Enterobacterales to amikacin were changed from MIC ≤ 16 mg/L to MIC ≤ 4 mg/L based mainly on laboratory data with little supporting clinical evidence. Our aim was to investigate the relation between MIC of Enterobacterales to amikacin and mortality among patients with Enterobacterales bacteraemia from a urinary tract source treated with amikacin.

Patients and methods

This retrospective, single-centre study included patients with Enterobacterales urinary source bacteraemia treated with amikacin, with Low (MIC ≤ 4 mg/L) and High (MIC 8 or 16 mg/L) MICs. A cohort of patients treated with ertapenem was used to assess if amikacin MIC is a marker of severity independent of antimicrobial treatment. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to assess risk factors for mortality.

Results

We included 85 patients, 46 (54.1%) were male, and mean age was 79.0 years (SD 11.7). Sixty-one patients (71.8%) had Low MIC and 24 (28.2%) had High MIC. Thirty-day mortality was 8.2% and 29.2% in the Low and High MIC groups, respectively (P = 0.031). Risk factors for 30-day mortality were age, infection by Enterobacterales other than Escherichia coli and high amikacin MIC. In a cohort of 88 patients treated with ertapenem, amikacin MIC was not associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a relation between higher amikacin MIC levels (8 and 16 mg/L) and increased 30-day mortality in patients treated with amikacin for bacteraemia secondary to a urinary source. These findings support the new CLSI breakpoint change of Enterobacterales to amikacin.
Adopting prospective antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) practice in high-risk immunosuppressed groups: an urgent call to action in the era of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Authors: Agrawal S , Bapat A , Amos J , Howes E , Ashfield T
Published: September 2024

Life-saving immunosuppressive treatments including intensive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation expose patients to a considerable risk of death from infection globally. With evolving AMR and transmission, this could spell disaster for patients across the world and society at large. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and prompt appropriate management of potentially fatal, emergent infections are essential. It is now apparent that antibacterial prophylaxis in patients with haematological cancer may not provide survival benefit while simultaneously increasing risks for AMR carriage.

With evolving AMR and increasing immunosuppressed populations across the world, we must institute robust AMS practices. Significant resources are used to combat the impact of AMR on immunosuppressed patients. For lower-middle income countries (LMICs) these resources may not be available and as such the impact caused by AMR is greater. By considering the patient journey holistically we consider risk of infection presented to patients temporally and geographically. A short-term and easy to implement approach of multi-disciplinary team (MDT)-style advance care planning for infection is advocated.

Antimicrobials, when used appropriately, enable healthcare procedures to occur and exist. Indeed, the very future of clinical medicine will rely on this yet to be realized value of enablement. Proactive effort and change must occur across all sectors with holism; hence our impetus for convening a joint industry and clinical working group. With at-risk immunosuppressed groups being a sentinel for change, awareness and implementation of patient-centric actions for infection are essential and our recommendations serve as an urgent call to action.
Effects of different culture salinities on the growth and muscle quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
Authors: Jia Yongkang , Du Jia , Xi Rujuan , Zhang Qi , Li Li , Li Dapeng , Takagi Yasuaki , Zhang Xi
Published: September 2024

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) is an economically important farmed fish. This experiment was conducted to study the effects of different culture salinities on the growth and muscle quality of grass carp. We found that salinity of 0 to 5 had no significant effect on the growth of grass carp, but it significantly decreased at salinities above 5. Compared to salinity 0, the protein content of serum was significantly higher at salinities of 3 and 5. However, all serum biochemical compound measured, except glucose and total protein, decreased significantly at salinity 9. Muscle textural properties of grass carp were significantly higher at salinities of 3 and 5 than at 0, 7, and 9. Salinities of 0 to 3 had no significant effect on muscle nutrition of grass carp, but this parameter tended to decrease at salinities above 7. Salinities of 3 and 5 significantly favored muscle growth and expression of collagen-related genes, whereas the opposite was true for salinities of 7 and 9. These results indicated that grass carp grew normally at salinities of 3 and 5, with some improvement in muscle quality, whereas salinities of 7 and 9 had a negative effect on growth and quality. Therefore, appropriate salinity levels can help to improve the muscle quality of grass carp without affecting their growth.