bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of lithium incorporation in (111) NiO epitaxial layers grown on c-sapphire substrates using the pulsed laser deposition technique
Authors: Sahu Bhabani Prasad , Yadav Santosh Kumar , Arora Simran , Dhar Subhabrata
Published: April 2023

Incorporation of lithium in (111) NiO epitaxial layers grown using the pulsed layer deposition technique on c-sapphire substrates is studied as functions of growth conditions. The effect of Li-inclusion on the structural, morphological, electrical and optical properties of the films have been systematically investigated. It has been found that the concentration of Li in the film is more at lower growth temperatures. However, the crystalline quality deteriorates as the growth temperature is lowered. The investigation suggests that there is a miscibility limit of Li in nickel oxide (NiO). Beyond a critical concentration of lithium, Li-clusters are detected in the films. Further, it has been found that inclusion of Li gives rise to hydrostatic tensile strain in the NiO lattice that results in the reduction of the bandgap. The study also suggests that Li incorporation improves the electrical conductivity of NiO layers. Ni-vacancy defects also play an important role in governing the conductivity of these samples.
Entropies for factor maps of amenable group actions
Authors: Zhang Guohua , Zhu Lili
Published: April 2023

In this paper we study various entropies for factor maps of amenable group actions. We prove firstly theorem 3.1 inequalities linking relative topological entropy and conditional topological entropy (for factor maps of amenable group actions) without any additional assumption, which strengthens conditional variational principles (Zhu 2021 Nonlinearity
34 5163–85, theorems 2.12 and 3.9) proved by Zhu under additional assumptions. Then along the line of Misiurewicz (1976 Studia Math.
55 175–200), we introduce a new invariant called relative topological tail entropy and prove a Ledrappier’s type variational principle concerning it (for factor maps of amenable group actions); consequently, any factor map with zero relative topological tail entropy admits invariant measures with maximal relative entropy, which provides a nontrivial sufficient condition for the existence of invariant measures with maximal relative entropy in the setting of factor maps of amenable group actions.
A Number Estimate of Detectable Detached Black Hole-star Binaries using a Photometric Telescope
Authors: Hu Zhe-Cheng , Yang Yan-Lv , Wen Yuan-Hao , Shen Rong-Feng , Thomas Tam Pak-Hin
Published: April 2023

Detached and wide-orbit black hole-star binaries (BHSBs) can generate three types of periodic photometric signals: Ellipsoidal Variation, Doppler beaming and Self-Lensing (SL), providing a proxy to discover these black holes. We estimate the relative amplitude of the three signals for such systems and the detectability for black holes of a photometric telescope like Kepler in several steps. We estimate the searchable star number by assuming every star has a black hole companion, and apply the occurrence of BHSBs in field stars to estimate the detectable black hole signals. We consider three types of Initial Mass Function (IMF) model with different high end exponential slopes. “When spot and white noise are both considered, there is about one detectable signal for SL and less than one event is expected for beaming and Ellipsoidal Variation signal in Kepler Input Catalog stars with the standard IMF model.â to âDue to contamination by stellar spots and white noise, one may expect one detectable signal for SL and less than one detectable signal for both beaming and Ellipsoidal Variation in Kepler Input Catalog stars with the standard IMF model.” On the other hand, if we assume that only white noise affects the detection efficiency of the BHSBs, we expect about 10 Ellipsoidal Variation signals and 17 beaming signals to be detectable while the number of SL signals remains unchanged.
The FAST Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot Survey. II. Discovery of 76 Galactic Rotating Radio Transients and the Enigma of RRATs
Authors: Zhou D. J. , Han J. L. , Xu Jun , Wang Chen , Wang P. F. , Wang Tao , Jing Wei-Cong , Chen Xue , Yan Yi , Su Wei-Qi. , Gan Heng-Qian , Jiang Peng , Sun Jing-Hai , Wang Hong-Guang , Wang Na , Wang Shuang-Qiang , Xu Ren-Xin , You Xiao-Peng
Published: April 2023

We have carried out the Galactic Plane Pulsar Snapshot (GPPS) survey by using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), the most sensitive systematic pulsar survey in the Galactic plane. In addition to more than 500 pulsars already discovered through normal periodical search, we report here the discovery of 76 new transient radio sources with sporadic strong pulses, detected by using the newly developed module for a sensitive single-pulse search. Their small DM values suggest that they all are Galactic rotating radio transients (RRATs). They show different properties in the follow-up observations. More radio pulses have been detected from 26 transient radio sources but no periods can be found due to a limited small number of pulses from all FAST observations. The follow-up observations show that 16 transient sources are newly identified as being the prototypes of RRATs with a period already determined from more detected sporadic pulses, and 10 sources are extremely nulling pulsars, and 24 sources are weak pulsars with sparse strong pulses. On the other hand, 48 previously known RRATs have been detected by the FAST, either during verification observations for the GPPS survey or through targeted observations of applied normal FAST projects. Except for one RRAT with four pulses detected in a session of 5-minute observation and four RRATs with only one pulse detected in a session, sensitive FAST observations reveal that 43 RRATs are just generally weak pulsars with sporadic strong pulses or simply very nulling pulsars, so that the previously known RRATs always have an extreme emission state together with a normal hardly detectable weak emission state. This is echoed by the two normal pulsars J1938+2213 and J1946+1449 with occasional brightening pulses. Though strong pulses of RRATs are very outstanding in the energy distribution, their polarization angle variations follow the polarization angle curve of the averaged normal pulse profile, suggesting that the predominant sparse pulses of RRATs are emitted in the same region with the same geometry as normal weak pulsars.
Steady-state and fluorescence lifetime quenching of self-assembled diphenylalanine/coumarin nanostructures as a method to determine dissolved O2in water
Authors: Souza Geovany A , Cordeiro Diéricon S , Ernter Tatiana D M
Published: April 2023

A fluorescent system formed by the combination of coumarin derivative and self-assembled peptide nanostructures was used as sensing system to determine dissolved oxygen (O2) in water samples. Detection was based on the sensing system fluorescence quenching by O2, measured by steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and Stern-Volmer plot to correlate fluorescence intensity to O2concentration in the samples. Also, fluorescence lifetime decays informed about the mechanisms in which the quenching is occurring, indicating that the sensing system is highly sensitive and selective to O2, since quenching occurs by a non-radiative energy transfer from electronic excited singlet states of the system to the O2molecule. This process was evidenced by the system fluorescence lifetime decrease, yielding Singlet O2as indicative that this system can also find other technological applications.
On the potential application of surface plasmon-based core-shell particles to study blood functional parameters
Authors: Sathiyamoorthy K , Kolios Michael C
Published: April 2023

We investigated the application of gold nanoshell particles as optical sensors and contrast agents to study the blood functional parameters. Gold nanoshell particles with a core size of 1 μm that exhibit two prominent plasmonic peaks at 750 and 830 nm were developed. The peaks correspond to the wavelengths typically used to study the oxygen saturation of the blood. The plasmonic properties of gold nanoshells in media with various refractive indices were studied. Glucose samples with concentrations 0, 15, and 20%w/v in water were used. The 750 and 830 nm plasmonic peaks exhibit peak wavelength shifts of 63.77 ± 49.40 nm and 31.18 ± 20.94 nm per unit refractive index change. The optical properties of blood samples mixed with gold nanoshells were also measured. The optical absorption of blood samples increased by 7% at these wavelengths in the presence of the nanoshells. The plasmonic peaks at 750 and 830 nm showed a 3.57 ± 0.56 and 1.44 ± 0.55 percentage variation in absorbance for a 1% change in hematocrit. The enhanced optical absorption at these wavelengths suggests that these particles are effective optical sensors/contrast agents for multimodal optical and photoacoustic sensing and imaging.
Quantum computer creates wormhole analogue
Authors: Boerkamp Martijn
Published: April 2023

Quantum processors could put string theory and quantum gravity to the test, as Martijn Boerkamp reports.
Construction begins on the €1.3bn SKA
Authors: Makoni Munyaradzi
Published: April 2023

On-site construction for the €1.3bn Square Kilometre Array has begun in Australia and South Africa for what will be the world’s largest radio astronomy infrastructure.
US Advanced Light Source set for $590m upgrade
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: April 2023

A $590m upgrade to the Advanced Light Source will see the “brightness” of the facility increase by a factor of 100 and reduce the width of its X-rays beams from the current 100 μm to just a few microns.
Science must do more to include people with disabilities
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: April 2023

A new study calls for more proactive disability inclusion efforts within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
Asteroid success
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: April 2023

Picking Physics World’s Breakthrough of the Year for 2022 was astronomically tough.
The next batch of ‘great observatories’
Authors: Cooper Keith
Published: April 2023

Astronomers have turned their eye towards the future following the US National Academies’ latest decadal survey of astronomy and astrophysics, which recommended a new generation of space telescopes. Keith Cooper explores their prospects, and the lessons learned from the troubled development of the James Webb Space Telescope.
The big questions in science
Authors: Malone Claire
Published: April 2023

Claire Malone reviews This Way to the Universe: a Journey into Physics by Michael Dine.
Three minutes of science
Authors: Bach Ocean
Published: April 2023

Ocean Bach offers his advice on presenting science to a general audience.
Carbon dioxide removal to combat climate change? An expert survey on perception and support
Authors: Kerner Christoph , Thaller Annina , Brudermann Thomas
Published: April 2023

The most recent IPCC report considers Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) as an unavoidable climate change mitigation measure, although controversial discussions about CDR have taken place in the past. This study contributes to the ongoing debate by providing insights into academic expert opinions about Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS). An online survey was conducted to examine how academic experts (N = 172) perceive and to what extent they support BECCS and DACCS. Overall, the results show rather high expert support for research on and the deployment of BECCS and DACCS. Perceived feasibility of the technologies consistently predicted support for BECCS and DACCS, with means in the upper medium range. Further significant predictors were the extent to which experts perceived the technologies to be necessary, the experts’ amount of academic experience, the associated moral hazard, and the perceived tampering with nature.
Density functional theory study of energetics, local chemical environment and magnetic properties in a high-entropic MnNiSi0.2Ge0.2Sn0.2Al0.2Ga0.2 intermetallic magnet
Authors: Hartnett Timothy Q , Lee Kyungtae , Balachandran Prasanna V
Published: April 2023

Rare-earth-free magnetostructural MnNiSi-based solid solutions are considered as promising candidates for solid-state cooling applications. In this paper, we use density functional theory calculations to study the energetics, variations in atomic displacements and bond length, and magnetic properties of high-entropic, intermetallic MnNi-X (X = Si0.2Ge0.2Sn0.2Al0.2Ga0.2) magnet in both the low-symmetry Pnma and high-symmetry

P

6
3

/

m
m
c

structures, where we confine the large configurational entropy to the non-magnetic X-site of the compound. Our calculations reveal that the high-entropic chemical substitution of Si0.2Ge0.2Sn0.2Al0.2Ga0.2 in the X-site carry fingerprints that favor a reduction in magnetostructural transition temperature with minimal impact of total magnetization. These results motivate a promising path of high-entropic X-site substitutions to tune the magnetostructural properties of MnNiSi-based solid solutions.
Development of multiscale analysis method for predicting thermo-mechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites containing clustered nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Jihun , Kim Jae Hun , Wang Haolin , Shin Hyunseong
Published: April 2023

Thermo-mechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites containing clustered nanoparticles are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Comparing between the dispersion and cluster models, it is revealed that the thermo-mechanical properties are decreased due to the clustering phenomenon. For effectively predicting the thermo-mechanical properties of polymeric nanocomposites, a multiscale analysis method is developed by linking the MD simulation and finite element homogenization analysis. Using the multiscale analysis, the elastic and shear moduli, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the interphase can be obtained, and it is revealed that the reinforcement effect of the interphase is decreased due to the cluster phenomenon of nanoparticles. In addition, it is showed that this method can be used to accurately predict the elastic and shear moduli, and CTE of polymeric nanocomposites because of the clustering phenomenon.
Development of MATLAB code for tool path data extraction from the G code of the fused filament fabrication (FFF) parts
Authors: John Pretesh , Komma Venkateswara Rao , Bhore Skylab Paulas
Published: April 2023

The area of application of Fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing is regularly expanding, and the need for simulation of the geometry and mechanical properties to reduce the experimentation time and cost is a prime objective. In FFF printing, the input CAD model is converted into an STL file and then sliced with some software in a combination of layers, and accordingly, a tool path is generated, guiding the 3D printer to print. Thus, the printed part is not the same as the solid CAD model, but it is a layered solid part with various tool path settings or slicing parameters. This difference between the solid part and the layered replica part can cause errors in the calculations of mechanical properties. All the information related to layers, infill percentage, infill pattern, walls, etc, are stored in the form of various G or M codes in a G code file. The part orientation can also be visualized with the G code file. This G code file is the soft raw material for the FFF printer to execute the printing process. The correct reading and interpretation of the G code file are very essential to understand the 3D printing process from the core. The G code file can be used for multiple applications if the data is correctly extracted from it. This can be used to model the sliced or layered solid parts or to understand the extruder motions. In this work, a MATLAB code is generated to extract the data from the G code file and get the extrusion pattern with various infill patterns and percentages. The code was tested with multiple G code flavors, available in Cura and Slic3r software, and found suitable for all. The extracted data can be used further to model the sliced or layered solid model.
Effects of active noise on transition-path dynamics
Authors: Goswami Koushik , Metzler Ralf
Published: April 2023

We propose an extension of the existing model describing a biomolecular reaction such as protein folding or ligand binding which is usually visualised as the barrier crossing of a diffusing particle in a double-well potential. In addition to the thermal noise, an active noise modelled in terms of an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process is introduced to the dynamics. Within this framework, we investigate the transition-path properties of an underdamped particle surmounting an energy barrier, and we show explicitly how these properties are affected by the activity and persistence of the particle. Our theoretical study suggests that an active particle can cross the barrier at comparatively shorter timescales by lowering the (effective) barrier height. In particular, we study how the persistence time of the active force alters the transition-path time (TPT) at different friction limits. Interestingly, in one of our models we find a nonmonotonic behaviour of the TPT which is absent in the overdamped limit. The framework presented here can be useful in designing a reaction in a non-equilibrium environment, particularly inside a living biological cell in which active fluctuations keep the system out of equilibrium.
Parallel synaptic design of ferroelectric tunnel junctions for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Moon Taehwan , Lee Hyun Jae , Nam Seunggeol , Bae Hagyoul , Choe Duk-Hyun , Jo Sanghyun , Lee Yun Seong , Park Yoonsang , Yang J Joshua , Heo Jinseong
Published: April 2023

We propose a novel synaptic design of more efficient neuromorphic edge-computing with substantially improved linearity and extremely low variability. Specifically, a parallel arrangement of ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJ) with an incremental pulsing scheme provides a great improvement in linearity for synaptic weight updating by averaging weight update rates of multiple devices. To enable such design with FTJ building blocks, we have demonstrated the lowest reported variability: σ/μ = 0.036 for cycle to cycle and σ/μ = 0.032 for device among six dies across an 8 inch wafer. With such devices, we further show improved synaptic performance and pattern recognition accuracy through experiments combined with simulations.
AB-Amy: machine learning aided amyloidogenic risk prediction of therapeutic antibody light chains
Authors: Zhou Yuwei , Huang Ziru , Gou Yushu , Liu Siqi , Yang Wei , Zhang Hongyu , Dzisoo Anthony Mackitz , Huang Jian
Published: April 2023

Over 120 FDA-approved antibody-based therapeutics are used to treat a variety of diseases.However, many candidates could fail because of unfavorable physicochemical properties. Light-chain amyloidosis is one form of aggregation that can lead to severe safety risks in clinical development. Therefore, screening candidates with a less amyloidosis risk at the early stage can not only save the time and cost of antibody development but also improve the safety of antibody drugs. In this study, based on the dipeptide composition of 742 amyloidogenic and 712 non-amyloidogenic antibody light chains, a support vector machine–based model, AB-Amy, was trained to predict the light-chain amyloidogenic risk. The AUC of AB-Amy reaches 0.9651. The excellent performance of AB-Amy indicates that it can be a useful tool for the in silico evaluation of the light-chain amyloidogenic risk to ensure the safety of antibody therapeutics under clinical development. A web server is freely available at http://i.uestc.edu.cn/AB-Amy/.
Safely Shaping the Breast After Implant Removal and Total Intact Capsulectomy Using the Mammary Imbrication Lift and Fixation Technique
Authors: Lampert Joshua A , Townsend Alexandra N , Shah Sunny , Bouz Antoun , Nichols Natasha
Published: April 2023

Background

Implant-based breast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures performed worldwide. As the number of patients who have breast implants continues to rise, so does the number of those who request breast implant removal without replacement. There is little in the current scientific literature describing total intact capsulectomy and simultaneous mastopexy procedures.

Objectives

Here, the authors present their current method using the mammary imbrication lift and fixation technique after explant and total capsulectomy.

Methods

Between 2016 and 2021, a total of 64 patients (mean age: 42.95 years; range, 27-78 years) underwent the described mammary imbrication lift and fixation technique with bilateral breast implant removal and total capsulectomy.

Results

Mean follow-up was 6.5 months (range, 1-36 months). Postoperative complications included minor cellulitis in 1 patient (1.6%), late onset hematoma with infection in 1 patient (1.6%), fat necrosis and pulmonary embolism in 1 patient with prior history of thromboembolic events (1.6%), and breast scar irregularity in 4 patients (6.2%) who required subsequent minor scar revision or steroid injections. Two patients (1.6%) underwent revision surgery with bilateral breast fat grafting to improve shape and add volume.

Conclusions

The mammary imbrication lift and fixation technique described here can safely and simultaneously be performed with a total intact capsulectomy and explant procedure. This technique avoids wide undermining, intentionally opening the capsule, performing subtotal capsulectomy, and preserving blood supply to the breast tissue and nipple with low complication rates.

Level of Evidence: 3
sInterBase: a comprehensive database of Escherichia coli sRNA–mRNA interactions
Authors: Cohen Shani , Maximof Eden , Rokach Shay , Tadeski Mor , Veksler-Lublinsky Isana
Published: April 2023

sInterBase is a comprehensive and easy-to-operate web-based platform for mining experimentally identified sRNA–mRNA interactions in Escherichia coli. Interactions in the database are annotated with an interaction duplex and a set of descriptive features. sInterBase provides advanced functionality, such as flexible search based on various criteria, statistical analysis via charts, browsing, and downloading interactions for further use.

Availability and implementation

sInterBase is available at https://sinterbase.cs.bgu.ac.il/.
Urine as matrix for analysis of neurofilament light chain is not suitable to distinguish frontotemporal dementia from psychiatric diseases
Authors: van Engelen Marie-Paule E , Heijst Hans , Willemse Eline A J , Oudega Mardien L , Vermunt Lisa , Scheltens Philip , Vijverberg Everard G B , Pijnenburg Yolande A L , Teunissen Charlotte E
Published: April 2023

The clinical overlap of frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric diseases hampers diagnostic distinction, leading to frequent misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay. Neurofilament light chain has shown great potential in CSF and blood for the distinction of frontotemporal dementia from primary psychiatric diseases. Measurement of neurofilament light chain in urine would be even more patient-friendly. We aimed to test the performance of neurofilament light chain urine measurements for diagnostics in frontotemporal dementia and to assess their correlation with serum levels. Fifty-five subjects (n = 19 frontotemporal dementia, n = 19 primary psychiatric diseases and n = 17 controls) were included with available paired urine and serum samples. All subjects underwent standardized extensive diagnostic assessment. Samples were analysed with the ultrasensitive single molecule array neurofilament light chain assay. Neurofilament light chain group comparisons were performed adjusted for age, sex and geriatric depression scale. In the majority of the cohort, neurofilament light chain concentrations were not detectable in urine (n = 6 samples above lower limit of detection (0.038 pg/ml): n = 5 frontotemporal dementia, n = 1 primary psychiatric disease). The frequency of a detectable neurofilament light chain level in urine in the frontotemporal dementia group did not differ from psychiatric disorders (Fisher Exact-test P = 0.180). In the individuals with detectable urine neurofilament light chain values, there was no correlation between the urine and serum neurofilament light chain levels. As expected, serum neurofilament light chain levels were higher in frontotemporal dementia compared to primary psychiatric diseases and controls (P < 0.001), adjusted for age, sex and geriatric depression scale. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of serum neurofilament light chain of frontotemporal dementia versus primary psychiatric diseases showed an area under the curve of 0.978 95% confidence interval 0.941–1.000, P < 0.001. Urine is not suitable as a matrix for neurofilament light chain analysis and serum neurofilament light chain is still the most patient-friendly matrix for differentiation between frontotemporal dementia and primary psychiatric diseases.
Neural dysregulation in post-COVID fatigue
Authors: Baker Anne M E , Maffitt Natalie J , Del Vecchio Alessandro , McKeating Katherine M , Baker Mark R , Baker Stuart N , Soteropoulos Demetris S
Published: April 2023

Following infection with SARS-CoV-2, a substantial minority of people develop lingering after-effects known as ‘long COVID’. Fatigue is a common complaint with a substantial impact on daily life, but the neural mechanisms behind post-COVID fatigue remain unclear. We recruited 37 volunteers with self-reported fatigue after a mild COVID infection and carried out a battery of behavioural and neurophysiological tests assessing the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. In comparison with age- and sex-matched volunteers without fatigue (n = 52), we show underactivity in specific cortical circuits, dysregulation of autonomic function and myopathic change in skeletal muscle. Cluster analysis revealed no subgroupings, suggesting post-COVID fatigue is a single entity with individual variation, rather than a small number of distinct syndromes. Based on our analysis, we were also able to exclude dysregulation in sensory feedback circuits and descending neuromodulatory control. These abnormalities on objective tests may aid in the development of novel approaches for disease monitoring.
Undiagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Adults Dying at Home in a High-TB-Burden Setting, Before and During Pandemic COVID-19: An Autopsy Study
Authors: Sabet Nadia , Omar Tanvier , Milovanovic Minja , Magajane Tebogo , Mosala Modiehi , Moloantoa Tumelo , Kato-Kalule Nalukenge , Semedo Lenise Varela , Swanepoel Floris , Wallis Carole , Abraham Pattamukkil , Lebina Limakatso , Variava Ebrahim , Martinson Neil
Published: April 2023

Background

Missing or undiagnosed patients with tuberculosis (TB) or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are of concern. Identifying both infections in patients with no diagnosis prior to death contributes to understanding the burden of disease. To confirm reports of global reduction in TB incidence, a 2012 autopsy study of adults dying at home of natural causes in a high-TB-burden setting was repeated, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assessments after the first COVID-19 surge in South Africa.

Methods

Adult decedents who died at home with insufficient information to determine cause of death, no recent hospitalization, and no current antemortem TB or COVID-19 diagnosis were identified between March 2019 and October 2020 with a 4-month halt during lockdown. A standardized verbal autopsy followed by minimally invasive needle autopsy (MIA) was performed. Biopsies were taken for histopathology from liver, bilateral brain and lung; bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected for Xpert (MTB/RIF) and mycobacterial culture, and blood for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nasopharyngeal swab and lung tissue were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing.

Results

Sixty-six MIAs were completed in 25 men and 41 women (median age, 60 years); 68.2% had antemortem respiratory symptoms and 30.3% were people with HIV. Overall, TB was diagnosed in 11 of 66 (16.7%) decedents, and 14 of 41 (34.1%) in the COVID-19 pandemic were SARS-CoV-2 positive.

Conclusions

Undiagnosed TB in adults dying at home has decreased but remains unacceptably high. Forty percent of decedents had undiagnosed COVID-19, suggesting that estimates of excess deaths may underestimate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality.
Single puncture approach guided by transesophageal echocardiography for atrial fibrillation ablation in a patient with prior percutaneous septal closure: case report
Authors: Oliveira Mário , Sousa Lidia , Trindade Ana , da Silva Nogueira
Published: April 2023

Background

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is associated with a risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) higher than in the general population, even after percutaneous or surgical septal closure. Catheter ablation is an effective treatment strategy for preventing recurrences and reducing the AF burden. However, electrophysiologists are faced with technical difficulties and the risk of complications with the left atrium access in patients with prior ASD percutaneous closure.

Case summary

We report a case of a patient with highly symptomatic paroxysmal AF, with an ASD, closed percutaneously many years before, who underwent a successful catheter AF ablation, using a single transeptal (TSP) approach guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Discussion

In patients with ASD and an occluder device implanted, there is a potential risk for septal tear during the TSP passage, device dislodgement, or thrombus formation on the device. Atrial fibrillation ablation in this subset of patients has often been protracted and scarcely reported. TEE and intra-cardiac echocardiography have been increasingly used for interventional procedure guidance during AF ablation. As described here, AF ablation using a simplified single TSP guided by TEE is feasible, safe, and effective after device ASD closure.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for acute aortic regurgitation due toStaphylococcus aureusinfective endocarditis complicated with a perivalvular abscess: a case report
Authors: Vila-Olives Rosa , Oristrell Gerard , Rello Pau , Fernández-Hidalgo Núria
Published: April 2023

Background

Infective endocarditis is a life-threatening disease associated with high mortality. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment and cardiac surgery, when indicated, are closely related to prognosis. When cardiac surgery is contraindicated, prognosis worsens dramatically. There is few data concerning the use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement after healed aortic valve endocarditis or during active IE. We present the first case report of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement implanted during antimicrobial therapy for a severely symptomatic acute aortic regurgitation due to an infective endocarditis complicated with a perivalvular abscess.

Case summary

A 68-year-old man was admitted due to left hemiparesis and fever. An acute ischaemic stroke with haemorrhagic transformation was diagnosed. Blood cultures were positive for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and a transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed an aortic endocarditis with an acute severe aortic regurgitation and a perivalvular abscess. Urgent cardiac surgery was contraindicated due to intracranial haemorrhage. However, the patient developed refractory pulmonary oedema and haemodynamic instability. Despite the perivalvular abscess, a transcatheter aortic valve replacement was successfully performed 15 days after the diagnosis. Nine months after completing antimicrobial therapy, there were no signs of relapse.

Discussion

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement could be considered in selected patients with symptomatic severe aortic regurgitation due to aortic infective endocarditis during antimicrobial therapy when cardiac surgery is contraindicated.
Association of prolactin with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes: a real-world study
Authors: Shen Yun , Yang Qing , Hu Tingting , Wang Yaxin , Chen Lei , Gao Fei , Zhu Wei , Hu Gang , Zhou Jian , Wang Chunfang , Bao Yuqian
Published: April 2023

Aims

The association between prolactin and mortality has been less studied, and findings were inconsistent among different populations. We aimed to investigate the association between serum prolactin (PRL) and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 10 907 patients with at least 2 prolactin measurements within 2 years since their first inpatient diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Baseline and mean values of serum PRL were used as exposures. A multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the association between PRL and mortality. During a mean follow-up of 5.34 years, 863 patients died, of whom 274 were due to cardiovascular events. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) based on different levels of baseline PRL (<100, 100–199, 200–299, and ≥300 mIU/L) were 1.00, 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.90–1.36], 1.35 (95% CI 1.11–1.67), and 1.49 (95% CI 1.18–1.84) for all-cause mortality and 1.00, 1.24 (95% CI 0.86–1.81), 1.71 (95% CI 1.14–2.62), and 2.42 (95% CI 1.55–3.78) for cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Positive associations were also found when we used the mean values of PRL as the exposure. These associations were consistent among patients of different baseline characteristics. Further sensitivity analyses excluding patients with subclinical or clinical hypothyroidism at baseline and who died within the first 6 months since baseline demonstrated similar results.

Conclusions

A positive association between baseline PRL and mortality was observed among patients with type 2 diabetes. Prolactin may be considered a potential biomarker of mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Osmotic stress responses and the biology of the second messenger c-di-AMP inStreptomyces
Authors: Bhowmick Sukanya , Shenouda Mary L , Tschowri Natalia
Published: April 2023

Streptomyces are prolific antibiotic producers that thrive in soil, where they encounter diverse environmental cues, including osmotic challenges caused by rainfall and drought. Despite their enormous value in the biotechnology sector, which often relies on ideal growth conditions, how Streptomyces react and adapt to osmotic stress is heavily understudied. This is likely due to their complex developmental biology and an exceptionally broad number of signal transduction systems. With this review, we provide an overview of Streptomyces' responses to osmotic stress signals and draw attention to open questions in this research area. We discuss putative osmolyte transport systems that are likely involved in ion balance control and osmoadaptation and the role of alternative sigma factors and two-component systems (TCS) in osmoregulation. Finally, we highlight the current view on the role of the second messenger c-di-AMP in cell differentiation and the osmotic stress responses with specific emphasis on the two models, S. coelicolor and S. venezuelae.
Incidence and risk of herpes zoster in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in the USA
Authors: Singer David , Thompson-Leduc Philippe , Gupta Deepshekhar , Cheng Wendy Y , Poston Sara , Ma Siyu , Pawlowski John E , Duh Mei Sheng , Morris Eric D , Devine Francesca , Farraye Francis A
Published: April 2023

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ). We evaluated the incidence of HZ in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and compared this with HZ incidence in a non-IBD population.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study (GSK study identifier: VEO-000043) of adults aged ≥18 years with UC and CD and without IBD who were identified from claims recorded in a US healthcare database between October 2015 and February 2020. Crude HZ incidence rates/1,000 person-years (PY) were calculated, and comparisons of HZ incidence rates between UC or CD and non-IBD cohorts were made using adjusted generalized linear models.

Results

The study population comprised a total of 29,928 UC, 25,959 CD, and 11,839,329 non-IBD patients. Crude overall HZ incidence rates were 13.64/1,000 PY (UC), 15.94/1,000 PY (CD), and 7.95/1,000 PY (non-IBD). UC and CD patients had increased HZ incidence rates, with adjusted incidence rate ratios of 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.44) and 1.66 (95% CI, 1.56–1.77), respectively, compared with non-IBD patients. Stratified analysis indicated increased relative rates of HZ in progressively younger age strata in the UC and CD patients compared with non-IBD patients. HZ incidence rates were higher in UC and CD patients who had previously received thiopurines or methotrexate, TNF-inhibitors, or corticosteroids than in UC and CD patients who did not take those medicines.

Conclusion

UC and CD patients had increased HZ incidence rates compared with patients without IBD, demonstrating the importance of HZ prevention in IBD patients.
Modeling the Impact of a Highly Potent Plasmodium falciparum Transmission-Blocking Monoclonal Antibody in Areas of Seasonal Malaria Transmission
Authors: Challenger Joseph D , van Beek Stijn W , ter Heine Rob , van der Boor Saskia C , Charles Giovanni D , Smit Merel J , Ockenhouse Chris , Aponte John J , McCall Matthew B B , Jore Matthijs M , Churcher Thomas S , Bousema Teun
Published: April 2023

Transmission-blocking interventions can play an important role in combating malaria worldwide. Recently, a highly potent Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking monoclonal antibody (TB31F) was demonstrated to be safe and efficacious in malaria-naive volunteers. Here we predict the potential public health impact of large-scale implementation of TB31F alongside existing interventions. We developed a pharmaco-epidemiological model, tailored to 2 settings of differing transmission intensity with already established insecticide-treated nets and seasonal malaria chemoprevention interventions. Community-wide annual administration (at 80% coverage) of TB31F over a 3-year period was predicted to reduce clinical incidence by 54% (381 cases averted per 1000 people per year) in a high-transmission seasonal setting, and 74% (157 cases averted per 1000 people per year) in a low-transmission seasonal setting. Targeting school-aged children gave the largest reduction in terms of cases averted per dose. An annual administration of the transmission-blocking monoclonal antibody TB31F may be an effective intervention against malaria in seasonal malaria settings.
Predicting risk of metastases and recurrence in soft-tissue sarcomas via Radiomics and Formal Methods
Authors: Casale Roberto , Varriano Giulia , Santone Antonella , Messina Carmelo , Casale Chiara , Gitto Salvatore , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Bali Maria Antonietta , Brunese Luca
Published: April 2023

Objective

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) of the extremities are a group of malignancies arising from the mesenchymal cells that may develop distant metastases or local recurrence. In this article, we propose a novel methodology aimed to predict metastases and recurrence risk in patients with these malignancies by evaluating magnetic resonance radiomic features that will be formally verified through formal logic models.

Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study based on a public dataset evaluating MRI scans T2-weighted fat-saturated or short tau inversion recovery and patients having “metastases/local recurrence” (group B) or “no metastases/no local recurrence” (group A) as clinical outcomes. Once radiomic features are extracted, they are included in formal models, on which is automatically verified the logic property written by a radiologist and his computer scientists coworkers.

Results

Evaluating the Formal Methods efficacy in predicting distant metastases/local recurrence in STSs (group A vs group B), our methodology showed a sensitivity and specificity of 0.81 and 0.67, respectively; this suggests that radiomics and formal verification may be useful in predicting future metastases or local recurrence development in soft tissue sarcoma.

Discussion

Authors discussed about the literature to consider Formal Methods as a valid alternative to other Artificial Intelligence techniques.

Conclusions

An innovative and noninvasive rigourous methodology can be significant in predicting local recurrence and metastases development in STSs. Future works can be the assessment on multicentric studies to extract objective disease information, enriching the connection between the radiomic quantitative analysis and the radiological clinical evidences.
A matter of time: auxin signaling dynamics and the regulation of auxin responses during plant development
Authors: Caumon Hugo , Vernoux Teva
Published: April 2023

As auxin is a major regulator of plant development, studying the signaling mechanisms by which auxin influences cellular activities is of primary importance. In this review, we describe current knowledge on the different modalities of signaling, from the well-characterized canonical nuclear auxin pathway, to the more recently discovered or re-discovered non-canonical modes of auxin signaling. In particular, we discuss how both the modularity of the nuclear auxin pathway and the dynamic regulation of its core components allow specific transcriptomic responses to be triggered. We highlight the fact that the diversity of modes of auxin signaling allows for a wide range of time scales of auxin responses, from second-scale cytoplasmic responses to minute-/hour-scale modifications of gene expression. Finally, we question the extent to which the temporality of auxin signaling and responses contributes to development in both the shoot and the root meristems. We conclude by stressing the fact that future investigations should allow an integrative view to be built not only of the spatial control, but also of the temporality of auxin-mediated regulation of plant development, from the cell to the whole organism.
Automatic sentence segmentation for classical Chinese: The Spring and Autumn Annals as an example
Authors: Fan Wenjie , Wang Dongbo , Huang Shuiqing
Published: April 2023

There exists no sentence boundary in most classical Chinese literature texts. Since it is difficult to read literature of this kind, experts in literature or linguistics would segment the sentence manually. This article explores the effectiveness of classical Chinese sentence segmentation method so as to provide a reference for classical Chinese punctuation. On the basis of the machine learning methods, we chose three components of machine learning, namely models, tagging schemes, and features, to compare the learning results. The models include conditional random field (CRF) models, long short term memory (LSTM) models, BiLSTM–CRF models, and three Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformers (BERT) models. There are five tagging schemes in this article and three features including the statistical feature, Guangyun, and Fanqie. Finally, the performance of the combined feature template is evaluated by ten-fold cross-validation on four classical Chinese texts in different genres. The SikuBERT model is proved to be the most effective model for sentence segmentation at present. Different tagging schemes and various features are introduced. The results show that 5-tag-J tagging schemes can improve performance. Statistical feature, as an important clue for classical Chinese sentence segmentation, is useful in related tasks, but Guangyun and Fanqie have little impact. Other important factors of sentence segmentation are genres and writing styles.
Multiwavelength observations of the extraordinary accretion event AT2021lwx
Authors: Wiseman P , Wang Y , Hönig S , Castro-Segura N , Clark P , Frohmaier C , Fulton M D , Leloudas G , Middleton M , Müller-Bravo T E , Mummery A , Pursiainen M , Smartt S J , Smith K , Sullivan M , Anderson J P , Acosta Pulido J A , Charalampopoulos P , Banerji M , Dennefeld M , Galbany L , Gromadzki M , Gutiérrez C P , Ihanec N , Kankare E , Lawrence A , Mockler B , Moore T , Nicholl M , Onori F , Petrushevska T , Ragosta F , Rest S , Smith M , Wevers T , Carini R , Chen T-W , Chambers K , Gao H , Huber M , Inserra C , Magnier E , Makrygianni L , Toy M , Vincentelli F , Young D R
Published: April 2023

We present observations from X-ray to mid-infrared wavelengths of the most energetic non-quasar transient ever observed, AT2021lwx. Our data show a single optical brightening by a factor >100 to a luminosity of 7 × 1045 erg s−1 and a total radiated energy of 1.5 × 1053 erg, both greater than any known optical transient. The decline is smooth and exponential and the ultraviolet–optical spectral energy distribution resembles a blackbody with a temperature of 1.2 × 104 K. Tentative X-ray detections indicate a secondary mode of emission, while a delayed mid-infrared flare points to the presence of dust surrounding the transient. The spectra are similar to recently discovered optical flares in known active galactic nuclei but lack some characteristic features. The lack of emission for the previous 7 yr is inconsistent with the short-term, stochastic variability observed in quasars, while the extreme luminosity and long time-scale of the transient disfavour the disruption of a single solar-mass star. The luminosity could be generated by the disruption of a much more massive star, but the likelihood of such an event occurring is small. A plausible scenario is the accretion of a giant molecular cloud by a dormant black hole of 108–109 solar masses. AT2021lwx thus represents an extreme extension of the known scenarios of black hole accretion.
Pediatric diffuse midline glioma: Understanding the mechanisms and assessing the next generation of personalized therapeutics
Authors: Jovanovich Nicolina , Habib Ahmed , Head Jeffery , Hameed Farrukh , Agnihotri Sameer , Zinn Pascal O
Published: April 2023

Diffuse midline glioma (DMG) is a pediatric cancer that originates in the midline structures of the brain. Prognosis of DMG patients remains poor due to the infiltrative nature of these tumors and the protection they receive from systemically delivered therapeutics via an intact blood–brain barrier (BBB), making treatment difficult. While the cell of origin remains disputed, it is believed to reside in the ventral pons. Recent research has pointed toward epigenetic dysregulation inducing an OPC-like transcriptomic signature in DMG cells. This epigenetic dysregulation is typically caused by a mutation (K27M) in one of two histone genes—H3F3A or HIST1H3B –and can lead to a differentiation block that increases these cells oncogenic potential. Standard treatment with radiation is not sufficient at overcoming the aggressivity of this cancer and only confers a survival benefit of a few months, and thus, discovery of new therapeutics is of utmost importance. In this review, we discuss the cell of origin of DMGs, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to their aggressivity and resistance to treatment. Additionally, we outline the current standard of care for DMG patients and the potential future therapeutics for this cancer that are currently being tested in preclinical and clinical trials.
Principles and Terminology for Host–Microbiome–Drug Interactions
Authors: Heirali Alya , Moossavi Shirin , Arrieta Marie Claire , Coburn Bryan
Published: April 2023

Interactions between the microbiome and medical therapies are distinct and bidirectional. The existing term “pharmacomicrobiomics” describes the effects of the microbiome on drug distribution, metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity. We propose that the term “pharmacoecology” be used to describe the effects that drugs and other medical interventions such as probiotics have on microbiome composition and function. We suggest that the terms are complementary but distinct and that both are potentially important when assessing drug safety and efficacy as well as drug–microbiome interactions. As a proof of principle, we describe the ways in which these concepts apply to antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial medications.