bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Aberrations of the Extraocular Muscles and the Levator Palpebrae Superioris: An Anatomical and Clinical Insight
Authors: Tawfik Hatem A. , El Houssieny Omar Amro , Dutton Jonathan J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose:

To comprehensively review the literature about numerical aberrations of the orbital muscles of ocular motility (here referred to as extraocular muscles [EOMs]) and the levator palpebrae superioris (LPS).

Methods:

The authors summarize the embryologic bases and the possible etiopathogenetic causes of numerical aberrations of the EOMs and the LPS and organize these lesions into several broad categories. The clinical and radiologic diagnostic challenges are discussed.

Results:

Numerical aberrations of the EOMs include: 1) the complete absence of EOMs, 2) duplication of an entire EOM, 3) the presence of muscle bands that connect 2 EOMs, and 4) minor morphological variations such as bifid muscles (partial splitting of the muscle). Some cases may defy categorization into any of the above or may resemble atavistic remnants of the retractor bulbi muscle. Broadly speaking, numerical aberrations of the LPS generally fall into the same categories although the LPS has several peculiar numerical anomalies of its own.

Conclusions:

Although numerical EOM and LPS variations are relatively rare and of little clinical significance, raising awareness about their presence is a fundamental clinical keystone not just for the strabismus surgeon but for the orbital surgeon as well. During orbital surgery, this may spare the surgeon from pursuing an orbital witch hunt for these benign innocuous accessory orbital structures that were accidentally discovered by the radiologist and misinterpreted as sinister etiologies. For the strabismus surgeon, the failure to identify them may result in an unfavorable surgical outcome if these structures are missed because of a lack of awareness despite being responsible for generating complex strabismus patterns or having a restrictive potential of their own.
Evaluation of a Self-collected Device for Human Papillomavirus Screening to Increase Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Crane LaShonda , Fitzpatrick Megan B. , Sutton Elizabeth , Conageski Christine , Favreau Jessica , Conway Kristin , Young Steve , Young Jesse , Jennings Ashley
Published: October 2024

Objective

The authors compared the performance of a novel self-collect device with clinician-collected samples for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV).

Materials and Methods

Eighty-two (82) participants were recruited from 5 clinical sites in the United States. Each participant performed self-collect sampling using the self-collect device followed by a standard of care clinician-collected sample. Both samples were evaluated for hrHPV using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based HPV assays. A subset of HPV-positive samples underwent dual staining (p16/Ki-67), and concordance was evaluated. Biopsy results collected per standard of care were recorded.

Results

On the Roche cobas assay, the preliminary positive percent agreement (PPA) and negative percent agreement (NPA) was 91%. Agreement for hrHPV using the BD OnClarity in PreservCyt was 100% PPA (n = 10), and 100% PPA, 93% NPA in SurePath. Dual-stain concordance was 93% (n = 16) overall, and 100% for HPV other genotypes. Seventy-one participants (n = 71; 89%) indicated they would feel confident using the self-collect device for screening if they knew they could get equal results, and 86% (n = 69) indicated that they would be more likely to get screened with this option.

Conclusions

The self-collect device shows high (>92%) positive and negative agreement for detection of HPV when compared with reference clinician-collected samples, with very high acceptability and preference. Furthermore, the self-samples collected with the self-collect device showed highly concordant results by dual stain, which is a novel and emerging application for a self-collected sampling device, thus enabling potential triage from 1 sample.
The Distribution of Cervical Transformation Zone and Its Impact on Colposcopic Diagnosis: A Multicenter Study in China
Authors: Ye Zichen , Cui Xiaoli , Wang Huike , Chen Mingyang , Lu Qu , Jiang Yu , Xue Peng , Qiao Youlin
Published: October 2024

Objective

The value of the transformation zone (TZ) is often overlooked in clinical settings. This study aims to assess TZ distribution, associated factors, and its impact on colposcopic diagnosis.

Methods

χ2 tests were used to analyze demographics, clinical history, and tissue samples to examine the differences in TZ distribution. Factors affecting the TZ were explored using logistic regression, and diagnostic indicators were calculated.

Results

A total of 5,302 individual datasets were finally included. TZ1, TZ2, and TZ3 accounted for 31.6%, 38.5%, and 30.0%, respectively. Age is the most important factor that influences the location of the TZ. The proportion of TZ3 steadily increased with age, comprising over 55% in women over 50. The colposcopic diagnostic performance shows that high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL+) sensitivity of TZ3 (58.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 52.9–63.4) is significantly lower than that of TZ1 (69.8%, 95% CI = 65.5–74.1) and TZ2 (73.2%, 95% CI = 69.7–76.8). The HSIL+ specificity of TZ3 (96.3, 95% CI = 95.3–97.4) was higher than that of TZ1 (96.3, 95% CI = 95.2–97.3) and TZ2 (92.5, 95% CI = 91.1–93.9). The HSIL+ positive predictive value (81.3%, 95% CI = 76.4–86.2) and negative predictive value (89.3%, 95% CI = 87.6–90.9) for TZ3 are high, with no significant differences when compared with TZ1 and TZ2.

Conclusions

Age predominantly influences TZ location, with TZ3 being most frequently found in women over 50. While TZ3 poses a higher risk of missed diagnosis during colposcopy, it remains clinically valuable in identifying diseased and nondiseased status. Increasing colposcopists' awareness of TZ importance is needed in clinical practice.
Association between loneliness, social isolation, and frailty: A two-sample Mendelian randomization
Authors: Huang Huanhuan , Jiang Siqi , Wang Chunni , Yu Xinyu , Chen Zhiyu , Huang Qi , Yang Xuesen , Zhao Qinghua
Published: October 2024

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the causal relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and frailty using Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods:

Data were obtained from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of a European-descent population. Variables included frailty index (FI), 2 loneliness variables (Feeling lonely, able to confide), and 3 social isolation variables (frequency of friend/family visits, number in household, no leisure/social activities). The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was set as the primary MR analysis, with MR-Egger and weighted median methods employed as complementary approaches. Cochran Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, and MR-PRESSO methods were used to evaluate the robustness of MR results. Bonferroni corrected P-values <0.01 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

Genetic predisposition to feeling lonely [IVW: odds ratio (OR)=1.47; 95% CI: 1.34–1.60; P<0.001] and no leisure or social activities (IVW: OR=1.78; 95% CI: 1.50–2.11; P<0.001) were significantly associated with increased FI. In addition, the genetically predicted ability to confide was positively associated with decreased FI (IVW: OR=0.91; 95% CI: 0.87–0.95; P<0.001). There was no statistically significant causal association between the number in the household, frequency of friend/family visits, and the risk of frailty.

Conclusions:

This MR study provides evidence of the causal relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and frailty from a genetic perspective and highlights the importance of decreasing social isolation in the development of frailty prevention and intervention programs.
Immunohistochemical Expression of SATB2 in Malignant Melanomas
Authors: Røge Rasmus , Truumees Birgit , Nielsen Søren
Published: October 2024

Accurate diagnosis of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) poses a significant daily challenge for pathologists, necessitating reliable immunohistochemical (IHC) markers. SATB2 is a transcription factor primarily expressed in colorectal neoplasms. This study investigates the IHC expression of SATB2 in malignant melanomas (MM). Using tissue microarrays (TMAs) from Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark, comprising 56 primary and 12 metastatic MMs, we evaluated SATB2 expression through H-scores. We found that 48% of MM cases expressed SATB2, predominantly with weak to moderate staining intensity. Although no significant difference was observed between primary and metastatic MMs, a higher median H-score was noted in metastatic lesions. The results highlight the potential diagnostic pitfall of SATB2 expression in MM and underline the need for careful interpretation.
Mesenchymal Tumors of the Head and Neck
Authors: Furlan Karina Colossi , Wenig Bruce M.
Published: October 2024

The majority of neoplasms of the head and neck are of epithelial origin primarily including mucosal squamous cell neoplasms (papillomas; squamous cell carcinoma) as well as salivary gland neoplasms. However, the full spectrum of mesenchymal neoplasms (benign and malignant) typically arising in soft tissue sites may also develop in superficial layers of the upper aerodigestive tract. The diversity of mesenchymal neoplasms arising in the head and neck is beyond the scope of this article, and our focus will be on some of the more common and/or diagnostic problematic mesenchymal tumors occurring in the sinonasal tract, oral cavity/odontogenic, pharynx, larynx, and neck.
Prominent Bone Marrow Infiltration in the Appendicular Skeleton in a B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient Demonstrated by FDG PET-MRI
Authors: Zheng Mengmeng , Grant Frederick D , Zhuang Hongming
Published: October 2024

Leukemia spread in the bone marrow typically is greater in the axial skeleton than in the appendicular skeleton. We report an unusual pattern of FDG-avid bone marrow infiltration that is more prominent in the appendicular skeleton than the axial skeleton in a pediatric patient with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
To Perform, or Not to Perform Interim PET
Authors: Wetz Christoph , Ruhwedel Tristan , Rogasch Julian M.M. , Steinhagen Peter R. , Bolduan Felix , Amthauer Holger , Schatka Imke
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the impact of interim evaluation on the continuation of 177Lu-based peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and to survey its usage across German university hospitals.

Patients and Methods

In 119 GEP-NET patients who underwent PRRT, we retrospectively assessed the results and therapeutic impact of restaging performed after 2 cycles using MRI/CT/somatostatin receptor imaging. Therapeutic decisions based on interim PET results were made in multidisciplinary tumor board meetings. Additionally, an online survey was conducted among 37 German university hospitals regarding their interim evaluation practices, focusing on the change in management.

Results

Of 119 patients, 83 completed 4 PRRT cycles; 36 stopped after 2: 27 showed PD, 3 had PR leading to surgery, 5 experienced toxicity, and 1 died. Those completing 4 cycles showed a median PFS of 38.0 months (95% confidence interval, 32.2–43.8). Seventeen of 37 surveyed hospitals routinely used interim evaluation. In a survey among 37 German university hospitals, 62% reported offering PRRT for GEP-NET patients, with 74% of these performing a routinely interim evaluation after 2 cycles of PRRT, primarily using PET/CT imaging techniques.

Conclusions

Interim PET after 2 PRRT cycles helps to identify early progression in GEP-NET patients. Standardizing interim evaluation practices could enhance the comparability of clinical outcomes and optimize patient management.
18F-FDG PET/CT in Pediatric INI1-Negative Soft Tissue Myoepithelial Carcinoma
Authors: Singh Karan B. , Rossleigh Monica A. , Wegner Eva A.
Published: October 2024

A 12-year-old girl with no previous comorbidities presented with a left gluteal swelling. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated heterogenous, moderate hypermetabolism localizing to a very large pelvic soft tissue mass with extension through the left greater sciatic notch into the left deep gluteal space. Core biopsy of the mass revealed INI1-negative myoepithelial carcinoma. Here we report the molecular imaging findings in an extremely rare pediatric case of INI1-negative, soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma.
Focal Pancreatitis Mimicking Neuroendocrine Tumor on DOTATATE PET/CT With Radiology-Pathology Correlation
Authors: Daggumati Lasya , Ballentine Samuel J. , Fraum Tyler J.
Published: October 2024

A 54-year-old man presented with left lower quadrant pain. CT showed no cause for his pain but identified an incidental 2.0-cm enhancing lesion in the pancreatic tail. On MRI, this lesion was hyperenhancing and diffusion-restricting, suspicious for a neuroendocrine tumor. However, EUS-guided biopsy yielded only benign pancreatic tissue. Due to this discordance, 64Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT was performed. The pancreatic tail lesion was tracer-avid, suggesting a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor. Based on the PET findings, the patient underwent distal pancreatectomy. Surgical pathology revealed only focal chronic pancreatitis with islet aggregation, a previously undescribed mimic of neuroendocrine tumor on DOTATATE PET/CT.
Heterogeneous Uptake of Al18F-NOTA-FAPI and 18F-FDG in Apical Aneurysm in Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Xu Yang , Guo Yue-Hong , Yang Min-Fu
Published: October 2024

Apical aneurysm in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a very rare condition in clinical practice. Some studies have reported abnormal uptake of 18F-FDG and 18F-FAPI in HCM, respectively. We presented a case of FAPI and FDG imaging in a patient with apical aneurysm in apical HCM, and further analyzed the discrepancy of spatial distribution pattern of these 2 radiotracers.
The Most Socially Vulnerable Patients Benefit the Most Following Gender Affirming Facial Surgery
Authors: Parikh Neil , Hu Kevin G. , Ihnat Jacqueline M. , Allam Omar , Diatta Fortunay , Rancu Albert L. , Wood Sasha , Flores-Pérez Paula , Persing John A. , Alperovich Michael
Published: October 2024

Objective:

While studies have shown that access to facial feminization surgery can be restricted by financial and geographic limitations, there is a lack of information on the impact of surgery on the most vulnerable patients. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of social vulnerability and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage on patient-reported outcomes after facial feminization surgery.

Methods:

Patients were surveyed pre and postoperatively using the FACE-Q Aesthetics Questionnaire and geo-coded using home addresses to obtain social vulnerability index (SVI) and Area Deprivation Index scores. Two sets of Pearson correlation values were calculated: (1) between SVI scores and each of the pre and postoperative FACE-Q modules and (2) between SVI scores and differences between pre and postoperative FACE-Q modules. Univariate linear regression analyses were performed for the latter. All analyses were repeated for Area Deprivation Index scores.

Results:

Twenty patients participated in this study. Postoperative facial appearance satisfaction positively correlated with total SVI (r = 0.48, P = 0.031), socioeconomic status theme (r=0.47, P=0.037), and racial and ethnic minority theme (r = 0.48, P = 0.031) scores. The difference between pre and postoperative facial appearance satisfaction positively correlated with total SVI (coefficient = 37.40, r = 0.47, P = 0.035), racial and ethnic minority theme (coefficient = 44.00, r = 0.46, P = 0.040), and housing type and transportation theme (coefficient = 46.97, r = 0.46, P = 0.042) scores.

Conclusion:

Patients impacted by greater social vulnerability disproportionally experience the greatest benefit from gender-affirming facial surgery.
Employing Young’s modulus and Debye temperature to calculate the elastic, thermodynamic and thermophysical properties of titanium oxynitrides
Authors: Kozma Anton Antonovych
Published: October 2024

The values of the shear
v
s
and longitudinal
v
l
wave velocities were calculated for 14 selected titanium oxynitrides TiN

x

O

y

using the known values of Young’s modulus and Debye temperature. The errors Δ of the calculations did not exceed ±0.01%. It turned out that some TiN

x

O

y

samples are able to compete with artificial diamonds in terms of
v
l
values and can potentially be used in acoustic resonators for intelligent chemical and biochemical sensors. A number of elastic, thermodynamic and thermophysical quantities were calculated, and graphical dependencies between them were plotted. The established correlations were used to develop two algorithms for predicting the properties of TiN

x

O

y

alloys based on a single experimental parameter, namely the X-ray coefficient of thermal expansion or pycnometric density. The highest accuracy was shown by the method based on the experimental density, which allowed to estimate, with acceptable errors, the values of the shear
v
s
and mean
v
m
wave velocities (Δ = ±(1–5)%), the minimum thermal conductivity
λ
min
within the framework of the Cahill‒Pohl model (Δ = ±(0–3)%), the isobaric
C
p
and isochoric
C
V
heat capacities (Δ < 1%); while the known experimental methods and alternative models for determining these quantities are characterized by wider error intervals: Δ(
v
s
) = ±(1–10)%, Δ(
λ
) = ±(1–10)% and Δ(
C
p
) = ±(1–3)%.
Helicobacter pylori Isolate from Endoscopy Examined Patients in Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Erkihun Mulat , Chanie Desalegn Nigatu , Siraj Yesuf Adem
Published: October 2024

Background: The Helicobacter pylori infection is highly prevalent throughout the world and causes gastric-associated diseases. Its microbial niche is the stomach, where it causes different abnormalities while being observed. As a result, the current study sought to determine the magnitude and effects of Helicobacter pylori in patients who underwent endoscopic examination.
Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2019 at endoscopy service-providing health institutions. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a pretested, structured questionnaire. Gastric biopsies were collected according to the Sydney protocol during endoscopic procedures and immediately inoculated into brain-heart infusion broth and sub cultured. Then after phenotypic bacterial identification was done. The collected data were, entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 23. The descriptive statistics was employed for logistic regression model was used to determine crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR). Then AOR was interpreted with a 95% confidence interval and a significance level less than 0.05.
Result:  Among the 135 study participants, 59.3% were males and 40.7% were females, with a mean age of 45 years old. The proportion of Helicobacter pylori isolated was 17.8% (24/135). The majority of isolates (71% of 17/24) were from males, while only 29% of 7/24) were from females. Isolation of Helicobacter pylori was significantly associated with a high salt intake habit [AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = (1.5, 10.8), P = 0.04] and the presence of a duodenal ulcer [AOR = 3.8, 95% CI = (1.2, 11.9), P = 0.02. The highest proportion of Helicobacter pylori had been observed in patients with atrophic pan gastritis.
Conclusion: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori isolated from the study participants was relatively lower. High salt intake and the presence of duodenal ulcers are significantly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
A Cautionary Tale of False Positive Histoplasma Urine Antigen in an HIV Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Khrais Mohammad Z , Smith Jake , Gandhi Tanmay , Arif Shahrukh , Rico Juan Carlos
Published: October 2024

Introduction. Coccidioidomycosis, or Valley fever, is a fungal disease caused by Coccidioides species, prevalent in parts of the southwestern United States. It usually results from inhaling spores from soil and is a common cause of pneumonia in these regions.
Case Presentation. We present a unique case of coccidioidomycosis in an immunodeficient male patient secondary to HIV infection with poor adherence to ART. After presenting with non-specific symptoms and pre-syncope, he was initially diagnosed with pneumonia based on chest X-ray findings, but his symptoms failed to improve with antibiotics. He was treated for presumed pulmonary histoplasmosis following a positive histoplasma urine antigen test. However, the patient worsened clinically. Following a CT scan demonstrating a large necrotic lung consolidation, fungal stain and culture of tissue biopsied through EBUS confirmed coccidioidomycosis. The patient received two weeks of liposomal amphotericin with clinical improvement before discharge with itraconazole.
Conclusion. The histoplasma antigen test can be falsely positive due to cross-reaction with other fungal infections like blastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, or talaromycosis, and less frequently, coccidioidomycosis or aspergillosis. Diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis requires a high index of suspicion outside the expected geographic distribution in the appropriate clinical setting. Our case highlights the risk of false positive antigen test results and the importance of invasive diagnostics, including bronchoscopy to obtain fungal cultures, if the diagnosis remains uncertain.
Proposal of Allocatenococcus gen. nov., Allocoenonia gen. nov. and Allofournierella gen. nov. as replacement names for the illegitimate prokaryotic generic names Catenococcus Sorokin 1994, Coenonia Vandamme et al. 1999 and Fournierella Togo et al. 2017, respectively
Authors: Oren Aharon , Molinari Novoa Eduardo A.
Published: October 2024

The prokaryotic generic names Catenococcus Sorokin 1994, Coenonia Vandamme et al. 1999 and Fournierella Togo et al. 2017 are illegitimate because they are later homonyms of Catenococcus Hindák 1977, Coenonia Van Tieghem 1884 and Fournierella Collignon 1966, respectively (Principle 2 and Rules 51b(5) and 51b(4) of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes). We, therefore, propose the replacement generic names Allocatenococcus, Allocoenonia and Allofournierella, with type species Allocatenococcus thiocycli, Allocoenonia anatina and Allofournierella massiliensis, respectively.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among women attending Antenatal Clinic in Enugu Metropolis
Authors: Tony-Igwe Chisom , Kingsley Udeani , Nnenna Udeichi , Elina Ugwu
Published: October 2024

Introduction

High maternal mortality is a major problem in the developing world.

Ill birth preparedness and complication readiness is the major single most important cause of maternal mortality in developing countries in Africa, of which Nigeria is one of the populous. This study aims to assess the level of Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness[BPCR] among pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic in ESUTH Parklane - the teaching hospital in Enugu Metropolis.

Methods

This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional descriptive study on the knowledge, attitude and practice of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women who attend antenatal care clinic in ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane.

Inclusion criteria

Pregnant mothers

Those willing to participate

Those available at the time of data collection.

Exclusion criteria

Those not present on the day of examination.

Those unwilling to participate.

Results

Our study showed that 81.8% of respondent has heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness.

The study showed that the highest number of respondent first heard about birth preparedness and complication readiness from antenatal services (61.1%), followed by health workers (20.8%) then social media (11.6%).

The respondent had a knowledge of at least one danger signs of which vaginal bleeding was ranking the highest in pregnancy (61.4%), childbirth (43.6%) and post partum (46.6%) followed by foul smelling vaginal discharge (10.6%), (6.8%), and (7.6%) respectively and other symptoms. A vast majority of the population felt that birth preparedness and complication readiness was important (93.2%), with many pointing out that they would preferred to come to antenatal care(89%) as against staying at home or going to work, the compliance level of these women to regular antenatal care visits is (94.7%) and many more complaint with routine drugs(92.8%).

91.3% are prepared for the birth of the child, with majority having happy emotions (83%) towards the pregnancy. Spouse support was (95.5%).

Conclusion

Knowledge of birth preparedness is very high among the study population.

High level of spouse involvement in our study population and compliance to antenatal visits and routine drugs, good antenatal services, stable financial income, family size and outcome of previous pregnancies affects level of preparation and complication readiness and should lead to good pregnancy outcome, improved family health, increase living status and reduced maternal and infant mortality rate.
TOMM40-APOE chimera linking Alzheimer’s highest risk genes: a new pathway for mitochondria regulation and APOE4 pathogenesis
Authors: Xu Jinglei , Duan Jingqi , Cai Zhiqiang , Arai Chie , Di Chao , Venters Christopher C. , Xu Jian , Jones Maura , So Byung-Ran , Dreyfuss Gideon
Published: October 2024

The patho-mechanism of apolipoprotein variant, APOE4, the strongest genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and longevity, remains unclear. APOE’s neighboring gene, TOMM40 (mitochondria protein transport channel), is associated with brain trauma outcome and aging-related cognitive decline, however its role in AD APOE4-independently is controversial. We report that TOMM40 is prone to transcription readthrough into APOE that can generate spliced TOMM40-APOE mRNA chimera (termed T9A2) detected in human neurons and other cells and tissues. T9A2 translation tethers APOE (normal APOE3 or APOE4) to near-full-length TOM40 that is targeted to mitochondria. Importantly, T9A2-APOE3 boosts mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity and decreases oxidative stress significantly more than T9A2-APOE4 and APOE3, and lacking in APOE4. We describe detailed interactomes of these actors that may inform about the activities and roles in pathogenesis. T9A2 uncovers a new candidate pathway for mitochondria regulation and oxidative stress-protection that are impaired in APOE4 genotypes and could initiate neurodegeneration.
Classical Conditioning of AdultDrosophila
Authors: Okray Zeynep , Jacob Pedro F. , Moszynski John-Paul , Talbot Clifford B. , Waddell Scott
Published: October 2024

Olfactory classical conditioning paradigms have been extensively used since the early 1970s to apply genetic approaches to the study of memory inDrosophila.Over the intervening years, advances in genetics have largely changed the focus of studies from the role of single genes in memory to investigation of memory-relevant neuronal circuits. However, the original behavioral paradigms have remained largely unaltered, besides investigators making a few useful tweaks to the training and testing apparatus and modifications to the operating procedures. In this protocol, we provide the reader with a detailed description of the manufacture and assembly of a typical T-maze apparatus, where populations of adult flies can be trained and their odor memory tested later, by giving them a binary choice between the two trained odors. We describe how variations of the training apparatus permit both aversive (odor–shock) and appetitive (odor–sugar) memories to be studied. In addition, we describe a recent modification of the apparatus and protocol that permits study of multisensory (color and odor) aversive and appetitive learning. Control assays for sensory acuity and locomotion are also included.
Twists to Classical Conditioning of AdultDrosophila
Authors: Okray Zeynep , Waddell Scott
Published: October 2024

Memory has been extensively studied inDrosophilasince the early 1970s. Straightforward aversive and appetitive conditioning paradigms train populations of flies to associate the pairing of one of two odors with either punishment or reward. After training, the flies show either preferential avoidance or approach behavior, to the appropriate odor, when given a choice between the two odors in a simple T-maze apparatus. These basic experimental approaches have proven useful in understanding the genetic, molecular, cellular, and neuronal network bases of various valence-specific memories in the fly brain. In addition, numerous modifications to these assays have permitted the study of a broad range of memory-related phenomena. Labile short-term avoidance and approach memories can be readily distinguished from more stable “consolidated” long-term memory equivalents. Prior or subsequent experience of the training cues, and manipulations of the flies’ condition, have revealed how parallel competing memories and incompatible states can temporarily interfere with memory retrieval, providing insight into mechanisms of forgetting. Recent studies have also modified the training and testing apparatus to allow simultaneous presentation of odors and colors, providing insight into mechanisms of multisensory learning.
Process tensor distinguishability measures
Authors: Zambon Guilherme
Published: October 2024

Process tensors are quantum combs describing the evolution of open quantum systems through multiple steps of quantum dynamics. While there is more than one way to measure how different two processes are, special care must be taken to ensure quantifiers obey physically desirable conditions such as data-processing inequalities. Here, we analyze two classes of distinguishability measures commonly used in general applications of quantum combs. We show that the first class, called Choi divergences, does not satisfy an important data-processing inequality, while the second one, which we call generalized divergences, does. We also extend to quantum combs some other relevant results of generalized divergences of quantum channels. Finally, given the properties we proved, we argue that generalized divergences may be more adequate than Choi divergences for distinguishing quantum combs in most of their applications. Particularly, this is crucial for defining monotones for resource theories whose states have a comb structure, such as resource theories of quantum processes and resource theories of quantum strategies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
System-environment quantum information flow
Authors: Mendonça Taysa M. , Céleri Lucas C. , Paternostro Mauro , Soares-Pinto Diogo O.
Published: October 2024

The return of the information from the environment to the system is a phenomenon that can be related to the existence of non-Markovian mechanisms in the environment, and such a transformation of resources can be useful for quantum information applications. Thus, understanding the details of the system-environment information dynamics, i.e., the transference of quantum resources, is of key importance to design noise-resilient quantum technologies. In this Letter, we show how a quantum resource propagates from the main system to an environment, using as a model a single qubit coupled to two linear chains of qubits, and also the information dynamics among the environment qubits. In this way, we characterize the propagation of information leaving the main qubit and going through the environment. Finally, we connect the conditions for the emergence of this dynamics to the existence of quantum Darwinism.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optical and mechanical squeezing with coherent feedback control beyond the resolved-sideband regime
Authors: Bemani F. , Černotík O. , Manetta A. , Hoff U.B. , Andersen U.L. , Filip R.
Published: October 2024

The noise reduction in squeezed states makes them a powerful nonclassical resource in quantum technologies, especially in quantum sensing, and an essential step for the ongoing development of non-Gaussian states. In particular, optical and mechanical squeezing can both be generated when light interacts with a mechanical oscillator. Here we use a linear optical system as a controller and use coherent optical feedback to enhance squeezing in the unresolved-sideband regime of optomechanics. Feedback control is generally profitable for cooling, manipulating, and stabilizing the dynamics of mechanical oscillators; coherent feedback is then notable for its ability to steer a quantum system toward the highest squeezing without measurement, avoiding backaction. We thoroughly maximize optical and conditional mechanical squeezing feasible with state-of-the-art experimental setups and derive the optimal conditions under which quantum squeezing is generated in the system.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Model-independent extrapolation of MUonE data with Padé and D-Log approximants
Authors: Boito Diogo , London Cristiane Y. , Masjuan Pere , Rojas Camilo
Published: October 2024

The MUonE experiment is designed to extract the hadronic contribution to the electromagnetic coupling in the spacelike region Δαhad(t) from elastic eμ scattering. The leading-order hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the muon g−2, aμHVP,LO, can then be obtained from a weighted integral over Δαhad(t). This, however, requires knowledge of Δαhad(t) in the whole domain of integration, which cannot be achieved by experiment. In this work, we propose to use Padé and D-Log Padé approximants as a systematic and model-independent method to fit and reliably extrapolate the future MUonE experimental data, extracting aμHVP,LO with a conservative but competitive uncertainty, using no or very limited external information. The method relies on fundamental analytic properties of the two-point correlator underlying aμHVP,LO and provides lower and upper bounds for the result for aμHVP,LO. We demonstrate the reliability of the method using toy datasets generated from a model for Δαhad(t) reflecting the expected statistics of the MUonE experiment.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hidden charm decays of
Y(4626)
in a
Ds*+Ds1(2536)−
molecular frame
Authors: Yue Zi-Li , Pan Yue , Chen Dian-Yong
Published: October 2024

In this work, we investigate the hidden charm decays properties of Y(4626), where Y(4626) is assigned as a S−wave Ds*+Ds1(2536)− molecular state with JPC=1−−. The partial widths of the processes Y(4626)→J/ψη, J/ψη′, ηcϕ, and χcJϕ,(J={0,1,2}) are estimated by employing the effective Lagrangian approach. The present estimations indicate that the partial widths of the J/ψη and J/ψη′ channels are of the order of 1 MeV, while the one of χc1ϕ is of the order of 0.1 MeV. Thus, we propose to further examine the molecular interpretation of Y(4626) by searching it in the cross sections for the e+e−→J/ψη(′) processes, which should be accessible by the BES III and Belle II.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Inhomogenuous instabilities at large chemical potential in a rainbow-ladder QCD model
Authors: Motta Theo F. , Bernhardt Julian , Buballa Michael , Fischer Christian S.
Published: October 2024

In this work we continue our efforts to study the existence of a phase with an inhomogeneous, i.e., spatially varying, chiral condensate in QCD. To this end we employ a previously established method of stability analysis of the two-particle irreducible effective action in a truncation that corresponds to a rainbow-ladder approximation of the quark-gluon interaction of QCD. If the analysis is restricted to homogeneous phases, the phase diagram features a first-order chiral transition in the lower-temperature regime. Performing the stability analysis along the lower-chemical-potential border of the corresponding spinodal region, we find that below a certain temperature the homogeneous chirally symmetric solution is unstable against inhomogeneous condensation. We argue that this instability may persist to chemical potentials above the homogeneous first-order phase boundary, in which case it signals the existence of an inhomogeneous ground state. Our methodology is also applicable for more sophisticated truncations of the QCD effective action.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Gauge-invariant renormalization of four-quark operators
Authors: Constantinou M. , Costa M. , Herodotou H. , Panagopoulos H. , Spanoudes G.
Published: October 2024

We study the renormalization of four-quark operators in one-loop perturbation theory. We employ a coordinate-space gauge-invariant renormalization scheme (GIRS), which can be advantageous compared to other schemes, especially in nonperturbative lattice investigations. From our perturbative calculations, we extract the conversion factors between GIRS and the modified minimal subtraction scheme (MS¯) at the next-to-leading order. As a by-product, we also obtain the relevant anomalous dimensions in the GIRS scheme. A formidable issue in the study of the four-quark operators is that operators with different Dirac matrices mix among themselves upon renormalization. We focus on both parity-conserving and parity-violating four-quark operators, which change flavor numbers by two units (ΔF=2). The extraction of the conversion factors entails the calculation of two-point Green’s functions involving products of two four-quark operators, as well as three-point Green’s functions with one four-quark and two bilinear operators. The significance of our results lies in their potential to refine our understanding of QCD phenomena, offering insights into the precision of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements and shedding light on the nonperturbative treatment of complex mixing patterns associated with four-quark operators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nonperturbative determination of the
N=1
supersymmetric Yang-Mills gluino condensate at large
N
Authors: Bonanno Claudio , Butti Pietro , García Pérez Margarita , González-Arroyo Antonio , Ishikawa Ken-Ichi , Okawa Masanori
Published: October 2024

We present the first nonperturbative large N calculation of the N=1 supersymmetric SU(N) Yang-Mills gluino condensate obtained by means of numerical simulations of the lattice-discretized theory, exploiting large-N twisted volume reduction. We present two different determinations based, respectively, on the Banks-Casher formula and on the Gell-Mann–Oakes–Renner relation, both giving perfectly consistent results. By expressing the lattice results in the Novikov-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov (NSVZ) scheme, we are able for the first time to compare numerical and analytic computations. Our most accurate determination of the renormalization group invariant (RGI) gluino condensate gives ΣRGI/ΛNSVZ3=[1.18(08)stat(12)syst]3=1.64(33)stat(50)syst=1.64(60), in agreement with the N dependence and the value predicted by the weak coupling instanton-based approach ΣRGI/ΛNSVZ3=1.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Enforcing exact permutation and rotational symmetries in the application of quantum neural networks on point cloud datasets
Authors: Li Zhelun , Nagano Lento , Terashi Koji
Published: October 2024

Recent developments in the field of quantum machine learning have promoted the idea of incorporating physical symmetries in the structure of quantum circuits. A crucial milestone in this area is the realization of Sn-permutation equivariant quantum neural networks (QNNs) that are equivariant under permutations of input objects. In this paper, we focus on encoding the rotational symmetry of point cloud datasets into the QNN. The key insight of the approach is that all rotationally invariant functions with vector inputs are equivalent to a function with inputs of vector inner products. We provide a structure of the QNN that is exactly invariant to both rotations and permutations, with its efficacy demonstrated numerically in the problems of two-dimensional image classifications and identifying high-energy particle decays, produced by proton-proton collisions, with the SO(1,3) Lorentz symmetry.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Central charge in quantum optics
Authors: Burgarth Daniel , Facchi Paolo , Nakazato Hiromichi , Pascazio Saverio , Yuasa Kazuya
Published: October 2024

The product of two unitaries can normally be expressed as a single exponential through the famous Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff formula. We present here a counterexample in quantum optics, by showing that an expression in terms of a single exponential is possible only at the expense of the introduction of a new element (a central extension of the algebra), implying that there will be unitaries, generated by a sequence of gates, that cannot be generated by any time-independent quadratic Hamiltonian. A quantum-optical experiment is proposed that brings to light this phenomenon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Evaluating the impact of the new environmental regulations on airlines’ business results
Authors: Jaume Jose , Alonso Gustavo , Benito Arturo
Published: October 2024

Purpose

In a highly competitive scenario, such as today’s airline business, changes in the regulatory framework may produce important variations in the airlines’ results. An example is the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandates to help air transport decarbonization. The airlines’ break–even curve provides a useful tool to evaluate the competitive position among airlines and to assess and address the cost impact due to the new regulatory environment. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of new environmental regulations on airlines’ business results to achieve air transport decarbonization.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the break–even curve and the relationship between fuel cost increment and fuel cost related to the airlines’ operating expenses, the unit cost increment due to SAF introduction is obtained for several scenarios of SAF prices and different airlines.

Findings

In many cases, we find that using 100% SAF with prices beyond 1.5 times the present fuel price generates losses: it is not feasible if it is not possible to transfer SAF price to passenger fares due to demand elasticity.

Originality/value

The novelty of this approach is the application of a rationale method to accurately determine the impact of several scenarios of SAF prices on airlines’ business results. This approach also provides a sound and compelling basis to argue before Environmental Regulation Authorities based on facts and figures. This paper is of use and value to airlines, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), practitioners and academics.
Indian human capital index: cross states disparity
Authors: Mundra Sheetal , Sharma Jaishree , Patro Archana
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Human capital is an essential element for sustainability in the knowledge economy. Human capital index (HCI) is a measure of the quantity and quality of education, health and survival components of the human capital of a country or a region. This study aims to calculate HCI for 28 states and seven union territories of India and explore disparity among these on different HCI indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

The World Bank methodology is used to calculate survival and education components of the HCI whereas, health component is based on secondary data due to data limitations. Based on control charts of mean with three sigma limits, the performance of each state and union territory is assessed for a given HCI parameter and classified as good, average or below average.

Findings

For survival parameter of HCI, 10 states are above average limit, 10 are within the average limit and 15 states are below the average limit. Contrary, 15 states are within the average limit in the education parameter of HCI. The states are almost equally divided in all the three categories for health parameter of HCI. Overall, Kerala tops the list, but Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have the worst performance in all three parameters of HCI.

Originality/value

This attempt to identify disparity in state wise HCI is a significant contribution that can guide policymakers to formulate effective and specific policies that are inclusive of different perspectives and promote country’s growth.
Evaluating the influence of information and communication technology and the BRICS in South African trade dynamics: a gravity model approach
Authors: Azu Nnanna P. , Adekalu Samuel O. , Isa Yusuf , Chiadikobi Joshua O.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess how South African membership to the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) has influenced its traded sector. It also evaluated information and communication technology (ICT) as an instrument for enhancing bilateral trade.

Design/methodology/approach

ICT was captured from three perspectives: mobile technology, internet usage and fixed telephones. It was integrated into an augmented gravity equation as a trade cost. The study covered 27 years and 181 South African trading partners. Estimation was done using the Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood estimation technique and the implementation of exporter-year and importer-year fixed effects.

Findings

It was revealed that mobile phone and fixed telephone subscriptions improve import and export by 4.66% and 1.79%, respectively, while the internet penetration rate negates export and import by 13.4% and 5.89%, respectively. However, it further demonstrates that the internet penetration rate and fixed telephone subscription reduced the negative impact of distance by 7.26% and 1.15% for export. ICT performed better when South Africa only traded with the BRICS countries. The report also shows an encouraging BRICS effect on South African bilateral trade with the bloc.

Practical implications

The study highlights that BRICS membership significantly boosts South Africa’s bilateral trade, which encourages new African memberships, while also emphasising the role of ICT in mitigating the negative impact of distance. Policymakers should enhance mobile phone and fixed telephone infrastructures to improve imports and exports, respectively, and strategically manage internet penetration to maximise the benefits of BRICS economic cooperation.

Originality/value

The study evaluated the influence of South Africa’s BRICS membership and how ICT variables interact with distance to mitigate its effects on trade. This provides a nuanced understanding of ICT’s unique impact on South Africa’s bilateral trade, offering valuable insights for policymakers to enhance trade performance and leverage BRICS economic cooperation effectively.