bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction in soliton hierarchies, elliptic Lie algebras of Holod and Krichever-Novikov-type equations
Authors: Skrypnyk T
Published: January 2025

In the present paper we develop one of the main Lie-algebraic approaches to the theory of soliton equations based on the special infinite-dimensional Lie algebras

g

~

(Flaschka et al 1983 Physica D 9 300–323; Newell 1985 Solitons Math. Phys. (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics); Kulish and Reiman 1983 Zap. Nauchn. Sem. LOMI
123 67–76; Holod 1982 Preprint ITP-82-144; Holod 1984 DAN Ukrainian SSR A 5 5–8; Holod 1987 Theor. Math. Phys.
70 18–29; Holod 1984 Preprint ITP-84-87P). We argue that the restriction of the integrable hierarchy onto the nilpotent coadjoint orbits in the dual space of the underlying finite-dimensional Lie algebras

g

leads to the additional reduction in the considered integrable hierarchy. We illustrate this phenomenon by the examples of the elliptic Lie algebra of Holod (1984 DAN Ukrainian SSR A 5 5–8; 1987 Theor. Math. Phys.
70 18–29) and its even subalgebra (Holod 1984 Preprint ITP-84-87P; 1987 DAN USSR
292 1087–91). Using them and the nilpotent coadjoint orbits of

s
o
(
3
,

C

)

we derive Krichever-Novikov equation (Krichever and Novikov 1980 Russ. Math. Surv.
35 53–80) and its ‘twisted’ analogue—one component evolutionary PDE present in the list of Mikhailov (1987 Uspehi Mat. Nauk
42 3–53). For the twisted Krichever-Novikov hierarchy we also derive the hierarchy of non-evolutionary ‘negative’ flows and explicitly write the first negative flow equation. The last equation seems to be new.
Diagnosing anaemia via smartphone colorimetry of the eye in a population of pregnant women
Authors: Wemyss Thomas Alan , Rana Anubhuti , Hillman Sara L , Nixon-Hill Miranda , Yadav Kapil , Dadhwal Vatsla , Leung Terence S
Published: January 2025

Objective. Screening for disease using a smartphone camera is an emerging tool for conditions such as jaundice and anaemia, which are associated with a colour change (yellowing in jaundice; pallor in anaemia) of the external tissues. Based on this, we aimed to test a technique to non-invasively screen for anaemia in a population highly affected by anaemia: pregnant women in India. In this group, anaemia can have severe health consequences for both the mother and child. Approach. Over 3 years of data collection, in 486 pregnant women in India, we attempted to replicate a previously successful smartphone imaging technique to screen for anaemia. Using smartphone images of the eye and eyelid, we compared two techniques (white balancing and ambient subtraction) to control for variation in ambient lighting, and then extracted ‘redness’ features from images, which we used as features to predict anaemia via statistical modelling. Main results. We found that we were not able to predict anaemia with enough accuracy to be clinically useful, at 89.6% sensitivity and 26.1% specificity. We consider the hypothesis that this may be due to pigmentation on the sclera and palpebral conjunctiva. Visual judgement showed that pigmentation on the sclera, which may affect the measured colour, is more prevalent in pregnant women in India than in preschool aged children in Ghana (a population previously studied in this context). When participants with subjectively judged visible scleral pigmentation are removed, ability to screen for anaemia using the smartphone images slightly improves (93.1% sensitivity, 28.6% specificity). Significance. These findings provide evidence to reinforce that applying smartphone imaging techniques to understudied populations in the real world requires caution—a promising result in one group may not necessarily transfer to another demographic.
Accuracy of flow volume estimation in the dilated aorta using 4D flow MRI: a pulsatile phantom study
Authors: Rodríguez Eduardo E , Valda Alejandro , Casciaro Mariano E , Graf Sebastian , Fischer Edmundo Cabrera , Craiem Damian
Published: January 2025

Objectives. Aortic dilatation is a severe pathology that increases the risk of rupture and its hemodynamics could be accurately assessed by using the 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technique but flow assessment under complex flow patterns require validation. The aim of this work was to develop an in vitro system compatible with CMR to assess the accuracy of volume flow measurements in dilated aortas. Approach. Two latex models, one with ascending and the other with abdominal aortic aneurysms were manufactured to ensure a constant and controlled net flow volume along the aortic length. A pneumatic piston driven by a stepper motor and controlled by an embedded system located in the control room modulated a pulsatile fluid flow using a pump with an elastic membrane placed in the magnet near the elastic models. All the visualization and measurement algorithms were integrated into a custom computer platform. 4D flow imaging was used to estimate the flow rate and volume through multiple aortic planes and compared to the reference assessed by weight method and to 2D flow measurements. Main results. The errors of flow volume assessment using 4D flow remained within reasonable limits along the length of the aortic models. Mean differences in net flow volume from the reference were less than 2 ml (range −4 to 6 ml), corresponding to mean relative differences of less than 4% (range −8% to 11%). Averaged net, forward and backward flow volume estimations along the aortic length were similar using 2D and 4D flow measurements (p > 0.05). Peak forward and backward flow rates increased in the dilated regions and were comparable to those observed in patients. Significance. The accuracy of flow volume estimates in complex flow patterns, such as those observed in patients with aneurysms, was validated in vitro using 4D flow.
Deep learning-enabled real-time prediction of impurity-induced detachment in EAST
Authors: Yu Yue , Guo Bing-Qi , Meng Ling-Yi , Li Ke-Dong , Wu Kai , Yu Lin , Duan Yan-Min , Xu Guo-Sheng , Sang Chao-Feng , Wang Liang
Published: January 2025

Impurity seeding has been consistently demonstrated to facilitate plasma detachment, effectively reducing the amount of heat and particles reaching divertor targets. However, achieving and maintaining a stable detached state requires precise, real-time monitoring of the seeding rate. Current limitations in diagnostic accuracy and reliance on manual adjustments hinder this process. Here, a novel approach based on deep learning is proposed to assist in monitoring the state of detachment in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. This method enables instantaneous prediction of the plasma electron temperature near strike points on divertors. The model circumvents the conventional dependence on Langmuir probes for detachment control, the reliability of which will become increasingly challenging to ensure in future reactor environments. Instead, radiation data detected by photodiodes are primarily adopted to accommodate diverse operational conditions. Rigorous analysis confirms that the key determinants of the detachment state include the neutral beam injection (NBI) power, plasma current, line-averaged density, and impurity seeding rate. NBI synergizes with radio-frequency heating, broadening heat flux profiles and thereby facilitating plasma detachment. The effect of impurity seeding is consistent across different toroidal seeding locations. Despite being trained on nitrogen-seeding experimental data, the model demonstrates self-consistency with the aforementioned findings when applied to neon-seeding and argon-seeding discharges. This consistency further validates the applicability of the model across different impurity seeding scenarios. This fresh perspective will advance the understanding of detachment control.
Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells: a comprehensive review of recent strategies and progress
Authors: Wang Haocheng , Lin Wenjie , Wang Yongqian , Qiu Kaifu , Yu Xuegong
Published: January 2025

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (PSTSCs) have garnered global interest owing to their potential for achieving high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) at reduced costs. While single-junction solar cells presently lead the photovoltaic (PV) market, PSTSCs recently achieved a record-breaking PCE of 33.9%, showing considerable promise as a next-generation PV technology. Developing highly efficient PSTSCs at a low production cost could markedly impact the future of the PV industry. Perovskite-based TSCs have demonstrated superior efficiency in converting light compared to their standalone counterparts, owing to their more effective utilization of the photon spectrum and reduced energy loss. However, to surpass the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit of 29.4% for silicon solar cells, several challenges must be addressed, necessitating a deeper understanding of this promising technology. This review offers a distinct perspective on the routes toward commercializing PSTSCs and scrutinizes the current forefront of scientific and engineering hurdles in this domain. Leveraging insights from existing research on perovskites and silicon, we summarize the technical issues anticipated during the large-scale production of PSTSCs and project potential avenues for future research.
One-way multiple beam splitter designed by quantum-like shortcut-to-adiabatic passage
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Wei Yating , Deng Li , Niu Yueping , Gong Shangqing
Published: January 2025

In this work, we introduce a quantum-mechanical shortcut-to-adiabatic passage (STAP) into the design of multiple beam splitter. The device consists of one input and N output waveguide (WG) channels, which are connected via a mediator WG. After reducing such (N + 2)-WG structure into a controllable 3-WG counterpart by Morris-Shore transformation, we point out that the structure is available for all possible three-level STAP methods. By implementing one of them which does not require additional couplings, we can achieve the multiple beam splitting with arbitrary ratios among the N outputs. What is more, the device length is significantly shortened. Except for this, it is quite unique that the design exhibits a one-way energy transport. The underlying physics is presented. These features may have profound impacts on exploring quantum technologies for promoting advanced optical devices.
An inserting pilot frequency-doubling millimeter wave radio over fiber system without bit walk-off effect by polarization modulator
Authors: Chen Xin Qiao , Dou Yu Fei , Chen Xu , Xiao Huaibao
Published: January 2025

An inserting pilot frequency-doubling millimeter-wave (MMW) radio over fiber (ROF) system is proposed to overcome fiber dispersion by polarization modulator (PoIM). At the central station, the optical carrier is first split into two beams, one beam is used as the pilot, and the other is modulated by a PolM with a composite radio frequency drive signal which is formed by combining the phase modulated data signal and the amplified data signal. By adjusting key parameters of the system, the output main components of the PolM are ±1st order sidebands, the downlink data signal is modulated only on the +1st order sideband. At the base station (BS), the pilot is reflected out by a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and used as the optical carrier of uplink for carrier reuse. By feeding the output signal of the FBG into the photodetector, the frequency-doubling MMW signal with downlink is produced. In the case of BER is 10−9, and the length of fiber is 40 km and 80 km, the power penalty is 0.51 dB and 2.54 dB for the downlink, 0.49 dB and 4.72 dB for the uplink, respectively. Compared to the downlink of a conventional ROF system, in the 40 km and 80 km fiber transmission distance, our scheme raises the sensitivity of the receiver to 3.42 dB and 2.85 dB, respectively. Our designed ROF system can overcome the bit walk-off effect and have no problems with extinction ratio limitation and the DC drift. Carrier reuse realized by inserting a pilot can overcome the problems of downlink performance degradation and tunability restriction caused by conventional carrier reuse methods
Remarks on a nonlinear electromagnetic extension in AdS Reissner-Nordström spacetime
Authors: Araújo Filho A.A.
Published: January 2025

We explore the gravitational properties of a nonlinear electromagnetic extension of an AdS Reissner-Nordström black hole. Our study begins with an analysis of the metric function and horizon structure, followed by calculations of the Ricci and Kretschmann scalars and an evaluation of the non-vanishing Christoffel symbols. These calculations allow us to examine geodesics and their influence on the photon sphere and shadow formation. In the thermodynamic framework, we evaluate essential quantities, including the Hawking temperature, entropy, heat capacity, Gibbs free energy, and Hawking radiation emission. We further investigate black hole evaporation by estimating the evaporation timescale as the black hole approaches its final state. Additionally, quasinormal modes for scalar and vector perturbations are computed using the WKB approximation to characterize oscillatory behavior of the system. Finally, a time-domain analysis is provided in order to examine the evolution of these perturbations.
Authenticated bidirectional quantum secure direct communication with single photons
Authors: Li Li-Kai
Published: January 2025

In this paper, a novel authenticated bidirectional quantum secure direct communication (ABQSDC) scheme is constructed by using single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom, which is able to simultaneously exchange the private bit sequences between two remote users while authenticating their identifications. This scheme is verified to have no information leakage problem and be immune to the outside active attacks. This scheme only needs single photons in two degrees of freedom as quantum resource and single-photon measurements, and has a qubit efficiency of

2

/

3

. This scheme has a quantum communication capacity of four classical bits carried by one single photon in two degrees of freedom, and does not need to generate the initial quantum resource specially. This scheme has good practical feasibility with current quantum technologies.
Experimental study and gyrokinetic simulations of isotope effects on core heat transport in JET tokamak deuterium and tritium plasmas
Authors: Brioschi D. , Mantica P. , Mariani A. , Bonanomi N. , Delabie E. , Garcia J. , Hawkes N. , Jepu I. , Keeling D. , Lerche E. , Litherland-Smith E. , Maggi C.F. , Menmuir S. , Szepesi G. , Taylor D. , Van Eester D. ,   JET Contributors
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a study on the dependence of the ion temperature stiffness on the plasma main ion isotope mass in JET ITER-like wall and C wall discharges. To this aim, a database of H, D and T shots is analyzed, including new dedicated shots, comparing experiments with lower and higher power injected by the NBI system. In order to characterize the turbulence dependence on the isotope mass, three of these discharges (two in T and one in D) with same external heating scheme are studied in detail and interpreted with gyrokinetic linear and nonlinear simulations. The analysis is performed at fixed radius

ρ

tor

=
0.33

, selected in order to maximize the electromagnetic stabilizing effects on turbulence, both from thermal and suprathermal particles. The experimental results show a clear ion temperature stiffness reduction when heavier isotopes are considered, thus moving from H to D to T, which is attributed to an increasing thermal electromagnetic stabilization with increasing main isotope mass.
Characterisation of analogue MAPS produced in the 65 nm TPSCo process
Authors: Ploerer E. , Baba H. , Baudot J. , Besson A. , Bugiel S. , Chujo T. , Colledani C. , Dorokhov A. , El Bitar Z. , Goffe M. , Gunji T. , Hu-Guo C. , Ilg A. , Jaaskelainen K. , Katsuno T. , Kluge A. , Kostina A. , Kumar A. , Lorenzetti A. , Macchiolo A. , Mager M. , Park J. , Sakai S. , Senyukov S. , Shamas H. , Shibata D. , Snoeys W. , Stanek P. , Suljic M. , Tomasek L. , Valin I. , Wada R. , Yamaguchi Y.
Published: January 2025

Within the context of the ALICE ITS3 collaboration, a set of MAPS small-scale test structures were developed using the 65 nm TPSCo CMOS imaging process with the upgrade of the ALICE inner tracking system as its primary focus. One such sensor, the Circuit Exploratoire 65 nm (CE-65), and its evolution the CE-65v2, were developed to explore charge collection properties for varying configurations including collection layer process (standard, blanket, modified with gap), pixel pitch (15, 18, 22.5 µm), and pixel geometry (square vs hexagonal/staggered).
In this work the characterisation of the CE-65v2 chip, based on 55Fe lab measurements and test beams at CERN SPS, is presented. Matrix gain uniformity up to the 𝒪(5%) level was demonstrated for all considered chip configurations. The CE-65v2 chip achieves a spatial resolution of under 2 µm during beam tests. Process modifications allowing for faster charge collection and less charge sharing result in decreased spatial resolution, but a considerably wider range of operation, with both the 15 µm and 22.5 µm chips achieving over 99% efficiency up to a ∼ 180 e- seed threshold. The results serve to validate the 65 nm TPSCo CMOS process, as well as to motivate design choices in future particle detection experiments.
Defects and performance of CdTe and CZT detectors
Authors: Bezak M. , Hildén T. , Kalliokoski M. , Turpeinen R. , Väänänen M.
Published: January 2025

Cadmium Telluride and Cadmium Zinc Telluride detectors are used in various environments in high-energy, nuclear, medical and astrophysics. They are high-Z materials and have high interaction probability with high energy X-rays and gamma rays. However, the crystal properties, especially various defects have impact on the charge collection efficiency. In this paper we studied the response of the crystallographic defects to estimate their impact on detector performance.
Design and evaluation of oil well cement-based composite materials improved by multi-component flexible materials
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Chengwen
Published: January 2025

Complex oil and gas wells often experience complex stresses underground during the extraction process, which can easily cause damage to the cement paste. To improve the flexibility of oil well cement-based composite materials for wells, the evaluation was conducted on the effects of polyethylene fibers, elastic particles, and epoxy resin in cement slurry. Three types of flexible materials were used to design improved flexible cement-based composite materials for wells, and the performances of cement paste were evaluated. The results show that polyethylene fibers have excellent properties. With appropriate dosage, the flexural strength of oil well cement paste can be improved through bonding and traction, and there is no negative effect on the rheology of cement slurry. Elastic particles and epoxy resin can enhance the deformability and flexibility of cement paste by forming flexible structural centers and polymer film structures. The cement slurry established using polyethylene fibers, elastic particles, and epoxy resin has excellent workability, higher mechanical properties, lower elastic modulus, and better flexibility compared to conventional cement slurry systems. Compared with the conventional cement slurry system, the compressive strength and flexural strength of the flexible oil well cement-based composite materials cured for 24 h increased by 12.44% and 26.03% respectively, while the triaxial elastic modulus decreased by 33.68%. Different flexible materials form a synergistic effect by filling the interior of cement paste to improve its flexibility.
High-resolution canopy fuel maps based on GEDI: a foundation for wildfire modeling in Germany
Authors: Heisig Johannes , Milenković Milutin , Pebesma Edzer
Published: January 2025

Forest fuels are essential for wildfire behavior modeling and risk assessments but difficult to quantify accurately. An increase in fire frequency in recent years, particularly in regions traditionally not prone to fire, such as central Europe, has increased demands for large-scale remote sensing fuel information. This study develops a methodology for mapping canopy fuels over large areas (Germany) at high spatial resolution, exclusively relying on open remote sensing data. We propose a two-step approach where we first use measurements from NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument to estimate canopy fuel variables at the footprint level, before predicting high-resolution raster maps. Instead of using field measurements, we generate (GEDI-) footprint-level estimates for canopy (Base) height (CH, CBH), cover (CC), bulk density (CBD), and fuel load (CFL) by segmenting airborne Light Detection and Ranging point clouds and processing tree-level metrics with allometric crown biomass models. To predict footprint-level canopy fuels we fit and tune Random Forest models, which are cross-validated using k-fold nearest neighbor distance matching. Predictions at >1.6 M GEDI footprints and biophysical raster covariates are combined with a universal Kriging method to produce countrywide maps at 20 m resolution. Agreement (RMSE/R
2) with validation data (from the same population) was strong for footprint-level predictions and moderate for map predictions. A validation with estimates based on National Forest Inventory data revealed low to modest agreement. Better accuracy was achieved for variables related to height (CH, CBH) rather than to cover or biomass (CBD, CFL). Error analysis pointed towards a mixture of biases in model predictions and validation data, as well as underestimation of model prediction standard errors. Contributing factors may be simplification through allometric equations and spatial and temporal mismatch of data inputs. The proposed workflow has the potential to support regions where wildfire is an emerging issue, and fuel and field information is scarce or unavailable.
Makoto Shinohara, Obsession for Oboe and Piano (1960)
Authors: Lewis Nora Anderson
Published: January 2025

This chapter offers historical and cultural context, and musical analysis, of Makoto Shinohara’s composition Obsession for Oboe and Piano (1960). The tumultuous postwar era in Japan, Shinohara’s musical education in Europe and work with the renowned composer Olivier Messiaen, and subsequent stylistic evolution greatly influenced his compositions. Obsession reveals a juxtaposition of traditional Japanese sound structures, drawing on the sound and tonal flexibility of the traditional Japanese instrument the hichiriki, and Western musical techniques. While some critics argue that the piece fails to bridge traditional and modernistic avant-garde styles, it can also be regarded as a masterpiece of musical hybridity. A detailed musical analysis discusses Shinohara’s innovative use of timbral flexibility, atonality, transformation of set classes, motivic elements, and modules. The narrative tension between the oboe and piano, highlighted by their interplay, is a notable feature that underscores Shinohara’s unique compositional style.
Francis Poulenc, Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1962)
Authors: Lewis Nora Anderson
Published: January 2025

This chapter examines Francis Poulenc’s Sonata for Oboe and Piano (1962) and explores the intricate relationship between the composer’s personal journey and his musical output. Born in Paris to a wealthy, arts-loving family, Poulenc was introduced to music from a young age, eventually becoming an accomplished pianist. His experience was shaped by the religious fervor of his father and the worldly charm of his mother, resulting in a personality characterized by sharp contrasts and reflected in his compositions. Poulenc’s works, notably his final composition, the Sonata for Oboe and Piano, reveal his complex paradoxical persona. Evoking elements of both solemnity and wildness, this piece is regarded by commentators as an introspective farewell. This chapter explores the sonata’s intricate harmonies and unique slow-fast-slow format, juxtaposing its contemplative mood with moments of frenzied intensity. It also explores Poulenc’s relationship with contemporary literary circles and his reflections on mortality through nostalgia.
Edmund Rubbra, Sonata in C for Oboe and Piano, Op. 100 (1958)
Authors: Lewis Nora Anderson
Published: January 2025

Charles Edmund Rubbra, a prominent 20th-century British composer and music critic, crafted his Sonata in C Major for Oboe and Piano, Op. 100, in 1958 for renowned oboist Evelyn Rothwell. Rubbra’s lower-class upbringing in Northampton and early exposure to music through his family were pivotal in shaping his unique compositional style, marked by an interplay of melodic, harmonic, and textural elements. The oboe sonata showcases Rubbra’s command of counterpoint, tonal structures, and intricate melodic development. An exploration of the piece reveals a harmonically rich and rhythmically compelling work that challenges traditional tonal boundaries. The sonata’s three movements present a journey from the dramatic unfolding of themes to a pastoral rondo, all composed with an economy of musical ideas. This work reflects Rubbra’s vision of “unity of being” in music, demonstrating the depth and breadth of his compositional brilliance within the historical context of British 20th-century music.
Thea Musgrave, Night Windows (2007)
Authors: Lewis Nora Anderson
Published: January 2025

This chapter explores the profound impact of Scottish-American composer Thea Musgrave on the contemporary music landscape, with particular emphasis on her composition Night Windows (2007) for oboe and piano. The chapter discusses Musgrave’s pioneering approach to “long-term harmony” and impact on her stylistic development from her teachers Nadia Boulanger and Aaron Copland, and the influence of Charles Ives and Milton Babbitt. The analysis of Night Windows, a five-movement work, reflects varied emotional states. Inspired by Edward Hopper’s painting, the piece was dedicated to British oboist Nicholas Daniel, encapsulating expressions of loneliness, anger, nostalgia, despair, and frenzy. The exploration of the musical techniques, including the use of open fifths to express loneliness, octatonic scales to represent anger, and lyrical phrases to convey nostalgia, underscore Musgrave’s innovative compositional style. Particular attention is paid to Musgrave’s adept manipulation of structural and textural features, defying traditional form, and ingeniously employing a “dramatic-abstract” style.
Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and epigenetic age acceleration in children
Authors: Ni Wenli , Bozack Anne K , Rifas-Shiman Sheryl L , Oken Emily , Hivert Marie-France , Nassikas Nicholas J , Sordillo Joanne , Perng Wei , Gold Diane R , Cardenas Andres , Rice Mary B
Published: January 2025

Long-term exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in adults, but its impact on children remains less understood. This study analyzed data from 457 children (mean age: 7.9 years) in the Project Viva cohort (2007-2010, eastern Massachusetts, USA). We calculated EAA from leukocytes: Horvath’s Epigenetic Age Acceleration (HorvathEAA), Intrinsic Epigenetic Age Acceleration (IEAA), and Skin and Blood Epigenetic Age Acceleration (Skin&BloodEAA). We applied generalized additive models to evaluate associations of prior 365-day average and lifetime average exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3, and distance to major roadways with EAA. Results indicated that each interquartile range of prior 365-day average of PM2.5 corresponded with 0.26 years (95% CI: -0.49, -0.03) lower HorvathEAA, although it did not survive multiple testing adjustment. Similar patterns but with wider confidence intervals were observed for IEAA (-0.22, 95% CI: -0.44, 0.01) and Skin&BloodEAA (-0.04, 95% CI: -0.19, 0.11). No associations were observed of exposure to lifetime average PM2.5, prior-year or lifetime average NO2 or O3, or distance to major roadways with EAA. These findings suggest higher prior 365-day average PM2.5 exposure may relate to lower HorvathEAA in children.
PredCMB: predicting changes in microbial metabolites based on the gene–metabolite network analysis of shotgun metagenome data
Authors: Ji Jungyong , Jung Sungwon
Published: January 2025

Motivation

Microbiota-derived metabolites significantly impact host biology, prompting extensive research on metabolic shifts linked to the microbiota. Recent studies have explored both direct metabolite analyses and computational tools for inferring metabolic functions from microbial shotgun metagenome data. However, no existing tool specifically focuses on predicting changes in individual metabolite levels, as opposed to metabolic pathway activities, based on shotgun metagenome data. Understanding these changes is crucial for directly estimating the metabolic potential associated with microbial genomic content.

Results

We introduce Predicting Changes in Microbial metaBolites (PredCMB), a novel method designed to predict alterations in individual metabolites between conditions using shotgun metagenome data and enzymatic gene–metabolite networks. PredCMB evaluates differential enzymatic gene abundance between conditions and estimates its influence on metabolite changes. To validate this approach, we applied it to two publicly available datasets comprising paired shotgun metagenomics and metabolomics data from inflammatory bowel disease cohorts and the cohort of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Benchmark evaluations revealed that PredCMB outperformed a previous method by demonstrating higher correlations between predicted metabolite changes and experimentally measured changes. Notably, it identified metabolite classes exhibiting major alterations between conditions. By enabling the prediction of metabolite changes directly from shotgun metagenome data, PredCMB provides deeper insights into microbial metabolic dynamics than existing methods focused on pathway activity evaluation. Its potential applications include refining target metabolite selection in microbial metabolomic studies and assessing the contributions of microbial metabolites to disease pathogenesis.

Availability and implementation

Freely available to non-commercial users at https://www.sysbiolab.org/predcmb.
Real-world melanoma miss rate in an NHS hospital dermatology service: a retrospective study
Authors: Anderson Alexander D G , Shirwac Hafsa F , Morgan Hannah , Greenish Huw , Carswell Sarah , Owen Victoria , Heath Harry , Koutsis James , Guitera Pascale
Published: January 2025

This retrospective study assessed the melanoma miss rate of dermatology clinicians working in a secondary care NHS hospital. Nine of 428 primary invasive melanomas (2.1%) diagnosed over a 2-year period had been dismissed as benign in the same service within the preceding year (missed diagnosis). A further four cases (0.9%) were classed as possible misses and a final four (0.9%) as delayed diagnosis.
Development of a scoring system to predict endovascular crossing of femoropopliteal artery chronic total occlusions: the Endo VAscular CROSsing Score for Chronic Total Occlusions (EVACROSS-CTO)
Authors: Matthaiou Nikolas , Klontzas Michail E , Kasioumi Konstantina , Kakkos George A , Kehagias Elias , Tsetis Dimitrios
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To develop a predictive score for the prediction of successful endovascular crossing in femoropopliteal artery chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 84 patients were divided 70%:30% into a training and a testing cohort. Parameters such as cap morphology, side branches, bridging collaterals, flush occlusion, and length were derived from pre-procedural CT angiography. Lesions were segmented and calcification burden was assessed by thresholding. A score (EndoVAscular CROSsing Score for Chronic Total Occlusion [EVACROSS-CTO]) was built based on multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis determined the optimal score threshold, with reported accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Factors including age > 50 years (P = .036, odds ratio (OR) = 53.7), calcification percentage >10% (P = .011, OR = 16.63), the presence of a flush occlusion (P = .02, OR = 15.564), the presence of a distal side branch (P = .018, OR = 9.879), and the presence of a proximal side branch (P = 0.064, OR = 23.369) were identified as suitable for inclusion in the score. Score values were assigned based on the relative odds ratio for each factor with a maximum score of 22. EVACROSS-CTO was able to predict the success of endovascular recanalization with an AUC-ROC of 79.8% (95% CI, 58.5%-100%). A score >16 yielded a sensitivity of 75% with a specificity of 70.6% for the prediction of treatment failure.

Conclusions

A score was developed by incorporating variables derived from pre-procedural CT angiography, demonstrating promising predictive capacity in determining the success of endovascular recanalization of CTOs.

Advances in knowledge

EVACROSS-CTO incorporates imaging variables for the prediction of endovascular recanalization success. This score will allow improved pre-procedural planning for femoropopliteal CTO management.
Assessing chronic effects of chemical pollution on biodiversity using mean species abundance relationships
Authors: Schoenke Venja S A M , Wang Jiaqi , Van den Brink Paul J , Hendriks A Jan
Published: January 2025

Because chemical pollution poses a persistent threat to freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, innovative methodologies are required to address the ecological risks associated with such pollutants. This study predicts the long-term impacts of chemicals based on an equation that describes the time dependency of the median lethal and effect concentration (L(E)C50) with the critical body residue concept. This way, the methodology can predict species sensitivity distributions for any given time point. The methodology was extended to predict the mean species abundance relationships (MSAR) as an indicator of biodiversity. To test and validate the methodology, data from a case study with six freshwater arthropods exposed short- and long-term to imidacloprid were used. The potentially affected fraction of species (PAF) and its opposite (1-PAF) were used to validate the MSAR framework itself. The accuracy of the predicted chronic LC50 values was species-dependent. However, except for one species, all predicted chronic LC50 values were within the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the fits based on only acute data. The mean differences between the predicted and calculated MSARs were between 2% and 6%. The predicted MSARs generally underestimated the impact of imidacloprid. However, all predicted MSARs were either similar or lower than the calculated 1-PAF, and their CIs covered the calculated MSARs. Thus, the study found that the presented methodology is useful for predicting the long-term effects of chemical pollutants.
Comparison of in vitro transcriptomic points of departure with fish acute and chronic toxicity values: a case study of rainbow trout cells exposed to pesticides
Authors: Emberley-Korkmaz Sophie , Mittal Krittika , Xu Ke , Head Jessica , Basu Niladri
Published: January 2025

There is growing interest in transcriptomic points of departure (tPOD) values from in vitro experiments as an alternative to animal test method. The study objective was to calculate tPODs in rainbow trout gill cells (RTgill-W1 following Organisation for Economic Co-operaon and Development [OECD] 249) exposed to pesticides, and to evaluate how these values compare to fish acute and chronic toxicity data. Cells were exposed to one fungicide (chlorothalonil), 10 herbicides (atrazine, glyphosate, imazethapyr, metolachlor, diquat, s-metolachlor, aminomethylphosphonic acid, dicamba, dimethenamid-P, metribuzin), eight insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, permethrin, carbaryl, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, chlorantraniliprole), and OECD 249 positive control 3,4-dichloroaniline. Pesticide concentrations in wells were modeled with IV-MBM EQP Ver. 2.1. Sequencing libraries were prepared with UPXome, and tPODs calculated with ExpressAnalyst. The method identified 14,449 unique genes, with 1,115 genes having >5 counts in the 576 samples sequenced. For all chemicals, tPODs were derived, and tPOD mode values ranged from 0.0004 to 125 µM with an average of 36 µM. There were significant correlations between tPOD mode values (x-value) and median effect concentrations from RTgill-W1 cells (y = 0.92x + 1.2, R2 = 0.9, p < 0.00001; n = 11), rainbow trout acute toxicity median lethal concentrations (y = 0.81x + 0.8, R2 = 0.63, p < 0.0001; n = 20), fish chronic sublethal effect concentrations (y = 0.53x − 0.2, R2 = 0.4, p = 0.009; n = 16), and fish chronic lethal effect concentrations (y = 0.64x − 0.023, R2 = 0.59, p = 0.0013; n = 14). Bland–Altman plot analyses of these comparisons also showed good agreement. Pathway-level benchmark doses were calculated when statistical requirements were met, and only possible for four pesticides. These findings support the notion that tPODs from short-term in vitro studies may be comparable to effect concentration data from in vivo studies of fish exposed for chronic durations.
Determination of bacteriocin genes and antimicrobial activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolated from feta cheese samples
Authors: Akbulut Sumeyye , Dasdemir Elanur , Ozkan Hakan , Adiguzel Ahmet
Published: January 2025

In this study designed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with bacteriocin production potential, white cheese samples were collected from different provinces of Turkey and isolation was carried out. A series of experiments were carried out for the main purpose and the actual bacteriocin producers were identified by detecting the genes encoding this bacteriocin. The experiments carried out in this direction were initially carried out with 20 isolates and as a result of various experiments, the number of isolates was reduced to 8 and the study was continued with 8 isolates. In order to determine that the eight isolates identified as a result of a phenotypic and biochemical characterization study were true bacteriocin-producing strains, their antibacterial activity was investigated and then the presence of bacteriocin genes was examined by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using gene-specific primers. As a result, MS16 coded Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OR922652 was found to have strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus; the isolate was susceptible to clinically important antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, penicillin G, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin) and resistant to erythromycin, had no hemolytic activity and possessed plnA and plnD genes encoding bacteriocin production. In conclusion, the MS16 coded L. plantarum isolate has emerged as a promising strain that can be used especially in the health field and in the food industry related to LAB.
Challenges in Geographic Access to Specialized Pediatric Burn Care in the United States
Authors: Dougherty Jacob M , Blake Eva S , Rittle Christopher J , Fan Zhaohui , Hunter Mary A , Hemmila Mark R , Sangji Naveen F
Published: January 2025

Background

Geographical access to pediatric burn centers in the US is not well described. Patients may receive care at American Burn Association (ABA)-verified burn centers, unverified burn centers, or non-burn centers. A recent study indicated that most US counties do not have an ABA-verified pediatric burn center within 100 miles. However, access to unverified burn centers that provide care to pediatric burn patients was not considered. We studied access to all pediatric burn centers across different US regions, using American College of Surgeons (ACS) Committee on Trauma-verified pediatric trauma centers as a benchmark.

Study Design

An observational cohort study was conducted using 2022 US Census data. Individuals aged ≤14 years were included. Geographical location was determined by residence ZIP code. Pediatric burn centers were identified from the ABA directory. Pediatric trauma centers were identified by ACS verification status using the ACS Hospitals and Facilities directory. Population access to pediatric burn and trauma centers within 50, 100, and 300 miles of the home ZIP code was assessed.

Results

Of US children, 62.1%, 83.5%, and 98.6% live within 50, 100, and 300 miles of a pediatric burn center. Access to ABA-verified pediatric burn centers is lower compared to access to ACS-verified pediatric trauma centers.

Conclusions

Overall, the US population has limited access to pediatric burn centers compared to pediatric trauma centers. The services offered and outcomes should be studied to better understand differences in the quality of care provided by verified and unverified centers.
A Pilot Study on the Impact of Smoking on Adipose Derived Stem Cell Function in Burn Patients
Authors: Deville Paige , Dennis Jenna , Warren Olivia , Fontenot Cameron , Messa Genevieve , Carter Jeffrey E , Phelan Herb A , Schoen Jonathan , Hobden Jeffery A , Siggins Robert W , McTernan Patrick M , Molina Patricia E , Smith Alison A
Published: January 2025

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have an important role in the modulation of burned tissue repair through the release of paracrine factors that stimulate the wound healing response. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that smoking status alters the profile of paracrine factors secreted from ADSCs isolated from damaged adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue was collected from adult patients (N=8) with severe burn injuries (>20% total body surface area) at the index operation. ADSCs were extracted and cultured in vitro. Supernatants were harvested 30 hours after plating and used for cytokine determinations by Multiplex assay. Fluorescence activated single cell sorting (FACS) confirmed their phenotype with markers CD 90, CD 166, and CD 73. Univariate analyses were performed to compare the two cohorts (Smokers vs non smokers).

Higher amounts of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 (p=0.03) and IL-10 (p=0.04) and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha (p=0.03), IL-8, and IFN-gamma (p=0.03) were detected in burn patients who were current everyday smokers when compared to nonsmokers, or former smokers. No significant differences in supernatant concentrations of IL-17, IL-1 beta, TGF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-13 were observed (p>0.05). Mortality was higher in the smoker group when compared to non-smokers.

The results from this study suggest that smoking status in patients with a major burn injury may alter the paracrine factors secreted from ADSCs, and on-going studies will increase sample size and refine experimental approach. Furthermore, these results support the need for studies examining the systemic effects of smoking status of patients suffering burn injuries impacts the wound healing.
Coordination and Incumbency Advantage in Multi-Party Systems—Evidence from French Elections
Authors: Dano Kevin , Ferlenga Francesco , Galasso Vincenzo , Le Pennec Caroline , Pons Vincent
Published: January 2025

Free and fair elections should incentivize elected officials to exert effort and enable citizens to select representative politicians and occasionally replace incumbents. However, incumbency advantage and coordination failures possible in multi-party systems may jeopardize this process. We ask whether these two forces compound each other. Using a regression discontinuity design (RDD) in French two-round local and parliamentary elections, we find that close winners are more likely to run again and to win the next election by 33 and 25 percentage points, respectively. Incumbents who run again personalize their campaign communication more and face fewer ideologically close competitors, revealing that parties from the incumbent’s orientation coordinate more effectively than parties on the losing side. A complementary RDD shows that candidates who marginally qualify for the runoff also rally new voters. We conclude that party coordination on the incumbent and voter coordination on candidates who won or gained visibility in a previous election both contribute to incumbents’ future success.
Historicizing the Nineteenth-Century Entrepreneurial Theatrical Artisan: The Case of Henry Hamilton
Authors: Bradley Hayley
Published: January 2025

This paper sets out to establish the historiographical significance of a theatrical artisan and his body of work, in order to question the roots and routes of our methodologies for mapping the period. Henry Hamilton’s career as dramatist spanned 45 years (1873–1918), during which time he consistently and prolifically created works that were commercially successful and popular with audiences: from autumn dramas at Drury Lane to musical comedies for the Gaiety theatre. Whilst in his own lifetime Hamilton’s repertoire sat centrally in the theatrical marketplace he opted to live privately on the periphery of the developing celebrity culture. Over time, both Hamilton’s identity and his creative practice have been overlooked; therefore, my consideration of Hamilton here is a response to an imperative for democratizing nineteenth- and early twentieth-century theatre history through recovery, inclusivity, and revision. Hamilton represents a synecdochal figure, a methodological case study for similar ‘hidden’ practitioners who, like Hamilton, worked as part of a growing, vibrant but economically precarious industry and who, in a rapidly changing and increasingly industrialized culture, adapted to shifting working practices and public taste. While acknowledging existing scholarship of nineteenth- to early twentieth-century theatre, this paper argues for new narrative routes in our historiographical practice. It proposes approaches that examine the theatre industry through its economic and production-based dynamics, recovering similar theatrical artisan figures to map a different network of practitioners to be embedded in our overall understanding of the many ways in which theatre functioned as a cultural practice and enterprise during the era.
Measuring the matter fluctuations in the Local Universe with the ALFALFA catalogue
Authors: Franco Camila , Oliveira Jezebel , Lopes Maria , Avila Felipe , Bernui Armando
Published: January 2025

The standard model of cosmology describes the matter fluctuations through the matter power spectrum, where $\sigma _{8} \equiv \sigma _{8,0} \equiv \sigma _{8}(z = 0)$, defined at the scale of $8\, h^{-1}$ Mpc, acts as a normalization parameter. Currently, the literature reports measurements of $\sigma _{8}$ analysing different cosmic tracers, where some of these results were obtained assuming a fiducial cosmology. In this study, we measure, in a model-independent approach, the matter fluctuations in the Local Universe using H i extragalactic sources mapped by the ALFALFA survey. Our analyses allow us to test the standard cosmological model under extreme conditions in the highly non-linear Local Universe, quantifying the amplitude of the matter fluctuations there. Our work directly measures $\sigma _{8}$ using the three-dimensional distances of the H i sources determined by the ALFALFA survey without assuming a fiducial cosmology, resulting in a robust model-independent measurement of $\sigma _{8}$. Our methodology involves the construction of suitable mock catalogues to simulate the large-scale structure features observed in the data, applying the two-point correlation function, and making use of Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to estimate the parameters. Analysing these data, we measure $\sigma _8 = 0.78 \pm 0.04$ for $h = 0.6727$, $\sigma _8 = 0.80 \pm 0.05$ for $h = 0.698$, and $\sigma _8 = 0.83 \pm 0.05$ for $h = 0.7304$. Considering the data pairs $(\sigma _8, H_0)$ from the Planck cosmic microwave background (CMB) and Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) CMB-lensing analyses, our measurement agrees with them within $1\, \sigma$ confidence level. From a model-independent perspective, we find that the scale where the matter fluctuation is 1 is $R = 7.2 \pm 1.5~\text{Mpc}$.