bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotope‐Labeled Chemoselective Probes for Labeling, Separation, and Comprehensive Quantitative Analysis of Sub‐Metabolome
Authors: Tian Hongtao , Lai Zhizhen , Zhang Wenjia , Zhang Mo , Yang Xiaolin , Zhou Jiang , Li Zhili
Published: September 2024

The significance of small molecule metabolites as biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis is growing increasingly evident, necessitating the development of highly sensitive qualitative and quantitative methods. Herein, multi‐chemoselective probes are synthesized and applied for profiling metabolites, including carboxyl, phosphate, hydroxyl, amino, thiol, and carbonyl compounds. This approach seamlessly integrates magnetic solid‐phase materials, orthogonal cleavage sites, isotopic tags, and selective coupling sites, minimizes matrix interference, and enhances quantitative accuracy. Meanwhile, a homemade program, High‐Resolution Isotope‐Assisted Identification and Quantitative (HRIAIQuant) is developed to process the data, which adeptly filters through 33,874 ion pairs present in human serum, leading to the identification of 701 known metabolites and a remarkable 1,062 potential novel ones. This method is successfully applied to analyze metabolites in multiple brain regions of SAMP8 and SAMR1 models, offering a novel tool for Alzheimer's disease research.
Promise of Zero‐Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) for Blockchain Privacy and Security: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions
Authors: R Shashidhara , Chirakarotu Nair Renju , Kumar Panakalapati Pavan
Published: September 2024

Blockchain technology has revolutionized data sharing and storage, yet maintaining privacy and security while ensuring transparency and immutability remains a significant challenge. This research addresses this challenge by investigating the promising solution of Zero‐Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), which allow for validation without revealing additional information. Unlike previous studies that focus on specific ZKP types or limited performance metrics, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of multiple ZKP technologies, along with their distinct features and blockchain applications. We evaluate ZKP tools such as snarkjs, ZoKrates, and Circom, focusing on key factors including proof size, trusted setup, prover time, verifier time, and scalability. A detailed case study on the Ethereum blockchain demonstrates the practical implementation and performance of ZKPs, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical analysis and real‐world applications. Furthermore, we explore how ZKPs can significantly enhance scalability in blockchain applications. By proposing innovative ZKP use cases and addressing current challenges, this article not only provides a comprehensive understanding of ZKP technologies but also outlines potential future research directions, making a significant impact on the field of blockchain privacy and security.
Evaluation of Biochar and Coke Blends for Slag Foaming Applications in Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking
Authors: DiGiovanni Christopher , Li Delin , Ng Ka Wing , Huang Xianai
Published: September 2024

The electric arc furnace (EAF) is a promising approach to decarbonize the iron and steel industry. In EAF steelmaking, injecting carbon into the molten slag remains crucial for creating a foamy slag, which enhances the energy efficiency of the process and protects the furnace. Biochar (BC) has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional fossil carbon for slag foaming. However, fully replacing fossil carbon with BC poses technical challenges. In this study, the partial replacement of fossil carbon with BC is considered, in the form of a petroleum coke (petcoke) and BC blend. Interestingly, a blend of petcoke and BC matches or possibly outperforms either carbon type individually, due to a synergistic effect. Using an induction furnace to simulate EAF conditions, a synthetic slag is melted, and injection carbon is added into the slag layer. The slag foaming effectiveness of petcoke, BC, and three blend cases are studied. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the BC is more reactive with slag compared to petcoke, which leads to an initial high intensity of CO generation. However, the CO generation was not continuous or consistent. All experimental results are combined to propose a mechanistic description of the slag foaming behavior of BC blends.
Morphological and molecular analyses consistently support the existence of two species under Hypochaeris achyrophorus (Asteraceae, Cichorieae)
Authors: Jiménez‐López Francisco Javier , Talavera María , Ortiz María Ángeles
Published: September 2024

The species boundaries in Hypochaeris sect. Seriola (Asteraceae, Cichorieae) are difficult to establish due to the phenotypic similarity between taxa. The main objective of the present study was to characterize the phylogenetic position of the annual Hypochaeris achyrophorus using plastid and nuclear DNA markers, and to determine whether some morphological differences between western and eastern Mediterranean populations are supported by genetic differences. To achieve this, phylogenetic reconstruction, species delimitation analysis and morphometrical analysis of flower characters were carried out. The case provides a fantastic setting to study the evolution of annuality/perenniality and homocarpy/heterocarpy. The results confirm the presence of two distinct taxa within H. achyrophorus: Hypochaeris stuessyi comb. nov., in the westernmost part of the distribution, containing populations with the most ancestral characters, and H. achyrophorus, with biogeographically and morphologically distinct characters, phylogenetically closer to H. laevigata, a perennial species, than to H. stuessyi. Our results indicate that perennial habit and homocarpy are derived characters in the study group that can appear multiple times in evolution, complicating traditional taxonomy. Moreover, when related species with convergent characters are observed, only the use of molecular tools can confirm that subtle morphological differences have distinct evolutionary histories.
Soil water content estimation by using ground penetrating radar data full waveform inversion with grey wolf optimizer algorithm
Authors: Zhang M. H. , Feng X. , Bano M. , Liu C. , Liu Q. , Wang X.
Published: September 2024

Soil water content (SWC) estimation is important for many areas including hydrology, agriculture, soil science, and environmental science. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a promising geophysical method for SWC estimation. However, at present, most of the studies are based on partial information of GPR, like travel time or amplitude information, to invert the SWC. Full waveform inversion (FWI) can use the information of the entire waveform, which can improve the accuracy of parameter estimation. This study proposes a novel SWC estimation scheme by using the FWI of GPR, optimized by the grey wolf optimizer (GWO) algorithm. The proposed scheme includes a petrophysical relationship to link the SWC with the relative dielectric permittivity, 1D GPR forward modeling, and a GWO optimization algorithm. First, numerical modeling was carried out, and the proposed scheme was applied to both noise‐free and noisy data to verify its applicability. Then, the proposed method was applied to data collected from a field experimental site. These results, derived from both synthetic and real datasets, show that the proposed inversion scheme resulted in a good match between the observed and calculated GPR data. In the numerical modeling, it was observed that the SWC could be inverted accurately, even when noise was present in the data. These demonstrate that the GWO method can be applied for the quantitative interpretation of GPR data. The proposed scheme shows potential for SWC estimation by using GPR full waveform data.
Food for fish: Challenges and opportunities for quantifying foodscapes in river networks
Authors: Ouellet Valerie , Fullerton Aimee H. , Kaylor Matt , Naman Sean , Bellmore Ryan , Rosenfeld Jordan , Rossi Gabriel , White Seth , Rhoades Suzanne , Beauchamp David A. , Liermann Martin , Kiffney Peter , Sanderson Beth
Published: September 2024

Riverine fishes face many challenges including habitat degradation and climate change, which alter the productivity of the riverscapes in which fish live, reproduce, and feed. Understanding the watershed portfolio of foraging and growth opportunities that sustain productive and resilient fish populations is important for prioritizing conservation and restoration. However, the spatiotemporal distribution and availability of fish food are poorly understood relative to other factors such as abiotic habitat quantity and quality (e.g., water temperature). In this paper, we build on the concept of “foodscapes,” and describe three components of food for fish, including abundance, accessibility, and quality. We then discuss methodological advances to help address three key questions: (1) Why is food availability hard to estimate? (2) What are the consequences of uncertainty in food availability estimates? and (3) What approaches are available or emerging for quantifying food available to fish? To address the first question, we characterize data acquisition and analytical challenges; for the second, we demonstrate the importance of evaluating and communicating potential consequences of uncertainty; and for the third, we posit opportunities for future work. Collectively, we highlight the need for greater appreciation of the role food plays in stream fish conservation, especially given its critical influence on responses to warming temperatures.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness

Water and Life > Methods
Performance and reliability evaluation of an improved machine learning‐based pure‐tone audiometry with automated masking
Authors: Wallaert Nicolas , Perry Antoine , Quarino Sandra , Jean Hadrien , Creff Gwenaelle , Godey Benoit , Paraouty Nihaad
Published: September 2024

Objective

Automated air‐conduction pure‐tone audiograms through Bayesian estimation and machine learning (ML) classification have recently been proposed in the literature. Although such ML‐based audiometry approaches represent a significant addition to the field, they remain unsuited for daily clinical settings, in particular for listeners with asymmetric or conductive hearing loss, severe hearing loss, or cochlear dead zones. The goal here is to expand on previously proposed ML approaches and assess the performance of this improved ML audiometry for a large sample of listeners with a wide range of hearing status.

Methods

First, we describe the changes made to the ML method through the addition of: (1) safety limits to test listeners with a wide range of hearing status, (2) transient responses to cater for cochlear dead zones or nonmeasurable thresholds, and importantly, (3) automated contralateral masking to test listeners with asymmetric or conductive hearing loss. Next, we compared the performance of this improved ML audiometry with conventional and manual audiometry in a large cohort (n = 109 subjects) of both normal‐hearing and hearing‐impaired listeners.

Results

Our results showed that for all audiometric frequencies tested, no significant difference was found between hearing thresholds obtained using manual audiometry on a clinical audiometer as compared to both the manual and automated improved ML methods. Furthermore, the test–retest difference was not significant with the automated improved ML method for each audiometric frequency tested. Finally, when examining cross‐clinic reliability measures, significant differences were found for most audiometric frequencies tested.

Conclusions

Together, our results validate the use of this improved ML‐based method in adult clinical tests for air‐conduction audiometry.
Making, Sharing and Extending Presence in Spontaneous Memorials. The Case of the 2017 Manchester Attack
Authors: Arvanitis Kostas , Simpson Robert
Published: September 2024

This chapter draws on theories of presence and the case study of the Manchester Arena bombing (22 May 2017) to discuss how spontaneous memorials in the aftermath of tragic events, such as terrorist attacks, construct embodied, performative, participatory, and social presences. It proposes three types of presence:Making Presence, which articulates the materiality-focused creativity involved in making memorial items;Sharing Presence, which focuses on the social experience of presenting those items to the spontaneous memorial site and being co-present with others; andExtending Presence, which argues that the previous two types of presences are reconstituted in the space of the museum that collects spontaneous memorials. The chapter’s key argument is that spontaneous memorials construct an embodied presence, which is expressed through creative materiality, physical journeying and social sharing. In turn, it is this embodied presence that is collected and ‘re-presenced’ in the space of the museum. This proposition contributes to academic scholarship on the motivations and purposes of spontaneous memorialisation and can inform strategies and practices of collecting, curating and managing such spontaneous memorials.
Resilience or Reconstruction? A Psychoanalytical Approach to Urban Space After the Attack on the Promenade des Anglais (Nice, 14.07.2016)
Authors: Vinot Frédéric
Published: September 2024

Based on observations from a multidisciplinary research program on the spatial effects of the attack on the Promenade des Anglais (Nice, 14 July 2016), this chapter shows that a phenomenon of redoubling the loss is necessary for the individual and collective mourning process. Post-attack life confronts the bereaved with two types of loss: a traumatic loss (the absolute emptiness left by the other in his or her brutal death) and a symboligenic loss (contributing to the reconstruction of urban symbolic differentiations). Two examples of this double loss will be developed: 1) the psychic effects of urban renovation and security work (after the work, the bereaved no longer find the same place where their loved ones died); 2) spontaneous memorials show the lack but, because of their temporary and provisional dimension, they will themselves become missing, promised to disappear. Psychoanalytic theory also assumes two losses in the psychic process of mourning: loss of the love object, but also the sacrificial loss of a piece of oneself in order to separate oneself from the dead person. Psychoanalysis can therefore help to understand the function of this double loss in relation to the unconscious processes that accompany the symbolisation of the loss. In contrast, other observations show how the frozen becoming of some objects attempts to deny their own loss. Two other examples will be given: political discourse on some security devices and the treatment of stuffed animals by the Municipal Archives. In both cases, the second loss is somehow 'prevented' or constantly postponed or denied, and one can wonder how this contributes to or interferes with the work of mourning. In a more fundamental way, this function of the double loss in mourning will allow us to ask the question of the difference between re-construction and resilience. There is indeed a Freudian theory of construction based on the acceptance of loss, which seems radically different from the ideal of resilience (psychological or urban), whose epistemological underpinnings ignore the creative effects of a subjectivising lack.
European Cities Facing Terrorism: From Social Responses to Memory, and Vice Versa
Authors: Truc Gérôme
Published: September 2024

The question I will explore in this chapter is the following: what is this process of memorialisation that begins as soon as the attack occurs? How does it work exactly? How can we grasp it sociologically? I will begin by specifying what I understand by ‘immediate memorialisation’ and distinguish the different forms it takes. I will then trace how we move from an immediate memorialisation to a longer-term memorialisation, and in what way the usual distinction between ‘individual’ and ‘collective’ memory does not seem relevant to grasp it. Indeed, this process actually articulates not two, but three levels, which I will illustrate with examples from my research on the various attacks that have struck major European cities since 2001. Finally, I will conclude by showing how this way of conceiving the memorialisation of past attacks helps to better understand the way we react to new attacks.
Agogics and Tempo Rubato
Authors: Rimas Juozas , Rimas Jr Juozas
Published: September 2024

The concepts of agogics and tempo rubato. Rubato obbligato (E. Stein). The agogic aspects of the process of rubato: supporting points of the bar; the hierarchical sounding of the notes; the grouping of the notes; legato; “articulational silence”; the uneven nature of playing. The parallelism between music and speech (Sprache in Tönen, Klangrede). Semantic articulation (N. Harnoncourt). Articulation and dynamics in Baroque music (mini-dynamics, which occurs within structural units, e.g., motifs). Dotted rhythm (W. Landowska). The nuances of sound cannot be inscribed in the visual space (A. Sverdiolas). Articulation and “fidelity to the work.”
The Transcendent Quality of a Musical Work
Authors: Rimas Juozas , Rimas Jr Juozas
Published: September 2024

Aesthetic expression has a transcendent meaning in relation to everything which an artist creates. Expression as exteriorisation (J. Derrida). Transcendence is moving from a reality which is sensorily experienced “on this side” to a reality “on the other side” (J. Girnius). Transcendence is the essential structure of subjectivity: a person themselves is “existing transcendence” (M. Heidegger). Musical expression is—by converting the text of the work into sound, transcendence—the stepping over into a different form of the work’s being. This presupposes a rational basis of transcendence: it is the product of the thinking of being (A. Šliogeris). The adaptation of the ideas of a broader sphere (e.g., of the humanities) for the purposes of one’s own special activity (e.g., musical performance) is also an act of transcendence, and is effective in activating the imagination, the understanding of the work and musical hearing. The knowledge, abilities and values stored in a person’s experience reflect the identity of the semantic subject: a person’s experience is a system of individual meanings (Ž. Jackūnas, R. Pavilionis).
Instrumentalising Creativity: Depriving Musical Expression of Meaning
Authors: Rimas Juozas , Rimas Jr Juozas
Published: September 2024

The mechanical aspect of things (A. Camus) and technical “accomplishment” as an end in itself (R. Schumann; J. Girnius). The etymology of techne: neither craft nor art, but rather a mode of knowing (M. Heidegger). The depth of the instrumental as the depth of not-yet-knowing-of-how-to-use and irrationality (A. Šliogeris). Simulation occurs when the energy of the meaning of being is lacking (J. Baudrillard), for example, when the performer pretends to understand what they are playing. The loss of personality as the basis of creation (H. Gadamer). Mass consciousness (J. Ortega y Gasset). The hypertrophy of specialisation of musical studies.
Ernest Ansermet on Music and Its Performance
Authors: Rimas Juozas , Rimas Jr Juozas
Published: September 2024

The Swiss conductor E. Ansermet was also both a musical practitioner and an original thinker: so, his reflections are those of a professional performer and not theoretical. The only one way for the melody to become meaningful is to be experienced as a “path.” The importance of intentionality for the act of musical expression. “Simple structures” as a first stage of musical experience. Music is an image which its performance, and only its performance, communicates to the listener. However, if the musician understands the object of music as technique, the technique becomes independent and has meaning in itself (both E. Ansermet and the author criticise the tendency to fetishise instrumentality).
Music and Language (Connections Between Verbal and Musical Languages)
Authors: Rimas Juozas , Rimas Jr Juozas
Published: September 2024

Without claiming to give a comprehensive overview of this broad topic, the author gives his professional view of the necessity of intelligent reading for the understanding of both linguistic and musical texts. Among the topics touched upon are: the role of sound in language and the role of sound in music (J. Shepherd); language, musical language and semiotics (A. J. Greimas, C. Peirce, F. de Saussure); intra-musical and extra-musical semantics in music; and music as a language with multiple meaning (J. Fowles). The author defines musical intellect as the ability to read and understand musical language.
The quantum spectral method: from atomic orbitals to classical self-force
Authors: Khalaf Majed , Telem Ofri
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Can classical systems be described analytically at all orders in their interaction strength? For periodic and approximately periodic systems, the answer is yes, as we show in this work. Our analytical approach, which we call the Quantum Spectral Method, is based on a novel application of Bohr’s correspondence principle, obtaining non-perturbative classical dynamics as the classical limit of quantum matrix elements. A major application of our method is the calculation of self-force as the classical limit of atomic radiative transitions. We demonstrate this by calculating an adiabatic electromagnetic inspiral, along with its associated radiation, at all orders in the multipole expansion. Finally, we propose a future application of the Quantum Spectral Method to compute scalar and gravitational self-force in Schwarzschild, analytically.
Two types of series expansions valid at strong coupling
Authors: Edery Ariel
Published: September 2024

Abstract

It is known that perturbative expansions in powers of the coupling in quantum mechanics (QM) and quantum field theory (QFT) are asymptotic series. This can be useful at weak coupling but fails at strong coupling. In this work, we present two types of series expansions valid at strong coupling. We apply the series to a basic integral as well as a QM path integral containing a quadratic and quartic term with coupling constant λ. The first series is the usual asymptotic one, where the quartic interaction is expanded in powers of λ. The second series is an expansion of the quadratic part where the interaction is left alone. This yields an absolutely convergent series in inverse powers of λ valid at strong coupling. For the basic integral, we revisit the first series and identify what makes it diverge even though the original integral is finite. We fix the problem and obtain, remarkably, a series in powers of the coupling which is absolutely convergent and valid at strong coupling. We explain how this series avoids Dyson’s argument on convergence. We then consider the QM path integral (discretized with time interval divided into N equal segments). As before, the second series is absolutely convergent and we obtain analytical expressions in inverse powers of λ for the nth order terms by taking functional derivatives of generalized hypergeometric functions. The expressions are functions of N and we work them out explicitly up to third order. The general procedure has been implemented in a Mathematica program that generates the expressions at any order n. We present numerical results at strong coupling for different values of N starting at N = 2. The series matches the exact numerical value for a given N (up to a certain accuracy). The continuum is formally reached when N → ∞ but in practice this can be reached at small N.
Parity-violating primordial gravitational waves from null energy condition violation
Authors: Jiang Zi-Wei , Cai Yong , Wang Fei , Piao Yun-Song
Published: September 2024

Abstract

We investigate the parity-violating effects in primordial gravitational waves (GWs) due to null energy condition (NEC) violation in two very early universe scenarios: bounce-inflation and intermediate NEC violation during inflation. In both scenarios, we numerically solve the power spectra of parity-violating primordial GWs generated by coupling the background field and the spectator field with the Nieh-Yan term, respectively. We find that the background field can significantly enhance parity-violating effects at scales corresponding to the maximum of the GW power spectra. In contrast, the parity-violating effects produced by the spectator show significantly weaker observability even if the coupling constant is large. Therefore, in NEC-violating scenarios, the significant observable parity-violating effects in primordial GWs primarily arise from the physics directly related to NEC violation. This result highlights the potential of primordial GWs as crucial tools for exploring NEC-violating and parity-violating physics.
Is intensive training with a time interval between instruction and planning CT necessary for deep inspiration breath-hold radiotherapy in breast cancer?
Authors: Sonnhoff M. , Hermann R.-M. , Aust K. , Knöchelmann A.-C. , Nitsche M. , Ernst B. , Christiansen H. , Blach R.-M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Breathing instruction and exercises and a time gap between training and planning CT scans (pCT) is recommended as part of deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) assisted radiotherapy (RT). However, this is associated with additional time expenditure.

Materials and methods

In two of the authors’ treatment centers (TC), patient training took place before the planning CT of DIBH-assisted therapy. In TC 1, a further appointment was made with a minimum interval of 2 days to perform the planning CT. At TC 2, the planning CT was performed immediately after the first patient instruction. A retrospective evaluation of the clinical parameters of the therapy was carried out to investigate the relevance of the time gap between DIBH exercises and pCT.

Results

A total of 72 patients were included, 35 of whom were treated in TC 1 and 37 in TC 2. In TC 1, an average interval of ~4 days was observed between patient training and planning CT, while in TC 2, training and CT were performed immediately after each other. No significant differences in radiation dose exposure of the lung on the treated side, the whole lung, or the heart were found between the two centers. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the application of the daily RT fraction. The requirement for daily positioning checks was also the same at both treatment centers.

Conclusion

This study does not show any advantages for a time gap between instruction/training and pCT. Skipping the time break does not deteriorate any clinically relevant endpoints.
Risk factors for Charcot foot development in individuals with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tsatsaris Georgios , Rajamand Ekberg Neda , Fall Tove , Catrina Sergiu-Bogdan
Published: September 2024

Aims/hypothesis

Charcot foot is a complication of diabetes mellitus that has potentially disastrous consequences. Although it was first described in 1868 and found to be associated with diabetes in 1936, there is still uncertainty about the risk factors affecting the development of the condition. Here, we aim to identify risk factors for Charcot foot in a nationwide cohort study.

Methods

A retrospective register-based cohort study was performed for the period 2001–2016, using nationwide registries. Individuals with diabetes and Charcot foot were identified and matched by diabetes type and with similar diabetes duration with individuals with diabetes but not Charcot foot. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors.

Results

A total of 3397 participants with diabetes mellitus and Charcot foot and 27,662 control participants with diabetes but without Charcot foot were included. HbA1c, duration of diabetes, micro- and macroalbuminuria, retinopathy and atherosclerosis (general and peripheral) were identified as risk factors for Charcot foot in participants with type 1 diabetes and participants with type 2 diabetes.

Conclusions/interpretation

In the most extensive study on Charcot foot to date, we identified distinctive and common risk factors associated with the development of Charcot foot in individuals with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Graphical Abstract
Patellofemorale Instabilität und retropatellarer Knorpelschaden: MPFL + X?
Authors: Hunkeler Christof J. , Overberg Jan-Arie , Tondelli Timo , Imhoff Florian B.
Published: September 2024

In diesem Beitrag wird das klinische Bild der komplexen patellofemoralen Instabilität mit lateral reitender Patella und retropatellarem Knorpelschaden bei einem jungen Patienten demonstriert. Bei einem bereits mehrfach voroperierten Knie mit initial medialisierender Tuberositasosteotomie und Minced-cartilage-Verfahren retropatellar sowie im Verlauf zusätzlicher Rekonstruktion des medialen patellofemoralen Ligaments (MPFL) zeigten sich persistierende Schmerzen und eine weiterhin lateral reitende Patella. Im Rahmen der Neubeurteilung wurde eine grundlegende objektive Analyse der knöchernen Alignmentparameter durchgeführt. Zudem erfolgte eine physiotherapeutische Evaluation der dynamischen Stabilisatoren. Bei bestehendem Genu valgum ohne Torsionspathologie, aber ausgeprägter Trochleadysplasie, wurde eine koronare Achskorrektur mit Trochleaplastik und lateraler Verlängerungsplastik durchgeführt. Gemäß dem postulierten Hip-down-Modell verbessert sich dadurch der Q‑Winkel und somit der Zugvektor des Quadrizeps bei gleichzeitiger Verringerung des lateralen Anpressdrucks der Patella. Die Trochleaplastik führt zu einer patellofemoralen Stabilisierung, was durch die initial durchgeführte Tuberositasmedialisierung und nachfolgende MPFL-Plastik nicht erreicht werden konnte.
Prediction of the keyhole TIG welding-induced distortions on Inconel 718 industrial gas turbine component by numerical-experimental approach
Authors: Battista Francesco Raffaele , Ambrogio Giuseppina , Giorgini Luca , Guerrini Massimo , Costantino Stefano , Ricciardi Filippo , Filice Luigino
Published: September 2024

Welding technologies represent a paramount joining process for ensuring the quality and reliability of critical industrial components; therefore, their innovation constitutes a driving force in realizing increasingly competitive products. A recently developed technology is the keyhole TIG welding, a new high energy–density alternative to the conventional TIG process. A key role in improving innovative manufacturing processes such as the keyhole TIG is covered by numerical simulation; indeed, it allows the development of a process digital twin able to support decisions and work as a predictive tool. Within this framework, the paper deals with the numerical-experimental investigation of the keyhole TIG technology, successfully employed on a simplified mock-up of an industrial gas turbine component consisting of two 6.5-mm-thick Inconel 718 rings. Numerical analysis aimed at predicting welding-induced distortions was performed employing two different computational approaches, namely the moving heat source and the simplified imposed thermal cycle methods. The numerical-experimental comparison of the results demonstrates an innovative approach in the field of the current keyhole TIG numerical simulation since, besides verification of numerical thermal analysis, further substantial validation of the post-weld distortion predictions is provided through comprehensive three-dimensional experimental data. Moreover, the comparative assessment of the two computational approaches and experimental evidence revealed that the imposed thermal cycle method implementation does not compromise the accuracy of welding distortion forecasting in industrial applications such as that investigated. Therefore, it can be regarded as a valuable tool for supporting the process engineer in designing the ideal set-up to comply with a variety of industrial requirements, among them strict design tolerances.
Slowly Expanding Stable Dust Spacetimes
Authors: Fajman David , Ofner Maximilian , Wyatt Zoe
Published: September 2024

We establish the future nonlinear stability of a large class of FLRW models as solutions to the Einstein-Dust system. We consider the case of a vanishing cosmological constant, which, in particular implies that the expansion rate of the respective models is linear, i.e. has zero acceleration. The resulting spacetimes are future globally regular. These solutions constitute the first generic class of future regular Einstein-Dust spacetimes not undergoing accelerated expansion and are thereby the slowest expanding generic family of future complete Einstein-Dust spacetimes currently known.
Effect of chronic delivery of the NOP/MOR partial agonist AT-201 and NOP antagonist J-113397 on heroin relapse in a rat model of opioid maintenance
Authors: Bossert Jennifer M. , Caldwell Kiera E. , Korah Hannah , Batista Ashley , Bonbrest Hannah , Fredriksson Ida , Jackson Shelley N. , Sulima Agnieszka , Rice Kenner C. , Zaveri Nurulain T. , Shaham Yavin
Published: September 2024

Rationale

The opioid crisis persists despite availability of effective opioid agonist maintenance treatments (methadone and buprenorphine). Thus, there is a need to advance novel medications for the treatment of opioid use and relapse.

Objectives

We recently modeled maintenance treatment in rats and found that chronic delivery of buprenorphine and the mu opioid receptor (MOR) partial agonist TRV130 decreases relapse to oxycodone seeking and taking. In contrast, chronic delivery of the buprenorphine analog BU08028 had mixed effects on different heroin relapse-related measures. Here, we tested the effect of the mixed nociceptin (NOP) receptor/MOR partial agonist AT-201 and the NOP receptor antagonist J-113397 on different heroin relapse-related measures.

Methods

We trained male and female rats to self-administer heroin (6-h/d, 14-d) in context A and then implanted osmotic minipumps containing AT-201 (0, 3.8, or 12 mg/kg/d) or J-113397 (0, 12.6, or 40 mg/kg/d). Next, we tested the effect of chronic delivery of the compounds on (1) incubation of heroin seeking in a non-drug context B, (2) extinction responding reinforced by heroin-associated discrete cues in context B, (3) context A-induced reinstatement of heroin seeking, and (4) reacquisition of heroin self-administration in context A.

Results

In females, AT-201 modestly increased reacquisition of heroin self-administration and J-113397 modestly decreased incubation of heroin seeking. The compounds had no effect on the other relapse-related measures in females, and no effect on any of the measures in males.

Conclusion

The NOP/MOR partial agonist AT-201 and the NOP antagonist J-113397 did not mimic buprenorphine’s inhibitory effects on relapse in a rat model of opioid maintenance treatment.
Rates in Almost Sure Invariance Principle for Nonuniformly Hyperbolic Maps
Authors: Cuny C. , Dedecker J. , Korepanov A. , Merlevède F.
Published: September 2024

We prove the almost sure invariance principle (ASIP) with close to optimal error rates for nonuniformly hyperbolic maps. We do not assume exponential contraction along stable leaves, therefore our result covers in particular slowly mixing invertible dynamical systems as Bunimovich flowers, billiards with flat points as in Chernov and Zhang (Stoch Dyn 5:535–553, 2005a, Nonlinearity 18:1527–1553, 2005b) and Wojtkowski’ (Commun Math Phys 126:507–533, 1990) system of two falling balls.For these examples, the ASIP is a new result, not covered by prior works for various reasons, notably because in absence of exponential contraction along stable leaves, it is challenging to employ the so-called Sinai’s trick (Sinai in Russ Math Surv 27:21–70, 1972; Bowen, Lecture Notes in Math vol. 470 (1975)) of reducing a nonuniformly hyperbolic system to a nonuniformly expanding one. Our strategy follows our previous papers on the ASIP for nonuniformly expanding maps, where we build a semiconjugacy to a specific renewal Markov shift and adapt the argument of Berkes et al. (Ann Probab 42:794–817, 2014). The main difference is that now the Markov shift is two-sided, the observables depend on the full trajectory, both the future and the past.
Water retting process with hemp pre-treatment: effect on the enzymatic activities and microbial populations dynamic
Authors: Ventorino Valeria , Chouyia Fatima Ezzahra , Romano Ida , Mori Mauro , Pepe Olimpia
Published: September 2024

Proper retting process of hemp stems, in which efficient separation of cellulose fiber from the rest of the stem is promoted by indigenous microorganisms able to degrade pectin, is essential for fiber production and quality. This research aimed to investigate the effect of a pre-treatment dew retting in field of hemp stalks on the pectinolytic enzymatic activity and microbiota dynamic during lab-scale water retting process. A strong increase in the pectinase activity as well as in the aerobic and anaerobic pectinolytic concentration was observed from 14 to 21 days, especially using hemp stalks that were not subjected to a pre-retting treatment on field (WRF0 0.690 ± 0.05 U/mL). Results revealed that the microbial diversity significantly varied over time during the water retting and the development of microbiota characterizing the water retting of hemp stalks of different biosystems used in this study was affected by pre-treatment conditions in the field and water retting process and by an interaction between the two methods. Although at the beginning of the experiment a high biodiversity was recorded in all biosystems, the water retting led to a selection of microbial populations in function of the time of pre-treatment in field, especially in bacterial populations. The use of hemp stems did not subject to a field pre-treatment seems to help the development of a homogeneous and specific pectinolytic microbiota with a higher enzymatic activity in respect to samples exposed to uncontrolled environmental conditions for 10, 20, or 30 days before the water retting process.

Key points

• Microbial diversity significantly varied over time during water retting.

• Water retting microbiota was affected by dew pre-treatment in the field.

• Retting of no pretreated hemp allows the development of specific microbiota with high enzymatic activity.
MRI characteristics predict risk of pathological upgrade in patients with ISUP grade group 1 prostate cancer
Authors: Boschheidgen M. , Schimmöller L. , Radtke J. P. , Kastl R. , Jannusch K. , Lakes J. , Drewes L. R. , Radke K. L. , Esposito I. , Albers P. , Antoch G. , Ullrich T. , Al-Monajjed R.
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aims to analyse multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) characteristics of patients diagnosed with ISUP grade group (GG) 1 prostate cancer (PC) on initial target plus systematic MRI/TRUS fusion-guided biopsy and investigate histopathological progression during follow-up.

Methods

A retrospective single-centre cohort analysis was conducted on consecutive patients with mpMRI visible lesions (PI-RADS ≥ 3) and detection of ISUP-1-PC at the time of initial biopsy. The study assessed clinical, mpMRI, and histopathological parameters. Subcohorts were analysed with (1) patients who had confirmed ISUP-1-PC and (2) patients who experienced histopathological upgrading to ISUP ≥ 2 PC during follow-up either at re-biopsy or radical prostatectomy (RP).

Results

A total of 156 patients (median age 65 years) between March 2014 and August 2021 were included. Histopathological upgrading to ISUP ≥ 2 was detected in 55% of patients during a median follow-up of 9.5 months (IQR 2.2–16.4). When comparing subgroups with an ISUP upgrade and sustained ISUP 1 PC, they differed significantly in contact length of the index lesion to the pseudocapsule, ADC value, PI-RADS category, and the MRI grading group (mGG) (p < 0.05). In the ISUP GG ≥ 2 subgroup, 91% of men had PI-RADS category 4 or 5 and 82% exhibited the highest mGG (mGG3). In multivariate analysis, mGG was the only independent parameter for predicting ISUP ≥ 2-PC in these patients.

Conclusions

MRI reveals important information about PC aggressiveness and should be incorporated into clinical decision-making when ISUP-1-PC is diagnosed. In cases of specific MRI characteristics adverse to the histopathology, early re-biopsy might be considered.

Clinical relevance statement

In cases with clear MRI characteristics for clinically significant prostate cancer (e.g., mGG 3 and/or PI-RADS 5, cT3, or clear focal PI-RADS 4 lesions on MRI) and ISUP GG 1 PC diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy, MRI findings should be incorporated into clinical decision-making and early re-biopsy (e.g., within 6 months) might be considered.

Key Points

MRI reveals important information about prostate cancer (PC) aggressiveness.

MRI should be incorporated into clinical decision-making when ISUP GG 1 PC is diagnosed on initial prostate biopsy.

In cases of specific MRI characteristics adverse to the histopathology, early re-biopsy might be considered.

Graphical Abstract
Assocation between trapezium size and failure of total trapeziometacarpal prosthesis. A survival analysis
Authors: Simón-Pérez Clarisa , Martín-Ferrero Miguel Angel , Hernandez-Cortes Pedro , Coco Martin Begoña , S. Rosales Roberto
Published: September 2024

Aims

To assess the survival function of cementless total trapezium metacarpal prostheses (TTMPs) at 20 years, to compare survival functions by trapezium size, and to evaluate the association between the instantaneous risk of TTMP failure and small trapezium size using a multivariate Cox regression model.

Methods

This observational cohort study included 221 consecutive patients with a mean follow-up after TTMP of 137.3 months (maximum of 246 months). Kaplan-Meier and actuarial life-table methods were used to evaluate the survival function of thecohort. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared by trapezium size. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine the effect of potential confounders on the association between small trapezium and the instantaneous risk of TTMP failure.

Results

At the end of follow-up, there was a 89.01% chance of the TTMP surviving for 246 months or more. There was an association between TTMP survival time and trapezium size showing a significant trend such that the survival curves weresignificantly higher with larger trapezium size (Mantel-Cox test, p = 0.0001; WilcoxonBreslow test, p = 0.0002; Tarone-Ware test, p = 0.0001).The unadjusted Cox regression model showed a significant association between small trapezium size (smaller than 9 mm) and the instantaneous risk of TTPM failure (HR: 7.37, 95% CI: 2.46-22.07). In the multivariate Cox analysis, “age”, “trapezium morphology”, and “complications” were confounders in the association between small trapezium size and the hazard ratio of prosthetic failure (HR = 3.76; 95% CI 0.96 to 13.82).

Conclusion

These results confirm the long-term functional survival of TTMP prostheses and reveal a significant increase in trend of the survival curve with larger trapezium size. Patient age, trapezium morphology, and the presence of post-surgical complications are confounders in the association between small trapezium size and the hazard ratio of TTMP failure.
Geometrically nonlinear static analysis of multi-component structures through variable-kinematics finite elements
Authors: Azzara R. , Carrera E. , Chiaia P. , Filippi M. , Pagani A. , Petrolo M. , Zappino E.
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a multi-dimensional variable-kinematics finite element model for nonlinear static analyses of structures with complex geometries. The approach incorporates higher-order beam models and classical solid finite elements in a unified framework, enabling refined modeling of complex geometries. The finite element procedure proposed follows the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) and uses a pure displacement-based methodology. The governing equations are derived within the classical continuum mechanics framework, and weak-form equilibrium equations are established using the Principle of Virtual Displacements (PVD). Within the CUF framework, higher-order beam and hexahedral solid models are defined in a unified manner, and the governing equations are written in terms of invariants of mathematical models used and the theory of structures approximation. A coupling technique is used between the beam and solid elements at the nodal level using superposition. The capabilities of fully nonlinear variable-kinematics models are investigated for the static analysis of various rectangular and curved structures. The numerical results are compared with solutions obtained using commercial software. Finally, the proposed methodology is applied to analyze more complex geometries in engineering applications. The results show the capabilities of variable-kinematics models in terms of both accuracy and computational efficiency for the computation of highly nonlinear deformed states and localized phenomena, such as stress concentrations and buckling.
The association between periodontal microbial biomarkers and primary therapy outcome
Authors: Werner Nils , Frasheri Iris , Heck Katrin , Ern Christina , Heym Richard , Bumm Caspar Victor , Folwaczny Matthias
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aims to analyse the association between the baseline microbial load of selected periodontopathogenic bacteria collected from gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and the primary outcome of steps I and II therapy.

Materials and methods

222 patients with stage III periodontitis were included into this retrospective analysis that received steps 1 and 2 periodontal therapy without adjunctive systemic antibiotics. Baseline GCF samples were quantitatively analysed using ELISA-based kits for levels of periodontopathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Treponema denticola (Td), and Tannerella forsythia (Tf)) and associated with the primary therapy outcome using a “treat-to-target” therapy endpoint (TE) defined as ≤ 4 sites with PD ≥ 5 mm six months after therapy.

Results

38.2% of the patients achieved TE. Patients failing to achieve TE revealed significantly increased levels of Pg, Fn, and Tf at baseline (Pg: p = 0.010, Fn: p = 0.008 Tf: p = 0.004). Multivariate binary logistic regression adjusted for sex, mean probing depth, diabetes, and current smoking status showed an independent relationship between Tf and the TE (aOR 2.570, p = 0.023).

Conclusion

Increased microbial load is associated with decreased responsiveness to therapy. The findings suggest that specifically baseline Tf levels are associated with poorer treatment outcomes and might improve the accuracy of periodontal diagnosis.

Clinical relevance

The findings of this study support the concept of a critical biomass that is sufficient to induce and maintain an immune response within the periodontal pocket, which ultimately leads to irreversible tissue destruction. However, calculating this level in advance may serve as an early indicator for intervention.

Key finding

Baseline Tannerella forsythia levels are associated with poorer treatment outcome.