bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the lowland on various types of mulch
Authors: Rafiuddin  , Ridwan Ifayanti , Syam Amir
Published: September 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of mulch treatment on the growth and production of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in the lowlands. The research was conducted in Lempong Village, Bola District, Wajo Regency located 78 m above sea level (asl) with an average temperature of 24ºC - 33ºC. This research was set using a Split Plot Design (SPD) with garlic varieties set as the main plots consisting of highland (var. Lumbu Hijau) and lowland varieties (var. Lumbu Putih) while mulch types were set as subplots consisting of control (no mulch), black silver plastic mulch, rice straw mulch, Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) leaves mulch, and banana leaves mixed with stem mulch. Each treatment combination was repeated 3 times. The results show that the Lumbu Putih variety had better growth and production than the Lumbu Hijau on the parameters of plant height, number of leaves, and number cloves per tuber. Straw mulch showed the best effect in suppressing soil temperature (28.5ºC). Banana leaves and stem mulch was the best type of mulch compared to control and other mulches on parameters of plant height, number of leaves, and number of cloves per tuber. The interaction between the Lumbu Putih variety and banana leaf and stem mulch produced the highest production per hectare (1.6 ton ha−1).
Comparison of financial feasibility between hybrid maize farming for seed production and feed production in Bone District, South Sulawesi
Authors: Khairati S , Jusni  , BDR M Farid
Published: September 2023

Maize is one of the most important food commodities after rice in Indonesia. The maize productivity improvement program is expected not only to be able to increase production but also to increase farmers’ income so that the self-sufficiency that you want to achieve can be realized. This study aims to compare the financial feasibility of hybrid maize farming for seed production and hybrid maize farming for feed production. This research is comparative research, with a total sample of 100 farmers selected by purposive sampling. Research data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The method used to calculate feasibility uses the R/C ratio and B/C ratio, as well as the average test (t-test) of the difference in feasibility for the two farms. The results showed that the feasibility value of hybrid maize farming for seed and feed production respectively gave an R/C ratio of 2.0 and 2.3; and a B/C ratio of 1 and 1.3. There is a difference in feasibility between hybrid maize farming for seed production and feed production with the average different test results, where the value of tcount > ttable. The different test values (t-test) for the R/C ratio is 3.928 while for the B/C ratio is 2.387. Based on the calculation of financial feasibility, hybrid maize farming for feed production is more feasible (profitable) to be cultivated compared to hybrid maize farming for seed production. From this research, it is hoped that it will provide information to farmers in choosing which farming business to cultivate.
Simulation of flow past a squirmer confined in a channel at low Reynolds numbers
Authors: Li Siwen , Ying Yuxiang , Nie Deming
Published: September 2023

The two-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method was employed to numerically investigate the flow around a circular squirmer in a channel at low Reynolds numbers. The study thoroughly examined the impact of various factors on flow structures and drag coefficients (C
d) of the squirmer, such as the Reynolds number (Re), self-propelled strength (α), squirmer-type factor (β), blockage ratio (B), and orientation angle (θ). Notably, despite the low Reynolds numbers, a change in the orientation angle θ resulted in a lift in the squirmer, consequently affecting its lift coefficient (C
l). The simulation findings underscored that a pair of up-down backflow regions are generated on the squirmer’s surface. Interestingly, the locations of these backflow regions varied significantly between the pusher type (β< 0), the neutral squirmer (β= 0), and the puller type (β> 0). These variations were closely tied to the pressure and velocity distributions on the surfaces of the respective squirmers. Furthermore, an increase in α might induce the formation of a new pair of backflow regions near the channel walls and subsequently elevate the C

d
. On the other hand, alterations in Re did not affect the flow structures but created a negative correlation with C
d. Overall, the study unveiled unique dynamic characteristics, offering a contrast to the extensively investigated case of flow past a cylinder.
Cryogenic ion trap system for high-fidelity near-field microwave-driven quantum logic
Authors: Weber M A , Löschnauer C , Wolf J , Gely M F , Hanley R K , Goodwin J F , Ballance C J , Harty T P , Lucas D M
Published: September 2023

We report the design, fabrication, and characterization of a cryogenic ion trap system for the implementation of quantum logic driven by near-field microwaves. The trap incorporates an on-chip microwave resonator with an electrode geometry designed to null the microwave field component that couples directly to the qubit, while giving a large field gradient for driving entangling logic gates. We map the microwave field using a single 43Ca+ ion, and measure the ion trapping lifetime and motional mode heating rates for one and two ions.
Quantum kernel evaluation via Hong–Ou–Mandel interference
Authors: Bowie C , Shrapnel S , Kewming M J
Published: September 2023

One of the fastest growing areas of interest in quantum computing is its use within machine learning methods, in particular through the application of quantum kernels. Despite this large interest, there exist very few proposals for relevant physical platforms to evaluate quantum kernels. In this article, we propose and simulate a protocol capable of evaluating quantum kernels using Hong–Ou–Mandel interference, an experimental technique that is widely accessible to optics researchers. Our proposal utilises the orthogonal temporal modes of a single photon, allowing one to encode multi-dimensional feature vectors. As a result, interfering two photons and using the detected coincidence counts, we can perform a direct measurement and binary classification. This physical platform confers an exponential quantum advantage also described theoretically in other works. We present a complete description of this method and perform a numerical experiment to demonstrate a sample application for binary classification of classical data.
Second response theory: a theoretical formalism for the propagation of quantum superpositions
Authors: Mosquera Martín A
Published: September 2023

The propagation of general electronic quantum states provides information of the interaction of molecular systems with external driving fields. These can also offer understandings regarding non-adiabatic quantum phenomena. Well established methods focus mainly on propagating a quantum system that is initially described exclusively by the ground state wavefunction. In this work, we expand a previously developed size-extensive formalism within coupled cluster theory, called second response theory, so it propagates quantum systems that are initially described by a general linear combination of different states, which can include the ground state, and show how with a special set of time-dependent cluster operators such propagations are performed. Our theory shows strong consistency with numerically exact results for the determination of quantum mechanical observables, probabilities, and coherences. We discuss unperturbed non-stationary states within second response theory and their ability to predict matrix elements that agree with those found in linear and quadratic response theories. This work also discusses an approximate regularized methodology to treat systems with potential instabilities in their ground-state cluster amplitudes, and compares such approximations with respect to reference results from standard unitary theory.
Probing reaction channels via reinforcement learning
Authors: Liang Senwei , Singh Aditya N , Zhu Yuanran , Limmer David T , Yang Chao
Published: September 2023

Chemical reactions are dynamical processes involving the correlated reorganization of atomic configurations, driving the conversion of an initial reactant into a result product. By virtue of the metastability of both the reactants and products, chemical reactions are rare events, proceeding fleetingly. Reaction pathways can be modelled probabilistically by using the notion of reactive density in the phase space of the molecular system. Such density is related to a function known as the committor function, which describes the likelihood of a configuration evolving to one of the nearby metastable regions. In theory, the committor function can be obtained by solving the backward Kolmogorov equation (BKE), which is a partial differential equation (PDE) defined in the full dimensional phase space. However, using traditional methods to solve this problem is not practical for high dimensional systems. In this work, we propose a reinforcement learning based method to identify important configurations that connect reactant and product states along chemical reaction paths. By shooting multiple trajectories from these configurations, we can generate an ensemble of states that concentrate on the transition path ensemble. This configuration ensemble can be effectively employed in a neural network-based PDE solver to obtain an approximation solution of a restricted BKE, even when the dimension of the problem is very high. The resulting solution provides an approximation for the committor function that encodes mechanistic information for the reaction, paving a new way for understanding of complex chemical reactions and evaluation of reaction rates.
Ternary Łukasiewicz logic using memristive devices
Authors: Bengel Christopher , Liu Feng , Chen Ziang , Zhao Xianyue , Waser Rainer , Schmidt Heidemarie , Du Nan , Menzel Stephan
Published: September 2023

Memristive devices based on the Valence Change Mechanism (VCM) are promising devices for storage class memory, neuromorphic computing and logic-in-memory (LIM) applications. They are suited for such a wide range of applications, due to their possibility for extreme dense integration, low power consumption and multilevel capabilities. Through LIM concepts, Boolean logic operations can be performed directly in memory. In many of these concepts, the resistance state of the device is interpreted as the logical input and output of the logic function, which is why these concepts are called ‘stateful’ logic. Most of the proposed ideas, however, are defined based on only binary switching VCM devices and neglect their multi-level capabilities. Extending LIM concepts towards multinary logic, e.g. a ternary logic, would increase the data density inside the memory array and reduce the number of devices required to perform a certain operation. In this work, we discuss two possibilities of realizing a ternary logic based on the analog switching in the RESET or in the SET direction. For both directions we verify the logic functionality by showing the basic operations of implication, negation and false operation, which together form a functionally complete logic. Additionally, for both switching directions, we discuss a 41-Trit (

≈

64-Bit) addition. For all investigations the physics-based compact model JART VCM v1b is used, which has been verified on the RESET direction multilevel properties of the TaO

x

devices.
Methodological aspects in assessing the whole-life global warming potential of wood-based building materials: comparing exterior wall structures insulated with wood shavings
Authors: Joensuu Tuomo , Tuominen Eero , Vinha Juha , Saari Arto
Published: September 2023

Due to the heavy environmental impacts on the building industry, wood-based building materials are gaining interest. They may improve the indoor climate and have a low carbon footprint compared to steel and concrete structures. This study provides knowledge on the carbon footprint of wood shavings (WSs) and WSs improved with clay as insulation materials. The study defines the lifecycle emissions of five different wall structures, of which two are of conventional type in the Finnish context and three with WSs as insulation. The study follows the EN standards on buildings’ life cycle assessment with a streamlined approach and discusses the applicability of the method in the normative context. The study analyzes multiple methodological aspects, including biogenic carbon, co-product allocation, and defining the functional unit in wall structure comparison. In the base case, the exterior wall using WS as insulation provided the lowest GHG emissions of the compared structures. The study finds global warming potential (GWP) of WSs moderately sensitive to allocation choices and energy sources used in the drying of WSs with clay, while the End-of-Life treatment option can radically change the results in biogenic GWP. From the perspective of applying the buildings’ life cycle assessment in the normative context, there is a call for further research for controlling uncertainties in modeling End-of-Life options of biogenic materials.
Association of socioeconomic status with 30-day survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Scotland, 2011–2020
Authors: Bijman Laura A E , Chamberlain Rosemary C , Clegg Gareth , Kent Andrew , Halbesma Nynke
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the crude and adjusted association of socioeconomic status with 30-day survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Scotland and to assess whether the effect of this association differs by sex or age.

Methods

This is a population-based, retrospective cohort study, including non-traumatic, non-Emergency Medical Services witnessed patients with OHCA where resuscitation was attempted by the Scottish Ambulance Service, between 1 April 2011 and 1 March 2020. Socioeconomic status was defined using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). The primary outcome was 30-day survival after OHCA. Crude and adjusted associations of SIMD quintile with 30-day survival after OHCA were estimated using logistic regression. Effect modification by age and sex was assessed by stratification.

Results

Crude analysis showed lower odds of 30-day survival in the most deprived quintile relative to least deprived [odds ratio (OR) 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–0.88]. Adjustment for age, sex, and urban/rural residency decreased the relative odds of survival further (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.47–0.67). The strongest association was observed in males <45 years old. Across quintiles of increasing deprivation, evidence of decreasing trends in the proportion of those presenting with shockable initial cardiac rhythm, those receiving bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 30-day survival after OHCA were found.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic status is associated with 30-day survival after OHCA in Scotland, favouring people living in the least deprived areas. This was not explained by confounding due to age, sex, or urban/rural residency. The strongest association was observed in males <45 years old.
Virologs, viral mimicry, and virocell metabolism: the expanding scale of cellular functions encoded in the complex genomes of giant viruses
Authors: Moniruzzaman Mohammad , Erazo Garcia Maria Paula , Farzad Roxanna , Ha Anh D , Jivaji Abdeali , Karki Sangita , Sheyn Uri , Stanton Joshua , Minch Benjamin , Stephens Danae , Hancks Dustin C , Rodrigues Rodrigo A L , Abrahao Jonatas S , Vardi Assaf , Aylward Frank O
Published: September 2023

The phylum Nucleocytoviricota includes the largest and most complex viruses known. These “giant viruses” have a long evolutionary history that dates back to the early diversification of eukaryotes, and over time they have evolved elaborate strategies for manipulating the physiology of their hosts during infection. One of the most captivating of these mechanisms involves the use of genes acquired from the host—referred to here as viral homologs or “virologs”—as a means of promoting viral propagation. The best-known examples of these are involved in mimicry, in which viral machinery “imitates” immunomodulatory elements in the vertebrate defense system. But recent findings have highlighted a vast and rapidly expanding array of other virologs that include many genes not typically found in viruses, such as those involved in translation, central carbon metabolism, cytoskeletal structure, nutrient transport, vesicular trafficking, and light harvesting. Unraveling the roles of virologs during infection as well as the evolutionary pathways through which complex functional repertoires are acquired by viruses are important frontiers at the forefront of giant virus research.
Acute Intermittent Porphyria in a Burn Patient: Case Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Credo Roald , Kesey Jennifer , Bharadia Deepak , Griswold John , Pang Alan
Published: September 2023

Healthcare providers evaluating patients presenting with neurological, visceral, or cutaneous symptoms that are disproportionate to the expected severity may need to consider porphyria in the differential. Porphyria is an inherited condition in which toxic metabolites of the heme pathway are increased. Carriers of porphyrias are asymptomatic and will not present with classical symptoms, nor will levels be elevated, until the disease is induced by certain drugs, hormones, or idiopathic causes such as the stress of trauma. Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), a form of acute porphyria, is a rare autosomal dominant disease that results in a dysfunctional porphobilinogen deaminase. This consequently increases neurotoxic porphobilinogen and subsequent increase in δ-aminolevulinic acid. Both of these metabolites cause neurovisceral symptoms that afflict the patient in acute attacks. We present a rare case of AIP manifested in a burn patient suffering a burn injury. The patient presented with symptoms indicative of AIP, including altered mental status and abdominal pain accompanied with a chronic history of alcoholism and smoking. A negative work-up, including imaging and findings of associated manifestations consistent with AIP led to a discovery of elevated porphyrins. The patient’s course and death due to his injuries gives insight into the presentation of AIP in a burn patient.
Reevaluating Plato’s legacy to education: an introduction to the suite
Authors: Yacek Douglas W
Published: September 2023

Plato scholarship in education is currently experiencing a marked renaissance. In the last half decade, dozens of articles have been published in the journals of philosophy of education that engage with Plato’s educational vision, and several book-length treatments have appeared at major publishing houses alongside these articles. From one perspective, this development might seem surprising, even baffling. Plato, as we hear from countless, seemingly reliable sources, is a metaphysician par excellence. He believes in a dubious realm of forms that somehow stands above or behind the things we see in the world. He claims that all learning is ultimately recollection from a time in which our soul resided in this realm, before it was infused into our bodies at birth. He is a trenchant critic of democracy. Given these credentials, it would seem that Plato has very little to say to us in post-metaphysical democratic societies and especially to teachers who hope to have a bit more success than Socrates. And yet the authors of the aforementioned works on Plato argue the very opposite. Plato is an indispensable conversation partner for contemporary educational philosophy and theory, they maintain, and overlooking his insights would seriously impoverish our conceptions and methods of education. This suite of papers aims to provide a helpful overview of the contemporary debate concerning Plato’s educational legacy and show that it provides important guidance for educators today.
The limits of Platonic modelling and moral education: a view from the classroom
Authors: Berk Matthew J
Published: September 2023

Educators are conflicted about whether school provides an appropriate space to teach ethics. Still, they want to develop the moral character of their students, and most of these efforts have used various citizenship values to address our frustration with students’ ‘lack of character’. Recently, a wave of work in the philosophy of education has rejuvenated discussion of Aristotelian virtue ethics, which forms the backbone for programmes that many schools are now adopting. Mark Jonas and Yoshiaki Nakazawa, however, argue that schools should revisit Plato’s pedagogical methods, as well. If educators want to develop virtue in students, they need to understand the mechanism behind moral development. Guided by Plato, they argue that expert teachers use psychological, pedagogical, and philosophical reasoning to induce epiphanies in students, then guide them through virtue-oriented rehabituation. The goal of this article is to explore the legitimacy of Jonas and Nakazawa’s Platonic theory. I begin by describing the state of modern democratic education and its relationship to teaching ethics. I argue that character development is the appropriate route educators should take but that Jonas and Nakazawa’s theory only gives educators a partial understanding of how to do so. They give a plausible model for how our best educators are effective, but we are left wanting a much more robust, instructive picture. I suggest that we need a broader overhaul of the way we view education in a modern democratic society; character development must proceed from a different normative picture of the individual’s place in society.
Moral education as the practice of virtue
Authors: Longa Rachel Ann
Published: September 2023

This article proposes to reconceive moral education on the model of spiritual practice. Such an education would be defined not by its content—that is, explicit instruction about moral rules or particular virtues—but rather by the form of its constituent activities. Drawing on the works of both Plato and Foucault, the article addresses questions about the epistemic complexity of virtue raised in Mark E. Jonas and Yoshiaka Nakzawa’s A Platonic Theory of Moral Education. It then goes on to suggest that the form of spiritual practice is uniquely suited to the cultivation of virtue understood on their Platonic model.
Unencapsulated thymoma: a case report
Authors: Yamamoto Saki , Mizutani Eiki , Morita Riichiro , Kodama Makoto , Abe Keiko , Yazawa Takuya
Published: September 2023

Thymomas, the most common mediastinal tumors, form capsules. Only a few reports have presented small thymomas without capsule formation, so-called microthymomas. Here, we report a case of an unencapsulated thymoma measuring 18 mm. A 42-year-old female presented with an anterior mediastinal tumor. Computed tomography revealed an 18-mm nodule in the anterior mediastinum. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid tumor that was iso-intense on T1-weighted images and hypo-intense on T2-weighted images. Thoracoscopic partial thymectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was a type B1 thymoma. The tumor was localized within the thymic tissue lacked a fibrous capsule and partially invaded the surrounding fat tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an unencapsulated thymoma, except for microthymomas.
Bacteria isolated from explosive contaminated environments transform pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions
Authors: Avila-Arias Helena , Casallas Francy-Carolina , Arbeli Ziv , García Gutiérrez Andrea , Fajardo Gomez Carlos Andres , Herrera Castillo Denis Yohana , Carvajal Ramirez Sandra , Tamayo-Figueroa Diana Paola , Benavides López de Mesa Joaquín , Roldan Fabio
Published: September 2023

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a nitrate ester explosive that may be persistent with scarce reports on its environmental fate and impacts. Our main objective was to isolate and characterize bacteria that transform PETN under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Biotransformation of PETN (100 mg L−1) was evaluated using mineral medium with (M + C) and without (M − C) additional carbon sources under aerobic conditions and with additional carbon sources under anaerobic conditions. Here, we report on the isolation of 12 PETN-transforming cultures (4 pure and 8 co-cultures) from environmental samples collected at an explosive manufacturing plant. The highest transformation of PETN was observed for cultures in M + C under aerobic conditions, reaching up to 91% ± 2% in 2 d. Under this condition, PETN biotransformation was observed in conjunction with the release of nitrites and bacterial growth. No substantial transformation of PETN (<45%) was observed during 21 d in M − C under aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, five cultures could transform PETN (up to 52% ± 13%) as the sole nitrogen source, concurrent with the formation of two unidentified metabolites. PETN-transforming cultures belonged to Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. In conclusion, we isolated 12 PETN-transforming cultures belonging to diverse taxa, suggesting that PETN transformation is phylogenetically widespread.
Classifications of Fermi-LAT unassociated sources in multiple machine learning methods
Authors: Zhu K R , Chen J M , Zheng Y G , Zhang L
Published: September 2023

The classifications of Fermi-LAT unassociated sources are studied using multiple machine learning (ML) methods. The update data from 4FGL-DR3 are divided into high Galactic latitude (HGL, Galactic latitude |b| > 10°) and low Galactic latitude (LGL, |b| ≤ 10°) regions. In the HGL region, a voting ensemble of four binary ML classifiers achieves a 91 per cent balanced accuracy. In the LGL region, an additional Bayesian–Gaussian (BG) model with three parameters is introduced to eliminate abnormal soft spectrum active galactic nuclei (AGNs) from the training set and ML-identified AGN candidates, a voting ensemble of four ternary ML algorithms reach an 81 per cent balanced accuracy. And then, a catalogue of Fermi-LAT all-sky unassociated sources is constructed. Our classification results show that (i) there are 1037 AGN candidates and 88 pulsar candidates with a balanced accuracy of 0.918 ± 0.029 in HGL region, which are consistent with those given in previous all-sky ML approaches; and (ii) there are 290 AGN-like candidates, 135 pulsar-like candidates, and 742 other-like candidates with a balanced accuracy of 0.815 ± 0.027 in the LGL region, which are different from those in previous all-sky ML approaches. Additionally, different training sets and class weights were tested for their impact on classifier accuracy and predicted results. The findings suggest that while different training approaches can yield similar model accuracy, the predicted numbers across different categories can vary significantly. Thus, reliable evaluation of the predicted results is deemed crucial in the ML approach for Fermi-LAT unassociated sources.
Mysterious non-detection of HeI (23S) transit absorption of GJ436b
Authors: Rumenskikh M S , Khodachenko M L , Shaikhislamov I F , Miroshnichenko I B , Berezutsky A G , Shepelin A V , Dwivedi N K
Published: September 2023

Possible reasons for the non-detection of absorption in the metastable HeI(23S) line at transit observations of warm Neptune GJ436b, in spite of the well pronounced strong absorption features measured earlier in Lyα for this planet, are investigated. We perform numeric simulations of the escaping upper atmosphere of this planet and its HeI(23S) triplet absorption with a global 3D multi-fluid self-consistent hydrodynamic model. By fitting the model parameters to the lowest detection level of absorption measurements, we constrain an upper limit the He/H abundance three times smaller than the solar value. We demonstrate that neither the significant changes of the stellar wind related with possible stellar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), or possible variations in the stellar ionization radiation, nor the presence of heavy trace elements have crucial effect on the absorption at the 10 830 Å line of HeI(23S) triplet. The main reason of weak signature is that the region populated by the absorbing metastable helium is rather small (<3Rp), as well as the small size of the planet itself, in comparison to the host star. We show that the radiation pressure force acting on the HeI(23S) atoms spreads them along the line of sight and around the planet, thus further reducing peak absorption.
CzSL: Learning from citizen science, experts, and unlabelled data in astronomical image classification
Authors: Jiménez Manuel , Alfaro Emilio J , Torres Torres Mercedes , Triguero Isaac
Published: September 2023

Citizen science is gaining popularity as a valuable tool for labelling large collections of astronomical images by the general public. This is often achieved at the cost of poorer quality classifications made by amateur participants, which are usually verified by employing smaller data sets labelled by professional astronomers. Despite its success, citizen science alone will not be able to handle the classification of current and upcoming surveys. To alleviate this issue, citizen science projects have been coupled with machine learning techniques in pursuit of a more robust automated classification. However, existing approaches have neglected the fact that, apart from the data labelled by amateurs, (limited) expert knowledge of the problem is also available along with vast amounts of unlabelled data that have not yet been exploited within a unified learning framework. This paper presents an innovative learning methodology for citizen science capable of taking advantage of expert- and amateur-labelled data, featuring a transfer of labels between experts and amateurs. The proposed approach first learns from unlabelled data with a convolutional auto-encoder and then exploits amateur and expert labels via the pre-training and fine-tuning of a convolutional neural network, respectively. We focus on the classification of galaxy images from the Galaxy Zoo project, from which we test binary, multiclass, and imbalanced classification scenarios. The results demonstrate that our solution is able to improve classification performance compared to a set of baseline approaches, deploying a promising methodology for learning from different confidence levels in data labelling.
Planetesimal formation via the streaming instability with multiple grain sizes
Authors: Rucska J J , Wadsley J W
Published: September 2023

Kilometre-sized planetesimals form from pebbles of a range of sizes. We present the first simulations of the streaming instability (SI) that begin with a realistic, peaked size distribution, as expected from grain growth predictions. Our 3D numerical simulations directly form planetesimals via the gravitational collapse of pebble clouds. Models with multiple grain sizes show spatially distinct dust populations. The smallest grains in the size distribution do not participate in the formation of filaments or the planetesimals that are formed by the remaining ∼80 per cent of the dust mass. This implies a size cutoff for pebbles incorporated into asteroids and comets. Disc observations cannot resolve this dust clumping. However, we show that clumping, combined with optical depth effects, can cause significant underestimates of the dust mass, with 20–80 per cent more dust being present even at moderate optical depths if the SI is active.
Cosmography from well-localized fast radio bursts
Authors: Fortunato Jéferson A S , Hipólito-Ricaldi Wiliam S , dos Santos Marcelo V
Published: September 2023

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration pulses occurring at cosmological distances that have emerged as prominent cosmological probes due to their dispersion measure (DM) evolution with redshift. In this work, we use cosmography, a model-independent approach to describe the evolution of the Universe, to introduce the cosmographic expansion of the DM– z relation. By fitting two different models for the intergalactic medium and host contributions to a sample of 23 well-localized FRBs, we estimate the kinematic parameters $q_0=-0.59^{+0.20}_{-0.17}$, $j_0=1.08^{+0.62}_{-0.56}$, s0 = −2.1 ± 7.0, and H0 = 69.4 ± 4.7 achieving a precision of 6 per cent and 7 per cent for the Hubble constant depending on the models used for contributions. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this approach can be used as an alternative and complementary cosmological model-independent method to revisit the long-standing ‘Missing Baryons’ problem in astrophysics by estimating that 82 per cent of the baryonic content of the Universe resides in the intergalactic medium, within 7 per cent and 8 per cent precision, according to the contribution models considered here. Our findings highlight the potential of FRBs as a valuable tool in cosmological research and underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to improve our understanding of these enigmatic events.
Pulsational pair-instability supernovae in gravitational-wave and electromagnetic transients
Authors: Hendriks D D , van Son L A C , Renzo M , Izzard R G , Farmer R
Published: September 2023

Current observations of binary black hole (BBH) merger events show support for a feature in the primary BH-mass distribution at $\sim \, 35 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$, previously interpreted as a signature of pulsational pair-instability supernovae (PPISNe). Such supernovae are expected to map a wide range of pre-supernova carbon–oxygen (CO) core masses to a narrow range of BH masses, producing a peak in the BH mass distribution. However, recent numerical simulations place the mass location of this peak above $50 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. Motivated by uncertainties in the progenitor’s evolution and explosion mechanism, we explore how modifying the distribution of BH masses resulting from PPISN affects the populations of gravitational-wave (GW) and electromagnetic (EM) transients. To this end, we simulate populations of isolated BBH systems and combine them with cosmic star formation rates. Our results are the first cosmological BBH-merger predictions made using the binary_c rapid population synthesis framework. We find that our fiducial model does not match the observed GW peak. We can only explain the $35 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ peak with PPISNe by shifting the expected CO core-mass range for PPISN downwards by $\sim {}15 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. Apart from being in tension with state-of-the art stellar models, we also find that this is likely in tension with the observed rate of hydrogen-less super-luminous supernovae. Conversely, shifting the mass range upward, based on recent stellar models, leads to a predicted third peak in the BH mass function at $\sim {}64 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. Thus we conclude that the $\sim {}35 \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ feature is unlikely to be related to PPISN.
Daylength variation affects growth, photosynthesis, leaf metabolism, partitioning, and metabolic fluxes
Authors: Xu Yuan , Koroma Abubakarr A , Weise Sean E , Fu Xinyu , Sharkey Thomas D , Shachar-Hill Yair
Published: September 2023

Daylength, a seasonal and latitudinal variable, exerts a substantial impact on plant growth. However, the relationship between daylength and growth is nonproportional, suggesting the existence of adaptive mechanisms. Thus, our study aimed to comprehensively investigate the adaptive strategies employed by plants in response to daylength variation. We grew false flax (Camelina sativa) plants, a model oilseed crop, under long-day (LD) and short-day (SD) conditions and used growth measurements, gas exchange measurements, and isotopic labeling techniques, including 13C, 14C, and 2H2O, to determine responses to different daylengths. Our findings revealed that daylength influences various growth parameters, photosynthetic physiology, carbon partitioning, metabolic fluxes, and metabolite levels. SD plants employed diverse mechanisms to compensate for reduced CO2 fixation in the shorter photoperiod. These mechanisms included enhanced photosynthetic rates and reduced respiration in the light (RL), leading to increased shoot investment. Additionally, SD plants exhibited reduced rates of the glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) shunt and greater partitioning of sugars into starch, thereby sustaining carbon availability during the longer night. Isotopic labeling results further demonstrated substantial alterations in the partitioning of amino acids and TCA cycle intermediates between rapidly and slowly turning over pools. Overall, the results point to multiple developmental, physiological, and metabolic ways in which plants adapt to different daylengths to maintain growth.
Urinary tract infections in long-term care
Authors: Wimmer Brenda
Published: September 2023

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common infections in long-term care (LTC) facilities, yet clinical judgment rather than evidence is most often used in evaluation and treatment. This article recounts the implementation of an evidence-based practice evaluation and treatment protocol at an LTC facility to reduce the number of residents with a UTI.
Closure of Long Surgical Incisions with Hemostatic Tissue Adhesive in a Porcine Skin Model
Authors: Neiman Ariel , Eshkol-Yogev Inbar , Keren Aviad , Foox Maytal , Pinkas Oded , Goldstein Nyra , Gilhar Amos , Zilberman Meital , Ullmann Yehuda
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVE

Skin adhesives offer many advantages over traditional wound-closure devices. Recently, the current research group reported on tissue adhesives composed of natural polymers (gelatin and alginate), which are biocompatible with mechanical properties suitable for tissue adhesion. The objective of the present study was to conduct clinical and histologic assessment of this hemostatic bioadhesive in the healing of long skin incisions (≥4 cm) in comparison with traditional and commercially available methods.

METHODS

Researchers created 24 long incisions on the ventral side of two domestic pigs to compare four different treatment modalities: two topical bioadhesives based on gelatin and alginate combined with the hemostatic agent kaolin, nylon sutures, and commercial tissue adhesive N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. The bioadhesive compounds were spread on the incision surface and then mixed either manually or with a double-headed syringe. After 14 days, clinical and histologic measurements were performed to evaluate the healing phase of the wounds.

RESULTS

The bioadhesive formulation that contained a relatively low crosslinker concentration demonstrated superior results to the formulation that contained a standard crosslinker concentration. However, no significant statistical differences were observed compared with the control incisions (sutures and commercial adhesive N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate). This was verified by immunohistochemical analysis for epithelial integrity and scar formation as well as by clinical assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

This newly developed bioadhesive demonstrated suitable properties for the closure of long incisions in a porcine skin model.
Genomic Biomarkers Can Provide a Deeper Understanding of Recurrent Pressure Injuries
Authors: Graves Letitia Y. , Schwartz Katelyn R. , Shiff Josie , Chan Ernest R. , Galea Marinella , Henzel Mary K. , Olney Christine , Bogie Kath M.
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVE

To identify genetic biomarkers predisposing individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to recurrent pressure injuries (PIs).

METHODS

Repeated measures of the transcriptome profile of veterans with SCI at three Veterans Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Centers. Exclusion criteria included having significant active systemic disease at time of enrollment. Researchers obtained comprehensive profiles of clinical and health factors and demographic information relevant to PI history at enrollment and at each follow-up visit by reviewing patients’ medical charts. Whole blood samples were collected at 6- to 12-month intervals for 2 to 4 years. In addition to DNA profiling with whole genome sequencing of the patients, RNA sequencing was performed to assess pathways associated with PI risk.

RESULTS

Whole genome sequencing analysis identified 260 genes that showed increased prevalence of single-nucleotide variations in exonic regions with high (>20) combined annotation-dependent depletion scores between persons with high versus low intramuscular adipose tissue levels when cross-referenced with persons who had recurrent PIs. Gene set enrichment analysis using Hallmark and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) gene sets of these candidate genes revealed enrichment in genes encoding proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism (P < .01). Further, RNA sequencing revealed upregulated activity in biological senescence pathways and downregulated activity in antimicrobial protection pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Genomic biomarkers may complement electronic health records to support management of complex interactive health issues such as risk of recurrent PIs in people with SCI. These findings may also be leveraged for homogeneous phenotypic grouping of higher-risk individuals.
Finite Element Tissue Strains Computation to Evaluate the Mechanical Protection Provided by a New Bilayer Dressing for Heel Pressure Injuries
Authors: Fougeron Nolwenn , Chagnon Gregory , Connesson Nathanael , Alonso Thierry , Pasquinet Laurent , Auguste Stephane , Perrier Antoine , Payan Yohan
Published: September 2023

OBJECTIVE

Pressure injuries (PIs) result in an extended duration of care and increased risks of complications for patients. When treating a PI, the aim is to hinder further PI development and speed up the healing time. Urgo RID recently developed a new bilayer dressing to improve the healing of stages 2 and 3 heel PIs. This study aims to numerically investigate the efficiency of this new bilayer dressing to reduce strains around the PI site.

METHODS

The researchers designed three finite element models based on the same heel data set to compare the Green-Lagrange compressive and maximal shear strains in models without a PI, with a stage 2 PI, and with a stage 3 PI. Simulations with and without the dressing were computed. Analysis of the results was performed in terms of strain clusters, defined as volumes of tissues with high shear and compressive strains.

RESULTS

Decreases in the peak and mean values of strains were low in all three models, between 0% and 20%. However, reduction of the strain cluster volumes was high and ranged from 55% to 68%.

CONCLUSIONS

The cluster analysis enables the robust quantitative comparison of finite element analysis. Results suggest that use of the new bilayer dressing may reduce strain around the PI site and that this dressing could also be used in a prophylactic manner. Results should be extended to a larger cohort of participants.
A Case of Pyoderma Gangrenosum after Partial Small Bowel Resection
Authors: Wang Jianing , Jiang Shiyao , Shi Xin , Li Wenlin , Yu Qianchun , Pan Ting , Mu Yuzhu , Chen Lingling
Published: September 2023

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare, noninfectious inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that affects the skin and mucous membranes. The development of PG after partial small bowel resection is very rare and can initially resemble an infectious complication, although it is an inflammatory disease.

This report presents the case of a 55-year-old man who underwent partial small bowel resection for incomplete intestinal obstruction and developed postoperative infection-like manifestations, including redness and swelling of the incision, severe pain, and yellow-green turbid fluid from the drainage tube. After completing a skin biopsy that suggested massive neutrophil infiltration, multiple secretion cultures for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (+), and systemic screening without other comorbidities, a diagnosis of postoperative PG and P aeruginosa infection was determined.

Early detection of this complication is essential for patient recovery because primary surgical treatment, which is contraindicated in such cases, can worsen PG. Therefore, PG should be treated conservatively with corticosteroids.
Immune-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis and Subsequent Pyogenic Liver Abscesses in Two Patients With Melanoma Treated by Triplet Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Schön Viola , Stocker Daniel , Jüngst Christoph , Dummer Reinhard , Ramelyte Egle
Published: September 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved the treatment of many cancers. However, immune-related (IR) adverse events can limit their use. A rare but potentially severe IR adverse event is IR-cholangitis, which is mostly induced by anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibodies and is often corticosteroid-resistant. Consequently, immunosuppressive therapy is increased, which interferes with the antitumor response and bears the risk of infection. We report on 2 patients with BRAF V600E mutant melanoma, who presented with IR-sclerosing cholangitis under triplet therapy with atezolizumab [anti–programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody], vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor), and cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor). In both cases, the administration of corticosteroids initially resulted in a marginal improvement but was followed by a rebound of biliary enzymes and the subsequent emergence of pyogenic liver abscesses with bacteremia. Liver abscesses developed without preceding invasive procedures, which implies that a more restrictive approach to immunosuppressive therapy for IR-cholangitis should be considered. To our knowledge, we report the first 2 cases of IR-cholangitis and subsequent liver abscesses without prior invasive intervention, the first cases of IR-cholangitis induced by triplet therapy, and 2 of the few anti-PD-L1 induced cases contributing to the evidence that both anti-PD1 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies induce IR-cholangitis. Treatment strategies for IR-cholangitis need to be improved to prevent life-threatening infectious complications.
Novel Validated Five-point Photonumeric Scales for Assessment of Static and Dynamic Forehead Lines
Authors: Lim Tingsong , Kerscher Martina , Ogilvie Alexandra , Pavicic Tatjana , Lorenc Paul Z. , Frank Konstantin , Prinz Valentina , Cajkovsky Mia , Pooth Rainer , Hernandez Claudia
Published: September 2023

Background:

The objective of this investigation was to create and validate five-point photonumeric scales which assess static and dynamic forehead lines.

Methods:

Two different novel five-point photonumeric scales for the assessment of static and dynamic forehead lines were developed. Moreover, a photoguide was created, including subjects from both sexes, all age groups, and different Fitzpatrick skin types. A total of 11 raters from all over the world were involved in the digital validation, whereas four raters performed a live validation.

Results:

The Croma Static Forehead Lines–Assessment Scale showed almost perfect inter and intra-rater agreement in both the digital and the live setting with inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–0.89] in the first digital rating and 0.82 [95% CI: 0.78–0.86] in the second digital rating. The Croma Dynamic Forehead Lines–Assessment Scale showed almost perfect inter and intra-rater agreement in the digital setting with inter-rater intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.83 [95% CI: 0.79–0.86] in the first digital rating and 0.80 [95% CI: 0.75–0.84] in the second rating and almost substantial agreement in the live setting.

Conclusions:

The Croma Static Forehead Lines–Assessment Scale and the Croma Dynamic Forehead Lines–Assessment Scale have excellent inter and intra-rater agreements to be justifiably used in the clinical and study setting, both digitally and live across ethnic groups.