bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La thématisation du patient-victime à l’oral
Authors: Repiso Isabel , Granget Cyrille
Published: July 2023

Les énoncés passifs ont traditionnellement fait l’objet, en français, d’études descriptives visant à distinguer
les emplois des auxiliaires être et se faire (Tesnière
1988; Le Goffic 1993; Riegel et coll.
1994; Le Bellec 2014). L’espagnol possède deux auxiliaires formellement
équivalents : ser et hacerse. Or, à la différence du français, leur emploi n’est pas concurrent
puisque hacerse est sémantiquement restreint à l’expression d’actions bénéfiques (e.g., Se hizo masajear
la espalda ; Il s’est fait masser le dos). L’objectif de notre étude est de comparer les moyens
grammaticaux et lexicaux utilisés en français et en espagnol pour thématiser le patient dans des actions désagréables, à l’oral.
Nos résultats montrent que les locuteurs francophones emploient le passif dans 59,3% des réponses, alors que les hispanophones
préfèrent des conceptualisations à la voix active où le patient-victime est marqué sous le cas grammatical d’un objet (37,5%). Au
sein des conceptualisations passives, le français montre une préférence pour se faire +
infinitif (78,9%) alors qu’en espagnol le patient-victime est thématisé à l’aide du complément d’objet
d’affectation introduit par la préposition « a » (58,8%). Notre étude montre que la thématisation du patient-victime est un trait
distinctif entre ces langues et suggère, dans ce domaine conceptuel, une saillance de la perspective passive pour le français.
Improved corrosion properties of novel Fe-Cr-B based metamorphic alloy designed for thermal spray process by adding Nb and Mo
Authors: Cho Yong-Hoon , Park So-Yeon , Ham Gi-Su , Kim Choongnyun Paul , Park Sung-Cheol , Lee Kee-Ahn
Published: July 2023

In this study, new metamorphic alloy powder (M+) with an optimised composition of Fe-Cr-B-Mo-Nb appropriate for thermal spray process was developed by adding Mo and Nb, and the novel metamorphic alloy coating was fabricated by atmospheric plasma spray (APS) process. Thereafter, the corrosion resistances of the coatings were investigated and compared with those of commercial Fe-Cr-B based metamorphic alloy (M). The high-temperature oxidation resistance of the developed M+ powder feedstock was 2.18 times better than that of the commercial M. The in-flight oxidation occurring during APS process in M+ alloy decreased by 39.5% compared to that in M alloy. The passivation behaviour of M+ alloy was more stable than that of M alloy in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The effect of adding Nb and Mo on the corrosion resistance of M+ coatings was also discussed in connection with microstructural changes.
Robust Magnetism Against Pressure in Non-Superconducting Samples Prepared from Lutetium Foil and H2/N2 Gas Mixture
Authors: Guo Jing , Cai Shu , Wang Dong , Shu Haiyun , Yang Liuxiang , Wang Pengyu , Wang Wentao , Tian Huanfang , Yang Huaixin , Zhou Yazhou , Zhao Jinyu , Han Jinyu , Li Jianqi , Wu Qi , Ding Yang , Yang Wenge , Xiang Tao , Mao Ho-kwang , Sun Liling
Published: July 2023

We report the observation of a magnetic transition at the temperature about 56 K, through the high-pressure heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the samples that have been claimed to be a near-room-temperature superconductor [Dasenbrock-Gammon et al. Nature
615, 244 (2023)]. Our results show that this magnetic phase is robust against pressure up to 4.3 GPa, which covers the critical pressure of boosting the claimed superconductivity.
Giant anomalous Hall and Nernst conductivities in cubic Fe3Pt and Ni3In
Authors: Xiao Shifa , Zhang Daoqing , Wang Ning
Published: July 2023

The topological anomalous Hall effect and the anomalous Nernst effect are of great interest for the development of spintronic devices for energy-efficient data storage and energy harvesting. Using first-principles calculations, we have studied the anomalous Hall conductivity (AHC) and anomalous Nernst conductivity (ANC) of six ferromagnetic compounds Co3Al, Fe3Ge, Fe3Pt, Ni3Ga, Ni3In, and Rh3Cr belonging to the cubic Cu3Au structure. A large AHC of 1973 S cm−1 is obtained for Fe3Pt. Parallel to the large AHC, a giant ANC of −5.41 A mK−1 and −4.18 A mK−1 is observed for Ni3In and Co3Al, respectively. Finally, we found that AHC and ANC can be adjusted by switching the magnetization direction.
Trace detection of canine distemper virus based on surface-functionalized optic-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer and the Vernier effect
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Hou Xiangyu , Feng Wenlin
Published: July 2023

A surface-functionalized cascaded optic-fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is proposed and fabricated for trace detection of canine distemper virus (CDV). The Vernier effect is formed based on single-mode fiber (SMF)-dislocation single-mode fiber-SMF. The two MZIs serve as the sensing arm and reference arm, respectively. The CDV antibody is modified on the sensing arm to detect CDV antigen, and the surface structure and morphology are analyzed by the atomic force microscope. The sensitivity of the cascaded MZI sensor is about 12 times than that of a single MZI. In the range of 0.1–104 pg ml−1 CDV, the detection limit of the cascaded MZI sensor is 0.1687 pg ml−1, and the response time is 25 min. The sensor also has good temperature, time stability and excellent selectivity. The biosensor has the advantages of low cost, easy preparation, high sensitivity and good selectivity, and has potential application for trace CDV detection.
Defect formation mechanisms in metal nanowire under cyclic loading: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Kubo Atsushi , Kawai Emi , Sumigawa Takashi , Shima Hiroyuki , Umeno Yoshitaka
Published: July 2023

A series of molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to reveal the fatigue mechanisms in metal nanowires. We applied axial cyclic loading deformation on a copper single-crystal nanowire model and observed the deformation process during cycle evolution. The detailed observation revealed that the deformation mechanisms in the nanowire is essentially different from the case of the macro- and micro-scaled materials because of the lack of dislocation sources. We also found that atomic vacancies were formed continually by dislocation motion even under a simple single-slip condition. The accumulation of vacancies is expected to be a probable mechanism of fatigue in nanomaterials.
Atomic simulation for the effect of nano-cutting parameters on the 3D surface morphology of polycrystalline γ-TiAl alloy
Authors: Guo Zhaoting , Cao Hui , Fu Rong , Yu Zhaoliang , Zhou Baocheng , Li Haiyan , Liu Jianhui , Feng Ruicheng
Published: July 2023

γ-TiAl alloy is one of the most potentially lightweight and high-temperature structural materials, and its machined surface quality has a significant effect on member service performance. Despite the extensive research on plastic removal and defect evolution under different cutting parameters, the forming mechanism of surface topography is not perfect under different cutting parameters. It is necessary to study the variation law of surface topography under the influence of different cutting parameters from the atomic scale. To this end, the influence of cutting depths and cutting speeds on the machined surface topography is investigated during nano-cutting of polycrystalline γ-TiAl alloys based on molecular dynamics simulation methods, and the effect of defective grain boundaries on cutting force fluctuations is analyzed. The results show that the effect of grain boundary on material deformation and dislocation obstruction is the main reason for the peak cutting force; with the increase of cutting depth, the average cutting force and friction coefficient increase, and both Sa and Sq show an increasing trend, which is the result of the joint action of plowing effect and grain boundary distribution; Sa and Sq show a decreasing and then increasing trend with the increase of cutting speed, and the critical cutting speed is 200 m s−1. This indicates that a smaller cutting depth and an appropriately higher cutting speed can effectively improve the surface quality of the polycrystalline γ-TiAl alloy, and optimize its nano-cutting process.
Theoretical study on the interaction between acetone and BN monolayer doped with Ni for the clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cao Zhengqin , Jing Renjun , Ma Shouxiao , Wang Jia , Hu Gang , Wei Gang , Luo Qiming
Published: July 2023

Endogenous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in human exhaled gases can reflect human health status and be used for clinical diagnosis and health monitoring. Acetone is the sign VOC gases of diabetes mellitus. In order to find a potential material for the detection of acetone in the application of the clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The adsorption properties, including adsorption energy, adsorption distance, charge transfer, density of states, electron localization function and electrons density difference, of acetone on BN monolayer doped with Ni were comprehensively investigated based on density functional theory. The results show that there could be chemisorption between acetone and Ni-BN monolayer and Ni-BN monolayer is probably suitable gas sensitive material for the detection of acetone in the application of diabetes mellitus monitoring and clinical diagnosis.
Reduction of the external resonant magnetic perturbation threshold for 2/1 locked mode excitation by the pre-excited mode on J-TEXT
Authors: Zhang Qi , Wang Nengchao , Huang Zhuo , Mao Feiyue , He Ying , Ren Zhengkang , Li Da , Yang Zhoujun , Chen Zhipeng , Chen Zhongyong , Ding Yonghua , Wang Lu , Zhuang Ge , Pan Yuan
Published: July 2023

A significant reduction of the external resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) required for exciting the locked mode (LM) has been observed experimentally due to the presence of an existing LM on J-TEXT. In a plasma with edge safety factor q
a slightly smaller than 3, 3/1 and 2/1 modes are observed to be destabilized successively by a rotating RMP field. The 3/1 mode is excited first and identified as an external kink mode, whose excitation threshold decreases with the operating q
a increasing from 2.67 to 2.8 with the absence of a 3/1 rational surface. Shortly after excitation of the 3/1 external kink mode, 2/1 field penetration occurs and the 2/1 mode is excited, as identified by the phase between the 2/1 magnetic response and the RMP field jumping by π. The 2/1 mode is excited with a dominant kink structure and then converts into tearing mode for a duration of several milliseconds. During the excitation of the 2/1 mode, the phase difference between the 2/1 and 3/1 modes evolves from π to around 0 and the 2/1 mode amplitude grows to a saturation value comparable with that of the 3/1 mode. The presence of the 3/1 mode leads to a remarkable reduction of the external RMP current required for the 2/1 mode excitation, which can be explained by the contribution of a 2/1 resonant field from the 3/1 mode via the toroidal coupling effect. The larger 3/1 mode amplitude can lead to a greater reduction. This work reveals that the mode can be excited more easily with a reduced amplitude of RMP or error field due to the impact of the pre-existing mode and this might be a new consideration for error field correlation predictions and active magnetohydrodynamics control actuator designs.
Strong–laser–field physics, non–classical light states and quantum information science
Authors: Bhattacharya U , Lamprou Th , Maxwell A S , Ordóñez A , Pisanty E , Rivera-Dean J , Stammer P , Ciappina M F , Lewenstein M , Tzallas P
Published: July 2023

Strong–laser–field physics is a research direction that relies on the use of high-power lasers and has led to fascinating achievements ranging from relativistic particle acceleration to attosecond science. On the other hand, quantum optics has been built on the use of low photon number sources and has opened the way for groundbreaking discoveries in quantum technology, advancing investigations ranging from fundamental tests of quantum theory to quantum information processing. Despite the tremendous progress, until recently these directions have remained disconnected. This is because the majority of the interactions in the strong-field limit have been successfully described by semi-classical approximations treating the electromagnetic field classically, as there was no need to include the quantum properties of the field to explain the observations. The link between strong–laser–field physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science has been developed in the recent past. Studies based on fully quantized and conditioning approaches have shown that intense laser–matter interactions can be used for the generation of controllable entangled and non-classical light states. These achievements open the way for a vast number of investigations stemming from the symbiosis of strong–laser–field physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science. Here, after an introduction to the fundamentals of these research directions, we report on the recent progress in the fully quantized description of intense laser–matter interaction and the methods that have been developed for the generation of non-classical light states and entangled states. Also, we discuss the future directions of non-classical light engineering using strong laser fields, and the potential applications in ultrafast and quantum information science.
Hydrogen bonds determine the nonbonding adhesion at HMX-based PBX interface
Authors: Zhang Xinke , Li Shuang , Kang Jun , Su Jiaye , Deng Kaiming
Published: July 2023

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) are kind of composite materials consisting of multi-layers structures, where the interfacial interactions can significantly affect their structures, properties and performance. To investigate the determinant factors affecting the interfacial interactions, in this work, the adhesion works at different interfaces are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. A key observation is that the hydrogen bonds are found to be a decisive factor that directly affects the interfacial interactions. When the fluoropolymers change from F2321 to F2319, the adhesion works with the HMX and coupling agent layer present a monotonous decrease and increase, respectively, corresponding to the changes in the number of weak hydrogen bonds. Thus the hydrogen bonds can be utilized to benchmark the nonvalent interfacial interactions. Moreover, the coupling agent layer as an intermediary enhances the adsorption between the explosive crystal and the binder, whose thickness significantly impacts the interfacial interactions. Its interactions with the HMX and fluoropolymers both show a similar increase with respect to its thickness and then stabilize at the thickness above 2.5 nm, corresponding to a surface density of six KH550 chains per nm2. This study provides a basic understanding of the nonbonding adhesion mechanisms in the PBXs and is helpful for the material selection and structure design.
Effect of amphiphilic polymers and sodium alginate on the activity of methylene blue in photogeneration of singlet oxygen 1О2
Authors: Kuryanova A S , Kardumyan V V , Kaplin V S , Aksenova N A , Chernyak A V , Timofeeva V A , Glagolev N N , Timashev P S , Solovieva A B
Published: July 2023

The influence of amphiphilic polymers (APs): poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and pluronics F127, F108, as well as sodium alginate (SA) on the activity of methylene blue (MB) in the photogeneration of singlet oxygen 1О2, specifically, in a model photooxidation reaction of tryptophan in water was studied. It was shown that in the presence of all the above-mentioned AP, an increase in the effective rate constant (k
eff) of tryptophan photooxidation is observed. It was suggested that the observed effect is associated with the interaction of MB with APs, which leads to disaggregation of dye associates. Such disaggregation leads to an increase in the optical density and intensity of MB luminescence. It was also shown that the photocatalytic activity of MB decreases by a factor of 1.5–3.5 in the presence of SA, which is due to the ionic interaction of the cationic MB with polyanionic SA. The interaction of MB with polysaccharide is confirmed by changes in the absorption and fluorescence spectra of the dye. The introduction of APs into a solution containing MB and SA prevents the interaction between MB and polysaccharide, which leads to an increase in the k
eff values of tryptophan photooxidation in the presence of MB-AP-SA system, as well as to an increase in the optical density and fluorescence intensity of MB when AP and SA are added. The existence of weak interactions between the hydrophobic groups of MB molecules and the AP (polyvinylpyrrolidone) is also evidenced by the data obtained through 1H-NMR spectroscopy and the degree of MB fluorescence anisotropy. The AFM method shows the change in the surface structure of a thin film obtained by evaporating an aqueous solution of MB-F108-SA compared to the corresponding structure of a film obtained by evaporating an aqueous solution of MB-SA. MB-AP and MB-AP-SA systems may be promising for practical application in the aPDT treatment of chronic microbial superficial infections.
Heavy ion fusion of spherical nuclei
Authors: Manjunatha H.C. , Sowmya N. , Seenappa L. , Damodara Gupta P.S. , Manjunatha N.
Published: July 2023

We study the experimental and theoretical fusion reactions of compound nuclei synthesized using different projectile-target systems, among which at least one projectile/target nucleus is spherical. The first part of this study analyses the fusion cross sections obtained using different projectile-target combinations in the synthesis of polonium (Po), thorium (Th), and nobelium (No). In the second part of this study, we suggest the fusion reaction to synthesize the superheavy element Z = 122. We select three nuclei, polonium (Po), thorium (Th), and nobelium (No), which are synthesized using various projectile-target combinations. We also investigate fusion reactions such as

Zr(

Pb, 2n)

122 . This study may be a milestone in the synthesis of the superheavy element Z = 122.
Predictive SOLPS-ITER simulations to study the role of divertor magnetic geometry in detachment control in the MAST-U Super-X configuration
Authors: Myatra O. , Lipschultz B. , Moulton D. , Verhaegh K. , Dudson B. , Orchard S. , Fil A. , Cowley C.
Published: July 2023

The SOLPS-ITER code has been utilised to study the movement of the detachment front location from target towards the X-point for MAST-U Super-X plasmas. Two sets of detached steady state solutions are obtained by either varying the deuterium (D
2) fuelling rate or the nitrogen (N) seeding rate to scan the corresponding ‘control’ parameters of outboard midplane density,

n

u

, and the divertor impurity concentration,

f

I

. At seeding and fuelling rates ∼10× and ∼5× that required to start detachment at the divertor target, the detachment front only reaches ∼50% of the poloidal distance to the X-point,

l

p
o
l

, corresponding to a region of strong parallel gradients in the total magnetic field B. The region of strong total field gradients correlates with where the detachment front location becomes less sensitive to control parameter variation. This result is qualitatively consistent with the predictions of a simple, analytic detachment location sensitivity (DLS) model (Lipschultz et al 2016 Nucl. Fusion
56 056007) which is based in a scaled parallel-to-B space, z. While the DLS model predictions are in agreement with SOLPS-ITER results in terms of where the front location becomes less sensitive to controls (i.e. in the region of strong parallel gradients in B), the DLS model predicts a higher sensitivity in the region of weak parallel gradients in B downstream as compared to the simulation results. Potential sources of differences between the SOLPS-ITER and DLS model predictions were explored: The DLS model does not include energy sinks beyond radiation from a single impurity nor cross-field energy transport. Momentum and particle balance are also not included in the DLS model. The tight opening into the divertor for flux surfaces could lead to variations in plasma-neutral pressure balance as the detachment front reaches that region, exactly how this affects the front movement needs further investigation.
Housing market dynamics of the post-Sandy Hudson estuary, Long Island Sound, and New Jersey coastline are explained by NFIP participation
Authors: Poudel Sandeep , Caridad Conner , Elliott Rebecca , Knighton James
Published: July 2023

How flooding affects home values can determine the path of economic recovery for communities and have lasting impacts on national and global financial systems. Yet, our understanding of how flood insurance, community risk perception, and past flooding events shape future housing prices (HPs) remains limited. To explore this, we used a socio-environmental (SE) model and studied the temporal impacts of flooding on mean housing values across 496 coastal census tracts of New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, US, from 1970 to 2021. The modeling exercise demonstrated that the initial economic impact of Hurricane Sandy was largely absorbed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); however, the region then exhibited a long-term decline in home values, which was well described by an interrupted time series model. We found significant correlations between SE model parameters describing HP change and those describing tract-scale behaviors and perceptions, suggesting that the salience of past flooding events and NFIP participation may be important regional drivers of HPs. Tracts with greater post-flood change in active insurance policies exhibited larger decreases in mean home values than those with more stable NFIP participation. An improved understanding of relationships between HPs, flood insurance, and community perceptions could support more equitable distributions of resources and improved policy interventions to reduce flooding risk.
Generation of synthetic CT from CBCT using deep learning approaches for head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Aouadi Souha , Yoganathan SA , Torfeh Tarraf , Paloor Satheesh , Caparrotti Palmira , Hammoud Rabih , Al-Hammadi Noora
Published: July 2023

Purpose. To create a synthetic CT (sCT) from daily CBCT using either deep residual U-Net (DRUnet), or conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN) for adaptive radiotherapy planning (ART). Methods. First fraction CBCT and planning CT (pCT) were collected from 93 Head and Neck patients who underwent external beam radiotherapy. The dataset was divided into training, validation, and test sets of 58, 10 and 25 patients respectively. Three methods were used to generate sCT, 1. Nonlocal means patch based method was modified to include multiscale patches defining the multiscale patch based method (MPBM), 2. An encoder decoder 2D Unet with imbricated deep residual units was implemented, 3. DRUnet was integrated to the generator part of cGAN whereas a convolutional PatchGAN classifier was used as the discriminator. The accuracy of sCT was evaluated geometrically using Mean Absolute Error (MAE). Clinical Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) plans were copied from pCT to registered CBCT and sCT and dosimetric analysis was performed by comparing Dose Volume Histogram (DVH) parameters of planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs). Furthermore, 3D Gamma analysis (2%/2mm, global) between the dose on the sCT or CBCT and that on the pCT was performed. Results. The average MAE calculated between pCT and CBCT was 180.82 ± 27.37HU. Overall, all approaches significantly reduced the uncertainties in CBCT. Deep learning approaches outperformed patch-based methods with MAE = 67.88 ± 8.39HU (DRUnet) and MAE = 72.52 ± 8.43HU (cGAN) compared to MAE = 90.69 ± 14.3HU (MPBM). The percentages of DVH metric deviations were below 0.55% for PTVs and 1.17% for OARs using DRUnet. The average Gamma pass rate was 99.45 ± 1.86% for sCT generated using DRUnet. Conclusion. DL approaches outperformed MPBM. Specifically, DRUnet could be used for the generation of sCT with accurate intensities and realistic description of patient anatomy. This could be beneficial for CBCT based ART.
On the effect of the poisson’s ratio on samples subjected to shearing
Authors: Attard Daphne , Caruana-Gauci Roberto , Cerasola Dario , Grima-Cornish James N , Bezzina Daniel S , Ficarra Giovanni , Grima Joseph N
Published: July 2023

The effect of shearing on finite-sized auxetic and non-auxetic samples was examined through finite element simulations. It was shown that when shear was applied in a manner representative of a common shear-testing setup, which is not dissimilar to the situation encountered in sports applications, auxetics manifested very different characteristics compared to their non-auxetic counterparts; with very pronounced edge effects. These included extensive lateral expansion of the samples and the formation of non-insignificant concave creases on their exposed lateral faces. It was shown that these creases became even more pronounced when the samples were subjected to combined shear and compressive loads and need to be taken into consideration when assessing the suitability, or otherwise, of auxetics for practical applications where shear loading may be present to a certain extent.
Prior information-assisted integrative analysis of multiple datasets
Authors: Wang Feifei , Liang Dongzuo , Li Yang , Ma Shuangge
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Analyzing genetic data to identify markers and construct predictive models is of great interest in biomedical research. However, limited by cost and sample availability, genetic studies often suffer from the “small sample size, high dimensionality” problem. To tackle this problem, an integrative analysis that collectively analyzes multiple datasets with compatible designs is often conducted. For regularizing estimation and selecting relevant variables, penalization and other regularization techniques are routinely adopted. “Blindly” searching over a vast number of variables may not be efficient.

Results

We propose incorporating prior information to assist integrative analysis of multiple genetic datasets. To obtain accurate prior information, we adopt a convolutional neural network with an active learning strategy to label textual information from previous studies. Then the extracted prior information is incorporated using a group LASSO-based technique. We conducted a series of simulation studies that demonstrated the satisfactory performance of the proposed method. Finally, data on skin cutaneous melanoma are analyzed to establish practical utility.

Availability and implementation

Code is available at https://github.com/ldz7/PAIA. The data that support the findings in this article are openly available in TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) at https://portal.gdc.cancer.gov/.
ipaPy2: Integrated Probabilistic Annotation (IPA) 2.0—an improved Bayesian-based method for the annotation of LC–MS/MS untargeted metabolomics data
Authors: Del Carratore Francesco , Eagles William , Borka Juraj , Breitling Rainer
Published: July 2023

The Integrated Probabilistic Annotation (IPA) is an automated annotation method for LC–MS-based untargeted metabolomics experiments that provides statistically rigorous estimates of the probabilities associated with each annotation. Here, we introduce ipaPy2, a substantially improved and completely refactored Python implementation of the IPA method. The revised method is now able to integrate tandem MS fragmentation data, which increases the accuracy of the identifications. Moreover, ipaPy2 provides a much more user-friendly interface, and isotope peaks are no longer treated as individual features but integrated into isotope fingerprints, greatly speeding up the calculations. The method has also been fully integrated with the mzMatch pipeline, so that the results of the annotation can be explored through the newly developed PeakMLViewerPy tool available at https://github.com/UoMMIB/PeakMLViewerPy.

Availability and implementation

The source code, extensive documentation, and tutorials are freely available on GitHub at https://github.com/francescodc87/ipaPy2
CSI: Contrastive data Stratification for Interaction prediction and its application to compound–protein interaction prediction
Authors: Kalia Apurva , Krishnan Dilip , Hassoun Soha
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Accurately predicting the likelihood of interaction between two objects (compound–protein sequence, user–item, author–paper, etc.) is a fundamental problem in Computer Science. Current deep-learning models rely on learning accurate representations of the interacting objects. Importantly, relationships between the interacting objects, or features of the interaction, offer an opportunity to partition the data to create multi-views of the interacting objects. The resulting congruent and non-congruent views can then be exploited via contrastive learning techniques to learn enhanced representations of the objects.

Results

We present a novel method, Contrastive Stratification for Interaction Prediction (CSI), to stratify (partition) a dataset in a manner that can be exploited via Contrastive Multiview Coding to learn embeddings that maximize the mutual information across congruent data views. CSI assigns a key and multiple views to each data point, where data partitions under a particular key form congruent views of the data. We showcase the effectiveness of CSI by applying it to the compound–protein sequence interaction prediction problem, a pressing problem whose solution promises to expedite drug delivery (drug–protein interaction prediction), metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology (compound–enzyme interaction prediction) applications. Comparing CSI with a baseline model that does not utilize data stratification and contrastive learning, and show gains in average precision ranging from 13.7% to 39% using compounds and sequences as keys across multiple drug–target and enzymatic datasets, and gains ranging from 16.9% to 63% using reaction features as keys across enzymatic datasets.

Availability and implementation

Code and dataset available at https://github.com/HassounLab/CSI.
C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 improves the developmental potential of bovine oocytes by activating SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 during maturation
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhang Jingcheng , Wang Debao , Liu Zhengqing , Xing Kangning , Wang Yongsheng , Jiao Mei , Wang Yong , Shi Binqiang , Zhang Hexu , Zhang Yong
Published: July 2023

In vitro maturation of mammalian oocytes is an important means in assisted reproductive technology. Most bovine immature oocytes complete nuclear maturation, but less than half develop to the blastocyst stage after fertilization. Thus, inefficient in vitro production is mainly caused by a suboptimal in vitro culture process, in which oocyte quality appears to be the limiting factor. In our study, a potential maternal regulator, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12, was identified by analyzing transcriptome data. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 supplementation promoted the developmental potential of oocytes by improving protein synthesis and reorganizing cortical granules and mitochondria during in vitro maturation, which eventually increased blastocyst formation efficiency and cell number after parthenogenesis, fertilization, and cloning. All these promoting effects by C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 were achieved by activating SH2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 2, thereby promoting the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. These findings provide an in vitro maturation system that closely resembles the maternal environment to provide high-quality oocytes for in vitro production.
MTM1 overexpression prevents and reverts BIN1-related centronuclear myopathy
Authors: Giraud Quentin , Spiegelhalter Coralie , Messaddeq Nadia , Laporte Jocelyn
Published: July 2023

Centronuclear and myotubular myopathies (CNM) are rare and severe genetic diseases associated with muscle weakness and atrophy as well as intracellular disorganization of myofibres. The main mutated proteins control lipid and membrane dynamics and are the lipid phosphatase myotubularin (MTM1), and the membrane remodelling proteins amphiphysin 2 (BIN1) and dynamin 2 (DNM2). There is no available therapy. Here, to validate a novel therapeutic strategy for BIN1- and DNM2-CNM, we evaluated adeno-associated virus-mediated MTM1 (AAV-MTM1 ) overexpression in relevant mouse models.

Early systemic MTM1 overexpression prevented the development of the CNM pathology in Bin1mck−/− mice, while late intramuscular MTM1 expression partially reverted the established phenotypes after only 4 weeks of treatment. However, AAV-MTM1 injection did not change the DNM2-CNM mouse phenotypes. We investigated the mechanism of the rescue of the myopathy in BIN1-CNM and found that the lipid phosphatase activity of MTM1 was essential for the rescue of muscle atrophy and myofibre hypotrophy but dispensable for the rescue of myofibre disorganization including organelle mis-position and T-tubule defects. Furthermore, the improvement of T-tubule organization correlated with normalization of key regulators of T-tubule morphogenesis, dysferlin and caveolin.

Overall, these data support the inclusion of BIN1-CNM patients in an AAV-MTM1 clinical trial.
What Influences Patients' Adherence to Healthcare Worker Prescription in Primary Healthcare Facilities in Burkina Faso? A Qualitative Account of Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: Compaoré Adélaïde , Nikièma Jacqueline , Kiemdé Francois , Tinto Halidou , Salami Olawale , Nkeramahame Juvenal , Olliaro Piero , Horgan Philip
Published: July 2023

Background

This study explores the factors influencing patients and caregivers' adherence to prescription of healthcare workers (HCWs).

Methods

The study was conducted in Temnaore and Pella, in the Nanoro health district in Burkina Faso. HCWs and community members were purposively recruited from 4 communities seeking care at the selected primary healthcare facilities for the clinical trial to attend in-depth interviews and focus group discussions on the factors influencing adherence to prescription. The Behaviour Change Wheel incorporating the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behaviour approach was used.

Results

Factors influencing the ability of patients to obtain the prescribed medicine include the availability of medicines and money and the perception of consequences for not getting the medicine. Regarding compliance with the intake of medicines, communication was considered a key factor whose effectiveness depends on the performance of HCWs and on the attention of patients. It is followed by other factors such as adequate management of patients, social influences, the patient’s beliefs regarding treatment, and memory.

Conclusions

This research highlights factors influencing adherence to HCWs’ prescription from the perspective of the community members and HCWs and therefore provides contextual enablers and barriers, which allows for the development of an intervention to support the clinical trial.
The Impact of Crohn’s Perianal Fistula on Quality of Life: Results of an International Patient Survey
Authors: Spinelli Antonino , Yanai Henit , Girardi Paolo , Milicevic Slobodan , Carvello Michele , Maroli Annalisa , Avedano Luisa
Published: July 2023

Background

Crohn’s perianal fistula is a disabling manifestation of Crohn’s disease. However, the additional burden of perianal fistula on patients with only Crohn’s disease remains to be addressed. This patient-reported survey considered outcomes of two domains: “diagnosis” (eg, symptoms) and “living with the disease” (eg, quality of life, well-being, and relationships).

Methods

Patients with perianal fistula and Crohn’s disease completed an online, self-selective, anonymous, 46-item survey available in 11 languages hosted on the European Federation of Crohn’s & Ulcerative Colitis Associations and national patient association websites. The survey was conducted between July and December 2019 in Europe and other regions. Likert scales and closed questions were used to assess outcomes.

Results

Of the 820 respondents with Crohn’s disease (67.2% women; median age, 40.0 years), 532 (64.9%) reported the presence of perianal fistula. Patients with perianal fistula reported a greater impact on overall quality of life (P < .001), well-being (P < .001), relationships (P < .001), social life (P = .001), and work life (P = .012) than patients with only Crohn’s disease.

Conclusions

Perianal fistulas impact several domains of the life of patients with Crohn’s disease. These results may help healthcare practitioners plan therapeutic strategies that address the symptomatic and psychological burden experienced by patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease.
Heart age gap estimated by explainable advanced electrocardiography is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and survival
Authors: Lindow Thomas , Maanja Maren , Schelbert Erik B , Ribeiro Antônio H , Ribeiro Antonio Luiz P , Schlegel Todd T , Ugander Martin
Published: July 2023

Aims

Deep neural network artificial intelligence (DNN-AI)–based Heart Age estimations have been presented and used to show that the difference between an electrocardiogram (ECG)-estimated Heart Age and chronological age is associated with prognosis. An accurate ECG Heart Age, without DNNs, has been developed using explainable advanced ECG (A-ECG) methods. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the explainable A-ECG Heart Age and compare its performance to a DNN-AI Heart Age.

Methods and results

Both A-ECG and DNN-AI Heart Age were applied to patients who had undergone clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The association between A-ECG or DNN-AI Heart Age Gap and cardiovascular risk factors was evaluated using logistic regression. The association between Heart Age Gaps and death or heart failure (HF) hospitalization was evaluated using Cox regression adjusted for clinical covariates/comorbidities. Among patients [n = 731, 103 (14.1%) deaths, 52 (7.1%) HF hospitalizations, median (interquartile range) follow-up 5.7 (4.7–6.7) years], A-ECG Heart Age Gap was associated with risk factors and outcomes [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) (5 year increments): 1.23 (1.13–1.34) and adjusted HR 1.11 (1.01–1.22)]. DNN-AI Heart Age Gap was associated with risk factors and outcomes after adjustments [HR (5 year increments): 1.11 (1.01–1.21)], but not in unadjusted analyses [HR 1.00 (0.93–1.08)], making it less easily applicable in clinical practice.

Conclusion

A-ECG Heart Age Gap is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and HF hospitalization or death. Explainable A-ECG Heart Age Gap has the potential for improving clinical adoption and prognostic performance compared with existing DNN-AI-type methods.
Decision Times Reveal Private Information in Strategic Settings: Evidence from Bargaining Experiments
Authors: Konovalov Arkady , Krajbich Ian
Published: July 2023

People respond quickly when they have a clear preference and slowly when they are close to indifference. The question is whether others exploit this tendency to infer private information. In two-stage bargaining experiments, we observe that the speed with which buyers reject sellers’ offers decreases with the size of the foregone surplus. This should allow sellers to infer buyers’ values from response times, creating an incentive for buyers to manipulate their response times. We experimentally identify distinct conditions under which subjects do, and do not, exhibit such strategic behaviour. These results provide the first insight into the possible use of response time as a strategic variable.
Acute and mid-term outcomes of ablation for atrial fibrillation with VISITAG SURPOINT: the Japan MIYABI registry
Authors: Okumura Ken , Inoue Koichi , Goya Masahiko , Origasa Hideki , Yamazaki Makiho , Nogami Akihiko
Published: July 2023

Aims

The effectiveness of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) guided by VISITAG SURPOINT (VS) has been demonstrated in Western populations. However, data for Asian populations are limited. VS settings may differ for Asians, given their smaller body size. This study aimed to describe outcomes of radiofrequency atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation guided by VS in a large Asian population.

Methods and results

The prospective, observational, multicentre MIYABI registry collected real-world data from patients undergoing VS-guided AF ablation using ThermoCool SmartTouch and ThermoCool SmartTouch SF catheters from 50 Japanese centres. All patients had paroxysmal AF or persistent AF for <6 months. Primary adverse events (PAEs) were evaluated for safety. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with PVI at the end of the procedure. Mid-term effectiveness (up to 12 months) was evaluated by freedom from documented atrial arrhythmias. Of the 1011 patients enrolled, 1002 completed AF ablation. The mean number of VS values per procedure was 428.8 on the anterior wall and 400.4 on the posterior wall. Nine patients (0.9%) experienced PAEs. Upon procedure completion, 99.7% of patients had PVI. Twelve-month freedom from atrial arrhythmia recurrence was 88.5%; 5.7% of patients were re-ablated. At repeat ablation, 54% of RSPV, 73% of RIPV, 70% of LSPV, and 86% of LIPV evaluated remained durably isolated.

Conclusion

Despite lower anterior wall VS values compared with the CLOSE protocol (≥550), the present study demonstrated comparable efficacy outcomes, indicating that a VS of ≥550 for the anterior wall may not be necessary for Asian patients.
Early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders in paediatric primary care: A scoping review
Authors: O’Hara Paulette T , Talero Cabrejo Pamela , Earland Tracey V
Published: July 2023

Background

Earlier detection of children at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders is critical and has longstanding repercussions if not addressed early enough.

Objectives

To explore the supporting or facilitating characteristics of paediatric primary care models of care for early detection in infants and toddlers at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, identify practitioners involved, and describe how they align with occupational therapy’s scope of practice.

Methods

A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute framework was used. PubMed Central, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, and Scopus databases were searched. The search was conducted between January and February 2022. Inclusion criteria were: children aged 0–3 years old; neurodevelopmental disorders including cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD); models of care used in the paediatric primary care setting and addressing concepts of timing and plasticity; peer-reviewed literature written in English; published between 2010 and 2022. Study protocol registered at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/MD4K5

Results

We identified 1,434 publications, yielding 22 studies that met inclusion criteria. Models of care characteristics included the use of technology, education to parents and staff, funding to utilize innovative models of care, assessment variability, organizational management changes, increased visit length, earlier timeline for neurodevelopmental screening, and collaboration with current office staff or nonphysician practitioners. The top 4 providers were paediatricians, general or family practitioners, nurse/nurse practitioners, and office staff. All studies aligned with occupational therapy health promotion scope of practice and intervention approach yet did not include occupational therapy within the paediatric primary care setting.

Conclusions

No studies included occupational therapy as a healthcare provider that could be used within the paediatric primary care setting. However, all studies demonstrated models of care facilitating characteristics aligning with occupational therapy practice. Models of care facilitating characteristics identified interdisciplinary staff as a major contributor, which can include occupational therapy, to improve early detection within paediatric primary care.
Exploring mechanisms and contexts in a Peer Education Project to improve mental health literacy in schools in England: a qualitative realist evaluation
Authors: Curtin E L , Widnall E , Dodd S , Limmer M , Simmonds R , Russell A E , Kaley A , Kidger J
Published: July 2023

Poor adolescent mental health calls for universal prevention. The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Peer Education Project’ equips older students (‘peer educators’) to teach younger students (‘peer learners’) about mental health. The peer-led lessons cover defining good and bad mental health, risk and protective factors, self-care, help-seeking and looking after one another. While previous pre-post evaluations have suggested effectiveness, the mechanisms through which the intervention improves mental health literacy remain unclear. We purposively recruited seven secondary schools across England from 2020 to 2022 and collected data through five observations, 12 staff interviews and 15 student focus groups (totalling 134 students; 46 peer educators aged 14–18 years and 88 peer learners aged 11–13 years). Our realist analysis adopted retroductive logic, intertwining deductive and inductive approaches to test the initial programme theory against insights arising from the data. We developed Context–Mechanisms–Outcome configurations related to four themes: (i) modelling behaviours and forming supportive relationships, (ii) relevant and appropriate content, (iii) peer educators feeling empowered and (iV) a school culture that prioritises mental health support. Our refined programme theory highlights key mechanisms, contexts conducive to achieving the outcomes and ways to improve training, recruitment and delivery to maximise effectiveness for similar peer-led initiatives.
Evaluation of the Live-Attenuated Intranasal Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s in RSV-Seronegative Young Children
Authors: Karron Ruth A , Luongo Cindy , Woods Suzanne , Oliva Jennifer , Collins Peter L , Buchholz Ursula J ,   the RSVPed Team, Council-Dibitetto Christine , Gatto Milena , Ghasri Tina , Gormley Amanda , Herbert Kristi , Jordan Maria , Loehr Karen , Morsell Jason , Mateo Jocelyn San , Schappell Elizabeth , Smith Khadija , Soro Paula , Wanionek Kimberli , Weadon Cathleen
Published: July 2023

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of pediatric lower respiratory illness (LRI) and a vaccine for immunization of children is needed. RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s is a cDNA-derived live-vaccine candidate attenuated by deletion of the interferon antagonist NS2 gene and the genetically stabilized 1030s missense polymerase mutation in the polymerase, conferring temperature sensitivity.

Methods

A single intranasal dose of RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (vaccine to placebo ratio, 2:1) at 105.7 plaque-forming units (PFU) in 15 RSV-seropositive 12- to 59-month-old children, and at 105 PFU in 30 RSV-seronegative 6- to 24-month-old children.

Results

RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s infected 100% of RSV-seronegative vaccinees and was immunogenic (geometric mean RSV plaque-reduction neutralizing antibody titer [RSV-PRNT], 1:91) and genetically stable. Mild rhinorrhea was detected more frequently in vaccinees (18/20 vaccinees vs 4/10 placebo recipients, P = .007), and LRI occurred in 1 vaccinee during a period when only vaccine virus was detected. Following the RSV season, 5 of 16 vaccinees had ≥4-fold rises in RSV-PRNT with significantly higher titers than 4 of 10 placebo recipients with rises (1:1992 vs 1:274, P = .02). Thus, RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s primed for substantial anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses following naturally acquired RSV infection.

Conclusions

RSV/6120/ΔNS2/1030s is immunogenic and genetically stable in RSV-seronegative children, but the frequency of rhinorrhea in vaccinees exceeded that in placebo recipients.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03387137.