bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TM4SF19 controls GABP-dependent
YAP
transcription in head and neck cancer under oxidative stress conditions
Authors: Shin Eunbie , Kwon Yongsoo , Jung Eunji , Kim Yong Joon , Kim Changgon , Hong Semyeong , Kim Joon
Published: February 2024

Tobacco and alcohol are risk factors for human papillomavirus–negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV
−
HNSCC), which arises from the mucosal epithelium of the upper aerodigestive tract. Notably, despite the mutagenic potential of smoking, HPV
−
HNSCC exhibits a low mutational load directly attributed to smoking, which implies an undefined role of smoking in HPV
−
HNSCC. Elevated
YAP
(Yes-associated protein) mRNA is prevalent in HPV
−
HNSCC, irrespective of the
YAP
gene amplification status, and the mechanism behind this upregulation remains elusive. Here, we report that oxidative stress, induced by major risk factors for HPV
−
HNSCC such as tobacco and alcohol, promotes
YAP
transcription via TM4SF19 (transmembrane 4 L six family member 19). TM4SF19 modulates
YAP
transcription by interacting with the GABP (Guanine and adenine-binding protein) transcription factor complex. Mechanistically, oxidative stress induces TM4SF19 dimerization and topology inversion in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, which in turn protects the GABPβ1 subunit from proteasomal degradation. Conversely, depletion of TM4SF19 impairs the survival, proliferation, and migration of HPV
−
HNSCC cells, highlighting the potential therapeutic relevance of targeting TM4SF19. Our findings reveal the roles of the key risk factors of HPV
−
HNSCC in tumor development via oxidative stress, offering implications for upcoming therapeutic approaches in HPV
−
HNSCC.
Assessing the distribution of employment vulnerability to the energy transition using employment carbon footprints
Authors: Graham Kailin , Knittel Christopher R.
Published: February 2024

As the world moves away from fossil fuels, there is growing recognition of the need for a just transition of those working in carbon-intensive industries and for policy to support this transition. While recent policies such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have begun to incorporate support for energy-intensive regions, little work has thoroughly investigated which communities are most vulnerable to economic disruption in the energy transition and therefore require policy support. This paper analyzes the distribution of employment vulnerability in the U.S. by calculating the average “employment carbon footprint” of close-to every job in the U.S. economy at high geographic and sectoral granularity. The measure considers employment vulnerability across the entire economy and captures both fossil fuel consumption and production effects, with the sectors covered in our analysis accounting for 86% of total U.S. employment and 94% of U.S. carbon emissions outside of the transportation sector. We find that existing efforts to identify at-risk communities both in the literature and the IRA exclude regions of high employment vulnerability, and thereby risk leaving these communities behind in the energy transition. This work underscores the importance of proactive and continuous measures of employment vulnerability, presents policymakers with much-needed data to incorporate such measures into just transition policy and makes the case for place-based policy approaches when considering how best to support communities through the energy transition.
Prebiotic access to enantioenriched amino acids via peptide-mediated transamination reactions
Authors: Yu Jinhan , Darú Andrea , Deng Min , Blackmond Donna G.
Published: February 2024

The kinetic resolution of racemic amino acids mediated by dipeptides and pyridoxal provides a prebiotically plausible route to enantioenriched proteinogenic amino acids. The enzymatic transamination cycles that are key to modern biochemical formation of enantiopure amino acids may have evolved from this half of the reversible reaction couple. Kinetic resolution of racemic precursors emerges as a general route to enantioenrichment under prebiotic conditions.
Quantum interference in superposed lattices
Authors: Feng Yejun , Wang Yishu , Rosenbaum T. F. , Littlewood P. B. , Chen Hua
Published: February 2024

Charge transport in solids at low temperature reveals a material’s mesoscopic properties and structure. Under a magnetic field, Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillations inform complex quantum transport phenomena that are not limited by the ground state characteristics and have facilitated extensive explorations of quantum and topological interest in two- and three-dimensional materials. Here, in elemental metal Cr with two incommensurately superposed lattices of ions and a spin-density-wave ground state, we reveal that the phases of several low-frequency SdH oscillations in

σ
xx

 

(

ρ
xx

)

and

σ
yy

 

(

ρ
yy

)

are no longer identical but opposite. These relationships contrast with the SdH oscillations from normal cyclotron orbits that maintain identical phases between

σ
xx

 

(

ρ
xx

)

and

σ
yy

 

(

ρ
yy

)

 . We trace the origin of the low-frequency SdH oscillations to quantum interference effects arising from the incommensurate orbits of Cr’s superposed reciprocal lattices and explain the observed

π

-phase shift by the reconnection of anisotropic joint open and closed orbits.
How poverty is measured impacts who gets classified as impoverished
Authors: Pu Christine J. , Lambin Eric F. , Kusimakwe Ian , Gichia Lenny , Seme Assefa , Otupiri Easmon , Davis Jennifer
Published: February 2024

We test whether the classification of households into poverty categories is meaningfully influenced by the poverty measurement approach that is employed. These classification techniques are widely used by governments, non-profit organizations, and development agencies for policy design and implementation. Using primary data collected in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Uganda, we find almost no agreement in how four commonly used approaches rank 16,150 households in terms of poverty status. This result holds for each country, for urban and rural households, and across the entire socio-economic distribution. Households’ poverty rankings differ by an entire quartile on average. Conclusions about progress toward poverty alleviation goals may depend in large part on how poverty is measured.
Highly parallelizable path sampling with minimal rejections using asynchronous replica exchange and infinite swaps
Authors: Zhang Daniel T. , Baldauf Lukas , Roet Sander , Lervik Anders , van Erp Titus S.
Published: February 2024

Capturing rare yet pivotal events poses a significant challenge for molecular simulations. Path sampling provides a unique approach to tackle this issue without altering the potential energy landscape or dynamics, enabling recovery of both thermodynamic and kinetic information. However, despite its exponential acceleration compared to standard molecular dynamics, generating numerous trajectories can still require a long time. By harnessing our recent algorithmic innovations—particularly subtrajectory moves with high acceptance, coupled with asynchronous replica exchange featuring infinite swaps—we establish a highly parallelizable and rapidly converging path sampling protocol, compatible with diverse high-performance computing architectures. We demonstrate our approach on the liquid–vapor phase transition in superheated water, the unfolding of the chignolin protein, and water dissociation. The latter, performed at the ab initio level, achieves comparable statistical accuracy within days, in contrast to a previous study requiring over a year.
The elementary reactions for incorporation into crystals
Authors: Chakrabarti Rajshree , Verma Lakshmanji , Hadjiev Viktor G. , Palmer Jeremy C. , Vekilov Peter G.
Published: February 2024

The growth rates of crystals are largely dictated by the chemical reaction between solute and kinks, in which a solute molecule severs its bonds with the solvent and establishes new bonds with the kink. Details on this sequence of bond breaking and rebuilding remain poorly understood. To elucidate the reaction at the kinks we employ four solvents with distinct functionalities as reporters on the microscopic structures and their dynamics along the pathway into a kink. We combine time-resolved in situ atomic force microscopy and x-ray and optical methods with molecular dynamics simulations. We demonstrate that in all four solvents the solute, etioporphyrin I, molecules reach the steps directly from the solution; this finding identifies the measured rate constant for step growth as the rate constant of the reaction between a solute molecule and a kink. We show that the binding of a solute molecule to a kink divides into two elementary reactions. First, the incoming solute molecule sheds a fraction of its solvent shell and attaches to molecules from the kink by bonds distinct from those in its fully incorporated state. In the second step, the solute breaks these initial bonds and relocates to the kink. The strength of the preliminary bonds with the kink determines the free energy barrier for incorporation into a kink. The presence of an intermediate state, whose stability is controlled by solvents and additives, may illuminate how minor solution components guide the construction of elaborate crystal architectures in nature and the search for solution compositions that suppress undesirable or accelerate favored crystallization in industry.
Revolutionizing animal sciences: Multifaceted solutions and transformative impact of AI technologies
Authors: Talebi Ebrahim , Nezhad Maryam Khosravi
Published: February 2024

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has markedly bolstered productivity, especially in agriculture, mitigating environmental impacts like greenhouse gas emissions. This shift employs a range of tech, like IT, sensors, robotics, and AI, boosting output while curbing negative effects. Challenges persist, notably food scarcity and climate threats for a growing global population. By 2050, two billion more people will need sustenance, necessitating urgent agricultural innovation. This article reviewed databases from 1985 to 2023 (Google Scholar, Scopus, ISI Web of Knowledge), analyzing AI’s role in agriculture. Keywords like AI, precision feeding, welfare, animal husbandry, and management were used for systematic literature review. Findings highlight AI’s pivotal role in addressing global food shortages. Investment in emerging tech, especially AI, is crucial for a sustainable food supply.
Pockets, jumps and filaments: classifying ionic motion and determining the role of structure in electrochemical properties of 2Li2S-GeS2 superionic glasses
Authors: Micoulaut Matthieu
Published: February 2024

The structural properties of a typical solid electrolyte system (2Li2S-GeS2) is investigated from First principles molecular dynamics simulations. Results reveal that depolymerization of the base GeS2 network by alkali additives takes place but appears reduced with respect to the corresponding sodium analog glass. Experimental structure functions are reproduced and reveal that the network is dominated by GeS

4

/

2

tetrahedra that are connected by edges (four-membered rings) and corners and disrupted by the addition of lithium, albeit a non-negligible fraction of connecting tetrahedra (Q
2 units) are still present in the glass structure. Dynamic and electric properties are also studied and emphasize that the size of the migrating cation (Li) is essential for ensuring a good level of ionic conductivity as it displays increased values with respect to the parent Na-bearing system. On the atomic (picosecond) timescale, different typical Li trajectories are identified and their distribution calculated: reduced cage-like motion in pockets constrained by the surrounding (Ge,S) network, back and forth jump motions with short transition states and long-range filamentary motion.
Theory for magnetic impurity modes in two-dimensional van der Waals ferromagnetic films
Authors: Komorowski Peter G , Cottam Michael G
Published: February 2024

A spin-wave analysis is developed to calculate the energies of the localized excitations occurring in two-dimensional ferromagnetic van der Waals monolayers when a substitutional magnetic impurity is introduced. The magnetic ions lie on a bipartite honeycomb lattice (similar to that for graphene) and the theory includes the effects of both Ising anisotropy and single-ion anisotropy to stabilize the magnetic ordering perpendicular to the atomic plane at low temperatures. A Dyson-equation formalism, together with the spin-dependent Green’s functions derived for van der Waals monolayers, is employed to evaluate the existence conditions and energies for the impurity modes, which lie above the band of spin-wave states of the pure host material. For realistic parameter values it is found that typically two impurity modes may exist, depending on the spin quantum number for the magnetic impurity atom. Numerical applications are made to CrI3 and Cr2Ge2Te6 as the host materials.
Influence of the magnetic field on the nucleation and properties of 0-degree domain walls in uniaxial films with inhomogeneous magnetoelectric interaction
Authors: Vakhitov R M , Nizyamova A R , Solonetsky R V
Published: February 2024

This study investigates the behavior of 0°-domain walls arising in uniaxial magnetic films with a flexomagnetoelectric (FME) effect in a magnetic field. It is shown that at certain magnetic field orientations, it is possible to significantly enhance (or weaken) the degree of manifestation of the FME effect in the studied films. In addition, by varying the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field, it is possible to significantly lower (up to zero) the value of the critical electric field at the origin of this inhomogeneity. It is also established that the 0°-domain wall of the non-Neel type, in which induced bound charges do not create a resultant field (field shielding); when a magnetic field is directed perpendicular to the plane of rotation of magnetic moments, a FME effect occurs, which increases with increasing magnitude of the magnetic field.
C, Ge-doped h-BN quantum dot for nano-optoelectronic applications
Authors: Ngoc Hoang Van , Ha Chu Viet
Published: February 2024

Emerging materials, particularly nanomaterials, constitute an enduring focal point of scientific inquiry, with quantum dots being of particular interest. This investigation is centered on elucidating the exceptional structural, electromagnetic, and optical characteristics of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) quantum dots and h-BN quantum dots doped with carbon (C) and germanium (Ge). The employed methodology in this study hinges on density functional theory coupled with the Vienna Ab initio simulation package. The outcomes of this research unveil the structural stability of hexagonal honeycomb structures upon optimization. Comprehensive examinations encompassing structural properties, electromagnetic characteristics, and charge density variations have been systematically conducted. Furthermore, this work delves into the elucidation of multi-orbital hybridizations that give rise to σ bonds and π bonds. Notably, the outcomes of the optical property analysis divulge intriguing observations. Specifically, the absorption coefficient exhibits zero values within select energy ranges within the visible light spectrum, a phenomenon observed in both pristine and C-doped configurations. This discovery underscores the material’s optical transparency at these specific radiation energies. Additionally, the 0x and 0y components of the dielectric function display negative values across particular energy ranges, a characteristic that holds significant promise for potential applications in nanotechnology communications, offering minimal energy loss.
Long indium-rich InGaAs nanowires by SAG-HVPE
Authors: Chereau Emmanuel , Grégoire Gabin , Avit Geoffrey , Taliercio Thierry , Staudinger Philipp , Schmid Heinz , Bougerol Catherine , Trassoudaine Agnès , Gil Evelyne , LaPierre Ray R , André Yamina
Published: February 2024

We demonstrate the selective area growth of InGaAs nanowires (NWs) on GaAs (111)B substrates using hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). A high growth rate of more than 50 μm h−1 and high aspect ratio NWs were obtained. Composition along the NWs was investigated by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy giving an average indium composition of 84%. This is consistent with the composition of 78% estimated from the photoluminescence spectrum of the NWs. Crystal structure analysis of the NWs by transmission electron microscopy indicated random stacking faults related to zinc-blende/wurtzite polytypism. This work demonstrates the ability of HVPE for growing high aspect ratio InGaAs NW arrays.
Unification of spatiotemporal quantum formalisms: mapping between process and pseudo-density matrices via multiple-time states
Authors: Liu Xiangjing , Jia Zhian , Qiu Yixian , Li Fei , Dahlsten Oscar
Published: February 2024

We consider the relation between three different approaches to defining quantum states across several times and locations: the pseudo-density matrix (PDM), the process matrix, and the multiple-time state approaches. Previous studies have shown that bipartite two-time states can reproduce the statistics of bipartite process matrices. Here, we show that the operational scenarios underlying two-time states can be represented as PDMs, and thereby construct a mapping from process matrices with measurements to PDMs. The existence of this mapping implies that PDMs can, like the process matrix, model processes with indefinite causal orders. The results contribute to the unification of quantum models of spatiotemporal states.
Enhancement of aerodynamic performance of a bristled wing by elliptic cylinders
Authors: Zhang Wanqiu , Liang Daxing , Tan Dongwen , Mei Yaochen , Zhou Xinping
Published: February 2024

Enhancing the aerodynamic performance of bristled wings is an important topic for small flying robotics. This paper numerically investigates this situation at very low Reynolds numbers by using elliptic cylinders as the bristles instead of circular cylinders. Optimal configuration of the bristled wing with five elliptic cylinders is obtained, which corresponds to the maximum lift. The results show that, compared with the case of circular cylindrical bristles, the aerodynamic performance of the elliptical bristles can be enhanced effectively. The enhancement can be more significant as the aspect ratio of the ellipses increases and the gap width decreases. The bristled wing generates more lift compared to a flat-plate wing with a length five times that of the major axis of an ellipse. For the cases that the attack angle α for the whole wing is equal to those for the elliptical bristles θ, the optimal attack angle for ellipses maximizing the total lift force of the five-bristle model is between 40° and 45°. For α ≠
θ with the Reynold number Re ≪ 0.1, the optimal ellipse attack angle is between 40° and 45°. For α ≠
θ with Re∼ 1, the optimal ellipse attack angle deviates heavier from the range between 40° and 45° at some α values and reaches approximately 32° at α = 20°. This paper can lay a foundation for optimal design of small flying robotics and enhancement of flow through porous structures in future.
Optimizing the temporal and spatial resolutions and light throughput of Fresnel incoherent correlation holography in the framework of coded aperture imaging
Authors: Arockiaraj Francis Gracy , Xavier Agnes Pristy Ignatius , Gopinath Shivasubramanian , Rajeswary Aravind Simon John Francis , Juodkazis Saulius , Anand Vijayakumar
Published: February 2024

Fresnel incoherent correlation holography (FINCH) is a well-established digital holography technique for 3D imaging of objects illuminated by spatially incoherent light. FINCH has a higher lateral resolution of 1.5 times that of direct imaging systems with the same numerical aperture. However, the other imaging characteristics of FINCH, such as axial resolution, temporal resolution, light throughput, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), are lower than those of direct imaging systems. Different techniques were developed by researchers around the world to improve the imaging characteristics of FINCH while retaining the inherent higher lateral resolution of FINCH. However, most of the solutions developed to improve FINCH presented additional challenges. In this study, we optimized FINCH in the framework of coded aperture imaging. Two recently developed computational methods, such as transport of amplitude into phase based on the Gerchberg Saxton algorithm and Lucy–Richardson–Rosen algorithm, were applied to improve light throughput and image reconstruction, respectively. The above implementation improved the axial resolution, temporal resolution, and SNR of FINCH and moved them closer to those of direct imaging while retaining the high lateral resolution. A point spread function (PSF) engineering technique has been implemented to prevent the low lateral resolution problem associated with the PSF recorded using pinholes with a large diameter. We believe that the above developments are beyond the state-of-the-art of existing FINCH-scopes.
Hybrid actor-critic algorithm for quantum reinforcement learning at CERN beam lines
Authors: Schenk Michael , Combarro Elías F , Grossi Michele , Kain Verena , Li Kevin Shing Bruce , Popa Mircea-Marian , Vallecorsa Sofia
Published: February 2024

Free energy-based reinforcement learning (FERL) with clamped quantum Boltzmann machines (QBM) was shown to significantly improve the learning efficiency compared to classical Q-learning with the restriction, however, to discrete state-action space environments. In this paper, the FERL approach is extended to multi-dimensional continuous state-action space environments to open the doors for a broader range of real-world applications. First, free energy-based Q-learning is studied for discrete action spaces, but continuous state spaces and the impact of experience replay on sample efficiency is assessed. In a second step, a hybrid actor-critic (A-C) scheme for continuous state-action spaces is developed based on the deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm combining a classical actor network with a QBM-based critic. The results obtained with quantum annealing (QA), both simulated and with D-Wave QA hardware, are discussed, and the performance is compared to classical reinforcement learning methods. The environments used throughout represent existing particle accelerator beam lines at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. Among others, the hybrid A-C agent is evaluated on the actual electron beam line of the Advanced Wakefield Experiment (AWAKE).
Deep energy-pressure regression for a thermodynamically consistent EOS model
Authors: Yu Dayou , Shankar Pandey Deep , Hinz Joshua , Mihaylov Deyan , Karasiev Valentin V , Hu S X , Yu Qi
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we aim to explore novel machine learning (ML) techniques to facilitate and accelerate the construction of universal equation-Of-State (EOS) models with a high accuracy while ensuring important thermodynamic consistency. When applying ML to fit a universal EOS model, there are two key requirements: (1) a high prediction accuracy to ensure precise estimation of relevant physics properties and (2) physical interpretability to support important physics-related downstream applications. We first identify a set of fundamental challenges from the accuracy perspective, including an extremely wide range of input/output space and highly sparse training data. We demonstrate that while a neural network (NN) model may fit the EOS data well, the black-box nature makes it difficult to provide physically interpretable results, leading to weak accountability of prediction results outside the training range and lack of guarantee to meet important thermodynamic consistency constraints. To this end, we propose a principled deep regression model that can be trained following a meta-learning style to predict the desired quantities with a high accuracy using scarce training data. We further introduce a uniquely designed kernel-based regularizer for accurate uncertainty quantification. An ensemble technique is leveraged to battle model overfitting with improved prediction stability. Auto-differentiation is conducted to verify that necessary thermodynamic consistency conditions are maintained. Our evaluation results show an excellent fit of the EOS table and the predicted values are ready to use for important physics-related tasks.
Deep quantum graph dreaming: deciphering neural network insights into quantum experiments
Authors: Jaouni Tareq , Arlt Sören , Ruiz-Gonzalez Carlos , Karimi Ebrahim , Gu Xuemei , Krenn Mario
Published: February 2024

Despite their promise to facilitate new scientific discoveries, the opaqueness of neural networks presents a challenge in interpreting the logic behind their findings. Here, we use a eXplainable-AI technique called inception or deep dreaming, which has been invented in machine learning for computer vision. We use this technique to explore what neural networks learn about quantum optics experiments. Our story begins by training deep neural networks on the properties of quantum systems. Once trained, we ‘invert’ the neural network—effectively asking how it imagines a quantum system with a specific property, and how it would continuously modify the quantum system to change a property. We find that the network can shift the initial distribution of properties of the quantum system, and we can conceptualize the learned strategies of the neural network. Interestingly, we find that, in the first layers, the neural network identifies simple properties, while in the deeper ones, it can identify complex quantum structures and even quantum entanglement. This is in reminiscence of long-understood properties known in computer vision, which we now identify in a complex natural science task. Our approach could be useful in a more interpretable way to develop new advanced AI-based scientific discovery techniques in quantum physics.
On diffeologies from infinite dimensional geometry to PDE constrained optimization
Authors: Goldammer Nico , Magnot Jean-Pierre , Welker Kathrin
Published: February 2024

We review how diffeologies complete the settings classically used from infinite dimensional geometry to partial differential equations, based on classical settings of functional analysis and with classical mapping spaces as key examples. As the classical examples of function spaces, we deal with manifolds of mappings in Sobolev classes (and describe the ILB setting), jet spaces and spaces of triangulations, that are key frameworks for the two fields of applications of diffeologies that we choose to highlight: evolution equations and integrable systems, and optimization problems constrained by partial differential equations.
Case report of pulmonary vein isolation in situs inversus totalis
Authors: Stauber Annina , Jeger Raban , Dzemali Omer , Müller Andreas Stephan
Published: February 2024

Background

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare condition, where all the organs in the body are mirrored. Atrial fibrillation occurs in patients with SIT. We describe the case of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in SIT.

Case summary

A patient with atrial fibrillation was referred to our hospital due to palpitations. Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation was made by electrocardiogram. The patient reported to have a SIT that was confirmed. Meticulous preparation was done including a three-dimensional model and radiofrequency PVI was performed successfully. No recurrence of atrial fibrillation was detected until last follow-up 2 years after PVI.

Discussion

Pulmonary vein isolation in SIT can be performed successfully and with excellent long-term result.
Trophic niche drives the evolution of craniofacial shape in Trinidadian guppies
Authors: Matthews David G , Reznick David N , Dial Terry R
Published: February 2024

Diverse clades of fishes adapted to feeding on the benthos repeatedly converge on steep craniofacial profiles and shorter, wider heads. But in an incipient radiation, to what extent is this morphological evolution measurable and can we distinguish the relative genetic vs. plastic effects? We use the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) to test the repeatability of adaptation and the alignment of genetic and environmental effects shaping poecilid craniofacial morphology. We compare wild-caught and common garden lab-reared fish to quantify the genetic and plastic components of craniofacial morphology across 4 populations from 2 river drainage systems (n = 56 total). We first use micro-computed tomography to capture 3D morphology, then place both landmarks and semilandmarks to perform size-corrected 3D morphometrics and quantify shape space. We find a measurable, significant, and repeatable divergence in craniofacial shape between high-predation invertivore and low-predation detritivore populations. As predicted from previous examples of piscine adaptive trophic divergence, we find increases in head slope and craniofacial compression among the benthic detritivore foragers. Furthermore, the effects of environmental plasticity among benthic detritivores produce exaggerated craniofacial morphological change along a parallel axis to genetic morphological adaptation from invertivore ancestors. Overall, many of the major patterns of benthic-limnetic craniofacial evolution appear convergent among disparate groups of teleost fishes.
Accounting
Authors: Carey Mary , Knowles Cathy
Published: February 2024

Accounting is made up of two main parts. Part One covers financial accounting. It starts off by looking at the cash budget. It then moves on to the statement of profit or loss. It also looks at balancing the basics. It then turns to company finance and accounts. It also considers the capital structure and investment ratios. The second part is about management accounting. This part discusses costs and break-even analysis, absorption and activity-based costing, and budgeting. It also examines pricing and costs, short-term decision making, investment appraisal techniques, and measuring and reporting performance.
Exponential input-to-state stability for Lur’e systems via Integral Quadratic Constraints and Zames–Falb multipliers
Authors: Drummond Ross , Guiver Chris , Turner Matthew C
Published: February 2024

Absolute stability criteria that are sufficient for global exponential stability are shown, under a Lipschitz assumption, to be sufficient for the a priori stronger exponential input-to-state stability property. Important corollaries of this result are as follows: (i) absolute stability results obtained using Zames–Falb multipliers for systems containing slope-restricted nonlinearities provide exponential input-to-state-stability under a mild detectability assumption; and (ii) more generally, many absolute stability results obtained via Integral Quadratic Constraint methods provide, with the additional Lipschitz assumption, this stronger property.
Effects of Protection Time on Infection of Rice Panicle Blast
Authors: Guo Fangfang , Wang Ruihui , Yao Huayuan , Wang Ning , Cai Qun , Zha Yanhong , Hu Zhiqiang , Wu Bo Ming
Published: February 2024

Panicle blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a destructive disease of rice worldwide. Clarifying the susceptibility of rice panicles at different stages is of great significance for effective disease management. Field experiments were conducted in two paddy fields at Wuyuan County in 2016 and 2017 to determine the effects of head covering and its timing on the infection of rice panicle blast. Results revealed that panicle blast was reduced significantly by covering rice heads with sulfuric acid paper bags, regardless of the covering time, ranging from initial heading to 15 days afterward, suggesting that rice panicles could be infected by blast pathogen even 15 days after initial heading. Panicle blast incidence was also found to be significantly influenced by plant dates, with higher panicle blast incidence observed in plots planted on early dates, suggesting adjusting plant dates could help rice panicles escape the infection by blast pathogen. The results from this study also highlighted the importance of cultivars and environmental conditions to panicle blast. In conclusion, besides planting blast-resistant cultivars, it is important to protect rice heads from the initial heading to the early dough stages, and fungicides should be applied according to infection warnings based on host, inoculum, and weather conditions.
Development of a Multiplex PCR for the Specific Detection of Phytoplasma Subgroups 16SrIX-B and 16SrIX-C
Authors: Kaddoura Mohammad J. , Sobh Hana , Ezzeddine Nour , Jawdah Yusuf Abou
Published: February 2024

During the early 1990s, almond witches’ broom (AlmWB), a disease affecting stone fruits, was reported in Lebanon and Iran. The disease quickly escalated into an epidemic that destroyed hundreds of thousands of almonds, peaches, and nectarine trees due to its invasive and destructive nature. The causal agent was eventually identified to be ‘ Candidatus Phytoplasma phoenicium’, a phytoplasma belonging to subgroup 16SrIX-B. There are currently no effective curative treatments, making the eradication of infected trees the only remaining option. Therefore, stringent quarantine measures and potent detection tools are imperative for early detection and effective prevention of AlmWB phytoplasma. Although there are currently no commercially available phytoplasma detection serological tests, there are several PCR-based assays for the detection of ‘ Ca. P. phoenicium’ and other phytoplasmas. Consequently, the development of accurate and sensitive assays is needed. In this study, we designed primers for specific, sensitive, and simultaneous detection of 16SrIX-B (AlmWB) and 16SrIX-C (Picris echioides yellows) phytoplasmas without the need for restriction fragment length polymorphism. The PCR assays were highly efficient, specific, and reproducible for the detection of the two phytoplasmas in multiplex PCR. The multiplex assay detected AlmWB and Picris echioides yellows targets in mixed infections up to a sensitivity of 100 pg/µl of total plant DNA. Our developed multiplex PCR assay is suitable for quarantine screening of woody tree germplasm and for surveying aimed at discriminating 16SrIX-B, a quarantine pest, from the closely related 16SrIX-C, a non-quarantine phytoplasma, with the aim of preventing or mitigating AlmWB.
Multiplex PCR Assay for Detection and Identification of Gnomoniopsis idaeicola, the Causal Agent of Blackberry Collapse
Authors: Stockwell Virginia O. , Shaffer Brenda T.
Published: February 2024

Blackberry collapse is an emerging disease in Oregon caused by Gnomoniopsis idaeicola. Symptoms associated with the disease include cane lesions, reduced primocane production, wilting, and plant death. Symptomatic plants are removed to reduce disease spread in the field. Unfortunately, blackberry collapse symptoms can be difficult to differentiate from those of other non-lethal cane diseases. Diagnostic procedures for blackberry collapse currently require several weeks to complete, necessitating development of a species-specific PCR assay to identify G. idaeicola in culture and in planta. The assay targets tef-1α and β -tubulin and includes primers as internal controls for PCR reactions of plant tissue or fungal cultures. This species-specific assay will provide rapid diagnosis of blackberry collapse and aid with epidemiological studies.
Problematic alcohol use and its impact on liver disease quality of life in a multicenter study of patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Luk Jeremy W. , Satre Derek D. , Cheung Ramsey , Wong Robert J. , Monto Alexander , Chen Jennifer Y. , Batki Steven L. , Ostacher Michael J. , Snyder Hannah R. , Shui Amy M. , Liao Meimei , Haight Christina G. , Khalili Mandana
Published: February 2024

Background:

Management of cirrhosis is challenging and has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased access to care, increased psychological distress, and alcohol misuse. Recently, The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has broadened the definition of recovery from alcohol use disorder to include quality of life (QoL) as an indicator of recovery. This study examined the associations of alcohol-associated cirrhosis etiology and problematic drinking with liver disease QoL (LDQoL).

Methods:

Patients with cirrhosis (N=329) were recruited from 3 sites (63% from 2 Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems and 37% from 1 safety net hospital) serving populations that are economically or socially marginalized. Cirrhosis etiology was ascertained by chart review of medical records. Problematic drinking was defined by ≥8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Multivariable general linear modeling adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, site, pandemic-related stress, and history of anxiety/depressive disorder were conducted. Sensitivity analyses further adjusted for indicators of liver disease severity.

Results:

Participants were on average 64.6 years old, 17% female, 58% non-White, 44% with alcohol-associated cirrhosis, and 17% with problematic drinking. Problematic drinking was significantly associated with worse LDQoL scores in the overall scale and in the memory/concentration and health distress subscales. These associations remained significant after adjusting for indicators of liver disease severity, including Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium score and decompensated cirrhosis status.

Conclusions:

Among patients with cirrhosis, problematic drinking was associated with worse LDQoL, especially in the domains of memory/concentration and health distress. Assessment and awareness of cognitive deficits and negative emotionality within the context of cirrhosis and problematic drinking may help clinicians provide better integrated care for this population.
Noninvasive neuromodulation of subregions of the human insula differentially affect pain processing and heart-rate variability: a within-subjects pseudo-randomized trial
Authors: Legon Wynn , Strohman Andrew , In Alexander , Payne Brighton
Published: February 2024

The insula is an intriguing target for pain modulation. Unfortunately, it lies deep to the cortex making spatially specific noninvasive access difficult. Here, we leverage the high spatial resolution and deep penetration depth of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) to nonsurgically modulate the anterior insula (AI) or posterior insula (PI) in humans for effect on subjective pain ratings, electroencephalographic (EEG) contact heat–evoked potentials, as well as autonomic measures including heart-rate variability (HRV). In a within-subjects, repeated-measures, pseudo-randomized trial design, 23 healthy volunteers received brief noxious heat pain stimuli to the dorsum of their right hand during continuous heart-rate, electrodermal, electrocardiography and EEG recording. Low-intensity focused ultrasound was delivered to the AI (anterior short gyrus), PI (posterior longus gyrus), or under an inert Sham condition. The primary outcome measure was pain rating. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to both AI and PI similarly reduced pain ratings but had differential effects on EEG activity. Low-intensity focused ultrasound to PI affected earlier EEG amplitudes, whereas LIFU to AI affected later EEG amplitudes. Only LIFU to the AI affected HRV as indexed by an increase in SD of N-N intervals and mean HRV low-frequency power. Taken together, LIFU is an effective noninvasive method to individually target subregions of the insula in humans for site-specific effects on brain biomarkers of pain processing and autonomic reactivity that translates to reduced perceived pain to a transient heat stimulus.
Machine learning diagnosis of active Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis on blood pool [99MTc] Tc-MDP scintigraphy images
Authors: Kian ara Hossein , Alemohammad Nafiseh , Paymani Zeinab , Ebrahimi Marzieh
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Neural network has widely been applied for medical classifications and disease diagnosis. This study employs deep learning to best discriminate Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), a pediatric chronic joint inflammatory disease, from healthy joints by exploring blood pool images of 2phase [99mTc] Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy.

Methods

Self-deigned multi-input Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) in addition to three available pre-trained models including VGG16, ResNet50 and Xception are applied on 1304 blood pool images of 326 healthy and known JIA children and adolescents (aged 1–16).

Results

The self-designed model ROC analysis shows diagnostic efficiency with Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.82 and 0.86 for knee and ankle joints, respectively. Among the three pertained models, VGG16 ROC analysis reveals AUC 0.76 and 0.81 for knee and ankle images, respectively.

Conclusion

The self-designed model shows best performance on blood pool scintigraph diagnosis of patients with JIA. VGG16 was the most efficient model rather to other pre-trained networks. This study can pave the way of artificial intelligence (AI) application in nuclear medicine for the diagnosis of pediatric inflammatory disease.
Clinical characteristics and anaesthetic management of severe scoliosis patients with spinal muscular atrophy: case series
Authors: Wang Lai , Du Yi , Huang Na , Yin Na , Du Junming , Yang Junlin , Jiang Lai , Mao Yanfei
Published: February 2024

Introduction and importance:

There is no expert consensus or guidance on perioperative anaesthesia management for spinal surgery of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with severe scoliosis (Cobb≧90°). We provide a comprehensive summary of the perioperative characteristics observed in patients with SMA and propose an optimized perioperative management strategy for anaesthesia.

Methods:

This study is a retrospective single-centre research. Twenty-six SMA patients with severe scoliosis underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery from September 2019 to September 2022 were enroled. The main outcomes were to show the patients’ characteristics in anaesthesia, intra- and post-operative periods.

Outcomes:

Nineteen patients underwent awake transnasal/transairway intubation. The median anaesthesia time of 25 patients treated under total intravenous anaesthesia was 425 min. After operation, the Cobb angle and correction rate in the coronal plane were median 54.0° and 54.4%. The length of mechanical ventilation with endotracheal intubation in ICU was median 17.5 h in 8 patients. The ICU length of stay of postoperative hospital was median 19 days. Postoperative pneumonia developed in nine patients, atelectasis in two patients, and pleural effusion in six patients. All patients did not need special oxygen therapy after discharge.

Conclusion:

Multidisciplinary consultation, lung-protective ventilation strategy, appropriate anaesthetic drugs and reasonable blood transfusion scheme and postoperative monitoring were important in anaesthesia, intraoperative and postoperative periods in the patients of severe scoliosis with spinal muscular atrophy.
Prognostic indicators for hospitalization and ICU admission in people with multiple sclerosis and COVID-19: an analysis of the COVID-19 in MS global data sharing initiative dataset
Authors: Garcia-Dominguez Maria A. , Kipkorir Vincent , Srichawla Bahadar S.
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

To analyze the symptoms and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) on disease-modifying therapies using data from the COVID-19 in multiple sclerosis (MS) Global Data Sharing Initiative dataset.

Methods:

The open-access COVID-19 in MS Global Data Sharing Initiative dataset was obtained through credentialed access using PhysioNet. The variables analyzed included BMI, symptoms of COVID-19, age, current use of disease-modifying therapy (DMT), efficacy of DMT, comorbidities, hospitalization status, and type of MS. A linear regression analysis was completed. Data analysis and visualization were completed using STATA v15, R-Studio v1.1.447, Python v3.8, and its associated libraries, including NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib.

Results:

A total of 1141 participants were included in the analysis. 904 women and 237 men were diagnosed with MS. Among the pwMS included in the study; 208 (19.54%) had a suspected infection with COVID-19 and only 49 (5.25%) were confirmed. Any COVID-19 symptom was present in 360 individuals. The commonly reported DMT agents included dimethyl fumarate (12.71%) and fingolimod (10.17%). 101 in total (8.85%) reported not using any DMT. Factors associated with hospitalization and/or admission to the ICU included having any comorbidity (P=0.01), neuromuscular disorder (P=0.046), hypertension (P=0.005), chronic kidney disease (P<0.001), and immunodeficiency (P=0.003). The type of MS, the duration of the disease, and high-efficacy DMT therapy did not have a statistically significant influence on hospitalization.

Conclusion:

This study underscores the importance of comorbidities, especially neuromuscular disorders, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and immunodeficiencies, as possible prognostic indicators for worse outcomes of COVID-19 in pwMS. On the contrary, the type of MS, the duration of the disease, and the efficacy of disease-modifying therapy did not significantly affect the severity of the symptoms of COVID-19 in this cohort.
Barriers and facilitators of readiness for hospital discharge in patients with myocardial infarction: a qualitative study: quality improvement study
Authors: Monfared Arezoo , Javadi-Pashaki Nazila , Dehghan Nayeri Nahid , Jafaraghaee Fateme
Published: February 2024

Background:

Readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) is a key concept in the discharge process. This study was conducted to explain the barriers and facilitators of preparation for discharge in patients with MI.

Materials and methods:

A qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis from April 2021 to 2022. Data collection was done in a targeted manner through semi-structured interviews until the data saturation stage. Nineteen participants (11 patients, 3 family members, and 5 healthcare team) were interviewed. Data analysis was done in eight steps according to the suggested steps of Graneheim and Lundman. MAXQDA18 software was used for coding.

Results:

From the interviews, 348 primary codes, 11 sub-categories, and 5 categories were extracted. Finally, after continuous analysis and comparison of interviews, codes, and categories, two themes including “supporting platform” and “caring atmosphere” were extracted, which were the result of the participants’ experience and understanding of the barriers and facilitators of RHD. The supporting platform included “family support” and “social support” and the caring atmosphere included “care gaps” and “professional healthcare team performance”.

Conclusion:

The results of this study indicate several factors affecting RHD in heart attack patients. According to the results of the study, the participation of the patient, family, healthcare team, and community in creating RHD is recommended. It is also suggested to pay attention to these factors in care and treatment planning to help improve health and control complications and prevent re-hospitalization in these patients.