bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New developments for theranostic radioisotope production with solid targets at the Bern medical cyclotron
Authors: Dellepiane G. , Casolaro P. , Mateu I. , Scampoli P. , Braccini S.
Published: September 2023

The concept of theranostics in nuclear medicine is based on the use of a pair of radioisotopes to label radiopharmaceuticals for both diagnosis and therapy and is essential for nuclear medicine developments. The production of novel medical radioisotopes using solid target stations is challenging and new instruments and methods are needed. A research program is ongoing at the 18 MeV Bern medical cyclotron, equipped with a Solid Target Station and a 6.5 m Beam Transfer Line ending in a separate bunker. To irradiate isotope-enriched materials in form of compressed powder pellets, a novel target coin was conceived and realized together with methods to assess the beam energy and the production cross sections. To optimize the irradiation procedure, a novel ultra-compact active irradiation system based on a specific magnetic lens and a two-dimensional beam detector was conceived, constructed and tested. The system allows to control on-line the size and position of the beam and to correct its characteristics by steering and focusing it in order to keep it on target. The first results on the production of several radionuclides (43Sc, 44Sc, 47Sc, 61Cu, 64Cu, 67Cu, 68Ga, 165Er, 165Tm, 167Tm and 155Tb) are presented.
A hybrid CZT-LaBr3:Ce Compton camera system for improving proton therapy imaging
Authors: Hart S , Jones P , Pellegri L , Peterson S
Published: September 2023

This work aims to combine the Polaris-J cadmium zinc telluride semi-conductor detector with a LaBr3:Ce scintillation detector as a hybrid Compton camera that can produce high-quality prompt γ ray images. The LaBr3:Ce detectors (Saint-Gobain Crystals) have outstanding timing resolution (< 350 ps), great energy resolution (< 2.5 % at 1332 keV), and a higher maximum energy range. The goal is to use the strengths of the LaBr3:Ce detectors to offset some of the limitations of the Polaris-J detector.
Overview of the Rare isotope Accelerator complex for ON-line experiments (RAON) project
Authors: Hong Byungsik
Published: September 2023

A new rare-isotope beam (RIB) accelerator complex, RAON, is being constructed in the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) in Korea. RAON is equipped with both isotope separation online (ISOL) and in-flight fragmentation (IF) systems and ultimately combines them to provide more neutron-rich (than any single mode operation) ion beams to the users. However, due to the delay in developing high-energy superconducting cavities and cryomodules, it was decided to proceed with the RAON construction project in two phases. In the first phase, the low-energy accelerator system, ISOL, and all experimental setups will be completed by the end of 2022. In the second phase, the high-energy superconducting system will be completed by 2029 or later. In this contribution, the status of the accelerators, RIB production systems, and experimental instruments for RAON is summarized.
α-Particle Transport Test of Korea Broad Acceptance Recoil Spectrometer and Apparatus at RAON
Authors: Kim D. G. , Tshoo K. , Kim Y. K. , Pyeun S. J. , Lee K. , Kim M. , Kwag M. S. , Akers C. , Kim J. C. , Ham C. , Lee S. , Shin T. , Ahn S. , Ahn D. S. , Hwang J. W. , Kim D. , Hahn K. I. , Kwon M.
Published: September 2023

KoBRA of RAON has been prepared for various low energy nuclear physics studies such as nuclear structure, reactions, and astrophysics. An α-particle transport test was performed using a standard α-source of 241Am so as to examine the design parameters. The position distribution of the α-particles was measured with a PPAC at the dispersive and achromatic focal planes, and compared with that of a lise
++ Monte Carlo calculation. The results are consistent with each other, confirming a few design parameters. We report on the preliminary results of the α-particle transport test for KoBRA.
Physics at the Legnaro National Laboratories: present activities and future challenges
Authors: Gramegna F.
Published: September 2023

The Legnaro National Laboratories are one of the four INFN laboratories and they are mainly dedicated to experimental nuclear physics and astrophysics, within the field of nuclear structure and dynamics, where heavy ion induced reactions at medium-low energies are involved. Moreover, high level technologies for the construction of particle accelerators and experimental instruments and apparatuses are studied and developed. The laboratory is at present involved in the construction of the SPES facility, which concerns the development of a new research infrastructure devoted to the production of exotic beams for nuclear physics study and new radioisotopes for nuclear medical applications. The heart of SPES is an innovative cyclotron, B70, capable of providing high intensity proton beams (up to 750 μA) in the energy range between 35 and 70 MeV. A description of the present and future challenges at the Legnaro National Laboratory will be given.
A Cooperative Detection of DDoS attacks based on CNN-BiLSTM in SDN
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Ling Jie
Published: September 2023

In response to the challenges posed by the high overhead and low detection efficiency of traditional SDN, a novel approach has been proposed to detect DDoS attacks. This cooperative method leverages information entropy and deep learning techniques to divide the detection task between the data plane and control plane. An advanced CNN-BiLSTM model with batch normalization and attention mechanism is utilized to identify DDoS attack traffic. The results of experiments demonstrate that this method offers superior accuracy, detection rate, and false alarm rate compared to prior approaches. Moreover, the switch-controller collaborative detection method proposed in this research reduces the occupancy rate of CPU, in contrast to the conventional single point detection method.
C-SwinIR: Dental CT super-resolution reconstruction fused with SwinIR
Authors: Wang Huaizhi , Ding Jiangang , Ye Chao , Yang Ming , Tian Aojia , Li Wei
Published: September 2023

Super-resolution reconstruction (SR) of dental computed tomography (Dental CT) images is a innovative and challenging task. To address the limitations of Dental CT in obtaining high-resolution (HR) images due to equipment constraints and noise interference, we propose a Dental CT SR method called C-SwinIR based on SwinIR. Firstly, the self-calibrated convolutions network (SCNet) is introduced to solve the problem of detail loss in shallow feature graphs and improve the ability to recover details. Subsequently, the cross-shaped windows (CSWin) self-attention transformer structure is used to replace the original transformer structure, which improves the ability of the model to obtain context information. Eventually, the integration of efficient channel attention (ECA-Net) module effectively realizes the local cross-channel interaction, accelerates the model convergence and solves the problem of gradient explosion in training. Experimental results show that our proposed method is superior to the original SwinIR network by achieving a higher peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM) by 0.287 and 0.003 respectively. Additionally, it decreases mean squared error (MSE) by 1.108. By using this method, clinicians can obtain clearer details and textures from Dental CT, which effectively assist in diagnosis.
Exploration and Application of Cloud-Network Integration Control Architecture in Industry
Authors: Sun R Q , Zhang Y , Liu L , Qin D W , Liu J W , Wu X N
Published: September 2023

Cloud-network integration(CNI) is an inevitable choice to enhance the supply capacity of industrial Internet. In traditional industrial control systems, there are problems such as insufficient depth of perception, insufficient connectivity and insufficient analytical predictability. Firstly, an industrial CNI control architecture is proposed in this paper. Then a software-defined PLC integrated development & runtime environment based on the cloud framework is developed and deployed on a private cloud platform. An efficient 5G private network is created to facilitate wireless omnidirectional connectivity of cloud PLC. The problems of complex industrial field circuits and difficult to unify protocols are solved through 5G intelligent terminal devices. Finally, the cloud control architecture and software platform are successfully applied to the remote centralized control of the tundish preparation system in a steel enterprise’s two steelmaking plants. The results shows that the innovative system architecture meet the requirements for high-performance access, transmission, computing and storage in industrial plants, which achieves the cloud control of entire process industrial automation production.
Energy System Optimization Research Based on PEC-DDPG Algorithm
Authors: Li Jianming , Cheng Guixue
Published: September 2023

Factors such as the stochastic nature of loads in energy systems make it difficult to optimize the operation of integrated energy systems. To address these problems, an energy system economy optimization scheme based on the PEC-DDPG is proposed. Firstly, exponential moving average (EMA) is introduced into deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, and prioritized experience replay (PER) is added into the experience pool to prioritize the experience to improve the learning efficiency of algorithm, and the overestimation existing in a single Critic network is solved by using multi-Critic structure. Next, the energy system optimization model is constructed, and the appropriate observation states, decision actions and reward functions are selected. Finally, simulations using energy system data of a region show that the optimization of PEC-DDPG is better than the operational optimization of DDPG algorithm.
Distributed Photovoltaic Optimization Configuration Based on Marine Predators Algorithm in Low Voltage Transformer Area
Authors: Haibo Wang , Yukai Wei , Jie Chen , Feiyan Zhou , Fang Zhang , Haoliang Lei
Published: September 2023

This article proposes a method for determining the scale and location of Distributed Photovoltaic (DPV)under the operational constraints of low-voltage transformer areas. Firstly, a low-voltage transformer areas operation model and a DPV output model were established. Determine the access nodes and rated capacity of the DPV using the indicators of minimizing voltage fluctuations and minimizing line loss rate in the optimized configuration model; Then, the maximum capacity of DPV that can be installed in the transformer area is determined with the goal of maximizing the photovoltaic penetration rate in DPV accessible nodes; Use Marine Predators Algorithm(MPA) to solve nonlinear problems in the model. Finally, simulation analysis was conducted using an actual low-voltage transformer area as an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and method, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the low-voltage transformer area when connected to a high proportion of photovoltaic energy.
Evaluation The Leachate Characteristics and its Impacts on Groundwater Contamination Around Al-Diwaniyah Open Dumpsite
Authors: Aziz Fatin Fahim , Hussain Entessar Kareem
Published: September 2023

Groundwater contamination presents an increasing concern for environmental sustainability and human health, especially organic contamination. The effect of leachate percolation on groundwater contamination was investigated at Al-Diwaniyah open dumpsite to assess the groundwater quality of hand-dug observation wells surrounding the dumpsite. Samples of raw leachate and groundwater were collected for laboratory analysis, where they were analyzed using standard methods in order to evaluate any potential seasonal and variations for rainy, and dry seasons. Analytical results of leachate samples indicate that all physiochemical parameters were high revealing that they were highly contaminated with both organic and inorganic materials. High pH value and low BOD5/COD ratio for leachate indicated that dumpsite is old and in the methanogenic stage of anaerobic decomposition. In groundwater, average values of pH, EC, TDS, and major ion concentrations were higher in the dry season as compared to that in the rainy season. In contrast, the variation in TSS, BOD5, and COD showed more in rainy season than in dry season. GW1 and GW2 samples were more impacted by leachate percolation than GW3. The findings further revealed that except for pH, and nitrate all other examined parameters were above the permitted limitations of World Health Organization and Iraqi Quality standards. Relying on pH, EC, and major ions respectively, groundwater adjacent to dumpsite can be described as slightly alkaline, water with health hazards, and Chloride is the dominating ion. Inferred from the preceding, the noticeable influence of climate variation and distance from dumpsite on the extent of groundwater contamination. Continuously monitoring the groundwater resources in the area and constructing engineering landfills subject to the environmental limitations to control leachate infiltration into groundwater is recommended.
Hyderodeoxygenation of acetic acid in aqueous phase: short review
Authors: Yahia Fouz Dhafer , Jazie Ali A.
Published: September 2023

Biomass is a plentiful, readily accessible, renewable resource that is expected to take the place of fossil fuels in the production of chemicals and fuel. In this research, the latest and most important research on hydrodeoxygenation was reviewed, and the focus was on water as a source of hydrogen as an alternative to hydrogen. In this procedure, water is crucial., as water contains rare properties that contribute to regulating both reaction rates and mass transfer rates, during the mass transfer process during the hydrogen oxygenation process. The special quality of water helps to control the reaction rates, discrimination, and rates of mass transfer during the biomass HDO process. The focus was on the reaction mechanism of acetic acid, which was selected as the biomass model substance.
Improving the Bus Stops Capacity Depending on Capacity of Bus Lane and Regulated Intersection Capacity
Authors: Asfoor H M A , Averyanov Y I , Golenyaev N S
Published: September 2023

Any stop of buses should be understood along a route, such as the regulated intersections (RI), stopping point (SP), and the road crowding. Thus, the regularities arrival of urban passenger transport (UPT) is impacting the capacity of the of SP, and the number of violations at the stopping point should be known to find a solution to improve the capacity of SP. On the other hand, the process of determining the carrying capacity of a stopping point by urban passenger transport, depending on their type and numbers, remains insufficiently studied yet. In this study, the impact of the type and quantity of UPT on the capacity of the stopping point is illustrated. The conflict at SP that affects the capacity of the stopping point can be solved by controlling the bus’s intensity at a regulated intersection and bus lane. The practical capacities of the various physical elements of the system of UPT servicing that were studied are, a lane capacity (Ql
), a regulated intersection capacity (Qi
), and a stopping point capacity (Qs
). Theoretically substantiating the effects of urban passenger transport types on the SP capacity, formulas were used to determine these practical capacities and compared with the calculated capacity of stopping points according to the HCM2000 model (Qm
) by applying this condition, min {Qi Qi Qs} ≤ Qm
.
Effect of lockdown during Covid-19 pandemic on the water quality of Citarum River, Indonesia
Authors: Yustiani Y M , Wahyuni S , Da Costa K , Alfiah T , Dinihayati E
Published: September 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted several business activities due to restrictions on community mobilization. During the pandemic, the Indonesian government implemented a lockdown with the term PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions). Affected activities include industrial operations and other business activities in the Citarum watershed, West Java, Indonesia. This lockdown condition can potentially affect the water quality of the Citarum River. This study aims to determine the quality of the Citarum River due to the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research was conducted using qualitative methods. The data obtained in this study is monitoring data obtained from the West Java Environmental Service. The data being compared is water quality in July 2020 and August 2019. The monitoring locations chosen were Wangisagara, Koyod, Nanjung and Walahar. Comparisons of data show that there has been an increase in water quality for several parameters. TSS concentrations decreased at all locations, while BOD and COD concentrations decreased at the Koyod and Nanjung locations. However, these 2 locations showed an increase in the MBAS value. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the lockdown imposed for residents’ mobility reduced the entry of waste from business activities, thereby improving the quality of the Citarum River.
Effect of inclination angle and light source position on water temperature profile and productivity of solar still: an indoor experiment
Authors: Jaya H I , Wintoko J , Prasetya A
Published: September 2023

Solar stills are generally used to obtain fresh and clean water from saline, brackish, and wastewater using solar energy. Many factors affect the performance of solar still, such as solar radiation, altitude, top cover inclination angle, etc. In this research, indoor solar still experiments have been carried out with different top cover inclination angles and light source positions with 7 hours of operating time. This research aims to study the effect of those two variables on water temperature profile and productivity of solar still. Halogen lamp was used as artificial light source. Three light source positions were selected based on the yearly solar azimuth and elevation angles data of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The selected inclination angles were 20°, 30°, and 40°. Results demonstrated that light source position which related to incident angle of light at the top cover of solar still affected the water temperature profile in solar still. The water temperature profile decreased considerably when the angle of incident light was higher than 40°. Condensate productivity can be increased by using higher inclination angle of solar still top cover and highest condensate productivity of 518.75 mL/m2 can be obtained by using 40° of inclination angle. However, water temperature profile which affected by light source position must be taken into consideration when using higher inclination angle. Lower water temperature profile caused the decreasing of condensate productivity.
Valorization of durian peel waste and sewage sludge as bio-briquette
Authors: Ariani Ismi Khairunnissa , Anifah Eka Masrifatus , Harfadli Muhammad Ma’arij , Sholikah Umi , Hawani Iska Nur
Published: September 2023

Renewable energy is an alternative to fossil fuels due to the limited supply of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emission contribution. Bioenergy is one of the renewable energies that is derived from biomass. Biomass waste, namely durian peel and sewage sludge, has the potential as raw material for bioenergy because of its energy content. Moreover, the carbonization of biomass water can improve the heating value of biomass material. This study aims to investigate bio-briquette properties from durian peel and sewage sludge with various biomass compositions and types of binder materials. Tapioca starch, rejected papaya, and cow manure were used as binding materials. The density of 1.01 g/cm3 and the 5288 kcal/gram calorific value were obtained from 90% durian peel and 10% tapioca starch binder. The bio-briquette with 90% durian peel has a moisture content of 10%, volatile matter of 21%, fixed carbon of 61%, and ash content of 18%. Although the calorific value and fixed carbon satisfy the quality standard of briquettes, the moisture content, volatile matter, and ash content still did not comply with the standard. The result shows that the rejected papaya is promising binder material that does not compete with the food commodity of tapioca flour.
Using Material Flow Analysis (MFA) for Waste Management Planning in Batang Regency
Authors: Budihardjo M A , Sumiyati S , Sawitri D R , Octaviani Y N , Wati H R
Published: September 2023

The population of Batang Regency in 2021 reached 810,393 people, which has increased from the previous year. The increase in population results in an increase in the amount of waste generated in each region. However, Batang Regency only has Randukuning landfill as the only waste final processing site in this regency. The condition of the Randukuning landfill based on existing conditions during field surveys still uses the open dumping method with no massive reduction before the waste goes to the landfill. This condition is a separate consideration for planning waste management for good waste management in Batang Regency. In this waste management planning, the development of waste technology can also be used as a solution to how to manage waste effectively and efficiently. One way to determine the technology to be used is to use the Material Flow Analysis (MFA) method. This MFA method is a method that uses STAN software to determine the critical flow of the Batang Regency regional waste management system by paying attention to the results of the incoming input in the form of waste and the processes that occur so that later it will cause output how much and what or it can be said to know the scene in the field.
Predicting vegetation dynamics in Deux Balé National Park, Burkina Faso, using land change modeler
Authors: Tankoano Boalidioa , Sanon Zezouma , Jofack Sokeng Valère-Carin , Yameogo Jerome Tegawinde , Hien Mipro
Published: September 2023

In recent years, the natural vegetation of Burkina Faso has undergone unprecedented anthropisation. To date, most studies have focused only on diachronic analysis based on satellite imagery. Land use dynamics studies give an account of the past and present situation, but do not provide quantitative and qualitative information on the future of this vegetation. On the other hand, a prospective analysis of the dynamics would enable us to better assess the future of our forest ecosystems. Predictive data are essential for decision-making and implementing appropriate policy responses relating to sustainable forest resources management. The main objective of this study was to predict the vegetation dynamics of the Deux Balé National Park by modelling the year 2025. Thus, we selected the variables that best explained the anthropization process. A land change model was selected for the study. The model was calibrated using only variables with a V-Cramer coefficient greater than or equal to 0.1. This model is based on error budgeting and prediction. Visual and statistical comparisons of the simulated and actual 2016 maps allowed for better calibration of the model to simulate changes in the area of land-cover classes by 2025. The results revealed that, between 2016 and 2025, a significant regression of savanna vegetation will occur in favor of anthropized areas and gallery forests. Thus, from this period, gallery forests and anthropized areas covered up to 138 ha and 2914 ha, respectively. However, the savanna vegetation area decreased by 1186 ha, 961 ha, and 893 ha from 2016 to 2025, respectively. Therefore, urgent action must be taken to preserve the potential of the forest resources in parks.
Cooling rate calculation of pure aluminum solidified during a novel gas-assisted continuous casting and extrusion process
Authors: Xie Xiaoding , Yin Jiancheng , Luo Yuwei , Zhu Zhen , Wu Suzhen , Wang Yaqiang , Huang Jialiang , Liu Yingli , Chen Yegao , Zhong Yi
Published: September 2023

Gas-assisted continuous casting and extrusion (GAC) process is a novel technique for the continuous preparation of non-equilibrium solidified materials. To evaluate the solidification rate of the melt during GAC, the cooling rate of pure aluminum melt solidified in the wheel groove is calculated, based on the Newtonian heat transfer model and the one-dimensional Fourier heat transfer model. Results show that the cooling rate of the melt during GAC mainly depends on the conduction heat transfer in the wheel groove and the melt thickness. When the thickness of the pure aluminum melt is between 1 and 2.5 mm, the cooling rate can reach 103–104 K s−1, which is much higher than that in CAXTEX (~10 K s−1). It means that GAC is a very effective process in the preparation of non-equilibrium solidification alloys.
Cumulative experience influences contest investment in a social fish
Authors: Benincasa Macie D , Earley Ryan L , Hamilton Ian M
Published: September 2023

When animals live in long-term groups, the potential for conflict is high. Conflict is costly, so an individual’s decision to engage depends on the information it has about the costs and benefits of fighting. One source of information could be past contest experience, where previous winners/losers typically become more likely to win/lose in the future. However, repeated interactions can familiarize individuals with conflict and provide opportunities to learn to become better fighters, regardless of outcome. We explored how individuals integrate information from previous contests to inform future encounters in a group-living fish, Neolamprologus pulcher. We gave contestants single, reinforcing, and contradictory experiences and measured behavior and post-fight water-borne levels of androgenic steroids (testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone). Contradictory outcomes were associated with reduced investment in fighting. More fighting experience did not lead to greater investment in fighting, as consecutive losses resulted in reduced aggression. Also, there was no effect of fighting treatment on water-borne androgen concentrations. Interestingly, there were sex differences in which behaviors were influenced by experience, and in whether body mass was associated with androgen concentrations, which could indicate that males and females vary in how perceived fighting ability changes with contest experience. Our data reveal the complex ways in which repeated experiences can alter an individual’s propensity to invest in conflict. Repeated interactions associated with predictable changes in behavior can contribute to rank stability in groups and our results indicate that whether and how they do depend on the quality and quantity of interactions plus individual factors such as sex.
A survey-based study on experiences with and perspectives toward medical providers among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Marquez Diana G , Sadeghi Nakisa B , Westerkam Linnea L , Blum Franklin R , Dresselhaus Angela , Sayed Christopher J
Published: September 2023

Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa frequently visit medical providers and are often misdiagnosed or inappropriately educated on their disease. This survey study investigated how often patients received misinformation about their disease. Many participants reported receiving incorrect information that caused shame and made them avoid seeing medical providers.
Neural functional network of early Parkinson’s disease based on independent component analysis
Authors: Li Junli , Tan Changlian , Zhang Lin , Cai Sainan , Shen Qin , Liu Qinru , Wang Min , Song ChenDie , Zhou Fan , Yuan Jiaying , Liu Yujing , Lan Bowen , Liao Haiyan
Published: September 2023

This work explored neural network changes in early Parkinson’s disease: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate functional alterations in different stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Ninety-five PD patients (50 early/mild and 45 early/moderate) and 37 healthy controls (HCs) were included. Independent component analysis revealed significant differences in intra-network connectivity, specifically in the default mode network (DMN) and right frontoparietal network (RFPN), in both PD groups compared to HCs. Inter-network connectivity analysis showed reduced connectivity between the executive control network (ECN) and DMN, as well as ECN-left frontoparietal network (LFPN), in early/mild PD. Early/moderate PD exhibited decreased connectivity in ECN-LFPN, ECN-RFPN, ECN-DMN, and DMN-auditory network, along with increased connectivity in LFPN-cerebellar network. Correlations were found between ECN-DMN and ECN-LFPN connections with UPDRS-III scores in early/mild PD. These findings suggest that PD progression involves dysfunction in multiple intra- and inter-networks, particularly implicating the ECN, and a wider range of abnormal functional networks may mark the progression of the disease.
Olfactory bulb neurogenesis depending on signaling in the subventricular zone
Authors: Chen Yali , Ren Peng , He Xiongjie , Yan Fang , Gu Rou , Bai Jie , Zhang Xianwen
Published: September 2023

Olfaction is a crucial sense that is essential for the well-being and survival of individuals. Olfactory bulb (OB) is the first olfactory relay station, and its function depends on newly generated neurons from the subventricular zone (SVZ). These newly born neurons constantly migrate through the rostral migratory stream to integrate into existing neural networks within the OB, thereby contributing to olfactory information processing. However, the mechanisms underlying the contribution of SVZ adult neurogenesis to OB neurogenesis remain largely elusive. Adult neurogenesis is a finely regulated multistep process involving the proliferation of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) and neural precursor cells, as well as the migration and differentiation of neuroblasts, and integration of newly generated neurons into preexisting neuronal circuitries. Recently, extensive studies have explored the mechanism of SVZ and OB neurogenesis. This review focused on elucidating various molecules and signaling pathways associated with OB neurogenesis dependent on the SVZ function. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the OB neurogenesis on the adult brain is an attractive prospect to induce aNSCs in SVZ to generate new neurons to ameliorate olfactory dysfunction that is involved in various diseases. It will also contribute to developing new strategies for the human aNSCs-based therapies.
Central Composite Design Expert-Supported RP-HPLC Optimization and Quantitative Evaluation of Efonidipine Hydrochloride Ethanolate & Chlorthalidone in Tablet
Authors: Patel Bhoomi D , Vekaria Hitesh J
Published: September 2023

Central composite design based RP-HPLC method optimization for the synchronized analysis of Efonidipine Hydrochloride Ethanolate (EFE) and Chlorthalidone (CHL) in tablet. The effective separation was performed using Inertsil ODS C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), PDA detector with 0.05 M KH2PO4 Buffer (pH 4.5): Acetonitrile (40:60%v/v) mobile phase. Independent variables were investigated include the concentration of KH2PO4 (X1) and flow rate of mobile phase (X2). Based on responses obtained (retention time, resolution and tailing factor), the optimum condition selected was X1 = 40% and X2 = 1 ml/min. Optimized HPLC condition was validated by assessing validation parameters and it meets the acceptance criteria set by ICH. The linear calibration curve was found to be in the quantity range 6.25–18.75 and 20–60 μg/ml Assay of drugs was 100.94 and 100.06% for CHL and EFE. The validated RP-HPLC-PDA method can be used for routine analysis of EFE and CHL in tablet.
Risk Factors and Outcomes of Hematogenous Vertebral Osteomyelitis in Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia
Authors: Kinamon Tori , Dagher Michael , Park Lawrence , Ruffin Felicia , Fowler Vance G , Maskarinec Stacey A
Published: September 2023

Background

Hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis (HVOM) is an incompletely understood complication of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB).

Methods

Eligible SAB patients with and without HVOM were prospectively enrolled from 1995 through 2019 at Duke University Health System. HVOM was diagnosed either radiographically or microbiologically. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical and microbial factors associated with HVOM risk. All bloodstream S. aureus isolates were genotyped using spa typing.

Results

Of 3165 cases of SAB, 127 (4.0%) developed HVOM. Patients who experienced HVOM were more likely to have community-acquired SAB (30.7% vs 16.7%, P < .001), have a longer time to diagnosis of SAB (median, 5 days; interquartile range [IQR], 2–10.5 vs median, 2 days; IQR, 0–4; P < .001), and to exhibit persistent bacteremia (48.8% vs 20.6%, P < .001). A significant number of HVOM patients developed infective endocarditis (26% vs 15.2%, P = .002). Overall, 26.2% (n = 33) of SAB patients with HVOM underwent surgical intervention. Methicillin resistance (46.6% vs 41.7%, P = .318) and bacterial genotype were not associated with the development of HVOM. At the 12-month follow-up, 22% of patients with HVOM had died. Of the surviving patients, 20.4% remained on antibiotic therapy, and 29.6% had recurrence of either HVOM or SAB.

Conclusions

Among patients with SAB, HVOM risk was associated with clinical factors and not bacterial genotype. Despite being a rare complication of SAB, patients with HVOM had high all-cause mortality rates and healthcare resource requirements up to 1 year after their HVOM diagnosis. Close clinical monitoring is indicated in this vulnerable population.
Additive effects of dapagliflozin and finerenone on albuminuria in non-diabetic CKD: an open-label randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mårup Frederik Husum , Thomsen Martin Bjergskov , Birn Henrik
Published: September 2023

Background

Dapagliflozin and finerenone reduce albuminuria and slow CKD progression, but additive effects remain unstudied. We compared their individual and combined efficacy and safety in patients with non-diabetic CKD.

Methods

In an open-label, randomized clinical trial, we included patients aged 18–80 on maximal tolerated ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker with eGFR 25–45 mL/min/1,73 m2 and albuminuria 150–2000 mg/g. Participants received either finerenone 20 mg/day or dapagliflozin 10 mg/day for four weeks, followed by combination therapy for four weeks. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks.

Results

Twenty patients (10 per group) with a mean mGFR of 34 mL/min/1,73 m2 and a mean urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) of 469 mg/g were included. Finerenone alone or in addition to dapagliflozin resulted in −24% (95% CI, −36% to −11%) and −34% (95% CI, −47% to −18%) change in UACR, respectively. Dapagliflozin alone or in addition to finerenone resulted in −8% (95% CI, −22 to 9%) and −10% (95% CI, −28% to 12%) change in UACR, respectively. Overall, UACR change after 8 weeks was −36% (95% CI, −46% to −24%). After 8 weeks, systolic blood pressure and mGFR were reduced by 10 mmHg (95% CI, 6–13 mmHg) and 7 mL/min/1,73 m2 (95% CI, 5–8 mL/min/1,73 m2). Adverse effects were minimal.

Conclusions

The combination of finerenone and dapagliflozin was safe and significantly reduced albuminuria. The effect of combination therapy was at least equal to the calculated, combined effect of each of the drugs, suggesting an additive effect on albuminuria. Larger studies assessing long-term effects and safety are warranted.
The effects of lifestyle change on indicators of cardiometabolic health in semi-nomadic pastoralists
Authors: Swanson Zane S , Bethancourt Hilary , Nzunza Rosemary , Ndiema Emmanuel , Braun David R , Rosinger Asher Y , Pontzer Herman
Published: September 2023

Background and objectives

Non-communicable disease risk and the epidemic of cardiometabolic diseases continue to grow across the expanding industrialized world. Probing the relationships between evolved human physiology and modern socioecological conditions is central to understanding this health crisis. Therefore, we investigated the relationships between increased market access, shifting subsistence patterns and cardiometabolic health indicators within Daasanach semi-nomadic pastoralists who vary in their engagement in traditional lifestyle and emerging market behaviors.

Methodology

We conducted cross-sectional socioecological, demographic and lifestyle stressor surveys along with health, biomarker and nutrition examinations among 225 (51.6% female) Daasanach adults in 2019–2020. We used linear mixed-effects models to test how differing levels of engagement in market integration and traditional subsistence activities related to blood pressure (BP), body composition and blood chemistry.

Results

We found that systolic and diastolic BP, as well as the probability of having high BP (hypertension), were negatively associated with distance to market, a proxy for market integration. Additionally, body composition varied significantly by socioeconomic status (SES), with significant positive associations between BMI and body fat and higher SES among adults.

Conclusions and implications

While evidence for evolutionary mismatch and health variation have been found across a number of populations affected by an urban/rural divide, these results demonstrate the effects of market integration and sedentarization on cardiometabolic health associated with the early stages of lifestyle changes. Our findings provide evidence for the changes in health when small-scale populations begin the processes of sedentarization and market integration that result from myriad market pressures.
Development and validation of cardiovascular risk prediction equations in 76 000 people with known cardiovascular disease
Authors: Holt Anders , Batinica Bruno , Liang Jingyuan , Kerr Andrew , Crengle Sue , Hudson Ben , Wells Susan , Harwood Matire , Selak Vanessa , Mehta Suneela , Grey Corina , Lamberts Morten , Jackson Rod , Poppe Katrina K
Published: September 2023

Aims

Multiple health administrative databases can be individually linked in Aotearoa New Zealand, using encrypted identifiers. These databases were used to develop cardiovascular risk prediction equations for patients with known cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods and results

Administrative health databases were linked to identify all people aged 18–84 years with known CVD, living in Auckland and Northland, Aotearoa New Zealand, on 1 January 2014. The cohort was followed until study outcome, death, or 5 years. The study outcome was death or hospitalization due to ischaemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease. Sex-specific 5-year CVD risk prediction equations were developed using multivariable Fine and Gray models. A total of 43 862 men {median age: 67 years [interquartile range (IQR): 59–75]} and 32 724 women [median age: 70 years (IQR: 60–77)] had 14 252 and 9551 cardiovascular events, respectively. Equations were well calibrated with good discrimination. Increasing age and deprivation, recent cardiovascular hospitalization, Mori ethnicity, smoking history, heart failure, diabetes, chronic renal disease, atrial fibrillation, use of blood pressure lowering and anti-thrombotic drugs, haemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, and creatinine were statistically significant independent predictors of the study outcome. Fourteen per cent of men and 23% of women had predicted 5-year cardiovascular risk <15%, while 28 and 24% had ≥40% risk.

Conclusion

Robust cardiovascular risk prediction equations were developed from linked routine health databases, a currently underutilized resource worldwide. The marked heterogeneity demonstrated in predicted risk suggests that preventive therapy in people with known CVD would be better informed by risk stratification beyond a one-size-fits-all high-risk categorization.
Multiphysics modelling in PyLith: poroelasticity
Authors: Walker Robert L , Knepley Matthew G , Aagaard Brad T , Williams Charles A
Published: September 2023

PyLith, a community, open-source code for modelling quasi-static and dynamic crustal deformation with an emphasis on earthquake faulting, has recently been updated with a flexible multiphysics implementation. We demonstrate the versatility of the multiphysics implementation by extending the code to model fully coupled continuum poromechanics. We verify the newly incorporated physics using standard benchmarks for a porous medium saturated with a slightly compressible fluid. The benchmarks include the 1-D consolidation problem as outlined by Terzaghi, Mandel’s problem for the 2-D case, and Cryer’s problem for the 3-D case. All three benchmarks have been added to the PyLith continuous integration test suite. We compare the closed form analytical solution for each benchmark against solutions generated by our updated code, and lastly, demonstrate that the poroelastic material formulation may be used alongside the existing fault implementation in PyLith.
On safer ground? The emergence and evolution of ‘Global Britain’
Authors: Haugevik Kristin , Svendsen Øyvind
Published: September 2023

Why did Theresa May's government introduce the narrative about ‘Global Britain’, and how did this narrative evolve and manifest itself in UK foreign policy discourse in the ensuing years? We make the case that Brexit distressed the United Kingdom's foreign policy identity, and that the ‘Global Britain’ narrative emerged as a means to consolidate that identity—at a time marked by uncertainty and political turmoil. Scholarship on ontological security has theorized how states employ narratives to restore and stabilize their identities when they become ontologically insecure. It has not sufficiently addressed how these narratives evolve, and the conditions under which they come to resonate with key audiences. We suggest that identity consolidating narratives are more effective when they are anchored in familiar spaces and contexts—what we call home turfs. We show how filling ‘Global Britain’ with content constituted a process of moving from existential anxiety about the country's future role, to anchoring UK foreign policy in and around such home turfs. Tracing the emergence and evolution of the ‘Global Britain’ narrative in official UK discourse, we find that ‘Global Britain’ gradually homed in on two secure narrative bases: first, security and defence; and second, the Anglosphere and Euro-Atlantic.
Australia’s Investigation of Alleged ADF War Crimes in Afghanistan
Authors: Flint Julia
Published: September 2023

This article examines Australia’s obligation to investigate war crimes in the context of its obligations under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This obligation is contrasted with Australia’s investigation of war crimes to date, with a particular focus on the current investigations into alleged war crimes by Australian Defence Forces in Afghanistan. The article then discusses the jurisdiction of the ICC, and the important effect of the principle of complementarity under Article 17 of the Rome Statute. The article concludes by assessing the future of war crimes investigations in Australia, drawing attention to the lessons which can be learned moving forward — both domestically and by other states facing allegations of war crimes committed by their own forces.
Modelling change processes in multivariate interrupted time series data using a multivariate dynamic additive model: An application to heart rate and blood pressure self-monitoring in heart failure with drug changes
Authors: Cho Sun-Joo
Published: September 2023

Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measured by a patient can be used to monitor response to pharmacologic therapies. Continuously measured HR and BP are multivariate time series as sequences of values at regularly spaced intervals over time and changes in pharmacologic therapies interrupt the multivariate time series and create phases. In the multivariate interrupted time series, there are change processes in multiple phases, such as level changes, linear or non-linear trend changes, and time-varying serial dependence. This paper presents an application of a multivariate dynamic additive model to account for these change processes. In addition, a simulation study is conducted to evaluate the model’s parameter recovery and to demonstrate the consequences of ignoring the time-varying serial dependence in HR and BP when detecting level changes and trend changes. The results of the simulation study show that the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates are satisfactory. Furthermore, the simulation results present that ignoring time-varying serial dependence in the same conditions as those found in the application results in biased estimates and standard errors for the level changes and trend changes.
The dragon-II simulations – II. Formation mechanisms, mass, and spin of intermediate-mass black holes in star clusters with up to 1 million stars
Authors: Arca Sedda Manuel , Kamlah Albrecht W H , Spurzem Rainer , Rizzuto Francesco Paolo , Naab Thorsten , Giersz Mirek , Berczik Peter
Published: September 2023

The processes that govern the formation of intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs) in dense stellar clusters are still unclear. Here, we discuss the role of stellar mergers, star–BH interactions, and accretion, as well as BH binary (BBH) mergers in seeding and growing IMBHs in the Dragon-II simulation database, a suite of 19 direct N-body models representing dense clusters with up to 106 stars. Dragon-II IMBHs have typical masses of mIMBH = (100–380) M⊙ and relatively large spins χIMBH > 0.6. We find a link between the IMBH formation mechanism and the cluster structure. In clusters denser than 3 × 105 M⊙ pc−3, the collapse of massive star collision products represents the dominant IMBH formation process, leading to the formation of heavy IMBHs (mIMBH > 200 M⊙), possibly slowly rotating, that form over times <5 Myr and grow further via stellar accretion and mergers in just <30 Myr. BBH mergers are the dominant IMBH formation channel in less dense clusters, for which we find that the looser the cluster, the longer the formation time (10–300 Myr) and the larger the IMBH mass, although remaining within 200 M⊙. Strong dynamical scatterings and relativistic recoil efficiently eject all IMBHs in Dragon-II clusters, suggesting that IMBHs in this type of cluster are unlikely to grow beyond a few 102 M⊙.
Stellar mass dependence of galaxy size–dark matter halo radius relation probed by Subaru-HSC survey weak lensing measurements
Authors: Mishra Preetish K , Rana Divya , More Surhud
Published: September 2023

We investigate the stellar mass dependence of the galaxy size–dark matter halo radius relation for low-redshift galaxies using weak gravitational lensing measurements. Our sample consists of ∼38 000 galaxies more massive than $10^{8}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, h^{-2}$ and within z < 0.3 drawn from the overlap of Galaxy And Mass Assembly survey data release 4 and HSC-SSP PDR2. We divide our sample into a number of stellar mass bins and measure stacked weak lensing signals. We model the signals using a conditional stellar mass function to infer the stellar mass–halo mass relation. We fit a single Sérsic model to HSC i-band images of our galaxies and obtain their three-dimensional half-light radii. We use these measurements to construct a median galaxy size–mass relation. We then combine these relations to infer the galaxy size–halo radius relation. We confirm that this relation appears linear, given the statistical errors, i.e. the ratio of galaxy size to halo radius remains constant over two orders of magnitudes in stellar mass above $\sim 10^{9} \, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, h^{-2}$. Extrapolating the stellar mass–halo mass relation below this limit, we see an indication of a decreasing galaxy size–halo radius ratio with the decline in stellar mass. At stellar mass $\sim 10^{8} \, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, h^{-2}$, the ratio becomes 30 per cent smaller than its value in linear regime. The possible existence of a such trend in dwarf galaxy sectors calls for either modification in models employing a constant fraction of halo angular momentum transferred to explain sizes of dwarfs or else points towards our lack of knowledge about dark matter haloes of low-mass galaxies.