bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanosynthesis of TaC-WC powders under environmental conditions and their consolidation via electric arc furnace
Authors: Vázquez-Pelayo A , Garcia-Mendoza T , Becerril-Juarez I G , Juarez-Arellano E A , Mireles L K , Avalos-Borja M
Published: June 2024

In this study, tantalum carbide (TaC) was synthesized using an innovative approach that synergistically integrates mechanosynthesis and electric arc furnace processes. By employing high-energy ball-milling (HEBM) for 50 min under environmental conditions, TaC-WC powders were successfully synthesized, using a powder mixture of tantalum and carbon in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio. This method yielded a composition of 72.5 wt% TaC and 27.5 wt% WC, with an average particle size of 0.7 ± 0.3 μm. The use of an electric arc furnace led to the fabrication of a highly dense material with a relative density above 98%. Notably, WC derived from the mechanical milling material served as an effective sintering aid. x-ray photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) results indicated the formation of metal oxides on the surface of the sample, and despite the presence of these oxides, the density of the material remained uncompromised. Furthermore, x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis after the electric arc furnace treatment demonstrated the preservation of the TaC and WC phases. Mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness, Young’s modulus and fracture toughness were 22.8 ± 0.5 GPa under an applied load of 9.8 N, 539 GPa and 6.6 MPa m1/2, respectively. The results underscore a novel and efficient synthesis route for TaC-WC with enhanced mechanical properties and high density, which are crucial aspects for applications in ultra-high temperature ceramics.
An extensive analysis of artificial intelligence and segmentation methods transforming cancer recognition in medical imaging
Authors: Ramalakshmi K , Srinivasa Raghavan V , Rajagopal Sivakumar , Krishna Kumari L , Theivanathan G , Kulkarni Madhusudan B , Poddar Harshit
Published: June 2024

Recent advancements in computational intelligence, deep learning, and computer-aided detection have had a significant impact on the field of medical imaging. The task of image segmentation, which involves accurately interpreting and identifying the content of an image, has garnered much attention. The main objective of this task is to separate objects from the background, thereby simplifying and enhancing the significance of the image. However, existing methods for image segmentation have their limitations when applied to certain types of images. This survey paper aims to highlight the importance of image segmentation techniques by providing a thorough examination of their advantages and disadvantages. The accurate detection of cancer regions in medical images is crucial for ensuring effective treatment. In this study, we have also extensive analysis of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems for cancer identification, with a focus on recent research advancements. The paper critically assesses various techniques for cancer detection and compares their effectiveness. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have attracted particular interest due to their ability to segment and classify medical images in large datasets, thanks to their capacity for self- learning and decision-making.
Could dark energy vary in time?
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: June 2024

New observations of baryon acoustic oscillations suggest that the expansion of the universe might not have been constant but more data is needed to be sure, as Hamish Johnston explains.
Space weather phenomenon observed in the lab for the first time
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: June 2024

Space weather events known as “whistler mode chorus emissions” have been observed in the lab for the first time.
Attosecond X-ray spectroscopy ‘freezes’ atomic nuclei in place
Authors: Dumé Isabelle
Published: June 2024

Scientists can now follow the movement of electrons and the ionization of molecules in real time thanks to a new attosecond X-ray spectroscopy technique.
MEPs call for ‘urgent action’ on post-quantum encryption
Authors: Boerkamp Martijn
Published: June 2024

Twenty members of the European Parliament have called for urgent action to develop a new standard for data encryption that would protect against quantum computers being used for malicious purposes.
Quantum friendship
Authors: Crease Robert P , Carter Jennifer , Elia Gino
Published: June 2024

“Wigner’s friend” is a curious thought experiment that has stumped physicists and philosophers for more than 60 years. Robert P Crease, Jennifer Carter and Gino Elia advise on how to resolve this conundrum.
Quantum leap
Authors: Commissariat Tushna
Published: June 2024

From building hybrid architectures to tackling complex fundamental questions, quantum physicist Mauro Paternostro outlines the vast potential on offer from the quantum technology landscape.
Quantum winter? No chance!
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: June 2024

A recent fall in global private investment in quantum technology has led to suggestions that the sector is heading for a downturn. James McKenzie is unfazed and believes the future for the sector is bright.
Ab-initio tree-tensor-network digital twin for quantum computer benchmarking in 2D
Authors: Jaschke Daniel , Pagano Alice , Weber Sebastian , Montangero Simone
Published: June 2024

Large-scale numerical simulations of the Hamiltonian dynamics of a noisy intermediate scale quantum computer—a digital twin—could play a major role in developing efficient and scalable strategies for tuning quantum algorithms for specific hardware. Via a two-dimensional tensor network digital twin of a Rydberg atom quantum computer, we demonstrate the feasibility of such a program. In particular, we quantify the effects of gate crosstalks induced by the van der Waals interaction between Rydberg atoms: according to an 8×8 digital twin simulation based on the current state-of-the-art experimental setups, the initial state of a five-qubit repetition code can be prepared with a high fidelity, a first indicator for a compatibility with fault-tolerant quantum computing. The preparation of a 64-qubit Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state with about 700 gates yields a 99.9% fidelity in a closed system while achieving a speedup of 35% via parallelization.
Comparative study on manufacturing of EDM electrodes by laser sintering process
Authors: S Shashank , Pinto Thomas , C G Ramachandra , M Prashanth Pai , M J Raghavendra
Published: June 2024

The abstract aims to investigate the comparative performance of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) with unconventional machining processes. Unconventional machining processes have gained significant attention due to their versatility and capability to fabricate intricate components with high precision. This study focuses on assessing the efficacy of EDM and SLS techniques in terms of data removal rate and relative wear volume. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a thermal erosion process that utilizes electrical discharges to remove material from a workpiece. In contrast, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technique that employs a laser to selectively fuse powdered material, layer by layer, to build up a three-dimensional object. Both methods offer unique advantages in terms of precision, speed, and material compatibility. The performance evaluation of these techniques involves analyzing key parameters such as data removal rate, which measures the volume of material removed per unit time, and relative wear volume, which quantifies the wear on the tool or workpiece during the machining process. By comparing these metrics, insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of EDM and SLS can be gained, aiding manufacturers and researchers in selecting the most suitable method for specific applications. Through experimental investigations and data analysis, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of EDM and SLS in unconventional machining processes. The findings will contribute to advancing the understanding of these techniques and optimizing their utilization in various industrial sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and biomedical engineering. The experimental analysis examines the impact of the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) process parameter on sintering depth. The optimized parameters for AlSi10Mg alloy powder sintering were obtained using laser power at 162 W, scanning speed at 156 mm s−1, porosity at 20%, laser area size of 0.2 mm, and layer thickness of 1 mm.
Explainable machine learning assisted molecular-level insights for enhanced specific stiffness exploiting the large compositional space of AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys
Authors: Gupta K K , Barman S , Dey S , Mukhopadhyay T
Published: June 2024

Design of high entropy alloys (HEA) presents a significant challenge due to the large compositional space and composition-specific variation in their functional behavior. The traditional alloy design would include trial-and-error prototyping and high-throughput experimentation, which again is challenging due to large-scale fabrication and experimentation. To address these challenges, this article presents a computational strategy for HEA design based on the seamless integration of quasi-random sampling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning (ML). A limited number of algorithmically chosen molecular-level simulations are performed to create a Gaussian process-based computational mapping between the varying concentrations of constituent elements of the HEA and effective properties like Young’s modulus and density. The computationally efficient ML models are subsequently exploited for large-scale predictions and multi-objective functionality attainment with non-aligned goals. The study reveals that there exists a strong negative correlation between Al concentration and the desired effective properties of AlCoCrFeNi HEA, whereas the Ni concentration exhibits a strong positive correlation. The deformation mechanism further shows that excessive increase of Al concentration leads to a higher percentage of face-centered cubic to body-centered cubic phase transformation which is found to be relatively lower in the HEA with reduced Al concentration. Such physical insights during the deformation process would be crucial in the alloy design process along with the data-driven predictions. As an integral part of this investigation, the developed ML models are interpreted based on Shapley Additive exPlanations, which are essential to explain and understand the model’s mechanism along with meaningful deployment. The data-driven strategy presented here will lead to devising an efficient explainable ML-based bottom-up approach to alloy design for multi-objective non-aligned functionality attainment.
An adaptive particle swarm optimization with information interaction mechanism
Authors: Liu Rui , Wei Lisheng , Zhang Pinggai
Published: June 2024

This paper proposes an adaptive particle swarm optimization with information interaction mechanism (APSOIIM) to enhance the optimization ability of the PSO algorithm. Firstly, a chaotic sequence strategy is employed to generate uniformly distributed particles and to improve their convergence speed at the initialization stage of the algorithm. Then, an interaction information mechanism is introduced to boost the diversity of the population as the search process unfolds, which can effectively interact with the optimal information of neighboring particles to enhance the exploration and exploitation abilities. Therefore, the proposed algorithm may avoid premature and perform a more accurate local search. Besides, the convergence was proven to verify the robustness and efficiency of the proposed APSOIIM algorithm. Finally, the proposed APSOIIM was applied to solve the CEC2014 and CEC2017 benchmark functions as well as famous engineering optimization problems. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed APSOIIM has significant advantages over the compared algorithms.
Bio-realistic neural network implementation on Loihi 2 with Izhikevich neurons
Authors: Uludağ Recep Buğra , Çağdaş Serhat , İşler Yavuz Selim , Şengör Neslihan Serap , Aktürk İsmail
Published: June 2024

Neuromorphic systems are designed to emulate the principles of biological information processing, with the goals of improving computational efficiency and reducing energy usage. A critical aspect of these systems is the fidelity of neuron models and neural networks to their biological counterparts. In this study, we implemented the Izhikevich neuron model on Intel’s Loihi 2 neuromorphic processor. The Izhikevich neuron model offers a more biologically accurate alternative to the simpler leaky-integrate and fire model, which is natively supported by Loihi 2. We compared these two models within a basic two-layer network, examining their energy consumption, processing speeds, and memory usage. Furthermore, to demonstrate Loihi 2’s ability to realize complex neural structures, we implemented a basal ganglia circuit to perform a Go/No-Go decision-making task. Our findings demonstrate the practicality of customizing neuron models on Loihi 2, thereby paving the way for constructing spiking neural networks that better replicate biological neural networks and have the potential to simulate complex cognitive processes.
Talking water: interplay of gender, trust and expertise in agricultural extension groups in Mendoza, Argentina
Authors: Riera Félix Sebastián , Hunecke Claudia , Gennari Alejandro J
Published: June 2024

Stakeholder adaptation is a critical strategy to overcome changing climate patterns worldwide. Still it relies on the speed and effectiveness of information flow to end-users. Research shows that the loss of information in several stages of its spread and learning from peers is more important than the knowledge circulated by extension services. Women’s participation and contribution are supportive and strategic, depending on the level of agreement and the interplay of trust variables within the network. In the arid Andes, agriculture is central and dependent on water management and macroeconomic conditions that shape market prospects, irrigation practices, and stakeholder behavior. Data were collected using the platform of a capacity-building program for organisations of water users in the Diamante and Atuel River basins in Mendoza, Argentina. Social Network Analysis (SNA) contributes to unveiling the cornerstones of information flow by identifying group structures, strong bonds, and bottlenecks in water management systems. In the first step, we evaluated the characteristics (density, centrality, average shortest path, and degree) of the pre-existing relationships and five sub-topic networks. Second, we compare networks containing pre-existing links only with those formed during the lecture. Emphasizing adaptation practices to cope with climate change impacts, the results provide valuable insights into the intricate interplay of gender dynamics, trust, expertise recognition, and discussion patterns within water and agricultural extension groups in Argentina. These insights highlight the ongoing need to promote gender equity, address biases in expertise recognition, and leverage trust for meaningful knowledge exchanges within evolving social contexts. It also reveals the alignment of Argentina’s gender performance with similar production setups in Southern America or the Global North, highlighting the universality of challenges and opportunities in fostering inclusive and equitable participation. Our findings indicate that each group within the two river basins exhibits numerous pre-existing links and tends to be less accessible to newcomers, resulting in a shorter average path. Thus, information can spread faster. Trust is an underlying facilitator for sensible topics and a catalyzer for communication.
The Dizziness of Freedom
Authors: Rondel David
Published: June 2024

The first half of this chapter gives an overview of Søren Kierkegaard’s thinking about the nature and meaning of anxiety: about the kind of affect he takes anxiety to be; about why we are anxious and where anxiety comes from on his view; about what he means when he says, “Whoever has learned to be anxious in the right way has learned the ultimate.” The second half of the chapter considers how anxiety and freedom can be experienced as incompatible, even negatively correlated, states. That is, how anxiety has a tendency to supress the sense of a person’s freedom, and conversely, how a gain in freedom implies a corresponding diminution of anxiety.
Anxiety Reveals the Nothing
Authors: Rondel David
Published: June 2024

This chapter explores existential anxiety through the philosophy of death. With Martin Heidegger serving as primary guide, the chapter considers a handful of prominent Heideggerian theses about the close, mutually constitutive relationship between anxiety and death. In particular, (1) that contemplation of death is a (or the) preeminent source of anxiety, (2) that the fundamental “mood” of anxiety is always, at bottom, about the nothingness (or Nichtigkeit) of death, and finally, (3) that anxiety has much to teach us about the attitude it is best to adopt in the face of the fact that, one day, we will be dead.
The Participation of Ferroptosis in Fibrosis of the Heart and Kidney Tissues in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Huang Ya-Qi , Peng Kuang , Yan Jun , Chen Hui-Lin , Jiang Pei-Yong , Du Ya-Fang , Ling Xiang , Zhang Si-Liang , Wu Jie
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

Salt-sensitive hypertension is often more prone to induce damage to target organs such as the heart and kidneys. Abundant recent studies have demonstrated a close association between ferroptosis and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we hypothesize that ferroptosis may be closely associated with organ damage in salt-sensitive hypertension. This study aimed to investigate whether ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of myocardial fibrosis and renal fibrosis in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.

METHODS

Ten 7-week-old male Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl-SS) rats were adaptively fed for 1 week, then randomly divided into two groups and fed either a normal diet (0.3% NaCl, normal diet group) or a high-salt diet (8% NaCl, high-salt diet group) for 8 weeks. Blood pressure of the rats was observed, and analysis of the hearts and kidneys of Dahl-SS rats was conducted via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining, Prussian blue staining, transmission electron microscopy, tissue iron content detection, malondialdehyde content detection, immunofluorescence, and Western blot.

RESULTS

Compared to the normal diet group, rats in the high-salt diet group had increases in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05); collagen fiber accumulation was observed in the heart and kidney tissues (P < 0.01), accompanied by alterations in mitochondrial ultrastructure, reduced mitochondrial volume, and increased density of the mitochondrial double membrane. Additionally, there were significant increases in both iron content and malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence and Western blot results both indicated significant downregulation (P < 0.05) of xCT and GPX4 proteins associated with ferroptosis in the high-salt diet group.

CONCLUSIONS

Ferroptosis is involved in the damage and fibrosis of the heart and kidney tissues in salt-sensitive hypertensive rats.
Temperance With Tranexamic Acid: Increased Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Abdominoplasty
Authors: Mess Sarah A , Stephanos Katarina N
Published: June 2024

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is used widely in surgery to mitigate blood loss by inhibiting the fibrinolytic degradation of clots. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) with TXA has not been reported in the plastic surgery literature. In the realm of plastic surgery, abdominoplasty has the highest rate of VTE. The purpose of this study is to report 5 cases of VTE with TXA. A single surgeon reviewed the records of 5 patients who incurred VTE with TXA. TXA was added to the tumescent fluid, 20 mg/kg total. Four of the 5 patients underwent abdominoplasty combined with liposuction and breast surgery, and the fifth, fat transfer to the breast. The abdominoplasty patients had received chemoprophylaxis. Upon presentation of symptoms, the patients were sent to the hospital for anticoagulation and hematology consultation. The 5 patients survived their VTE events; 2 only required oral anticoagulation, 2 required IV heparin then oral, and 1 required tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) then oral. VTE with abdominoplasty occurred in 0 of 399 cases prior to the use of TXA and in 4 of 98 cases after the use of TXA in the tumescent. Although the occurrence of VTE with abdominoplasty increased with the use of TXA for the senior author, this retrospective case study does not prove a causal relationship between TXA and VTE.

Level of Evidence: 4
Publication Trends in Aesthetic Breast Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Rupra Roshan Singh , Daneshi Kian , Liyanage Dinithi , Ceccaroni Alessandra , Gentile Antonioenrico , Khajuria Ankur
Published: June 2024

Background

Aesthetic breast surgery (ABS) encompasses breast augmentation, breast reduction, mastopexy, and mastopexy augmentation. This topic has seldom been assessed as a bibliometric study. This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas. Bibliometrics, the quantitative analysis of publications, particularly scholarly literature, offers valuable insights into research trends and impact.

Objectives

This analysis aims to address this gap and identify trends in ABS literature to guide future research areas.

Methods

The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were identified on Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA), across all available journal years (from 1953 to 2024). Study details, including the citation count, main content focus, and outcome measures, were extracted and tabulated from each publication. The Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine and levels of evidence (LOE) of each study were assessed.

Results

The 100 most-cited publications in ABS were cited by a total of 11,522 publications. Citations per publication ranged from 46 to 1211 (mean 115.2 ± 135.7), with the highest-cited study being the Pusic BREAST-Q paper (n = 1211). A majority of publications were LOE 4 (n = 30), representative of the large number of case series. The number of publications for LOE 5, 3, 2, and 1 was 12, 28, 21, and 9, respectively. The main content focus was “outcomes” in 52 publications, followed by “nonoperative management” (n = 12) and “surgical technique” (n = 12). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used in 29 publications, and 53 publications reported aesthetic outcome measures.

Conclusions

This analysis highlights that research methodologies in ABS studies should be improved. This necessary improvement would be facilitated by vigorous, high-quality research, and the implementation of validated ABS-specific PROMs enhancing patient satisfaction, particularly in aesthetic procedures, such as BREAST-Q.

Level of Evidence: 4
Perihepatic caudate lobe haematoma originating from a pancreatic pseudoaneurysm: a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Ozaki Ippei , Suyama Yohsuke , Hamamoto Kohei , Hyoe Eiko , Fujisaku Mai , Shinmoto Hiroshi
Published: June 2024

Despite advances in diagnostic imaging and interventional techniques, pancreatic pseudoaneurysms remain a life-threatening complication of pancreatitis. Presentation varies among patients and may include intra-abdominal, retroperitoneal, or gastrointestinal bleeding and bleeding into the pancreatic or common bile duct. We present a unique case of a 74-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol consumption who presented with a haematoma surrounding the caudate lobe of the liver. Initially, alcoholic cirrhosis and a ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma were suspected. Therefore, transarterial embolization (TAE) of the caudate branch of the hepatic artery was performed. However, 3 months later, the patient experienced abdominal pain with a lesser sac haematoma and a seemingly interconnected pancreatic cyst. One month later, a pseudoaneurysm appeared in the pancreatic cyst. TAE was successfully performed for the pseudoaneurysm, and the patient showed no signs of recurrence during the 1-year follow-up.
Solution-processed ZnO thin film with high-density quantum dots via particle size control strategy
Authors: Zheng Liubin , Yunoki Nozomi , Suzuki Nana , Ogino Kenji
Published: June 2024

Solution-derived ZnO quantum dot is one of the most widely used electron-transport layers in optoelectronic devices. To achieve high-efficiency in optoelectronic devices it is required that a thin film of ZnO quantum dot with low surface roughness and low defect intensity is developed. Herein, alcoholic solvents with different alkyl lengths were utilized to dissolve tetramethylammonium hydroxide to fine-tune the polarity of the solution, to achieve ZnO quantum dots with controllable particle size and monodisperse in alcohol solvents. Two kinds of ZnO quantum dots with particle sizes of 6 and 12 nm detected by dynamic light scattering were successfully prepared by this method. Furthermore, by mixing these two types of quantum dots, ZnO films with a different packing mode were fabricated, which exhibited lower surface defect density and surface roughness. This approach offers a novel pathway to reduce issues such as current leakage associated with ZnO as an electron-transport layer. What's more, the small particle size ZnO quantum dots effectively fill the gaps between the large particle size quantum dots, resulting in a film with a higher density of quantum dots. This increased density contributes to the higher electrical conductivity of the ZnO film.
Prehospital tirofiban increases the rate of disrupted myocardial infarction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the On-TIME 2 trial
Authors: Rikken Sem A O F , Fabris Enrico , Rosenqvist Tobias , Giannitsis Evangelos , ten Berg Jurriën M , Hamm Christian , van ‘t Hof Arnoud
Published: June 2024

Aims

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), prehospital tirofiban significantly improved myocardial reperfusion. However, its impact on the rate of disrupted myocardial infarction (MI), particularly in the context of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays, is still unclear.

Methods and results

The On-TIME 2 (Ongoing Tirofiban In Myocardial infarction Evaluation 2) trial randomly assigned STEMI patients to prehospital tirofiban or placebo before transportation to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centre. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated STEMI patients that underwent primary PCI and had measured hs-cTn levels. Troponin T levels were collected at 18–24 and 72–96 h after PCI. Disrupted MI was defined as peak hs-cTn T levels ≤ 10 times the upper limit of normal (≤140 ng/L). Out of 786 STEMI patients, 47 (6%) had a disrupted MI. Disrupted MI occurred in 31 of 386 patients (8.0%) in the tirofiban arm and in 16 of 400 patients (4.0%) in the placebo arm (P = 0.026). After multivariate adjustment, prehospital tirofiban remained independently associated with disrupted MI (odds ratio 2.03; 95% confidence interval 1.10–3.87; P = 0.027). None of the patients with disrupted MI died during the 1-year follow-up, compared with a mortality rate of 2.6% among those without disrupted MI.

Conclusion

Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, the use of prehospital tirofiban was independently associated with a higher rate of disrupted MI. These results, highlighting a potential benefit, underscore the need for future research focusing on innovative pre-treatment approaches that may increase the rate of disrupted MI.
Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: an update
Authors: Domínguez Fernando , Adler Eric , García-Pavía Pablo
Published: June 2024

Alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy (AC) is an acquired form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) caused by prolonged and heavy alcohol intake in the absence of other causes. The amount of alcohol required to produce AC is generally considered as >80 g/day over 5 years, but there is still some controversy regarding this definition. This review on AC focuses on pathogenesis, which involves different mechanisms. Firstly, the direct toxic effect of ethanol promotes oxidative stress in the myocardium and activation of the renin–angiotensin system. Moreover, acetaldehyde, the best-studied metabolite of alcohol, can contribute to myocardial damage impairing actin–myosin interaction and producing mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic factors are also involved in the pathogenesis of AC, with DCM-causing genetic variants in patients with AC, especially titin-truncating variants. These findings support a double-hit hypothesis in AC, combining genetics and environmental factors. The synergistic effect of alcohol with concomitant conditions such as hypertension or liver cirrhosis can be another contributing factor leading to AC. There are no specific cardiac signs and symptoms in AC as compared with other forms of DCM. However, natural history of AC differs from DCM and relies directly on alcohol withdrawal, as left ventricular ejection fraction recovery in abstainers is associated with an excellent prognosis. Thus, abstinence from alcohol is the most crucial step in treating AC, and specific therapies are available for this purpose. Otherwise, AC should be treated according to current guidelines of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Targeted therapies based on AC pathogenesis are currently being developed and could potentially improve AC treatment in the future.
Daily Electronic Media Use and Sleep in Late Life
Authors: Leger Kate A , Kim Yijung K , Zhang Shiyang , Gao Sibo , Fingerman Karen L
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Daily electronic media use, including television viewing and computer use, is common in older adulthood. Yet, increased electronic media usage may disrupt nightly sleep, leading to sleeping fewer hours and more sleep disruptions. The current study examined these relationships in older adulthood, as well as the potential buffering effect of having a regular sleep schedule.

Methods

Older adults (N = 273) from the Daily Experiences and Well-Being Study (DEWS) completed 5–6 days of data collection where they answered questions at the beginning of the day about the previous night’s sleep as well as questions throughout the day about daily electronic media use. They also wore Actical accelerometers to capture sleep regularity.

Results

Older adults reported sleeping fewer hours and having more sleep disturbances on days when they reported more instances of computer use. Sleep regularity moderated the daily association between TV viewing and sleep disturbances such that daily TV viewing was associated with more sleep complaints only for older adults who had less regular sleep patterns. However, sleep regularity no longer moderated this association when accounting for napping behavior.

Discussion

These findings provide evidence that older adults sleep worse after days when they engage in more electronic media use. The association with TV viewing with sleep disturbances on any given day is somewhat mitigated by engaging in regular sleep patterns. Researchers discuss the importance of assessing electronic media use and sleep in daily life as the role of sleep regularity may be a modifiable protective factor.
Resiliency and Barriers to Successful Aging Among Middle-Aged Mexican Immigrants Residing in a Rural Agricultural Community
Authors: Ambriz Elizabeth , Rojas Nadia , Okoye Obiora C , Calderon Norma M , Calderon Lucia , Kogut Katherine , Deardorff Julianna , Torres Jacqueline M
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The Latino population is one of the largest, most diverse, and fastest-growing demographic groups in the United States. Although Latinos enjoy longer life spans and reduced mortality risk relative to non-Hispanic Whites, they have higher rates of chronic health conditions such as diabetes and dementia and live more of their older years with poor health and disability. Such inequities point to the need for this research focused on examining resiliency strategies and barriers to successful aging among various U.S. Latino subgroups.

Methods

This qualitative study used thematic content analysis to examine resiliency strategies and barriers to successful aging among Mexican immigrant women (n = 40) residing in an underserved agricultural community and entering mid-life (mean = 49 years old).

Results

With regards to barriers to successful aging, 3 themes emerged: (1) stressful lifestyle in the United States compared to the participants’ home countries; (2) stress from expectations at home; and (3) stress due to work and the various components around work. The following 4 resiliency strategies emerged: (1) family as a motivation for moving forward in life and focusing on the success of children; (2) having a positive mindset; (3) praying to God for strength to overcome obstacles; and (4) self-care.

Discussion

Despite experiencing barriers to successful aging, participants practice various resiliency strategies to age successfully. Because many of the barriers identified are related to poverty-related stressors, systemic solutions addressing the social determinants of health are needed.
The medical competence of health care providers in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from 16 127 providers across 11 countries
Authors: Daniels Benjamin , Yi Chang Andres , Gatti Roberta , Das Jishnu
Published: June 2024

Despite a consensus that quality of care is critically deficient in low-income countries, few nationally representative studies provide comparable measures of quality of care across countries. To address this gap, we used nationally representative data from in-person administrations of clinical vignettes to measure the competence of 16 127 health care providers across 11 sub-Saharan African countries. Rather than large variations across countries, we found that 81% of the variation in competence is within countries and the characteristics of health care providers do not explain most of this variation. Professional qualifications—including cadre and education—are only weakly associated with competence: across our sample, one-third of nurses are more competent than the average doctor in the same country and one-quarter of doctors are less competent than the average nurse. Finally, while younger cohorts do tend to be more competent, perhaps reflecting improvements in medical education, it would take 25 decades of turnover to improve care by 10 percentage points, on average, if we were to rely on such improvements alone. These patterns necessitate a fundamentally different approach to health care human resource management, calling into question typical staffing policies based on qualifications and seniority rather than directly measured quality.
MiR319a-mediated salt stress response in poplar
Authors: Cheng Yanxia , Wang Qiao , Yang Linxi , Li Quanzi , Yan Xiaojing
Published: June 2024

Maintenance of intracellular ion balance, especially Na+ and K+, plays an important role in plant responses to salt stress. Vessels in xylem are responsible for long-distance ion transport in vascular plants. Knowledge on the salt stress response in woody plants in limited. In this study, we identified miR319a as an important regulator in respond to salt stress in poplar. miR319a overexpression transgenic poplar showed a salt-tolerant phenotype, and cytological observation showed reduced cambium cell layers, wider xylem, increased number and lumen area of vessels and fibers, and thinner cell wall thickness in the transgenics. The miR319a-MIMIC plants, meanwhile, had opposite phenotypes, with narrower xylem, reduced number and lumen area of vessels and fibers cells, and increased wall thickness. In addition, overexpression of miR319a driven by the vessel-specific promoter significantly improved the salt tolerance compared with the fiber-specific promoter. The expression levels of PagHKT1;2 and PagSKOR1-b, which encoded high-affinity K+ and Na+ transporters for Na+ efflux and K+ influx, respectively, were positively correlated with the vessel number and lumen area. These results suggest that miR319 not only promotes ion transport rates by increasing vessel number and lumen area and reducing cell wall thickness, but also regulates the concentrations of Na+ and K+ in the xylem by up-regulating PagHKT1;2 and PagSKOR1-b. We demonstrate that miR319 may coordinate the response of poplar to salt stress through both mechanisms, enriching our understanding of the synergistic effects of the secondary xylem structure and long-distance ion transport balance in the salt tolerance of poplar.
Impact of smoking on resected lung cancer depends on epidermal growth factor receptor mutation
Authors: Sekihara Keigo , Kawase Akikazu , Matsubayashi Yuta , Tajiri Tomoya , Shibata Motohisa , Hayakawa Takamitsu , Shiiya Norihiko , Funai Kazuhito
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES

Smokers comprise the majority of surgical patients with primary lung cancer. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-negative status impacts the treatment of recurrence. However, the prognostic impact of cigarette smoking stratified by EGFR mutation status has not been reported. Therefore, we assessed its impact on patients with resected lung cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 362 consecutive patients who underwent complete resection for stage 1 primary lung cancer at our institution between 2012 and 2021. The EGFR mutation status was evaluated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. We compared the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between patients with and without a history of smoking.

RESULTS

The EGFR mutation-negative group included 194 patients, of whom 160 (83%) had a history of smoking. Male sex (P < 0.01), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P < 0.01) and adenocarcinoma (P < 0.01) showed significant differences between the groups. In the EGFR mutation-positive group, the 5-year OS and DFS were similar regardless of smoking status (OS: 86% vs 75%; DFS: 73% vs 73%). In the EGFR mutation-negative group, the 5-year OS and DFS were significantly poorer in the smoking group (OS: 87% vs 65%, P = 0.05; DFS: 84% vs 54%, P = 0.01). Deaths from other diseases were relatively high (n = 19, 53%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cigarette smoking may be associated with a poor prognosis in EGFR mutation-negative lung cancer but had no impact on the prognosis of the EGFR mutation-positive group. This finding underscores the potential influence of smoking on the treatment of lung cancer recurrence but also highlights its significance in contributing to death from other diseases.
DRL-based resource optimization in 5G low carbon Power Internet of Things
Authors: Guo Min , Liu Zehui , Ma Dongjuan , Jing Weizhe , Gao Wei , Li Dongbin , Liu Xiaojie , Zhang Xueqin
Published: June 2024

With 5G-powered Power Internet of Things growing rapidly, power terminal devices struggle with energy limitations in processing computation-intensive tasks, increasing carbon emissions. Task offloading faces spectrum constraints. To address this problem, a nonorthogonal multiple access-based edge computing model is proposed to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint, in which some terminals act as cluster heads, optimizing energy usage by relaying tasks to base station. To achieve low-carbon development, we propose a joint offloading strategy, channel selection, and power control method to minimize energy consumption and latency. Experimental results show that our proposed method reduces computation and transmission burdens, proving cost superiority.
Embedded feature selection for neural networks via learnable drop layer
Authors: JimÉnez-Navarro M J , MartÍnez-Ballesteros M , Brito I S , MartÍnez-Álvarez F , Asencio-CortÉs G
Published: June 2024

Feature selection is a widely studied technique whose goal is to reduce the dimensionality of the problem by removing irrelevant features. It has multiple benefits, such as improved efficacy, efficiency and interpretability of almost any type of machine learning model. Feature selection techniques may be divided into three main categories, depending on the process used to remove the features known as Filter, Wrapper and Embedded. Embedded methods are usually the preferred feature selection method that efficiently obtains a selection of the most relevant features of the model. However, not all models support an embedded feature selection that forces the use of a different method, reducing the efficiency and reliability of the selection. Neural networks are an example of a model that does not support embedded feature selection. As neural networks have shown to provide remarkable results in multiple scenarios such as classification and regression, sometimes in an ensemble with a model that includes an embedded feature selection, we attempt to embed a feature selection process with a general-purpose methodology. In this work, we propose a novel general-purpose layer for neural networks that removes the influence of irrelevant features. The Feature-Aware Drop Layer is included at the top of the neural network and trained during the backpropagation process without any additional parameters. Our methodology is tested with 17 datasets for classification and regression tasks, including data from different fields such as Health, Economic and Environment, among others. The results show remarkable improvements compared to three different feature selection approaches, with reliable, efficient and effective results.
Acute Histoplasmosis With Pericarditis in Children: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Bredehoeft Cole T , Ouellette Christopher P
Published: June 2024

Pericarditis is a potential manifestation of acute histoplasmosis. Noninvasive diagnostics and imaging can be useful in defining a diagnosis. Therapy with itraconazole and corticosteroids was utilized frequently in a cohort with significant effusions at presentation.
Green ripe fruit in tomato: unraveling the genetic tapestry from cultivated to wild varieties
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Irfan Mohammad
Published: June 2024

This article comments on:

Cui L, Zheng F, Li C, Li G, Ye J, Zhang Y, Wang T, Hong Z, Ye Z, Zhang J. 2024. Defective mutations in STAY-GREEN 1, PHYTOENE SYNTHASE 1, and MYB12 genes lead to formation of green ripe fruit in tomato. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 3322–3336.
Metalloid transporters in plants: bridging the gap in molecular structure and physiological exaptation
Authors: Sharma Yogesh , Hemmings Andrew M , Deshmukh Rupesh , Pareek Ashwani
Published: June 2024

The rhizosphere contains both essential nutrients and potentially harmful substances for plant growth. Plants, as sessile organisms, must efficiently absorb the necessary nutrients while actively avoiding the uptake of toxic compounds. Metalloids, elements that exhibit properties of both metals and non-metals, can have different effects on plant growth, from being essential and beneficial to being toxic. This toxicity arises due to either the dosage of exposure or the specific elemental type. To utilize or detoxify these elements, plants have developed various transporters regulating their uptake and distribution in plants. Genomic sequence analysis suggests that such transporter families exist throughout the plant kingdom, from chlorophytes to higher plants. These transporters form defined families with related transport preferences. The isoforms within these families have evolved with specialized functions regulated by defined selectivity. Hence, understanding the chemistry of transporters to atomic detail is important to achieve the desired genetic modifications for crop improvement. We outline various adaptations in plant transport systems to deal with metalloids, including their uptake, distribution, detoxification, and homeostasis in plant tissues. Structural parallels are drawn to other nutrient transporter systems to support emerging themes of functional diversity of active sites of transporters, elucidating plant adaptations to utilize and extrude metalloid concentrations. Considering the observed physiological importance of metalloids, this review highlights the shared and disparate features in metalloid transport systems and their corresponding nutrient transporters.
SPIRou spectropolarimetry of the T Tauri star TW Hydrae: magnetic fields, accretion, and planets
Authors: Donati J -F , Cristofari P I , Lehmann L T , Moutou C , Alencar S H P , Bouvier J , Arnold L , Delfosse X , Artigau E , Cook N , Kóspál Á , Ménard F , Baruteau C , Takami M , Cabrit S , Hébrard G , Doyon R ,   SPIRou Science Team
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we report near-infrared observations of the classical T Tauri star TW Hya with the SPIRou high-resolution spectropolarimeter and velocimeter at the 3.6-m Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. By applying Least-Squares Deconvolution (LSD) to our circularly polarized spectra, we derived longitudinal fields that vary from year to year from –200 to +100 G, and exhibit low-level modulation on the 3.6 d rotation period of TW Hya, despite the star being viewed almost pole-on. We then used Zeeman–Doppler Imaging to invert our sets of unpolarized and circularly polarized LSD profiles into brightness and magnetic maps of TW Hya in all four seasons, and obtain that the large-scale field of this T Tauri star mainly consists of a 1.0–1.2 kG dipole tilted at about 20° to the rotation axis, whereas the small-scale field reaches strengths of up to 3–4 kG. We find that the large-scale field is strong enough to allow TW Hya to accrete material from the disc on the polar regions at the stellar surface in a more or less geometrically stable accretion pattern, but not to succeed in spinning down the star. We also report the discovery of a radial velocity signal of semi-amplitude $11.1^{+3.3}_{-2.6}$ m s−1 (detected at 4.3σ) at a period of 8.3 d in the spectrum of TW Hya, whose origin may be attributed to either a non-axisymmetric density structure in the inner accretion disc, or to a $0.55^{+0.17}_{-0.13}$MꝜ candidate close-in planet (if orbiting in the disc plane), at an orbital distance of 0.075 ± 0.001 au.
Hard X-rays and QPO in Swift J1727.8−1613: the rise and plateau of the 2023 outburst
Authors: Mereminskiy I , Lutovinov A , Molkov S , Krivonos R , Semena A , Sazonov S , Tkachenko A , Sunyaev R
Published: June 2024

We report on the detection of type-C quasi-periodic oscillations during the initial stages of the outburst of Swift J1727.8–1613 in 2023. Using data of the INTEGRAL observatory along with the data of the Mikhail PavlinskyART-XC telescope on board Spektr-RG and X-ray Telescope (XRT) of the Neil Gehrels Swift observatory the fast growth of the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) frequency was traced. We present a hard X-ray light curve that covers the initial stages of the 2023 outburst – the fast rise and plateau – and demonstrate that the QPO frequency was stable during the plateau. The switching from type-C to type-B QPO was detected with the beginning of the source flaring activity. We have constructed a broad-band spectrum of Swift J1727.8−1613 and found an additional hard cutoff power-law spectral component extending at least up to 250 keV. Finally, we have obtained an upper limit on the hard X-ray flux at the beginning of the optical outburst and estimated the delay of the hard X-ray outburst with respect to the optical one.