bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisit compressible plane Couette and Poiseuille instability: Spectrum features of disturbances and dominant instability
Authors: Ou Jihui
Published: November 2024

Understanding the instability of compressible shear flows is of both academic interest and practical importance for predicting transition in such flows. In this paper, the linear stability of compressible plane Couette flow and Poiseuille flow in temporal mode is revisited, with emphasis on spectrum features of disturbances and dominant instability at different Mach numbers. The disturbance spectra of different discrete modes are presented, including acoustic modes (i.e., even modes II, IV, etc. and odd modes I, III, etc.) and viscous modes. The results show that as wavenumber increases, the even modes are first synchronized with the viscous branch when their phase velocities are a bit larger than zero, and subsequently synchronized with odd modes when their phase velocities coincide with each other. The synchronizations cause branching of the dispersion curves, and the even modes have several maxima of growth rate. The low-wavenumber maximum (with phase velocity close to zero) is associated with viscous instability and the higher-wavenumber maxima correspond to inviscid instability. Depending on the flow parameters, the branching topology may involve multimodes, which is different from the spectrum branching observed in hypersonic boundary layer. In compressible Couette flow, the mode-II viscous and inviscid instabilities dominate the instability at different Mach numbers. In compressible plane Poiseuille flow, multiple instability modes coexist, including the viscous Tollmien-Schlichting (TS) mode, the acoustic viscous instability modes II and IV and acoustic inviscid instability modes I and III. As Mach number increases (i.e., from incompressible to hypersonic), the mode TS, II, IV, and III would successively dominate the Poiseuille-flow instability. These results yield a comprehensive understanding of the disturbance spectrum and modal instability in compressible plane Couette and Poiseuille flows.
Stability of the first-order character of phase transition in HoCo2
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Biswas Anis , Mudryk Yaroslav
Published: November 2024

HoCo2 exhibits a giant magnetocaloric (MC) effect at its first-order magnetostructural phase transition around 77 K, and understanding the thermodynamic nature of this transition in response to external magnetic fields is crucial for its MC applications. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of specific heat and magnetization measurements of HoCo2 under varying magnetic fields. The specific heat measurements qualitatively indicate a transformation from first- to second-order behavior of this phase transition at higher magnetic fields. However, analysis of the power-law dependence of the magnetic entropy change (ΔSM∝Hn) and the breakdown of universal behavior in the temperature dependence of ΔSM suggest that the first-order nature remains intact, even up to 7 T. This stability of the first-order nature is further manifested through the distinctive non-linear behavior of modified Arrott plots, with a negative slope in the 6–7 T range.
Using the phenotype differences model to identify genetic effects in samples of partially genotyped sibling pairs
Authors: Trejo Sam , Kanopka Klint
Published: November 2024

The identification of causal relationships between specific genes and social, behavioral, and health outcomes is challenging due to environmental confounding from population stratification and dynastic genetic effects. Existing methods to eliminate environmental confounding leverage random genetic variation resulting from recombination and require within-family dyadic genetic data (i.e., parent–child and/or sibling pairs), meaning they can only be applied in relatively small and selected samples. We introduce the
phenotype differences
model and provide derivations showing that it—under plausible assumptions—provides consistent (and, in certain cases, unbiased) estimates of genetic effects using just a single individual’s genotype. Then, leveraging distinct samples of fully and partially genotyped sibling pairs in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we use polygenic indices and phenotypic data for 24 different traits to empirically validate the phenotype differences model. Finally, we utilize the model to test the effects of 40 polygenic indices on lifespan. After a 10% false discovery rate correction, we find that polygenic indices for three traits—body mass index, self-rated health, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—have a statistically significant effect on an individual’s lifespan.
Revisiting the apparent horizon finding problem with multigrid methods
Authors: Hui Hon-Ka , Lin Lap-Ming
Published: November 2024

Apparent horizon plays an important role in numerical relativity as it provides a tool to characterize the existence and properties of black holes on three-dimensional spatial slices in 3+1 numerical spacetimes. Apparent horizon finders based on different techniques have been developed. In this paper, we revisit the apparent horizon finding problem in numerical relativity using multigrid-based algorithms. We formulate the nonlinear elliptic apparent horizon equation as a linear Poisson-type equation with a nonlinear source, and solve it using a multigrid algorithm with Gauss–Seidel line relaxation. A fourth order compact finite difference scheme in spherical coordinates is derived and employed to reduce the complexity of the line relaxation operator to a tri-diagonal matrix inversion. The multigrid-based apparent horizon finder developed in this work is capable of locating apparent horizons in generic spatial hypersurfaces without any symmetries. The finder is tested with both analytic data, such as Brill–Lindquist multiple black hole data, and numerical data, including off-centered Kerr–Schild data and dynamical inspiraling binary black hole data. The obtained results are compared with those generated by the current fastest finder AHFinderDirect (Thornburg 2003 Class. Quantum Grav.
21 743), which is the default finder in the open source code Einstein Toolkit. Our finder performs comparatively in terms of accuracy, and starts to outperform AHFinderDirect at high angular resolutions (

∼

1
∘

) in terms of speed. Our finder is also more flexible to initial guess, as opposed to the Newton’s method used in AHFinderDirect. This suggests that the multigrid algorithm provides an alternative option for studying apparent horizons, especially when high resolutions are needed.
Time-harmonic optical flow with applications in elastography
Authors: Melnyk Oleh , Quellmalz Michael , Steidl Gabriele , Jaitner Noah , Jordan Jakob , Sack Ingolf
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we propose mathematical models for reconstructing the optical flow in time-harmonic elastography. In this image acquisition technique, the object undergoes a special time-harmonic oscillation with known frequency so that only the spatially varying amplitude of the velocity field has to be determined. This allows for a simpler multi-frame optical flow analysis using Fourier analytic tools in time. We propose three variational optical flow models and show how their minimization can be tackled via Fourier transform in time. Numerical examples with synthetic as well as real-world data demonstrate the benefits of our approach.
DyPanVO: a robust monocular visual odometry in dynamic environments by utilizing multiple deep neural networks
Authors: Chen Shuo , Kong Dongdong , Lu Lixin , Chen Dongxing , Chen Dongdong
Published: November 2024

Traditional monocular visual odometry (VO) is typically based on the assumption of a static environment. However, it performs poorly in dynamic scenes, suffering from error accumulation and scale drift. To address these issues, a novel framework, named DyPanVO, was proposed, which incorporates multiple deep neural networks for feature point extraction, panoptic segmentation, and depth estimation. Firstly, learning-based methods are employed, specifically SuperPoint for robust feature extraction and LightGlue for accurate feature matching. Then, outlier points are eliminated by combining dynamic prior results from panoptic segmentation with epipolar geometry constraints to determine the motion state of objects. Additionally, the introduction of depth information ensures that scale is recovered and fundamentally solves the issue of error accumulation. Two types of experiment (outdoor and indoor scenes) are carried out to show the effectiveness of DyPanVO. Moreover, the comparison results demonstrate that it performs comparably with multi-view geometry-based and outperforms learning-based methods.
Physics with a glass of water
Authors: Pardo-Igúzquiza Eulogio , Dowd Peter A
Published: November 2024

The work presented here compiles and describes ten experiments using only a glass of water to illustrate fundamental physical concepts. Some of these experiments are classic textbook examples while others may be less known. However, we expect that all of them will be appreciated equally by physics teachers and students. The experiments are designed for high school students and teachers, offering an easy-to-implement, hands-on experience for teaching important physical concepts. We have not included experiments that require fire or dangerous substances, so that students can learn from these experiments in the classroom and can repeat them at home to reinforce the learning process and encourage interest in science in general and physics in particular.
Impact of enthusiasm psychology and assimilation avoidance on behavioral propagation in double-layer heterogeneous network
Authors: Jun Zhang , Liu Huiheng , Li Shenhong , Zhang Ningbo , Zhu XuZhen
Published: November 2024

To undercover the distinct impact of heterogeneous strategies on information diffusion, this paper develops a double-layer network to stimulate the information propagation process of individual with the enthusiasm psychology and the assimilation avoidance effect. The enthusiasm psychology is captured by an increasing adoption function and the assimilation avoidance effect is modeled by an oscillating adoption function. In the proposed double-layer network, an susceptible state(S-state) node accumulates information from its adopted state(A-state) neighbors and may evolve into the A-state according to the adoption probabilities in each layer. Then, the nodes keep the same state in the two layers anytime. Finally, the A-state may transition to the recovery state(R-state) if it receives the information and adopt it. The R-state node quits the information diffusion and does not transmit nor receive any information. This study analyzes the proportion of nodes in the R-state and their relative variance to characterize the information diffusion mechanism applying both theoretical and numerical methods. Results show that enhancing the individual’s enthusiasm psychology and the assimilation avoidance effect can accelerate the information propagation. When the two layers experience outbreaks that do not occur simultaneously, the propagation range exhibits a first-order discontinuous increase. When there are a dominate layer in the process of information spreading, the propagation range shows a second continuous boundary.
Group-IV pentaoctite: a new 2D material family
Authors: Kegler Vanessa D , de Oliveira Igor S S , Pacine Dominike , Nunes Ricardo W , Pereira Teldo A S , Lima Erika N
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the structural, mechanical, and electronic properties of novel two-dimensional (2D) pentaoctite (PO) monolayers composed of group-IV elements (PO-C, PO-Si, PO-Ge, and PO-Sn) using first-principles calculations. Stability is explored through phonon spectra and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, confirming that all proposed structures are dynamically and thermally stable. Mechanical analysis shows that the PO-C monolayer exhibits exceptional rigidity, while the others demonstrate greater flexibility, making them suitable for applications in foldable materials. The electronic properties show semimetallic behavior for PO-C, while PO-Si, PO-Ge, and PO-Sn possess narrow band gaps, positioning them as promising candidates for semiconductor applications. Additionally, PO-C, PO-Si, and PO-Ge exhibit potential as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). These findings suggest a wide range of technological applications, from nanoelectronics and nanomechanics to metal-free catalysis in sustainable energy production.
Emergence of temporal noise hierarchy in co-regulated genes of multi-output feed-forward loop
Authors: Nandi Mintu
Published: November 2024

Natural variations in gene expression, called noise, are fundamental to biological systems. The expression noise can be beneficial or detrimental to cellular functions. While the impact of noise on individual genes is well-established, our understanding of how noise behaves when multiple genes are co-expressed by shared regulatory elements within transcription networks remains elusive. This lack of understanding extends to how the architecture and regulatory features of these networks influence noise. To address this gap, we study the multi-output feed-forward loop motif. The motif is prevalent in bacteria and yeast and influences co-expression of multiple genes by shared transcription factors (TFs). Focusing on a two-output variant of the motif, the present study explores the interplay between its architecture, co-expression (symmetric and asymmetric) patterns of the two genes, and the associated noise dynamics. We employ a stochastic modeling approach to investigate how the binding affinities of the TFs influence symmetric and asymmetric expression patterns and the resulting noise dynamics in the co-expressed genes. This knowledge could guide the development of strategies for manipulating gene expression patterns through targeted modulation of TF binding affinities.
Planar structure of organic photodetector for low dark current
Authors: Nofil Mohammad , Md Sabri Amirul Ashraf , Natashah Fadlan Arif , Bawazeer Tahani M , Alsoufi Mohammad S , Roslan Nur Adilah , Supangat Azzuliani
Published: November 2024

The focus of this study is on investigating the vanadyl 2,9,16,23-tetraphenoxy-29H, 31H-phthalocyanine (VOPcPhO) and its blend with o-xylenyl C60 bis-adduct (OXCBA), for use as a lateral ultraviolet organic photodetector. The research focuses on improving dark current reduction, which is a challenge in lateral organic photodetector. By integrating the OXCBA, low dark current values of 4.83 nA⋅cm−2 (

D

shot

*

=
1.414
×

10

11

Jones

) have been achieved as compared to the stand-alone VoPcPhO device of 14.06 nA⋅cm−2. The major contributing factors to dark current reduction are due to the efficient charge transfer at the photoactive-electrode interface, the deep highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) level of OXCBA, which leads to favorable energy level alignments hindering hole injection, and the occurrence of bulk heterojunction vertical phase segregation between VOPcPhO and OXCBA. These findings shed light on the relationship between the organic photoconductor’s material composition, morphology, and performance metrics and open new avenues for metal phthalocyanine-based lateral ultraviolet organic photodetectors with low dark current and enhanced performance.
Moderate electron–spin interaction in Fe-intercalated NbSe2
Authors: Liu 刘 Qiao-Yu 乔宇 , Bai 白 Jian-Li 建利 , Dong 董 Qing-Xin 庆新 , Zhang 张 Li-Bo 黎博 , Cheng 程 Jing-Wen 靖雯 , Liu 刘 Pin-Yu 品宇 , Li 李 Cun-Dong 存东 , Huang 黄 Yu 宇 , Sun 孙 Ying-Rui 英睿 , Ren 任 Zhi-An 治安 , Chen 陈 Gen-Fu 根富
Published: November 2024

The interaction between charge and spin degrees of freedom has always been the central issue of condensed matter physics, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) provide an ideal platform to study it benefiting from their highly tunable properties. In this article, the influence of Fe intercalation in NbSe2 was elaborately investigated using a combination of techniques. Magnetic studies have shown that the insertion of Fe atoms induces an antiferromagnetic state in which the easy axis aligns out of the plane. The sign reversal of the magnetoresistance across the Neel temperature can be satisfactorily explained by the moderate interaction between electrons and local spins. The Hall and Seebeck measurements reveal a multi-band nature, and the contribution of various phonon scattering processes is discussed based on the thermal conductivity and specific heat data.
Multi-layer ear-scalp distillation framework for ear-EEG classification enhancement
Authors: Sun Ying , Zhang Feiyang , Li Ziyu , Liu Xiaolin , Zheng Dezhi , Zhang Shuailei , Fan Shangchun , Wu Xia
Published: November 2024

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Ear-electroencephalography (ear-EEG) holds significant promise as a practical tool in brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) due to its enhanced unobtrusiveness, comfort, and mobility compared to traditional steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based BCI systems. However, achieving accurate SSVEP classification with ear-EEG remains a major challenge due to the significant attenuation and distortion of the signal amplitude.

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To address this challenge, we focus on enhancing ear-EEG feature representations by training the model to learn features similar to those of scalp-EEG. We introduce a novel framework, termed multi-layer ear-scalp distillation (MESD), designed to optimize SSVEP target classification in ear-EEG data. This framework combines signals from the scalp to obtain multi-layer distilled knowledge through the cooperation of mid-layer feature distillation and output layer response distillation.

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We improve the classification of the initial 1 s data and achieved a maximum classification accuracy of 81.1%. We evaluate the proposed MESD framework through single-session, cross-session, and cross-subject transfer decoding, comparing it with baseline methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework achieves the best classification results in all experiments.

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Our study enhances the classification accuracy of SSVEP based on ear-EEG within a short time window. These results offer insights for the application of ear-EEG brain–computer interfaces in tasks such as auxiliary control and rehabilitation training in future endeavors.
Intra-urban variations in land surface phenology in a semi-arid environment
Authors: Crawford Ben , Kelsey Kathy , Ibsen Peter , Rees Amanda , Charobee Amanda
Published: November 2024

Urban vegetation is growing in importance as cities use ‘green infrastructure’ to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reduce extreme heat, and improve human health and comfort. However, due to the heterogeneity of city landscapes, urban vegetation experiences a diverse range of environmental conditions, potentially leading to differences in growing season timing and length within cities. Here, we investigate physical drivers of urban land surface phenology and timing within a semi-arid city (Denver, CO, USA) using four years (2018–2021) of remotely sensed vegetation indices, modelled air temperature, and land cover datasets. Within the metropolitan region study area, satellite-based vegetation index measurements indicate that growing season length is variable on sub-neighborhood spatial scales. This variability is largely due to differences in the timing of fall senescence, as opposed to early season growth. Areas with substantial fractions of irrigated land cover tend to remain greener for longer, while unirrigated and cooler areas are correlated with an earlier end to the growing season (up to ∼two months shorter). These findings complement those from non-arid cities where surface and air temperature are the dominant environmental control on phenological timing. Results here indicate the importance of soil moisture for phenology in semi-arid regions and suggest unique semi-arid urban growing season dynamics and temperature-vegetation feedbacks. These interactions have implications for water, heat, and vegetation management strategies to maximize ecosystem services in water-limited environments.
Current fluctuations of a self-interacting diffusion on a ring
Authors: Coghi Francesco
Published: November 2024

We investigate fluctuations in the average speed or current of a self-interacting diffusion (SID) on a ring, mimicking the non-Markovian behaviour of an agent influenced by its own path. We derive the SID’s phase diagram, showing a delocalisation-localisation phase transition from self-repelling to self-attracting. Current fluctuations are analysed using: (i) an adiabatic approximation, where the system reaches its stationary distribution before developing current fluctuations, and (ii) an original extension of level 2.5 large deviations for Markov processes combined with perturbation theory. Both methods provide lower bounds to current fluctuations, with the former tighter than the latter in all localised regimes, and both equally tight in the self-repelling region. Both methods accurately estimate the asymptotic variance and suggest a phase transition at the onset of the localised regime.
Modern Sources of Controls in Case-Control Studies
Authors: Banack Hailey R , Fox Matthew P , Platt Robert W , Garber Michael D , Li Xiaojuan , Schildcrout Jonathan , Matthay Ellicott C
Published: November 2024

In 1992, Wacholder and colleagues developed a theoretical framework for case-control studies to minimize bias in control selection. They described three comparability principles (study base, deconfounding, and comparable accuracy) to reduce the potential for selection bias, confounding, and information bias in case-control studies. Wacholder et al. explained how these principles apply to traditional sources of controls for case-control studies, including population controls, hospital controls, controls from a medical practice, friend or relative controls, and deceased controls. The goal of the current manuscript is to extend this seminal work on case-control studies by providing a modern perspective on sources of controls. Today, there are many more potential sources of controls for case-control studies than there were in the 1990s. This is due to technological advances in computing power, internet access, and availability of ‘big data’ resources. These advances have vastly expanded the quantity and diversity of data available for case-control studies. In this manuscript, we discuss control selection from electronic health records, health insurance claims databases, publicly available online data sources, and social media-based data. We focus on practical considerations for unbiased control selection, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of each modern source of controls for case-control studies.
STRprofiler: efficient comparisons of short tandem repeat profiles for biomedical model authentication
Authors: Andrews Jared M , Lloyd Michael W , Neuhauser Steven B , Bundy Margaret , Jocoy Emily L , Airhart Susan D , Bult Carol J , Evrard Yvonne A , Chuang Jeffrey H , Baker Suzanne
Published: November 2024

Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling is commonly performed for authentication of biomedical models of human origin, yet no tools exist to easily compare sets of STR profiles to each other or an existing database in a high-throughput manner. Here, we present STRprofiler, a Python package, command line tool, and Shiny application providing methods for STR profile comparison and cross-contamination detection. STRprofiler can be run with custom databases or used to query against the Cellosaurus cell line database.

Availability and implementation

STRprofiler is freely available as a Python package with a rich CLI from PyPI https://pypi.org/project/strprofiler/ with source code available under the MIT license on GitHub https://github.com/j-andrews7/strprofiler and at https://zenodo.org/records/10989034. A web server hosting an example STRprofiler Shiny application backed by a database with data from the National Cancer Institute-funded PDXNet consortium and The Jackson Laboratory PDX program is available at https://sj-bakerlab.shinyapps.io/strprofiler/. Full documentation is available at https://strprofiler.readthedocs.io/en/latest/.
Application of prelithiated nanoporous carbon anode for high-power lithium-ion capacitor
Authors: Okabe Jugo , Notohara Hiroo , Urita Koki , Moriguchi Isamu
Published: November 2024

Prelithiated nanoporous carbons were applied as an anode material in lithium-ion capacitors to achieve high-power performance. Nanoporous carbon anodes with different pore structures, graphitization degrees, and prelithiation conditions were comparatively investigated for their rate performance, self-discharge property, and full-cell performance. Prelithiated nanoporous carbon anode prepared under optimized condition exhibited high power and energy densities.
Preoperative evaluation of lingual cortical plate thickness and the anatomical relationship of the lingual nerve to the lingual cortical plate via 3T MRI nerve-bone fusion
Authors: Jiang Dongmei , Hong Junhuan , Yan Yalan , Huang Hao , You Peiying , Huang Weilin , Zhao Xiance , She Dejun , Cao Dairong
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the reliability of 3T MRI nerve-bone fusion in assessing the lingual nerve (LN) and its anatomical relationship to the lingual cortical plate prior to the impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) extraction.

Methods

The MRI nerve and bone sequences used in this study were 3D T2-weighted fast field echo (3D-T2-FFE) and fast field echo resembling a CT using restricted echo-spacing (FRACTURE), respectively. Both sequences were performed in 25 subjects, and the resulting 3D-T2-FFE/FRACTURE fusion images were assessed by 2 independent observers. Semi-quantitative analyses included assessments of overall image quality, image artefacts, nerve continuity, and the detectability of 5 intermediate points (IPs). Quantitative analyses included measurements of the lingual cortical plate thickness (LCPT), vertical distance (V1* and V2*), and the closest horizontal distance (CHD) between the LN and the lingual cortical plate. Reliability was evaluated using weighted Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots. Differences in LCPT between 3D-T2-FFE/FRACTURE fusion images and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were compared using independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results

The fusion images demonstrated that the LN continuity score was 3.00 (1.00) (good), with 88% (44/50) of LNs displayed continuously at the IMTM level. Intra-reader agreement for nerve continuity was moderate (κ = 0.527), as was inter-reader agreement (κ = 0.428). The intra-reader and inter-reader agreement for LCPT measurements at the neck, mid-root, and apex of the IMTM were all moderate (ICC > 0.60). Intra-reader agreements for V1*, V2*, and CHD were moderate to excellent (ICC = 0.904, 0.967, and 0.723, respectively), and inter-reader agreements for V1*, V2*, and CHD were also moderate to excellent (ICC = 0.948, 0.941 and 0.623, respectively). The reliability of LCPT measurements between 3D-T2-FFE/FRACTURE fusion and CBCT was moderate (ICC = 0.609-0.796).

Conclusions

The 3D-T2-FFE/FRACTURE fusion technique demonstrated potential feasibility for the identification of the LN and its relationship to the lingual cortical plate, as well as for the measurement of LCPT. This study has generated a dataset that is capable of simultaneously defining the LN and LCPT.
High prevalence of esophageal motility disorders in patients with rheumatologic diseases
Authors: Reddy Sumana , Patel Beyla , Dellon Evan S , Eluri Swathi
Published: November 2024

While it is commonly known that patients with rheumatologic diseases can have esophageal dysfunction, this association is insufficiently understood. The aim is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of esophageal motility disorders in patients with rheumatic diseases. This is a single-center retrospective study of adults with rheumatologic disease who underwent high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM). Those with and without a motility disorder (defined per Chicago classification CCv3.0 criteria, given the timing of the prior studies) were compared and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine odds of motility disorder by rheumatic disease. Of 289 patients, the mean age was 60.5 ± 13.8 years. Rheumatic diseases included Raynaud’s (42%), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (39%), Sjogren’s (21%), systemic lupus erythematous (19%), systemic sclerosis (17%), and mixed connective tissue disease (13%). On HREM, 58% had an esophageal motility disorder: achalasia (5%), EGJ outflow obstruction (20%), jackhammer (8%), diffuse esophageal spasm (1%), ineffective esophageal motility (28%), and fragmented peristalsis (2%). Of note, 50% of the sample with a normal barium swallow had an esophageal dysmotility disorder on HREM. Those with psoriatic arthritis were less likely to have esophageal dysmotility (73% vs. 27%; P = 0.04). There was decreased odds of esophageal hypocontractility in those with RA (OR [95%CI]: 0.27 [0.12–0.58]) and increased odds (OR [95%CI]: 3.13 [1.16–8.41]) of esophageal hypocontractility among those with scleroderma. Esophageal motor disorders were found in more than half of patients with rheumatologic diseases who underwent HREM. HREM should be considered in patients with rheumatic conditions presenting with esophageal symptoms.
Democracia global y Estados no representativos
Authors: Kristan M Victoria
Published: November 2024

Can the current international system provide sufficient protection for individual freedom in a globalized world? This article aims to show that only a legitimate international system could offer such protection. However, the current international system lacks legitimacy because it is composed of a large number of non-representative states that dominate their people. Consequently, this paper analyzes the possibility of international interventions as a means to transform non-democratic states into democratic ones, based on the distinction between dominating and non-dominating interventions, according to whether the freedom as status is compromised, and in turn between interventions that strengthen and weaken global democracy.
Development of High-Titer Antidrug Antibodies in a Phase 1b/2a Infant Clesrovimab Trial Are Associated With RSV Exposure Beyond Day 150
Authors: Thambi Nithya , Phuah Jia Yao , Staupe Ryan P , Tobias Lori M , Cao Yu , McKelvey Troy , Railkar Radha A , Aliprantis Antonios O , Arriola Carmen Sofia , Maas Brian M , Vora Kalpit A
Published: November 2024

Background

Clesrovimab is a human half-life–extended monoclonal antibody in phase 3 evaluation for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in infants. Antidrug antibodies (ADA) were observed at late time points in a phase 1b/2a study where clesrovimab was well tolerated with an extended half-life of approximately 45 days.

Methods

Serum samples at days 150, 365, and 545 postdose were assayed for ADA titers. Samples with high ADA titers were characterized for their binding specificity to the Fab or the YTE portion of clesrovimab. RSV serum neutralization (SNA) titers were also measured on ADA-positive and ADA-negative infants. Additionally, a D25 (site Ø) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed on ADA-positive available samples to determine RSV exposure. Local surveillance data was used to ascertain RSV circulation during the trial.

Results

High ADA titers were observed in a minority of infants at days 365 and 545 for all doses tested. Additionally, all high-titer ADA-positive infants had ADA directed towards the YTE epitope of clesrovimab. Moreover, these infants demonstrated robust RSV-SNA and had D25 competitive antibodies suggesting an RSV exposure after day 150, coinciding with the epidemiological data.

Conclusions

RSV exposure in infants beyond day 150 after dosing is associated with ADA development and high RSV-SNA titers with no impact on pharmacokinetics.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03524118.
Norovirus Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations in Peru: 25 Years of Experience at NAMRU SOUTH
Authors: Neyra Joan , Gonzales Miriam , La Rosa Sayda , Ponce Diana , Tecco Anilu , Romero Candice , Soto Giselle
Published: November 2024

Norovirus is the worldwide leading cause of gastroenteric diseases. It affects mainly infants and older adults, but the findings are mainly derived from outbreak investigations rather than population-based cohorts. The U. S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH (NAMRU SOUTH) developed and conducted research studies in the last 20 years focusing on the military and general populations afflicted by this pathogen. For the latter, studies included all age groups in 2 main communities in Peru, representing people from the highlands and tropical areas. The results helped elucidate the incidence of norovirus infection among different age groups as well as identifying risk factors, seasonality, and economic burden on the patient. The collected data demonstrate an increase of norovirus cases, not only in the previously reported age groups but also in adults. Consequently, this increase of norovirus cases in adults may impair the occupational productivity in civilian populations and operational readiness among service members.
LC–MS–MS confirmation of 11-nor-9-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8, Δ9, Δ10) and hexahydrocannabinol metabolites in authentic urine specimens
Authors: Patton Amy L , Muir Luette , Seither Joshua Z , Walterscheid Jeffrey P , Karschner Erin L
Published: November 2024

Recently, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) isomers and other semi-synthetic cannabinoids have been introduced into the consumer market as alternatives to botanical cannabis. To assess the prevalence of these potential new analytical targets, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmation method was developed for the quantitation of seven cannabinoid metabolites and the qualitative identification of four others in urine. The validated method was applied to authentic urine specimens that screened positive by immunoassay (50 ng/mL cutoff; n = 1300). The most commonly observed analytes were 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ8-THC (Δ8- THCCOOH) and Δ9-THCCOOH, with the combination of the two being the most prominent analyte combination found. In addition to these metabolites, Δ10-THCCOOH was observed in 77 specimens. This is the first study to report Δ10-THCCOOH in authentic urine specimens, with this analyte always appearing in combination with Δ9-THCCOOH. Cross-reactivity studies were performed for (6aR,9R)-Δ10-THCCOOH using the Beckman Coulter EMIT® II Plus Cannabinoid immunoassay and demonstrated cross-reactivity equivalent to the Δ9-THCCOOH cutoff, providing added confidence in the reported prevalence and detection patterns. Additionally, 11-nor-9(R)-carboxy-hexahydrocannabinol (9(R)-HHCCOOH) was the most abundant stereoisomer (n = 12) in specimens containing HHC metabolites alone (n = 14). This is in contrast to 9(S)-HHCCOOH, which was the predominant stereoisomer in specimens containing Δ8- and/or Δ9-THCCOOH. Although HHC and Δ10-THC metabolites are emerging toxicology findings, based on these specimens collected between April 2022 and May 2024, an analytical panel containing Δ8- and Δ9-THCCOOH appears to be sufficient for revealing cannabinoid exposure within workplace monitoring and deterrence programs.
Supranational small arms control and the challenges of dichotomization
Authors: Alwishewa Hiruni
Published: November 2024

Since the end of the Cold War, the focal points of international and regional small arms control instruments have expanded to include issues such as lack of transparency, diversion of weapons, and adverse human rights impacts. This article traces the evolution of small arms control since the 1990s and exposes the ongoing challenges posed by entrenched dichotomies. It highlights three critical dichotomies within supranational small arms control instruments: the regulatory distinction between legal arms exports and illicit transfers (structural dichotomy), the definitional divide between small arms and firearms (definitional dichotomy), and the divergent obligations for arms sales and military aid (practical dichotomy). The article argues that, despite significant advancements in small arms control, the potential of these instruments to effectively address issues of transparency, diversion, and human rights impacts continues to be undermined by embedded dichotomies.
Critical Ethics for Communicating Indigenous Craft Practices
Authors: Triggs Teal , Matsunaga Celia , Lewis Matt
Published: November 2024

This article explores questions of critical ethics for communicating Indigenous craft practices through the lens of a project undertaken in Brazil in 2021–2022. The project was a collaboration between educators at the Royal College of Art, London, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil, and the Munduruku inhabitants who live in Bragança-Marituba, Pará, Brazil. It resulted in a “living” repository of craft practices and Indigenous Knowledge, incorporated into an online village library. The ethical and methodological questions this raised, especially around the issue of intercultural communication and critical librarianship, offered fresh ways of documenting the representation of Indigenous craft knowledge and traditional cultural heritage and point to how design history can be “owned” by a community.
Research on image design of Fujian paper-cut pattern based on Kansei engineering and WOA-BP neural network
Authors: Chen Daoling , Cheng Pengpeng
Published: November 2024

In order to design Fujian paper-cut patterns that meet the perceptual needs of consumers and better inherit and develop them in modern society, a Fujian paper-cut pattern image design method based on perceptual engineering and the Whale Optimization Algorithm optimized BP neural network (WOA-BP) neural network is proposed. First, based on the theory of Kansei engineering, six representative paper-cut pattern samples and their main modeling features were determined through questionnaire survey, multi-dimensional scaling analysis, cluster analysis, and analytic hierarchy process. Second, the semantic difference method is used to obtain the perceptual image evaluation value of the representative paper-cut pattern, and combined with the principal component analysis method, the representative image vocabulary is extracted. Finally, the WOA-BP neural network is used to construct the mapping relationship between consumers' perceptual images and paper-cut pattern modeling features, and calculate the paper-cut pattern modeling code combinations corresponding to consumers' image needs. At the same time, the paper-cut pattern design using the image vocabulary ‘modern-traditional’ as an example verifies the feasibility of the method in this article. Compared with the existing method of designing paper-cut patterns based solely on the subjective experience of the designer, the method of this article can correlate the perceptual needs of consumers with the corresponding modeling characteristics of paper-cut patterns, making the design of paper-cut patterns targeted, precise and intelligent.
REDIportal: toward an integrated view of the A-to-I editing
Authors: D’Addabbo Pietro , Cohen-Fultheim Roni , Twersky Itamar , Fonzino Adriano , Silvestris Domenico Alessandro , Prakash Ananth , Mazzacuva Pietro Luca , Vizcaino Juan Antonio , Green Andrew , Sweeney Blake , Yates Andy , Lussi Yvonne , Luo Jie , Martin Maria-Jesus , Eisenberg Eli , Levanon Erez Y , Pesole Graziano , Picardi Ernesto
Published: November 2024

A-to-I RNA editing is the most common non-transient epitranscriptome modification. It plays several roles in human physiology and has been linked to several disorders. Large-scale deep transcriptome sequencing has fostered the characterization of A-to-I editing at the single nucleotide level and the development of dedicated computational resources. REDIportal is a unique and specialized database collecting ∼16 million of putative A-to-I editing sites designed to face the current challenges of epitranscriptomics. Its running version has been enriched with sites from the TCGA project (using data from 31 studies). REDIportal provides an accurate, sustainable and accessible tool enriched with interconnections with widespread ELIXIR core resources such as Ensembl, RNAcentral, UniProt and PRIDE. Additionally, REDIportal now includes information regarding RNA editing in putative double-stranded RNAs, relevant for the immune-related roles of editing, as well as an extended catalog of recoding events. Finally, we report a reliability score per site calculated using a deep learning model trained using a huge collection of positive and negative instances. REDIportal is available at http://srv00.recas.ba.infn.it/atlas/.
Interpreting CRISPR-Cas12a enzyme kinetics through free energy change of nucleic acids
Authors: Zhang Jiongyu , Guan Xin , Moon Jeong , Zhang Shuo , Jia Zhengyang , Yang Rui , Hou Chengyu , Guo Chong , Pei Minjie , Liu Changchun
Published: November 2024

While CRISPR has revolutionized biotechnology, predicting CRISPR-Cas nuclease activity remains a challenge. Herein, through the trans-cleavage feature of CRISPR-Cas12a, we investigate the correlation between CRISPR enzyme kinetics and the free energy change of crRNA and DNA targets from their initial thermodynamic states to a presumed transition state before hybridization. By subjecting computationally designed CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs), we unravel a linear correlation between the trans-cleavage kinetics of Cas12a and the energy barrier for crRNA spacer and single-stranded DNA target unwinding. This correlation shifts to a parabolic relationship with the energy consumption required for double-stranded DNA target separation. We further validate these correlations using ∼100 randomly selected crRNA/DNA pairs from viral genomes. Through machine learning methods, we reveal the synergistic effect of free energy change of crRNA and DNA on categorizing Cas12a activity on a two-dimensional map. Furthermore, by examining other potential factors, we find that the free energy change is the predominant factor governing Cas12a kinetics. This study will not only empower sequence design for numerous applications of CRISPR-Cas12a systems, but can also extend to activity prediction for a variety of enzymatic reactions driven by nucleic acid dynamics.
The methylation signature of hepatocellular carcinoma trajectory based on pseudotime and chronological time for predicting precancerous patients
Authors: Li Kang , Zang Chaoran , Zhao Yanan , Guo Dandan , Shi Wanting , Mei Tingting , Li Ang , Zhang Yonghong
Published: November 2024

Background

Early screening of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is strongly recommended for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. We aimed to develop and validate a predictive nomogram based on HCC occurrence trajectory for screening precancerous patients with HCC.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) samples from 22 patients with HCC with their precancerous stage (n = 55) and 18 healthy controls were measured using HumanMethylation EPIC BeadChip assay. HCC trajectory was assessed by pseudotime based on TimeAx algorithm and chronological time. The 43 candidate CpG sites were selected from the methylation signature and measured using multiplex bisulfite sequencing in a retrospective cohort of HBV-infected patients (n = 604). A 5-CpG-classifier was built using the LASSO Cox regression model, based on the association between the methylation level of every CpG and the duration from enrollment to HCC occurrence of individual patient. We validated the risk stratification and predictive accuracy of this classifier in both the primary cohort (n = 300) and independent validation cohort (n = 304).

Results

Pseudotime and chronological time of HCC trajectory analysis revealed that the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway underwent changes in the precancerous stage. Based on the trajectory of methylation signature, we built a 5-CpG-classifier which remained powerful and independent predictive efficiency after stratified analysis by clinicopathological risk factors in both primary cohort and independent validation cohort. A predicting nomogram including the 5-CpG-classifier was constructed after multivariate analysis. One-year cumulative hazard of HCC in low- and high-risk groups of HBV-infected patients was 3.0% (0.1%-5.8%) and 17.90% (11.00%-24.3%) (P < .0001) in primary cohort, 4.5% (1.20%-7.80%) and 27.3 (18.90-34.90) (P < .0001) in the independent validation cohort.

Conclusions

One-year before HCC was a critical period of transitional time when parts of the methylation profile underwent shifting toward HCC like. The nomogram could identify precancerous stage patients with HCC who should be screened for early diagnosis and intervention.
Cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 20 regulates melatonin-induced calcium signaling and cold tolerance in watermelon
Authors: Chang Jingjing , Guo Yanliang , Li Jiayue , Liu Lingling , Liu Jiahe , Yuan Li , Wei Chunhua , Ma Jianxiang , Zhang Yong , Ahammed Golam Jalal , Luan Feishi , Liu Yunqi , Zhang Xian , Li Hao
Published: November 2024

Melatonin plays a crucial role in regulating plant cold tolerance, but the mechanisms underlying signal transduction remain elusive. In this study, we discovered that overexpression of the melatonin biosynthetic gene caffeic acid O-methyltransferase1 (COMT1) enhanced watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) cold tolerance, accompanied by the accumulation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]cyt), a stimulation of Ca2+ influx, and upregulation of 4 Ca2+-permeable channel genes (CNGC2/10/17/20). Conversely, the knockout of COMT1 exhibited contrasting effects compared with its overexpression. Knocking out the 4 CNGC genes revealed that only cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel 20 (CNGC20) mediates melatonin-induced Ca2+ influx in response to cold stimuli. CNGC20 deletion impeded watermelon callus redifferentiation, prompting us to employ a virus-induced gene silencing strategy to suppress its expression. Silencing CNGC20 compromised COMT1 overexpression-induced [Ca2+]cyt accumulation, Ca2+ influx, and watermelon cold tolerance. Yeast 2-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, firefly luciferase complementation imaging, and pull-down assays revealed an interaction between CNGC20 and calmodulin7 (CaM7). Overexpressing CaM7 inhibited melatonin-induced [Ca2+]cyt accumulation, Ca2+ influx, and watermelon cold tolerance. Conversely, silencing CaM7 increased [Ca2+]cyt accumulation, Ca2+ influx, and cold tolerance, whereas COMT1 overexpression failed to further enhance these responses in CaM7-silenced plants, indicating the negative regulation role of CaM7 in melatonin-mediated cold responses. Overall, these findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin-enhanced plant cold tolerance via Ca2+ signaling, holding potential for breeding/engineering cold-tolerant cucurbit varieties.