bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A reproducible extrusion printing process with highly viscous nanoparticle inks
Authors: Ungerer Martin , Debatin Christian , Martel Joachim , Maurer Volker , Reichert Klaus-Martin , Hofmann Andreas , Gengenbach Ulrich
Published: January 2024

Printing of functional materials such as nanoparticle inks is a class of additive fabrication techniques complementary to standard subtractive electronics fabrication techniques such as pcb technology on pcb level or silicon based microelectronics on integrated circuit level. To date the majority of digital printing processes for (micro)electronics is inkjet based. Moreover aerosol jet based printing also establishes itself for printing on non-planar substrates and for materials with higher viscosities. A material deposition technique available since decades and mainly used for dispensing of adhesives and sealing materials is fluid-filament printing. It allows to cover a wide range of materials and viscosities and thus, also holds potential for additive manufacturing of electronics. In this paper we systematically study the influences on fluid filament printing both theoretically taking into account ink and equipment tolerances and experimentally using mainly standard dispensing equipment and two commercial screen printing inks. At the end of the paper we derive recommendations for reproducible printing of conductive lines and pads and give an outlook to printing 2.5D structures.
Measuring an artificial intelligence language model’s trust in humans using machine incentives
Authors: Johnson Tim , Obradovich Nick
Published: January 2024

Will advanced artificial intelligence (AI) language models exhibit trust toward humans? Gauging an AI model’s trust in humans is challenging because—absent costs for dishonesty—models might respond falsely about trusting humans. Accordingly, we devise a method for incentivizing machine decisions without altering an AI model’s underlying algorithms or goal orientation and we employ the method in trust games between an AI model from OpenAI and a human experimenter (namely, author TJ). We find that the AI model exhibits behavior consistent with trust in humans at higher rates when facing actual incentives than when making hypothetical decisions—a finding that is robust to prompt phrasing and the method of game play. Furthermore, trust decisions appear unrelated to the magnitude of stakes and additional experiments indicate that they do not reflect a non-social preference for uncertainty.
SeedMatchR: identify off-target effects mediated by siRNA seed regions in RNA-seq experiments
Authors: Cazares Tareian , Higgs Richard E , Wang Jibo , Ozer Hatice Gulcin
Published: January 2024

Motivation

On-target gene knockdown, using siRNA, ideally results from binding fully complementary regions in mRNA transcripts to induce direct cleavage. Off-target siRNA gene knockdown can occur through several modes, one being a seed-mediated mechanism mimicking miRNA gene regulation. Seed-mediated off-target effects occur when the ∼8 nucleotides at the 5’ end of the guide strand, called a seed region, bind the 3’ untranslated regions of mRNA, causing reduced translation. Experiments using siRNA knockdown paired with RNA-seq can be used to detect siRNA sequences with off-target effects driven by the seed region. However, there are limited computational tools designed specifically for detecting siRNA off-target effects mediated by the seed region in differential gene expression experiments.

Results

SeedMatchR is an R package developed to provide users a single, unified resource for detecting and visualizing seed-mediated off-target effects of siRNA using RNA-seq experiments. SeedMatchR is designed to extend current differential expression analysis tools, such as DESeq2, by annotating results with predicted seed matches. Using publicly available data, we demonstrate the ability of SeedMatchR to detect cumulative changes in differential gene expression attributed to siRNA seed region activity.

Availability

SeedMatchR is available on CRAN. Documentation and example workflows are available through the SeedMatchR GitHub page at https://github.com/tacazares/SeedMatchR.
Chronic High-Level Parasitemia in HIV–Infected Individuals With or Without Visceral Leishmaniasis in an Endemic Area in Northwest Ethiopia: Potential Superspreaders?
Authors: van Griensven Johan , van Henten Saskia , Kibret Aderajew , Kassa Mekibib , Beyene Hailemariam , Abdellati Saïd , de Hondt Annelies , Adriaensen Wim , Vogt Florian , Pareyn Myrthe , Ritmeijer Koert , Diro Ermias
Published: January 2024

Background

People with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) with recurrent visceral leishmaniasis (VL) could potentially drive Leishmania transmission in areas with anthroponotic transmission such as East Africa, but studies are lacking. Leishmania parasitemia has been used as proxy for infectiousness.

Methods

This study is nested within the Predicting Visceral Leishmaniasis in HIV-InfectedPatients (PreLeisH) prospective cohort study, following 490 PWH free of VL at enrollment for up to 24–37 months in northwest Ethiopia. Blood Leishmania polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done systematically. This case series reports on 10 PWH with chronic VL (≥3 VL episodes during follow-up) for up to 37 months, and 3 individuals with asymptomatic Leishmania infection for up to 24 months.

Results

All 10 chronic VL cases were male, on antiretroviral treatment, with 0–11 relapses before enrollment. Median baseline CD4 count was 82 cells/µL. They displayed 3–6 VL treatment episodes over a period up to 37 months. Leishmania blood PCR levels were strongly positive for almost the entire follow-up (median cycle threshold value, 26 [interquartile range, 23–30]), including during periods between VL treatment. Additionally, we describe 3 PWH with asymptomatic Leishmania infection and without VL history, with equally strong Leishmania parasitemia over a period of up to 24 months without developing VL. All were on antiretroviral treatment at enrollment, with baseline CD4 counts ranging from 78 to 350 cells/µL.

Conclusions

These are the first data on chronic parasitemia in PWH from Leishmania donovani–endemic areas. PWH with asymptomatic and symptomatic Leishmania infection could potentially be highly infectious and constitute Leishmania superspreaders. Xenodiagnosis studies are required to confirm infectiousness.
Funding and Resourcing Quality Improvement Effort in Infectious Diseases
Authors: Naureckas Li Caitlin , Jhaveri Ravi
Published: January 2024

Infectious diseases physicians are frequently called on to perform quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) work. We describe a newly created faculty position at our institution that allows a faculty member with graduate training in quality and safety methodologies to address QIPS priorities at both the division and hospital levels.
High-resolution quantification of stress perfusion defects by cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Scannell Cian M , Crawley Richard , Alskaf Ebraham , Breeuwer Marcel , Plein Sven , Chiribiri Amedeo
Published: January 2024

Aims

Quantitative stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is becoming more widely available, but it is still unclear how to integrate this information into clinical decision-making. Typically, pixel-wise perfusion maps are generated, but diagnostic and prognostic studies have summarized perfusion as just one value per patient or in 16 myocardial segments. In this study, the reporting of quantitative perfusion maps is extended from the standard 16 segments to a high-resolution bullseye. Cut-off thresholds are established for the high-resolution bullseye, and the identified perfusion defects are compared with visual assessment.

Methods and results

Thirty-four patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease were retrospectively analysed. Visual perfusion defects were contoured on the CMR images and pixel-wise quantitative perfusion maps were generated. Cut-off values were established on the high-resolution bullseye consisting of 1800 points and compared with the per-segment, per-coronary, and per-patient resolution thresholds. Quantitative stress perfusion was significantly lower in visually abnormal pixels, 1.11 (0.75–1.57) vs. 2.35 (1.82–2.9) mL/min/g (Mann–Whitney U test P < 0.001), with an optimal cut-off of 1.72 mL/min/g. This was lower than the segment-wise optimal threshold of 1.92 mL/min/g. The Bland–Altman analysis showed that visual assessment underestimated large perfusion defects compared with the quantification with good agreement for smaller defect burdens. A Dice overlap of 0.68 (0.57–0.78) was found.

Conclusion

This study introduces a high-resolution bullseye consisting of 1800 points, rather than 16, per patient for reporting quantitative stress perfusion, which may improve sensitivity. Using this representation, the threshold required to identify areas of reduced perfusion is lower than for segmental analysis.
Diabetes mellitus and presentation, care and outcomes of patients with NSTEMI: the Association for Acute Cardiovascular Care-European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions EURObservational Research Programme NSTEMI Registry of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Nadarajah Ramesh , Ludman Peter , Laroche Cécile , Appelman Yolande , Brugaletta Salvatore , Budaj Andrzej , Bueno Hector , Huber Kurt , Kunadian Vijay , Leonardi Sergio , Lettino Maddalena , Milasinovic Dejan , Ajjan Ramzi , Marx Nikolaus , Gale Chris P
Published: January 2024

Aims

Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is common amongst patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We describe presentation, care, and outcomes of patients admitted with NSTEMI by diabetes status.

Methods and results

Prospective cohort study including 2928 patients (1104 with prior diabetes, 1824 without) admitted to hospital with NSTEMI from 287 centres in 59 countries. Quality of care was evaluated based on 12 guideline-recommended care interventions. Outcomes included in-hospital acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, repeat myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), BARC Type ≥ 3 bleeding and death, as well as 30-day mortality. Patients with diabetes had higher comorbidity burden and more frequently presented with Killip Class II–IV heart failure (10.2% vs. 3.7%, P < 0.001), haemodynamic instability (7.1% vs. 3.7%, P < 0.001), and ongoing chest pain (43.1% vs. 37.0%, P < 0.001), than those without diabetes. Overall, care quality received was similar by diabetes status (60.0% vs. 60.5% received ≥ 80% of eligible care interventions, P = 0.786), but patients with diabetes experienced higher rates of in-hospital acute heart failure (15.3% vs. 6.8% P < 0.001), cardiogenic shock (4.5% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.002), stroke/TIA (2.0% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.006), and death (2.5% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.022), and higher 30-day mortality (3.3% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.025). Of NSTEMI with diabetes, only 1.9% and 9.0% received prescription for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, respectively, on discharge, and only 45.9% were referred for cardiac rehabilitation.

Conclusion

NSTEMI patients with diabetes, compared with those without, present more clinically unwell and have worse outcomes despite receiving equal quality of care. Prescription of cardiovascular-protective glycaemic agents is an actionable target to reduce risk of further events.
Initial thickness of the crescent may not be a reliable predictor of complications in type A intramural haematoma
Authors: Kitamura Tadashi , Shikata Fumiaki , Torii Shinzo , Mishima Toshiaki , Fukuzumi Masaomi , Motoji Yusuke , Tamura Yoshimi , Kaneda Sakura , Ishiwaki Daiki , Miyaji Kagami
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate changes in haematoma thickness during the early period and their association with disease progression in patients who received initial medical treatment for type A intramural haematoma (IMH).

METHODS

Medical records and serial computed tomography angiography (CTA) images of patients who did not undergo emergency aortic repair for type A IMH upon presentation were retrospectively reviewed. The haematoma remodelling rate was determined using the following equation: thickness of the haematoma on the first CTA (mm) - thickness of the haematoma on the second CTA (mm)time between the first and second CTAs (h).

RESULTS

Among the 40 patients included in this study, 38 were indicated for initial watch-and-wait strategy, whereas 2 were indicated for emergency aortic repair but declined it. During hospitalization, 10 patients developed disease progression, with 2 in-hospital mortality cases. Analysis of the haematoma remodelling rate in 39 patients revealed that such a rate was significantly associated with the reciprocal of the time from onset. Analysis of all 70 CTA examinations performed within 24 h after the onset of IMH showed that haematoma thickness was significantly associated with the logarithm of the time from onset. Initial regression of the haematoma was not necessarily associated with avoidance of disease progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In type A IMH, the thickness of the haematoma in the ascending aorta tended to decrease in the very early period; however, prompt regression of the haematoma was not necessarily associated with avoidance of disease progression.
Performance and safety of temperature- and flow-controlled radiofrequency ablation for ventricular arrhythmia
Authors: Kobza Richard , Hilfiker Gabriela , Rissotto Sophie , Mahida Saagar , Grebmer Christian , Duru Firat , Pürerfellner Helmut , Berte Benjamin
Published: January 2024

Aims

High-power ablation is effective for ventricular arrhythmia ablation; however, it increases the risk of steam pops. The aim of this study was to define the safety and efficacy of QMODE ablation in the ventricle and the risk of steam pop.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients undergoing ventricular ablation using QDOT were included in a prospective single-centre registry. Procedural data, complications, and follow-up were systematically analysed and compared with a historical ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular complexes (PVC) cohort ablated using STSF. QMODE (≤50 W) ablation was performed in 107 patients [age 62 ± 13 years; 76% male; VT (n = 41); PVC (n = 66)]. A total of 2456 applications were analysed [power: 45.9 ± 5.0 W with minimal power titration (90% > 95% max power); duration 26 ± 8 s; impedance drop 9.4 ± 4.7 Ω; ablation index: 569 ± 163; mean–max temperature 44.3 ± 2.6°C]. Ventricular tachycardia ablation was associated with shorter radiofrequency (RF) time and a trend towards shorter procedure times using QDOT (QDOT vs. STSF: 20.1 ± 14.7 vs. 31 ± 17 min; P = 0.002, 151 ± 59 vs. 172 ± 48 min; P = 0.06). Complications, VT recurrence, and mortality rates were comparable (QDOT vs. STSF: 2% vs. 2%; P = 0.9, 24% vs. 27%; P = 0.82, and 2% vs. 4%; P = 0.67). Five audible steam pops (0.02%) occurred. Premature ventricular complex ablation was associated with comparable RF and procedure times (QDOT vs. STSF: 4.8 ± 4.6 vs. 3.9 ± 3.1 min; P = 0.25 and 96.1 ± 31.9 vs. 94.6 ± 24.7 min; P = 0.75). Complication and PVC recurrence were also comparable (QDOT vs. STSF: 0% vs. 3%; P = 0.17 and 19% vs. 22%; P = 0.71).

Conclusion

Ventricular ablation using QMODE ≤ 50 W is safe and effective for both VT and PVC ablation and is associated with a low risk for steam pop.
Arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and congenital heart disease in Kleefstra syndrome: a possible epigenetic link
Authors: Vasireddi Sunil K , Draksler Tanja Zdolsek , Bouman Arianne , Kummeling Joost , Wheeler Matthew , Reuter Chloe , Srivastava Siddharth , Harris Jacqueline , Fisher Paul G , Narayan Sanjiv M , Wang Paul J , Badhwar Nitish , Kleefstra Tjitske , Perez Marco V
Published: January 2024

Aims

Kleefstra syndrome (KS), often diagnosed in early childhood, is a rare genetic disorder due to haploinsufficiency of EHMT1 and is characterized by neuromuscular and intellectual developmental abnormalities. Although congenital heart disease (CHD) is common, the prevalence of arrhythmias and CHD subtypes in KS is unknown.

Methods and results

Inspired by a novel case series of KS patients with atrial tachyarrhythmias in the USA, we evaluate the two largest known KS registries for arrhythmias and CHD: Radboudumc (50 patients) based on health record review at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands and GenIDA (163 patients) based on worldwide surveys of patient families. Three KS patients (aged 17–25 years) presented with atrial tachyarrhythmias without manifest CHD. In the international KS registries, the median [interquartile range (IQR)] age was considerably younger: GenIDA/Radboudumc at 10/13.5 (12/13) years, respectively. Both registries had a 40% prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities, the majority being CHD, including septal defects, vascular malformations, and valvular disease. Interestingly, 4 (8%) patients in the Radboudumc registry reported arrhythmias without CHD, including one atrial fibrillation (AF), two with supraventricular tachycardias, and one with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. The GenIDA registry reported one patient with AF and another with chronic ectopic atrial tachycardia (AT). In total, atrial tachyarrhythmias were noted in six young KS patients (6/213 or 3%) with at least four (three AF and one AT) without structural heart disease.

Conclusion

In addition to a high prevalence of CHD, evolving data reveal early-onset atrial tachyarrhythmias in young KS patients, including AF, even in the absence of structural heart disease.
Age-Dependent Effects of Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise on Voiding Behavior and Potential Age-Related Molecular Mechanisms in Mice
Authors: Liu Teresa T , Pascal Laura E , Bauer Scott R , Miles Hannah N , Panksepp Jules B , Lloyd Granville L , Li Lingjun , DeFranco Donald B , Ricke William A
Published: January 2024

Background

Older men frequently develop lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Risk factors for LUTS/BPH include sedentary lifestyle, anxiety/depression, obesity, and frailty, which all increase with age. Although physical exercise may reduce the progression and/or severity of LUTS/BPH, the age-related mechanisms responsible remain unknown.

Methods

Voiding symptoms, body mass, and frailty were assessed after 4-weeks of voluntary wheel running in 2-month (n = 10) and 24-month (n = 8) old C57Bl/6J male mice. In addition, various social and individual behaviors were examined in these cohorts. Finally, cellular and molecular markers of inflammation and mitochondrial protein expression were assessed in prostate tissue and systemically.

Results

Despite running less (aged vs young X¯ = 12.3 vs 30.6 km/week; p = .04), aged mice had reduced voiding symptoms (X¯ = 67.3 vs 23.7; p < .0001) after 1 week of exercise, which was sustained through week 4 (X¯ = 67.3 vs 21.5; p < .0001). Exercise did not affect voiding symptoms in young mice. Exercise also increased mobility and decreased anxiety in both young and aged mice (p < .05). Exercise decreased expression of a key mitochondrial protein (PINK1; p < .05) and inflammation within the prostate (CD68; p < .05 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; p < .05) and in the serum (p < .05). However, a frailty index (X¯ = 0.17 vs 0.15; p = .46) and grip strength (X¯ = 1.10 vs 1.19; p = .24) were unchanged after 4 weeks of exercise in aged mice.

Conclusions

Voluntary aerobic exercise improves voiding behavior and mobility, and decreases prostatic mitochondrial protein expression and inflammation in aged mice. This promising model could be used to evaluate molecular mechanisms of aerobic exercise as a novel lifestyle intervention for older men with LUTS/BPH.
Ensemble Kalman inversion of induced polarization data
Authors: Tso Chak-Hau Michael , Iglesias Marco , Binley Andrew
Published: January 2024

This paper explores the applicability of ensemble Kalman inversion (EKI) with level-set parametrization for solving geophysical inverse problems. In particular, we focus on its extension to induced polarization (IP) data with uncertainty quantification. IP data may provide rich information on characteristics of geological materials due to its sensitivity to characteristics of the pore–grain interface. In many IP studies, different geological units are juxtaposed and the goal is to delineate these units and obtain estimates of unit properties with uncertainty bounds. Conventional inversion of IP data does not resolve well sharp interfaces and tends to reduce and smooth resistivity variations, while not readily providing uncertainty estimates. Recently, it has been shown for DC resistivity that EKI is an efficient solver for inverse problems which provides uncertainty quantification, and its combination with level set parametrization can delineate arbitrary interfaces well. In this contribution, we demonstrate the extension of EKI to IP data using a sequential approach, where the mean field obtained from DC resistivity inversion is used as input for a separate phase angle inversion. We illustrate our workflow using a series of synthetic and field examples. Variations with uncertainty bounds in both DC resistivity and phase angles are recovered by EKI, which provides useful information for hydrogeological site characterization. Although phase angles are less well-resolved than DC resistivity, partly due to their smaller range and higher percentage data errors, it complements DC resistivity for site characterization. Overall, EKI with level set parametrization provides a practical approach forward for efficient hydrogeophysical imaging under uncertainty.
Piezomagnetic fields generated by the gas injection process in Hutubi ultralarge underground gas storage system (China)
Authors: Wang Zhendong , Yamazaki Ken'ichi , Chen Shuanggui , Feng Lili
Published: January 2024

The fundamental behaviours of rock magnetism (piezomagnetic characteristics) at the field scale have not been confirmed because conventional experiments can be performed only in the laboratory. Here, the periodic extraction and injection of gas in the Hutubi ultralarge underground gas storage (UGS) system are used to simulate the stress loading and unloading processes at the field scale. We treat 26 gas wells in the UGS system as a multipoint-source Mogi model and calculate models of the piezomagnetic field generated during the operation of the UGS system. These models show that the local magnetic field (LMF) in the southern and central areas of the UGS system showed positive changes. In contrast, the northern area showed negative changes, and the amplitude of the negative changes was smaller than that of the positive changes. Changes in the Curie point depth and gas volume do not significantly alter the spatial characteristics of the LMF.
Challenges and dynamics of public health reporting and data exchange during COVID-19: insights from US hospitals
Authors: Jiang John (Xuefeng) , Cram Peter , Qi Kangkang , Bai Ge
Published: January 2024

The US health care response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic unveiled challenges in public health reporting systems and electronic clinical data exchange. Using data from the 2020 and 2022 American Hospital Association information technology supplement surveys, this study examined US hospitals’ experiences in public health reporting, accessing clinical data from external providers for COVID-19 patient care, and their success in reporting vaccine-related adverse events to relevant state and federal agencies. Results showcase significant disparities in reporting practices across government levels due to inconsistent requirements. Although many hospitals leaned toward automated data transmission, a substantial portion continued to depend on manual processes. Pertaining to electronic clinical data, while entities like large commercial laboratories outperformed others, a considerable number were sluggish in delivering critical information. Moreover, a small percentage of hospitals reported challenges in recording vaccine-related adverse events, emphasizing the need for transparent reporting systems. The study underscores the necessity for standardized reporting protocols, explicit directives, and a pivot from manual to automated processes. Tackling these challenges is pivotal for ensuring prompt and reliable data, bolstering future public health responses, and rejuvenating public trust in health institutions.
Fermented natto powder alleviates obesity by regulating LXR pathway and gut microbiota in obesity rats
Authors: Sun Ruiyue , Niu Honghong , Li Yueqiao , Sun Mubai , Hua Mei , Miao Xinyu , Su Ying , Wang Jinghui , Li Da , Wang Ying
Published: January 2024

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the positive effect of natto powder on obese rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods and results

Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with a HFD for 8 weeks continuously and gavaged with natto powder, respectively, for 8 weeks starting from the ninth week. The results showed that natto powder significantly reduced the body weight of rats and maintained the balance of cholesterol metabolism in the body by inhibiting the activity of liver X receptors (LXR) target genes, increasing the active expression of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, and reducing the active expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). Furthermore, natto powder increased the relative abundance of potentially beneficial microbiota in gut and decreased the relative abundance of obesity-related harmful bacteria, and also increased the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and improved the composition of gut microbiota.

Conclusions

Natto powder maintains the balance of cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting the LXR pathway and regulating the gut microbiota.
Bringing Back the Old Religiosity: Interfaith Cosmopolitan Civil Religion (ICCR)
Authors: Lee Song Chong
Published: January 2024

Highlighting the transformed landscape of political communities in the twenty-first century, I reexamine the discourse of civil religion (DCR). Widely recognized in religious studies and notably in American history, this concept reveals a subtle yet intricately functional framework of community consciousness within political entities. This article posits that the prevalent interpretation of civil religion, and its application across diverse contexts, falls short of effectively reflecting and utilizing the essence identified by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Robert Bellah—classical and modern architects of civil religion, respectively. Many discussions of DCR often disregard the role of the traditional sense of religion and religiousness. Instead, they fixate on superficial symbols and rituals associated with secular institutional bodies and communities. In this article, I contend that reintegrating the ordinary sense of religion into the discourse is crucial for envisioning and constructing a new community consciousness capable of adeptly responding to the burgeoning demands of our highly multicultural world. Following the conceptual roadmap of civil religion, which seeks transcendent, sacred, and unifying narratives, symbols, and rituals, I introduce a new model termed Interfaith, Cosmopolitan Civil Religion (ICCR). Within this model, ordinary religious agents, through interfaith engagement, assume positive roles in nurturing a broader sense of community and unity.
Foxo1 drives the TGFβ1-dependent dichotomy of Th17 cell fates
Authors: Zhang Mengjuan , Guan Yude , Han Meijuan , Kong Fandi , Xu Aoyu , Jin Xiaohan , Hu Xiao , Dong Fang , Zhang Nianchao , Peng Xiuping , Liu Dantong , Chen Yongyan , Zhao Ruxin , Zhu Xiulei , Zhang Yanan , Lu Congcong , Hou Wen , Liu Lei , Li Dan , Zhang Zhihui , Zhang Xiaomin , Zhang Song
Published: January 2024

T-helper 17 cells play a dual role in immunological responses, serving as essential components in tissue homeostasis and host defense against microbial pathogens while also contributing to proinflammatory conditions and autoimmunity. While transforming growth factor β1 is pivotal for the differentiation of nonpathogenic T-helper 17 cells, the role of transforming growth factor β3 and activin in steering T-helper 17 cells toward a pathogenic phenotype has been acknowledged. However, the molecular mechanisms governing this dichotomy remain elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that the transcription factor Foxo1 is upregulated in a transforming growth factor β1 dose-dependent manner, serving as a critical regulator that specifically modulates the fate of pathogenic T-helper 17 cells. Analyses in both patients with uveitis and an experimental autoimmune uveitis mouse model reveal a strong correlation between disease severity and diminished Foxo1 expression levels. Ectopic expression of Foxo1 selectively attenuates T-helper 17A production under pathogenic T-helper 17–inducing conditions. Moreover, enhanced Foxo1 expression, triggered by transforming growth factor β1 signaling, is implicated in fatty acid metabolism pathways that favor nonpathogenic T-helper 17 differentiation. Our drug screening identifies several US Food and Drug Administration–approved compounds can upregulate Foxo1. Collectively, our findings offer evidence that Foxo1 serves as a molecular switch to specifically control pathogenic vs nonpathogenic T-helper 17 differentiation in a transforming growth factor β1–dependent manner. Targeting Foxo1 could be a promising therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases.
Geopolitics and Genocide: Patron Interests, Client Crises, and Realpolitik
Authors: Nanlohy Sascha
Published: January 2024

Genocide is a catastrophic event in international relations. States that experience genocide often have powerful external patrons that influence its likelihood. Yet, the external dynamics of genocide are often overlooked. This paper examines the constraining or enabling role of external patrons and what motivates their decisions. This research theorizes that patron states can permit or restrain genocide, depending on their interests in the client state. The study uses a qualitative comparative case analysis to focus on the role of patron military assistance, comparing genocide in Rwanda (1990–1994), and the role of France with the high-risk non-genocide in Nagorno-Karabakh (1991–1994) and Russian support to Armenia. I argue that patron actions can be understood through the prism of great or regional power competition and are generally determined by motivations conforming to a logic of realpolitik; the prospect of loss of influence significantly affects the likelihood of genocide. These processes can be observed through variations in patron military assistance and patterns of violence. A better understanding of these dynamics is critical to the study of international relations and international security, with policy implications for atrocity prevention in a period of intensifying great power competition.
Stomatal effects and ABA metabolism mediate differential regulation of leaf and flower cooling in tomato cultivars exposed to heat and drought stress
Authors: Bjerring Jensen Nikolaj , Vrobel Ondřej , Akula Nageshbabu Nagashree , De Diego Nuria , Tarkowski Petr , Ottosen Carl-Otto , Zhou Rong
Published: January 2024

Co-occurring heat and drought stresses challenge crop performance. Stomata open to promote evaporative cooling during heat stress, but close to retain water during drought stress, which resulted in complex stomatal regulation under combined heat and drought. We aimed to investigate stomatal regulation in leaves and flowers of perennial, indeterminate cultivars of tomatoes subjected to individual and combined heat and drought stress followed by a recovery period, measuring morphological, physiological, and biochemical factors involved in stomatal regulation. Under stress, stomata of leaves were predominantly affected by drought, with lower stomatal density and stomatal closing, resulting in significantly decreased photosynthesis and higher leaf temperature. Conversely, stomata in sepals seemed affected mainly by heat during stress. The differential patterns in stomatal regulation in leaves and flowers persisted into the recovery phase as contrasting patterns in stomatal density. We show that flower transpiration is regulated by temperature, but leaf transpiration is regulated by soil water availability during stress. Organ-specific patterns of stomatal development and abscisic acid metabolism mediated this phenomenon. Our results throw light on the dual role of stomata in heat and drought tolerance of vegetative and generative organs, and demonstrate the importance of considering flower surfaces in the phenotyping of stomatal reactions to stress.
The Halo21 absorption modelling challenge: lessons from ‘observing’ synthetic circumgalactic absorption spectra
Authors: Hafen Zachary , Sameer  , Hummels Cameron , Charlton Jane , Mandelker Nir , Wijers Nastasha , Bullock James , Faerman Yakov , Lehner Nicolas , Stern Jonathan
Published: January 2024

In the Halo21 absorption modelling challenge we generated synthetic absorption spectra of the circumgalactic medium (CGM), and attempted to estimate the metallicity, temperature, and density (Z, T, and nH) of the underlying gas using observational methods. We iteratively generated and analysed three increasingly complex data samples: ion column densities of isolated uniform clouds, mock spectra of 1–3 uniform clouds, and mock spectra of high-resolution turbulent mixing zones. We found that the observational estimates were accurate for both uniform cloud samples, with Z, T, and nH retrieved within 0.1 dex of the source value for $\gtrsim 90~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of absorption systems. In the turbulent-mixing scenario, the mass, temperature, and metallicity of the strongest absorption components were also retrieved with high accuracy. However, the underlying properties of the subdominant components were poorly constrained because the corresponding simulated gas contributed only weakly to the H i absorption profiles. On the other hand, including additional components beyond the dominant ones did improve the fit, consistent with the true existence of complex cloud structures in the source data.
Formation of collisional ring galaxies in Milgromian dynamics
Authors: Ma Li , Wu Xufen
Published: January 2024

Ring galaxies are rare in the Universe. A head-on or off-centre collision between an intruder galaxy and a disc galaxy leads to a collisional ring galaxy (CRG) when the intruder-to-target mass ratio (ITMR) is over 0.1 in Newtonian dynamics. Within the framework of Milgromian dynamics, the strong equivalence principle is violated due to the presence of an external field. When two galaxies collide towards each other, the dynamical mass of the phantom dark halo in a galaxy is suppressed by the external field induced by the other galaxy. As a consequence of such suppression, the gravitational perturbation for the target galaxy introduced by a collision is weakened. In this case, a minor collision may not be capable of generating a CRG. In this work, we address this issue and perform a series of numerical simulations of collisions by tuning the values of ITMR. We find that the critical ITMR is 0.5 in MOND, which is much larger than that in Newtonian dynamics. The observed massive ring galaxies, such as Arp 147, can be effectively interpreted by CRGs in Milgrom’s Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). This interpretation does not necessitate the presence of dark matter halos for either the target or intruder galaxies. Moreover, for a larger inclination angle or a larger impact parameter, the off-centred ring structure is fainter. The larger critical ITMR indicates that it is harder to form a CRG in MOND. To account for the observed ring structures of the NGC 922-like galaxies in MOND, it is necessary to invoke other scenarios than a dry minor collision.
How negative feedback and the ambient environment limit the influence of recombination in common envelope evolution
Authors: Chamandy Luke , Carroll-Nellenback Jonathan , Blackman Eric G , Frank Adam , Tu Yisheng , Liu Baowei , Zou Yangyuxin , Nordhaus Jason
Published: January 2024

We perform 3D hydrodynamical simulations to study recombination and ionization during the common envelope (CE) phase of binary evolution, and develop techniques to track the ionic transitions in time and space. We simulate the interaction of a $2\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$ red giant branch primary and a $1\, \mathrm{M_\odot }$ companion modelled as a particle. We compare a run employing a tabulated equation of state (EOS) that accounts for ionization and recombination, with a run employing an ideal gas EOS. During the first half of the simulations, ∼15 per cent more mass is unbound in the tabulated EOS run due to the release of recombination energy, but by simulation end the difference has become negligible. We explain this as being a consequence of (i) the tabulated EOS run experiences a shallower inspiral and hence smaller orbital energy release at late times because recombination energy release expands the envelope and reduces drag, and (ii) collision and mixing between expanding envelope gas, ejecta and circumstellar ambient gas assists in unbinding the envelope, but does so less efficiently in the tabulated EOS run where some of the energy transferred to bound envelope gas is used for ionization. The rate of mass unbinding is approximately constant in the last half of the simulations and the orbital separation steadily decreases at late times. A simple linear extrapolation predicts a CE phase duration of ${\sim}2\, {\rm yr}$, after which the envelope would be unbound.
Dynamical instability in multi-orbiter systems with gas friction
Authors: Li Jiaru , Rodet Laetitia , Lai Dong
Published: January 2024

Closely packed multiplanet systems are known to experience dynamical instability if the spacings between the planets are too small. Such instability can be tempered by the frictional forces acting on the planets from gaseous discs. A similar situation applies to stellar-mass black holes embedded in active galactic nuclei discs around supermassive black holes. We use N-body integrations to evaluate how the frictional damping of orbital eccentricity affects the growth of dynamical instability for a wide range of K (the difference in the planetary semimajor axes in units of the mutual Hill radius) and (unequal) planet masses. We find that, in general, the stable region (large K) and unstable region (small K) are separated by a “grey zone”, where the (in)stability is not guaranteed. We report the numerical values of the critical spacing for stability Kcrit and the “grey zone” range in different systems, and provide fitting formulae for arbitrary frictional forcing strength. We show that the stability of a system depends on the damping time-scale τ relative to the zero-friction instability growth time-scale tinst: two-planet systems are stable if tinst ≳ τ; three-planet systems require tinst ≳ 10τ−100τ. When K is sufficiently small, tinst can be less than the synodic period between the planets, which makes frictional stabilization unlikely to occur. As K increases, tinst tends to grow exponentially, but can also fluctuate by a few orders of magnitude. We also devise a linear map to analyse the dynamical instability of the “planet + test mass” system, and find qualitative agreement with N-body simulations.
Polarization and single-pulse micro-structure studies of Rotating Radio Transient J0139+3336 with FAST
Authors: Dang S J , Yuan J P , Shang L H , Xu X , Tedila H M , Wen Z G , Yan W M , Bai J T , Li Q Y , Xiao S , Zhao R S , Zhi Q J , Dong A J , Wu Q D , Rukiye Rejep , Zhang D D , Yang H , Wu C B , Yuen R
Published: January 2024

The study of polarization and micro-structure is very important for understanding the radiation mechanism of Rotating Radio Transients (RRATs). Due to the limitations of telescope sensitivity and time resolution, studies of the polarization and micro-structure of RRATs have been rare in the past. In this work, we report on a high-time resolution and full polarization observation of RRAT J0139+3336 with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST). A total of 96 burst pulses were detected in the 3-h observation. The degrees of linear and circular polarization and the shape of the polarization position angle (PPA) of the single pulses vary significantly. The average profile displays a small degree of linear and circular polarization, and the PPA exhibits a remarkably smooth and steep S-shaped curve, which are also characteristics of pulsars. The circular polarization in some single pulses demonstrates a clear sign change. We discuss the geometric structure of the emission beam based on the results from fitting the RVM model to the changes in the PPA. Using an autocorrelation analysis, the quasi-periodic micro-structure in the single pulse emission is detected with a median period of about 0.91 ms. We show that the position of RRAT J0139+3336 on the P–Pμ diagram falls in the normal pulsar (NP) region . The radio emission of RRAT J0139+3336 shows unique properties, such as the sign change in the circular polarization and quasi-periodicity in the micro-structure, which will provide important clues to the emission mechanism of RRATs.
A physical picture for the acoustic resonant drag instability
Authors: Magnan Nathan , Heinemann Tobias , Latter Henrik N
Published: January 2024

Mixtures of gas and dust are pervasive in the Universe, from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and molecular clouds to protoplanetary discs. When the two species drift relative to each other, a large class of instabilities can arise, called ‘resonant drag instabilities’ (RDIs). The most famous RDI is the streaming instability, which plays an important role in planet formation. On the other hand, acoustic RDIs, the simplest kind, feature in the winds of cool stars, AGNs, or starburst regions. Unfortunately, owing to the complicated dynamics of two coupled fluids (gas and dust), the underlying physics of most RDIs is mysterious. In this paper, we develop a clear physical picture of how the acoustic RDI arises and support this explanation with transparent mathematics. We find that the acoustic RDI is built on two coupled mechanisms. In the first, the converging flows of a sound wave concentrate dust. In the second, a drifting dust clump excites sound waves. These processes feed into each other at resonance, thereby closing an unstable feedback loop. This physical picture helps decide where and when RDIs are most likely to happen, and what can suppress them. Additionally, we find that the acoustic RDI remains strong far from resonance. This second result suggests that one can simulate RDIs without having to fine-tune the dimensions of the numerical domain.
Intrinsic alignment from multiple shear estimates: a first application to data and forecasts for stage IV
Authors: MacMahon-Gellér Charlie , Leonard C Danielle
Published: January 2024

Without mitigation, the intrinsic alignment (IA) of galaxies poses a significant threat to achieving unbiased cosmological parameter constraints from precision weak lensing surveys. Here, we apply for the first time to data a method to extract the scale dependence of the IA contribution to galaxy–galaxy lensing, which takes advantage of the difference in alignment signal as measured by shear estimators with different sensitivities to galactic radii. Using data from Year 1 of the Dark Energy Survey, with shear estimators METACALIBRATION and IM3SHAPE, we investigate and address method systematics including non-trivial selection functions, differences in weighting between estimators, and multiplicative bias. We obtain a null detection of IA, which appears qualitatively consistent with existing work. We then forecast the application of this method to Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) data and place requirements on a pair of shear estimators for detecting IA and constraining its 1-halo scale dependence. We find that for LSST Year 1, shear estimators should have at least a 40 per cent difference in IA amplitude, and the Pearson correlation coefficient of their shape noise should be at least ρ = 0.50, to ensure a 1σ detection of IA and a constraint on its 1-halo scale dependence with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 1. For Year 10, a 1σ detection and constraint become possible for 20 per cent differences in alignment amplitude and ρ = 0.50.
PeVatron candidate SNR G106.3+2.7 in a low-density cavity: a multiwavelength test
Authors: Bao Yiwei , Liu Ruo-Yu , Ge Chong , Chen Yang
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we constrain the density of the interstellar medium (ISM) around the hadronic PeVatron candidate, supernova remnant (SNR) G106.3+2.7, based on X-ray and γ-ray observations. The purpose of this investigation is to understand the influence of the gaseous environment on this SNR as a proton PeVatron candidate. By modelling the self-regulated propagation of the cosmic rays (CRs) injected from the SNR, we calculate the γ-ray emission of CRs via the hadronuclear interactions with the molecular cloud and the ISM, and use the measured γ-ray flux to constrain the ISM density around the SNR. Our results support the picture that the SNR is expanding into a low-density ($\lt 0.05\, {\rm cm}^{-3}$) cavity, enabling the SNR to be a potential proton PeVatron despite that it is presently not in the very early phase.
The Giant Molecular Cloud G148.24+00.41: gas properties, kinematics, and cluster formation at the nexus of filamentary flows
Authors: Rawat Vineet , Samal M R , Walker D L , Ojha D K , Tej A , Zavagno A , Zhang C P , Elia Davide , Dutta S , Jose J , Eswaraiah C , Sharma E
Published: January 2024

Filamentary flows towards the centre of molecular clouds have been recognized as a crucial process in the formation and evolution of stellar clusters. In this paper, we present a comprehensive observational study that investigates the gas properties and kinematics of the Giant Molecular Cloud G148.24+00.41 using the observations of CO (1-0) isotopologues. We find that the cloud is massive (105 M⊙) and is one of the most massive clouds of the outer Galaxy. We identified six likely velocity coherent filaments in the cloud having length, width, and mass in the range of 14–38 pc, 2.5–4.2 pc, and (1.3–6.9) × 103 M⊙, respectively. We find that the filaments are converging towards the central area of the cloud, and the longitudinal accretion flows along the filaments are in the range of ∼ 26–264 M⊙ Myr−1. The cloud has fragmented into seven clumps having mass in the range of ∼ 260–2100 M⊙ and average size around ∼ 1.4 pc, out of which the most massive clump is located at the hub of the filamentary structures, near the geometric centre of the cloud. Three filaments are found to be directly connected to the massive clump and transferring matter at a rate of ∼ 675 M⊙ Myr−1. The clump hosts a near-infrared cluster. Our results show that large-scale filamentary accretion flows towards the central region of the collapsing cloud is an important mechanism for supplying the matter necessary to form the central high-mass clump and subsequent stellar cluster.