bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamental theory on multiple energy resources and related case studies
Authors: Jin A. J.
Published: July 2023

Herein, I methodically optimize a distributed energy resource in terms of the production, management, utilization, and/or transaction of renewable energies during the deployment process. I deliver a theoretical mathematical model that allows users to visualize three critical output functions of their energy preference, including output power, energy economy, and carbon footprint. The model delivers three eigenstates derived by a power utility matrix (PUM) model. PUM transforms three-input parameters (3i) into three-output functions (3o) through 3i3o-transformation. It is ubiquitous, and its systematic characterization is discussed. Moreover, I discover a mathematical conversion relationship translating energy generation to carbon emissions. Various case-studies demonstrate the optimal energy resource utilization. Furthermore, an energy blockchain approach is employed for microgrid design, development, and carbon reduction. Finally, the authors demonstrate the energy–matter conversion relationship that improves carbon emissions for energy production, reducing the beta factor of carbon emissions to 0.22 kg/kilowatt hour for carbon peak and to zero for carbon neutrality.
Indoor-air purification by photoelectrochemical oxidation mitigates allergic airway responses to aerosolized cat dander in a murine model
Authors: Devadoss Dinesh , Surbaugh Kerri , Manevski Marko , Wickramaratne Chatura , Chaput Dale , Chung Arianne , de Leon Francisco , Chand Hitendra S. , Dhau Jaspreet S.
Published: July 2023

Portable air purifiers help improve indoor air quality by neutralizing allergens, including animal dander proteins. However, there are limited in-vivo models to assess the efficacy of these devices. Here, we developed a novel animal model of experimental asthma using aerosolized cat dander extract (CDE) exposure and compared the efficacy of select air purification technologies. Mice were exposed to CDE aerosols for 6 weeks in separate custom-built whole-body exposure chambers equipped with either a photoelectrochemical oxidative (PECO) Molekule filtration device (PFD) or a HEPA-assisted air filtration device (HFD) along with positive (a device with no filtration capability) and negative controls. Compared to the positive control group, the CDE-induced airway resistance, and plasma IgE and IL-13 levels were significantly reduced in both air purifier groups. However, PFD mice showed a better attenuation of lung tissue mucous hyperplasia and eosinophilia than HFD and positive control mice, indicating a better efficacy in managing CDE-induced allergic responses. Cat dander protein destruction was evaluated by LCMS proteomic analysis, which revealed the degradation of 2731 unique peptides on PECO media in 1 h. Thus, allergen protein destruction on filtration media enhances air purifier efficacy that could provide relief from allergy responses compared to traditional HEPA-based filtration alone.
The imperative for regulatory oversight of large language models (or generative AI) in healthcare
Authors: Meskó Bertalan , Topol Eric J.
Published: July 2023

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to the development of sophisticated large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4 and Bard. The potential implementation of LLMs in healthcare settings has already garnered considerable attention because of their diverse applications that include facilitating clinical documentation, obtaining insurance pre-authorization, summarizing research papers, or working as a chatbot to answer questions for patients about their specific data and concerns. While offering transformative potential, LLMs warrant a very cautious approach since these models are trained differently from AI-based medical technologies that are regulated already, especially within the critical context of caring for patients. The newest version, GPT-4, that was released in March, 2023, brings the potentials of this technology to support multiple medical tasks; and risks from mishandling results it provides to varying reliability to a new level. Besides being an advanced LLM, it will be able to read texts on images and analyze the context of those images. The regulation of GPT-4 and generative AI in medicine and healthcare without damaging their exciting and transformative potential is a timely and critical challenge to ensure safety, maintain ethical standards, and protect patient privacy. We argue that regulatory oversight should assure medical professionals and patients can use LLMs without causing harm or compromising their data or privacy. This paper summarizes our practical recommendations for what we can expect from regulators to bring this vision to reality.
The role of Northern Hemisphere summer insolation for millennial-scale climate variability during the penultimate glacial
Authors: Fohlmeister Jens , Luetscher Marc , Spötl Christoph , Schröder-Ritzrau Andrea , Schröder Birgit , Frank Norbert , Eichstädter René , Trüssel Martin , Skiba Vanessa , Boers Niklas
Published: July 2023

Previous glacial intervals were punctuated by abrupt climate transitions between cold (stadial) and warm (interstadial) conditions. Many mechanisms leading to stadial-interstadial variability have been hypothesized with ice volume being a commonly involved element. Here, we test to which extent insolation modulated stadial-interstadial oscillations occurred during the penultimate glacial. We present a replicated and precisely dated speleothem record covering the period between 200 and 130 ka before present from caves located in the European Alps known to be sensitive to millennial-scale variability. We show that the widely proposed relationship between sea level change and stadial-interstadial variability was additionally modulated by solar insolation during this time interval. We find that interstadials occurred preferentially near maxima of Northern Hemisphere summer insolation, even when sea level remained close to its minimum during peak glacial periods. We confirm these observations with model simulations that accurately reproduce the frequency and duration of interstadials for given sea-level and insolation forcing. Our results imply that summer insolation played an important role in modulating the occurrence of stadial-interstadial oscillations and highlight the relevance of insolation in triggering abrupt climate changes.
A non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on a mesoporous carbon sphere immobilized Co-MOF-74 nanocomposite
Authors: Li Xianliang , Deng Diwei , He Lufang , Xu Yan
Published: July 2023

A credible non-enzymatic glucose sensor based on Co-MOF-74/mesoporous carbon nanocomposite was prepared with high selectivity and sensitivity for clinical monitoring of glucose concentration and preventing the threat of diabetes to human health.
RuO2nanoparticles anchored on g-C3N4as an efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting in acidic media
Authors: Wu Yun , Yao Rui , Zhao Qiang , Li Jinping , Liu Guang
Published: July 2023

RuO2@C3N4nanoparticles only require a cell voltage of 1.607 V to drive overall water splitting and exhibit remarkable stability in 0.5 M H2SO4electrolyte.
Modulation of magnetization dynamics of an Er(iii) coordination polymer by the conversion of a ligand to a radical using UV light
Authors: Gou Xiaoshuang , Liu Ning , Wu Yuewei , Lan Wenlong , Wang Mengmeng , Shi Wei , Cheng Peng
Published: July 2023

The influence of the magnetic properties of an Er(iii) coordination polymer via the conversion of an organic ligand to a radical using UV light is reported.
Efficient full-length IgG secretion and sorting from single yeast clones in droplet picoreactors
Authors: Lebrun Esteban , Shenshin Vasily , Plaire Cécile , Vigneres Vincent , Pizette Théo , Dumas Bruno , Nicaud Jean-Marc , Mottet Guillaume
Published: July 2023

We present a novel antibody screening platform based on antibody-secreting yeast cells encapsulated in droplets. This platform provides an antibody discovery process capable of screening large antibody libraries in their final soluble IgG format.
Anti-amyloidogenic amphipathic arginine-dehydrophenylalanine spheres capped selenium nanoparticles as potent therapeutic moieties for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kour Avneet , Tiwari Virendra , Aggarwal Nidhi , Sekhar Panda Himanshu , Kumar Ashwani , Tiwari Siddharth , Chauhan Virander Singh , Shukla Shubha , Panda Jiban Jyoti
Published: July 2023

Synthesis of RΔF nanosphere-capped SeNPs with anti-amyloidogenic potency towards peptide aggregates. NPs can cross the BBB, exhibit protective effects against STZ-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, and improve cognitive performance in STZ-induced rat AD models.
Island hopping of active colloids
Authors: Tanuku Venkata Manikantha Sai Ganesh , Vogel Peter , Palberg Thomas , Buttinoni Ivo
Published: July 2023

Active Brownian particle (ABP) undergoing island-hopping in an environment of ‘passive’ colloidal islands.
Dynamics of bubbles spontaneously entering into a tube
Authors: Commereuc Alexis , Marchand Manon , Rio Emmanuelle , Boulogne François
Published: July 2023

When an open tube of small diameter touches a bubble of a larger diameter, the bubble spontaneously shrinks and pushes a soap film into the tube.
Preservation, storage, and sample preparation methods for freshwater microplastics – a comprehensive review
Authors: Nayebi Behnam , Khurana Pratishtha , Pulicharla Rama , Karimpour Shooka , Brar Satinder Kaur
Published: July 2023

Sampling, storage, preservation, pre-treatment, and extraction are essential components of microplastic detection. Hence, to obtain an accurate representation of microplastics, it is crucial to carefully choose the most suitable pre-analysis methods.
RhoGAP6 interacts with COPI to regulate protein transport
Authors: O'Donoghue Lorna , Comer Shane P. , Hiebner Dishon W. , Schoen Ingmar , von Kriegsheim Alex , Smolenski Albert
Published: July 2023

RhoGAP6 is the most highly expressed GTPase-activating protein (GAP) in platelets specific for RhoA. Structurally RhoGAP6 contains a central catalytic GAP domain surrounded by large, disordered N- and C-termini of unknown function. Sequence analysis revealed three conserved consecutive overlapping di-tryptophan motifs close to the RhoGAP6 C-terminus which were predicted to bind to the mu homology domain (MHD) of δ-COP, a component of the COPI vesicle complex. We confirmed an endogenous interaction between RhoGAP6 and δ-COP in human platelets using GST-CD2AP which binds an N-terminal RhoGAP6 SH3 binding motif. Next, we confirmed that the MHD of δ-COP and the di-tryptophan motifs of RhoGAP6 mediate the interaction between both proteins. Each of the three di-tryptophan motifs appeared necessary for stable δ-COP binding. Proteomic analysis of other potential RhoGAP6 di-tryptophan motif binding partners indicated that the RhoGAP6/δ-COP interaction connects RhoGAP6 to the whole COPI complex. 14-3-3 was also established as a RhoGAP6 binding partner and its binding site was mapped to serine 37. We provide evidence of potential cross-regulation between 14-3-3 and δ-COP binding, however, neither δ-COP nor 14-3-3 binding to RhoGAP6 impacted RhoA activity. Instead, analysis of protein transport through the secretory pathway demonstrated that RhoGAP6/δ-COP binding increased protein transport to the plasma membrane, as did a catalytically inactive mutant of RhoGAP6. Overall, we have identified a novel interaction between RhoGAP6 and δ-COP which is mediated by conserved C-terminal di-tryptophan motifs, and which might control protein transport in platelets.
Brazilian Portuguese Adaptation and Validation of the Language Screening Test for Poststroke Patients
Authors: de Lima Ramos Renata , Bahia Mariana M. , Flamand-Roze Constance , Chun Regina Yu Shon
Published: July 2023

Background:

There is a lack of standardized assessment tools for poststroke aphasia in Brazil, particularly bedside screenings for early identification of patients with suspected language disorders. The Language Screening Test (LAST) is a valid and reliable method for screening hospitalized patients following a stroke. This tool was first developed in French and then translated and validated in other languages.

Purpose:

This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the LAST into Brazilian Portuguese.

Method:

Following a systematic, multistep approach to translation and cultural adaptation of language instruments, this study developed the two parallel versions of the Brazilian Portuguese LAST (pLAST) Versions A and B. The final versions were applied to 70 healthy and 30 poststroke adults across age and educational levels. Subtests of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) were used to assess the external validity of the pLAST.

Results:

Findings showed that the two versions (A and B) of the pLAST were equivalent (intraclass correlation coefficient = .91;
p
< .001). No floor or ceiling effects were observed, and internal validity was excellent (Cronbach's α = .85). Moreover, its external validity against the BDAE was moderate to strong. Test sensitivity and specificity were 0.88 and 1, respectively, and accuracy was 0.96.

Conclusion:

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the LAST is a valid, simple, easy, and rapid test to screen poststroke aphasia in hospital settings.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.23548911
The GAPS programme at TNG
Authors: Rainer M. , Desidera S. , Borsa F. , Barbato D. , Biazzo K. , Bonomo A. , Gratton R. , Messina S. , Scandariato G. , Affer L. , Benatti S. , Carleo I. , Cabona L. , Covino E. , Lanza A. F. , Ligi R. , Maldonado J. , Mancini L. , Nardiello D. , Sicilia D. , Sozzetti A. , Bignamini A. , Cosentino R. , Knapic C. , Martínez Fiorenzano A. F. , Molinari E. , Pedani M. , Poretti E.
Published: July 2023

Context. The leading spectrographs used for exoplanets’ search and characterization offer online data reduction softwares (DRS) that yield, as an ancillary result, the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the cross-correlation function (CCF) that is used to estimate the radial velocity of the host star. The FWHM also contains information on the stellar projected rotational velocity veq sin i★, if appropriately calibrated.

Aims. We wanted to establish a simple relationship to derive the veq sin i★ directly from the FWHM computed by the HARPS-N DRS in the case of slow-rotating solar-like stars. This may also help to recover the stellar inclination i★, which in turn affects the exoplanets’ parameters.

Methods. We selected stars with an inclination of the spin axis compatible with 90 deg by looking at exoplanetary transiting systems with known small sky-projected obliquity: for these calibrators, we can presume that veq sin i★ is equal to stellar equatorial velocity veq. We derived their rotational periods from photometric and spectroscopic time series and their radii from the spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting. This allowed us to recover their veq, which could be compared to the FWHM values of the CCFs obtained both with G2 and K5 spectral-type masks.

Results. We obtained an empirical relation for each mask: this can be used to derive veq sin i★ directly from FWHM values for slow rotators (FWHM < 20 km s−1). We applied our relations to 273 exoplanet-host stars observed with HARPS-N, obtaining homogeneous veqsin i★ measurements. When possible, we compared our results with the literature ones to confirm the reliability of our work. We were also able to recover or constrain i★ for 12 objects with no prior veq sin i★ estimation.

Conclusions. We provide two simple empirical relations to directly convert the HARPS-N FWHM obtained with the G2 and K5 mask to a veq sin i★ value. We tested our results on a statistically significant sample, and we found a good agreement with literature values found with more sophisticated methods for stars with log ɡ > 3.5. We also tried our relation on HARPS and SOPHIE data, and we conclude that it can be used as it is also on FWHM derived by HARPS DRS with the G2 and K5 mask, and it may be adapted to the SOPHIE data as long as the spectra are taken in high-resolution mode.
The γ-process nucleosynthesis in core-collapse supernovae
Authors: Roberti L. , Pignatari M. , Psaltis A. , Sieverding A. , Mohr P. , Fülöp Zs. , Lugaro M.
Published: July 2023

Context. The γ-process nucleosynthesis in core-collapse supernovae is generally accepted as a feasible process for the synthesis of neutron-deficient isotopes beyond iron. However, crucial discrepancies between theory and observations still exist: the average yields of γ-process nucleosynthesis from massive stars are still insufficient to reproduce the solar distribution in galactic chemical evolution calculations, and the yields of the Mo and Ru isotopes are a factor of ten lower than the yields of the other γ-process nuclei.

Aims. We investigate the γ-process in five sets of core-collapse supernova models published in the literature with initial masses of 15, 20, and 25 M⊙ at solar metallicity.

Methods. We compared the γ-process overproduction factors from the different models. To highlight the possible effect of nuclear physics input, we also considered 23 ratios of two isotopes close to each other in mass relative to their solar values. Further, we investigated the contribution of C–O shell mergers in the supernova progenitors as an additional site of the γ-process.

Results. Our analysis shows that a large scatter among the different models exists for both the γ-process integrated yields and the isotopic ratios. We find only ten ratios that agree with their solar values, all the others differ by at least a factor of three from the solar values in all the considered sets of models. The γ-process within C–O shell mergers mostly influences the isotopic ratios that involve intermediate and heavy proton-rich isotopes with A > 100.

Conclusions. We conclude that there are large discrepancies both among the different data sets and between the model predictions and the solar abundance distribution. More calculations are needed; particularly updating the nuclear network, because the majority of the models considered in this work do not use the latest reaction rates for the γ-process nucleosynthesis. Moreover, the role of C–O shell mergers requires further investigation.
Les réponses psychosociales aux traumatismes collectifs – un sujet international et transnational
Authors: Stene Lise Eilin
Published: July 2023

Les catastrophes d’origine humaine ou naturelle constituent des préoccupations sociétales qui peuvent peser lourdement sur la santé et le bien-être. Il est primordial de comprendre comment prévenir ou réduire les conséquences psychologiques et sociales néfastes chez les individus et les communautés concernés. Afin de renforcer la gestion de ces menaces sanitaires transfrontalières, il existe actuellement une forte volonté d’améliorer la coordination à travers l’Europe. Il est donc essentiel de mieux comprendre comment les différents pays répondent actuellement aux besoins psychosociaux de leur population à la suite de catastrophes. De fait, notre étude met en évidence les différences substantielles qui existent dans les réponses psychosociales aux attentats terroristes à grande échelle dans trois pays européens (Norvège, France, Belgique). Elle montre qu’il sera nécessaire d’améliorer et d’harmoniser le suivi, l’évaluation et la recherche sur la fourniture de soins et de soutiens psychosociaux afin de renforcer nos capacités à faire face aux futures catastrophes.
Palliative-Care-Konzepte für Patienten und Familien
Authors: Moritz Ralf , Ostenrath Friedemann
Published: July 2023

Jeder zehnte Mensch in Deutschland stirbt auf einer Intensivstation. In der Diskussion um Überversorgung am Lebensende gewinnen palliative Ansätze, die Selbstbestimmung und Lebensqualität in den Mittelpunkt stellen, an Bedeutung. Welche evidenzbasierten Interventionen für den Einsatz auf Intensivstationen geeignet und umsetzbar sind, haben die Autoren in ihrer Masterarbeit untersucht. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse werden in diesem Beitrag zusammengefasst.
Photocatalyst-Free Visible-Light-Promoted C–H Selenylation of Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines
Authors: Bagdi Avik Kumar , Sikdar Papiya , Choudhuri Tathagata , Paul Suvam , Das Sourav , Kumar Anil
Published: July 2023

A new method has been developed for the C–H selenyl­ation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives under the irradiation of visible light. This photocatalyst-free strategy is applicable to a wide range of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines with broad functionalities. The salient features of the method are mild reaction conditions, use of bench-stable oxidant, high regioselectivity, and scalability.
One Health in a Digital World: Technology, Data, Information and Knowledge
Authors: Scott Philip , Adedeji Taiwo , Nakkas Haythem , Andrikopoulou Elisavet
Published: July 2023

Objectives: To describe the origins and growth of the One Health concept and its recent application in One Digital Health.

Methods: Bibliometric review and critical discussion of emergent themes derived from co-occurrence of MeSH keywords.

Results: The fundamental interrelationship between human health, animal health and the wider environment has been recognized since ancient times. One Health as a distinct term originated in 2004 and has been a rapidly growing concept of interest in the biomedical literature since 2017. One Digital Health has quickly established itself as a unifying construct that highlights the critical role of technology, data, information and knowledge to facilitate the interdisciplinary collaboration that One Health requires. The principal application domains of One Digital Health to date are in FAIR data integration and analysis, disease surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship and environmental monitoring.

Conclusions: One Health and One Digital Health offer powerful lenses to examine and address crises in our living world. We propose thinking in terms of Learning One Health Systems that can dynamically capture, integrate, analyse and monitor application of data across the biosphere.
Zero-Hopf bifurcation in the Chua’s circuit
Authors: Ginoux Jean-Marc , Llibre Jaume
Published: July 2023

An equilibrium point of a differential system in R3 such that the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix of the system at the equilibrium are 0 and ±ωi with ω > 0 is called a zero-Hopf equilibrium point. First, we prove that the Chua’s circuit can have three zero-Hopf equilibria varying its three parameters. Later, we show that from the zero-Hopf equilibrium point localized at the origin of coordinates can bifurcate one periodic orbit. Moreover, we provide an analytic estimation of the expression of this periodic orbit and we have determined the kind of the stability of the periodic orbit in function of the parameters of the perturbation. The tool used for proving these results is the averaging theory of second order.
Spectral properties for the Klein-Gordon Hamiltonian in charged black hole backgrounds
Authors: Belgiorno F. , Cacciatori S. L.
Published: July 2023

Charged massive scalar fields on charged black hole backgrounds are investigated through methods of spectral analysis in Krein spaces. We consider, on the three charged black hole backgrounds (Nariai, Reissner-Nordström, ultracold-II) taken into account, a necessary condition for the existence of complex eigenvalues. We show that even if it is satisfied, in two cases (Nariai and ultracold-II), by direct calculation, they actually cannot exist. In both cases, the Klein paradox occurs without restriction on the parameters. In the third case, the condition for their existence is shown to coincide with the condition, allowing the quantum discharge phenomenon associated with the Klein paradox. We also clarify the role of “classical potentials,” which appear in the physical literature on the subject, giving rise to the so-called level-crossing appearing in semiclassical calculations, and we comment on problems occurring in quantum field theory in the presence of complex eigenvalues.
Thermal properties of structurally balanced systems on classical random graphs
Authors: Malarz Krzysztof , Wołoszyn Maciej
Published: July 2023

The dynamics of social relations and the possibility of reaching the state of structural balance (Heider balance) under the influence of the temperature modeling the social noise level are discussed for interacting actors occupying nodes of classical random graphs. Depending on the graph density D, either a smooth crossover or a first-order phase transition from a balanced to an imbalanced state of the system is observed with an increase in the thermal noise level. The minimal graph density Dmin for which the first-order phase transition can be observed decreases with the system size N as Dmin∝N−0.58(1). For graph densities D>Dmin, the reduced critical temperature Tc⋆=Tc/Tc(D=1) increases with the graph density as Tc⋆∝D1.719(6) independently of the system size N.
Thermal conductivity vs depth profiling using the hot disk technique—Analysis of anisotropic, inhomogeneous structures
Authors: Sizov A. , Mihiretie B. , Ma Y. , Gustafsson S. E. , Gustavsson M.
Published: July 2023

A recently developed method for analyzing the thermal conductivity vs depth variation near a sample surface has been extended to include inhomogeneous samples with anisotropy. If not considered, the anisotropy ratio in the sample structure can distort the depth-position data of the original test method. The anisotropy ratio is introduced in the original computational scheme in order to improve the depth-position estimations for inhomogeneous structures with anisotropy. The proposed approach has been tested in experiments and shown to improve depth position mapping.
Machine learning-assisted multi-scale modeling
Authors: E Weinan , Lei Huan , Xie Pinchen , Zhang Linfeng
Published: July 2023

Neural network-based machine learning is capable of approximating functions in very high dimension with unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. This has opened up many exciting new possibilities, one of which is to use machine learning algorithms to assist multi-scale modeling. In this review, we use three examples to illustrate the process involved in using machine learning in multi-scale modeling: ab initio molecular dynamics, ab initio meso-scale models, such as Landau models and generalized Langevin equation, and hydrodynamic models for non-Newtonian flows.
Effect of substrate and growth method on vanadium dioxide thin films by RF magnetron sputtering: Vanadium metal oxidation vs reactive sputtering
Authors: Christensen A. , Posadas A. B. , Zutter B. , Finnegan P. , Bhullar S. , Bishop S. , Talin A. A. , Demkov A. A.
Published: July 2023

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) undergoes a metal–insulator phase transition at ∼70 °C and has attracted substantial interest for potential applications in electronics, including those in neuromorphic computing. The vanadium–oxygen system has a rather complicated phase diagram, and controlling the stoichiometry and the phase of thin films of vanadium oxides is a well-known challenge. We explore the novel combination of two methods of VO2 thin film deposition using off-axis RF magnetron sputtering on (100)- and (111)-oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates: reactive sputtering of vanadium in an oxygen environment and sputtering of vanadium metal followed by oxidation to VO2. Interestingly, the reactive sputtering process on both substrate orientations yields the metastable semiconducting VO2 (B) phase, which is structurally stabilized by the YSZ surface. The metal sputtering and oxidation process on YSZ produces mainly the equilibrium monoclinic (or M1) phase of VO2 that exhibits a metal–insulator transition. Using this method, we obtained thin films of (010)-textured polycrystalline VO2 (M1) that show a metal–insulator transition with an on/off ratio larger than 1000.
Ionization disequilibrium in K- and L-shell ions
Authors: Bishel D. T. , Marley E. V. , Schneider M. B. , Liedahl D. A. , Heeter R. F. , Foord M. E. , Kemp G. E. , Frank Y. , Emig J. A. , Pérez-Callejo G. , Nilson P. M. , Chin D. A. , Rygg J. R. , Collins G. W.
Published: July 2023

Time-gated Sc K-shell and Ge L-shell spectra are presented from a range of characterized thermodynamic states spanning ion densities of 1019–1020cm−3 and plasma temperatures around 2000 eV. For the higher densities studied and temperatures from 1000 to 3000 eV, the Sc and Ge x-ray emission spectra are consistent with steady-state calculations from the modern atomic kinetics model SCRAM. At the lower ion densities achieved through plasma expansion, however, the model calculations require a higher plasma temperature to reproduce the observed Ge spectrum. We attribute this to ionization disequilibrium of the Sc because the ionization time scales exceed the hydrodynamic timescale when the inferred temperatures diverge.
Modeling and simulation of lithium transport and radiation in diverted Pi3 plasmas
Authors: Carbajal L. , Jones S. , Reynolds M. , Seifollahi Moghadam Z. , Mossman A.
Published: July 2023

In this work, we study the transport of lithium impurities as they are transported from the wall where they are sputtered into the core plasma of the experimental device Pi3 that uses solid lithium walls at General Fusion. We perform time-dependent full-orbit simulations of initially neutral lithium impurities entering a Pi3 deuterium plasma that evolve their charge states and follow their full-orbit dynamics in axisymmetric Pi3 plasmas. This is done by extending the capabilities of the KORC-T code [L. Carbajal et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 042512 (2017); J. Martinell et al., Bulletin of the American Physical Society (American Physical Society, 2020), Vol. 65] to include atomic collisions of ionization, recombination, and charge-exchange (CX) with neutral hydrogenic species by interpolating rates of these atomic processes from OPEN-ADAS tables to local plasma conditions. We assess the effect of hydrogenic neutrals, initial energy of sputtered lithium impurities, and the inclusion of E × B drifts caused by a radial electric field obtained from a radial force balance equation. It is found that both penetration of lithium impurities into the core and electron energy losses are enhanced by the radial electric field, with a weaker dependence on initial energy with which neutral lithium is sputtered off the lithium wall. Hydrogenic neutrals are not found to have a visible effect on transport of lithium impurities. Also, it is shown that ionized lithium impurities are not thermalized with the background deuterium ions at the edge plasma of Pi3 in studied timescale. From an analysis of electron cooling and radiation losses driven by lithium impurities, we find that energy losses are not significant in these plasmas.
Controlling the frequency of periodic self-modulation in gyrotrons with external reflections
Authors: Rozental R. M. , Zotova I. V. , Sergeev A. S. , Ginzburg N. S.
Published: July 2023

We develop the theory of electron–wave interaction in gyrotrons with reflections of part of the radiation, focusing on the implementation of self-modulation generation regimes with controlled frequencies. The optimal conditions for the simultaneous excitation of neighboring axial modes of the electrodynamic system of a gyrotron with a reflecting diaphragm in the output waveguide path are found. When the gyrotron is powered by an electron beam under these conditions, periodic self-modulation regimes are realized with the distance between the main spectral components controlled by varying the distance to the reflector. The conclusions of the theory are confirmed by the results of direct particle-in-cells simulation.
Conductivity-based approach to estimate average bundle length in randomly oriented network of single-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Pavlov Alexander , Mitin Dmitry , Vorobyev Alexander , Raudik Sergey , Berdnikov Yury , Mozharov Alexey , Mikhailovskii Vladimir , Krasnikov Dmitry V. , Kopylova Daria S. , Polozkov Roman , Nasibulin Albert G. , Mukhin Ivan
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we report a method to estimate the average length of bundles in a randomly oriented network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by analyzing the dependence of its sheet resistance on the distance between contacts. We propose an analytical model to verify the method and find the model's limitations using Monte Carlo simulations. Then, we apply the proposed approach to experimental results acquired from 95% (at 550 nm wavelength) transparent SWCNT films. The proposed method to estimate the average SWCNT bundle length can be used in situ and does not require any specific sample preparation step that can distort the SWCNT network.
Assessing the research capacity and culture of allied health workforce in a national private healthcare organisation
Authors: Rathi Sangeeta , Resuggan Rachel , Parsons Dave
Published: July 2023

Objective We set out to provide a benchmark assessment of allied health professionals’ research capacity and culture in a national private health care organisation, including identifying barriers and facilitators to staff participation in research. Methods All allied health professionals across 16 sites were invited to participate in an online survey, using the research capacity and culture tool from 9 May to 17 June 2022. Descriptive analysis of each demographic variable was expressed in frequencies and percentages. Differences between organisation, team and individual domains were analysed as ordinal data (scale 1–9), and a mean score and standard deviation were calculated. Results The survey was completed by 182 allied health professionals across 16 sites, with an estimated response rate of 12%. Overall results identified low levels of research support or skills at organisational and team levels and moderate levels of skills at an individual level. Respondents were motivated to participate in research ‘to develop skills’, for ‘improved job satisfaction’ and ‘career advancement’. Major barriers to participation in research were ‘lack of time’, ‘lack of resources’ and ‘other work roles taking priority’. Conclusion The current study fills a knowledge gap by reporting the research capacity and culture among allied health professionals in a national private healthcare organisation in Australia. This study suggests that allied health professionals in private healthcare organisations perceive less than adequate levels of support at the team and organisational levels compared to their public counterparts. However, the barriers and motivators to participate in research activities were consistent with public hospitals.
Qualitative evaluation of an integrated respiratory and palliative care service: patient, caregiver and general practitioner perspectives
Authors: McDonald Julie , Fox Euan , Booth Laura , Weil Jennifer
Published: July 2023

Objectives Integrated respiratory and palliative care services for people with advanced lung disease provide disease-orientated care until the end of life, alongside symptom management and discussions about future care. This study aimed to explore patient, caregiver and general practitioner perspectives of an integrated respiratory and palliative care service, to understand which components of the service were considered valued and effective. Methods We approached patients, caregivers and general practitioners, to participate in semi-structured phone interviews. A grounded theory approach guided data collection and qualitative analysis. Results Between July and December 2019, 10 patients, eight caregivers and five general practitioners completed interviews. The overarching theme was that of valuing integrated care – the provision of disease-orientated care along with palliative care. Four other major themes emerged: Valuing communication and engagement between patient, caregiver and healthcare professionals – who spoke of ‘growing this plan together’; the delivery of person-centred care – where physicians ‘actually listen and you are not treated like a number’; the reality of action plan use in serious illness – while many found plans ‘certainly’ do help, others described when they were simply ‘too ill to do the action plan’; and finally, divergent preferences for discussions about future care – while some patients felt this subject was ‘better left alone’, caregivers consistently reported their preference was to ‘make a plan.’ Conclusion Consumer perspectives highlight the service was valued for delivering personalised care with high communication standards. Similar services should appreciate the usefulness and limitations of action plan use in advanced lung disease, and be sensitive to potential diverging preferences of the patient and caregiver when discussing future care.
Hippo signaling in cancer: regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic strategies
Authors: Huang Zhao , Tan Yunhan , Zhang Wei , Tang Xiangdong , Nice Edouard C. , Huang Canhua
Published: July 2023

As an evolutionarily conserved pathway, Hippo signaling not only plays a key role in embryonic development, but also regulates the initiation and progression of cancer. The upstream factors regulating the Hippo pathway are complex, including cell–cell contact, cell–extracellular matrix contact, membrane receptor–ligand binding, and cytoskeletal tension. In response to these mechanical or soluble cues, the Hippo core kinases are activated or inactivated, regulating the activity of key transcription co-factor YAP/TAZ thus yielding biological consequences. In the context of neoplasm, dysregulation of Hippo signaling contributes to cancer hallmarks such as sustained proliferation, stem-like properties, and metastasis. Importantly, targeting Hippo signaling by chemicals is emerging as a promising anticancer strategy. This article briefly introduces the discovery process of the Hippo pathway, summarizes the upstream signals regulating the Hippo pathway, discusses the relationship between Hippo inactivation and cancer development, and highlights the potential use of chemicals targeting Hippo signaling in cancer treatment.
Informing the design of a digital intervention to support sexually transmissible infection care in general practice: a qualitative study exploring the views of clinicians
Authors: Gezer Melis , Hunter Barbara , Hocking Jane S. , Manski-Nankervis Jo-Anne , Goller Jane L.
Published: July 2023

Background Strengthening sexually transmissible infection (STI) management in general practice is prioritised in Australian STI strategy. Digital interventions incorporating clinical decision support offer a mechanism to assist general practitioners (GPs) in STI care. This study explored clinicians’ views towards a proposed digital intervention for supporting STI care in Australian general practice as a first step in the tool’s design. Methods Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted during 2021 with sexual health physicians (n = 2) and GPs (n = 7) practicing in the state of Victoria, Australia. Interviews explored views on a proposed STI digital intervention for general practice. We applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), a behaviour change framework to our analysis. This involved: (1) directed content analysis of transcripts into TDF domains; and (2) thematic analysis to identify sub-themes within relevant TDF domains. Subthemes were subsequently categorised into enablers and barriers to the use and implementation of a STI computerised clinical decision support system (CDSS). Results All interviewees viewed a digital intervention for STI care favourably, expressing confidence in its potential to improve care and support management. Within the relevant TDF domains (e.g. environmental context and resources), subthemes emerged as barriers (e.g. lack of sensitivity to patient context) or enablers (e.g. clear communication and guidance) to the use and implementation of a STI CDSS in primary care. Multiple subthemes (e.g. time constraints) have the potential to be a barrier or an enabler, and is largely dependent on end-user needs being met and clinical context being appropriately addressed. Conclusions A digital intervention incorporating clinical decision support was viewed favourably, indicating a possible role for such a tool in Australian general practice. Co-design with end-users and prototype evaluation with health consumers is recommended to ensure relevance and usefulness.
Assessing the role played by meteorological conditions on the interannual variability of fire activity in four subregions of Iberia
Authors: Nunes Sílvia A. , DaCamara Carlos C. , Pereira José M. C. , Trigo Ricardo M.
Published: July 2023

Background The Iberian Peninsula is recurrently affected by severe wildfires resulting from an interplay of human activities, landscape features and atmospheric conditions. Aims The role played by atmospheric conditions on wildfire activity in 2001–2020 is assessed in four pyroregions of the Iberian Peninsula. Methods Wildfire activity is characterised by Fire Radiative Power (FRP) and meteorological danger is rated by the Fire Weather Index (FWI). The distribution of log10FRP in each pyroregion consists of a truncated lognormal central body with Generalised Pareto distributions as tails, and the model is improved using FWI as covariate. Synthetic time series of total annual FRP are generated using the models with and without FWI as covariate, and compared against observed FRP. Key results Pyroregions NW, N, SW and E present increases of 1, 5, 6 and 7% in interannual explained variance of FRP when progressing from the model without to that with FWI as covariate. Conclusions The models developed characterise the role of meteorological conditions on fire activity in the Iberian Peninsula, and are especially valuable when comparing expected impacts for different scenarios of climate change. Implications The largest effects of atmospheric conditions on fire activity are in regions of the IP where the strongest impact of climate change is expected.
Introduced rat assemblage affects feral cat threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands
Authors: Palmas P. , Meyer J.-Y. , Chailler E. , De Méringo H. , Vidal E. , Gaertner J.-C. , Bambridge R. , Mooroa T. , Hurahutia I. , Teatiu G. , Teatiu S. , Timau T.
Published: July 2023

Context Invasive feral cats strongly threaten native fauna on islands worldwide. The impact of feral cat populations is assumed to be higher in the presence of introduced rodents and may also vary according to an island’s rodent species assemblage. Aims This study assessed feral cat impacts on island biodiversity in French Polynesian islands harbouring differing assemblages of rat species, by investigating their abundance and trophic ecology. Methods We focused on the following six human-inhabited islands of three archipelagos in French Polynesia (South Pacific) with differing rat species assemblages: Tahiti and Moorea, Ua Huka and Tahuata, Rurutu and Rimatara. We studied (1) cat abundance, by setting up camera traps during 15 consecutive days to provide an abundance index, the general index (GI) or mean number of virtual captures per camera per occasion, and (2) cat diet, by performing macroscopic analyses of scat samples to determine the frequency of occurrence (FO) of prey categories. Key results Our study showed previously unreported patterns of cat-abundance index for the Society archipelago, with a GI of 0.30 ± 0.12 in Tahiti and 0.02 ± 0.02 in Moorea; for the Marquesas, with a GI of 0.75 ± 0.20 in Ua Huka and 0.20 ± 0.06 in Tahuata; and for the Austral, with a GI of 0.06 ± 0.04 in Rurutu and 0.19 ± 0.05 in Rimatara. Feral cats are shown to prey strongly on introduced rodents (FO = 91.3%), arthropods (37.8%), squamates (18.6%) and birds (13.3%) in our study sites. FO of birds are particularly high in Rimatara (31.9%) and Ua Huka (16.8%). Conclusions We demonstrated that feral cats represent a serious threat to biodiversity in French Polynesian islands, with 15 species preyed on, including eight endemic birds, four of them being considered threatened by the IUCN Red List. Surprisingly, relative abundances of feral cats were higher both on islands harbouring only one rat species (Ua Huka, with only Rattus exulans) and on islands free of black rats. This finding raises questions regarding the ‘hyperpredation’ hypothesis for multi-invaded island ecosystems. Implications This study on islands with differing assemblages of introduced rodents demonstrated the need for invasive predator studies in multi-invaded ecosystems, so as to improve bird conservation and guide management strategies and site prioritisation.
A cellular and molecular spatial atlas of dystrophic muscle
Authors: Stec Michael J. , Su Qi , Adler Christina , Zhang Lance , Golann David R. , Khan Naveen P. , Panagis Lampros , Villalta S. Armando , Ni Min , Wei Yi , Walls Johnathon R. , Murphy Andrew J. , Yancopoulos George D. , Atwal Gurinder S. , Kleiner Sandra , Halasz Gabor , Sleeman Mark W.
Published: July 2023

Asynchronous skeletal muscle degeneration/regeneration is a hallmark feature of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); however, traditional -omics technologies that lack spatial context make it difficult to study the biological mechanisms of how asynchronous regeneration contributes to disease progression. Here, using the severely dystrophic D2-mdx mouse model, we generated a high-resolution cellular and molecular spatial atlas of dystrophic muscle by integrating spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNAseq datasets. Unbiased clustering revealed nonuniform distribution of unique cell populations throughout D2-mdx muscle that were associated with multiple regenerative timepoints, demonstrating that this model faithfully recapitulates the asynchronous regeneration observed in human DMD muscle. By probing spatiotemporal gene expression signatures, we found that propagation of inflammatory and fibrotic signals from locally damaged areas contributes to widespread pathology and that querying expression signatures within discrete microenvironments can identify targetable pathways for DMD therapy. Overall, this spatial atlas of dystrophic muscle provides a valuable resource for studying DMD disease biology and therapeutic target discovery.
Drought impacts on the electricity system, emissions, and air quality in the western United States
Authors: Qiu Minghao , Ratledge Nathan , Azevedo Inés M. L. , Diffenbaugh Noah S. , Burke Marshall
Published: July 2023

The western United States has experienced severe drought in recent decades, and climate models project increased drought risk in the future. This increased drying could have important implications for the region’s interconnected, hydropower-dependent electricity systems. Using power-plant level generation and emissions data from 2001 to 2021, we quantify the impacts of drought on the operation of fossil fuel plants and the associated impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air quality, and human health. We find that under extreme drought, electricity generation from individual fossil fuel plants can increase up to 65% relative to average conditions, mainly due to the need to substitute for reduced hydropower. Over 54% of this drought-induced generation is transboundary, with drought in one electricity region leading to net imports of electricity and thus increased pollutant emissions from power plants in other regions. These drought-induced emission increases have detectable impacts on local air quality, as measured by proximate pollution monitors. We estimate that the monetized costs of excess mortality and GHG emissions from drought-induced fossil generation are 1.2 to 2.5x the reported direct economic costs from lost hydro production and increased demand. Combining climate model estimates of future drying with stylized energy-transition scenarios suggests that these drought-induced impacts are likely to remain large even under aggressive renewables expansion, suggesting that more ambitious and targeted measures are needed to mitigate the emissions and health burden from the electricity sector during drought.