bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and test of a small high frequency ultrasonic cleaning transducer
Authors: Wang Hongbing , Sun Chunhua
Published: February 2023

In order to solve the problem of cleaning of complex surfaces and micro blind holes in industrial products, a small high frequency ultrasonic cleaning transducer was designed and tested. Firstly, the finite element model of the transducer was established, and the influence of structural parameters on the first order longitudinal vibration frequency was analyzed. By adjusting the structural parameters of the transducer, the first order longitudinal vibration frequency of the transducer was determined to be 58716hz.The harmonic response of the transducer was analyzed. The results showed that when the voltage amplitude applied on the piezoelectric ceramic sheet was 80V, the transducer produced resonance at 58716 Hz, and the end face of the front cover of the transducer produced an axial displacement of about 3.34 µm . The transducer was made according to the theoretical analysis results, and the frequency sweep test was carried out on the transducer. The theoretical analysis results were consistent with the test results, which showed that the designed small high frequency ultrasonic cleaning transducer could meet the requirements of high frequency cleaning.
A simulation-based optimization method for facility layout considering the AGV path
Authors: Yang Cheng , Liu Songkai , Xu Zhigang
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problem of facility layout in intelligent workshops, a collaborative optimization method of facility layout and AGV path planning based on discrete event simulation (DES) is proposed. This method can increase the production capacity of the workshop by solving the workshop open-field layout problem (OFLP). First, to simplify the complex constraints of OFLP, a mathematical programming model is established. Second, a hybrid algorithm is proposed to solve the optimal facility layout and the corresponding multiple AGV paths. Then, the DES is used to calculate the logistics data of the facility layout, and the capacity is taken as the algorithm objective function. Finally, a practical intelligent workshop layout problem is taken as a research case. The calculation results show that the capacity of the workshop is increased by 54% under the optimized layout. Through the special nonlinear integer programming mathematical model and discrete simulation modelling, the optimization method can take into account the complex dynamic logistics process and multiple AGV conflicts and give full play to the flexible and efficient characteristics of open-field layouts. The final workshop layout can not only be close to the actual situation but also have excellent performance.
Preparation and application of new polycarboxylic acid for scale inhibition
Authors: Haiyan Yang , Yueru Li , Wei Wei , Xiuhua Liu
Published: February 2023

In oilfield, scaling caused by water injection is becoming increasingly serious by blocking the gathering and transmission pipelines of the oilfield and resulting in a decline in oilfield production and a great loss of production. Oil and gas leakage caused by pipeline scaling, corrosion and perforation has caused irreversible damage to the surrounding environment. In this paper, citric acid and sodium pyrophosphate are used as the main agents, and hydrolytic polymaleic anhydride, polyaspartic sodium and polyepoxysuccinic acid are respectively compounded to establish polycarboxylic acid scale inhibitor. The scale inhibition experiments of CaCO3, CaSO4 and BaSO4 were carried out to obtain a new type of highly effective polycarboxylic acid scale inhibitor formula. For CaCO3, the best formula is 200 ppm citric acid + 30 ppm hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride. For CaSO4, the best formula is 100 ppm citric acid + 5 ppm sodium polyaspartate.
Evaluation of the effect of asphalt deposition inhibitor for crude oil
Authors: Yanyun Chen , Liangguang Deng , Xiao Lu , Chunyu Zhao , Zhao Wei
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the effect of asphalt deposition inhibitors coal tar, bromohexadecylpyridine and sodium oleate on the viscosity reduction and asphaltene reduction of crude oil was investigated. The results show that coal tar has a better inhibitory effect on asphaltenes in crude oil. The asphaltene reduction effect is the best when the addition amount is 0.5%. Compared with the blank, the asphaltene content is reduced from 24.47% to 9.42%. The cationic surfactant bromohexadecylpyridine and coal tar have a good synergistic effect, and the asphaltene content is reduced by 1.74% compared with the single addition of 0.5% coal tar.
Nonlinear dynamics of Magnetorheological elastomer sandwich plate under stochastic excitation
Authors: Gou Wen-Jun , Zhu Zhi-Wen
Published: February 2023

In this paper, a kind of magnetorheological elastomer sandwich plate is proposed. The novel nonlinear differential term is applied to describe the force-displacement curve of the magnetorheological elastomer. The constitutive model of the system is established using the Hamilton Modeling Principle. By Galerkin dispersion, the response equation of the system is obtained, and its stochastic dynamic behavior is discussed. The numerical results are simulated by MATLAB mathematics software and show that the magnetorheological elastomer sandwich plate has rich dynamic characteristics, including stochastic Hopf bifurcation, which can be avoided if the parameters vary and only small amplitude vibrations appear.
CO2 emissions from C40 cities: citywide emission inventories and comparisons with global gridded emission datasets
Authors: Ahn Doyeon , Goldberg Daniel L , Coombes Toby , Kleiman Gary , Anenberg Susan C
Published: February 2023

Under the leadership of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), approximately 1,100 global cities have signed to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Accurate greenhouse gas emission calculations at the city-scale have become critical. This study forms a bridge between the two emission calculation methods: 1) the city-scale accounting used by C40 cities —the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC) and 2) the global-scale gridded datasets used by the research community —the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) and Open‐Source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC). For the emission magnitudes of 78 C40 cities, we find good correlations between the GPC and EDGAR (R2 = 0.80) and the GPC and ODIAC (R2 = 0.72). Regionally, African cities show the largest variability in the three emission estimates. For the emission trends, the standard deviation of the differences is ±4.7 %/year for EDGAR vs. GPC and is ±3.9 %/year for ODIAC vs. GPC: a factor of ~2 larger than the trends that many C40 cities pledged (net-zero by 2050 from 2010, or −2.5%/year). To examine the source of discrepancies in the emission datasets, we assess the impact of spatial resolutions of EDGAR (0.1°) and ODIAC (1km) on estimating varying-sized cities’ emissions. Our analysis shows that the coarser resolution of EDGAR can artificially decrease emissions by 13% for cities smaller than 1,000 km2. We find that data quality of emission factors used in GPC inventories vary regionally: the highest quality for European and North American and the lowest for African and Latin American cities. Our study indicates that the following items should be prioritized to reduce the discrepancies between the two emission calculation methods: 1) implementing local-specific/up-to-date emission factors in GPC inventories, 2) keeping the global power plant database current, and 3) incorporating satellite-derived CO2 datasets (i.e., NASA OCO-3).
Grothendieck’s dessins d’enfants in a web of dualities. III
Authors: Yang Di , Zhou Jian
Published: February 2023

We give a new proof of the equivalence between the dessin partition function and the partition function of the Laguerre unitary ensemble (LUE), originally found by Ambjørn and Chekhov. We also introduce a correction factor for the dessin/LUE partition function, and show that the corrected dessin/LUE partition function is a Dubrovin–Zhang type tau-function of the Toda lattice hierarchy. As an application, we use the approach of Dubrovin and Zhang for the computation of the dessin correlators. In physicists’ terminology, we establish dualities among dessin counting, generalized Penner model, and

P

1

-topological sigma model.
Enhanced emission intensity in (Li+/Ca2+/Bi3+) ions co-doped NaLa(MoO4)2: Dy3+phosphors and their Judd-Ofelt analysis for WLEDs applications
Authors: Sonali  , Shivakumara C
Published: February 2023

In the present study, we have synthesized a series of Dy3+ ion doped NaLa(MoO4)2phosphors by the conventional solid-state method at 750 °C for 4h. All the compounds were crystallized in the tetragonal scheelite type structure with space group (I41/a, No.88). The morphology and functional group were confirmed by the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy. Upon near-Ultraviolet (n-UV) excitation, the PL spectra exhibit the two characteristic emissions of Dy3+ ions, blue (4F9/2 → 6H15/2) at 487 nm and yellow (4F9/2 → 6H13/2) at 574nm respectively. The optimum concentration of Dy3+ionis 3 mol% and then quenching occurred due to multipolar interaction. Further, enhanced the emission intensity by co-doping with monovalent (Li+), divalent (Ca2+) and trivalent (Bi3+) ions. Among them, Li+ ion co-doped samples are shown maximum intensity (50 times) more than Dy3+ doped phosphors as relaxation of parity restriction of electric dipole transition because of local distortion of crystal field around the Dy3+ ions. In addition, by incorporation of Eu3+ ions into NaLa(MoO4)2:Dy3+system, tuned the emission color from white to red, owing to energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+ ions. The intensity parameters (Ω2, Ω4) and radiative properties such as transition probabilities (A
T), radiative lifetime (τ
rad), and branching ratio were calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory. CIE color coordinates, CCT values indicates that these phosphors exhibit an excellent white emission. The determined radiative properties, CIE and CCT results revealed that the Dy3+-activated NaLa(MoO4)2phosphors are potential materials for developing white LEDs, and optoelectronic device fabrications.
Investigation on the distribution and role of intermetallic aggregates in influencing the mechanical strength of the friction stir welded AZ91C Mg – AA6061 Al alloy joints
Authors: Lokesh Kumar PJ , Sevvel P , Loganathan TG , Prakash D
Published: February 2023

In this experimental work, 6 mm thick plates of distinctive metal alloys namely AZ91C Mg alloy and AA6061 Al alloy were joined using the FSW process, and fabricated joints were investigated to apprehend the impact of convoluted interfaces and their distribution in the nugget zone and the role of intermetallic aggregates in impacting the mechanical properties of the joints. Employment of tool rotational speeds higher than 1100 rpm has fabricated AZ91C Mg–AA6061 Al joints possessing inter–infiltrating structures along with curved junctures, promoting micro-void unification (MCU) on the fractured regions owing to mechanical-related interlocking. AZ91C Mg–AA6061 Al joints have experienced tensile-related failure along the layer of intermetallic and in the regions of inter–infiltrating components nearer to the side of Al parent metal. Joints exhibiting superior strength have been attained due to the generation of intricate interfaces at the joint region, which in turn has contributed to the mechanical-based interlocking. Highest tensile strength exhibited by the joint was 242 MPa, which is nearly 78% of the strength of the parent 6061 Al alloy (310 MPa).
Riemann-Liouville transform and linear differential equations on the Riemann sphere
Authors: Oshima Toshio
Published: February 2023

We study the Riemann-Liouville transformation of solutions to linear differential equations on the Riemann sphere. The transformation corresponds to the middle convolution of the equations. Under the transformation, we examine the asymptotic behavior of the solutions at the singular points of the equations. When the singular points are regular, we studied it in \cite{Ow} and solved a connection problem for the general rigid Fuchsian equations. In this paper we mainly study the case when some singular points are irregular.
Differential transcendence of solutions for 𝑞-difference equation of Ramanujan function
Authors: Ogawara Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

No non-trivial solution for the second-order linear

q
q

-difference equation of the Ramanujan function, one of

q
q

-analogues of the Airy function, satisfies any algebraic differential equation over the rational function field. Our proof is based on a criterion for differential transcendence of solutions for difference Riccati equations, which is constructed by S. Nishioka.
Summability of formal solutions for a family of linear moment integro-differential equations
Authors: Suwińska Maria
Published: February 2023

A general family of linear moment integro-differential equations with coefficients depending only on one variable is taken into consideration. The results presented in this paper concern the summability of formal solutions of such equations. Usual tools of the summability theory are utilized. The main result is a direct generalization of existing conclusions in regards to standard linear integro-differential equations.
Existence and regularity for global weak solutions to the 𝜆-family water wave equations
Authors: Chen Geng , Shen Yannan , Zhu Shihui
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we prove the global existence of Hölder continuous solutions for the Cauchy problem of a family of partial differential equations, named as

λ
\lambda

-family equations, where

λ
\lambda

is the power of nonlinear wave speed. The

λ
\lambda

-family equations include Camassa-Holm equation (

λ
=
1

\lambda =1

) and Novikov equation (

λ
=
2

\lambda =2

) modelling water waves, where solutions generically form finite time cusp singularities, or, in other words, show wave breaking phenomenon. The global energy conservative solution we construct is Hölder continuous with exponent

1
−

1

2
λ

1- \frac {1}{2\lambda }

. The existence result also paves the way for the future study on uniqueness and Lipschitz continuous dependence.
Eliminating Ambiguous Treatment Effects Using Estimands
Authors: Kahan Brennan C , Cro Suzie , Li Fan , Harhay Michael O
Published: February 2023

Most reported treatment effects in medical research studies are ambiguously defined, which can lead to misinterpretation of study results. This is because most authors do not attempt to describe what the treatment effect represents, and instead require readers to deduce this based on the reported statistical methods. However, this approach is challenging, because many methods provide counterintuitive results. For example, some methods include data from all patients, yet the resulting treatment effect applies only to a subset of patients, whereas other methods will exclude certain patients while results will apply to everyone. Additionally, some analyses provide estimates pertaining to hypothetical settings in which patients never die or discontinue treatment. Herein we introduce estimands as a solution to the aforementioned problem. An estimand is a clear description of what the treatment effect represents, thus saving readers the necessity of trying to infer this from study methods and potentially getting it wrong. We provide examples of how estimands can remove ambiguity from reported treatment effects and describe their current use in practice. The crux of our argument is that readers should not have to infer what investigators are estimating; they should be told explicitly.
Implementation of a clinical decision support alert to prevent use of intravenous β-blockers and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Okerberg Carl , Adie Sarah , Konerman Matthew , Zimmerman Chris
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Intravenous (IV) β-blockers (BBs) and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (NDCCBs) are harmful in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), but they are commonly used for rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the implementation of a clinical decision support (CDS) alert in the electronic health record (EHR) to prevent the use of these agents for AF in patients with ADHF, as well as results from the alert’s continuous quality improvement.

Methods

This was a single-center, retrospective, quasi-experimental pre/post analysis of hospitalized adult patients with an ejection fraction of less than 40% documented during their encounter. Groups corresponding to encounters before and after introduction of the alert were compared, and the first version of the alert was compared to its second version that was refined by iterative design.

Results

For all patient hospital encounters, the rate of IV BB and NDCCB orders decreased in the period after alert implementation from 16.2% to 12% (P < 0.001). The alert’s override rate decreased from 83.8% for the first version to 70.1% after iterative design (P = 0.015).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a CDS alert can be used in the EHR to reduce the use of potentially harmful IV BBs and NDCCBs in patients with ADHF for rate control. User compliance with the alert was improved by applying human factors design principles and iterative design during continuous quality improvement.
The Maze of Contemporary Contract Theory and a Way Out
Authors: Gordley James , Jiang Hao
Published: February 2023

Contemporary contract theories fail to escape their bondage to 19th century liberal philosophers. Some are based on utility or preference satisfaction, but they disregard justice. Others try to extract conclusions for general concepts such as liberty or autonomy, but they cannot do so without first smuggling their conclusions in the definitions of these concepts. These problems can be resolved by looking in a different direction: to the Aristotelian idea of contract as voluntary commutive justice on which contract theory was grounded before the 19th century. In the Aristotelian tradition, a contract of exchange was defined in terms of its purpose: to enable each party to obtain what he valued more in return for what he valued less without enriching the other party at his own expense. It united a concern for concept of a contract, the purposes of the parties, and the justice of their transaction rather than splitting them apart.
MHTAN-DTI: Metapath-based hierarchical transformer and attention network for drug–target interaction prediction
Authors: Zhang Ran , Wang Zhanjie , Wang Xuezhi , Meng Zhen , Cui Wenjuan
Published: February 2023

Drug–target interaction (DTI) prediction can identify novel ligands for specific protein targets, and facilitate the rapid screening of effective new drug candidates to speed up the drug discovery process. However, the current methods are not sensitive enough to complex topological structures, and complicated relations between multiple node types are not fully captured yet. To address the above challenges, we construct a metapath-based heterogeneous bioinformatics network, and then propose a DTI prediction method with metapath-based hierarchical transformer and attention network for drug–target interaction prediction (MHTAN-DTI), applying metapath instance-level transformer, single-semantic attention and multi-semantic attention to generate low-dimensional vector representations of drugs and proteins. Metapath instance-level transformer performs internal aggregation on the metapath instances, and models global context information to capture long-range dependencies. Single-semantic attention learns the semantics of a certain metapath type, introduces the central node weight and assigns different weights to different metapath instances to obtain the semantic-specific node embedding. Multi-semantic attention captures the importance of different metapath types and performs weighted fusion to attain the final node embedding. The hierarchical transformer and attention network weakens the influence of noise data on the DTI prediction results, and enhances the robustness and generalization ability of MHTAN-DTI. Compared with the state-of-the-art DTI prediction methods, MHTAN-DTI achieves significant performance improvements. In addition, we also conduct sufficient ablation studies and visualize the experimental results. All the results demonstrate that MHTAN-DTI can offer a powerful and interpretable tool for integrating heterogeneous information to predict DTIs and provide new insights into drug discovery.
Reproductive toxicity of emerging plasticizers, flame retardants, and bisphenols, using culture of the rat fetal testis
Authors: Tardif Sarah , Rwigemera Arlette , Letourneau Natasha , Robaire Bernard , Delbes Geraldine
Published: February 2023

The use of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 2,2′4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE47), and bisphenol A (BPA), as plasticizers, flame retardants, and epoxy resins, respectively, has been regulated due to their endocrine disrupting activities. Replacements for these chemicals are found in human matrices, yet the endocrine disrupting potential of these emerging contaminants is poorly characterized. We compared the effects of legacy chemicals with those of their replacements using fetal rat testis organ culture. Fetal testes sampled at gestation day 15 were grown ex vivo, and the impact was evaluated after a 3-day exposure to 10 μM of each legacy chemical; two BPA analogs (bisphenol M and bisphenol TMC); three replacements for DEHP/MEHP (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, diisononyl-phthalate, and diisodecyl adipate); or two replacements for BDE47 (tributoxyethyl phosphate and isopropylated triphenyl phosphate). We showed that only BPA and MEHP significantly decrease testosterone secretions after 24 h, while BPM and BPTMC have the opposite effect. Luteinizing hormone-stimulated testosterone was reduced by BPA and MEHP but was increased by BPTMC. After exposure, testes were used for immunofluorescent staining of germ cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells. Interestingly, exposures to BPM or BPTMC induced a significant increase in the Leydig cell density and surface area. A decrease in germ cell density was observed only after treatment with MEHP or BDE47. MEHP also significantly decreased Sertoli cell proliferation. These studies show that some replacement chemicals can affect testicular function, while others appear to show little toxicity in this model. These findings provide essential information regarding the need for their regulation.
The urgent need for innovation in contraception
Authors: Johnston Daniel S , Kopf Gregory S
Published: February 2023

Despite advancements in medicine over the past decades, there exists a significant unmet global need for new and improved contraceptive methods for men and women. The development of innovative contraceptives will be facilitated via advancements in biomedical science, biomedical engineering, and drug development technologies. This article describes the need for new methods, opportunities afforded by advancements in biomedical science, strategies being employed to advance innovative novel methods, value of drug development accelerators and the need for industry involvement to provide men and women worldwide greater reproductive autonomy.
Characterization of spastic paraplegia in a family with a novelPSEN1mutation
Authors: Ringman John M , Dorrani Naghmeh , Fernández Sara Gutiérrez , Signer Rebecca , Martinez-Agosto Julian , Lee Hane , Douine Emilie D , Qiao Yuchuan , Shi Yonggang , D’Orazio Lina , Pawar Sanjay , Robbie Leah , Kashani Amir H , Singer Maxwell , Byers Joshua T , Magaki Shino , Guzman Sam , Sagare Abhay , Zlokovic Berislav , Cederbaum Stephen , Nelson Stanley , Sheikh-Bahaei Nasim , Chui Helena C , Chávez-Gutiérrez Lucía , Vinters Harry V
Published: February 2023

Spastic paraparesis has been described to occur in 13.7% of PSEN1 mutations and can be the presenting feature in 7.5%. In this paper, we describe a family with a particularly young onset of spastic paraparesis due to a novel mutation in PSEN1 (F388S). Three affected brothers underwent comprehensive imaging protocols, two underwent ophthalmological evaluations and one underwent neuropathological examination after his death at age 29. Age of onset was consistently at age 23 with spastic paraparesis, dysarthria and bradyphrenia. Pseudobulbar affect followed with progressive gait problems leading to loss of ambulation in the late 20s. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of amyloid-β, tau and phosphorylated tau and florbetaben PET were consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. Flortaucipir PET showed an uptake pattern atypical for Alzheimer’s disease, with disproportionate signal in posterior brain areas. Diffusion tensor imaging showed decreased mean diffusivity in widespread areas of white matter but particularly in areas underlying the peri-Rolandic cortex and in the corticospinal tracts. These changes were more severe than those found in carriers of another PSEN1 mutation, which can cause spastic paraparesis at a later age (A431E), which were in turn more severe than among persons carrying autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease mutations not causing spastic paraparesis. Neuropathological examination confirmed the presence of cotton wool plaques previously described in association with spastic parapresis and pallor and microgliosis in the corticospinal tract with severe amyloid-β pathology in motor cortex but without unequivocal disproportionate neuronal loss or tau pathology. In vitro modelling of the effects of the mutation demonstrated increased production of longer length amyloid-β peptides relative to shorter that predicted the young age of onset. In this paper, we provide imaging and neuropathological characterization of an extreme form of spastic paraparesis occurring in association with autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, demonstrating robust diffusion and pathological abnormalities in white matter. That the amyloid-β profiles produced predicted the young age of onset suggests an amyloid-driven aetiology though the link between this and the white matter pathology remains undefined.
Low QRS voltages and left ventricular hypertrophy: a risky association
Authors: Pelliccia Antonio , Tatangelo Mario , Borrazzo Cristian , Zampaglione Domenico , Mango Federica , Fedele Elisa , Lanzillo Chiara , Martino Annamaria , Crescenzi Cinzia , Maestrini Viviana , Zorzi Alessandro , Corrado Domenico , Calò Leonardo
Published: February 2023

Aims

Low QRS voltages (LQRSV) are an unexpected finding in left ventricular hypertrophy, i.e. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or athlete’s heart.

Methods and results

Prevalence and clinical correlates of LQRSV were investigated in 197 consecutive HCM patients, aged 58 ± 13 years and comparatively in 771 Olympic athletes, aged 23 ± 4. Clinical characterization included family/personal history, symptoms, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, electrocardiographic pattern, ventricular arrhythmias, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Twenty-two (11%) of HCM and 18 (2.3%) of athletes presented LQRSV. At initial evaluation, in HCM, LQRSV showed no differences vs. non-LQRSV for functional class (90% vs. 91%, in Classes I and II; P = 0.983), symptoms (27% vs. 18%; P = 0.478), and ventricular arrhythmias (40% vs. 39%; P = 857) but showed larger extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at CMR (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 1.5 ± 0.7 affected segments; P < 0.001). In athletes, LQRSV was associated with larger prevalence of inverted T-waves (22% vs. 9%; P < 0.001) and ventricular arrhythmias (28% vs. 8%; P = 0.005). In one LQRSV athlete, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy was identified. Over 4.5 ± 2.6-year follow-up, presence of LQRSV in HCM was associated with larger incidence of functional deterioration (31% vs. 14%; P = 0.038), stroke (22% vs. 6%; P = 0.008), and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implant (27% vs. 10%; P = 0.015). No clinical events occurred in LQRSV athletes without initial evidence of cardiac disease.

Conclusion

LQRSV are relatively common (11%) in HCM and have clinical relevance, being predictive over a medium term for a worsening functional class, incidence of stroke, and ICD implant. Instead, LQRSV are rare (2.3%) in athletes but may occasionally be a marker that raises suspicion for underlying cardiac disease at risk.
Recombination and selection against introgressed DNA
Authors: Veller Carl , Edelman Nathaniel B , Muralidhar Pavitra , Nowak Martin A
Published: February 2023

Introgressed DNA is often deleterious at many loci in the recipient species’ genome, and is therefore purged by selection. Here, we use mathematical modeling and whole-genome simulations to study the influence of recombination on this process. We find that aggregate recombination controls the genome-wide rate of purging in the early generations after admixture, when purging is most rapid. Aggregate recombination is influenced by the number of chromosomes and heterogeneity in their size, and by the number of crossovers and their locations along chromosomes. A comparative prediction is that species with fewer chromosomes should purge introgressed ancestry more profoundly, and should therefore exhibit weaker genomic signals of historical introgression. Turning to within-genome patterns, we show that, in species with autosomal recombination in both sexes, more purging is expected on sex chromosomes than autosomes, all else equal. The opposite prediction holds for species without autosomal recombination in the heterogametic sex. Finally, positive correlations between recombination rate and introgressed ancestry have recently been observed within the genomes of several species. We show that these correlations are likely driven not by recombination’s effect in unlinking neutral from deleterious introgressed alleles, but by recombination’s effect on the rate of purging of deleterious introgressed alleles themselves.
The analytic extension of solutions to initial-boundary value problems outside their domain of definition
Authors: Farkas Matthew , Cisneros Jorge , Deconinck Bernard
Published: February 2023

We examine the analytic extension of solutions of linear, constant-coefficient initial-boundary value problems outside their spatial domain of definition. We use the Unified Transform Method or Method of Fokas, which gives a representation for solutions to half-line and finite-interval initial-boundary value problems as integrals of kernels with explicit spatial and temporal dependence. These solution representations are defined within the spatial domain of the problem. We obtain the extension of these representation formulae via Taylor series outside these spatial domains and find the extension of the initial condition that gives rise to a whole-line initial-value problem solved by the extended solution. In general, the extended initial condition is not differentiable or continuous unless the boundary and initial conditions satisfy compatibility conditions. We analyse dissipative and dispersive problems, and problems with continuous and discrete spatial variables.
Scalar Curvature, Entropy, and Generalized Ricci Flow
Authors: Streets Jeffrey
Published: February 2023

We derive a family of weighted scalar curvature monotonicity formulas for generalized Ricci flow, involving an auxiliary dilaton field evolving by a certain reaction–diffusion equation motivated by renormalization group flow. These scalar curvature monotonicities are dual to a new family of Perelman-type energy and entropy monotonicity formulas by coupling to a solution of the associated weighted conjugate heat equation. In the setting of Ricci flow, we further obtain a new family of convex Nash entropies and pseudolocality principles.
Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility testing results for urine cultures: feasibility and acceptability by general practitioners and laboratory professionals in France
Authors: Le Dref Gaëlle , Simon Maïa , Bocquier Aurélie , Fougnot Sébastien , Kivits Joëlle , Duda Alain , Pulcini Céline , Thilly Nathalie ,   ANTIBIO-ciblés Scientific Committee‡, CHARMILLON Alexandre , CHOPARD Virginie , DE MONCHY Patrice , DELPUECH Marion , FAGOT-CAMPAGNA Anne , LOZNIEWSKI Alain , LUC Amandine , MAUFFREY Violaine , RABAUD Christian , VARON Emmanuelle
Published: February 2023

Background

Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is a recommended antibiotic stewardship strategy, aiming at reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions.

Objectives

Our objectives were to evaluate (i) the feasibility of the implementation of selective reporting of AST for urine cultures for laboratory professionals; and (ii) its acceptability by prescribers and laboratory professionals, to explore facilitators and barriers to its potential implementation on a national scale.

Methods

As part of the ‘ANTIBIO-ciblés’ interventional study (north-eastern France, August 2018–December 2019), we prospectively collected quantitative data on all resources dedicated by the laboratories of the intervention group to implement selective reporting of AST for Escherichia coli-positive urine cultures, and on the numbers and reasons of complete reporting of AST the prescribers requested to the laboratories. We also collected qualitative data using semi-structured interviews and focus groups of GPs and laboratory professionals.

Results

The implementation of selective reporting of AST required around 80 h and cost 23 000 euros. All interviewed professionals were favourable toward the principle of this tool. Most of them found it clear, simple and useful to improve the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions and reduce antibiotic resistance. Its major constraint was the necessity for GPs to call the laboratory to obtain the complete reporting of AST, but the number of requests was actually low (1.2% of all selective reporting of AST).

Conclusions

Selective reporting of AST resulted in reasonable human and financial costs, and was well accepted by both GPs and laboratory professionals.
Obligations to ‘Strangers’
Authors: Owiso Owiso
Published: February 2023

Proceeding from the assumption that international criminal justice is a cosmopolitan project, the article advances a reconceptualized understanding of cosmopolitanism as a theoretical basis for collective action in ensuring accountability for international crimes. The article examines the building blocks of cosmopolitanism, and how the concept’s emphasis on equality and unity of the human family can guarantee its fundamental values of human dignity and shared humanity. Based on the understanding that international crimes assault humanity’s fundamental and cosmopolitan value of human dignity, and that accountability for such crimes is a cosmopolitan objective, the article advances the argument that while accountability for international crimes is primarily the obligation of individual sovereign states, this responsibility is ultimately residually one of humanity as a whole, exercisable through humanity’s collective action such as through regional intergovernmental organizations where an individual state is unable or unwilling by itself to do so.
Comparative analysis of histopathological parameters, genome-wide copy number alterations, and variants in genes involved in cell cycle regulation in chordomas of the skull base and sacrum
Authors: Salle Henri , Durand Stéphanie , Durand Karine , Bourthoumieu Sylvie , Lemnos Leslie , Robert Sandrine , Pollet Justine , Passeri Thibault , Khalil Wassim , Froelich Sébastien , Adle-Biassette Homa , Labrousse François
Published: February 2023

Chordomas are rare tumors of the axial skeleton that are refractory to conventional therapy. Few studies have compared the morphological and molecular characteristics of chordomas according to the skull base and sacral locations. Histopathological data and changes revealed by array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cell cycle regulation genes were analyzed for 28 skull base (SBCs) and 15 sacral (SC) chordomas. All cases were conventional chordomas. SBCs were significantly more frequent in patients aged <40 years and SCs predominated in patients aged >60 years. Mitotic indices ≥2 mitoses/10 high-power fields were correlated with high degrees of nuclear atypia and Ki67 labeling indices ≥6%. We identified 321 genomic positions, and copy number variation losses were more frequent than gain. Moreover, we report a panel of 85 genetic variants of cell cycle genes and the presence of molecular clusters for chordoma as well in CGH as in NGS. These new data strengthen the view that the chordoma should not be considered as a single molecular entity.
Dynamical non-Gaussian modelling of spatial processes
Authors: Fonseca Thaís C O , Lobo Viviana G R , Schmidt Alexandra M
Published: February 2023

Environmental data are often assumed to follow a spatio-temporal Gaussian process, possibly after transformation. However, heterogeneity might have a pattern not accommodated by transformation and modelling the variance laws is an appealing alternative. This work extends the multivariate dynamic Gaussian model by defining the process as a scale mixture with the scale depending on covariates. State-space equations define the temporal dynamics, resulting in feasible inference and prediction. Various simulations studies show that the parameters are identifiable and our proposal recovers simpler structures. The analyses of temperature and ozone illustrate the improvement in quantifying the uncertainty of predictions.
The Secretary: Enslaved Workers, Stenography, and the Production of Early Christian Literature
Authors: Moss Candida R
Published: February 2023

This article examines the evidence for the role of enslaved and formerly enslaved secretaries in the production of the New Testament. While secretaries have formed part of the conversation around the authorship of the Pauline epistles, secretaries and ancient literary culture have not featured in conversations about the composition of early Christian literature in general. Drawing upon recent scholarship in Classics (Reay, Blake, Howley, Johnson, and Geue), this paper traces the reasons why secretaries have been marginalized in ancient and modern conversations about authorship. It further suggests that, rather than unwittingly rehearsing ancient slaveholder discourses that seek to erase enslaved contributions, we should take seriously the ways in which a broader range of actors was involved in the production of ancient literature. Using the technologies of shorthand and theological abbreviations as examples, it tentatively suggests that enslaved workers contributed to the formation of early Christian texts and theology far beyond the mistakes that are sometimes attributed to them. The reasons for entertaining these possibilities, it argues, are both historical and ethical: the distribution of agency across a wider range of characters invites us to reflect upon the ethics of reading and the communities with whom we read.
Kinetics of the Antibody Response to Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals in the Blinded Phase of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccine Efficacy Trial
Authors: Follmann Dean , Janes Holly E , Chu Eric , Jayashankar Lakshmi , Petropoulos Christos J , Serebryannyy Leonid , Carroll Robin , Jean-Baptiste Naz , Narpala Sandeep , Lin Bob C , McDermott Adrian , Novak Richard M , Graciaa Daniel S , Rolsma Stephanie , Magaret Craig A , Doria-Rose Nicole , Corey Lawrence , Neuzil Kathleen M , Pajon Rolando , Miller Jacqueline M , Donis Ruben O , Koup Richard A , Baden Lindsey R , El Sahly Hana M
Published: February 2023

Background

Hybrid immunity is associated with more durable protection against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We describe the antibody responses following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

Methods

The 55 vaccine arm COVID-19 cases diagnosed during the blinded phase of the Coronavirus Efficacy trial were matched with 55 placebo arm COVID-19 cases. Pseudovirus neutralizing antibody (nAb) activity to the ancestral strain and binding antibody (bAb) responses to nucleocapsid and spike antigens (ancestral and variants of concern [VOCs]) were assessed on disease day 1 (DD1) and 28 days later (DD29).

Results

The primary analysis set was 46 vaccine cases and 49 placebo cases with COVID-19 at least 57 days post–first dose. For vaccine group cases, there was a 1.88-fold rise in ancestral antispike bAbs 1 month post–disease onset, although 47% had no increase. The vaccine-to-placebo geometric mean ratios for DD29 antispike and antinucleocapsid bAbs were 6.9 and 0.04, respectively. DD29 mean bAb levels were higher for vaccine vs placebo cases for all VOCs. DD1 nasal viral load positively correlated with bAb levels in the vaccine group.

Conclusions

Following COVID-19, vaccinated participants had higher levels and greater breadth of antispike bAbs and higher nAb titers than unvaccinated participants. These were largely attributable to the primary immunization series.
Feasibility of a Geriatric Oncology Longitudinal End to End (GOLDEN) Program in a Tertiary Cancer Center in Singapore
Authors: Ho Francis , Kow Alfred , Lim Wan Chin , Chen Matthew Zhixuan , Mohd Rais Nydia Camelia , Ling Natalie Mun Wai , Ooi Melissa , Ng Jing Yu , Ng Yean Shin , Chun Meiling , Yao Yao , Mohd Said Noorhanah , Eng Wan Nghee , Chen Wen Meei , Luah Vivian , Loy Yijun , Ong Jiexin , Wong Wei Yee , Korc-Grodzicki Beatriz , Lichtman Stuart M , Pang Angela
Published: February 2023

Introduction

In the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), 2 pilot programs providing (i) surgical prehabilitation before cancer surgery and (ii) geriatric oncology support for older adults planned for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were merged to form the Geriatric Oncology Longitudinal End to eNd (GOLDEN) program in 2019 to support patients from the time of their cancer diagnosis, through their treatment process, to cancer survivorship.

Methods and Materials

Older adults aged ≥65 years were enrolled in either surgical prehabilitation, the geriatric medical oncology (GO) arm, or both. All patients undergo a geriatric assessment. We assessed if patients had a change in treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations, and the impact on patient related outcomes.

Results

There were 777 patients enrolled in the GOLDEN program over 2 years; 569 (73%) were enrolled in surgical prehabilitation, 308 (40%) were enrolled in the GO arm, with 100 (12.8%) enrolled in both. 56.9% were females. Median age was 73. Lower gastrointestinal (51.2%) and hepatobiliary cancers (24.1%) were the most common cancer types. 43.4% were pre-frail and 11.7% were frail. Of the 308 patients in the GO arm, 86.0% had geriatric syndromes, while 60.7% had a change in their treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations. 31.5% reported an improved global health status, while 38.3% maintained their global health status. 226 (73%) responded that they had benefited from the GOLDEN.

Conclusion

More than half of the population was either pre-frail or frail. Amongst those in the GO arm, the majority had geriatric syndromes and had a change in their treatment plans based on GOLDEN recommendations. Majority reported either improvement or maintenance in global health status, with most feeling they have benefited from the program. Further evaluation of the longitudinal geriatric hematology-oncology program for cancer-related outcomes and sustainability should be carried out.
Planets Everywhere and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Authors: Ostlie Dale A.
Published: February 2023

Planets Everywhere and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life begins with an overview of the types of exoplanets that have been detected so far beyond our Solar System. Statistical studies provide information about their distances from their parent stars, their masses, radii, and other characteristics. Exoplanets also inform our understanding of our Solar System. Models of planetary system formation that include the migration of planets due to the scattering of smaller planetary system bodies and orbital resonances have been developed. Of course, all physical laws must be obeyed, and all evidence must be included. The chapter and Part II conclude with the consideration of possible life beyond Earth. With evidence of amino acids and other complex molecules throughout the Solar System and in interstellar space, is it possible that sophisticated molecules like RNA and DNA could form elsewhere? Drake’s equation and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence is also explored.
Intestinal barrier dysfunction in murine sickle cell disease is associated with small intestine neutrophilic inflammation, oxidative stress, and dysbiosis
Authors: Lewis Caitlin V. , Sellak Hassan , Sawan Mariem A. , Joseph Giji , Darby Trevor M. , VanInsberghe David , Naudin Crystal R. , Archer David R. , Jones Rheinallt M. , Taylor W. Robert
Published: February 2023

The intestinal microbiome has emerged as a potential contributor to the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD). We sought to determine whether SCD mice exhibit intestinal barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and dysbiosis. Using the Townes humanized sickle cell mouse model, we found a 3‐fold increase in intestinal permeability as assessed via FITC‐dextran (4 kDa) assay in SS (SCD) mice compared to AA (wild type) mice (n = 4, p < 0.05). This was associated with 25 to 50% decreases in claudin‐1, 3, and 15 and zonula occludens‐1 gene expression (n = 8–10, p < 0.05) in the small intestine. Increased Ly6G staining demonstrated more neutrophils in the SS small intestine (3‐fold, n = 5, p < 0.05) associated with increased expression of TNFα, IL‐17A, CXCL1, and CD68 (2.5 to 5‐fold, n = 7–10, p < 0.05). In addition, we observed 30 to 55% decreases in superoxide dismutase‐1, glutathione peroxidase‐1, and catalase antioxidant enzyme expression (n = 7–8, p < 0.05) concomitant to an increase in superoxide (2‐fold, n = 4, p < 0.05). Importantly, all significant observations of a leaky gut phenotype and inflammation were limited to the small intestine and not observed in the colon. Finally, characterization of the composition of the microbiome within the small intestine revealed dysbiosis in SS mice compared to their AA littermates with 47 phyla to species‐level significant alterations in amplicon sequence variants. We conclude that the intestinal barrier is compromised in SCD, associated with decreased gene expression of tight junction proteins, enhanced inflammation, oxidative stress, and gut microbiome dysbiosis, all specific to the small intestine.
Timing of Intubation in COVID-19: When It Is Too Early and When It Is Too Late
Authors: Grotberg John C. , Kraft Bryan D.
Published: February 2023

The timing of initiating mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 remains controversial. At the outset of the pandemic, “very early” intubation was recommended in patients requiring oxygen flows above 6 L per minute but was followed closely thereafter by avoidance of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) due to a perceived (yet over-estimated) risk of mortality after intubation. While the use of noninvasive methods of oxygen delivery, such as high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV), can avert the need for mechanical ventilation in some, accumulating evidence suggests delayed intubation is also associated with an increased mortality in a subset of COVID-19 patients. Close monitoring is necessary in COVID-19 patients on HFNO or NIV to identify signs of noninvasive failure and ensure appropriate provision of IMV.