bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of plasma resistivity in FELTOR simulations of three-dimensional full-F gyro-fluid turbulence
Authors: Wiesenberger M , Held M
Published: March 2024

A full-F, isothermal, electromagnetic, gyro-fluid model is used to simulate plasma turbulence in a COMPASS-sized, diverted tokamak. A parameter scan covering three orders of magnitude of plasma resistivity and two values for the ion to electron temperature ratio with otherwise fixed parameters is setup and analysed. Two transport regimes for high and low plasma resistivities are revealed. Beyond a critical resistivity the mass and energy confinement reduces with increasing resistivity. Further, for high plasma resistivity the direction of parallel acceleration is swapped compared to low resistivity.

Three-dimensional visualisations using ray tracing techniques are displayed and discussed. The field-alignment of turbulent fluctuations in density and parallel current becomes evident. Relative density fluctuation amplitudes increase from below 1% in the core to 15% in the edge and up to 40% in the scrape-off layer.

Finally, the integration of exact conservation laws over the closed field line region allows for an identification of numerical errors within the simulations. The electron force balance and energy conservation show relative errors on the order of 10−3 while the particle conservation and ion momentum balance show errors on the order of 10−2.

All simulations are performed with a new version of the FELTOR code, which is fully parallelized on GPUs. Each simulation covers a couple of milliseconds of turbulence.
Janus-faced nature of q-deformed states and estimation of the quadrature moments from optical tomogram
Authors: Kannan S , Sudheesh C
Published: March 2024

In this work, we derive the optical tomograms of various q-deformed quantum states. We found that irrespective of the deformation parameter q, the Janus-faced nature of the quantum states manifests in their corresponding optical tomograms. A general method to estimate the quadrature moments from the optical tomograms of any q-deformed states is also derived. We also note that this technique can be used in high-precision experiments to observe deviations from the standard quantum mechanical behavior.
Effect of Ar pressure on phase transition characteristics and charge transport mechanism in VO2 films grown by RF sputtering of V2O5
Authors: Singh Akash Kumar , Singh H K , Siwach P K
Published: March 2024

In this study, we report the growth and characterization of VO2 films deposited on YSZ (001) substrate employing RF magnetron sputtering of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) target in pure Ar gas ambient. The VO2 film growth has been carried out at ∼700 °C for ∼15 min at ∼100 W RF power with a flow rate of ∼20 sccm at Ar gas deposition pressure of ∼3, ∼6, ∼20, and ∼40 mTorr. x-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy show that the nearly pure VO2 phase achieved at lower Ar pressure, e.g., ∼3 and ∼6 mTorr transform into a multiphase V-O system at ∼20 and ∼40 mTorr. This pattern is also supported by the electrical transport measurements through the occurrence of hysteretic IMT in films grown at ∼3 and ∼6 mTorr and the absence of this signature in these films deposited at ∼20 and ∼40 mtorr Ar pressure. The most pronounced with the strongest hysteresis is seen in the Y6 film, and therefore, the optimum growth pressure in the present study is ∼6 mTorr. The suppression of IMT in Y20 and Y40 is attributed to the appearance of other V-O phases, which smear out the phase transition. The activation energy of the insulating phase is estimated from the Arrhenius fit to the ρ-T data is found to be ∼0.223 eV at ∼3 mTorr Ar pressure which increases to ∼0.311 eV for ∼6 mTorr film in the cooling cycle. The low temperature (120K≤T≤300K) transport conduction in all VO2 films is governed by Efros-Shklovskii’s variable range hopping (ES-VRH) mechanism with a systematic relation between growth conditions and phase transition characteristics. Thus, Argon gas pressure plays a critical role in growth and brings out the feasibility of VO2 films growth by RF sputtering of oxide V2O5 target under Argon ambient only.
Scattering of plane waves from stress-free boundary surface of a microstretch elastic solid half-space containing voids
Authors: Garg Manisha , Singh Dilbag , Tomar S K
Published: March 2024

Scattering phenomena of plane coupled waves from stress-free boundary surface of a microstretch elastic solid half-space containing uniform distribution of voids have been investigated. Using appropriate boundary conditions and Snell’s law, the reflection coefficients corresponding to various reflected sets of coupled waves and their corresponding energy ratios have been presented. One of the boundary conditions leads to the vanishing of a cross-coupling parameter between curvature tensor and voids. Numerical computations have been carried out for a specific model and the variation of all the reflection coefficients and their corresponding energy ratios is depicted graphically against the angle of incidence. Some special cases have been reduced from the present model and discussed.
Non-gravitational signals of dark energy under a gauge symmetry
Authors: Kaneta Kunio , Lee Hye-Sung , Lee Jiheon , Yi Jaeok
Published: March 2024

We investigate non-gravitational signals of dark energy within the framework of gauge symmetry in the dark energy sector. Traditionally, dark energy has been primarily studied through gravitational effects within general relativity or its extensions. On the other hand, the gauge principles have played a central role in the standard model sector and dark matter sector. If the dark energy field operates under a gauge symmetry, it introduces the possibility of studying all major components of the present universe under the same gauge principle. This approach marks a significant shift from conventional methodologies, offering a new avenue to explore dark energy.
Observing ferroelastic switching in Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin film
Authors: Guan 关 Zhao 赵 , Wang 王 Tao 陶 , Zheng 郑 Yunzhe 赟喆 , Peng 彭 Yue 悦 , Wei 魏 Luqi 鹿奇 , Zhang 张 Yuke 宇科 , Mattursun 阿 Abliz 卜力孜.麦提图尔荪 , Huang 黄 Jiahao 家豪 , Tong 童 Wen-Yi 文旖 , Han 韩 Genquan 根全 , Chen 陈 Binbin 斌斌 , Xiang 向 Ping-Hua 平华 , Duan 段 Chun-Gang 纯刚 , Zhong 钟 Ni 妮
Published: March 2024

Hafnium zirconium oxides (HZO), which exhibit ferroelectric properties, are promising materials for nanoscale device fabrication due to their high complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility. In addition to piezoelectricity, ferroelectricity, and flexoelectricity, this study reports the observation of ferroelasticity using piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The dynamics of 90° ferroelastic domains in HZO thin films are investigated under the influence of an electric field. Switching of the retentive domains is observed through repeated wake-up measurements. This study presents a possibility of enhancing polarization in HZO thin films during wake-up processes.
Variability of pulse width in transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Osnabruegge Mirja , Kanig Carolina , Schoisswohl Stefan , Litschel Karsten , Mack Wolfgang , Schecklmann Martin , Langguth Berthold , Schwitzgebel Florian
Published: March 2024

Objective. There is a high variability in the physiological effects of transcranial magnetic brain stimulation, resulting in limited generalizability of measurements. The cause of the variability is assumed to be primarily based on differences in brain function and structure of the stimulated individuals, while the variability of the physical properties of the magnetic stimulus has so far been largely neglected. Thus, this study is dedicated to the systematic investigation of variability in the pulse width of different TMS pulse sources at different stimulation intensities. Approach. The pulse widths of seven MagVenture® pulse sources were measured at the output of 10%–100% stimulation intensity in 10% increments via Near Field Probe and oscilloscope. The same C-B60 coil was used to deliver biphasic pulses. Pulse widths were compared between pulse sources and stimulation intensities. Main results. The mean sample pulse width was 288.11 ± 0.37 µs, which deviates from the value of 280 µs specified by the manufacturer. The pulse sources and stimulation intensities differ in their average pulse width (p’s < .001). However, the coefficient of variation within the groups (pulse source; stimulation intensity) were moderately low (CV = 0.13%–0.67%). Significance. The technical parameter of pulse width shows deviations from the proposed manufacturer value. According to our data, within a pulse source of the same manufacturer, the pulse width variability is minimal, but varies between pulse sources of the same and other pulse source models. Whether the observed variability in pulse width has potential physiological relevance was tested in a pilot experiment on a single healthy subject, showing no significant difference in motor evoked potential amplitude and significant difference in latencies. Future research should systematically investigate the physiological effects of different pulse lengths. Furthermore, potential hardware ageing effects and pulse amplitude should be investigated.
Calculating the Coulomb blockade phase diagram in the strong coupling regime of a single-electron transistor: a quantum Monte Carlo study
Authors: Harata Pipat , Hongthong Wipada , Srivilai Prathan
Published: March 2024

We present a novel approach for calculating the Coulomb blockade phase diagram (CBPD) in the experimentally accessible strong coupling regime of a single-electron transistor. Our method utilizes the path integral Monte Carlo technique to accurately compute the Coulomb oscillation of the differential capacitance (DC). Furthermore, we investigate the impact of the gate voltage and temperature variations on the DC, thereby gaining insights into the system’s behavior. As a result, we propose a method to calculate the Coulomb blockade boundary line and demonstrate its efficacy by setting the visibility parameter to 10%. The resulting boundary line effectively defines the transition between the Coulomb and non-Coulomb blockade regimes, thereby enabling the construction of a comprehensive CBPD.
Rising summer river water temperature across Canada: spatial patterns and hydroclimatic controls
Authors: Shrestha Rajesh R , Pesklevits Jennifer C , Bonsal Barrie R , Brannen Rosa , Guo Tammy , Hoffman Sydney
Published: March 2024

Understanding the spatio-temporal variability of climate-induced river water temperature change is critical for identifying hotspots and assessing the impacts on ecological and socioeconomic systems. Here, we employ the air2stream model reconstructed river temperature records for 106 stations in Canada (Nash Sutcliffe coefficient goodness-of-fit: minimum = 0.79; median = 0.93; maximum = 0.97) to analyze summer temperature changes over the years 1980–2018. Results reveal widespread river temperature increases from June to September, with significantly increasing trends for about 40%–60% of stations. Additionally, we find significantly rising 7-day maximum temperature and increasing occurrences over the critical 18 and 20 °C thresholds for about 30%–65% of stations. Furthermore, by employing the Ward’s agglomerative hierarchical clustering machine learning (ML) method, we identify eight regions of spatially coherent variability and change. We find that the south-east, coast and northern prairies are the regions of high vulnerability because of the likely impacts of rising summer water temperatures on cold-water aquatic species. Additionally, by using the random forests ML method, we demonstrate that mean air temperature and its trends are the primary drivers of mean water temperature and trends, respectively. Thus, with the projected enhanced air temperature increase across Canada, an amplified future summer river warming can be expected, which could have severe consequences, particularly in already thermally-stressed river systems.
Impact of hydrogenation on the stability and mechanical properties of amorphous boron nitride
Authors: Kaya Onurcan , Colombo Luigi , Antidormi Aleandro , Villena Marco A , Lanza Mario , Cole Ivan , Roche Stephan
Published: March 2024

Interconnect materials with ultralow dielectric constant, and good thermal and mechanical properties are crucial for the further miniaturization of electronic devices. Recently, it has been demonstrated that ultrathin amorphous boron nitride (aBN) films have a very low dielectric constant, high density (above 2.1 g cm−3), high thermal stability, and mechanical properties. The excellent properties of aBN derive from the nature and degree of disorder, which can be controlled at fabrication, allowing tuning of the physical properties for desired applications. Here, we report an improvement in the stability and mechanical properties of aBN upon hydrogen doping. With the introduction of a Gaussian approximation potential for atomistic simulations, we investigate the changing morphology of aBN with varying H doping concentrations. We found that for 8 at% of H doping, the concentration of sp
3-hybridized atoms reaches to a maximum which leads to an improvement of thermal stability and mechanical properties by 20%. These results will be a guideline for experimentalists and process engineers to tune the growth conditions of aBN films for numerous applications.
Principal component analysis in application to Brillouin microscopy data
Authors: Mahmodi Hadi , Poulton Christopher G , Leslie Mathew N , Oldham Glenn , Ong Hui Xin , Langford Steven J , Kabakova Irina V
Published: March 2024

Brillouin microscopy has recently emerged as a new bio-imaging modality that provides information on the microscale mechanical properties of biological materials, cells and tissues. The data collected in a typical Brillouin microscopy experiment represents the high-dimensional set of spectral information, i.e. each pixel within a 2D/3D Brillouin image is associated with hundreds of points of spectral data. Its analysis requires non-trivial approaches due to subtlety in spectral variations as well as spatial and spectral overlaps of measured features. This article offers a guide to the application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for processing Brillouin imaging data. Being unsupervised multivariate analysis, PCA is well-suited to tackle processing of complex Brillouin spectra from heterogeneous biological samples with minimal a priori information requirements. We point out the importance of data pre-processing steps in order to improve outcomes of PCA. We also present a strategy where PCA combined with k-means clustering method can provide a working solution to data reconstruction and deeper insights into sample composition, structure and mechanics.
Synthetic control over the energy transfer and charge transfer between carbon dots and covalent organic framework
Authors: Feijoo Julian , Paliušytė Klaudija , Schneider Jenny
Published: March 2024

Carbon dots (CDs) are environmentally benign, strongly photoluminescent, metal free nanoparticles. Interfacing them with tailor-made organic semiconductors possesing an ordered channel structure such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs) promises to yield multifunctional materials. In this study, microwave-derived CDs are successfully incorporated into the porous structure of COF in a one-pot synthesis in which the condensation reaction between benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-dicarboxaldehyde (BDT) and 1,1,2,2-tetra(p-aminophenyl)ethylene (ETTA) is conducted in the presence of CDs. A detailed structural and optoelectronic characterization of the COF/CDs composite reveals that upon tuning the CDs loadings encapsulated in COF the interaction between both components can be controlled allowing the switch between energy and charge transfer. At CDs loadings ⩽20 wt%, strong binding of CDs to the COF enables charge transfer evinced from the quenched photoluminescence (PL) of both components and accelerated exciton decay kinetics of the COF. At CDs loadings ⩾30 wt% Förster resonance energy transfer from CDs to COF prevails, leading to enhanced COF PL. Our study underlines the interaction mechanism in organic composites and provides the knowledge required for the design of novel functional materials with applications in photocatalysis, optoelectronics and sensing.
A subway tunnel image stitching method based on point cloud mapping relationships and high-resolution image
Authors: Xia Mengxuan , Mao Qingzhou , Wang Guangqi , Fan Tingli
Published: March 2024

The paper presents an intelligent tunnel 3D laser image acquisition system. The system can quickly acquire the 3D point cloud and tunnel surface image of the whole tunnel section. The paper proposes the subway tunnel image stitching method based on point cloud mapping relationships and high-resolution image. Firstly, the method extracts the homonymous points from the mapped image generated from the 3D point cloud and the camera image based on the maximum information coefficient method. Secondly, the 3D point cloud positions corresponding to the homonymous points are determined. The optimization of camera parameters is achieved based on the gradient descent method. Then, the tunnel point cloud is expanded to generate a gray scale image based on spherical projection. Based on the optimized parameters, the point cloud is projected to the camera image to determine the depth value of each camera image pixel point. Finally, the pixel values of the camera image are projected based on the spherical projection to obtain the stitching result images. This method stitches individual images together to form a more complete tunnel surface image. The larger tunnel surface image helps in identifying tunnel defects.
AUV way-point tracking at constant velocity: cross-track error (CTE) and line-of-sight (LOS) guidance
Authors: Ghosh Pritam , Mandal Pranibesh
Published: March 2024

This paper addresses the integrated challenges of path-following and tracking control for an under-actuated Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) in the two-dimensional (2D) plane. Four distinct 2D trajectories: linear, linear with sharp turns, curved, and circular trajectories have been considered in this study. The proposed path-following control algorithm leverages AUV kinematic and dynamic models, incorporating the Cross-Track Error (CTE) method and Line-of-Sight (LOS) technique to determine the desired orientation. Stability analysis has been performed to evaluate the robustness of the controllers against sudden underwater disturbances. Additionally, perturbation has been introduced in simulations to mimic real-world conditions more accurately. The simulations confirm the controllers’ proficiency in accurately tracking these various trajectories from a given starting point.
Socrates and Śāntideva
Authors: Ahbel-Rappe Sara
Published: March 2024

This chapter compares the sacrificial aspect of the philosopher’s choice in the Republic with the figure of the bodhisattva in Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra (Guide to the Practices of Awakening). Both Plato’s enlightened philosopher and the Guide’s bodhisattva relinquish the exercise of contemplative virtue in order to serve other sentient beings. The chapter’s argument centers on the ethical implications of parallel psychological principles in the Republic and the Guide, respectively, “the prudential principle” or the desire that all people have for the good, and the principle of the equality of all beings with respect to well-being and suffering, that is, the desire that all beings have to be free from suffering.
Flexible control of the median of the false discovery proportion
Authors: Hemerik Jesse , Solari Aldo , Goeman Jelle J
Published: March 2024

We introduce a multiple testing procedure that controls the median of the proportion of false discoveries in a flexible way. The procedure requires only a vector of p-values as input and is comparable to the Benjamini–Hochberg method, which controls the mean of the proportion of false discoveries. Our method allows free choice of one or several values of $ \alpha $ after seeing the data, unlike the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure, which can be very anti-conservative when $ \alpha $ is chosen post hoc. We prove these claims and illustrate them with simulations. The proposed procedure is inspired by a popular estimator of the total number of true hypotheses. We adapt this estimator to provide simultaneously median unbiased estimators of the proportion of false discoveries, valid for finite samples. This simultaneity allows for the claimed flexibility. Our approach does not assume independence. The time complexity of our method is linear in the number of hypotheses, after sorting the p-values.
Protocolized care pathways in emergency general surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Harji Deena P , Griffiths Ben , Stocken Deborah , Pearse Rupert , Blazeby Jane , Brown Julia M
Published: March 2024

Background

Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with significant postoperative morbidity and mortality. The delivery of standardized pathways in this setting may have the potential to transform clinical care and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

The OVID SP versions of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched between January 1950 and October 2022. All randomized and non-randomized cohort studies comparing protocolized care streams with standard care protocols in adult patients (>18 years old) undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery with 30-day follow-up data were included. Studies were excluded if they reported on standardized care protocols in the trauma or elective setting. Outcomes assessed included length of stay, 30-day postoperative morbidity, 30-day postoperative mortality and 30-day readmission and reoperations rates. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies and RoB-2 for randomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects modelling.

Results

Seventeen studies including 20 927 patients were identified, with 12 359 patients undergoing protocolized care pathways and 8568 patients undergoing standard care pathways. Thirteen unique protocolized pathways were identified, with a median of eight components (range 6–15), with compliance of 24–100%. Protocolized care pathways were associated with a shorter hospital stay compared to standard care pathways (mean difference −2.47, 95% c.i. −4.01 to −0.93, P = 0.002). Protocolized care pathways had no impact on postoperative mortality (OR 0.87, 95% c.i. 0.41 to 1.87, P = 0.72). A reduction in specific postoperative complications was observed, including postoperative pneumonia (OR 0.42 95% c.i. 0.24 to 0.73, P = 0.002) and surgical site infection (OR 0.34, 95% c.i. 0.21 to 0.55, P < 0.001).

Discussion

Protocolized care pathways in the emergency setting currently lack standardization, with variable components and low compliance; however, despite this they are associated with short-term clinical benefits.
Referral rate of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer and survival: outcomes of a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: van Dooren Mike , de Savornin Lohman Elise A J , van der Post Rachel S , Erdmann Joris I , Hoogwater Frederik J H , Groot Koerkamp Bas , van den Boezem Peter B , de Reuver Philip R
Published: March 2024

Background

Treatment outcomes of incidental gallbladder cancer generally stem from tertiary referral centres, while many patients are initially diagnosed and managed in secondary care centres. Referral patterns of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer are poorly reported. This study aimed to evaluate incidental gallbladder cancer treatment in secondary centres, rates of referral to tertiary centres and its impact on survival.

Methods

Medical records of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 in 27 Dutch secondary centres were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, surgical treatment, tumour characteristics, referral pattern and survival were assessed. Predictors for overall survival were determined using multivariable Cox regression.

Results

In total, 382 patients with incidental gallbladder cancer were included. Of 243 patients eligible for re-resection (pT1b–pT3, M0), 131 (53.9%) were referred to a tertiary centre. The reason not to refer, despite indication for re-resection, was not documented for 52 of 112 non-referred patients (46.4%). In total, 98 patients underwent additional surgery with curative intent (40.3%), 12 of these in the secondary centre. Median overall survival was 33 months (95% c.i. 24 to 42 months) in referred patients versus 17 months (95% c.i. 3 to 31 months) in the non-referred group (P = 0.019). Referral to a tertiary centre was independently associated with improved survival after correction for age, ASA classification, tumour stage and resection margin (HR 0.60, 95% c.i. 0.38 to 0.97; P = 0.037).

Conclusion

Poor incidental gallbladder cancer referral rates were associated with worse survival. Age, performance status, resection margin or tumour stage should not preclude referral of a patient with incidental gallbladder cancer to a tertiary centre.
Nomograms integrating the collagen signature and systemic immune-inflammation index for predicting prognosis in rectal cancer patients
Authors: Yu Xian , Jiang Wei , Dong Xiaoyu , Yan Botao , Xu Shuoyu , Lin Zexi , Zhuo Shuangmu , Yan Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

This study aimed to develop and validate a model based on the collagen signature and systemic immune-inflammation index to predict prognosis in rectal cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods

Patients with rectal cancer who had residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment at two Chinese institutions between 2010 and 2018 were selected, one used as a training cohort and the other as a validation cohort. In total, 142 fully quantitative collagen features were extracted using multiphoton imaging, and a collagen signature was generated by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression. Nomograms were developed by multivariable Cox regression. The performance of the nomograms was assessed via calibration, discrimination and clinical usefulness. The outcomes of interest were overall survival and disease-free survival calculated at 1, 2 and 3 years.

Results

Of 559 eligible patients, 421 were selected (238 for the training cohort and 183 for the validation cohort). The eight-collagen-features collagen signature was built and multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated that it was an independent prognostic factor of prognosis along with the systemic immune-inflammation index, lymph node status after neoadjuvant treatment stage and tumour regression grade. Then, two nomograms that included the four predictors were computed for disease-free survival and overall survival. The nomograms showed satisfactory discrimination and calibration with a C-index of 0.792 for disease-free survival and 0.788 for overall survival in the training cohort and 0.793 for disease-free survival and 0.802 for overall survival in the validation cohort. Decision curve analysis revealed that the nomograms could add more net benefit than the traditional clinical-pathological variables.

Conclusions

The study found that the collagen signature, systemic immune-inflammation index and nomograms were significantly associated with prognosis.
The role of extracellular vesicle immune checkpoints in cancer
Authors: Zhang Weiming , Ou Mingrong , Yang Ping , Ning Mingzhe
Published: March 2024

Immune checkpoints (ICPs) play a crucial role in regulating the immune response. In the tumor, malignant cells can hijack the immunosuppressive effects of inhibitory ICPs to promote tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are produced by a variety of cells and contain bioactive molecules on their surface or within their lumen. The expression of ICPs has also been detected in EVs. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that extracellular vesicle immune checkpoints (EV ICPs) have immunomodulatory effects and are involved in tumor immunity. EV ICPs isolated from the peripheral blood of cancer patients are closely associated with the tumor progression and the prognosis of cancer patients. Blocking inhibitory ICPs has been recognized as an effective strategy in cancer treatment. However, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment is hindered by the emergence of therapeutic resistance, which limits their widespread use. Researchers have demonstrated that EV ICPs are correlated with clinical response to ICIs therapy and were involved in therapeutic resistance. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the immunomodulatory effects, underlying mechanisms, and clinical significance of EV ICPs in cancer. This review aims to comprehensively explore these aspects. We have provided a comprehensive description of the cellular origins, immunomodulatory effects, and clinical significance of EV ICPs in cancer, based on relevant studies.
A HIV Superinfection Diagnosed in a Patient on Intramuscular Long-acting Combination of Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine
Authors: Valin Nadia , Lambert-Niclot Sidonie , Torres Emma , Meynard Jean Luc , Périllaud-Dubois Claire , Morand-Joubert Laurence , Lacombe Karine
Published: March 2024

A case of a male with human immunodeficiency virus with plasma genotyping detecting no resistance and a CRF02_AG subtype had a controlled HIV RNA on antiretroviral therapy since 2010. We introduced intramuscular therapy with cabotegravir and rilpivirine. One month later, his HIV RNA was 1500 copies/mL; genotyping found a subtype B with many mutations.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and pericardial effusion: coincidence? I think not! Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rigamonti Elia , Caruzzo Carlo Alberto , Valotta Amabile , Caretta Alessandro , Scopigni Francesca Romana
Published: March 2024

Background

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary disease causing chronic renal failure, with a high incidence of extra-renal manifestations including pericardial effusion.

Case summary

We present the case of a 41-year-old female, known for ADPKD, who presented to our emergency department with epigastric pain radiating to the interscapular area. Blood exams showed moderate increase in inflammatory markers. Echocardiography revealed a circumferential pericardial effusion of 10 mm. She was put under treatment with colchicine therapy (1 mg b.i.d.) based on a presumptive diagnosis of acute pericarditis with pericardial effusion. She was hospitalized due to increase in pericardial effusion, underwent pericardial drainage, and started prednisone therapy with rapid recovery. We started a close follow-up on a monthly basis, with progressive decrease in pericardial effusion and progressive amelioration in symptoms, although the patient continued to report mild asthenia.

Discussion

Pericardial effusion and ADPKD are conditions that both require an interdisciplinary discussion for optimal patient care that avoids neglecting pivotal symptoms and avoidable invasive examinations.
Practices, beliefs, and challenges of teacher research in Nepal
Authors: Phyak Prem , Negi Janak Singh , Acharya Devi Ram
Published: March 2024

This article analyses the practices, beliefs, and challenges of in-service Nepali EFL teachers who are required to carry out action research and submit a written report for their performance appraisal. We have analysed action research reports (n = 88) and interviews (n = 6) with public-school EFL teachers. The findings show that speaking, classroom participation, and writing are the three major problem areas teachers have pointed out in their action research reports. In theory, teachers have positive beliefs about the importance of action research for better teaching and professional development. They have claimed that action research has helped them address classroom problems. However, the analysis of the reports indicates that teachers lack data/evidence to support their claims about research problems and the effectiveness of the actions they have introduced in the classroom. The findings of the study show that teachers need mentoring support to carry out and write up action research reports.
Association of Plasma n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels and the Prevalence of Frailty in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of UK Biobank
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Westra Jason , Tintle Nathan , Harris William S , Park Yongsoon
Published: March 2024

Background

Circulating levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with frailty among Koreans (a population with a high intake of fish), but whether this association exists in Western populations with low fish intake is unknown. The present study examined the hypothesis that the prevalence of frailty was inversely associated with plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs, with the intake of oily fish, and with fish oil supplementation in older adults in the United Kingdom.

Methods

UK Biobank including 79 330 adults aged ≥65 years with dietary data, and 18 802 participants with plasma fatty acid data were used. Frailty was defined using the Cardiovascular Health Study index, plasma levels of n-3 PUFAs were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance, and intake of oily fish and/or fish oil supplements was collected via food frequency questionnaire.

Results

Frailty prevalence was inversely associated with n-3 PUFA levels [odds ratios (OR) per SD: 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.94; p < .001], with oily fish intake (never vs ≥2 servings per week; OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.52–0.68, p < .001), and with the use of fish oil supplements (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.66–0.78; p < .001) after adjusting for confounding factors. All 3 exposures were also associated with each frailty criterion, particularly low physical activity and walking pace.

Conclusions

Inverse associations between plasma n-3 PUFA levels and measures of frailty suggest that higher intakes of oily fish or the use of fish oil supplements may help prevent frailty in older adults in the United Kingdom.
US exceptionalism? International trends in midlife mortality
Authors: Dowd Jennifer Beam , Doniec Katarzyna , Zhang Luyin , Tilstra Andrea
Published: March 2024

Background

Rising midlife mortality in the USA has raised concerns, particularly the increase in ‘deaths of despair’ (due to drugs, alcohol and suicide). Life expectancy is also stalling in other countries such as the UK, but how trends in midlife mortality are evolving outside the USA is less understood. We provide a synthesis of cause-specific mortality trends in midlife (25–64 years of age) for the USA and the UK as well as other high-income and Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Methods

We document trends in midlife mortality in the USA, UK and a group of 13 high-income countries in Western Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan, as well as seven CEE countries from 1990 to 2019. We use annual mortality data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database to analyse sex- and age-specific (25–44, 45–54 and 55–64 years) age-standardized death rates across 15 major cause-of-death categories.

Results

US midlife mortality rates have worsened since 1990 for several causes of death including drug-related, alcohol-related, suicide, metabolic diseases, nervous system diseases, respiratory diseases and infectious/parasitic diseases. Deaths due to homicide, transport accidents and cardiovascular diseases have declined since 1990 but saw recent increases or stalling of improvements. Midlife mortality also increased in the UK for people aged 45–54 year and in Canada, Poland and Sweden among for those aged 25–44 years.

Conclusions

The USA is increasingly falling behind not only high-income, but also CEE countries, some of which were heavily impacted by the post-socialist mortality crisis of the 1990s. Although levels of midlife mortality in the UK are substantially lower than those in the USA overall, there are signs that UK midlife mortality is worsening relative to that in Western Europe.
Against Diffusion: Power and Institutions in African–European Relations
Authors: Sharman J C
Published: March 2024

Four centuries of precolonial diplomatic, economic, and military African–European relations have been neglected in international relations. Refuting common presumptions about European dominance, before, during, and after the heyday of the Atlantic slave trade, African rulers and merchants were generally in a position of equality or superiority in their relations with Europeans. Contrary to expectations that long-term interaction promotes homogenization via institutional diffusion from core to periphery, Africans generally eschewed European political, economic, and military models such as the Westphalian state, the corporation, and the salaried standing army. Instead, they utilized external opportunities in ways that reinforced evolving local differences, or adopted institutions from the Islamic world; Europeans in Africa were more likely to adopt African models than vice versa. That African polities held out against European dominance longer than larger, richer, and more militarily powerful Asian polities, and that stateless African societies held out longest of all, brings into question fundamental assumptions about survival under international anarchy.
Improving feed intake and rumen fermentation in lambs using mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay to adsorb naturally occurring mycotoxins
Authors: Chen Liang , Li Fei , Ma Zhiyuan , Wang Aiqin , Kang Yuru , Liu Baocang , Xu Hui , Li Jiandong , Wang Xinji , Li Kaidong
Published: March 2024

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including a mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay (MDA) into a naturally moldly diet for Hu lambs. Fifty male Hu lambs with similar initial body weight (28.24 ± 1.80 kg) were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments: a basal diet containing naturally occurring mycotoxins with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg/t MDA, and basal diet with a commercial mycotoxin adsorbent Solis with montmorillonite as the major component at 1 kg/t. Both MDA and Solis increased average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI; P ≤ 0.004), and there was no difference in growth performance between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.26). The final body weight, DMI, and ADG were linearly increased with increasing MDA supplementation (P < 0.01). Lambs treated with both MDA and Solis demonstrated greater apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and energy compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.03), and there were no differences in nutrient digestibilities between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.38). Digestibility of CP was linearly increased with the increasing MDA supplementation (P = 0.01). Neither MDA nor Solis affected rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration (P ≥ 0.39), but decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P ≤ 0.01), and MDA also increased the concentration of ammonia (P = 0.003). Besides, increasing MDA supplementation linearly reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P = 0.01), but linearly and quadratically increased the concentration of ammonia (P ≥ 0.003). These results showed that the incorporation of MDA into a naturally moldy diet of Hu lambs yielded comparable results to the Solis product, with higher growth performance and nutrient digestibility but lower acetate-to-propionate ratio observed. In conclusion, including ≥ 1 kg/t of MDA in high mycotoxin risk diets for growing lambs improves feed intake and rumen fermentation.
A reference genome for the Andean cavefish Trichomycterus rosablanca (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae): Building genomic resources to study evolution in cave environments
Authors: Cadena Carlos Daniel , Pabón Laura , DoNascimiento Carlos , Abueg Linelle , Tilley Tatiana , O-Toole Brian , Absolon Dominic , Sims Ying , Formenti Giulio , Fedrigo Olivier , Jarvis Erich D , Torres Mauricio
Published: March 2024

Animals living in caves are of broad relevance to evolutionary biologists interested in understanding the mechanisms underpinning convergent evolution. In the Eastern Andes of Colombia, populations from at least two distinct clades of Trichomycterus catfishes (Siluriformes) independently colonized cave environments and converged in phenotype by losing their eyes and pigmentation. We are pursuing several research questions using genomics to understand the evolutionary forces and molecular mechanisms responsible for repeated morphological changes in this system. As a foundation for such studies, here we describe a diploid, chromosome-scale, long-read reference genome for Trichomycterus rosablanca, a blind, depigmented species endemic to the karstic system of the department of Santander. The nuclear genome comprises 1 Gb in 27 chromosomes, with a 40.0× HiFi long-read genome coverage having an N50 scaffold of 40.4 Mb and N50 contig of 13.1 Mb, with 96.9% (Eukaryota) and 95.4% (Actinopterygii) universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO). This assembly provides the first reference genome for the speciose genus Trichomycterus, serving as a key resource for research on the genomics of phenotypic evolution.
Mapping non-monetary poverty at multiple geographical scales
Authors: De Nicolò Silvia , Fabrizi Enrico , Gardini Aldo
Published: March 2024

Poverty mapping is a powerful tool to study the geography of poverty. The choice of the spatial resolution is central as poverty measures defined at a coarser level may mask their heterogeneity at finer levels. We introduce a small area multi-scale approach integrating survey and remote sensing data that leverages information at different spatial resolutions and accounts for hierarchical dependencies, preserving estimates coherence. We map poverty rates by proposing a Bayesian Beta-based model equipped with a new benchmarking algorithm accounting for the double-bounded support. A simulation study shows the effectiveness of our proposal and an application on Bangladesh is discussed.
Cosmological baryon spread and impact on matter clustering in CAMELS
Authors: Gebhardt Matthew , Anglés-Alcázar Daniel , Borrow Josh , Genel Shy , Villaescusa-Navarro Francisco , Ni Yueying , Lovell Christopher C , Nagai Daisuke , Davé Romeel , Marinacci Federico , Vogelsberger Mark , Hernquist Lars
Published: March 2024

We quantify the cosmological spread of baryons relative to their initial neighbouring dark matter distribution using thousands of state-of-the-art simulations from the Cosmology and Astrophysics with MachinE Learning Simulations (CAMELS) project. We show that dark matter particles spread relative to their initial neighbouring distribution owing to chaotic gravitational dynamics on spatial scales comparable to their host dark matter halo. In contrast, gas in hydrodynamic simulations spreads much further from the initial neighbouring dark matter owing to feedback from supernovae (SNe) and active galactic nuclei (AGN). We show that large-scale baryon spread is very sensitive to model implementation details, with the fiducial simba model spreading ∼40 per cent of baryons >1 Mpc away compared to ∼10 per cent for the IllustrisTNG and astrid models. Increasing the efficiency of AGN-driven outflows greatly increases baryon spread while increasing the strength of SNe-driven winds can decrease spreading due to non-linear coupling of stellar and AGN feedback. We compare total matter power spectra between hydrodynamic and paired N-body simulations and demonstrate that the baryonic spread metric broadly captures the global impact of feedback on matter clustering over variations of cosmological and astrophysical parameters, initial conditions, and (to a lesser extent) galaxy formation models. Using symbolic regression, we find a function that reproduces the suppression of power by feedback as a function of wave number (k) and baryonic spread up to $k \sim 10\, h$ Mpc−1 in SIMBA while highlighting the challenge of developing models robust to variations in galaxy formation physics implementation.
Coupling haze and cloud microphysics in WASP-39b’s atmosphere based on JWST observations
Authors: Arfaux Anthony , Lavvas Panayotis
Published: March 2024

We present a study on the coupling of haze and clouds in the atmosphere of WASP-39b. We developed a cloud microphysics model simulating the formation of Na2S and MgSiO3 condensates over photochemical hazes in gas giant atmospheres. We apply this model to WASP-39b, recently observed with the JWST to study how these heterogeneous components may affect the transit spectrum. We simulate both morning and evening terminators independently and average their transit spectra. While MgSiO3 formation has negligible impact on the spectrum, Na2S condensates produce grey opacities in the water band, in agreement with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and JWST observations. Moreover, the formation of Na2S on the morning side depletes the atmosphere of its sodium content, decreasing the strength of the Na line. Combining morning and evening profiles results in a good fit of the Na observations. These nominal results assume a small Na2S/haze contact angle (5.7°). Using a larger value (61°) reduces the cloud density and opacity, but the effect on the Na profile and spectral line remains identical. In addition, the presence of haze in the upper atmosphere reproduces the ultraviolet (UV)-visible slope observed in the HST and Very Large Telescope data and contributes to the opacity between the water bands at wavelengths below 2 μm. The averaged spectra are rather insensitive to the variation of eddy diffusion and haze mass flux tested in this study, though the UV-visible slope, probing the haze layer above the clouds, is affected. Finally, our disequilibrium chemistry model, including photochemistry, reproduces the SO2 and CO2 absorption features observed.
Dux activates metabolism-lactylation-MET network during early iPSC reprogramming with Brg1 as the histone lactylation reader
Authors: Hu Xinglin , Huang Xingwei , Yang Yue , Sun Yuchen , Zhao Yanhua , Zhang Zhijing , Qiu Dan , Wu Yanshuang , Wu Guangming , Lei Lei
Published: March 2024

The process of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogramming involves several crucial events, including the mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), activation of pluripotent genes, metabolic reprogramming, and epigenetic rewiring. Although these events intricately interact and influence each other, the specific element that regulates the reprogramming network remains unclear. Dux, a factor known to promote totipotency during the transition from embryonic stem cells (ESC) to 2C-like ESC (2CLC), has not been extensively studied in the context of iPSC reprogramming. In this study, we demonstrate that the modification of H3K18la induced by Dux overexpression controls the metabolism-H3K18la-MET network, enhancing the efficiency of iPSC reprogramming through a metabolic switch and the recruitment of p300 via its C-terminal domain. Furthermore, our proteomic analysis of H3K18la immunoprecipitation experiment uncovers the specific recruitment of Brg1 during reprogramming, with both H3K18la and Brg1 being enriched on the promoters of genes associated with pluripotency and epithelial junction. In summary, our study has demonstrated the significant role of Dux-induced H3K18la in the early reprogramming process, highlighting its function as a potent trigger. Additionally, our research has revealed, for the first time, the binding of Brg1 to H3K18la, indicating its role as a reader of histone lactylation.