bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the analytical soliton approximations to fractional forced Korteweg–de Vries equation arising in fluids and plasmas using two novel techniques
Authors: Alhejaili Weaam , Az-Zo’bi Emad A , Shah Rasool , El-Tantawy S A
Published: June 2024

The current investigation examines the fractional forced Korteweg–de Vries (FF-KdV) equation, a critically significant evolution equation in various nonlinear branches of science. The equation in question and other associated equations are widely acknowledged for their broad applicability and potential for simulating a wide range of nonlinear phenomena in fluid physics, plasma physics, and various scientific domains. Consequently, the main goal of this study is to use the Yang homotopy perturbation method and the Yang transform decomposition method, along with the Caputo operator for analyzing the FF-KdV equation. The derived approximations are numerically examined and discussed. Our study will show that the two suggested methods are helpful, easy to use, and essential for looking at different nonlinear models that affect complex processes.
171Yb+ optical clock with

2.2
×

10

−
18

systematic uncertainty and absolute frequency measurements
Authors: Tofful A , Baynham C F A , Curtis E A , Parsons A O , Robertson B I , Schioppo M , Tunesi J , Margolis H S , Hendricks R J , Whale J , Thompson R C , Godun R M
Published: June 2024

A full evaluation of the uncertainty budget for the ytterbium ion optical clock at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) was performed on the electric octupole (E3)

2

S

1
/
2

→
2

F

7
/
2

transition. The total systematic frequency shift was measured with a fractional standard systematic uncertainty of

2.2
×

10

−
18

. Furthermore, the absolute frequency of the E3 transition of the 171Yb+ ion was measured between 2019 and 2023 via a link to International Atomic Time (TAI) and against the local caesium fountain NPL-CsF2. The absolute frequencies were measured with fractional standard uncertainties between

3.7
×

10

−
16

and

1.1
×

10

−
15

, and all were in agreement with the 2021 BIPM recommended frequency.
Blindly separated spontaneous network-level oscillations predict corticospinal excitability
Authors: Ermolova Maria , Metsomaa Johanna , Belardinelli Paolo , Zrenner Christoph , Ziemann Ulf
Published: June 2024

Objective. The corticospinal responses of the motor network to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are highly variable. While often regarded as noise, this variability provides a way of probing dynamic brain states related to excitability. We aimed to uncover spontaneously occurring cortical states that alter corticospinal excitability. Approach. Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded during TMS registers fast neural dynamics—unfortunately, at the cost of anatomical precision. We employed analytic Common Spatial Patterns technique to derive excitability-related cortical activity from pre-TMS EEG signals while overcoming spatial specificity issues. Main results. High corticospinal excitability was predicted by alpha-band activity, localized adjacent to the stimulated left motor cortex, and suggesting a travelling wave-like phenomenon towards frontal regions. Low excitability was predicted by alpha-band activity localized in the medial parietal–occipital and frontal cortical regions. Significance. We established a data-driven approach for uncovering network-level neural activity that modulates TMS effects. It requires no prior anatomical assumptions, while being physiologically interpretable, and can be employed in both exploratory investigation and brain state-dependent stimulation.
A diagonal masking self-attention-based multi-scale network for motor imagery classification
Authors: Yang Kaijun , Wang Jihong , Yang Liantao , Bian Lifeng , Luo Zijiang , Yang Chen
Published: June 2024

Objective. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based motor imagery (MI) is a promising paradigm for brain-computer interface (BCI), but the non-stationarity and low signal-to-noise ratio of EEG signals make it a challenging task. Approach. To achieve high-precision MI classification, we propose a Diagonal Masking Self-Attention-based Multi-Scale Network (DMSA-MSNet) to fully develop, extract, and emphasize features from different scales. First, for local features, a multi-scale temporal-spatial block is proposed to extract features from different receptive fields. Second, an adaptive branch fusion block is specifically designed to bridge the semantic gap between these coded features from different scales. Finally, in order to analyze global information over long ranges, a diagonal masking self-attention block is introduced, which highlights the most valuable features in the data. Main results. The proposed DMSA-MSNet outperforms state-of-the-art models on the BCI Competition IV 2a and the BCI Competition IV 2b datasets. Significance. Our study achieves rich information extraction from EEG signals and provides an effective solution for MI classification.
Irregular optogenetic stimulation waveforms can induce naturalistic patterns of hippocampal spectral activity
Authors: Cole Eric R , Eggers Thomas E , Weiss David A , Connolly Mark J , Gombolay Matthew C , Laxpati Nealen G , Gross Robert E
Published: June 2024

Objective. Therapeutic brain stimulation is conventionally delivered using constant-frequency stimulation pulses. Several recent clinical studies have explored how unconventional and irregular temporal stimulation patterns could enable better therapy. However, it is challenging to understand which irregular patterns are most effective for different therapeutic applications given the massively high-dimensional parameter space. Approach. Here we applied many irregular stimulation patterns in a single neural circuit to demonstrate how they can enable new dimensions of neural control compared to conventional stimulation, to guide future exploration of novel stimulation patterns in translational settings. We optogenetically excited the septohippocampal circuit with constant-frequency, nested pulse, sinusoidal, and randomized stimulation waveforms, systematically varying their amplitude and frequency parameters. Main results. We first found equal entrainment of hippocampal oscillations: all waveforms provided similar gamma-power increase, whereas no parameters increased theta-band power above baseline (despite the mechanistic role of the medial septum in driving hippocampal theta oscillations). We then compared each of the effects of each waveform on high-dimensional multi-band activity states using dimensionality reduction methods. Strikingly, we found that conventional stimulation drove predominantly ‘artificial’ (different from behavioral activity) effects, whereas all irregular waveforms induced activity patterns that more closely resembled behavioral activity. Significance. Our findings suggest that irregular stimulation patterns are not useful when the desired mechanism is to suppress or enhance a single frequency band. However, novel stimulation patterns may provide the greatest benefit for neural control applications where entraining a particular mixture of bands (e.g. if they are associated with different symptoms) or behaviorally-relevant activity is desired.
Optimisation of the poloidal field system for advanced divertor configurations in STEP
Authors: Hudoba A. , Bakes S. , Cunningham G. , Henderson S. , Eriksson F. , Marsden S. , Wilson T. ,   the STEP Team
Published: June 2024

The power exhaust proves to be one of the most challenging and concept–defining aspects in the design of a commercial fusion power plant, while the magnetic coil system, capable of supporting advanced exhaust solutions, emerges as one of the main design and cost drivers. Consequently, much effort should be dedicated to the optimisation of a robust global magnetic configuration, which integrates both the plasma and edge scenarios, while ensuring engineering feasibility and compatibility with the available technology. Here we present a multidisciplinary framework employed to analyse, evaluate, and optimise the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) equilibrium configuration, coupled with a viable divertor solution, and a compatible poloidal field coil system. The complexity of this task leads to a multitude of potentially conflicting requirements and competing constraints. We identify interfaces and conflicts between the aspects of the design that were previously considered independently, and highlight the key benefits, trends, and trade–offs between alternative configurations. We demonstrate that advanced exhaust solutions, simultaneously applied to both inboard and outboard divertors, are accessible with feasible coil sets under conditions relevant for STEP. We show that the most promising inner–X geometry, paired with the outer super–X configuration, can significantly enhance divertor’s power handling capability, allowing access to stable detached regimes. The coil set feasibility is further assessed considering its compatibility with the assumed plasma initiation scenario, and with the most demanding plasma current density profiles utilising alternative heating and current drive schemes.
Calibration and validation of DEM parameters of food waste with high total solid content (≥20%) using physical experiments and EDEM simulations
Authors: Wang Yachao , Wu Xuan , Fan Xianhe , Zhang Zeyu , Shen Lin , Wei Jiaqi , Li Xueqin
Published: June 2024

Since discrete element method (DEM) parameters are important for the calculation accuracy of EDEM simulations, the DEM parameters of food waste with high total solid content (≥20%) are calibrated and validated by experiments and simulations in this paper. The physical properties of food waste are obtained by physical experiments, and then the optimal values of DEM model parameters recommended for food waste can be obtained from the GEMM database. Finally, the repose angle and the average torque obtained by EDEM simulations are compared with the experimental results to validate the calibrated DEM parameters of food waste. The average relative error of the repose angle between the experimental values and the simulation values is 3.23%, and the average relative error of the average torque value is 5.29%. That means the DEM parameters of food waste calibrated in this paper are correct and can be applied for simulating the mixing performance of food waste with high total solid content (≥20%).
Flexible SERS substrate In-situ monitoring of SPR-induced P-aminothiophenol dimerization
Authors: Liu Jinhua , Wang Yifei , Chen Jing
Published: June 2024

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an efficient technique for in-situ molecular investigation that is highly sensitive and has the ability to provide extensive fingerprint information. Additionally, the surface plasmons on the SERS substrate can also simultaneously induce the catalytic reaction. P-aminothiophenol (PATP) is a crucial model molecule utilized in SERS catalytic reactions. Through dimerization, PATP induced by the plasmon effect can produce 4,4’-dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB). Here, a flexible SERS substrate with a monolayer of Au nanoparticles on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is prepared and used for monitoring the dimerization of PATP. In the experiment, the SERS substrate is inverted, the side with Au nanoparticles monolayer is kept in contact with the PATP solution directly, and the laser is irradiated from the backside of the flexible substrate. The effects of Ag+ and oxygen concentrations on the reaction are investigated. This work paves the way for SERS methodology in in-situ monitoring of other liquid-phase catalytic reactions.
Simulation of health assessment model for thermal management system of lithium-ion battery based on fuzzy clustering algorithm
Authors: Xie Lingdong , Zhou Honghui , Gao Ming , Yu Haohua , Mao Baiyi , Zeng Delong
Published: June 2024

Considering the inadequate assessment of the factor decline index in the thermal management system for lithium-ion batteries, which has a negative impact on their efficient utilization, a fuzzy clustering algorithm is suggested to create a simulation model for evaluating the health of the lithium-ion battery thermal management system. In the process of restoring characteristic data by the fuzzy clustering algorithm, according to the characteristic parameters of energy signal and power signal, the decay characteristic results of the lithium-ion battery thermal management system are extracted. Taking the minimum attenuation as a reference, the evaluation function is calculated, the health trend of the lithium-ion battery thermal management system is evaluated, the health grade is established, and the health evaluation model of the lithium-ion battery thermal management system is constructed. The experimental results show that the prediction of the remaining service life of five kinds of lithium-ion batteries by this model is consistent with the actual value, and the average absolute error is always within 0.02, which is superior in health assessment.
Preparation and performance of the non-platinum catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells
Authors: Ren Guohong , Chen Yuting , Sun Wei , Liu Chunyu , Song Kangle , Liu Xiaohong , Liu Zhongsu
Published: June 2024

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the fuel cells is a core of energy conversion, whereas its kinetics is slow due to the limitation of the activation energy barrier, which dramatically limits the commercial development of fuel cells. At present, the main electrocatalyst for the cathode oxygen reduction reaction of fuel cells is the platinum (Pt)-based catalyst. Still, as a precious metal, Pt has a high price, low reserves, and poor stability. These shortcomings seriously affect the mass production and commercialization of fuel cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of fuel cells to study a low price, sufficient production, high stability, and pollution-free non-Pt catalyst. The main research content of this paper is to use biomass sycamore ball as a carbon source, mixed with ferric chloride (III) hexahydrate and melamine, and prepare the carbon, nitrogen, and iron co-doped ORR catalyst by high-temperature calcination under a nitrogen atmosphere. The physical characterization and electrochemical testing of the obtained samples were conducted at room temperature. The results showed that the pretreatment of sycamore ball powder to iron ratio of 1:3 had the best catalytic performance.
Interpolation of wind lidar data supported by MLP
Authors: Jiang Dandan , Liu Zhixin , Wang Yiran , Zhang Daocheng , Hao Chunxiao , Wang Zuopeng
Published: June 2024

To address the issue of invalid values in the measured wind speed data of the wind lidar, a data interpolation experiment was conducted by using the wind speed data outputted by the wind lidar as the base data source. Based on data preprocessing, the interpolation model was constructed by integrating MLP and the mean wind speed shear index. The accuracy of the interpolated wind speed data was evaluated. The experimental results show that the proposed interpolation method for wind lidar data achieved high accuracy, with a root mean square error of less than 0.75 m/s and an average relative error of less than 3.5%. This approach enhances the reliability and integrity of wind lidar data, providing a reference for the use of wind lidar data in wind resource assessment.
Radiation hardness and quality validation of the on-detector electronics for the CMS Drift Tubes upgrade
Authors: Bellato M. , Bergnoli A. , Griggio A. , Toffano M. , Triossi A. ,   the CMS Drift Tubes collaboration
Published: June 2024

In view of the High Luminosity LHC upgrade, the so-called Phase 2 upgrade, the electronics
of the Drift Tubes (DT) subdetector of CMS will undergo a complete innovation. The requirements
in terms of trigger rate will exceed the capabilities of the present electronics. Thus, all the
on-detector electronics together with the associated back-end need to be replaced. Phase-2
on-detector electronics for DT consist of about 800 FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) based
boards called OBDT (On-detector Board for Drift Tubes). These boards are sub-divided in two
different categories: 600 OBDT ϕ and 200 OBDT θ, targeting respectively the readout of
DT wires parallel and normal to the LHC beams. Each OBDT ϕ is able to time-digitize 240 channels with sub-nanosecond resolution and upstream to the back end using multiple high-speed
optical links running at 10.24 Gb/s. The choice of components known to have good resistance to
radiation was a requirement in the design of the OBDT. The main component, the FPGA, is a
flash-based PolarFire from Microsemi, already qualified in different facilities for radiation
hardness tests. As a validation step, a campaign of radiation tests was carried out at the
INFN-TIFPA Protontherapy Centre in Trento, Italy, using proton beams. The behavior of an OBDT
 ϕ board was evaluated during radiation exposure with a total dose much higher than expected
to be integrated during 10 years of HL-LHC, which is 0.5 Gy.
Diffraction of light by a slit in anisotropic media with closed and open wave vector surface
Authors: Eritsyan H. , Lalayan A. , Margaryan A. , Arakelyan H.
Published: June 2024

Fraunhofer diffraction of an electromagnetic wave by a slit on an opaque screen located between vacuum and an anisotropic medium with closed and open wave vectors surface is considered. A formula for diffraction in a material medium is obtained, including the case of diffraction into a uniaxial anisotropic medium in the absence of absorption, and the formation of diffraction minima and maxima is studied.
Photon classification with Gradient Boosted Trees at CLAS12
Authors: Matousek G. , Vossen A.
Published: June 2024

Dihadron semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) of 10.6 GeV longitudinally polarized electrons off the proton has been measured using the CLAS12 detector at Jefferson Lab. Two separate channels, π^+π^0 and π^-π^0, were analyzed, requiring the reconstruction of diphoton pairs. In this analysis, we addressed the problem of false neutral particles being reconstructed by CLAS12's event builder, polluting the otherwise physical combinatorial background underneath the π^0 peak. A photon classifier using a Gradient Boosted Trees (GBTs) architecture was trained with Monte Carlo simulations to reduce the amount of background π^0's. We show that the nearest-neighbor features learned by the model lead to a substantial increase in signal vs. background discrimination compared to previous CLAS12 π^0 analyses. The machine learning approach recovers several times more dihadron statistics for the dataset.
The optimal use of segmentation for sampling calorimeters
Authors: Torales Acosta Fernando , Karki Bishnu , Karande Piyush , Angerami Aaron , Arratia Miguel , Barish Kenneth , Milton Ryan , Morán Sebastián , Nachman Benjamin , Sinha Anshuman
Published: June 2024

One of the key design choices of any sampling calorimeter is
how fine to make the longitudinal and transverse segmentation. To
inform this choice, we study the impact of calorimeter segmentation
on energy reconstruction. To ensure that the trends are due
entirely to hardware and not to a sub-optimal use of segmentation,
we deploy deep neural networks to perform the reconstruction. These
networks make use of all available information by representing the
calorimeter as a point cloud. To demonstrate our approach, we
simulate a detector similar to the forward calorimeter system
intended for use in the ePIC detector, which will operate at the
upcoming Electron Ion Collider. We find that for the energy
estimation of isolated charged pion showers, relatively fine
longitudinal segmentation is key to achieving an energy resolution
that is better than 10% across the full phase space. These results
provide a valuable benchmark for ongoing EIC detector optimizations
and may also inform future studies involving high-granularity
calorimeters in other experiments at various facilities.
Computational investigation of transport parameters of ions in gas-filled radiation detectors
Authors: Kalkan Yalçın , Arı Sedat , Orak Salim , Veenhof Rob
Published: June 2024

In this study, a novel computational method was developed to
investigate the transport characteristics of ions in gas-filled
radiation detectors, which are closely linked to the behavior of
ions in gaseous detectors. Parameters such as polarizability, mean
free path, collision frequency, and mean free time, which directly
impact ion mobility, were physically manipulated using the Monte
Carlo technique, and the results were validated against fundamental
physical principles. As an initial scenario, computations were
performed on the mobility of Ar+ ions in an argon
environment as a carrier gas. The distribution of the radial
velocity components of the ion following an ion-gas collision was
represented as a two-dimensional histogram with a disc-shaped
pattern, and this result was elucidated utilizing the
Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. The findings regarding the mean free
time and mean free path of an Ar+ ion in an argon
carrier gas align with the results derived from Skullerud's
methodologies. These findings hold promise for Garfield++ 
simulations, enabling the computation of ion mobility and even
cluster ions in the mixture, thereby considering their impact on the
detector's gain parameters. The results of this investigation offer
novel insights into the behavior of ions within detector settings,
significantly enhancing our comprehension of the mobility of ions
and its effects on radiation detection efficiency.
On the (6,4)-problem of Brown, Erdős, and Sós
Authors: Glock Stefan , Joos Felix , Kim Jaehoon , Kühn Marcus , Lichev Lyuben , Pikhurko Oleg
Published: June 2024

Let

f

(
r
)

(
n
;
s
,
k
)

f^{(r)}(n;s,k)

be the maximum number of edges of an

r
r

-uniform hypergraph on 

n
n

vertices not containing a subgraph with

k
k

 edges and at most

s
s

 vertices. In 1973, Brown, Erdős, and Sós conjectured that the limit

lim

n
→
∞

n

−
2

f

(
3
)

(
n
;
k
+
2
,
k
)

\begin{equation*} \lim _{n\to \infty } n^{-2} f^{(3)}(n;k+2,k) \end{equation*}

exists for all 

k
k

and confirmed it for

k
=
2

k=2

. Recently, Glock showed this for

k
=
3

k=3

. We settle the next open case,

k
=
4

k=4

, by showing that

f

(
3
)

(
n
;
6
,
4
)
=

(

7
36

+
o
(
1
)
)

n
2

f^{(3)}(n;6,4)=\left (\frac {7}{36}+o(1)\right )n^2

as

n
→
∞

n\to \infty

. More generally, for all

k
∈
{
3
,
4
}

k\in \{3,4\}

,

r
≥
3

r\ge 3

and

t
∈
[
2
,
r
−
1
]

t\in [2,r-1]

, we compute the value of the limit
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="limit Underscript n right-arrow normal infinity Endscripts n Superscript negative t f Superscript left-parenthesis r right-parenthesis Baseline left-parenthesis n semicolon k left-parenthesis r minus t right-parenthesis plus t comma k right-parenthesis">

lim

n
→
∞

n

−
t

f

(
r
)

(
n
;
k
(
r
−
t
)
+
t
,
k
)

\lim _{n\to \infty } n^{-t}f^{(r)}(n;k(r-t)+t,k)

, which settles a problem of Shangguan and Tamo.
Holomorphic support functions for uniformly pseudoconvex hypersurfaces, with an application to CR maps
Authors: Greilhuber Josef
Published: June 2024

We construct holomorphic support functions for smooth weakly pseudoconvex hypersurfaces with Levi form of constant rank. These are then applied to show that formal holomorphic curves which are tangential to infinite order to such a hypersurface must be formally contained in its Levi foliation. As a consequence, we obtain a holomorphic deformation theorem for nowhere smooth CR maps into smooth pseudoconvex hypersurfaces with one-dimensional Levi foliation, strengthening a very general result of Lamel and Mir about formal deformations in this particular case.
Recent and anticipated novel drug approvals (Q2 2024 through Q1 2025)
Authors: Rim Matthew H , Karas Brittany L , Barada Farah , Dean Collin , Levitsky Andrew M
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Health-system pharmacists play a crucial role in monitoring the pharmaceutical pipeline to manage formularies, allocate resources, and optimize clinical programs for new therapies. This article aims to support pharmacists by providing periodic updates on new and anticipated novel drug approvals.

Selected drug approvals anticipated in the 12-month period covering the second quarter of 2024 through the first quarter of 2025 are reviewed. The analysis emphasizes drugs expected to have significant clinical and financial impact in hospitals and clinics, as selected from 52 novel drugs awaiting US Food and Drug Administration approval. New cellular and gene therapies for cancers continued to strengthen the pipeline, in addition to new drugs targeting previously untreatable conditions. Several novel drugs are being developed for rare and ultra-rare diseases such as hemophilia, Niemann-Pick disease type C, hereditary angioedema, and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.

Conclusion

The current drug pipeline includes new drugs with various indications for cancers and rare diseases as well as diabetes, acute coronary syndrome, chronic skin disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Incorporating Sex-Diverse and Gender-Inclusive Perspectives in Higher Education Biology Courses
Authors: Harris Breanna N , Lewis A Kelsey , Sharpe Sam L , Orr Teri J , Martine Christopher T , Josefson Chloe C
Published: June 2024

Synopsis

Inclusive teaching is teaching in a way that reaches all students in the classroom; this is beneficial for everyone, particularly for those with minoritized identities. Instructors play a critical role in scaffolding how students are exposed to and learn science content in the classroom. In this manuscript, we discuss how biology instructors can make their classrooms more inclusive with regard to sex and gender diversity content. Many topics in biology are based on androcentric, heteronormative, and oppressive framing, even though those lenses are more reflective of our own history and culture than they are of the diversity we see in nature. Here, we summarize information presented in the SICB 2024 workshop titled “Incorporating sex diversity and gender inclusivity in biology undergraduate classrooms” and provide instructors with (a) rationale for why inclusive teaching matters, (b) guidance on how to challenge unscientific views and make their curricula more sex diverse and gender inclusive, and (c) practical and easy-to-implement strategies for discussing “contentious” topics in the classroom. Incorporation of this material will be beneficial for students, for science and medicine, and for accurately representing the diversity found across the tree of life.
Integrating Spatial Analyses of Genomic and Physiological Data to Understand Avian Responses to Environmental Change
Authors: Benham Phred M , Beckman Elizabeth J
Published: June 2024

Synopsis

Projected rates of climate change over the next century are expected to force species to shift ranges, adapt, or acclimate to evade extinction. Predicting which of these scenarios may be most likely is a central challenge for conserving biodiversity in the immediate future. Modeling frameworks that take advantage of intraspecific variation across environmental gradients can be particularly important for meeting this challenge. While these space-for-time approaches are essential for climatic and genomic modeling approaches, mechanistic models that incorporate ecological physiology data into assessing species vulnerabilities rarely include intraspecific variation. A major reason for this gap is the general lack of empirical data on intraspecific geographic variation in avian physiological traits. In this review, we outline the evidence for and processes shaping geographic variation in avian traits. We use the example of evaporative water loss to underscore the lack of research on geographic variation, even in traits central to cooling costs in birds. We next demonstrate how shifting the focus of avian physiological research to intraspecific variation can facilitate greater integration with emerging genomics approaches. Finally, we outline important next steps for an integrative approach to advance understanding of avian physiological adaptation within species. Addressing the knowledge gaps outlined in this review will contribute to an improved predictive framework that synthesizes environmental, morphological, physiological, and genomic data to assess species specific vulnerabilities to a warming planet.
Seroepidemiology of Measles and Rubella Among Hong Kong Young Adults and the Humoral Responses of a Measles-Mumps-Rubella Booster Among Participants With Low Antibody Levels
Authors: Chan Jeffery C H , Leung Daniel , Chan Sau Man , Tam Issan Y S , Lam Jennifer H Y , Chan Koon Wing , Zhang Kaiyue , Chiu Timothy L H , Yeung Tom H M , Chung Gabriel M H , Rosa Duque Jaime S , Lau Yu Lung
Published: June 2024

Background

Some individuals may not retain adequate immunity against measles and rubella years after 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination due to vaccine failure. This study aimed to investigate the rates of vaccine failure and seroconversion by administering an MMR booster to young adults.

Methods

We first assessed measles and rubella antibody levels using the Luminex multiplex assay, Vitek Immunodiagnostic Assay System (VIDAS) immunoglobulin G assay, and plaque reduction neutralization test among individuals aged 18–30 years who had received 2 doses of MMR vaccine. Participants with low measles and/or rubella antibody levels as confirmed by VIDAS received an MMR booster. Antibody levels were measured at 1 month postbooster.

Results

Among 791 participants, the measles and rubella seroprevalence rates were 94.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.9%–96.0%) and 97.3% (95% CI, 96.0%–98.3%), respectively. Lower seroprevalence rates were observed among older participants. One hundred thirteen participants who received an MMR booster acquired higher measles and rubella antibody levels at 1 month postbooster compared to baseline.

Conclusions

Although measles and rubella vaccine failures were observed among 5.3% and 2.7% of young adults, respectively, an MMR booster triggered a significant antibody response.
γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes acquire the ability to produce IFN-γ in a different time course than αβ intraepithelial lymphocytes
Authors: Tani-ichi Shizue , Ikuta Koichi
Published: June 2024

An age-dependent increase in interferon (IFN)-γ expression by intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) contributes to the acquisition of resistance to infection by pathogens. However, how IELs acquire the ability to produce IFN-γ remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that IELs in the small intestine acquire the ability to rapidly produce IFN-γ at two distinct life stages. TCRαβ+ IELs (αβIELs) started producing IFN-γ at 4 weeks of age, within 1 week after weaning. In contrast, TCRγδ+ IELs (γδIELs) started producing IFN-γ at 7 weeks of age. In mice lacking Eγ4, an enhancer of the TCRγ locus (Eγ4−/− mice), Thy-1+ Vγ5+ γδIELs, a major subpopulation of γδIELs, were specifically reduced and their ability to produce IFN-γ was severely impaired, whereas Vγ2+ γδIELs normally produced IFN-γ. In Eγ4−/− mice, TCR expression levels were reduced in Vγ5+ γδIEL precursors in the thymus but unchanged in the Vγ5+ IELs. Nevertheless, TCR responsiveness in Vγ5+ γδIELs was impaired in Eγ4−/− mice, suggesting that the TCR signal received in the thymus may determine TCR responsiveness and the ability to produce IFN-γ in the gut. These results suggest that αβIELs and γδIELs start producing IFN-γ at different life stages and that the ability of Vγ5+ γδIELs to produce IFN-γ in the gut may be predetermined by TCR signalling in IEL precursors in the thymus.
Initial micafungin treatment does not improve outcomes compared to fluconazole treatment in immunocompromised and critically ill patients with candidaemia
Authors: Theodore Deborah A , Henneman Amrita D , Loo Angela , Shields Ryan K , Eschenauer Gregory , Sobieszczyk Magdalena E , Kubin Christine J
Published: June 2024

Background

Candidaemia is associated with poor outcomes including high mortality rates. Controversy remains regarding whether fluconazole or an echinocandin is the optimal choice for initial candidaemia treatment, particularly among high-risk patients such as the immunocompromised or critically ill.

Objectives

To understand optimal initial treatment of candidaemia.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of immunocompromised or ICU adult patients with candidaemia from 2010 to 2014. Patients who received ≥3 consecutive days of initial treatment with fluconazole or micafungin were included. The primary outcome was complete response at day 14, defined as clinical improvement and blood culture sterilization. Secondary outcomes included microbiological and clinical success, survival and recurrent candidaemia.

Results

A total of 197 patients were included; 76 received fluconazole and 121 received micafungin. There was no difference in complete response between the fluconazole and micafungin groups (ICU: 38% versus 40%, P = 0.87; immunocompromised: 57% versus 59%, P = 0.80). Secondary outcomes including survival were also similar. In multivariable analysis, among ICU patients, Pitt bacteraemia score < 4 (P = 0.002) and time to antifungal (P = 0.037) were associated with meeting the primary outcome; white blood cell count > 11 cells × 103/µL on day 0 (P < 0.001) and Candida isolated from a non-blood site (P = 0.025) were associated with not meeting the primary outcome. Among immunocompromised patients, white blood cells > 11 × 103/µL (P = 0.003) and Candida isolated from a non-blood site (P = 0.026) were associated with not meeting the primary outcome.

Conclusions

These data suggest that among ICU or immunocompromised patients, severity of illness rather than initial antifungal choice drove clinical outcomes.
Soil bacterial community diversity and life strategy during slope restoration on an uninhabited island: changes under the aggregate spray-seeding technique
Authors: Wang Zhikang , Zhang Shilei , Geng Zengchao , Li Chunlin , Sun Linting , Zhang Liangzhen , Cao Zhiquan
Published: June 2024

Aims

We investigated the effects of the aggregate spray-seeding (ASS) technique on soil bacterial community diversity, life strategies, and seasonal change.

Methods and results

Soil from six plots with original vegetation (CK, n = 6) was compared to soil from 15 plots with spray-seeding restoration (SR, n = 15) using environmental DNA sequencing. The bacterial Shannon and Chao1 indices of SR soils were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those of CK soils. The Chao1 index for the SR soil bacterial community was significantly greater in summer (P < 0.05) than in winter. The ratio of the relative abundance of bacterial K-strategists to r-strategists (K/r) and the DNA guanine-cytosine (GC) content in the SR soil were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in the CK soil. Principal coordinate analysis revealed significant differences between the SR and CK bacterial communities. The GC content was positively correlated with the K/r ratio. Soil conductivity was negatively associated with the K/r ratio and GC content, indicating that ionic nutrients were closely related to bacterial life strategies.

Conclusions

The ASS technique improved soil bacterial diversity, altered community composition, and favored bacterial r-strategists.
Improving the level of the cytidine biosynthesis in E. coli through atmospheric room temperature plasma mutagenesis and metabolic engineering
Authors: Zhang Xiangjun , Liu Lu , Ma Cong , Zhang Haojie , Liu Huiyan , Fang Haitian
Published: June 2024

Aims

Cytidine, as an important commercial precursor in the chemical synthesis of antiviral and antitumor drugs, is in great demand in the market. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to build a microbial cell factory with high cytidine production.

Methods and results

A mutant E. coli NXBG-11-F34 with high tolerance to uridine monophosphate structural analogs and good genetic stability was obtained by atmospheric room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis combined with high-throughput screening. Then, the udk and rihA genes involved in cytidine catabolism were knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology, and the recombinant strain E. coli NXBG-13 was constructed. The titer, yield, and productivity of cytidine fermented in a 5 l bioreactor were 15.7 g l−1, 0.164 g g−1, and 0.327 g l−1 h−1, respectively. Transcriptome analysis of the original strain and the recombinant strain E. coli NXBG-13 showed that the gene expression profiles of the two strains changed significantly, and the cytidine de novo pathway gene of the recombinant strain was up-regulated significantly.

Conclusions

ARTP mutagenesis combined with metabolic engineering is an effective method to construct cytidine-producing strains.
Investigating the Secrets of Stonehenge with Raman Spectroscopy: Provenance of the Ancient Altar Stone
Authors: Andò Sergio , Barbarano Marta , Diniz Jorge , Bevins Richard E , Pearce Nick J G
Published: June 2024

In-field compositional analysis of large prehistoric relics, such as the Altar Stone at Stonehenge (England), is limited due to the size of the relics and difficulty in obtaining samples that can be analyzed in a laboratory. In this study, a portable Raman spectroscopy system was used to analyze the Altar Stone to help determine its origin and classification, which appears to differ from other bluestones at Stonehenge. While the study is ongoing and the definitive origin of the Altar Stone is not yet known, this study demonstrates the applicability of a portable Raman spectroscopy system in the compositional analysis of large samples in the field.
Open the Window to Lithium Detection and Nanostructure Analysis
Authors: Inoue Noriyuki
Published: June 2024

The features and benefits of a new cutting-edge windowless energy-dispersive detector (EDS) detector are introduced. This innovative technology provides fast results at high signal-to-noise with ultra-high analytical spatial resolution. The benefits are demonstrated through examples of nanostructures from various nanoscale devices including lithium metal anode specimens. Using windowless EDS detector technology allows for the efficient collection of EDS data under the same conditions used for high-resolution imaging (low accelerating voltage, low probe current, and short working distance). Examples include cross sections of lithium metal anode materials prepared with a broad argon ion beam and using an air-isolated workflow. The analyses of the cycled and pristine lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials are shown, along with the contrast results of crystal-shaped impurities found within these materials.
The MAGPI survey: using kinematic asymmetries in stars and gas to dissect drivers of galaxy dynamical evolution
Authors: Bagge R S , Foster C , D’Eugenio F , Battisti A , Bellstedt S , Derkenne C , Vaughan S , Mendel T , Barsanti S , Harborne K E , Croom S M , Bland-Hawthorn J , Grasha K , Lagos C D P , Sweet S M , Mailvaganam A , Mukherjee T , Valenzuela L M , van de Sande J , Wisnioski E , Zafar T
Published: June 2024

We present a study of kinematic asymmetries from the integral field spectroscopic surveys MAGPI and SAMI. By comparing the asymmetries in the ionized gas and stars, we aim to disentangle the physical processes that contribute to kinematic disturbances. We normalize deviations from circular motion by S05, allowing us to study kinematic asymmetries in the stars and gas, regardless of kinematic temperature. We find a similar distribution of stellar asymmetries in galaxies where we do and do not detect ionized gas, suggesting that whatever is driving the stellar asymmetries does not always lead to gas removal. In both MAGPI and SAMI, we find an anticorrelation between stellar asymmetry and stellar mass, that is absent in the gas asymmetries. After stellar mass and mean-stellar-age matching distributions, we find that at all stellar masses, MAGPI galaxies display larger stellar asymmetry compared to SAMI galaxies. In both MAGPI and SAMI galaxies, we find that star-forming galaxies with old mean-stellar-ages typically have larger asymmetries in their gas compared to their stars, whereas galaxies with young mean-stellar-ages have larger asymmetries in their stars compared to their gas. We suggest that this results from continuous, clumpy accretion of gas.
3D simulations of a neon burning convective shell in a massive star
Authors: Georgy C , Rizzuti F , Hirschi R , Varma V , Arnett W D , Meakin C , Mocak M , Murphy A StJ , Rauscher T
Published: June 2024

The treatment of convection remains a major weakness in the modelling of stellar evolution with one-dimensional (1D) codes. The ever-increasing computing power makes now possible to simulate in three-dimensional (3D) part of a star for a fraction of its life, allowing us to study the full complexity of convective zones with hydrodynamics codes. Here, we performed state-of-the-art hydrodynamics simulations of turbulence in a neon-burning convective zone, during the late stage of the life of a massive star. We produced a set of simulations varying the resolution of the computing domain (from 1283 to 10243 cells) and the efficiency of the nuclear reactions (by boosting the energy generation rate from nominal to a factor of 1000). We analysed our results by the mean of Fourier transform of the velocity field, and mean-field decomposition of the various transport equations. Our results are in line with previous studies, showing that the behaviour of the bulk of the convective zone is already well captured at a relatively low resolution (2563), while the details of the convective boundaries require higher resolutions. The different boosting factors used show how various quantities (velocity, buoyancy, abundances, and abundance variances) depend on the energy generation rate. We found that for low boosting factors, convective zones are well mixed, validating the approach usually used in 1D stellar evolution codes. However, when nuclear burning and turbulent transport occur on the same time-scale, a more sophisticated treatment would be needed. This is typically the case when shell mergers occur.
Evaluation of Germicidal UV-C Light for Suppression of Grape Powdery Mildew and Botrytis Bunch Rot in Western Oregon
Authors: Wong Alexander Thomas , Gadoury David M. , Mahaffee Walter F.
Published: June 2024

Germicidal UV light (UV-C) has been shown to effectively suppress several plant pathogens as well as some arthropod pests. Recent reports describe the efficacy of nighttime applications of UV-C at doses from 100 to 200 J/m2 in vineyards to reduce grape powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator). Our in vitro studies confirmed the efficacy of UV-C to inhibit germination of E. necator and Botrytis cinerea conidia, demonstrated a range of tolerances to UV-C within a collection of E. necator isolates, and showed growth stage–specific effects of UV-C on B. cinerea. Nighttime use of UV-C was evaluated at 48 to 96 J/m2 in small plot trials (<1,000 vines) from 2020 to 2023. Once- or twice-weekly UV-C applications significantly reduced the incidence of foliar powdery mildew compared with non–UV-C–treated controls (P < 0.02). Suppression of powdery mildew on fruit was less consistent, where once or twice weekly UV-C exposure reduced powdery mildew disease severity in 2020 (P = 0.04), 2021 (P = 0.02), and 2023 (P = 0.003) but less so in 2022 (P = 0.07). Bunch rot severity was not significantly reduced with UV-C treatment in any year of the study. Application of UV-C until the onset of fruit color change (veraison) also had a minimal effect on the fruit-soluble solids, pH, anthocyanins, or phenolics in harvested fruit at any UV-C dose or frequency (P > 0.10). Suppression of powdery mildew by nighttime application of UV-C at lower doses in small plots suggests that such treatments merit further evaluation in larger-scale studies in Western Oregon.
Deep Learning-Based Barley Disease Quantification for Sustainable Crop Production
Authors: Bouhouch Yassine , Esmaeel Qassim , Richet Nicolas , Barka Essaïd Aït , Backes Aurélie , Steffenel Luiz Angelo , Hafidi Majida , Jacquard Cédric , Sanchez Lisa
Published: June 2024

Net blotch disease caused by Drechslera teres is a major fungal disease that affects barley ( Hordeum vulgare) plants and can result in significant crop losses. In this study, we developed a deep learning model to quantify net blotch disease symptoms on different days postinfection on seedling leaves using Cascade R-CNN (region-based convolutional neural network) and U-Net (a convolutional neural network) architectures. We used a dataset of barley leaf images with annotations of net blotch disease to train and evaluate the model. The model achieved an accuracy of 95% for Cascade R-CNN in net blotch disease detection and a Jaccard index score of 0.99, indicating high accuracy in disease quantification and location. The combination of Cascade R-CNN and U-Net architectures improved the detection of small and irregularly shaped lesions in the images at 4 days postinfection, leading to better disease quantification. To validate the model developed, we compared the results obtained by automated measurement with a classical method (necrosis diameter measurement) and a pathogen detection by real-time PCR. The proposed deep learning model could be used in automated systems for disease quantification and to screen the efficacy of potential biocontrol agents to protect against disease.
The Effects of Bacillus subtilis Expressing a Plant Elicitor Peptide on Nematode Infection on Soybean
Authors: Alnasrawi Abeer , Sanadhya Payal , Zhang Lei , Gleason Cynthia , Minor Kallahan , Crippen Devany , Goggin Fiona L.
Published: June 2024

There is a pressing need to develop alternative management strategies for the soybean cyst nematode ( Heterodera glycines), the most costly pathogen to soybeans. Plant elicitor peptides (PEPs), which are produced by plants in response to stress and stimulate broad-spectrum disease resistance, were previously shown to reduce soybean cyst nematode infection on soybeans when applied as a seed treatment. Here, we introduce an alternative method to deliver PEPs to soybean using a common plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Bacillus subtilis, as a bacterial expression system. Similar to the empty vector control, B. subtilis engineered to express a PEP from soybean (GmPEP3) was able to colonize soybean roots and persisted on roots more than a month after treatment. Compared with water or the empty vector control, plants that received a seed treatment with B. subtilis expressing GmPEP3 (B.+GmPEP3) were significantly taller early in vegetative growth (V1 stage) and had lower chlorophyll content in the reproductive stage (R3/R4); these results suggest that GmPEP3 may hasten growth and subsequent senescence. When plants were inoculated with soybean cyst nematode at the V1 stage, those pretreated with B.+GmPEP3 supported significantly fewer nematode eggs at the reproductive stage (R3/R4) than plants treated with water or the empty vector. The effects of B.+GmPEP3 on nematode infection and plant growth appeared to be due primarily to the peptide itself because no significant differences were observed between plants treated with water or with B. subtilis expressing the empty vector. These results indicate the ability of B. subtilis to deliver defense activators for nematode management on soybean.