bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards Nematic Phases in Ionic Liquid Crystals – A Simulation Study
Authors: Haege Christian , Jagiella Stefan , Giesselmann Frank
Published: September 2022

Ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) are soft matter materials with broad liquid crystalline phases and intrinsic electric conductivity. They typically consist of a rod‐shaped mesogenic ion and a smaller spherical counter‐ion. Their mesomorphic properties can be easily tuned by exchanging the counter ion. ILCs show a strong tendency to form smectic A phases due to the segregation of ionic and the non‐ionic molecular segments. Nematic phases are therefore extremely rare in ILCs and the question of why nematic phases are so exceptional in existing ILCs, and how nematic ILCs might be obtained in the future is of vital interest for both the fundamental understanding and the potential applications of ILCs. Here, we present the result of a simulation study, which highlights the crucial role of the location of the ionic charge on the rod‐like mesogenic ions in the phase behaviour of ILCs. We find that shifting the charge from the ends towards the centre of the mesogenic ion destabilizes the liquid crystalline state and induces a change from smectic A to nematic phases.
Temperature–habitat interactions constrain seasonal activity in a continental array of pitfall traps
Authors: Kaspari Michael , Weiser Michael D. , Marshall Katie E. , Siler Cameron D. , de Beurs Kirsten
Published: September 2022

Activity density (AD), the rate at which animals collectively move through their environment, emerges as the product of a taxon's local abundance and its velocity. We analyze drivers of seasonal AD using 47 localities from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) both to better understand variation in ecosystem rates like pollination and seed dispersal as well as the constraints of using AD to monitor invertebrate populations. AD was measured as volume from biweekly pitfall trap arrays (ml trap−1 14 days−1). Pooled samples from 2017 to 2018 revealed AD extrema at most temperatures but with a strongly positive overall slope. However, habitat types varied widely in AD's seasonal temperature sensitivity, from negative in wetlands to positive in mixed forest, grassland, and shrub habitats. The temperature of maximum AD varied threefold across the 47 localities; it tracked the threefold geographic variation in maximum growing season temperature with a consistent gap of ca. 3°C across habitats, a novel macroecological result. AD holds potential as an effective proxy for investigating ecosystem rates driven by activity. However, our results suggest that its use for monitoring insect abundance is complicated by the many ways that both abundance and velocity are constrained by a locality's temperature and plant physiognomy.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Patritumab Deruxtecan in Patients With Solid Tumors
Authors: Lu Yasong , Shimizu Shinji , Sawamura Ryoko , Tajima Naoyuki , He Ling , Lee Mark , Abutarif Malaz , Shi Rong
Published: September 2022

Patritumab deruxtecan is an antibody–drug conjugate consisting of a fully human monoclonal antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide‐based cleavable linker. As part of the pharmacometric analysis informing dose selection for later‐stage development, population pharmacokinetics (PK) analysis of patritumab deruxtecan was conducted with pooled serum PK data from patients with HER3‐expressing solid tumors (from 3 phase 1/2 studies in breast, lung, and colorectal cancer; N = 425) treated over the dose range of 1.6 to 8.0 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks. Population PK modeling for deruxtecan (DXd)‐conjugated antibody (representing patritumab deruxtecan) and unconjugated MAAA‐1181a (DXd, payload) was carried out sequentially. DXd‐conjugated antibody PK was described using a 2‐compartment model with parallel linear and nonlinear clearance. Unconjugated DXd PK was described using a 1‐compartment model with linear clearance and release of DXd as a first‐order, time‐dependent function of the level of DXd‐conjugated antibody in the central compartment. Preliminary covariate evaluation was conducted for prespecified covariates of pharmacological plausibility and clinical interest. The final model retained weight (on linear clearance and central volume) and albumin level, sex, and tumor type (on linear clearance) for DXd‐conjugated antibody, and weight (on release rate constant) and hepatic function (on clearance) for unconjugated DXd. Effects of these covariates on the exposure metrics were generally mild and did not require dose adjustment for subpopulations in subsequent development. Further PK characterization for patritumab deruxtecan will evolve with emerging data.
Body composition from single versus multi‐slice abdominal computed tomography: Concordance and associations with colorectal cancer survival
Authors: Anyene Ijeamaka , Caan Bette , Williams Grant R. , Popuri Karteek , Lenchik Leon , Giri Smith , Chow Vincent , Beg Mirza Faisal , Cespedes Feliciano Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Computed tomography (CT) scans are routinely obtained in oncology and provide measures of muscle and adipose tissue predictive of morbidity and mortality. Automated segmentation of CT has advanced past single slices to multi‐slice measurements, but the concordance of these approaches and their associations with mortality after cancer diagnosis have not been compared.

Methods

A total of 2871 patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed during 2012–2017 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California underwent abdominal CT scans as part of routine clinical care from which mid‐L3 cross‐sectional areas and multi‐slice T12–L5 volumes of skeletal muscle (SKM), subcutaneous adipose (SAT), visceral adipose (VAT) and intermuscular adipose (IMAT) tissues were assessed using Data Analysis Facilitation Suite, an automated multi‐slice segmentation platform. To facilitate comparison between single‐slice and multi‐slice measurements, sex‐specific z‐scores were calculated. Pearson correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman analysis were used to quantify agreement. Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for death adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, height, and tumour site and stage.

Results

Single‐slice area and multi‐slice abdominal volumes were highly correlated for all tissues (SKMR = 0.92,P < 0.001; SATR = 0.97,P < 0.001; VATR = 0.98,P < 0.001; IMATR = 0.89,P < 0.001). Bland–Altman plots had a bias of 0 (SE: 0.00), indicating high average agreement between measures. The limits of agreement were narrowest for VAT (  0.42 SD) and SAT (  0.44 SD), and widest for SKM (  0.78 SD) and IMAT (  0.92 SD). The HRs had overlapping CIs, and similar magnitudes and direction of effects; for example, a 1‐SD increase in SKM area was associated with an 18% decreased risk of death (HR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72–0.92), versus 15% for volume from T12 to L5 (HR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75–0.96).

Conclusions

Single‐slice L3 areas and multi‐slice T12–L5 abdominal volumes of SKM, VAT, SAT and IMAT are highly correlated. Associations between area and volume measures with all‐cause mortality were similar, suggesting that they are equivalent tools for population studies if body composition is assessed at a single timepoint. Future research should examine longitudinal changes in multi‐slice tissues to improve individual risk prediction.
Geriatric oral health care content and barriers to its incorporation in undergraduate nursing curricula: New Zealand survey
Authors: Veerasamy Arthi , Lyons Karl , Crabtree Ian , Brunton Paul
Published: September 2022

Introduction

An increasingly older population demands major remodeling of our health care system. Older adults are most likely to be affected by the oral‐systemic connection due to their impairment in functional capacity and reduced ability to undertake routine oral care. An economic way to improve oral health outcomes in older populations is by involving nurses and caregivers in ensuring the maintenance of oral health for older adults. This study aimed to investigate the present educational content relevant to the oral health of older adults, the oral‐systemic connection, and assessment methods in New Zealand nursing education.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among nursing educators to understand the extent of oral health care education. Quantitative descriptive data were analyzed using SPSS software and qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and presented as themes.

Results

The results indicated that the majority of oral health topics were already incorporated into nursing education, however most important topics such as risk factors associated with dental caries, periodontal health, and risk factors are not taught in almost 40% of the schools. The four themes identified in qualitative analyses are “no barrier”, “lack of expertise”, “no space for more content” and oral health content “already included”.

Conclusion

Educators reported that oral health topics are already incorporated into New Zealand undergraduate nursing curricula. However, the quantity and quality of oral health content relevant to older adults need to be improved and updated to suit the current oral health care needs of the growing older population.
A randomized controlled, non‐inferiority trial of Moodle online learning for basic life support training on learning outcomes among dental students
Authors: Boonmak Suhattaya , Plailaharn Narin , Sripadungkul Darunee , Somjit Monsicha , Gaysonsiri Dhanu , Boonmak Polpun
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Dental students require basic life support (BLS) training to build their competency in cardiac arrest response. Online learning differs from the types of learning commonly practiced in Asia. We compared online learning and didactic lecture for BLS training in Thai dental students on knowledge, skill, and satisfaction.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled, single‐blinded, non‐inferiority trial in fifth‐year students from Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Dentistry from August 2015 to February 2016. Online learning was conducted using Modular Object‐Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) 2.9 and required 90 min. Those in the didactic lecture group received a 90‐min lecture covering similar content. Both groups received 2 h of skill training. After training, we evaluated their ability to pass a skills test, knowledge scores (immediately after training and 3 months later), and course satisfaction (5‐point Likert scale).

Results

We included 78 students and randomized them to online learning (39) or didactic lecture (39). The difference in proportion (95% confidence interval [CI]) of students passing the skills test on their first attempt was −1.5 (−20.8, 23.8), and all passed on their second attempt. The mean differences (95% CI) between the groups’ immediate and 3 months knowledge scores were −2.5 (−6.2, 1.2), and −1.3 (−4.9, 2.3), respectively. The mean difference (95% CI) in satisfaction score was 0.02 (−0.28, 0.32).

Conclusion

Online learning and didactic lectures yielded comparable knowledge and skills, including satisfaction in Thai dental students. Online BLS training may alternatively aim for self‐paced learning and increase flexibility. The recommendation is to increase online BLS learning in Thai culture.
Undiagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma causing progressive respiratory failure
Authors: Clayton‐Chubb Daniel , Chan Ewan , Schneider Daniel , Riley Brooke , Dwyer Jeremy
Published: September 2022

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare manifestation of malignancy. Pulmonary tumor emboli and associated fibrous intimal hyperplasia cause widespread pulmonary vascular stenosis/occlusion, which in turn increase pulmonary vascular resistance and lead to pulmonary hypertension. Gastric cancer is the most common underlying malignancy that leads to PTTM, and patients may present with dyspnea or other features of pulmonary hypertension prior to the diagnosis of cancer. In this short report, we describe a case of pulmonary hypertension due to gastric cancer associated PTTM. Endoscopic and histopathologic findings are shown, and a brief review of the literature is presented.
Effects of magnetic nanoscale combined radio frequency or microwave thawing on conformation of sea bass myosin heavy chain: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Zhang Wendi , Tian Fang , Liu Shucheng , Cai Luyun
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND

The consumption of frozen foods inevitably involves a thawing process. Protein conformation changes during a short thawing process and the quantification of their effects remains challenging. Molecular dynamics simulations can be used to evaluate the conformational changes of protein occurring in food processing.

RESULTS

In the present study, four different thawing methods were used [i.e. magnetic nanometer combined with microwave thawing (MT‐Mag), magnetic nanometer combined with radio frequency thawing (RT‐Mag), radio frequency thawing (RT) and microwave thawing (MT)] to change the conformation of myosin heavy chain (MHC). The results obtained showed that, compared with the fresh sample, the hydrogen bond number and radius of gyration of the RT‐Mag and RT groups were less decreased. Visual molecular dynamics STRIDE analysis showed that the content of the α helix was relatively high in the RT‐Mag and MT‐Mag groups.

CONCLUSION

These simulation results indicate that RT‐Mag can be used as an effective method for promoting the thawing process of fish and better stabilizing the protein structure. These conclusions provide a theoretical realization for understanding the protein conformational transition during the thawing process and the realization of quantification and also provide guidance for choosing better thawing conditions without loss of nutritional properties. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
LINC00536 knockdown inhibits breast cancer cells proliferation, invasion, and migration through regulation of the miR‐4282/centromere protein F axis
Authors: Zhou Mei‐Feng , Wang Wei , Wang Lin , Tan Jin‐Dian
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer (BC) poses a huge threat to women's health. Growing evidence has shown lncRNAs play critical roles in BC progression. However, the effect of LINC00536 in BC remains unknown. LINC00536, miR‐4282, and centromere protein F (CENPF) expressions in BC cells were determined using qPCR assay. Colony formation assay was employed to evaluate the cell proliferation of BC cells. Besides, cell migration and invasion were evaluated using the transwell assay. FISH assay was employed to analyze LINC00536 and miR‐4282 locations in BC cells. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the binding relationships between LINC00536 and miR‐4282, miR‐4282 and CENPF. Here, our results displayed that LINC00536 and CENPF were overexpressed in BC cells, while miR‐4282 was downregulated. LINC00536 could negatively regulate miR‐4282 expression via directly binding to miR‐4282. LINC00536 silence suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells, which was abolished by miR‐4282 inhibition. Additionally, miR‐4282 could negatively regulate CENPF expression via directly binding to CENPF. MiR‐4282 overexpression suppressed BC development, which was abolished by CENPF overexpression. Finally, we proved that LINC00536 silencing suppressed BC growth via regulating the miR‐4282/CENPF axis in vivo. Our research displayed that LINC00536 acted as an oncogene in BC. LINC00536‐enhanced BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, LINC00536 functioned as a ceRNA to exert malignant characteristics in BC via the miR‐4282–CENPF axis. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the LINC00536–miR‐4282–CENPF axis was a critical player in BC development and was a promising target for BC therapy.
Understanding ground‐up community development from a practice perspective
Authors: Russell Cormac
Published: September 2022

This article offers a practice perspective on Community Development from the ground up regarding health and well‐being. It advocates for a departure from traditional Community Engagement approaches, arguing that they fall short of relocating authority to communities as influential health producers. The author affirms that Asset‐Based Community Development (ABCD) approaches are preferable Community Engagement practices, as they offer more authentic pathways toward community‐centred population health and wellbeing. The article concludes that once effective ground‐up community development has been initiated supplementary efforts at reform and relief are more likely to have desired and sustained impact.
Phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate‐specific phospholipase C β1 selectively binds dipalmitoyl and distearoyl phosphatidic acids via Lys946 and Lys951
Authors: Hoshino Fumi , Nakayama Maika , Furuta Masataka , Murakami Chiaki , Kato Ayumu , Sakane Fumio
Published: September 2022

Phospholipase C (PLC) β1 hydrolyzes 1‐stearoyl‐2‐arachidonoyl (18:0/20:4)‐phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 4,5‐bisphosphate to produce diacylglycerol, which is converted to phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), in the PtdIns cycle and plays pivotal roles in intracellular signal transduction. The present study identified PLCβ1 as a PtdOH‐binding protein using PtdOH‐containing liposomes. Moreover, the comparison of the binding of PLCβ1 to various PtdOH species, including 14:0/14:0‐PtdOH, 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH, 16:0/18:1‐PtdOH, 18:0/18:1‐PtdOH, 18:0/18:0‐PtdOH, 18:1/18:1‐PtdOH, 18:0/20:4‐PtdOH, and 18:0/22:6‐PtdOH, indicated that the interaction of PLCβ1 with 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH was the strongest. The PLCβ1‐binding activity of 18:0/18:0‐PtdOH was almost the same as the binding activity of 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH. Furthermore, the binding of PLCβ1 to 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH was substantially stronger than 16:0/16:0‐phosphatidylserine, 16:0/16:0/16:0/16:0‐cardiolipin, 16:0/16:0‐PtdIns, and 18:0/20:4‐PtdIns. We revealed that a PLCβ1 mutant whose Lys946 and Lys951 residues were replaced with Glu (PLCβ1‐KE) did not interact with 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH and failed to localize to the plasma membrane in Neuro‐2a cells. Retinoic acid‐dependent increase in neurite length and numbers was significantly inhibited in PLCβ1‐expressing cells; however, this considerable attenuation was not detected in the cells expressing PLCβ1‐KE. Overall, these results strongly suggest that PtdOHs containing only saturated fatty acids, including 16:0/16:0‐PtdOH, which are not derived from the PtdIns cycle, selectively bind to PLCβ1 and regulate its function.
Transferring pectoral muscle flap to depleted neck to create a new recipient source for free flaps in head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Gur Ersin , Tiftikcioglu Yigit Ozer , Ozturk Kerem
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The thoracoacromial vessels (TA) are one of the options as recipient for free flaps in head and neck reconstruction when the neck is depleted. However, it has limitations such as need of vein graft or kinking and being under pressure on clavicle. The authors describe a new modification of using pectoral branch of TA as recipient vessel.

Patients and Methods

Between July 2019 and January 2022, 8 patients (1 female, 7 male) underwent head and neck reconstructions with free flaps. Age of patients ranged from 53 to 73 years old. All surgeries were because of SCC. Defects were including 3 total lower lip, 2 pharyngoesophageal defects, 1 cheek, lower and upper lip, 1 mandible, cheek and mount floor and 1 tongue and mount floor. Defects were between 12 × 5 cm and 21 × 9 cm. Pectoral branch of TA was transposed to the depleted neck as pectoral muscle flap to prevent kinking and pressure. Over the clavicle, the proximal root of the pedicle of muscle was found and dissected distally until tensionless anastomoses could be accomplished between the muscle and free flaps. ALT, MSAP, and Radial forearm free flaps were used as free flaps. In one patient the fibula and ALT flaps were used as flow through so the pedicle of ALT flap was anastomosed to pectoral muscle pedicle. Pectoral muscle was rotated 180° on its horizontal axis after finishing anastomoses to guard anastomoses from radiated neck skin. Muscle was fixed to sternocleidomastoid muscle with sutures to maintain its position. All donor sites were closed primarily.

Results

The diameter of recipient artery was between 1 and 1.6 mm. The veins were approximately same as arteries. All anastomosis were performed end‐to‐end fashion. Three patients needed skin grafts to closure of tight radiated neck skin. Complications as 1 hematoma and 1 wound dehiscence were salvaged successfully. All flaps survived. Patients were followed up between 2 and 6 months. Our first patient died at post‐operative 6th month so long follow‐up could not be achieved. The final outcomes such as chewing, oral competence and swallowing were successful for remaining patients.

Conclusion

Transposing TA as pectoral muscle flap to the neck can decrease need of vein graft and prevent kinking or pressure of the pedicle on the clavicle.
Explain the How and Why Behind the What
Authors: Adams Hunter
Published: September 2022

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.”

—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Quality‐of‐life evaluations in children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma treated with pencil‐beam‐scanning proton therapy
Authors: Weber Damien C. , Beer Jürgen , Kliebsch Ulrike L. , Teske Carmen , Baust Katja , Walser Marc , Pica Alessia , Bachtiary Barbara , Timmermann Beate , Calaminus Gabriele
Published: September 2022

Background

With improved survival rates for children with cancer, quality‐of‐life (QoL) issues have increasingly become the focus of attention. We report the QoL of children with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) treated with pencil‐beam‐scanning proton therapy (PT).

Methods

A PEDQOL (QoL questionnaire for children 4–18 years) self/proxy questionnaire was used to prospectively assess the QoL of 23 children <18 years with EWS treated with PT. This questionnaire evaluates eight different domains. Children (self‐rating) and parents (proxy‐rating) filled out the questionnaire at the start of PT (E1), 2 months after treatment (E2), and thereafter once yearly (E≥3).

Results

Compared with healthy controls, parents rated the QoL of their children at E1 significantly worse in all but two (cognition and social functioning‐family) domains. At E4, significant differences between the two groups only remained in three of eight domains. At E1, children self‐rated their QoL significantly worse in the domain Physical functioning (p = .004) and significantly better in the domain Body image (p = .044) compared to healthy controls, whereas no significant differences were observed at E4. For the longitudinal comparison E1 versus E4, according to parents, Emotional functioning, Cognition and Social functioning‐peers were slightly decreased 2 years after PT. The children rated Emotional functioning and Body image poorly 2 years after PT.

Conclusions

Children with EWS usually recovered seemingly well to normal QoL levels 2 years after the end of PT. They tended to rate their QoL substantially higher than their parents. However, in the longitudinal analysis at 2 years, children rated their Emotional functioning and Body image scores poorly.
Repair of reinforced concrete bridge columns subjected to chloride‐induced corrosion with ultra‐high performance fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Pelle Angelo , Briseghella Bruno , Fiorentino Gabriele , Giaccu Gian Felice , Lavorato Davide , Quaranta Giuseppe , Rasulo Alessandro , Nuti Camillo
Published: September 2022

The rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns subjected to chloride‐induced corrosion is addressed in the present paper. The proposed strategy is based on the replacement of the original external layer made of normal‐strength concrete (NSC) with ultra‐high performance fiber reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), and it additionally involves the substitution of the existing corroded longitudinal reinforcement with new machined steel rebars. This repair technique aims at restoring strength, stiffness, and ductility of the original column in a short time without altering its cross‐section dimensions. Because of the high compactness of the UHPFRC, it also serves at improving its durability. The main contribution of the present work is a numerical investigation carried out in order to identify how the design decisions about the repair strategy influence the behavior of the restored column. The parametric investigation reveals that the length of the zone in which NSC is replaced by UHPFRC as well as the machined index (i.e., ratio between turned and original rebar cross‐section area) must be properly selected to make the intervention effective. Numerical results also highlight that the main design issue to deal with is the relocation of the plastic hinge from the repaired zone towards the weak unrepaired part of the column. Practical design recommendations are finally formulated.
Intravenous regional antibiotic perfusion as an adjunctive therapy to treat osteomyelitis in a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Authors: Cherukuri Aswini , Scott‐Cruz Sarah , Lewbart Gregory , Petrovitch Nicholas , Ozawa Sarah
Published: September 2022

A wild, adult, male common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) presented to North Carolina State University's Turtle Rescue Team (TRT) with injuries consistent with vehicular trauma. Injuries included head trauma with an associated superficial lesion of the head and an overpronated left forelimb with a necrotic wound on the palmar surface. Osteomyelitis localised to the left forelimb was considered the primary differential based on radiographic findings and clinical signs. To treat osteomyelitis, regional antibiotic limb perfusions were conducted approximately once per week. After conducting seven total regional antibiotic limb perfusions, the patient's ambulation and mentation improved significantly and there was no progression of osteomyelitis on repeated radiographs. The patient was released to the wild after 5 months under human care. This case report demonstrates the potential use of regional antibiotic limb perfusion as an adjunctive therapy for osteomyelitis in chelonians.
An Analysis of the Security and Privacy Issues of the Neovote Online Voting System
Authors: Blanchard Enka , Gallais Antoine , Leblond Emmanuel , Sidhoum-Rahal Djohar , Walter Juliette
Published: September 2022

This article provides the first security and privacy analysis of the Neovote voting system, which was used for three of the five primaries in the French 2022 presidential election. We show that the demands of transparency, verifiability and security set by French governmental organisations were not met, and propose multiple attacks against the system targeting both the breach of voters’ privacy and the manipulation of the tally. We also show how inconsistencies in the verification system allow the publication of erroneous tallies and document how this arrived in practice during one of the primary elections.
Review Your Choices: When Confirmation Pages Break Ballot Secrecy in Online Elections
Authors: Brunet James , Pananos Athanasios Demetri , Essex Aleksander
Published: September 2022

Online voting systems typically display a confirmation screen allowing voters to confirm their selections before casting. This paper considers whether a network-based observer can extract information about voter selections from the length of the exchanged network data.

We conducted a detailed analysis of the Simply Voting implementation, which had randomly varying lengths of exchanged data due to dynamic page content and gzip compression. We demonstrated that we could correctly guess a voter’s selection with accuracy values ranging up to 100% in some instances. Even on more complex ballots, we generally could still rule out some combinations of candidates. We conducted a coordinated disclosure with the vendor and worked with them to roll out a mitigation.

To their credit, this discovery (and therefore its fix) was made possible by their willingness to provide a publicly accessible demo, which, as we will show, remains a rarity in the industry.
Sensitivity to dark sector scales from gravitational wave signatures
Authors: Dent James B. , Dutta Bhaskar , Ghosh Sumit , Kumar Jason , Runburg Jack
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We consider gravitational sound wave signals produced by a first-order phase transition in a theory with a generic renormalizable thermal effective potential of power law form. We find the frequency and amplitude of the gravitational wave signal can be related in a straightforward manner to the parameters of the thermal effective potential. This leads to a general conclusion; if the mass of the dark Higgs is less than 1% of the dark Higgs vacuum expectation value, then the gravitational wave signal will be unobservable at all upcoming and planned gravitational wave observatories. Although the understanding of gravitational wave production at cosmological phase transitions is still evolving, we expect this result to be robust.
Two-body decays in deformed relativity
Authors: Lobo Iarley P. , Pfeifer Christian , Morais Pedro H. , Batista Rafael Alves , Bezerra Valdir B.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Deformed relativistic kinematics is a framework which captures effects, that are expected from particles and fields propagating on a quantum spacetime, effectively. They are formulated in terms of a modified dispersion relation and a modified momentum conservation equation. In this work we use Finsler geometry to formulate deformed relativistic kinematics in terms of particle velocities. The relation between the Finsler geometric velocity dependent formulation and the original momentum dependent formulation allows us to construct deformed Lorentz transformations between arbitrary frames. Moreover, we find the corresponding compatible momentum conservation equation to first order in the Planck scale deformation of special relativity based on the κ-Poincaré algebra in the bicrossproduct basis. We find that the deformed Lorentz transformations, as well as the deformed time dilation factor, contain terms that scale with the energy of the particle under consideration to the fourth power. We derive how the distributions of decay products are affected when the deformed relativity principle is satisfied and find, for the case of a pion decaying into a neutrino and a muon, that the ratio of expected neutrinos to muons with a certain energy is just slightly modified when compared to the predictions based on special relativity. We also discuss the phenomenological consequences of this framework for cosmic-ray showers in the atmosphere.
Analytic Computation of three-point energy correlator in QCD
Authors: Yang Tong-Zhi , Zhang Xiaoyuan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

The energy correlator measures the energy deposited in multiple detectors as a function of the angles among them. In this paper, an analytic formula is given for the three-point energy correlator with full angle dependence at leading order in electron-positron annihilation. This is the first analytic computation of trijet event shape observables in QCD, which provides valuable data for phenomenological studies. The result is computed with direct integration, where appropriate parameterizations of both phase space and kinematic space are adopted to simplify the calculation. With full shape dependence, our result provides the expansions in various kinematic regions such as equilateral, triple collinear and squeezed limits, which benefit studies on both factorization and large logarithm resummation.
Optimisation of convolutional neural network architecture using genetic algorithm for the prediction of adhesively bonded joint strength
Authors: Arhore Edore G. , Yasaee Mehdi , Dayyani Iman
Published: September 2022

The classical method of optimising structures for strength is computationally expensive due to the requirement of performing complex non-linear finite element analysis (FEA). This study aims to optimise an artificial neural network (ANN) architecture to perform the task of predicting the strength of adhesively bonded joints in place of non-linear FEA. A manual multi-objective optimisation was performed to find a suitable ANN architecture design space. Then a genetic algorithm optimisation of the reduced design space was conducted to find an optimum ANN architecture. The generated optimum ANN architecture predicts efficiently the strength of adhesively bonded joints to a high degree of accuracy in comparison with the legacy method using FEA with a 93% savings in computational cost.
The VMO-Teichmüller space and the variant of Beurling–Ahlfors extension by heat kernel
Authors: Wei Huaying , Matsuzaki Katsuhiko
Published: September 2022

We give a real-analytic section for the Teichmüller projection onto the VMO-Teichmüller space by using the variant of Beurling–Ahlfors extension by heat kernel introduced by Fefferman et al. (Ann Math 134:65–124, 1991). Based on this result, we prove that the VMO-Teichmüller space can be endowed with a real Banach manifold structure that is real-analytically equivalent to its complex Banach manifold structure. We also obtain that the VMO-Teichmüller space admits a real-analytic contraction mapping.
Regional myocardial perfusion imaging in predicting vessel-related outcome: interplay between the perfusion results and angiographic findings
Authors: Mannarino Teresa , D’Antonio Adriana , Assante Roberta , Zampella Emilia , Gaudieri Valeria , Buongiorno Pietro , Cantoni Valeria , Green Roberta , Nappi Carmela , Criscuolo Emanuele , Bologna Roberto , Petretta Mario , Slomka Piotr , Cuocolo Alberto , Acampa Wanda
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) camera is largely used in the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD), no data are available on the prognostic value of a regional MPI evaluation. We evaluated the prognostic value of regional MPI by the CZT camera in predicting clinical outcomes at the vessel level in patients with available angiographic data.

Methods and results

Five hundred and forty-one subjects with suspected or known CAD referred to 99mTc-sestamibi gated CZT-SPECT cardiac imaging and with available angiographic data were studied. Both regional total perfusion deficit (TPD) and ischemic TPD (ITPD) were calculated separately for each vascular territory (left anterior descending, left circumflex, and right coronary artery). The outcome end points were cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or late coronary revascularization. The prevalence of CAD ≥ 50%, regional stress TPD, and regional ITPD was significantly higher in vessels with events as compared to those without (both P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristics area under the curve for regional ITPD for the identification of vessel-related events was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.75–0.86). An ITPD value of 2.0% provided the best trade-off for identifying the vessel-related event. At multivariable analysis, both CAD ≥ 50% and ITPD ≥ 2.0% resulted in independent predictors of events.

Conclusions

Regional myocardial perfusion assessed by the CZT camera demonstrated good reliability in predicting vessel-related events in patients with suspected or known CAD.
Revisiting trends in morphology of antennal sensilla in scarabaeoid beetles
Authors: Pacheco Thaynara L. , Bohacz Claudia , Ballerio Alberto , Schoolmeesters Paul , Ahrens Dirk
Published: September 2022

Phytophagous scarab beetles associated with angiosperms have characteristically enlarged lamellate antennae and exhibit a striking morphological variation of sensilla. In this study, we compared the morphology of antennal surface of 62 species Scarabaeoidea using SEM microscopy, particularly also in light of their evolution in association with angiosperms. We investigated the correlation of antennal sensilla morphology, i.e., their structure and distribution, with species diversity and lineage diversification rates. A high diversity of sensilla was observed but also multiple transitional forms, even on the same antennomere. We interpreted this as evidence for a high evolutionary plasticity. We recognized clear patterns of convergence and repeated evolution of certain types of placoid sensilla. One main tendency found in the phytophagous Pleurostict chafers was a shift from sensilla trichodea to placoid-like sensilla, apparently also enhanced by the increase of the lamellate antennal surface, either by size or number of the lamellae. This trend occurred not only in the Pleurosticts, but also in Glaphyridae, a second angiosperm-associated lineage of Scarabaeoidea. However, our results suggest no direct relation between species diversity or the rate of diversification and general sensilla morphology, i.e., the origin of placoid sensilla. This could be explained not only by species-poor lineages also possessing placoid sensilla but also by otherwise successful and species rich groups having sensilla trichodea (e.g., dung beetles). Results further reveal the need to refine current phylogenetic hypotheses by more comprehensive taxon sampling and to expand the molecular characterization of pheromones and odor binding proteins to better understand the role of chemical communication in scarab diversification.
Improvement rates, adverse events and predictors of clinical outcome following surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy
Authors: de Dios Eddie , Laesser Mats , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M. , Lindhagen Lars , MacDowall Anna
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To investigate improvement rates, adverse events and predictors of clinical outcome after laminectomy alone (LAM) or laminectomy with instrumented fusion (LAM + F) for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods

This is a post hoc analysis of a previously published DCM cohort. Improvement rates for European myelopathy score (EMS) and Neck Disability Index (NDI) at 2- and 5-year follow-ups and adverse events are presented descriptively for available cases. Predictor endpoints were EMS and NDI scores at follow-ups, surgeon- and patient-reported complications, and reoperation-free interval. For predictors, univariate and multivariable models were fitted to imputed data.

Results

Mean age of patients (LAM n = 412; LAM + F n = 305) was 68 years, and 37.4% were women. LAM + F patients had more severe spondylolisthesis and less severe kyphosis at baseline, more surgeon-reported complications, more patient-reported complications, and more reoperations (p ≤ 0.05). After imputation, the overall EMS improvement rate was 43.8% at 2 years and 36.3% at 5 years. At follow-ups, worse EMS scores were independent predictors of worse EMS outcomes and older age and worse NDI scores were independent predictors of worse NDI outcomes. LAM + F was associated with more surgeon-reported complications (ratio 1.81; 95% CI 1.17–2.80; p = 0.008). More operated levels were associated with more patient-reported complications (ratio 1.12; 95% CI 1.02–1.22; p = 0.012) and a shorter reoperation-free interval (hazard ratio 1.30; 95% CI 1.08–1.58; p = 0.046).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that surgical intervention at an earlier myelopathy stage might be beneficial and that less invasive procedures are preferable in this patient population.
Comparison of EASYDO ACTIVATOR, passive ultrasonic, and needle irrigation techniques on the treatment of apical periodontitis: a study in rats
Authors: Ye Qin , Feng Yao , Zhao Ya-Qiong , Tan Li , Hu Jing , Zhang Shao-Hui , Zhao Jie , Zhou Ying-Hui , Guo Yue , Feng Yun-Zhi
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the long-term therapeutic effect of EASYDO ACTIVATOR, passive ultrasonic irrigation, and needle irrigation in experimental apical periodontitis in rats.

Materials and methods

Sprague-Dawley male rats were used to produce periapical lesions. The pulp chambers of the bilaterally first mandibular molars were exposed and left open for 21 days. The rats were divided into four groups according to different irrigation protocols. Seven days after irrigation, the mandibles were removed for micro-CT, histological, and immunohistochemical analysis. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistical data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with LSD tests.

Results

The passive ultrasonic irrigation and EASYDO ACTIVATOR groups had the smallest apical lesions compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), while the needle irrigation group had smaller lesions than the control group (P < 0.05). The EASYDO ACTIVATOR group had less inflammation infiltration compared to the control and needle irrigation groups (P < 0.05). The control and needle irrigation groups had more TNF-α expression compared to the passive ultrasonic irrigation and EASYDO ACTIVATOR groups (P < 0.05). The lowest IL-6 expression was observed in the EASYDO ACTIVATOR group. The EASYDO ACTIVATOR group had the lowest serum level of TNF-α than other groups (P < 0.05). IL-6 expression was significantly lower in the EASYDO ACTIVATOR group in comparison with the control and needle irrigation groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

EASYDO ACTIVATOR can significantly reduce the apical lesions and decrease the inflammatory response around the periapical area.

Clinical relevance

EASYDO ACTIVATOR is recommended for clinical application.
Resource allocations with guaranteed awards in claims problems
Authors: Giménez-Gómez José-Manuel , Peris Josep E. , Solís-Baltodano María-José
Published: September 2022

The notion of lower bound on awards has been introduced in the literature to analyze the establishment of guarantees that ensure a minimum award to each agent involved in situations of conflicting claims, such as the rationing of a resource or the distribution of the assets of a bankrupt firm. Indeed, this concept has a core role in many approaches related to the problem of fair allocation (Thomson in Math Soc Sci 74:41–59, 2015) and a range of such lower bounds have been proposed: the minimal right (Curiel et al. in Z Oper Res 31:A143–A159, 1987), the fair bound (Moulin in Handb Soc Choice Welf 1:289–357, 2002), securement (Moreno-Ternero and Villar in Math Soc Sci 47(2):245–257, 2004) and the $$\min $$
min
bound (Dominguez in mimeo, 2006). In this context, the key contribution of the current paper is to show that there is a correspondence between lower bounds and rules; i.e., associated to each particular lower bound, we find a specific way of distributing the resources. In doing so, we provide new characterizations for two well known rules, the constrained equal awards and Ibn Ezra’s rules. A dual analysis, by using upper bounds on awards will provide characterizations of the dual of the previously mentioned rules: the constrained equal losses rule and the dual of Ibn Ezra’s rule.
Unveiling hydrogen evolution dependence on KOH concentration for polycrystalline and nanostructured nickel-based catalysts
Authors: Faid Alaa Y. , Foroughi Faranak , Sunde Svein , Pollet Bruno
Published: September 2022

Nickel-based hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrodes have been widely used in alkaline and anion exchange membrane water electrolysis. Therefore, understanding the activity dependence on the KOH concentration (pH) of alkaline electrolytes is essential for designing durable and active HER catalysts. In this work, the HER activity and kinetics of polycrystalline and nanostructured nickel-based catalysts are evaluated in various pH and KOH concentrations. The results for nanostructured NiMo catalyst indicate that both electrochemical active surface area and reaction order have a promoting region under various pH’s and KOH concentrations (0.01–1.0 M, pH 12–14) accompanied by better HER activity (a lower overpotential for achieving − 10 mA cm−2) and Tafel slope decreases from around 180 mV dec−1 to 60 mV dec−1 in the same pH and KOH concentration range. The change in the Tafel slope indicates that the HER rate-determining step for HER at NiMo/C changes with pH and KOH concentration. The polycrystalline Ni displays different behaviours where a promoting (0.01–0.10 M, pH 12–13), stabilizing (0.1–1.0 M, pH 13–14), and an inhibiting region (2 M, pH > 14) are present. However, Tafel slopes of around 120 mV/dec are obtained for polycrystalline Ni at all KOH concentrations. The HER characteristics are inhibited at 2.0 M KOH for both catalysts due to slower OH* transport kinetics. The results confirmed the importance of tuning catalyst-pH/KOH concentration for better HER activity and kinetics.

Graphical abstract
Three Adult Cases of STAT1 Gain-of-Function with Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis Treated with JAK Inhibitors
Authors: Borgström Emilie W. , Edvinsson Marie , Pérez Lucía P. , Norlin Anna C. , Enoksson Sara L. , Hansen Susanne , Fasth Anders , Friman Vanda , Kämpe Olle , Månsson Robert , Estupiñán Hernando Y. , Wang Qing , Ziyang Tan , Lakshmikanth Tadepally , Smith Carl Inge E. , Brodin Petter , Bergman Peter
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize clinical effects and biomarkers in three patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) caused by gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in the STAT1 gene during treatment with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

Methods

Mass cytometry (CyTOF) was used to characterize mononuclear leukocyte populations and Olink assay to quantify 265 plasma proteins. Flow-cytometric Assay for Specific Cell-mediated Immune-response in Activated whole blood (FASCIA) was used to quantify the reactivity against Candida albicans.

Results

Overall, JAK inhibitors improved clinical symptoms of CMC, but caused side effects in two patients. Absolute numbers of neutrophils, T cells, B cells, and NK cells were sustained during baricitinib treatment. Detailed analysis of cellular subsets, using CyTOF, revealed increased expression of CD45, CD52, and CD99 in NK cells, reflecting a more functional phenotype. Conversely, monocytes and eosinophils downregulated CD16, consistent with reduced inflammation. Moreover, T and B cells showed increased expression of activation markers during treatment. In one patient with a remarkable clinical effect of baricitinib treatment, the immune response to C. albicans increased after 7 weeks of treatment. Alterations in plasma biomarkers involved downregulation of cellular markers CXCL10, annexin A1, granzyme B, granzyme H, and oncostatin M, whereas FGF21 was the only upregulated marker after 7 weeks. After 3 months, IFN-ɣ and CXCL10 were downregulated.

Conclusions

The clinical effect of JAK inhibitor treatment of CMC is promising. Several biological variables were altered during baricitinib treatment demonstrating that lymphocytes, NK cells, monocytes, and eosinophils were affected. In parallel, cellular reactivity against C. albicans was enhanced.
A comparison on the use of DEHBA or TBP as extracting agent for tetra- and hexavalent actinides in the CHALMEX Process
Authors: Authen Thea Lyseid , Tekikachew Behabitu Ergette , Foreman Mark R. St. J. , Wilden Andreas , Ekberg Christian
Published: September 2022

The Chalmers Grouped ActiNide EXtraction process is a solvent extraction process for the homogeneous recycling of spent nuclear fuel. The use of TBP for the extraction of tetra- and hexavalent actinides can be problematic for several reasons, including troublesome degradation products causing crud formation, decreased extraction yield and the possibility of explosive red oil reactions. Here, the substitution of TBP by a N,N-dialkyl monoamide, DEHBA, is investigated. The findings suggest that DEHBA can be a suitable extracting agent for use in the CHALMEX solvent, although identified drawbacks need to be further investigated.