bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiply charged magnetic black branes
Authors: Meiring Ben , Shyovitz Ido , Waeber Sebastian , Yarom Amos
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We discuss analytic solutions describing magnetically charged black branes in d dimensional AdS space. Focusing on d = 5, we study the response of the brane to an external short lived electric field. We argue that when the theory possesses an ’t Hooft anomaly then at sufficiently low temperature a long lived oscillatory current will be observed long after the electric field has been turned off. We demonstrate this “anomalous resonance” effect via a numerical study.
The impact of polydioxanone (PDS) foil thickness on reconstruction of the orbital geometry after isolated orbital floor fractures
Authors: Winnand Philipp , Ooms Mark , Ayoub Nassim , Schick Daniel , Paulßen von Beck Felix , Hölzle Frank , Mücke Thomas , Modabber Ali
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The orbital floor is frequently involved in head trauma. Current evidence on the use of reconstruction materials for orbital floor repair is inconclusive. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the impact of polydioxanone (PDS) foil thickness on reconstruction of the orbital geometry after isolated orbital floor fractures.

Methods

Standardized isolated orbital floor fractures were symmetrically created in 11 cadaver heads that provided 22 orbits. PDS foils with thicknesses of 0.25–0.5 mm were inserted. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the native, fractured, and reconstructed orbits were obtained, and orbital volume, orbital height, and foil bending were measured.

Results

Orbital volume and height significantly (p < 0.01) increased after the creation of isolated orbital floor fractures and significantly (p = 0.001) decreased with overcorrection of the orbital geometry after orbital floor reconstruction with PDS 0.25 mm or PDS 0.5 mm. The orbital geometry reconstruction rate did not differ significantly with respect to foil thickness. However, compared to PDS 0.5 mm, the use of PDS 0.25 mm resulted in quantitatively higher reconstructive accuracy and a restored orbital volume that did not significantly differ from the initial volume.

Conclusion

Orbital floors subjected to isolated fractures were successfully reconstructed using PDS regardless of foil thickness, with overcorrection of the orbital geometry. Due to its lower flexural stiffness, PDS 0.25 mm appeared to provide more accurate orbital geometry reconstruction than PDS 0.5 mm, although no significant difference in reconstructive accuracy between PDS 0.25 mm and PDS 0.5 mm was observed in this cadaveric study.
A Dyadic Nosology for Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Bone Fragility Syndromes 2024
Authors: Sillence David Owen
Published: June 2024

In 2023 following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, the expert Nosology Working Group of the International Skeletal Dysplasia Society (ISDS) published the new Dyadic Nosology for Genetic Disorders of the Skeleton. Some 770 entities were delineated associated with 552 genes. From these entities, over 40 genes resulting in distinct forms of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and Bone Fragility and/or Familial Osteoporosis were identified. To assist clinicians and lay stake holders and bring the considerable body of knowledge of the matrix biology and genomics to people with OI as well as to clinicians and scientists, a dyadic nosology has been recommended. This combines a genomic co-descriptor with a phenotypic naming based on the widely used Sillence nosology for the OI syndromes and the many other syndromes characterized in part by bone fragility.

This review recapitulates and explains the evolution from the simple Congenita and Tarda subclassification of OI in the 1970 nosology, which was replaced by the Sillence types I–IV nosology which was again replaced in 2009 with 5 clinical groups, type 1 to 5. Qualitative and quantitative defects in type I collagen polypeptides were postulated to account for the genetic heterogeneity in OI for nearly 30 years, when OI type 5, a non-collagen disorder was recognized. Advances in matrix biology and genomics since that time have confirmed a surprising complexity both in transcriptional as well as post-translational mechanisms of collagens as well as in the many mechanisms of calcified tissue homeostasis and integrity.
Sub-seasonal prediction skill: is the mean state a good model evaluation metric?
Authors: Ryu Jihun , Wang Shih-Yu , Jeong Jee-Hoon , Yoon Jin-Ho
Published: June 2024

Evaluating forecast models encompasses assessing their ability to accurately depict observed climate states and predict future climate variables. Various evaluation methods, from computationally efficient measures like the anomaly correlation coefficient to more intricate approaches, have been formulated. While simpler methods provide limited information, climatology, due to its simplicity and immediate linkage to model performance, is a commonly utilized primary evaluation metric. In this study focusing on temperature and precipitation, we propose a novel metric based on the model’s mean state, integrating both climatology and the seasonal cycle for a more accurate assessment of the relationship between mean state performance and prediction skill on weather and sub-seasonal time scales compared to relying solely on climatology. This integrated metric reveals a robust correlation between temperature and precipitation across diverse geographical locations, with a more pronounced effect in tropical areas when considering the seasonal cycle. Additionally, we find that temperature exhibits higher prediction skill compared to precipitation. The discovered relationship serves as a potential early indicator for predicting the efficacy of Seasonal to Sub-seasonal (S2S) models and offers valuable insights for model development, emphasizing the significance of this integrated metric in enhancing S2S model performance and advancing climate prediction capabilities.
Motoneuron persistent inward current contribution to increased torque responses to wide-pulse high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation
Authors: Popesco Timothée , Bet da Rosa Orssatto Lucas , Hug François , Blazevich Anthony John , Trajano Gabriel Siqueira , Place Nicolas
Published: June 2024

Purpose

To assess the effect of a remote handgrip contraction during wide-pulse high-frequency (WPHF) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the magnitude of extra torque, progressive increase in torque during stimulation, and estimates of the persistent inward current (PIC) contribution to motoneuron firing in the plantar flexors.

Methods

Ten participants performed triangular shaped contractions to 20% of maximal plantar flexion torque before and after WPHF NMES with and without a handgrip contraction, and control conditions. Extra torque, the relative difference between the initial and final torque during stimulation, and sustained electromyographic (EMG) activity were assessed. High-density EMG was recorded during triangular shaped contractions to calculate ∆F, an estimate of PIC contribution to motoneuron firing, and its variation before vs after the intervention referred to as ∆F change score.

Results

While extra torque was not significantly increased with remote contraction (WPHF + remote) vs WPHF (+ 37 ± 63%, p = 0.112), sustained EMG activity was higher in this condition than WPHF (+ 3.9 ± 4.3% MVC EMG, p = 0.017). Moreover, ∆F was greater (+ 0.35 ± 0.30 Hz) with WPHF + remote than control (+ 0.03 ± 0.1 Hz, p = 0.028). A positive correlation was found between ∆F change score and extra torque in the WPHF + remote (r = 0.862, p = 0.006).

Discussion

The findings suggest that the addition of remote muscle contraction to WPHF NMES enhances the central contribution to torque production, which may be related to an increased PIC contribution to motoneuron firing. Gaining a better understanding of these mechanisms should enable NMES intervention optimization in clinical and rehabilitation settings, improving neuromuscular function in clinical populations.
Thermal implant removal in a pig jaw: a proof of concept study
Authors: Kniha Kristian , Haas Lorenz , Al-Sibai Faruk , Kneer Reinhold , Möhlhenrich Stephan Christian , Hermanns-Sachweh Benita , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: June 2024

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether thermal implant removal of osseointegrated implants is possible using a diode laser with an specific temperature–time interval.

Materials and methods

First, tooth extraction of the first three premolars was performed in the maxilla and mandible on both sides of 10 pig. After 3 months, implants were inserted into the upper and lower jaws of 10 pigs. After 3 more months, osseointegrated implants were heated with a laser device to a temperature of 50 °C for 1 min. After 14 days, the implant stability quotient (ISQ), torque-out values, and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio were assessed using resonance frequency analysis.

Results

ISQ values showed no significant differences within each group or between the control and test groups. Furthermore, torque-out and BIC value measurements presented no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions

At 50°C, changes in the BIC values were noticeably smaller; however, these differences were not significant. Future studies should evaluate the same procedures at either a higher temperature or longer intervals.

Clinical relevance

With only 50 °C for 1 min, a dental implant will not de-integrate predictably.
Subcutaneous immunoglobulins (SCIG) for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP): A comprehensive systematic review of clinical studies and meta-analysis
Authors: Ramzi Ahmed , Maya Subhia , Balousha Nadeen , Sabet Haneen , Samir Ahmed , Roshdy Merna Raafat , Aljarrah Ghalia , Saleh Sireen , Kertam Ahmed , Serag Ibrahim , Shiha Mostafa Ramzi
Published: June 2024

Background

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) presents significant treatment challenges due to its chronic nature, varied clinical presentations, and rarity. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) has emerged as a maintenance therapy, offering potential advantages in administration and patient experience over the previously recognized intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Methods: We included all clinical studies involving CIDP patients treated with SCIG from eleven databases up to March 2024.

Results

50 clinical studies were included in the systematic review, with 22 involved in the meta-analysis. These studies offer clinical data on around 1400 CIDP patients. Almost all studies considered SCIG a maintenance therapy, with the majority of results suggesting it as a viable substitute that may offer comparable or enhanced advantages. Studies covered aspects such as efficacy, safety, quality of life, practicality, economic evaluation, and patient preference. Meta-analysis showed SCIG significantly improved muscle strength and sensory function, had fewer and milder side effects, reduced relapse rates, and received a strong preference.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that SCIG for CIDP maintenance not only provides a more feasible alternative, with economic evaluations showing considerable cost reductions over time, and patient preference for SCIG being pronounced, but may also deliver comparable or superior health outcomes. Ongoing research lines on formulations, techniques, and direct comparative studies are critical to further illuminate, enhance, and expand SCIG's role in treatment.
The role of bacterial metabolism in human gut colonization
Authors: Muñoz-Cazalla Ada , de Quinto Ignacio , Álvaro-Llorente Laura , Rodríguez-Beltrán Jerónimo , Herencias Cristina
Published: June 2024

Can we anticipate the emergence of the next pandemic antibiotic-resistant bacterial clone? Addressing such an ambitious question relies on our ability to comprehensively understand the ecological and epidemiological factors fostering the evolution of high-risk clones. Among these factors, the ability to persistently colonize and thrive in the human gut is crucial for most high-risk clones. Nonetheless, the causes and mechanisms facilitating successful gut colonization remain obscure. Here, we review recent evidence that suggests that bacterial metabolism plays a pivotal role in determining the ability of high-risk clones to colonize the human gut. Subsequently, we outline novel approaches that enable the exploration of microbial metabolism at an unprecedented scale and level of detail. A thorough understanding of the constraints and opportunities of bacterial metabolism in gut colonization will foster our ability to predict the emergence of high-risk clones and take appropriate containment strategies.
Optimal portfolios with anticipating information on the stochastic interest rate
Authors: D’Auria Bernardo , Salmeron José A.
Published: June 2024

By employing the technique of enlargement of filtrations, we demonstrate how to incorporate information about the future trend of the stochastic interest rate process into a financial model. By modeling the interest rate as an affine diffusion process, we obtain explicit formulas for the additional expected logarithmic utility in solving the optimal portfolio problem. We begin by solving the problem when the additional information directly refers to the interest rate process, and then extend the analysis to the case where the information relates to the values of an underlying Markov chain. The dynamics of this chain may depend on anticipated market information, jump at predefined epochs, and modulate the parameters of the stochastic interest rate process. The theoretical study is then complemented by an illustrative numerical analysis.
Saving, sharing and shaping landrace seeds in commons: unravelling seed commoning norms for furthering agrobiodiversity
Authors: Sandström Emil , Ortman Tove , Watson Christine A , Bengtsson Jan , Gustafsson Clara , Bergkvist Göran
Published: June 2024

One of the major challenges facing agricultural and food systems today is the loss of agrobiodiversity. Considering the current impasse of preventing the worldwide loss of crop diversity, this paper highlights the possibility for a radical reorientation of current legal seed frameworks that could provide more space for alternative seed systems to evolve which centre on norms that support on-farm agrobiodiversity. Understanding the underlying norms that shape seed commons are important, since norms both delimit and contribute to what ultimately will constitute the seeds and who will ultimately have access to the seeds and thus to the extent to which agrobiodiversity is upheld and supported. This paper applies a commoning approach to explore the underpinning norms of a Swedish seed commons initiative and discusses the potential for furthering agrobiodiversity in the context of wider legal and authoritative discourses on seed enclosure. The paper shows how the seed commoning system is shaped and protected by a particular set of farming norms, which allows for sharing seeds among those who adhere to the norms but excludes those who will not. The paper further illustrates how farmers have been able to navigate fragile legal and economic pathways to collectively organize around landrace seeds, which function as an epistemic farming community, that maintain landraces from the past and shape new landraces for the present, adapted to diverse agro-ecological environments for low-input agriculture. The paper reveals how the ascribed norms to the seed commons in combination with the current seed laws set a certain limit to the extent to which agrobiodiversity is upheld and supported and discusses why prescriptions of “getting institutions right” for seed governance are difficult at best, when considering the shifting socio-nature of seeds. To further increase agrobiodiversity, the paper suggests future seed laws are redirected to the sustenance of a proliferation of protected seed commoning systems that can supply locally adapted plant material for diverse groups of farmers and farming systems.
Introduced mice influence the large-bodied alpine invertebrate community
Authors: Bertoia Aaron , Murray Tara J. , Robertson Bruce C. , Monks Joanne M.
Published: June 2024

Invasive mammalian predators are a key threat to native fauna globally. Island ecosystems that developed in isolation from mammals are particularly threatened by introduced mammalian predators. This is the case in New Zealand, where introduced mammalian predators have caused the decline of native birds, lizards, and invertebrates. In alpine areas of New Zealand, predator control targets stoats, rats, and cats as they are recognised as the key threats to native birds. Mice, which are known predators of invertebrates at lower elevations, are not actively controlled. As a result, alpine invertebrates in New Zealand represent an ideal focus for a natural experiment to understand the effects of predator control efforts and invasive mice on native invertebrates that evolved in isolation from mammals. In the Fiordland region of New Zealand, we assessed the large-bodied alpine invertebrate community at eight different sites that vary in their occurrence of mice and control of higher-order predators. We found that the recent presence of mice influenced the invertebrate community: wētā (a group of native orthopterans) were less common at sites where mice were present, and the mean body size of invertebrates collected in pitfall traps was larger at sites where mice were absent compared to sites where they were present. Control of other predators (specifically rats and mustelids) did not influence invertebrate body size, abundance, or community composition. Our findings suggest that, as in lowland environments, mice are an important predator of large-bodied invertebrates in the alpine zone and should be incorporated into future predator management programmes.
Cancer metastasis through the lymphatic versus blood vessels
Authors: Leong Stanley P. , Witte Marlys H.
Published: June 2024

Whether cancer cells metastasize from the primary site to the distant sites via the lymphatic vessels or the blood vessels directly into the circulation is still under intense study. In this review article, we follow the journey of cancer cells metastasizing to the sentinel lymph nodes and beyond to the distant sites. We emphasize cancer heterogeneity and microenvironment as major determinants of cancer metastasis. Multiple molecules have been found to be associated with the complicated process of metastasis. Based on the large sentinel lymph node data, it is reasonable to conclude that cancer cells may metastasize through the blood vessels in some cases but in most cases, they use the sentinel lymph nodes as the major gateway to enter the circulation to distant sites.
Enhancing rural students’ computer science self-efficacy in a robotics-based language arts course
Authors: Tang Hengtao , Qian Yingxiao , Porter-Voss Susan
Published: June 2024

Integrating computer science (CS) content into existing STEM curricula emerges as a viable solution to broadening rural students’ participation in CS, but rural students have a significant proficiency gap in science and mathematics. By focusing on an English language arts course as the context for CS integration, this exploratory study examined the impact of a robotics-based intervention integrated into a high school language arts class on rural students’ CS self-efficacy. A convergent mixed methods design was applied to collect and analyze qualitative and qualitative data separately. Quantitative results confirmed that the integrated robotics-based intervention significantly improved rural students’ CS self-efficacy. Qualitative findings provided insights on how embodied learning and mastery experience facilitated by the robotics-based intervention fostered rural students’ CS self-efficacy. The findings from the two sources of data were integrated, shedding light on the potential of curricular integration in language arts classes for broadening rural student participation in CS education.
Mechanism and suppression of friction-induced vibration in catenary-pantograph system
Authors: Amano Yuki , Kobayashi Shigeyuki , Yabuno Hiroshi , Yamashita Yoshitaka , Mori Hiroki
Published: June 2024

An unexplained instability phenomenon in railways is known to be caused by sliding friction in a catenary-pantograph system at low speeds. This is an important engineering problem because this instability phenomenon contributes to increased wear of contact wires and requires a train driver to confirm safety, which leads to train delays. Tribological analyses have found an increase in the friction coefficient at low speeds. Pantograph models based on the finite element method, multibody dynamics, and pin-disk model have been proposed for kinematic analyses. However, the mechanism is still uncertain, and no experimental investigations have been conducted. In this study, experimental and numerical investigations are conducted on the instability phenomenon caused by sliding friction. A method for estimating the friction coefficient for an actual pantograph is proposed and applied to experimentally investigate the instability phenomenon. A dynamic model is constructed based on various experiments. The frequency and the stable-unstable boundary of the instability phenomenon obtained in the simulations agree with those obtained in the experiment. From the dynamic model, it is found that the instability is a flutter-type instability caused by the asymmetry of the stiffness matrix due to Coulomb friction. Countermeasures for preventing the instability phenomenon based on the determined mechanism are proposed, and their effectiveness is verified by simulations and experiments. The results could contribute to the design of new pantographs to improve stability and the development of countermeasures for existing pantographs that experience instability.
Nanostructured Mn@NiO composite for addressing multi-pollutant challenges in petroleum-contaminated water
Authors: Hasan Gamil Gamal , Laouini Salah Eddine , Osman Ahmed I. , Bouafia Abderrhmane , Althamthami Mohammed , Meneceur Souhaila , Kir Iman , Mohammed Hamdi , Lumbers Brock , Rooney David W.
Published: June 2024

Efficient catalysts play a pivotal role in advancing eco-friendly water treatment strategies, particularly in the removal of diverse organic contaminants found in water-petroleum sources. This study addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by contaminants, encompassing a spectrum of heavy metals such as As, Cd, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn alongside pollutants like oily water (OIW), total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dyes, and pharmaceuticals, posing threats to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Herein, we present the synthesis of biogenically derived Mn@NiO nanocomposite (NC) photocatalysts, a sustainable methodology employing an aqueous Rosmarinus officinalis L. extract, yielding particles with a size of 36.7 nm. The catalyst demonstrates exceptional efficacy in removing heavy metals, achieving rates exceeding 99–100% within 30 min, alongside notable removal efficiencies for OIW (98%), TSS (87%), and COD (98%). Furthermore, our photodegradation experiments showed remarkable efficiencies, with 94% degradation for Rose Bengal (RB) and 96% for methylene blue (MB) within 120 min. The degradation kinetics adhere to pseudo-first-order behavior, with rate constants of 0.0227 min−1 for RB and 0.0370 min−1 for MB. Additionally, the NC exhibits significant antibiotic degradation rates of 97% for cephalexin (CEX) and 96% for amoxicillin (AMOX). The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the synergistic interplay between the Mn and NiO nanostructures, augmenting responsiveness to sunlight while mitigating electron-hole pair recombination. Notably, the catalyst demonstrates outstanding stability and reusability across multiple cycles, maintaining its stable nanostructure without compromise.

Graphical Abstract
Sustained Depolarization Induces Gene Expression Pattern Changes Related to Synaptic Plasticity in a Human Cholinergic Cellular Model
Authors: Carrese Anna Maria , Vitale Rossella , Turco Manuela , Masola Valeria , Aniello Francesco , Vitale Emilia , Donizetti Aldo
Published: June 2024

Neuronal gene expression in the brain dynamically responds to synaptic activity. The interplay among synaptic activity, gene expression, and synaptic plasticity has crucial implications for understanding the pathophysiology of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. These diseases are marked by synaptic dysfunction that affects the expression patterns of neuroprotective genes that are incompletely understood. In our study, we developed a cellular model of synaptic activity using human cholinergic neurons derived from SH-SY5Y cell differentiation. Depolarization induction modulates the expression of neurotrophic genes and synaptic markers, indicating a potential role in synaptic plasticity regulation. This hypothesis is further supported by the induction kinetics of various long non-coding RNAs, including primate-specific ones. Our experimental model showcases the utility of SH-SY5Y cells in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity in human cellular systems.
Discrepancy between regulations and practice in initial margin calculation
Authors: Kitani Ryosuke , Nakagawa Hidetoshi
Published: June 2024

Counterparty risk remains an issue in over-the-counter derivative transactions following the 2008 financial crisis. While the margin for a derivative transaction can only be transferred until just before the counterparty’s default, the exposure of the derivative transaction can vary stochastically during the margin period of risk, that is, the period from the counterparty’s default to the actual closing-out of the transaction. Thus, the anticipated positive exposure may not be recognized, resulting in counterparty risk. Considering it is difficult to calculate the initial margin (IM) according to the regulations, IM has been calculated in practice using a simplified method proposed by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA), which is called the ISDA Standard Initial Margin Model (“ISDA SIMM”). In this study, we derive an approximate formula for some counterparty risk indicators for a stochastic volatility model and illustrate numerical analyses for a call option in the SABR model as an example to examine the effect of the discrepancy between regulations and practices in margin calculation. Our results imply that the IM calculated in practice may be insufficient for counterparty risk management, particularly when the market is volatile.
Experimental investigation on the anisotropy of friction property for dry and water-saturated rock
Authors: Yang Qing , He Mingming , Zhao Jinrui , Ding Mingchen , Wang Jing
Published: June 2024

Friction properties of rock are closely connected with the anisotropy. The anisotropy of rock friction can provide a valuable assessment for geotechnical and geological engineering. In this study, the rotary friction tests were conducted to analyze the water effect on the friction property and the friction anisotropy of the four types of rock. The drilling response model (DD-model) was employed to characterize the rotary friction behavior of the rocks. The parameters of this model include the three types of friction parameters: 1/ς, μ, and f, where 1/ς and μ are constant, and f is a variable. A quantitative method is proposed for assessing the anisotropy of rock friction. The results of the rotary friction tests indicate that the relation between torque force and thrust force conforms to the DD-model. The changes of two friction constants 1/ς and μ from dry state to water-saturated state suggest that the water effect on the friction strength of the rocks exhibits significant anisotropy. The friction strength determined by the friction variable f increases first, then decreases, and finally stabilizes with the increasing of depth. AIf is an anisotropy index calculated by the proposed method. The percentage difference of the average value of AIf between water-saturated and dry states shows the degree of the water effect on the friction anisotropy of the rocks, mudstone (MU) > granite (GR) > fine sandstone (FS) > argillaceous siltstone (AS). The quantitative model is hopefully constructed for characterizing the relation between the anisotropic friction strength of rock and the moisture state in future.
Subsurface deformation mechanism and the interplay relationship between strength-ductility and fretting wear resistance during fretting of a high-strength titanium alloy
Authors: Tong Yanlin , Hua Ke , Xie Haoyang , Cao Yue , Huang Zhuobin , Liang Zhenpeng , Li Xiaolin , Wu Hongxing , Wang Haifeng
Published: June 2024

Fretting wear damage of high-strength titanium fasteners has caused a large number of disastrous accidents. Traditionally, it is believed that both high strength and excellent ductility can reduce fretting wear damage. However, whether strength and ductility are contradictory or not and their appropriate matching strategy under the external applied normal stress (Fw) are still confusing problems. Here, by analyzing the subsurface-microstructure deformation mechanism of several samples containing various α precipitate features, for the first time, we design strategies to improve fretting damage resistance under different matching relation between Fw and the tensile strength of materials (Rm). It is found that when Fw is greater than Rm or Fw is nearly equivalent to Rm, the deformation mechanism mainly manifests as serious grain fragmentation of β and αGB constituents. Homogeneous deformation in large areas only reduces damage to a limited extent. It is crucial to improve the strength to resist cracking and wear, but it is of little significance to improve the ductility. However, when Fw is far less than Rm, coordinated deformation ability reflected by ductility plays a more important role. The deformation mechanism mainly manifests as localized deformation of β and αGB constituents (kinking induced by twinning and spheroidizing). A unique composite structure of nano-grained/lamellar layer and localized deformation transition layer reduces fretting damage by five times compared with a single nano-grained layer. Only when the strength is great enough, improving the plasticity can reduce wear. This study can provide a principle for designing fretting damage resistant alloys.
In Situ Polymer Gel Electrolyte in Boosting Scalable Fibre Lithium Battery Applications
Authors: Luo Jie , Zhang Qichong
Published: June 2024

The poor interfacial stability not only deteriorates fibre lithium-ion batteries (FLBs) performance but also impacts their scalable applications. To efficiently address these challenges, Prof. Huisheng Peng team proposed a generalized channel structures strategy with optimized in situ polymerization technology in their recent study. The resultant FLBs can be woven into different-sized powering textiles, providing a high energy density output of 128 Wh kg-1 and simultaneously demonstrating good durability even under harsh conditions. Such a promising strategy expands the horizon in developing FLB with particular polymer gel electrolytes, and significantly ever-deepening understanding of the scaled wearable energy textile system toward a sustainable future.
No Virtuous Insulation: A Dilemma for Veritism
Authors: Sjölin Wirling Ylwa
Published: June 2024

This paper interrogates the idea of a virtue-first approach to the question of what has fundamental epistemic value. It has been suggested that a virtue-first approach is needed to strengthen the view known as veritism, according to which only truth has fundamental epistemic value. I distinguish between an ontological and a methodological virtue-first approach, and suggest that only the latter is an attractive option for a veritist. I then argue that the methodological virtue-first approach is incompatible with the idea that the epistemic domain is insulated, in the sense that being of epistemic value does not entail being of value. But insulationism is arguably an important tool for veritists in meeting various objections to their view, aside from being considered generally attractive by many. Veritists thus face a dilemma that requires them to give up one of two arguably attractive tools in their kit: either the virtue-first motivation of their view, or the insulationist conception of epistemic value.
A Comparative Study Examining the Effects of Mixed and Virtual Reality on Plausibility Illusion and Emotional States
Authors: Shin Mincheol , Sibuea Rumittar , Lee Heejae
Published: June 2024

Abstract: Understanding the unique impact of extended reality (XR) technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), on emotional states is important for predicting users’ subsequent judgments and behaviors. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether and how the differences in the structural affordances of VR and MR (i.e., a sense of being there vs. a sense of an object being in the physical environment) can indeed induce distinct effects. Therefore, the present study aims to elucidate the role of VR and MR technologies on users’ emotional states through the theoretical lens of plausibility illusion. Specifically, we hypothesized that plausibility illusion would mediate the effects of XR modality on emotional states, including arousal and perceived fear toward a fearful object. In addition, we explored the potential moderating role of object virtuality (i.e., ontological characteristic of virtual objects) in the relationship between XR modality and plausibility illusion. Results from a mixed 2 (XR modality: VR vs. MR) × 2 (virtuality: para-authentic vs. artificial) design experiment ( N = 100) showed that VR induced a higher sense of plausibility illusion than MR, which played a mediating role in amplifying arousal and perceived fear. This finding suggests that the differences in the structural affordances of VR and MR can induce distinctive effects on emotional states. Further implications of the findings are discussed.
Impacts of Natural Environmental Factors and Anthropogenic Activities on the Distribution of Threatened Orchid Species in China
Authors: Shang Weixuan , Mao Lingfeng , Miao Lu , Yan Yuehong , Li Shicheng , Feng Gang
Published: June 2024

Natural environmental factors and anthropogenic activities could have strong impacts on threatened species distribution. Based on Random Forest modeling and ordinary least squares models, we tested the correlations between natural environmental factors (mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and elevation range), anthropogenic activities (changes in cropland area, population density and pasture area) over different periods (between 1700 and 1800, between 1800 and 1900, and between 1900 and 2000) and ratio of threatened orchids in China. The results showed that threatened orchids were concentrated in Southwest China, Central China and Northeast China. The ratio of threatened orchids was positively correlated with MAT and MAP, but negatively correlated with elevation range. In addition, the three anthropogenic activity variables most correlated with threatened orchids ratio were changes of cropland area between 1900 and 2000, population density between 1700 and 1800, and between 1800 and 1900. These correlations were positive, indicating that areas with more anthropogenic activities had more threatened orchids. Moreover, MAP and changes of cropland area between 1900 and 2000 together were more correlated with threatened orchids ratio than other variables. These findings suggest important roles of contemporary climate and anthropogenic activities in shaping the distribution of threatened orchid species in China.
ANCHOR: Global Parametrized Ionospheric Data Assimilation
Authors: Forsythe Victoriya V. , McDonald Sarah E. , Dymond Kenneth F. , Fritz Bruce A. , Burrell Angeline G. , Zawdie Katherine A. , Drob Douglas P. , Burleigh Meghan R. , Hickey Dustin A. , Metzler Christopher A. , Kuhl David D. , Hodyss Daniel , Hughes Joe H.
Published: June 2024

ANCHOR is a novel assimilative model developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, which was designed for rapid assimilative runs. ANCHOR uses recently developed PyIRI model for the background and for the formation of the background covariance matrix. It only takes a few minutes for ANCHOR to complete the data assimilation (DA) for one day, including data pre‐processing and model set up. ANCHOR extracts ionospheric parameters from radio occultation (RO) and ionosonde data using PyIRI formalism and assimilates them as point measurements into maps of the background parameters using a Kalman Filter approach. This paper introduces the ANCHOR algorithm, discusses its coordinate system and background, explains the background covariance formation, discusses the extraction of the ionospheric parameters from the data and the assimilation process, and, finally, shows the results of the observing system simulation experiment with synthetic data simulated using the SAMI3 model. ANCHOR reduces the root mean square errors in the analysis by more than a half for all of the ionospheric parameters in comparison to the background. Finally, this paper discusses advantages and limitations of the parametrized ionospheric DA, highlighting the avenues for its future improvement.
AAV gene therapy for hereditary spastic paraplegia type 50: a phase 1 trial in a single patient
Authors: Dowling James J. , Pirovolakis Terry , Devakandan Keshini , Stosic Ana , Pidsadny Mia , Nigro Elisa , Sahin Mustafa , Ebrahimi-Fakhari Darius , Messahel Souad , Varadarajan Ganapathy , Greenberg Benjamin M. , Chen Xin , Minassian Berge A. , Cohn Ronald , Bonnemann Carsten G. , Gray Steven J.
Published: June 2024

There are more than 10,000 individual rare diseases and most are without therapy. Personalized genetic therapy represents one promising approach for their treatment. We present a road map for individualized treatment of an ultra-rare disease by establishing a gene replacement therapy developed for a single patient with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 50 (SPG50). Through a multicenter collaboration, an adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy product carrying the AP4M1 gene was created and successfully administered intrathecally to a 4-year-old patient within 3 years of diagnosis as part of a single-patient phase 1 trial. Primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, and secondary endpoints evaluated efficacy. At 12 months after dosing, the therapy was well tolerated. No serious adverse events were observed, with minor events, including transient neutropenia and Clostridioides difficile gastroenteritis, experienced but resolved. Preliminary efficacy measures suggest a stabilization of the disease course. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm the safety and provide additional insights on the efficacy of the therapy. Overall, this report supports the safety of gene therapy for SPG50 and provides insights into precision therapy development for rare diseases. Clinical trial registration: NCT06069687.
The limits of fair medical imaging AI in real-world generalization
Authors: Yang Yuzhe , Zhang Haoran , Gichoya Judy W. , Katabi Dina , Ghassemi Marzyeh
Published: June 2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly approaches human-level performance in medical imaging, it is crucial that it does not exacerbate or propagate healthcare disparities. Previous research established AI’s capacity to infer demographic data from chest X-rays, leading to a key concern: do models using demographic shortcuts have unfair predictions across subpopulations? In this study, we conducted a thorough investigation into the extent to which medical AI uses demographic encodings, focusing on potential fairness discrepancies within both in-distribution training sets and external test sets. Our analysis covers three key medical imaging disciplines—radiology, dermatology and ophthalmology—and incorporates data from six global chest X-ray datasets. We confirm that medical imaging AI leverages demographic shortcuts in disease classification. Although correcting shortcuts algorithmically effectively addresses fairness gaps to create ‘locally optimal’ models within the original data distribution, this optimality is not true in new test settings. Surprisingly, we found that models with less encoding of demographic attributes are often most ‘globally optimal’, exhibiting better fairness during model evaluation in new test environments. Our work establishes best practices for medical imaging models that maintain their performance and fairness in deployments beyond their initial training contexts, underscoring critical considerations for AI clinical deployments across populations and sites.
The role of accelerometer-derived sleep traits on glycated haemoglobin and glucose levels: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liu Junxi , Richmond Rebecca C. , Anderson Emma L. , Bowden Jack , Barry Ciarrah-Jane S. , Dashti Hassan S. , Daghlas Iyas S. , Lane Jacqueline M. , Kyle Simon D. , Vetter Céline , Morrison Claire L. , Jones Samuel E. , Wood Andrew R. , Frayling Timothy M. , Wright Alison K. , Carr Matthew J. , Anderson Simon G. , Emsley Richard A. , Ray David W. , Weedon Michael N. , Saxena Richa , Rutter Martin K. , Lawlor Deborah A.
Published: June 2024

Self-reported shorter/longer sleep duration, insomnia, and evening preference are associated with hyperglycaemia in observational analyses, with similar observations in small studies using accelerometer-derived sleep traits. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies support an effect of self-reported insomnia, but not others, on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). To explore potential effects, we used MR methods to assess effects of accelerometer-derived sleep traits (duration, mid-point least active 5-h, mid-point most active 10-h, sleep fragmentation, and efficiency) on HbA1c/glucose in European adults from the UK Biobank (UKB) (n = 73,797) and the MAGIC consortium (n = 146,806). Cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression was applied to determine genetic correlations across accelerometer-derived, self-reported sleep traits, and HbA1c/glucose. We found no causal effect of any accelerometer-derived sleep trait on HbA1c or glucose. Similar MR results for self-reported sleep traits in the UKB sub-sample with accelerometer-derived measures suggested our results were not explained by selection bias. Phenotypic and genetic correlation analyses suggested complex relationships between self-reported and accelerometer-derived traits indicating that they may reflect different types of exposure. These findings suggested accelerometer-derived sleep traits do not affect HbA1c. Accelerometer-derived measures of sleep duration and quality might not simply be ‘objective’ measures of self-reported sleep duration and insomnia, but rather captured different sleep characteristics.
Determinants of hemoglobin level and time to default from Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for adult clients living with HIV under treatment; a retrospective cohort study design
Authors: Muhie Nurye Seid , Tegegne Awoke Seyoum
Published: June 2024

HIV/AIDS is one of the most devastating infectious diseases affecting humankind all over the world and its impact goes beyond public health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the joint predictors of hemoglobin level and time to default from treatment for adult clients living with HIV/AIDS under HAART at the University of Gondar Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital, North-west Ethiopia. The study was conducted using a retrospective cohort design from the medical records of 403 randomly selected adult clients living with HIV whose follow-ups were from September 2015 to March 2022. Hemoglobin level was projected using Sahli’s acid-hematin method. Hence, the hemoglobin tube was filled with N/10 hydrochloric acid up to 2 g % marking and the graduated tube was placed in Sahli’s hemoglobin meter. The blood samples were collected using the finger-pick method, considering 22 G disposable needles. The health staff did this. From a total of 403 adult patients living with HIV/AIDS included in the current study, about 44.2% defaulted from therapy. The overall mean and median estimated survival time of adult clients under study were 44.3 and 42 months respectively. The patient’s lymphocyte count (AHR = 0.7498, 95% CI: (0.7411: 0.7587), p-value < 0.01), The weight of adult patients living with HIV/AIDS (AHR = 0.9741, 95% CI: (0.9736: 0.9747), p-value = 0.012), sex of adult clients (AHR = 0.6019, 95% CI: (0.5979, 0.6059), p-value < 0.01), WHO stages III compared to Stage I (AHR = 1.4073, 95% CI: (1.3262, 1.5078), p-value < 0.01), poor adherence level (AHR = 0.2796, 95% CI: (0.2082, 0.3705) and p-value < 0.01), bedridden patients (AHR = 1.5346, 95% CI: (1.4199, 1.6495), p-value = 0.008), and opportunistic infections (AHR = 0.2237, 95% CI: (0.0248, 0.4740), p-value = 0.004) had significant effect on both hemoglobin level and time to default from treatment. Similarly, other co-morbidity conditions, disclosure status of the HIV disease, and tobacco and alcohol addiction had a significant effect on the variables of interest. The estimate of the association parameter in the slope value of Hgb level and time default was negative, indicating that the Hgb level increased as the hazard of defaulting from treatment decreased. A patient with abnormal BMI like underweight, overweight, or obese was negatively associated with the risk of anemia (lower hemoglobin level). As a recommendation, more attention should be given to those patients with abnormal BMI, patients with other co-morbidity conditions, patients with opportunistic infections, and low lymphocytes, and bedridden and ambulatory patients. Health-related education should be given to adult clients living with HIV/AIDS to be good adherents for medical treatment.
Comparing machine learning screening approaches using clinical data and cytokine profiles for COVID-19 in resource-limited and resource-abundant settings
Authors: Rashidi Hooman H. , Ikram Aamer , Dang Luke T. , Bashir Adnan , Zohra Tanzeel , Ali Amna , Tanvir Hamza , Mudassar Mohammad , Ravindran Resmi , Akhtar Nasim , Sikandar Rana I. , Umer Mohammed , Akhter Naeem , Butt Rafi , Fennell Brandon D. , Khan Imran H.
Published: June 2024

Accurate screening of COVID-19 infection status for symptomatic patients is a critical public health task. Although molecular and antigen tests now exist for COVID-19, in resource-limited settings, screening tests are often not available. Furthermore, during the early stages of the pandemic tests were not available in any capacity. We utilized an automated machine learning (ML) approach to train and evaluate thousands of models on a clinical dataset consisting of commonly available clinical and laboratory data, along with cytokine profiles for patients (n = 150). These models were then further tested for generalizability on an out-of-sample secondary dataset (n = 120). We were able to develop a ML model for rapid and reliable screening of patients as COVID-19 positive or negative using three approaches: commonly available clinical and laboratory data, a cytokine profile, and a combination of the common data and cytokine profile. Of the tens of thousands of models automatically tested for the three approaches, all three approaches demonstrated > 92% sensitivity and > 88 specificity while our highest performing model achieved 95.6% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity. These models represent a potential effective deployable solution for COVID-19 status classification for symptomatic patients in resource-limited settings and provide proof-of-concept for rapid development of screening tools for novel emerging infectious diseases.