bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lithium treatment and human hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Palmos Alish B. , Duarte Rodrigo R. R. , Smeeth Demelza M. , Hedges Erin C. , Nixon Douglas F. , Thuret Sandrine , Powell Timothy R.
Published: October 2021

Lithium is a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder, where it acts as a mood-stabilizing agent. Although its precise mechanism remains unclear, neuroimaging studies have shown that lithium accumulates in the hippocampus and that chronic use amongst bipolar disorder patients is associated with larger hippocampal volumes. Here, we tested the chronic effects of low (0.75 mM) and high (2.25 mM) doses of lithium on human hippocampal progenitor cells and used immunocytochemistry to investigate the effects of lithium on cell parameters implicated in neurogenesis. Corresponding RNA-sequencing and gene-set enrichment analyses were used to evaluate whether genes affected by lithium in our model overlap with those regulating the volume of specific layers of the dentate gyrus. We observed that high-dose lithium treatment in human hippocampal progenitors increased the generation of neuroblasts (P ≤ 0.01), neurons (P ≤ 0.01), and glia (P ≤ 0.001), alongside the expression of genes, which regulate the volume of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. This study provides empirical support that adult hippocampal neurogenesis and gliogenesis are mechanisms that could contribute to the effects of lithium on human hippocampal volume.
Proteogenomic discovery of sORF-encoded peptides associated with bacterial virulence in Yersinia pestis
Authors: Cao Shiyang , Liu Xinyue , Huang Yin , Yan Yanfeng , Zhou Congli , Shao Chen , Yang Ruifu , Zhu Weimin , Du Zongmin , Jia Chenxi
Published: November 2021

Plague caused by Yersinia pestis is one of the deadliest diseases. However, many molecular mechanisms of bacterial virulence remain unclear. This study engaged in the discovery of small open reading frame (sORF)-encoded peptides (SEPs) in Y. pestis. An integrated proteogenomic pipeline was established, and an atlas containing 76 SEPs was described. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that 20% of these SEPs were secreted or localized to the transmembrane and that 33% contained functional domains. Two SEPs, named SEPs-yp1 and -yp2 and encoded in noncoding regions, were selected by comparative peptidomics analysis under host-specific environments and high-salinity stress. They displayed important roles in the regulation of antiphagocytic capability in a thorough functional assay. Remarkable attenuation of virulence in mice was observed in the SEP-deleted mutants. Further global proteomic analysis indicated that SEPs-yp1 and -yp2 affected the bacterial metabolic pathways, and SEP-yp1 was associated with the bacterial virulence by modulating the expression of key virulence factors of the Yersinia type III secretion system. Our study provides a rich resource for research on Y. pestis and plague, and the findings on SEP-yp1 and SEP-yp2 shed light on the molecular mechanism of bacterial virulence.
Variability in higher order structure of noise added to weighted networks
Authors: Blevins Ann S. , Kim Jason Z. , Bassett Dani S.
Published: November 2021

The complex behavior of many real-world systems depends on a network of both strong and weak edges. Distinguishing between true weak edges and low-weight edges caused by noise is a common problem in data analysis, and solutions tend to either remove noise or study noise in the absence of data. In this work, we instead study how noise and data coexist, by examining the structure of noisy, weak edges that have been synthetically added to model networks. We find that the structure of low-weight, noisy edges varies according to the topology of the model network to which it is added, that at least three qualitative classes of noise structure emerge, and that these noisy edges can be used to classify the model networks. Our results demonstrate that noise does not present as a monolithic nuisance, but rather as a nuanced, topology-dependent, and even useful entity in characterizing higher-order network interactions.
The distinct binding modes of pesticides affect the phase transitions of lysozyme
Authors: Liu Han , Zhang Jinli , Li Wei
Published: November 2021

Studying the aggregation and nucleation of proteins in the presence of organic molecules is helpful for disclosing the mechanisms of protein crystallization.
High-temperature inverted annealing for efficient perovskite photovoltaics
Authors: Wen Fang , Tian Liuwen , Zhang Wenfeng , Zhou Xiangqing , Lin Puan , Zhou Shenghou , Du Lin , Hou Tian , Yu Wenjing , Yu Lang , Duan Gongtao , Peng Changtao , Ma Zhu , Zhang Meng , Li Haijin , Huang Yuelong
Published: November 2021

High-quality perovskite films with large grains and reduced surface defects were obtained via an inverted annealing process. Corresponding photovoltaic devices achieved a highest efficiency of 20.4% with a stabilized power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.8%.
Novel co-crystals with π-hole interactions between iodide anions and quinoid rings involving charge transfer
Authors: Milašinović Valentina , Molčanov Krešimir
Published: November 2021

Six novel co-crystals of tetrabromoquinone with iodide salts of organic cations displaying short contacts between iodide anions and the quinoid rings have been structurally characterised.
Facile preparation of MOF-derived MHCo3O4&Co/C with a hierarchical porous structure for entrapping enzymes: having both high stability and catalytic activity
Authors: Gao Xia , Pan Huibin , Qiao Chengfang , Liu Yongliang , Zhou Chunsheng , Zhai Quanguo , Hu Mancheng , Li Shuni , Jiang Yucheng
Published: October 2021

MHCo3O4&Co/C with hierarchical porous structure are functionally modified with “polydopamine (PDA)” bionic membrane for entrapping horseradate peroxidase (HRP).
Concluding remarks: peptide–membrane interactions
Authors: Bassereau Patricia
Published: October 2021

This article is based on the concluding remarks lecture given at the Faraday Discussion meeting on peptide–membrane interactions, held online, 8–10th September 2021. (Figure reproduced from Kratochvil et al., DOI: 10.1039/D1FD00061F).
Preview repetitive control with equivalent input disturbance for continuous‐time linear systems
Authors: Lan Yong‐Hong , Zhao Jia‐Yu , She Jin‐Hua
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates the problem of preview repetitive control with equivalent‐input‐disturbance for a class of continuous‐time linear systems in the presence of unknown external disturbances. First, an augmented delay system is constructed by using the nominal state equation with error system and the state equation of a modified repetitive controller, which is then transformed into a non‐delayed one by state transformation. Next, by using optimal control theory, a preview repetitive control law is obtained. It is composed of state feedback, tracking error compensation, output of modified repetitive controller and preview compensation. Furthermore, in order to achieve a good disturbance estimation and attenuation performance, by applying the results of the standard equivalent‐input‐disturbance theory, a preview repetitive control law with equivalent‐input‐disturbance is offered for the uncertain system with unknown external disturbance. Finally, the numerical simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Interleaved hybrid control with an upper optimizer of parallel three‐level LLC converters for battery charging applications
Authors: Lin Hui‐Pin , Jin Xiao‐Guang , Miao Zhe‐Yu , He Zhi‐Wei , Gao Ming‐Yu
Published: October 2021

This letter proposes an interleaved hybrid control for parallel three‐level (TL) LLC converters in battery charging applications. The duty cycle and the switching frequency are used to adjust the voltage gain; the phase shift control is adopted to realize voltage sharing of the divided capacitors. A virtual equivalent frequency‐gain control is adopted to coordinate multiple control variables. And the current ripples are reduced for the interleaved structure. Based on the performance analysis, an upper optimizer is proposed to update the upper limit frequency and interleaving arrangement in real time. Accordingly, it achieves a wide range of output voltage, and it further improves the system efficiency under light load and low output voltage conditions. A prototype is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Laboratory modelling of equatorial ‘tongue’ accretion channels in young stellar objects caused by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Authors: Burdonov K. , Yao W. , Sladkov A. , Bonito R. , Chen S.N. , Ciardi A. , Korzhimanov A. , Soloviev A. , Starodubtsev M. , Zemskov R. , Orlando S. , Romanova M. , Fuchs J.
Published: October 2021

Context. The equatorial accretion scenario, caused by the development of the Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instability at the disk edge, was suggested by accurate three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modelling, but no observational or experimental confirmation of such phenomena has been evidenced yet.

Aims. We studied the propagation of a laterally extended laser-generated plasma stream across a magnetic field and investigated if this kind of structure can be scaled to the case of equatorial ‘tongue’ accretion channels in young stellar objects (YSOs); if so, this would support the possibility of equatorial accretion in young accreting stars.

Methods. We conducted a scaled laboratory experiment at the PEARL laser facility. The experiment consists in an optical laser pulse that is focused onto the surface of a Teflon target. The irradiation of the target leads to the expansion of a hot plasma stream into the vacuum, perpendicularly to an externally applied magnetic field. We used a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to diagnose the plasma stream propagation along two axes, to obtain the three-dimensional distribution of the plasma stream.

Results. The laboratory experiment shows the propagation of a laterally extended laser-generated plasma stream across a magnetic field. We demonstrate that: (i) such a stream is subject to the development of the RT instability, and (ii) the stream, decomposed into tongues, is able to efficiently propagate perpendicular to the magnetic field. Based on numerical simulations, we show that the origin of the development of the instability in the laboratory is similar to that observed in MHD models of equatorial tongue accretion in YSOs.

Conclusions. As we verify that the laboratory plasma scales favourably to accretion inflows of YSOs, our laboratory results support the argument in favour of the possibility of the RT-instability-caused equatorial tongue accretion scenario in the astrophysical case.
Analysis of 272 Genetic Variants in the Upgraded Interactive FXI Web Database Reveals New Insights into FXI Deficiency
Authors: Harris Victoria A. , Lin Weining , Perkins Stephen J.
Published: November 2021

Coagulation Factor XI (FXI) is a plasma glycoprotein composed of four apple (Ap) domains and a serine protease (SP) domain. FXI circulates as a dimer and activates Factor IX (FIX), promoting thrombin production and preventing excess blood loss. Genetic variants that degrade FXI structure and function often lead to bleeding diatheses, commonly termed FXI deficiency. The first interactive FXI variant database underwent initial development in 2003 at https://www.factorxi.org. Here, based on a much improved FXI crystal structure, the upgraded FXI database contains information regarding 272 FXI variants (including 154 missense variants) found in 657 patients, this being a significant increase from the 183 variants identified in the 2009 update. Type I variants involve the simultaneous reduction of FXI coagulant activity (FXI:C) and FXI antigen levels (FXI:Ag), whereas Type II variants result in decreased FXI:C yet normal FXI:Ag. The database updates now highlight the predominance of Type I variants in FXI. Analysis in terms of a consensus Ap domain revealed the near-uniform distribution of 81 missense variants across the Ap domains. A further 66 missense variants were identified in the SP domain, showing that all regions of the FXI protein were important for function. The variants clarified the critical importance of changes in surface solvent accessibility, as well as those of cysteine residues and the dimer interface. Guidelines are provided below for clinicians who wish to use the database for diagnostic purposes. In conclusion, the updated database provides an easy-to-use web resource on FXI deficiency for clinicians.
Two-color Kerr microscopy of two-dimensional materials with sub-picosecond time resolution
Authors: Kempf M. , Schubert A. , Schwartz R. , Korn T.
Published: November 2021

We present a two-color Kerr microscopy system based on two electronically synchronized erbium-fiber laser oscillators with independently tunable emission energies spanning most of the visible spectrum. Combining a spatial resolution below 2 μm and sub-ps time resolution with high sensitivity and cryogenic sample temperatures, it is ideally suited for studying spin and valley dynamics in a wide range of two-dimensional materials. We illustrate its capabilities by studying a monolayer of the common semiconducting transition metal disulfide MoS2.
Modeling study on the enhancement of atmospheric pulse-modulated radio-frequency discharge assisted by pulsed voltage
Authors: Gao Shu-Han , Wang Xiao-Long , Zhang Yuan-Tao
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we performed a one-dimensional fluid model to study the mechanism and optimization of pulse-modulated Radio-Frequency (RF) discharges at atmospheric pressure assisted by short pulse voltages. The evolution of discharge current density, helium metastable (He*) density, and total electron density from the simulation demonstrates that the ignition of RF discharge could be effectively enhanced by the short pulsed discharge, and a large Peak Current in the First Period (PCFP) can be produced, which agrees well with the experimental measurements. Due to the assistance of pulsed voltage, a strong electric field could be formed near the anode with the same polarity of that near the cathode, which can reaccelerate the electrons near the anode to generate a large PCFP. Based on the simulation results, reducing the time interval and increasing the pulse rise rate are very helpful to enhance the ignition of subsequent RF discharge by strengthening the electric field near the anode. It is shown that by choosing the appropriate time interval and pulse rise rate, the pulse-modulated RF discharge assisted by the pulsed discharge can be effectively modulated and optimized for applications.
Landau damping of electron-acoustic waves due to multi-plasmon resonances
Authors: Misra Amar P. , Chatterjee Debjani , Brodin Gert
Published: November 2021

The linear and nonlinear theories of electron-acoustic waves (EAWs) are studied in a partially degenerate quantum plasma with two-temperature electrons and stationary ions. The initial equilibrium of electrons is assumed to be given by the Fermi–Dirac distribution at finite temperature. By employing the multi-scale asymptotic expansion technique to the one-dimensional Wigner–Moyal and Poisson equations, it is shown that the effects of multi-plasmon resonances lead to a modified complex Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation with a new nonlocal nonlinearity. In addition to giving rise to a nonlocal nonlinear term, the wave–particle resonance also modifies the local nonlinear coupling coefficient of the KdV equation. The latter is shown to conserve the number of particles; however, the wave energy decays with time. A careful analysis shows that the two-plasmon resonance is the dominant mechanism for nonlinear Landau damping of EAWs. An approximate soliton solution of the KdV equation is also obtained, and it is shown that the nonlinear Landau damping causes the wave amplitude to decay slowly with time compared to the classical theory.
Total-reflection high-energy positron diffractometer at NEPOMUC — Instrumentation, simulation, and first measurements
Authors: Dodenhöft Matthias , Vohburger Sebastian , Hugenschmidt Christoph
Published: November 2021

We report the instrumentation of a new positron diffractometer that is connected to the high-intensity positron beam at the neutron induced positron source Munich. Crucial elements for the adaption of the positron beam are presented, which include the magnetic field termination, the optional transmission-type remoderator for brightness enhancement, and the electrostatic system for acceleration and beam optics. The positron trajectories of the remoderated and the twofold remoderated beam have been simulated to optimize the system, i.e., to obtain a coherent beam of small diameter. Within a first beamtime, we tuned the system and characterized the direct beam. For the twofold remoderated beam of 10 keV energy, we experimentally observe a beam diameter of d < 1.3 mm, which agrees well with the simulation.
Laser-driven collisionless shock acceleration of protons from gas jets tailored by one or two nanosecond beams
Authors: Bonvalet J. , Loiseau P. , Marquès J.-R. , Atukpor E. , d'Humières E. , Domange J. , Forestier-Colleoni P. , Hannachi F. , Lancia L. , Raffestin D. , Tarisien M. , Tikhonchuk V. , Nicolaï Ph.
Published: November 2021

It was proposed recently that laser-ion acceleration in gas jets may be significantly improved if each side of a gas jet target is tailored by an auxiliary nanosecond laser pulse [Marquès et al., Phys. Plasmas 28, 023103 (2021)]. In the present study, the proton acceleration by electrostatic shock in these one- or two-side tailored plasmas is investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. It is demonstrated that the formation of a thin plasma layer with a steep density profile and a maximum density of the order of the critical density strongly improves the proton acceleration in the forward direction with a maximum ion energy of tens of MeV with mildly relativistic laser pulses. Proton acceleration up to tens of MeV is predicted using realistic plasma density profiles obtained from tailored gas jet targets compared to a few MeV reported in other publications.
Shaping the spontaneous emission of extended incoherent sources into composite radial vector beams
Authors: Schanne Domitille , Suffit Stéphan , Filloux Pascal , Lhuillier Emmanuel , Degiron Aloyse
Published: November 2021

It is well known that concentric diffraction gratings are capable of beaming the spontaneous emission of large extended incoherent light sources (e.g., hot radiating surfaces and luminescent materials). Here, we reveal additional properties of such beams using layers of colloidal PbS nanocrystals coated onto metallic spiraling gratings as an example. We observe and explain the formation of multiple beams with a simple model when the spirals are deformed. We also point out an aspect of the light emission that does not seem to have been discussed so far—namely, that the polarization of the directional beams has a radial distribution. These findings are not restricted to our experimental configuration, suggesting a simple way to build incandescent and electroluminescent sources with non-trivial polarization states. The price to pay is an isotropic emission background due to the composite nature of the beams, which result from the incoherent superposition of a continuum of diffracted plasmons everywhere above the surface.
Adsorption of CH4 on the Pt(111) surface: Random phase approximation compared to density functional theory
Authors: Sheldon Christopher , Paier Joachim , Sauer Joachim
Published: November 2021

We investigate the adsorption of CH4 on the Pt(111) surface for two adsorption modes, hcp (hexagonal closed packed) hollow tripod and top monopod in a (√3 × √3)R30° surface cell that corresponds to experimental surface coverage. Surface structures are optimized with density functional theory using the Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof (PBE) functional augmented with the many-body dispersion scheme of Tkatchenko (PBE+MBD). Whereas the Random Phase Approximation (RPA) predicts a clear preference of about 5 kJ mol−1 for the hcp tripod compared to the top monopod structure, in agreement with vibrational spectra, PBE+MBD predicts about equal stability for the two adsorption structures. For the hcp tripod, RPA yields an adsorption energy of −14.5 kJ mol−1, which is converged to within 1.0 ± 0.5 kJ mol−1 with respect to the plane wave energy cutoff (500 eV), the k-point mesh (4 × 4 × 1), the vacuum layer (about 10.3 Å, with extrapolation to infinite distance), and the number of Pt layers (3). Increments for increasing the number of Pt layers to 4 (+1.6 kJ mol−1) and the k-point mesh to 6 × 6 × 1 (−0.6 kJ mol−1) yield a final estimate of −13.5 ± 2.1 kJ mol−1, which agrees to within 2.2 ± 2.1 kJ mol−1 with experiment (−15.7 ± 1.6), well within the chemical accuracy range.
Mapping dynamical ejecta and disk masses from numerical relativity simulations of neutron star mergers
Authors: Nedora Vsevolod , Schianchi Federico , Bernuzzi Sebastiano , Radice David , Daszuta Boris , Endrizzi Andrea , Perego Albino , Prakash Aviral , Zappa Francesco
Published: November 2021

We present fitting formulae for the dynamical ejecta properties and remnant disk masses from the largest to date sample of numerical relativity simulations. The considered data include some of the latest simulations with microphysical nuclear equations of state (EOS) and neutrino transport as well as other results with polytropic EOS available in the literature. Our analysis indicates that the broad features of the dynamical ejecta and disk properties can be captured by fitting expressions, that depend on mass ratio and reduced tidal parameter. The comparative analysis of literature data shows that microphysics and neutrino absorption have a significant impact on the dynamical ejecta properties. Microphysical nuclear EOS lead to average velocities smaller than polytropic EOS, while including neutrino absorption results in larger average ejecta masses and electron fractions. Hence, microphysics and neutrino transport are necessary to obtain quantitative models of the ejecta in terms of the binary parameters.
Spherically symmetric charged black holes with wavy scalar hair
Authors: Brihaye Yves , Hartmann Betti
Published: November 2021

We study standard Einstein–Maxwell theory minimally coupled to a complex valued and self-interacting scalar field. We demonstrate that new, previously unnoticed spherically symmetric, charged black hole solutions with scalar hair exist in this model for sufficiently large gravitational coupling and sufficiently small electromagnetic coupling. The novel scalar hair has the form of a spatially oscillating ‘wave packet’ and back-reacts on the space-time such that both the Ricci and the Kretschmann scalar, respectively, possess qualitatively similar oscillations.
Doping limitation due to self-compensation by native defects in In-doped rocksalt Cd
x
Zn1−x
O
Authors: Ho Chun Yuen , Li Chia Hsiang , Liu Chao Ping , Huang Zhi-Quan , Chuang Feng-Chuan , Yu Kin Man
Published: November 2021

Cadmium oxide (CdO)–ZnO alloys (Cd
x
Zn1−x
O) exhibit a transformation from the wurtzite to the rocksalt (RS) phase at a CdO composition of ∼70% with a drastic change in the band gap and electrical properties. RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O alloys (x > 0.7) are particularly interesting for transparent conductor applications due to their wide band gap and high electron mobility. In this work, we synthesized RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O alloys doped with different concentrations of In dopants and evaluated their electrical and optical properties. Experimental results are analyzed in terms of the amphoteric native defect model and compared directly to defect formation energies obtained by hybrid density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A saturation in electron concentration of ∼7 × 1020 cm−3 accompanied by a rapid drop in electron mobility is observed for the RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O films with 0.7 ⩽ x < 1 when the In dopant concentration [In] is larger than 3%. Hybrid DFT calculations confirm that the formation energy of metal vacancy acceptor defects is significantly lower in RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O than in CdO, and hence limits the free carrier concentration. Mobility calculations reveal that due to the strong compensation by native defects, RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O alloys exhibit a compensation ratio of >0.7 for films with x < 0.8. As a consequence of the compensation by native defects, in heavily doped RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O carrier-induced band filling effect is limited. Furthermore, the much lower mobility of the RS–Cd
x
Zn1−x
O alloys also results in a higher resistivity and reduced transmittance in the near infra-red region (λ > 1100 nm), making the material not suitable as transparent conductors for full spectrum photovoltaics.
Influence of radiation transport on discharge characteristics of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet in argon
Authors: Valin S , Golubovskii Y , Gortschakow S , Sigeneger F
Published: November 2021

In the current work the method of radiation trapping treatment in finite coaxial cylinders using spherical coordinates is introduced. The operator of the resonant transition process is obtained explicitly in matrix form and its response to the delta function is analyzed in both hollow and solid cylinders. The influence of the radiation trapping effect is shown for the example of a model of a miniaturized non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet. The results of the calculations with the developed matrix method (MM) are compared with those based on the effective probability approximation. It is shown that the use of the MM leads to significant spatial redistribution of the excited plasma species due to the non-local effects of the radiation transport mechanism.
Controllable bistable smart composite structures driven by liquid crystal elastomer
Authors: Kang Jingtian , Liu Suixin , Wang Changguo
Published: November 2021

In this article, we proposed a new way to achieve monostable and bistable characteristics of composite layers based on liquid crystal elastomer (LCE). A smart trilayer composite structure is fabricated using LCE and acrylic elastomer, which can have several morphologies. It keeps flat at room temperature and can deform into a monostable saddle or bistable cylinder surface in response to simple temperature changes. The reversible deformation can be controlled through two parameters including geometrical size and actuation strain. The LCE can be programmed to generate different actuation strains by different formulas during synthesis or different mechanical stretches during UV radiation. The deformed morphology for different sample sizes and actuation strain is calculated using Finite element simulation. By comparison with the experimental results, we confirm that the phenomena can be captured through numerical simulations. Furthermore, to have a quantitative understanding, we use numerical simulation to calculate the deformation of the composite structure by tuning these two parameters and give a morphological portrait illustrating the relationship between the deformed shape and control parameters.
Mass biases in exclusive radiative hadronic decays of W bosons at the LHC
Authors: Jones E , Murray W J
Published: November 2021

The search for exclusive hadronic vector boson decays is an ongoing part of the LHC programme where, to date, no such decays have been observed. In addition to the intrinsic interest in the branching ratios, there is potential for a measurement of the W boson mass quite distinct from the usual methods. The radiative decay modes offer good potential channels for this search; however, we highlight three issues with it not previously discussed: particle misidentification, partial reconstruction and the impact of interference with QCD. These issues cause shifts in the peak position of tens or hundreds of MeV/c2.
Network processes on clique-networks with high average degree: the limited effect of higher-order structure
Authors: Stegehuis Clara , Peron Thomas
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we investigate the effect of local structures on network processes. We investigate a random graph model that incorporates local clique structures, and thus deviates from the locally tree-like behavior of most standard random graph models. For the process of bond percolation, we derive analytical approximations for large percolation probabilities and the critical percolation value. Interestingly, these derivations show that when the average degree of a vertex is large, the influence of the deviations from the locally tree-like structure is small. In our simulations, this insensitivity to local clique structures often already kicks in for networks with average degrees as low as 6. Furthermore, we show that the different behavior of bond percolation on clustered networks compared to tree-like networks that was found in previous works can be almost completely attributed to differences in degree sequences rather than differences in clustering structures. We finally show that these results also extend to completely different types of dynamics, by deriving similar conclusions and simulations for the Kuramoto model on the same types of clustered and non-clustered networks.
Negative-pressure wound therapy after stoma reversal in colorectal surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Carrano Francesco M , Maroli Annalisa , Carvello Michele , Foppa Caterina , Sacchi Matteo , Crippa Jacopo , Clerico Giuseppe , De Lucia Francesca , Coppola Elisabetta , Ben David Nadav , Spinelli Antonino
Published: November 2021

Background

Stoma-reversal surgery is associated with high postoperative morbidity, including wound complications and surgical-site infections (SSIs). This study aims to assess whether the application of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can improve wound healing compared with conventional wound dressing.

Methods

This was a single-centre, superiority, open-label, parallel, individually randomized controlled trial. Patients undergoing stoma reversal were randomized (1 : 1) to receive NPWT or conventional wound dressing. The primary endpoint of the study was the rate of wound complications and SSIs after stoma closure. The secondary endpoints were postoperative wound pain, rate of wound healing after 30 days from stoma closure, and wound aesthetic satisfaction.

Results

Between June 2019 and January 2021, 50 patients were allocated to the NPWT group (all received NPWT, 49 were analysed); 50 patients were allocated to the conventional wound dressing group (48 received the treatment, 45 were analysed). No significant difference was found in wound-complication rate (10 per cent NPWT versus 16 per cent controls; odds ratio 0.61 (95 per cent c.i. 0.18 to 2.10), P = 0.542) and incisional SSI rate (8 per cent NPWT versus 7 per cent controls; odds ratio 1.24 (95 per cent c.i. 0.26 to 5.99), P = 1.000). The NPWT group showed less pain, higher aesthetic satisfaction (P < 0.0001), and a higher proportion of wound healing (92 versus 78 per cent; P = 0.081) compared with the control group.

Conclusion

NPWT does not reduce the incidence of SSI after stoma-reversal surgery compared with conventional wound dressing. However, NPWT improved the healing of uninfected wounds, reduced wound pain and led to better aesthetic outcomes.

Registration number: NCT037812016 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Qualitative Studies of Foster Carer Experiences in Providing Out of Home Care for Children: A Scoping Review and Narrative Synthesis
Authors: D’Amato Stephanie , Brownlee Keith
Published: October 2021

In this scoping review, we examined the available qualitative research exploring the experiences of non-relative foster carers providing out of home care for children. Qualitative articles covering the last twenty-five years were extracted from eight databases, Google Scholar and a hand search of the reference sections of identified journals. Using specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-two articles were retained for analysis. A relatively high degree of consistency was found amongst the studies from a range of countries. Five major themes were identified: Open communication of a child’s needs and behaviours; Full spectrum support; Challenges; Stress; and Rewards. The Challenges theme comprised three sub-themes: Anticipating being a family, Carer bond and loss and Inherent limits of training. The themes reflected by the foster carers encompassed both stresses associated with the challenges of fostering children and personal rewards that encouraged them to begin and maintain their role as carers. The possible implications for practice and further research of the findings are discussed.
Robot-assisted kidney transplantation: an update
Authors: Spiers Harry V M , Sharma Videha , Woywodt Alexander , Sivaprakasam Rajesh , Augustine Titus
Published: October 2021

Renal transplantation has become the gold-standard treatment for the majority of patients with established renal failure. Recent decades have seen significant progress in immunosuppressive therapies and advances in post-transplant management of recipients, resulting in improved graft and patient outcomes. However, the open technique of allograft implantation has stood the test of time, remaining largely unchanged. In a world where major advances in surgery have been facilitated by innovations in the fields of biotechnology and medical instrumentation, minimally invasive options have been introduced for the recipient undergoing kidney transplantation. In this review we present the evolution of minimally invasive kidney transplantation, with a specific focus on robot-assisted kidney transplant and the benefits it offers to specific patient groups. We also discuss the ethical concerns that must be addressed by transplant teams considering developing or referring to robotic programs.
Baryonic imprints on DM haloes: population statistics from dwarf galaxies to galaxy clusters
Authors: Anbajagane Dhayaa , Evrard August E , Farahi Arya
Published: October 2021

In a purely cold dark matter (CDM) universe, the initial matter power spectrum and its subsequent gravitational growth contain no special mass- or time-scales, and so neither do the emergent population statistics of internal dark matter (DM) halo properties. Using 1.5 million haloes from three illustristng realizations of a ΛCDM universe, we show that galaxy formation physics drives non-monotonic features (‘wiggles’) into DM property statistics across six decades in halo mass, from dwarf galaxies to galaxy clusters. We characterize these features by extracting the halo mass-dependent statistics of five DM halo properties – velocity dispersion, NFW concentration, density- and velocity-space shapes, and formation time – using kernel-localized linear regression (Kllr). Comparing precise estimates of normalizations, slopes, and covariances between realizations with and without galaxy formation, we find systematic deviations across all mass-scales, with maximum deviations of 25 per cent at the Milky Way mass of $10^{12} \, {\rm M}_\odot$. The mass-dependence of the wiggles is set by the interplay between different cooling and feedback mechanisms, and we discuss its observational implications. The property covariances depend strongly on halo mass and physics treatment, but the correlations are mostly robust. Using multivariate Kllr and interpretable machine learning, we show the halo concentration and velocity-space shape are principal contributors, at different mass, to the velocity dispersion variance. Statistics of mass accretion rate and DM surface pressure energy are provided in an appendix. We publicly release halo property catalogues and kllr parameters for the TNG runs at 20 epochs up to z = 12.
Day-One Pain Reductions After Hip and Knee Replacement When Buprenorphine-Clonidine-Dexamethasone Is Added to Bupivacaine Nerve/Plexus Blocks: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Williams Brian A , Ibinson James W , Mikolic Joseph M , Boudreaux-Kelly Monique Y , Paiste Henry J , Gilbert Karen L , Bonant Samantha A , Ritter Marsha E , Ezaru Catalin S , Muluk Visala S , Piva Sara R
Published: November 2021

Objective

To compare pain outcome reports of patients undergoing hip or knee replacement who received single-injection nerve/plexus blocks with plain bupivacaine (BPV) with those of patients who received injections of buprenorphine-clonidine-dexamethasone (BCD) admixed with BPV.

Design

Prospective, parallel-arm, randomized, double-blind trial.

Setting

A single veterans’ hospital.

Subjects

Ninety-eight veterans scheduled for total hip or knee replacement surgery with spinal as the primary anesthetic.

Methods

Participants were randomized to BPV-BCD or plain BPV groups. They underwent nerve/plexus blocks in the L2–L4 and L4–S3 distributions in advance of joint replacement surgery. The primary outcome was change in pain from baseline during the postoperative day, as assessed by the total pain score on the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire-v2 (SF-MPQ-2). Secondary outcomes were pain during movement, pain interference, range of motion, mobility, and quality of recovery.

Results

On postoperative day one, the SF-MPQ-2 total score for the BPV-BCD group demonstrated greater pain reduction than that of the plain BPV group (mean difference 1.8 points, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 3.0, P = 0.003). The BPV-BCD group also had larger reductions in pain during movement in the surgical joint and less pain interference, along with increased range of hip and knee flexion, compared with the plain BPV group. Outcomes of mobility and quality of recovery were not different between groups.

Conclusions

Preoperative BPV-BCD blocks in the L2–L4 and L4–S3 nerve distributions for hip and knee replacements led to less pain on postoperative day one and increased knee and hip range of motion, compared with plain BPV blocks.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02891798.
Hypothyroidism in vasculitis
Authors: Kermani Tanaz A , Cuthbertson David , Carette Simon , Khalidi Nader A , Koening Curry L , Langford Carol A , McAlear Carol A , Monach Paul A , Moreland Larry , Pagnoux Christian , Seo Philip , Specks Ulrich , Sreih Antoine , Warrington Kenneth J , Merkel Peter A ,   the Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium
Published: October 2021

Objective

To study the prevalence, risk and clinical associations of hypothyroidism among several forms of vasculitis.

Methods

Patients with GCA, Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK), PAN and the three forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis [AAV; granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)] enrolled in a prospective, multicentre, longitudinal study were included.

Results

The study included data on 2085 patients [63% female, 90% White] with a mean age of 54.6 years (s.d. 17.2). Diagnoses were GCA (20%), TAK (11%), PAN (5%), GPA (42%), microscopic polyangiitis (8%) and EGPA (14%). Hypothyroidism was present in 217 patients (10%) (83% female), with a mean age 59.8 years (s.d. 14.5). Age- and sex-adjusted risk of hypothyroidism was GCA, odds ratio (OR) 0.61 (95% CI 0.41, 0.90); TAK, OR 0.57 (95% CI 0.31, 1.03); PAN, OR 0.59 (95% CI 0.25, 1.38); GPA, OR 1.51 (95% CI 1.12, 2.05); microscopic polyangiitis, OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.18, 2.80) and EGPA, OR 0.82 (95% CI 0.52, 1.30). Among patients with AAV, age- and sex-adjusted risk of hypothyroidism was higher with positive MPO-ANCA [OR 1.89 (95% CI 1.39, 2.76)]. The clinical manifestations of vasculitis were similar in patients with and without hypothyroidism, except transient ischaemic attacks, which were more frequently observed in patients with GCA and hypothyroidism (12% vs 2%; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Differences in the risk of hypothyroidism among vasculitides may be due to genetic susceptibilities or immune responses. This study confirms an association of hypothyroidism with MPO-ANCA.
Unique Recognizable Histopathologic Variant of Palisaded Neutrophilic and Granulomatous Dermatitis that Is Associated With SRSF2-Mutated Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Enescu Christina D. , Patel Avni , Friedman Ben J.
Published: November 2021

Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis (PNGD) represents a cutaneous histopathologic reaction spectrum associated with several underlying disorders. Few cases of PNGD have been associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), a malignant hematopoietic disorder with features in between those of a myeloproliferative neoplasm and myelodysplastic syndrome. We present a patient with a generalized papular skin reaction involving the neck, chest, and shoulders with histomorphological features on the spectrum of PNGD. Subsequent laboratory workup demonstrated a persistent mild monocytosis, raising concern for CMML. The diagnosis was ultimately confirmed with a bone marrow biopsy and associated mutational analysis through next-generation sequencing which identified deleterious variants in SRSF2, IDH2, and ASXL1. The findings in this case strengthen the previously made association between PNGD and SRSF2-mutated CMML and may help better define a unique recognizable clinical–histopathological–molecular subtype for dermatopathologists.
Epidermal Hyperproliferation With Less Prominent Dermal Inflammation Is the Unique Histopathological Feature of the Refractory Lesions in Psoriasis Treated With Ustekinumab
Authors: Kim Minsu , Yang Seungkeol , Kim Bo Ri , Youn Sang Woong
Published: November 2021

Although ustekinumab (UST) shows excellent efficacy in treating psoriasis, not all patients have a complete clearance rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the histopathological characteristics of refractory psoriasis lesions in patients with excellent response to UST. Fifty-seven patients with newly diagnosed psoriasis and 66 patients with a 75% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score after UST treatment were included. Computer-aided image analysis was performed to measure the epidermal thickness, horny layer thickness, number of dermal vessels, and dermal inflammatory cell infiltration rate. Parakeratosis was scored using a 4-point scale. These measurements were compared between the refractory lesions of UST-treated patients and the untreated lesions of newly diagnosed patients after the adjustment for confounding factors. The dermal inflammatory cell infiltration rate was significantly lower in the refractory lesions (P = 0.022). Meanwhile, the epidermal thickness, horny layer thickness, grade of parakeratosis, and dermal vessel count did not differ between the groups (P = 0.125, 0.719, 0.542, and 0.758, respectively). Subgroup analyses were performed within the UST-treated group after dividing them into 2 groups according to the number of treatments or treatment response rates. None of these features were significantly different between the subgroups. This study suggests that the reduction of dermal inflammation by UST was not sufficient to ameliorate the epidermal changes and implies the role of the interleukin-23–independent downstream cytokine pathway in causing the refractory lesions among patients who responded well to UST. The continuation of UST treatment might not further improve epidermal alterations.
Asynchronous and Synchronous Delivery Models for Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Thomas Randal J. , Petersen Cara E. , Olson Thomas P. , Beatty Alexis L. , Ding Rongjing , Supervia Marta
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

To review the principles, advantages, and disadvantages of asynchronous and synchronous delivery models of home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR).

Methods:

We reviewed recently published systematic reviews and other publications of randomized studies of asynchronous and synchronous HBCR to assess principles, outcomes, and limitations of those delivery methods compared with center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR).

While most studies prior to 2016 involved asynchronous HBCR approaches to care, studies since 2016 have included asynchronous or synchronous delivery models. Both delivery models have been shown to help provide core components of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Studies using either method have been shown to have similar short-term patient outcomes as CBCR, at least in low- to moderate-risk patients who have been studied. Asynchronous HBCR offers greater flexibility for patients and CR staff, while synchronous HBCR provides greater real-time oversight and feedback to patients.

Asynchronous and synchronous HBCR is an option to consider for patients eligible for CR. Additional research is needed for both delivery models, applied separately or in combination, to compare their impact on shorter- and longer-term patient outcomes and to assess their impact in patient subgroups (referral diagnosis, women, elderly, underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups, patients at a higher cardiovascular disease risk, patients with multiple comorbid conditions, etc).
Artifacts in EEG-based BCI therapies: friend or foe?
Authors: McDermott Eric James , Raggam Philipp , Kirsch Sven , Belardinelli Paolo , Ziemann Ulf , Zrenner Christoph
Published: October 2021

EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) have promising therapeutic potential beyond traditional neurofeedback training, such as enabling personalized and optimized virtual reality (VR) neurorehabilitation paradigms where the timing and parameters of the visual experience is synchronized with specific brain-states. While BCI algorithms are often designed to focus on whichever portion of a signal is most informative, in these brain-state-synchronized applications, it is of critical importance that the resulting decoder is sensitive to physiological brain activity representative of various mental states, and not to artifacts, such as those arising from naturalistic movements. In this study, we compare the relative classification accuracy with which different motor tasks can be decoded from both extracted brain activity and artifacts contained in the EEG signal. EEG data was collected from 17 chronic stroke patients while performing six different head, hand, and arm movements in a realistic VR-based neurorehabilitation paradigm. Results show that the artifactual component of the EEG signal is significantly more informative than brain activity with respect to classification accuracy. This finding is consistent across different feature extraction methods and classification pipelines. While informative brain signals can be recovered with suitable cleaning procedures, we recommend that features should not be designed solely to maximize classification accuracy, as this could select for remaining artifactual components. We also propose the use of machine learning approaches that are interpretable to verify that classification is driven by physiological brain-states. In summary, whereas informative artifacts are a helpful friend in BCI-based communication applications, they can be a problematic foe in the estimation of physiological brain states.
Metacognition, cortical thickness, and tauopathy in aging
Authors: Zhuang Kailin , Chen Xi , Cassady Kaitlin E. , Baker Suzanne L. , Jagust William J.
Published: October 2021

We investigated two aspects of metacognition and their relationship with cortical thickness and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) biomarkers, amyloid and tau, in cognitively healthy older adults (N=151). The two metacognition measures were self-appraisal rating of task performance and the difference between self-appraisal rating and actual task performance (appraisal discrepancy). All participants underwent neuropsychological testing and 1.5T structural MRI. A subset (N=66) received amyloid-PET with [11C] PiB and tau-PET with [18F] Flortaucipir. We found that worse performers had lower self-appraisal ratings, but still overestimated their performance, consistent with the Dunning-Kruger effect. Self-appraisal rating and appraisal discrepancy revealed distinct relationships with cortical thickness and AD pathology. Greater appraisal discrepancy, indicating overestimation, was related to thinning of inferior-lateral temporal, fusiform, and rostral anterior cingulate cortices. Lower self-appraisal was associated with higher entorhinal and inferior temporal tau. These results suggest that overestimation could implicate structural atrophy beyond AD pathology, while lower self-appraisal could indicate early behavioral alteration due to AD pathology, supporting the notion of subjective cognitive decline prior to objective deficits.