bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The magnetic field driven superconductor–metal transition in disordered hole-overdoped cuprates
Authors: Johnsen Lina G
Published: December 2022

By solving the Bogoliubov–de Gennes equations for a d-wave superconductor, we explore how the interplay between disorder and the orbital depairing of an external magnetic field influences the superconductor–metal transition of the hole-overdoped cuprates. For highly disordered systems, we find granular Cooper paring to persist above the critical field where the superfluid stiffness goes to zero. We also show that because the vortices are attracted to regions where the superconducting pairing is already weak, the Caroli–de Gennes–Matricon zero-bias peak in the local density of states at the vortex cores disappears already at moderate disorder.
Effects of spatial quantization and Rabi-shifted resonances in single and double excitation of quantum wells and wires induced by few-photon optical field
Authors: Tikhonova Olga V , Vasil’ev Andrey N
Published: December 2022

We develop a fully quantum theoretical approach which describes the dynamics of Frenkel excitons and bi-excitons induced by few photon quantum light in a quantum well or wire (atomic chain) of finite lateral size. The excitation process is found to consist in the Rabi-like oscillations between the collective symmetric states characterized by discrete energy levels. At the same time, the enhanced excitation of high-lying free exciton states being in resonance with these ‘dressed’ polariton eigenstates is revealed. This found new effect is referred to as the formation of Rabi-shifted resonances and appears to be the most important and new feature established for the excitation of 1D and 2D nanostructures with final lateral size. The found new physics changes dramatically the conventional concepts of exciton formation and play an important role for the development of nanoelectronics and quantum information protocols involving manifold excitations in nanosystems.
Energy distribution of inelastic gas in a box is dominated by a power law—a derivation in the framework of sample space reducing processes
Authors: Thurner Stefan , Korbel Jan , Hanel Rudolf
Published: December 2022

We use the framework of sample space reducing (SSR) processes as an alternative to Boltzmann equation based approaches to derive the energy and velocity distribution functions of an inelastic gas in a box as an example of a dissipative, driven system. SSR processes do not assume molecular chaos and are characterized by a specific type of eigenvalue equation whose solutions represent stationary distribution functions. The equations incorporate the geometry of inelastic collisions and a driving mechanism in a transparent way. Energy is injected by boosting particles that hit the walls of the container to high energies. The numerical solution of the resulting equations yields approximate power laws over the entire energy region. The exponents decrease with the driving rate from about 2 to below 1.5 and depend on the coefficient of restitution. Results are confirmed with a molecular dynamics simulation in 3D with the same driving mechanism. The numerical solution of the resulting equations yields approximate power laws over the entire energy region. Deviations depend on the details of driving, density, and container.
Galvanomagnetic properties of a thin metal film considering dimensional quantization and diffuse surface scattering of electrons
Authors: Kuznetsova I A , Romanov D N , Savenko O V
Published: December 2022

The Expressions for the transverse magnetoresistance coefficient and the Hall coefficient of a film are analytically obtained and analyzed. Quantum dimensional effect is taken into account, but Landau levels are not considered. The film zone structure is spherically symmetric and obeys the parabolic law. Galvanomagnetic coefficients are calculated from the Liouville (von Neumann) equation taking into account diffuse boundary conditions for the distribution function.
Criticality points on the phase diagram of substances as scaling parameters in the law of corresponding states: alkali metals
Authors: Ramesh A , Balasubramanian R
Published: December 2022

The law of corresponding states (LCS), based on a generalized van der Waals equation of state (gvdWEoS) has been formulated by rescaling its thermodynamic variables with liquid- vapour critical—point parameters, the spinodal, the thermodynamic limit of superheat (TLS) and the supercritical (SC) point. This gvdWEoS differs from the known van der Waals equation of state (vdWEoS) by the modified attractive term. The scaling properties have been derived on the basis of the gvdWEoS. The expressions for the isothermal compressibility, a derivate of Gibbs free energy, have been derived. In all the cases of rescaling, the gvdWEoS has the similar functional form and the expression for isothermal compressibility has a similar functional form. This shows that the parameters of any spinodal-point on the phase diagram, including the TLS as a particular case, and the SC point, characteristic point on the quasispinodal, provide the alternate scales of parameterizing the thermodynamic properties of substances other than the liquid-vapour critical point. Moreover, an isothermal compressibility regularity is formulated on the basis of the gvdWEoS and it is found to satisfactorily trace the literature data for saturated liquid alkali metals.
Cold dense quark matter for the Alcubierre drive model
Authors: Guo Jia-rui
Published: December 2022

The Alcubierre warp drive is a controversial theory by Miguel Alcubierre. Some arguments claim that it may not be physically possible. However, based on previous studies, this work suggests an extremely dense quark matter with a low-temperature limit of up to zero that can satisfy the requirements of the Alcubierre warp drive model considering the color interaction potential energy. The energy-momentum tensor and velocity of the warp drive model supported by the quark matter are also described.
The role of thermal noise on key parameters governing the improvement of tokamak fusion reactor efficiency using aneutronic

D−H3e

fuel
Authors: Shakeri Abuzar , Heidari Ebrahim , Hosseinimotlagh Seyedeh Nasrin , Vanaie Hamid Reza
Published: December 2022

This article examines the time evolution of energy, particle density, synchrotron radiation loss, plasma frequency, electron particle density, and the relationship between these parameters and blackbody radiation in the presence of thermal noise for the tokamak fusion reactor with aneutronic

D
−

H

3

e

fuel. To achieve this goal, a suitable thermal noise term is added to the set of energy and particle balance equations. These nonlinear point kinetic coupled differential equations are simultaneously solved by numerical methods. The results of our calculations related to fusion power, particle density, fusion energy density, and quality factor in cases: (i) without and (ii) with noise show that in the conditions where thermal noise is considered, the mentioned parameters and quality factor are increased and in fact system performance improves. Also, our numerical results related to synchrotron radiation loss, plasma frequency, electron particle density, and energy intensity in cases (i) and (ii) show that in the conditions when blackbody radiation occurs (3.75 and 7.225 s respectively for (i) and (ii) cases), synchrotron radiation reaches the maximum values of

1.879
×

10

4

w
/

m

3

and

4.546
×

10

4

w
/

m

3

for (i) and (ii) cases, respectively.
Improvement in the simulation tools for heat distribution predictions and control of baffle and middle divertor loads in Wendelstein 7-X
Authors: Gao Yu , Feng Yuhe , Endler Michael , Jakubowski Marcin W. , Geiger Joachim , Bozhenkov Sergey , Puig Sitjes Aleix , Pisano Fabio , Dhard Chandra Prakash , Naujoks Dirk , Krychowiak Maciej , Otte Matthias , König Ralf , Zhang Daihong , Schlisio Georg , Wenzel Uwe , Sunn Pedersen Thomas
Published: December 2022

In the first divertor campaign in Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), unexpected significant heat loads were observed at particular plasma-facing components (e.g. baffle tiles and middle divertor part) which were not designed to receive high heat flux. In a prior investigation, it was concluded that the previous diffusive field line tracing (DFLT) model used for divertor design in W7-X cannot reproduce these loads, due to the missing physics in simulating the heat transport in the shaded flux tubes. To tackle this issue, two new efficient codes (DFLT_rev and EMC3-Lite) are introduced and validated against various experimental heat distributions in different magnetic configurations. The new tungsten baffle tiles have been designed with these codes and mounted in the machine, aiming for mitigated heat loads in the upcoming campaign.
Steady states and phase transitions in heterogeneous asymmetric exclusion processes
Authors: Goswami Atri , Chatterjee Mainak , Mukherjee Sudip
Published: December 2022

We study nonequilibrium steady states in totally asymmetric exclusion processes (TASEPs) with open boundary conditions having spatially inhomogeneous hopping rates. Considering smoothly varying hopping rates, we show that the steady states are in general classified by the steady state currents in direct analogy with open TASEPs having uniform hopping rates. We calculate the steady state bulk density profiles, which are now spatially nonuniform. We also obtain the phase diagrams in the plane of the control parameters, which, despite having phase boundaries that are in general curved lines, have the same topology as their counterparts for conventional open TASEPs, independent of the form of the hopping rate functions. This reveals a type of universality, not encountered in critical phenomena. Surprisingly and in contrast to the phase transitions in an open TASEP with uniform hopping, our studies on the phase transitions in the model reveal that all three transitions are first order in nature. We also demonstrate that this model admits delocalised domain walls (DDWs) on the phase boundaries, demarcating the generalised low and high density phases in this model. However, in contrast to the DDWs observed in an open TASEP with uniform hopping, the envelopes of the DDWs in the present model are generally curved lines.
Study on spontaneous combustion and environmental pollution in a coal storage yard
Authors: Muthukumar K , Amirtham K , Sundaramahalingam A
Published: December 2022

In coal fired power plants, Bituminous coal grade C is received through wagons from coal mines, unloaded, and separated as sized coal and coal dust. Coal is stored in stockpiles of around 22000 square metres that have been specified for coal storage. The size of each stockpile is 15’ in length, 10’ in width, and 10’ in height and the temperature in the locality is around 38 °C, with summer temperatures reaching 42 °C. Spontaneous combustion occurred more than 90 times in a six month time. More than 75% of the area always has coal-stock since the industries are far away from the coal mines and more than 50 big furnaces use the coal gas as fuel. Raw coal and coal dust have higher sulphur content, a very low onset temperature, and the highest volatile matter content. Hence, it undergoes spontaneous combustion easily. The fixed carbon of sized coal is higher, and therefore its susceptibility to unstructured burning is lesser contrast with two new trials since it will have a higher calorific value. The quality of coal has the highest impact, while low-grade coal is most responsible for spontaneous combustion, and high-grade coal is the least susceptible to warming. The main indicators are physical symptoms such as odor, smoke, or heat sensation. The polluted environments contain CO, CO2, CH4, C2H4, and C2H6.
Monitoring and analyzing the effect of heavy metals in air based on ecological and health risks in Coimbatore
Authors: Sadheesh S , Malathi R , Arundhathi  , Rino M Adlin , Swetha R
Published: December 2022

Earlier, there were limited number of small-scale factories and they were operated only for certain hours a day. Therefore, the level of air pollution was moderate. But when those factories are converted into a large-scale factory the industrial air pollution created a major impact. The studies say that 6 out of 10 people in Coimbatore region inhales polluted air that outdo the WHO data limit. Air quality index can convey the people how polluted the air is. Industries are the major source for worsening air quality. Higher the air quality greater the health concern. To estimate the air quality in the industrial areas of Coimbatore city the air pollutants like ammonia (NH3), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Particulate matter10 (PM10), Carbon mono oxide (CO) and Trioxygen (O3) are monitored regularly to do the analysis and also the suspended particulate matter (SPM) are collected in the industrial areas of five stations. The collected SPM undergoes analysis for heavy metal contents like Zinc (Zn), Ferrous (Fe), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr). All the ten samples were wrapped in a polythene sleeve and taken to air pollution division, Environmental Scientific Research Department, Government college of Technology, Coimbatore.

The result shows that the prominent pollutant present in Coimbatore city is Carbon monoxide (CO) and also the higher possibility of Particulate matter10 (PM10). In heavy metal content analysis, the result shows that the concentration of zinc (Zn) is greater than that of other metal contents in Coimbatore city. The order for concentration of heavy metals that we got from our analysis is Zn>Cu>Fe>Cr>Ni>Pb.The concentration of Zinc (Zn) is higher because in most of the industries iron and steel plays a major role. Zinc (Zn) act as protective coating for those products.

Air pollution is one of the deadly environmental threat for death. It is accountable that the death from heart attacks, strokes, breathing disorder and other respiratory disease are more than 7 million for every year. This states that the death due to air pollution causing diseases are greater than tuberculosis, AIDS and malaria combined. As per the medical analysis the causes of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are mainly due to the heavy metal content present in the air.
Geometric characteristics of multitudinous lakes and lake catchments for Bangalore rural catchment
Authors: Jacob P , Palur S , Sameer S M , Sneha M , Puneeth L , Namratha B
Published: December 2022

Bangalore is a city of lakes. There are numerous lakes in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts with significant variations in the size of the lakes. The lakes are an essential water source to these areas in the absence of rivers. It is necessary to know the morphometry parameters of the lake and its catchment to compute the volume of water generated and stored in the lakes during rainfall events. The geometric aspects of the lake provide robust knowledge about the hydrologic response of the catchment to rainfall events. The delineation of lake and lake catchment is done in QGIS software. There are 131 lake catchments in the study area whose catchment area varies from 0.20km2 to 22.5km2. The geometric aspects’ average values, namely form factor, compactness coefficient, elongation ratio, and circularity ratio, are 0.815, 1.8, 1, and 0.321, respectively. These parameters are derived from the lake catchment’s area, perimeter, and length.
Reduction of Dye component level by using the waste based materials- Groundnut shell powder and Neem seed powder
Authors: Sankar Subhashini , Kowsalya E.
Published: December 2022

Methylene blue dye discharged from the textile industries is a thiazine dye which is toxic and non-degradable chemical. Activated carbon is mostly used adsorbent to effectively remove Methylene blue from industrial waste waters. Low-cost adsorbents like groundnut shell powder and neem powder were used for the dye component level present in a solution as batchmode treatment for the Methylene blue concentration of 200mg/litre and fixed adsorbent concentration of 0.5 grams Adsorbent I (Neem seed powder) have an excellent adsorption capacity of 85% where as for the same process condition, Adsorbent II (Groundnut shell powder) showed only 15% adsorption. The Effect of contact time on Adsorbate (Methylene blue) concentration removal data obtained for the both adsorbent I & II shows linear increase of percent removal capacity. For adsorbent I it shows maximum of 95% in 100min for adsorbent II 80 % is the maximum Percent removal.
Design and development of a 2-liter flush system for squat latrine
Authors: Nandhakumar A. , Mithulkiruthik K S , Kiritharan C , Karthick K
Published: December 2022

Among the various energy resources water plays a vital role in our day today life. This source has been deploying every year due to bore well construction and because of climatic change caused by pollution. Wastage of water in public toilets is an important issue in our day today life. This paper provides an alternative solution to reduce the wastage of water in public toilet by modifying the structure of the public toilet construction for effective usage. Additionally by using the natural resources like lime and ash the toilet faeces are decomposed and it is converted to fertilizer. Initially the design of the toilet system was carried out using Solid works. The prototype design of the flush system was developed and its performances like consumption of water quantity, dimension of the toilet system, cost of implementation and environmental impacts caused by the toilet system was compared with the western type toilet system.
Performance of Lightweight Self Cured Geopolymer Tiles
Authors: Anuja N , Jeganmurugan P , Sree Rameswari A , Yasar Mohammed
Published: December 2022

Recent investigation proved that the major threat produced by the cement industries can be prevented by using a unique type of concrete called geopolymer. Here, the strength and heat based properties of light weight self-cured geopolymer tiles are investigated. The mix is prepared by taking Sodium hydroxide solution of 10 M, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio as 2.5, liquid to flyash ratio of 0.4 as the base, Superplasticizer CONPLAST SP430 which is of Napthalene based is used to improve geopolymer concrete’s operability. Here calcium rich GGBS and OPC are added at an interval of 1% as additives in the range of 5 -10%. A tile at ambient curing with 10% of GGBS showed a better outcome of 37.5% than the oven cured one. Inorder to make geopolymer as a good thermal insulating material with adequate strength, different types of foaming agents are added to the geopolymer mix. Foaming agents helps in developing pores inside the specimen which makes them light in weight. Here, hydrogen peroxide is used as foaming agent, which is added to the geopolymer mix in the range of 0.5-1.5% at the interval of 0.5%. 0.5% of hydrogen peroxide showed a better strength in bending such as 81.3% higher than the other and also shows good thermal property.
Employment of cisco metal slag in fly ash bricks for a progressive sustainable solution for reusing waste from manufacture of creation materials
Authors: Vetturayasudharsanan R , Kavitha S , mandal Uzwal , Bhavadharini S , Dharani A , Balaji G
Published: December 2022

The metal-production industry creates a wide exhibit of strong waste, fluid effluents, and vaporous squanders. The stable wastes include slag, powdery materials, sludge, and scrap. So feasibility have a look at of metal slag recycling in fly ash bricks applied laboratory assessments and commercial trials on three exceptional styles of wastes and clay bodies. Crucial necessities consist of slag grinding at 90micron in size, in addition to magnetic separation. In an effort to replace everyday conventional bricks with Cisco metallic ash CSA) and Fly Ash (FA), lime is used as a binder cloth and whereas gypsum as a stabilizer. A huge variety of houses became examined, which includes unit weight and workability of fresh concrete, compressive strength, dihydrogen monoxide (water absorption), efflorescence of hardened concrete. In keeping with Indian codal provision three types were taken in account (Type1, Type2, Type3) with alternative of composition like [Type I - Fly ash: lime: M-sand: gypsum, Type II-Fly ash: cisco steel: M-sand: gypsum, Type III- - Fly ash: cisco steel: lime: M-sand: gypsum] to test the energy properties. While doing the test with metallic ash composition, it effects in higher electricity in lieu of metallic performs a tension position at some stage in loading. Although this addition of metal slag consequences in the discount of shrinkage which ends up in financial and better nice bricks.
Characterization of porosity in lack of fusion pores in selective laser melting using the wavefunction
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Liao Qiuhui , Zhang Xiaoxun , Ma Fang , Wu Minghui , Xu Qiang
Published: December 2022

Selective laser melting (SLM) is used extensively in the manufacture of components for both production and domestic applications. However, the lack of fusion pores is one of the most common defects in the SLM process, affecting the performance and life of the part and hindering the development of the SLM process. Meanwhile, the defects are particularly sensitive to changes in SLM process parameters. The micro-selective laser melting (μ SLM) model was established by molecular dynamics simulation, and the lack of fusion pores in the melt pool was analyzed by a multifunctional wavefunction analyzer to understand the difference of the porosities under different processes. The results show that both laser power and scanning speed can prolong the existence time of the melt pool by changing the input energy density. The melted powder has more time to fill the lack of fusion pores, thus reducing the porosity. The larger scanning spacing hinders the combination of adjacent melt pools, leading to an increase in porosity. Reducing scanning spacing will lead to sintering or remelting, thus improving the bonding quality of adjacent melt pools and effectively reducing porosity.
No-reference perceptual CT image quality assessment based on a self-supervised learning framework
Authors: Lee Wonkyeong , Cho Eunbyeol , Kim Wonjin , Choi Hyebin , Beck Kyongmin Sarah , Yoon Hyun Jung , Baek Jongduk , Choi Jang-Hwan
Published: December 2022

Accurate image quality assessment (IQA) is crucial to optimize computed tomography (CT) image protocols while keeping the radiation dose as low as reasonably achievable. In the medical domain, IQA is based on how well an image provides a useful and efficient presentation necessary for physicians to make a diagnosis. Moreover, IQA results should be consistent with radiologists’ opinions on image quality, which is accepted as the gold standard for medical IQA. As such, the goals of medical IQA are greatly different from those of natural IQA. In addition, the lack of pristine reference images or radiologists’ opinions in a real-time clinical environment makes IQA challenging. Thus, no-reference IQA (NR-IQA) is more desirable in clinical settings than full-reference IQA (FR-IQA). Leveraging an innovative self-supervised training strategy for object detection models by detecting virtually inserted objects with geometrically simple forms, we propose a novel NR-IQA method, named deep detector IQA (D2IQA), that can automatically calculate the quantitative quality of CT images. Extensive experimental evaluations on clinical and anthropomorphic phantom CT images demonstrate that our D2IQA is capable of robustly computing perceptual image quality as it varies according to relative dose levels. Moreover, when considering the correlation between the evaluation results of IQA metrics and radiologists’ quality scores, our D2IQA is marginally superior to other NR-IQA metrics and even shows performance competitive with FR-IQA metrics.
Development and validation of a deep learning algorithm based on fundus photographs for estimating the CAIDE dementia risk score
Authors: Hua Rong , Xiong Jianhao , Li Gail , Zhu Yidan , Ge Zongyuan , Ma Yanjun , Fu Meng , Li Chenglong , Wang Bin , Dong Li , Zhao Xin , Ma Zhiqiang , Chen Jili , Gao Xinxiao , He Chao , Wang Zhaohui , Wei Wenbin , Wang Fei , Gao Xiangyang , Chen Yuzhong , Zeng Qiang , Xie Wuxiang
Published: December 2022

Background

the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) dementia risk score is a recognised tool for dementia risk stratification. However, its application is limited due to the requirements for multidimensional information and fasting blood draw. Consequently, an effective and non-invasive tool for screening individuals with high dementia risk in large population-based settings is urgently needed.

Methods

a deep learning algorithm based on fundus photographs for estimating the CAIDE dementia risk score was developed and internally validated by a medical check-up dataset included 271,864 participants in 19 province-level administrative regions of China, and externally validated based on an independent dataset included 20,690 check-up participants in Beijing. The performance for identifying individuals with high dementia risk (CAIDE dementia risk score ≥ 10 points) was evaluated by area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

the algorithm achieved an AUC of 0.944 (95% CI: 0.939–0.950) in the internal validation group and 0.926 (95% CI: 0.913–0.939) in the external group, respectively. Besides, the estimated CAIDE dementia risk score derived from the algorithm was significantly associated with both comprehensive cognitive function and specific cognitive domains.

Conclusions

this algorithm trained via fundus photographs could well identify individuals with high dementia risk in a population setting. Therefore, it has the potential to be utilised as a non-invasive and more expedient method for dementia risk stratification. It might also be adopted in dementia clinical trials, incorporated as inclusion criteria to efficiently select eligible participants.
Photosynthesis and leaf structure of F1 hybrids between Cymbidium ensifolium (C3) and C. bicolor subsp. pubescens (CAM)
Authors: Yamaga-Hatakeyama Yoko , Okutani Masamitsu , Hatakeyama Yuto , Yabiku Takayuki , Yukawa Tomohisa , Ueno Osamu
Published: December 2022

Background and aims

The introduction of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) into C3 crops has been considered as a means of improving water-use efficiency. In this study, we investigated photosynthetic and leaf structural traits in F1 hybrids between Cymbidium ensifolium (female C3 parent) and C. bicolor subsp. pubescens (male CAM parent) of the Orchidaceae.

Methods

Seven F1 hybrids produced through artificial pollination and in vitro culture were grown in a greenhouse with the parent plants. Structural, biochemical and physiological traits involved in CAM in their leaves were investigated.

Key results

Cymbidium ensifolium accumulated very low levels of malate without diel fluctuation, whereas C. bicolor subsp. pubescens showed nocturnal accumulation and diurnal consumption of malate. The F1s also accumulated malate at night, but much less than C. bicolor subsp. pubescens. This feature was consistent with low nocturnal fixation of atmospheric CO2 in the F1s. The δ13C values of the F1s were intermediate between those of the parents. Leaf thickness was thicker in C. bicolor subsp. pubescens than in C. ensifolium, and those of the F1s were more similar to that of C. ensifolium. This was due to the difference in mesophyll cell size. The chloroplast coverage of mesophyll cell perimeter adjacent to intercellular air spaces of C. bicolor subsp. pubescens was lower than that of C. ensifolium, and that of the F1s was intermediate between them. Interestingly, one F1 had structural and physiological traits more similar to those of C. bicolor subsp. pubescens than the other F1s. Nevertheless, all F1s contained intermediate levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase but as much pyruvate, Pi dikinase as C. bicolor subsp. pubescens.

Conclusions

CAM traits were intricately inherited in the F1 hybrids, the level of CAM expression varied widely among F1 plants, and the CAM traits examined were not necessarily co-ordinately transmitted to the F1s.
Fluid Balance After Tumescent Infiltration: A Practical Guideline to Avoid Dilution Anemia in Circumferential Liposuction Based on a Prospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Aslani Alexander , Waked Karl , Kuenlen Anian
Published: December 2022

Background

Circumferential liposuction may cause dilution anemia due to a high volume of infiltrated tumescent. Studies analyzing the percentage of absorbed tumescent and the safe limit of tumescent infiltration are currently lacking.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to calculate the average volume uptake of administered fluids in power-assisted liposuction, and to calculate a practical formula to determine the amount of fluid that can safely be administered without inducing symptomatic dilution anemia or hypervolemia.

Methods

Patients undergoing circumferential liposuction with power-assisted tumescent infiltration were included in a prospective clinical study. All relevant administered and excreted volumes during and after the operation were collected. Preoperative vs postoperative hemogram results were compared and the hemodynamic parameters were followed for 24 hours. The average volume uptake was calculated based on the measured volumes, and on the ratio between administered volumes and the patient's blood volume.

Results

Thirty patients were included during September 2021. The average volume uptake was 58% for a calculated 1.11:1 infiltration to aspiration ratio. There was a mean drop of 1.9 g/dL and 4.6% for the postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit, respectively, with a stable red blood cell level. All patients remained hemodynamically stable without the need for blood transfusion or prolonged oxygen administration. The average tumescent vs blood volume ratio was 85.0%.

Conclusions

In circumferential liposuction with power-assisted infiltration, the infiltrated tumescent volume should remain below 85% of the patient's blood volume to minimize the risk of symptomatic dilution anemia or hypervolemia.

Level of Evidence: 4
Comparing the roles of climate, predation and phylogeography in driving wing colour variation in Ranchman’s tiger moth (Arctia virginalis)
Authors: Pepi Adam , Hemstrom William , Dang Audrey , Beck Claire , Beyerle Fiona
Published: December 2022

In Lepidoptera, as an explanation for darker phenotypes occurring in colder areas, wing melanism has been proposed to increase solar thermal gain. Alternatively, trade-offs with aposematic signalling and ultraviolet protection have been proposed as explanations for variation in melanism. To investigate the roles of temperature, humidity, solar radiation and predation in driving melanism in the Ranchman’s tiger moth (Arctia virginalis), we characterized wing melanism in 23 populations across the range. We also conducted predation experiments using artificial moths and carried out genetic analyses to examine population structure and to test whether wing coloration was hereditary. We found that wing melanism was positively associated with mean temperature during the flight season, which was the best predictor of melanism rates. Wing melanism also exhibited a negative association with humidity and a weak positive association with insolation. We also found two loci weakly associated with wing melanism and showed that melanism is likely to be highly hereditary but not closely associated with population differentiation. Our results contrast with previous findings that melanism is associated with colder conditions and higher predation risk and suggest that humidity and protection against ultraviolet radiation are potential drivers of variation in wing melanism that have been overlooked.
Clinical consequences of nonadherence to Barrett’s esophagus surveillance recommendations: a Multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Roumans Carlijn A M , van der Bogt Ruben D , Nieboer Daan , Steyerberg Ewout W , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Lansdorp-Vogelaar Iris , Biermann Katharina , Bruno Marco J , Spaander Manon C W
Published: December 2022

Half of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) surveillance endoscopies do not adhere to guideline recommendations. In this multicenter prospective cohort study, we assessed the clinical consequences of nonadherence to recommended surveillance intervals and biopsy protocol. Data from BE surveillance patients were collected from endoscopy and pathology reports; questionnaires were distributed among endoscopists. We estimated the association between (non)adherence and (i) endoscopic curability of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), (ii) mortality, and (iii) misclassification of histological diagnosis according to a multistate hidden Markov model. Potential explanatory parameters (patient, facility, endoscopist variables) for nonadherence, related to clinical impact, were analyzed. In 726 BE patients, 3802 endoscopies were performed by 167 endoscopists. Adherence to surveillance interval was 16% for non-dysplastic (ND)BE, 55% for low-grade dysplasia (LGD), and 54% of endoscopies followed the Seattle protocol. There was no evidence to support the following statements: longer surveillance intervals or fewer biopsies than recommended affect endoscopic curability of EAC or cause-specific mortality (P > 0.20); insufficient biopsies affect the probability of NDBE (OR 1.0) or LGD (OR 2.3) being misclassified as high-grade dysplasia/EAC (P > 0.05). Better adherence was associated with older patients (OR 1.1), BE segments ≤ 2 cm (OR 8.3), visible abnormalities (OR 1.8, all P ≤ 0.05), endoscopists with a subspecialty (OR 3.2), and endoscopists who deemed histological diagnosis an adequate marker (OR 2.0). Clinical consequences of nonadherence to guidelines appeared to be limited with respect to endoscopic curability of EAC and mortality. This indicates that BE surveillance recommendations should be optimized to minimize the burden of endoscopies.
Muscle Health Patterns and Brain MRI Indices: A Cluster Analysis
Authors: Wu Shou-En , Chen Wei-Liang
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

The interplay between muscle and brain lacks a holistic approach to assess the combined effect of multiple factors. This study utilizes clustering analysis to identify muscle health patterns and their relationships with various brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices.

Research Design and Methods

Two hundred and seventy-five cognitively intact participants who completed brain MRI from the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study were enrolled. Muscle health-related markers that showed significant relationship with total gray matter volume entered the cluster analysis. Subsequently, macrostructural and microstructural MRI indices were examined with analysis of variance and multiple linear regression analysis to determine significant associations with muscle health clusters. The muscle health cluster included 6 variables: age, skeletal muscle mass index, gait speed, handgrip strength, change of total body fat, and serum leptin level. Clustering method produced 3 clusters which had characteristics of obese, leptin-resistant, and sarcopenia, respectively.

Results

Brain MRI indices that revealed significant associations with the clusters included gray matter volume (GMV) in cerebellum (p < .001), superior frontal gyrus (p = .019), inferior frontal gyrus (p = .003), posterior cingulum (p = .021), vermis (p = .045), and gray matter density (GMD) in gyrus rectus (p < .001) and temporal pole (p < .001). The leptin-resistant group had most degree of reduction in GMV, whereas the sarcopenia group had most degree of reduction in GMD.

Discussion and Implications

The leptin-resistant and sarcopenia populations had higher risk of neuroimaging alterations. Clinicians should raise awareness on the brain MRI findings in clinical settings. Because these patients mostly had central nervous system conditions or other critical illnesses, the risk of sarcopenia as a comorbidity will substantially affect the prognosis and medical care.
Understanding water conservation vs. profligation traits in vegetable legumes through a physio-transcriptomic-functional approach
Authors: Fang Pingping , Sun Ting , Pandey Arun Kumar , Jiang Libo , Wu Xinyang , Hu Yannan , Cheng Shiping , Li Mingxuan , Xu Pei
Published: December 2022

Vegetable soybean and cowpea are related warm-season legumes showing contrasting leaf water use behaviors under similar root drought stresses, whose mechanisms are not well understood. Here we conducted an integrative phenomic-transcriptomic study on the two crops grown in a feedback irrigation system that enabled precise control of soil water contents. Continuous transpiration rate monitoring demonstrated that cowpea used water more conservatively under earlier soil drought stages, but tended to maintain higher transpiration under prolonged drought. Interestingly, we observed a soybean-specific transpiration rate increase accompanied by phase shift under moderate soil drought. Time-series transcriptomic analysis suggested a dehydration avoidance mechanism of cowpea at early soil drought stage, in which the VuHAI3 and VuTIP2;3 genes were suggested to be involved. Multifactorial gene clustering analysis revealed different responsiveness of genes to drought, time of day and their interactions between the two crops, which involved species-dependent regulation of the circadian clock genes. Gene network analysis identified two co-expression modules each associated with transpiration rate in cowpea and soybean, including a pair of negatively correlated modules between species. Module hub genes, including the ABA-degrading gene GmCYP707A4 and the trehalose-phosphatase/synthase gene VuTPS9 were identified. Inter-modular network analysis revealed putative co-players of the hub genes. Transgenic analyses verified the role of VuTPS9 in regulating transpiration rate under osmotic stresses. These findings propose that species-specific transcriptomic reprograming in leaves of the two crops suffering similar soil drought was not only a result of the different drought resistance level, but a cause of it.
The impact of COVID-19 on multidrug-resistant organisms causing healthcare-associated infections: a narrative review
Authors: Witt Lucy S , Howard-Anderson Jessica R , Jacob Jesse T , Gottlieb Lindsey B
Published: December 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) changed healthcare across the world. With this change came an increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and a concerning concurrent proliferation of MDR organisms (MDROs). In this narrative review, we describe the impact of COVID-19 on HAIs and MDROs, describe potential causes of these changes, and discuss future directions to combat the observed rise in rates of HAIs and MDRO infections.
Real-life temocillin use in Greater Paris area, effectiveness and risk factors for failure in infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales: a multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Dinh Aurélien , Duran Clara , Singh Simrandeep , Tesmoingt Chloé , Bouabdallah Laura , Hamon Antoine , Antignac Marie , Ourghanlian Clément , Loustalot Marie-Caroline , Pain Jean Baptiste , Wyplosz Benjamin , Junot Helga , Bleibtreu Alexandre , Michelon Hugues ,   The Temocillin Greater Paris Study Group, Dinh Aurélien , Duran Clara , Michelon Hugues , Batista Rui , Singh Simrandeep , Deconinck Laurène , Tesmoingt Chloé , Bouadballah Laura , Lafaurie Matthieu , Touratier Sophie , de Lastours Victoire , Hamon Antoine , Antignac Marie , Pacanowski Jérôme , Ourghanlian Clément , Lepeule Raphaël , Lebeaux David , Loustalot Marie-Caroline , Calin Ruxandra , Pain Jean Baptiste , Wyplosz Benjamin , Bleibtreu Alexandre , Junot Helga
Published: December 2022

Background

Temocillin is a β-lactam that is not hydrolysed by ESBLs

Objectives

To describe the real-life use of temocillin, to assess its effectiveness in infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales, and to identify risk factors for treatment failure.

Methods

Retrospective multicentric study in eight tertiary care hospitals in the Greater Paris area, including patients who received at least one dose of temocillin for ESBL infections from 1 January to 31 December 2018. Failure was a composite criterion defined within 28 day follow-up by persistence or reappearance of signs of infection, and/or switch to suppressive antibiotic treatment and/or death from infection. A logistic regression with univariable and multivariable analysis was performed to identify risks associated with failure.

Results

Data on 130 infection episodes were collected; 113 were due to ESBL-producing Enterobacterales. Mean age was 65.2 ± 15.7 years and 68.1% patients were male. Indications were mostly urinary tract infections (UTIs) (85.8%), bloodstream infections (11.5%), respiratory tract infections (RTIs) (3.5%) and intra-abdominal infections (3.5%). Bacteria involved were Escherichia coli (49.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (44.2%) and Enterobacter cloacae (8.8%). Polymicrobial infections occurred in 23.0% of cases. Temocillin was mostly used in monotherapy (102/113, 90.3%). Failure was found in 13.3% of cases. Risk factors for failure in multivariable analysis were: RTI (aOR 23.3, 95% CI 1.5–358.2) and neurological disease (aOR 5.3, 95% CI 1.5–18.6).

Conclusions

The main use of temocillin was UTI due to ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae, with a favourable clinical outcome. The main risk factor for failure was neurological disease.
A cross-sectional study of hospital antimicrobial stewardship programmes in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Leung Valerie , Quirk Jacquelyn , Muir Sarah , Daneman Nick , Schwartz Kevin L , Langford Bradley J
Published: December 2022

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a global public health issue amid the COVID-19 pandemic; however, unprecedented demands on hospital antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) potentially altered their core activities.

Objective

We sought to understand how ASPs have been involved in and impacted by the pandemic.

Methods

The 2021 Ontario ASP Landscape Survey was developed based on previous provincial questionnaires and emerging literature on the impact of COVID-19 on hospital ASPs. After pre-testing and piloting, the online questionnaire was distributed to hospital antimicrobial stewardship practitioners in the fall of 2021. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were performed.

Results

The response rate was 78% (98/125 organizations); 96% (94/98) of organizations had or were in the process of formalizing an ASP and 53% (50/94) reported designated funding/resources. Despite 82% reporting no change in dedicated full-time equivalents during the pandemic, ASPs were frequently involved in developing treatment guidelines/clinical pathways (51%), anticipating/managing drug shortages (46%) and obtaining investigational use drugs (32%). While many core ASP activities continued, prospective audit and feedback and prescriber education were modified or suspended by 43% and 40% of programmes, respectively. Decreased frequency, adaptation of activities (i.e. virtual or other technology) and challenges with staffing/resources were commonly reported themes. Knowledge translation (KT) activities and ‘collaboration and coordination’ also emerged as salient themes.

Conclusions

Hospital antimicrobial stewardship practitioners in Ontario have made significant contributions to the pandemic response while continuing to deliver adapted ASP services, despite resource constraints. Moving forward, ASPs will need to continue building capacity while leveraging broader networks to advance the antimicrobial stewardship agenda.
Validation of the QLQ-CAX24 instrument in cervical cancer and its association with cachexia classifications
Authors: Luvián-Morales Julissa , Castillo-Aguilar Jessica , Delgadillo-González Merari , Cisneros-Sánchez Amairani , Bosch-Gutiérrez Julene , Castro-Eguiluz Denisse , Cetina-Pérez Lucely , Oñate-Ocaña Luis F
Published: December 2022

Cancer-related cachexia (CRC) is a common phenomenon in cervical cancer (CC), severely affecting clinical response, drug toxicity and survival. The patients’ point of view should be evaluated to quantify the impact of CRC, and adequate instruments to do so are required. Thus, the study aimed to validate the Mexican-Spanish version of the QLQ-CAX24 instrument in women with CC.

A cohort of women with CC answered the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CAX24 instruments. The psychometric and clinimetric properties of the instruments were assessed.

Two hundred and forty-four women were included; the mean age was 50 years (IQR: 41–60) and 188 (77%) were first diagnosed in locally advanced stages. The QLQ-CAX24 internal consistency test demonstrated adequate convergent (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.08–0.709) and divergent validity (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.006–0.471). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of the three multi-item scales were >0.5 (minimum 0.539, maximum 0.84). Patients with decreased handgrip strength, low fat-free mass, or high C-reactive protein levels had worse QLQ-CAX24 scale scores. Cachexia was diagnosed with the SCRINIO, Fearon and Evans criteria, and 31.5, 32.4 and 38.5% of women had cachexia, respectively. Patients with cachexia had the worst scores in terms of quality of life. The test re-test analysis did not show differences between visits in patients without malnutrition.

The Mexican-Spanish version of the QLQ-CAX24 instrument is reliable and valid. Low handgrip strength, low fat-free mass and high C-reactive protein levels were associated with poor scale scores.
Active surveillance in younger patients with prostate cancer: clinical characteristics including longitudinal patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Tohi Yoichiro , Kato Takuma , Matsuda Iori , Honda Tomoko , Osaki Yu , Naito Hirohito , Matsuoka Yuki , Okazoe Homare , Taoka Rikiya , Ueda Nobufumi , Sugimoto Mikio
Published: December 2022

Objective

this study aimed to evaluate the active surveillance continuation period, treatment intervention rate and health-related quality of life in younger patients.

Methods

we prospectively conducted a health-related quality of life survey of patients enrolled in the Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance-JAPAN study at Kagawa University between January 2010 and December 2020. Health-related quality of life was assessed by mail using a validated Japanese version of the Short-Form 8 Health Survey and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index at active surveillance enrolment and annually thereafter until discontinuation of active surveillance. We divided the patients into two groups, younger (aged <65 years) and older (aged ≥65 years), and compared the two groups.

Results

of the 84 patients, 22 were in the younger group. The active surveillance continuation period was shorter in the younger group than in the older group. The 3-year treatment intervention rate was higher in the younger group than in the older group. The majority of the reasons for definitive treatment were related to the protocol, which was similar in both groups (80 versus 76%). The sexual summary scores at active surveillance enrolment were higher in the younger group than in the older group. During active surveillance, the younger group and the older group showed no deterioration in all health-related quality of life scores compared with the scores at the enrolment of active surveillance.

Conclusions

patient-reported health-related quality of life survey indicated that the health-related quality of life of younger Japanese patients was maintained over time during active surveillance, similar to that of older patients.
A case report of bladder leiomyoma: an unusual bladder tumour
Authors: Stanescu Andi , Smith Stephanie F , Ball Richard , Reddy Utsav , Tsiotras Alexios
Published: December 2022

Leiomyomas are benign mesenchymal tumours that rarely arise in the bladder. We present a case of a 53-year-old female who was incidentally diagnosed with a bladder leiomyoma identified on CT imaging performed for investigation of a urachal remnant. We discuss the investigation and management of this lesion in the context of modern urology practice. An awareness of this unusual tumour is important for urologists, who may encounter similar cases in their general urology practice.