bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact reverse time migration: A real-time approach for full waveform ultrasound imaging for breast
Authors: Xu Linan , Maurer Hansruedi , Böhm Christian
Published: November 2023

We present compact reverse time migration (CRTM), a real-time ultrasound imaging method that can exploit the full waveform information of ultrasonic wave records for imaging breast tissue. Conventional reverse time migration (RTM) computes the gradient of the reflective ultrasound data with respect to the perturbation of the velocity model of the soft tissues and the gradient can indicate the interface between different types of body tissue. In contrast to conventional reflection ultrasound (B-mode), which is based on the high-frequency approximation to the wave equation, the RTM algorithm is based on the complete wave equation, and can thus exploit the full waveform (wide-spectrum) information of the data and provide an image with higher resolution. Unfortunately, the computational burden of RTM is noticeably higher than the ray-based B-mode. This precludes real-time applications, one of the most important features of ultrasound imaging. The proposed CRTM algorithm can significantly reduce the computational costs of RTM, such that it can be applied for real-time imaging. We demonstrate the performance of CRTM through a synthetic experiment of ultrasound breast imaging. CRTM can be potentially adapted to related signal-processing fields, such as seismic imaging, acoustic camera systems, and radar imaging.
Curbing global solid waste emissions toward net-zero warming futures
Authors: Hoy Zheng Xuan , Woon Kok Sin , Chin Wen Cheong , Van Fan Yee , Yoo Seung Jick
Published: November 2023

No global analysis has considered the warming that could be averted through improved solid waste management and how much that could contribute to meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5° and 2°C pathway goals or the terms of the Global Methane Pledge. With our estimated global solid waste generation of 2.56 to 3.33 billion tonnes by 2050, implementing abrupt technical and behavioral changes could result in a net-zero warming solid waste system relative to 2020, leading to 11 to 27 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide warming–equivalent emissions under the temperature limits. These changes, however, require accelerated adoption within 9 to 17 years (by 2033 to 2041) to align with the Global Methane Pledge. Rapidly reducing methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide emissions is necessary to maximize the short-term climate benefits and stop the ongoing temperature rise.
A tool for more specific DNA integration
Authors: Dhingra Yukti , Sashital Dipali G.
Published: November 2023

The efficiency of targeted DNA insertion by CRISPR transposons is improved
Grabbing neuropeptide signals in the brain
Authors: Romanov Roman A. , Harkany Tibor
Published: November 2023

Bioengineered sensors resolve the dynamics of neuropeptide action
In vitro
and
in vivo
activity of cefiderocol against
Achromobacter
spp. and
Burkholderia cepacia
complex, including carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates
Authors: Takemura Miki , Nakamura Rio , Ota Merime , Nakai Ryuichiro , Sahm Daniel F. , Hackel Meredith A. , Yamano Yoshinori
Published: November 2023

Achromobacter
spp. and
Burkholderia cepacia
complex (Bcc) are rare but diverse opportunistic pathogens associated with serious infections, which are often multidrug resistant. This study compared the
in vitro
antibacterial activity of the siderophore antibiotic cefiderocol against
Achromobacter
spp. and Bcc isolates with that of other approved antibacterial drugs, including ceftazidime-avibactam, ciprofloxacin, colistin, imipenem-relebactam, and meropenem-vaborbactam. Isolates were collected in the SIDERO multinational surveillance program. Among 334
Achromobacter
spp. isolates [76.6% from respiratory tract infections (RTIs)], cefiderocol had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
50/90
of 0.06/0.5 µg/mL overall and 0.5/4 µg/mL against 52 (15.6%) carbapenem-non-susceptible (Carb-NS) isolates. Eleven (3.3%)
Achromobacter
spp. isolates overall and 6 (11.5%) Carb-NS isolates were not susceptible to cefiderocol. Among 425 Bcc isolates (73.4% from RTIs), cefiderocol had MIC
50/90
of ≤0.03/0.5 µg/mL overall and ≤0.03/1 µg/mL against 184 (43.3%) Carb-NS isolates. Twenty-two (5.2%) Bcc isolates overall and 13 (7.1%) Carb-NS isolates were not susceptible to cefiderocol. Cumulative MIC distributions showed cefiderocol to be the most active of the agents tested
in vitro
against both
Achromobacter
spp. and Bcc. In a neutropenic murine lung infection model and a humanized pharmacokinetic immunocompetent rat lung infection model, cefiderocol showed significant bactericidal activity against two meropenem-resistant
Achromobacter xylosoxidans
strains compared with untreated controls (
P
< 0.05) and vehicle-treated controls (
P
< 0.05), respectively. Meropenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin comparators showed no significant activity in these models. The results suggest that cefiderocol could be a possible treatment option for RTIs caused by
Achromobacter
spp. and Bcc.
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of ibrexafungerp in healthy Chinese subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Rui , Li Rong , Wu Qiong , Pan Chao , Yu Xiangqing , Liu Yuhui , Wang Benjie , Yu Shuwen
Published: November 2023

Ibrexafungerp (code name in China: HS-10366) is a first-in-class and orally active triterpenoid antifungal agent with broad antifungal activity against
Candida
spp.,
Aspergillus
spp., and other fungal pathogens. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The study aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of oral ibrexafungerp in healthy Chinese adults. A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending dose (SAD,
n
= 42), and multiple ascending dose (MAD,
n
= 28) study was conducted in healthy Chinese subjects from March to October 2022. There were three cohorts in the SAD stage (300, 600, and 1,500 mg) and two cohorts in the MAD stage [450 mg once daily (QD) for 7 days; a loading dose of 750 mg twice daily (BID) for the first 2 days followed by a maintenance dose of 750 mg QD for consecutive 5 days]. Eligible participants in each cohort were randomly assigned in a 6:1 ratio to receive either ibrexafungerp or placebo orally. The primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability. The secondary objective was to evaluate PK parameters, including C
max
, AUC, and t
1/2
. A total of 70 healthy Chinese subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) age was 29.0 (6.32), and 55.7% were male. All treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild or moderate. There were no serious adverse events, and no subjects were discontinued from the study due to TEAEs. All TEAEs were recovered or resolved. The most common TEAEs were diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. In the SAD stage, C
max
, and AUC increased in an approximately dose-proportional manner in the dose range of 300–1,500 mg. The mean t
1/2
was within 18.29–21.30 hours. In the MAD stage, an accumulation of exposure (C
max
and AUC) was observed following multiple doses. This phase 1 study demonstrates a favorable safety, tolerability, and PK profile of ibrexafungerp in healthy Chinese subjects.
No fitness cost entailed by type VI secretion system synthesis, assembly, contraction, or disassembly in enteroaggregative
Escherichia coli
Authors: Taillefer Boris , Giraud Julien F. , Cascales Eric
Published: November 2023

Polymicrobial communities are shaped by beneficial and antagonistic interactions between the different species. One of the key players for competition is the type VI secretion system, a large multiprotein complex that assembles a contractile tail-like structure spanning the entire cytoplasm. This contractile tail is comprised of an inner tube tipped by a puncturing complex and wrapped by a sheath that polymerizes under an extended conformation. Contraction of the sheath propels the needle-like tube complex toward the target cell where it delivers effectors. The ClpV AAA
+
ATPase is then recruited to the contracted sheath and uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis for its disassembly. Due to the size of the apparatus and its mechanism of disassembly, it is thought that the T6SS mechanism of action is costly for the cell, and hence can significantly impact its fitness. By using enteroaggregative
Escherichia coli
strains in which the T6SS is arrested at different stages of its mechanism of action, we show here that there is no significant cost associated with T6SS synthesis, assembly, contraction, or disassembly
in vitro
.

IMPORTANCE

Bacteria use weapons to deliver effectors into target cells. One of these weapons, the type VI secretion system (T6SS), assembles a contractile tail acting as a spring to propel a toxin-loaded needle. Due to its size and mechanism of action, the T6SS was intuitively thought to be energetically costly. Here, using a combination of mutants and growth measurements in liquid medium, on plates, and in competition experiments, we show that the T6SS does not entail a growth cost to enteroaggregative
Escherichia coli
.
A recombination-resistant genome for live attenuated and stable PEDV vaccines by engineering the transcriptional regulatory sequences
Authors: Niu Xiaoyu , Liu Mingde , Yang Shaomin , Xu Jiayu , Hou Yixuan J. , Liu Dongxiao , Tang Qiyi , Zhu Hua , Wang Qiuhong
Published: November 2023

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a deadly coronavirus for neonatal piglets and no effective vaccines are available. Transcriptional regulatory sequences (TRSs) are critical in regulating coronavirus discontinuous transcription. Also, TRSs contribute to a high recombination rate of coronaviruses, leading to difficulty in developing safe live vaccines. We hypothesize that recoding the TRS core sequences (TRS-CSs) of PEDV can make the recombination impossible between the engineered vaccine virus and field strains or wild-type viruses. We used an infectious clone-derived reporter PEDV, dORF3-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), as the backbone to generate a remodeled TRS (RMT) mutant that carries the recoded leader and body TRS-CSs (except for the EGFP). The RMT and dORF3-EGFP showed comparable replication efficiency in Vero cells. However, the incompatibility between the rewired and wild-type TRS-CSs led to few EGFP in RMT-infected cells. Furthermore, RMT and dORF3-EGFP had a similar attenuated phenotype, replication efficiency, and protective immunogenicity in neonatal pigs. RNA sequencing analysis indicated that EGFP transcription directed by the heterogeneous TRS-CSs was significantly reduced to an extremely low level. Meanwhile, recombinant viruses were not detected in Vero cells and in pigs that were co-infected with RMT and a PEDV S-INDEL strain, Iowa106.
In vitro
and
in vivo
passaging of the RMT did not result in reversion mutations in the rewired TRS-CSs, introduced gaps, and disrupted wild-type TRSs. In summary, the RMT mutant was resistant to recombination and genetically stable and can be further optimized (e.g., deletion of the EGFP) to serve as a platform to develop safe PEDV live attenuated vaccines.

IMPORTANCE

Coronaviruses are important pathogens of humans and animals, and vaccine developments against them are imperative. Due to the ability to induce broad and prolonged protective immunity and the convenient administration routes, live attenuated vaccines (LAVs) are promising arms for controlling the deadly coronavirus infections. However, potential recombination events between vaccine and field strains raise a safety concern for LAVs. The porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) remodeled TRS (RMT) mutant generated in this study replicated efficiently in both cell culture and in pigs and retained protective immunogenicity against PEDV challenge in pigs. Furthermore, the RMT PEDV was resistant to recombination and genetically stable. Therefore, RMT PEDV can be further optimized as a backbone for the development of safe LAVs.
Draft genome sequence of endolichenic fungus
Dothichiza
sp. strain YAFEF048, isolated from
Usnea longissima
on Haba Snow Mountain
Authors: Wei Jiansheng , Yuan Xiaolong , Geng Yunfen , Bi Wei , Wang Yi
Published: November 2023

In this study, we report a draft genome sequence of the endolichenic fungus
Dothichiza
sp. strain YAFEF048, isolated from the lichen
Usnea longissim
a on Haba Snow Mountain. The genome resource will support future research into the endolichenic lifestyle and potential secondary metabolite diversity of this fungus.
A sensitive and simple RT-LAMP assay for sarbecovirus screening in bats
Authors: Chan Tony Tat-Yin , Chow Franklin Wang-Ngai , Fung Joshua , Cheng Flora Ka-Kei , Lo George Chi-Shing , Tsang Chi-Ching , Luk Hayes Kam-Hei , Wong Antonio Cheuk-Pui , He Zirong , Aw-Yong Kam Leng , Liu Xueyan , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Woo Patrick Chiu-Yat , Lau Susanna Kar-Pui
Published: November 2023

The availability of simple, inexpensive assays for coronavirus (CoV) detection is critical for conducting animal surveillance studies to prevent new zoonotic epidemics. We have previously developed a colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay for diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans using respiratory samples. In this study, we improved and extended the application of this assay to detect other sarbecoviruses in bats. Twenty-four and twenty-one out of 838 oral and alimentary samples collected during 2017–2019 were sarbecovirus-positive by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and our colorimetric RT-LAMP assay, respectively. PCR and Sanger sequencing of the partial spike (S) gene in the S1 subunit region and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene of the 21 sarbecovirus-positive samples showed that they were all closely related to bat SARS-related coronavirus HKU3. A green fluorescent nucleic acid stain, SYTO9, was also added for real-time quantification and evaluated in the colorimetric RT-LAMP assay. We observed a positive correlation (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of 0.77,
P
< 0.0001) between the time to positivity in the colorimetric RT-LAMP assay and cycle threshold (Ct) values in qRT-PCR assay, suggesting that our assay allows quantitative analysis of viral load in samples. This easily performed, highly sensitive, and specific colorimetric RT-LAMP assay could facilitate mass screening for sarbecoviruses in bats and other animal populations. It will be particularly useful for field studies without sophisticated laboratory equipment and expertise.

IMPORTANCE

We report the application of a colorimetric and fluorescent reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay to facilitate mass screening for sarbecoviruses in bats. The assay was evaluated using a total of 838 oral and alimentary samples from bats and demonstrated comparable sensitivity and specificity to quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), with a simple setup. The addition of SYTO9, a fluorescent nucleic acid stain, also allows for quantitative analysis. The scalability and simplicity of the assay are believed to contribute to improving preparedness for detecting emerging coronaviruses by applying it to field studies and surveillance.
A standardized nomenclature for resistance-modifying agents in the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database
Authors: Smith Keaton W. , Alcock Brian P. , French Shawn , Farha Maya A. , Raphenya Amogelang R. , Brown Eric D. , McArthur Andrew G.
Published: November 2023

Resistance-modifying agents have been historically underrepresented in the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD). In the process of curating over 60 new molecules into CARD’s Antibiotic Resistance Ontology, the limitations of current classification and nomenclature for these molecules were addressed. We propose a new standardized nomenclature based on mechanism of action, including inhibitors of antibiotic resistance mechanisms, adjuvants enhancing antibiotic entry, adjuvants inhibiting antibiotic removal, adjuvants that alter cell physiology, and host-related antibiotic adjuvants.

IMPORTANCE

While increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance undermine our current arsenal of antibiotics, resistance-modifying agents (RMAs) hold promise to extend the lifetime of these important molecules. We here provide a standardized nomenclature for RMAs within the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database in aid of RMA discovery, data curation, and genome mining.
Cost of the Defence Medical Services Patient Group Directive for a 10-minute tranexamic acid (TXA) infusion in trauma: a bolus is safe and saves lives
Authors: Gluyas-Harris Jake , McConnell D
Published: November 2023

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a life-saving drug that reduces the risk of death from haemorrhage. Intervention is time critical with benefit decreasing with delayed administration. The current Joint Service Publication Patient Group Directive (PGD) for giving TXA during the tactical field care phase of the operational patient care pathway specifies it is given over 10 min via intravenous infusion based on TXA’s Summary of Product Characteristics. This paper aims to explore the risks of administering TXA as a bolus rather than a 10-minute infusion. There is little evidence to support the risk of quoted adverse events from bolus administration of TXA, good-quality evidence for the mortality benefit of early administration and some evidence that bolus dosing is safe. The Defence Medical Service should consider a default PGD of rapid TXA administration to maximise mortality benefit.
Symptom assessment in the dying: family members versus healthcare professionals
Authors: Martinsson Lisa , Brännström Margareta , Andersson Sofia
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Symptom management and support of the family members (FMs) are considered essential aspects of palliative care. During end of life, patients are often not able to self-report symptoms. There is little knowledge in the literature of how healthcare professionals (HCPs) assess symptoms compared with FMs. The objective was to compare the assessment of symptoms and symptom relief during the final week of life between what was reported by FMs and what was reported by HCPs.

Methods

Data from the Swedish Register of Palliative Care from 2021 and 2022 were used to compare congruity of the assessments by the FMs and by HCPs regarding occurrence and relief of three symptoms (pain, anxiety and confusion), using Cohen’s kappa.

Results

A total of 1131 patients were included. The agreement between FMs and HCPs was poor for occurrence of pain and confusion (kappa 0.25 and 0.16), but fair for occurrence of anxiety (kappa 0.30). When agreeing on a symptom being present, agreement on relief of that symptom was poor (kappa 0.04 for pain, 0.10 for anxiety and 0.01 for confusion). The trend was that HCPs more often rated occurrence of pain and anxiety, less often occurrence of confusion and more often complete symptom relief compared with the FMs.

Conclusions

The views of FMs and HCPs of the patients’ symptoms differ in the end-of-life context, but both report important information and their symptom assessments should be considered both together and individually. More communication between HCPs and FMs could probably bridge some of these differences.
Taste changes in paediatric oncology: longitudinal evaluation
Authors: Mehrdadi Ida , Dhaliwal Neeraj , Chakkalackal Lauren , Green Gloria , Schechter Tal , Zupanec Sue , Dupuis L Lee , Sung Lillian
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Changes in taste is a common symptom in paediatric patients receiving cancer therapies. The primary objective was to describe the prevalence of taste changes longitudinally over a 6-month time frame among paediatric patients with newly diagnosed cancer. Secondary objective was to identify factors associated with taste changes over time.

Methods

In this longitudinal, single centre study, we included paediatric patients newly diagnosed with cancer within the previous 8 weeks who were 4–18 years of age. Interviews were conducted once monthly for 6 months. We asked participants about their experience with taste changes, whether potential interventions were successful and whether taste changes influenced eating. Risk factors were evaluated using generalised linear mixed-effects models.

Results

Overall, 60 participants were included. At baseline, 23 (38.3%) participants reported experiencing changes in taste, with the proportion significantly declining over time to 13 (21.7%) at 6 months. The most common specific taste changes were food tasting different, bad or bland. The most common helpful strategies were eating liked foods only, brushing teeth or using mouthwash, drinking more liquids and eating food with strong flavour. Taste change was commonly associated with eating less than usual and reduced enjoyment in eating. Nausea, dry mouth and recent vincristine were independent risk factors for taste changes.

Conclusions

Changes in taste were common within 8 weeks of cancer diagnosis and declined significantly over time. Nausea, dry mouth and recent vincristine were independent risk factors. Future studies should develop and evaluate interventions for managing taste changes in paediatric patients with cancer.
Medical cannabis for refractory cancer-related pain in a specialised clinical service: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sharon Haggai , Agbaria Yara , Brill Silviu , de Santiago Jesus , Hochberg Uri
Published: November 2023

Background and objectives

Cancer-related pain management in advanced stages presents a significant challenge that often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Although advancements in pharmacological and interventional therapies, a considerable number of patients still suffer from refractory pain, leading to unmet clinical needs. This study shares our experience with medical cannabis (MC) as a potential therapy for this specific population of patients with cancer-related refractory pain.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 252 consecutive refractory cancer-related pain patients (mean age=61.71, SD=14.02, 47.6% males) filled out detailed self-report questionnaires. Of these, 126 patients (55%) were treated with MC and 105 patients (45%) were not.

Results

Most patients received pain management from their oncologist, not a pain specialist. MC was mainly started for pain relief, sleep difficulties and anorexia. About 70% of patients reported subjective improvement from MC, with almost 40% reporting a significant improvement in coping with their illness. Side effects were generally mild, with fatigue and dizziness being the most common (21.78% and 23.46%, respectively). No patient required dedicated medical care for side effects. Of non-users, 65% had tried MC before and stopped due to lack of effectiveness or side effects (39.7% and 34.6%, respectively).

Conclusion

Refractory cancer pain necessitates innovative approaches. This registry highlights that MC can effectively improve symptoms in non-responsive patients, with favourable safety profiles for this vulnerable population.
Current perspective on nutrient solution management strategies to improve the nutrient and water use efficiency in hydroponic systems
Authors: Fathidarehnijeh Elham , Nadeem Muhammad , Cheema Mumtaz , Thomas Raymond , Krishnapillai Mano , Galagedara Lakshman
Published: November 2023

Hydroponics, a soilless cultivation technique using nutrient solutions under controlled conditions, is used for growing vegetables, high-value crops, and flowers. It produces significantly higher yields compared to conventional agriculture despite its higher energy consumption. The success of a hydroponic system relies on the composition of the nutrient solution, which contains all the essential mineral elements necessary for optimal plant growth and high yield. This review delves into the discussion of enhancing nutrient solution management strategies across different hydroponic systems. The aim of this review is to discuss various techniques for monitoring nutrient solutions in order to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). The conventional approach of monitoring the hydroponic nutrient solution using electrical conductivity measurement may not provide precise information about ion concentrations, potentially resulting in poor yields or excessive fertilizer usage. To overcome these limitations, alternative management strategies have been developed to enable more accurate monitoring and efficient management. One such strategy is the nitrogen-based approach, where nitrogen concentration becomes the primary controlled element in the nutrient solution and leads to WUE and NUE development by prolonging nutrient solution recirculation. Furthermore, various methods have been devised to improve nutrient solution strategies. These include using ion-selective electrodes to measure individual ions in the hydroponic nutrient solution, using sensors to monitor substrate moisture content, estimating water requirements, and implementing programmed nutrient addition methods. In addition to introducing different management techniques to optimize hydroponic performance, this review provides a better understanding of hydroponic systems.
Master integrals for four-loop massless form factors
Authors: Lee Roman N. , von Manteuffel Andreas , Schabinger Robert M. , Smirnov Alexander V. , Smirnov Vladimir A. , Steinhauser Matthias
Published: November 2023

We present analytical results for all master integrals for massless three-point functions, with one off-shell leg, at four loops. Our solutions were obtained using differential equations and direct integration techniques. We review the methods and provide additional details.
LEIA: Linguistic Embeddings for the Identification of Affect
Authors: Aroyehun Segun Taofeek , Malik Lukas , Metzler Hannah , Haimerl Nikolas , Di Natale Anna , Garcia David
Published: November 2023

The wealth of text data generated by social media has enabled new kinds of analysis of emotions with language models. These models are often trained on small and costly datasets of text annotations produced by readers who guess the emotions expressed by others in social media posts. This affects the quality of emotion identification methods due to training data size limitations and noise in the production of labels used in model development. We present LEIA, a model for emotion identification in text that has been trained on a dataset of more than 6 million posts with self-annotated emotion labels for happiness, affection, sadness, anger, and fear. LEIA is based on a word masking method that enhances the learning of emotion words during model pre-training. LEIA achieves macro-F1 values of approximately 73 on three in-domain test datasets, outperforming other supervised and unsupervised methods in a strong benchmark that shows that LEIA generalizes across posts, users, and time periods. We further perform an out-of-domain evaluation on five different datasets of social media and other sources, showing LEIA’s robust performance across media, data collection methods, and annotation schemes. Our results show that LEIA generalizes its classification of anger, happiness, and sadness beyond the domain it was trained on. LEIA can be applied in future research to provide better identification of emotions in text from the perspective of the writer.
Identification of a defected fuel rod in the TRIGA R.C.-1 facility of the ENEA Casaccia Research Center: radiation protection aspects
Authors: Sperandio Luciano , Lepore Luigi , Borra Enrico Maria , Ciciani Luca , Fabrizio Valentina , Falconi Luca , Formenton Davide , Iorio Maria Grazia , Puddu Valerio , Rizzo Alessandro , Roberti Andrea , Ruscitti Stefano , Scaramuzzo Luigi , Vilardi Ignazio
Published: November 2023

The nuclear facility TRIGA RC-1 is located at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center in Rome. It is a thermal spectrum research reactor with a thermal power of 1 MW and a Mark III containment. The failure of the fuel cladding of the General Atomic TRIGA is a well-known phenomenon in the literature and is normally expected during its lifetime. Depending on the severity of the cracking, this results in the transfer of radioactivity from inside the fuel rods to the demineralized moderation and cooling water of the primary circuit. This occurs especially when the fuel is heated, as the temperature rise leads to an increase in the internal pressure inside the rods, causing fission products, especially gaseous ones, to be released through the cracks. The sustained release of these fission products over time causes impurities with longer half-lives (e.g., Cs-137) to accumulate in the primary water purification system and, in particular, in the ion exchange resin tank. Therefore, the detection of Cs-137 in the ion exchange resins of the primary water purification system of the reactor is a sufficiently clear indication of the occurrence of such disturbances. Indeed, Cs-137 is not only a direct fission product of U-235, but is also produced by the decay of Xe-137 (one of the major fission noble gasses), which, because of its physical nature, readily escapes through the rod cladding. To ensure worker protection from ionizing radiation during the identification and replacement of defective fuel rods, a special program of physical, environmental, and personal radiation protection monitoring was conducted. In addition to a brief description of the work performed, this report presents the results of radiometric measurements and associated individual dose assessment performed before, during, and after the identification and replacement of the defected fuel elements.
Experimental Investigation and Soft Computing-based Assessment using ANN-MOGWO-A Hybrid Approach for Inconel(825)
Authors: Kumar Anshuman , Subbiah Ram , Kukkala Vivekananda , Nagaraju Dusanapudi Siva , Upadhyay Chandramani , Karthikeyan R.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, a strategy has been set for minimizing the corner error in the modification of pulse and non-pulse parameters. Taguchi’s philosophy has been used to design the experiment by varying process parameters (i.e. Spark-on Time (STon), Wire Tension (WT), Servo-Voltage (Sv), Discharge Current (DC) and Wire-speed (Sw)), to explore the machining outcomes. The response characteristics have been measured in terms of cutting speed (Cs), Corner Error (CD) and surface Roughness (RA) using Topas plus X wire of [Formula: see text] 0.25[Formula: see text]mm diameter. The machining performance characteristics were analyzed using main effect plots and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Furthermore, a soft computing-based hybrid optimization technique (Artifical Neural Network (ANN)-based Multi-Objective Grey Wolf Optimizer (MOGWO)) has been utilized to search the multi-optimum parameter setting for superior machining results. The most significant parameter observed is DC for Cs, which is determined to be 34.81%. Moreover, WT found 26.29% and 34.10% for CD and RA, respectively. The confirmation test shows that the maximum absolute percentage errors are observed as 3.89%, 6.3% and 9.7% for Cs, CD and RA, respectively. The proposed hybrid technique can generate superior solutions compared to the existing algorithms. Notably, the outcomes obtained on new instances exhibit potential, purposeful, and efficacy.
Role of continental margin architecture in models of ophiolite emplacement
Authors: Ibragimov Iskander , Moulas Evangelos
Published: November 2023

Ophiolite obduction, the process during which part of the oceanic crust overlaps the continental margin, presents a challenge in geodynamic reconstructions of lithospheric processes. The difference in buoyancy between the dense oceanic crust and the relatively buoyant continental crust makes obduction of the oceanic crust difficult, if not impossible, if we only consider the buoyancy forces. The initial configuration of the oceanic basins must have specific thermal and geometric constraints to overcome the difficulties posed by the negative buoyancy. Here, we present a systematic investigation of the geometric and geodynamic parameters controlling the process of ophiolite emplacement. We show which parameters are the most important during ophiolite emplacement and the optimum geometries favouring this emplacement. We focus on ‘Tethyan’ ophiolites, which are characterized by a relatively small inferred basin size and are commonly found in the Mediterranean region. Based on a combination of parameters, we identify the configurations most susceptible to ophiolite obduction. Our models, in agreement with the geological data, show that to achieve ophiolite obduction, the obducted lithosphere must be young and the length of the ocean–continent transition zone must be relatively sharp.

Supplementary material:
Supplementary figures S1–S5, that are mentioned in the main text, are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6922526

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Ophiolites, melanges and blueschists collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/ophiolites-melanges-and-blueschists
U–Pb ages from felsic rocks of the External Ligurian sedimentary mélange (Northern Apennine, Italy): tracing the pre-Jurassic history of the hyperextended Adria continental margin
Authors: Di Rosa Maria , Farina Federico , Marroni Michele , Jeon Heejin , Pandolfi Luca
Published: November 2023

The External Ligurian Units are regarded as representative of the ocean continent transition between the Ligure‒Piemontese oceanic basin and the hyperextended Adria continental margin. The remnants of this transition are preserved as slide blocks embedded in a sedimentary mélange. This mélange sedimented during the Santonian to Campanian in the rear of the accretionary wedge that developed during the east-dipping subduction of the oceanic lithosphere below Adria. The main characteristic of this mélange is the occurrence of slide blocks of subcontinental mantle, lower continental crust, granitoids, gabbro, basalt and sedimentary rocks in a sedimentary matrix. In this paper, we provide petrographic observations coupled with U‒Pb zircon ages and

δ

18
O zircon isotopes of the slide blocks of felsic granulites and granitoids. U‒Pb data indicate ages ranging from Neoproterozoic to Late Triassic.

δ

18
O isotopes help to define the source of the magma of granitoids and felsic granulites, which was the continental crust. Overall, the collected data indicate that the slide blocks from sedimentary mélanges can be regarded as true archives that are able to provide useful constraints about the geodynamic history of the source area of these deposits.

Supplementary material:
The dataset related to the U–Pb and ∂
18
O analysisis available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6922535

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Ophiolites, melanges and blueschists collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/ophiolites-melanges-and-blueschists
Optimal Fast Charging of Lithium Ion Batteries: Between Model-Based and Data-Driven Methods
Authors: Tucker George , Drummond Ross , Duncan Stephen R.
Published: November 2023

Delivering lithium ion batteries capable of fast charging without suffering from accelerated degradation is an important milestone for transport electrification. Recently, there has been growing interest in applying data-driven methods for optimising fast charging protocols to avoid accelerated battery degradation. However, such data-driven approaches suffer from a lack of robustness, explainability and generalisability, which has hindered their wide-spread use in practice. To address this issue, this paper proposes a method to interpret the fast charging protocols of data-driven algorithms as the solutions of a model-based optimal control problem. This hybrid approach combines the power of data-driven methods for predicting battery degradation with the flexibility and optimality guarantees of the model-based approach. The results highlight the potential of the proposed hybrid approach for generating fast charging protocols. In particular, for fast charging to 80% state-of-charge in 10 min, the proposed approach was predicted to increase the cycle life from 912 to 1078 cycles when compared against a purely data-driven approach.
Enantioanalysis of Serine Using Stochastic Enantioselective Sensors
Authors: Stefan-van Staden Raluca-Ioana , Ion Cristina Bianca , Georgescu-State Ramona
Published: November 2023

Enantioanalysis of serine can act as a key factor for metabolomics of colon cancer. Therefore, two stochastic enantioselective sensors based on nanographene and copper oxide modified with calix[6]arene and calix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol have been designed, characterised and validated. High sensitivities, selectivities, and enantioselectivities were recorded for the enantioanalysis of serine at two pH values 7.40 and 3.00. At pH 7.40, for the L-serine the wider linear concentration range (1 × 10−17 − 1 × 10−2 mol l−1) was obtained using the sensor based on calix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol, while the best sensitivity (1.31 × 109 s−1 mol l−1) was given by the sensor based on calix[6]arene; for the assay of D-serine at the same pH the wider linear concentration range (1 × 10−18 − 1 × 10−2 mol l−1) and the higher sensitivity (3.78 × 1011 s−1 mol l−1) were obtained using the calix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol based sensor. At pH 3.00, for the assay of L-serine, the best sensitivity (3.75 × 107 s−1 mol l−1) was obtained using the sensor based on calix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol, while the wider linear concentration range (1 × 10−16 − 1 × 10−6 mol l−1) was obtained using the sensor based on calix[6]arene; a wider linear concentration range for the assay of D-serine (1 × 10−18 − 1 × 10−4 mol l−1) was given by the sensor based on calix[4]arene-25,26,27,28-tetrol, while for the same enantiomer the highest sensitivity (2.08 × 108 s−1 mol l−1) at this pH was obtained using the sensor based on calix[6]arene. The enantiomers of serine were able to be determined up to 1 × 10−18 mol l−1 with high recoveries, and low relative standard deviations.
Temperature Dependency of Net Water Drag Coefficient in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Ito Hiroshi , Endo Akihisa , Ishiyama Tomohiro , Ohira Akihiro
Published: November 2023

Because polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) systems for vehicles are stand-alone systems, the net water drag coefficient (

α

NWD

) is an essential index in water management and must be negative even during high temperature operation above 100 °C. In this study, to verify the water balance in the cell during high temperature operation, the effect of operating temperature on the current density (

i

) -

α

NWD

characteristics under gas supply conditions similar to those of a real system was examined experimentally, where the water amount supplied to and discharged from the cell was measured at a cell temperature (T
cell) of 80, 100, and 120 °C. The experimental results obtained here indicates that the gas supply conditions to keep

α

NWD

negative becomes more limited as T
cell is increased. This indicates that the relative humidity of supplied hydrogen should be kept low and that the stoichiometric ratio of hydrogen should be kept high. Furthermore, the effect of membrane thickness (

t

mem

) on

α

NWD

became more pronounced when T
cell exceeded 100 °C, indicating that operation at 120 °C is not realistic for PEFCs that use a 30-μm-thick proton exchange membrane.
Promoting Degradation of Polyamide-Microplastic Fibers Using Hydroxy Radical Generated by Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Meboso Taichi , Takatsuji Yoshiyuki , Takamura Eiichiro , Haruyama Tetsuya , Sakamoto Hiroaki
Published: November 2023

Microplastic fibers (MPFs) generated by washing textile products made of synthetic fibers cannot be removed at sewage treatment plants and are released into rivers and oceans. In this study, we proposed using hydroxy radical (•OH) to degrade MPF. •OH exhibits strong oxidizing ability, allowing MPFs to be degraded. Herein, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, which combines electrochemical oxygen reduction in water and UV irradiation, was used to generate •OH. In this paper, we investigated the degradation of polyamide 6/6 (PA6/6), as a common MPF. After 120 h degradation process, the sample thickness and fiber diameter decreased 32.0% and 13.7% respectively. After only 12 h, the sample toughness decreased 78.9%. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the signal of amide bonds (–CONH–) were reduced and new signal of carboxyl groups (–COOH) were formed in the sample after degradation. Gas chromatography confirmed that several short-chain amide compounds were released into the degraded solution. These results suggest that the amide bonds in the PA6/6 molecular structure are cleaved by the •OH, thereby accelerating the degradation of PA6/6. The proposed degradation method achieved a much faster degradation rate than other methods using microorganisms, and is expected to be a novel MPF degradation method.
Review—Polyethylene Oxide-Based Nanocomposites as Polymer Electrolytes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Application
Authors: Evan Md. Sadik Hussain , Uddin Md. Jalal , Tulin Wahid Salekin , Islam Mohammed Saydul , Rockshat Md. , Khandaker Mayeen Uddin , Rahman Ismail M. M. , Chowdhury Faisal Islam
Published: November 2023

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional photovoltaic technologies due to their low cost, high efficiency, and potential for flexible and transparent design. Over the past few years, there have been relentless attempts to make this technology much more efficient. The utilization of polyethylene oxide (PEO)-carbon nanomaterial composites in DSSCs has shown much interest due to improved ionic conductivity, photochemical, and photovoltaic properties. Furthermore, being a crucial component of DSSCs, polymer electrolytes (PEs) have gained significant research interest over liquid electrolytes due to several advantages, including reduced device degradation and costs with improved stability. This paper compares the photochemical and photovoltaic performances of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) fabricated with Polymer electrolytes (PEs) composed of PEO-based nanocomposites, including carbon nanotubes (CNT), carbon black (CB), and Graphene. The discussion also includes the evaluation of their effectiveness as nanofillers for DSSCs. The utilization of these PEO-nanocomposite PEs has been observed to show potential changes in the overall performance of DSSCs, which could significantly impact future research and the outlook in the field of photovoltaic technologies.
TNF inhibits AQP2 expression via a miR137-dependent pathway
Authors: Hao Shoujin , DelliPizzi AnnMarie , Lasaracina Anna Pia , Ferreri Nicholas R.
Published: November 2023

An emerging intratubular tumor necrosis factor system, functioning during normotensive noninflammatory conditions, acts as a breaking mechanism that attenuates both the increases in Na+-K+-2Cl– cotransporter and aquaporin-2 induced by arginine vasopressin, thereby contributing to the regulation of electrolyte balance and blood pressure. A greater appreciation for the role of cytokines as mediators of immunophysiological responses may help reveal the relationship between the immune system and other physiological systems.
Well-Testing Model for Dual-Porosity Reservoir considering Stress-Sensitivity and Elastic Outer Boundary Condition
Authors: Kim Song Chol , Han Song Guk , Song Yong Il , Kim Jin Sim , Hong Myong Gun
Published: November 2023

Stress sensitivity and the elastic outer boundary (EOB) condition have a great effect on the analysis of the characteristics of the fluid flow in a reservoir. When researchers analyzed the characteristics of the fluid flow, they have considered the stress sensitivity and the EOB condition separately but have not considered them simultaneously. Therefore, errors are inevitable during the analysis of well testing. The main object of this work is to present a well-testing model for stress-sensitivity dual-porosity reservoir (DPR) with EOB to improve the accuracy of the analysis of well-testing data. To this end, in this paper, we established a well-testing model for the DPR, considering the stress sensitivity and the EOB simultaneously, and presented its semianalytical solution. On the basis of the consideration of the EOB condition and stress sensitivity of permeability (SSP), a seepage model for the DPR with the EOB is built using the continuity equation, motion equation, state equation, and interporosity flow equation between matrix and fracture, which considers the stress sensitivity, wellbore storage, and skin. To solve this model, a nonlinear partial differential equation is changed into a linear form of a partial differential equation by introducing an effective well radius and applying Pedrosa’s transformation and perturbation transformation. Applying the Laplace transformation, an analytical solution in the Laplace space is obtained, and curves of pressure and pressure derivative (PPD) are drawn by numerically inverting them. The model is verified by comparing it with the EOB without consideration of SSP and using case data. The sensitivity of parameters on the curves of PPD is analyzed. This work may be significant for evaluating more accurately the parameters of wells and reservoirs using well testing.
Written Retelling Strategy in Improving Reading Skill among ESL Students in Malaysia
Authors: Kesevan Hema Vanita , Ridzwan Nur Dzaliffa Riza , Gopal Revathi , Swaran Singh Charanjit Kaur
Published: November 2023

Skills of reading and comprehending in English are crucial for academic success in schools. Pupils with low reading ability skill may result in obtaining low grades and poor test scores. Traditionally pupils are taught to lift specific information as a reading strategy to answer comprehension questions, comparatively, this study uses retelling strategy to evaluate pupils’ understanding. Past research indicated that retelling strategy enhances accuracy and greater comprehension. Thus, far study that investigates effectiveness of this strategy remains scarce in Malaysian English as Second Language (ESL) primary schools. As reading skill starts to develop in early stage of schooling, it is deemed necessary to conduct this study among primary level pupils. The present study specifically analyzes the effects of written retelling strategy on pupils’ understanding of story structure among year three primary school pupils in Malaysian ESL classroom. A quasiexperimental research design with pretest and posttest was adopted to carry out the study. Pretest and posttest questions consisting of structural comprehension questions and written retelling were used to measure the effects of written retelling strategy on the pupils’ achievement in reading comprehension and their understanding of the story structure. A pretest was conducted before teaching and learning took place. This was followed by a posttest. An independent t-test was used to obtain the mean values and standard deviations. The results obtained in this study conclude the written retelling strategy had notably improved the pupils’ reading skill as they are able to retain information from the story and make better predictions. Subsequently, it increased their abilities in answering the comprehension questions. The results also indicate that written retelling could be a prospective reading strategy along with other strategies for primary ESL learners in Malaysia and similar context.