bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind tunnel testing and performance modeling of an atmospheric ion thruster
Authors: Trovato Stefano , Terenzi Raffaello , Usuelli Davide , Belan Marco
Published: September 2024

In this work a complete atmospheric electro–hydro-dynamic (EHD) thruster is tested in a subsonic wind tunnel, with the purpose of evaluating changes in performance due to simulated flight conditions and, for the first time, comparing them with a physical model of the drift region. An aerodynamic frame was designed to accommodate the electrodes inside the wind tunnel. Propulsive force and electrical measurements were conducted to assess performance exploiting dimensionless coefficients derived from one-dimensional theory. The results, on top of validating the theory, show how EHD thrusters can operate with a non-zero bulk velocity and highlight the importance of optimized frames and electrodes to enhance the capabilities of flying demonstrators. The test campaign revealed that the operating voltage envelope extends with increasing bulk velocity, leading to an increase in maximum thrust.
Optimization design of unmanned mining truck path tracking controller based on road adhesion coefficient estimation
Authors: Zhang Yao , Ye Qing , Wan Jianan , Wang Ruochen , Xu LeiJun
Published: September 2024

In response to the issues of inaccurate tracking precision caused by continuous turning and variable road adhesion coefficients on complex roads in mining areas for unmanned mining trucks, this paper adopts unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to estimate the road adhesion coefficient. Based on this, an adaptive preview feedforward linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control algorithm is designed using genetic algorithm, feedforward control, and linear quadratic optimal path tracking control methods. Firstly, a nine degree of freedom vehicle dynamics model and a two degree of freedom vehicle lateral dynamics model are established, and the Dugoff model to calculate tire forces is introduced; secondly, utilizing UKF to estimate the road adhesion coefficient, and leveraging active disturbance rejection control for rapid tracking of road curvature, an optimized design of the LQR controller is carried out. Then, the effectiveness of the designed controller was verified through Trucksim/Simulink joint simulation testing. Finally, the hardware in the loop test results showed that the designed controller had good tracking accuracy and strong adaptability in complex road and special working conditions in mining areas.
A line scanning monitoring method for conveyor belt deviation using point cloud
Authors: Xu Shichang , Jin Zujin , Yuan Guohui , Xue Cheng , Wang Zhuoran
Published: September 2024

A precise conveyor belt deviation monitoring method using line array point cloud data is proposed and demonstrated, which can ensure the healthy running of the conveyor system. The point cloud data characterizing the surface of the conveyor belt is collected in a line scanning way. Then, using a unique soft extraction method that weighted fusing three key features (cross-sectional variation, belt’s horizontal width, and previous frame) to process this data, the edge information of the conveyor belt can be accurately and robustly identified in real-time. Furthermore, the point cloud processing mode enables a belt-segmented deviation analysis method based on a standard sequence query. This can accurately determine the offset value and deviation trend of the conveyor belt, thereby achieving early warning of deviation faults. Experimental results show that the belt edge identification precision can reach 0.3 mm, and an early warning can be provided at least 57 m before the occurrence of a belt deviation fault. This belt deviation monitoring method can be widely applied in various working environments, especially in harsh conditions like mines and ports. It also has potential applications in automated production lines within Industry 4.0.
Color-flavor locked strange stars admixed with mirror dark matter and the observations of compact stars
Authors: Yang S.-H. , Pi C.-M.
Published: September 2024

We investigate the structure and the tidal deformability of the color-flavor locked strange stars admixed with mirror dark matter. Assuming the stars in the GW170817 event have a mirror-dark-matter core or a mirror-dark-matter halo, the observations of the central compact object within the supernova remnant HESS J1731-347 and the compact objects in the GW190814 and GW170817 events could be explained simultaneously with a pairing gap much smaller than 200 MeV. In contrast, a pairing gap larger than about 200 MeV must be employed without the consideration of a mirror-dark-matter core (halo). More importantly, we find that for the case of the quartic coefficienta4< 0.589, if the mass fraction of the mirror dark matter (fD) of the compact stars in GW170817 is in a certain range (eg., 22.8% <fD< 77.2% fora4= 0.55), the minimum allowed value of the pairing gap could be less than 46.5 MeV (i.e., one half of the value of the strange quark mass which is taken as 93 MeV in this paper), which leads to the result that all astrophysical observations mentioned above could be satisfied without violating the conformal bound or the recently proposed positive trace anomally bound.
Holographic bottom-up approach to Σ baryons*
Authors: Guo 郭 Xi 溪 , Contreras Miguel Angel Martin , Chen 陈 Xun 勋 , Xiang 向 Dong 东
Published: September 2024

In this study, we discuss the description of neutral Σ baryons with

and

using two bottom-up approaches: the deformed background and static dilaton models. In both models, we consider a non-linear Regge trajectory extension motivated by the strange nature of Σ baryons. We find that both models describe these systems with an RMS error smaller than 10%. We also perform a configurational entropy calculation in both models to discuss hadronic stability.
Heat causes large earnings losses for informal-sector workers in India
Authors: Das Saudamini , Somanathan E
Published: September 2024

Heat reduces labor productivity and output in formal manufacturing but little is known about its impacts on the earnings and welfare of workers in the informal sector that comprise 82% of the labor force in low-income and lower-middle-income countries. This study reports the results from daily surveys of nearly 400 workers in two slums in Delhi for a month in the summer of 2019. Every degree Celsius increase in wet bulb temperature was associated with a fall in gross earnings of

13
(
±
3.5
)

percentage points, a fall in earnings net of work-related expenditure of

19
(
±
4.5
)

percentage points, an increase in the self-reported probability of sickness of the worker or a family member of

6
(
±
0.5
)

percentage points, and a decrease in the probability that a worker went to work of

2
(
±
0.5
)

percentage points. Net earnings were 40% lower during the two heatwaves that occurred during the study period. Over 320 million informal-sector workers in low-income and lower-middle-income countries are currently exposed to temperatures similar to those observed in this study.
Study of multiferroic properties of Mn substituted Bi0.8Sm0.1Dy0.1Fe1−xMnxO3 ceramics
Authors: Mimi A , Hossain Amir , Zulkarnine A H , Hasan M R , Alam Mohammad K , Hossain A K M Akther , Momin A A
Published: September 2024

Transition metal Mn substituted various multiferroic Bi
0.8
Sm
0.1
Dy
0.1
Fe
1-x

Mn

x

O
3 (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.05) ceramics samples were fabricated by the solid-state reaction technique. The distorted rhombohedral perovskite structure with some phase impurity of all samples is confirmed by x-ray diffraction analysis. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive x-ray spectroscopy are used for microstructural and quantitative analysis, respectively. Densities are decreased and the average grain size is increased with Mn contents. The initial permeability and relative quality factor (RQF) have found to be increased with Mn contents in the samples. The peaks in RQF shifts toward the lower frequency region with increasing Mn contents can be attributed by Snoek’s relation. All the samples show paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and magnetization slightly increases with Mn contents. The frequency dependent dielectric constant is investigated and found to consequence of space charge polarization. The dispersion behavior in dielectric constants can be explained by the Maxwell–Wagner model. The dielectric constants and dielectric loss decrease with increasing of Mn contents for all the samples. The value of electric modulus is found to increases with the increasing of frequency and this dispersion phenomena is due to short range mobility of charge carriers in conduction. The effect of grain and grain boundaries on electric properties of samples are investigated by complex impedance analysis. The ac conductivity increases with frequency due to small polaron hopping and it can be attributed according to Jonscher’s power law.
Structure and tunable temperature coefficient of magnetization of Mn4-xGaxC alloys prepared by induction melting method
Authors: Liang Yinghua , Qi Tingting , Zhang Baochao , Zhang Qiang , Choi Chul-Jin , Park Jihoon , Zhou Tianhong , Wu Qiong , Ge Hongliang , Si Pingzhan
Published: September 2024

The magnetization of most magnetic materials decreases monotonically with increasing temperature. In this work, we found that the temperature coefficient of magnetization of Mn4-x
Ga
x
C alloys can be tuned from negative values to positive values by controlling the composition x. The antiperovskite-type Mn4-x
Ga
x
C (0.05≤x≤0.75) alloys were prepared by using induction melting method, which is more efficient in large-scale production and obtaining full-density alloys in comparison with the traditional solid-state-reaction method. The values of the temperature coefficient of magnetization of Mn4-x
Ga
x
C change continuously from negative to positive with decreasing x. The Mn4-x
Ga
x
C alloys with highly thermal-stable magnetization is expected to present in the composition range of 0.15<x<0.25. The saturation magnetization of Mn4-x
Ga
x
C increases with increasing x, owing to the reduced number of antiferromagnetically coupled Mn atoms at the cubic corner with the face-centered Mn atoms. Most Mn4-x
Ga
x
C alloys with varying x display near-zero remanent magnetization and coercivity at room temperature. The Currie temperature of Mn4-x
Ga
x
C decreases with increasing x. The x-ray photoelectron spectra of Mn 2p, Ga 2p, and C 1 s reveal distinct splitting due to the diverse chemical states of these atoms at different lattice positions and/or phases. Our work has developed a class of alloys capable of offering a desired temperature coefficient of magnetization across a broad temperature range, thereby offering a method to manipulate the thermodynamics of magnetization.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of gold nanoparticles synthesized employing fruit peel extract of Citrus sinensis L.Osbeck
Authors: Sivakavinesan M , Vanaja M , Annadurai G , Murugan Alwarkurichi Munusamy , Salmen Saleh H , Aljawdah Hossam M
Published: September 2024

Nanoparticle biosynthesis has attained a lot of attention because of its cost-efficiency and eco-friendly process. Only limited studies are available which explain the interrelationship between physical parameters (pH, gold concentration, extract concentration, and temperature) and biological synthesis mechanism. The goal of this study was to predict the antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory activity of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles utilizing Citrus sinensis peel extract. The initial colour shift from yellow to ruby red served as proof that nanoparticles had been successfully synthesized. The nanoparticles that were synthesized underwent various characterization techniques such as AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), and UV–vis spectroscopy to examine their properties. Further, the synthesis method was optimized for different pH, various gold concentrations, extract concentrations, and temperatures. The nanoparticles displayed good activity as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Advanced studies are necessary to explore their therapeutic property.
Effect of test related factors on the degradation of cement-based materials on acetic acid exposure
Authors: Ninan Chinnu Mariam , K P Ramaswamy , Bertron Alexandra , R Sajeeb
Published: September 2024

Exposure of concrete to various acids can hardly be overstated due to the widespread use of concrete in the construction industry. The effect of selected factors on the degradation of ordinary Portland cement (OPC 53 grade) paste and mortar exposed to acetic acid is investigated in this paper. Various test parameters such as mass loss, loss in cross-sectional area, relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM), loss in flexural and compressive strength are used to assess the selected factors and the results obtained are analysed to determine the most favourable test conditions for degradation, that can be adopted for developing an accelerated test method. The factors used for the investigation are replenishment of acid solution, concentration of acid solution, ratio of surface area of specimen to volume of liquid acid solution (S/L), shape of the specimen and nature of the specimen. This paper also investigates the interrelationships among test parameters and adopts interpretation of acid consumption to assess the aggressiveness of the acid solution. It was found that renewing conditions and high concentrations of acid solution (0.5 M) indicate rapid degradation. The aggressiveness of 0.125 M acetic acid solutions in renewing conditions is about 5 times that of non-renewing conditions respectively. The rate of degradation is inversely related to S/L ratio. Cylindrical specimens have a marginal increase in degradation than prismatic specimens. It is preferable to evaluate acid attack on mortar specimens rather than paste specimens due to higher loss in cross-sectional area and relative dynamic elastic modulus (RDEM).
Drying and wetting trend in Xinjiang and related circulations background over the past 60 years
Authors: Xu Yang , Zhang Liang , Hao Zhixin
Published: September 2024

The study of climate variability and trend provides important evidence for water resource management strategies in Xinjiang. The scientific community has systematically studied the ‘warming and wetting’ process in the Xinjiang region. However, significant controversy persists regarding whether this trend has stagnated, and there remains a gap in understanding the decadal climate variability across different seasons within the subregions of Xinjiang. Here, we analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of seasonal-to-annual climate variations in Southern and Northern Xinjiang over the past 60 years by the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI-3) and identified the change points of mean and trend changes in the SPEI series and further explored the atmospheric circulation patterns before and after the transition from dry/wet conditions. Specifically, although the mean change point test indicated a wetter climate after 1986 at both the annual and seasonal scales, the trend analysis showed a shift from wet to dry from 1996, which has persisted until the present. There were significant interdecadal features in the spatial distribution of SPEI. Xinjiang exhibited a predominantly dry pattern from 1961 to 1980, which changed to a wetter pattern from 1981 to 2000, Xinjiang experienced its wettest decade from 1991 to 2000, and the whole region returned to a drier pattern from 2001 to 2020. From the annual and seasonal variation, the rate of change is greater in the south, with stronger change amplitude in summer and autumn and a higher frequency of anomalous SPEI. The results of the atmospheric circulation analysis demonstrated that the net water vapor flux in the Xinjiang region increased by about 8.30 g·kg−1·m·s−1 in the period 1987–2020 compared to 1961–1986 due to the combined interaction of high-, mid-, and low-latitude systems with the Central Asian low-pressure system. The results indicated a sharp increase in aridification in Xinjiang, providing valuable insights for disaster prevention, mitigation, and risk management related to regional drought hazards.
Observational evidence of the association between aerosol properties and lightning characteristics in the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Chowdhury Subhojit Ghoshal , Ganguly Dilip , Dey Sagnik
Published: September 2024

Lightning is a leading cause of natural disaster-related mortality in the Indian Subcontinent. Currently, there is a lack of observational evidence supporting the role of aerosol composition in modulating lightning intensity and trends in this region. In this study, we analyzed satellite and reanalysis datasets to examine the association between aerosol properties and lightning intensity over three contrasting geographic regions of Indian subcontinent during the premonsoon season (1998–2022). By comparing lightning and non-lightning days, we found a 0.1 unit increase in total aerosol optical depth specifically on lightning days in all three study areas. Additionally, we observed that the aerosol composition of a region influences convective activity. The presence of dust alongside fine aerosols acts as efficient ice nuclei, thereby stimulating lightning activity in all three regions. Therefore, considering aerosol composition together with local meteorology is essential for accurately predicting lightning flash rates in a region.
The assessment of groundwater reserves, quality, and balance in Quang Nam region, Vietnam: using MIKE BASIN and MODFLOW models
Authors: Nguyen Dieu-Trinh , Tran Ngoc-Anh , Van Huu-Tap , Hoang Van Hung
Published: September 2024

This comprehensive study examines the groundwater reserves and quality within the Quang Nam region, Vietnam, utilising the integrated MIKE BASIN and MODFLOW models. The research systematically analyses the coastal and key economic zones, covering 259,039 hectares, including urban and rural districts. The study delineates the region’s hydrogeology, revealing a significant volume of groundwater reserves with a static water level, suggesting robust aquifer systems, particularly in the Dien Ban and Thang Binh districts. Furthermore, hydrogeochemical analysis assessed groundwater quality, indicating suitability for agriculture, which accounts for 81% of the region’s water demand and other uses. The study’s novelty lies in its dual approach of quantifying groundwater reserves and evaluating their quality, addressing a critical regional water resource management gap. The findings present an optimistic scenario for the current and future sustainability of water resources, with the calculated groundwater reserves demonstrating ample capacity to support the varied needs of the region. This research establishes a foundational understanding of Quang Nam’s hydrological system. It provides strategic insights for sustainable water management in response to socio-economic development and climate change projections up to 2030. Climate projections for Quảng Nam province under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios indicate significant increases in rainfall, temperature, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion, highlighting the critical need for adaptive strategies to protect local ecosystems and communities from these escalating climate threats.
Optimizing indoor localization precision: advancements in RFID strategies for enhanced performance
Authors: Bhalla Anand Vardhan , Mishra Agya
Published: September 2024

RFID technology is being used more and more for complex interior localization, as a result of the quick spread of mobile devices and the smooth incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI). But conventional approaches have severe difficulties with antenna placement and constrained signal feature sizes, which limits their performance. To improve indoor localization and get over these drawbacks, this study presents a novel method that combines the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) with Wavelet Neural Networks (WNN). The most significant development is the incorporation of phase data into input vectors along with Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), which significantly increases accuracy. Empirical results show notable improvements of 88.9%, 99.2%, 95.2%, and 37.5% in critical metrics like Mean Localization Error (MLE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Localization Error Offset (LEO) in particular. This work highlights the critical role of sophisticated techniques like WNN and UKF, highlighting the importance of phase as a critical component, to improve the performance of RFID-based indoor localization. The results indicate a promising trajectory for future advancements in this field as well.
Integrating remotely sensed imagery in a forest gap model to study North American boreal forests in a changing world
Authors: Sundquist Shelby , Lutz David , Foster Adrianna , Fulé Peter , Goetz Scott
Published: September 2024

Boreal forests of Alaska and Western Canada are experiencing rapid climate change characterized by higher temperatures, more extreme droughts, and changing disturbance regimes, resulting in forest mortality and composition changes. Mechanistic models are increasingly important for predicting future forest trends as the region experiences novel environmental change. Previously, many process-based models have generated starting conditions by ‘spinning up’ to equilibrium. However, setting appropriate initial conditions remains a persistent challenge in using mechanistic forest models, where stochastic events and latent parameters governing tree establishment have long-lasting impacts on simulation outcomes. Recent advances in remote sensing analysis provide information that can help address this issue. We updated an individual-based gap model, the University of Virginia Forest Model Enhanced (UVAFME), to include initial conditions derived from aerial and satellite imagery at two locations. Following these updates, material legacies (e.g. trees, seed banks, soil organic layer) allowed new forest types to persist in UVAFME simulations, landscape-level forest heterogeneity increased, and forest-wide biomass estimates increased. At both study sites, initialization from remotely sensed data had a strong impact on forest cover and volume. Climate change impacts were simulated decades earlier than when the model was ‘spun up’. In Alaska’s Tanana Valley State Forest, warmer climate scenarios drove deciduous expansion, increased drought stress, and resulted in a 28% decrease in overall biomass by 2100 between historical and high emissions climate scenarios. At a lowland site in Northern British Columbia, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) remained dominant and became more productive with exogenous climate forcing as temperature, nutrient, and flooding limitations decreased. These case studies demonstrate a new framework for forest modeling and emphasize the advantages of integrating remotely sensed data with mechanistic models, thereby laying groundwork for future research that explores near-term impacts of non-stationary ecological change.
Justifying a Distinction
Authors: Steel Sandy
Published: September 2024

This chapter turns to the normative question of whether the significance attached in tort law to the distinction between acts and pure omissions can be justified. The issue addressed is not whether the details of the current law can be justified, but whether the law is right to recognise that legal positive duties (P-duties) should arise only in limited situations when a special fact obtains, such as an assumption of responsibility. The central concern of this chapter is whether there is a normative distinction between negative duties (N-duties) and P-duties such that the legal recognition and enforceability of P-duties in tort is justifiably subject to more demanding requirements than N-duties.
Assumptions of Responsibility: Part 2—Normative Issues
Authors: Steel Sandy
Published: September 2024

The previous chapter (Chapter 4) aimed to establish that the current law recognises different strands of assumption of responsibility, and that confusion is likely to ensue if these strands are not disaggregated. This particular chapter is closely connected to Chapter 4, and moves from analysis of the positive law to central normative questions about the duties that arise by virtue of assumptions of responsibility. First, what, if anything, justifies the duties currently arising by virtue of assumptions of responsibility? Second, to which roles and relationships should the law attach legally enforceable P-duties to take care to protect the interests of another? Third, should the law accept that taking on the task of assisting another person generates P-duties to take care in the provision of that assistance by virtue of an assumption of responsibility? Fourth, can the not entirely consistent decisions on the assumption of responsibility by public authorities be reconciled?
Control
Authors: Steel Sandy
Published: September 2024

The idea that ‘control’ over a person, land, an animal, or a thing is a source of P-duties is well-established. It is said that ‘control imports responsibility’, specifically a responsibility to act. The nature of the control required and the justification of control as a basis for P-duties is, however, rarely examined. The question is interesting because, on one natural analysis, to have control of a risk is to have a reliable ability to prevent, or influence, the risk. Yet, this notion of control, if it generated P-duties, would contradict the general absence of a duty to intervene to prevent harm to others. Thus, if ‘control’ is significant simply in virtue of identifying persons reliably able to prevent harm, considerable tension is created in the law by the recognition of ‘control’ as a special fact. The first two sections of the chapter analyse the current law. They make a simple, but often unarticulated, distinction between control as a source of duties to the controlled and control as a source of duties to third parties. The third section turns to justification.
Public Authorities
Authors: Steel Sandy
Published: September 2024

Public authorities have P-duties which individuals do not have, and their having such duties is one major reason for their existence. All sorts of things need to be done when people live together which it would be inappropriate legally to require individuals to do on their own. In some cases, this is because the burden of some P-duty cannot justly be imposed on an individual without more, given the limited general duties of assistance each person has to others. In other cases, it is because living together generates harms for which no individual is justly individually responsible. In so far as each of us engages in permissible (market) transactions whose collective effect is the foreseeable risk of others being in dire need, we are required by a collective version of the Innocent Risk Principle to coordinate our conduct, by establishing relevant institutions to counteract the harmful effect of those permissible transactions.
Policies and Strategies to Promote Social Inclusion During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Afterwards
Authors: Rimmerman Arie
Published: September 2024

This chapter discusses different ways of analyzing governments’ policies and strategies to promote social inclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards. The first framework uses a narrative approach to compare 32 countries between August 2020 and March 2022. The second framework is based on an assessment of whether 14 countries followed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in responding inclusively to the pandemic. The chapter also provides a thorough comparison between the policies of the United Kingdom and the United States regarding whether they offered inclusive policies during and after the COVID-19 crisis. Although the countries reflect different structures and health policies, at the beginning of the pandemic they were both slow in their responses. They began planning and offering inclusive policies to people with disabilities only after the third wave of the pandemic, including collaboration with the disability community to plan a better future. The chapter also provides recommendations for inclusive policies toward people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.
The Art of the Possible: The Constraints Associated with Writing Local TESOL Textbooks
Authors: Yıldız Abdullah , Harwood Nigel
Published: September 2024

Drawing upon interviews with eight textbook authors working for a Middle Eastern Ministry of Education, this article explores the multifaceted constraints associated with the production of local TESOL textbooks. Significant challenges are at play stemming from tight production deadlines of just 2 months per textbook, thereby precluding any piloting of materials. Furthermore, severe MoE strictures regarding the form textbooks can take are in operation with regard to unit titles, moral values to be transmitted, skills and language content, and space allocated to each segment of the book. Additional constraints include the challenge of writing for a diverse target audience, the proscription of manifold taboo topics, and the lack of textbook development training the authors receive. These constraints reportedly lead to compromises in textbook quality and limit the authors’ ability to produce pedagogically effective and culturally sensitive materials. The findings illuminate the complex context-specific dynamics mediating textbook production, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the local textbook production process and the constraints and challenges writers face.
DECOMICS, a shiny application for unsupervised cell type deconvolution and biological interpretation of bulk omic data
Authors: Karkar Slim , Sharma Ashwini , Herrmann Carl , Blum Yuna , Richard Magali
Published: September 2024

Unsupervised deconvolution algorithms are often used to estimate cell composition from bulk tissue samples. However, applying cell-type deconvolution and interpreting the results remain a challenge, even more without prior training in bioinformatics. Here, we propose a tool for estimating and identifying cell type composition from bulk transcriptomes or methylomes. DECOMICS is a shiny-web application dedicated to unsupervised deconvolution approaches of bulk omic data. It provides (i) a variety of existing algorithms to perform deconvolution on the gene expression or methylation-level matrix, (ii) an enrichment analysis module to aid biological interpretation of the deconvolved components, based on enrichment analysis, and (iii) some visualization tools. Input data can be downloaded in csv format and preprocessed in the web application (normalization, transformation, and feature selection). The results of the deconvolution, enrichment, and visualization processes can be downloaded.

Availability and implementation

DECOMICS is an R-shiny web application that can be launched (i) directly from a local R session using the R package available here: https://gitlab.in2p3.fr/Magali.Richard/decomics (either by installing it locally or via a virtual machine and a Docker image that we provide); or (ii) in the Biosphere—IFB Clouds Federation for Life Science, a multi-cloud environment scalable for high-performance computing: https://biosphere.france-bioinformatique.fr/catalogue/appliance/193/.
Accurate segmentation of intracellular organelle networks using low-level features and topological self-similarity
Authors: Huang Jiaxing , Luo Yaoru , Guo Yuanhao , Li Wenjing , Wang Zichen , Liu Guole , Yang Ge
Published: September 2024

Motivation

Intracellular organelle networks (IONs) such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network and the mitochondrial (MITO) network serve crucial physiological functions. The morphology of these networks plays a critical role in mediating their functions. Accurate image segmentation is required for analyzing the morphology and topology of these networks for applications such as molecular mechanism analysis and drug target screening. So far, however, progress has been hindered by their structural complexity and density.

Results

In this study, we first establish a rigorous performance baseline for accurate segmentation of these organelle networks from fluorescence microscopy images by optimizing a baseline U-Net model. We then develop the multi-resolution encoder (MRE) and the hierarchical fusion loss (Lhf) based on two inductive components, namely low-level features and topological self-similarity, to assist the model in better adapting to the task of segmenting IONs. Empowered by MRE and Lhf, both U-Net and Pyramid Vision Transformer (PVT) outperform competing state-of-the-art models such as U-Net++, HR-Net, nnU-Net, and TransUNet on custom datasets of the ER network and the MITO network, as well as on public datasets of another biological network, the retinal blood vessel network. In addition, integrating MRE and Lhf with models such as HR-Net and TransUNet also enhances their segmentation performance. These experimental results confirm the generalization capability and potential of our approach. Furthermore, accurate segmentation of the ER network enables analysis that provides novel insights into its dynamic morphological and topological properties.

Availability and implementation

Code and data are openly accessible at https://github.com/cbmi-group/MRE.
Changes in cortical thickness: yet another indication of supraspinal adaptations in degenerative cervical myelopathy
Authors: Nouri Aria , Molliqaj Granit , Schaller Karl , Tessitore Enrico
Published: September 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Patterns of cortical thickness alterations in degenerative cervical myelopathy: associations with dexterity and gait dysfunctions’, by Muhammad et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcae279).
Brain network changes after the first seizure: an insight into medication response?
Authors: Pedersen Mangor , Pardoe Heath , Mito Remika , Sethi Moksh , Vaughan David N , Carney Patrick W , Jackson Graeme D
Published: September 2024

After a first epileptic seizure, anti-seizure medications (ASMs) can change the likelihood of having a further event. This prospective study aimed to quantify brain network changes associated with taking ASM monotherapy. We applied graph theoretical network analysis to longitudinal resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) data from 28 participants who had recently experienced their first seizure. Participants were imaged before and during long-term ASM therapy, with a mean inter-scan interval of 6.9 months. After commencing ASM, we observed an increase in the clustering coefficient and a decrease in network path length. Brain changes after ASM treatment were most prominent in the superior frontoparietal and inferior fronto-temporal regions. Participants with recurrent seizures display the most pronounced network changes after ASM treatment. This study shows changes in brain network function after ASM administration, particularly in participants with recurrent seizures. Larger studies that ideally include control cohorts are required to understand further the connection between ASM-related brain network changes and longer-term seizure status.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on telogen effluvium: a nationwide multicentre interrupted time series study
Authors: Choi Jee Woong , Park Hyoung Soo , Kim Sang Seok , Huh Chang-Hun , Kwon Ohsang , Lew Bark-Lynn , Kim Moon Bum
Published: September 2024

Background

There is ongoing debate regarding the association between telogen effluvium (TE) and COVID-19, as well as COVID-19 vaccines.

Objectives

To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination on the development of TE among patients visiting dermatology clinics in South Korea.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2022, data regarding patients with TE and other types of hair loss were collected from 22 hospitals in South Korea. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted, dividing the time into periods before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as before and after the COVID-19 vaccination.

Results

There was a significant slope change in the percentage of cases of TE during the postpandemic period (slope change 0.011, 95% confidence interval 0.005–0.017, P < 0.001), but no significant changes were observed after vaccination. The percentage of patients with other types of hair loss was not associated with COVID-19 or vaccination. The retrospective nature of the study may have limited the ability to establish causation.

Conclusions

This multicentre study provides insights into the epidemiology of TE, showing a significant increase in cases of TE following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was no association between the occurrence of TE and COVID-19 vaccines.
Proenkephalin A 119-159 (penKid) and mortality in stable patients at high cardiovascular risk
Authors: Rau Matthias , Kurt Berkan , Hartmann Oliver , Lobo de Sá Fábia Daniela , Schwarz Marvin , Thiele Kirsten , Hartmann Niels-Ulrik Korbinian , Spiesshoefer Jens , Möllmann Julia , Hohl Mathias , Selejan Simina-Ramona , van der Vorst Emiel P C , Dahl Edgar , Marx Nikolaus , Kahles Florian , Lehrke Michael
Published: September 2024

Background

Proenkephalin A 119–159 (penKid) is a novel blood biomarker for real-time assessment of kidney function and was found to be independently associated with worsening kidney function and mortality. A novel penKid-based estimated glomerular filtration rate equation (eGFRPENK-Crea), outperforms current creatinine-based eGFR equations in predicting iohexol or iothalamate plasma clearance-based measured GFR. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive value of penKid and eGFRPENK-Crea for all-cause mortality in stable patients at high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

Circulating penKid levels were assessed in 615 stable patients hospitalized at the Department of Cardiology at University Hospital Aachen, Germany. The endpoint was all-cause mortality; follow up was 3 years.

Results

penKid levels were higher in 46 non-survivors [58.8 (IQR 47.5–85.0) pmol/l] compared to 569 survivors [43.8 (IQR 34.0–58.0) pmol/l; P < .0001]. Univariable Cox regression analyses found penKid and eGFRPENK-Crea to be associated with all-cause mortality (C index 0.703, χ2 33.27, P < .00001; C index 0.716, χ2 36.51, P < .00001). This association remained significant after adjustment for significant baseline parameters including age, smoking, chronic heart failure, use of diuretics, leucocytes, body mass index, sex, and creatinine (C index 0.799, χ2 72.06, P < .00001). Importantly, penKid provided significant added value on top of eGFRCKD-EPI 2021 (eGFRCKD-EPI 2021: C index 0.716, χ2 34.21; eGFRCKD-EPI 2021 + penKid: C index 0.727, χ2: 40.02; Delta χ2 5.81; all P < .00001) for all-cause mortality prediction in our cohort.

Conclusions

penKid levels and eGFRPENK-Crea is associated with all-cause mortality within a 3-year follow-up period and the addition of penKid on top of eGFRCKD-EPI 2021 provided significant added value in mortality prediction.
Outcomes of Patients With Prior Biologic Intolerance Are Better Than Those With Biologic Failure in Clinical Trials of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Samnani Sunil , Wong Emily C L , Hamam Hasan , Dulai Parambir S , Marshall John K , Jairath Vipul , Reinisch Walter , Narula Neeraj
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) trials often stratify patients by prior biologic exposure, including prior biologic failure or intolerance. This study aimed to assess clinical outcomes in IBD patients with prior biologic failure vs intolerance treated with ustekinumab or vedolizumab.

Methods

A post-hoc analysis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) clinical trials for ustekinumab (UNITI and UNIFI) and vedolizumab (GEMINI-1 and GEMINI-2) was performed. Clinical response, clinical remission, and endoscopic improvement (for UC) were compared among biologic naïve, biologic failure, and biologic intolerant patients. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were performed.

Results

A total of 1178 UC and 1439 CD patients received either ustekinumab or vedolizumab. In UC, biologic intolerant patients exhibited higher clinical response (54.7% vs 38.8%, aOR 1.87 [95% CI, 0.93-3.73]), clinical remission (25.0% vs 11.0%, aOR 2.84 [95% CI, 1.47-5.49]), and endoscopic improvement (40.6% vs 24.8%, aOR 2.76 [95% CI, 1.28-5.94]) compared to biologic failure, with outcomes similar to biologic naïve patients. In biologic intolerant CD patients, clinical response was similar between prior biologic failure and intolerance (34.2% vs 32.8%), but after adjustment for potential confounders, biologic intolerance was associated with higher odds of clinical response (aOR: 1.67, 95% CI, 1.09-2.55), with no significant difference observed for clinical remission (aOR: 1.48, 95% CI, 0.88-2.49).

Conclusions

Improved treatment outcomes were generally observed in patients with biologic intolerance compared to failure, especially in UC, where outcomes were similar to biologic naïve patients. Future clinical trials should meticulously differentiate prior biologic failure vs intolerance to mitigate potential bias.
Prenatal exposure to maternal smoking and adult lung cancer risk: a nested case-control study using peripheral blood leukocyte DNA methylation prediction of exposure
Authors: Ru Meng , Michaud Dominique S , Zhao Naisi , Kelsey Karl T , Koestler Devin C , Lu Jiayun , Platz Elizabeth A , Ladd-Acosta Christine M
Published: September 2024

A prior study reported no association between prenatal smoking methylation scores and adult lung cancer risk adjusting for methylation-predicted adult smoking, without considering maternal smoking trends by birth cohort. To address this gap, we examined the association between prenatal smoking methylation scores and adult lung cancer, independent of methylation-predicted adult packyears and by birth cohort, in a study nested in CLUE II. Included were 208 incident lung cancer cases ascertained by cancer registry linkage and 208 controls matched on age, sex, and smoking. DNA methylation was measured in prediagnostic blood. We calculated two prenatal smoking scores, using 19 (Score-19) and 15 (Score-15) previously identified CpGs and a methylation-predicted adult packyears score. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusting for adult packyears score and batch effects. Score-15 was positively associated with lung cancer (per standard deviation, OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10–1.79, P-trend = .006), especially in the 1930–1938 birth cohort (OR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.55–7.60, P-trend = .002). Score-19 was associated only in the 1930–1938 birth cohort (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.15–3.91). Participants with both prenatal scores below the median (vs all other combinations) had lower risk (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.27–0.72), especially in the 1930–1938 birth cohort (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04–0.62). Among ever smokers, participants with higher prenatal smoking scores had higher risk, irrespective of adult packyears (low: OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.38–5.72, high: OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.03–6.95). This prospective study suggests a positive association between prenatal smoking exposure and adult lung cancer risk, especially in the 1930–1938 birth cohort, independent of active smoking. Future studies with multiple birth cohorts are needed.
Degenerative mitral stenosis by echocardiography: presentation and outcome
Authors: Batista Roberta , Benfari Giovanni , Essayagh Benjamin , Maalouf Joseph , Thapa Prabin , Pellikka Patricia A , Michelena Hector I , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice
Published: September 2024

Aims

Degenerative mitral stenosis (DMS) is due to degenerative mitral annular calcification (MAC) and valvular calcification. However, DMS impacts on the outcome, and therefore, potential treatment needs are poorly known. We aimed at evaluating survival after DMS diagnosis by Doppler echocardiography in routine practice.

Methods and results

A cohort of 2937 (75 ± 12 years, 67% women) consecutive patients were diagnosed between 2003 and 2014 with DMS (diastolic mean gradient ≥ 5 mmHg), with analysis of short- and long-term survival. All patients had overt mitral annular/valvular degenerative calcification without rheumatic involvement. Mean gradient was 6.5 ± 2.4 mmHg, and DMS was considered mild in 50%, moderate in 44%, and severe in 6%. DMS was associated with left atrial enlargement (52 ± 23 mL/m2) and elevated pulmonary pressure (49 ± 16 mmHg) despite generally normal ejection fraction (61 ± 13%). DMS was associated with frequent comorbid conditions (74% hypertension, 58% coronary disease, and 52% heart failure) and humoural alterations (haemoglobin 11.3 ± 1.8 g/dL and creatinine 1.5 ± 1.4 mg/dL). One-year mortality was 22%, most strongly related to older age, higher comorbidity, and abnormal haemoglobin/creatinine but only weakly to DMS severity (with anaemia 42% irrespective of DMS severity, P = 0.99; without anaemia 18, 23, and 28% with mild, moderate, and severe DMS, respectively, P < 0.0004). Long-term mortality was high (56% at 5 years) also mostly linked to aging and weakly to DMS severity [with anaemia P = 0.90; without anaemia: adjusted-hazard ratio: 1.30 (1.19–1.42), P < 0.0001, for moderate vs. mild DMS and 1.63 (1.34–1.98), P < 0.0001, for severe vs. mild DMS].

Conclusion

DMS is a condition of the elderly potentially resulting in severe mitral obstruction and haemodynamic alterations. However, DMS is frequently associated with severe comorbidities imparting considerable mortality following diagnosis, whereas DMS severity is a weak (albeit independent) determinant of mortality. Hence, patients with DMS should be carefully evaluated and interventional/surgical treatment prudently considered in those with limited comorbidity burden, particularly without anaemia. Keywords: Degenerative Mitral Stenosis; Outcome; Natural history; Ecocardiography; Mitral Stenosis.
Epicardial adipose tissue and muscle distribution affect outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Rohrbach Susanne , Uluocak Oezge , Junge Marieke , Knapp Fabienne , Schulz Rainer , Böning Andreas , Nef Holger M , Krombach Gabriele A , Niemann Bernd
Published: September 2024

Aims

To analyse the relevance of body composition and blood markers for long-term outcomes in very old patients after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods and results

A total of 403 very old patients were characterized with regard to subcutaneous, visceral, and epicardial fat, psoas muscle area, plasma growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), and leptin. Cohorts grouped by body mass index (BMI) were analysed for long-term outcomes. Patients underwent transapical and transfemoral TAVR (similar 30-day/1-year survival). Body mass index >35 kg/m2 showed increased 2- and 3-year mortality compared with BMI 25–34.9 kg/m2 but not compared with BMI <25 kg/m2. Fat areas correlated positively to BMI (epicardial: R2 = 0.05, P < 0.01; visceral: R2 = 0.20, P < 0.001; subcutaneous: R2 = 0.13, P < 0.001). Increased epicardial or visceral but not subcutaneous fat area resulted in higher long-term mortality. Patients with high BMI (1781.3 mm2 ± 75.8, P < 0.05) and lean patients (1729.4 ± 52.8, P < 0.01) showed lower psoas muscle area compared with those with mildly elevated BMI (2055.2 ± 91.7). Reduced psoas muscle area and increased visceral fat and epicardial fat areas were independent predictors of long-term mortality. The levels of serum GDF-15 were the highest in BMI >40 kg/m2 (2793.5 pg/mL ± 123.2) vs. BMI <25 kg/m2 (2017.6 pg/mL ±130.8), BMI 25–30 kg/m2 (1881.8 pg/mL ±127.4), or BMI 30–35 kg/m2 (2054.2 pg/mL ±124.1, all P < 0.05). Increased GDF-15 level predicted mortality (2587 pg/mL, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.94). Serum leptin level increased with BMI without predictive value for long-term mortality.

Conclusion

Morbidly visceral and epicardial fat accumulation, reduction in muscle area, and GDF-15 increase are strong predictors of adverse outcomes in very old patients post-TAVR.