bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Viability of Hydrofluoroolefin-R245fa Mixtures as Organic Working Fluids in a Low-Temperature Solar-Powered Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)
Authors: Icaranom J , Bolo W F , Yap K J , De Leon R
Published: November 2024

To address the intermittent nature of solar and other renewable energy (RE) sources, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) can be employed to facilitate steady production of power. Organic working fluid (OWF) mixtures in ORCs are of interest due to the possibility of reducing irreversible losses in the system and having a better sense of control over its environmental impact while not compromising on the performance benefits when paired with conventional fluids such as R245fa. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) are considered as one of the components due to their zero ozone depleting potential (ODP) and very low global warming potential (GWP). This study evaluates the performance of binary zeotropic mixtures of R245fa and HFOs with available thermodynamic properties (R1234yf, R1234zeE, and R1234zeZ) as OWFs in a simple low-temperature solar-powered ORC. Specifically, the optimal compositions of each pair of HFO-R245fa mixtures within the specified operating conditions are identified via the performance indicators (1 kW net power output; thermal efficiencies; and GWP); and are compared against their pure components and known conventional OWFs. The turbine power outputs and efficiencies of the mixtures, determined from ASPEN Plus simulations, were observed to be competitive as alternatives for the pure components, and conventional fluids. At optimal compositions, R245fa/R1234zeZ (0.2619 mass fraction R245fa) was shown to be the most viable OWF blend with peak efficiency at 7.5545% and GWP of 274.2, accomplishing the target 1kW turbine power output, followed closely by R245fa/R1234zeE (0.2678 R245fa; 1kW power output; 7.4824% peak efficiency; GWP = 281), and R245fa/R1234yf (0.3589 R245fa; 0.9595 kW power output; 7.4338% peak efficiency; GWP = 372.2). It is recommended that more HFO-R245fa mixtures, as well as other complex blends, be explored and be subjected to further studies.
Modeling and characterizing of surface texture produced by scraping process
Authors: Tian Chifeng , Wang Lihua , Wu Yinchu , Yu Yingxiang
Published: November 2024

Scraping technology is widely used in the guideways manufacturing of high-precision machine tools, yet the scraped surface texture formation mechanism is still not fully understood owing to the complexity and randomness of the scraping process, which limits the study of the tribological properties of scraped bond surfaces. To reveal the formation mechanism of the scraped surface texture, this study adopts the stratified theory to model and characterize scraped surfaces based on the characteristics of the scraping process. The research found tri-Gaussian stratification features in a scraped surface texture and establishes surface stratified model. Tri-Gaussian segmented separation and continuous separation methods are proposed to calculate the component surface parameters for characterizing the scraped surface texture. Segmented and continuous separation methods are respectively applied to analyze and reconstruct simulated tri-Gaussian stratified surfaces and experimental scraped surfaces. The results indicate that the continuous separation method is superior to the segmented separation method and leads to almost the same height and process parameters as the measured surface in the surface reconstruction. This verifies the feasibility and accuracy of the scraped surface texture model and characterization methods. This paper reveals the surface texture formation mechanism from the viewpoint of the scraping process and provides new insights for modeling and characterizing research on scraped surface texture.
Simulation of laser plasma wakefield acceleration with external injection based on Bayesian optimization
Authors: Zhong Jianhua , Guan Jiabao , Liu Lanxin , Xia Guoxing , Wang Jike , Nie Yuancun
Published: November 2024

In laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA), injecting an external electron beam at certain energy is a promising approach to achieving high-quality electron beam with low energy spread and low emittance. In this paper, the process of laser wakefield acceleration with an external injection at 10 pC has been studied in simulations. A Bayesian optimization method is used to optimize the key laser and plasma parameters, so that the electron beam is accelerated to the expected energy with a small emittance and energy spread growth. The effect of rising edge of the plasma on the transverse properties of the electron beam is simulated and optimized in order to ensure that the external electron beam is injected into the plasma without significant emittance growth. Finally, a high-quality electron beam with an energy of 1.5 GeV, the normalized transverse emittance of 0.5 mm·mrad and the relative energy spread of 0.5% at 10 pC is obtained.
Experimental and numerical study on double wedge shock/shock interaction controlled by a single-pulse plasma synthetic jet
Authors: Xie Wei , Luo Zhenbing , Zhou Yan , Liu Qiang , Deng Xiong , Zhu Yinxin
Published: November 2024

The phenomenon of shock/shock interaction (SSI) is widely observed in high-speed flow, and the double wedge SSI represents one of the typical problems encountered. The control effect of plasma synthetic jet (PSJ) on double wedge type-VI and type-V SSI was experimentally and numerically investigated, and the influence of discharge energy was also explored. The findings indicate that the interaction between PSJ and the high-speed freestream results in the formation of a plasma layer and a jet shock, which collectively governs the control of SSI. The control mechanism of single-pulse PSJ on SSI lies in its ability to attenuate shock and SSI. For type-VI SSI, under the control of PSJ, the original second-wedge oblique shock is eliminated, resulting in a new type-VI SSI formed by the jet shock and the first-wedge oblique shock. For type-V SSI, under the control of PSJ, Mach stem, supersonic jet and the reflected shocks are significantly attenuated, resulting in a transformation of type-V SSI into type-VI SSI. The numerical results indicate that the maximum reduction of peak pressure is approximately 32.26%. The development of PSJ also extends in the Z direction. The pressure decreases in the area affected by both PSJ and jet shock due to the attenuation of the SSI zone. The control effect of PSJ on SSI is gradually enhanced with increasing discharge energy.
Persistent trends and geographic traits of heat waves in a changing climate
Authors: Ren Diandong , Hu Aixue
Published: November 2024

By adopting a heatwave (HW) definition with a ∼4-year recurrence frequency at world hot spots, we first examined the 1940–2022 HW climatology and trends in lifespan (duration), severity and recurrence frequency, by comparing the first and last 20-year periods of this 83- year record. Generally, HWs are becoming more frequent and more severe in the extra-tropic and mid-latitude regions. Increased HWs are not temporally uniform and tend to cluster together, posing a one-two punch for ecosystems. North America, regions affected by HWs in the early 21st Century expanded by ∼47% relative to those in the mid-20th Century, contributed primarily by regions starting to be exposed to HWs in the early 21st Century. Mid-latitude basins are vulnerable areas. Geographic shifts can be attributed to adjustments in planetary wavelengths due to increased air viscosity (related to global warming). Polar amplified warming, leading to a reduced equator to pole temperature gradients and an overall reduction in zonal wind speeds across midlatitudes, promotes amplified planetary wave amplitudes, leading to more severe and persistent blockings and cutoffs, thus an increase in HW frequency, severity, and duration. Climate model simulations under a business-as-usual emission scenario corroborate trends in HW severity and lifespan increases, supported by a strong intermodal consensus. HW periods correspond to heightened planetary boundary layer (PBL) depths, which increase with eddy viscosity. The temperature-dependent nature of air viscosity underscores the similarity between trends in PBL depth and HW areal extent in a warming climate.
Experimental investigation on climate-control nano-composite polycarbonate sheets enhanced with TiO2, ZnO, and zeolite nanoparticles for polyhouse use
Authors: Jadhav Aniket , Chavan Sachin , Sutar Kailasnath , Chendake Yogesh , Shaikh Israr A , Sihna Mukesh Kumar
Published: November 2024

Optimal food production is achieved when crops receive the necessary nutrients, and the desired levels of temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and sufficient water. Climate Control Agriculture, or Controlled Environment Agriculture, utilizes a technology-based approach to grow plants in a controlled environment. This study focuses on the experimental investigation of polycarbonate sheets doped with TiO2, ZnO, and zeolite nanoparticles for potential use in polyhouse applications. The thermal performance of these synthesized and standard polycarbonate sheets was tested in a laboratory setting. A specialized experimental setup, consisting of two cabinets, was designed and fabricated for this purpose. Ten synthesized sheets each with thicknesses of 50 μm and 70 μm, and two commercial sheets of 70 μm thickness were tested experimentally in the laboratory for their thermal performance. Results indicated that % doping concentration of 0.3% was the most effective, while 0.1% was the least effective. Among the three doping materials, TiO2-doped sheets demonstrated superior ultra-violate light absorption capacity due to their high refractive index and band gap energy, which enhances their ability to absorb and scatter ultra-violate light. ZnO offered stronger UV protection than the remaining three materials. However, it has a lower refractive index than TiO2. Its overall thermal performance was lower than TiO2. The desired properties of nanocomposites for use in polyhouse applications such as thermal performance in the laboratory, UV protection, mechanical strength and durability, transparency, photostability, and safety were compared based on the experimental results and the data available in the literature. It was concluded that polycarbonate doped with ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles was the most suitable.
An implicit-explicit Monte Carlo method for semi-linear PDEs driven by 𝛼-stable Lévy process and its error estimates
Authors: Sheng Changtao , Su Bihao , Xu Chenglong
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we propose an implicit-explicit Monte Carlo method (IMEX-MCM) for solving semi-linear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) driven by

α
\alpha

-stable Lévy process on bounded domains, also known as semi-linear PDEs involving integral fractional Laplacian operator (i.e.,

α
∈
(
0
,
2
)

\alpha \in (0,2)

) and classical Laplacian operator (i.e.,

α
=
2

\alpha =2

). The main idea behind our approach is to divide the time interval into

N
N

sub-intervals and derive the Feynman-Kac formula within each time sub-interval. Then, we develop a fully discretized parallel scheme using the implicit-explicit technique for temporal discretization, followed by applying a novel walk-on-sphere method to obtain the numerical solution. Notably, the proposed method takes advantage of the Poisson kernel associated with the stochastic processes to accommodate the full discretization of the classical and fractional semi-linear PDEs in a single framework. Moreover, we rigorously analyze the error bound for the proposed scheme that is totally explicit with respect to the number of simulation paths

M
M

and the time step size

Δ
t

\Delta t

. As a by-product, we prove the maximum principle of the proposed schemes for fractional Allen Cahn equation with double well potential and provide an error estimate by using the established maximum principle. Extensive numerical experiments in two and three-dimensional spaces are presented to verify our theoretical results and to show the robustness and accuracy of our method.
Groups acting on cubic surfaces in characteristic zero
Authors: Smith Jonathan
Published: November 2024

For every field

k
k

of characteristic zero, we determine the groups that act as automorphisms on a smooth cubic surface over

k
k

. We also determine the groups that act on

k
k

-rational, stably

k
k

-rational, or

k
k

-unirational smooth cubic surfaces.
An improved lower bound on the Shannon capacities of complements of odd cycles
Authors: Zhu Daniel
Published: November 2024

Improving a 2003 result of Bohman and Holzman, we show that for

n
≥
1

n \geq 1

, the Shannon capacity of the complement of the

2
n
+
1

2n+1

-cycle is at least
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis 2 Superscript r Super Subscript n Superscript Baseline plus 1 right-parenthesis Superscript 1 slash r Super Subscript n Baseline equals 2 plus normal upper Omega left-parenthesis 2 Superscript minus r Super Subscript n Superscript Baseline slash r Subscript n Baseline right-parenthesis">

(

2

r
n

+
1

)

1

/

r
n

=
2
+
Ω
(

2

−

r
n

/

r
n

)

(2^{r_n} + 1)^{1/r_n} = 2 + \Omega (2^{-r_n}/r_n)

, where

r
n

=
exp
⁡
(
O
(
(
log
⁡
n

)
2

)
)

r_n = \exp (O((\log n)^2))

is the number of partitions of

2
(
n
−
1
)

2(n-1)

into powers of

2
2

. We also discuss a connection between this result and work by Day and Johnson in the context of graph Ramsey numbers.
Graded automorphisms of quantum affine spaces
Authors: Jin Hai
Published: November 2024

This paper computes the graded automorphism group of quantum affine spaces. Specifically, we determine that this group is isomorphic to a semi-direct product of a blocked diagonal matrix group and a permutation group.
A Liouville theorem for the quasilinear elliptic inequality on complete Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Guo Chen , Zhang Zhengce
Published: November 2024

In this article we establish a Liouville theorem for positive solutions to the differential inequality

Δ

p

u
+
a

u

r

|

∇
u

|

q

≤
0

\Delta _{p}u+a u^{r}|\nabla u|^{q}\le 0

on a complete noncompact Riemannian manifold

(
M
,
g
)

(M,g)

. The method is based on a suitable change of variable aimed to produce a useful differential inequality, then the use of cut-off functions technique yields some a priori integral estimates useful to reach the claim by removing the condition

q
+
r
−
p
+
1
>
0

q +r-p+1>0

in previous result (Theorem 1.1 in He, Hu, and Wang, Nash-Moser iteration approach to the logarithmic gradient estimates and Liouville properties of quasilinear elliptic equations on manifolds, Preprint, https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.02568, 2023).
Rogers-Ramanujan type identities and Chebyshev polynomials
Authors: Yao Olivia
Published: November 2024

Recently, Andrews [Ann. Comb. 23 (2019), pp. 443–464] discovered a family of Rogers-Ramanujan type identities by introducing Chebyshev polynomials of the third and the fourth kinds into Bailey pairs. Motivated by Andrews’ work, Sun [Ramanujan J. 60 (2023), pp. 761–794] obtained a companion identity for Dyson’s favorite identity and a number of Rogers-Ramanujan type identities based on a new Bailey pair involving Chebyshev polynomials of the third kind. In this paper, we establish many new identities involving Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind by constructing several new Bailey pairs and inserting them into various weak forms of Bailey’s lemma. Some special cases of those identities yield many new and known Rogers-Ramanujan type identities. In particular, we derive several identities which are analogous to Dyson’s favorite identity. It is interesting that the right hand sides of some identities are sums of modular forms with different weights.
A lower bound on Korenblum’s constant
Authors: Wang Chunjie
Published: November 2024

Let

A
2

(

D

)

A^2(\mathbb {D})

be the Bergman space over the open unit disk

D

\mathbb {D}

in the complex plane. In this paper we obtain a new lower bound on Korenblum’s constant

c
2

c_2

:

c
2

≥
0.3554

c_2\geq 0.3554

.
Extracellular vesicles, including large translating vesicles called midbody remnants, are released during the cell cycle
Authors: Patel Smit A. , Park Sungjin , Zhu Dantong , Torr Elizabeth E. , Dureke Ashley-Grace , McIntyre Alina , Muzyka Nadiya , Severson Jackson , Skop Ahna R.
Published: November 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in cell-cell communication, but the biogenesis of large EVs has remained elusive. Here, we show that the biogenesis of large EVs (>800 nm–2 µm) occurs predominantly through the completion of successful cytokinesis, and the majority of large EVs are midbody remnants (MBRs) with translation activity, and the unique marker MKLP1. Blocking the cell cycle or cytokinesis, genetically or chemically, significantly decreases MBRs and large (800 nm–2 µm), medium (500–800 nm), and small (<300 nm) EVs, suggesting that proliferative cells can also generate all sizes of EVs. The canonical EV markers including CD9, CD63, CD81 localize to the spindle midzone, midbody, and MBRs, suggesting that these markers are not specific for detecting EVs exclusively. Importantly, all commonly used EV isolation methods isolate MBRs, confounding previous EV research. Last, isolated MBRs maintain translation activity regardless of the isolation method. We propose a model for the biogenesis of EVs throughout the cell cycle and suggest that some large EVs are primarily generated from mitotic cells. The discovery of MBRs as a unique class of large, translating EVs has implications for using them as cancer diagnostic markers and for engineering them for therapeutic cargo delivery during mitosis.
Optical characterization of molecular interaction strength in protein condensates
Authors: Beck Timon , van der Linden Lize-Mari , Borcherds Wade M. , Kim Kyoohyun , Schlüßler Raimund , Müller Paul , Franzmann Titus M. , Möckel Conrad , Goswami Ruchi , Leaver Mark , Mittag Tanja , Alberti Simon , Guck Jochen
Published: November 2024

Biomolecular condensates have been identified as a ubiquitous means of intracellular organization, exhibiting very diverse material properties. However, techniques to characterize these material properties and their underlying molecular interactions are scarce. Here, we introduce two optical techniques—Brillouin microscopy and quantitative phase imaging (QPI)—to address this scarcity. We establish Brillouin shift and linewidth as measures for average molecular interaction and dissipation strength, respectively, and we used QPI to obtain the protein concentration within the condensates. We monitored the response of condensates formed by fused in sarcoma (FUS) and by the low-complexity domain of hnRNPA1 (A1-LCD) to altering temperature and ion concentration. Conditions favoring phase separation increased Brillouin shift, linewidth, and protein concentration. In comparison to solidification by chemical cross-linking, the ion-dependent aging of FUS condensates had a small effect on the molecular interaction strength inside. Finally, we investigated how sequence variations of A1-LCD, that change the driving force for phase separation, alter the physical properties of the respective condensates. Our results provide a new experimental perspective on the material properties of protein condensates. Robust and quantitative experimental approaches such as the presented ones will be crucial for understanding how the physical properties of biological condensates determine their function and dysfunction.
Distinct peroxisome populations differentially respond to alcohol-associated hepatic injury
Authors: Mitra Ramyajit , Adhikari Raghabendra , Davis Saniya S. , McVicker Benita L. , Tuma Pamela L.
Published: November 2024

Although peroxisomes are known to oxidize ethanol, metabolize lipids, and regulate oxidative stress, they remain understudied in the context of ethanol-induced liver injury. We examined peroxisome early responses to alcohol-induced oxidative stress and lipid overload. Analysis of peroxisomes labeled with catalase, an ethanol oxidizing enzyme, or ABCD3, a fatty acid transporter, revealed that distinct peroxisome populations differentially respond to ethanol. We determined that ethanol exposure induced a reversible, time-dependent, saturable increase in functional peroxisomes labeled with either marker. This increase was due to ethanol-induced oxidative stress. In cells treated with oleic acid (to mimic fatty liver), only ABCD3-positive peroxisomes proliferated, and preferentially colocalized with lipid droplets in cells treated with oleic acid alone and/or with ethanol. In cells overexpressing the tubulin-specific acetyltransferase, αTAT1, we determined that peroxisome-lipid droplet contacts were mediated by acetylated microtubules. Peroxisome proliferation was also observed in ethanol-fed mouse and rat livers, but was absent in fibrotic mouse models of liver injury and in samples from individuals with alcohol-induced cirrhosis suggesting that alcohol exposure promotes an early hepatoprotective rise in peroxisomes that is lost as the condition progresses to fibrosis. Our studies further suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists may be an effective intervention for early ethanol-associated liver disease.
PunctaFinder: An algorithm for automated spot detection in fluorescence microscopy images
Authors: Terpstra Hanna M. , Gómez-Sánchez Rubén , Veldsink Annemiek C. , Otto Tegan A. , Veenhoff Liesbeth M. , Heinemann Matthias
Published: November 2024

Fluorescence microscopy has revolutionized biological research by enabling the visualization of subcellular structures at high resolution. With the increasing complexity and volume of microscopy data, there is a growing need for automated image analysis to ensure efficient and consistent interpretation. In this study, we introduce PunctaFinder, a novel Python-based algorithm designed to detect puncta, small bright spots, in raw fluorescence microscopy images without image denoising or signal enhancement steps. Furthermore, unlike other available spot detectors, PunctaFinder not only detects puncta, but also defines the cytoplasmic region, making it a valuable tool to quantify target molecule localization in cellular contexts. PunctaFinder is a widely applicable punctum detector and size estimator, as evidenced by its successful detection of Atg9-positive vesicles, lipid droplets, aggregates of a destabilized luciferase mutant, and the nuclear pore complex. Notably, PunctaFinder excels in detecting puncta in images with a relatively low resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, demonstrating its capability to identify dim puncta and puncta of dynamic target molecules. PunctaFinder reliably detects puncta in fluorescence microscopy images where automated analysis was not possible before, providing researchers with an efficient and robust method for punctum quantification in fluorescence microscopy images.
Significantly reduced, but balanced, rates of mitochondrial fission and fusion are sufficient to maintain the integrity of yeast mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Wisniewski Brett T. , Casler Jason C. , Lackner Laura L.
Published: November 2024

Mitochondria exist as dynamic tubular networks and the morphology of these networks impacts organelle function and cell health. Mitochondrial morphology is maintained in part by the opposing activities of mitochondrial fission and fusion. Mitochondrial fission and fusion are also required to maintain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the simultaneous inhibition of mitochondrial fission and fusion results in increased mtDNA mutation and the consequent loss of respiratory competence. The mechanism by which fission and fusion maintain mtDNA integrity is not fully understood. Previous work demonstrates that mtDNA is spatially linked to mitochondrial fission sites. Here, we extend this finding using live-cell imaging to localize mtDNA to mitochondrial fusion sites. While mtDNA is present at sites of mitochondrial fission and fusion, mitochondrial fission and fusion rates are not altered in cells lacking mtDNA. Using alleles that alter mitochondrial fission and fusion rates, we find that mtDNA integrity can be maintained in cells with significantly reduced, but balanced, rates of fission and fusion. In addition, we find that increasing mtDNA copy number reduces the loss of respiratory competence in double mitochondrial fission-fusion mutants. Our findings add novel insights into the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and mtDNA integrity.
Introduction
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Science has driven our remarkable advances in modern society. But we do not yet understand well some of the most fundamental questions about science: What are the origins, foundations and boundaries of science? How have we learned what we know about the world around us? Why is it that how we advance science is poorly understood, even though it has an enormous influence on our lives through medicine and technology? No consensus yet exists on these fundamental questions, as researchers who do study them mainly do so from their particular disciplinary perspective. The different subfields that study science (economics of science, scientometrics, history of science, philosophy of science etc.) each capture one aspect of science, its evolution or its boundaries, but not the whole story. We need to integrate the different subfields to reveal the bigger picture of science. Each subfield has something specific to contribute to our understanding of science, and of scientific methods and instruments as the foundation of how we conduct and advance science. To integrate them, we need to better focus on methods and instruments because they are the common thread where the subfields all overlap. As an analogy, science can be described as a massive (methodological) tower of science that consists of three elements: its foundation made up of our cognitive and sensory abilities; its different floors made up of each major scientific method and instrument; and its rooms made up of different fields that apply those tools. This holistic framework for science helps guide the book.
Cognitive Science of Science
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Our mind makes doing science and creating knowledge about the world possible. It allows for vision needed to make observations, memory to recall what we observe, language to express what we observe, and reason to solve problems and develop scientific methods. We have evolved these methodological abilities of the mind over time and use them to be able to study, experiment and acquire knowledge of the world. Our mind shapes how we get by and make sense of our natural and social environment, on the one hand. On the other, we face cognitive and sensory constraints imposed by nature and evolution, and also constraints on the methods and instruments we develop using our mind. They set the scope within which we are able to do science and create knowledge about the world. Many phenomena in the world—given our cognitive and perceptual limitations—fall below or lay beyond the directly observable conditions in which our mind and senses have evolved (from atoms, magnetic fields and gravitation to the speed of light and planetary systems). The further we move away from these conditions—from the surface of the earth, from our ecological niche, from our particular context—we generally require greater abstraction of the phenomena we study. Because our mind makes reasoning and creating knowledge possible, we can best understand our mind’s abilities by studying how they have evolved to enable us to reason and create knowledge the way we do.
History of Science
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Science has a history, and when we study the history of science including the breakthroughs, theories and the methods used to create them, we can trace their origin to the individuals who developed them. Thomas Kuhn, the most cited and well-known historian of science in the 20th century, offered an explanation of the history of science that viewed scientific change as going through revolutionary paradigm shifts. Yet taking a broader perspective here, we illustrate that science is, on the whole, a cumulative and iterative process of continual refinement. What any one individual can contribute, when we historicise their work, is a piece or connection between already existing pieces, compared to the extensive knowledge and methods developed before them on which they build and make their work possible. To better understand scientific theories and how we develop them cumulatively (such as Darwin’s theory of evolution and Einstein’s theory of special relativity) we cannot view them independent of their historical context and the existing knowledge on which most of their work builds.
Computer Science of Science
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

We are constrained by our limited cognitive and computing capacity when studying the world. We are flooded with vast amounts of new data and publications each year, at a pace far exceeding our human abilities to process the expanding influx of information and data. Computers play a central role in science and studying science by expanding our limited cognitive resources, memory and capacity for data processing, statistical analysis and simulations. Computers are crucial in conducting science much more efficiently by automating scientific processes and making it much easier to organise, store and retrieve enormous amounts of data through databases. Computers are used across all research fields, completely transforming the way we do science. A rapid increase in computing power and available data has also accelerated growth in artificial intelligence, providing new opportunities to apply computer technology in science. In the biomedical sciences for example, we now have methods for drug design that automate many mechanical tasks performed by biomedical researchers.
Linguistics of Science
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Language plays an essential role in science and understanding science. Without a system of language we would not be able to reason complexly, express our knowledge and do science. It enables us to describe and explain to others what we observe, how we solve problems and the knowledge we acquire about the world. With language we can quickly obtain and pass along methods and bodies of knowledge. How we use language determines how scientific studies are expressed and disseminated and how accessible they are to researchers in the same and other fields—this refers to the communication of science. Written and especially digital documentation allows us to more efficiently share and cumulatively build on vast bodies of knowledge and methods. Yet technical language divides the scientific community in general, including the science of science community.
The Limits of Science: An Overview
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Here we pull together the different evidence to outline the present limits of science. Whether we are nearing the boundaries of science is a fundamental question we have not yet addressed. We know that phenomena like evolution, the periodic table of elements and gravity make up essential pillars of science, so they would unlikely be substituted by completely different breakthroughs and theories that are as extraordinary. Yet many groundbreaking discoveries have still been made since the turn of the millennium, such as CRISPR gene editing in 2012, the Higgs particle in 2012 and the existence of gravitational waves in 2015. These recent discoveries redefined the frontiers of genetics, physics and astronomy and it does not appear that science will stop expanding soon. In general, what and how we comprehend the world is invariably shaped by the scope of our methods and cognitive and sensory abilities—that is, our methodological toolbox—but also often simultaneously by our social, economic and historical influences as well as our human needs and objectives. Together, they set the boundaries within which we are able to perceive, process and understand phenomena in nature and society. Here we explore historically how we have extended the borders of science and provide a general conceptual description of the scope and limits of science.
The Limits of Science: Grounded in the Boundaries of Our Methods and Mind
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

Here we explore the foundations and limits of our methods, instruments and mind and how they specifically shape the foundations and present limits of our knowledge and science, influencing the theories about the world we are able to develop and test and those we are not yet able to. No way exists for us to perceive and verify phenomena in the world and deem them reliable except by using our mind and what our mind is methodologically capable of. It is a basic fact of science that our present limits of science are primarily defined by our present cognitive, sensory and methodological limits. We are especially constrained in developing theories about phenomena that go far beyond the environmental and cultural niche we evolved in, such as dark matter, multiple universes, the vastness of the universe and the evolution of conscious experience. We reach the present limits of science, and what science itself is, when our theories involve phenomena that are not observable and thus the theories are not verifiable and empirically reliable using our mind, methods and instruments. This is called here the OVER criterion of science (for observability, verifiability and empirical reliability) and can be applied to assess any scientific theory. It can provide a foundation for grounding science and its central evaluation criteria of empirical testability, verifiability and reliability.
The Limits of Science: Expanding the Limits by Expanding Our Methodological Toolbox
Authors: Krauss Alexander
Published: November 2024

We humans are what set the present scope and limits of science: the methods and instruments that we have been able to develop thus far, using our mind and within our broader social context. Inventing new tools is key to filling gaps in our knowledge and pushing our scientific scope and borders. Making breakthroughs is about creating the right new tools that enable redrawing the lines at the borders of science. Here we will explain how we can make advances at the scientific frontier quicker by describing the steps to extend our scientific tools to study the world in novel ways. We will also outline three pathways of the future prospects of science that we can take, and will discuss whether there are pre-established boundaries to our knowledge in some domains.
Construction of a genome-editing system for the thermophilic actinomycete Streptomyces thermodiastaticus K5 strain
Authors: Yamagishi Kenji , Ike Masakazu , Tokuyasu Ken
Published: November 2024

Thermophilic actinomycetes significantly contribute to the terrestrial carbon cycle via the rapid degradation of lignocellulosic polysaccharides in composts. In this study, a genome-editing system was constructed for the thermophilic actinomycete Streptomyces thermodiastaticus K5 strain, which was isolated from compost. The genome-editing plasmid (pGEK5) harboring nickase Cas9 was derived from the high-copy plasmid pL99 and used for the K5 strain. It was found that pGEK5 could easily be lost from the transformed clone through cultivation on apramycin-free medium and spore formation, enabling its reuse for subsequent genome-editing cycles. With the aid of this plasmid, mutations were sequentially introduced to 2 uracil–DNA glycosylase genes (Udg1 and Udg2) and 1 β-glucosidase gene (Bgl1). Thus, the genome-editing system using pGEK5 enables us to start the functional modification of this thermophilic actinomycete, especially for improved conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.
Radiologic imaging biomarkers in triple-negative breast cancer: a literature review about the role of artificial intelligence and the way forward
Authors: Bhalla Kanika , Xiao Qi , Luna José Marcio , Podany Emily , Ahmad Tabassum , Ademuyiwa Foluso O , Davis Andrew , Bennett Debbie Lee , Gastounioti Aimilia
Published: November 2024

Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in women. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 10%-15% of breast cancer diagnoses and is an aggressive molecular breast cancer subtype associated with important challenges in its diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication. This poses an urgent need for developing more effective and personalized imaging biomarkers for TNBC. Towards this direction, artificial intelligence (AI) for radiologic imaging holds a prominent role, leveraging unique advantages of radiologic breast images, being used routinely for TNBC diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning, and offering high-resolution whole-tumour visualization, combined with the immense potential of AI to elucidate anatomical and functional properties of tumours that may not be easily perceived by the human eye. In this review, we synthesize the current state-of-the-art radiologic imaging applications of AI in assisting TNBC diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of radiomic and deep learning-based AI developments and their impact on advancing TNBC management over the last decade (2013-2024). For completeness of the review, we start with a brief introduction of AI, radiomics, and deep learning. Next, we focus on clinically relevant AI-based diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic models for radiologic breast images evaluated in TNBC. We conclude with opportunities and future directions for AI towards advancing diagnosis, treatment response predictions, and prognostic evaluations for TNBC.
A02 - BS Ethnic and Social Deprivation Influence Weight Regain Following Roux En-Y Gastric Bypass
Authors: Askar Lina , Karim Seiver , Al-Fagih Othman , Niaz Osamah , Loh Alex Yuen Hua , Razzaq Ahsen , Ahmar Moaz , Sesby-Banjoh Oluwatofunmi , Adil Md Tanveer , Munasinghe Aruna , Rashid Farhan , Jambulingam Periyathambi , Whitelaw Douglas , Jain Vigyan , Al-Taan Omer , Askari Alan
Published: November 2024

Background

Weight regain is a prevalent issue following Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery for obesity. This study aims to assess the impact of ethnicity and social deprivation on the likelihood of weight regain post-RYGB.

Method

We analysed data from Luton & Dunstable Hospital. Key variables included patient demographics such as sex, age, ethnicity, social deprivation (Indices of Multiple Deprivation – IMD), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, and weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) at the time of surgery. Weight regain was defined as the regaining of more than 25% of the Total Body Weight Loss (TBWL) achieved after RYGB.

Results

Out of 1,346 patients who underwent RYGB, 80% were female. The median age was 48 years (IQR: 39-55), and the median BMI was 44.7 kg/m^2 (IQR: 40.6-50.1). At a median follow-up of 39 months, 20.7% experienced weight regain. Multivariable analysis showed that patients from Black (HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.33-1.81, p=0.009) and Asian (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.23-1.71, p=0.011) ethnic groups, as well as those from more socially deprived backgrounds (HR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.99 – 3.13, p<0.001), were more likely to experience weight regain compared to their White and more affluent counterparts.

Conclusion

Ethnicity and social deprivation significantly influence the likelihood of weight regain following RYGB. The factors contributing to these disparities are likely multifaceted, encompassing genetic, social, and educational elements. Early identification of patients at increased risk of weight regain and the provision of tailored resources can help mitigate this risk and enhance surgical outcomes.
BS O01 - Comparison of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass(RYGBP) and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy(LSG) in patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus: Meta-analysis and systemic review
Authors: Hamam Yaser , Elsnhory Ahmed , Zedan Esraa , Jayyousi Obada Al , Deeb Haya , Mahmoud Abdelrahman , Ishqair Anas , Osman Sondos , Musa Ayesha , Ocab Naiema , AbdalJawwad Tareq , Zourob Ghadir , Alzaanin Jamila , Alshaikhahmad Raghd
Published: November 2024

Background

Laparoscopic Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) are the two procedures used to treat patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). However, it is still unclear which of the two procedures is better for T2DM remission.

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of LSG and RYGB considering important comparison outcomes including diabetes remission, and overall glycemic and metabolic control.

Method

We conducted a comprehensive search of Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, the Web of Science, Clinical Key, Ovid, and Wiley from their inceptions through August 2022 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LSG with RYGB for patients with morbid obesity and T2DM. The data were extracted and pooled using Review Manager software (RevMan5.4).

Results

Eighteen RCTs including 1360 patients were found. After one year, two years, and five years, the RYGB group's BMI was significantly lower than the LSG group's as follows respectively (MD = -1.58, P < 0.0001), (MD = -1.64, P=0.03), and (MD = -2.26, P= 0.0004). Moreover, the LSG group had a higher incidence of diabetes remission than the RYGP group after five years. Although there was no signiﬁcant difference in terms of safety outcomes between both groups, GERD was significantly higher in the LSG group, and dumping syndrome was significantly higher in the RYGB group.

Conclusion

RYGB is more effective in achieving weight loss and reducing BMI, while LSG shows better improvement in diabetes remission, notably for those with high BMI. Both surgeries have similar complication rates, but RYGB has a higher incidence of dumping syndrome and lower rates of GERD compared to LSG.
OGC O02 - Measurement of functional, psychosocial, and quality of life impacts of Robotic versus Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy
Authors: Paine Heidi , Rayner Charles , Tehranchi Sam , Luangsomboon Aphiwat , McGuire Anna , Walker Robert , Madhavan Anantha , Singh Pritam , Preston Shaun R , Abbassi-Ghadi Nima
Published: November 2024

Background

Since the introduction of Robotic-Assisted Minimally-Invasive Oesophago-gastrectomy (RAMIO), comparisons to other surgical approaches have focussed primarily on peri-operative and oncological outcomes. Few studies have focused on quality-of-life measures once the patient has been discharged home. We sought to compare physical, psychosocial, sleep, pain and employment related measures at six weeks following discharge in patients undergoing RAMIO versus Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy.

Method

We performed a prospective cohort study comparing RAMIO and Hybrid Oesophago-gastrectomy. Twenty-five consecutive patients on a curative surgical pathway were recruited to each group. Participants were contacted via telephone pre-operatively and six weeks post-operatively. Parameters studied were: physical activity, social activity, sleep, pain control, and employment. Psychological wellbeing was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires C30 (all cancer patients) and OG25 (patients undergoing oesophago-gastric cancer treatment). Results were analysed using Chi Square and Mann-Whitney-U statistical tests.

Results

There were no differences in age, ASA, or anaerobic threshold between study groups. At six weeks the RAMIO group was more likely than Hybrid to have returned to pre-operative physical and social activity (physical 7/25 vs. 1/25, p=0.04, social 13/25 vs. 5/25, p=0.03). The RAMIO group stopped regular analgesia earlier, and required fewer opiates. Patients were more likely to return to work in the RAMIO group (7/15 vs. 1/12,p=0.04). The RAMIO group had fewer cases of depression (2 vs. 9, p=0.03), lower QLQ C30 and OG25 scores, and reported higher overall health and quality of life scores (p=0.001).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated an improvement in physical and social activity, a faster return to work, a reduction in analgesia requirements, lower rates of depression and improved health and quality of life, six weeks post-operatively when comparing RAMIO to hybrid oesophago-gastrectomy.

This study has highlighted additional considerations for the selection of surgical modality in oesophago-gastrectomy beyond peri-operative outcomes. Further investigation across a larger sample size and longer time frame to quantify the full spectrum of potential benefits of robotic oesophago-gastric surgery is warranted.
BN O06 - CHOLE-SAFE: A pilot curriculum response to reduce bile duct injuries
Authors: Davis Heather , Bowling Kirk
Published: November 2024

Background

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a cornerstone of modern benign upper GI surgery; approximately 3% of the population have symptomatic gallstones and over laparoscopic cholecystectomies 61,000 are performed every year in the UK (1). Whilst a relatively safe procedure, bile duct injury (BDI) is an iatrogenic catastrophe with significant consequences to both patient and surgeon. Despite understanding of how such injuries occur and pre-existing consensus methodology in minimising bile duct injuries (2,3); according to the bile duct injury registry incidence has increased. We present a novel curriculum in response.

Method

CHOLE-SAFE has been designed by expert panel with oversight from parent groups including AUGIS and BBUGSS. The course aims to convey a theoretical foundation in safe cholecystectomy, an understanding of relevant human factors in a no blame culture and provides a practical framework for managing difficult cases. A mixed methods course was delivered, with industry support, to a group of national training number registrars. We delivered a series of: didactic lectures, wet lab skills work and simulation and a written exam as a one-day course. Delegates were asked to provide feedback in an anonymous survey.

Results

Although delegates had varying experience, no trainee had performed more than 70 laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Two were experienced with X-ray cholangiogram however had only performed one. Most had ultrasound experience, however the average number of ultrasound cholangiograms performed was only 12. 36% of trainees had seen a BDI.

There was no significant difference in procedural confidence after the course. Trainees felt more able to perform X-Ray and ultrasound cholangiogram independently (p<0.05). Before the course 72.7% of delegates felt they knew how to avoid a BDI, 36.4% felt able to manage one; this increased to 100% and 82% respectively after the course.

Conclusion

CHOLE-SAFE demonstrates a robust curriculum in the response to increased incidence of bile duct injury. Trainees benefit from increased understanding of how to avoid and manage complications and technical skill acquisition. Course delivery has been demonstrated to be replicable, feasible and practical to organise. We believe this curriculum to be necessary and addresses a significant training need.