bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced magnetooptical response in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Da Haixia , Song Qi , Ye Huapeng
Published: February 2025

Magnetooptical effects, manifesting the interactions between the light and magnetic materials, enable a wide range of the potential applications in sensing, optical isolators, switches as well as data storages. The emergence of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides allows the alternative chances to unravel their magnetooptical effects under the application of the magnetic field. Here, without relying on the magnetic field, we demonstrate the generation of the magnetooptical effect in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides driven by the irradiation of an off-resonant circularly polarized light, which breaks the limitation of the absence of the magnetooptical effect in the pristine ones. We find that the induced optical Hall conductivity of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides can be engineered by the effective energy term depending on the amplitude and frequency of the circularly polarized light. Furthermore, we also present the efficient control of the optical Hall conductivity in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides by its chemical potential. Our results establish an effective way to produce the remarkable magnetooptical effects in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides and the avenue for next-generation applications via two-dimensional layered materials.
Runge–Kutta random feature method for solving multiphase flow problems of cells
Authors: Deng Yangtao , He Qiaolin
Published: February 2025

Cell collective migration plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological processes. In this work, we propose the Runge–Kutta random feature method to solve the nonlinear and strongly coupled multiphase flow problems of cells, in which the random feature method in space and the explicit Runge–Kutta method in time are utilized. Experiments indicate that this algorithm can effectively deal with time-dependent partial differential equations with strong nonlinearity and achieve high accuracy both in space and time. Moreover, in order to improve the computational efficiency and save computational resources, we choose to implement parallelization and non-automatic differentiation strategies in our simulations. We also provide error estimates for the Runge–Kutta random feature method, and a series of numerical experiments are shown to validate our method.
Freezing, melting, and the onset of glassiness in binary mixtures
Authors: Coslovich Daniele , Galliano Leonardo , Costigliola Lorenzo
Published: February 2025

We clarify the relationship between freezing, melting, and the onset of glassy dynamics in a prototypical glass-forming mixture model. Our starting point is a precise operational definition of the onset of glassiness, as expressed by the emergence of inflections in time-dependent correlation functions. By scanning the temperature–composition phase diagram of the mixture, we find a disconnect between the onset of glassiness and freezing. Surprisingly, however, the onset temperature closely tracks the melting line, along which the excess entropy is approximately constant. At fixed composition, all characteristic temperatures display nonetheless similar pressure dependencies, which are very well predicted by the isomorph theory. While our results rule out a general connection between thermodynamic metastability and glassiness, they call for a reassessment of the role of crystalline precursors in glass-forming liquids.
Substance P receptor signaling contributes to host maladaptive responses during enteric bacterial infection
Authors: Cremin Michael , Ramirez Valerie T. , Sanchez Kristina , Tay Emmy , Murray Kaitlin , Brust-Mascher Ingrid , Reardon Colin
Published: February 2025

Immune responses in the intestine are intricately balanced to prevent pathogen entry without inducing immunopathology. The nervous system is well established to interface with the immune system to fine-tune immunity in various organ systems including the gastrointestinal tract. Specialized sensory neurons can detect bacteria, bacterial products, and the resulting inflammation, to coordinate the immune response in the gastrointestinal tract. These sensory neurons release peptide neurotransmitters such as Substance P (SP), to induce both neuronal signaling and localized responses in nonneuronal cells. With this in mind, we assessed the immunoregulatory roles of SP receptor signaling during enteric bacterial infection with the noninvasive pathogen
Citrobacter rodentium
. Pharmacological antagonism of the SP receptor significantly reduced bacterial burden and prevented colonic crypt hyperplasia. Mice with SP receptor signaling blockade had significantly reduced inflammation and recruitment of T cells in the colon. Reduced colonic T cell recruitment is due to reduced expression of adhesion molecules on colonic endothelial cells in SP receptor antagonist-treated mice. Using SP receptor T cell conditional knockout mice, we further confirmed SP receptor signaling enhanced select aspects of T cell responses. Our data demonstrate that SP receptor signaling can significantly reduce inflammation and prevent host-maladaptive responses without impinging upon host protection.
CASP8
intronic expansion identified by poly-glycine-arginine pathology increases Alzheimer’s disease risk
Authors: Nguyen Lien , Ajredini Ramadan , Guo Shu , Romano Lisa E. L. , Tomas Rodrigo F. , Bell Logan R. , Ranum Paul T. , Zu Tao , Bañez Coronel Monica , Kelley Chase P. , Redding-Ochoa Javier , Nizamis Evangelos , Melloni Alexandra , Connors Theresa R. , Gaona Angelica , Thangaraju Kiruphagaran , Pletnikova Olga , Clark H. Brent , Davidson Beverly L. , Yachnis Anthony T. , Golde Todd E. , Lou XiangYang , Wang Eric T. , Renton Alan E. , Goate Alison , Valdmanis Paul N. , Prokop Stefan , Troncoso Juan C. , Hyman Bradley T. , Ranum Laura P. W.
Published: February 2025

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects more than 10% of the population ≥65 y of age, but the underlying biological risks of most AD cases are unclear. We show anti-poly-glycine-arginine (a-polyGR) positive aggregates frequently accumulate in sporadic AD autopsy brains (45/80 cases). We hypothesize that these aggregates are caused by one or more polyGR-encoding repeat expansion mutations. We developed a CRISPR/deactivated-Cas9 enrichment strategy to identify candidate GR-encoding repeat expansion mutations directly from genomic DNA isolated from a-polyGR(+) AD cases. Using this approach, we isolated an interrupted (GGGAGA)
n
intronic expansion within a SINE-VNTR-Alu element in
CASP8
(
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
). Immunostaining using a-polyGR and locus-specific C-terminal antibodies demonstrate that the
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
expresses hybrid poly(GR)n(GE)n(RE)n proteins that accumulate in
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
(+) AD brains. In cells, expression of
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
minigenes leads to increased p-Tau (Ser202/Thr205) levels. Consistent with other types of repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) proteins, poly(GR)n(GE)n(RE)n protein levels are increased by stress. Additionally, levels of these stress-induced proteins are reduced by metformin. Association studies show specific aggregate promoting interrupted
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
sequence variants found in ~3.6% of controls and 7.5% AD cases increase AD risk [
CASP8
-GGGAGA-AD-R1; OR 2.2, 95% CI (1.5185 to 3.1896),
P
= 3.1 × 10
−5
]. Cells transfected with a high-risk
CASP8
-GGGAGA-AD-R1 variant show increased toxicity and increased levels of poly(GR)n(GE)n(RE)n aggregates. Taken together, these data identify polyGR(+) aggregates as a frequent and unexpected type of brain pathology in AD and
CASP8
-GGGAGA-AD-R1 alleles as a relatively common AD risk factor. Taken together, these data support a model in which
CASP8
-GGGAGA
EXP
alleles combined with stress increase AD risk.
Spatial population dynamics of bacterial colonies with social antibiotic resistance
Authors: Denk-Lobnig Marlis K. , Wood Kevin B.
Published: February 2025

Bacteria frequently inhabit surface-attached communities where rich “social” interactions can significantly alter their population-level behavior, including their response to antibiotics. Understanding these collective effects in spatially heterogeneous communities is an ongoing challenge. Here, we investigated the spatial organization that emerges from antibiotic exposure in initially randomly distributed communities containing antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive strains of
Enterococcus faecalis
, an opportunistic pathogen. We identified that a range of complex spatial structures emerged in the population homeland—the inoculated region that microbes inhabit prior to range expansion—which depended on initial colony composition and antibiotic concentration. We found that these arrangements were explained by cooperative interactions between resistant and sensitive subpopulations with a variable spatial scale, the result of dynamic zones of protection afforded to sensitive cells by growing populations of enzyme-producing resistant neighbors. Using a combination of experiments and mathematical models, we explored the complex spatiotemporal interaction dynamics that create these patterns, and predicted spatial arrangements of sensitive and resistant subpopulations under new conditions. We illustrated how spatial population dynamics in the homeland affect subsequent range expansion, both because they modulate the composition of the initial expanding front, and through long-range cooperation between the homeland and the expanding region. Finally, we showed that these spatial constraints resulted in populations whose size and composition differed markedly from matched populations in well-stirred (planktonic) cultures. These findings underscore the importance of spatial structure and cooperation, long-studied features in theoretical ecology, for determining the fate of bacterial communities under antibiotic exposure.
Plasma-substrate interaction in a dual frequency APPJ
Authors: Patelli Alessandro , Scaltriti Silvia Giuditta , Popoli Arturo , Martines Emilio , Cristofolini Andrea
Published: February 2025

To achieve a uniform argon plasma in an atmospheric pressure jet, we explored the possibility of using dual-frequency excitation in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge device. Two separate ring-shaped electrodes outside an alumina tube generate the two frequencies. The upstream electrode is powered at low frequency (LF,

17

kHz

), while the downstream electrode is powered at radio frequency (RF,

27

MHz

). To assess the interaction with the substrate, a grounded electrode, covered by a glass substrate, is placed

5

mm

from the outlet of the alumina tube. We analyze the device with a fluid model and compare the results with experimental electrical and optical characterization. As the plasma is ignited by the LF, positive streamers develop from the LF electrode and reach the substrate in a few hundred nanoseconds. At this stage, the substrate is charged and a surface discharge propagates on the glass; however, no additional ionization occurs in the jet. As RF is added, the plasma is sustained by modulation in the Ω regime. At the same time, the LF polarization propagates through the plasma, influencing the sheaths on the facing dielectric walls. When the voltage drop in the sheaths exceeds a threshold level, an additional γ mode originates due to the secondary electrons emitted by the surfaces, leading to an increase in power dissipation. This coexistence of the two regimes is observed in the simulation, and it is validated experimentally by time-resolved photoemission measurements. As a result, the dual-frequency plasma exhibits a filamentary structure similar to that of an LF-driven jet. However, RF excitation caused diffused pre-ionization of the gas, which reduced the charge density gradients, resulting in wider microdischarge channels and a lower average electric field. Streamers propagation is therefore limited, while an ion flow to the substrate is maintained and controlled by the LF polarization.
Investigation of ignition of positive corona discharge in air using a time dependent fluid model
Authors: Jánský Jaroslav , Janalizadeh Reza , Pasko Victor P
Published: February 2025

The time dynamics of positive corona ignition from an initial seed electron to the appearance of space charge effects is studied at atmospheric pressure in a spherically symmetrical geometry. The time-dependent model incorporates a recent photoionization model and boundary conditions to properly treat the corona discharge in the proximity of the anode surface. The applied voltage satisfying the self-sustainability condition of the discharge is first calculated. Then, the time dynamics of the discharge is studied for higher and lower applied voltages. The exponential growth in electron density is identified before space charge effects significantly shield the applied electric field. The related characteristic time of exponential growth in electron density is calculated as a function of applied voltage. The time scale can be tens of nanoseconds when applied voltage is close to the threshold or less than one nanosecond when increasing voltage 10% above the threshold for atmospheric pressure. Analogous to the equality of ionization timescale and dielectric relaxation time in stable streamers, a characteristic timescale is used to predict the behavior of the discharge. When the characteristic time is about one-tenth of the dielectric relaxation time, a one-tenth reduction in the applied field on the anode is observed. As the dielectric relaxation time drops below ten times the characteristic time, the discharge behavior diverges for different applied voltages, and the characteristic time is not a good predictor of further discharge dynamics.
A swirl-based microfluidic chip for microparticle capture and assembly
Authors: Dang Yanping , Zhang Qin , Hu Shuai , Ou Zhiming
Published: February 2025

Due to its reliable security and advanced integration, microfluidic technology has attracted considerable scholar attention as it can be applied in extensive technical fields, such as particle manipulation, pharmaceutical analysis, etc. Our team has previously conducted research on swirl-based microfluidic chips for microparticle manipulation, including trapping and enriching. Herein, a swirl-based 4-microchannel microfluidic chip is proposed for microparticle capture, transfer and assembly. The generation of the swirling flow region is firstly verified by finite volume simulation, and the microfluidic chip is fabricated by 3D printing technology to further validate its function. Experiments and force analysis of microparticle motions are performed to demonstrate the capturing, trapping, and transferring ability of the microfluidic chip. It is worth mentioning that the microparticles assembly can be facilitated and optimized simply by regulating the microchannel flow rate of the microfluidic chip. The capturing and trapping capacity of the microchannel are also investigated through simulations with different microchannel flow rates, evaluated by specific flow field parameters. Besides, an image processing algorithm is developed to enhance the microparticle assembly. The proposed microfluidic chip provides a safe and feasible method for capture and directed assembly of microparticles, which can be further designed as bio-sensors to analyze the physical and chemical properties of microparticles.
Investigation of Efimov features and universality in 87Rb-40K mixtures with finite-range interaction
Authors: Gao Ning-Ning , Han Hui-Li , Shi Ting-Yun
Published: February 2025

The study of Efimov features and their relationships in 40K-87Rb Mixtures has generated extensive discussion, yet the discrepancy between Efimov universality predictions based on the zero-range approximation and experimental observations remains unresolved. In this study, we investigate the three-body collision properties with J = 0 symmetry for a 87Rb-87Rb-40K system on both sides of Rb-K scattering length to understand the mechanisms underlying this discrepancy. Our approach employs the R-matrix propagation method within a hyperspherical coordinate frame, utilizing the Lennard-Jones model potential to describe atom interactions. We predicts the existence of three-body shape resonances at large negative Rb-K scattering lengths, which leads to the enhancement of three-body recombination rates. On the positive Rb-K scattering length side, we find an Efimov recombination minimum beyond the range of previous measurements. These Efimov features, combined with experimental observations of the atom-dimer Efimov resonance, offer an opportunity to test the universality of Efimov features. Our study demonstrates the influence of finite-range effects and non-resonant intraspecies scattering length in 40K-87Rb mixtures, providing valuable insights into the universal relations between Efimov features in heteronuclear systems.
Photometric Metallicities of 0.8 Million KiDS Stars
Authors: Sun Bao-Kun , Chen Bing-Qiu , Liu Xiao-Wei
Published: February 2025

Accurate determinations of metallicity for large, complete stellar samples are essential for advancing various studies of the Milky Way. In this paper, we present a data-driven algorithm that leverages photometric data from the KiDS and the VIKING surveys to estimate stellar absolute magnitudes, effective temperatures, and metallicities. The algorithm is trained and validated using spectroscopic data from LAMOST, SEGUE, APOGEE, and GALAH, as well as a catalog of very metal-poor stars from the literature, and Gaia EDR3 data. This approach enables us to estimate metallicities, effective temperatures, and g-band absolute magnitudes for approximately 0.8 million stars in the KiDS data set. The photometric metallicity estimates exhibit an uncertainty of around 0.28 dex when compared to spectroscopic studies, within the metallicity range of −2 dex to 0.5 dex. The photometric effective temperature estimates have an uncertainty of around 149 K, while the uncertainty in the absolute magnitudes is approximately 0.36 mag. The metallicity estimates are reliable for values down to about −2 dex. This catalog represents a valuable resource for studying the structure and chemical properties of the Milky Way, offering an extensive data set for future investigations into Galactic formation and evolution.
Assessing the risk of proliferation via fissile breeding in ARC-class fusion power plants
Authors: Ball John L. , Peterson Ethan E. , Kemp R. Scott , Ferry Sara E.
Published: February 2025

Construction of a nuclear weapon requires access to kilogram-scale quantities of fissile material, which can be bred from fertile material like U-238 and Th-232 via neutron capture. Future fusion power plants, with total neutron source rates in excess of 1020 n s−1, could breed weapons-relevant quantities of fissile material on short timescales, posing a breakout proliferation risk. The ARC-class fusion reactor design is characterized by demountable high temperature superconducting magnets, a FLiBe liquid immersion blanket, and a relatively small size (∼4 m major radius, ∼1 m minor radius). We use the open-source Monte Carlo neutronics code OpenMC to perform self-consistent time-dependent simulations of a representative ARC-class blanket to assess the feasibility of a fissile breeding breakout scenario. We find that a significant quantity of fissile material can be bred in less than six months of full power operation for initial fertile inventories ranging from 5 to 50 metric tons, representing a non-negligible proliferation risk. We further study the feasibility of this scenario by examining other consequences of fissile breeding such as reduced tritium breeding ratio, extra heat from fission and decay heat, isotopic purity of bred material, and self-protection time of irradiated blanket material. We also examine the impact of Li-6 enrichment on fissile breeding and find that it substantially reduces breeding rate, motivating its use as a proliferation resistance tool.
Random eigenvalues of nanotubes
Authors: Bille Artur , Buchstaber Victor Matveevich , Ievlev Pavel , Novikov Svyatoslav , Spodarev Evgeny
Published: February 2025

The hexagonal lattice and its dual, the triangular lattice, serve as powerful models for comprehending the atomic and ring connectivity, respectively, in \textit{graphene} and \textit{carbon $(p,q)$-nanotubes}.The chemical and physical attributes of these two carbon allotropes are closely linked to the average number of closed paths of different lengths $k\in\N_0$ on their respective graph representations.\color{blue} Considering that a carbon $(p,q)$-nanotube can be thought of as a graphene sheet rolled up in a way determined by the \textit{chiral vector} $(p,q)$, our findings are based on a previous study on \textit{random eigenvalues} of both the hexagonal and triangular lattices. This study reveals that for any given chiral vector $(p,q)$, the sequence of counts of closed paths forms a moment sequence derived from a function of two independent uniform distributions.\color{black}Explicit formulas for key characteristics of these distributions, including the probability density function (PDF) and the moment generating function (MGF), are presented for specific choices of the chiral vector.Moreover, we demonstrate that as the \textit{circumference} of a $(p,q)$-nanotube approaches infinity, i.e., $p+q\rightarrow \infty$, the $(p,q)$-nanotube tends to converge to the hexagonal lattice with respect to the number of closed paths for any given length $k$, indicating weak convergence of the underlying distributions.
Additivity of coherence measures
Authors: Shi Chen , Cui Xiao-Dan , Zhou D L
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we investigate the additivity of coherence measures. We demonstrate that all known additive conditions for coherence measures under incoherent operations can be reduced to a simple criterion:

C
(
ρ
⊗
ρ
)
=
2
C
(
ρ
)

. Utilizing this result, we present the necessary and sufficient conditions for the additivity of superadditive convex roof coherence measures. Furthermore, we examine whether the set of additive coherence measures can provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for state transformations. We find that additive coherence measures are not sufficient for identifying state transformations under incoherent operations.
Free induction decay processes of coherent folded longitudinal acoustic phonons in GaAs/AlAs finite size superlattices: control through the design of phonon dispersion curves
Authors: Takeuchi Hideo
Published: February 2025

We present the concept on coherence that, in finite-size systems, free induction decay time is controllable through appropriately designing frequency dispersion curves as function of wave vector. We confirmed the present concept from numerical calculation of free induction decay time of coherent folded longitudinal acoustic (LA) phonons that are generated through impulsive stimulated Raman scattering processes in fine-size GaAs/AlAs superlattices. It is well-known that, in finite-size superlattices, the wave-vector (momentum) conservation is relaxed; therefore, the width of the folded LA phonon Raman band is broadened. This is the preset focusing viewpoint. We found that a ratio of GaAs-thickness to AlAs-layer thickness, which governs the line shape of the phonon dispersion curve, influences the free induction decay time of the coherent folded LA phonon. The above-mentioned ratio also causes a change in the zone-centre gap frequency of the folded LA phonon dispersion. The zone-centre gap relates to the free induction decay time. The coherent folded LA phonon is an ensemble of the in-phase oscillating folded LA phonons. Since the finite-effect causes the relaxation of the wave-vector conservation, the ensemble of the in-phase oscillating folded LA phonons are composed of the phonons with various frequencies. The variety in frequency of the constituent folded LA phonons results in the appearance of the free induction decay depending on the zone-centre gap frequency depending on the phonon dispersion curve.
Automatic assessment of band carbide in bearing steels based on machine learning
Authors: Yu Shuaipeng , Zhang Shasha , Shu Changqing , Sun Yaxin , Ding Peiheng , Liu Xingshuai , Zhu Xiaolin , Yao Zhengjun
Published: February 2025

A machine learning framework was proposed for objective and efficient band carbide assessment. The rating process framework contained three core parts: band carbide recognition, quantization, and rating. First, an improved DeepLabv3+ deep learning architecture was designed to extract the positional information of band carbides. The encoder part of the modified DeepLabv3+ utilized the pre-trained Mobilenetv2 as the backbone feature extraction network with an embedded coordinate attention mechanism; the original bilinear interpolation upsampling was replaced by the decoder part with the CARAFE upsampling operator; and a sum of the cross-entropy loss and the Dice loss was used as the loss function of the model. Compared to DeepLabv3+, the modified DeepLabv3+ achieved high recognition accuracy with improved computational efficiency. Subsequently, the band carbide morphology recognized by the segmentation model was quantitatively characterized. Finally, six classifiers, i.e., Random Forest, Catboost, KNN, SVM, Decision Tree, and Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, were selected to rate the carbide bands. The quantitative features of the band carbides and the manual rating results were taken as model inputs and outputs, respectively. The results showed that the Catboost classifier achieved the best performance with Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-Score of 94.00%, 94.60%, 94.00%, and 94.21%, respectively. This study provides an automated process to evaluate the band carbides, demonstrating the high potential of machine learning in bearing steel microstructure analysis.
Microstructural evolution of a low-carbon steel fabricated via wire-arc additive manufacturing: the effect of interpass time and number of layers
Authors: McCarthy Thomas , Bongao Harveen , Tolentino Marvin , Zvavamwe Felisters , Pasco Jubert , Saha Gobinda , Aranas Clodualdo
Published: February 2025

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) provides advantages in deposition rate and design complexity compared to conventional fabrication processes. However, despite its advantages, studies on the influence of processing parameters on the microstructural evolution of WAAM components remain limited. To address the gap, this work examines the effects of interpass time and build height on microstructural development and microhardness across different regions of WAAM single-bead structures. Specifically, mild steel samples were fabricated following a two-factor, three-level, single-replicate design of experiments. Their microstructures were analyzed using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques, while phase transformation histories were correlated with different printing configurations through parent austenite grain reconstruction. The findings reveal that single-layer deposits exhibit a dual-phase microstructure consisting of ferrite and martensite. Furthermore, the addition of subsequent layers increases the ferrite phase fraction in the first layer, leading to a reduction in microhardness measurements. Interpass time and build height were found to influence the local morphology of parent grains, phase distribution, and grain topology. These results provide insights into the effects of thermal cycling and deposition strategies on solidification and grain growth associated with fabrication of mild steels. A deeper understanding of these relationships could enable process optimization for modifying microstructure and mechanical properties in WAAM-fabricated components, resulting to improved performance in structural and engineering applications.
A burst-dependent algorithm for neuromorphic on-chip learning of spiking neural networks
Authors: Stuck Michael , Wang Xingyun , Naud Richard
Published: February 2025

The field of neuromorphic engineering addresses the high energy demands of neural networks through brain-inspired hardware for efficient neural network computing. For on-chip learning with spiking neural networks, neuromorphic hardware requires a local learning algorithm able to solve complex tasks. Approaches based on burst-dependent plasticity have been proposed to address this requirement, but their ability to learn complex tasks has remained unproven. Specifically, previous burst-dependent learning was demonstrated on a spiking version of the ‘exclusive or’ problem (XOR) using a network of thousands of neurons. Here, we extend burst-dependent learning, termed ‘Burstprop’, to address more complex tasks with hundreds of neurons. We evaluate Burstprop on a rate-encoded spiking version of the MNIST dataset, achieving low test classification errors, comparable to those obtained using backpropagation through time on the same architecture. Going further, we develop another burst-dependent algorithm based on the communication of two types of error-encoding events for the communication of positive and negative errors. We find that this new algorithm performs better on the image classification benchmark. We also tested our algorithms under various types of feedback connectivity, establishing that the capabilities of fixed random feedback connectivity is preserved in spiking neural networks. Lastly, we tested the robustness of the algorithm to weight discretization. Together, these results suggest that spiking Burstprop can scale to more complex learning tasks and is therefore likely to be considered for self-supervised algorithms while maintaining efficiency, potentially providing a viable method for learning with neuromorphic hardware.
The “Real” Raiders of the Lost Ark
Authors: McGeough Kevin M
Published: February 2025

Chapter 5 tackles the subject of Ark explorers, those people who have launched expeditions to find the Ark of the Covenant. Most of these expeditions are what should be called “pseudoarchaeology,” as they were not based on scholarly evidence but spurious reasoning, psychic informants, and beliefs in the Lost Tribes of Israel. The chapter opens with a discussion of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, its early explorers, and the complexities of the city’s politics. It discusses two expeditions to find the Ark beneath the Temple Mount, the Parker Expedition of the early twentieth century and the investigations of Rabbi Getz in the 1980s, as well as investigations in other places in the Middle East, such as Mount Nebo in Jordan, and even more extraordinary claims that it was taken to Ireland or Japan. The chapter also provides an aside on how the Ark is understood in Islamic traditions.
Arterioembolic Characteristics of Differentially Diluted CaHA-CMC Gels Within an Artificial Macrovascular Perfusion Model
Authors: Soares Danny J , Fedorova Julia , Zhang Yu , Chandawarkar Akash , Bowhay Alexis , Blevins Larry , Kean Thomas J , Funt David K
Published: February 2025

Background

Despite the recently increased incidence and improved awareness of filler-induced ischemic injuries, the arterioembolic behavior of filler products has not been well described.

Objectives

To evaluate the embolic behavior of varying dilutions of Calcium Hydroxylapatite-Carboxymethylcellulose (CaHA-CMC) gel mixtures within an artificial macrovascular perfusion model of the proximal facial artery with correlation against published instances of ischemic injuries in the literature.

Methods

CaHA-CMC gel mixtures were assessed via the Pulsatile Unit for the Laboratory Simulation of Arterioembolic Restrictions (PULSAR) system at different flow rates. The occlusive behavior, embolic particle size distributions, and morphological attributes were evaluated through direct photo and videographic captures followed by digital image processing. The PubMed database was systematically queried for all published instances of CaHA-CMC-associated ischemic injuries.

Results

Undiluted CaHA-CMC demonstrated highly cohesive behavior upon PULSAR inoculation, with a tendency toward proximal occlusion. Gel fragmentation resulted in a polydisperse embolic mixture averaging 0.151 ± 0.61 mm² (Interquartile Range: 0.006–0.022 mm²) in size. Product dilution had a profound effect on embolic behavior, with a significant reduction in average particle size (0.018 ± 0.03 mm²; Interquartile Range: 0.005–0.018 mm²; p < 0.0001) and complete elimination of proximally occlusive capacity for hyperdiluted mixtures compared to undiluted product (p = 0.002). Confirmed hyperdiluted CaHA-CMC-associated ischemic injuries represented only 3% of published reports, with a predominantly self-limited clinical course.

Conclusions

Embolized CaHA-CMC gels produce polydisperse particle mixtures with a preponderance of microparticles. Hyperdilution profoundly reduced the proximally occlusive potential of the product.
A transcriptomic score to classify the inflammation-dysplasia-cancer sequence lesions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Cremer Anneline , Rosewick Nicolas , Kelsey Maxfield , Trépo Eric , Libert Frédérick , De Vos Martine , Baert Filip , Moreels Tom , Louis Edouard , Rahier Jean-François , Demetter Pieter , Sedivy John M , Vermeire Séverine , Franchimont Denis
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to the inflammation-dysplasia-cancer (IDC) sequence from inflammation to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). The objective of this study was to identify and generate a transcriptomic signature and score, related to the IDC sequence, that could ultimately classify dysplasia and cancer in IBD.

Methods

Demographics, clinical parameters, histological characteristics and RNA-sequencing data were evaluated on 134 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lesions from 2 independent cohorts of IBD patients with low- or high-grade dysplasia (LGD, HGD) and/or CAC. An ordinal logistic regression screened for significant IDC sequence-associated genes that were computed in a transcriptomic signature score.

Results

Principal component analysis and unsupervised clustering on 1% of the most variable genes showed a good clustering between the 4 lesion groups (Normal Mucosa, Inflamed Mucosa, LGD/HGD, and CAC). A gene signature was identified on 27 genes that correlated with the lesion groups in the exploratory cohort. The most weighted gene in this transcriptomic signature was the long non-coding regulatory RNA KCNQ1OT1, a gate keeper against genomic instability and transposon activation. Based on these 27- genes expression, we built and validated a transcriptomic signature score to classify dysplasia and CAC. The overall accuracy of the transcriptomic signature score was 85.71% in the exploratory cohort and 90.91% in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

We identified a tissue-based transcriptomic score to classify IDC lesions in IBD patients and uncovered some of the pivotal genes in the carcinogenesis related to inflammation in IBD.
Incremental value of multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for non-invasive identification of significant acute cardiac allograft rejection: a prospective and biopsy-proven study
Authors: Zhou Pengyu , Dong Zhixiang , Hu Xiaoying , Yang Shujuan , Wang Jiaxin , Ma Xuan , Tang Yun , Xu Jing , Wei Zhuxin , Jia Xi , Chen Xingrui , Liu Yujie , Xiang Xiaorui , Huang Jie , Zhao Shihua
Published: February 2025

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the association between cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) multiparameters and significant acute cardiac allograft rejection (SR), and assess the incremental value of CMR multiparameters over conventional serum examinations for identifying SR.

Methods and results

Heart transplantation (HTx) recipients with endomyocardial biopsy and healthy controls were prospectively recruited for CMR assessment. CMR feature tracking was performed to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) global strain in all three directions. The last serum examinations including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) before anti-rejection therapy were recorded. Participants were divided into three groups: control, SR [acute cellular rejection grade ≥ 2R and/or antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) grade ≥ pAMR1], and NSR (non-SR). Finally, 30 controls (43.3 ± 13.6 years, 26 males) and 51 HTx recipients comprising 23 SRs (48.6 ± 12.6 years, 24 males) and 28 NSRs (42.7 ± 14.9 years, 16 males) were enrolled for analysis. Compared with NSRs, SRs showed elevated NT-proBNP (7797.0 ± 7527.6 pg/mL vs. 3334.6 ± 5935.3 pg/mL, P < 0.001), worse LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (−9.7 ± 3.1% vs. −13.1 ± 2.9%, P < 0.001), and increased native T1 (1384 ± 80.1 ms vs. 1321 ± 69.9 ms, P < 0.001) and T2 values (50.9 ± 2.7 ms vs. 45.7 ± 4.3 ms, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, LVGLS (OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.59–0.98, P = 0.03) and T2 value (OR = 1.35, 95% CI, 1.10–1.65, P = 0.01) were independently associated with SR after NT-proBNP adjustment. Furthermore, the likelihood ratio test showed LVGLS (P = 0.002) and T2 value (P < 0.001) had incremental value over NT-proBNP for identifying SR.

Conclusion

LVGLS and T2 value were independently associated with SR, providing incremental value for non-invasive identification of significant rejection in HTx recipients.
Prospective seaweed systems for North-West European waters
Authors: Zaat Loekie M , van den Burg Sander W K , Ketelaar Tijs , Koppenberg Maximilian , Möhring Niklas , Meuwissen Miranda P M
Published: February 2025

Seaweed is a potential source of sustainable food, feed, cosmetics, biomaterials, and biostimulants. Seaweed is currently mainly grown in Asia, and it is unclear which seaweed systems are best suited for North-West European waters. We use an expert workshop and a written feedback round to identify prospective seaweed systems, including the cultivation site and post-harvest stages, for three different contexts. Independent of the context, there is a preference for cultivating multiple species and having a high level of automation. Depending on the context, the optimal choice with regards to scale, substrate, seeding technique, and the integration of seaweed farming with (shell)fish species differs. Profitability of the systems, availability of (large-scale) processing facilities and ships to go offshore, uncertainty of buyers, and obstacles in seed stock availability, permits, and building infrastructures present key challenges and risks. The identified seaweed systems serve as input to the policy debate around alternative resource production in Europe and can help in developing standards for seaweed system design. Furthermore, researchers and technology providers can use the prospective systems for future profitability assessments and directions for technology developments.
INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES DURING PREGNANCY PREDICT POSTPARTUM ANXIETY: FINDINGS FROM A PROSPECTIVE PREGNANCY COHORT
Authors: Rommel *Anna Sophie , Gigase Frederieke , Kaplan Carly
Published: February 2025

Background

Studies have linked inflammation with both depression and anxiety disorders. Pregnancy confers large- scale immune changes, and elevated inflammatory cytokines (particularly IL-1b and IL-6) during pregnancy have been associated with postpartum depression. However, the relationship between pregnancy cytokines and postpartum anxiety has not been thoroughly explored.

Methods

We included 716 participants from Generation C, a prospective pregnancy cohort in New York City (recruited from April 2020 - February 2022). Anxiety symptoms were assessed 1-8 months postpartum via the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) questionnaire. Cytokine levels were measured in blood from routine draws throughout pregnancy. Using quantile regressions, the relationship between cytokine levels (log-transformed) and continuously measured postpartum anxiety symptoms was investigated separately for 4 cytokines (IL-6, IL-17A, IL-1b, and CRP). The analyses were adjusted for maternal race/ethnicity, maternal education, parity, SARS-CoV-2 infection status during pregnancy, and GAD response timing.

Results

Participants' mean age was 33.0 (SD=4.91). 74 (10.34%) individuals were Asian, 85 (11.87%) were,192 (26.82%) Hispanic, and 327 individuals (45.67%) were white. Mean GAD score was 2.9 (SD=3.6), and 43 (6%) participants scored above the clinical cutoff (>10) for moderate/high anxiety. After adjustment, IL-17A was significantly associated with increased GAD score at the 75% quantile (b=0.70, SE=0.24, p=0.004). IL-6, IL-1b and CRP were not significantly associated with postpartum anxiety.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a significant link between pregnancy inflammation and postpartum anxiety among those experiencing the highest anxiety symptoms. While specific mechanisms require further exploration, this relationship not only advances our understanding of postpartum mental health but may also encourage investigation into novel applications of anti-inflammatory medications in the field of psychiatry.
SLOW BUT STEADY: ORAL KETAMINE AS AN EFFECTIVE ADJUNCT IN DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND PTSD
Authors: Sulis *William
Published: February 2025

Intravenous and intranasal Ketamine have become important options for the rapid relief of symptoms in PTSD, Suicidality and in Treatment Resistant Depression and Anxiety. However, they are costly, require at least an out- patient clinic setting and have relatively short lived benefits. I present a pilot study examining 8 patients treated with oral Ketamine, 5 mg/kg for 12 treatments. Treatment was well tolerated with mild to moderate hypertension and drowsiness the main side effects. Treatment response during the administration phase was minimal to modest at best. Nevertheless over subsequent weeks, 7 subjects experienced significant improvement in symptom severity and daily function which has persisted for nearly 18 months in follow up. One subject dropped out. Oral Ketamine warrants further study as a possible adjunctive treatment in resistant cases.
STRUCTURAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND METABOLIC SIGNATURES OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Horakova *Anna , Nemcova Hana , Mohr Pavel , Sebela Antonin
Published: February 2025

Objective

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious condition with debilitating consequences for the mother, offspring, and the whole family. The scope of negative outcomes of PPD highlights the need to specify effective diagnostics and treatment which might differ from major depressive disorder (MDD). In order to improve our clinical care, we need to better understand the underlying neuropathological mechanisms of PPD. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of published neuroimaging studies assessing functional, structural, and metabolic correlates of PPD.

Methods

Relevant papers were identified using a search code for English-written studies in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases published by March 2022. Included were studies with structural magnetic resonance imaging, functional magnetic resonance imaging, both resting-state and task-related, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or positron emission tomography. The findings were analyzed to assess signatures in PPD- diagnosed women compared to healthy controls. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022313794).

Results

The total of 3,368 references were initially identified. After the removal of duplicates and non-applicable papers, the search yielded 74 full-text studies assessed for eligibility. Of them, 26 met the inclusion criteria and their findings were analyzed and synthesized. The results showed consistent functional, structural, and metabolic changes in the default mode network and the salient network in women with PPD. During emotion-related tasks, PPD was associated with changes in the corticolimbic system activity, especially the amygdala.

Discussion

This review offers a comprehensive summary of neuroimaging signatures in PPD-diagnosed women. It indicates the brain regions and networks which show functional, structural, and metabolic changes. Our findings offer better understanding of the nature of PPD, which clearly copies some features of MDD, while differs in others.
IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN YOUNG ADULTS
Authors: Lee *Sang Won , Kim Kyungmin , Kim Min Seok
Published: February 2025

Background

Childhood maltreatment could have a negative impact on emotional1 and cognitive2 development, and it can be vulnerable factors for mental illness.

Aim & Objectives

This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of maltreatment on cognitive function in young adults by using various cognitive measurements, including computerized test.

Methods

We recruited 149 healthy individuals with and without maltreatment experiences and conducted the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale IV (WAIS-IV) and computerized battery for measuring cognitive function. To evaluate childhood maltreatment experiences, we used the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF).

Results

Among the WAIS-IV subscales, the perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed scores were lower after controlling for age, sex, education, and depressive symptoms in the maltreatment group than in the no-maltreatment group (all, p <0.01, Table 1). Among the cognitive function variables measured by CNS-VS, psychomotor speed, reaction time, cognitive flexibility, processing speed, executive function, working memory, sustained attention, and motor speed were significantly lower in the maltreatment group than in the no-maltreatment group (all, p <0.05).

Discussion & Conclusion

This study highlights the childhood maltreatment effects on cognitive function in young adulthood. Also, our results suggest that cognitive interventions for cognitive function in individuals with a history of childhood maltreatment could be effective for enhancing the resilience of the individuals.

References

Teicher, M. H., &Samson, J. A. (2016). Annual Research Review: Enduring neurobiological effects of childhood abuse and neglect. J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 57, 241-266. Su, Y. Y., D'Arcy, C., Yuan, S., &Meng, X. F. (2019). How does childhood maltreatment influence ensuing cognitive functioning among people with the exposure of childhood maltreatment? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies. Journal of Affective Disorders, 252, 278-293.
Applying the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) within Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to Prevent Medical Errors and Enhancing Patient Safety Culture: Insights from a Medical Center
Authors: Lee Jiun-Yih , Huang Chien-Hsien , Sie Yi-An , Yang Pei-Ching , Su Chun-Cheng , Chang Jui-Ting
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Enhancing patient safety and minimizing medical errors are crucial in healthcare. While Root Cause Analysis (RCA) is commonly used to investigate adverse events, its lack of human factors integration limit its effectiveness. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), adapted from aviation to healthcare, systematically identifies human and organizational factors. However, the integration of HFACS into RCA and the impact of HFACS-RCA implementation remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to: provide a practical case of HFACS integration into RCA and explore the effects of HFACS-RCA implementation.

Methodology: This study integrates HFACS into the RCA process at a medical center in Taiwan, examining an incident involving unsterilized instruments distributed from the Central Sterile Supply Room (CSR) to the ICU. This study employed a before-and-after study design to examine the impact of the HFACS-RCA intervention. The primary outcome measures were the changes in scores across the eight dimensions of the Taiwan Patient Safety Culture Survey (TPSC) before and after the intervention.

Results: A one-year follow-up of the CSR case showed no similar incidents. HFACS-RCA significantly improved TPSC scores in unit safety climate (p=0.05), feelings towards management (p=0.05), and job satisfaction (p=0.05), while the other dimensions showed no significant changes.

Conclusion: HFACS-RCA application offers a comprehensive framework for identifying and mitigating factors contributing to medical errors, improving patient safety, and setting a precedent for future healthcare safety management research and practice.