bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INFECTION AFTER PRIMARY TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A COMPARISON OF TIME TRENDS IN TWO NATIONAL HEALTH REGISTERS IN NORWAY FROM 2013 TO 2022
Authors: Karlsen Øystein Espeland , Eriksen-Volle Hanne-Merete , Furnes Ove , Dale Håvard , Westberg Marianne
Published: November 2024

Aim

Two types of national registers surveil infections after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Norway: The National surveillance system for surgical site infections (NOIS) that surveil all primary THAs 30 days postoperatively for surgical site infections (SSI), and the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register (NAR) that follow all THAs until any surgical reoperation/revision or the death of the patient. Since these registers report on the same THAs we assessed correspondence between and time trends for the two registers in period 2013 to 2022. All reported THAs were included.

Method

The THAs were matched on a group level according to sex, age and ASA-class. In addition to descriptive statistics, adjusted Cox regression analyses were performed with adjustment for sex, age group (<45, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75-84, >85 years) and ASA-class (1, 2, 3, 4 and missing). Changes in annual incidence and adjusted hazard rate (aHR) was calculated. Endpoints in the NOIS were 30-Days SSI and 30-Days reoperation for SSI. Endpoints in the NAR were 30-Days and 1-Year reoperation for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI).

Results

The NOIS had registered 87,923 THAs with 1,393 (1.58%) SSIs and 765 (0.87%) reoperations for SSI within 30 postoperatively. The NAR had registered 91,194 THAs with 725 (0.80%) reoperations for infection after 30 days, and 1,019 (1.21%) reoperations for infections after one year. The distribution of sex, age and ASA-class was near identical in the two registers. There was a mean annual reduction in risk of both SSI (aHR 0.92 (95% CI 0.90-0.93)) and reoperation for SSI (0.95(0.92-0.97)) and PJI (30-Days: 0.96 (0.94-0.99), 1-Year: 0.95-0.99)) over the period 2013-2022.

Conclusions

The NOIS and the NAR have excellent completeness and the registrations in both registers may be considered representative for the Norwegian population. Not all SSI are reoperated. The incidence and risk of SSI (NOIS) and reoperation for PJI (NAR) is declining and may reflect a true reduction in incidence of PJI after primary THA.
EXTERNAL VALIDATION OF THE JS-BACH CLASSIFICATION FOR PREDICTING OUTCOME IN PERIPROSTHETIC JOINT INFECTIONS: A COHORT OF 653 PATIENTS
Authors: Kristensen Nicolai , Manning Laurens , Lange Jeppe , Davis Joshua
Published: November 2024

Aim

Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) is a devastating complication in hip and knee joint arthroplasty. The “JS BACH” classification system was developed in 2021 to stratify the complexity of PJI, and more importantly, to act as a tool to guide referrals to specialist centers. The “JS BACH” classification has not been validated in an external cohort. This study aimed to do so using a large prospective cohort from Australia and New Zealand.

Method

We applied the JS-BACH classification to the Prosthetic Joint Infection in Australia and New Zealand Observational (PIANO) cohort. This prospective study of newly diagnosed PJI collected 2-year outcome data from 653 participants enrolled in 27 hospitals. The definition of PJI treatment failure at 24 months was any of the following: death, clinical or microbiological signs of infection, destination prosthesis removed, or ongoing antibiotic use.

Results

Individual cases were classified as per JS-BACH into “1 - uncomplicated” (n = 268), “2 - complex” (n = 330), and “3 - limited options” (n = 55). This cohort was similar to the original JS-BACH population in terms of baseline characteristics. However, there was a difference in complexity, with more DAIR procedures, fewer revision procedures, and a higher proportion of uncomplicated patients in the PIANO cohort.

The risk of treatment failure correlated strongly with the JS-BACH category, with odds ratios (95% CI [confidence interval]) for category 2 versus 1 of 1.75 (1.24 to 2.47) and for category 3 versus 1 of 7.12 (3.42 to 16.02).

Conclusions

Despite the PIANO study population being less complicated than the original derivation cohort, the JS-BACH classification showed a clear association with treatment failure in this large external cohort.
INFECTION ERADICATION AFTER PREFABRICATED OR INDIVIDUAL SPACERS IN TWO-STAGE REVISION: TEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AT A TERTIARY ACADEMIC CENTRE
Authors: Lallinger Vincent , Goeggelmann Anja , Schlossmacher Benjamin , Heine Niels , von Eisenhart-Rothe Rüdiger , Lazic Igor
Published: November 2024

Aim

In Two-Stage Revision, utilizing temporary antibiotic spacers is widely accepted. These spacers are available prefabricated or can be individually moulded intraoperatively. In this study, we analysed the efficacy of prefabricated and individual spacers in infection eradication of periprosthetic joint infection in knee and hip arthroplasties.

Method

All spacers implanted at a tertiary academic center during two-stage exchanges between June 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Among 249 patients, 167 cases (minimum follow-up ≥ 12 months) were included. Commercial spacers contained vancomycin and gentamycin, while individual spacers contained vancomycin alone. Subgroup analysis by manufacturers was conducted using non-parametric methods including Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Survival analysis utilized Kaplan-Meier curves, and categorical data were analyzed using the Chi² test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

Results

Of the 167 patients included, a prefabricated spacer was implanted in 105 cases (62.9%) and an individual spacer was implanted in 62 cases (37.1%). In 106 cases, infection healing according to the Delphi consensus was achieved with a mean follow-up of 37.8 months [12;99]. Infection persistence was seen in 31.4% of the preformed spacers and in 45.2% of the individual spacers, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.09). (Results are shown in the illustration). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative anemia (p = 0.02 OR 2.25 CI-95% 1.2-4.4 p = 0.01) and diagnosed paraneoplastic disease (p = 0.01 OR 3.0 CI-95% 1.4-6.7 p = 0.01) were found to be risk factors for failure.

Conclusions

Two-stage Revisions are successfully suitable options for the treatment of PJI. In this study, infection eradication was independent of the type of spacer. Anemia and paraneoplastic diseases were found to be risk factors of failure.
RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY COMBATING METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND ITS BIOFILM IN VITRO
Authors: Ye Zijian , van der Wildt Berend , Vogely Charles , Weinans Harry , Poot Alex , van der Wal Bart
Published: November 2024

Aim

Prosthetic joint infections (PJI) remain a great challenge in orthopedic surgery with a high mortality rate. It is particularly complicated by biofilms and infections caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It concurrently shields bacteria from host immune responses and confers resistance to antibiotics. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of radioimmunotherapy as an innovative therapeutic modality to address the challenges posed by MRSA and its biofilm.

Method

We induced specific monoclonal antibodies 4497-IgG1 as carriers, which target wall teichoic acids (WTA) existing on MRSA and its biofilm. Radionuclides actiniumr-225 (225Ac, α-emitter) and lutetium-177 (177Lu, β-emitter) were conjugated with mAbs using DOTA as chelator. Quality control was assessed using thin layer chromatography and immunoreactivity assays. 225Ac- and 177Lu-labelled 4497-IgG1 were employed to evaluate the susceptibility of MRSA and its biofilm to the radioimmunotherapy in vitro. Planktonic MRSA and biofilms, at concentrations of 108 and 107 CFU/mL, were incubated at 37°C for 60 minutes in PBS containing either 225Ac-mAb (0 - 14.8 kBq) or 177Lu-mAb (0 - 14.8 MBq). Radiolabelled dunituximab and free radionuclides serve as isotype-matched negative control. The bacterial viability and metabolic activity were subsequently quantified using CFU and XTT assays.

Results

The radiochemical purity of the 225Ac-mAbs and 177Lu-mAbs complex were determined to be 95.4% and 96.16%. Immunoreactivity fractions of them were measured at 81.8% and 80.8%. 225Ac-mAbs and 177Lu-mAbs exhibited significant and dose-dependent antimicrobial effects on both planktonic MRSA and biofilm. 225Ac- and 177Lu-4497IgG1 at doses of 7.4 kBq and 7.4 MBq resulted in more than 4-log reduction in bacterial counts. In biofilms, 2-log reduction at the highest 225Ac radioactivity of 14,8kBq. The 177Lu complex showed a strong dose-dependent effect, with a reduction of up to 4-log. The XTT assay confirmed these findings, showing a decrease in metabolic activity corresponding to a decrease in bacterial counts, and a slight increase in metabolic activity at the lower dose.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the efficacy of 225Ac and 177Lu-labelled 4497-IgG1 antibodies in mediating dose-dependent bactericidal effects against planktonic MRSA and biofilms in vitro. This indicates that radioimmunotherapy could be a potential targeted therapeutic strategy against MRSA and its biofilm. Further research in preclinical and clinical settings is warranted to validate and refine these findings on biofilm-associated implant infections.
AVALIAÇÃO DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS FÍSICO-QUÍMICAS DO LODO DE ESGOTO DURANTE O PROCESSO DE DESIDRATAÇÃO NO LEITO DE SECAGEM
Authors: Lana Santos Silva Bezerra  , Tereza Simonne Mascarenhas Santos
Published: November 2024

A melhoria nos sistemas de tratamento sanitário dos grandes centros urbanos tem como consequência direta a crescente produção de lodo de esgoto, o qual sem tratamento adequado ou alternativas seguras para sua disposição final, pode representar um problema ainda maior de poluição ambiental. Entretanto, os métodos adotados tradicionalmente para a disposição final deste resíduo enfrentam restrições regulatórias e envolvem custos consideráveis que representam ônus significativo para as instalações de tratamento de esgoto. Por outro lado, as possibilidades de aproveitamento do lodoestão diretamente relacionadas às suas propriedades físico-químicas, que variam conforme a origem do material e o processo de tratamento ao qual este foi submetido(BARBOSA, 2018).
Making sense of digital volunteering: relational and temporal aspects of the digital volunteer experience
Authors: Hine Christine
Published: November 2024

Voluntary roles undertaken wholly or partly through digital technologies have become commonplace and yet there are still significant gaps in our understanding of what makes this kind of work meaningful as a sustained form of volunteer effort. Interview accounts from 15 people describing themselves as digital or social media volunteers are analysed, exploring how they make sense of their role. Relational and temporal aspects of the experience are explored. Relations with the organisation are important in providing meaningfulness through the recognition of volunteer efforts. Digital volunteering is understood temporally as meaningful in relation both to the volunteer’s long-term life goals and immediate circumstances. The flexibility of digital volunteering in the context of other time demands is particularly valued. Digital volunteers value autonomy, dignity and recognition, but autonomy and recognition can be in tension where temporal and spatial flexibility of working results in lack of visibility to others in the organisation.
Ritual, Tradition, and Culture: Reading Hume in Light of Classical Confucianism
Authors: Vitz Rico
Published: November 2024

Abstract: In this paper, I analyze the relationship between Hume’s moral philosophy and a key aspect of classical Confucianism—namely, the concept of lĭ (禮), which refers both to the virtue of ritual propriety and to rituals themselves. I argue not only that Hume employs conceptual correlates to each of these two aspects of lĭ (禮), but also that he employs them in ways that have a similar, distinctively normative role in the process of moral formation. I illustrate these points by elucidating Hume’s use of two pairs of concepts. The first is his presentation of decency and decorum. The second is his explanation of customs and manners. In so doing, I develop a line of inquiry that is important, novel, and promising both for Hume scholarship per se and for comparative philosophical work on the relationship between Hume’s moral philosophy and that of classical Confucianism, especially as it is expressed in the works of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi.
Piercing the Corporate Whale: Agents, Principals, and the Personified Impersonal in Moby-Dick
Authors: Kirsch Geoffrey R.
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This essay considers Moby-Dick , the paradigmatic great American novel, as a meditation on the great American legal fiction of corporate person-hood. Infused with the new and exhilarating energies of a "joint-stock world" that "pays dividends," Melville's novel is also deeply preoccupied with the qualities of the corporate person: intangibility, immortality, and individuality. In delimiting the corporation's ontology, agency, and accountability, legal theorists grappled with the same mysteries of the "personified impersonal" embodied in both Moby Dick and the Pequod : is it "agent" or "principal," one man or thirty, an autonomous being of its own or a legal-fictitious mask veiling the real forces that act through it? I argue that the same tension between individual and collective personhood lies at the heart of Ahab's quest for revenge on Moby Dick. If Ahab's hatred of the white whale rests on a fear that the corporate form could be abused as a mere screen for the malign actions of a hidden "principal," his consolidation of tyrannical power over the Pequod 's crew ironically realizes that very fear by reducing the ship to his own alter ego.
The Public Sphere as a Common Good: The Militant Farmer Karsthans (1521) and the Dialogue Pamphlet as Media Genre
Authors: Widder Roman
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This article reflects on the dynamics of the public sphere in the early modern period by analyzing the figure of the peasant and the notion of the common(s) in dialogue pamphlets. Beginning with a discussion of what it means to speak of a public sphere in relation to the early modern period, it examines one of the most famous Reformation dialogues, Karst-hans , published anonymously in 1521 in Strasbourg. Just before the German Peasants’ War (1524–26), the Lutheran dialogue, polemically directed against the theologian and satirist Thomas Murner, positions the peasant as a critically mature citizen, with the hoe ( Karst ) symbolizing his potential militancy. This article specifically draws on the notion of publicity that the dialogue articulates. Using it as an example, this article analyzes the transitions and mutual projections between fiction, urban culture, and peasant protest, the structures of which are significant for the literary representation of agrarian protest far beyond the Reformation. In its final section, this article closely examines the media genre of the dialogue pamphlet and outlines some horizons of its historical development up to the Enlightenment concerning its political use and its relation to the ideal of a dialogic and socially leveled public sphere. By arguing that there existed an implicit ideal of the public sphere as a common good in the early modern period, the aim is also to clarify what distinguishes this early modern understanding of the public sphere from its conceptualization as a marketplace that has dominated our understanding of it since the Enlightenment. The prehistory presented here should provide resources for reimagining the future of the public sphere at a time when its actual structure is once again very much at stake.
Race, Class, and the Imminence of Revolt in Leïla Slimani’s Chanson douce
Authors: Mouflard Claire
Published: November 2024

Abstract: This article explores Leïla Slimani’s intersectional writing of race and identity politics in contemporary France, building on existing research that addresses themes of gender, class, motherhood, and domestic work. As Chanson douce seeks to uncover the white nanny’s motive for the murder of the couple’s two interracial children, Slimani’s construction of the character’s progressive descent into dire poverty and madness echoes French working-class fears of imminent collapse. In writing systemic racism within a localized, Parisian social commentary, Slimani skillfully addresses the woes of the lower French socioeconomic class and prefigures the uprising of the gilets jaunes .
Language, History, and Memory in Assia Djebar’s Le blanc de L’Algérie
Authors: Cummins Laurel
Published: November 2024

Abstract: Against the backdrop of the Algerian civil war of the 1990s and the murder of many francophone Algerian intellectuals during that time, Le blanc de l’Algérie commemorates those who were lost and constitutes a musing on language in general. This article traces major semantic fields, especially through the prism of Bachelard’s “imagination aérienne” to analyze the text’s poetic response to the ideological framework against which it was written. The color white with its two sides, represented by light and then dust, leads to a conclusion of hope. This is proposed not through the use of any mandated language but rather the living verb, in an exploration of art and freedom transcending any specific historical situation.
Simone Schwarz-Bart et André Schwarz-Bart, « la rencontre de deux souffrances »
Authors: Ramakrishnan Mahadevi , Monpierre Mariette
Published: November 2024

Abstract: De 2016 à 2023, plusieurs interviews de la célèbre romancière et dramaturge guadeloupéenne Simone Schwarz-Bart ont été réalisées dans sa maison ancestrale à Goyave, en Guadeloupe par Mariette Monpierre, cinéaste guadeloupéenne primée, et Mahadevi Ramakrishnan, professeure de français à l’Université de Colgate aux Etats-Unis. La conversation suivante fait partie d’une collection d’entretiens menés dans le but de réaliser un long métrage sur Simone Schwarz-Bart. Au cours de ces entretiens, elle évoque avec honnêteté sa vie d’écrivain et son partenariat artistique unique avec son mari André Schwarz-Bart. Ses prix et distinctions incluent le Grand Prix des Lectrices de ELLE en 1973, l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres en 2006, et le Prix Carbet de la Caraïbe et du Tout-Monde en 2008.
Short-term stability of a microcell optical reference based on the Rb atom two-photon transition at 778  nm
Authors: Callejo Martin , Mursa Andrei , Vicarini Rémy , Klinger Emmanuel , Tanguy Quentin , Millo Jacques , Passilly Nicolas , Boudot Rodolphe
Published: November 2024

We report on the development and short-term stability characterization of an optical frequency reference based on the spectroscopy of the rubidium two-photon transition at 778 nm in a microfabricated vapor cell. When compared against a 778 nm reference signal extracted from a frequency-doubled cavity-stabilized telecom laser, the short-term stability of the microcell frequency standard is 3.5×10−13τ−1/2 until 200 s, in good agreement with a phase noise level of +43dBrad2/Hz at 1 Hz offset frequency. The two main contributions to the short-term stability of the microcell reference are currently the photon shot noise and the intermodulation effect induced by the laser frequency noise. Retaining a relevant margin of progress, these results show the interest of this spectroscopic approach for the demonstration of high-stability miniaturized optical vapor cell clocks. Such clocks are poised to be highly beneficial for applications in navigation, communications, and metrology.
Bound states in the continuum are influenced by an external magnetostatic field in hyperbolic material metasurfaces
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Zang Ming
			Yi , Zhang Jin Shuai , Lou Qun , Ma Xiao , Liu Xing
			Yu , Fu Shu Fang , Zhang Qiang , Wang Xiang
			Guang , Wang Xuan Zhang
Published: November 2024

A bound state in the continuum (BIC) metasurface (MS) was designed to
achieve a high quality factor (Q-factor) by utilizing a hyperbolic
material (InAs). A unit cell of the MS, comprising four elliptical
cylinders and one cylinder, was designed to study the dispersion
relationship, Q-factor, and reflection. The amplitude and direction of the
external magnetostatic field can be adjusted to influence the frequency
and Q-factor of the BIC. The MS structure supports symmetry-protected
BICs, which can be converted into quasi-BICs by increasing the incident
angle. Further analysis based on multipole theory indicates that the
electric dipole (ED) has the most significant influence on the
resonance.
Experimental analysis and modeling of the penetration depth of uniform and apodized integrated Bragg reflectors
Authors: Comis Farah , Shevchenko Mykyta , Lo Mu-Chieh , Ruocco Alfonso
Published: November 2024

Our proposed method quantifies the penetration depth of integrated Bragg gratings that form on-chip Fabry-Pérot cavities. Through the characterization of the integrated cavities, we evaluate the wavelength-dependent penetration depth by studying its impact on the free spectral range and comparing it with theoretical models, for both uniform and apodized gratings. The analysis of the results is relevant for those who model, fabricate and characterize Bragg reflectors as effective mirrors when the length of the order of the wavelength is needed.
Long-range strain sensing system using a frequency-locked π-shifted grating
Authors: Daxini Swapnil , Aydin Deniz , Giron Arthur , Barnes Jack , Gu Xijia , Loock Hans-Peter
Published: November 2024

We present a passive, all-fiber strain sensing system capable of measuring strain over 75 km using a diode laser locked to a π-shifted grating. The local strain measurement is extracted from the feedback signal sent to the laser for frequency stabilization, thereby reducing the baseline acoustic noise level. Strain variations at frequencies above 10 kHz were obtained from the intensity of the amplified return light. Using both the feedback signal and the light intensity measurement, the strain was measured between DC and 100 kHz, making sound and music recording possible at very long distances. At 10 Hz, the sensitivity was 5.27 mV/µɛ and a minimal detectable strain of dɛmin = 23 nɛ was obtained. The strain sensing range was approximately 28 dB, from about 30 nɛ to 20 µɛ.
5 kW single-mode oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser through tightly bent confined ytterbium-doped fiber
Authors: Cui Na , Liu Lie , Guo Shaofeng , He Jun , Wang Qiangguo , Gao Bo
Published: November 2024

We demonstrated a 5 kW single-mode oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser by tightly bending a homemade 25/400 µm confined YDF. Simulation results showed that tightly bending the confined YDF could decrease the mode coupling coefficient and increase the TMI threshold. By optimizing the doping ratio and bending radius of the confined YDF, a TMI-free 5.1 kW laser output was achieved based on the confined YDF and non-wavelength stable 976 nm LD. The beam quality factor M2 was 1.2 and maintained in the 5.5 hours full power operation. In comparison, the 976 nm pumped oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser with the conventional 25/400 YDF was limited by the quantum defect induced TMI at 3.1 kW, while the 915 nm pumped oscillating-amplifying integrated fiber laser with the conventional 25/400 YDF experienced the photodarkening induced TMI at 3.8 kW. To our knowledge, this is the highest output power of the single-mode confined doped all-fiber laser. This work also proves that tightly bending the confined YDF is an effective method to suppress the TMI induced by the quantum defect and the photodarkening.
640 Gbit/s FSO turbulence-resilient field trial utilizing the cylindrical vector beam
Authors: Yu Yong , Xu Mingfeng , Pu Mingbo , Ding Jiazheng , Chen Shuangcheng , Zhang Yiqun , Shi Shiyu , Guo Yinghui , Li Xiong , Ma Xiaoliang , Luo Xiangang
Published: November 2024

Free-space optical (FSO) communication has the advantages of large bandwidth and high security and being license-free, making it the preferred solution for addressing the “last kilometer” of information transmission. However, it is susceptible to fluctuations in the received optical power (ROP) due to atmospheric turbulence and pointing errors, resulting in the inevitable free-space optical communication transmission performance degradation. In this work, we experimentally verified the turbulence resistance of the cylindrical vector beam (CVB) over a 3 km long free-space field trial link. A transmission capacity of 640 Gbit/s was conducted by utilizing a 20 GBaud 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) through eight-wavelength multiplexing. The experimental results show that the CVB exhibits stronger turbulence resilience compared to the scalar circularly polarized Gaussian beam. Under moderately strong turbulence conditions, the communication stability probability of the first-order CVB improves by about 1/3 compared to the Gaussian beam, while for that of the second-order, the CVB is improved by about 1/5.
Enhanced upconversion luminescence of UCNPs@CsPbI3 nanocomposites via constructing multiple energy transfer channels
Authors: Wang Wei , Luo Hang , Yang Tieshan , Jiao Mengmeng , Zhang Shufang , Li Zhigang , Yang Chuanlu , Wang Kai , Xu Qinfeng
Published: November 2024

The application of upconversion nanomaterials relies heavily on the ability to produce bright upconversion luminescence (UCL) or high upconversion quantum yields (UCQYs) at low power density excitation. Herein, we synthesized silica-coated NaYF4:Yb3+@NaGdF4:Tm3+@NaYF4:Tb3+ upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and CsPbI3 perovskites quantum dots (PeQDs) nanocomposites by the slow hydrolysis of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane. The energy transfer (ET) of Gd3+→Tb3+ accelerates the five-photon upconversion process of Yb3+–Tm3+ and the design of the core@shell@shell layer effectively mitigates the energy jumps between Gd3+ ions. Importantly, the involvement of multiple ET channels in the UCNPs@CsPbI3 PeQDs nanocomposites increased the intensity of the UCL on the CsPbI3 PeQDs by about six times. In addition, the stability of PeQDs encapsulated in a silica matrix under air and water conditions was greatly improved.
Clustering fast optimization strategy for holographic video displays
Authors: Zhou Jie , Jiang Lei , Wu Yang , Wang Jiabao , Yu Guangwei , Chen Chun , Wang Jun
Published: November 2024

Computer-generated holography (CGH) is an advanced technology for three-dimensional (3D) displays. While the stochastic gradient descent (SGD) method is effective for holographic optimization, its application to holographic video displays is computationally expensive, as each frame requires separate optimization. To address this, we propose a novel, to the best of our knowledge, clustering optimization strategy to accelerate the SGD process for holographic video displays. Our method exploits the inherent similarities between video frames by jointly optimizing shared features first, followed by the frame-specific optimization of unique features, thereby minimizing redundant computations. The process involves clustering video frames based on common features and using the optimized holograms of the cluster center image, along with global scale factors, as initial conditions for each frame within the cluster. Numerical simulations and optical experiments demonstrate that the proposed method achieves approximately a twofold increase in computational efficiency, significantly enhancing the feasibility of holographic video displays for broader applications.
Multifunctional non-Hermitian metasurface: metalens and holograms
Authors: Deng Juan , Geng Yang , Sun Yubao , Zhang Yitao , Gao Fan , Yan Bo
Published: November 2024

Exceptional points (EPs) have been the subject of wide concern because of their unique physical properties and have produced many related applications. However, up to now, most non-Hermitian metasurfaces related to EPs focus on realizing a single function. It remains a challenge to integrate multiple functions into a single non-Hermitian metasurface while making it dynamically adjustable. In this work, we investigated how to combine the Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase and exceptional topological (ET) phase and used the polarization decoupling property of EPs to design and realize the integration of multiple functions on a metasurface with the assistance of vanadium dioxide (VO2). As an example in applications, the phase-only metalens and dual-channel holograms can be realized and switched by changing states of the VO2 and incident light polarization. This work will open a prospect for researching a multifunctional non-Hermitian metasurface and the design of switchable multifunctional nano-photonic devices.
Modulation-free laser frequency locking using Fano resonance in a crystalline whispering-gallery-mode cavity
Authors: Lu Yingjie , Wang Haotian , Guo Jun , Xu Yaohui , Hu Yuanchen , Li Wujun , Zhang Jianing , Ma Jie , Shen Deyuan
Published: November 2024

A low-thermal-noise, small-sized, monolithic crystalline whispering-gallery-mode cavity can achieve a compact laser frequency locking system. In this study, we propose generating a Fano resonance spectrum within the crystalline cavity to achieve frequency locking without the need for traditional modulation techniques, aiming to further simplify the locking system. By coupling a prism with the crystalline cavity, we generate a Fano transmission spectrum to serve as the error signal for laser frequency locking. Experimental results show that our method achieves a level of noise suppression comparable to the classical Pound-Drever-Hall technique, reducing laser frequency noise to near the thermal noise limit of the crystalline cavity. It enables us to suppress the laser frequency noise to below 1  Hz2/Hz in the offset frequency range of 103–105  Hz and achieve a minimum noise of 0.2  Hz2/Hz. We also analyzed various unique optical noises in the Fano locking technique and found that the primary factor limiting laser frequency noise in this work is still the inherent thermal noise of the crystalline cavity. Our results indicate that the proposed Fano locking technique has significant potential to simplify laser locking systems, enhance stability, and reduce overall power consumption and cost.
CD74 promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer in mice by inducing the expansion of tolerogenic dendritic cells and regulatory B cells
Authors: Pellegrino Bianca , David Keren , Rabani Stav , Lampert Bar , Tran Thuy , Doherty Edward , Piecychna Marta , Meza-Romero Roberto , Leng Lin , Hershkovitz Dov , Vandenbark Arthur A. , Bucala Richard , Becker-Herman Shirly , Shachar Idit
Published: November 2024

CD74 is a cell-surface receptor for the cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). MIF binding to CD74 induces a signaling cascade resulting in the release of its cytosolic intracellular domain (CD74-ICD), which regulates transcription in naïve B and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. In the current study, we investigated the role of CD74 in the regulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and is characterized by massive infiltration of immune cells to the tumor microenvironment, making this tumor a good candidate for immunotherapy. The tumor and immune cells in TNBC express high levels of CD74; however, the function of this receptor in the tumor environment has not been extensively characterized. Regulatory B cells (Bregs) and tolerogenic dendritic cells (tol-DCs) were previously shown to attenuate the antitumor immune response in TNBC. Here, we demonstrate that CD74 enhances tumor growth by inducing the expansion of tumor-infiltrating tol-DCs and Bregs. Utilizing CD74-KO mice, Cre-flox mice lacking CD74 in CD23+ mature B cells, mice lacking CD74 in the CD11c+ population, and a CD74 inhibitor (DRQ), we elucidate the mechanism by which CD74 inhibits antitumor immunity. MIF secreted from the tumor cells activates CD74 expressed on DCs. This activation induces the binding of CD74-ICD to the SP1 promotor, resulting in the up-regulation of SP1 expression. SP1 binds the IL-1β promotor, leading to the down-regulation of its transcription. The reduced levels of IL-1β lead to decreased antitumor activity by allowing expansion of the tol-DC, which induces the expansion of the Breg population, supporting the cross-talk between these 2 populations. Taken together, these results suggest that CD74+ CD11c+ DCs are the dominant cell type involved in the regulation of TNBC progression. These findings indicate that CD74 might serve as a novel therapeutic target in TNBC.
The evolutionary cost of homophily: Social stratification facilitates stable variant coexistence and increased rates of evolution in host-associated pathogens
Authors: Li Shuanger , Gulisija Davorka , Carja Oana
Published: November 2024

Coexistence of multiple strains of a pathogen in a host population can present significant challenges to vaccine development or treatment efficacy. Here we discuss a novel mechanism that can increase rates of long-lived strain polymorphism, rooted in the presence of social structure in a host population. We show that social preference of interaction, in conjunction with differences in immunity between host subgroups, can exert varying selection pressure on pathogen strains, creating a balancing mechanism that supports stable viral coexistence, independent of other known mechanisms. We use population genetic models to study rates of pathogen heterozygosity as a function of population size, host population composition, mutant strain fitness differences and host social preferences of interaction. We also show that even small periodic epochs of host population stratification can lead to elevated strain coexistence. These results are robust to varying social preferences of interaction, overall differences in strain fitnesses, and spatial heterogeneity in host population composition. Our results highlight the role of host population social stratification in increasing rates of pathogen strain diversity, with effects that should be considered when designing policies or treatments with a long-term view of curbing pathogen evolution.
Climate models drive variation in projections of species distribution on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland
Authors: Ruiz-Diaz Raquel , Koen-Alonso Mariano , Cyr Frédéric , Fisher Jonathan A. D. , Rowe Sherrylynn , Fennel Katja , Garcia-Suarez Lina , Eddy Tyler D.
Published: November 2024

Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are tools for understanding climate-induced habitat changes, yet their outcomes depend heavily on climate model selection. This study compares biomass projections for three key species on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland that are known to be sensitive to warming—snow crab, yellowtail flounder, and Atlantic cod. We use Earth system models (GFDL-ESM4, IPSL-CM6A-LR) and a regional ocean model system (Atlantic Climate Model (ACM)) under varying climate change emissions scenarios to assess long-term biomass trends and distributional shifts driven by future ocean warming on the Grand Banks. Projections indicate declining biomass for snow crab and yellowtail flounder with rising temperatures, whereas Atlantic cod is anticipated to exhibit biomass gains, particularly in the southern Grand Banks. Variations in biomass projections among climate models were noticeable, with IPSL forecasting the most drastic decline. ACM and GFDL biomass projections were more similar to each other than GFDL and IPSL projections, likely because ACM was downscaled from GFDL. Differences between GFDL and ACM likely arise from the coarse spatial resolution of ESMs, leading to insufficient resolution of the bathymetry and incorrect current patterns, in turn affecting the bottom temperature field. These findings underscore the important role of climate model selection in SDM-derived biomass projections. We partitioned uncertainty by source and found that the relative contribution of variability by component changes by species. As temperatures continue to rise, the urgency of implementing adaptive management strategies to minimize impacts on Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries becomes increasingly evident. SDM outputs can aid in strategic decision making, providing valuable insights for medium and long-term planning in fisheries management.
Price volatility and GHG emissions analysis on smaller cattle herds typical for the pre-Alpine region, the example of Slovenia
Authors: Brečko Jure , Rozman Črtomir , Žgajnar Jaka
Published: November 2024

Agricultural input and output prices have become extremely volatile in recent years and the global meat industry faces sustainability challenges related to climate change, resource competition, environmental regulations, animal welfare concerns, consumer preferences and industry policies. Additionally, the economic situation of cattle fattening farms has been significantly impacted by two major shocks: the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the war in Ukraine. This has led to a growing demand for microsimulation tools that can analyse how these conditions affect the operations of agricultural farms and address various technological challenges at both the farm and sector levels. In this paper, we present a farm model to analyse the cattle farming sector for the pre-Alpine region, using Slovenia, a typical example of this region, as a case study. These farms are particularly important from both social and environmental sustainability perspectives, and it is crucial that economic sustainability follows suit. The results of the SiTFarm model show that, on average, farms in the cattle farming sector achieved modest results between 2018 and 2022, with an average gross margin of 9.57 €/h. However, the variability is significant, with a coefficient of variation 0.74. Only 25% of farms exceeded 17.15 €/h, while 25% did not surpass 4.46 €/h. At the sector level, the gross margin decreased by 12% in 2020 but increased by 99% in 2022 compared to the reference year 2018, highlighting the incredible price volatility over a short period. The model results also indicate greenhouse gas emissions ranging from 5.01 to 7.77 kg CO2 eq. per kg of daily body weight gain on the analysed farms. Nearly half of the farms have GHG emissions for cattle fattening exceeding 6.1 kg CO2 eq. per kg daily body weight gain, while about 10% of farms achieve a sustainability target of approximately 5 kg CO2 eq. per kg of daily body weight gain.
Community-based intervention for monitoring of salt intake in hypertensive patients: A cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sonuch Pitchaporn , Aekplakorn Wichai , Pomsanthia Nophatee , Boonyagarn Natthida , Makkawan Siripak , Thongchai Suchada , Tosamran Wasinee , Kunjang Ananthaya , Kantachuvesiri Surasak
Published: November 2024

Background

Excessive sodium intake is associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, reducing dietary salt has been challenging due to a lack of awareness and a high threshold in detecting saltiness.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention (intensive dietary education, food reformulation, environmental changes to facilitate salt reduction, and salt meter utilization), in comparison to standard education only, on salt intake and blood pressure.

Methods

A cluster randomized-controlled trial was conducted on 219 hypertensive adults aged 18 to 70 years in Uthaithani, Thailand. Participants were randomized 1:1 into the intervention group (n = 111) and the control group (n = 108).

Results

There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 143.6 and 82.1 mmHg and 142.2 and 81.4 mmHg in the intervention group, and the control group, respectively. The median 24-hour urinary sodium excretion was 3565 and 3312 mg/day, in the intervention and the control group, respectively. After 12 weeks, the change in systolic blood pressure was -13.5 versus -9.5 mmHg (P = 0.030) and diastolic blood pressure was -6.4 versus -4.8 mmHg (P = 0.164) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Moreover, a reduction in 24-hour urine sodium excretion was observed [-575 versus -299 mg/day in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P = 0.194)]. The change in 24-hour urine sodium excretion was statistically significant and reduced from baseline in the intervention group (P = 0.004). The dietary salt intake was significantly improved and was statistically different between groups (P = 0.035).

Conclusions

The combined intervention significantly decreased systolic blood pressure and showed a trend towards reduced urine sodium excretion in hypertensive patients. These comprehensive approaches may be beneficial in reducing blood pressure and salt intake in the community.

Clinical trial registration

This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov with the identifier NCT05397054. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05397054
The endometrial cancer A230V-ALK5 (TGFBR1) mutant attenuates TGF-β signaling and exhibits reduced in vitro sensitivity to ALK5 inhibitors
Authors: Yu Eun-Jeong , Bell Daphne W.
Published: November 2024

The ALK5 (TGFBR1) receptor serine/threonine kinase transduces TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor beta) signaling to activate SMAD2/3-dependent and -independent pathways. Here, we aimed to determine the functional consequences of ALK5 mutations in human endometrial cancer (EC). Somatic mutation data were retrieved from publicly available databases. Using seven in silico algorithms, 78.5% (11 of 14) of ALK5 kinase domain mutations in EC, including A230V-ALK5, were predicted to impact protein function. For in vitro studies, we focused on A230V-ALK5 because it was the only mutated residue located within the ATP-binding pocket, which is an important region for both ATP-binding and binding of ATP-competitive inhibitors. Constructs expressing wildtype-, constitutively-active-, kinase-dead-, or mutant A230V-ALK5, were transfected into NIH/3T3 cells. Following TGF-β1 stimulation, transient exogenous expression of A230V-ALK5 resulted in attenuated SMAD2/3 signal transduction and reduced AKT activation. We further showed that the A230V-ALK5 mutant had reduced stability resulting from increased ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. Our structural modeling predicted that SB-431542, a small molecule ATP-competitive inhibitor of ALK5, binds to the A230V-ALK5 mutant with reduced affinity compared to wildtype-ALK5. We therefore examined the inhibitory effect of SB-431542 and galunisertib on wildtype- and mutant-ALK5 activity using a Smad-binding element (SBE) luciferase reporter assay combined with TGF-β1 stimulation, in NIH/3T3 cells and HEC-265 EC cells. SBE luciferase activity in A230V-ALK5 transfected cells was inhibited less by SB-431542 and galunisertib than in wildtype-ALK5 transfected cells indicating that A230V-ALK5 is less sensitive to inhibition by these agents than wildtype-ALK5, potentially due to changes in SB-431542/A230V-ALK5 binding affinity. Our findings are novel and show that A230V-ALK5 is a partial loss-of-function mutant that attenuates TGF-β1 signal transduction and has reduced sensitivity to ALK5 small molecule inhibitors.
Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits ADAMTS expression via an ERK-dependent mechanism in chondrocytes
Authors: Huang Kai , Cheng Lin , Jiang Cheng , Zheng Chunwei , Cai Haili
Published: November 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease in which cartilage degradation is the hallmark pathological change. In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of DHEA in rabbit chondrocytes. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4, ADAMTS-5, aggrecan and collagen type 2. In addition, ERK1/2 signaling pathway components were analyzed by Western blotting. In IL-1β-induced chondrocytes, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was enhanced, and the downstream catabolic genes, including ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5, were upregulated, while the anabolic genes aggrecan and collagen type 2 were downregulated. DHEA administration restored the IL-1β-induced imbalance in anabolic and catabolic gene expression. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was suppressed by DHEA. Then, PD98059 was used to block the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The protective effect of DHEA was significantly increased when ERK1/2 signaling was inactivated. DHEA may exert its protective effect by suppressing ADAMTS in an ERK1/2-dependent manner in rabbit chondrocytes.
The fluctuation of pig prices and the identification of major drivers in China
Authors: Hua Junguo , Ding Jing , Chen Yufan , Kang Lulu , Zhang Haiying , Zhang Junhua
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the domestic live pig price has risen and fallen rapidly and fluctuated frequently, which has greatly impacted the live pig industry. The level of price volatility in the pig market has served as a significant indication of the progress of the agricultural sector. Identifying the dominant factors affecting the fluctuation of pig prices has become more important. Based on the monthly data of the pig industry from February 2009 to December 2022, this paper constructs an index system of influencing factors of pig price from four aspects: uncertain impact, supply factors, demand factors, and macro-environment factors. By using the transfer model of the Markov regime (MS-VAR), we obtained the probability plot of zone transition for pig price volatility, the impulse response effect diagram of factors affecting pig price, and the cumulated impulse response effect diagram of factors affecting pig price, and analyze the reasons for the ups and downs of pig price according to the above results. The findings indicate prominent features of zone transition in the price fluctuation of China’s pig market. From 2017 to 2022, the domestic pig price frequently switches between rising and falling zones, and the "falling pig price stage" and "rising pig price stage" in the non-stationary state last for a relatively short and discontinuous period. There is little probability that the price of live pigs will directly change from rising to falling, and there will be a smooth buffer stage in the price rise and fall process. Among the factors that affect the fluctuation of live pig prices, the dominant factor of frequent and large fluctuation of pig prices is the pig epidemic situation in external factors. Among the internal influencing factors, the changes in farming costs have the greatest significant influence on the fluctuation of pig prices. These results provide a decision-making reference for legislators to carry out epidemic risk prevention and control better, stabilize the market pig price, and provide empirical evidence for market participants to accurately avoid price risks through multiple channels and ways and ensure stable profitability.