bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT versus CE-CT for response monitoring in patients with metastatic breast cancer: a register-based comparative study
Authors: Naghavi-Behzad Mohammad , Gerke Oke , Kodahl Annette Raskov , Vogsen Marianne , Asmussen Jon Thor , Weber Wolfgang , Hildebrandt Malene Grubbe , Kidholm Kristian
Published: September 2023

We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT compared to CE-CT for response monitoring in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. The study included 300 biopsy-verified MBC patients treated at Odense University Hospital (Denmark). CE-CT was used in 144 patients, 83 patients underwent 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT, and 73 patients received a combination of both. Hospital resource-based costs (2007–2019) were adjusted to the 2019 level. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated by comparing average costs per patient and gained survival with CE-CT. During a median follow-up of 33.0 months, patients in the 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT group had more short admissions (median 6 vs. 2) and fewer overnight admissions (5 vs. 12) compared to the CE-CT group. The mean total cost per patient was €91,547 for CE-CT, €83,965 for 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT, and €165,784 for the combined group. The ICER for 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT compared to CE-CT was €-527/month, indicating gaining an extra month of survival at a lower cost (€527). 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT was more cost-effective in patients with favorable prognostic factors (oligometastatic or estrogen receptor-positive disease), while CE-CT was more cost-effective in poor prognosis patients (liver/lung metastases or performance status ≥ 2 at baseline). In conclusion, our study suggests that 2-[18F]FDG-PET/CT is a cost-effective modality for response monitoring in metastatic breast cancer.
Impact of thyroid hormone replacement on the risk of second cancer after thyroidectomy: a Korean National Cohort Study
Authors: Ho Joon , Han Minkyung , Jung Inkyung , Jo Young Suk , Lee Jandee
Published: September 2023

We aimed to investigate the effect of thyroid hormone administration on the risk of second primary cancer in patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer. Data were extracted from the medical billing data of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service in South Korea. Patients between 19 and 80 years old who underwent thyroid surgery at least once between January 2009 and June 2020 were included. Data of patients with second primary cancer and control patients with matched age, sex, operation date, and follow-up duration were extracted at a ratio of 1:4. A nested case–control analysis was performed to exclude length bias to confirm the correlation between the duration of thyroid hormone administration, dose, and incidence of second primary cancer. Of the 261,598 patients who underwent surgery for thyroid cancer included in the study, 11,790 with second primary cancer and 47,160 without second primary cancer were matched. The average dose of thyroid hormone increased the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for both low (≤ 50 μg, OR 1.29, confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.48) and high (< 100 μg, OR 1.24, CI 1.12–1.37) doses. Analyzing over time, the adjusted OR of second primary cancer increased, especially in short (≤ 1 year) (OR 1.19; CI 1.06–1.34) and long (> 5 years) duration (OR 1.25; CI 1.10–1.41). In conclusion, insufficient and excessive thyroid hormone replacement might be linked to increased second primary cancer in patients who underwent thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer.
Allee effects in an invasive social wasp: an experimental study in colonies of Vespula germanica
Authors: Melo Romina , Masciocchi Maité , Corley Juan C.
Published: September 2023

Allee effects rely on the existence of mutually beneficial intraspecific interactions that increase individual fitness and per capita growth rate, as the number of individuals in a population or group increases. When the number of individuals falls below a given number, the success of a group or population drops. Social insects heavily rely on cooperation between individuals for various tasks such as foraging and breeding. In this study, we experimentally explored component Allee effects and the underlying mechanisms in colonies of the social wasp Vespula germanica. After the removal of workers, we counted the number of gynes produced, estimated the body mass index as a proxy of their quality, and registered the protein-food collected by foragers in colonies. Our research revealed a correlation between the decrease in worker population and a subsequent decrease in the production of gynes. However, the removal of workers did not impact the quality of the produced gynes or the quantity of protein-food collected by the colonies. These findings highlight the crucial role of the worker caste in the success of eusocial species and suggested an ability of workers to perform multiple tasks that enable colonies to respond to disturbances. Additionally, our study provides the first evidence of Allee effects at the colony level of V. germanica, with potential practical implications for managing this invasive species.
Inequity in mortality rates and potential years of life lost caused by COVID-19 in the Greater Santiago, Chile
Authors: Ayala Andrés , Vargas Claudio , Elorrieta Felipe , Villalobos Dintrans Pablo , Maddaleno Matilde
Published: September 2023

Several studies have shown that, in Chile, income inequality is relevant in explaining health inequities. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact, with higher mortality rates in those municipalities of Greater Santiago with lower socioeconomic status. We study inequity in mortality based on Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) in 34 urban municipalities of the Metropolitan Region (Greater Santiago) and analyze its evolution between 2018 and 2021 and by COVID-19 waves. To compare the results obtained for PYLL, we also computed the mortality rates adjusted by direct standardization. In addition, we used the concentration index (CI) to measure the health inequalities between municipalities. In the first year of the pandemic, the absolute PYLL and the standardized mortality rate for all causes of death showed an increase of 13.6% and 18.9%, respectively. Moreover, 409,086 years of life were prematurely lost in 2020, one-fifth of them due to COVID-19. The concentration indices confirm inequality in both mortality rates and PYLL, where it is more pronounced when calculating the latter measure. Results show that the deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected the most economically disadvantaged municipalities, and particularly young people in those places.
Diminishing of Helicobacter pylori adhesion to Cavia porcellus gastric epithelial cells by BCG vaccine mycobacteria
Authors: Gonciarz Weronika , Chyb Maciej , Chmiela Magdalena
Published: September 2023

Mycobacterium bovis onco-BCG bacilli used in immunotherapy of bladder cancer are candidates for training of immune cells towards microbial pathogens. Increasing antibiotic resistance of gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori (Hp) prompts the search for new anti-Hp and immunomodulatory formulations. Colonization of gastric mucosa by Hp through mucin 5 AC (MUC5AC) ligands could potentially be a therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of onco-BCG mycobacteria to reduce Hp adhesion to gastric epithelial cells using Cavia porcellus model. Animals were inoculated per os with 0.85% NaCl, Hp alone, onco-BCG alone or with onco-BCG and Hp. After 7/28 days Mucin5AC and Hp binding to gastric epithelium were assessed in gastric tissue specimens by staining with anti-Mucin5AC and anti-Hp antibodies, respectively, both fluorescently labeled. Primary gastric epithelial cells were treated ex vivo with live Hp or Hp surface antigens (glycine extract or lipopolysaccharide) alone or with onco-BCG. In such cells MUC5AC and Hp binding were determined as above. Mycobacteria reduced the amount of MUC5AC animals infected with Hp and in gastric epithelial cells pulsed in vitro with Hp components. Decrease of MUC5AC driven in cell cultures in vitro and in gastric tissue exposed ex vivo to mycobacteria was related to diminished adhesion of H. pylori bacilli. Vaccine mycobacteria by diminishing the amount of MUC5AC in gastric epithelial cells may reduce Hp adhesion.
Toward precision medicine using a “digital twin” approach: modeling the onset of disease-specific brain atrophy in individuals with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cen Steven , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Moazami Saeed , Azevedo Christina J. , Pelletier Daniel
Published: September 2023

Digital Twin (DT) is a novel concept that may bring a paradigm shift for precision medicine. In this study we demonstrate a DT application for estimating the age of onset of disease-specific brain atrophy in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) using brain MRI. We first augmented longitudinal data from a well-fitted spline model derived from a large cross-sectional normal aging data. Then we compared different mixed spline models through both simulated and real-life data and identified the mixed spline model with the best fit. Using the appropriate covariate structure selected from 52 different candidate structures, we augmented the thalamic atrophy trajectory over the lifespan for each individual MS patient and a corresponding hypothetical twin with normal aging. Theoretically, the age at which the brain atrophy trajectory of an MS patient deviates from the trajectory of their hypothetical healthy twin can be considered as the onset of progressive brain tissue loss. With a tenfold cross validation procedure through 1000 bootstrapping samples, we found the onset age of progressive brain tissue loss was, on average, 5–6 years prior to clinical symptom onset. Our novel approach also discovered two clear patterns of patient clusters: earlier onset versus simultaneous onset of brain atrophy.
Low-dose daylight exposure induces nitric oxide release and maintains cell viability in vitro
Authors: Hazell Gareth , Khazova Marina , O’Mahoney Paul
Published: September 2023

Any potential positive effects conferred via sunlight exposure have to be carefully balanced against carcinogenic effects. Here we provide evidence UK sunlight exposure upregulates the cardio protectant nitric oxide (NO) within in vitro skin cell lines with negligible increases in DNA damage and cell death at 1 SED, when compared against unexposed samples. The whole of the ultraviolet A (UV-A) spectrum appears to be responsible for NO release, with efficiency higher at exposures closer to shorter UV-A wavelengths and decreasing with wavelength increases. These results support further in vivo work, which could be of benefit for demographics such as the elderly (that exhibit a natural decline in NO bioavailability).
The varied influence of ocular Demodex infestation on dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction across different age groups
Authors: Lee Won Jun , Kim Minjeong , Lee Seung Hyeun , Chun Yeoun Sook , Kim Kyoung Woo
Published: September 2023

This study aimed to investigate the impact of ocular demodicosis on dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) across different age populations: young (20 to < 40), middle-aged (40 to < 60), and elderly (≥ 60), based on the retrospective medical chart review. In each age subgroup, Demodex infestation and its count were correlated with clinical parameters of DED and MGD. Among the total of 351 subjects, 52.7% had ocular demodicosis, with a mean of 2.31 ± 1.39 mites per four eyelashes (0.58 per lash) in a unilateral eye. In the age subgroup 1 (age < 40; N = 44), subjects with Demodex had significantly higher meibum quality grades. In subgroup 2 (40 ≤ age < 60; N = 122), subjects with Demodex had higher ocular surface disease index scores and higher MG expressibility grades. However, in subgroup 3 (age ≥ 60; N = 185), demographics and all parameters did not differ according to Demodex infestation. Moreover, the number of mites did not correlate with MGD severity in any of the subgroups. In conclusion, age may act as a significant confounding factor in the relationship between ocular Demodex infestation and clinical features of DED and MGD, despite older patients aged 60 years and above being at a higher risk of Demodex infestation and experiencing more severe MGD.
Menthol- and thymol-based ciprofloxacin derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: in vitro activity, lipophilicity, and computational studies
Authors: Szulczyk Daniel , Woziński Mateusz , Koliński Michał , Kmiecik Sebastian , Głogowska Agnieszka , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa , Dobrowolski Michał A. , Roszkowski Piotr , Struga Marta , Ciura Krzesimir
Published: September 2023

In this work, we investigated the antitubercular properties of Ciprofloxacin derivatives conjugated with menthol and thymol moieties. For the sixteen derivatives, we established minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) using isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that were resistant or susceptible to other antibiotics. For the most potent compound 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐fluoro‐7‐{4‐[6‐((1R,2S,5R)‐2‐isopropyl‐5‐methylcyclohexyloxy)‐6‐oxohexyl]piperazin‐1‐yl}‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid (6), we determined fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values to confirm antibacterial susceptibility and synergistic effects with other reference drugs. In addition, chromatographic studies of all the derivatives demonstrated a significant three to four-fold increase in lipophilicity and affinity to phospholipids compared to Ciprofloxacin. Finally, we conducted structure-based studies of the investigated compounds using molecular docking and taking into account protein target mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. In summary, our findings indicate that the investigated compounds possess tuberculostatic properties, with some showing similar or even better activity against resistant strains compared to reference drugs. Increased lipophilicity and affinity to phospholipids of the new derivatives can offer several advantages for new drug candidates, beyond just improved cell membrane penetration. However, further studies are needed to fully understand their safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action.
Experimental demonstration of position-controllable topological interface states in high-frequency Kitaev topological integrated circuits
Authors: Iizuka Tetsuya , Yuan Haochen , Mita Yoshio , Higo Akio , Yasunaga Shun , Ezawa Motohiko
Published: September 2023

Topological integrated circuits are integrated-circuit realizations of topological systems. Here we show an experimental demonstration by taking the case of the Kitaev topological superconductor model. An integrated-circuit implementation enables us to realize high resonant frequency as high as 13GHz. We explicitly observe the spatial profile of a topological edge state. In particular, the topological interface state between a topological segment and a trivial segment is the Majorana-like state. We construct a switchable structure in the integrated circuit, which enables us to control the position of a Majorana-like interface state arbitrarily along a chain. Our results contribute to the development of topological electronics with high frequency integrated circuits.
Effect of substitution on deep-blue Ir(iii) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) emitters
Authors: Gupta Rahat , Sahni Priya , Jana Salil K. , Negi Anshul , Pal Amlan K.
Published: September 2023

Deep blue emissive (λPL ∼ 400 nm) Ir(iii) N-heterocyclic complexes were synthesized and the effect of heavy atoms in reducing the non-radiative vibrational deactivation modes was studied.
Lutein combined with EGCG improved retinitis pigmentosa against N-methyl-N nitrosourea-induced
Authors: Jing Huili , Nie Meimei , Wang Xiaoqin , Zhang Zhongyuan , Xu Yayuan , Zhang Guodong , Li Dajing , Dai Zhuqing
Published: September 2023

Dietary LUT combined with EGCG increase the thickness of outer nuclear layer of retina, up-regulate the expression of anti-apoptotic genes, affect the content of short-chain fatty acids and regulate the structure of gut microbiota, thus improving the retinal structure of MNU-induced RP mice.
Retraction: A new polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) based on a microfluidic capillary flow assay (MCFA) for detecting unbound cortisol in saliva
Authors: U. Vinitha T. , Ghosh Sthitodhi , Milleman Alexander , Nguyen Thinh , Ahn Chong H.
Published: September 2023

Retraction of ‘A new polymer lab-on-a-chip (LOC) based on a microfluidic capillary flow assay (MCFA) for detecting unbound cortisol in saliva’ by Vinitha T. U. et al., Lab Chip, 2020, 20, 1961–1974, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0LC00071J.
Perspective of point-of-care sensing systems in cancer management
Authors: Khondakar Kamil Reza , Anwar M. S. , Mazumdar Hirak , Kaushik Ajeet
Published: September 2023

Revolutionizing cancer management: point-of-care sensing systems in perspective.
Synergistic carbon and oxygen vacancy engineering on vanadium dioxide nanobelts for efficient aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Gu Xin , Wang Juntao , Wu Shuang , Dong Sijin , Li Fengchun , Cui Akang , Zhang Mengdi , Dai Pengcheng , Wu Mingbo
Published: September 2023

This study proposes a synergistic engineering approach involving carbon and oxygen vacancy to improve the performance of VO2.
Self-reported and self-facilitated theranostic oxygen nano-economizer for precise and hypoxia alleviation-potentiated photodynamic therapy
Authors: Li Shumeng , Yang Fujun , Wang Yongdan , Jia Linshan , Hou Xiaohong
Published: September 2023

A self-reported and self-facilitated theranostic oxygen nano-economizer (PTTD NPs) for precise photodynamic therapy (PDT) is developed. Under self-reported optimal laser duration, PTTD NPs could alleviate tumor hypoxia for self-facilitating PDT.
Pushing the limits of the heat of detonation via the construction of polynitro bipyrazole
Authors: Dong Yaqun , Li Miao , Liu Jing , Liu Yuji , Huang Wei , Shreeve Jean’ne M. , Tang Yongxing
Published: September 2023

An energetic compound with a trinitromethyl group has been achieved via a novel strategy of nitration of an ethylene bridged compound and shows excellent heat of detonation and promising properties.
The corrosion inhibition mechanism of Ca(H2PO4)2 on AZ91D magnesium alloy in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution
Authors: Xu Xingxin , Huang Hualiang
Published: September 2023

In this work, Ca(H2PO4)2 was used as a green corrosion inhibitor for AZ91D magnesium alloy in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution.
Visible-light-induced halocyclization of 2-alkynylthioanisoles with simple alkyl halides towards 3-halobenzo[b]thiophenes without an external photocatalyst
Authors: Wang Fen-Dou , Wang Chunmiao , Wang Min , Yan Han , Jiang Jin , Li Pinhua
Published: September 2023

A new strategy for the preparation of 3-halobenzo[b]thiophenes via a photo-driven halocyclization/demethylation of 2-alkynylthioanisoles with simple alkyl halides was developed.
Rhodium-catalyzed C–H carboxymethylation of anilines with vinylene carbonate
Authors: Liu Qiong , Ma Zhaolong , Zhang Jing , Li Xu-Qin
Published: September 2023

We established a Rh(iii) catalyzed C–H carboxymethylation strategy for anilines with vinylene carbonate. This protocol does not require external oxidants. It proceeded smoothly with good functional group tolerance and moderate to good yields.
High atomic utilization conversion of ethers into furancarbaldehydes via an ether oxidation iminium-ion activation cascade strategy
Authors: Li Zheyao , Ma Chunmei , Zhao Lin , Lin Zhongren , Hu Yang , Zhao Jianhong , Yu Xinhong
Published: September 2023

This work reported a method for conversion of aryl allyl ethers into furancarbaldehydes via an ether oxidation iminium-ion activation cascade strategy. The method features simple operation, mild conditions, and especially high atomic utilization.
Alscholarines A and B, two rearranged monoterpene indole alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris
Authors: Zhan Guanqun , Zhang Fuxin , Yang Kailing , Yang Tao , Zhou Ruixi , Chen Wenwen , Zhang Jingwei , Zhang Xinxin , Guo Zengjun
Published: September 2023

Alscholarines A–B, featuring an imidazole ring fused with a 6/5/6/6 tetracyclic skeleton and an unusual 7-oxa-1-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane moiety with a 6/5/6/6/5 ring system, respectively, were isolated from Alstonia scholaris.
AI based image analysis of red blood cells in oscillating microchannels
Authors: Link Andreas , Pardo Irene Luna , Porr Bernd , Franke Thomas
Published: September 2023

We use AI-based analysis to categorize healthy and treated red blood cells, providing quantitative single-cell data for non-invasive diagnostic purposes.
Unveiling polyamorphism and polyamorphic interconversions in pharmaceuticals: the peculiar case of hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: Martins Inês C. B. , Larsen Anders S. , Madsen Anders Ø. , Frederiksen Olivia Aalling , Correia Alexandra , Jensen Kirsten M. Ø. , Jeppesen Henrik S. , Rades Thomas
Published: September 2023

Three polyamorphs of hydrochlorothiazide with distinct physicochemical properties were discovered. MD simulations show different dihedral angle distributions in polyamorphs I and II. Polyamorphs I and III were converted into polyamorph II.
Discontinuous rigidity transition associated with shear jamming in granular simulations
Authors: Babu Varghese , Vinutha H. A. , Bi Dapeng , Sastry Srikanth
Published: September 2023

We investigate the rigidity transition associated with shear jamming in frictionless, as well as frictional, disk packings in the quasi-static regime and at low shear rates.
Mean-field models for the chemical fueling of transient soft matter states
Authors: Pattloch Sven , Dzubiella Joachim
Published: September 2023

The chemical fueling of transient states (CFTS) is a powerful process to control the nonequilibrium structuring and the homeostatic function of adaptive soft matter systems.
Rheological behavior of xanthan gum suspensions with Fe-based nanoparticles: the effect of nanoparticles and the mechanism
Authors: Zhan Weiyong , Zhong Hua , Liu Guansheng , Liu Xianli
Published: September 2023

The presence of Fe-based nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) intensified rheological behavior of xanthan gum (XG) suspension of Fe-NPs. This was due to an increased molecular movement of XG, leading to an enhanced shear-destruction of the entangled network of XG.
Deformability of mouse erythrocytes in different diluents measured using optical tweezers
Authors: Shao Meng , Liu Rui , Li Changxu , Sun Yue , Zhong Zhensheng , Lu Fengya , Zhou Jinhua , Zhong Min-Cheng
Published: September 2023

Quantitative evaluation of the impact of different diluents on the elasticity characteristics of mouse erythrocytes was conducted using optical tweezers. The results show that, although the erythrocytes remained intact in the selected diluents, their deformability changed in different diluents.
Phase behavior of soybean phosphatidylcholine and glycerol dioleate in hydrated and dehydrated states studied by small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Engstedt Jenni , Barauskas Justas , Kocherbitov Vitaly
Published: September 2023

Mixtures of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and glycerol diolate (GDO) in aqueous environments form a variety of liquid crystalline nanostructures, which can be used in drug delivery applications.
Effects of crowding on the diffusivity of membrane adhered particles
Authors: Liu Paige , Beltramo Peter J.
Published: September 2023

We investigate changes in the diffusivity and rheology of particles tethered to a lipid bilayer as they become highly crowded.
Particle size effect of graphite anodes on performance of fast charging Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Guanyi , Mijailovic Aleksandar , Yang Jian , Xiong Jie , Beasley Sarah E. , Mathew Kevin , Zhou Bingyao , Lu Wenquan , Sheldon Brian W. , Wu Qingliu
Published: September 2023

This study reports the effect of particle size on rate capabilities and provides insights into the design and fabrication of anode materials for fast charging applications.
Coordination modulation: a way to improve the properties of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Bigdeli Fahime , Fetzer Marcus N. A. , Nis Berna , Morsali Ali , Janiak Christoph
Published: September 2023

Coordination modulation is an easy and effective procedure to control the properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) in order to increase their potential application and/or desirable structural properties.
Cation-induced speciation of port-size during mordenite zeolite synthesis
Authors: Prodinger Sebastian , Berdiell Izar Capel , Cordero-Lanzac Tomas , Bygdnes Odd Reidar , Solemsli Bjørn Gading , Kvande Karoline , Arstad Bjørnar , Beato Pablo , Olsbye Unni , Svelle Stian
Published: September 2023

Varying the inorganic cation in the synthesis of MOR zeolite results in crystalline material of varying port-size, ascertained by gaseous uptake of toluene. Al siting is found to be the cause of this and differences on catalytic behavior follow.
Immuno-oncology
Authors: Gallimore Awen , Tournier Cathy
Published: September 2023

Today, it is accepted that the ability to evade the attention of the immune system is an essential hallmark of cancer. Critically, as tumours progress, cancer cells can protect themselves from the immune system’s natural ability to fight the disease. This observation has led to an explosion of basic research to discover how to restore anti-tumour immunity for advancing cancer treatment. Clinical successes have been achieved following the approval of checkpoint inhibitor therapy to effectively prolong the life of many cancer patients with malignant disease.

However, despite impressive survival gains, there is still a high variability of responses between different types of cancer and many patients still fail to respond. The disappointing findings that have been documented over the many clinical trials performed so far coincide with a much more complex view of immuno-oncology that has emerged from technological advances in functional fluorescent imaging techniques, high-throughput RNA sequencing and single-cell mass cytometry.

The themed topic ‘Immuno-Oncology’ captures the contemporary understanding that individual tumours comprise remarkable mixtures of immune cell populations that actively contribute to neoplastic growth, invasion and metastasis through reciprocal and dynamic interactions with cancer cells. In the context of this new knowledge, the reviews discuss novel ideas of therapeutic opportunities for cancer. We would like to thank the authors for their excellent contributions.
A new discovery space opened by eROSITA
Authors: Musiimenta B. , Brusa M. , Liu T. , Salvato M. , Buchner J. , Igo Z. , Waddell S. G. H. , Toba Y. , Arcodia R. , Comparat J. , Alexander D. , Shankar F. , Lapi A. , Ramos Almeida C. , Georgakakis A. , Merloni A. , Urrutia T. , Li J. , Terashima Y. , Shen Y. , Wu Q. , Dwelly T. , Nandra K. , Wolf J.
Published: September 2023

Context.In the context of an evolutionary model, the outflow phase of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) occurs at the peak of its activity, once the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) is massive enough to generate sufficient power to counterbalance the potential well of the host galaxy. This outflow feedback phase plays a vital role in galaxy evolution.

Aims.Our aim in this paper is to apply various selection methods to isolate powerful AGNs in the feedback phase, trace and characterise outflows in these AGNs, and explore the link between AGN luminosity and outflow properties.

Methods.We applied a combination of methods to the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) eROSITA Final Equatorial Depth survey (eFEDS) catalogue and isolated ∼1400 candidates atz > 0.5 out of ∼11 750 AGNs (∼12%). Furthermore, we narrowed down our selection to 427 sources that have 0.5 < z < 1. We tested the robustness of our selection on the small subsample of 50 sources with available good quality SDSS spectra at 0.5 < z < 1 and, for which we fitted the [OIII] emission line complex and searched for the presence of ionised gas outflow signatures.

Results.Out of the 50 good quality SDSS spectra, we identified 23 quasars (∼45%) with evidence of ionised outflows based on the presence of significant broad and/or shifted components in [OIII]λ5007 Å. They are on average more luminous (logLbol ∼ 45.2 erg s−1) and more obscured (NH ∼ 1022cm−2) than the parent sample of ∼427 candidates, although this may be ascribed to selection effects affecting the good quality SDSS spectra sample. By adding 118 quasars at 0.5 < z < 3.5 with evidence of outflows reported in the literature, we find a weak correlation between the maximum outflow velocity and the AGN bolometric luminosity. On the contrary, we recovered strong correlations between the mass outflow rate and outflow kinetic power with the AGN bolometric luminosity.

Conclusions.About 30% of our sample have kinetic coupling efficiencies,Ė/Lbol> 1%, suggesting that the outflows could have a significant effect on their host galaxies. We find that the majority of the outflows have momentum flux ratios lower than 20 which rules out an energy-conserving nature. Our present work points to the unequivocal existence of a rather short AGN outflow phase, paving the way towards a new avenue to dissect AGN outflows in large samples within eROSITA and beyond.
In search of gravity mode signatures in main sequence solar-type stars observed by Kepler
Authors: Breton S. N. , Dhouib H. , García R. A. , Brun A. S. , Mathis S. , Pérez Hernández F. , Mathur S. , Dyrek A. , Santos A. R. G. , Pallé P. L.
Published: September 2023

Gravity modes (g modes), mixed gravito-acoustic modes (mixed modes), and gravito-inertial modes (gi modes) possess unmatched properties as probes for stars with radiative interiors. The structural and dynamical constraints that they are able to provide cannot be accessed by other means. While they provide precious insights into the internal dynamics of evolved stars as well as massive and intermediate-mass stars, their non-detection in main sequence (MS) solar-type stars make them a crucial missing piece in our understanding of angular momentum transport in radiative zones and stellar rotational evolution. In this work, we aim to apply certain analysis tools originally developed for helioseismology in order to look for g-mode signatures in MS solar-type stars. We select a sample of the 34 most promising MS solar-type stars with Kepler four-year long photometric time series. All these stars are well-characterised late F-type stars with thin convective envelopes, fast convective flows, and stochastically excited acoustic modes (p modes). For each star, we compute the background noise level of the Fourier power spectrum to identify significant peaks at low frequency. After successfully detecting individual peaks in 12 targets, we further analyse four of them and observe distinct patterns of surrounding peaks with a low probability of being noise artifacts. Comparisons with the predictions from reference models suggest that these patterns are compatible with the presence of non-asymptotic low-order pure g modes, pure p modes, and mixed modes. Given their sensitivity to both the convective core interface stratification and the coupling between p- and g-mode resonant cavities, such modes are able to provide strong constraints on the structure and evolutionary states of the related targets. Considering the granulation and activity background of the stars in our sample, we subsequently compute the corresponding mode velocity necessary to trigger a detectable luminosity fluctuation. We use it to estimate the surface velocity, ⟨vr⟩, of the candidate modes we have detected. In this case, we find ⟨vr⟩∼10 cm s−1. These results could be extremely useful for characterising the deep interior of MS solar-type stars, as the upcoming PLATO mission will considerably expand the size of the available working sample.
The first scattered light images of HD 112810, a faint debris disk in the Sco-Cen association
Authors: Matthews E. C. , Bonnefoy M. , Xie C. , Desgrange C. , Desidera S. , Delorme P. , Milli J. , Olofsson J. , Barbato D. , Ceva W. , Augereau J.-C. , Biller B. A. , Chen C. H. , Faramaz-Gorka V. , Galicher R. , Hinkley S. , Lagrange A.-M. , Ménard F. , Pinte C. , Stapelfeldt K. R.
Published: September 2023

Context. Circumstellar debris disks provide insight into the formation and early evolution of planetary systems. Resolved belts in particular help to locate planetesimals in exosystems, and can hint at the presence of disk-sculpting exoplanets.

Aims. We study the circumstellar environment of HD 112810 (HIP 63439), a mid-F-type star in the Sco-Cen association with a significant infrared excess indicating the presence of a circumstellar debris disk.

Methods. We collected five high-contrast observations of HD 112810 with VLT/SPHERE. We identified a debris disk in scattered light, and found that the debris signature is robust over a number of epochs and a variety of reduction techniques. We modeled the disk, accounting for self-subtraction and assuming that it is optically thin.

Results. We find a single-belt debris disk, with a radius of 118 ± 9 au and an inclination angle of 75.7−1.3+1.1. This is in good agreement with the constraints from spectral energy distribution modeling and from a partially resolved ALMA image of the system. No planets are detected, though planets below the detection limit (~2.6 MJ at a projected separation of 118 au) could be present and could have contributed to sculpting the ring of debris.

Conclusions. HD 112810 adds to the growing inventory of debris disks imaged in scattered light. The disk is faint, but the radius and the inclination of the disk are promising for follow-up studies of the dust properties.
Lokale Antibiotikatherapie in der Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie
Authors: Gramlich Yves , Schnetz Matthias , Hoffmann Reinhard
Published: September 2023

2022 jährte sich die Entwicklung der Antibiotikakette zum 50. Mal. Die Beladung von Knochenzementen mit Antibiotika war ein herausragender Fortschritt in der Behandlung muskuloskelettaler
Infektionen; das Verfahren ist heute noch bewährter Standard. Die Erforschung wie auch Verwendung neuartiger Antibiotikaträger ist weiterhin ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Forschung im
Kontext muskuloskelettaler Infektionen. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die verschiedenen erhältlichen lokalen Antibiotika und deren Spezifika. Darüber hinaus werden aktuelle
angepasste Behandlungskonzepte besprochen.
Abklärung und Behandlung des benignen paroxysmalen Lagerungsschwindels mittels manueller und motorisierter Drehstühle
Authors: Tarnutzer Alexander Andrea
Published: September 2023

Der benigne paroyxsmale Lagerungsschwindel (BPLS) ist die häufigste Ursache eines episodischen Schwindels. Während die Diagnose anhand einer gezielten Anamneseerhebung und anschließender Provokationsmanöver auf der Untersucherliege meist zuverlässig gestellt und die Behandlung eingeleitet werden kann, können diese Manöver bei Patienten mit bestimmten Vorerkrankungen (z. B. des Bewegungsapparates oder Nervensystems) nicht oder nur eingeschränkt durchgeführt werden. Gleichzeitig zeigt sich ein Teil der Patienten mit BPLS therapierefraktär. Die Verwendung eines manuellen oder motorisierten Drehstuhls erweitert sowohl die diagnostischen wie auch die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten beim BPLS. So ermöglicht sie einzelnen Patientengruppen aufgrund von Vorerkrankungen eine gezielte Abklärung bei entsprechendem Verdacht und, sofern erforderlich, eine evidenzbasierte Behandlung. Ebenso erweitert der Drehstuhl das Abklärungsspektrum und die Auswahl an Repositionsmanövern in unklaren oder therapierefraktären Fällen. In diesem Übersichtsartikel werden potenzielle Indikationen beschrieben und die Evidenz für die Abklärung und Behandlung des BPLS auf einem Drehstuhl diskutiert.
Interventional Radiology Management of Advanced Schistosomiasis: State of the Art
Authors: Silva Priscila Henriques da , Santos Rômulo Florêncio Tristão dos , Szejnfeld Denis , Salazar Gloria Maria Martinez
Published: September 2023

Advanced schistosomiasis is an infectious disease, endemic in some regions, with long-term implications for patient care. It can be associated with conditions such as portal hypertension, variceal hemorrhage, chronic hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this article, an overview of the most recent data about the role of interventional radiology in the management of these conditions will be presented, as well as the authors' experience on interventional management of schistosomiasis patients.
Nanostructure enabled extracellular vesicles separation and detection
Authors: He Xinyuan , Wei Wei , Duan Xuexin
Published: September 2023

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently attracted significant research attention owing to their important biological functions, including cell-to-cell communication. EVs are a type of membrane vesicles that are secreted into the extracellular space by most types of cells. Several biological biomolecules found in EVs, such as proteins, microRNA, and DNA, are closely related to the pathogenesis of human malignancies, making EVs valuable biomarkers for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Therefore, EV separation and detection are prerequisites for providing important information for clinical research. Conventional separation methods suffer from low levels of purity, as well as the need for cumbersome and prolonged operations. Moreover, detection methods require trained operators and present challenges such as high operational expenses and low sensitivity and specificity. In the past decade, platforms for EV separation and detection based on nanostructures have emerged. This article reviews recent advances in nanostructure-based EV separation and detection techniques. First, nanostructures based on membranes, nanowires, nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement, and surface modification are presented. Second, high-throughput separation of EVs based on nanostructures combined with acoustic and electric fields is described. Third, techniques combining nanostructures with immunofluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, electrochemical detection, or piezoelectric sensors for high-precision EV analysis are summarized. Finally, the potential of nanostructures to detect individual EVs is explored, with the aim of providing insights into the further development of nanostructure-based EV separation and detection techniques.
Nano-structuring metal organic frameworks on semiconductor nanowire arrays for highly sensitive and selective chemical sensing
Authors: John Alishba T. , Wei Shiyu , Yuwono Jodie A. , Kumar Priyank , Nisbet David R. , Karawdeniya Buddini I. , Fu Lan , Murugappan Krishnan , Tricoli Antonio
Published: September 2023

Chemiresistive sensing of gas molecules has been widely investigated for application in medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, showing high sensitivity and low limits of detection toward various volatile organic compounds. While metal oxide semiconductors offer numerous advantages, such as ease of fabrication, high sensitivity, and fast response times, they often suffer of high insufficient selectivity. Here, we report the engineering of a low-temperature sensing platform consisting of nanostructured zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) metal organic frameworks (MOFs) over InP semiconducting nanowire (NW) arrays. These devices were fabricated via top-down etching of InP NW arrays, aerosol deposition of flame-made ZnO nanoparticles, and their chemical vapor conversion to ZIF-8. The presence of ZIF-8 significantly enhances the device sensitivity over that of the pristine InP NW arrays by providing a high density of adsorption sites and faster reduction kinetics. Our optimal sensors can detect NO2 in a large concentration range from 0.1 to 8 ppm, in addition to showing relatively higher responses toward various gas molecules, including CO2, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and propane, in comparison with pristine InP NW sensors. Given the large family of MOFs with controllable pore size and chemical composition, our findings provide a flexible approach for engineering the selectivity of highly sensitive and miniaturized gas sensors for integration in miniaturized devices.
Enhancement of NOx production in water by combining an air bubble plasma jet and an external magnetic field
Authors: Al-Amin Md. , Sah Abhishek Kumar , Roy N. C. , Talukder M. R.
Published: September 2023

Production of NOx (NO2− + NO3−) in water with an air bubble discharge plasma jet under the influence of an external axial steady magnetic field was investigated experimentally. The gas phase plasma parameters, rotational (Tr), vibrational (Tv) and electronic excitation (Tx) temperatures, and electron density (ne), as well as the liquid phase pH and the concentrations of nitrite (NO2−) and nitrate (NO3−), were measured as a function of treatment time and magnetic field strength. It was found that Tr, Tv, Tx, and ne slightly increased as a function of magnetic field strength in the gas phase plasma. The pH decreased both with treatment time and magnetic field strength. In the maximum field strength of 290 mT, the concentrations of NO2− and NO3− were ∼82% and ∼74%, respectively, greater than with B=0. With B=290 mT, the energy cost for producing NOx was ∼78% lower than with B=0. The energy cost may likely be reduced due to decreasing radial diffusion loss of charged species in the discharge with increasing magnetic field strength.
Superconducting quantum interference device readout circuit with tunable feedback polarity
Authors: Wu Xinyu , Liu Jianshe , Chen Wei
Published: September 2023

Feedback circuits, which act as functional units in superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) readout circuits, such as positive feedback circuits for suppressing the preamplifier noise contribution or negative feedback circuits for increasing the linear flux range of SQUID, enable SQUIDs to achieve high performance in practical applications. Integrating feedback circuits with different functions into a single SQUID chip contributes to the construction of highly compact SQUID electronics. Here, we propose a SQUID readout circuit with tunable feedback polarity (TFP). The switching of the feedback polarity is easily realized by applying a control current to the superconducting switches integrated into the SQUID chip. The enhancement of the flux-to-voltage transfer coefficient or the linear flux range depends on the choice of feedback polarity. In addition, we introduce a two-stage scheme to address the degraded noise performance induced by negative feedback. This work attempts to develop a compact and versatile architecture of SQUID readout by using a set of compatible superconducting technologies.
Analysis of charge transport resistance of ZnO-based DSSCs because of the effect of different compression temperatures
Authors: Choudhury M. S. H. , Ahmed Himu Sheik Erfan , Khan Mahatab Uddin , Hasan Md Zahid , Alam Md Shafiul , Soga Tetsuo
Published: September 2023

This article represents a research study about the effect of compression temperature on the performance of Zinc Oxide (ZnO)-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). To find the optimum compression temperature, the electrodeposited photoanodes are subjected to compression at 60 MP with various compression temperatures ranging from room temperature to 80 °C. The performance analysis involved the analysis of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and photocurrent-voltage (I-V) data under dark and illuminated conditions. The EIS data are examined to gain insights into the electron transport mechanism and validate the cell's performance under optimum compression temperature. The findings of this study demonstrate that cells prepared at 60 MP with a compression temperature of 70 °C show the most favorable photovoltaic performance compared to cells prepared at other compression temperatures. Thickness measurement confirms that increasing the compression temperature ensures a compact layer of photoelectrode. A compression temperature greater than 70 °C causes several defects on the photoelectrode surface, as confirmed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy Image. EIS and I-V data confirm that the cell prepared at 60 MP and 70 °C heating gives comparatively lower series resistance and higher shunt resistance.  Though the series and shunt resistance exhibited different values under dark and illumination conditions, their trends remained consistent. Under this optimized compression temperature the cells achieved a maximum efficiency (η) of 2.78%, accompanied by an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.58 V, a photocurrent density (Jsc) of 8.87 mA/cm2, and a fill factor of 0.54.
Cross influence of rotational speed and flow rate on pressure pulsation and hydraulic noise of an axial-flow pump
Authors: Jiang Dongjin , Yang Fan , Cai Yiping , Xu Guiying , Tang Fangping , Jin Yan
Published: September 2023

Axial-flow pumps may experience significant pressure pulsation and high hydraulic noise when deviating from design conditions, and this article investigates the cross influence of rotational speed and flow rate on inlet pressure pulsation and hydraulic noise of an axial-flow pump based on coherence theory through physical model experiments. The energy amplitude of pressure pulsation is directly proportional to rotational speed and inversely proportional to flow rate, as rotational speed increases, the energy distribution of the blade passage frequency (fBPF) within different frequency bands of pressure pulsation improves. Pressure pulsation and the overall natural frequency of the pump device work together to define the primary and secondary frequencies of the sound pressure level, as rotational speed increases, these frequencies eventually move toward 2fBPF, and the coherence coefficient at frequencies of fBPF and 2fBPF is above 0.9. To reduce hydraulic noise, both pressure pulsation and natural frequency should be given sufficient attention.
Numerical simulation of diverging plasma magneto-hydrodynamic acceleration channels
Authors: Wei Jian , Lu Peng , Yan Xiaodie , Huang Hulin
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a numerical study of plasma flow in a magneto-hydrodynamic acceleration channel. The results show that in the channel with equal electrode pair spacing, increasing the magnetic field strength reduces the Joule heat dissipation and the temperature. Increasing the applied voltage increases the external energy input, increasing both the exit Mach number and the internal temperature. Reducing the electrical conductivity achieves a balance between acceleration and temperature rise. For acceleration channels of different shapes, a constant cross section channel can only accelerate the fluid to near sonic speeds, whereas a diverging channel can achieve supersonic speeds. In addition, maintaining constant electrode spacing in the diverging channel effectively prevents fluid deceleration at the rear of the acceleration channel caused by the reverse Lorentz force under high magnetic field strength.
Effect of pressure on superconductivity of LaBi3
Authors: Singh Surinder , Pinsook Udomsilp
Published: September 2023

The electronic properties, phonon properties, and conventional superconducting properties of the newly synthesized AuCu3-type intermetallic compound LaBi3 using first-principle density functional methods have been reported in this research article.Variations in conventional superconducting properties like transition temperature, electron–phonon coupling constant, Eliashberg spectral function and average logarithmic phonon frequency with applied hydrostatic pressure have been reported in this research article. At ambient pressure, the transition temperature and coupling constant was computed to be 7.2 K and 2.78 respectively. The calculated decrease in transition temperature with applied pressure as reported in this article agrees with the previously reported experimental results. Ambient pressure fermi surface was employed to explain the high electron–phonon coupling constant.