bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suspended Load Estimation in Data Scarce Rivers
Authors: Efthimiou Nikolaos
Published: September 2024

Sediment rating curves (SRCs) are tools of satisfactory reliability in the attempt to describe the sediment regime in catchments with limited or poor-quality records. The study valorised the most suitable SRC development method for the estimation of the coarse suspended sediment load at the outlet of nine Mediterranean sub-watersheds. Four established grouping techniques were assessed, to minimize the uncertainty of the results, namely simple rating curve, different ratings for the dry and wet season of the year, hydrographic classification, and broken line interpolation, at three major Greek rivers (Aliakmon, Acheloos – upper route, Arachthos). The methods’ performance was benchmarked against sediment discharge field records, utilizing statistical measures and graphical analyses. The necessary observations were conducted by the Greek Public Power Corporation. The results were site/station dependent, and no methodology emerged as universally accepted. The analysis designated that the simple rating curve performs best at the cross-sections Moni Ilarion, Moni Prodromou, and Arta bridge, the different ratings for the dry and wet season of the year at Grevena bridge and Gogo bridge, the hydrographic classification at Velventos and Plaka bridge, and the broken line interpolation at Avlaki dam and Tsimovo bridge. In this regard, the study advocates the use of multiple SRC methods. Despite its limitations, the method merits a rather simple and cost-effective generation of a (continuous, detailed, sufficiently accurate) synthetic suspended sediment discharge timeseries, with high interpolating, extrapolating and reproducibility potential. The success of the application could benefit, among others, water quality restoration and dam management operations.
Usefulness of the Primary Tumor Standardized Uptake Value of Iodine-123 Metaiodobenzylguanidine for Predicting Metastatic Potential in Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Authors: Hirahara Mitsuho , Nakajo Masatoyo , Kitazano Ikumi , Jinguji Megumi , Tani Atsushi , Takumi Koji , Kamimura Kiyohisa , Tanimoto Akihide , Yoshiura Takashi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To examine the usefulness of semi-quantitative analysis using the standardized uptake value (SUV) of iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine ([123I]-MIBG) for predicting metastatic potential in patients with pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and paraganglioma (PGL).

Procedures

This study included 18 PHEO and 2 PGL patients. [123I]-MIBG visibility and SUV-related parameters (SUVmax, SUVmean, tumor volume of [123I]-MIBG uptake [TV_MIBG], and total lesion [123I]-MIBG uptake) were compared with the pathological grading obtained using the Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal Gland Scaled Score (PASS) and the Grading System for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP), which are used to predict metastatic potential. The PASS scores were categorized as < 4 and ≥ 4. Based on the GAPP scores, PHEOs/PGLs were categorized as follows: well, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumors. The Mann–Whitney U test or Spearman’s rank correlation was used to assess differences or associations between two quantitative variables.

Results

All PHEOs/PGLs were visualized on [123I]-MIBG scintigraphy. There were 16 PASS < 4 and 4 PASS ≥ 4 tumors. Moreover, 11 and 9 tumors were well and moderately differentiated, respectively. The uptake scores and SUV-related parameters significantly differed between tumors with a PASS score of < 4 and those with a PASS score of ≥ 4 (each, p > 0.05). Moderately differentiated tumors had significantly higher uptake scores and SUV-related parameters except TV_MIBG than well-differentiated tumors (each, p < 0.05). The GAPP score was positively correlated with the uptake scores and SUV-related parameters (each, p < 0.05) except TV_MIBG.

Conclusions

The primary tumor [123I]-MIBG uptake assessed using SUV-related parameters can be an imaging tool for predicting metastatic potential in patients with PHEO/PGL.
Vertraute Lebenswelten der Wissenschaftsskepsis. Die Kritik an der Corona-Impfpflicht als Präludium für den Widerstand gegen interventionistische Nachhaltigkeitspolitik
Authors: Pfadenhauer Michaela , Miko-Schefzig Katharina , Buckenleib Arthur , Reiter Cornelia
Published: September 2024

Die Ankündigung einer Impfpflicht im November 2021 in Österreich steht in einer langen Reihe politischer Verordnungen zur Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie. Diese als Eingriffe eines interventionistischen Staates in private Belange wahrgenommenen Maßnahmen hatten umfassende Proteste und Kritik zur Folge. Deren Deutung als verschwörungstheoretische Haltung am gesellschaftlichen Rand ist nicht mit der Bandbreite von Institutionen- und Wissenschaftsskepsis kompatibel, die in der Ablehnung der COVID-19-Impfung zum Ausdruck kommt. Der vorliegende Beitrag präsentiert die Befunde ethnographischer Interviews mit maßnahmenkritischen Personen in der Mitte der Gesellschaft. Die Kombination von Lebensweltanalyse und Subjektivierungsanalyse fördert diskursbezogene Selbstpositionierungen und deren Relevanzsetzungen sowie die Verschiebung sozialer Bezugnahmen während der Pandemie zutage. Die empirisch gewonnene Selbstpositionierung als „wissende Minderheit ohne Resonanzraum“ offenbart die Erfahrung eines Wir, das sich als Bezugsgruppe im Sinne von „small lifeworlds“ darstellt. Ihre Rekonstruktion legt ein transformatorisches Potenzial frei, das nicht zuletzt im Hinblick auf die zu gewärtigende Interventionspolitik zur Bewältigung der Klimakrise gesellschaftlich relevant sein dürfte.
Spatiotemporal Mapping of the Oxytocin Receptor at Single-Cell Resolution in the Postnatally Developing Mouse Brain
Authors: Li Hao , Li Ying , Wang Ting , Li Shen , Liu Heli , Ning Shuyi , Shen Wei , Zhao Zhe , Wu Haitao
Published: September 2024

The oxytocin receptor (OXTR) has garnered increasing attention for its role in regulating both mature behaviors and brain development. It has been established that OXTR mediates a range of effects that are region-specific or period-specific. However, the current studies of OXTR expression patterns in mice only provide limited help due to limitations in resolution. Therefore, our objective was to generate a comprehensive, high-resolution spatiotemporal expression map of Oxtr mRNA across the entire developing mouse brain. We applied RNAscope in situ hybridization to investigate the spatiotemporal expression pattern of Oxtr in the brains of male mice at six distinct postnatal developmental stages (P7, P14, P21, P28, P42, P56). We provide detailed descriptions of Oxtr expression patterns in key brain regions, including the cortex, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and amygdaloid complex, with a focus on the precise localization of Oxtr
+ cells and the variance of expression between different neurons. Furthermore, we identified some neuronal populations with high Oxtr expression levels that have been little studied, including glutamatergic neurons in the ventral dentate gyrus, Vgat
+
Oxtr
+ cells in the basal forebrain, and GABAergic neurons in layers 4/5 of the cortex. Our study provides a novel perspective for understanding the distribution of Oxtr and encourages further investigations into its functions.
Effects of the English language intervention as a foreign language for struggling elementary readers in South Korea: a meta-analysis
Authors: Shin HyeYun Gladys , Kim Dongil
Published: September 2024

This meta-analysis comprehensively examined the effects of English language interventions on struggling elementary school learners in South Korea learning English as a foreign language. A total of 22 studies of experimental and quasi-experimental studies were separately analyzed by the study design using a random-effects model, and the mean effect size was medium (g = 0.68, SE = 0.26, CI95 = 0.18, 1.18, p < 0.01) for the experimental studies while the mean effect size was large (g = 1.39, SE = 0.67, CI95 = 0.08, 2.69, p < 0.05) for the quasi-experimental studies. Due to the large homogeneity statistics, subgroup analyses were additionally conducted for possible moderator effects contributing to the mean. The subgroup analyses indicated large effects in the affective (e.g., student’s motivation) and achievement (e.g., reading comprehension) type of outcome measures and effective intervention components (e.g., shared reading). Other effective contextual characteristics including the total session numbers, intervention frequency, and classroom type are also discussed along with the study limitations and future directions for the struggling readers learning English as a foreign language.
Prognostic determinants in cancer survival: a multidimensional evaluation of clinical and genetic factors across 10 cancer types in the participants of Genomics England’s 100,000 Genomes Project
Authors: Gammall Jurgita , Lai Alvina G.
Published: September 2024

Background

Cancer is a complex disease, caused and impacted by a combination of genetic, demographic, clinical, environmental and lifestyle factors. Analysis of cancer characteristics, risk factors, treatment options and the heterogeneity across cancer types has been the focus of medical research for years. The aim of this study is to describe and summarise genetic, clinicopathological, behavioural and demographic characteristics and their differences across ten common cancer types and evaluate their impact on overall survival outcomes.

Methods

This study included data from 9977 patients with bladder, breast, colorectal, endometrial, glioma, leukaemia, lung, ovarian, prostate, and renal cancers. Genetic data collected through the 100,000 Genomes Project was linked with clinical and demographic data provided by the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service (NCRAS), Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS). Descriptive and Kaplan Meier survival analyses were performed to visualise similarities and differences across cancer types. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to identify statistically significant prognostic factor associations with overall survival.

Results

161 clinical and 124 genetic factors were evaluated for prognostic association with overall survival. Of these, 116 unique factors were found to have significant prognostic effect for overall survival across ten cancer types when adjusted for age, sex and stage. The findings confirmed prognostic associations with overall survival identified in previous studies in factors such as multimorbidity, tumour mutational burden, and mutations in genes BRAF, CDH1, NF1, NRAS, PIK3CA, PTEN, TP53. The results also identified new prognostic associations with overall survival in factors such as mental health conditions, female health-related conditions, previous hospital encounters and mutations in genes FANCE, FBXW7, GATA3, MSH6, PTPN11, RB1, RNF43.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive view of clinicopathological and genetic prognostic factors across different cancer types and draws attention to less commonly known factors which might help produce more precise prognosis and survival estimates. The results from this study contribute to the understanding of cancer disease and could be used by researchers to develop complex prognostic models, which in turn could help predict cancer prognosis more accurately and improve patient outcomes.
Epidemiological Principles in Claims of Causality: An Enquiry into Repetitive Head Impacts (RHI) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
Authors: Fortington Lauren V. , Cassidy J. David , Castellani Rudolph J. , Gardner Andrew J. , McIntosh Andrew S. , Austen Michael , Kerr Zachary Yukio , Quarrie Kenneth L.
Published: September 2024

Determining whether repetitive head impacts (RHI) cause the development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-neuropathological change (NC) and whether pathological changes cause clinical syndromes are topics of considerable interest to the global sports medicine community. In 2022, an article was published that used the Bradford Hill criteria to evaluate the claim that RHI cause CTE. The publication garnered international media attention and has since been promoted as definitive proof that causality has been established. Our counterpoint presents an appraisal of the published article in terms of the claims made and the scientific literature used in developing those claims. We conclude that the evidence provided does not justify the causal claims. We discuss how causes are conceptualised in modern epidemiology and highlight shortcomings in the current definitions and measurement of exposures (RHI) and outcomes (CTE). We address the Bradford Hill arguments that are used as evidence in the original review and conclude that assertions of causality having been established are premature. Members of the scientific community must be cautious of making causal claims until the proposed exposures and outcomes are well defined and consistently measured, and findings from appropriately designed studies have been published. Evaluating and reflecting on the quality of research is a crucial step in providing accurate evidence-based information to the public.

Graphical abstract
Politeness Variation: Politeness in Britain, Australia, and Hong Kong
Authors: Xie Fang
Published: September 2024

British culture is often characterized by off-record or negative politeness (e.g., Blum-Kulka, 1987; Ogiermann, 2009) and norms giving prominence to social distance (van Dorst et al., 2024). It is worth exploring whether other English varieties exhibit similar characteristics within the field of variational pragmatics. This paper presents a corpus-based study that investigates politeness variation in Britain, Australia, and Hong Kong. This study seeks empirical evidence regarding variations among British English, Australian English, and Hong Kong English in terms of three different politeness types: tentativeness, deference, and solidarity, and three different levels of formality: informal, neutral, and formal. Twenty-one frequently occurred formulaic expressions regularly associated with politeness are chosen and retrieved from the GB, AU, and HK components of the GloBwE Corpus. A close analysis of the results revealed significant differences across politeness types and levels of formality among the three English varieties. Australian English exhibits the highest relative frequency of deference politeness, solidarity politeness, and both informal and formal politeness formulae, followed by British English, with Hong Kong English showing the least. In contrast, Hong Kong English has the highest relative frequency of tentativeness politeness and neutral formality politeness formulae. This study finds that several factors may influence the use of three politeness types and three levels of formalities, including urbanization level, population density, settings, culture, and pragmatic transfer. Overall, this study examines politeness variation in British, Australian, and Hong Kong English using corpus-based methods, contributing to both variational pragmatics and corpus pragmatics.
Deciphering the molecular composition and sources of dissolved organic matter in urban rivers based on optical spectroscopy and FT-ICR-MS analyses
Authors: Ren Yi , Liu Shasha , Liu Leizhen , Suo Chengyu , Fu Rui , Zhang Yuxin , Qiu Yue , Wu Fengchang
Published: September 2024

The components and sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in urban water bodies are extremely complicated due to multiple environmental and anthropogenic factors. The comprehensive analysis of the DOM molecular composition is crucial for deep understanding their reactivities, environmental behaviors, and fates in aquatic ecosystems, thereby improving our ability to monitor and protect aquatic systems. In this study, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM) were combined with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) to investigate the optical and molecular characteristics of DOM in the Yongding River (YDH) and Beiyun River (BYH), two typical urban rivers with distinct landscapes and anthropogenic influences in Beijing, China. Results showed that DOM in BYH was mainly composed of proteins from microbial and sewage sources with low aromaticity, molecular weight, and abundant saturated labile compounds, along with a significant presence of anthropogenic surfactants. Whereas the YDH was primarily composed of humic substances from plant- and soil-derived terrestrials, with higher aromaticity humification, unsaturation and refractory compounds. In addition, due to the accumulation of refractory compounds, the concentration of DOC and the degree of organic pollution increased from upstream to downstream of the rivers, manifested as an increase in humification and molecular weight at the molecular level. Our results confirmed that landscape urbanization broadly modified the structure of DOM to be more aliphatic and saturated. The findings of this study will provide important insights into the chemdiverse molecular composition of DOM undergoing different influences from human activities and provide significant guidance for water quality management in urban river ecosystems.

Graphical Abstract
Digitalisation and sustainability measures at the firm level
Authors: Horbach Jens
Published: September 2024

The paper analyses the “twin transition” of digitalisation and sustainability at the firm level. Operational definitions of digitalisation and sustainability allowing the development of fitting empirical indicators are discussed. The possible technical and social transmission channels of the effects of digitalisation on a sustainable firm development are analysed. Less energy consumption induced by intelligent sensoring systems, the reduction of meetings in presence by video conferences or the promotion of home office work leading to less travel activities may lead to a more sustainable production. Digitalisation might also act as pre-condition of eco-process innovations (e. g. the introduction of intelligent control systems leading to material and energy savings). The empirical analysis is based on firm data of the recent Eurobarometer 486/2020 of the European Commission. The econometric results show that “digitally active” firms seem to be more sustainable for all available indicators, but the marginal effects considerably differ between measures such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, or the use of smart devices and intelligent sensors for the various sustainability-related activities of the firms.
Legacy and Limits of NGEU
Authors: Hinarejos Alicia
Published: September 2024

This contribution will analyze the significance and legacy of Next Generation EU (NGEU). It will start by providing a snapshot of the state of the EU's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) before the pandemic struck in 2020. It will then map out NGEU's likely legacy, arguing that NGEU may change the way the EU raises and spends revenues in the future. The essay will finish by reflecting on how NGEU may change our interpretation of important elements of EMU and affect the ongoing debate about the future of fiscal integration within the EU.
Large‐Scale Climate Features Control Fire Emissions and Transport in Africa
Authors: Dezfuli Amin , Ichoku Charles M. , Bosilovich Michael G.
Published: September 2024

Recent increase in extreme wildfire events has led to major health and environmental consequences across the globe. These adverse impacts underlined the need for better understanding of this phenomenon and to formulate mitigating actions. While previous research has focused on local weather drivers of wildfires, our knowledge about their large‐scale climatic controls remains limited, especially in tropical Africa, which stands out as a global hotspot for fire emissions. Here, we show that interannual variability of carbon emission due to fires in the southern Congo Basin is strongly linked to low‐level winds that are controlled by the Indian Ocean subtropical high. The interhemispheric transport of these emissions to West Africa relies on the intensity and position of both Indian and South Atlantic subtropical highs. Combined effects of this transport mechanism and carbon production in the source region explain a majority of the interannual variability of black carbon in West Africa.
Looking for Subsurface Oceans Within the Moons of Uranus Using Librations and Gravity
Authors: Hemingway D. J. , Nimmo F.
Published: September 2024

Several of the icy moons in the Jupiter and Saturn systems appear to possess internal liquid water oceans. Our knowledge of the Uranian moons is more limited but a future tour of the system has the potential to detect subsurface oceans. Planning for this requires an understanding of how the moons' internal structures—with and without oceans—relate to observable quantities. Here, we show that the amplitude of forced physical librations could be diagnostic of the presence or absence of subsurface oceans within the Uranian moons. In the presence of a decoupling global ocean, ice shell libration amplitudes at Miranda, Ariel, and Umbriel will exceed 100 m if the shells are thick. The presence of oceans could also imply significant tidal heating within the last few hundred million years. Combining librations with the quadrupole gravity field could provide comprehensive constraints on the internal structures and histories of the Uranian moons.
Changes in Four Decades of Near‐CONUS Tropical Cyclones in an Ensemble of 12 km Thermodynamic Global Warming Simulations
Authors: Zarzycki Colin M. , Zhang Tyrone , Jones Andrew D. , Rastogi Deeksha , Vahmani Pouya , Ullrich Paul A.
Published: September 2024

We evaluate tropical cyclones (TCs) in a set of thermodynamic global warming (TGW) simulations over the continental United States (CONUS). A 12 km simulation forced by ERA5 provides a 40‐year historical (1980–2019) control. Four complimentary future scenarios are generated using thermodynamic deltas applied to lateral boundary, interior, and surface forcing. We curate a data set of 4,498 6‐hourly TC snapshots in the control and find a corresponding “twin” in each counterfactual, permitting a paired comparison. Warming results in an increase in mean dynamical TC intensity and moisture‐related quantities, with the latter being more pronounced. TC inner cores contract slightly but outer storm size remains unchanged. The frequency with which TCs become more intense is only moderately consistent, with snapshots having increased hazards ranging from 50% to 80% depending on warming level. The fractions of TCs undergoing rapid intensification and weakening both increase across all warming simulations, suggesting elevated short‐term intensity variability.
Inland Summer Speedup at Zachariæ Isstrøm, Northeast Greenland, Driven by Subglacial Hydrology
Authors: Khan Shfaqat A. , Morlighem Mathieu , Ehrenfeucht Shivani , Seroussi Helene , Choi Youngmin , Rignot Eric , Humbert Angelika , Pickell Derek , Hassan Javed
Published: September 2024

The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) has experienced substantial dynamic thinning in recent years. Here, we examine the evolving behavior of NEGIS, with focus on summer speedup at Zachariae Isstrøm, one of the NEGIS outlet glaciers, which has exhibited rapid retreat and acceleration, indicative of its vulnerability to changing climate conditions. Through a combination of Sentinel‐1 data, in‐situ GPS observations, and numerical ice flow modeling from 2007, we investigate the mechanisms driving short‐term changes. Our analysis reveals a summer speedup in ice flow both near the terminus and inland, with satellite data detecting changes up to 60 km inland, while GPS data capture changes up to 190 km inland along the glacier center line. We attribute this summer speedup to variations in subglacial hydrology, where surface meltwater runoff influences basal friction over the melt season. Incorporating subglacial hydrology into numerical models makes it possible to replicate observed ice velocity patterns.
SMAC mimetic drives microglia phenotype and glioblastoma immune microenvironment
Authors: Snacel-Fazy Emmanuel , Soubéran Aurélie , Grange Magali , Joseph Kevin , Colin Carole , Morando Philippe , Luche Hervé , Pagano Alessandra , Brustlein Sophie , Debarbieux Franck , Toutain Soline , Siret Carole , van de Pavert Serge A. , Rougon Geneviève , Figarella-Branger Dominique , Ravi Vidhya Madapusi , Tabouret Emeline , Tchoghandjian Aurélie
Published: September 2024

Tumor-associated macrophages/microglia (TAMs) are highly plastic and heterogeneous immune cells that can be immune-supportive or tumor-supportive depending of the microenvironment. TAMs are the most abundant immune cells in glioblastoma (GB), and play a key role in immunosuppression. Therefore, TAMs reprogramming toward immune-supportive cells is a promising strategy to overcome immunosuppression. By leveraging scRNAseq human GB databases, we identified that Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP) were expressed by TAMs. To investigate their role in TAMs-related immunosuppression, we antagonized IAP using the central nervous system permeant SMAC mimetic GDC-0152 (SMg). On explants and cultured immune cells isolated from human GB samples, SMg modified TAMs activity. We showed that SMg treatment promoted microglia pro-apoptotic and anti-tumoral function via caspase-3 pro-inflammatory cleavage and the inhibition of tumoroids growth. Then we designed a relevant immunogenic mouse GB model to decipher the spatio-temporal densities, distribution, phenotypes and function of TAMs with or without SMg treatment. We used 3D imaging techniques, a transgenic mouse with fluorescent TAM subsets and mass cytometry. We confirmed that SMg promoted microglia activation, antigen-presenting function and tumor infiltration. In addition, we observed a remodeling of blood vessels, a decrease in anti-inflammatory macrophages and an increased level of monocytes and their mo-DC progeny. This remodeling of the TAM landscape is associated with an increase in CD8 T cell density and activation. Altogether, these results demonstrated that SMg drives the immunosuppressive basal microglia toward an active phenotype with pro-apoptotic and anti-tumoral function and modifies the GB immune landscape. This identifies IAP as targets of choice for a potential mechanism-based therapeutic strategy and SMg as a promising molecule for this application.
Relationship between hypertransmission defect size and progression in eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Nanegrungsunk Onnisa , Corradetti Giulia , Phinyo Phichayut , Choovuthayakorn Janejit , Sadda Srinivas R.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To determine the associations between the presence of various-sized hypertransmission defects (hyperTDs) and progression to incomplete retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and outer retinal atrophy (iRORA) and complete RORA (cRORA) in eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD).

Methods

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) data from consecutive iAMD patients, were retrospectively reviewed. All of iAMD eyes with or without iRORA (but not cRORA) at baseline were included. Graders evaluated the presence of hyperTDs at baseline (small: 63–124 µm; medium: 125–249 µm; large: ≥ 250 µm in diameter on choroidal en face OCT) and the progression two years later.

Results

Of the 145 eyes that not developed neovascular AMD at two years, the eyes that progressed to or developed iRORA or cRORA included 13 eyes (10.7%), 5 eyes (83.3%), 9 eyes (81.8%), and 6 eyes (85.7%) in the groups with no, small, medium, and large hyperTDs at baseline, respectively (P-value < 0.001). The odds ratios (95% CI) for progression were 41.6 (4.5–383.6), 37.4 (7.3–192.0), and 49.9 (5.6–447.1) in the small, medium, and large hyperTDs groups, compared to no hyperTDs (P-value ≤ 0.001). Eyes with ≥ 2 hyperTDs also showed more frequent progression than eyes with one or no hyperTDs (100% vs. 16.4%; P-value < 0.001).

Conclusions

While most iAMD eyes with no hyperTDs remained stable on OCT over two years, eyes with hyperTDs of any size appeared to be at a higher risk for progression. HyperTDs may provide an important OCT biomarker for identifying high-risk iAMD patients.
Structural basis for ryanodine receptor type 2 leak in heart failure and arrhythmogenic disorders
Authors: Miotto Marco C. , Reiken Steven , Wronska Anetta , Yuan Qi , Dridi Haikel , Liu Yang , Weninger Gunnar , Tchagou Carl , Marks Andrew R.
Published: September 2024

Heart failure, the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed world, is characterized by cardiac ryanodine receptor 2 channels that are hyperphosphorylated, oxidized, and depleted of the stabilizing subunit calstabin-2. This results in a diastolic sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ leak that impairs cardiac contractility and triggers arrhythmias. Genetic mutations in ryanodine receptor 2 can also cause Ca2+ leak, leading to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Here, we solved the cryogenic electron microscopy structures of ryanodine receptor 2 variants linked either to heart failure or inherited sudden cardiac death. All are in the primed state, part way between closed and open. Binding of Rycal drugs to ryanodine receptor 2 channels reverts the primed state back towards the closed state, decreasing Ca2+ leak, improving cardiac function, and preventing arrhythmias. We propose a structural-physiological mechanism whereby the ryanodine receptor 2 channel primed state underlies the arrhythmias in heart failure and arrhythmogenic disorders.
Unified framework for open quantum dynamics with memory
Authors: Ivander Felix , Lindoy Lachlan P. , Lee Joonho
Published: September 2024

The dynamics of quantum systems coupled to baths are typically studied using the Nakajima-Zwanzig memory kernel ($${{{\bf{{{{\mathcal{K}}}}}}}}$$
K
) or the influence functions (I), particularly when memory effects are present. Despite their significance, formal connections between the two have not been explicitly known. We establish their connections by examining the system propagator for a N-level system linearly coupled to Gaussian baths with various types of system-bath coupling. For a certain class of problems, we devised a non-perturbative, diagrammatic approach to construct $${{{\bf{{{{\mathcal{K}}}}}}}}$$
K
from I for (driven) systems interacting with Gaussian baths, bypassing conventional projection-free dynamics inputs. Our work provides a way to interpret approximate path integral methods in terms of approximate memory kernels. Moreover, it offers a Hamiltonian learning procedure to extract the bath spectral density from reduced system trajectories, opening new avenues in quantum sensing and engineering. The insights we provide advance our understanding of non-Markovian dynamics and will serve as a stepping stone for future theoretical and experimental developments in this area.
Data-driven discovery of potent small molecule ice recrystallisation inhibitors
Authors: Warren Matthew T. , Biggs Caroline I. , Bissoyi Akalabya , Gibson Matthew I. , Sosso Gabriele C.
Published: September 2024

Controlling the formation and growth of ice is essential to successfully cryopreserve cells, tissues and biologics. Current efforts to identify materials capable of modulating ice growth are guided by iterative changes and human intuition, with a major focus on proteins and polymers. With limited data, the discovery pipeline is constrained by a poor understanding of the mechanisms and the underlying structure-activity relationships. In this work, this barrier is overcome by constructing machine learning models capable of predicting the ice recrystallisation inhibition activity of small molecules. We generate a new dataset via experimental measurements of ice growth, then harness predictive models combining state-of-the-art descriptors with domain-specific features derived from molecular simulations. The models accurately identify potent small molecule ice recrystallisation inhibitors within a commercial compound library. Identified hits can also mitigate cellular damage during transient warming events in cryopreserved red blood cells, demonstrating how data-driven approaches can be used to discover innovative cryoprotectants and enable next-generation cryopreservation solutions for the cold chain.
Learning chemical sensitivity reveals mechanisms of cellular response
Authors: Connell William , Garcia Kristle , Goodarzi Hani , Keiser Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Chemical probes interrogate disease mechanisms at the molecular level by linking genetic changes to observable traits. However, comprehensive chemical screens in diverse biological models are impractical. To address this challenge, we develop ChemProbe, a model that predicts cellular sensitivity to hundreds of molecular probes and drugs by learning to combine transcriptomes and chemical structures. Using ChemProbe, we infer the chemical sensitivity of cancer cell lines and tumor samples and analyze how the model makes predictions. We retrospectively evaluate drug response predictions for precision breast cancer treatment and prospectively validate chemical sensitivity predictions in new cellular models, including a genetically modified cell line. Our model interpretation analysis identifies transcriptome features reflecting compound targets and protein network modules, identifying genes that drive ferroptosis. ChemProbe is an interpretable in silico screening tool that allows researchers to measure cellular response to diverse compounds, facilitating research into molecular mechanisms of chemical sensitivity.
Research on low-carbon supply chain emission reduction strategies based on blockchain technology
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhang Lingrong
Published: September 2024

The difficulty of regulating carbon trading due to information asymmetry and low consumer trust in low-carbon products are key factors hindering companies from reducing emissions. This paper examines a manufacturer-led secondary low-carbon supply chain consisting of a single supplier and a retailer, focusing on the impact of blockchain technology on carbon transaction costs and consumers’ low-carbon preferences. Utilizing Stackelberg game theory, the paper constructs a supply chain decision model for emission reduction, determining the payment matrix and analyzing the stable strategy for blockchain adoption through evolutionary game theory. The findings indicate that retailers’ adoption of blockchain technology significantly promotes emission reduction within the supply chain, whereas manufacturers’ adoption has minimal impact. Additionally, the study reveals that variations in blockchain adoption costs and carbon quotas result in multiple evolutionary stable strategies. Specifically, when blockchain adoption costs and carbon quotas are below certain thresholds, the system reaches a unique equilibrium where both parties adopt blockchain technology.
Retraction Note: Clinical Application of Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies
Authors: yang Yang , weipeng Huang
Published: September 2024

This article has been retracted by Thieme and the Editor in Chief. This article was published in error and this retraction is thus not the result of any fault or action of the authors. The Publisher and Editor apologise for this mistake and any inconvenience caused by this error.
Efficient and Direct Route to 5-Iodo-4H-Quinoxalines via Copper-Catalyzed Double C–N Arylations of 1,2,3-Triiodoarenes: Potential Application towards 5-Substituted 4H-Quinoxalines
Authors: Al-Zoubi Raed M. , Shkoor Mohanad , Al-Jammal Walid K. , Bani-Yaseen Abdulilah D. , Ferguson Michael J.
Published: September 2024

A simple, direct, and regioselective protocol to substituted 5-iodo-4H-quinoxalines through double C–N arylations of 1,2,3-triiodobenzenes and 1,2-diamines is reported. Remarkably, the N-arylation couplings proceed unimolecularly at the vicinal positions, the most active and less hindered positions. This process tolerates a wide range of aromatic substrates. The reactions of electron-deficient 1,2,3-triiodoarene systems and DMEDA under the optimized conditions provided the highest isolated yields. The chemical transformation of the target compound, which serves as a valuable precursor in synthesis, was successfully demonstrated in the Suzuki–Miyaura reaction, giving the desired coupling derivatives with excellent isolated yields. This article describes a method for the first and unprecedented synthesis of 5-iodo-4H-quinoxalines that is regioselective, scalable, and provides useful derivatives for other chemical reactions
Design and modeling of indirectly driven magnetized implosions on the NIF
Authors: Strozzi D. J. , Sio H. , Zimmerman G. B. , Moody J. D. , Weber C. R. , Djordjević B. Z. , Walsh C. A. , Hammel B. A. , Pollock B. B. , Povilus A. , Chittenden J. P. , O'Neill S.
Published: September 2024

The use of magnetic fields to improve the performance of hohlraum-driven implosions on the National Ignition Facility (NIF) is discussed. The focus is on magnetically insulated inertial confinement fusion, where the primary field effect is to reduce electron-thermal and alpha-particle loss from the compressed hotspot (magnetic pressure is of secondary importance). We summarize the requirements to achieve this state. The design of recent NIF magnetized hohlraum experiments is presented. These are close to earlier shots in the three-shock, high-adiabat (BigFoot) campaign, subject to the constraints that magnetized NIF targets must be fielded at room-temperature, and use ≲1 MJ of laser energy to avoid the risk of optics damage from stimulated Brillouin scattering. We present results from the original magnetized hohlraum platform, as well as a later variant that gives a higher hotspot temperature. In both platforms, imposed fields (at the capsule center) of up to 28 T increase the fusion yield and hotspot temperature. Integrated radiation-magneto-hydrodynamic modeling with the Lasnex code of these shots is shown, where laser power multipliers and a saturation clamp on cross-beam energy transfer are developed to match the time of peak capsule emission and the P2 Legendre moment of the hotspot x-ray image. The resulting fusion yield and ion temperature agree decently with the measured relative effects of the field, although the absolute simulated yields are higher than the data by 2.0−2.7×. The tuned parameters and yield discrepancy are comparable for experiments with and without an imposed field, indicating the model adequately captures the field effects. Self-generated and imposed fields are added sequentially to simulations of one BigFoot NIF shot to understand how they alter target dynamics.
Data streaming infra-red video bolometer (IRVB) of Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR)
Authors: Oh Seungtae , Han Yoonseong , Peterson Byron
Published: September 2024

Due to the increasing demands for active plasma control operations, in situ diagnostics are highly sought after. Tungsten plasma-facing components have been utilized in the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) lower divertor since the 2023 campaign. Plasma radiation is a key parameter for plasma control, especially in radiation front control experiments. Therefore, the KSTAR infra-red video bolometer (IRVB) needs to be reconfigured into an in situ data streaming diagnostic. This requires comprehensive changes in both infra-red camera control and data analysis compared to the previous system. To ensure the stability of the reconfigured system, functional parts are grouped and separated into individual processes to protect camera acquisitions from errors in other processes. In addition, to enhance the speed of data streaming analysis, the analysis code has been optimized and converted into graphics processing unit (GPU) code. Besides the data streaming analysis, the system is also designed to support post-shot analysis with the entire frame data for the same shot to address frame drop issues encountered during data streaming. Radiation front control experiments with N2 gas seeding are successful results of the data streaming IRVB for its commissioning. This paper focuses on the development of the data streaming IRVB system.
A novel variable-coefficient extended Davey–Stewartson system for internal waves in the presence of background flows
Authors: Sun Jun-Chao , Tang Xiao-Yan , Chen Yong
Published: September 2024

We propose a novel variable-coefficient Davey–Stewartson type system for studying internal wave phenomena in finite-depth stratified fluids with background flows, where the upper- and lower-layer fluids possess distinct velocity potentials, and the variable-coefficient terms are primarily controlled by the background flows. This realizes the first application of variable-coefficient DS-type equations in the field of internal waves. Compared to commonly used internal wave models, this system not only describes multiple types of internal waves, such as internal solitary waves, internal breathers, and internal rogue waves, but also aids in analyzing the impact of background flows on internal waves. We provide the influence of different background flow patterns on the dynamic behavior and spatial position of internal waves, which contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms through which background flows influence internal waves. Furthermore, the system is capable of capturing variations in the velocity potentials of the upper and lower layers. We discover a connection between internal waves under the influence of background flows and velocity potentials. Through the variations in velocity potentials within the flow field, the dynamic behaviors of internal waves can be indirectly inferred, their amplitude positions located, and different types of internal waves distinguished. This result may help address the current shortcomings in satellite detection of internal wave dynamics and internal rogue waves.
Performance prediction and design optimization of a transonic rotor based on deep transfer learning
Authors: Deng Hefang , Zhang Songan , Xia Kailong , Qiang Xiaoqing , Zhu Mingmin , Teng Jinfang
Published: September 2024

Deep transfer learning is frequently employed to address the challenges arising from limited or hard-to-obtain training data in the target domain, but its application in axial compressors has been scarcely explored thus far. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization framework of a transonic rotor is established using deep transfer learning. This framework first pre-trains deep neural networks based on the peak efficiency condition of 100% design speed and then fine-tunes the networks to predict the performance of off-design conditions based on the small training dataset. Finally, the design optimization of the transonic rotor is carried out through non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II. Compared to neural networks that are trained directly, transfer learning models can achieve higher prediction accuracy, particularly in scenarios with small training datasets. This is because the pre-trained weights can offer a better initial state for transfer learning models. Moreover, transfer learning models can use fewer samples to obtain an approximate Pareto front, making the optimized rotor increase the isentropic efficiency at both peak efficiency and high loading conditions. The efficiency improvement of the optimized rotor is attributed to the reduction of the loss associated with the tip leakage flow by adjusting the tip loading distribution. Overall, this study fully demonstrates the effectiveness of transfer learning in predicting compressor performance, which provides a promising approach to solving high-cost compressor design problems.
Enhancement of the subcritical boiling heat transfer in microchannels by a flow-induced vibrating cylinder
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed , Zhang Chuangde , Rajamuni Methma , Chen Li , Young John , Tian Fang-Bao
Published: September 2024

The flow boiling heat transfer in microchannels has been extensively used in engineering due to its high heat dissipation with a small temperature difference. This study employs a hybrid method to numerically investigate the effects of a flow-induced vibrating cylinder on enhancing the subcritical boiling heat transfer in microchannels. The hybrid approach integrates the pseudopotential multiphase lattice Boltzmann method for modeling unsteady flows, the finite difference method for solving the heat transfer equation, and the immersed boundary method for handling the boundary condition at the fluid–cylinder interface. Flow boiling simulations in the microchannel are performed for three setups: a smooth vertical channel, a vertical channel with a stationary cylinder, and a vertical channel with a flexibly supported cylinder. Simulations have been conducted by varying the Reynolds number based on the diameter of the cylinder (Red) from 35 to 333.3, the dimensionless boiling number (Bo) from 0.001 84 to 0.045 97, and blockage ratio (BR) of 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0. It is found that the vortical wake of the cylinder is important in enhancing the heat transfer in microchannels, which is quantified by the (Red). Specifically, when Red<48.0, both stationary and flexibly supported cylinders have almost the same effect on heat transfer during the flow boiling process, as there is no vortex shedding from both cylinders; when 48.0≤Red<68.2, the flexibly supported cylinder achieved higher enhancement than the stationary cylinder, which is due to the vortical wake generated by the flow-induced vibration in a subcritical Reynolds number regime; when 68.2≤Red, both stationary and flexibly supported cylinders have comparable effect on the rates of heat transfer, because both cylinders generate similar vortical wakes. Flow field analysis indicates that the disturbance due to the vortex wakes on the thermal boundary and/or the vapor insulation layer is the mechanism of the heat transfer enhancement in channels.
Ligand field exciton annihilation in bulk CrCl3
Authors: Sridhar Samanvitha , Khansari Ario , O’Donnell Shaun , Barth Alexandra T. , Danilov Evgeny O. , Castellano Felix N. , Maggard Paul A. , Dougherty Daniel B.
Published: September 2024

The layered van der Waals material CrCl3 exhibits very strongly bound ligand field excitons that control optoelectronic applications and are connected with magnetic ordering by virtue of their d-orbital origin. Time-resolved photoluminescence of these exciton populations at room temperature shows that their relaxation is dominated by exciton–exciton annihilation and that the spontaneous decay lifetime is very long. These observations allow the rough quantification of the exciton annihilation rate constant and contextualization in light of a recent theory of universal scaling behavior of the annihilation process.