bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Drug Utilization and Dose Intensity Pattern in Dyslipidemic Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Safwan Abdul , G. Suresh , Shaji Bipin , Sridhar Srinitha , Kolar Reshma , Joel Juno Jerold
Published: November 2023

Dyslipidemia can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with metabolic diseases. Patients may have to take multiple medications simultaneously, leading to polypharmacy. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate drug utilization and dose intensity patterns in dyslipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus over an 8-month period at a tertiary care hospital. The study included the case sheets of patients diagnosed with dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes. The required data for the study were collected from the patient's case sheets from the Medical Records Department (from June 2015 to May 2020). The data were documented using MS Excel 2013 and analyzed descriptively using SPSS software version 20. Among the 384 study population, 53% were males and 47% were females, with an age group of 45 to 59 years. Metformin and glimepiride were the most commonly prescribed oral hypoglycemic agents, while glibenclamide was the least prescribed. Atorvastatin was the most prescribed hypolipidemic agent. The combination of atorvastatin and fenofibrate was the most preferred combination therapy. The most frequently prescribed hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents were metformin and atorvastatin, respectively. Dyslipidemic patients with diabetes mellitus require the administration of multiple medications. It is crucial to monitor medication adherence and medication-related problems among these populations.
Long-Term Survival after Primary Ewing's Sarcoma of the Skull with Intracranial Extension
Authors: Rainov Nikolai G. , Haritonov Dimitar , Heidecke Volkmar
Published: November 2023

Background and Objective Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull is a very rare malignant neoplasm, predominantly occurring in children and adolescents. We describe here the clinical, neuroradiologic, and histopathologic features of a patient with primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull and discuss the standards of therapy for this type of tumor.

Clinical Presentation This 18-year-old male patient presented with a primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull, involving the dura of the frontal and parietal lobes of the left cerebral hemisphere. He was treated with gross total surgical excision of tumor, skull reconstruction, chemotherapy, and irradiation. Twelve years after the surgery, the patient has no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases. Radical surgical excision of the primary tumor with safety margins is thought to play a role in the favorable clinical course.

Conclusion The presented case is the longest surviving patient after treatment of primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull bone. This rare type of tumor may allow better survival rates under adequate management than sarcoma elsewhere in the body.
Artificial Intelligence in studies—use of ChatGPT and AI-based tools among students in Germany
Authors: von Garrel Jörg , Mayer Jana
Published: November 2023

AI-based tools such as ChatGPT and GPT-4 are currently changing the university landscape and in many places, the consequences for future forms of teaching and examination are already being discussed. In order to create an empirical basis for this, a nationwide survey of students was carried out in order to analyse the use and possible characteristics of AI-based tools that are important to students. The aim of the quantitative study is to be able to draw conclusions about how students use such AI tools. A total of more than 6300 students across Germany took part in the anonymous survey. The results of this quantitative analysis make it clear that almost two-thirds of the students surveyed use or have used AI-based tools as part of their studies. In this context, almost half of the students explicitly mention ChatGPT or GPT-4 as a tool they use. Students of engineering sciences, mathematics and natural sciences use AI-based tools most frequently. A differentiated examination of the usage behaviour makes it clear that students use AI-based tools in a variety of ways. Clarifying questions of understanding and explaining subject-specific concepts are the most relevant reasons for use in this context.
Plasma parameters and electric field fluctuations in a cold micro-plasma jet interacting with a substrate
Authors: Behmani Deepika , Bhattacharjee Sudeep
Published: November 2023

Interaction of a cold atmospheric pressure micro-plasma jet with different types of substrates having a range of electrical permittivity (εr), such as conductor (copper), semiconductor (p-type silicon), insulator (Teflon and quartz), and biological (goat skin), is carried out experimentally. The electric field fluctuations, cross-phase analysis, plasma parameters [electron excitation temperature (Texc) and electron density (ne)], average propagation velocity of the plasma bullet, gas temperature (Tg), power dissipated on the substrates, and substrate temperature are investigated during the interaction. Cross phase analysis and plasma bullet velocity support the return stroke phenomenon for high εr samples, such as copper and silicon, and a surface ionization wave is generated in the case of low εr samples, such as Teflon, quartz, and biological tissue. The highest substrate current (IS) is observed for copper due to its high conductivity. Tg and ne are affected by the interaction; however, Texc is observed to change only slightly. ne is comparatively higher for high εr samples, and for all samples, it increases initially and, thereafter, decreases as we get closer to the sample's surface. Tg is comparatively higher for low εr samples and increases axially downward from the orifice of the jet, it is lower and almost constant for copper and silicon. The electric field fluctuation (EZ and Eϕ components) frequencies lie up to ∼8 kHz with a peak amplitude at ∼1 kHz, which is found to be comparatively higher for low εr samples.
Thermal analysis of an
α
-Ga2O3 MOSFET using micro-Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Karim Anwarul , Song Yiwen , Shoemaker Daniel C. , Jeon Dae-Woo , Park Ji-Hyeon , Mun Jae Kyoung , Lee Hun Ki , Choi Sukwon
Published: November 2023

The ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) energy (∼5.4 eV) of α-phase Ga2O3 offers the potential to achieve higher power switching performance and efficiency than today's power electronic devices. However, a major challenge to the development of the α-Ga2O3 power electronics is overheating, which can degrade the device performance and cause reliability issues. In this study, thermal characterization of an α-Ga2O3 MOSFET was performed using micro-Raman thermometry to understand the device self-heating behavior. The α-Ga2O3 MOSFET exhibits a channel temperature rise that is more than two times higher than that of a GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). This is mainly because of the low thermal conductivity of α-Ga2O3 (11.9 ± 1.0 W/mK at room temperature), which was determined via laser-based pump-probe experiments. A hypothetical device structure was constructed via simulation that transfer-bonds the α-Ga2O3 epitaxial structure over a high thermal conductivity substrate. Modeling results suggest that the device thermal resistance can be reduced to a level comparable to or even better than those of today's GaN HEMTs using this strategy combined with thinning of the α-Ga2O3 buffer layer. The outcomes of this work suggest that device-level thermal management is essential to the successful deployment of UWBG α-Ga2O3 devices.
Metal–organic framework electrocatalysis: More than a sum of parts?
Authors: Bagger Alexander , Walsh Aron
Published: November 2023

The ever cheapening renewable energy calls for an effective means of storing and using electricity. Electrocatalysis is key for transforming electricity into chemical bonds. However, electrolysis is limited by the catalyst at the electrodes. In this work, we explore metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as potential electrocatalysts. We investigate MOF-525, consisting of Zr nodes and tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) linkers. We show using density functional theory simulations that metal incorporation in the ligand changes the reactivity in an electrochemical environment. Furthermore, we find that the MOF-derived porphyrin structure has a similar catalytic performance to the MOF itself for the hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction, and CO2 reduction reactions. Our findings highlight the challenge of using and reporting catalysis from complex hybrid materials, such as MOFs.
Numerical study of Richtmyer–Meshkov instability of light fluid layer with reshock
Authors: Chen Yanfeng , Jin Tai , Liang Zhenghong , Zou Liyong
Published: November 2023

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability of a light fluid layer driven by reflected shock is investigated numerically and theoretically to reveal the feature of the interfacial evolution of light fluid layer under reshock. Cases with single- and double-perturbation helium gas layers are investigated to study the evolution and merging of interface, and comparisons with diverse layer thicknesses and initial perturbation amplitude are conducted to explore the coupling effects of the interface. For the single-perturbed case, the amplitude variation of the left interface exhibits a distinct inflection point as impacted by the reflected shock, and the growth rate in the reflected stage is noticeably larger than that in the incident stage. During the merging process of the interfaces, the displacement difference between the two interfaces and the amplitude growth of the interface play a dominant role before and after the reshock, respectively. For the double-perturbed cases, the head-on collision of the two interfaces' spike occurs when the two interfaces are initially anti-phase, and the spike “catching up with” the bubble occurs when the two interfaces are initially in phase. While the initial fluid layer is very thin, the merging of interfaces accelerates and the interface-coupling effect increases. A modified model has been proposed to predict the amplitude growth of the interface after reshock, which agrees well with the numerical results. The distribution and development of vorticity are similar for the studied cases with different initial amplitudes and fluid layer thicknesses.
On the performance of two-parameter ridge estimators for handling multicollinearity problem in linear regression: Simulation and application
Authors: Khan Muhammad Shakir , Ali Amjad , Suhail Muhammad , Awwad Fuad A. , Ismail Emad A. A. , Ahmad Hijaz
Published: November 2023

The inability of ordinary least square estimators against multicollinearity has paved the way for the development of various ridge-type estimators, which are recently classified as one-parameter and two-parameter ridge estimators. In this paper, we offer some efficient two-parameter ridge estimators and evaluate their performance through a simulation study by using the minimum mean square error criterion. Under most of the simulation conditions, our proposed estimators outperformed the existing estimators. Finally, two real-life datasets are used to demonstrate the applications of our proposed estimators.
The comparison of potential key genes on rat uterus and mammary gland regulated by estradiol
Authors: Zhang Jian , Cui Yan
Published: November 2023

Context Although numerous studies have investigated the regulation of estrogen (E2) on the female reproductive system, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the specific genes and pathways involved in E2 regulation of the uterus and breast. Aims The aim of this study was to explore the shared genes and pathways involved in estrogen regulation of the uterus and mammary gland, which could provide a theoretical basis for disease treatment. Methods Bioinformatics analysis was employed to identify potential genes and pathways associated with E2 regulation of the uterus and breast. Key results The analysis revealed 233 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in datasets GSE89321 and GSE95783 (adjusted-P < 0.05). Additionally, five KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathways were identified: Glutathione Metabolism Pathway, Chagas Disease Pathway, Leishmaniasis Pathway, Complement and Coagulation Cascades Pathway, and p53 Signalling Pathway. A protein interaction network was constructed, and 10 hub genes (Alb, Il1a, Serpine1, Timp1, Ccl11, Fos, Krt19, Krt7, Lcn2, and C3) were selected, with Alb being the highest scoring hub gene. The study also predicted the association of Mo-mir-200a-5p and Mo-Mir-200a-3p with Alb and Krt19. Furthermore, 28 DEGs were identified in E2 regulation of the mammary gland, encompassing pathways such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, ErbB Signalling Pathway, Th1 and Th2 Cell Differentiation, Th17 Cell Differentiation, and Transcriptional Misregulation in Cancer. Hub genes in the mammary gland included Pgr, Gata3, Areg, Prom1, Stat5a, Cldn4, Greb1, Tfap2c, Pdk4, and Mb. Prom1, Prom2, Fam84a, and Padi2 were found to be common DEGs in E2 regulation of both the uterus and mammary gland. Conclusions The findings of this study, together with functional annotation and pathway analysis, suggest that Alb serves as a marker protein in E2 regulation of uterus development. Additionally, Prom1, Prom2, Fam84a, and Padi2 are identified as common DEGs involved in E2 regulation of both the uterus and mammary gland. Implications This study provides comprehensive omics data to elucidate the mechanisms underlying estrogen regulation of the uterus and mammary gland, opening up new research directions for disease treatment.
Inequality and COVID-19 in Sweden: Relative risks of nine bad life events, by four social gradients, in pandemic vs. prepandemic years
Authors: Altmejd Adam , Östergren Olof , Björkegren Evelina , Persson Torsten
Published: November 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic struck societies directly and indirectly, not just challenging population health but disrupting many aspects of life. Different effects of the spreading virus—and the measures to fight it—are reported and discussed in different scientific fora, with hard-to-compare methods and metrics from different traditions. While the pandemic struck some groups more than others, it is difficult to assess the comprehensive impact on social inequalities. This paper gauges social inequalities using individual-level administrative data for Sweden’s entire population. We describe and analyze the relative risks for different social groups in four dimensions—gender, education, income, and world region of birth—to experience three types of COVID-19 incidence, as well as six additional negative life outcomes that reflect general health, access to medical care, and economic strain. During the pandemic, the overall population faced severe morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 and saw higher all-cause mortality, income losses and unemployment risks, as well as reduced access to medical care. These burdens fell more heavily on individuals with low income or education and on immigrants. Although these vulnerable groups experienced larger absolute risks of suffering the direct and indirect consequences of the pandemic, the relative risks in pandemic years (2020 and 2021) were conspicuously similar to those in prepandemic years (2016 to 2019).
Sulfated oligosaccharide activates endothelial Notch for inducing macrophage-associated arteriogenesis to treat ischemic diseases
Authors: Yu Yuanman , Wang Shuang , Chen Xinye , Gao Zehua , Dai Kai , Wang Jing , Liu Changsheng
Published: November 2023

Ischemic diseases lead to considerable morbidity and mortality, yet conventional clinical treatment strategies for therapeutic angiogenesis fall short of being impactful. Despite the potential of biomaterials to deliver pro-angiogenic molecules at the infarct site to induce angiogenesis, their efficacy has been impeded by aberrant vascular activation and off-target circulation. Here, we present a semisynthetic low-molecular sulfated chitosan oligosaccharide (SCOS) that efficiently induces therapeutic arteriogenesis with a spontaneous generation of collateral circulation and blood reperfusion in rodent models of hind limb ischemia and myocardial infarction. SCOS elicits anti-inflammatory macrophages’ (Mφs’) differentiation into perivascular Mφs, which in turn directs artery formation via a cell-to-cell communication rather than secretory factor regulation. SCOS-mediated arteriogenesis requires a canonical Notch signaling pathway in Mφs via the glycosylation of protein O-glucosyltransferases 2, which results in promoting arterial differentiation and tissue repair in ischemia. Thus, this highly bioactive oligosaccharide can be harnessed to direct efficiently therapeutic arteriogenesis and perfusion for the treatment of ischemic diseases.
The Wancho language of Kamhua Noknu village
Authors: Losu Banwang , Morey Stephen
Published: November 2023

This article compares the word list collected by and published in LTBA 21.2 by the late Robbins Burling and Mr Mankai Wangsu in 1998, a word list that represents ‘Lower Wancho’, with a word list collected from Mr Banwang Losu of Kamhua Noknu village, in the Upper Wancho area. Along with the word list and a brief discussion of the phonology of this Upper Wancho variety, we introduce the Wancho script, created by Banwang Losu, now included in Unicode and being used for teaching in the Wancho area. The article includes an introduction presenting information about the diversity of clans and linguistic varieties with what we now term Wancho, and also contains a brief phonological overview with script included and some grammatical information relating to verb stem alternation found in Wancho, and mostly expressed by tone variation between the stems.
Emergence of the honorific register in Tibetic languages
Authors: Bialek Joanna
Published: November 2023

This article presents the first diachronic investigation of the honorific register in Tibetic languages. Although all historically attested Tibetic languages possess at least some rudimentary forms used to convey respect to others, no reconstruction of their origins has been previously attempted. In the article, the distinction is made between primary or simple honorifics and secondary or complex honorifics that are derived from the primary ones. It is argued that primary honorifics evolved from common lexical units by metaphorical extension and, strengthened through their use in ceremonial contexts, were eventually re-interpreted as expressing social deixis, originally with respect to the royal family, later extended to other persons of higher social standing.
Spatially homogeneous universes with late-time anisotropy
Authors: Constantin Andrei , Harvey Thomas R , von Hausegger Sebastian , Lukas Andre
Published: November 2023

The cosmological principle asserts that on sufficiently large scales the Universe is homogeneous and isotropic on spatial slices. To deviate from this principle requires a departure from the FLRW ansatz. In this paper we analyze the cosmological evolution of two spatially homogeneous but anisotropic universes, namely the spatially closed Kantowski–Sachs Universe and the open axisymmetric Bianchi type III Universe. These models are characterized by two scale factors and we study their evolution in universes with radiation, matter and a cosmological constant. In all cases, the two scale factors evolve differently and this anisotropy leads to a lensing effect in the propagation of light. We derive explicit formulae for computing redshifts, angular diameter distances and luminosity distances and discuss the predictions of these models in relation to observations for type Ia supernovae and the CMB. We comment on the possibility of explaining the observed luminosity distance plot for type Ia supernovae within the context of cosmologies featuring late-time anisotropy and a vanishing cosmological constant.
Device development with a mathematical model to study heat capacity of liquids
Authors: Tadta Kritsada , Worrasookwanich Bodin , Tanalikhit Pattarapon , Kanchanapusakit Wittaya
Published: November 2023

A simple device for studying the heat capacity of water was constructed for classroom use. It consists of a water-filled closed container with an inserted heating rod and a thermometer. Initially, the water temperature increases linearly with time but later shows a deviation from the linear trend. To explain the result, the heating rate is assumed to be proportional to the difference between the temperature of the rod and that of water. The device can also be used to measure the specific heat capacity of other common liquids. This article demonstrates a simple equipment design together with an application of calculus in an introductory undergraduate physics laboratory. It presents an opportunity for project-based learning as well as problem solving with an emphasis on mathematical model development.
Efficient infrared nine-channel reflective polarization-dependent splitter
Authors: Liang Guoyu , Wang Bo , Xu Yuqing
Published: November 2023

In order to meet the requirements of a multi-beam splitter in optical communication systems, an efficient infrared nine-channel reflective polarization-dependent beam splitter based on an addition-shaped ridge structure is proposed. All structural parameters of this polarization-dependent beam splitter are derived from the rigorous coupled-wave analysis. Upon the vertical entry of a plane wave with a wavelength of 800 nm into the grating, for transverse magnetic polarization, the diffraction efficiencies are 10.66%, 10.69%, 10.69%, 10.65%, and 10.67% at 0th, ±1st, ±2nd, ±3rd and ±4th orders, respectively. For transverse electric polarization, the diffraction efficiencies of the 0th, ±1st, ±2nd, ±3rd and ±4th orders are 10.79%, 10.86%, 10.88%, 10.84%, and 10.86%, respectively. In addition, the tolerance analysis in this paper reveals the practicality and efficiency of this beam splitter. Therefore, the addition-shaped ridge structure has a good performance of uniformity and broad application prospects in nine-channel reflective applications.
Leveraging SN Ia spectroscopic similarity to improve the measurement of H
0
Authors: Murakami Yukei S. , Riess Adam G. , Stahl Benjamin E. , D'Arcy Kenworthy W. , Pluck Dahne-More A. , Macoretta Antonella , Brout Dillon , Jones David O. , Scolnic Dan M. , Filippenko Alexei V.
Published: November 2023

Recent studies suggest spectroscopic differences explain a fraction of the variation in
Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) luminosities after light-curve/color standardization. In this work, (i)
we empirically characterize the variations of standardized SN Ia luminosities, and (ii) we use a
spectroscopically inferred parameter, SIP, to improve the precision of SNe Ia along the distance
ladder and the determination of the Hubble constant (H
0). First, we show that the
Pantheon+ covariance model modestly overestimates the uncertainty of standardized
magnitudes by ∼ 7%, in the parameter space used by the SH0ES Team to measure H
0;
accounting for this alone yields H
0 = 73.01 ± 0.92 km s-1 Mpc-1. Furthermore,
accounting for spectroscopic similarity between SNe Ia on the distance ladder reduces their
relative scatter to ∼ 0.12 mag per object (compared to ∼ 0.14 mag
previously). Combining these two findings in the model of SN covariance, we find an overall 14%
reduction (to ± 0.85 km s-1 Mpc-1) of the uncertainty in the Hubble constant and
a modest increase in its value. Including a budget for systematic uncertainties itemized by Riess
et al. (2022a), we report an updated local Hubble constant with ∼ 1.2% uncertainty, H
0 =
73.29 ± 0.90 km s-1 Mpc-1. We conclude that spectroscopic differences among
photometrically standardized SNe Ia do not explain the “Hubble tension”. Rather, accounting for
such differences increases its significance, as the discrepancy against ΛCDM calibrated by
the Planck 2018 measurement rises to 5.7σ.
Ultra high energy cosmic rays from tidal disruption events
Authors: Piran T. , Beniamini P.
Published: November 2023

The tidal disruption event AT2018hyz, was a regular optically detected one with no special prompt features. However, almost three years after the disruption it suddenly displayed a fast-rising radio flare. The flare is most naturally interpreted as arising from an off-axis relativistic jet. We didn't see the jet at early times as its emission was relativistically beamed away from us. However, we could see the radiation once the jet has slowed down due to interaction with the surrounding matter. Analysis of the radio data enabled estimates of the jet's kinetic energy and its opening angle as well as the conditions (size and magnetic field) within the radio-emitting region. We show here that such a jet satisfies the Hillas condition for the acceleration of UHECRs to the highest energies. We also show that the rate and total power of this event are consistent with the observed luminosity density of UHECRs. These results strongly support earlier suggestions that TDEs are the sources of UHECRs.
Comparative Analysis of Image-shift Measurement Algorithms for Solar Shack–Hartmann Wavefront Sensors
Authors: Wei Xiya , Quintero Noda Carlos , Zhang Lanqiang , Rao Changhui
Published: November 2023

Observations of the Sun provide unique insights into its structure, evolution, and activity, with significant implications for space weather forecasting and solar energy technologies. Ground-based telescopes offer cost-effective and flexible solutions for high-resolution solar observations, but image quality can be affected by atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics (AO) systems equipped with Shack–Hartmann wave front sensors (SH-WFS) enable real-time image correction to mitigate these effects. The accuracy of SH-WFS relies on correlation algorithms that measure wave front shifts, but reaching consistent conclusions regarding their accuracy remains challenging. In this study, we conducted an evaluation and comparison of standard correlation algorithms (the Square Difference Function, Normalized Cross-Correlation, Absolute Difference Function, Absolute Difference Function-Squared, and the Covariance Function in the frequency domain (CFF)) using simulated and authentic solar images. We optimized the algorithms through pre-processing techniques and carefully selected the most suitable window function for the CFF algorithm. Additionally, we analyzed the influence of various factors, such as shift ranges, bias, and the size of live images on the accuracy of algorithms. The consistent findings revealed that the CFF algorithm demonstrates superior measurement accuracy and robustness compared to the others. Choosing the CFF algorithm for solar observations can significantly enhance measurement accuracy, AO system performance, and the overall quality of solar research findings, thereby providing crucial support for space weather forecasting and other related scientific fields.
Performance of the merged APPLE-Knot undulator for soft x-ray beamline in medium energy ring
Authors: Cheng 成 Rui 锐 , Zhang 张 Fa-Yuan 发远 , Zha 查 He-Ming 鹤鸣 , Qiao 乔 Shan 山
Published: November 2023

APPLE-Knot undulator can effectively solve the on-axis heat load problem and is proven to perform well in VUV beamline and soft x-ray beamline in high energy storage ring. However, for soft x-ray beamline in a medium energy ring, whether the APPLE-Knot undulator excels the APPLE undulator is still a question. Here, a merged APPLE-Knot undulator is studied to generate soft x-ray in a medium energy ring. Its advantages and problems are discussed. Though the on-axis heat load of the APPLE-Knot undulator is lower in linear polarization modes compared to the APPLE undulator, its flux is lower. The APPLE-Knot undulator shows no advantage when only fundamental harmonic is needed. However, in circular polarization mode, the APPLE-Knot undulator shows the ability to cover a broader energy range which can remedy the notable shortcoming of the APPLE undulator.
Calibration procedures and data correction of ePix100 detectors at the European XFEL
Authors: Duarte N. , Ahmed K. , Cascella M. , Hauf S. , Preston T. , Shayduk R. , Turcato M. , Ramilli M.
Published: November 2023

The European XFEL is a research facility that delivers extremely bright and short coherent X-ray pulses of tunable energy at MHz repetition rate, providing unprecedented capabilities to conduct scientific research across multiple domains. Among the suite of deployed detectors, several ePix100 modules, belonging to the family of ePix detectors developed at SLAC, are used. These charge-integrating hybrid pixel detectors offer single-photon resolution for energies above 2 keV and a dynamic range of 100 photons at 8 keV. Their low noise, small pixel size, compact dimensions, maneuverability and vacuum compatibility make them an attractive choice for some of the hard X-ray instruments at the European XFEL for imaging, spectroscopy, and scattering experiments.

The European XFEL is committed to providing users with completely corrected detector data. To achieve this goal, periodic calibration procedures are conducted to generate calibration constants that allow the conversion of raw detector output into physically meaningful information through a series of successive data correction steps. In this work, an overview of the ePix100 calibration procedures and correction algorithms will be provided, with a focus on particularly relevant processes for this detector, such as common mode noise and charge sharing correction.
Recent advances of polymeric nanoplatforms for cancer treatment: smart delivery systems (SDS), nanotheranostics and multidrug resistance (MDR) inhibition
Authors: Gupta Urvashi , Maity Dipak , Sharma Virender K
Published: November 2023

Nanotheranostics is a promising field that combines the benefits of diagnostic and treatment into a single nano-platform that not only administers treatment but also allows for real-time monitoring of therapeutic response, decreasing the possibility of under/over-drug dosing. Furthermore, developing smart delivery systems (SDSs) for cancer theranostics that can take advantage of various tumour microenvironment (TME) conditions (such as deformed tumour vasculature, various over-expressed receptor proteins, reduced pH, oxidative stress, and resulting elevated glutathione levels) can aid in achieving improved pharmacokinetics, higher tumour accumulation, enhanced antitumour efficacy, and/or decreased side effects and multidrug resistance (MDR) inhibition. Polymeric nanoparticles (PNPs) are being widely investigated in this regard due to their unique features such as small size, passive/active targeting possibility, better pharmaceutical kinetics and biological distribution, decreased adverse reactions of the established drugs, inherent inhibitory properties to MDR efflux pump proteins, as well as the feasibility of delivering numerous therapeutic substances in just one design. Hence in this review, we have primarily discussed PNPs based targeted and/or controlled SDSs in which we have elaborated upon different TME mediated nanotheranostic platforms (NTPs) including active/passive/magnetic targeting platforms along with pH/ROS/redox-responsive platforms. Besides, we have elucidated different imaging guided cancer therapeutic platforms based on four major cancer imaging techniques i.e., fluorescence/photo-acoustic/radionuclide/magnetic resonance imaging, Furthermore, we have deliberated some of the most recently developed PNPs based multimodal NTPs (by combining two or more imaging or therapy techniques on a single nanoplatform) in cancer theranostics. Moreover, we have provided a brief update on PNPs based NTP which are recently developed to overcome MDR for effective cancer treatment. Additionally, we have briefly discussed about the tissue biodistribution/tumour targeting efficiency of these nanoplatforms along with recent preclinical/clinical studies. Finally, we have elaborated on various limitations associated with PNPs based nanoplatforms.
Importance of realistic zonal currents in depicting the evolution of tropical central Pacific sea surface temperature
Authors: Pang Da , Fang Xianghui , Wang Lei
Published: November 2023

Classical El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) theories mainly consider the vertical process-related Ekman and thermocline feedbacks. However, the zonal current-related zonal advective feedback has been suggested to play a crucial role in the evolution of central Pacific (CP) El Niño and La Niña events. Also, the simulation of a realistic current is complex and not the focus of the classical ENSO theories. Using reanalysis datasets and a statistical model, this study emphasizes the importance of the zonal currents in the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) evolution in the Niño4 region (160° E–150° W, 5° S–5° N). Specifically, in addition to the widely used predictors for the ENSO evolution, i.e. the equatorial Pacific mean thermocline depth anomaly (D20) and the zonal wind stress anomaly (ZWS), the zonal current anomaly (ZCA) averaged in the CP is first extracted to construct a statistical model to predict the SSTA of the Niño4 region. The results show that this model has improved overall prediction skill and accuracy for several CP El Niño and La Niña events during 1980–2020, compared with the benchmark linear regression model based on D20 and ZWS. By further removing the components related to the equatorial Kelvin and first symmetric meridional (

m
=
1

) Rossby waves (namely, the principal part of the traditional ENSO mechanism) from the ZCA, the remainder, which contains higher-order Rossby waves and other nonlinear components and is called the zonal current anomaly residual (ZCA_RSD), is found to be the key part of the improvements in the prediction skill. This suggests that to better simulate and predict the complex ENSO events, more vertical and meridional modes of the tropical Pacific need to be included to obtain a realistic anomalous zonal current.
Exploring differences in FFCO2 emissions in the United States: comparison of the Vulcan data product and the EPA national GHG inventory
Authors: Kato Anna , Gurney Kevin R , Roest Geoffrey S , Dass Pawlok
Published: November 2023

Quantitative assessment of greenhouse gas emissions is an essential step to plan, track, and verify emission reductions. Multiple approaches have been taken to quantify U.S. CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion (FFCO2), the primary driver of global climate change. A 2020 study analyzing atmospheric 14CO2 observations (a key check on bottom-up estimates) and multiple inventories found significant differences in the U.S. total FFCO2 emissions. The specific reasons for the differences were left for future work. Here, we take up this task and explore the differences between two widely used U.S. FFCO2 inventories, the Vulcan FFCO2 emissions data product and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) GHG inventory, developed using mostly independent data sources. Where possible, we isolate definitions and data sources to quantify/understand discrepancies. We find that the initial 2011 emissions difference (104 MtC yr−1; RD = 10.7%) can be reduced by aligning the two estimates to account for differing definitions of emission categories or system boundaries. Out of the remaining 90.6 MtC yr−1 gap (RD = 6.2%), we find that differences can be largely explained by data completeness, emission factors, and fuel heating values. The remaining difference, 45.4 MtC yr−1 (3.2%), is difficult to isolate due to limited EPA documentation and disaggregation of emissions by sector/fuel categories. Furthermore, the final net difference obscures countervailing gross differences (∼40 MtC yr−1) within individual sectors. Nevertheless, this comparison suggests the potential for a national estimation approach that can simultaneously satisfy reporting at the national/global scale and the local scale, maintaining internal consistency throughout and offering detailed decision support to a much wider array of stakeholders.
Increased Blood Pressure Variability Over a 16-Year Period Is Associated With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Park Jae-Hyeong , Ahn Soon-Ki , Cho Goo-Yeong , Sung Ki-Chul , Lee Seung Ku , Kim Seong Hwan , Shin Chol
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is often associated with elevated blood pressure (BP). It is prevalent among hypertensive patients. Additionally, increased BP variability has been linked to LVDD. However, the precise connection between LVDD and BP variability within the general population remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate this association in a general population.

METHODS

A total of 2,578 participants(1,311 females) with a mean age of 47.8 ± 6.7 years who had echocardiographic data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology study with 16 years of follow-up were analyzed. LVDD was identified through the last echocardiography during the follow-up period. BP variability was assessed using mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variance (CV).

RESULTS

LVDD was detected in 249 individuals. The cohort was divided into an LVDD group and a normal LV diastolic function group. The LVDD group had a higher percentage of females, more advanced age, higher body mass index (BMI), higher BP and BUN levels, lower heart rate, lower hemoglobin, and lower serum creatinine than the normal LV diastolic function group. Remarkably, LVDD was associated with higher BP variability. In the multivariate analysis, LVDD was associated with increased age, female sex, increased BMI, hypertension, and increased BUN. Elevated mean systolic and diastolic BPs, SD of systolic BP, mean pulse pressure (PP), SD of PP, and CV of PP were significantly linked to LVDD even after adjusting for other significant variables in the multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

LVDD was identified in 249 (9.7%) participants. Increased long-term BP variability was significantly associated with LVDD in this population-based cohort.
A case series analysis of bicarbonate-based purge solution administration via Impella ventricular assist device
Authors: Sigala Mariah I , Harris Jesse E , Morton Celia , Donahue Kevin R , Kim Ju H
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The Impella device historically required a heparin-based purge solution to reduce the risk of biomaterial deposition to maintain pump function. In April 2022, the Food and Drug Administration approved utilization of bicarbonate-based purge solutions (BBPS) as an alternative to heparin for patients who are intolerant to heparin or in whom heparin is contraindicated. The purpose of this case series is to report patient outcomes of Impella support with BBPS use at our institution.

Eighteen patients who received BBPS via the Impella CP or Impella 5.5 device were included in our review. Patients were included if they had BBPS administration for greater than 24 hours. All patients were followed for 72 hours after cessation of BBPS. Indications for BBPS were coagulopathy (n = 5, 28%), suspected HIT (n = 2, 11%), confirmed HIT (n = 1, 6%), and major bleeding (n = 10, 56%). Three patients (17%) experienced an Impella complication while on BBPS. One patient required pump exchange, one required removal of the Impella device, and one received alteplase for suspected purge block. Of these, two patients experienced complications greater than 21 days into BBPS therapy.

Conclusion

This case series adds to the literature describing clinical outcomes for patients on Impella support with BBPS. While BBPS offers a viable option for the management of patients on Impella devices who are unable to tolerate heparin-based purge solutions, further data is needed to determine the longevity of the Impella device with BBPS to minimize risk of Impella complications.
FLED: a full-length eccDNA detector for long-reads sequencing data
Authors: Li Fuyu , Ming Wenlong , Lu Wenxiang , Wang Ying , Li Xiaohan , Dong Xianjun , Bai Yunfei
Published: November 2023

Reconstructing the full-length sequence of extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) from short sequencing reads has proved challenging given the similarity of eccDNAs and their corresponding linear DNAs. Previous sequencing methods were unable to achieve high-throughput detection of full-length eccDNAs. Herein, a novel algorithm was developed, called Full-Length eccDNA Detection (FLED), to reconstruct the sequence of eccDNAs based on the strategy that combined rolling circle amplification and nanopore long-reads sequencing technology. Seven human epithelial and cancer cell line samples were analyzed by FLED and over 5000 full-length eccDNAs were identified per sample. The structures of identified eccDNAs were validated by both Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Compared to other published nanopore-based eccDNA detectors, FLED exhibited higher sensitivity. In cancer cell lines, the genes overlapped with eccDNA regions were enriched in cancer-related pathways and cis-regulatory elements can be predicted in the upstream or downstream of intact genes on eccDNA molecules, and the expressions of these cancer-related genes were dysregulated in tumor cell lines, indicating the regulatory potency of eccDNAs in biological processes. The proposed method takes advantage of nanopore long reads and enables unbiased reconstruction of full-length eccDNA sequences. FLED is implemented using Python3 which is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/FuyuLi/FLED).
Hidden Markov random field models for cell-type assignment of spatially resolved transcriptomics
Authors: Zhong Cheng , Tian Tian , Wei Zhi
Published: November 2023

Motivation

The recent development of spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) technologies has facilitated research on gene expression in the spatial context. Annotating cell types is one crucial step for downstream analysis. However, many existing algorithms use an unsupervised strategy to assign cell types for SRT data. They first conduct clustering analysis and then aggregate cluster-level expression based on the clustering results. This workflow fails to leverage the marker gene information efficiently. On the other hand, other cell annotation methods designed for single-cell RNA-seq data utilize the cell-type marker genes information but fail to use spatial information in SRT data.

Results

We introduce a statistical spatial transcriptomics cell assignment model, SPAN, to annotate clusters of cells or spots into known types in SRT data with prior knowledge of predefined marker genes and spatial information. The SPAN model annotates cells or spots from SRT data using predefined overexpressed marker genes and combines a mixture model with a hidden Markov random field to model the spatial dependency between neighboring spots. We demonstrate the effectiveness of SPAN against spatial and nonspatial clustering algorithms through extensive simulation and real data experiments.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/ChengZ352/SPAN.
RNA interaction format: a general data format for RNA interactions
Authors: Schäfer Richard A , Rabsch Dominik , Scholz Guillaume E , Stadler Peter F , Hess Wolfgang R , Backofen Rolf , Fallmann Jörg , Voß Björn
Published: November 2023

RNA molecules play crucial roles in various biological processes. They mediate their function mainly by interacting with other RNAs or proteins. At present, information about these interactions is distributed over different resources, often providing the data in simple tab-delimited formats that differ between the databases. There is no standardized data format that can capture the nature of all these different interactions in detail.

Availability and implementation

Here, we propose the RNA interaction format (RIF) for the detailed representation of RNA–RNA and RNA–Protein interactions and provide reference implementations in C/C++, Python, and JavaScript. RIF is released under licence GNU General Public License version 3 (GNU GPLv3) and is available on https://github.com/RNABioInfo/rna-interaction-format.
PyPCN: protein contact networks in PyMOL
Authors: Rosignoli Serena , di Paola Luisa , Paiardini Alessandro
Published: November 2023

Motivation

Protein contact networks (PCNs) represent the 3D structure of a protein using network formalism. Inter-residue contacts are described as binary adjacency matrices, which are derived from the graph representation of residues (as α-carbons, β-carbons or centroids) and Euclidean distances according to defined thresholds. Functional characterization algorithms are computed on binary adjacency matrices to unveil allosteric, dynamic, and interaction mechanisms in proteins. Such strategies are usually applied in a combinatorial manner, although rarely in seamless and user-friendly implementations.

Results

PyPCN is a plugin for PyMOL wrapping more than twenty PCN algorithms and metrics in an easy-to-use graphical user interface, to support PCN analysis. The plugin accepts 3D structures from the Protein Data Bank, user-provided PDBs, or precomputed adjacency matrices. The results are directly mapped to 3D protein structures and organized into interactive diagrams for their visualization. A dedicated graphical user interface combined with PyMOL visual support makes analysis more intuitive and easier, extending the applicability of PCNs.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/pcnproject/PyPCN.
The Relationships between Stress, Burnout, Mental Health and Well-Being in Social Workers
Authors: Maddock Alan
Published: November 2023

Stress and burnout can have several negative effects on the individual social worker’s work performance, along with their mental health and well-being. We are still unclear on how these negative effects play out, as no studies have examined what the relationships are between stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and well-being in social workers. This cross-sectional study attempted to identify the rates and correlates of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and mental well-being of 121 social workers, using bivariate and multiple regression analyses. This study highlighted a significant proportion of social workers who reported mild to severe issues in anxiety, depression and mental well-being. This study highlighted that perceived stress is likely to be a universal risk factor for anxiety, depression, and mental well-being in social workers. Emotional exhaustion was also identified as a potential risk factor for anxiety, with personal accomplishment being a potential protective factor against depression and for positive mental well-being. This study provides promising preliminary evidence that if social workers who are experiencing issues with anxiety, depression and mental well-being are supported to reduce feelings of stress, emotional exhaustion, and increase feelings of personal accomplishment, they are likely to experience improvements in their mental health and job performance.
Clinical and genetic analysis of the first Mexican patient with a diagnosis of pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA) syndrome
Authors: Fuentes-Nava Ana Gabriela , Fierro-Arias Leonel , Zenteno Juan Carlos , Apam-Garduño David
Published: November 2023

Our report discusses the first Mexican patient with a clinical and molecular diagnosis of pyogenic sterile arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne syndrome. In addition, a literature review of the clinical and molecular spectrum of the disease is included.