bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Label-free single-particle imaging approach for ultra-rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria in clinical samples
Authors: Chen Shan , Su Yu-Wen , Sun Junjie , Chen Tingting , Zheng Yuhao , Sui Lin-Jie , Yang Shuangli , Liu Chenbin , Wang Pengcheng , Li Tengfei , Chi Qinghua , Sun Hao , Chen Jinghu , Xu Bo-Qun , Huang Zongxiong , Fang Yimin
Published: September 2022

Rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria within a few minutes is the key to control infectious disease. However, rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria in clinical samples is quite a challenging task due to the complex matrix, as well as the low abundance of bacteria in real samples. Herein, we employ a label-free single-particle imaging approach to address this challenge. By tracking the scattering intensity variation of single particles in free solution, the morphological heterogeneity can be well identified with particle size smaller than the diffraction limit, facilitating the morphological identification of single bacteria from a complex matrix in a label-free manner. Furthermore, the manipulation of convection in free solution enables the rapid screening of low-abundance bacteria in a small field of view, which significantly improves the sensitivity of single-particle detection. As a proof of concept demonstration, we are able to differentiate the group B streptococci (GBS)–positive samples within 10 min from vaginal swabs without using any biological reagents. This is the most rapid and low-cost method to the best of our knowledge. We believe that such a single-particle imaging approach will find wider applications in clinical diagnosis and disease control due to its high sensitivity, rapidity, simplicity, and low cost.
Biosensors for inflammation as a strategy to engineer regulatory T cells for cell therapy
Authors: Bittner Sebastian , Ruhland Brigitte , Hofmann Veronika , Schmidleithner Lisa , Schambeck Kathrin , Pant Asmita , Stüve Philipp , Delacher Michael , Echtenacher Bernd , Edinger Matthias , Hoffmann Petra , Rehli Michael , Gebhard Claudia , Strieder Nicholas , Hehlgans Thomas , Feuerer Markus
Published: September 2022

Engineered regulatory T cell (Treg cell) therapy is a promising strategy to treat patients suffering from inflammatory diseases, autoimmunity, and transplant rejection. However, in many cases, disease-related antigens that can be targeted by Treg cells are not available. In this study, we introduce a class of synthetic biosensors, named artificial immune receptors (AIRs), for murine and human Treg cells. AIRs consist of three domains: (a) extracellular binding domain of a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily member, (b) intracellular costimulatory signaling domain of CD28, and (c) T cell receptor signaling domain of CD3-ζ chain. These AIR receptors equip Treg cells with an inflammation-sensing machinery and translate this environmental information into a CD3-ζ chain–dependent TCR-activation program. Different AIRs were generated, recognizing the inflammatory ligands of the TNF-receptor superfamily, including LIGHT, TNFα, and TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A), leading to activation, differentiation, and proliferation of AIR–Treg cells. In a graft-versus-host disease model, Treg cells expressing lymphotoxin β receptor–AIR, which can be activated by the ligand LIGHT, protect significantly better than control Treg cells. Expression and signaling of the corresponding human AIR in human Treg cells prove that this concept can be translated. Engineering Treg cells that target inflammatory ligands leading to TCR signaling and activation might be used as a Treg cell–based therapy approach for a broad range of inflammation-driven diseases.
Spns1 is a lysophospholipid transporter mediating lysosomal phospholipid salvage
Authors: He Menglan , Kuk Alvin C. Y. , Ding Mei , Chin Cheen Fei , Galam Dwight L.A. , Nah Jie Min , Tan Bryan C. , Yeo Hui Li , Chua Geok Lin , Benke Peter I. , Wenk Markus R. , Ho Lena , Torta Federico , Silver David L.
Published: September 2022

The lysosome is central to the degradation of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and their salvage back to the cytosol for reutilization. Lysosomal transporters for amino acids, sugars, and cholesterol have been identified, and the metabolic fates of these molecules in the cytoplasm have been elucidated. Remarkably, it is not known whether lysosomal salvage exists for glycerophospholipids, the major constituents of cellular membranes. By using a transport assay screen against orphan lysosomal transporters, we identified the major facilitator superfamily protein Spns1 that is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues as a proton-dependent lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) transporter, with LPC and LPE being the lysosomal breakdown products of the most abundant eukaryotic phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Spns1 deficiency in cells, zebrafish embryos, and mouse liver resulted in lysosomal accumulation of LPC and LPE species with pathological consequences on lysosomal function. Flux analysis using stable isotope-labeled phospholipid apolipoprotein E nanodiscs targeted to lysosomes showed that LPC was transported out of lysosomes in an Spns1-dependent manner and re-esterified back into the cytoplasmic pools of phosphatidylcholine. Our findings identify a phospholipid salvage pathway from lysosomes to the cytosol that is dependent on Spns1 and critical for maintaining normal lysosomal function.
Cryptic specialized metabolites drive
Streptomyces
exploration and provide a competitive advantage during growth with other microbes
Authors: Shepherdson Evan M. F. , Elliot Marie A.
Published: September 2022

Streptomyces
bacteria have a complex life cycle that is intricately linked with their remarkable metabolic capabilities. Exploration is a recently discovered developmental innovation of these bacteria, that involves the rapid expansion of a structured colony on solid surfaces. Nutrient availability impacts exploration dynamics, and we have found that glycerol can dramatically increase exploration rates and alter the metabolic output of exploring colonies. We show here that glycerol-mediated growth acceleration is accompanied by distinct transcriptional signatures and by the activation of otherwise cryptic metabolites including the orange-pigmented coproporphyrin, the antibiotic chloramphenicol, and the uncommon, alternative siderophore foroxymithine. Exploring cultures are also known to produce the well-characterized desferrioxamine siderophore. Mutational studies of single and double siderophore mutants revealed functional redundancy when strains were cultured on their own; however, loss of the alternative foroxymithine siderophore imposed a more profound fitness penalty than loss of desferrioxamine during coculture with the yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Notably, the two siderophores displayed distinct localization patterns, with desferrioxamine being confined within the colony area, and foroxymithine diffusing well beyond the colony boundary. The relative fitness advantage conferred by the alternative foroxymithine siderophore was abolished when the siderophore piracy capabilities of
S. cerevisiae
were eliminated (
S. cerevisiae
encodes a ferrioxamine-specific transporter). Our work suggests that exploring
Streptomyces
colonies can engage in nutrient-targeted metabolic arms races, deploying alternative siderophores that allow them to successfully outcompete other microbes for the limited bioavailable iron during coculture.
Research on the mechanical clinching process for the metal–polymer multilayer structure
Authors: Ouyang Yawen , Chen Chao
Published: September 2022

With the wide application of lightweight materials, the metal–polymer multilayer structure has become a research focus owing to the advantages of lower weight and higher vibration damping. In the current work, the mechanical clinching process of the metal–polymer multilayer structure between Al5052-H32 and polyoxymethylene was investigated. The effect of diverse plate configurations and different test specimen forms on the mechanical characteristics was analysed in terms of geometric parameters, static strength, failure modes and energy absorption. The results showed that the metal–polymer multilayer structure could be successfully connected utilizing the mechanical clinching process. The cross-tension load and lap-shear load of the joint were greatly affected by the plate configuration as well as the test specimen form.
Maternally transferred mAbs protect neonatal mice from HSV-induced mortality and morbidity
Authors: Backes Iara M. , Byrd Brook K. , Slein Matthew D. , Patel Chaya D. , Taylor Sean A. , Garland Callaghan R. , MacDonald Scott W. , Balazs Alejandro B. , Davis Scott C. , Ackerman Margaret E. , Leib David A.
Published: September 2022

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (nHSV) infections often result in significant mortality and neurological morbidity despite antiviral drug therapy. Maternally transferred herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific antibodies reduce the risk of clinically overt nHSV, but this observation has not been translationally applied. Using a neonatal mouse model, we tested the hypothesis that passive transfer of HSV-specific human mAbs can prevent mortality and morbidity associated with nHSV. The mAbs were expressed in vivo via vectored immunoprophylaxis or recombinantly. Through these maternally derived routes or through direct administration to pups, diverse mAbs to HSV glycoprotein D protected against neonatal HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection. Using in vivo bioluminescent imaging, both pre- and post-exposure mAb treatment significantly reduced viral load in mouse pups. Together these studies support the notion that HSV-specific mAb-based therapies could prevent or improve HSV infection outcomes in neonates.
Kinetics driving thin-film deposition in dielectric barrier discharges using a direct liquid injector operated in a pulsed regime
Authors: Cacot L , Carnide G , Kahn M L , Clergereaux R , Naudé N , Stafford L
Published: September 2022

This work investigates the effects of process parameters on thin-film deposition by direct liquid injection in a low-frequency dielectric barrier discharge. The precursor, hexamethyldisiloxane, is introduced as micrometer-size liquid droplets with nitrogen carrier gas in a pulsed mode and the discharge is produced at atmospheric pressure in a pulsed regime. No significant deposit is observed during plasma-off time and outside the discharge region. Despite the pulsed injection, this reveals that the precursor content in the plasma zone remains constant over much longer time scales and that thin-film deposition results from droplets charging and their transport towards the dielectrics by the low-frequency electric field. Over the range of experimental conditions investigated, it is found that pulsed, aerosol-assisted plasma deposition is limited by the amount of energy provided to precursor droplets, and not by precursor insufficiency.
Leptons and other forces of nature
Authors: Roy Subhankar , Goswami Sagar Tirtha
Published: September 2022

Assuming that neutrinos are not Majorana fermions and the right handed Dirac neutrino does not exist, we propose a model in which the second and the third generations of the leptons are composites, while the first generation is fundamental. The composite states are formed by the fundamental leptons and two new fundamental hidden scalar particles. In addition, there exist two hidden forces besides the standard model interactions. The gauge symmetry SU(2)
L
⊗ U(1)
Y
⊗ U(1)
h
⊗ SU(2)
h
of the electroweak and the hidden forces breaks down to U(1)
Y
⊗ U(1)
h
after the spontaneous symmetry breaking. We explain the neutrino masses in terms of the binding dynamics of a hidden force. The phenomenon of neutrino oscillation can also be explained by our model in a dynamical framework of the hidden forces.
Analysis and compensation of residual gyro drifts on azimuth alignment accuracy in the RINS
Authors: Ye Jiangnan , Wang Lei , Liu Di , Yan Lin
Published: September 2022

The rotational inertial navigation system (INS) uses rotational alignment to improve azimuth alignment accuracy significantly. However, due to the existence of magnetic drifts in the fiber optic gyro, under the comprehensive influence of outside conditions, there will be residual drifts that cannot be averaged out along the body frame or the geographic frame, which will have a significant impact on azimuth alignment accuracy. An innovative and effective calibration compensation strategy is proposed by analyzing the generation mechanism of residual drifts and their influence on alignment accuracy, which can significantly improve azimuth alignment accuracy. With the aid of a high-precision total station, the experimental results of initial alignment in four directions show that the accuracy of azimuth alignment is improved from

16.47

′
′

(
1
σ
)

to

10.34

′
′

(
1
σ
)

by compensating residual drifts, which has significant theoretical significance and practical value in engineering applications for improving the overall performance of the INS.
Investigation on the stability improvement of hybrid halide all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots
Authors: Cheng Sunhuizi , Li Feng , Fang Zixin , Rao Xinhao , Yan Chao , Yin Jianzhuang , Zhang Weiwei , Zhao Feng , Huang Yan
Published: September 2022

Perovskite quantum dots (QDs) with stable luminous properties are crucial to for the construction of corresponding light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Hybrid halide perovskite QDs, especially those contain iodine element emitting red light, usually demonstrate poor emission stability owing to the halide segregation. Moreover, red component is indispensable for the construction of white LEDs (WLEDs). Hence, it is essential to improve the luminous stability of hybrid halide perovskite QDs containing iodine element. Here, magnesium dopant and silica matrix were employed to improve the stability of hybrid halide CsPb(IBr)3 QDs. Red, green and blue are three primary colors for constructing WLEDs. Therefore, silica-coated CsPbBr3 QDs emitting green light were also synthesized. The fabricated silica-coated Mn:CsPb(IBr)3/PMMA film delivered good emission stability during a 42 d observation period, exhibiting the improved stability compared with the corresponding Mn:CsPb(IBr)3 QDs in solution. WLEDs were fabricated by integrating the mixture of silica-coated Mn:CsPb(IBr)3 QDs, silica-coated CsPbBr3 QDs and silicon sealant with a blue-emission LED chip. The as fabricated device exhibited a longer lifetime to be lit than that of those reported previously. During the 36 d observation period for the as fabricated device, the red emission from the silica-coated Mn:CsPb(IBr)3 QDs experienced a peak-emission shift of 34 nm, which is much less than that in Mn:CsPb(IBr)3 QDs solution. Their overall intensity downtrend combined the peak-emission shift are responsible for the spectrum shape change, so as to the fluctuation of color correlated temperature and color rendering index. Our study provides a good starting point for the further improvement of the stability of the hybrid halide perovskites QDs and the corresponding light-emitting devices. With deep studies on the synthesis method and luminous mechanism for hybrid halide CsPb(IBr)3 QDs, red-emission perovskite QDs with satisfied properties are expected to be obtained.
In situ self-assembly fabrication of ultrathin sheet-like CuS modified g–C3N4 heterojunction and its enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance
Authors: Liu Zheyuan , Qiu Lingfang , Wen Ke , Cao Banpeng , Li Ping , Tang Yi , Chen Xiangshu , Kita Hidetoshi , Duo Shuwang
Published: September 2022

Photocatalysts with heterojunction structure have been widely used for organic degradation. In this study, CuS/g-C3N4 heterojunction was formed by in situ self-assembly via a simply hydrothermal method. A series of characterizations were applied to analyzing the morphology, structure, optical properties and photo-induced electron transfer of the samples. The effect of CuS mass ratio in the CuS/g-C3N4 composite on methyl blue (10 mg l−1) degradation under visible-light illumination was discussed. When CuS mass ratio was 60%, CuS/g-C3N4 behaved the highest photocatalytic efficiency which is 17 times higher than that of pure g-C3N4, and the optimal heterojunction exhibited promising photocatalytic stability as well. The synthesized CuS/g-C3N4 with intimate contact and promising photocatalytic performance provides important implications on analogous researches on g-C3N4-based heterojunctions for photocatalytic applications.
On the Riccati dynamics of 2D EulerPoisson equations with attractive forcing
Authors: Lee Yongki
Published: September 2022

The Euler–Poisson (EP) system describes the dynamic behaviour of many important physical flows. In this work, a Riccati system that governs pressureless two-dimensional EP equations is studied. The evolution of divergence is governed by the Riccati type equation with several nonlinear/nonlocal terms. Among these, the vorticity accelerates divergence while others further amplify the blow-up behaviour of a flow. The growth of these blow-up amplifying terms are related to the Riesz transform of density, which lacks a uniform bound makes it difficult to study global solutions of the multi-dimensional EP system. We show that the Riccati system can afford to have global solutions, as long as the growth rate of blow-up amplifying terms is not higher than exponential, and admits global smooth solutions for a large set of initial configurations. To show this, we construct an auxiliary system in 3D space and find an invariant space of the system, then comparison with the original 2D system is performed. Some numerical examples are also presented.
Ground state solutions for critical Schrödinger equations with Hardy potential
Authors: Li Gui-Dong , Li Yong-Yong , Tang Chun-Lei
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we investigate the following Schrödinger equation

0.1

−
Δ
u
−

μ

|
x

|

2

u
=
g

(

u

)

+
|
u

|

2

*

−
2

u

i
n

R

N

\

{

0

}

,

where N ⩾ 3,

μ
<

(

N
−
2

)

2

4

,

2

*

≔

2
N

N
−
2

is called the critical Sobolev exponent and g satisfies some appropriate subcritical conditions. For any

μ
∈

0
,

(

N
−
2

)

2

4

, we prove that problem (0.1) has a positive radial ground state solution, which possesses exponential decaying property at infinity and blow-up property at origin. Moreover, for any sequence {μ

n
} ⊂ (0, +∞) satisfying μ

n
→ 0+, the sequence of ground state solutions to problem (0.1) converges to a ground state solution of
0.2

−
Δ
u
=
g

(

u

)

+
|
u

|

2

*

−
2

u

i
n

R

N

.

when μ < 0, we prove that the mountain pass level of problem (0.1) in

H

1

(

R

N

)

cannot be achieved. Further, we obtain a ground state radial solution of problem (0.1) whose energy is strictly greater than the mountain pass level in

H

1

(

R

N

)

. Also, for any sequence {μ

n
} ⊂ (0, +∞) satisfying μ

n
→ 0+, the sequence of ground state radial solutions to problem (0.1) converges to a ground state radial solution of the limiting problem as n → ∞.
Noise induced order for skew-products over a non-uniformly expanding base
Authors: Blumenthal A , Nisoli I
Published: September 2022

Noise-induced order (NIO) is the phenomenon by which the chaotic regime of a deterministic system is destroyed in the presence of noise. In this manuscript, we establish NIO for a natural class of systems of dimension

⩾
2

consisting of a fiber-contracting skew product a over nonuniformly-expanding one-dimensional system.
High pointwise emergence and Katok’s conjecture for symbolic systems with non-uniform structure
Authors: Ji Yong , Chen Ercai , Lin Zijie
Published: September 2022

Recently, Kiriki, Nakano and Soma introduced a concept called pointwise emergence as a new quantitative perspective into the study of non-existence of averages for dynamical systems. In the present paper, we consider the set of points with high pointwise emergence for symbolic systems with non-uniform structure and prove that this set carries full topological pressure. For the proof of this result, we show that such systems have ergodic measures of arbitrary intermediate pressures.
Reducible Abelian varieties and Lax matrices for Euler’s problem of two fixed centres
Authors: Tsiganov A V
Published: September 2022

Abel’s quadratures for integrable Hamiltonian systems are defined up to a group law of the corresponding Abelian variety A. If A is isogenous to a direct product of Abelian varieties A ≅ A
1 ×⋯× A

k
, the group law can be used to construct various Lax matrices on the factors A
1, …, A

k
. As an example, we discuss two-dimensional reducible Abelian variety A = E
+ × E
−, which is a product of one-dimensional varieties E
± obtained by Euler in his study of the two fixed centres problem, and the Lax matrices on the factors E
±.
Critical curve for a two-species chemotaxis model with two chemicals in

R2

*
Authors: Hong Liang , Wang Jinhuan , Wang Wei
Published: September 2022

This paper deals with a two-species chemotaxis model with two chemicals in

R

2

. In our previous work (2019 Nonlinearity
32 4762–78), the critical mass was obtained that the solutions exist globally if m
1
m
2 − 4π(m
1 + m
2) < 0, and the finite time blow-up of solutions may occur if m
1
m
2 − 4π(m
1 + m
2) > 0, where m
1 and m
2 describe the initial mass of the two species, respectively. In the present paper we furthermore determine that the critical situation belongs to the global existence case, namely, the system admits global solutions if m
1
m
2 − 4π(m
1 + m
2) = 0. To apply the key logarithmic Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequality of vector form for the critical case, we should establish a positive lower bound for L
1-norms of the two species in exterior domains

{

x
∈

R

2

:
|
x
|
>
R

}

uniformly for t > 0.
Parameter effects on arterial vessel sonicated by high-intensity focused ultrasound: an ex vivo vascular phantom study
Authors: Huang Qianwen , Zhou Yun , Li Ke , Pan Lei , Liu Yuan , Bai Jingfeng , Ji Xiang
Published: September 2022

Objective. This study is aimed to explore the effects of vascular and sonication parameters on ex vivo vessel sonicated by high-intensity focused ultrasound. Approach. The vascular phantom embedding the polyolefin tube or ex vivo vessel was sonicated. The vascular phantom with 1.6 and 3.2 mm tubes was sonicated at three acoustic powers (2.0, 3.5, 5.3 W). The occlusion level of post-sonication tubes was evaluated using ultrasound imaging. The vascular phantom with the ex vivo abdominal aorta of rabbit for three flow rates (0, 5, 10 cm s−1) was sonicated at two acoustic powers (3.5 and 5.3 W). Different distances between focus and posterior wall (2, 4, 6 mm) and cooling times (0 and 10 s) were also evaluated. The diameter of the sonicated vessel was measured by B-mode imaging and microscopic photography. Histological examination was performed for the sonicated vessels. Main results. For the 5 cm s−1 flow rate, the contraction index of vascular diameter (Dc) with 5.3 W and 10 s cooling time at 2 mm distance was 39 ± 9% (n = 9). With the same parameters except for 0 cm s−1 flow rate, the Dc was increased to 45 ± 7% (n = 4). At 3.5 W, the Dc with 5 cm s−1 flow rate was 23 ± 15% (n = 4). The distance and cooling time influenced the lesion along the vessel wall. Significance. This study has demonstrated the flow rate and acoustic power have the great impact on the vessel contraction. Besides, the larger lesion covering the vessel wall would promote the vessel contraction. And the in vivo validation is required in the future study.
Absorbed-dose-to-water measurement using alanine in ultra-high-pulse-dose-rate electron beams
Authors: Bourgouin Alexandra , Hackel Thomas , Marinelli Marco , Kranzer Rafael , Schüller Andreas , Kapsch Ralf-Peter
Published: September 2022

Objective. The aim of the presented study is to evaluate the dose response of the PTB’s secondary standard system, which is based on alanine and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy measurement, in ultra-high-pulse-dose-rate (UHPDR) electron beams. Approach. The alanine dosimeter system was evaluated in the PTB’s UHPDR electron beams (20 MeV) in a range of 0.15–6.2 Gy per pulse. The relationship between the obtained absorbed dose to water per pulse and the in-beamline charge measurement of the electron pulses acquired using an integrating current transformer (ICT) was evaluated. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the beam quality conversion and correction factors required to perform alanine dosimetry. Main results. The beam quality conversion factor from the reference quality 60Co to 20 MeV obtained by Monte Carlo simulation, 1.010(1), was found to be within the standard uncertainty of the consensus value, 1.014(5). The dose-to-water relative standard uncertainty was determined to be 0.68% in PTB’s UHPDR electron beams. Significance. In this investigation, the dose-response of the PTB’s alanine dosimeter system was evaluated in a range of dose per pulse between 0.15 Gy and 6.2 Gy and no evidence of dose-response dependency of the PTB’s secondary standard system based on alanine was observed. The alanine/ESR system was shown to be a precise dosimetry system for evaluating absorbed dose to water in UHPDR electron beams.
A C-arm photon counting CT prototype with volumetric coverage using multi-sweep step-and-shoot acquisitions
Authors: Treb Kevin , Ji Xu , Feng Mang , Zhang Ran , Periyasamy Sarvesh , Laeseke Paul F , Dingle Aaron M , Brace Christopher L , Li Ke
Published: September 2022

Objective. Existing clinical C-arm interventional systems use scintillator-based energy-integrating flat panel detectors (FPDs) to generate cone-beam CT (CBCT) images. Despite its volumetric coverage, FPD-CBCT does not provide sufficient low-contrast detectability desired for certain interventional procedures. The purpose of this work was to develop a C-arm photon counting detector (PCD) CT system with a step-and-shoot data acquisition method to further improve the tomographic imaging performance of interventional systems. Approach. As a proof-of-concept, a cadmium telluride-based 51 cm × 0.6 cm PCD was mounted in front of a FPD in an Artis Zee biplane system. A total of 10 C-arm sweeps (5 forward and 5 backward) were prescribed. A motorized patient table prototype was synchronized with the C-arm system such that it translates the object by a designated distance during the sub-second rest time in between gantry sweeps. To evaluate whether this multi-sweep step-and-shoot acquisition strategy can generate high-quality and volumetric PCD-CT images without geometric distortion artifacts, experiments were performed using physical phantoms, a human cadaver head, and an in vivo swine subject. Comparison with FPD-CT was made under matched narrow beam collimation and radiation dose conditions. Main results. Compared with FPD-CT images, PCD-CT images had lower noise and improved visualization of low-contrast lesion models, as well as improved visibility of small iodinated blood vessels. Fine structures were visualized more clearly by the PCD-CT than the highest-available resolution provided by FPD-CBCT and MDCT. No perceivable geometric distortion artifacts were observed in the multi-planar PCD-CT images. Significance. This work is the first demonstration of the feasibility of high-quality and multi-planar (volumetric) PCD-CT imaging with a rotating C-arm gantry.
Piecewise ensemble averaging stochastic Liouville equations for simulating non-Markovian quantum dynamics
Authors: Yan Yun-An , Zheng Xiao , Shao Jiushu
Published: September 2022

Here we present a novel stochastic Liouville equation with piecewisely correlated noises, in which the inter-piece correlation is rigorously incorporated by a convolution integral involving functional derivatives. Due to the feature of piecewise correlation, we can perform piecewise ensemble average and serve the average of the preceding interval as the initial condition of the subsequent propagation. This strategy avoids the long-time stochastic average and the statistical errors are saturated at long times. By doing so, we circumvent the intrinsic difficulty of the stochastic simulations caused by the fast increase in the variance of the quantum Brownian motion. Therefore, as demonstrated by the numerical examples, the proposed method enables us to simulate the long-time quantum dissipative dynamics with long memories in the non-perturbative regime.
Signatures of regular black holes from the shadow of Sgr A* and M87*
Authors: Banerjee Indrani , Sau Subhadip , SenGupta Soumitra
Published: September 2022

With the recent release of the black hole image of Sgr A* alongside the earlier image of M87*, one can now really hope to acquire a better understanding of the gravitational physics at the horizon scale. In this paper, we investigate the prospect of the regular black hole scenario with a Minkowski core in explaining the observed shadow of M87* and Sgr A*. Regular black holes generally appear in Einstein gravity coupled to non-linear electrodynamics and are interesting as they can evade the r = 0 curvature singularity arising in general relativity. Using the previously determined mass and distance we compute the observables associated with the black hole shadow. These when compared with the observed angular diameter reveals that the shadow of M87* and Sgr A* favor the regular black hole scenario with a small but non-zero charge. The implications are discussed.
BURSTT: Bustling Universe Radio Survey Telescope in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Hsiu-Hsien , Lin Kai-yang , Li Chao-Te , Tseng Yao-Huan , Jiang Homin , Wang Jen-Hung , Cheng Jen-Chieh , Pen Ue-Li , Chen Ming-Tang , Chen Pisin , Chen Yaocheng , Goto Tomotsugu , Hashimoto Tetsuya , Hwang Yuh-Jing , King Sun-Kun , Kubo Derek , Kuo Chung-Yun , Mills Adam , Nam Jiwoo , Oshiro Peter , Shen Chang-Shao , Tseng Hsien-Chun , Wang Shih-Hao , Wu Vigo Feng-Shun , Bower Geoffrey , Chang Shu-Hao , Chen Pai-An , Chen Ying-Chih , Chiang Yi-Kuan , Fedynitch Anatoli , Gusinskaia Nina , Ho Simon C.-C. , Hsiao Tiger Y.-Y. , Hu Chin-Ping , Huang Yau De , Jáuregui García José Miguel , Kim Seong Jin , Kuo Cheng-Yu , Ling Decmend Fang-Jie , On Alvina Y. L. , Peterson Jeffrey B. , R. Raquel Bjorn Jasper , Su Shih-Chieh , Uno Yuri , Wu Cossas K.-W. , Yamasaki Shotaro , Zhu Hong-Ming
Published: September 2022

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are bright millisecond-duration radio transients that appear about 1000 times per day, all-sky, for a fluence threshold 5 Jy ms at 600 MHz. The FRB radio-emission physics and the compact objects involved in these events are subjects of intense and active debate. To better constrain source models, the Bustling Universe Radio Survey Telescope in Taiwan (BURSTT) is optimized to discover and localize a large sample of rare, high-fluence, and nearby FRBs. This population is the most amenable to multi-messenger and multi-wavelength follow-up, which allows a deeper understanding of source mechanisms. BURSTT will provide horizon-to-horizon sky coverage with a half power field-of-view (FoV) of ∼104 deg2, a 400 MHz effective bandwidth between 300 and 800 MHz, and subarcsecond localization, which is made possible using outrigger stations that are hundreds to thousands of km from the main array. Initially, BURSTT will employ 256 antennas. After tests of various antenna designs and optimizing the system’s performance, we plan to expand to 2048 antennas. We estimate that BURSTT-256 will detect and localize ∼100 bright (≥100 Jy ms) FRBs per year. Another advantage of BURSTT’s large FoV and continuous operation will be its greatly enhanced monitoring of FRBs for repetition. The current lack of sensitive all-sky observations likely means that many repeating FRBs are currently cataloged as single-event FRBs.
Experimental indications of non-classical brain functions
Authors: Kerskens Christian Matthias , López Pérez David
Published: September 2022

Recent proposals in quantum gravity have suggested that unknown systems can mediate entanglement between two known quantum systems, if the mediator itself is non-classical. This approach may be applicable to the brain, where speculations about quantum operations in consciousness and cognition have a long history. Proton spins of bulk water, which most likely interfere with any brain function, can act as the known quantum systems. If an unknown mediator exists, then NMR methods based on multiple quantum coherence (MQC) can act as an entanglement witness. However, there are doubts that today’s NMR signals can contain quantum correlations in general, and specifically in the brain environment. Here, we used a witness protocol based on zero quantum coherence (ZQC) where we minimized the classical signals to circumvent the NMR detection limits for quantum correlation. For short repetitive periods, we found evoked signals in most parts of the brain, whereby the temporal appearance resembled heartbeat-evoked potentials (HEPs). We found that those signals had no correlates with any classical NMR contrast. Similar to HEPs, the evoked signal depended on conscious awareness. Consciousness-related or electrophysiological signals are unknown in NMR. Remarkably, these signals only appeared if the local properties of the magnetization were reduced. Our findings suggest that we may have witnessed entanglement mediated by consciousness-related brain functions. Those brain functions must then operate non-classically, which would mean that consciousness is non-classical.
Social belonging: brain structure and function is linked to membership in sports teams, religious groups, and social clubs
Authors: Kieckhaefer Carolin , Schilbach Leonhard , Bzdok Danilo
Published: September 2022

Human behavior across the life span is driven by the psychological need to belong, right from kindergarten to bingo nights. Being part of social groups constitutes a backbone for communal life and confers many benefits for the physical and mental health. Capitalizing on the neuroimaging and behavioral data from ∼40,000 participants from the UK Biobank population cohort, we used structural and functional analyses to explore how social participation is reflected in the human brain. Across 3 different types of social groups, structural analyses point toward the variance in ventromedial prefrontal cortex, fusiform gyrus, and anterior cingulate cortex as structural substrates tightly linked to social participation. Functional connectivity analyses not only emphasized the importance of default mode and limbic network but also showed differences for sports teams and religious groups as compared to social clubs. Taken together, our findings establish the structural and functional integrity of the default mode network as a neural signature of social belonging.
Chemogenetic modulation of the medial prefrontal cortex regulates resistance to acute stress-induced cognitive impairments
Authors: Jeon Yong-Jae , Park Jung-Cheol , Jang Yoon-Sun , Kim Dong-Hee , Choi Bo-Ryoung , Kim Jae-Min , Kim Jeansok J , Han Jung-Soo
Published: September 2022

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been implicated in regulating resistance to the effects of acute uncontrollable stress. We previously showed that mPFC-lesioned animals exhibit impaired object recognition memory after acute exposure to a brief stress that had no effect in normal animals. Here, we used designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs to determine how modulating mPFC activity affects recognition-memory performance under stressful conditions. Specifically, animals with chemogenetic excitation or inhibition of the mPFC underwent either a brief ineffective stress (20-min restraint + 20 tail shocks) or a prolonged effective stress (60-min restraint + 60 tail shocks). Subsequent recognition memory tests showed that animals with chemogenetic mPFC inhibition exposed to brief stress showed impairment in an object recognition memory task, whereas those with chemogenetic mPFC excitation exposed to prolonged stress did not. Thus, the present findings the decreased mPFC activity exacerbates acute stress effects on memory function whereas increased mPFC activity counters these stress effects provide evidence that the mPFC bidirectionally modulates stress resistance.
19. ERAS GUIDELINES-DRIVEN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL CONTRAST STUDY AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY CAN DETECT DELAYED GASTRIC CONDUIT EMPTYING AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES
Authors: Klevebro Fredrik , Konradsson Magnus , Han Shiwein , Luttikhold Joanna , Nilsson Magnus , Lindblad Mats , Andersson Mats , Low Donald E
Published: September 2022

Delayed gastric conduit emptying can occur after esophagectomy and has been shown to be associated with increased risk for postoperative complications. Application of a standardized clinical protocol after esophagectomy including an upper gastrointestinal contrast study has the potential to improve postoperative outcomes.

Prospective cohort including all patients operated with esophagectomy at two high-volume centers for esophageal surgery. The standardized clinical protocol included an upper gastrointestinal contrast study on day 2 or 3 after surgery. All images were compiled and evaluated for the purpose of the study. Clinical data was collected in IRB approved institutional databases at the participating centers. The study included 119 patients of whom 112 (94.1%) completed an upper gastrointestinal contrast study.

The results showed that 8 (7.1%) patients had no emptying of contrast from the gastric conduit, partial emptying was seen in in 34 (30.4%) patients, and 70 (62.5%) patients had complete conduit emptying. Complete or partial emptying was associated with significantly earlier nasogastric tube removal (3 vs. 6 days) and hospital discharge 8 vs. 17 days, P < 0.001). Radiological signs of delayed gastric conduit emptying were shown to be associated with increased risk of postoperative complications. There was, however no association with severe postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo score, pulmonary complications, anastomotic leaks or need for intensive care.

The results of the study demonstrate that postoperative upper gastrointestinal contrast studies can be used to assess the level of emptying of the gastric conduit after esophagectomy. Application of upper gastrointestinal contrast study in the ERAS guidelines-driven standardized clinical pathway after esophagectomy can improve postoperative outcomes.
139. DOES POSTOPERATIVE NON-INVASIVE VENTILATION INCREASE THE RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN POST-REPAIR OF ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA?
Authors: Zheng Maye , Ravindranathan Hari , Lui Kei , Krishnan Usha
Published: September 2022

The primary aim of this study was to determine if postoperative use of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and/or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are independent risk factors for adverse postoperative outcomes after surgical repair of Esophageal Atresia (EA). Secondary aims were to determine other significant clinical risk factors associated with these adverse outcomes.

A retrospective chart review was conducted on all EA neonates repaired and managed postoperatively between 2007-2020 across two centres: Sydney Children’s Hospital (SCH) and The Royal Hospital for Women (RHW). The primary outcome measure was anastomotic leakage (AL), and other outcome measures included anastomotic stricture (AS), mediastinitis, sepsis, and pneumothorax. Significant associations were identified using Chi-square, and univariate and multivariate logistical regression models (p < 0.05).

We reviewed 104 charts. Post-repair, all were placed on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (median of 119.50 hours). Of these, 45 (43.3%) were subsequently bridged with some form of NIV post-extubation, with 33 each on HFNC and CPAP. 59 (56.7%) developed at least one postoperative complication: 12 had AL, and 17 had AS. After adjustment, no significant association was found between HFNC or CPAP use with development of AL (p = 0.074 and p = 0.859), or any other adverse outcome. Independent risk factors for AL include anastomosis under tension and type B EA. Delayed first oral intake significantly increased risk of mediastinitis and sepsis.

Our results show no increased risk of AL or any other adverse postoperative event with use of non-invasive ventilation in form of HFNC and/or CPAP. Reducing anastomotic tension during primary repair of OA-TOF and introducing early oral feeding appears to be protective and reduces risk of AL and infection. However, further prospective research is still needed to help guide post extubation ventilation strategies in this population.
156. ANTI-REFLUX RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY USING STRETTA FOR REFRACTORY GORD IS FEASIBLE AND REDUCES THE NEED FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
Authors: Joel Abraham , Konjengbam Alakh , Frank Helen , Hammond Emily , Kuttuva Shivani , Cowie Stuart , Mbarushimana Simon , Kourounis Georgios , Hidayat Hena , Thulasiraman Sri , Viswanath YKS
Published: September 2022

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy of the lower oesophageal sphincter using STRETTA strengthens the reflux barrier across the gastro-oesophageal junction. Numerous studies have shown improvement in reflux symptoms, reduction in proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dependence and need for surgical treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). We present the largest series from Europe, and aim to assess long term outcomes of STRETTA for patients with medically refractory GORD.

Data for all patients who underwent STRETTA from October 2014 till April 2021 were prospectively maintained on a database and was analysed retrospectively. Patients and primary care doctor practices were contacted to obtain information on PPI free period (PFP) after STRETTA therapy, which was defined as the time between STRETTA and recommencement of prescribed and daily consumption of PPI medication. As required medication use was not considered for PFP calculation. Statistical analysis and graphical presentation were carried out using Minitab® and GraphPad Prism®. Mann–Whitney test was used to compare two sets of non-parametric data and a p < 0.05 was considered significant.

From 195 patients (median age 55, 116 females (59%)) who underwent STRETTA, PFP data were available for 144 (74%) patients. Sixty-six patients (45%) remained without PPI after a median follow-up of 4.5 years (52 months). Six patients (3%) went on to have a further intervention. There was a significant negative correlation between PFP and age (p = 0.023) with no differences between the genders (p = 0.90). Patients <55 years had a longer PFP than >55 years (p = 0.012). Younger males had a significantly longer PFP than older males (0.03). However, this was not observed in the female cohort (p = 0.14).

Our findings suggest STRETTA as a safe and feasible option for treating medically refractory GORD, especially in younger patients. STRETTA does reduce the need for long term PPI and lessens the frequency of further interventions such as surgery. Further studies are required to investigate the mechanisms by which STRETTA is beneficial in the younger patient.
162. EXPERIENCE IN PRIMARY REPAIR OVER T TUBE IN IATROGENIC OESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION
Authors: Latif Mohd Danial Abd , Sarif Mat Salleh
Published: September 2022

Iatrogenic oesophageal perforation can be a devastating event following endoscopic or surgical procedures. It remains a challenge for the surgeon to intervene. The most common cause of oesophageal perforation which accounts for about 70% of the cases is iatrogenic perforation with mortality ranging from about 10 to 25%. Most of the iatrogenic perforations are from endoscopic procedures. This case report like to highlight one of the treatments for iatrogenic oesophageal perforation.

A 73-year-old female presented to the ORL team with the inability to swallow and associated with choking sensation and drooling of saliva for 2 days. The patient developed intrascapular pain post-Rigid Esophagoscopy which intensified postprandially, and developed respiratory distress with excruciating pain over the centre of the chest anteriorly and intrascapular region. Examination revealed reduce air entry of the right lung with Xray revealed right pneumothorax with a collapsed lung. CT Thorax revealed mid-oesophageal injury at above the carina with extravasation of oral contrast.

Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, Right Thoracotomy, Primary Oesophageal perforation repair over T-tube, Right Thoracic Decortication, and Washout were done.

Defect at mucosa anteriorly with stricture 23 cm and submucosal flap 28 cm from the incisor into the left thoracic cavity with perforation at the right lateral wall of the oesophagus 5 cm below the azygos vein crossing point. Myotomy performed and T-tube catheter inserted as control fistula. Oesophageal repair done and 2 chest tubes inserted at the site of perforation and base of thorax. Intraoperatively right lung expanded well. A contrast swallow study on day 46 shown no evidence of fistula between trachea and oesophagus or leak. The surveillance endoscope showed remarkable healing.

Iatrogenic oesophageal perforation remains amongst the main causes for oesophageal emergencies which require proper planning, and prompt management. Proper selection of both non-operative and operative management are interchangeable with the time, and progression of a patient’s conditions. As these cases are rarely encountered thus such cases should be managed at a centre that is equipped with a trained, and experienced specialist unit, thus preventing misdiagnosis, undertreated treatment, and unwanted outcomes.
174. IMPACT OF WEEKEND EFFECT ON SHORT- AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING ESOPHAGECTOMY FOR CANCER: A POPULATION-BASED, PROPENSITY SCORE-MATCHED ANALYSIS
Authors: Yang Tzu Yi
Published: September 2022

The question as to whether the weekend effect can have an impact on the survival outcomes of patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer remains unanswered.

This was a retrospective analysis of a nationwide health administrative dataset that included all patients (n = 3235) who had undergone elective esophagectomy for cancer between 2008 and 2015. Patients were categorized according to the day of surgery (weekday group [Monday through Friday], n = 3148; weekend group [Saturday or Sunday], n = 87). Propensity score matching computed using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to reduce bias due to baseline differences.

After IPTW weighting, patients undergoing esophagectomy on weekends had a higher 90-day mortality rate compared with those undergoing surgery on a weekday (10.5% versus 5.5%, respectively, P < 0.001). After controlling for potential confounders, weekend surgery was identified as an independent adverse predictor of 2-year overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.38, P < 0.001). Importantly, inferior weekend outcomes were especially evident in certain subgroups, including patients aged >60 years as well as those with a high burden of comorbidities, advanced tumor stage, a histological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, and treated with minimally invasive esophagectomy (all P < 0.001).

Elective esophagectomy for cancer during weekends has an adverse impact on short- and long-term survival.