bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of dissipative Landau–Zener transitions in an anisotropic three-level system
Authors: Zhang Lixing , Wang Lu , Gelin Maxim F. , Zhao Yang
Published: May 2023

We investigate the dynamics of Landau–Zener (LZ) transitions in an anisotropic, dissipative three-level LZ model (3-LZM) using the numerically accurate multiple Davydov D2Ansatz in the framework of the time-dependent variational principle. It is demonstrated that a non-monotonic relationship exists between the Landau–Zener transition probability and the phonon coupling strength when the 3-LZM is driven by a linear external field. Under the influence of a periodic driving field, phonon coupling may induce peaks in contour plots of the transition probability when the magnitude of the system anisotropy matches the phonon frequency. The 3-LZM coupled to a super-Ohmic phonon bath and driven by a periodic external field exhibits periodic population dynamics in which the period and amplitude of the oscillations decrease with the bath coupling strength.
Amorphous solidification of a supercooled liquid in the limit of rapid cooling
Authors: Sun Gang , Harrowell Peter
Published: May 2023

We monitor the transformation of a liquid into an amorphous solid in simulations of a glass forming liquid by measuring the variation of a structural order parameter with either changing temperature or potential energy to establish the influence of the cooling rate on amorphous solidification. We show that the latter representation, unlike the former, exhibits no significant dependence on the cooling rate. This independence extends to the limit of instantaneous quenches, which we find can accurately reproduce the solidification observed during slow cooling. We conclude that amorphous solidification is an expression of the topography of the energy landscape and present the relevant topographic measures.
CLIL in Spain and Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thuy , Llinares Ana
Published: May 2023

This study is based on the comparison between two Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) contexts – in
Madrid, Spain and in Hanoi, Vietnam – with a focus on teachers’ use of oral corrective feedback in classroom interaction at the primary
school level. The model of corrective feedback (CF) developed by Lyster and Ranta
(1997) and reproduced in Lyster and Mori (2006) was adapted for the analysis
of teachers’ CF on errors of form and learners’ uptake. Participants of the study include three Spanish-native teachers in three
bilingual schools in Madrid and four Vietnamese-native teachers in two bilingual schools in Hanoi, all at the primary school
level. All classroom data was collected in CLIL natural-science classes in both settings. Results from the study showed that the
overall CF patterns were very similar in both contexts with recasts as the most frequent CF type, followed by prompts and explicit
correction. More specific differences were observed in the levels of uptake and repair following each type used by different
teachers across the two contexts.
閩南語的去鼻化音變與原始沿海閩語的清響音
Authors: Shen Ruiqing
Published: May 2023

抽象的

本文希望能在前人研究的基礎上更合理地解釋閩南語去鼻化音變(Denasalization)的來龍去脈。首先，本文觀察到閩南語的去鼻化現象中的「詞彙兩分」現象跟中古四聲的聲調兩分存在關聯，且詞彙條件完全一致，兩者的相關性只能用一個同時存在清濁兩套鼻音的階段來解釋，即去鼻化音變發生在清濁鼻音合併之前。其次，本文發現閩南語的去鼻化符合世界語言去鼻化音變的普遍規律：它發生在鼻化元音出現與濁塞音消失之後。最後，本文也梳理了閩南語去鼻化音變及其相關音變的條件與相對順序，構擬了原始沿海閩語表現為清響音的語素，並討論了它跟客家話的聯繫。
Education and dialogical self: state of art (Educación y yo dialógico: estado de la cuestión)
Authors: Monereo Carles , Hermans Hubert
Published: May 2023

The introduction of the Dialogical Self Theory in the field of education has not received the recognition it deserves. In this article we intend to prove the importance of research in DST, reviewing its main contributions to the psychology of education for the past decade. To this end, we have organized it into three thematic areas: dialogical teaching and learning processes, professional identity in different educational levels, and studies pertaining to inclusive education and, particularly, intercultural education. We conclude with a section dedicated to future lines of research, in line with the most recent international reports on twenty-first-century education. After this review, we can state that DST constitutes a revolutionary epistemological approach, which permeabilizes the boundaries between the inter- and the intra-psychological, taking the mental and public planes as two parallel societies in constant dialogue, and and giving back to psychology its central function in the study of mental dynamics, that ‘black box’ which socio-constructivist trends had partially omitted.
Refinement behaviour of microstructure in in-situ synthesised (TiB+TiC)/Ti6Al4V composites by laser melting deposition
Authors: Gu Hai , Zhang Jie , Sun Jianhua , Wu Guoqing , Sun Zhonggang
Published: May 2023

Laser melting deposition (LMD) was used to stimulate the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) of Ti6Al4V grains by adding a few of nano-B4C particles. The results showed that the grains were gradually refined with the increase of B4C content. When the B4C content is 3 wt-%, the titanium matrix composite material of B4C and Ti6Al4V reached CET. Ti6Al4V and B4C happened in-situ reaction to form TiB and TiC reinforcements at high temperature, which not only precipitate at grain boundaries to limit grain growth but also act as nucleation to accelerate the non-spontaneous nucleation of β grains to achieve fine grain strengthening. It reveals the epitaxial growth mechanism of β grains at the deposition bottom, the transition pattern and CET mechanism of the interface structure in successive deposition layers.
Microstructural evolution of aluminium in dissimilar A1050/S45C FSW joints by Zn interlayer
Authors: Saleh Mohamed , Morisada Yoshiaki , Ushioda Kohsaku , Fujii Hidetoshi
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the microstructural evolution of A1050 stir zones in dissimilar A1050/S45C friction stir-welded joints fabricated with 100- and 200-µm-thick Zn interlayers in addition to a third joint without any interlayer. The dissolved Zn in the A1050 stir zones contributed to its strengthening by forming Al–Zn solid solution. The addition of Zn refined the A1050 grains with many well-defined high-angle grain boundaries. The effect of Zn in the A1050 strengthening and grain refinement becomes apparent with a relatively high content of Zn. The possible precipitation of Zn-rich particles along the A1050 grain boundaries may also contribute to the A1050 stir zone strengthening by retarding the dislocation motion and enhancing the discontinuous dynamic recrystallisation.
Provable sample-efficient sparse phase retrieval initialized by truncated power method
Authors: Cai Jian-Feng , Li Jingyang , You Juntao
Published: May 2023

We study the sparse phase retrieval problem, recovering an s-sparse length-n signal from m magnitude-only measurements. Two-stage non-convex approaches have drawn much attention in recent studies. Despite non-convexity, many two-stage algorithms provably converge to the underlying solution linearly when appropriately initialized. However, in terms of sample complexity, the bottleneck of those algorithms with Gaussian random measurements often comes from the initialization stage. Although the refinement stage usually needs only

m
=
Ω
(
s
log
n
)

measurements, the widely used spectral initialization in the initialization stage requires

m
=
Ω
(

s
2

log
n
)

measurements to produce a desired initial guess, which causes the total sample complexity order-wisely more than necessary. To reduce the number of measurements, we propose a truncated power method to replace the spectral initialization for non-convex sparse phase retrieval algorithms. We prove that

m
=
Ω
(

s
ˉ

s
log
n
)

measurements, where

s
ˉ

is the stable sparsity of the underlying signal, are sufficient to produce a desired initial guess. When the underlying signal contains only very few significant components, the sample complexity of the proposed algorithm is

m
=
Ω
(
s
log
n
)

and optimal. Numerical experiments illustrate that the proposed method is more sample-efficient than state-of-the-art algorithms.
A novel electromagnetic micropump with PDMS membrane supported by a stainless-steel microstructure
Authors: Dehghan Mohammad , Tahmasebipour Mohammad
Published: May 2023

As a main component, membrane micropumps play a key role in developing microfluidic systems. This part pumps fluids by deflecting a membrane using a micro-actuator with a deflection range of a few micrometers during a few seconds. Most electromagnetic micropumps have low lifetime and fracture toughness or low recovery speed. Micropumps with metallic mass-spring structures can overcome the mentioned disadvantages or limitations. This study investigated the fabrication and characterization of a novel electromagnetic micropump. The proposed micropump consists of a stainless-steel mass-spring structure, a polydimethylsiloxane body and membrane, a permanent NdFeB magnet, a micro-coil, and a 3D printed spacer. To characterize the micropump, the effects of the frequency and duty cycle of the electric current applied to the micro-coil on the micropump flow rate and the membrane deflection vs. time were investigated. A membrane deflection of ±8 µm was obtained in 4 s by applying 1000 mA electrical current to the micro-coil. The maximum volumetric flow rate of 523 nl s−1 was obtained at a frequency of 125 mHz and a duty cycle of 50%. The von Mises stress distribution in the micropump membrane and variations of the fluid velocity in the microchannels were analyzed using the finite element method.
Study on arc duration and erosion characteristics of cable electrodes in AC series circuits
Authors: Gao Zishan , Yang Rui , Yang Wenjie , Yao Yina , Wang Jian
Published: May 2023

Arc duration and erosion characteristics of cables are closely related to electrical fire hazards. In this study, the arc duration and arc erosion characteristics of copper and aluminum core cables were explored. The main erosion modes of copper core cable with mica insulation (HC0) and aluminum core cable with polyimide (PI) insulation (HA0) were determined. Results show that several large molten droplets with diameters of 5 ± 0.5 mm would drip down from the molten pool on the cable end during arcing of HC0, but the molten droplets are adhered to the molten pool and do not drip down during arcing of HA0. We concluded that the differences in melting energy and oxide film between copper and aluminum are the main reasons for this phenomenon. Besides, the molten pool can be formed on the cable end as the insulation is heatproof, which plays a vital role in prolonging the arc duration of cables. The arc duration of cables with heatproof insulation is longer than those with common insulation. This means that the cables with heatproof insulation have higher fire hazards from the perspective of arc duration. To further understand the influence of molten pools on arc duration, an arc duration model was developed based on energy balance, which is beneficial in determining the arc duration of cables with heatproof insulation in electrical fire accident investigation.
Towards in-line real-time characterization of roll-to-roll produced ZTO/Ag/ITO thin films by hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Dogan-Surmeier Susanne , Gruber Florian , Bieder Steffen , Schlenz Patrick , Paulus Michael , Albers Christian , Schneider Eric , Thiering Nicola , Maurer Christian , Tolan Metin , Wollmann Philipp , Cornelius Steffen , Sternemann Christian
Published: May 2023

Large area manufacturing processes of thin films such as large-area vacuum roll-to-roll coating of dielectric and gas permeation barrier layers in industry require a precise control of e.g. film thickness, homogeneity, chemical compositions, crystallinity and surface roughness. In order to determine these properties in real time, hyperspectral imaging is a novel, cost-efficient, and fast tool as in-line technology for large-area quality control. We demonstrate the application of hyperspectral imaging to characterize the thickness of thin films of the multilayer system ZTO/Ag/ITO produced by roll-to-roll magnetron sputtering on 220 mm wide polyethylene terephthalate substrate. X-ray reflectivity measurements are used to determine the thickness gradients of roll-to-roll produced foils with sub nanometer accuracy that serve as ground truth data to train a machine learning model for the interpretation of the hyperspectral imaging spectra. Based on the model, the sub-layer thicknesses on the complete substrate foil area were predicted which demonstrates the capabilities of this approach for large-scale in-line real-time quality control for industrial applications.
Visual characterization of pollution and moisture parameters of the polluted HTV silicone rubber surface with hyperspectral imaging technology
Authors: Xia Changjie , Ren Ming , Wang Kai , Li Qianyu , Guan Haobin , Dong Ming , Zhang Tao , Miao Jin
Published: May 2023

The application of high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber materials in transmission lines insulators has been extensive. However, with the accumulation of pollution and moisture on the surface of HTV silicone rubber, the insulation reliability gradually decreases, which may even lead to flashover. In this paper, hyperspectral imaging technology is utilized as a rapid and effective tool for the visual characterization of pollution and moisture parameters of the polluted HTV silicone rubber. Based on the analysis of reflection spectra, it has been determined that the pollution degree has a positive effect and the moisture content has a negative effect on the reflection characteristics of HTV silicone rubber, respectively. Further quantitative analysis of reflectance values at various moisture conditions reveals that exponential relationships can be observed between reflectance values and moisture contents at a certain wavelength. At the same time, linear correlations between reflectance values and pollution degrees (quantified as equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD)) at a certain wavelength are also proposed. By integrating the exponential and linear relationships, a double-exponential model is formulated to concurrently characterize the ESDD and moisture content (MC). Furtherly, from the perspective of engineering application, to enhance the model’s robustness, a set of equations combining spectral indexes and spectral shape feature parameters is initially formulated for the calculating of ESDD and MC. Given the synchronous inversion and visualization capabilities of pollution and moisture parameters of the polluted HTV silicone rubber surface, the visual characterization model serves as a valuable tool for protecting against pollution flashover failures and designing power equipment insulation.
The impact of light polarization and the nature of modes in the formation of quasi-bound states in the continuum at near-normal incidence
Authors: Prathap N V Satwik , Khokhar Megha , Nair Rajesh V
Published: May 2023

Bound states in the continuum (BIC) is a peculiar resonant mode with an infinite radiative lifetime and quality factor (Q-factor) embedded within the radiation continuum, which find applications in sensing, lasing, and quantum photonics. While an ideal BIC with an infinite Q-factor can only occur in theory, observing quasi-BIC in realistic samples with finite sizes is possible. However, the robustness of quasi-BIC depends primarily on the trapped electromagnetic modes. Here, we discuss the polarization dependence and the nature of quasi-BIC mode in a two-dimensional array of gallium arsenide (GaAs) scatterers through finite difference time domain simulations and analytical calculations. The calculated angle- and polarization-dependent transmission spectra show quasi-BIC evolution with high Q-factor at near-normal incidence only for transverse magnetic polarization. The calculated total scattering cross-section implies the dominant contribution from electric dipole moments in generating the quasi-BIC. The evolution of quasi-BIC mode is discussed in terms of Mie or Fabry–Perot modes using geometry-dependent transmission and field intensity calculations. The proposed GaAs metasurfaces with quasi-BIC at 638 nm, corresponding to the zero phonon line of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond are useful for applications in photonic quantum technologies.
A low sampling rate method for the monopole UWB impulse parameter monitoring using waveform transformation
Authors: Zhang Shenda , Xie Shuguo , Li Yinghan , Yang Meiling
Published: May 2023

In ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse parameter monitoring, amplitude and pulse width measurements are crucial for detecting and classifying unknown impulse signals. Meanwhile, mass sampling data and the complexity of the current measurement technologies are the limitations of real-time and continuous monitoring. It urges to adopt a simple method that reduces the sampling rate without sacrificing accuracy. This article suggests a novel approach for the monopole UWB by analog signal preprocessing before sampling. A peak detector and integrator are utilized to retain the impulse amplitude and the area inside the impulse for a period, which is the so-called waveform transformation. A low-speed two-channel synchronous ADC samples the output signals from the peak detector and the integrator to determine the amplitude and the area. In the signal process, we demonstrate the concept that pulse width value equals the division of area and amplitude. Due to the distorted amplitude caused by the response time of the peak detector, the relationship between the distorted amplitude, the actual amplitude, and the pulse width is analyzed and examined based on the response function. Finally, the actual amplitude and pulse width are acquired and calculated by solving two equations. In terms of impulse waveform, rectangular and Gaussian waveform factors are developed and applied in the measurement. The proof-of-concept experimental results of a 0.68 V/ 18.8 ns rectangular impulse at a 10 Msps sampling rate is 0.711 V/ 17.00 ns with 4.56 %/ 9.57% relative error, tested and verified.
Minimization of carrier recombination in La2NiMnO6 double perovskite solar cells by optimizing defects and band offsets
Authors: Yadav Neetika , Khare Ayush
Published: May 2023

In the present work, an extensive study has been carried out on the parameters that govern the non-radiative recombination losses associated with the absorber double perovskite material. Four different device configurations have been proposed by incorporating different electron transport layers (ETL) namely tungsten disulfide (WS2), tungsten trioxide (WO3), zinc selenide (ZnSe), and strontium titanate (STO) with La2NiMnO6 (LNMO) double perovskite material as an active layer and cuprous oxide (Cu2O) as a hole transport layer (HTL). In this investigation, the role of band offsets in the collection, transportation, and recombination of charge carriers has been examined in detail. Further, the impact of thickness and the defect positions i.e. shallow defects and deep defects on the photovoltaic (PV) parameters of the cells has been thoroughly elucidated. The ideal barrier height between HTL and back contact (C, Ni, Ag, and Au) at various valence band maximum (VBM) levels has also been investigated for the proper collection of charge carriers. Interestingly, the results of the present simulation reveal that the WS2-based device with configuration FTO/WS2/LNMO/Cu2O/Au shows the highest PCE of 24.08% after optimization. The findings and interpretation of this work demonstrate that La2NiMnO6 an eco-friendly and non-toxic material can be used to produce high-efficiency perovskite devices.
Simulation of efficient Sn/Pb-based formamidinium perovskite solar cells with variation of electron transport layers
Authors: Rani Rekha , Monga Kamil , Chaudhary Shilpi
Published: May 2023

Numerical modelling on functional Sn-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been performed and compared with Pb-based PSCs by using general-purpose photovoltaic device model software. The effect of variation in active layer thickness and various electron transport layers (ETLs), including tin oxide (SnO2), zinc oxide, C60, titanium dioxide, phenyl-C61- butyric acid methyl ester, on the photovoltaic parameters of Sn-based PSCs has been investigated. The active layer thickness was observed to be 500 nm, and SnO2 as ETL material resulted in the most efficient PSC. The optimized Sn-based device with formamidinium tin iodide as perovskite active layer shows promising results with a maximum power conversion efficiency of 24.41% compared to 27.49% for formamidinium lead iodide-based device. Further, other photovoltaic parameters for lead free PSC devices are quite comparable as for lead-based devices, showing the potential of Sn-based perovskite material as a fair candidate to replace toxic Pb-based-PSCs.
Electron acceleration by wakefield generated by the propagation of chirped laser pulse in plasma
Authors: Singh Saumya , Mishra Dinkar , Kumar Bhupesh , Jha Pallavi
Published: May 2023

A study of generation of wakefield and particle acceleration via propagation of linearly polarised, chirped, Gaussian laser pulse in preformed plasma channel is presented. Perturbation technique is used to separate slow and fast varying plasma electron velocities and density. Considering the laser pulse length and amplitude to be evolving along the propagation distance, nonlinear fluid equations are used to derive longitudinal electric wakefields at varying propagation distances for chirped as well as unchirped pulses. It has been seen that longitudinal wakefield amplitude generated by positively (negatively) chirped laser pulses is higher (lower) than the amplitude obtained by unchirped laser pulses. The wakefield amplitudes are optimized with respect to the propagation distance. Further, trapping and acceleration of electrons by the generated wakes, is analysed. Comparing the energy of an accelerated test electron using chirped and unchirped laser pulses, it is shown that positively chirped laser pulses are capable of accelerating test electron to maximum energy using minimum injection energy. Hence, highest energy gain can be obtained by propagation of positively chirped laser pulse in plasma.
Tuning the spin texture of graphene with size-specific Cu
n
clusters: a first-principles study
Authors: Murugesan Ramasamy , Janssens Ewald , Van de Vondel Joris , Afanas’ev Valeri , Houssa Michel
Published: May 2023

The size dependent interaction of Cu
n
(n = 1‒5) clusters with pristine and defective (C-vacancy) graphene is studied by employing density functional theory. The computed binding energies are in the range of ∼0.5 eV for pristine graphene and ∼3.5 eV for defective graphene, indicating a much stronger interaction in the later system. The induced spin–orbit coupling interaction, due to the proximity of the Cu
n
cluster, is studied with non-collinear spin-polarized simulations. The clusters cause a spin splitting in the order of few meV. The resultant low energy bands spin textures are also computed, and a spin–valley coupling in the case of even atom clusters on pristine graphene is predicted, leading to the emergence of a spin lifetime anisotropy. For defective graphene, a complete out-of-plane spin texture and a large spin splitting of 40–100 meV is obtained for Cu
n
(n = 1, 2, 3, 5) clusters due to local magnetic moment. On the other hand, for Cu4/defective graphene, having no net magnetic moment, the spin–valley coupling prevails close to the band edges.
‘She Don’t Speak, But She Remembers’: Shakespeare’s Silent Specters in A Song of Ice and Fire
Authors: Kellermann Jonas
Published: May 2023

This article reads the resurrected Catelyn Stark, also known as Lady Stoneheart, in George R. R. Martin’s series of fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire, as a spectral adaptation of female silence in the works of William Shakespeare, especially of Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. Like Hermione, Catelyn experiences the loss of her son, dies herself shortly thereafter, and miraculously returns from the dead as a stone-like, voiceless figure. Yet, unlike Hermione, resurrection transforms Catelyn into a merciless embodiment of vengeance, whose grotesque appearance and persona shed a provocative new light on the representation of maternal grief and misogynist violence in Shakespearean drama. Hermione’s ambivalent silence at the end of The Winter’s Tale thus takes on an unequivocal tone of rage in her contemporary specter. Lady Stoneheart also exemplifies the adaptational tension between Martin’s series and the TV show Game of Thrones, in the latter of which Lady Stoneheart—while being absent—still maintains a haunting discursive presence.
KNeMAP: a network mapping approach for knowledge-driven comparison of transcriptomic profiles
Authors: Pavel Alisa , del Giudice Giusy , Fratello Michele , Ghemtio Leo , Di Lieto Antonio , Yli-Kauhaluoma Jari , Xhaard Henri , Federico Antonio , Serra Angela , Greco Dario
Published: May 2023

Motivation

Transcriptomic data can be used to describe the mechanism of action (MOA) of a chemical compound. However, omics data tend to be complex and prone to noise, making the comparison of different datasets challenging. Often, transcriptomic profiles are compared at the level of individual gene expression values, or sets of differentially expressed genes. Such approaches can suffer from underlying technical and biological variance, such as the biological system exposed on or the machine/method used to measure gene expression data, technical errors and further neglect the relationships between the genes. We propose a network mapping approach for knowledge-driven comparison of transcriptomic profiles (KNeMAP), which combines genes into similarity groups based on multiple levels of prior information, hence adding a higher-level view onto the individual gene view. When comparing KNeMAP with fold change (expression) based and deregulated gene set-based methods, KNeMAP was able to group compounds with higher accuracy with respect to prior information as well as is less prone to noise corrupted data.

Result

We applied KNeMAP to analyze the Connectivity Map dataset, where the gene expression changes of three cell lines were analyzed after treatment with 676 drugs as well as the Fortino et al. dataset where two cell lines with 31 nanomaterials were analyzed. Although the expression profiles across the biological systems are highly different, KNeMAP was able to identify sets of compounds that induce similar molecular responses when exposed on the same biological system.

Availability and implementation

Relevant data and the KNeMAP function is available at: https://github.com/fhaive/KNeMAP and 10.5281/zenodo.7334711.
Modeling biomarker variability in joint analysis of longitudinal and time-to-event data
Authors: Wang Chunyu , Shen Jiaming , Charalambous Christiana , Pan Jianxin
Published: May 2023

The role of visit-to-visit variability of a biomarker in predicting related disease has been recognized in medical science. Existing measures of biological variability are criticized for being entangled with random variability resulted from measurement error or being unreliable due to limited measurements per individual. In this article, we propose a new measure to quantify the biological variability of a biomarker by evaluating the fluctuation of each individual-specific trajectory behind longitudinal measurements. Given a mixed-effects model for longitudinal data with the mean function over time specified by cubic splines, our proposed variability measure can be mathematically expressed as a quadratic form of random effects. A Cox model is assumed for time-to-event data by incorporating the defined variability as well as the current level of the underlying longitudinal trajectory as covariates, which, together with the longitudinal model, constitutes the joint modeling framework in this article. Asymptotic properties of maximum likelihood estimators are established for the present joint model. Estimation is implemented via an Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm with fully exponential Laplace approximation used in E-step to reduce the computation burden due to the increase of the random effects dimension. Simulation studies are conducted to reveal the advantage of the proposed method over the two-stage method, as well as a simpler joint modeling approach which does not take into account biomarker variability. Finally, we apply our model to investigate the effect of systolic blood pressure variability on cardiovascular events in the Medical Research Council elderly trial, which is also the motivating example for this article.
Intratumoral injection therapies for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: systematic review
Authors: Willink Coen Ysbrand , Jenniskens Sjoerd Franciscus Maria , Klaassen Nienke Johanna Maria , Stommel Martijn Willem Jan , Nijsen Johannes Frank Wilhelmus
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst prognoses of all cancers. Patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer have a 12.7–20.2 per cent chance of receiving curative surgery after induction systemic chemotherapy. Intratumoral injection therapies have been studied as complementary treatment options for improved local tumour control. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of intratumoral injection therapies, their safety, and oncological outcome in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles written in English up to 28 November 2022. All study designs involving at least five patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer who were treated with an intratumoral injection therapy were included. Critical appraisal of the included studies was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.

Results

After evaluation of the 1680 articles yielded by the systematic search, 52 studies treating 1843 patients were included. Included intratumoral injection treatment modalities comprised iodine-125 (125I) seed brachytherapy (32 studies, 1283 patients), phosphorus-32 (32P) microbrachytherapy (5 studies, 133 patients), palladium-103 (103Pd) seed brachytherapy (2 studies, 26 patients), immunotherapy (9 studies, 330 patients), and chemotherapy (4 studies, 71 patients). Overall survival ranged between 7.0 and 16.0 months for 125I, 5.2 and 15.5 months for 32P, 6.9 and 10.0 months for 103Pd, 5.8 and 13.8 months for immunotherapy, and 9.0 and 16.2 months for chemotherapy. Severe complication (greater than or equal to grade III complications using Clavien–Dindo classification) rates were 6.2 per cent for 125I, 49.2 per cent for 32P, 15 per cent for 103Pd, 57.9 per cent for immunotherapy, and 0 per cent for chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Five intratumoral injection therapies are described and an overview is reported. Some intratumoral injection therapies for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer seem safe, although 32P microbrachytherapy and immunotherapy require additional evidence. Currently available data are insufficient to provide firm conclusions regarding the added value to survival. The potential advantage of intratumoral injection therapies complementary to conventional care should be studied in well designed RCTs.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate derived from PRP-Exos promotes angiogenesis in diabetic wound healing via the S1PR1/AKT/FN1 signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Tianyi , Song Peiyang , He Min , Rui Shunli , Duan Xiaodong , Ma Yu , Armstrong David G , Deng Wuquan
Published: May 2023

Background

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a key regulator of vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis, is enriched in exosomes derived from platelet-rich plasma (PRP-Exos). However, the potential role of PRP-Exos-S1P in diabetic wound healing remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of PRP-Exos-S1P in diabetic angiogenesis and wound repair.

Methods

Exosomes were isolated from PRP by ultracentrifugation and analysed by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blotting. The concentration of S1P derived from PRP-Exos was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression level of S1P receptor1–3 (S1PR1–3) in diabetic skin was analysed by Q-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis and proteomic sequencing were conducted to explore the possible signalling pathway mediated by PRP-Exos-S1P. A diabetic mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of PRP-Exos on wound healing. Immunofluorescence for cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) was used to assess angiogenesis in a diabetic wound model.

Results

In vitro, PRP-Exos significantly promoted cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. Furthermore, PRP-Exos accelerated the process of diabetic angiogenesis and wound closure in vivo. S1P derived from PRP-Exos was present at a high level, and S1PR1 expression was significantly elevated compared with S1PR2 and S1PR3 in the skin of diabetic patients and animals. However, cell migration and tube formation were not promoted by PRP-Exos-S1P in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with shS1PR1. In the diabetic mouse model, inhibition of S1PR1 expression at wounding sites decreased the formation of new blood vessels and delayed the process of wound closure. Bioinformatics analysis and proteomics indicated that fibronectin 1 (FN1) was closely related to S1PR1 due to its colocalization in the endothelial cells of human skin. Further study supported that FN1 plays an important role in the PRP-Exos-S1P-mediated S1PR1/protein kinase B signalling pathway.

Conclusions

PRP-Exos-S1P promotes angiogenesis in diabetic wound healing via the S1PR1/protein kinase B/FN1 signalling pathway. Our findings provide a preliminary theoretical foundation for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers using PRP-Exos in the future.
Functional connectivity of cortical-cerebellar networks in relation to sensorimotor behavior and clinical features in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Unruh Kathryn E , Bartolotti James V , McKinney Walker S , Schmitt Lauren M , Sweeney John A , Mosconi Matthew W
Published: May 2023

Sensorimotor issues are present in the majority of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and are associated with core symptoms. The neural systems associated with these impairments remain unclear. Using a visually guided precision gripping task during functional magnetic resonance imaging, we characterized task-based connectivity and activation of cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar visuomotor networks. Participants with ASD (n = 19; ages 10–33) and age- and sex-matched neurotypical controls (n = 18) completed a visuomotor task at low and high force levels. Relative to controls, individuals with ASD showed reduced functional connectivity of right primary motor-anterior cingulate cortex and left anterior intraparietal lobule (aIPL)-right Crus I at high force only. At low force, increased caudate, and cerebellar activation each were associated with sensorimotor behavior in controls, but not in ASD. Reduced left aIPL-right Crus I connectivity was associated with more severe clinically rated ASD symptoms. These findings suggest that sensorimotor problems in ASD, particularly at high force levels, involve deficits in the integration of multimodal sensory feedback and reduced reliance on error-monitoring processes. Adding to literature positing that cerebellar dysfunction contributes to multiple developmental issues in ASD, our data implicate parietal-cerebellar connectivity as a key neural marker underlying both core and comorbid features of ASD.
1-Year Incidence of Tuberculosis Infection and Disease Among Household Contacts of Rifampin- and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Krishnan Sonya , Wu Xingye , Kim Soyeon , McIntire Katie , Naini Linda , Hughes Michael D , Dawson Rodney , Mave Vidya , Gaikwad Sanjay , Sanchez Jorge , Mendoza-Ticona Alberto , Gonzales Pedro , Comins Kyla , Shenje Justin , Fontain Sandy Nerette , Omozoarhe Ayotunde , Mohapi Lerato , Lalloo Umesh G , Garcia Ferreira Ana Cristina , Mugah Christopher , Harrington Mark , Shah N Sarita , Hesseling Anneke C , Churchyard Gavin , Swindells Susan , Gupta Amita ,   for the AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5300/International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials I2003 Protecting Households on Exposure to Newly Diagnosed Index Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Patients Feasibility Study Team* (Additional study group members are listed in the Acknowledgment section)
Published: May 2023

Background

Tuberculosis infection (TBI) and TB disease (TBD) incidence remains poorly described following household contact (HHC) rifampin-/multidrug-resistant TB exposure. We sought to characterize TBI and TBD incidence at 1 year in HHCs and to evaluate TB preventive treatment (TPT) use in high-risk groups.

Methods

We previously conducted a cross-sectional study of HHCs with rifampin-/multidrug-resistant TB in 8 high-burden countries and reassessed TBI (interferon-gamma release assay, HHCs aged ≥5 years) and TBD (HHCs all ages) at 1 year. Incidence was estimated across age and risk groups (<5 years; ≥5 years, diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]; ≥5 years, not diagnosed with HIV/unknown, baseline TBI-positive) by logistic or log-binomial regression fitted using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Of 1016 HHCs, 850 (83.7%) from 247 households were assessed (median, 51.4 weeks). Among 242 HHCs, 52 tested interferon-gamma release assay–positive, yielding a 1-year 21.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.7–27.4) TBI cumulative incidence. Sixteen of 742 HHCs developed confirmed (n = 5), probable (n = 3), or possible (n = 8) TBD, yielding a 2.3% (95% CI, 1.4–3.8) 1-year cumulative incidence (1.1%; 95% CI, .5–2.2 for confirmed/probable TBD). TBD relative risk was 11.5-fold (95% CI, 1.7–78.7), 10.4-fold (95% CI, 2.4–45.6), and 2.9-fold (95% CI, .5–17.8) higher in age <5 years, diagnosed with HIV, and baseline TBI high-risk groups, respectively, vs the not high-risk group (P = .0015). By 1 year, 4% (21 of 553) of high-risk HHCs had received TPT.

Conclusions

TBI and TBD incidence continued through 1 year in rifampin-/multidrug-resistant TB HHCs. Low TPT coverage emphasizes the need for evidence-based prevention and scale-up, particularly among high-risk groups.
Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate Effects of Eplerenone on Myocardial Perfusion and Function Among Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)—Results From the MIRACLE HIV Study
Authors: Srinivasa Suman , Walpert Allie R , Thomas Teressa S , Huck Daniel M , Jerosch-Herold Michael , Islam Sabeeh , Lu Michael T , Burdo Tricia H , deFilippi Christopher R , Dunderdale Carolyn N , Feldpausch Meghan , Iyengar Sanjna , Shen Grace , Baak Stephen , Torriani Martin , Robbins Gregory K , Lee Hang , Kwong Raymond , DiCarli Marcelo , Adler Gail K , Grinspoon Steven K
Published: May 2023

Background

Increased renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) activity may contribute to excess cardiovascular disease in people with HIV (PWH). We investigated how RAAS blockade may improve myocardial perfusion, injury, and function among well-treated PWH.

Methods

Forty PWH, on stable ART, without known heart disease were randomized to eplerenone 50 mg PO BID (n = 20) or identical placebo (n = 20) for 12 months. The primary endpoints were (1) myocardial perfusion assessed by coronary flow reserve (CFR) on cardiac PET or stress myocardial blood flow (sMBF) on cardiac MRI or (2) myocardial inflammation by extracellular mass index (ECMi) on cardiac MRI.

Results

Beneficial effects on myocardial perfusion were seen for sMBF by cardiac MRI (mean [SD]: 0.09 [0.56] vs −0.53 [0.68] mL/min/g; P = .03) but not CFR by cardiac PET (0.01 [0.64] vs −0.07 [0.48]; P = .72, eplerenone vs placebo). Eplerenone improved parameters of myocardial function on cardiac MRI including left ventricular end diastolic volume (−13 [28] vs 10 [26] mL; P = .03) and global circumferential strain (GCS; median [interquartile range 25th–75th]: −1.3% [−2.9%–1.0%] vs 2.3% [−0.4%–4.1%]; P = .03), eplerenone versus placebo respectively. On cardiac MRI, improvement in sMBF related to improvement in global circumferential strain (ρ = −0.65, P = .057) among those treated with eplerenone. Selecting for those with impaired myocardial perfusion (CFR <2.5 and/or sMBF <1.8), there was a treatment effect of eplerenone versus placebo to improve CFR (0.28 [0.27] vs −0.05 [0.36]; P = .04). Eplerenone prevented a small increase in troponin (0.00 [−0.13–0.00] vs 0.00 [0.00–0.74] ng/L; P = .03) without effects on ECMi (0.9 [−2.3–4.3] vs −0.7 [−2.2–−0.1] g/m2; P = .38). CD4+ T-cell count (127 [−38–286] vs −6 [−168–53] cells/μL; P = .02) increased in the eplerenone- versus placebo-treated groups.

Conclusions

RAAS blockade with eplerenone benefitted key indices and prevented worsening of myocardial perfusion, injury, and function among PWH with subclinical cardiac disease when compared with placebo.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02740179 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02740179?term=NCT02740179&draw=2&rank=1).
Hepatitis C Guidance 2023 Update: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases– Infectious Diseases Society of America Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Bhattacharya Debika , Aronsohn Andrew , Price Jennifer , Lo Re Vincent ,   the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases–Infectious Diseases Society of America HCV Guidance Panel, Heald Jon , Demisashi Genet , Durzy Elizabeth , Davis-Owino Audrey , Tynes Sheila
Published: May 2023

The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases have collaboratively developed evidence-based guidance regarding the diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection since 2013. A panel of clinicians and investigators with extensive infectious diseases or hepatology expertise specific to HCV infection periodically reviews evidence from the field and update existing recommendations or introduce new recommendations as evidence warrants.

This update focuses on changes to the guidance since the previous 2020 published update, including ongoing emphasis on recommended universal screening; management recommendations for incomplete treatment adherence; expanded eligibility for simplified chronic HCV infection treatment in adults with minimal monitoring; updated treatment and retreatment recommendations for children as young as 3 years; management and treatment recommendations in the transplantation setting; and screening, treatment, and management recommendations for unique and key populations.
Disagreement between patients’ and general practitioners’ estimates of patient health literacy increases from the top to the bottom of the social ladder: a cross-sectional study in the Paris area
Authors: Casta Céline , Bucher Sophie , Labitrie Pierre , Nadot Théotime , Panjo Henri , Rigal Laurent
Published: May 2023

Background

Associated with both socioeconomic position and health outcomes, health literacy (HL) may be a mechanism contributing to social disparities. However, it is often difficult for general practitioners (GPs) to assess their patients’ HL level.

Objective

To analyse disagreements about patient HL between GPs and their patients according to the patient’s socioeconomic position.

Methods

For each of the 15 participating GPs (from the Paris-Saclay University network), every adult consulting at the practice on a single day was recruited. Patients completed the European HL Survey questionnaire and provided socio-demographic information. For each patient, doctors answered 4 questions from the HL questionnaire with their opinion of the patient’s HL. The doctor–patient disagreement about each patient’s HL was analysed with mixed logistic models to study its associations with patients’ occupational, educational, and financial characteristics.

Results

The analysis covered the 292 patients (88.2% of the 331 included patients) for whom both patients and GPs responded. The overall disagreement was 23.9%. In all, 71.8% of patients estimated their own HL as higher than their doctors did, and the gap between doctors’ answers and those of their patients widened from the top to the bottom of the social ladder. The odd ratio for the ‘synthetic disagreement’ variable for workers versus managers was 3.48 (95% CI: 1.46–8.26).

Conclusions

The lower the patient’s place on the social ladder, the greater the gap between the patient’s and doctor’s opinion of the patient’s HL. This greater gap may contribute to the reproduction or maintenance of social disparities in care and health.
3-D gravity inversion for the basement relief reconstruction through modified success-history-based adaptive differential evolution
Authors: Ekinci Yunus Levent , Balkaya Çağlayan , Göktürkler Gökhan , Ai Hanbing
Published: May 2023

A gravity inversion procedure using the success-history-based adaptive differential evolution (SHADE) algorithm is presented to reconstruct the 3-D basement relief geometry in sedimentary basins. We introduced exponential population size (number) reduction (EPSR) to reduce the computational cost and used self-adaptive control parameters to solve this highly nonlinear inverse problem. Model parametrization was carried out by discretizing the sedimentary cover via juxtaposed right prisms, each placed below each observation point. Resolvability characteristics of the 3-D inverse problem were revealed through some cost function topography landscapes. The fine-tuned control parameter namely, population number allowed us to get best benefit from the algorithm. Additionally, a stabilizing function as a relative constraint was used to avoid undesired effects originated from the ill-posedness of the problem. In the synthetic data cases, the strategy we propose outperformed the linear population number reduction strategy which has won various IEEE–CEC competitions so far. Thorough uncertainty assessments via probability density function and principal component analysis demonstrated the solidity of the obtained inverse models. In the real data case, residual gravity anomalies of two well-known major grabens of Aegean Graben System (Türkiye), calculated thanks to the finite element method, were inverted. It was determined that the inverse solutions obtained for these basement reliefs, whose depths are still controversial, are statistically reliable. Moreover, these depths were found to be less than the depths reported in most previous studies. We conclude that the SHADE using EPSR strategy that we propose is a powerful alternative inversion tool for highly nonlinear geophysical problems.
Moments of Random Quantum Marginals via Weingarten Calculus
Authors: Matsumoto Sho , McSwiggen Colin
Published: May 2023

The randomized quantum marginal problem asks about the joint distribution of the partial traces (“marginals”) of a uniform random Hermitian operator with fixed spectrum acting on a space of tensors. We introduce a new approach to this problem based on studying the mixed moments of the entries of the marginals. For randomized quantum marginal problems that describe systems of distinguishable particles, bosons, or fermions, we prove formulae for these mixed moments, which determine the joint distribution of the marginals completely. Our main tool is Weingarten calculus, which provides a method for computing integrals of polynomial functions with respect to Haar measure on the unitary group. As an application, in the case of two distinguishable particles, we prove some results on the asymptotic behavior of the marginals as the dimension of one or both Hilbert spaces goes to infinity.
Robust Near-Diagonal Green Function Estimates
Authors: Kassmann Moritz , Kim Minhyun , Lee Ki-Ahm
Published: May 2023

We prove sharp near-diagonal pointwise bounds for the Green function $G_\Omega (x,y)$ for nonlocal operators of fractional order $\alpha \in (0,2)$. The novelty of our results is two-fold: the estimates are robust as $\alpha \to 2-$ and we prove the bounds without making use of the Dirichlet heat kernel $p_\Omega (t;x,y)$. In this way, we can cover cases, in which the Green function satisfies isotropic bounds but the heat kernel does not.