bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrated methodology for estimating the interface temperature and effects of powder diameters in laser transmission welding process
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Qiao Haiyu , Chen Yani , Li Qian , Chen Zhenyu , Liu Yayun , Wang Chuanyang
Published: March 2023

The powder diameter affects the heat generation and further influences the quality of weldments when the MZA powder is used as laser-absorbents to carry out laser transmission welding (LTW). It is difficult to measure the temperature due to its extremely short duration. A mathematical model considering the multiple reflections of metal powder is established to predict heat generation. The mathematical model is verified and then used to describe the influence of line energy density and powder diameter on the temperature profile of the LTW process. The results demonstrate that the temperature from experiments and simulation are consistent. Therefore, the established model is suitable to predict the heat generation of metal powder laser-absorbents in the LTW process.
IFN-γ signature enables selection of neoadjuvant treatment in patients with stage III melanoma
Authors: Reijers Irene L.M. , Rao Disha , Versluis Judith M. , Menzies Alexander M. , Dimitriadis Petros , Wouters Michel W. , Spillane Andrew J. , Klop Willem M.C. , Broeks Annegien , Bosch Linda J.W. , Lopez-Yurda Marta , van Houdt Winan J. , Rawson Robert V. , Grijpink-Ongering Lindsay G. , Gonzalez Maria , Cornelissen Sten , Bouwman Jasper , Sanders Joyce , Plasmeijer Elsemieke , Elshot Yannick S. , Scolyer Richard A. , van de Wiel Bart A. , Peeper Daniel S. , van Akkooi Alexander C.J. , Long Georgina V. , Blank Christian U.
Published: March 2023

Neoadjuvant ipilimumab + nivolumab has demonstrated high pathologic response rates in stage III melanoma. Patients with low intra-tumoral interferon-γ (IFN-γ) signatures are less likely to benefit. We show that domatinostat (a class I histone deacetylase inhibitor) addition to anti-PD-1 + anti-CTLA-4 increased the IFN-γ response and reduced tumor growth in our murine melanoma model, rationalizing evaluation in patients. To stratify patients into IFN-γ high and low cohorts, we developed a baseline IFN-γ signature expression algorithm, which was prospectively tested in the DONIMI trial. Patients with stage III melanoma and high intra-tumoral IFN-γ scores were randomized to neoadjuvant nivolumab or nivolumab + domatinostat, while patients with low IFN-γ scores received nivolumab + domatinostat or ipilimumab + nivolumab + domatinostat. Domatinostat addition to neoadjuvant nivolumab ± ipilimumab did not delay surgery but induced unexpected severe skin toxicity, hampering domatinostat dose escalation. At studied dose levels, domatinostat addition did not increase treatment efficacy. The baseline IFN-γ score adequately differentiated patients who were likely to benefit from nivolumab alone versus patients who require other therapies.
IFNγ score–based neoadjuvant immunotherapy for stage III melanoma
Authors: Fukuda Keitaro
Published: March 2023

In this issue of JEM, Reijers et al. (2023. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20221952) demonstrate that pre- and post-treatment IFNγ-related gene expression scores are promising markers for choosing neoadjuvant immunotherapy for stage III melanoma.
A first-principles study of 1D and 2D C60 nanostructures: strain effects on band alignments and carrier mobility
Authors: Shi Yong-Bo , Lv Shu-Han , Shao Zhu-Feng , Dong Hai-Kuan , Cao Shuo , Qian Ping
Published: March 2023

In the breakthrough progress made in the latest experiment Hou et al (2022 Nature
606 507), 2D

C

60

polymer was exfoliated from the quasi-hexagonal bulk crystals. Bulk

C

60

polymer with quasi-tetragonal phase was found to easily form 1D fullerene structure with

C

60

molecules connected by C=C. Inspired by the experiment, we investigate the strain behaviors of 1D and 2D

C

60

polymers by first-principles calculations. Some physical properties of these low dimensional

C

60

polymers, including structural stability, elastic behavior, band alignment and carrier mobility, are predicted. Compared with fullerene

C

60

molecule, 1D and 2D

C

60

polymers are metastable. At absolute zero temperature, 1D

C

60

bears a uniaxial tensile strain less than 11.5%, and 2D monolayer

C

60

withstands a biaxial tensile strain less than 7.5%. At 300 K, ab initio molecular dynamics confirm that they can withstand the strains of 9% and 5%, respectively. Strain engineering can adjust the absolute position of the band edge. In the absence of strain, carrier mobility is predicted to be µ

e
= 398 and µ

h
= 322

c
m

2

V

−
1

s

−
1

for 1D

C

60

polymer, and

μ

e
,
x

=
74

/

μ

e
,
y

= 34

c
m

2

V

−
1

s

−
1

and

μ

h
,
x

=
646

/

μ

h
,
y

= 1487

c
m

2

V

−
1

s

−
1

for 2D

C

60

polymer. Compared with other carbon based semiconductors, these

C

60

polymers exhibit high effective mass, resulting in low mobility.
Electron dynamics in planar radio frequency magnetron plasmas: III. Comparison of experimental investigations of power absorption dynamics to simulation results
Authors: Berger B , Eremin D , Oberberg M , Engel D , Wölfel C , Zhang Q-Z , Awakowicz P , Lunze J , Brinkmann R P , Schulze J
Published: March 2023

In magnetized capacitively coupled radio-frequency (RF) discharges operated at low pressure the influence of the magnetic flux density on discharge properties has been studied recently both by experimental investigations and in simulations. It was found that the magnetic asymmetry effect allows for a control of the DC self-bias and the ion energy distribution by tuning the magnetic field strength. In this study, we focus on experimental investigations of the electron power absorption dynamics in the presence of a magnetron-like magnetic field configuration in a low pressure capacitive RF discharge operated in argon. Phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy measurements provide insights into the electron dynamics on a nanosecond-timescale. The magnetic flux density and the neutral gas pressure are found to strongly alter these dynamics. For specific conditions energetic electrons are efficiently trapped by the magnetic field in a region close to the powered electrode, serving as the target surface. Depending on the magnetic field strength an electric field reversal is observed that leads to a further acceleration of electrons during the sheath collapse. These findings are supported by two-dimensional particle in cell simulations that yield deeper insights into the discharge dynamics.
Nonlinear optical refractive index changes of GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dot under tangent-square potential
Authors: Chang Ceng
Published: March 2023

We investigate in detail the effects of some factors on the optical refractive index change (RICs) in GaAs/AlGaAs parabolic quantum dot (QD) with tangent-square potential (TSP) in our paper, such as the radius of quantum dot, the depth and width limit potential. In the first place, we increase the limit of tangent square potential in the z-direction of the system, which is based on the original parabolic QD, then the Schrödinger equation corresponding to the modified system is solved, and the expressions of different splitting energy levels and wave functions are obtained. At last, the numerical simulations indicate that these physical factors have a significant effect on the nonlinear optical performances of the tunable system.
Seismic metamaterials based on coupling mechanism of inertial amplification and local resonance
Authors: Li Lixia , Wang Qi , Liu Haixia , Li Ling , Yang Qian , Zhu Chuang
Published: March 2023

Inertial amplification mechanisms could be used to control the propagation of elastic waves in beams and slabs, but it was a difficult problem to apply inertial amplification mechanisms to seismic metamaterials to design low-frequency broadband. This paper presents a inertially amplified locally resonant seismic metamaterial (IALR-SM) using the coupling mechanism of inertial amplification and local resonance. In contrast to the locally resonant seismic metamaterial (LRSM), the large-mass columns as local resonators of IALR-SM are attached to the connector and small-mass columns to form the inertia amplification structures. The finite element method calculates the eigenmodes’ band structure and displacement vector field. Numerical results indicated that the bandwidth of the IALR-SM increases by 194% compared to LRSM for seismic surface waves below 20 Hz. The formation mechanism of the yield in large band gaps is attributed to the coupling mechanism of local resonance and inertial amplification. In addition, the numerical effects of geometric parameters on the band gaps are investigated. The findings showed that the side length of the small-mass columns plays a vital role in determining which coupling mechanism is dominant. Finally, field experiments demonstrated that the IALR-SM generates low-frequency broadband.
Light drag in an optically dense left-handed atomic medium
Authors: Ali Hazrat , Boutabba Nadia
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we investigate the light drag in an optically dense negative refractive index medium. Our model is a four-level atomic system in which we demonstrate an enhancement of the light drag while keeping the negative refraction condition. Furthermore, we control the shift in the light drag by tuning both the strong coupling field and the detuning. Hence, we observe that the light drag in the negative refractive index material can be controlled to switch from subluminal to superluminal at various ranges of the detuning. Our system suggests a straightforward technique for realizing and controlling light dragging in materials with negative refractive indices, or ‘NRI,’ which might open the way for more efficient use of left-handedness in atomic systems.
Bayesian analysis for a class of α-attractor inflationary models
Authors: X. Linares Cedeño Francisco , German Gabriel , Carlos Hidalgo Juan , Montiel Ariadna
Published: March 2023

We perform a Bayesian study of a generalization of the basic α-attractor T model given by the potential V(ϕ) = V
0[1-sech
p
(ϕ/√(6α)M
pl)] where ϕ is the inflaton field and the parameter α corresponds to the inverse curvature of the scalar manifold in the conformal or superconformal realizations of the attractor models. Such generalization is characterized by the power p which includes the basic or base model for p = 2. Once the priors for the parameters of the α-attractor potential are set by numerical exploration, we perform the corresponding statistical analysis for the cases p = 1, 2, 3, 4, and derive posteriors. Considering the original α-attractor potential as the base model, we calculate the evidence for our generalization, and conclude that the p = 4 model is preferred by the CMB data. We also present constraints for the parameter α. Interestingly, all the cases studied prefer a specific value for the tensor-to-scalar ratio given by r ≃ 0.0025.
Comprehensive analysis of pure-quartic soliton dynamics in a passively mode-locked fiber laser
Authors: Liu 刘 Lie 列 , Han 韩 Ying 颖 , Huo 霍 Jiayu 佳雨 , Wen 文 Honglin 红琳 , Wu 吴 Ge 戈 , Gao 高 Bo 博
Published: March 2023

The understanding of soliton dynamics promotes the development of ultrafast laser technology. High-energy pure-quartic solitons (PQSs) have gradually become a hotspot in recent years. Herein, we numerically study the influence of the gain bandwidth, saturation power, small-signal gain, and output coupler on PQS dynamics in passively mode-locked fiber lasers. The results show that the above four parameters can affect PQS dynamics. Pulsating PQSs occur as we alter the other three parameters when the gain bandwidth is 50 nm. Meanwhile, PQSs evolve from pulsating to erupting and then to splitting as the other three parameters are altered when the gain bandwidth is 10 nm, which can be attributed to the existence of the spectral filtering effect and intra-cavity fourth-order dispersion. These findings provide new insights into PQS dynamics in passively mode-locked fiber lasers.
High harmonic generation in crystal SiO2 by sub-10-fs laser pulses
Authors: Wang Shuai , Guo Jiawei , He Xinkui , Liang Yueying , Xie Baichuan , Zhong Shiyang , Teng Hao , Wei Zhiyi
Published: March 2023

The high harmonic generation (HHG) by few-cycle laser pulses is essential for research in strong-field solid-state physics. Through comparison of high harmonic spectra of solids generated by laser pulses with varying durations, we discovered that lasers with good dispersion compensation are capable of producing a broad spectrum of high harmonics. As the pulse duration is further compressed, several interference peaks appear in the broad spectrum. Moreover, we conducted simulations using the semiconductor Bloch equation, considering the effect of Berry curvature, to better understand this process. Our work provides a valuable approach for studying HHG by few-cycle laser pulses in solid materials, expanding the application of HHG in attosecond physics.
Balance perturbation and error processing elicit distinct brain dynamics
Authors: Jalilpour Shayan , Müller-Putz Gernot
Published: March 2023

Objective. The maintenance of balance is a complicated process in the human brain, which involves multisensory processing such as somatosensory and visual processing, motor planning and execution. It was shown that a specific cortical activity called perturbation-evoked potential (PEP) appears in the electroencephalogram (EEG) during balance perturbation. PEPs are primarily recognized by the N1 component with a negative peak localized in frontal and central regions. There has been a doubt in balance perturbation studies whether the N1 potential of perturbation is elicited due to error processing in the brain. The objective of this study is to test whether the brain perceives postural instability as a cognitive error by imposing two types of perturbations consisting of erroneous and correct perturbations. Approach. We conducted novel research to incorporate the experiment designs of both error and balance studies. To this end, participants encountered errors during balance perturbations at rare moments in the experiment. We induced errors by imposing perturbations to participants in the wrong directions and an erroneous perturbation was considered as a situation when the participant was exposed to an opposite direction of the expected/informed one. In correct perturbations, participants were tilted to the same direction, as they were informed. We analyzed the two conditions in time, time-frequency, and source domains. Main results. We showed that two error-related neural markers were derived from the EEG responses, including error positivity (Pe), and error-related alpha suppression (ERAS) during erroneous perturbations. Consequently, early neural correlates of perturbation cannot be interpreted as error-related responses. We discovered distinct patterns of conscious error processing; both Pe and ERAS are associated with conscious sensations of error. Significance. Our findings indicated that early cortical responses of balance perturbation are not associated with neural error processing of the brain, and errors induce distinct cortical responses that are distinguishable from brain dynamics of N1 potential.
Relations between entropy rate, entropy production and information geometry in linear stochastic systems
Authors: Guel-Cortez Adrian-Josue , Kim Eun-Jin
Published: March 2023

In this work, we investigate the relation between the concept of ‘information rate’, an information geometric method for measuring the speed of the time evolution of the statistical states of a stochastic process, and stochastic thermodynamics quantities like entropy rate and entropy production. Then, we propose the application of entropy rate and entropy production to different practical applications such as abrupt event detection, correlation analysis, and control engineering. Specifically, by utilising the Fokker–Planck equation of multi-variable linear stochastic processes described by Langevin equations, we calculate the exact value for information rate, entropy rate, and entropy production and derive various inequalities among them. Inspired by classical correlation coefficients and control techniques, we create entropic-informed correlation coefficients as abrupt event detection methods and information geometric cost functions as optimal thermodynamic control policies, respectively. The methods are analysed via the numerical simulations of common prototypical systems.
Development of novel single-die hybridisation processes for small-pitch pixel detectors
Authors: Svihra P. , Braach J. , Buschmann E. , Dannheim D. , Dort K. , Fritzsch T. , Kristiansen H. , Rothermund M. , Schmidt J.V. , Vicente Barreto Pinto M. , Williams M.
Published: March 2023

Hybrid pixel detectors require a reliable and cost-effective interconnect technology adapted to the pitch and die sizes of the respective applications. During the ASIC and sensor R&D phase, especially for small-scale applications, such interconnect technologies need to be suitable for the assembly of single dies, typically available from Multi-Project-Wafer submissions. Within the CERN EP R&D programme and the AIDAinnova collaboration, innovative hybridisation concepts targeting vertex-detector applications at future colliders are under development. Recent results of two novel interconnect methods for pixel pitches of 25 µm and 55 µm are presented in this contribution — an industrial fine-pitch SnAg solder bump-bonding process adapted to single-die processing using support wafers, as well as a newly developed in-house single-die interconnection process based on Anisotropic Conductive Film (ACF). The fine-pitch bump-bonding process is qualified with hybrid assemblies from a recent bonding campaign at Frauenhofer IZM. Individual CLICpix2 ASICs with 25 µm pixel pitch were bump-bonded to active-edge silicon sensors with thicknesses ranging from 50 µm to 130 µm. The device characterisation was conducted in the laboratory as well as during a beam test campaign at the CERN SPS beam-line, demonstrating an interconnect yield of about 99.7%. The ACF interconnect technology replaces the solder bumps by conductive micro-particles embedded in an epoxy film. The electro-mechanical connection between the sensor and ASIC is achieved via thermocompression of the ACF using a flip-chip device bonder. The required pixel pad topology is achieved with an in-house Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) plating process. This newly developed ACF hybridisation process is first qualified with the Timepix3 ASICs and sensors with 55 µm pixel pitch. The technology can be also used for ASIC-PCB/FPC integration, replacing wire bonding or large-pitch solder bumping techniques. This contribution introduces the two interconnect processes and presents preliminary hybridisation results with CLICpix2 and Timepix3 sensors and ASICs.
Dynamics of quantum double dark-solitons and an exact finite-size scaling of Bose–Einstein condensation
Authors: Kinjo Kayo , Sato Jun , Deguchi Tetsuo
Published: March 2023

We show several novel aspects in the exact non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum double dark-soliton states in the Lieb–Liniger model for the one-dimensional Bose gas with repulsive interactions. We also show an exact finite-size scaling of the fraction of the quasi-Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) in the ground state, which should characterize the quasi-BEC in quantum double dark-soliton states that we assume to occur in the weak coupling regime. First, we show the exact time evolution of the density profile in the quantum state associated with a quantum double dark-soliton by the Bethe ansatz. Secondly, we derive a kind of macroscopic quantum wave-function effectively by exactly evaluating the square amplitude and phase profiles of the matrix element of the field operator between the quantum double dark-soliton states. The profiles are close to those of dark-solitons particularly in the weak-coupling regime. Then, the scattering of two notches in the quantum double dark-soliton state is exactly demonstrated. It is suggested from the above observations that the quasi-BEC should play a significant role in the dynamics of quantum double dark-soliton states. If the condensate fraction is close to 1, the quantum state should be well approximated by the quasi-BEC state where the mean-field picture is valid.
Effects of mono and mix diets on growth of Artemia and its application as dietary sources of Pterophyllum scalare (Angelfish)
Authors: Aziz Nik Syifa Amni Nik Abdul , Azani Nizalmie , Yatim Siti Rohana , Rasdi Nadiah Wan
Published: March 2023

Artemia is a type of brine shrimp that can provide good nutrients and a well digested fish larva with high potential live feed. Therefore, Artemia is readily contained in capsulated cysts that have been preserved for a long period of time. In the industrial, however, there is a lack of knowledge and technique regarding the handling of suitable life feed as first feed for fish larvae. The study is to observe the growth and survival rate of Angelfish larvae (Pterophyllum scalare) with various types of enriched Artemia. Three types enrichment are used (Tetraselmis sp., Chlorella sp., and mixed diet; Tetraselmis sp. + Chlorella sp.). This experiment was performed for 35 days, and the growth (SGR), survival and nutritional analysis were reported to assess the effect of the larvae of Angelfish. Specific growth rate (SGR) of Angelfish larvae (11.49 ± 0.63%), and survival rate (81.0 ± 1.92%). Angelfish larvae had the highest growth and survival rate on mixed diet fed (Tetraselmis sp. + Chlorella sp.) compared to other enrichments, Tetraselmis sp. (9.56 ± 0.08%, 70.00 ± 0.00%) and sp. (10.03 ± 0.13%, 74.0 ± 2.03%), this was related while examining the protein and lipids. The mean value of the mixed diet protein and lipid analysis (57.91 ± 0.27%, 7.31 ± 1.35%) is the highest as compared to other enrichments, Tetraselmis sp. (44.73 ± 0.73%, 4.85 ± 0.60%), and Chlorella sp. (49.76 ± 1.19%, 7.31± 5.05%). As the conclusion, mixed diet is more successful diet for growth performances and survival rate to fish larvae. This study applies if the Artemia can be culture in the future without the technique of decapsulation cysts to reduce cost in using Artemia.
DAmFRET measures saturating concentrations and toxicities of protein phase transitions in vivo
Authors: Miller Tayla , Wu Jianzheng , Venkatesan Shriram , Gama Alejandro Rodriguez , Halfmann Randal
Published: March 2023

Proteins with complex phase behavior are difficult to study in cells due to low throughput and resolution of fluorescence microscopy. Miller et al. modify a flow cytometry assay–Distribued Amphifluoric FRET (DAmFRET)–to better address this challenge. They find that correcting for cell size heterogeneity using an orthogonal fluorescent proxy of total protein expression sharpens phase boundary measurements and identifies proteotoxic phases.
Risk and Benefit of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines for the Omicron Variant by Age, Sex, and Presence of Comorbidity: A Quality-Adjusted Life Years Analysis
Authors: Kitano Taito , Thompson David A , Engineer Lilly , Dudley Matthew Z , Salmon Daniel A
Published: March 2023

The development of the mutant omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raised the importance of reevaluating the risk and benefit of COVID-19 vaccines. With a decision tree model, we calculated the benefit-risk ratio and the benefit-risk difference of receiving monovalent messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (primary 2 doses, a third dose, and a fourth dose) in the 4–5 months after vaccination using quality-adjusted life years. The analysis was stratified by age, sex, and the presence of comorbidity. Evidence from peer-reviewed publications and gray literature was reviewed on September 16, 2022, to inform the study. Benefit-risk ratios for receipt of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) ranged from 6.8 for males aged 12–17 years without comorbidity for the primary doses to 221.3 for females aged ≥65 years with comorbidity for the third dose. The benefit-risk ratios for receipt of the mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna) ranged from 7.2 for males aged 18–29 years without comorbidity for the primary doses to 101.4 for females aged ≥65 years with comorbidity for the third dose. In all scenarios of the one-way sensitivity analysis, the benefit-risk ratios were more than 1, irrespective of age, sex, comorbidity status, and type of vaccine, for both primary and booster doses. The benefits of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in protecting against the omicron variant outweigh the risks, irrespective of age, sex, and comorbidity.
Introduction of the Lip Classification of Tubercles: A Novel Approach to Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Lip Treatments
Authors: Harris Steven , Alfertshofer Michael , Allen Rory , Castellari Fabrizio , Othoro Don , Bran Greg , Cotofana Sebastian
Published: March 2023

Background

Lip enhancement procedures involving dermal fillers are one of the most sought after nonsurgical aesthetic treatments. However, current trends are associated with unnatural results and involve increased risks of complications and compromise to normal function. It appears that lips may be classified according to the presentation of their tubercles and this may be used to guide minimally invasive techniques which aim to preserve individual lip shapes and normal function.

Objectives

To test the reliability of a classification system based on lip tubercle morphology, named the Lip Classification of Tubercles (LCT).

Methods

To test the reliability of the LCT, a total of 214 high-definition photographs of patients’ lips with no previous histories of lip treatments were classified independently by 4 experienced aesthetic practitioners on 2 separate occasions 3 months apart; the second followed a more detailed explanation of the classification.

Results

When inter-rater reliability was calculated for the first attempt, the results were 36% and 43% for upper and lower lips, respectively. The second attempt following an education process resulted in 79% for both lips. When 1 practitioner was considered the standard, the average score for the remaining 3 showed some individual variation but improved significantly from 58% to 85%.

Conclusions

The LCT is a reliable way to classify lip types based on the morphology of tubercles.

Level of Evidence: 3
Magnetic predictions
Authors: Rice Oliver
Published: March 2023

Oliver Rice discusses work in modelling the magnetic field in the solar corona, and one way in which this may be used to predict the eruptions of magnetic flux ropes
Insatiable souls: Philo of Alexandria’s readings of food
Authors: Flaig Carsten
Published: March 2023

While Philo of Alexandria maintained that the pleasure that stems from the consumption of food can overstimulate human desire, he attributed great philosophical significance to the symbolism of food. On the one hand, in De specialibus legibus 4, the food that is permitted for consumption in the Torah is open to philosophical explanation and inspires learning; on the other, Philo connects what he considers to be the most godlike part of humans—the intellect—with a kind of intellectual nourishment, which is accompanied by a transformed pleasure that is not—and cannot be—excessive. In this chapter, I suggest that Philo adopted Platonic food imagery to differentiate between different layers of desire for and enjoyment of food. This, in turn, was a way to articulate the difference, and also the mediation, between the intellectual (noetic) and the sense-perceptible cosmos.
√2-estimation for smooth eigenvectors of matrix-valued functions
Authors: Motta Giovanni , Wu Wei Biao , Pourahmadi Mohsen
Published: March 2023

Modern statistical methods for multivariate time series rely on the eigendecomposition of matrix-valued functions such as time-varying covariance and spectral density matrices. The curse of indeterminacy or misidentification of smooth eigenvector functions has not received much attention. We resolve this important problem and recover smooth trajectories by examining the distance between the eigenvectors of the same matrix-valued function evaluated at two consecutive points. We change the sign of the next eigenvector if its distance with the current one is larger than the square root of 2. In the case of distinct eigenvalues, this simple method delivers smooth eigenvectors. For coalescing eigenvalues, we match the corresponding eigenvectors and apply an additional signing around the coalescing points. We establish consistency and rates of convergence for the proposed smooth eigenvector estimators. Simulation results and applications to real data confirm that our approach is needed to obtain smooth eigenvectors.
Automatic case cluster detection using hospital electronic health record data
Authors: DeWitt Michael E , Wierzba Thomas F
Published: March 2023

Case detection through contact tracing is a key intervention during an infectious disease outbreak. However, contact tracing is an intensive process where a given contact tracer must locate not only confirmed cases but also identify and interview known contacts. Often these data are manually recorded. During emerging outbreaks, the number of contacts could expand rapidly and beyond this, when focused on individual transmission chains, larger patterns may not be identified. Understanding if particular cases can be clustered and linked to a common source can help to prioritize contact tracing effects and understand underlying risk factors for large spreading events. Electronic health records systems are used by the vast majority of private healthcare systems across the USA, providing a potential way to automatically detect outbreaks and connect cases through already collected data. In this analysis, we propose an algorithm to identify case clusters within a community during an infectious disease outbreak using Bayesian probabilistic case linking and explore how this approach could supplement outbreak responses; especially when human contact tracing resources are limited.
Score Function for the Optimization of the Performance of Forward Fill/Flush Differential Flow Modulation for Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography
Authors: Lelevic Aleksandra , Geantet Christophe , Lorentz Chantal , Moreaud Maxime , Souchon Vincent
Published: March 2023

Modulation is the key element of the comprehensive 2D gas chromatography separation. Forward fill/flush flow modulation is cost effective, robust and suitable for analysis of a wide range of samples. Even though this modulation system is well known, studies regarding its optimization are sparse. In this work, based on hundreds of experiments involving multiple column sets and modulation conditions, an approach was proposed that permits to facilitate the choice of the forward fill/flush flow modulation parameters. A score function was developed that allows to predict the forward fill/flush flow modulation process efficiency as judged by the modulated peak shape. The score function was based on the physical rules for optimized and quantitative forward fill/flush flow modulation proposed in our previous work, which state that the sum of the fill and flush modulation distances should be close to the modulation channel length and that the ratio of the flush and fill distances should be sufficiently high for efficient channel flushing. The score function was embedded in a freely available tool in the form of a forward fill/flush flow modulation calculator, which allows the user either to quickly check the relevancy of the modulation operating conditions or to obtain a suggestion for optimal modulation parameters.
Multiplexing Homocysteine into First-Tier Newborn Screening Mass Spectrometry Assays Using Selective Thiol Derivatization
Authors: Pickens C Austin , Courtney Elya , Isenberg Samantha L , Cuthbert Carla , Petritis Konstantinos
Published: March 2023

Background

Classical homocystinuria (HCU) results from deficient cystathionine β-synthase activity, causing elevated levels of Met and homocysteine (Hcy). Newborn screening (NBS) aims to identify HCU in pre-symptomatic newborns by assessing Met concentrations in first-tier screening. However, unlike Hcy, Met testing leads to a high number of false-positive and -negative results. Therefore, screening for Hcy directly in first-tier screening would be a better biomarker for use in NBS.

Methods

Dried blood spot (DBS) quality control and residual clinical specimens were used in analyses. Several reducing and maleimide reagents were investigated to aid in quantification of total Hcy (tHcy). The assay which was developed and validated was performed by flow injection analysis–tandem mass spectrometry (FIA-MS/MS).

Results

Interferents of tHcy measurement were identified, so selective derivatization of Hcy was employed. Using N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) to selectively derivatize Hcy allowed interferent-free quantification of tHcy by FIA-MS/MS in first-tier NBS. The combination of tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) and NEM yielded significantly less matrix effects compared to dithiothreitol (DTT) and NEM. Analysis of clinical specimens demonstrated that the method could distinguish between HCU-positive, presumptive normal newborns, and newborns receiving total parenteral nutrition.

Conclusions

Here we present the first known validated method capable of screening tHcy in DBS during FIA-MS/S first-tier NBS.
Time-Aware Data Partition Optimization and Heterogeneous Task Scheduling Strategies in Spark Clusters
Authors: Lu SenXing , Zhao Mingming , Li Chunlin , Du Quanbing , Luo Youlong
Published: March 2023

The Spark computing framework provides an efficient solution to address the major requirements of big data processing, but data partitioning and job scheduling in the Spark framework are the two major bottlenecks that limit Spark’s performance. In the Spark Shuffle phase, the data skewing problem caused by unbalanced data partitioning leads to the problem of increased job completion time. In response to the above problems, a balanced partitioning strategy for intermediate data is proposed in this article, which considers the characteristics of intermediate data, establishes a data skewing model and proposes a dynamic partitioning algorithm. In Spark heterogeneous clusters, because of the differences in node performance and task requirements, the default task scheduling algorithm cannot complete scheduling efficiently, which leads to low system task processing efficiency. In order to deal with the above problems, an efficient job scheduling strategy is proposed in this article, which integrates node performance and task requirements, and proposes a task scheduling algorithm using greedy strategy. The experimental results prove that the dynamic partitioning algorithm for intermediate data proposed in this article effectively alleviates the problem that data skew leads to the decrease of system task processing efficiency and shortens the overall task completion time. The efficient job scheduling strategy proposed in this article can efficiently complete the job scheduling tasks under heterogeneous clusters, allocate jobs to nodes in a balanced manner, decrease the overall job completion time and increase the system resource utilization.
Nitrate leaching and its implication for Fe and As mobility in a Southeast Asian aquifer
Authors: Glodowska Martyna , Ma Yinxiao , Smith Garrett , Kappler Andreas , Jetten Mike , Welte Cornelia U
Published: March 2023

The drinking water quality in Southeast Asia is at risk due to arsenic (As) groundwater contamination. Intensive use of fertilizers may lead to nitrate (NO3−) leaching into aquifers, yet very little is known about its effect on iron (Fe) and As mobility in water. We ran a set of microcosm experiments using aquifer sediment from Vietnam supplemented with 15NO3− and 13CH4. To assess the effect of nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (N-DAMO) we also inoculated the sediment with two different N-DAMO enrichment cultures. We found that native microorganisms and both N-DAMO enrichments could efficiently consume all NO3− in 5 days. However, CH4 oxidation was observed only in the inoculated microcosms, suggesting that the native microbial community did not perform N-DAMO. In uninoculated microcosms, NO3− was preferentially used over Fe(III) as an electron acceptor and consequently inhibited Fe(III) reduction and As mobilization. The addition of N-DAMO enrichment cultures led to Fe(III) reduction and stimulated As and Mn release into the water. The archaeal community in all treatments was dominated by Ca. Methanoperedens while the bacterial community consisted of various denitrifiers. Our results suggest that input of N fertilizers to the aquifer decreases As mobility and that CH4 cannot serve as an electron donor for NO3− reduction.
‘Source-specific’ air pollution and risk of stroke in Denmark
Authors: Poulsen Aslak Harbo , Sørensen Mette , Hvidtfeldt Ulla Arthur , Brandt Jørgen , Frohn Lise Marie , Ketzel Matthias , Christensen Jesper H , Im Ulas , Raaschou-Nielsen Ole
Published: March 2023

Background

Long-term air pollution is a risk factor for stroke. Which types and sources of air pollution contribute most to stroke in populations is unknown. We investigated whether risk of stroke differed by type and source of air pollution.

Methods

We selected all persons aged >50 years and living in Denmark in the period 2005–17. We estimated running 5-year mean residential air-pollution concentrations of particulate matter <2.5 µm (PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFP), elemental carbon (EC) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Pollutants were modelled as total air pollution from all emission sources, as well as apportioned into contributions from non-traffic and traffic sources. Hazard ratios (HRs) and CIs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for area-level and personal demographic and socio-economic covariates. We identified all primary strokes from hospital and mortality registers.

Results

The cohort numbered 2 million people and 94 256 cases of stroke. Interquartile ranges (IQR) of air pollution were associated with risk of stroke with HRs of 1.077 (95% CI: 1.061–1.094, IQR: 1.85 µg/m3) for PM2.5, 1.039 (1.026–1.052, IQR: 4248 particles/cm3) for UFP, 1.009 (1.001–1.018, IQR: 0.28 µg/m3) for EC and 1.028 (1.017–1.040, IQR: 7.15 µg/m3) for NO2. Traffic sources contributed little to the total exposure. HRs associated with air pollution from traffic were close to the null, whereas non-traffic sources tended to be associated with HRs higher than those for total air pollution, e.g. for non-traffic PM2.5, the HR was 1.091 (1.074–1.108).

Conclusions

Air pollution, including UFP, was associated with risk of stroke. The risk appeared attributable mainly to air pollution from non-traffic sources.
On Numerical Dimensions of Calabi–Yau Varieties
Authors: Jiang Chen , Wang Long
Published: March 2023

Let $X$ be a Calabi–Yau variety of Picard number two with infinite birational automorphism group. We show that the numerical dimension $\kappa ^{\mathbb{R}}_{\sigma }$ of the extremal rays of the closed movable cone of $X$ is $\dim X/2$. More generally, we investigate the relation between the two numerical dimensions $\kappa ^{\mathbb{R}}_{\sigma }$ and $\kappa ^{\mathbb{R}}_{\textrm{vol}}$ for Calabi–Yau varieties. We also compute $\kappa ^{\mathbb{R}}_{\sigma }$ for non-big divisors in the closed movable cone of a projective hyperkähler manifold.
Simultaneous and divergent evolution of resistance to cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations and imipenem/relebactam following ceftazidime/avibactam treatment of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Authors: Alonso-García Isaac , Vázquez-Ucha Juan Carlos , Lasarte-Monterrubio Cristina , González-Mayo Elena , Lada-Salvador Paula , Vela-Fernández Ramón , Aja-Macaya Pablo , Guijarro-Sánchez Paula , Rumbo-Feal Soraya , Muíño-Andrade María , Fernández-González Ana , Martínez-Guitián Marta , Beceiro Alejandro , Rodríguez-Iglesias Manuel , Oliver Antonio , Arca-Suárez Jorge , Galán-Sánchez Fátima , Bou Germán
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To describe and characterize the emergence of resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/relebactam in a patient receiving ceftazidime/avibactam treatment for an MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa CNS infection.

Methods

One baseline (PA1) and two post-exposure (PA2 and PA3) isolates obtained before and during treatment of a nosocomial P. aeruginosa meningoventriculitis were evaluated. MICs were determined by broth microdilution. Mutational changes were investigated through WGS. The impact on β-lactam resistance of mutations in blaPDC and mexR was determined through cloning experiments and complementation assays.

Results

Isolate PA1 showed baseline resistance mutations in DacB (I354A) and OprD (N142fs) conferring resistance to conventional antipseudomonals but susceptibility to ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam and imipenem/relebactam. Post-exposure isolates showed two divergent ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant phenotypes associated with distinctive mutations affecting the intrinsic P PDC β-lactamase (S254Ins) (PA2: ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant) or MexAB-OprM negative regulator MexR in combination with modification of PBP3 (PA3: ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/relebactam-relebactam-resistant). Cloning experiments demonstrated the role of PDC modification in resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam. Complementation with a functional copy of the mexR gene in isolate PA3 restored imipenem/relebactam susceptibility.

Conclusions

We demonstrated how P. aeruginosa may simultaneously develop resistance and compromise the activity of new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations when exposed to ceftazidime/avibactam through selection of mutations leading to PDC modification and up-regulation of MexAB-OprM-mediated efflux.
An advanced detection method for unfavorable geological boulder based on electrical source in drill holes under shield machine
Authors: Li He , Li Xiu , Li Wenhan , Qi Zhipeng , Cao Huake
Published: March 2023

In recent years, due to the increasingly complex terrain, geological conditions, and working environments in engineering, the accuracy requirements in explorations have been continuously growing. In this study, with the goal of high-resolution prospecting for unfavorable geological boulder under a complex detection environment (such as subway shield machine tunnel). A tunnel model with an unfavorable geological boulder was constructed, and a time domain finite element method was adopted for 3D transient electromagnetic forward modeling. To realize high resolution in the positioning of small-scaled boulders, a detection method in complex environments was explored. A hole was drilled from the central point of the tunnel face toward the tunnel construction direction. Then, an electrical source was placed into the hole and array data was collected on the tunnel face. Electromagnetic sounding was achieved through the movement of the source, and the plane positions of the geological bodies were determined through the electromagnetic field distribution characteristics on the tunnel face. It was observed that the Ex and Ey (horizontal components of the electric field) had a higher resolution for a high resistance geological boulder. Therefore, the results indicated that in complex environments, collecting the horizontal components of the electric fields on the tunnel face excited by the electrical source within a drill hole could be a feasible method for fine explorations of a small-scale high resistance boulder.
Biological aspects of crosses between populations of Triatoma mexicana (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)
Authors: Martínez-Ibarra José Alejandro , Villagrán-Herrera María Elena , de Diego-Cabrera José Antonio , Michel-Parra J Guadalupe
Published: March 2023

We examined the degree of reproductive isolation in four populations of Triatoma mexicana Herrich-Schaeffer from Mexico along with fertility and the segregation of morphological characteristics in two generations of offspring from crosses between these populations. The percentage of couples with (fertile) offspring was high among all sets of crosses between cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita. It was low in crosses involving a cohort from Tierra Blanca, mainly in crosses with Meztitlán. Among sets of crosses involving Tierra Blanca specimens, whole first-generation (F1) individuals were morphologically similar to the specimens from other locations. All F1 individuals of crosses involving Peñamiller looked like Peñamiller. However, in crosses between F1 and F1 progeny of parental crosses, alleles for size, overall color, length of head, ante and post ocular distance, and humeral angle apparently had Mendelian dominant/recessive relationships. The cohorts from Peñamiller and Meztitlán seemed to be dominant with respect to Orizabita and Tierra Blanca. Results indicated that cohorts from Peñamiller, Meztitlán, and Orizabita were not reproductively isolated. In contrast, Tierra Blanca was reproductively isolated from the other three populations of T. mexicana and is apparently undergoing an early divergence process of speciation for allopatry.
Tree canopy cover affects basal resources and nutrient profiles of Aedes and Culex larvae in cemetery vases in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Authors: Rogers Rachel , Polito Michael J , de Jesús Crespo Rebeca
Published: March 2023

Cemetery vases are important habitat for vector mosquito production, yet there is limited understanding on their food web dynamics and how they vary across environmental gradients. Tree cover is one factor that varies widely across cemeteries, and influence food webs by means of detrital inputs, temperature mediation, and light availability. Such information can be important for determining mosquito adult body size, fecundity, and competition outcomes, all of which may influence mosquito population and disease risk. This study evaluates the relationship between tree canopy cover and indicators of basal resources for Aede aegypti (L.), Aedes albopictuss (Skuse), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) larvae, such as stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and nutrient stoichiometry in cemeteries of New Orleans, Louisiana (USA). Stable isotope values suggest that larvae feed directly on the Particulate Organic Matter (POM) suspended in the vase’s water, and that POM composition influence the nutrient profiles of mosquito larvae. The POM of open canopy vases had higher δ13C values, than that of closed canopy vases indicating differences in relative proportion of basal carbon sources, with open canopy POM having a lower proportion of allochthonous carbon, and a higher proportion of authoctonous carbon. Accordingly, mosquito larvae collected from open canopy vases had higher δ13C values, and higher C:N than larvae from closed canopy vases. The results of this study show a shift in food web dynamics driven by canopy cover in cemetery vases that directly influence the nutrient profiles of mosquito larvae. The implications for mosquito ecology, and vector management are discussed.
Appendicular mucinous cystadenoma: a case report
Authors: Alsubaie Nawaf R , Ibrahim Mohammed A , Nassar Mahmoud A , Alsalama Mohammad I
Published: March 2023

Mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix is a rare condition characterized by abnormal mucus accumulation in the appendiceal. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a common approach worldwide and can be used in the management of mucinous cystadenoma with lower postoperative complication rates. A 30-year-old female had sharp pain localized to the right abdomen for 2 days. It was aggravated by movement and associated with nausea and vomiting. Laboratory findings were normal, but the abdominal computerized tomography scan demonstrated a cystic tumor in the right abdomen dorsal to the cecum and the ascending colon. Diagnostic laparoscopy showed a large cystic mass well-circumscribed encapsulated involving the appendix in the lower right abdomen. After demonstrating pathologic examination, the final diagnosis was mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Management of the appendicular mucinous cystadenoma can be successfully achieved through atraumatic laparoscopic excision of the tumor, it is safe, feasible and has a short postoperative recovery period.