bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical ladder operators in the Glauber-Fock oscillator array
Authors: Bocanegra-Garay I A , Hernández-Sánchez L , Ramos-Prieto I , Soto-Eguibar F , Moya-Cessa H M
Published: January 2024

In this study, we investigate the stationary states of the Glauber-Fock oscillator waveguide array. We begin by transforming the associated Hamiltonian into the form of a quantum harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian, allowing the implementation of a supersymmetric (SUSY) approach. By considering the simplest case for the intertwining operator, the optical ladder operators are straightforwardly constructed and shown to map eigensolutions into eigensolutions of the corresponding Hamiltonian operator, in pretty much the same manner as it is done for the quantum harmonic oscillator case. The ladder of the corresponding (eigen) supermodes is then easily established.
Test particles and quasiperiodic oscillations around Kiselev black hole with cloud of strings*
Authors: Rayimbaev Javlon , Eshimbetov Uktambek , Majeed Bushra , Abdujabbarov Ahmadjon , Abduvokhidov Alisher , Abdulazizov Bakhrom , Xalmirzayev Akram
Published: January 2024

In the present study, we investigate the dynamics of test particles around a Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence and immersed in a scalar string cloud field. We start our study by defining the possible values of the quintessence and cloud of string parameters corresponding to the existence of the black hole horizon for fixed values of the parameters of the equation of state for dark energy. We also study the effects of the effective potential on the circular motion, energy, and angular momentum of the test particles together with the innermost stable circular orbits (ISCOs). We investigate the fundamental frequencies in the particle oscillations along stable circular orbits. We relate the stability of the orbits to the Lyapunov exponent, and the chaotic behavior is studied graphically. Finally, we apply the fundamental frequencies to describe quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) and find that, in the presence of both fields, low-frequency twin-peak QPOs are not observed. In addition, we obtain the constraint values for the string cloud parameter and mass of the black hole candidates located in the center of the microquasars GRO J1655-40 and GRS 1915+105 as well as the Milky Way galaxy.
GaN based ultraviolet laser diodes
Authors: Yang Jing , Zhao Degang , Liu Zongshun , Huang Yujie , Wang Baibin , Wang Xiaowei , Zhang Yuheng , Zhang Zhenzhuo , Liang Feng , Duan Lihong , Wang Hai , Shi Yongsheng
Published: January 2024

In the past few years, many groups have focused on the research and development of GaN-based ultraviolet laser diodes (UV LDs). Great progresses have been achieved even though many challenges exist. In this article, we analyze the challenges of developing GaN-based ultraviolet laser diodes, and the approaches to improve the performance of ultraviolet laser diode are reviewed. With these techniques, room temperature (RT) pulsed oscillation of AlGaN UVA (ultraviolet A) LD has been realized, with a lasing wavelength of 357.9 nm. Combining with the suppression of thermal effect, the high output power of 3.8 W UV LD with a lasing wavelength of 386.5 nm was also fabricated.
An exactly solvable model of randomly pinned charge density waves in two dimensions
Authors: O’Brien Matthew C , Fradkin Eduardo
Published: January 2024

The nature of the interplay between fluctuations and quenched random disorder is a long-standing open problem, particularly in systems with a continuous order parameter. This lack of a full theoretical treatment has been underscored by recent advances in experiments on charge density wave materials. To address this problem, we formulate an exactly solvable model of a two-dimensional randomly pinned incommensurate charge density wave, and use the large-N technique to map out the phase diagram and order parameter correlations. Our approach captures the physics of the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless phase transition in the clean limit at large N. We pay particular attention to the roles of thermal fluctuations and quenched random field disorder in destroying long-range order, finding a novel crossover between weakly- and strongly-disordered regimes.
New IceTop trigger in the context of the planned IceCube surface detector enhancement at the South Pole
Authors: Paudel Ek Narayan ,   the IceCube collaboration
Published: January 2024

IceTop is the square kilometer surface array for cosmic-ray air showers of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole. IceTop consists of 81 stations, each comprised of a pair of ice-Cherenkov tanks, which over the years loses sensitivity due to snow coverage. This motivated the plan to enhance IceTop by the deployment of elevated scintillation panels and radio antennas. Coincident detection of an air shower with the IceTop tanks, the scintillators, and the antennas will increase the measurement accuracy of the cosmic-ray properties. While the radio antennas of the enhancement have a higher sensitivity to inclined showers, the current IceTop trigger, requiring coincident hits of both tanks of a station, loses efficiency for such showers. Therefore, we studied the feasibility of adding a trigger based on the multiplicity of single tank hits and studied its performance with simulations and data including a one-day test run at the South Pole. In this paper, we present the plans for the surface enhancement and the studies for the new IceTop trigger.
Influence of different particle injection methods on plasma sheath with strong production of negative ion in one-dimensional PIC simulation
Authors: Wu Hongyu , Yang Jinghan , Li Dong , Chen Dezhi
Published: January 2024

Particle injection is necessary to maintain the plasma source term in particle-in-cell
(PIC) simulation. There are two commonly used particle injection methods, namely, a) constant flux
injection, in which a fixed number of ion-electron pairs are injected each time step, and b) pair
re-injection, in which the number of ion-electron pairs injected is according to the number of
positive ions removed. Different injection methods may bring big difference to the simulation
results. Therefore, the appropriate particle injection method must be selected according to the
object and purpose of simulation to obtain the correct result. In this paper, a 1D3V (one
dimension in space and three dimensions in velocity space) PIC model is used to analyze the
evolution of plasma in the formation of space charge limited (SCL) sheath and reverse sheath with
the condition of surface production, and the differences of the two particle injection methods are
compared. It is found that the simulation result with pair re-injection does not match experiment
result.
Recent developments in the IGNITE project on front-end
design in CMOS 28-nm technology
Authors: Cadeddu Sandro , Cossu Gian Matteo , Frontini Luca , Lai Adriano , Liberali Valentino , Piccolo Lorenzo , Stabile Alberto
Published: January 2024

The IGNITE project (INFN Ground-up INITiative-on micro-Electronics developments) is developing solutions on integrated micro-systems aimed at the next generation of high-luminosity experiment at the LHC. A test ASIC, designed in CMOS 28-nm technology and named Ignite-0, has been submitted for fabrication. It integrates circuital solutions suitable for pixels with timing having a pitch ranging from 45 to 55 µm. The present paper describes the criteria used in the design choices, and the expected ASIC performance as output from post-layout simulations. Perspectives on subsequent design work on 4D-tracking devices following the Ignite-0 development are also briefly described.
Comparison of longitudinal emittance of various RFQs
Authors: Comunian M. , Bellan L. , Pisent A.
Published: January 2024

In various projects a large variety of RFQs has been developed, for different application, with different average current, frequency, and energy range. In this article, a comparison, in a scaled way, will be done, using the build RFQs of IFMIF, ESS, SPES, ANTHEM. In particular, the characteristics of the beam dynamics will be analyzed, such as transmission, longitudinal output emittance, and real performance versus simulation.
Temporal variability in irrigated land and climate influences on salinity loading across the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1986-2017
Authors: Miller Olivia L , Putman Annie L , Smith Richard A , Schwarz Gregory E , Hess Michael D , McDonnell Morgan C , Jones Daniel K
Published: January 2024

Freshwater salinization is a growing global concern impacting human and ecosystem needs with impacts to water availability for human and ecological uses. In the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), dissolved solids in streams compound ongoing water supply challenges to further limit water availability and cause economic damages. Much effort has been dedicated to understanding dissolved solid sources, transport, and management in the region, yet temporal variability in loading from key sources such as irrigated lands and the influence of climate on dissolved solids loading remains unknown. Quantifying the contributions and temporal variability of dissolved solids loads from irrigated lands may benefit salinity management efforts. This study applies a time-varying (dynamic) modeling approach to predict annual dissolved solids loads across the UCRB from 1986 through 2017. Between 66% and 82% of the total accumulated dissolved solids load in the basin is from groundwater (storage and baseflow). Our findings link climate, irrigation, and groundwater, and confirm large storage contributions that have declined slightly with time. Dissolved solids loads increase during wet periods and decrease during dry periods, although the relative contributions of different sources vary little with time. Irrigation enhances loading efficiency relative to unirrigated areas through runoff and groundwater, and can locally be a major source of dissolved solids where irrigation occurs. Results indicate that loads from irrigated areas increase when irrigated area and/or water available for runoff increase. Increased regional aridification over the study period may have contributed to decreasing stream salinity through both quicker surface runoff and lagged groundwater storage processes. Study results may be relevant to salinity management in arid environments where water availability is limited and where irrigation influences salinity loading to streams.
Technical note: development of a simulation framework, enabling the investigation of locally tuned single energy proton radiography
Authors: Lundberg Måns , Meijers Arturs , Souris Kevin , Deffet Sylvain , Weber Damien C , Lomax Antony , Knopf Antje
Published: January 2024

Range uncertainties remain a limitation for the confined dose distribution that proton therapy can offer. The uncertainty stems from the ambiguity when translating CT Hounsfield Units (HU) into proton stopping powers. Proton Radiography (PR) can be used to verify the proton range. Specifically, PR can be used as a quality-control tool for CBCT-based synthetic CTs. An essential part of the work illustrating the potential of PR has been conducted using multi-layer ionization chamber (MLIC) detectors and mono-energetic PR. Due to the dimensions of commercially available MLICs, clinical adoption is cumbersome. Here, we present a simulation framework exploring locally-tuned single energy (LTSE) proton radiography and corresponding potential compact PR detector designs. Based on a planning CT data set, the presented framework models the water equivalent thickness. Subsequently, it analyses the proton energies required to pass through the geometry within a defined ROI. In the final step, an LTSE PR is simulated using the MCsquare Monte Carlo code. In an anatomical head phantom, we illustrate that LTSE PR allows for a significantly shorter longitudinal dimension of MLICs. We compared PR simulations for two exemplary 30 × 30 mm2 proton fields passing the phantom at a 90° angle at an anterior and a posterior location in an iso-centric setup. The longitudinal distance over which all spots per field range out is significantly reduced for LTSE PR compared to mono-energetic PR. In addition, we illustrate the difference in shape of integral depth dose (IDD) when using constrained PR energies. Finally, we demonstrate the accordance of simulated and experimentally acquired IDDs for an LTSE PR acquisition. As the next steps, the framework will be used to investigate the sensitivity of LTSE PR to various sources of errors. Furthermore, we will use the framework to systematically explore the dimensions of an optimized MLIC design for daily clinical use.
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment increased reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) levels in tumor samples obtained from patients with low-grade glioma
Authors: Aggarwal Yogesh , Vaid Akshay , Visani Anand , Rane Ramkrishna , Joseph Alphonsa , Mukherjee Subroto , Tripathi Manjari , Chandra P Sarat , Doddamani Ramesh , Dixit Aparna Banerjee , Banerjee Jyotirmoy
Published: January 2024

Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with an average 10-year survival rate of 40%–55%. Current treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and gross total resection (GTR) of the tumor. The extent of resection (EOR) plays an important role in improving surgical outcomes. However, the major obstacle in treating low-grade gliomas is their diffused nature and the presence of residual cancer cells at the tumor margins post resection. Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) has shown to be effective in targeted killing of tumor cells in various glioma cell lines without affecting non-tumor cells through Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS). However, no study on the effectiveness of CAP has been carried out in LGG tissues till date. In this study, we applied helium-based CAP on tumor tissues resected from LGG patients. Our results show that CAP is effective in promoting RONS accumulation in LGG tissues when CAP jet parameters are set at 4 kV voltage, 5 min treatment time and 3 lpm gas flow rate. We also observed that CAP jet is more effective in thinner slice preparations of tumor as compared to thick tumor samples. Our results indicate that CAP could prove to be an effective adjunct therapy in glioma surgery to target residual cancer cells to improve surgical outcome of patients with low-grade glioma.
Simulation and pre-planning omitted radiotherapy (SPORT): a feasibility study for prostate cancer
Authors: Zhuang Tingliang , Parsons David , Desai Neil , Gibbard Grant , Keilty Dana , Lin Mu-Han , Cai Bin , Nguyen Dan , Chiu Tsuicheng , Godley Andrew , Pompos Arnold , Jiang Steve
Published: January 2024

This study explored the feasibility of on-couch intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning for prostate cancer (PCa) on a cone-beam CT (CBCT)-based online adaptive RT platform without an individualized pre-treatment plan and contours. Ten patients with PCa previously treated with image-guided IMRT (60 Gy/20 fractions) were selected. In contrast to the routine online adaptive RT workflow, a novel approach was employed in which the same preplan that was optimized on one reference patient was adapted to generate individual on-couch/initial plans for the other nine test patients using Ethos emulator. Simulation CTs of the test patients were used as simulated online CBCT (sCBCT) for emulation. Quality assessments were conducted on synthetic CTs (sCT). Dosimetric comparisons were performed between on-couch plans, on-couch plans recomputed on the sCBCT and individually optimized plans for test patients. The median value of mean absolute difference between sCT and sCBCT was 74.7 HU (range 69.5–91.5 HU). The average CTV/PTV coverage by prescription dose was 100.0%/94.7%, and normal tissue constraints were met for the nine test patients in on-couch plans on sCT. Recalculating on-couch plans on the sCBCT showed about 0.7% reduction of PTV coverage and a 0.6% increasing of hotspot, and the dose difference of the OARs was negligible (<0.5 Gy). Hence, initial IMRT plans for new patients can be generated by adapting a reference patient’s preplan with online contours, which had similar qualities to the conventional approach of individually optimized plan on the simulation CT. Further study is needed to identify selection criteria for patient anatomy most amenable to this workflow.
Decoupled optimal control of 3D biped for human voluntary motion
Authors: Ali Badar , Mughal Asif Mahmood
Published: January 2024

The sit-to-stand (STS) model from a biomechanical point of view is an enormously important subject, with motor controls simulating human intended behavior. Physiological motion-based biomechanical research is important for designing whole-body prosthetics and understanding physical disabilities. The control strategies for biomechanical models can effectively synergize with the central nervous system (CNS) to facilitate the desired movements of individuals with neurological disabilities. In this study, we present our novel 3D biped model by decoupling it into healthy and neurologically deficient joints. The developed 8-segment model (i.e., 2× feet, 2× shanks, 2× thighs, 1× pelvic, and 1× Head Arm Torso (HAT) segment) with 10 joints is decoupled into 6 healthy joints and 4 deficient joints. This decoupling mimics stroke patients or subjects with neuromuscular deficiency. This novel decoupling establishes through asymmetrical torques in frontal and sagittal plane joints on a bipedal design with one foot fixed and the other a sliding tilt joint. In this design, two decoupled controllers collaborate to stabilize the nonlinear model for biped STS transfer. Utilizing the xml files from SOLIDWORKS, the model is linearized in SIMSCAPE / SIMULINK. We further imply the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) optimal controller design in MATLAB / SIMULINK for torques in both the sagittal and frontal planes, respectively, for six healthy and four deficient joints. We also comprehend the forward thrust velocity controls to pragmatically model the STS of stroke patients. This decoupling enhanced the overall stability of the system and simulated more relevant angular and velocity profiles for neurologically deficient substances.
Damage evolution and removal behaviors of GaN crystals involved in double-grits grinding
Authors: Li Chen , Hu Yuxiu , Wei Zongze , Wu Chongjun , Peng Yunfeng , Zhang Feihu , Geng Yanquan
Published: January 2024

Highlights

Molecular dynamics simulation of double-grits interacted grinding of GaN crystals is performed.

Interacted distance with both radial and transverse directions is better than that with only one direction or single-grit grinding.

Girt-interactions decrease force, friction coefficient, stress, damage depth, and abrasive wear.

Amorphous, phase transition, dislocation, stacking fault and lattice distortion dominate plastic damage.
Event encryption: rethinking privacy exposure for neuromorphic imaging
Authors: Zhang Pei , Zhu Shuo , Lam Edmund Y
Published: January 2024

Bio-inspired neuromorphic cameras sense illumination changes on a per-pixel basis and generate spatiotemporal streaming events within microseconds in response, offering visual information with high temporal resolution over a high dynamic range. Such devices often serve in surveillance systems due to their applicability and robustness in environments with high dynamics and harsh lighting, where they can still supply clearer recordings than traditional imaging. In other words, when it comes to privacy-relevant cases, neuromorphic cameras also expose more sensitive data and pose serious security threats. Therefore, asynchronous event streams necessitate careful encryption before transmission and usage. This work discusses several potential attack scenarios and approaches event encryption from the perspective of neuromorphic noise removal, in which we inversely introduce well-crafted noise into raw events until they are obfuscated. Our evaluations show that the encrypted events can effectively protect information from attacks of low-level visual reconstruction and high-level neuromorphic reasoning, and thus feature dependable privacy-preserving competence. The proposed solution gives impetus to the security of event data and paves the way to a highly encrypted technique for privacy-protective neuromorphic imaging.
EU Issue Voting in National and European Parliamentary Elections
Authors: de Vries Catherine E. , Hobolt Sara B.
Published: January 2024

This chapter evaluates the quality of the democratic mandate provided by citizens to European policymakers by examining two paths of representation: a direct path through the vote for representatives in the European Parliament and an indirect path through the vote for national parliamentarians, and in turn, national governments represented in the council and the European Council. Specifically, this chapter addresses the question of the extent to which these elections enable citizens to express their preferences on European integration. To examine the impact of European preferences in elections, the chapter makes use of European Election Study data. It shows that when voters translate their attitudes regarding European integration into party choice, they do so in both European and national parliamentary elections. Hence, preferences on ‘Europe’ matters in both the national and supranational channel of representation.
Flowering phenology differs among wet and dry sub-alpine meadows in southwestern China
Authors: Nepal Shristhi , Trunschke Judith , Ren Zong-Xin , Burgess Kevin S , Wang Hong
Published: January 2024

The effect of floral traits, floral rewards and plant water availability on plant–pollinator interactions are well-documented; however, empirical evidence of their impact on flowering phenology in high-elevation meadows remains scarce. In this study, we assessed three levels of flowering phenology, i.e. population-, individual- and flower-level (floral longevity), in two nearby but contrasting (wet versus dry) sub-alpine meadows on Yulong Snow Mountain, southwestern China. We also measured a series of floral traits (pollen number, ovule number, and the ratio of pollen to ovule number per flower, i.e. pollen:ovule ratio [P/O]) and floral rewards (nectar availability and pollen presentation) as plausible additional sources of variation for each phenological level. Floral longevity in the wet meadow was significantly longer than that for the dry meadow, whereas population- and individual-flowering duration were significantly shorter. Our results showed a significant positive relationship between flowering phenology with pollen number and P/O per flower; there was no relationship with ovule number per flower. Further, we found a significant effect of flowering phenology on nectar availability and pollen presentation. Our findings suggest that shorter floral longevity in dry habitats compared to wet might be due to water-dependent maintenance costs of flowers, where the population- and individual-level flowering phenology may be less affected by habitats. Our study shows how different levels of flowering phenology underscore the plausible effects of contrasting habitats on reproductive success.
Predicting evolutionary targets and parameters of gene deletion from expression data
Authors: Campelo dos Santos Andre Luiz , DeGiorgio Michael , Assis Raquel
Published: January 2024

Motivation

Gene deletion is traditionally thought of as a nonadaptive process that removes functional redundancy from genomes, such that it generally receives less attention than duplication in evolutionary turnover studies. Yet, mounting evidence suggests that deletion may promote adaptation via the “less-is-more” evolutionary hypothesis, as it often targets genes harboring unique sequences, expression profiles, and molecular functions. Hence, predicting the relative prevalence of redundant and unique functions among genes targeted by deletion, as well as the parameters underlying their evolution, can shed light on the role of gene deletion in adaptation.

Results

Here, we present CLOUDe, a suite of machine learning methods for predicting evolutionary targets of gene deletion events from expression data. Specifically, CLOUDe models expression evolution as an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process, and uses multi-layer neural network, extreme gradient boosting, random forest, and support vector machine architectures to predict whether deleted genes are “redundant” or “unique”, as well as several parameters underlying their evolution. We show that CLOUDe boasts high power and accuracy in differentiating between classes, and high accuracy and precision in estimating evolutionary parameters, with optimal performance achieved by its neural network architecture. Application of CLOUDe to empirical data from Drosophila suggests that deletion primarily targets genes with unique functions, with further analysis showing these functions to be enriched for protein deubiquitination. Thus, CLOUDe represents a key advance in learning about the role of gene deletion in functional evolution and adaptation.

Availability and implementation

CLOUDe is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/anddssan/CLOUDe).
Prognostic value of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Huo Rong-Rui , Pan Li-Xin , Wu Pei-Sheng , Liang Xiu-Mei , You Xue-Mei , Ma Liang , Zhong Jian-Hong
Published: January 2024

Background

The prognostic significance of the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio in hepatocellular carcinoma remains uncertain. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the association between the AST/ALT ratio and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy, and to explore the role of underlying liver diseases as mediators.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy between January 2014 and January 2018 at two Chinese hospitals. The maximally selected rank statistic and g-computation approach were used to quantify and visualize the association between the AST/ALT ratio and overall survival or recurrence-free survival. The role of mediators (chronic hepatitis B, hepatic steatosis and liver cirrhosis) was analysed.

Results

Among the 1519 patients (mean(s.d.) age at baseline, 50.5(11.3) years), 1309 (86.2%) were male. During a median follow-up of 46.0 months, 514 (33.8%) patients died and 358 (23.6%) patients experienced recurrence. The optimal cut-off value for the AST/ALT ratio was 1.4, and the AST/ALT ratio greater than or equal to 1.4 was independently associated with a 39.0% increased risk of death and a 30.0% increased risk of recurrence (overall survival: hazard ratio (HR), 1.39; 95% c.i. 1.15 to 1.68; recurrence-free survival: HR, 1.30; 95% c.i. 1.12 to 1.52) after adjusting for confounders. Chronic hepatitis B significantly mediated the association of the ratio of AST/ALT with both overall survival and recurrence-free survival (20.3% for overall survival; 20.1% for recurrence-free survival).

Conclusion

The AST/ALT ratio greater than or equal to 1.4 was associated with shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy, and chronic hepatitis B may play a role in their association.
Deep resolution of clinical, cellular and transcriptomic inflammatory markers of psoriasis over 52 weeks of interleukin-17A inhibition by secukinumab
Authors: Tomalin Lewis E , Kolbinger Frank , Suprun Maria , Wharton Keith A , Hartmann Nicole , Peters Thomas , Glueck Anton , Milutinovic Marina , Krueger James G , Suárez-Fariñas Mayte
Published: January 2024

Background

Secukinumab, an anti-interleukin (IL)-17A monoclonal antibody, induces histological and molecular resolution of psoriatic plaques by 12 weeks. However, the long-term effects of secukinumab on the molecular resolution of psoriatic inflammation remain unknown.

Objectives

To investigate the molecular resolution of psoriasis following 52 weeks of secukinumab treatment.

Methods

This was a two-part phase II randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled 52-week study of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis receiving secukinumab 300 mg (NCT01537432). Psoriatic lesional and nonlesional skin biopsies were obtained at baseline and at weeks 12 and 52, and the composition of the residual disease genomic profile (RDGP; i.e. ‘molecular scar’) of biopsies from secukinumab responders analysed.

Results

After 52 weeks of treatment, 14 of 24 enrolled patients were considered to be clinical responders [≥ 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75)], 4 of 24 were considered to be nonresponders (< PASI 75) and 6 of 24 patients were lost to follow-up; both the histological and transcriptomic profiles of PASI 75 responders improved from week 12 to week 52. RDGP transcripts of histological responders only partially overlapped between weeks 12 and 52, despite a similar number of transcripts in each RDGP; specifically, four novel transcript subsets showed distinct expression dynamics between weeks 12 and 52 (‘slow-resolving’, ‘recurring’, ‘persistent’ and ‘resolved’), with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory genes (e.g. SOCS1, CD207 and IL37) notably restored at week 52. Shorter disease duration prior to secukinumab treatment coincided with greater transcript improvements at weeks 12 and 52.

Conclusions

Secukinumab improves the histological and molecular phenotype of psoriatic lesional skin up to 52 weeks of treatment; these results suggest possible mechanisms that drive long-term control of psoriasis.
Unravelling the mystery: severe dermatitis, multiple allergies and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome with a novel homozygous mutation in DSG1
Authors: Singh Sukhdeep , Singh Sukhmanjeet , Mehta Hitaishi , Chatterjee Debajyoti , Jindal Ankur Kumar , Vinay Keshavamurthy
Published: January 2024

We describe a rare case of a patient with severe dermatitis, multiple allergies and metabolic wasting (SAM) syndrome with a novel mutation in DSG1 with histology showing a psoriasiform pattern. The article underscores the importance of genetic testing for conclusive diagnosis. Treatment challenges, including unresponsiveness to acitretin and subsequent use of ciclosporin, highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing SAM syndrome.
The impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock post-acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Paddock Sophie , Meng James , Johnson Nicholas , Chattopadhyay Rahul , Tsampasian Vasiliki , Vassiliou Vassilios
Published: January 2024

Aims

Cardiogenic shock remains the leading cause of death in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used in the treatment of infarct-related cardiogenic shock. However, there is limited evidence regarding its beneficial impact on mortality. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies reporting the impact of VA-ECMO on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

Methods and results

A comprehensive search of medical databases (Cochrane Register and PubMed) was conducted. Studies that reported mortality outcomes in patients treated with VA-ECMO for infarct-related cardiogenic shock were included. The database search yielded 1194 results, of which 11 studies were included in the systematic review. Four of these studies, with a total of 586 patients, were randomized controlled trials and were included in the meta-analysis. This demonstrated that there was no significant difference in 30-day all-cause mortality with the use of VA-ECMO compared with standard medical therapy [odds ratio (OR) 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–1.27]. Meta-analysis of two studies showed that VA-ECMO was associated with a significant reduction in 12-month all-cause mortality (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.11–0.86). Qualitative synthesis of the observational studies showed that age, serum creatinine, serum lactate, and successful revascularization are independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation does not improve 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction; however, there may be significant reduction in all-cause mortality at 12 months. Further studies are needed to delineate the potential benefit of VA-ECMO in long-term outcomes.

Registration

The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: CRD42023461740).
One-year outcomes of total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk using the E-vita Open NEO
Authors: Kim Chong Hoon , Kim Tae-Hoon , Lee Ha , Kim Myeong Su , Heo Woon , Yoo Kyung-Jong , Cho Bum-Koo , Song Suk-Won
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES

In this cohort study, we aimed to assess the 1-year clinical outcomes of using the E-vita Open NEO™ hybrid prosthesis for total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (FET) to repair extensive aortic pathologies.

METHODS

We reviewed individuals who underwent thoracic aortic surgery between April 2021 and March 2023 from the Gangnam Severance Aortic Registry. Exclusion criteria included ascending aortic replacement, 1 or 2 partial arch replacement, descending aortic replacement and total arch replacement without an FET. Finally, all consecutive patients who underwent total arch replacement and FET with E-vita Open NEO for aortic arch pathologies between April 2021 and March 2023 were included in this cohort study. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on their pathology: acute aortic dissection, chronic aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm. The primary end point was in-hospital mortality. The secondary end points during the postoperative period comprised stroke, spinal cord injury and redo sternotomy for bleeding. Additionally, the secondary end points during the follow-up period included the 1-year survival rate, 1-year freedom from all aortic procedures and 1-year freedom from unplanned aortic interventions.

RESULTS

The study included 167 patients in total: 92 patients (55.1%) with acute aortic dissection, 20 patients (12.0%) with chronic aortic dissection and 55 patients (32.9%) with thoracic aortic aneurysm. The in-hospital mortality was 1.8% (n = 3). Strokes occurred in 1.8% (n = 3) of the patients, spinal cord injury in 1.8% (n = 3) and redo sternotomy for bleeding was performed in 3.0% (n = 5). There were no significant differences between the pathological groups. The median follow-up period (quartile 1–quartile 3) was 198 (37–373) days, with 1-year survival rates of 95.9%. At 1 year, the freedom from all aortic procedures and unplanned aortic interventions were 90.3% and 92.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1-year clinical outcomes of total arch replacement with FET using the E-vita Open NEO were favourable. Long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the durability of the FET.
C-reactive protein modifies lipoprotein(a)-related risk for coronary heart disease: the BiomarCaRE project
Authors: Arnold Natalie , Blaum Christopher , Goßling Alina , Brunner Fabian J , Bay Benjamin , Ferrario Marco M , Brambilla Paolo , Cesana Giancarlo , Leoni Valerio , Palmieri Luigi , Donfrancesco Chiara , Padró Teresa , Andersson Jonas , Jousilahti Pekka , Ojeda Francisco , Zeller Tanja , Linneberg Allan , Söderberg Stefan , Iacoviello Licia , Gianfagna Francesco , Sans Susana , Veronesi Giovanni , Thorand Barbara , Peters Annette , Tunstall-Pedoe Hugh , Kee Frank , Salomaa Veikko , Schnabel Renate B , Kuulasmaa Kari , Blankenberg Stefan , Koenig Wolfgang , Waldeyer Christoph
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Recent investigations have suggested an interdependence of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]-related risk for cardiovascular disease with background inflammatory burden. The aim the present analysis was to investigate whether high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) modulates the association between Lp(a) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in the general population.

Methods

Data from 71 678 participants from 8 European prospective population-based cohort studies were used (65 661 without/6017 with established CHD at baseline; median follow-up 9.8/13.8 years, respectively). Fine and Gray competing risk-adjusted models were calculated according to accompanying hsCRP concentration (<2 and ≥2 mg/L).

Results

Among CHD-free individuals, increased Lp(a) levels were associated with incident CHD irrespective of hsCRP concentration: fully adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratios [sHRs (95% confidence interval)] for the highest vs. lowest fifth of Lp(a) distribution were 1.45 (1.23–1.72) and 1.48 (1.23–1.78) for a hsCRP group of <2 and ≥2 mg/L, respectively, with no interaction found between these two biomarkers on CHD risk (Pinteraction = 0.82). In those with established CHD, similar associations were seen only among individuals with hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/L [1.34 (1.03–1.76)], whereas among participants with a hsCRP concentration <2 mg/L, there was no clear association between Lp(a) and future CHD events [1.29 (0.98–1.71)] (highest vs. lowest fifth, fully adjusted models; Pinteraction = 0.024).

Conclusions

While among CHD-free individuals Lp(a) was significantly associated with incident CHD regardless of hsCRP, in participants with CHD at baseline, Lp(a) was related to recurrent CHD events only in those with residual inflammatory risk. These findings might guide adequate selection of high-risk patients for forthcoming Lp(a)-targeting compounds.
Air pollutants, genetic susceptibility, and abdominal aortic aneurysm risk: a prospective study
Authors: Ma Yudiyang , Li Dankang , Cui Feipeng , Wang Jianing , Tang Linxi , Yang Yingping , Liu Run , Tian Yaohua
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Air pollutants are important contributors to cardiovascular diseases, but associations between long-term exposure to air pollutants and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) are still unknown.

Methods

This study was conducted using a sample of 449 463 participants from the UK Biobank. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the risk of AAA incidence associated with long-term exposure to air pollutants were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model with time-varying exposure measurements. Additionally, the cumulative incidence of AAA was calculated by using the Fine and Grey sub-distribution hazards regression model. Furthermore, this study investigated the combined effects and interactions between air pollutants exposure and genetic predisposition in relation to the risk of AAA onset.

Results

Long-term exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm [PM2.5, 1.21 (1.16, 1.27)], particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 µm [PM10, 1.21 (1.16, 1.27)], nitrogen dioxide [NO2, 1.16 (1.11, 1.22)], and nitrogen oxides [NOx, 1.10 (1.05, 1.15)] was found to be associated with an elevated risk of AAA onset. The detrimental effects of air pollutants persisted even in participants with low-level exposure. For the joint associations, participants with both high levels of air pollutants exposure and high genetic risk had a higher risk of developing AAA compared with those with low concentrations of pollutants exposure and low genetic risk. The respective risk estimates for AAA incidence were 3.18 (2.46, 4.12) for PM2.5, 3.09 (2.39, 4.00) for PM10, 2.41 (1.86, 3.13) for NO2, and 2.01 (1.55, 2.61) for NOx.

Conclusions

In this study, long-term air pollutants exposure was associated with an increased risk of AAA incidence.
Ecological character displacement among Nothobranchius annual killifishes in Tanzania
Authors: Alila David O , ten Brink Hanna , Haesler Marcel , Seehausen Ole
Published: January 2024

Divergent ecological character displacement (ECD) is the competition-driven divergence in resource use-related phenotypic traits between coexisting species. It is considered one of the primary drivers of ecological diversification and adaptive radiation. We analyzed phenotypic and ecological variation in 2 African annual killifish species of the genus Nothobranchius: N. eggersi and N. melanospilus in sympatry and N. melanospilus in allopatry. Our aim was to test whether allopatric and sympatric populations of N. melanospilus differ morphologically from each other and from N. eggersi and examine whether these differences are consistent with the predictions of ECD. We find that sympatric N. melanospilus differ from allopatric N. melanospilus and differ from N. eggersi more strongly than the latter. Our data satisfy four criteria for demonstrating ECD: Differences in phenotypes between allopatric and sympatric N. melanospilus are greater than expected by chance; the divergence pattern between allopatric and sympatric N. melanospilus results from an evolutionary shift rather than from ecological sorting; morphological differences observed reflect differences in resource use; and, lastly, sites of allopatry and sympatry do not differ in food resource availability or other ecological conditions. Our results suggest that competition is the main driver of the observed divergence between two N. melanospilus populations.
Performance of ASCVD Risk Prediction Models in Individuals With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A UK Biobank Study
Authors: Alayo Quazim A , Famutimi Daniel , Ayoub Malek , De Las Fuentes Lisa , Deepak Parakkal
Published: January 2024

Lay Summary

This study suggests that the current atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk prediction models used in clinical practice performed better in the non–inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cohort compared with IBD, highlighting the need for a more specific risk prediction model tailored to the IBD population.
Synthesis of UiO-66-NH2@SiO2 with a multistage pore structure for effective adsorption of organic pollutants
Authors: Wang Tingting , Yue Xiaoju , Han Lin , Wang Jinnong , Zhang Yuzhen , Tang Xiaofeng , Wang Shifeng
Published: January 2024

We reported anchoring mesoporous silica onto the microporous metal–organic frameworks (MOF) (UiO-66-NH2) to obtain a hierarchical porous framework (UiO-66-NH2@SiO2). This strategy maintains the high specific surface area (SA) of the MOF and addresses the mass transfer issue frequently encountered in microporous materials, providing more possibilities for subsequent modified structural frameworks. The structural characteristics of UiO-66-NH2@SiO2 were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, surface analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In this work, the specific SA of the composite material was 196.667 m2/g, which decreased due to the occupation of some pores by anchored silica. Adsorption experiments showed that the composite material had a better adsorption effect (Congo red, 393.83 mg/g; bromophenol blue, 446.46 mg/g) than UiO-66-NH2, with electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding being the main driving forces. Therefore, this is a material that has a positive impact on dye adsorption. The strategy proposed in this work has potential applications not only in the construction of new materials but also in the exploration of dye adsorbents.
Convergence with rates for a Riccati-based discretization of SLQ problems with SPDEs
Authors: Prohl Andreas , Wang Yanqing
Published: January 2024

We consider a new discretization in space (parameter $h>0$) and time (parameter $\tau>0$) of a stochastic optimal control problem, where a quadratic functional is minimized subject to a linear stochastic heat equation with linear noise. Its construction is based on the perturbation of a generalized difference Riccati equation to approximate the related feedback law. We prove a convergence rate of almost ${\mathcal O}(h^{2}+\tau )$ for its solution, and conclude from it a rate of almost ${\mathcal O}(h^{2}+\tau )$ resp. ${\mathcal O}(h^{2}+\tau ^{1/2})$ for computable approximations of the optimal state and control with additive resp. multiplicative noise.
Gamma-convergent LDG method for large bending deformations of bilayer plates
Authors: Bonito Andrea , Nochetto Ricardo H , Yang Shuo
Published: January 2024

Bilayer plates are slender structures made of two thin layers of different materials. They react to environmental stimuli and undergo large bending deformations with relatively small actuation. The reduced model is a constrained minimization problem for the second fundamental form, with a given spontaneous curvature that encodes material properties, subject to an isometry constraint. We design a local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method, which imposes a relaxed discrete isometry constraint and controls deformation gradients at barycenters of elements. We prove $\varGamma $-convergence of LDG, design a fully practical gradient flow, which gives rise to a linear scheme at every step, and show energy stability and control of the isometry defect. We extend the $\varGamma $-convergence analysis to piecewise quadratic creases. We also illustrate the performance of the LDG method with several insightful simulations of large deformations, one including a curved crease.
A powerful partnership: researchers and patients working together to develop a patient-facing summary of clinical trial outcome data
Authors: Ruzich Emily , Ritchie Jason , Ginchereau Sowell France , Mansur Aliyah , Griffiths Pip , Birkett Hannah , Harman Diane , Spink Jayne , James David , Reaney Matthew
Published: January 2024

Objective

Availability of easy-to-understand patient-reported outcome (PRO) trial data may help individuals make more informed healthcare decisions. Easily interpretable, patient-centric PRO data summaries and visualizations are therefore needed. This three-stage study explored graphical format preferences, understanding, and interpretability of clinical trial PRO data presented to people with prostate cancer (PC).

Materials and Methods

A 7-day online survey exploring people with PC’s preferences for different PRO data presentations (stage 1; n = 30) informed development of a draft plain-language resource sheet containing PRO data. After refining for clarity during cognitive debriefing interviews (stage 2; n = 18), the final resource sheet was circulated to people with PC for broader feedback (stage 3; n = 45).

Results

Although participants expressed preferences for certain graphical formats (pie charts and bar charts), preference did not always associate with interpretability and overall message clarity. Iterative development (stages 1 and 2) led to a final resource sheet, which 91.1% of participants in stage 3 considered useful and informative, and 88.9% expressed interest in receiving similar resources in the future.

Discussion

Findings demonstrate PRO data are relevant to people with PC and highlights that targeted resource sheets can support patient–clinician discussions. Appropriate graphical formatting and use of plain-language text is essential for conveying interpretable PRO data. Data visualization preferences are context dependent.

Conclusion

Resource sheets summarizing clinical trial PRO data can be helpful for decision-making in PC. Researchers and patients can work together to develop clear, relevant, sensitive, and understandable resource sheets, which equally consider patient priorities as well as those of scientists.