bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring factors influencing pre-service teacher’s digital teaching competence and the mediating effects of data literacy: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Chu Juan , Lin Ruyi , Qin Zihan , Chen Ruining , Lou Ligao , Yang Junfeng
Published: August 2023

The development of pre-service teachers’ digital teaching competence is crucial for effectively infusing technology into teaching. With the growing importance of data in education, it is imperative to explore the influencing factors of digital teaching competence and the potential role of data literacy in facilitating competence. Thus, this study focused on investigating the factors influencing pre-service teachers’ digital teaching competence, namely technology attitudes, technology operations, technology ethics, and data literacy. Additionally, it examined the potential effect of data literacy on digital teaching competence. The study involved 244 Chinese pre-service teachers, and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) was created using SPSS and SmartPLS for analysis. The findings highlighted that technology attitudes, technology ethics, and data literacy directly influenced pre-service teachers’ digital teaching competence. Data literacy fully mediated the relationship between technology operations and digital teaching competence, and partially mediated the relationships between technology attitudes and digital teaching competence, as well as between technology ethics and digital teaching competence. Moreover, technology ethics acted as a partial mediator between technology attitudes and both digital teaching competence and data literacy. These results indicated that fostering positive technology attitudes, technology operations, and technology ethics could enhance pre-service teachers’ data literacy and improve their digital teaching competence.
A novel approach to expedite wound healing with plasma brush of cold flame
Authors: Hong Qing , Dong Xiaoqing , Jones John E. , Hong Liang , Yu Qingsong , Sun Hongmin , Chen Meng
Published: August 2023

Excessive or persistent infection is a major contributing factor in impeding chronic wound healing. Wound bed preparations using antiseptics do not necessarily target the entire bacterial spectrum, and the highly proliferating granulation tissue may be sensitive to the cytotoxic effects, impairing tissue repair. Non-thermal gas atmospheric pressure plasmas are partially ionized gases that contain highly reactive particles while the gas phase remains near room temperature, thus having the capability of accessing small irregular cavities and fissures and killing bacteria because of the diffusive nature of gas phase plasma species that are chemically reactive, providing an ideal approach to topical wound disinfection. A non-thermal plasma brush device of novel design has been developed that is suitable for clinical application in the disinfection of oral and wound bacteria. In vivo studies have indicated that the plasma brush treatment rendered no harmful effect on healthy skin or tissues, while it could improve wound healing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm infected wounds exposed to an optimized treatment with argon plus 1% nitrogen (Ar + N2) plasma.
RF-sputtered Z-cut electro-optic barium titanate modulator on silicon photonic platform
Authors: Posadas Agham B. , Stenger Vincent E. , DeFouw John D. , Warner Jamie H. , Demkov Alexander A.
Published: August 2023

Epitaxial BaTiO3 integrated on Si or Si-on-insulator using off-axis radio frequency sputtering is a promising material platform for building electro-optic modulators based on the Pockels effect. Barium titanate thin films with c-axis orientation have been epitaxially integrated on silicon-on-insulator wafers. They exhibit excellent structural quality with Pockels coefficient (r33) > 130 pm/V and propagation loss <2 dB/cm. Our results show that off-axis sputtered BaTiO3 films yield electro-optic modulation similar to that of high-quality films grown by molecular beam epitaxy and that the material is suitable for implementation of low-power Mach–Zehnder interferometer electro-optic modulators integrated on silicon in a Z-cut configuration.
Robust control design for suspension system in LIGO
Authors: Roy Ashmita , Banavar Ravi N
Published: August 2023

In this article, we present a relatively new state-space methodology, called

synthesis, to design a robust controller for a subsystem of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory. In particular, we examine the quadruple pendulum subsystem, which is simplified for the purpose of the study to a two wire simple pendulum system. Structured and unstructured uncertainties are considered in the modelling, though the structured ones are incorporated in the unstructured framework based on a design philosophy presented in the literature. Incorporating weighting functions that emphasize the spectral band of the uncertainties as well as the band in which disturbances are to be attenuated, we design a robust control law using the coprime factorization technique of the

paradigm.
An ultra-high sensitivity 70 g-TM electrostatic accelerometer for next generation satellite gravity measurement
Authors: Zhou An-Nan , Bai Yan-Zheng , Cai Lin , Hu Ming , Li Hong-Yin , Liu Li , Qu Shao-Bo , Tan Ding-Yin , Wang Cheng-Rui , Wu Shu-Chao , Xiao Chun-Yu , Yin Hang , Zhou Ze-Bing
Published: August 2023

High-precision electrostatic accelerometer has been widely employed in gravity measurement satellites. Accelerometer can be designed for different resolutions and measurement ranges to adapt to different scientific missions. This paper presents an ultra-high sensitivity 70 g-TM electrostatic accelerometer, designed to achieve an adjustable resolution from

10

−
12

m

s

−
2

Hz

−
1

/

2

to

10

−
10

m

s

−
2

Hz

−
1

/

2

with an optimal resolution of

3.3
×

10

−
12

m

s

−
2

Hz

−
1

/

2

. The in-orbit performance of the 70 g-TM accelerometer was tested on the Tianqin-1 satellite.
Some remarks on projectile motion with a linear resistance force
Authors: Morales C A , Muñoz J H , Vera C E
Published: August 2023

In this article, we revisit projectile motion assuming a retarding force proportional to the velocity,

F

r

⃗

=
−
mk

V

⃗

. We obtain an analytical expression for the set of maxima of the trajectories, in Cartesian coordinates, without using the Lambert W function. Also, we investigate the effect of parameter k on the radial distance of the projectile showing that the radial distance oscillates from a certain critical launch angle and find an approximate expression for it. In our analysis, we consider the impact of parameter k in the kinetic energy, the potential energy, the total energy, the rate of energy loss, and the phase space. Our results can be included in an intermediate-level classical mechanics course.
Experimental validation and uncertainty analysis of an innovative IoT infrared sensor for in-situ wall thermal transmittance measurement
Authors: Serroni Serena , Arnesano Marco , Martarelli Milena , Revel Gian Marco
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the development and experimental validation of an Internet of Things (IoT) thermography system for in-situ and real-time monitoring of wall thermal transmittance. The solution proposed has been derived from the upgrade of the Comfort Eye sensor, which is an infrared-based sensor adopted for non-intrusive indoor environmental quality monitoring in occupied buildings. In this work, the system has been used to detect potential building envelope inefficiencies and track building performance trends in a continuous way. The methodology is based on the ISO 9869-2 standard but it has been applied to an entire wall and during its normal functioning without the need of operators. The data management has been performed with a dedicated IoT architecture that allows the synchronised collection of quantities required for transmittance calculation, i.e. indoor and outdoor air temperatures together with the thermographic maps of the wall. The measurement technique has been validated in a real building through the comparison with the results obtained using a heat flux meter (HFM). An uncertainty analysis with Monte Carlo simulation has also been performed to evaluate the overall uncertainty of the method. The values obtained are coherent with those measured with the HFM and the infrared system has proved to be able to provide thermal transmittance measurements with an expanded uncertainty of ±0.038 W m−2K−1 with coverage factor k = 2. The innovative methodology described can be used for U-value estimation without the need for extra measuring tools.
A molecular dynamics study of the effects of velocity and diameter on the impact behavior of zinc oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Burlison Scott , Becker Michael F , Kovar Desiderio
Published: August 2023

Molecular dynamics simulations of particle impact have been conducted for a ceramic with mixed ionic-covalent bonding. For these simulations, individual zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were impacted onto a ZnO substrate to observe the effects of impact velocity (1500–3500 m s−1) and particle diameter (10, 20, and 30 nm) on particle deformation and film formation mechanisms that arise during the micro-cold spray process for producing films. The study shows that a critical impact velocity range exists, generally between 1500 and 3000 m s−1, for sticking of the NP to the substrate. Results suggest that solid-state amorphization-induced viscous flow is the primary deformation mechanism present during impact. Decreasing particle diameter and increasing impact velocity results in an increased degree of amorphization and higher local temperatures within the particle. The impact behavior of mixed ionic-covalent bonded ZnO is compared to the behavior of previously studied ionic and covalent materials.
Complex coincidence of superconducting and inverse proximity in quasi 2D nanostructured SnTe
Authors: Singh Satyendra , Saravanan M P , Venkatesh R
Published: August 2023

The induction of superconductivity in topological insulators and topological crystalline insulators is being investigated rigorously as a promising strategy for taking quantum spintronic applications to the next level. In this work, the complex interplay between topological and superconducting components is carefully tuned in such a way that an unusual coincidence of superconducting and inverse proximity is captured for the first time in the electrical transport properties of quasi two-dimensional nanostructured SnTe contacted using ‘s-wave’ superconducting electrodes. Ultralow temperature measurements in the complex superconducting proximity phase reveal two critical fields (H
c2) of 0.9 T and 510 Oe. The lower H
c2 is identified to be from the superconducting electrode while the higher one is attributed to the interface. The presence (absence) of coincidence between the upper critical field (H
C2) extracted from Ginzburg–Landau theory and the Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg plot in the normal (inverse) superconducting proximity region and concurrent crossover in correlation lengths ξ(T) and L
φ(T) are observed to be the manifestation of robust competition between the mutual domination of different mechanisms such as topological surface states and Cooper pair correlations. The current-dependent magnetoresistance measurements clearly demonstrate the dominant role of the interplay between the superconducting correlations and spin–orbit coupling. Interestingly, mere doubling of the contact area of the superconductor is observed to simultaneously enhance the critical field to ∼4 T and the transition temperature to ∼4.1 K in the interface region, suggesting the possibility of opening up a new gateway into nano-topological superconducting spintronic applications.
Near-field diffraction of protons by a nanostructured metallic grating under external electric field: asymmetry and sidebands in Talbot self-imaging
Authors: Barman Sushanta , Bhattacharjee Sudeep
Published: August 2023

Self-imaging in near-field diffraction is a practical application of coherent manipulation of matter waves in Talbot interferometry. In this work, near-field diffraction of protons by a nanostructured metallic grating under the influence of (a) uniform, (b) spatially modulated, and (c) temporally modulated electric fields are investigated. Time-domain simulations of two-dimensional Gaussian wave packets for protons are performed by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger’s equation using the generalized finite difference time domain method for quantum systems. Effects of strength (E
0) and orientation (θ) of the uniform electric field on the diffraction properties, such as fringe pattern, intensity of the peaks, fringe shift, and visibility, are investigated. The results show that the Talbot fringes shift significantly in the transverse direction even for a small change in the applied electric field (

Δ

E
0

=
0.1

V m−1) and its orientation (

Δ
θ
=

0.1

∘

). Moreover, electric field-dependent fringe visibility is observed, which can be tuned by E
0 and θ. The potential barriers arising from a spatially modulated electric field are observed to cause significant distortions in the Talbot patterns when the modulation length (

λ
′

) is equal to the de Broglie wavelength (

λ

d
B

). Sidebands are observed in the Talbot pattern due to the efficient transfer of energy from the oscillating field to the wave packet when the frequency of oscillation (ω) is of the order of ω
0 (

=
2
π

/

T
0

), where T
0 is the interaction time. This study will be helpful in uniform electric field-controlled precision metrology, developing a highly sensitive electric field sensor based on Talbot interference, and precisely aligning the matter wave optical setup. Furthermore, the sidebands in the Talbot fringe can be used as a precise tool for momentum splitter in matter wave interferometry.
Revisiting the Software-Efficient Stream Ciphers RCR-64 and RCR-32
Authors: Joseph Mabin , Sekar Gautham , Balasubramanian R
Published: August 2023

The synchronous stream ciphers RCR-64 and RCR-32 designed by Sekar, Paul and Preneel are strengthened variants of the ciphers TPy and TPypy (designed by Biham and Seberry), respectively. The RCR ciphers have remained unbroken since they were published in 2007. In this paper, we present arguments that not only support the designers’ security claims but suggest, in general, that the ciphers are secure against several classes of cryptanalytic attacks. We find that the ciphers are best used with 256-bit keys and 384-bit IVs. We also suggest ways to protect software implementations of the RCR ciphers against (cache-)timing and processor flag attacks. Our performance evaluation suggests that the protected implementation of the RCR-64 encrypts long messages at speeds comparable to some of the fastest stream ciphers available today. Consequently, we find that the RCR ciphers may be well suited for PC-based applications in general and streaming audio / video applications in particular. This is the first paper to present a detailed study on the security and performance of the RCR ciphers.
Practical Primer Addressing Real-World Use Scenarios of Subcutaneous Vedolizumab in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease: Post Hoc Analyses of VISIBLE Studies
Authors: Sandborn William J , Chen Jingjing , Kisfalvi Krisztina , Loftus Edward V , D’Haens Geert , Candela Ninfa , Lasch Karen , Wolf Douglas C , Uddin Sharif M , Danese Silvio
Published: August 2023

Background

Vedolizumab, an anti-α4β7 integrin approved for intravenous (IV) treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), was evaluated as a subcutaneous (SC) formulation in maintenance therapy for UC and CD in phase 3 VISIBLE 1, 2, and open-label extension studies, and recently approved in Europe, Australia, and Canada. Our aim was to evaluate efficacy and safety of IV and SC vedolizumab in clinically relevant UC and CD scenarios.

Methods

Post hoc data analyses from VISIBLE trials examined: (1) whether baseline characteristics predict clinical response to 2 vs 3 IV vedolizumab induction doses; (2) efficacy and safety of switching during maintenance vedolizumab IV to SC in patients with UC; (3) vedolizumab SC after treatment interruption of 1–46 weeks; (4) increasing dose frequency of vedolizumab SC from every 2 weeks (Q2W) to every week (QW) after disease worsening.

Results

No baseline characteristics were identified as strong predictors of response to 2 vs 3 vedolizumab infusions. Most patients achieved clinical response after 2 or 3 doses of IV vedolizumab maintained with SC treatment. Clinical remission and response rates were maintained in patients transitioned from maintenance vedolizumab IV to SC treatment. Of patients with UC, ≥75% achieved response following resumption after dose interruption. Escalation to QW dosing resulted in ≥45% of patients regaining response after loss while receiving vedolizumab Q2W.

Conclusions

Clinical real-world scenarios with vedolizumab SC were reviewed using VISIBLE studies data. Vedolizumab SC provides an additional dosing option for patients with UC and CD.
Time-of-day discrepancy for the long-term surgical outcome of patients with aortic dissection
Authors: Dong Yi , Zhu Shen-Shan , Chen Liang-Wan , Luo Zeng-Rong
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVES

It has been suggested that the time of day when cardiovascular surgery is performed may affect the surgery outcomes. This study investigated whether there was a difference in risk-adjusted mortality and morbidity outcomes between patients undergoing acute aortic dissection (AAD) during the day or the night.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who had undergone Stanford A AAD surgery were enrolled between 2016 and 2020. In the daytime group, surgery was performed between 08:00 and 20:00, and in the nighttime group between 20:00 and 8:00. The primary outcome was in-hospital overall mortality, and the secondary outcomes were overall mortality within a median follow-up time of 35.2 (17.0, 53.5) months and the occurrence of re-entry tears and major bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 925 patients were enrolled. The primary outcome of in-hospital overall mortality did not differ significantly between patients who received daytime or nighttime surgery. Similarly, the secondary outcomes of overall mortality during the follow-up and incidence of re-entry tears and major bleeding did not differ significantly between the groups. Subgroup analysis was also performed according to the surgery type (modified triple-branched stent graft implantation or frozen elephant trunk implantation) and surgical approach (partial upper sternotomy or full median sternotomy) confirming that the time of surgery did not significantly influence the outcomes. Cox regression analysis showed that time from onset to admission (P = 0.036) and time from the onset to surgery (P = 0.045) were significant risk factors for increased mortality during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The time of day when thoracotomy was performed did not significantly affect the clinical outcome and is therefore not a consideration for the improvement of outcome in Stanford A AAD patients.
Two faces of message repetition: audience favorability as a determinant of the explanatory capacities of processing fluency and message fatigue
Authors: So Jiyeon , Song Hyunjin
Published: August 2023

This study offers a critical test of two competing theoretical accounts of message repetition effects—processing fluency and message fatigue—which have yet to be examined together under a coherent framework. Furthermore, integrating research on metacognition and motivated processing, we propose audience favorability toward message advocacy as a crucial moderator in this dynamic. A repeated-exposure experiment (N = 845) involving five different messages about climate change mitigation was conducted. Multilevel moderated mediation analyses showed that audience favorability critically moderated the mediational effects of the two mechanisms: For favorable individuals, repeated exposure enhanced persuasion through increased fluency and decreased fatigue. In contrast, for unfavorable individuals, repeated exposure diminished persuasion via increased fatigue and decreased fluency. Collectively, this study demonstrates that message repetition does not have uniform effects on persuasion but rather its effects critically hinge on audience favorability and challenges the fundamental notion that fluency and fatigue necessarily increase with repetition.
Phenomenology of the Turing test: a Levinasian perspective
Authors: Lindia Matthew S
Published: August 2023

This article considers the Turing test as a problem of communication, particularly by asking how the language of artificial intelligence (AI) appears to human experience in comparison to the language of the Other. This question is approached through Levinas’ philosophy, by considering the possibility of AI as an absolute alterity, rather than reducing its alterity to the Same. This perspective diverges from traditional accounts of AI, which are more concerned with identifying structures of consciousness in the machine that are analogous to those evident in firsthand experience. This article asks how exactly AI appears to human consciousness, and whether this appearance precludes the appearance of AI as a thinking-being. In the final analysis, the author argues that AI diverges from Levinas’ understanding of alterity, which centers around the exteriority of the Other. The alterity of AI, in contrast, centers around anteriority, defined as the appearance of language's origin-in-itself.
Evaluation of deep learning-based deliverable VMAT plan generated by prototype software for automated planning for prostate cancer patients
Authors: Kadoya Noriyuki , Kimura Yuto , Tozuka Ryota , Tanaka Shohei , Arai Kazuhiro , Katsuta Yoshiyuki , Shimizu Hidetoshi , Sugai Yuto , Yamamoto Takaya , Umezawa Rei , Jingu Keiichi
Published: August 2023

This study aims to evaluate the dosimetric accuracy of a deep learning (DL)-based deliverable volumetric arc radiation therapy (VMAT) plan generated using DL-based automated planning assistant system (AIVOT, prototype version) for patients with prostate cancer. The VMAT data (cliDose) of 68 patients with prostate cancer treated with VMAT treatment (70–74 Gy/28–37 fr) at our hospital were used (n = 55 for training and n = 13 for testing). First, a HD-U-net-based 3D dose prediction model implemented in AIVOT was customized using the VMAT data. Thus, a predictive VMAT plan (preDose) comprising AIVOT that predicted the 3D doses was generated. Second, deliverable VMAT plans (deliDose) were created using AIVOT, the radiation treatment planning system Eclipse (version 15.6) and its vender-supplied objective functions. Finally, we compared these two estimated DL-based VMAT treatment plans—i.e. preDose and deliDose—with cliDose. The average absolute dose difference of all DVH parameters for the target tissue between cliDose and deliDose across all patients was 1.32 ± 1.35% (range: 0.04–6.21%), while that for all the organs at risks was 2.08 ± 2.79% (range: 0.00–15.4%). The deliDose was superior to the cliDose in all DVH parameters for bladder and rectum. The blinded plan scoring of deliDose and cliDose was 4.54 ± 0.50 and 5.0 ± 0.0, respectively (All plans scored ≥4 points, P = 0.03.) This study demonstrated that DL-based deliverable plan for prostate cancer achieved the clinically acceptable level. Thus, the AIVOT software exhibited a potential for automated planning with no intervention for patients with prostate cancer.
The War at Home: Photography, Political Violence, and Spectacle in the Russian Revolution of 1905
Authors: Morrissey Susan K
Published: August 2023

In early twentieth-century Russia, a disastrous war and social revolution shook the foundations of the imperial state, unleashing the press from censorship and demanding innovation in media coverage. At this very moment, new photographic technology was democratizing access and making high-quality reproductions affordable. This article explores how photography responded to and visualized the unprecedented political violence that engulfed Russia during the Revolution of 1905. Situating this “war at home” in a global context of early commercial and humanitarian photography of violence, it charts the emergence of distinctive visual regimes and spectatorial practices. As photographs made political violence visible within an unruly public sphere, they spotlighted some forms of violence and occluded others. Visual frames and narratives shaped new modes of representation and spectatorship, including regimes of commemoration, documentation, sensationalism, and forensics. This article opens with the most conventional photographic form, the studio portrait, and shows how it became imbricated with the political struggle and a forum for contesting the status of victim and martyr. The second section considers how the illustrated press crafted the terrorist bombing as a visual spectacle, using images with paratext to tell different kinds of stories. Shifting focus from the event to the body, the final section analyzes explicit photographs of the corpse. By exposing the violated body to the public gaze, these photographs posed a question fundamental to modernity, capitalism, and photography: who counts as fully human? This case study concludes with reflections on the categories of proximity and distance in the photography of violence. While the revolution was suppressed by 1907, it inaugurated a vibrant era of mass culture, capitalist consumption, and cultural pessimism, in which photography and film would play increasingly dominant roles.
A systematic review of the therapeutic effect of platelet-rich plasma for treating traumatic brain injury
Authors: Tangmi Djabo Eric Adrien , Mustapha Mubarak Jolayemi , Mbougo Voufo Jolyvette , Chitalu Mubanga Ndashi , Ibekwe Jonas Lotanna , Lim Yee Siew , Kweka Joyce Gasper , Ayantayo Temitayo , Eltingary Mazin M , Tunde Olobatoke , Emhemed Marwa SaedAli , Agada Nicaise Kpègnon , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran , Kyaruzi Victor Meza
Published: August 2023

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and thus a significant public health concern. It can result in a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments, which can significantly impact the quality of life of affected individuals and their families. Despite advances in the management of TBI, no effective treatment fully restores neurological function. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of TBI that has gained increasing attention in recent years. PRP is a blood product containing high concentration of platelets rich in growth factors and other bioactive molecules that can promote tissue repair and regeneration. PRP has been used in various clinical settings to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation, and there is growing evidence that it may have therapeutic benefits for TBI. This study seeks to gather evidence-based information on the therapeutic effect of PRP in the treatment of TBI. This protocol will follow the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis [PRISMA] guideline 2020. In this review, we determined four primary central databases as sources of information: PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails. This Project was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews [PROSPERO]. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval for this study was not needed as we used alread y published studies to run this current study. Study findings will be published in journals and presented at conferences for broader dissemination. PROSPERO Registration N°: CRD42023426358.
RNA pseudouridine modification in plants
Authors: Niu Yanli , Liu Lingyun
Published: August 2023

Pseudouridine is one of the well-known chemical modifications in various RNA species. Current advances to detect pseudouridine show that the pseudouridine landscape is dynamic and affects multiple cellular processes. Although our understanding of this post-transcriptional modification mainly depends on yeast and human models, the recent findings provide strong evidence for the critical role of pseudouridine in plants. Here, we review the current knowledge of pseudouridine in plant RNAs, including its synthesis, degradation, regulatory mechanisms, and functions. Moreover, we propose future areas of research on pseudouridine modification in plants.
In vitro antifungal susceptibility profile and genotypic characterization of clinical Aspergillus isolates in Eastern China on behalf of Eastern China Invasive Fungi Infection Group
Authors: Lin Huiping , Guo Jian , Li Yueting , Xiao Chenlu , Hu Liang , Chen Hui , Lu Xiuhai , Wu Wenjuan
Published: August 2023

Aspergillus species is a widespread environmental mould that can cause aspergillosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal susceptibility profile and genotypic characterization of clinical Aspergillus isolates from different provinces in Eastern China. The data included the antifungal susceptibility distributions with eight common antifungal drugs, cyp51A gene mutations of triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto, and the genotypic relationships among the A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates based on microsatellite typing. A. fumigatus sensu lato was the most common clinical Aspergillus species (n = 252), followed by A. flavus (n = 169), A. terreus (n = 37), A. niger (n = 29), and A. nidulans (n = 4). The modal minimum effective concentration values of micafungin and anidulafungin were lower than those of caspofungin for all Aspergillus species. The in vitro efficacy of isavuconazole was similar to that of voriconazole against most Aspergillus species. Sequencing revealed cyp51A gene mutations TR34/L98H, TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I, and TR46/Y121F/T289A in four triazole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu stricto. Phylogenetic analyses using microsatellite markers of A. fumigatus sensu stricto revealed that 211 unique genotypes clustered into two clades. The data demonstrate the diversity of clinically relevant Aspergillus species in Eastern China. Routine antifungal susceptibility testing should be performed to monitor the antifungal resistance and guide clinical therapy.
A new variability pattern in GRS 1915+105 with NICER and Insight-HXMT observations
Authors: Shi Zhihong , Wu Qingwen , Yan Zhen , Lyu Bing , Liu Hao
Published: August 2023

We explore the timing and spectral properties of GRS 1915+105 based on X-ray observations of NICER and Insight-HXMT during the long outburst from 2017 to 2021. We find a new class of variability in the rising stage of the outburst that differs from the formerly reported patterns of light curves. This new variability pattern, which we name class ψ, is characterized by several periodic mini pulses superposed on another longer periodic pulse. The periods are ∼130 and ∼10 s for the main pulses and mini pulses, respectively, based on the analysis of power spectrum density and step-wise filter correlation (SFC), where the SFC method has an advantage in finding the superimposed periodic components. The mini pulses become weak or disappear when the luminosity increases and the light curves change into the classical class κ. The class ψ shows a softer spectrum with lower count rates compared to the class κ during the main pulse. The new class ψ shows peculiar timing and spectral properties compared to those of classic class κ, which can help us to explore the class transition mechanism in GRS 1915+105.
Multimessenger emission from the accretion-induced collapse of white dwarfs
Authors: Longo Micchi Luís Felipe , Radice David , Chirenti Cecilia
Published: August 2023

We present fully general relativistic 3D numerical simulations of accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of white dwarfs (WDs). We evolve three different WD models (non-rotating, rotating at 80 per cent and 99 per cent of the Keplerian mass shedding limit) that collapse due to electron capture. For each of these models, we provide a detailed analysis of their gravitational waves (GWs), neutrinos, and electromagnetic counterpart and discuss their detectability. Our results suggest that fast rotating AICs could be detectable up to a distance of 8 Mpc with third-generation GW observatories, and up to 1 Mpc with LIGO. AIC progenitors are expected to have large angular momentum due to their accretion history, which is a determining factor for their stronger GW emission compared to core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). Regarding neutrino emission, we found no significant difference between AICs and CCSNe. In the electromagnetic spectrum, we find that AICs are two orders of magnitude fainter than type Ia supernovae. Our work places AICs as realistic targets for future multimessenger searches with third generation ground-based GW detectors.
Joining forces to understand what matters most: qualitative insights into the patient experience of outpatient rheumatology care
Authors: Bryant Madeleine J , Munt Rebecca , Black Rachel J , Reynolds Amy , Hill Catherine L
Published: August 2023

Objective

People with rheumatic diseases are frequent, long-term attenders of health-care services. Their care experiences are central to improving services. The aim of this study was to explore real-world experiences and priorities of people attending outpatient rheumatology care and those of health-care professionals (HCPs) providing care.

Methods

This qualitative study consisted of five semi-structured focus groups. Participants included rheumatology outpatients (n = 16) of two tertiary teaching hospitals and HCPs (n = 14; rheumatologists, rheumatology trainees, physiotherapists, a specialty nurse and a pharmacist). Participants explored priorities when attending outpatient services, real experiences and aspirations for improving future care. Transcripts were coded using inductive and deductive thematic analysis.

Results

Seven key themes were identified: smooth flow of technical processes, care coordination, individualized care, information sharing, clinical excellence, patient empowerment and comprehensive care. The findings were aligned conceptually with quality standards in Australia and worldwide. Different sub-themes and prioritization of concerns emerged from patient and HCP subgroups. Highly prioritized themes for patients pertained to processes and technical aspects of care. HCPs focused on themes relating to non-technical aspects of service provision: information sharing, individualization of care, patient advocacy and empowerment.

Conclusion

This study captured valuable insights into the current experience of outpatient rheumatology care from the perspective of patients and HCPs. It informs a collective understanding of differing and shared priorities, positives of current care and areas requiring change. Themes derived from the study data can be conceptualized in terms of the process, content and impact of care. Such domains can be measured longitudinally by routine implementation of validated patient-reported experience measures in rheumatology.
Simulating diffraction effects in heliospheric imagers
Authors: Tappin S J , Davies J A , Eyles C J
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we consider the modelling of diffracted stray light in heliospheric imagers. The emphasis is on the imagers proposed by RAL Space as part of the phase A/B1 study for ESA’s Vigil (formerly called Lagrange) L5 monitoring mission. In order to handle the extreme diffraction angles, a one-dimensional version of the PROPER diffraction modelling library has been developed. This is used to compute patterns at the lens aperture, and the standard two-dimensional version is then used to continue propagation to the sensor plane. The effects of key instrument and modelling parameters are analysed with a view to optimize accuracy of the modelling and the diffraction performance of the instrument.
Tofacitinib therapy in refractory inflammatory myositis: a retrospective cohort study of 41 patients
Authors: Beckett Madelaine , Tan Julia , Bonnardeaux Evelyne , Dutz Jan , Shojania Kamran , To Fergus , Obrzut Anthony , Aviña-Zubieta J , Huang Kun
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in treatment-refractory inflammatory myositis in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods

All patients with refractory inflammatory myositis treated with tofacitinib from a single urban centre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, were included from June 2016 to December 2022. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

A total of 41 patients were included, 23 with classic DM, 12 with amyopathic DM (ADM) and six with PM phenotype. The patients failed an average of four to five non-steroidal immunosuppressants before initiation of tofacitinib. In the classic DM and ADM group, tofacitinib offered clinically and statistically significant cutaneous improvement. In all myositis patients including the PM phenotype, no meaningful muscle strength response to tofacitinib was observed. 53.7% of the patients discontinued tofacitinib due to lack of benefit or death. Of the 19 patients who remained on tofacitinib at the conclusion of this study, tofacitinib demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvement in cutaneous disease activity.

Conclusion

Tofacitinib appears to be highly effective in targeting cutaneous manifestations in classic DM and ADM; however, minimal benefit in muscle strength in the DM or PM phenotype were observed.
SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT: EVIDENCE OF ELLIPSOID ZONE RESTORATION
Authors: Pellegrini Francesco , Fossataro Federica , Fossataro Claudia , Rizzo Clara , Rizzo Stanislao
Published: August 2023

Purpose:

To describe a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) occurred after pars plana vitrectomy for a macula-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which showed a spontaneous closure associated with outer retinal layers restoration.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A pseudophakic 69-year-old man underwent pars plana vitrectomy for a macula-sparing superior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 before surgery. Three weeks after treatment, the patient complained about visual impairment, and an FTMH was detected at fundus examination as well as confirmed by optical coherence tomography scan. The patient was scheduled for a repeated surgery, but FTMH spontaneously closed 18 days after its occurrence as demonstrated by optical coherence tomography showing only a point break of the ellipsoid zone and Verhoeff membrane. The subsequent macular optical coherence tomography scan showed a point-like irregularity at the Verhoeff membrane and regeneration of ellipsoid zone, associated with a progressive improvement in the best-corrected visual acuity. Forty days after the FTMH occurrence, all the retinal layers were completely restored with a complete clinical recovery.

Conclusion:

Full-thickness macular hole formation and closure after macula-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair is a rare event that could be characterized by spontaneous and gradual anatomical restoration of the ellipsoid zone associated with visual acuity improvement, underlying the retinal physiology recovery.
Use of Chinese Herbal Medicine to Inhibit Podocyte Damage as Therapeutic Strategy for Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Wei , Hu Anlan , Wang Juan , Wang Yudian , Yu Xiaoyong
Published: August 2023

Membranous nephropathy (MN), one of the most common glomerular diseases, is a noninflammatory autoimmune podocyte disease. In the body, podocytes play an important role in maintaining the stability of the glomerular filtration barrier, and the degree of podocyte damage is a major determinant of MN prognosis because of the limited ability of podocytes to repair and regenerate. Although several therapeutic modalities for inhibiting podocyte damage are currently available, most lead to adverse, nonspecific systemic effects; therefore, newer drugs are necessary to target podocyte damage in MN. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays an important role in the treatment of primary MN in China. This study reviews the role of podocytes and the mechanisms of podocyte injury in MN glomeruli and summarizes the current status of complement-mediated therapy, the clinical efficacy of TCM in the treatment of primary MN, and the potential mechanisms regulating podocyte injury to support the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Nerve guide conduits, nerve transfers, and local and free muscle transfer in facial nerve palsy
Authors: Shoman Nael
Published: August 2023

Purpose of review

To highlight the recent literature on reinnervation options in the management of facial nerve paralysis using nerve conduits, and nerve and muscle transfers.

Recent findings

Engineering of natural and synthetic nerve conduits has progressed and many of these products are now available on the market. The use of the masseter nerve has become more popular recently as a choice in nerve transfer procedures due to various unique advantages. Various authors have recently described mimetic muscle reinnervation using more than one nerve transfer, as well as dual and triple innervation of free muscle transfer.

The ideal nerve conduit continues to be elusive, however significant progress has been made with many natural and synthetic materials and designs tested and introduced on the market. Many authors have modified the classic approaches in motor nerve transfer, as well as local and free muscle transfer, and described new ones, that aim to combine their advantages, particularly the simplification to a single stage and use of multiple reinnervation to the mimetic muscles. These advances are valuable to the reconstructive surgeon as powerful tools that can be tailored to the unique challenges of patients with facial nerve palsy looking for dynamic reanimation options.
Cognitive status and sleep quality can explain the fear of falling and fall history in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Alissa Nesreen , Rehan Reem , Al-Sharman Alham , Latrous Mariem , Aburub Ala’ S , El-Salem Khalid , Morris Linzette , Khalil Hanan
Published: August 2023

Fear of falling (FOF) is highly prevalent in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) and contributes to high fall risk. Studies reporting on the relationship between falls, FOF, and non-motor factors such as cognitive function and sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease are limited. This study aimed to investigate (1) the relationship of cognitive function and sleep quality with FOF, and history of falls in PwPD; (2) differences in cognitive function and sleep quality between Parkinson’s disease fallers and non-fallers; and (3) a cut-off score for cognitive function and sleep quality to discriminate Parkinson’s disease fallers from non-fallers. Fifty PwPD were assessed for FOF [Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)], cognition [Montréal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], and falls history. The MOCA is significantly associated with FES-I scores (R
2 = 0.429, P < 0.0001). Both MOCA (P = 0.012) and PSQI (P = 0.027) were associated with falls history even after adjusting for confounding factors (age, sex, L-dopa use, Parkinson’s disease severity). Both MOCA and PSQI scores were able to distinguish fallers from non-fallers with cut-off scores of 15.5 and 7.5, respectively. Although our findings revealed that both cognitive function and sleep quality are important factors influencing falls and FOF in PwPD, it remains to be determined if addressing cognitive impairments and poor sleep quality may favorably impact balance before integrating such screenings into fall prevention programs.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy mimicking Brugada – a case report
Authors: Al Jarallah Mohammed , Refat Hany , Loricchio Maria L. , Dashti Raja , Brady Peter A. , Rajan Rajesh , Talera Bhavesh
Published: August 2023

We report a rare case of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). Middle-aged Kuwaiti gentleman presented to a polyclinic with complaints of dizziness and palpitation. Electrocardiogram (ECG) at the polyclinic showed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, and hence he was referred to our center. ECG at the emergency room showed a Brugada pattern with epsilon waves. Echo showed right ventricular dysfunction with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of ARVC. He was referred to the electrophysiology team and implanted an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator electively.
Revolutionizing healthcare by use of artificial intelligence in esophageal carcinoma – a narrative review
Authors: Mohan Anmol , Asghar Zoha , Abid Rabia , Subedi Rasish , Kumari Karishma , Kumar Sushil , Majumder Koushik , Bhurgri Aqsa I. , Tejwaney Usha , Kumar Sarwan
Published: August 2023

Esophageal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with significant regional disparities. Early detection of precursor lesions is essential to improve patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including deep learning and machine learning, have proved to be of assistance to both gastroenterologists and pathologists in the diagnosis and characterization of upper gastrointestinal malignancies by correlating with the histopathology. The primary diagnostic method in gastroenterology is white light endoscopic evaluation, but conventional endoscopy is partially inefficient in detecting esophageal cancer. However, other endoscopic modalities, such as narrow-band imaging, endocytoscopy, and endomicroscopy, have shown improved visualization of mucosal structures and vasculature, which provides a set of baseline data to develop efficient AI-assisted predictive models for quick interpretation. The main challenges in managing esophageal cancer are identifying high-risk patients and the disease’s poor prognosis. Thus, AI techniques can play a vital role in improving the early detection and diagnosis of precursor lesions, assisting gastroenterologists in performing targeted biopsies and real-time decisions of endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. Combining AI techniques and endoscopic modalities can enhance the diagnosis and management of esophageal cancer, improving patient outcomes and reducing cancer-related mortality rates. The aim of this review is to grasp a better understanding of the application of AI in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of esophageal cancer and how computer-aided diagnosis and computer-aided detection can act as vital tools for clinicians in the long run.
The metabolic control of DNA replication: mechanism and function
Authors: Soultanas Panos , Janniere Laurent
Published: August 2023

Metabolism and DNA replication are the two most fundamental biological functions in life. The catabolic branch of metabolism breaks down nutrients to produce energy and precursors used by the anabolic branch of metabolism to synthesize macromolecules. DNA replication consumes energy and precursors for faithfully copying genomes, propagating the genetic material from generation to generation. We have exquisite understanding of the mechanisms that underpin and regulate these two biological functions. However, the molecular mechanism coordinating replication to metabolism and its biological function remains mostly unknown. Understanding how and why living organisms respond to fluctuating nutritional stimuli through cell-cycle dynamic changes and reproducibly and distinctly temporalize DNA synthesis in a wide-range of growth conditions is important, with wider implications across all domains of life. After summarizing the seminal studies that founded the concept of the metabolic control of replication, we review data linking metabolism to replication from bacteria to humans. Molecular insights underpinning these links are then presented to propose that the metabolic control of replication uses signalling systems gearing metabolome homeostasis to orchestrate replication temporalization. The remarkable replication phenotypes found in mutants of this control highlight its importance in replication regulation and potentially genetic stability and tumorigenesis.