bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of BiOI particles: An efficient visible-light-driven degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous environments
Authors: Thai Ngoc-Thanh-Phuong , Nguyen Bao-Nguyen , Luan Van-Hoang , Son Le Van Thanh , Dang Bao-Trong , Le Minh-Vien
Published: May 2024

Bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) particles were successfully fabricated through solvothermal activation using bismuth (III) nitrate pentahydrate and potassium iodide as precursors. The photocatalytic activities of BiOI were investigated under the influence of synthesis temperature (120–200 °C) with a fixed duration of 12 h. The physical-chemical properties of the samples were systematically investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2-sorption isotherm techniques, and pH of the point of zero charge (pHpzc). The prepared BiOI exhibited a single phase with a non-uniform 2D morphology with different sizes, an average crystallite size of 30 nm, and a BET surface area of 20.71 m²g−1. The zero-point charge was determined to be 7.7. The photocatalytic performance under simulated solar light irradiation was investigated by examining the effects of dye initial concentration, catalyst dose, and dye pH. Remarkably, BiOI synthesized at 160 °C demonstrated an impressive 85% removal efficiency of 10 ppm MO (methyl orange) at normal pH levels (pH 6.8) within 120 min under visible light irradiation, along with the highest rate constant of 0.01418 min−1. The quenching effects of different scavengers indicate the significant role of reactive O2•– and a minor role of hVB+ and •OHadsin the photocatalytic process. These findings underscore the potential of BiOI particles as efficient photocatalysts for environmental applications, particularly in the degradation of organic pollutants in water using solar light irradiation.
Influence of salt contamination on the rheological and filtration properties of bentonite-based mud
Authors: Hai Le Nam Nguyen , Phat Le Tan , Phuoc Tran Huu , Dung Tran Trung , Quang Hoang Trong , Tam Tran Nguyen Thien , Khanh Do Quang
Published: May 2024

Bentonite-based mud has been widely used in petroleum, geotechnical and civil engineering to lubricate the drill bit, maintain wellbore stability, and lift the drilled cuttings up to the surface during drilling operations. Understanding salt contaminants influences the quality of bentonite-based mud is necessary to create a suitable formula for drilling mud to achieve a successful drilling process in deep formations and coastal regions. In this paper, several experiments were carried out on bentonite-based muds with different types of salt (NaCl and CaCl2) and various concentrations of salts (NaCl - 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 wt%; CaCl2 - 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 wt%). The properties of mud were examined by laboratory equipment, including an 8-speed viscometer, and American Petroleum Institute (API) Filter Press. The findings indicate that salt contamination impairs the characteristics of drilling fluid. The rheological parameters of mud, such as viscosity, yield point, and gel strength, drop dramatically as the concentration of salt increases. Furthermore, the filtration test indicated that the bentonite-based mud encountered severe water loss into the formation with increased salt concentration.
Research on preparation of curcumin powder by spray drying method with the support of gum Arabic and maltodextrin and improvement in its solubility
Authors: Nguyen Quynh Anh Phan , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong , Mai Tan Thanh Nguyen , Thi Hong Nhan Le , Nguyen Trong Hung
Published: May 2024

The suspension of curcumin being created tends to clump together into larger particles and settle down. One way to improve this shortcoming is to spray-dry the suspension system. The aim of this study is to optimize the powder forming process from the spray drying method. The suspension was converted to a powder with maltodextrin as a carrier. Optimization results, realized via a response surface methodology, showed that a maximal curcumin content of 4.667% could be attained under the following conditions: intake air temperature 150 °C, drying air flow of 290 m3/h and feed flow rate of 0.7 L/h. Under these conditions, the particles of obtained powder has the median size of 1.900 μm by LDS method and FESEM also showed that curcumin particles had a nearly spherical shape with a size range of 1 - 3 μm.
Flavonoids and Antioxidant Effects of Piper sarmentosum
Authors: Trinh Pham Thi Nhat , Danh Tong Thanh , Hoa Nguyen Van , Anh Nguyen Lan , Nhan Nguyen Thanh , Dung Le Tien
Published: May 2024

Piper sarmentosum has long been a precious herb, used as a remedy for diseases such as gout, joint pain, etc. The chemical compositions mainly contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and phenols. However, up to date, there have been few studies on the chemical compositions and antioxidant activity in Vietnam. The experiments indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction had the highest content of polyphenols (254.1 mg GAE.g -1) and total flavonoids (132.2 mg QE.g -1), as well as strong antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. From the ethyl acetate fractions, by chromatographic techniques, two substances named afzelin (1) and kaempferol (2) were isolated. Compound 2 exhibited strong antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 6.37 and 4.93 μg/mL in the DPPH and ABTS models, respectively, while compound 1 had moderate activity.
GABA-enriched old Oolong tea fermentation
Authors: Huynh O N , Mai N T , Hoang D M
Published: May 2024

Oolong tea, being a semi-fermented variety, holds significance in the tea production industry. However, an important portion of stocked Oolong tea (old Oolong tea) was discarded from the market. Oolong GABA tea, known for its potential health benefits, can be produced through fermentation under oxygen-depleted conditions. Therefore, improving old tea into GABA-rich tea will contribute to limiting the discard of old tea from the market. In this study, old Oolong tea underwent fermentation at temperatures of 30ºC, 35ºC, and 40ºC for a duration of 48 hours. Key parameters, including GABA, tannins, total polyphenols, TF/TR ratio, and tea color, were monitored at six-hour intervals over the 48-hour fermentation period. The findings revealed that optimal conditions to produce high GABA content in old Oolong tea were identified at 35ºC for 42 hours, resulting in a GABA content of 121.2 mg/kg, which was five times higher than the control, accompanied by a clear and standard color characteristic of fermented tea. This underscores the importance of controlled fermentation conditions for enhancing the quality of GABA-enriched old Oolong tea.
Sensor macrophages derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells to assess pyrogenic contaminations in parenteral drugs
Authors: Abdin Shifaa M , Mansel Friederike , Hashtchin Anna Rafiei , Ackermann Mania , Hansen Gesine , Becker Björn , Kick Benjamin , Pham Nhi , Dietz Hendrik , Schaniel Christoph , Martin Ulrich , Spreitzer Ingo , Lachmann Nico
Published: May 2024

Ensuring the safety of parenteral drugs before injection into patients is of utmost importance. New regulations around the globe and the need to refrain from using animals however, have highlighted the need for new cell sources to be used in next-generation bioassays to detect the entire spectrum of possible contaminating pyrogens. Given the current drawbacks of the Monocyte-Activation-Test (MAT) with respect to the use of primary peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells or the use of monocytic cell lines, we here demonstrate the manufacturing of sensor monocytes/macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iMonoMac), which are fully defined and superior to current cell products. Using a modern and scalable manufacturing platform, iMonoMac showed typical macrophage-like morphology and stained positive for several Toll like receptor (TLRs) such as TLR-2, TLR-5, TLR-4. Furthermore, iMonoMac derived from the same donor were sensitive to endotoxins, non-endotoxins, and process related pyrogens at a high dynamic range and across different cellular densities. Of note, iMonoMac showed increased sensitivity and reactivity to a broad range of pyrogens, demonstrated by the detection of interleukin-6 at low concentrations of LPS and MALP-2 which could not be reached using the current MAT cell sources. To further advance the system, iMonoMac or genetically engineered iMonoMac with NF-κB-luciferase reporter cassette could reveal a specific activation response while correlating to the classical detection method employing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure cytokine secretion. Thus, we present a valuable cellular tool to assess parenteral drugs safety, facilitating the future acceptance and design of regulatory-approved bioassays.
Effect of annealing temperature on crystallographic texture, magnetic and microwave properties of barium ferrite thin films
Authors: Xie Wenfei , Li Yandi , Gong Zhinan , Chen Daming
Published: May 2024

Due to it has large saturation magnetization (Ms), high magnetocrystalline anisotropy field and high ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) frequency, barium ferrite (BaM) has attracted more and more attentions in the fields of magnetic recording media, permanent magnets and microwave devices. Here, BaM thin films were deposited on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates, and the effect of annealing temperature on the microstructure, magnetic and microwave properties of barium ferrite thin films was investigated in detail. It is found that when the BaM thin film was annealed at 1035 °C, it has good properties. The XRD data provide clear evidence that the BaM thin films have high c-axis orientation, and the Lotgering factor is as high as 0.96. The AFM morphology show that BaM grains are out of the film plane, and they are hexagonal. The magnetic hysteresis curves indicated that both saturated magnetization (4πMs), remanence ratio and coercive (Hc) for out of plane increase with increasing Ta first, then decreased, and get the maximum value at 1035 °C. The ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurement show that the FMR linewidth is 143 Oe@50 GHz, it means that this this sample has low microwave loss in millimeter wave loss, and the FMR absorption can be tuned by applied magnetic field. These results make sure that this BaM thin film is possible use in millimeter wave devices such as filers, circulators and isolators.
Breast density prediction from low and standard dose mammograms using deep learning: effect of image resolution and model training approach on prediction quality
Authors: Squires Steven , Harkness Elaine F , Mackenzie Alistair , Evans D Gareth , Howell Sacha J , Astley Susan M
Published: May 2024

Purpose. To improve breast cancer risk prediction for young women, we have developed deep learning methods to estimate mammographic density from low dose mammograms taken at approximately 1/10th of the usual dose. We investigate the quality and reliability of the density scores produced on low dose mammograms focussing on how image resolution and levels of training affect the low dose predictions. Methods. Deep learning models are developed and tested, with two feature extraction methods and an end-to-end trained method, on five different resolutions of 15,290 standard dose and simulated low dose mammograms with known labels. The models are further tested on a dataset with 296 matching standard and real low dose images allowing performance on the low dose images to be ascertained. Results. Prediction quality on standard and simulated low dose images compared to labels is similar for all equivalent model training and image resolution versions. Increasing resolution results in improved performance of both feature extraction methods for standard and simulated low dose images, while the trained models show high performance across the resolutions. For the trained models the Spearman rank correlation coefficient between predictions of standard and low dose images at low resolution is 0.951 (0.937 to 0.960) and at the highest resolution 0.956 (0.942 to 0.965). If pairs of model predictions are averaged, similarity increases. Conclusions. Deep learning mammographic density predictions on low dose mammograms are highly correlated with standard dose equivalents for feature extraction and end-to-end approaches across multiple image resolutions. Deep learning models can reliably make high quality mammographic density predictions on low dose mammograms.
Single-step parity check gate set for quantum error correction
Authors: Üstün Gözde , Morello Andrea , Devitt Simon
Published: May 2024

A key requirement for an effective quantum error correction (QEC) scheme is that the physical qubits have error rates below a certain threshold. The value of this threshold depends on the details of the specific QEC scheme, and its hardware-level implementation. This is especially important with parity-check circuits, which are the fundamental building blocks of QEC codes. The standard way of constructing the parity check circuit is using a universal set of gates, namely sequential CNOT gates, single-qubit rotations and measurements. We exploit the insight that a QEC code does not require universal logic gates, but can be simplified to perform the sole task of error detection and correction. By building gates that are fundamental to QEC, we can boost the threshold and ease the experimental demands on the physical hardware. We present a rigorous formalism for constructing and verifying the error behavior of these gates, linking the physical measurement of a process matrix to the abstract error models commonly used in QEC analysis. This allows experimentalists to directly map the gates used in their systems to thresholds derived for a broad-class of QEC codes. We give an example of these new constructions using the model system of two nuclear spins, coupled to an electron spin, showing the potential benefits of redesigning fundamental gate sets using QEC primitives, rather than traditional gate sets reliant on simple single and two-qubit gates.
Numerical analysis on seismic behavior of a novel steel-timber composite frame column
Authors: Liu Wenqing , Wang Gang , Li Xiwang , Zhao Caiqi , Qu Bo , Wang Jing
Published: May 2024

Steel-timber composite structures are a novel hybrid structural system that combines the advantages of both steel and wood structures, holding great promise for various applications. In this paper, the seismic behaviors of steel- timber composite columns are investigated based on finite element analysis. The reliability of the finite element model is validated by quasi-static test results. Numerical analysis results indicate that the proposed steel- timber composite systems is with high ultimate bearing capacity, full hysteresis loops, and strong displacement ductility, demonstrating excellent seismic performance. The axial compression ratio, steel tube thickness, and flexural point height significantly influence the seismic resistance of the structure.
Examining the potential of sigma-thermic heat transfer fluid and its nanofluid in a natural circulation loop through CFD studies
Authors: Nagaraju Dora , Mohammad Abdul Razack , Mendu Siva Subrahmanyam , Uma Maheswararao G
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the impact of hot heat exchanger (HHX) inlet temperature on Sigma-thermic heat transfer fluid (STHF or STF) performance in a natural circulation loop. Various fluids, including STHF and STHF-based nanofluids, with volumetric concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 3%, are employed in the loop. The primary objective is to analyze the thermal performance of the loop under different conditions, focusing on temperature distribution, Nusselt number, friction factor, effectiveness, and mass flow rate. 3D numerical simulations are conducted, and the numerical model is validated against existing literature. The developed model incorporates considerations for viscous dissipation and axial conduction to predict the heat transfer potential of the loop. As the HHX inlet temperature increases, the mass flow rate rises. Notably, STHF/CuO nanofluids exhibit a more substantial enhancement than other nanofluids. At a 1 vol% concentration, the mass flow rate increases by 9.5%, 4%, and 2.7% for STHF/CuO, STHF/Al2O3, and hybrid nanofluids, respectively, compared to pure STHF. The study reveals significant improvements in mass flow rates and heat transfer efficiency with increasing HHX inlet temperatures, especially with STHF/CuO nanofluids. The total entropy generation reduction is notable, with percentages ranging from 2% to 18.5% for various nanofluids compared to pure STHF.
Exploiting data diversity in multi-domain federated learning
Authors: Ahmad Madni Hussain , Muhammad Umer Rao , Luca Foresti Gian
Published: May 2024

Federated learning (FL) is an evolving machine learning technique that allows collaborative model training without sharing the original data among participants. In real-world scenarios, data residing at multiple clients are often heterogeneous in terms of different resolutions, magnifications, scanners, or imaging protocols, and thus challenging for global FL model convergence in collaborative training. Most of the existing FL methods consider data heterogeneity within one domain by assuming same data variation in each client site. In this paper, we consider data heterogeneity in FL with different domains of heterogeneous data by raising the problems of domain-shift, class-imbalance, and missing data. We propose a method, multi-domain FL as a solution to heterogeneous training data from multiple domains by training robust vision transformer model. We use two loss functions, one for correctly predicting class labels and other for encouraging similarity and dissimilarity over latent features, to optimize the global FL model. We perform various experiments using different convolution-based networks and non-convolutional Transformer architectures on multi-domain datasets. We evaluate the proposed approach on benchmark datasets and compare with the existing FL methods. Our results show the superiority of the proposed approach which performs better in term of robust FL global model than the exiting methods.
What Is Justice and Does It Matter? The Rome Statute and Its Disciples
Authors: Ullrich Leila
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores how the Court’s lawyers and bureaucrats interpret and practise justice in The Hague. Using critical ideology theory, the chapter illustrates how the International Criminal Court’s practitioners are both subjects and active producers of the justice ideology, tracing this process of ideology-making through their conflicting justice discourses and practices. I argue that the promise to deliver ‘justice for victims’ both facilitated the Court’s institutional reproduction and made it more conflictual as the Court’s judges had to manage the contradictory pressures of including victims and safeguarding legal proceedings. Over time, they resolved that contradiction by supplementing and substituting victim participation in the courtroom with victim engagement in the field. This movement has been facilitated by the Court’s new victims’ stakeholders, who emerged in the process of operationalizing the Rome Statute’s victims’ rights regime. The new victims’ stakeholders, especially victims’ lawyers and officers, took on new roles and practices, sometimes leading to broader and more political victim engagement in the Court’s situation countries. But they could also be blamed when things went wrong, as they often did. While many of the Court’s practitioners continue to depict victim participation as a ‘burden’ or ‘challenge’, the reshuffling of victims to field and non-judicial processes has effectively turned them into an asset—subjects to be worked on and worked with.
Conclusion
Authors: Ullrich Leila
Published: May 2024

The conclusion revisits our justice paradox: how can justice be both fluid and contested and still successfully enlist victims in the project of international criminal justice? I resolve the paradox by showing how justice contestations in The Hague and the ideological subjection of victims in Kenya and Uganda are two sides of the same coin: on one side is the visible liberal imaginary in which everyone can express different ideas about justice, on the other side the hidden reality in which people are ideologically subjected to work for justice; on one side is the courtroom in which justice is deliberated, on the other side the field in which justice is produced; on one side is the equal realm of market exchange, on the other the unequal realm of production and social reproduction. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has indeed become a victims’ court, I argue, though not as victims’ advocates had envisioned in 1998. The ICC creates victims who not only work for the Court’s institutional and ideological reproduction but also for a global order that designates them as cheap and readily available manual, care, and migratory labour. The conclusion will first situate this argument in the critical literature on international criminal law to showcase the book’s contribution. It will then further theorize the material and affective economy of international criminal justice through the concept of the blame cascade, and, lastly, draw out the latter’s implications for resistance and abolition in international criminal justice.
Ethiopia
Authors: Schneider Marius , Ho Tu Nam Nora
Published: May 2024

This chapter considers Ethiopia, a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia is not yet a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and is not bound to enforce the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) minimum standards. The chapter highlights the story behind the international protection of Ethiopian coffee, one of the most well-known product from Ethiopia, via the Ethiopian Coffee Trademarking and Licensing Initiative. The law in Ethiopia is silent on geographical indications (GIs) although GIs owners may under certain conditions register a collective mark with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority. The registration of both foreign and domestic collective marks are discussed in this chapter, together with the registrability of names, the procedure and requirements for registration, the term of protection, the rights of the owner against infringers and customs enforcement. The chapter ends by looking at whether there any bilateral agreements regarding GIs to which Ethiopia is a party.
Bugs in the Smart City
Authors: Metzger Jonathan , Hillier Jean
Published: May 2024

This chapter brings a suburban fringe residential development in Australia into dialogue with ‘smart’ initiatives in mosquito management. Our example illustrates inadvertent intensification of non-human presence, especially mosquito breeding, through its development emphases on riparian aesthetics and on economics, which leave ‘smart’ control solutions to individual householders. Inspired by thinkers such as Bruno Latour, Robert Chia, and François Jullien, we suggest that an approach of ‘upstream’ investigation into the production of conditions of co-becoming can function as an alternative to established ‘downstream’ mosquito management practices premised on control and eradication. We conclude that forms of smart urban planning and residential estate development might rely less on artificial intelligence and Wi-Fi technology than a smarter appreciation of development milieus.
Does losing reduce the tendency to engage with rivals to reach mates? An experimental test
Authors: Zang Chenke , Chung Meng-Han Joseph , Neeman Teresa , Harrison Lauren , Vinogradov Ivan M , Jennions Michael D
Published: May 2024

Male–male contests for access to females or breeding resources are critical in determining male reproductive success. Larger males and those with more effective weaponry are more likely to win fights. However, even after controlling for such predictors of fighting ability, studies have reported a winner–loser effect: previous winners are more likely to win subsequent contests, while losers often suffer repeated defeats. While the effect of winning–losing is well-documented for the outcome of future fights, its effect on other behaviors (e.g. mating) remains poorly investigated. Here, we test whether a winning versus losing experience influenced subsequent behaviors of male mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) toward rivals and potential mates. We housed focal males with either a smaller or larger opponent for 24 h to manipulate their fighting experience to become winners or losers, respectively. The focal males then underwent tests that required them to enter and swim through a narrow corridor to reach females, bypassing a cylinder that contained either a larger rival male (competitive scenario), a juvenile or was empty (non-competitive scenarios). The tests were repeated after 1 wk. Winners were more likely to leave the start area and to reach the females, but only when a larger rival was presented, indicating higher levels of risk-taking behavior in aggressive interactions. This winner–loser effect persisted for at least 1 wk. We suggest that male mosquitofish adjust their assessment of their own and/or their rival’s fighting ability following contests in ways whose detection by researchers depends on the social context.
Peptriever: a Bi-Encoder approach for large-scale protein–peptide binding search
Authors: Gurvich Roni , Markel Gal , Tanoli Ziaurrehman , Meirson Tomer
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Peptide therapeutics hinge on the precise interaction between a tailored peptide and its designated receptor while mitigating interactions with alternate receptors is equally indispensable. Existing methods primarily estimate the binding score between protein and peptide pairs. However, for a specific peptide without a corresponding protein, it is challenging to identify the proteins it could bind due to the sheer number of potential candidates.

Results

We propose a transformers-based protein embedding scheme in this study that can quickly identify and rank millions of interacting proteins. Furthermore, the proposed approach outperforms existing sequence- and structure-based methods, with a mean AUC-ROC and AUC-PR of 0.73.

Availability and implementation

Training data, scripts, and fine-tuned parameters are available at https://github.com/RoniGurvich/Peptriever. The proposed method is linked with a web application available for customized prediction at https://peptriever.app/.
DeepAVP-TPPred: identification of antiviral peptides using transformed image-based localized descriptors and binary tree growth algorithm
Authors: Ullah Matee , Akbar Shahid , Raza Ali , Zou Quan
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Despite the extensive manufacturing of antiviral drugs and vaccination, viral infections continue to be a major human ailment. Antiviral peptides (AVPs) have emerged as potential candidates in the pursuit of novel antiviral drugs. These peptides show vigorous antiviral activity against a diverse range of viruses by targeting different phases of the viral life cycle. Therefore, the accurate prediction of AVPs is an essential yet challenging task. Lately, many machine learning-based approaches have developed for this purpose; however, their limited capabilities in terms of feature engineering, accuracy, and generalization make these methods restricted.

Results

In the present study, we aim to develop an efficient machine learning-based approach for the identification of AVPs, referred to as DeepAVP-TPPred, to address the aforementioned problems. First, we extract two new transformed feature sets using our designed image-based feature extraction algorithms and integrate them with an evolutionary information-based feature. Next, these feature sets were optimized using a novel feature selection approach called binary tree growth Algorithm. Finally, the optimal feature space from the training dataset was fed to the deep neural network to build the final classification model. The proposed model DeepAVP-TPPred was tested using stringent 5-fold cross-validation and two independent dataset testing methods, which achieved the maximum performance and showed enhanced efficiency over existing predictors in terms of both accuracy and generalization capabilities.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/MateeullahKhan/DeepAVP-TPPred.
How side effects can improve treatment efficacy: a randomized trial
Authors: Schenk Lieven A , Fadai Tahmine , Büchel Christian
Published: May 2024

While treatment side effects may adversely impact patients, they could also potentially function as indicators for effective treatment. In this study, we investigated whether and how side effects can trigger positive treatment expectations and enhance treatment outcomes.

In this pre-registered trial (DRKS00026648), 77 healthy participants were made to believe that they will receive fentanyl nasal sprays before receiving thermal pain in a controlled experimental setting. However, nasal sprays did not contain fentanyl, rather they either contained capsaicin to induce a side effect (mild burning sensation) or saline (inert). After the first session, participants were randomized to two groups and underwent functional MRI. One group continued to believe that the nasal sprays could contain fentanyl while the other group was explicitly informed that no fentanyl was included. This allowed for the independent manipulation of the side effects and the expectation of pain relief.

Our results revealed that nasal sprays with a side effect lead to lower pain than inert nasal sprays without side effects. The influence of side effects on pain was dependent on individual beliefs about how side effects are related to treatment outcome, as well as on expectations about received treatment. Functional MRI data indicated an involvement of the descending pain modulatory system including the anterior cingulate cortex and the periaqueductal gray during pain after experiencing a nasal spray with side effects.

In summary, our data show that mild side effects can serve as a signal for effective treatment thereby influencing treatment expectations and outcomes, which is mediated by the descending pain modulatory system. Using these mechanisms in clinical practice could provide an efficient way to optimize treatment outcome. In addition, our results indicate an important confound in clinical trials, where a treatment (with potential side effects) is compared to placebo.
Distinct virtual histology of grey matter atrophy in four neuroinflammatory diseases
Authors: Sun Jun , Guo Min , Chai Li , Xu Siyao , Lizhu Yuerong , Li Yuna , Duan Yunyun , Xu Xiaolu , Lv Shan , Weng Jinyuan , Li Kuncheng , Zhou Fuqing , Li Haiqing , Li Yongmei , Han Xuemei , Shi Fu-Dong , Zhang Xinghu , Tian De-Cai , Zhuo Zhizheng , Liu Yaou
Published: May 2024

Grey matter (GM) atrophies are observed in multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders [NMOSD; both anti-aquaporin-4 antibody-positive (AQP4+) and -negative (AQP4−) subtypes] and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Revealing the pathogenesis of brain atrophy in these disorders would help their differential diagnosis and guide therapeutic strategies.

To determine the neurobiological underpinnings of GM atrophies in multiple sclerosis, AQP4+ NMOSD, AQP4− NMOSD and MOGAD, we conducted a virtual histology analysis that links T1-weighted image derived GM atrophy and gene expression using a multicentre cohort of 324 patients with multiple sclerosis, 197 patients with AQP4+ NMOSD, 75 patients with AQP4− NMOSD, 47 patients with MOGAD and 2169 healthy control subjects. First, interregional GM atrophy profiles across the cortical and subcortical regions were determined using Cohen's d between patients with multiple sclerosis, AQP4+ NMOSD, AQP4− NMOSD or MOGAD and healthy controls. The GM atrophy profiles were then spatially correlated with the gene expression levels extracted from the Allen Human Brain Atlas, respectively. Finally, we explored the virtual histology of clinical-feature relevant GM atrophy using a subgroup analysis that stratified by physical disability, disease duration, number of relapses, lesion burden and cognitive function.

Multiple sclerosis showed a severe widespread GM atrophy pattern, mainly involving subcortical nuclei and brainstem. AQP4+ NMOSD showed an obvious widespread pattern of GM atrophy, predominately located in occipital cortex as well as cerebellum. AQP4− NMOSD showed a mild widespread GM atrophy pattern, mainly located in frontal and parietal cortices. MOGAD showed GM atrophy mainly involving the frontal and temporal cortices. High expression of genes specific to microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and endothelial cells in multiple sclerosis, S1 pyramidal cells in AQP4+ NMOSD, as well as S1 and CA1 pyramidal cells in MOGAD, had spatial correlations with GM atrophy profile, while no atrophy profile-related gene expression was found in AQP4− NMOSD. Virtual histology of clinical feature-relevant GM atrophy pointed mainly to the shared neuronal and endothelial cells, among the four neuroinflammatory diseases.

The unique underlying virtual histology patterns were microglia, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes for multiple sclerosis; astrocytes for AQP4+ NMOSD; and oligodendrocytes for MOGAD. Neuronal and endothelial cells were shared potential targets across these neuroinflammatory diseases. These findings may help the differential diagnoses of these diseases and promote the use of optimal therapeutic strategies.
A survey of geothermal power generation combined with renewable energy for low carbon emissions
Authors: Liu Xuyang , Cai Dongsheng , Ukwuoma Chiagoziem C , Huang Qi , Bamisile Olusola
Published: May 2024

At present, industrial development is heavily dependent on traditional fossil energy, which has had an increasingly serious impact on the environment. Clean and renewable energy has received extensive attention and its proportion in daily life has gradually increased. As a clean and renewable energy source that is not affected by changes in weather and seasons, geothermal energy has developed rapidly in recent years and has received increasing attention. According to reports, the total installed capacity of geothermal power generation in the world in 2020 was 15 950 MW—an increase of ~27% over 2015. At the end of 2019, the total installed capacity for global geothermal direct use was 107 727 MW—an increase of 52.0% compared with 2015; the total annual energy use was 1 020 887 TJ (283 580 GWh)—an increase of 72.3% over 2015. Through the investigation of geothermal power generation technology in recent years, the characteristics and shortcomings of various power generation methods are analysed. At the same time, this review analyzes the characteristics of geothermal energy and other renewable-energy (solar energy, water energy) coupling power generation, and analyzes the principles and characteristics of geothermal energy and various new-energy coupling power generation methods. Through investigation and analysis, this review provides a complete understanding of various geothermal power generation technologies and provides insights into the future development direction.
Cedirogant in adults with psoriasis: a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Tyring Stephen , Moore Angela , Morita Akimchi , Hong H Chih-ho , Song In-Ho , Eccleston Jason , Levy Gweneth , Mohamed Mohamed-Eslam F , Qian Yuli , Wu Tianshuang , Pan Anqi , Hew Kinjal , Papp Kim A
Published: May 2024

Background

Dysregulated interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23 signalling contributes to psoriasis pathogenesis. Cedirogant is an inverse agonist of nuclear receptor ROR-gamma isoform 2 (RORyt), a key transcription factor responsible for IL-17 synthesis and a regulator of the T helper 17 cell lineage programme.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cedirogant to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Methods

In this phase IIb, multicentre, double-blind, 16-week study (NCT05044234), adults aged 18–65 years were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 to once-daily oral cedirogant 75 mg, 150 mg, 375 mg or placebo. Assessments included: ≥ 50%/75%/90%/100% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50/75/90/100), static Physician’s Global Assessment 0/1, Psoriasis Symptoms Scale 0 and improvements in itch; adverse events (AEs); pharmacokinetics; and IL-17A/F biomarker levels. Efficacy results based on observed cases were summarized descriptively.

Results

Of 156 enrolled patients, most were male (70.5%); 39 patients were randomized to each treatment. Only 47 patients completed the study; the study was terminated early owing to preclinical findings. At week 16, PASI 75 achievement rates (primary endpoint) were 29%, 8% and 42% in the cedirogant 75-mg, 150-mg and 375-mg groups, respectively, and 0% in the placebo group. AE rates were similar in the cedirogant 75-mg, 150-mg and placebo groups, and higher in the cedirogant 375-mg group; most AEs were mild or moderate.

Conclusions

Patients with psoriasis who received cedirogant showed PASI improvement, and cedirogant was generally well tolerated. The results should be interpreted in the context of early study termination. Cedirogant development has been discontinued.
Efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of psoriasiform atopic dermatitis
Authors: Napolitano Maddalena , Foggia Luciano , Patruno Cataldo , Gallo Lucia , Tommasino Nello , Cecere Daniele , Megna Matteo
Published: May 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease with multiple clinical manifestations. Among AD phenotypes, psoriasiform AD shows the coexistence of eczematous itching lesions in flexural areas with psoriasiform plaques. The use of anti-interleukin (IL)-4 and anti-IL-13 in psoriasiform AD may lead to therapeutic failure or worsening of manifestations. A recent Delphi consensus proposed Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) as a viable alternative, even as a first-line treatment, in patients with different clinical phenotypes of AD, including psoriasiform AD. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients in our dermatology clinic with moderate-to-severe AD who were treated with JAKi. Among 192 patients overall, 21 had psoriasiform AD. We used the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Pruritus-Numerical Rating Scale and Dermatology Life Quality Index for considering severity scores, and reduction was observed in all 21 patients at week (W) 4, W16 and W24 of treatment. At W16, 81% and 67% achieved EASI-75 and EASI-90, respectively, while at W24 95% of patients achieved EASI-75 and 86% obtained EASI-90. No adverse event led to treatment interruption. This study confirmed the clinical effectiveness of JAKi treatment in adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasiform AD, with a good safety profile. These drugs are proposed as the first choice for treating this form of AD, although further studies with larger cohorts are required.
Characteristics and outcomes of clinical primary dermal melanoma: a case series
Authors: Owens Kelly E , Zegeye Ysaac , Pavlis Michelle
Published: May 2024

Primary dermal melanoma (PDM) is a rare, relatively newly described subtype of melanoma comprising 0.4–0.9% of all melanoma diagnoses. We report nine patients with a clinical diagnosis of PDM.
NKG2C+CD57+ natural killer cells with senescent features are induced during cutaneous leishmaniasis and accumulate in patients with lesional healing impairment
Authors: Covre Luciana Polaco , Fantecelle Carlos Henrique , Queiroz Ariadne Mendes , Fardin Julia Miranda , Miranda Pedro Henrique , Henson Sian , Fonseca-Martins Alessandra Marcia da , de Matos Guedes Herbert Leonel , Mosser David , Falqueto Aloisio , Akbar Arne , Gomes Daniel Claudio Oliveira
Published: May 2024

Natural killer (NK) cells include different subsets with diverse effector capacities that are poorly understood in the context of parasitic diseases. Here, we investigated inhibitory and activating receptor expression on NK cells in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and explored their phenotypic and functional heterogeneity based on CD57 and NKG2C expression. The expression of CD57 identified NK cells that accumulated in CL patients and exhibited features of senescence. The CD57+ cells exhibited heightened levels of the activating receptor NKG2C and diminished expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A. RNA sequencing analyses based on NKG2C transcriptome have revealed two distinct profiles among CL patients associated with cytotoxic and functional genes. The CD57+NKG2C+ subset accumulated in the blood of patients and presented conspicuous features of senescence, including the expression of markers such as p16, yH2ax, and p38, as well as reduced proliferative capacity. In addition, they positively correlated with the number of days until lesion resolution. This study provides a broad understanding of the NK cell biology during Leishmania infection and reinforces the role of senescent cells in the adverse clinical outcomes of CL.
The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing in Older Adults: A Self-Controlled Risk-Interval Study
Authors: Jorgensen Sarah C J , Brown Kevin , Clarke Anna E , Schwartz Kevin L , Maxwell Colleen , Daneman Nick , Kwong Jeffrey C , MacFadden Derek R
Published: May 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has been associated with reduced outpatient antibiotic prescribing among older adults with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We assessed the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on outpatient antibiotic prescribing in the broader population of older adults, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 infection status.

Methods

We included adults aged ≥65 years who received their first, second, and/or third COVID-19 vaccine dose from December 2020 to December 2022. We used a self-controlled risk-interval design and included cases who received an antibiotic prescription 2–6 weeks before vaccination (pre-vaccination or control interval) or after vaccination (post-vaccination or risk interval). We used conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds of being prescribed (1) any antibiotic, (2) a typical “respiratory” infection antibiotic, or (3) a typical “urinary tract” infection antibiotic (negative control) in the post-vaccination interval versus the pre-vaccination interval. We accounted for temporal changes in antibiotic prescribing using background monthly antibiotic prescribing counts.

Results

469 923 vaccine doses met inclusion criteria. The odds of receiving any antibiotic or a respiratory antibiotic prescription were lower in the post-vaccination versus pre-vaccination interval (aOR, .973; 95% CI, .968–.978; aOR, .961; 95% CI, .953–.968, respectively). There was no association between vaccination and urinary antibiotic prescriptions (aOR, .996; 95% CI, .987–1.006). Periods with high (>10%) versus low (<5%) SARS-CoV-2 test positivity demonstrated greater reductions in antibiotic prescribing (aOR, .875; 95% CI, .845–.905; aOR, .996; 95% CI, .989–1.003, respectively).

Conclusions

COVID-19 vaccination was associated with reduced outpatient antibiotic prescribing in older adults, especially during periods of high SARS-CoV-2 circulation.
Etrasimod for the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: Analysis of Infection Events from the ELEVATE UC Clinical Programme
Authors: Regueiro Miguel , Siegmund Britta , Yarur Andres J , Steinwurz Flavio , Gecse Krisztina B , Goetsch Martina , Bhattacharjee Abhishek , Wu Joseph , Green Jesse , McDonnell Aoibhinn , Crosby Catherine , Lazin Krisztina , Branquinho Diogo , Modesto Irene , Abreu Maria T
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Infections are a safety concern in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. Etrasimod is an oral, once daily [QD], selective sphingosine 1-phosphate [S1P]1,4,5 receptor modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active UC. It leads to selective and reversible lymphocyte sequestration and partial peripheral lymphocyte count decrease. We report infection events from the phase 3 ELEVATE programme.

Methods

Proportions, incidence rates [IRs; per 100 patient-years], and descriptive analyses of all serious, severe, herpes zoster and opportunistic infections are reported in the Pivotal UC cohort [ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12]. Cox regression models evaluated potential baseline risk factors.

Results

In this analysis [n = 787], proportions [IRs] of all infection events were similar for patients receiving etrasimod 2 mg QD (18.8% [41.1]) or placebo (17.7% [49.0]). Serious infections occurred in three [0.6%] and five [1.9%] patients receiving etrasimod and placebo, respectively. Two herpes zoster events were reported in each group [etrasimod: 0.4%; placebo: 0.8%], all localised and non-serious. One opportunistic infection event was reported in each group. No patient with an absolute lymphocyte count [ALC] < 0.2 × 109/L reported serious/severe or opportunistic infections; no baseline risk factors were identified for such events. No deaths occurred.

Conclusions

Patients receiving etrasimod demonstrated no increased risk of infection. The incidence of serious infections and herpes zoster was similar in each group. Among patients receiving etrasimod, no association between ALC < 0.5 × 109/L and infection events was observed. Longer-term follow-up will further characterise the etrasimod safety profile.

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03945188; NCT03996369
Prospective deep learning–based quantitative assessment of coronary plaque by computed tomography angiography compared with intravascular ultrasound: the REVEALPLAQUE study
Authors: Narula Jagat , Stuckey Thomas D , Nakazawa Gaku , Ahmadi Amir , Matsumura Mitsuaki , Petersen Kersten , Mirza Saba , Ng Nicholas , Mullen Sarah , Schaap Michiel , Leipsic Jonathan , Rogers Campbell , Taylor Charles A , Yacoub Harout , Gupta Himanshu , Matsuo Hitoshi , Rinehart Sarah , Maehara Akiko
Published: May 2024

Aims

Coronary computed tomography angiography provides non-invasive assessment of coronary stenosis severity and flow impairment. Automated artificial intelligence (AI) analysis may assist in precise quantification and characterization of coronary atherosclerosis, enabling patient-specific risk determination and management strategies. This multicentre international study compared an automated deep learning-based method for segmenting coronary atherosclerosis in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) against the reference standard of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Methods and results

The study included clinically stable patients with known coronary artery disease from 15 centres in the USA and Japan. An AI-enabled plaque analysis was utilized to quantify and characterize total plaque (TPV), vessel, lumen, calcified plaque (CP), non-calcified plaque (NCP), and low-attenuation plaque (LAP) volumes derived from CCTA and compared with IVUS measurements in a blinded, core laboratory-adjudicated fashion. In 237 patients, 432 lesions were assessed; mean lesion length was 24.5 mm, and mean IVUS-TPV was 186.0 mm3. AI-enabled plaque analysis on CCTA showed strong correlation and high accuracy when compared with IVUS; correlation coefficient, slope, and Y intercept for TPV were 0.91, 0.99, and 1.87, respectively; for CP volume 0.91, 1.05, and 5.32, respectively; and for NCP volume 0.87, 0.98, and 15.24, respectively. Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated strong agreement with little bias for these measurements.

Conclusion

AI-enabled CCTA quantification and characterization of atherosclerosis demonstrated strong agreement with IVUS reference standard measurements. This tool may prove effective for accurate evaluation of coronary atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular risk assessment.