bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinoic acids and nuclear receptor signaling in liver development: Pathogenic roles in liver diseases
Authors: Jia Wen , Bi Yang
Published: September 2023

Retinoic acid (RA) serves as a metabolic intermediate of vitamin A. It plays a crucial physiological role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, embryonic development, and immunomodulation. Once vitamin A enters the body in the form of retinol, it undergoes conversion into RA through the intestinal epithelium and liver. Subsequently, it interacts with retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X receptors within the cell nucleus, thereby regulating gene expression. Throughout liver development, RA exerts precise temporal control, stimulating liver growth, inducing RALDH2 expression in liver somatic epithelial cells, and influencing hepatocyte differentiation. Recent studies have consistently demonstrated the indispensable connection between RA deficiency and the development of liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver tumors. Studying the mechanisms underlying the relationship between RA and disease can enhance our understanding and improve disease treatment. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the role of RA signaling in liver development and liver diseases.
Conservative and operative management of spontaneous pneumothorax in children and adolescents: Are we abusing of CT?
Authors: Zarfati Angelo , Pardi Valerio , Frediani Simone , Aloi Ivan Pietro , Accinni Antonella , Bertocchini Arianna , Madafferi Silvia , Inserra Alessandro
Published: September 2023

Background

No age‐specific pediatric guidelines exist for the management of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in children and adolescents. Treatment remains heterogeneous and center dependent. The role of computed tomography (CT) has yet to be defined.

Aims

Review the management of SP in children and adolescents, with emphasis on conservative management and role of CT.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 61 consecutive patients with SP at single tertiary center. Clinical, radiological, surgical data, follow‐up, and outcomes were revised.

Results

First‐line management was conservative for 32 (53%) patients and operative for 29 (47%). Asymptomatic/paucisymptomatic patients managed conservatively experienced less first‐line treatment failure. Furthermore, the patients needing at least a chest drain or surgery during the follow‐up were significantly lower in the conservative group. Conservative and operative patients showed no significant differences regarding ipsilateral recurrences or contralateral occurrences. Of the 61 overall CTs performed, 14 (23%) had an impact on management. Forty‐three (70%) patients had at least a CT, in 22 (51%) the CT was positive for blebs. For 10 of these patients (45%) the presence of blebs had an impact on management. Patients with and without blebs showed no differences regarding ipsilateral recurrence, contralateral occurrences, or the need for at least a chest drain or surgery during the follow‐up.

Conclusions

First‐line conservative management had a significantly shorter hospitalization and better outcome, with a similar incidence of recurrences. The presence of blebs at CT does not predict the risk of recurrence. The CT scan should be reserved for a small number of selected patients who have post‐VATS refractory or recurrent pneumothorax.
Optimising the colour of traps requires an insect's eye view
Authors: Santer Roger D , Allen William L
Published: September 2023

Colour is a critical property of many traps used to control or monitor insect pests, and applied entomologists continue to devote time and effort to improving colour for greater trapping efficiency. This work has often been guided by human colour perceptions, which differ greatly from those of the pests being studied. As a result, trap development can be a laborious process that is heavily reliant on trial and error. However, the responses of an insect's photoreceptors to a given trap colour can be calculated using well‐established procedures. Photoreceptor responses represent sensory inputs that drive insect behaviour, and if their relationship to insect attraction can be determined or hypothesised, they provide metrics that can guide the rational optimisation of trap colour. This approach has recently been used successfully in separate studies of tsetse flies and thrips, but could be applied to a wide diversity of pest insects. Here we describe this approach to facilitate its use by applied entomologists. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A conservative approach to leveraging external evidence for effective clinical trial design
Authors: Rigat Fabio
Published: September 2023

Prior probabilities of clinical hypotheses are not systematically used for clinical trial design yet, due to a concern that poor priors may lead to poor decisions. To address this concern, a conservative approach to Bayesian trial design is illustrated here, requiring that the operational characteristics of the primary trial outcome are stronger than the prior. This approach is complementary to current Bayesian design methods, in that it insures against prior‐data conflict by defining a sample size commensurate to a discrete design prior. This approach is ethical, in that it requires designs appropriate to achieving pre‐specified levels of clinical equipoise imbalance. Practical examples are discussed, illustrating design of trials with binary or time to event endpoints. Moderate increases in phase II study sample size are shown to deliver strong levels of overall evidence for go/no‐go clinical development decisions. Levels of negative evidence provided by group sequential confirmatory designs are found negligible, highlighting the importance of complementing efficacy boundaries with non‐binding futility criteria.
Quorum Sensing Interference Assisted Therapy‐Based Magnetic Hyperthermia Amplifier for Synergistic Biofilm Treatment
Authors: Luo Zhiyuan , Shi Tingwang , Ruan Zesong , Ding Cheng , Huang Rentai , Wang Wenbo , Guo Zhao , Zhan Zeming , Zhang Yunlong , Chen Yunfeng
Published: September 2023

Biofilms offer bacteria a physical and metabolic barrier, enhancing their tolerance to external stress. Consequently, these biofilms limit the effectiveness of conventional antimicrobial treatment. Recently, quorum sensing (QS) has been linked to biofilm's stress response to thermal, oxidative, and osmotic stress. Herein, a multiple synergistic therapeutic strategy that couples quorum sensing interference assisted therapy (QSIAT)‐mediated enhanced thermal therapy with bacteria‐triggered immunomodulation in a single nanoplatform, is presented. First, as magnetic hyperthermia amplifier, hyaluronic acid‐coated ferrite (HA@MnFe2O4) attenuates the stress response of biofilm by down‐regulating QS‐related genes, including agrA, agrC, and hld. Next, the sensitized bacteria are eliminated with magnetic heat. QS interference and heat also destruct the biofilm, and provide channels for further penetration of nanoparticles. Moreover, triggered by bacterial hyaluronidase, the wrapped hyaluronic acid (HA) decomposes into disaccharides at the site of infection and exerts healing effect. Thus, by reversing the bacterial tissue invasion mechanism for antimicrobial purpose, tissue regeneration following pathogen invasion and thermal therapy is successfully attained. RNA‐sequencing demonstrates the QS‐mediated stress response impairment. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal the excellent antibiofilm and anti‐inflammatory effects of HA@MnFe2O4. Overall, QSIAT provides a universal enhancement strategy for amplifying the bactericidal effects of conventional therapy via stress response interference.
Lack of Empathy and Dehumanisation
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

The final chapter addresses the topic of the lack of empathy. The idea is to see what would happen if empathy were kept outside the ethical realm. The supported claim is that this would constitute a serious deficit for morality ultimately leading to indifference and, in the worst scenario, dehumanisation and brutality. The argument is backed by an extensive analysis of the extermination camps and by an investigation on shame and on being in the presence of others conducted with suggestions stemming, i.a., from Sartre, Levinas, and Scheler.
Conclusion
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

I wrote this book with the intention of making it understandable and interesting both for laypeople and for researchers from other disciplines, in the belief that the questions raised and the answers given might have significance for a larger audience than solely a philosophical one. After all, an illustration of the nature of empathy, its phenomenology and functioning, as well as its role within the ethical sphere should be an endeavour welcomed by a variety of individuals and constitute a knowledge which can be useful and fruitful in many different domains, such as the social, the psychological, but also the political and the economic. In fact, the choice of whether to encourage and develop, or, conversely, to disincentivise a culture of empathy, are questions that concern first and foremost our political and economic representatives.
Exotic field theories for (hybrid) fracton phases from imposing constraints in foliated field theory
Authors: Spieler Ryan C.
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Fracton phases of matter are gapped phases of matter that, by dint of their sensitivity to UV data, demand non-standard quantum field theories to describe them in the IR. Two such approaches are foliated quantum theory and exotic field theory. In this paper, we explicitly construct a map from one to the other and work out several examples. In particular, we recover the equivalence between the foliated and exotic fractonic BF theories recently demonstrated at the level of operator correspondence. We also demonstrate the equivalence of toric code layers and the anisotropic model with lineons and planons to the foliated BF theory with one and two foliations, respectively. Finally, we derive new exotic field theories that provide simple descriptions of hybrid fracton phases from foliated field theries known to do so. Our results both provide new examples of exotic field theories and pave the way toward their systematic construction from foliated field theories.
(Quasi-)Hamiltonian manifolds of cohomogeneity one
Authors: Knop Friedrich , Paulus Kay
Published: September 2023

We classify compact, connected Hamiltonian and quasi-Hamiltonian manifolds of cohomogeneity one (which is the same as being multiplicity free of rank one). The group acting is a compact connected Lie group (simply connected in the quasi-Hamiltonian case). This work is a concretization of a more general classification of multiplicity free manifolds in the special case of rank one. As a result we obtain numerous new concrete examples of multiplicity free quasi-Hamiltonian manifolds or, equivalently, Hamiltonian loop group actions.
Absence of blood donors’ anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in pre-storage leukoreduced red blood cell units indicates no role of passive immunity for blood recipients
Authors: Casale Maddalena , Di Girolamo Maria Grazia , Di Maio Nicoletta , Tomeo Rita , Iengo Martina , Scianguetta Saverio , Palma Teresa , Porcelli Federica , Misso Saverio , Perrotta Silverio
Published: September 2023

Transfer of vaccine antibodies (Ab) from donors to recipients after transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBC) is supposed, thus affecting the recipients’ response to vaccinations. In this prospective study, SARS-CoV-2 IgG level in donors’ serum and RBC supernatant samples was assessed. Among 346 subjects, 280 were referred for hyperimmune plasma donation and 30 for whole blood donations. All units underwent pre-storage filtration, and residual plasma volume was 18±18 mL. The mean total IgG and IgM levels were 171.43 ± 48.79 and 11.43 ± 10.69 mg/dL respectively, with significant reduction after plasma depletion and filtration (IgG 5.86 ± 5.2 and IgM 1.43 ± 3.78, p < 0.05). Anti-COVID-19 Ab were identified in serum of 28/30 (93.5%) blood donors but were absent in all blood units. The mean value of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG level in donors’ serum samples and in RBC units was 8.80 S/C (range 0.01–23.4) and 0.11 (range 0.01–0.37) S/C, respectively (p<0.05). This study shows deplasmation and leukodepletion of RBC units ensured removal of IgG content and no red blood cell unit was reactive for anti-COVID-19 antibodies even from donors with high serum titre. These findings demonstrate that deplasmated and leukodepleted RBCs are not to be considered blood products containing substantial amounts of immune globulin, and differently from other blood derived-products containing Ab, transfusions with deplasmated and leukodepleted RBCs do not require delayed vaccinations and a revision of current recommendations is requested.
Analysis of possible risk factors for the severity of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Dékány Lea , Molnár Viktória , Molnár András , Bikov András , Lázár Zsófia , Bárdos-Csenteri Orsolya , Benedek Pálma
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the effect of body mass index (BMI) percentile, asthma, sex, and age on the paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity. Furthermore, to determine the possible predictive role of the BMI percentile and age in severe OSA.

Methods

This retrospective study included 921 children aged 2–18 years diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Spearman’s correlation, Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analyses were performed and area under the curve (AUC) was determined.

Results

We observed a significant association between a higher BMI percentile and the severity of OSA (p < 0.001, ρ = 0.15). The correlation also was significant under (p = 0.007, ρ = 0.11) and over 7 (p = 0.0002, ρ = 0.23) years of age. There was no association between the severity of OSA and the presence of asthma (p = 0.9) or sex (p = 0.891), respectively. Age was significantly related to OSA severity (p = 0.01, ρ = 0.08). Although both the BMI percentile (0.59 AUC [0.54–0.65]) and age (0.58 AUC [0.52–0.63]) predicted severe OSA, according to the sensitivity and specificity values of the ROC curve, the association presents a slight clinical relevance.

Conclusions

OSA severity is determined by the BMI percentile and age in children; however, these factors are unsuitable for predicting severe OSA in clinical practice. Based on our results, obesity is also a significant risk factor for OSA in younger children. Our study highlights that older, overweight, and obese children have a higher risk for severe OSA.
The Tichitt Culture and the Malian Lakes Region
Authors: Vernet Robert , Gestrich Nikolas , Coutros Peter R.
Published: September 2023

The Tichitt culture of the Ceramic Late Stone Age is known for its large settlement sites, built from dry stone walls. It is centered on the cliffs of southeastern Mauritania, but its links to the Middle Niger and the later urban developments there have long been a topic of research. This article adds a further piece of evidence linking the two regions. The available evidence for a set of stone-walled features is presented, around 300 sites of varying sizes and complexity. They lie on and around the sandstone massifs of the Malian Lakes Region. The evidence is so far tentative as no dating or material culture is available, but the sites are presented as a research priority for the future.
Heterotic gains, transgressive segregation and fitness cost of sweetpotato weevil resistance expression in a partial diallel cross of sweetpotato
Authors: Mugisa Immaculate , Karungi Jeninah , Musana Paul , Odama Roy , Anyanga Milton O. , Edema Richard , Gibson Paul , Ssali Reuben T. , Campos Hugo , Oloka Bonny M. , Yencho G. Craig , Yada Benard
Published: September 2023

Heterosis-exploiting breeding schemes are currently under consideration as a means of accelerating genetic gains in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) breeding. This study was aimed at establishing heterotic gains, fitness costs and transgressive segregation associated with sweetpotato weevil (SPW) resistance in a partial diallel cross of sweetpotato. A total of 1896 clones were tested at two sites, for two seasons each in Uganda. Data on weevil severity (WED), weevil incidence (WI), storage root yield (SRY) and dry matter content (DM) were obtained. Best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) for each clone across environments were used to estimate heterotic gains and for regression analyses to establish relationships between key traits. In general, low mid-parent heterotic gains were detected with the highest favorable levels recorded for SRY (14.7%) and WED (− 7.9%). About 25% of the crosses exhibited desirable and significant mid-parent heterosis for weevil resistance. Over 16% of the clones displayed superior transgressive segregation, with the highest percentages recorded for SRY (21%) and WED (18%). A yield penalty of 10% was observed to be associated with SPW resistance whereas no decline in DM was detected in relation to the same. Chances of improving sweetpotato through exploiting heterosis in controlled crosses using parents of mostly similar background are somewhat minimal, as revealed by the low heterotic gains. The yield penalty detected due to SPW resistance suggests that a trade-off may be necessary between maximizing yields and developing weevil-resistant cultivars if the current needs for this crop are to be met in weevil-prone areas.
A geometric framework for multiclass ensemble classifiers
Authors: Wu Shengli , Li Jinlong , Ding Weimin
Published: September 2023

Ensemble classifiers have been investigated by many in the artificial intelligence and machine learning community. Majority voting and weighted majority voting are two commonly used combination schemes in ensemble learning. However, understanding of them is incomplete at best, with some properties even misunderstood. In this paper, we present a group of properties of these two schemes formally under a geometric framework. Two key factors, every component base classifier’s performance and dissimilarity between each pair of component classifiers are evaluated by the same metric—the Euclidean distance. Consequently, ensembling becomes a deterministic problem and the performance of an ensemble can be calculated directly by a formula. We prove several theorems of interest and explain their implications for ensembles. In particular, we compare and contrast the effect of the number of component classifiers on these two types of ensemble schemes. Some important properties of both combination schemes are discussed. And a method to calculate the optimal weights for the weighted majority voting is presented. Empirical investigation is conducted to verify the theoretical results. We believe that the results from this paper are very useful for us to understand the fundamental properties of these two combination schemes and the principles of ensemble classifiers in general. The results are also helpful for us to investigate some issues in ensemble classifiers, such as ensemble performance prediction, diversity, ensemble pruning, and others.
Delayed leaf greening involves a major shift in the expression of cytosolic and mitochondrial ribosomes to plastid ribosomes in the highly phosphorus-use-efficient Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae)
Authors: Bird Toby , Nestor Benjamin J. , Bayer Philipp E. , Wang Guannan , Ilyasova Albina , Gille Clément E. , Soraru Bryce E. H. , Ranathunge Kosala , Severn-Ellis Anita A. , Jost Ricarda , Scheible Wolf-Rüdiger , Dassanayake Maheshi , Batley Jacqueline , Edwards David , Lambers Hans , Finnegan Patrick M.
Published: September 2023

Background and aims

Hakea prostrata (Proteaceae) is a highly phosphorus-use-efficient plant native to southwest Australia. It maintains a high photosynthetic rate at low leaf phosphorus (P) and exhibits delayed leaf greening, a convergent adaptation that increases nutrient-use efficiency. This study aimed to provide broad physiological and gene expression profiles across leaf development, uncovering pathways leading from young leaves as nutrient sinks to mature leaves as low-nutrient, energy-transducing sources.

Methods

To explore gene expression underlying delayed greening, we analysed a de novo transcriptome for H. prostrata across five stages of leaf development. Photosynthesis and respiration rates, and foliar pigment, P and nitrogen (N) concentrations were determined, including the division of P into five biochemical fractions.

Key results

Transcripts encoding functions associated with leaf structure generally decreased in abundance across leaf development, concomitant with decreases in foliar concentrations of 85% for anthocyanins, 90% for P and 70% for N. The expression of genes associated with photosynthetic function increased during or after leaf expansion, in parallel with increases in photosynthetic pigments and activity, much later in leaf development than in species that do not have delayed greening. As leaves developed, transcript abundance for cytosolic and mitochondrial ribosomal proteins generally declined, whilst transcripts for chloroplast ribosomal proteins increased.

Conclusions

There was a much longer temporal separation of leaf cell growth from chloroplast development in H. prostrata than is found in species that lack delayed greening. Transcriptome-guided analysis of leaf development in H. prostrata provided insight into delayed greening as a nutrient-saving strategy in severely phosphorus-impoverished landscapes.
Flow count data-driven static traffic assignment models through network modularity partitioning
Authors: Roocroft Alexander , Punzo Giuliano , Ramli Muhamad Azfar
Published: September 2023

Accurate static traffic assignment models are important tools for the assessment of strategic transportation policies. In this article we present a novel approach to partition road networks through network modularity to produce data-driven static traffic assignment models from loop detector data on large road systems. The use of partitioning allows the estimation of the key model input of Origin–Destination demand matrices from flow counts alone. Previous network tomography-based demand estimation techniques have been limited by the network size. The amount of partitioning changes the Origin–Destination estimation optimisation problems to different levels of computational difficulty. Different approaches to utilising the partitioning were tested, one which degenerated the road network to the scale of the partitions and others which left the network intact. Applied to a subnetwork of England’s Strategic Road Network and other test networks, our results for the degenerate case showed flow and travel time errors are reasonable with a small amount of degeneration. The results for the non-degenerate cases showed that similar errors in model prediction with lower computation requirements can be obtained when using large partitions compared with the non-partitioned case. This work could be used to improve the effectiveness of national road systems planning and infrastructure models.
Cost free hyper-parameter selection/averaging for Bayesian inverse problems with vanilla and Rao-Blackwellized SMC samplers
Authors: Viani Alessandro , Johansen Adam M. , Sorrentino Alberto
Published: September 2023

In Bayesian inverse problems, one aims at characterizing the posterior distribution of a set of unknowns, given indirect measurements. For non-linear/non-Gaussian problems, analytic solutions are seldom available: Sequential Monte Carlo samplers offer a powerful tool for approximating complex posteriors, by constructing an auxiliary sequence of densities that smoothly reaches the posterior. Often the posterior depends on a scalar hyper-parameter, for which limited prior information is available. In this work, we show that properly designed Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) samplers naturally provide an approximation of the marginal likelihood associated with this hyper-parameter for free, i.e. at a negligible additional computational cost. The proposed method proceeds by constructing the auxiliary sequence of distributions in such a way that each of them can be interpreted as a posterior distribution corresponding to a different value of the hyper-parameter. This can be exploited to perform selection of the hyper-parameter in Empirical Bayes (EB) approaches, as well as averaging across values of the hyper-parameter according to some hyper-prior distribution in Fully Bayesian (FB) approaches. For FB approaches, the proposed method has the further benefit of allowing prior sensitivity analysis at a negligible computational cost. In addition, the proposed method exploits particles at all the (relevant) iterations, thus alleviating one of the known limitations of SMC samplers, i.e. the fact that all samples at intermediate iterations are typically discarded. We show numerical results for two distinct cases where the hyper-parameter affects only the likelihood: a toy example, where an SMC sampler is used to approximate the full posterior distribution; and a brain imaging example, where a Rao-Blackwellized SMC sampler is used to approximate the posterior distribution of a subset of parameters in a conditionally linear Gaussian model.
Der mysteriöse SND-Weg beim Membranproteintransport
Authors: McDowell Melanie A.
Published: September 2023

Almost all eukaryotic membrane proteins start their life in the cytosol and must journey to the cellular membrane where they function, most often via the ER. The cell employs multiple pathways to target and insert different classes of membrane proteins into the ER membrane, including the recently discovered SND pathway. Whilst the key players of the SND pathway are characterised, fundamental questions remain as to how these proteins cooperate to deliver a broad range of substrates to the ER.
Mikroskalige Massenbilanzierung in mikrofluidischen Umgebungen
Authors: Smaluch Katharina , Dusny Christian , Kohlheyer Dietrich , Grünberger Alexander
Published: September 2023

Implementing key biochemical engineering principles based on the kinetics and stoichiometry of growth unlocks the full potential of microfluidic single-cell analysis. We introduce a unique integrative approach, using non-invasive advanced microfluidic cultivation and analysis technologies to integrate physiologic single-cell data. Our groundwork enables microscale material balancing beyond population-based average values and advances modern bioprocess modeling [1].
Cyanobakterien als nachhaltige Katalysatoren
Authors: Grimm Hanna C. , Kourist Robert
Published: September 2023

Cyanobacteria can regenerate reaction equivalents like NADPH and ferredoxin by oxygenic photosynthesis; a unique process using light as energy source and water as electron donor. NADPH and ferredoxin are required by several oxidoreductases which is a constraint in the use of these enzymes for industrial applications. Light-driven biotransformations overcome this by coupling the photosynthetic cofactor recycling to reactions catalyzed by recombinant oxidoreductases.
LIFTOSCOPE: automatisierte Highspeed-Zelluntersuchung und -transfer
Authors: Nienhaus Florian , Aurich Ann-Sophie , Niessing Bastian , Schmitt Robert H.
Published: September 2023

Analysis and isolation of cell cultures play a decisive role in biological processes. Currently, these steps are often performed manually, which is time-consuming. Additionally, for each step a separate device is required. The aim of LIFTOSCOPE is to automate these processes in just one device. It combines three functional principles: high-speed microscopy, image analysis and laser-induced forward transfer. A prototype was successfully developed to demonstrate the feasibility of this concept.
A Thermal Conductivity Model for Grey Iron
Authors: Belov Ilja , Fourlakidis Vasileios , Domeij Björn , Matsushita Taishi , Diószegi Attila
Published: September 2023

Thermal conductivity is an important property for many iron cast components, and the lack of widely accepted thermal conductivity model for cast iron, especially grey cast iron, motivates the efforts in this research area. The present study contributes to understanding the effects alloy microstructure has on thermal conductivity. A thermal conductivity model for a pearlitic cast iron has been proposed, based on the as-cast alloy composition and microstructural parameters obtained at different solidification rates. According to the model, available parallel heat transfer paths formed by connected graphite flakes across eutectic cells are determined by the space between dendrite arms. The uncertainties both for model inputs and for validation measurements have been estimated. Sensitivity analysis has been conducted to result in better understanding of the model behaviour. The agreement between modelled and measured thermal conductivities has been achieved within 5% on the average for the investigated samples.
On the Existence and Uniqueness of the Solution of a Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equation with Integral Boundary Condition
Authors: Shivanian Elyas
Published: September 2023

This study focuses on investigating the existence and uniqueness of a solution to a specific type of high-order nonlinear fractional differential equations that include the Rieman-Liouville fractional derivative. The boundary condition is of integral type, which involves both the starting and ending points of the domain. Initially, the unique exact solution is derived using Green’s function for the linear fractional differential equation. Subsequently, the Banach contraction mapping theorem is employed to establish the main result for the general nonlinear source term case. Moreover, an illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the legitimacy and applicability of our main result.
High-speed atomic force microscopy in ultra-precision surface machining and measurement: challenges, solutions and opportunities
Authors: Yang Chen , Dang Chao-Qun , Zhu Wu-Le , Ju Bing-Feng
Published: September 2023

The atomic force microscope (AFM) possesses a unique capability for three-dimensional, high-resolution imaging down to the atomic level. It operates without the needs of additional requirements on sample material and environment, making it highly valuable for surface measurements. Recent advancements have further transformed AFM into a precision machining tool, thanks to its exceptional force measurement capability and positioning precision. High-speed AFM (HS-AFM) is a specialized branch of AFM that inherits the advantages of high spatial resolution of typical AFM but with significantly improved time resolution down to the sub-second level. In this article, instead of delving into extensive research progress enabled by HS-AFM in the broad fields of biology, biophysics, and materials science, we narrow our focus to the specific applications in the domain of ultra-precision surface machining and measurement. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, a comprehensive and systematic summary of the contributions that HS-AFM brings to this field is still lacking. This gap could potentially result in an underappreciation of its revolutionary capabilities. In light of this, we start from an overview of the primary operating modes of AFM, followed by a detailed analysis of the challenges that impose limitations on operational speed. Building upon these insights, we summarize solutions that enable high-speed operation in AFM. Furthermore, we explore a range of applications where HS-AFM has demonstrated its transformative capabilities. These include tip-based lithography (TBL), high-throughput metrology, and in-line inspection of nanofabrication processes. Lastly, this article discusses future research directions in HS-AFM, with a dedicated focus on propelling it beyond the boundaries of the laboratory and facilitating its widespread adoption in real-world applications.
Experimental investigation of the stimulated Raman scattering effect in high-power nanosecond superfluorescent fiber source
Authors: Ning Chaoyu , Zou Shuzhen , Yu Haijuan , Zuo Jiexi , Chen Xuechun , Xu Shuang , Han Shifei , Li Xinyao , Wu Wenjuan , He Chaojian , Lin Xuechun
Published: September 2023

In this work, we experimentally investigate the dependence of the stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect on the seed linewidth of a high-power nanosecond superfluorescent fiber source (ns-SFS). The results reveal that the SRS in the ns-SFS amplifier is significantly influenced by the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the ns-SFS seed, and there is an optimal FWHM linewidth of 2 nm to achieve the lowest SRS in our case. The first-order SRS power ratio increases rapidly when the seed’s linewidth deviates from the optimal FWHM linewidth. By power scaling the ns-SFS seed with the optimal FWHM linewidth, a narrowband all-fiberized ns-SFS amplifier is achieved with a maximum average power of 602 W, pulse energy of 24.1 mJ and corresponding peak power of 422.5 kW. This is the highest average power and pulse energy achieved for all-fiberized ns-SFS amplifiers to the best of our knowledge.
Demonstration of a diode-pumped dual-wavelength metastable krypton laser
Authors: Liu Qingshan , Wang Rui , Yang Zining , Sun Jianyong , Yang Weiqiang , Wang Hongyan , Xu Xiaojun
Published: September 2023

Diode-pumped rare gas lasers are potential candidates for high-energy and high-beam quality laser systems. Currently, most investigations are focused on metastable Ar lasers. The Kr system has the unique advantages of higher quantum efficiency and lower discharge requirements for comparison. In this paper, a diode-pumped metastable Kr laser was demonstrated for the first time. Using a repetitively pulsed discharge at a Kr/He pressure of up to approximately 1500 Torr, metastable Kr atoms of more than 1013 cm–3 were generated. Under diode pumping, the laser realized a dual-wavelength output with an average output power of approximately 100 mW and an optical conversion efficiency of approximately 10% with respect to the absorbed pump power. A kinetics study involving population distribution and evolution was conducted to analyze the laser performance.
Mitigation of stimulated Raman scattering in a high-power fiber master oscillator power amplifier laser based on a dual-structure fiber grating
Authors: Jiao Kerong , Kong Qingqing , Guo Yangning , Li Jingwei , Wu Chen , Han Zhigang , Zhu Rihong , Shen Hua
Published: September 2023

With the increasing power of fiber lasers, single chirped and tilted fiber Bragg gratings (CTFBGs) cannot completely mitigate continuously enhanced system-excited stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). Although improving the loss rate of a single CTFBG or cascading multiple CTFBGs can provide better suppression of the stronger SRS, excessive insertion loss may cause significant attenuation of the output power. Confronting the challenge, we firstly present an SRS mitigation method based on a dual-structure fiber grating in this paper. The dual-structure fiber grating comprises a CTFBG and a fiber Bragg grating structure, which were designed and fabricated on a passive 25/400 double-clad fiber. To evaluate the performance of the grating, a 3 kW fiber master oscillator power amplifier laser is established. The experimental results demonstrate that the SRS mitigation rate of the grating is greater than 30 dB (99.9%), whereas the insertion loss is only approximately 3%, thus allowing for minimal deterioration of the output power. This solves the contradiction between high suppression rate and high insertion loss faced by CTFBGs, which in turn makes dual-structure fiber gratings particularly suitable for mitigating SRS in 3–5 kW high-power fiber lasers.
WEAK WELL ORDERS AND FRAÏSSÉ’S CONJECTURE
Authors: FREUND ANTON , MANCA DAVIDE
Published: September 2023

The notion of countable well order admits an alternative definition in terms of embeddings between initial segments. We use the framework of reverse mathematics to investigate the logical strength of this definition and its connection with Fraïssé’s conjecture, which has been proved by Laver. We also fill a small gap in Shore’s proof that Fraïssé’s conjecture implies arithmetic transfinite recursion over

$\mathbf {RCA}_0$

, by giving a new proof of

$\Sigma ^0_2$

-induction.
Clinical factors associated with relapse in depression in a sample of UK primary care patients who have been on long-term antidepressant treatment
Authors: Duffy Larisa , Lewis Gemma , Marston Louise , Kendrick Tony , Kessler David , Moore Michael , Wiles Nicola , Lewis Glyn
Published: September 2023

Background

This paper investigates whether age of onset of depression, duration of the last episode, number of episodes, and residual symptoms of depression and anxiety are associated with depression relapse in primary care patients who have been on long–term maintenance antidepressant treatment and no longer meet ICD10 criteria for depression.

Methods

An observational cohort using data from ANTLER (N = 478), a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The primary outcome was time to relapse using the retrospective CIS-R. Participants were followed for 12 months.

Results

Primary outcome was available for 468 participants. Time to relapse in those with more than five previous episodes of depression was shorter, hazard ratio (HR) 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23–2.75) compared to people with two episodes; HR 1.57 (95% CI 1.01–2.43) after adjustment. The residual symptoms of depression at baseline were also associated with increased relapse: HR 1.05 (95% CI 1.01–1.09) and HR 1.06 (95% CI 1.01–1.12) in the adjusted model. There was evidence of reduced rate of relapse in older age of onset group: HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.78–0.95); HR attenuated after adjustment HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.81–1.02). There was no evidence of an association between duration of the current episode and residual anxiety symptoms with relapse.

Conclusions

The number of previous episodes and residual symptoms of depression were associated with increased likelihood of relapse. These factors could inform joint decision making when patients are considering tapering off maintenance antidepressant treatment or considering other treatments to prevent relapse.
Policy Experimentation as Communication with the Public: Social Policy, Shared Responsibility and Regime Support in China
Authors: Zhu Xufeng , Wang Yan
Published: September 2023

Research on policy experimentation has mainly focused on central–local relations; scholars have paid little attention to the interaction between policy experimentation and the public. We argue that policy experimentation can be used by decision makers as an instrument to communicate with the public, facilitating the building of a social consensus regarding controversial policies. We evaluate the effects of the Chinese government's policy experimentation efforts to promote shared responsibility between the state and individuals for the urban pension system on the public's regime support. Evidence from two rounds of a nationwide survey conducted before and after the policy experiment indicates that the policy experimentation has significantly contributed to citizens’ acceptance of their individual welfare responsibility. Moreover, the image-building of governmental responsibility via official news, with varied intensity across regions, consolidates the political trust of residents while posing a challenge to local government credibility in the long run.
Why did Latin America Lose Faith in the Law?
Authors: Schaefer Timo
Published: September 2023

Colonial Latin America had the fame of being a land where lower-class people were forever suing their betters. To Latin America's popular classes, the law was an indispensable instrument for claiming rights, solving conflicts, and advancing interests. Fast-forward to the middle of the twentieth century, however, and Latin American law held a very different fame. The law was now something to be shunned. It was seen as an instrument of power, manipulated by the rich and influential. Public trust in the law was low, and support for alternative forms of justice, high. In comparison with the colonial era, we are faced with a baffling reversal. This article seeks to explain that reversal by elaborating three propositions: (P1) popular trust in the law declined because of the law's increasing formalism, particularly evident in the codification of civil and criminal law over the course of the nineteenth century; (P2) popular trust in the law declined because of the rise of patrimonial capitalism over the period of study; and (P3) popular trust in the law declined because a new generation of social rights became politicized, first under populist, corporatist regimes that arose in the region in the early and mid-twentieth century and then under the region's Cold-War military dictatorships.
Parental warmth and young adult depression: A comparison of enduring effects and revisionist models
Authors: Fang Shichen , Fosco Gregory M. , Feinberg Mark E.
Published: September 2023

Guided by a novel analytic framework, this study investigates the developmental mechanism through which parental warmth is related to young adult depression. Data were from a large sample of participants followed from early adolescence to young adulthood (N = 1,988; 54% female). Using structural equation modeling, we estimated and compared competing developmental models – enduring effects vs. revisionist models – to assess whether parental warmth during adolescence had enduring or transient effects on depression in young adulthood. We also examined whether contemporaneous experiences of parental warmth in young adulthood were more salient than parental warmth in adolescence. Results supported the revisionist model: early intergenerational experiences in adolescence predicted psychopathology early in young adulthood, but their unique effects gradually diminished; whereas parental warmth in young adulthood continued to be protective of young adult depression. Effects of mother and father warmth on young adult depression were similar in pattern and magnitude. Results were held when accounting for covariates such as adolescent sex, family income status, and family structure. Young adult mental health interventions may consider targeting maintenance or improvement in parental warmth to help offset the long-term impact of adversity early in life.
Enabling primary healthcare service development with patient participation: a qualitative study of the internal facilitator role in Norway
Authors: Sandvin Olsson Ann Britt , Stenberg Una , Haaland-Øverby Mette , Slettebø Tor , Strøm Anita
Published: September 2023

Aim:

To explore how primary healthcare professionals (HCPs) tasked with facilitating primary healthcare service development with patient participation perceived their role.

Introduction:

Patient participation in health service development is a recognized means of ensuring that health services fit the public’s needs. However, HCPs are often uncertain about how to involve patient representatives (PRs), and patient participation is poorly implemented. Inspired by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework, we address the innovation (patient participation), its recipients (PRs, HCPs, supervisors, and senior managers), and its context (primary healthcare at a local and organizational level).

Methods:

We conducted semi-structured individual interviews with six HCPs working as internal facilitators in primary healthcare in four Norwegian municipalities. The data were analyzed by applying Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings:

The themes show that to develop primary healthcare services with patient participation, facilitators must establish a network of PRs with relevant skills, promote involvement within their organization, engage HCPs favorable toward patient participation, and demonstrate to supervisors and senior managers its usefulness to win their support. Implementing patient participation must be a shared, collective responsibility of facilitators, supervisors, and senior management. However, supervisors and senior management appear not to fully understand the potential of involvement or how to support the facilitators. The facilitator role requires continuous and systematic work on multiple organizational levels to enable the development of health services with patient participation. It entails maintaining a network of persons with experiential knowledge, engaging HCPs, and having senior management’s understanding and support.
Protein Powder Makes Ice Crystals Flower
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: September 2023

Dust from Alaska is particularly effective at forming ice crystals because it contains biological components, researchers believe. The finding has implications for cloud physics and our planet’s climate.
Fine mapping of the Cepaea nemoralis shell colour and mid-banded loci using a high-density linkage map
Authors: Johansen Margrethe , Saenko Suzanne , Schilthuizen Menno ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Programme,   Tree of Life Faculty, Berriman Matthew , Durbin Richard , Lawniczak Mara ,   Associate Director: Delivery and Operations, Reeks Sarah ,   Head of Production Genomics, Howe Kerstin ,   Samples and Project Management, Holroyd Nancy , McKenna Victoria , Niu Haoyu , Platte Radka ,   Tree of Life Laboratory, Howard Caroline , Amaral Raquel , Griffiths Andy , Mbye Haddijatou , Oatley Graeme , Prestwood Liam , Sampaio Filipa , Sheerin Edel , Strickland Michelle , Todorovic Maja ,   Tree of Life Assembly, McCarthy Shane A. , Krasheninnikova Ksenia , Uliano-Silva Marcela ,   Genome Reference Informatics Team, Wood Jonathan , Chow Will , Collins Joanna , Eldridge Camilla , Paulini Michael , Pelan Sarah , Pointon Damon-Lee , Sims Ying , Torrance James , Tracey Alan ,   Core Operations, Chapman Nikki , Calnan Sinead , Haug Ken , Heathcote Robina , Leech Chloe , Monaghan Jack , Muffato Matthieu , Potter Sophie , Ramona Lauma , Threlfall Jonathan , Varley Andrew , Vishwakumar Amit ,   Blaxter Faculty group, Brown Max , Challis Rich , Gonzalez Pablo , Kieninger Manuela , King Erna , Kumar Sujai , Laumer Chris , Stevens Lewis , Vancaester Emmelien , Weber Claudia ,   Berriman Faculty group, Aunin Eerik , Reid Adam , Blaxter Mark , Davison Angus
Published: September 2023

Molluscs are a highly speciose phylum that exhibits an astonishing array of colours and patterns, yet relatively little progress has been made in identifying the underlying genes that determine phenotypic variation. One prominent example is the land snail Cepaea nemoralis for which classical genetic studies have shown that around nine loci, several physically linked and inherited together as a ‘supergene’, control the shell colour and banding polymorphism. As a first step towards identifying the genes involved, we used whole-genome resequencing of individuals from a laboratory cross to construct a high-density linkage map, and then trait mapping to identify 95% confidence intervals for the chromosomal region that contains the supergene, specifically the colour locus (C), and the unlinked mid-banded locus (U). The linkage map is made up of 215,593 markers, ordered into 22 linkage groups, with one large group making up ~27% of the genome. The C locus was mapped to a ~1.3 cM region on linkage group 11, and the U locus was mapped to a ~0.7 cM region on linkage group 15. The linkage map will serve as an important resource for further evolutionary and population genomic studies of C. nemoralis and related species, as well as the identification of candidate genes within the supergene and for the mid-banding phenotype.