bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does aid for trade promote FDI from enterprises of donors to recipient countries? Based on the spatial spillover effect of China's Aid for Trade
Authors: Sun Churen , Zhao Jiamin , Xu Jinqiang , Liang Jingjing
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates the direct and spatial spillover effects of China's Aid for Trade (AfT) on Chinese enterprises' foreign direct investment (FDI) in recipient countries. The results show that China's AfT can effectively promote FDI by Chinese firms in recipient countries, and the promotion effect is determined by both the direct effect and the spatial spillover effect. The mechanism test finds that China's AfT can promote FDI by Chinese firms through improving the infrastructure of the recipient countries and enhancing the image of the residents of the recipient countries toward China. The study suggests that the introduction of spatial spillover effects in the study of aid is of great significance in promoting the development of research in the field of aid. This paper enriches the conclusions of aid research in the field of economics on the one hand and broadens the boundaries of aid effectiveness research on the other hand.
Subsidizing a sports arena in a bankrupt city: Detroit's Little Caesars Arena
Authors: Sroka Robert
Published: August 2024

Objectives

The potential for ancillary real estate transformation and downtown revitalization has moved to the forefront of sports venue subsidy arguments. Despite the City of Detroit being in the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time, $324 million in public funding was directly provided to Little Caesars Arena, a new home for the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Using the Detroit context, this article examines how a major arena subsidy deal arose in a severely financially distressed city.

Methods

Using a snowball technique, documents were collected from government, media, industry, community, legal, and academic sources to inform a retrospective, single case study. Over 300 documents covering a period from 1992 to 2021 were then reviewed for prospective relevance. A review of secondary media sources was conducted in lieu of traditional interviews.

Results

The arena funding outcome is best explained by three interrelated aspects: local growth coalitions, real estate development promises, and lacking procedural and financial transparency exacerbated by both the chosen funding mechanism of tax increment financing (TIF) and the bankruptcy.

Conclusions

Where flexible financial subsidies and arena deal making are concerned, procedural transparency matters. Growth coalitions and rent‐seeking team owners can use the earmarked nature of TIF to circumvent traditional budgetary processes and mute prospective opposition through promises of self‐financing subsidies that will not result in new tax rate hikes. For venue deals where the substance is in the details of contractual obligations, transparency and adequate time for scrutiny are especially important.
Clinical outcomes of lung transplant recipients with pre‐transplant Mycobacterium avium complex infection
Authors: Kothadia Sonya M. , Cober Eric E. , Koval Christine E. , Golbin Jem M. , Harrington Susan , Miranda Cyndee , Benninger Lauryn A. , Banzon Jona M.
Published: August 2024

Background

Lung transplant recipients (LTRs) are at risk for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections, in part due to the presence of structural lung disease pre‐transplant and relatively higher levels of immunosuppression post‐transplant. There is a lack of data regarding outcomes of LTR with MAC infections pre‐transplant.

Methods

This is a single‐center retrospective analysis of patients who received lung transplants (LTs) from 2013 to 2020 with 1) evidence of MAC on culture or polymerase chain reaction before or at the time of transplant or 2) granulomas on explant pathology and positive acid‐fast bacillus stains with no other mycobacteria identified. Patients were deemed to have MAC pulmonary disease (MAC‐PD) if they met the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Disease Society of America criteria.

Results

Fourteen patients (14/882, 2%) met inclusion criteria. Seven patients (7/14, 50%) had pre‐transplant MAC‐PD, four of whom had cavitary disease. None of the 14 patients had smear‐positive cultures at the time of transplant. Two patients in our cohort received treatment for MAC before transplant. Thirteen patients were bilateral LTR (13/14, 93%). One single LTR was the sole patient to receive MAC treatment post‐transplant. No patients developed MAC‐PD after transplant.

Conclusion

The bilateral LTR in our cohort did not develop MAC‐PD despite not receiving MAC treatment post‐transplant. It is possible source control was achieved with native lung explantation. Our observations suggest patients may not uniformly require pre‐ or post‐transplant MAC treatment if they are smear‐negative and undergo bilateral LT.

image
Incidence of opportunistic viral infections in hepatitis C virus nucleic acid test negative recipients of kidneys from hepatitis C virus nucleic acid test positive donors
Authors: Shah Krishna , Katz‐Greenberg Goni , Steinbrink Julie , Crona Lana , Erkanli Alaattin , Lee Hui‐Jie , Yang Chengxin , Byrns Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Background

In kidney transplantation, concerns have been raised regarding increased incidence of viral opportunistic infections in hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid test (NAT)‐negative (‐) recipients who received HCV NAT‐positive (+) donor kidneys, specifically BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of these three viral opportunistic infections in HCV NAT‐ recipients who have undergone kidney transplantation with HCV NAT+ donor kidneys at our institution.

Methods

This was an Institutional Review Board‐approved, single‐center, retrospective case‐control study of HCV NAT‐ kidney transplant recipients with HCV NAT+ donors from 2018 to 2021. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of viral infections of BKPyV, CMV, and/or EBV within 1 year following kidney transplantation.

Results

A total of 231 patients were included, 77 in the exposed (donor HCV NAT+) group and 154 in the control (donor HCV NAT‐) group. The adjusted cumulative incidence of viremia within 1 year did not statistically differ between groups (77% exposed group versus 66% for the control group, hazard ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.89). In addition, no statistically significant differences were observed for secondary outcomes with the exception of CMV viremia (62% exposed versus 49% control, p = 0.021). However, there were more patients in the exposed group at high risk for CMV viremia based on serostatus (CMV Donor+/Recipient‐, D+/R‐).

Conclusion

Among patients who received HCV NAT+ donor kidneys, no clear association was observed between exposure to HCV NAT+ donor kidneys and viral infections of BKPyV, CMV, or EBV.

image
Application of Laminate Theory to Plate Elements Based on Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation
Authors: Zhang Zhaowei , Gerstmayr Johannes , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2024

Laminated plates have a wide range of applications in engineering, and their flexibility becomes increasingly significant with the development of lightweighting technology. The absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) has emerged as a promising approach for modeling flexible multibody dynamics. However, researches on thick laminated plates with shear deformation for multiflexible systems remain limited. To investigate the application of ANCF plate elements for laminated plates, this article introduces a new laminated plate element that considers shear deformation. We utilize the fully parameterized ANCF plate element to analyze laminated composite structures, focusing specifically on their layers in the thickness direction. By employing a structural mechanics approach, the study achieves a uniform stiffness matrix that can adapt to laminated plates with shear deformation and can be precomputed in advance. Additionally, a summary of a thin laminated plate element is provided for comparison. Both plate elements are composed by layers, and their elastic forces and Jacobian matrices are derived using first-order shear theory and Kirchhoff's theory, respectively. The effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed elements are validated through a series of benchmark problems encompassing modal, static, and dynamic investigations. The study thoroughly analyzes the results compared with the commercial finite element method software abaqus and analytical approach. The findings demonstrate that the methods effectively address laminated plates.
Pressure Gain Combustion for Gas Turbines: Analysis of a Fully Coupled Engine Model
Authors: Klein Rupert , Nadolski Maikel , Zenker Christian , Oevermann Michael , Paschereit Christian Oliver
Published: August 2024

The “Shockless Explosion Combustion” (SEC) concept for gas turbine combustors, introduced in 2014, approximates constant volume combustion (CVC) by harnessing acoustic confinement of auto-igniting gas packets. The resulting pressure waves simultaneously transmit combustion energy to a turbine plenum and facilitate the combustor's recharging against an average pressure gain. Challenges in actualizing an SEC-driven gas turbine include (i) the creation of charge stratifications for nearly homogeneous auto-ignition, (ii) protecting the turbocomponents from combustion-induced pressure fluctuations, (iii) providing evidence that efficiency gains comparable to those of CVC over deflagrative combustion can be realized, and (iv) designing an effective one-way intake valve. This work addresses challenges (i)–(iii) utilizing computational engine models incorporating a quasi-one-dimensional combustor, zero- and two-dimensional (2D) compressor and turbine plena, and quasi-stationary turbocomponents. Two SEC operational modes are identified which fire at roughly one and two times the combustors' acoustic frequencies. Results for SEC-driven gas turbines with compressor pressure ratios of 6:1 and 20:1 reveal 1.5-fold mean pressure gains across the combustors. Assuming ideally efficient compressors and turbines, efficiency gains over engines with deflagration-based combustors of 30% and 18% are realized, respectively. With absolute values of 52% and 66%, the obtained efficiencies are close to the theoretical Humphrey cycle efficiencies of 54% and 65% for the mentioned precompression ratios. Detailed thermodynamic cycle analyses for individual gas parcels suggest that there is room for further efficiency gains through optimized plenum and combustor designs.
Speed Strategy on High-Pressure Compressor for the Charging Process of Advanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage During Dynamic Shutdown
Authors: Wang Yi , Qin Guoliang , Jia Cheng , Cui Qin
Published: August 2024

Advanced adiabatic compressed air energy storage (AA-CAES) starts and shuts down frequently. The default operation of the high-pressure compressor (HP) connected to the cavern is to reduce the speed of the inverter motor during shutdown. Whether or not the default speed strategy is safe has yet to be focused on. To this end, a detailed charging process comprising three series of centrifugal compressors with intercoolers was constructed within the framework of unisimdesign. The safety measures were meticulously considered by integrating antisurge circuits, vent valves, and check valves. Proportional–integral (PI) controllers were allocated to the primary component to govern the shutdown procedure. The speed strategy of the HP inverter motor during the load shedding stage is the focus of research. Six speed strategies, including decreasing speed, constant speed, and increasing speed, were discussed, respectively. The discussion focused on changes made to air injection, inlet mass flow of the HP, inlet and outlet pressure of both the middle-pressure compressor (MP) and HP, and energy efficiency. The study found that implementing the minimum allowable speed for the inverter motor speed (IMS) and increasing speed during the load shedding stage can cause fluctuations in the air injection. As IMS increases at the end of the load shedding stage, the pressure anomalies at the MP outlet and the HP inlet weaken, and the shutdown process's energy efficiency improves. The HP inlet flow fluctuations caused by various strategies were within an acceptable range. This study reveals that there is a mutual influence between components in the charging process of AA-CAES. An appropriate speed strategy for the HP inverter motor can mitigate the operational hazards. The results of this study can provide guidance for similar AA-CAES shutdowns.
Large-Eddy Simulation Study of Flow and Combustion Dynamics in a Full-Scale Hydrogen–Air Rotating Detonation Combustor-Stator Integrated System
Authors: Pal Pinaki , Braun James , Wang Yiqing , Athmanathan Venkat , Paniagua Guillermo , Meyer Terrence R.
Published: August 2024

In the present work, a first-of-its-kind three-dimensional (3D) large-eddy simulation (LES) study is conducted to numerically investigate the combustion dynamics as well as aero-thermal phenomena in a full-scale nonpremixed hydrogen–air rotating detonation engine (RDE) (with a diverging-shaped lower-end wall), when integrated with nozzle guide vanes (NGV) acting as the turbine stator. The wall-modeled LES framework incorporates hydrogen–air detailed chemical kinetics and adaptive mesh refinement (AMR). A comparative analysis is carried out for two operating conditions with different fuel/air mass flow rates but global equivalence ratio of unity, and considering RDE configurations without and with stator. The LES model is validated against available experimental data for the low mass flux condition with respect to detonation wave speed/height, wave dynamics, and axial static pressure distribution. Numerical results indicate significant deflagrative combustion occurring in the fill region near the inner wall due to formation of recirculation zones in the injection near-field driven by the backward facing step. The leading detonation wave is found to be trailed by an azimuthal reflected-shock combustion (ARSC) wave, consistent with experimental observations, which consumes unburned vitiated reactants that leak through the main detonation wave. The main detonation wave characteristics, such as detonation wave speed/height and combustion efficiency, do not change appreciably with the presence of NGV. A novel combustion diagnostic technique based on chemical explosive mode analysis (CEMA) is employed to quantify the fraction of heat release occurring in the detonative mode versus deflagrative mode for the simulated conditions. The exit flow is found to be nearly fully subsonic and supersonic for the low and high mass flux conditions, respectively. Further analysis of the exit flow profiles shows that the presence of NGV renders the flow more axial and significantly impacts the exit Mach number and total pressure, while the total temperature shows negligible change. In addition, the low mass flux operating point, despite exhibiting more deflagrative losses within the combustor, yields overall lower pressure drop from plenum to exhaust, which is mainly attributed to lower pressure drop across the injectors. Lastly, the rotating detonation engine-nozzle guide vanes (RDE-NGV) configuration exhibits higher total pressure loss compared to rotating detonation engine (RDE) without stator across both the mass flux conditions. This study extends the state-of-the-art in numerical modeling of pressure gain combustion (PGC) systems by demonstrating high-fidelity 3D reacting LES of full-scale RDE-NGV systems relevant to RDE-turbine integration for stationary power generation.
Experimental Investigation on the Thermal Performance of a Large-Size Aluminum Vapor Chamber for Multi-Point Heat Sources
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zhan Dongdong , Qian Jiyu , Wei Tao
Published: August 2024

With the development of electronic information technology, the integration and power of electronic equipment continue to increase. As an efficient heat transfer element, vapor chambers are widely used in the field of heat dissipation of electronic devices. However, greater challenges have been posed in terms of higher heat dissipation capacity, larger size, and lighter weight. Therefore, a large-scale aluminum vapor chamber with a size of 340 mm × 295 mm × 7.5 mm is designed for the heat dissipation of multi-point array heat sources. Multiple parallel porous ribs are sintered to form capillary wicking channels and vapor diffusion paths, which efficiently transfer the heat from the middle of the vapor chamber to the cold plate on the two sides. The transient working characteristics and heat dissipation performance under different working conditions are experimentally investigated. The results show that there is obvious temperature instability, which can be suppressed by the tilt of the vapor chamber and the increase of the heating power. Under the tilt condition, the temperature rises in the vertical direction due to the influence of gravity, while the inclination angle has basically no effect. The vapor chamber can work stably at the total heating power of 2100 W with the smallest thermal resistance 0.03 °C/W. The single-point heat flux can reach 7.3 W/cm2 for the 128 heat sources. Compared to a traditional vapor chamber, the proposed aluminum vapor chamber provides a thermal management solution for large-size electronic devices with multiple heat sources.
Dynamic switching operation of diamond MOSFETs with NO2 p-type doping and Al2O3 gate insulation and passivation
Authors: Saha Niloy Chandra , Shiratsuchi Tomoki , Eguchi Masanori , Oishi Toshiyuki , Kasu Makoto
Published: August 2024

Diamond metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) exhibited durable and stable dynamic switching characteristics at an unprecedentedly high voltage of −105 V. Switching turn-on and turn-off times were measured to be 7.64 and 4.93 ns, respectively, with a corresponding total switching loss of 20.03 pJ for a load resistance of 50 Ω. No Miller effect was observed due to the low Miller capacitance of 11 pF/mm. This study suggests the potentiality of diamond MOSFETs in prospective high-voltage, high-speed applications.
Effect of sputter power on red-shifted optoelectronic properties in magnetron sputtered Ag/ZnO thin films
Authors: A. GuruSampath Kumar , C. Mahender , U. Mahesh Kumar , L. Obulapathi , B. HemaChandra Rao , P. Yamuna , A. Thirupathi , L. N. V. H. SomaSundar , G. Venkata Ramana
Published: August 2024

This study explores Ag/ZnO thin films on glass (Corning 0211) substrates, which were deposited using dc/rf magnetron reactive sputtering at varying Ag-sputter powers. The impact of Ag-sputter power on physical properties, such as structural, surface, compositional, optical, and electrical properties, is systematically explored. Grazing angle x-ray diffraction affirms a single-phase hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure in all films, predominantly oriented along (002) normal to the substrate. Thin films deposited at 90 W Ag-sputter power exhibit superior structural and morphological properties, including greatest crystallite and grain size, minimum stress, and roughness. Electrical studies indicate that the material exhibits a semiconducting nature, with its electrical resistivity decreasing to a minimum of 0.8 Ω cm at 95 W. At this level of Ag sputter power, the films demonstrate low resistivity, high mobility (0.49 cm2/V s), a charge carrier concentration of 9.6 × 1019 cm−3, and an optical transmittance of 79%, along with an optical band gap energy (Eg) of 3.06 eV. This underscores the influence of Ag sputter power in tailoring Ag/ZnO thin films for optoelectronic applications.
Supplemental Material: Late Paleozoic slab rollback events in the southeastern part of the Central Asian orogenic belt: Implications for Paleo-Asian Ocean subduction and continental crust growth
Authors: Gao Qiang , Yan Mao-Qiang , al. et
Published: August 2024

Supplemental Text S1: Analytical methods; Figure S1: Plots of variation of selected trace elements vs. Zr to check for element mobility during postmagmatic alteration; Table S1: Zircon U-Pb data sources for Paleozoic to early Mesozoic intrusive rocks in central Inner Mongolia; Tables S2 and S3: Whole-rock major-element and trace-element geochemistry, and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions; Tables S4 and S5: Zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic data; Table S6: EPMA results of amphibole from the late Carboniferous Mandula intermediate to acidic composite pluton; and Table S7: Summary of crustal thickness calculation in central Inner Mongolia.
Supplemental Material: Magmatic processes in the plumbing system of the Cenozoic ultrapotassic volcanic rocks in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Rui , Bi Xian-Wu , et al.
Published: August 2024

Figures S1–S5 are the X-ray maps and compositional diagrams of whole-rock and clinopyroxene from Wozhong ultrapotassic rocks. Tables S1–S9 show the chemical and isotopic compositions of whole-rock and clinopyroxene from Wozhong ultrapotassic rocks, and the crustal contamination, melt-mush reaction, and metasomatized mantle source modelling results.
Soil–pile interaction of laterally loaded fixed-head piles and pile groups in unsaturated sand
Authors: Komolafe Oladayo O. , Ghayoomi Majid
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the lateral behavior of piles in unsaturated cohesionless sandy soil using centrifuge modelling. The lateral loading was conducted on a single fixed-head pile and 2 × 2 fixed-head pile groups with 3D and 5D spacings. The results showed that the single fixed-head pile demonstrated greater magnitudes of lateral resistance response compared to the leading and trailing piles of the pile groups. Moreover, the piles experienced greater lateral loads when the water table was about a quarter of the embedded pile depth in the soil layer for the single fixed-head pile and leading piles in the group. The group efficiencies of the pile increased as the water table reduced up to half of the embedded pile length for the 3D pile spacing. However, this effect was negligible for 5D pile spacing. Considering the mixed unsaturated–saturated ground condition can lead to a more resilient foundation design under climate-induced and seasonal fluctuations of water table level and also pave the path for the inclusion of future climatic scenarios.
BIFURCATION AND EXACT TRAVELING WAVE SOLUTIONS OF FRACTIONAL DATE–JIMBO–KASHIWARA–MIWA EQUATION
Authors: XU HUI , LIU MINYUAN , WANG ZENGGUI
Published: August 2024

Based on the bifurcation theory, the exact solutions of fractional Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa equation are constructed. In terms of [Formula: see text]-derivative, a nonlinear integer-order ODE is obtained, the equation is transformed into a plane dynamical system. The phase portraits are obtained under different bifurcation conditions. According to the orbits of the phase portraits, new bright and dark solitary solutions, periodic solutions, periodic-singular solutions, and singular solutions are established, enriching the diversity of solutions. In addition, the dynamical behaviors of various types of solutions are shown by selecting appropriate parameters, which is useful for understanding the fluctuation behavior in physical models. Compared with previous literature, this paper focuses on the combination of qualitative analyses and qualitative calculations, which makes the paper more systematic and comprehensive, and fills the gap of using bifurcation theory to solve the FDJKM equation. The dynamical behavior of new solutions obtained will provide more and more attractive and complex physical phenomena to explore more mysteries.
Validation of the Retirement Resources Inventory in Persian: Assessing Psychometric Properties among Iranian Retirees
Authors: Shoushtari-Moghaddam Elaheh , Asadollahi Abdolrahim , Kaveh Mohammad Hossein
Published: August 2024

Introduction. Retirement resources are considered one of the key determinants of well‐being and coping with the challenging situations of retirement courses. Therefore, due to the lack of a valid questionnaire for research and practice at the national level as well as international comparisons, this study was conducted to translate the original retirement resources inventory into Persian and assess the validity and reliability of the Persian version. Materials and Methods. The research employed a cross‐sectional descriptive methodological approach, beginning with translating the questionnaire into Persian. Psychometric properties were evaluated through face, content, construct validity, and reliability tests. 335 participants were involved in assessing construct validity, while 30 participants contributed to the internal consistency test, and 20 took part in the test‐retest reliability test. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26 and AMOS 24 software. Results. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed eight components with eigenvalues greater than 1, accounting for 46.68% of the variance, with no questions being removed. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that all items had a factor loading above 0.3, resulting in a final model with 35 items and eight factors, supported by fit indices (χ2/df = 1.95, TLI: 0.87, IFI = 0.88, RMSEA = 0.05, GFI: 0.85). Reliability measures showed Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.83 and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.93. Conclusion. The study concludes that the Persian version of the RRI, encompassing 35 items across eight dimensions, is a valid and reliable tool for the Iranian retiree population. This validated inventory can be utilized in future national and international studies, particularly experimental ones, to develop well‐being and retirement adjustment programs, thereby aiding in understanding and supporting Iranian retirees.
Atrial Strain and Strain Rate in a General Population: Do These Measures Improve the Assessment of Elevated NT‐proBNP Levels?
Authors: Rösner Assami , Kornev Mikhail , Caglayan Hatice Akay , Queiros Sandro , Malyutina Sofia , Ryabikov Andrew , Kudryavtsev Alexander V. , Schirmer Henrik
Published: August 2024

Background. Noninvasive assessment of elevated filling pressure in the left ventricle (LV) remains an unresolved problem. Of the many echocardiographic parameters used to evaluate diastolic pressure, the left atrial strain and strain rate (LA S/SR) have shown promise in clinical settings. However, only a few previous studies have evaluated LA S/SR in larger populations. Methods. A total of 2033 participants from Norwegian (Tromsø 7) and Russian (Know Your Heart) population studies, equally distributed by age and sex, underwent echocardiography, including atrial and ventricular S/SR and NT‐proBNP measurements. Of these, 1069 were identified as healthy (without hypertension (HT), atrial fibrillation (AF), or structural cardiac disease) and were used to define the age‐ and sex‐adjusted normal ranges of LA S/SR. Furthermore, the total study population was divided into groups according to ejection fraction (EF) ≥50%, EF <50%, and AF. In each group, uni‐ and multiple regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to test LA and LV functional parameters as potential indicators of NT‐proBNP levels above 250 ng/ml. Results. The mean LA S/SR values in this study were higher than those in previous large studies, whereas the lower references were comparable. In normal hearts, atrial total strain (ATS) and mitral valve E deceleration time (MV DT) were independent factors indicating elevated NT‐proBNP levels, whereas in hearts with reduced EFs, the independent indicators were peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) and LV stroke volume. The areas under the curve for these significant indicators to discriminate elevated NT‐proBNP levels were 0.639 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.577–0.701) for normal EF and 0.805 (CI: 0.675–0.935) for reduced EF. Conclusion. The results confirm good intrastudy reproducibility, with mean values in the upper range of previous meta‐analyses. In the future, automated border‐detection algorithms may be able to generate highly reproducible normal values. Furthermore, the study showed atrial S/SR as an additional indicator of elevated NT‐proBNP levels in the general population, demonstrating the incremental value of both ATS and PACS in addition to conventional and ventricular strain echocardiography. Thus, the LA S/SR may be regarded as an important addition to the multiparametric approach used for evaluating LV filling.
The Chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) Doping Effects on the Structural and Electronic Properties of Anatase (101) TiO2 Thin Surface Layers: DFT Study
Authors: Erikat Ihsan , Alkhabbas Manal , Hamad Bothina , Alahmad Waed
Published: August 2024

Doping TiO2 with chalcogen (S, Se, and Te) decreases its band gap and enhances the photocatalytic activity. However, doping TiO2 could create mid‐gap states that trap the electrons and reduce the photocatalytic activity. Therefore, more investigation is needed to extrapolate clear insights for technological development. Density functional theory (DFT) is used to investigate the effects of doping chalcogens (X) (X=S, Se, and Te) in the two layers (2L) and four layers (4L) anatase (101) TiO2 surfaces. The structural and electronic properties as well as the band gap are investigated for the doping of one or two chalcogens in the TiO2 surface. The hybridization between the p chalcogen and 3d Ti as well as the 2p O orbitals causes the narrowing of the band gap. The substitutional doping of chalcogen in the TiO2 surface introduces new states in the band gap region and predicts the enhancement of visible light photoactivity. Among all the substitutional doping chalcogens in TiO2, the Te/TiO2 band gap is significantly lower than in the Se‐ and S‐doping systems. The effects of the chalcogen doping depend on the concentration of the chalcogen as well as the number of layers in TiO2 surfaces.
Fitted Numerical Scheme for Singularly Perturbed Convection‐Diffusion Equation with Small Time Delay
Authors: Tesfaye Sisay Ketema , Woldaregay Mesfin Mekuria , Dinka Tekle Gemechu , Duressa Gemechis File
Published: August 2024

In this article, a uniformly convergent numerical scheme is developed to solve a singularly perturbed convection‐diffusion equation with a small delay having a boundary layer along the left side. A priori bounds of continuous solution and its derivatives are discussed. To solve the problem, the Crank–Nicolson scheme in the time direction and the exponentially fitted finite difference scheme in the space direction are used. The stability of the method is analyzed. It is proved that the developed scheme converges uniformly with first order in space and second order in time. To validate the applicability of the theoretical finding of the developed scheme, numerical experiments are carried out by considering two test examples.
Associations between Waist Circumference and Sex Steroid Hormones in US Adult Men: Cross‐Sectional Findings from the NHANES 2013–2016
Authors: Zhu Zhisheng , Lin Xingong , Wang Chaoyang , Zhu Shize , Zhou Xianying
Published: August 2024

Background. Obesity is recognized as a major public health issue worldwide, characterized by a growing prevalence among adult males. Several studies have identified an association between obesity and sex steroid hormone levels but only a few have considered the relationship between waist circumference (WC) and sex hormone levels in adult males. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the relationships between waist circumference (WC) and various sex steroid hormone levels in adult males in the United States. Methods. This study analyzed data from 3,359 adult males aged 20 years and above, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013–2016 in the United States. We collected demographic data, including WC, and serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, FAI, and T/E2 ratio. We adjusted the variables using multiple linear regression models with R 4.2.2 and EmpowerStats. Results. After adjusting for confounders, WC was found to be negatively associated with testosterone (β = −0.117, P < 0.001) but positively correlated with estradiol (β = 0.002, P = 0.002), especially beyond a WC of 104.5 cm (β = 0.004, P < 0.001). Underweight individuals showed a contrasting positive correlation between WC and testosterone (β = 0.351, P = 0.016). WC was inversely related to SHBG, particularly when WC was ≤99.1 cm (β = −0.036, P < 0.001). The FAI initially increased and then decreased with WC, peaking at 98.6 cm. The T/E2 ratio negatively correlated with WC (β = −0.074, P < 0.001). These relationships varied among subgroups but remained unaffected by age or physical activity time. Conclusions. Waist circumference is inversely correlated with testosterone, SHBG, and T/E2 ratio but positively correlated with estradiol, except for a positive correlation with testosterone in underweight males. Waist circumference serves as a crucial anthropometric measurement indicator for predicting sex steroid hormone levels in adult males.
The Blood‐Brain Barrier in Both Humans and Rats: A Perspective From 3D Imaging
Authors: Chen Aiwen , Volpato Gavin , Pong Alice , Schofield Emma , Huang Jun , Qiu Zizhao , Paxinos George , Liang Huazheng
Published: August 2024

Background: The blood‐brain barrier (BBB) is part of the neurovascular unit (NVU) which plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis. However, its 3D structure is hardly known. The present study is aimed at imaging the BBB using tissue clearing and 3D imaging techniques in both human brain tissue and rat brain tissue.

Methods: Both human and rat brain tissue were cleared using the CUBIC technique and imaged with either a confocal or two‐photon microscope. Image stacks were reconstructed using Imaris.

Results: Double staining with various antibodies targeting endothelial cells, basal membrane, pericytes of blood vessels, microglial cells, and the spatial relationship between astrocytes and blood vessels showed that endothelial cells do not evenly express CD31 and Glut1 transporter in the human brain. Astrocytes covered only a small portion of the vessels as shown by the overlap between GFAP‐positive astrocytes and Collagen IV/CD31‐positive endothelial cells as well as between GFAP‐positive astrocytes and CD146‐positive pericytes, leaving a big gap between their end feet. A similar structure was observed in the rat brain.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the 3D structure of both the human and rat BBB, which is discrepant from the 2D one. Tissue clearing and 3D imaging are promising techniques to answer more questions about the real structure of biological specimens.
Baseline ANA and Anti‐Ro60/SSA Antibody as Potential Predictors for Immunogenicity and Poor EULAR Response in Adalimumab‐Treated RA Patients
Authors: Chen Yi-Ming , Chen Po-Ku , Chang Shih-Hsin , Chen Hsin-Hua , Chen Jun-Peng , Tang Kuo-Tung , Lan Joung-Liang , Chen Der-Yuan
Published: August 2024

What Is Known and Objective. Given that autoantibodies are relatively abundant and easily measured, the detection of antibody biomarkers would be ideal for predicting therapeutic responses. Although anti‐Ro60/SSA (anti‐TROVE2) antibody has been identified as a useful predictor for the development of immunogenicity and therapeutic failure to adalimumab in RA patients, autoantibodies with similar predictive potentials are not yet sufficiently validated. Methods. We aimed to investigate the baseline autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor (RF)‐IgM, anti‐citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA), antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti‐Ro60/SSA antibody, and anti‐La/SSB antibody, for their relationships with drug immunogenicity and therapeutic responses in RA patients assessed at week 48 of adalimumab therapy. We also compared adalimumab drug survival between participants with or without these autoantibodies. Results and Discussion. Our results showed that poor EULAR responders had significantly higher positive rates of baseline ANA, anti‐Ro60/SSA antibody, and anti‐La/SSB antibody than moderate or good responders. However, no significant differences in circulating levels of RF‐IgM or ACPA were observed among groups with different responses. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ANA and anti‐Ro60/SSA antibodies were significant predictors of developing immunogenicity to adalimumab (both p < 0.001). The presence of ANA, anti‐Ro60/SSA, and anti‐SSB antibodies could significantly predict poor EULAR response in adalimumab‐treated RA patients (odds ratio, 4.98, 5.60, and 8.08, respectively, all p < 0.01). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the adalimumab drug survival rate was significantly lower in RA patients with positivity for ANA, anti‐Ro60/SSA, anti‐SSB, and anti‐drug antibodies than in the seronegative group. What Is New and Conclusion. Our results suggest that baseline ANA and anti‐Ro60/SSA antibodies are potential predictive markers of drug immunogenicity and poor EULAR response in adalimumab‐treated RA patients.
The Effects of Oxygen Supplementation Infrastructure on Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Behavior Using Acoustic Telemetry
Authors: Stockwell Caitlin L. , Filgueira Ramón , Grant Jon
Published: August 2024

Climate change is leading to worldwide ocean temperature rise and increased occurrence of low oxygen events. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature play a crucial role in the growth and health of fish becoming determining factors of welfare. In order to counteract the effects of low oxygen events, farms worldwide have begun to experiment with oxygen supplementation systems. In this study, high‐resolution, high‐frequency acoustic tags were used to monitor the movement of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at a commercial farm where an oxygen supplementation system was installed. A 2‐month study period was selected, which allowed the characterization of fish movement during and after the oxygen supplementation project. The positioning of 15 fish was recorded using high temporal resolution (3 s). Fish movement was characterized by calculating four fish variables: velocity (ms−1), distance from the center of the cage (m), turning angle (°), and relative measurements of depth (m). During the oxygenation trial, all tagged individuals recorded slower swimming velocities than after the trial. Seventy‐seven percent of the tagged population swam nearer to the cage edge during the trial than after, and 85% displayed straighter swimming patterns during the trial than after. Lastly, during the trial, 85% of the tagged population swam shallower than after the trial. Although causality cannot be related to the oxygen supplementation experiment due to the potential effect of confounding variables naturally occurring in the environment, this study highlights that increased farm technology can provide more insight into the effects of oxygenation systems on fish behavior.
Age-Associated Contraction of Tumor-Specific T Cells Impairs Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Georgiev Peter , Han SeongJun , Huang Amy Y. , Nguyen Thao H. , Drijvers Jefte M. , Creasey Hannah , Pereira Joseph A. , Yao Cong-Hui , Park Joon Seok , Conway Thomas S. , Fung Megan E. , Liang Dan , Peluso Michael , Joshi Shakchhi , Rowe Jared H. , Miller Brian C. , Freeman Gordon J. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Haigis Marcia C. , Ringel Alison E.
Published: August 2024

Progressive decline of the adaptive immune system with increasing age coincides with a sharp increase in cancer incidence. In this study, we set out to understand whether deficits in antitumor immunity with advanced age promote tumor progression and/or drive resistance to immunotherapy. We found that multiple syngeneic cancers grew more rapidly in aged versus young adult mice, driven by dysfunctional CD8+ T-cell responses. By systematically mapping immune cell profiles within tumors, we identified loss of tumor antigen–specific CD8+ T cells as a primary feature accelerating the growth of tumors in aged mice and driving resistance to immunotherapy. When antigen-specific T cells from young adult mice were administered to aged mice, tumor outgrowth was delayed and the aged animals became sensitive to PD-1 blockade. These studies reveal how age-associated CD8+ T-cell dysfunction may license tumorigenesis in elderly patients and have important implications for the use of aged mice as preclinical models of aging and cancer.
Supplementary Table 3 from Role of Forkhead Box P3 in IFNγ-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Bladder Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Ly Ann , Chou Emily , Wang Liang , Zhang Paul , Prado Kris , Gu Yiqian , Pellegrini Matteo , Chin Arnold I.
Published: August 2024

FDRs and p-values of FOXP3-dependent genes
Supplementary Figure 5 from Role of Forkhead Box P3 in IFNγ-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Bladder Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Ly Ann , Chou Emily , Wang Liang , Zhang Paul , Prado Kris , Gu Yiqian , Pellegrini Matteo , Chin Arnold I.
Published: August 2024

Composite Z-scores of FOXP3-dependent IFNgamma-inducible genes in HT1376 cells
Figure 5 from Role of Forkhead Box P3 in IFNγ-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Bladder Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Ly Ann , Chou Emily , Wang Liang , Zhang Paul , Prado Kris , Gu Yiqian , Pellegrini Matteo , Chin Arnold I.
Published: August 2024

Cisplatin-mediated PD-L1 expression dependent on FOXP3 in bladder cancer cells. A, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in multiple bladder cancer cell lines without and with cisplatin stimulation by flow cytometry. The mean of at least three independent experiments, P values indicated. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001. B, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO cell lines without and with cisplatin stimulation by qPCR. The mean and SD of triplicates and representative of three independent experiments, P values indicated. C, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines without and with IFNγ stimulation by Western blotting. Sizes are in kD as indicated. Full Western blots are shown in Supplementary Fig. S1. D, Flow cytometry of FOXP3 and PD-L1 expression of HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines without and with IFNγ stimulation. Representative of three independent experiments. E, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 CT cells stimulated by IFNγ or cisplatin with control or depleting antibodies to IFNγ by flow cytometry. Representative of three independent experiments. Bar graphs represent the mean and SD of three independent experiments, P values indicated.
Figure 3 from Role of Forkhead Box P3 in IFNγ-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Bladder Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Ly Ann , Chou Emily , Wang Liang , Zhang Paul , Prado Kris , Gu Yiqian , Pellegrini Matteo , Chin Arnold I.
Published: August 2024

FOXP3 influences immune resistance and differentiation in the genetically defined PARCB2 bladder cancer model. A, Generation of clonal PARCB1/2 FOXP3Δ3 and PARCB1/2 FOXP3 lines through lentiviral infection of PARCB1 and PARCB2 cells. B, Expression of FOXP3Δ3, FOXP3, and PD-L1 in PARCB1/2, PARCB1/2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB1/2 FOXP3 representative clonal lines by qPCR. The mean and SD of two independent experiments, P values indicated. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001. C, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in PARCB2, PARCB2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB2 FOXP3 clonal lines by Western blotting. Sizes in kD as indicated. Full Western blots are shown in Supplementary Fig. S1. D, Growth of PARCB2, PARCB2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB2 FOXP3 cells in NSG mice. The mean and SEM of three animals per group. E, Histology and immunofluorescence of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in PARCB2, PARCB2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB2 FOXP3 tumors from NSG mice. Representative of three independent tumors. Exposure times listed in Supplementary Table S6. F, IHC of chromogranin A and NSE in PARCB2, PARCB2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB2 FOXP3 tumors from NSG mice. Representative of three independent tumors. G, Immunofluorescence of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and ICAM-1 in PARCB2, PARCB2 FOXP3Δ3, and PARCB2 FOXP3 tumors from NSG mice. Representative of three independent tumors. Bar graphs represent the mean of 10 representative sections from three independent tumors. The mean and SD as shown, P values indicated. Exposure times listed in Supplementary Table S6.
Figure 1 from Role of Forkhead Box P3 in IFNγ-Mediated PD-L1 Expression and Bladder Cancer Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Hanwei , Ly Ann , Chou Emily , Wang Liang , Zhang Paul , Prado Kris , Gu Yiqian , Pellegrini Matteo , Chin Arnold I.
Published: August 2024

Dependency on FOXP3 in IFNγ-mediated PD-L1 expression. A, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in bladder cancer HT1376, T24, and SW780 cell lines without and with 100 ng/mL IFNγ stimulation by flow cytometry. The mean with SD of at least three independent experiments, P values indicated. *, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001; ****, P < 0.0001. B, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO bladder cancer cell lines without and with IFNγ stimulation by qPCR. The mean of triplicates and representative of three independent experiments, P values indicated. C, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines without and with IFNγ stimulation by Western blotting. Sizes in kD as indicated. Sizes of FOXP3Δ3 and FOXP3 depicted by overexpression in 293T cells. Full Western blots shown in Supplementary Fig. S1. D, Flow cytometry of FOXP3 and PD-L1 expression in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines without and with IFNγ stimulation. Representative of four independent experiments. E, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in rescue of a clonal HT1376 FOXP3 KO line by FOXP3Δ3 and FOXP3 overexpression. Representative of three independent experiments. F, Expression of FOXP3 and PD-L1 in HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines with reconstitution of FOXP3Δ3 and FOXP3 by Western blotting. Sizes in kD as indicated. Full Western blots shown in Supplementary Fig. S1. G, Flow cytometry of PD-L1 in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines stimulated by IFNγ without and with the presence of JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib (20 μmol/L), P values indicated. H, Expression of phosphorylated STAT1 (P-STAT1) in HT1376 CT and HT1376 FOXP3 KO lines stimulated by IFNγ without and with the presence of JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib by Western blot. Full Western blots shown in Supplementary Fig. S1.
First Successful Treatment of a Patient with a Primary Immune Complex-Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis with Iptacopan: A Case Report
Authors: Arnold Simone , Nickler Manuela , Dickenmann Michael , Menter Thomas , Hopfer Helmut , Hirt-Minkowski Patricia
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Nowadays, there is insufficient evidence for the recommendation of management patients with a primary membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). A better understanding of the pathogenesis has led to the reclassification of primary MPGN and distinction into the two main entities of either primary immune complex-MPGN or C3 glomerulopathy. Both entities share overlapping pathophysiological features with complement alternative pathway (AP) dysregulation. Iptacopan is an oral inhibitor of the complement factor B that effectively blocks the complement AP. Case Presentation: We report the first successful treatment of a 47-year-old man suffering from a primary immune complex-MPGN with iptacopan. So far established immunosuppressive therapies with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil failed to control the current flare of the disease, mainly presenting with impaired kidney function and proteinuria within the nephrotic range. However, 3 months after starting the treatment with iptacopan urine protein-creatinine ratio decreased impressively to a level of 100–150 mg/mmol. Thereafter, low-level proteinuria and kidney function remained stable during follow-up. Do date, the treatment with iptacopan is continued as a monotherapy and is well tolerated. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report which suggests that iptacopan may be an interesting treatment option for primary immune complex-MPGN.