bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to the special issue: Implementing environmental criminology for crime prevention
Authors: Ceccato Vania
Published: May 2024

This introduction aims to showcase the articles of the special issue and highlights the expansive field of environmental criminology, underscoring its role in understanding and preventing crime through situational and environmental strategies. This collection of articles covers a wide array of research from the USA, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, and Uruguay, demonstrating the global application of environmental criminology principles. Contributions from various disciplines illustrate the field’s multidisciplinary approach to tackling crime, particularly in the face of challenges posed by climate change and the need for social and economic sustainability.
Numerical study on the interface characteristics of gas–liquid falling film flow considering the interface forces
Authors: Zhou Dan , Zhang Yi , Zhang Yuchun , Wu Yuting , Zhang Guanmin
Published: May 2024

As an energy quality improvement device, an air source heat pump plays an important role in clean heating applications. When operating in a cold and wet environment in winter, the outdoor evaporator will have the problem of frost, which affects the operation efficiency. To solve the frosting problem, the development of frost-free evaporators has attracted more and more attention. The fluctuation characteristics of the gas–liquid interface are the key factors affecting the intensity of gas–liquid heat transfer on the air side of this kind of heat exchanger. Therefore, a mathematical model is established to describe the falling film flow on the surface of the flat finned tube heat exchanger in a closed-type heat source tower. The model takes into account the interfacial tension and interphase friction force between the air flow and the liquid film. On this basis, the fluctuation intensity of the central channel interface during falling film flow with different inlet parameters is studied. It is found that there is a critical value of 1.5 m/s (i.e., Reg = 1643.0) in the air flow rate under the study conditions. When the air flow rate is higher than this velocity, the interface near the gas–liquid outlet fluctuates more frequently and the stability is poor. The distributions of interfacial velocity and pressure are also studied, and the relationship between them and interface fluctuation is analyzed. This paper aims to provide theoretical support for enhanced heat and mass transfer on the air side of finned tube heat exchangers in the closed-type heat source tower.
Assembly-inspired multiferroicity with nontrivial Chern insulating phase from exohedral metallofullerenes
Authors: Huang Feiyang , Xiong Mo , Zhou Jian , Yang Tao
Published: May 2024

Fullerene-assembled low-dimensional materials have been experimentally realized in polymorphic forms and have attracted significant interest very recently. Here, we predict a two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb lattice material TM2(C60)3 (TM = Cr, Mo, and W) assembled from exohedral metallofullerene clusters TM(C60)3 that could exhibit planar triangular geometries. According to first-principles calculations combined with Monte Carlo simulations, we suggest that these 2D assembled materials exhibit various exotic physical properties, including ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and quantum anomalous Hall effect. Interestingly, mechanical strains could effectively tune their magnetic moments and switch the conducting spin channel of the Dirac bands at the Fermi level. Our work provides a new cluster-assembly design strategy toward cluster-assembled 2D materials based on fullerene characters.
Virtual leading-edge aero-shaping of an airfoil using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator
Authors: Zhang Xin , Li Chang
Published: May 2024

Recently, it has been demonstrated that dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators, which can be capable of generating a quasi-steady wall jet under the effect of a sinusoidal power supply, are well suitable for controlling the flow around the airfoil at a low Reynolds number. To uncover the controlling mechanism of plasma actuators, flow separation control over an SC (2)-0714 supercritical airfoil using an asymmetrical plasma actuator arranged at the leading edge of the airfoil, is studied at Reynolds number of 7.8 × 104. The stall angle of attack is delayed from 9° to 13°, and the maximum lift coefficient is increased by about 27%. In addition to the momentum injection to the boundary layer, which is one of the control mechanisms and can be achieved by the induced spanwise vortex of the plasma actuator, the closed recirculation region, which is similar to superimposing a hump on the leading edge of the airfoil, is another control mechanism, leading to an increase in the effective camber of the airfoil. The localized recirculation zone, which is created by the plasma actuator and modifies the leading-edge aero-shaping and results in the enhancement of the lift coefficient, is first observed, and this effect of the plasma actuator is called the virtual leading-edge aero-shaping.
Structural, optical, and electrical characterization of TiO2-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolytes grown by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Vazquez Jorge Luis , Bahrami Amin , Bohórquez Carolina , Blanco Eduardo , Dominguez Manuel , Soto Gerardo , Nielsch Kornelius , Tiznado Hugo
Published: May 2024

Electrolyte material optimization is crucial for electrochemical energy storage devices. The specific composition and structure have an impact on conductivity and stability, both of which are essential for efficient device performance. The effects of controlled incorporation of TiO2 into a Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique are investigated in this study. The surface chemical composition analysis reveals variations in the Ti oxidation state and a decrease in the O/(Zr + Y + Ti) ratio as TiO2 concentration increases. The formation of acceptor states near the valence band is proposed to reduce the bandgap with the Fermi level. The structural properties indicate that as TiO2 concentration increases, surface homogeneity and crystallite size increase. The contact angle with water indicates a hydrophobic behavior influenced by surface morphology and potential oxygen vacancies. Finally, electrical properties, measured in Ru/TiO2-doped YSZ/Au capacitors operated at temperatures between 100 and 170 °C, showed that the TiO2 incorporation improved the ionic conductivity, decreased the activation energy for conductivity, and improved the capacitance of the cells. This study highlights the importance of the ALD technique in solid-state electrolyte engineering for specific applications, such as energy storage devices.
Design, fabrication, and evaluation of a novel highly sensitive tuning fork pressure sensor for precise liquid level measurement
Authors: Vattaparambil Sreedharan Sreejith , Zhang Haifeng , Naghdi Masoud , Ju Shuai
Published: May 2024

This article investigates the under-explored potential of utilizing a thin stainless-steel diaphragm coupled with a quartz tuning fork sensor for liquid depth measurements. The focus is on monitoring molten salt fluid levels in nuclear reactors and concentrated solar power systems. Addressing a literature gap, the research explores cantilever-type configurations of a double-ended quartz tuning fork resonator, with a no-load resonance frequency of 17.37 kHz, on thin stainless-steel diaphragms for fluid depth measurement at room temperature. As the fluid depth increases, hydro-static pressure acting on a 20 μm diaphragm causes deflection, bending a tuning fork. The resulting change in resonance frequency correlates with fluid depth. Experimental setups assess the tuning fork’s sensitivity to strain and bending, revealing strain sensitivity of 7.83 Hz/μ strain (450.78 ppm/μ strain) and bending sensitivity of 0.09 Hz/μm (5.18 ppm/μm). The pressure sensor assembly, tested in a water tank, exhibits a sensitivity of −0.28 Hz/mm (−16.12 ppm/mm) in a single cantilever-type configuration. Despite a limited linear range, it effectively measures water depth changes as small as 0.7 mm. Exploring a double cantilever-type configuration yields a sensitivity of 0.07 Hz/mm (4.03 ppm/mm) with a broader linear range. The article discusses the reasons for opposite sensitivity and highlights the advantages of each configuration. Beyond molten salt level monitoring, the technology’s applications may extend to fluid depth and pressure measurements in industrial and domestic settings.
Experimental study on the disturbance of microbubble liquid jets
Authors: Fang Zixuan , Cui Xiao , Sun Hu , Liu Qiyou , Yang Lijun , Fu Qingfei
Published: May 2024

The presence of microbubble significantly influences the rheological properties of a jet, thereby considerably increasing the complexity of the jet instability problem. However, the instability of microbubble jets has been rarely studied, and their breakup mechanism remains obscure. The present study was focused on conducting a comprehensive analysis of bubble jet flows. A high-precision experimental system was constructed to extract the time-series signals of each cross-sectional profile along the axial direction of a jet. Glycerol solutions with three different bubble volume fractions were prepared, and the standard deviation, spectral relationship, and nonlinear dynamical behavior (i.e., autocorrelation, phase space trajectory, Poincaré section, and Lyapunov exponent) were studied. The detailed development process of small surface disturbances in space was assessed, and the influence of variations in the bubble volume fraction on the nonlinear dynamics of the jet was examined. The results demonstrate that microbubbles can significantly change the energy transfer relationship between various sections of a jet and enhance the periodicity of the signal.
Experimental and kinetic analysis of the fluorocarbon structures and coal particles at the microscale
Authors: Wang Kai , Xu Min , Zhou Biao , Guo Yangyang , Wang Dezheng
Published: May 2024

Understanding the dynamic wetting process between liquid droplets and coal dust particles is crucial. Compared to other substances, coal possesses a more intricate microscale molecular chemical structure, with coal's molecular chemical and physical structural characteristics being the primary microscale factors influencing its wetting properties. To enhance the wetting and permeability performance of coal dust, an analysis of the microstructural influences on the wetting process of coal dust through experiments and simulations with five different structured fluorocarbon solutions: perfluorooctane sulfonate sodium (A1), perfluoroisopropyl acrylate (A2), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid ammonium salt (A3), perfluorooctyl alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (N1), and perfluorohexyl ethanol polyoxyethylene ether (N2), was conducted. A wetting theory model (collision–adsorption–immersion) was proposed based on experiments with different concentrations and types of surface tension, and wetting experiments were conducted based on this theory model. The results indicate that smaller coal particle sizes facilitate solution penetration, with the N2 solution demonstrating the best wetting and permeation effects. Microstructural experimental analysis revealed that N2 has more polar functional group structures than the other four fluorocarbon solutions. To further investigate the forces of different structures on coal particles, a molecular dynamics model was employed, and the simulation results indicated that the interaction forces and the number of hydrogen bonds representing the adsorption capacity in the N2 system were the highest.
A taxonomic review of the austral genera Asterochaete and Carpha (Cyperaceae, Carpheae)
Authors: Bruhl Jeremy J. , Wilson Karen L. , Zhang Xiufu
Published: May 2024

Tribe Carpheae presently includes Carpha and Trianoptiles. Sixteen species were recovered in Carpha Banks & Sol. ex R.Br. sens. lat. by phenetic analyses and these species were separated into two clades that we recognise here as genera Carpha sens. str. and Asterochaete Nees, on the basis of phylogenetic analyses. We present a new taxonomy for the two genera, including eleven species in Asterochaete (A. acuminata X.F.Zhang, A. angustissima (Cherm.) X.F.Zhang, A. borbonica (Steud.) X.F.Zhang, A. capitellata Nees, A. dactyloides (Vahl) K.L.Wilson & J.J.Bruhl, A. discolor T.H.Arnold ex X.F.Zhang, A. eminii (C.B.Clarke) X.F.Zhang, A. filifolia (C.Reid & T.H.Arnold) X.F.Zhang, A. nitens Kunth, A. schlechteri (C.B.Clarke) X.F.Zhang and A. ulugurensis Nelmes ex X.F.Zhang) and five species in Carpha sens. str. (C. alpina R.Br., C. curvata W.M.Curtis, C. nivicola F.Muell., C. rodwayi W.M.Curtis, and C. schoenoides Banks & Sol. ex Hook.f.), with one unassigned name (Carpha aristata Kük.). Asterochaete acuminata, A. discolor and A. ulugurensis are new species; a new combination, A. dactyloides, is made for what was previously called A. glomerata (Nees) Nees. The ranks of Asterochaete angustissima, Carpha schoenoides and C. nivicola are clarified, whereas Carpha bracteosa C.B.Clarke and C. perrieri Cherm. are synonymised with A. capitellata.
Mechanics limits ecological diversity and promotes heterogeneity in confined bacterial communities
Authors: Ma Tianyi , Rothschild Jeremy , Halabeya Faisal , Zilman Anton , Milstein Joshua N.
Published: May 2024

Multispecies bacterial populations often inhabit confined and densely packed environments where spatial competition determines the ecological diversity of the community. However, the role of mechanical interactions in shaping the ecology is still poorly understood. Here, we study a model system consisting of two populations of nonmotile
Escherichia coli
bacteria competing within open, monolayer microchannels. The competitive dynamics is observed to be biphasic: After seeding, either one strain rapidly fixates or both strains orient into spatially stratified, stable communities. We find that mechanical interactions with other cells and local spatial constraints influence the resulting community ecology in unexpected ways, severely limiting the overall diversity of the communities while simultaneously allowing for the establishment of stable, heterogeneous populations of bacteria displaying disparate growth rates. Surprisingly, the populations have a high probability of coexisting even when one strain has a significant growth advantage. A more coccus morphology is shown to provide a selective advantage, but agent-based simulations indicate this is due to hydrodynamic and adhesion effects within the microchannel and not from breaking of the nematic ordering. Our observations are qualitatively reproduced by a simple Pólya urn model, which suggests the generality of our findings for confined population dynamics and highlights the importance of early colonization conditions on the resulting diversity and ecology of bacterial communities. These results provide fundamental insights into the determinants of community diversity in dense confined ecosystems where spatial exclusion is central to competition as in organized biofilms or intestinal crypts.
A RAB7A phosphoswitch coordinates Rubicon Homology protein regulation of Parkin-dependent mitophagy
Authors: Tudorica Dan A. , Basak Bishal , Puerta Cordova Alexia S. , Khuu Grace , Rose Kevin , Lazarou Michael , Holzbaur Erika L.F. , Hurley James H.
Published: May 2024

Activation of PINK1 and Parkin in response to mitochondrial damage initiates a response that includes phosphorylation of RAB7A at Ser72. Rubicon is a RAB7A binding negative regulator of autophagy. The structure of the Rubicon:RAB7A complex suggests that phosphorylation of RAB7A at Ser72 would block Rubicon binding. Indeed, in vitro phosphorylation of RAB7A by TBK1 abrogates Rubicon:RAB7A binding. Pacer, a positive regulator of autophagy, has an RH domain with a basic triad predicted to bind an introduced phosphate. Consistent with this, Pacer-RH binds to phosho-RAB7A but not to unphosphorylated RAB7A. In cells, mitochondrial depolarization reduces Rubicon:RAB7A colocalization whilst recruiting Pacer to phospho-RAB7A–positive puncta. Pacer knockout reduces Parkin mitophagy with little effect on bulk autophagy or Parkin-independent mitophagy. Rescue of Parkin-dependent mitophagy requires the intact pRAB7A phosphate-binding basic triad of Pacer. Together these structural and functional data support a model in which the TBK1-dependent phosphorylation of RAB7A serves as a switch, promoting mitophagy by relieving Rubicon inhibition and favoring Pacer activation.
Collaborative positioning for emergency rescuers based on INS, GPS and ZigBee
Authors: Ji Miaoxin , Ren Guihui , Zhang Huijuan , Ren Renhao
Published: May 2024

Multi-person cooperative positioning is one of the main techniques to improve the success rate of search and rescue. Nevertheless, current integrated positioning solutions for ZigBee and inertial navigation system (INS) are insufficiently versatile and commonly necessitate pre-existing infrastructure within the area. In this study, it is not necessary to install ZigBee positioning anchors in the environment in advance, and all positioning devices were mounted on rescuers, in contrast to previous positioning methods. First, an improved time difference of arrival (TDOA) method is proposed, which weights the position coordinates to minimize positioning errors. Then, the position data of the commander and the rescuers are substituted into the hyperbolic equations of the improved TDOA method, and the initial position of the rescuers is solved by Taylor method. Finally, based on the initial position, an improved Extended Kalman filter (EKF) position update technology is proposed, which uses ZigBee positioning system to monitor the east and north position of rescuers, and uses barometers to measure the altitude of rescuers. The magnetometers are used to limit the heading angle of the rescuers, so as to realize the high-precision 3D positioning of the emergency rescuers in the harsh environment. In this paper, three different scenarios are used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that, when compared to the inertial positioning method, the traditional TDOA method, and the cooperative positioning method based on the relative ranging constraints of UWB and INS, respectively, the average positioning accuracy of the proposed method is 68.58%, 48.71%, and 13.59% higher.
Quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms and inverse Hall–Petch relationship in nanocrystalline boron carbide under compression
Authors: Yue 岳 Zhen 珍 , Li 李 Jun 君 , Liu 刘 Lisheng 立胜 , Mei 梅 Hai 海
Published: May 2024

Grain boundaries (GBs) play a significant role in the deformation behaviors of nanocrystalline ceramics. Here, we investigate the compression behaviors of nanocrystalline boron carbide (nB4C) with varying grain sizes using molecular dynamics simulations with a machine-learning force field. The results reveal quasi-plastic deformation mechanisms in nB4C: GB sliding, intergranular amorphization and intragranular amorphization. GB sliding arises from the presence of soft GBs, leading to intergranular amorphization. Intragranular amorphization arises from the interaction between grains with unfavorable orientations and the softened amorphous GBs, and finally causes structural failure. Furthermore, nB4C models with varying grain sizes from 4.07 nm to 10.86 nm display an inverse Hall–Petch relationship due to the GB sliding mechanism. A higher strain rate in nB4C often leads to a higher yield strength, following a 2/3 power relationship. These deformation mechanisms are critical for the design of ceramics with superior mechanical properties.
Test result of the new ASD2 chips for Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS MDT chambers at HL-LHC
Authors: Penski K. ,   the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer System collaboration
Published: May 2024

For the Phase-II upgrade of the ATLAS Muon Spectrometer to High-Luminosity LHC, new front-end readout electronics for the Monitored Drift Tube chambers is required, as the old one no longer meets the demands. The first stage in the Monitored Drift Tubes readout chain is the Amplifier-Shaper-Discriminator chip. For the upgrade, the new ASD2 ASIC chip in IBM 130 nm CMOS technology has been developed. For the ATLAS experiment, 80000 ASD2 chips are produced, which have to be tested before integration in order to obtain the required 50000 well-performing chips in the end. Using a prototype tester board and pre-production ASD2 chips, the overall performance and the influence on programmable parameters is investigated. Based on these results, 1775 production chips are tested to define final optimized cut values for the automated production testing of all chips in the company.
Validation of the diamond detectors for the Super Fragment Separator beam diagnostics
Authors: Alfonsi M. , Nociforo C. , Kiš M. , Träger M. , Galvis Tarquino J. , Blatz T. , Karagiannis C. , Winkler M. , Simon H.
Published: May 2024

The Super-FRS at the FAIR accelerator complex will adopt Chemical
Vapor Deposition diamond detectors as radiation-hard particle rate
counters.
Their role will be to monitor the beam transmission for beams
with ions rates up to 107 ions/spill and to calibrate the other
beam diagnostics devices that are in duty at higher beam
intensities.
The target vacuum chamber of the Super-FRS hosts a 7 × 7 mm2 single crystal diamond and a 25 × 25 mm2 polycrystalline
diamond: they are required to detect crossing particles with high
efficiency (> 98%) in the case of heavy ion species (Ar to U), and
to stand for several years in an environment in which they can
potentially accumulate a dose of a few MGy per year.
Laboratory measurements and beam test campaigns were arranged in the
past years for the validation of the proposed sensors, in particular
for the case of the polycrystalline technology.
Here we report the outcome of the irradiation of a sensor based on a
20 × 20 mm2 polycrystalline diamond produced by Element
Six, with high intensity 1 GeV/nucleon Pb and U beams at GSI
(Darmstadt). The detector signal shape characteristics and the ion
counting efficiency have been monitored by interleaving periods of low
ions rates, to evaluate possible damages or performance degradation
during and after a total bombardment of about 6 × 1011 heavy ions.
Design and development of square stub loaded band pass filter with quality factor analysis
Authors: Thotakura Haritha , Swamy Banothu Y.V.N.R. , Vineetha K.V. , Madhav B.T.P. , Das Sudipta
Published: May 2024

In this paper, a compact square stub-loaded band pass filter (BPF) is designed and investigated for quality factor improvement analysis. A detailed analysis has been presented to demonstrate the superior power handling capability of the proposed microstrip bandpass filter without any degradation in its electrical performance parameters. For this purpose, square-type stubs are incorporated in the proposed bandpass filter which reduced the maximum peak voltage and increased the high peak threshold, instead of using sharp edges. Also, an in-depth analysis of peak voltage with a center frequency of 2.1 and 4.2 have been carried out by considering some parameters like pressure and quality. The proposed bandpass filter shows minimum peak voltage of 1.61 V and 1.59 V across the frequency of 2.1 GHz and 4.2 GHz which covers the application of mobile and radio altimeters. The designed BPF shows the minimum heat generation of 0.29 and 0.89 per watt at the resonating frequencies of 2.1 and 4.2 GHz. Furthermore, the proposed bandpass filter presents an in-depth analysis of several characteristic parameters such as return loss, insertion loss, power loss, delay in group and phase, current distribution, H and E field distribution and maximum power loaded and unloaded quality factor.
Improvement on the linearity response of PandaX-4T with new photomultiplier tube bases
Authors: Luo Lingyin , Fang Deqing , Han Ke , Huang Di , Shang Xiaofeng , Wang Anqing , Wang Qiuhong , Wang Shaobo , Wang Siguang , Xiao Xiang , Yan Binbin , Yan Xiyu
Published: May 2024

With the expanding reach of physics, xenon-based detectors
such as PandaX-4T in the China Jinping Underground Laboratory aim to
cover an energy range from sub-keV to multi-MeV. A linear
response of the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) is required for both
scintillation and electroluminescence signals. Through a dedicated
bench test, we investigated the cause of the non-linear response in
the Hamamatsu R11410-23 PMTs used in PandaX-4T. The saturation and
suppression of the PMT waveform observed during the commissioning of
PandaX-4T were caused by the high-voltage divider base. The bench
test data validated the de-saturation algorithm used in the
PandaX-4T data analysis. We also confirmed the improvement in
linearity of a new PMT base design with three more low radioactivity
capacitors at later dynodes, which will be used to upgrade the PMT
readout system in PandaX-4T.
Development of a low-pressure Multi-Mesh THGEM detector for fission experiments at FRIB
Authors: Harca I.M. , Cortesi M. , Chyzh R. , Brown K. , McCormick C.E. , Basson M.J.
Published: May 2024

A small-area imaging detector prototype for position measurement of fission fragments produced in low energy heavy-ion reactions is presented in this study. The detector readout is equipped with a 2-dimensional, position-sensitive gaseous avalanche readout based on the novel Multi-Mesh Thick-GEM (MM-THGEM), and is coupled to a delay-line board for particle localization. The prototype has an effective area of 10 × 10 cm2 and is operated in isobutane at low pressure (7–10 Torr). We present and discuss a series of systematic evaluation tests performed by irradiating the detector with α-particles and fission fragments emitted by small-rate sources (241Am, 249Cf and 252Cf). Position and time resolutions of about 0.42 mm and 1 ns were achieved, respectively. This work serves as a benchmark for the development of a large-scale array of detectors for experiments with fission and fission-like reaction products at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB).
Comment on ‘Self-thinning forest understoreys reduce wildfire risk, even in a warming climate’
Authors: Miller Ben P , Fontaine Joseph B , Tangney Ryan , McCaw Lachie , Cruz Miguel G , Hollis Jennifer J
Published: May 2024

In this comment we examine a recent study published in Environmental Research Letters that analysed fire history data from forests in Western Australia to suggest that changes in forest structure result in a long-term reduction of fire risk after 56 years since last fire. We examine the data underpinning this study and find that its strongly skewed sample size distribution creates a bias to the extent that the analytical approach would find a pattern of declining fire risk even when there was no decline. Moreover, the very small sample sizes of the longest unburned forests mean that fire mapping errors as small as 1–2 ha can reverse key findings. With documented mapping errors orders of magnitude larger, the dataset is not robust to analysis at this level of precision. An appropriate conclusion, taking into account these detection and sensitivity issues, would be that likelihood of subsequent wildfire is reduced in the first ∼6 years following fire, and remains fairly consistent at a higher level for at least the next 3 decades, with no evidence for a long-term reduction of fire risk. This is relevant given that many fire and forest management decisions are made based on scientific literature. Rather than wildfire risk reducing with increasing time since fire, our projections indicate that ceasing active fire management in the sampled forests could result in landscape wildfire extent 25%–65% above current levels. We recommend further steps that would help provide sound, evidence-based knowledge to inform science, management, and policy.
Quality of plant-based diets and frailty incidence: a prospective analysis of UK biobank participants
Authors: Maroto-Rodriguez Javier , Ortolá Rosario , García-Esquinas Esther , Kales Stefanos N , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Sotos-Prieto Mercedes
Published: May 2024

Background

Substantial evidence supports the inverse association between adherence to healthy dietary patterns and frailty risk. However, the role of plant-based diets, particularly their quality, is poorly known.

Objective

To examine the association of two plant-based diets with incidence of physical frailty in middle-aged and older adults.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

United Kingdom

Subjects

24,996 individuals aged 40–70 years, followed from 2009–12 to 2019–22.

Methods

Based on at least two 24-h diet assessments, we built two diet indices: (i) the healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI) and (ii) the unhealthful Plant-based Diet Index (uPDI). Incident frailty was defined as developing ≥3 out of 5 of the Fried criteria. We used Cox models to estimate relative risks (RR), and their 95% confidence interval (CI), of incident frailty adjusted for the main potential confounders.

Results

After a median follow-up of 6.72 years, 428 cases of frailty were ascertained. The RR (95% CI) of frailty was 0.62 (0.48–0.80) for the highest versus lowest tertile of the hPDI and 1.61 (1.26–2.05) for the uPDI. The consumption of healthy plant foods was associated with lower frailty risk (RR per serving 0.93 (0.90–0.96)). The hPDI was directly, and the uPDI inversely, associated with higher risk of low physical activity, slow walking speed and weak hand grip, and the uPDI with higher risk of exhaustion.

Conclusions

In British middle-age and older adults, greater adherence to the hPDI was associated with lower risk of frailty, whereas greater adherence to the uPDI was associated with higher risk.
Contrastive learning for enhancing feature extraction in anticancer peptides
Authors: Lee Byungjo , Shin Dongkwan
Published: May 2024

Cancer, recognized as a primary cause of death worldwide, has profound health implications and incurs a substantial social burden. Numerous efforts have been made to develop cancer treatments, among which anticancer peptides (ACPs) are garnering recognition for their potential applications. While ACP screening is time-consuming and costly, in silico prediction tools provide a way to overcome these challenges. Herein, we present a deep learning model designed to screen ACPs using peptide sequences only. A contrastive learning technique was applied to enhance model performance, yielding better results than a model trained solely on binary classification loss. Furthermore, two independent encoders were employed as a replacement for data augmentation, a technique commonly used in contrastive learning. Our model achieved superior performance on five of six benchmark datasets against previous state-of-the-art models. As prediction tools advance, the potential in peptide-based cancer therapeutics increases, promising a brighter future for oncology research and patient care.
Eye movement intervention facilitates concurrent perception and memory processing
Authors: Wang Sinuo , He Yang , Hu Jie , Xia Jianan , Fang Ke , Yu Junna , Wang Yingying
Published: May 2024

A widely used psychotherapeutic treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves performing bilateral eye movement (EM) during trauma memory retrieval. However, how this treatment—described as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)—alleviates trauma-related symptoms is unclear. While conventional theories suggest that bilateral EM interferes with concurrently retrieved trauma memories by taxing the limited working memory resources, here, we propose that bilateral EM actually facilitates information processing. In two EEG experiments, we replicated the bilateral EM procedure of EMDR, having participants engaging in continuous bilateral EM or receiving bilateral sensory stimulation (BS) as a control while retrieving short- or long-term memory. During EM or BS, we presented bystander images or memory cues to probe neural representations of perceptual and memory information. Multivariate pattern analysis of the EEG signals revealed that bilateral EM enhanced neural representations of simultaneously processed perceptual and memory information. This enhancement was accompanied by heightened visual responses and increased neural excitability in the occipital region. Furthermore, bilateral EM increased information transmission from the occipital to the frontoparietal region, indicating facilitated information transition from low-level perceptual representation to high-level memory representation. These findings argue for theories that emphasize information facilitation rather than disruption in the EMDR treatment.
Gender differences in the functional language networks at birth: a resting-state fNIRS study
Authors: Hu Aimin , Tong Xiaoqiong , Yang Lijun , Shi Zijuan , Long Qingwen , Chen Maoqing , Lee Yujun
Published: May 2024

Numerous studies reported inconsistent results concerning gender influences on the functional organization of the brain for language in children and adults. However, data for the gender differences in the functional language networks at birth are sparse. Therefore, we investigated gender differences in resting-state functional connectivity in the language-related brain regions in newborns using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed that female newborns demonstrated significantly stronger functional connectivities between the superior temporal gyri and middle temporal gyri, the superior temporal gyri and the Broca’s area in the right hemisphere, as well as between the right superior temporal gyri and left Broca’s area. Nevertheless, statistical analysis failed to reveal functional lateralization of the language-related brain areas in resting state in both groups. Together, these results suggest that the onset of language system might start earlier in females, because stronger functional connectivities in the right brain in female neonates were probably shaped by the processing of prosodic information, which mainly constitutes newborns’ first experiences of speech in the womb. More exposure to segmental information after birth may lead to strengthened functional connectivities in the language system in both groups, resulting in a stronger leftward lateralization in males and a more balanced or leftward dominance in females.
Polyion complex vesicles containing viscosity enhancer for sustained release of water-soluble low-molecular-weight drugs
Authors: Goto Akinori , Anraku Yasutaka , Fukushima Shigeto , Kishimura Akihiro
Published: May 2024

Polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes) possess several features that render them as suitable for drug delivery systems. However, retaining water-soluble low-molecular-weight compounds (WLMWCs) remains challenging because of the high permeability of their vesicular membranes. Herein, we propose a new approach for prolonged retention and sustained release of WLMWCs from PICsomes by loading hydroxypropyl methylcellulose to increase the viscosity of the inner aqueous phase. The PICsomes retained 2% to 4% of the WLMWCs, and 100% of the WLMWCs were released within 96 h according to first-order kinetics.
Assessment of the Impact of RNase in Patients With Severe Fatigue Related to Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of RSLV-132
Authors: Andrews James S , Boonyaratanakornkit Jim B , Krusinska Eva , Allen Suzanne , Posada James A
Published: May 2024

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and RNA debris persist in viral reservoirs for weeks to months following infection, potentially triggering interferon production and chronic inflammation. RSLV-132 is a biologic drug composed of catalytically active human RNase1 fused to human IgG1 Fc and is designed to remain in circulation and digest extracellular RNA. We hypothesized that removal of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA from latent reservoirs may improve inflammation, neuroinflammation, and fatigue associated with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Methods

This was a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial in participants with a 24-week history of PASC and severe fatigue. The primary endpoint of the trial assessed the impact of 6 intravenous doses of RSLV-132 on the mean change from baseline at day 71 in the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Fatigue Short Form 7a (PROMIS Fatigue SF 7a).

Results

A statistically significant difference on day 71 was not observed with respect to the primary or secondary endpoints. This was likely due to a placebo response that increased during the trial. Statistically significant improvement in fatigue as measured by the PROMIS Fatigue SF 7a, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), and Physicians Global Assessment (PGA) instruments were observed earlier in the trial, with women demonstrating greater responses to RSLV-132 than men.

Conclusion

While fatigue was not statistically significantly improved at Day 71, earlier timepoints revealed statistically significant improvement in fatigue and physician global assessment. The data suggest eliminating latent viral RNA by increasing serum RNase activity may improve fatigue in PASC patients. Women may respond better to this approach than men. Future studies will aim to confirm these findings.
Re-resection Rates and Disease Recurrence in Crohn’s Disease: A Population-based Study Using Individual-level Patient Data
Authors: Poulsen Anja , Rasmussen Julie , Wewer Mads Damsgaard , Holm Hansen Esben , Nordestgaard Rie Louise Møller , Søe Riis Jespersen Hans , Christiansen Dagmar , Surnacheva Elena , Lin Viviane Annabelle , Aydemir Nurcan , Verlo Kari Anne , Rønne Pachler Frederik , Ovesen Pernille Dige , Fuglsang Kristian Asp , Brandt Christopher Filtenborg , Sørensen Lars Tue , Krarup Peter-Martin , Gögenur Ismail , Burisch Johan , Seidelin Jakob B
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Despite advances in the medical treatment of Crohn’s disease [CD], many patients will still need bowel resections and face the subsequent risk of recurrence and re-resection. We describe contemporary re-resection rates and identify disease-modifying factors and risk factors for re-resection.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, population-based, individual patient-level data cohort study covering 47.4% of the Danish population, including all CD patients who underwent a primary resection between 2010 and 2020.

Results

Among 631 primary resected patients, 24.5% underwent a second resection, and 5.3% a third. Re-resection rates after 1, 5, and 10 years were 12.6%, 22.4%, and 32.2%, respectively. Reasons for additional resections were mainly disease activity [57%] and stoma reversal [40%]. Disease activity-driven re-resection rates after 1, 5, and 10 years were 3.6%, 10.1%, and 14.1%, respectively. Most stoma reversals occurred within 1 year [80%]. The median time to recurrence was 11.0 months. Biologics started within 1 year of the first resection revealed protective effect against re-resection for stenotic and penetrating phenotypes. Prophylactic biologic therapy at primary ileocaecal resection reduced disease recurrence and re-resection risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.34-0.99], p = 0.047). Risk factors for re-resection were location of resected bowel segments at the primary resection, disease location, disease behaviour, smoking, and perianal disease.

Conclusion

Re-resection rates, categorised by disease activity, are lower than those reported in other studies and are closely associated with disease phenotype and localisation. Biologic therapy may be disease-modifying for certain subgroups when initiated within 1 year of resection.
Patent ductus arteriosus management in very-low-birth-weight prematurity: a place for an early operation?
Authors: Lee Won Young , Yum Sook Kyung , Seo Yu-Mi , Kim Sol , Shin Ju Ae , Lee Cheul
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to evaluate neonatal outcomes based on treatment strategies and time points for haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants, with a particular focus on surgical closure.

METHODS

This retrospective study included very-low-birth-weight infants born between 2014 and 2021 who received active treatment for hsPDA. Neonatal outcomes were compared between (i) primary surgical closure versus primary ibuprofen; (ii) early (<14th post-natal day) versus late primary surgical closure (≥14th post-natal day); and (iii) primary versus secondary surgical closure after ibuprofen failure. Further analysis using 1:1 propensity score matching was performed. Logistic regression was conducted to analyse the risk factors for post-ligation cardiac syndrome (PLCS) and/or acute kidney injury (AKI).

RESULTS

A total of 145 infants with hsPDA underwent active treatment for closure. The in-hospital death rate and the incidence of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were similar between the primary surgical closure group and the primary ibuprofen group in a 1:1 matched analysis. Severe BPD was significantly higher in the late surgical closure group than in the early primary surgical closure group with 1:1 propensity score matching (72.7% vs 40.9%, P=0.033). The secondary surgical closure group showed the mildest clinical condition; however, the probability of PLCS/AKI was highest (38.6%) compared to the early (15.2%) or the late primary surgical group (28.1%, P<0.001), especially in extremely premature infants (gestational age < 28 weeks).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical patent ductus arteriosus closure is not inferior to pharmacologic treatment. Considering the harmful effect of a prolonged patent ductus arteriosus shunt exposure, a timely decision and timely efforts should be made to minimize the risk of severe BPD and PLCS/AKI after surgical closure.
Selection drives divergence of eye morphology in sympatric Heliconius butterflies
Authors: Wright Daniel Shane , Rodriguez-Fuentes Juliana , Ammer Lisa , Darragh Kathy , Kuo Chi-Yun , McMillan W Owen , Jiggins Chris D , Montgomery Stephen H , Merrill Richard M
Published: May 2024

When populations experience different sensory conditions, natural selection may favor sensory system divergence, affecting peripheral structures and/or downstream neural pathways. We characterized the outer eye morphology of sympatric Heliconius butterflies from different forest types and their first-generation reciprocal hybrids to test for adaptive visual system divergence and hybrid disruption. In Panama, Heliconius cydno occurs in closed forests, whereas Heliconius melpomene resides at the forest edge. Among wild individuals, H. cydno has larger eyes than H. melpomene, and there are heritable, habitat-associated differences in the visual brain structures that exceed neutral divergence expectations. Notably, hybrids have intermediate neural phenotypes, suggesting disruption. To test for similar effects in the visual periphery, we reared both species and their hybrids in common garden conditions. We confirm that H. cydno has larger eyes and provide new evidence that this is driven by selection. Hybrid eye morphology is more H. melpomene-like despite body size being intermediate, contrasting with neural trait intermediacy. Overall, our results suggest that eye morphology differences between H. cydno and H. melpomene are adaptive and that hybrids may suffer fitness costs due to a mismatch between the peripheral visual structures and previously described neural traits that could affect visual performance.
The effects of pregnancy-related changes in eating attitudes and behaviours on nutritional status
Authors: Aktaç Şule , İkiışık Hatice , Sabuncular Güleren , İçen Hayrunisa , Güneş Fatma Esra
Published: May 2024

Background

During pregnancy, the requirements of essential nutrients for the mother and foetus increase. The changes in pregnant women’s eating behaviours may vary according to their sociodemographic characteristics. It is important to meet these increased requirements and understand the factors influencing eating habits during pregnancy.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effects of changes in pregnant women’s eating attitudes and behaviours and their sociodemographic characteristics on their meeting status for nutrient recommendations.

Methods

Sociodemographic information, eating behaviours, and attitudes of 656 pregnant women were obtained in face-to-face interviews between February and June 2020. Food consumption records were taken with a 24-hour recall method and evaluated according to the estimated average requirement value.

Results

The average age of pregnant women was 29.0 ± 5.2 years, 28.0% were high school graduates, and 69.2% were non-working. The frequency of intakes below the estimated mean requirement value were iron, folic acid, vitamin B6, niacin, and calcium. It was demonstrated that there was a significant difference in snack consumption based on the working status and nutrition information obtained (P < .05). Getting nutrition information, age, education level, working status, and pre-pregnancy body mass index significantly increased food consumption (P < .05).

Conclusion

Inadequate nutrient intake is a common public health problem in pregnant women. It is necessary to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that negatively impact pregnant women’s nutritional status and to develop nutrition and health education programs based on these features.
Disrupting quorum sensing as a strategy to inhibit bacterial virulence in human, animal, and plant pathogens
Authors: Gonzales Mélanie , Kergaravat Baptiste , Jacquet Pauline , Billot Raphaël , Grizard Damien , Chabrière Éric , Plener Laure , Daudé David
Published: May 2024

The development of sustainable alternatives to conventional antimicrobials is needed to address bacterial virulence while avoiding selecting resistant strains in a variety of fields, including human, animal, and plant health. Quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial communication system involved in noxious bacterial phenotypes such as virulence, motility, and biofilm formation, is of utmost interest. In this study, we harnessed the potential of the lactonase SsoPox to disrupt QS of human, fish, and plant pathogens. Lactonase treatment significantly alters phenotypes including biofilm formation, motility, and infection capacity. In plant pathogens, SsoPox decreased the production of plant cell wall degrading enzymes in Pectobacterium carotovorum and reduced the maceration of onions infected by Burkholderia glumae. In human pathogens, lactonase treatment significantly reduced biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia cepacia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with the cytotoxicity of the latter being reduced by SsoPox treatment. In fish pathogens, lactonase treatment inhibited biofilm formation and bioluminescence in Vibrio harveyi and affected QS regulation in Aeromonas salmonicida. QS inhibition can thus be used to largely impact the virulence of bacterial pathogens and would constitute a global and sustainable approach for public, crop, and livestock health in line with the expectations of the One Health initiative.