bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OAM mode propagation and supercontinuum generation in a nested photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Punia Sushma , Saharia Ankur , Ismail Yaseera , Petruccione Francesco , Bourdine Anton V. , Morozov Oleg G. , Meshkov Ivan K. , Singh Ghanshyam , Tiwari Manish
Published: December 2024

The proposed work presents a nested Photonic Crystal Fiber(PCF) with a hexagonal lattice of air holes, capable of supporting Orbital Angular Momentum modes(OAM) and generating a wide-ranging supercontinuum spectrum, further enhancing its utility in various optical applications. The Photonic Crystal Fiber consists of a dense flint SF6 and a very light flint LLF1, fabricated from Schott. Finite Element Method is used for the analysis of Nested Photonic Crystal Fiber characteristics using COMSOL Multiphysics. A total of 120 Orbital Angular Momentum modes modes have been obtained in the fiber, with 86 in the outer core and 34 in the inner core. The generalised Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation provides a numerical description of the pulse that is propagating through the PCF. In this article, the proposed nested PCF can be used to generate supercontinuum by pumping with a hyperbolic secant pulse, with red an average power of 71 mW. The resulting supercontinuum spans an impressive bandwidth, extending from approximately 1122 to 2072 nm.
Near-isotropic sub-Ångstrom 3d resolution phase contrast imaging achieved by end-to-end ptychographic electron tomography
Authors: You Shengbo , Romanov Andrey , Pelz Philipp M
Published: December 2024

Three-dimensional atomic resolution imaging using transmission electron microscopes is a unique capability that requires challenging experiments. Linear electron tomography methods are limited by the missing wedge effect, requiring a high tilt range. Multislice ptychography can achieve deep sub-Ångstrom resolution in the transverse direction, but depth resolution is limited to 2 to 3 nanometers. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an end-to-end approach to reconstructing the electrostatic potential volume of the sample directly from the 4D-STEM datasets. End-to-end multislice ptychographic tomography recovers several slices at each tomography tilt angle and compensates for the missing wedge effect. The algorithm is initially tested in simulation with a Pt@Al2O3 core–shell nanoparticle, where both heavy and light atoms are recovered in 3D from an unaligned 4D-STEM tilt series with a restricted tilt range of 90 degrees. We also demonstrate the algorithm experimentally, recovering a Te nanoparticle with sub-Ångstrom resolution.
A 1T1M-based efficient probability storage and computing cell for the VAE-SBN hybrid model
Authors: Dai Yuehua , Tan Su , Feng Zhe , Zou Jianxun , Guo Wenbin , Yu Ruihan , Wang Zeqing , Hu Yang , Wang Haochen , Ruan Hao , Hao Yang , Lin Zhihao , Xu Zuyu , Zhu Yunlai , Wu Zuheng
Published: December 2024

Bayesian network are crucial components for uncertainty reasoning and knowledge representation in probabilistic graphical models. As model complexity increases, traditional digital methods face challenges in efficiency and resource utilization. In this work, a novel Bayesian network optimization method based on one-transistor one-memristor (1T1M) units for storing and accessing probability values was proposed. This method leverages the sigmoid-like characteristics of 1T1M for computational optimization, integrates probability storage into sigmoid belief network (SBN), and extends to the variational autoencoder (VAE) framework. By storing and manipulating probabilities at hardware level, this approach enhances storage efficiency and access speed while enhancing computational precision and model expressiveness through the sigmoid-like space of 1T1M. Validation experiments using the MNIST digit generation task demonstrate that this method exhibits unique advantages in SBN structures, particularly in handling complex conditional probabilities and inference tasks. Compared to traditional digital implementations, the proposed method exhibits potential advantages in inference speed and hardware utilization.
Periodic and chaotic behaviors of a compound pendulum driven by a horizontal periodic external force
Authors: Wu Zuo-Bing
Published: December 2024

Based on the oscillation experiments of a compound pendulum driven by a horizontal periodic external force, a nonlinear dynamical model is established and studied numerically. The periodic, quasiperiodic and chaotic orbits are found in the motions of the compound pendulum in response to several driving forces. The numerical results are in qualitative agreement with those in the experiments. It is found that the chaotic attractor in the three-dimensional phase space displays a two-dimensional torus structure. On a Poincare section, the chaotic attractor consists of the relative rotating core and its trailing tails. The fractal dimension of the chaotic attractor on the Poincare section is determined by using the box-counting method. The bifurcation diagram shows that the transition of the system from periodic motion to chaos is realized by the period-doubling bifurcation. The first Feigenbaum universal constant is approximately determined in the period-doubling bifurcation process. The competition between the inherent vibration and the external driving vibration of the system is thus thought as the physical mechanism for leading to the complex phenomena such as the period-doubling bifurcation and chaos. The numerical results combining with the experimental ones can provide an intuitive and in-depth understanding of chaotic phenomena, which is of great significance for the optimization design and the stability control in the engineering technology.
The studies of topological phases and energy braiding of non-Hermitian models using machine learning
Authors: Shi Shuwei , Chu Shibing , Xie Yuee , Chen Yuanping
Published: December 2024

Complex-energy bands in non-Hermitian systems can exhibit diverse topological braiding, yet identifying these braids remains challenging and has garnered limited attention in previous studies. In this work, we explore energy braiding in one-dimensional non-Hermitian systems through both unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. For unsupervised learning, we apply diffusion maps to effectively identify non-Bloch energy braiding without requiring prior knowledge and use k-means clustering to categorize different topological features, such as Unlink and Hopf link configurations. In the supervised learning phase, we train a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) on Bloch energy data to predict both Bloch and non-Bloch energy braiding with nearly 100% accuracy. Through an analysis of the CNN, we confirm that the model has successfully developed the capacity to recognize the braiding topology of the energy bands. Our findings reveal that unsupervised learning can rapidly detect phase transition points, while the CNN is capable of predicting braid degrees even for models not included in the training set.
Fractal configurations of zigzag hexagonal type coronoid molecules: Graph-theoretical modeling and its impact on physicochemical behavior
Authors: Ullah Asad , Nazir Muhammad , Zaman Shahid , Hamed Y S , Jabeen Safina
Published: December 2024

Coronene, a benzenoid compound, holds significant potential for applications in diverse fields, including organic chemistry, materials science, and pharmaceuticals. This study focuses on the structural analysis of Zigzag Hexagonal Coronene Fractal (ZHCF), a unique molecular configuration with significant implications for materials science and nanotechnology. Utilizing topological indices across two-dimensional chemical structure networks, we evaluate critical physicochemical properties of these molecules. Analytical expressions for a wide range of connection number-based topological descriptors are derived, enabling the prediction of properties such as entropy, enthalpy of vaporization, boiling point, and the acentric factor. The use of these mathematical tools provides a deeper understanding of the molecular connectivity and distribution patterns within the ZHCF framework, revealing insights into its stability and potential functionality. The results demonstrate how these indices can effectively capture the structural nuances of complex molecular graphs, aiding in the rational design of advanced nanomaterials with improved optical and electronic properties. This research not only showcases the predictive power of topological descriptors but also highlights the potential applications of coronoid-based structures in creating high-performance materials for various technological and scientific advancements. The findings pave the way for future exploration of coronoid structures in developing innovative solutions across diverse fields.
On the gravitational hysteresis in the kinetic theory
Authors: Moti Raihaneh , Shojai Ali
Published: December 2024

General theory of relativity is non-linear in nature and therefore can result in hysteresis-like effects and cause systems to remember the footprint of the gravitational field. Here we have investigated this effect using the Kinetic theory in curved spacetime. It is shown that the entropy rate experiences this hysteresis behavior. The effect is then considered for some special spacetimes, including Schwarzschild black hole, Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker cosmological solution, and the flat Minkowski spacetime perturbed by a gravitational wave pulse. It is shown that there is some hysteresis effect for the entropy rate.
Whispers from the quantum core: the ringdown of semiclassical stars
Authors: Arrechea Julio , Liberati Stefano , Vellucci Vania
Published: December 2024

This investigation delves into the ringdown signals produced by semiclassical stars, which are ultra-compact, regular solutions of the Einstein equations incorporating stress-energy contributions from quantum vacuum polarization. These stars exhibit an approximately Schwarzschild exterior and an interior composed of a constant-density classical fluid and a cloud of vacuum polarization. By adjusting their compactness and density, we can alter the internal structure of these stars without modifying the exterior. This adaptability enables us to examine the sensitivity of the ringdown signal to the innermost regions of the emitting object and to compare it with similar geometries that differ substantially only at the core. Our results indicate that echo signals are intrinsically linked to the presence of stable light rings and can be very sensitive to the internal structure of the emitting object. This point was previously overlooked, either due to the imposition of reflective boundary conditions at the stellar surface or due to the assumption of low curvature interior geometries. Specifically, for stellar-sized semiclassical stars, we find that the interior travel time is sufficiently prolonged to render the echoes effectively unobservable. These findings underscore the potential efficacy of ultra-compact objects as black hole mimickers and emphasize that any phenomenological constraints on such objects necessitate a detailed understanding of their specific properties and core structure.
Open EFT treatment of inflation with thermal initial conditions
Authors: Tinwala Abbas , Narang Ashish , Mohanty Subhendra , Panda Sukanta
Published: December 2024

Investigating the thermal inflationary model, we introduce stochastic effects, incorporating a cutoff parameter σ which distinguishes between quantum and classical modes. Testing the model against Planck 2018 data, we observe a preference for a non-zero σ at least at 68% C.L., suggesting the classicalization of most modes and providing a theoretical foundation for the quantum to classical transition. As a result of introducing the stochastic effects, we find that the solution to the large-scale power deficit requires a lower comoving temperature of inflaton.
Research on miniaturized frequency steering system based on atomic clock
Authors: Guo Yonggang , Zhu Lili , Wang Kuan , Wang Shiwei , Shi Fucheng , Liu Zhidong
Published: December 2024

In order to generate a high-performance RF signal, by
analyzing the traditional frequency steering system, and aiming at
the goal of miniaturization and engineering, this paper designs a
miniaturized frequency steering system based on dual-atomic
clock. In addition, we have carried out research on key technologies
such as high-precision frequency deviation measurement and precision
frequency regulation. On this basis, a frequency deviation
measurement and correction system is designed. And according to the
theoretical analysis, the measuring accuracy of the frequency
deviation measurement approach can reach 1.0 × 10-14,
besides, the step frequency tuning can also reach
1.125 × 10-14. What's more, some related experiments, the
RF signal synthesized from a Rb clock and a master has an accuracy
of 2.26 × 10-13, and also the frequency stability of
104 s in terms of the Allan deviation reaches
2.36 × 10-14, suggesting that the overall performance of
the rubidium atomic clock has been greatly improved.
Incentivizing water conservation in agriculture: a case study of the Great Salt Lake watersheds
Authors: Li Man , Khan Asif Ahmed
Published: December 2024

Conserving agricultural water resources is crucial for sustainable development, yet, developing effective policies is challenging due to limited site-specific information. We present a framework combining economic models and remote-sensing data to spatially explicitly assess willingness-to-accept payments to irrigators and unit water-saving costs. Applied to three major tributary watersheds of the Great Salt Lake, this framework identifies areas with the highest conservation potential and cost-effectiveness. We find that an annual water conservation goal of 581 million m3, necessary to restore the lake within 30 years, can be met by fallowing irrigated alfalfa fields. With 95% certainty, this goal would be fully achieved with annual payments of US$325 million under site-specific payments or US$376 million under county-level payments, or at least 84% achieved with US$341 million under watershed-level payments. This framework can be applied to explore policy priorities and the economic viability of land-based natural resource protection, informing funding decisions and achieving conservation goals in various contexts.
Antisymmetric tensor fields in 4D: actions, symmetries and first order Duffin–Kemmer–Petiau formulations
Authors: Jarvis Peter D , Thierry-Mieg Jean
Published: December 2024

Analyzing the representations of the Lorentz group, we give a systematic count and construction of all the possible Lagrangians describing an antisymmetric rank two tensor field. The count yields two scalars, which provide the ingredients of the gauge invariant Kalb–Ramond model, equivalent to the sigma model and familiar from super gravity and string theory, and of the conformally invariant Avdeev–Chizhov model, which describes self-dual tensors. The count also includes a pseudoscalar with symmetric coupling, and an additional pseudoscalar, an antisymmetrized form of the Avdeev–Chizhov Lagrangian. This quantity was first derived in an

S
U
(
2

/

1
)

superalgebraic model of the weak interactions. It is also conformally invariant, and naturally implements the Landau CP symmetry. Then, by extending the DKP ten component formalism, we recover the model Lagrangians as first order systems. To complete the analysis, we classify all local Lorentz invariant potentials (mass terms and quartic couplings) for charged antisymmetric tensor fields coupled to a Yang-Mills field.
Miniaturized distillation device for detection of hydrocarbons using distillation curve principle
Authors: Daei Mohammadreza , Rahbar Shahrouzi Javad , Valizadeh Ziba
Published: December 2024

The objective of this study is to miniaturize the distillation apparatus to detect and analyze the composition of hydrocarbon mixtures. To achieve this, a micrometric chip measuring 150 × 100 × 6 mm3 was fabricated using a CO2 laser engraving machine. The chip, made of poly-methyl methacrylate, consists of a mini heater, condenser, and column. Its purpose is to separate hydrocarbons and determine the distillation curve of the mixtures. To assess its performance, three hydrocarbons (iso-pentane, 1-pentene, and n-hexane) were injected into the chip in different percentages ranging from 0 to 100%. These hydrocarbons were selected to represent pure, binary, and ternary compounds. The chip then analyzed the samples, and the distillation curves were obtained by plotting the boiling temperature against the percentage of condensed volume. The results of the experiments revealed that each distillation test lasted about 15 minutes. Despite the close boiling temperatures of iso-pentane and 1-pentene (27.8 and 30 °C, respectively), the chip could accurately identify the composition of different mixtures in the analyzed materials. The repeatability test demonstrated that the average standard deviation for the examined binary mixtures ranged from 1–2%, indicating the reliable reproducibility of the results. In conclusion, the miniaturized distillation chip that was fabricated can effectively analyze hydrocarbon mixtures and determine their purity.
Fuzzy-UNet: semantic-fuzzy integration for fabric defect identification
Authors: Ren Jia , Chen Zhonghao , Jin Jiamin , Zhang Yibo
Published: December 2024

The detection of fabric surface defects is a critical component for quality assurance and operational efficiency within the textile industry. A significant challenge in this field is the effective incorporation of domain expertise to enhance the precision of defect recognition. This paper introduces Fuzzy-UNet, an innovative fabric defect detection system that integrates a semantic segmentation network with a fuzzy decision model, addressing the challenge of domain knowledge integration. By combining a cascaded data model with a knowledge-based model, Fuzzy-UNet harnesses the power of deep learning and artificial experience to refine the identification process. The data-driven model of our system is advanced UNet architecture, specifically tailored for detecting subtle defects in fabrics with non-standard aspect ratios. The system’s novel fuzzy decision model utilizes spatiotemporal data from multiple cameras, which is essential for enhancing the accuracy of the detection process. Our comprehensive experiments demonstrate the robustness of Fuzzy-UNet, with a significant increase in accuracy to 96.78% and a marked reduction in the False Positive Rate (FPR). The superior performance of Fuzzy-UNet over existing methods makes it a leading solution for industrial fabric defect detection.
Network science can improve the sustainable development of solar energy
Authors: Bacon Taylor , Ohlert Timothy , Toy Christopher , Siggers J Alexander , Sturchio Matthew A
Published: December 2024

The recent emergence of agrivoltaic and ecovoltaic approaches to ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) energy provides a much-needed alternative to the environmentally disruptive practices employed in utility-scale solar development. Research on such land-sharing approaches has grown rapidly, with an emphasis on characterizing how PV arrays impact ecosystem processes and agricultural productivity. Although these studies have done well to quantify a variety of dual-use solar practices by employing site-specific sampling designs, this approach has limited our ability to synthesize results across sites, regions, and globally. We call for a network science approach for improved cross-site synthesis of dual-use solar research. We contend that a common approach for data collection and synthesis will facilitate a more rigorous investigation of the agricultural and ecological impacts of PV development across space and over time. The products of this scientifically informed approach can be directly applied to improve sustainable land management.
New counterexamples to Min-Oo’s Conjecture via tunnels
Authors: Sweeney Paul
Published: December 2024

Min-Oo’s Conjecture is a positive curvature version of the positive mass theorem. Brendle, Marques, and Neves [Invent. Math. 185 (2011), pp. 175–197] produced a perturbative counterexample to this conjecture. In 2021, Carlotto [Living Rev. Relativ. 24 (2021), Article 2] asked if it is possible to develop a novel gluing method in the setting of Min-Oo’s Conjecture and in doing so produce new counterexamples. Here we build upon the perturbative counterexamples of Brendle–Marques–Neves in order to construct counterexamples that make advances on the theme expressed in Carlotto’s question. These new counterexamples are non-perturbative in nature; moreover, we also produce examples with more complicated topology. Our main tool is a quantitative version of Gromov–Lawson Schoen–Yau surgery.
Desingularization of finitely smooth vector fields on the plane
Authors: Dukov A.
Published: December 2024

The paper is devoted to desingularization of finitely smooth vector fields on the plane. Let the difference of germs of a finitely smooth vector field and an analytic vector field be sufficiently flat at a common singular point. Then these vector fields share similar behavior under desingularization. In particular, the nice desingularizations of both vector fields are achieved in the same number of steps. Moreover, for any analytic vector field with a singular point of multiplicity

μ
0

\mu _0

, nice desingularization of the finitely smooth vector field is achieved after

μ
0

+
2

\mu _0+2

steps. In addition, a description is presented for topologically sufficient jets of finitely smooth vector fields at nonmonodromic singular points.
Structure of the algebra of transition types, and the cut-and-join operator
Authors: Krasil′nikov E.
Published: December 2024

Simple real Hurwitz numbers enumerate real meromorphic functions on real algebraic curves all finite critical values of which are simple. M. Kazarian, S. Lando, and S. Natanzon constructed algebras of transition types having these numbers as structure constants, and deduced cut-and-join type equations for generating functions for them. The subject of the present paper is the structure of the algebras of transition types and approaches to efficient computation of simple real Hurwitz numbers.
Isomorphisms in K-theory from isomorphisms in groupoid homology theories
Authors: Miller Alistair
Published: December 2024

We prove that for torsion-free amenable ample groupoids, an isomorphism in groupoid homology induced by an étale correspondence yields an isomorphism in the K-theory of the associated

C

∗

\mathrm {C}^\ast

-algebras. We apply this to extend X. Li’s K-theory formula for left regular inverse semigroup

C

∗

\mathrm {C}^\ast

-algebras. These results are obtained by developing the functoriality of the ABC spectral sequence.
The detergent particle
Authors: Sisk-Reynés J
Published: December 2024

Come on a voyage of discovery as an extraordinary AGN allows astronomers to plunder the properties of ultralight axions
Challenges in implementing school-based drug prevention programs led by law enforcement officers
Authors: Valente Juliana Y , Gusmões Julia D , Garcia-Cerde Rodrigo , Pietrobon Tania , Sanchez Zila M
Published: December 2024

School-based prevention drug programs in the United States and Brazil are most commonly delivered by law enforcement officers (LEOs). However, limited research has explored challenges involved in the delivery of these interventions specifically related to their implementation by LEOs. We aim to describe the challenges affecting the implementation of school-based drug prevention programs delivered by LEOs. We conducted a qualitative study using 31 semi-structured interviews with LEOs who delivered the Brazilian version of the DARE-Keepin’ it REAL program (fifth- and seventh-grade curriculum) and 8 focus groups with 80 students who participated in the program. All data were thematically analyzed. LEOs perceived devaluation from the police corporation, resulting in resource limitations and commanders’ resistance to adapting schedules. Relationships with the school community posed additional challenges. Fifth graders seemed generally positive about LEOs’ presence while seventh graders showed more negative responses. LEOs’ street-level policing experiences influenced their approach to clarifying the consequences of drug use and willingness to share related experiences, even though this content is not part of the program. Therefore, it is crucial to consider alternative approaches to delivering preventive programs in schools, while simultaneously improving the training of LEOs already involved in program implementation to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices.
Oxytocin Reduces Methylphenidate-Induced Dorsal Striatal Dopamine Release in Male Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Lee Mary R , Shokri Kojori Ehsan , Dieckmann William , Singley Erick , Mattison Julie A , Herscovitch Peter , Leggio Lorenzo
Published: December 2024

Background

Oxytocin is being evaluated as a potential treatment for psychostimulant use disorders. It is unknown what effect oxytocin has on dopamine signaling in response to psychostimulants in brain regions such as the striatum where oxytocin and dopamine interact to process natural rewards. We investigated the effect of oxytocin on striatal dopamine release stimulated by methylphenidate whose mechanism of action is analogous to that of cocaine.

Methods

We conducted an [11C] raclopride positron emission tomography study to assess striatal dopamine release in male rhesus macaques treated with oxytocin (80 IU) (administered via the intranasal [N = 5] and intravenous [N = 6] routes) followed by methylphenidate/[11C] raclopride.

Results

Oxytocin delivered by both routes significantly reduced methylphenidate-stimulated dopamine release in the dorsal striatum (caudate/putamen). These effects were, in part, evidenced by a reduction in dorsal striatal [11C] raclopride binding potential (increased dopamine release) following oxytocin administration.

Conclusions

The results provide translational and mechanistic evidence for the potential role of oxytocin as a treatment for psychostimulant use disorders.
Exploring the Anxiolytic Potential of NPY by a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitor in an Animal Model of PTSD
Authors: Dahan Matan , Zohar Joseph , Todder Doron , Mathé Aleksander A , Cohen Hagit
Published: December 2024

Background

The regulatory neuropeptide Y (NPY) is implicated in anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related behaviors. NPY exerts its effects through 5 receptor subtypes, with Y1 and Y2 receptors being predominantly expressed in the rat brain. Activation of Y1 by full-length NPY1-36 induces anxiolytic effects, whereas Y2 binds truncated peptides, eliciting region-specific anxiogenic responses. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) cleaves NPY, thereby modulating its functionality. Sitagliptin, a DPP-IV inhibitor (DPP-IV-I), inhibits the degradation of various vasoactive peptides, including cerebral NPY. As such, the therapeutic potential of DPP-IV-I following a traumatic event remains inconclusive. We assessed the effects of a highly selective DPP-IV-I, administered either shortly after the stressor or intermittently over 3 days, on behavioral outcomes using the predator scent stress (PSS) model of PTSD.

Methods

Rats exposed to PSS or sham-PSS received a single dose of sitagliptin (10 or 30 mg/kg) or saline 1 hour post-exposure, or repeated doses over 3 days (20 mg/kg). Behavioral outcomes were evaluated using the elevated plus maze and acoustic startle response at 7 days post-exposure. Additionally, rats exposed to PSS or sham-PSS were treated with sitagliptin (30 mg/kg) or saline, and their brains were prepared for immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Sitagliptin did not attenuate anxiety-related behaviors or PTSD-related behavior prevalence compared to saline. Notably, the 30 mg/kg dose increased NPY levels in several brain regions without affecting NPY-Y1 levels.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that sitagliptin-induced upregulation of NPY levels shortly after PSS is insufficient to prevent the development of post-traumatic responses. The effectiveness of NPY signaling may be influenced by factors beyond peptide concentration alone, potentially limiting its therapeutic efficacy. Activation of NPY-Y1 receptors, rather than merely increasing NPY levels, appears to be crucial for modulating anti-anxiety and post-traumatic responses.
Genetic evaluation of productive longevity in a multibreed beef cattle population
Authors: Passafaro Tiago Luciano , Rubio Yeni Liliana Bernal , Vukasinovic Natascha , Gonzalez-Peña Dianelys  , Gordo Daniel Gustavo Mansan , Short Thomas , Leachman Lee , Andersen Kent
Published: December 2024

Genetic selection for traits that have a direct impact on profitability, such as productive longevity (PL), which blends cow longevity with regular reproductive performance, is fundamental for the economic success of beef cow-calf operations. The purpose of this study was to develop a data screening strategy and a statistical model to predict genetic merit for PL in a multibreed beef cattle population. Pedigree (n = 1,352,765) and phenotype (n = 978,382) information were provided by Leachman Cattle of Colorado, and genotypes (n = 26,342) were provided by the Zoetis commercial genotyping laboratory. A repeatability model (REP) including the systematic effects of age at first calving, year-season of progeny birth, pedigree-based retained heterosis, and parity number, as well as the random effects of the additive genetic, permanent environment, contemporary group, and residual were fitted to adjust PL. In addition, a random regression model (RRM) was fitted to investigate PL considering the same effects, with the difference that random effects were regressed on parity. Estimated breeding values (EBV) were obtained by single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) and transformed to predict differences in the number of calves through linear regression. Predictive performance was assessed in a group of 7,268 cows born in 2010. Heritability estimates for PL were relatively low, with values of 0.109 for REP and a decreasing trend for RRM with values ranging from 0.16 to 0.04. Repeatability for PL was of moderate magnitude, with values of 0.415 for REP and from 0.29 to 0.57 for RRM. Heritability estimates suggest that most of the phenotypic variation was accounted for by environmental factors, but long-term genetic selection could still be effective. REP was more efficient than RRM, showing the lower number of iterations and time to reach convergence with comparable solutions to RRM. Validation results showed that correlations between EBV and phenotypes (observed/precorrected) increased over the years ranging from 0.04 to 0.92. Repeatability values and the validation approach suggested that using a cow’s first record (second parity success or failure) is a reasonably good indicator of posterior performance for PL. Therefore, the inclusion of PL in a multibreed genetic evaluation program and incorporation into selection indexes with existing economic traits can enable more profitable selection and breeding decisions in beef cattle herds.
Loss of cped1 does not affect bone and lean tissue in zebrafish
Authors: Alvarado Kurtis , Tang W Joyce , Watson Claire J , Ahmed Ali R , Gómez Arianna Ericka , Donaka Rajashekar , Amemiya Chris , Karasik David , Hsu Yi-Hsiang , Kwon Ronald Young
Published: December 2024

Human genetic studies have nominated cadherin-like and PC-esterase domain-containing 1 (CPED1) as a candidate target gene mediating bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk heritability. Recent efforts to define the role of CPED1 in bone in mouse and human models have revealed complex alternative splicing and inconsistent results arising from gene targeting, making its function in bone difficult to interpret. To better understand the role of CPED1 in adult bone mass and morphology, we conducted a comprehensive genetic and phenotypic analysis of cped1 in zebrafish, an emerging model for bone and mineral research. We analyzed two different cped1 mutant lines and performed deep phenotyping to characterize more than 200 measures of adult vertebral, craniofacial, and lean tissue morphology. We also examined alternative splicing of zebrafish cped1 and gene expression in various cell/tissue types. Our studies fail to support an essential role of cped1 in adult zebrafish bone. Specifically, homozygous mutants for both cped1 mutant alleles, which are expected to result in loss-of-function and impact all cped1 isoforms, exhibited no significant differences in the measures examined when compared to their respective wildtype controls, suggesting that cped1 does not significantly contribute to these traits. We identified sequence differences in critical residues of the catalytic triad between the zebrafish and mouse orthologs of CPED1, suggesting that differences in key residues, as well as distinct alternative splicing, could underlie different functions of CPED1 orthologs in the two species. Our studies fail to support a requirement of cped1 in zebrafish bone and lean tissue, adding to evidence that variants at 7q31.31 can act independently of CPED1 to influence BMD and fracture risk.
Evaluation of early metabolic changes following vorasidenib using FET PET in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas
Authors: Galldiks Norbert , Werner Jan-Michael , Stetter Isabelle , Puhr Hannah C , Nakuz Thomas S , Stoffels Gabriele , Albert Nathalie L , Langen Karl-Josef , Lohmann Philipp , Preusser Matthias
Published: December 2024

The phase-3 INDIGO trial demonstrated that the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) inhibitor vorasidenib significantly prolonged progression-free survival and delayed intervention in patients with CNS WHO grade 2 gliomas. However, conventional MRI showed limited response, with only 11% of patients having objective responses. Studies suggest that serial PET imaging with radiolabeled amino acids, such as O -(2-[18 F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET) PET, may provide earlier and more informative assessments of treatment response than MRI. In an initial experience with FET PET, 3 out of 5 patients showed metabolic response to vorasidenib. This highlights FET PET’s potential to guide decision-making, though further trials are needed to confirm outcome benefits.
The study of policy coordination: an approach to integrate expert assessment with automated content analysis
Authors: Kelchtermans Stijn , Santos Anabela M
Published: December 2024

Public policy scholars have long agreed that the coordination of policies involving different authorities and policy frameworks is challenging. This paper responds to recent calls to explore new empirical methods for studying policy coordination by integrating automated text analysis into the workflow of human experts. A key contribution of our approach is a quantitative indicator of the semantic alignment between different policy objectives. We critically review the performance of the indicator in terms of its ability to assess both horizontal and vertical policy coordination by analysing the Recovery and Resilience Plan (2021–26) and the national and regional Smart Specialization Strategies (2021–27) in Portugal. Based on this exercise, we reflect on the necessary conditions for the successful implementation of automated text analysis of policy documents as well as its potential in other empirical settings.
Shared Medical Appointments to Improve Equitable Access to Rehabilitative Care for Long COVID
Authors: Cheng Abby L. , DeFranco Amy R. , Furman Michelle , Hackert Sarah M. , Hunt Devyani M. , Marschall Jonas , McQueen Amy
Published: December 2024

Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition that can cause a wide variety of symptoms and long-term functional impairments. Although investigation into curative treatment is ongoing, current standard management of long COVID relies heavily on rehabilitative care by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Unfortunately, many persons with long COVID encounter financial barriers to receiving rehabilitative care, especially because some state Medicaid programs and safety net health insurance plans do not cover one-on-one rehabilitation visits. Shared medical appointments are group visits that can deliver multidisciplinary care, and they are widely reimbursed by health insurance plans. Shared medical appointments also offer the added benefit of peer support and camaraderie, and they are an efficient method for clinicians to deliver care to many patients at once. Shared Medical appointments can serve as an innovative method of delivering rehabilitative care for persons with long COVID who cannot access individual appointments with a physical, occupational, and/or speech therapist. The purpose of this clinical perspective is to present the rationale, development, and organization and content of a six-session curriculum of shared medical appointments, which was created to deliver rehabilitation principles for long COVID management. The curriculum covers physical activity, daily living activities, and thinking and speaking. It includes identification of functional concerns and goals, instruction in rehabilitative strategies and tools, and troubleshooting challenges that are encountered as patients implement strategies. The content in this clinical perspective is intended to be easily adapted and delivered by other clinicians to facilitate more equitable access to long COVID rehabilitative care.
The prospective association of cellular markers of biological aging with menopause in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study
Authors: Appiah Duke , Wellons Melissa F. , Schreiner Pamela J. , Puterman Eli , Hou Lifang , Kim Catherine
Published: December 2024

Objective

Evidence from cross-sectional studies mainly among postmenopausal women suggests that biological aging is associated with reproductive senescence. We evaluated the prospective association of cellular markers of biological aging measured during the premenopausal period, and changes in these markers, with age at menopause.

Methods

We studied 583 premenopausal women (39% Black) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study who had data on biological aging markers in 2000-2001 and reached menopause by 2020-2021. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of telomere length, mitochondrial DNA copy number, intrinsic or extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration, and PhenoAge or GrimAge acceleration with age at menopause.

Results

The mean age at baseline was 41.2 ± 3.3 years, with the mean age at menopause being 49.1 (median, 50) years. About one in five women had surgical menopause. In chronological age-adjusted models, only baseline GrimAge acceleration was associated with age at menopause; women whose epigenetic age was older than their chronological age reached menopause at 0.12 years (~6 weeks) earlier compared with women with equal epigenetic and chronological age (β = −0.123; 95% CI, −0.224 to −0.022; P = 0.018). However, this association was not statistically significant after adjustment for sociodemographic, behavior/lifestyle, and metabolic factors. Similar results were observed when changes in these biological aging markers were evaluated. The same associations were observed in analyses limited to women who reached natural menopause.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic, behavior/lifestyle, and metabolic factors remain comparable, if not more robust predictors of the age at menopause compared with cellular measures of biological age.
Association of diastolic blood pressure and coronary artery calcium in South Asian American adults
Authors: Moorthy Meena , Kandula Namratha R. , Lancki Nicola , Siddique Juned , Thangada Neela , Shimbo Daichi , Pedamallu Havisha , Kanaya Alka M. , Shah Nilay S.
Published: December 2024

Objective:

Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, independent of systolic blood pressure (SBP). However, prior evaluation of the association of DBP with coronary artery calcium (CAC) has not included South Asian adults, a population that is at excess risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Methods:

In the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study, we evaluated the association of sex-specific DBP tertiles and CAC score > = 100 with robust Poisson regression adjusted for age, sex, SBP, BP medication use, and other cardiovascular risk factors. We examined these associations stratified by antihypertensive medication use, and secondarily the association of baseline DBP tertile with incident CAC over median 4.7 years of follow-up.

Results:

Among 1155 participants (48% women, mean age 57 years), mean (standard deviation) DBP was 74 (10) mmHg, 33% were on antihypertensive medications, and 22% had CAC > = 100. Relative to DBP in tertile 1, DBP in tertiles 2 and 3 was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of CAC > = 100 [adjusted prevalence ratio 1.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.65] and 1.47 (1.12–1.93), respectively]. These significant associations were primarily observed in participants who were not on antihypertensive medications. Baseline DBP tertile was not associated with incident CAC.

Conclusion:

Among South Asian adults in MASALA, DBP in the second or third tertiles vs. tertile 1 were associated with a higher prevalence of CAC > = 100 after adjustment for covariates, including SBP. DBP may be an important clinical ASCVD risk factor among South Asian adults.
Prognostic Significance of Biointegration at the Optic–Cornea Joint in Keratoprosthesis Implantation
Authors: Akpek Esen Karamursel , Aldave Anthony J. , Amescua Guillermo , Colby Kathryn A. , Cortina Maria S. , de la Cruz Jose , Parel Jean-Marie A. , Foster James W.
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to characterize the morphological and immunological aspects of biointegration at the optic–cornea joint of a second-generation synthetic corneal device.

Methods:

The initial prototype, single-piece optic–skirt configuration, is constructed from compact and flexible perfluoroalkoxy alkane with porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) overlying the skirt to allow skirt–cornea biointegration. The second-generation version was modified to add ePTFE around the optic wall to allow optic–cornea biointegration. Initial and amended second-generation devices were implanted into healthy rabbit eyes. Clinical examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, light microscopy, and immunofluorescence studies were performed to assess structural integrity and determine molecular signatures indicative of inflammation and tissue remodeling between the 2 prototypes.

Results:

Recipient eyes with both device versions showed no epithelial defects or tissue retraction at 3 months postoperatively. Optical coherence tomography images demonstrated no appreciable perioptic space with either prototype. Histopathology of the initial device demonstrated lack of stromal adhesion at the optic–cornea joint with epithelium filling the perioptic space. Second-generation devices demonstrated full sealing of the recipient stroma along the optic stem. Although the routine histopathology did not demonstrate inflammatory cells in the recipient cornea with either device, immunohistochemistry stains demonstrated quiescent phenotype of stromal and epithelial cells only in the second-generation devices.

Conclusions:

Biointegration between the synthetic corneal device and recipient tissue at the optic–cornea joint seems to avert inflammation and may help prevent sterile tissue lysis and prolong retention.
Cervical Cancer 2010–2019: An Upper Midwest Catchment of 40,000 Square Miles
Authors: Ulmer Keely K. , Wilson Peter L. , Petereit Mark A. , Sargent Michele , Cina Kristin , Kroboth Lindsey , Petereit Daniel G. , Harper Diane M.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

American Indian (AI) women have a higher incidence and mortality from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White (NHW) women in the US. This article’s purpose is to detail the clinical events in the cervical cancer prevention continuum among the AI and White women with cervical cancer on the US frontier.

Materials and Methods

A cancer center with a nearly 40,000 square-mile catchment area maintained a detailed cancer registry connected to the clinic records of all cervical cancer patients between 2010–2019. This catchment area provided records of both an AI and a White population. Descriptive and inferential statistics and modeling predictions detailed the prevention continuum.

Results

Among the 126 with cervical cancer, 20% were AI, and 78% were White. Sixty percent did not participate in cervical cancer screening within the 5 years before their diagnosis, and on average, 9.2 years passed since the last cervical cancer screening. 91% presented with symptoms, and most women presented with 2 or more symptoms. Thirteen percent underwent a colposcopic diagnostic step, significantly delaying the time to diagnosis compared to other diagnostic steps. Sixty-nine percent of the histopathologic diagnoses were squamous cell carcinoma, and 27% were adenocarcinoma. Forty-nine percent presented at stage I regardless of histopathology. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy were most commonly combined. Sixty-three percent of the population survived, and 42% survived at least 3 years from diagnosis. Younger age and earlier stages at diagnosis were the significant adjusted predictors of survival.

Conclusions

The authors’ detailed cervical cancer prevention continuum events provide new data questioning the use of colposcopy for women symptomatic at presentation.
Circulating Chromogranin A is associated with disease extent, progression and recurrence in patients with non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (NF-PNET)
Authors: Zyromski Nicholas J. , Lewellen Kyle A. , Maatman Thomas K. , McGuire Sean P.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Non-functioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NF-PNET) are rare tumors with heterogeneous biology. Radiology and serum biomarkers are used for post-resection surveillance; however, no universally established protocol exists. Serum Chromogranin A (CgA) concentration is elevated in NF-PNET, and generally correlates with burden of disease; many CgA studies include mixed gastrointestinal and pancreatic populations. We sought to review the NF-PNET literature with focus on post-resection surveillance and hypothesized that CgA is useful for surveillance after NF-PNET resection.

Methods

Comprehensive English literature review by PICO criteria (P-human NF-PNET patients; I-pancreatectomy; C- none; O- CgA correlation with disease recurrence).

Results

Four studies yielded granular data for resected NF-PNET patients. From 333 patients, 113 recurred and 110 (97%) had elevated CgA. Additional 7 studies with mixed gastro-entero-pancreatic NET included 269 NF-PNET patients. In these patients, CgA uniformly predicted disease extent.

Conclusions

Serum Chromogranin A correlates with disease extent in NF-PNET, and is useful for surveillance after resection of NF-PNET.