bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Second magnetization peak, anomalous field penetration, and Josephson vortices in KCa$$_2$$Fe$$_4$$As$$_4$$F$$_2$$ bilayer pnictide superconductor
Authors: Lopes P. V. , Sundar Shyam , Salem-Sugui S. , Hong Wenshan , Luo Huiqian , Ghivelder L.
Published: November 2022

We performed magnetization measurements in a single crystal of the anisotropic bilayer pnictide superconductor KCa$$_2$$

2

Fe$$_4$$

4

As$$_4$$

4

F$$_2$$

2

, with $$T_c\;$$

T
c

$$\simeq$$
≃
34 K, for $$H$$
H
$$\parallel$$
‖
$$c$$
c
-axis and $$H$$
H
$$\parallel$$
‖
$$ab$$

ab

-planes. A second magnetization peak (SMP) was observed in the isothermal M(H) curves measured below 16 K for $$H$$
H
$$\parallel$$
‖
$$ab$$

ab

-planes. A peak in the temperature variation of the critical current density, $$J_{c}$$

J
c

(T), at 16 K, strongly suggests the emergence of Josephson vortices at lower temperatures, which leads to the SMP in the sample. In addition, it is noticed that the appearance of Josephson vortices below 16 K renders easy magnetic flux penetration. A detailed vortex dynamics study suggests that the SMP can be explained in terms of elastic pinning to plastic pinning crossover. Furthermore, contrary to the common understanding, the temperature variation of the first peak field, $$H_1$$

H
1

, below and above 16 K, behaves non-monotonically. A highly disordered vortex phase, governed by plastic pinning, has been observed between 17 and 23 K, within a field region around an extremely large first peak field. Pinning force scaling suggests that the point defects are the dominant source of pinning for H$$\parallel$$
‖
$$ab$$

ab

-planes, whereas, for H $$\parallel$$
‖
$$c$$
c
-axis, point defects in addition to surface defects are at play. Such disorder contributes to the pinning due to the variation in charge carrier mean free path, $$\delta l$$

δ
l

-pinning. Moreover, the large $$J_c$$

J
c

observed in our study is consistent with the literature, which advocates this material for high magnetic field applications.
The effects of ultrasonic cavitation on the dissolution of lithium disilicate glass
Authors: Dillinger Ben , Suchicital Carlos , Clark David
Published: November 2022

There has been little research conducted on how ultrasonic cavitation may affect glass dissolution. The focus of this study was to examine how the mechanisms and kinetics of glass dissolution may change in a system that included ultrasonication. Experiments were conducted on lithium disilicate glass in deionized water at 50 °C between 1 and 7.5 h. Results showed that the erosion from ultrasonication affected the kinetics of glass dissolution. Samples with erosion had 2–3 × more dissolution compared to samples without erosion. The change in dissolution was thought to be partly caused by an increase in the surface area of the sample to volume of solution (SA/V) ratio due to the roughening of the surface and release of particulates and a reduction in the size of the depleted layer due to erosion. Stereoscopic 3D reconstruction of eroded samples was used to calculate the increase in surface area due to erosion. Type 2 surface areas (exfoliation mixed with normal leaching) were roughly 3–6% greater while Type 3 surface areas (heavy roughening of surface) were roughly 29–35% greater than the surfaces areas from Type 1 surfaces (normal leaching).
Understanding the dynamics of fluid–structure interaction with an Air Deflected Microfluidic Chip (ADMC)
Authors: Pas Chad ten , Du Ke , Pan Long , Wang Ruo-Qian , Xu Shiyou
Published: November 2022

A deformable microfluidic system and a fluidic dynamic model have been successfully coupled to understand the dynamic fluid–structure interaction in transient flow, designed to understand the dentine hypersensitivity caused by hydrodynamic theory. The Polydimethylsiloxane thin sidewalls of the microfluidic chip are deformed with air pressure ranging from 50 to 500 mbar to move the liquid meniscus in the central liquid channel. The experiments show that the meniscus sharply increased in the first 10th of second and the increase is nonlinearly proportional to the applied pressure. A theoretical model is developed based on the unsteady Bernoulli equation and can well predict the ending point of the liquid displacement as well as the dynamics process, regardless of the wall thickness. Moreover, an overshooting and oscillation phenomenon is observed by reducing the head loss coefficient by a few orders which could be the key to explain the dentine hypersensitivity caused by the liquid movement in the dentine tubules.
Transcriptomic profiling of calcified aortic valves in clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential carriers
Authors: Vieceli Dalla Sega Francesco , Palumbo Domenico , Fortini Francesca , D’Agostino Ylenia , Cimaglia Paolo , Marracino Luisa , Severi Paolo , Strianese Oriana , Tarallo Roberta , Nassa Giovanni , Giurato Giorgio , Pecoraro Giovanni , Caglioni Serena , Mikus Elisa , Albertini Alberto , Campo Gianluca , Ferrari Roberto , Rizzo Paola , Weisz Alessandro , Rizzo Francesca
Published: November 2022

Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is characterized by the presence of clones of mutated blood cells without overt blood diseases. In the last few years, it has emerged that CHIP is associated with atherosclerosis and coronary calcification and that it is an independent determinant of cardiovascular mortality. Recently, CHIP has been found to occur frequently in patients with calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and it is associated with a poor prognosis after valve replacement. We assessed the frequency of CHIP by DNA sequencing in the blood cells of 168 CAVD patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation and investigated the effect of CHIP on 12 months survival. To investigate the pathological process of CAVD in CHIP carriers, we compared by RNA-Seq the aortic valve transcriptome of patients with or without CHIP and non-calcific controls. Transcriptomics data were validated by immunohistochemistry on formalin-embedded aortic valve samples. We confirm that CHIP is common in CAVD patients and that its presence is associated with higher mortality following valve replacement. Additionally, we show, for the first time, that CHIP is often accompanied by a broad cellular and humoral immune response in the explanted aortic valve. Our results suggest that an excessive inflammatory response in CHIP patients may be related to the onset and/or progression of CAVD and point to B cells as possible new effectors of CHIP-induced inflammation.
Treatment of Escherichia coli contaminated water with different pulse-powered NTP configurations and analysis for post treatment efficacy
Authors: Kalakonda Sai Pavan , Parameswarreddy Gandluri , Skariah Emil Ninan , George Benu , Suchithra T. V. , Sindhu T. K.
Published: November 2022

A cost-effective and energy efficient method for water sterilization is a challenging demand in the present scenario where scarcity of pure water is rising. Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) finds promising applications in environmental processes and has advantages over conventional water treatment methods. Escherichia coli contaminated water treatment using multiple pin plasma reactor and atmospheric pressure plasma jet reactor was undertaken in this work. High voltage pulsed power was used for generating non-thermal plasma in these reactors and various configurations were tested for treating the contaminated water. The most feasible configuration among these was identified from the treatment efficiency and survival rate plots of E. coli colonies. It was observed that with an exposure of 15 min NTP, 100 percent bacterial removal was achieved using plasma jet reactor configuration. The presence of bacteria after NTP-treated time was also checked and confirmed for complete removal of bacteria. An optimum time of 15 min plasma exposure for 100 ml was found to be effective for complete removal of microorganisms and the sterility was maintained up to 60 min after the treatment. Non-thermal plasma-based treatment of bacteria-contaminated water is found to be promising and could be considered for scale-up and analysis.
A deep learning model based on whole slide images to predict disease-free survival in cutaneous melanoma patients
Authors: Comes Maria Colomba , Fucci Livia , Mele Fabio , Bove Samantha , Cristofaro Cristian , De Risi Ivana , Fanizzi Annarita , Milella Martina , Strippoli Sabino , Zito Alfredo , Guida Michele , Massafra Raffaella
Published: November 2022

The application of deep learning on whole-slide histological images (WSIs) can reveal insights for clinical and basic tumor science investigations. Finding quantitative imaging biomarkers from WSIs directly for the prediction of disease-free survival (DFS) in stage I–III melanoma patients is crucial to optimize patient management. In this study, we designed a deep learning-based model with the aim of learning prognostic biomarkers from WSIs to predict 1-year DFS in cutaneous melanoma patients. First, WSIs referred to a cohort of 43 patients (31 DF cases, 12 non-DF cases) from the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium Cutaneous Melanoma (CPTAC-CM) public database were firstly annotated by our expert pathologists and then automatically split into crops, which were later employed to train and validate the proposed model using a fivefold cross-validation scheme for 5 rounds. Then, the model was further validated on WSIs related to an independent test, i.e. a validation cohort of 11 melanoma patients (8 DF cases, 3 non-DF cases), whose data were collected from Istituto Tumori ‘Giovanni Paolo II’ in Bari, Italy. The quantitative imaging biomarkers extracted by the proposed model showed prognostic power, achieving a median AUC value of 69.5% and a median accuracy of 72.7% on the public cohort of patients. These results remained comparable on the validation cohort of patients with an AUC value of 66.7% and an accuracy value of 72.7%, respectively. This work is contributing to the recently undertaken investigation on how treat features extracted from raw WSIs to fulfil prognostic tasks involving melanoma patients. The promising results make this study as a valuable basis for future research investigation on wider cohorts of patients referred to our Institute.
The impact of social motivation on the other-race effect under high and low social status
Authors: Fan Gaixia , Wang Yuetan , Yue Yonglei , Lei Jin , Zhang Peng , Ding Xiaobin
Published: November 2022

The other-race effect refers to the phenomenon in which the chance of individuals misidentifying faces from other races more than their own race is significantly higher. This study explored the effect of motivation on the other-race effect by manipulating the social status of faces. The results showed that: (1) compared to other-race faces with low social status, when individuals' perceptions of the social status of other-race faces increased, individuals' recognition scores for high social status other-race faces increased, and the other-race effect disappeared, and (2) when individuals' perceptions of the social status of other-race faces decreased, there was no significant difference in individuals' recognition scores of other-race faces, of either high or low social status. These findings suggest that motivation has a significant impact on the other-race effect.
Monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio is significantly associated with positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube and adult survival: an observational study
Authors: Hua Hai-bo , Wang Hui-jie
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to find significant factors associated with tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease development. The participants were from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and National Death Index (NDI). The tuberculosis infection was defined as a positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold-In-Tube (QFT-GIT). The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) model was used to screen variables associated with QFT-GIT among 23 laboratory measures. Then the logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the independent factors, followed by a comprehensive nomogram model construction. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Decision Curve (DCA) analyses were used to assess the performance of comprehensive model on QFT-GIT result and death risk. Of 5256 individuals included, 521 individuals had positive QFT-GIT. LASSO analysis indicated that 11 variables were associated with QFT-GIT result, and logistic regression analyses further found sodium and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were independent factors. After adjusting for potential confounders, the correlation of sodium and MLR with QFT-GIT result was still observed. The comprehensive model based on sodium, MLR, and important clinical characteristics can predict 0.8 probability of positive QFT-GIT and achieve more clinical net benefit. ROC analysis by training and validation sets showed the favorable prediction performance. Comprehensive model also presented favorable performance in evaluating the death risk of individuals with positive QFT-GIT. We also found MLR rather than sodium was independently related to the death risk. Both MLR itself and comprehensive model were all significantly related to the positive QFT-GIT and death risk, which might participate in the initiation and progression of tuberculosis infection.
Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants following mRNA booster vaccination in adults older than 65 years
Authors: Durier Christine , Ninove Laetitia , Lefebvre Maeva , Radenne Anne , Desaint Corinne , Ropers Jacques , Bauer Rebecca , Lebbah Said , Carette Diane , Lachatre Marie , Lecompte Anne-Sophie , Deplanque Dominique , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth , Conrad Anne , Dussol Bertrand , Maakaroun-Vermesse Zoha , Melica Giovanna , Nicolas Jean-François , Verdon Renaud , Kiladjian Jacques , Loubet Paul , Schmidt-Mutter Catherine , Dualé Christian , Ansart Séverine , Priet Stéphane , Levier Axel , Molino Diana , Vieillard Louis-Victorien , Parfait Béatrice , Lelièvre Jean-Daniel , Tartour Eric , de Lamballerie Xavier , Launay Odile ,   ANRS0002S CoviCompareP Group,   Study sites,   Biological resource centers, Mchantaf Gilbert , Imbert-Marcille Berthe-Marie , Montagne Samantha , Ghaleh-Marzban Bijan , Traverse-Glehen Alexandra , Vivien Denis , Cassinat Bruno , Evrard Alexandre , Metzger Catherine , Lessinger Jean-Marc , Billing Michel , Berger Marc , Leroyer Christophe ,   Laboratories, Tartour Eric , Appay Victor , Batteux Frédéric , Combadière Béhazine , Gorochov Guy , Paul Stéphane , Van Der Werf Sylvie , Eberhardt Christiane S. , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Cogné Michel , Pellegrin Isabelle , Eloit Marc ,   Trial coordination, Netzer Emmanuelle , Resch Martine , Saouzanet Marine , Meyer Laurence , Bonneton Marion ,   Sponsor, Tardieu Raphaelle , Le Mestre Soizic , Jancrey-Laval Solange , Petrov-Sanchez Ventzislava , Rosenthal Eric , Yazdanpanah Yazdan ,   Scientific Committee, Olive Daniel , Tardieu Raphaelle , Petrov-Sanchez Ventzislava , Bouakane Amel , Rieux Veronique , Madelaine Claire , Lemestre Soizic , Diallo Alpha , Lancrey-Javal Solange , Meyer Laurence , Netzer Emmanuelle , Saouzanet Marine ,   AP-HP CoviCompareM Group,   Study sites, Valour Florent , Dussol Bertrand , Melica Giovanna ,   Biological resource centers, Mchantaf Gilbert , Hisbergues Michael , Bertholon Frédérique , Icard Vinca , de Sandre-Giovannoli Annachiara , Ghaleh-Marzban Bijan ,   Laboratories, Appay Victor , Batteux Frédéric , Combadière Béhazine , Gorochov Guy , Paul Stéphane , Van Der Werf Sylvie , Eberhardt Christiane S. , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Cogné Michel ,   Trial coordination, Dropy Margot , Bouchama Fatiha , Thamri Mehdi , Lebbah Saïd , Bonneton Marion ,   Sponsor, Azimi Shorheh ,   Scientific Committee, Parfait Beatrice , Appay Victor , Batteux Frédéric , Combadière Béhazine , Gorochov Guy , Paul Stéphane , Van Der Werf Sylvie , Siegrist Claire-Anne , Cogné Michel , Valour Florent
Published: November 2022

Immune response induced by COVID-19 vaccine booster against delta and omicron variants was assessed in 65 adults (65–84 years old) early aftesr a first booster dose. An increase in SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies was shown in individuals not previously infected without evidence of an age-related effect, with lower increase in those infected before a single dose of primary vaccination. Of note, humoral response was observed only starting from the 5th day after the boost.
Tumor-infiltrating immune cell status predicts successful response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Kazama Akira , Bilim Vladimir , Tasaki Masayuki , Anraku Tsutomu , Kuroki Hiroo , Shirono Yuko , Murata Masaki , Hiruma Kaede , Tomita Yoshihiko
Published: November 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have dramatically changed the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Although many studies have reported biomarkers as predicting the efficacy of ICI in mRCC, they remain controversial and have challenges to apply in real-world practice. We evaluated prognostic significance of multiple molecules associated with tumor immunity in patients treated with ICI. The molecules were detected in tumor tissues by immunohistochemical staining. We identified CD8-positive T cells and CD68-positive macrophages infiltrating into the tumor tissue as significant favorable prognostic factors for ICI treatment. Conversely, high expression of CD4-positive T cells was associated with poor response to ICI. Furthermore, we demonstrated that scoring for the expression status of these three molecules provides a remarkably accurate biomarker in patients with mRCC. Even the classical approach of immunohistochemistry could predict the outcome of ICI treatment by assessing the combined status of tumor-infiltrating immune cells.
Evaluating the potential of suburban and rural areas for tourism and recreation, including individual short-term tourism under pandemic conditions
Authors: Bielska Anna , Borkowski Andrzej Szymon , Czarnecka Adrianna , Delnicki Maciej , Kwiatkowska-Malina Jolanta , Piotrkowska Monika
Published: November 2022

Limited mobility and restrictions in social life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic changed people’s recreational behavior and made them seek more contact with nature. As a result, the provision of new recreational spaces in the vicinity of cities gained importance. In conditions of social distancing, rural and suburban areas can be an attractive alternative to individual short-term tourism, satisfying the need for recreation and mental and physical health restoration of urban residents. In the study a methodology for assessing the tourist and recreational potential of the area (METPRET) concerning the recreational behaviors identified in the pandemic was proposed. It includes the Recreational Potential Index (RPI), which comprises four criteria: landscape values and socio-economic conditions; environmental protection; air quality; transportation accessibility. The application of the methodology is exemplified in the Mazovia Voivodeship, Poland. The research allows the determination of characteristics that potential recreation areas should have under pandemic conditions. The RPI makes it possible to select new rural and suburban areas attractive for short-term tourism. Designating additional recreational areas may contribute to the dispersion of users in existing green areas in cities, which is particularly important during a pandemic.
Identification of molecular classification and gene signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy response in HNSCC using cell differentiation trajectories
Authors: Yin Ji , Zheng Sihan , He Xinling , Huang Yanlin , Hu Lanxin , Qin Fengfeng , Zhong Lunkun , Li Sen , Hu Wenjian , Zhu Jiali
Published: November 2022

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy with poor prognosis. This article aims to explore the clinical significance of cell differentiation trajectory in HNSCC, identify different molecular subtypes by consensus clustering analysis, and develop a prognostic risk model on the basis of differentiation-related genes (DRGs) for predicting the prognosis of HNSCC patients. Firstly, cell trajectory analysis was performed on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, four molecular subtypes were identified from bulk RNA-seq data, and the molecular subtypes were predictive of patient survival, clinical features, immune infiltration status, and expression of immune checkpoint genes (ICGs)s. Secondly, we developed a 10-DRG signature for predicting the prognosis of HNSCC patients by using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), differential expression analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Then, a nomogram integrating the risk assessment model and clinical features can successfully predict prognosis with favorable predictive performance and superior accuracy. We projected the response to immunotherapy and the sensitivity of commonly used antitumor drugs between the different groups. Finally, we used the quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and western blot to verify the signature. In conclusion, we identified distinct molecular subtypes by cell differentiation trajectory and constructed a novel signature based on differentially expressed prognostic DRGs, which could predict the prognosis and response to immunotherapy for patients and may provide valuable clinical applications in the treatment of HNSCC.
New method to apply the lumbar lordosis of standing radiographs to supine CT-based virtual 3D lumbar spine models
Authors: Hajnal Benjamin , Eltes Peter Endre , Bereczki Ferenc , Turbucz Mate , Fayad Jennifer , Pokorni Agoston Jakab , Lazary Aron
Published: November 2022

Standing radiographs play an important role in the characterization of spinal sagittal alignment, as they depict the spine under physiologic loading conditions. However, there is no commonly available method to apply the lumbar lordosis of standing radiographs to supine CT-based virtual 3D models of the lumbar spine. We aimed to develop a method for the sagittal rigid-body registration of vertebrae to standing radiographs, using the exact geometry reconstructed from CT-data. In a cohort of 50 patients with monosegmental spinal degeneration, segmentation and registration of the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum were performed by two independent investigators. Intersegmental angles and lumbar lordosis were measured both in CT scans and radiographs. Vertebrae were registered using the X-ray module of Materialise Mimics software. Postregistrational midsagittal sections were constructed of the sagittal midplane sections of the registered 3D lumbar spine geometries. Mean Hausdorff distance was measured between corresponding registered vertebral geometries. The registration process minimized the difference between the X-rays’ and postregistrational midsagittal sections’ lordoses. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was excellent based on angle and mean Hausdorff distance measurements. We propose an accessible, accurate, and reproducible method for creating patient-specific 3D geometries of the lumbar spine that accurately represent spinal sagittal alignment in the standing position.
The effects of passive and active administration of heroin, and associated conditioned stimuli, on consolidation of object memory
Authors: Francis Travis , Wolter Michael , Leri Francesco
Published: November 2022

Mode of administration (i.e., active vs passive) could influence the modulatory action that drugs of abuse exert on memory consolidation. Similarly, drug conditioned stimuli modulate memory consolidation and, therefore, acquisition and extinction of this conditioned response could also be influenced by mode of drug administration. Exploring these questions in male Sprague–Dawley rats, Study 1 assessed memory modulation by post-training 0, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg heroin injected subcutaneously in operant chambers (i.e., drug conditioned context). Study 2 asked a similar question but in rats trained to self-administer 0.05 mg/kg/infusion heroin intravenously, as well as in rats that received identical amounts of intravenous heroin but passively, using a yoked design. The period of heroin exposure was followed by repeated drug-free confinement in the conditioned context, and by sessions during which responses on the active lever had no scheduled consequences. Study 2 also included a cue-induced reinstatement session during which lever responses reactivated a light cue previously paired with intravenous heroin infusions. The post-training effects of injected/self-administered/yoked heroin, extinction and reinstatement sessions on memory consolidation were tested using the object location memory task. It was found that post-sample heroin enhanced memory in injected and yoked, but not self-administering, rats. However, post-sample exposure to the heroin cues (i.e., context or/and light cue) modulated memory equally in all groups. Taken together, these data support the conclusion that mode of administration impacts the cognitive consequences of exposure to drugs but not of environmental stimuli linked to their reinforcing effects.
Experimental and numerical investigations of arc plasma expansion in an industrial vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process
Authors: Karimi-Sibaki Ebrahim , Peyha Mario , Vakhrushev Alexander , Wu Menghuai , Ludwig Andreas , Bohacek Jan , Preiss Bernhard , Kharicha Abdellah
Published: November 2022

In the present study, we investigate arc plasma expansion in an industrial vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process using experimental and numerical tools. Stainless steel is the alloy of interest for the electrode (cathode) and ingot (anode). During the operation of the VAR process, behaviors of cathode spots and plasma arc were captured using the high-speed camera (Phantom v2512). We found that spots prefer to onset and remain within the partially melted surface at the center of the electrode tip. Existing spots outside the melting zone accelerate toward the edge of the electrode to extinguish. We observed a fairly symmetrical and centric plasma column during the operation. For further investigation of the observed arc column in our experiment, we used the two-fluid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model of plasma proposed by Braginskii. Thus, we modeled the arc column as a mixture of two continuous interpenetrating compressible fluids involving ions and electrons. Through numerical simulations, we calculated plasma parameters such as number density of ions/electrons, electric current density, flow of ions/electrons, temperature of ions/electrons, and light intensity for the observed arc column in our experiment. The calculated light intensity of plasma was compared with images captured by the camera to verify the model. The distribution of electric current density along the surface of the anode, namely ingot, is a decisive parameter that impacts the quality of the final product (ingot) in VAR process. Herein, we confirm that the traditionally used Gaussian distribution of electric current density along the surface of the ingot is viable.
Intrapersonal synchrony analysis reveals a weaker temporal coherence between gaze and gestures in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bloch Carola , Tepest Ralf , Jording Mathis , Vogeley Kai , Falter-Wagner Christine M.
Published: November 2022

The temporal encoding of nonverbal signals within individuals, referred to as intrapersonal synchrony (IaPS), is an implicit process and essential feature of human communication. Based on existing evidence, IaPS is thought to be a marker of nonverbal behavior characteristics in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but there is a lack of empirical evidence. The aim of this study was to quantify IaPS in adults during an experimentally controlled real-life interaction task. A sample of adults with a confirmed ASD diagnosis and a matched sample of typically-developed adults were tested (N = 48). Participants were required to indicate the appearance of a target invisible to their interaction partner nonverbally through gaze and pointing gestures. Special eye-tracking software allowed automated extraction of temporal delays between nonverbal signals and their intrapersonal variability with millisecond temporal resolution as indices for IaPS. Likelihood ratio tests of multilevel models showed enlarged delays between nonverbal signals in ASD. Larger delays were associated with greater intrapersonal variability in delays. The results provide a quantitative constraint on nonverbal temporality in typically-developed adults and suggest weaker temporal coherence between nonverbal signals in adults with ASD. The results provide a potential diagnostic marker and inspire predictive coding theories about the role of IaPS in interpersonal synchronization processes.
Mass cytometry reveals cladribine-induced resets among innate lymphoid cells in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Aglas-Leitner F. T. , Juillard P. , Juillard A. , Byrne S. N. , Hawke S. , Grau G. E. , Marsh-Wakefield F.
Published: November 2022

Here we present a comprehensive mass cytometry analysis of peripheral innate lymphoid cell (ILC) subsets in relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS) patients prior to and after onset of cladribine tablets (CladT). ILC analysis was conducted on CyTOF data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of MS patients before, 2 and 6 months after onset of CladT, and non-MS controls. Dimensionality reduction was used for immunophenotyping ILC subsets. CladT reduced all ILC subsets, except for CD56bright NK cells and ILC2. Furthermore, CD38+ NK cell and CCR6+ ILC3 were excluded from CladT-induced immune cell reductions. Post-CladT replenishment by immature ILC was noted by increased CD5+ ILC1 proportions at 2 months, and boosted CD38−CD56bright NK cell numbers at 6 months. CladT induce immune cell depletion among ILC but exclude CD56bright NK cells and ILC2 subsets, as well as CD38+ NK cell and CCR6+ ILC3 immunophenotypes. Post-CladT ILC expansions indicate ILC reconstitution towards a more tolerant immune system phenotype.
Through history to growth dynamics: deciphering the evolution of spatial networks
Authors: Żukowski Stanisław , Morawiecki Piotr , Seybold Hansjörg , Szymczak Piotr
Published: November 2022

Many ramified, network-like patterns in nature, such as river networks or blood vessels, form as a result of unstable growth of moving boundaries in an external diffusive field. Here, we pose the inverse problem for the network growth—can the growth dynamics be inferred from the analysis of the final pattern? We show that by evolving the network backward in time one can not only reconstruct the growth rules but also get an insight into the conditions under which branch splitting occurs. Determining the growth rules from a single snapshot in time is particularly important for growth processes so slow that they cannot be directly observed, such as growth of river networks and deltas or cave passages. We apply this approach to analyze the growth of a real river network in Vermont, USA. We determine its growth rule and argue that branch splitting events are triggered by an increase in the tip growth velocity.
Propagation of intense laser pulses in plasma with a prepared phase-space distribution
Authors: Gupta Devki N. , Yoffe Samuel R. , Jain Arohi , Ersfeld Bernhard , Jaroszynski Dino A.
Published: November 2022

Optimizing the laser wakefield accelerator (LWFA) requires control of the intense driving laser pulse and its stable propagation. This is usually challenging because of mode mismatching arising from relativistic self-focusing, which invariably alters the velocity and shape of the laser pulse. Here we show how an intense pre-pulse can prepare the momentum/density phase-space distribution of plasma electrons encountered by a trailing laser pulse to control its propagation. This can also be used to minimize the evolution of the wakefield thus enhancing the stability of the LWFA, which is important for applications.
Inflammatory bowel disease-specific findings are common morphological changes in the ileal pouch with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Toritani Kenichiro , Kimura Hideaki , Otani Masako , Fukuoka Hironori , Kunisaki Reiko , Watanabe Jun , Ishibe Atsushi , Misumi Toshihiro , Inayama Yoshiaki , Endo Itaru
Published: November 2022

Why inflammation is common in ileal pouches with ulcerative colitis (UC) is unclear. We therefore clarified the morphological changes in pouches and afferent limbs (AL) of patients with UC and explored the relationship between these findings. We evaluated the morphological findings (histological and endoscopic inflammation as the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index [PDAI] histology subscore [hPDAI] and endoscopy subscore [ePDAI], inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]-specific findings using the IBD score [SIBD], colonic metaplasia using the colonic metaplasia score [CMS], and goblet cell [GC] ratio) in the pouch and AL of patients with UC. A total of 261 pouchoscopies were analyzed. The pouch body had a higher hPDAI (p < 0.001), SIBD (p < 0.001), CMS (p < 0.001), GC ratio (p < 0.001), and ePDAI (p < 0.001) than the AL. The hPDAI was correlated with the SIBD (Spearman’s coefficient r = 0.538; p < 0.001), CMS (r = 0.687; p < 0.001), and the ePDAI (r = 0.552; p < 0.001), but not with GC ratio (r = 0.175; p < 0.001) or the pouch usage duration (r = −0.057; p = 0.107). The incidence of histological inflammation was higher in specimens showing basal plasmacytosis with severe mononuclear cell infiltration (BP) than in those without BP (odds ratio [OR] 6.790, p < 0.001), BP was commonly found with crypt hyperplasia (OR 3.414, p < 0.001) and the crypt length correlated with neutrophil infiltration (r = 0.469; p < 0.001). Histological inflammation, colonic metaplasia, the GC ratio, endoscopic inflammation, and IBD-specific findings were commonly present in the pouch than in the AL. Histological inflammation occurs with IBD-specific findings and colonic metaplasia, and these signify endoscopic inflammation.
Local-scale feedbacks influencing cold-water coral growth and subsequent reef formation
Authors: Corbera Guillem , Lo Iacono Claudio , Simarro Gonzalo , Grinyó Jordi , Ambroso Stefano , Huvenne Veerle A. I. , Mienis Furu , Carreiro-Silva Marina , Martins Inês , Mano Beatriz , Orejas Covadonga , Larsson Ann , Hennige Sebastian , Gori Andrea
Published: November 2022

Despite cold-water coral (CWC) reefs being considered biodiversity hotspots, very little is known about the main processes driving their morphological development. Indeed, there is a considerable knowledge gap in quantitative experimental studies that help understand the interaction between reef morphology, near-bed hydrodynamics, coral growth, and (food) particle transport processes. In the present study, we performed a 2-month long flume experiment in which living coral nubbins were placed on a reef patch to determine the effect of a unidirectional flow on the growth and physiological condition of Lophelia pertusa. Measurements revealed how the presence of coral framework increased current speed and turbulence above the frontal part of the reef patch, while conditions immediately behind it were characterised by an almost stagnant flow and reduced turbulence. Owing to the higher current speeds that likely promoted a higher food encounter rate and intake of ions involved in the calcification process, the coral nubbins located on the upstream part of the reef presented a significantly enhanced average growth and a lower expression of stress-related enzymes than the downstream ones. Yet, further experiments would be needed to fully quantify how the variations in water hydrodynamics modify particle encounter and ion intake rates by coral nubbins located in different parts of a reef, and how such discrepancies may ultimately affect coral growth. Nonetheless, the results acquired here denote that a reef influenced by a unidirectional water flow would grow into the current: a pattern of reef development that coincides with that of actual coral reefs located in similar water flow settings. Ultimately, the results of this study suggest that at the local scale coral reef morphology has a direct effect on coral growth thus, indicating that the spatial patterns of living CWC colonies in reef patches are the result of spatial self-organisation.
The effect of scalable PDMS gas-entrapping microstructures on the dynamics of a single cavitation bubble
Authors: Robles Vicente , Gonzalez-Parra Juan Carlos , Cuando-Espitia Natanael , Aguilar Guillermo
Published: November 2022

The effect of gas-entrapping polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructures on the dynamics of cavitation bubbles laser-induced next to the PDMS surface is investigated and compared against the cavitation dynamics next to a flat smooth boundary. Local pressure gradients produced by a cavitation bubble cause the air pockets entrapped in the PDMS microstructures to expand and oscillate, leading to a repulsion of the cavitation bubble. The microstructures were fabricated as boxed crevices via a simple and scalable laser ablation technique on cast acrylic, allowing for testing of variable structure sizes and reusable molds. The bubble dynamics were observed using high speed photography and the surrounding flows were visualized and quantified using particle tracking velocimetry. Smaller entrapped air pockets showed an enhanced ability to withstand deactivation at three stand-off distances and over 50 subsequent cavitation events. This investigation provides insight into the potential to direct the collapse of a cavitation bubble away from a surface to mitigate erosion or to enhance microfluidic mixing in low Reynolds number flows.
Learning mitigates genetic drift
Authors: Lenart Peter , Bienertová-Vašků Julie , Berec Luděk
Published: November 2022

Genetic drift is a basic evolutionary principle describing random changes in allelic frequencies, with far-reaching consequences in various topics ranging from species conservation efforts to speciation. The conventional approach assumes that genetic drift has the same effect on all populations undergoing the same changes in size, regardless of different non-reproductive behaviors and history of the populations. However, here we reason that processes leading to a systematic increase of individuals` chances of survival, such as learning or immunological memory, can mitigate loss of genetic diversity caused by genetic drift even if the overall mortality rate in the population does not change. We further test this notion in an agent-based model with overlapping generations, monitoring allele numbers in a population of prey, either able or not able to learn from successfully escaping predators’ attacks. Importantly, both these populations start with the same effective size and have the same and constant overall mortality rates. Our results demonstrate that even under these conditions, learning can mitigate loss of genetic diversity caused by drift, by creating a pool of harder-to-die individuals that protect alleles they carry from extinction. Furthermore, this effect holds regardless if the population is haploid or diploid or whether it reproduces sexually or asexually. These findings may be of importance not only for basic evolutionary theory but also for other fields using the concept of genetic drift.
The association between weight-adjusted-waist index and abdominal aortic calcification in adults aged ≥ 40 years: results from NHANES 2013–2014
Authors: Qin Zheng , Du Dongru , Li Yupei , Chang Kaixi , Yang Qinbo , Zhang Zhuyun , Liao Ruoxi , Su Baihai
Published: November 2022

The negative effects of obesity on the cardiovascular health have drawn much attention. Weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) has been proved to reflect weight-independent centripetal obesity. However, the association between WWI and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) has not been reported before. Using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014, we aimed to determine the relationship of WWI and AAC in adults aged ≥ 40 years. WWI was determined by dividing waist circumference by the square root of weight. AAC was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantified by Kauppila scores. Severe AAC (SAAC) was defined as an AAC score > 6. We utilized weighed multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive model to explore the independent association between WWI and AAC. Threshold effects were further calculated by two-piecewise linear regression model. 3082 participants were enrolled in our analysis, of which 48.2% were male. WWI was positively associated with AAC scores (β = 0.34, 95% CI 0.05–0.63) and exhibited a nonlinear relationship with SAAC. On the left of the breakpoint (WWI = 11.11), WWI and SAAC were positively associated (OR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.40–5.84), while no such relationship was found on the right (OR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.77–1.48). Our findings indicated that WWI may serve as a simple biomarker of AAC in US adults aged ≥ 40 years.
Frequency control of the islanded microgrid including energy storage using soft computing
Authors: Dashtdar Masoud , Flah Aymen , Hosseinimoghadam Seyed Mohammad Sadegh , El-Fergany Attia
Published: November 2022

Today, with the increasing penetration of microgrids, the degree of complexity and non-linearity of power systems has increased, causing conventional and inflexible controllers not to perform well in a wide range of operating points. In this paper, a self-tuning proportional-integral (PI)-controller based on a soft computation of a combination of genetic algorithm (GA) and artificial neural network (ANN). The GA-ANN is used to control the frequency of a microgrid in an island mode to automatically adjust and optimize the coefficients of a PI-controller. The proposed PI-controller is located in the frequency control secondary loop of an island microgrid. Since the ANN is a local search algorithm and can be located in local minimum points and on the other hand improving its performance requires a lot of training data. The ANN parameters are optimized using the GA algorithm's proposed controller. Train ANN online to adapt to the system and change the PI-control coefficients without a lot of training data, in addition to avoiding being in the local minimum points.The microgrid tested included various distributed generation units including battery energy storage that tried to create a more realistic frequency response for the microgrid by considering nonlinear factors on the model of these resources. Finally, the simulation results with different perturbations indicate the proper performance of the proposed controller.
Radiography using cosmic-ray electromagnetic showers and its application in hydrology
Authors: Taketa A. , Nishiyama R. , Yamamoto K. , Iguchi M.
Published: November 2022

In-situ measurements of soil water content provide important constraints on local/global hydrology. We demonstrate that the attenuation of the underground flux of cosmic-ray electromagnetic (EM) particles can be used to monitor the variation of soil water content after rainfalls. We developed a detection system that preferably selects EM particles by considering the coincidence of distant plastic scintillators. The calibration test beneath the water pool revealed that the count rate decreased by 0.6–0.7% with a 1 cm increase in the water level. The field measurement performed in the horizontal tunnel showed that the count rate dropped according to 48-h precipitation, after correcting the effects originating from atmospheric and water vapour pressures. These characteristics were confirmed using dedicated Monte Carlo simulations. This new method is called cosmic electromagnetic particle (CEMP) radiography.
Statistical evaluation of testing conditions on the saturated hydraulic conductivity of Brazilian lateritic soils using artificial intelligence approaches
Authors: dos Ramos Souza Weber Anselmo , dos Santos Pereira Sávio Aparecido , Mendes Thiago Augusto , Costa Rafaella Fonseca , de Farias Neves Gitirana Junior Gilson , Rebolledo Juan Félix Rodríguez
Published: November 2022

The saturated hydraulic conductivity, ksat, is a crucial variable to describe the hydromechanical behavior of soils. The value of ksat of lateritic soils that are typically found in tropical regions is highly affected by the soil’s structure, void ratio, and fine particle aggregation. As a result, the determination of ksat in the field or in the laboratory is complex and involves greater variability, depending on the type of test and on the spatial location of sampling. This paper presents a study of ksat values of lateritic soils, analyzing them using Statistic, Multilayer Perceptron Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Decision Trees (CHAID). This study aims to support decision-making regarding the type of test and depth chosen for sampling in laterite soils and understanding the factors influencing the permeability of such soils. An extensive literature review on the ksat values of lateritic soils was performed, providing data for the establishment of a database comprise of 722 registries. According to agronomic and geotechnical soil classifications, the Brazilian lateritic soils presents a “moderate” hydraulic conductivity. A significant variation of permeability values along the depth was identified, particularly for depths between 0.1 and 0.2 m. Regarding the importance of testing variables, the ANN indicated a high dependency on the type of test. The decision tree divided field test and laboratory test automatically, inferring the relevance of the type of test to the determination of ksat.
A cost-utility analysis between decompression only and fusion surgery for elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and sagittal imbalance
Authors: Won Young Il , Kim Chi Heon , Park Hee-Pyoung , Chung Sun Gun , Yuh Woon Tak , Kwon Shin Won , Yang Seung Heon , Lee Chang-Hyun , Choi Yunhee , Park Sung Bae , Rhee John M. , Kim Kyoung-Tae , Chung Chun Kee
Published: November 2022

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and sagittal imbalance are relatively common in elderly patients. Although the goals of surgery include both functional and radiological improvements, the criteria of correction may be too strict for elderly patients. If the main symptom of patients is not forward-stooping but neurogenic claudication or pain, lumbar decompression without adding fusion procedure may be a surgical option. We performed cost-utility analysis between lumbar decompression and lumbar fusion surgery for those patients. Elderly patients (age > 60 years) who underwent 1–2 levels lumbar fusion surgery (F-group, n = 31) or decompression surgery (D-group, n = 40) for LSS with sagittal imbalance (C7 sagittal vertical axis, C7-SVA > 40 mm) with follow-up ≥ 2 years were included. Clinical outcomes (Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimensions, EQ-5D; Oswestry Disability Index, ODI; numerical rating score of pain on the back and leg, NRS-B and NRS-L) and radiological parameters (C7-SVA; lumbar lordosis, LL; the difference between pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis, PI-LL; pelvic tilt, PT) were assessed. The quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and incremental cost-effective ratio (ICER) were calculated from a utility score of EQ-5D. Postoperatively, both groups attained clinical and radiological improvement in all parameters, but NRS-L was more improved in the F-group (p = 0.048). ICER of F-group over D-group was 49,833 US dollars/QALY. Cost-effective lumbar decompression may be a recommendable surgical option for certain elderly patients, despite less improvement of leg pain than with fusion surgery.