bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First results of laser-induced desorption - quadrupole mass spectrometry (LID-QMS) at JET
Authors: Zlobinski M. , Sergienko G. , Jepu I. , Rowley C. , Widdowson A. , Ellis R. , Kos D. , Coffey I. , Fortune M. , Kinna D. , Beldishevski M. , Krimmer A. , Lambertz H.T. , Terra A. , Huber A. , Brezinsek S. , Dittmar T. , Flebbe M. , Yi R. , Rayaprolu R. , Figueiredo J. , Blatchford P. , Silburn S. , Tsitrone E. , Joffrin E. , Krieger K. , Corre Y. , Hakola A. , Likonen J. ,   the Eurofusion Tokamak Exploitation Team,   JET Contributors
Published: May 2024

The paper reports the first demonstration of in situ laser-induced desorption — quadrupole mass spectrometry (LID-QMS) application on a large scale fusion device performed in summer 2023. LID-QMS allows direct measurements of the fuel inventory of plasma facing components without retrieving them from the fusion device. The diagnostic desorbs the retained gases by heating a 3 mm diameter spot on the wall using a 1 ms long laser pulse and detects them by QMS. Thus, it can measure the gas content at any wall position accessible to the laser. The successful LID-QMS application in laboratory scale and on medium size fusion devices has now been demonstrated on the larger scale and it is already foreseen as tritium monitor diagnostic in ITER. This in situ diagnostic gives direct access to retention physics on a short timescale instead of campaign-integrated measurements and can assess the space-resolvedefficacy of detritation methods. LID-QMS can be applied on many materials: on Be deposits like in JET, B deposits like in TEXTOR, C based materials or on bulk-W.
Roles of non-axisymmetric perturbations in free drift vertical displacement events on EAST
Authors: Li Haolong , Zhu Ping , Li Hang , Wu Muquan , Zhu Xiang , Luo Jingting
Published: May 2024

The safe operation of most tokamaks, especially the large ones, relies on the feedback control of vertical displacement events (VDEs). However, most of these feedback control systems are based on axisymmetric VDE models. In this study, we use NIMROD simulations to study the role of non-axisymmetric perturbations in free drift vertical displacement events on EAST. The high-n modes in the non-axisymmetric VDE grow first, which drives the formation of high-n magnetic island chains. Subsequently, the magnetic island chains grow and overlap with each other, leading to the destruction of the magnetic flux surface, which induces a minor disruption and accelerates the start of the following major disruption. The magnetic island and the stochastic magnetic field allow the toroidally non-axisymmetric poloidal plasma current to jet towards the hoop force direction, forming finger-like and filamentary structures. Such a plasma current non-axisymmetry strongly depends on the anisotropy in the thermal transport coefficients.
Implications of T loss in first wall armor and structural materials on T-self-sufficiency in future burning fusion devices
Authors: Schmid K. , Schwarz-Selinger T. , Arredondo R. , Theodorou A. , Pomella Lobo T.
Published: May 2024

Future fusion reactors will have to breed enough tritium (T) to sustain continuous operation and to produce excess T to power up other fusion reactors. Therefore, T is a scarce resource that must not be lost inside the fusion power plants systems. The factor that describes the T production is the ‘tritium breeding ratio’ (TBR) which is the ratio of the breading rate in atoms per second to the burn rate in atoms per second. Its value is calculated from neutronics analyses of the breeding process in the blanket and coupled dynamics of the T processing plant. However, these calculations generally ignore the T transport and loss in the first wall by assuming essentially instantaneous recycling of the impinging T in-flux. In this paper the transport and retention of T in the main chamber first wall of a future EU-DEMO reactor is investigated based on the available material data and expected particle loads onto the wall. Two breeding blanket concepts are compared WCLL (water cooled lithium lead) and HCPB (helium cooled pebble bed) and the resulting wall-loss probabilities are compared with a simple balance model that describes the maximum allowable wall loss given a TBR to achieve T-self-sufficiency.
Effects of inter-ELM quasi-coherent modes on the dynamics of pedestal turbulence on HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Wen J. , Shi Z.B. , Zhong W.L. , Zou X.L. , Jiang M. , Ke R. , Xu J.Q. , Chen W. , Yang Z.C. , Liang A.S. , Yu X. , Wu N. , He X.X. , Shi P.W. , Xiao G.L. , Tong R.H. , Yuan B.D. , Zhu Y.R. , Zhang Y.P. , Gao J.M. , Han M.K. , Dong J.Q. , Shen Y. , Ji X.Q.
Published: May 2024

The role of a series of quasi-coherent modes (QCMs) on the turbulence properties has been investigated during Type-III ELMs under HL-2A high confinement mode (H-mode) scenarios. The QCMs are essentially electrostatic and appear during the inter-ELM periods, with a frequency ranging from 20 kHz to 60 kHz. These QCMs are localized in the pedestal region and are related to the saturation of density gradient in the pedestal. Nonlinear couplings between QCMs and ambient turbulence have been observed and also verified through the envelope modulation of turbulence in density by the radial electrical field fluctuation of the modes. The presence of QCMs can increase the radial and poloidal turbulence correlation lengths, thereby modulating the turbulent transport. Experimental results show that QCMs significantly impact pedestal turbulence and transport by increasing the correlation length as well as the decorrelation time of turbulent eddies. The flow shearing rate in pedestal region is also enhanced to a level that surpasses the decorrelation frequency of turbulence, thus, the existence of QCMs has the ability to put off the ELM burst due to relative stronger stabilization of turbulence by sheared flows. The above results have demonstrated that the pedestal dynamics is largely determined by the complex interactions among QCMs, turbulence and the shear flow.
Detection of alpha heating in JET-ILW DT plasmas by a study of the electron temperature response to ICRH modulation
Authors: Mantica P. , Auriemma F. , Casiraghi I. , Gallart D. , Kirov K. , Lerche E. , Salmi A. , Dal Molin A. , Delabie E. , Eriksson J. , Garcia J. , Huynh P. , Jacquet P. , Jonsson T. , Kiptily V. , Litherland–Smith E. , Maggi C.F. , Mantsinen M. , Marcer G. , Maslov M. , Menmuir S. , Nocente M. , Peluso E. , Pucella G. , Rigamonti D. , Stancar Z. , Sun H. , Szepesi G. , Tardocchi M. , Van Eester D. ,   JET Contributors
Published: May 2024

In the JET DTE2 campaign a new method was successfully tested to detect the heating of bulk electrons by α-particles, using the dynamic response of the electron temperature T
e to the modulation of ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). A fundamental deuterium (D) ICRH scheme was applied to a tritium-rich hybrid plasma with D-neutral beam injection (NBI). The modulation of the ion temperature T
i and of the ICRH accelerated deuterons leads to modulated α-heating with a large delay with respect to other modulated electron heating terms. A significant phase delay of ∼40° is measured between central T
e and T
i, which can only be explained by α-particle heating. Integrated modelling using different models for ICRH absorption and ICRH/NBI interaction reproduces the effect qualitatively. Best agreement with experiment is obtained with the European Transport Solver/Heating and Current Drive workflow.
The difference in the uncertainty sources between future projections of mean and extreme precipitation over East Asia
Authors: Juzbašić Ana , Park Changyong , Cha Dong-Hyun , Ahn Joong-Bae , Chang Eun-Chul , Min Seung-Ki , Choi Youngeun , Byun Young-Hwa
Published: May 2024

As the incidence of extreme precipitation events attributable to global climate change increases, providing policymakers with accurate model predictions is of the utmost importance. However, model projections have inherent uncertainties. The present study attempted to distinguish the sources of the uncertainty of the mean and extreme precipitation projections in the East Asia region using the mean boreal summer precipitation, simple precipitation intensity index (SDII), maximum cumulative 5 day precipitation, and annual maximum daily precipitation (Rx1d). The results show that while the mean precipitation was projected to change very little regardless of the scenario, more extreme indices were projected to increase considerably by the end of the century, particularly in the high-emissions scenarios. On average, model uncertainty accounted for the largest part of the uncertainty. However, for Rx1d in the 2030s, as well as mean and SDII in some regions until the 2060s, the internal variability was the largest contributor. In addition, whilst scenario uncertainty accounted for a negligible proportion of average precipitation variability, for the more extreme the precipitation indices, scenario uncertainty contribution to total variability by the end of the century was significant; namely, the scenario uncertainty contribution was overall highest for the maximum one-day precipitation. Additionally, comparatively wetter regions had greater overall projection uncertainties, especially uncertainty arising from internal variability, likely due to the influence of interannual variability from the EA summer monsoon.
Characterizing the multisectoral impacts of future global hydrologic variability
Authors: Birnbaum Abigail , Shabestanipour Ghazal , Zhao Mengqi , Snyder Abigail , Wild Thomas , Lamontagne Jonathan
Published: May 2024

There is significant uncertainty in how global water supply will evolve in the future, due to uncertain climate, socioeconomic, and land use change drivers and variability of hydrologic processes. It is critical to characterize the potential impacts of uncertainty in future water supply given its importance for food and energy production. In this work, we introduce a framework that integrates stochastic hydrology and human-environmental systems to characterize uncertainty in future water supply and its multisector impacts. We develop a global stochastic watershed model and demonstrate that this model can generate a large ensemble of realizations of basin-scale runoff with global coverage that preserves the mean, variance, and spatial correlation of a historical benchmark. We couple this model with a well-known human-environmental systems model to explore the impacts of runoff variability on the water and agricultural sectors across spatial scales. We find that the impacts of future hydrologic variability vary across sectors and regions. Impacts are felt most strongly in the water and agricultural sectors for basins that are expected to have unsustainable water use in the future, such as the Indus River basin. For this basin, we find that the variability in future irrigation water withdrawals and irrigated cropland increase over time due to uncertainty in renewable water supply. We also use the Indus basin to show how our stochastic ensemble can be leveraged to explore the global multisector consequences of local extreme runoff conditions. This work introduces a novel technique to explore the propagation of future hydrologic variability across human and natural systems and spatial scales.
Low-complexity EVM estimation based on artificial neural networks for coherent optical systems
Authors: Jha Dhirendra Kumar , Mishra Jitendra K
Published: May 2024

With continuous growth in modulation formats, the requirement for autonomous devices is becoming more important than ever. Predicting error vector magnitude (EVM) of m-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (mQAM) are intricate issue for the effective design of transmission systems. Existing estimation techniques have survived through repetitive processes that are frequently computationally expensive, and time-consuming. Recently deep learning approaches demonstrated good performance as useful computational tools, offering a different way for accelerating such mQAM simulations. This paper introduces an artificial neural network (ANN) architecture that aims to forecast the EVM of the popular modulation forms including 18 Gbaud 8QAM, 14 Gbaud 16QAM, and 10 Gbaud 64QAM under different transmission conditions. Amplitude histograms (AHs) are produced from constellation diagrams obtained with varying launch power, laser linewidth, OSNR, and transmission distance by an offline preprocessing flow. The fully trained framework exhibits superior performance in terms of computing cost compared to the simulation experiments. The overall execution time of the ANN-based modeling method is approximately 234 s as opposed to more than 23000 s when employing the simulation technique, resulting in a 99% reduction in computation time. As a result, this technology opens the door to quick, all-encompassing techniques for characterizing and analyzing optical fiber problems.
Bismuth sulfide quantum dots-CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals heterojunction for enhanced broadband photodetection
Authors: Lalita  , Yadav Aditya , Sharma Harshit , Gupta Govind , Ahmad Razi , Singh Vidya Nand , Srivastava Ritu
Published: May 2024

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) or quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potential for solution-processable photodetector due to their exceptional optical and electronic properties. However, broadband and sensitive photodetection from single QDs- based devices is quite challenging. Nano-heterojunction with proper band alignment based on two different materials offers significant advantages for developing broadband photodetector. Herein, we report ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) to near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive photodetector based on solution-processed nano-heterojunction of visible light absorber CsPbBr3 perovskite NCs and wide absorption range, environment-friendly Bi2S3 QDs. Our results demonstrate that the CsPbBr3–Bi2S3 nano-heterojunction-based photodetector has higher responsivity (380 μA/W at a wavelength of 532 nm) and higher specific detectivity (1.02 × 105 Jones), as compared to the individual CsPbBr3 or Bi2S3 QDs based devices. Interestingly, the detection wavelength range of our heterojunction device is further extended to the near-infrared region (1064 nm) due to the broadband absorption range of Bi2S3 QDs, which is not observed in the visible light absorber CsPbBr3 devices. Remarkably, the responsivity of the heterojunction device is 90 μA W−1. The enhanced specific detectivity and the broadband response of hybrid devices are attributed to the improved charge carrier generation, efficient charge separation and transfer at the interface between CsPbBr3 and Bi2S3 QDs.
Anne Bradstreet
Authors: Achinstein Sharon
Published: May 2024

Born in Lincolnshire and arriving in Massachusetts on the Puritan flagship Arbella in 1630, Anne Bradstreet (1612–1672) was a writer of three worlds: England, New England, and the hereafter. In her historical writing Bradstreet strives to reconcile these worlds, writing feelingly of earthly existence and eternal destination, her point of view mediating between human contingency and divine certitude. How did this writer, on the edge of the European world, understand the meaning of history, specifically given the settler condition of her Puritanism? Was there a pattern to history? To what extent did God still intervene in human affairs? Were humans types or individuals, instruments or agents? These questions circle around the axis points of grace and predestination that shaped her Puritan outlook, while her life history carried those questions into the experience of human choice and colonial activity. Bradstreet, it is argued here, viewed her present with some alarm. Her history-writing was, indeed, a way of making sense of, and vouching challenges to, her present.
Women’s Writing and the Puritan Tradition of Memorial
Authors: Whitehouse Tessa
Published: May 2024

In the Puritan tradition, women rarely attended funerals. But like all Protestants they were encouraged to learn from the profitable example of the pious lives lived by the recently and long-since departed. One way for them to do this was by reading printed funeral sermons for women or by hearing them being read aloud. These texts comprised a small but strong segment of the lively nonconformist publishing industry and the genre flourished particularly after Toleration and in the first decades of the eighteenth century. Some of these publications included the women’s own writings, usually in the form of letters and diary extracts. Though their male editors framed these writings within a strict interpretative paradigm of humility and domestic devotion, these books offer a rare opportunity to see women’s words in print and can deepen our understanding of how continuities and changes within the Puritan tradition affected religious reading and writing at the turn of the eighteenth century.
Dietary Cinnamaldehyde Activation of TRPA1 Antagonizes High-Salt-Induced Hypertension Through Restoring Renal Tubular Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Xiong Shiqiang , Lin Shaoyang , Hu Yingru , Xia Weijie , Wang Qianran , Wang Lijuan , Cao Tingbing , Liao Yingying , Scholze Alexandra , Tepel Martin , Zhu Zhiming , Liu Daoyan
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

The renal proximal tubule (RPT) plays a pivotal role in regulating sodium reabsorption and thus blood pressure (BP). Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) has been reported to protect against renal injury by modulating mitochondrial function. We hypothesize that the activation of TRPA1 by its agonist cinnamaldehyde may mitigate high-salt intake-induced hypertension by inhibiting urinary sodium reabsorption through restoration of renal tubular epithelial mitochondrial function.

METHODS

Trpa1-deficient (Trpa1−/−) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were fed standard laboratory chow [normal diet (ND) group, 0.4% salt], standard laboratory chow with 8% salt [high-salt diet (HS) group], or standard laboratory chow with 8% salt plus 0.015% cinnamaldehyde [high-salt plus cinnamaldehyde diet (HSC) group] for 6 months. Urinary sodium excretion, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial function, and the expression of sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) and Na+/K+-ATPase of RPTs were determined.

RESULTS

Chronic dietary cinnamaldehyde supplementation reduced tail systolic BP and 24-hour ambulatory arterial pressure in HS-fed WT mice. Compared with the mice fed HS, cinnamaldehyde supplementation significantly increased urinary sodium excretion, inhibited excess ROS production, and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction of RPTs in WT mice. However, these effects of cinnamaldehyde were absent in Trpa1−/− mice. Furthermore, chronic dietary cinnamaldehyde supplementation blunted HS-induced upregulation of NHE3 and Na+/K+-ATPase in WT mice but not Trpa1−/− mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that chronic activation of Trpa1 attenuates HS-induced hypertension by inhibiting urinary sodium reabsorption through restoring renal tubular epithelial mitochondrial function. Renal TRPA1 may be a potential target for the management of excessive dietary salt intake-associated hypertension.
Rejoinder to the discussion on “Bayesian meta-analysis of penetrance for cancer risk”
Authors: Ruberu Thanthirige Lakshika M , Braun Danielle , Parmigiani Giovanni , Biswas Swati
Published: May 2024

The five discussions of our paper provide several modeling alternatives, extensions, and generalizations that can potentially guide future research in meta-analysis. In this rejoinder, we briefly summarize and comment on some of those points.
The Dermatology Life Quality Index as the primary outcome in randomized clinical trials: a systematic review
Authors: Johns Jeffrey R , Vyas Jui , Ali Faraz M , Ingram John R , Salek Sam , Finlay Andrew Y
Published: May 2024

Background

Primary endpoint measures in clinical trials are typically measures of disease severity, with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) relegated as secondary endpoints. However, validation of some PROMs may be more rigorous than that of disease severity measures, which could provide support for a primary role for PROMs.

Objectives

This study reports on 24 peer reviewed journal articles that used the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as primary outcome, derived from a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) utlizing DLQI, covering all diseases and interventions.

Methods

The study protocol was prospectively published on the PROSPERO database, and the study followed PRISMA guidelines. Searches were made using MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCO) and PsycINFO databases and records were combined into an Endnote database. Records were filtered for duplicates and selected based on study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Full-text articles were sourced and data were extracted by two reviewers into a bespoke REDCap database, with a third reviewer adjudicating disagreements. The Jadad scoring method was used to determine risk of bias.

Results

Of the 3220 publications retrieved from online searching, 457 articles met the eligibility criteria and included 198 587 patients. DLQI scores were used as primary outcomes in 24 (5.3%) of these studies comprising 15 different diseases and 3436 patients. Most study interventions (17 of 24 studies, 68%) were systemic drugs, with biologics (liraglutide, alefacept, secukinumab, ustekinumab, adalimumab) accounting for 5 of 25 pharmacological interventions (20%). Topical treatments comprised 32% (8 studies), whereas nonpharmacological interventions (n = 8) were 24% of the total interventions (N = 33). Three studies used nontraditional medicines. Eight studies were multicentred (33.3%), with trials conducted in at least 14 different countries, and four studies (16.7%) were conducted in multiple countries. The Jadad risk of bias scale showed that bias was uncertain or low, as 87.5% of studies had Jadad scores of ≥ 3.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for use of the DLQI as a primary outcome in clinical trials. Researchers and clinicians can use this data to inform decisions about further use of the DLQI as a primary outcome.
Impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on olfactory and gustatory capacity
Authors: Trecca Eleonora M C , Marano Pier Gerardo , Madaro Ferruccio , Fortunato Francesca , Frisotti Daniela R , Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto , Vocale Matteo , Cassano Michele
Published: May 2024

Only a few studies have investigated olfactory function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using psychophysical testing, and there is a scarcity of data regarding taste evaluation in the existing literature. The primary objectives of this study were to assess both smell and taste in patients with OSAS and to explore the correlation between the severity of symptoms and sensory perception. A total of 85 OSAS patients and a control group comprising 81 subjects were enrolled. Initial assessments included anamnesis, nasal endoscopy, and the completion of questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders, and the importance of olfaction questionnaire). The diagnosis of OSAS was confirmed by polysomnography, while nasal airflow was evaluated using rhinomanometry. Olfaction was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks test, and the Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI) score was calculated. Taste evaluation was conducted in a subgroup of participants (42 patients, 38 controls) using taste strips. The mean TDI score was 31 ± 5.6 for OSAS patients and 35 ± 4.6 for controls, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.001). Similarly, the taste score was 7 ± 3.0 for OSAS patients and 12.6 ± 3.2 for controls (P < 0.001). No correlations were observed between TDI and Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) (r = −0.12; P = 0.28), as well as between the taste score and AHI (r = −0.31; P = 0.22). However, a weak but significant correlation between TDI score and Epworth Sleepiness Scale was detected (r = −0.05; P = 0.002). The study revealed a significant decrease in sensory perception among patients with OSAS, though open questions persist about the pathophysiology.
Definition of Virological Endpoints Improving the Design of HIV Cure Strategies Using Analytical Antiretroviral Treatment Interruption
Authors: Alexandre Marie , Prague Mélanie , Lhomme Edouard , Lelièvre Jean-Daniel , Wittkop Linda , Richert Laura , Lévy Yves , Thiébaut Rodolphe
Published: May 2024

Background

Analytical treatment interruption (ATI) is the gold standard in HIV research for assessing the capability of new therapeutic strategies to control viremia without antiretroviral treatment (ART). The viral setpoint is commonly used as endpoint to evaluate their efficacy. However, in line with recommendations from a consensus meeting, to minimize the risk of increased viremia without ART, trials often implement short ATI phases and stringent virological ART restart criteria. This approach can limit the accurate observation of the setpoint.

Methods

We analyzed viral dynamics in 235 people with HIV from 3 trials, examining virological criteria during ATI phases. Time-related (eg time to rebound, peak, and setpoint) and viral load magnitude–related criteria (peak, setpoint, and time-averaged AUC [nAUC]) were described. Spearman correlations were analyzed to identify (1) surrogate endpoints for setpoint and (2) optimal virological ART restart criteria mitigating the risks of ART interruption and the evaluation of viral control.

Results

Comparison of virological criteria between trials showed strong dependencies on ATI design. Similar correlations were found across trials, with nAUC the most strongly correlated with the setpoint, with correlations >0.70. A threshold >100 000 copies/mL for 2 consecutive measures is requested as a virological ART restart criterion.

Conclusions

Our results are in line with recommendations and emphasize the benefits of an ATI phase >12 weeks, with regular monitoring, and a virological ART restart criterion of 10 000 copies/mL to limit the risk for patients while capturing enough information to keep nAUC as an optimal proxy to the setpoint.
Multiple arterial vs. single arterial coronary artery bypass grafting: sex-related differences in outcomes
Authors: Ren Justin , Bowyer Andrea , Tian David H , Royse Colin , El-Ansary Doa , Royse Alistair
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Uncertainty exists over whether multiple arterial grafting has a sex-related association with survival after coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aims to compare the long-term survival of using multiple arterial grafting vs. single arterial grafting in women and men undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods

The retrospective study used the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiothoracic Surgical Database with linkage to the National Death Index. Patients from 2001 to 2020 were identified. Sex-stratified, inverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazard model was used to facilitate survival comparisons. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality.

Results

A total number of 54 275 adult patients receiving at least two grafts in primary isolated bypass operations were analysed. The entire study cohort consisted of 10 693 (19.7%) female patients and 29 711 (54.7%) multiple arterial grafting procedures. At a median (interquartile range) postoperative follow-up of 4.9 (2.3–8.4) years, mortality was significantly lower in male patients undergoing multiarterial than single arterial procedures (adjusted hazard ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval 0.77–0.87; P < .001). The survival benefit was also significant for females (adjusted hazard ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.76–0.91; P < .001) at a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 5.2 (2.4–8.7) years. The interaction model from Cox regression suggested insignificant subgroup effect from sex (P = .08) on the observed survival advantage. The survival benefits associated with multiple arterial grafting were consistent across all sex-stratified subgroups except for female patients with left main coronary disease.

Conclusions

Compared to single arterial grafting, multiple arterial revascularization is associated with improved long-term survival for women as well as men.
Household Transmission and Clinical Features of Respiratory Tract Infections That Were SARS-CoV-2 Positive and Negative
Authors: Ahti Jaakko , Toivonen Laura , Ollila Helena , Ivaska Lauri , Salo-Tuominen Krista , Vuorinen Tytti , Lempainen Johanna , Peltola Ville
Published: May 2024

Background

Comparative data are limited on the transmission of respiratory infections positive and negative for SARS-CoV-2 in households with children.

Methods

In June to August 2020, we recruited 700 participants (175 households, 376 children, 324 adults) to be prospectively followed for all respiratory tract infections. Follow-up lasted from recruitment until April 2022. Daily symptoms were monitored by weekly electronic questionnaires. SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction testing from nasopharyngeal specimens was performed for symptomatic participants and twice (1-week interval) for the household members of positive participants. Clinical features and secondary attack rates (SARs) based on the onset of symptoms were compared between respiratory infections that were SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative.

Results

Most SARS-CoV-2 infections (90%) occurred from January to April 2022 when Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 were the dominant variants. SARS-CoV-2–positive infections were transmitted more often than SARS-CoV-2–negative infections (SAR, 41% vs 24%; P < .001). SARS-CoV-2 transmission was similar for child and adult index cases (SAR, 40% vs 43%; P = .47), but the transmission of SARS-CoV-2–negative infections was higher for child index cases (SAR, 27% vs 18%; P < .001).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron viruses spread more effectively within households as compared with other respiratory infections.
Serum Immunoglobulin G Antibodies to Human Papillomavirus Type 6 L1, E2, E4, E6, and E7 Proteins Among Children Prospectively Followed up for 3 Years
Authors: Suominen Helmi , Syrjänen Kari , Waterboer Tim , Grénman Seija , Syrjänen Stina , Louvanto Karolina
Published: May 2024

Background

Current knowledge implicates that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can be acquired at an early age. However, the role of HPV-specific passive immunization from mother to neonate is nearly unexplored, especially against the HPV early proteins. We analyzed immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against HPV-6 early (E2, E4, E6, E7) and late (L1) proteins in children prospectively followed up for 3 years.

Methods

A total of 272 children and their mothers from the Finnish Family HPV Study were included in these analyses. Serum samples were obtained from pregnant mothers at their third trimester and from newborn/infants at 1-, 2-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month visits after birth. Antibodies were analyzed by multiplex serology based on glutathione S-transferase fusion protein capture to fluorescent beads.

Results

Maternal antibodies to all tested HPV-6 proteins were transferred to neonates, concordance between maternal and neonates’ antibody levels being highly significant (P < .001). Seropositivity of HPV-6 L1 in the neonates declined during the first 6 months of life, whereas changes in the E protein antibodies were less obvious. After the maternal antibodies had vanished, seroconversion to HPV-6 L1 at 12 months (median) and to the HPV-6 E proteins between 23 and 35 months was observed.

Conclusions

IgG antibodies against HPV-6 E and L proteins are transferred from mothers to their children. Seroconversion against HPV-6 L1, E2, E4, E6, and E7 does occur in early childhood, as a sign of acquired HPV-6 infection by vertical or horizontal transmission starting at 12 months of age.
Impact of Variable Sampling on Estimates of HIV-1 Reservoir Formation Dates
Authors: Kankaka Edward N , Poon Art F Y , Quinn Thomas C , Chang Larry W , Prodger Jessica L , Redd Andrew D
Published: May 2024

Timing of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) reservoir formation is important for informing HIV cure efforts. It is unclear how much of the variability seen in dating reservoir formation is due to sampling and gene-specific differences. We used a Bayesian extension of root to tip regression (bayroot) to reestimate formation date distributions in participants from Swedish and South African cohorts, and assessed the impact of variable timing, frequency, and depth of sampling on these estimates. Significant shifts in formation date distributions were only observed with use of faster-evolving genes, while timing, frequency, and depth of sampling had minor or no significant effect on estimates.
Animacy and the Agency of Spiritual Beings in Pluriversal Societies
Authors: Querejazu Amaya
Published: May 2024

The concept of agency has long been a focal point of research in the social sciences. While traditional discussions primarily centered on human agency, recent scholarship has increasingly turned its attention to agency beyond the human realm. This paper introduces a framework for comprehending the agency of spiritual beings within complex pluriversal sociopolitical systems. It contends that exploring the agency of spiritual beings challenges established binary distinctions and acknowledges their inherent complexities. Drawing from a relational understanding of animacy, this framework reveals that the agency of spiritual beings cannot be simply equated with gods or fixed other-than-human agencies. Instead, it enriches our understanding of agency by highlighting how diverse agencies shape and influence social interactions. The paper compares Jane Bennett’s “thing power” and social assemblages to the Andean concepts of camaq (creating animating force) and Ajayu (spirit). By doing so, it uncovers both tensions and connections between these approaches, underscoring the need for pluriversal methodologies in analyzing pluriversal societies. In conclusion, the paper reflects on the implications of re-enchantment through animacy and its potential to provide fresh insights into understanding international phenomena.
Follow-up of patients with urinary tract infections discharged from the emergency department: a mixed methods study
Authors: Tuinte R A M , van Zanten M D , Takamura T , Schoffelen T , Schouten J A , Hulscher M E J L , Hoogerwerf J J , ten Oever J
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the quality of culture follow-up after emergency department (ED) discharge in patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Methods

This convergent mixed methods study included an observational cohort study and a qualitative interview study in UTI patients discharged from the ED of a Dutch university hospital. The primary outcomes of the observational study were the proportion of patients requiring adjustment of antibiotic therapy after culture review, and the proportion of patients in whom these adjustments were made. Logistic regression identified factors associated with these outcomes. Interviews assessed patient experiences and transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic content analysis. Integration of the results informed recommendations for high-quality follow-up.

Results

Out of 455 patients, 285 (63%) required culture-based treatment adjustments. In most patients, no adjustments were made (239/285, 84%). De-escalation was most frequently omitted (98%), followed by discontinuation of antibiotics (92%). A mean of 7.1 (SD  3.8) antibiotic days per patient could have been avoided in 103 patients. Patients with diabetes were less likely to require adjustments (aOR   0.50, 95%-CI  0.29–0.85). Patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (aOR  4.1, 95%-CI  1.45–11.33; aOR  4.2, 95%-CI   1.50–11.94) or recurrent UTIs (aOR  5.0, 95%-CI  2.27–11.18) were more likely to have received necessary adjustments. Twelve interviews also revealed varying degrees of follow-up. Three themes were identified: ‘information and communication’, ‘coordination and accessibility of care’ and ‘individual needs and preferences’. Recommendations for high-quality follow-up advocate a person centred approach.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of urine culture follow-up after ED discharge, mainly to reduce unnecessary antibiotic treatment, promote de-escalation and improve patient experience.
Cutin-derived oligomers induce hallmark plant immune responses
Authors: Moreira Carlos J S , Escórcio Rita , Bento Artur , Bjornson Marta , Herold Laura , Tomé Ana S , Martins Celso , Fanuel Mathieu , Martins Isabel , Bakan Bénédicte , Zipfel Cyril , Silva Pereira Cristina
Published: May 2024

The cuticle constitutes the outermost defensive barrier of most land plants. It comprises a polymeric matrix—cutin, surrounded by soluble waxes. Moreover, the cuticle constitutes the first line of defense against pathogen invasion, while also protecting the plant from many abiotic stresses. Aliphatic monomers in cutin have been suggested to act as immune elicitors in plants. This study analyses the potential of cutin oligomers to activate rapid signaling outputs reminiscent of pattern-triggered immunity in the model plant Arabidopsis. Cutin oligomeric mixtures led to Ca2+ influx and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Comparable responses were measured for cutin, which was also able to induce a reactive oxygen species burst. Furthermore, cutin oligomer treatment resulted in a unique transcriptional reprogramming profile, having many archetypal features of pattern-triggered immunity. Targeted spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses of the cutin oligomers suggest that the elicitor compounds consist mostly of two up to three 10,16-dihydroxyhexadecanoic acid monomers linked together through ester bonds. This study demonstrates that cutin breakdown products can act as inducers of early plant immune responses. Further investigation is needed to understand how cutin breakdowns are perceived and to explore their potential use in agriculture.
A Relationist Theory of Intentional Identity
Authors: Ninan Dilip
Published: May 2024

This essay argues for a relationist treatment of intentional identity sentences like (1):

(1) Hob believes that a witch blighted Bob’s mare and Nob believes that she killed Cob’s sow.

According to relationism, facts of the form a believes that ϕ and b believes that ψ are not in general reducible to facts of the form c believes that χ. I first argue that extant, non-relationist treatments of intentional identity are unsatisfactory, and then go on to motivate and explore a relationist alternative in some detail. I show that the general thesis of relationism can be directly motivated via cases already discussed in the literature, and then develop a particular version of relationism couched in the possible worlds framework. The resulting theory avoids the problems facing its non-relationist rivals, and yields a natural account of the truth conditions of (1), truth conditions which can be generated in a compositional manner by a version of dynamic semantics. The theory also helps us to cleanly separate semantic questions about intentional identity from metasemantic ones.
NEural Engine for Discovering Luminous Events (NEEDLE): identifying rare transient candidates in real time from host galaxy images
Authors: Sheng Xinyue , Nicholl Matt , Smith Ken W , Young David R , Williams Roy D , Stevance Heloise F , Smartt Stephen J , Srivastav Shubham , Moore Thomas
Published: May 2024

Known for their efficiency in analysing large data sets, machine learning-based classifiers have been widely used in wide-field sky survey pipelines. The upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will generate millions of real-time alerts every night, enabling the discovery of large samples of rare events. Identifying such objects soon after explosion will be essential to study their evolution. Using ∼5400 transients from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Bright Transient Survey as training and test data, we develop NEEDLE (NEural Engine for Discovering Luminous Events), a novel hybrid (convolutional neural network + dense neural network) classifier to select for two rare classes with strong environmental preferences: superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) preferring dwarf galaxies, and tidal disruption events (TDEs) occurring in the centres of nucleated galaxies. The input data includes (i) cutouts of the detection and reference images, (ii) photometric information contained directly in the alert packets, and (iii) host galaxy magnitudes from Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System). Despite having only a few tens of examples of the rare classes, our average (best) completeness on an unseen test set reaches 73 per cent (86 per cent) for SLSNe and 80 per cent (87 per cent) for TDEs. While very encouraging for completeness, this may still result in relatively low purity for the rare transients, given the large class imbalance in real surveys. However, the goal of NEEDLE is to find good candidates for spectroscopic classification, rather than to select pure photometric samples. Our system will be deployed as an annotator on the UK alert broker, Lasair, to provide predictions of real-time alerts from ZTF and LSST to the community.
Detecting strongly lensed type Ia supernovae with LSST
Authors: Arendse Nikki , Dhawan Suhail , Sagués Carracedo Ana , Peiris Hiranya V , Goobar Ariel , Wojtak Radek , Alves Catarina , Biswas Rahul , Huber Simon , Birrer Simon ,   The LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration
Published: May 2024

Strongly lensed supernovae are rare and valuable probes of cosmology and astrophysics. Upcoming wide-field time-domain surveys, such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), are expected to discover an order-of-magnitude more lensed supernovae than have previously been observed. In this work, we investigate the cosmological prospects of lensed type Ia supernovae (SNIa) in LSST by quantifying the expected annual number of detections, the impact of stellar microlensing, follow-up feasibility, and how to best separate lensed and unlensed SNIa. We simulate SNIa lensed by galaxies, using the current LSST baseline v3.0 cadence, and find an expected number of 44 lensed SNIa detections per year. Microlensing effects by stars in the lensing galaxy are predicted to lower the lensed SNIa detections by ∼8 per cent. The lensed events can be separated from the unlensed ones by jointly considering their colours and peak magnitudes. We define a ‘gold sample’ of ∼10 lensed SNIa per year with time delay >10 d, >5 detections before light curve peak, and sufficiently bright (mi < 22.5 mag) for follow-up observations. In 3 yr of LSST operations, such a sample is expected to yield a 1.5 per cent measurement of the Hubble constant.
The radial variation of the LMC-induced reflex motion of the Milky Way disc observed in the stellar halo
Authors: Yaaqib Rashid , Petersen Michael S , Peñarrubia Jorge
Published: May 2024

We measure the kinematic signature arising from the Milky Way (MW) disc moving with respect to the outer stellar halo, which is observed as a dipole signal in the kinematics of stellar halo tracers. We quantify how the reflex motion varies as a function of Galactocentric distance, finding that (i) the amplitude of the dipole signal increases as a function of radius, and (ii) the direction moves across the sky. We compare the reflex motion signal against a compilation of published models that follow the MW–LMC interaction. These models show a similar trend of increasing amplitude of the reflex motion as a function of distance, but they do not reproduce the direction of the disc motion with respect to the stellar halo well. We also report mean motions for the stellar halo as a function of distance, finding radial compression in the outer halo and non-zero prograde rotation at all radii. The observed compression signal is also present in MW–LMC models, but the rotation is not, which suggests that the latter is not induced by the LMC. We extensively validate our technique to measure reflex motion against idealized tests. We discuss prospects for directly constraining the mass and orbital history of the LMC through the impact on the motion of the MW stellar disc, and how the modelling of the reflex motion can be improved as more and better data become available.
Impact of Smoking Cessation Motivations and Barriers on Quit Intentions Following a Hypothetical Flavor Ban Among African American/Black Individuals Who Use Menthol Cigarettes: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: White Augustus M , Patev Alison J , Imran Rabia , Goden Akira , Rudy Alyssa K , Bajwa Harlean , Guy Mignonne C , Hood Kristina , Cobb Caroline O , Barnes Andrew J
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed banning cigarettes and cigars with characterizing flavors—products used disproportionately by African American/black (AA/B) individuals. Little is known about how AA/B individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes will respond to flavor bans or how to amplify the intended benefits. This study explored predictors of quit intentions following a hypothetical flavor ban and further probed anticipated ban-related responses.

Aims and Methods

We recruited 213 AA/B individuals who use menthol cigarettes from Richmond, VA (September 2021–August 2022) for a mixed-methods study. Participants rated seven motivations for quitting and six barriers to quitting (Not a motivation or challenge[1]—Major motivation or challenge[4]), then reported how likely they were to quit smoking if characterizing flavors were banned in cigarettes and cigars. A subsample of 31 participants completed semi-structured interviews to further explore reactions to flavor restriction policies.

Results

Multivariable linear regressions suggested that participants who were more motivated to quit smoking because of “information about health hazards” and the “cost of cigarettes” reported higher quit intentions following a hypothetical menthol ban (p < .05). Additionally, those with cessation-related weight concerns reported lower post-ban quit intentions (p < .05). Interview themes highlighted smoking for stress reduction, harm/addiction perceptions of flavored tobacco products, trusted sources of tobacco-related information (including testimonials from people who formerly smoked), potential ban responses, and varying experiences with cessation strategies.

Conclusions

Culturally specific cessation strategies that emphasize the health-related benefits of quitting, particularly those featuring the experiences of people who formerly smoked, may help AA/B individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes quit following a menthol ban.

Implications

For the FDA’s proposed bans on characterizing flavors in cigarettes and cigars to advance racial health equity, they must maximize cessation among African American/black (AA/B) individuals who use menthol cigarettes. This work suggests information on the health hazards and costs of smoking, as well as concerns over gaining weight, were predictors of quit intentions in a hypothetical flavor ban. Qualitative data suggest messaging highlighting the experiences of individuals who successfully quit may constitute an effective communication strategy. These insights can be used in the development of culturally specific cessation strategies for AA/B individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes.