bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A smoothed particle hydrodynamics method for two-phase electrohydrodynamics modeling with Nernst–Planck equations
Authors: Vakilha Mehran , Safdari Shadloo Mostafa
Published: October 2024

The widely used leaky dielectric model often overlooks the rate of change in electric charges, leaving the impact of the charge conservation mechanism on two-phase electro-hydrodynamics (EHD) flows inadequately explored. In this study, we address this gap by introducing a charge-conservative model (CCM) for simulating such EHD systems within the framework of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. Our methodology employs a fully explicit incompressible SPH (EISPH) approach to discretize the pressure Poisson, the electric potential Poisson, and the Nernst–Planck (N–P) equations. This work presents two notable contributions: (i) the introduction of the charge-conservative model into the incompressible SPH framework and (ii) the achievement of its discretization through a fully explicit methodology. To validate the proposed CCM, we conduct a comprehensive comparison with analytical solutions, as well as existing numerical and experimental results. The results affirm that the CCM consistently produces accurate outcomes across various test cases.
Research on the evolution and venting characteristics of gasoline–air mixture explosions in confined pipeline trench spaces
Authors: Zhou Dongliang , Jiang Xinsheng , Zhu Shijie , Li Run , Cai Yunxiong , Wang Sai , Yin Chengdong , Liu Li
Published: October 2024

In recent years, international energy cooperation has become more extensive, and the safe and reliable transportation of oil and gas resources has become increasingly important. However, storage and transportation sites can have confined spaces in engineering practice, which can lead to safety problems. There is a risk of gasoline–air mixture explosions in confined spaces such as pump rooms, valve operation rooms, and inspection wells, particularly in Class B and Class C pipeline trench areas that utilize non-sand-filled trenches or where the local depth exceeds 2.0 m. These locations are equipped with doors, manholes, or ventilation openings for personnel access within oil storage zones. To investigate the combustion characteristics of gasoline–air mixture explosions in such confined spaces, experimental research was conducted on a simulation platform (L/D = 15, V = 0.015 m3). The findings reveal the following: (1) the most hazardous initial gasoline–air mixture volume fraction for ignition at the upper ignition point is 1.7%; (2) the morphology of the internal flame evolves through four distinct stages, with the post-explosion flame shapes resembling “brush-like” and “mushroom cloud” formations; (3) low YCH = 1.1%, medium YCH = 1.7%, and high YCH = 2.3% volume fractions of hydrocarbons were selected to analyze the progression of the explosion development process; (4) the external overpressure distribution during venting explosions, with varying initial gasoline–air mixture volume fractions, conforms to the function y = ae−bx as the distance L varies, with venting pressure waves exhibiting a trend of exponential decay.
Numerical reconstruction of atmospheric boundary layer seasonal turbulent wind field over a complex forest terrain
Authors: Yue Hao , Guo Peng , Zhao Yagebai , Ning Xizhan , Zhou Lei , Zhang Hongfu
Published: October 2024

The wind characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) over complex forest terrains are inherently intricate, influenced by the interplay of rugged topography, seasonal climatic fluctuations, and periodic vegetation dynamics. These effects are especially evident in the near-ground wind field, which exhibits substantial seasonal variability. Conventional wind characterization methods, as outlined in current standards, often fail to accurately capture these seasonal variations, thereby complicating the reconstruction of the near-ground ABL turbulent wind field in complex forest terrains. Accordingly, we employ the narrow band synthetic random flow generation (NSRFG) technique within large eddy simulation (LES) to generate inflow turbulence representing the growing and baldness seasons in a complex forest terrain by adjusting parameter equations for seasonal adaptation and introducing new empirical equations for the turbulent spectrum. Subsequently, we verified the seasonal turbulent flow's statistical characteristics and flow structure to assess its feasibility and validity, ultimately establishing a ‘seasonal numerical wind field’ model. Finally, the seasonally modified LES-NSRFG method was applied to the numerical simulation of turbulent flow around the Commonwealth Advisory Aeronautical Research Council (CAARC) standard high-rise building model. A comprehensive comparison of wind effects was conducted for the CAARC model under varying incoming flow conditions. The results indicate that seasonal winds in a complex forest terrain significantly affect the building's vortex wake, increasing the irregularity and complexity of the structural wind pressure and base moment coefficients. Thus, the seasonal wind effect must be considered when designing wind-resistant engineering structures in forest regions moving forward.
Tip60-mediated Rheb acetylation links palmitic acid with mTORC1 activation and insulin resistance
Authors: Zhao Zengqi , Chen Qiang , Xiang Xiaojun , Dai Weiwei , Fang Wei , Cui Kun , Li Baolin , Liu Qiangde , Liu Yongtao , Shen Yanan , Li Yueru , Xu Wei , Mai Kangsen , Ai Qinghui
Published: October 2024

Excess dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) induces glucose intolerance and metabolic disorders. In contrast, unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) elicit beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity. However, it remains elusive how SFAs and UFAs signal differentially toward insulin signaling to influence glucose homeostasis. Here, using a croaker model, we report that dietary palmitic acid (PA), but not oleic acid or linoleic acid, leads to dysregulation of mTORC1, which provokes systemic insulin resistance. Mechanistically, we show that PA profoundly elevates acetyl-CoA derived from mitochondrial fatty acid β oxidation to intensify Tip60-mediated Rheb acetylation, which triggers mTORC1 activation by promoting the interaction between Rheb and FKBPs. Subsequently, hyperactivation of mTORC1 enhances IRS1 serine phosphorylation and inhibits TFEB-mediated IRS1 transcription, inducing impairment of insulin signaling. Collectively, our results reveal a conserved molecular insight into the mechanism by which Tip60-mediated Rheb acetylation induces mTORC1 activation and insulin resistance under the PA condition, which may provide therapeutic avenues to intervene in the development of T2D.
Temperature tunable broadband filter based on hybridized vanadium dioxide (VO2) metasurface
Authors: Wang Dong , Yang Lingling , Cai Bin , Wu Ling , Cheng Yongzhi , Chen Fu , Luo Hui , Li Xiangcheng
Published: October 2024

In this paper, a novel temperature tunable terahertz (THz) broadband filter based on hybridized vanadium dioxide (VO2) metasurface (MS) was proposed. The designed MS is composed of subwavelength metallic square-grid structure situated between two layers of metallic square-patch structure integrated with VO2 film pad spaced with two layers of dielectric substrate. Utilizing the insulator-metal phase transition characterizations of VO2 in the THz regime, the operation mode of the proposed MS filter accomplishes the broadband transmission-to-reflection transition. Simulation results show that when VO2 is in the insulating state with a lower external temperature, the proposed MS behaves like a broadband filter with transparent window and a transmittance of above 80% over the frequency range of 0.66–1.12 THz. However, when VO2 undergoes the metallic state with a higher external temperature, the MS becomes a broadband filter with low-transmission shielding and exhibiting a transmittance of below 10% across the frequency spectrum from 0.56 THz to 1.4 THz. The physical mechanism of the proposed MS based tunable broadband filter is illustrated by introducing impedance matching theory, equivalent circuit model and field analysis. In addition, the proposed MS structure offers exceptional angular stability and polarization insensitivity, opening up new opportunities for the utilization of energy selective surface in THz applications.
Grain-wise piezoelectric response of polycrystalline aluminum nitride thin films: an empirical investigation using piezo force microscopy
Authors: Sharma Neha , Kamparath Rajiv , Pal Suparna , Mukherjee C , Benerji N S
Published: October 2024

Local mapping of piezoelectric response across grains with different crystal planes is crucial to enhance the level of understanding of the piezoelectric behavior of wurtzite hexagonal (WH) AlN thin films. To investigate this phenomenon, polycrystalline WH-AlN thin films were deposited by pulsed-DC magnetron sputtering using a mixture of argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) with varying N2 content as 5%, 10%, and 20% in the form of the AlN/Ti/Si (100) heterostructure. Piezo force microscopy (PFM) was used to establish a correlation among piezo-response (PR) phase contrast, polarity, and crystal planes constituting the film surface. A phenomenological model is also presented to correlate the distribution of interface sheet charges with polar (0002)-, semi-polar (10

1
¯

1)-, and non-polar (10

1
¯

0)-planes present on the film surface. This interdependence eventually regulates the phase between piezoelectric oscillations and modulation voltage, which is ultimately translated into a grain-wise contrast obtained from PR-phase images.
Magnetic Monopole Phenomenology at Future Hadron Colliders
Authors: Ahmed Ijaz , Swalheen Sidra , Ur Rehman Mansoor , Tariq Rimsha
Published: October 2024

In the grand tapestry of Physics, the magnetic monopole (MM) is a holy grail. Therefore, numerous efforts are underway in search of this hypothetical particle at CMS, ATLAS, and MoEDAL experiments of Large Hadron Collider (LHC) by employing different production mechanisms. The cornerstone of our comprehension of monopoles lies in Dirac’s theory which outlines their characteristics and dynamics. Within this theoretical framework, an effectiveU(1) gauge field theory, derived from conventional models, delineates the interaction between spin magnetically-charged fields and ordinary photons under electric–magnetic dualization. The focus of this paper is the production of MMs through Drell–Yan (DY) and the Photon-Fusion (PF) mechanisms to generate velocity-dependent scalar, fermionic, and vector monopoles of spin angular momentum0,12,1respectively at LHC. A computational study compares the monopole pair-production cross-sections for both methods at various center-of-mass energies (s) with different magnetic dipole moments. The comparison of kinematic distributions of monopoles at Parton and reconstructed level are demonstrated for both DY and PF mechanisms. Extracted results showcase how modern machine-learning techniques can be used to study the production of MMs at the future proton-proton particle colliders at 100 TeV. We demonstrate the observability of MMs against the most relevant Standard Model background using multivariate methods such as Boosted Decision Trees, Likelihood, and Multilayer Perceptron. This study compares the performance of these classifiers with traditional cut-based and counting approaches, proving the superiority of our methods.
Cross-calibration and first vertical ECE measurement of electron energy distribution in the TCV tokamak
Authors: Tema Biwole A , Porte L , Fasoli A , Figini L , Decker J , Hoppe M , Cazabonne J , Votta L , Simonetto A , Coda S ,   the TCV Team
Published: October 2024

This paper describes the first vertical electron cyclotron emission measurement of non-thermal electron distributions in the Tokamak à Configuration Variable. These measurements were conducted in runaway electron scenarios and in the presence of electron cyclotron current drive. Measured intensities of linearly polarized X- and O-mode radiation from fast electrons allow the analysis of the energy distribution. The measurements were made possible through the creation of an operational regime for the diagnostic that is free of thermal background radiation, in relaxed electron density operations. This operational regime notably enables the cross-calibration of the diagnostic system, relying on thermal plasma measurements and modeling with the ray-tracing code SPECE.
High peak power mini-array quantum cascade lasers operating in pulsed mode
Authors: Zhang 章 Yuhang 宇航 , Wang 王 Yupei 渝沛 , Luo 罗 Xiaoyue 晓玥 , Qian 钱 Chenhao 晨灏 , Cheng 程 Yang 洋 , Zhao 赵 Wu 武 , Sun 孙 Fangyuan 方圆 , Wang 王 Jun 俊 , Sun 孙 Zheng-Ming 正明
Published: October 2024

Broad area quantum cascade lasers (BA QCLs) have significant applications in many areas, but suffer from demanding pulse operating conditions and poor beam quality due to heat accumulation and generation of high order modes. A structure of mini-array is adopted to improve the heat dissipation capacity and beam quality of BA QCLs. The active region is etched to form a multi-emitter and the channels are filled with InP:Fe, which acts as a lateral heat dissipation channel to improve the lateral heat dissipation efficiency. A device with λ ∼ 4.8 μm, a peak output power of 122 W at 1.2% duty cycle with a pulse of 1.5 μs is obtained in room temperature, with far-field single-lobed distribution. This result allows BA QCLs to obtain high peak power at wider pump pulse widths and higher duty cycle conditions, promotes the application of the mid-infrared laser operating in pulsed mode in the field of standoff photoacoustic chemical detection, space optical communication, and so on.
Giant enhancement of negative friction by resonant coupling between localized surface phonon polaritons and graphene plasmonics
Authors: Liu 柳 Kaipeng 开鹏 , Zhou 周 Shuai 帅 , Dai 戴 Shiwei 士为 , Ge 葛 Lixin 力新
Published: October 2024

Negative friction refers to a frictional force that acts in the same direction as the motion of an object, which has been predicted in terahertz (THz) gain systems [Phys. Rev. B
108 045406 (2023)]. In this work, we investigate the enhancement of the negative friction experienced by nanospheres placed near a graphene substrate. We find that the magnitude of negative friction is related to the resonant coupling between the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) of the graphene and localized surface phonon polaritons (LSPhP) of nanospheres. We exam nanospheres consisted of several different materials, including SiO2, SiC, ZnSe, NaCl, lnSb. Our results suggest that the LSPhP of NaCl nanospheres match effectively with the amplified SPPs of graphene sheets. The negative friction for NaCl nanospheres can be enhanced about one-to-two orders of magnitude compared to that of silica (SiO2) nanospheres. At the resonant peak of negative friction, the required quasi-Fermi energy of graphene is lower for NaCl nanospheres. Our finds hold great prospects for the mechanical manipulations of nanoscale particles.
Comparison study on hyaline cartilage versus fibrocartilage formation in a pig model by using 3D-bioprinted hydrogel and hybrid constructs
Authors: Alizadeh Sardroud Hamed , Rosa Gustavo Dos Santos , Dust William , Cham Tat-Chuan , Roy Gwen , Bater Sarah , Chicoine Alan , Honaramooz Ali , Chen Xiongbiao , Eames B Frank
Published: October 2024

Cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) with the help of engineered constructs has shown promise for the regeneration of hyaline cartilage, where fibrocartilage may also be formed due to the biomechanical loading resulting from the host weight and movement. Previous studies have primarily reported on hyaline cartilage formation in vitro and/or in small animals, while leaving the fibrocartilage formation undiscovered. In this paper, we, at the first time, present a comparison study on hyaline cartilage versus fibrocartilage formation in a large animal model of pig by using two constructs (namely hydrogel and hybrid ones) engineered by means of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting. Both hydrogel and hybrid constructs were printed from the bioink of alginate (2.5%) and ATDC5 cells (chondrogenic cells at a cell density of 5 × 106 cells ml−1), with the difference in that in the hybrid construct, there was a polycaprolactone (PCL) strand printed between every two bioink strands, which were strategically designed to shield the force imposed on the cells within the bioink strands. Both hydrogel and hybrid constructs were implanted into the chondral defects created in the articular cartilage of weight-bearing portions of pig stifle joints; the cartilage formation was examined at one- and three-months post-implantation, respectively, by means of Safranin O, Trichrome, immunofluorescent staining, and synchrotron radiation-based (SR) inline phase contrast imaging microcomputed tomography (inline-PCI-CT). Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II (Col II) secretion were used to evaluate the hyaline cartilage formation, while collagen type I (Col I) was used to indicate fibrocartilage given that Col I is low in hyaline cartilage but high in fibrocartilage. Our results revealed that cartilage formation was enhanced over time in both hydrogel and hybrid constructs; particularly, the hydrogel construct exhibited more cartilage formation at both one- and three-months post-implantation, while hybrid constructs tended to have less fibrocartilage formed in a long time period. Also, the result from the inline-PCI-CT revealed that the inline-PCI-CT was able to provide not only the information seen in other histology images, but also high-resolution details of biomaterials and regenerating cartilage. This would represent a significant advance toward the non-invasive assessment of cartilage formation regeneration within large animal models and eventually in human patients.
Estimating afforestation related forest cover change using data fusion and machine learning
Authors: Khan Kashif , Khan Junaid Aziz , Khokhar Muhammad Fahim , Khan Shahid Nawaz , Iqbal Javed
Published: October 2024

The rapid increase in population and changes in land use have led to the issue of climate change, which is threatening the overall human well-being in general, and particularly the forest resources. Recognizing the rapid decline in the forest cover and in adherence to the Bonn Challenge, Pakistan has initiated the Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) to restore forests. Hence, there is a need to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of forest cover to assess the efficacy of BTAP. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop machine learning methods that combine Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data to characterize forest cover; and (2) to characterize the forest cover dynamics in the study area during the study period. In the study area, the land cover was classified using two machine learning models: random forests (RF) and support vector machines (SVM). We then used the models to create forest cover maps for the period of 2016 to 2022. Based on the classifications of land cover, the study area was classified into forest and non-forest classes. Finally, the spatiotemporal distribution of the changes induced by afforestation was generated. The results demonstrate an increase of 3.7% in forest cover in the study area during the study period. The increase in forest cover was more prominent in the northern and central regions as compared to that of the southern region. In terms of species, the increase in broadleaved forests was more prominent. The results show that RF produces superior results as compared to the SVM, with overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of 94%–97% & 0.93–0.96 respectively. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of the SVM model range from 92%–94% & 0.91–0.95. The techniques used in this study are cost-effective for accurately monitoring changes in forest cover.
Nano device fabrication for in-memory and in-sensor reservoir computing
Authors: Lin Yinan , Chen Xi , Zhang Qianyu , You Junqi , Xu Renjing , Wang Zhongrui , Sun Linfeng
Published: October 2024

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have proven to be indispensable for processing sequential and temporal data, with extensive applications in language modeling, text generation, machine translation, and time-series forecasting. Despite their versatility, RNNs are frequently beset by significant training expenses and slow convergence times, which impinge upon their deployment in edge AI applications. Reservoir computing (RC), a specialized RNN variant, is attracting increased attention as a cost-effective alternative for processing temporal and sequential data at the edge. RC’s distinctive advantage stems from its compatibility with emerging memristive hardware, which leverages the energy efficiency and reduced footprint of analog in-memory and in-sensor computing, offering a streamlined and energy-efficient solution. This review offers a comprehensive explanation of RC’s underlying principles, fabrication processes, and surveys recent progress in nano-memristive device based RC systems from the viewpoints of in-memory and in-sensor RC function. It covers a spectrum of memristive device, from established oxide-based memristive device to cutting-edge material science developments, providing readers with a lucid understanding of RC’s hardware implementation and fostering innovative designs for in-sensor RC systems. Lastly, we identify prevailing challenges and suggest viable solutions, paving the way for future advancements in in-sensor RC technology.
Constructing high-performance and versatile liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator with inflatable columnar units
Authors: Luo Lin , Liu Chao , Gu Rui , Chen Mingxia , Wang Yifei , Xu Nuo , Xiong Yao , Yang Jiahong , Huo Ziwei , Liu Yang , Wei Liang , Wang Zhong Lin , Sun Qijun
Published: October 2024

The use of water resources for energy generation has become increasingly prevalent, encompassing the conversion of kinetic energy from streams, tides, and waves into renewable electrical power. Water energy sources offer numerous benefits, including widespread availability, stability, and the absence of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, making them a clean and environmentally friendly form of energy. In this work, we develop a droplet-based liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator (LS-TENG) using sophisticatedly designed inflatable columnar structures with inner and outer dual-electrodes. This device can be utilized to harvest both the internal droplet-rolling mechanical energy and the external droplet-falling mechanical energy, capable of being assembled into various structures for versatile applications. The design incorporates a combined structure of both internal and external TENG to optimize output performance via multiple energy harvesting strategies. The internal structure features a dual-electrode columnar-shaped LS-TENG, designed to harvest fluid kinetic energy from water droplets. By leveraging the back-and-forth motion of a small amount of water within the air column, mechanical energy can be readily collected, achieving a maximum mass power density of 9.02 W·Kg−1 and an energy conversion efficiency of 10.358%. The external component is a droplet-based LS-TENG, which utilizes a double-layer capacitor switch effect elucidated with an equivalent circuit model. Remarkably, without the need for pre-charging, a single droplet can generate over 140 V of high voltage, achieving a maximum power density of 7.35 W·m−2 and an energy conversion efficiency of 22.058%. The combined LS-TENG with a sophisticated inflatable columnar structure can simultaneously collect multiple types of energy with high efficacy, exhibiting great significance in potential applications such as TENG aeration rollers, inflatable lifejacket, wind energy harvesting, TENG tents, and green houses.
Biofuel blends and nano-additives: a sustainable approach to diesel engine performance and emissions improvement
Authors: S Prakash Varma Potturi , Subbaiah K Venkata
Published: October 2024

The utilization of compression ignition (CI) diesel engines has seen a substantial increase in recent years owing to their numerous advantages. However, the widespread adoption of these engines has also significantly contributed to environmental pollution issues, with diesel engines being recognized as major global contributors to exhaust emissions-related pollution. To address this issue, comprehensive research has been carried out on both emissions from diesel exhaust pollutants and advanced after-treatment technologies for emission control. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and emissions of diesel fuel mixed with various ratios of biofuel derived from Karanja seeds (B10, B15, and B20). Among the different blends examined, B20 demonstrated superior performance in terms of brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), along with lower levels of hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to pure diesel. Further, the impact of nanoadditives, specifically titanium dioxide (TiO2), at different concentrations (80 ppm, 100 ppm, and 120 ppm), on B20 blends was evaluated. The findings indicated that B20 blended with 100 ppm of TiO2 exhibited superior performance in terms of BTE, BSFC, and lower emissions of HC, CO2, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO). From the results, the BTE increases from 1% to 33%, illustrating enhanced thermal efficiency under similar conditions. The average BSFC across all loads and speeds in the table is approximately 0.89 kg kW−1h−1, while the average BTE stands at approximately 23.1%.
Dynamically customizable 4D printed shape memory polymer biomedical devices: a review
Authors: Xin Xiaozhou , Lin Cheng , Wang Xiaofei , Liu Fukai , Dong Lili , Liu Liwu , Liu Yanju , Leng Jinsong
Published: October 2024

There is an increased risk of complications and even surgical failures for various types of medical devices due to difficult to control configurations and performances, incomplete deployments, etc. Shape memory polymers (SMPs)-based 4D printing technology offers the opportunity to create dynamic, personalized, and accurately controllable biomedical devices with complex configurations. SMPs, typical representatives of intelligent materials, are capable of programmable deformation in response to stimuli and dynamic remodeling on demand. 4D printed SMP medical devices not only enable active control of configuration, performance and functionality, but also open the way for minimally invasive treatments and remote controllable deployment. Here, the shape memory mechanism, actuation methods, and printing strategies of active programmable SMPs are reviewed, and cutting-edge advances of 4D printed SMPs in the fields such as bone scaffolds, tracheal stents, cardiovascular stents, cell morphological regulation, and drug delivery are highlighted. In addition, promising and meaningful future research directions for 4D printed SMP biomedical devices are discussed. The development of 4D printed SMP medical devices is inseparable from the in-depth cooperation between doctors and engineers. The application of 4D printed SMP medical devices will facilitate the rapid realization of ‘smart medical care’ and accelerate the process of ‘intelligentization’ of medical devices.
Hyperderivatives of Periods and Quasi-Periods for Anderson 𝑡-Modules
Authors: Namoijam Changningphaabi , Papanikolas Matthew
Published: October 2024

We investigate periods, quasi-periods, logarithms, and quasi-logarithms of Anderson

t
t

-modules, as well as their hyperderivatives. We develop a comprehensive account of how these values can be obtained through rigid analytic trivializations of abelian and

A

\mathbf {A}

-finite

t
t

-modules. To do this we build on the exponentiation theorem of Anderson and investigate quasi-periodic extensions of

t
t

-modules through Anderson generating functions. By applying these results to prolongation

t
t

-modules of Maurischat, we integrate hyperderivatives of these values together with previous work of Brownawell and Denis in this framework.
Conclusion
Authors: Hewitt Martin
Published: October 2024

What we can learn about Darwinism in Britain from the various celebrations organised to mark the centenary of Darwin’s birth, and the 1909 half-centenary of the Origin? The sorts of layered multigenerational responses visible in the previous fifty years were still very much in evidence, complicated by the sense of the incipient emergence of a further, post-Edwardian generation. Reviewing the arguments of the rest of the book, the prosopographical basis of the conclusions are emphasised, conceding that exceptions to the generational pattern are numerous, that generational influences operate in a complex field of other positionalities of class, gender, race, and religion, but that these exceptions do not challenge the general pattern visible in the larger populations. Concluding reflections show the implications for understanding the nature of historical periodisation and change, and especially the importance of generational churn as a central dynamic of social and cultural change.
Dual-view jointly learning improves personalized drug synergy prediction
Authors: Li Xueliang , Shen Bihan , Feng Fangyoumin , Li Kunshi , Tang Zhixuan , Ma Liangxiao , Li Hong
Published: October 2024

Motivation

Accurate and robust estimation of the synergistic drug combination is important for medicine precision. Although some computational methods have been developed, some predictions are still unreliable especially for the cross-dataset predictions, due to the complex mechanism of drug combinations and heterogeneity of cancer samples.

Results

We have proposed JointSyn that utilizes dual-view jointly learning to predict sample-specific effects of drug combination from drug and cell features. JointSyn outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods in predictive accuracy and robustness across various benchmarks. Each view of JointSyn captures drug synergy-related characteristics and makes complementary contributes to the final prediction of the drug combination. Moreover, JointSyn with fine-tuning improves its generalization ability to predict a novel drug combination or cancer sample using a small number of experimental measurements. We also used JointSyn to generate an estimated atlas of drug synergy for pan-cancer and explored the differential pattern among cancers. These results demonstrate the potential of JointSyn to predict drug synergy, supporting the development of personalized combinatorial therapies.

Availability and implementation

Source code and data are available at https://github.com/LiHongCSBLab/JointSyn.
Circular RNA circASH1L(4,5) protects microRNA-129-5p from target-directed microRNA degradation in human skin wound healing
Authors: Wang Qizhang , Niu Guanglin , Liu Zhuang , Toma Maria A , Geara Jennifer , Bian Xiaowei , Zhang Letian , Piipponen Minna , Li Dongqing , Wang Aoxue , Sommar Pehr , Xu Landén Ning
Published: October 2024

Background

Skin wound healing involves a complex gene expression programme that remains largely undiscovered in humans. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are key players in this process.

Objectives

To understand the functions and potential interactions of circRNAs and miRNAs in human skin wound healing.

Methods

CircRNA, linear RNA and miRNA expression in human acute and chronic wounds were analysed with RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The roles of circASH1L(4,5) and miR-129-5p were studied in human primary keratinocytes (proliferation and migration assays, microarray analysis) and ex vivo wound models (histological analysis). The interaction between circASH1L(4,5) and miR-129-5p was examined using luciferase reporter and RNA pulldown assays.

Results

We identified circASH1L(4,5) and its interaction with miR-129-5p, both of which increased during human skin wound healing. Unlike typical miRNA sponging, circASH1L enhanced miR-129 stability and silencing activity by protecting it from target-directed degradation triggered by NR6A1 mRNA. Transforming growth factor-β signalling – crucial in wound healing – promoted circASH1L expression while suppressing NR6A1, thereby increasing the abundance of miR-129 at the post-transcriptional level. CircASH1L and miR-129 enhanced keratinocyte migration and proliferation, crucial processes for the re-epithelialization of human wounds.

Conclusions

Our study uncovered a novel role for circRNAs as protectors of miRNAs and highlights the importance of regulated miRNA degradation in skin wound healing.
Surgical outcomes of neoadjuvant endocrine treatment in early breast cancer: meta-analysis
Authors: Brett Beatrice , Savva Constantinos , Mirshekar-Syahkal Bahar , Hill Martyn , Douek Michael , Copson Ellen , Cutress Ramsey
Published: October 2024

Background

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy presents an important downstaging option with lower toxicity than neoadjuvant chemotherapy in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive early breast cancer. Meta-analysis of the effects of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy on surgical outcomes across randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies has not previously been performed.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy on surgical outcomes (PROSPERO (international prospective register of systematic reviews, 2020)) compared with surgery followed by adjuvant endocrine therapy. PubMed and EMBASE were searched to identify RCT and cohort studies between 1946 and 27 March 2024. Two independent reviewers manually screened the identified records and extracted the data. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tools and random-effects meta-analysis was done with ReviewManager.

Results

The search identified 2390 articles eligible for screening. The review included 20 studies (12 cohort and 8 RCTs); 19 were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 6382 patients. Overall, neoadjuvant endocrine therapy was associated with a lower mastectomy rate compared with surgery first (risk ratio (RR) 0.53, 95% c.i. 0.44 to 0.64). Subgroup analysis showed similar improvement in the mastectomy rate in the neoadjuvant endocrine therapy group versus control group irrespective of study type (RCT: RR 0.58, 95% c.i. 0.50 to 0.66; cohorts: RR 0.48, 95% c.i. 0.33 to 0.70). There was no difference in the mastectomy rate by duration of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (more than 4 months: RR 0.57, 95% c.i. 0.42 to 0.78; 4 months or less than 4 months: RR 0.52, 95% c.i. 0.43 to 0.64). Most of the studies were characterized by moderate-quality evidence with significant heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy is associated with a reduction in mastectomy rate. Given the moderate methodological quality of previous studies, further RCTs are required.

Registration ID

CRD42020209257
The capability approach in mental health research: A scoping review
Authors: Lee Hyunjin , Moon Deborah , Jenkins Aimee S , Kim Hyungduk
Published: October 2024

The capability approach (CA), which focuses on individual freedom and choices in the conceptualization of well-being, is gaining traction in recent studies of well-being. At the same time, mental health researchers are increasingly adopting a holistic definition of mental health that encompasses both the absence and presence of mental health. Despite the fit between CA and the latest definition of mental health, limited studies examine mental health through the CA lens. To promote CA-based mental health research, this scoping review provides an overview of the mental health studies that utilized CA. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) guidelines, we reviewed 61 studies published between 2007 to 2023 and written in English from Ovid PsycINFO, Ovid Medline, Embase, and Web of Science. Included studies used CA as a theoretical framework underlying the interventions of interest, to guide research processes or to inform the development and validation of well-being measurements. Most studies conceptualized mental health as a continuum while a few studies focused solely on the presence or absence of psychological disorders. The included studies primarily utilized the cross-sectional design and qualitative (48.1 percent) and quantitative (34.4 percent) data collection methods. The results point to the future directions in CA-based mental health research.
A glycan biomarker predicts cognitive decline in amyloid- and tau-negative patients
Authors: Zhou Robin Ziyue , Duell Frida , Axenhus Michael , Jönsson Linus , Winblad Bengt , Tjernberg Lars O , Schedin-Weiss Sophia
Published: October 2024

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is vital for timely treatment. Existing biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease reflect amyloid- and tau-related pathology, but it is unknown whether the disease can be detected before cerebral amyloidosis is observed. N-glycosylation has been suggested as an upstream regulator of both amyloid and tau pathology, and levels of the N-glycan structure bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) correlate with tau in blood and CSF already at pre-clinical stages of the disease. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether bisecting GlcNAc could predict future cognitive decline in patients from a memory clinic cohort, stratified by amyloid/tau status. We included 251 patients (mean age: 65.6 ± 10.6 years, 60.6% female) in the GEDOC cohort, from the Memory Clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Patients were classified as amyloid/tau positive or negative based on CSF biomarkers. Cognitive decline, measured by longitudinal Mini-Mental State Examination scores, was followed for an average of 10.7 ± 4.1 years and modelled using non-linear mixed effects models. Additionally, bisecting GlcNAc levels were measured in hippocampus and cortex with lectin-based immunohistochemistry in 10 Alzheimer’s disease and control brains. We found that CSF bisecting GlcNAc levels were elevated in tau-positive individuals compared with tau-negative individuals, but not in amyloid-positive individuals compared with amyloid-negative individuals. In the whole sample, high levels of CSF bisecting GlcNAc predicted earlier cognitive decline. Strikingly, amyloid/tau stratification showed that high CSF bisecting GlcNAc levels predicted earlier cognitive decline in amyloid-negative patients (β = 2.53 ± 0.85 years, P = 0.003) and tau-negative patients (β = 2.43 ± 1.01 years, P = 0.017), but not in amyloid- or tau-positive patients. Finally, histochemical analysis of bisecting GlcNAc showed increased levels in neurons in hippocampus and cortex of Alzheimer’s disease compared with control brain (fold change = 1.44–1.49, P < 0.001). In conclusion, high CSF levels of bisecting GlcNAc reflected neuronal pathology and predicted cognitive decline in amyloid- and tau-negative individuals, suggesting that abnormal glycosylation precedes cerebral amyloidosis and tau hyper-phosphorylation in Alzheimer’s disease. Bisecting GlcNAc is a promising novel early biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.
Cradle-to-gate analyses of biochar produced from agricultural crop residues by vacuum pyrolysis
Authors: Divyangkumar Nakum , Panwar Narayan Lal , Agrawal Chitranjan , Gupta Trilok , Meena G L , Singh Manjeet
Published: October 2024

Agricultural waste, if not managed efficiently, can pose significant environmental threats. Biochar production, a cost-effective solution, offers a potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions and thereby combat climate change. However, the environmental impact of this process is not uniform and varies depending on the agricultural residue used. These impacts, spanning the entire lifecycle from cultivation to disposal, underscore the necessity of a thorough assessment before biochar can be widely adopted for practical applications. This study employs a cradle-to-gate approach to evaluate the life cycle assessment (LCAs) of producing biochar from various agro-residues, such as rice husk, sugarcane bagasse (SB), and corn cob (CC). The LCA was conducted using SimaPro software, version 9.5.0.1, and the ReCiPe impact assessment method. The results indicate that CC cultivation has the highest impact across most categories, while rice husks exhibit higher water consumption (2.8 × 103 m3). Using diesel, electricity, and fertilizers significantly contributes to global warming potential (GWP). SB shows the most negligible impact during biomass cultivation. However, pyrolysis processes exhibit high implications on various indicators. Applying biochar to soil for carbon sequestration and improvement can reduce GWP. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates a notable reduction in GWP and cumulative energy demand, approximately 10%–24% and 4–11 MWh, respectively. Paddy cultivation and rice husk biochar production have a lesser environmental impact. Changing energy sources during biomass growth and biochar production significantly influences environmental factors.
Does development in financial markets and institutions affect green growth? Empirical evidence from India
Authors: Bose Priyanka , Mahapatra Bamadev , Mishra Saswat Kishore
Published: October 2024

This study delves into the intricate connection between financial development and green growth in India. The study considers the development in financial institutions and financial markets as a proxy of financial development. By employing an autoregressive distributed lag model for the period 1990–2019, the results reveal a mixed impact of financial development on green growth in India. The study confirms a cointegrating relationship among the interested variables through the autoregressive distributed lag-bound test approach. Further, the results reported that financial institutions have a positive and statistically significant influence on green growth in India both in the short and long terms. However, financial markets have no statistically significant effect on green growth. These findings are important for policymakers, offering valuable insights into India’s intricate interplay between financial development and green growth. These findings suggest the way for targeted policy interventions to achieve green growth and better investment strategies in India’s economic landscape.
Global status and prospects for hybrid hydrogen-natural gas systems for power plants in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Fonou Husserl Djouodjinang , Fopah-Lele Armand , Mensah Lena Dzifa , Yakubu Rahimat Oyiza , Quansah David Ato
Published: October 2024

With the lowest power access rate in the world (51.4%), Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a severe energy crisis. Many of the region’s countries report access rates of less than 20%. Even though Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest global greenhouse gas emissions, the region still suffers from climate change, especially extreme droughts. Efforts to tackle these issues by implementing a macro-grid system that integrates natural gas and renewable energy resources have not been successful in reducing the adverse environmental effects and energy poverty. This study highlights research on the technological approaches used in hybrid hydrogen/natural gas in heavy-duty dual-fuel power plants, their benefits and drawbacks, and their economic viability. The goal of this is to suggest an improved and more reliable hub energy system for Sub-Saharan Africa. While all countries in Sub-Saharan Africa utilize natural gas plants, only 17% are involved in hydrogen production, and none have implemented hybrid methods for electrical energy generation. Studies using experimental and numerical analyses have shown that adding hydrogen to natural gas plants increases overall efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions. Furthermore, this research introduces an energy hub approach that incorporates carbon capture and power-to-X technologies, potentially improving efficiency by 42%. These strategies not only support environmental sustainability but also provide economic advantages by decreasing operational and financial losses in power plants. The results reveal a new pathway for the region’s transition to sustainable energy: identifying key locations for the technological and economic viability of hybrid hydrogen/natural gas power plants in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A Comprehensive Review of Solar Assisted Technologies in India for Clean Water and Clean Energy
Authors: Manimaran R
Published: October 2024

This article discusses the solar assisted technologies from the Indian subcontinent to address the sustainable development targets developed by united nations programme. For water and renewable energy, technologies presented in this paper include carbon sequestration, solar biomass, power plants with thermal and photovoltaic systems, irrigation systems, heating systems, dryers, distillation systems, solar desalination, and water treatment. Various techniques are suggested for clean water recovery using solar distillation, solar stills, and desalination. Various methods of solar drying the fruits and vegetables have been discussed using flat plate collector. Power production from solar-thermal, solar-photovoltaic and solar biomass systems are covered from recent studies. Prospects on future solar energy research is recommended on solar cells, magnetized solar stills, heat pump integrated solar power production systems, plasmonic nanofluids in solar collectors. At the conclusion, the outlook for solar technologies is examined.
Management of Vulnerable Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 With Remdesivir: A Retrospective Comparative Effectiveness Study of Mortality in US Hospitals
Authors: Mozaffari Essy , Chandak Aastha , Berry Mark , Sax Paul E , Loubet Paul , Doi Yohei , Amin Alpesh N , Ahuja Neera , Müller Veronika , Casciano Roman , Kolditz Martin
Published: October 2024

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a major public health concern, with continued resurgences of cases and substantial risk of mortality for hospitalized patients. Remdesivir has become standard-of-care for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Given the continued evolution of the disease, clinical management of COVID-19 relies on evidence from the current endemic period.

Methods

Using the PINC AI Healthcare Database, remdesivir effectiveness was evaluated among adults hospitalized with primary diagnosis of COVID-19 between December 2021 and February 2024. Three cohorts were analyzed: adults (≥18 years), elderly (≥65 years), and those with documented COVID-19 pneumonia. Analyses were stratified by oxygen requirements. Patients who received remdesivir were matched to those who did not receive remdesivir using propensity score matching. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine in-hospital mortality.

Results

169 965 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 were included, of whom 94 129 (55.4%) initiated remdesivir in the first 2 days of hospitalization. Remdesivir was associated with significantly lower mortality rate compared to no remdesivir among patients with no supplemental oxygen charges (adjusted HR [95% CI]: 14-day, 0.75 [.69–.82]; 28-day, 0.77 [.72–.83]) and those requiring supplemental oxygen: 14-day, 0.76 [.72–.81]; 28-day, 0.79 [.74–.83]; P < .0001 for all). Similar findings were observed for elderly patients and those hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Conclusions

This evidence builds on what has been learned from randomized controlled trials from the pandemic era to inform clinical practices. Remdesivir was associated with significant reduction in mortality for hospitalized patients including the elderly and those with COVID-19 pneumonia.