bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Demonstration of irradiation-resistant 4H-SiC based photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Pei Yan , Geng Wenhao , Xu Lingbo , Cui Can , Pi Xiaodong , Yang Deren , Wang Rong
Published: November 2024

4H silicon carbide (4H-SiC) has gained a great success in high-power electronics, owing to its advantages of wide bandgap, high breakdown electric field strength, high carrier mobility, and high thermal conductivity. Considering the high carrier mobility and high stability of 4H-SiC, 4H-SiC has great potential in the field of photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this work, we demonstrate the irradiation-resistant PEC water splitting based on nanoporous 4H-SiC arrays. A new two-step anodizing approach is adopted to prepare 4H-SiC nanoporous arrays with different porosity, that is, a constant low-voltage etching followed by a pulsed high-voltage etching. The constant-voltage etching and pulsed-voltage etching are adopted to control the diameter of the nanopores and the depth of the nanoporous arrays, respectively. It is found that the nanoporous arrays with medium porosity has the highest PEC current, because of the enhanced light absorption and the optimized transportation of charge carriers along the walls of the nanoporous arrays. The performance of the PEC water splitting of the nanoporous arrays is stable after the electron irradiation with the dose of 800 and 1600 kGy, which indicates that 4H-SiC nanoporous arrays has great potential in the PEC water splitting under harsh environments.
Selection of dopants and doping sites in semiconductors: the case of AlN
Authors: Zheng Yi-Feng , Cai Xuefen , Wei Su-Huai
Published: November 2024

The choices of proper dopants and doping sites significantly influence the doping efficiency. In this work, using doping in AlN as an example, we discuss how to choose dopants and doping sites in semiconductors to create shallow defect levels. By comparing the defect properties of CN, ON, MgAl, and SiAl in AlN and analyzing the pros and cons of different doping approaches from the aspects of size mismatch between dopant and host elements, electronegativity difference and perturbation to the band edge states after the substitution, we propose that MgAl and SiAl should be the best dopants and doping sites for p-type and n-type doping, respectively. Further first-principles calculations verify our predictions as these defects present lower formation energies and shallower defect levels. The defect charge distributions also show that the band edge states, which mainly consist of N- s and p orbitals, are less perturbed when Al is substituted, therefore, the derived defect states turn out to be delocalized, opposite to the situation when N is substituted. This approach of analyzing the band structure of the host material and choosing dopants and doping sites to minimize the perturbation on the host band structure is general and can provide reliable estimations for finding shallow defect levels in semiconductors.
An SI for humans and a digital-SI for machines
Authors: Valdés Joaquín , Laiz Héctor M
Published: November 2024

The international metrology community is focusing on the digitalization of the International System of Units (SI). A digital SI does not necessarily have to be a digital version of the present SI designed for communication between humans, or between humans and machines. This contribution reviews a proposed Digital System of Units (D-SI) for communication between machines using only the seven SI base units. We analyze the convenience of including in a future D-SI the conversion to the seven SI base units of most of the non SI units used worldwide for machine-to-machine communication, being machine accessible at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures website. This needs authoritative agreement of the corresponding conversion factors to be used. In this way, the dream of managing a single system of units could be achieved by machines before humans. Some causes of ambiguity in the present SI that may be overcome in the D-SI are also considered.
Improved weighted sum estimation of total radiated power at W7-X
Authors: Partesotti G. , Reimold F. , Tsikouras A. , Zhang D. , Kawamura G. , Peterson B.J. ,   the W7-X Team
Published: November 2024

As magnetic confinement devices move toward higher fusion powers, moderating the heat load to the plasma-facing components becomes increasingly challenging. Efficient power dissipation can be achieved through control of the plasma radiation. However, defining a reliable proxy for the total radiated power is particularly challenging for non-axisymmetric devices such as stellarators. To address this problem, the radiated power can be estimated through a sum of the individual line-integrated bolometer measurements with weights properly calculated to account for the three-dimensional magnetic geometry. The present contribution aims to apply this weighted sum approach to Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) and quantitatively validate it. First, we generate synthetic radiated power phantoms with characteristic W7-X radiation features to derive a set of optimized line-of-sight weights. Then, we test the weights on mock-ups and EMC3-EIRENE radiation patterns, including acquisition and analysis errors such as random noise fluctuations, camera misalignments, and field errors. Compared to other methods, the optimized weighted sum technique exhibited the best performance in all the presented synthetic test cases. When applied to experimental bolometer data, the optimized weights provided a proxy that is both reliable and real-time capable. Further validation is foreseen for the next experimental campaign.
Frequency comb for 88Sr+ clock frequency comparison with Cs fountain clock at the NRC
Authors: Marceau Claude , Beattie Scott , Pakulski Wojciech , Gertsvolf Marina
Published: November 2024

We describe a polarization maintaining erbium fibre optical frequency comb that was used to link NRC-FCs2 to an ultrastable laser, generating ultrastable microwaves (MW) that are shown to significantly shorten the fountain clock averaging time. A detailed experimental setup for our next measurement linking NRC 88Sr+ clock to the NRC-FCs2 Cs fountain clock is also presented.
Compact clocks & cavities for space and ground applications
Authors: Gill P , Mulholland S , Klein H , Huang G , Hill I , Allen B , Haji M , Stacey J , Spampinato A , Tsoulos P , Hockley G , Vincent N , Knapp M , Trigatzis M , Barwood G
Published: November 2024

Position, navigation and timing capability worldwide is predominantly underpinned by global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which provide the underlying capability for critical national infrastructures, science, industry, commerce and society. Recently, the vulnerability of such systems to interference, whether intentional or not, instrument failure or space weather, has been recognised, pointing to the need for alternative independent navigation and timing solutions. In particular, the availability of low size, weight and power (low-SWaP) traceable portable clocks with extended holdover times for use both in space and on ground is seen as paramount. We report on progress in the development of compact cold ion microwave and optical clocks at NPL that point to capability to out-perform existing commercial clock systems and identify future space applications that could benefit from this technology.
A new resilient time and frequency infrastructure for UTC(NPL)
Authors: Jones D J M , Aikomo M , Ashford S , Ashkhasi A , Davis J A , Devine B , Eglin B , Everett S B , Foot R , Galbraith D , Hendricks R J , Khatry K , Langham C , Lewis R , Newton-Griffiths J , Owen H , Shemar S L , Sheppard A , Smyth C , Szymaniec K , Walby S , Weston D F M , Whale J , Whibberley P B , Wilson A , Wilson C , Margolis H S
Published: November 2024

The Resilient Enhanced Time Scale Infrastructure (RETSI) is an atomic clock network distributed geographically in secure locations, that is being developed as part of work in the National Timing Centre programme. It will become the source of UTC(NPL), the physical realisation of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) maintained by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in the United Kingdom (UK). Dissemination points called User Access Nodes will link to RETSI via Orchestration Nodes, allowing users to access time and / or frequency references traceable to UTC(NPL). This will help to improve security and resilience in national time and frequency generation and distribution, enabling the UK to reduce its dependence on timing signals from Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Proposal for a computable optical Clock
Authors: Amit Omer , Wirthl Vitaly , Taray Derya , Weis Vincent , Sarkar Soumyadeep , Kim Min–Cheol , Syed Mustafa Waqar , Moreno Jorge , Egli Florian , Weitenberg Johannes , Thariq Muhammad , Strobl Theodor , Bieringer Malte , Hein Linus , Karshenboim Savely , Pohl Randolf , Yost Dylan C. , Ozawa Akira , Hänsch Theodor W. , Udem Thomas
Published: November 2024

With the recent update of the SI system, all but one of the units are now based on defining the values of some fundamental constants. This development began in 1983 when the speed of light was assigned an exact fixed value. The advantage of this method is that it separates the definition from the realization, allowing new realizations to be introduced as technology advances without further redefinition. In addition, it allows unit realizations that are adapted to the scale of their intended use. Because of these advantages, we expect that one day also the last remaining object in the current SI system, the caesium atom, will also disappear. The purpose of this proposal is to outline possible paths for realizations of a future SI second based on the definition of the value of the Rydberg constant. Hydrogen and hydrogen–like systems would be the obvious candidates. The emphasis here is on the development of optical clock systems that circumvent difficulties associated with the short wavelength lasers otherwise required for cooling and driving the clock transition. The proposed clock systems based on atomic hydrogen and hydrogen–like He+, should be no more complex than current optical lattice clocks.
Field-deployable interferometric fibre link terminals with very low temperature sensitivity
Authors: Kuhl A , Kronjäger J
Published: November 2024

We present a novel setup for optical frequency transfer through fibre which is free from uncompensated paths and, as a result, extremely insensitive to the environment. Our test setup involving a 75 km spooled fibre link achieves an instability approaching 10−21 at 104 s of averaging, even with one of the terminals temperature-cycled over 15 K. The temperature coefficient of the phase error is estimated at approximately 2 as/K, without any active temperature stabilization or thermal shielding. Fibre link terminals using the topology presented here are suitable for field deployment, for example in geodetic applications together with transportable optical clocks.
Active optical clock: seventeen years of progress and next steps
Authors: Zhang Jia , Shi Tiantian , Miao Jianxiang , Guan Xiaolei , Gao Xun , Chen Jingbiao
Published: November 2024

The concept of the active optical clock (AOC) was proposed seventeen years ago by prof. Jingbiao Chen. After early calculations and experiments that demonstrated the advantages of “cavity-pulling suppression” and “narrower linewidth”, the development of AOCs soon became an active competition involving many research groups that proposed schemes based on different atomic species, and different energy-level structures. In this paper, after a brief background introduction, we will mainly focus on the most recent experimental and theoretical progress of AOCs in Peking University. In addition, we give an outlook on AOCs based on cold atoms that can be operated continuously, and report a novel AOC scheme based on diffuse laser cooling that can be operated continuously for the first time, which is proposed and performed by Peking University. The AOC has great promise for applications in quantum metrology, as it can overcome the thermal noise of the reference cavity that limits conventional lasers, making AOC a promising candidate for future atomic optical clocks.
Progress on cadmium-ion and ytterbium-ion Microwave Frequency Standards at Tsinghua University
Authors: Miao S. N. , Zheng Y. , Chen Y. T. , Shi W. X. , Zhang J. W. , Wang L. J.
Published: November 2024

As a candidate for the next generation microwave clock, microwave atomic clocks based on trapped ions are currently studied worldwide. Since 2010, our team at Tsinghua University has been committed to developing a high-performance 113Cd+ microwave ion clock. In 2021, the laser-cooled cadmium-ion microwave clock constructed in our laboratory demonstrated remarkable performance, with a short-term instability of

4.2
×

10

−
13

/

τ

and a relative frequency uncertainty of 1.8 × 10−14, improving nearly three orders of magnitude compared to the result from JPL. The 0-0 ground-state hyperfine splitting frequency of 113Cd+ was determined to be 15199862855.02799(27) Hz, currently the most accurate measurement result for this transition frequency. Apart from that, we introduced the sympathetic cooling technology into the experiment of cadmium-ion microwave clock. Using 40Ca+ as the coolant ion, we obtained Ramsey patterns with a free evolution time of up to 100 seconds, ultimately improving the short-term instability of the system to

3.48
×

10

−
13

/

τ

. Moreover, a microwave frequency standard based on laser-cooled 171Yb+ ions has also been developed in our laboratory since 2021. The short-term frequency instability was measured to be

8.5
×

10

−
13

/

τ

. The ground-state hyperfine splitting frequency of 171Yb+ was determined to be 12642812118.4674(8) Hz with a fractional frequency uncertainty of 6.33 × 10−14.
Duty cycle engineering for improved optical lattice clock stability
Authors: Butuc-Mayer Filip , Johnson Matthew , Feng Chen-Hao , Bowden William , Hobson Richard , Hill Ian R
Published: November 2024

We describe a method of duty cycle engineering in optical lattice clocks to reduce clock instability through tailoring of the Dick effect noise contribution. We apply dynamically decoupled interrogation sequences to realise an estimated improvement in single clock instability approaching a factor of two, as well as providing a route to zero dead-time operation for two interleaved clocks which are otherwise unable to reach the required duty cycle. We show through simulations and synchronous measurements of clocks NPL-Sr1 and NPL-Sr2 that a quantum projection noise limited instability < 3 − 10−17
τ
−1/2 can be realised in a near ideal zero dead-time configuration.
Testing novel high-reflectivity mirror technologies from room-temperature to 4 K
Authors: Kempkes M , Legero T , Sterr U , Nicolodi D
Published: November 2024

We present a setup based on a low-vibration closed-cycle cryostat for the characterization of mirror coatings and for the direct measurement of Brownian thermal noise from room-temperature to 4 K. Using a dual frequency modulation scheme allows us to lock a laser to two eigenmodes of a high-finesse optical resonator simultaneously and to track the line splitting between the two modes. This facility will enable to investigate the temperature and power dependence of the birefringent line splitting and noise in AlGaAs/GaAs multilayer coatings across a broad temperature range.
The effects of grading on the energy absorption of nylon body centered cubic and simple cubic plate lattices fabricated by material extrusion - Numerical analysis
Authors: Abdelmageed Mohamed , Zain Elabdeen Ibrahim H. , Zaki Wael , Cantwell Wesley
Published: November 2024

The ongoing need for better protective structures has led to the development of various methods to improve specific energy absorption, including functional grading. This study explores how axial grading affects the energy absorption of simple cubic (SC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) plate lattices, comparing them to their uniform counterparts of the same relative density. Using ABAQUS, a numerical analysis simulates the quasi-static compression of plate lattices made from tough Nylon through material extrusion 3D printing. The results show that severe axial grading can increase the specific energy absorption of BCC plate lattices by up to 32% while grading with less severity reduces it. SC plate lattices show unstable behavior due to the vertical walls buckling and the grading also shows an unstable effect. This study highlights the impact of axial grading on these lattices and provides useful information for designing better protective structures.
Enhancing technological plasticity in the production of AISI 420 stainless steel through the use of asymmetric rolling
Authors: Pesin A.M. , Pustovoytov D.O. , Brevnov K.Yu. , Pesin I.A. , Tsaturyants M.S. , Nosov L.V. , Lokotunina N.M.
Published: November 2024

In the Zhilyaev Laboratory of Gradient Nanomaterials at Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, the possibility of reducing the production chain for cold-rolled stainless steel strip of grade AISI 420 has been demonstrated. The study concentrated on increasing technological plasticity with implementation of asymmetric rolling. The study showed the effect of asymmetric rolling and provided comparative analysis to the traditional symmetric rolling. Experimental studies on the production of AISI 420 steel strip in have shown the potential for reducing a number of operations compared to the standard technological process and increase of technological plasticity. Corresponding technological regimes have been developed.
Why Using Spiro Compounds as Interlayers Can Enhance the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells?
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Lixin , Wang Bingzhe , Li Jingyun , Fu Yajie
Published: November 2024

Lattice defects in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) impede charge carrier recombination, thus limiting power conversion efficiency (PCE) enhancements. Herein, spiro[fluorene-9,9 ‘ - xanthene]-based molecules S1 and S2 were introduced as interfacial materials, improving perovskite crystallization, reducing trap density, and decreasing defects. The integration of S2 as an interlayer increases the average PCE to 21.06% under maximum power point (MPP) tracking, significantly higher than control devices with enhanced photostability.
Effective Material Properties for the Thermal-magneto-electro-elastic (TMEE) Laminates
Authors: Liu Mei-Feng
Published: November 2024

In this study, the effective material properties for a linear thermo-magneto-electro-elastic (TMEE) heterogeneous laminate made of thermo-piezoelectric (PZT) and thermo-piezomagnetic (PMT) continua are investigated. A procedure converting conventional constitutive equations into alternative constitutive equations is presented by using matrix notation, furthermore, micromechanical approach for finding the alternative effective properties of a multilayered TMEE composite is employed. Concise matrix expressions for the effective properties of the layered TMEE composite are eventually retrieved by reversing the transformation procedure back to conventional form. Bi-layered TMEE laminates made of BaTiO3 and CoFe2O4 are demonstrated to validate the proposed methodology, and the material constants are tabulated with respect to various volume fractions of BaTiO3. It is found that the coupling effects such as magnetoelectric (ME) and pyroelectric (ET) / pyromagnetic (MT) properties are detected in the TMEE laminates despite the no-show in neither of the single phases. Distributions for the coupling effects varying with volume fractions are depicted, results are compared with existing literature, agreement and discrepancy are discussed.
On dynamic responses of gear transmission system during rough tooth surface worn
Authors: Meng Fanshan , Yi Wenhao , Zhang Xin , Wang Jiaxu
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the dynamic responses of gear systems while considering the morphology of worn gear tooth surfaces after different working times. Specifically, the anisotropic three-dimensional micro-morphology of the rough tooth surface model is established based on the W-B fractal theory. The non-uniform wear of the rough tooth surface under different rotational speeds and working hours is quantified according to Archard’s theory. The time-varying meshing stiffness (TVMS) and backlash are calculated with the wear values and then serve as internal excitation input parameters of the dynamic model. The dynamic responses are solved with the variable step Runge-Kutta algorithm. The results show that with increasing gear rotational speed and durations, the depth of tooth surface wear increases gradually, leading to a decrease in TVMS and an increase in backlash. The gear transmission system, considering the micro-morphology of the tooth surface, exhibits diverse dynamic response characteristics as speeds vary. With prolonged working hours, the system’s dynamic response transitions from periodic motion to chaotic motion, manifesting as chaotic vibrations, which are detrimental to steady operation. Transmission systems in chaotic motion can be transformed into stable periodic motion by adjusting the torque or rotational speed of the gears. The findings can provide theoretical guidance for selecting suitable operating conditions for gears subject to different wear degrees.
Diagnosis of loose pedestals in two-dimensional engineering structures with nonlinear vibration transmissibility functions
Authors: Li Quankun , Wang Siji , Chen Xi , Hong Liang , Shi Bin , Pueh Lee Heow
Published: November 2024

Referring to existing vibration transmissibility function-based approaches, which are frequently applied to diagnose fatigue crack and joint loosening faults in two-dimensional engineering structures such as aluminium plates and steel frames, a novel approach applying nonlinear vibration transmissibility functions is developed to diagnose potential loose pedestals in this paper. Firstly, the two-dimensional structural dynamic model, which simulates effects of loose pedestals as equivalent loads, is obtained through the lumped mass method. Secondly, exciting the dynamic model three times with different extra masses, the transmissibility function-based matrix of one sub-model to be diagnosed is obtained, and then a novel damage index is defined based on the matrix singularity. Lastly, a novel approach with particular procedures is proposed. Through three numerical cases on a two-dimensional dynamic model with multiple degrees of freedom (MDOFs), validity and applicability of the proposed approach are shown. As a result, this paper provides a totally new idea to diagnose loose pedestals, which can ensure structures’ smooth operation.
Numerical investigation of air flow within a human nasal cavity
Authors: Niegodajew Paweł
Published: November 2024

This work employs large eddy simulations to explore the flow inside a human nasal cavity with the goal to determine such breathing cycle conditions that ensure maximising the airflow within the olfactory region. The reason for doing so is that this process is critical for the optimum delivery of drugs through a nasal spray. For the purpose of the study, the human nasal passage geometry was reconstructed using magnetic resonance imaging scans from a healthy adult female. The obtained preliminary results indicated that not only a proper inlet location but also a certain time instance, within the inspiration cycle, are important when considering drag delivery via internasal administration.
Application of the model of trapped vortices to the control of flow around a bridge pier
Authors: Gorban Iryna
Published: November 2024

A passive scheme of flow control near a bluff body is proposed. It is aimed at creating the new flow topology in front of the body with the help of two attached plates. The substantiation of this technique is carried out for the rectangular prism of aspect ratio 3:1 with the help of both the reduced order model and 2D numerical simulation of viscous flow by the vortex method.
Composition tracking of CO2-rich streams in large-scale pipeline networks under steady-state conditions
Authors: Osiadacz Andrzej J. , Chaczykowski Maciej , Kotyński Łukasz , Bleschke Tomasz , Uilhoorn Ferdinand , Kwestarz Małgorzata
Published: November 2024

In this paper we are reporting a simulation study of a large-scale pipeline network transporting CO2 streams for carbon capture and storage. Simulations of the networks with tree-type and looped structures, representative for hub and cluster approach, are conducted. Composition tracking using nodal mixing rules is presented. The development of the GIS graphical user interface for incorporating spacial data on the topology of the network is presented. A case study examines conceptual Polish country-wide CO2 transport infrastructure and shows the functionality of the computational code.
5G FR1 Exposure Measurements: Comparison of Different IEC 62232:2022 Extrapolation Methods
Authors: Ruttner M. , Keller H. , Strutz B. , Šuka D. , Qahtan S.
Published: November 2024

Currently, mMIMO (massive Multiple Input Multiple Output) antennas with beamforming are primarily used in 5G NR (New Radio) in the sub-6 GHz range at 3.5 GHz (Frequency Range 1, FR1). The assessment of the theoretical or actual maximum of human exposure to RF field strength or power density according to international standard IEC 62232:2022 is significantly more difficult at base stations (BSs) with beamforming technology than with conventional antenna technologies. This study compares different measurement and exposure evaluation methods from IEC 62232:2022 with in-situ measurements. A case study, developed for the IEC TR 62669 Ed. 3 originally included an analysis of exposure levels at 4 measurement points (A, B, C and D) in the surroundings of three 5G NR BSs, whereas this study includes analysis from both the original and one additional measurement point (E).
Spatial coherence measurement of divergent x-ray beam without prerequisite source information
Authors: Li Qingcheng , Wang Pei , Lu Yonghua
Published: November 2024

Understanding the spatial coherence of synchrotron x-ray sources is crucial for both source characterization and coherent experimental techniques. Here, we present a method to probe the two-dimensional spatial complex coherence factor (CCF) of divergent x-ray beams without prerequisite source information. Phases of the divergent beams are obtained by the transport-of-intensity equation, which is indispensable for the retrieval of the CCF from the diffraction intensity of a Poisson-disk binary phase mask. Our method has been validated through simulations and is expected to be widely used in measuring coherence for fourth-generation synchrotron x-ray sources.
Governing the Palliative State
Authors: O’Neill Ciaran
Published: November 2024

This chapter examines the personnel that governed Ireland and the spaces in which they worked and shaped its governance. The chapter is influenced by Timothy Mitchell’s and Patrick Joyce’s scholarship, and it is particularly interested in those people who occupied key roles in the Irish administration and the Irish executive, arguing that their work amounted to the ‘domination of familiars’. It also interrogates the forgotten history of the Irish Office in London. By exploring these dynamics, this chapter sheds light on the complex power structures that shaped Ireland’s governance and history.
Wilful Subjects
Authors: O’Neill Ciaran
Published: November 2024

This chapter employs Sara Ahmed’s concept of ‘willful subjects’ to challenge the contemporary notion of Irish ‘ungovernability’ over the course of the Union. This reputation endures all the way to the present. If not represented in popular culture as stubborn, wild, obstinate, or wilful, the Irish are invariably cast as illogical, anti-authority, or irrationally and casually violent. By examining the case studies of Irish travellers at Puck Fairs and the treatment endured by Irish suffragettes, it reveals the agency and resistance of marginalized Irish groups. This chapter also ultimately demonstrates how the trope of Irish ‘ungovernability’ serves as a tool for perpetuating systemic oppression and reinforcing dominant power structures.
The challenges of evidence
Authors: Davies Wendy
Published: November 2024

This chapter explains the characteristics of different types of evidence used in the book and explains the different techniques that are needed to use them well. Differentiating garden from field is a problem for archaeological field survey and excavation, but identifying intensive cultivation practices is useful; differential recovery is a problem in using archaeobotanical material, but careful attention to even minimal presence of macrobotanic remains allows us to interrogate this rich data source. The available written texts are mostly charters, although there are also some manuscript illustrations; transmission and preservation of text is explained, as is the importance of awareness of the inconsistencies of scribal practice and the instability of terms used.
Evaluation of an inpatient automatic dose reduction protocol for concentrated insulin glargine upon therapeutic interchange to insulin detemir on hypoglycemia rates
Authors: Addison Janci , Glowacki Brittany , Kelley Denise , Janzen Kristin M , Wulfe Steven
Published: November 2024

Purpose

A previous study at Ascension Seton Hospital Network (ASHN) found a 1:1 dose conversion to insulin detemir 100 units/mL (iDet100) from insulin glargine 300 units/mL (iGlar300) increased the incidence of hypoglycemia as compared to a 1:1 conversion from insulin glargine 100 units/mL. No studies have evaluated an automatic 20% dose reduction for this specific therapeutic interchange. The purpose of this study was to compare hypoglycemia rates following implementation of a protocol specifying a minimum 20% dose reduction when converting from iGlar300 to inpatient iDet100.

Methods

This multicenter, retrospective chart review–based study was a before/after study evaluating the impact of an ASHN protocol implemented in April 2021 requiring a minimum 20% reduction when converting from home iGlar300 to inpatient iDet100. Previously, a 1:1 interchange was standard. Patients admitted between May 2019 and December 2022 were included if at least 1 dose of iDet100 was received following interchange from iGlar300. The primary endpoint was hypoglycemia incidence before and after protocol implementation. Secondary endpoints included time to first hypoglycemia and number of doses given before hypoglycemia. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between percent interchange from home dose and hypoglycemia rate.

Results

A total of 284 patients were included: 128 in the preprotocol arm and 156 in the postprotocol arm. The incidence of hypoglycemia was significantly lower in the postprotocol arm than in the preprotocol arm (11.9% vs 24.7%; P = 0.018). The median time to first hypoglycemia was longer in the postprotocol versus the preprotocol arm, though the difference was not statistically significant (13 vs 18.5 hours, P = 0.082). For each percent reduction from iGlar300 to iDet100, the likelihood of hypoglycemia was reduced by 5.3%.

Conclusion

A protocol requiring a minimum 20% dose reduction from iGlar300 to inpatient iDet100 reduced the incidence of hypoglycemia. Health systems should consider adopting a similar approach to reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia upon interchange.
Accurate and transferable drug–target interaction prediction with DrugLAMP
Authors: Luo Zhengchao , Wu Wei , Sun Qichen , Wang Jinzhuo
Published: November 2024

Motivation

Accurate prediction of drug–target interactions (DTIs), especially for novel targets or drugs, is crucial for accelerating drug discovery. Recent advances in pretrained language models (PLMs) and multi-modal learning present new opportunities to enhance DTI prediction by leveraging vast unlabeled molecular data and integrating complementary information from multiple modalities.

Results

We introduce DrugLAMP (PLM-assisted multi-modal prediction), a PLM-based multi-modal framework for accurate and transferable DTI prediction. DrugLAMP integrates molecular graph and protein sequence features extracted by PLMs and traditional feature extractors. We introduce two novel multi-modal fusion modules: (i) pocket-guided co-attention (PGCA), which uses protein pocket information to guide the attention mechanism on drug features, and (ii) paired multi-modal attention (PMMA), which enables effective cross-modal interactions between drug and protein features. These modules work together to enhance the model’s ability to capture complex drug–protein interactions. Moreover, the contrastive compound-protein pre-training (2C2P) module enhances the model’s generalization to real-world scenarios by aligning features across modalities and conditions. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate DrugLAMP’s state-of-the-art performance on both standard benchmarks and challenging settings simulating real-world drug discovery, where test drugs/targets are unseen during training. Visualizations of attention maps and application to predict cryptic pockets and drug side effects further showcase DrugLAMP’s strong interpretability and generalizability. Ablation studies confirm the contributions of the proposed modules.

Availability and implementation

Source code and datasets are freely available at https://github.com/Lzcstan/DrugLAMP. All data originate from public sources.
Invariant Probabilistic Prediction
Authors: Henzi Alexander , Shen Xinwei , Law Michael , Bühlmann Peter
Published: November 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in statistical methods that exhibit robust performance under distribution changes between training and test data. While most of the related research focuses on point predictions with the squared error loss, this article turns the focus towards probabilistic predictions, which aim to comprehensively quantify the uncertainty of an outcome variable given covariates. Within a causality-inspired framework, we investigate the invariance and robustness of probabilistic predictions with respect to proper scoring rules. We show that arbitrary distribution shifts do not, in general, admit invariant and robust probabilistic predictions, in contrast to the setting of point prediction. We illustrate how to choose evaluation metrics and restrict the class of distribution shifts to allow for identifiability and invariance in the prototypical Gaussian heteroscedastic linear model. Motivated by these findings, we propose a method to yield invariant probabilistic predictions and study the consistency of the underlying parameters. Finally, we demonstrate the empirical performance of our proposed procedure via simulations and on single-cell data.
Why inflammatory reductionism is a threat to psychiatry (and the rest of medicine)
Authors: Pollak Thomas A
Published: November 2024

Thomas Pollak explores the emergence of a new worldview which attempts to explain all manner of ills as the result of inflammation or immune dysfunction. He argues that while this view is rooted in science, it neglects the true complexity of most health conditions, and risks undermining the more holistic concepts of illness favoured by psychiatry.
Proteostasis restoration: a new metric for tau immunotherapy efficacy
Authors: Canet Geoffrey , Planel Emmanuel
Published: November 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Proteostasis as a fundamental principle of Tau immunotherapy’ by Cruz et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae254).
A review of consent policies in dermatological surgery in the UK and the impact of leaner pathways and teledermatology on consent
Authors: Potluru Aparna , Sokol Daniel , Wernham Aaron
Published: November 2024

Obtaining valid consent is an ethical and legal requirement in clinical practice, ensuring patients are adequately informed about their treatments. Recent updates in consent policies, including General Medical Council guidance, the Patterson Inquiry report, and key legal rulings like Montgomery, emphasize a shift towards patient-centred care and the importance of a comprehensive patient–clinician dialogue. Budget constraints and increasing National Health Service demand have led to the adoption of digital solutions and streamlined pathways, such as teledermatology and direct booking to surgery, potentially compromising the consent process. This review examines the current state of informed consent in UK dermatology, particularly in light of the Montgomery ruling, which requires clinicians to ensure patients are aware of all material risks and alternatives associated with their treatments. The two-stage consent process, involving consent at two distinct points, is advocated to allow patients adequate time for reflection and decision making. However, challenges remain in pathways like one-stop clinics and direct booking for surgery, where limited face-to-face interaction and time constraints can undermine the quality of informed consent. To mitigate these issues, integrating multimedia tools and standardized procedure-specific consent forms can enhance patient comprehension and satisfaction. These tools ensure consistent and clear communication of risks, benefits and alternatives, maintaining robust informed consent amid evolving healthcare delivery models. Sustaining a thorough and individualized dialogue throughout the patient care journey is essential for upholding patient autonomy and shared decision making in dermatological surgery.
General dermatology and dermatology in primary healthcare
Authors: Bučič Dinea , Darcis Gilles , El Moussaoui Majdouline
Published: November 2024

A woman in her 40s with recurrent urticarial-like rash, low-grade fever, fatigue and lower limb pain was diagnosed with Schnitzler syndrome after laboratory results revealed elevated inflammatory markers and monoclonal IgM gammopathy. Histopathology showed neutrophilic infiltrates, and imaging identified osteosclerotic lesions. Her symptoms resolved completely with daily administration of anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.
Efficacy and tolerability of 1.6% phenol-croton peeling vs. topical 5% imiquimod in the treatment of actinic cheilitis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Garbers Luiz Eduardo Fabrício de Melo , Miola Anna Carolina , de Souza Vinicius , de Castro Brommonschenkel Christina , de Oliveira Lima Flávio , Minicucci Eliana Maria , Miot Hélio Amante
Published: November 2024

Background

Trials evaluating the effectiveness of topical treatments for actinic cheilitis (AC) are scarce. Despite no comparative data, phenol-croton peeling has been reported as effective in treating this condition.

Objective

To assess for the treatment of AC the efficacy and tolerability of a single session of 1.6% phenol-croton peeling vs. topical 5% imiquimod cream applied for 30 days for the treatment of AC.

Methods

An open, randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness and tolerability of 1.6% phenol-croton peeling vs. topical 5% imiquimod for the treatment of AC [protocol registered at ReBEC (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials) – RBR-1044sz68]. Thirty-six patients with biopsy-proven AC were allocated into two groups (1 : 1): the imiquimod group received 5% topical imiquimod three times a week for 30 days, and the croton group underwent one session of 1.6% phenol-croton peeling. The primary outcome was the clearance of AC after 56 days. Secondary outcomes included clinical and histological parameters, adverse effects and clinical results after 180 days.

Results

Complete clinical clearance of AC (defined as clearance of both leukoplakia and hyperkeratosis) at day 56 and day 180 occurred in 17 of 18 (94%) participants from the croton group but in none of the 18 participants in the imiquimod group (P < 0.01). Improvement in all clinical parameters was more prominent in the croton group (P ≤ 0.01). Complete histological normalization at day 56 occurred in 72% of the croton group and only 17% in the imiquimod group (P < 0.01). Histological parameters such as atypia (keratinocyte intraepithelial neoplasia score), solar elastosis and hyperkeratosis reduced in intensity only in the croton group (P < 0.05). Adverse effects were most intense on day 7 in the croton group and persisted until day 21 in the imiquimod group. The study was prematurely terminated at the interim analysis.

Conclusions

A single session of 1.6% phenol-croton peeling produced clinically and histologically superior results with a shorter recovery period compared with imiquimod for treating AC.
Past, present, and future of Phase 3 vaccine trial design: rethinking statistics for the 21st century
Authors: Janani Leila , Phillips Rachel , Van Vogt Ellie , Liu Xinxue , Waddington Claire , Cro Suzie
Published: November 2024

Vaccines are crucial for protecting health globally; however, their widespread use relies on rigorous clinical development programmes. This includes Phase 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to confirm their safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy. Traditionally, such trials used fixed designs with predetermined assumptions, lacking the flexibility to change during the trial or stop early due to overwhelming evidence of either efficacy or futility. Modern vaccine trials benefit from innovative approaches like adaptive designs, allowing for planned trial adaptations based on accumulating data. Here, we provide an overview of the evolution of Phase 3 vaccine trial design and statistical analysis methods from traditional to more innovative contemporary methods. This includes adaptive trial designs, which offer ethical advantages and enable early termination if indicated; Bayesian methods, which combine prior knowledge and observed trial data to increase efficiency and enhance result interpretation; modern statistical analysis methods, which enable more accurate and precise inferences; the estimand framework, which ensures the primary question of interest is addressed in a trial; novel approaches using machine learning methods to assess heterogeneity of treatment effects; and statistical advances in safety analysis to evaluate reactogenicity and clinical adverse events. We conclude with insights into the future direction of vaccine trials, aiming to inform clinicians and researchers about conventional and novel RCT design and analysis approaches to facilitate the conduct of efficient, timely trials.
Repetition of critical search features modulates EEG lateralized potentials in visual search
Authors: Oxner Matt , Mazza Veronica , Müller Matthias M
Published: November 2024

In visual search, the repetition of target and distractor colors enables both successful search and effective distractor handling. Nevertheless, the specific consequences of trial-to-trial feature repetition in different search contexts are poorly understood. Here, we investigated how feature repetition shapes the electrophysiological and behavioral correlates of target processing and distractor handling, testing theoretically informed predictions with single-trial mixed-effects modeling. In two experiments, the colors of a fixed-shape target and singleton distractor changed unpredictably across trials. Targets were color singletons in Experiment 1, allowing efficient search among pop-out items, but were not uniquely colored in Experiment 2, encouraging slower shape-feature search. Interference by the distractor occurred only in pop-out search but was reduced by repetition. This was paralleled by the contralateral electroencephalography (EEG) response: Following a search color change, the target-related N2pc was greatly reduced, and salient distractors elicited an N2pc followed by an enhanced PD. This biphasic response was absent in Experiment 2, where color was less useful to search. Overall, distractor positivities were not sensitive to feature repetition, suggesting that they are unrelated to preparatory suppression. Attention-related lateralization components are not universally elicited by target or distractor feature values but are driven specifically by expected features important to the search task.
Brain functional gradients are related to cortical folding gradient
Authors: He Zhibin , Zhang Tuo , Wang Qiyu , Zhang Songyao , Cao Guannan , Liu Tianming , Zhao Shijie , Jiang Xi , Guo Lei , Yuan Yixuan , Han Junwei
Published: November 2024

Cortical folding is closely linked to brain functions, with gyri acting more like local functional “hubs” to integrate information than sulci do. However, understanding how anatomical constraints relate to complex functions remains fragmented. One possible reason is that the relationship is estimated on brain mosaics divided by brain functions and cortical folding patterns. The boundaries of these hypothetical hard-segmented mosaics could be subject to the selection of functional/morphological features and as well as the thresholds. In contrast, functional gradient and folding gradient could provide a more feasible and unitless platform to mitigate the uncertainty introduced by boundary definition. Based on the MRI datasets, we used cortical surface curvature as the folding gradient and related it to the functional connectivity transition gradient. We found that, at the local scale, the functional gradient exhibits different function transition patterns between convex/concave cortices, with positive/negative curvatures, respectively. At the global scale, a cortex with more positive curvature could provide more function transition efficiency and play a more dominant role in more abstractive functional networks. These results reveal a novel relation between cortical morphology and brain functions, providing new clues to how anatomical constraint is related to the rise of an efficient brain function architecture.
Transport and immunomodulatory effect of Hericium erinaceus peptide LPGKVIAS
Authors: Sun Ronggui , Xu Hui , Xie Minhao , Liu Jianhui , Hu Qiuhui , Su Anxiang , Mariga Alfred Mugambi , Yang Wenjian
Published: November 2024

Hericium erinaceus–derived peptides have been found to exhibit various bioactivities, including immunoregulatory properties. This study investigated the transport, absorption, and potential immunomodulatory activities of a new peptide, Leu-Pro-Gly-Lys-Val-Ile-Ala-Ser (LPGKVIAS), derived from H. erinaceus. Transport and absorption of LPGKVIAS were analyzed by near-infrared fluorescence in vivo imaging in mice injected with a fluorescence probe–labeled LPGKVIAS. RNA sequencing was used to explore the immunological effects of the peptide on mouse splenocytes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that LPGKVAS upregulated differentially expressed genes involved in immune regulation. Notably, activation of the lysosome–phagosome pathway in splenocytes of mice treated with LPGKVIAS was identified as a crucial immune defense mechanism against pathogen infection. Furthermore, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction studies validated the gene expression data, supporting the potential application of the peptide LPGKVIAS as an immunomodulator.