bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A static memory method for modelling time-fractional power law absorption
Authors: King Matthew J. , Gutleb Timon S. , Cox Ben , Treeby Bradley
Published: July 2024

The attenuation of ultrasound propagation through tissue is known to follow a frequency power-law in the time domain. This can be modelled as a loss operator in the equation of state within the Euler equations that takes the form of a fraction time derivative operator. This can be treated through a second order accurate transfer between the fractional time derivative and a fractional Laplacian spacial operator in order to avoid storage of the full time history. This is used for example by the k-Wave toolbox. As an alternate finite history methods have been suggested. Building on recent work, here, we re-write the time fractional derivative as a finite sum using a recursion relation. This allows the time fractional derivative to be directly computed with a static memory requirement. For homogeneous media, the advantage of this over the fractional Laplacian methods may not initially be obvious with a base higher memory requirement and computational cost with only a small increase in accuracy. However, upon introducing a heterogeneous medium with regions of different power law attenuation; the increased computational cost of the time fractional method is contained exclusively within the pre-computation, while the increased cost for the fractional Laplacian is applied to each time step.
Shear wave propagation in a fiber-laden viscoelastic waveguide under prestress: Inverse modeling challenges
Authors: Nammari Lara , Klatt Dieter , Royston Thomas
Published: July 2024

The functional role of skeletal muscle and the hierarchal microstructure and arrangement of fibers within it results in anisotropy and inhomogeneity in both material properties and imposed stresses. Dynamic elastography reconstruction methods for estimating muscle tissue viscoelastic properties that are based on assumptions of homogeneity, isotropy and only bulk wave motion may produce inaccurate estimates. Biases may be introduced in reconstruction by homogenizing muscle with axially aligned fibers and approximating it as transversely isotropic. The significance of these biases, and their interplay with imposed stresses and confounding waveguide effects due to small cross-sectional dimensions, is quantified with a series of numerical finite element and experimental elastography studies on cylindrically-shaped fiber-laden muscle phantoms, with varying fiber dimensions. Specifically, numerical simulations of elastography are conducted on 4-, 60- and 113-fiber models with the aligned fiber cross-sectional area fixed (reduced fiber diameter as fiber count increases) and comprising approximately 40% of the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical phantom that is also undergoing tensile axial pre-loading. Fiber elastic moduli twice that of connective tissue are considered. Experimental studies of the 4-fiber model are used to validate the numerical model. [Funding support: NSF 1852691 and NIH AR071162]
A fluid filled MEMS hydrophone
Authors: Karamanis Georgios , Anderson Jonathan , Parameswaran Lalitha , Vlahakis James , Racz Livia , Freeman Daniel , White Robert D.
Published: July 2024

MEMS hydrophones are of interest to provide a small form factor acoustic sensing capability in water. The majority of previous work on MEMS hydrophones (e.g., Bernstein 1997, Moon, 2010, Gu, 2018) use air backed diaphragms in order to provide increased sensitivity. However, this limits the operating depth of the device due to a reduction in the diaphragm burst pressure. In this work we investigate an architecture that has the potential to increase the operating depth by filling the backing cavity with a heavy fluid. We have designed architectures with multiple acoustic ports (Moon, 2010) and coupled piezoelectric diaphragms, in a bid to maintain sufficient sensitivity while incorporating the filling fluid. The sensing elements are Parylene coated, repackaged Vesper VM1000 aluminum nitride MEMS microphones. It was reported (Travaglione, 2018) that such a device can sense underwater sound, but characterization was limited. In our prototypes, the microphone die are co-packaged onto modified printed circuit boards which include the acoustic coupling elements and required preamplifiers. We report on computational predictions of sensitivity and resolution, and provide initial test results as part of our ongoing investigation. Support from OUSD (R&E) Innovation and Modernization Office.
Sound absorption performance of double layer sandwich structure containing micro-perforations and extended necks
Authors: Laly Zacharie , Mechefske Chris , Ghinet Sebastian , Kone Tenon Charly , Atalla Noureddine , Ashrafi Behnam
Published: July 2024

In this study, a double layer sandwich panels made of micro-perforated plate and perforated plate with extended necks is proposed and its acoustic attenuation is studied using the finite element method. The top panel of the structure is micro-perforated and is connected to a first honeycomb structure cells. The internal panel is perforated, and a neck is connected to each perforation and extends into each cell cavity of the second honeycomb structure. The proposed material design is made of 33 micro-perforations and 33 extended necks and has excellent mechanical stiffness due to the honeycomb structure performance. This study shows how to design the parameters of the necks and the micro-perforations to widen the sound absorption frequency band. With identical micro-perforation diameters and identical necks, the sound absorption coefficient presents two resonance peaks where the surface impedance is close to the impedance of air. The number of the sound absorption peaks increases when different micro-perforation diameters and different necks are used while the sound absorption of conventional double layer sandwich structure is zero over the entire frequency range. The proposed material design can be used to attenuate the noise in various engineering fields that require good bending stiffness.
Extending the spatial extent of steady state broadband noise signals using time reversal
Authors: Russell Rylee , Anderson Brian E.
Published: July 2024

Exciting structures with broadband noise can be used to assess structural health by how it responds to the noise. Here time reversal (TR) is used to focus high-amplitude acoustic energy with the goal to use it to excite a structure. Equalization methods help achieve a desired spectral shape at the location of the TR focus. It is desired to increase the spatial extent of the focusing to excite larger regions. This study explores methods to expand the spatial extent first through the superposition of focusing to multiple locations and second by using a spatial inverse filter. These methods widen the spatial extent of the focusing but can come at the cost of the desired spectrum and/or overall level. The overall goal is to see if TR excitation yields higher amplitude equalized noise than the standard broadcast of it.
Early development of a set of interactive tools for undergraduate acoustics education
Authors: Parker Noah J. , Russell Daniel A.
Published: July 2024

Using interactive learning materials has been found to increase the efficiency of teaching math and physics concepts fundamental to acoustic phenomena; this presentation will discuss work done to explore their use in undergraduate acoustics courses. During the Spring 2024 semester at Penn State, three undergraduate courses in acoustics were offered, each aimed at different types of students at differing levels of mathematical rigor. These were: a general education elective for freshmen from non-STEM majors, a sophomore/junior level course required for communication science disorders majors, and a junior/senior elective for STEM majors. Observation of each class during the semester identified a variety of topics for which a web-based interactive tool could improve student understanding and engagement. This talk will discuss some of the topics identified as potentially benefiting from an online interactive tool, with a specific focus on one interactive webpage which may serve as an example template for the style and delivery of future developments. This specific interactive webpage explains basic trigonometric functions in a manner approachable by students at any level of mathematical confidence, by illustrating geometric implications with interactive graphs, explaining with a conversational tone, and addressing the etymology of some of the mathematical terms.
Acoustic detection and classification of all-terrain vehicles and automobiles in pennsylvania state parks
Authors: Paprocki Carter A. , Barnard Andrew , Newman Peter
Published: July 2024

The preservation of today’s natural environment is more important than ever before; with the encroachment of civilization, protected areas are necessary. This protection must go beyond just saving wildlife but also protecting natural soundscapes for visitors to experience “dispersed low-density outdoor recreation.” However, some visitors use the wilds for motorized recreation such as Off-Road Vehicles, All Terrain Vehicles, and Side-by-Side Vehicles producing elevated levels of noise which could impact the other visitors. In order to determine how the protected areas were used, listening stations were placed at high-traffic areas to monitor the soundscape for one summer. This dataset was analyzed to understand the number and impact of anthropogenic noise sources. This research develops a training dataset that could be implemented with supervised machine-learning models to automate event detection and classification.
Investigation of whistle noise impacting a residential subdivision
Authors: Dennis Gregory
Published: July 2024

There have been complaints from residences within a residential subdivision in New Tecumseth, Ontario, of train noise from the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) line that passes directly east of the development. The complaints relate to sound levels experienced within the dwellings during train pass-bys, most notably from the use of whistles at the grade level crossing southeast of the site. Sound level measurements were completed to quantify the indoor and outdoor sound levels at several dwellings closest to the rail line. The measured sound levels were compared to predictions made using the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) noise model Sound from Trains Environmental Analysis Method (STEAM). This investigation discusses shortfalls in STEAM, which resulted in the sound levels (from whistle noise) being under predicted at the dwellings. The study also compares the sound levels predicted using the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) horn noise model to those measured on site and predicted using STEAM.
Ultrasonic evaluation of additively manufactured components with embedded structures
Authors: Adepu Harshith Kumar , Mirza Meher , Birkenmeyer Jacey , Sotelo Luz D.
Published: July 2024

In recent years, the use of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) for in situ and ex situ assessment of Additive Manufacturing (AM) parts has garnered interest due to its proficiency in defect detection and material characterization. This study focuses on evaluating the ability to resolve internal structures created by AM and hybrid AM using ultrasonic NDE as well as assessing the impact of microstructure heterogeneity. For this purpose, first the parameter space for laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) of SS316L is mapped in a Lumex Avance 25 system. Based on this parameter mapping, optimal process parameters are identified and sets of process parameters are selected to vary the thermal history of the samples, while minimizing the influence of porosity. Two groups of samples are printed with these parameter sets: a solid group of samples, and a group with internal structures, such that each internal structure sample has an equivalent solid sample. Measurements of ultrasonic velocity, attenuation, and backscatter amplitude are collected and compared against the intended geometry to assess the impact of non-optimal processing on the ability to resolve internal structures with ultrasound. The viability and limitations of using ultrasound to assess internal features created with AM are discussed.
Active targeting of nanotherapeutics using power cavitation imaging with a linear array transducer
Authors: Onyemeh Kamso , Burgess Mark , Raziuddin Raashed , Heller Daniel
Published: July 2024

Power cavitation imaging (PCI) is an emerging strategy for monitoring blood–brain barrier (BBB) opening, enabling spatial discrimination of cavitation intensity through power Doppler-analogous processing of passive cavitation images. Single-element cavitation detectors, while beneficial in signal monitoring for cavitation controllers, provide limited spatial information, conferring the need for an image-guided approach to ensure accurate cavitation localization and regulation. This study aims to evaluate the capability of PCI to spatially correlate real-time acoustic cavitation emissions with mechanical bioeffects as a predictor of P-selectin-targeted nanocarrier delivery. Preliminary sonoporation experiments were performed in vitro with brain tissue derived mouse endothelial cells and 3 kDa tetramethylrhodamine (TMR)-dextran. A focused ultrasound transducer (0.5 MHz, 5000 cycles/pulse, 5 Hz PRF, 30 second treatment duration) was used to sonicate cells in small volume (25 μl) cell suspension. Homogenous distribution of TMR-dextran in the cytosol and nucleus was observed via fluorescence microscopy at lower pressures (7% ± 2% fluorescent cells), while higher pressures had no significant differences above control (3% ± 2% vs 1% nontreated) due to microbubble destruction. Future experiments will correlate sonoporation with P-selectin expression and validate a linear array PCI system against contrast-enhanced MRI as a guide for P-selectin-targeted nanocarrier delivery in mouse models of medulloblastoma.
Advancements in nanotechnology for acoustic management in pickleball
Authors: Arnold Eliot
Published: July 2024

This research investigates the use of advanced nano-fiber technology for sound and noise management in pickleball courts. The technology, known for its flexibility and adaptability, addresses the unique acoustic challenges of pickleball, a sport with a distinctive noise profile characterized by impulsive and unpredictable sounds. These nano-fibers are particularly effective in absorbing mid to high-frequency noises (800–5000 Hz) common in pickleball. Incorporating these nano-fibers into acoustic foams and textiles significantly enhances sound absorption, allowing for thinner materials while doubling performance compared to conventional materials. These fibers, about 1/500th the diameter of human hair, have a high surface area to volume ratio, aiding in sound scattering and increased friction with air molecules. This structure enables the efficient transformation of sound energy into heat, which is then effectively dissipated. Aligned with the Acoustical Society of America's standards, this abstract emphasizes a scientific breakthrough in sports acoustics, contributing to the reduction in urban noise pollution. The study underscores the impact of cutting-edge material technology in improving environmental acoustics and community well-being.
The structure of immature tick-borne encephalitis virus supports the collapse model of flavivirus maturation
Authors: Anastasina Maria , Füzik Tibor , Domanska Aušra , Pulkkinen Lauri Ilmari Aurelius , Šmerdová Lenka , Formanová Petra Pokorná , Straková Petra , Nováček Jiří , Růžek Daniel , Plevka Pavel , Butcher Sarah Jane
Published: July 2024

We present structures of three immature tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) isolates. Our atomic models of the major viral components, the E and prM proteins, indicate that the pr domains of prM have a critical role in holding the heterohexameric prM3E3 spikes in a metastable conformation. Destabilization of the prM furin-sensitive loop at acidic pH facilitates its processing. The prM topology and domain assignment in TBEV is similar to the mosquito-borne Binjari virus, but is in contrast to other immature flavivirus models. These results support that prM cleavage, the collapse of E protein ectodomains onto the virion surface, the large movement of the membrane domains of both E and M, and the release of the pr fragment from the particle render the virus mature and infectious. Our work favors the collapse model of flavivirus maturation warranting further studies of immature flaviviruses to determine the sequence of events and mechanistic details driving flavivirus maturation.
The impact of abortion restrictions on American mental health
Authors: Anderson Michaela R. , Burtch Gordon , Greenwood Brad N.
Published: July 2024

The overturning of
Roe
v.
Wade
has led to numerous states enacting new abortion restrictions. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the general mental health impact of these bans. Leveraging the nationwide Household Pulse Survey, we evaluate the impact of emergent gestational limits and outright bans on self-reported mental health status between July 2021 and June 2023 using a difference in difference approach. Responses indicate a significant increase in reports of mental distress after the institution of such restrictions. These effects appear to persist at least 4 months following a ban and are moderated by household income and education but not by sex, race, age, marital status, or sexual orientation. Less educated and less wealthy subjects reported greater mental health distress compared to wealthier, more educated groups. These results suggest that the institution of abortion restrictions has had broad negative implications for the mental health of people living in the US, particularly those of lower education and personal wealth.
High-speed cryo-microscopy reveals that ice-nucleating proteins of
Pseudomonas syringae
trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces
Authors: Bieber Paul , Borduas-Dedekind Nadine
Published: July 2024

Ice-nucleating proteins (INpro) trigger the freezing of supercooled water droplets relevant to atmospheric, biological, and technological applications. The high ice nucleation activity of INpro isolated from the bacteria
Pseudomonas syringae
could be linked to the aggregation of proteins at the bacterial membrane or at the air-water interface (AWI) of droplets. Here, we imaged freezing onsets, providing direct evidence of these proposed mechanisms. High-speed cryo-microscopy identified the onset location of freezing in droplets between two protein-repellent glass slides. INpro from sterilized
P. syringae
(Snomax) statistically favored nucleation at the AWI of the droplets. Removing cellular fragments by filtration or adding surfactants increased the frequency of nucleation events at the AWI. On the other hand, cultivated intact bacteria cells or lipid-free droplets nucleated ice without an affinity to the AWI. Overall, we provide visual evidence that INpro from
P. syringae
trigger freezing at hydrophobic interfaces, such as the AWI or the bacterial membrane, with important mechanistic implications for applications of INpro.
Insulated by opioids
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: July 2024

Opioids trigger myelin insulation of reward circuit axons in a feedforward loop of addiction.
Tissue-based T cell activation and viral RNA persist for up to 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Peluso Michael J. , Ryder Dylan , Flavell Robert R. , Wang Yingbing , Levi Jelena , LaFranchi Brian H. , Deveau Tyler-Marie , Buck Amanda M. , Munter Sadie E. , Asare Kofi A. , Aslam Maya , Koch Walter , Szabo Gyula , Hoh Rebecca , Deswal Monika , Rodriguez Antonio E. , Buitrago Melissa , Tai Viva , Shrestha Uttam , Lu Scott , Goldberg Sarah A. , Dalhuisen Thomas , Vasquez Joshua J. , Durstenfeld Matthew S. , Hsue Priscilla Y. , Kelly J. Daniel , Kumar Nitasha , Martin Jeffrey N. , Gambhir Aruna , Somsouk Ma , Seo Youngho , Deeks Steven G. , Laszik Zoltan G. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Henrich Timothy J.
Published: July 2024

The mechanisms of postacute medical conditions and unexplained symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection [Long Covid (LC)] are incompletely understood. There is growing evidence that viral persistence, immune dysregulation, and T cell dysfunction may play major roles. We performed whole-body positron emission tomography imaging in a well-characterized cohort of 24 participants at time points ranging from 27 to 910 days after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using the radiopharmaceutical agent [
18
F]F-AraG, a selective tracer that allows for anatomical quantitation of activated T lymphocytes. Tracer uptake in the postacute COVID-19 group, which included those with and without continuing symptoms, was higher compared with prepandemic controls in many regions, including the brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nasopharyngeal and hilar lymphoid tissue, cardiopulmonary tissues, and gut wall. T cell activation in the spinal cord and gut wall was associated with the presence of LC symptoms. In addition, tracer uptake in lung tissue was higher in those with persistent pulmonary symptoms specifically. Increased T cell activation in these tissues was also observed in many individuals without LC. Given the high [
18
F]F-AraG uptake detected in the gut, we obtained colorectal tissue for in situ hybridization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and immunohistochemical studies in a subset of five participants with LC symptoms. We identified intracellular SARS-CoV-2 single-stranded spike protein–encoding RNA in rectosigmoid lamina propria tissue in all five participants and double-stranded spike protein–encoding RNA in three participants up to 676 days after initial COVID-19, suggesting that tissue viral persistence could be associated with long-term immunologic perturbations.
Resolving the “megacryst paradox”: Feldspar orientation relationships record crystal mobility in granites
Authors: Gordon Charlotte , Wallis David
Published: July 2024

K-feldspar megacrysts are common in silicic plutons, but there is a long-running debate around how they form and what their presence tells us about magmatic systems. Field, textural, and geochemical evidence supports growth in a melt-rich environment, but experimental evidence and phase-equilibria modeling indicate that K-feldspar grows late in the crystallization sequence, when the magma is highly crystalline. We provide a new perspective on this problem by examining the arrangement of plagioclase inclusions within megacrysts to test whether they exhibit the systematic low-energy crystallographic relationships expected from attachment by synneusis in melt-rich environments where crystals have space to rotate. We use electron backscatter diffraction to quantify the crystal orientations and find that the megacrysts’ plagioclase inclusions do occupy these preferred orientations and therefore were incorporated in a melt-rich environment. K-feldspar is also present as an interstitial network, but plagioclase crystals hosted within this network have non-systematic orientations. This transition from systematic to non-systematic plagioclase orientations marks the point at which the crystals formed a rigid, interconnected framework that impeded rotation into low-energy orientations. Phase-equilibria modeling indicates that this transition occurred when the magma was ~55% crystalline. The remaining ~45% melt crystallized at the eutectic, forming the interstitial phases. Thus, we resolve the “megacryst paradox”; the megacrysts grew freely in melt, and the groundmass K-feldspar formed after crystal lock-up. Megacrysts therefore provide a detailed textural and chemical record of a critical period in the system’s evolution: the transition from a mobile and potentially eruptible magma to an immobile mush.
Supplemental Material: A translithospheric magmatic system revealed beneath Changbaishan volcano
Authors: Zhang Zhou , al. et
Published: July 2024

 Methodology, Figures S1–S15, Table S1, and Texts S1 and S2. 
Treatment outcomes in the inpatient management of severe functional neurological disorder: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Saunders Chloe , Bawa Hetashi , Aslanyan Daron , Coleman Frances , Jinadu Helen , Sigala Natasha , Medford Nick
Published: July 2024

Background

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a heterogeneous condition; severe forms can be disabling. Multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation are recommended for severe FND, but there remains a lack of evidence for its efficacy and lack of understanding of the predictors and components of recovery.

Methods

We report clinical outcome data for an inpatient cohort with severe FND. Clinical Global Impression Improvement with treatment is the primary outcome measure. Admission and discharge measures (Euroqol quality of life measures, Beck Depression Inventory, Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory, Cambridge Depersonalisation Scale, Illness Perception Questionnaire (Revised) and Functional Mobility Scale) are reported as secondary outcomes.

Results

We describe an FND cohort (n=52) with chronic illness (mean symptom duration 9.7 years). At admission, there were clinically relevant levels of depression, anxiety and depersonalisation derealisation. At the time of discharge, most (43/52) patients’ global condition had improved. Measures of mobility, depression and quality of life also significantly improved while at discharge, symptoms were experienced as more understandable and less distressing than at admission. An admission measure of patient confidence in treatment was predictive of eventual clinical outcome.

Conclusions

The most frequent outcome of inpatient rehabilitation is global improvement, even when symptoms are chronic and severe, reflected in measurable changes in both physical and psychological functioning. Significant levels of depersonalisation derealisation seen in this patient group suggest that routine enquiry into such experiences could help personalise FND treatment approaches. Patient confidence in treatment is key in determining clinical outcomes.
Effect of ripasudil after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C: a multicentre, randomised, prospective clinical study
Authors: Muhlisah Aisyah , Hirooka Kazuyuki , Nurtania Ariyanie , Onoe Hiromitsu , Okumichi Hideaki , Nitta Eri , Baba Tetsuya , Tanito Masaki , Matsuoka Yotaro , Nakakura Shunsuke , Kiuchi Yoshiaki
Published: July 2024

Background

To investigate if there are improvements in trabeculectomy outcomes supporting filtration bleb formation caused by Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitors.

Methods

This prospective, multicentre, randomised, open-label clinical study examined open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy or trabeculectomy combined with cataract surgery followed by 3-month postoperative ripasudil treatments. After randomly allocating patients to ripasudil—ROCK inhibitor (ripasudil) or without ripasudil (non-ripasudil) groups. Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) changes, success rate, and number of eyedrops were compared for both groups.

Results

A total of 17 and 15 subjects dropped out in the ripasudil group and non-ripasudil group, respectively. At baseline, the mean IOP was 16.8±5.0 mm Hg in the ripasudil group (38 patients) and 16.2±4.4 in the non-ripasudil group (52 patients). The IOP decreased to 11.4±3.2 mm Hg, 10.9±3.9 mm Hg and 10.6±3.5 mm Hg at 12, 24 and 36 months in the ripasudil group, while it decreased to 11.2±4.1 mm Hg, 10.5±3.1 mm Hg and 10.9±3.2 mm Hg at 12, 24 and 36 months in the non-ripasudil group, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the number of IOP-lowering medications after trabeculectomy in the ripasudil group versus the non-ripasudil group at 24 (p=0.010) and 36 months (p=0.016). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for the 3-year cumulative probability of success.

Conclusion

Although ripasudil application did not increase the primary trabeculectomy success rate, it did reduce IOP-lowering medications after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C.
Evaluating and mapping the evidence that screening for diabetic foot disease meets the criteria for population-wide screening: a scoping review
Authors: Pallin Jennifer A , Connell Lauren , McIntosh Caroline , Kavanagh Paul , Dinneen Sean F , Kearney Patricia M , Buckley Claire M
Published: July 2024

Objective

To evaluate and map the evidence around diabetes-related foot screening using the World Health Organisation screening principles, which set the gold standard for determining the appropriateness of introducing population-wide screening programmes internationally.

Design

A scoping review methodology in line with Arksey and O’Malley and the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Data sources

Medline (EBSCO), Scopus, ScienceDirect and EMBASE between 24 May 2022 and 12 July 2022. Reference lists of the selected studies, and ‘Google’ and ‘Google Scholar’ were also searched.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria were informed by the principles of screening. Articles, published in English since 2000, reporting on the impact of the diabetes-related foot ulcers, effectiveness of treatment available for those identified as being at risk, reliability of screening tests for screening for the at-risk foot and the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, safety and ethics of diabetes-related foot screening programmes were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data were extracted by one reviewer, with data extraction headings relating to the principles of screening. A narrative synthesis approach was used to report the information from included studies.

Results

46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion. Diabetes-related foot ulcers are an important health condition associated with increased risk of mortality and poorer quality of life. However, there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of treatments to prevent disease development. Moreover, while consensus exists on what screening tools should be used to screen for risk factors, there is no agreement on threshold values. Finally, there is no available information on the potential budgetary, organisational or societal implications of a whole-population diabetes-related foot screening programme.

Conclusion

Existing evidence does not support the introduction of an organised population-wide screening programme in the context of World Health Organisation screening principles. Further research on treatment and management strategies for the at-risk foot and of whole-population screening programmes is required.
Immune predictors of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer
Authors: Grau Bejar Juan Francisco , Yaniz Galende Elisa , Zeng Qinghe , Genestie Catherine , Rouleau Etienne , de Bruyn Marco , Klein Christophe , Le Formal Audrey , Edmond Elodie , Moreau Maëva , Plat Annechien , Gouy Sebastien , Maulard Amandine , Pautier Patricia , Michels Judith , Oaknin Ana , Colomba-Blameble Emeline , Leary Alexandra
Published: July 2024

Background

Patients with mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) endometrial cancer (EC) can derive great benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). However not all responses and predictors of primary resistance are lacking.

Methods

We compared the immune tumor microenvironment of MMRd EC ICI-responders (Rs) and ICI non-responders (NRs), using spatial multiplexed immune profiling and unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis.

Results

Overall, NRs exhibited drastically lower CD8+, absent terminally differentiated T cells, lack of mature tertiary lymphoid structures and dendritic cells, as well as loss of human leukocyte antigen class I. However, no single marker could predict R versus NR with confidence. Clustering analysis identified a combination of four immune features that demonstrated that accurately predicted ICI response, with a discriminative power of 92%. Finally, 80% of NRs lacked programmed death-ligand 1, however, 60% exhibited another actionable immune checkpoint (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin containing protein-3, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1, or lymphocyte activation gene 3).

Conclusions

These findings underscore the potential of immune tumor microenvironment features for identifying patients with MMRd EC and primary resistance to ICI who should be oriented towards trials testing novel immunotherapeutic combinations.
Identification of a pathogenic mutation inARPP21in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Dols-Icardo Oriol , Carbayo Álvaro , Jericó Ivonne , Blasco-Martínez Olga , Álvarez-Sánchez Esther , López Pérez Maria Angeles , Bernal Sara , Rodríguez-Santiago Benjamín , Cusco Ivon , Turon-Sans Janina , Cabezas-Torres Manuel , Caballero-Ávila Marta , Vesperinas Ana , Llansó Laura , Pagola-Lorz Inmaculada , Torné Laura , Valle-Tamayo Natalia , Muñoz Laia , Rubio-Guerra Sara , Illán-Gala Ignacio , Cortés-Vicente Elena , Gelpi Ellen , Rojas-García Ricard
Published: July 2024

Background and objective

Between 5% and 10% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases have a family history of the disease, 30% of which do not have an identifiable underlying genetic cause after a comprehensive study of the known ALS-related genes. Based on a significantly increased incidence of ALS in a small geographical region from Spain, the aim of this work was to identify novel ALS-related genes in ALS cases with negative genetic testing.

Methods

We detected an increased incidence of both sporadic and, especially, familial ALS cases in a small region from Spain compared with available demographic and epidemiological data. We performed whole genome sequencing in a group of 12 patients with ALS (5 of them familial) from this unique area. We expanded the study to include affected family members and additional cases from a wider surrounding region.

Results

We identified a shared missense mutation (c.1586C>T; p.Pro529Leu) in the cyclic AMP regulated phosphoprotein 21 (ARPP21)gene that encodes an RNA-binding protein, in a total of 10 patients with ALS from 7 unrelated families. No mutations were found in other ALS-causing genes.

Conclusions

While previous studies have dismissed a causal role ofARPP21in ALS, our results strongly supportARPP21as a novel ALS-causing gene.
Insights into the pathophysiology and response of persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 to spinal cord stimulation: a human genome-wide association study
Authors: Fabregat-Cid Gustavo , Cedeno David L , De Andrés José , Harutyunyan Anushik , Monsalve-Dolz Vicente , Mínguez-Martí Ana , Escrivá-Matoses Natalia , Asensio-Samper Juan Marcos , Carnaval Thiago , Villoria Jesús , Rodríguez-López Raquel , Vallejo Ricardo
Published: July 2024

Background

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) provides pain relief for some patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS 2), but the precise mechanisms of action and prognostic factors for a favorable pain response remain obscure. This in vivo human genome-wide association study provides some pathophysiological clues.

Methods

We performed a high-density oligonucleotide microarray analysis of serum obtained from both PSPS 2 cases and pain-free controls who had undergone lower back spinal surgery at the study site. Using multivariate discriminant analysis, we tried to identify different expressions between mRNA transcripts from PSPS 2 patients relative to controls, SCS responders to non-responders, or SCS responders to themselves before starting SCS. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was used to identify the biological processes that best discriminate between the groups of clinical interest.

Results

Thirty PSPS 2 patients, of whom 23 responded to SCS, were evaluated together with 15 pain-free controls. We identified 11 significantly downregulated genes in serum of PSPS 2 patients compared with pain-free controls and two significantly downregulated genes once the SCS response became apparent. All were suggestive of enhanced inflammation, tissue repair mechanisms and proliferative responses among the former. We could not identify any gene differentiating patients who responded to SCS from those who did not respond.

Conclusions

This study points out various biological processes that may underlie PSPS 2 pain and SCS therapeutic effects, including the modulation of neuroimmune response, inflammation and restorative processes.
Development, validity, and reliability assessment of the Canadian Food Literacy Measure
Authors: Martin Alicia E. , Wallace Angela , Jacob Raphaëlle , Any Marciane , Laila Amar , Hernandez Kimberley , Perreault Maude , Hutchinson Joy M. , Sadowski Adam , Saher Amina , Dorais Veronique , Kirkpatrick Sharon I. , Haines Jess
Published: July 2024

Food literacy is a growing area of interest given its potential to support healthy and sustainable diets. Most existing food literacy measures focus on nutrition and food skills but fail to address food systems and socio-environmental aspects of food literacy. Further, measures developed and tested in the Canadian context are lacking. The objective of this project was to develop and test the validity and reliability of a brief self-administered measure, in French and English, designed to assess multiple dimensions of food literacy among adults living in Canada. The 23-item Canadian Food Literacy Measure was developed through an iterative process that included assessment of face and content validity through expert review ( n = 20) and cognitive interviews ( n = 20) and construct validity and reliability, i.e., internal consistency through an online survey ( n = 154). The results indicate that the measure is well understood by both English- and French-speaking adults. The measure’s construct validity is demonstrated by the observed differences in total scores in hypothesized directions by gender ( p = 0.003), age ( p = 0.007), education level ( p = 0.002), health literacy ( p < 0.001) and smoking status ( p = 0.001), and the significant positive correlation ( r = 0.29; p = 0.002) between total scores and fruit and vegetable intake. The measure also has high internal consistency with a Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of 0.80. This measure can be used in surveillance studies to provide insight into the food literacy of adults living in Canada and in epidemiologic research that aims to explore how food literacy is associated with a variety of health outcomes.
Response of aspen to a warming climate along a latitudinal gradient in the Rocky Mountains, USA
Authors: Ayres Gabrielle A. , Fulé Peter Z. , Flatley William T.
Published: July 2024

The 21st century’s warming climate threatens aspen ( Populus tremuloides) growth in the southern Rocky Mountains (western US), endangering ecosystem diversity, functionality, and associated services. This study linked aspen growth with temperature and moisture variations, assessing how warmer climates and seasonal changes affect ring widths. Sampling 211 aspen trees from 12 latitudinally distributed sites, we compiled three regional aspen chronologies spanning 1913–2018. We investigated climate-growth associations using correlation and modeling ( climwin) techniques. Results revealed that aspen at the trailing southern edge of the Rocky Mountains are vulnerable to drought, where elevated temperatures and diminished precipitation emerge as primary factors contributing to their reduced growth. In contrast, aspens in the northern region of the gradient exhibited a positive growth response to rising temperatures, potentially linked to the alleviation of growth-limiting cold temperatures. However, while pre-2000s droughts increased growth, recent droughts elicited growth reductions in the North; suggesting that with continued warming, northern populations will increasingly face sensitivity to droughts akin to their southern counterparts. These findings emphasize the increased vulnerability of southern Rocky Mountain aspen populations to climate change-induced growth constraints, particularly in the anticipated warmer and drier conditions of the 21st century. This study is crucial to understanding aspen responses to climate fluctuations in the region.
The path to $$\hbox {N}^3\hbox {LO}$$ parton distributions
Authors: Ball Richard D. , Barontini Andrea , Candido Alessandro , Carrazza Stefano , Cruz-Martinez Juan , Del Debbio Luigi , Forte Stefano , Giani Tommaso , Hekhorn Felix , Kassabov Zahari , Laurenti Niccolò , Magni Giacomo , Nocera Emanuele R. , Rabemananjara Tanjona R. , Rojo Juan , Schwan Christopher , Stegeman Roy , Ubiali Maria ,   The NNPDF Collaboration
Published: July 2024

We extend the existing leading (LO), next-to-leading (NLO), and next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) NNPDF4.0 sets of parton distribution functions (PDFs) to approximate next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order ($$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LO). We construct an approximation to the$$\hbox {N}^3\hbox {LO}$$N3LOsplitting functions that includes all available partial information from both fixed-order computations and from small and largexresummation, and estimate the uncertainty on this approximation by varying the set of basis functions used to construct the approximation. We include known$$\hbox {N}^3\hbox {LO}$$N3LOcorrections to deep-inelastic scattering structure functions and extend the FONLL general-mass scheme to$$\mathcal {O}\left( \alpha _s^3\right) $$Oαs3accuracy. We determine a set of$$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LOPDFs by accounting both for the uncertainty on splitting functions due to the incomplete knowledge of$$\hbox {N}^3\hbox {LO}$$N3LOterms, and to the uncertainty related to missing higher corrections (MHOU), estimated by scale variation, through a theory covariance matrix formalism. We assess the perturbative stability of the resulting PDFs, we study the impact of MHOUs on them, and we compare our results to the$$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LOPDFs from the MSHT group. We examine the phenomenological impact of$$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LOcorrections on parton luminosities at the LHC, and give a first assessment of the impact of$$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LOPDFs on the Higgs and Drell–Yan total production cross-sections. We find that the$$\hbox {aN}^3\hbox {LO}$$aN3LONNPDF4.0 PDFs are consistent within uncertainties with their NNLO counterparts, that they improve the description of the global dataset and the perturbative convergence of Higgs and Drell–Yan cross-sections, and that MHOUs on PDFs decrease substantially with the increase of perturbative order.
Observational constraints on the emergent universe with non-linear equation of state and interacting fluids
Authors: Chanda Anirban , Roy Bikash Chandra , Bamba Kazuharu , Paul Bikash Chandra
Published: July 2024

We investigate a flat emergent universe (EU) with a nonlinear equation of state equivalent to three different composition of fluids. In the EU initially, the evolution of the universe began with no interaction but as time evolves an interaction sets in among the three fluids leading to the observed universe. The characteristic of an EU is that it is a singularity free universe that evolves with all the basic features of the early evolution. For a given nonlinear equation of state parameter, it permits a universe with three different fluids, we get a universe with dark energy, cosmic string, and radiation domination to begin with which at a later epoch transits into a universe with three different fluids with matter domination (baryonic as well as dark matter) and dark energy for a given interaction strength among the cosmic fluids. The evolution of the universe is probed with exponential interactions to obtain a universe with late acceleration. The model parameters are constrained using the observed Hubble data and Type Ia Supernova (SnIa) data from the Pantheon data set. An interacting EU transforms to a matter dominated phase with DE accommodating the present universe satisfactorily. The stability of the cosmological model is also discussed.
On 𝒮𝒮ℋ-subgroups and the structure of finite groups
Authors: Wei Huaquan , Sun Changman , Wu Hui , Chen Yi , Zhang Jiamin
Published: July 2024

A subgroup [Formula: see text] of a group [Formula: see text] is called an [Formula: see text]-subgroup in [Formula: see text] if there exists an [Formula: see text]-permutable subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the intersection of all [Formula: see text]-permutable subgroup of [Formula: see text] containing [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we present two new sufficient and necessary conditions on the [Formula: see text]-nilpotency of finite groups by use of a small quantity of [Formula: see text]-subgroups of Sylow [Formula: see text]-subgroups. A number of known results are improved and extended.
Discrete decomposition of mixed-norm α-modulation spaces
Authors: Nielsen Morten
Published: July 2024

We study a class of almost diagonal matrices compatible with the mixed-norm [Formula: see text]-modulation spaces [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], introduced recently by Cleanthous and Georgiadis. The class of almost diagonal matrices is shown to be closed under matrix multiplication and we connect the theory to the continuous case by identifying a suitable notion of molecules for the mixed-norm [Formula: see text]-modulation spaces. It is shown that the “change of frame” matrix for a pair of time-frequency frames for the mixed-norm [Formula: see text]-modulation consisting of suitable molecules is almost diagonal. As examples of applications, we use the almost diagonal matrices to construct compactly supported frames for the mixed-norm [Formula: see text]-modulation spaces, and to obtain a straightforward boundedness result for Fourier multipliers on the mixed-norm [Formula: see text]-modulation spaces.
Generalized Bach solitons on (κ,μ)′-almost-Kenmotsu manifolds and its applications in perfect fluid spacetimes
Authors: Sarkar Avijit , Biswas Urmila
Published: July 2024

The principal aim of this paper is to find the expression of *-Bach tensors on [Formula: see text]-almost-Kenmotsu manifolds. It is shown that if the metric of a [Formula: see text]-almost-Kenmotsu manifold admits a generalized closed *-Bach soliton, then the metric is *-Bach flat under certain restrictions. We also prove that the metric of a generalized gradient *-Bach soliton on a [Formula: see text]-almost-Kenmotsu manifold is *-Bach flat, for a soliton function which is invariant under the Reeb vector field. Further, we characterize generalized *-Bach solitons with trace-free *-Bach tensors on [Formula: see text]-almost-Kenmotsu manifolds and results are verified by an example. As an application of these solitons, we study generalized almost-Bach solitons whose metrics are associated with the Lorentzian metric of the perfect fluid spacetimes.
The Bell-based super-coherent states: Uncertainty relations, Golden ratio and fermion–boson entanglement
Authors: Pashaev Oktay K. , Kocak Aygul
Published: July 2024

The set of maximally fermion–boson entangled Bell super-coherent states is introduced. A superposition of these states with separable bosonic coherent states, represented by points on the super-Bloch sphere, we call the Bell-based super-coherent states. Entanglement of bosonic and fermionic degrees of freedom in these states is studied by using displacement bosonic operator. It acts on the super-qubit reference state, representing superposition of the zero and the one super-number states, forming computational basis super-states. We show that the states are completely characterized by displaced Fock states, as a superposition with non-classical, the photon added coherent states, and the entanglement is independent of coherent state parameter [Formula: see text] and of the time evolution. In contrast to never orthogonal Glauber coherent states, our entangled super-coherent states can be orthogonal. The uncertainty relation in the states is monotonically growing function of the concurrence and for entangled states we get non-classical quadrature squeezing and representation of uncertainty by ratio of two Fibonacci numbers. The sequence of concurrences, and corresponding uncertainties [Formula: see text], in the limit [Formula: see text], convergent to the Golden ratio uncertainty [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is found.