bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reachable sets for two-level open quantum systems driven by coherent and incoherent controls
Authors: Lokutsievskiy Lev , Pechen Alexander 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
In this work, we study controllability in the set of all density matrices for a two-level open quantum system driven by coherent and incoherent controls. In Pechen (2011 Phys. Rev. A 84 042106) an approximate controllability, i.e. controllability with some precision, was shown for generic N-level open quantum systems driven by coherent and incoherent controls. However, the explicit formulation of this property, including the behavior of this precision as a function of transition frequencies and decoherence rates of the system, was not known. The present work provides a rigorous analytical study of reachable sets for two-level open quantum systems. First, it is shown that for N = 2 the presence of incoherent control does not affect the reachable set (while incoherent control may affect the time necessary to reach particular state). Second, the reachable set in the Bloch ball is described and it is shown that already just for one coherent control any point in the Bloch ball can be achieved with precision δ ∼ γ/ω, where γ is the decoherence rate and ω is the transition frequency. Typical values are δ ≲ 10−3 that implies high accuracy of achieving any density matrix. Moreover, we show that most points in the Bloch ball can be exactly reached, except of two lacunae of size ∼δ. For two coherent controls, the system is shown to be completely controllable in the set of all density matrices. Third, the reachable set as a function of the final time is found and shown to exhibit a non-trivial structure.
Aging behavior of Cu-rich precipitates in Fe-3% Si-Cu alloy
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Zhang Chengyuan , Wu Zhongwang , Gao Xueyun , Xing Lei , Jin Zili , Ren Huiping 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Fe-3%Si-Cu alloys with different Cu content were aging treated at 500 ∼ 800 °C. In order to study the dynamic behavior of the aging precipitations, the microstructure and the aging precipitation behavior of copper-rich phase in these alloys under different aging heat treatment were tested by OM, TEM technology and Vickers hardness. The results show that the amount of the copper-rich precipitates in the two alloys are gradually increase with the aging time going after aging treated at 600 °C. Within the 103 s aging time, the size of the copper-rich precipitates of the two samples is below 20 nm. When it reaches 105.5 s, the copper-rich precipitates have obvious cluster phenomenon and the size are not more than 100 nm. After being treated with different aging temperature, the hardness of Fe-3% Si-Cu alloys with different copper component increases first and then decreases with time going, with obvious aging hardening peaks. When the aging temperature is 500 °C and the aging time is 104.5 s, the hardness of the two alloys reaches the maximum and they are 264 HV and 238 HV, respectively. The precipitation kinetics curve of the copper-bearing Fe-3% Si-Cu alloy is in the shape of ‘C’, and there is a certain precipitation incubation period. When the aging temperature is 600 ∼ 650 °C, the precipitation incubation period is the shortest. The increase of the copper content in the alloy will shorten the incubation period of the precipitation kinetic curve, increase the precipitation tendency of copper and cause the curve shifted to the left obviously.
Every maximal ideal may be Katětov above of all 𝐹_{𝜎} ideals
Authors: Cancino-Manríquez J. 
Published: September 2021

We prove that it is relatively consistent with

Z
F
C

\mathsf {ZFC}

that every maximal ideal is Katětov above of all

F
σ

F_\sigma

ideals. In particular, we prove that it is consistent that there is no Hausdorff ultrafilter. The main theorem answers questions from Mauro Di Nasso and Marco Forti [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 134 (2006), pp. 1809–1818], Jana Flašková [WDS’05 proceedings of contributed papers: part I - mathematics and computer sciences, 2005; Comment. Math. Univ. Carolin. 47 (2006), pp. 617–621; 10th Asian logic conference, World Sci. Publ., Hackensack, NJ, 2010], Osvaldo Guzmán and Michael Hrušák [Topology Appl. 259 (2019), pp. 242–250], and Mauro Di Nasso and Marco Forti [Logic and its applications, Contemp. Math., Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 2005], and gives a different model for a question from Michael Benedikt [J. Symb. Log. 63 (1998), pp. 638–662], which was originally solved by S. Shelah [Logic colloquium ’95 (Haifa), lecture notes logic, Springer, Berlin, 1998].
Development of a novel tau propagation mouse model endogenously expressing 3 and 4 repeat tau isoforms
Authors: Hosokawa Masato , Masuda-Suzukake Masami , Shitara Hiroshi , Shimozawa Aki , Suzuki Genjiro , Kondo Hiromi , Nonaka Takashi , Campbell William , Arai Tetsuaki , Hasegawa Masato 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The phenomenon of ‘prion-like propagation’ in which aggregates of abnormal amyloid-fibrilized protein propagate between neurons and spread pathology, is attracting attention as a new mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. There is a strong correlation between the accumulation or spread of abnormal tau aggregates and the clinical symptoms of tauopathies. Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) contains a microtubule-binding domain that consists of three or four repeats (3R/4R) due to alternative mRNA splicing of transcripts for the MAPT gene. Although a number of models for tau propagation have been reported, most use 4R human tau transgenic mice or adult wild-type mice expressing only endogenous 4R tau and these models have not been able to reproduce the pathology of Alzheimer's disease in which 3R and 4R tau accumulate simultaneously, or that of Pick’s disease in which only 3R tau is aggregated. These deficiencies may reflect differences between human and rodent tau isoforms in the brain.
To overcome this problem, we used genome editing techniques to generate mice that express an equal ratio of endogenous 3R and 4R tau, even after they become adults. We injected these mice with sarkosyl-insoluble fractions derived from the brains of human tauopathy patients such as those afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease (3R and 4R tauopathy), corticobasal degeneration (4R tauopathy) or Pick’s disease (3R tauopathy).
At 8–9 months following intracerebral injection of mice, histopathological and biochemical analyses revealed that the abnormal accumulation of tau was seed-dependent, with 3R and 4R tau in Alzheimer’s disease-injected brains, 4R tau only in corticobasal degeneration-injected brains and 3R tau only in Pick disease-injected brains, all of which contained isoforms related to those found in the injected seeds. The injected abnormal tau was seeded, and accumulated at the site of injection and at neural connections, predominantly within the same site. The abnormal tau newly accumulated was found to be endogenous in these mice and to have crossed the species barrier. Of particular importance, Pick’s body-like inclusions were observed in Pick’s disease-injected mice, and accumulations characteristic of Pick’s disease were reproduced, suggesting that we have developed the first model that recapitulates the pathology of Pick’s disease.
These models are not only useful for elucidating the mechanism of propagation of tau pathology involving both 3R and 4R isoforms, but can also reproduce the pathology of tauopathies, which should lead to the discovery of new therapeutic agents.
Clinical and genetic spectrum of a large cohort of patients with δ-sarcoglycan muscular dystrophy
Authors: Alonso-Pérez Jorge , González-Quereda Lidia , Bruno Claudio , Panicucci Chiara , Alavi Afagh , Nafissi Shahriar , Nilipour Yalda , Zanoteli Edmar , Isihi Lucas Michielon de Augusto , Melegh Béla , Hadzsiev Kinga , Muelas Nuria , Vílchez Juan J , Dourado Mario Emilio , Kadem Naz , Kutluk Gultekin , Umair Muhammad , Younus Muhammad , Pegorano Elena , Bello Luca , Crawford Thomas O , Suárez-Calvet Xavier , Töpf Ana , Guglieri Michela , Marini-Bettolo Chiara , Gallano Pia , Straub Volker , Díaz-Manera Jordi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Sarcoglycanopathies include four subtypes of autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDR3, LGMDR4, LGMDR5 and LGMDR6) that are caused, respectively, by mutations in the SGCA, SGCB, SGCG and SGCD genes. Delta-sarcoglycanopathy (LGMDR6) is the least frequent and is considered an ultra-rare disease. Our aim was to characterize the clinical and genetic spectrum of a large international cohort of LGMDR6 patients and to investigate whether or not genetic or protein expression data could predict a disease’s severity.
This is a retrospective study collecting demographic, genetic, clinical and histological data of patients with genetically confirmed LGMDR6 including protein expression data from muscle biopsies.
We contacted 128 paediatric and adult neuromuscular units around the world that reviewed genetic data of patients with a clinical diagnosis of a neuromuscular disorder. We identified 30 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of LGMDR6 of which 23 patients were included in this study. Eighty-seven per cent of the patients had consanguineous parents. Ninety-one per cent of the patients were symptomatic at the time of the analysis. Proximal muscle weakness of the upper and lower limbs was the most common presenting symptom. Distal muscle weakness was observed early over the course of the disease in 56.5% of the patients. Cardiac involvement was reported in five patients (21.7%) and four patients (17.4%) required non-invasive ventilation. Sixty per cent of patients were wheelchair-bound since early teens (median age of 12.0 years). Patients with absent expression of the sarcoglycan complex on muscle biopsy had a significant earlier onset of symptoms and an earlier age of loss of ambulation compared to patients with residual protein expression.
This study confirmed that delta-sarcoglycanopathy is an ultra-rare neuromuscular condition and described the clinical and molecular characteristics of the largest yet-reported collected cohort of patients. Our results showed that this is a very severe and quickly progressive disease characterized by generalized muscle weakness affecting predominantly proximal and distal muscles of the limbs. Similar to other forms of sarcoglycanopathies, the severity and rate of progressive weakness correlates inversely with the abundance of protein on muscle biopsy.
Projected Long-Term Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Hepatitis C Outcomes in the United States: A Modeling Study
Authors: Barocas Joshua A , Savinkina Alexandra , Lodi Sara , Epstein Rachel L , Bouton Tara C , Sperring Heather , Hsu Heather E , Jacobson Karen R , Schechter-Perkins Elissa M , Linas Benjamin P , White Laura F 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted access to and uptake of hepatitis C virus (HCV) care services in the United States. It is unknown how substantially the pandemic will impact long-term HCV-related outcomes.MethodsWe used a microsimulation to estimate the 10-year impact of COVID-19 disruptions in healthcare delivery on HCV outcomes including identified infections, linkage to care, treatment initiation and completion, cirrhosis, and liver-related death. We modeled hypothetical scenarios consisting of an 18-month pandemic-related disruption in HCV care starting in March 2020 followed by varying returns to pre-pandemic rates of screening, linkage, and treatment through March 2030 and compared them to a counterfactual scenario in which there was no COVID-19 pandemic or disruptions in care. We also performed alternate scenario analyses in which the pandemic disruption lasted for 12 and 24 months.ResultsCompared to the “no pandemic” scenario, in the scenario in which there is no return to pre-pandemic levels of HCV care delivery, we estimate 1060 fewer identified cases, 21 additional cases of cirrhosis, and 16 additional liver-related deaths per 100 000 people. Only 3% of identified cases initiate treatment and &lt;1% achieve sustained virologic response (SVR). Compared to “no pandemic,” the best-case scenario in which an 18-month care disruption is followed by a return to pre-pandemic levels, we estimated a smaller proportion of infections identified and achieving SVR.ConclusionsA recommitment to the HCV epidemic in the United States that involves additional resources coupled with aggressive efforts to screen, link, and treat people with HCV is needed to overcome the COVID-19-related disruptions.
Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Chemoprevention and Malaria Incidence After Severe Flooding: Evaluation of a Pragmatic Intervention in Rural Uganda
Authors: Boyce Ross M , Hollingsworth Brandon D , Baguma Emma , Xu Erin , Goel Varun , Brown-Marusiak Amanda , Muhindo Rabbison , Reyes Raquel , Ntaro Moses , Siedner Mark J , Staedke Sarah G , Juliano Jonathan J , Mulogo Edgar M 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Malaria epidemics are a well-described phenomenon after extreme precipitation and flooding. Yet, few studies have examined mitigation measures to prevent post-flood malaria epidemics.

Methods
We evaluated a malaria chemoprevention program implemented in response to severe flooding in western Uganda. Children aged ≤12 years from 1 village were eligible to receive 3 monthly rounds of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DP). Two neighboring villages served as controls. Malaria cases were defined as individuals with a positive rapid diagnostic test result as recorded in health center registers. We performed a difference-in-differences analysis to estimate changes in the incidence and test positivity of malaria between intervention and control villages.

Results
A total of 554 children received at least 1 round of chemoprevention, with 75% participating in at least 2 rounds. Compared with control villages, we estimated a 53.4% reduction (adjusted rate ratio [aRR], 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]: .34–.62; P &lt; .01) in malaria incidence and a 30% decrease in the test positivity rate (aRR, 0.70; 95% CI: .50–.97; P = .03) in the intervention village in the 6 months post-intervention. The impact was greatest among children who received the intervention, but decreased incidence was also observed in older children and adults (aRR, 0.57; 95% CI: .38–.84; P &lt; .01).

Conclusions
Three rounds of chemoprevention with DP delivered under pragmatic conditions reduced the incidence of malaria after severe flooding in western Uganda. These findings provide a proof-of-concept for the use of malaria chemoprevention to reduce excess disease burden associated with severe flooding.
Developing and evaluating the Teen-Strong life skills programme in Southern Thailand
Authors: Pummanee Treenut , Chunuan Sopen , Tedla Yacob G , Purinthrapibal Shutiwan , Chupon Nichara 
Published: September 2021

Summary
Risk sexual behaviours are known as a threat to health and wellbeing of adolescents. Although there are standard sexual education curriculums in Thai schools, most schools use traditional teaching methods rather than participatory teaching activities. This study aimed to (i) develop ‘Teen-Strong’ programme by combining the concept of the World Health Organization’s life skills programme with Thai sexual education curriculum and (ii) investigate the association of Teen-Strong programme with knowledge and decision-making regarding risky sexual behaviours and teenage pregnancy in Thai adolescents. The Teen-Strong programme was developed by means of experts review and cognitive interviewing process and evaluated in 66 adolescents in Grades 7–9 from six schools in southern Thailand. Twenty-six students were assigned to the experimental group (attended Teen-Strong programme and standard sexual education) and 40 to the control group (attended only the standard sexual education). A pre–post-test quasi-experimental design was used and the Teen-Strong questionnaire (TSQ) was administered to measure knowledge and decision-making at three time points: before (T1), immediately after (T2) and 1 month after (T3) attending the programme. A 2 × 3 mixed-design ANOVA was used to analyse the data. TSQ scores in the experimental and control groups were higher at T2 and T3 as compared with T1. Mean increase in TSQ scores at T2 and T3 compared with T1 were significantly higher in the experiment than the control group [T2 vs. T1: t (64) = 4.07, p-values &lt; 0.0001; T3 vs. T1: t (64) = 3.32, p-values = 0.017]. This study showed that Teen-Strong programme could increase adolescent’s knowledge and decision-making skills regarding risk sexual behaviours.
Short versus prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy for patients with uncomplicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection: a retrospective study
Authors: Bae Moonsuk , Jeong Yunseo , Bae Seongman , Kim Min Jae , Chong Yong Pil , Kim Sung-Han , Lee Sang-Oh , Choi Sang-Ho , Kim Yang Soo , Jung Jiwon 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
The optimal duration of antimicrobial therapy for uncomplicated Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infection (BSI) is unknown. We compared the outcomes of short and prolonged courses of antimicrobial therapy in adults with uncomplicated pseudomonal BSI.

Methods
All patients with uncomplicated P. aeruginosa BSI admitted at a tertiary-care hospital from April 2010 to April 2020 were included. We compared the primary outcome (a composite of the rate of recurrent P. aeruginosa infection and mortality within 30 days after discontinuing antimicrobial therapy) among patients who underwent short (7‒11 days) and prolonged (12‒21 days) courses of antimicrobial therapy using propensity score analysis with the inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method.

Results
We evaluated 1477 patients with P. aeruginosa BSI; of them, 290 met the eligibility criteria who received antimicrobial agents with in vitro activity, including 97 (33%) who underwent short-course therapy [median of 9 (IQR = 8‒11) days] and 193 (67%) who underwent prolonged-course therapy [median of 15 (IQR = 14‒18) days]. We found no significant difference in the risk of recurrence or 30 day mortality between the prolonged-course and short-course groups [n = 30 (16%) versus n = 11 (11%); IPTW-adjusted HR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.34 − 1.36, P = 0.28]. The prolonged-course therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of the recurrence of P. aeruginosa infection within 180 days compared with short-course therapy [n = 37 (19%) versus n = 12 (12%); IPTW-adjusted HR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.29 − 1.10, P = 0.09].

Conclusions
Short-course antimicrobial therapy could be as effective as prolonged-course therapy for uncomplicated P. aeruginosa BSI.
Impact of Sterilization Methods on the Seeding Ability of Human Tau Proteopathic Seeds
Authors: Fernandes Analiese R , Dujardin Simon , Maté de Gérando Anastasie , Hyman Bradley T , Frosch Matthew P 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
The protein tau, when misfolded in neurodegenerative diseases, has several prion-like properties including being able to spread by cell-to-cell transfer, induce templated seeding, and exist in distinct conformational strains. These properties of transmission may present health hazards when lesion-containing biospecimens are used in research and neuropathology laboratories. We evaluated the impact standard sterilization and cleaning methods have on the capacity of tau seeds to induce aggregation. We employed a previously developed, highly sensitive FRET-based biosensor assay to assess remnant tau seeding after exposure to these procedures. For tau species derived from human Alzheimer disease tissue (brain homogenate and sarkosyl-insoluble fibrils), both autoclaving and incubation in 90.6% formic acid were sufficient to reduce tau bioactivity. By contrast, boiling was not always effective in completely blocking bioactivity in the seeding assay. Notably, only formic acid incubation was able to produce a similar reduction in tissue from a P301L mutant tau mouse model of tauopathy. Our study highlights nuances in methods for inactivation of tau seeding which may support adapted tissue processing procedures, especially in research settings. These findings also highlight the importance of universal precautions when handling human neuropathological and research laboratory materials.
High-Throughput Digital Image Analysis Reveals Distinct Patterns of Dystrophin Expression in Dystrophinopathy Patients
Authors: Torelli Silvia , Scaglioni Domenic , Sardone Valentina , Ellis Matthew J , Domingos Joana , Jones Adam , Feng Lucy , Chambers Darren , Eastwood Deborah M , Leturcq France , Yaou Rabah Ben , Urtizberea Andoni , Sabouraud Pascal , Barnerias Christine , Stojkovic Tanya , Ricci Enzo , Beuvin Maud , Bonne Gisele , Sewry Caroline A , Willis Tracey , Kulshrestha Richa , Tasca Giorgio , Phadke Rahul , Morgan Jennifer E , Muntoni Francesco 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an incurable disease caused by out-of-frame DMD gene deletions while in frame deletions lead to the milder Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). In the last decade several antisense oligonucleotides drugs have been developed to induce a partially functional internally deleted dystrophin, similar to that produced in BMD, and expected to ameliorate the disease course. The pattern of dystrophin expression and functionality in dystrophinopathy patients is variable due to multiple factors, such as molecular functionality of the dystrophin and its distribution. To benchmark the success of therapeutic intervention, a clear understanding of dystrophin expression patterns in dystrophinopathy patients is vital. Recently, several groups have used innovative techniques to quantify dystrophin in muscle biopsies of children but not in patients with milder BMD. This study reports on dystrophin expression using both Western blotting and an automated, high-throughput, image analysis platform in DMD, BMD, and intermediate DMD/BMD skeletal muscle biopsies. Our results found a significant correlation between Western blot and immunofluorescent quantification indicating consistency between the different methodologies. However, we identified significant inter- and intradisease heterogeneity of patterns of dystrophin expression in patients irrespective of the amount detected on blot, due to variability in both fluorescence intensity and dystrophin sarcolemmal circumference coverage. Our data highlight the heterogeneity of the pattern of dystrophin expression in BMD, which will assist the assessment of dystrophin restoration therapies.