bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-relativistic expansion of open strings and D-branes
Authors: Hartong Jelle , Have Emil 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
We expand the relativistic open bosonic string in powers of 1/c2 where c is the speed of light. We perform this expansion to next-to-leading order in 1/c2 and relate our results to known descriptions of non-relativistic open strings obtained by taking limits. Just as for closed strings the non-relativistic expansion is well-defined if the open string winds a circle in the target space. This direction must satisfy Dirichlet boundary conditions. It is shown that the endpoints of the open string behave as Bargmann particles in the non-relativistic regime. These open strings end on nrDp-branes with p ≤ 24. When these nrDp-branes do not fluctuate they correspond to (p + 1)-dimensional Newton-Cartan submanifolds of the target space. When we include fluctuations and worldvolume gauge fields their dynamics is described by a non-relativistic version of the DBI action whose form we derive from symmetry considerations. The worldvolume gauge field and scalar field of a nrD24-brane make up the field content of Galilean electrodynamics (GED), and the effective theory on the nrD24-brane is precisely a non-linear version of GED. We generalise these results to actions for any nrDp-brane by demanding that they have the same target space gauge symmetries that the non-relativistic open and closed string actions have. Finally, we show that the nrDp-brane action is transverse T-duality covariant. Our results agree with the findings of Gomis, Yan and Yu in [1].
Top-quark pair production as a probe of light top-philic scalars and anomalous Higgs interactions
Authors: Maltoni Fabio , Pagani Davide , Tentori Simone 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
We compute the effects due to the virtual exchange (or the soft emission) of a scalar particle with generic couplings to the top quark in $$ t\overline{t} $$
t

t
¯

pair production at the LHC. We apply the results to two cases of interest, extending and completing previous studies. First, we consider the indirect search for light (mS < 2mt) top-philic scalars with CP-even and/or CP-odd interactions. Second, we investigate how to set constraints on anomalous Yukawa couplings of the Higgs boson to the top quark. Our results show that the current precision of experimental data together with the accuracy of the SM predictions make such indirect determinations a powerful probe for new physics.
Existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions to the stochastic Landau–Lifshitz–Slonczewski equation
Authors: Goldys Beniamin , Jiao Chunxi , Le Kim Ngan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn this paper we are concerned with the stochastic Landau–Lifshitz–Slonczewski (LLS) equation that describes magnetisation of an infinite nanowire evolving under current-driven spin torque. The current brings into the system a multiplicative gradient noise that appears as a transport term in the equation. We prove the existence, uniqueness and regularity of pathwise solutions to the equation.
Information design for weighted voting
Authors: Kerman Toygar T. , Tenev Anastas P. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWe consider a sender who wishes to persuade multiple receivers to vote in favor of a proposal and sends them private correlated messages that are conditional on the true state of the world. The receivers share a common prior, wish to implement the outcome that matches the true state, and have homogeneous preferences. However, they are heterogeneous in their voting weights. We consider both behavioral and sophisticated voters. When voters are behavioral, public communication is optimal if and only if there is a veto player. For sophisticated voters, we establish lower bounds on the sender’s gain from persuasion for general voting quotas and show that the sender can often improve upon public communication. Finally, in an extension, we show that even when behavioral voters have heterogeneous prior beliefs, public communication is optimal if and only if there is a veto player.
Structural and Evolutionary Analysis of Proteins Endowed with a Nucleotidyltransferase, or Non-canonical Palm, Catalytic Domain
Authors: Jácome Rodrigo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMany polymerases and other proteins are endowed with a catalytic domain belonging to the nucleotidyltransferase fold, which has also been deemed the non-canonical palm domain, in which three conserved acidic residues coordinate two divalent metal ions. Tertiary structure-based evolutionary analyses provide valuable information when the phylogenetic signal contained in the primary structure is blurry or has been lost, as is the case with these proteins. Pairwise structural comparisons of proteins with a nucleotidyltransferase fold were performed in the PDBefold web server: the RMSD, the number of superimposed residues, and the Qscore were obtained. The structural alignment score (RMSD × 100/number of superimposed residues) and the 1-Qscore were calculated, and distance matrices were constructed, from which a dendogram and a phylogenetic network were drawn for each score. The dendograms and the phylogenetic networks display well-defined clades, reflecting high levels of structural conservation within each clade, not mirrored by primary sequence. The conserved structural core between all these proteins consists of the catalytic nucleotidyltransferase fold, which is surrounded by different functional domains. Hence, many of the clades include proteins that bind different substrates or partake in non-related functions. Enzymes endowed with a nucleotidyltransferase fold are present in all domains of life, and participate in essential cellular and viral functions, which suggests that this domain is very ancient. Despite the loss of evolutionary traces in their primary structure, tertiary structure-based analyses allow us to delve into the evolution and functional diversification of the NT fold.
Dioxins, PFOS, and 20 other Persistent Organic Pollutants in Eggs of Nine Wild Bird Species from the Vaal River, South Africa
Authors: Lesch Velesia , Pieters Rialet , Bouwman Hindrik 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe Vaal River catchment drains the largest and most populated industrial and mining region in Southern Africa. Heron, ibis, cormorant, egrets, and darter eggs, representing three habitats and four feeding guilds, were collected at four locations in 2009/10 to identify hotspots and hazards associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The POPs included 21 organochlorine pesticides, five polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) classes, 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs including six non-dioxin-like PCBs; NDL-PCB), and 12 dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs), 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Aquatic predators had higher PFOS and PCDD/F concentrations, while PCBs dominated in terrestrial eggs. Organochlorine pesticides, PBDEs, and PCBs were strongly associated with eggs from the industrial regions, while PCDD/F concentrations were evenly distributed. PCDD/F and PCB toxic equivalency quotient concentrations were low with no adverse effects expected. PFOS peaked at Bloemhof Dam with a maximum of 2300 ng/g wm in an African Darter egg, indicating an unexpected PFOS hotspot, the source of which is unknown. Despite order of differences in compound class concentrations, there was no association with egg size. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study that analysed all 2010 POPs in bird eggs on a large geographic scale. This study highlighted the importance of multi-species studies sampling from multiple locations to assess the risk that POPs pose to avian populations as hotspots and species at risk may be missed by studies looking at one or few species.
Automated abdominal organ segmentation algorithms for non-enhanced CT for volumetry and 3D radiomics analysis
Authors: Park Junghoan , Joo Ijin , Jeon Sun Kyung , Kim Jong-Min , Park Sang Joon , Yoon Soon Ho 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To develop fully-automated abdominal organ segmentation algorithms from non-enhanced abdominal CT and low-dose chest CT and assess their feasibility for automated CT volumetry and 3D radiomics analysis of abdominal solid organs.

Methods
Fully-automated nnU-Net-based models were developed to segment the liver, spleen, and both kidneys in non-enhanced abdominal CT, and the liver and spleen in low-dose chest CT. 105 abdominal CTs and 60 low-dose chest CTs were used for model development, and 55 abdominal CTs and 10 low-dose chest CTs for external testing. The segmentation performance for each organ was assessed using the Dice similarity coefficients, with manual segmentation results serving as the ground truth. Agreements between ground-truth measurements and model estimates of organ volume and 3D radiomics features were assessed using the Bland–Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Results
The models accurately segmented the liver, spleen, right kidney, and left kidney in abdominal CT and the liver and spleen in low-dose chest CT, showing mean Dice similarity coefficients in the external dataset of 0.968, 0.960, 0.952, and 0.958, respectively, in abdominal CT, and 0.969 and 0.960, respectively, in low-dose chest CT. The model-estimated and ground truth volumes of these organs exhibited mean differences between − 0.7% and 2.2%, with excellent agreements. The automatically extracted mean and median Hounsfield units (ICCs, 0.970–0.999 and 0.994–0.999, respectively), uniformity (ICCs, 0.985–0.998), entropy (ICCs, 0.931–0.993), elongation (ICCs, 0.978–0.992), and flatness (ICCs, 0.973–0.997) showed excellent agreement with ground truth measurements for each organ; however, skewness (ICCs, 0.210–0.831), kurtosis (ICCs, 0.053–0.933), and sphericity (ICCs, 0.368–0.819) displayed relatively low and inconsistent agreement.

Conclusion
Our nnU-Net-based models accurately segmented abdominal solid organs in non-enhanced abdominal and low-dose chest CT, enabling reliable automated measurements of organ volume and specific 3D radiomics features.
Added value of histogram analysis of intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion kurtosis imaging for the evaluation of complete response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Lan , Jin Ziwei , Yang Fan , Guo Yiwan , Liu Yuan , Chen Manman , Xu Si , Lin Zhenyu , Sun Peng , Yang Ming , Zhang Peng , Tao Kaixiong , Zhang Tao , Li Xin , Zheng Chuansheng 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate how intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) histogram analysis contribute to assessing complete response (CR) to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Material and methods
In this prospective study, participants with LARC, who underwent NAT and subsequent surgery, with adequate MR image quality, were enrolled from November 2021 to March 2023. Conventional MRI (T2WI and DWI), IVIM, and DKI were performed before NAT (pre-NAT) and within two weeks before surgery (post-NAT). Image evaluation was independently performed by two experienced radiologists. Pathological complete response (pCR) was used as the reference standard. An IVIM–DKI-added model (a combination of IVIM and DKI histogram parameters with T2WI and DWI) was constructed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic performance of conventional MRI and the IVIM–DKI-added model.

Results
A total of 59 participants (median age: 58.00 years [IQR: 52.00, 62.00]; 38 [64%] men) were evaluated, including 21 pCR and 38 non-pCR cases. The histogram parameters of DKI, including skewness of kurtosis post-NAT (post-K
Skewness) and root mean squared of change ratio of diffusivity (Δ%D
DKI-root mean squared), were entered into the IVIM–DKI-added model. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the IVIM–DKI-added model for assessing CR to NAT was significantly higher than that of conventional MRI (0.855 [95% CI: 0.749–0.960] vs 0.685 [95% CI: 0.565–0.806], p < 0.001).

Conclusion
IVIM and DKI provide added value in the evaluation of CR to NAT in LARC.

Key Points

Question

The current conventional imaging evaluation system lacks adequacy for assessing CR to NAT in LARC.

Findings

Significantly improved diagnostic performance was observed with the histogram analysis of IVIM and DKI in conjunction with conventional MRI.

Clinical relevance

IVIM and DKI provide significant value in evaluating CR to NAT in LARC, which bears significant implications for reducing surgical complications and facilitating organ preservation.
Reproductive ecology of fire corals in the northern Red Sea
Authors: Roth Lachan , Shlesinger Tom , Loya Yossi 
Published: September 2024

AbstractScleractinian corals, the principal architects of coral reefs, face substantial threats from ongoing and anticipated climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. This underscores the significance of investigating alternative reef-building organisms and their contribution to reefs’ resilience. Among these alternatives, colonial hydrozoans of the genus Millepora, commonly called ‘fire corals’, play substantial roles in contributing to coral reef structure and functionality by depositing calcareous exoskeletons. Despite the ecological importance of fire corals, fundamental knowledge gaps remain regarding their biology and reproductive ecology. Here, we present a comprehensive study on the population dynamics, reproductive ecology, phenology, and sex ratio of the three Red Sea fire corals—Millepora dichotoma, M. exaesa, and M. platyphylla—in the Gulf of Aqaba and Eilat. The abundance of M. dichotoma and M. exaesa seems to have remained consistent over the last 50 years across two of the three depth zones surveyed, indicating their potential resistance or resilience. However, at the third depth surveyed, their abundance appears to have decreased. Our extensive in-situ monitoring of breeding events over six consecutive years has revealed a previously undetected relationship between Millepora species breeding events and the lunar cycle. Histological analyses indicated remarkably short reproductive cycles of only 2–3 weeks, recurring multiple times within a single season, in both M. dichotoma and M. exaesa, which is a unique reproductive aspect compared to other reef-building corals. These results highlight the high reproductive and resilience potential of Millepora species. Consequently, fire corals could assume a more substantial role as keystone species in changing environments and future reefs, emphasizing their importance in reef conservation and management.
Follow-up strategies after trimodal treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Kaufmann Ernest , Aeppli Stefanie , Arnold Winfried , Balermpas Panagiotis , Beyer Jörg , Bieri Uwe , Cathomas Richard , de Bari Berardino , Dressler Marco , Engeler Daniel S. , Erdmann Andreas , Gallina Andrea , Gomez Silvia , Guckenberger Matthias , Herrmann Thomas R. W. , Hermanns Thomas , Ilaria Lucca , John Hubert , Kessler Thomas M. , Klein Jan , Laouiti Mohamed , Lauffer David , Mattei Agostino , Müntener Michael , Nguyen Daniel , Niederberger Philipp , Papachristofilou Alexandros , Prause Lukas , Reinhardt Karsten , Salati Emanuela , Sèbe Philippe , Shelan Mohamed , Strebel Räto , Templeton Arnoud J. , Vogl Ursula , Wettstein Marian S. , Zihler Deborah , Zilli Thomas , Zwahlen Daniel , Roth Beat , Fankhauser Christian 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Optimal follow-up strategies following trimodal treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer play a crucial role in detecting and managing relapse and side-effects. This article provides a comprehensive summary of the patterns and risk factors of relapse, functional outcomes, and follow-up protocols.

Methods
A systematic literature search on PubMed and review of current guidelines and institutional follow-up protocols after trimodal therapy were conducted.

Results
Out of 200 identified publications, 43 studies (28 retrospective, 15 prospective) were selected, encompassing 7447 patients (study sizes from 24 to 728 patients). Recurrence rates in the urinary bladder varied between 14–52%; 3–16% were muscle-invasive while 11–36% were non-muscle invasive. Nodal recurrence occurred at 13–16% and distant metastases at 15–35%. After 5 and 10 years of follow-up, around 60–85% and 45–75% of patients could preserve their bladder, respectively. Various prognostic risk factors associated with relapse and inferior survival were proposed, including higher disease stage (> c/pT2), presence of extensive/multifocal carcinoma in situ (CIS), hydronephrosis, multifocality, histological subtypes, incomplete transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and incomplete response to radio-chemotherapy. The analyzed follow-up guidelines varied slightly in terms of the number, timing, and types of investigations, but overall, the recommendations were similar.

Conclusion
Randomized prospective studies should focus on evaluating the impact of specific follow-up protocols on oncological and functional outcomes following trimodal treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer. It is crucial to evaluate personalized adaption of follow-up protocols based on established risk factors, as there is potential for improved patient outcomes and resource allocation.
The distribution of power-related random variables (and their use in clinical trials)
Authors: Mariani Francesco , De Santis Fulvio , Gubbiotti Stefania 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the hybrid Bayesian-frequentist approach to hypotheses tests, the power function, i.e. the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis, is a random variable and a pre-experimental evaluation of the study is commonly carried out through the so-called probability of success (PoS). PoS is usually defined as the expected value of the random power that is not necessarily a well-representative summary of the entire distribution. Here, we consider the main definitions of PoS and investigate the power related random variables that induce them. We provide general expressions for their cumulative distribution and probability density functions, as well as closed-form expressions when the test statistic is, at least asymptotically, normal. The analysis of such distributions highlights discrepancies in the main definitions of PoS, leading us to prefer the one based on the utility function of the test. We illustrate our idea through an example and an application to clinical trials, which is a framework where PoS is commonly employed.
Ferritin, inflammation, and iron deficiency in acute heart failure: evidence from the EDIFICA cohort
Authors: Vasques-Nóvoa Francisco , Pimentel Maria João , Marques Pedro , Vale Catarina , Gomes Filipa , Neves João Sérgio , Barroso Isaac , Guimarães João Tiago , Bettencourt Paulo , Leite-Moreira Adelino F. , Roncon-Albuquerque Roberto , Almeida Jorge , Ferreira João Pedro , Friões Fernando 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Ferritin is commonly used to evaluate iron stores and guide therapeutic decisions regarding intravenous iron supplementation. However, in the context of AHF, inflammation-driven upregulation of ferritin might disrupt its correlation with iron stores, restricting iron bioavailability and potentially amplifying the inflammatory response.

Aim
This study aims to assess the clinical and prognostic associations of ferritin levels in an AHF cohort and to determine whether the prognostic value of ferritin is influenced by the presence of infection, inflammatory activation, and other markers of iron deficiency.

Methods
The association between ferritin and clinical outcomes (180 days) in AHF was evaluated in a cohort of 526 patients from the EDIFICA registry.

Results
The median ferritin plasma concentration at admission was 180 pg/mL. Patients with higher ferritin levels at admission were predominantly men, exhibiting a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease and alcohol consumption, and presenting with lower blood pressure and a higher incidence of clinical infection. Higher ferritin levels were associated with increased risk of the composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular death (Tertile 2: HR 1.75; 95% CI 1.10–2.79; p = 0.017; Tertile 3: HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.08–2.97; p = 0.025), independently of classical HF prognostic factors, inflammatory and iron-related markers. No significant associations were found between admission serum iron or transferrin saturation tertiles, iron status categories, or guideline-defined iron deficiency (ID) criteria and the primary composite outcome. However, at discharge, patients who met the criteria for defective iron utilization, low iron storage, or guideline-defined ID had a lower risk of the composite endpoint compared to those with normal iron utilization or who did not meet the guideline-defined ID criteria, respectively.

Conclusions
Elevated ferritin levels are independently associated with poor prognosis in AHF. Low ferritin levels are associated with a favorable outcome and do not carry significant value in identifying ID in this population.
Advances in omics data for eosinophilic esophagitis: moving towards multi-omics analyses
Authors: Matsuyama Kazuhiro , Yamada Shingo , Sato Hironori , Zhan Justin , Shoda Tetsuo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus characterized by eosinophil accumulation and has a growing global prevalence. EoE significantly impairs quality of life and poses a substantial burden on healthcare resources. Currently, only two FDA-approved medications exist for EoE, highlighting the need for broader research into its management and prevention. Recent advancements in omics technologies, such as genomics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and others, offer new insights into the genetic and immunologic mechanisms underlying EoE. Genomic studies have identified genetic loci and mutations associated with EoE, revealing predispositions that vary by ancestry and indicating EoE’s complex genetic basis. Epigenetic studies have uncovered changes in DNA methylation and chromatin structure that affect gene expression, influencing EoE pathology. Transcriptomic analyses have revealed a distinct gene expression profile in EoE, dominated by genes involved in activated type 2 immunity and epithelial barrier function. Proteomic approaches have furthered the understanding of EoE mechanisms, identifying potential new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, challenges in integrating diverse omics data persist, largely due to their complexity and the need for advanced computational methods. Machine learning is emerging as a valuable tool for analyzing extensive and intricate datasets, potentially revealing new aspects of EoE pathogenesis. The integration of multi-omics data through sophisticated computational approaches promises significant advancements in our understanding of EoE, improving diagnostics, and enhancing treatment effectiveness. This review synthesizes current omics research and explores future directions for comprehensively understanding the disease mechanisms in EoE.