bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graphene-based electrochemical system for tritium enrichment
Authors: Zabolockis R.J. , Sondars M. , Vaivars G. , Reinholds I. , Gostilo V. , Malgin V. , Kizilov A. , Lescinskis A. , Felsharuk A. , Avotina L. , Teimane A.S. , Sprugis E. , Pajuste E. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this study, a tritium enrichment system in the water phase has been developed based on the combination of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis cell and a fuel cell. As the PEM, NafionTM and laboratory-synthesized sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes modified with an additional graphene layer in order to enhance the tritium separation factor were used. Both differences in the kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction and transport through the graphene layer of different isotopes are the driving factors expected to affect the separation of hydrogen isotopes. The separation factor was measured both during the electrolysis and fuel cell stage using different membranes. The facilitating effect of the graphene on the separation efficiency was determined during the study. The separation factor obtained by the proposed method was evidently higher than that obtained by other conventional methods.
Solidification of aluminium alloys in different conditions
Authors: Petrova Anna , Yaneva Svetlana , Stoichev Nikolay 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The development of modern nanotechnology has influenced the principles, design and characteristics of machines and parts. This applies mostly to materials that are used in the space industry. The first aspect concerns the technologies of synthesis, and the second - the qualities and applications of the materials.
To date, a limited number of scientific publications describing the preparation and production of materials in space conditions have been published. This article describes the equipment used during the second Russian-Bulgarian flight. In 1988, in space, on the MIR orbital station, 3 experiments related to materials science were conducted by Bulgarian researchers. One of the experiments is “Structure” led by N. Stoichev (BAS). A multifunctional apparatus “Kristalhizator CSK-1” manufactured in Czechoslovakia was used.
Improving Performance of Impact Point Determination Algorithms of Gamma Interaction in a Monolithic Scintillator Using ML and Numerical Methods
Authors: Ivanov Svetoslav , Ivanov Simeon , Lalkovski Stefan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Two algorithms for classification of the number of interaction points of gamma-ray in a Compton camera with scintillator crystal are developed, taking into account the limited processing power of the edge electronics in the space environment. One of the algorithms is relaying on a machine learning image classification convolution network, and the other is a numerical method, searching for multiple maxima peaks in the light intensity over the detector plane. Preliminary results of the accuracy of the two approaches are provided and discussed.
From biomimicry to robotic co-creation: rethinking the boundaries between nature and technology
Authors: Tamborini Marco 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This paper is an invitation to an interdisciplinary dialogue on new possibilities for integrating robotics, design, and nature. I ask: how can new cross-movements between bio-inspired science and design be fostered? How might we envision the future possible intersection between technology and nature? First, I recall key aspects of classical bioinspired engineering and highlight the role of nature in the emergence of technology. Second, I introduce a new approach to bioinspired engineering. In this approach, robots play an active role in design and construction, learning from material properties to form new shapes and thus reshaping design paradigms. The distinctive elements of this approach depart from classical nature-inspired engineering and foster a symbiotic relationship between technology and nature. I conclude by reflecting on the intersections of nature, technology, and design, and envisioning new avenues for interdisciplinary dialogue that foster collaboration and innovation among diverse bio-inspired disciplines.
Impact of propagation losses on photon-pair generation in silicon
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Ghosh Joyee , Venkataraman Vivek 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We present a semi-classical numerical model to estimate the impact of linear scattering loss and nonlinear absorption losses on the biphoton flux and their quantum correlations generated via spontaneous four-wave mixing in silicon nanowaveguides. The counter-intuitive observed enhancement of pair correlations with increasing loss is attributed to the dominant effect of reduced accidental counts from multiphoton generation, with a corresponding trade-off for the source brightness. Silicon nanowaveguides are shown to be capable of generating highly correlated paired photons with coincidental-to-accidental ratio as high as ∼3400 and spectral brightness

2.8
×

10

4

pairs s−1 GHz−1 mW−1, even in the presence of linear propagation loss of 1 dB cm−1 and nonlinear losses (two-photon absorption and free-carrier absorption), over a length of 1 cm with an input pump power of 10 mW. Loss and the corresponding Langevin noise are modeled using distributed beam splitters along the waveguide length to encapsulate the phenomenological coupling to the background reservoir (vacuum fluctuations). The proposed numerical model is more general compared to previous analytical models, particularly for including dispersion and wavelength-dependent losses, and more accurate for noise estimation in the high-photon-flux regime such as optical parametric amplifiers and squeezed state generation.
Control of the valley polarization of monolayer WSe2 by Dexter-like coupling
Authors: Jasiński Jakub , Thompson Joshua J P , Palai Swaroop , Śmiertka Maciej , Dyksik Mateusz , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Baranowski Michał , Maude Duncan K , Surrente Alessandro , Malic Ermin , Płochocka Paulina 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Intervalley scattering mechanisms strongly affect the dynamics of excitonic complexes in transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers. Here, we investigate the excitation energy dependence of the valley polarization of excitons in a WSe2 monolayer. We observe that the valley polarization drastically decreases when the excitation is resonant with the B

1
s

resonance. This behavior can be explained by a Dexter-like coupling in the momentum space between exciton states residing in opposite valleys but with the same spin configuration. This induces a net transfer of the exciton population from the optically driven valley towards the opposite, undriven valley. We observe the long-term fingerprints of this population transfer as a vanishing valley polarization for the neutral exciton, and a negative valley polarization for biexcitonic complexes, in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions based on a fully microscopic many-particle approach. This, together with a decrease of the PL energy when the excitation is resonant with the B

1
s

state, points to the prominent role of the Dexter-like coupling in the exciton dynamics of atomically thin semiconductors.
Investigation on the effects of changing automotive vehicles leaf springs from steel to hybrid polymer composite leaf springs
Authors: P Vijayalakshmi , K Pazhanivel , P Praveen Raj , K Muruganantham 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Weight reduction is a critical factor in the vehicles and numerous researchers worked on better materials and design optimization to achieve that goal. This paper is focused to design a natural fibre reinforced hybrid polymer composite mono leaf parabolic spring to replace the existing steel multi-leaf semi-elliptical spring in an attempt of reducing the unsprung mass and to investigate its characteristics. The spring so designed is analyzed for its deflection and stiffness, by Virtual work method, whose complex integral was solved numerically by Gauss Quadrature. Along with this, SolidWorks was used to construct a model and ANSYS tests were used to compute the deflection, analyze the stress pattern and verify that the fail proof condition is met. Subsequently, three prototypes of the springs were fabricated by hand lay-up method. These springs were subjected to a static load test which results in deflection values similar to that of laminated steel springs with an appreciable 83 percent weight reduction. Modal Analysis conducted ensures that the fundamental frequencies of different modes are conveniently away from values of human discomfort and also from the nominal driving engine speed of 2000 rpm. The responses to harmonic disturbances which were studied experimentally, analytically and by ANSYS which indicates that vibration amplitudes due to average road undulations are under control, limiting the amplitude within 12 mm. The newly designed spring shall be recommended as a potential replacement, which can further be augmented by future works to be carried out on pot holes and studying the force transmitted on to the vehicle.
Imperfect Information About Consumer Rights: Implications for Efficiency and Distribution
Authors: Baumann Florian , Friehe Tim , Wenzel Tobias 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This paper shows that the provision of consumer rights can induce unintended distributional effects and may, under specific circumstances, even decrease welfare when some consumers are unaware of these rights. We find that consumers who are uninformed about a mandated warranty may demand excessively safe products when the share of informed consumers is high. In other circumstances, uninformed consumers buy the efficient or an inefficiently unsafe products like informed consumers, but the former cross-subsidize the latter via firms’ pricing. Concerning the salient policy option of improving information about consumer rights, we find that increasing the share of informed consumers may raise the risk of inefficiency.
A Case for Pay Secrecy
Authors: Blumkin Tomer , Lagziel David , Margalioth Yoram 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we study a labor market setup in which workers exhibit relative remuneration concerns with respect to their peers. We first characterize the optimal labor contract offered by the firm and provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the desirability of incorporating pay-secrecy clauses in such a contract. We then demonstrate that, in contrast to conventional wisdom viewing wage-secrecy arrangements as detrimental for workers, the latter may, in fact, gain from the lack of pay transparency.
Embedding-based alignment: combining protein language models with dynamic programming alignment to detect structural similarities in the twilight-zone
Authors: Pantolini Lorenzo , Studer Gabriel , Pereira Joana , Durairaj Janani , Tauriello Gerardo , Schwede Torsten 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Motivation
Language models are routinely used for text classification and generative tasks. Recently, the same architectures were applied to protein sequences, unlocking powerful new approaches in the bioinformatics field. Protein language models (pLMs) generate high-dimensional embeddings on a per-residue level and encode a “semantic meaning” of each individual amino acid in the context of the full protein sequence. These representations have been used as a starting point for downstream learning tasks and, more recently, for identifying distant homologous relationships between proteins.

Results
In this work, we introduce a new method that generates embedding-based protein sequence alignments (EBA) and show how these capture structural similarities even in the twilight zone, outperforming both classical methods as well as other approaches based on pLMs. The method shows excellent accuracy despite the absence of training and parameter optimization. We demonstrate that the combination of pLMs with alignment methods is a valuable approach for the detection of relationships between proteins in the twilight-zone.

Availability and implementation
The code to run EBA and reproduce the analysis described in this article is available at: https://git.scicore.unibas.ch/schwede/EBA and https://git.scicore.unibas.ch/schwede/eba_benchmark.
Extracellular Vesicles as Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers across the Cancer Journey: From Early Detection to Recurrence
Authors: Rayamajhi Sagar , Sipes Jared , Tetlow Ashley L , Saha Souvik , Bansal Ajay , Godwin Andrew K 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Cancer is a dynamic process and thus requires highly informative and reliable biomarkers to help guide patient care. Liquid-based biopsies have emerged as a clinical tool for tracking cancer dynamics. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid bilayer delimited particles secreted by cells, are a new class of liquid-based biomarkers. EVs are rich in selectively sorted biomolecule cargos, which provide a spatiotemporal fingerprint of the cell of origin, including cancer cells.

Content
This review summarizes the performance characteristics of EV-based biomarkers at different stages of cancer progression, from early malignancy to recurrence, while emphasizing their potential as diagnostic, prognostic, and screening biomarkers. We discuss the characteristics of effective biomarkers, consider challenges associated with the EV biomarker field, and report guidelines based on the biomarker discovery pipeline.

Summary
Basic science and clinical trial studies have shown the potential of EVs as precision-based biomarkers for tracking cancer status, with promising applications for diagnosing disease, predicting response to therapy, and tracking disease burden. The multi-analyte cargos of EVs enhance the performance characteristics of biomarkers. Recent technological advances in ultrasensitive detection of EVs have shown promise with high specificity and sensitivity to differentiate early-cancer cases vs healthy individuals, potentially outperforming current gold-standard imaging-based cancer diagnosis. Ultimately, clinical translation will be dictated by how these new EV biomarker-based platforms perform in larger sample cohorts. Applying ultrasensitive, scalable, and reproducible EV detection platforms with better design considerations based upon the biomarker discovery pipeline should guide the field towards clinically useful liquid biopsy biomarkers.
Frequency and Prognostic Value of Circulating Tumor Cells in Cancer of Unknown Primary
Authors: Pouyiourou Maria , Bochtler Tilmann , Coith Cornelia , Wikman Harriet , Kraft Bianca , Hielscher Thomas , Stenzinger Albrecht , Riethdorf Sabine , Pantel Klaus , Krämer Alwin 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is defined as a primary metastatic malignancy, in which the primary tumor remains elusive in spite of a comprehensive diagnostic workup. The frequency and prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which are considered to be the source of metastasis, has not yet been systematically evaluated in CUP.

METHODS
A total of 110 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CUP according to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines, who presented to our clinic between July 2021 and May 2023, provided blood samples for CTC quantification using CellSearch methodology. CTC counts were correlated with demographic, clinical, and molecular data generated by comprehensive genomic profiling of tumor tissue.

RESULTS
CTCs were detected in 26% of all patients at initial presentation to our department. The highest CTC frequency was observed among patients with unfavorable CUP (35.5%), while patients with single-site/oligometastatic CUP harbored the lowest CTC frequency (11.4%). No statistically significant association between CTC positivity and the number of affected organs (P = 0.478) or disease burden (P = 0.120) was found. High CTC levels (≥5 CTCs/7.5 mL; 12/95 analyzed patients) predicted for adverse overall survival compared to negative or low CTC counts (6-months overall survival rate 90% vs 32%, log-rank P &lt; 0.001; HR 5.43; 95% CI 2.23–13.2). CTC dynamics were also prognostic for overall survival by landmark analysis (log-rank P &lt; 0.001, HR 10.2, 95% CI 1.95–52.9).

CONCLUSIONS
CTC frequency is a strong, independent predictor of survival in patients with CUP. CTC quantification provides a useful prognostic tool in the management of these patients.
Cyclophilin A is a ligand for RAGE in thrombo-inflammation
Authors: Seizer Peter , von Ungern-Sternberg Saskia N I , Haug Verena , Dicenta Valerie , Rosa Annabelle , Butt Elke , Nöthel Moritz , Rohlfing Anne-Katrin , Sigle Manuel , Nawroth Peter P , Nussbaum Claudia , Sperandio Markus , Kusch Charly , Meub Mara , Sauer Markus , Münzer Patrick , Bieber Kristin , Stanger Anna , Mack Andreas F , Huber René , Brand Korbinian , Lehners Moritz , Feil Robert , Poso Antti , Krutzke Konstantin , Schäffer Tilman E , Nieswandt Bernhard , Borst Oliver , May Andreas E , Zernecke Alma , Gawaz Meinrad , Heinzmann David 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Aims
Cyclophilin A (CyPA) induces leucocyte recruitment and platelet activation upon release into the extracellular space. Extracellular CyPA therefore plays a critical role in immuno-inflammatory responses in tissue injury and thrombosis upon platelet activation. To date, CD147 (EMMPRIN) has been described as the primary receptor mediating extracellular effects of CyPA in platelets and leucocytes. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) shares inflammatory and prothrombotic properties and has also been found to have similar ligands as CD147. In this study, we investigated the role of RAGE as a previously unknown interaction partner for CyPA.

Methods and results
Confocal imaging, proximity ligation, co-immunoprecipitation, and atomic force microscopy were performed and demonstrated an interaction of CyPA with RAGE on the cell surface. Static and dynamic cell adhesion and chemotaxis assays towards extracellular CyPA using human leucocytes and leucocytes from RAGE-deficient Ager−/− mice were conducted. Inhibition of RAGE abrogated CyPA-induced effects on leucocyte adhesion and chemotaxis in vitro. Accordingly, Ager−/− mice showed reduced leucocyte recruitment and endothelial adhesion towards CyPA in vivo. In wild-type mice, we observed a downregulation of RAGE on leucocytes when endogenous extracellular CyPA was reduced. We furthermore evaluated the role of RAGE for platelet activation and thrombus formation upon CyPA stimulation. CyPA-induced activation of platelets was found to be dependent on RAGE, as inhibition of RAGE, as well as platelets from Ager−/− mice showed a diminished activation and thrombus formation upon CyPA stimulation. CyPA-induced signalling through RAGE was found to involve central signalling pathways including the adaptor protein MyD88, intracellular Ca2+ signalling, and NF-κB activation.

Conclusion
We propose RAGE as a hitherto unknown receptor for CyPA mediating leucocyte as well as platelet activation. The CyPA–RAGE interaction thus represents a novel mechanism in thrombo-inflammation.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Intestinal Ultrasound in the Detection of Intra-Abdominal Complications in Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pruijt Maarten J , de Voogd Floris A E , Montazeri Nahid S M , van Etten-Jamaludin Faridi S , D’Haens Geert R , Gecse Krisztina B 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Crohn’s disease [CD] is frequently associated with the development of strictures and penetrating complications. Intestinal ultrasound [IUS] is a non-invasive imaging modality ideal for point-of-care assessment. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we provide a current overview on the diagnostic accuracy of IUS and its advanced modalities in the detection of intra-abdominal complications in CD compared to endoscopy, cross-sectional imaging, surgery, and pathology.

Method
We conducted a literature search for studies describing the diagnostic accuracy of IUS in adult patients with CD-related intra-abdominal complications. Quality of the included studies was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool. Meta-analysis was performed for both conventional IUS [B-mode] and oral contrast IUS [SICUS].

Results
Of the 1498 studies we identified, 68 were included in this review and 23 studies [3863 patients] were used for the meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivities and specificities for strictures, inflammatory masses, and fistulas by B-mode IUS were 0.81 and 0.90, 0.87 [sensitivities] and 0.95, and 0.67 and 0.97 [specificities], respectively. Pooled overall log diagnostic odds ratios were 3.56, 3.97 and 3.84, respectively. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of SICUS were 0.94 and 0.95, 0.91 and 0.97 [sensitivities], and 0.90 and 0.94 [specificities], respectively. The pooled overall log diagnostic odds ratios of SICUS were 4.51, 5.46, and 4.80, respectively.

Conclusion
IUS is accurate for the diagnosis of intra-abdominal complications in CD. As a non-invasive, point-of-care modality, IUS is recommended as the first-line imaging tool if there is a suspicion of CD-related intra-abdominal complications.
Contact with general practice in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome before and after CT angiography compared with the general population
Authors: Nissen Louise , Søby Jacob Hartmann , de Thurah Annette , Prescott Eva , Prior Anders , Winther Simon , Bøttcher Morten 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Background
Most patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD) are referred from general practitioners (GPs). The burden of contacts to GP in relation to investigation of suspected CAD is unknown.

Methods and results
All patients undergoing CCTA in Western Denmark from 2014 to 2022 were included. CCTA stenosis was defined as diameter stenosis of ≥50%. Patients with and without stenosis were matched, in each group, 1:5 to a reference population based on birth year, gender, and municipality using data from national registries. All GP visits were registered up to 5 years preceding and 1 year after the CTA and stratified by gender and age. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was calculated in all groups.
Of the 62 512 patients included, 12 886 had a stenosis, while 49 626 did not. Patients in both groups had a substantially higher GP visit frequency compared with reference populations. In the year of coronary CTA, the median GP contacts in patients with stenosis were 11 (6–17) vs. 6 (2–11) in the reference population (P &lt; 0.001), and in patients without stenosis, the median GP contacts were 10 (6–17) vs. 5 (2–11) (P &lt; 0.001). These findings were consistent across age and gender. CCI was higher among both patients with and without stenosis compared with reference groups.

Conclusion
In patients undergoing CCTA to diagnose CAD, a substantially increased frequency of contacts to GP was observed in the 5-year period prior to examination compared with the reference populations, regardless of the CCTA findings. Obtaining the CCTA result did not seem to substantially affect the GP visit frequency.