bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tropical Pacific Modulation of the Asian Summer Monsoon Over the Last Millennium in Paleoclimate Data Assimilation Reconstructions
Authors: Hu Jun , Dee Sylvia , Parajuli Grant , Thirumalai Kaustubh 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLarge uncertainties exist in climate model projections of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM). The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an important modulator of the ASM, but the ENSO‐ASM teleconnection is not stationary. Furthermore, teleconnections between ENSO and the East Asian versus South Asian subcomponents of the ASM exhibit distinct characteristics. Therefore, understanding the variability of the ENSO‐ASM teleconnection is critical for anticipating future variations in ASM intensity. To this end, we here use paleoclimate records to extend temporal coverage beyond the instrumental era by millennia. Recently, data assimilation techniques have been applied for the last millennium, which facilitates physically consistent, globally gridded climate reconstructions informed by paleoclimate observations. We use these novel data assimilation products to investigate variations in the ENSO‐ASM relationship over the last 1,000 years. We find that correlations between ENSO and ASM indices are mostly negative in the last millennium, suggesting that strong ASM years are often associated with La Niña events. During periods of weak correlations between ENSO and the East Asian summer monsoon, we observe an El Niño‐like sea surface temperature (SST) pattern in the Pacific. Additionally, SST patterns associated with periods of weak correlations between ENSO and South Asian summer monsoon rainfall are not consistent among data assimilation products. This underscores the importance of developing more precipitation‐sensitive paleoclimate proxies in the Indian subcontinental realm over the last millennium. Our study serves as a baseline for future appraisals of paleoclimate assimilation products and an example of informing our understanding of decadal‐scale ENSO‐ASM teleconnection variability using paleoclimate data sets.
Grey-matter correlates of empathy in 4-Repeat Tauopathies
Authors: Tafuri Benedetta , Urso Daniele , Nigro Salvatore , Macchitella Luigi , De Blasi Roberto , Ray Chaudhuri K. , Logroscino Giancarlo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLoss of empathy is an early and central symptom of frontotemporal lobar degeneration spectrum diseases. We aimed to investigate the topographical distribution of morphometric brain changes associated with empathy in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS) patients. Twenty-seven participants with CBS and 31 with PSP were evaluated using Interpersonal Reactivity Index scales in correlation with gray matter atrophy using a voxel-based morphometry approach. Lower levels of empathy were associated with an increased atrophy in fronto-temporal cortical structures. At subcortical level, empathy scores were positively correlated with gray matter volume in the amygdala, hippocampus and the cerebellum. These findings allow to extend the traditional cortico-centric view of cognitive empathy to the cerebellar regions in patients with neurodegenerative disorders and suggest that the cerebellum may play a more prominent role in social cognition than previously appreciated.
Towards metropolitan free-space quantum networks
Authors: Kržič Andrej , Sharma Sakshi , Spiess Christopher , Chandrashekara Uday , Töpfer Sebastian , Sauer Gregor , González-Martín del Campo Luis Javier , Kopf Teresa , Petscharnig Stefan , Grafenauer Thomas , Lieger Roland , Ömer Bernhard , Pacher Christoph , Berlich René , Peschel Thomas , Damm Christoph , Risse Stefan , Goy Matthias , Rieländer Daniel , Tünnermann Andreas , Steinlechner Fabian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractQuantum communication has seen rapid progress towards practical large-scale networks, with quantum key distribution (QKD) spearheading this development. While fibre-based systems have been shown to be well suited for metropolitan scales, suitable fibre infrastructure may not always be in place. Here, we make the case for an entanglement-based free-space quantum network as a practical and efficient alternative for metropolitan applications. We developed a deployable free-space QKD system and demonstrated its use in realistic scenarios. For a representative 1.7-km free-space link, we showcase its ad hoc deployability and achieve secure key rates of up to 5.7 kbps, with 2.5 kbps in direct noon sunlight. By extrapolating experimental data, we show that kbps key rates are achievable even for 10-km distances and multi-user scenarios. We anticipate that our work will establish free-space networks as a viable solution for metropolitan applications and an indispensable complementary building block in the future global quantum internet.
Role of translational noise on current reversals of active particles on ratchet
Authors: Chugh Anshika , Ganesh Rajaraman 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this study, we explore using Langevin dynamics simulations, the role of thermal fluctuations on the rectification of non-interacting inertial active (self-propelled) particles in a rocking ratchet setup in the absence and in the presence of the external time periodic drive. The system is first studied in the absence of the external drive. It is found that the average velocity is always positive and a peaked function of the translational noise, indicating that the asymmetry effects dominate at intermediate values of the strength of the thermal noise. In the second part of this work, we study the effect of the external drive on the dynamics of the system by exploring a phase diagram in the parameter space of translational noise and driving frequency for two different strengths of rotational diffusion. For a given constant amplitude of the active force and amplitude of external drive less than the maximum force due to the potential, the average velocity magnitude as well as the direction ($$+ {\hat{x}}/- {\hat{x}}$$

+

x
^

/
-

x
^

) is found to depend on the rotational diffusion, frequency of the external drive and the strength of the translational noise. We discover certain critical parameters in the phase space at which current reversals happen. It is found that when the average particle energy is lower than the potential energy of the barrier, symmetry breaking dominates and the currents are in the ‘easy’ direction of the ratchet. On the other hand, when the energy available per particle crosses the potential energy of the barrier, the competition between inertial effects and diffusion effects decides the direction of currents. We explain our findings by constructing phase difference datum, velocity probability distribution, and current probability analyses. Our results provide a novel method for controlling the direction of transport of inertial active particles.
Ab initio study of mechanical and thermal properties of GeTe-based and PbSe-based high-entropy chalcogenides
Authors: Hasan Sahib , Adhikari Puja , San Saro , Ching Wai-Yim 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGeTe-based and PbSe-based high-entropy compounds have outstanding thermoelectric (TE) performance and crucial applications in mid and high temperatures. Recently, the optimization of TE performance of high-entropy compounds has been focused on reducing thermal conductivity by strengthening the phonon scattering process to improve TE performance. We report a first-principles investigation on nine GeTe-based high-entropy chalcogenide solid solutions constituted of eight metallic elements (Ag, Pb, Sb, Bi, Cu, Cd, Mn, and Sn) and 13 PbSe-based high-entropy chalcogenide solid solutions: Pb0.99-ySb0.012SnySe1-2xTexSx (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, and y = 0) and Pb0.99-ySb0.012SnySe1-2xTexSx (y = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25 and x = 0.25). We have investigated the mechanical properties focusing on Debye temperature (ΘD), thermal conductivity (κ), Grüneisen parameter (γα), dominant phonon wavelength (λdom), and melting temperature (Tm). We find that the lattice thermal conductivity is significantly reduced when GeTe is alloyed into the following compositions: Ge0.75Sb0.13Pb0.12Te, Ge0.61Ag0.11Sb0.13Pb0.12Bi0.01Te, and Ge0.61Ag0.11Sb0.13Pb0.12Mn0.05Bi0.01Te. This reduction is due to the mass increase and strain fluctuations. The results also show that Ge0.61Ag0.11Sb0.13Pb0.12Bi0.01Te solid solution has the lowest Young’s modulus (30.362 GPa), bulk and shear moduli (18.626 and 12.359 GPa), average sound velocity (1653.128 m/sec), Debye temperature (151.689 K), lattice thermal conductivity (0.574 W.m–1.K–1), dominant phonon wavelength (0.692 Å), and melting temperature (535.91 K). Moreover, Ge0.61Ag0.11Sb0.13Pb0.12Bi0.01Te has the highest Grüneisen parameter with a reduced and temperature-independent lattice thermal conductivity. The positive correlation between ΘD and κ is revealed. Alloying of PbSe-based high-entropy by Sb, Sn, Te, and S atoms at the Se and Pb sites resulted in much higher shear strains resulted in the reduction of phonon velocity, a reduced ΘD, and a lower lattice thermal conductivity.
Perspective use of bio-adhesive liquid crystals as ophthalmic drug delivery systems
Authors: Tarsitano Martine , Mancuso Antonia , Cristiano Maria Chiara , Urbanek Konrad , Torella Daniele , Paolino Donatella , Fresta Massimo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe success of many drugs in ophthalmic treatments is hindered by their physico-chemical properties and the limited precorneal retention time. Here, lyotropic liquid crystals are proposed as a new ophthalmic drug delivery system. Acyclovir was chosen as model drug for its solubility and its controlled release from cubic phase was achieved. We demonstrated the effortless application of lamellar phase on corneal surface and its ability to convert itself in cubic phase in situ. While the complex viscosity of lamellar phase was affected by temperature (5.1 ± 1.4 kPa·s at 25 °C and 0.12 ± 0.001 Pa·s at 35 °C, respectively), the cubic phase shown no changes in viscosity values and shear thinning behaviour at both temperatures and even in presence of the drug The degradation kinetic of drug-loaded cubic phase was slightly slower than the empty formulation, recording 27.92 ± 1.43% and 33.30 ± 3.11% of weight loss after 8 h. Ex vivo studies conducted on porcine eyeballs and isolated cornea confirmed the instantaneous transition to cubic phase, its ability to resist to gravity force, and forced dripping of simulated tear fluid. Histopathological investigation showed how treated cornea did not report changes in epithelial and stroma structures. In summary, lyotropic liquid crystals could represent an advantageous ophthalmic drug delivery system.
Finite element-based feasibility study on utilizing heat flux sensors for early detection of vascular graft infections
Authors: Vehusheia Signe Lin Kuei , Roman Cosmin , Sonderegger Rafael , Cesarovic Nikola , Hierold Christofer 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAortic vascular graft infections have high morbidity and mortality rate, however, patients often do not show symptoms. Continuous implant surface monitoring will allow for early detection of infections on implant surfaces, which allows for antibiotic treatment prior to biofilm formation. We explore the possibility of using heat flux sensors mounted on an aortic vascular graft to sense the localized heat production at the onset of infectious growth. We apply Finite Element Model simulations to demonstrate changes of the heat transfer coefficient depending on different pulsatile flow parameters. We determine various differences, the main influence being the distance travelled from the inlet of the simulation with the highest heat transfer coefficient closest to the inlet and decreasing along the direction of travel of the fluid. The determined range of heat transfer coefficients of 200 to 4800 W/m2 was applied to a second simulation of the thermal environment of the implant. We determined the heat transfer efficiency of the aortic graft system depending on different graft materials and thicknesses. We are further able to determine that the early detection of infection is possible by comparing the simulated amount of heat flux produced locally with the resolution of a commercial heat flux sensor.
Negative pressure wound therapy promotes wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers by up-regulating PRDX2 in wound margin tissue
Authors: Tang Ying , Liu Lei , Jie Ruyan , Tang Yizhong , Zhao Xiaotong , Xu Murong , Chen Mingwei 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo understand the changes in the peroxiredoxin-2 (PRDX2) expression level in the wound margin tissue (T-PRDX2) of patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) before and after negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Additionally, the study aimed to explore the association between PRDX2 expression and the treatment outcome of DFUs to provide a new theoretical basis for revealing the mechanism of NPWT promoting the healing of DFUs. Fifty-six type 2 diabetes patients with foot ulcers undergoing NPWT (the DFU group) and 28 patients with chronic lower limb skin ulcers with normal glucose tolerance undergoing NPWT (the skin ulcer control [SUC] group) were included in the study. T-PRDX2 was detected using Western blotting, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were detected using a biochemical method. In addition, in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the effect of PRDX2 expression on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Before NPWT, the DFU group exhibited a significantly lower T-PRDX2 expression level compared with the SUC group. After one week of NPWT, the T-PRDX2 expression level, SOD activity, and GSH content in the wound margin tissues of the DFU and SUC groups significantly increased compared with the before NPWT levels. Conversely, the inflammatory indicators (white blood cell, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin) and MDA content were significantly lower than the before NPWT levels. The expression changes of T-PRDX2 before and after NPWT in the DFU and SUC groups were positively correlated with the 4-week wound healing rate. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PRDX2 could alleviate the oxidative stress in NHDFs, thereby promoting their proliferation and migration, while reducing cell apoptosis. NPWT promotes DFU healing by increasing T-PRDX2, and changes in the T-PRDX2 might be associated with the therapeutic effect of NPWT.
Expanding mammography screening for women aged 40–80 years: evidence from a modeling approach using real-world data
Authors: Hölzel Dieter , Halfter Kathrin , Schubert-Fritschle Gabriele , Engel Jutta 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIf a mammography screening program (MS) is to be expanded, the benefit must be demonstrated for each additional age cohort. For the age interval between 40 and 80 years, the association between tumor-related and tumor-independent mortality of 21 2-year cohorts is modeled using up-to-date, valid data to determine MS outcome. Disease trajectories with and without biennial MS are extrapolated for each age cohort using the available data and knowledge on MS. The competing mortality is randomly generated for each age cohort with and without MS for a follow-up period of 20 years. Analyses of the modeled cohorts describe incremental change for each year, quantifying the changing benefits of MS. With increasing age, the proportion of tumor-independent mortality before and with metastatic disease increases and the benefit decreases. The simulations with 21 studies on the age interval 40–80 years provide four parameters to determine the benefits and costs of MS: The number of prevented deaths, required mammography screening exams (MSE) and their costs, life-years gained, and the required MSEs. If one additional MSE is offered for age groups 48/70 years, this will result in 311/320 prevented breast cancer (BC) deaths with 1742/1494 required MSEs or 8784/4168 life-years gained with 64/140 required MSEs. A rational cutoff cannot be quantified. The mortality effect of MS between 40 and 80 years is quantified in 21 steps using two metrics, number of MSEs per tumor-related mortality prevented and per life-year gained. This provides a decision support for stepwise expansions. Given this real-world evidence no rational age cutoffs for MS becomes evident. A society has to decide which MS costs, including side effects of MS for women who remain BC-free, it is willing and able to accept in order to reduce breast cancer mortality.
Modeling long-distance airborne transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza carried by dust particles
Authors: Nguyen X. D. , Zhao Y. , Lin J. , Purswell J. L. , Tabler T. , Voy B. , Hawkins S. , Evans J. D. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is continuously causing significant economic losses with massive poultry depopulations. Airborne transmission of HPAI was suspected, as initial bird mortalities were reported near air inlets of poultry houses. In addition, infected farms were distant, indicating that the viruses carried by dust particles might help the viruses travel for long distances in the environment. The objective of this study focused on simulating the airborne transmission of HPAI by using computational modeling to assess the risk of airborne and deposited avian influenza (AI) carried by poultry-litter dust particles. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) modeling was used in this study. Data from 168 infected cases in the Mid-Western area of U.S. were obtained from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Watt Poultry. The concentration simulation modeling was performed to estimate the airborne and deposited AI concentration carried by PM2.5 dust particles. Results showed that concentrations of airborne AI, deposited AI, and combined AI transmitted to other farms in a day were lower than the minimal infective dose for poultry. In most of the scenarios, the predicted probability of infection showed that Iowa-infected farms and turkey poultry houses had the highest infection probability. The findings may provide an understanding of the risk of airborne HPAI virus carried by dust particles and suggest the factors that influence long-distance airborne transmission.
Application of Pt@ZIF-8 nanocomposite-based electrochemical biosensor for sensitive diagnosis of tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease patients
Authors: Chakari-Khiavi Forough , Mirzaie Arezoo , Khalilzadeh Balal , Yousefi Hadi , Abolhasan Rozita , Kamrani Amin , Pourakbari Ramin , Shahpasand Koorosh , Yousefi Mehdi , Rashidi Mohammad-Reza 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder characterized by the ongoing decline of brain functions. Studies have revealed the detrimental effects of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein fibrils in AD pathogenesis, highlighting the importance of this factor in the early-stage detection of AD conditions. We designed an electrochemical immunosensor for quantitative detection of the cis conformation of the p-tau protein (cis-p-tau) employing platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) supported on zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) for modifying the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. Under optimum conditions, the immunosensor selectively and sensitively detected cis-p-tau within the broad linear range of 1 fg mL−1 to 10 ng mL−1 and the low limit of detection (LOD) of 1 fg mL−1 with desired reproducibility and stability. Furthermore, the fabricated immunosensor's performance was examined for the cis-p-tau analysis in the serum of AD patients, indicating its accuracy and feasibility for real-sample analysis. Notably, this is the first application of Pt@ZIF-8 nanocomposite in fabricating a valid immunosensor for selective cis-p-tau detection, even in the presence of trans-p-tau. It is worth mentioning that the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reference technique is not able to evaluate pico- or femtomolar concentrations of cis-p-tau, making the fabricated immunosensor superior for early-stage measurement and screening of AD.
Radiation-induced lattice relaxation in $$\alpha $$-Fe$$_2$$O$$_3$$ nanorods
Authors: Khalil Ahmad M. , Abdelaal Saad , Abdelhady A. M. , Abou-Salem L. I. , Shash N. M. , Elmaghraby Elsayed K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe report radiation-induced lattice relaxation of the $$\alpha $$
α
-Fe$$_2$$

2

O$$_3$$

3

and its associated alteration of particle morphology. The $$\alpha $$
α
-Fe$$_2$$

2

O$$_3$$

3

was grown in solution by microwave hydrothermal synthesis technique in which more than half of the synthesized material was nanorods with axis along the (001) direction. Five sets of the synthesized $$\alpha $$
α
-Fe$$_2$$

2

O$$_3$$

3

samples were irradiated using gamma-ray from $$^{60}$$

60

Co cell with doses of 600 kGy, 700 kGy, 800 kGy, 900 kGy, and 1 MGy. The investigation of the pristine and gamma-irradiated samples was carried out using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and electron paramagnetic resonance methods. Results showed that continuous alternation of radiation-induced lattice compression and expansion causes lattice relaxation. The morphology of the $$\alpha $$
α
-Fe$$_2$$

2

O$$_3$$

3

nanorods was found to change with absorbed dose into buckyball-shaped particles in response to the alternation of the compression and expansion strain. The EPR results showed a correlation between distortion in the $$O_h$$

O
h

–$$FeO_6$$

F
e

O
6

octahedron structure and the relaxation of the lattice. The synthesis, growth, and relaxation are discussed in detail.
Fetal abdominal obesity and the ensuing adverse perinatal outcomes in older obese pregnant women with or without obesity and with normal glucose tolerance
Authors: Kim Wonjin , Park Soo Kyung , Kim Yoo Lee 
Published: September 2023

AbstractTo investigate whether the increased risk of fetal abdominal obesity (FAO) is present in the older (≥ 35 years) and/or obese (≥ body mass index 25 kg/m2) women with normal glucose tolerance, we reviewed medical record of 6721 singleton pregnancy. At 24–28 gestational weeks (GW), fetal abdominal overgrowth was assessed by the fetal abdominal overgrowth ratios (FAORs) of the ultrasonographically estimated gestational age (GA) of abdominal circumference per actual GA by the last menstruation period, estimated GA of biparietal diameter or femur length, respectively. FAO was defined as FAOR ≥ 90th percentile. Compared to young and non-obese women, older women showed significantly higher FAORs irrespective of obesity and the prevalence of FAO in older and non-obese women was significantly higher (11.8% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.05). The odds ratio for large for gestational age at birth were 3.06(1.96–4.77, p < 0.005), 1.47(1.16–1.86, p < 0.005) and 2.82(1.64–4.84, p < 0.005) in young and obese, older and non-obese, and older and obese women, respectively. The odds ratio for primary cesarean delivery in older and non-obese women was 1.33 (1.18–1.51, p < 0.005). An increased risk of FAO at 24–28 GW and subsequent adverse perinatal outcomes have been observed in the older women with or without obesity, compared to younger and non-obese women, despite normal glucose tolerance.