Fundamental Constituents Research Articles

Nuclear correlation functions using first-principle calculations of lattice quantum chromodynamics

Exploring nuclear physics through the fundamental constituents of the strong force—quarks and gluons—is a formidable challenge. While numerical calculations using lattice quantum chromodynamics offer the most promising approach for this pursuit, practical implementation is arduous, especially due to the uncontrollable growth of quark-combinatorics, the so-called Wick-contraction problem of nuclei. We present here two novel methods providing a state-of-the art solution to this problem. In the first, we exploit randomized algorithms inspired from computational number theory to detect and eliminate redundancies that arise in Wick contraction computations. Our second method explores facilities for automation of tensor computations—in terms of efficient utilization of specialized hardware, algorithmic optimizations, as well as ease of programming and the potential for automatic code generation—that are offered by new programming models inspired by applications in machine learning (e.g., ensorlow). We demonstrate the efficacy of our methods by computing two-point correlation functions for Deuteron, Helium-3, Helium-4, and Lithium-7, achieving at least an order of magnitude improvement over existing algorithms with efficient implementation on GPU-accelerators. Additionally, we discover an intriguing characteristic shared by all the nuclei we study: specific spin-color combinations dominate the correlation functions, hinting at a potential connection to an as-yet-unidentified symmetry in nuclei. Moreover finding them beforehand can reduce the computing time further and substantially. Our results, with the efficiency that we achieved, suggest the possibility of extending the applicability of our methods for calculating properties of light nuclei, potentially up to A∼12 and beyond. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Attenuated processing of vowels in the left temporal cortex predicts speech-in-noise perception deficit in children with autism

BackgroundDifficulties with speech-in-noise perception in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be associated with impaired analysis of speech sounds, such as vowels, which represent the fundamental phoneme constituents of human speech. Vowels elicit early (< 100 ms) sustained processing negativity (SPN) in the auditory cortex that reflects the detection of an acoustic pattern based on the presence of formant structure and/or periodic envelope information (f0) and its transformation into an auditory “object”.MethodsWe used magnetoencephalography (MEG) and individual brain models to investigate whether SPN is altered in children with ASD and whether this deficit is associated with impairment in their ability to perceive speech in the background of noise. MEG was recorded while boys with ASD and typically developing boys passively listened to sounds that differed in the presence/absence of f0 periodicity and formant structure. Word-in-noise perception was assessed in the separate psychoacoustic experiment using stationary and amplitude modulated noise with varying signal-to-noise ratio.ResultsSPN was present in both groups with similarly early onset. In children with ASD, SPN associated with processing formant structure was reduced predominantly in the cortical areas lateral to and medial to the primary auditory cortex, starting at ~ 150—200 ms after the stimulus onset. In the left hemisphere, this deficit correlated with impaired ability of children with ASD to recognize words in amplitude-modulated noise, but not in stationary noise.ConclusionsThese results suggest that perceptual grouping of vowel formants into phonemes is impaired in children with ASD and that, in the left hemisphere, this deficit contributes to their difficulties with speech perception in fluctuating background noise.

Exploring the Big Bang with Femtoscopy

Exploring the fundamental constituents of the matter around us and in the Universe, as well as their interactions, is among the premier goals of physics. Investigating ultrarelativistic collisions in particle accelerators has delivered answers to these questions many times in the past decades. In this article we focus on the research aimed at recreating the matter that filled the Universe in the first microsecond after the Big Bang – but this time in collisions of heavy ions. In particular, we discuss the technique called femtoscopy, which provides us with a tool to understand the space–time structure of particle creation in heavy-ion collisions. We use Lévy-stable distributions to investigate this structure and explore its dependence on particle momentum and collision energy.

Expression, optimization and biological activity analysis of recombinant type III collagen in Komagataella phaffii.

Type III collagen, a fundamental constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM), is extensively utilized across the biomedicine, tissue engineering, and cosmetic industries because of its exceptional biocompatibility and biodegradability. Despite its widespread application, traditional methods of collagen production are often hindered by the limit yield, potential immunogenicity, and batch-to-batch variability. In the present study, we describe a synthetic biological approach for expressing full-length recombinant type III collagen (RCIII) in the Komagataella phaffii system. Furthermore, the protein expression level was effectively increased by co-expression of the MPR1 gene, which improved the intrinsic antioxidant defenses of yeast cells, thereby reducing oxidative stress damage. The resulting RCIII maintains its native secondary structure and exhibits robust biological activities, including the promotion of platelet coagulation, enhancement of cell migration, and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Our findings suggest a viable pathway for large-scale, industrial production of type III collagen, offering a promising biomaterial for advanced biomedical applications, and contributing to the circular economy of the biomedical sector.

Fractional order pole fixed second order generalized integrator based control for grid connected solar photovoltaic system

AbstractIn this article, the development of multi‐functional grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) system using improved Fractional order Control theory‐based Pole fixed Second Order Generalized Integrator (FO‐PFSOGI) is proposed. The fractional order (FO) control technique offers an advantage to adjust the fixed structure of the integer order and provide additional degree of freedom to achieve accurate response during the system operation. The FO‐PFSOGI control technique is used to extricate fundamental constituent of the non‐sinusoidal load current. The PV system is competent of feeding the local load requisite and may also inject surplus power into the grid. The voltage source converter (VSC) utilized in the grid‐connected system can also be operated as power quality compensator, taking care of harmonics, unbalancing and excess reactive power demand of the local load. The feasibility of multifunctional operations of the converter is established in this article, thus achieving maximum utilization of the power electronics used in the system and reducing the overall cost. A performance comparison of the developed control technique is presented with the conventional techniques in terms of harmonic compensation, weight convergence and computational complexity. The implementation of the controller is modest and extracts fundamental quantities without any phase delay under different loading conditions. The developed system is validated using both simulation and experimental study. A scaled down experimental setup of grid‐connected PV system is implemented in the laboratory and real time performance of the FO‐PFSOGI is demonstrated using variations in system load and PV irradiance.

Stealth dark matter spectrum using Laplacian Heaviside smearing and irreducible representations

We present nonperturbative lattice calculations in the quenched approximation of the low-lying meson and baryon spectrum of the SU(4) gauge theory with fundamental fermion constituents. This theory is one instance of stealth dark matter, a class of strongly coupled theories, where the lowest mass stable baryon is the dark matter candidate. This work constitutes the first milestone in the program to study stealth dark matter self-interactions. Here, we focus on reducing excited state contamination in the single-baryon channel by applying the Laplacian Heaviside method, as well as projecting our baryon operators onto the irreducible representations of the octahedral group. We compare our resulting spectrum to previous work involving Gaussian smeared nonprojected operators and find good agreement with reduced statistical uncertainties. We also present the spectrum of the low-lying odd-parity baryons for the first time. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Innovative label-free lymphoma diagnosis using infrared spectroscopy and machine learning on tissue sections

The diagnosis of lymphomas is challenging due to their diverse histological presentations and clinical manifestations. There is a need for inexpensive tools that require minimal expertise and are accessible for routine laboratories. Contrastingly, current conventional diagnostic methods are often found only in specialized environments. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy offers a nondestructive and user-friendly approach in the analysis of a wide range of samples. In this paper, we determined whether the technique coupled with machine learning can detect and differentiate lymphoma within lymphoid tissue samples. Tissue sections from 295 individuals diagnosed with lymphoma and 389 individuals without the disease were analyzed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The resulting spectral dataset was split using a 70:30 train-test split. Partial least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) models were trained to distinguish non-malignant lymphoid tissue from lymphoma samples and to differentiate between subtypes. On the training set (n = 478), significant spectral differences were mainly identified in the 1800–900 cm–1 region, attributed to fundamental biochemical constituents like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. On the independent test set (n = 206), the trained PLS-DA model achieved a promising AUC of 0.882 (95% CI: 0.881–0.884) in the differentiation between lymphoma and non-malignant lymphoid tissue. In addition, comparative analyses revealed spectral distinctions and notable clustering between the different lymphoma subtypes. This study provides valuable insights into the application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and machine learning in the field of lymphoma diagnosis as a non-destructive, rapid and inexpensive tool with the potential to be easily implemented in non-specialized laboratories.

Big Science in physics: a look at the decade ahead

Abstract For decades Big Science facilities in physics and astronomy have attempted to answer some of the biggest questions possible – how did the Universe begin, how will it end, what are the fundamental constituents of matter? Tackling these questions has resulted in building bigger, ever more complex facilities. Yet with it comes costs and delays when pushing the boundaries of technological knowledge. This paper briefly reviews some of the big projects in physics and astronomy in recent years as well as looking at what lies ahead in the coming decade.

A Conceptual Study of Ranjaka Pitta and its Correlation with Erythropoisis

Tridosha, Sapthadhatu and Trimala are the fundamental constituents of the body. The body is made up of three fundamental elements: Vata, Pitta and Kapha; which stay unchanged from birth to death. Pitta Dosha plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolism. Ranjaka Pitta is one of the five subtypes of Pitta that contribute to Ranjana Karma. The seven stages of Raktotpatti (Erythropoiesis) and the colour transition. Acharya Sharangadhara explained the stories from Shweta to Aalaktaka in detail. Erythropoiesis is the process by which uncommitted pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells develop into RBCs. Erythropoiesis is caused by the intrinsic factor of castle, vitamin B12, iron and other compounds in the stomach, liver and spleen. This article explores the link between functions of Ranjaka Pitta and erythropoiesis-related variables. According to many Acharya; the Ranjaka Pitta in Amashaya, Yakruth and Pleeha practices Rasa Ranjana Karma and Raktothpatti. Ranjaka Pitta may refer to the stimulant and maturation factors present in the stomach, liver and spleen that help produce red blood cells.

Models of accidental dark matter with a fundamental scalar

We consider models of accidental dark matter, namely models in which the dark matter is a composite state that is stable thanks to an accidental symmetry of the theory. The fundamental constituents are vectorlike fermions, taken to be fragments of representations of the grand unifying gauge group SU(5), as well as a scalar singlet. All the new fields are charged under a new confining gauge group, which we take to be SU(N), leading to models with complex dark matter. We analyse the models in the context of SU(5) grand unification with a non-standard approach recently proposed in the literature. The advantage of including the scalar mainly resides in the fact that it allows several undesired accidental symmetries to be broken, leading to a larger set of viable models with respect to previous literature, in which only fermions (or only scalars) were considered. Moreover these models present distinct novelties, namely dark states with non-zero baryon and lepton number and the existence of composite hybrid states of fermions and scalars. We identify phenomena that are specific to the inclusion of the scalar and discuss possibilities to test this setup.

Unveiling the contribution of tumor-associated macrophages in driving epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a review of mechanisms and therapeutic Strategies.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), fundamental constituents of the tumor microenvironment (TME), significantly influence cancer development, primarily by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT endows cancer cells with increased motility, invasiveness, and resistance to therapies, marking a pivotal juncture in cancer progression. The review begins with a detailed exposition on the origins of TAMs and their functional heterogeneity, providing a foundational understanding of TAM characteristics. Next, it delves into the specific molecular mechanisms through which TAMs induce EMT, including cytokines, chemokines and stromal cross-talking. Following this, the review explores TAM-induced EMT features in select cancer types with notable EMT characteristics, highlighting recent insights and the impact of TAMs on cancer progression. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of potential therapeutic targets and strategies aimed at mitigating TAM infiltration and disrupting the EMT signaling network, thereby underscoring the potential of emerging treatments to combat TAM-mediated EMT in cancer. This comprehensive analysis reaffirms the necessity for continued exploration into TAMs' regulatory roles within cancer biology to refine therapeutic approaches and improve patient outcomes.

Optimal formulation and performance evaluation of functional ultra-high performance concrete with barium ferrite

The employment of a core catcher is instrumental in enhancing the safety of nuclear power facilities in the event of severe accidents, with sacrificial materials serving as fundamental constituents. Currently, cement-based sacrificial materials are prevalently utilized due to their straightforward construction methodologies and economical production costs. These materials are designed to withstand significant impact loads arising from the descent of core melt during severe accidents. To augment the impact resilience of sacrificial materials, a novel functional ultra-high performance concrete (FUHPC) incorporating barium ferrite has been developed. Using the Modified Andreasen and Andersen particle packing model to determine the initial mixture of FUHPC, and the impact of barium ferrite on the mechanical and thermal properties of FUHPC was systematically evaluated. Furthermore, the influence of barium ferrite on the FUHPC's microstructure was examined with mercury intrusion porosity and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The findings indicate: (1) Optimal barium ferrite incorporation led to a decrease in the porosity and the threshold pore diameter of FUHPC; (2) The flexural and compressive strengths, as well as the elastic modulus of FUHPC, were found to increase within the ranges of 4.41%–17.50 %, 2.88%–22.91 %, and 5.80%–15.06 %, respectively, as a result of suitable barium ferrite additions; (3) At a barium ferrite concentration of 2 vol%, the chloride migration coefficient of FUHPC was reduced by 21.43 %; (4) The presence of barium ferrite enhanced the impact performance of FUHPC, with a 21.38 % increase in impact resistance noted at a barium ferrite content of 2 vol%; (5) In high-temperature scenarios, the formation of channels from melted polypropylene fibers served to mitigate the spalling of FUHPC; (6) Upon considering the effects of barium ferrite on both room temperature and elevated temperature performance, as well as on microstructural characteristics, the optimal barium ferrite content was determined to be 2 vol%.

Skeletal pathology in mouse models of Gould syndrome is partially alleviated by genetically reducing TGFβ signaling

Skeletal defects are hallmark features of many extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen-related disorders. However, a biological function in bone has never been defined for the highly evolutionarily conserved type IV collagen. Collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) and alpha 2 (COL4A2) form α1α1α2 (IV) heterotrimers that represent a fundamental basement membrane constituent present in every organ of the body, including the skeleton. COL4A1 and COL4A2 mutations cause Gould syndrome, a variable and clinically heterogenous multisystem disorder generally characterized by the presence of cerebrovascular disease with ocular, renal, and muscular manifestations. We have previously identified elevated TGFβ signaling as a pathological insult resulting from Col4a1 mutations and demonstrated that reducing TGFβ signaling ameliorate ocular and cerebrovascular phenotypes in Col4a1 mutant mouse models of Gould syndrome. In this study, we describe the first characterization of skeletal defects in Col4a1 mutant mice that include a developmental delay in osteogenesis and structural, biomechanical and vascular alterations of mature bones. Using distinct mouse models, we show that allelic heterogeneity influences the presentation of skeletal pathology resulting from Col4a1 mutations. Importantly, we found that TGFβ target gene expression is elevated in developing bones from Col4a1 mutant mice and show that genetically reducing TGFβ signaling partially ameliorates skeletal manifestations. Collectively, these findings identify a novel and unsuspected role for type IV collagen in bone biology, expand the spectrum of manifestations associated with Gould syndrome to include skeletal abnormalities, and implicate elevated TGFβ signaling in skeletal pathogenesis in Col4a1 mutant mice.

Statistics of punctuation in experimental literature-The remarkable case of Finnegans Wake by James Joyce.

As the recent studies indicate, the structure imposed onto written texts by the presence of punctuation develops patterns which reveal certain characteristics of universality. In particular, based on a large collection of classic literary works, it has been evidenced that the distances between consecutive punctuation marks, measured in terms of the number of words, obey the discrete Weibull distribution-a discrete variant of a distribution often used in survival analysis. The present work extends the analysis of punctuation usage patterns to more experimental pieces of world literature. It turns out that the compliance of the the distances between punctuation marks with the discrete Weibull distribution typically applies here as well. However, some of the works by James Joyce are distinct in this regard-in the sense that the tails of the relevant distributions are significantly thicker and, consequently, the corresponding hazard functions are decreasing functions not observed in typical literary texts in prose. Finnegans Wake-the same one to which science owes the word quarks for the most fundamental constituents of matter-is particularly striking in this context. At the same time, in all the studied texts, the sentence lengths-representing the distances between sentence-ending punctuation marks-reveal more freedom and are not constrained by the discrete Weibull distribution. This freedom in some cases translates into long-range nonlinear correlations, which manifest themselves in multifractality. Again, a text particularly spectacular in terms of multifractality is Finnegans Wake.

Panoramic tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is notorious for its resistance to various treatment modalities. The genetic heterogeneity of PDAC, coupled with the presence of a desmoplastic stroma within the tumor microenvironment (TME), contributes to an unfavorable prognosis. The mechanisms and consequences of interactions among different cell types, along with spatial variations influencing cellular function, potentially play a role in the pathogenesis of PDAC. Understanding the diverse compositions of the TME and elucidating the functions of microscopic neighborhoods may contribute to understanding the immune microenvironment status in pancreatic cancer. As we delve into the spatial biology of the microscopic neighborhoods within the TME, aiding in deciphering the factors that orchestrate this intricate ecosystem. This overview delineates the fundamental constituents and the structural arrangement of the PDAC microenvironment, highlighting their impact on cancer cell biology.

Nanofibrous Microspheres: A Biomimetic Platform for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Bone, a fundamental constituent of the human body, is a vital scaffold for support, protection, and locomotion, underscoring its pivotal role in maintaining skeletal integrity and overall functionality. However, factors such as trauma, disease, or aging can compromise bone structure, necessitating effective strategies for regeneration. Traditional approaches often lack biomimetic environments conducive to efficient tissue repair. Nanofibrous microspheres (NFMS) present a promising biomimetic platform for bone regeneration by mimicking the native extracellular matrix architecture. Through optimized fabrication techniques and the incorporation of active biomolecular components, NFMS can precisely replicate the nanostructure and biochemical cues essential for osteogenesis promotion. Furthermore, NFMS exhibit versatile properties, including tunable morphology, mechanical strength, and controlled release kinetics, augmenting their suitability for tailored bone tissue engineering applications. NFMS enhance cell recruitment, attachment, and proliferation, while promoting osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, thereby accelerating bone healing. This review highlights the pivotal role of NFMS in bone tissue engineering, elucidating their design principles and key attributes. By examining recent preclinical applications, we assess their current clinical status and discuss critical considerations for potential clinical translation. This review offers crucial insights for researchers at the intersection of biomaterials and tissue engineering, highlighting developments in this expanding field.

The Cancer Antioxidant Regulation System in Therapeutic Resistance.

Antioxidants play a pivotal role in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are known to induce oxidative stress. In the context of cancer development, cancer cells adeptly maintain elevated levels of both ROS and antioxidants through a process termed "redox reprogramming". This balance optimizes the proliferative influence of ROS while simultaneously reducing the potential for ROS to cause damage to the cell. In some cases, the adapted antioxidant machinery can hamper the efficacy of treatments for neoplastic diseases, representing a significant facet of the resistance mechanisms observed in cancer therapy. In this review, we outline the contribution of antioxidant systems to therapeutic resistance. We detail the fundamental constituents of these systems, encompassing the central regulatory mechanisms involving transcription factors (of particular importance is the KEAP1/NRF2 signaling axis), the molecular effectors of antioxidants, and the auxiliary systems responsible for NADPH generation. Furthermore, we present recent clinical trials based on targeted antioxidant systems for the treatment of cancer, assessing the potential as well as challenges of this strategy in cancer therapy. Additionally, we summarize the pressing issues in the field, with the aim of illuminating a path toward the emergence of novel anticancer therapeutic approaches by orchestrating redox signaling.

Efficient serum lipids profiling by TiO2-dopamin-assisted MALDI-TOF MS for breast cancer detection

Lipids serve as fundamental constituents of cell membranes and organelles. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of lipids as biomarkers in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Although liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is widely employed for lipid analysis in complex samples, it suffers from limitations such as complexity and time-consuming procedures. In this study, we have developed dopamine-modified TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-DA) and applied the materials to assist the analysis of lipids by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The TiO2-DA can provide large specific surface area and acidic environment, well suited for lipid analysis. The method was initially validated using standard lipid molecules. Good sensitivity, reproducibility and quantification performance was observed. Then, the method was applied to the analysis of 90 serum samples from 30 patients with breast cancer, 30 patients with benign breast disease and 30 healthy controls. Five lipid molecules were identified as potential biomarkers for breast cancer. We constructed a classification model based on the MALDI-TOF MS signal of the 5 lipid molecules, and achieved high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the differentiation of breast cancer from benign breast disease and healthy control. We further collected another 60 serum samples from 20 healthy controls, 20 patients with benign breast disease and 20 patients with breast cancer for MALDI-TOF MS analysis to verify the accuracy of the classification model. This advancement holds great promise for the development of diagnostic models for other lipid metabolism-related diseases.

Biosynthesis of Iron Nanoparticles (Fe NPs), and their Antibacterial Activity

Our ongoing research involves the synthesis of iron nanoparticles through a multi-step procedure that includes intricate processes resulting in the disruption of the bonds between the fundamental components of the oyster shell. As a result, we successfully extract iron nanoparticles from oyster shell powder. The obtained iron nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and FTIR-Based Analysis. These techniques confirmed that the nanoparticles possess the standard properties and meet the optimal specifications necessary for their function as an antibiotic to suppress bacterial action. Objective: Our research aims to biologically generate iron nanoparticles from oyster shells, meeting conventional standards that enable them to function as antibiotics. Methods: Our research employs a method for producing iron nanoparticles that involves a series of processes combined with the addition of chemicals that disrupt the bonds between the fundamental constituents of the oyster shell. This shell is first purified and then ground into a powder. Results And Characterization: The results were obtained using the SPSS statistical program, and the size of the iron particles was determined using the XRD crystallite (grain) calculator, specifically the Scherrer Equation. The characteristics acquired from the steps involving Fe NPs in our ongoing study are confirmed based on the measurements conducted using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and FTIR-Based Analysis. These measurements indicate that the particles have a satisfactory size range of 30-100 nanometers.Conclusion: We conclude from our current study that there are no significant differences between the number of patients and the three stages type that recorded through this periodic time, even if there is a difference in age and gender.

Biosynthesis of Iron Nanoparticles (Fe NPs), and their Antibacterial Activity

Our ongoing research involves the synthesis of iron nanoparticles through a multi-step procedure that includes intricate processes resulting in the disruption of the bonds between the fundamental components of the oyster shell. As a result, we successfully extract iron nanoparticles from oyster shell powder. The obtained iron nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and FTIR-Based Analysis. These techniques confirmed that the nanoparticles possess the standard properties and meet the optimal specifications necessary for their function as an antibiotic to suppress bacterial action. Objective: Our research aims to biologically generate iron nanoparticles from oyster shells, meeting conventional standards that enable them to function as antibiotics. Methods: Our research employs a method for producing iron nanoparticles that involves a series of processes combined with the addition of chemicals that disrupt the bonds between the fundamental constituents of the oyster shell. This shell is first purified and then ground into a powder. Results And Characterization: The results were obtained using the SPSS statistical program, and the size of the iron particles was determined using the XRD crystallite (grain) calculator, specifically the Scherrer Equation. The characteristics acquired from the steps involving Fe NPs in our ongoing study are confirmed based on the measurements conducted using X-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and FTIR-Based Analysis. These measurements indicate that the particles have a satisfactory size range of 30-100 nanometers.Conclusion: We conclude from our current study that there are no significant differences between the number of patients and the three stages type that recorded through this periodic time, even if there is a difference in age and gender.