bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recipient‐Donor Sex Constellation in Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma—An ELTR Study
Authors: Magyar Christian Tibor Josef , Arteaga Noah Free , Germani Giacomo , Karam Vincent Hassan , Adam Rene , Romagnoli Renato , De Simone Paolo , Robin Fabien , Cherqui Daniel , Boscà Andrea , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Fundora Yiliam , Heneghan Michael , Llado Laura , Lesurtel Mickael , Cescon Matteo , Mirza Darius , Cavelti Andrea , Christen Lucienne , Storni Federico , Kim‐Fuchs Corina , Lachenmayer Anja , Beldi Guido , Candinas Daniel , Radu Iuliana‐Pompilia , Schwacha‐Eipper Birgit , Berzigotti Annalisa , Banz Vanessa ,   the European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association (ELITA)
Published: November 2024

Background & Aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment option. We investigated survival outcomes based on recipient‐donor sex constellation (RDSC) following LT.

Methods

We performed a European Liver Transplant Registry analysis, including patients from 1988 to December 2022. The cohort was split into four RDSC groups: female donor female recipient (FDFR), female donor male recipient (FDMR), male donor female recipient (MDFR) and male donor male recipient (MDMR). Survival analysis, including death with recurrence, was performed.

Results

In 7601 LT for HCC with an overall median follow‐up of 22.6 months (5.8, 60.7), death was registered in 25.1% and, as primary cause of death, HCC tumour recurrence in 26.0%. There was no statistically significant difference on crude survival estimates among the different RDSC groups (log‐rank p = 0.66) with 10‐year overall survival (OS) of 54.5% in FDFR, 54.6% in FDMR, 59.1% in MDFR and 56.9% in MDMR. On multivariable analysis, RDSC showed a significant effect on OS (FDFR as reference): MDFR (aHR 0.72, p = 0.023). No significant difference was found for FDMR (aHR 0.98, p = 0.821) and MDMR (aHR 0.90, p= 0.288). Regarding overall registered causes of death, differences between RDSC groups were found in rejection (p = 0.017) and cardiovascular (p = 0.046) associated deaths.

Conclusions

In female recipients undergoing LT for HCC, male donor grafts were associated with a 28% reduction of mortality compared to female donor grafts.
Reinforcement learning‐based approach for urban road project scheduling considering alternative closure types
Authors: Seilabi S. E. , Saneii M. , Pourgholamali M. , Miralinaghi M. , Labi S.
Published: November 2024

Growth in urban population, travel, and motorization continue to cause an increased need for urban projects to expand road capacity. Unfortunately, these projects also cause travel delays, emissions, driver frustration, and other road user adversities. To alleviate these ills, road agencies often face two work zone design choices: close the road fully and re‐reroute traffic or implement partial closure. Both options have significant implications for peri‐construction road capacity, traveler costs, and the project duration and cost. This study presents a decision‐making methodology to facilitate the choice between full road closure and partial closure. The presented decision‐making methodology is a bi‐level optimization problem: at the upper level, the road agency seeks to optimally schedule road construction work to minimize net vehicle emissions and road construction costs. The lower‐level of the problem captures two types of travelers’ route choice behaviors: rational travelers who minimize their travel time and path‐loyal travelers who do not change their routes from their pre‐construction routes. The bi‐level mixed integer nonlinear model is solved using a reinforcement learning‐based algorithm (the multi‐armed bandit‐guided particle swarm optimization [PSO] technique). The computational experiments suggest the superiority of the proposed algorithm, compared to the classic PSO algorithm in terms of solution quality. The numerical results suggest that if the percentage of path‐loyal travelers increases, the agency needs to invest more in road project construction to implement under partial closure to avoid a significant increase in vehicle emissions.
Tetrataenium shrirangii a new species from the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Chappan Rekha , Vinod Chhotupuri Gosavi Kumar , Madhavan Manudev Kambiyelummal , Dalavi Jagdish , Gangurde Ajay , Malamal Kanhirampadam Prasanth
Published: November 2024

Tetrataenium shrirangii C.Rekha, Gosavi, Manudev & Dalavi, a new species of Apiaceae is described here from the lateritic plateau of Chaukul Village in Sindhudurg District in Maharashtra. The new species is closely similar to T. birmanicum (Kurz) Manden., a species found in Assam (northeast India) to Thailand, by its apically inflexed petals, persistent calyx, and style, but is distinguished from the latter by the presence of narrow, oblong‐ovate or ovate‐lanceolate to elliptic or round leaflets, 2–6 ovate involucre bracts with 1–3 lobed or rounded apex, 3–5 elliptic‐oblong involucel, and other carpological characters such as ovoid‐ellipsoid fruits with narrowly winged lateral ribs, 4–6 unequal commissural vittae and with slightly concave commissural face. A detailed description, diagnostic characters, photo plates and illustrations are provided for easy identification of this species.
Shining a new light on the classical concepts of carbon‐isotope dendrochronology
Authors: Wieloch Thomas
Published: November 2024

Retrospective information about plant ecophysiology and the climate system are key inputs in Earth system and vegetation models. Dendrochronology provides such information with large spatiotemporal coverage, and carbon‐isotope analysis across tree‐ring series is among the most advanced dendrochronological tools. For the past 70 years, this analysis was performed on whole molecules and, to this day, 13C discrimination during carbon assimilation is invoked to explain isotope variation and associated climate signals. However, recently it was reported that tree‐ring glucose exhibits multiple isotope signals at the intramolecular level (see Wieloch et al., 2025). Here, I estimated the signals' contribution to whole‐molecule isotope variation and found that downstream processes in leaf and stem metabolism each introduce more variation than carbon assimilation. Moreover, downstream processes introduce most of the climate information. These findings are inconsistent with the classical concepts/practices of carbon‐isotope dendrochronology. More importantly, intramolecular tree‐ring isotope analysis promises novel insights into forest metabolism and the climate of the past.
Developmentally regulated generation of a systemic signal for long‐lasting defence priming in tomato
Authors: Stevens Katie , Roberts Michael R. , Jeynes‐Cupper Katie , Majeed Lamya , Pastor Victoria , Catoni Marco , Luna Estrella
Published: November 2024

Tomato is a major global crop. However, its production is limited by Botrytis cinerea. Due to the toxicity of postharvest pesticide application, alternative control methods such as priming are being investigated.

Plants were treated with β‐aminobutyric acid (BABA) at two developmental stages and resistance against B. cinerea was tested in fruit tissue and in progenies. DNA methylation and RNA sequencing were conducted to characterise the (epi)genetic changes associated with long‐lasting resistance. Grafting experiments were done to assess the systemic nature of this signal, which was further characterised by small RNA (sRNA) sequencing of scions.

Only BABA‐treated seedlings displayed induced resistance (IR). DNA methylation analysis revealed seedling‐specific changes, which occurred in the context of lower basal methylation. BABA‐IR was found to be transmissible from primed rootstock to grafted unprimed scions. In these scions, we identified a subset of mobile 24 nt sRNAs associated with genes showing primed expression during infection in fruit.

Our results demonstrate the functional association of a systemic signal with long‐lasting IR and priming. Through integrated omics approaches, we have identified markers of long‐lasting priming in tomato fruit which could also serve as targets for durable resistance in other crops.
Trade‐offs involved in the choice of pot vs field experiments
Authors: Montesinos Daniel
Published: November 2024

This article is a Commentary on Zhu et al. (2025), 245: 2202–2213.
SPECIAL BUILDINGS AT NEOLITHIC GIRMELER, NEAR TLOS IN SOUTH‐WEST ANATOLIA
Authors: Erdoğu Burçin , Korkut Taner , Takaoğlu Turan , Yücel Nejat , Usanmaz Uygar Ozan , Derici Yasin Cemre
Published: November 2024

Special buildings, or communal buildings, were ubiquitous in most Neolithic settlements in the Levant, Upper Mesopotamia, and Anatolia. Recently, remains of three special buildings with terrazzo floors dating to the early seventh millennium BC representing the Initial Neolithic period in west Anatolian chronology were unearthed in the basal layers of the mound located in front of the Girmeler cave in south‐west Anatolia. The terrazzo floors in these three special buildings feature traces of red‐painted linear and geometric decorations, while one also contains human burials. These special buildings may enhance our understanding of the symbolic and ritual behaviours of the Neolithic communities living on the south‐west fringes of Anatolia. They may have been gathering places for ritual activities that helped create social memories and define group identities, as well as strengthen intra‐ and inter‐societal relations among Neolithic groups. It is argued that the location of these special buildings adjacent to a natural hot spring before a cave with an impressive façade may have been one of the factors that eventually led Neolithic groups to form a gathering pattern here.
Out on a Limb: Testing the Hydraulic Vulnerability Segmentation Hypothesis in Trees Across Multiple Ecosystems
Authors: Peters Jennifer M. R. , Choat Brendan
Published: November 2024

Plant hydraulic theory states that leaf and stem vulnerability to embolism is coordinated within individual plants. The hydraulic vulnerability segmentation hypothesis (HVSH) predicts higher vulnerability in leaves to protect the stem from hydraulic failure, preserving stem xylem, which is generally more metabolically expensive and slower to regenerate than leaf tissues. However, studies designed to test HVSH have reported wide ranges in vulnerability segmentation (VS), and patterns with the environment have been elusive. In this study, we tested HVSH in phylogenetically constrained tree species from contrasting ecosystems across the Australian landscape. In 12 species, we found no support for HVSH. While leaf vulnerability was strongly governed by climate, VS was universally absent or negative. Consistently, the onset of leaf embolism occurred after the loss of leaf turgor and seasonally low leaf water potentials, illustrating the rarity of embolism in leaves. Within the leaf, embolism primarily occurring first and last in the leaf midvein, suggesting redundancy in leaf architecture to preserve function. Overall, this multi‐ecosystem study provides a more complete picture of drought resistance mechanisms: (1) leaf safety was greatest in trees from drier ecosystems and (2) hydraulic thresholds were mostly conserved across organs indicating environmentally driven drought resistance in both leaves and stems.
Abnormal choroid plexus, hippocampus, and lateral ventricles volumes as markers of treatment‐resistant major depressive disorder
Authors: Bravi Beatrice , Paolini Marco , Maccario Melania , Milano Chiara , Raffaelli Laura , Melloni Elisa Maria Teresa , Zanardi Raffaella , Colombo Cristina , Benedetti Francesco
Published: November 2024

Aim

One‐third of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) do not achieve full remission and have high relapse rates even after treatment, leading to increased medical costs and reduced quality of life and health status. The possible specificity of treatment‐resistant depression (TRD) neurobiology is still under investigation, with risk factors such as higher inflammatory markers being identified. Given recent findings on the role of choroid plexus (ChP) in neuroinflammation and hippocampus in treatment response, the aim of the present study was to evaluate inflammatory‐ and trophic‐related differences in these regions along with ventricular volumes among patients with treatment‐sensitive depression (TSD), TRD, and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

ChP, hippocampal, and ventricular volumes were assessed in 197 patients with MDD and 58 age‐ and sex‐matched HCs. Volumes were estimated using FreeSurfer 7.2. Treatment resistance status was defined as failure to respond to at least two separate antidepressant treatments. Region of interest volumes were then compared among groups.

Results

We found higher ChP volumes in patients with TRD compared with patients with TSD and HCs. Our results also showed lower hippocampal volumes and higher lateral ventricular volumes in TRD compared with both patients without TRD and HCs.

Conclusions

These findings corroborate the link between TRD and neuroinflammation, as ChP volume could be considered a putative marker of central immune activity. The lack of significant differences in all of the region of interest volumes between patients with TSD and HCs may highlight the specificity of these features to TRD, possibly providing new insights into the specific neurobiological underpinnings of this condition.
Morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny of ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ (Cladophorales) from Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, Japan: a comparative study with related freshwater algae
Authors: Watanabe Takumi , Tamaoki Daisuke , Karahara Ichirou , Yamazaki Yuji
Published: November 2024

‘Tateyama‐marimo’ represents a Japanese freshwater alga that is considered to be the same as or closely related to Aegagropilopsis moravica (Cladophorales), which is distributed in the Eurasian Continent. However, morphological and genetic studies on ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ remain limited. This study aimed to elucidate the taxonomic and phylogenetic positions of ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ and Aegagropilopsis moravica based on comparative morphological observations utilizing light and electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The samples were collected from the Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture, Japan, where ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ was first recorded. Light microscopy revealed that the morphological characteristics of ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ were generally consistent with those reported for Aegagropilopsis moravica. Transmission electron microscopy of ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ presented a polypyramidal pyrenoid structure surrounded by four or more starch sheaths, indicating the high similarity to the ultrastructure of others of the Cladophorales taxa at the ultrastructure level. Additionally, bilenticular‐ and zonal‐type pyrenoids surrounded by two–three starch sheaths were observed. The 2034 bp nucleotide sequences across 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA exhibited high similarity between ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ and Aegagropilopsis moravica, indicating their monophyletic origin on the molecular phylogenetic tree. Altogether, these results suggested that ‘Tateyama‐marimo’ should not be excluded from being treated as Aegagropilopsis moravica; nevertheless, further taxonomic scrutiny is warranted.
Indirect and interactive effects drive impacts of prescribed fire and invasive grass on a native wetland herb
Authors: Hart‐Fredeluces Georgia M. , Hopping Kelly A. , Burnham Morey , Gregory Terry
Published: November 2024

Understanding the indirect and interactive effects of environmental stressors is critical to planning conservation interventions, but such effects are poorly understood. For example, invasive species may modify fire effects by altering fire intensity or frequency, increasing or decreasing their abundance in response to fire, and/or changing the trajectory of post‐fire recovery. Without a clear understanding of the direct, indirect, and interactive effects of prescribed fire and invasive species on native plants, managers cannot design effective conservation measures and risk exacerbating invasion through fire or wasting resources on approaches that do not yield desired results. In this study, researchers worked directly with the manager of a wet meadow in southern Idaho to explore how prescribed fire would directly and indirectly impact an iconic native herb (Camassia quamash) in areas invaded by a perennial pasture grass (Alopecurus arundinaceus). We found that spring prescribed fire increased the abundance of invasive A. arundinaceus, which indirectly strengthened its suppression of C. quamash growth and reproduction. In contrast, fire reversed the negative influence of A. arundinaceus on C. quamash survival. Survival rates of C. quamash were higher after fire in areas with greater invasive grass abundance. This study points to the importance of understanding the indirect and interactive effects of prescribed fire and invasives on native plants across their life cycle for restoration projects and suggests fire, at least in spring, is not an appropriate management strategy for reducing A. arundinaceus invasion at this site.
Using plant–pollinator interactions to identify key species for planning tropical forest restoration
Authors: Borges Rafael C. , Cunha Erlane J. , dos Santos Júnior José E. , Silveira Orlando T. , de Oliveira Andrino Caroline , Caldeira Cecílio F. , Silva Delmo F. , Tyski Lourival , Giannini Tereza C.
Published: November 2024

There is still a lack of practical guidelines for understanding species roles and planning restoration strategies to enhance plant–pollinator interactions and support ecosystem functioning. We applied a network approach to understand the evolution of plant–pollinator restoration patterns and identify priority species, thus advancing restoration planning. Specifically, we compared species composition and network metrics along a gradient of time postdisturbance, from the initial stage of restoration to pristine forest in the Eastern Amazon. We found that mining type is a predictor of species composition. We observed the recovery of interaction diversity and pollinator specialization in the early stages of restoration. Mining type affected connectance, interactions, and species richness, and the restoration stage affected the number of links. From the interactions, we built a trait‐based framework to select manageable native species for initial restoration. The species selection framework proposed here is useful not only for forest restoration but also for the restoration of other areas and case studies (e.g. agroecosystems, conservation units, and ecological corridors) and can be adapted depending on the goals of each project. Here, we provide practical information for the management of mined land restoration in the Eastern Amazon and for restoration planning across broader scales.
Challenges for staff encountering older people's existential concerns: Swedish first‐line managers' views. A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Sundström Malin , Blomqvist Kerstin , Rämgård Margareta , Edberg Anna‐Karin
Published: November 2024

Aims and Objectives

To describe first‐line managers' (FLMs) views of the challenges faced by staff when encountering older people's existential concerns in home and residential care.

Methodological Design and Justification

This cross‐sectional study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Ethical Issues and Approval

The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (ref. number 2014/652 ) and followed the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.

Research Methods

FLMs in home and residential care were randomly selected and invited to participate. A self‐administered questionnaire was distributed online to 467 managers, 136 (29%) of whom completed it.

Results

About 80% of the FLMs reported that their staff members sometimes or frequently had conversations with the older people in their care about existential concerns, including the following topics: thoughts and feelings about meaning in life; losses and longing for meaningful relations; death, fears and uncertainty and supporting meaningful everyday life. About 75% of the managers also reported that their staff sometimes or often had conversations about existential concerns with one another. Major hindrances to existential conversations were reportedly cognitive impairment and aphasia among the older people and insecurity and unwillingness among the staff. Most managers (73%) reported that their staff received support when encountering existential concerns, mostly as individual support from managers or registered nurses.

Study Limitations

The main limitation of this study is its low response rate, which is common for digital surveys. Nevertheless, the sample is considered to be representative; therefore, the study holds exploratory value.

Conclusion

Regular conversations among staff, improved conversational skills and the ability to listen reflect on and perceive older people's perspective and life world are needed when encountering older people's existential concerns. FLMs play a crucial role in emphasising and planning staff support on a regular basis.
The Full‐Length Genomic Sequence of the HLA‐B*39:130 Allele
Authors: Li LiXin , Tian Wei
Published: November 2024

HLA‐B*39:130 differs from HLA‐B*39:01:01:01 at codon 214 (ACA → ATA) and position 355 (T → C) in intron 5.
The HLA‐A Allele, HLA‐A*11:01:01:07, Identified by Third‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Chen Yingjie , Wang Yuqi , Zhu Huachao , Ren Juan , Wang Xiaoning
Published: November 2024

HLA‐A*11:01:01:07 differs from HLA‐A*11:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide exchange in intron 1.
Identification of the Novel HLA‐DQA1*05:01:16 Allele by Next Generation Sequencing in a Chinese Individual
Authors: Liu Jie , Quan Zhan‐Rou , Yang Bing‐Na , Song Jia‐Min , Zou Hong‐Yan
Published: November 2024

HLA‐DQA1*05:01:16 differs from DQA1*05:01:01:01 by two nucleotide substitutions, one in exon 4 and one in intron 1.
The index of equidimensional flag manifolds
Authors: Basu Samik , Kundu Bikramjit
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we consider the flag manifold of orthogonal subspaces of equal dimension that carries an action of the cyclic group of order . We provide a complete calculation of the associated Fadell–Husseini index. This may be thought of as an odd primary version of the computations of Baralić, Blagojevic, Karasev, and Vucic, for the Grassmann manifold . These results have geometric consequences for ‐fold orthogonal shadows of a convex body.
Automated Grayscale Modulation to Enhance Digital Light Processing Fabrication Accuracy by Correcting Nonuniform Illumination
Authors: Subedi Saroj , Shovon S. M. Abu Naser , Ware Henry Oliver T.
Published: November 2024

In this study, we addressed the challenge of nonuniform illumination in custom digital light processing (DLP) systems, often caused by imperfections in the digital micromirror device (DMD) or misalignments in the optical assembly. These issues lead to dimensional inconsistencies across the fabrication area. To overcome this, we developed an automated system for generating a “grayscale” mask that compensates for nonuniform illumination. This system serves as a preprinting calibration procedure, enhancing the precision of three-dimensional (3D) printed features. Our approach involves dividing the fabrication area into a mesh grid where in situ light intensities are measured. The system then calculates and acquires grayscale values that correspond to the minimum light intensity, thereby creating a grayscale mask that levels light distribution across the printing area. Additionally, we outline a method to generate grayscale masks for various light-emitting diode (LED) excitation powers (LEPs) based on initial data from three predefined powers. We evaluated the effectiveness of this method by comparing features printed with standard “full white” images to those adjusted with our grayscale-modulated images. The results show significant enhancements in both uniformity and dimensional accuracy, confirming the efficacy of our approach. This study demonstrates the potential of grayscale modulation to resolve illumination issue in DLP manufacturing to ensure higher precision in printed features.
Verifying models of the underwater soundscape from wind and ships with benchmark scenarios
Authors: Martin S. Bruce , Siderius Martin , Ainslie Michael A. , Halvorsen Michele B. , Hatch Leila , Prior Mark K. , Brooker Daniel , Caplinger James , Erbe Christine , Gebbie John , Heaney Kevin D. , MacGillivray Alexander O. , Matthews Marie-Noel , Oppeneer Victor O. , Schäfke Alexandra , Schoeman Renée P. , Sertlek H. Özkan
Published: November 2024

Models of the underwater acoustic soundscape are important for evaluating the effects of human generated sounds on marine life. The performance of models can be validated against measurements or verified against each other for consistency. A verification workshop was held to compare models that predict the soundscape from wind and vessels and estimate detection ranges for a submerged target. Eight modeling groups participated in the workshop which predicted sound levels with observation windows of 1 min and 1 km2. Substantial differences were found in how modelers computed the propagation losses for decidecade bands and estimated the source level of wind. Further investigations resulted in recommendations on best practices. Choices of temporal and spatial modeling resolution affected the estimates of metrics proportional to total sound energy more than distributions of sound pressure level. Deeper receivers were less sensitive to these parameters than shallow ones. A temporal resolution of 1 min and spatial resolution of 100 m is recommended. Models that follow the recommendations will yield similar results. The detection range of underwater targets is highly variable when the ambient noise depends on moving noise sources. Future work to verify models against data and understand model uncertainty is recommended.
Range versus frequency averaging of underwater propagation loss for soundscape modeling
Authors: Zykov Mikhail M. , Martin S. Bruce
Published: November 2024

Guidance on efficient methods is needed for the practical application of modeling the sound field from broadband sources such as vessels, seismic surveys, and construction activities. These sound field models are employed for estimating how changes in the soundscape will affect marine life. For efficiency, acoustic propagation modeling is often performed in bands (decidecade or 13-octave), where propagation loss modeled for central frequency is assumed to represent an average propagation loss in the band. This shortcut comes at the expense of accuracy, which can be rectified by averaging the propagation loss across many frequencies in the band. Alternately, the equivalence of range and frequency averaging was shown by Harrison and Harrison [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 1314–1317 (1995)]. However, when and how to apply range averaging required further investigations. A simple environment with a flat sandy bottom and an isovelocity water-column sound speed profile was considered to test the agreement between the range and frequency averages for decidecade bands typically considered in soundscape modelling (10–1000 Hz). The optimal range smoothing window is a Gaussian window with a width of 10%–16% of the range from the source that switches to a width fixed beyond 20 km distance from the source.
The alveolar trill is perceived as jagged/rough by speakers of different languages
Authors: Ćwiek Aleksandra , Anselme Rémi , Dediu Dan , Fuchs Susanne , Kawahara Shigeto , Oh Grace E. , Paul Jing , Perlman Marcus , Petrone Caterina , Reiter Sabine , Ridouane Rachid , Zeller Jochen , Winter Bodo
Published: November 2024

Typological research shows that across languages, trilled [r] sounds are more common in adjectives describing rough as opposed to smooth surfaces. In this study, this lexical research is built on with an experiment with speakers of 28 different languages from 12 different families. Participants were presented with images of a jagged and a straight line and imagined running their finger along each. They were then played an alveolar trill [r] and an alveolar approximant [l] and matched each sound to one of the lines. Participants showed a strong tendency to match [r] with the jagged line and [l] with the straight line, even more consistently than in a comparable cross-cultural investigation of the bouba/kiki effect. The pattern is strongest for matching [r] to the jagged line, but also very strong for matching [l] to the straight line. While this effect was found with speakers of languages with different phonetic realizations of the rhotic sound, it was weaker when trilled [r] was the primary variant. This suggests that when a sound is used phonologically to make systemic meaning contrasts, its iconic potential may become more limited. These findings extend our understanding of iconic crossmodal correspondences, highlighting deep-rooted connections between auditory perception and touch/vision.
Leveraging laryngograph data for robust voicing detection in speech
Authors: Zhang Yixuan , Wang Heming , Wang DeLiang
Published: November 2024

Accurately detecting voiced intervals in speech signals is a critical step in pitch tracking and has numerous applications. While conventional signal processing methods and deep learning algorithms have been proposed for this task, their need to fine-tune threshold parameters for different datasets and limited generalization restrict their utility in real-world applications. To address these challenges, this study proposes a supervised voicing detection model that leverages recorded laryngograph data. The model, adapted from a recently developed CrossNet architecture, is trained using reference voicing decisions derived from laryngograph datasets. Pretraining is also investigated to improve the generalization ability of the model. The proposed model produces robust voicing detection results, outperforming other strong baseline methods, and generalizes well to unseen datasets. The source code of the proposed model with pretraining is provided along with the list of used laryngograph datasets to facilitate further research in this area.
Genomic characterization of
Orthonairovirus haemorrhagiae
(Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus) outbreak in North Macedonia
Authors: Boshevska Golubinka , Emmerich Petra , von Possel Ronald , Jancheska Elizabeta , Buzharova Teodora , Kochinski Dragan , Tóth Gábor Endre , Cadar Dániel , Osmani Dugagjin
Published: November 2024

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a significant tick-borne virus causing severe hemorrhagic disease with high fatality rate. This report presents the genomic characterization of CCHFV strain from North Macedonia’s first outbreak in over 50 years, emphasizing the importance of genomic surveillance in tracking virus evolution and spread patterns in this region.
A novel
Alteromonas
phage with tail fiber containing six potential iron-binding domains
Authors: Yu Chen , Yu Meishun , Ma Ruijie , Wei Shuzhen , Jin Min , Jiao Nianzhi , Zheng Qiang , Zhang Rui , Feng Xuejin
Published: November 2024

Viruses play a vital role in regulating microbial communities, contributing to biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and essential metals.
Alteromona
s is widespread and plays an essential role in marine microbial ecology. However, there is limited knowledge about the interactions of
Alteromonas
and its viruses (alterophages). This study isolated a novel podovirus, vB_AmeP-R22Y (R22Y), which infects
Alteromonas
marina SW-47 (T). Phylogenetic analysis suggested that R22Y represented a novel viral genus within the
Schitoviridae
family. R22Y exhibited a broad host range and a relatively large burst size, exerting an important impact on the adaptability and dynamics of host populations. Two auxiliary metabolic genes, encoding Acyl carrier protein and AAA domain-containing protein, were predicted in R22Y, which may potentially assist in host fatty acid metabolism and VB12 biosynthesis, respectively. Remarkably, the prediction of the R22Y tail fiber structure revealed six conserved histidine residues (HxH motifs) that could potentially bind iron ions, suggesting that alterophages may function as organic iron-binding ligands in the marine environment. Our isolation and characterization of R22Y complements the Trojan Horse hypothesis, proposes the possible role of alterophages for marine iron biogeochemical cycling, and provides new insights into phage-host interactions in the iron-limited ocean.

IMPORTANCE

Iron (Fe), as an essential micronutrient, is often a limiting factor for microbial growth in marine ecosystems. The Trojan Horse hypothesis suggests that iron in the phage tail fibers is recognized by the host’s siderophore-bound iron receptor, enabling the phage to attach and initiate infection. The potential role of phages as iron-binding ligands has significant implications for oceanic trace metal biogeochemistry. In this study, we isolated a new phage R22Y with the potential to bind iron ions, using
Alteromonas
, a major siderophore producer, as the host. The tail fiber structure of R22Y exhibits six conserved HxH motifs, suggesting that each phage could potentially bind up to 36 iron ions. R22Y may contribute to colloidal organically complexed dissolved iron in the marine environment. This finding provides further insights into the Trojan Horse hypothesis, suggesting that alterophages may act as natural iron-binding ligands in the marine environment.
Detrital zircon provenance links between outcrop and subsurface, Rocas Verdes and Magallanes-Austral Basins, Patagonia
Authors: Almonte N. Gross , Malkowski M.A. , Dobbs S.C. , Graham S.A.
Published: November 2024

Analyzing how provenance signatures of tectonically complex ancient sedimentary basins vary between the outcrop and the subsurface provides a more complete sediment provenance history. The 500+-km-long outcrop belt of the Rocas Verdes and the Magallanes-Austral Basins in southern Patagonia and its subsurface to the east allow us to constrain relationships between longitudinal and transverse sediment sources feeding the basin. New detrital zircon U-Pb ages (n = 2558) from nine subsurface core samples from the Springhill, Piedra Clavada, and La Anita Formations along a 140 km E-W seismic reflection transect (50°S, 71.5°W–69.5°W) reveal the provenance of the basin's eastern subsurface extent and the influence that tectonic activity can have on sediment capture. Detrital zircon ages (n = 1068) were also collected from four outcrop Springhill Formation samples 140 km NW from the transect near Lago San Martín. Maximum depositional ages (MDAs) from the Springhill Formation cores range from 159 to 157 Ma, which are older than correlative outcrop ages of 151–148 Ma. MDAs from the Piedra Clavada and La Anita Formations range from 93.7 to 91.5 Ma and from 79.3 to 78.3 Ma, respectively, and overlap in age or are slightly younger than outcrop ages. The unimodal Late Jurassic age distribution from the Springhill Formation suggests that it almost exclusively was sourced by recycling of the underlying El Quemado Complex. Early–Middle Jurassic ages in the Early Cretaceous Piedra Clavada Formation samples suggest the basin was either sourcing from the North Patagonian Massif to the N-NE and from the Deseado Massif to the NE or recycling exhumed volcaniclastic sequences in the northern margin of the basin. By the Late Cretaceous, the basin fill was more locally sourced, as suggested by the muted abundance of Early–Middle Jurassic ages in La Anita Formation samples and a second mode of Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous ages locally derived from recycling of the exhumed El Quemado Complex from the Patagonian fold-and-thrust belt. We suggest that the latitudinal and local transverse drainages that sourced the Magallanes-Austral Basin outcrop belt also fed the eastern, subsurface extent of the basin. Results of this work highlight the importance of using several types of provenance methods and a three-dimensional approach to study the erosional history of sedimentary basins.
Perception doesn't match reality: Unraveling gender disparities in Earth scientists' productivity during work-from-home initiatives
Authors: Hatherly Sarah , Spencer Christopher , Pedersen Alexandra
Published: November 2024

Work-from-home initiatives have led to a disproportionate impact among different genders. An individual's perception of their own productivity is significant in understanding how equity-deserving groups are affected by disruptions to normal routines. The term “equity-deserving groups” is common in Canadian academia and is used at Queen's University to convey that seeking equity should not be placed on the group, but rather on systemic, cultural, and societal change. Despite many faults, peer-reviewed publications are a key metric of academic productivity, as they are a vital component of career advancement. Using methods based on sex (female versus male) and gender (women versus men), this study investigates how both the perceived and measured productivity of Earth scientists was impacted by global COVID-19 work-from-home initiatives. Bibliometric and survey-based data are used to evaluate and compare the productivity of Earth scientists. Although there are inherent flaws in directly comparing sex and gender, the results of this study contribute to the understanding of how sex- and gender-minorities have been impacted by work-from-home initiatives. Our research shows that in a normal year, females publish proportionally to males, and that the proportion of female first authors increased between the 2019–2020 (“pre-pandemic”) and 2020–2021, 2021–2022, and 2022–2023 (“during pandemic”) years. This finding is contrary to the perceived productivity between women and men and indicates that our perceptions may not always match reality. Although women and men are publishing at nearly identical rates based on their proportions within our field, women perceive themselves as less productive, which creates a disconnect between perception and the data. We posit that the more negative perception of self-productivity among women and early-career researchers can lead to mental health issues and a lack of confidence. Support structures should therefore be focused on these groups to ensure more equitable outcomes.
Late metastasis of rectal adenocarcinoma to the penis
Authors: Noll Darcy , Steele Richard
Published: November 2024

Rectal cancer metastasising to the penis is an exceptionally rare clinical entity, with less than 80 reported cases. Metastasis to the penis is typically identified in conjunction with widespread metastatic disease and as such is usually associated with a very poor prognosis. We report a case of a man who presented with a metastatic deposit in his penis 15 years after the initial diagnosis of rectal cancer. The patient was initially managed with radical penectomy and perineal urethrostomy formation. This was followed by FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen when further nodules were identified in his lungs on postoperative imaging. At 20months’ follow-up, the patient remains alive and disease-free.
Enablers and barriers to the implementation of breast self-examination (BSE) education programmes among adolescent girls in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): an integrative systematic review protocol
Authors: Hlormenu Benedictus Atsu , Osei Bonsu Emmanuel , Boadi Caleb , Dormechele William , Adams Mercy Oseiwah , Bossman Bright Boatey , Addo Stephen Kwakye , Addo Isaac Yeboah
Published: November 2024

Background

Breast cancer is emerging as a leading cause of mortality among women and adolescent girls in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a lack of clarity on the enablers and barriers associated with the implementation of preventive strategies, such as breast self-examination (BSE), particularly among adolescent girls.

Objective

This paper presents a protocol for conducting a systematic review aiming to synthesise studies on the enablers and barriers to implementing BSE education programmes among adolescent girls in SSA.

Methods and analysis

The systematic review will be conducted from December 2024 to August 2025, following the predefined methodological framework outlined in the PRISMA guidelines. To gather relevant studies, a comprehensive search will be conducted across four main online databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EMBASE, along with other relevant grey literature sources, such as Google Scholar, to identify pertinent literature on this topic. The screening process will involve an initial review of titles and abstracts to quickly identify relevant studies, followed by a thorough assessment of the full-text versions of selected studies. Two reviewers, working independently, will extract data and evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies using either the Joana Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal tool or Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool V.2 (RoB 2). The focus of the included studies will be on BSE among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years of age. Depending on the results of the literature search and the characteristics of the findings in the selected studies, we will conduct a meta-analysis if possible. Alternatively, a narrative synthesis will be conducted. The review will provide empirical evidence to inform health promoters and policymakers in advocating for BSE, particularly, among adolescent girls in SSA, with the ultimate goal of mitigating the risk of breast cancer.

Ethics and dissemination

Since this study is based on the analysis of already published research articles, ethical approval is not required. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed academic publications and presentations, informing further research and practice regarding BSE education programmes.
Can resistance exercise prevent breast cancer–related lymphoedema? A systematic review and metanalysis protocol
Authors: Aguilera-Eguía Raúl Alberto , Seron Pamela , Gutiérrez-Arias Ruvistay , Zaror Carlos
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Evidence shows that resistance training (RT) reduces lymphoedema in patients with breast cancer–related lymphoedema (BRCL), making it a safe and efficient intervention. However, it is uncertain if RT is safe and effective in patients at risk of developing BRCL. This systematic review (SR) protocol aims to describe all methodological aspects in order to evaluate the short-, medium- and long-term effects of RT on the prevention of BCRL.

Materials and methods

Throughout 2024, randomised clinical trials (RCTs) will be identified in electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PEDro and LILACS. Only studies in English, Spanish and Portuguese will be included. Grey literature and clinical trial registration will also be reviewed. The primary outcome will be the occurrence of lymphoedema and quality of life. Second, pain intensity, upper limb function, range of movement, grip strength and adverse events will be considered. The individual studies’ risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Pairwise meta-analyses using a frequentist approach and random effects model will be conducted. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol does not require the approval of an ethics committee, as it is a secondary study. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023455720.
Features of causes of indirect certified disaster-related death in areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident: an observational study
Authors: Uchi Yuna , Sawano Toyoaki , Kawashima Moe , Nonaka Saori , Yoshimura Hiroki , Kitazawa Kemmei , Sakakibara Mamoru , Sudo Makiko , Yagiuchi Kazuko , Otsuki Mako , Hori Arinobu , Ozaki Akihiko , Yamamoto Chika , Zhao Tianchen , Oikawa Tomoyoshi , Niwa Shinichi , Tsubokura Masaharu
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To investigate the details of disaster-related deaths due to the indirect health effects of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident following the Great East-Japan Earthquake in 2011 and serve as a source of reference in the event of similar circumstances in the future.

Design

A retrospective observational study.

Setting

Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, which is located 13–38 km north of the FDNPP.

Participants

520 residents of Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, who were certified as having died from disaster-related causes between September 2011 and February 2021.

Results

The most common cause of death was circulatory system diseases (27.7%), followed by respiratory system diseases (25.0%) and neoplasms (15.4%). The prevalence of circulatory and respiratory diseases is higher in older people, suggesting that they are more susceptible to indirect health effects due to the environmental changes related to evacuation. Malignant neoplasms accounted for the third and leading cause of death overall and for people in their 50s, respectively, implying the potential impact of evacuation on cancer diagnosis and treatment. Suicide is the leading cause of death among younger people and can occur even long after a disaster, which shows the psychological impact of environmental changes.

Conclusion

To prevent indirect disaster-related deaths in the future, it is important to consider appropriate intervention methods by age group and period since disaster occurrence. It is especially important to improve the environment of evacuation shelters and establish a healthcare system for evacuees, create a system for cancer screening and treatment during evacuation and expand long-term suicide prevention measures.
IROND-L: study protocol for a French prospective, quasi-experimental, multicentre trial to examine the impact of a coordinated multidisciplinary approach for women victims of violence
Authors: El-Khoury Fabienne , Ben Ghezala Inès , Hatem Ghada , Jaffal Zohra , Soares Andre , Yacini Leila , Duchesne Sophie , Dommergues Marc , Bretelle Florence , Eudeline Sara , Hoffmann Pascale , Masse-Navette Claire , Layachi Fanida , Maurice Odile , de Foucher de Careil Tiphaine , Bardou Marc
Published: November 2024

Background and objectives

Violence against women (VAW) is widespread and can have serious physical and mental health consequences, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sleep disorders. Victim-survivors often face barriers in accessing specialised care, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary response, especially in healthcare settings. The Maison des Femmes (MdF) model provides holistic support to women experiencing VAW, including medical, psychological, social and legal support. The aim of this study is to examine whether the MdF’s comprehensive intervention programme offers advantages over standard care in improving mental health indicators, such as PTSD.

Method and analysis

Our pragmatic quasi-experimental study uses a non-randomised controlled cluster design. The intervention group comprises women enrolled in MdFs in five French cities, while the comparison group includes women receiving usual care in sociomedical structures located geographically close to MdF centres. Our study aims to recruit 360 women (180 per group), aged 18 years or older, who have experienced intimate partner violence or sexual violence and who seek care at the study centres. The primary analysis will compare the change in PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) scores over 6 months in the two groups using multivariable linear regression with propensity score adjustment. Secondary outcomes include sleep disorders, quality of life, symptoms of anxiety and depression, self-esteem, sense of safety and well-being, initiation of legal and socioprofessional proceedings, and healthcare utilisation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the ‘Comité de protection des personnes Ile de France III’ (CPP Committee for the Protection of Persons Ile de France III; institutional review board on 20 December 2023; Ref no. (Numéro SI): 23.04197.000491).

The results of the study will be communicated via academic publications; easily understandable briefs for a broader public; and proactive involvement with medical institutions, journalists and advocacy groups.

Trial registration number

NCT06226818. Version Number 1- february2024.