bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interference fading suppression with a multi-subcarrier pulse in a distributed acoustic sensor
Authors: Li Desheng , Li Xiang , Huang Tianye , Zhang Jing , Wu Zhichao , Xiong Liangming , Peng Chuyu , Chen Yixuan , Qin Qier , Shum Perry Ping
Published: May 2024

A low-complexity multi-subcarrier pulse generation scheme is proposed to suppress the interference fading in a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (Φ-OTDR) based distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) with heterodyne coherent detection. The multi-subcarrier pulse is generated in the digital domain based on the proper clipping operation of a sine signal. The localization and recovery of the disturbance signal are realized by the spectrum extraction and rotated vector sum (SERVS) method. The experimental results show that the occurrences of interference fading can be significantly reduced. The intensity fluctuation is reduced from ∼75 dB to ∼25 dB. Multiple disturbance signals are successfully demodulated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Real-time decomposition technique for compressive light field display using the multiplex correlations
Authors: Ke Qiangqiang , Lou Yimin , Hu Juanmei , Wu Fengmin
Published: May 2024

How to compress and decompose the high-dimensional light field information in real time is still a challenging task for compressive light field display. Traditional iterative algorithms suffer from slow convergence speed and limited image quality. Therefore, a real-time decomposition technique for compressive light field display using multiplex correlations is proposed. Firstly, the iteration initial value of the algorithm is optimized, by utilizing the spatial correlations of pixel multiplex light fields, which significantly improves the convergence speed and reduces noise. Secondly, the iterative task of high-dimensional matrix in the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm is divided into highly parallel linear iterative tasks. A stochastic gradient descent (SGD) optimizer and GPU are used to parallel compress and decompose the light fields. Thirdly, addresses of light field data are reordered using the sign distance field (SDF) transformation in sheared camera frustum space, making the addressing process of compression and decomposition more efficient. A rendering pipeline is constructed that renders the compressive light fields using 3D model data directly. For a light field containing 5 × 5 viewpoints and 1024 × 1024 × 2 pixels, only 2-3 iterations are needed to approach the optimal solution. The decomposition efficiency is increased by 15.24 times. The frame rate of decomposition exceeds 30 frames per second (fps). A compressive light field display system has been built to realize 3D display, verifying the feasibility of the technique.
Double-grating quadri-wave lateral shearing interferometry for large dynamic range wavefront measurements
Authors: xiaojun chen , Tang Zhan , Deng Ting , Liu Fengwei , xianghai xiao , yan zhao , yuqian wu
Published: May 2024

Quadrowave lateral shearing interferometers (QWLSIs) have been widely used in many fields, such as optical testing, laser beam evaluation and biological imaging, because of their compactness and portability. However, when the QWLSI is used for optical testing of complex surfaces, such as in the early stage of processing, the surface distribution of the tested part is complex, and the high-frequency noise is severe, which leads to severe phase wrapping in the process of calculating the phase from the interference fringes. With the complex unwrapping algorithm, severe surface wire drawing phenomena can easily occur, and an accurate surface distribution cannot be obtained. In this paper, a double grating QWLSI is proposed. By using two QWLSI gratings with different periods to test the same measured surface, the dynamic range of the composite grating can be improved by 2~3 orders of magnitude compared with that of a single grating, and the spatial resolution remains unchanged. This method greatly simplifies the unwrapping process in the process of surface calculation and sometimes does not even require unwrapping. This method can help the QWLSI test optical components over a longer period of processing.
A molecular atlas of plastid and mitochondrial proteins reveals organellar remodeling during plant evolutionary transitions from algae to angiosperms
Authors: K. Raval Parth , MacLeod Alexander I. , Gould Sven B.
Published: May 2024

Algae and plants carry 2 organelles of endosymbiotic origin that have been co-evolving in their host cells for more than a billion years. The biology of plastids and mitochondria can differ significantly across major lineages and organelle changes likely accompanied the adaptation to new ecological niches such as the terrestrial habitat. Based on organelle proteome data and the genomes of 168 phototrophic (Archaeplastida) versus a broad range of 518 non-phototrophic eukaryotes, we screened for changes in plastid and mitochondrial biology across 1 billion years of evolution. Taking into account 331,571 protein families (or orthogroups), we identify 31,625 protein families that are unique to primary plastid-bearing eukaryotes. The 1,906 and 825 protein families are predicted to operate in plastids and mitochondria, respectively. Tracing the evolutionary history of these protein families through evolutionary time uncovers the significant remodeling the organelles experienced from algae to land plants. The analyses of gained orthogroups identifies molecular changes of organelle biology that connect to the diversification of major lineages and facilitated major transitions from chlorophytes en route to the global greening and origin of angiosperms.
Protracted development of stick tool use skills extends into adulthood in wild western chimpanzees
Authors: Malherbe Mathieu , Samuni Liran , Ebel Sonja J. , Kopp Kathrin S. , Crockford Catherine , Wittig Roman M.
Published: May 2024

Tool use is considered a driving force behind the evolution of brain expansion and prolonged juvenile dependency in the hominin lineage. However, it remains rare across animals, possibly due to inherent constraints related to manual dexterity and cognitive abilities. In our study, we investigated the ontogeny of tool use in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), a species known for its extensive and flexible tool use behavior. We observed 70 wild chimpanzees across all ages and analyzed 1,460 stick use events filmed in the Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire during the chimpanzee attempts to retrieve high-nutrient, but difficult-to-access, foods. We found that chimpanzees increasingly utilized hand grips employing more than 1 independent digit as they matured. Such hand grips emerged at the age of 2, became predominant and fully functional at the age of 6, and ubiquitous at the age of 15, enhancing task accuracy. Adults adjusted their hand grip based on the specific task at hand, favoring power grips for pounding actions and intermediate grips that combine power and precision, for others. Highly protracted development of suitable actions to acquire hidden (i.e., larvae) compared to non-hidden (i.e., nut kernel) food was evident, with adult skill levels achieved only after 15 years, suggesting a pronounced cognitive learning component to task success. The prolonged time required for cognitive assimilation compared to neuromotor control points to selection pressure favoring the retention of learning capacities into adulthood.
Systematic characterization of all Toxoplasma gondii TBC domain-containing proteins identifies an essential regulator of Rab2 in the secretory pathway
Authors: Quan Justin J. , Nikolov Lachezar A. , Sha Jihui , Wohlschlegel James A. , Coppens Isabelle , Bradley Peter J.
Published: May 2024

Toxoplasma gondii resides in its intracellular niche by employing a series of specialized secretory organelles that play roles in invasion, host cell manipulation, and parasite replication. Rab GTPases are major regulators of the parasite’s secretory traffic that function as nucleotide-dependent molecular switches to control vesicle trafficking. While many of the Rab proteins have been characterized in T. gondii, precisely how these Rabs are regulated remains poorly understood. To better understand the parasite’s secretory traffic, we investigated the entire family of Tre2-Bub2-Cdc16 (TBC) domain-containing proteins, which are known to be involved in vesicle fusion and secretory protein trafficking. We first determined the localization of all 18 TBC domain-containing proteins to discrete regions of the secretory pathway or other vesicles in the parasite. Second, we use an auxin-inducible degron approach to demonstrate that the protozoan-specific TgTBC9 protein, which localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is essential for parasite survival. Knockdown of TgTBC9 results in parasite growth arrest and affects the organization of the ER and mitochondrial morphology. TgTBC9 knockdown also results in the formation of large lipid droplets (LDs) and multi-membranous structures surrounded by ER membranes, further indicating a disruption of ER functions. We show that the conserved dual-finger active site in the TBC domain of the protein is critical for its GTPase-activating protein (GAP) function and that the Plasmodium falciparum orthologue of TgTBC9 can rescue the lethal knockdown. We additionally show by immunoprecipitation and yeast 2 hybrid analyses that TgTBC9 preferentially binds Rab2, indicating that the TBC9-Rab2 pair controls ER morphology and vesicular trafficking in the parasite. Together, these studies identify the first essential TBC protein described in any protozoan and provide new insight into intracellular vesicle trafficking in T. gondii.
Group-selection via aggregative propagule-formation enables cooperative multicellularity in an individual based, spatial model
Authors: Oszoli István , Zachar István
Published: May 2024

The emergence of multicellularity is one of the major transitions in evolution that happened multiple times independently. During aggregative multicellularity, genetically potentially unrelated lineages cooperate to form transient multicellular groups. Unlike clonal multicellularity, aggregative multicellular organisms do not rely on kin selection instead other mechanisms maintain cooperation against cheater phenotypes that benefit from cooperators but do not contribute to groups. Spatiality with limited diffusion can facilitate group selection, as interactions among individuals are restricted to local neighbourhoods only. Selection for larger size (e.g. avoiding predation) may facilitate the emergence of aggregation, though it is unknown, whether and how much role such selection played during the evolution of aggregative multicellularity. We have investigated the effect of spatiality and the necessity of predation on the stability of aggregative multicellularity via individual-based modelling on the ecological timescale. We have examined whether aggregation facilitates the survival of cooperators in a temporally heterogeneous environment against cheaters, where only a subset of the population is allowed to periodically colonize a new, resource-rich habitat. Cooperators constitutively produce adhesive molecules to promote aggregation and propagule-formation while cheaters spare this expense to grow faster but cannot aggregate on their own, hence depending on cooperators for long-term survival. We have compared different population-level reproduction modes with and without individual selection (predation) to evaluate the different hypotheses. In a temporally homogeneous environment without propagule-based colonization, cheaters always win. Predation can benefit cooperators, but it is not enough to maintain the necessary cooperator amount in successive dispersals, either randomly or by fragmentation. Aggregation-based propagation however can ensure the adequate ratio of cooperators-to-cheaters in the propagule and is sufficient to do so even without predation. Spatiality combined with temporal heterogeneity helps cooperators via group selection, thus facilitating aggregative multicellularity. External stress selecting for larger size (e.g. predation) may facilitate aggregation, however, according to our results, it is neither necessary nor sufficient for aggregative multicellularity to be maintained when there is effective group-selection.
A rapid approach to assessing the vulnerability of Mozambican fisheries’ species to climate change
Authors: Fennessy Sean T. , Quick Arthur J. R. , Mutombene Rui J. , Abdula Sílvia , Leong Eunice R. , Dias Nilza , Filipe Osvaldo , Chacate Osvaldo , Malauene Bernardino S. , Fernando Stela , Mualeque Daniel O. , Vianello Patrick , Roberts Michael J.
Published: May 2024

Mozambique is amongst the most vulnerable of Western Indian Ocean (WIO] countries to the impacts of climate change on its marine fisheries. We used rapid assessment methods to evaluate sensitivity, exposure and vulnerability of fisheries species to climate change, appropriate for data-deficient, developing countries in the region. Species were selected based on their importance in industrial and artisanal fisheries’ landings, further prioritized by local experts. Species’ attributes likely to be sensitive to climate change were identified and scored, utilizing life history or biological characteristics. Sea Surface Temperature (SST] was the most prominent climate exposure factor and for which we could confidently predict likely future change. Most species had low or medium overall sensitivity to climate change, with only eight considered highly sensitive. Climate exposure (SST] scores were high off northern Mozambique, while the central and southern regions were generally of medium exposure. Ten species received a High vulnerability score, 14 were Medium, and 16 had a Low vulnerability score. The highly vulnerable species were all fishes, apart from one crustacean; 4 of the 9 were strongly estuarine-associated; the most vulnerable species was the parrotfish Scarus ghobban. This is the first attempt to use a rapid, semi-quantitative, specialist- and trait-based vulnerability assessment of the anticipated effect of climate change on marine fisheries species in the WIO. Challenges experienced were data paucity, limited resources, the large study area, and the complex oceanography of the region. However, a simple methodology was developed, derived from efforts elsewhere, and which can be used to undertake similar assessments for other WIO countries. Raised awareness of climate change among small-scale fishing communities is a necessity, combined with adaptation by promoting fisheries co-management. Also required is support from government to ensure that people can be flexible to change.
Simplified molecular diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis: Laboratory evaluation of miniature direct-on-blood PCR nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay
Authors: van Dijk Norbert J. , Hagos Dawit Gebreegziabiher , Huggins Daniela M. , Carrillo Eugenia , Ajala Sophia , Chicharro Carmen , Kiptanui David , Solana Jose Carlos , Abner Edwin , Wolday Dawit , Schallig Henk D. F. H.
Published: May 2024

Background

Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in resource-limited endemic regions is currently based on serological testing with rK39 immunochromatographic tests (ICTs). However, rK39 ICT frequently has suboptimal diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, treatment monitoring and detection of VL relapses is reliant on insensitive and highly invasive tissue aspirate microscopy. Miniature direct-on-blood PCR nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay (mini-dbPCR-NALFIA) is an innovative and user-friendly molecular tool which does not require DNA extraction and uses a lateral flow strip for result read-out. This assay could be an interesting candidate for more reliable VL diagnosis and safer test of cure at the point of care.

Methodology/Principle findings

The performance of mini-dbPCR-NALFIA for diagnosis of VL in blood was assessed in a laboratory evaluation and compared with the accuracy of rK39 ICTs Kalazar Detect in Spain and IT LEISH in East Africa. Limit of detection of mini-dbPCR-NALFIA was 650 and 500 parasites per mL of blood for Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum, respectively. In 146 blood samples from VL-suspected patients from Spain, mini-dbPCR-NALFIA had a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity 97.2%, while Kalazar Detect had a sensitivity of 71.2% and specificity of 94.5%, compared to a nested PCR reference. For a sample set from 58 VL patients, 10 malaria patients and 68 healthy controls from Ethiopia and Kenya, mini-dbPCR-NALFIA had a pooled sensitivity of 87.9% and pooled specificity of 100% using quantitative PCR as reference standard. IT LEISH sensitivity and specificity in the East African samples were 87.9% and 97.4%, respectively.

Conclusions/Significance

Mini-dbPCR-NALFIA is a promising tool for simplified molecular diagnosis of VL and follow-up of treated patients in blood samples. Future studies should evaluate its use in endemic, resource-limited settings, where mini-dbPCR-NALFIA may provide an accurate and versatile alternative to rK39 ICTs and aspirate microscopy.
An assessment of the operationality and factors influencing the effectiveness of rabies surveillance in Gombe State, Nigeria
Authors: Kuye Adebanwo , Dauda Mishel , Ameh Anthony Oche , Danladi Molta Idris , Atuman Yakubu Joel , Kia Grace Sabo Nok , Häsler Barbara
Published: May 2024

Rabies remains a burden in Africa, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable despite the availability of effective vaccines. Nigeria, the most populous African country, needs rapid disease control actions and commitments to achieve the goal of eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030. Surveillance is an essential element of effective disease control strategies. This study examined the current state of operationality of the rabies surveillance system for early case detection and management in Gombe state, Nigeria, through a One Health lens. It further examined the barriers impeding the effectiveness of the surveillance based on the perception of surveillance workers. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess the structure of the system and its functioning. Data on dog bite and rabid cases obtained from the veterinary services in Gombe state were analysed descriptively. A total of 13 key informants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to explore in depth the factors that influenced the operationality of the system. A total of 157 potential human exposures to rabies were identified in this study, out of which two people reportedly died at the health facility after showing symptoms highly suggestive of rabies. In terms of rabies surveillance and control, cross-sectoral collaboration was found between the human health and veterinary sectors for risk assessment of potential rabies exposures and its management. Some identified factors affecting the operations of the surveillance were inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure, lack of feedback from higher authorities and insufficient knowledge of rabies prevention and management. To improve the capacity for case detection and management within the state, the appropriate authorities may focus on increasing awareness about the disease to the populace to increase the number of cases identified by the system, employ more workers and strengthen the surveillance capability of existing workers.
A glucan-particle based tularemia subunit vaccine induces T-cell immunity and affords partial protection in an inhalation rat infection model
Authors: Whelan Adam O. , Flick-Smith Helen C. , Walker Nicola J. , Abraham Ambily , Levitz Stuart M. , Ostroff Gary R. , Oyston Petra C. F.
Published: May 2024

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by the facultative intracellular gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis. F. tularensis has a very low infection dose by the aerosol route which can result in an acute, and potentially lethal, infection in humans. Consequently, it is classified as a Category A bioterrorism agent by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and is a pathogen of concern for the International Biodefence community. There are currently no licenced tularemia vaccines. In this study we report on the continued assessment of a tularemia subunit vaccine utilising β-glucan particles (GPs) as a vaccine delivery platform for immunogenic F. tularensis antigens. Using a Fischer 344 rat infection model, we demonstrate that a GP based vaccine comprising the F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide antigen together with the protein antigen FTT0814 provided partial protection of F344 rats against an aerosol challenge with a high virulence strain of F. tularensis, SCHU S4. Inclusion of imiquimod as an adjuvant failed to enhance protective efficacy. Moreover, the level of protection afforded was dependant on the challenge dose. Immunological characterisation of this vaccine demonstrated that it induced strong antibody immunoglobulin responses to both polysaccharide and protein antigens. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the FTT0814 component of the GP vaccine primed CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells from immunised F344 rats to express interferon-γ, and CD4+ cells to express interleukin-17, in an antigen specific manner. These data demonstrate the development potential of this tularemia subunit vaccine and builds on a body of work highlighting GPs as a promising vaccine platform for difficult to treat pathogens including those of concern to the bio-defence community.
Efficacy and safety of three-dimensional magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal and small bowel examination
Authors: Oh Dong Jun , Lee Yea Je , Kim Sang Hoon , Chung Joowon , Lee Hyun Seok , Nam Ji Hyung , Lim Yun Jeong
Published: May 2024

Background

Magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) showed the feasibility for upper gastrointestinal examination. To further enhance the performance of conventional MACE, it is necessary to provide quality-improved and three-dimensional images. The aim of this clinical study was to determine the efficacy and safety of novel three-dimensional MACE (3D MACE) for upper gastrointestinal and small bowel examination at once.

Methods

This was a prospective, single-center, non-randomized, and sequential examination study (KCT0007114) at Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital. Adult patients who visited for upper endoscopy were included. The study protocol was conducted in two stages. First, upper gastrointestinal examination was performed using 3D MACE, and a continuous small bowel examination was performed by conventional method of capsule endoscopy. Two hours later, an upper endoscopy was performed for comparison with 3D MACE examination. The primary outcome was confirmation of major gastric structures (esophagogastric junction, cardia/fundus, body, angle, antrum, and pylorus). Secondary outcomes were confirmation of esophagus and duodenal bulb, accuracy for gastric lesions, completion of small bowel examination, 3D image reconstruction of gastric lesion, and safety.

Results

Fifty-five patients were finally enrolled. The examination time of 3D MACE was 14.84 ± 3.02 minutes and upper endoscopy was 5.22 ± 2.39 minutes. The confirmation rate of the six major gastric structures was 98.6% in 3D MACE and 100% in upper endoscopy. Gastric lesions were identified in 43 patients during 3D MACE, and 40 patients during upper endoscopy (Sensitivity 0.97). 3D reconstructed images were acquired for all lesions inspected by 3D MACE. The continuous small bowel examination by 3D MACE was completed in 94.5%. 3D MACE showed better overall satisfaction (3D MACE 9.55 ± 0.79 and upper endoscopy 7.75 ± 2.34, p<0.0001). There were no aspiration or significant adverse event or capsule retention in the 3D MACE examination.

Conclusions

Novel 3D MACE system is more advanced diagnostic modality than the conventional MACE. And it is possible to perform serial upper gastrointestinal and small bowel examination as a non-invasive and one-step test. It would be also served as a bridge to pan-endoscopy.
Impact of liver fibrosis on COVID-19 in-hospital mortality in Southern Italy
Authors: Galiero Raffaele , Loffredo Giuseppe , Simeon Vittorio , Caturano Alfredo , Vetrano Erica , Medicamento Giulia , Alfano Maria , Beccia Domenico , Brin Chiara , Colantuoni Sara , Di Salvo Jessica , Epifani Raffaella , Nevola Riccardo , Marfella Raffaele , Sardu Celestino , Coppola Carmine , Scarano Ferdinando , Maggi Paolo , Calabrese Cecilia , De Lucia Sposito Pellegrino , Rescigno Carolina , Sbreglia Costanza , Fraganza Fiorentino , Parrella Roberto , Romano Annamaria , Calabria Giosuele , Polverino Benedetto , Pagano Antonio , Numis Fabio , Bologna Carolina , Nunziata Mariagrazia , Esposito Vincenzo , Coppola Nicola , Maturo Nicola , Nasti Rodolfo , Di Micco Pierpaolo , Perrella Alessandro , Adinolfi Luigi Elio , Chiodini Paolo , Di Domenico Marina , Rinaldi Luca , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo ,   on behalf of COVOCA Study Group
Published: May 2024

Background & aims

SARS-Cov-2 infection manifests as a wide spectrum of clinical presentation and even now, despite the global spread of the vaccine, contagiousness is still elevated. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the impact of liver fibrosis assessed by FIB-4 and liver impairment, assessed by cytolysis indices, on intrahospital mortality in COVID-19 subjects.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational cohort study, which involved 23 COVID Hospital Units in Campania Region, Italy. Exposure variables were collected during hospital admission and at discharge. According to FIB-4 values, we subdivided the overall population in three groups (FIB-4<1.45; 1.45<FIB-4<3.25; FIB-4>3.25), respectively group 1,2,3.

Results

At the end of the study, 938 individuals had complete discharged/dead data. At admission, 428 patients were in group 1 (45.6%), 387 in group 2 (41.3%) and 123 in group 3 (13.1%). Among them, 758 (81%) subjects were discharged, while the remaining 180 (19%) individuals died. Multivariable Cox’s regression model showed a significant association between mortality risk and severity of FIB-4 stages (group 3 vs group 1, HR 2.12, 95%CI 1.38–3.28, p<0.001). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis described a progressive and statistically significant difference (p<0.001 Log-rank test) in mortality according to FIB-4 groups. Among discharged subjects, 507 showed a FIB-4<1.45 (66.9%, group 1), 182 a value 1.45<FIB-4<3.25 (24.1%, group 2) and 69 a FIB-4>3.25 (9.0%, group 3). Among dead subjects, 42 showed a FIB-4<1.45 (23.3%, group 1), 62 a value 1.45<FIB-4<3.25 (34.4%, group 2) and 76 a FIB-4>3.25 (42.3%, group 3).

Conclusions

FIB-4 value is significantly associated with intrahospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. During hospitalization, particularly in patients with worse outcomes, COVID-19 seems to increase the risk of acute progression of liver damage.
Evaluating possible maternal effect lethality and genetic background effects in Naa10 knockout mice
Authors: Lyon Gholson J. , Longo Joseph , Garcia Andrew , Inusa Fatima , Marchi Elaine , Shi Daniel , Dörfel Max , Arnesen Thomas , Aldabe Rafael , Lyons Scott , Nashat Melissa A. , Bolton David
Published: May 2024

Amino-terminal (Nt-) acetylation (NTA) is a common protein modification, affecting approximately 80% of all human proteins. The human essential X-linked gene, NAA10, encodes for the enzyme NAA10, which is the catalytic subunit in the N-terminal acetyltransferase A (NatA) complex. There is extensive genetic variation in humans with missense, splice-site, and C-terminal frameshift variants in NAA10. In mice, Naa10 is not an essential gene, as there exists a paralogous gene, Naa12, that substantially rescues Naa10 knockout mice from embryonic lethality, whereas double knockouts (Naa10-/Y Naa12-/-) are embryonic lethal. However, the phenotypic variability in the mice is nonetheless quite extensive, including piebaldism, skeletal defects, small size, hydrocephaly, hydronephrosis, and neonatal lethality. Here we replicate these phenotypes with new genetic alleles in mice, but we demonstrate their modulation by genetic background and environmental effects. We cannot replicate a prior report of "maternal effect lethality" for heterozygous Naa10-/X female mice, but we do observe a small amount of embryonic lethality in the Naa10-/y male mice on the inbred genetic background in this different animal facility.
Effect of systemic vascular resistance on the agreement between stroke volume by non-invasive pulse wave analysis and Doppler ultrasound in healthy volunteers
Authors: Lie Sole Lindvåg , Hisdal Jonny , Rehn Marius , Høiseth Lars Øivind
Published: May 2024

Background

Stroke volume can be estimated beat-to-beat and non-invasively by pulse wave analysis (PWA). However, its reliability has been questioned during marked alterations in systemic vascular resistance (SVR). We studied the effect of SVR on the agreement between stroke volume by PWA and Doppler ultrasound during reductions in stroke volume in healthy volunteers.

Methods

In a previous study we simultaneously measured stroke volume by PWA (SVPWA) and suprasternal Doppler ultrasound (SVUS). We exposed 16 healthy volunteers to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to reduce stroke volume in combination with isometric hand grip to elevate SVR. LBNP was increased by 20 mmHg every 6 minutes from 0 to 80 mmHg, or until hemodynamic decompensation. The agreement between SVPWA and SVUS was examined using Bland-Altman analysis with mixed regression. Within-subject limits of agreement (LOA) was calculated from the residual standard deviation. SVRUS was calculated from SVUS. We allowed for a sloped bias line by introducing the mean of the methods and SVRUS as explanatory variables to examine whether the agreement was dependent on the magnitude of stroke volume and SVRUS.

Results

Bias ± limits of agreement (LOA) was 27.0 ± 30.1 mL. The within-subject LOA was ±11.1 mL. The within-subject percentage error was 14.6%. The difference between methods decreased with higher means of the methods (-0.15 mL/mL, confidence interval (CI): -0.19 to -0.11, P<0.001). The difference between methods increased with higher SVRUS (0.60 mL/mmHg × min × L-1, 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.72, P<0.001).

Conclusion

PWA overestimated stroke volume compared to Doppler ultrasound during reductions in stroke volume and elevated SVR in healthy volunteers. The agreement between SVPWA and SVUS decreased during increases in SVR. This is relevant in settings where a high level of reliability is required.
Use of antiviral drugs and incidence of Parkinson’s disease in Taiwan
Authors: Zhang Han-Wei , Xie Jun , Peng Hsiao-Ching , Lin Yu-Shan , Song Ji-Quan
Published: May 2024

Patients infected with herpes zoster might be at risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, antiviral drugs may impede viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. This study aimed to determine whether the currently observed association between herpes zoster and PD is consistent with previous findings, and whether antiviral drug use is associated with PD. This retrospective cohort study used the Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database. We included patients aged 40 years and above and applied propensity score matching at 1:1 ratio for study comparability. PD risk was evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression methods. A total of 234,730 people were analyzed. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for PD in patients with herpes zoster was 1.05. Furthermore, the overall incidence of PD was lower in those treated with antiviral drugs than in the untreated ones (3.17 vs. 3.76 per 1,000 person-years); the aHR was 0.84. After stratifying for sex or age, a similar result was observed. In conclusion, herpes zoster may increase the risk of PD, particularly among females, but receiving antiviral treatment reduces the risk by 16%. Therefore, using antiviral drugs may help prevent PD. However, additional research is required to determine the underlying mechanism(s).
COVID-19 patient profiles over four waves in Barcelona metropolitan area: A clustering approach
Authors: Fernández Daniel , Perez-Alvarez Nuria , Molist Gemma ,   on behalf of the DIVINE project
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Identifying profiles of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and explore their association with different degrees of severity of COVID-19 outcomes (i.e. in-hospital mortality, ICU assistance, and invasive mechanical ventilation). The findings of this study could inform the development of multiple care intervention strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Methods

Prospective multicentre cohort study during four different waves of COVID-19 from March 1st, 2020 to August 31st, 2021 in four health consortiums within the southern Barcelona metropolitan region. From a starting point of over 292 demographic characteristics, comorbidities, vital signs, severity scores, and clinical analytics at hospital admission, we used both clinical judgment and supervised statistical methods to reduce to the 36 most informative completed covariates according to the disease outcomes for each wave. Patients were then grouped using an unsupervised semiparametric method (KAMILA). Results were interpreted by clinical and statistician team consensus to identify clinically-meaningful patient profiles.

Results

The analysis included nw1 = 1657, nw2 = 697, nw3 = 677, and nw4 = 787 hospitalized-COVID-19 patients for each of the four waves. Clustering analysis identified 2 patient profiles for waves 1 and 3, while 3 profiles were determined for waves 2 and 4. Patients allocated in those groups showed a different percentage of disease outcomes (e.g., wave 1: 15.9% (Cluster 1) vs. 31.8% (Cluster 2) for in-hospital mortality rate). The main factors to determine groups were the patient’s age and number of obese patients, number of comorbidities, oxygen support requirement, and various severity scores. The last wave is also influenced by the massive incorporation of COVID-19 vaccines.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that a single care model at hospital admission may not meet the needs of hospitalized-COVID-19 adults. A clustering approach appears to be appropriate for helping physicians to differentiate patients and, thus, apply multiple care intervention strategies, as another way of responding to new outbreaks of this or future diseases.
Do political connections facilitate or inhibit firms’ digital transformation? Evidence from China’s A-share private listed companies
Authors: Jin Xingye , Li Tao , Shi Yupeng , Zhang Mingrui
Published: May 2024

Given the advent of the digital era, digital transformation has become necessary for enterprise development. Political connections are the most important resources for enterprise development in most countries. However, the impact of political connections on corporate digital transformation has yet to be verified. This study uses ERNIE, a large language model, to construct a measurement of corporate digital transformation from the perspective of digital technology application through a textual analysis of the annual reports of A-share privately listed companies from 2008 to 2020 and analyzes the impact of political connections on corporate digital transformation and its mechanism of action. The findings demonstrate that political connections have a significant inhibitory effect on corporate digital transformation. This conclusion still holds after a series of robustness and endogeneity tests. The mechanism analyses demonstrate that political connections primarily affect corporate digital transformation through three mechanisms: weakening risk, inhibiting innovation, and enhancing resource crowding. We theoretically expand the understanding of the economic impact of political connections and provide new ideas for accelerating enterprise digital transformation from the perspective of policy makers.
Maternal childhood emotional abuse increases cardiovascular responses to children’s emotional facial expressions
Authors: Pétrin Rachel , Bérubé Annie , St-Pierre Émilie , Blais Caroline
Published: May 2024

Parents with a history of childhood maltreatment may be more likely to respond inadequately to their child’s emotional cues, such as crying or screaming, due to previous exposure to prolonged stress. While studies have investigated parents’ physiological reactions to their children’s vocal expressions of emotions, less attention has been given to their responses when perceiving children’s facial expressions of emotions. The present study aimed to determine if viewing facial expressions of emotions in children induces cardiovascular changes in mothers (hypo- or hyper-arousal) and whether these differ as a function of childhood maltreatment. A total of 104 mothers took part in this study. Their experiences of childhood maltreatment were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Participants’ electrocardiogram signals were recorded during a task in which they viewed a landscape video (baseline) and images of children’s faces expressing different intensities of emotion. Heart rate variability (HRV) was extracted from the recordings as an indicator of parasympathetic reactivity. Participants presented two profiles: one group of mothers had a decreased HRV when presented with images of children’s facial expressions of emotions, while the other group’s HRV increased. However, HRV change was not significantly different between the two groups. The interaction between HRV groups and the severity of maltreatment experienced was marginal. Results suggested that experiences of childhood emotional abuse were more common in mothers whose HRV increased during the task. Therefore, more severe childhood experiences of emotional abuse could be associated with mothers’ cardiovascular hyperreactivity. Maladaptive cardiovascular responses could have a ripple effect, influencing how mothers react to their children’s facial expressions of emotions. That reaction could affect the quality of their interaction with their child. Providing interventions that help parents regulate their physiological and behavioral responses to stress might be helpful, especially if they have experienced childhood maltreatment.
Effects of natural treatments on the varroa mite infestation levels and overall health of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies
Authors: Narciso Laura , Topini Martina , Ferraiuolo Sonia , Ianiro Giovanni , Marianelli Cinzia
Published: May 2024

The survival of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), which has a crucial role in pollination and ecosystem maintenance, is threatened by many pathogens, including parasites, bacteria, fungi and viruses. The ectoparasite Varroa destructor is considered the major cause of the worldwide decline in honey bee colony health. Although several synthetic acaricides are available to control Varroa infestations, resistant mites and side effects on bees have been documented. The development of natural alternatives for mite control is therefore encouraged. The study aims at exploring the effects of cinnamon and oregano essential oils (EOs) and of a mixed fruit cocktail juice on mite infestation levels and bee colony health. A multi-method study including hive inspection, mite count, molecular detection of fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens, analysis of defensin-1, hymenoptaecin and vitellogenin immune gene expression, colony density and honey production data, was conducted in a 20-hive experimental apiary. The colonies were divided into five groups: four treatment groups and one control group. The treatment groups were fed on a sugar syrup supplemented with cinnamon EO, oregano EO, a 1:1 mixture of both EOs, or a juice cocktail. An unsupplemented syrup was, instead, used to feed the control group. While V. destructor affected all the colonies throughout the study, no differences in mite infestation levels, population density and honey yield were observed between treatment and control groups. An overexpression of vitellogenin was instead found in all EO-treated groups, even though a significant difference was only found in the group treated with the 1:1 EO mixture. Viral (DWV, CBPV and BQCV), fungal (Nosema ceranae) and bacterial (Melissococcus plutonius) pathogens from both symptomatic and asymptomatic colonies were detected.
Causal inference in ethnographic research: Refining explanations with abductive logic, strength of evidence assessments, and graphical models
Authors: Snodgrass Jeffrey G. , Dengah H. J. François , Sagstetter Seth I. , Zhao Katya Xinyi
Published: May 2024

In their classic accounts, anthropological ethnographers developed causal arguments for how specific sociocultural structures and processes shaped human thought, behavior, and experience in particular settings. Despite this history, many contemporary ethnographers avoid establishing in their work direct causal relationships between key variables in the way that, for example, quantitative research relying on experimental or longitudinal data might. As a result, ethnographers in anthropology and other fields have not advanced understandings of how to derive causal explanations from their data, which contrasts with a vibrant “causal revolution” unfolding in the broader social and behavioral sciences. Given this gap in understanding, we aim in the current article to clarify the potential ethnography has for illuminating causal processes related to the cultural influence on human knowledge and practice. We do so by drawing on our ongoing mixed methods ethnographic study of games, play, and avatar identities. In our ethnographic illustrations, we clarify points often left unsaid in both classic anthropological ethnographies and in more contemporary interdisciplinary theorizing on qualitative research methodologies. More specifically, we argue that for ethnographic studies to illuminate causal processes, it is helpful, first, to state the implicit strengths and logic of ethnography and, second, to connect ethnographic practice more fully to now well-developed interdisciplinary approaches to causal inference. In relation to the first point, we highlight theabductiveinferential logic of ethnography. Regarding the second point, we connect the ethnographic logic of abduction to what Judea Pearl has called theladder of causality, where moving fromassociationtointerventionto what he callscounterfactualreasoning produces stronger evidence for causal processes. Further, we show how graphical modeling approaches to causal explanation can help ethnographers clarify their thinking. Overall, we offer an alternative vision of ethnography, which contrasts, but nevertheless remains consistent with, currently more dominantinterpretiveapproaches.
Multilevel analysis of dropout from maternal continuum of care and its associated factors: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Asnake Angwach Abrham , Abajobir Amanuel Alemu , Seifu Beminat Lemma , Asgedom Yordanos Sisay , Melese Molalgn , Bezie Meklit Melaku , Negussie Yohannes Mekuria
Published: May 2024

Background

The maternal continuum of care (CoC) is a cost-effective approach to mitigate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Women in developing countries, including Tanzania, face an increased vulnerability to significant dropout rates from maternal CoC, and addressing dropout from the continuum remains a persistent public health challenge.

Method

This study used the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). A total weighted sample of 5,172 women who gave birth in the past 5 years and had first antenatal care (ANC) were included in this study. Multilevel binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with dropout from the 3 components of maternal CoC (i.e., ANC, institutional delivery, and postnatal care (PNC)).

Results

The vast majority, 83.86% (95% confidence interval (CI): 82.83%, 84.83%), of women reported dropout from the maternal CoC. The odds of dropout from the CoC was 36% (AOR = 0.64, (95% CI: 0.41, 0.98)) lower among married women compared to their divorced counterparts. Women who belonged to the richer wealth index reported a 39% (AOR = 0.61, (95% CI: 0.39, 0.95)) reduction in the odds of dropout, while those belonged to the richest wealth index demonstrated a 49% (AOR = 0.51, (95% CI: 0.31, 0.82)) reduction. The odds of dropout from CoC was 37% (AOR = 0.63, (95% CI: 0.45,0.87)) lower among women who reported the use of internet in the past 12 months compared to those who had no prior exposure to the internet. Geographical location emerged as a significant factor, with women residing in the Northern region and Southern Highland Zone, respectively, experiencing a 44% (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35–0.89) and 58% (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26–0.68) lower odds of dropout compared to their counterparts in the central zone.

Conclusion

The dropout rate from the maternity CoC in Tanzania was high. The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding maternity care continuity and underscore the need for targeted interventions, considering factors such as marital status, socioeconomic status, internet usage, and geographical location.
Gene redundancy and gene compensation of insulin-like peptides in the oocyte development of bean beetle
Authors: Li Yongqin , Fang Zheng , Tan Leitao , Wu Qingshan , Liu Qiuping , Wang Yeying , Weng Qingbei , Chen Qianquan
Published: May 2024

Bean beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) exhibits clear phenotypic plasticity depending on population density; However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. Compared to low-density individuals, high-density individuals showed a faster terminal oocyte maturity rate. Four insulin-like peptide (ILP) genes were identified in the bean beetle, which had higher expression levels in the head than in the thorax and abdomen. The population density could regulate the expression levels of CmILP1-3, CmILP2-3, and CmILP1 as well as CmILP3 in the head, thorax, and abdomen, respectively. RNA interference results showed that each CmILP could regulate terminal oocyte maturity rate, indicating that there was functional redundancy among CmILPs. Silencing each CmILP could lead to down-regulation of some other CmILPs, however, CmILP3 was up-regulated in the abdomen after silencing CmILP1 or CmILP2. Compared to single gene silencing, silencing CmILP3 with CmILP1 or CmILP2 at the same time led to more serious retardation in oocyte development, suggesting CmILP3 could be up-regulated to functionally compensate for the down-regulation of CmILP1 and CmILP2. In conclusion, population density-dependent plasticity in terminal oocyte maturity rate of bean beetle was regulated by CmILPs, which exhibited gene redundancy and gene compensation.