bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive profile and areal calibration by additively manufactured material measures
Authors: Eifler Matthias , Hering-Stratemeier Julian , von Freymann Georg , Seewig Jörg
Published: February 2024

The calibration of surface texture measuring instruments is standardized with two distinct types of material measures. ISO 25178-70 categorizes material measures that feature a profile and an areal surface topography. The result is that different types of measuring instruments like profilers on the one hand and areal surface topography measuring instruments on the other hand may require different material measures whose scope of application may be limited to only one of the named instrument types. The reason is that most manufacturing principles allow either a linear or circular extrusion of a geometry limiting the possibilities to manufacture material measures that are suitable for both, profile and areal surface topography measuring instruments. Since a comparability is desired for as many different measuring instruments as possible, we examine to what degree profile and areal material measures of ISO 25178-70 can be adapted and combined to possibly allow a calibration of all types of surface topography measuring instruments. Additive manufacturing with direct laser writing (DLW) is characterized by a high degree of freedom in the design of material measures. An enhancement of structures that can be imaged either in multiple lateral directions or extruded to circular geometries is possible, allowing both, a profile sampling in different directions, just as well as an areal measurement. In the present publication, a modification of the ISO 25178-70 material measures is described including the design process, the manufacturing and the measurement with areal and profile surface topography measuring instruments to practically demonstrate the feasibility of a multifunctional calibration that considers the possible effects of directionality. We show that it is possible to combine different profile and areal geometries by linear and/or areal extrusion of the corresponding profile-based geometry. By aligning multiple material measures onto one sample, it can also be demonstrated that a comprehensive calibration of an optical profiler is enabled with only one measurement.
Modeling the intention and usage of organic pesticide control using value-belief-norm model
Authors: Yang Qing , Al Mamun Abdullah , Reza Mohammad Nurul Hassan , Naznen Farzana , Masud Muhammad Mehedi
Published: February 2024

The degradation of farming lands caused by excessive pesticide usage is a growing concern. One of the most effective strategies for preventing this disaster from worsening is to commence organic pesticide management at a mass level. Although farmers depend highly on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers to obtain higher yields and profitable returns, the adoption of these synthetic inputs have remained surprisingly low in many agricultural contexts, spanning both developing and developed countries. The goal of this study is to utilize the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory as a framework for understanding the critical sociopsychological factors influencing farmers’ decision to use organic pesticides. Specifically, this study aims to introduce and assess the impact of a new construct, i.e., the social norm withing the VBN framework. Additionally, this study empirically evaluates the core components of VBN theory and their causal relationship. The data was collected from 322 farmers from Zhoukou, Henan province, China using a survey questionnaire. The findings show that farmers’ egoistic values significantly impact the ecological worldview, despite the fact that biospheric values had no discernible effect. The ecological worldview also profoundly influences the farmers’ awareness of consequences and their personal norms. Although the study finds awareness of consequences to have no significant effect on personal norms, it has a substantial positive impact on ascription of responsibility. In addition, ascription of responsibility significantly influences farmers’ personal norms, which substantially impacts the intention to use organic pesticides. The results also reveal that farmers’ intentions significantly impact the usage of organic pesticides. The study’s findings can help strengthen essential factors among farmers that can improve their perception of organic agricultural methods, create strategies for managing controlled agrochemicals, and successfully stop environmental degradation by toxic inputs.
Surface segregation in high-entropy alloys from alchemical machine learning
Authors: Mazitov Arslan , Springer Maximilian A , Lopanitsyna Nataliya , Fraux Guillaume , De Sandip , Ceriotti Michele
Published: February 2024

High-entropy alloys (HEAs), containing several metallic elements in near-equimolar proportions, have long been of interest for their unique mechanical properties. More recently, they have emerged as a promising platform for the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts, because of the large design space, and the synergistic effects between their components. In this work we use a machine-learning potential that can model simultaneously up to 25 transition metals to study the tendency of different elements to segregate at the surface of a HEA. We use as a starting point a potential that was previously developed using exclusively crystalline bulk phases, and show that, thanks to the physically-inspired functional form of the model, adding a much smaller number of defective configurations makes it capable of describing surface phenomena. We then present several computational studies of surface segregation, including both a simulation of a 25-element alloy, that provides a rough estimate of the relative surface propensity of the various elements, and targeted studies of CoCrFeMnNi and IrFeCoNiCu, which provide further validation of the model, and insights to guide the modeling and design of alloys for heterogeneous catalysis.
Comparison of neural network architectures for feature extraction from binary black hole merger waveforms
Authors: Gramaxo Freitas Osvaldo , Calderón Bustillo Juan , Font José A , Nunes Solange , Onofre Antonio , Torres-Forné Alejandro
Published: February 2024

We evaluate several neural-network architectures, both convolutional and recurrent, for gravitational-wave time-series feature extraction by performing point parameter estimation on noisy waveforms from binary-black-hole mergers. We build datasets of 100 000 elements for each of four different waveform models (or approximants) in order to test how approximant choice affects feature extraction. Our choices include SEOBNRv4P and IMRPhenomPv3, which contain only the dominant quadrupole emission mode, alongside IMRPhenomPv3HM and NRHybSur3dq8, which also account for high-order modes. Each dataset element is injected into detector noise corresponding to the third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA (LVK) collaboration. We identify the temporal convolutional network architecture as the overall best performer in terms of training and validation losses and absence of overfitting to data. Comparison of results between datasets shows that the choice of waveform approximant for the creation of a dataset conditions the feature extraction ability of a trained network. Hence, care should be taken when building a dataset for the training of neural networks, as certain approximants may result in better network convergence of evaluation metrics. However, this performance does not necessarily translate to data which is more faithful to numerical relativity simulations. We also apply this network on actual signals from LVK runs, finding that its feature-extracting performance can be effective on real data.
A semiclassical approach to geometric X-ray transforms in the presence of convexity
Authors: Vasy András
Published: February 2024

In this short paper we introduce a variant of the approach to inverting the X-ray transform that originated in the author’s work with Uhlmann. The new method is based on semiclassical analysis and eliminates the need for using sufficiently small domains and layer stripping for obtaining the injectivity and stability results, assuming natural geometric conditions are satisfied.
Numerical analysis of a time-stepping method for the Westervelt equation with time-fractional damping
Authors: Baker Katherine , Banjai Lehel , Ptashnyk Mariya
Published: February 2024

We develop a numerical method for the Westervelt equation, an important equation in nonlinear acoustics, in the form where the attenuation is represented by a class of nonlocal in time operators. A semi-discretisation in time based on the trapezoidal rule and A-stable convolution quadrature is stated and analysed. Existence and regularity analysis of the continuous equations informs the stability and error analysis of the semi-discrete system. The error analysis includes the consideration of the singularity at

t
=
0

t = 0

which is addressed by the use of a correction in the numerical scheme. Extensive numerical experiments confirm the theory.
Groups, Graphs, and Hypergraphs: Average Sizes of Kernels of Generic Matrices with Support Constraints
Authors: Rossmann Tobias , Voll Christopher
Published: February 2024

We develop a theory of average sizes of kernels of generic matrices with support constraints defined in terms of graphs and hypergraphs. We apply this theory to study unipotent groups associated with graphs. In particular, we establish strong uniformity results pertaining to zeta functions enumerating conjugacy classes of these groups. We deduce that the numbers of conjugacy classes of

F

q

\mathbf {F}_q

-points of the groups under consideration depend polynomially on

q
q

. Our approach combines group theory, graph theory, toric geometry, and

p
p

-adic integration.

Our uniformity results are in line with a conjecture of Higman on the numbers of conjugacy classes of unitriangular matrix groups. Our findings are, however, in stark contrast to related results by Belkale and Brosnan on the numbers of generic symmetric matrices of given rank associated with graphs.
Optimal Feedback for Stochastic Linear Quadratic Control and Backward Stochastic Riccati Equations in Infinite Dimensions
Authors: Lü Qi , Zhang Xu
Published: February 2024

It is a longstanding unsolved problem to characterize the optimal feedbacks for general SLQs (i.e., stochastic linear quadratic control problems) with random coefficients in infinite dimensions; while the same problem but in finite dimensions was just addressed very recently. This paper is devoted to giving a solution to this problem under some assumptions which can be verified for interesting concrete models. More precisely, under these assumptions, we establish the equivalence between the existence of optimal feedback operator for infinite dimensional SLQs and the solvability of the corresponding operator-valued, backward stochastic Riccati equations. A key contribution of this work is to introduce a suitable notion of solutions (i.e., transposition solutions to the aforementioned Riccati equations), which plays a crucial role in both the statement and the proof of our main results.
Multiple case study of processes used by hospitals to select performance indicators: do they align with best practices?
Authors: Heenan Michael A , Randall Glen E , Evans Jenna M , Reid Erin M
Published: February 2024

Several health policy institutes recommend reducing the number of indicators monitored by hospitals to better focus on indicators most relevant to local contexts. To determine which indicators are the most appropriate to eliminate, one must understand how indicator selection processes are undertaken. This study classifies hospital indicator selection processes and analyzes how they align with practices outlined in the 5-P Indicator Selection Process Framework. This qualitative, multiple case study examined indicator selection processes used by four large acute care hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Data were collected through 13 semistructured interviews and document analysis. A thematic analysis compared processes to the 5-P Indicator Selection Process Framework. Two types of hospital indicator selection processes were identified. Hospitals deployed most elements found within the 5-P Indicator Selection Process Framework including setting clear aims, having governance structures, considering indicators required by health agencies, and categorizing indicators into strategic themes. Framework elements largely absent included: adopting evidence-based selection criteria; incorporating finance and human resources indicators; considering if indicators measure structures, processes, or outcomes; and engaging a broader set of end users in the selection process. Hospitals have difficulty in balancing how to monitor government-mandated indicators with indicators more relevant to local operations. Hospitals often do not involve frontline managers in indicator selection processes. Not engaging frontline managers in selecting indicators may risk hospitals only choosing government-mandated indicators that are not reflective of frontline operations or valued by those managers accountable for improving unit-level performance.
Unveiling the Genetic Landscape of Feed Efficiency in Holstein Dairy Cows: Insights into Heritability, Genetic Markers, and Pathways via Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Wentao , Mooney Mark H , Shirali Masoud
Published: February 2024

Improving the feeding efficiency of dairy cows is a key component to improve the utilization of land resources and meet the demand for high-quality protein. Advances in genomic methods and omics techniques have made it possible to breed more efficient dairy cows through genomic selection. The aim of this review is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the biological background of feed efficiency (FE) complex traits in purebred Holstein dairy cows including heritability estimate, and genetic markers, genes, and pathways participating in FE regulation mechanism. Through a literature search, we systematically reviewed the heritability estimation, molecular genetic markers, genes, biomarkers, and pathways of traits related to feeding efficiency in Holstein dairy cows. A meta-analysis based on a random-effects model was performed to combine reported heritability estimates of FE complex. The heritability of residual feed intake, dry matter intake, and energy balance was 0.20, 0.34, and 0.22, respectively, which proved that it was reasonable to include the related traits in the selection breeding program. For molecular genetic markers, a total of 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and copy number variance loci, associated genes, and functions were reported to be significant across populations. A total of 169 reported candidate genes were summarized on a large scale, using a higher threshold (adjusted P value < 0.05). Then, the subsequent pathway enrichment of these genes was performed. The important genes reported in the articles were included in a gene list and the gene list was enriched by gene ontology (GO):biological process (BP), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways analysis. Three GO:BP terms and four KEGG terms were statistically significant, which mainly focused on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, electron transport chain, and OXPHOS pathway. Among these pathways, involved genes such as ATP5MC2, NDUFA, COX7A2, UQCR, and MMP are particularly important as they were previously reported. Twenty-nine reported biological mechanisms along with involved genes were explained mainly by four biological pathways (insulin-like growth factor axis, lipid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation pathways, tryptophan metabolism). The information from this study will be useful for future studies of genomic selection breeding and genetic structures influencing animal FE. A better understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms would be beneficial, particularly as it might address genetic antagonism.
Lack of a non-specific protective effect of prior yellow fever vaccination against COVID-19
Authors: Martínez-Lacalzada Miguel , Cruz Angeline , Subirà Carme , Vera Isabel , Roldan Montserrat , De Alba Teresa , Saloni Meritxell , Muñoz Jose , Rodríguez-Valero Natalia
Published: February 2024

Live-attenuated virus vaccines, such as yellow fever vaccine, exhibit non-specific immunomodulatory effects, prompting exploration of their potential impact on COVID-19 pandemic. In this retrospective study, we didn’t observe an association between prior yellow fever vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence. In the multivariate model, no association was found with COVID-19 prognosis.
Perspective on alternative therapeutic feeds to treat severe acute malnutrition in children aged between 6 and 59 months in sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review
Authors: Nitschke Marie-Claire Charlotte , Smollich Martin
Published: February 2024

Worldwide, nearly 200 million children younger than 5 years old suffer from stunting and wasting, 2 different types of undernutrition. Moreover, 45% of deaths among children in that age group are associated with these conditions. Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) refers to children with a weight-for-height z score < −3, a midupper arm circumference < 115 mm, or the presence of bilateral edema, and is especially prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. Undernutrition in children can have a major impact on both their physical and cognitive development. It can lead to infections and death if it remains undetected or untreated. The use of therapeutic feeds is an important component in the management of SAM, which remains a challenge in poorly resourced countries. The aim of this review was to assess the alternatives to the standard therapeutic foods used to treat SAM and to summarize their advantages and disadvantages, providing an overview of current research. A literature search was performed from September to November 2022 using PubMed, the Trip medical database, and the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI). This review includes 13 randomized controlled trials testing alternatives to the standard therapeutic foods used to treat SAM by using alternative ingredients or a reduced dosage. The results show that, while a few alternative ready-to-use therapeutic food formulas lead to recovery rates similar to those seen with the standard protocol, many alternatives were less effective in the affected children. Thus, the evidence is not yet strong enough to change the World Health Organization’s guidelines. The review identifies promising results of treatment alternatives related to treatment outcomes and costs. Additional research should focus on the interventions that positively impact the recovery process of severely malnourished children to facilitate the treatment and enable greater treatment coverage worldwide.
Effector Repertoire of the Sweetpotato Black Rot Fungal PathogenCeratocystis fimbriata
Authors: Parada-Rojas Camilo H. , Stahr Madison , Childs Kevin L. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M.
Published: February 2024

In 2015, sweetpotato producers in the United States experienced one of the worst outbreaks of black rot recorded in history, with up to 60% losses reported in the field and packing houses and at shipping ports. Host resistance remains the ideal management tool to decrease crop losses. Lack of knowledge of Ceratocystis fimbriata biology represents a critical barrier for the deployment of resistance to black rot in sweetpotato. In this study, we scanned the recent near chromosomal-level assembly for putative secreted effectors in the sweetpotato C. fimbriata isolate AS236 using a custom fungal effector annotation pipeline. We identified a set of 188 putative effectors on the basis of secretion signal and in silico prediction in EffectorP. We conducted a deep RNA time-course sequencing experiment to determine whether C. fimbriata modulates effectors in planta and to define a candidate list of effectors expressed during infection. We examined the expression profile of two C. fimbriata isolates, a pre-epidemic (1990s) isolate and a post-epidemic (2015) isolate. Our in planta expression profiling revealed clusters of co-expressed secreted effector candidates. Based on fold-change differences of putative effectors in both isolates and over the course of infection, we suggested prioritization of 31 effectors for functional characterization. Among this set, we identified several effectors that provide evidence for a marked biotrophic phase in C. fimbriata during infection of sweetpotato storage roots. Our study revealed a catalog of effector proteins that provide insight into C. fimbriata infection mechanisms and represent a core catalog to implement effector-assisted breeding in sweetpotato.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Wound Bed Preparation 2024: Delphi Consensus on Foot Ulcer Management in Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Smart Hiske , Sibbald R. Gary , Goodman Laurie , Ayello Elizabeth A. , Jaimangal Reneeka , Gregory John H. , Akita Sadanori , Alavi Afsaneh , Armstrong David G. , Arputhanathan Helen , Bruwer Febe , Caul Jeremy , Chan Beverley , Cronje Frans , Dofitas Belen , Hamed Jassin , Harley Catherine , Heil Jolene , Hill Mary , Jahnke Devon , Kalina Dale , Kodange Chaitanya , Kotru Bharat , Kozody Laura Lee , Landis Stephan , LeBlanc Kimberly , MacDonald Mary , Mark Tobi , Martin Carlos , Mayer Dieter , Murphy Christine , Nair Harikrishna , Orellana Cesar , Ostrow Brian , Queen Douglas , Rainville Patrick , Rajhathy Erin , Schultz Gregory , Somayaji Ranjani , Stacey Michael C. , Tariq Gulnaz , Weir Gregory , Whiteside Catharine , Yifter Helen , Zacharias Ramesh
Published: February 2024

GENERAL PURPOSE

To review a practical and scientifically sound application of the wound bed preparation model for communities without ideal resources.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:

1. Summarize issues related to wound assessment.

2. Identify a class of drugs for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus that has been shown to improve glycemia, nephroprotection, and cardiovascular outcomes.

3. Synthesize strategies for wound management, including treatment in resource-limited settings.

4. Specify the target time for edge advancement in chronic, healable wounds.

BACKGROUND

Chronic wound management in low-resource settings deserves special attention. Rural or underresourced settings (ie, those with limited basic needs/healthcare supplies and inconsistent availability of interprofessional team members) may not have the capacity to apply or duplicate best practices from urban or abundantly-resourced settings.

OBJECTIVE

The authors linked world expertise to develop a practical and scientifically sound application of the wound bed preparation model for communities without ideal resources.

METHODS

A group of 41 wound experts from 15 countries reached a consensus on wound bed preparation in resource-limited settings.

RESULTS

Each statement of 10 key concepts (32 substatements) reached more than 88% consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

The consensus statements and rationales can guide clinical practice and research for practitioners in low-resource settings. These concepts should prompt ongoing innovation to improve patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency for all persons with foot ulcers, especially persons with diabetes.
Asymmetric Deficit of Knee Flexion: An Occasional Symptom of Discoid Lateral Meniscus in Children
Authors: Cance Nicolas , Bauwens Paul Henri , Vandergugten Simon , Dan Michael J. , Chotel Franck
Published: February 2024

Purpose:

A knee flexion deficit can be the unique symptom and sign of discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of this clinical sign. The hypothesis was that deficit of knee flexion was associated with anterior rim disinsertion and posteriorly fixed DLM.

Methods:

A retrospective, single-center study was conducted in a larger series of 114 operated knees for symptomatic DLM from 2007 to 2018. A focus was done on 9 knees with a deficit of knee flexion without snapping. History and clinical examination with grading of instability, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopic findings were studied.

Results:

Among 35 knees with DLM grade 3 of instability, 26 had an isolated extension deficit. Nine knees in 5 boys and 4 girls with a mean age of 9 years (range 6 to 12) had a flexion deficit. It was the only symptom of DLM in 6, and it was associated to extension deficit in 3. In the history, 8 knees were grade 2 (snapping knee) before evolving toward a flexion deficit. All had a complete DLM with posterocentral (n=7) or central (n=2) shift at magnetic resonance imaging analysis. All had DLM with posterior shift fixed during arthroscopic evaluation. Moreover, looking at the entire series, 1 knee was a false negative and had a full flexion despite a posterior and fixed DLM during arthroscopic evaluation. The sensitivity of asymmetrical knee flexion to predict posterior fixed DLM was 90%.

Conclusions:

An asymmetric deficit in knee flexion is highly suggestive of DLM with anterior detachment and fixed posterior meniscal shift (specificity and positive predictive value of 100%). Given this could be the only clinical sign of DLM, specific attention therefore must be paid in the assessment of knee flexion by measuring the distance between heel and bottom on both sides, especially in a knee without snapping currently but with a history of snapping (grade 3).

Level of evidence:

Level III.
Comparison of survival benefit and safety between surgery following conversion therapy versus surgery alone in patients with surgically resectable hepatocellular carcinoma at CNLC IIb/IIIa stage: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Ma Zifeng , Xiao Zhiyu , yin Pengfei , Wen Kai , Wang Weidong , Yan Yongcong , Lin Zijian , Li Zonglin , Wang Haikuo , Zhang Jianlong , Mao Kai
Published: February 2024

Objective:

The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the survival benefit and safety of surgery following conversion therapy versus surgery alone in patients diagnosed with surgically resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) IIb/IIIa stage.

Methods:

A total of 95 patients diagnosed with surgically resectable CNLC IIb/IIIa HCC were retrospectively enrolled in our study from November 2018 to December 2022. Among them, 30 patients underwent conversion therapy followed by hepatectomy, while the remaining 65 received surgery alone. The primary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to minimize bias in the retrospective analysis.

Results:

Compared to the surgery alone group, the conversion therapy group demonstrated a significantly prolonged median RFS (17.1 vs. 7.0 months; P=0.014), a reduced incidence of microvascular invasion (MVI, 23.3% vs. 81.5%; P<0.001), and a comparable rate of achieving Textbook Outcome in Liver Surgery (TOLS, 83.3% vs. 76.9%; P=0.476). Multivariate analysis indicated that conversion therapy was independently associated with improved RFS after hepatectomy (HR=0.511, P=0.027). The same conclusions were obtained after PSM.

Conclusions:

The findings of our study offer preliminary evidence that preoperative conversion therapy significantly prolongs RFS in patients with surgically resectable HCC at CNLC IIb/IIIa stage. Furthermore, combining conversion therapy and hepatectomy represents a relatively safe treatment strategy.
Research progress on molecular mechanism of pyroptosis caused by Helicobacter pylori in gastric cancer
Authors: Gu Yulan , Xu Yeqiong , Wang Ping , Zhao Yu , Wan Chuandan
Published: February 2024

Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignancy worldwide. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a Gram-negative spiral bacterium, has the ability to colonize and persist in the human gastric mucosa. Persistent H. pylori infection has been identified as a major risk factor for ~80% of GC cases. The interplay between H. pylori pathogenicity, genetic background, and environmental factors collectively contribute to GC transformation. Eradicating H. pylori infection is beneficial in reducing the recurrence of gastric cancer and residual cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in GC remain incompletely understood. Additionally, H. pylori reshapes the immune microenvironment within the stomach which may compromise immunotherapy efficacy in infected individuals. Clinical eradication of H. pylori infection still faces numerous challenges. In this review, the authors summarize recent research progress on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying H. pylori infection in GC development. Notably, CagA protein—a carcinogenic virulence factor predominantly expressed by Asian strains of H. pylori—induces inflammation and excessive ROS production within gastric mucosa cells. Dysregulation of multiple pyroptosis signalling pathways can lead to malignant transformation of these cells. MiRNA-1290 plays a crucial role in GC initiation and progression while serving as an indicator for disease progression dynamics. Pyroptosis exhibits dual roles both promoting carcinogenesis and inhibiting tumour growth; thus it holds potential clinical applications for drug-resistant GC treatment strategies. Furthermore, pyroptosis may play a regulatory role within the immune system during gastric cancer development. Lastly, the authors provide an overview on current concepts regarding pyroptosis as well as insights into miRNA-1290’s pathogenicity and clinical value within immune mechanisms associated with GC, aiming to serve as reference material for researchers.
Increasing DIEA Perforator Detail in Three-Dimensional Photorealistic Volume-Rendering Visualizations
Authors: Necker Fabian N. , Cholok David J. , Shaheen Mohammed S. , Fischer Marc J. , Gifford Kyle , El Chemaly Trishia , Leuze Christoph W. , Scholz Michael , Daniel Bruce L. , Momeni Arash
Published: February 2024

Preoperative computed tomographic angiography is increasingly performed before perforator flap–based reconstruction. However, radiologic two-dimensional thin slices do not allow for intuitive interpretation and translation to intraoperative findings. Three-dimensional volume rendering has been used to alleviate the need for mental two-dimensional to three-dimensional abstraction. Even though volume rendering allows for a much easier understanding of anatomy, it currently has limited utility, as the skin obstructs the view of critical structures. Using free, open-source software, the authors introduce a new skin-masking technique that allows surgeons to easily create a segmentation mask of the skin that can later be used to toggle the skin on and off. In addition, the mask can be used in other rendering applications. The authors use Cinematic Anatomy for photorealistic volume rendering and interactive exploration of computed tomographic angiography with and without skin. The authors present results from using this technique to investigate perforator anatomy in deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps and demonstrate that the skin-masking workflow is performed in less than 5 minutes. In Cinematic Anatomy, the view onto the abdominal wall and especially onto perforators becomes significantly sharper and more detailed when no longer obstructed by the skin. The authors perform a virtual, partial muscle dissection to show the intramuscular and submuscular course of the perforators. The skin-masking workflow allows surgeons to improve arterial and perforator detail in volume renderings easily and quickly by removing skin and could alternatively be performed solely using open-source and free software. The workflow can be easily expanded to other perforator flaps without the need for modification.
Sir Michael John Berridge. 22 October 1938—13 February 2020
Authors: Petersen FRS Ole H.
Published: February 2024

Sir Michael Berridge was a giant in the fields of physiology and biochemistry who, by his discovery in 1983 of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP
3
) as the ubiquitous intracellular messenger releasing Ca
2+
from intracellular stores, revolutionized our concepts of signal transduction mechanisms. Mike, as he was universally known, discovered one of the most important regulatory mechanisms in animal cells, involved in the control of virtually all bodily functions, including secretion, contraction and memory. Mike, working at the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, personally identified IP
3
as one of the two initial products of hormone- or neurotransmitter-elicited inositol phospholipid breakdown and then, in collaboration with the research group led by Irene Schulz at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics in Frankfurt, demonstrated directly the Ca
2+
-releasing effect of IP
3
in pancreatic acinar cells. Subsequently, in collaborations with research groups in Switzerland and the USA, Mike confirmed the Ca
2 + 
-releasing action of IP
3
in insulin-secreting cells, hepatocytes and photoreceptors. The IP
3
–Ca
2 + 
-releasing pathway became accepted amazingly quickly as one of the key elements of cellular signal transduction mechanisms and is now featured in virtually all textbooks of physiology and biochemistry. Mike was also a great synthesizer, who created an entirely new field, namely calcium signalling. Through his numerous, highly cited review articles, and his insightful keynote lectures at the most important biomedical congresses, he dominated this large and increasingly important research field for more than 30 years following his momentous 1983 discovery.
Consequences of changing planned foot placement on balance control and forward progress
Authors: Kreter Nicholas , Fino Peter C.
Published: February 2024

While walking humans generally plan foot placement two steps in advance. However, it is often necessary to rapidly alter foot placement position just before stepping due to the appearance of a new obstacle. While humans are quite capable of rapidly altering foot placement position, such changes can have major effects on centre of mass dynamics. We investigated how rapid changes to planned foot placement impact centre of mass dynamics, and how such changes influence the control of balance and forward progress, during both straight- and turning-gait. Thirteen young adults walked along a virtually projected walkway with precision footholds oriented either in a straight line or with a single 60°, 90° or 120° turn. On a subset of trials, participants were required to rapidly avoid stepping on select footholds. We found that if the centre of mass was disrupted such that it interfered with task success (i.e. staying upright and continuing along the planned path), walkers were more likely to sacrifice forward progress than the upright stability. Further, walkers appear to control centre of mass dynamics differently following inhibited steps during step turns than during spin turns, which may reflect a larger threat to task success when spin turns are interrupted.
Strategy use and its evolvement in word list learning: a replication study
Authors: Laine Matti , Fellman Daniel , Eräste Tilda , Ritakallio Liisa , Salmi Juha
Published: February 2024

Spontaneous strategy employment is important for memory performance, but systematic research on strategy use and within-task evolvement is limited. This online study aimed to replicate three main findings by Waris and colleagues inQuarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology(2021): in word-list learning, spontaneous strategy use (1) predicts better task performance, (2) stabilizes along the task, and (3) increases during the first two task blocks. We administered a shortened version of their original real-word list-learning task to 209 neurotypical adults. Their first finding was partly replicated: manipulation strategies (grouping, visualization, association, narrative, other strategy) but not maintenance strategies (rehearsal/repetition, selective focus) were associated with superior word recall. The second finding on the decrease in strategy changers over task blocks was replicated. The third finding turned out to be misguided: neither our nor the original study showed task-initial increase in strategy use in the real-word learning condition. Our results confirm the important role of spontaneous strategies in understanding memory performance and the existence of task-initial dynamics in strategy employment. They support the general conclusions by Waris and colleagues: task demands can trigger strategy use even in a familiar task like learning a list of common words, and evolution of strategy use during a memory task reflects cognitive skill learning.
Model uncertainty, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the science-policy interface
Authors: Thorén Henrik , Gerlee Philip
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated many of the challenges with using science to guide planning and policymaking. One such challenge has to do with how to manage, represent and communicate uncertainties in epidemiological models. This is considerably complicated, we argue, by the fact that the models themselves are often instrumental in structuring the involved uncertainties. In this paper we explore how models ‘domesticate’ uncertainties and what this implies for science-for-policy. We analyse three examples of uncertainty domestication in models of COVID-19 and argue that we need to pay more attention to how uncertainties are domesticated in models used for policy support, and the many ways in which uncertainties are domesticated within particular models can fail to fit with the needs and demands of policymakers and planners.
Programming quadric metasurfaces via infinitesimal origami maps of monohedral hexagonal tessellations: Part I
Authors: dos Santos Filipe A. , Favata Antonino , Micheletti Andrea , Paroni Roberto , Picchi Scardaoni Marco
Published: February 2024

The control of the shape of complex metasurfaces is a challenging task often addressed in the literature. This work presents a class of tessellated plates able to deform into surfaces of preprogrammed shape upon activation by any flexural load and that can be controlled by a single actuator. Quadric metasurfaces are obtained from infinitesimal origami maps of monohedral hexagonal tessellations of the plane, that is pavings in which all tiles are congruent to each other. Monohedral tessellated portions can be joined together to obtain more complex shapes, which can be locally synclastic or anticlastic and can have a certain roughness. We broaden previous work by providing a complete characterization of all the three known types of monohedral tessellations composed by irregular hexagons. The proposed two-dimensional structures may have applications in prosthetics, tissue engineering, wearable devices, energy harvesting devices, tunable focus mirrors and adaptive facades. The study is divided in two parts. In Part I, after introducing the discrete kinematics of tessellated plates, it is proved analytically that essentially each type of monohedral hexagonal tessellation possesses only one deformation mode. Afterwards, several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the variety of achievable surface shapes. In Part II, first the metasurfaces corresponding to assigned tile geometries are given a continuum description, which establishes that the continuous interpolant is always a quadric. Then, experimental results on fabrication, assembly and surface accuracy are reported.
Tip dating and Bayes factors provide insight into the divergences of crown bird clades across the end-Cretaceous mass extinction
Authors: Brocklehurst Neil , Field Daniel J.
Published: February 2024

The origin of crown birds (Neornithes) remains contentious owing to conflicting divergence time hypotheses obtained from alternative sources of data. The fossil record suggests limited diversification of Neornithes in the Late Mesozoic and a substantial radiation in the aftermath of the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) mass extinction, approximately 66 Ma. Molecular clock studies, however, have yielded estimates for neornithine origins ranging from the Early Cretaceous (130 Ma) to less than 10 Myr before the K–Pg. We use Bayes factors to compare the fit of node ages from different molecular clock studies to an independent morphological dataset. Our results allow us to reject scenarios of crown bird origins deep in the Early Cretaceous, as well as an origin of crown birds within the last 10 Myr of the Cretaceous. The scenario best supported by our analyses is one where Neornithes originated between the Early and Late Cretaceous (
ca
100 Ma), while numerous divergences within major neoavian clades either span or postdate the K–Pg. This study affirms the importance of the K–Pg on the diversification of modern birds, and the potential of combined-evidence tip-dating analyses to illuminate recalcitrant ‘rocks versus clocks’ debates.
Evolutionary trade-offs between testes size and parenting in Neotropical glassfrogs
Authors: Valencia-Aguilar Anyelet , Ringler Eva , Lüpold Stefan , Guayasamin Juan M. , Prado Cynthia P. A.
Published: February 2024

In males, large testes size signifies high sperm production and is commonly linked to heightened sperm competition levels. It may also evolve as a response to an elevated risk of sperm depletion due to multiple mating or large clutch sizes. Conversely, weapons, mate or clutch guarding may allow individuals to monopolize mating events and preclude sperm competition, thereby reducing the selection of large testes. Herein, we examined how paternal care, sexual size dimorphism (SSD), weaponry and female fecundity are linked to testes size in glassfrogs. We found that paternal care was associated with a reduction in relative testes size, suggesting an evolutionary trade-off between testes size and parenting. Although females were slightly larger than males and species with paternal care tended to have larger clutches, there was no significant relationship between SSD, clutch size and relative testes size. These findings suggest that the evolution of testes size in glassfrogs is influenced by sperm competition risk, rather than sperm depletion risk. We infer that clutch guarding precludes the risk of fertilization by other males and consequently diminishes selective pressure for larger testes. Our study highlights the prominent role of paternal care in the evolution of testes size in species with external fertilization.
Cleaning up our disinfectants: usage of antimicrobial biocides in direct-to-consumer products in Australia
Authors: Nunez Charles , Bamert Rebecca S. , Lambert Karen , Short Francesca L.
Published: February 2024

In supermarkets and chemists worldwide, consumers are faced with an array of antimicrobial domestic cleaning and personal hygiene products purporting to kill germs and keep people safe. Many of these proven active ingredients (biocides) encourage the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microbes and microbial populations, in turn increasing the likelihood of AMR infections. In order to understand and address the selective pressure towards AMR posed by the unrestricted use of biocides, it is necessary to understand which biocides are most frequently found in consumer products and the current regulatory framework that governs their use. In this research we survey the biocidal active ingredients in the major categories of cleaning and personal care products available from supermarkets and pharmacies in Australia, and comment on the regulations that dictate how these products are tested and marketed. Benzalkonium chloride and ethanol were the two most prevalent antimicrobial biocides in this study, while triclosan, which is banned in several jurisdictions, was found in a small number of products. In Australia, many antimicrobial consumer products are regulated for efficacy and safety under the Therapeutic Goods Act, but the potential to drive microbial adaptation and AMR is not considered. Overall this survey underscores the broad use and light regulation of antimicrobial biocides in products available to the general public in Australia, and provides an information resource to inform further research and stewardship efforts.
Reply to: Erosive balanitis caused by Staphylococcus haemolyticus in a healthy, circumcised adult male
Authors: Kravvas Georgios , Watchorn Richard , Bunker Christopher B.
Published: February 2024

In this short letter of correspondence, we provide our specialist interpretation of what has been described in a previously published case report. We argue that this case describes a patient with chronic, undertreated male genital lichen sclerosus. If left unchecked, as in this case, lichen sclerosus can cause permanent architectural changes and damage to the affected tissues, and can thus predisposes to secondary infections, including bacterial, such as with Staphylococcus haemolyticus.
STnc1280, a trans-coding sRNA is involved in virulence modulation via targeting gldA mRNA in Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Ning Chengcheng , Li Na , Wang Lixia , Guo Yun , Ji Chunhui , Li Zhiyuan , Shang Yunxia , Zhang Xingxing , Sun Yaoqiang , Huang Xiaoxing , Leng Qingwen , Cai Xuepeng , Meng Qingling , Qiao Jun
Published: February 2024

Introduction.
Salmonella Typhimurium (STM) is a food-borne Gram-negative bacterium, which can infect humans and a wide range of livestock and poultry, causing a variety of diseases such as septicaemia, enteritis and abortion.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. We will decipher the impacts of sRNA STnc1280 on STM virulence and provide a theoretical basis to reveal the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of STnc1280.

Aim. The main objective of this study was to clarify whether sRNA STnc1280 exerts regulatory roles on STM pathogenicity.

Methodology. The STnc1280 gene was amplified and its molecular characteristics were analysed in this study. Then, STnc1280 gene deletion strain (STM-ΔSTnc1280) and the complementary strain (ΔSTnc1280/STnc1280) were constructed by λ-Red homologous recombination method, respectively, to analyse of adhesion and invasive ability and pathogenicity of different strains. Subsequently, the potential target gene regulated by STnc1280 was predicted using target RNA2 software, followed by the verification of the interaction between STnc1280 and target mRNA using the dual plasmid reporter system (DPRS). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein level of target gene was determined using qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results. The results revealed that the cell adhesion and invasive ability and pathogenicity of STM-ΔSTnc1280 were significantly reduced compared to STM-SL1344 strain, indicating that the deficiency of STnc1280 gene significantly influenced STM pathogenicity. The DPRS results showed that STnc1280 can interact with the mRNA of target gene gldA, thus suppressing the expression of lacZ gene. Furthermore, the level of gldA mRNA was not influenced in STM-ΔSTnc1280, but the expression of GldA protein decreased significantly.

Conclusion. Combining the bioinformatic analysis, these findings suggested that STnc1280 may bind to the SD sequence of gldA mRNA, hindering the binding of ribosomes to gldA mRNA, thereby inhibiting the expression of GldA protein to modulate the virulence of STM.