bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simple reciprocal electric circuit exhibiting exceptional point of degeneracy
Authors: Rouhi Kasra , Capolino Filippo , Figotin Alexander
Published: September 2024

An exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) occurs when both the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors of a square matrix coincide and the matrix has a nontrivial Jordan block structure. It is not easy to achieve an EPD exactly. In our prior studies, we synthesized simple conservative (lossless) circuits with evolution matrices featuring EPDs by using two LC loops coupled by a gyrator. In this paper, we advance even a simpler circuit with an EPD consisting of only two LC loops with one capacitor shared. Consequently, this circuit involves only four elements and it is perfectly reciprocal. The shared capacitance and parallel inductance are negative with values determined by explicit formulas which lead to EPD. This circuit can have the same Jordan canonical form as the nonreciprocal circuit we introduced before. This implies that the Jordan canonical form does not necessarily manifest systems’ nonreciprocity. It is natural to ask how nonreciprocity is manifested in the system’s spectral data. Our analysis of this issue shows that nonreciprocity is manifested explicitly in: (i) the circuit Lagrangian and (ii) the breakdown of certain symmetries in the set of eigenmodes. All our significant theoretical findings were thoroughly tested and confirmed by numerical simulations using commercial circuit simulator software.
On-chip human lymph node stromal network for evaluating dendritic cell and T-cell trafficking
Authors: Kwee Brian J , Mansouri Mona , Akue Adovi , Sung Kyung E
Published: September 2024

The lymph node paracortex, also known as the T-cell zone, consists of a network of fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) that secrete chemokines to induce T-cell and dendritic cell (DC) trafficking into the paracortex. To model the lymph node paracortex, we utilize multi-channel microfluidic devices to engineer a 3D lymph node stromal network from human cultured FRCs embedded in a collagen I-fibrin hydrogel. In the hydrogel, the FRCs self-assemble into an interconnected network, secrete the extracellular matrix proteins entactin, collagen IV, and fibronectin, as well as express an array of immune cell trafficking chemokines. Although the engineered FRC network did not secrete characteristic CCR7-ligand chemokines (i.e. CCL19 and CCL21), human primary TNF-α matured monocyte-derived DCs, CD45RA+ T-cells, and CD45RA- T-cells migrate toward the lymph node stromal network to a greater extent than toward a blank hydrogel. Furthermore, the FRCs co-recruit DCs and antigen-specific T-cells into the lymph node stromal network. This engineered lymph node stromal network may help evaluate how human DCs and T-cells migrate into the lymph node paracortex via CCR7-independent mechanisms.
Study on salt spray corrosion and friction wear performance of CrN coated cemented carbide sealing ring
Authors: Wei Shasha , You Bin , Sun Shilong , Li Yuanyou , Lin Rongchuan , Lin Yuanlin
Published: September 2024

To enhance the durability of cemented carbide sealing rings under severe working conditions, CrN-coated cemented carbide sealing rings were prepared by arc ion plating technology. The microstructure, physical properties, corrosion resistance and frictional properties of these coated sealing rings were evaluated through acid salt spray corrosion and friction wear experiments, replicating real-world operational environments. Results indicate that the hardness of the coated rings 2128HV30 surpass that of the uncoated ring 1780HV30, with negligible changes observed in coercive magnetic force and magnetic saturation strength post-coating. The average corrosion rate of the coated sealing ring was 0.18 g·m−2·h−1, and the average corrosion rate of the uncoated sealing ring was 0.51 g·m−2·h−1, and the corrosion rate decreased with the increase of corrosion time. Coated rings exhibited an average wear rate of 1.45E-07 mm3/N·m, while uncoated rings showed a higher rate of 2.20E-07 mm3/N·m, with wear rates increasing with prolonged corrosion. The coefficient of friction for coated rings was lower initially compared to uncoated rings, though post-corrosion, both exhibited similar friction coefficients. Surface roughness after friction wear was 91.66 nm for coated rings and 171.81 nm for uncoated rings. These findings underscore the superior corrosion resistance and frictional performance of CrN-coated cemented carbide sealing rings compared to their uncoated counterparts.
A comparative study of hot tensile deformation behavior of 6016 aluminum alloy under LSTM neural network and Arrhenius model
Authors: Zhao Huijun , Wu Jie , He Haibin , Li Xiang , Wang Lei , Lou Hua , Liu Kaimin , Ruan Xiaodong
Published: September 2024

The isothermal tensile test of 6016-T6 aluminum alloy was carried out on Gleeble-3500 at the temperature range of 400 °C–550 °C and the strain rate range of 0.01–10 s−1. The results show that the thermal deformation mechanism of 6016-T6 is dynamic recovery and dynamic recrystallization. In this paper, the phenomenological Arrhenius constitutive model and the data-driven WOA-LSTM constitutive model for predicting the hot tensile deformation behavior of 6016-T6 aluminum alloy were studied in contrast. The whale optimization algorithm was used to optimize the hyperparameters of LSTM neural network to improve the prediction accuracy of flow stress. The optimization results show that the optimal hidden layer node, maximum training period, initial learning rate and mini batch size of WOA-LSTM are 46, 260, 0.0248 and 16, respectively. In addition, the influence of the number of hidden layers on the results of the network was discussed. The appropriate hidden layer of the network was determined to be 2. The result show that the prediction accuracy of WOA-LSTM constitutive model is better than the Arrhenius constitutive model. The mean absolute error and correlation coefficient are 0.9348% and 0.99952, respectively. Among them, in this study, the Arrhenius constitutive model has low precision and only has high precision within a single temperature range.
Biological cell response to electric field: a review of equivalent circuit models and future challenges
Authors: Seyedi MirHojjat
Published: September 2024

Biological cells, characterized by complex and dynamic structures, demand precise models for comprehensive understanding, especially when subjected to external factors such as electric fields (EF) for manipulation or treatment. This interaction is integral to technologies like pulsed electric fields (PEF), inducing reversible and irreversible structural variations. Our study explores both simplified and sophisticated equivalent circuit models for biological cells under the influence of an external EF, covering diverse cell structures from single- to double-shell configurations. The paper highlights challenges in circuit modeling, specifically addressing the incorporation of reversible or irreversible pores in the membrane during external EF interactions, emphasizing the need for further research to refine technical aspects in this field. Additionally, we review a comparative analysis of the performance and applicability of the proposed circuit models, providing insights into their strengths and limitations. This contributes to a deeper insight of the complexities associated with modeling biological cells under external EF influences, paving the way for enhanced applications in medical and technological domains in future.
High performance method for COPD features extraction using complex network
Authors: Han Trong-Thanh , Le Trung Kien , Nguyen Anh Phuong , Nguyen Huu Phat
Published: September 2024

Objectives. The paper proposes a novel methodology for the classification of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) utilizing respiratory sound attributes. Methods. The approach involves segmenting respiratory sounds into individual breaths and conducting extensive studies on this dataset. Spectral Transforms, various Wavelet Transforms are applied to capture distinct signal features. Complex Network is also employed to extract characteristic elements, generating novel representations of spectrogram data based on graph factors, including entropy, density, and position. The normalized and enriched data is then used to develop COPD classifiers using six machine learning algorithms, fine-tuning with appropriate training details and hyperparameter tuning. Results. Our results demonstrate robust performance, with ROC curves consistently exhibiting an Area Under the Curve (AUC) > 96% across different time-frequency transformations. Notably, the Random Forest algorithm achieves an AUC of 99.67%, outperforming other algorithms. Moreover, the Wavelet Daubechies 2 (Db2) consistently approaches 98% accuracy, particularly noteworthy in conjunction with the Naive Bayes algorithm. Conclusion. This study diagnosis patients through spectrogram images extracted from lung sounds. The application of Inverse Transforms, Complex Network, and Optimized Classification Algorithms yielded results beyond expectations. This methodology provides a promising approach for accurate COPD diagnosis, leveraging Machine Learning techniques applied to respiratory sound analysis.
Mutual effects between a gliding arc discharge and a premixed flame
Authors: ZHU 朱 Jiajian 家健 , LI 李 Le 乐 , TIAN 田 Yifu 轶夫 , WAN 万 Minggang 明罡 , SUN 孙 Mingbo 明波
Published: September 2024

Mutual effects between a gliding arc (GA) discharge at atmospheric pressure and a premixed CH4/air flame were experimentally investigated. Effects of the flame on the GA were studied using simultaneous measurements of the current, the voltage, and the instantaneous images of the plasma columns. The GA in the flame has a thicker and more diffusive plasma column, and it is more frequently ignited at a smaller breakdown voltage than that in the air. The GA extension velocity and the gliding velocity in the flame are larger than those in the air. The electrode voltage drop of the GA discharge in the flame is about 160 V, whereas that in the air is about 220 V. Compared with the GA in the air, the different features of the GA in the flame can be explained by high-temperature, weakly ionized, and species-abundant environment that are generated by the premixed CH4/air flame. Effects of the gliding arc discharge on the premixed flames were demonstrated using planar laser-induced fluorescence of hydroxyl radicals (OH) and formaldehyde (CH2O). OH and CH2O can be formed in the CH4/air mixture in the presence of the GA due to kinetic effects, and the increase of OH and CH2O shows the great potential of the GA for combustion enhancement.
Civility
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

This book offers a critical response to the extensive social challenges and public problems that are present in contemporary society—particularly, although not exclusively, in the Western world. The book presents two main themes. First, and most importantly, we need to recover a coherent sense of critical public virtues. What are they and how are we to cultivate them? Second, we need to rethink our understanding of “politics”—both what it means and how it is practised. “Politics” in its true sense involves the service of the “polis”—that is, the human community—in ways that build social equality. To focus more effectively on public virtues and values contrasts strongly with the contemporary tendency to concentrate exclusively on material success or efficient systems as the main goals that shape our societies. A key argument in the book is that “public life” is an essential dimension of everyone’s lives. “Public life” emphasizes that to be truly human involves living together in society—a place of communities, debate, challenging encounters, and, most importantly, of shared responsibilities. The virtues outlined in the book include civility, a true sense of place, how to build community, solidarity, and a sense of responsibility, respect, and compassion, and learning how to live an examined, reflective, and well-directed life rather than responding to immediate instincts. The book concludes with some reflections on how public virtues may be effectively cultivated—not least the role of school education and the role of good public leadership.
Discernment—The Art of Choosing Well
Authors: Sheldrake Philip
Published: September 2024

My final public virtue is “discernment”—the art of choosing well. This implies cultivating an examined and well-directed life rather than simply responding to immediate instincts. Discernment is not just related to individual choice but also applies to our lives within society. Discernment echoes Aristotle’s third kind of knowledge—“phronesis” or “practical wisdom.” This places social demands on us which may take us beyond purely personal satisfaction. In Christian thought, for example in John Cassian’s monastic writings, discernment is an act of moderation and balance which measures all other virtues. The important medieval philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, describes discernment as “practical prudence.” This regulates all the public virtues. Most famously, “discernment” is central to the sixteenth-century spiritual writings of Ignatius Loyola. It is what should be at the heart of all human choosing. To choose well, we need to be freed from unhelpful dependencies.
pyRforest: a comprehensive R package for genomic data analysis featuring scikit-learn Random Forests in R
Authors: Kolisnik Tyler , Keshavarz-Rahaghi Faeze , Purcell Rachel V , Smith Adam N H , Silander Olin K
Published: September 2024

Random Forest models are widely used in genomic data analysis and can offer insights into complex biological mechanisms, particularly when features influence the target in interactive, nonlinear, or nonadditive ways. Currently, some of the most efficient Random Forest methods in terms of computational speed are implemented in Python. However, many biologists use R for genomic data analysis, as R offers a unified platform for performing additional statistical analysis and visualization. Here, we present an R package, pyRforest, which integrates Python scikit-learn “RandomForestClassifier” algorithms into the R environment. pyRforest inherits the efficient memory management and parallelization of Python, and is optimized for classification tasks on large genomic datasets, such as those from RNA-seq. pyRforest offers several additional capabilities, including a novel rank-based permutation method for biomarker identification. This method can be used to estimate and visualize P-values for individual features, allowing the researcher to identify a subset of features for which there is robust statistical evidence of an effect. In addition, pyRforest includes methods for the calculation and visualization of SHapley Additive exPlanations values. Finally, pyRforest includes support for comprehensive downstream analysis for gene ontology and pathway enrichment. pyRforest thus improves the implementation and interpretability of Random Forest models for genomic data analysis by merging the strengths of Python with R. pyRforest can be downloaded at: https://www.github.com/tkolisnik/pyRforest with an associated vignette at https://github.com/tkolisnik/pyRforest/blob/main/vignettes/pyRforest-vignette.pdf.
The pharmacological landscape of chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized controlled studies
Authors: Liu Tao , Zhao Zhihao , Liu Mingqi , An Shuo , Nie Meng , Liu Xuanhui , Qian Yu , Tian Ye , Zhang Jianning , Jiang Rongcai
Published: September 2024

Background

There are various treatment modalities for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and there is extensive debate surrounding pharmaceutical interventions. There is no consensus regarding the relative efficacy and safety of multiple treatment modalities. This study aims to investigate this issue and offer potential clinical recommendations.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and the Cochrane Library from January 2000 to May 2023 to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies reporting one or more outcomes associated with the pharmacologic management of CSDH. The primary outcomes of interest included recurrence, favorable prognosis and adverse events, while the secondary outcomes included a reduction in hematoma volume and mortality. Pooled estimates, credible intervals and odds ratios were calculated for all outcomes using a fixed effects model. Confidence in network meta-analysis judgments were employed to stratify the evidential quality. This study was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42023406599.

Results

The search strategy yielded 656 references; ultimately, 36 studies involving 8082 patients fulfilled our predefined inclusion criteria. The findings suggested that statins + glucocorticoids (GCs) ranked highest for preventing recurrence, improving prognosis and facilitating hematoma absorption. Tranexamic acid ranked second highest for preventing recurrence. Statins were found to be the preferred drug intervention for decreasing mortality and preventing adverse events. Antithrombotic agents ranked lowest in terms of decreasing mortality and improving prognosis.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that statins + GCs may be the most effective treatment modality for preventing recurrence, improving patient prognosis and facilitating hematoma absorption. In terms of reducing mortality and preventing adverse events, statins may be superior to other pharmacological interventions. Routine use of GCs is not suggested for patients with CSDH. Further prospective research is needed to directly compare the efficacy and superiority of various pharmaceutical interventions targeting CSDH to reinforce and validate our findings.
Adsorption/desorption of H2O and phase transition in crystals of cobalt(II) bis(tolylterpyridine) nitrate
Authors: Otsuki Joe , Kobayashi Yusaku , Torisawa Takumi , Furuhashi Tomoo , Shinozaki Yoshinao , Sugawa Kosuke , Kojima Yoshiyuki , Yoshikawa Hiroki , Tsukamoto Arata , Tadokoro Makoto
Published: September 2024

This study reports on the multiresponsive behavior of Co(II) bis(tolylterpyridine) nitrate crystals. Each crystal contains a single Co(II) complex and can accommodate up to 4 H2O molecules per asymmetric unit. In its fully hydrated form, the crystal contains planar hexameric hydrogen-bonded H2O clusters. The adsorption and desorption of H2O occur reversibly with changes in humidity, despite the absence of extended H2O channels. Furthermore, the crystals exhibit a crystal-to-crystal thermal phase transition. The structural studies reveal the dynamic nature of these crystals, which contribute to their multiresponsive behavior.
Quod mentem moneat: Monuments and memory in Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (1970)
Authors: Gessert Genevieve S
Published: September 2024

Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Conformist (1970), an adaptation of the 1951 novel by Alberto Moravia, has long been recognized for its sophisticated use of both mise-en-scène and editing to explore the historical and psychological effects of Fascism. Bertolucci made significant use of locations in Rome to characterize the Fascist aesthetic, and to visualize the subjective memory of the protagonist Marcello. Concurrent with his evocative use of Fascist imagery is Bertolucci’s complex layering of ancient references, primarily in the form of monuments, to complicate and elaborate the viewer’s understanding of both Marcello’s memory and the historical context, yet this palimpsest of reference has never been comprehensively excavated. This article analyses the classical and classicizing references within The Conformist in their role as memory complexes functioning both narratively and in the cognitive experience of the audience. This exploration seeks both to contextualize Bertolucci’s specific modes of reception within contemporary Italian culture and to deepen the analysis of ancient monuments as cinematic locations more generally.
Renal denervation achieves its antiarrhythmic effect through attenuating macrophage activation and neuroinflammation in stellate ganglia in chronic heart failure
Authors: Hu Wenfeng , Tu Huiyin , Wadman Michael C , Li Yu-Long , Zhang Dongze
Published: September 2024

Aims

Renal denervation (RDN) is widely investigated in multiple studies of sympathetically driven cardiovascular diseases. While the therapeutic potential of RDN for ventricular arrhythmia has been reported, the mechanisms responsible for its antiarrhythmic effect are poorly understood. Our recent study showed that macrophage expansion-induced neuroinflammation in the stellate ganglion (SG) was a critical factor for cardiac sympathetic overactivation and ventricular arrhythmogenesis in chronic heart failure (CHF). This study investigates if and how RDN decreases ventricular arrhythmias by attenuating neuroinflammation in cardiac sympathetic post-ganglionic (CSP) neurons in CHF.

Methods and results

Rat CHF was induced by surgical ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. At 12 weeks after LAD ligation, completed bilateral RDN was achieved by surgically cutting all the visible renal nerves around the renal artery and vein, followed by applying 70% ethanol around the vessels. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot data showed that expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and its receptor-α subunit in SGs was increased in CHF rats. RDN not only reduced CHF-elevated GM-CSF levels in kidney, serum, and SGs but also attenuated macrophage expansion and neuroinflammation in SGs from CHF rats. Using flow cytometry, we confirmed that RDN reduced the percentage of macrophages in SGs, which is pathologically increased in CHF. RDN also decreased CHF-enhanced N-type Ca2+ currents in CSP neurons and attenuated CHF-elevated cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. Electrocardiogram data from 24-h continuous telemetry recording in conscious rats revealed that RDN improved CHF-induced heterogeneity of ventricular electrical activities and reduced the duration of spontaneous ventricular tachyarrhythmias in CHF rats.

Conclusion

RDN alleviates cardiac sympathetic overactivation and ventricular arrhythmogenesis through attenuating GM-CSF-induced macrophage activation and neuroinflammation within SGs in CHF. This suggests that manipulation of the GM-CSF signalling pathway could be a novel strategy for achieving the antiarrhythmic effect of RDN in CHF.
Automated annotation of scientific texts for ML-based keyphrase extraction and validation
Authors: Amusat Oluwamayowa O , Hegde Harshad , Mungall Christopher J , Giannakou Anna , Byers Neil P , Gunter Dan , Fagnan Kjiersten , Ramakrishnan Lavanya
Published: September 2024

Advanced omics technologies and facilities generate a wealth of valuable data daily; however, the data often lack the essential metadata required for researchers to find, curate, and search them effectively. The lack of metadata poses a significant challenge in the utilization of these data sets. Machine learning (ML)–based metadata extraction techniques have emerged as a potentially viable approach to automatically annotating scientific data sets with the metadata necessary for enabling effective search. Text labeling, usually performed manually, plays a crucial role in validating machine-extracted metadata. However, manual labeling is time-consuming and not always feasible; thus, there is a need to develop automated text labeling techniques in order to accelerate the process of scientific innovation. This need is particularly urgent in fields such as environmental genomics and microbiome science, which have historically received less attention in terms of metadata curation and creation of gold-standard text mining data sets. In this paper, we present two novel automated text labeling approaches for the validation of ML-generated metadata for unlabeled texts, with specific applications in environmental genomics. Our techniques show the potential of two new ways to leverage existing information that is only available for select documents within a corpus to validate ML models, which can then be used to describe the remaining documents in the corpus. The first technique exploits relationships between different types of data sources related to the same research study, such as publications and proposals. The second technique takes advantage of domain-specific controlled vocabularies or ontologies. In this paper, we detail applying these approaches in the context of environmental genomics research for ML-generated metadata validation. Our results show that the proposed label assignment approaches can generate both generic and highly specific text labels for the unlabeled texts, with up to 44% of the labels matching with those suggested by a ML keyword extraction algorithm.
An analysis of early and long-term gender-related outcomes after thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Piffaretti Gabriele , Mauri Francesca , Mozzetta Gaddiel , Zacà Sergio , Pulli Raffaele , Pratesi Giovanni , Fargion Aaron Thomas , Angiletta Domenico ,   I.C.E., Italian Collaborators for Thoracic Evar Registry, Villa Federico , Sala Giulia Anna , Bandiera Alessandra , Muscato Paola , Veneziano Angela , Guzzetti Luca , Fontana Federico , Piacentino Filippo , Esposito Davide , Melani Caterina , Bastianon Martina , Cucci Andrea , Palermo Dario , Di Stefano Lucia , Speziali Sara , Capone Amedeo , Piscitello Elisa , Dorigo Walter , Pratesi Carlo
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate gender-related outcomes during endovascular treatment of thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic diseases (TEVAR).

METHODS

Multicentre, retrospective, observational cohort study. All TEVARs between January 2005 and April 2023 were identified. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and cumulative survival. Secondary outcomes were vascular access complications, and freedom from TEVAR-related reintervention. Interventions performed in male patients were matched to females on the basis of a one-to-one coarsened exact matching.

RESULTS

We identified 151 males who were matched with 151 females. Mortality at 30 days was not statistically different between females and males (11.2% vs 11.2%; P = 1.0). At binary logistic regression analysis, duration of intervention (P = 0.001) and emergency TEVAR (P = 0.001) were associated with mortality at 30 days. Gender did not impact the access vessel complication rate [n = 6 (4.0%) vs n = 5 (3.3%); P = 1.0]. The median follow-up was 46 (interquartile range, 7–84) months with no difference between males and females [median 50 (11–95) vs 37.5 (3.5–71.2); P = 0.153]. Estimated survival was not statistically different between females and males [log-rank χ2 = 0.6, P = 0.442; 95% confidence interval (CI) 110.7–207.3]. At Cox’s regression analysis, gender did not impact overall survival (hazard ratio 0.8; 95% CI 0.6–1.3; P = 0.450). Estimated freedom from TEVAR-related reinterventions was not statistically different between females and males (log-rank χ2 = 0.4, P = 0.837; 95% CI 187.8–219.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender itself was not associated with worse 30-day mortality and late survival than males with similar access vessel complication as well as TEVAR-related reintervention rate.
Better survival with lobectomy versus sublobar resection in patients with hypermetabolic c-stage IA lung cancer on positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Authors: Shiono Satoshi , Endo Makoto , Watanabe Hikaru , Takamori Satoshi , Suzuki Jun
Published: September 2024

OBJECTIVES

The clinical trial showed that sublobar resection was not inferior to lobectomy in terms of disease-free survival in patients with peripherally located non-small-cell lung cancer ≤2 cm. However, it is not clear whether sublobar resection is indicated for all types of c-stage IA lung cancer. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether sublobar resection is indicated for c-stage IA hypermetabolic lung cancer.

METHODS

Patients with c-stage IA lung cancer who underwent F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and lobectomy or sublobar resection were assessed. Of these, patients who had a maximum standardized uptake value ≥3.0 on positron emission tomography/computed tomography were evaluated. We compared survival rates after lobectomy versus sublobar resection. Propensity score matching was performed to balance patient characteristics between groups.

RESULTS

Between April 2004 and March 2023, 723 patients underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection and had a maximum standardized uptake value ≥3.0 on positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Lobectomy and sublobar resection were performed in 532 (73.6%) and 191 (26.4%) patients, respectively. Both the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were worse after sublobar resection compared with lobectomy (62.3% vs 79.9% and 53.9% vs 70.3%, respectively). After propensity score matching, the 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates remained worse after sublobar resection compared with lobectomy (60.7% vs 75.2% and 51.6% vs 67.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with c-stage IA hypermetabolic lung cancer with standardized uptake value ≥3.0 on positron emission tomography/computed tomography had a worse prognosis after sublobar resection than after lobectomy.
A Chromosome-Scale and Annotated Reference Genome Assembly of Plecia longiforceps Duda, 1934 (Diptera: Bibionidae)
Authors: Choi Jonghwan , Kang Taemin , Park Sun-Jae , Shin Seunggwan
Published: September 2024

Urbanization is a leading factor effecting global biodiversity, driving rapid evolutionary processes in the local biota. Species that adapt and proliferate in city environments can become pests, with human activities facilitating their dispersal and excessive outbreaks. Here we present the first genome data of Plecia longiforceps, a lovebug pest in Eastern Asia with intensive aggregations recently occurring in the Seoul Metropolitan Area of Korea. PacBio HiFi and ONT Pore-C sequencing data were used to construct a highly continuous assembly with a total size of 707 Mb and 8 major pseudochromosomes, its integrity supported by the N50 length of 98.1 Mb and 96.8% BUSCO completeness. Structural and functional annotation using transcriptome data and ab initio predictions revealed a high proportion (69.3%) of repeat sequences, and synteny analysis with Bibio marci showed high levels of genomic collinearity. The genome will serve as an essential resource for both population genomics and molecular research on lovebug dispersal and outbreaks, and also implement studies on the eco-evolutionary processes of insects in urbanizing habitats.
Changes in the Lipidome Are Associated With Immune Activation and Subclinical Vascular Disease in Youth With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Uganda
Authors: Dirajlal-Fargo Sahera , Nikahd Melica , Ailstock Kate , Manubolu Manjunath , Musiime Victor , Kityo Cissy , McComsey Grace A , Funderburg Nicholas T
Published: September 2024

Background

This study examined the changes in the lipidome and associations with immune activation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers in youth with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (YPHIV).

Methods

The serum lipidome was measured in antiretroviral therapy (ART)–treated YPHIV (n = 100) and human immunodeficiency virus–uninfected children (n = 98) in Uganda. Plasma markers of systemic inflammation, monocyte activation, gut integrity, and T-cell activation, as well as common carotid artery intima media thickness and pulse wave velocity (PWV), were evaluated at baseline and 96 weeks.

Results

Overall, median age was 12 years, and 52% were females. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein were similar between the groups; however, the concentrations of ceramides, diacylglycerols, free fatty acids, lysophosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylcholines were higher in YPHIV (P ≤ .03). Increases in phosphatidylethanolamine (16:0 and 18:0) correlated with increases in soluble CD163, oxidized LDL, C-reactive protein, intestinal fatty acid binding protein, and PWV in YPHIV (r ≥ 0.3).

Conclusions

YPHIV successfully suppressed on ART have elevated lipid species that are associated with CVD, specifically palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0).
Amplicon sequencing with internal standards yields accurate picocyanobacteria cell abundances as validated with flow cytometry
Authors: Jones-Kellett Alexandra E , McNichol Jesse C , Raut Yubin , Cain Kelsy R , Ribalet François , Armbrust E Virginia , Follows Michael J , Fuhrman Jed A
Published: September 2024

To understand ecosystem state and function, marine microbial ecologists seek measurements of organismal abundance and diversity at high taxonomic resolution. Conventional flow cytometry accurately estimates microbial cell abundance but only discerns broad groups with distinct optical properties. While amplicon sequencing resolves more comprehensive diversity within microbiomes, it typically only provides relative organismal abundances within samples, not absolute abundance changes. Internal genomic standards offer a solution for absolute amplicon-based measures. Here, we spiked genomic standards into plankton samples from surface seawater, gathered at 46-km intervals along a cruise transect spanning the southern California Current System and the oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. This enabled evaluation of the absolute volumetric gene copy abundances of 16S rRNA amplicon sequence variants (amplified with 515Y-926R universal primers, quantitatively validated with mock communities) and cell abundances of picocyanobacteria with known genomic 16S copy numbers. Comparison of amplicon-derived cell abundances of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus with flow cytometry data from nearby locations yielded nearly identical results (slope = 1.01; Pearson’s r = 0.9942). Our findings show that this amplicon sequencing protocol combined with genomic internal standards accurately measures absolute cell counts of marine picocyanobacteria in complex field samples. By extension, we expect this approach to reasonably estimate volumetric gene copies for other amplified taxa in these samples.
Impacts of increasing levels of salt on intake, digestion, and rumen fermentation with beef cattle consuming low-quality forages
Authors: White Hayley C , Davis Noah G , Van Emon Megan L , DelCurto-Wyffels Hannah M , Wyffels Samuel A , DelCurto Timothy
Published: September 2024

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the levels of supplemental salt on low-quality forage intake, water intake, dry matter (DM) digestibility, and rumen fermentation. Six ruminally cannulated, Angus crossbred heifers (14 mo of age; 449 kg ± 24 kg body weight [BW]) were used in a dual 3 × 3 Latin square design. The heifers were housed in individual stalls with 2 animals assigned to each treatment per period. Salt treatments were mixed into a protein supplement of 50% cracked corn and 50% soybean meal and fed at 0.3% of shrunk BW. Salt treatments consisted of 1) control, no salt (CON), 2) 0.05% of BW salt (LOW), and 3) 0.1% of BW salt (HIGH). Chopped, low-quality (CP = 7.4%; NDF = 64.2%), grass hay was used as the base ration and was provided daily at 120% of the average daily intake of the previous 3 d. Each period included a 14-d diet adaptation, 6 d of sample collection, 1 d collection of rumen fluid samples for ruminal and microbial profiles. Individual forage dry matter intake, water intake, and DM digestibility were measured during the 6-d collection period. Rumen pH, ammonia levels, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured during the 1-d ruminal profile. Rumen DM and liquid fill were determined with a 5-h post-feeding rumen evacuation. Supplemental salt had no influence on forage intake (P = 0.19) expressed on a kg/d basis yet tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.06) with increasing levels of salt when expressed on a grams/kg BW basis. DM digestibility was not influenced by salt levels (P > 0.05), but DM fill tended to increase linearly with increasing salt levels (P = 0.06). Water intake and liquid fill, however, increased linearly with increasing levels of salt (P < 0.01) with an 18.9% increase in water intake and 17.0% increase in liquid fill compared to control animals. Ruminal pH and ammonia levels both decreased linearly with increasing salt (P < 0.01). Acetate concentration and acetate: propionate ratio increased linearly with increasing levels of salt (P < 0.01). In contrast, isobutyrate and butyrate concentrations decreased linearly with increasing levels of salt (P < 0.01). Our research suggests that increasing levels of salt tends to influence dry matter intake, DM fill, liquid kinetics, and rumen fermentation characteristics. Results from this research provide additional information on how salt-limited supplements may impact beef cattle consuming low-quality forage diets.
Effects of supplementation of live and heat-treated Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis CECT 8145 on glycemic and insulinemic response, fecal microbiota, systemic biomarkers of inflammation, and white blood cell gene expression of adult dogs
Authors: Kayser Emanuela , He Fei , Nixon Sophie , Howard-Varona Adrian , Lamelas Araceli , Martinez-Blanch Juan , Chenoll Empar , Davenport Gary M , de Godoy Maria R C
Published: September 2024

The popularity of functional ingredients such as probiotics and postbiotics has increased as pet owners seek ways to improve the health quality and longevity of their pets. Limited research has been conducted regarding the use of probiotics and postbiotics and their effects on canine health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily supplementation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CECT 8145, in both live probiotic (PRO) and heat-treated postbiotic (POST) forms, on fecal fermentative end-products and microbiome, insulin sensitivity, serum gut hormones, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and white blood cell gene expression of adult dogs. Eighteen adult beagles and 18 adult English pointers were used in a double-blinded placebo-controlled parallel group design, with 12 animals per group (6 English pointers and 6 beagles). The study began with a 60 d adaptation period followed by a 90 d period of daily supplementation with either PRO, POST, or placebo (maltodextrin; CON). Longitudinal assessment of body weight, body condition score, and pelvic circumference did not differ among dietary supplements (P > 0.05). Throughout the experimental period, fecal scores did not differ (P > 0.05); however, fecal pH was lower (P = 0.0049) in the dogs fed POST compared with CON. A higher fecal concentration of propionate (P = 0.043) was observed in dogs fed PRO and POST when compared with CON. While PRO and POST supplementation were associated with changes in bacterial composition at the family and genus level, the overall richness and diversity of the microbiome were not significantly affected. Functional analysis of the metagenome also suggests that PRO and POST supplementation induced potentially beneficial changes in the abundance of pathways involved in pathogenicity, amino acid biosynthesis, and DNA repair. No differences in glycemic or insulinemic responses were observed among the groups (P > 0.05). Dogs supplemented with PRO had a higher (P < 0.05) mean white blood cell leptin relative fold gene expression compared with groups POST and CON. Serum metabolites and complete blood cell counts were within normal ranges and all dogs remained healthy throughout the study. Together, these data suggest that the PRO and POST can safely be supplemented for dogs. Moreover, the results of this study support further investigation of the role of PRO and POST in supporting parameters related to gut health and hormonal regulation.
Burn Injury Severity in Adults: Proposed Definitions Based on the National Burn Research Dataset
Authors: Heard Jason , Ren Yuni , Taylor Sandra L , Sen Soman , Palmieri Tina , Romanowski Kathleen , Greenhalgh David
Published: September 2024

Previous iterations of burn severity (mild, moderate, and severe) were not data-driven and were outdated. Clustering analyses have gained popularity for identifying homogenous subgroups from heterogeneous medical conditions, such as asthma, sepsis, and lung disease. There is no consensus in burn literature regarding what constitutes massive burns. The current classification includes a 20% total body surface area (TBSA) burn and a 95% TBSA burn as severe. Latent class and hierarchical clustering analyses were applied to the American Burn Association National Burn Research Dataset. Cluster variables included length of stay, length of stay, intensive care unit length of, number and type of procedures, and number and type of complications. Nonclustering variables were evaluated after clustering, including burned TBSA, inhalation injury, mortality, discharge disposition, age, sex, and race. Latent class analysis suggested 3 clusters. Hierarchical clustering analysis was applied to the most severe latent class, creating 4 total burn severity groups. In total, 112 297 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean TBSA burned for each class is 4.26 ± 4.91 for minor, 8.07 ± 8.39 for moderate, 22.76 ± 17.31 for severe and 36.72 ± 21.61 for massive. The age and sex proportions were similar among all clusters. The clustering variables steadily increased for each severity cluster. Mortality was the highest in the massive cluster (18.2%). Data-informed categories of burn severity were formed using clustering analyses, which will be helpful for triage, data benchmarking, and class-specific research.
Supplemental Automated Breast US Screening in Patients With Dense Breasts: 5-Year Experience From an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Paul Shirlene , McPeek Chelsea , Lieberenz Jordan , Alvarado Rosalinda , Gupta Dipti , Levy Mia , Stempel Lisa
Published: September 2024

Objective

To assess features of automated breast US (ABUS) use in women with dense breasts. The number of additional cancers found by ABUS not detected by mammography was also determined.

Methods

This study was approved by the IRB and is HIPAA compliant. Automated breast US use was defined as completing at least 1 ABUS examination during the study. Data from 51 086 women who presented for a mammogram from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2022, were extracted from the electronic health record. Descriptive statistics of ABUS use were performed to assess the significance of difference between age and race categories. Pairwise analysis with Bonferroni correction was performed to assess differences between each race and the White category.

Results

Automated breast US was used for 9865/24 637 (40%) patients with dense breasts. Patients with ABUS use were older than those without. Among women with dense breasts, White patients (4943/10 667 [46%]) were more likely to use ABUS than Black/African American (2604/6843 [38%]), Hispanic/Latino (1466/4278 [34%]), Asian (521/1590 [33%]), and other (331/1249 [26%]) patients (P <.05). Approximately 3025/9865 (31%) of patients using ABUS had their first ABUS within 90 days of their mammogram. By the third annual mammogram, 2684/3160 (85%) of patients who used ABUS had their ABUS and mammogram scheduled on the same day. For every 1000 ABUS exams, 2.4 additional cancers were found and were primarily early-stage tumors.

Conclusion

Among women with dense breasts, 9865/24 637 (40%) used ABUS, and they were more likely to be older and White.
Inactivation of spermine synthase in mice causes osteopenia due to reduced osteoblast activity
Authors: Yorgan Timur A , Zhu Yihao , Wiedemann Philip , Schöneck Kenneth , Pohl Sandra , Schweizer Michaela , Amling Michael , Barvencik Florian , Oheim Ralf , Schinke Thorsten
Published: September 2024

Spermine synthase, encoded by the SMS gene, is involved in polyamine metabolism, as it is required for the synthesis of spermine from its precursor molecule spermidine. Pathogenic variants of SMS are known to cause Snyder–Robinson syndrome (SRS), an X-linked recessive disorder causing various symptoms, including intellectual disability, muscular hypotonia, infertility, but also skeletal abnormalities, such as facial dysmorphisms and osteoporosis. Since the impact of a murine SMS deficiency has so far only been analyzed in Gy mice, where a large genomic deletion also includes the neighboring Phex gene, there is only limited knowledge about the potential role of SMS in bone cell regulation. In the present manuscript, we describe 2 patients carrying distinct SMS variants, both diagnosed with osteoporosis. Whereas the first patient displayed all characteristic hallmarks of SRS, the second patient was initially diagnosed, based on laboratory findings, as a case of adult-onset hypophosphatasia. To study the impact of SMS inactivation on bone remodeling, we took advantage of a newly developed mouse model carrying a pathogenic SMS variant (p.G56S). Compared to their wildtype littermates, 12-wk-old male SMSG56S/0 mice displayed reduced trabecular bone mass and cortical thickness, as assessed by μCT analysis of the femur. This phenotype was histologically confirmed by the analysis of spine and tibia sections, where we also observed a moderate enrichment of non-mineralized osteoid in SMSG56S/0 mice. Cellular and dynamic histomorphometry further identified a reduced bone formation rate as a main cause of the low bone mass phenotype. Likewise, primary bone marrow cells from SMSG56S/0 mice displayed reduced capacity to form a mineralized matrix ex vivo, thereby suggesting a cell-autonomous mechanism. Taken together, our data identify SMS as an enzyme with physiological relevance for osteoblast activity, thereby demonstrating an important role of polyamine metabolism in the control of bone remodeling.
Topic territoriality and the cost of civility: examining the impact of IP address disclosure on Weibo
Authors: Yu Chao , Margolin Drew
Published: September 2024

This article introduces the concept of “topic territoriality,” a mechanism that governs participation in conversational spaces. When a discussion becomes prone to territorialization, individuals are more likely to claim topics (participating in discussions about topics they own as “stakeholders”) and defer (reducing participation in topics owned by others). They are also more likely to patrol topic boundaries (monitoring who is participating and confronting topic “intruders”). We document the operation of topic territoriality by analyzing 112,278 conversational turns on Weibo before and after a policy that reveals users’ broad geographic locations. We find that revealing these locations increased territorial behaviors, leading to more homogenous participation in conversations. Although the display of locations has improved the overall civility in language, the confrontations between stakeholders and intruders became more toxic. Our research emphasizes the impact of topic territoriality in online conversations and sheds light on the unintended consequences of social media policies.