bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of ultrasound‐based testis volume with Prader orchidometry and stability of testis size relative to peers from birth to 28 weeks
Authors: Chin Helen B. , Amabile Thomas H. , Kelly Andrea , Patchel Stacy A. , Darge Kassa , Kaplan Summer L. , Ford Eileen G. , Stallings Virginia A. , Rogan Walter J. , Umbach David M.
Published: May 2024

Background

Testis volume, an indicator of the reproductive development during minipuberty, is commonly measured by Prader orchidometer, despite ultrasound being the gold standard. Data are lacking on the longitudinal relationship between these two measures and on the stability of boys’ relative testis size across infancy.

Objectives

To examine the relationship between ultrasound‐based and orchidometer‐based testis volume measurements and to assess the stability of relative testis size among individual boys in the study.

Materials and methods

The Infant Feeding and Early Development study is a longitudinal cohort of healthy infants recruited from hospitals in the Philadelphia area during 2010–2013. We measured testis size from birth to 28 weeks in 147 infants using Prader orchidometry (nine study visits) and ultrasound (five study visits). We modeled testis growth, extracted predicted volumes for each boy on each day of the study, and ranked these volumes from smallest to largest.

Results

The average testis volume trajectory exhibited linear growth over the first 16 weeks followed by slower growth and then a plateau. Prader orchidometry overestimated testis size by almost 3‐fold, compared to ultrasound. A range of ultrasound volumes corresponded to each bead size (e.g., bead size of 1 cm3 corresponded to an ultrasound‐based volume between 0.11 and 0.87 cm3). Infants changed rankings of median of 22 positions (of 147) across the entire 6‐month follow‐up. Infants’ ranks near birth were highly correlated with their ranks at the end of the study.

Discussion

Consistent with other studies, we found wide variability in testis size during infancy and that Prader orchidometry overestimates testis size. When compared to ultrasound, orchidometry only crudely estimates testis size in this age group. Ultrasound‐based volumes generally showed stability in relative testis size across infancy.

Conclusion

Accurate measurement of testis size is difficult using orchidometry in infants. This highlights the need for ultrasound for accurate measurement, with a one‐time measurement likely sufficient to determine relative testis size across the first 6 months of infancy.
COVID‐19 severity gradient differentially dysregulates clinically relevant drug processing genes in nasopharyngeal swab samples
Authors: Nwabufo Chukwunonso K. , Luc Jessica , McGeer Allison , Hirota Jeremy Alexander , Mubareka Samira , Doxey Andrew C. , Moraes Theo J.
Published: May 2024

Aim

Understanding how COVID‐19 impacts the expression of clinically relevant drug metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters (DMETs) is vital for addressing potential safety and efficacy concerns related to systemic and peripheral drug concentrations. This study investigates the impact of COVID‐19 severity on DMETs expression and the underlying mechanisms to inform the design of precise clinical dosing regimens for affected patients.

Methods

Transcriptomics analysis of 102 DMETs, 10 inflammatory markers, and 12 xenosensing regulatory genes was conducted on nasopharyngeal swabs from 50 SARS‐CoV‐2 positive (17 outpatients, 16 non‐ICU, and 17 ICU) and 13 SARS‐CoV‐2 negative individuals, clinically tested through qPCR, in the Greater Toronto area from October 2020 to October 2021.

Results

We observed a significant differential gene expression for 42 DMETs, 6 inflammatory markers, and 9 xenosensing regulatory genes. COVID‐19 severity was associated with the upregulation of AKR1C1, MGST1, and SULT1E1, and downregulation of ABCC10, CYP3A43, and SLC29A4 expressions. Altogether, SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients showed an upregulation in CYP2C9, CYP2C19, AKR1C1, SULT1B1, SULT2B1, and SLCO4A1 and downregulation in FMO5, MGST3, ABCC5, and SLCO4C1 compared with SARS‐CoV‐2 negative individuals. These dysregulations were associated with significant changes in the expression of inflammatory and xenosensing regulatory genes driven by the disease. GSTM3, PPARA, and AKR1C1 are potential biomarkers of the observed DMETs dysregulation pattern in nasopharyngeal swabs of outpatients, non‐ICU, and ICU patients, respectively.

Conclusion

The severity of COVID‐19 is associated with the dysregulation of DMETs involved in processing commonly prescribed drugs, suggesting potential disease–drug interactions, especially for narrow therapeutic index drugs.
AMBIVALENTE LYRISCHE PERSPEKTIVEN AUF DIE INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION BY LOUISE OTTO‐PETERS
Authors: Huth Alexandra
Published: May 2024

Louise Otto‐Peters (1819–95) worked as a political activist, women's rights activist, publicist and writer in the turbulent decades before and after the March Revolution of 1848. These pursuits were closely linked, since Louise Otto, who came from middle‐class liberal circles, commented on social grievances and developments in her newspaper articles, novels and poems. This also applies to the poem ‘Einst und Jetzt’, written between 1840 and 1850, which is hermeneutically examined in this article. As the title suggests, the text outlines the dichotomy of past and present or future. The poem, in which the arrival of the railway is a symbol of industrial change, focuses on the contrast between the old, peaceful world and the new world with its noise, faster speed and growth. A young man is drawn into the new world, while his beloved stays at home and is excluded from the innovation resulting from social and industrial upheaval. I examine the poem according to the following questions: What perspectives on the Industrial Revolution and its consequences are expressed and how? In what ways is the poem a feminist text? And where does the poem sit in terms of Louise Otto‐Peters’ literary‐political background?
The effectiveness of evidence‐based healthcare educational interventions on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, professional practice and healthcare outcomes: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hill James , Gratton Nikki , Kulkarni Amit , Hamer Oliver , Harrison Joanna , Harris Catherine , Chesters Jen , Duddy Elaine , Collins Lindsey , Clegg Andrew
Published: May 2024

Objective

The primary aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of evidence‐based healthcare (EBHC) educational interventions on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviour of EBHC, clinical process and care outcomes. A secondary aim of the review is to assess the effects of important pedagogical moderating factors for EBHC educational interventions.

Method

This systematic review used a forward and backward citation search strategy on the Web of Science platform (date of inception to 28 April 2023). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs which compared EBHC educational interventions for healthcare professionals were included. A random effects meta‐analysis was undertaken for EBHC compared with an active and nonactive control for all outcomes.

Results

Sixty‐one RCTs were identified which included a total of 5208 healthcare professionals. There was a large effect for EBHC educational interventions compared with waiting list/no treatment/sham control on knowledge (SMD, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.26–4.14, GRADE Low), skills (SMD, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.25–1.73, Very Low Certainty), attitude (SMD, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.16–1.47, Very Low Certainty) and behaviour of EBHC (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.25–1.40, Very Low Certainty). Over time the effect of EBHC educational interventions substantially decreased with no evidence of effect at 6 months for any outcome except behaviour (SMD,1.72; 95% CI, 0.74–2.71, Low Certainty). There was some evidence that blended learning, active learning and consistency in the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that EBHC educational interventions may have a large short‐term effect on improving healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour of EBHC. These effects may be longer‐lasting regarding EBHC behaviour. In terms of pedagogy, blended learning, active learning, and consistency of the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors.
A consulting room with a view: Psychotherapy and the ecological context
Authors: Tramonti Francesco , Ferrante Benedetta , Palmer Hugh
Published: May 2024

Background:

The field of psychotherapy is witnessing a lively debate today. The literature on the efficacy of psychological interventions has grown exponentially, but the assumptions of the prevailing research paradigms have been criticised from many points of view. One of the main concerns is that of a too often simplistic conception of psychotherapy, viewed as a set of specific methods for the treatment of point‐like problems or symptoms.

Literature Review on Mental Health and the Ecological Context

Instead, emerging perspectives are trying to promote a more complex view on psychotherapy, as a process based on the therapeutic potential of relationships, which takes place in relevant social and cultural contexts. Even the ecological context is taken in greater consideration, as growing evidence exists about the detrimental effects of ecological threats—such as climate change and other environmental challenges—on mental health.

Conclusions

Psychotherapists and psychotherapy associations are now paying due attention to such issues, as well as to social justice and other dimensions that no longer can be thought of as mere elements of the scenario in which psychotherapy is practiced. Rather they are dimensions that exert a strong influence on psychological well‐being, and thus must be properly acknowledged and assessed to connect clinical work with the communities and ecological contexts in which people live.
AtRKD5 inhibits the parthenogenic potential mediated by AtBBM
Authors: Liu Qiyan , Han Dongfen , Cheng Denghu , Chen Jinfan , Tian Shujuan , Wang Jiafa , Liu Man , Yuan Li
Published: May 2024

Parthenogenesis, the development of unfertilized egg cells into embryos, is a key component of apomixis. AtBBM (BABY BOOM), a crucial regulator of embryogenesis in Arabidopsis, possesses the capacity to shift nutritional growth toward reproductive growth. However, the mechanisms underlying AtBBM‐induced parthenogenesis remain largely unexplored in dicot plants. Our findings revealed that in order to uphold the order of sexual reproduction, the embryo‐specific promoter activity of AtBBM as well as repressors that inhibit its expression in egg cells combine to limiting its ability to induce parthenogenesis. Notably, AtRKD5, a RWP‐RK domain‐containing (RKD) transcription factor, binds to the 3′ end of AtBBM and is identified as one of the inhibitory factors for AtBBM expression in the egg cell. In the atrkd5 mutant, we successfully achieved enhanced ectopic expression of AtBBM in egg cells, resulting in the generation of haploid offspring via parthenogenesis at a rate of 0.28%. Furthermore, by introducing chimeric Arabidopsis and rice BBM genes into the egg cell, we achieved a significant 4.6‐fold enhancement in haploid induction through the atdmp8/9 mutant. These findings lay a strong foundation for further exploration of the BBM‐mediated parthenogenesis mechanism and the improvement of haploid breeding efficiency mediated by the dmp8/9 mutant.
First record of Cebidicola armatus (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) on the Brachyteles hypoxanthus (Primate: Atelidae) in Brazil
Authors: Testa Mikaelly Frasson , da Silva Breno Torres , Class Camila Souza Carvalho , Pissinati Alcides , Paiva Larissa Calais , Silva Hallana Couto e , Tabacow Fernanda Pedreira , de Melo Fabiano Rodrigues , Strier Karen B. , da Silva Barbosa Alynne
Published: May 2024

This study reports for the first time the infestation of Cebidicola armatus in Brachyteles hypoxanthus. In total, 14 lice were recovered of an individual in Minas Gerais, Brazil. These were subjected to a microscopic analysis and the identification of C. armatus was carried out through its very characteristic morphology.
High‐intensity intermittent inspiratory and abdominal muscle combined training in respiratory, swallowing and systemic muscles of healthy adults
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Okazaki Tatsuma , Ebihara Satoru , Izumi Shin‐Ichi
Published: May 2024

Background

Low‐intensity continuous inspiratory muscle training improves its strength. The abdominal muscles are the main expiratory muscles, and their training may improve expiratory muscle strength. Respiratory muscle strength regulates coughing effectiveness, which is critical for pneumonia management. In older people, risk factors for the development of pneumonia were respiratory muscle weakness and swallowing impairment. Currently, the impact of high‐intensity intermittent inspiratory and abdominal muscle combined training on the respiratory, swallowing, and systemic muscles is unclear.

Objective

We aimed to explore the effects of high‐intensity inspiratory muscle training combined with or without abdominal muscle training on respiratory muscle strength as well as the strength, mass, and performance of swallowing and systemic muscles.

Methods

Twenty‐eight healthy adults were divided into two groups. Participants performed high‐intensity intermittent inspiratory muscle single or its combination with abdominal muscle training for 4 weeks. Respiratory muscle strength, swallowing muscle strength and mass, systemic muscle strength, mass and performance were measured at baseline, Week 2 and Week 4.

Results

Both groups showed greater maximal respiratory pressures at Week 2 and Week 4 than baseline. Both groups showed improved tongue pressure and geniohyoid muscle thickness at Week 4. In addition, the combined training group improved body trunk muscle mass, handgrip strength and five‐time chair stand test, whereas the single training group did not.

Conclusion

This study revealed that high‐intensity inspiratory muscle training improved inspiratory muscle strength and swallowing muscle strength and mass. Moreover, inspiratory and abdominal muscle combined training showed an additional benefit of improving systemic muscle strength, mass and performance.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

UMIN000046724; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi‐open‐bin/ctr/index.cgi?ctrno=UMIN000046724.
In‐hospital mortality in dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy and associated risk factors
Authors: Hawes Connor , Kathrani Aarti
Published: May 2024

Background

Risk factors associated with negative outcomes in dogs with protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) are well documented. However, mortality before hospital discharge and associated risk factors are not well described.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Report the percentage of dogs with PLE that do not survive to hospital discharge and identify associated risk factors.

Animals

One‐hundred and seven dogs presented to a referral hospital and diagnosed with PLE caused by inflammatory enteritis, intestinal lymphangiectasia or both.

Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional study assessing hospital records. Data on in‐hospital mortality and cause were assessed, and presenting signs, treatments prescribed, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, serum albumin, globulin, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, and histopathologic findings were compared between survivors and non‐survivors.

Results

In‐hospital mortality was 21.5% with the most common causes including financial limitations, failure to improve and aspiration pneumonia. Factors associated with mortality during hospitalization included longer duration of hospitalization (P = .04), longer duration of clinical signs (P = .02) and an increase in serum CRP concentration after 1–3 days of in‐hospital treatment (P = .02). Higher mortality was identified in Pugs (odds ratio [OR], 4.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41–17.2; P = .01) and was a result of presumptive aspiration pneumonia in 5/6 of these dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Protein‐losing enteropathy in dogs has substantial mortality during hospitalization. Monitoring for improvement in CRP concentration after treatment during hospitalization may help predict survival to discharge. Pugs have increased in‐hospital mortality because of aspiration pneumonia; measures to prevent, recognize, and promptly treat this complication may improve outcomes in this breed.
LncRNA EIF3J‐DT promotes chemoresistance in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kim Seon Hyun , Kim Hye Jung , Kim Yeong Joo , Kim Yun Hak , Park Hae Ryoun
Published: May 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to screen oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnostic and prognostic candidates and investigate the potential functions and mechanisms of candidates in the chemoresistance of OSCC cell lines.

Materials and Methods

Differential expression profiling of lncRNA was performed in a large cohort of OSCC patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas database to identify OSCC diagnostic and prognostic candidates. Taxol resistance in OSCC cell lines was analyzed using MTT assay. OSCC cell lines transfected with EIF3J‐DT pcDNA or siRNA were used to determine its regulatory effects on apoptosis, cell cycle distribution and autophagy using flow cytometry and western blot.

Results

We identified EIF3J‐DT as a candidate for OSCC diagnosis and prognosis. The expression level of EIF3J‐DT in OSCC cell lines correlates with taxol resistance. EIF3J‐DT silencing attenuated taxol resistance, and EIF3J‐DT overexpression enhanced taxol resistance in OSCC cell lines. Silencing of EIF3J‐DT reduced taxol resistance by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and ATG14‐mediated autophagy inhibition in OSCC cell lines.

Conclusions

We found that EIF3J‐DT induced chemoresistance by regulating apoptosis, cell cycle, and autophagy in OSCC cell lines, which EIF3J‐DT might provide a novel therapeutic approach for OSCC as well as a diagnostic and prognostic factor.
Preface: Integrable systems and their applications, celebrating the 70th birthday of Athanassios S. Fokas
Authors: Ablowitz Mark J. , He Jingsong , Pelloni Beatrice
Published: May 2024

This special issue of Studies in Applied Mathematics is dedicated to the 70th birthday of Professor Thanasis Fokas. It contains a selection of papers that all use in some ways the ground‐breaking mathematical ideas and techniques introduced by Thanasis over his long and exceptionally prolific career.
Object Detection Algorithms for Autonomous Navigation Wheelchairs in Hospital Environment
Authors: Ouardi Mohamed Mokhtar , A. Jawawi Dayang N.
Published: May 2024

Under the overwhelming situation medical facilities struggle to provide sufficient personnel to assist the continuous traffic. Therefore, considering alternative solutions to help nurses transport patients is relevant. An autonomous navigation wheelchair driven by object detection can become a substitute for transporting patients between facilities. The objective of this research is to study the potential of object detection algorithms in facilitating the autonomous navigation of patients within hospitals. For an object detection model to be a standalone technology for driving the autonomous wheelchair it has to satisfy the standards of the domain and display adequate readiness for deployment. Precisely, conduct viability experimentation based on Efficiency, Safety, and Reliability on a You Only Learn One Representation (YoloR) model trained for the research purpose. The paper finds YoloR as an appropriate model with potential for deployment. Both in terms of Reliability and Safety, the algorithm fits the designated criteria. However, the Autonomous Wheelchair system is a real-time system with strict execution time requirements that YoloR on its own does not reach. The latter is further confirmed by the proposed testing method.
Breast Cancer Prediction Using Support Vector Machine Ensemble with PCA Feature Selection Method
Authors: Parman Nurul Hidayah , Hassan Rohayanti , Zakaria Noor Hidayah
Published: May 2024

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide and ranks second in cancer-related mortality, comprising 11.6 percent of all cancer cases. Given that survival outcomes are largely contingent on the stage at which the disease is detected, early detection plays a pivotal role in securing the best prognosis for patients. Machine Learning algorithms are increasingly employed in breast cancer diagnosis due to their accuracy and capacity to anticipate the likelihood of recurrence. In this research, Support Vector Machine (SVM) was chosen as one of the classifiers, recognized for its precise predictive capabilities in cancer prediction and prognosis. To enhance model accuracy and mitigate variance, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) feature selection was incorporated into the study. Among the methods explored, the boosting ensemble method utilizing SVM as the base classifier demonstrated superior performance in breast cancer prediction. SVM as the base classifier with boosting ensemble method has outperformed the SVM models by increasing the accuracy value from 94% to 96% with a precision and recall score of 97%. Consequently, this research contributes to the advancement of patient diagnosis by implementing a classification algorithm tailored for breast cancer prediction.
Wafer Edge Metrology and Inspection Technique Using Curved-Edge Diffractive Fringe Pattern Analysis
Authors: Lu Kuan , Wang Zhikun , Chun Heebum , Lee ChaBum
Published: May 2024

This paper introduces a novel wafer-edge quality inspection method based on analysis of curved-edge diffractive fringe patterns, which occur when light is incident and diffracts around the wafer edge. The proposed method aims to identify various defect modes at the wafer edges, including particles, chipping, scratches, thin-film deposition, and hybrid defect cases. The diffraction patterns formed behind the wafer edge are influenced by various factors, including the edge geometry, topography, and the presence of defects. In this study, edge diffractive fringe patterns were obtained from two approaches: (1) a single photodiode collected curved-edge interferometric fringe patterns by scanning the wafer edge and (2) an imaging device coupled with an objective lens captured the fringe image. The first approach allowed the wafer apex characterization, while the second approach enabled simultaneous localization and characterization of wafer quality along two bevels and apex directions. The collected fringe patterns were analyzed by both statistical feature extraction and wavelet transform; corresponding features were also evaluated through logarithm approximation. In sum, both proposed wafer-edge inspection methods can effectively characterize various wafer-edge defect modes. Their potential lies in their applicability to online wafer metrology and inspection applications, thereby contributing to the advancement of wafer manufacturing processes.
Repeatability in Measurements and Control Settings of a Small Francis Turbine Test Rig
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Gandhi Bhupendra K. , Cervantes Michel J.
Published: May 2024

A reduced scaled-down hydraulic turbine test setup has been designed. The test setup is made to investigate the mitigation of pressure pulsations like the rotating vortex rope (RVR) and its formation and problems related to prototype operation. The setup arrangements and instrumentations follow mostly the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. This paper presents the runner hub modification, calibration procedure, repeatability and systematic uncertainty estimation, and measurement methods per the guidelines in IEC 60193 and IEC 60041. The calibration and regression errors of all instruments are presented. A labview program for open-loop operation at a constant head and closed-loop operation at constant discharge is also presented. Finally, the systematic and random uncertainty of hydraulic efficiency is discussed.
Pf bacteriophages hinder sputum antibiotic diffusion via electrostatic binding
Authors: Chen Qingquan , Cai Pam , Chang Tony Hong Wei , Burgener Elizabeth , Kratochvil Michael J. , Gupta Aditi , Hargill Aviv , Secor Patrick R. , Nielsen Josefine Eilsø , Barron Annelise E. , Milla Carlos , Heilshorn Sarah C. , Spakowitz Andy , Bollyky Paul L.
Published: May 2024

Despite great progress in the field, chronic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(
Pa
) infections remain a major cause of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), necessitating treatment with antibiotics. Pf is a filamentous bacteriophage produced by
Pa
and acts as a structural element in
Pa
biofilms. Pf presence has been associated with antibiotic resistance and poor outcomes in pwCF, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We have investigated how Pf and sputum biopolymers impede antibiotic diffusion using pwCF sputum and fluorescent recovery after photobleaching. We demonstrate that tobramycin interacts with Pf and sputum polymers through electrostatic interactions. We also developed a set of mathematical models to analyze the complex observations. Our analysis suggests that Pf in sputum reduces the diffusion of charged antibiotics due to a greater binding constant associated with organized liquid crystalline structures formed between Pf and sputum polymers. This study provides insights into antibiotic tolerance mechanisms in chronic
Pa
infections and may offer potential strategies for novel therapeutic approaches.
Molecular mechanisms linking missense ACTG2 mutations to visceral myopathy
Authors: Ceron Rachel H. , Báez-Cruz Faviolla A. , Palmer Nicholas J. , Carman Peter J. , Boczkowska Malgorzata , Heuckeroth Robert O. , Ostap E. Michael , Dominguez Roberto
Published: May 2024

Visceral myopathy is a life-threatening disease characterized by muscle weakness in the bowel, bladder, and uterus. Mutations in smooth muscle γ-actin (ACTG2) are the most common cause of the disease, but the mechanisms by which the mutations alter muscle function are unknown. Here, we examined four prevalent ACTG2 mutations (R40C, R148C, R178C, and R257C) that cause different disease severity and are spread throughout the actin fold. R178C displayed premature degradation, R148C disrupted interactions with actin-binding proteins, R40C inhibited polymerization, and R257C destabilized filaments. Because these mutations are heterozygous, we also analyzed 50/50 mixtures with wild-type (WT) ACTG2. The WT/R40C mixture impaired filament nucleation by leiomodin 1, and WT/R257C produced filaments that were easily fragmented by smooth muscle myosin. Smooth muscle tropomyosin isoform Tpm1.4 partially rescued the defects of R40C and R257C. Cryo–electron microscopy structures of filaments formed by R40C and R257C revealed disrupted intersubunit contacts. The biochemical and structural properties of the mutants correlate with their genotype-specific disease severity.
Intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of conditional localization of Mms6 to magnetosome organelles in
Magnetospirillum magneticum
AMB-1
Authors: Bickley Carson D. , Wan Juan , Komeili Arash
Published: May 2024

Magnetotactic bacteria are a diverse group of microbes that use magnetic particles housed within intracellular lipid-bounded magnetosome organelles to guide navigation along geomagnetic fields. The development of magnetosomes and their magnetic crystals in
Magnetospirillum magneticum
AMB-1 requires the coordinated action of numerous proteins. Most proteins are thought to localize to magnetosomes during the initial stages of organelle biogenesis, regardless of environmental conditions. However, the magnetite-shaping protein Mms6 is only found in magnetosomes that contain magnetic particles, suggesting that it might conditionally localize after the formation of magnetosome membranes. The mechanisms for this unusual mode of localization to magnetosomes are unclear. Here, using pulse-chase labeling, we show that Mms6 translated under non-biomineralization conditions translocates to pre-formed magnetosomes when cells are shifted to biomineralizing conditions. Genes essential for magnetite production, namely
mamE, mamM,
and
mamO,
are necessary for Mms6 localization, whereas
mamN
inhibits Mms6 localization. MamD localization was also investigated and found to be controlled by similar cellular factors. The membrane localization of Mms6 is dependent on a glycine-leucine repeat region, while the N-terminal domain of Mms6 is necessary for retention in the cytosol and impacts conditional localization to magnetosomes. The N-terminal domain is also sufficient to impart conditional magnetosome localization to MmsF, altering its native constitutive magnetosome localization. Our work illuminates an alternative mode of protein localization to magnetosomes in which Mms6 and MamD are excluded from magnetosomes by MamN until biomineralization initiates, whereupon they translocate into magnetosome membranes to control the development of growing magnetite crystals.

IMPORTANCE

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a diverse group of bacteria that form magnetic nanoparticles surrounded by membranous organelles. MTB are widespread and serve as a model for bacterial organelle formation and biomineralization. Magnetosomes require a specific cohort of proteins to enable magnetite formation, but how those proteins are localized to magnetosome membranes is unclear. Here, we investigate protein localization using pulse-chase microscopy and find a system of protein coordination dependent on biomineralization-permissible conditions. In addition, our findings highlight a protein domain that alters the localization behavior of magnetosome proteins. Utilization of this protein domain may provide a synthetic route for conditional functionalization of magnetosomes for biotechnological applications.
Complete mitochondrial genome of the introduced Indian walking stick
Carausius morosus
(Lonchodidae, Insecta) from California
Authors: Clarke Aiden , Trujillo Alice , Mandujano Andres , Fernandez Angelica G. , Chambers Aniyah , Ruiz Nunez Areli , Contreras Audri , Cuevas Benny , Collins Caitlin , Trujillo Christian B. , Dominguez-Trejo Claudia L. , Bustamante Danilo E. , Pantoja-Garcia Eduardo , Anguiano Elizabeth , Alcaraz Emily D. , Rodriguez Felipe , Mora Flavio C. , Tinoco Rivera Froylan , Cabrera Luis Gladys , Nava Hailey B. , Huynh Henry N. , Diaz Javier C. , Hughey Jeffery R. , Do Jenny , Sevilla Jeriel S. , Llaja Jessica C. , Lopez Jessica , Rosas Jesus , Perez Jhordy , Oyola Johann E. , Carrion Jois V. , Black Joni J. , Chavez Jorge F. , Barboza José I. , Rodriguez Cortes Juan Pablo , Barrett Konnor L. , Prescott Lacey E. , Alvarez Layla , Merino Juarez Lizbet , Velasquez-Moreno Maria J. , Marquez-Gonzalez Mariah I. , Aguirre Linares Mariana , Chavez-Huigo Maricela , Calderon Martha S. , Brambila Mateo , Villa Maximiliano , Windham Mia J. , Perez Michael , Trujillo Natalie , Chenevert Pearl , Lewis Phoebe , Guiop Pilar , Mubarz Reema Y. , Garcia Velazquez Roberto , Ayala-Tocto Rosmery Y. , Santos Samantha , Fernandez-Güimac Samia L. J. , Zalasar Sandra R. , Aguilar-Trauco Smith E. , Duran Soledad , Solis Stephanie , Meza Steven L. , Al-Zuhairi Taym , Padilla Victor M. , Olano Yadhira M. , Alfaro Maldonado Yareli ,   on behalf of Hartnell College Genomics Group
Published: May 2024

We present the complete mitochondrial genome of
Carausius morosus
from Salinas, CA. The mitochondrial genome of
C. morosus
is circular, AT rich (78.1%), and 16,671 bp in length. It consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNA, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes and is identical in gene content to
Carausius
sp.
Characterization of the dual regulation by a c-di-GMP riboswitch Bc1 with a long expression platform from
Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Liu Lu , Luo Dehua , Zhang Yongji , Liu Dingqi , Yin Kang , Tang Qing , Chou Shan-Ho , He Jin
Published: May 2024

A riboswitch generally regulates the expression of its downstream genes through conformational change in its expression platform (EP) upon ligand binding. The cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) class I riboswitch Bc1 is widespread and conserved among
Bacillus cereus
group species. In this study, we revealed that Bc1 has a long EP with two typical ρ-independent terminator sequences 28 bp apart. The upstream terminator T1 is dominant
in vitro
, while downstream terminator T2 is more efficient
in vivo
. Through mutation analysis, we elucidated that Bc1 exerts a rare and incoherent “transcription-translation” dual regulation with T2 playing a crucial role. However, we found that Bc1 did not respond to c-di-GMP under
in vitro
transcription conditions, and the expressions of downstream genes did not change with fluctuation in intracellular c-di-GMP concentration. To explore this puzzle, we conducted SHAPE-MaP and confirmed the interaction of Bc1 with c-di-GMP. This shows that as c-di-GMP concentration increases, T1 unfolds but T2 remains almost intact and functional. The presence of T2 masks the effect of T1 unwinding, resulting in no response of Bc1 to c-di-GMP. The high Shannon entropy values of EP region imply the potential alternative structures of Bc1. We also found that zinc uptake regulator can specifically bind to the dual terminator coding sequence and slightly trigger the response of Bc1 to c-di-GMP. This work will shed light on the dual-regulation riboswitch and enrich our understanding of the RNA world.

IMPORTANCE

In nature, riboswitches are involved in a variety of metabolic regulation, most of which preferentially regulate transcription termination or translation initiation of downstream genes in specific ways. Alternatively, the same or different riboswitches can exist in tandem to enhance regulatory effects or respond to multiple ligands. However, many putative conserved riboswitches have not yet been experimentally validated. Here, we found that the c-di-GMP riboswitch Bc1 with a long EP could form a dual terminator and exhibit non-canonical and incoherent “transcription-translation” dual regulation. Besides, zinc uptake regulator specifically bound to the coding sequence of the Bc1 EP and slightly mediated the action of Bc1. The application of SHAPE-MaP to the dual regulation mechanism of Bc1 may establish the foundation for future studies of such complex untranslated regions in other bacterial genomes.
Global health reciprocal innovation: ethical, legal and regulatory considerations
Authors: Rid Annette , Aguilera Bernardo , Banda Chikosa , Divi Rao , Harris Matthew , Kim Amanda , Ossandon Miguel , Zervos John , Rowthorn Virginia
Published: May 2024

Global health reciprocal innovation (GHRI) is a recent and more formalised approach to conducting research that recognises and develops innovations (eg, medicines, devices, methodologies) from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). At present, studies using GHRI most commonly adapt innovations from LMICs for use in high-income countries (HICs), although some develop innovations in LMICs and HICs. In this paper, we propose that GHRI implicitly makes two ethical commitments: (1) to promote health innovations from LMICs, especially in HICs, and (2) to conduct studies on health innovations from LMICs in equitable partnerships between investigators in LMICs and HICs. We argue that these commitments take a significant step towards a more equal global health research enterprise while helping to ensure that populations and investigators in LMICs receive equitable benefits from studies using GHRI. However, studies using GHRI can raise potential ethical concerns and face legal and regulatory barriers. We propose ethical, legal and regulatory considerations to help address these concerns and barriers. We hope our recommendations will allow GHRI to move the global health research enterprise forward into an era where all people are treated equally as knowers and learners, while populations in both LMICs and HICs benefit equitably from studies using GHRI.
Complicated epilepsy surgery: importance of balancing benefit and deficit
Authors: Duncan John S , Beech Virginia , Chowdhury Fahmida Amin , Miserocchi Anna , McEvoy Andrew
Published: May 2024

The risk-benefit ratio of epilepsy surgery needs careful consideration, is different for each individual and requires a careful, informed dialogue between the person concerned and their medical advisers. We illustrate this process with Virginia, who has had refractory focal epilepsy from age 1 year and a left hemiparesis. At the age of 45 years, we discussed the possibility of epilepsy surgery and went through non-invasive investigations with structural and functional MRI, tractography, scalp video-EEG telemetry, neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric evaluations. This was followed by a decision to carry out intracranial EEG to define the area of seizure onset and its relation to an area of focal cortical dysplasia, eloquent cortex and tracts. We agreed to carry out a focal resection in the knowledge that this would result in a loss of left-hand function. One year later, Virginia is seizure-free on reduced medication. We describe the steps in the process with Virginia’s views.
Methotrexate for the neurologist
Authors: Jesuthasan Aaron , Baheerathan Aravindhan , Auger Stephen , Dorsey Rachel , Coker Robina , Selvapatt Nowlan , Viegas Stuart
Published: May 2024

The use of methotrexate in clinical practice has expanded significantly in recent years, as an effective chemotherapeutic agent as well as disease-modifying treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn’s disease. It is also used as a steroid-sparing agent for a range of inflammatory diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Clinical neurologists must, therefore, know how to start and uptitrate methotrexate, its monitoring requirements and its potential toxicities. This review aims first to explore the evidence base for using methotrexate in various neurological diseases and second to discuss important practicalities around its use, ensuring its safe application and appropriate monitoring.
Modeling HVAC degradation due to climate shocks and stresses using dynamic Bayesian networks
Authors: Ryan Bona , Bristow David
Published: May 2024

The impact of climate conditions on infrastructure is a major concern for the sustainability of built environment. Two main issues that add uncertainty and complexity in climate-change impact are of interest: multiple hazard types and non-stationarity of climate actions. This paper proposes an approach using dynamic Bayesian networks to assess the reliability of a building system considering both gradual and extreme climate factors over the service life of the asset. The methodology is illustrated on a case study that examine an HVAC system, considering overheating fault and degradation risk. Compared to conventional Markov model, the results show stochastic dependence in the degradation process at different time instants and hence affect the variability of degradation. The proposed approach includes economic-based impact analysis to determine costs and payoffs accrued as the consequences. By integrating climate stress and shock and accounting for dynamic changes of the hazard, this method helps decision-makers in identifying and prioritizing adaptation strategies for building system under climate change.
Low-cost two-dimensional digital image correlation system
Authors: VanDyk Randall , Simha C. Hari Manoj
Published: May 2024

A low-cost digital image correlation (DIC) system for measuring two-dimensional displacement fields is described. Using an off-the-shelf camera, lens, and open-source DIC analysis software, displacement fields in aluminum and steel dog-bone tensile specimens were measured. Correction for out-of-plane motion is used to obtain strains from the displacement fields. Proposed DIC strain measurement system is validated using conventional thin-film strain gauges for strains below 1%. Average strain measurements from the DIC system were found to be within 1% of the measurement obtained using strain gauges. For strains between 1% and 10%, strain histories from the DIC systems displayed excellent correlation with strain measurements obtained using an extensometer.
Coordination Mechanisms for Traceable Products in the Context of Live Streaming E-Commerce from the Perspective of Platform, Anchor, and Consumer
Authors: Dong Ya-Jing , Zhang Xuan , Zhou Jun-Zhen , Song Jie-Yu
Published: May 2024

The meteoric rise of live streaming e-commerce, an emergent form of electronic commerce, is accompanied by frequent occurrences of “live streaming mishaps”. Live streaming’s visual nature offers a more varied and intuitive method for showcasing traceable products, thereby enhancing customer engagement and contracting customers. However, due to the diverging interests, conflicts and contradictions among the stakeholders in traceable products persist, introducing challenges and complexities to its management. We develop an evolutionary game-theoretical model involving three key entities: the platform, anchors (live stream hosts), and consumers. Through the establishment of a payment matrix, we analyze their interactive behaviors and equilibrium states. Additionally, we examine the impacts of key factors on the system and find that platforms and anchors play a pivotal “dual-core” role in traceable product management within the live streaming e-commerce landscape. Moreover, factors such as market attention, anchor characteristics, and consumer dissatisfaction emerge as critical determinants for effective traceable product management. This research contributes valuable insights into enhancing coordination of traceable products in live streaming e-commerce. It offers perspectives on the evolutionary dynamics and strategies for selecting traceable products by platforms, broadcasters, and consumers.
Container Pre-Marshaling Problem with Uncertain Intra-Group Retrievals
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Jiahuan , Jiang Zhihao , Yu Lili
Published: May 2024

In real-world terminals, containers are divided into multiple groups according to the reservation time. The container retrieval order between different groups is known, while the retrieval order within the same group is unknown. Previous research studies prioritize between groups but seldom prioritize within the same group, especially uncertain intra-group priorities. This paper studies the container pre-marshaling problem with uncertain intra-group retrievals (CPMP-UIR). Since the retrieval order of intra-group containers is uncertain, after the pre-marshaling, containers still need to be relocated during retrieval. CPMP-UIR conducts pre-marshaling, ensuring no relocations between groups and a minimum expected number of overstows during retrieval. In this paper, we first give the formula for calculating the expected number of overstows in a layout. The value obtained by the formula is a lower bound for the expected number of relocations. Second, we develop an algorithm called the Expected Overstow-based Heuristic (EOH) for solving CPMP-UIR. In addition, a hard-enough dataset is generated to evaluate the performance of EOH. Finally, our numerical experiments show that the expected number of overstows during the retrieval phase is reduced dramatically after the pre-marshaling.
Superluminal geometrodynamics of braneworld hyperdrive via brane–bulk interaction
Authors: Alias Anuar , Jalar Azman
Published: May 2024

Alcubierre’s warp-drive was the first to introduce superluminal travel from different approaches. Instead of creating a shortcut through spacetime via a wormhole, geometrodynamics of simultaneously contracting and expanding spacetime were conjectured. However, both methods require exotic matter that violates energy conditions. In this paper, we employ the concept of braneworld that naturally influences spacetime geometrodynamics. Starting from defining and developing the spacetime metric of the braneworld warp bubble, the expression for energy densities as a function of relevant parameters which contributes to the braneworld approach of superluminal travel by hyperspace-drive was derived.
Addendum — Inertia modified by electromagnetic Abelian gauge transformations
Authors: Garat Alcides
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we will analyze the relationship between both potentials in vacuum electrodynamics and their local gauge transformations.
Operator-valued infinitesimal multiplicative convolutions
Authors: Tseng Pei-Lun
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we consider the notions of operator-valued infinitesimal (OVI) free independence, OVI Boolean independence, and OVI monotone independence. For each notion of OVI independence, we introduce the corresponding infinitesimal transforms, and then we show that the transforms satisfy certain multiplicative property. Additionally, we extend the concept of [Formula: see text]-coefficients to the infinitesimal framework and investigate its properties. Finally, we present an application involving complex Wishart matrices utilizing our infinitesimal free multiplicative formula.
Impact of Deposition Parameters on the Optical Properties of Fe2O3 Thin Films Prepared by SILAR Method
Authors: Al-Noamny Abbas Hadi Abbas , Alshamarti Hussein. A. , Mohammed Kahtan A. , Alkhayat Adel H. Omran , Sharma Shubham
Published: May 2024

In order to explore the structures, morphology, and optical features of Fe2O3 nanofilms, the successive ionic layer adsorption and reactions (SILARs) technique was utilized to deposit the nanofilms onto glassy slides at varying concentrations of the precursor. Three precursor concentrations (0.025, 0.05 and 0.075) M were used. Analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) presented the crystalline structure of the Fe2O3 thin films. Field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological features of the films. The results demonstrate that the surfaces of the films are nonporous and that there is a good distribution for spherical nanosize particles. The number of cycles is another important parameter that has been tested and its effect on the optical properties of prepared films was evaluated. The optical properties like optical absorption and energy gaps are affected directionally by changing the concentration and cycle numbers during the preparation. The latest objective of our study is to determine the role of precursor concentrations and deposition cycles in preparing thin films that have electronic applications such as sensors and solar cells.
Computational Methods for Stationary and Nonstationary Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov Equations with Random Coefficients
Authors: Said Mohamed Ben , Azrar Lahcen
Published: May 2024

In this paper, methodological approaches for distribution functions of nonlinear stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with uncertain parameters are elaborated. The stationary and nonstationary Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equations associated with the considered random equations are investigated. A semi-analytical approach based on the extended exponential closure handling the parameters uncertainty effects is presented. A new numerical method coupling the polynomial chaos with the differential quadrature method (DQM) is elaborated for the stationary case. A compact matrix formulation is established allowing considering a large number of generalized polynomial chaos. For nonstationary random FPK equations, the polynomial chaos is coupled with the quadrature discretization. A symmetric discretization of the main Fokker–Planck operator using a tensor product of the Hilbert state space and the Hilbert probabilistic space has resulted. The obtained eigenvalues and random eigenfunctions are used for a spectral decomposition. The time solution is obtained by the spectral expansion as well as by the random Euler stochastic method. The accuracy, effectiveness and advantages of the developed procedure in analyzing the stationary and nonstationary probabilistic solutions of nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems with uncertain parameters excited by a Gaussian white noise are demonstrated.