bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motion Reconstruction of Fast-Rotating Rigid Bodies
Authors: Neurauter Rene , Holzinger Stefan , Neuhauser Michael , Fischer Jan-Thomas , Gerstmayr Johannes
Published: November 2023

Motion reconstruction and navigation require accurate orientation estimation. Modern orientation estimation methods utilize filtering algorithms, such as the Kalman filter or Madgwick's algorithm. However, these methods do not address potential sensor saturation, which may occur within short time periods in highly dynamic applications, such as, e.g., particle tracking in snow avalanches, leading to inaccurate orientation estimates. In this paper, we present two algorithms for orientation estimation combining magnetometer and partially saturated gyrometer readings. One algorithm incorporates magnetic field vector observations and the full nonlinearity of the exponential map. The other, computationally more efficient algorithm builds on a linearization of the exponential map and is solved analytically. Both algorithms are then applied to measurement data from four different experiments, with two of them being snow avalanche experiments. Moreover, Madgwick's filtering algorithm was used to validate the proposed algorithms. The two algorithms improved the orientation estimation significantly in all experiments. Hence, the proposed algorithms can improve the performance of existing sensor fusion algorithms significantly.
Design Synthesis of a 4D-Printed Self-Tying Knot With Programmable Morphology
Authors: Bhattacharyya Anurag , Kim Jinyoung , Alacoque Lee R. , James Kai A.
Published: November 2023

Smart materials provide a means by which we can create engineered mechanisms that artificially mimic the adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness found in biological systems. Previous studies have developed material-based actuators that could produce targeted shape changes. Here, we extend this capability by introducing a novel computational and experimental method for design and synthesis of a material-based mechanism capable of achieving complex pre-programmed motion. By combining active and passive materials, the algorithm can encode the desired movement into the material distribution of the mechanism. We use multimaterial, multiphysics topology optimization to design a set of kinematic elements that exhibit basic bending and torsional deflection modes. We then use a genetic algorithm to optimally arrange these elements into a sequence that produces the desired motion. We also use experimental measurements to accurately characterize the angular deflection of the 3D-printed kinematic elements in response to thermomechanical loading. We demonstrate this new capability by de novo design of a 3D-printed self-tying knot. This method advances a new paradigm in mechanism design that could enable a new generation of material-driven machines that are lightweight, adaptable, robust to damage, and easily manufacturable by 3D printing.
Towards Sustainable Integration: Techno-Economic Analysis and Future Perspectives of Co-Located Wind and Hydrogen Energy Systems
Authors: Li Honglin , Zhang Jie
Published: November 2023

This article presents a comprehensive study that focuses on the techno-economic analysis of co-located wind and hydrogen energy integration within an integrated energy system (IES). The research investigates four distinct cases, each exploring various configurations of wind farms, electrolyzers, batteries, hydrogen storage tanks, and fuel cells. To obtain optimal results, the study employs a sophisticated mathematical optimization model formulated as a mixed-integer linear program. This model helps determine the most suitable component sizes and hourly energy scheduling patterns. The research utilizes historical meteorological data and wholesale market prices from diverse regions as inputs, enhancing the study’s applicability and relevance across different geographical locations. Moreover, sensitivity analyses are conducted to assess the impact of hydrogen prices, regional wind profiles, and potential future fluctuations in component prices. These analyses provide valuable insights into the robustness and flexibility of the proposed IES configurations under varying market conditions and uncertainties. The findings reveal cost-effective system configurations, strategic component selections, and implications of future energy scenarios. Specifically comparing to configurations that only have wind and battery combinations, we find that incorporating an electrolyzer results in a 7% reduction in the total cost of the IES, and utilizing hydrogen as the storage medium for fuel cells leads to a 26% cost reduction. Additionally, the IES with hybrid hydrogen and battery energy storage achieves even higher and stable power output. This research facilitates decision-making, risk mitigation, and optimized investment strategies, fostering sustainable planning for a resilient and environmentally friendly energy future.
Direct Numerical Simulation of Transitional and Turbulent Flows Over Multi-Scale Surface Roughness—Part II: The Effect of Roughness on the Performance of a High-Pressure Turbine Blade
Authors: Nardini Massimiliano , Jelly Thomas O. , Kozul Melissa , Sandberg Richard D. , Vitt Paul , Sluyter Greg
Published: November 2023

Turbine blades generally present surface roughness introduced in the manufacturing process or caused by in-service degradation, which can have a significant impact on aero-thermal performance. A better understanding of the fundamental physical mechanisms arising from the interaction between the roughness and the turbine flow at engine-relevant conditions can provide insights for the design of blades with improved efficiency and longer operational life. To this end, a high-fidelity numerical framework combining a well-validated solver for direct numerical simulation and a second-order accurate immersed boundary method is employed to predict roughness-induced aero-thermal effects on an LS89 high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade at engine-relevant conditions. Different amplitudes and distributions of surface roughness are investigated and a reference smooth-blade simulation under the same flow conditions is conducted for comparison. Roughness of increasing amplitude progressively shifts the blade suction side boundary layer transition upstream, producing larger values of the turbulent kinetic energy and higher total wake losses. The on-surface data-capturing capabilities of the numerical framework provide direct measurements of the heat flux and the skin friction coefficient, hence offering quantitative information between the surface topology and engineering-relevant performance parameters. This work may provide a benchmark for future numerical studies of turbomachinery flows with roughness.
Local spectral attention for full-band speech enhancement
Authors: Hou Zhongshu , Hu Qinwen , Chen Kai , Cao Zhanzhong , Lu Jing
Published: November 2023

Attention mechanism has been widely used in speech enhancement (SE) because, theoretically, it can effectively model the inherent connection of signal in time domain and spectrum domain. In this Letter, it is found that the attention over the entire frequency range hampers the inference for full-band SE and possibly leads to excessive residual noise and degradation of speech. To alleviate this problem, the local spectral attention is introduced into full-band SE model by limiting the span of attention. The ablation tests on three full-band SE models reveal that the local frequency attention can effectively improve overall performance.
Formaldehyde regulates
S
-adenosylmethionine biosynthesis and one-carbon metabolism
Authors: Pham Vanha N. , Bruemmer Kevin J. , Toh Joel D. W. , Ge Eva J. , Tenney Logan , Ward Carl C. , Dingler Felix A. , Millington Christopher L. , Garcia-Prieto Carlos A. , Pulos-Holmes Mia C. , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Pontel Lucas B. , Esteller Manel , Patel Ketan J. , Nomura Daniel K. , Chang Christopher J.
Published: November 2023

One-carbon metabolism is an essential branch of cellular metabolism that intersects with epigenetic regulation. In this work, we show how formaldehyde (FA), a one-carbon unit derived from both endogenous sources and environmental exposure, regulates one-carbon metabolism by inhibiting the biosynthesis of
S
-adenosylmethionine (SAM), the major methyl donor in cells. FA reacts with privileged, hyperreactive cysteine sites in the proteome, including Cys120 in S-adenosylmethionine synthase isoform type-1 (MAT1A). FA exposure inhibited MAT1A activity and decreased SAM production with MAT-isoform specificity. A genetic mouse model of chronic FA overload showed a decrease n SAM and in methylation on selected histones and genes. Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of
Mat1a
and related genes function as compensatory mechanisms for FA-dependent SAM depletion, revealing a biochemical feedback cycle between FA and SAM one-carbon units.
Reactive high-spin iron(IV)-oxo sites through dioxygen activation in a metal–organic framework
Authors: Hou Kaipeng , Börgel Jonas , Jiang Henry Z. H. , SantaLucia Daniel J. , Kwon Hyunchul , Zhuang Hao , Chakarawet Khetpakorn , Rohde Rachel C. , Taylor Jordan W. , Dun Chaochao , Paley Maria V. , Turkiewicz Ari B. , Park Jesse G. , Mao Haiyan , Zhu Ziting , Alp E. Ercan , Zhao Jiyong , Hu Michael Y. , Lavina Barbara , Peredkov Sergey , Lv Xudong , Oktawiec Julia , Meihaus Katie R. , Pantazis Dimitrios A. , Vandone Marco , Colombo Valentina , Bill Eckhard , Urban Jeffrey J. , Britt R. David , Grandjean Fernande , Long Gary J. , DeBeer Serena , Neese Frank , Reimer Jeffrey A. , Long Jeffrey R.
Published: November 2023

In nature, nonheme iron enzymes use dioxygen to generate high-spin iron(IV)=O species for a variety of oxygenation reactions. Although synthetic chemists have long sought to mimic this reactivity, the enzyme-like activation of O
2
to form high-spin iron(IV)=O species remains an unrealized goal. Here, we report a metal–organic framework featuring iron(II) sites with a local structure similar to that in α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases. The framework reacts with O
2
at low temperatures to form high-spin iron(IV)=O species that are characterized using in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform, in situ and variable-field Mössbauer, Fe Kβ x-ray emission, and nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopies. In the presence of O
2
, the framework is competent for catalytic oxygenation of cyclohexane and the stoichiometric conversion of ethane to ethanol.
Plan to ‘rewild’ Argentina’s guanacos stirs debate
Authors: Karáth Kata
Published: November 2023

Controversy includes claims of government malfeasance and threat of a defamation lawsuit
Global fight against HIV is at risk
Authors: El-Sadr Wafaa M. , Cohen Myron S.
Published: November 2023

Will the United States remain committed to a landmark health program it started 20 years ago that saved more than 25 million lives around the world? For a younger generation of physicians, nurses, and researchers today, the depth of despair wrought by the HIV/AIDS epidemic at that time is almost unimaginable. Even more profoundly, for countries in Africa, the epidemic presented an existential threat. Without access to antiretroviral therapy or efficacious prevention tools, new infections continued unfettered, and people with HIV/ AIDS faced near-certain death. Yet, somehow out of this anguish came a ray of hope. In 2003, President George W. Bush announced the launch of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), committing billions of dollars to fight the epidemic in the poorest countries around the world. The initiative has been a shining example of global collaboration in the face of adversity. Yet, as of this September, the US Congress has yet to reauthorize PEPFAR. The Biden administration, individuals from both sides of the political divide, and former President Bush himself have urged Congress to support PEPFAR’s lifesaving work. The scientific and public health communities must do the same before it is too late.
Microbial biogeography of the eastern Yucatán carbonate aquifer
Authors: Osburn Magdalena R. , Selensky Matthew J. , Beddows Patricia A. , Jacobson Andrew , DeFranco Karyn , Merediz-Alonso Gonzalo
Published: November 2023

Constraining the spatial distribution of microorganisms and their ecological interactions is crucial for informing biogeochemistry. To that end, we explore horizontal and vertical patterns of microbial biogeography in the eastern Yucatán carbonate aquifer by examining the relative abundance of microbial taxavia16S rRNA gene sequencing. As one of the largest anchialine groundwater systems on Earth, the density-stratified Yucatán aquifer consists of a meteoric lens overlying saline groundwater. The myriad sinkholes (cenotes) of the eastern peninsula lead into a vast network of subsurface conduits. Several studies describe microbial communities within specific regions of the aquifer, yet fundamental questions remain regarding the ecology and distribution of biogeochemically relevant microbes. Our analysis demonstrates that this aquifer hosts a distinct microbiome from nearby seawater, with regionalism observed across cave systems and vertical water column zones. We apply novel software to construct taxonomic co-occurrence networks at different scales and categorize highly connected groups of taxa into potential niches. Our network analysis approach suggests that ubiquitous, metabolically flexible taxa such as the familyComamonadaceaeact as ecological linchpins across several niches, often directly or indirectly co-occurring with taxa capable of anammox (e.g.,Gemmataceae), methanotrophy (e.g.,Methyloparacoccus), or organoheterotrophy. Furthermore, communities from a deep, pit-like cenote open to the surface show the strongest niche partitioning between water column zones, differing from those encountered throughout the mostly dark and oligotrophic aquifer system, including another deep pit cenote with no direct surface opening. Our results suggest that members of a core microbiome could modulate different biogeochemical regimes depending on location, acting as reservoirs of metabolic potential in disparate environments of this groundwater system.

IMPORTANCE

The extensive Yucatán carbonate aquifer, located primarily in southeastern Mexico, is pockmarked by numerous sinkholes (cenotes) that lead to a complex web of underwater caves. The aquifer hosts a diverse yet understudied microbiome throughout its highly stratified water column, which is marked by a meteoric lens floating on intruding seawater owing to the coastal proximity and high permeability of the Yucatán carbonate platform. Here, we present a biogeographic survey of bacterial and archaeal communities from the eastern Yucatán aquifer. We apply a novel network analysis software that models ecological niche space from microbial taxonomic abundance data. Our analysis reveals that the aquifer community is composed of several distinct niches that follow broader regional and hydrological patterns. This work lays the groundwork for future investigations to characterize the biogeochemical potential of the entire aquifer with other systems biology approaches.
Development of a Tag/Catcher-mediated capsid virus-like particle vaccine presenting the conserved
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
SliC antigen that blocks human lysozyme
Authors: Martinez Fabian G. , Zielke Ryszard A. , Fougeroux Cyrielle E. , Li Lixin , Sander Adam F. , Sikora Aleksandra E.
Published: November 2023

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising nanotools for the development of subunit vaccines due to high immunogenicity and safety. Herein, we explored the versatile and effective Tag/Catcher-AP205 capsid VLP (cVLP) vaccine platform to address the urgent need for the development of an effective and safe vaccine against gonorrhea. The benefits of this clinically validated cVLP platform include its ability to facilitate unidirectional, high-density display of complex/full-length antigens through an effective split-protein Tag/Catcher conjugation system. To assess this modular approach for making cVLP vaccines, we used a conserved surface lipoprotein, SliC, that contributes to the
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
defense against human lysozyme, as a model antigen. This protein was genetically fused at the N- or C-terminus to the small peptide Tag enabling their conjugation to AP205 cVLP, displaying the complementary Catcher. We determined that SliC with the N-terminal SpyTag, N-SliC, retained lysozyme-blocking activity and could be displayed at high density on cVLPs without causing aggregation. In mice, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines, adjuvanted with AddaVax or CpG, induced significantly higher antibody titers compared to controls. In contrast, similar vaccine formulations containing monomeric SliC were non-immunogenic. Accordingly, sera from N-SliC-VLP-immunized mice also had significantly higher human complement-dependent serum bactericidal activity. Furthermore, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines administered subcutaneously with an intranasal boost elicited systemic and vaginal IgG and IgA, whereas subcutaneous delivery alone failed to induce vaginal IgA. The N-SliC-VLP with CpG (10 µg/dose) induced the most significant increase in total serum IgG and IgG3 titers, vaginal IgG and IgA, and bactericidal antibodies.
Adenovirus E1B-55K controls SUMO-dependent degradation of antiviral cellular restriction factors
Authors: Ip Wing-Hang , Tatham Michael H. , Krohne Steewen , Gruhne Julia , Melling Michael , Meyer Tina , Gornott Britta , Bertzbach Luca D. , Hay Ronald T. , Rodriguez Estefania , Dobner Thomas
Published: November 2023

The human adenovirus species C type 5 (HAdV-C5) early region 1B 55 kDa (E1B-55K) protein is a multifunctional protein that promotes viral replication and adenovirus-mediated cell transformation through various mechanisms that primarily counteract host intrinsic and innate immunity. These include post-translational activities that exploit the host cell ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation machineries to regulate antiviral cellular restriction factors. However, despite significant advancements in this field, several underlying mechanisms governing these processes remain unidentified to date. Here, we performed stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based quantitative SUMO proteomics to better understand cellular consequences of E1B-55K-mediated host cell modulation and adenovirus infection in general. We assessed cellular proteins for abundance changes and SUMO2 conjugate proteome changes during infection with wild-type HAdV-C5 or an E1B-55K deletion mutant. We provide evidence that changes in the SUMOylated proteome have the potential to regulate the DNA damage response, cell cycle control, chromatin assembly, and gene transcription and present these data as a resource for the research community. Strikingly, we identified a SUMO-dependent, ubiquitin-mediated degradation mechanism for some SUMO substrates, suggesting that E1B-55K may use multiple mechanisms to alter the activity of restrictive cellular pathways.

IMPORTANCE

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) generally cause mild and self-limiting diseases of the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts but pose a serious risk to immunocompromised patients and children. Moreover, they are widely used as vectors for vaccines and vector-based gene therapy approaches. It is therefore vital to thoroughly characterize HAdV gene products and especially HAdV virulence factors. Early region 1B 55 kDa protein (E1B-55K) is a multifunctional HAdV-encoded oncoprotein involved in various viral and cellular pathways that promote viral replication and cell transformation. We analyzed the E1B-55K dependency of SUMOylation, a post-translational protein modification, in infected cells using quantitative proteomics. We found that HAdV increases overall cellular SUMOylation and that this increased SUMOylation can target antiviral cellular pathways that impact HAdV replication. Moreover, we showed that E1B-55K orchestrates the SUMO-dependent degradation of certain cellular antiviral factors. These results once more emphasize the key role of E1B-55K in the regulation of viral and cellular proteins in productive HAdV infections.
Characterization of non-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies that target the M1 and NP of influenza A viruses
Authors: Rijnink Willemijn Frederique , Stadlbauer Daniel , Puente-Massaguer Eduard , Okba Nisreen M. A. , Kirkpatrick Roubidoux Ericka , Strohmeier Shirin , Mudd Philip A. , Schmitz Aaron , Ellebedy Ali , McMahon Meagan , Krammer Florian
Published: November 2023

Improved broad-spectrum influenza virus vaccines are desperately needed to provide protection against both drifted seasonal and emerging pandemic influenza A viruses (IAVs). Antibody-based protection from influenza A virus-induced morbidity and mortality is traditionally associated with neutralizing antibodies. As such, vaccine efforts have solely focused on the hemagglutinin (HA) as a vaccine target; however, the HA is mutation prone resulting in the need for annual vaccine reformulation. Broad-spectrum vaccines could be achieved through non-neutralizing antibodies that target conserved influenza virus antigens. Here, we describe six human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from two H3N2-infected donors that showed robust binding against the conserved internal nucleoprotein (NP) or matrix protein 1 (M1) of IAV strains. Despite the capacity for potent antigen binding, substantial morbidity was observed in mice prophylactically treated with these mAbs and then challenged with A/Netherlands/602/2009 (H1N1) or A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2) viruses. While our findings need to be confirmed with a larger number of mAbs and with polyclonal serum, these findings suggest that human NP and M1 antibodies that are elicited following IAV infection/vaccination do not protect from substantial weight loss in the mouse model and imply that protection afforded targeting these antigens following vaccination/infection is most likely the result of cellular-based immunity.

IMPORTANCE

Currently, many groups are focusing on isolating both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies to the mutation-prone hemagglutinin as a tool to treat or prevent influenza virus infection. Less is known about the level of protection induced by non-neutralizing antibodies that target conserved internal influenza virus proteins. Such non-neutralizing antibodies could provide an alternative pathway to induce broad cross-reactive protection against multiple influenza virus serotypes and subtypes by partially overcoming influenza virus escape mediated by antigenic drift and shift. Accordingly, more information about the level of protection and potential mechanism(s) of action of non-neutralizing antibodies targeting internal influenza virus proteins could be useful for the design of broadly protective and universal influenza virus vaccines.
Informed interpretation of metagenomic data by StrainPhlAn enables strain retention analyses of the upper airway microbiome
Authors: Mostacci Nadja , Wüthrich Tsering Monika , Siegwald Léa , Kieser Silas , Steinberg Ruth , Sakwinska Olga , Latzin Philipp , Korten Insa , Hilty Markus
Published: November 2023

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing has the potential to provide bacterial strain-level resolution which is of key importance to tackle a host of clinical questions. While bioinformatic tools that achieve strain-level resolution are available, thorough benchmarking is needed to validate their use for less investigated and low biomass microbiomes like those from the upper respiratory tract. We analyzed a previously published data set of longitudinally collected nasopharyngeal samples from Bangladeshi infants (Microbiota and Health study) and a novel data set of oropharyngeal samples from Swiss children with cystic fibrosis. Data from bacterial cultures were used for benchmarking the parameters of StrainPhlAn 3, a bioinformatic tool designed for strain-level resolution. In addition, StrainPhlAn 3 results were compared with metagenomic assemblies derived from StrainGE and newly derived whole-genome sequencing data. After optimizing the analytical parameters, we compared StrainPhlAn 3 results to culture gold standard methods and achieved sensitivity values of 87% (
Streptococcus pneumoniae
), 80% (
Moraxella catarrhalis
), 75% (
Haemophilus influenzae
), and 57% (
Staphylococcus aureus
) for 420 nasopharyngeal and 75% (
H. influenzae
) and 46% (
S. aureus
) for 260 oropharyngeal samples. Comparing the phylogenetic tree of the core genome of 50
S
.
aureus
isolates with a corresponding marker gene tree generated by StrainPhlAn 3 revealed a striking similarity in tree topology for all but three samples indicating adequate strain resolution. In conclusion, a comparison of StrainPhlAn 3 results to data from bacterial cultures revealed that strain-level tracking of the respiratory microbiome is feasible despite the high content of host DNA when parameters are carefully optimized to fit low biomass microbiomes.

IMPORTANCE

The usage of 16S rRNA gene sequencing has become the state-of-the-art method for the characterization of the microbiota in health and respiratory disease. The method is reliable for low biomass samples due to prior amplification of the 16S rRNA gene but has limitations as species and certainly strain identification is not possible. However, the usage of metagenomic tools for the analyses of microbiome data from low biomass samples is not straight forward, and careful optimization is needed. In this work, we show that by validating StrainPhlAn 3 results with the data from bacterial cultures, the strain-level tracking of the respiratory microbiome is feasible despite the high content of host DNA being present when parameters are carefully optimized to fit low biomass microbiomes. This work further proposes that strain retention analyses are feasible, at least for more abundant species. This will help to better understand the longitudinal dynamics of the upper respiratory microbiome during health and disease.
Taxonomic distribution of metabolic functions in bacteria associated with
Trichodesmium
consortia
Authors: Koedooder Coco , Zhang Futing , Wang Siyuan , Basu Subhajit , Haley Sheean T. , Tolic Nikola , Nicora Carrie D. , Glavina del Rio Tijana , Dyhrman Sonya T. , Gledhill Martha , Boiteau Rene M. , Rubin-Blum Maxim , Shaked Yeala
Published: November 2023

The photosynthetic and diazotrophic cyanobacterium
Trichodesmium
is a key contributor to marine biogeochemical cycles in the subtropical-oligotrophic oceans.
Trichodesmium
form colonies that harbor a distinct microbial community in comparison to the surrounding seawater. The presence of their associated bacteria can expand
Trichodesmium
’s functional potential and is predicted to influence the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron (C, N, P, and Fe). To link the bacteria associated with
Trichodesmium
to key functional traits and elucidate how community structure can influence nutrient cycling, we characterized Red Sea
Trichodesmium
colonies using metagenomics and metaproteomics. Colonies harbored bacteria that typically associate with algae and particles, such as the ubiquitous
Alteromonas macleodii,
but also lineages specific to
Trichodesmium
, such as members from the order Balneolales. The majority of associated bacteria were auxotrophic for different vitamins, indicating their dependency on vitamin production by
Trichodesmium
. The associated bacteria carry functional traits including siderophore biosynthesis, reduced phosphorus metabolism, and denitrification pathways. The analysis supports
Trichodesmium
as an active hotspot for C, N, P, Fe, and vitamin exchange. In turn,
Trichodesmium
may rely on associated bacteria to meet its high Fe demand as several lineages synthesize photolabile siderophores (e.g., vibrioferrin, rhizoferrin, petrobactin) which can enhance the bioavailability of particulate Fe to the entire consortium. Collectively, the results indicate that
Trichodesmium
colonies provide a structure where these interactions can take place. While further studies are required to clarify the exact nature of these interactions,
Trichodesmium
’s reliance on particle and algae-associated bacteria and the observed redundancy of key functional traits likely underpins the resilience of
Trichodesmium
within an ever-changing global environment.

IMPORTANCE

Colonies of the cyanobacteria
Trichodesmium
act as a biological hotspot for the usage and recycling of key resources such as C, N, P, and Fe within an otherwise oligotrophic environment. While
Trichodesmium
colonies are known to interact and support a unique community of algae and particle-associated microbes, our understanding of the taxa that populate these colonies and the gene functions they encode is still limited. Characterizing the taxa and adaptive strategies that influence consortium physiology and its concomitant biogeochemistry is critical in a future ocean predicted to have increasingly resource-depleted regions.
Supplemental Material: The application of dual clumped isotope thermometer (Δ47 and Δ48) to the understanding of dolomite formation
Authors: Lu Chaojin , Swart Peter K
Published: November 2023

Methods and data for dual clumped isotope measurements.  
Occupational health hazards of bidi workers and their families in India: a scoping review
Authors: Tyagi Jyoti , Beri Deepti , Ingale Samiksha , Sinha Praveen , Bhaumik Soumyadeep
Published: November 2023

Background

Bidi workers and their families are exposed to harmful substances during bidi rolling, thereby jeopardising their health. We aimed to assess existing evidence on health conditions of bidi workers and their families in India.

Methods

We searched nine databases and relevant websites, and conducted citation screening to identify primary studies assessing occupational health hazards of bidi workers and their families. Two authors independently conducted screening and data extraction. We synthesised the findings narratively in a structured fashion.

Results

We found 3842 studies, out of which 95 studies met our eligibility criteria. High prevalence of disease conditions across all organ systems of the body was reported in bidi workers. Studies on female bidi workers showed decreased fertility (n=2), increased frequency of miscarriages (n=1) and higher risk of cervical cancer (n=1). Pregnant bidi workers were at an increased risk of anaemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension (n=2), higher frequency of neonatal deaths (n=1), stillbirths (n=1) and premature births (n=1) in comparison with non-bidi workers. Babies born to bidi workers reported low birth weight (n=5). Evidence from cohort studies suggests causal nature of the exposure to the disease condition.

Conclusion

Our review shows that bidi rolling leads to numerous occupational health hazards in bidi workers and their family members. It is essential to provide alternative livelihoods, and safe and protective working environment, and cover bidi workers under various social security provisions to alleviate the deleterious effect of bidi making at home. It is also important to shift bidi making away from home and strengthen existing regulations and promulgation of new provisions, including India’s Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code 2020.
Hospital care for critical illness in low-resource settings: lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: English Mike , Oliwa Jacquie , Khalid Karima , Onyango Onesmus , Willows Tamara Mulenga , Mazhar Rosanna , Mkumbo Elibariki , Guinness Lorna , Schell Carl Otto , Baker Tim , McKnight Jacob
Published: November 2023

Care for the critically ill patients is often considered synonymous with a hospital having an intensive care unit. However, a focus on Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) may obviate the need for much intensive care. Severe COVID-19 presented a specific critical care challenge while also being an exemplar of critical illness in general. Our multidisciplinary team conducted research in Kenya and Tanzania on hospitals’ ability to provide EECC as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. Important basic inputs were often lacking, especially sufficient numbers of skilled health workers. However, we learnt that higher scores on resource readiness scales were often misleading, as resources were often insufficient or not functional in all the clinical areas they are needed. By following patient journeys, through interviews and group discussions, we revealed gaps in timeliness, continuity and delivery of care. Generic challenges in transitions between departments were identified in the receipt of critically ill patients, the ability to sustain monitoring and treatment and preparation for any subsequent transition. While the global response to COVID-19 focused initially on providing technologies and training, first ventilators and later oxygen, organisational and procedural challenges seemed largely ignored. Yet, they may even be exacerbated by new technologies. Efforts to improve care for the critically ill patients, which is a complex process, must include a whole system and whole facility view spanning all areas of patients’ care and their transitions and not be focused on a single location providing ‘critical care’. We propose a five-part strategy to support the system changes needed.
Expediting approval for medical countermeasures to address high burden disease: an ethical justification to move beyond emergency use authorisation
Authors: Mercuri Mathew , Hackett Kristy , Upshur Ross , Emerson Claudia Isabel
Published: November 2023

Addressing global health crises requires a receptive and expedient policy environment to minimise delays in making available potentially life-saving technologies. Over time, the policy environment has adapted to ensure that communities have expedited access to promising technologies, such as vaccines, that can mitigate morbidity and mortality. Emergency authorisations are one such policy mechanism. While these have been employed successfully for several diseases, such as influenza, Ebola and COVID-19, the policy mechanism is tied to contexts where key bodies have designated the disease an ‘emergency’, whereas no equivalent mechanism exists for those failing to acquire the designation (eg, malaria and tuberculosis). In this paper, we examine ethical issues associated with emergency authorisations. We argue that there is no moral difference between those diseases considered emergencies and many that fail to be designated as such with respect to impact on affected communities. Thus, tying access to an expedient policy mechanism for approval to an emergency designation is ethically unjustified—it should be based on considerations of risks and benefits, the disease burden and the values of the communities that carry those risks and not contingent on if the disease is designated an emergency. We suggest the need to further enhance the policy environment to ensure access to similar expedited approval programmes irrespective of if a disease is an emergency. Levelling the field for access to expedited approval programmes across diseases can help in moving towards achieving global health equity but is not a panacea.
‘It’s about time’. Dissemination and evaluation of a global health systems strengthening roadmap for musculoskeletal health – insights and future directions
Authors: Briggs Andrew M , Chua Jason , Cross Marita , Ahmad Nighat Mir , Finucane Laura , Haq Syed Atiqul , Joshipura Manjul , Kalla Asgar Ali , March Lyn , Moscogiuri Federico , Reis Felipe J J , Sarfraz Shabnum , Sharma Saurab , Soriano Enrique R , Slater Helen
Published: November 2023

Actions towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 typically focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) associated with premature mortality, with less emphasis on NCDs associated with disability, such as musculoskeletal conditions—the leading contributor to the global burden of disability.Can systems strengthening priorities for an underprioritised NCD be codesigned, disseminated and evaluated?A ‘roadmap’ for strengthening global health systems for improved musculoskeletal health was launched in 2021. In this practice paper, we outline dissemination efforts for this Roadmap and insights on evaluating its reach, user experience and early adoption. A global network of 22 dissemination partners was established to drive dissemination efforts, focussing on Africa, Asia and Latin America, each supported with a suite of dissemination assets. Within a 6-month evaluation window, 52 Twitter posts were distributed, 2195 visitors from 109 countries accessed the online multilingual Roadmap and 138 downloads of the Roadmap per month were recorded. Among 254 end users who answered a user-experience survey, respondents ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ the Roadmap was valuable (88.3%), credible (91.2%), useful (90.1%) and usable (85.4%). Most (77.8%) agreed or strongly agreed they would adopt the Roadmap in some way. Collection of real-world adoption case studies allowed unique insights into adoption practices in different contexts, settings and health system levels. Diversity in adoption examples suggests that the Roadmap has value and adoption potential at multiple touchpoints within health systems globally. With resourcing, harnessing an engaged global community and establishing a global network of partners, a systems strengthening tool can be cocreated, disseminated and formatively evaluated.
Brain edema growth after thrombectomy is associated with comprehensive collateral blood flow
Authors: Faizy Tobias D , Winkelmeier Laurens , Mlynash Michael , Broocks Gabriel , Heitkamp Christian , Thaler Christian , van Horn Noel , Seners Pierre , Kniep Helge , Stracke Paul , Zelenak Kamil , Lansberg Maarten G , Albers Gregory W , Wintermark Max , Fiehler Jens , Heit Jeremy J
Published: November 2023

Background

We determined whether a comprehensive assessment of cerebral collateral blood flow is associated with ischemic lesion edema growth in patients successfully treated by thrombectomy.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of ischemic stroke patients who underwent thrombectomy treatment of large vessel occlusions. Collateral status was determined using the cerebral collateral cascade (CCC) model, which comprises three components: arterial collaterals (Tan Scale) and venous outflow profiles (Cortical Vein Opacification Score) on CT angiography, and tissue-level collaterals (hypoperfusion intensity ratio) on CT perfusion. Quantitative ischemic lesion net water uptake (NWU) was used to determine edema growth between admission and follow-up non-contrast head CT (ΔNWU). Three groups were defined: CCC+ (good pial collaterals, tissue-level collaterals, and venous outflow), CCC− (poor pial collaterals, tissue-level collaterals, and venous outflow), and CCCmixed (remainder of patients). Primary outcome was ischemic lesion edema growth (ΔNWU). Multivariable regression models were used to assess the primary and secondary outcomes.

Results

538 patients were included. 157 patients had CCC+, 274 patients CCCmixed, and 107 patients CCC− profiles. Multivariable regression analysis showed that compared with patients with CCC+ profiles, CCC− (β 1.99, 95% CI 0.68 to 3.30, P=0.003) and CCC mixed (β 1.65, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.56, P<0.001) profiles were associated with greater ischemic lesion edema growth (ΔNWU) after successful thrombectomy treatment. ΔNWU (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.8, P<0.001) and CCC+ (OR 13.39, 95% CI 4.88 to 36.76, P<0.001) were independently associated with functional independence.

Conclusion

A comprehensive assessment of cerebral collaterals using the CCC model is strongly associated with edema growth and functional independence in acute stroke patients successfully treated by endovascular thrombectomy.
Exploring the cost-effectiveness of EBV vaccination to prevent multiple sclerosis in an Australian setting
Authors: Palmer Andrew J , Zhao Ting , Taylor Bruce V , van der Mei Ingrid , Campbell Julie A
Published: November 2023

Background

Increasing evidence suggests the potential of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vaccination in preventing multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to explore the cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical EBV vaccination to prevent MS in an Australian setting.

Methods

A five-state Markov model was developed to simulate the incidence and subsequent progression of MS in a general Australian population. The model inputs were derived from published Australian sources. Hypothetical vaccination costs, efficacy and strategies were derived from literature. Total lifetime costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were estimated for two hypothetical prevention strategies versus no prevention from the societal and health system payer perspectives. Costs and QALYs were discounted at 5% annually. One-way, two-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

Results

From societal perspective, EBV vaccination targeted at aged 0 and aged 12 both dominated no prevention (ie, cost saving and increasing QALYs). However, vaccinating at age 12 was more cost-effective (total lifetime costs reduced by $A452/person, QALYs gained=0.007, ICER=−$A64 571/QALY gained) than vaccinating at age 0 (total lifetime costs reduced by $A40/person, QALYs gained=0.003, ICER=−$A13 333/QALY gained). The probabilities of being cost-effective under $A50 000/QALY gained threshold for vaccinating at ages 0 and 12 were 66% and 90%, respectively. From health system payer perspective, the EBV vaccination was cost-effective at age 12 only. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of EBV vaccination to prevent MS under a wide range of plausible scenarios.

Conclusions

MS prevention using future EBV vaccinations, particularly targeted at adolescence population, is highly likely to be cost-effective.
Association of low-dose ionising radiation with site-specific solid cancers: Chinese medical X-ray workers cohort study, 1950–1995
Authors: Gu Yeqing , Wang Jinhan , Wang Yan , Xu Chang , Liu Yang , Du Liqing , Wang Qin , Ji Kaihua , He Ningning , Zhang Manman , Song Huijuan , Niu Kaijun , Liu Qiang
Published: November 2023

Background

The dose–response relationship between cancers and protracted low-dose rate exposure to ionising radiation is still uncertain. This study aims to estimate quantified relationships between low-dose radiation exposures and site-specific solid cancers among Chinese medical X-ray workers.

Methods

This cohort study included 27 011 individuals who were employed at major hospitals in 24 provinces in China from 1950 to 1980 and had been exposed to X-ray equipment, and a control group of 25 782 physicians who were not exposed to X-ray equipment. Person-years of follow-up were calculated from the year of employment to the date of the first diagnosis of cancer or the end of follow-up, whichever occurred first. All cancers were obtained from medical records during 1950–1995. This study used Poisson regression models to estimate the excess relative risk (ERR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) for incidence of site-specific solid cancers associated with cumulative dose.

Results

1643 solid cancers were developed, the most common being lung, liver and stomach cancer. Among X-ray workers, the average cumulative colon dose was 0.084 Gy. We found a positive relationship between cumulative organ-specific dose and liver (ERR/Gy=1.48; 95% CI 0.40 to 2.83), oesophagus (ERR/Gy=18.1; 95% CI 6.25 to 39.1), thyroid (ERR/Gy=2.96; 95% CI 0.44 to 8.18) and non-melanoma skin cancers (ERR/Gy=7.96; 95% CI 2.13 to 23.12). We found no significant relationship between cumulative organ-specific doses and other cancers. Moreover, the results showed a statistically significant EAR for liver, stomach, breast cancer (female), thyroid and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Conclusions

These findings provided more useful insights into the risks of site-specific cancers from protracted low-dose rate exposure to ionising radiation.
Data-worth analysis for the design of the HotBENT monitoring system
Authors: Finsterle S. , Kober F. , Vomvoris S. , Lanyon B. , Kowalsky M. B.
Published: November 2023

The safety of a geologic repository for heat-generating nuclear waste relies in part on the long-term performance of the clay-based buffer material that surrounds the waste canisters. The sealing and waste-isolation properties of the bentonite may degrade as temperatures rise to high values. To improve the understanding of the evolution of the repository's near field and in particular the effects of increased temperatures on the bentonite buffer, a full-scale, long-duration experiment named HotBENT is underway at the Grimsel Test Site, Switzerland. The HotBENT monitoring system was designed with the support of a modelling-based data-worth analysis in which the contribution of individual sensors to the reduction in estimation or prediction uncertainties is formally evaluated. Two examples are described; the first demonstrates optimization of the monitoring system for the estimation of parameters of a clay-swelling model, whereas the second example shows how to select monitoring data that help improve the quality of model predictions needed for decision support. A data-worth analysis was considered a useful approach to identify the information content of actual and planned monitoring data for the specific objectives of the experiment. The HotBENT monitoring system was eventually designed in part based on the results presented in this paper.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Sustainable geological disposal and containment of radioactive waste collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/radioactive
The impact of post-cutoff bend curvature on channel kinematics in meandering rivers: an example from the Trinity River, Texas, USA
Authors: Speed Cole M. , Sylvester Zoltán , Morris Paul D. , Mohrig David
Published: November 2023

Neck and chute cutoffs along meandering rivers are near-instantaneous morphodynamic perturbations that drive modification of planform channel geometry and kinematics at the cutoff site and in adjacent bends. Despite their ubiquity, quantitative and predictive linkages between post-cutoff planform bend geometry and subsequent bend kinematics remain limited. Here, using a 37-year record of Landsat-derived river channel centrelines from a meandering reach of the Trinity River in Texas (USA) and a newly developed directed graph-based approach for high-resolution channel tracking, we identify a linkage between post-cutoff bend curvature and the magnitude, spatial extent, and temporal duration of cutoff influence on local and non-local channel bend kinematics. We further explore this relationship using a kinematic model of meandering applied to synthetically generated river reaches and the Landsat-derived Trinity River centrelines. While the model captures the observed linkages between post-cutoff bend curvature and resultant bend kinematics, it underpredicts the magnitude of cutoff influence observed in the real centreline data – particularly at the cutoff site – by up to one order of magnitude. Our results provide a promising advance in the characterization and prediction of the spatiotemporal impact of cutoffs on local and non-local post-cutoff channel bend kinematics.