bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merging Mesoscale Magnetotail Features and Ground B‐Field Perturbation Network Connectivity During Substorm Activity
Authors: Adewuyi M. , Keesee A. , Ferdousi B.
Published: September 2024

The connection between the magnetosphere and ionosphere is particularly dynamic during substorms. Mesoscale features in the magnetotail are consistent with substorm activity, including magnetic reconnection in the tail, flow channels, and particle injections. Observations of substorm related phenomena can be made using energetic neutral atom (ENA) imagers, in situ satellite measurements, and ground based magnetic field perturbation measurements. Analysis of the 10 October 2014 isolated substorm event is presented. Comparison of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the features seen in equatorial maps generated from ENA data are made with inner magnetosphere in situ measurements and ionospheric features with network analysis of the SuperMAG data. An MHD simulation of the event using OpenGGCM is also compared with the data.
Protein phosphatase 4 maintains the survival of primordial follicles by regulating autophagy in oocytes
Authors: Dong Ming-Zhe , Ouyang Ying-Chun , Gao Shi-Cai , Gu Lin-Jian , Guo Jia-Ni , Sun Si-Min , Wang Zhen-Bo , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: September 2024

In mammalian ovary, the primordial follicle pool serves as the source of developing follicles and fertilizable ova. To maintain the normal length of female reproductive life, the primordial follicles must have adequate number and be kept in a quiescent state before menopause. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying primordial follicle survival are poorly understood. Here, we provide genetic evidence showing that lacking protein phosphatase 4 (PPP4) in oocytes, a member of PP2A-like subfamily, results in infertility in female mice. A large quantity of primordial follicles has been depleted around the primordial follicle pool formation phase and the ovarian reserve is exhausted at about 7 months old. Further investigation demonstrates that depletion of PPP4 causes the abnormal activation of mTOR, which suppresses autophagy in primordial follicle oocytes. The abnormal primordial follicle oocytes are eventually erased by pregranulosa cells in the manner of lysosome invading. These results show that autophagy prevents primordial follicles over loss and PPP4-mTOR pathway governs autophagy during the primordial follicle formation and dormant period.
Enhancing electrochemical carbon dioxide capture with supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Zhen , Mapstone Grace , Coady Zeke , Wang Mengnan , Spreng Tristan L. , Liu Xinyu , Molino Davide , Forse Alexander C.
Published: September 2024

Supercapacitors are emerging as energy-efficient and robust devices for electrochemical CO2 capture. However, the impacts of electrode structure and charging protocols on CO2 capture performance remain unclear. Therefore, this study develops structure-property-performance correlations for supercapacitor electrodes at different charging conditions. We find that electrodes with large surface areas and low oxygen functionalization generally perform best, while a combination of micro- and mesopores is important to achieve fast CO2 capture rates. With these structural features and tunable charging protocols, YP80F activated carbon electrodes show the best CO2 capture performance with a capture rate of 350 mmolCO2 kg–1 h–1 and a low electrical energy consumption of 18 kJ molCO2–1 at 300 mA g–1 under CO2, together with a long lifetime over 12000 cycles at 150 mA g–1 under CO2 and excellent CO2 selectivity over N2 and O2. Operated in a “positive charging mode”, the system achieves excellent electrochemical reversibility with Coulombic efficiencies over 99.8% in the presence of approximately 15% O2, alongside stable cycling performance over 1000 cycles. This study paves the way for improved supercapacitor electrodes and charging protocols for electrochemical CO2 capture.
Bayesian optimization acquisition functions for accelerated search of cluster expansion convex hull of multi-component alloys
Authors: Wen Dongsheng , Tucker Victoria , Titus Michael S.
Published: September 2024

Atomistic simulations are crucial for predicting material properties and understanding phase stability, essential for materials selection and development. However, the high computational cost of density functional theory calculations challenges the design of materials with complex structures and composition. This study introduces new data acquisition strategies using Bayesian-Gaussian optimization that efficiently integrate the geometry of the convex hull to optimize the yield of batch experiments. We developed uncertainty-based acquisition functions to prioritize the computation tasks of configurations of multi-component alloys, enhancing our ability to identify the ground-state line. Our methods were validated across diverse materials systems including Co-Ni alloys, Zr-O compounds, Ni-Al-Cr ternary alloys, and a planar defect system in intermetallic (Ni1−x, Cox)3Al. Compared to traditional genetic algorithms, our strategies reduce training parameters and user interaction, cutting the number of experiments needed to accurately determine the ground-state line by over 30%. These approaches can be expanded to multi-component systems and integrated with cost functions to further optimize experimental designs.
Tuning the Schottky barrier height in single- and bi-layer graphene-inserted MoS2/metal contacts
Authors: Zhao Xumei , Xia Caijuan , Li Lianbi , Wang Anxiang , Cao Dezhong , Zhang Baiyu , Fang Qinglong
Published: September 2024

First-principle calculations based on density functional theory are employed to investigate the impact of graphene insertion on the electronic properties and Schottky barrier of MoS2/metals (Mg, Al, In, Cu, Ag, Au, Pd, Ti, and Sc) without deteriorating the intrinsic properties of the MoS2 layer. The results reveal that the charge transfer mainly occurs at the interface between the graphene and metal layers, with smaller transfer at the interface between bi-layer garphene or between graphene and MoS2. And the tunneling barrier exists at the interface between graphene and MoS2, which hinders electron injection from graphene to MoS2. Importantly, the Schottky barrier height ($$\Phi_{{\text{SB,N}}}$$

Φ
SB,N

) decreases upon graphene insertion into MoS2/metal contacts. Specifically, for single-layer graphene, the $$\Phi_{{\text{SB,N}}}$$

Φ
SB,N

of MoS2 contacted with Mg, In, Sc, and Ti are − 0.116 eV, − 0.116 eV, − 0.014 eV, and − 0.116 eV, respectively. Furthermore, with bilayer graphene, when by inserting bi-layer graphene, the negative n-type Schottky barrier of − 0.086 eV, − 0.114 eV, − 0.059 eV, − 0.008 eV, and − 0.0636 eV are observed for MoS2 contacted with the respective metals, respectively. These findings provide a practical guidance for developing and designing high-performance transition metal dichalcogenide nanoelectronic devices.
Clinical outcomes and radiolucent line analysis in cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective multicentre study in Japan
Authors: Minoda Yukihide , Nakagawa Shigeru , Ueyama Hideki , Warashina Hideki , Kato Michitaka , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Nozaki Masahiro , Kobayashi Makoto , Horikoshi Yukie , Yasuda Junko
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study was to assess radiolucent lines (RLLs) and to determine their effect on clinical outcomes of the newly introduced cementless mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system. This was prospective, multicentre study. Seventy-eight patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent primary TKA were enrolled. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and radiographic assessments were evaluated at preoperative baseline and at 6 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. KOOS, PKIP, 2011KSS, EQ-5D-3L and SKO improved from preoperative baseline to all postoperative timepoints, with no loosening of components. No RLLs were detected at 6 weeks after surgery. However, RLLs ≥ 1 mm developed in 2.8% of the patients for the femur and 9.7% for the tibia at 1 year after surgery, and values were 5.7% and 10.9%, respectively, at 2 years after surgery. RLL incidence was not correlated with PROMs. Age, sex, body mass index, range of motion knee flexion, posterior cruciate ligament treatment and β angle did not impact the occurrence of RLLs. There were no intraoperative complications, revisions or reoperations. This TKA system improved PROMs and showed less incidence of RLLs compared to the previous reported TKA without implant-related complications.
Surface damage reduction effect of ultra-high working face in Shangwan coal mine
Authors: Xinjie L. I. U. , Yingming Yang , Yongqiang Zhao , Xiaolong WANG , Gang Liu , Zhuhe Xu
Published: September 2024

Green mining is the basic background of high-quality mining, and source reduction is the most important part, among which the optimization of working face height and length is the most active. How to control the working face parameters, reasonably evaluate the surface subsidence characteristics of the super-long working face, and identify the limit working face length and the surface discontinuous deformation threshold is particularly important. In order to solve the problem of irreversible damage to the surface caused by the mining process of the working face, this paper discusses the whole process of surface movement in the 8.8 m super-large mining height working face of Shangwan Coal Mine through field investigation, the maximum subsidence is 6.20 m, with a subsidence coefficient of 0.72. Combined with the inflection point trajectory, advancing degree and subsidence coefficient, the 0.9 coefficient of the working face subsidence basin boundary and the loss reduction strategy far from the limit working face threshold are proposed. The results show that the subsidence basin of 12,401 working face accounts for 34%, the continuous deformation area of surface accounts for 64%, and the influence area of discontinuous deformation area is within 10 times of mining height. With the help of borehole detection verification, the caving zone height within the coal seam overburden to be between 33.2 and 33.25 m and the fracture zone height between 118.08 and 132.83 m. Therefore, the caving ratio is about 3.8, and the fracture ratio is about 13–15, which provides a strong basis for the optimization design of working face and the timing of surface ecological management.
Effects of different phosphorus and potassium supply on the root architecture, phosphorus and potassium uptake, and utilization efficiency of hydroponic rice
Authors: Liu Ya , Gao Jiping , Zhao Yanze , Fu Yichen , Yan Bingchun , Wan Xue , Cheng Guoqing , Zhang Wenzhong
Published: September 2024

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) affect seedling growth, root configuration, and nutrient uptake in hydroponic rice, but there are few studies on all growth stages of rice. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the response characteristics of root morphology, plant physiology, and P and K uptake and utilization efficiency to different supplies of P and K. Two local conventional rice varieties (Shennong 265 and Liaojing 294) were used as experimental materials across four treatments, including HPHK (sufficient P and K supply), HPLK (sufficient P supply under low K levels), LPHK (sufficient K supply under low P levels) and LPLK (low P and K levels) in a hydroponic setting. The results showed that HPHK and HPLK significantly decreased the acid phosphatase activity of leaves and roots from full heading to filling stages when compared to LPHK and LPLK. Sufficient supply of P or K significantly increased the accumulation of P and K (aboveground, leaves, stem sheath, and whole plant) and root morphological parameters (root length, root surface area, total root volume, and tips) during major growth stages when compared to LP or LK levels. HPHK was significantly higher than other treatments in terms of dry weight and the root activity at the main growth stage, P and K uptake rates in nutrient solutions at various stages, related P and K efficiency at the maturity stage, yield, effective panicle number, and grain number per panicle. In addition, the effect of HPHK on the above indexes were significantly greater than those of single sufficient supply of P or K. In conclusion, HPHK can improve plant configuration, increase plant P and K absorption and root activity, and increase rice yield and related P and K utilization efficiency.
An Introduction to Machine Learning for Speech-Language Pathologists: Concepts, Terminology, and Emerging Applications
Authors: Cordella Claire , Marte Manuel J. , Liu Hantian , Kiran Swathi
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to orient both clinicians and researchers to machine learning (ML) approaches as applied to the field of speech-language pathology. We first introduce key ML concepts and terminology and proceed to feature exemplar papers of recent work utilizing ML techniques in speech-language pathology. We also discuss the limitations, cautions, and challenges to the implementation of ML and related techniques in speech-language pathology.

Conclusions:

Readers are introduced to broad ML concepts, including common ML tasks (e.g., classification, regression), and specific types of ML models (e.g., linear/logistic regression, random forest, support vector machines, neural networks). Key considerations for developing, evaluating, validating, and interpreting ML models are discussed. An application section reviews six exemplar published papers in the aphasiology literature that have utilized ML approaches. Lastly, limitations to the implementation of ML approaches are discussed, including issues of reliability, validity, bias, and explainability. We highlight emergent solutions and next steps to facilitate responsible and clinically meaningful use of ML approaches in speech-language pathology moving forward.
YOLO-CIANNA: Galaxy detection with deep learning in radio data
Authors: Cornu D. , Salomé P. , Semelin B. , Marchal A. , Freundlich J. , Aicardi S. , Lu X. , Sainton G. , Mertens F. , Combes F. , Tasse C.
Published: September 2024

Context. The upcoming Square Kilometer Array (SKA) will set a new standard regarding data volume generated by an astronomical instrument, which is likely to challenge widely adopted data-analysis tools that scale inadequately with the data size.

Aims. The aim of this study is to develop a new source detection and characterization method for massive radio astronomical datasets based on modern deep-learning object detection techniques. For this, we seek to identify the specific strengths and weaknesses of this type of approach when applied to astronomical data.

Methods. We introduce YOLO-CIANNA, a highly customized deep-learning object detector designed specifically for astronomical datasets. In this paper, we present the method and describe all the elements introduced to address the specific challenges of radio astronomical images. We then demonstrate the capabilities of this method by applying it to simulated 2D continuum images from the SKA observatory Science Data Challenge 1 (SDC1) dataset.

Results. Using the SDC1 metric, we improve the challenge-winning score by +139% and the score of the only other post-challenge participation by +61%. Our catalog has a detection purity of 94% while detecting 40–60% more sources than previous top-score results, and exhibits strong characterization accuracy. The trained model can also be forced to reach 99% purity in post-process and still detect 10–30% more sources than the other top-score methods. It is also computationally efficient, with a peak prediction speed of 500 images of 512×512 pixels per second on a single GPU.

Conclusions. YOLO-CIANNA achieves state-of-the-art detection and characterization results on the simulated SDC1 dataset and is expected to transfer well to observational data from SKA precursors.
Commutative avatars of representations of semisimple Lie groups
Authors: Hausel Tamás
Published: September 2024

Here we announce the construction and properties of a big commutative subalgebra of the Kirillov algebra attached to a finite dimensional irreducible representation of a complex semisimple Lie group. They are commutative finite flat algebras over the cohomology of the classifying space of the group. They are isomorphic with the equivariant intersection cohomology of affine Schubert varieties, endowing the latter with a new ring structure. Study of the finer aspects of the structure of the big algebras will also furnish the stalks of the intersection cohomology with ring structure, thus ringifying Lusztig’s
q
-weight multiplicity polynomials i.e., certain affine Kazhdan–Lusztig polynomials.
Localization–delocalization transition for light particles in turbulence
Authors: Wang Ziqi , de Wit Xander M. , Toschi Federico
Published: September 2024

Small bubbles in fluids rise to the surface due to Archimede’s force. Remarkably, in turbulent flows this process is severely hindered by the presence of vortex filaments, which act as moving potential wells, dynamically trapping light particles and bubbles. Quantifying the statistical weights and roles of vortex filaments in turbulence is, however, still an outstanding experimental and computational challenge due to their small scale, fast chaotic motion, and transient nature. Here we show that, under the influence of a modulated oscillatory forcing, the collective bubble behavior switches from a dynamically localized to a delocalized state. Additionally, we find that by varying the forcing frequency and amplitude, a remarkable resonant phenomenon between light particles and small-scale vortex filaments emerges, likening particle behavior to a forced damped oscillator. We discuss how these externally actuated bubbles can be used as a type of microscopic probe to investigate the space-time statistical properties of the smallest turbulence scales, allowing to quantitatively measure physical characteristics of vortex filaments. We develop a superposition model that is in excellent agreement with the simulation data of the particle dynamics which reveals the fraction of localized/delocalized particles as well as characteristics of the potential landscape induced by vortices in turbulence. Our approach paves the way for innovative ways to accurately measure turbulent properties and to the possibility to control light particles and bubble motions in turbulence with potential applications to oceanography, medical imaging, drug/gene delivery, chemical reactions, wastewater treatment, and industrial mixing.
Environmental Impact Targets for Sustainable Foods Based on Their Nutritional Value
Authors: Sherwood James
Published: September 2024

Human activities create an immense strain on many ecological processes. Agriculture and the wider food supply sector is the source of much of this environmental damage. The traditional interpretation of environmental impacts provided by life cycle assessments (LCAs) does not provide any understanding of whether a product or process is sustainable or not. Recently, Planetary Boundaries have quantified sustainable limits to human activities at the global scale. Here we shall merge the analysis of LCA with the context provided by Planetary Boundaries to understand the sustainability of foods. The resulting metric, ‘Performance-weighted Environmental Sustainability’, was used to analyse the land use change, freshwater use, and climate change impacts of foods, and create a sustainable diet plan. The results of this analysis indicate that very few foods are truly sustainable. A case study on milk alternatives suggests no plant-based drinks are actually sustainable, although soymilk has the most preferable balance of high nutritional content and low environmental impacts. A sustainable daily meal plan was also designed and compared to typical dietary recommendations. Animal products could not be incorporated into the sustainable meal plan due to their high environmental impact. Conversely, bread is high in fibre and protein and has a relatively low environmental impact, making it the ideal basis for a sustainable vegan diet supplemented with vegetables, nuts, and soy products. Finally, an interactive tool has been provided to assist with the understanding of the ‘Performance-weighted Environmental Sustainability’ metric and encourage the design of healthy and sustainable meals.

Information

© The Author 2024
Arbitrability of cryptocurrency disputes in India
Authors: Nema Purvi
Published: September 2024

Over the past decade, the growth of cryptocurrencies has amazed policymakers worldwide, prompting governments, international organizations, and corporations to address the increasing financial activity in this unregulated and decentralized industry. The murmurs of crypto disputes accelerated after the dramatic collapse of the crypto-trading platform Binance on the day Bitcoin was valued very low, leading to huge losses for its investors. This incident has led to discussions about the potential of using a private forum, such as arbitration, to resolve conflicts in the crypto world. However, adopting arbitration in cryptocurrency disputes raises complex questions, such as whether or not cryptocurrency disputes can be settled by arbitration. This article explores the issue of arbitrability of cryptocurrency-related disputes in India, particularly those related to payment and security tokens. Before discussing the issue of arbitrability, the article will first provide an overview of Indian law on cryptocurrencies, including their validity and regulation. Based on this legal background, it will examine the scope of arbitrability under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996, focusing on the subject matter in dispute and the public policy test.
Interpreting the Paris Agreement in its Normative Environment
Authors: Rajamani Lavanya
Published: September 2024

International and regional courts are increasingly being asked to determine the rights and responsibilities of states in relation to climate harm. The context for such requests is that the 2015 Paris Agreement, comprising primarily procedural obligations and obligations of conduct, and premised on national determination, appears by itself radically insufficient to resolve the existential climate crisis the planet is facing. This article explores if this is indeed the case and argues that the 2015 Paris Agreement must be interpreted in its ‘normative environment’. The ‘normative environment’ includes the customary international law principle of harm prevention, other treaties, including human rights ones, and a set of principles of varying legal status but considerable operational relevance and guidance. This article examines specific obligations from the 2015 Paris Agreement and seeks to concretize and strengthen them based on this interpretative approach. While such strengthened obligations might yet be insufficient to decisively resolve the climate crisis, these nevertheless reflect a richer account of international legal resolve relating to climate change—one that is premised on an understanding of international law as a seamless web of inter-locking obligations rather than of treaties functioning as atomistic reflections of state consent in that area.
Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein modulates blood pressure by regulating renal lipid metabolism reprogramming-mediated urinary Na+ excretion in hypertension
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxin , Deng Chunyan , Chen Lin , Lei Lifu , Wang Xiaoliang , Zheng Shuo , Chen Caiyu , Du Chengfeng , Schini-Kerth Valérie B , Yang Jian
Published: September 2024

Aims

Organs modulating blood pressure are associated with a common cytokine known as adipokines. We chose Zinc-alpha2-glycoprotein (ZAG) due to its prioritized transcriptional level in the database. Previous studies showed that ZAG is involved in metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate its role in hypertension.

Methods and results

Serum ZAG levels were assessed in hypertensive and healthy participants. Blood pressure was monitored in Azgp1−/− mice and other animal models by 24-hour ambulatory implanted telemetric transmitters and tail-cuff method. Multi-omics analysis of proteomics and metabolomics were performed to explore possible mechanisms. Serum ZAG levels were significantly decreased and associated with morning urine Na+ excretion in hypertensive participants in a cross-sectional study. This study firstly reported that Azgp1−/− mice exhibited increased blood pressure and impaired urinary Na+ excretion, which were restored by AAV9-mediated renal tubule Azgp1 rescue. Azgp1 knockout caused the reprogramming of renal lipid metabolism, and increased Na+/H+-exchanger (NHE) activity in the renal cortex. Administration with a NHE inhibitor EIPA reversed the impaired urinary Na+ excretion in Azgp1−/− mice. Moreover, the activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), a key enzyme of fatty acid β-oxidation, was decreased, and the levels of malonyl-CoA, an inhibitor of CPT1, were increased in renal cortex of Azgp1−/− mice. Renal Cpt1 rescue improved urinary Na+ excretion and blood pressure in Azgp1−/− mice, accompanied by decreased renal fatty acid levels and NHE activity. Finally, administration of recombinant ZAG protein improved blood pressure and urinary Na+ excretion in spontaneous hypertension rats.

Conclusion

Deficiency of Azgp1 increased the malonyl CoA-mediated inhibition of CPT1 activity, leading to renal lipid metabolism reprogramming, resulting in accumulated fatty acids and increased NHE activity, subsequently decreasing urinary Na+ excretion and causing hypertension. These findings may provide a potential kidney-targeted therapy in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
Effects of self-perception of aging interventions in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Mingyue , Chen Huimin , Ding Xiaotong , Li Zheng
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

Self-perception of aging (SPA) is associated with various health outcomes in the aging process. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of existing interventions targeting SPA among older adults, and to synthesize their effects on self-perception of aging, physical performance, and mental health.

Research Design and Methods

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, CENTRAL, CNKI, SinoMed, VIP, and WanFang databases for randomized controlled trials that reported intervention effects on self-perception of aging, physical performance, and mental health in older adults. Two researchers independently conducted study selection, data extraction and quality assessment.

Results

A total of 16 studies were included for qualitative analysis, and 12 studies of them were included for meta-analysis. The results showed a significant impact of interventions on self-perception of aging, with the effect size of -0.56 (95% CI -1.06 to -0.07, P=0.03). And the results also supported a significant improvement in physical performance and mental health among older adults.

Discussion and Implications

Self-perception of aging interventions present a promising approach to enhance positive aging perception for older adults, with potential benefits extending to physical performance and mental health. However, larger-scale and more robust trials are still required to validate these findings and obtain more accurate conclusions.
Glycoengineering with neuraminic acid analogs to label lipooligosaccharides and detect native sialyltransferase activity in gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Alvarado-Melendez Erianna I , de Jong Hanna , Hartman Jet E M , Ong Jun Yang , Wösten Marc M S M , Wennekes Tom
Published: September 2024

Lipooligosaccharides are the most abundant cell surface glycoconjugates on the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. They play important roles in host–microbe interactions. Certain Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria cap their lipooligosaccharides with the sialic acid, N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), to mimic host glycans that among others protects these bacteria from recognition by the hosts immune system. This process of molecular mimicry is not fully understood and remains under investigated. To explore the functional role of sialic acid-capped lipooligosaccharides at the molecular level, it is important to have tools readily available for the detection and manipulation of both Neu5Ac on glycoconjugates and the involved sialyltransferases, preferably in live bacteria. We and others have shown that the native sialyltransferases of some Gram-negative bacteria can incorporate extracellular unnatural sialic acid nucleotides onto their lipooligosaccharides. We here report on the expanded use of native bacterial sialyltransferases to incorporate neuraminic acids analogs with a reporter group into the lipooligosaccharides of a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. We show that this approach offers a quick strategy to screen bacteria for the expression of functional sialyltransferases and the ability to use exogenous CMP-Neu5Ac to decorate their glycoconjugates. For selected bacteria we also show this strategy complements two other glycoengineering techniques, Metabolic Oligosaccharide Engineering and Selective Exo-Enzymatic Labeling, and that together they provide tools to modify, label, detect and visualize sialylation of bacterial lipooligosaccharides.
Beyond the Needle: Understanding Tissue Marker Migration in Breast MRI-Guided Biopsies
Authors: Golan Orit , Lazar Sapir , Menes Tehillah S , Kessner Rivka , Shalmon Tamar , Neeman Rina , Mercer Diego , Amitai Yoav
Published: September 2024

Objective

To evaluate the frequency and factors associated with clip migration in MRI-guided breast biopsies.

Methods

This study was approved by our Institutional Review Board and was compliant with HIPAA. We retrospectively evaluated all MRI-guided biopsies performed between January 2013 and December 2020 in our institution for clip migration. Only patients with follow-up breast MRI showing the clip were included in the study. Migration was defined as movement of the clip of 10 mm or more from the target lesion. Migration frequency and directions were recorded. Factors associated with clip migration were analyzed using statistical tests as appropriate.

Results

A total of 291 biopsies in 268 women were included in the study with 31 migration events recorded (11%; 95% CI, 7%-15%). All migrations occurred along the biopsy tract; 97% (30/31) of them displaced distal to the needle entry site. More than 50% regional fat (around the target lesion) was the strongest factor associated with migration, seen in 21/141 women (15%), compared to 10/150 (7%) with 50% or less local fat (P = .023). Global fatty breast was more loosely associated with migration, showing borderline significance (P = .06). Other factors did not correlate with clip migration, including lesion size, depth, or location; pathology result; breast thickness; or biopsy approach.

Conclusion

Although clip migration after breast MRI-guided biopsy is an uncommon event, it occurs more often when the target lesion is surrounded by fat, with the clip usually displaced away from the needle entry site.
Racial and socioeconomic disparities in non–small cell lung cancer molecular diagnostics uptake
Authors: Tuminello Stephanie , Turner Wiley M , Untalan Matthew , Ivic-Pavlicic Tara , Flores Raja , Taioli Emanuela
Published: September 2024

Background

Precision therapies, such as targeted and immunotherapies, have substantially changed the landscape of late-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Yet, utilization of these therapies is disproportionate across strata defined by race and socioeconomic status, possibly because of disparities in molecular diagnostic testing (or biomarker testing), which is a prerequisite to treatment.

Methods

We extracted a cohort of NSCLC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare linked data. The primary outcome was receipt of a molecular diagnostic test, based on claims data. The primary predictors were race and socioeconomic status. Likelihood of receiving a molecular diagnostic test and overall survival were investigated using logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusted for sex, age, residence, histology, marital status, and comorbidity.

Results

Of the 28 511 NSCLC patients, 11 209 (39.3%) received molecular diagnostic testing. Compared with White patients, fewer Black patients received a molecular diagnostic test (40.4% vs 27.9%; P < .001). After adjustment, Black patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.58 to 0.71) and those living in areas with greater poverty (adjusted OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.80 to 0.89) had statistically significant decreased likelihood of molecular diagnostic testing. Patients who did receive testing had a statistically significant decreased risk of death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.72 to 0.76). These results held in the stratified analysis of stage IV NSCLC patients.

Conclusion

Disparities exist in comprehensive molecular diagnostics, which is critical for clinical decision making. Addressing barriers to molecular testing could help close gaps in cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic and occupational health—transitioning to the new normal
Authors: Tan Alvin , Gan Wee Hoe , Koh David
Published: September 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on workers’ health and well-being. There are significant implications for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as we transit to the new normal, including the adoption of digital health solutions, emergence of remote work and the need to review our perspectives on the traditional OSH framework in tackling workplace hazards in a pandemic. This will better prepare us for the inevitable next global pandemic.
Is news really news? The effects of selective disclosure regulations
Authors: Kitchens Brent , Parham Robert , Yung Chris
Published: September 2024

Before regulations were enacted to prevent such practices, information leaked through selective disclosure was incorporated into markets prior to the public release of news. “News days” did not deliver news to markets; now they do. We provide novel evidence of changes in returns and turnover behavior around the enactment of regulations barring selective disclosure practices in the United States and the EU. We conversely document lack of such changes in Australia and Japan, which did not implement similar measures. We conclude that selective disclosure resolves Roll’s R2 puzzle.
The Common Structure of the Major Psychoses: More Similarities Than Differences in the Network Structures of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Psychotic Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Shao Wen , Simmonds-Buckley Melanie , Zavlis Orestis , Bentall Richard P
Published: September 2024

Background and Hypothesis

There has been a century-long debate about whether the major psychoses (eg, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder) are one disorder with various manifestations or different disease entities. Traditional approaches using dimensional models have not provided decisive findings. Here, we address this question by examining the network constellation of affective and psychotic syndromes.

Design

Comparable symptom data of 1882 patients with psychotic bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorders, and schizophrenia were extracted from three datasets: B-SNIP 1, B-SNIP2, and PARDIP. Twenty-six items from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, YMRS, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale were selected for the analysis using a principled approach to eliminate overlapping/redundant items. Gaussian graphical models were estimated and assessed for stability, and their communities were identified using bootstrapped exploratory graph analysis. The structures and global densities of the networks were compared with network comparison tests.

Results

The network structures were highly similar (r >. 80) across diagnostic groups. For all diagnoses, manic symptoms were more connected with positive symptoms while depressive symptoms were more linked with negative symptoms. The depressive and negative symptoms were the strongest indicators of depressive and psychotic communities. Theoretically interesting variability in network edge weights between symptoms was found relating to thought disorder and pessimistic thinking.

Conclusions

The same broad structure of psychopathology underlies the symptom expressions of bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Future studies should build on the present finding by comparing specific inter-relations between symptoms in the different diagnostic groups using methods capable of detecting causality.
Effect of freeze–thaw treatments with different conditions on frost fatigue in three diffuse-porous trees
Authors: Ma Bolong , Lv Qingzi , Zhang Ruihan , Zhang Junyao , Wang Yue , Cai Jing
Published: September 2024

In addition to inducing xylem embolism, freeze–thaw events can cause frost fatigue phenomena. Freezing temperature, freezing times, number of freeze–thaw cycles and frost drought can affect the level of freeze–thaw-induced embolism, but it is unknown whether there is an effect on frost fatigue. We assessed whether these frost-related factors changed frost fatigue in the three diffuse-porous species by simulating freeze–thaw treatments under different conditions. We also proposed a new metric, embolism area, in place of embolism resistance, to more accurately quantify the shift of the vulnerability curve after experiencing freeze–thaw-induced embolism and refilling. Frost fatigue caused vulnerability curves of all species to change from S-shaped to double S-shaped or even R-shaped curves. When exposed to a freeze–thaw event, Acer truncatum showed strong resistance to frost fatigue; in contrast, Populus (I-101 × 84 K) and Liriodendron chinense were more vulnerable. Changing freezing temperature and times did not impact the response to frost fatigue in the three species, but a greater number of freeze–thaw cycles and more severe frost drought significantly exacerbated their fatigue degree. Considering that frost fatigue may be a widespread phenomenon among temperate diffuse-porous species, more work is needed in the future to reveal the mechanisms of frost fatigue.
Morphological diversification with emphasis on the structural and homology patterns of male genitalia in genus Limnebius (Leach 1815; Hydraenidae: Coleoptera)
Authors: Rudoy Andrey , Meng Ling-Zeng
Published: September 2024

Limnebius exhibits uniform external appearance but variable male genitalia: from differently curved rod shapes in the subgenus Bilimneus to up to seven longitudinally separated folds or appendages in Limnebius s.s.. Among nonsexual traits, two subgenera diverge only in the wing. The aedeagal complexity in Limnebius s.s. is associated with the secondary sexual structures on the abdomen and metatibia; larger body size, which forms two clusters; and male-biased sexual dimorphism. To cluster the subdivisions with phylogenetically unresolved relationships, we examined the coincidence of the traits in both sexes, based on the premise of the independent and monophyletic origin of histologically unsimilar elements. The folds and additional appendages on the median lobe, abdominal paired rows of setae, and protuberances show that the L. parvulus and L. nitidus groups have maximum aedeagal complexity in the L. parvulus and L. nitiduloides subgroups, respectively. The L. parvulus group exhibits a gradual increase in the number of elements of the aedeagi. The histology of connections of the parameres and additional appendages to the median lobe, along with that of the flagellum opening, reveal the subgroups’ relationship in the L. nitidus group, as well as a decrease in the complexity of the male genitalia in their recent branches.
Therapeutic DNA Vaccine TargetingMycobacterium tuberculosisPersisters Shortens Curative Tuberculosis Treatment
Authors: Karanika Styliani , Wang Tianyin , Yilma Addis , Castillo Jennie Ruelas , Gordy James T. , Bailey Hannah , Quijada Darla , Fessler Kaitlyn , Tasneen Rokeya , Rouse Salcido Elisa M. , Harris Harley T. , Bates Rowan E. , Ton Heemee , Meza Jacob , Li Yangchen , Taylor Alannah D. , Zheng Jean J. , Zhang Jiaqi , Peske J David , Karantanos Theodoros , Maxwell Amanda R. , Nuermberger Eric , Markham Richard B. , Karakousis Petros C.
Published: September 2024

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the leading infectious causes of death worldwide. There is no available licensed therapeutic vaccine that shortens active tuberculosis (TB) disease drug treatment and prevents relapse, despite the World Health Organization’s calls. Here, we show that an intranasal DNA vaccine containing a fusion of the stringent responserelMtbgene with the gene encoding the immature dendritic cell-targeting chemokine, MIP-3α/CCL20, shortens the duration of curative TB treatment in immunocompetent mice. Compared to the first-line regimen for drug-susceptible TB alone, our novel adjunctive vaccine induced greater RelMtb-specific T-cell responses associated with optimal TB control in spleen, blood, lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. These responses were sustained, if not augmented, over time. It also triggered more effective dendritic cell recruitment, activation, and colocalization with T cells, implying enhanced crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, it potentiated a 6-month TB drug-resistant regimen, rendering it effective across treatment regimens, and also showed promising results in CD4+ knockout mice, perhaps due to enhanced Rel-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. Notably, our novel fusion vaccine was also immunogenic in nonhuman primates, the gold standard animal model for TB vaccine studies, eliciting antigen-specific T-cell responses in blood and BAL fluid analogous to those observed in protected mice. Our findings have critical implications for therapeutic TB vaccine clinical development in immunocompetent and immunocompromised populations and may serve as a model for defining immunological correlates of therapeutic vaccine-induced protection.

One sentence summary

A TB vaccine shortens curative drug treatment in mice by eliciting strong TB-protective immune responses and induces similar responses in macaques.
Placental Network Differences Among Obstetric Syndromes Identified With An Integrated Multiomics Approach
Authors: Piekos Samantha N , Barak Oren , Baumgartner Andrew , Chu Tianjiao , Parks W Tony , Hadlock Jennifer , Hood Leroy , Price Nathan D , Sadovsky Yoel
Published: September 2024

The placenta is essential for a healthy pregnancy, and placental pathology can endanger both maternal and fetal health. Placental function is affected by dynamic, complex, and interconnected molecular, cellular, and environmental events; therefore, we need a systems biology approach to study disease in normal physiological placenta function. We use placental multiomics (short and bulk transcriptomics, untargeted metabolomics, and targeted proteomics) paired with clinical data and placental histopathology reports from 321 placentas across multiple obstetric conditions: fetal growth restriction (FGR), FGR with pregnancy-related hypertension (FGR+HDP), preeclampsia (PE), and spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD). We first performed cellular deconvolution to estimate cell type numbers from bulk transcriptomes: FGR+HDP placentas were the most different from control placentas driven by a higher estimated number of extravillous trophoblast (p<0.0001). Next, we evaluated the impact of fetal sex and gestational age on analyte levels, adjusting for these confounders. We then generated obstetric condition-specific correlation networks and identified communities of related analytes associated with physiology and disease. We demonstrated how network connectivity and its disruption in disease can be used to identify signatures unique to a clinical outcome. We examined a community defined in control placentas for which the most connected node was miR-365a-3p in contrast to the corresponding community in FGR+HDP placentas for which the most connected node was hypoxia-induced miR-210-3p. From this community, we identified a signature containing mRNA transcripts implicated in placental dysfunction (e.g. FLT1, FSTL3, HTRA4, LEP, and PHYHIP). This signature distinguishes between FGR+HDP placentas and placentas of differing clinical outcomes in high-dimensional space. These findings illustrate the power of systems biology-driven interomics network analysis in a single tissue type, laying the groundwork for future multi-tissue studies.
Community-wide interactions sustain life in geothermal spring habitats
Authors: Stephens Timothy G. , Van Etten Julia , McDermott Timothy , Christian William , Chaverra Martha , Gurney James , Lee Yongsung , Kim Hocheol , Cho Chung Hyun , Chovancek Erik , Westhoff Philipp , Otte Antonia , Northen Trent R. , Bowen Benjamin P. , Louie Katherine B. , Barry Kerrie , Grigoriev Igor V. , Mock Thomas , Liu Shao-Lun , Miyagishima Shin-ya , Yoshinaga Masafumi , Weber Andreas P.M. , Yoon Hwan Su , Bhattacharya Debashish
Published: September 2024

We investigated an alga-dominated geothermal spring community in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Our goal was to determine how cells cope with abiotic stressors during diurnal sampling that spanned over two orders of magnitude in solar irradiance. We report a community level response to toxic metal resistance and energy cycling that spans the three domains of life. Arsenic detoxification is accomplishedviacomplementary gene expression by different lineages. Photosynthesis is dominated byCyanidioschyzon, with the mixotroph,Galdieria, relegated to nighttime heterotrophy. Many key functions, including the cell cycle, are strongly regulated by diurnal light fluctuations. These results demonstrate that biotic interactions are highly structured in extreme habitats. We suggest this was also the case on the early Earth when geothermal springs were cradles of microbial life, prior to the origin of eukaryotes.