bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmosphere teleconnections from abatement of China aerosol emissions exacerbate Northeast Pacific warm blob events
Authors: Wang Hai , Zheng Xiao-Tong , Cai Wenju , Han Zi-Wen , Xie Shang-Ping , Kang Sarah M. , Geng Yu-Fan , Liu Fukai , Wang Chuan-Yang , Wu Yue , Xiang Baoqiang , Zhou Lei
Published: May 2024

During 2010 to 2020, Northeast Pacific (NEP) sea surface temperature (SST) experienced the warmest decade ever recorded, manifested in several extreme marine heatwaves, referred to as “warm blob” events, which severely affect marine ecosystems and extreme weather along the west coast of North America. While year-to-year internal climate variability has been suggested as a cause of individual events, the causes of the continuous dramatic NEP SST warming remain elusive. Here, we show that other than the greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing, rapid aerosol abatement in China over the period likely plays an important role. Anomalous tropospheric warming induced by declining aerosols in China generated atmospheric teleconnections from East Asia to the NEP, featuring an intensified and southward-shifted Aleutian Low. The associated atmospheric circulation anomaly weakens the climatological westerlies in the NEP and warms the SST there by suppressing the evaporative cooling. The aerosol-induced mean warming of the NEP SST, along with internal climate variability and the GHG-induced warming, made the warm blob events more frequent and intense during 2010 to 2020. As anthropogenic aerosol emissions continue to decrease, there is likely to be an increase in NEP warm blob events, disproportionately large beyond the direct radiative effects.
Eviction-driven infanticide and sexually selected adoption and infanticide in a neotropical parrot
Authors: Beissinger Steven R. , Berg Karl S.
Published: May 2024

Infanticide and adoption have been attributed to sexual selection, where an individual later reproduces with the parent whose offspring it killed or adopted. While sexually selected infanticide is well known, evidence for sexually selected adoption is anecdotal. We report on both behaviors at 346 nests over 27 y in green-rumped parrotlets (
Forpus passerinus
) in Venezuela. Parrotlets are monogamous with long-term pair bonds, exhibit a strongly male-biased adult sex ratio, and nest in cavities that are in short supply, creating intense competition for nest sites and mates. Infanticide attacks occurred at 256 nests in two distinct contexts: 1) Attacks were primarily committed by nonbreeding pairs (69%) attempting to evict parents from the cavity. Infanticide attacks per nest were positively correlated with population size and evicting pairs never adopted abandoned offspring. Competition for limited nest sites was a primary cause of eviction-driven infanticide, and 2) attacks occurred less frequently at nests where one mate died (31%), was perpetrated primarily by stepparents of both sexes, and was independent of population size. Thus, within a single species and mating system, infanticide occurred in multiple contexts due to multiple drivers. Nevertheless, 48% of stepparents of both sexes adopted offspring, and another 23% of stepfathers exhibited both infanticide and long-term care. Stepfathers were often young males who subsequently nested with widows, reaching earlier ages of first breeding than competitors and demonstrating sexually selected adoption. Adoption and infanticide conferred similar fitness benefits to stepfathers and appeared to be equivalent strategies driven by limited breeding opportunities, male-biased sex ratios, and long-term monogamy.
A vasopressin circuit that modulates mouse social investigation and anxiety-like behavior in a sex-specific manner
Authors: Rigney Nicole , Campos-Lira Elba , Kirchner Matthew K. , Wei Wei , Belkasim Selma , Beaumont Rachael , Singh Sumeet , Suarez Sara Guedez , Hartswick Delenn , Stern Javier E. , de Vries Geert J. , Petrulis Aras
Published: May 2024

One of the largest sex differences in brain neurochemistry is the expression of the neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) within the vertebrate brain, with males having more AVP cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) than females. Despite the long-standing implication of AVP in social and anxiety-like behaviors, the circuitry underlying AVP’s control of these behaviors is still not well defined. Using optogenetic approaches, we show that inhibiting AVP BNST cells reduces social investigation in males, but not in females, whereas stimulating these cells increases social investigation in both sexes, but more so in males. These cells may facilitate male social investigation through their projections to the lateral septum (LS), an area with the highest density of sexually differentiated AVP innervation in the brain, as optogenetic stimulation of BNST AVP → LS increased social investigation and anxiety-like behavior in males but not in females; the same stimulation also caused a biphasic response of LS cells ex vivo. Blocking the vasopressin 1a receptor (V1aR) in the LS eliminated all these responses. Together, these findings establish a sexually differentiated role for BNST AVP cells in the control of social investigation and anxiety-like behavior, likely mediated by their projections to the LS.
Cancer–stromal cell interactions in breast cancer brain metastases induce glycocalyx-mediated resistance to HER2-targeting therapies
Authors: Goyette Marie-Anne , Stevens Laura E. , DePinho Carolyn R. , Seehawer Marco , Nishida Jun , Li Zheqi , Wilde Callahan M. , Li Rong , Qiu Xintao , Pyke Alanna L. , Zhao Stephanie , Lim Klothilda , Tender Gabrielle S. , Northey Jason J. , Riley Nicholas M. , Long Henry W. , Bertozzi Carolyn R. , Weaver Valerie M. , Polyak Kornelia
Published: May 2024

Brain metastatic breast cancer is particularly lethal largely due to therapeutic resistance. Almost half of the patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer develop brain metastases, representing a major clinical challenge. We previously described that cancer-associated fibroblasts are an important source of resistance in primary tumors. Here, we report that breast cancer brain metastasis stromal cell interactions in 3D cocultures induce therapeutic resistance to HER2-targeting agents, particularly to the small molecule inhibitor of HER2/EGFR neratinib. We investigated the underlying mechanisms using a synthetic Notch reporter system enabling the sorting of cancer cells that directly interact with stromal cells. We identified mucins and bulky glycoprotein synthesis as top-up-regulated genes and pathways by comparing the gene expression and chromatin profiles of stroma-contact and no-contact cancer cells before and after neratinib treatment. Glycoprotein gene signatures were also enriched in human brain metastases compared to primary tumors. We confirmed increased glycocalyx surrounding cocultures by immunofluorescence and showed that mucinase treatment increased sensitivity to neratinib by enabling a more efficient inhibition of EGFR/HER2 signaling in cancer cells. Overexpression of truncated MUC1 lacking the intracellular domain as a model of increased glycocalyx-induced resistance to neratinib both in cell culture and in experimental brain metastases in immunodeficient mice. Our results highlight the importance of glycoproteins as a resistance mechanism to HER2-targeting therapies in breast cancer brain metastases.
Liquid–liquid transition and ice crystallization in a machine-learned coarse-grained water model
Authors: Dhabal Debdas , Kumar Rajat , Molinero Valeria
Published: May 2024

Mounting experimental evidence supports the existence of a liquid–liquid transition (LLT) in high-pressure supercooled water. However, fast crystallization of supercooled water has impeded identification of the LLT line
T
LL
(
p
) in experiments. While the most accurate all-atom (AA) water models display a LLT, their computational cost limits investigations of its interplay with ice formation. Coarse-grained (CG) models provide over 100-fold computational efficiency gain over AA models, enabling the study of water crystallization, but have not yet shown to have a LLT. Here, we demonstrate that the CG machine-learned water model Machine-Learned Bond-Order Potential (ML-BOP) has a LLT that ends in a critical point at
p
c
= 170 ± 10 MPa and
T
c
= 181 ± 3 K. The
T
LL
(
p
) of ML-BOP is almost identical to the one of TIP4P/2005, adding to the similarity in the equation of state of liquid water in both models. Cooling simulations reveal that ice crystallization is fastest at the LLT and its supercritical continuation of maximum heat capacity, supporting a mechanistic relationship between the structural transformation of water to a low-density liquid (LDL) and ice formation. We find no signature of liquid–liquid criticality in the ice crystallization temperatures. ML-BOP replicates the competition between formation of LDL and ice observed in ultrafast experiments of decompression of the high-density liquid (HDL) into the region of stability of LDL. The simulations reveal that crystallization occurs prior to the coarsening of the HDL and LDL domains, obscuring the distinction between the highly metastable first-order LLT and pronounced structural fluctuations along its supercritical continuation.
Effects of task repetition with grammatizing on oral task performance and knowledge development
Authors: Khezrlou Sima
Published: May 2024

This study compared the effects of task repetition only (TR), task repetition with grammatizing (TR+GR), and grammatization with no task repetition (GR) on 94 EFL learners’ oral task performances. Participants’ productions were measured both in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency as well as receptive knowledge (measured by an error correction test) and productive knowledge (measured by a sentence-level oral production test) development. Immediately after performing a narrative task, the TR+GR and GR learners were required to restore the target structure, namely the English regular past tense, which had been deleted in a grammatized text. Learners in the TR group received no grammatization, and only the TR+GR and TR groups repeated the same task twice. Results revealed that although both TR conditions led to enhanced receptive knowledge, the TR+GR performed better than the TR in fostering learners’ receptive knowledge and improving accuracy and productive knowledge at a delayed posttest. The GR group improved their receptive knowledge in the immediate posttest, but this improvement tailed off in the delayed posttest. Lastly, the TR+GR group could also improve the complexity and accuracy of their narrative task performances–albeit at the expense of fluency.
Stress relief of chemo illness
Authors: Rose Adam J. , Lockie Sarah H.
Published: May 2024

New studies (Tang et al. 2024. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20231395) describe a liver stress pathway that is activated by certain chemotherapeutic drugs, which in turn induces a peptide hormone which partially mediates the lower food intake and body weight loss during chemotherapy treatment.
Surface-induced interaction of colloidal particles in isotropic liquid crystals
Authors: Zhang Hualing , Weng Kaifeng , Ma Rui
Published: May 2024

In this work, we study the interaction between two colloidal particles in a liquid crystal that is in the isotropic phase. The interaction is caused by surface-induced polarization of the liquid crystal molecules in the vicinity of the particles. We find that the interaction is short-ranged in both 2D and 3D geometry. Under symmetric homeotropic anchoring conditions, the interaction is repulsive. While under anti-symmetric homeotropic anchoring conditions, the interaction is repulsive at short distances but attractive at intermediate distances. The particle size has a strong impact on the effective interaction force.
New construction of mutually unbiased bases for odd-dimensional state space
Authors: Wang 王 Chenghong 成红 , Wang 王 Kun 昆 , Zheng 郑 Zhu-Jun 驻军
Published: May 2024

We study the construction of mutually unbiased bases in Hilbert space for composite dimensions d which are not prime powers. We explore the results for composite dimensions which are true for prime power dimensions. We then provide a method for selecting mutually unbiased vectors from the eigenvectors of generalized Pauli matrices to construct mutually unbiased bases. In particular, we present four mutually unbiased bases in ℂ15.
Ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group calculations for neutron-rich P, Cl, and K isotopes*
Authors: Xie 谢 M. R. 萌冉 , Shen 沈 L. Y. 留媛 , Li 李 J. G. 健国 , Li 李 H. H. 红蕙 , Yuan 袁 Q. 琪 , Zuo 左 W. 维
Published: May 2024

Neutron-rich P, Cl, and K isotopes, particularly those with neutron numbers of approximately

, have attracted extensive experimental and theoretical interest. We utilize the ab initio valence-space in-medium similarity renormalization group approach, based on chiral nucleon-nucleon and three-nucleon forces, to investigate the exotic properties of these isotopes. Systematic calculations of the low-lying spectra are performed. A key finding is the level inversion between

and

states in odd-A isotopes, attributed to the inversion of

and

single-particle states. The ab initio calculations, which incorporate the three-nucleon forces, correlate closely with existing experimental data. Further calculations of effective proton single-particle energies provide deeper insights into the shell evolution for

and

sub-shells. Our results indicate that the three-body force plays important roles in the shell evolution for

and

sub-shells with neutron numbers ranging from 20 to 28. Additionally, systematic ab initio calculations are conducted for the low-lying spectra of odd-odd nuclei. The results correspond with experimental data and provide new insights for future research into these isotopes up to and beyond the drip line.
Simulating the Escaping Atmosphere of GJ 436 b with Two-fluid Magnetohydrodynamic Models
Authors: Xing Lei , Guo Jianheng , Yang Chuyuan , Yan Dongdong
Published: May 2024

Observations of transmission spectra reveal that hot Jupiters and Neptunes are likely to possess escaping atmospheres driven by stellar radiation. Numerous models predict that magnetic fields may exert significant influences on the atmospheres of hot planets. Generally, the escaping atmospheres are not entirely ionized, and magnetic fields only directly affect the escape of ionized components within them. Considering the chemical reactions between ionized components and neutral atoms, as well as collision processes, magnetic fields indirectly impact the escape of neutral atoms, thereby influencing the detection signals of planetary atmospheres in transmission spectra. In order to simulate this process, we developed a magnetohydrodynamic multi-fluid model based on MHD code PLUTO. As an initial exploration, we investigated the impact of magnetic fields on the decoupling of H+ and H in the escaping atmosphere of the hot Neptune GJ436b. Due to the strong resonant interactions between H and H+, the coupling between them is tight even if the magnetic field is strong. Of course, alternatively, our work also suggests that merging H and H+ into a single flow can be a reasonable assumption in MHD simulations of escaping atmospheres. However, our simulation results indicate that under the influence of magnetic fields, there are noticeable regional differences in the decoupling of H+ and H. With the increase of magnetic field strength, the degree of decoupling also increases. For heavier particles such as O, the decoupling between O and H+ is more pronounced. Our findings provide important insights for future studies on the decoupling processes of heavy atoms in the escaping atmospheres of hot Jupiters and hot Neptunes under the influence of magnetic fields.
Development and experimental characterization study of cesium doped zinc oxide polymer conductive films for sensing applications
Authors: Kishen Karumbaiah B J , Basava T , Nithin K S , Sachhidananda S
Published: May 2024

In this research study we report the successful preparation of cesium doped zinc metal oxide nanoparticles by solution combustion technique further incorporated into polyurethane films synthesized from bio-degradable castor oil, for study of piezo-conductive property. The composite films prepared with filler weight percentages of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 are studied for structural, mechanical, thermal, electro-mechanical and weatherability properties. Studies revealed successful formation of urethane links and good dispersion of nanoparticles in the prepared films. Films under tensile and compression loading showed promising electro active results with maximum volume conductivity values of 1.226E−7Scm−1 at 30N compression load. The developed films show good compatibility to be employed in corrosive and acidic environments with safe working temperature upto 160°C.
Nano reinforced aluminium based Metal Matrix Hybrid Composites - an overview
Authors: Annapoorna K , Ananda Rohini , Deshpande Viraja , Shobha R
Published: May 2024

Aluminium and its alloys find their application in aerospace, automobile, and marine sectors as it costs less and properties like low density, good ductility, high resistance to corrosion etc. However, aluminium has many drawbacks like low resistance to abrasion and wear, poor strength etc. These drawbacks can be overcome by adding certain materials as reinforcement into pure aluminium and its alloy. Hybrid reinforcement imbibes superior properties to Al matrix composites, compared along with single reinforced Al composites. The properties of Al matrix composite is enhanced by reinforcing with nano particles compared to micro reinforcement. In recent years, research advancement is focusing on fabrication of composites prepared by nano reinforcement materials. Various nano materials are used to fabricate aluminium/alloy matrix composites for improved abrasion, enhanced wear properties, high specific strength, better corrosion resistance etc. This review paper gives an overview of various processing techniques, different nano reinforcements used for fabrication of aluminium and its alloy matrix. Further, Hybrid Nano composite properties along with their types, concentration of reinforcement and microstructure of the composite fabricated are discussed. Finally, Future trends and potential applications of aluminium based nano composites are presented and have been concluded with recent advancements in the specified area.
Enhancing Autonomous Navigation: A Visual SLAM Approach
Authors: Paul Sayandip , Hemanth Kumar C , Arunkumar Bongale C
Published: May 2024

An autonomous vehicle can simultaneously map its environment and identify its own position by employing a technique called “Simultaneous Localisation And Mapping” (SLAM). Autonomous mobility requires identifying the locations of adjacent landmarks and objects, as well as the vehicle’s position, using an appropriate technique. Monocular SLAM systems often face challenges related to depth perception and scale ambiguity, leading to trajectory drift over time. In contrast, Stereo SLAM systems utilize dual cameras to overcome these limitations. The purpose of this work is to assess how well visual SLAM systems perform by contrasting trajectory estimates with ground truth information obtained from simulations. The findings indicate that stereo visual SLAM algorithms offer more accurate camera trajectory estimations than monocular SLAM, making them a preferable choice for applications demanding precise camera localization and mapping in autonomous vehicles.
Investigate the mechanical properties of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite
Authors: Vellaichamy Ramesh , Sudarsan D. , Theerkka Tharisanan R. , Allahpitchai Mothilal , Radha Krishnan B.
Published: May 2024

The objective of this study is to produce metal matrix composites with aluminium as the matrix material and beryl as the reinforcing particles. Given the comparable density of beryl particles to Aluminum-based alloys, it is anticipated that enhancements in strength and ductility properties will lead to increased mechanical and tribological characteristics, including hardness and wear resistance. Extensive research has been conducted on aluminum-based metal matrix composites (MMCs) in the recent past, specifically focusing on the utilisation of ceramic reinforcements such as silicon carbide (SiC), titanium nitride (TiN), Titanium Diboride (TiB2), zirconia (ZrO2), and alumina (Al2O3). Typically, the ceramic particles employed for reinforcement exhibit notable hardness and high density, resulting in enhanced hardness and improved Tribological wear characteristics. Aluminium-based metal matrix composites (AMMC) were produced by including varying concentrations of beryl (3%, 8%, and 13%) through two distinct fabrication methods: the liquid metallurgy vortex route and the powder metallurgy approach. The beryl mineral phase was initially subjected to crushing and mechanical sieving processes to get particle sizes with an average of 50 ± 10 and 100 ± 10 μm. The mechanical qualities, including hardness and tensile strength, were examined using the Brinell hardness machine and the Universal testing equipment.
Design, Analysis and Optimization of Composite Propeller Shaft
Authors: Vinod T A , Katta Bharath , Giridhara G.
Published: May 2024

Most of the automobiles have Rear wheel drive and front engine installation consists of a transmission shaft. Substitution of conventional metallic (SM45C) Propeller Drive Shaft with the composite (CFRP) structure has many advantages. Composite materials have acquired prominence in the engineering industry due to their remarkable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and adaptability. This paper explores the multifaceted process of designing, analysing, and optimizing composite propeller shafts, with a primary focus on their application in marine and automotive industries, aiming to maximize performance while reducing weight. The design phase initiates by establishing precise requirements, encompassing torque loads, rotational speeds, environmental conditions, and safety factors. Material selection is a pivotal decision point, considering factors like fiber type, resin matrix, and layup orientation. Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technologies are used to simulate the mechanical behaviour of composite propeller shafts under a variety of operational scenarios, assisting in the identification of stress concentrations. Deformations, as well as key failure modes. The design process is iterative. The feedback from these simulations is used to improve the basic design. The analysis phase stress distribution, torsional vibrations, and dynamic behaviour of the composite propeller shaft. A comprehensive study of various layup configurations and boundary conditions is conducted to assess their impact on structural performance and reliability. Additionally, manufacturing considerations, encompassing fabrication techniques, quality control, and cost-effectiveness, are addressed to ensure practical feasibility. The goal of the optimization phase is to lower the weight of the composite propeller shaft while retaining structural integrity and operational reliability. The optimisation outcomes provide information on the best material mix, layup sequence, and geometric factors that achieve the best balance of weight reduction, greater performance and productivity. The findings from this study contribute substantially to the advancement of composite propeller shaft technology, offering engineers valuable insights into the intricacies of design, analysis, and optimization processes. By harnessing the ability of composite materials effectively, industries can realize significant benefits, including reduced fuel consumption, improved efficiency, and enhanced overall system performance, resulting in more sustainable and competitive products for the maritime and automotive sectors.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ocimum tenuiflorum and Azadirachta indica leaf extract and their antibacterial activity
Authors: Prathibha B. S , Harshitha N , Neha D R , Pranathi C N , Kumar Disha V , Lakshmi G C
Published: May 2024

As green nanotechnology creates, researchers are growing increasingly interested in the ecologically benign creation of nanoparticles. Due to their unique biological uses and physiologically active plant metabolites that aid in green synthesis, biosynthesized nanoparticles are garnering interest. This work describes a simple method of synthesising silver nanoparticles using tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extracts. The plant extracts operate as reducing agents, with silver nitrate acting as a precursor. The formation of silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the colour changing from greenish brown to dark brown. The leaf broth caused the aqueous silver ions to reduce in size and form silver nanoparticles in a green way. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were characterised using XRD and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. It has been discovered that tulsi and neem leaf extracts have the ability to convert silver ions into silver nanoparticles in less than ten minutes of reaction time. Additionally, the biosynthesised AgNPs’ antibacterial properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains were assessed. Therefore, this method may be applied to the rapid and safe biosynthesis of stable silver nanoparticles for the environment.
Effect of synchronized and unsynchronized boundary temperature modulation on the regulation of heat transfer in a ferrofluid with Fe3O4
nanoparticles
Authors: Chandrashekara N. P. , Rajashree S.
Published: May 2024

Linear and non-linear analysis was carried out for a temperature modulated Rayleigh-Bénard ferroconvection (RBF) problem using Lorenz and Ginzburg-Landau models. The parallel and horizontal plates of infinite extension enclosing the ferrofluid (with nanosized Fe3O4 - magnetite), is cooled from the top and heated from the bottom and is exposed to an exterior static magnetic field which manipulates the flow of a ferrofluid. The Lorenz model in its linear form manifests the stationary Rayleigh number expression, whereas the nonlinear form of the model leads to Ginzburg-Landau equation determining the amplitude, which aids to quantify the amount of heat transfer in ferrofluids with the effect of temperature modulation. The influence of various parameters like Lewis number, concentration Rayleigh number, ferromagnetic parameters on the onset of ferroconvection has been discussed in detail using marginal stability curves. On the other hand, the effect of different parameters like ferro-nanoparticle volume fraction, modulation frequency, phase angle, temperature modulation on heat transfer in ferrofluids has been analyzed and represented graphically.
Zero Poverty Society
Authors: Marchal Sarah , Marx Ive
Published: May 2024

This book is about preventing poverty. The notion that every person living amidst the relative affluence of the rich world has a right to a minimum income enabling social participation, be it frugally and soberly, holds as a fundamental matter of social justice to most people. But how can we make sure that every person has a decent minimum income allowing for a life in dignity in societies rich enough to afford such a right? How can we ensure that minimum income support is cost-effective and compatible with other goals such as promoting work effort, self-reliance, and upward mobility? How can political support for such schemes be fostered and made robust? This book assesses the current state of minimum income protection in the rich world, building on original empirical analysis and thorough literature reviews. What are best practices to learn from? It also engages with debates on topics as diverse as optimal targeting and means-testing, administrative complexity, non-take-up, behavioural economics, the political economy of minimum income protection, and basic income. Sarah Marchal and Ive Marx conclude that more adequate poverty prevention is possible, without the costs having to be prohibitive. However, they are sceptical about ‘silver-bullet’ solutions such as basic income. Adequate minimum income protection is not a matter of getting one scheme or policy right. It is a matter of getting multiple policy levers right, in the right configuration. Incremental, context-conscious expansion is the way forward if we really care about the most vulnerable.
Assessing computational predictions of antimicrobial resistance phenotypes from microbial genomes
Authors: Hu Kaixin , Meyer Fernando , Deng Zhi-Luo , Asgari Ehsaneddin , Kuo Tzu-Hao , Münch Philipp C , McHardy Alice C
Published: May 2024

The advent of rapid whole-genome sequencing has created new opportunities for computational prediction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes from genomic data. Both rule-based and machine learning (ML) approaches have been explored for this task, but systematic benchmarking is still needed. Here, we evaluated four state-of-the-art ML methods (Kover, PhenotypeSeeker, Seq2Geno2Pheno and Aytan-Aktug), an ML baseline and the rule-based ResFinder by training and testing each of them across 78 species–antibiotic datasets, using a rigorous benchmarking workflow that integrates three evaluation approaches, each paired with three distinct sample splitting methods. Our analysis revealed considerable variation in the performance across techniques and datasets. Whereas ML methods generally excelled for closely related strains, ResFinder excelled for handling divergent genomes. Overall, Kover most frequently ranked top among the ML approaches, followed by PhenotypeSeeker and Seq2Geno2Pheno. AMR phenotypes for antibiotic classes such as macrolides and sulfonamides were predicted with the highest accuracies. The quality of predictions varied substantially across species–antibiotic combinations, particularly for beta-lactams; across species, resistance phenotyping of the beta-lactams compound, aztreonam, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and piperacillin/tazobactam, alongside tetracyclines demonstrated more variable performance than the other benchmarked antibiotics. By organism, Campylobacter jejuni and Enterococcus faecium phenotypes were more robustly predicted than those of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In addition, our study provides software recommendations for each species–antibiotic combination. It furthermore highlights the need for optimization for robust clinical applications, particularly for strains that diverge substantially from those used for training.
A two-stage computational framework for identifying antiviral peptides and their functional types based on contrastive learning and multi-feature fusion strategy
Authors: Guan Jiahui , Yao Lantian , Xie Peilin , Chung Chia-Ru , Huang Yixian , Chiang Ying-Chih , Lee Tzong-Yi
Published: May 2024

Antiviral peptides (AVPs) have shown potential in inhibiting viral attachment, preventing viral fusion with host cells and disrupting viral replication due to their unique action mechanisms. They have now become a broad-spectrum, promising antiviral therapy. However, identifying effective AVPs is traditionally slow and costly. This study proposed a new two-stage computational framework for AVP identification. The first stage identifies AVPs from a wide range of peptides, and the second stage recognizes AVPs targeting specific families or viruses. This method integrates contrastive learning and multi-feature fusion strategy, focusing on sequence information and peptide characteristics, significantly enhancing predictive ability and interpretability. The evaluation results of the model show excellent performance, with accuracy of 0.9240 and Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) score of 0.8482 on the non-AVP independent dataset, and accuracy of 0.9934 and MCC score of 0.9869 on the non-AMP independent dataset. Furthermore, our model can predict antiviral activities of AVPs against six key viral families (Coronaviridae, Retroviridae, Herpesviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Flaviviridae) and eight viruses (FIV, HCV, HIV, HPIV3, HSV1, INFVA, RSV, SARS-CoV). Finally, to facilitate user accessibility, we built a user-friendly web interface deployed at https://awi.cuhk.edu.cn/∼dbAMP/AVP/.
Structural and functional abnormalities of left-sided cardiac chambers in Barlow’s disease without significant mitral regurgitation
Authors: Meucci Maria Chiara , Mantegazza Valentina , Wu Hoi W , van Wijngaarden Aniek L , Garlaschè Anna , Tamborini Gloria , Pepi Mauro , Bax Jeroen J , Ajmone Marsan Nina
Published: May 2024

Aims

This study aims to explore the presence of left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) morphological and functional abnormalities in patients with Barlow’s disease (BD) without significant mitral regurgitation (MR) and to investigate whether these abnormalities may predict MR progression.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with BD were retrospectively identified from two tertiary centres; those with MR graded from trivial to mild-to-moderate were selected and matched with healthy controls in a 1:1 ratio. Conventional and speckle-tracking echocardiographic data were collected. The development of moderate-to-severe or greater MR was evaluated on follow-up echocardiograms. Patients with BD (n = 231) showed increased LV dimensions and indexed LV mass (LVMi) in comparison with controls (P < 0.001); LV remodelling worsened with higher MR severity and was accompanied by an increased prevalence of eccentric LV hypertrophy (eLVH). Moreover, BD patients had larger LA volumes and more impaired LA reservoir strain vs. controls (P < 0.001), while LV strain was similar between the two groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses in the overall population identified BD and MR grade as independent predictors of remodelling markers (LV dimensions, LVMi, and LA volume) and BD as independent correlate of LA strain. MR progression was observed in 51 BD subjects (out of 170 patients with available follow-up). On Cox regression analysis, age, eLVH, mild-to-moderate MR, and mitral annular disjunction (MAD) emerged as independent predictors of MR progression.

Conclusion

BD patients without significant MR show early LV and LA remodelling, together with reduced LA strain. MR progression was associated with eccentric LV remodelling, MAD, and MR severity.
Artificial intelligence coronary computed tomography, coronary computed tomography angiography using fractional flow reserve, and physician visual interpretation in the per-vessel prediction of abnormal invasive adenosine fractional flow reserve
Authors: Chiou Andrew , Hermel Melody , Sidhu Rajbir , Hu Eric , van Rosendael Alexander , Bagsic Samantha , Udoh Emem , Kosturakis Ricardo , Aziz Mohammad , Ruiz Christina Rodriguez , Newlander Shawn , Khadivi Bahram , Brown Jason Parker , Charlat Martin L , Teirstein Paul S , Stinis Curtiss T , Schatz Richard , Price Matthew J , Cavendish Jeffrey , Salerno Michael , Robinson Austin , Bhavnani Sanjeev , Gonzalez Jorge , Wesbey George E
Published: May 2024

Aims

A comparison of diagnostic performance comparing AI-QCTISCHEMIA, coronary computed tomography angiography using fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), and physician visual interpretation on the prediction of invasive adenosine FFR have not been evaluated. Furthermore, the coronary plaque characteristics impacting these tests have not been assessed.

Methods and results

In a single centre, 43-month retrospective review of 442 patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography and CT-FFR, 44 patients with CT-FFR had 54 vessels assessed using intracoronary adenosine FFR within 60 days. A comparison of the diagnostic performance among these three techniques for the prediction of FFR ≤ 0.80 was reported. The mean age of the study population was 65 years, 76.9% were male, and the median coronary artery calcium was 654. When analysing the per-vessel ischaemia prediction, AI-QCTISCHEMIA had greater specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), diagnostic accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) vs. CT-FFR and physician visual interpretation CAD-RADS. The AUC for AI-QCTISCHEMIA was 0.91 vs. 0.76 for CT-FFR and 0.62 for CAD-RADS ≥ 3. Plaque characteristics that were different in false positive vs. true positive cases for AI-QCTISCHEMIA were max stenosis diameter % (54% vs. 67%, P < 0.01); for CT-FFR were maximum stenosis diameter % (40% vs. 65%, P < 0.001), total non-calcified plaque (9% vs. 13%, P < 0.01); and for physician visual interpretation CAD-RADS ≥ 3 were total non-calcified plaque (8% vs. 12%, P < 0.01), lumen volume (681 vs. 510 mm3, P = 0.02), maximum stenosis diameter % (40% vs. 62%, P < 0.001), total plaque (19% vs. 33%, P = 0.002), and total calcified plaque (11% vs. 22%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Regarding per-vessel prediction of FFR ≤ 0.8, AI-QCTISCHEMIA revealed greater specificity, PPV, accuracy, and AUC vs. CT-FFR and physician visual interpretation CAD-RADS ≥ 3.
Prevalence and correlates of anxiety and depressive symptoms after spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Murphy Barbara M , Le Grande Michael R , Rogerson Michelle C , Hesselson Stephanie , Iismaa Siiri E , Graham Robert M , Jackson Alun C
Published: May 2024

Aims

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is recognized as a particularly stressful cause of heart attack. However, few studies have documented the prevalence of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms, or identified patients most at risk. This study documents the prevalence and correlates of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Methods and results

Three hundred ten (95% women) SCAD survivors were recruited by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute from a database of 433 SCAD survivors. Participants completed an online questionnaire to gather demographic, medical, and psychosocial information, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken to identify the significant demographic, psychosocial, and medical correlates of post-SCAD anxiety and depressive symptoms. Time between SCAD and questionnaire completion varied from 2 months to 18 years (mean = 5.5 years; SD = 3.5 years). Rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 20.7% (GAD-7 ≥ 10) and 20.9% (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), respectively, and did not vary by time since event. In bivariate analyses, correlates (P < 0.05) of anxiety and depressive symptoms were absence of a close confidante, financial strain, mental health diagnosis pre-SCAD, comorbid obesity, not being in paid employment (anxiety only), younger age (depression only), and not knowing another SCAD survivor (depression only). Variables retained in multivariate models were absence of a close confidante, financial strain, not being in paid employment, mental health diagnosis pre-SCAD (depression only), and younger age (depression only).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that over one in four SCAD survivors experiences either anxiety or depressive symptoms after SCAD, and identified those who may need additional support in their psychological recovery.
Locally adaptive inversions in structured populations
Authors: Mackintosh Carl , Scott Michael F , Reuter Max , Pomiankowski Andrew
Published: May 2024

Inversions have been proposed to facilitate local adaptation, by linking together locally coadapted alleles at different loci. Prior work addressing this question theoretically has considered the spread of inversions in “continent-island” scenarios in which there is a unidirectional flow of maladapted migrants into the island population. In this setting, inversions capturing locally adaptive haplotypes are most likely to invade when selection is weak, because stronger local selection (i) more effectively purges maladaptive alleles and (ii) generates linkage disequilibrium between adaptive alleles, thus lessening the advantage of inversions. We show this finding only holds under limited conditions by studying the establishment of inversions in a more general two-deme model, which explicitly considers the dynamics of allele frequencies in both populations linked by bidirectional migration. In this model, the level of symmetry between demes can be varied from complete asymmetry (continent-island) to complete symmetry. For symmetric selection and migration, strong selection increases the allele frequency divergence between demes thereby increasing the frequency of maladaptive alleles in migrants, favoring inversions—the opposite of the pattern seen in the asymmetric continent-island scenario. We also account for the likelihood that a new inversion captures an adaptive haplotype in the first instance. When considering the combined process of capture and invasion in “continent island” and symmetric scenarios, relatively strong selection increases inversion establishment probability. Migration must also be low enough that the inversion is likely to capture an adaptive allele combination, but not so low as to eliminate the inversion’s advantage. Overall, our analysis suggests that inversions are likely to harbor larger effect alleles that experience relatively strong selection.
Patient experience and nurse staffing level in South Korea
Authors: Song Yeongchae , Do Young Kyung
Published: May 2024

Patient experience has recently become a key driver for hospital quality improvement in South Korea, marked by the introduction of the Patient Experience Assessment (PXA) within its National Health Insurance in 2017. While the PXA has garnered special attention from the media and hospitals, there has been a lack of focus on its structural determinants, hindering continuous and sustained improvement in patient experience. Given the relatively low number of practicing nurses per 1000 population in South Korea and the significant variation in nurse staffing levels across hospitals, the staffing level of nurses in hospitals could be a crucial structural determinant of patient experience. This study examines the association between patient experience and hospital nurse staffing levels in South Korea. We used individual- and hospital-level data from the 2019 PXA, encompassing 7250 patients from 42 tertiary hospitals and 16 235 patients from 109 non-tertiary general hospitals with 300 or more beds. The dependent variables were derived from the complete set of 21 proper questions on patient experience in the Nurse and other domains. The main explanatory variable was the hospital-level Nurse Staffing Grade (NSG), employed by the National Health Insurance to adjust reimbursement to hospitals. Multilevel ordered/binomial logistic or linear regression was conducted accounting for other hospital- and patient-level characteristics as well as acknowledging the nested nature of the data. A clear, positive association was observed between patient experience in the Nurse domain and NSG, even after accounting for other characteristics. For example, the predicted probability of reporting the top-box category of “Always” to the question “How often did nurses treat you with courtesy and respect?” was 70.3% among patients from non-tertiary general hospitals with the highest NSG, compared to 63.1% among patients from their peer hospitals with the lowest NSG. Patient experience measured in other domains that were likely to be affected by nurse staffing levels also showed similar associations, although generally weaker and less consistent than in the Nurse domain. Better patient experience was associated with higher hospital nurse staffing levels in South Korea. Alongside current initiatives focused on measuring and publicly reporting patient experience, strengthening nursing and other hospital workforce should also be included in policy efforts to improve patient experience.
Securing the Self, Embracing Anxiety, or Nurturing Growth? How the Pragmatism of Dewey, James, and Mead Speaks to Ontological Security Studies
Authors: Ralph Jason
Published: May 2024

A Pragmatist form of Constructivism speaks to, and encourages, an ethical/normative turn in Ontological Security Studies (OSS). Recognition that Self-securing routines are sometimes “unhealthy” implies that the subject of security is human experience and that social identities or social roles are means to that end. This resonates with John Dewey's Pragmatist focus on the practical task of ameliorating experience in environments constantly in the process of becoming. Normative value is not ontological, i.e., found in a fixed identity; it is processural, i.e., found in the practice of “learning” and the process of “growth.” A Pragmatist narrative of learning and growth offers OSS a normative focus that is more compelling than the recent calls to “embrace anxiety,” although it is important to acknowledge that even these narratives can induce anxiety. OSS can, in this instance, turn to the Pragmatist William James and his focus on the role that “faith” plays in encouraging the Self to adopt new identities. Building on this, Dewey formulated a “civic faith” to defend democratic routines (and the democratic identity) as a useful method of (social) learning. Finally, the Pragmatism of George Herbert Mead demonstrates how this democratic commitment to include “the Other” in the processes that secure the Self helps restructure an environment that otherwise demands dangerous routines. The article draws on Cold War history to demonstrate how such practices can and should be part of the “cultural repertoire” informing ontological security-seeking practices in contemporary Europe.
Macroalgal virosphere assists with host–microbiome equilibrium regulation and affects prokaryotes in surrounding marine environments
Authors: Zhao Jiulong , Nair Shailesh , Zhang Zenghu , Wang Zengmeng , Jiao Nianzhi , Zhang Yongyu
Published: May 2024

The microbiomes in macroalgal holobionts play vital roles in regulating macroalgal growth and ocean carbon cycling. However, the virospheres in macroalgal holobionts remain largely underexplored, representing a critical knowledge gap. Here we unveil that the holobiont of kelp (Saccharina japonica) harbors highly specific and unique epiphytic/endophytic viral species, with novelty (99.7% unknown) surpassing even extreme marine habitats (e.g. deep-sea and hadal zones), indicating that macroalgal virospheres, despite being closest to us, are among the least understood. These viruses potentially maintain microbiome equilibrium critical for kelp health via lytic-lysogenic infections and the expression of folate biosynthesis genes. In-situ kelp mesocosm cultivation and metagenomic mining revealed that kelp holobiont profoundly reshaped surrounding seawater and sediment virus–prokaryote pairings through changing surrounding environmental conditions and virus–host migrations. Some kelp epiphytic viruses could even infect sediment autochthonous bacteria after deposition. Moreover, the presence of ample viral auxiliary metabolic genes for kelp polysaccharide (e.g. laminarin) degradation underscores the underappreciated viral metabolic influence on macroalgal carbon cycling. This study provides key insights into understanding the previously overlooked ecological significance of viruses within macroalgal holobionts and the macroalgae–prokaryotes–virus tripartite relationship.