bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A transformer-based genomic prediction method fused with knowledge-guided module
Authors: Wu Cuiling , Zhang Yiyi , Ying Zhiwen , Li Ling , Wang Jun , Yu Hui , Zhang Mengchen , Feng Xianzhong , Wei Xinghua , Xu Xiaogang
Published: December 2023

Genomic prediction (GP) uses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to establish associations between markers and phenotypes. Selection of early individuals by genomic estimated breeding value shortens the generation interval and speeds up the breeding process. Recently, methods based on deep learning (DL) have gained great attention in the field of GP. In this study, we explore the application of Transformer-based structures to GP and develop a novel deep-learning model named GPformer. GPformer obtains a global view by gleaning beneficial information from all relevant SNPs regardless of the physical distance between SNPs. Comprehensive experimental results on five different crop datasets show that GPformer outperforms ridge regression-based linear unbiased prediction (RR-BLUP), support vector regression (SVR), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) and deep neural network genomic prediction (DNNGP) in terms of mean absolute error, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and the proposed metric consistent index. Furthermore, we introduce a knowledge-guided module (KGM) to extract genome-wide association studies-based information, which is fused into GPformer as prior knowledge. KGM is very flexible and can be plugged into any DL network. Ablation studies of KGM on three datasets illustrate the efficiency of KGM adequately. Moreover, GPformer is robust and stable to hyperparameters and can generalize to each phenotype of every dataset, which is suitable for practical application scenarios.
Severity rating of specific skin lesions in hidradenitis suppurativa: the patient perspective
Authors: Thorlacius Linnea , Riis Peter Theut , Musaeus Katrine D , Saunte Ditte M , Esmann Solveig , Jemec Gregor B E , Hansen Stine Thestrup
Published: December 2023

The assessment of physical signs in HS is a very complex matter. This qualitative study investigates how patients with HS themselves would rate the severity of different types of HS lesions, and suggests that the lesion severity weighting in currently used Outcome Measurement Instruments, do not match the patient experience of severity.
Nodal positivity in patients with clinically and radiologically node-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: multicentre collaborative study
Authors: Zaborowski Alexandra M , Doogan Katie , Clifford Siobhan , Dowling Gavin , Kazi Farah , Delaney Karina , Yadav Himanshu , Brady Aaron , Geraghty James , Evoy Denis , Rothwell Jane , McCartan Damian , Heeney Anna , Barry Mitchel , Walsh Siun M , Stokes Maurice , Kell Malcolm R , Allen Michael , Power Colm , Hill Arnold D K , Connolly Elizabeth , Alazawi Dhafir , Boyle Terence , Corrigan Mark , O’Leary Peter , Prichard Ruth S
Published: December 2023

Background

The necessity of performing a sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with clinically and radiologically node-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been questioned. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of nodal positivity in these patients and to identify clinicopathological features associated with lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (ypN+).

Methods

A retrospective multicentre study was performed. Patients with cT1–3 cN0 breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy between 2016 and 2021 were included. Negative nodal status was defined as the absence of palpable lymph nodes, and the absence of suspicious nodes on axillary ultrasonography, or the absence of tumour cells on axillary nodal fine needle aspiration or core biopsy.

Results

A total of 371 patients were analysed. Overall, 47 patients (12.7%) had a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy. Nodal positivity was identified in 22 patients (29.0%) with hormone receptor+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2− tumours, 12 patients (13.8%) with hormone receptor+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2+ tumours, 3 patients (5.6%) with hormone receptor−/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2+ tumours, and 10 patients (6.5%) with triple-negative breast cancer. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that multicentric disease was associated with a higher likelihood of ypN+ (OR 2.66, 95% c.i. 1.18 to 6.01; P = 0.018), whilst a radiological complete response in the breast was associated with a reduced likelihood of ypN+ (OR 0.10, 95% c.i. 0.02 to 0.42; P = 0.002), regardless of molecular subtype. Only 3% of patients who had a radiological complete response in the breast were ypN+. The majority of patients (85%) with a positive sentinel node proceeded to axillary lymph node dissection and 93% had N1 disease.

Conclusion

The rate of sentinel lymph node positivity in patients who achieve a radiological complete response in the breast is exceptionally low for all molecular subtypes.
Preoperative multimodal prehabilitation before elective colorectal cancer surgery in patients with WHO performance status I or II: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Bojesen Rasmus Dahlin , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Skou Søren Thorgaard , Jørgensen Lars Bo , Walker Line Rosell , Eriksen Jens Ravn , Grube Camilla , Justesen Tobias Freyberg , Johansen Christoffer , Slooter Gerrit , Carli Franco , Gögenur Ismail
Published: December 2023

Background

Multimodal prehabilitation is a promising adjunct to the current surgical treatment pathway for colorectal cancer patients to further improve postoperative outcomes, especially for high-risk patients with low functional capacity. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of prehabilitation on immediate postoperative recovery.

Method

The study was designed as a RCT with two arms (intervention and control). The intervention consisted of 4 weeks of multimodal prehabilitation, with supervised physical training, nutritional support and medical optimization. The control group received standard of care. A total of 40 patients with colorectal cancer (WHO performance status I or II) undergoing elective surgery with curative intent were included. The primary outcome was postoperative recovery within the first 3 postoperative days, measured by Quality of Recovery-15, a validated questionnaire with a scoring range between 0 and 150 and a minimal clinically relevant difference of 8.

Results

In total, 36 patients were analysed with 16 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group. The mean age of the included patients was 79 years. The overall treatment effect associated with the intervention was a 21.9 (95% c.i. 4.5–39.3) higher quality of recovery-15 score during the first 3 postoperative days compared to control, well above the minimal clinically relevant difference.

Conclusion

Four weeks of multimodal prehabilitation prior to elective curative intended colorectal cancer surgery in patients with WHO performance status I or II was associated with a clinically relevant improvement in postoperative recovery.

Registration number: NCT04167436 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)
Subthalamic nucleus shows opposite functional connectivity pattern in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Evangelisti Stefania , Boessenkool Sirius , Pflanz Chris Patrick , Basting Romina , Betts Jill F , Jenkinson Mark , Clare Stuart , Muhammed Kinan , LeHeron Campbell , Armstrong Richard , Klein Johannes C , Husain Masud , Nemeth Andrea H , Hu Michele T , Douaud Gwenaëlle
Published: December 2023

Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease are two movement disorders representing mainly opposite states of the basal ganglia inhibitory function. Despite being an integral part of the cortico-subcortico-cortical circuitry, the subthalamic nucleus function has been studied at the level of detail required to isolate its signal only through invasive studies in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Here, we tested whether the subthalamic nucleus exhibited opposite functional signatures in early Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. We included both movement disorders in the same whole-brain imaging study, and leveraged ultra-high-field 7T MRI to achieve the very fine resolution needed to investigate the smallest of the basal ganglia nuclei. Eleven of the 12 Huntington’s disease carriers were recruited at a premanifest stage, while 16 of the 18 Parkinson’s disease patients only exhibited unilateral motor symptoms (15 were at Stage I of Hoehn and Yahr off medication). Our group comparison interaction analyses, including 24 healthy controls, revealed a differential effect of Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease on the functional connectivity at rest of the subthalamic nucleus within the sensorimotor network, i.e. an opposite effect compared with their respective age-matched healthy control groups. This differential impact in the subthalamic nucleus included an area precisely corresponding to the deep brain stimulation ‘sweet spot’—the area with maximum overall efficacy—in Parkinson’s disease. Importantly, the severity of deviation away from controls’ resting-state values in the subthalamic nucleus was associated with the severity of motor and cognitive symptoms in both diseases, despite functional connectivity going in opposite directions in each disorder. We also observed an altered, opposite impact of Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease on functional connectivity within the sensorimotor cortex, once again with relevant associations with clinical symptoms. The high resolution offered by the 7T scanner has thus made it possible to explore the complex interplay between the disease effects and their contribution on the subthalamic nucleus, and sensorimotor cortex. Taken altogether, these findings reveal for the first time non-invasively in humans a differential, clinically meaningful impact of the pathophysiological process of these two movement disorders on the overall sensorimotor functional connection of the subthalamic nucleus and sensorimotor cortex.
Revisiting the outcome of adult wild-type Htt inactivation in the context of HTT-lowering strategies for Huntington’s disease
Authors: Regio Sara , Vachey Gabriel , Goñi Enrique , Duarte Fabio , Rybarikova Margareta , Sipion Mélanie , Rey Maria , Huarte Maite , Déglon Nicole
Published: December 2023

Huntingtin-lowering strategies are central to therapeutic approaches for Huntington’s disease. Recent studies reported the induction of age- and cell type-specific phenotypes by conditional huntingtin knockout, but these experimental conditions did not precisely mimic huntingtin-lowering or gene-editing conditions in terms of the cells targeted and brain distribution, and no transcriptional profiles were provided. Here, we used the adeno-associated delivery system commonly used in CNS gene therapy programmes and the self-inactivating KamiCas9 gene-editing system to investigate the long-term consequences of wild-type mouse huntingtin inactivation in adult neurons and, thus, the feasibility and safety of huntingtin inactivation in these cells. Behavioural and neuropathological analyses and single-nuclei RNA sequencing indicated that huntingtin editing in 77% of striatal neurons and 16% of cortical projecting neurons in adult mice induced no behavioural deficits or cellular toxicity. Single-nuclei RNA sequencing in 11.5-month-old animals showed that huntingtin inactivation did not alter striatal-cell profiles or proportions. Few differentially expressed genes were identified and Augur analysis confirmed an extremely limited response to huntingtin inactivation in all cell types. Our results therefore indicate that wild-type huntingtin inactivation in adult striatal and projection neurons is well tolerated in the long term.
Positive perceptions of virtual didactics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey of dermatology residents’ satisfaction, perception of efficacy and preferences
Authors: Schlessel Marc , Nakamura Mio , Wang Frank
Published: December 2023

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, resident didactics at many institutions, including ours, were transitioned from in-person to virtual.

Objectives

We aimed to examine dermatology residents’ attitudes towards virtual didactics, assessing their satisfaction, impression of effectiveness and preference, along with factors correlating with these responses.

Methods

An online questionnaire was administered to dermatology residents at our institution 3–6 months following the transition to virtual didactics.

Results

The response rate was 26 of 31 residents (84%). Of the 26 respondents, 20 (77%) expressed satisfaction, 15 (58%) effectiveness and 12 (46%) a preference towards virtual didactics. Factors associated with satisfaction included feeling that virtual didactics positively impacted learning retention, represented time well spent and utilized high-quality images. Perception of effectiveness correlated with using high-quality images, baseline preference for online instruction and feeling engaged. Factors associated with preference for virtual didactics included having opportunities for critical thinking, using high-quality images and utilizing images applicable to teledermatology care. Advantages of virtual didactics included convenience, decreased commuting and easily hosting guest lecturers. Disadvantages included distractions/decreased focus, reduced social interaction and difficulty with communication.

Conclusions

Residents expressed satisfaction with, effectiveness of and some preference towards virtual didactics, which correlated with numerous factors relating to the learning environment, prior educational experiences and technology. Our findings suggest that it is reasonable to maintain a virtual didactic component as part of dermatology resident education. Furthermore, our data provide insights into strategies that residency programme directors and educators may consider when/if integrating virtual didactics into future educational curricula.
Hidradenitis suppurativa in a journey of an African refugee
Authors: Andrawis Madonna , Keeling Elizabeth , Byrne Berbie , Drumm Claire , Rafferty Siobhan , Fleming Sarah , Carty Kieran , O’Mahony Sarah , Granahan Aoife , Comes Arianna , Tobin Anne-Marie
Published: December 2023

As an African man who lived most of his life in Africa before immigrating to Ireland, I had a long journey trying to find answers before receiving a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Femora of women with premature ovarian insufficiency exhibit reduced strength and misalignment with the transmitted vertical forces from the upper body
Authors: Samad Navira , Nguyen Hanh H , Aleksova Jasna , Pasco Julie A , Kotowicz Mark A , Ebeling Peter R , Vincent Amanda J , Zebaze Roger , Milat Frances
Published: December 2023

Background

Women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) lack oestrogen, which is a key determinant of bone growth, epiphyseal closure, and bone tissue organisation. Although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)–derived areal bone mineral density (BMD) remains the gold standard for fracture risk evaluation, it does not fully characterise the skeletal abnormalities present in these women. Hence, we aimed to assess hip/femur anatomy, strength, and geometry and femoral alignment using advanced hip analysis (AHA).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, case–control study including 89 women with spontaneous normal karyotype POI (s-POI) or iatrogenic POI (i-POI), aged 20-50 years compared with 89 age- and body mass index (BMI)–matched population-based female controls. Hip anatomy, strength, geometrical parameters, and femur alignment were measured using hip DXA images and Lunar AHA software. Femoral orientation angle (FOA) was quantified as the overall orientation of the femur with respect to the axis of the forces transmitted from the upper body.

Results

The median age of POI diagnosis was 35 (18-40) years; the mean POI duration at the time of DXA was 2.07 (range 0-13) years, and 84% of POI women received oestrogen therapy. Areal BMD at all sites was significantly lower in the POI group (all P < .05). Indices of compressive and bending strength were lower in women with POI compared with controls, specifically the cross-sectional area (CSA, mm2) and section modulus (SM, mm3) (139.30 ± 29.08 vs 157.29 ± 22.26, P < .001 and 665.21 ± 129.54 vs 575.53 ± 150.88, P < .001, respectively). The FOA was smaller (124.99 ± 3.18) in women with POI as compared with controls (128.04 ± 3.80; P < .001) at baseline and after adjusting for height and femoral neck BMD.

Conclusion

Alongside lower BMD at multiple sites, the femora of women with POI demonstrate reduced strength and a misalignment with forces transmitted from the upper body. Further research is needed to establish the role of these newly identified features and their role in fracture risk prediction in this population.
Efficacy of a web-based healthcare innovation to advance the quality of life and care of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ACQUIRE-ICD): a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Skov Ole , Johansen Jens Brock , Nielsen Jens Cosedis , Larroudé Charlotte E , Riahi Sam , Melchior Thomas M , Vinther Michael , Skovbakke Søren Jensen , Rottmann Nina , Wiil Uffe Kock , Brandt Carl Joakim , Smolderen Kim G , Spertus John A , Pedersen Susanne S
Published: December 2023

Aims

Modern clinical management of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) largely consists of remote device monitoring, although a subset is at risk of mental health issues post-implantation. We compared a 12-month web-based intervention consisting of goal setting, monitoring of patients’ mental health—with a psychological intervention if needed—psychoeducational support from a nurse, and an online patient forum, with usual care on participants’ device acceptance 12 months after implantation.

Methods and results

This national, multi-site, two-arm, non-blinded, randomized, controlled, superiority trial enrolled 478 first-time ICD recipients from all 6 implantation centres in Denmark. The primary endpoint was patient device acceptance measured by the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS; general score range = 0–100, with higher scores indicating higher device acceptance) 12 months after implantation. Secondary endpoints included symptoms of depression and anxiety. The primary endpoint of device acceptance was not different between groups at 12 months [B = −2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−5.62, 0.29), P = 0.08]. Furthermore, the secondary endpoint analyses showed no significant treatment effect on either depressive [B = −0.49, 95% CI (−1.19; 0.21), P = 0.17] or anxiety symptoms [B = −0.39, 95% CI (−0.96; 0.18), P = 0.18].

Conclusion

The web-based intervention as supplement to usual care did not improve patient device acceptance nor symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with usual care. This specific web-based intervention thus cannot be recommended as a standardized intervention in ICD patients.
Rates of convergence for chains of expansive Markov Operators
Authors: Hermer Neal , Luke D Russell , Sturm Anja
Published: December 2023

We provide conditions that guarantee local rates of convergence in distribution of iterated random functions that are not nonexpansive mappings in locally compact Hadamard spaces. Our results are applied to stochastic instances of common algorithms in optimization, stochastic tomography for X-FEL imaging and a stochastic algorithm for the computation of Fréchet means in model spaces for phylogenetic trees.
Mpox and Chickenpox Coinfection: Case Series From Southern Nigeria
Authors: Mmerem Juliet I , Umenzekwe Chukwudi C , Johnson Simon M , Onukak Asukwo E , Chika-Igwenyi Nneka M , Chukwu Sunday K , Onyeaghala Chizaram A , Ozougwu Jideofor J , Alasia Datonye , Ehiakhamen Odianosen , Nwankwo Henry M , Ezejiofor Ogochukwu I , Unigwe Uche S , Iroezindu Michael O
Published: December 2023

Background

We describe clinicoepidemiologic characteristics of mpox-chickenpox coinfection in Nigeria.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of confirmed mpox cases in Nigeria from January 2022 to March 2023. Mpox and chickenpox were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results

Of 94 (60.0%) suspected cases, 56 had confirmed mpox, of whom 16 (28.6%) had chickenpox coinfection. The median age of confirmed mpox cases was 29 years (interquartile range, 20–37 years), 24 were men (60.7%), 6 (10.7%) were bisexual, and 5 (8.9%) died. Mpox-chickenpox–coinfected patients had more complications than mpox-monoinfected cases (56.3% vs 22.5%, P = .015).

Conclusions

The high frequency of mpox-chickenpox coinfection argues for accelerated access to mpox and chickenpox vaccines in Africa.
Airline scheduling optimization: literature review and a discussion of modelling methodologies
Authors: Xu Yifan , Wandelt Sebastian , Sun Xiaoqian
Published: December 2023

The rapid development of civil aviation in recent decades has not only led to increasing competition among airlines, but also to the rise of irregularities, with challenges concerning the improvement of regulations and schedules under the maximization of profitability. Consequently, the airline scheduling optimization problem has received significant research interest as the foundation for an efficient deployment of airline resources and meeting market demand under complex operational requirements. In this paper, we dissect fundamental airline scheduling problems by reviewing thirteen representative mathematical models for schedule design, fleet assignment, aircraft routing, crew scheduling subproblems and their potential for integration. In contrast to existing review studies on airline scheduling problems, our main contribution lies in the introduction of state-of-the-art mathematical models with a specific focus on integration and robustness. In addition, we highlight a set of promising, yet challenging, directions for future research in this domain.
Effects of ingested essential oils and propolis extracts on honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) health and gut microbiota
Authors: Martin Ewert Allyson , Simone-Finstrom Michael , Read Quentin , Husseneder Claudia , Ricigliano Vincent
Published: December 2023

Managed honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apis mellifera Linnaeus) hives require frequent human inputs to maintain colony health and productivity. A variety of plant natural products (PNPs) are delivered via feeding to control diseases and reduce the use of synthetic chemical treatments. However, despite their prevalent use in beekeeping, there is limited information regarding the impact of ingested PNPs on bee health. Here, we tested the effects of different essential oils and propolis extracts on honey bee life span, nutrient assimilation, xenobiotic detoxification, and gut microbiota abundance. Brazilian propolis extract lengthened worker life span, while the other PNPs (Louisiana propolis extract, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, and thyme oil) exerted variable and dose-dependent effects on life span. Vitellogenin (vg) gene expression was reduced by Brazilian propolis extract at high doses. Expression of CYP6AS1, a detoxification-related gene, was reduced by low doses of thyme oil. The abundances of 8 core gut microbiota taxa were largely unaffected by host consumption of PNPs. Our results suggest that in addition to propolis’s structural and immunomodulatory roles in the colony, it may also exert beneficial health effects when ingested. Thyme oil, a commonly used hive treatment, was toxic at field-realistic dosages, and its use as a feed additive should be viewed with caution until its effects on bee health are more thoroughly investigated. We conclude that the tested propolis extracts, lemongrass oil, and spearmint oil are generally safe for bee consumption, with some apparent health-promoting effects.
No impact of hygienic behavior and viral coinfection on the development of European foulbrood in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies during blueberry pollination in Michigan
Authors: Fowler Peter D , Schroeder Declan C , Kevill Jessica L , Milbrath Meghan O G
Published: December 2023

European foulbrood (EFB) is a severe disease of honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae caused by the bacterium Linnaeus [Hymenoptera: Apidae]) Melissococcus plutonius (ex White) Bailey and Collins (Lactobacillales: Enterococcaceae). Many beekeepers in North America report severe EFB following blueberry pollination, but it is not clear what factors during pollination are related to clinical disease. Additionally, the impact that other factors such as viral load and hygienic behavior have on EFB has not been studied. In Spring of 2020 we enrolled 60 commercial honey bee colonies in a prospective cohort study. Colonies were inspected 3 times over the season with hive metrics and samples taken for viral testing. Each colony was tested for hygienic behavior twice and the score was averaged. Viral loads were determined by qPCR for deformed wing virus (DWV) A and B. We found no statistical difference in the EFB prevalence or severity between the 2 yards at any timepoint; 50% (n = 16) of the colonies in the holding yard and 63% (n = 17) in blueberry developed moderate to severe EFB over the study period. When colonies from both yards were pooled, we found no relationship between viral load or hygienic behavior and development of EFB. These results suggest that other factors may be responsible for driving EFB virulence and hygienic behavior is not likely helpful in managing this disease.
Effect of diesel-B20-pentanol and diesel-B20-butonal blends on diesel engine performance, emission, and combustion characteristics
Authors: Harikrishna Alagala , Reddy B Chandra Mohana
Published: December 2023

The aim of this paper is to analyze the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of diesel engines fuelled with diesel-B20-pentanol and diesel-B20-butonal blends without engine modification. Higher viscosity of biodiesel causes poor fuel atomization during the spray process and more energy is needed to pump the fuel. To overcome those problems, biodiesel was blended with alcohols. There are two types of combinations that has been presented, they are biodiesel-diesel-pentanol and biodiesel-diesel-butanol without modifying the engines. Based on the fuel characterization, D75-B20-PN5, D70-B20-PN10, D75-B20-BU5, and D70-B20-BU10 were selected for further experimental investigation. It is utilized for the reduction of calorific value due to the presence of oxygen in the molecular structure of biodiesel. The highest brake thermal efficiency of 31.7% was obtained for the D75-B20-BU5 blend. The lowest brake-specific fuel consumption of 0.12(kg/kW-h) was obtained for the D75-B20-BU5 blend. The D75-B20-BU5 fuel has a heat release rate of 4.8 J/°CA. The lowest carbon monoxide emission of 0.0055% vol. was obtained from the D75-B20-BU5 blend. At 100% load, the least unburned hydrocarbon emission of 38 ppm was obtained in the D75-B20-BU5 blend. The nitric oxide emission of 47.4 ppm was obtained in D75-B20-BU5. The lowest filter smoke number of 34 ppm was obtained in D75-B20-BU5. Among the above-mentioned blends, D75-B20-BU5 blend has the minimum emission of CO, Unburned Hydro Carbon(ppm), and Filter Smoke NumberFSN. Thus, this paper discusses the viability of recommending biodiesel-diesel-alcohol blends to fulfil the future energy demands of the world.
Comparative investigations into the growth details of Histoplasma capsulatum var farciminosum on four different agar media
Authors: Wernery Ulrich , Joseph Marina , Joseph Sunitha , Al Mheiri Fatma
Published: December 2023

Epizootic equine lymphangitis (EEL) is a chronic fungal disease that affects equids. The causative agent is a dimorphic fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum var farciminosum. Histoplasmacapsulatum var farciminosum field strain 7 (D 2878/2023) isolated from the eye socket of an EEL Ethiopian horse was sub-cultured on four different solid media and incubated at 26°C and 37°C for 6 weeks. Details of growth morphology were recorded and shown in images during 6 weeks of incubation. Histoplasmacapsulatum var farciminosum grew best at 26°C on all four agars, but only on sheep blood agar at 37°C as small, white dry colonies.
Elemental abundance differences in the massive planet-hosting wide binary HD 196067−68
Authors: Flores M , Yana Galarza J , Miquelarena P , Saffe C , Jaque Arancibia M , Ibañez Bustos R V , Jofré E , Alacoria J , Gunella F
Published: December 2023

It has been suggested that small chemical anomalies observed in planet-hosting wide binary systems could be due to planet signatures, where the role of the planetary mass is still unknown. We search for a possible planet signature by analysing the TC trends in the remarkable binary system HD 196067–HD 196068. At the moment, only HD 196067 is known to host a planet that is near the brown dwarf regime. We take advantage of the strong physical similarity between both stars, which is crucial to achieving the highest possible precision in stellar parameters and elemental chemical abundances. This system gives us a unique opportunity to explore whether a possible depletion of refractories in a binary system could be inhibited by the presence of a massive planet. We performed a line-by-line chemical differential study, employing the non-solar-scaled opacities, in order to reach the highest precision in the calculations. After differentially comparing both stars, HD 196067 displays a clear deficiency in refractory elements in the TC plane, a lower iron content (0.051 dex), and also a lower Li i content (0.14 dex) than its companion. In addition, the differential abundances reveal a TC trend. These targets represent the first cases of an abundance difference around a binary system hosting a super-Jupiter. Although we explored several scenarios to explain the chemical anomalies, none of them can be entirely ruled out. Additional monitoring of the system as well as studies of larger sample of wide binary systems hosting massive planets are needed to better understand the chemical abundance trend observed in HD 196067−68.
Viscous heating as the dominant heat source inside the water snowline of V883 Ori
Authors: Alarcón Felipe , Casassus Simón , Lyra Wladimir , Pérez Sebastián , Cieza Lucas
Published: December 2023

FU Orionis-type objects (FUors) are embedded protostars that undergo episodes of high accretion, potentially indicating a widespread but poorly understood phase in the formation of low-mass stars. Gaining a better understanding of the influence exerted by these outbursts on the evolution of the surrounding protoplanetary disc may hold significant implications for the process of planet formation and the evolution of disc chemistry. The heating due to outbursts of high accretion in FUors pushes the snowlines of key volatiles farther out in the disc, so they become easier to observe and study. Among the known FUors, V883 Ori is of particular interest. V883 Ori was the first FUor to show indirect evidence of a resolvable snowline beyond 40 au. By introducing a radial-dependent model of this source including viscous heating, we show that active heating is needed to reproduce the steep thermal profile of dust in the inner disc of V883 Ori. Our disc modelling combines the effect of stellar irradiation and the influence on the disc shape caused by the outburst of accretion. The accuracy of our model is tested by comparing synthetic Atacama Larga Millimeter Array images with continuum observations of V883 Ori, showing that the model successfully reproduces the 1.3 mm emission of V883 Ori at high spatial resolution. Our final predictions underline the importance of viscous heating as a predominant heat source for this type of object, changing the physical conditions (shape and temperature) of the disc, and influencing its evolution.
Effects of nuclear matter properties in neutron star mergers
Authors: Jacobi M , Guercilena F M , Huth S , Ricigliano G , Arcones A , Schwenk A
Published: December 2023

The dynamics in mergers of binary neutron star (BNS) systems depend sensitively on the equation of state (EOS) of dense matter. This has profound implications on the emission of gravitational waves (GWs) and the ejection of matter in the merger and post-merger phases and is thus of high interest for multimessenger astronomy. Today, a variety of nuclear EOSs are available with various underlying microphysical models. This calls for a study to focus on EOS effects from different physical nuclear matter properties and their influence on BNS mergers. We perform simulations of equal-mass BNS mergers with a set of nine different EOSs based on Skyrme density functionals. In the models, we systematically vary the effective nucleon mass, incompressibility, and symmetry energy at saturation density. This allows us to investigate the influence of specific nuclear matter properties on the dynamics of BNS mergers. We analyse the impact of these properties on the merger dynamics, the fate of the remnant, disc formation, ejection of matter, and GW emission. Our results indicate that some aspects of the merger, such as the frequencies of the post-merger GW spectrum and the shock-heated ejecta mass, are sensitive to the EOS around saturation density while others, such as the contraction of the remnant and the tidal ejecta mass, are sensitive to the behaviour towards higher densities, e.g. characterized by the slope of the pressure versus density. The detailed density dependence of the EOS thus needs to be taken into account to describe its influence on BNS mergers.
Accelerated binary black holes in globular clusters: forecasts and detectability in the era of space-based gravitational-wave detectors
Authors: Tiwari Avinash , Vijaykumar Aditya , Kapadia Shasvath J , Fragione Giacomo , Chatterjee Sourav
Published: December 2023

The motion of the centre of mass of a coalescing binary black hole (BBH) in a gravitational potential, imprints a line-of-sight acceleration (LOSA) on to the emitted gravitational-wave (GW) signal. The acceleration could be sufficiently large in dense stellar environments, such as globular clusters (GCs), to be detectable with next-generation space-based detectors. In this work, we use outputs of the cluster monte carlo (cmc) simulations of dense star clusters to forecast the distribution of detectable LOSAs in DECIGO and LISA eras. We study the effect of cluster properties – metallicity, virial and galactocentric radii – on the distribution of detectable accelerations, account for cosmologically motivated distributions of cluster formation times, masses, and metallicities, and also incorporate the delay time between the formation of BBHs and their merger in our analysis. We find that larger metallicities provide a larger fraction of detectable accelerations by virtue of a greater abundance of relatively lighter BBHs, which allow a higher number of GW cycles in the detectable frequency band. Conversely, smaller metallicities result in fewer detections, most of which come from relatively more massive BBHs with fewer cycles but larger LOSAs. We similarly find correlations between the virial radii of the clusters and the fractions of detectable accelerations. Our work, therefore, provides an important science case for space-based GW detectors in the context of probing GC properties via the detection of LOSAs of merging BBHs.
Impact of anisotropic ejecta on jet dynamics and afterglow emission in binary neutron-star mergers
Authors: Mpisketzis Vasilis , Duqué Raphaël , Nathanail Antonios , Cruz-Osorio Alejandro , Rezzolla Luciano
Published: December 2023

Binary neutron-stars mergers widely accepted as potential progenitors of short gamma-ray bursts. After the remnant of the merger has collapsed to a black hole, a jet is powered and may breakout from the the matter expelled during the collision and the subsequent wind emission. The interaction of the jet with the ejecta may affect its dynamics and the resulting electromagnetic counterparts. We here examine how an inhomogeneous and anisotropic distribution of ejecta affects such dynamics, dictating the properties of the jet-ejecta cocoon and of the afterglow radiated by the jet upon deceleration. More specifically, we carry out general-relativistic hydrodynamical simulations of relativistic jets launched within a variety of geometrically inhomogeneous and anisotropic distributions of ejected matter. We find that different anisotropies impact the variance of the afterglow light curves as a function of the jet luminosity and ejected mass. A considerable amount of the jet energy is deposited in the cocoon through the jet-ejecta interaction with a small but important dependence on the properties of the ejecta. Furthermore, all configurations show a two-component behaviour for the polar structure of the jet, with a narrow core at large energies and Lorentz factors and a shallow segment at high latitudes from the jet axis. Hence, afterglows measured on off-axis lines of sight could be used to deduce the properties of the ejected matter, but also that the latter need to be properly accounted for when modelling the afterglow signal and the jet-launching mechanisms.
A precursor plateau and pre-maximum [O ii] emission in the superluminous SN2019szu: a pulsational pair-instability candidate
Authors: Aamer Aysha , Nicholl Matt , Jerkstrand Anders , Gomez Sebastian , Oates Samantha R , Smartt Stephen J , Srivastav Shubham , Leloudas Giorgos , Anderson Joseph P , Berger Edo , de Boer Thomas , Chambers Kenneth , Chen Ting-Wan , Galbany Lluís , Gao Hua , Gompertz Benjamin P , González-Bañuelos Maider , Gromadzki Mariusz , Gutiérrez Claudia P , Inserra Cosimo , Lowe Thomas B , Magnier Eugene A , Mazzali Paolo A , Moore Thomas , Müller-Bravo Tomás E , Pursiainen Miika , Rest Armin , Schulze Steve , Smith Ken W , Terwel Jacco H , Wainscoat Richard , Young David R
Published: December 2023

We present a detailed study on SN2019szu, a Type I superluminous supernova at z = 0.213 that displayed unique photometric and spectroscopic properties. Pan-STARRS and ZTF forced photometry show a pre-explosion plateau lasting ∼40 d. Unlike other SLSNe that show decreasing photospheric temperatures with time, the optical colours show an apparent temperature increase from ∼15 000 to ∼20 000 K over the first 70 d, likely caused by an additional pseudo-continuum in the spectrum. Remarkably, the spectrum displays a forbidden emission line (likely attributed to λλ7320,7330) visible 16 d before maximum light, inconsistent with an apparently compact photosphere. This identification is further strengthened by the appearances of [O iii] λλ4959, 5007, and [O iii] λ4363 seen in the spectrum. Comparing with nebular spectral models, we find that the oxygen line fluxes and ratios can be reproduced with ∼0.25 M⊙ of oxygen-rich material with a density of $\sim 10^{-15}\, \rm {g\, cm}^{-3}$. The low density suggests a circumstellar origin, but the early onset of the emission lines requires that this material was ejected within the final months before the terminal explosion, consistent with the timing of the precursor plateau. Interaction with denser material closer to the explosion likely produced the pseudo-continuum bluewards of ∼5500 Å. We suggest that this event is one of the best candidates to date for a pulsational pair-instability ejection, with early pulses providing the low density material needed for the formation of the forbidden emission line, and collisions between the final shells of ejected material producing the pre-explosion plateau.
What Social Workers Need to Know about Muslims: An Analysis of the Contemporary Social Work Scholarship
Authors: Qasqas Mahdi , Graham John R , Abdirahman Ayan , Ali Shirwa
Published: December 2023

This article analyzes peer-reviewed English-language social work scholarship on Islam and Muslims published between 2011 and 2021. Of these 127 articles, 70 journal venues are represented, and first authors are primarily American (44 percent), followed by British (15 percent) and Canadian (11 percent). A total of 70 journals published studies analyzing data related to Muslims/Islam and social work, with 46 consisting of only one publication between 2011 and 2021. A total of 13 of these journals had a SCImago Journal Rank indicator of over 0.5, and three with rankings over 1.0. The volume of publications was high in 2015 and 2020, in particular. Major themes include faith-aligned and strengths-based approaches, the importance of mosques in the lives of Muslims, the relevance of the hijab in the lives of Muslim women, and the prevalence and impact of sociopolitical stereotypes. The conclusion calls for still greater culturally respectful approaches to the profession that include Islam and Muslim individuals/communities and ensuring that ethics and practice/research continue to evolve in ways that are culturally relevant to diverse communities.
Establishment of Noninvasive Prediction Models for the Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyoma Subtypes
Authors: Tamehisa Tetsuro , Sato Shun , Sakai Takahiro , Maekawa Ryo , Tanabe Masahiro , Ito Katsuyoshi , Sugino Norihiro
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To establish prediction models for the diagnosis of the subtypes of uterine leiomyomas by machine learning using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

METHODS:

This is a prospective observational study. Ninety uterine leiomyoma samples were obtained from 51 patients who underwent surgery for uterine leiomyomas. Seventy-one samples (49 mediator complex subunit 12 [MED12] mutation–positive and 22 MED12 mutation–negative leiomyomas) were assigned to the primary data set to establish prediction models. Nineteen samples (13 MED12 mutation–positive and 6 MED12 mutation-negative leiomyomas) were assigned to the unknown testing data set to validate the prediction model utility. The tumor signal intensity was quantified by seven MRI sequences (T2-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, magnetic resonance elastography, T1 mapping, magnetization transfer contrast, T2* blood oxygenation level dependent, and arterial spin labeling) that can estimate the collagen and water contents of uterine leiomyomas. After surgery, the MED12 mutations were genotyped. These results were used to establish prediction models based on machine learning by applying support vector classification and logistic regression for the diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma subtypes. The performance of the prediction models was evaluated by cross-validation within the primary data set and then finally evaluated by external validation using the unknown testing data set.

RESULTS:

The signal intensities of five MRI sequences (T2-weighted imaging, apparent diffusion coefficient, T1 mapping, magnetization transfer contrast, and T2* blood oxygenation level dependent) differed significantly between the subtypes. In cross-validation within the primary data set, both machine learning models (support vector classification and logistic regression) based on the five MRI sequences were highly predictive of the subtypes (area under the curve [AUC] 0.974 and 0.988, respectively). External validation with the unknown testing data set confirmed that both models were able to predict the subtypes for all samples (AUC 1.000, 100.0% accuracy). Our prediction models with T2-weighted imaging alone also showed high accuracy to discriminate the uterine leiomyoma subtypes.

CONCLUSION:

We established noninvasive prediction models for the diagnosis of the subtypes of uterine leiomyomas by machine learning using MRI data.
Breaking the Rules in Three Dimensions: What to Expect After a Thoracic-only Fusion With Structural Thoracic and Thoracolumbar Curves
Authors: Catanzano Anthony , Upasani Vidyadhar V. , Bryan Tracey P. , Yaszay Burt , Newton Peter O. ,   Harms Study Group
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Despite guidelines to fuse both thoracic and thoracolumbar/lumbar (TH/L) curves in patients with structural curves in both regions, a thoracic-only fusion allows preservation of lumbar motion segments. The purpose of this study was to assess the 2-year postoperative three-dimensional (3D) radiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with double or triple major (thoracic curves >TH/L curves) structural curves who underwent a thoracic-only fusion.

Methods:

A prospective adolescent idiopathic scoliosis registry was queried for double or triple major curves undergoing thoracic-only posterior fusion and a minimum 2-year follow-up. 3D reconstructions were generated from bi-planar radiographs. Paired sample t tests were used to assess differences in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes pre and postoperatively, as well as Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire–22 scores. Pearson correlations were utilized to identify variables related to spontaneous lumbar derotation.

Results:

Twenty-two patients met the inclusion criteria. Both thoracic [61 ± 10 degrees to 20 ± 9 degrees (P < 0.001)] and lumbar curves [41 ± 7 degrees to 22±7 degrees (P < 0.001)] had significant coronal improvement and T5 to T12 kyphosis improved from 7 ± 14 degrees to 23 ± 8 degrees (P < 0.001). The thoracic apical translation was significantly improved postoperatively (4.7 ± 1.5 to 0.5 ± 1 cm, P < 0.001), but the lumbar apical translation was unchanged (−1.7 ± 0.6 to −1.7±0.8 cm, P = 0.94). Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire–22 scores significantly improved by 2 years postoperative.

Conclusions:

Unlike the 3D correction observed in nonstructural TH/L curves after thoracic-only fusion, patients with double or triple major curves demonstrated only spontaneous coronal correction of the lumbar curve, whereas the sagittal and axial planes were not significantly improved. These radiographic parameters did not negatively affect subjective or clinical outcomes at minimum 2-year follow-up.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—therapeutic.
U-T Flap for Distal Symes Toe Amputation. A New Flap Adapted to Diabetic Ulcers of the Pulp of the Lesser Toes
Authors: Yammine Kaissar
Published: December 2023

The surgical management of diabetic ulcers of the tip of the toes complicated with osteomyelitis of the distal phalanx usually consists of the excision of the bone and soft tissue using a distal Symes toe amputation. This surgery is usually conducted through 2 coronal flaps. When the ulcer is away from the nail or extends further on the plantar side of the pulp, wound closure could be difficult to achieve resulting in wound dehiscence. In addition, the remaining toe is often too short when compared with the neighboring digits. The objective of this surgical technique is to propose a new flap design that could be simple and easy to learn, mainly when dealing with small-to-moderate–sized wounds. The U-T flap is designed to reduce wound complications and yield better esthetics. We found the U-T flap to be a reproducible technique with better outcomes in terms of surgical wound healing and final toe length, after excision of distal infected toes.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic level 5—expert opinion. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.