bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardising workforce cost estimates across Australian jurisdictions: genomic testing as a use case
Authors: Mordaunt Dylan A.
Published: October 2024

Introduction Labour costs are a key driver of healthcare costs and a key component of economic evaluations in healthcare. We undertook the current study to collect information about workforce costs related to clinical genomic testing in Australia, identifying key components of pay scales and contracts, and incorporating these into a matrix to enable modelling of disaggregated costs. Methods We undertook a microcosting study of health workforce labour costs in Australia, from a health services perspective. We mapped the genomic testing processes, identifying the relevant workforce. Data was collected on the identified workforce from publicly available pay scales. Estimates were used to model the total cost from a public health services employer perspective, undertaking deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results We identified significant variability in the way in which pay scales and related conditions are both structured and the levels between jurisdictions. The total costs (2023–2024 Australian dollars) ranged from 160,794 (113,848–233,350) for administrative staff to 703,206 (548,011–923,661) for pathology staff (full-time equivalent). Deterministic sensitivity analysis identified that the base salary accounts for the greatest source of uncertainty, from 24.8% (20.0–32.9%) for laboratory technicians to 53.6% (52.8–54.4%) for medical scientists. Conclusion Variations in remuneration levels and conditions between Australian jurisdictions account for considerable variation in the estimated cost of labour and may contribute significantly to the uncertainty of economic assessments of genomic testing and other labour-intensive health technologies. We outline an approach to standardise the collection and estimation of uncertainty for Australian health workforce costs and provide current estimates for labour costs.
Molecular phylogeny of Boninia (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida), with description of a new species from the Pacific coasts of Panama
Authors: Tsuyuki Aoi , Norenburg Jon , Leasi Francesca , Curini-Galletti Marco
Published: October 2024

Mesopsammic polyclad members in the family Boniniidae have attracted attention in terms of their evolutionary shifts of microhabitat and their unique morphology such as a pair of pointed tentacles extending from the anterolateral margins and prostatoid organs harbouring stylets. Here, we establish a new species of this family as Boninia panamensis sp. nov. from the Pacific coasts of Panama, based on its morphological characteristics of (i) four cerebral and 61–80 marginal eyespots, (ii) two prostatoid organs located anterior and posterior to the penis papilla, and (iii) two uterine canals departing from the anterior part of the Lang’s vesicle. We also report Boninia cf. uru from Hawai’i, USA, based on its morphological identity with B. uru from Okinawa, Japan, along with their genetic distances for the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, which were beyond the range of intraspecific differences observed in congeners in this study. Boninia oaxaquensis is also reported from Panama as a new locality for the species. Involving the above-mentioned three species sequenced herein, we reconstructed molecular phylogenetic trees of Boninia based on the four gene markers (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI). Our phylogenetic trees indicated the synapomorphy within the genus Boninia of the small numbers of stylets (2–4) and the connection route of the uterine canals to the Lang’s vesicle. The results also showed a characteristic distribution pattern in which pairs of species in distinct lineages occurred sympatrically with different microhabitats, as observed in Boninia uru and Boninia yambarensis in Okinawa and B. panamensis sp. nov. and B. oaxaquensis in Panama. In addition, we discuss possible speciation pathways in this genus based on the tree topology. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D414BACD-C14A-4B34-8AF9-7ACBA28F46D0
Chronic psychosocial stress affects insulin-like growth factor 1 and its receptors in mouse ovaries
Authors: Igonina Tatyana , Lebedeva Daria , Tsybko Anton , Rozhkova Irina , Babochkina Tatyana , Levinson Alisa , Amstislavsky Sergei
Published: October 2024

Context Chronic psychosocial stress negatively affects folliculogenesis and oogenesis. Intraovarian mechanisms mediating these effects are poorly understood. Aims This work aimed to find out how chronic psychosocial stress affects ovarian IGF1 and its receptor (IGF1R), as well as Igf1 and Igf1r gene expression in cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). It also aimed to address possible protective effects of gonadotropin stimulation on IGF1 ovarian signalling. Methods Female CD1 mice experienced chronic psychosocial stress of 11-day isolation followed by overcrowding for 10 days. To verify the model, blood corticosterone levels and the quality of oocytes were evaluated in stressed females. The levels of IGF1/IGF1R, blood IGF1 concentration, and expression of Igf1/Igf1r in the ovaries were compared in stressed and unstressed females. Key results Psychosocial stress caused an elevation of corticosterone level, which was alleviated by gonadotropin treatment. The stressed mice showed a decreased IGF1 level in the ovaries and a decreased expression of Igf1 and Igf1r in COCs. In the unstressed females, gonadotropin injection decreased the expression of Igf1 and Igf1r; in the stressed females, the same treatment increased Igf1r expression. Neither stress nor ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins affected the serum IGF1 level. Conclusions Psychosocial stress suppresses IGF1 signalling in the ovaries. Gonadotropin treatment modulates these effects differently in stressed and unstressed animals. Implications The results may have translational value for human reproduction. Ovarian IGF1 can be considered a candidate for further improvement of IVF results in women under conditions of chronic stress.
Realizing one-dimensional moiré chains with strong electron localization in two-dimensional twisted bilayer WSe
2
Authors: Ren Ya-Ning , Ren Hui-Ying , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , He Lin
Published: October 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) moiré systems based on twisted bilayer graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides provide a promising platform to investigate emergent phenomena driven by strong electron–electron interactions in partially filled flat bands. A natural question arises: Is it possible to expand the 2D correlated moiré physics to one-dimensional (1D) that electron–electron correlation is expected to be further enhanced? This requires selectively doping of 1D moiré chain, which seems to be not within the grasp of today’s technology. Therefore, an experimental demonstration of the 1D moiré chain with partially filled electronic states remains absent. Here, we show that we can introduce 1D boundaries, separating two regions with different twist angles, in twisted bilayer WSe
2
(tWSe
2
) by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and demonstrate that the electronic states of 1D moiré sites along the boundaries can be selectively filled. The strong localized charge states of correlated moiré electrons in the 1D moiré chain can be directly imaged and manipulated by combining a back-gate voltage with the STM bias voltage. Our results open the door for realizing new correlated electronic states of the 1D moiré chain in 2D systems.
2.6-Å resolution cryo-EM structure of a class Ia ribonucleotide reductase trapped with mechanism-based inhibitor N
3
CDP
Authors: Westmoreland Dana E. , Feliciano Patricia R. , Kang Gyunghoon , Cui Chang , Kim Albert , Stubbe JoAnne , Nocera Daniel G. , Drennan Catherine L.
Published: October 2024

Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) reduce ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides using radical-based chemistry. For class Ia RNRs, the radical species is stored in a separate subunit (β2) from the subunit housing the active site (α2), requiring the formation of a short-lived α2β2 complex and long-range radical transfer (RT). RT occurs via proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) over a long distance (~32-Å) and involves the formation and decay of multiple amino acid radical species. Here, we use cryogenic electron microscopy and a mechanism-based inhibitor 2′-azido-2′-deoxycytidine-5′-diphosphate (N
3
CDP) to trap a wild-type α2β2 complex of
Escherichia coli
class Ia RNR. We find that one α subunit has turned over and that the other is trapped, bound to β in a midturnover state. Instead of N
3
CDP in the active site, forward RT has resulted in N
2
loss, migration of the third nitrogen from the ribose C2′ to C3′ positions, and attachment of this nitrogen to the sulfur of cysteine-225. In this study, an inhibitor has been visualized as an adduct to an RNR. Additionally, this structure reveals the positions of PCET residues following forward RT, complementing the previous structure that depicted a preturnover PCET pathway and suggesting how PCET is gated at the α–β interface. This N
3
CDP-trapped structure is also of sufficient resolution (2.6 Å) to visualize water molecules, allowing us to evaluate the proposal that water molecules are proton acceptors and donors as part of the PCET process.
Multi-bolt looseness monitoring using guided waves: a cross-correlation approach of the wavelet energy envelope
Authors: Chen Dongdong , Li Wei , Dong Zhiqiang , Fu Ruili , Yu Qiao
Published: October 2024

This paper proposes a novel approach for monitoring multi-bolt looseness using guided waves and the cross-correlation of the wavelet energy envelope. By assessing variations in the wave packet, the looseness in multi-bolt assemblies can be estimated. First, the dispersion effects of Lamb waves were theoretically analyzed using the Rayleigh–Lamb equation. Next, the wavelet energy was derived through wavelet transform, and the Lamb wave envelope was obtained as a criterion for accurately separating the wave packet. Cross-correlation analysis was employed to quantitatively evaluate the dispersion of wave packets for varying levels of bolt looseness. A looseness index, termed the normalized decorrelation coefficient of wavelet energy (NDCWE), was defined. Then, validation experiments were conducted using a joint with five M8 bolts, each tightened to a standard torque of 42 N·m. Two piezoelectric transducers were attached to the periphery of the bolt group. Three preload conditions were tested for each bolt: fully tightened, 80% of the standard torque, and 10% of the standard torque, corresponding to no looseness, minor looseness, and significant looseness, respectively. Results showed that when significant looseness occurs, the NDCWE value exceeds 0.4, confirming the effectiveness of NDCWE in detecting substantial reductions in bolt preload. Experiments assessing the effect of temperature revealed that temperature has a negligible effect on the waveforms of the S
0 and A
0 mode waves. Finally, to quantitatively evaluate the efficiency of the ultrasonic transducers, the bolt-to-sensor ratio (BSR) was introduced. In this study, the BSR reached 2.5, indicating that a single piezoelectric transducer can monitor the preload of 2.5 bolts. The proposed approach shows great potential for multi-bolt looseness monitoring.
The gas-sensing mechanism of Nb2C monolayer for SF6 decomposition based on the DFT study
Authors: Yang Dingqian , He Dandong , Lu Detao , Yuan Manman , Zeng Wen , Zhou Qu
Published: October 2024

During fault analysis of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), continuous monitoring of the gases produced by the decomposition of SF6 is critical to the safe operation of the equipment. Although a variety of gas detection technologies are currently available on the market, low-power gas detection devices for SF6 decomposition products are still in the development stage, and technological advances in this area are of great significance for improving the reliability of GIS systems. Based on the density functional theory (DFT), the Nb2C crystal surface structure was established and six adsorption structures of SO2, H2S, SOF2, SO2F2, HF and CO gas molecules on Nb2C crystal surface were constructed by geometrical optimization in this paper. The gas-sensitive properties of each adsorption system were explored in terms of adsorption energy, charge transfer, electron density, density of states and recovery time. The results showed that the Nb2C crystal surface was unfit HF and CO gases detection, both of which showed weak physical adsorption; the adsorption energies of SO2, H2S, SOF2, and SO2F2 on the Nb2C crystal surface were −1.846 eV, −1.081 eV, −5.270 eV, and −10.582 eV, respectively, and all of them were strong chemical adsorption. It was further shown by theoretical recovery time calculations that the Nb2C crystal surface can act as SOF2 and SO2F2 gas scavengers, and are able to desorb H2S (4.69 s) and SO2 (2.26 s) gases by appropriately increasing the temperature, but the Nb2C crystal surface is more suitable for use as a low-power gas-sensitive material for H2S gas detection. Therefore, Nb2C is anticipated to be a promising material for high response, low-power consumption and fast recovery for H2S gas detection in SF6 decomposition gas.
Conversations in the dark: cross-correlating birefringence and LSS to constrain axions
Authors: Arcari S. , Bartolo N. , Greco A. , Gruppuso A. , Lattanzi M. , Natoli P.
Published: October 2024

Unveiling the dark sector of the Universe is one of the leading efforts in theoretical physics. Among the many models proposed, axions and axion-like particles stand out due to their solid theoretical foundation, capacity to contribute significantly to both dark matter and dark energy, and potential to address the small-scale crisis of ΛCDM. Moreover, these pseudo-scalar fields couple to the electromagnetic sector through a Chern-Simons parity-violating term, leading to a rotation of the plane of linearly polarized waves, namely cosmic birefringence. We explore the impact of the axion-parameters on anisotropic birefringence and study, for the first time, its cross-correlation with the spatial distribution of galaxies, focusing on ultralight axions with masses 10-33 eV ≤ mϕ
≤ 10-28 eV. Through this novel approach, we investigate the axion-parameter space in the mass mϕ
and initial misalignment angle θi
, within the framework of early dark energy models, and constrain the axion-photon coupling gϕγ required to achieve unity in the signal-to-noise ratio of the underlying cross-correlation, computed with the instrument specifications of Euclid and forthcoming CMB-polarization data. Our findings reveal that for masses below 10-32 eV and initial misalignment angles greater in absolute value than π/4, the signal-to-noise ratio not only exceeds unity but also surpasses that achievable from the auto-correlation of birefringence alone (up to a factor 7), highlighting the informative potential of this new probe. Additionally, given the late-time evolution of these low-mass axions, the signal stems from the epoch of reionization, providing an excellent tool to single out the birefringence generated during this period.
Polarization study of P-wave charmonium radiative decay into a light vector meson at e
+
e
− collider experiment*
Authors: Chen 陈 Yong-Qing 永清 , Hong 洪 Peng-Cheng 鹏程 , Chen 陈 Zhuo 琢 , Shan 单 Wei 葳 , Song 宋 Wei-Min 维民
Published: October 2024

In this paper, a formalism is presented for the helicity amplitude analysis of the decays

(subscripts 1 and 2 are used to distinguish the two radiative photons), and the polarization expressions of the P-wave charmonia

and the vector mesons

for experimental measurements at an electron-positron collider. In addition, we derive formulae for the angular distributions of

to extract the degree of transverse polarization

of

pairs with symmetric beam energy as well as the ratios of two helicity amplitudes x (in

decays) and

(in

decays), which represent the relative magnitudes of transverse to longitudinal polarization amplitude. The results are validated by Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, the statistical sensitivity of

, x, and y are estimated based on the large

data samples collected at current and proposed future

collider experiments.
Applying statistical learning theory to deep learning
Authors: Gerbelot Cédric , Karagulyan Avetik , Karp Stefani , Ravichandran Kavya , Stern Menachem , Srebro Nathan
Published: October 2024

Although statistical learning theory provides a robust framework to understand supervised learning, many theoretical aspects of deep learning remain unclear;in particular, how different architectures may lead to inductive bias when trained using gradient-based methods. The goal of these lectures is to provide an overview of some of the main questions that arise when attempting to understand deep learning from a learning theory perspective. After a brief reminder on statistical learning theory and stochastic optimization, we discuss implicit bias in the context of benign overfitting. We then move to a general description of the mirror descent algorithm, showing how we may go back and forth between a parameter space and the corresponding function space for a given learning problem, as well as how the geometry of the learning problem may be represented by a metric tensor. Building on this framework, we provide a detailed study of the implicit bias of gradient descent on linear diagonal networks for various regression tasks, showing how the loss function, scale of parameters at initialization and depth of the network may lead to various forms of implicit bias; in particular, transitioning between kernel and feature learning regimes.
Application of Improved Classification Algorithm with Binary Tree Support Vector Machine in Power Grid Prediction
Authors: Chen Yingjun
Published: October 2024

To further improve the accuracy of the power grid prediction, the paper proposes an improved binary tree classification algorithm with the SVM and predicts the real time power grid. Based on the basic principles of SVM, the common multi-classifier classification algorithm and its characteristics are summarized. Incorporating the advantages of existing classification algorithms, an improved binary tree classification algorithm was used, addressing the limitations of conventional methods. From the simulation results, it can be seen that the improved binary tree algorithm can shorten the test time from the original 0.285 seconds to 0.267 seconds, and the measured category can also be increased from the original 94.42 to 95.27. This shows that the improved binary tree can not only improve the practicability of the support vector machine algorithm, but also better improve the ability of real-time prediction of power grid.
An Industrial Micro Parts Recognition Technology Based on Improved Yolov8
Authors: Hao Yafei , Jia Feng
Published: October 2024

Aiming at the recognition and classification problem of micro assembly parts in industrial production, the Yolov8 object detection algorithm was used as the base model to improve the C2f class in the backbone. And apply the improved object detection algorithm to the recognition field of detecting assembly parts. By collecting images of gears, nails, and screws from various angles on Roboflow, a training set and a validation set containing three types of gears, nails, and screws are formed. At the same time, in order to improve the robustness of the Yolov8 object detection algorithm, data processing methods such as adding noise and image rotation were adopted for the samples in the data. Due to the use of Yolov8 as the base model, a TXT text file containing label prediction box position information was formed after labelling the dataset on Roboflow. Based on Python (3.10.12) and cloud platform, improved Yolov8 object detection algorithm was trained and network validation was carried out. Use TXT files as input for the model to obtain and learn features of gears, nails, and screws. After 200 epochs, the mAP for detecting gears, nails, and screws increased by about 3% compared to the base model.
Research on UAV Multi-Source Information Monitoring System for Indoor Space
Authors: Zhou Yuqi , Yan Guochuang , Du Jiang , Niu Ze , Xue Lei , Liao Yingdong
Published: October 2024

As an important component of unmanned equipment, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is becoming a research hotspot. Taking digital technology as the core, taking small rotary-wing UAV as the research object and indoor space as the test scene, this paper constructs a multi-source information monitoring system, and elaborates its hardware and software architecture. A multi-source information monitoring system is constructed, and its hardware and software architecture are described in detail. The system is equipped with core functions such as three-dimensional posture display and model combination, and is also capable of monitoring, storing and correlating multi-source data such as vibration, noise and position. The results show that the system can integrate at least 2 types of sensors, and can process at least 5 types of test process data, and the three-dimensional positioning accuracy of indoor targets is better than 10 cm. The system supplements the test means and methods for unmanned equipment.
Designing of Ecological Model Predictive Control Algorithm for Electric Trucks Platoons with Optimal Energy Consumption
Authors: Yang Jinhan , Zhang Rui , Xia Peng , Xu Jingwen
Published: October 2024

In response to the problem of motor vehicle exhaust emissions pollution, the development of new energy in China’s truck industry will be an inevitable trend. At present, the penetration rate and market share of pure electric trucks are constantly increasing. The research on electric truck platoons has strong practical significance. This article focuses on the ecological control strategy of pure electric truck platoons. Firstly, a platoon model of four electric trucks is established in Trucksim. The leading vehicle designs an ecological optimal speed dynamic programming algorithm, and in terms of following vehicle tracking control, the battery SOC state motor speed is considered to be improved, Designed an ecological model predictive control algorithm for electric truck platoon with optimal energy consumption. Using real road slope data in the mining area, a Trucksim/Matlab/Simulink joint simulation was conducted. The simulation results showed that compared with traditional constant speed cruise control, the proposed ecological predictive cruise control algorithm for pure electric commercial vehicle platoons saved 9.2577% of the overall battery SOC.
Gm-APD Lidar Distance Image Recovery Based on Intensity Image Target Edge Guidance
Authors: Fang Ye , Wang Chunyang , Xie Da
Published: October 2024

Gm-APD LiDAR in the detection of long-distance targets, the laser by the atmospheric effects of attenuation is serious, so that the target echo sparse, easy to cause the target distance like edge missing, details of fuzzy and other problems, the traditional method can’t make targeted treatment of the above problems. Therefore, this paper proposes a Gm-APD LIDAR distance image recovery method based on intensity image target edge guidance. The method introduces one-dimensional intensity information as an aid, combines the inverse distance weighting function to guide the reconstruction of the target edge contour information of the distance image, and then applies morphological image processing to correct the target distance value in a partition, and recovers a distance image with sharp edges and clear details. Experiments are carried out on the distance targets, and the results show that the method improves the target restoration by 19.21% and the peak signal-to-noise ratio by 3.12% compared with the concave morphology restoration algorithm, which verifies the advantages and effectiveness of the method proposed in this paper.
Design and Implementation of Image Acquisition and Signal Transmission Functions based on FPGA
Authors: Li Lifeng , Zhang Hui , Zhang Hongying , Deng Fangyuan
Published: October 2024

In recent years, video network monitoring systems have evolved rapidly, from the first generation of digital-analogue systems to the fully IP-based systems. Based on the FPGA core, this design focuses on image acquisition and information transmission. The FPGA expansion board contains several peripheral modules, including the OV7670 camera captures images, DRAM stores data, and FIFO handles cross-clock domain signal transmission. While the reference clock is 40ns, in this system, the clock period is 20ns, making two clock cycles equal to one reference clock cycle. Then, two counters are used, one is the reference clock and another is the line synchronization (cnt1) to count 800 clock cycles per line. The end of a line is indicated by end_cnt0, and FIFO data is stored in SDRAM. Configuring the VGA display driver allows image data to be transmitted and displayed on the VGA screen. The system features a simple structure, high resource utilization, and strong reliability.
Study on Calculation of Regulated Neutron Spectrum Based on Moderator with Multi-dimensional Features
Authors: Cao Chenglong , Cao Pei , Sun Ming , Chen Huaijin , Zhang Haiyan
Published: October 2024

Neutron transport simulation is one of the key techniques for calculating the regulated neutron spectrum, which is extremely accurate but comes with a significant time loss and is difficult to achieve convergence when there is deep penetration. Accurate regulation of the neutron spectrum is essential for research on experimental neutronics. In this study, a fast way to compute the regulated neutron spectrum using a moderator with multi-dimensional features was developed. The response matrix with different dimensions was generated for each moderator after it first created a moderator database by classifying common shielding materials based on various dimensions (such as shape, size, substance, etc.). Finally, neutron transport modeling enabled the speedy and precise estimation of regulated neutron spectrum via matrix transformation. The results demonstrated that the mean square error (MSE) of the normalized regulated neutron spectra computed using the Monte Carlo approach and the proposed technique were able to reach the order of 10−6. The anticipated method was confirmed by equating the results with those of the Monte Carlo method under a regulation system consisting of moderators of different dimensions. Furthermore, the MSE of the regulated neutron spectrum in the case of deep penetration of the simplified thermal reactor TRIGA of the two methods in the convergent energy domain could also reach the order of 10−6, and in the divergent domain, the suggested method in this study was able to give a heuristic neutron spectrum.
Multiple pathways towards sustainable development goals and climate targets
Authors: Soergel Bjoern , Rauner Sebastian , Daioglou Vassilis , Weindl Isabelle , Mastrucci Alessio , Carrer Fabio , Kikstra Jarmo , Ambrósio Geanderson , Aguiar Ana Paula Dutra , Baumstark Lavinia , Bodirsky Benjamin Leon , Bos Astrid , Dietrich Jan Philipp , Dirnaichner Alois , Doelman Jonathan C , Hasse Robin , Hernandez Ariel , Hoppe Johanna , Humpenöder Florian , Iacobuţă Gabriela Ileana , Keppler Dorothee , Koch Johannes , Luderer Gunnar , Lotze-Campen Hermann , Pehl Michaja , Poblete-Cazenave Miguel , Popp Alexander , Remy Merle , van Zeist Willem-Jan , Cornell Sarah , Dombrowsky Ines , Hertwich Edgar G , Schmidt Falk , van Ruijven Bas , van Vuuren Detlef , Kriegler Elmar
Published: October 2024

The UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Paris climate target require a holistic transformation towards human well-being within planetary boundaries. However, there are growing debates on how to best pursue these targets. Proposed transformation strategies include market- and technology-driven green-growth, shifting towards a sufficiency-oriented post-growth economy, and a transformation driven primarily by strong government action. Here we quantify three alternative sustainable development pathways (SDPs), Economy-driven Innovation, Resilient Communities, and Managing the Global Commons, that reflect these different societal strategies. We compare the quantifications from two integrated assessment models and two sectoral models of the buildings and materials sectors across a broad set of indicators for sustainable development and climate action. Our global multi-scenario and multi-model analysis shows that all three SDPs enable substantial progress towards the human development goals of the SDGs. They simultaneously limit global warming and prevent further environmental degradation, with the sufficiency-oriented Resilient Communities scenario showing the lowest peak warming and lowest reliance on carbon dioxide removal as well as the largest improvements in biodiversity intactness. The SDPs also alleviate the concerns about the biogeophysical and technological feasibility of narrowly-focused climate change mitigation scenarios. However, the shifts in energy and food consumption patterns assumed in the SDPs, ranging from moderate in Economy-driven Innovation to very ambitious in Resilient Communities, also lead to increased challenges regarding socio-cultural feasibility.
Widespread forest-savanna coexistence but limited bistability at a landscape scale in Central Africa
Authors: Zwaan Aart , Staal Arie , Beest Mariska te , Rietkerk Max
Published: October 2024

Tropical forest and savanna frequently coexist under the same climatic conditions, which has led to the hypothesis that they could represent alternative ecosystem states, stabilized by internal feedbacks. An implication of this hypothesis is that forest and savanna may be bistable and exhibit tipping behavior in response to changing conditions. However, we pose that the local presence of forest and savanna within coexistence landscapes is not sufficient evidence that these are alternative stable states at larger ecosystem scales. Therefore, we explore forest-savanna coexistence and bistability at landscape scale in Central Africa. Using remote sensing data on tree cover, we classify 0.1° × 0.1° (approx. 10 × 10 km) landscapes as homogeneous forest, homogeneous savanna, or coexistence, and analyze the roles of climate, topography and soil sand content in driving their distributions. We find that local coexistence of forest and savanna within landscapes is common and occurs for the whole range of mean annual precipitation in our study area. At low precipitation, however, coexistence increases with topographic roughness and is therefore likely driven by local redistribution of resources rather than internal feedbacks. Coexistence within intermediate and high precipitation landscapes remains unexplained by the studied variables, and may be caused either by heterogeneity in unmeasured drivers or by feedback-driven bistability. At landscape scale, the precipitation ranges for which homogeneous forest and savanna occur have only limited overlap, and this overlap can be largely explained by other external drivers, such as seasonality, soil sand content, and topography. This lack of evidence that homogeneous forest and savanna in Central Africa are alternative ecosystem states at this landscape scale means that transitions between them may be mostly local, resulting in coexistence states. Therefore, we conclude that the likelihood of large-scale tipping between homogeneous forest and savanna ecosystems may be lower than previously thought.
Minimal stretch factors of orientation-reversing fully-punctured pseudo-Anosov maps
Authors: Lanneau Erwan , Liechti Livio , Tsang Chi Cheuk
Published: October 2024

We show that the stretch factor

λ
(
f
)

\lambda (f)

of an orientation-reversing fully-punctured pseudo-Anosov map

f
f

on a finite-type orientable surface

S
S

, with

−
χ
(
S
)
≥
4

-\chi (S) \geq 4

and having at least two puncture orbits, satisfies the inequality

λ
(
f

)

−
χ
(
S
)

≥

σ
2

\lambda (f)^{-\chi (S)} \geq \sigma ^2

, where

σ
=
1
+

2

\sigma =1+\sqrt {2}

is the silver ratio. We provide examples showing that this bound is asymptotically sharp. This extends previous results of Hironaka and Tsang to orientation-reversing maps.
Enlightenment
Authors: Parslow Christopher
Published: October 2024

The prosciutto’s distinction of being not only the earliest known Roman portable sundial but of presenting such an unusual form ensured that it featured prominently in more scientific studies of ancient time keeping while becoming a popular museum attraction. This chapter traces the prosciutto’s treatment in astronomical studies through the early nineteenth century, along with the remarkable misconceptions and errors that continued to hobble its proper understanding and tracks the evolution of museology that enhanced its accessibility. It highlights the more detailed mathematical analyses of it and catalogs the variety of ways it has been interpreted down to the modern day.
Mandan Dandies: Trade, Intimacy and Ornamental Excess in a Destroyed 1832 Portrait by George Catlin
Authors: Naessens Luke
Published: October 2024

This essay considers the role played by economics and sexuality in the development of the imaginary of US settler colonialism by considering George Catlin’s destroyed 1832 portrait of an anonymous Mandan ‘dandy’. Catlin’s representation of Indigenous dandies likely informed Charles Baudelaire’s account of the dandy as an avatar of the transition to modernity, but during the gay and Indigenous liberation movements of the 1970s, the Mandan dandy was reclaimed as evidence of pre-colonial queer sexualities. Synthesising these conceptions, the essay argues that this figure illuminates the material conditions of modernity in the fur trade: an unstable assemblage of contradictory Indigenous and Euro-American systems of economic exchange, political power and sexual intimacy. The dandy figures a form of queerness that was conceived as an effect of these socioeconomic conditions, which Catlin condemned as perverse: a queerness that lay at the foundations of settler colonialism rather than in opposition to it.
MicroRNA mediates the effects of food factors
Authors: Kumazoe Motofumi , Tachibana Hirofumi
Published: October 2024

Food factors elicit physiological effects by interfering with the central dogma system, including DNA methylation, replication, transcription, and translation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding short RNAs that are ∼20 nucleotides long and play a crucial role in the regulation of mRNA levels and translation processes. Importantly, miRNAs can be delivered to different locations in nanovesicles. However, little is known about their roles as mediators of the effects of food factors. This review introduces recent findings on the role of miRNAs in the beneficial effects of food factors, including green tea polyphenols and soybean isoflavones, and discusses the importance of miRNAs as mediators of the beneficial effects of food.
Progress and opportunities of foundation models in bioinformatics
Authors: Li Qing , Hu Zhihang , Wang Yixuan , Li Lei , Fan Yimin , King Irwin , Jia Gengjie , Wang Sheng , Song Le , Li Yu
Published: October 2024

Bioinformatics has undergone a paradigm shift in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly through foundation models (FMs), which address longstanding challenges in bioinformatics such as limited annotated data and data noise. These AI techniques have demonstrated remarkable efficacy across various downstream validation tasks, effectively representing diverse biological entities and heralding a new era in computational biology. The primary goal of this survey is to conduct a general investigation and summary of FMs in bioinformatics, tracing their evolutionary trajectory, current research landscape, and methodological frameworks. Our primary focus is on elucidating the application of FMs to specific biological problems, offering insights to guide the research community in choosing appropriate FMs for tasks like sequence analysis, structure prediction, and function annotation. Each section delves into the intricacies of the targeted challenges, contrasting the architectures and advancements of FMs with conventional methods and showcasing their utility across different biological domains. Further, this review scrutinizes the hurdles and constraints encountered by FMs in biology, including issues of data noise, model interpretability, and potential biases. This analysis provides a theoretical groundwork for understanding the circumstances under which certain FMs may exhibit suboptimal performance. Lastly, we outline prospective pathways and methodologies for the future development of FMs in biological research, facilitating ongoing innovation in the field. This comprehensive examination not only serves as an academic reference but also as a roadmap for forthcoming explorations and applications of FMs in biology.
Working in precarity: examining mainstream discourses about street hawking in Ghana
Authors: Karikari Eric , Wood Sandra
Published: October 2024

This study sought to analyze how the media and the general public position street hawking in an economic environment typically constrained by neoliberal orthodoxy. We conducted a critical textual analysis of news articles, op-eds, and video clips from some of the most popular news media sources in Ghana and found that while informal work is often done in turbulent material conditions, marginality and precarity of street hawking are exacerbated by media and popular discourses that are anchored by neoliberalism. We also found that such discourses are resisted by counter-discourses. The study challenges neoliberal analyses of work and labor by explicating the tensions between the attraction to neoliberalism and the reality of its failures for informal work.
Kidney transplantation in patients with polycystic kidney disease: increased risk of infection does not compromise graft and patient survival
Authors: Waiser Johannes , Klotsche Jens , Glander Petra , Schmidt Danilo , Naik Marcel , Liefeldt Lutz , Budde Klemens , Halbritter Jan , Halleck Fabian , Zukunft Bianca , Peters Robert , Friedersdorff Frank , Lachmann Nils , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , d'Anjou Leonie , Bachmann Friederike
Published: October 2024

Background

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) represent >10% of patients awaiting kidney transplantation. These patients are prone to potentially severe urinary tract (UTI) and liver cyst infections after transplantation. Whether such infections compromise outcome is unclear.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2017 we performed 193 kidney transplantations in patients with ADPKD. In 189 patients, we assessed the occurrence, frequency, and severity of infection episodes requiring inpatient treatment and their impact on graft and patient outcomes compared with 189 matched controls. Risk factors were analyzed by uni- and multivariable analyses.

Results

During a mean observation period of 77 months UTIs occurred more frequently in ADPKD patients (39.1% vs. 26.7%, P = .022; 0.8 ± 1.4 vs. 0.5 ± 1.1 episodes, P < .001). Eight ADPKD patients suffered from 19 episodes of liver cyst infection. Steroid medication (RR 3.04; P < .001) and recipient age (RR 1.05; P = .003) increased the risk for UTI/urosepsis, while nephrectomy reduced it (unilateral, RR 0.60; P = .088; bilateral, RR 0.45; P = .020). Patient survival was similar in both groups. The risk of graft failure was lower in ADPKD patients [hazard ratio (HR) 0.67; P = .047] due to a lower risk of death-censored graft loss (HR 0.47; P = .014). Donor age (HR 1.34; P = .002) and rejection (HR 8.47; P < .001) were risk factors for death-censored graft loss.

Conclusions

ADPKD patients are at increased risk of UTI and liver cyst infection after transplantation. Steroid medication and recipient age seem to increase the risk of UTI/urosepsis, while nephrectomy seems to reduce it. Nevertheless, patient survival was similar compared to non-ADPKD patients and death-censored graft survival even better.
Comparative efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions on xerostomia and salivary flow rate among haemodialysis patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Sharifnia Amir Masoud , Chu Ginger , Zhang Xiaoming , Green Heidi , Fernandez Ritin
Published: October 2024

Background

Xerostomia is a distressing symptom experienced by patients undergoing dialysis. We sought to compare and rank the efficacy of different non-pharmacological interventions on xerostomia and salivary flow rate among dialysis patients.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in six English-language databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, in April 2023. Screening, quality appraisal and data extraction were undertaken by two independent reviewers. A network meta-analysis was performed to assess the relative efficacy of different non-pharmacological interventions.

Results

The analysis included 11 randomized controlled trials involving 739 patients and eight non-pharmacological interventions. The pairwise analysis indicated that compared with the control group, sugarless candy, chewing sugarless gum, acupressure auricular and licorice mouthwash had a significant positive effect on reducing the severity of xerostomia; also, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), licorice mouthwash, sugarless chewing gum, photobiomodulation and pure water mouthwash significantly improved the saliva flow rate. The network analysis indicated that sugarless chewing gum significantly reduced the symptoms of xerostomia, while TENS and sugarless chewing gum were effective in improving the unstimulated whole salivary rate. Among dialysis patients, chewing sugarless gum and using TENS were the top-ranked interventions for relieving xerostomia and enhancing saliva flow rate, respectively.

Conclusions

Several non-pharmacological interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in relieving xerostomia and enhancing saliva flow rate. While further research may be needed to confirm and refine these findings, the interventions used in this review offer promising results and should be incorporated into the standard care of dialysis patients experiencing these symptoms to enhance their quality of life and oral health.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection ‘storm’ in post-partum: a case report
Authors: Combaret Nicolas , Souteyrand Géraud , Motreff Pascal
Published: October 2024

Background

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) remains a rare form of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in young women. It is not always easy to diagnose and its management can be complex, particularly in the case of severe forms.

Case summary

A 29-year-old Mahorese woman presented with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome 72 h after vaginal delivery of an uncomplicated twin pregnancy. Coronary angiography revealed a SCAD of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) treated medically. At Day 4, urgent coronary angiography was performed due to recurrent ACS with unfavourable evolution on LAD SCAD with worsening flow and appearance of right coronary artery (RCA) dissection. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed with drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in LAD under optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance. At Day 6, the patient suffered from inferior ST segment elevation myocardial infarction due to extension of the RCA SCAD with occlusion of the posterior descending artery. Once again, under OCT guidance, PCI was performed in RCA with implantation of four DES. At Day 8, the patient presented with an intra-hospital cardiac arrest by electromechanical dissociation. Urgent coronary angiography revealed a diffuse extension of the SCAD to the circumflex artery and the left main trunk (LM). Rescue PCI of the LM was performed under OCT guidance, and a femoro-femoral extracorporeal life support was implanted because of haemodynamic instability. With no hope of left ventricular ejection fraction recovery, the patient eventually benefited from a heart transplant 12 days after the first ACS with excellent evolution.

Discussion

Although the majority of SCAD have a favourable outcome with spontaneous healing, it is important to keep in mind that certain severe forms exist and could require specific management as PCI under OCT guidance and potential transfer to surgical centres where heart transplants and mechanical circulatory support are available.
Machine learning based prediction models for cardiovascular disease risk using electronic health records data: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Tianyi , Krentz Andrew , Lu Lei , Curcin Vasa
Published: October 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major cause of mortality in the UK, prompting the need for improved risk predictive models for primary prevention. Machine learning (ML) models utilizing electronic health records (EHRs) offer potential enhancements over traditional risk scores like QRISK3 and ASCVD. To systematically evaluate and compare the efficacy of ML models against conventional CVD risk prediction algorithms using EHR data for medium to long-term (5–10 years) CVD risk prediction. A systematic review and random-effect meta-analysis were conducted according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, assessing studies from 2010 to 2024. We retrieved 32 ML models and 26 conventional statistical models from 20 selected studies, focusing on performance metrics such as area under the curve (AUC) and heterogeneity across models. ML models, particularly random forest and deep learning, demonstrated superior performance, with the highest recorded pooled AUCs of 0.865 (95% CI: 0.812–0.917) and 0.847 (95% CI: 0.766–0.927), respectively. These significantly outperformed the conventional risk score of 0.765 (95% CI: 0.734–0.796). However, significant heterogeneity (I² > 99%) and potential publication bias were noted across the studies. While ML models show enhanced calibration for CVD risk, substantial variability and methodological concerns limit their current clinical applicability. Future research should address these issues by enhancing methodological transparency and standardization to improve the reliability and utility of these models in clinical settings. This study highlights the advanced capabilities of ML models in CVD risk prediction and emphasizes the need for rigorous validation to facilitate their integration into clinical practice.
Distinguishing Gram-positive and Gram-negative bloodstream infections through leukocytes, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and D-Dimer: an empirical antibiotic guidance
Authors: Li Jiru , Xia Hao
Published: October 2024

This retrospective study aimed to compare the difference of the levels of white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, and D-Dimer in the bloodstream infection (BSI) patients, and their values in distinguishing bacterial categories. A total of 847 BSI patients were analysed and divided into Gram-positive BSI (GP-BSI) and Gram-negative BSI (GN-BSI) groups. Most frequently isolated pathogens in GP-BSI were Staphylococcus epidermidis (35.75%), followed by Staphylococcus hominis (18.33%), and Streptococcus haemolyticus (10.16%), while in GN-BSI, Escherichia coli (30.07%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (23.98%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (13.18%) were the most common. The predictive value was evaluated based on 3 years of patient data, which showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.828. It was further validated using 2 years of data, which yielded an AUC of 0.925. Significant differences existed in the procalcitonin, D-Dimer, and CRP levels between GN-BSI and GP-BSI. The current results provide a more effective strategy for early differential diagnosis in bacterial categorization of BSI when combining WBC, CRP, procalcitonin, and D-Dimer measurements.