bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latest trends in bioimaging and building a proactive network of early-career young scientists around bioimaging in Europe
Authors: Valenta Hana , Quiblier Nathan , Laghi Valerio , Cabriel Clément , Riti Justine
Published: December 2022

Biological research is in constant need of new methodological developments to assess organization and functions at various scales ranging from whole organisms to interactions between proteins. One of the main ways to evidence and quantify biological phenomena is imaging. Fluorescence microscopy and label-free microscopy are in particular highly active fields of research due to their compatibility with living samples as well as their versatility.

The Imabio Young Scientists Network (YSN) is a group of young scientists (PhD students, postdocs and engineers) who are excited about bioimaging and aim to create a proactive network of researchers with the same interest. YSN is endorsed by the bioimaging network GDR Imabio in France, where the initiative was started in 2019. Since then, we aim to organize the Imabio YSN conference every year to expand the network to other European countries, establish new collaborations and ignite new scientific ideas.

From 6-8 July 2022, the YSN including researchers from the domains of life sciences, chemistry, physics and computational sciences met at the Third Imabio YSN Conference 2022 in Lyon to discuss the latest bioimaging technologies and biological discoveries. In this Meeting Review, we describe the essence of the scientific debates, highlight remarkable talks, and focus on the Career Development session, which is unique to the YSN conference, providing a career perspective to young scientists and help to answer all their questions at this career stage. This conference was a truly interdisciplinary reunion of scientists who are eager to push the frontiers of bioimaging in order to understand the complexity of biological systems.
Diurnal small RNA expression and post-transcriptional regulation in young and old Drosophila melanogaster heads
Authors: Fey Rosalyn M. , Chow Eileen S. , Gvakharia Barbara O. , Giebultowicz Jadwiga M. , Hendrix David A.
Published: December 2022

Background:MicroRNAs are a class of small (~22nt) endogenous RNAs that regulate target transcript expression post-transcriptionally. Previous studies characterized age-related changes in diurnal transcript expression but it is not understood how these changes are regulated, and whether they may be attributed in part to changes in microRNA expression or activity with age. Diurnal small RNA expression changes with age were not previously studied.

Methods:To interrogate changes in small RNA expression with age, we collected young (5 day) and old (55 day)Drosophila melanogasteraround-the-clock and performed deep sequencing on size-selected RNA from whole heads.

Results:We found several microRNAs with changes in rhythmicity after aging, and we investigated microRNAs which are differentially expressed with age. We found that predicted targets of differentially expressed microRNAs have RNA-binding and transcription factor activity. We used a previously published method to identify mRNA transcripts which show evidence of microRNA targeting that is altered after aging, and found several that are involved in muscle development and maintenance. Finally, we identified novel microRNAs using the random-forest-based method miRWoods, which surprisingly also discovered transfer RNA-derived fragments.

Conclusions:We showed a decrease in global microRNA expression and a corresponding increase in piRNA expression during aging. We also found an increase in rhythmicity ofDrosophilasmall RNAs during aging, including microRNAs, piRNA clusters, and novel transfer RNA-derived fragments. To our knowledge this is the first study examining diurnal small RNA expression around the clock in young and oldDrosophila, and as such it paves the way for future research on changes in small RNA regulatory molecules in the context of aging.
The Effect of Pyridostigmine as an Antidote for Botulinum Type A: An Experimental Study on Rabbits
Authors: Salim Alhasan Huda , Hasan Jawad , Alharoon Sawsan
Published: December 2022

Background: Botulinum toxin (BoNT) or Botox injections are popular non-surgical and non-invasive option to optimize and change an individual’s facial appearance and achieve rejuvenation. Pyridostigmine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor important in clinical practice. This study evaluated the toxic effect of BoNT to demonstrate the efficacy of anticholinesterase inhibitor pyridostigmine.

Methods: We conducted an experimental interventional study to evaluate the antidote effect of pyridostigmine against BoNT. Forty rabbits (skeletally mature males, body weight 1000–2000 g) were included in the study. The rabbits were injected with Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex (BoNT or Botox), which was reconstituted with 0.9% sterile sodium chloride to a concentration of 100 U/2.5 mL. Animals were divided randomly into four groups (10 in each) as follows: Group 1 (control group), group 2 (pyridostigmine-treated group), group 3 (BoNT only group), and group 4 (BoNT + pyridostigmine treated group).

Results: In the control group, there was statistical difference between the rabbits’ weight (P=0.03). The left muscle was significantly heavier than the right (P=0.025). In the pyridostigmine only group, the rabbits’ weight had a high statistical difference during four weeks of the study (P=0.002). In the BoNT injection group, weight had high statistically significant difference four weeks of the study (P=0.033), which was more in first week (1.55±0.2 kg) and then subsequently decreased in the fourth week (1.345±0.13 kg). The mean weight of the rabbits’ right quadriceps muscle was 6.573±1.3 g, which was significantly lower than the mean weight of the rabbits’ left quadriceps muscle (8.09±1.2 g, P=0.0001).

Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study conducted in Iraq to investigate the antidote effect of pyridostigmine against BoNT injections. Pyridostigmine and saline caused increased weight of rabbits in comparison to rabbits that received BoNT injections. Pyridostigmine can act as strong antidote against Botox toxicity.
Three-dimensional wavelet decomposition-based radiomics analysis for tumor characterization in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Bagher-Ebadian Hassan , Siddiqui Farzan , Ghanem Ahmed I. , Movsas Benjamin , Chetty Indrin J.
Published: December 2022

Background:We investigated the potential predictive value along with interpretability of the three-dimensional wavelet decomposition (3D-WD)-based radiomics analysis for characterization of gross-tumor-volumes (GTVs) for patients with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The goal was to characterize and identify the spatial frequencies and regions of primary tumor that are responsible for classifying the HPV status.

Methods:One-hundred twenty-eight OPSCC patients (60-HPV+ and 68-HPV-, confirmed by immunohistochemistry-P16-Protein) were retrospectively studied. 3D-WD analysis was performed on the contrast-enhanced-CT images of patients’ primary tumor-GTVs to decompose information into three decomposition levels explained by a series of high-pass and low-pass wavelet coefficients (WCs). Log-Energy-Entropy of the WCs was calculated as radiomics features. A Least-Absolute-Shrinkage-and-Selection-Operation (Lasso) technique combined with a Generalized-Linear-Model (Lasso-GLM) was applied on the feature space to identify and rank the frequency sub-bands associated with the HPV status. The classifier was validated using a nested-cross-validation technique. Average of Area Under ROC (AUC), and Positive and Negative Predictive values (PPV and NPV) were computed to estimate the generalization-error and performance of the classifier. The significant features were used to weight tumor sub-band frequencies to reconstruct the tumor zones with highest information towards characterization of HPV.

Results:Among 22 frequency-based features, two low-frequency and two high-frequency features were statistically discriminant between the two cohorts. Results (AUC/PPV/NPV=0.798/0.745/0.823) imply that tumor’s high-frequency and low-frequency components are associated with its HPV positivity and negativity, respectively.

Conclusions:This study suggests that compared to the central zones of tumor, peritumoral regions contain more information for characterization of the HPV-status. Albeit subject to confirmation in a larger cohort, this pilot study presents encouraging results in support of the role of frequency-based radiomics analysis towards characterization of tumor microenvironment in patients with OPSCC. By associating this information with tumor pathology, one can potentially link radiomics to underlying biological mechanisms.
Developing the multi-dimensional mobility divide index (MDI) as a methodology to assess the accessibility level of public transport systems
Authors: Repetto Cino , Benzi Leonardo , Bagnasco Martina , Hatzakis Tally , Brinkmann Florian , Alčiauskaitė Laura , Andrushevich Alexey (Aliaksei) , Koenig Alexandra
Published: December 2022

Background: This paper presents the development of a multi-dimensional mobility divide index (MDI) for assessing the accessibility of public transport developed using a co-design approach, directly involving end-users in the index design process. The index measures the gap that persons with disabilities feel they need to over-come to use public transport in the same way non-disabled citizens do. The MDI covers six accessibility-related dimensions: 1) safety, 2) convenience, 3) comfort, 4) affordability, 5) travel time, and 6) autonomy.

Methods: The method paper describes the step-by-step approach to create the MDI as a set of indicators to be rated by people with different access needs to 1) provide evidence of the main criticalities to be addressed through the design and implementation of new inclusive mobility solutions, 2) guide the design of new inclusive mobility solutions and measure their impacts, and 3) inform the transport sector encouraging positive changes in transport by providing recommendations for policy-making, new directions for service innovation, improvements and practical advice or highlighting investment priorities to pave the way for a more inclusive mobility.

Results: We present our findings in ways that can inform universal design and provide actionable information to researchers, policymakers, transport and urban planners, operators, and stakeholders’ representatives to promote inclusive and equitable mobility solutions for all.

Conclusions: Finally, we suggest follow up research and innovation, as well as recommendations for its uptake and utilisation in the pursuit of European accessibility standards and requirements for products and services in the mobility sector.
The genome sequence of the dotted bee-fly, Bombylius discolor (Mikan, 1796)
Authors: Broad Gavin R. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Bombylius discolor (the dotted bee-fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Bombyliidae). The genome sequence is 280 megabases in span. Most of the assembly (99.93%) is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.7 kilobases in length. Genome annotation identified 10,411 protein-coding genes.
A Generalized Newton Method for Subgradient Systems
Authors: Duy Khanh Pham , Mordukhovich Boris , Phat Vo Thanh
Published: December 2022

This paper proposes and develops a new Newton-type algorithm to solve subdifferential inclusions defined by subgradients of extended real-valued prox-regular functions. The proposed algorithm is formulated in terms of the second order subdifferential of such functions that enjoy extensive calculus rules and can be efficiently computed for broad classes of extended real-valued functions. Based on this and on the metric regularity and subregularity properties of subgradient mappings, we establish verifiable conditions ensuring the well-posedness of the proposed algorithm and its local superlinear convergence. The obtained results are also new for the class of equations defined by continuously differentiable functions with Lipschitzian gradients ([Formula: see text] functions), which is the underlying case of our consideration. The developed algorithms for prox-regular functions and their extension to a structured class of composite functions are formulated in terms of proximal mappings and forward–backward envelopes. Besides numerous illustrative examples and comparison with known algorithms for [Formula: see text] functions and generalized equations, the paper presents applications of the proposed algorithms to regularized least square problems arising in statistics, machine learning, and related disciplines.

Funding: Research of P. D. Khanh is funded by Ho Chi Minh City University of Education Foundation for Science and Technology [Grant CS.2022.19.20TD]. Research of B. Mordukhovich and V. T. Phat was partly supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation [Grants DMS-1808978 and DMS-2204519]. The research of B. Mordukhovich was also supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant 15RT0462] and the Australian Research Council under Discovery Project DP-190100555. This work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research [Grant 15RT0462].
The Crisis in Local Newspapers and Organizational Wrongdoing: The Role of Community Social Connectedness
Authors: Choi Tony Jaehyun , Valente Mike
Published: December 2022

Drawing on institutional anomie theory, we examine how the crisis in local newspapers has induced organizational wrongdoings in local communities. We argue that, because local newspapers are the primary source of accountability journalism in local communities, their decline leads to an anomic state that increases the scale of organizational wrongdoing. We also investigate whether institutional complementarity helps overcome the anomic state: Due to functional similarity, community social connectedness compensates for the scarcity of local newspapers. Our analysis of U.S. metropolitan areas for the period of 2007–2015 reveals that the positive relationship between local newspaper scarcity and the scale of organizational wrongdoing is not present in all communities but does appear when a community lacks community social connectedness. We also find that this moderating role of community social connectedness is observed only for internal organizational wrongdoings that are less visible to the public than external ones.
What Drives the Change in Employment in the US Logging Industry? A Directed Acyclic Graph Approach
Authors: He Mingtao , Li Wenying , Smidt Mathew , Zhang Yaoqi
Published: December 2022

Employment in the US logging industry has been declining over the past few decades and fell to a 20-year low following the 2008 economic recession. This study investigates the drivers of employment in the US logging industry from 2007 to 2017, using a directed acyclic graph (DAG). This approach is applied for the first time to disclose the contemporaneous causal relations among employment, wages, mechanization, production level, and product prices in the logging industry. Forecast error variance decomposition (VD) is further used to examine the long-run dynamic relationships between these variables. The results show that the product price directly affects employment and indirectly promotes employment through wages. The results of VD show that mechanization has an increasing long-term effect on employment.
Editoras de género en Argentina. Avances y desafíos de un rol en construcción
Authors: Spinetta Ana Belén
Published: December 2022

El presente artículo aborda la experiencia de la creación de la figura de editora de género en medios de comunicación de Argentina. Dicha figura irrumpe en junio de 2019 con la designación de Mariana Iglesias con ese cargo en el diario Clarín, uno de los medios comerciales más importantes del país y con alcance nacional. Hoy son diez las comunicadoras que ejercen este rol en medios de comunicación de diferentes características. Estas editoras lo asumen con el respaldo de una sociedad alerta y movilizada en lo que a derechos de las mujeres y los colectivos de la diversidad sexual respecta, pero aún se enfrentan a diversas resistencias y múltiples desafíos.
El crédito bancario y el fomento industrial: realizaciones del banco estatal durante la industrialización de Uruguay, 1941-1959
Authors: Moreira Cecilia
Published: December 2022

Este trabajo estudia el crédito otorgado al sector industrial por el Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay (BROU), el principal banco estatal, durante los años en los que desde el gobierno se adoptó una estrategia industrializadora y se promovió al sector con diversos instrumentos de política económica. Más específicamente, se indaga en los créditos especializados hacia los sectores productivos, y en especial hacia la industria, en el entendido que dichos créditos marcaron un diferencial respecto al crédito común bancario y que, por tanto, contribuyeron al fomento del sector. Para hacerlo se trabajó con fuentes primarias del BROU, se recopiló información sobre la importancia relativa que esta institución dio a cada una de sus funciones y se caracterizó el Crédito Industrial. El trabajo muestra que en esos años el BROU efectivamente acentuó su rol de banco de fomento y profundizó su apoyo a la industria en detrimento de algunas de sus otras funciones.
Surface figure compensation of the primary mirror in a Ritchey–Chrétien space telescope by spring preloads
Authors: Jia Shuqiang , Huang Wei , Xu Mingfei , Qin Xin
Published: December 2022

To reduce the surface figure error induced by mechanical strains during the integration process of a high-precision mirror, a cost-efficient compensation method by spring preloads is proposed. The study is based on the primary mirror of a Ritchey–Chrétien space telescope with a focal length of 1200 mm. First, the surface figure degradation of the mirror during the assembly process is expressed and analyzed. Then, a finite element model of the mirror and its mounting structure is established, and surface deformations caused by different preloading forces are simulated. An optimized combination of different preloads was obtained through data fitting, and the influence of the combined preload on the mirror was analyzed. The simulation results show that ring preloads mainly affect spherical aberration and high-order spherical aberrations, while quadrupole preloads mainly affect astigmatism, and the optimized preload can compensate for the surface figure error from

0.120

λ

RMS to

0.088

λ

RMS. Last, the surface figure error of the mirror is measured by experiments under optimized preloads, and the result is

0.084

λ

RMS, which verifies the correctness of the analysis process and effectiveness of the compensation method.
Non-resonant broadband RCS reduction based on the patch distribution of a phase gradient metasurface
Authors: Li Fengan , Huang Jian
Published: December 2022

Three units consisting of five, nine, and one square patches are used to construct a phase gradient metasurface with a

2

π

phase distribution within 18.0–28.0 GHz. The three units arranged in one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) directions can precisely control the reflection beam direction in the plane of phase gradient. Rotating 1D and 2D phase gradient directions can convert a single reflected wave into multi-angle low-energy beams, forming the radar cross section (RCS) reduction metasurface. Using

16

×

16

periodic units, a 10 dB RCS reduction in 18.0–25.5 GHz is achieved.
Full-color holographic system featuring three-dimensional salient object detection based on a U2-RAS network
Authors: Bu Jing-Wen , Zhao Yu , Ji Jia-Hui
Published: December 2022

In this study, a 3D salient object detection model is built at the acquisition step in the full-color holographic system, and a deep network architecture

U

2

-reverse attention and residual learning (RAS) algorithm is proposed for salient object detection to obtain more efficient and accurate point cloud information. In addition, we also use the point cloud gridding method to improve the hologram generation speed. Compared with the traditional region of interest method, RAS algorithm, and

U

2

-Net algorithm, the computational complexity is significantly reduced. Finally, the feasibility of this method is proved by experiments.
End-to-end integrated pipeline for underwater optical signal detection using 1D integral imaging capture with a convolutional neural network
Authors: Huang Yinuo , Krishnan Gokul , O’Connor Timothy , Joshi Rakesh , Javidi Bahram
Published: December 2022

Underwater optical signal detection performance suffers from occlusion and turbidity in degraded environments. To tackle these challenges, three-dimensional (3D) integral imaging (InIm) with 4D correlation-based and deep-learning-based signal detection approaches have been proposed previously. Integral imaging is a 3D technique that utilizes multiple cameras to capture multiple perspectives of the scene and uses dedicated algorithms to reconstruct 3D images. However, these systems may require high computational requirements, multiple separate preprocessing steps, and the necessity for 3D image reconstruction and depth estimation of the illuminating modulated light source. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end integrated signal detection pipeline that uses the principle of one-dimensional (1D) InIm to capture angular and intensity of ray information but without the computational burden of full 3D reconstruction and depth estimation of the light source. The system is implemented with a 1D camera array instead of 2D camera array and is trained with a convolutional neural network (CNN). The proposed approach addresses many of the aforementioned shortcomings to improve underwater optical signal detection speed and performance. In our experiment, the temporal-encoded signals are transmitted by a light-emitting diode passing through a turbid and partial occluded environment which are captured by a 1D camera array. Captured video frames containing the spatiotemporal information of the optical signals are then fed into the CNN for signal detection without the need for depth estimation and 3D scene reconstruction. Thus, the entire processing steps are integrated and optimized by deep learning. We compare the proposed approach with the previously reported depth estimated 3D InIm with 3D scene reconstruction and deep learning in terms of computational cost at receiver’s end and detection performance. Moreover, a comparison with conventional 2D imaging is also included. The experimental results show that the proposed approach performs well in terms of detection performance and computational cost. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on signal detection in degraded environments with computationally efficient end-to-end integrated 1D InIm capture stage with integrated deep learning for classification.
Thermometry of liquid water through slow light imaging spectroscopy
Authors: Leonov Boris S. , Randolph Robert T. , Rekhy Anuj , Dogariu Arthur , Limbach Christopher , Miles Richard B.
Published: December 2022

This work presents the first, to the best of our knowledge, experimental demonstration of slow light imaging spectroscopy for thermometry of liquid water. This novel technique for measuring temperature relies on detecting the spectral shift of Brillouin peaks in water using the temporal delay through a cell containing an atomic vapor. Stand-off sensing capabilities are achieved by time-domain measurements of Brillouin scattering tuned to be near a rubidium atomic resonance and passed through a cell filled with rubidium vapor. An injection seeded optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is demonstrated to be a versatile light source for slow light imaging spectroscopy applications. The narrow OPO pulse spectrum allows for a precise profiling of slow light features of rubidium and accurate tracking of the temperature dependence of Brillouin scattering spectral shift. A comparison between the experimental data and numerical simulation over a temperature range of 20 to 99 degrees Celsius shows a good agreement for both qualitative and quantitative results.
Optically tunable bianisotropy in a sphere made from an epsilon-near-zero material
Authors: Abouelatta Mahmoud A. A. , Safari Akbar , Zahirul Alam M. , Garcia-Santiago Xavier , Beutel Dominik , Cheng Lin , Boyd Robert W. , Rockstuhl Carsten , Alaee Rasoul
Published: December 2022

Bianisotropic media can be used to engineer absorbance, scattering, polarization, and dispersion of electromagnetic waves. However, the demonstration of a tunable light-induced bianisotropy at optical frequencies is still lacking. Here, we propose an experimentally feasible concept for a light-induced tunable bianisotropic response in a homogeneous sphere made of an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) material. By exploiting the large linear absorption and the large possible intensity-dependent changes in the permittivity of ENZ materials, the direction-dependent scattering and absorption cross sections could be obtained. Our findings pave the way for further studies and applications in the optical regime requiring full dynamic control of the bianisotropic behavior.
Alternative splicing liberates a cryptic cytoplasmic isoform of mitochondrial MECR that antagonizes influenza virus
Authors: Baker Steven F. , Meistermann Helene , Tzouros Manuel , Baker Aaron , Golling Sabrina , Polster Juliane Siebourg , Ledwith Mitchell P. , Gitter Anthony , Augustin Angelique , Javanbakht Hassan , Mehle Andrew
Published: December 2022

Viruses must balance their reliance on host cell machinery for replication while avoiding host defense. Influenza A viruses are zoonotic agents that frequently switch hosts, causing localized outbreaks with the potential for larger pandemics. The host range of influenza virus is limited by the need for successful interactions between the virus and cellular partners. Here we used immunocompetitive capture-mass spectrometry to identify cellular proteins that interact with human- and avian-style viral polymerases. We focused on the proviral activity of heterogenous nuclear ribonuclear protein U-like 1 (hnRNP UL1) and the antiviral activity of mitochondrial enoyl CoA-reductase (MECR). MECR is localized to mitochondria where it functions in mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS). While a small fraction of the polymerase subunit PB2 localizes to the mitochondria, PB2 did not interact with full-length MECR. By contrast, a minor splice variant produces cytoplasmic MECR (cMECR). Ectopic expression of cMECR shows that it binds the viral polymerase and suppresses viral replication by blocking assembly of viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs). MECR ablation through genome editing or drug treatment is detrimental for cell health, creating a generic block to virus replication. Using the yeast homolog Etr1 to supply the metabolic functions of MECR in MECR-null cells, we showed that specific antiviral activity is independent of mtFAS and is reconstituted by expressing cMECR. Thus, we propose a strategy where alternative splicing produces a cryptic antiviral protein that is embedded within a key metabolic enzyme.
Assessing the effectiveness of malaria interventions at the regional level in Ghana using a mathematical modelling application
Authors: Awine Timothy , Silal Sheetal P.
Published: December 2022

Supporting malaria control with interfaced applications of mathematical models that enables investigating effectiveness of various interventions as well as their cost implications could be useful. Through their usage for planning, these applications may improve the prospects of attaining various set targets such as those of the National Strategic Plan policies for malaria control in Ghana. A malaria model was adapted and used for simulating the incidence of malaria in various regions of Ghana. The model and its application were developed by the Modelling and Simulation Hub Africa and calibrated using district level data in Ghana from 2012 to 2018. Average monthly rainfall at the zonal level was fitted to trigonometric functions for each ecological zone using least squares approach. These zonal functions were then used as forcing functions. Subsequently, various intervention packages were investigated to observe their impact on averting malaria incidence by 2030. Increased usage of bednets but not only coverage levels, predicted a significant proportion of cases of malaria averted in all regions. Whereas, improvements in the health system by way of health seeking, testing and treatment predicted a decline in incidence largely in all regions. With an increased coverage of SMC, to include higher age groups, a modest proportion of cases could be averted in populations of the Guinea savannah. Indoor residual spraying could also benefit populations of the Transitional forest and Coastal savannah as its impact is significant in averting incidence. Enhancing bednet usage to at least a doubling of the current usage levels and deployed in combination with various interventions across regions predicted significant reductions, in malaria incidence. Regions of the Transitional forest and Coastal savannah could also benefit from a drastic decline in incidence following a gradual introduction of indoor residual spraying on a sustained basis.
Evaluating the impact of alternative intervention strategies in accelerating onchocerciasis elimination in an area of persistent transmission in the West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Atekem Kareen , Dixon Ruth , Wilhelm Aude , Biholong Benjamin , Oye Joseph , Djeunga Hugues Nana , Nwane Philippe , Ayisi Franklin , Boakye Daniel , Kamgno Joseph , Schmidt Elena , Nditanchou Rogers , Senyonjo Laura
Published: December 2022

Background

Alternative strategies are recommended to accelerate onchocerciasis elimination in problematic areas including areas where annual ivermectin (IVM) distributions are unable to interrupt transmission. The aim of this study was to accelerate progress towards elimination in the Massangam health district, West Region of Cameroon where impact evaluations demonstrated ongoing transmission of onchocerciasis infection and high microfilaria (mf) prevalence despite more than 20 years of annual IVM distribution.

Methodology/Principal findings

Parasitological, entomological, and breeding site surveys were conducted in 2015 delineating a focus of high transmission and identified three communities with high mf prevalence. Individuals in these communities were screened for mf yearly for a period of two years and those positive treated each year with doxycycline 100mg daily for five weeks. In addition, surrounding communities were given biannual IVM. Temephos-based applications were performed once a week for 10 consecutive weeks on Simulium damnosum s.l. breeding sites. Parasitological and entomological assessments were conducted after two years of implementation and findings compared with 2015 baseline. Alternative strategies accelerated progress towards elimination through a significant mf reduction (χ2: 40.1; p<0.001) from 35.7% (95%CI: 29.0–42.8) to 12.3% (95%CI, 9.0–16.4). Reductions were furthermore recorded over a longer period, with a reduction of prevalence of 29.0% under AIS in 2017–2019 compared to 14.6% with IVM in 2011–2015; and by 23.2% following the two years of alternative strategies compared to 20.3% reduction over 15 years of treatment with IVM (1996–2011). Entomological assessment demonstrates that transmission is still ongoing despite the reduction in mf which is expected in an environment with complex breeding sites and open transmission zones, i.e., where migration of flies or humans to and from neighbouring areas is common.

Conclusion/Significance

This study provides evidence that alternative strategies are feasible and effective and should be considered in areas where transmission is sustained throughout long term uninterrupted MDA with IVM. However, there is need to consider wider transmission zones, and further explore optimal timing of larviciding with treatment to impact transmission.
Extensive diversity of RNA viruses in ticks revealed by metagenomics in northeastern China
Authors: Liu Ziyan , Li Liang , Xu Wenbo , Yuan Yongxu , Liang Xiaojie , Zhang Li , Wei Zhengkai , Sui Liyan , Zhao Yinghua , Cui Yanyan , Yin Qing , Li Dajun , Li Qianxue , Hou Zhijun , Wei Feng , Liu Quan , Wang Zedong
Published: December 2022

Background

Ticks act as important vectors of infectious agents, and several emerging tick-borne viruses have recently been identified to be associated with human diseases in northeastern China. However, little is known about the tick virome in northeastern China.

Methods

Ticks collected from April 2020 to July 2021 were pooled for metagenomic analysis to investigate the virome diversity in northeastern China.

Results

In total, 22 RNA viruses were identified, including four each in the Nairoviridae and Phenuiviridae families, three each in the Flaviviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Solemoviridae families, two in the Chuviridae family, and one each in the Partitiviridae, Tombusviridae families and an unclassified virus. Of these, eight viruses were of novel species, belonging to the Nairoviridae (Ji’an nairovirus and Yichun nairovirus), Phenuiviridae (Mudanjiang phlebovirus), Rhabdoviridae (Tahe rhabdovirus 1–3), Chuviridae (Yichun mivirus), and Tombusviridae (Yichun tombus-like virus) families, and five members were established human pathogens, including Alongshan virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Songling virus, Beiji nairovirus, and Nuomin virus. I. persulcatus ticks had significant higher number of viral species than H. japonica, H. concinna, and D. silvarum ticks. Significant differences in tick viromes were observed among Daxing’an, Xiaoxing’an and Changbai mountains.

Conclusions

These findings showed an extensive diversity of RNA viruses in ticks in northeastern China, revealing potential public health threats from the emerging tick-borne viruses. Further studies are needed to explain the natural circulation and pathogenicity of these viruses.
Coverage of climate change in introductory biology textbooks, 1970–2019
Authors: Ansari Rabiya Arif , Landin Jennifer M.
Published: December 2022

Climate change is a potent threat to human society, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. Yet a 2021 Gallup poll found that only 43% of Americans see climate change as a serious threat over their lifetimes. In this study, we analyze college biology textbook coverage of climate change from 1970 to 2019. We focus on four aspects for content analysis: 1) the amount of coverage, determined by counting the number of sentences within the climate change passage, 2) the start location of the passage in the book, 3) the categorization of sentences as addressing a description of the greenhouse effect, impacts of global warming, or actions to ameliorate climate change, and 4) the presentation of data in figures. We analyzed 57 textbooks. Our findings show that coverage of climate change has continually increased, although the greatest increase occurred during the 1990s despite the growing threats of climate change. The position of the climate change passage moved further back in the book, from the last 15% to the last 2.5% of pages. Over time, coverage shifted from a description of the greenhouse effect to focus mostly on effects of climate change; the most addressed impact was shifting ecosystems. Sentences dedicated to actionable solutions to climate change peaked in the 1990s at over 15% of the passage, then decreased in recent decades to 3%. Data figures present only global temperatures and CO2 levels prior to the year 2000, then include photographic evidence and changes to species distributions after 2000. We hope this study will alert curriculum designers and instructors to consider implicit messages communicated in climate change lessons.
The influence of fake news on face-trait learning
Authors: Eggleston Adam , Cook Richard , Over Harriet
Published: December 2022

Humans spontaneously attribute a wide range of traits to conspecifics based on their facial appearance. Unsurprisingly, previous findings indicate that this ‘person evaluation’ is affected by information provided about the target’s past actions and behaviours. Strikingly, many news items shared on social media sites (e.g., Twitter) describe the actions of individuals who are often shown in accompanying images. This kind of material closely resembles that encountered by participants in previous studies of face-trait learning. We therefore sought to determine whether Twitter posts that pair facial images with favourable and unfavourable biographical information also modulate subsequent trait evaluation of the people depicted. We also assessed whether the effects of this information-valence manipulation were attenuated by the presence of the “disputed tag”, introduced by Twitter as a means to combat the influence of fake-news. Across two preregistered experiments, we found that fictional tweets that paired facial images with details of the person’s positive or negative actions affected the extent to which readers subsequently judged the faces depicted to be trustworthy. When the rating phase followed immediately after the study phase, the presence of the disputed tag attenuated the effect of the behavioural information (Experiment 1: N = 128; Mage = 34.06; 89 female, 36 male, 3 non-binary; 116 White British). However, when the rating phase was conducted after a 10-minute delay, the presence of the disputed tag had no significant effect (Experiment 2: N = 128; Mage = 29.12; 78 female, 44 male, 4 non-binary, 2 prefer not to say; 110 White British). Our findings suggest that disputed tags may have relatively little impact on the long-term face-trait learning that occurs via social media. As such, fake news stories may have considerable potential to shape users’ person evaluation.
A modelling approach to hepatic glucose production estimation
Authors: Panunzi Simona , De Gaetano Andrea
Published: December 2022

Stable isotopes are currently used to measure glucose fluxes responsible for observed glucose concentrations, providing information on hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity. The determination of glucose turnover, along with fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations, is relevant for inferring insulin sensitivity levels. At equilibrium (e.g. during the fasting state) the rate of glucose entering the circulation equals its rate of disappearance from the circulation. If under these conditions tracer is infused at a constant rate and Specific Activity (SA) or Tracer to Tracee (TTR) ratio is computed, the Rate of Appearance (RA) equals the Rate of Disappearance (RD) and equals the ratio between infusion rate and TTR or SA. In the post-prandial situation or during perturbation studies, however, estimation of RA and RD becomes more complex because they are not necessarily equal and, furthermore, may vary over time due to gastric emptying, glucose absorption, appearance of ingested or infused glucose, variations of EGP and glucose disappearance. Up to now, the most commonly used approach to compute RA, RD and EGP has been the single-pool model by Steele. Several authors, however, report pitfalls in the use of this method, such as “paradoxical” increase in EGP immediately after meal ingestion and “negative” rates of EGP. Different attempts have been made to reduce the impact of these errors, but the same problems are still encountered. In the present work a completely different approach is proposed, where cold and labeled [6, 6-2H2] glucose observations are simultaneously fitted and where both RD and EGP are represented by simple but reasonable functions. As an example, this approach is applied to an intra-venous experiment, where cold glucose is infused at variable rates to reproduce a desired glycaemic time-course. The goal of the present work is to show that appropriate, if simple, modelling of the whole infusion procedure together with the underlying physiological system allows robust estimation of EGP with single-tracer administration, without the artefacts produced by the Steele method.
Remote consent approaches for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia and Uganda: A randomized study
Authors: Ali Joseph , Nagarajan Madhuram , Mwaka Erisa S. , Rutebemberwa Elizeus , Vecino-Ortiz Andres I. , Quintero Angelica Tórres , Rodriguez-Patarroyo Mariana , Maniar Vidhi , Al Kibria Gulam Muhammed , Labrique Alain B. , Pariyo George W. , Gibson Dustin G.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) can be used to collect public health data of various types to inform health policy and programs globally. One challenge in administering MPS is identification of an appropriate and effective participant consent process. This study investigated the impact of different survey consent approaches on participant disposition (response characteristics and understanding of the purpose of the survey) within the context of an MPS that measured noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors across Colombia and Uganda.

Methods

Participants were randomized to one of five consent approaches, with consent modules varying by the consent disclosure and mode of authorization. The control arm consisted of a standard consent disclosure and a combined opt-in/opt-out mode of authorization. The other four arms consist of a modified consent disclosure and one of four different forms of authorization (i.e., opt-in, opt-out, combined opt-in/opt-out, or implied). Data related to respondent disposition and respondent understanding of the survey purpose were analyzed.

Results

Among 1889 completed surveys in Colombia, differences in contact, response, refusal, and cooperation rates by study arms were found. About 68% of respondents correctly identified the survey purpose, with no significant difference by study arm. Participants reporting higher levels of education and urban residency were more likely to identify the purpose correctly. Participants were also more likely to accurately identify the survey purpose after completing several survey modules, compared to immediately following the consent disclosure (78.8% vs 54.2% correct, p<0.001). In Uganda, 1890 completed surveys were collected. Though there were differences in contact, refusal, and cooperation rates by study arm, response rates were similar across arms. About 37% of respondents identified the survey purpose correctly, with no difference by arm. Those with higher levels of education and who completed the survey in English were able to more accurately identify the survey purpose. Again, participants were more likely to accurately identify the purpose of the survey after completing several NCD modules, compared to immediately following the consent module (42.0% vs 32.2% correct, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

This study contributes to the limited available evidence regarding consent procedures for automated MPS. Future studies should develop and trial additional interventions to enhance consent for automated public health surveys, and measure other dimensions of participant engagement and understanding.
HIV incidence and associated risk factors in adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: A population-based cohort study
Authors: Lewis Lara , Kharsany Ayesha B. M. , Humphries Hilton , Maughan-Brown Brendan , Beckett Sean , Govender Kaymarlin , Cawood Cherie , Khanyile David , George Gavin
Published: December 2022

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa, high HIV incidence rates in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) persist despite extensive HIV prevention efforts.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 2,710 HIV-negative AGYW (15–24 years) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa were interviewed at baseline and followed-up approximately 18 months later (2014–2017). Associations between HIV seroconversion and socio-demographic and behavioural variables measured at baseline and follow-up were examined using Cox regression and a proximate determinants framework. Inter-relationships between determinants were measured using logistic regression. Separate models were built for 15–19 and 20-24-year-olds.

Results

Weighted HIV incidence was 3.92 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval: 3.27–4.69; 163 seroconversions over 4,016 person-years). Among 15-19-year-olds, absence of family support (adjusted hazards ratio (aHR): 3.82 (1.89–7.72)), having a circumcised partner (aHR: 0.5 (0.27–0.94)) or one who was HIV-positive and not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (aHR: 6.21 (2.56–15.06)) were associated with HIV incidence. Those reporting an absence of family support were also more likely to report >1 partner during follow-up (odds ratio (OR): 2.7(1.11–6.57)). Among 20-24-year-olds, failure to complete secondary school (aHR: 1.89 (1.11–3.21)), inconsistent condom use (aHR: 3.01 (1.14–7.96)) and reporting partner(s) who were HIV-positive and not on ART (aHR: 7.75 (3.06–19.66)) were associated with HIV incidence. Failure to complete secondary school among 20-24-year-olds was associated with inconsistent condom use (OR: 1.82 (1.20–2.77)) and reporting an HIV-positive partner not on ART (OR: 3.53(1.59–7.82)) or an uncircumcised partner (OR: 1.39 (1.08–1.82).

Conclusion

Absence of family support and incomplete schooling are associated with risky sexual behaviours and HIV acquisition in AGYW. In addition, partner-level prevention—condom use, medical circumcision, and viral suppression–continue to play an important role in reducing HIV risk in AGYW. These findings support the use of combination HIV prevention programs that consider structural as well as biological and behavioural HIV risk factors in their design.
Experimental investigation of short-term warming on arsenic flux from contaminated sediments of two well-oxygenated subarctic lakes
Authors: Astles Brittany C. , Chételat John , Palmer Michael J. , Vermaire Jesse C.
Published: December 2022

Legacy arsenic (As) contamination from past mining operations remains an environmental concern in lakes of the Yellowknife area (Northwest Territories, Canada) due to its post-depositional mobility in sediment and potential for continued remobilization to surface waters. Warmer temperatures associated with climate change in this subarctic region may impact As internal loading from lake sediments either by a direct effect on sediment porewater diffusion rate or indirect effects on microbial metabolism and sediment redox conditions. This study assessed the influence of warmer temperatures on As diffusion from contaminated sediment of two lakes with contrasting sediment characteristics using an experimental incubation approach. Sediments from Yellowknife Bay (on Great Slave Lake) contained predominately clay and silt with low organic matter (10%) and high As content (1675 μg/g) while sediments of Lower Martin Lake had high organic matter content (~70%) and approximately half the As (822 μg/g). Duplicate sediment batches from each lake were incubated in a temperature-controlled chamber, and overlying water was kept well-oxygenated while As flux from sediment was measured during four weekly temperature treatments (7°C to 21°C, at ~5°C intervals). During the experiment, As diffused from sediment to overlying water in all cores and temperature treatments, with As fluxes ranging from 48–956 μg/m2/day. Arsenic fluxes were greater from Yellowknife Bay sediments, which had higher solid-phase As concentrations, compared to those of Lower Martin Lake. Short-term warming did not stimulate As flux from duplicate cores of either sediment type, in contrast with reported temperature enhancement in other published studies. We conclude that warmer temperatures were insufficient to strongly enhance sediment As diffusion into overlying oxic waters. These observations are relevant for evaluating climate-warming effects on sediment As mobility in subarctic lakes with little or no thermal stratification and a well-oxygenated water column.