bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Altered Trajectories: Considering the Long-Term Impact of Educational Disruption during the COVID-19 Pandemic on Neurodevelopment and a Call to Action for Neuropsychology
Authors: Colvin Mary K , Reesman Jennifer , Glen Tannahill
Published: March 2024

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in educational disruption of historic breadth and duration. The impact of school closures and remote learning have been evaluated in recent studies and reflect critical data for neuropsychologists who routinely assess brain development as it relates to diagnosis, recommendations, and informing public policy.

Method

Pre-pandemic and contemporaneous literature was summarized, including data on educational disruption and child and adolescent mental health challenges reported during the pandemic, and research on the impact of stress, social isolation, educational achievement, and other factors on brain development during critical developmental windows.

Results

Studies indicate that prolonged educational disruption has resulted in attenuated learning gains, most remarkably for those already at risk for educational disparities. Studies have shown increased mental health challenges for youth during the pandemic, with higher rates of mood and eating disorders, and suicidal ideation. Given that some skills develop optimally within specific time periods, pandemic-related disruption has likely contributed to altered developmental trajectories.

Conclusion

Trajectory of neuropsychological development of children and adolescents, especially marginalized students, may be affected by effects on learning and mental health due to prolonged educational disruption and psychological stressors. Evaluation and treatment may be delayed due to backlog and increased demand. Clinical neuropsychological practice recommendations are presented with a call to action for the field in moving forward flexibly to increase access to evaluation services.
Compensatory Strategy Intervention: What Older Patients Want and Why
Authors: Goldstein Allyson , Commissariat Persis V , Sullivan Kelli L , Hallowell Emily S , Davis Jennifer D , Margolis Seth A
Published: March 2024

Objective

Compensatory strategies can improve performance of instrumental activities of daily living in people with cognitive impairment. This study investigated patient interest in compensatory strategy interventions and preference for various intervention formats.

Methods

Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 38 older adults with cognitive impairment queried motivation to improve strategy use and interest in intervention formats/delivery methods. Two coders used thematic analysis to determine rates of interest in each intervention type and explore patient-reported barriers and facilitators to motivation and intervention models.

Results

Most of the samples reported motivation to enhance compensatory strategy use. Degree of motivation was driven by current experiences with strategy use, perceived benefit of potential changes, intrinsic desire to improve life and self, and current perceived need. The vast majority were interested in hour-long, multi-session, instructor-led interventions. Just over half of the sample was interested in a self-directed virtual program, and just under half was interested in involving family/friends. Facilitators and barriers to interest in intervention formats and delivery methods varied based on participants’ previous experiences, preferred learning style, content, and time commitment of the intervention, and perceived current need for intervention. One-fifth of the sample expressed no interest in any intervention type, though they expressed openness to assistance in the future as needed.

Conclusions

Older adults with cognitive impairment are generally motivated to enhance their compensatory strategy use. Clinicians/researchers designing compensatory strategy interventions should consider instructor-led formats, present individualized benefits of interventions, and demonstrate the benefits of both preventative and remedial intervention to optimize patient engagement.
Understanding large scale sequencing datasets through changes to protein folding
Authors: Shorthouse David , Lister Harris , Freeman Gemma S , Hall Benjamin A
Published: March 2024

The expansion of high-quality, low-cost sequencing has created an enormous opportunity to understand how genetic variants alter cellular behaviour in disease. The high diversity of mutations observed has however drawn a spotlight onto the need for predictive modelling of mutational effects on phenotype from variants of uncertain significance. This is particularly important in the clinic due to the potential value in guiding clinical diagnosis and patient treatment. Recent computational modelling has highlighted the importance of mutation induced protein misfolding as a common mechanism for loss of protein or domain function, aided by developments in methods that make large computational screens tractable. Here we review recent applications of this approach to different genes, and how they have enabled and supported subsequent studies. We further discuss developments in the approach and the role for the approach in light of increasingly high throughput experimental approaches.
dingo: a Python package for metabolic flux sampling
Authors: Chalkis Apostolos , Fisikopoulos Vissarion , Tsigaridas Elias , Zafeiropoulos Haris
Published: March 2024

We present dingo, a Python package that supports a variety of methods to sample from the flux space of metabolic models, based on state-of-the-art random walks and rounding methods. For uniform sampling, dingo’s sampling methods provide significant speed-ups and outperform existing software. Indicatively, dingo can sample from the flux space of the largest metabolic model up to now (Recon3D) in less than a day using a personal computer, under several statistical guarantees; this computation is out of reach for other similar software. In addition, dingo supports common analysis methods, such as flux balance analysis and flux variability analysis, and visualization components. dingo contributes to the arsenal of tools in metabolic modelling by enabling flux sampling in high dimensions (in the order of thousands).

Availability and implementation

The dingo Python library is available in GitHub at https://github.com/GeomScale/dingo and the data underlying this article are available in https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10423335.
Covariate adjustment in randomized experiments with missing outcomes and covariates
Authors: Zhao Anqi , Ding Peng , Li Fan
Published: March 2024

Covariate adjustment can improve precision in analysing randomized experiments. With fully observed data, regression adjustment and propensity score weighting are asymptotically equivalent in improving efficiency over unadjusted analysis. When some outcomes are missing, we consider combining these two adjustment methods with the inverse probability of observation weighting for handling missing outcomes, and show that the equivalence between the two methods breaks down. Regression adjustment no longer ensures efficiency gain over unadjusted analysis unless the true outcome model is linear in covariates or the outcomes are missing completely at random. Propensity score weighting, in contrast, still guarantees efficiency over unadjusted analysis, and including more covariates in adjustment never harms asymptotic efficiency. Moreover, we establish the value of using partially observed covariates to secure additional efficiency by the missingness indicator method, which imputes all missing covariates by zero and uses the union of the completed covariates and corresponding missingness indicators as the new, fully observed covariates. Based on these findings, we recommend using regression adjustment in combination with the missingness indicator method if the linear outcome model or missing-completely-at-random assumption is plausible and using propensity score weighting with the missingness indicator method otherwise.
The gift and the giving: reciprocity in international aid and development in Timor-Leste
Authors: Jones Richard G
Published: March 2024

This paper examines the transactional dynamics of participation in foreign aid and development programs by exploring links between Marcel Mauss’ characteristics of gift-giving and Marshall Sahlins’ typology of reciprocal relationships. Grounded in Mauss’ insights, a modified version of Sahlins’ Negative, Generalized and Balanced categories is applied to recipient experiences of donor activities in Timor-Leste. In this context, I look at how the ‘development gift’ positions and defines those involved, from producing uncomfortable hierarchies of power and prestige to enhancing mutual trust and respect. Analysis of interviews with ‘ordinary’ Timorese indicates that in offering, accepting and repaying the gift, significant difficulties arise from misunderstandings about the social obligations structuring the exchange. Sahlins’ Negative and, in some circumstances, Generalized forms predict a breakdown in relationships, although not necessarily in the project itself. By contrast, the Balanced form typically leads to the type of interactions recipients desire. Responding to interviewee comments, I propose a ‘charitable’ mode of the Generalized form and identify a new category, Familial reciprocity. I conclude by recommending this modified typology as a way of understanding how we might give and receive respect, a word frequently used by recipients to describe successful development relationships with outsiders. Importantly, while grounded specifically in Timorese experiences, there is scope to apply the proposed framework to any activity in which one party identifies as a donor and others are presented as beneficiaries of their ‘free’ development gifts.
Development and Validation of UPLC Tandem Mass Spectrometry Assay for Ceftibuten and Sulbactam in Human Plasma
Authors: Valero-Rivera Karla Paulina , Magaña-Aquino Martin , del Carmen Romero-Méndez María , Morales-Barragán Miriam Nayeli , Sagahón-Azúa Julia , Medellín-Garibay Susanna Edith , del Carmen Milán-Segovia Rosa , Martínez-Gutiérrez Fidel , Romano-Moreno Silvia
Published: March 2024

A sensitive and rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with -tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine ceftibuten (CTB) and sulbactam (SUL) in human plasma. An ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 C18 (2.1 × 100 mm), 1.8 μm column with gradient elution of water (0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile was used for separation at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. This method involves a simple sample preparation with acetonitrile. The calibration curves of CTB and SUL in plasma showed good linearity over the concentration range of 0.50–25 μg/mL and with a correlation coefficient (r2) >0.99. This method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and stability. High precision was obtained with coefficients of variation <15%. Excellent recovery in the range of 90–104% was achieved for CTB and SUL was 86–110%. The method has the potential utility to support pharmacometric modeling in clinical practice and biopharmaceutic studies.
Morphological and dynamic analysis of the normal aortic valve with 4D computed tomography
Authors: Fikani Amine , Craiem Damian , Mousseaux Elie , Soulat Gilles , Rouchaud Aymeric , Boulogne Cyrille , Martins Elie , Jouan Jerome
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the precise dimensions of the normal aortic root, especially the true aortic annulus, during the cardiac cycle using an innovative reconstruction method based on multiphase cardiac computed tomography and to assess the feasibility and the reproducibility of this method for aortic root analysis.

METHODS

Between January 2019 and June 2021, 30 optimal consecutive ECG-gated multiphase cardiac computed tomography of patients with normal tricuspid aortic valve were analysed using an in-house software. Aortic annulus border was pinpointed on 9 reconstructed planes and the 3D coordinates of the 18 consecutive points were interpolated into a 3D curve using a cubic spline. Three additional planes were generated at the level of the left ventricular outflow tract, the level of the Valsalva sinus and the level of the sinotubular junction. This procedure was repeated for all the 10 temporal phases of the RR interval.

RESULTS

The aortic annulus mean 3D and 2D areas were 7.67 ± 1.51 and 5.16 ± 1.40 cm2, respectively. The mean 2D diameter was 2.51 ± 0.23 cm. The mean global area expansion was 11.8 ± 3.5% and the mean perimeter expansion of 7.1 ± 2.6%. During the cardiac cycle, the left ventricle outflow tract expands, reaching its maximum surface at the end of diastole, followed by the aortic annulus, the Valsalva sinuses and the sinotubular junction. The aorta changes from a clover-shaped cone during diastole to more cylindrical shape during systole. Compared to the 3D measurements, the analysis of the virtual basal ring significantly underestimates the annulus area, perimeter, and mean diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

4D morphometric analysis enables to have a precise and reproducible evaluation of the aortic annulus. The aortic annulus and root are deformable structures that undergo a unique expansion sequence during the cardiac cycle which should be considered for procedural planning.
Dealing with the doctor shortage: a qualitative study exploring French general practitioners’ lived experiences, difficulties, and adaptive behaviours
Authors: Dumesnil Hélène , Lutaud Romain , Bellon-Curutchet Julien , Deffontaines Aliénor , Verger Pierre
Published: March 2024

Context

The shortage of general practitioners (GPs) is a growing concern in Europe, especially in France. This problem is likely to continue until the end of the 2020s.

Objectives

To study the GPs’ perceptions of access to care in medically underserved areas (i.e. with low physician density), its consequences on their working conditions, and how they cope with the resulting difficulties.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted between May and August 2021 of 29 GPs practising in areas of southeastern France with a low physician density or at risk of a doctor shortage. Purposive sampling was used to include profiles of diverse physicians and diverse rural and urban areas. The interviews, conducted with an interview guide, were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Results

The participants described a serious degradation of access to care in their areas. These issues also concerned urban areas, where they were, according to the participants, underrecognized. The participants’ workloads were rising, at a rate often perceived as unsustainable: many participants, including the youngest group, reported they were exhausted. Their principal source of dissatisfaction was their impression that they could not do their work correctly. Participants reported that these difficulties required them to improvise and adapt without any official or formal method to keep their practice manageable.

Conclusion

These GPs were worried about the future of their profession and their patients. They expected strong measures by public policymakers and officials, but paradoxically seemed to have little interest in the solutions these officials are promoting.
Responses of attached bacterial communities to blooms of the swimming shelled pteropod Creseis acicula in Daya Bay, southern China
Authors: Shi Rongjun , Han Tingting , Qi Zhanhui , Huang Honghui
Published: March 2024

The shelled pteropod Creseis acicula is a marine pelagic shellfish widely distributed from temperate to tropical seas around the world. From June to July 2020, a C. acicula bloom first happened in the Daya Bay, southern China, and its density reached the highest value (5600 ind. m−3) ever recorded around the world. However, few studies have investigated the responses of bacterial communities to the C. acicula bloom. In the present study, we examined the community profiles of three communities of bacteria including the free-living and particle-attached bacteria in the blooming and reference waters, and bacteria attached to the whole body and shell of C. acicula using a high-throughput sequencing method. The results indicated that the C. acicula bloom had a greater impact on particle-attached bacteria than free-living bacteria. Among the bloom-sensitive particle-attached bacteria, the predominant bacterial phyla were Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota in the blooming areas, whereas they were Actinomycetota and Planctomycetota in the reference areas. Specifically, fecal bacteria Haloferula and Halioglobus spp. were significantly enriched in the blooming waters and accumulated on C. acicula shells. Conversely, the significantly lower relative abundance of Nocardioides sp. in the blooming area and accumulated on the whole body of C. acicula indicated their attachment to particles consumed by C. acicula. Overall, our results suggested that the C. acicula bloom influenced marine bacteria, particularly particle-attached bacteria, by increasing (e.g. providing shells and feces) or decreasing (e.g. filter-feeding the suspended particles) the abundance of available substances.
A new H∞ observer for continuous LPV systems with unknown inputs using an HOSM differentiator
Authors: Meyer Luc
Published: March 2024

The main contribution of this paper is the development of $H_{\infty }$ state and unknown input (UI) observers for noisy linear parameter-varying (LPV) systems. The observers are constructed in order to be unbiased (in particular the state estimation error is decoupled from the UI) and with a minimum $L_{2}$ transfer between the perturbations (that are assumed to be with finite energy) and the estimation errors. Contrary to equivalent observers developed in the literature, the present one relaxes a widely used rank condition on the system matrices for decoupling the UI. In order to do so, high-order derivation is needed, which is done using a high-order sliding modes differentiator. A method is given to design observer gains for LPV systems under polytopic form. Finally, three examples illustrate some aspects of the theoretical contributions, and compare this work to the existing ones.
Hierarchical control problem for the heat equation with dynamic boundary conditions
Authors: Oukdach Omar , Boutaayamou Idriss , Maniar Lahcen
Published: March 2024

This paper deals with a hierarchical control problem for the heat equation with dynamic boundary conditions. The main goal consists of letting the state near from a prescribed target in a fixed observation region. The secondary objective is the null controllability. In other words, we reverse the roles of the leader and the follower addressed in the recent article. For this purpose, we combine some appropriate Carleman estimates and the Stackelberg strategy. We also extend our study for hierarchical-biobjective problems by applying the Stackelberg–Pareto strategy.
Endosymbiont Tremblaya phenacola influences the reproduction of cotton mealybugs by regulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway
Authors: Bai Jianyang , Zuo Zhangqi , DuanMu Haonan , Li Meizhen , Tong Haojie , Mei Yang , Xiao Yiqi , He Kang , Jiang Mingxing , Wang Shuping , Li Fei
Published: March 2024

The intricate evolutionary dynamics of endosymbiotic relationships result in unique characteristics among the genomes of symbionts, which profoundly influence host insect phenotypes. Here, we investigated an endosymbiotic system in Phenacoccus solenopsis, a notorious pest of the subfamily Phenacoccinae. The endosymbiont, “Candidatus Tremblaya phenacola” (T. phenacola PSOL), persisted throughout the complete life cycle of female hosts and was more active during oviposition, whereas there was a significant decline in abundance after pupation in males. Genome sequencing yielded an endosymbiont genome of 221.1 kb in size, comprising seven contigs and originating from a chimeric arrangement between betaproteobacteria and gammaproteobacteria. A comprehensive analysis of amino acid metabolic pathways demonstrated complementarity between the host and endosymbiont metabolism. Elimination of T. phenacola PSOL through antibiotic treatment significantly decreased P. solenopsis fecundity. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis demonstrated a correlation between genes associated with essential amino acid synthesis and those associated with host meiosis and oocyte maturation. Moreover, altering endosymbiont abundance activated the host mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway, suggesting that changes in the amino acid abundance affected the host reproductive capabilities via this signal pathway. Taken together, these findings demonstrate a mechanism by which the endosymbiont T. phenacola PSOL contributed to high fecundity in P. solenopsis and provide new insights into nutritional compensation and coevolution of the endosymbiotic system.
Public Opinion, Rivalry, and the Democratic Peace: Experimental Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Kim Gidong , Kim Yu Bin , Kwak Dongjin
Published: March 2024

Recent studies on the public opinion mechanism of the democratic peace have demonstrated experimentally that democratic citizens are averse to attacking other democracies. The presence of rivalry, however, has long been recognized as one of the important factors contributing to either initiation or recurrence of international conflict. Despite such importance, our understanding remains limited as to how rivalry affects public opinion, particularly in the context of the democratic peace. In this article, we argue that democratic publics’ perception of rivalry weakens the effect of regime type. We expect democratic publics to be less reluctant in terms of fighting other rival democracies. Using an original survey experiment in South Korea, we demonstrate that the South Korean public, similar to those of western democracies, is reluctant to use force against nonrival democracies, but less so against rival democracies. Our findings suggest that the scope of the democratic peace should be qualified.
5-hydroxytryphophan mitigates ergot alkaloid-induced suppression of serotonin and feed intake in cattle
Authors: Valente Eriton E L , Klotz James L , Markmann Ryana C , Edwards J Lannett , Harmon David L
Published: March 2024

The impact of ergot toxicosis on livestock industries is detrimental and treatments are needed in many countries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to ergot alkaloids and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation on feed intake, serotonin metabolism, and blood metabolites in cattle. Eight Holstein steers (538 ± 18 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial treatment structure. The treatments were the combination of 0 (E−) or 15 µg ergovaline/kg BW (E+) and 0 (5HTP−) or 0.5 mg of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan/kg BW (5HTP+) administered daily for 6 d. Toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue seed was used to supply the daily dose of ergovaline. Endophyte-free seed was used to equalize seed intake between treatments. Ground seed was placed into the rumen immediately before feeding. The 5-HTP was dissolved in water and infused into the abomasum via the reticulo-omasal orifice. Blood was collected from a jugular vein catheter at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after treatment administration. Ergovaline without 5-HTP (E+/5HTP−) decreased dry matter intake (DMI) in comparison to steers without ergovaline and 5-HTP (E-/5HTP−). However, 5-HTP infusion in association with ergovaline (E+/5HTP+) normalized the DMI. Although E + did not affect (P > 0.05) the area under the curve (AUC) of serum 5-HTP, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tryptophan, and kynurenine, serum and plasma serotonin concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05). The infusion of 5-HTP increased (P < 0.05) the AUC of serum 5-HTP, serum and plasma serotonin, and serum 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. In conclusion, acute exposure to ergot alkaloids reduced DMI and circulating serotonin in cattle but 5-HTP administration showed potential to normalize both circulating serotonin and feed intake.
From Admission to Discharge—A Total Friction Burn Review from a Single Institution
Authors: Estrada Munoz Oscar I , Sabour Andrew F , Carroll Joseph T , Flores Carmen E , Fraser Douglas R , Chestovich Paul , Saquib Syed F
Published: March 2024

While most friction burns are adequately managed in an outpatient setting, many may require hospital admission, operative excision, and extended care. To this day, there is a wide variance in friction burn management. Our goal is to review the etiology, management, and outcomes of such burns warranting hospitalization. We conducted a retrospective review of all friction burns admitted to a single, American Burn Association-verified burn center from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020. A total of 28 (34%) patients required surgery for their friction burns and 15 (18%) ultimately required a split-thickness skin graft. The mean number of operations was 2.4 (95% CI 1.6-3.1). Overall, the operative group was younger (29.9 vs 38.3 years, P = .026), more likely to have a concomitant traumatic brain injury (25% vs 7%, P = .027), and had a longer hospital length of stay (17.5 vs 3.9 days, P < .001). Both groups had a similar overall TBSA (8.5% vs 10.0%, P = .35), but the operative group had a larger surface area comprised of third-degree burns (3.05% vs 0.2%, P < .001). Overall, friction burns resulting in hospital admission are associated with high-energy traumatic mechanisms and concomitant injuries. Patients who need operative intervention for their burns typically require multiple procedures often culminating in a split-thickness skin graft. While non-operative management of friction burns with topical agents has been found to be successful, patients with higher injury severity scores should be monitored very closely as they may require surgical excision.
Improving full-waveform inversion based on sparse regularization for geophysical data
Authors: Li Jiahang , Mikada Hitoshi , Takekawa Junichi
Published: March 2024

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is an advanced geophysical inversion technique. FWI provides images of subsurface structures with higher resolution in fields such as oil exploration and geology. The conventional algorithm minimizes the misfit error by calculating the least squares of the wavefield solutions between observed data and simulated data, followed by gradient direction and model update increment. Since the gradient is calculated by forward and backward wavefields, the high-accuracy model update relies on accurate forward and backward wavefield modelling. However, the quality of wavefield solutions obtained in practical situations could be poor and does not meet the requirements of high-resolution FWI. Specifically, the low-frequency wavefield is easily affected by noise and downsampling, which influences data quality, whereas the high-frequency wavefield is susceptible to spatial aliasing effects that produce imaging artefacts. Therefore, we propose using an algorithm called sparse relaxation regularized regression to optimize the wavefield solution in frequency-domain FWI, which is the forward and backward wavefield obtained from the Helmholtz equation, thus improving FWI's accuracy. The sparse relaxation regularized regression algorithm combines sparsity and regularization, allowing the broadband FWI to reduce the effects of noise and outliers, which can provide data supplementation in the low-frequency band and anti-aliasing in the high-frequency band. Our numerical examples demonstrate the wavefield optimization effect of the sparse relaxation regularized regression-based algorithm in various cases. The improved algorithm's accuracy and stability are verified compared to the Tikhonov regularization algorithm.
AGV fuzzy control optimized by genetic algorithms
Authors: Sierra-Garcia J Enrique , Santos Matilde
Published: March 2024

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) are an essential element of transport in industry 4.0. Although they may seem simple systems in terms of their kinematics, their dynamics is very complex, and it requires robust and efficient controllers for their routes in the workspaces. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of an intelligent controller of a hybrid AGV based on fuzzy logic. In addition, genetic algorithms have been used to optimize the speed control strategy, aiming at improving efficiency and saving energy. The control architecture includes a fuzzy controller for trajectory tracking that has been enhanced with genetic algorithms. The cost function first maximizes the time in the circuit and then minimizes the guiding error. It has been validated on the mathematical model of a commercial hybrid AGV that merges tricycle and differential robot components. This model not only considers the kinematics and dynamics equations of the vehicle but also the impact of friction. The performance of the intelligent control strategy is compared with an optimized PID controller. Four paths were simulated to test the approach validity.
Emerging measurements for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in breast cancer
Authors: Wu Rongrong , Horimoto Yoshiya , Oshi Masanori , Benesch Matthew G K , Khoury Thaer , Takabe Kazuaki , Ishikawa Takashi
Published: March 2024

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are a general term for lymphocytes or immune cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. Numerous studies have demonstrated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to be robust prognostic and predictive biomarkers in breast cancer. Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors, which directly target tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, have become part of standard of care treatment for triple-negative breast cancer. Surprisingly, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes quantified by conventional methods do not predict response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, which highlights the heterogeneity of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the complexity of the immune network in the tumor microenvironment. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are composed of diverse immune cell populations, including cytotoxic CD8-positive T lymphocytes, B cells and myeloid cells. Traditionally, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in tumor stroma have been evaluated by histology. However, the standardization of this approach is limited, necessitating the use of various novel technologies to elucidate the heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment. This review outlines the evaluation methods for tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from conventional pathological approaches that evaluate intratumoral and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes such as immunohistochemistry, to the more recent advancements in computer tissue imaging using artificial intelligence, flow cytometry sorting and multi-omics analyses using high-throughput assays to estimate tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from bulk tumor using immune signatures or deconvolution tools. We also discuss higher resolution technologies that enable the analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes heterogeneity such as single-cell analysis and spatial transcriptomics. As we approach the era of personalized medicine, it is important for clinicians to understand these technologies.
Evaluating the carnivorous efficacy ofUtricularia aurea(Lamiales: Lentibulariaceae) on the larval stages ofAnopheles stephensi,Culex quinquefasciatus, andAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Mohanty Ajeet Kumar , Govekar Abhishek , de Souza Charles , Mohapatra Abhipsa , Janarthanam Malapati Kuppuswamy , Vukanti Raja , Montemarano Justin J , Balabaskaran Nina Praveen
Published: March 2024

The emergence of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes necessitates the exploration and validation of sustainable biological strategies for controlling mosquitoes in their natural habitats. We assessed the predatory effect of Utricularia aurea Lour (Lamiales: Lentibulariaceae), an aquatic carnivorous plant found in the Indian subcontinent, Japan, and Australia, on 4 instars of Anopheles stephensi Liston, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Aedes aegypti Linn (Diptera: Culicidae), in the laboratory and field settings. In the laboratory setting, predation of larvae by U. aurea was highest during the first hour when it predated 45%, 61%, and 58% of first instars of An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and, Ae. aegypti, respectively, and, within 12 h, U. aurea preyed upon ~95% of the first, second, and third instars of the 3 mosquito species, ~80% of the fourth instars of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti, and ~60% of fourth instars of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The predatory effect of U. aurea varied with mosquito species and instar. Broadly, predation risk declined with the increase of the instar size. In the field setting, at the end of 16 days, U. aurea predated 76% and 71% of the immature An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti, respectively. Our findings suggest U. aurea can be utilized as a potential biocontrol agent for controlling mosquito larvae in natural habitats; however, the current claim warrants additional investigations in a variety of natural habitats.
Continental shelf delimitation beyond 200 nautical miles: Mauritius/Maldives and the forking paths in the jurisprudence
Authors: Liao Xuexia
Published: March 2024

The jurisprudence concerning the continental shelf delimitation beyond 200 nautical miles (nm) over the past decade converged on distinguishing delineation from delimitation, which justifies the appropriateness of the judiciary to delimit the continental shelf beyond 200 nm in the absence of the recommendations issued by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS). Mauritius/Maldives decided by a special chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea departs from the established jurisprudence. By applying a ‘significant uncertainty’ standard that puts the relationship between entitlement and delimitation in the centre, Mauritius/Maldives reasons against exercising jurisdiction over the delimitation beyond 200 nm without affirmative recommendations of the CLCS. Mauritius/Maldives reflects judicial restraint in contrast with a more proactive approach prevailing in previous jurisprudence.
Wild Cordyceps proteins reinforce intestinal epithelial barrier through MAPK/NF-κB pathway in MRL/lpr mice
Authors: He Li-Ying , Niu Shu-qi , Li Yong , Fu Jiao-jiao , Tang Pan , Liu Si-Jing , Guo Jin-Lin
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The effects of wild Cordyceps proteins (WCPs) on the gut microbiota and the immune system of MRL/lpr mice were studied.

Methods

The effects of WCP on serum metabolic indexes (total triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) content was measured by a biochemical analyzer. CD4+, CD8+ cells, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal barrier function in MRL/lpr mice were measured by flow cytometry, 16S ribosomal RNA, western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR.

Key findings

The results showed that after the intervention of WCP, the content of CD4+ cells in lupus mice increased, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were down-regulated, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6. Secondly, WCP up-regulated the proteins and mRNA levels of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin. Thirdly, it also increased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the abundance of Oscillospirales, Lachnospirales, Lachnospiraceae, and Clostridia, as well as negatively regulated the MAPK/NF-кB signaling pathway in lupus nephritis (LN) mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that WCP may improve the symptoms of LN by altering immune factors and the intestinal barrier.
Augmented reality-assisted microvascular decompression for glossopharyngeal neuralgia: a case report
Authors: Olexa Joshua , Trang Annie , Nagm Alhusain , Labib Mohamed
Published: March 2024

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare condition characterized by pain along the distribution of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Surgical approaches via microvascular decompression represent a common treatment strategy. For this procedure, an understanding of the location of the cranial nerve and the offending vasculature is critically important. A mixed reality system was used to register patient-specific 3D models onto the patients head for operative planning and anatomical visualization. A 58-year-old female presented to neurosurgery with severe right-sided facial, tongue, and jaw pain unresponsive to multiple conservative therapies including medication. T2-weighted MRI with FIESTA sequence demonstrated right posterior inferior communicating artery compression of the right glossopharyngeal nerve entry zone. An augmented reality system was used to visualize the patients’ anatomy overlaid onto the patients’ head. A microvascular decompression of Cranial Nerves IX and X was performed via a retrosigmoid approach. Patient obtained significant relief of preoperative pain symptoms without complications.
Comprehensive LC-MS/MS analysis of nitrogen-related plant metabolites
Authors: Ćavar Zeljković Sanja , De Diego Nuria , Drašar Lukáš , Nisler Jaroslav , Havlíček Libor , Spíchal Lukáš , Tarkowski Petr
Published: March 2024

We have developed and validated a novel LC-MS/MS method for simultaneously analyzing amino acids, biogenic amines, and their acetylated and methylated derivatives in plants. This method involves a one-step extraction of 2–5 mg of lyophilized plant material followed by fractionation of different biogenic amine forms, and exploits an efficient combination of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC), reversed phase (RP) chromatography with pre-column derivatization, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS). This approach enables high-throughput processing of plant samples, significantly reducing the time needed for analysis and its cost. We also present a new synthetic route for deuterium-labeled polyamines. The LC-MS/MS method was rigorously validated by quantifying levels of nitrogen-related metabolites in seedlings of seven plant species, including Arabidopsis, maize, and barley, all of which are commonly used model organisms in plant science research. Our results revealed substantial variations in the abundance of these metabolites between species, developmental stages, and growth conditions, particularly for the acetylated and methylated derivatives and the various polyamine fractions. However, the biological relevance of these plant metabolites is currently unclear. Overall, this work contributes significantly to plant science by providing a powerful analytical tool and setting the stage for future investigations into the functions of these nitrogen-related metabolites in plants.
The Arg/Arg genotype of leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Navari Mahsa , Zarei Fatemeh , Sayedsalehi Shiva , Mahmoudi Touraj , Rostami Mitra , Mahban Aidin , Rezamand Gholamreza , Asadi Asadollah , Dabiri Reza , Nobakht Hossein , Farahani Hamid , Tabaeian Seidamir Pasha , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2024

Background

Given that obesity and insulin resistance play key roles in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the connection between leptin and these metabolic diseases, the association between NAFLD and a leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism was examined.

Methods

In this genetic case-control association study, 144 biopsy-proven NAFLD patients and 144 controls were genotyped for the LEPR gene Gln223Arg (rs1137101) polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results

The distributions of genotypes and alleles of Gln223Arg variant were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the study groups (P > .05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the LEPR Gln223Arg Arg/Arg genotype was an independent risk factor for NAFLD; the Arg/Arg genotype, compared with the Gln/Gln genotype, was associated with a 2.09-fold increased risk for NAFLD (P = .036, odds ratio = 2.09 [95% CI = 1.31-5.95]).

Conclusions

We found that the LEPR Gln223Arg Arg/Arg genotype was independently associated with a more than 2-fold rise in biopsy-proven NAFLD risk. Our findings, however, need to be corroborated by further studies.
A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes – IX. Evolution of spot properties on YSOs in IC 5070
Authors: Herbert Carys , Froebrich Dirk , Vanaverbeke Siegfried , Scholz Aleks , Eislöffel Jochen , Urtly Thomas , Walton Ivan L , Wiersema Klaas , Quinn Nick J , Piehler Georg , Aimar Mario Morales , García Rafael Castillo , Vanmunster Tonny , Alfaro Francisco C Soldán , de la Cuesta Faustino García , Licchelli Domenico , Perez Alex Escartin , Mañanes Esteban Fernández , Ribes Noelia Graciá , González José Luis Salto , Futcher Stephen R L , Nelson Tim , Dvorak Shawn , Moździerski Dawid , Kotysz Krzysztof , Mikołajczyk Przemysław , Fleming George , Phillips Mark , Vale Tony , Dubois Franky , Eggenstein Heinz-Bernd , Heald Michael A , Lewin Pablo , OKeeffe Derek , Popowicz Adam , Bernacki Krzysztof , Malcher Andrzej , Lasota Slawomir , Fiolka Jerzy , Dustor Adam , Percy Stephen C , Devine Pat , Patel Aashini L , Dickers Matthew D , Dover Lord , Grozdanova Ivana I , Urquhart James S , Lynch Chris J R
Published: March 2024

We present spot properties on 32 periodic young stellar objects in IC 5070. Long term, ∼5 yr, light curves in the V, R, and I-bands are obtained through the HOYS (Hunting Outbursting Young Stars) citizen science project. These are dissected into 6 months long slices, with 3 months oversampling, to measure 234 sets of amplitudes in all filters. We fit 180 of these with reliable spot solutions. Two thirds of spot solutions are cold spots, the lowest is 2150 K below the stellar temperature. One third are warm spots that are above the stellar temperature by less than ∼2000 K. Cold and warm spots have maximum surface coverage values of 40 per cent, although only 16 per cent of warm spots are above 20 per cent surface coverage as opposed to 60 per cent of the cold spots. Warm spots are most likely caused by a combination of plages and low-density accretion columns, most common on objects without inner disc excess emission in K − W2. Five small hot spot solutions have <3 per cent coverage and are 3000–5000 K above the stellar temperature. These are attributed to accretion, and four of them occur on the same object. The majority of our objects are likely to be accreting. However, we observe very few accretion hot spots as either the accretion is not stable on our time-scale or the photometry is dominated by other features. We do not identify cyclical spot behaviour on the targets. We additionally identify and discuss a number of objects that have interesting amplitudes, phase changes, or spot properties.
Classification of radio galaxies with trainable COSFIRE filters
Authors: Ndung’u Steven , Grobler Trienko , Wijnholds Stefan J , Karastoyanova Dimka , Azzopardi George
Published: March 2024

Radio galaxies exhibit a rich diversity of morphological characteristics, which make their classification into distinct types a complex challenge. To address this challenge effectively, we introduce an innovative approach for radio galaxy classification using COSFIRE filters. These filters possess the ability to adapt to both the shape and orientation of prototype patterns within images. The COSFIRE approach is explainable, learning-free, rotation-tolerant, efficient, and does not require a large training set. To assess the efficacy of our method, we conducted experiments on a benchmark radio galaxy data set comprising of 1180 training samples and 404 test samples. Notably, our approach achieved an average accuracy rate of 93.36 per cent. This achievement outperforms contemporary deep learning models, and it is the best result ever achieved on this data set. Additionally, COSFIRE filters offer better computational performance, ∼20 × fewer operations than the DenseNet-based competing method (when comparing at the same accuracy). Our findings underscore the effectiveness of the COSFIRE filter-based approach in addressing the complexities associated with radio galaxy classification. This research contributes to advancing the field by offering a robust solution that transcends the orientation challenges intrinsic to radio galaxy observations. Our method is versatile in that it is applicable to various image classification approaches.
Stellar metallicity of galaxies: new insight on the formation and evolution of low surface brightness galaxies in the IllustrisTNG simulation
Authors: Tang Lin
Published: March 2024

In this work, we investigate the stellar metallicities of low surface brightness galaxies (LSBGs) and normal high surface brightness galaxies (HSBGs) in the IllustrisTNG100-1 simulation. LSBGs and HSBGs are classified as galaxies with mean central surface brightness $\mu _{\rm r} \gt 22.0 $ and $\mu _{\rm r} \lt 22.0\rm \ mag\ arcsec^{-2}$, respectively. Our findings indicate that both LSBGs and HSBGs exhibit similar number distributions of stellar metallicities at high redshifts (z > 1.5). However, at low redshifts (z < 1.5), a clear bimodal distribution of stellar metallicities in galaxies emerges, with LSBGs tending to be more metal-poor than HSBGs. The lower metallicity of LSBGs compared to HSBGs is mostly attributed to the pronounced gradient in the radial distribution of stellar metallicities. The bimodality of stellar metallicity is not attributed to colour distinctions but rather to the slower metal enrichment in LSBGs compared to HSBGs. This suggests that the mechanisms driving metal enrichment in LSBGs differ from those in HSBGs.
B‒N covalent bond-involved π-extension of multiple resonance emitters enables high-performance narrowband electroluminescence
Authors: Huang Xingyu , Liu Jiahui , Xu Yulin , Chen Guohao , Huang Manli , Yu Mingxin , Lv Xialei , Yin Xiaojun , Zou Yang , Miao Jingsheng , Cao Xiaosong , Yang Chuluo
Published: March 2024

Multi-boron-embedded multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters show promise for achieving both high color-purity emission and high exciton utilization efficiency. However, their development is often impeded by a limited synthetic scope and excessive molecular weights, which challenge material acquisition and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) fabrication by vacuum deposition. Herein, we put forward a B‒N covalent bond-involved π-extension strategy via post-functionalization of MR frameworks, leading to the generation of high-order B/N-based motifs. The structurally and electronically extended π-system not only enhances molecular rigidity to narrow emission linewidth but also promotes reverse intersystem crossing to mitigate efficiency roll-off. As illustrated examples, ultra-narrowband sky-blue emitters (full-width at half-maximum as small as 8 nm in n-hexane) have been developed with multi-dimensional improvement in photophysical properties compared to their precursor emitters, which enables narrowband OLEDs with external quantum efficiencies (EQEmax) of up to 42.6%, in company with alleviated efficiency decline at high brightness, representing the best efficiency reported for single-host OLEDs. The success of these emitters highlights the effectiveness of our molecular design strategy for advanced MR-TADF emitters and confirms their extensive potential in high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Gender pay gaps in the young adult labor force: prejudice-based discrimination or misreading of the observed-to-offered wage relationship?
Authors: Jagannathan Radha , Camasso Michael J , LaFleur Jocelyn
Published: March 2024

We examine the plausibility of using prejudice-based discrimination to explain the wage differences among young men and women in eleven European countries. Utilizing a sample of over 20,000 individuals and estimating a series of country-specific regression models that adjust for ability and selection bias, we find evidence that leads to a good possibility of prejudice-based discrimination in Greece, Italy, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, and the UK. In the UK, this possibility of discrimination is mitigated to an extent by gender differences in credentials. In Austria, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland, we find no evidence for prejudice-based discrimination. Oaxaca decompositions reveal that if women’s own human capital characteristics were rewarded at the same level as men’s in the former (six) countries, they would expect a wage gain.