bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperature difference on thermodynamic properties of L-Isoleucine In aqueous solutions of Thiamine Hydrochloride.
Authors: Prusty Khitismita , Kar Prativa , Nanda Braja B. , Nanda Binita
Published: September 2024

The temperature difference can lead to different changes in thermodynamic and physico-chemical properties of solutions. The irretrievable thermodynamics offers interface conditions that yield chemical energy change at phase interfaces. The study of change in thermodynamic properties such as apparent molar volume, V
2,ϕ, limiting apparent molar volume,

V

2
,
ϕ

0

volume transfer properties,

Δ

t
r

V

2
,
ϕ

0

and Hepler’s constant have been done by changing the temperature of solutions of L-isoleucine in aqueous thiamine hydrochloride from 298.15K to 318.15K at constant pressure. For this study, the density (ρ) of the solutions have been measured experimentally at five different temperatures. The effect of temperature difference and hence the mass-transfer in solutions creates some changes in the electrostriction among the solute and solvents. Thus, significant changes like structure-making and structure-breaking as well as intermolecular interactions changes take place in the solutions. In this paper we found that the difference in temperature impacted a much on the volumetric properties and the apparent molar volume as well as limiting apparent molar volume rise with the increase of temperature. The negative values of Hepler’s constant refers the solute is a structure breaker and the positive values of apparent molar volume as well as limiting apparent molar volume indicate the presence of strong solute-solvent interactions in the solution. This is loosened at higher temperatures.
Study of Tribological Properties of molybdenum graphite filled PTFE Composites Using Statistical tools
Authors: Eswar Dhanush , Savala Pavan , Naik Arjun , reddy Ayyanna , Deepthi Y P , Kumar sahu Santosh
Published: September 2024

This paper presents comprehensive study on the tribological properties of PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) hybrid composites using statistical tools. It identifies influential factors in the field of tribology, facilitating the development of improved materials and applications. PTFE hybrid composites are prepared by adding Graphite and MoS2 by compression molding followed by sintering. Orthogonal Taguchi layout(L18) is designed to conduct the Tribo-logical tests using Pin on Disc tribometer. The optimal parameters for wear and friction are observed at 25 wt.% of filler content, at a rotational speed of 1.20 m/s with a normal load of 30N. Furthermore, the significance of the factors is evaluated using ANOVA (Analysis of variance). The results indicated that the speed and filler composition are significant factors influencing the tribological behavior of hybrid PTFE composites. The contributions of speed, composition being 76.9% and 19.3%. The significant factors for co-efficient of friction are speed and filler composition of 50.56% and 9.93% respectively.
Convolutional L2LFlows: generating accurate showers in highly granular calorimeters using convolutional normalizing flows
Authors: Buss Thorsten , Gaede Frank , Kasieczka Gregor , Krause Claudius , Shih David
Published: September 2024

In the quest to build generative surrogate models as computationally efficient alternatives to rule-based simulations, the quality of the generated samples remains a crucial frontier. So far, normalizing flows have been among the models with the best fidelity. However, as the latent space in such models is required to have the same dimensionality as the data space, scaling up normalizing flows to high dimensional datasets is not straightforward. The prior L2LFlows approach successfully used a series of separate normalizing flows and sequence of conditioning steps to circumvent this problem. In this work, we extend L2LFlows to simulate showers with a 9-times larger profile in the lateral direction. To achieve this, we introduce convolutional layers and U-Net-type connections, move from masked autoregressive flows to coupling layers, and demonstrate the successful modelling of showers in the ILD Electromagnetic Calorimeter as well as Dataset 3 from the public CaloChallenge dataset.
Operator dynamics and entanglement in space-time dual Hadamard lattices
Authors: Claeys Pieter W , Lamacraft Austen
Published: September 2024

Many-body quantum dynamics defined on a spatial lattice and in discrete time—either as stroboscopic Floquet systems or quantum circuits—has been an active area of research for several years. Being discrete in space and time, a natural question arises: when can such a model be viewed as evolving unitarily in space as well as in time? Models with this property, which sometimes goes by the name space-time duality, have been shown to have a number of interesting features related to entanglement growth and correlations. One natural way in which the property arises in the context of (brickwork) quantum circuits is by choosing dual unitary gates: two site operators that are unitary in both the space and time directions. We introduce a class of models with q states per site, defined on the square lattice by a complex partition function and paremeterized in terms of q × q Hadamard matrices, that have the property of space-time duality. These may interpreted as particular dual unitary circuits or stroboscopically evolving systems, and generalize the well studied self-dual kicked Ising model. We explore the operator dynamics in the case of Clifford circuits, making connections to Clifford cellular automata (Schlingemann et al 2008 J. Math. Phys.
49 112104) and in the

q
→
∞

limit to the classical spatiotemporal cat model of many body chaos (Gutkin et al 2021 Nonlinearity
34 2800). We establish integrability and the corresponding conserved charges for a large subfamily and show how the long-range entanglement protocol discussed in the recent paper (Lotkov et al 2022 Phys. Rev. B 105 144306) can be reinterpreted in purely graphical terms and directly applied here.
Integration of generative artificial intelligence across construction management
Authors: Nyqvist R , Peltokorpi A , Seppänen O
Published: September 2024

This research investigates the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions in the context of construction management. Generative AI has surpassed human capabilities in various tasks, offering a unique opportunity to address longstanding development barriers in construction management. Previous research has shown how generative AI can help with individual management tasks but a wider overview of how generative AI could help in construction management is still missing. By breaking down construction management into individual tasks and linking each task to available generative AI solutions, the study uncovers multiple innovative approaches to enhance current practices. Consequently, this research introduces the mapping of management tasks and explores a range of practical implications of generative AI on construction management. The research takes a mixed-methods approach, collaborating with industry professionals from Finnish construction companies through focus group discussions (FGD), and questionnaires to gather valuable feedback. The outcome is a pragmatic summary of seven management actions, connected with generative AI solutions, and their quantitative potentiality assessment. The results indicate an overall good potential for integrating generative AI into construction management, with AI-enhanced chair and secretary actions, communication and situational awareness, data analysis and improvement, and risk management receiving the highest perceived potentiality scores.
Towards Industry 5.0 Skills - Off-site Construction Settings in Denmark
Authors: Jørsfeldt L. , Klitgaard A. , Selman A. , Jeppesen R.
Published: September 2024

Industry 5.0 has recently gained attention in scientific and industrial circles, as the European Union urges industries to look at the human-centric approach in the era of rapid acceleration of technology adoption under the umbrella of the Industry 4.0 concept. The existing studies on Industry 5.0 in the construction sector focus mainly on health and safety issues, waste management, construction materials production, and measurement of environmental features. However, research on how the manufacturing settings and the required change of skills of manufacturing workers have changed in off-site production is scarce. Hence, this investigation aims to investigate contemporary manufacturing settings in the off-site construction industry and how the transition towards a cyber-physical system might affect the skill set of a manufacturing worker. The data was collected through observations. Data were captured as images of production processes, supported by field notes and unstructured interviews. The analysis of the data collected during two visits to off-site construction industry factories in Denmark shows that off-site production operates primarily using traditional tools from on-site production, namely by hand. Only a limited number of processes have been automated or supported by new technology. Furthermore, it was found that the present focus on the production method on the shopfloor means the shopfloor workforce must have traditional skills and use traditional tools to complete tasks such as setting up concrete casts or cutting timber. We argue furthermore that further research is required, and uncovering the barriers to new technology implementation and new job design in the off-site construction industry is recommended. Once revealed, this knowledge will allow us to propose multiple solutions to shift towards Industry 4.0 and 5.0. This shift will mean that the construction industry can experience and harvest the advantages of new technologies.
A novel procedure to automate the removal of PLI and motion artifacts using mode decomposition to enhance pattern recognition of sEMG signals for myoelectric control of prosthesis
Authors: Kumar Koppolu Pratap , Chemmangat Krishnan
Published: September 2024

Hand Movement Recognition (HMR) with sEMG is crucial for artificial hand prostheses. HMR performance mostly depends on the feature information that is fed to the classifiers. However, sEMG often captures noise like power line interference (PLI) and motion artifacts. This may extract redundant and insignificant feature information, which can degrade HMR performance and increase computational complexity. This study aims to address these issues by proposing a novel procedure for automatically removing PLI and motion artifacts from experimental sEMG signals. This will make it possible to extract better features from the signal and improve the categorization of various hand movements. Empirical mode decomposition and energy entropy thresholding are utilized to select relevant mode components for artifact removal. Time domain features are then used to train classifiers (kNN, LDA, SVM) for hand movement categorization, achieving average accuracies of 92.36%, 93.63%, and 98.12%, respectively, across subjects. Additionally, muscle contraction efforts are classified into low, medium, and high categories using this technique. Validation is performed on data from ten subjects performing eight hand movement classes and three muscle contraction efforts with three surface electrode channels. Results indicate that the proposed preprocessing improves average accuracy by 9.55% with the SVM classifier, significantly reducing computational time.
Serjania piscatoria (Paullinieae, Sapindaceae) as a symbol of vascular variants polymorphism
Authors: Marques Natália F , Cunha Neto Israel L , Brito Lilian A , Somner Genise V
Published: September 2024

Serjania is the only genus of the Paullinieae tribe that exhibits all patterns of vascular variants and includes S. piscatoria which shows a complex vascular structure that has intrigued botanists for centuries. Here, we analysed the stem development of S. piscatoria in an evolutionary context. We studied four individuals using standardized anatomical techniques and employed DNA sequencing to determine the species’ phylogenetic position. Additionally, we explored the evolution of stem developmental diversity using stochastic character mapping of the categories and patterns of vascular variants. We find that disparate ontogenetic processes determine the stem development in S. piscatoria, which results in vascular variants derived from procambial variants, cambial variants, and ectopic cambia. This diversity underscores the developmental lability of vascular meristems, making the species' vascular system structurally diverse and polymorphic. The complex vascular system observed in S. piscatoria evolved within a lineage composed of species with compound stems. These findings provide evidence for the intricate and labile evolutionary history of stem vasculature in Serjania, and the value of studying vascular variants to unravel the patterns and processes shaping plant diversity.
Age differences in BOLD modulation to task difficulty as a function of amyloid burden
Authors: Hennessee Joseph P , Lung Tzu-Chen , Park Denise C , Kennedy Kristen M
Published: September 2024

Effective cognitive performance often requires the allocation of additional neural resources (i.e. blood-oxygen-level-dependent [BOLD] activation) as task demands increase, and this demand-related modulation is affected by amyloid-beta deposition and normal aging. The present study investigated these complex relationships between amyloid, modulation, and cognitive function (i.e. fluid ability). Participants from the Dallas Lifespan Brain Study (DLBS, n = 252, ages 50–89) completed a semantic judgment task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) where the judgments differed in classification difficulty. Amyloid burden was assessed via positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-florbetapir. A quadratic relationship between amyloid standardized value uptake ratios (SUVRs) and BOLD modulation was observed such that modulation was weaker in those with moderately elevated SUVRs (e.g. just reaching amyloid-positivity), whereas those with very high SUVRs (e.g. SUVR > 1.5) showed strong modulation. Greater modulation was related to better fluid ability, and this relationship was strongest in younger participants and those with lower amyloid burden. These results support the theory that effective demand-related modulation contributes to healthy cognitive aging, especially in the transition from middle age to older adulthood, whereas high modulation may be dysfunctional in those with substantial amyloid deposition.
Lower entorhinal cortex thickness is associated with greater financial exploitation vulnerability in cognitively unimpaired older adults
Authors: Fenton Laura , Salminen Lauren E , Lim Aaron C , Weissberger Gali H , Nguyen Annie L , Axelrod Jenna , Noriega-Makarskyy Daisy , Yassine Hussein , Mosqueda Laura , Han S Duke
Published: September 2024

Research suggests that increased financial exploitation vulnerability due to declining decision making may be an early behavioral manifestation of brain changes occurring in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. One of the earliest documented brain changes during the preclinical phase is neurodegeneration in the entorhinal cortex. The objective of the current study was to examine the association between a measure of financial exploitation vulnerability and thickness in the entorhinal cortex in 97 cognitively unimpaired older adults. We also investigated financial exploitation vulnerability associations with frontal regions typically associated with decision making (e.g. dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortices), and additionally examined the interactive effect of age and cortical thickness on financial exploitation vulnerability. Results showed that greater financial exploitation vulnerability was associated with significantly lower entorhinal cortex thickness. There was a significant interaction between age and entorhinal cortex thickness on financial exploitation vulnerability, whereby lower entorhinal cortex thickness was associated with greater financial exploitation vulnerability in older participants. When the group was divided by age using a median split (70+ and <70 years old), lower entorhinal cortex thickness was associated with greater vulnerability only in the older group. Collectively, these findings suggest that financial exploitation vulnerability may serve as a behavioral manifestation of entorhinal cortex thinning, a phenomenon observed in suboptimal brain aging and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Pre-existing maternal cardiovascular disease and the risk of offspring cardiovascular disease from infancy to early adulthood
Authors: Hossin Muhammad Zakir , Kazamia Kalliopi , Faxén Jonas , Rudolph André , Johansson Kari , Sandström Anna , Razaz Neda
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

A variety of maternal heart conditions are associated with abnormal placentation and reduced foetal growth. However, their impact on offspring’s long-term cardiovascular health is poorly studied. This study aims to investigate the association between intrauterine exposure to pre-existing maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD) and offspring CVD occurring from infancy to early adulthood, using paternal CVD as a negative control.

Methods

This nationwide cohort study used register data of live singletons without major malformations or congenital heart disease born between 1992 and 2019 in Sweden. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for essential maternal characteristics. Paternal CVD served as a negative control for assessment of unmeasured genetic and environmental confounding.

Results

Of the 2 597 786 offspring analysed (49.1% female), 26 471 (1.0%) were born to mothers with pre-existing CVD. During a median follow-up of 14 years (range 1–29 years), 17 382 offspring were diagnosed with CVD. Offspring of mothers with CVD had 2.09 times higher adjusted HR of CVD (95% CI 1.83, 2.39) compared with offspring of mothers without CVD. Compared with maternal CVD, paternal CVD showed an association of smaller magnitude (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.32, 1.68). Increased hazards of offspring CVD were also found when stratifying maternal CVD into maternal arrhythmia (HR 2.94, 95% CI 2.41, 3.58), vascular (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.21, 2.10), and structural heart diseases (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.08, 2.02).

Conclusions

Maternal CVD was associated with an increased risk of CVD in offspring during childhood and young adulthood. Paternal comparison suggests that genetic or shared familial factors may not fully explain this association.
Taxonomic and functional metagenomic assessment of a Dolichospermum bloom in a large and deep lake south of the Alps
Authors: Salmaso Nico , Cerasino Leonardo , Pindo Massimo , Boscaini Adriano
Published: September 2024

Untargeted genetic approaches can be used to explore the high metabolic versatility of cyanobacteria. In this context, a comprehensive metagenomic shotgun analysis was performed on a population of Dolichospermum lemmermannii collected during a surface bloom in Lake Garda in the summer of 2020. Using a phylogenomic approach, the almost complete metagenome-assembled genome obtained from the analysis allowed to clarify the taxonomic position of the species within the genus Dolichospermum and contributed to frame the taxonomy of this genus within the ADA group (Anabaena/Dolichospermum/Aphanizomenon). In addition to common functional traits represented in the central metabolism of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, the genome annotation uncovered some distinctive and adaptive traits that helped define the factors that promote and maintain bloom-forming heterocytous nitrogen-fixing Nostocales in oligotrophic lakes. In addition, genetic clusters were identified that potentially encode several secondary metabolites that were previously unknown in the populations evolving in the southern Alpine Lake district. These included geosmin, anabaenopetins, and other bioactive compounds. The results expanded the knowledge of the distinctive competitive traits that drive algal blooms and provided guidance for more targeted analyses of cyanobacterial metabolites with implications for human health and water resource use.
The midlife health of only children: chronic disease indicators and biomarkers by sibship size in three nationally representative UK cohorts
Authors: Chanfreau Jenny , Keenan Katherine , Barclay Kieron , Goisis Alice
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite persistent concerns about only children’s disadvantage relative to individuals with siblings, existing health-related evidence is inconsistent. Recent evidence from Nordic countries about only children having poorer health outcomes may not apply elsewhere because selection processes differ across contexts. We investigate the midlife health of only children in the UK where one-child families tend to be socio-economically advantaged relative to large families.

Methods

Using the 1946, 1958 and 1970 British birth cohort studies, we examine various biomarkers and self-reported measures of chronic disease by sibship size when respondents are aged in their mid-40s, mid-50s and mid-60s. We estimate separate linear probability models for each cohort, age and outcome, adjusting for childhood and early adulthood circumstances.

Results

We found no evidence of only children differing from those with one, two or three or more siblings, at any age, in any of the cohorts, on: heart problems, hypertension, high triglycerides, high glycated haemoglobin or high C-reactive protein. However, compared with only children, the probability for cancer (0.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.002, 0.035; age 46/1970) and poor general health (0.060, CI: 0.015, 0.127; age 55/1958; and 0.110, CI: 0.052, 0.168; age 63/1946) was higher among those with three or more siblings.

Conclusions

There is no consistent pattern of only child health disadvantage for midlife chronic disease outcomes across ages or cohorts in the UK. Research should focus on better understanding how sibship size differentials are contingent on context.
Evaluation of the long-term protection conferred by an organosilicon-based disinfectant formulation against bacterial contamination of surfaces
Authors: Le Nguyen Nhat Thu , Wu Jianfeng , Rickard Alexander H , Xi Chuanwu
Published: September 2024

Aims

The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of an organosilicon-based, commercially available antimicrobial formulation in the My-shield® product line against bacterial surface contamination.

Methods and results

The antimicrobial product was tested in vitro for its long-term persistence on surfaces and effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in comparison to 70% ethanol and 0.1% or 0.6% sodium hypochlorite. Field testing was also conducted over 6 weeks at a university athletic facility. In vitro studies demonstrated the log reductions achieved by the test product, 70% ethanol, and 0.1% sodium hypochlorite were 3.6, 3.1, and 3.2, respectively. The test product persisted on surfaces after washing and scrubbing, and pre-treatment with this product prevented S. aureus surface colonization for up to 30 days. In comparison, pre-treatment with 70% ethanol or 0.6% sodium hypochlorite was not protective against S. aureus biofilm formation after seven days. The field test demonstrated that weekly applications of the test product were more effective at reducing surface bacterial load than daily applications of a control product.

Conclusions

The test product conferred greater long-term protection against bacterial growth and biofilm formation by S. aureus than ethanol and sodium hypochlorite. Even with less frequent applications, the test product maintained a high level of antimicrobial activity.
In treacherous waters: detection of colistin-resistant bacteria in water and plastic litter from a recreational estuary
Authors: Alves Gabrielle da Silva Oliveira , Canellas Anna Luiza Bauer , Gallo Marcos N , Vinzon Susana Beatriz , Laport Marinella Silva
Published: September 2024

Colistin resistance poses a major therapeutic challenge and resistant strains have now been reported worldwide. However, the occurrence of such bacteria in aquatic environments is considerably less understood. This study aimed to isolate and characterize colistin-resistant strains from water and plastic litter collected in an urban recreational estuary. Altogether, 64 strains with acquired colistin resistance were identified, mainly Acinetobacter spp. and Enterobacter spp. From these, 40.6% were positive for at least one mcr variant (1–9), 26.5% harbored, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases, 23.4% harbored, sulfonamide resistance genes, and 9.3% harbored, quinolone resistance genes. merA, encoding mercury resistance, was detected in 10.5% of these strains, most of which were also strong biofilm producers. The minimum inhibitory concentration toward colistin was determined for the mcr-positive strains and ranged from 2 to ≥512 µg ml−1. Our findings suggest that Gram-negative bacteria highly resistant to a last-resort antimicrobial can be found in recreational waters and plastic litter, thereby evidencing the urgency of the One Health approach to mitigate the antimicrobial resistance crisis.
The rate and contribution of mergers to mass assembly from NIRCam observations of galaxy candidates up to 13.3 billion years ago
Authors: Dalmasso Nicolò , Calabrò Antonello , Leethochawalit Nicha , Vulcani Benedetta , Boyett Kristan , Trenti Michele , Treu Tommaso , Castellano Marco , Bradač Maruša , Metha Benjamin , Santini Paola
Published: September 2024

We present an analysis of the galaxy merger rate in the redshift range $4.0\lt z\lt 9.0$ (i.e. about 1.5 to 0.5 Gyr after the big bang) based on visually identified galaxy mergers from morphological parameter analysis. Our data set is based on high-resolution NIRCam JWST data (a combination of F150W and F2000W broad-band filters) in the low-to-moderate magnification ($\mu \lt 2$) regions of the Abell 2744 cluster field. From a parent set of 675 galaxies $(M_{U}\in [-26.6,-17.9])$, we identify 64 merger candidates from the Gini, $M_{20}$ and asymmetry morphological parameters, leading to a merger fraction $f_m=0.11\pm 0.04$. There is no evidence of redshift evolution of $f_m$ even at the highest redshift considered, thus extending well into the epoch of reionization the constant trend seen previously at $z\lesssim 6$. Furthermore, we investigate any potential redshift-dependent differences in the specific star formation rates between mergers and non-mergers. Our analysis reveals no significant correlation in this regard, with deviations in the studied redshift range typically falling within $(1-1.5)\sigma$ from the null hypothesis that can be attributed to sample variance and measurement errors. Finally, we also demonstrate that the classification of a merging system is robust with respect to the observed (and equivalently rest frame) wavelength of the high-quality JWST broad-band images used. This preliminary study highlights the potential for progress in quantifying galaxy assembly through mergers during the epoch of reionization, with significant sample size growth expected from upcoming large JWST infrared imaging data sets.
Influence of planets on debris discs in star clusters – II. The impact of stellar density
Authors: Wu Kai , Kouwenhoven M B N , Flammini Dotti Francesco , Spurzem Rainer
Published: September 2024

We present numerical simulations of planetary systems in star clusters with different initial stellar densities, to investigate the impact of the density on debris disc dynamics. We use lps+ to combine N-body codes nbody6++gpu and rebound for simulations. We simulate debris discs with and without a Jupiter-mass planet at 50 au, in star clusters with $N=$ 1k–64k stars. The spatial range of the remaining planetary systems decreases with increasing N. As cluster density increases, the planet’s influence range first increases and then decreases. For debris particles escaping from planetary systems, the probability of their direct ejection from the star cluster decreases as their initial semimajor axis ($a_0$) or the cluster density increases. The eccentricity and inclination of surviving particles increase as cluster density increases. The presence of a planet leads to lower eccentricities and inclinations of surviving particles. The radial density distribution of the remaining discs decays exponentially in sparse clusters. We derive a general expression of the gravitational encounter rate. Our results are unable to directly explain the scarcity of debris discs in star clusters. Nevertheless, given that many planetary systems have multiple planets, the mechanism of the planet-cluster combined gravitational influence on the disc remains appealing as a potential explanation.
LAP2alpha facilitates myogenic gene expression by preventing nucleoplasmic lamin A/C from spreading to active chromatin regions
Authors: Ferraioli Simona , Sarigol Fatih , Prakash Celine , Filipczak Daria , Foisner Roland , Naetar Nana
Published: September 2024

A-type lamins form a filamentous meshwork beneath the nuclear membrane that anchors large heterochromatic genomic regions at the nuclear periphery. A-type lamins also exist as a dynamic, non-filamentous pool in the nuclear interior, where they interact with lamin-associated polypeptide 2 alpha (LAP2α). Both proteins associate with largely overlapping euchromatic genomic regions in the nucleoplasm, but the functional significance of this interaction is poorly understood. Here, we report that LAP2α relocates towards regions containing myogenic genes in the early stages of muscle differentiation, possibly facilitating efficient gene regulation, while lamins A and C mostly associate with genomic regions away from these genes. Strikingly, upon depletion of LAP2α, A-type lamins spread across active chromatin and accumulate at regions of active H3K27ac and H3K4me3 histone marks in the vicinity of myogenic genes whose expression is impaired in the absence of LAP2α. Reorganization of A-type lamins on chromatin is accompanied by depletion of the active chromatin mark H3K27ac and a significantly impaired myogenic differentiation. Thus, the interplay of LAP2α and A-type lamins is crucial for proper positioning of intranuclear lamin A/C on chromatin to allow efficient myogenic differentiation.
DNA methylation by CcrM contributes to genome maintenance in the Agrobacterium tumefaciens plant pathogen
Authors: Martin Sandra , Fournes Florian , Ambrosini Giovanna , Iseli Christian , Bojkowska Karolina , Marquis Julien , Guex Nicolas , Collier Justine
Published: September 2024

The cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase CcrM is conserved in most Alphaproteobacteria, but its role in bacteria with complex or multicentric genomes remains unexplored. Here, we compare the methylome, the transcriptome and the phenotypes of wild-type and CcrM-depleted Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells with a dicentric chromosome with two essential replication origins. We find that DNA methylation has a pleiotropic impact on motility, biofilm formation and viability. Remarkably, CcrM promotes the expression of the repABCCh2 operon, encoding proteins required for replication initiation/partitioning at ori2, and represses gcrA, encoding a conserved global cell cycle regulator. Imaging ori1 and ori2 in live cells, we show that replication from ori2 is often delayed in cells with a hypo-methylated genome, while ori2 over-initiates in cells with a hyper-methylated genome. Further analyses show that GcrA promotes the expression of the RepCCh2 initiator, most likely through the repression of a RepECh2 anti-sense RNA. Altogether, we propose that replication at ori1 leads to a transient hemi-methylation and activation of the gcrA promoter, allowing repCCh2 activation by GcrA and contributing to initiation at ori2. This study then uncovers a novel and original connection between CcrM-dependent DNA methylation, a conserved epigenetic regulator and genome maintenance in an Alphaproteobacterial pathogen.
Metabolic alkalosis treatment standard
Authors: Palmer Biff F , Clegg Deborah J
Published: September 2024

The kidney is poised to defend against development of metabolic alkalosis through non-adaptive mechanisms in the proximal nephron and adaptive processes in the distal nephron. Despite a prodigious capacity to excrete base, metabolic alkalosis is the most common acid–base disturbance in hospitalized patients. Development of this disorder requires pathophysiologic changes leading to generation of new HCO3– combined with an augmentation in the capacity of the kidney to reclaim filtered HCO3–. The initial approach to these patients is careful assessment of effective arterial blood volume focusing on the physical examination and urine electrolytes. Identifying the mechanisms by which the kidney's ability to correct alkalosis are perturbed provides an understanding of the clinical approach to differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment. While metabolic alkalosis is frequently not dangerous, in certain settings, metabolic alkalosis may contribute to mortality and should be aggressively managed.
Reexamining the Honolulu Volcanics: Hawai'i's Classic Case of Rejuvenation Volcanism
Authors: Garcia Michael O , Norman Marc D , Jicha Brian R , Lynn Kendra J , Jiang Peng
Published: September 2024

Rejuvenated volcanism is a worldwide phenomenon occurring on many oceanic islands in all of the major ocean basins. This plume-related volcanism follows the main edifice-building stage after a hiatus of variable duration (e.g. 0.6–2 Myrs in Hawai'i). The Honolulu Volcanics (HV), the classic case of rejuvenated volcanism, involved monogenetic eruptions from at least 48 vent areas. Previous studies inferred these vents were aligned along 3 to 11 rifts oriented orthogonal to the propagation direction of the Hawaiian plume. HV basalts are known for having high MgO contents (>10 wt %) and upper mantle xenoliths. Thus, HV magmas are assumed to be relatively primitive and to have ascended rapidly (<1 day) through the crust. However, new analyses of olivine cores in basalts from 24 HV vents are mostly too low in forsterite content (74–86 mol %) to be in equilibrium with mantle melts. Olivine and clinopyroxene in HV basalts commonly show reverse zoning indicating magma mixing prior to eruption. These results are inconsistent with the rapid ascent of HV magmas directly from their mantle source. Many of the HV magmas underwent storage (probably in the lower crust or uppermost mantle), crystal fractionation and magma mixing prior to eruption. New 40Ar/39Ar dates were determined for 11 HV lavas to evaluate their eruptive history. These ages, 80 to 685 ka, combined with our previous and other 40Ar/39Ar ages for HV lavas reveal long gaps (>50 kyr) between some eruptions. Our comprehensive, whole-rock major and trace element database (63 XRF analyses, 57 ICPMS analyses) of basalts from 37 vents show remarkable compositional diversity with no obvious spatial pattern or temporal trends. The two most recent eruptive sequences have the greatest diversity (basanite and melilitite compositions). HV basanites show systematic trace element trends that may reflect mixing of multiple source components. The nephelinites and melilitites require a complex source history that may have involved residual accessory minerals during mantle melting and a metasomatic component that was not carbonatitic. The new ages and geochemical data show eruptions along most of the previously proposed rift systems were unrelated (except for the Koko Rift). Therefore, geodynamic models that relate HV volcanism to these rift systems are invalid. Lava volumes for two HV eruptions were estimated at 0.11 and 0.23 km3 using surface mapping and water well data. Similar size, recent monogenetic eruptions in Auckland, New Zealand, were inferred to have lasted several months. Thus, if another HV eruption were to occur, which is possible given the long hiatus between eruptions, it would be extremely disruptive for the nearly 1 million residents of Honolulu. None of the existing geodynamic models fully explain the age duration, volumes and the locations of Hawai'i's rejuvenated volcanism. Thus, the cause of this secondary volcanism remains enigmatic.
Physiological Concepts of Neuromodulation for Recovery
Authors: Kamga Lionel Fotso , Keser Zafer , Khan Muhib , Ali Rushna
Published: September 2024

We review the physiological principles behind the role of various neuromodulation techniques for neurologic recovery. Since gaining popularity in the 1970s, neuromodulation techniques have been used as an intervention for various central nervous system injury models. This article explores the historical evolution of electrical neurostimulation, its key principles, and the physiological findings underlying its use in the context of functional recovery from neurologic injuries.
Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects of Laser Epilation on Pilonidal Disease Recurrence: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Bergus Katherine C. , Lutz Carley , Cooper Jennifer , Asti Lindsey , Gil Lindsay , Criss Cory , Deans Katherine J. , Minneci Peter C.
Published: September 2024

Objective:

To investigate the heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) of laser epilation in preventing pilonidal disease recurrence through analysis of prespecified clinical factors.

Background:

Pilonidal disease is a common, painful disease affecting 1% of the population aged 15 to 30 years with postoperative recurrence rates as high as 30% to 40%.

Methods:

Single-institution randomized controlled trial from September 2017 to September 2022 with 1-year follow-up, including patients aged 11 to 21 years with pilonidal disease undergoing gluteal cleft laser epilation and standard care (improved hygiene and mechanical or chemical depilation) or standard care alone.

Results:

In total, 302 patients were enrolled with 151 randomized to each intervention. 1-year follow-up was available for 96 patients in the laser group and 134 in the standard care group. There were no significant differences in treatment effects based on sex, body mass index, previous disease, prior surgical excision, or annual household income (all P > 0.05). HTE was identified by race and ethnicity (P = 0.005) and health insurance type (P = 0.001). Recurrence among non-Hispanic white patients was 4% (3/75) with laser treatment and 31.6% (31/98) with standard care versus 38.9% (7/18) with laser treatment and 38.2% (13/34) with standard care among all other racial/ethnic groups. Recurrence rates among privately insured patients were 4.0% (3/75) with laser treatment and 33.3% (29/87) with standard care versus 36.8% (7/19) with laser treatment and 29.7% (11/37) with standard care in patients with public insurance.

Conclusions:

The effectiveness of laser epilation to reduce pilonidal disease recurrence rates may vary based on race and ethnicity and insurance type. Additional studies are warranted to investigate this potential HTE.
Occupational benzene exposure and risk of kidney and bladder cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Seyyedsalehi Monireh Sadat , Bonetti Mattia , Shah Darshi , DeStefano Vincent , Boffetta Paolo
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Benzene is recognized as leukemogenic. However, the association between it and solid cancers has been the subject of less investigation. We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to benzene and the risk of urinary tract cancer, including kidney and bladder.

Methods

We included 41 cohort and case–control studies listed in the most recent International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph on benzene exposure and the result of a literature review to identify more recent studies. Forest plots of relative risk (RR) were constructed for kidney, bladder, and urinary tract cancer overall. A random-effects model was used to address heterogeneity between studies. Stratified analyses were conducted to explore effect modification.

Results

Our findings revealed an association between exposure to occupational benzene and kidney and unspecified urinary tract cancers (RR = 1.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.03–1.39), and an association of borderline statistical significance with bladder cancer (RR = 1.07, 95% confidence interval = 0.97–1.18). Publication bias was excluded for both kidney (P = 0.809) and bladder cancer (P = 0.748). Stratification analysis according to the selected study characteristics showed no difference except regarding the industry for kidney cancer (P < 0.000), with a stronger association in the chemical industry. An analysis by exposure level did not reveal any trend for kidney cancer, whereas there was a trend (P = 0.01) for bladder cancer.

Conclusion

Our study found an association between occupational benzene exposure and kidney cancer and a dose-effect association between benzene exposure and bladder cancer.
Trend of gastrointestinal and liver diseases in China: Results of the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2019
Authors: Tang Xiaowei , Wang Ping , Huang Shu , Peng Jieyu , Zhang Wei , Shi Xiaomin , Shi Lei , Zhong Xiaolin , Lyu Muhan , Zhou Xian , Linghu Enqiang
Published: September 2024

Background:

China is one of the countries with the largest burden of gastrointestinal and liver diseases (GILD) in the world. The GILD constitutes various causes of mortality and disability. The study aimed to investigate the trend of GILD in China using the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources from 1990 to 2019.

Methods:

The data on the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for GILD in China from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the GBD 2019 data resources. Furthermore, the ranking of the main causes of deaths and DALYs, as well as the trends of ASMR, DALYs, years of life lost (YLLs), and years of life lost due to disability (YLDs) per 1,000,000 in GILD were reported.

Results:

The ASMR and DALYs for stomach cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer, which ranked top three among the GILDs from 1990 to 2019, were gradually decreasing. Significant decreases in the ASMR and DALYs were found in diarrheal diseases and acute hepatitis (A, E, and C). However, noteworthy increases were found in those of colon and rectum cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer. Trend of DALYs, mortality, and YLLs rates for most of GILD were decreasing from 1990 to 2019, except the burden of CRC and pancreatic cancer with an increasing trend. The DALYs, mortality and YLLs of most GILD diseases showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2019, except the burden of CRC and pancreatic cancer with an increasing trends.

Conclusions:

The result of the GBD 2019 showed that the rates of most GILDs decreased in China; however, gastrointestinal and liver cancer, such as stomach cancer still held the top ranking. Furthermore, the shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable causes among GILD burden is occurring.
Enjoy or quit: impact of coffee on cardiac and metabolic health
Authors: Gunes Yilmaz , Aktas Gulali
Published: September 2024

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide. The effects of coffee on the body are primarily attributed to its key active ingredient, caffeine, a methylxanthine derivative with stimulant effects. However, coffee contains over one hundred bioactive compounds apart from caffeine, such as phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acids, tannin, thiamin, spermidine, quinides, trigonelline, lignins, and minerals like potassium and magnesium, all of which may contribute to its effects on the body. Each of these compounds may have beneficial effects. A common misconception is that coffee consumption should be avoided, especially by those with cardiovascular problems. However, recent data support the safety of moderate habitual consumption of two to three cups of coffee per day. Furthermore, this moderate regular consumption is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality, lower blood pressure, and improved metabolic state. Many recent studies report additional medical benefits associated with coffee consumption. In this article, we review recent literature on the cardiometabolic effects of regular coffee drinking, including its impact on cardiac arrhythmia, blood pressure, and glucose and lipid metabolism. To sum up the medical evidence in the literature, individuals who drink modest amounts of coffee should feel comfortable continuing to enjoy it, provided they do not experience adverse effects.
Sex differences in STEMI management and outcomes: a retrospective analysis from the China Chest Pain Center Database
Authors: Zhao Liang , A Geru , Sun Bin , Li Piao , Wang Zhuoqun , Li Linjie , Sun Pengfei , Zhou Xin , Yang Qing
Published: September 2024

Background and purpose:

With the development of the China Chest Pain Center (CCPC) and the growing concern over the poor prognosis of female patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), it is imperative to assess the sex-based differences of in-hospital management, complications, and mortality. This study aims to identify these disparities and make recommendations for the treatment of STEMI patients.

Methods:

Using the CCPC Database to review the sex disparities in therapeutic procedures and hospitalization death among 462,722 STEMI patients from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021. The study outcomes included therapeutic procedures, in-hospital complications, and mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations between sex and outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

Of all participants, 112,504 (24.3%) were women. Compared to men, women were older (71.3 vs. 60.5 years), and had a higher prevalence of risk factors and comorbidities. Women also delayed seeking medical assistance, with a longer time from symptom onset to first medical contact (S-to-FMC) compared to men (216 vs. 150 minutes). Women were less likely to receive reperfusion therapy (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.83, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.81–0.84) and experienced a higher prevalence of in-hospital complications following STEMI. The crude in-hospital mortality rate for women was 6.1%, notably twice as high as that for men (3.0%). Subgroup analyses showed that the sex difference in in-hospital mortality was not significant in younger patients (≤55 years) (adjusted OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.71–1.18) but was significant in older patients (>55 years) (adjusted OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.09–1.23) after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusions:

Women with STEMI had poorer outcomes in terms of seeking medical assistance, receiving reperfusion therapy, and experiencing higher in-hospital mortality rates. Urgent investigation is needed to understand the underlying factors and develop strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for female STEMI patients.