bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GRP78 recognizes EV-F 3D protein and activates NF-κB to repress virus replication by interacting with CHUK/IKBKB
Authors: Chang Xiaoran , Guo Yidi , Zhang Qun , Zheng Xuebo , Cui Xuyuan , Hu Junying , Zhang Zhiyuan , Zhang Fan , Wang Xinping
Published: May 2024

Enteroviruses are the causative agents associated with several human and animal diseases, posing a significant threat to human and animal health. As one of the host immune defense strategies, innate immunity plays a crucial role in defending against invading pathogens, where the host utilizes a variety of mechanisms to inhibit or eliminate the pathogen. Here, we report a new strategy for the host to repress enterovirus replication by the 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), also known as heat shock protein family A member 5 (HSPA5). The GRP78 recognizes the EV-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) 3D protein and interacts with the nuclear factor kappa B kinase complex (CHUK) and subunit beta gene (IKBKB) to facilitate the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB, which induces the production of inflammatory factors and leads to a broad inhibition of enterovirus replication. These findings demonstrate a new role of GRP78 in regulating host innate immunity in response to viral infection and provide new insights into the mechanism underlying enterovirus replication and NF-κB activation.

IMPORTANCE

GRP78 is known as a molecular chaperone for protein folding and plays a critical role in maintaining protein folding and participating in cell proliferation, cell survival, apoptosis, and metabolism. However, the functions of GRP78 to participate in enterovirus genome replication and innate immune responses are rarely documented. In this study, we explored the functions of the EV-3D-interacting protein GRP78 and found that GRP78 inhibits enterovirus replication by activating NF-κB through binding to EV-F 3D and interacting with the NF-κB signaling molecules CHUK/IKBKB. This is the first report that GRP78 interacts with CHUK/IKBKB to activate the NF-κB signaling pathway, which leads to the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines and inhibition of enterovirus replication. These results demonstrate a unique mechanism of virus replication regulation by GRP78 and provide insights into the prevention and treatment of viral infections.
Vanishing bile duct syndrome as a presentation of Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Fatima Ifrah , Mahadevia Himil , Madhusudhana Sheshadri , Shrestha Anuj
Published: May 2024

Vanishing bile duct syndrome is an uncommon condition characterised by the progressive loss and disappearance of bile ducts. It is an acquired form of cholestatic liver disease presenting with hepatic ductopenia (loss of >50% bile ducts in the portal areas). We present a case of vanishing bile duct syndrome as a presentation of Hodgkin’s lymphoma who was treated with standard-of-care chemotherapy—doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (along with brief administration of rituximab), which led to complete response and normalisation of liver function.
Diagnostic utility of in vivo confocal microscopy inAcanthamoebakeratitis following corneal crosslinking
Authors: Kong Cheng Fei , Go Christopher , Goolam Saadiah , Yeung Season
Published: May 2024

Acanthamoebakeratitis (AK) is a rare but potentially sight-threatening complication of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus. In this report, we describe an early adolescent male who underwent routine CXL for progressive keratoconus in his left eye. Preprocedural left visual acuity (VA) was 6/9. At day 5 postprocedure, multifocal corneal infiltrates were identified. Corneal scrape, bandage contact lens cultures and herpetic andAcanthamoebaPCR were negative. In vivo, confocal microscopy (IVCM) identifiedAcanthamoebacysts within the corneal stroma. Intensive amoebicidal therapy was initiated, but recovery was complicated by significant inflammation, resulting in widespread aggressive corneal vascularisation necessitating topical steroids and steroid-sparing agents. At 10 months, his left VA was 6/24. This report emphasises the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for AK in cases of post-CXL microbial keratitis and highlights the diagnostic value of IVCM, particularly in culture-negative and PCR-negative cases.
Synchronous skull base and spinal metastases in a patient with treatment-resistant, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma of tubo-ovarian origin
Authors: Ziegler Joseph , El-Shakankery Karim Hussien , Hyare Harpreet , Flynn Michael
Published: May 2024

Brain metastases (BMs) arising from ovarian cancer remain rare. Spinal cord metastases are even rarer, accounting for just 0.4% of total metastatic spinal cord compressions. In this report, we describe a case of a woman in her 70s who developed sequential brain and spinal cord metastases during her treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer, without a germline or somaticBRCAmutation. Following completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, interval debulking surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, relapsed disease was ultimately identified as a single BM, curiously mimicking an acoustic neuroma. Subsequently, spinal cord metastases rapidly developed. Throughout, multidisciplinary team meetings guided decisions on patient management. In this report, we highlight the rarity of such a presentation and discuss the possible role of disease pathophysiology, associated systemic anticancer therapy resistance, and treatment possibilities for both cerebral and spinal metastases.
Risk factors and patterns for progression of fellow-eye myopic traction maculopathy: a 3-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Luo Nan , Long Kejun , Lian Ping , Huang Jieyong , Zhao Liyi , Alimu Subinuer , Liu Guang , Jin Ling , Wang Tong , Chen Chen , Huang Yanqiao , Zhao Xiujuan , Yu Xiling , Ding Xiaoyan , Huang Jingjing , Liu Bingqian , Chen Shida , Lu Lin
Published: May 2024

Aims

To investigate the effect of preretinal tractional structures (PTS) and posterior scleral structures (PSS) on myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) progression.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 185 fellow highly myopic eyes of 185 participants who underwent surgery for MTM. PTS included epiretinal membrane, incomplete posterior vitreous detachment and their combination. PSS included posterior staphyloma and dome-shaped macula (DSM). The MTM stage was graded according to the Myopic Traction Maculopathy Staging System. Optical coherence tomography was used to identify MTM progression, defined as an upgrade of MTM. The Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test was used to assess MTM progression over the 3-year follow-up period. Risk factors for progression were identified using Cox regression analysis.

Results

MTM progression was observed in 48 (25.9%) eyes. Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates for eyes with PTS, staphyloma and DSM were 53.7%, 58.2% and 90.7%, respectively. Eyes with PTS and staphyloma exhibited lower 3-year PFS rates than those without PTS or staphyloma (
P
log-rank test
=0.002 and <0.001), while eyes with DSM had a higher 3-year PFS rate than eyes without DSM (
P
log-rank test
=0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PTS (HR, 3.23; p<0.001) and staphyloma (HR, 7.91; p<0.001) were associated with MTM progression, whereas DSM (HR, 0.23; p=0.046) was a protective factor.

Conclusion

Both PTS and PSS play a critical role in the progression of MTM. Addressing these factors can aid in the management of MTM.
Priorities for health outcomes in glaucoma in an ethnically diverse UK cohort: an observational study
Authors: Safitri Atika , Konstantakopoulou Evgenia , Gazzard Gus , Hu Kuang
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To assess whether patients from minority ethnic groups have different perceptions about the quality-of-life outcomes that matter most to them.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

High volume eye centres serving the most ethnically diverse region in the UK, recruiting from July 2021 to February 2022.

Participants

511 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and the predisease state of ocular hypertension.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome was participants’ self-reported priorities for health outcomes.

Results

Participants fell into one of four clusters with differing priorities for health outcomes, namely: (1) vision, (2) drop freedom, (3) intraocular pressure and (4) one-time treatment. Ethnicity was the strongest determinant of cluster membership after adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with white patients prioritising vision alone, the OR for black/black British patients was 7.31 (95% CI 3.43 to 15.57, p<0.001) for prioritising drop freedom; 5.95 (2.91 to 12.16, p<0.001) for intraocular pressure; and 2.99 (1.44 to 6.18, p=0.003) for one-time treatment. For Asian/Asian British patients, the OR was 3.17 (1.12 to 8.96, p=0.030) for prioritising intraocular pressure as highly as vision. Other ethnic minority groups also had higher ORs for prioritising health outcomes other than vision alone: 4.50 (1.03 to 19.63, p=0.045) for drop freedom and 5.37 (1.47 to 19.60, p=0.011) for intraocular pressure.

Conclusions

Ethnicity is strongly associated with differing perceptions about the health outcomes that matter. An individualised and ethnically inclusive approach is needed when selecting and evaluating treatments in clinical and research settings.
Efficacy and safety of pentosan polysulfate sodium in people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and dyslipidaemia: protocol of the MaRVeL trial
Authors: Siddiq Md Abu Bakar , Liu Xiaoqian , Fedorova Tatyana , Bracken Karen , Virk Sonika , Venkatesha Venkatesha , Farivar Abdolhay , Oo Win Min , Linklater James , Hill David Cullis , Hunter David J
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent arthritis type and a leading cause of chronic mobility disability. While pain medications provide only symptomatic pain relief; growing evidence suggests pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) is chondroprotective and could have anti-inflammatory effects in knee OA. This study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of oral PPS in symptomatic knee OA with dyslipidaemia.

Methods and analysis

MaRVeL is a phase II, single-centre, parallel, superiority trial which will be conducted at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia. 92 participants (46 per arm) aged 40 and over with painful knee OA and mild to moderate structural change on X-ray (Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 or 3) will be recruited from the community and randomly allocated to receive two cycles of either oral PPS or placebo for 5 weeks starting at baseline and week 11. Primary outcome will be the 16-week change in overall average knee pain severity measured using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale. Main secondary outcomes include change in knee pain, patient global assessment, physical function, quality of life and other structural changes. A biostatistician blinded to allocation groups will perform the statistical analysis according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the NSLHD Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (2021/ETH00315). All participants will provide written informed consent online. Study results will be disseminated through conferences, social media and academic publications.

Trial registration numbers

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621000654853); U1111-1265-3750.
Describing primary care patterns before and during the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada: a quasi-experimental pre–post design cohort study using national practice-based research network data
Authors: Hafid Shuaib , Freeman Karla , Aubrey-Bassler Kris , Queenan John , Drummond Neil , Lawson Jennifer , Vanstone Meredith , Nicholson Kathryn , Lussier Marie-Thérèse , Mangin Dee , Howard Michelle
Published: May 2024

Objective

The objective was to analyse how the pandemic affected primary care access and comprehensiveness in chronic disease management by comparing primary care patterns before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

Design

We conducted a quasi-experimental pre–post design cohort study and reported indicators for the 21 months before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setting

We used electronic medical record data from primary care clinics enrolled in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021.

Population

The study population included patients (n=919 928) aged 18 years or older with at least one primary care contact from 12 March 2018 to 12 March 2020, in Canada.

Outcome measures

The study indicators included three indicators measuring access to primary care (encounters, blood pressure measurements and lab tests) and three for comprehensiveness (diagnoses, non-COVID-19 vaccines administered and referrals).

Results

67.3% of the cohort was aged ≥40 years, 56.4% were female and 53.5% were from Ontario, Canada. Fewer patients received an encounter during the pandemic (91.5% to 81.5%), while the median (IQR) number of encounters remained the same (5 (2–1)) for those with access. Fewer patients received a blood pressure measurement (47.9% to 31.8%), and patients received fewer measurements during the pandemic (2 (1–4) to 1 (0–2)).

Conclusions

Encounters with primary care remained consistent during the pandemic, but in-person care, such as lab tests and blood pressure measurements, decreased. In-person care indicators followed temporally to national COVID-19 case counts during the pandemic.
Outcomes after reversed corneal graft rejection: a report from the European VISICORT project
Authors: Iselin Katja C , Hjortdal Jesper , Armitage W John , Tole Derek , Pleyer Uwe , Vabres Bertrand , Griffin Matthew D , Murphy Conor C
Published: May 2024

Objective

This study aims to describe the outcome of corneal grafts, both low risk and high risk, after successfully reversed immunological rejection.

Methods

Datasets on reversed rejection episodes in penetrating and endothelial keratoplasties between 2014 and 2019 (n=876) were extracted from the Adverse Immune Signatures and their Prevention in Corneal Transplantation database, which contains the prospectively and consecutively collected corneal transplants from five European centres. Stratified by the preoperatively determined risk status for immunological rejection, the outcome parameters analysed included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness before and after reversed rejection episodes.

Results

Fourty-seven (52%) out of a total of 91 identified rejection episodes were successfully reversed and were available for analysis (23 penetrating and 24 endothelial keratoplasties). No statistically significant change was found for any of the parameters studied between the values before and the values 3 months after the rejection episode, irrespective of the preoperative risk status.

Conclusion

The outcome of corneal grafts that survive immunological rejection may be clinically indistinguishable from the state before immunological rejection, irrespective of graft type and risk status. These findings support clinicians by providing information on prognosis after reversed rejection episodes and by giving patients realistic expectations regarding the outcome.
Intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among emergency department patients: results from a randomised pilot study
Authors: Abar Beau , Park Chanjun Syd , Wood Nancy , Marino Danielle , Fiscella Kevin , Adler David
Published: May 2024

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Emergency departments (ED) represent a promising setting to address preventive health measures like CRC screening.

Objectives

The current study adapted an existing cervical cancer screening intervention for use in catalysing CRC screening. We evaluated feasibility of identification, provided preliminary effect size estimates and documented participant acceptability.

Methods

This study was funded by the University of Rochester (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT05004376). We enrolled ED patients, 45–75 years old, in the Greater Rochester, NY region into a randomised controlled pilot from January to May 2022. Patients were excluded if non-English speaking, lacking a cell phone or had a history of CRC, colorectal resection, inflammatory bowel disease or abdominal radiation. Participants were surveyed to determine adherence with recommended CRC screening guidelines. Patients found non-adherent were randomised to receive (1) recommendation for CRC screening only or (2) recommendation and a text-based intervention aimed at generating intention and motivation to get screened. Patients were blind to allocation at enrolment. The primary outcome was patient CRC screening or scheduling.

Results

1438 patients were approached, with 609 found ineligible, 576 declining participation and 253 enrolled. A randomised sample of 114 non-adherent patients were split evenly between the control and intervention arms. Among participants with follow-up data (ncontrol=38,nintervention=36), intervention participants had a 2%–3% higher rate of scheduling or receiving screening (7%–27% relative improvement). When using the complete sample (n=114) and conservatively assuming no screening for those lost to follow-up, differences in screening across arms were mildly decreased (0%–2% absolute difference). Acceptability of CRC intervention was high, and participants offered formative feedback.

Conclusion

The piloted text message intervention through the ED shows potential promise for catalysing CRC screening. Subsequent replication in a fully powered trial is needed.
Risk of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other interstitial lung diseases following organic dust exposure
Authors: Iversen Inge Brosbøl , Vestergaard Jesper Medom , Basinas Ioannis , Ohlander Johan , Peters Susan , Bendstrup Elisabeth , Bonde Jens Peter Ellekilde , Schlünssen Vivi , Rasmussen Finn , Stokholm Zara Ann , Andersen Michael Brun , Kromhout Hans , Kolstad Henrik Albert
Published: May 2024

Background

Organic dust is associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and associations with other types of interstitial lung disease (ILD) have been suggested. We examined the association between occupational organic dust exposure and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs in a cohort study.

Methods

The study population included all residents of Denmark born in 1956 or later with at least 1 year of gainful employment since 1976. Incident cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs were identified in the Danish National Patient Register 1994–2015. Job exposure matrices were used to assign individual annual levels of exposure to organic dust, endotoxin and wood dust from 1976 to 2015. We analysed exposure-response relations by different exposure metrics using a discrete-time hazard model.

Results

For organic dust, we observed increasing risk with increasing cumulative exposure with incidence rate ratios (IRR) per 10 unit-years of 1.19 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.27) for hypersensitivity pneumonitis and 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) for other ILDs. We found increasing risk with increasing cumulative endotoxin exposure for hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs with IRRs per 5000 endotoxin units/m3-years of 1.55 (95% CI 1.38 to 1.73) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.19), respectively. For both exposures, risk also increased with increasing duration of exposure and recent exposure. No increased risks were observed for wood dust exposure.

Conclusion

Exposure-response relations were observed between organic dust and endotoxin exposure and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other ILDs, with lower risk estimates for the latter. The findings indicate that organic dust should be considered a possible cause of any ILD.

Trial registration number

j.no.: 1-16-02-196-17
No influence of steady-state postural changes on cerebrovascular compliance in humans
Authors: Kells Alicia M. , Moir M. Erin , Coombs Geoff B. , D'Souza Andrew W. , Klassen Stephen A. , Al-Khazraji Baraa K. , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of posture changes on vascular compliance in intracranial (brain) versus extracranial vascular beds (forearm). Eighteen young adults (nine females) performed a supine-to-seated-to-standing protocol involving 5 min of rest in each position. Continuous blood pressure, middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity, and brachial artery blood velocity were recorded at each posture. Three to five consecutive steady-state cardiac cycles at each posture were analyzed by a four-element lumped parameter modified Windkessel model to calculate vascular compliance. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased from supine to seated (76(9) vs. 81(12) mmHg; P = 0.006) and from supine to standing (76(9) vs. 82(13) mmHg; P = 0.034). Mean blood flow was greater in the MCA relative to the forearm (forearm: 40(5) mL·min−1, MCA: 224(17) mL·min−1; main effect P < 0.001). Conversely, vascular resistance (forearm: 3.25(0.50) mmHg−1·mL·min−1, brain: 0.36(0.04) mmHg−1·mL·min−1; main effect P < 0.001) and compliance (forearm: 0.010(0.001) mL·min−1·mmHg−1, brain: 0.005(0.001) mL·min−1·mmHg−1; main effect P = 0.001) were greater in the forearm compared to the brain. Significant main effects of posture were observed with decreasing values in upright positions for mean blood flow ( P = 0.001) in both vascular beds, but not for resistance ( P = 0.163) or compliance ( P = 0.385). There were no significant interaction effects between vascular bed and posture for mean flow ( P = 0.057), resistance ( P = 0.258), or compliance ( P = 0.329). This study provides evidence that under steady-state conditions, posture does not affect cerebrovascular compliance.
Yield of yellow cooking onions is not affected by added phosphorous fertilizer in muck soils with high soil test phosphorus in Ontario
Authors: McDonald Mary Ruth , Speranzini Donna , Kessel Christoph , O'Halloran Ivan , Audette Yuki , Nemeth Deanna
Published: May 2024

Excess phosphorus (P) loading has been identified as an important cause of poor water quality in Lake Simcoe. A small (∼4%) but important source of P is the marshland that was developed for agriculture in and near the Holland Marsh. Applying the optimum rate of P fertilizer is an economical and environmentally friendly approach to crop management. In Ontario, P fertilizer recommendations are made based on the Olsen P soil test that is accredited by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The current study was a response to concern about high application rates of P fertilizer and grower and industry suggestions that the recommended rates for P were too low. The marketable yield of yellow cooking onions was assessed in relation to different rates of P fertilizer in high organic matter (muck) soils. Organic matter ranged from 38% to 86%. Small- (6 site-years) and large-scale (21 site-years) field trials were conducted in the Holland Marsh area from 2009 to 2011 on muck soils that varied in pre-plant P (17–312 mg L−1). The study demonstrated that there was more plant-available P in the soil than was required for optimum yield in most fields; thus, P fertilizer applications had no effect on marketable yield of the onions. These results supported the OMAFRA P recommendations for onion production on muck soils, especially for soil test P levels over 61 mg L−1 where a response to applied P is rated as “low, rare, or no response”.
A review of arsenic speciation in freshwater fish: perspectives on monitoring approaches and analytical methods
Authors: Lepage Adam T. , Laird Brian , Skinner Kelly , Gunn John M. , Lescord Gretchen L.
Published: May 2024

Arsenic accumulation in fish poses concerns for subsistence and recreational fishers worldwide. However, the toxicity of arsenic to consumers strongly depends on the chemical forms, or species, present. Risk assessments often rely on total arsenic concentrations ([As]), adjusting for assumed small percentages of the most harmful inorganic species. While studies on arsenic speciation in marine fish are widespread, and commonly report less toxic arsenobetaine (AsB) as the dominant form, fewer studies have been conducted on freshwater fish, where arsenic speciation may be more variable. To assess these findings, we conducted a systematic literature review on arsenic speciation in freshwater fish using Covidence© review management software. From over 1100 screened studies, 41 were selected for inclusion based on predefined criteria. These studies reported highly variable arsenic speciation patterns in freshwater fish, calling into question the assumption that AsB is the dominant form present. Sites with suspected or known arsenic contamination issues were prominent, with >50% of data reviewed originating from a contaminated river or lake, but the effect of contamination on arsenic speciation was variable. Although AsB and other organic forms typically dominated, some studies (6/41; 15%) identified fish with elevated concentrations of inorganic arsenic (>1 mg/kg dry wt.), most often corresponding to over 20% of total arsenic. Furthermore, arsenic speciation results accounted for a highly variable proportion of total [As] in fish, often less than 50%. Assuming 20% inorganic arsenic appears to be a poor approximation that cannot be applied to all fish. Based on this considerable variability, we recommend the direct measurement of arsenic species whenever possible, especially when total [As] is elevated above relevant guidelines for the most toxic species (e.g., 0.1–2 mg/kg inorganic arsenic wet wt.). We also recommend that future works communicate their results in more detail, including complete description of quality assurance and control protocols, to improve the potential for future meta-analyses. Additional work is needed to characterize arsenic speciation in freshwater fish and assess the toxicity of various arsenic species to accurately evaluate the environmental and human health risks associated with arsenic in fish.
Adaptive Shivers Sort: An Alternative Sorting Algorithm
Authors: Jugé Vincent
Published: May 2024

We present a new sorting algorithm, called
adaptive ShiversSort
, that exploits the existence of monotonic runs for sorting efficiently partially sorted data. This algorithm is a variant of the well-known algorithm
TimSort
, which is the sorting algorithm used in standard libraries of programming languages, such as Python or Java (for non-primitive types). More precisely,
adaptive ShiversSort
is a so-called

\(k\)

-aware merge-sort algorithm, a class that captures ‘
TimSort
-like’ algorithms and that was introduced by Buss and Knop.

In this article, we prove that, although
adaptive ShiversSort
is simple to implement and differs only slightly from
TimSort
, its computational cost, in number of comparisons performed, is optimal within the class of
natural
merge-sort algorithms, up to a small additive linear term. This makes
adaptive ShiversSort
the first

\(k\)

-aware algorithm to benefit from this property, which is also a 33% improvement over
TimSort
's worst-case. This suggests that
adaptive ShiversSort
could be a strong contender for being used instead of
TimSort
.

Then, we investigate the optimality of

\(k\)

-aware algorithms. We give lower and upper bounds on the best approximation factors of such algorithms, compared to optimal stable natural merge-sort algorithms. In particular, we design generalisations of
adaptive ShiversSort
whose computational costs are optimal up to arbitrarily small multiplicative factors.
SNIPPET: A Framework for Subjective Evaluation of Visual Explanations Applied to DeepFake Detection
Authors: Yang Yuqing , Joukovsky Boris , Oramas Mogrovejo José , Tuytelaars Tinne , Deligiannis Nikos
Published: May 2024

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) attempts to help humans understand machine learning decisions better and has been identified as a critical component toward increasing the trustworthiness of complex black-box systems, such as deep neural networks. In this article, we propose a generic and comprehensive framework named
SNIPPET
and create a user interface for the subjective evaluation of visual explanations, focusing on finding human-friendly explanations. SNIPPET considers human-centered evaluation tasks and incorporates the collection of human annotations. These annotations can serve as valuable feedback to validate the qualitative results obtained from the subjective assessment tasks. Moreover, we consider different user background categories during the evaluation process to ensure diverse perspectives and comprehensive evaluation. We demonstrate SNIPPET on a DeepFake face dataset. Distinguishing real from fake faces is a non-trivial task even for humans that depends on rather subtle features, making it a challenging use case. Using SNIPPET, we evaluate four popular XAI methods which provide visual explanations: Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping, Layer-wise Relevance Propagation, attention rollout, and Transformer Attribution. Based on our experimental results, we observe preference variations among different user categories. We find that most people are more favorable to the explanations of rollout. Moreover, when it comes to XAI-assisted understanding, those who have no or lack relevant background knowledge often consider that visual explanations are insufficient to help them understand. We open-source our framework for continued data collection and annotation at
https://github.com/XAI-SubjEvaluation/SNIPPET
.
Self-Regulated Adaptive Data Distribution for Redundant and Scalable Blockchain Storage
Authors: Khan Azam , Anjum Ashiq , Moorsel Aad Van
Published: May 2024

Collaborative blockchain storage is one of the solutions to the blockchain storage scalability challenge, allowing individual nodes to store partial blockchain data. Collaborative blockchains give up redundancy for scalability. However, redundancy is a determinant of blockchain’s decentralization and data availability. In this article, we study the possibility of balancing the scalability-redundancy trade-off in collaborative blockchains. We first present a model for the evaluation of a data distribution scheme for its efficiency in terms of redundancy. Then, we present a fully decentralized self-regulated data distribution scheme assuring storage scalability and redundancy for collaborative blockchains based on fully redundant global state. The proposed solution does not incur additional communication. We examine the efficiency of the proposed scheme based on experiments. Our results demonstrate that the proposed system assures a level of redundancy for a given set of nodes and data volume, optimizes storage space utilization and provides uniform distribution of data.
The Future of Plant-Based Diets: Aligning Healthy Marketplace Choices with Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainable Food Systems
Authors: Kraak Vivica I. , Aschemann-Witzel Jessica
Published: May 2024

The future of plant-based diets is a complex public health issue inextricably linked to planetary health. Shifting the world's population to consume nutrient-rich, plant-based diets is among the most impactful strategies to transition to sustainable food systems to feed 10 billion people by 2050. This review summarizes how international expert bodies define sustainable diets and food systems and describes types of sustainable dietary patterns. It also explores how the type and proportion of plant- versus animal-source foods and alternative proteins relate to sustainable diets to reduce diet-related morbidity and mortality. Thereafter, we synthesize evidence for current challenges and actions needed to achieve plant-based sustainable dietary patterns using a conceptual framework with principles to promote human health, ecological health, social equity, and economic prosperity. We recommend strategies for governments, businesses, and civil society to encourage marketplace choices that lead to plant-rich sustainable diets within healthy, equitable, and resilient agroecological food systems.
Interaction Between Uranium Trifluoride and the Mixture of Lithium and Beryllium Fluorides
Authors: Arkhipov Stepan P. , Zaikov Yury P. , Arkhipov Pavel A. , Mullabaev Albert R.
Published: May 2024

Equilibrium potentials of uranium (U3+/U0) have been measured in the LiF-BeF2-UF3 melt as a function of temperature and uranium fluoride concentration. The empirical equation of uranium potential isotherms and polytherms have been obtained. Cathode polarization of uranium in the molten mixture of beryllium and lithium fluorides has been measured using the current switch off method form the stationary state. Uranium ions were found to have primarily the-valence of three in the LiF-BeF2 electrolyte in the studied temperature and uranium fluoride concentration ranges. A conditional standard potential of uranium (U3+/U0) in the molten mixture of lithium and beryllium fluorides was calculated relative to the reference fluorine electrode according to the experimentally obtained data on the equilibrium potentials of the uranium electrode in the LiF-BeF2-UF3 melt. Standard conditional changes in the Gibbs energy, enthalpy and entropy at the formation of uranium trifluoride from the elements in the form of dilute solutions were determined. The enthalpy of mixing of liquid uranium fluoride and the 0.73LiF–0.27BeF2 melt was calculated.
Influence of CoSi Oxidation and Passivation During Silicide Selective Etching on Junction Leakage: Applications to Schottky Diodes Devices
Authors: Gregoire Magali , Guitton Barbara , Dury Bastien , Peyrot Fabien , Dreux Sophie , Collonge Michael , Diette Fréderic
Published: May 2024

For new analogic microelectronic circuits development based on non-linear devices such as Schottky diodes formed in Si active regions, new Co-silicide integrations are required to reduce junction leakages. To gather targeted device requirements, precise Co silicide/Si interface optimization and a limited silicide formation at the active edges is needed. The selective etching during the “Salicide” process plays a real role in the oxidation and/or passivation of the silicide layer. Here, we propose a systematic study including a very large spectrum of experiments around the main parameters of CoSi selective etching. The main conclusions are (1) diode leakages are directly linked to SiO2 layer thickness formed during the SC1 dispense or by air exposure over the CoSi layer, (2) significant effect of dispense flow on SiO2 formation is measured through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry characterizations; (3) optimized diode leakages together with contact resistances are then demonstrated for low SC1 delivery flow and long dispense time; and (4) major changes in final CoSi2 layer morphology and silicide/silicon interface are observed by transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray analyses for different selective etching processes, which are potentially explained by enrichment in Co atoms at CoSi/Si during SiO2 overlayer growth.
Evaluating glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon as key regulators of insulin secretion in the pancreatic islet
Authors: Lewandowski Sophie L. , El Kimberley , Campbell Jonathan E.
Published: May 2024

The incretin axis is an essential component of postprandial insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis. There are two incretin hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), which exert multiple actions throughout the body. A key cellular target for the incretins are pancreatic β-cells, where they potentiate nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion. This feature of incretins has made this system an attractive target for therapeutic interventions aimed at controlling glycemia. Here, we discuss the role of GIP in both β-cells and α-cells within the islet, to stimulate insulin and glucagon secretion, respectively. Moreover, we discuss how glucagon secretion from α-cells has important insulinotropic actions in β-cells through an axis termed α- to β-cell communication. These recent advances have elevated the potential of GIP and glucagon as a therapeutic targets, coinciding with emerging compounds that pharmacologically leverage the actions of these two peptides in the context of diabetes and obesity.
The effects of simulated gastroesophageal reflux on infant pig oropharyngeal feeding physiology
Authors: Edmonds Chloe E. , Robbins Kaitlyn N. , Dvorak Elizabeth G. , Howe Stephen P. , Sheldon Sarah A. , Mayerl Christopher J. , Owairu Brianna A. , Young Brady M. , German Rebecca Z.
Published: May 2024

Simulated gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in an infant pig model resulted in significant changes in pharyngeal swallowing, which suggests that esophageal afferents are centrally integrated to alter motor outputs to the pharynx. In addition, decreased swallow frequency and increased bolus sizes may be underlying mechanisms by which esophageal pathologies induce oropharyngeal dysphagia. The infant pig model used here allows for a mechanistic approach, which can facilitate the design of intervention strategies based on neurophysiology.
Neuropeptide modulation of bidirectional internetwork synapses
Authors: Fahoum Savanna-Rae H. , Blitz Dawn M.
Published: May 2024

Neuromodulation can enable neurons to simultaneously coordinate with separate networks. Both recruitment into, and coordination with, a second network can occur via modulation of internetwork synapses. Alternatively, recruitment can occur via modulation of intrinsic ionic currents. We find that the same neuropeptide previously determined to modulate intrinsic currents also modulates bidirectional internetwork synapses that are typically ineffective. Thus, complementary modulatory peptide actions enable recruitment and coordination of a neuron into a second network.
“Andarilhas”: agência, mobilidade e rebeldia na experiência colonial das mulheres Murui
Authors: Nieto-Moreno Juana Valentina
Published: May 2024

A partir do trabalho etnográfico sobre narrativas biográficas de mulheres Murui, um grupo indígena da Amazônia colombo-peruana, o artigo discute sobre a mobilidade como constitutiva da experiência feminina. Ainda que tanto homens como mulheres migram, se desloquem, e viajem geograficamente de um lugar a outro, a mobilidade na vida das mulheres se configura de forma particular. Tanto por distinções de gênero das socio-cosmologias nativas, como pela articulação com o sistema de gênero moderno-colonial. Se argumenta que ser “andariega” (andarilha) se refere não só a mobilidade como recurso e agência feminina, como também a versatilidade para enfrentar os desafios de trajetórias indeterminadas, entrar em relação, em articular territórios, novas socialidades e negociar os desafios de um mundo permeado pelas hierarquias, pelas fronteiras simbólicas, sociais e políticas. Nas suas narrativas agência, rebeldia e mobilidade tecem-se como experiências corporificadas, carregadas de ensinamentos e conselhos para suas filhas e filhos sobre formas de habitar, territorializar e re-existir no mundo contemporâneo.
A Mean Field to Capture Asynchronous Irregular Dynamics of Conductance-Based Networks of Adaptive Quadratic Integrate-and-Fire Neuron Models
Authors: Alexandersen Christoffer G. , Duprat Chloé , Ezzati Aitakin , Houzelstein Pierre , Ledoux Ambre , Liu Yuhong , Saghir Sandra , Destexhe Alain , Tesler Federico , Depannemaecker Damien
Published: May 2024

Mean-field models are a class of models used in computational neuroscience to study the behavior of large populations of neurons. These models are based on the idea of representing the activity of a large number of neurons as the average behavior of mean-field variables. This abstraction allows the study of large-scale neural dynamics in a computationally efficient and mathematically tractable manner. One of these methods, based on a semianalytical approach, has previously been applied to different types of single-neuron models, but never to models based on a quadratic form. In this work, we adapted this method to quadratic integrate-and-fire neuron models with adaptation and conductance-based synaptic interactions. We validated the mean-field model by comparing it to the spiking network model. This mean-field model should be useful to model large-scale activity based on quadratic neurons interacting with conductance-based synapses.
Bioplausible Unsupervised Delay Learning for Extracting Spatiotemporal Features in Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Nadafian Alireza , Ganjtabesh Mohammad
Published: May 2024

The plasticity of the conduction delay between neurons plays a fundamental role in learning temporal features that are essential for processing videos, speech, and many high-level functions. However, the exact underlying mechanisms in the brain for this modulation are still under investigation. Devising a rule for precisely adjusting the synaptic delays could eventually help in developing more efficient and powerful brain-inspired computational models. In this article, we propose an unsupervised bioplausible learning rule for adjusting the synaptic delays in spiking neural networks. We also provide the mathematical proofs to show the convergence of our rule in learning spatiotemporal patterns. Furthermore, to show the effectiveness of our learning rule, we conducted several experiments on random dot kinematogram and a subset of DVS128 Gesture data sets. The experimental results indicate the efficiency of applying our proposed delay learning rule in extracting spatiotemporal features in an STDP-based spiking neural network.
A Bayesian incorporated linear non-Gaussian acyclic model for multiple directed graph estimation to study brain emotion circuit development in adolescence
Authors: Zhang Aiying , Zhang Gemeng , Cai Biao , Wilson Tony W. , Stephen Julia M. , Calhoun Vince D. , Wang Yu-Ping
Published: May 2024

Emotion perception is essential to affective and cognitive development which involves distributed brain circuits. Emotion identification skills emerge in infancy and continue to develop throughout childhood and adolescence. Understanding the development of the brain’s emotion circuitry may help us explain the emotional changes during adolescence. In this work, we aim to deepen our understanding of emotion-related functional connectivity (FC) from association to causation. We proposed a Bayesian incorporated linear non-Gaussian acyclic model (BiLiNGAM), which incorporated association model into the estimation pipeline. Simulation results indicated stable and accurate performance over various settings, especially when the sample size was small. We used fMRI data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC) to validate the approach. It included 855 individuals aged 8–22 years who were divided into five different adolescent stages. Our network analysis revealed the development of emotion-related intra- and intermodular connectivity and pinpointed several emotion-related hubs. We further categorized the hubs into two types: in-hubs and out-hubs, as the center of receiving and distributing information, respectively. In addition, several unique developmental hub structures and group-specific patterns were discovered. Our findings help provide a directed FC template of brain network organization underlying emotion processing during adolescence.
Newly Found Burial Catacombs and Inscriptions from the Necropolis at Beth Sheʿarim
Authors: Erlich Adi , Price Jonathan
Published: May 2024

Beth Sheʿarim in Lower Galilee was an important Jewish village in the Roman period, with an extensive necropolis containing lavish tombs that provided burial for Jews from across the Roman East. The necropolis is renowned for its many inscriptions in Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, and more. Two catacombs previously unknown were discovered recently in the western part of the necropolis. Each contains a few halls shaped as corridors with arcosolium chambers along the walls. Each arcosolium accommodates 3–4 burial places. In one of the caves, two Greek inscriptions painted in red were found; one, written on a slab of stone, mentions a proselyte named Jacob, while the other, inscribed on the wall, mentions Judah, the owner of the tomb. This article deals with the catacombs and the inscriptions in the context of late Roman Palestine.
Pseudoplectania mystica (Ascomycota, Pezizales), a new cup fungus with an endophytic habit of a broad range of host plants
Authors: LIN JIA Y. , GUO LING-HAN , LI GUANG-MEI , ZHANG MING , XIE DE-CHUN , HE SHU-XIAN , YANG KUN L.
Published: May 2024

A cup fungus producing ascomata on senescing to dead rhizomes of bamboo in East China is described as Pseudoplectania mystica sp. nov. (Ascomycota, Pezizales) based on morphological, ecological and phylogenetic evidence. Some sequences of unidentified endophytic fungi uploaded to the GenBank database by other researchers were also identified as P. mystica in our phylogeny. By checking the original literature of these sequences, P. mystica was further found to act as an endophyte in a broad range of host plants including Aegiceras, Cinnamomum, Dendrobium and Lindera, probably lurking in the tissues of the host plants as invisible mycelium in most cases and only producing visible ascomata following senescence of the host tissues. Such ecology and a combination of all its morphological characteristics make P. mystica recognizable from other known species of Pseudoplectania. This study contributes to the understanding of the species diversity and lifecycle of Pseudoplectania.
A new species of Ceratostema (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) from the province of Morona-Santiago, Ecuador
Authors: JIMÉNEZ MARCO M. , FIERRO MINDA ALISSON , VÉLEZ-ABARCA LEISBERTH , ITURRALDE GABRIEL A. , GARZÓN-SUÁREZ HENRY X.
Published: May 2024

A new species of Ceratostema from the southern Ecuadorian province of Morona-Santiago is described and illustrated. The taxonomy and morphological similarities of C. agettiorum with its closely related species are discussed and information about its distribution, habitat, and conservation status is provided.
A new species of Impatiens from the Nelliyampathy region of southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: SINDHU ARYA , ANILKUMAR VENUGOPALAN NAIR SARADHAMMA , VISWANATHAN PILLLAI AMBIKA , ALEX PHILIP ALEN , SOJAN JOSE , SURESH VEERANKUTTY
Published: May 2024

A new species, Impatiens minnamparaensis, belonging to section uniflorae is described and illustrated from southern Western Ghats of Kerala. It is morphologically similar to Impatiens sasidharanii but can easily be distinguished in having ovate-oblong leaf, milky white distal lobe of keel petal, red blotch on lower sepal, pollen architecture and capsule morphology. It is also showing similarities with I. rupicola but differs in shape of lower sepal, shape of distal lobe, number of flowers per axil, anther, pollen and capsule morphology. Impatiens minnamparaensis is assessed here as Endangered based on the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List.
An update on the distribution of the genus Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 (Araneae, Trachelidae) in China, with description of a new species
Authors: LIU KAIZHEN , LIU JIANNAN , ZHANG FENG , LI LIANGTAO , MI XIAOQI , JIN CHI
Published: May 2024

The distribution of the genus Trachelas L. Koch, 1872 in China is updated by reviewing literature and examining specimens. One new species, T. bomiensis Jin & Mi, sp. nov. (♂♀), is described from the Xizang Autonomous Region, China.