bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The semantics of Afro-Brazilian spirits: Applying Davidson on prior and passing theories
Authors: Engler Steven , Gardiner Mark Q.
Published: November 2024

Based on fieldwork with two related Afro-Brazilian religions, Umbanda and Quimbanda, this article explores the value of Donald Davidson’s semantic theory for making sense of ethnographic fieldwork. Specifically, we look at the role of scriptedness in communication, including religious ritual. We first clarify the role of social externalities in Davidson’s view of communicative interpretation, which is broader than his initial framework of radical interpretation. We then offer an account of what constitutes communicative and interpretational success, by drawing on Davidson’s account of prior and passing theory. Prior theories are interpreters’ initial hypothetical frameworks, ranging from general (e.g., the rational, intentional nature of self and other, and a shared perceivable world) to local (e.g., assumptions about cultural, social, and institutional contexts). Passing theories are tactical, on-the-fly modifications that we hypothesize in order to get mutual understanding back on track. We introduce the concept of ‘semantic reduction’ to operationalize the view that specific, local social externalities provide clues that help keep interpretation on track. In the case of religious ethnography, these include ritual, doctrinal, narrative, symbolic, material, temporal, and spatial frames that constrain the generation of passing theories. Examples from fieldwork illustrate the potential value of our appeal to Davidson’s ideas.
Macau Scientific Satellite‐1 Initial Magnetic Field Model
Authors: Jiang Yi , Finlay Christopher C. , Olsen Nils , Tøffner‐Clausen Lars , Yan Qing , Zhang Keke
Published: November 2024

Eight months of vector magnetic field measurements from the Macau Scientific Satellite‐1 (MSS‐1), supplemented by higher latitude field intensity measurements from the Swarm satellites, are used to derive an MSS‐1 Initial Field Model (MIFM). Robust root‐mean‐square misfits between MIFM and the three components of the MSS‐1 vector field data are found to be below 3.3 nT. MIFM agrees well with the CHAOS‐7 field model and we find even better agreement with an identically parameterized model derived only from Swarm data. MSS‐1 and Swarm vector data can moreover be fit simultaneously with only a small increase in misfit (by less than 0.2 nT). We show that both lithospheric anomalies and core surface field changes can be studied using MSS‐1 data. With its fast coverage of local times MSS‐1 is a valuable addition to the global geomagnetic observing system.
Associations of language barriers with very preterm children’s behavioural and socio-emotional problems across Europe
Authors: Jaekel Julia , Aubert Adrien M. , Jaekel Nils , Costa Raquel , Johnson Samantha , Zeitlin Jennifer ,   the SHIPS Research group, Lebeer J. , Van Reempts P. , Bruneel E. , Cloet E. , Oostra A. , Ortibus E. , Sarrechia I. , Boerch K. , Pedersen P. , Toome L. , Varendi H. , Männamaa M. , Ancel P. Y. , Burguet A. , Jarreau P. H. , Pierrat V. , Truffert P. , Maier R. F. , Zemlin M. , Misselwitz B. , Wohlers L. , Cuttini M. , Croci I. , Carnielli V. , Ancora G. , Faldella G. , Ferrari F. , Koopman-Esseboom C. , Gadzinowski J. , Mazela J. , Montgomery A. , Pikuła T. , Barros H. , Costa R. , Rodrigues C. , Aden U. , Draper E. S. , Fenton A. , Johnson S. J. , Mader S. , Thiele N. , Pfeil J. M. , Petrou S. , Kim S. W. , Andronis L. , Zeitlin J. , Aubert A. M. , Bonnet C. , El Rafei R. , Seppänen A. V.
Published: November 2024

Background

Very preterm birth (<32 weeks gestation, VP), immigrant background, and language barriers are all independently associated with a high risk for mental health problems in childhood, but research has neglected the long-term development of immigrant children born VP. We assessed whether behavioural and socio-emotional problems of 5-year-old children born VP growing up across different language contexts in the European Union are associated with an immigrant background and linguistic distance of families’ mother tongue (L1) to the host countries’ official languages.

Methods

Data are from a population-based cohort including all VP births in 2011/12 in 11 European countries; a total of 3,067 children were followed up at 2 and 5 years of age. Behavioural and socio-emotional difficulties were assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

Results

Mixed-effects models showed that a larger linguistic distance of children’s L1 to the host countries’ official language was associated with higher SDQ total scores (0.02 [0.01, 0.03]), after adjusting for a wide range of social risks, biological, and perinatal clinical factors.

Conclusion

Language barriers in the form of linguistic distance between VP children’s L1 and countries’ official languages play a critically important role for the behavioural and socio-emotional development of immigrant children born VP.

Impact

Immigrant children born very preterm across Europe face systemic inequalities such as language barriers. Language barriers can be operationalised as a continuous linguistic distance score between children’s mother tongues and countries’ official languages. Linguistic distance plays an important role for the behavioural and socio-emotional development of immigrant children born VP. Research, policy, and practice need to better account for language barriers to increase equity in health and education.
Comparative evaluation of sealing ability and adaptation of gel form of MTA to dentinal walls: an in-vitro study
Authors: Parthasarathy Haritha , Modak Akshara , Yarmunja Mahabala Karuna , Natarajan Srikant , Baliga Shrikala , Thomas Manuel , Rao Ashwin , Nayak Anupama
Published: November 2024

Context

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is a calcium silicate-based cement that potentially exhibits improved washout resistance when carboxymethyl chitosan or gelatin is incorporated. Gel-form MTA is a novel mineral trioxide aggregate formulated using construction industry-based technology. The present study was conducted to comparatively evaluate the sealing ability and adaptation to dentinal walls of gel-form MTA.

Materials and methods

This in-vitro study consisted of two groups: gel-form MTA and the conventional powder-liquid MTA. 10 samples per group were used for each of the tested parameters. Adaptation of the MTA to the dentinal walls was tested under the light microscope and measured using Image J software. Sealing ability was evaluated using a single aerobic bacterial leakage model. Appropriate statistical analysis was done for the obtained data. Adaptation of the MTA was analyzed using independent t-test and Friedman test, whereas the bacterial leakage was analyzed using chi-square test.

Results

On comparison of the adaptation property at coronal and apical thirds, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.071 and p = 0.638, respectively). However, while comparing the same in the middle one-third of the root, lesser gaps were identified in the gel-form MTA group (p = 0.013). One sample belonging to the conventional powder-liquid MTA group showed significant turbidity during bacteria leakage evaluation (p = 0.001) with the presence of E. faecalis in the count of 103 colony forming units/milliliter.

Conclusion

The gel-form MTA shows a better adaptation to the dentinal walls at the middle third of the root and exhibits better sealing ability against bacterial leakage when tested for E. faecalis. The adaptation of gel-form MTA at coronal and apical third of the root was comparable to the conventional powder-liquid MTA.
Enhancing mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism is neuroprotective in Alzheimer’s disease models
Authors: Yu Yizhou , Chen Civia Z. , Celardo Ivana , Tan Bryan Wei Zhi , Hurcomb James D. , Leal Nuno Santos , Popovic Rebeka , Loh Samantha H. Y. , Martins L. Miguel
Published: November 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of age-related dementia. In AD, the death of neurons in the central nervous system is associated with the accumulation of toxic amyloid β peptide (Aβ) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are signal transducers of metabolic and biochemical information, and their impairment can compromise cellular function. Mitochondria compartmentalise several pathways, including folate-dependent one-carbon (1C) metabolism and electron transport by respiratory complexes. Mitochondrial 1C metabolism is linked to electron transport through complex I of the respiratory chain. Here, we analysed the proteomic changes in a fly model of AD by overexpressing a toxic form of Aβ (Aβ-Arc). We found that expressing Aβ-Arc caused alterations in components of both complex I and mitochondrial 1C metabolism. Genetically enhancing mitochondrial 1C metabolism through Nmdmc improved mitochondrial function and was neuroprotective in fly models of AD. We also found that exogenous supplementation with the 1C donor folinic acid improved mitochondrial health in both mammalian cells and fly models of AD. We found that genetic variations in MTHFD2L, the human orthologue of Nmdmc, were linked to AD risk. Additionally, Mendelian randomisation showed that increased folate intake decreased the risk of developing AD. Overall, our data suggest enhancement of folate-dependent 1C metabolism as a viable strategy to delay the progression and attenuate the severity of AD.
Exploring the potential of dental calculus to shed light on past human migrations in Oceania
Authors: Velsko Irina M. , Fagernäs Zandra , Tromp Monica , Bedford Stuart , Buckley Hallie R. , Clark Geoffrey , Dudgeon John , Flexner James , Galipaud Jean-Christophe , Kinaston Rebecca , Lewis Cecil M. , Matisoo-Smith Elizabeth , Nägele Kathrin , Ozga Andrew T. , Posth Cosimo , Rohrlach Adam B. , Shing Richard , Simanjuntak Truman , Spriggs Matthew , Tamarii Anatauarii , Valentin Frédérique , Willie Edson , Warinner Christina
Published: November 2024

The Pacific islands and Island Southeast Asia have experienced multiple waves of human migrations, providing a case study for exploring the potential of ancient microbiomes to study human migration. We perform a metagenomic study of archaeological dental calculus from 102 individuals, originating from 10 Pacific islands and 1 island in Island Southeast Asia spanning ~3000 years. Oral microbiome DNA preservation in calculus is far higher than that of human DNA in archaeological bone, and comparable to that of calculus from temperate regions. Oral microbial community composition is minimally driven by time period and geography in Pacific and Island Southeast Asia calculus, but is found to be distinctive compared to calculus from Europe, Africa, and Asia. Phylogenies of individual bacterial species in Pacific and Island Southeast Asia calculus reflect geography. Archaeological dental calculus shows good preservation in tropical regions and the potential to yield information about past human migrations, complementing studies of the human genome.
Structural insight into the distinct regulatory mechanism of the HEPN–MNT toxin-antitoxin system in Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Jin Chenglong , Jeon Cha-Hee , Kim Heung Wan , Kang Jin Mo , Choi Yuri , Kang Sung-Min , Lee Hyung Ho , Kim Do-Hee , Han Byung Woo , Lee Bong-Jin
Published: November 2024

HEPN–MNT, a type VII TA module, comprises the HEPN toxin and the MNT antitoxin, which acts as a nucleotidyltransferase that transfers the NMP moiety to the corresponding HEPN toxin, thereby interfering with its toxicity. Here, we report crystal structures of the Legionella pneumophila HEPN–MNT module, including HEPN, AMPylated HEPN, MNT, and the HEPN–MNT complex. Our structural analysis and biochemical assays, suggest that HEPN is a metal-dependent RNase and identify its active site residues. We also elucidate the oligomeric state of HEPN in solution. Interestingly, L. pneumophila MNT, which lacks a long C-terminal α4 helix, controls the toxicity of HEPN toxin via a distinct binding mode with HEPN. Finally, we propose a comprehensive regulatory mechanism of the L. pneumophila HEPN–MNT module based on structural and functional studies. These results provide insight into the type VII HEPN–MNT TA system.
Zfp260 choreographs the early stage osteo-lineage commitment of skeletal stem cells
Authors: Weng Yuteng , Feng Yanhuizhi , Li Zeyuan , Xu Shuyu , Wu Di , Huang Jie , Wang Haicheng , Wang Zuolin
Published: November 2024

The initial fine-tuning processes are crucial for successful bone regeneration, as they guide skeletal stem cells through progenitor differentiation toward osteo- or chondrogenic fate. While fate determination processes are well-documented, the mechanisms preceding progenitor commitment remain poorly understood. Here, we identified a transcription factor, Zfp260, as pivotal for stem cell maturation into progenitors and directing osteogenic differentiation. Zfp260 is markedly up-regulated as cells transition from stem to progenitor stages; its dysfunction causes lineage arrest at the progenitor stage, impairing bone repair. Zfp260 is required for maintaining chromatin accessibility and regulates Runx2 expression by forming super-enhancer complexes. Furthermore, the PKCα kinase phosphorylates Zfp260 at residues Y173, S182, and S197, which are essential for its functional activity. Mutations at these residues significantly impair its functionality. These findings position Zfp260 as a vital factor bridging stem cell activation with progenitor cell fate determination, unveiling a element fundamental to successful bone regeneration.
Preconfigured cortico-thalamic neural dynamics constrain movement-associated thalamic activity
Authors: González-Pereyra Perla , Sánchez-Lobato Oswaldo , Martínez-Montalvo Mario G. , Ortega-Romero Diana I. , Pérez-Díaz Claudia I. , Merchant Hugo , Tellez Luis A. , Rueda-Orozco Pavel E.
Published: November 2024

Neural preconfigured activity patterns (nPAPs), conceptualized as organized activity parcellated into groups of neurons, have been proposed as building blocks for cognitive and sensory processing. However, their existence and function in motor networks have been scarcely studied. Here, we explore the possibility that nPAPs are present in the motor thalamus (VL/VM) and their potential contribution to motor-related activity. To this end, we developed a preparation where VL/VM multiunitary activity could be robustly recorded in mouse behavior evoked by primary motor cortex (M1) optogenetic stimulation and forelimb movements. VL/VM-evoked activity was organized as rigid stereotypical activity patterns at the single and population levels. These activity patterns were unable to dynamically adapt to different temporal architectures of M1 stimulation. Moreover, they were experience-independent, present in virtually all animals, and pairs of neurons with high correlations during M1-stimulation also presented higher correlations during spontaneous activity, confirming their preconfigured nature. Finally, subpopulations expressing specific M1-evoked patterns also displayed specific movement-related patterns. Our data demonstrate that the behaviorally related identity of specific neural subpopulations is tightly linked to nPAPs.
Stabilising CO2 concentration as a channel for global disaster risk mitigation
Authors: Lu Saite , Tambakis Demosthenes
Published: November 2024

We investigate the influence of anthropogenic $$\hbox {CO}_2$$

CO
2

concentration fluctuations on the likelihood of climate-related disasters. We calibrate annual incidence rates against global disasters and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$

CO
2

growth spanning from 1960 to 2022 based on a dynamic panel logit model. We also study the sensitivity of disaster incidence to stochastic carbon dynamics consistent with IPCC-projected climate outcomes for 2100. The key insight is that present and lagged $$\hbox {CO}_2$$

CO
2

growth contains valuable information about the likelihood of future disaster events. We further show that lowering carbon stock uncertainty by dampening the persistence or the variability of $$\hbox {CO}_2$$

CO
2

concentration has a first-order impact on mitigating expected disaster risk.
Deep Kronecker LeNet for human motion classification with feature extraction
Authors: Pardhu Thottempudi , Kumar Vijay , Durbhakula Kalyan C.
Published: November 2024

Human motion classification is gaining more interest among researchers, and it is significant in various applications. Human motion classification and assessment play a significant role in health science and security. Technology-based human motion evaluation deploys motion sensors and infrared cameras for capturing essential portions of human motion and key facial elements. Nevertheless, the prime concern is providing effectual monitoring sensors amidst several stages with less privacy. To overcome this issue, we have developed a human motion categorization system called Deep Kronecker LeNet (DKLeNet), which uses a hybrid network.The system design of impulse radio Ultra-Wide Band (IR-UWB) through-wall radar (TWR) is devised, and the UWB radar acquires the signal. The acquired signal is passed through the gridding phase, and then the feature extraction unit is executed. A new module DKLeNet, which is tuned by Spotted Grey Wolf Optimizer (SGWO), wherein the layers of these networks are modified by applying the Fuzzy concept. In this model, the enhanced technique DKLeNet is unified by Deep Kronecker Network (DKN) and LeNet as well as the optimization modules SGWO is devised by Spotted Hyena Optimizer (SHO) and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO). The classified output of human motion is based on human walking, standing still, and empty. The analytic measures of DKLeNet_SGWO are Accuracy, True positive rate (TPR), True Negative rate (TNR), and Mean squared error (MSE) observed as 95.8%, 95.0%, 95.2%, and 38.5%, as well as the computational time observed less value in both training and testing data when compared to other modules with 4.099 min and 3.012 s.
Manner implicatures in large language models
Authors: Cong Yan
Published: November 2024

In human speakers’ daily conversations, what we do not say matters. We not only compute the literal semantics but also go beyond and draw inferences from what we could have said but chose not to. How well is this pragmatic reasoning process represented in pre-trained large language models (LLM)? In this study, we attempt to address this question through the lens of manner implicature, a pragmatic inference triggered by a violation of the Grice manner maxim. Manner implicature is a central member of the class of context-sensitive phenomena. The current work investigates to what extent pre-trained LLMs are able to identify and tease apart different shades of meaning in manner implicature. We constructed three metrics to explain LLMs’ behavior, including LLMs-surprisals, embedding vectors’ similarities, and natural language prompting. Results showed no striking evidence that LLMs have explainable representations of meaning. First, the LLMs-surprisal findings suggest that some LLMs showed above chance accuracy in capturing different dimensions of meaning, and they were able to differentiate neutral relations from entailment or implications, but they did not show consistent and robust sensitivities to more nuanced comparisons, such as entailment versus implications and equivalence versus entailment. Second, the similarity findings suggest that the perceived advantage of contextual over static embeddings was minimal, and contextual LLMs did not notably outperform static GloVe embeddings. LLMs and GloVe showed no significant difference, though distinctions between entailment and implication were slightly more observable in LLMs. Third, the prompting findings suggest no further supportive evidence indicating LLM’s competence in fully representing different shades of meaning. Overall, our study suggests that current dominant pre-training paradigms do not seem to lead to significant competence in manner implicature within our models. Our investigation sheds light on the design of datasets and benchmark metrics driven by formal and distributional linguistic theories.
Photoregulatory functions drive variation in eye coloration across macaque species
Authors: Perea-García Juan Olvido , Massen Jorg J. M. , Ostner Julia , Schülke Oliver , Castellano-Navarro Alba , Gazagne Eva , José-Domínguez Juan Manuel , Beltrán-Francés Víctor , Kaburu Stefano , Ruppert Nadine , Micheletta Jérôme , Gupta Shreejata , Majolo Bonaventura , Maréchal Laëtitia , Pflüger Lena S. , Böhm Pia M. , Bourjade Marie , Duran Elif , Hobaiter Catherine , Monteiro Antónia
Published: November 2024

Primates, the most colorful mammalian radiation, have previously served as an interesting model to test the functions and evolutionary drivers of variation in eye color. We assess the contribution of photo-regulatory and communicative functions to the external eye appearance of nine macaque species representing all the branches of their radiation. Macaques’ well described social structure and wide geographical distribution make them interesting to explore. We find that (1) the posterior option of the anterior eyeball is more pigmented closer to the equator, suggesting photoprotective functions. We also find that (2) the temporal side of the eyeball is more heavily pigmented than the nasal side. This suggests that eyeball pigmentation in macaques is distributed to reduce damage to the corneal limbus. The inclusion of a translocated population of M. fuscata in our analyses also suggests that external eye appearance may change quickly, perhaps owing to phenotypic plasticity. We find no evidence that communicative functions drive variation in external eye appearance in macaques. These results suggest that the amount of light in a species’ environment drives variation in eye coloration across macaque species. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of macaques hints at important factors that have yet to be accounted for, such as the reflectivity of the terrain a given species inhabits.
A convergent mixed methods to study registration on kidney transplantation waiting list refusal by women and men on dialysis in France
Authors: ADOLI Latame Komla , CAMPEON Arnaud , CHATELET Valérie , COUCHOUD Cécile , LOBBEDEZ Thierry , BAYER Florian , VABRET Elsa , DAUGAS Eric , VIGNEAU Cécile , JAIS Jean-Philippe , BAYAT-MAKOEI Sahar
Published: November 2024

Not all patients on dialysis want to be registered on the kidney transplantation (KT) waiting list and undergo transplantation. The aim of this convergent mixed methods study was to determine the features of patients refusing to be registered on the KT waiting list and the reasons. Quantitative data on all 2017–2019 incident 18–85-year-old dialysis patients, eligible for KT, were extracted from the REIN registry in France. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with patients on dialysis and nephrologists from the Bretagne, Île-de-France and Normandie French regions. The binary logistic regression method was used to identify factors/reasons associated with registration refusal and an inductive thematic analysis was performed on qualitative data. The quantitative analysis included data of 10,512 patients (mean age = 57.5 years). Among them, 860 (8.18%) refused to be registered on the KT waiting list. The multivariate analysis showed that women were 83% more likely to refuse registration compared with men. The qualitative analysis included 21 patients and 11 nephrologists. The integration of the results from the quantitative and qualitative analyses allowed identifying some factors associated with the registration refusal. Most of these factors converged across analyses. These included age, sex/gender, autonomy on dialysis and comorbidities. The integration of the results highlighted some divergence concerning sex/gender and autonomy and an area of expansion related to comorbidities. In conclusion, the patient age, sex/gender and comorbidities appear to play an important role in the refusal to be registered on the waiting list. Interventions focused on these factors might help to improve KT accessibility in France.
Tungsten oxide nanowire clusters anchored on porous carbon fibers as a sulfur redox mediator for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Wang Tongzhen , Zhang Xiaofei , Yang Jie , Cui Jiewu , Yan Jian , Liu Jiaqin , Wu Yucheng
Published: November 2024

WO3 nanowire clusters anchored on core–shell porous carbon fibers capture lithium polysulfides and function as a redox mediator, facilitating sulfur conversion.
Improvement of EME accuracy based on an equivalent voltage acquisition method and corresponding voltage compensation strategy
Authors: Wang Mingyu , Yang Beining , Qin Yaru , Dong Guanglin
Published: November 2024

It is a known cost‐effective method to employ a DSP‐based electric machine emulator (EME) for motor control unit testing, this paper introduces a novel approach to enhance the emulator's accuracy. The inaccuracies caused by terminal voltage sampling errors in the motor control unit and voltage distortions in the inverter are addressed in this paper. An advanced equivalent voltage acquisition technique, which samples the duty cycle‐amplitude of the inverter's terminal voltage, is developed. Leveraging the acquired equivalent voltage data, a novel voltage compensation strategy that providing more accuracy in EME performance is proposed. The mathematical foundation of the EME is established using Kirchhoff's voltage and current laws. These findings are independently validated through simulations and experiments. The results provide robust evidence that the proposed equivalent voltage acquisition and compensation strategies can enhance the accuracy of the EME.
Retraction Note: Public investment disbursement in construction of transport infrastructure: Situation and solution
Authors: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung , Hoang Thi Hang Nga
Published: November 2024

This paper has been formally retracted from publication by the authors due to a conflict of interest that was discovered post-publication. The authors are responsible for this mistake and apologise for it.

Request approved by the proceedings Editors and the Publisher on August 6, 2024.
Dietary fiber consumption by sows during pregnancy has effects on gut microbial composition and immunity of offspring
Authors: Lu Hongyu , Wu Jian , Cheng Qian , Junaid Muhammad , Li Yixiang , Xiong Yi , Li Xian , Yan Jianhua
Published: November 2024

Context Piglets encounter numerous challenges post-birth, and positive maternal influences can significantly aid their survival. Aims This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of dietary fiber (DF) consumption during pregnancy on the establishment of colonic flora and immunity in offspring. Methods Sixty-eight multiparous sows were randomly assigned to either a control diet lacking fiber sources or a diet supplemented with a fiber mixture. The study evaluated the developmental status, intestinal microecology, and immune indices, including the expression of Toll-like receptors and nuclear factor kappa-B, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukins 6 and 10, and interferon γ, as well as the concentrations of complement components 3 and 4, and immunoglobulins G and M in the offspring. Key results The findings revealed a significant reduction in Toll-like receptor 4 and nuclear factor kappa-B messenger RNA levels in the colon and tumor necrosis factor α levels in the serum of 21-day-weaned piglets from the fiber group, indicating a decrease in inflammation. Moreover, there was a notable increase in the abundance of Roseburia and Lactobacillus in the colons of weaned piglets from the fiber-supplemented group, whereas Odoribacter showed a substantial decrease. This indicates that sows transfer beneficial microorganisms to their piglets, and fiber supplementation further enhances these positive microbial changes. Conclusion This study highlights the positive impact on the microbiota profile and immunity of piglets of fiber supplementation in sow diets during pregnancy, using a 3% purified fiber mixture. These findings hold implications for the enhanced development of weaned piglets, providing valuable theoretical support.
A systematic review of cross-patient approaches for EEG epileptic seizure prediction
Authors: Shafiezadeh Sina , Marco Duma Gian , Pozza Marco , Testolin Alberto
Published: November 2024

Objective: Seizure prediction could greatly improve the quality of life of people suffering from epilepsy. Modern prediction systems leverage artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to automatically analyze neurophysiological data, most commonly the electroencephalogram (EEG), in order to anticipate upcoming epileptic events. However, the performance of these systems is normally assessed using randomized splitting methods, which can suffer from data leakage and thus result in an optimistic evaluation. In this review, we systematically surveyed the available scientific literature looking for research approaches that adopted more stringent assessment methods based on patient-independent testing. Approach: We queried three scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science), focusing on AI techniques based on non-invasive EEG recorded from human subjects. We first summarize a standardized signal processing pipeline that could be deployed for the development and testing of cross-patient seizure prediction systems. We then analyze the research work that meets our selection criteria. Main results: 21 articles adopted patient-independent validation methods, constituting only 4% of the published work in the entire field of epileptic seizure prediction. Among eligible articles, the most common approach to deal with cross-patient scenarios was based on source domain adaptation techniques, which allow to fine-tune the predictive model on a limited set of data recorded from a set of independent target patients. Significance: Overall, our review indicates that epileptic seizure prediction remains an extremely challenging problem and significant research efforts are still needed to develop automated systems that can be deployed in realistic clinical settings. Our review protocol is based on the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols 2020 guidelines for conducting systematic reviews, considering NHLBI and ROBIS tools to mitigate the risk of bias, and it was pre-registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD4202452317).
Health-related quality of life in living kidney donors participating in kidney exchange programmes
Authors: van de Laar Stijn C , Wiltschut Berwout W , Oudmaijer Chris A J , Muller Kelly , Massey Emma K , Porte Robert J , Dor Frank J M F , Minnee Robert C
Published: November 2024

Background

Kidney exchange programmes (KEPs) have revolutionized living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) by enabling transplants for patients with HLA- or ABO-incompatible donors. However, the implications for donors participating in KEPs, particularly regarding postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL), are not well elucidated. This study compares the HRQoL of donors participating in KEPs with donors donating directly (non-KEPs).

Methods

The study included 724 donors, with 121 in the KEP group and 603 in the non-KEP group. Outcomes were assessed using the mental component summary (MCS), physical component summary (PCS), EQ-5D-3L, MVI-20 score, and self-rated pain level. We used a mixed-effects regression model to assess differences between KEP and non-KEP over time, accounting for repeated measures within subjects.

Results

There was a significant temporary decline in both the MCS and PCS post-donation; however, these outcomes returned to pre-donation levels after an interval of 2 months. Donors participating in the KEP had higher PCS and MCS 1-year post-donation. Comparable results were observed in the self-assessed HRQoL using the EQ-5D-3L instrument, as well as in the fatigue scores measured by the MVI-20.

Conclusions

We found that participation in KEPs does not adversely affect donors' short- or long-term mental and physical HRQoL outcomes and that LDKT donors have HRQoL of pre-donation levels soon after donation. These insights are reassuring, indicating that donors participating in KEPs can expect HRQoL comparable to those who do not. This reinforces the viability of KEPs as a safe option for expanding LDKT and findings can inform patient and donor education.
Association between urinary heavy metal/trace element concentrations and kidney function: a prospective study
Authors: Xie Sisi , Perrais Maïwenn , Golshayan Déla , Wuerzner Gregoire , Vaucher Julien , Thomas Aurélien , Marques-Vidal Pedro
Published: November 2024

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important public health problem. Although cross-sectional studies have identified many heavy metals/trace elements associated with reduced kidney function, prospective studies are needed to determine the pathogenic role of these elements in the development and progression of CKD.

Methods

To explore the association between baseline urinary heavy metal/trace element concentrations and long-term impaired kidney function (IKF)/CKD, as well as the incidence of rapid decline in kidney function in a population-based exploratory prospective study, with mean age 51.9 years at baseline whose urinary trace elements concentrations have been determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. IKF was defined by a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 60 and 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, and CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Rapid eGFR decline was defined as a decrease ≥3 mL/min/1.73 m2/year.

Results

Over a mean follow-up of 12.5 years, 123 participants (2.6%) experienced rapid decline in kidney function, and 1455 (31.7%) developed IKF or CKD. After adjusting for covariates including baseline eGFR, we found that urinary vanadium [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.07, 1.03–1.12], cobalt (HR = 1.69, 1.21–2.37), nickel (HR = 1.19, 1.08–1.3), copper (HR = 1.03, 1.01–1.06), selenium (HR = 1.33, 1.02–1.73), molybdenum (HR = 1.48, 1.2–1.82) and iodine (HR = 1.1, 1.02–1.2) were associated with an increased risk of new incident IKF or CKD cases during the follow-up. Also, urinary copper [odds ratio (OR) = 1.12, 1.04–1.21], silver (OR = 1.83, 1–3.35), molybdenum (OR = 1.02, 1.01–1.04) and cadmium (OR = 1.05, 1.01–1.09) were associated with an increased risk of rapid eGFR decline.

Conclusion

In the general population, several urinary heavy metals/trace elements are associated with a rapid decline in kidney function or new cases of IKF/CKD.
Albuminuria after induction treatment and kidney prognosis in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: Chalkia Aglaia , Jones Rachel , Smith Rona , Willcocks Lisa , Jayne David
Published: November 2024

Introduction

It remains unclear whether persisting proteinuria in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) reflects damage from the initial injury or ongoing inflammation.

Methods

A retrospective, single-centre study of biopsy-proven AAGN was performed. The study defined the ‘albuminuria’ group as urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) >300 mg/g and the ‘no albuminuria’ group as ACR ≤300 mg/g at 6 months. We sought the clinical and histopathological characteristics of both the initial and subsequent biopsies and long-term kidney outcomes stratified by albuminuria levels.

Results

Two hundred and eighteen patients were included. Within the first 6 months, 28 (13%) died or progressed to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Among the remaining 190 patients, 37% had an ACR >300 mg/g at 6 months. The albuminuria group more frequently presented with a Berden mixed or crescentic class and had higher glomerular activity on the initial biopsy. They were more often male (OR 2.75; 95% CI 1.15–6.54), younger age (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93–0.99), and had fewer normal glomeruli in the biopsy (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93–0.99) compared with the group without albuminuria. Over the initial 5-year period, the recovery in eGFR was lower in the albuminuria group (adjusted mean difference in ΔeGFR −12.5 mL/min per 1.73 m2; 95% CI −15.8 to −9.1). In multivariable analysis, ACR >300 mg/g was associated with a higher risk of ESKD, even after adjusting for Berden classification and eGFR at diagnosis (hazard ratio 6.53; 95% CI 1.49–28.50).

Conclusions

In a well-defined cohort of AAGN, one-third of the patients, primarily younger males with a lower percentage of normal glomeruli, had persisting albuminuria after induction treatment which was associated with worse kidney outcomes independent of Berden class and eGFR at diagnosis.
Structure connectivity of folded cross cubes
Authors: Ba Lina , Zhang Heping
Published: November 2024

Connectivity is an important parameter to measure fault-tolerance of networks. As a generalization, structure connectivity and substructure connectivity of networks were proposed. For connected graphs $G$ and $H$, the $H$-structure connectivity $\kappa (G; H)$ (resp. $H$-substructure connectivity $\kappa ^{s}(G; H)$) of $G$ is the minimum cardinality of a set of subgraphs $\mathcal{F}$ of $G$ that each is isomorphic to $H$ (resp. a connected subgraph of $H$) such that $G-\mathcal{F}$ is disconnected or the singleton. $n$-dimensional folded cross cube, $FCQ_{n}$, is a network obtained by adding edges to $n$-dimensional cross cubes. In this paper, we study star, path, and cycle structure connectivity and substructure connectivity of $FCQ_{n}$, where $n\geq 8$. For star ($K_{1,m}$) structure, we get that $\kappa (FCQ_{n}; K_{1, m})=\kappa ^{s}(FCQ_{n}; K_{1, m})=\lceil \frac{n + 1}{2} \rceil $ for $2 \leq m \leq \frac{n}{2}$. For path ($P_{k}$) structure, we show that for $3\leq k\leq n+1$, if $k$ is odd, then $\kappa (FCQ_{n}; P_{k})=\kappa ^{s}(FCQ_{n}; P_{k})=\lceil \frac{2(n + 1)}{k+1}\rceil $; if $k$ is even, then $\kappa (FCQ_{n}; P_{k})=\kappa ^{s}(FCQ_{n}; P_{k})=\lceil \frac{2(n + 1)} {k}\rceil $. For cycle ($C_{k}$) structure, we prove that $\kappa ^(FCQ_{n}; C_{k})=\kappa ^{s}(FCQ_{n}; P_{k})$. Further, we calculate $\kappa ^(FCQ_{n}; C_{2k-1})=\lceil \frac{n+1}{k-1} \rceil $ for $4 \leq k \leq n+2$ and $C_{2k}$-structure connectivity of $FCQ_{n}$ is $\lfloor \frac{n+1}{k} \rfloor +1$ for $6 \leq k\leq n + 1$ and even $k$.
Efficacy of photoClO2 against two human norovirus surrogates and Clostridioides difficile endospores on stainless steel and nylon carpet
Authors: Huang Jinge , Adams Jacob , Pettigrew Charles , Fraser Angela , Jiang Xiuping
Published: November 2024

Aims

Determine efficacy of an aqueous photocatalytic disinfection system, photoClO2, against two human norovirus surrogates [feline calicivirus (FCV) and Tulane virus (TuV)] and Clostridioides difficile endospores on stainless steel and nylon carpet.

Methods and results

The photoClO2 system was first optimized with 1% sodium chlorite (NaClO2) and 10 ppm Eosin Y to produce 60.64 ppm ClO2/min in a 4.5 × 4.5 cm2 area. It was then tested against FCV, TuV, and C. difficile endospores on stainless steel and nylon carpet with two different backings. On stainless steel, photoClO2 achieved a > 5 log10 plaque-forming unit (PFU) reduction of FCV in 45 min, >3 log10 median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) reduction of TuV in 60 min, and 1.3 log10 colony-forming unit (CFU) reduction of C. difficile endospores in 120 min. Under indoor lighting conditions, photoClO2 achieved a 4.3 log10 PFU reduction of FCV and 1.4 log10 TCID50 reduction of TuV on stainless steel after 120 min. Further, photoClO2 achieved a 2.9 log10 PFU reduction of FCV and 2.5 log10 TCID50 reduction of TuV on nylon carpet with waterproof backing in 60 min, which was higher than carpet with water-permeable backing (1.3 log10 PFU and 1.1 log10 TCID50 reduction, respectively).

Conclusion

ClO2 production rate of the photoClO2 system was influenced by light distribution, while disinfection efficacy was affected by light intensity, surface characteristics, and target microorganisms. PhotoClO2 was efficacious in inactivating both human norovirus surrogates on stainless steel and nylon carpet. Efficacy against C. difficile endospores was limited.
Influence of feeding black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), and superworm (Zophobas morio) on the gut microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Drosdowech Sonja , Bezner Samantha , Daisley Brendan , Chiasson Marcia , Easton Anne , Rooney Neil , Huyben David
Published: November 2024

Aim

This study investigates how replacing fishmeal and fish oil with insect meals in feed impacts the gut microbiota in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a crucial species in aquaculture.

Methods and results

Dietary inclusion of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), and superworm (Zophobas morio) were evaluated for their impact on intestinal microbial diversity and community composition following a 12-week feeding trial. Fish were fed one of four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets: a control diet without insect meal, and diets with 15% defatted black soldier fly meal, full-fat adult cricket meal, or full-fat superworm meal. The microbiota of intestinal digesta and fish feed was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results revealed significantly lower alpha diversity indices in the cricket treatment compared to the control. Beta diversity analysis showed Bacillota as the dominant phylum across all treatments, with the initial stock population richer in Mycoplasmatota. A novel genus within Mycoplasmataceae was prevalent at Day 0 and in all treatments. Black soldier fly meal increased an unidentified Peptostreptococcaceae genus (bsv123) compared to control and superworm diets, while cricket meal elevated Streptococcus levels.

Conclusions

Insect-based diets, particularly with black soldier fly meal, significantly alter beta diversity within the gut microbiota of rainbow trout, with cricket meal reducing alpha diversity and superworm having minimal impact.
Enhancing the erythritol production of Yarrowia lipolytica by high-throughput screening based on highly sensitive artificial sensor and anchor protein cwp2
Authors: Cui Quan , Liu Hui , Guo Chuanzhuang , Wang Jianbin , Liu Yuehan , Zhao Yaqi , Wang Ruiming , Li Piwu , Wang Ting , Wang Junqing , Li Nan
Published: November 2024

Yarrowia lipolytica is widely used for the industrial production of the natural sweetener erythritol. Despite improvements in fermentation process control and metabolic pathway regulation, bottlenecks still exist in terms of yield and screening technology. Therefore, we constructed an artificial sensor system for effective erythritol detection, established a single-cell droplet-based high-throughput screening system based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and obtained Y. lipolytica with improved erythritol production through mutagenesis and high-throughput screening. We used a droplet generator to co-cultivate Y. lipolytica 5-14 with Escherichia coli and used the E. coli fluorescent signal to detect the concentration of erythritol synthesized by Y. lipolytica 5-14 for high-throughput screening. Strains were subjected to UV mutagenesis for 120 s. Under optimized fermentation conditions using Y. lipolytica mutants in 96-well plates, the screening efficiency reached 16.7%. Yarrowia lipolytica 5-14-E6 showed a 21% increase in erythritol to 109.84 g/L. After fermentation at 30°C in a 100-m3 fermenter for 75 hr, the mutant Y. lipolytica 5-14-E6 erythritol yield reached 178 g/L.

One-Sentence Summary

In this study, we constructed an artificial sensor system for effective erythritol detection, established a single-cell droplet-based high-throughput screening system based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and induced and screened mutant strains of Yarrowia lipolytica with improved erythritol production through mutagenesis and high-throughput screening.
Different roles played by Types II and Ia supernovae in the gas loss in dwarf spheroidal galaxies: results from 3D hydrodynamic simulations
Authors: Lanfranchi Gustavo A , Caproni Anderson , Soares Jennifer F
Published: November 2024

The absence of neutral gas in Local Group dwarf spheroidal galaxies is a well-known fact. However, the physical mechanism that led to the removal or consumption of their gas remains an unsolved puzzle. It is possible that galactic winds triggered by supernovae or external physical processes such as ram pressure or tidal stripping could have played a significant role in removing a considerable portion of gas from these galaxies. This study utilizes a non-cosmological 3D hydrodynamic simulation code to explore the impact of feedback from Types Ia and II supernovae on the dynamics of the gas of a typical dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The simulation code considers a fixed and cored dark matter potential and a ratio of baryonic to dark matter based on cosmic background radiation, and it takes into account the effects of both Type II and Type Ia supernova feedback. The gas distribution inside the tidal radius of the galaxy is allowed to evolve over 1 billion years considering different prescriptions for the spatial and temporal distribution of the supernovae. Our results suggest that Type Ia supernovae are more effective in expelling the gas out of the galaxy whereas Type II supernovae remove the gas from the central regions of the system. Whereas the spatial distribution of supernovae is more influential on gas loss than their temporal distribution, both factors should be considered in stellar feedback studies. Moreover, both types of supernovae, with their distinct time-scales, should be incorporated into these investigations.
A global binary asteroid system model with irregularly shaped components via iterated surface integral
Authors: Lu Jucheng , Shang Haibin , Zhang Xuefen
Published: November 2024

The dynamics of binary asteroid systems are referred to as the full two-body problem (F2BP), which is one of the principal problems in astrodynamics. The gravitational interactions, including the mutual potential, force, and torque, are necessary quantities to acquire the solution of F2BP. However, it is usually difficult to balance accuracy with efficiency of the evaluations, due to the highly irregular shapes of the asteroids and the close distance between the two components. In this paper, a global model is proposed for evaluating the interactions between two polyhedral asteroids with arbitrary separating distances. First, the interactions are represented as the double surface integrals through the iterated divergence theorem, which is lossless. The integrals over the complex boundaries of bodies are then converted to the sum of subdomain integrals over triangular facets which are compatible with the polyhedron model. Finally, these integrals are conveniently approximated through the numerical quadrature. This work provides a general solution that avoids the divergence problem of most traditional models. The benchmarking tests against the exact solution between two ellipsoids verify its high precision even if the bodies are almost touching. Considering asteroids with irregular shapes, we investigate the evolution of the Moshup–Squannit system and compare the results with the traditional series-based model. The developed model makes a reasonable balance between accuracy and efficiency with different quadrature strategies. The simulations show that the developed model achieves a comparable precision with the 4th-order series solution and a relatively fast computation speed with an appropriate quadrature strategy.