bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoke-induced disordered microbiota aggravates the severity of influenza A virus infection
Authors: Wüthrich Tsering , de Brot Simone , Richina Veronica , Mostacci Nadja , Baumann Zora , Leborgne Nathan G. F. , Godel Aurélie , Alves Marco P. , Bentires-Alj Mohamed , Benarafa Charaf , Hilty Markus
Published: November 2024

Cigarette smoke (CS) promotes the development of chronic pulmonary disease and has been associated with increased risk for influenza-related illness. Here, we directly addressed the impact of CS disordered microbiota on the severity of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Specific and opportunistic pathogen-free (SOPF) C57BL/6J mice were exposed to CS or room air (RA) for 5.5 months. Each exposed mouse was then cohoused with a group of recipient germ-free (GF) mice for 1 month for microbial transfer. Colonized GF mice were then infected intranasally with IAV and disease development was monitored. Upper and lower airway and fecal microbiota were longitudinally investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bacterial cultures in donor and recipient mice. The bacterial family
Streptococcaceae
accounted for the largest difference between CS- and RA-exposed microbiota in the oropharynx. Analysis of the oropharynx and fecal microbiota indicated an efficient transfer to coprophagic recipient mice, which replicated the differences in microbiota composition observed in donor mice. Subsequent IAV infection revealed significantly higher weight loss for CS microbiota recipient mice at 8–10 days post infection (dpi) compared to control recipient mice. In addition, H1N1 infection inflicted substantial changes in the microbiota composition, especially at days 4 and 8 after infection. In conclusion, mice with a CS-associated microbiota suffer from higher disease severity upon IAV infection compared to mice colonized with a normal SOPF microbiota. Our data suggest that independently of CS exposure and concomitant structural lung damage, microbial distortion due to CS exposure may impact the severity of IAV disease course.

IMPORTANCE

It has been reported that chronic exposure to CS is associated with a disordered microbiota composition. In this study, we colonized germ-free (GF) mice with the microbiota from SOPF mice which were chronically exposed to CS or RA. This allowed disentangling the effect of the disordered microbiota from the immune-modulating effects of actual CS exposure. We observed a successful transfer of the microbiotas after cohousing including specific microbiota differences induced by CS exposure in formerly GF mice, which were never exposed to CS. We then investigated the effects of IAV infection on the disease course and microbiotas of formerly GF mice. We found that mice with CS-associated microbiota reveal worse disease course compared to the control group. We hypothesize that CS-induced disordering of the microbiota may, indeed, impact the severity of influenza A disease.
Deep learning enabled integration of tumor microenvironment microbial profiles and host gene expressions for interpretable survival subtyping in diverse types of cancers
Authors: Zhang Haohong , Xiong Xinghao , Cheng Mingyue , Ji Lei , Ning Kang
Published: November 2024

The tumor microbiome, a complex community of microbes found in tumors, has been found to be linked to cancer development, progression, and treatment outcome. However, it remains a bottleneck in distangling the relationship between the tumor microbiome and host gene expressions in tumor microenvironment, as well as their concert effects on patient survival. In this study, we aimed to decode this complex relationship by developing ASD-cancer (autoencoder-based subtypes detector for cancer), a semi-supervised deep learning framework that could extract survival-related features from tumor microbiome and transcriptome data, and identify patients’ survival subtypes. By using tissue samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we identified two statistically distinct survival subtypes across all 20 types of cancer Our framework provided improved risk stratification (e.g., for liver hepatocellular carcinoma, [LIHC], log-rank test,
P
= 8.12E−6) compared to PCA (e.g., for LIHC, log-rank test,
P
= 0.87), predicted survival subtypes accurately, and identified biomarkers for survival subtypes. Additionally, we identified potential interactions between microbes and host genes that may play roles in survival. For instance, in LIHC,
Arcobacter
,
Methylocella
, and
Isoptericola
may regulate host survival through interactions with host genes enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway, indicating these species as potential therapy targets. Further experiments on validation data sets have also supported these patterns. Collectively, ASD-cancer has enabled accurate survival subtyping and biomarker discovery, which could facilitate personalized treatment for broad-spectrum types of cancers.

IMPORTANCE

Unraveling the intricate relationship between the tumor microbiome, host gene expressions, and their collective impact on cancer outcomes is paramount for advancing personalized treatment strategies. Our study introduces ASD-cancer, a cutting-edge autoencoder-based subtype detector. ASD-cancer decodes the complexities within the tumor microenvironment, successfully identifying distinct survival subtypes across 20 cancer types. Its superior risk stratification, demonstrated by significant improvements over traditional methods like principal component analysis, holds promise for refining patient prognosis. Accurate survival subtype predictions, biomarker discovery, and insights into microbe-host gene interactions elevate ASD-cancer as a powerful tool for advancing precision medicine. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment but also open avenues for personalized interventions across diverse cancer types, underscoring the transformative potential of ASD-cancer in shaping the future of cancer care.
Development of
ptxD
/Phi as a new dominant selection system for genetic manipulation in
Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Khongthongdam Muthita , Phetruen Tanaporn , Chanarat Sittinan
Published: November 2024

Cryptococcus neoformans
is a globally distributed pathogenic fungus posing a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV/AIDS. Effective genetic manipulation tools are essential for understanding its biology and developing new therapies. However, current genetic tools, including the variation of versatile selectable markers, are limited. This study develops and validates the phosphite dehydrogenase gene (
ptxD
)/phosphite (Phi) selection system as a non-antibiotic selectable marker for genetic manipulation in
C. neoformans
. A codon-optimized
ptxD
gene from
Pseudomonas stutzeri
was cloned under the
TEF
promoter. Using the transient CRISPR-Cas9 coupled with electroporation system, we integrated the
ptxD
gene into the
C. neoformans
genome and assessed the impact of
ptxD
integration on cell growth and virulence factors. The
ptxD
/Phi system effectively selected transformed cells on Phi-containing media. Growth assays showed that
ptxD
integration did not adversely affect cell growth or key virulence factors, including pleomorphism, capsule size, and melanin production. Additionally, we successfully disrupted the
ADE2
gene using this system, confirming its applicability for gene deletion. Taken together, the
ptxD
/Phi system provides a robust and versatile tool for genetic manipulation in
C. neoformans
, facilitating further research into its biology and pathogenicity.

IMPORTANCE

Cryptococcus neoformans
is a type of fungus that can cause serious illnesses in people who have weakened immune systems, like those with HIV/AIDS. To better study this fungus and find new treatments, scientists need tools to change its genes in precise ways. However, the current tools available for this are somewhat limited. This research introduces a new tool called the phosphite dehydrogenase gene/phosphite system, which does not rely on antibiotics to work. It uses a gene from a different bacterium that helps select and grow only the fungus cells that have successfully incorporated new genetic information. This is particularly useful because it does not interfere with the normal growth of the fungus or the features that make it harmful (like its ability to change shape or produce protective coatings). By making it easier and more effective to manipulate the genetics of
C. neoformans
, this tool opens up new possibilities for understanding how this fungus operates and for developing therapies to combat its infections. This is crucial for improving the treatment of infections in vulnerable populations.
Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of scrotum (ICCS): excision with scrotoplasty
Authors: Ganesan Karthick , Kumar Neeraj , Chandrasekar Shruthi , Singhal Maneesh
Published: November 2024

Scrotal calcinosis is an infrequent benign pathological condition characterised by the presence of multiple calcified nodules on the skin of the scrotum. Despite the formulation of several theories, the precise pathogenesis of this condition remains a subject of controversy within the scientific community. The predominant concern associated with scrotal calcinosis is of an aesthetic nature, and histological examination serves as the definitive method for confirmation of the diagnosis. The manifestation of scrotal nodules and cysts is an uncommon occurrence, and in cases where these manifestations are asymptomatic, the diagnostic timeframe may extend over several years, potentially spanning decades. Surgical excision of the calcified lesions is the established treatment modality, serving both diagnostic and therapeutic objectives.
Association of cardiorespiratory fitness with dementia risk across different levels of genetic predisposition: a large community-based longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Shuqi , Xu Liyao , Yang Wenzhe , Wang Jiao , Dove Abigail , Qi Xiuying , Xu Weili
Published: November 2024

Objective

We aimed to investigate the association of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with cognitive function and dementia risk, taking genetic predisposition for dementia into account.

Methods

Within the UK Biobank, 61 214 dementia-free participants aged 39–70 years were followed for up to 12 years. CRF score was estimated using a 6 min submaximal exercise test on a stationary bike and divided into tertiles (ie, low, moderate, and high; standardised by age and sex). Global cognitive function was evaluated at baseline. Dementia was identified based on medical history and medical records. Genetic predisposition for dementia was estimated using the polygenic risk score for Alzheimer’s disease (PRSAD), tertiled as low, moderate, or high. Data were analysed using linear regression, Poisson regression, and Laplace regression.

Results

Compared with low CRF, high CRF was related to better global cognitive function (β=0.05, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.07). Over the follow-up period, 553 individuals developed dementia. Compared with low CRF, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of all dementia was 0.60 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.76) for high CRF, and the onset of all dementia was delayed by 1.48 (95% CI 0.58 to 2.39) years among people with high versus low CRF. Among people with a moderate/high polygenic risk score, high CRF attenuated all dementia risk by 35% (IRR 0.65, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.83).

Conclusion

High CRF is associated with better cognitive performance at baseline, and lower dementia risk long-term. High CRF could mitigate the impact of genetic predisposition on the development of dementia by 35%.
Readiness of primary healthcare and community markets for joint delivery of cardiovascular disease prevention services in Kenya: an observational feasibility study of Health Kiosks in Markets (HEKIMA)
Authors: Kaduka Lydia , Olale Joanna , Mutai Joseph , Christelle Elia , Mbuka Jaymima , Ochieng Rodgers , Oyugi Boniface , Oduor Chrispine , O’Keeffe Majella , Boulding Harriet , Murdoch Jamie , Parmar Divya , Kokwaro Gilbert , Ogola Elijah , Cruickshank John Kennedy , Muniu Erastus , Harding Seeromanie
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Kenya threatens its healthcare system. There is a need for innovative models that improve equitable access to CVD prevention services. Community markets are social establishments with untapped potential to promote public health. This is a multiphased feasibility study that explores the potential of Health Kiosks in Markets (HEKIMA) to improve access to CVD prevention services. In this formative phase, the aim was to assess the readiness of primary healthcare centres (HCs) and community markets to jointly deliver CVD prevention services.

Design

Mixed methods using concept mapping and readiness surveys. Concept mapping with 35 stakeholders from different sectors (health and non-health) to identify feasible priorities for HEKIMA. The readiness questionnaire contained 193 items which were based on the guidance of the WHO Handbook for Monitoring the Building Blocks of Health Systems and adapted to suit the context of a single HC.

Setting

Vihiga County is located in western Kenya and has a population of 590 013. A total of 18 HCs and 19 markets were assessed, with 10 HCs and 15 markets included in the evaluation.

Results

91 statements were generated from concept mapping and distilled into 8 clusters, namely equipment and supplies, access and referral, communication, manpower, networks and linkages, practice, service delivery and health promotion. Agreed actions for HEKIMA were provision of efficient quality services, health promotion and partnerships sensitive to the local context. HCs and markets had established governance systems and basic infrastructure. The majority of the HCs lacked essential CVD medications. No HC–market interface existed but there was willingness for a partnership.

Conclusion

There was strong consensus that an HC–market interface via community health worker manned kiosks could have a positive impact on health systems, markets and CVD prevention in vulnerable communities. However, significant infrastructural, technical and resource gaps were observed that need to be addressed.
Accuracy of the Canadian COVID-19 Mortality Score (CCMS) to predict in-hospital mortality among vaccinated and unvaccinated patients infected with Omicron: a cohort study
Authors: Hohl Corinne M , Yeom David S , Yan Justin , Archambault Patrick M , Brooks Steven C , Morrison Laurie J , Perry Jeffrey , Rosychuk Rhonda
Published: November 2024

Objective

The objective is to externally validate and assess the opportunity to update the Canadian COVID-19 Mortality Score (CCMS) to predict in-hospital mortality among consecutive non-palliative COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron subvariants at a time when vaccinations were widespread.

Design

This observational study validated the CCMS in an external cohort at a time when Omicron variants were dominant. We assessed the potential to update the rule and improve its performance by recalibrating and adding vaccination status in a subset of patients from provinces with access to vaccination data and created the adjusted CCMS (CCMSadj). We followed discharged patients for 30 days after their index emergency department visit or for their entire hospital stay if admitted.

Setting

External validation cohort for CCMS: 36 hospitals participating in the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN). Update cohort for CCMSadj: 14 hospitals in CCEDRRN in provinces with vaccination data.

Participants

Consecutive non-palliative COVID-19 patients presenting to emergency departments.

Main outcome measures

In-hospital mortality.

Results

Of 39 682 eligible patients, 1654 (4.2%) patients died. The CCMS included age, sex, residence type, arrival mode, chest pain, severe liver disease, respiratory rate and level of respiratory support and predicted in-hospital mortality with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.88) in external validation. Updating the rule by recalibrating and adding vaccination status to create the CCMSadjchanged the weights for age, respiratory status and homelessness, but only marginally improved its performance, while vaccination status did not. The CCMSadjhad an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI 0.89 to 0.92) in validation. CCMSadjscores of <10 categorised patients as low risk with an in-hospital mortality of <1.6%. A score>15 had observed mortality of >56.8%.

Conclusions

The CCMS remained highly accurate in predicting mortality from Omicron and improved marginally through recalibration. Adding vaccination status did not improve the performance. The CCMS can be used to inform patient prognosis, goals of care conversations and guide clinical decision-making for emergency department patients with COVID-19.
Secondary causal mediation analysis of a pragmatic clinical trial to evaluate the effect of chiropractic care for US active-duty military on biopsychosocial outcomes occurring through effects on low back pain interference and intensity
Authors: Shannon Zacariah K , Long Cynthia R , Chrischilles Elizabeth , Goertz Christine , Wallace Robert , Casteel Carri , Carnahan Ryan M
Published: November 2024

Objective

We evaluate change in low back pain (LBP) intensity and interference as the mechanism by which chiropractic care affects other biopsychosocial factors in US active-duty military members.

Design

We conducted secondary, exploratory mediation analysis of pragmatic, multisite, clinical trial (NCT01692275) post results using natural effect modeling. Mediators were the 6-week values of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 pain interference and intensity. Outcomes were 12-week values of other PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial subdomains. Models evaluated overall and individual factor contribution and were adjusted for baseline age, sex, LBP duration, LBP intensity and mediator and outcome values.

Setting

Three US military treatment facilities.

Participants

750 US active-duty military members with LBP.

Interventions

Trial participants received 6 weeks of treatment with chiropractic care plus usual medical care or usual medical care alone.

Results

In multiple mediator models, pain interference and pain intensity explained much of the effect of chiropractic care on physical function (proportion mediated=0.77, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.0), fatigue (0.62, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.0), sleep disturbance (0.49, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.5) and social roles (0.81, 95% CI 0.50 to 2.0). Mental health was not evaluable due to the low prevalence of symptoms reported. The combined models of pain interference and pain intensity did not have a higher proportion mediated than the individual pain intensity models except for fatigue outcome models.

Conclusion

Pain intensity appeared to be the mechanism by which much of the change in biopsychosocial factors occurred and should be considered a key clinical indicator for improvement in biopsychosocial health when chiropractic care is added to usual medical care for US active-duty military members.
Relationship between critical illness recovery and social determinants of health: a multiperspective qualitative study in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Howard A Fuchsia , Lynch Kelsey , Thorne Sally , Hoiss Sybil , Ahmad Omar , Arora Rakesh C , Currie Leanne M , McDermid Robert C , Cloutier Martha , Crowe Sarah , Rankin Cameron , Erchov Alice , Hou Brianna , Li Hong , Haljan Gregory
Published: November 2024

Objectives

There are health disparities and inequities in the outcomes of critical illness survivors related to the influence of social determinants of health on recovery. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between critical illness recovery and the intermediary social determinants of health in the Canadian context. Because Canadian healthcare is provided within a universal publicly funded system, this analysis sheds light on the role of social determinants of health in the context of universal health services and a relatively robust social safety net.

Design

In this qualitative interpretive description study, data from semi-structured interviews with intensive care unit survivors, family caregivers and healthcare providers were analysed using thematic and constant comparative methods.

Setting

Western Canadian Hospital serving a population of 900 000 people.

Participants

The 74 study participants included 30 patients (mean age 58 years, 18 men and 12 women) and 25 family caregivers (mean age 55 years, 8 men and 17 women), representing 37 cases, as well as 19 healthcare providers.

Results

Challenges with employment and finances, home set-up, transportation, food and nutrition, medications and social support complicated and hindered critical illness recovery. Critical illness sequelae also altered these social determinants of health, suggesting a reciprocal relationship. Furthermore, individuals experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage before critical illness described being at a greater disadvantage following their critical illness, which interfered with their recovery and suggests an accumulation of risk for some.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the significant influence of social determinants of health on critical illness recovery, highlighting the importance of creating and evaluating comprehensive approaches to health and well-being that address health inequities.
Prenatal exposure to antibiotics and the risk of orofacial clefts: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Nagata Abir , Rahman Md Shafiur , Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Nakagawa Takatoshi , Sharmin Salma , Onishi Kazunari , Rahman Mahbubur
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Orofacial clefts (OFCs), including cleft lip, cleft palate and combined cleft lip and palate, are among the most common craniofacial malformations in newborns and present significant healthcare challenges. Emerging evidence has raised concerns regarding the potential impact of prenatal exposure to antibiotics on fetal development. Antibiotics prescribed during pregnancy—particularly those that cross the placental barrier—may pose teratogenic risks. Previous studies investigating the association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and the risk of OFCs have yielded inconsistent results. However, no studies have yet attempted to summarise this evidence, highlighting the need for a comprehensive evaluation. This report describes a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol to retrospectively analyse the relationship between prenatal antibiotic exposure and the risk of developing OFCs, focusing on the role of antibiotic type and timing of exposure. The results of such a review will hopefully provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence, helping to inform clinical practice and guide patient counselling regarding the use of antibiotics during pregnancy.

Methods and analysis

The planned systematic review and meta-analysis will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and systematic approach to summarising the available evidence on the topic. This study will include longitudinal cohort studies, case–control studies, and interventional trials that investigate the association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and OFCs. The search strategy will cover major databases, including CINAHL, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, using tailored search terms. A team of independent assessors will screen article titles, abstracts and full texts. Any discrepancies will be resolved through discussions. Quality assessment will use the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Data extraction will focus on the study characteristics, participant details, exposure specifics and outcome measures. A random-effects meta-analysis will aggregate summary effect sizes, and heterogeneity will be assessed using I2and Q statistics.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required for this systematic review, as it relies on already published data. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, providing critical insights into clinical practice and public health policies regarding antibiotic use during pregnancy.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024565064
Magnesium-based bioresorbable flow diverter for intracranial aneurysms: a pilot study of biocompatibility and bioresorption in a rabbit vascular model
Authors: Akiyama Ryo , Ishii Akira , Sasaki Natsuhi , Matsukawa So , Yagi Shinichi , Chihara Hideo , Nishi Hidehisa , Iwasaki Kiyotaka , Sakurai Shinichi , Kawamura Yoshihito , Arakawa Yoshiki
Published: November 2024

Background

Bioresorbable flow diverters (BRFDs) have the potential to solve several problems associated with conventional permanent flow diverters. We have constructed bare and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-coated magnesium BRFDs (MgBRFDs) using a high-strength corrosion-resistant magnesium alloy. This study aimed to compare bioresorption and biocompatibility between the two types in a rabbit vascular model to determine which is more clinically feasible in humans.

Methods

Bare and PLLA-coated MgBRFDs were fabricated by braiding 48 thin magnesium alloy wires. Mechanical testing was conducted. Bare (n=13) and PLLA-coated (n=13) MgBRFDs were implanted into rabbit aortas and harvested 14, 30, and 90 days after implantation. The physical structure of the resolution process was examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT), micro-computed tomography, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biological response of the vascular tissue was examined using SEM and histopathological analysis.

Results

The porosity and pore density of the bare MgBRFD were 64% and 16 pores/mm2, respectively; corresponding values for the PLLA-coated MgBRFD were 63% and 12 pores/mm2, respectively. The OCT attenuation score was significantly higher for the PLLA-coated MgBRFD at all time points (14 days, P=0.01; 30 days, P=0.02; 90 days, P=0.004). OCT, micro-computed tomography, and SEM demonstrated better stent structure preservation with the PLLA-coated MgBRFD. Neointimal thickness did not significantly change over time in either type of MgBRFD (bare, P=0.93; PLLA-coated, P=0.34); however, the number of inflammatory and proliferative cells peaked at 14 days and then decreased.

Conclusions

Both bare and PLLA-coated MgBRFDs had excellent biocompatibility. The PLLA-coated MgBRFD has greater clinical feasibility because of its delayed bioresorption.
Effects of structure and pore-water chemistry on critical state behavior of bauxite residue
Authors: Mmbando Erwin , Fourie Andy , Reid David , Gao Jinglong , Nasharuddin Razyq , Fridjonsson Einar
Published: November 2024

Differences in the fabric of reconstituted triaxial samples may increase the difficulty of achieving a unique critical state for some soils. Moreover, changes in the salt concentration of bauxite residue can result in non-unique critical state lines (CSLs). To evaluate the effects of fabric and pore-water chemistry on the critical state of bauxite residue, this paper compares the triaxial compression behavior of intact, slurry consolidated, and various forms of moist tamped samples, at a range of salt concentrations. The variations in fabric were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests. The changes in pore-water chemistry were analyzed using X-ray methods and changes in salt concentration. The results showed that the particle agglomeration induced during reconstitution resulted in a more significant shift of the CSL than the decrease in salt concentration. Microimaging and shear behavior of samples showed that the slurry consolidation method may be the most suitable method for representing in situ behavior of clayey bauxite residue. NMR findings suggest that variations in water retained in the micropores of reconstituted samples stem from differences in microstructure. The implications of changes in salt concentration and sample microstructure on the design of clayey bauxite tailings storage facilities are discussed.
Investigating temperature effects on the shear behavior of clays: molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Mhamdi Alaoui Hamza , Zhao Chaofa , Niu Wenbo , Yang Zhongxuan
Published: November 2024

The shear behavior of clays is critically important for the stability and safety of nuclear waste repositories and clay gouges. These contexts expose clayey geomaterials to high pressures and temperatures. Under such varying thermodynamic conditions, the shear behavior of these materials becomes complex, necessitating thorough investigations. This study aims to elucidate the effect of temperature on the shear behavior of three clayey materials—kaolinite, illite, and montmorillonite—through molecular dynamics simulations. The research replicates a geotechnical shear setup at the molecular scale, varying the environmental temperature including sub-freezing temperatures below 300 K and elevated temperatures in the range of 300–500 K and hydrostatic pressure. The results reveal stick–slip behavior, enabling the calculation of nanoscale cohesion, friction angle, and shear modulus across different temperatures. Thermal effects are notably significant for illite and kaolinite, both exhibiting a marked decrease in shear properties with increasing temperature. Kaolinite demonstrates a high shear modulus of up to 40 GPa, indicating substantial shear strength compared to montmorillonite and illite. Illite displays the highest friction angle among the studied materials, approximately 5°. For montmorillonite, the influence of temperature on shear behavior is comparatively less pronounced. This study provides critical insights into the nanoscale mechanical behavior of clay minerals under varying thermal conditions, contributing to the broader understanding of geomaterial stability in high-stake environments such as nuclear waste containment.
Effects of acute suspended sediment exposure on the swimming and schooling performance of imperilled Redside Dace (Clinostomus elongatus)
Authors: Dugdale Madison L. , Turko Andy J. , Gaffan Serena M. , Ferreira Marcio S. , Pitcher Trevor E.
Published: November 2024

Urbanization is a widespread threat to freshwater ecosystems. After rainfall, urban streams often experience unnaturally fast water flows and acute increases in suspended sediment due to the high degree of adjacent impervious land surface. Suspended sediments may negatively affect fishes by impairing respiration, and reduced water clarity may also affect social behaviours such as schooling that are dependent on visual cues. Given these two mechanisms of harm, suspended sediments may therefore exacerbate the difficulty of swimming at high water velocities. We tested this idea using imperilled Redside Dace ( Clinostomus elongatus) to examine the consequences of suspended sediment on swimming performance and schooling behaviour. Using individual fish, we assayed swimming performance (standard critical swim speed test) and tail beat frequency and amplitude under a range of ecologically relevant sediment concentrations. Next, we measured the impact of sediment on the cohesion and polarization of schools. Swimming performance of individual fish was not affected by suspended sediment levels we examined. School polarization was positively correlated with water flow overall and at the fastest flows we tested; schools were more polarized when exposed to sediment. School cohesion decreased with increasing flows and was unaffected by the suspended sediment levels we examined. Our results collectively suggest that swimming performance of Redside Dace may be resilient to ecologically relevant acute suspended sediment exposure.
Superradiance scattering of electromagnetic and gravitational fields and thin accretion disk around non-commutating Kerr black hole
Authors: Jha Sohan Kumar
Published: November 2024

We consider the non-commutative (NC) Kerr black hole where the mass of the central object is smeared over a region of linear size $$\sqrt{b}$$

b

, b is the strength of the NC character of spacetime. For the spacetime under consideration, we calculate the amplification factor for electromagnetic and gravitational fields and study various properties of a thin accretion disk. The expression for the amplification factor is obtained with the help of the asymptotic matching technique. The amplification factor is then plotted against frequency for various values of the spin a and the NC parameter b. Though the amplification factor increases with a but decreases with b, the cut-off frequency up to which we have amplification increases with a and b. We then study the effect of the spin and the NC nature of spacetime on the energy flux, temperature distribution, emission spectrum, energy conversion efficiency, and the radius of the innermost stable circular orbit of a thin accretion disk around the black hole with the help of the steady-state Novikov–Thorne model. Our study reveals that these quantities increase with the spin and the NC parameter. We also find that the disk around the NC Kerr black is hotter and more luminous than that around the Kerr black hole and the NC Schwarzschild black hole. We can conclusively infer from our investigation that the NC nature of spacetime has a significant impact on the superradiance phenomenon as well as on various properties of thin accretion disks.
Time-Like heavy-flavour thresholds for fragmentation functions: the light-quark matching condition at NNLO
Authors: Biello Christian , Bonino Leonardo
Published: November 2024

Matching conditions are universal ingredients that describe how fragmentation functions change when heavy-flavour thresholds are crossed during the factorisation scale evolution. They are the last missing piece for a consistent description of observables with identified final-state hadrons at next-to-next-to leading order accuracy in quantum chromodynamics. We present an analytical form of the matching condition for light-flavour to hadron fragmentation function at next-to-next-to leading order. The derivation is performed by extending the formalism employed in the extraction of the next-to leading order matching conditions to the subsequent order, making use of $$e^+e^-$$

e
+

e
-

annihilation cross sections. We obtain the first non-trivial heavy-quark effect in the light-quark fragmentation functions and provide results in Mellin space.
Matter-geometry interplay in new scalar tensor theories of gravity
Authors: Marciu Mihai
Published: November 2024

The paper studies the possible interplay between matter and geometry in scalar tensor theories of gravitation where the energy–momentum tensor is directly coupled with the Einstein tensor. After obtaining the scalar tensor representation of the $$f(R, G_{\mu \nu }T^{\mu \nu })$$

f
(
R
,

G

μ
ν

T

μ
ν

)

gravity, the analysis continue with an approach based on the thermodynamics of irreversible processes in open systems. To this regard, various thermodynamic properties are directly obtained in this manner, like the matter creation (annihilation) rate and the corresponding creation (annihilation) pressure. In the case of the Roberson–Walker metric several analytic and numerical solutions are found in the asymptotic regime. In the last part of the manuscript a specific parametrization for the Hubble rate is constrained using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms in the case of cosmic chronometers (CC) and BAO observations, obtaining an approximate numerical solution which can describe the cosmological model. For this model, we have obtained by fine-tuning some numerical solutions which exhibit creation mechanisms in different specific regimes.
Comparing GPS and cell-based mobile phone data to identify activity participation during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mueller Sebastian A. , Paltra Sydney , Rehmann Jakob , Ewert Ricardo , Nagel Kai
Published: November 2024

This study conducts a detailed analysis of population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing a unique approach that contrasts two types of mobile phone data: GPS-based and cell-based. The primary objective is to evaluate the effects of governmental restrictions on a variety of activities including school attendance, work, shopping, and leisure. We compare both data sets by using a set of defined criteria, including anticipated activity reductions during full and partial closures, as well as the timing of activity changes in response to policy implementations. Our research reveals that while cell-based data lacks the precision to differentiate between various out-of-home activities effectively, GPS-based data, especially when integrated with OpenStreetMap, proves significantly more adept at identifying and categorizing specific activity types. The GPS-based data shows, for example, that school activities fell by more than 80% while work activities were only reduced by around 50%.
AUTOMATED MULTI-DIALECT SPEECH RECOGNITION USING STACKED ATTENTION-BASED DEEP LEARNING WITH NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING MODEL
Authors: MAZROA ALANOUD AL , MILED ACHRAF BEN , ASIRI MASHAEL M , ALZAHRANI YAZEED , SAYED AHMED , NAFIE FAISAL MOHAMMED
Published: November 2024

Dialects are language variations that occur due to differences in social groups or geographical regions. Dialect speech recognition is the approach to accurately transcribe spoken language that involves regional variation in vocabulary, syntax, and pronunciation. Models need to be trained on various dialects to handle linguistic differences effectively. The latest advancements in automatic speech recognition (ASR) and complex systems methods are showing progress in recurrent neural networks (RNN), deep neural networks (DNN), and convolutional neural networks (CNN). Multi-dialect speech recognition remains a challenge, notwithstanding the progress of deep learning (DL) in speech recognition for many computing applications in environmental modeling and smart cities. Even though the dialect-specific acoustic model is known to perform well, it is not easier to maintain when the number of dialects for all the languages is large and dialect-specific data are limited. This paper offers an Automated Multi-Dialect Speech Recognition using the Stacked Attention-based Deep Learning (MDSR-SADL) technique in environmental modeling and smart cities. The MDSR-SADL technique primarily applies the DL model to identify various dialects. In the MDSR-SADL technique, stacked long short-term memory with attention-based autoencoder (SLSTM-AAE) model is used, which integrates stack modeling with LSTM and AE. Besides, the attention model enables dialect identification by offering dialect details for speech identification. The MDSR-SADL model uses the Fractals Harris Hawks Optimization (FHHO) model for hyperparameter selection. A sequence of simulations was implemented to illustrate the improved solution of the MDSR-SADL model. The experimental investigation of the MDSR-SADL technique exhibits superior accuracy values of 99.52% and 99.55% over other techniques under Tibetan and Chinese datasets.
Metalloporphyrin-mediated biomass porous single- and dual-metal M-N-C catalysts with 3d, 4d and 5d electrons for efficient electrocatalyzed nitrogen reductions
Authors: Niu Yingjie , Gu Tingting , Dong Xinyi , Lin Bochao , Wan Zhicheng , Li Minzhi , Xu Haijun , Zhu Weihua , Liang Xu
Published: November 2024

A series of reed-straw-derived, metalloporphyrin-mediated porous single- and dual-metal M-N-C catalysts were prepared and characterized. Importantly, the synthetic M-N-C catalysts with 3d, 4d and 5d electrons have enhanced and tunable electrochemically catalyzed nitrogen reduction activities. In particular, the dual-metal M-N-C catalyst FePdTPP@RSC-800 with 5d electrons exhibits the satisfied ammonia yield (E = -0.3 V, 17.6 μg·mg−1·h−1) and Faraday Efficiency (15.1%). These results provide an opportunity to further explore the efficient electrochemical synthesis of NH3 from M-N-C materials in the future.
exZNS: Extending Zoned Namespace to Support Byte-loggable Zones
Authors: Qi Wenjie , Tan Zhipeng , Zhang Ziyue , Yuan Ying , Feng Dan
Published: November 2024

Emerging Zoned Namespace (ZNS) provides hosts with fine-grained, performance-predictable storage management. ZNS organizes the address space into zones composed of fixed-size, sequentially written, non-overwritable blocks, making it suitable for log-structured file systems. However, our experimental analysis reveals that ZNS’s write restrictions introduce notable persistence overhead. Firstly, out-of-place updates of data blocks require frequent small modifications to file metadata blocks, which are typically much smaller than a block, to record the latest logical block address. Secondly, some files, such as databases’ Write-Ahead Logging files, frequently execute synchronous small writes, with I/O sizes typically smaller than a logical block. The persistence of these file metadata and file data requires writing back the entire block even if it is only partially updated. This significantly increases the I/O latency and potentially reduces device lifespan. This paper proposes
exZNS
, an innovative extension of ZNS, designed to provide both regular zones and
byte-loggable zones
. By exposing the persistent write buffer of the opened zones on the device to the application, the byte-loggable zone allows for appending at byte granularity through a new set of APIs. To reduce the persistence overhead described above, we built
exBlzFS
, a novel high-performance file system for exZNS. exBlzFS selectively records the partial updates of metadata blocks to the byte-loggable zone to ensure metadata persistence, and persists file data to the byte-loggable zone at byte granularity to absorb the frequent small writes. Evaluations show that exBlzFS increases the IOPS of RocksDB by 42.7% and 76.3%, and reduces the device’s write traffic by 86% and 94%, compared with BlzFS and F2FS, respectively.
Anomalous Characteristics of Surface Geochemistry Above the Basin Geothermal System: A Case Study of the Shiba Basin in Huizhou, China
Authors: Zou Yu , Wang Ce , Li Guangzhi , Wang Guojian , Hu Bin , Jiang Tao , Liu Dongna
Published: November 2024

As one of the comprehensive exploration techniques for underground geological resources, surface geochemical methods could play an important role in geothermal exploration, which requires detailed and systematic investigations. In this study, we take the Shiba geothermal basin in Huizhou, China, as the research object and apply surface geochemical testing methods to analyze the intrinsic relationship between the geothermal system and the surface soil. The contents of soil gases and elements are mainly determined, among which hydrogen (H2) and radon (Rn) show three obvious negative anomalies, corresponding to three positive anomalies of soil elements (Fe, U, Cr, V, Cu, and As) that are easy to migrate. The largest negative and positive anomalies correspond to the surface above the fault, which is related to the dominant channel from underground to the surface and is caused by the gas loss effect and the dissolution and migration of inorganic ions. However, the effects of the surface environment and organisms cannot be ignored. Only when the geothermal system has a significant impact on a certain geochemical parameter could the anomaly be manifested in the surface soil. Otherwise, most of the geothermal information, including thermal conduction, will be covered by surface factors. After surface geochemical anomalies related to the geothermal system have been identified, anomaly patterns (especially the top anomaly pattern) can be preliminarily established, which can be used for geothermal exploration. Furthermore, based on the empirical regional geothermal formula, the temperature and depth of the Shiba geothermal system are evaluated at 170°C and 4500 m, respectively, indicating that surface geochemical methods have a good practical prospect in the prediction of geothermal resources.
The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs): The Chain Mediating Effect of Sleep Disorders and Somatic Symptom
Authors: Wang Jiana , Meng Nana , Chen Kun , Huang Xinyuan , Feng Lin , Yang Cong , Li Zhe , Sun Xun
Published: November 2024

Background: More than two‐thirds of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) experience various degrees of mental health issues. Although studies indicate that FGIDs are related to depressive symptoms, sleep disorders, and somatic symptoms, the underlying mechanism between these variables remains unknown. Our objective was to establish a model that outlines the interactions between these psychological dimensions in FGIDs and, thus, provide valuable insights into how to enhance the well‐being of affected individuals.

Methods: This study used the convenient sampling method to enroll patients who visited the digestive internal medicine department. A total of 238 patients were investigated using the Rome IV criteria (irritable bowel syndrome used Rome Ⅲ criteria). A questionnaire including the Hospital Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Patient Health Questionnaire‐12 was used. The chain mediating roles of sleep disorders and somatic symptoms in the relationship between depressive symptoms and FGIDs were examined by the bootstrap method.

Results: Correlation analysis revealed that depressive symptoms were positively related to sleep disorders, somatic symptoms, and FGIDs. Sleep disorders were positively related to somatic symptoms and FGIDs. Somatic symptoms were positively related to FGIDs. Chain mediating effect analysis showed that depressive symptoms can not only affect FGIDs but also through three indirect paths, as follows: the mediating role of sleep disorders and somatic symptoms, the chain mediating roles of sleep disorders and somatic symptoms, and the mediating effect size accounted for 7.2%, 7.7%, and 2.5% of the total effect, respectively.

Conclusions: This study is conducive to understanding the internal mechanism underlying the relationship between depressive symptoms and FGIDs. It reminds us that when treating FGIDs patients, we should not only provide adequate psychological support to improve but also pay attention to improvements in their sleep quality and somatic symptoms.
Data‐Driven Estimation Models for Chloride Ion Diffusion Coefficient in Concrete Using Bayesian Approach
Authors: Cui Ruifu , Yang Huihui , Li Jiehong , Tang Honghui , Yao Guowen , Yu Yang , Yu Xuanrui
Published: November 2024

The corrosion of reinforcing steel bars induced by chloride has a significant impact on the performance of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Although various models have been proposed to estimate chloride diffusivity, many empirical models remain unavailable due to database limitations or the oversight of certain factors. To enhance the accuracy of chloride diffusivity estimation, this paper has collected 109 sets of experimental data. These data were used to develop a Bayesian prediction model for a more precise estimation of chloride diffusivity. The input features examined in this study include water–cement (W/C) ratio, thickness of concrete specimens (M (cm)), volume fraction of coarse aggregate (R), ratio of environmental temperature to standard curing temperature (T/T0), ratio of environmental humidity to standard curing humidity (h/hc), and exposure time. The output parameter is the chloride diffusion coefficient. Sensitivity analysis of the input parameters reveals that the ratio of exposure time to curing time (t/t0) and T/T0 are the key factors influencing the chloride diffusion coefficient, with importance coefficients of 0.83 and 0.67, respectively. The h/hc has the least impact. In addition, the W/C ratio and R also have a certain influence on the chloride diffusion coefficient, and optimizing these parameters can further enhance the durability of concrete structures.