bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesizing ultrafast optical pulses with arbitrary spatiotemporal control
Authors: Chen Lu , Zhu Wenqi , Huo Pengcheng , Song Junyeob , Lezec Henri J. , Xu Ting , Agrawal Amit
Published: October 2022

The ability to control the instantaneous state of light, from high-energy pulses down to the single-photon level, is an indispensable requirement in photonics. This has, for example, facilitated spatiotemporal probing and coherent control of ultrafast light-matter interactions, and enabled capabilities such as generation of exotic states of light with complexity, or at wavelengths, that are not easily accessible. Here, by leveraging the multifunctional control of light at the nanoscale offered by metasurfaces embedded in a Fourier transform setup, we present a versatile approach to synthesize ultrafast optical transients with arbitrary control over its complete spatiotemporal evolution. Our approach, supporting an ultrawide bandwidth with simultaneously high spectral and spatial resolution, enables ready synthesis of complex states of structured space-time wave packets. We expect our results to offer unique capabilities in coherent ultrafast light-matter interactions and facilitate applications in microscopy, communications, and nonlinear optics.
Cytomegalovirus US28 regulates cellular EphA2 to maintain viral latency
Authors: Wass Amanda B. , Krishna Benjamin A. , Herring Laura E. , Gilbert Thomas S. K. , Nukui Masatoshi , Groves Ian J. , Dooley Abigail L. , Kulp Katherine H. , Matthews Stephen M. , Rotroff Daniel M. , Graves Lee M. , O’Connor Christine M.
Published: October 2022

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation from latency following immune dysregulation remains a serious risk for patients, often causing substantial morbidity and mortality. Here, we demonstrate the CMV-encoded G protein–coupled receptor, US28, in coordination with cellular Ephrin receptor A2, attenuates mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, thereby limiting viral replication in latently infected primary monocytes. Furthermore, treatment of latently infected primary monocytes with dasatinib, a Food and Drug Association–approved kinase inhibitor used to treat a subset of leukemias, results in CMV reactivation. These ex vivo data correlate with our retrospective analyses of the Explorys electronic health record database, where we find dasatinib treatment is associated with a significant risk of CMV-associated disease (odds ratio 1.58,P= 0.0004). Collectively, our findings elucidate a signaling pathway that plays a central role in the balance between CMV latency and reactivation and identifies a common therapeutic cancer treatment that elevates the risk of CMV-associated disease.
Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of N
2
to NH
3
via a photoredox catalysis strategy
Authors: Johansen Christian M. , Boyd Emily A. , Peters Jonas C.
Published: October 2022

Inspired by momentum in applications of reductive photoredox catalysis to organic synthesis, photodriven transfer hydrogenations toward deep (>2 e
−
) reductions of small molecules are attractive compared to using harsh chemical reagents. Noteworthy in this context is the nitrogen reduction reaction (N
2
RR), where a synthetic photocatalyst system had yet to be developed. Noting that a reduced Hantzsch ester (HEH
2
) and related organic structures can behave as 2 e
−
/2 H
+
photoreductants, we show here that, when partnered with a suitable catalyst (Mo) under blue light irradiation, HEH
2
facilitates delivery of successive H
2
equivalents for the 6 e
−
/6 H
+
catalytic reduction of N
2
to NH
3
; this catalysis is enhanced by addition of a photoredox catalyst (Ir). Reductions of additional substrates (nitrate and acetylene) are also described.
Chronotherapy with a glucokinase activator profoundly improves metabolism in obese Zucker rats
Authors: Kroon Tobias , Hagstedt Therese , Alexandersson Ida , Ferm Annett , Petersson Marie , Maurer Stefanie , Zarrouki Bader , Wallenius Kristina , Oakes Nicholas D. , Boucher Jeremie
Published: October 2022

Circadian rhythms play a critical role in regulating metabolism, including daily cycles of feeding/fasting. Glucokinase (GCK) is central for whole-body glucose homeostasis and oscillates according to a circadian clock. GCK activators (GKAs) effectively reduce hyperglycemia, but their use is also associated with hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Given the circadian rhythmicity and natural postprandial activation of GCK, we hypothesized that GKA treatment would benefit from being timed specifically during feeding periods. Acute treatment of obese Zucker rats with the GKA AZD1656 robustly increased flux into all major metabolic pathways of glucose disposal, enhancing glucose elimination. Four weeks of continuous AZD1656 treatment of obese Zucker rats improved glycemic control; however, hepatic steatosis and inflammation manifested. In contrast, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods robustly reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in addition to improving glycemia, whereas treatment timed to fasting periods caused overall detrimental metabolic effects. Mechanistically, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods diverted newly synthesized lipid toward direct VLDL secretion rather than intrahepatic storage. In line with increased hepatic insulin signaling, timing AZD1656 to feeding resulted in robust activation of AKT, mTOR, and SREBP-1C after glucose loading, pathways known to regulate VLDL secretion and hepatic de novo lipogenesis. In conclusion, intermittent AZD1656 treatment timed to feeding periods promotes glucose disposal when needed the most, restores metabolic flexibility and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and thereby avoids hepatic steatosis. Thus, chronotherapeutic approaches may benefit the development of GKAs and other drugs acting on metabolic targets.
Clonal IgA and IgG autoantibodies from individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis identify an arthritogenic strain of
Subdoligranulum
Authors: Chriswell Meagan E. , Lefferts Adam R. , Clay Michael R. , Hsu Alex Ren , Seifert Jennifer , Feser Marie L. , Rims Cliff , Bloom Michelle S. , Bemis Elizabeth A. , Liu Sucai , Maerz Megan D. , Frank Daniel N. , Demoruelle M. Kristen , Deane Kevin D. , James Eddie A. , Buckner Jane H. , Robinson William H. , Holers V. Michael , Kuhn Kristine A.
Published: October 2022

The mucosal origins hypothesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) proposes a central role for mucosal immune responses in the initiation or perpetuation of the systemic autoimmunity that occurs with disease. However, the connection between the mucosa and systemic autoimmunity in RA remains unclear. Using dual immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG family plasmablast–derived monoclonal autoantibodies obtained from peripheral blood of individuals at risk for RA, we identified cross-reactivity between RA-relevant autoantigens and bacterial taxa in the closely related families
Lachnospiraceae
and
Ruminococcaceae
. After generating bacterial isolates within the
Lachnospiraceae/Ruminococcaceae
genus
Subdoligranulum
from the feces of an individual, we confirmed monoclonal antibody binding and CD4
+
T cell activation in individuals with RA compared to control individuals. In addition, when
Subdoligranulum
isolate 7 but not isolate 1 colonized germ-free mice, it stimulated T
H
17 cell expansion, serum RA–relevant IgG autoantibodies, and joint swelling reminiscent of early RA, with histopathology characterized by antibody deposition and complement activation. Systemic immune responses were likely due to mucosal invasion along with the generation of colon-isolated lymphoid follicles driving increased fecal and serum IgA by isolate 7, because B and CD4
+
T cell depletion not only halted intestinal immune responses but also eliminated detectable clinical disease. In aggregate, these findings demonstrate a mechanism of RA pathogenesis through which a specific intestinal strain of bacteria can drive systemic autoantibody generation and joint-centered antibody deposition and immune activation.
Synergistic Effect of the Combination of Deferoxamine and Fluconazole
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
against Fluconazole-Resistant
Candida
Spp.
Authors: An Lulu , Tan Jingwen , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Siyu , Li Yongyong , Yang Lianjuan
Published: October 2022

The opportunistic fungal infections are an increasing threat to humans due to the increasing number of patients with immunodeficiency, in which the most popular fungal pathogen is
Candida albicans
. Fluconazole (FLC) is the common drug for treating
C. albicans
infections, but increasing drug resistance has limited its clinical use.
Ceftibuten-Ledaborbactam Activity against Multidrug-Resistant and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Positive Clinical Isolates of
Enterobacterales
from a 2018–2020 Global Surveillance Collection
Authors: Karlowsky James A. , Wise Mark G. , Hackel Meredith A. , Pevear Daniel C. , Moeck Greg , Sahm Daniel F.
Published: October 2022

Ceftibuten-ledaborbactam etzadroxil is a cephalosporin-boronate β-lactamase inhibitor prodrug combination under development as an oral treatment for complicated urinary tract infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Enterobacterales
producing serine β-lactamases (Ambler class A, C, and D).
In vivo
, ledaborbactam etzadroxil (formerly VNRX-7145) is cleaved to the active inhibitor ledaborbactam (formerly VNRX-5236). To more completely define the breadth of ceftibuten-ledaborbactam’s activity against important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, we assessed its
in vitro
activity against phenotypic and genotypic subsets from a 2018–2020 global culture collection of 3,889 clinical isolates of
Enterobacterales
, including MDR organisms, extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive organisms, and organisms that are nonsusceptible and resistant to other antimicrobials.
Pharmacokinetics of Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir in COVID-19 Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Intermittent Hemodialysis
Authors: Lingscheid Tilman , Kinzig Martina , Krüger Anne , Müller Nils , Bölke Georg , Tober-Lau Pinkus , Münn Friederike , Kriedemann Helene , Witzenrath Martin , Sander Leif E. , Sörgel Fritz , Kurth Florian
Published: October 2022

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is an effective antiviral therapy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Use is not recommended in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESDR) due to a lack of data.
Bioconversion of Phytosterols to 9-Hydroxy-3-Oxo-4,17-Pregadiene-20-Carboxylic Acid Methyl Ester by Enoyl-CoA Deficiency and Modifying Multiple Genes in Mycolicibacterium neoaurum
Authors: Yuan Chenyang , Song Shikui , He Jianxin , Zhang Jingxian , Liu Xiangcen , Pena Eliana L. , Sun Junsong , Shi Jiping , Su Zhengding , Zhang Baoguo
Published: October 2022

C22 steroids are valuable precursors for steroid drug synthesis, but the development of C22 steroids remains unsatisfactory. This study presented a strategy for the one-step bioconversion of phytosterols to a C22 steroid drug precursor, 9-hydroxy-3-oxo-4,17-pregadiene-20-carboxylic acid methyl ester (9-OH-PDCE), by 3-ketosteroid-Δ
1
-dehydrogenase and enoyl-CoA hydratase deficiency with overexpression of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase acyl-CoA dehydrogenase in
Mycolicibacterium
.
Identification of the Preferred DNA-Binding Sequence and Transcription Regulatory Network for the Thermophilic Zinc Uptake Regulator TTHA1292
Authors: Barrows John K. , Westee Alaina B. , Parrish Arianna Y. , Van Dyke Michael W.
Published: October 2022

Discovering how organisms sense and adapt to their environments is paramount to understanding biology. Thermophilic organisms have adapted to survive at elevated temperatures (>50°C); however, our understanding of how these organisms adapt to changes in their environment is limited.
Performance Evaluation of Bruker Biotyper, ASTA MicroIDSys, and VITEK-MS and Three Extraction Methods for Filamentous Fungal Identification in Clinical Laboratories
Authors: Choi Yoojeong , Kim Daewon , Choe Kye Won , Lee Hyukmin , Kim Jae-Seok , Ahn Jeong-Yeal , Lee Mi-Kyung
Published: October 2022

Filamentous fungi are a major cause of life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients; thus, rapid and accurate identification is critical. Filamentous fungal identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been demonstrated with high sensitivity and reproducibility; however, its wider application has been limited in clinical laboratories because of practical challenges such as database availability or lack of standardization.
Antibiotic Acyldepsipeptides Stimulate the
Streptomyces
Clp-ATPase/ClpP Complex for Accelerated Proteolysis
Authors: Reinhardt Laura , Thomy Dhana , Lakemeyer Markus , Westermann Linda Maria , Ortega Joaquin , Sieber Stephan A. , Sass Peter , Brötz-Oesterhelt Heike
Published: October 2022

Clp proteases are antibiotic and anticancer drug targets. Composed of the proteolytic core ClpP and a regulatory Clp-ATPase, the protease machinery is important for protein homeostasis and regulatory proteolysis.
Identifying Recent Cholera Infections Using a Multiplex Bead Serological Assay
Authors: Jones Forrest K. , Bhuiyan Taufiqur R. , Muise Rachel E. , Khan Ashraful I. , Slater Damien M. , Hutt Vater Kian Robert , Chowdhury Fahima , Kelly Meagan , Xu Peng , Kováč Pavol , Biswas Rajib , Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Ryan Edward T. , Calderwood Stephen B. , LaRocque Regina C. , Lessler Justin , Charles Richelle C. , Leung Daniel T. , Qadri Firdausi , Harris Jason B. , Azman Andrew S.
Published: October 2022

Reliable estimates of cholera incidence are challenged by poor clinical surveillance and health-seeking behavior biases. We showed that cross-sectional serologic profiles measured with a high-throughput multiplex bead assay can lead to accurate identification of those infected with pandemic
Vibrio cholerae
O1, thus allowing for estimates of seroincidence.
The Glymphatic System: a Potential Key Player in Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Oggioni Marco Rinaldo , Koedel Uwe
Published: October 2022

The glial-lymphatic system (glymphatic system) is a recently characterized fluid clearance pathway of the central nervous system. Glymphatic system disfunctions leading to defects in drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid have been associated with several neurological disorders. In their article, J.
Complete Genome Sequence of a
Gamaleyavirus
Phage, Lytic against Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Alexyuk Madina S. , Bogoyavlenskiy Andrey P. , Alexyuk Pavel G. , Akanova Kuralay S. , Moldakhanov Yergali S. , Manakbayeva Adolat , Berezin Vladimir E.
Published: October 2022

We report the complete genome sequence of the lytic bacteriophage vB_EcoS_Uz1, which was isolated from wastewater near Almaty, Kazakhstan using the avian pathogen
Escherichia coli
host. Its complete genome is 72,583 bp in length, with a GC content of 43%. vB_EcoS_Uz1 belongs to the
Gamaleyavirus
genus of the
Caudoviricetes
class.
Complete Annotated Genome Sequences of Two Novel Microbacteriophages, Gingerbug and HerculesXL, from Western Oregon, USA
Authors: Fisher Matthew R. , Blackburn Chyanna G. , Poet Hope T. , Meisner Rebecca
Published: October 2022

Bacteriophages Gingerbug and HerculesXL are siphoviruses that were isolated from soil in western Oregon, USA, using the actinobacterium
Microbacterium foliorum
. The genomes of Gingerbug and HerculesXL are similar in length and, based on gene content similarity to actinobacteriophages, were assigned to phage clusters GF and EA11, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequences of Actinobacteriophages Anaysia and Caviar
Authors: Abidin Zain U. , Aucapina Joselyne E. , Beauzil Shante , Berotte Christina M. , Bonsu Andrews O. , Burgos Gabriella Y. , Chak Solomon Tin Chi , Collymore Anaya , Daley Ethan R. , Defarias Raphael , Ghobrial Veronica , Gill Shivraj S. , Huertas-Arias Jose M. , Joseph Hadassah , Kaur Navjot , Khan Ummay , Klein Connor J. , Lazo Horlando , Li Yeehen , Miller Olivia B. , Muñoz Javier J. , Nieto-Fernandez Fernando E. , Nisbett Lisa-Marie , Owens Darren , Patel Samay M. , Paulino Edraine J. , Pender Samori , Perkins Shania M. , Persaud Anjoli , Pierrot Tamahina , Raja Ibrahim , Riley Kayla L. , Romero Sasha , Sarmiento Paola G. , Shorter Kanaja , Smith Steven , Tahir Warda , Ukekwe Chisom A.
Published: October 2022

Anaysia and Caviar are temperate siphoviruses isolated from soil using
Gordonia terrae
3612 and
Mycobacterium smegmatis
mc
2
155, respectively. Anaysia’s 52,861-bp genome carries 102 genes, while Caviar’s 47,074-bp genome carries 79 genes. Based on gene content similarity, Anaysia and Caviar are assigned to phage clusters A15 and A3, respectively.
Characterization of the Role of Two-Component Systems in Antibiotic Resistance Formation in Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis
Authors: Hu Mengjun , Huang Xiaozhen , Xu Xuebin , Zhang Zengfeng , He Shoukui , Zhu Jinyu , Liu Hong , Shi Xianming
Published: October 2022

S
. Enteritidis is a predominant
Salmonella
serotype that causes human salmonellosis and frequently exhibits high-level resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including cephalosporins and quinolones.
Duck Enteritis Virus Protein Kinase US3 Inhibits DNA Sensing Signaling by Phosphorylating Interferon Regulatory Factor 7
Authors: Liu Rui , Gao Li , Yang Fuchun , Li Xiaohan , Liu Changjun , Qi Xiaole , Cui Hongyu , Zhang Yanping , Wang Suyan , Wang Xiaomei , Gao Yulong , Li Kai
Published: October 2022

Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is a duck alphaherpesvirus that causes an acute and contagious disease with high mortality, resulting in substantial economic losses in the commercial waterfowl industry. The evasion of DNA-sensing pathway-mediated antiviral innate immunity is essential for the persistent infection and replication for many DNA viruses.
The Hierarchical Sequence Requirements of the H1 Subtype-Specific Noncoding Regions of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Pan Minglei , Zhang Wenyu , Xiao Yue , Lai Yuerong , Cao Mengmeng , Wang Jianwei , Deng Tao
Published: October 2022

The segment-specific and subtype-specific nonconserved noncoding regions (ssNCRs) at both 3′ and 5′ ends of viral RNA segments of influenza A virus are largely conserved among the same segments of different viruses. However, the function-related sequence requirements of these ssNCRs remain unclear.
Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Infection Induces Splenomegaly with Splenocyte Apoptosis
Authors: Wang Shujie , Wang Gang , Tang Yan-Dong , Li Siqi , Qin Lei , Wang Menghang , Yang Yong-Bo , Gottschalk Marcelo , Cai Xuehui
Published: October 2022

Streptococcus suis
serotype 2 is considered an emerging pathogen and represents a threat to humans and animals. The spleen is an important peripheral immune organ, and splenomegaly is a consequence of lesions and an important clinical indicator of
S. suis
infection.
The late Mesoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic Grenvillian orogeny and the assembly of Rodinia: Turning point in the tectonic evolution of Laurentia
Authors: Swanson-Hysell* Nicholas L. , Rivers Toby , van der Lee Suzan
Published: October 2022

The amalgamation of Laurentia’s Archean provinces ca. 1830 Ma was followed by ~700 m.y. of accretionary orogenesis along its active southeastern margin, marked by subduction of oceanic lithosphere, formation of arcs and back-arcs, and episodic accretion. This prolonged period of active-margin tectonic processes, spanning the late Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic eras, resulted in major accretionary crustal growth and was terminated by closure of the Unimos Ocean (new name). Ocean closure was associated with rapid motion of Laurentia toward the equator and resulted in continental collision that led to profound reworking of much of the accreted Proterozoic crust during the ca. 1090–980 Ma Grenvillian orogeny. The Grenvillian orogeny resulted in formation of a large, hot, long-duration orogen with a substantial orogenic plateau that underwent extensional orogenic collapse before rejuvenation and formation of the Grenville Front tectonic zone. The Grenvillian orogeny also caused the termination and inversion of the Midcontinent Rift, which, had it continued, would likely have split Laurentia into distinct continental blocks. Voluminous mafic magmatic activity in the Midcontinent Rift ca. 1108–1090 Ma was contemporaneous with magmatism in the Southwestern Laurentia large igneous province. We discuss a potential link between prolonged subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath southeast Laurentia in the Mesoproterozoic and the initiation of this voluminous mafic magmatism. In this hypothesis, subducted water in dense, hydrous Mg-silicates transported to the bottom of the upper mantle led to hydration and increased buoyancy, resulting in upwelling, decompression melting, and intraplate magmatism. Coeval collisional orogenesis in several continents, including Amazonia and Kalahari, ties the Grenvillian orogeny to the amalgamation of multiple Proterozoic continents in the supercontinent Rodinia. These orogenic events collectively constituted a major turning point in both Laurentian and global tectonics. The ensuing paleogeographic configuration, and that which followed during Rodinia’s extended breakup, set the stage for Earth system evolution through the Neoproterozoic Era.
Donut sign: a unique radiological sign of cerebral metastasis in malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Adeyinka OreOluwa , Dower Ashraf , Li Yingda
Published: October 2022

A man in his 70s presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of confusion and right-facial droop. He was diagnosed with stage IIIB (T4N2M0) malignant mesothelioma 6 months previously for which he was being given palliative chemotherapy. An MRI of the brain demonstrated a left parietal cerebral metastasis with unique radiological characteristics termed ‘donut sign’. He underwent a craniotomy and complete macroscopic resection of the lesion with a good postoperative outcome. Mesothelioma cerebral metastases are a rarely reported clinical entity, with only a handful of case reports and case series available. On MRI they often demonstrate a distinctive thick-walled lesion, termed ‘donut sign’, that may be indicative of the diagnosis. Furthermore, case autopsy series suggest these metastases may be underdiagnosed in the clinical setting due to the dismal prognosis. With newer and more effective neoplastic treatment strategies emerging, there may be a rising incidence of central nervous system metastases in the future.
Treatment outcomes and their determinants of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease: a territory-wide cohort study
Authors: Lai Kenneth K H , Li Emmy Y M , Chan Regine Y C , Chu Winnie C W , Cheng Andy C O , Chan Karen K W , Chin Joyce K Y , Kwok Jeremy S W , Io Ida Y F , Yip Nelson K F , Li Kenneth K W , Chan Wai Ho , Lam Nai Man , Yip Wilson W K , Young Alvin L , Chan Edwin , Ko Callie K L , Ko Simon T C , Yuen Hunter K L , Tham Clement C Y , Pang Chi-Pui , Chong Kelvin K L
Published: October 2022

Background

Oral corticosteroid remains the first-line treatment of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease, but steroid-dependence is common and serious. Factors associated with steroid dependence and relapse have to be further explored.

Study population

A city-wide, biopsy-proven, Chinese cohort.

Methods

Retrospective, masked review of medical records, orbital images and histopathology reports.

Results

There were 101 patients with at least 24-month follow-up. Up to 82% (82/101) received oral corticosteroid as first-line treatments, and 7 of them received also concomitant steroid-sparing agents (SSA)/biological agents as primary treatment. There was 61% (50/82) of patients required long-term corticosteroid (alone=23, with SSA=27) after 1.9±0.7 (range 1–5) relapses. When compared with the 21% (17/82) of patients who tapered corticosteroid successfully for 24 months, steroid dependence was associated with elevated baseline serum IgG4 level (94% vs 65%, p<0.01) and Mikulicz syndrome (46% vs 18%, p<0.05). Up to 13% (11/82) of patients tolerated residual disease after tapering off corticosteroid. There was 17% (17/101) of patients did not require any medications after biopsies. They were more likely to have debulking surgeries (71% vs 40%, p<0.05), discrete orbital lesions (65% vs 26%, p<0.05), normal baseline serum IgG4 level (24% vs 6%, p<0.05) and no Mikulicz syndrome (94% vs 61%, p<0.05).

Conclusion

In this cohort, 60% of patients required long-term maintenance oral corticosteroid. Elevated pretreatment serum IgG4 level and Mikulicz syndrome were associated with steroid dependence. Debulking surgery is an alternative for a subgroup of patients with discrete orbital lesions, normal baseline IgG4 level and no Mikulicz syndrome.
Inflammatory and thrombotic valvulopathies in autoimmune disease
Authors: Gartshteyn Yevgeniya , Bhave Nicole , Joseph Megan Shetty , Askanase Anca , Bernstein Elana J
Published: October 2022

Rheumatologic diseases are characterised by loss of immune tolerance, resulting in systemic inflammation. Inflammation and scarring of the endocardium, which lines the inner surface of the heart chambers and valves, can result in valvular thickening and dysfunction. Estimates of prevalence vary depending on the sensitivity of the screening methodology used and range from 30%–50% in systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to 10%–30% in ankylosing spondylitis. Progression of valve disease is a slow process but can result in haemodynamically significant complications. Thromboembolic complications such as cerebrovascular occlusions pose a serious risk of morbidity. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies increases the risk of valvular disease and thrombotic complications. Anticoagulation is recommended in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, but the guidance on the role of immunosuppressive therapy to treat valvular disease is lacking. Surgical valve therapy may be considered in severe disease, but there is increased risk in patients with an autoimmune disease which includes a higher risk of infection, thromboembolic and bleeding complications, as well as cardiovascular events in the setting of premature atherosclerotic heart disease. Therefore, management should be provided in a multidisciplinary team that includes a rheumatologist, a cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon; medical therapy should be optimised before considering a high-risk valve surgery.
The importance of collaboration between medical and exercise professionals in addressing patient physical inactivity
Authors: Bray Nick W , O'Brien Myles W , Wong Michelle YS , Sui Wuyou , Voss M Lauren , Turnbull Nolan , Nagpal Taniya S , Fowles Jonathan R
Published: October 2022

Physical activity has declined further during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Physicians are at the front lines of proactively educating and promoting physical activity to patients; however, physicians do not feel confident and face numerous barriers in prescribing exercise to patients. Exercise referral schemes, comprising collaborations with qualified exercise professionals, represent a fruitful option for supporting physicians hoping to promote physical activity to more patients. Herein, we provide practical suggestions for establishing and creating a successful referral scheme. Ultimately, exercise referral schemes offer an alternative to help physician burnout and mitigate patient physical inactivity during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preliminary investigations of ground failures triggered during the mid-November 2021 atmospheric river event along the southwestern British Columbia highway corridors
Authors: Sepúlveda Sergio A. , Ward Brent C. , Cosman Scott B. , Jacobs Rachel
Published: October 2022

An unusually intense atmospheric river affected the southern coastal region of British Columbia in mid-November 2021. Flooding and several ground failures such as landslides and riverbank erosion caused significant damage and interrupted the main transportation corridors, including major highways and railroads, severing land connectivity between Metro Vancouver and the rest of Canada. In this short note, we summarize and describe slope and riverbank ground failures in the Lower Mainland and connecting corridors to the interior such as the Fraser Canyon and the Coquihalla Valley, with focus on those that produced damage on highways. Field observations are discussed in the context of potential future similar disasters in the region due to more frequent extreme climatic events associated with climate change.
Short-term axial loading of continuous-flight pile segment in frozen soil
Authors: Gao Shuai , Sego David , Deng Lijun
Published: October 2022

Research on the performance of continuous-flight piles for the use in permafrost is rare. In the present laboratory research, continuous-flight pile segments with 89 mm diameter and 300 mm length were installed in frozen soils and loaded under a constant displacement rate. The objectives were to investigate the load-transfer mechanism and the failure modes associated with the shaft resistance of the piles. Pile segments were screwed into a chamber filled with frozen soil and then loaded in the axial direction; installation torques and pile load resistance were measured, respectively, during the installation and loading stages. The effects of soil temperature, salinity, and water content on the short-term performance of these piles were examined. Results show that the pile capacities decreased with warming temperatures. The installation torque increased significantly as the soil temperature and salinity decreased. Cylindrical shearing mode (CSM) and individual bearing mode (IBM) of pile failure were observed at soil temperatures of −1 and −5 °C, respectively. Adfreeze and plate bearing resistance were determined under these failure modes. The global failure surface occurred at the edge of the threads under the CSM, and the shear resistance was increased along this surface. The existence of plate (i.e., flights) bearing resistance under the IBM suggests a potential advantage of continuous-flight piles over conventional smooth piles, because the plate bearing resistance is mobilized during loading.
Morphology and tectonic modification of the Sudbury impact crater: the North Range
Authors: Morris William A. , Underhay Sara-Lise , Ugalde Hernan
Published: October 2022

The basal contact of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) on the North Range is interpreted as the outer edge of a meteorite impact crater. Yet, the base of the SIC, and contacts within the SIC, and the overlying Onaping are not circular. Their outline is elliptical. This and other details of the geology of the North Range which have not been fully explained include variations in the width of the metamorphic contact aureole, lateral discontinuous variations in the thickness of the norite and granophyre units, paleomagnetic evidence that the North Range contact of the SIC originally had a dip of around 20°, and differing magnetic fabrics in the norite/gabbro versus the granophyre. Several metrics are used to determine how much of the current outline of the North Range is the result of post-impact deformation and how much is a primary feature related to a meteorite impact. Uplift, rotation, and translation experienced by different segments of the North Range of the SIC are established using dyke azimuth and petrographic analysis of Matachewan diabase dykes, and paleomagnetic and magnetic fabric data analysis. These analyses show (a) the elliptical form of the North Range is a primary feature associated with a near-circular impact crater, (b) some of the original crater wall must have been preserved, and (c) deformation of the North Range is limited to regional scale block rotation producing a southwest dip modified by minor block rotation tilting and vertical displacement associated with north–northwest-trending faults.
Deciphering the role of non-Frankia nodular endophytes in alder through in vitro and genomic characterization
Authors: Garneau Louis , Beauregard Pascale B. , Roy Sébastien
Published: October 2022

Endophytic bacterial populations are well-positioned to provide benefits to their host plants such as nutrient acquisition and plant hormone level manipulation. Actinorhizal plants such as alders are well known for their microbial symbioses that allow them to colonize harsh environments whether natural or anthropized. Although the nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium Frankia sp. is the main endophyte found in alder root nodules, other bacterial genera, whose roles remain poorly defined, inhabit this niche. In this study, we isolated a diverse panel of non- Frankia nodular endophytes (NFNE). Some NFNE were isolated from alders grown from surface-sterilized seeds and maintained in sterile conditions, suggesting these may have been seed-borne. In vitro testing of 24 NFNE revealed some possessed putative plant growth promotion traits. Their genomes were also sequenced to identify genes related to plant growth promotion traits. This study highlights the complexity of the alder nodular microbial community. It paves the way for further understanding of the biology of nodules and could help improve land reclamation practices that involve alders.
Analysis of soil aggregates contaminated by 137Cs via particle size classification and X-ray diffraction
Authors: Arai H. , Ishii K.
Published: October 2022

We subjected 137Cs-contaminated soil to stirring and particle classification to reduce the contaminated soil volume. 137Cs activity as a function of particle diameter changed drastically as the weight ratio of soil/water varied; 85% of all 137Cs was adsorbed to particles of minimum diameter after stirring. Soil argillites (smectites, vermiculites, and illites) adsorbed 137Cs. We used X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to measure the soil contents; the 137Cs distribution as a function of soil particle diameter mirrored the smectite levels revealed by the XRD peak intensities. Thus, smectic was the main absorbent of 137Cs.
Artificial Intelligence Technologies for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Chang Qingqing , Pan Xiajie , Manikandan N. , Ramesh S.
Published: October 2022

The term “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence on a computer. Higher education can benefit from AI because it is a computationally efficient paradigm. Learning adapted to the changing demands of students is one of the key educational advantages of AI. Students can modify the pace of a course to better competency. Poor faculty and teaching quality and a general lack of motivation and interest among students are among the difficulties facing higher education. An artificial intelligence-assisted integrated teaching–learning framework (AL-ITLF) for higher education is proposed in this research. Multiple tutoring services are also involved in the curriculum, which is skill-based. The extreme learning machine (ELM) technique evaluates designs integrated into the suitable student monitoring model weighted score (WS) and exam results. An educational model that is more efficient, adaptable, and effective than current traditional education has been developed due to AI research in higher education. Higher education’s use of AI has resulted in a more efficient, adaptive, and effective educational model than traditional schooling. High accuracy, higher performance, lower processing costs, and a high prediction and low error rate are advantages of the suggested AI-ITLF approach. The WS and exam results were evaluated using an ELM algorithm as part of a proper student monitoring model.
DOES OPEN INNOVATION ENABLE OR HINDER CROSSING THE VALLEY OF DEATH?
Authors: STEFAN IOANA
Published: October 2022

The Valley of Death (VoD) highlights the challenging crossing from research and development to technology commercialisation. While some studies argue that open innovation (OI) might be beneficial in bridging the VoD, there is lack of consensus on whether and when OI is an enabler or hinder for the VoD. By reviewing literature on the intersection of these topics, this study identifies contexts when OI functions as enabler, e.g., by employing collaborative platforms or inter-industry collaborations, and also situations when OI may pose challenges in the VoD, e.g., highlighting opportunistic behaviour or conflicting perspectives of different partners. The study has theoretical and practical implications and identifies a number of avenues for future research.
Mid-Term Results of the First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery Flap for Thumb Defects
Authors: GÜNAY Ali E. , TATLISU Kadir , ÇAVUŞ Mehmet , KAHRAMAN Murat
Published: October 2022

Background: The thumb plays an important role in the function of the hand. Sensate reconstruction of the pulp is important in restoring function to the thumb. The aim of this study is to present outcomes of a sensate islanded first dorsal metacarpal artery (FDMA) flap used for the reconstruction of skin defects of the thumb.

Methods: Patients who had a FDMA flap reconstruction of thumb pulp defects in the orthopaedics and traumatology clinic of affiliated hospital were included in the study. This included eight thumbs of eight patients. The range of motion, sensation and cosmetic satisfaction in the donor and recipient areas were evaluated at a minimum of 2-year follow-up.

Results: There were no partial or complete flap failures. The mean static 2-point discrimination was 15 mm and the mean Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test score was 3.93. Cortical re-orientation was observed in 65% of patients. Near normal range of motion and Kapandji scores were regained in all patients.

Conclusions: Excellent motion and sensory outcomes were obtained following the FDMA flap reconstruction of thumb pulp defects. The donor morbidity of the flap is minimal, and this flap can be considered as one of the primary options for reconstruction of thumb pulp defects.

Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic)
A shallow-water dunefield in a microtidal, wind-dominated strait (Stintino, NW Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Andreucci S. , Santonastaso A. , De Luca M. , Cappucci S. , Cucco A. , Quattrocchi G. , Pascucci V.
Published: October 2022

This study focuses on the recent evolution of a shallow-water dunefield system off La Pelosa Beach, located in the wind-dominated, microtidal, asymmetrical Asinelli Strait (Stintino, NW Sardinia, Italy). The system comprises four zones defined by a gradual decrease in current strength from the strait centre to more distal parts that form different bedforms. The strait centre (Zone A) is a substrate-carved channel passing downcurrent to a vast sandy shoal characterized by a subaqueous dunefield (Zone B) that is surrounded by a sandwave–ripple carpet (Zone C). The strait margin (Zone D) is dominated by a sandy cusp, the so-called La Pelosa Beach system. The extensive seagrass meadow located on the SE side of the strait-end zone feeds the system with bioclastic-rich sands. This carbonate sedimentary load is ensured by natural seagrass meadow retreats that are possibly boosted by human impact. The sediment transport is modulated by the interaction between two opposite currents triggered by the east-incoming Greco/Levante and NW-incoming Mistral winds. These currents experience a great variability due to multi-annual fluctuations (4–6 years) of the prevailing wind activities. Such cyclicity is responsible for periodic dune migration and and transport from La Pelosa Beach out of the system below the active part of the submerged beach (depth of closure). Bedform formations (ripples, dunes and sandwaves) and migrations within the strait are the result of complex physical processes observed in modern environments but rarely described in rock formations. The presented conceptual model can be used to recognize sediment ‘spillover’ processes on other modern, microtidal, wind-dominated straits, as well as proposing the main criteria for recognizing this strait sedimentary succession in the geological record.
CoreScore: a machine learning approach to assess legacy core condition
Authors: Fellgett Mark , Hall Alex , Harris Simon , Damaschke Magret , Kingdon Andrew
Published: October 2022

Today's geoscience challenges often require repurposing of data and samples from legacy boreholes. Collection of new deep core is expensive; maximizing this investment is vital. However, the condition of legacy cores varies due to factors including recovery, sampling, lithology, and storage.

Rock Quality Designation analysis is often undertaken on new core but this only provides a snapshot of core condition and will not be indicative of subsequent condition. Poor core condition can make destructive analytical techniques impossible and also impacts non-destructive techniques including core scanning.

Since 2011, BGS have systematically collected 125 000 core images. This study investigates if core condition of this archive can be assessed using automated analysis by machine learning. A neural network-based approach was used to segment these images. By differentiating imaged core from their background, properties such as number of fragments and total rock area were determined and used to assess core condition. Analysis of outputs demonstrates that with minimal input data, core condition can be rapidly assessed. This allows users to better understand and visualize core. This can be used to qualitatively assess non-destructive data, improve success of destructive sampling through targeted sampling and reduce the time and effort spent interacting with physical material.
A Multi-strategy-based Pre-training Method for Cold-start Recommendation
Authors: Hao Bowen , Yin Hongzhi , Zhang Jing , Li Cuiping , Chen Hong
Published: October 2022

The cold-start issue is a fundamental challenge in Recommender Systems. The recent self-supervised learning (SSL) on Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) model, PT-GNN, pre-trains the GNN model to reconstruct the cold-start embeddings and has shown great potential for cold-start recommendation. However, due to the over-smoothing problem, PT-GNN can only capture up to 3-order relation, which cannot provide much useful auxiliary information to depict the target cold-start user or item. Besides, the embedding reconstruction task only considers the intra-correlations within the subgraph of users and items, while ignoring the inter-correlations across different subgraphs. To solve the above challenges, we propose a multi-strategy-based pre-training method for cold-start recommendation (MPT), which extends PT-GNN from the perspective of model architecture and pretext tasks to improve the cold-start recommendation performance.

1

Specifically, in terms of the model architecture, in addition to the short-range dependencies of users and items captured by the GNN encoder, we introduce a Transformer encoder to capture long-range dependencies. In terms of the pretext task, in addition to considering the intra-correlations of users and items by the embedding reconstruction task, we add an embedding contrastive learning task to capture inter-correlations of users and items. We train the GNN and Transformer encoders on these pretext tasks under the meta-learning setting to simulate the real cold-start scenario, making the model able to be easily and rapidly adapted to new cold-start users and items. Experiments on three public recommendation datasets show the superiority of the proposed MPT model against the vanilla GNN models, the pre-training GNN model on user/item embedding inference, and the recommendation task.
Canonisation and Definability for Graphs of Bounded Rank Width
Authors: Grohe Martin , Neuen Daniel
Published: October 2022

We prove that the combinatorial Weisfeiler-Leman algorithm of dimension (3
k
+4) is a complete isomorphism test for the class of all graphs of rank width at most
k
. Rank width is a graph invariant that, similarly to tree width, measures the width of a certain style of hierarchical decomposition of graphs; it is equivalent to clique width.

It was known that isomorphism of graphs of rank width
k
is decidable in polynomial time (Grohe and Schweitzer, FOCS 2015), but the best previously known algorithm has a running time

n
f(k)

for a non-elementary function
f
. Our result yields an isomorphism test for graphs of rank width
k
running in time

n
O(k)

. Another consequence of our result is the first polynomial-time canonisation algorithm for graphs of bounded rank width.

Our second main result is that fixed-point logic with counting captures polynomial time on all graph classes of bounded rank width.
Auditing YouTube’s Recommendation Algorithm for Misinformation Filter Bubbles
Authors: Srba Ivan , Moro Robert , Tomlein Matus , Pecher Branislav , Simko Jakub , Stefancova Elena , Kompan Michal , Hrckova Andrea , Podrouzek Juraj , Gavornik Adrian , Bielikova Maria
Published: October 2022

In this article, we present results of an auditing study performed over YouTube aimed at investigating how fast a user can get into a misinformation filter bubble, but also what it takes to “burst the bubble,” i.e., revert the bubble enclosure. We employ a sock puppet audit methodology, in which pre-programmed agents (acting as YouTube users) delve into misinformation filter bubbles by watching misinformation-promoting content. Then they try to burst the bubbles and reach more balanced recommendations by watching misinformation-debunking content. We record search results, home page results, and recommendations for the watched videos. Overall, we recorded 17,405 unique videos, out of which we manually annotated 2,914 for the presence of misinformation. The labeled data was used to train a machine learning model classifying videos into three classes (promoting, debunking, neutral) with the accuracy of 0.82. We use the trained model to classify the remaining videos that would not be feasible to annotate manually.

Using both the manually and automatically annotated data, we observe the misinformation bubble dynamics for a range of audited topics. Our key finding is that even though filter bubbles do not appear in some situations, when they do, it is possible to burst them by watching misinformation-debunking content (albeit it manifests differently from topic to topic). We also observe a sudden decrease of misinformation filter bubble effect when misinformation-debunking videos are watched after misinformation-promoting videos, suggesting a strong contextuality of recommendations. Finally, when comparing our results with a previous similar study, we do not observe significant improvements in the overall quantity of recommended misinformation content.
Non-relational Databases on FPGAs: Survey, Design Decisions, Challenges
Authors: Dann Jonas , Ritter Daniel , Fröning Holger
Published: October 2022

Non-relational database systems (NRDS) such as graph and key-value have gained attention in various trending business and analytical application domains. However, while CPU performance scaling becomes increasingly more difficult, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA)- accelerated NRDS have not been systematically studied yet. This survey describes and categorizes the inherent differences and non-trivial tradeoffs of relevant NRDS classes (i.e., graph, document, key-value, and wide-column) as well as their commonalities in the context of common design decisions when building such a system with FPGAs. In particular, we highlight accelerator tasks, FPGA placement, accelerator design patterns, and justification for using FPGAs in different system contexts. We close with open research and engineering challenges to outline the future of FPGA-accelerated NRDS.