bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolving conjugated polymer film morphology with polarised transmission and time-resolved emission microscopy
Authors: Xu Yang , Sun Lili , Ghiggino Kenneth P , Smith Trevor A
Published: March 2024

The alignment of chromophores plays a crucial role in determining the optoelectronic properties of materials. Such alignment can make interpretation of fluorescence anisotropy microscopy (FAM) images somewhat ambiguous. The time-resolved emission behaviour can also influence the fluorescence anisotropy. This is particularly the case when probing excitation energy migration between chromophores in a condensed phase. Ideally information concerning the chromophoric alignment, emission decay kinetics and fluorescence anisotropy can be recorded and correlated. We report on the use of polarised transmission imaging (PTI) coupled with both steady-state and time-resolved FAM to enable accurate identification of chromophoric alignment and morphology in thin films of a conjugated polydiarylfluorene. We show that the combination of these three imaging modes presents a comprehensive methodology for investigating the alignment and morphology of chromophores in thin films, particularly for accurately mapping the distribution of amorphous and crystalline phases within the thin films, offering valuable insights for the design and optimization of materials with enhanced optoelectronic performance.
Two-step synthesis of antimony sulfide thin films: enhancement in physical properties through sulfurization
Authors: D M Kavya , Prabhu B Jyeshta , Choudhari Nagabhushan Jnaneshwar , Panjikaran Mariot Jose , George Sajan D , Kulkarni Suresh D , Mishra Vikash , Y Raviprakash
Published: March 2024

Recently, there has been an increase in the use of antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) in Si-based tandem solar cells as a potential absorber material for top sub-cells. The choice of the material stems from the favoured properties such as appropriate bandgap, simple binary composition, nontoxic elements, and long-term stability. However, the physical properties and practical applicability of these materials depend largely on their synthesis conditions. In this work, we investigate the role of sulfurization on the structural, morphological, compositional, and optical properties of Sb2S3 thin films deposited on soda-lime glass via a thermal evaporation technique. Sulfurization was performed on the as-prepared thin films in a customized Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) chamber at five different temperatures. Analysis of the crystallinity of the film using the x-ray diffraction technique illustrates the transformation of the film from impure, poor crystalline phase to phase-pure, and highly crystalline orthorhombic structure due to sulfurization. Scanning electron microscopic investigations of the samples revealed better grains with nanorods on the surface at a temperature of 400 °C. For the samples investigated here, the energy values estimated via density functional theory (DFT) calculations agreed well with the experimental data obtained from UV-visible absorption spectral studies. Additionally, it was observed that the desired near-stoichiometric Sb2S3 thin films could be achieved via sulfurization, and the presence of Sb2S3 in all samples was confirmed via Raman spectroscopic studies. Additionally, the defects and trap states of the prepared films were investigated using photoluminescence studies, and donor and acceptor defects were identified. Our study revealed that sulfur rich Sb2S3 films prepared at a sulfurization temperature of 400 °C produced the desired structure, morphology, and optical qualities for future photovoltaic applications.
Formation mechanism of bright and dark concentric-ring pattern in dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: LI 李 Caixia 彩霞 , FENG 冯 Jianyu 建宇 , WANG 王 Shuchang 舒畅 , LI 李 Cheng 骋 , RAN 冉 Junxia 俊霞 , PAN 潘 Yuyang 宇扬 , DONG 董 Lifang 丽芳
Published: March 2024

In this work, a bright and dark concentric-ring pattern is reported in a dielectric barrier discharge for the first time. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the bright and dark concentric-ring pattern are investigated with an intensified charge-coupled device and photomultiplier tubes. The results indicate that the bright and dark concentric-ring pattern is composed of three concentric-ring sublattices. These are bright concentric-ring structures, dark concentric-ring structures and wider concentric-ring structures, respectively. The bright concentric-ring structures and dark concentric-ring structures are alternately distributed. The bright concentric-ring structures are located at the centre of the wider concentric-ring structures. The wider concentric-ring structures first form from the outer edge and gradually develop to the centre. The essence of all three concentric-ring structures is the individual discharge filaments. The optical emission spectra of different sublattices are acquired and analysed. It is found that the plasma parameters of the three concentric-ring sublattices are different. Finally, the formation mechanism of the bright and dark concentric-ring pattern is discussed.
After wounding, a G-protein coupled receptor promotes the restoration of tension in epithelial cells
Authors: Han Ivy S. , Hua Junmin , White James S. , O’Connor James T. , Nassar Lila S. , Tro Kaden J. , Page-McCaw Andrea , Hutson M. Shane
Published: March 2024

The maintenance of epithelial barrier function involves cellular tension, with cells pulling on their neighbors to maintain epithelial integrity. Wounding interrupts cellular tension, which may serve as an early signal to initiate epithelial repair. To characterize how wounds alter cellular tension we used a laser-recoil assay to map cortical tension around wounds in the epithelial monolayer of the Drosophila pupal notum. Within a minute of wounding, there was widespread loss of cortical tension along both radial and tangential directions. This tension loss was similar to levels observed with Rok inactivation. Tension was subsequently restored around the wound, first in distal cells and then in proximal cells, reaching the wound margin ∼10 min after wounding. Restoring tension required the GPCR Mthl10 and the IP3 receptor, indicating the importance of this calcium signaling pathway known to be activated by cellular damage. Tension restoration correlated with an inward-moving contractile wave that has been previously reported; however, the contractile wave itself was not affected by Mthl10 knockdown. These results indicate that cells may transiently increase tension and contract in the absence of Mthl10 signaling, but that pathway is critical for fully resetting baseline epithelial tension after it is disrupted by wounding.
Sec18 binds the tethering/SM complex HOPS to engage the Qc-SNARE for membrane fusion
Authors: Orr Amy , Wickner William
Published: March 2024

Membrane fusion is regulated by Rab GTPases, their tethering effectors such as HOPS, SNARE proteins on each fusion partner, SM proteins to catalyze SNARE assembly, Sec17 (SNAP), and Sec18 (NSF). Though concentrated HOPS can support fusion without Sec18, we now report that fusion falls off sharply at lower HOPS levels, where direct Sec18 binding to HOPS restores fusion. This Sec18-dependent fusion needs adenine nucleotide but neither ATP hydrolysis nor Sec17. Sec18 enhances HOPS recognition of the Qc-SNARE. With high levels of HOPS, Qc has a Km for fusion of a few nM. Either lower HOPS levels, or substitution of a synthetic tether for HOPS, strikingly increases the Km for Qc to several hundred nM. With dilute HOPS, Sec18 returns the Km for Qc to low nM. In contrast, HOPS concentration and Sec18 have no effect on Qb-SNARE recognition. Just as Qc is required for fusion but not for the initial assembly of SNAREs in trans, impaired Qc recognition by limiting HOPS without Sec18 still allows substantial trans-SNARE assembly. Thus, in addition to the known Sec18 functions of disassembling SNARE complexes, oligomerizing Sec17 for membrane association, and allowing Sec17 to drive fusion without complete SNARE zippering, we report a fourth Sec18 function, the Sec17-independent binding of Sec18 to HOPS to enhance functional Qc-SNARE engagement.
Feminizing British Politics?
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

In 1997, a record number of women members of parliament were elected, thanks to the Labour Party’s adoption of all-women shortlists. However, although the presence of women in parliament creates a favourable environment for the introduction of ‘woman-friendly’ policies (including workplace rights), it does not by itself guarantee that such policies will find their way onto the parliamentary agenda. Feminist institutionalism explains this by highlighting the gendered nature of the formal and informal ‘rules of the game’. Political parties can change the ‘rules of the game’ by adopting positive action to increase women’s parliamentary presence, but the Westminster system of government gives a strong central role to government, and gendered attitudes make it harder for women than men to access and retain ministerial power, particularly in the high-status departments. The women’s policy machinery, in the form of agencies with the aim of furthering women’s rights, brings women’s rights into the policy space but in practice it is often under-resourced and needs to subordinate its priorities to those of male-dominated institutions of government.
Reaching the Limits of the Equal Pay Act, 1970–2007
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

The Equal Pay Act 1970 set the framework for equal-pay actions in the UK, but from the outset was a source of tensions in the regulatory space governing pay equity. It was limited in scope, based on a narrow definition of equal pay, which was extended only in 1983, following intervention by the European Commission, to meet the International Labour Organization’s definition of ‘equal pay for work of equal value’. Even then, claims required a male comparator within the same workplace. Consequently, equal-pay activists have sought to strengthen the legislation to reduce the time, complexity, and costs involved in equal-pay cases. The enforcement agency established to enforce equal-pay legislation depended on financial and other material resources as well as leadership to accomplish its mission. This chapter reviews efforts by activists to deploy equal-pay rights and extend the scope of the legislation and demonstrates that the absence of political will by governments consistently acted as an obstacle to such attempts.
Feminizing Labour
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

Feminization of the Labour Party at all levels, including the parliamentary party, has taken place since the early 1990s, as a result of activism by Labour women and internal renewal, which included attempts to win women voters (a largely instrumental logic) and party management (leaders’ wish to reduce the influence of trade unions over policy formulation). This process led to the adoption of all-women shortlists, which in turn resulted in a rapid increase in the number of women elected. Two further feminist demands were adopted before Labour came to power in 1997: commitment to ministerial representation of women’s rights (initially a full-blown ministry for women’s rights) and manifesto commitments to policy designed to help low-paid women, particularly a national minimum wage and investment in childcare. Change within the party echoed feminization of the trade-union movement and at times was directly influenced by it. However, party leadership remained male dominated and often suspicious of feminist demands, while change within the trade-union movement was uneven.
The Women and Work Commission
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

Independent commissions have a special place in the policy process, but they are little studied. They are convened to gather evidence and solve thorny political problems. Their remit, composition and working methods vary considerably in practice. This chapter considers the Women and Work Commission (WWC, 2004–6), which was established to resolve a generally difficult policy problem, the gender pay gap, and a specific political problem arising from conflicts on how to address the problem, which had come to a head in the run-up to the 2005 general election. It provides detailed understanding, based on participants’ accounts, of how the commission worked in practice and how understanding of the problem and ways of addressing it varied between participants. It shows how the commission chair and secretariat worked to achieve consensus. The chapter compares the WWC to the Low Pay Commission (LPC), the most durable comparable body from that period, and demonstrates how the former’s wider remit both gave those in a position to steer discussions the capacity to influence outcomes, and favoured a broad-based approach that left aside the most contentious policy proposals.
The Women and Work Commission
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

Scholarship on independent commissions has shown that their influence depends on function. The broad remit of the Women and Work Commission (WWC) favoured long-term influence over immediate influence in the form of policy adoption. Its orientation towards capacity-building instruments led to the adoption of pilot projects aimed at reskilling older women in low-paid jobs and improving the quality of part-time jobs. However, the impact of these measures was blunted by weak financial resources, owing to lack of political leadership and the timing of follow-up initiatives. The commission’s 2009 report presented a mixed response to the 2006 recommendations. The WWC’s recommendations fed into preparations for the Equality Bill, with partially effective outcomes (as discussed in Chapter 9). Longer term, the recommendations constituted a reference point for policy approaches to the gender pay gap as a wide-ranging problem, with a particular focus on the need for transparency.
Families and Childcare
Authors: Milner Susan
Published: March 2024

Chapter 1 of this book presents the idea of a ‘stalled revolution’ whereby policy has failed to keep up with change in family roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Chapter 11 considers this idea with reference to policy on working parents, focusing on a range of policies adopted in the Labour years that were subsequently extended to varying degrees under Conservative and Conservative-led governments. It argues that, although the Labour years marked a policy shift, symbolically and substantively, by bringing domestic family arrangements into the public sphere, new rights were hemmed in by an overriding conceptualization of care as maternal, and by a concern to limit the rights to defined groups to minimize burdens on business and allow new practices to develop over time. This approach has led to long-term organizational change, but a considerable gap remains between families’ needs and policy provision, particularly in the context of high childcare costs.
Effects of Physical Exercise on Psychological and Cognitive Functioning of Older Adults
Authors: Emery Charles F. , Blumenthal James A.
Published: March 2024

This article reviews the literature pertaining to exercise effects on psychological well-being and neuropsychological functioning among older adults. Early studies in this area were limited by methodological problems, including non-randomized control groups and inadequate exercise duration. Although recent studies have incorporated more sophisticated research designs and measurement techniques, results have been inconsistent. This review examines studies pertaining to changes in mood, personality, and cognitive functioning. In addition, studies of psychophysiological stress reactivity are included as a potentially useful biobehavioral indicator of change following exercise among older adults. The mechanisms by which exercise affects psychological, behavioral, and cognitive functioning will need to be clarified in future studies by incorporating a broader spectrum of subjects and outcome measures.
Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease?
Authors: Jeffery Robert W.
Published: March 2024

This article reviews research on the relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity. A preponderance of evidence strongly suggests that obesity is causally related to elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and glucose intolerance, all of which are primary risk factors for CVD. Nevertheless, data linking obesity to CVD itself are less consistent. While some studies show a positive and graded relationship between obesity and CVD incidence and mortality, others show no effect or even an inverse relationship. Possible reasons for these conflicting findings are discussed. These include heterogeneity of obesities, particularly central versus peripheral obesity; misclassification of individuals due to use of inaccurate obesity indices; analytic difficulties in estimating the contributions of obesity as a single variable in a complex chain of causation; and the presence of confounders such as cigarette smoking that lower weight, but are themselves a cause of CVD.
Weight Cycling in Humans: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Wing Rena R.
Published: March 2024

This article reviews the research on weight cycling in humans. It is concluded that the majority of studies show no negative effects of weight cycling on total body fat, body fat distribution, or resting energy expenditure, and do not support the hypothesis that weight cycling makes subsequent efforts at weight loss more difficult. In contrast, there is stronger evidence to suggest that weight cycling may have adverse effects on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. However, numerous methodological concerns are raised about this latter literature, related primarily to the criteria used to define weight cycling and the inability to control for confounding variables.
Understanding the Acceptance of Mammography by Women
Authors: Rimer Barbara K.
Published: March 2024

Mammography use is increasing—a 1990 survey showed that nearly two-thirds of U.S. women reported ever having had mammograms. Yet, mammography screening still is not a habit for most women. The barriers and facilitators to acceptance of mammography by women include a variety of adherence variables (e.g. sociodemographic factors, knowledge, beliefs, access factors, and physician recommendation or lack thereof). A number of reports in the literature show that the combination of mass media, health education, physician education, and access-enhancing interventions can increase utilization. Unfortunately, minorities and older women remain under-utilizers. To increase mammography use, interventions should be directed at women, health professionals, and the health care system. Without such efforts, the goal of reducing breast cancer mortality through regular screening is unlikely to be achieved.
Some Trends from the History to the Future of Behavioral Medicine
Authors: Miller Neal E.
Published: March 2024

Examples are given of how mutually beneficial interactions between epidemiology and the clinic on the one hand and basic laboratory research on the other have greatly facilitated advances in behavioral medicine, and will continue to do so in the future. In addition, as concern for health care costs continue to mount, there will be an increasing need for cooperative studies to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of behavioral techniques for prevention and therapy. These will help us to concentrate our efforts where they will be most effective. Furthermore, exploiting rapid electronic and other powerful technical advances will help us to extend therapeutic training from the clinic into daily life. We must educate our students for a lifetime of continued learning.
Clinical Effectiveness of Non-Drug Treatment for Hypertension: a Meta-Analysis
Authors: Linden Wolfgang , Chambers Laura
Published: March 2024

We conducted a meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness of treatments for essential hypertension using 166 studies that evaluated the effects of diuretics, beta-blockers, and calcium-channel blockers, weight reduction, sodium and alcohol restriction, physical exercise, calcium and potassium supplements, single-component and multi-component relaxation therapy, and individualized cognitive-behavioral therapies. The findings were consistent with previous reviews that weight reduction, physical exercise, reduced sodium and alcohol intake, potassium supplements, and standardized relaxation treatments led to pressure reductions which mostly fell below effect size magnitudes observed with drug therapies. Of the non-drug approaches, weight reduction/physical exercise, and individualized cognitive-behavioral psychological therapy were particularly effective and did not differ from drug treatments in observed raw effect sizes for systolic blood pressure reductions. Calcium supplements were the least effective intervention. Drug therapies were initiated at higher initial levels of blood pressure than non-drug therapies with average pressures of 154.1 mmHg vs. 145.4 mmHg systolic and 101.5 mmHg vs. 94.3 mmHg diastolic pressure for drug/non-drug treatments respectively. After adjustment for differences in initial pressure levels, the effects for non-drug therapies increased, and the effect size of individualized psychological therapy matched the effect sizes of drug treatments for systolic and diastolic pressure reduction. These findings suggest that some non-drug therapies are more effective than commonly believed especially when differences in pre-treatment blood pressure levels are accounted for.
Social Ties and Support and Neuroendocrine Function: the MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging
Authors: Seeman Teresa E. , Berkman Lisa F. , Blazer Dan , Rowe John W.
Published: March 2024

Data from a community-based, relatively high-functioning cohort of men and women, aged 70–79, were used to test hypotheses relating the quantity and quality of social relationships to levels of urinary norepinephrine, epinephrine, and Cortisol. For men, multivariate models adjusting for age, chronic conditions, relative weight, smoking, and medications indicated that higher average and maximal frequency of emotional support had the strongest associations with lower levels of all three neuroendocrine parameters. Less consistent patterns of association were seen for other measures of support and social ties among men. Maximum frequency of instrumental support had significant, negative associations with norepinephrine and Cortisol but only a marginal association with epinephrine. Number of social relationships was negatively related to only norepinephrine levels. For women, these same measures showed no significant associations, though married women had significantly lower epinephrine levels. More negative aspects of social relationships (e.g. frequency of demands or criticism) were generally unrelated to endocrine levels. Only men showed a significant, positive relationship between higher minimum frequency of such demands and criticism and levels of Cortisol. Observed gender differences are consistent with those found in previous studies where more consistent associations between social relationships and health and longevity have been found for men.
Development of the Korean construction job exposure matrix (KoConJEM) based on experts’ judgment using the 60 consolidated occupations for construction workers
Authors: Choi Sangjun , Lee Kwang Min , Park Hyunhee , Shim Gyu-Beom , Lee Sun Woo , Kim Yoon-Ji , Lee Eun-Soo , Kim Youngki , Kang Dongmug , Park Ju-Hyun , Kim Se-Yeong
Published: March 2024

Background

This study was conducted as an effort to develop a Korean construction job exposure matrix (KoConJEM) based on 60 occupations recently consolidated by the construction workers mutual aid association for use by the construction industry.

Methods

The probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure to 26 hazardous agents for 60 consolidated occupations were evaluated as binary (Yes/No) or four categories (1 to 4) by 30 industrial hygiene experts. The score for risk was calculated by multiplying the exposure intensity by the prevalence of exposure. Fleiss’ kappa for each hazardous agent and occupation was used to determine agreement among the 30 experts. The JEM was expressed on a heatmap and a web-based dashboard to facilitate comparison of factors affecting exposure according to each occupation and hazardous agent.

Results

Awkward posture, heat/cold, heavy lifting, and noise were hazardous agents regarded as exposure is probable by at least one or more experts in all occupations, while exposure to asphalt fumes was considered hazardous in the smallest number of occupations (n = 5). Based on the degree of agreement among experts, more than half of the harmful factors and most occupations showed fair to good results. The highest risk value was 16 for awkward posture for most occupations other than safety officer.

Conclusions

The KoConJEM provides information on the probability, intensity, and prevalence of exposure to harmful factors, including most occupations employing construction workers; therefore, it may be useful in the conduct of epidemiological studies on assessment of health risk for construction workers.
Lung fibre burden and risk of malignant mesothelioma in shipyard workers: a necropsy-based case–control study
Authors: Mirabelli Dario , Somigliana Anna Benedetta , Azzolina Danila , Consonni Dario , Barbieri Pietro Gino
Published: March 2024

Objectives

In Italy, the highest pleural cancer mortality and incidence have been observed among Italian regions where the 2 largest Italian shipyards were (and are) located. The objective of this study was to assess the exposure–response relationship for mesothelioma among male workers employed in the Monfalcone, Italy, shipyard.

Methods

We conducted a necropsy-based case–control study. Cases (N = 102) were mesothelioma decedents and controls were those with lung cancer (N = 84). Complete job histories were available; the lung fibre content was measured using a scanning electron microscope with X-ray fluorescence, after sample preparation according to the European Respiratory Society guidelines. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of mesothelioma by fibre type and lung fibre burden, as a categorical or continuous variable, were assessed by unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for age and time since exposure cessation. Analyses for the amphibole and chrysotile lung fibre burden were mutually adjusted. We calculated a cumulative exposure index by applying a job-exposure matrix to the job histories of study cases and assessed its correlation with the lung fibre burden.

Results

We found an odds ratio of 22.0 (confidence intervals 5.66–85.7) for the highest lung fibre burden category (mean 43.8 million total asbestos fibres per gram of dry tissue) compared with the reference (mean 0.48). Using log10-transformed lung fibre burden, we found that the odds ratio was 3.71 (confidence intervals 2.03–6.79) for a 10-fold lung fibre burden increase. Results for the amphibole lung fibre burden were similar. Odds ratios increased over chrysotile lung fibre burden categories (P-trend = 0.025), and the odds ratio for a 10-fold increase was 4.73 (confidence intervals 0.32–70.4).

Conclusions

The cumulative exposure index was correlated with total and amphibole lung fibre burden, but not with chrysotile lung fibre burden. Mesothelioma risk was proportional to total, amphibole, and chrysotile lung fibre burden in shipyard workers.
Drought stress influences foraging preference of a solitary bee on two wildflowers
Authors: Rose-Person Annika , Santiago Louis S , Rafferty Nicole E
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Pollinators provide critical ecosystem services, maintaining biodiversity and benefitting global food production. However, plants, pollinators and their mutualistic interactions can be affected by drought, which has increased in severity and frequency under climate change. Using two annual, insect-pollinated wildflowers (Phacelia campanularia and Nemophila menziesii), we asked how drought impacts floral traits and foraging preferences of a solitary bee (Osmia lignaria) and explored potential implications for plant reproduction.

Methods

In greenhouses, we subjected plants experimentally to drought to induce water stress, as verified by leaf water potential. To assess the impact of drought on floral traits, we measured flower size, floral display size, nectar volume and nectar sugar concentration. To explore how drought-induced effects on floral traits affected bee foraging preferences, we performed choice trials. Individual female bees were placed into foraging arenas with two conspecific plants, one droughted and one non-droughted, and were allowed to forage freely.

Key Results

We determined that P. campanularia is more drought tolerant than N. menziesii, based on measures of turgor loss point, and confirmed that droughted plants were more drought stressed than non-droughted plants. For droughted plants of both species, the floral display size was reduced and the flowers were smaller and produced less, more-concentrated nectar. We found that bees preferred non-droughted flowers of N. menziesii. However, bee preference for non-droughted P. campanularia flowers depended on the time of day and was detected only in the afternoon.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that bees prefer to visit non-droughted flowers, probably reducing pollination success for drought-stressed plants. Lack of preference for non-droughted P. campanularia flowers in the morning might reflect the higher drought tolerance of this species. This work highlights the potentially intersecting, short-term physiological and pollinator behavioural responses to drought and suggests that such responses might reshape plant–pollinator interactions, ultimately reducing reproductive output for less drought-tolerant wildflowers.
Mike Lockwood
Authors: Lockwood Mike
Published: March 2024

Incoming RAS President Mike Lockwood enthuses about inspirational people and the pleasure of scientific discovery
Quantification of follicles in human ovarian tissue using image processing software and trained artificial intelligence
Authors: Blevins Gabrielle M , Flanagan Colleen L , Kallakuri Sridula S , Meyer Owen M , Nimmagadda Likitha , Hatch James D , Shea Sydney A , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Shikanov Ariella
Published: March 2024

Cancer survival rates in prepubertal girls and young women have risen in recent decades due to increasingly efficient treatments. However, many such treatments are gonadotoxic, causing premature ovarian insufficiency, loss of fertility, and ovarian endocrine function. Implantation of donor ovarian tissue encapsulated in immune-isolating capsules is a promising method to restore physiological endocrine function without immunosuppression or risk of reintroducing cancer cells harbored by the tissue. The success of this approach is largely determined by follicle density in the implanted ovarian tissue, which is analyzed manually from histologic sections and necessitates specialized, time-consuming labor. To address this limitation, we developed a fully automated method to quantify follicle density that does not require additional coding. We first analyzed ovarian tissue from 12 human donors between 16 and 37 years old using semi-automated image processing with manual follicle annotation and then trained artificial intelligence program based on follicle identification and object classification. One operator manually analyzed 102 whole slide images from serial histologic sections. Of those, 77 images were assessed by a second manual operator, followed with an automated method utilizing artificial intelligence. Of the 1181 follicles the control operator counted, the comparison operator counted 1178, and the artificial intelligence counted 927 follicles with 80% of those being correctly identified as follicles. The three-stage artificial intelligence pipeline finished 33% faster than manual annotation. Collectively, this report supports the use of artificial intelligence and automation to select tissue donors and grafts with the greatest follicle density to ensure graft longevity for premature ovarian insufficiency treatment.
Burden of disease and treatment patterns in patients with vitiligo: findings from a national longitudinal retrospective study in the UK
Authors: Eleftheriadou Viktoria , Delattre Carine , Chetty-Mhlanga Shala , Lee Christopher , Girardat-Rotar Laura , Khan Iftekhar , Mathew Amit , Thompson Andrew R
Published: March 2024

Background

UK studies examining vitiligo burden and vitiligo-related healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) are lacking.

Objective

To describe the incidence and prevalence of vitiligo, the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with vitiligo, vitiligo burden, HCRU, incidence of mental health comorbidities and management strategies, including treatment patterns.

Methods

This retrospective study used UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics databases to analyse patients with vitiligo from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2021.

Results

Among 17 239 incident patients, mean incidence of vitiligo was 0.16 (2010–2021) per 1000 person-years [PY; range 0.10 (2020–COVID-19) to 0.19 (2010/2013/2018)]; among 66 217 prevalent patients, prevalence increased from 0.21% (2010) to 0.38% (2021). The most common comorbidities recorded after vitiligo diagnosis were diabetes (19.4%), eczema (8.9%), thyroid disease (7.5%) and rheumatoid arthritis (6.9%). Mental health diagnoses recorded at any time included depression and/or anxiety (24.6%), depression (18.5%), anxiety (16.0%) and sleep disturbance (12.7%), and recorded after vitiligo diagnosis in 6.4%, 4.4%, 5.5% and 3.9%, respectively. Mental health comorbidities were more common in White (e.g. depression and/or anxiety 29.0%) than in Black (18.8%) and Asian (16.1%) patients. In adolescents, depression and/or anxiety was most commonly diagnosed after a vitiligo diagnosis than before (7.4% vs. 1.8%). Healthcare resources were used most frequently in the first year after vitiligo diagnosis (incident cohort), typically dermatology-related outpatient appointments (101.9/100 PY) and general practitioner consultations (97.9/100 PY). In the year after diagnosis, 60.8% of incident patients did not receive vitiligo-related treatment (i.e. topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, oral corticosteroids or phototherapy), increasing to 82.0% the next year; median time from diagnosis to first treatment was 34.0 months (95% confidence interval 31.6–36.4). Antidepressants and/or anxiolytics were recorded for 16.7% of incident patients in the year after diagnosis. In 2019, 85.0% of prevalent patients did not receive vitiligo-related treatments.

Conclusion

Most patients were not on vitiligo-related treatments within a year of diagnosis, with the time to first treatment exceeding 2 years, suggesting that vitiligo may be dismissed as unimportant. New effective treatments, early initiation and psychological intervention and support are needed to reduce the vitiligo burden on patients.
Learning the value of experience
Authors: Le Heron Campbell , Chong Trevor T J
Published: March 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Impaired value-based decision-making in Parkinson’s disease apathy’ by Gilmour et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae025).
Catalytic mechanism of Co-containing layered double hydroxide (Co-LDH) as a precursor in carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis
Authors: Chida Chika , Aisawa Sumio , Yokoyama Kei , Kumagai Riku , Sang Jing , Hirahara Hidetoshi , Kimura Hiroe , Futaba Don N
Published: March 2024

The synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition using Co-containing layered double hydroxides (Co-LDH) as catalyst precursors and the catalytic mechanism of Co-LDH catalyst precursors during CNT synthesis were investigated. Co-Al and Co-Mg-Al LDH were prepared by the hydrothermal or homogeneous precipitation method using urea. XPS analysis indicated an increase in Co0 content after a reduction process during CNT synthesis, and the TEM images show that metallic Co nanoparticles were formed while maintaining the LDH platelet-like crystal form. Consequently, these metal particles were found to act as the catalyst for the formation of CNTs. Finally, through control of the flow rate of C2H4 gas during CNT synthesis, the formation of single-walled CNTs with diameters of 4 nm or less was demonstrated.
FoPGDB: a pangenome database of Fusarium oxysporum, a cross-kingdom fungal pathogen
Authors: Meng Tan , Jiao Hanqing , Zhang Yi , Zhou Yi , Chen Shaoying , Wang Xinrui , Yang Bowen , Sun Jie , Geng Xin , Ayhan Dilay Hazal , Guo Li
Published: March 2024

Pangenomes, capturing the genetic diversity of a species or genus, are essential to understanding the ecology, pathobiology and evolutionary mechanisms of fungi that cause infection in crops and humans. However, fungal pangenome databases remain unavailable. Here, we report the first fungal pangenome database, specifically for Fusarium oxysporum species complex (FOSC), a group of cross-kingdom pathogens causing devastating vascular wilt to over 100 plant species and life-threatening fusariosis to immunocompromised humans. The F. oxysporum Pangenome Database (FoPGDB) is a comprehensive resource integrating 35 high-quality FOSC genomes, coupled with robust analytical tools. FoPGDB allows for both gene-based and graph-based exploration of the F. oxysporum pangenome. It also curates a large repository of putative effector sequences, crucial for understanding the mechanisms of FOSC pathogenicity. With an assortment of functionalities including gene search, genomic variant exploration and tools for functional enrichment, FoPGDB provides a platform for in-depth investigations of the genetic diversity and adaptability of F. oxysporum. The modular and user-friendly interface ensures efficient data access and interpretation. FoPGDB promises to be a valuable resource for F. oxysporum research, contributing to our understanding of this pathogen’s pangenomic landscape and aiding in the development of novel disease management strategies.

Database URL: http://www.fopgdb.site
Tracking flight activity of potato leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) with the Midwest Suction Trap Network
Authors: Lagos-Kutz Doris M , Clark Robert E , Seiter Nicholas , Clough Steven J , Hartman Glen L , Crossley Michael S
Published: March 2024

Potato leafhopper (PLH), Empoasca fabae Harris (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an economic pest of a variety of crops that migrates between overwintering sites in the southern United States and northern breeding grounds. Since 2005, the Midwest Suction Trap Network (STN) has monitored the magnitude and timing of aerially dispersing aphids’ activity, but the potential of the network to monitor other taxa is only beginning to be explored. Here, we use the Midwest STN to examine how the magnitude and timing of PLH activity vary with weather, cropland cover, and time of year. We found that weekly PLH activity increased early in the season (May–June) with increasing degree day accumulation and decreased mid-season (July–August) with increasing occurrence of rain. The first detections occurred earlier in southern latitudes, while the last detections occurred sooner, when there was more surrounding potato land cover, and later over time between 2018 and 2021 and in southern latitudes. PLH activity was thus longer in duration in southern latitudes and has continued to extend later into the year overall. Resolving uncertainty about how well the Midwest STN captures migratory activity and how closely suction trap detections reflect local population densities in crop fields remain important research priorities before the potential of the Midwest STN for PLH monitoring can be realized. Still, observed patterns suggest that PLH could increase in economic importance as insects disperse over larger portions of the growing season in the warming, agriculturally productive US Midwest and that the STN can become a useful tool to monitor these changes.
Five-year results from a prospective, single-arm European trial on decellularized allografts for aortic valve replacement—the ARISE Study and ARISE Registry Data
Authors: Horke Alexander , Tudorache Igor , Laufer Günther , Andreas Martin , Pomar Jose Luis , Pereda Daniel , Quintana Eduard , Sitges Marta , Meyns Bart , Rega Filip , Hazekamp Mark , Cesnjevar Robert , Schmiady Martin Oliver , Pepper John , Rosendahl Ulrich , Lichtenberg Artur , Stadnik Dmytro , Jashari Ramadan , Boethig Dietmar , Bobylev Dmitry , Avsar Murat , Ruhparwar Arjang , Haverich Axel , Cebotari Serghei , Sarikouch Samir
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

Decellularized aortic homografts (DAH) were introduced as a new option for aortic valve replacement for young patients.

METHODS

A prospective, EU-funded, single-arm, multicentre study in 8 centres evaluating non-cryopreserved DAH for aortic valve replacement.

RESULTS

A total of 144 patients (99 male) were prospectively enrolled in the ARISE Trial between October 2015 and October 2018 with a median age of 30.4 years [interquartile range (IQR) 15.9–55.1]; 45% had undergone previous cardiac operations, with 19% having 2 or more previous procedures. The mean implanted DAH diameter was 22.6 mm (standard deviation 2.4). The median operation duration was 312 min (IQR 234–417), the median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 154 min (IQR 118–212) and the median cross-clamp time 121 min (IQR 93–150). No postoperative bypass grafting or renal replacement therapy were required. Two early deaths occurred, 1 due to a LCA thrombus on day 3 and 1 due ventricular arrhythmia 5 h postoperation. There were 3 late deaths, 1 death due to endocarditis 4 months postoperatively and 2 unrelated deaths after 5 and 7 years due to cancer and Morbus Wegener resulting in a total mortality of 3.47%. After a median follow-up of 5.9 years [IQR 5.1–6.4, mean 5.5 years. (standard deviation 1.3) max. 7.6 years], the primary efficacy end-points peak gradient with median 11.0 mmHg (IQR 7.8–17.6) and regurgitation of median 0.5 (IQR 0–0.5) of grade 0–3 were excellent. At 5 years, freedom from death/reoperation/endocarditis/bleeding/thromboembolism were 97.9%/93.5%/96.4%/99.2%/99.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year results of the prospective multicentre ARISE trial continue to show DAH to be safe for aortic valve replacement with excellent haemodynamics.
Atrial cardiomyocytes contribute to the inflammatory status associated with atrial fibrillation in right heart disease
Authors: Le Quilliec Ewen , LeBlanc Charles-Alexandre , Neuilly Orlane , Xiao Jiening , Younes Rim , Altuntas Yasemin , Xiong Feng , Naud Patrice , Villeneuve Louis , Sirois Martin G , Tanguay Jean-François , Tardif Jean-Claude , Hiram Roddy
Published: March 2024

Aims

Right heart disease (RHD), characterized by right ventricular (RV) and atrial (RA) hypertrophy, and cardiomyocytes’ (CM) dysfunctions have been described to be associated with the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Right heart disease and AF have in common, an inflammatory status, but the mechanisms relating RHD, inflammation, and AF remain unclear. We hypothesized that right heart disease generates electrophysiological and morphological remodelling affecting the CM, leading to atrial inflammation and increased AF susceptibility.

Methods and results

Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) was surgically performed (except for sham) on male Wistar rats (225–275 g) to provoke an RHD. Twenty-one days (D21) post-surgery, all rats underwent echocardiography and electrophysiological studies (EPS). Optical mapping was performed in situ, on Langendorff-perfused hearts. The contractility of freshly isolated CM was evaluated and recorded during 1 Hz pacing in vitro. Histological analyses were performed on formalin-fixed RA to assess myocardial fibrosis, connexin-43 levels, and CM morphology. Right atrial levels of selected genes and proteins were obtained by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Pulmonary artery banding induced severe RHD identified by RV and RA hypertrophy. Pulmonary artery banding rats were significantly more susceptible to AF than sham. Compared to sham RA CM from PAB rats were significantly elongated and hypercontractile. Right atrial CM from PAB animals showed significant augmentation of mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-6 and IL1β. Sarcoplasmic–endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase-2a (SERCA2a) and junctophilin-2 were decreased in RA CM from PAB compared to sham rats.

Conclusions

Right heart disease-induced arrhythmogenicity may occur due to dysfunctional SERCA2a and inflammatory signalling generated from injured RA CM, which leads to an increased risk of AF.
Barriers to Hearing Health Care for Aging Adults: Reframing the Conversation
Authors: Palmer Catherine , Zitelli Lori
Published: March 2024

Untreated age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is associated with poor health and social outcomes. Treating hearing loss can mitigate these serious issues. Although there are documented barriers to care, we can look at these barriers and potential solutions differently if we view ARHL as a gradual onset, chronic condition. This provides a framework from which to solve problems in line with how other chronic health conditions experienced by aging adults are approached. With this lens, it becomes evident that early identification and treatment of ARHL can be supported by universal senior hearing screening, appropriate Medicare coverage for devices and services, and direct access to audiological care as well as avenues for self-care are necessary ingredients to change the hearing health care landscape.
Rayleigh wave attenuation tomography based on ambient noise interferometry: methods and an application to Northeast China
Authors: Peng Hongrui , Li Jiangtao
Published: March 2024

Although ambient noise interferometry has been extensively utilized for seismic velocity tomography, its application in retrieving attenuation remains limited. This study presents a comprehensive workflow for extracting Rayleigh wave amplitude and attenuation from ambient noise, which consists of three phases: (1) retrieval of empirical Green's functions (EGFs), (2) selection and correction of amplitude measurements and (3) inversion of attenuation, site amplification and noise intensity terms. Throughout these processes, an ‘asynchronous’ temporal flattening method is used to generate high-quality EGFs while preserving relative amplitudes between stations. Additionally, a novel ‘t-symmetry’ criterion is proposed for data selection along with the signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, 2-D sensitivity kernels are utilized to estimate the focusing/defocusing effect, which is then corrected in amplitude measurements. These procedures are designed to deliver reliable attenuation measurements while maintaining flexibility and automation. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed noise-based attenuation tomography approach, we apply it to a linear array, NCISP-6, located in NE China. The obtained results correlate reasonably well with known geological structures. Specifically, at short periods, high attenuation anomalies delineate the location of major sedimentary basins and faults; while at longer periods, a notable rapid increase of attenuation is observed beneath the Moho discontinuity. Given that attenuation measurements are more sensitive to porosity, defect concentration, temperature, melt and volatile ratio than seismic velocities, noise-based attenuation tomography provides important additional constraints for exploring the crustal and upper mantle structures.