bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic burden of hospital admissions for adverse drug reactions in France: The IATROSTAT‐ECO study
Authors: Laroche Marie‐Laure , Tarbouriech Noémie , Jai Taha , Valnet‐Rabier Marie‐Blanche , Nerich Virginie
Published: October 2024

Aims

Hospitalizations for adverse drug reactions (ADR‐HA) have increased over the last decade, but the impact of ADR‐HA has rarely been evaluated. The aim of this study was to estimate the economic burden of ADR‐HA in France.

Methods

A partial economic evaluation from the viewpoint of French public health insurance was performed, based on a previous pharmacovigilance study (IATROSTAT) performed in 2018 in public hospital medical units. The cost included direct medical costs, collected retrospectively, from the French hospital discharge database. The economic burden was estimated by calculating the total cost per ADR‐HA patient (cost of hospital stays, additional daily cost of specific stays, such as in a resuscitation, intensive care or continuous surveillance unit, drug products and medical devices in addition to Healthcare Resource Group‐based tariffs, and specific outpatient consultations and other clinical and technical medical procedures, over 3 months as from the first day of ADR‐HA). The robustness of the results was assessed using a one‐way deterministic sensitivity analysis of cost factors applying tariffs from 2023 instead of 2018.

Results

According to the 2018 tariffs (vs. 2023), the mean total cost per patient with ADR‐HA was estimated at €5208 ± €3719 (vs. €5974 ± €4232) ranging from €514 to €23 355 (vs. €618 to €27 380). The total cost for 196 patients with ADR‐HA admitted to a sample of French public hospitals was estimated at €1 020 549 (vs. €1 170 960). It could be estimated at €1.3 billion at the national level.

Conclusions

In addition to the increase in the number of expensive drugs, the ageing population and polypharmacy, the economic impact of serious ADR‐HA weighs heavily on healthcare spending.
Predicting remission after acute phase pharmacotherapy in patients with bipolar I depression: A machine learning approach with cross‐trial and cross‐drug replication
Authors: Marrero‐Polanco Jean , Joyce Jeremiah B. , Grant Caroline W. , Croarkin Paul E. , Athreya Arjun P. , Bobo William V.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Interpatient variability in bipolar I depression (BP‐D) symptoms challenges the ability to predict pharmacotherapeutic outcomes. A machine learning workflow was developed to predict remission after 8 weeks of pharmacotherapy (total score of ≤8 on the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]).

Methods

Supervised machine learning models were trained on data from BP‐D patients treated with olanzapine (N = 168) and were externally validated on patients treated with olanzapine/fluoxetine combination (OFC; N = 131) and lamotrigine (LTG; N = 126). Top predictors were used to develop a prognosis rule informing how many symptoms should change and by how much within 4 weeks to increase the odds of achieving remission.

Results

An AUC of 0.76 (NIR:0.59; p = 0.17) was established to predict remission in olanzapine‐treated subjects. These trained models achieved AUCs of 0.70 with OFC (NIR:0.52; p < 0.03) and 0.73 with LTG (NIR:0.52; p < 0.003), demonstrating external replication of prediction performance. Week‐4 changes in four MADRS symptoms (reported sadness, reduced sleep, reduced appetite, and concentration difficulties) were top predictors of remission. Across all pharmacotherapies, three or more of these symptoms needed to improve by ≥2 points at Week‐4 to have a 65% chance of achieving remission at 8 weeks (OR: 3.74, 95% CI: 2.45–5.76; p < 9.3E‐11).

Conclusion

Machine learning strategies achieved cross‐trial and cross‐drug replication in predicting remission after 8 weeks of pharmacotherapy for BP‐D. Interpretable prognoses rules required only a limited number of depressive symptoms, providing a promising foundation for developing simple quantitative decision aids that may, in the future, serve as companions to clinical judgment at the point of care.
The effects of special educational needs and socioeconomic status on teachers' and parents' judgements of pupils' cognitive abilities
Authors: Smeets Kim , Rohaan Ellen , van der Ven Sanne , Bakx Anouke
Published: October 2024

Background

Teachers' and parents' judgements of pupils' cognitive abilities influence pupils' daily learning opportunities and experiences, as these judgements affect the difficulty level of materials and instruction that teachers and parents provide. Over time, these judgements thus significantly shape educational success. However, pupils' characteristics, such as special educational needs (SEN), giftedness and socioeconomic status (SES) can influence and bias judgement accuracy.

Aims

The present study aimed to investigate the relation between pupils' cognitive abilities and their teachers' and parents' judgements of these abilities, and potential bias in these judgements related to SEN, giftedness, and SES.

Sample

The sample consisted of 1073 primary school pupils from grades 4–6 from 77 classes in 16 schools, and their teachers and parents.

Methods

Teachers and parents rated their pupils' cognitive abilities. Pupils completed the COVAT‐3, a cognitive ability test.

Results

Multilevel analyses revealed that parent judgements were significantly higher than teacher judgements, but both informants' judgements were equally strong related to the cognitive ability scores. When controlling for pupils' assessed cognitive abilities, the results revealed small judgement biases: negative for SEN, positive for giftedness, and finally positive for high SES, but only in teachers.

Conclusions

Overall, the results indicated that teachers and parents can judge their pupils abilities to a moderate degree, but they also hold judgement biases related to SEN, giftedness and SES. As these biases can affect pupils' opportunities, it is important to increase teachers' and parents' awareness.
Prevalence of visual abnormalities detected through paediatric vision screening in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Li Ye , Duffy Shelley , Wilks Sagen , Keel Rachel , Beswick Rachael , Dai Shuan
Published: October 2024

Background

Vision screening programs can provide epidemiological information regarding visual impairment in children. This study aims to report the characteristics of visual abnormalities diagnosed through the Primary School Nurse Health Readiness Program (PSNHRP) in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

A retrospective review of vision screening records from the PSNHRP between January 2017 and December 2020 was undertaken. Children aged between 4 and 7 who underwent vision screening were included for review. Children with a visual acuity of worse than 6/9–1 using the Parr 4 m letter‐matching chart or those who failed the SPOT Vision Screener were referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for review.

Results

164 890 children underwent vision screening. 12148 children failed visual screening (7.4%) and were referred for an eye assessment. 6011 (69.4%) of the 8659 children who attended ophthalmic review had a confirmed visual abnormality. Of 164 890 screened children, 1187 (0.72%) were confirmed to have anisometropia, 3843 (2.33%) had refractive error, 194 (0.12%) had strabismus, 755 (0.46%) had anisometropic amblyopia, 136 (0.08%) had strabismic amblyopia, and 1356 (0.82%) had an unspecific abnormality. There was no statistically significant difference in the age at screening between any visual abnormality (p = 0.94). Anisometropia, refractive error, and strabismus were significantly more common in females than males (p = 0.03, p < 0.01, and p = 0.03 respectively), whereas anisometropic amblyopia was more common in males (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

We report the prevalence of visual abnormalities detected through the PSNHRP vision screening program. Identification of medical or socioeconomic risk factors that are likely to be associated with visual abnormalities can help to optimise vision screening programs.
Impact of diverting ileostomy on functional outcome and quality of life after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis
Authors: Martin Gregory , Voron Thibault , Collard Maxime , O'Connell Lauren , Challine Alexandre , Chafai Najim , Lefèvre Jeremie H. , Parc Yann
Published: October 2024

Aim

Diverting ileostomy (DS) after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) can be omitted in selected patients. Its omission could improve functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL), as has been demonstrated in patients after proctectomy. The aim of this study was to report the impact of diverting ileostomy on functional outcomes and QoL after ileal pouch‐anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Methods

This was a retrospective study including all patients operated (2015–2020) for RPC with IPAA. Functional outcome was evaluated by validated scores (LARS, Wexner, Öresland, pouch functional score [PFS] and the ileoanal pouch syndrome severity [IPSS] score). Global health‐related QoL was evaluated with the SF‐36. We also analysed demographic characteristics, morbidity, correlation between functional outcomes and QoL.

Results

Among 179 eligible patients, 150 responded (84%): S− (no stoma = 78; 52%) and S+ (had stoma = 72; 48%). Overall morbidity and anastomotic leak rates were 46% and 9.3%, respectively without difference between the groups. Medians for the functional scores were comparable between the S− and S+ group, respectively: 18 [12.5–31] versus 18 [11–31], p = 0.48 for LARS; 9 [7–11] versus 9 [7–12], p = 0.23 for Wexner's score; 6 [3–13] versus 8 [5–11], p = 0.22 for Öresland's score, 6 [3–13] versus 6.8 [4–12], p = 0.174 for PFS score, and 40 [35–45] versus 46 [42–51], p = 0.045 for IPSS score. The SF‐36 summary score was comparable between the two groups without any difference in eight specific health dimensions. After propensity score matching, results were still comparable between the two groups for all scores. Linear regression found a significant correlation between all QoL domains and all functional scores (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

DS for IPAA does not alter either functional outcomes or QoL and can be omitted in selected patients.
The effect of online motivational interviewing on pregnant women's smoking cessation behaviour: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cevik Betul Esra , Kocatas Semra
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of online individual motivational interviewing based on the transtheoretical model on pregnant women's smoking cessation behaviour.

Material and Method

Sixty‐two pregnant women who did not complete the 16th gestational week and who smoked were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 31) and control (n = 31) groups. While the intervention group was administered model‐based motivational individual counselling interventions, the control group was administered no interventions.

Findings

The results showed that 58.1% of the pregnant women in the intervention group and 22.6% of the pregnant women in the control group ceased smoking.

Conclusion

Online motivational interviewing based on the transtheoretical model was found to be effective in pregnant women's smoking cessation.
Effect of scanning strategies on trueness and time efficiency of digital impression on paediatric models
Authors: Alpkılıç‐İşsever Dilara Şeyma , Tokuç Müge
Published: October 2024

Background

Various scanning methods aim to reduce intraoral scanner errors, yet no specific approach targets paediatric patients.

Aim

Evaluate continuous (C) and noncontinuous (NC) scanning patterns' impact on the trueness and duration of paediatric digital impressions.

Design

A standard pedodontic typodont model was scanned with a Trios 4 Move+ IOS using four scanning strategies. C1 and C2 followed continuous scanning from the right molars, with different directions. NC1 scanned noncontinuously from the right molar, with breaks every four teeth. NC2 began at the right primary incisor, with breaks after every three teeth. Each scan, performed five times by one researcher, was timed. Industrial scanning provided reference data. Deviations were analyzed using the MIXED procedure.

Results

NC1 had higher deviations in the lower jaw, whereas C1 and NC1 showed higher deviations in the upper jaw (p < .001). C1 had significantly higher deviations in the upper jaw than the lower jaw (p = .041). NC2 had the longest scanning time in both upper and lower jaws (p = .002).

Conclusion

Paediatric digital impressions benefit from starting at the anterior and incorporating breaks, although this increases scanning time.
Dofetilide for the treatment of premature ventricular complexes and ventricular tachycardia in patients with structural heart disease
Authors: Deshmukh Amrish , Yokokawa Miki , McBride Daniel , Simpson Jamie , Chou Andrew , Ghannam Michael , Liang Jackson J. , Saeed Mohammed , Cunnane Ryan , Ghanbari Hamid , Latchamsetty Rakesh , Crawford Thomas , Jongnarangsin Krit , Pelosi Frank , Chugh Aman , Morady Fred , Bogun Frank , Oral Hakan
Published: October 2024

Background

Dofetilide is a class III antiarrhythmic agent approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Given the efficacy of other class III agents, it has been used off‐label for the treatment of premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (VTs).

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of dofetilide for ventricular arrythmias (VAs).

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, 81 patients (59 men; age = 60 ± 14 years; LVEF = 0.34 ± 0.16) were admitted for dofetilide initiation to treat PVCs (29), VTs (42) or both (10). A ≥ 80% decrease in PVC burden was defined as a satisfactory response. An ICD was present in 72 patients (89%). Another antiarrhythmic was previously used in 50 patients (62%). Prior catheter ablation had been performed in 33 patients (41%).

Results

During intitiation, dofetilide was discontinued in 12 patients (15%) due to QT prolongation (8) and inefficacy to suppress VAs (4). Among the 32 patients with PVCs who successfully started dofetilide, the mean PVC burden decreased from 20 ± 10% to 8 ± 8% at a median follow‐up of 2.6 months (p < .001). PVC burden was reduced by ≥80% in only 11/32 patients (34%). During 7 ± 1 years of follow‐up, 41/69 patients (59%) continued to have VAs and received appropriate ICD therapies for monomorphic VTs (35) and polymorphic VT/VF (6) at a median of 8.0 (IQR 2.6–33.2) months. Dofetilide had to be discontinued in 50/69 patients (72%) due to inefficacy or intolerance. The composite outcome of VT/VF recurrence, heart transplantation, or death occurred in 6/12 patients (50%) without dofetilide and 49/69 patients (71%) with dofetilide. The event free survival was similar between patients treated with and without dofetilide (log‐rank p = .55).

Conclusions

Treatment with dofetilide was associated with a decrease in PVCs, however clinically significant suppression occurred in a minority of patients. Dofetilide failed to suppress the occurrence of VTs in a majority of patients.
Association of rurality and health professional shortages with the clinicopathologic characteristics of melanoma in North Carolina
Authors: Flynn Michael Seth , Gayed Matthew , Lebhar Jamie , Jacobs Jennifer , Bailey‐Burke Christian , Tissera Kristin , Liu Beiyu , Green Cynthia , Pavlis Michelle B. , Mosca Paul J.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To assess rural‐urban and health professional shortage area (HPSA)‐related influences on the characteristics of melanoma in North Carolina.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center retrospective cohort study of patients living in North Carolina with an available pathology report for invasive cutaneous melanoma seen in the Duke University Health System from 01/01/2014 to 12/31/2020. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to compare patient and tumor characteristics between rural versus urban county residence as well between melanoma thicknesses dichotomized into thin (≤1.0 mm) and thicker (>1.0 mm) tumors.

Findings

The cohort included 807 patients, and rural patients accounted for 177 (21.9%) of invasive cutaneous melanomas. Rural patients had significantly higher odds of having thicker tumors than urban patients (odds ratio [OR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17‐2.71; P = .008). Rural patients were significantly more likely to be female (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.10‐2.28; P = .013) and located in a population‐based (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.84‐3.84; P<.001) or geographic‐based (OR = 8.21, 95% CI: 3.33‐20.22; P<.001) HPSA. Living in a medium‐ or high‐shortage population‐based HPSA was associated with higher odds of thicker tumors (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.85‐3.80; P<.001).

Conclusions

Patients living in rural North Carolina counties were more likely than those in urban counties to be diagnosed with melanomas >1.0 mm in thickness, a clinically significant difference with important prognostic implications. Interventions at the county‐ and state‐level to address this disparity may include improving access to skin cancer screening and teledermatology programs, increasing partnerships with primary care providers, and targeting interventions to counties with health professional shortages.
Do White Saviour perceptions reduce charitable giving? Evidence from five online studies
Authors: Chuah Swee‐Hoon , Clarke Matthew , Feeny Simon , Hoffmann Robert , Neelim Ananta
Published: October 2024

International aid charities face a dilemma by virtue of the White Saviour: Appeal photos of Caucasian helpers in Global South settings can build a bridge to donors or cause donor resentment with changing social norms. We examine four resulting empirical questions using a series of online studies: What is the White Saviour? How do White Saviour perceptions arise from charitable appeals? And what is their effect on both donation intentions and behaviour? We empirically identify two factors that constitute White Saviour perceptions: entitlement and ineffectiveness, along with the photo characteristics that raise them. Findings suggest that images with high White Saviour perceptions do not raise donations but can actually lower the propensity to donate. There is therefore no case for international NGOs to use such imagery, particularly given that it risks offending the people and communities they serve.
Strengthening nutrition policy and service delivery: Lessons learned from a six‐country assessment of Alive and Thrive's technical assistance
Authors: Siekmans Kendra , Bose Sujata , Escobar‐DeMarco Jessica , Frongillo Edward A.
Published: October 2024

Alive & Thrive (A&T) provides strategic technical assistance (TA) to develop effective policies; improve maternal, infant, and young child nutrition (MIYCN) programme design and implementation and enhance system capacity to sustain quality MIYCN service delivery at scale. A qualitative assessment was conducted using document review and stakeholder interviews (n = 79) to describe a selection of A&T's TA in six countries and systematically assess the contextual and TA process‐related factors that influenced the results achieved and document the lessons learned about MIYCN TA design and implementation. To facilitate the selection of different types of TA, we classified TA into two levels of stakeholder engagement and intensity. Under the Technical Advisor TA category, we assessed A&T's support to strengthen national policy formulation, monitoring, and implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast‐milk Substitutes. For Capacity Development TA, we assessed A&T support to scale‐up maternal nutrition services and to increase strategic use of data. Factors important for TA provision included identifying and engaging with the right people, using evidence to support advocacy and decision‐making, using multiple ways to strengthen capacity, developing packages of tools to support programme scale‐up, and reinforcing feedback mechanisms to improve service provision and data quality. Challenges included shifts in the political context, poorly functioning health systems, and limited resources to replicate or sustain the progress made. Continued investment in evidence‐based and practical TA that strengthens the institutionalization of nutrition across all stakeholders—including government, medical associations, civil society and development partners—is essential. Future TA must support governments to strengthen system capacity for nutrition, including financial and human resource gaps that hamper full scale‐up.
Predicting the Risk of Maxillary Canine Impaction Based on Maxillary Measurements Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: de Araujo Cristiano Miranda , Freitas Pedro Felipe de Jesus , Ferraz Aline Xavier , Andreis Patricia Kern Di Scala , Meger Michelle Nascimento , Baratto‐Filho Flares , Augusto Rodenbusch Poletto Cesar , Küchler Erika Calvano , Camargo Elisa Souza , Schroder Angela Graciela Deliga
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To predict palatally impacted maxillary canines based on maxilla measurements through supervised machine learning techniques.

Materials and Methods

The maxilla images from 138 patients were analysed to investigate intermolar width, interpremolar width, interpterygoid width, maxillary length, maxillary width, nasal cavity width and nostril width, obtained through cone beam computed tomography scans. The predictive models were built using the following machine learning algorithms: Adaboost Classifier, Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting Classifier, K‐Nearest Neighbours (KNN), Logistic Regression, Multilayer Perceptron Classifier (MLP), Random Forest Classifier and Support Vector Machine (SVM). A 5‐fold cross‐validation approach was employed to validate each model. Metrics such as area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, recall, precision and F1 Score were calculated for each model, and ROC curves were constructed.

Results

The predictive model included four variables (two dental and two skeletal measurements). The interpterygoid width and nostril width showed the largest effect sizes. The Gradient Boosting Classifier algorithm exhibited the best metrics, with AUC values ranging from 0.91 [CI95% = 0.74–0.98] for test data to 0.89 [CI95% = 0.86–0.94] for crossvalidation. The nostril width variable demonstrated the highest importance across all tested algorithms.

Conclusion

The use of maxillary measurements, through supervised machine learning techniques, is a promising method for predicting palatally impacted maxillary canines. Among the models evaluated, both the Gradient Boosting Classifier and the Random Forest Classifier demonstrated the best performance metrics, with accuracy and AUC values exceeding 0.8, indicating strong predictive capability.
Stem Growth and Dehydration Responses of Mediterranean Tree Species to Atmospheric and Soil Drought
Authors: Salomón Roberto L. , Camarero J. Julio
Published: October 2024

Stem growth responses to soil and atmospheric drought are critical to forecasting the tree carbon sink strength. Yet, responses of drought‐prone forests remain uncertain despite global aridification trends. Stem diameter variations at an hourly resolution were monitored in five Mediterranean tree species from a mesic and a xeric site for 6 and 12 years. Stem growth and dehydration responses to soil (REW) and atmospheric (VPD) drought were explored at different timescales. Annually, growth was determined by the number of growing days and hours. Seasonally, growth was bimodal (autumn growth ≈ 8%–18% of annual growth), varying among species and sites across the hydrometeorological space, while dehydration consistently responded to REW. Sub‐daily, substantial growth occurred during daytime, with nighttime‐to‐daytime ratios ranging between 1.2 and 3.5 (Arbutus unedo ≈ Quercus faginea < Quercus ilex < Pinus halepensis in the mesic site, and Juniperus thurifera < P. halepensis in the xeric site). Overall, time windows favourable for growth were limited by soil (rather than atmospheric) drought, modulating annual and seasonal growth in Mediterranean species, and stems maintained non‐negligible growth during daytime. These patterns contrast with observations from wetter or cooler biomes, demonstrating the growth plasticity of drought‐prone species to more arid climate conditions.
Certainties and the Bedrock of Moral Reasoning: Three Ways the Spade Turns
Authors: Deininger Konstantin , Grimm Herwig
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we identify and explain three kinds of bedrock in moral thought. The term “bedrock,” as introduced by Wittgenstein in §217 of the Philosophical Investigations, stands for the end of a chain of reasoning. We affirm that some chains of moral reasoning do indeed end with certainty. However, different kinds of certainties in morality work in different ways. In the course of systematizing the different types of certainties, we argue that present accounts of certainties in morality do not reflect their diversity. Our analysis yields three types of moral certainty: quasi‐undoubtable certain propositions, certain propositions, and transcendental certainties. We show that the first two types can, at least to some extent, be intelligibly doubted. Therefore, they do not possess the characteristics that would classify them as bedrock in the strictest sense. Transcendental certainties cannot likewise be doubted because they are rules that enable moral thinking. Thus, deviating from them is unintelligible. We shall argue that all three types reflect ways in which moral language games come to an end, while only one, transcendental certainties, displays the characteristic of being solid bedrock.
Impaired head circumference growth and behavioural problems in childhood: Longitudinal findings from the MINA‐Brazil birth cohort
Authors: Giacomini Isabel , Villamor Eduardo , Lourenço Bárbara Hatzlhoffer , Zhu Mia , Seeley Allison L. , Matijasevich Alicia , Cardoso Marly Augusto ,   for the MINA‐Brazil Study Group
Published: October 2024

Background

Previous evidence on the relation between early head circumference (HC) growth and behavioural outcomes in preschoolers has been inconsistent.

Objective

We aimed to investigate whether HC growth from birth to 5 years of age was related to internalising or externalising behavioural problems at 5 years of age in a sex‐specific manner.

Methods

Among 303 girls and 318 boys from the MINA‐Brazil birth cohort, we examined the associations between changes in HC from birth to 5 years of age and internalising and externalising behaviour problem scores at 5 years according to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents. HC values were transformed into sex‐ and age‐specific z‐scores (HCZ) using World Health Organisation standards, and the differences between values at 5 years of age and birth were classified into quintiles. We estimated adjusted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals in behavioural problem scores between HCZ change quintiles using multivariable linear regression by sex. To examine nonlinear associations, we included cubic spline terms.

Results

Head circumference growth from birth to 5 years of age was inversely and nonlinearly associated with internalising problems in girls. Compared with girls at the lowest quintile of HC growth, those above had an adjusted 1.27 (95% confidence interval 0.28, 2.27) points lower mean internalising problems score. This association was mostly driven by HC growth during the first 2 years. We found no association between HC growth and externalising behaviour in either sex.

Conclusions

Impaired HC growth was related to higher mean internalising problem scores at 5 years of age in girls but not in boys. HC growth was not associated with externalising problems.
Dynamic Performance and Control Analysis of a Supercritical CO2 Recuperated Cycle
Authors: Tucker Swatara , Maccarini Simone , Mantelli Luca , Traverso Alberto
Published: October 2024

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles represent a promising technology for driving the energy transition. In fact, various research projects around the world are currently studying the possible applications of this technology, which is characterized by high efficiency, competitive costs, compact machinery, and enhanced flexibility with respect to competing systems, such as steam-based power cycles. Within this context, the European Union (EU)-funded SOLARSCO2OL project aims to build a MW-scale sCO2 pilot facility coupled with a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant. A transient model of the demonstration plant was previously developed in the transeo simulation tool by the Thermochemical Power Group (TPG) of University of Genoa to study the operational envelope of the cycle. In the present work, the model is upgraded to take into account all the relevant fluid-dynamic and thermodynamic phenomena affecting the transient behavior of the plant. In particular, a detailed crossflow sCO2–air cooler model is now included, which is crucial for assessing the compressor inlet temperature (CIT) behavior and controllability. The system has to comply with several constraints, such as compressor surge margin, turbomachinery inlet temperatures, and compressor inlet pressure (CIP). The desired net power output should also be guaranteed. The dynamic responses of the system to step variations in various input variables were recorded and used to design and tune the main operational controls. The input variables considered include: (1) compressor rotational speed, (2) anti-surge valve (ASV) fractional opening, (3) mass flowrate of air through the cooler, (4) mass flowrate of the molten salts through the heater, and (5) CO2 inventory for injection and extraction of working fluid. The implemented control structure includes proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers, feedforward action, and their combinations. The controllers are tuned using a mix of established methods, such as Cohen–Coon response-based PID tuning and adjustments from feedforward controls. The feedforward controls were designed taking into account the steady-state values from off-design simulations, as well as the interactions between each controller and the other controlled variables. The final control setup is tested on various power ramps to assess the capability of the prototype cycle in load following and disturbance rejection, showing very good performance in set-point tracking.
Dendritic cells in a pinch: Migration during homeostasis
Authors: Olson Eli C. , Eisenbarth Stephanie C.
Published: October 2024

Dendritic cells sense confinement in the environment to induce migration in the absence of typical inflammatory stimuli.
Human and hamster sera correlate well in identifying antigenic drift among SARS-CoV-2 variants, including JN.1
Authors: Wang Wei , Bhushan Gitanjali , Paz Stephanie , Stauft Charles B. , Selvaraj Prabhuanand , Goguet Emilie , Bishop-Lilly Kimberly A. , Subramanian Rahul , Vassell Russell , Lusvarghi Sabrina , Cong Yu , Agan Brian , Richard Stephanie A. , Epsi Nusrat J. , Fries Anthony , Fung Christian K. , Conte Matthew A. , Holbrook Michael R. , Wang Tony T. , Burgess Timothy H. , Pollett Simon D. , Mitre Edward , Katzelnick Leah C. , Weiss Carol D.
Published: October 2024

Antigenic assessments of SARS-CoV-2 variants inform decisions to update COVID-19 vaccines. Primary infection sera are often used for assessments, but such sera are rare due to population immunity from SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 vaccinations. Here, we show that neutralization titers and breadth of matched human and hamster pre-Omicron variant primary infection sera correlate well and generate similar antigenic maps. The hamster antigenic map shows modest antigenic drift among XBB sub-lineage variants, with JN.1 and BA.4/BA.5 variants within the XBB cluster, but with fivefold to sixfold antigenic differences between these variants and XBB.1.5. Compared to sera following only ancestral or bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations, or with post-vaccination infections, XBB.1.5 booster sera had the broadest neutralization against XBB sub-lineage variants, although a fivefold titer difference was still observed between JN.1 and XBB.1.5 variants. These findings suggest that antibody coverage of antigenically divergent JN.1 could be improved with a matched vaccine antigen.

IMPORTANCE

Updates to COVID-19 vaccine antigens depend on assessing how much vaccine antigens differ antigenically from newer SARS-CoV-2 variants. Human sera from single variant infections are ideal for discriminating antigenic differences among variants, but such primary infection sera are now rare due to high population immunity. It remains unclear whether sera from experimentally infected animals could substitute for human sera for antigenic assessments. This report shows that neutralization titers of variant-matched human and hamster primary infection sera correlate well and recognize variants similarly, indicating that hamster sera can be a proxy for human sera for antigenic assessments. We further show that human sera following an XBB.1.5 booster vaccine broadly neutralized XBB sub-lineage variants but titers were fivefold lower against the more recent JN.1 variant. These findings support updating the current COVID-19 vaccine variant composition and developing a framework for assessing antigenic differences in future variants using hamster primary infection sera.
InSeq analysis of defined
Legionella pneumophila
libraries identifies a transporter-encoding gene cluster important for intracellular replication in mammalian hosts
Authors: Moss Caitlin E. , Roy Craig R.
Published: October 2024

Legionella pneumophila
is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that replicates inside human alveolar macrophages to cause a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease.
L. pneumophila
requires the Dot/Icm Type IV secretion system to deliver hundreds of bacterial proteins to the host cytosol that manipulate cellular processes to establish a protected compartment for bacterial replication known as the
Legionella-
containing vacuole. To better understand mechanisms apart from the Dot/Icm system that support survival and replication in this vacuole, we used transposon insertion sequencing in combination with defined mutant sublibraries to identify
L. pneumophila
fitness determinants in primary mouse macrophages and the mouse lung. This approach validated that many previously identified genes important for intracellular replication were critical for infection of a mammalian host. Further, the screens uncovered additional genes contributing to
L. pneumophila
replication in mammalian infection models. This included a cluster of seven genes in which insertion mutations resulted in
L. pneumophila
fitness defects in mammalian hosts. Generation of isogenic deletion mutants and genetic complementation studies verified the importance of genes within this locus for infection of mammalian cells. Genes in this cluster are predicted to encode nucleotide-modifying enzymes, a protein of unknown function, and an atypical ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter with significant homology to multidrug efflux pumps that has been named Lit
,
for
Legionella
infectivity transporter. Overall, these data provide a comprehensive overview of the bacterial processes that support
L. pneumophila
replication in a mammalian host and offer insight into the unique challenges posed by the intravacuolar environment.

IMPORTANCE

Intracellular bacteria employ diverse mechanisms to survive and replicate inside the inhospitable environment of host cells.
Legionella pneumophila
is an opportunistic human pathogen and a model system for studying intracellular host–pathogen interactions. Transposon sequencing is an invaluable tool for identifying bacterial genes contributing to infection, but current animal models for
L. pneumophila
are suboptimal for conventional screens using saturated mutant libraries. This study employed a series of defined transposon mutant libraries to identify determinants of
L. pneumophila
fitness in mammalian hosts, which include a newly identified bacterial transporter called Lit. Understanding the requirements for survival and replication inside host cells informs us about the environment bacteria encounter during infection and the mechanisms they employ to make this environment habitable. Such knowledge will be key to addressing future challenges in treating infections caused by intracellular bacteria.
Supplemental Material: Late Triassic continental eclogite in the central Tibetan Plateau reveals 2500-km-long Paleo-Tethys continental subduction
Authors: Xu Wang , al. et
Published: October 2024

 Texts S1–S3, Figures S1–S5, and Tables S1–S6.  
Pulmonary fibrosis followed by severe pneumonia in patients with COVID-19 infection requiring mechanical ventilation: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Chae Ganghee , Kim Won-Young , Chung Chi-Ryang , Cho Young‑Jae , Lee Jinwoo , Jegal Yangjin , Joh Joon-Sung , Park Tae Yun , Hwang Jung Hwa , Nam Bo Da , Yoon Hee-Young , Song Jin Woo
Published: October 2024

Backgrounds

The management of lung complications, especially fibrosis, after COVID-19 pneumonia, is an important issue in the COVID-19 post-pandemic era. We aimed to investigate risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis development in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

Clinical and radiological data were prospectively collected from 64 patients who required mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 pneumonia and were enrolled from eight hospitals in South Korea. Fibrotic changes on chest CT were evaluated by visual assessment, and extent of fibrosis (mixed disease score) was measured using automatic quantification system.

Results

64 patients were enrolled, and their mean age was 58.2 years (64.1% were males). On chest CT (median interval: 60 days [IQR; 41–78 days] from enrolment), 35 (54.7%) patients showed ≥3 fibrotic lesions. The most frequent fibrotic change was traction bronchiectasis (47 patients, 73.4 %). Median extent of fibrosis measured by automatic quantification was 10.6% (IQR, 3.8–40.7%). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, which included nine variables with a p value of <0.10 in an unadjusted analysis as well as age, sex and Body Mass Index, male sex (HR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.27 to 7.11) and higher initial Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.37) were independently associated with pulmonary fibrosis (≥3 fibrotic lesions).

Conclusion

Our data suggests that male gender and higher SOFA score at intensive care unit admission were associated with pulmonary fibrosis in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation.
UBTFhaploinsufficiency associated withUBTF-related global developmental delay and distinctive facial features without neuroregression
Authors: Wang Xueqian , Yang Bingyu , Wu Shengnan , Fan Qisang , Wang Qing , Zhang Dandan , Wang Hongying , Feng Tao , Lv Haitao , Chen Ting
Published: October 2024

Background

The Upstream Binding Transcription Factor (UBTF) gene encodes two nucleolar proteins, UBTF1 and UBTF2. UBTF1 regulates rRNA transcription by RNA polymerase I, while UBTF2 regulates mRNA transcription by RNA polymerase II. A recurrent de novo dominant mutation c.628G>A (p.Glu210Lys) has been identified as a gain-of-function mutation associated with childhood onset neurodegeneration with brain atrophy (CONDBA). Evidence from large-scale population databases andUbtf+/−mouse models indicates thatUBTFhaploinsufficiency is not tolerated.

Methods

Three unrelated patients with global developmental delay and distinctive facial features were recruited for the study. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify potential genetic abnormalities. Additionally, copy number variation analysis was conducted based on the WES data.

Results

All three patients exhibited intellectual disabilities, social challenges and developmental delays in language and gross motor skills. Distinctive facial features included a wide forehead, sparse eyebrows, hypertelorism, narrow palpebral fissures, single-fold eyelids, a flat nasal bridge, anteverted nares, a long philtrum and a thin upper lip. Additionally, patient C presented with more severe language delay, recurrent hepatic dysfunction and an atrial septal defect. Patient A was found to have a nonsense variant, c.1327C>T (p.R443Ter), in the exon 13 ofUBTF. Patients B and C both carried a heterozygous deletion encompassing theUBTFgene.

Conclusion

In this study, we analysed the detailed phenotypes associated withUBTFhaploinsufficiency, which, to our knowledge, have not been previously reported. We propose thatUBTFhaploinsufficiency-related global developmental delay and distinctive facial features, without neuroregression, constitute a new syndrome distinct from CONDBA.
K acetyltransferase 2B (KAT2B) variants can be responsible for early onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Niel Olivier , Caliment Ancuta , Hougardy Charlotte , Monestier Olivier , Dahan Karin
Published: October 2024

In children, 15% of nephrotic syndromes are steroid-resistant (SRNS); approximately 30% of early onset SRNS have a genetic origin, with more than 100 causal genes described so far. SRNS can be syndromic, if associated with signs and symptoms affecting other organs or systems, such as the central nervous system, the heart or the eyes. Patients with SRNS are at high risk of chronic kidney disease and progressive renal failure, and as such need multidisciplinary care, centred on renal protection. Recently, K acetyltransferase 2B (KAT2B) loss of function was identified as a risk factor for morphological and functional defects in Drosophila nephrocytes; in vitro knockdown ofKAT2Balso impaired the adhesion and migration ability of human podocytes.

Here we provide the first clinical description of a family affected by a loss of function mutation ofKAT2B. Clinically, both siblings presented with early onset SRNS and bilateral cataract, without neurological or heart defects. Renal function was maintained in the teenage years; nephrotic-range proteinuria was insensitive to immunosuppressive therapies. Therefore, mutations ofKAT2Bshould be sought in patients with unexplained syndromic SRNS affecting the eye.
Mapping of fluid venting and attenuation of hydrate bearing sediments from offshore Oregon
Authors: Yelisetti Subbarao , Ghosal Dibakar , Perkins Lenore , Hyndman Roy D.
Published: October 2024

In this article we present regional high-resolution multichannel seismic reflections surveys of the accretionary sedimentary prism off the coast of Oregon where there are strong gas hydrate-associated bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs), and indications of gas and fluid venting from the seafloor. The new data from RR1718 survey conducted in 2017 as part of a chief scientist training cruise complement previous large airgun deeper-penetration reflection surveys and International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) seafloor drilling, which were mainly in the area of the mid-slope anticline, Hydrate Ridge. The BSRs are at depths of 120–310 ms (102–264 m) below the seafloor with the regional depths controlled by the landward decreasing heat flow, and shallower water depths. In some areas there are double BSRs interpreted to result from the thermal perturbation and sea level depth changes from transient uplift. Below the BSR there is frequent local brightening of the sediment stratigraphy reflectors by free gas. There are indications of fluid and methane gas venting from the seafloor that locally perturb the local thermal regime and the resulting BSR depth, and of seafloor carbonate caps. The lateral variation in amplitudes of the seafloor and BSR has been mapped in spectral decomposed iso-frequency sections. Attenuation estimates for the BSRs using peak frequency analysis indicate quality factors (inverse of attenuation) as low as 17 for a BSR below the anticline of Hydrate Ridge. The high attenuation is interpreted to be a consequence of a thick free gas layer.
A theoretical model to study the influence of an external tilted magnetic field on interstitial fluid flow inside a cylindrical tumor with capillaries
Authors: Ghanbari A. , Khordad R.
Published: October 2024

Interstitial fluid flow (IFF) and blood flow (BF) are analytically derived using the continuity and momentum equations for a cylindrical tumor. We considered a tumor as a rigid porous media with necrotic core, interstitial fluid and two capillaries. The capillaries have two pressures: arterial input and venous output. To describe BF within the capillaries and IFF inside tumor tissues, Poiseuille’s and Darcy’s laws are used. Here, we have divided the tumor into three parts. Our results show that the center of tumor has the maximum interstitial pressure. The pressure reduces toward the first capillary and between two capillaries. The reduction of pressure continues at the outside of the tumor. The effect of tilted external magnetic field is also studied. The results show that the field has a significant effect on the pressure. The magnetic field reduces the drug delivery at the center and exterior parts of the tumor. Furthermore, we have studied the effect of different parameters, such as interstitial resistance, magnetic field and necrotic core, on the interstitial pressure.
Shadclips: When Parameter-Efficient Fine-Tuning with Multimodal Meets Shadow Removal
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Gu Chaochen , Xu Zishan , Tang Hao , Cheng Hao , Wu Kaijie , Zhu Shanying
Published: October 2024

Segment Anything Model (SAM), an advanced universal image segmentation model trained on an expansive visual dataset, has set a new benchmark in image segmentation and computer vision. However, it faced challenges when it came to distinguishing between shadows and their backgrounds. To address this, we proposed ShadClips, which consists of SAM-optimizer and SONet. It has dramatically enhanced SAM’s ability to segment shadow images, differentiating between the background and both soft and hard shadows adeptly. Due to its dependence on pixel point inputs, the SAM-Optimizer interface could do better. This method presents challenges, especially when dealing with long, extended shadows. To make the user experience more intuitive and effective, we incorporated the capabilities of CLIPs. Therefore, simple text descriptions like “A photo of a shadow” can be used to guide the SAM-Optimizer, allowing it to select the most relevant shadow mask from SAM’s comprehensive category list. Meanwhile, we introduce SONet to shadow removal. A large number of experiments on ISTD/SRD prove that the proposed method is effective and satisfactory. The source code of the ShadClips can be accessed from https://github.com/zhangbaijin/SAM-helps-Shadow .
Deep Vision Computing-Driven Realtime Multitarget Tracking for Intelligent Industrial Aquaculture Management
Authors: Xu Peng , Xu Haiyu , Xiao Peng , Jiao Wenxin , Wang Yutong , Alqahtani Fayez , Guo Zhiwei , Zhang Yi , Shen Yu
Published: October 2024

Nowadays, intelligent industrial aquaculture management has been a more universal demand in digital society. Deep learning-based vision computing technique can provide much potential for such applications. As a result, this paper proposes a deep vision computation-driven realtime multitarget tracking approach for this purpose. It is a two-stage method, in which object detection is used in the first stage and target tracking is used in the second stage. First, the improved YOLOv7 model is utilized to train and identify the preprocessed data set to achieve accurate detection of fish targets. Then, a tracking algorithm, named SORT, is utilized to conduct an in-depth analysis of fish images to achieve continuous tracking of fish targets. Thus, further management affairs can be realized upon the basis of such conditions. Experimental results show that the improved YOLOv7 model achieves a high accuracy of 92% on the target detection task, and the Sort algorithm maintains a high degree of tracking accuracy and low tracking errors between consecutive frames. By combining these two methods, the daily behavior of fishes can be accurately detected and tracked in real time. In addition, the research also explores how to combine tracking results with breeding decisions to promote the development of breeding management in an intelligent direction.