bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Logoisk impact structure, Belarus: Shock transformation of zircon
Authors: Glazovskaya L. I. , Shcherbakov V. D. , Piryazev A. A.
Published: December 2023

The 17 km diameter, 30 Ma old Logoisk structure in Belarus (54°12′ N, 27°48′ E) was intensively drilled within the crater area. We summarize geological structure and petrologic information previously published mostly in Russian and describe shock deformation of zircon for the first time. The shock deformation features of zircon in the Logoisk suevite include the transition to reidite, the formation of planar fractures and granular textures, and the thermal decomposition to ZrO2 and SiO2. The presence of reidite in two grains in suevite was confirmed by micro‐Raman spectroscopy and EBSD (electron backscattered diffraction). Reidite was found in suevite glass of the Logoisk structure in grains containing zircon and in the ZrO2‐enriched rims on zircon. Granular zircon is commonly associated with ZrO2 and occurs as rims on zircon with interstitial impact melt, as dendritic rims, and in the inner parts of a zircon grain. A granular zircon from Logoisk represents the highest documented temperature of zircon transformation. The new data expands the knowledge of the P‐T conditions of formation of the Logoisk structure.
Analysis of layered boulders on asteroid (101955) Bennu and their implications for fluid flow on the parent body
Authors: Ishimaru K. , Lauretta D. S.
Published: December 2023

The observation of carbonate veins on asteroid Bennu supports the idea that large‐scale water flow may have occurred in carbonaceous asteroids in the early solar system. We identified and analyzed 11 boulders with layered structures on asteroid Bennu's surface using high‐resolution (centimeter‐scale) image and altimetry data obtained by the OSIRIS‐REx mission. The boulders' linear layer boundaries and parallel bedding follow the principle of original horizontality and suggest that they formed from sediment deposition by fluid flow on Bennu's parent body. We developed a simple model of the parent body (100‐km diameter with the density of CM chondrite material) and found that the water flow velocity had to be at least 21.1 cm s−1 to transport the largest clast observed embedded in a layered rock, which is 85 cm in average length. The flow velocity could have been as high as 26.5 cm s−1 if a larger clast observed on top of a layered rock was once embedded therein. Our results strongly support open‐system aqueous alteration on carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies.
Does planning to mixed feed undermine breastfeeding?
Authors: Michalopoulou Stamatia , Garcia Ada L. , Wolfson Linda , Wright Charlotte M.
Published: December 2023

Continued breastfeeding is important for infants' health, but it is unclear whether mixed feeding increases the risk of breastfeeding cessation. We aimed to explore associations of mixed feeding and lactation problems with early cessation of breastfeeding. We analysed data from mothers who completed the Scottish National Maternal and Infant Feeding Survey and had previously breastfed their infants. At age 8–12 weeks, mothers (N = 1974) reported their feeding history and intentions, lactation problems and reasons for giving formula milk. The main outcome measure was cessation of breastfeeding before 6–8 weeks and time to cessation. By 6 weeks, 65% had mixed fed at some point, 32% had ceased breastfeeding, 22% were currently mixed feeding and 46% were exclusively breastfeeding. Lactation problems before 2 weeks were common (65%), and strongly associated with stopping breastfeeding (relative risk [RR]: 3.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0–5.3) and with mixed feeding (RR: 3.14, 95% CI: 2.5–4.0). However, even after adjustment for breastfeeding problems mothers who planned to mixed feed (RR: 3.39, 95% CI: 2.4–4.9) and those who introduced formula for practicalities (RR: 3.21, 95% CI: 2.3–4.4) were more likely to stop breastfeeding. These variables also predicted later lactation insufficiency (planned mixed feeding RR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.0–2.0; formula for practicalities RR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.3–2.3). Mothers who received specialist lactation support were less likely to cease breastfeeding (RR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.5–0.9) but nonspecialist input was unrelated to risk of cessation (RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.2–4.9). In conclusion, choosing to mix feed an infant is strongly associated with stopping breastfeeding, even in the absence of lactation problems.
When I say … wellness
Authors: Kassam Aliya , Martimianakis Maria Athina
Published: December 2023

The latest edition of "When I say…" offers guidance on what wellness means in Health Professions Education, flagging up the importance of negotiation and engaging key groups for community building.
Decomposability of leaf and wood litter are not correlated across species: effects of litter traits on decomposition in field and laboratory conditions
Authors: Kobayashi Takuya , Oguro Michio , Taki Hisatomo , Kurokawa Hiroko
Published: December 2023

Changes in tree species composition have important effects on the overall rate of litter decomposition at a community level because litter decomposability varies among species and between leaf and wood litter. To understand how changes in tree species composition affect litter dynamics and carbon sequestration at the ecosystem level, it is important to clarify interspecific variations in leaf and wood litter decomposability, and the traits driving the variation. Using field data, field experiments, and laboratory experiments, we explored rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition and their relationships to traits of ten deciduous hardwood species in a temperate forest in Japan. Rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition at the community level were also estimated by considering species‐specific litter inputs and decomposition rates. Rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition were not correlated under either field or controlled laboratory conditions. This is probably because the traits that affect decomposition rate differ between leaf and wood litter. Interspecific variation in litter decomposability of leaves and wood was generally consistent between field conditions and laboratory experiments using a single fungus, suggesting that the decomposing fungi set the species‐specific decomposition rates. Moreover, the leaf and wood traits that affected decomposition by their specific fungi were different. The aboveground input of wood litter was less than half that of leaf litter, but its half‐life was > 3 times longer, suggesting that wood and leaves make similar contributions to litter accumulation. Focusing on either leaf or wood litter alone may produce misleading estimates of how species composition changes affect litter dynamics at the community level. Our results provide insight into predicting the response of carbon dynamics to future climate change.
Unilateral segmental presentation and a novel EPHB4 gene variant in capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation type 2
Authors: Valente C. , Caldeira M. B. , Duarte B. , Batista J. , Cordeiro A. I.
Published: December 2023

Capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation is a rare autosomal dominant disorder associated with EPHB4 loss‐of‐function mutations. We report the unique presentation of a 6‐year‐old girl with multiple capillary malformations in a unilateral segmental distribution affecting the right hemiface, right upper chest, and right arm associated with overgrowth. Targeted next‐generation sequencing on a tissue sample revealed a novel heterozygotic variant in the EPHB4 gene (NM_004444.5 (EPHB4): c.715T>A, p.[Cys239Ser]). This case highlights a distinct presentation of CM‐AVM type 2 and showcases a new variant in EPHB4 not previously reported in the literature.
Early versus late onset interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis: An observational study of risk factors and mortality in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Fidler Lee , Widdifield Jessica , Fisher Jolene , Shapera Shane , Gershon Andrea S.
Published: December 2023

Background and Objective

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can occur as a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at various times in the disease course. We aimed to identify factors associated with early versus late onset RA‐ILD and how the timing of RA‐ILD influenced surgical lung biopsy completion and mortality.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study using health services data from Ontario, Canada. We identified RA cases between 2000 and 2020 using the Ontario Rheumatoid Arthritis Database. RA‐ILD diagnosis required repeat physician visits for ILD, with early RA‐ILD defined as within 1 year of RA diagnosis. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with early RA‐ILD and surgical lung biopsy completion, and multivariable cox‐proportional hazards regression to evaluate the association of early versus late RA‐ILD on all‐cause and RA‐ILD related mortality.

Results

In total, we identified 3717 cases of RA‐ILD. Older age at RA diagnosis [OR 1.04 (95%CI 1.03–1.05), p < 0.0001], female sex [OR 1.16 (95%CI 1.01–1.35), p = 0.04] and immigrating to Ontario [OR 1.70 (95%CI 1.35–2.14), p < 0.0001] was associated with early RA‐ILD. Patients with early versus late RA‐ILD experienced similar odds of undergoing a surgical lung biopsy [OR 1.34 (95%CI 0.83–2.16), p = 0.23]. Early RA‐ILD was associated with increased all‐cause mortality [HR 1.17 (95%CI 1.07–1.29), p = 0.0009], primarily driven by an increase in RA‐ILD related mortality [HR 1.45 (95%CI 1.19–1.76), p = 0.0003].

Conclusion

Age at RA onset, female sex and immigration status are associated with early RA‐ILD. Patients with early RA‐ILD experience increased all‐cause and RA‐ILD related mortality after adjusting for demographics and comorbidities.
Which indices of cardiorespiratory fitness are more strongly associated with brain health in children with overweight/obesity?
Authors: Haapala Eero A. , Lubans David R. , Jaakkola Timo , Barker Alan R. , Plaza‐Florido Abel , Gracia‐Marco Luis , Solis‐Urra Patricio , Cadenas‐Sanchez Cristina , Esteban‐Cornejo Irene , Ortega Francisco B.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To compare the strength of associations between different indices of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and brain health outcomes in children with overweight/obesity.

Methods

Participants were 100 children aged 8–11 years. CRF was assessed using treadmill exercise test (peak oxygen uptake [V̇O2peak], treadmill time, and V̇O2 at ventilatory threshold) and 20‐metre shuttle run test (20mSRT, laps, running speed, estimated V̇O2peak using the equations by Léger et al., Mahar et al., and Matsuzaka et al.). Intelligence, executive functions, and academic performance were assessed using validated methods. Total gray matter and hippocampal volumes were assessed using structural MRI.

Results

V̇O2peak/body mass (β = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.01–0.35) and treadmill time (β = 0.18–0.21, 95% CI = 0.01–0.39) were positively associated with gray matter volume. 20mSRT laps were positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.255, 95% CI = 0.089–0.421) and academic performance (β = 0.199–0.255, 95% CI = 0.006–0.421), and the running speed was positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.203, 95% CI = 0.039–0.367). Estimated V̇O2peak/Léger et al. was positively associated with intelligence, executive functions, academic performance, and gray matter volume (β = 0.205–0.282, 95% CI = 0.013–0.500). Estimated V̇O2peak/Mahar et al. and V̇O2peak/Matsuzaka et al. (speed) were positively associated with executive functions (β = 0.204–0.256, 95% CI = 0.031–0.436).

Conclusion

Although V̇O2peak is considered the gold standard indicator of CRF in children, peak performance (laps or running speed) and estimated V̇O2peak/Léger et al. derived from 20mSRT had stronger and more consistent associations with brain health outcomes than other indices of CRF in children with overweight/obesity.
Efficacy and safety of a hydrocortisone aceponate‐containing ear spray solution in dogs with erythemato‐ceruminous otitis externa: A randomised, multicentric, single‐blinded, controlled trial
Authors: Rigaut Delphine , Briantais Philippe , Jasmin Pierre , Bidaud Alice
Published: December 2023

Background

Erythemato‐ceruminous otitis externa (ECOE) is frequently seen in dogs affected with an allergic skin disease, with recurrent secondary bacteria and yeast overgrowths (detected on cytological examination).

Objectives

The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of an ear spray containing only hydrocortisone aceponate glucocorticoid diester (HCA) to a control product (CTRL), an approved otic formulation containing prednisolone‐miconazole‐polymyxin combination, in dogs with ECOE.

Animals

In total, 97 and 104 dogs with ECOE were respectively randomly assigned to the tested ear treatment product group (HCA) or the commercially available ear treatment control product group (CTRL).

Materials and Methods

Dogs were treated for 7–14 days, as needed. At Day (D)0, D7, D14, D28 and D42, Otitis Index Score‐3, hearing test, pruritus and pain visual analogue scales, and cytological scores were graded. The overall response to treatment also was assessed.

Results

All clinical parameters decreased rapidly and in a similar way without any significant difference at any time between treatment groups. A good‐to‐excellent response to treatment was seen in >90% of dogs of both groups as early as D14. The treatment was considered safe in all dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

A 7‐ to 14‐day ear topical application of HCA alone to dogs with ECOE accompanied with bacterial and/or fungal (yeast) overgrowth was safe and led to no statistical difference in improvement of clinical scores relative to the CTRL combination. Based on these results, it may be necessary to reconsider the routine use of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics and antifungals as a first‐line treatment for ECOE that is likely to have been caused by an allergic reaction.
Targeted genetic therapies for inherited disorders that affect both cardiac and skeletal muscle
Authors: Psaras Yiangos , Toepfer Christopher N.
Published: December 2023

Skeletal myopathies and ataxias with secondary cardiac involvement are complex, progressive and debilitating conditions. As life expectancy increases across these conditions, cardiac involvement often becomes more prominent. This highlights the need for targeted therapies that address these evolving cardiac pathologies. Musculopathies by and large lack cures that directly target the genetic basis of the diseases; however, as our understanding of the genetic causes of these conditions has evolved, it has become tractable to develop targeted therapies using biologics, to design precision approaches to target the primary genetic causes of these varied diseases. Using the examples of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Friedreich ataxia and Pompe disease, we discuss how the genetic causes of such diseases derail diverse homeostatic, energetic and signalling pathways, which span multiple cellular systems in varied tissues across the body. We outline existing therapeutics and treatments in the context of emerging novel genetic approaches. We discuss the hurdles that the field must overcome to deliver targeted therapies across the many tissue types affected in primary myopathies.
Study of NiO/Al2O3 and NiO/Zn-Al2O3 catalysts for water gas shift reaction
Authors: Meza-Fuentes Edgardo , Rodríguez Ruíz Johana , Castellar Arroyo Edinson , Rangel Maria , Espinosa Fuentes Eduardo
Published: December 2023

Nickel-based catalysts are of great importance for the generation of hydrogen from natural gas. Within this process, the conditions in which commercial NiO/Al2O3 is converted to Ni0/Al2O3 catalyst should be further investigated. A widely used technique to identify Ni2+ reduction conditions and the different compounds or types of particles in which this element is present is temperature-programmed reduction. In this work, the type of nickel oxide particles occurring on Al2O3 and ZnO-Al2O3-based supports were studied by different techniques, such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR, the BET method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR). All materials were evaluated in the water gas shift reaction (WGS), and the influence of their characteristics on the catalytic activity was assessed. Solids were prepared at different temperatures and Ni/Zn molar ratios. The results showed the presence of NiO in all materials, as well as the presence of ZnO, NiAl2O4, and ZnAl2O4 in materials prepared at higher temperatures. In all the materials calcined at the lowest temperature, the formation of NiO particles that fail to interact with the supports was prioritized. As the calcination temperature increased, NiO aggregates were formed, which, to a greater degree, interacted with the supports, whereby nickel aluminate was detected in all materials prepared at 750 °C. Zinc increased the selectivity but decreased specific surface area and activity through the WGS reaction. The solid labeled AZ15-500 showed higher activity and selectivity, reaching values of 100% for the water gas shift reaction.
Tendon End Anchor Testing
Authors:   Commentary Task Group
Published: December 2023

Theodore E. Johnson, MS APPLIED MECHANICS, BSCE Bechtel Power Corporation, San Francisco, California International Conference on Experience in the Design, Construction and Operation of Prestressed Concrete Pressure Vessels and Containments for Nuclear Reactors Sponsored by: The Institution of Mechanical Engineers, The Institution of Civil Engineers, The British Nuclear Energy Society University of York, England, 8– 12 September 1975
Materials
Authors:   Commentary Task Group
Published: December 2023

The code presents a variety of criteria for providing reasonable assurance of safe performance for the expected lifetime of the concrete containment vessel. Suitable performance involves both short-term properties, such as strength, as well as long term durability of the constituent materials. The later item necessarily presumes an understanding of the several degradation mechanisms that can affect reinforced and prestressed concrete containment vessels as well as their liner and anchorage systems.
HIV vaccines induce CD8
+
T cells with low antigen receptor sensitivity
Authors: Migueles Stephen A. , Nettere Danielle M. , Gavil Noah V. , Wang Lawrence T. , Toulmin Sushila A. , Kelly Elizabeth P. , Ward Addison J. , Lin Siying , Thompson Sarah A. , Peterson Bennett A. , Abdeen Cassidy S. , Sclafani Carina R. , Pryal Patrick F. , Leach Benjamin G. , Ludwig Amanda K. , Rogan Daniel C. , Przygonska Paulina A. , Cattani Angela , Imamichi Hiromi , Sachs Abraham , Cafri Gal , Huang Ning-Na , Patamawenu Andy , Liang C. Jason , Hallahan Claire W. , Kambach Diane M. , Han Edward X. , Coupet Tiffany , Chen Jonathan , Moir Susan L. , Chun Tae-Wook , Coates Emily E. , Ledgerwood Julie , Schmidt Julien , Taillandier-Coindard Marie , Michaux Justine , Pak HuiSong , Bassani-Sternberg Michal , Frahm Nicole , McElrath M. Juliana , Connors Mark
Published: December 2023

Current HIV vaccines designed to stimulate CD8
+
T cells have failed to induce immunologic control upon infection. The functions of vaccine-induced HIV-specific CD8
+
T cells were investigated here in detail. Cytotoxic capacity was significantly lower than in HIV controllers and was not a consequence of low frequency or unaccumulated functional cytotoxic proteins. Low cytotoxic capacity was attributable to impaired degranulation in response to the low antigen levels present on HIV-infected targets. The vaccine-induced T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire was polyclonal and transduction of these TCRs conferred the same reduced functions. These results define a mechanism accounting for poor antiviral activity induced by these vaccines and suggest that an effective CD8
+
T cell response may require a vaccination strategy that drives further TCR clonal selection.
Ancient chicken remains reveal the origins of virulence in Marek’s disease virus
Authors: Fiddaman Steven R. , Dimopoulos Evangelos A. , Lebrasseur Ophélie , du Plessis Louis , Vrancken Bram , Charlton Sophy , Haruda Ashleigh F. , Tabbada Kristina , Flammer Patrik G. , Dascalu Stefan , Marković Nemanja , Li Hannah , Franklin Gabrielle , Symmons Robert , Baron Henriette , Daróczi-Szabó László , Shaymuratova Dilyara N. , Askeyev Igor V. , Putelat Olivier , Sana Maria , Davoudi Hossein , Fathi Homa , Mucheshi Amir Saed , Vahdati Ali Akbar , Zhang Liangren , Foster Alison , Sykes Naomi , Baumberg Gabrielle Cass , Bulatović Jelena , Askeyev Arthur O. , Askeyev Oleg V. , Mashkour Marjan , Pybus Oliver G. , Nair Venugopal , Larson Greger , Smith Adrian L. , Frantz Laurent A. F.
Published: December 2023

The pronounced growth in livestock populations since the 1950s has altered the epidemiological and evolutionary trajectory of their associated pathogens. For example, Marek’s disease virus (MDV), which causes lymphoid tumors in chickens, has experienced a marked increase in virulence over the past century. Today, MDV infections kill >90% of unvaccinated birds, and controlling it costs more than US$1 billion annually. By sequencing MDV genomes derived from archeological chickens, we demonstrate that it has been circulating for at least 1000 years. We functionally tested theMeqoncogene, one of 49 viral genes positively selected in modern strains, demonstrating that ancient MDV was likely incapable of driving tumor formation. Our results demonstrate the power of ancient DNA approaches to trace the molecular basis of virulence in economically relevant pathogens.
Self-sustaining personal all-day thermoregulatory clothing using only sunlight
Authors: Wang Ziyuan , Bo Yiwen , Bai Peijia , Zhang Shuchao , Li Guanghui , Wan Xiangjian , Liu Yongsheng , Ma Rujun , Chen Yongsheng
Published: December 2023

The human body must stay within a certain temperature range for comfort and safety. However, challenges for thermoregulatory clothing exist for harsh application scenarios, such as full day/night cycles, frigid polar regions, and space travel. We developed a flexible and sustainable personal thermoregulatory clothing system by integrating a flexible organic photovoltaic (OPV) module to directly acquire energy from sunlight and bidirectional electrocaloric (EC) devices. The flexible OPV-EC thermoregulatory clothing (OETC) can extend the human thermal comfort zone from 22°–28°C to 12.5°–37.6°C with a fast thermoregulation rate. The low energy consumption and high efficiency of the EC device allows for 24 hours of controllable and dual-mode thermoregulation with 12 hours of sunlight energy input. This self-powered wearable thermoregulatory platform has a simple structure, compact design, high efficiency, and strong self-adaptability with sunlight as the sole energy source.
More questions than answers
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: December 2023

Weight loss and obesity have been challenging topics in science and public health for decades. While scientists have pursued understanding through studies of metabolism and the microbiome, public health scholars have shown that social factors such as poverty and inadequate health care are also major contributors. And though it is true that excess weight carries with it numerous comorbidities that lower life expectancy and add costs to the health care system, studies also show that it is possible to be overweight and healthy. That doesn’t change the fact that obesity can be associated with poor mental health, in part because of the corrosive societal stigma that associates being overweight with mental weakness, not biochemistry.
In Science Journals
Authors: Vignieri Sacha , Stajic Jelena , Grocholski Brent , Suleymanov Yury , Seale Madeleine , Norton Melissa L. , Smith H. Jesse , Aldenderfer Mark , Lempriere Sarah A. , Jiang Di , Alderton Gemma , Ash Caroline , Simonti Corinne , Smith Keith T. , Naeem Shahid , Foley John F. , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Fogg Christiana N.
Published: December 2023

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Draft genome sequence of
Thermococcus waiotapuensis
WT1
T
, a thermophilic sulfur-dependent archaeon from the order
Thermococcales
Authors: Manners Sarah H. , Carere Carlo R. , Dhami Manpreet K. , Dobson Renwick C. J. , Stott Matthew B.
Published: December 2023

Thermococcus waiotapuensis
WT1
T
is a thermophilic, peptide, and amino acid-fermenting archaeon from the order
Thermococcales
. It was isolated from Waiotapu, Aotearoa-New Zealand, and has a genome size of 1.80 Mbp. The genome contains 2,000 total genes, of which 1,913 encode proteins and 46 encode tRNA.
Draft genome sequence of
Exiguobacterium
sp. from whole cantaloupe, with inhibition capacity against
Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Vishnivetskaya Tatiana A. , Niedermeyer Jeffrey , Guttierrez-Rodriguerz Eduardo , Baltzegar David , Parsons Cameron , Kathariou Sophia
Published: December 2023

We report the draft genome sequence of a novel species,
Exiguobacterium
sp., isolated from a freshly harvested and untreated cantaloupe in North Carolina. The strain
Exiguobacterium
wild type exhibited inhibitory activity against the foodborne pathogen
Listeria monocytogenes
, including strains of diverse serotypes and genotypes, both on agar media and in biofilms.
mSphere of Influence: How host genetics impact microbial pathogenesis and treatment of infectious disease
Authors: Rosowski Emily E.
Published: December 2023

Emily Rosowski works in the field of host-pathogen interactions, studying how host innate immune mechanisms control pathogens. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how “Host genotype-specific therapies can optimize the inflammatory response to mycobacterial infections” by D. M. Tobin, F. J. Roca, S. F. Oh, R. McFarland, et al. (Cell 148:434–446, 2012,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2011.12.023
) made an impact on her by investigating how differences in host genetics can affect modes of microbial pathogenesis and inform treatments for infectious disease.
Poly-omic risk scores predict inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis
Authors: Arehart Christopher H. , Sterrett John D. , Garris Rosanna L. , Quispe-Pilco Ruth E. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Evans Luke M. , Stanislawski Maggie A.
Published: December 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by complex etiology and a disrupted colonic ecosystem. We provide a framework for the analysis of multi-omic data, which we apply to study the gut ecosystem in IBD. Specifically, we train and validate models using data on the metagenome, metatranscriptome, virome, and metabolome from the Human Microbiome Project 2 IBD multi-omic database, with 1,785 repeated samples from 130 individuals (103 cases and 27 controls). After splitting the participants into training and testing groups, we used mixed-effects least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to select features for each omic. These features, with demographic covariates, were used to generate separate single-omic prediction scores. All four single-omic scores were then combined into a final regression to assess the relative importance of the individual omics and the predictive benefits when considered together. We identified several species, pathways, and metabolites known to be associated with IBD risk, and we explored the connections between data sets. Individually, metabolomic and viromic scores were more predictive than metagenomics or metatranscriptomics, and when all four scores were combined, we predicted disease diagnosis with a Nagelkerke’s
R
2
of 0.46 and an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.63, 0.98). Our work supports that some single-omic models for complex traits are more predictive than others, that incorporating multiple omic data sets may improve prediction, and that each omic data type provides a combination of unique and redundant information. This modeling framework can be extended to other complex traits and multi-omic data sets.

IMPORTANCE

Complex traits are characterized by many biological and environmental factors, such that multi-omic data sets are well-positioned to help us understand their underlying etiologies. We applied a prediction framework across multiple omics (metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and viromics) from the gut ecosystem to predict inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis. The predicted scores from our models highlighted key features and allowed us to compare the relative utility of each omic data set in single-omic versus multi-omic models. Our results emphasized the importance of metabolomics and viromics over metagenomics and metatranscriptomics for predicting IBD status. The greater predictive capability of metabolomics and viromics is likely because these omics serve as markers of lifestyle factors such as diet. This study provides a modeling framework for multi-omic data, and our results show the utility of combining multiple omic data types to disentangle complex disease etiologies and biological signatures.
Quality of fluid balance charting and interventions to improve it: a systematic review
Authors: Leinum Lisbeth Roesen , Krogsgaard Marianne , Tantholdt-Hansen Sara , Gögenur Ismail , Baandrup Anders Ohlhues , Azawi Nessn
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Fluid balance monitoring is pivotal to patients’ health. Thus, fluid balance charting is an essential part of clinical nursing documentation. This systematic review aimed to investigate and describe the quality of fluid balance monitoring in medical, surgical and intensive care units, with an emphasis on the completeness of charting data, calculation errors and accuracy, and to evaluate methods used to improve fluid balance charting.

Materials and methods

Quantitative studies involving adult patients and reporting data on fluid balance monitoring were included in the review. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using tools developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results

We included a total of 23 studies, which involved 6649 participants. The studies were quasi-experimental, cohort or prevalence studies, and every third study was of low quality. Definitions of ‘completeness’ varied, as well as patient categories and time of evaluation. Eighteen studies reported the prevalence of patients with complete fluid balance charts; of those, 10 reported that not more than 50% of fluid balance charts were complete. Studies addressing calculation errors found them in 25%–35% of charts, including omissions of, for example, intravenous medications. The reported interventions consisted of various components such as policies, education, equipment, visual aids, surveillance and dissemination of results. Among studies evaluating interventions, only 38% (5 of 13) achieved compliance with at least 75% of complete fluid balance charts. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a meta-analysis was not possible.

Conclusion

The quality of fluid balance charting is inadequate in most studies, and calculation errors influence quality. Interventions included several components, and the impact on the completion of fluid balance charts varied.
Hyperoxia for sepsis and development of acute lung injury with increased mortality
Authors: Yamamoto Ryo , Fujishima Seitaro , Yamakawa Kazuma , Abe Toshikazu , Ogura Hiroshi , Saitoh Daizoh , Gando Satoshi , Sasaki Junichi
Published: December 2023

Background

Supraphysiological oxygen administration causes unfavourable clinical outcomes in various diseases. This study aimed to determine whether hyperoxia would be associated with increased mortality in patients with severe infection.

Methods

A post-hoc analysis of a nationwide multicentre prospective observational study on sepsis (SPICE Study) was conducted, including adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with available arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) at the treatment initiation for severe infection. Hyperoxia was defined as a PaO2level of ≥300 mm Hg and in-hospital mortality was compared between patients with and without hyperoxia.

Results

Of the 563 patients eligible for the study, 49 had hyperoxia at treatment initiation for severe infection. The in-hospital all-cause mortality rates of patients with and without hyperoxia were 14 (29.2%) and 90 (17.6%), respectively. Inverse probability weighting analyses with propensity scores revealed the association between hyperoxia and increased in-hospital mortality rate (28.8% vs 18.8%; adjusted OR 1.75 (1.03 to 2.97); p=0.038), adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, site of infection, severity of infection, haemodynamic and respiratory status, laboratory data and location of patient at infection development. Acute lung injury developed more frequently in patients with hyperoxia on the following days after infection treatment, whereas sepsis-related mortality was comparable regardless of hyperoxia exposure.

Conclusion

Hyperoxia with PaO2≥300 mm Hg at treatment initiation of severe infection was associated with an increased in-hospital mortality rate in patients requiring intensive care. The amount of oxygen to administer to patients with severe infection should be carefully determined.

Trial registration number

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000027452).
Integrative adaptive management to address interactions between biological invasions and protected area connectivity: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Livingstone Stuart W. , Hughes Josie , Pither Richard , Fortin Marie-Josée
Published: December 2023

Expanding and creating protected area networks has become a central pillar of global conservation planning. In the management and design of protected area networks, we must consider not only the positive aspects of landscape connectivity but also how that connectivity may facilitate the spread of invasive species, a challenge that has become known as the connectivity conundrum. Here, we review key considerations for landscape connectivity planning for protected area networks, focusing on interactions between network connectivity and the management of invasive species. We propose an integrative adaptive management framework for protected area network planning with five main elements, including monitoring, budgeting considerations, risk assessment, inter-organizational coordination, and local engagement. Protected area planners can address the dynamic aspects of the connectivity conundrum through collaborative and integrative adaptive management planning.
Forecasting constraints on the baryon mass fraction in the IGM from fast radio bursts and type Ia supernovae
Authors: Lemos Thais , Gonçalves Rodrigo , Carvalho Joel , Alcaniz Jailson
Published: December 2023

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are millisecond transient radio events with a high energy. By identifying the origin of the burst, it is possible to measure the redshift of the host galaxy, which can be used to constrain cosmological and astrophysical parameters and test aspects of fundamental physics when combined with the dispersion measure (DM). However, some factors limit the cosmological application of FRBs: (i) the poor modelling of the fluctuations in the DM due to spatial variation in the cosmic electrons density; (ii) the fact that the fraction of baryon mass in the intergalactic medium ($$f_{IGM}$$

f

IGM

) is degenerated with some cosmological parameters; (iii) the limited knowledge about host galaxy contribution ($$DM_{host}$$

D

M

host

). In this work, we investigate the impact of different redshift distribution models of FRBs to constrain the baryon fraction in the IGM and host galaxy contribution. We use a cosmological model-independent method developed in previous work Lemos (EPJC 83:138, 2023) to perform the analysis and combine simulated FRB data from Monte Carlo simulation and supernovae data. We assume four distribution models for the FRBs: gamma-ray bursts (GRB), star formation rate (SFR), uniform and equidistant (ED). Also, we consider samples with $$N = 15, 30, 100$$

N
=
15
,
30
,
100

and 500 points and different values of the fluctuations of electron density in the DM, $$\delta = 0, 100, 200, 400, 230\sqrt{z}$$

δ
=
0
,
100
,
200
,
400
,
230

z

pc/cm$$^{3}$$

3

. Our analysis shows that all the distribution models present consistent results within $$2\sigma $$

2
σ

for the free parameters $$f_{IGM}$$

f

IGM

and $$DM_{host,0}$$

D

M

h
o
s
t
,
0

and highlights the crucial role of DM fluctuations in obtaining more precise measurements.
Computational approaches to lipid-based nucleic acid delivery systems
Authors: Settanni Giovanni
Published: December 2023

Nucleic acid-based therapies have shown enormous effectiveness as vaccines against the recent COVID19 pandemics and hold great promises in the fight of a broad spectrum of diseases ranging from viral infections to cancer up to genetically transmitted pathologies. Due to their highly degradable polyanionic nature, nucleic acids need to be packed in sophisticate delivery vehicles which compact them up, protect them from early degradation and help delivery them to the right tissue/cells. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNP) represent, at present, the main solution for nucleic acid delivery. They are made of a mixture of lipids whose key ingredient is an ionizable cationic lipid. Indeed, the interactions between the polyanionic nucleic acids and the ionizable cationic lipids, and their pH-dependent regulation in the life cycle of the nanoparticle, from production to cargo delivery, mostly determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach. Notwithstanding the large improvements in the delivery efficiency of LNPs in the last two decades, it is estimated that only a small fraction of the cargo is actually delivered, stimulating further research for the design of more effective LNP formulations. A rationally driven design would profit from the knowledge of the precise molecular structure of these materials, which is however still either missing or characterized by poor spatial resolution. Computational approaches have often been used as a molecular microscope either to enrich the available experimental data and provide a molecular-level picture of the LNPs or even simulate specific processes involving the formation and/or the molecular mechanisms of action of the LNP. Here, I review the recent literature in the field.
DEWP: Deep Expansion Learning for Wind Power Forecasting
Authors: Fan Wei , Fu Yanjie , Zheng Shun , Bian Jiang , Zhou Yuanchun , Xiong Hui
Published: December 2023

Wind is one kind of high-efficient, environmentally-friendly, and cost-effective energy source. Wind power, as one of the largest renewable energy in the world, has been playing a more and more important role in supplying electricity. Though growing dramatically in recent years, the amount of generated wind power can be directly or latently affected by multiple uncertain factors, such as wind speed, wind direction, temperatures, and so on. More importantly, there exist very complicated dependencies of the generated power on the latent composition of these multiple time-evolving variables, which are always ignored by existing works and thus largely hinder the prediction performances. To this end, we propose
DEWP
, a novel

D
eep
E
xpansion learning for
W
ind
P
ower forecasting

framework to carefully model the complicated dependencies with adequate expressiveness. DEWP starts with a stack-by-stack architecture, where each stack is composed of (i) a
variable expansion block
that makes use of convolutional layers to capture dependencies among multiple variables; (ii) a
time expansion block
that applies Fourier series and backcast/forecast mechanism to learn temporal dependencies in sequential patterns. These two tailored blocks expand raw inputs into different latent feature spaces which can model different levels of dependencies of time-evolving sequential data. Moreover, we propose an
inference block
corresponding for each stack, which applies multi-head self-attentions to acquire attentive features and maps expanded latent representations into generated wind power. In addition, to make DEWP more expressive in handling deep neural architectures, we adapt doubly residue learning to process stack-by-stack outputs. Accurate wind power forecasting (WPF) is then better achieved through fine-grained outputs by continuously removing stack residues and accumulating useful stack forecasts. Finally, we present extensive experiments in the real-world WPF application on two datasets from two different turbines, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Editors’ Choice—Review—The Future of Carbon-Based Neurochemical Sensing: A Critical Perspective
Authors: Ostertag Blaise J. , Ross Ashley E.
Published: December 2023

Carbon-based sensors have remained critical materials for electrochemical detection of neurochemicals, rooted in their inherent biocompatibility and broad potential window. Real-time monitoring using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry has resulted in the rise of minimally invasive carbon fiber microelectrodes as the material of choice for making measurements in tissue, but challenges with carbon fiber’s innate properties have limited its applicability to understudied neurochemicals. Here, we provide a critical review of the state of carbon-based real-time neurochemical detection and offer insight into ways we envision addressing these limitations in the future. This piece focuses on three main hinderances of traditional carbon fiber based materials: diminished temporal resolution due to geometric properties and adsorption/desorption properties of the material, poor selectivity/specificity to most neurochemicals, and the inability to tune amorphous carbon surfaces for specific interfacial interactions. Routes to addressing these challenges could lie in methods like computational modeling of single-molecule interfacial interactions, expansion to tunable carbon-based materials, and novel approaches to synthesizing these materials. We hope this critical piece does justice to describing the novel carbon-based materials that have preceded this work, and we hope this review provides useful solutions to innovate carbon-based material development in the future for individualized neurochemical structures.
Enhancing respiratory physiology education: innovative wet spirometer modifications for hands-on learning
Authors: Rajdeep Prashant , Patel Lajja , Poorey Ketaki , Panchal Preeti , Yohannan Susan
Published: December 2023

This activity involves cost-effective modifications to the wet spirometer, broadening its applicability. These modifications effectively address student challenges associated with wet spirometer handling and enhance comprehension of fluid dynamics, all without the need for costly simulations, wet experiments, or fragile instruments. By offering a hands-on experience without traditional limitations, our modified spirometer provides an accessible and engaging approach to respiratory physiology education.
l-Carnitine pretreatment ameliorates heat stress-induced acute kidney injury by restoring mitochondrial function of tubular cells
Authors: Goto Hiroyasu , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Mori Kazuma , Tanoue Keiko , Ito Seigo , Kearney Bradley M. , Kato Azusa , Nakashima Masahiro , Imakiire Toshihiko , Kumagai Hiroo , Kinoshita Manabu , Oshima Naoki
Published: December 2023

Enhancing fatty acid oxidation (FAO) after acute kidney injury (AKI) improves renal outcomes. This report shows that carnitine insufficiency, which could inhibit FAO, correlates to severe heat-related illness and AKI in a clinical study. We also demonstrate that administering l-carnitine to mice improves mitochondrial respiratory function and prevents deleterious changes in renal macrophage, resulting in improved renal outcomes of heat-induced AKI. l-Carnitine may be an effective preventive treatment for severe heat-related illness and related AKI.
Arginine vasopressin regulates the renal Na+-Cl– and Na+-K+-Cl– cotransporters through with-no-lysine kinase 4 and inhibitor 1 phosphorylation
Authors: Carbajal-Contreras Hector , Murillo-de-Ozores Adrian Rafael , Magaña-Avila German , Marquez-Salinas Alejandro , Bourqui Laurent , Tellez-Sutterlin Michelle , Bahena-Lopez Jessica P. , Cortes-Arroyo Eduardo , Behn-Eschenburg Sebastián González , Lopez-Saavedra Alejandro , Vazquez Norma , Ellison David H. , Loffing Johannes , Gamba Gerardo , Castañeda-Bueno Maria
Published: December 2023

With-no-lysine kinases regulate the phosphorylation and activity of the Na+-Cl– and Na+-K+-2Cl– cotransporters. This pathway is modulated by arginine vasopressin (AVP). However, the link between AVP and WNK signaling remains unknown. Here, we show that AVP activates WNK4 through increased phosphorylation at putative protein kinase A-regulated sites and decreases its dephosphorylation by protein phosphatase 1. This work increases our understanding of the signaling pathways mediating AVP actions in the kidney.
The role of TFE3 in mediating skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations to exercise training
Authors: Wong Jenna C. , Oliveira Ashley N. , Khemraj Priyanka , Hood David A.
Published: December 2023

Our understanding of the role of transcription factor E3 (TFE3) in skeletal muscle is very limited. This research shows that TFE3 plays a direct role in skeletal muscle mitochondrial enhancement with exercise training, thereby introducing a paradigm shift in our perception of the function of TFE3 in mitochondrial maintenance, beyond mitophagy. This research serves to introduce TFE3 as a protein that holds promise as a future therapeutic target for metabolic diseases and skeletal muscle dysfunction.
A Fast Global Optimal Strategy for Iteration Closest Point Using 2D‐BnB and Its Application to Rail Profile Registration
Authors: Jin Dingfei , Ma Hua
Published: December 2023

Profile registration is critical to rail wear measurement with line structured light, and the most popular registration method is iteration closest point (ICP). Unfortunately, ICP is often invalid in actual applications because it is easy to trap into local minima. To solve this problem, we propose a hybrid 2D‐point‐set registration method which combined ICP to branch and bound. In this way, we can ensure that the ICP algorithm converges to the global optimum. This strategy can achieve high‐registration precision, but it suffers from large computation costs. To address this issue, we propose an acceleration scheme by sparsely sampling the point‐set before registration to relieve computation burden. Extensive experiments are conducted to verify the precision, stability, and efficiency of our method. The results show that our method has superior precision and stability compared to the other typical profile registration methods. The ability to achieve fast registration speed which is suitable for dynamic measurement is another contribution of our work.