bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysing the tumor transcriptome of prostate cancer to predict efficacy of Lu-PSMA therapy
Authors: Handke Analena , Kesch Claudia , Fendler Wolfgang Peter , Telli Tugce , Liu Yang , Hakansson Alexander , Davicioni Elai , Hughes Jason , Song Hong , Lueckerath Katharina , Herrmann Ken , Hadaschik Boris , Seifert Robert
Published: October 2023

Rationale

177Lu-PSMA ([177Lu]Lutetium-PSMA-617) therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, but still shows a non-responder rate of approximately 30%. Combination regimes of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibition and concomitant177Lu-PSMA therapy have been proposed to increase the response rate. However, the interplay of immune landscape and177Lu-PSMA therapy efficacy is poorly understood.

Methods

Between March 2018 and December 2021, a total of 168 patients were referred to177Lu-PSMA therapy in our department and received a mean total dose of 21.9 GBq (three cycles in mean). All patients received baseline PSMA positron emission tomography to assess the PSMA uptake. The histopathological specimen of the primary prostate tumor was available with sufficient RNA passing quality control steps for genomic analysis in n=23 patients. In this subset of patients, tumor RNA transcriptomic analyses assessed 74 immune-related features in total, out of which n=24 signatures were not co-correlated and investigated further for outcome prognostication.

Results

In the subset of patients who received177Lu-PSMA therapy, PD-L1 was not significantly associated with OS (HR per SD change (95% CI) 0.74 (0.42 to 1.30); SD: 0.18; p=0.29). In contrast, PD-L2 signature was positively associated with longer OS (HR per SD change 0.46 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.74); SD: 0.24; p=0.001; median OS 17.2 vs 5.7 months in higher vs lower PD-L2 patients). In addition, PD-L2 signature correlated with PSA-response (ϱ=−0.46; p=0.04). The PD-L2 signature association with OS was significantly moderated by L-Lactatdehydrogenase (LDH) levels (Cox model interaction p=0.01).

Conclusion

Higher PD-L2 signature might be associated with a better response to177Lu-PSMA therapy and warrants further studies investigating additional immunotherapy. In contrast, PD-L1 was not associated with outcome. The protective effect of PD-L2 signature might be present only in men with lower LDH levels.
Structured population models on Polish spaces: A unified approach including graphs, Riemannian manifolds and measure spaces to describe dynamics of heterogeneous populations
Authors: Düll Christian , Gwiazda Piotr , Marciniak-Czochra Anna , Skrzeczkowski Jakub
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a mathematical framework for modeling the dynamics of heterogeneous populations. Models describing local and non-local growth and transport processes appear in a variety of applications, such as crowd dynamics, tissue regeneration, cancer development and coagulation-fragmentation processes. The diverse applications pose a common challenge to mathematicians due to the multiscale nature of the structures that underlie the system’s self-organization and control. Similar abstract mathematical problems arise when formulating problems in the language of measure evolution on a multi-faceted state space. Motivated by these observations, we propose a general mathematical framework for nonlinear structured population models on abstract metric spaces, which are only assumed to be separable and complete. We exploit the structure of the space of non-negative Radon measures with the dual bounded Lipschitz distance (flat metric), which is a generalization of the Wasserstein distance, capable of addressing non-conservative problems. The formulation of models on general metric spaces allows considering infinite-dimensional state spaces or graphs and coupling discrete and continuous state transitions. This opens up exciting possibilities for modeling single-cell data, crowd dynamics or coagulation-fragmentation processes.
Enriching a predicate and tame expansions of the integers
Authors: Conant Gabriel , d’Elbée Christian , Halevi Yatir , Jimenez Léo , Rideau-Kikuchi Silvain
Published: October 2023

Given a structure [Formula: see text] and a stably embedded [Formula: see text]-definable set [Formula: see text], we prove tameness preservation results when enriching the induced structure on [Formula: see text] by some further structure [Formula: see text]. In particular, we show that if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are stable (respectively, superstable, [Formula: see text]-stable), then so is the theory [Formula: see text] of the enrichment of [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text]. Assuming simplicity of [Formula: see text], elimination of hyperimaginaries and a further condition on [Formula: see text] related to the behavior of algebraic closure, we also show that simplicity and NSOP1 pass from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. We then prove several applications for tame expansions of weakly minimal structures and, in particular, the group of integers. For example, we construct the first known examples of strictly stable expansions of [Formula: see text]. More generally, we show that any stable (respectively, superstable, simple, NIP, NTP2, NSOP1) countable graph can be defined in a stable (respectively, superstable, simple, NIP, NTP2, NSOP1) expansion of [Formula: see text] by some unary predicate [Formula: see text].
A note on the zero divisor graph of the ring of Lipschitz integers modulo n
Authors: Zhang Hengbin , Li Libin
Published: October 2023

In a recent paper, Grau et al. studied the zero divisor graphs of the ring of Lipschitz integers modulo [Formula: see text], and computed the domination number of the undirected zero divisor graph of the ring of Lipschitz integers modulo [Formula: see text]. But the case [Formula: see text] is a power of prime numbers remained open. In this paper, this problem is solved. We also show the automorphism group of the zero divisor graph of the ring of Lipschitz integers modulo [Formula: see text].
Thermodynamic Constitutive Model of the Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments Considering Anisotropy
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhou Bo , Zhu Xiuxing , Wang Haijing , Huang Yun
Published: October 2023

Gas hydrate-bearing sediments (GHBS) are considered a significant potential energy source. However, the decomposition of hydrates can lead to various geological hazards. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation into the mechanical properties of GHBS is essential to ensure the safe extraction of gas hydrate. This paper presents a constitutive model for GHBS that incorporates anisotropy, based on the theory of thermodynamics. To account for the effects of hydrate filling and cementing, two parameters are introduced into the dissipation function of the model. The filling effect is expressed through the densification mechanism, which increases the density of the host sediment. The cementing effect is represented by the enhanced expansion of the yield surface. The yield function incorporates the spacing ratio [Formula: see text] and the teardrop shape parameter [Formula: see text], which govern the shape of the yield surface, as well as the anisotropy angle [Formula: see text], which signifies the anisotropic evolution law. The physical significance of these parameters is also elucidated. The anisotropic evolution is described by an exponential function. The proposed model is compared to both the test results and the existing constitutive model, and it is found that it provides more accurate predictions of the mechanical properties of GHBS.
On Fuzzy Sheffer Stroke Be-Algebras
Authors: Oner Tahsin , Katican Tugce , Saeid Arsham Borumand
Published: October 2023

In this study, fuzzy Sheffer stroke BE-algebras are studied. Then a fuzzy SBE-subalgebra, a fuzzy SBE-filter, the cartesian product of fuzzy subsets and fuzzy points on a Sheffer stroke BE-algebra (briefly, SBE-algebra) are defined and it is shown that the family of all fuzzy points in a SBE-algebra is a weak SBE-algebra which is usually not a SBE-algebra. The case in which this family forms a SBE-algebra is interpreted. Also, a weak SBE-filter of a SBE-algebra is described by means of the fuzzy points and the relationships between various SBE-filters on a SBE-algebra are investigated.
Member Spotlight: Tamara Pearson
Authors: Smith Julie M. , Wallace Charles
Published: October 2023

Tamara Pearson is Senior Director of Research at the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing, based in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech.
ACM SIGEVO Best Dissertation Award 2023
Authors: López-Ibáñez Manuel
Published: October 2023

The SIGEVO Best Dissertation Award was created in 2019 to recognize excellent thesis research by doctoral candidates in the field of evolutionary computing. Doctoral dissertation awards are given by other Special Interest Groups of ACM, such as SIGCOMM, SIGKDD, SIGARCH and others. The SIGEVO Best Dissertation Award will be given annually to a maximum of 1 winner and a maximum of 2 honorable mentions. The award presentation will take place at the awards ceremony of GECCO. The award will carry a monetary value, contributed by SIGEVO, of $2,000 to be awarded to the winner and $1,000 to each of the honorable mentions. The award winner and honorable mentions will each receive a beautiful plaque.
Overview of Assets 2022
Authors: Ludi Stephanie , Shinohara Kristen
Published: October 2023

The 24th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS 2022), was held in Athens, Greece between October 23rd to 26th, 2022. ASSETS continues to be the premier computing research conference exploring the design, evaluation, and use of computing and information technologies with and for people with disabilities and older adults. ASSETS 2022 was held in-person for the first time since 2019. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, a lightweight online component for virtual conference attendees was conducted as well. In order to support both accessibility and inclusivity, and balancing technical infrastructure and time-zone constraints, all presentations were also pre-recorded and captioned to support both virtual and in-person conference attendees. There were additional creative opportunities for hybrid connections and socializing across modalities, including online trivia and roundtable social networking events. We acknowledge that future ASSETS organizing committees will need to make their own decisions about the length and format of the conference, and so the decision to have an in-person with light-weight online component is not a permanent decision.

Overall, ASSETS 2022 had 161 in-person and 146 virtual attendees from 38 countries and 6 continents. For the first time, we hosted 5 virtual workshops, with 94 workshop-only attendees.
Chronological distribution of readings in ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring exams affects the nighttime average and the magnitude of blood-pressure dipping
Authors: Brito Leandro C. , Bowles Nicole P. , McHill Andrew W. , Rice Sean P. M. , Butler Matthew P. , Emens Jonathan S. , Shea Steven A. , Thosar Saurabh S.
Published: October 2023

The distribution of ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring (ABPM) readings affects the reproducibility of average blood pressure (BP) values as well as dipping percentage and dipping diagnoses. Our data suggest that the placement of measurements can affect nighttime average BP. Therefore, the temporal measurement distribution should be considered when interpreting ABPM.
How Does the Time-Varying Network Structure Evolve between the EU Carbon Futures Prices and Industrial and Energy-Related Indices? A Study Based on a Time-Varying T-Copula
Authors: Wang Ziyang , Dong Zhiliang
Published: October 2023

Industrial and energy-related industries are major sources of carbon dioxide emissions, and their interdependence, as reflected in the financial field, has attracted the attention of scholars. For the purpose of exploring the evolutionary characteristics of the short-term dynamic correlation coefficient between the EU carbon futures price and the industrial and energy-related indices, this paper selected the settlement price of EU carbon emission quota futures, the MSCI energy I index on three dimensions, and the Dow Jones industrial index and West Texas crude oil futures price, as sample data. Using the time-varying t-copula model to measure the dynamic correlation coefficient between variables, the time-sliding window idea and coarse-grained method were combined to establish the correlation fluctuation mode, and a complex network theory and analysis methods were used to study the evolutionary traits of the time-varying network structure between the EU carbon price and the industrial and energy-related index. The results show that the transmission objects of the key correlation fluctuation modes in the network are stable and maintain their own state with a high probability. Second, the clustering effect exists in the transmission process. Some nodes with high mediating abilities are also the key correlation wave modes in the dynamic correlation evolution network. This study provides ideas for the study of the correlations between multiple variables and is also a useful reference for international investors.
Transglutaminase 2 Prevents Premature Senescence and Promotes Osteoblastic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through NRF2 Activation
Authors: Lee Soo-Jin , Shin Ji-Woong , Kwon Mee-Ae , Lee Ki Baek , Kim Hyo-Jun , Lee Jin-Haeng , Kang Heun-Soo , Jun Jong Kwan , Cho Sung-Yup , Kim In-Gyu
Published: October 2023

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a multifunctional enzyme that exhibits transamidase, GTPase, kinase, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) activities. Of these, transamidase-mediated modification of proteins regulates apoptosis, differentiation, inflammation, and fibrosis. TG2 is highly expressed in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) compared with differentiated cells, suggesting a role of TG2 specific for MSC characteristics. In this study, we report a new function of TG2 in the regulation of MSC redox homeostasis. During in vitro MSC expansion, TG2 is required for cell proliferation and self-renewal by preventing premature senescence but has no effect on the expression of surface antigens and oxidative stress-induced cell death. Moreover, induction of differentiation upregulates TG2 that promotes osteoblastic differentiation. Molecular analyses revealed that TG2 mediates tert-butylhydroquinone, but not sulforaphane, -induced nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activation in a transamidase activity-independent manner. Differences in the mechanism of action between two NRF2 activators suggest that PDI activity of TG2 may be implicated in the stabilization of NRF2. The role of TG2 in the regulation of antioxidant response was further supported by transcriptomic analysis of MSC. These results indicate that TG2 is a critical enzyme in eliciting antioxidant response in MSC through NRF2 activation, providing a target for optimizing MSC manufacturing processes to prevent premature senescence.
Supplementary Tables 1-3 from Immune Cell Abundance and T-cell Receptor Landscapes Suggest New Patient Stratification Strategies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Secrier Maria , McGrath Lara , Ng Felicia , Gulati Sakshi , Raymond Amelia , Nuttall Barrett R. B. , Berthe Julie , Jones Emma V. , Sidders Ben S. , Galon Jérôme , Barrett J. Carl , Angell Helen K.
Published: October 2023

Supplementary Table 1 shows Clinical characteristics of the cohort (n=162). Supplementary Table 2 shows TLS signatures employed in the analysis. Supplementary Table 3 shows Multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards analysis for the HNSCC cohort.
FIGURE 1 from Immune Cell Abundance and T-cell Receptor Landscapes Suggest New Patient Stratification Strategies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Secrier Maria , McGrath Lara , Ng Felicia , Gulati Sakshi , Raymond Amelia , Nuttall Barrett R. B. , Berthe Julie , Jones Emma V. , Sidders Ben S. , Galon Jérôme , Barrett J. Carl , Angell Helen K.
Published: October 2023

Emerging TME phenotypes and their characteristics in the HNSCC cohort. A, The heat map displays the immune cell enrichment/depletion in bulk tumor samples from the cohort, as inferred from the expression of cell type–specific markers using ConsensusTME and ssGSEA (single-sample gene set enrichment analysis). Every column corresponds to a sample and every row depicts an immune subpopulation. Samples are clustered on the basis of the predicted enrichment/depletion of immune cell populations. Relevant clinical features, Immunoscore (CD3 and CD8 quantification), PD-L1 staining by IHC (TC – tumor cell and IC – immune cell positivity) and TCR repertoire characteristics (productive clonality, observed richness) are annotated. Five subgroups with distinct immunity emerge: highly cytotoxic and exhausted, PC rich, DC rich, macrophage rich, and immune-excluded. Key clinical characteristics are also annotated. B, Markers of immune exhaustion and TCR repertoire differ significantly among the immune subgroups defined in A. Higher TCR clonality and exhaustion is generally observed in the highly cytotoxic group (exhausted, PC high). The y axis depicts PD-L1 staining measurements by IHC; TBET, EOMES, and TCF7 expression from NanoString; and computed TCR productive clonality and observed richness, respectively. Kruskal–Wallis test P values comparing the five groups are displayed underneath the plots. ****, P < 0.0001; ***, P < 0.001; **, P < 0.01; *, P < 0.05; ns, nonsignificant (P > 0.05). C, Enriched characteristics in the five immunity subgroups. Red circles denote significant enrichments from a Fisher exact test. Dotted circles represent infinite ORs.
Construction and Validation of the Proposal for Safety and Emergency Material and Equipment in Mountain Sports
Authors: Mata Carlos Daniel Gomes , Pereira Catarina , Carvalhinho Luís
Published: October 2023

Introduction: This study aimed to build and validate a proposal for safety and emergency material and equipment adjusted to the practice of mountain sports in Portugal. The proposal was developed through documentary analysis, literature review, and expert consultation. Methods: The validation of the contents of the proposal was carried out using the Delphi technique, with the participation of 30 experts, male (N = 18) and female (N = 12), aged between 32 and 61 years (M = 42.50; SD = 7.29), with a mean of 16.63 ± 5.60 years of experience, divided into 4 groups: (i) pre-hospital trainers; (ii) pre-hospital nurses; (iii) pre-hospital physicians; (iv) higher education teachers in the field of mountain sports. The 1st version of the proposal was structured in 7 areas and included 29 items (material and/or equipment). The final version of the proposal was structured in 8 areas (general material, measuring equipment, burns, trauma, respiratory, medication, communications, and survival kit) and included 44 items (material and equipment). Results: The proposal showed Content Validity Index (CVI) values of 100%. Concerning the reliability and validity of the proposal, intraclass correlation coefficient values of 0.986 (excellent) were found for technical importance and 0.983 (excellent) for contextual fit. All values show a high level of inter-expert agreement. Conclusion: The validated proposal will be an appropriate tool for mountain sports technicians to use in order to promote safety, reduce accidents and their consequent morbidity, and reduce the activation of rescue teams.
The NIAID/RNCP Biodosimetry Program: An Overview
Authors: Satyamitra Merriline M. , Cassatt David R. , Molinar-Inglis Olivia , Rios Carmen I. , Taliaferro Lanyn P. , Winters Thomas A. , DiCarlo Andrea L.
Published: October 2023

Established in 2004, the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health has the central mission to advance medical countermeasure mitigators/therapeutics, and biomarkers and technologies to assess, triage, and inform medical management of patients experiencing acute radiation syndrome and/or the delayed effects of acute radiation exposure. The RNCP biodosimetry mission space encompasses: (1) basic research to elucidate novel approaches for rapid and accurate assessment of radiation exposure, (2) studies to support advanced development for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of promising triage or treatment devices/approaches, (3) characterization of biomarkers and/or assays to determine degree of tissue or organ dose that can predict outcome of radiation injuries (i.e., organ failure, morbidity, and/or mortality), and (4) outreach efforts to facilitate interactions with researchers developing cutting edge biodosimetry approaches. Thus far, no biodosimetry device has been FDA cleared for use during a radiological/nuclear incident. At NIAID, advancement of radiation biomarkers and biodosimetry approaches is facilitated by a variety of funding mechanisms (grants, contracts, cooperative and interagency agreements, and Small Business Innovation Research awards), with the objective of advancing devices and assays toward clearance, as outlined in the FDA’s Radiation Biodosimetry Medical Countermeasure Devices Guidance. The ultimate goal of the RNCP biodosimetry program is to develop and establish accurate and reliable biodosimetry tools that will improve radiation preparedness and ultimately save lives during a radiological or nuclear incident.
Benchmarking the Generation of Fact Checking Explanations
Authors: Russo Daniel , Tekiroğlu Serra Sinem , Guerini Marco
Published: October 2023

Fighting misinformation is a challenging, yet crucial, task. Despite the growing number of experts being involved in manual fact-checking, this activity is time-consuming and cannot keep up with the ever-increasing amount of fake news produced daily. Hence, automating this process is necessary to help curb misinformation. Thus far, researchers have mainly focused on claim veracity classification. In this paper, instead, we address the generation of justifications (textual explanation of why a claim is classified as either true or false) and benchmark it with novel datasets and advanced baselines. In particular, we focus on summarization approaches over unstructured knowledge (i.e., news articles) and we experiment with several extractive and abstractive strategies. We employed two datasets with different styles and structures, in order to assess the generalizability of our findings. Results show that in justification production summarization benefits from the claim information, and, in particular, that a claim-driven extractive step improves abstractive summarization performances. Finally, we show that although cross-dataset experiments suffer from performance degradation, a unique model trained on a combination of the two datasets is able to retain style information in an efficient manner.
Estimating the impact of the illegal trade of primates in Mexico: a potential threat to wildlife
Authors: Esparza-Rodríguez Zaira , Chapman Colin A. , Reuter Adrián , Gallina-Tessaro Sonia , Dáttilo Wesley , Serio-Silva Juan Carlos
Published: October 2023

The primates of Mexico, Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta palliata, and Alouatta pigra, are seriously threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal hunting and trade. Very little is known about the extent of illegal trade and its impacts on declining primate populations. Our study proposes a potential method based on estimating the number of individuals that die in the trade before being detected and those that probably cannot be detected. This facilitates estimating the number of animals extracted and allows an assessment of how trafficking impacts their populations. We derive estimates from seizure data of primates in Mexico between 2010 and 2019. To do this, we created wildlife detection rates and mortality rates from the existing literature (scientific articles, journalistic articles, and notes) to estimate the number of primates that die during capture, transport, and sale and the number of trafficked primates that were not detected by Mexican authorities. We estimate that 946 primates were removed from the wild for the pet trade each year (spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi = 854; black howler monkeys Alouatta pigra = 38, mantled howler monkey Alouatta palliata = 54). The annual reduction in population size caused by trafficking was greatest for Ateles geoffroyi (2.2%), followed by Alouatta pigra (1.3%), and Alouatta palliata (0.4%). Our estimates show the percentage of impacts that trafficking has on Mexican primate populations. Nevertheless, trade has the potential to impact declining populations and still must be addressed.
Claw autotomy does not influence digging ability in the Hillbilly Hairy Crayfish, Cambarus polypilosus
Authors: Graham Zackary A. , Oppedisano Alyssa N. , Stubbs Megan B. , Loughman Zachary J.
Published: October 2023

Autotomy is the self-induced loss of a body part, which has evolved in animals at least nine times. Historically, autotomy has been seen as an anti-predator response that increases an animal’s chances of escape and survival. However, autotomy can also provide benefits such as reducing the cost of injury, increasing reproductive success, and allowing escape from non-predatory entrapments. One group of animals that has a high occurrence of autotomy are decapod crustaceans, such as crayfishes, where up to 50% of individuals may have autotomized appendages. In the current study, we investigate the effect of claw autotomy on the digging behaviour in the Hillbilly Hairy Crayfish, Cambarus polypilosus. Our results demonstrate that there was no influence on digging regardless of whether one or two claws were autotomized. Further, we demonstrate that the claws of C. polypilosus are sexually monomorphic, which is unusual among crustaceans.
Plant-parasitic nematodes, a looming threat to turmeric cultivation in India: results of recent surveys
Authors: Sellaperumal Chinnasamy , Eapen Santhosh J. , Manimaran Balakumaran , Berliner Jeyaveeran , Senthamizh Selvi B. , Mahendar Borlakunta , Giridhar Kalidasu , Sivakumar Vavilapalli
Published: October 2023

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a major spice of Indian origin. Turmeric is commonly used in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine, and also in Indian cuisine. India produces nearly 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of turmeric annually and is one of the world’s largest producers. Turmeric production is limited by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are important. They include Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus similis and Rotylenchulus reniformis. However, the information about the distribution, density and prominence of plant-parasitic nematodes and their interrelation with soil types is very scarce. Hence, the present comprehensive nematode survey was undertaken in the major turmeric-producing states of India: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha. The results indicated that Meloidogyne spp., R. reniformis, Pratylenchus spp., R. similis, Hoplolaimus spp., Helicotylenchus spp. and Tylenchorhynchus spp. were associated with turmeric. The most abundant nematodes were Meloidogyne spp. (115 individuals (100 cm3 soil)−1), followed by R. reniformis (68 (100 cm3 soil)−1) and Pratylenchus spp. (50 (100 cm3 soil)−1). The frequency of occurrence ranged from 0 to 60%, with Meloidogyne spp. (60%) and R. reniformis (51%) being the most common. Meloidogyne spp. (38%) and Pratylenchus spp. (19%) were the most prominent nematodes in plant samples. Overall, Meloidogyne spp. followed by Pratylenchus spp., R. reniformis and R. similis were the key nematodes associated with the turmeric crop in all the four states. Further, we have identified hotspot areas for the plant-parasitic nematodes, namely: Meloidogyne spp. (16), Pratylenchus spp. (16), R. reniformis (20), and R. similis (5) on the basis of the economic threshold level. The interrelationship of soil type and nematode distribution was also investigated.
Rights of Rivers in a Changing Climate
Authors: McClelland Roanna
Published: October 2023

Climate change presents a risk to drinking water, water supply for industry, energy, and agriculture, and to water-related ecosystems broadly. Parties to the unfccc focused attention on water issues in the 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan of cop 27, recognizing the critical role of ‘protecting, conserving and restoring water systems and water-related ecosystems in delivering climate adaptation benefits and co-benefits’ and urging the integration of water considerations into adaptation efforts. At the same time, water norms are emerging around rivers and bodies of water, prompting a radical rethinking of the way we manage freshwater. This commentary examines an evolving transnational water norm – rights or personhood for rivers – and considers the limits and possibilities of this norm in a climate change context. Drawing on case law in domestic jurisdictions, it shows that recognizing the limits and possibilities of emerging transnational water norms is a crucial part of the climate-water nexus.
Leveraging Healthcare Technology to Improve Patient-Doctor Communication
Authors: Thai Phuoc , Flores-Cruz Gabriela , Roque Nelson A.
Published: October 2023

Patient-doctor communication is a critical element of healthcare interactions that can have a direct impact on the occurrence of medical errors, treatment decisions, and outcomes. Common barriers to patient-doctor communication include patients’ feeling unable to share information, cognitive impairment in patients, and the dominating nature of the biomedical culture in healthcare. The emergence of new healthcare technologies presents an opportunity to improve healthcare communication through both new tools and shifts in practices. Combined with patient-centered care models of communication, user experience design and operational implementations can be leveraged to improve the quality of the relationship between patient and medical provider, information exchange in the dyad, and shared decision-making. The present research adopts a person-centered care model of communication approach to propose design and operational implementations of eHealth technology to improve patient-doctor interactions, resulting in higher quality healthcare and a reduction in negative health outcomes.
Modern Firefighters’ Three-Level Situation Awareness in Fire and Non-Fire Incidents
Authors: Dos Santos Viviana Maura , Son Changwon
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to identify professional firefighters’ situation awareness (SA) requirements for six high-risk emergencies: i) a single-house fire, ii) an unconscious person as a medical emergency scenario, iii) a vehicle fire, iv) a gas leak incident as a hazardous material (HazMat) case, v) a passenger aircraft fire, vi) and a search and rescue operation for a collapsed building. A Goal-Directed Task Analysis (GDTA) was employed to elicit major goals, sub-goals, decisions, and three-level SA information requirements for firefighters in six different types of an incident. Findings indicate that firefighters have common goals of ensuring life safety and incident stabilization. Sub-goals were concerned with the safety of residents as well as responders’ safety. Incident stabilization meant extinguishing fire for fire events and providing medical treatment in case of a medical emergency. To build SA for different situations, firefighters indicated that they use characteristics of fire and smoke, the location and condition of residents, a person’s appearance and behavior, and building structure. These findings can inform the design of work processes and emergency response technologies for fire and non-fire operations.
Relating in-vivo Strain of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Tendon with Grip Force
Authors: Houghton Frederick C. , Huff Reece D. , Earl Conner C. , Ghajar-Rahimi Elnaz , Dogra Ishan , Darling Andrew J. , Damen Frederick W. , Zhou Guoyang , Yu Denny , Goergen Craig J. , Harris-Adamson Carisa , O’Connell Grace D.
Published: October 2023

Epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between hand exertion and risk of developing distal upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (DUEMSDs). Recently, fatigue-failure models were proposed for estimating the risk of DUEMSD development. However, models that incorporate tendon strain are primarily based on in-vitro data and may be better informed using in-vivo data. This methodological pilot study aimed to establish an approach for correlating grip force and spatiotemporal strains of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon using ultrasound imaging. Three image texture correlation techniques to measure in-vivo strains were explored and compared: digital image correlation, direct deformation estimation, and StrainNet, a novel deep learning neural network for strain prediction. StrainNet resulted in more accurate strain measurements than conventional image assessment tools, enabled continuous prediction of FDS tendon strain, and allowed for comparison of median bulk tissue strain during isometric contraction to grip force. Future work will study more participants and viscoelastic behavior.
Knockout of STE20-type kinase TAOK3 does not attenuate diet-induced NAFLD development in mice
Authors: Xia Ying , Andersson Emma , Caputo Mara , Cansby Emmelie , Sedda Francesca , Font-Gironès Ferran , Ruud Johan , Kurhe Yeshwant , Hallberg Bengt , Marschall Hanns-Ulrich , Asterholm Ingrid Wernstedt , Romeo Stefano , Blüher Matthias , Mahlapuu Margit
Published: October 2023

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the primary hepatic consequence of obesity, is affecting about 25% of the global adult population. The aim of this study was to examine the in vivo role of STE20-type protein kinase TAOK3, which has been previously reported to regulate hepatocellular lipotoxicity in vitro, in the development of NAFLD and systemic insulin resistance in the context of obesity.

Methods

Taok3 knockout mice and wild-type littermates were challenged with a high-fat diet. Various in vivo tests were performed to characterize the whole-body metabolism. NAFLD progression in the liver, and lipotoxic damage in adipose tissue, kidney, and skeletal muscle were compared between the genotypes by histological assessment, immunofluorescence microscopy, protein and gene expression profiling, and biochemical assays. Intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative/ER stress were analyzed in cultured human and mouse hepatocytes where TAOK3 was knocked down by small interfering RNA. The expression of TAOK3-related STE20-type kinases was quantified in different organs from high-fat diet-fed Taok3–/– and wild-type mice.

Results

TAOK3 deficiency had no impact on body weight or composition, food consumption, locomotor activity, or systemic glucose or insulin homeostasis in obese mice. Consistently, Taok3–/– mice and wild-type littermates developed a similar degree of high-fat diet-induced liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and we detected no difference in lipotoxic damage of adipose tissue, kidney, or skeletal muscle when comparing the two genotypes. In contrast, the silencing of TAOK3 in vitro markedly suppressed ectopic lipid accumulation and metabolic stress in mouse and human hepatocytes. Interestingly, the hepatic mRNA abundance of several TAOK3-related kinases, which have been previously implicated to increase the risk of NAFLD susceptibility, was significantly elevated in Taok3–/–vs. wild-type mice.

Conclusions

In contrast to the in vitro observations, genetic deficiency of TAOK3 in mice failed to mitigate the detrimental metabolic consequences of chronic exposure to dietary lipids, which may be partly attributable to the activation of liver-specific compensation response for the genetic loss of TAOK3 by related STE20-type kinases.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of preoperative patient education and simulated mouth breathing training on opioid requirements in the post-anesthesia care unit after nasal surgery: a randomized controlled study
Authors: Bang Yu Jeong , Kim Sojin , Kim Jin Kyoung , Kim Hara , Kim Seungmo , Chung Chi Song , Yoo Seung Yeon , Jeong Heejoon , Park Boram , Lee Sang Hyun
Published: October 2023

Background

A simulated education, prior to surgery about postoperative nasal stuffiness and ease of breathing through the mouth may help patients tolerate discomfort after nasal surgery. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative simulated education on immediate postoperative opioid requirements in patients undergoing elective nasal surgery.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial of 110 patients undergoing nasal surgery randomly allocated patients into either a control (group C) or an education group (group E). One day before surgery, patients in group E were intensively trained to breathe through the mouth by using a nasal clip, with informative explanations about inevitable nasal obstruction and discomfort following surgery. Patients in group C were provided with routine preoperative information. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil was used for anesthesia. No further opioid was used for analgesia intraoperatively. The primary outcome was index opioid (fentanyl) requirements at the post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU). Secondary outcomes were emergence agitation, pain scores at the PACU, and postoperative recovery using the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR15-K).

Results

The rate of opioid use in the PACU was 51.0% in the group E and 39.6% in the group C (p = 0.242). Additional request for analgesics other than index opioid was not different between the groups. Emergence agitation, postoperative pain severity, and QoR15-K scores were comparable between the groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative education with simulated mouth breathing in patients undergoing nasal surgery did not reduce opioid requirements.

Trial registration

KCT0006264; 16/09/2021; Clinical Research Information Services (https://cris.nih.go.kr).
A systematic review of the data, methods and environmental covariates used to map Aedes-borne arbovirus transmission risk
Authors: Lim Ah-Young , Jafari Yalda , Caldwell Jamie M. , Clapham Hannah E. , Gaythorpe Katy A. M. , Hussain-Alkhateeb Laith , Johansson Michael A. , Kraemer Moritz U. G. , Maude Richard J. , McCormack Clare P. , Messina Jane P. , Mordecai Erin A. , Rabe Ingrid B. , Reiner Robert C. , Ryan Sadie J. , Salje Henrik , Semenza Jan C. , Rojas Diana P. , Brady Oliver J.
Published: October 2023

Background

Aedes (Stegomyia)-borne diseases are an expanding global threat, but gaps in surveillance make comprehensive and comparable risk assessments challenging. Geostatistical models combine data from multiple locations and use links with environmental and socioeconomic factors to make predictive risk maps. Here we systematically review past approaches to map risk for different Aedes-borne arboviruses from local to global scales, identifying differences and similarities in the data types, covariates, and modelling approaches used.

Methods

We searched on-line databases for predictive risk mapping studies for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever with no geographical or date restrictions. We included studies that needed to parameterise or fit their model to real-world epidemiological data and make predictions to new spatial locations of some measure of population-level risk of viral transmission (e.g. incidence, occurrence, suitability, etc.).

Results

We found a growing number of arbovirus risk mapping studies across all endemic regions and arboviral diseases, with a total of 176 papers published 2002–2022 with the largest increases shortly following major epidemics. Three dominant use cases emerged: (i) global maps to identify limits of transmission, estimate burden and assess impacts of future global change, (ii) regional models used to predict the spread of major epidemics between countries and (iii) national and sub-national models that use local datasets to better understand transmission dynamics to improve outbreak detection and response. Temperature and rainfall were the most popular choice of covariates (included in 50% and 40% of studies respectively) but variables such as human mobility are increasingly being included. Surprisingly, few studies (22%, 31/144) robustly tested combinations of covariates from different domains (e.g. climatic, sociodemographic, ecological, etc.) and only 49% of studies assessed predictive performance via out-of-sample validation procedures.

Conclusions

Here we show that approaches to map risk for different arboviruses have diversified in response to changing use cases, epidemiology and data availability. We identify key differences in mapping approaches between different arboviral diseases, discuss future research needs and outline specific recommendations for future arbovirus mapping.
Effectiveness and learning experience from undergraduate nursing students in surgical nursing skills course: a quasi- experimental study about blended learning
Authors: Li Yan Ran , Zhang Zong Hao , Li Wen , Wang Pan , Li Shu Wen , Su Dan , Zhang Ting
Published: October 2023

Background

Blended learning is increasingly being adopted, and yet a gap remains in the related literature pertaining to its skill performance, learning engagement and inner experience in undergraduate surgical nursing skills course.

Objectives

To investigate the changes in skills performance and learning engagement in the application of blended learning, and what it actually brings to nursing students.

Design

The study uses a historical control, two-armed, mixed and quasi-experimental design.

Methods

The blended learning version of the course was offered to the 2019 class of 334 nursing undergraduates. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected after the course to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the course effects compared with the 304 nursing undergraduates of grade 2017 who adapted traditional learning. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using IBM SPSS 26.0, and qualitative data were encoded using Nvivo11.0.

Results

There were significant differences in skill performance and learning engagement between the class of 2017 and 2019 (p < 0.001). Combined with further analysis of the interview data, 3 first-level nodes and 8 secondary nodes were determined. Students’ opinions, comments and suggestions on the application of blended learning are refreshing.

Conclusion

Moving forward with blended learning: opportunities and challenges go hand in hand. Researchers need to continually modify their research designs to respond to variable educational environments.
Physician perspectives on chronic pain management: barriers and the use of eHealth in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Kaseweter Kimberley , Nazemi Mark , Gregoire Nina , Louw W. Francois , Walsh Zach , Holtzman Susan
Published: October 2023

Background

Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and disabling condition which is often undertreated and poorly managed in the community. The emergence of COVID-19 has further complicated pain care, with an increased prevalence of chronic pain and mental health comorbidities, and burnout among physicians. While the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual health care visits, the uptake of a broader range of eHealth technologies remains unclear. The present study sought to better understand physicians’ current needs and barriers in providing effective pain care within the context of COVID-19, as well as gauge current use, interest, and ongoing barriers to eHealth implementation.

Methods

A total of 100 practicing physicians in British Columbia, Canada, completed a brief online survey.

Results

The sample was comprised of physicians practicing in rural and urban areas (rural = 48%, urban = 42%; both = 10%), with the majority (72%) working in family practice. The most prominent perceived barriers to providing chronic pain care were a lack of interdisciplinary treatment and allied health care for patients, challenges related to opioid prescribing and management, and a lack of time to manage the complexities of chronic pain. Moreover, despite expressing considerable interest in eHealth for chronic pain management (82%), low adoption rates were observed for several technologies. Specifically, only a small percentage of the sample reported using eHealth for the collection of intake data (21%), patient-reported outcomes (14%), and remote patient monitoring (26%). The most common perceived barriers to implementation were cost, complexity, and unfamiliarity with available options.

Conclusions

Findings provide insight into physicians’ ongoing needs and barriers in providing effective pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the potential for eHealth technologies to help address barriers in pain care, and strong interest from physicians, enhanced useability, education and training, and funding are likely required to achieve successful implementation of a broader range of eHealth technologies in the future.
The composition of piRNA clusters in Drosophila melanogaster deviates from expectations under the trap model
Authors: Wierzbicki Filip , Kofler Robert
Published: October 2023

Background

It is widely assumed that the invasion of a transposable element (TE) in mammals and invertebrates is stopped when a copy of the TE jumps into a piRNA cluster (i.e., the trap model). However, recent works, which for example showed that deletion of three major piRNA clusters has no effect on TE activity, cast doubt on the trap model.

Results

Here, we test the trap model from a population genetics perspective. Our simulations show that the composition of regions that act as transposon traps (i.e., potentially piRNA clusters) ought to deviate from regions that have no effect on TE activity. We investigated TEs in five Drosophila melanogaster strains using three complementary approaches to test whether the composition of piRNA clusters matches these expectations. We found that the abundance of TE families inside and outside of piRNA clusters is highly correlated, although this is not expected under the trap model. Furthermore, the distribution of the number of TE insertions in piRNA clusters is also much broader than expected.

Conclusions

We found that the observed composition of piRNA clusters is not in agreement with expectations under the simple trap model. Dispersed piRNA producing TE insertions and temporal as well as spatial heterogeneity of piRNA clusters may account for these deviations.