bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weather as Fuel—The Wicked Problem of Renewable Energy
Authors: Seitter Keith L.
Published: October 2024

A key component of mitigating climate change is reducing society’s dependence on fossil fuels, which will require replacing them with clean energy sources. The key strategy being pursued in the United States (and most other countries) is to rapidly scale up our use of renewable energy sources. Electricity generation provided by wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels, in particular, has been growing rapidly, and most energy experts expect them to be the dominant forms of electricity generation in the future. Given the dependence these energy sources have on weather conditions (windiness and cloudiness, respectively), it is useful to view weather as the “fuel” for these renewables in the same way that coal or natural gas serves as the fuel in generating electricity in a fossil-fuel power plant. This paper uses a novel thought experiment to drive home this concept, while also exploring the complexity of providing reliable power on a grid dominated by renewable generation. The paper then shows how the transition to renewable energy falls into the class of problems known as “wicked problems” and discusses approaches that will be needed to make progress. The current status of addressing these complex issues is reviewed through the lens of the wicked problem paradigm.
Cloud Droplet Size Distributions Governed by Condensation, Collision–Coalescence, and Sedimentation. Part II: Analytical Expressions for Size Distribution Shape and Asymptotic Behavior for Large-Droplet Tails
Authors: Kuntzleman Jacob , Krueger Steven K. , Shaw Raymond A.
Published: October 2024

Droplet growth via condensation and collision–coalescence has been investigated in the limit of very weak coalescence growth: a collector-mode approximation emerges for coalescence growth that consists solely of droplets in the tail collecting droplets near the main mode of the cloud droplet size distribution and that does not deplete the mode. In this second part, the approximation is formalized, leading to a simplified form of the collision–coalescence term in the equation governing the evolution of the droplet size distribution. This form allows for analytical solutions for transient growth and for steady-state distributions representing a balance between condensation, collision–coalescence growth, and removal by sedimentation. The solutions lead to an expression for the drizzle growth time, formally, the finite time in which a droplet approaches infinite size. The drizzle growth time is related to a transition radius at which droplet growth switches from condensation-dominated to coalescence-dominated. The solutions also provide a dimensionless group that governs the steady-state distribution shape, which is referred to as the drizzle number. The solutions are checked by comparing to a Monte Carlo model developed in part 1, and it is found that the analytical solution is excellent when the drizzle number is much greater than unity, which is the typical situation for the microphysical conditions achievable in a convection–cloud chamber. The steady-state size distribution has the form of a modified gamma distribution, with a transition to a power-law tail at a sufficiently large radius. The solutions are not only formally valid for a convection–cloud chamber but can also be extended to shallow, mixed-layer clouds such as mixing fogs.
Evaluation of Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) Error Statistics Stratified by Internal Structure and Environmental Metrics
Authors: Alvey George R. , Alaka Ghassan J. , Gramer Lew , Hazelton Andrew
Published: October 2024

This study quantifies tropical cyclone (TC) error statistics from the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) across different environmental conditions (e.g., vertical wind shear) and inner-core structural metrics. A particular focus is the evolution of poorly understood aspects of internal TC structure, including vortex tilt, and their impact on forecast errors. Although previous studies have demonstrated that vortex tilt, vertical wind shear, and precipitation processes impact TC intensity and track, this is the first known study to stratify these cooperative interactions to gain insights into their relationships with forecast errors. A 3-yr retrospective sample of forecasts in the North Atlantic basin from two HAFS configurations (HAFS-A and HAFS-B) demonstrates that TCs with larger tilt magnitudes have larger forecast track errors on average than smaller tilt TCs. Smaller tilt magnitudes have larger absolute intensity errors in short-range forecasts, whereas larger tilt magnitudes tend to have larger negative intensity biases at medium range. TCs with a tilted vortex are shown to have both left-of-shear [maximizing downshear left (DSL)] and left-of-tilt-oriented positional track biases. Furthermore, those cases with greater downshear biases tend to have more convection and larger positive intensity biases, highlighting the importance of the interplay between inner-core characteristics and forecast errors.
Risk factors for Relative and Absolute Hypoglycemia in Patients Treated for Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Syndrome
Authors: Engeleit Anastasia , Tesoro Eljim , Gandhi Nishita , Benken Scott
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Glycemic management in the intensive care unit is an evolving practice area. This evolution has included the refinement of blood glucose targets, matching glycemic management to premorbid status, and investigations into the impact of glycemic variability and relative hypoglycemia on ICU outcomes. The interplay between these phenomena and absolute hypoglycemia has yet to be investigated in hyperglycemic emergencies. Objectives: To examine the incidence of and risk factors for relative hypoglycemia and absolute hypoglycemia in patients admitted to an intensive care unit for the management of hyperglycemic emergencies. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, exploratory analysis of adults admitted to the medical intensive care unit for diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. The primary outcome was the incidence of relative hypoglycemia, defined as a blood glucose level 30% lower than baseline. The baseline was determined by the estimated average blood glucose calculated from hemoglobin A1c within 3 months of index admission. Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay, glycemic variability, and incidence of absolute hypoglycemia.Results: Relative hypoglycemia was observed in 60% of patients in the cohort. Longer insulin infusion duration and higher hemoglobin A1c levels were found to statistically increase the risk of developing relative hypoglycemia. Higher glycemic variability and longer ICU length of stay were associated with the risk of developing absolute hypoglycemia. Conclusions: Relative hypoglycemia is a frequent occurrence in this patient population. Hemoglobin A1c and duration of the insulin infusion statistically influenced the risk of developing relative hypoglycemia. Higher glycemic variability and longer ICU stay were significantly associated with developing absolute hypoglycemia. While relative hypoglycemia is common in hyperglycemic emergencies, the clinical impact remains uncertain and warrants additional investigation.
Reconfiguring the Tribe: Changing Ethnic Affiliations in India’s Northeast
Authors: Wijunamai Roderick
Published: October 2024

This essay sees the form and functioning of the Zeliangrong Naga community as a work in progress. Rather than a perennial, historically immutable and delimited entity, the (relatively recent) formation of the Zeliangrong community indicates that tribes can be formed afresh and that tribal identities are constantly in flux. I begin by tracing and placing the origins of the Zeliangrong Naga as told by Zeliangrong elders and circulating origin and migration stories. Then, continuing my focus on ethnic alignment and realignment, I studied the Zeliangrong movement that emerged in the 1920s. At first, they advocated a Naga Raj through the ousting of the colonial government. Over time, however, this rebellion changed direction and reduced its ambitions to the creation of a Zeliangrong homeland that would unite the Zeliangrong people who currently inhabit three different states of Northeast India, namely Manipur, Nagaland and Assam. Drawing both on historical analysis and fresh ethnography this essay shows how over time the Zeliangrong ethnic identity has come under strain and is increasingly internally contested with its constituent parts now expressing divergent political aspirations while also struggling over status, standing and dominance within.
Self-determination and Integration: A Site of Negotiation and a Village Named Panbari
Authors: Saikia Prarthana
Published: October 2024

The demand for self-determination of various nationalities has been central to the sociopolitical and cultural life of Assam, a northeastern state of India. The Statutory Autonomous Councils formed under the State Act are a non-territorial arrangement to address the question of self-determination without marking boundaries between co-habiting communities and therefore are a unique model of integration. However, this has led to conflicting situations reflecting how ‘integration’ emerges as a site of negotiation, redefines inter-community relationships, and challenges the state’s intervention in the matter. Drawing from a village study, this article endeavours to probe self-determination as a tool of (dis)integration, as a site of negotiation and argues that the various ways of addressing the question of self-determination adopted by the new nation-state ultimately affect the historically produced inter-community relationships. Methodologically, the article seeks to revisit the promises of ‘village study’ through the multicultural habitat named Panbari, a village in the northeast of Assam, and reflects how the every day in a small village establishes a guiding conversation with the everyday in a multicultural nation-state of India.
A convolutional neural network based method for fork type wing fuselage docking
Authors: Zhao Peng , Huang Xiang , Li Shuanggao , Hou Guoyi
Published: October 2024

The fork-ear connection attachment method is a widely used technique for attaching the fuselage to the wing. During the fork-ear wing-fuselage docking process, it is essential to ensure that the fork-ear holes in the fuselage and wing are precisely aligned before inserting the mounting pins to complete the final connection. Thus, the alignment accuracy of the fork-ear holes is crucial during the assembly process. When employing conventional visual servo methods to determine the pose adjustment for fork-type wing-fuselage docking, it is necessary to establish a conversion relationship between the image, camera, and posture adjustment mechanism. However, this process can introduce various nonlinear errors that are challenging to compensate for through mathematical modeling. To address this issue, this paper proposes a method for nonlinear mapping estimation of the pose adjustment amounts and develops a pose adjustment estimation convolutional neural network (PAAECNN) with superior performance validated through experiments and discussions. PAAECNN achieves end-to-end mapping from the fork-ear intersection hole images to the pose adjustment amounts for fork-ear wing-fuselage docking. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method for estimating the pose adjustment amounts in fork-ear wing-fuselage docking is highly accurate and suitable for visually guided docking tasks.
Regulatory Network of Methyltransferase-Like 3 in Stem Cells: Mechanisms and Medical Implications
Authors: Zeng Yan , Wang Fengyang , Li Silu , Song Bin
Published: October 2024

Stem cells have the potential to replace defective cells in several human diseases by depending on their self-renewal and differentiation capacities that are controlled by genes. Currently, exploring the regulation mechanism for stem cell capacities from the perspective of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3)-mediated N6-methyladenosine modification has obtained great advance, which functions by regulating target genes post-transcriptionally. However, reviews that interpret the regulatory network of METTL3 in stem cells are still lacking. In this review, we systematically analyze the available publications that report the role and mechanisms of METTL3 in stem cells, including embryonic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and cancer stem cells. The analysis of such publications suggests that METTL3 controls stem cell fates and is indispensable for maintaining its normal capacities. However, its dysfunction induces various pathologies, particularly cancers. To sum up, this review suggests METTL3 as a key regulator for stem cell capacities, with further exploration potential in translational and clinical fields. In conclusion, this review promotes the understanding of how METTL3 functions in stem cells, which provides a valuable reference for further fundamental studies and clinical applications.
Making it real: Actioning the mental health strategy with Pacific Island communities
Authors: Gopalkrishnan Narayan , Crookes Annie
Published: October 2024

Objective

This paper explores the practical implications of the World Health Organization strategy of focussing on community-based mental health and wellbeing ecosystems in the context of the Pacific Island Countries. It draws on the expertise of the participants of a collaborative workshop held during the Creating Futures conference in 2023 to discuss successes, challenges, barriers, opportunities in the implementation of the framework and to examine potential future actions.

Conclusions

Some of the significant factors that make for effective and sustained community-based mental health systems include appropriate central coordination and oversight of community-based services, adequate frameworks for quality assurance, meaningful data collection and sustained long-term funding, as well as a range of workforce factors. Flexible and place-based approaches also need to be considered in effective implementation, moving away from Western diagnostic ‘labels’ to communication that is effective at the local level. Positive community resources as well as the relative youth of the mental health sector in the Pacific Island Nations are huge opportunities to develop affective and appropriate community mental health systems.
Simultaneous Remote Monitoring of Multiple Automated Vehicles
Authors: Shoffner Lane D. , Feng Jing
Published: October 2024

As vehicle automation continues to become a more prevalent part of everyday life, remote operators may be able to contribute to making this technology safer and more efficient. Such operators could be expected to monitor vehicles until it is necessary for them to intervene. In recent years several countries have passed legislation mandating the implementation of remote operation, making it a plausible scenario. For many practical reasons, operators may monitor more than one vehicle. This study provides an initial look into how remote operators might perform when asked to attend to multiple concurrent displays using simulated automated vehicles. The initial results indicate that participants retained a comparable level of accuracy in detecting failures in automation as the number of vehicles they monitored rose from one to two, albeit with a higher workload. The results and the methodology provide insights into potential task designs for remote operators of automated vehicles.
Indeterminacy and the Role of the Archive: The Eight Extensions of Piaget’s Sociological Studies
Authors: Burman Jeremy T. , Young Jacy L. , Ratcliff Marc J.
Published: October 2024

What a text means in translation is accepted, canonically, to be indeterminate. Authors can provide additional constraints to interpretation by taking care to explain some of the original context. But this requires making judgments about what counts, and readers can’t generally do that of sources except in retrospect. So the solution to the problem is taken to be “to become bilingual,” and basically do the translation work oneself. This means immersing in that foreign culture for long enough that its ways of being, and ways of meaning, become one’s own. When the subject of one’s interest is the undiscovered country, however, this goal remains forever inaccessible. That’s just not somewhere you can go and report back from. The true meanings of deceased authors are therefore forever inscrutable. Except, of course, in cases where historical traces can stand in their stead. Interactions with archival sources are thus offered as a new solution to the problems of indeterminacy and inscrutability: archives provide anchors to stabilize the received meaning of historical texts by offering evidence of what those involved in their production intended them to mean. Here, that is demonstrated with reference to (1) the difficulty of translating Jean Piaget’s (1896–1980) collection of essays entitled Sociological Studies and (2) the broader misunderstanding of Piaget’s sociality in relation to the popularity of its critique by Lev Vygotsky (1896–1934). We then find, in the process, new ways to consider a consistently thorny question: what is the means by which one attains truth? Here, we therefore articulate and illustrate the “Interpretation Game” by providing access to a curated selection of archival texts drawn from several collections never before considered in relation to the question of the meaning of “Piaget” as a holophrastic utterance. The result is then also a new look at Cold War-era developmental psychology, social psychology, educational theory, and genetic epistemology (the study of the construction of knowledge).
Thyroid function tests in healthy kittens aged between 2 and 16 weeks
Authors: Marino Christina L , Bolton Timothy A , Casal Margret L
Published: October 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine thyroid hormone concentrations in a cohort of healthy kittens due to the paucity of information in the literature, and the potential for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) to contribute to fading kitten syndrome (FKS).

Methods

The serum concentrations of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (fT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured in 19 healthy kittens aged 2–16 weeks.

Results

Mean TT4, fT4, TT3 and fT3 concentrations significantly differed across age groups. Mean TT4 and fT4 concentrations peaked at 6 and 5 weeks of age, respectively. The TT4 concentration exceeded the adult cat reference interval (ACRI) in 54% (32/59) of samples at week 6, with the highest TT4 concentration being 7.1 µg/dl (91 nmol/l). Mean TT3 and fT3 concentrations also peaked at 6 weeks of age. Mean TT3 concentration started below the ACRI until 4 weeks of age, after which it remained within the ACRI. The mean fT3 concentration was within the ACRI at all ages. The mean TSH concentration did not differ across age groups and remained within the ACRI in nearly 100% of samples.

Conclusions and relevance

Peak TT4, fT4, TT3 and fT3 concentrations in healthy kittens at 5 and 6 weeks of age are likely due to changes in the maternal transfer of thyroid hormones after weaning and organ system development. Knowing healthy neonatal and pediatric thyroid hormone concentrations in a cohort of kittens might help a veterinarian interpret thyroid hormone levels when trying to rule out CH in a kitten with FKS.
Estimation of Groundwater Storage Change and Groundwater Recharge Using GRACE data in Jedeb Watershed Under the Application of Google Earth Engine
Authors: Asrade Tade Mule , Kerebih Mulu Sewinet , Assefa Natnael Yasab
Published: October 2024

Over exploitation of Ground Water (GW) has resulted in lowering of water table in the Jedeb watershed. In this study, water storage changes with GRACE satellite data and total annual precipitation with CHIRPS data in the Google Earth Engine system were investigated for the Jedeb watershed during 2003–2017. The groundwater recharge is estimated from a time series of groundwater storage using the water table fluctuation method. According to the results obtained from the GRACE satellite data on the fluctuations of annual water storage between 2003 and 2017, it was found that the biggest annual increase in water levels (15 cm) occurred in 2008, 2013, and 2015, and the biggest annual decrease (12.5 cm) occurred in 2012. The obtained net recharge rate varied from 18 to 25 cm/year for a 14-year period, and the average was 21 cm/year. This study indicates that the GRACE-based estimation of groundwater storage changes is skilled enough to provide monthly updates on the trend of groundwater storage changes for resource managers and policymakers in the Jedeb watershed.
Delayed Diagnosis of Constrictive Pericarditis Resulting in Recurrent Heart Failure: A Case Report
Authors: Wang Chunliang , Fan Yuzhu , Liang Guiting , Chen Yu , Tu Tian , Du Juan
Published: October 2024

Constrictive pericarditis can lead to compromised diastolic ventricular filling due to pericardial inflammation and fibrosis. A diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was established by identifying structural and hemodynamic features through echocardiography. We present a case of constrictive pericarditis, which manifested in the form of gradually worsening dyspnea and lower-extremity edema over a 7 years period. The patient was diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis using echocardiography, and underwent a pericardiectomy.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Using Virtualization and Extreme Learning Algorithm Based on Deep Feed Forward Networks
Authors: Shankar G Siva , Onyema Edeh Michael , Kavin Balasubramanian Prabhu , Gude Venkataramaiah , Prasad BVV Siva
Published: October 2024

One of the leading causes of death for women worldwide is breast cancer. Early detection and prompt treatment can reduce the risk of breast cancer-related death. Cloud computing and machine learning are crucial for disease diagnosis today, but they are especially important for those who live in distant places with poor access to healthcare. While machine learning-based diagnosis tools act as primary readers and aid radiologists in correctly diagnosing diseases, cloud-based technology can also assist remote diagnostics and telemedicine services. The promise of techniques based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) for sickness diagnosis has attracted the attention of several re-searchers. The 4 methods for the proposed research include preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification. A Smart Window Vestige Deletion (SWVD) technique is initially suggested for preprocessing. It consists of Savitzky-Golay (S-G) smoothing, updated 2-stage filtering, and adaptive time window division. This technique separates each channel into multiple time periods by adaptively pre-analyzing its specificity. On each window, an altered 2-stage filtering process is then used to retrieve some tumor information. After applying S-G smoothing and integrating the broken time sequences, the process is complete. In order to deliver effective feature extraction, the Deep Residual based Multiclass for architecture (DRMFA) is used. In histological photos, identify characteristics at the cellular and tissue levels in both tiny and large size patches. Finally, a fresh customized strategy that combines a better crow forage-ELM. Deep learning and the Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) are concepts that have been developed (ACF-ELM). When it comes to diagnosing ailments, the cloud-based ELM performs similarly to certain cutting-edge technology. The cloud-based ELM approach beats alternative solutions, according to the DDSM and INbreast dataset results. Significant experimental results show that the accuracy for data inputs is 0.9845, the precision is 0.96, the recall is 0.94, and the F1 score is 0.95.
Evaluating mammography screening in observational cohort designs: the importance of avoiding lead time bias
Authors: RØssell Eeva-Liisa , Lousdal Mette Lise , Viuff Jakob H. , StØvring Henrik
Published: October 2024

Aims:

To investigate the potential lead time bias of the evaluation model (extended follow-up for women diagnosed with breast cancer) used to evaluate mammography screening in a recent Danish study. This model was compared with two traditional models.

Methods:

We retrieved data on women diagnosed with breast cancer in each county of Norway from 1986 to 2016. In a population-based open cohort study, the change in incidence-based mortality (IBM) was estimated by relative rate ratios comparing a screening period with a historical period for each of three age groups: women eligible for screening and younger and older ineligible women. We applied the evaluation model, and for comparison two traditional IBM models from a recent Norwegian study: one without extended follow-up and no possibility of lead time bias and one with extended follow-up irrespective of diagnosis, possibly diluting any screening effect.

Results:

The evaluation model estimated an extra 11% reduction in breast cancer mortality among the screening eligible relative to ineligible women. However, this result could largely be ascribed to lead time bias inflated by overdiagnosis and a decreasing mortality from other causes among eligible women. A reduction in breast cancer mortality was observed for both eligible and younger and older ineligible women across models, and relative rate ratios close to 1 were obtained using the two traditional IBM models, indicating no effect of screening on breast cancer mortality.

Conclusions:

Two models without lead time bias found no reduction in breast cancer mortality, whereas the evaluation model estimated a reduction attributable to lead time bias.
Using a natural language processing toolkit to classify electronic health records by psychiatric diagnosis
Authors: Hutto Alissa , Zikry Tarek M , Bohac Buck , Rose Terra , Staebler Jasmine , Slay Janet , Cheever C Ray , Kosorok Michael R , Nash Rebekah P.
Published: October 2024

Objective: We analyzed a natural language processing (NLP) toolkit’s ability to classify unstructured EHR data by psychiatric diagnosis. Expertise can be a barrier to using NLP. We employed an NLP toolkit (CLARK) created to support studies led by investigators with a range of informatics knowledge. Methods: The EHR of 652 patients were manually reviewed to establish Depression and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) labeled datasets, which were split into training and evaluation datasets. We used CLARK to train depression and SUD classification models using training datasets; model performance was analyzed against evaluation datasets. Results: The depression model accurately classified 69% of records (sensitivity = 0.68, specificity = 0.70, F1 = 0.68). The SUD model accurately classified 84% of records (sensitivity = 0.56, specificity = 0.92, F1 = 0.57). Conclusion: The depression model performed a more balanced job, while the SUD model’s high specificity was paired with a low sensitivity. NLP applications may be especially helpful when combined with a confidence threshold for manual review.
Market Access, Population Mobility and Labor Force Structure: Evidence From China’s High-Speed Railway
Authors: Wang Yunyun , Guo Jie , Zhang Shu
Published: October 2024

Population mobility is becoming a common phenomenon worldwide which can contribute to the development of individuals and societies. This paper offers that the launch of HSR would facilitate population mobility and spatial disparity. We also find that the HSR connection mainly affects migration of people under 14 and 15 to 64 years old, with no effect on the old over 65. This implies that labor-led family migration has become the main form of movement under the effect of HSR. Furthermore, HSR connection has promoted the concentration of high-skilled labor and the outflow of low-skilled labor in large cities. This study offers useful insights for policy makers that concerns transport infrastructure and the issue of household and workforce structure it raises.

JEL: O30, O18, D60, L31.
Effect of Structural Configurations on Mechanical and Shape Recovery Properties of NiTi Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Porous Structures
Authors: Wei Shuaishuai , Song Bo , Zhang Lei , Wang Xiaobo , Fan Junxiang , Zhang Zhi , Shi Yusheng
Published: October 2024

Based on the advantages of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) porous structures, extensive research on NiTi shape memory alloy TPMS scaffolds has been conducted. However, the current reports about TPMS porous structures highly rely on the implicit equation, which limited the design flexibility. In this work, novel shell-based TPMS structures were designed and fabricated by laser powder bed fusion. The comparisons of manufacturability, mechanical properties, and shape recovery responses between traditional solid-based and novel shell-based TPMS structures were evaluated. Results indicated that the shell-based TPMS porous structures possessed larger Young’s moduli and higher compressive strengths. Specifically, Diamond shell structure possessed the highest Young’s moduli of 605.8±24.5 MPa, while Gyroid shell structure possessed the highest compressive strength of 43.90±3.32 MPa. In addition, because of the larger specific surface area, higher critical stress to induce martensite transformation, and lower austenite finish temperature, the Diamond shell porous structure exhibited much higher shape recovery performance (only 0.1% residual strain left at pre-strains of 6%) than other porous structures. These results substantially uncover the effects of structural topology on the mechanical properties and shape recovery responses of NiTi shape memory alloy scaffolds, and confirm the effectiveness of this novel structural design method. This research can provide guidance for the structural design application of NiTi porous scaffolds in bone implants.
Visualizing genomic evolution in Caenorhabditis through WormSynteny
Authors: Bouvarel Lilly , Liu Dongyao , Zheng Chaogu
Published: October 2024

Understanding the syntenic relationships among genomes is crucial to elucidate the genomic mechanisms that drive the evolution of species. The nematode Caenorhabditis is a good model for studying genomic evolution due to the well-established biology of Caenorhabditis elegans and the availability of > 50 genomes in the genus. However, effective alignment of more than ten species in Caenorhabditis has not been conducted before, and there is currently no tool to visualize the synteny of more than two species. In this study, we used Progressive Cactus, a recently developed multigenome aligner, to align the genomes of eleven Caenorhabditis species. Through the progressive alignment, we reconstructed nine ancestral genomes, analyzed the mutational types that cause genomic rearrangement during speciation, and found that insertion and duplication are the major driving forces for genome expansion. Dioecious species appear to expand their genomes more than androdioecious species. We then built an online interactive app called WormSynteny to visualize the syntenic relationship among the eleven species. Users can search the alignment dataset using C. elegans query sequences, construct synteny plots at different genomic scales, and use a set of options to control alignment output and plot presentation. We showcased the use of WormSynteny to visualize the syntenic conservation of one-to-one orthologues among species, tandem and dispersed gene duplication in C. elegans, and the evolution of exon and intron structures. Importantly, the integration of orthogroup information with synteny linkage in WormSynteny allows the easy visualization of conserved genomic blocks and disruptive rearrangement. In conclusion, WormSynteny provides immediate access to the syntenic relationships among the most widely used Caenorhabditis species and can facilitate numerous comparative genomics studies. This pilot study with eleven species also serves as a proof-of-concept to a more comprehensive larger-scale analysis using hundreds of nematode genomes, which is expected to reveal mechanisms that drive genomic evolution in the Nematoda phylum. Finally, the WormSynteny software provides a generalizable solution for visualizing the output of Progressive Cactus with interactive graphics, which would be useful for a broad community of genome researchers.
Lactuca super-pangenome reduces bias towards reference genes in lettuce research
Authors: van Workum Dirk-Jan M. , Mehrem Sarah L. , Snoek Basten L. , Alderkamp Marrit C. , Lapin Dmitry , Mulder Flip F. M. , Van den Ackerveken Guido , de Ridder Dick , Schranz M. Eric , Smit Sandra
Published: October 2024

Background

Breeding of lettuce (Lactuca sativaL.), the most important leafy vegetable worldwide, for enhanced disease resistance and resilience relies on multiple wild relatives to provide the necessary genetic diversity. In this study, we constructed a super-pangenome based on fourLactucaspecies (representing the primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools) and comprising 474 accessions. We include 68 newly sequenced accessions to improve cultivar coverage and add important foundational breeding lines.

Results

With the super-pangenome we find substantial presence/absence variation (PAV) and copy-number variation (CNV). Functional enrichment analyses of core and variable genes show that transcriptional regulators are conserved whereas disease resistance genes are variable. PAV-genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and CNV-GWAS are largely congruent with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-GWAS. Importantly, they also identify several major novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance againstBremia lactucaein variable regions not present in the reference lettuce genome. The usability of the super-pangenome is demonstrated by identifying the likely origin of non-reference resistance loci from the wild relativesLactuca serriola,Lactuca salignaandLactuca virosa.

Conclusions

The super-pangenome offers a broader view on the gene repertoire of lettuce, revealing relevant loci that are not in the reference genome(s). The provided methodology and data provide a strong basis for research into PAVs, CNVs and other variation underlying important biological traits of lettuce and other crops.
Exploring the health challenges of affected people in the 2023 Khoy earthquake: a content analysis
Authors: Akbarbegloo Masumeh , Heydari Ahad , Sanaeefar Mahnaz , Fallah-Aliabadi Saeed
Published: October 2024

Background

An earthquake has significant effects on health and livelihood of people. It is important to identify health needs and challenges of earthquake victims and use them to prepare for other possible earthquakes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explain the challenges and health needs of earthquake victims in Iran.

Methods

This was a qualitative study with 25 participation who were affected by the earthquake in Khoy City, and were selected using purposive sampling by snowball method technique in 2023. The study data was collected through open and semi-structured interviews. To analyze the data, the conventional content analysis with an inductive approach was used.

Results

The results show two main categories. The main categories “Management as a missing link in unexpected events” includes 9 subcategories: “The challenge of access to emergency resources and health facilities”, “Feeling of abandonment in medical personnel”, “Weakness in the structural safety and infrastructure of the health system”, “Logistical challenges”, “Risk management training”, “Crisis response management challenges”, “Weakness in the intelligent relief system”, “Management of secondary incidents”, and “Need to provide medical services and disease prevention”. Also, the main categories “Emotional actions of people in crisis” consist of 5 subcategories: “Overexcitement”, “Psychological vulnerability of children”, “Physical complaints caused by stress”, “Confusion caused by the lack of reliable information sources” and “Negative effects of living together with several families”.

Conclusion

To help deal with threats and other challenges in the earthquake crisis, countries should try to improve their capacity to manage natural disasters.
Trends in maternal body mass index, macrosomia and caesarean section in first-time mothers during the pandemic: a multicentre retrospective cohort study of 12 Melbourne public hospitals
Authors: Goldsack Andrew J. , Marzan Melvin B. , Rolnik Daniel L. , Lindquist Anthea C. , Said Joanne M. , Palmer Kirsten R. , Sheehan Penelope M. , Potenza Stephanie , Pritchard Natasha , Whitehead Clare L. , Ford Jolyon , Mol Ben W. , Walker Susan P. , Hui Lisa
Published: October 2024

Objective

To compare specific perinatal outcomes in nulliparas with a singleton infant in cephalic presentation at term, with and without exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic during pregnancy. We hypothesised that the pandemic conditions in Melbourne may have been an independent contributor to trends in maternal Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2, macrosomia and caesarean section.

Design

Multi-centre retrospective cohort study and interrupted time-series analysis.

Setting

Metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria.

Population

Singleton infants ≥ 20 weeks gestational age born between 1 January 2019 and 31 March 2022.

Main outcome measures

Rates of maternal Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2, macrosomia (birthweight ≥ 4000 g) and caesarean section.

Results

25 897 individuals gave birth for the first time to a singleton infant in cephalic presentation at term in the pre-pandemic cohort, and 25 298 in the pandemic-exposed cohort. Interrupted time-series analysis demonstrated no significant additional effect of the pandemic on pre-existing upward trends in maternal Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2, caesarean section or macrosomia. The rate of maternal Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2 was higher in the pandemic-exposed cohort compared with the pre-pandemic cohort, (45.82% vs. 44.58% respectively, p = 0.041) as was the overall rate of caesarean section (33.09% vs. 30.80%, p < 0.001). However, this increase in caesarean section was confined to individuals who had either an induction of labour or no labour. There was also a nonsignificant trend to higher rates of macrosomia in the pandemic-exposed cohort compared with the pre-pandemic cohort (8.55% vs. 7.99% respectively, p = 0.124).

Conclusions

While rates of Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m2, pre-labour caesarean section, and caesarean section following induction of labour were higher among pandemic-exposed nulliparas, these findings represented a continuation of pre-existing upward trends, with no significant independent contribution from the pandemic. These trends are forecast to continue, with long term implications for population health.
Osseodensification versus piezoelectric internal sinus elevation (PISE) technique in delayed implant placement (a randomized controlled clinical trial)
Authors: Samir Mohammed , Bissar Mohamed Wagdy , Abuel-Ela Hala Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Transalveolar sinus elevation is a minimally invasive technique aimed at augmenting the vertical bone height in the posterior maxilla, facilitating successful implant placement in areas with insufficient bone volume. This study compares the efficacy of osseodensification and piezoelectric internal sinus elevation (PISE) techniques in delayed implant placement. The primary objective was to radiographically assess vertical bone gain and bone density, while secondary objectives included clinical assessment of primary implant stability and post-operative satisfaction of both patients and operators. The study population of a total of 16 patients was randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 underwent osseodensification sinus lift using sticky bone as a graft material, whereas Group 2 received PISE with the same graft material. Results indicated that the osseodensification technique led to greater bone gain, improved bone density, and shorter surgical duration. Additionally, osseodensification was associated with enhanced rapid healing and higher patient satisfaction. Conversely, the PISE technique demonstrated superior primary stability of implants on the day of surgery. These findings suggest that while both techniques are effective, osseodensification may offer advantages in terms of bone gain, density, and patient satisfaction, making it a reliable method for enhancing rapid healing in delayed implant placement. the study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov at 26th September 2023 and clinical trials ID is NCT06055127.
Navigating transitions into, through, and beyond peer worker roles: insider insights from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study
Authors: Dumbrell Josh , Carver Hannah , Foster Rebecca , Pauly Bernie , Steele Wez , Roy Michael , Parkes Tessa
Published: October 2024

Background

Peer workers are individuals who draw on their personal experiences in a professional capacity to support clients. Existing research on the role of peer workers in mental health, homelessness, and substance use services has primarily focused on their impact on client outcomes. This paper describes the development of peer workers as they transition into, through, and beyond this role. Utilising data from the Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study, where Peer Navigators supported people experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges, this paper explores the sense-making involved in an intensive peer support worker role, adaptation to organisational culture, and engagement with opportunities for professional advancement.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with three Peer Navigators were conducted by two SHARPS study researchers at four time points in 2018 and 2019 corresponding with the beginning, middle, and end of the intervention. These data were analysed along with entries from the three Peer Navigators’ reflective diaries. Analysis followed a multi-stage approach to thematic analysis utilising both inductive and deductive processes. The Peer Navigators’ personal reflections have also been incorporated into the recommendations.

Results

The foundational training provided to the Peer Navigators before taking up their role helped to ensure readiness and build confidence. This training illuminated the dynamics of supporting individuals with complex health and social challenges. Integrating into diverse organisational environments, the Peer Navigators adapted to new professional expectations and consistently advocated for harm reduction and psychologically informed approaches, sometimes encountering resistance from other professionals. Establishing effective relationships with participants and professionals was essential and involved dealing with challenges such as overcoming personal biases and navigating systemic obstacles. the Peer Navigators benefitted from the specially designed training to support career progress with personal and professional development opportunities which enabled successful transitions beyond the SHARPS study.

Conclusions

Pre-work training, coupled with support and adherence to key principles, enabled the Peer Navigators to integrate effectively into diverse organisations. Quality relationships were vital in achieving client outcomes and supporting the professional growth of the Peer Navigators. These findings are important for services employing peer workers and underscore the importance of a commitment to training and continuing professional development.
Transcriptional responses to direct and indirect TGFB1 stimulation in cancerous and noncancerous mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Janus Patryk , Kuś Paweł , Jaksik Roman , Vydra Natalia , Toma-Jonik Agnieszka , Gramatyka Michalina , Kurpas Monika , Kimmel Marek , Widłak Wiesława
Published: October 2024

Background

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is important for the morphogenesis and secretory function of the mammary gland. It is one of the main activators of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process important for tissue remodeling and regeneration. It also provides cells with the plasticity to form metastases during tumor progression. Noncancerous and cancer cells respond differently to TGFβ. However, knowledge of the cellular signaling cascades triggered by TGFβ in various cell types is still limited.

Methods

MCF10A (noncancerous, originating from fibrotic breast tissue) and MCF7 (cancer, estrogen receptor-positive) breast epithelial cells were treated with TGFB1 directly or through conditioned media from stimulated cells. Transcriptional changes (via RNA-seq) were assessed in untreated cells and after 1–6 days of treatment. Differentially expressed genes were detected with DESeq2 and the hallmark collection was selected for gene set enrichment analysis.

Results

TGFB1 induces EMT in both the MCF10A and MCF7 cell lines but via slightly different mechanisms (signaling through SMAD3 is more active in MCF7 cells). Many EMT-related genes are expressed in MCF10A cells at baseline. Both cell lines respond to TGFB1 by decreasing the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation: through the repression of MYC (and the protein targets) in MCF10A cells and the activation of p63-dependent signaling in MCF7 cells (CDKN1A and CDKN2B, which are responsible for the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases, are upregulated). In addition, estrogen receptor signaling is inhibited and caspase-dependent cell death is induced only in MCF7 cells. Direct incubation with TGFB1 and treatment of cells with conditioned media similarly affected transcriptional profiles. However, TGFB1-induced protein secretion is more pronounced in MCF10A cells; therefore, the signaling is propagated through conditioned media (bystander effect) more effectively in MCF10A cells than in MCF7 cells.

Conclusions

Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients may benefit from high levels of TGFB1 expression due to the repression of estrogen receptor signaling, inhibition of proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. However, some TGFB1-stimulated cells may undergo EMT, which increases the risk of metastasis.
Effects of platelet-rich plasma combined with exercise therapy for one year on knee osteoarthritis: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kawahara Tsuneo , Iida Shuhei , Isoda Kazuma , Kim Sungdo
Published: October 2024

Background

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a promising treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, exercise therapy and activities of daily living (ADL) guidance are recommended as core treatments in the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines. However, the effects of PRP combined with exercise therapy are not fully understood. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of this treatment.

Methods

We assigned patients diagnosed with knee OA and treated between January 2021 and December 2022 to groups who underwent PRP + exercise (PE), PRP (P), or exercise (E) therapy. Outcomes were evaluated using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) before, and 1, 3, and 12 months after treatment. Within-group comparisons according to the time of each score were statistically assessed using a one-way analysis of variance, then differences were analyzed using Bonferroni multiple comparisons p < 0.05). Treatment responses were determined using Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)-OARSI Responder criteria.

Results

Pre-treatment KOOS did not significantly differ among the groups. Pain in the PE group improved within 1 month, symptoms, ADL, and quality of life (QOL) improved after 3, months and continued for 12 months. Pain and symptoms improved in the P group within 1 month, but ADLs and the QOL did not significantly change. Pain improved after 3 months in the E group and ADL, and QOL improved by 12 months. The response among the groups was the highest for the PE, with 50.0% at 1 and 3 months, and 65.0% at 12 months.

Conclusions

Therapy with PRP immediately relieved pain, whereas exercise conferred late, but enduring effects. Combining PRP with exercise conferred synergistic advantages that persisted for up to 12 months.