bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased number of excitatory synapsis and decreased number of inhibitory synapsis in the prefrontal cortex in autism
Authors: Vakilzadeh Gelareh , Maseko Busisiwe C , Bartely Trevor D , McLennan Yingratana A , Martínez-Cerdeño Verónica
Published: May 2024

Previous studies in autism spectrum disorder demonstrated an increased number of excitatory pyramidal cells and a decreased number of inhibitory parvalbumin+ chandelier interneurons in the prefrontal cortex of postmortem brains. How these changes in cellular composition affect the overall abundance of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the cortex is not known. Herein, we quantified the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in the prefrontal cortex of 10 postmortem autism spectrum disorder brains and 10 control cases. To identify excitatory synapses, we used VGlut1 as a marker of the presynaptic component and postsynaptic density protein-95 as marker of the postsynaptic component. To identify inhibitory synapses, we used the vesicular gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter as a marker of the presynaptic component and gephyrin as a marker of the postsynaptic component. We used Puncta Analyzer to quantify the number of co-localized pre- and postsynaptic synaptic components in each area of interest. We found an increase in the number of excitatory synapses in upper cortical layers and a decrease in inhibitory synapses in all cortical layers in autism spectrum disorder brains compared with control cases. The alteration in the number of excitatory and inhibitory synapses could lead to neuronal dysfunction and disturbed network connectivity in the prefrontal cortex in autism spectrum disorder.
Enhanced neural synchronization during social communications between dyads with high autistic traits
Authors: Peng Xinyue , Li Tianbi , Liu Guangfang , Ni Wei , Yi Li
Published: May 2024

Autism is characterized by atypical social communication styles. To investigate whether individuals with high autistic traits could still have effective social communication among each other, we compared the behavioral patterns and communication quality within 64 dyads of college students paired with both high, both low, and mixed high-low (HL) autistic traits, with their gender matched. Results revealed that the high-high (HH) autistic dyads exhibited atypical behavioral patterns during conversations, including reduced mutual gaze, communicational turns, and emotional sharing compared with the low-low and/or HL autistic dyads. However, the HH autistic dyads displayed enhanced interpersonal neural synchronization during social communications measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy, suggesting an effective communication style. Besides, they also provided more positive subjective evaluations of the conversations. These findings highlight the potential for alternative pathways to effectively communicate with the autistic community, contribute to a deeper understanding of how high autistic traits influence social communication dynamics among autistic individuals, and provide important insights for the clinical practices for supporting autistic people.
Atypical neural encoding of faces in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Wang Yue , Cao Runnan , Chakravarthula Puneeth N , Yu Hongbo , Wang Shuo
Published: May 2024

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience pervasive difficulties in processing social information from faces. However, the behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying social trait judgments of faces in ASD remain largely unclear. Here, we comprehensively addressed this question by employing functional neuroimaging and parametrically generated faces that vary in facial trustworthiness and dominance. Behaviorally, participants with ASD exhibited reduced specificity but increased inter-rater variability in social trait judgments. Neurally, participants with ASD showed hypo-activation across broad face-processing areas. Multivariate analysis based on trial-by-trial face responses could discriminate participant groups in the majority of the face-processing areas. Encoding social traits in ASD engaged vastly different face-processing areas compared to controls, and encoding different social traits engaged different brain areas. Interestingly, the idiosyncratic brain areas encoding social traits in ASD were still flexible and context-dependent, similar to neurotypicals. Additionally, participants with ASD also showed an altered encoding of facial saliency features in the eyes and mouth. Together, our results provide a comprehensive understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social trait judgments in ASD.
A multimodal interface for speech perception: the role of the left superior temporal sulcus in social cognition and autism
Authors: Kausel Leonie , Michon Maëva , Soto-Icaza Patricia , Aboitiz Francisco
Published: May 2024

Multimodal integration is crucial for human interaction, in particular for social communication, which relies on integrating information from various sensory modalities. Recently a third visual pathway specialized in social perception was proposed, which includes the right superior temporal sulcus (STS) playing a key role in processing socially relevant cues and high-level social perception. Importantly, it has also recently been proposed that the left STS contributes to audiovisual integration of speech processing. In this article, we propose that brain areas along the right STS that support multimodal integration for social perception and cognition can be considered homologs to those in the left, language-dominant hemisphere, sustaining multimodal integration of speech and semantic concepts fundamental for social communication. Emphasizing the significance of the left STS in multimodal integration and associated processes such as multimodal attention to socially relevant stimuli, we underscore its potential relevance in comprehending neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by challenges in social communication such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further research into this left lateral processing stream holds the promise of enhancing our understanding of social communication in both typical development and ASD, which may lead to more effective interventions that could improve the quality of life for individuals with atypical neurodevelopment.
Early autism diagnosis based on path signature and Siamese unsupervised feature compressor
Authors: Yin Zhuowen , Ding Xinyao , Zhang Xin , Wu Zhengwang , Wang Li , Xu Xiangmin , Li Gang
Published: May 2024

Autism spectrum disorder has been emerging as a growing public health threat. Early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is crucial for timely, effective intervention and treatment. However, conventional diagnosis methods based on communications and behavioral patterns are unreliable for children younger than 2 years of age. Given evidences of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder infants, we resort to a novel deep learning-based method to extract key features from the inherently scarce, class-imbalanced, and heterogeneous structural MR images for early autism diagnosis. Specifically, we propose a Siamese verification framework to extend the scarce data, and an unsupervised compressor to alleviate data imbalance by extracting key features. We also proposed weight constraints to cope with sample heterogeneity by giving different samples different voting weights during validation, and used Path Signature to unravel meaningful developmental features from the two-time point data longitudinally. We further extracted machine learning focused brain regions for autism diagnosis. Extensive experiments have shown that our method performed well under practical scenarios, transcending existing machine learning methods and providing anatomical insights for autism early diagnosis.
Differential neural correlates underlying visuospatial versus semantic reasoning in autistic children
Authors: Degré-Pelletier Janie , Danis Éliane , Thérien Véronique D , Bernhardt Boris , Barbeau Elise B , Soulières Isabelle
Published: May 2024

While fronto-posterior underconnectivity has often been reported in autism, it was shown that different contexts may modulate between-group differences in functional connectivity. Here, we assessed how different task paradigms modulate functional connectivity differences in a young autistic sample relative to typically developing children. Twenty-three autistic and 23 typically developing children aged 6 to 15 years underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning while completing a reasoning task with visuospatial versus semantic content. We observed distinct connectivity patterns in autistic versus typical children as a function of task type (visuospatial vs. semantic) and problem complexity (visual matching vs. reasoning), despite similar performance. For semantic reasoning problems, there was no significant between-group differences in connectivity. However, during visuospatial reasoning problems, we observed occipital–occipital, occipital–temporal, and occipital–frontal over-connectivity in autistic children relative to typical children. Also, increasing the complexity of visuospatial problems resulted in increased functional connectivity between occipital, posterior (temporal), and anterior (frontal) brain regions in autistic participants, more so than in typical children. Our results add to several studies now demonstrating that the connectivity alterations in autistic relative to neurotypical individuals are much more complex than previously thought and depend on both task type and task complexity and their respective underlying cognitive processes.
Targeting macrophages with multifunctional nanoparticles to detect and prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Authors: Nankivell Victoria , Vidanapathirana Achini K , Hoogendoorn Ayla , Tan Joanne T M , Verjans Johan , Psaltis Peter J , Hutchinson Mark R , Gibson Brant C , Lu Yiqing , Goldys Ewa , Zheng Gang , Bursill Christina A
Published: May 2024

Despite the emergence of novel diagnostic, pharmacological, interventional, and prevention strategies, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Nanoparticle (NP)-based platforms encompass diverse imaging, delivery, and pharmacological properties that provide novel opportunities for refining diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for atherosclerosis at the cellular and molecular levels. Macrophages play a critical role in atherosclerosis and therefore represent an important disease-related diagnostic and therapeutic target, especially given their inherent ability for passive and active NP uptake. In this review, we discuss an array of inorganic, carbon-based, and lipid-based NPs that provide magnetic, radiographic, and fluorescent imaging capabilities for a range of highly promising research and clinical applications in atherosclerosis. We discuss the design of NPs that target a range of macrophage-related functions such as lipoprotein oxidation, cholesterol efflux, vascular inflammation, and defective efferocytosis. We also provide examples of NP systems that were developed for other pathologies such as cancer and highlight their potential for repurposing in cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the current state of play and the future of theranostic NPs. Whilst this is not without its challenges, the array of multifunctional capabilities that are possible in NP design ensures they will be part of the next frontier of exciting new therapies that simultaneously improve the accuracy of plaque diagnosis and more effectively reduce atherosclerosis with limited side effects.
An automated method for assessing condyle head changes in patients with skeletal class II malocclusion based on Cone-beam CT images
Authors: Shi Jiayu , Lin Guoye , Bao Rui , Zhang Zhen , Tang Jin , Chen Wenyue , Chen Hongjin , Zuo Xinwei , Feng Qianjin , Liu Shuguang
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Currently, there is no reliable automated measurement method to study the changes in the condylar process after orthognathic surgery. Therefore, this study proposes an automated method to measure condylar changes in patients with skeletal class II malocclusion following surgical-orthodontic treatment.

Methods

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scans from 48 patients were segmented using the nnU-Net network for automated maxillary and mandibular delineation. Regions unaffected by orthognathic surgery were selectively cropped. Automated registration yielded condylar displacement and volume calculations, each repeated three times for precision. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to analyse the correlation between condylar position changes at different time points.

Results

The Dice score for the automated segmentation of the condyle was 0.971. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for all repeated measurements ranged from 0.93 to 1.00. The results of the automated measurement showed that 83.33% of patients exhibited condylar resorption occurring six months or more after surgery. Logistic regression and linear regression indicated a positive correlation between counterclockwise rotation in the pitch plane and condylar resorption (P < .01). And a positive correlation between the rotational angles in both three planes and changes in the condylar volume at six months after surgery (P ≤ .04).

Conclusions

This study’s automated method for measuring condylar changes shows excellent repeatability. Skeletal class II malocclusion patients may experience condylar resorption after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery, and this is correlated with counterclockwise rotation in the sagittal plane.

Advances in knowledge

This study proposes an innovative multi-step registration method based on CBCT, and establishes an automated approach for quantitatively measuring condyle changes post-orthognathic surgery. This method opens up new possibilities for studying condylar morphology.
Prognostic impact of nodal status and lymphovascular invasion in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Miyata Hiroshi , Sugimura Keijirou , Kanemura Takashi , Takeoka Tomohira , Sugase Takahito , Yasui Masayoshi , Nishimura Junichi , Wada Hiroshi , Akita Hiroshi , Yamamoto Masaaki , Hara Hisashi , Shinno Naoki , Omori Takeshi , Yano Masahiko
Published: May 2024

Nodal status is well known to be the most important prognostic factor for esophageal cancer patients, even if they are treated with neoadjuvant therapy. To establish an optimal postoperative adjuvant strategy for patients, we aimed to more accurately predict the prognosis of patients and systemic recurrence by using clinicopathological factors, including nodal status, in patients with esophageal cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The clinicopathological factors associated with survival and systemic recurrence were investigated in 488 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival differed according to tumor depth, nodal status, tumor regression, and lymphovascular (LV) invasion. In the multivariate analysis, nodal status and LV invasion were identified as independent prognostic factors (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0008). Nodal status was also identified as an independent factor associated with systemic recurrence, although LV invasion was a borderline factor (P = 0.066). In each pN stage, patients with LV invasion showed significantly worse overall survival than those without LV invasion (pN0: P = 0.036, pN1: P = 0.0044, pN2: P = 0.0194, pN3: P = 0.0054). Patients with LV invasion were also more likely to have systemic, and any recurrence than those without LV invasion in each pN stage. Pathological nodal status and LV invasion were the most important predictors of survival and systemic recurrence in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. This finding could provide useful information about selecting candidates for adjuvant therapy among these patients. Our analysis showed that LV invasion was an independent prognostic factor in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and that combining LV invasion with pathological nodal status makes it possible to stratify the prognosis in those patients.
Psychosocial adjustment changes and related factors in young and middle-aged patients with first-episode acute myocardial infarction: a longitudinal study
Authors: Zhou Xin-yi , Ke Qi-qi , Qiu Wei-yu , Li Yao-xia , Wu Qin-yang , Ye Qiu-yun , Yang Qiao-hong
Published: May 2024

Aims

This study aimed to explore the change trend and group heterogeneity of psychosocial adjustment level and to determine its influencing factors among young and middle-aged patients with first-episode acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods and results

The Psychosocial Adjustment Scale of Illness was used to assess the psychosocial adjustment level of the patients at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge, respectively. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation analysis, generalized estimating equations, and growth mixed models. A total of 233 patients were included, and their psychosocial adjustment scores at the three time points were 57.18 ± 15.50, 36.17 ± 15.02, and 24.22 ± 12.98, respectively. The trajectories of changes in patients’ psychosocial adjustment levels were divided into three latent categories: moderate adjustment improvement group (72.5%), low adjustment improvement group (16.3%), and persistent maladjustment group (11.2%). Among them, predictors of the persistent maladjustment group included no spouse, low monthly family income per capita, normal body mass index, never smoking, never exercising, combined with hyperlipidaemia, low social support, submission coping, and high perceived stress.

Conclusion

The psychosocial adjustment level of young and middle-aged patients with first-episode AMI showed an upward trend within 6 months after discharge, and there was group heterogeneity in the change trajectory of psychosocial adjustment level. It is suggested that a multicentre, large-sample longitudinal study should be carried out in the future, and the time of follow-up investigation should be extended to further clarify the change trajectory and influencing factors of psychosocial adjustment of patients with different subtypes, to provide the theoretical basis for formulating targeted intervention programmes.
Incidence and assessment of delirium following open cardiac surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Petersson Nadja Buch , Hansen Malene Haugaard , Hjelmborg Jacob V B , Instenes Irene , Christoffersen Anne Sofie , Larsen Katrine Lawaetz , Schmidt Henrik , Riber Lars Peter Schødt , Norekvål Tone Merete , Borregaard Britt
Published: May 2024

Aims

This systematic review and meta-analysis sought (i) to provide an overview of the incidence of delirium following open cardiac surgery and (ii) to investigate how incidences of delirium are associated with different assessment tools.

Methods and results

A systematic search of studies investigating delirium following open cardiac surgery was conducted in Medline (Ovid), EMBASE, PsycINFO, CiNAHL, and the Cochrane Database. Only studies with patients diagnosed or screened with a validated tool were included. Studies published from 2005–2021 were included in the meta-analysis. Of 7126 individual studies retrieved, 106 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, hereof 31% of high quality. The weighted pooled incidence of delirium following open cardiac surgery across all studies was 23% (95% CI 20–26%), however we found a considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 99%), which could not be explained by subgroups or further sensitivity analyses. The most commonly applied screening tool for delirium is CAM/CAM-ICU. The lowest estimates of delirium were found by applying the Delirium Observation Scale (incidence 14%, 95% CI 8–20%), and the highest estimates in studies using ‘other’ screening tools (Organic Brain Symptom Scale, Delirium Symptom Interview) with a pooled incidence of 43% (95% CI 19–66%), however, only two studies applied these.

Conclusion

Delirium following open cardiac surgery remains a complication with a high incidence of overall 23%, when applying a validated tool for screening or diagnosis. Nevertheless, this systematic review and meta-analyses highlight the significant inconsistency in current evidence regarding assessment tools and regimens.

Registration

Prospero CRD42020215519.
Automating benefits delivery: lowering health insurance costs for unemployment insurance recipients
Authors: Lian Langou , Lovchikova Marina , Feher Andrew
Published: May 2024

To provide financial relief to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, from July to December 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act temporarily expanded eligibility for cost-sharing reduction (CSR) silver 94 plans that cover 94% of medical costs for unemployment insurance (UI) recipients enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. In June 2021, California's ACA Marketplace automatically redetermined eligibility and enrollment for 79 645 UI recipients so the enhanced subsidies would be applied without any action required among program participants. Using administrative data from California and a difference-in-differences design, we found that enrollees automatically moved to CSR silver 94 plans for the second half of 2021 saved $295 in premiums and $180 in out-of-pocket expenses (or $475 in total). These findings can inform state and federal policymakers exploring ways of automating benefits delivery for consumers already engaging with other safety-net programs to increase health insurance affordability.
Human resource challenges in health systems: evidence from 10 African countries
Authors: Sheffel Ashley , Andrews Kathryn G , Conner Ruben , Di Giorgio Laura , Evans David K , Gatti Roberta , Lindelow Magnus , Sharma Jigyasa , Svensson Jakob , Wane Waly , Welander Tärneberg Anna
Published: May 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa has fewer medical workers per capita than any region of the world, and that shortage has been highlighted consistently as a critical constraint to improving health outcomes in the region. This paper draws on newly available, systematic, comparable data from 10 countries in the region to explore the dimensions of this shortage. We find wide variation in human resources performance metrics, both within and across countries. Many facilities are barely staffed, and effective staffing levels fall further when adjusted for health worker absences. However, caseloads—while also varying widely within and across countries—are also low in many settings, suggesting that even within countries, deployment rather than shortages, together with barriers to demand, may be the principal challenges. Beyond raw numbers, we observe significant proportions of health workers with very low levels of clinical knowledge on standard maternal and child health conditions. This study highlights that countries may need to invest broadly in health workforce deployment, improvements in capacity and performance of the health workforce, and on addressing demand constraints, rather than focusing narrowly on increases in staffing numbers.
Diverging phenology of American lobster (Homarus americanus) larvae and their zooplankton prey in a warming ocean
Authors: Carloni Joshua T , Wahle Richard A , Fields David M , Geoghegan Paul , Shank Burton
Published: May 2024

We build on previous research describing correlative links between changes in the abundance of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus, a foundational zooplankton species of the pelagic food web, and diminishing recruitment of young-of-year American lobster (Homarus americanus) to benthic nurseries in the Gulf of Maine. Using parallel 31-year time series of lobster larvae and zooplankton collected on the New Hampshire coast between 1988 and 2018, we investigated how changes in phenology of stage I larval lobster and their putative copepod prey, C. finmarchicus, affect their temporal overlap and potential to interact during the larval season. We found that over the time series both the lobster egg hatch and first appearance of larvae began earlier in the season, a trend significantly correlated with ocean warming. The last appearance of larvae in late summer has been delayed, however, thereby extending the larval season. Even with the longer larval lobster season, the C. finmarchicus season has increasingly been ending before the peak abundance of stage I lobster larvae. The net effect is a widening mismatch in phenology of the two species, an outcome consistent with the hypothesis that changes in abundance and phenology of C. finmarchicus have contributed to recent declines in lobster recruitment.
Perioperative multivessel coronary artery spasm and cardiac arrest after cardiac surgery
Authors: Chen Chen , Chen Yi , Zhang Xiao , Zou Liang
Published: May 2024

Postoperative coronary artery spasm, a rare but potentially fatal complication following cardiac surgery, warrants significant attention. This report discusses a 64-year-old male who suffered a severe coronary artery spasm leading to cardiac arrest following surgery. Initially stable, the patient rapidly developed critical ventricular arrhythmias and hypotension, resulting in cardiac arrest 4 h post-surgery. Emergency coronary angiography revealed extensive spasms, successfully managed with intracoronary nitroglycerine. This case stresses prompt recognition and management of coronary artery spasm after non-coronary cardiac procedures, underscoring coronary angiography's vital role in diagnosis and treatment.
Regularity Theory for Nonlocal Equations with General Growth in the Heisenberg Group
Authors: Fang Yuzhou , Zhang Chao
Published: May 2024

We deal with a wide class of generalized nonlocal $p$-Laplace equations, so-called nonlocal $G$-Laplace equations, in the Heisenberg framework. Under natural hypotheses on the $N$-function $G$, we provide a unified approach to investigate in the spirit of De Giorgi-Nash-Moser theory, some local properties of weak solutions to such kind of problems, involving boundedness, Hölder continuity and Harnack inequality. To this end, an improved nonlocal Caccioppoli-type estimate as the main auxiliary ingredient is exploited several times.
Validation of an Automated, End-to-End Metagenomic Sequencing Assay for Agnostic Detection of Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Gauthier Nick P G , Chan Wilson , Locher Kerstin , Smailus Duane , Coope Robin , Charles Marthe , Jassem Agatha , Kopetzky Jennifer , Chorlton Samuel D , Manges Amee R
Published: May 2024

Background

Current molecular diagnostics are limited in the number and type of detectable pathogens. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is an emerging, and increasingly feasible, pathogen-agnostic diagnostic approach. Translational barriers prohibit the widespread adoption of this technology in clinical laboratories. We validate an end-to-end mNGS assay for detection of respiratory viruses. Our assay is optimized to reduce turnaround time, lower cost per sample, increase throughput, and deploy secure and actionable bioinformatic results.

Methods

We validated our assay using residual nasopharyngeal swab specimens from Vancouver General Hospital (n = 359), which were reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction positive, or negative for influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and respiratory syncytial virus. We quantified sample stability, assay precision, the effect of background nucleic acid levels, and analytical limits of detection. Diagnostic performance metrics were estimated.

Results

We report that our mNGS assay is highly precise and semiquantitative, with analytical limits of detection ranging from 103 to 104 copies/mL. Our assay is highly specific (100%) and sensitive (61.9% overall: 86.8%; reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold < 30). Multiplexing capabilities enable processing of up to 55 specimens simultaneously on an Oxford Nanopore GridION device, with results reported within 12 hours.

Conclusions

This study report outlines the diagnostic performance and feasibility of mNGS for respiratory viral diagnostics, infection control, and public health surveillance. We addressed translational barriers to widespread mNGS adoption.
Community-acquired pneumonia: a US perspective on the guideline gap
Authors: Malinis Maricar , Abbo Lilian , Vazquez Jose A , Ostrosky-Zeichner Luis
Published: May 2024

Community-acquired pneumonia continues to be one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality due to infectious disease. The aetiologies, clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities and therapeutic options are changing and outpacing the creation of management guidelines. This educational article summarizes a roundtable activity sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant by Paratek that included US experts discussing these changes and identifying gaps in the current guidelines.
ADLM Guidance Document on Laboratory Diagnosis of Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Berry Gregory J , Jhaveri Tulip A , Larkin Paige M K , Mostafa Heba , Babady N Esther
Published: May 2024

Respiratory viral infections are among the most frequent infections experienced worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for testing and currently several tests are available for the detection of a wide range of viruses. These tests vary widely in terms of the number of viral pathogens included, viral markers targeted, regulatory status, and turnaround time to results, as well as their analytical and clinical performance. Given these many variables, selection and interpretation of testing requires thoughtful consideration. The current guidance document is the authors’ expert opinion based on the preponderance of available evidence to address key questions related to best practices for laboratory diagnosis of respiratory viral infections including who to test, when to test, and what tests to use. An algorithm is proposed to help laboratories decide on the most appropriate tests to use for the diagnosis of respiratory viral infections.
Control of the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita in soil and on tomato roots by Clonostachys rosea
Authors: Stucky Tobias , Sy Eliana Thyda , Egger Jakob , Mathlouthi Enis , Krauss Jürgen , De Gianni Lara , Ruthes Andrea Caroline , Dahlin Paul
Published: May 2024

Aims

Clonostachys rosea is a well-known mycoparasite that has recently been investigated as a bio-based alternative to chemical nematicides for the control of plant-parasitic nematodes. In the search for a promising biocontrol agent, the ability of the C. rosea strain PHP1701 to control the southern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was tested.

Methods and Results

Control of M. incognita in vitro and in soil by C. rosea strain PHP1701 was significant and concentration dependent. Small pot greenhouse trials confirmed a significant reduction in tomato root galling compared to the untreated control. In a large greenhouse trial, the control effect was confirmed in early and mid-season. Tomato yield was higher when the strain PHP1701 was applied compared to the untreated M. incognita-infected control. However, the yield of non-M. incognita-infected tomato plants was not reached. A similar reduction in root galling was also observed in a field trial.

Conclusions

The results highlight the potential of this fungal strain as a promising biocontrol agent for root-knot nematode control in greenhouses, especially as part of an integrated pest management approach. We recommend the use of C. rosea strain PHP1701 for short-season crops and/or to reduce M. incognita populations on fallow land before planting the next crop.
A common data model for the standardization of intensive care unit medication features
Authors: Sikora Andrea , Keats Kelli , Murphy David J , Devlin John W , Smith Susan E , Murray Brian , Buckley Mitchell S , Rowe Sandra , Coppiano Lindsey , Kamaleswaran Rishikesan
Published: May 2024

Objective

Common data models provide a standard means of describing data for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, but this process has never been undertaken for medications used in the intensive care unit (ICU). We sought to develop a common data model (CDM) for ICU medications to standardize the medication features needed to support future ICU AI efforts.

Materials and Methods

A 9-member, multi-professional team of ICU clinicians and AI experts conducted a 5-round modified Delphi process employing conference calls, web-based communication, and electronic surveys to define the most important medication features for AI efforts. Candidate ICU medication features were generated through group discussion and then independently scored by each team member based on relevance to ICU clinical decision-making and feasibility for collection and coding. A key consideration was to ensure the final ontology both distinguished unique medications and met Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) guiding principles.

Results

Using a list of 889 ICU medications, the team initially generated 106 different medication features, and 71 were ranked as being core features for the CDM. Through this process, 106 medication features were assigned to 2 key feature domains: drug product-related (n = 43) and clinical practice-related (n = 63). Each feature included a standardized definition and suggested response values housed in the electronic data library. This CDM for ICU medications is available online.

Conclusion

The CDM for ICU medications represents an important first step for the research community focused on exploring how AI can improve patient outcomes and will require ongoing engagement and refinement.
Development of a chest X-ray machine learning convolutional neural network model on a budget and using artificial intelligence explainability techniques to analyze patterns of machine learning inference
Authors: Lee Stephen B
Published: May 2024

Objective

Machine learning (ML) will have a large impact on medicine and accessibility is important. This study’s model was used to explore various concepts including how varying features of a model impacted behavior.

Materials and Methods

This study built an ML model that classified chest X-rays as normal or abnormal by using ResNet50 as a base with transfer learning. A contrast enhancement mechanism was implemented to improve performance. After training with a dataset of publicly available chest radiographs, performance metrics were determined with a test set. The ResNet50 base was substituted with deeper architectures (ResNet101/152) and visualization methods used to help determine patterns of inference.

Results

Performance metrics were an accuracy of 79%, recall 69%, precision 96%, and area under the curve of 0.9023. Accuracy improved to 82% and recall to 74% with contrast enhancement. When visualization methods were applied and the ratio of pixels used for inference measured, deeper architectures resulted in the model using larger portions of the image for inference as compared to ResNet50.

Discussion

The model performed on par with many existing models despite consumer-grade hardware and smaller datasets. Individual models vary thus a single model’s explainability may not be generalizable. Therefore, this study varied architecture and studied patterns of inference. With deeper ResNet architectures, the machine used larger portions of the image to make decisions.

Conclusion

An example using a custom model showed that AI (Artificial Intelligence) can be accessible on consumer-grade hardware, and it also demonstrated an example of studying themes of ML explainability by varying ResNet architectures.
Automatic detection of faults in industrial production of sandwich panels using Deep Learning techniques
Authors: Lopez Florez Sebastian , González-Briones Alfonso , Chamoso Pablo , Saberi Mohamad Mohd
Published: May 2024

The use of technologies like artificial intelligence can drive productivity growth, efficiency and innovation. The goal of this study is to develop an anomaly detection method for locating flaws on the surface of sandwich panels using YOLOv5. The proposed algorithm extracts information locally from an image through a prediction system that creates bounding boxes and determines whether the sandwich panel surface contains flaws. It attempts to reject or accept a product based on quality levels specified in the standard. To evaluate the proposed method, a comparison was made with a sandwich panel damage detection method based on a convolutional neural network and methods based on thresholding. The findings show that the proposed method, which is based on an object detector, is more accurate than the alternatives. The characteristics of the model, which can reject or accept a product according to the standard and limit allowable manufacturing flaws to obtain a quality product, also enable this system to improve industrial standards for producing sandwich panels while increasing speed.
Nonparametric measure-transportation-based methods for directional data
Authors: Hallin M , Liu H , Verdebout T
Published: May 2024

This article proposes various nonparametric tools based on measure transportation for directional data. We use optimal transports to define new notions of distribution and quantile functions on the hypersphere, with meaningful quantile contours and regions and closed-form formulas under the classical assumption of rotational symmetry. The empirical versions of our distribution functions enjoy the expected Glivenko–Cantelli property of traditional distribution functions. They provide fully distribution-free concepts of ranks and signs and define data-driven systems of (curvilinear) parallels and (hyper)meridians. Based on this, we also construct a universally consistent test of uniformity and a class of fully distribution-free and universally consistent tests for directional MANOVA which, in simulations, outperform all their existing competitors. A real-data example involving the analysis of sunspots concludes the article.
Redox signaling and oxidative stress in systemic acquired resistance
Authors: Liu Cheng , Liu Qingcai , Mou Zhonglin
Published: May 2024

Plants fully depend on their immune systems to defend against pathogens. Upon pathogen attack, plants not only activate immune responses at the infection site but also trigger a defense mechanism known as systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in distal systemic tissues to prevent subsequent infections by a broad-spectrum of pathogens. SAR is induced by mobile signals produced at the infection site. Accumulating evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a central role in SAR signaling. ROS burst at the infection site is one of the earliest cellular responses following pathogen infection and can spread to systemic tissues through membrane-associated NADPH oxidase-dependent relay production of ROS. It is well known that ROS ignite redox signaling and, when in excess, cause oxidative stress, damaging cellular components. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on redox regulation of several SAR signaling components. We discuss the ROS amplification loop in systemic tissues involving multiple SAR mobile signals. Moreover, we highlight the essential role of oxidative stress in generating SAR signals including azelaic acid and extracellular NAD(P) [eNAD(P)]. Finally, we propose that eNAD(P) is a damage-associated molecular pattern serving as a converging point of SAR mobile signals in systemic tissues.
Constraints on the narrow-line region of the X-ray quasi-periodic eruption source GSN 069
Authors: Patra Kishore C , Lu Wenbin , Ma Yilun , Quataert Eliot , Miniutti Giovanni , Chiaberge Marco , Filippenko Alexei V , González Beatriz Agís
Published: May 2024

The origins of quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are poorly understood, although most theoretical explanations invoke an accretion disc around a supermassive black hole. The gas and stellar environments in the galactic nuclei of these sources are also poorly constrained. In this paper, we present an analysis of archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to study the narrow-line [O iii] emission in the QPE source GSN 069. We find strong evidence for a compact nuclear [O iii] emission region of size ≲ 35 pc, overlaid on top of extended [O iii] emission up to 1 kpc away from the nucleus. The age of the accretion system is estimated to be between 10 and 100 yr. The [O iii] luminosity of the compact region was measured to be $(2.1 \pm 0.3) \times 10^{40}\, \rm erg\, s^{-1}$. Based on cloudy simulations, we constrain that the [O iii] emitting gas has a hydrogen number density in the range $2 \times 10^{3} \lt n_{\rm H} \lesssim 10^{8}\, \rm cm^{-3}$ and volume filling factor fV < 4 × 10−3. We suggest that the dense gas in the nuclear region of GSN 069 originates from molecular clouds (with total mass $\gtrsim 3 \times 10^{3}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$), which are freshly ionized by the soft X-ray photons from the accretion disc. We predict possible evolution of the compact narrow-line region on emission-line diagnostic diagrams, and hence future HST or integral-field unit observations can be used to further pin down the age of this puzzling system.
Wright’s Hierarchical F-Statistics
Authors: Uyenoyama Marcy K
Published: May 2024

This perspective article offers a meditation on FST and other quantities developed by Sewall Wright to describe the population structure, defined as any departure from reproduction through random union of gametes. Concepts related to the F-statistics draw from studies of the partitioning of variation, identity coefficients, and diversity measures. Relationships between the first two approaches have recently been clarified and unified. This essay addresses the third pillar of the discussion: Nei’s GST and related measures. A hierarchy of probabilities of identity-by-state provides a description of the relationships among levels of a structured population with respect to genetic diversity. Explicit expressions for the identity-by-state probabilities are determined for models of structured populations undergoing regular inbreeding and recurrent mutation. Levels of genetic diversity within and between subpopulations reflect mutation as well as migration. Accordingly, indices of the population structure are inherently locus-specific, contrary to the intentions of Wright. Some implications of this locus-specificity are explored.
Quantifying Cigarette and e-Cigarette Marketing Exposure Among Chinese Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Czaplicki Lauren , Barker Hannah E , Thrul Johannes , Cui Yuxian , Yang Tingzhong , Cohen Joanna E
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Addressing cigarette and e-cigarette use in China is key to reducing the global tobacco epidemic. Marketing exposure is one causal factor for adolescent smoking and e-cigarette use. Currently, China restricts cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online; however, there may not be full policy compliance. We collected real-time data in the natural environment to estimate how much and where Chinese adolescents—a group susceptible to smoking and e-cigarette use—are exposed to cigarette and e-cigarette marketing to inform policy responses.

Aims and Methods

In June 2022, we conducted a 7-day ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study with 15–16-year-olds (n = 96) across eight Chinese cities. Participants completed up to 42 EMA surveys (six per day), sent at random intervals outside of school hours. In each survey, participants reported whether they saw (1) displays and (2) ads in the past hour (none, cigarette, e-cigarette, both) in the past hour. We also captured the source of cigarette/e-cigarette ad exposure.

Results

Most participants were exposed to cigarette and/or e-cigarette displays (89.6%) or ads (79.2%) more than 7 days. On average, participants reported past-hour exposure to displays 12.7 times and past-hour exposure to ads 10.8 times over the week. The most common sources of cigarette ads were public places (eg, kiosks, supermarkets); the most common sources of e-cigarette ad exposure were social media/internet or e-cigarette stores.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the need to enhance enforcement of restrictions on cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online in China and extend restrictions to ban displays.

Implications

Marketing exposure is a causal factor in youth smoking and e-cigarette use. We used EMA to estimate cigarette and e-cigarette display and ad exposure among Chinese adolescents. On average, participants reported past-hour exposure to cigarette and/or e-cigarette displays 13 times and past-hour exposure to cigarette and/or e-cigarette ads 11 times more than 1 week. Most saw ads in public places and online. Results suggest strengthening implementation of China’s ban on cigarette and e-cigarette ads in public places and online and banning product displays. These are policy responses that can contribute to reducing adolescent cigarette and e-cigarette uptake in China.
Development of a mobile, high-throughput, and low-cost image-based plant growth phenotyping system
Authors: Yu Li’ang , Sussman Hayley , Khmelnitsky Olga , Rahmati Ishka Maryam , Srinivasan Aparna , Nelson Andrew D L , Julkowska Magdalena M
Published: May 2024

Nondestructive plant phenotyping forms a key technique for unraveling molecular processes underlying plant development and response to the environment. While the emergence of high-throughput phenotyping facilities can further our understanding of plant development and stress responses, their high costs greatly hinder scientific progress. To democratize high-throughput plant phenotyping, we developed sets of low-cost image- and weight-based devices to monitor plant shoot growth and evapotranspiration. We paired these devices to a suite of computational pipelines for integrated and straightforward data analysis. The developed tools were validated for their suitability for large genetic screens by evaluating a cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) diversity panel for responses to drought stress. The observed natural variation was used as an input for a genome-wide association study, from which we identified nine genetic loci that might contribute to cowpea drought resilience during early vegetative development. The homologs of the candidate genes were identified in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and subsequently evaluated for their involvement in drought stress by using available T-DNA insertion mutant lines. These results demonstrate the varied applicability of this low-cost phenotyping system. In the future, we foresee these setups facilitating the identification of genetic components of growth, plant architecture, and stress tolerance across a wide variety of plant species.
Molinism's kryptonite: Counterfactuals and circumstantial luck
Authors: Rusavuk Andre Leo
Published: May 2024

According to Molinism, logically prior to his creative decree, God knows via middle knowledge the truth value of the counterfactuals or conditionals of creaturely freedom (CFs) and thus what any possible person would do in any given circumstance. Critics of Molinism have pointed out that the Molinist God gets lucky that the CFs allow him to actualize either a world of his liking or even a good-enough world at all. In this paper, I advance and strengthen the popular critique in two ways. First, I specify the kind of luck to which God is subject, which is circumstantial moral luck. Second, and more importantly, I argue that exposure to this luck is problematic because something external to God and beyond his control determines the degree of praiseworthiness he deserves in relevant possible worlds. My main contention is that divine subjection to circumstantial moral luck raises the theoretical costs of Molinism.