bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model-free and distribution-free multi-omics integration approach for detecting novel lung adenocarcinoma genes
Authors: Zhao Shaofei , Qi Caleb , Zhao Geran , Wang Yangsheng , Fu Guifang
Published: August 2024

Detection of important genes affecting lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is critical to finding effective therapeutic targets for this highly lethal cancer. However, many existing approaches have focused on single outcomes or phenotypic associations, which may not be as thorough as investigating molecular transcript levels within cells. In this article, we apply a novel multivariate rank-distance correlation-based gene selection procedure (MrDcGene) to LUAD multi-omics data downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). MrDcGene provides additional opportunities for detecting novel susceptibility genes as it leverages information from multiple platforms, while efficiently handling challenges such as high dimensionality, low signal-to-noise ratio, unknown distributions, and non-linear structures, etc. Notably, the MrDcGene method is able to detect two different scenarios, i.e., strong association strength with a few gene expressions and weak association strength with several gene expressions. After thoroughly exploring the association between gene expression (GE) and multiple other platforms, including reverse phase protein array (RPPA), miRNA, copy number variation (CNV) and DNA methylation (ME), we detect several novel genes that may play an important role in LUAD (ZNF133, CCDC159, YWHAZ, HNRNPR. ITPR2, PTHLH, and WIPI2). In addition, we quantitatively validate several other susceptibility genes that were reported in the literature using different methods and studies. The accuracy of the MrDcGene approach is theoretically assured and empirically demonstrated by the simulation studies.
An efficient blockchain-based framework for file sharing
Authors: Peng Wanzong , Lu Tongliang , Peng Wenju , Wang Zhongpan
Published: August 2024

File sharing, being the foundation of the Internet, has traditionally relied on a centralized service architecture resulting in significant maintenance costs. Moreover, due to the lack of an effective file management system, instances of sensitive information going out of control and loss of confidentiality in file sharing have occurred frequently. In order to address the difficulty of tamper detection and the lack of supervision in the entire process of file transfer in the current Internet environment, this paper designs a blockchain-based system architecture for secure sharing of electronic documents. An efficient blockchain model is used in our framework, and with the help of distributed storage system and asymmetric encryption technology, file sharing can be controlled, reliable and traceable in the transfer process. Referring to existing consensus mechanisms, e.g., Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS) and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), we propose a new consensus for efficient and secure file sharing. Our experimental results show that our framework can maintain a higher throughput than existing schemes
The dominant warming season shifted from winter to spring in the arid region of Northwest China
Authors: Sun Fan , Li Yupeng , Chen Yaning , Fang Gonghuan , Duan Weili , Li Baofu , Li Zhi , Hao Xingming , Yang Yuhai , Zhang Xueqi
Published: August 2024

The arid region of Northwest China (ARNC) has experienced a significantly higher warming rate than the global average and exhibits pronounced seasonal asymmetry, which has important implications for the region’s water-dependent systems. To understand the spatiotemporal patterns and driving mechanisms of seasonal asymmetric warming in the ARNC, we investigated seasonal changes in temperature rise and their underlying causes based on station and reanalysis data. We found that the dominant season of temperature increase shifted from winter to spring. The contribution of spring warming to the total temperature increase rose from −5%–7% to 58%–59%, while the contribution of winter warming decreased from 60%–75% to −4%–9%. However, the mechanisms underlying spring warming and winter cooling differ. An increase in solar radiation caused by a decrease in cloud cover (R = −0.64) was the main reason for spring warming, while a strengthening Siberian High primarily drove winter cooling.
Empirical and model-based evidence for a negligible role of cattle in peste des petits ruminants virus transmission and eradication
Authors: Herzog Catherine M. , Aklilu Fasil , Sibhatu Demeke , Shegu Dereje , Belaineh Redeat , Mohammed Abde Aliy , Kidane Menbere , Schulz Claudia , Willett Brian J. , Cleaveland Sarah , Bailey Dalan , Peters Andrew R. , Cattadori Isabella M. , Hudson Peter J. , Asgedom Hagos , Buza Joram , Forza Mesfin Sahle , Chibssa Tesfaye Rufael , Gebre Solomon , Juleff Nick , Bjørnstad Ottar N. , Baron Michael D. , Kapur Vivek
Published: August 2024

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is a multi-host pathogen with sheep and goats as main hosts. To investigate the role of cattle in the epidemiology of PPR, we simulated conditions similar to East African zero-grazing husbandry practices in a series of trials with local Zebu cattle (Bos taurus indicus) co-housed with goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to assess the impact of PPRV-transmission from cattle to goats. Of the 32 cattle intranasally infected with the locally endemic lineage IV strain PPRV/Ethiopia/Habru/2014 none transmitted PPRV to 32 co-housed goats. However, these cattle or cattle co-housed with PPRV-infected goats seroconverted. The results confirm previous studies that cattle currently play a negligible role in PPRV-transmission and small ruminant vaccination is sufficient for eradication. However, the possible emergence of PPRV strains more virulent for cattle may impact eradication. Therefore, continued monitoring of PPRV circulation and evolution is recommended.
Effect of heterocyclic and non-heterocyclic units on FDT-based hole transport materials for efficient perovskite solar cells: a DFT study
Authors: Shavez Mohd , Mahapatra S.
Published: August 2024

The development of a new structure is one of the important approaches for the advancement of efficient hole-transporting materials (HTMs).
Ce-doped Co3O4 nanoplates for photo-assisted methanol electrocatalytic oxidation
Authors: Wang Dandan , Du Quan , Li Meng , Qian Lei , Wang Fangxuan
Published: August 2024

Ce-doping was adopted to enhance photo-assisted MOR activity of Co3O4 by expanding the light absorption range and accelerating charge carrier separation.
An efficient gradient descent approach to separate a mixture of secondary surveillance radar replies based on disjoint component analysis
Authors: Zaghloul Sara , Petrochilos Nicolas , Mboup Mamadou
Published: August 2024

The expansion of air traffic has led to an increase in mixed secondary surveillance radar (SSR) signal replies, which occur when multiple replies arrive at the receiver antenna simultaneously. These overlapping signals render the messages unrecoverable, leading to a loss of information. Additionally, the existing methods do not effectively address the issue of handling different types of signals with varying structures and characteristics. The authors validate the effectiveness of the disjoint component analysis (DCA) criterion for SSR signals and introduce a new DCA‐based algorithm designed to optimise the separation process. Through several simulations, the proposed algorithm demonstrates robust performance across various reception parameters. Additionally, it achieves good results when applied to real‐world data, showing its practical applicability and efficiency.
Spectroscopic characterisation of gravitationally lensed stars at high redshifts
Authors: Lundqvist Emma , Zackrisson Erik , Hawcroft Calum , Amarsi Anish M. , Welch Brian
Published: August 2024

Deep imaging of galaxy cluster fields have in recent years revealed tens of candidates for gravitationally lensed stars at redshifts z ≈ 1 − 6, and future searches are expected to reveal highly magnified stars from even earlier epochs. Multi-band photometric observations may be used to constrain the redshift, effective temperature Teff, and dust attenuation along the line of sight to such objects. When combined with an estimate of the likely magnification, these quantities may be converted into a constraint on the stellar luminosity and, for an adopted set of stellar evolutionary tracks, the initial stellar mass. Further characterisation is difficult, however, without spectroscopic observations, which at the typical brightness levels of high-redshift lensed stars becomes extremely challenging for even the largest existing telescopes. Here, we explore what spectral features one can realistically hope to detect in lensed stars with peak brightness in the range 26–28 AB mag, Teff = 4000 − 50 000 K, and redshifts z = 1 − 10, using spectroscopy with JWST and the forthcoming ELT. We find that a majority of detectable lines appear in the rest-UV range for stars with Teff ≥ 15 000 K. The strongest detectable spectral lines are the C IV λ1550 Å line and the Si IVλλ1393, 1403 Å-doublet at Teff = 30 000 K. For lower temperatures, the calcium H- and K-lines at Teff = 6000 K are among the most readily detectable. In limited wavelength ranges, ELT is expected to provide more sensitive spectroscopic observations, and with higher resolution than JWST. We find that variations in both mass-loss rate and metallicity lead to noticeable effects in the detectability of certain spectral lines with both JWST and ELT.
Pricing policies for a competitive dual-channel supply chain with green investment and sales effort under revenue-sharing contract
Authors: Barman Abhijit , Das Rubi , Kanti De Pijus , Sana Shib Sankar
Published: August 2024

In view of the mushroom development of web-based business and green production, a few organizations have moved to produce ecological friendly items and utilized the online channel to build up the competition. This paper deals with a two-echelon sustainable dual-channel supply chain containing two manufacturers and a single retailer. One manufacturer of the investigated supply chain produces a traditional non-green item, and another one releases a substitutable green item. The demand of both the item at the online and offline channel is a function of the sales price, greenness level, sales effort of the retailer. Furthermore, we have discussed the criteria for optimal pricing and greening strategy of supply chain members and the sales effort level of the retailer under a centralized and decentralized model. To enhance the supply chain performance, a revenue-sharing contract has been proposed, subject to the pareto improvement of each channel member. The numerical result demonstrates that the proposed revenue-sharing contract can enhance the manufacturer’s profit as well as system profit compared to the centralized and decentralized model and ensure higher profit for all the members than the decentralized model. Moreover, the item in the centralized model enjoys the highest green level than all other scenarios. Sensitivity analysis exhibits that a higher value of greening cost reduces the manufacturer’s green level, decreasing the sales price.
Continuances and Uncertainty in the Course of Adjudication
Authors: Shavell Steven
Published: August 2024

The myriad uncertainties common to the process of adjudication—concerning evidence that opposing parties will present, legal issues that will become relevant, illness of witnesses, and the like—lead to two social problems. First, when unanticipated events occur, the information that parties will be able to provide to courts may be inadequate. And second, preparation effort invested by parties may be wasted; whereas parties will tend to prepare for numerous possible events in adjudication, many will not come to pass and thus much effort will be for nought. Both of these problems are addressed by the granting of continuances: inability to present evidence for want of time will be directly remedied by the giving of continuances; and wasted preparation effort will be reduced because the ability to obtain continuances when uncertain events occur will lessen the need to prepare for them. But the use of continuances involves various costs of delay, meaning that the decision to grant continuances should be guided by an economic calculus. That calculus is developed in the theory presented in this article and the actual use of continuances is discussed. (JEL D8, K4, K41)
A problem not peculiar to counterfactual sufficiency
Authors: He Chaoan
Published: August 2024

The Consequence Argument for incompatibilism is beset by two rival interpretations: the counterfactual sufficiency interpretation and the counterfactual might interpretation. In a 2023 paper Waldrop argued that the counterfactual sufficiency interpretation conflicts with certain principles governing the logic of counterfactuals. In this paper, I show that Waldrop’s argument can be adapted to prove that the counterfactual might interpretation also conflicts with the same principles. So the problem Waldrop pointed out is not peculiar to the counterfactual sufficiency interpretation.
Realistic Reintegration After Imprisonment. A Sequence Analysis of the Labour Market Paths of Recently Incarcerated Individuals
Authors: Ramakers Anke , Aaltonen Mikko , Nieuwbeerta Paul , Dirkzwager Anja
Published: August 2024

Instead of focusing on the transition to work as an indicator of social integration after imprisonment, this study approaches reintegration as a process. The labour market paths of Dutch men were mapped using the number and type of transitions, their duration and order in the first four post-prison years. To identify seven clusters with diverse labour market paths, a distinction was made between various active labour market statuses (in school, employed) and passive labour market statuses (regular benefits, disability benefits, no formal income, detained). Characteristic of most clusters is that individuals experienced few transitions during the follow-up and spent little time in employment or in prison. These findings raise the question whether popular definitions of successful reintegration after imprisonment are realistic and point towards alternative definitions.
One more step into the resolution ofPanicum(Poaceae) polyphyly:Drakkaria, a new segregate genus from neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests
Authors: Silva Christian , Hillmann Júlia da Costa , Acosta Juan Manuel , Oliveira Reyjane Patrícia , Zuloaga Fernando Omar
Published: August 2024

Panicum was once one of the largest grass genera with >450 species associated to >4000 names. The revelation of its polyphyletic nature emerged with the use of molecular data in phylogenetic studies. Consequently, most of its species have been transferred to other genera. A notable case occurred with Panicum (subg. Phanopyrum) sect. Stolonifera, whose species were recovered in tribe Paspaleae, distantly related to Panicum s.s. (P. subg. Panicum), placed in tribe Paniceae. Most species from the section were transferred to Ocellochloa, leaving only one enigmatic species, P. venezuelae, remaining as incertae sedis. In this study, we endeavoured to clarify the phylogenetic placement of P. venezuelae by expanding the taxon sampling and increasing the number of molecular markers. The nuclear External Transcribed Spacer marker was used for the first time in a comprehensive analysis of Paspalinae genera. Additionally, we reviewed the literature and herbarium records to provide a comprehensive update on the morphology and distribution of the species, and a conservation assessment. Our findings confirm that Panicum venezuelae belongs to the tribe Paspaleae, which is here transferred to a new genus, Drakkaria. However, identifying its closest relative remains an open question within Paspaleae. The new genus is considered here endemic to the diverse and threatened Neotropical Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests.
Is there a tapetum in the hornwort capsule? Evidence from the sporogenesis of Phaeoceros
Authors: Filin Vladimir R , Platonova Anna G
Published: August 2024

The tapetum is an important tissue in the sporangia of tracheophytes that provides nutrition for developing spores and participates in sporoderm construction, but the data on the tapetum in the sporangia of bryophytes and, in particular, hornworts, are contradictory. Some investigators considered the capsule wall and pseudoelates a tapetum in hornworts, but others suppose that the tapetum is absent in hornwort capsules at all. The structure of the sporocytes and spores, pseudoelaters, the lining layer of the capsule wall, and the outer layer of the columella of Phaeoceros laevis were studied at successive developmental stages by light, fluorescence, and transmission electron microscopy. We revealed that sporocytes accumulate carbohydrates that are required for the construction of the sporoderm and the storage of nutrients in mature spores before the formation of a special wall. Such a feature significantly distinguishes hornworts from mosses and angiosperms. Pseudoelaterocytes and pseudoelaters do not possess any ultrastructural features, indicating that they provide the sporocytes and spores with nutrition. Cells of the lining layer of the capsule wall and the outer layer of the columella do not possess characteristic ultrastructural features of secretory tissue at any developmental stage (in contrast to the moss tapetum), but they apparently participate in the transfer of nutrients in the capsule locule from the foot at the time the sporocytes are actively growing and accumulating nutrients. We accept the strict interpretation of the tapetum as a tissue that lines the capsule locule and has the specialized ultrastructure characteristic of the secretory tissues. Therefore, contrary to the opinion of some researchers, we believe that neither pseudoelaters nor the lining layer of the capsule wall should be considered a tapetum. Columella cells have a structural specialization for upward transport of assimilates, and they should not be regarded as a tapetum. We suppose that tapetum was absent in the common ancestor of the hornworts as well as in the common ancestor of embryophytes.
Dual biologic or small-molecule therapy in patients with atopic dermatitis: a systematic review
Authors: Metko Dea , Mehta Shanti , McMullen Eric , Lam Megan , Croitoru David
Published: August 2024

We assess the safety and effectiveness of dual biologic and small-molecule therapies in treating atopic dermatitis (AD). Despite the advancements in AD treatments, many patients exhibit poor a response to monotherapies, prompting the exploration of novel combination therapies. This systematic review included 13 studies, highlighting significant improvements in AD severity and patient outcomes, including quality of life. While the results are promising, long-term safety remains uncertain, emphasizing the need for additional research.
Upadacitinib for the management of severe alopecia areata in adolescent patients: a single-centre retrospective study
Authors: Picone Vincenzo , Nappa Paola , Napolitano Maddalena , Vastarella Maria , Patruno Cataldo , Cantelli Mariateresa
Published: August 2024

Alopecia areata (AA) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by nonscarring hair loss on the scalp and body. This is a retrospective single-centre study, performed at the trichology outpatient clinic of the University Federico II of Naples from January 2023 to January 2024, on a case series of 15 adolescent patients (12–17 years old) with severe AA who were treated for at least 24 weeks with off-label use of upadacitinib. Treatment with upadacitinib has a promising efficacy and safety profile in the treatment of severe AA in adolescent patients.
Dermatopathology
Authors: Wong Vidette , Hunter Claire , Hunter Helen Louise
Published: August 2024

A 48-year-old man presented with a new, large, painless, pedunculated lesion on his right medial thigh. It had grown rapidly over the course of a month with no history of trauma or of a pre-existing lesion at the site. Clinical images and histopathological correlations were reviewed and the diagnosis subsequently discussed.
Severe intraprosthetic aortic insufficiency immediately after implantation of a SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA valve with spontaneous resolution: case report
Authors: Diaz Juan Armando , Kobayashi Ken , Hachinohe Daisuke , Horita Ryo , Shitan Hidemasa
Published: August 2024

Background

Aortic insufficiency (AI) is often encountered in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) but is only rarely haemodynamically significant. Even more uncommon is the occurrence of intraprosthetic AI that often leads to haemodynamic compromise requiring additional therapeutic intervention.

Case summary

An 85-year-old female with severe aortic stenosis underwent elective TAVR with a size 23 mm SAPIEN 3 Ultra RESILIA (S3UR) valve. After implantation, the patient developed hypotension. Transthoracic as well as transoesophageal echocardiogram identified significant transvalvular AI. Persistence of AI led the team to consider a TAV-in-TAV strategy. Before a second valve system could be inserted, the patient’s blood pressure improved and AI resolved spontaneously. The patient was discharged and recovered with no AI on follow-up imaging studies.

Discussion

This is the first reported case of significant intraprosthetic AI with the new S3UR in our literature search as of writing. The new S3UR valve has several improvements from previous generations designed to increase valve area and durability as well as decreasing the incidence of paravalvular and intraprosthetic leaks. A stuck leaflet was inferred as the cause of the intraprosthetic AI, and the improved design with excessive expansion may have led to this. Unlike previous case reports, intraprosthetic AI resolved without further intervention likely due to the turbulence of flow releasing the stuck leaflet. Cautious observation prevented the need for a TAV-in-TAV for a rare and possibly catastrophic complication.
Unraveling Twisted Pouch Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Classification, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Authors: Holubar Stefan D
Published: August 2024

Background

We recently described a cluster of symptoms known as twisted pouch syndrome that rarely affects patients with ileoanal pouches. Herein, we present a narrative review in which we describe the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of twisted pouch syndrome, with a focus on a simple classification schema.

Methods

Diagnostic signs from endoscopic and radiological examinations, treatment, and prevention strategies are presented.

Results

Patients with twisted pouch syndrome suffer from a triad of obstructive symptoms, erratic bowel habits, and pain which may be severe, debilitating visceral pain, all in the setting of a mechanical pouch abnormality. Diagnostic modalities include imaging, careful pouchoscopy, functional testing, diagnostic laparoscopy or laparotomy, and recently 3-dimensional pouchography. Classification of twisted pouch syndrome is based on the location and degree of rotation of the pouch and its mesentery. Outlet twists may result when the distal pouch rotates >90° to 360° clockwise inadvertently during anastomosis; when only the distal most pouch is twisted, it results in an iris-like deformity of the pouch outlet, or when the distal half of the pouch is twisted, a mid-pouch stenosis and an hourglass-shaped pouch may result. Inlet twists are either a full 360° (mesentery posterior), unintentional 180° (mesentery anterior), or 90° counterclockwise twists. Both inlet and outlet twists are fixed deformities and may only be reduced by disconnecting the entire pouch from the anus. If they result in twisted pouch syndrome, a redo pouch procedure or pouch excision is required to reduce the twist; 90° counterclockwise twists may undergo pouch inlet transposition. Adhesive twists result when the pouch becomes fixed in the pelvis in an abnormal configuration, such as when the efferent limb becomes twisted underneath the afferent limb secondary to an occult tip of the J leak, and may be reduced by pelvic adhesiolysis with or without pouch revision.

Conclusions

Pouches may rarely be inadvertently twisted during construction or twisted owing to adhesive disease or leaks. A high index of suspicion is needed to establish the diagnosis. We present a simple classification of twisted pouch syndrome that may aid in the prevention and recognition of these often difficult to diagnose postoperative complications.
Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Ustekinumab and Anti-TNF in Elderly Crohn’s Disease Patients
Authors: Gebeyehu Gerum Gashaw , Broglio Giacomo , Liu Eleanor , Limdi Jimmy K , Selinger Christian , Fiske Joseph , Razanskaite Violeta , Smith Philip J , Flanagan Paul K , Subramanian Sreedhar
Published: August 2024

Background

Biologic therapies are associated with increased infection risk among elderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, there are few data on the safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab compared with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents in the elderly.

Methods

The study sought to compare the safety and effectiveness of ustekinumab and anti-TNF agents in elderly Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Patients ≥60 years of age who commenced ustekinumab or an anti-TNF agent for CD were included in this retrospective multicenter cohort. The primary outcome was incidence of serious infections requiring hospitalization. Effectiveness was assessed by clinical remission, clinical response, and treatment persistence rates at 6 months. We adjusted for confounders using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and performed a logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with serious infections, clinical remission, and treatment persistence.

Results

Eighty-three patients commencing ustekinumab and 124 commencing anti-TNF therapy were included. There was no difference in serious infection rates between anti-TNF agents (2.8%) and ustekinumab (3.1%) (P = .924) after propensity adjustment. Clinical remission rates were comparable at 6 months for ustekinumab (55.9%) and anti-TNF agents (52.4%) (P = .762). There was a significant reduction in HBI at 6 months in both groups. Treatment persistence was comparable between ustekinumab (90.6%) and anti-TNF agents (90.0%) at 6 months. Cox regression analysis did not show differences in treatment persistence (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-2.61; P = .594) and serious infection incidence (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-7.57; P = .709) by 6 months.

Conclusions

We observed comparable safety and effectiveness for ustekinumab and anti-TNF agents in treating elderly CD patients.
The Migrant Personal Work Relation: A New Category of Employment
Authors: Beadsworth Jack
Published: August 2024

The relationship between UK immigration law and labour law is increasingly intertwined and complex. Migrant workers are regularly incorporated into the labour market on an unequal and instrumental basis as economic commodities. A central aim of this paper is to expand our conceptual understanding of the legal nature and form of migrant employment. I contend that the regulatory integration of immigration law with labour law into a distinct, intermediate legal framework of 'migrant labour law' challenges and disrupts existing categories of employment classification and orthodox conceptions of modern employment. It does so by constructing ‘migrant personal work relations’ with a unique hybrid legal character of private contract and public immigration status, using migrants’ private capacities to regulate their relationship with the state and vice versa. Central to this endeavour is an idea of labour regulation that incorporates immigration norms of conditionality, deportability, deterrence and immobility into the construction of the migrant personal work relation. Five elements of the migrant personal work relation illustrate its hybrid character: formation, structure, content, variation, and termination. The interplay of public and private law doctrines exhibits immigration status distorting the employment contract and shows that migrant employment cannot be explained on a contractual basis. As a result, we start observing a juridical divide between migrant workers and citizen workers as separate legal subjects allocated to different regulatory regimes. It constitutes a whole new category of employment. Finally, the article examines the implications of its construction and legal character for its power dynamics. I argue that vulnerability to exploitation is a structural feature of the ‘migrant personal work relation’, such that it is a vulnerability-inducing legal institution. It exacerbates the pre-existing asymmetrical distribution of power and creates special vulnerabilities additional to those ordinarily present.
Phage resistance mutations affecting the bacterial cell surface increase susceptibility to fungi in a model cheese community
Authors: Spencer-Drakes Tara C J , Sarabia Angel , Heussler Gary , Pierce Emily C , Morin Manon , Villareal Steven , Dutton Rachel J
Published: August 2024

Diverse populations of bacteriophages infect and coevolve with their bacterial hosts. Although host recognition and infection occur within microbiomes, the molecular mechanisms underlying host–phage interactions within a community context remain poorly studied. The biofilms (rinds) of aged cheeses contain taxonomically diverse microbial communities that follow reproducible growth patterns and can be manipulated under laboratory conditions. In this study, we use cheese as a model for studying phage–microbe interactions by identifying and characterizing a tractable host–phage pair co-occurring within a model Brie-like community. We isolated a novel bacteriophage, TS33, that kills Hafnia sp. JB232, a member of the model community. TS33 is easily propagated in the lab and naturally co-occurs in the cheese community, rendering it a prime candidate for the study of host–phage interactions. We performed growth assays of the Hafnia, TS33, and the fungal community members, Geotrichum candidum and Penicillium camemberti. Employing Random Barcode Transposon Sequencing experiments, we identified candidate host factors that contribute to TS33 infectivity, many of which are homologs of bacterial O-antigen genes. Hafnia mutants in these genes exhibit decreased susceptibility to phage infection, but experience negative fitness effects in the presence of the fungi. Therefore, mutations in O-antigen biosynthesis homologs may have antagonistic pleiotropic effects in Hafnia that have major consequences for its interactions with the rest of the community. Ongoing and future studies aim to unearth the molecular mechanisms by which the O-antigen of Hafnia mediates its interactions with its viral and fungal partners.
Rhinestone Cowboys: The Problem of Country Music Costuming
Authors: Malone Emmie
Published: August 2024

In this paper, I attempt to answer the problem of country music costuming. That is, how can we reconcile the practical identity associated with country music with the image of the male country singer as the “rhinestone cowboy.” This is the question of how to make sense of the rural, working-class, ruggedly, and traditionally masculine persona common to the genre and seemingly endorsed by it with the elaborately embroidered, brightly colored, and highly embellished fashion of the genre. The intractability of this problem has led some to argue that the simplest solution is to just deny country music authenticity discourse altogether. I argue that by accounting for country music authenticity in terms of the genre’s being a dual character concept, we can fully address the skeptic’s worries. Beyond merely rendering the rhinestone encrusted “Nudie” suit compatible with country music aesthetic practice, this account also helps us make sense of the aesthetic value of country music costuming, and its potentially gender queer function.
Approximating Rayleigh scattering in exoplanetary atmospheres using physics-informed neural networks
Authors: Dahlbüdding David , Molaverdikhani Karan , Ercolano Barbara , Grassi Tommaso
Published: August 2024

This research introduces an innovative application of physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to tackle the intricate challenges of radiative transfer (RT) modelling in exoplanetary atmospheres, with a special focus on efficiently handling scattering phenomena. Traditional RT models often simplify scattering as absorption, leading to inaccuracies. Our approach utilizes PINNs, noted for their ability to incorporate the governing differential equations of RT directly into their loss function, thus offering a more precise yet potentially fast modelling technique. The core of our method involves the development of a parametrized PINN tailored for a modified RT equation, enhancing its adaptability to various atmospheric scenarios. We focus on RT in transiting exoplanet atmospheres using a simplified 1D isothermal model with pressure-dependent coefficients for absorption and Rayleigh scattering. In scenarios of pure absorption, the PINN demonstrates its effectiveness in predicting transmission spectra for diverse absorption profiles. For Rayleigh scattering, the network successfully computes the RT equation, addressing both direct and diffuse stellar light components. While our preliminary results with simplified models are promising, indicating the potential of PINNs in improving RT calculations, we acknowledge the errors stemming from our approximations as well as the challenges in applying this technique to more complex atmospheric conditions. Specifically, extending our approach to atmospheres with intricate temperature-pressure profiles and varying scattering properties, such as those introduced by clouds and hazes, remains a significant area for future development.
A numerical study of near-Earth asteroid family orbital dispersion
Authors: Humpage A , Christou A A
Published: August 2024

We have studied the evolution of near-Earth asteroid (NEA) families and pairs to inform future searches. To do so, we integrated clusters of simulated NEAs with different initial conditions, namely the orbital inclination, ejection speed, and the effects of mean-motion resonances on the parent body prior to breakup while also varying the orbit, mass, and number of perturbing planetary bodies. We studied the orbital element dispersion rates of NEA family members and found a power-law increase in those families whose orbits brought them close to a planet. This allowed us to conclude that family dispersion is significantly affected by the Kozai–Lidov effect due to oscillations in the eccentricity, and that the rate of dispersion is slowest at high inclination relatively far from the nearest planet. In most cases, the ejection speed of the initial breakup does not affect the dispersion, except within weaker mean-motion resonances where more violent breakups will result in the ejection of a fraction of the asteroids, causing a large increase in dispersion. Within mean-motion resonances, where Kozai–Lidov oscillations are slowed, increases in the dispersion of a family are delayed, leading them to be identifiable for longer.
A comparative study of radio signatures from winds and jets: modelling synchrotron emission and polarization
Authors: Meenakshi Moun , Mukherjee Dipanjan , Bodo Gianluigi , Rossi Paola , Harrison Chris M
Published: August 2024

Outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are seen in numerous compact sources; however, it has remained unclear how to distinguish between the driving mechanisms, such as winds and jets. Therefore, our study aims to offer observational insights from simulations to aid in this distinction. Specifically, in this paper, we investigate the evolution of wide-angled moderately relativistic magnetized winds and analyse their non-thermal radio emission and polarization properties. We find that the evolution of winds varies depending on factors such as power, density, and opening angle, which in turn influence their observable characteristics. Additionally, different viewing angles can lead to varying observations. Furthermore, we note distinctions in the evolution of winds compared to jets, resulting in disparities in their observable features. Jets typically exhibit a thin spine and hotspot(s). Winds manifest broader spines or an ‘hourglass-shaped’ bright emission in the cocoon, which are capped by bright arcs. Both display high polarization coinciding with the bright spine and hotspots/arcs, although these regions are relatively compact and localized in jets when compared to winds. We emphasize the importance of high resolution, as we demonstrate that emission features from both jets and winds can become indistinguishable at lower resolutions. The distribution of polarization is largely unaffected by resolution, though lower polarization becomes more noticeable when the resolution is decreased.
New onset of giant cell arteritis with ischaemic optic neuropathy following the seventh dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccination: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ohmura Shin-ichiro , Yonezawa Haruka , Yukishima Toshitaka , Gohto Yuko , Obana Akira
Published: August 2024

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines have demonstrated excellent efficacy in reducing the morbidity and severity of the disease. However, some patients have been reported to develop systemic rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, myocarditis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and giant cell arteritis (GCA) following COVID-19 vaccination. We present a case of GCA with ischaemic optic neuropathy following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. A 73-year-old woman developed headache, myalgia, scalp tenderness, and jaw claudication 4 days after her seventh dose of the vaccination; she also developed severe visual disturbances 1 month after the vaccination. The blood examination tests showed an increased serum C-reactive protein level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The echogram for the temporal artery showed a halo sign. Ophthalmic examination revealed ischaemic optic neuropathy in both eyes. The patient was treated with a high-dose glucocorticoid and tocilizumab under the diagnosis of GCA with ischaemic optic neuropathy, obtaining mild improvement of the symptoms. This report underscores the need for clinical vigilance and further data collection regarding GCA cases after COVID-19 vaccination.
BSBM-01 THE ROLE OF SEROTONERGIC RECEPTOR, HTR2B IN THE BRAIN METASTASIS FROM A CANCER NEUROSCIENCE PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Neman Josh , Iyer Mukund
Published: August 2024

Greater than 12% of cancer patients develop brain metastases and median survival remains an abysmal 4-6 months. Throughout the metastatic cascade, tumor cells attract and reprogram stromal cells, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which support cancer growth by promoting tissue remodeling, EMT, invasion, immunosuppression, angiogenesis. Once tumor cells have breached the brain’s CNS defenses, infiltrating immune cells can penetrate the glia limitans and enter the CNS parenchyma to help establish the brain metastatic niche. However, there is scant understanding of MDSC’s contribution to the brain metastatic microenvironment. The brain metastatic environment is particularly unique because CNS-resident cells such as microglia, astrocytes, choroid plexus, and neurons function as local mediators to alter invading immune cell plasticity and differentiation. We now demonstrate that MDSCs in the brain environment upregulate the serotonergic receptor, HTR2B, to increase levels of pNF-κB and its associated signaling genes (IL-6, IL-1B, COX2, CXCL2, NOS2). HTR2B modulation in MDSCs alters their pNF-κB activation and downregulates expression of pNF-κB signaling genes. Additionally, MDSCs in this environment support tumor cell proliferation while hindering their acquisition of neuronal traits. A better understanding of the role of HTR2B in brain metastasis may allow us to develop new treatment strategies for patients of this devastating disease.
BSBM-03 TARGETABLE GENE EXPRESSION CHANGES MEDIATE EXTRAVASATION OF BREAST CANCER CELLS FROM THE CIRCULATION AND LOCAL PROLIFERATION IN THE BRAIN
Authors: Kalistratova Venina , Morshed Ramin , Chalif Eric , Gill Sabraj , Khela Harmon , Lad Meeki , Sati Ankita , Mathur Aakriti , Aghi Manish
Published: August 2024

As breast cancer migrates into the brain, it acquires distinct genomic, immunologic and phenotypic changes through interactions with the local microenvironment. We sought to determine how targetable gene expression changes mediate breast cancer extravasation into and proliferation within the brain. We created a brain metastatic cell line (“brain-seeking”) via serial intracardiac injection of mCherry+ 4T1 breast cancer cells in Balb/c mice and flow cytometry isolation of micrometastases. We conducted in vitro and in-vivo studies to uncover immunological and genetic differences between primary breast cancer and brain metastases. In culture, we observed significant upregulation in adhesion (p=0.01) and invasion (p=0.0004) along with upregulation of adhesion-promoting genes such as Sdc3, Serpine2 or ECM1 in the brain-seeking cells. We observed significant differences in survival of Balb/c mice injected intracranially with brain-seeking cells compared to the 4T1 breast cancer cells (p=0.04). In the mammary fat pad (MFP), parental 4T1 cells caused increased mortality compared to brain-seeking cells (p=0.003). This rejection of brain-seeking 4T1 cells in the MFP could be due to their prior adaptation to the brain microenvironment, while rejection of parental 4T1 cells in the brain microenvironment could be due to them lacking those adaptations. Consistent with this finding, of 20,382 analyzed genes in both cell lines, 108 related to immune regulation were significantly upregulated in brain-seeking cells including Cxcl1, Dusp1, C3. Flow cytometry showed increased cytotoxic and helper T cells in intracranially injected parental 4T1 cells vs. brain-seeking cells (p <0.001). In the MFP, however, 4T1 parental cells displayed CD3+ T cell depletion and an increased number of neutrophils (p <0.05) while the “brain-seeking cells” showed increased numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ cells (p <0.01) and macrophages (p<0.05). These findings suggest that brain metastases evolve from their primary tumor through adhesive and invasive adaptations promoting extravasation, along with unique immunological adaptations that allow them to proliferate free of immune surveillance in the brain microenvironment.
BSBM-06 SINGLE-CELL SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF METASTATIC BRAIN TUMORS REVEALS INTRACELLULAR BACTERIAL SIGNAL AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH THE TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT
Authors: Morad Golnaz , Damani Ashish , Melendez Brenda , Singh Bharat , Wong Matthew , Sahasrabhojane Pranoti , Hoballah Yasmine , Veguilla Fabiana , Losh Jillian , Ajami Nadim , Ferguson Sherise , Wargo Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Metastatic brain tumors are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent trials have demonstrated the potential efficacy of immunotherapy for the management of brain metastasis (BrM), albeit in only a subset of patients. Understanding the BrM microenvironment and identifying the factors that shape this complex milieu can facilitate optimizing treatment strategies for this disease. The microbiome has been recognized as a hallmark of cancer with a major role in shaping response to immunotherapy. However, the role of the microbiome in BrM is largely unknown. We have previously reported that bacterial signals can be detected in BrM tumors via metagenomic analyses and staining. Here we present the spatial correlation between the intra-tumoral bacterial signal and the transcriptional changes in the tumor microenvironment. Tissue digital spatial profiling (DSP) and single-cell DSP were conducted on BrM tissue microarrays using the NanoString GeoMx® and CosMx® platforms, respectively. These assays incorporated a custom panel of pan-bacterial 16S rRNA probes, enabling a comparison between tumor regions and cells that showed a positive signal for bacterial 16S rRNA versus those that did not. DSP of BrM tumors revealed anti-bacterial responses and enrichment of innate immune activity in areas with 16S signal, suggesting an active host response to intra-tumoral 16S signals. Furthermore, single-cell DSP demonstrated a heterogenous distribution of cell types harboring the 16S signal in the tumor microenvironment. In tumor cells, intracellular 16S signal was associated with an upregulation of transcripts related to neuroinflammation, chemokine, and interleukin signaling. Furthermore, immune transcriptional changes were identified in the immediate neighborhood of 16S-positive cells. Overall, this study introduces bacterial signals as a novel element within metastatic brain tumors and demonstrates their association with anti-bacterial responses and immune activity. These findings set the foundation for future mechanistic and translational studies to evaluate microbiome modulation strategies in enhancing care for brain metastasis.
BSBM-08 FGFR1 PROMOTES ER+ BREAST CANCER BRAIN METASTASIS AND MODULATES INTERACTIONS WITH NEURONS
Authors: Fox Morgan , Jaramillo-Gomez Jenny A , Alvarez-Eraso Karen L F , Contreras-Zarate Maria J , Koliavas Stella , Sartorius Carol , Kabos Peter , Wellberg Elizabeth , Cittelly Diana
Published: August 2024

While triple-negative and HER2+ breast cancer (BC) have higher rates of brain metastasis (BM), BM affect 16% of metastatic ER+ BC patients, and often occur in older or post-menopausal women. Preclinical models of ER+ BCBM require exogenous estrogen (E2) supplementation and are often performed in young mice. Hence, lack of clinically relevant models mimicking the progression of BM in the E2-deprived or aged microenvironment has hindered a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying ER+ BM. FGFR1-amplification is the only genomic alternation shown to predict increased risk of late metastatic recurrence in anti-estrogen-treated ER+ BC, paracrine activation of FGFR1 has been shown to promote tumor progression of ER+ BC in postmenopausal mouse models, and canonical FGF2/FGFR1 signaling decreases in the brain with aging. Thus, we hypothesize that FGFR1 plays non-canonical functions in the brain TME that support ER+ BCBM in the aged/E2-depleted brain TME. To define the dependency on E2 and aging, UCD65 (ER+ PDX, FGFR1-amp-14x) cells were intracardially injected into young-OVX mice (<14weeks), young-OVX mice +E2, and aged-naïve mice (52+weeks), and metastases quantified via IVIS. In young mice, E2 promoted BM in 61% mice compared to 0% in OVX mice. By contrast, 38% of aged-naïve mice presented BM, suggesting increased promotion of BM in aged mice. BMs in aged-naïve mice did not result from low E2 levels, as independent studies showed similar incidence of BM in aged-naïve vs aged-OVX mice. FGFR1 knockdown in UCD12 (ER+ PDX, FGFR1-amp-12x) and UCD65 did not alter proliferation alone in vitro, but reduced growth in organotypic coculture and decreased BM colonization and outgrowth in vivo in aged mice. Mechanistically, FGFR1 KD decreased density of synapses (punctate colocalization PSD95 and Synapsin) in UCD65 spheres plated with organotypic brain slices. Ongoing studies are defining the role of neuronal activity to promote FGFR1-dependent colonization of ER+ BCBM.