bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the use of natural colonization to create new forests within temperate agriculturally dominated landscapes
Authors: Bauld Joshua , Guy Matthew , Hughes Samuel , Forster Jack , Watts Kevin
Published: September 2023

There is a global drive to increase forest cover to protect biodiversity and help combat climate change. Tree planting is widely used to increase forest cover, although there is growing interest in using natural processes. However, predicting the outcome of natural colonization is challenging as it is a highly variable process and evidence is sparse, especially in temperate landscapes. Our study aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal scale over which natural colonization may be an effective approach to create new forests within temperate agriculturally dominated landscapes. We examine the spatial patterns in tree density and height across 90 sites in the United Kingdom that attempted to use natural colonization to create new forests between 1994 and 2004. Tree density and tree height were measured using light detecting and ranging point cloud data, an increasingly common technique for surveying forest characteristics. This research shows that natural colonization is a highly variable, relatively slow process in temperate agricultural landscapes, spatially restricted to a narrow fringe around existing forests and trees (105 m; 95% CI: 70–174 m, within approximately 19 years), although exact distances vary with former land use. This suggests that in some circumstances natural colonization will need to be assisted and supplemented with tree planting to increase forest cover, especially in areas away from a seed source. In reality, a blend of approaches will be needed to meet policy and land manager objectives, increase forest cover and tackle the biodiversity and climate crises.
Formation of magnesium‐clay in a lacustrine microbialite‐bearing carbonate deposit, Eocene Green River Formation, Sanpete County, Utah
Authors: Cupertino Daniel F. , Ramnani Camila Wense , Vanden Berg Michael D. , Awramik Stanley M.
Published: September 2023

Authigenic magnesium‐clays have been observed and documented in the Green River Formation, specifically as ooidal stevensite grains. Magnesian clays are a valuable proxy for reconstructing shallow‐water, saline–alkaline lake palaeoenvironments due to their responses to chemical changes. Magnesium‐rich clay minerals are relatively common components in modern and ancient lake systems. A rare interaction of lacustrine magnesian clays, microbialites, carbonates and volcanoclastic deposits of the Eocene Green River Formation crop out in Sanpete Valley, Utah, USA. The characterization of this interaction, Mg‐rich clay and carbonate minerals genesis, the environmental controls on Mg‐rich clay minerals distribution and accumulation is still poorly understood. This study has identified various species of Mg‐clay minerals (stevensite, mixed‐layer kerolite–stevensite and sepiolite), along with calcite and dolomite, found in four Mg‐clay‐bearing lithofacies: (i) Mg‐clay stromatolites; (ii) Mg‐clay arenites; (iii) Mg‐claystone; and (iv) intraclastic Mg‐clay hybrid arenites and conglomerates. Magnesium‐clay bearing rocks from the Sanpete Valley area were deposited in a south‐western, shallow embayment of Eocene Lake Uinta along the margin of the Sevier fold and thrust belt. Sanpete Valley's Mg‐clay‐bearing section shows syngenetic mineralogical paragenesis with neoformation of magnesian clays accompanied by calcite and silica. Regional chronostratigraphic correlation of Sanpete Valley's Mg‐clay‐bearing section with the Uinta Basin was made by zircon U–Pb dating (laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry) of two tuff beds. Stevensite and kerolite are precipitated under very specific conditions. This study presents a depositional model, considering evidence from the authigenic mineralogy, facies, fossil evidence and basin context. All of these findings allow a comprehensive analysis of the lithostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic evolution of this isolated bay system, as well as texture classification. This study provides analogue for detailed correlation and comparison to other basins containing similar Mg‐clay and microbialite‐bearing deposits.
Gravitational resedimentation as a fundamental process in filling fjords: Lessons from outcrops from a late Palaeozoic fjord in Namibia
Authors: Menozzo da Rosa Eduardo , Isbell John L. , McNall Natalie , Fedorchuk Nicholas , Swart Roger
Published: September 2023

The stratigraphic architecture of fjords is complicated due to the delicate interplay between ice dynamics, sediment supply, relative sea‐level fluctuations and slope failures. Glaciogenic sediment is prone to failure and to be carried downslope to the fjord floor through the entire spectrum of mass movements and subaqueous density flows, as the unstable paraglacial submarine landscape moves towards stability. Palaeofjords formed by Gondwanan glaciers during the late Palaeozoic Ice Age contain a compelling record of gravitational resedimentation in fjord depositional systems. This paper showcases the geomorphology and depositional history of a glacial cycle in the Orutanda fjord in north‐western Namibia as an example of an overdeepened fjord basin fill dominated by products of subaqueous gravitational processes. During glaciation, the Orutanda glacier carved a 20 km long by 3.7 km wide glacial trough that embodies an overdeepened basin. Ice thickness during terminal glacial occupation of the fjord is estimated to had been up to 200 m based on the fjord geomorphology. The progressive retreat of the tidewater glacier, concomitant with marine flooding, increased accommodation space in the overdeepened basin during deglaciation. During this stage, proglacial sedimentation through iceberg rafting and settling of turbid plumes was outpaced by intense paraglacial downslope resedimentation of glacially‐transported debris. Successive failures from the fjord walls and downslope resedimentation resulted in coalescing debrite–turbidite lobes on the fjord floor. Slide deposits, composed entirely of deformed debrites and turbidites, indicate that these resedimented facies were prone to renewed mass wasting. As the Orutanda glacier melted, the fjord experienced the axial progradation of a fjord‐head delta registered only by turbidites and slide deposits derived from its collapse. The Orutanda fjord sheds light on the relevance of paraglacial mass wasting in overprinting glaciogenic deposits. This insight is key to understanding the role of glaciers versus non‐glacial processes in producing the glacial deep‐time record.
Successful treatment of Rhodococcus lung abscess and empyema thoracis in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Namsiripongpun Warunyu , Yingchoncharoen Teerapat , Ngodngamthaweesuk Montien , Sukprapruet Araya , Naratreekoon Bundit , Bruminhent Jackrapong
Published: September 2023

Rhodococcosis is an uncommon cause of pulmonary infection in thoracic organ transplant recipients. We describe a heart transplant recipient diagnosed with Rhodococcus equi left upper lung abscess with empyema thoracis complicated by bacteremia. The patient was successfully treated with appropriate antibiotics, adequate surgical resection, and optimization of immunosuppressants.
Noninvasive screening of fetal RHD genotype in Chinese pregnant women with serologic RhD‐negative phenotype
Authors: Duan Honglei , Li Jie , Jiang Zihan , Shi Xiaohong , Hu Yali
Published: September 2023

Background

Noninvasive fetal RHD genotyping has been provided to nonimmunized RhD‐negative pregnant women to guide anti‐D prophylaxis. Among the Chinese, more than 30% of the RhD‐negative phenotype is associated with variant RHD alleles, which would limit the accuracy of fetal RHD status prediction; thus, more targeting and proper programs need to be developed.

Study Design and Methods

Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction PCR (qPCR) or Sanger sequencing on all RHD exons was used to detect maternal RHD genotypes. For pregnant women with RHD*01N.01 or RHD*01N.03 alleles, the presence of RHD exons 5 and 10 in cell‐free DNA was determined by qPCR. For pregnant women with the RHD(1227G>A) allele, high‐throughput sequencing on exon 9 of the RHD gene and RHCE gene was used to predict fetal RhD phenotype.

Results

Among 65 cases of Chinese pregnant women with the serologic RhD‐negative phenotype, three major genotypes were identified: RHD*01N.01/RHD*01N.01 (61.5%), RHD*01N.01/RHD(1227G>A) or RHD*01N.03/RHD(1227G>A) (20%), and RHD*01N.01/RHD*01N.03 (13.8%), along with three cases of minor genotypes (4.6%). For 43 pregnant women with the RHD*01N.01 or RHD*01N.03 alleles, qPCR on maternal cell‐free DNA yielded a 98.5% (42/43) accuracy rate and 100% successful prediction rate. High‐throughput sequencing was successfully used to predict fetal RhD phenotypes for 13 pregnant women with RHD(1227G>A).

Conclusion

On the basis of maternal RHD genotyping, fetal genotyping through qPCR or high‐throughput sequencing can improve the accuracy and success rate of prenatal fetal RhD phenotype prediction among Chinese pregnant women. It plays a potential role in guiding anti‐D prophylaxis and pregnancy management in Chinese pregnant women.
The least developed countries' Services Waiver, Aid for Trade for services and services exports
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm
Published: September 2023

In 2011, Trade Ministers of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) adopted a Decision that allows WTO Members to accord preferential treatment to services and service suppliers originating in least‐developed countries (LDCs). In 2013, another Ministerial Decision was adopted to operationalise the 2011 Waiver Decision. This paper has examined whether the Waiver Decision had been effective in promoting LDCs' commercial modern and traditional services exports and whether Aid for Trade (AfT) flows in favour of the services sectors were instrumental in achieving this objective. The analysis has used 43 LDCs over the period 2005–2018 and the difference‐in‐difference framework along with the two‐step system generalised method of moments estimator. The control group includes 20 Low‐Income Countries (designated as such by the International Monetary Fund) from which LDCs (as defined by the United Nations) are excluded. The analysis has revealed that the Waiver Decision led to higher modern commercial services exports at the expense of traditional commercial services exports. Moreover, as LDCs improved their trading capacity over time (thanks to the cumulative AfT flows for services), the Waiver Decision induced greater modern commercial services exports, but exerted a mixed effect on LDCs' traditional services exports.
A BROADER PERSPECTIVE ON “HUMANS”: ANALYSIS OF INSĀN IN TWELVER SHĪʿĪ PHILOSOPHY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ASTROTHEOLOGY
Authors: Ansar Abdullah , Haider Shahbaz
Published: September 2023

This article explores the essence of the human (insān) as it is understood in Twelver Shīʿī philosophy and mysticism. It presents a Shīʿī philosophical elucidation regarding the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligent lifeforms and what their relationship with “humanhood” might be. This line of reasoning is presented with a general sketch of how, in Shīʿī Islamic thought, a “human being” is characterized by specific traits and the relationship of human beings with the archetype of the Perfect Human (al‐Insān al‐Kāmil). Following this is a review of Shīʿī Imāmī traditions regarding extraterrestrial intelligent life and the plurality of worlds. This sequence ultimately allows for a unique analysis of humanhood according to the Shīʿī philosophical viewpoint and helps determine if the term “human” can be used for other intelligent beings with similar ontological features and intelligence levels.
"Shattering All Strings of the Soul": Joseph Martin Kraus, Haydn, and Sturm Und Drang
Authors: Diergarten Felix
Published: September 2023

Joseph Martin Kraus's Symphony in C minor, VB 142 (c. 1783), is often described as the composer's reference to Joseph Haydn's symphonies of the early 1770s, formerly known as the Sturm und Drang symphonies (a term with which Haydn research has been at log gerheads for decades
now). This article proposes a new interpretation of the work. The genesis of this symphony actually reflects a process of de-Haydnization, and the sympho ny sounds most like Haydn precisely in those moments where it does not evoke the topic previously known as Sturm und Drang and now
referred to as tempesta ("storm"). This topic, however, does indeed play a role in Kraus's symphony, but the model seems to be Gluck rather than Haydn. This opens a new perspective on the much-disputed relationship be tween music and the literary Sturm und Drang movement.
Wearable Sleep Monitoring System Based on Machine Learning Using Snoring Sound Signal
Authors: Xin Yi , Li Rui , Song Xuefeng , Wang Yuqi , Zhang Hanshuo , Chen Zhiying
Published: September 2023

According to the obstructive sleep apnea Syndrome (OSAS), a wearable sleep monitoring system is designed based on machine learning using snoring sound signal. The system picks up snoring signal via bone conduction sensor, and calculates the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). By analyzing the snoring signal in frequency domain, spectral entropy and other frequency-domain features are selected. Finally, the neural network classifier model is established. In the model, the input variables are eight frequency-domain features, and the output response is related to AHI value. Trained by machine learning, the result shows that the average accuracy in identifying the severity of the four kinds of OSAS categories is 59%. The system uses the measured data of snoring to analyze the symptoms of OSAS, so as to realize the preliminary forecast based on the snoring data. The system proposed in this paper has a good application development prospect in intelligent monitoring and medical instruments.
A Two-Stage Magnetically Enhanced Buoyancy Adjustment Actuator Based on Dielectric Elastomer
Authors: Cao Xunuo , Zhuo Jiangshan , Zou Weifeng , Li Xinge , Ruan Dongrui , Yang Xuxu , Zhou Fanghao , Li Tiefeng
Published: September 2023

The buoyancy adjustment capability is crucial for underwater robots. Dielectric elastomer (DE) is promising to be designed as inflatable actuators to achieve quiet, fast, and effective buoyancy adjustment. However, the buoyancy adjustment of DE actuators is limited by voltage amplification and controllability. This paper presents to solve the limitation of the DE buoyancy adjustment actuator by magnetic enhancement. An actuator is designed with a two-stage buoyancy adjustment capability. The two-stage adjustment strategy allows the actuator to achieve higher buoyancy adjustment at low voltage and controllable buoyancy adjustment at high voltage, where the switch between the two stages is achieved by tuning the snap of the magnet. A theoretical model is developed to assess the performance of the actuator in the two stages and describe the snap behavior. The experiment results agree with the simulation, and the actuator demonstrates the ability to adjust attitude by changing buoyancy at high voltages and rapidly ascending at low voltages. The multiple buoyancy adjustment capabilities of this actuator have the potential to enable the underwater robot to fulfill various complex task demands.
Effect of Hydrogen Enrichment on Transfer Matrices of Fully and Technically Premixed Swirled Flames
Authors: Blondé Audrey , Schuermans Bruno , Pandey Khushboo , Noiray Nicolas
Published: September 2023

Knowledge of flame responses to acoustic perturbations is of utmost importance to predict thermoacoustic instabilities in gas turbine combustors. However, measuring transfer functions linking acoustic quantities upstream and downstream of flames are very challenging in practical systems and these measurements can significantly deviate from state-of-the-art models. Moreover, there is a lack of studies investigating the effect of hydrogen enrichment on the response of natural gas (NG) flames. In this work, measurements of flame transfer matrices (FTMs) of turbulent H2/NG flames in an atmospheric combustor featuring an axial swirler burner have been performed, allowing us to unravel the transition between FTM in fully premixed (FP) and in technically premixed (TP) conditions. Furthermore, imaging of OH* chemiluminescence and OH-planar laser induced fluorescence are obtained for characterizing the topology of the flame for varying H2 fraction and mixing conditions. Transfer matrices are measured using the multimicrophone method for H2 fractions ranging from 12% to 43% in power. Afterward, the flame transfer functions (FTFs), which linearly relate the coherent fluctuations of the heat release rate to the acoustic velocity oscillations, are obtained from the FTM by using the Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions across the flame. Using the OH* chemiluminescence intensity as a surrogate for the heat release rate, the FTF based on this optical measurement is also extracted and compared to the one exclusively obtained with the multimicrophone method. As expected, the two different methods are in very good agreement for the FP case and significantly differ for the TP case. Indeed, chemiluminescence fluctuations cannot be directly linked to heat release rate fluctuations when the acoustic forcing induces equivalence ratio fluctuations at the flame, making the optical method unusable for TP configurations. We also show that the two methods agree in the high end of the explored excitation frequency range and we provide an explanation to this intriguing finding. Moreover, we investigate the sensitivity of the FTM measurement to the estimate of the speed of sound in the rig in FP conditions. Finally, the measured FTFs are fitted with FTF models based on multiple distributed time delays. This allows us to explain the frequency dependence and the hydrogen fraction dependence of the gain and the phase in FP and TP conditions.
Ceramic and Metal Additive Manufacturing of Monolithic Rotors From SiAlON and Inconel and Comparison of Aerodynamic Performance for 300W Scale Microturbines
Authors: Badum Lukas , Prochaska Thomas , Schwentenwein Martin , Cukurel Beni
Published: September 2023

The gas turbine industry is continuously developing and testing new materials and manufacturing methods to improve the performance and durability of hot section components, which are subjected to extreme conditions. SiAlON and Inconel 718 are especially desirable for turbomachinery applications due to their high strength and high-temperature capabilities. To demonstrate the viability of additive manufacturing for small-scale turbomachinery for 300W scale microturbines, a monolithic rotor with a design speed of 450,000 RPM containing radial turbine and compressor was developed considering additive manufacturing constraints. The geometry was manufactured from SiAlON and Inconel 718 using lithographic ceramic manufacturing and selective laser melting, respectively. The additive manufacturing and thermal process parameters as well as material characterization are described in detail. Surface and computerized tomography scans were conducted for both rotors. While the metallic rotor showed undesirable printing artifacts and a large number of defects, the ceramic part achieved a level of relative precision and surface quality similar to large-scale production via casting. To compare turbomachinery performance, an aerodynamic test facility was developed allowing to measure pressure ratios and efficiency of small compressors. The rotors were tested in engine-realistic speeds, achieving a compressor rotor pressure ratio of 2.2. The ceramic part showed superior efficiency and pressure ratio compared to the Inconel rotor. This can be explained by lower profile and incidence losses due to a higher fidelity physical representation of the model geometry and better surface finish.
Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition of molybdenum carbide and carbonitride films using bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(IV) dihydride and an H2/N2/Ar plasma
Authors: Kang Wangu , Ahn Ji Sang , Han Jeong Hwan
Published: September 2023

Molybdenum carbide (MoC) and molybdenum carbonitride (MoCN) films were successfully deposited by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) using bis(isopropylcyclopentadienyl)molybdenum(IV) dihydride [(iPrCp)2MoH2] as the Mo precursor at temperatures of 200−400 °C. To obtain the MoC and MoCN films, 4%H2/96%Ar (H2/Ar) and 4%H2/96%N2 (H2/N2) plasmas were selectively used as co-reactants, respectively. PEALD MoC and MoCN exhibited atomic layer deposition temperature windows of 200−400 and 250−300 °C with growth per cycle of 0.012 and 0.047 nm/cycle, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the 300 °C-grown MoC film prepared using an H2/Ar plasma contained Mo–C bonds and an atomic composition of MoC0.77. In contrast, the 300 °C-grown MoCN film prepared using an H2/N2 plasma exhibited Mo–C and Mo–N bonds, with an atomic composition of MoC0.31N0.23. The atomic composition of the PEALD MoCN films varied depending on the deposition temperature; at 200 °C, the carbon-rich MoC0.52N0.16 film was obtained, whereas the MoC0.23N0.23 film with a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 1 was grown at a higher temperature of 400 °C. The 300 °C-grown MoC film was crystallized into a cubic δ-MoC phase, whereas the PEALD MoCN film showed diffraction peaks corresponding to the hexagonal MoC and molybdenum nitride (MoN) structures. The as-deposited PEALD MoC and MoCN films at 300 °C exhibited resistivities of 600 and 3038 μΩ cm, respectively, and post-deposition annealing at 700−800 °C resulted in significantly low resistivities of 37−203 μΩ cm due to the formation of metallic Mo films.
TSLP shapes the pathogenic responses of memory CD4
+
T cells in eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Rochman Yrina , Kotliar Michael , Ben-Baruch Morgenstern Netali , Barski Artem , Wen Ting , Rothenberg Marc E.
Published: September 2023

The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) mediates type 2 immune responses, and treatments that interfere with TSLP activity are in clinical use for asthma. Here, we investigated whether TSLP contributes to allergic inflammation by directly stimulating human CD4
+
T cells and whether this process is operational in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a disease linked to variants in
TSLP
. We showed that about 10% of esophageal-derived memory CD4
+
T cells from individuals with EoE and less than 3% of cells from control individuals expressed the receptor for TSLP and directly responded to TSLP, as determined by measuring the phosphorylation of STAT5, a transcription factor activated downstream of TSLP stimulation. Accordingly, increased numbers of TSLP-responsive memory CD4
+
T cells were present in the circulation of individuals with EoE. TSLP increased the proliferation of CD4
+
T cells, enhanced type 2 cytokine production, induced the increased abundance of its own receptor, and modified the expression of 212 genes. The epigenetic response to TSLP was associated with an enrichment in BATF and IRF4 chromatin-binding sites, and these transcription factors were induced by TSLP, providing a feed-forward loop. The numbers of circulating and esophageal CD4
+
T cells responsive to TSLP correlated with the numbers of esophageal eosinophils, supporting a potential functional role for TSLP in driving the pathogenesis of EoE and providing the basis for a blood-based diagnostic test based on the extent of TSLP-induced STAT5 phosphorylation in circulating CD4
+
T cells. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic value of TSLP inhibitors for the treatment of EoE.
Daily fosfomycin versus levofloxacin for complicated urinary tract infections
Authors: Rouphael Nadine , Winokur Patricia , Keefer Michael C. , Traenkner Jessica , Drobeniuc Ana , Doi Yohei , Munsiff Sonal , Fowler Vance G. , Evans Scott , Oler Randolph E. , Tuyishimire Bonifride , Lee Marina , Ghazaryan Varduhi , Chambers Henry F. ,   DMID 15-0045 study group, Esper Annette , Rebolledo Paulina A. , Wiley Zanthia , Jacob Jesse T. , Mehta Aneesh , Kraft Colleen S , Wang Yun F , Bou Chaaya Rody G. , Fayad Danielle , Bechnak Amer , Macenczak Hollie , Dretler Alexandra , McCullough Michele Paine , Johnson Sara Jo , Beydoun Nour , Saklawi Youssef , Mulligan Mark , Alaaeddine Ghina , Bunce Catherine , Hardy Dwight , Antenozzi Susan , Moran Andrew , Almuntazar-Harris Malcolm , Wall Alison , Sumerel John , Kreder Karl , Takacs Elizabeth B. , Adler David , Mueller Margaret
Published: September 2023

Fosfomycin, approved in the United States only for cystitis, is an attractive alternative for oral treatment of outpatient complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) as it has antimicrobial activity against most common uropathogens. The study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label pragmatic superiority clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of oral fosfomycin versus oral levofloxacin strategies in cUTIs (FOCUS study). The trial compared two strategies for initial or step-down oral therapy of cUTI without bacteremia after 0–48 hours of parenteral antibiotic therapy. Subjects were assigned to 3 g of fosfomycin or 750 mg (or dose adjusted for kidney function) of levofloxacin daily for 5–7 days. Clinical and microbiological cures were assessed at the end of therapy (EOT) and test of cure (TOC) (approximately 21 days from the start of antibiotics). The trial did not meet accrual goals; thus, the results were descriptive. Only 51 subjects were included in the microbiological intention-to-treat population. The subjects were mainly females (76%), with a mean age of 46.7 years (standard deviation [SD] = 20.8) and acute pyelonephritis (88%). At the end of therapy, clinical cure remained similar (69% and 68% for fosfomycin and levofloxacin strategies, respectively), and microbiological success was 100% for both strategies. At the test of cure, clinical cure was similar (84% and 86% in the fosfomycin and levofloxacin strategies, respectively); however, a numerically lower microbiological success was observed for fosfomycin (69% compared to 84% for levofloxacin). These limited data suggest that fosfomycin could be an oral alternative as a step-down therapy for the treatment of cUTIs (registry number NCT 03697993).

IMPORTANCE

Concerns over resistance and safety have been identified in the current treatment regimen for complicated urinary tract infections. Fosfomycin is a drug that is routinely used for the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis. This study shows that fosfomycin could be an oral alternative as step-down therapy for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections, with a clinical cure rate comparable to levofloxacin but a lower microbiological success rate 3 weeks from start of antibiotics.
Composition and functional profiles of gut microbiota reflect the treatment stage, severity, and etiology of acute pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Zhenjiang , Guo Mingyi , Li Jing , Jiang Chuangming , Yang Sen , Zheng Shizhuo , Li Mingzhe , Ai Xinbo , Xu Xiaohong , Zhang Wenbo , He Xingxiang , Wang Yinan , Chen Yuping
Published: September 2023

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a type of digestive system disease with high mortality. Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota can participate in developing and treating acute pancreatitis by affecting the host’s metabolism. In this study, we followed 20 AP patients to generate longitudinal gut microbiota profiles and activity during disease (before treatment, on the third day of treatment, and 1 month after discharge). We analyzed species composition and metabolic pathways’ changes across the treatment phase, severity, and etiology. The diversity of the gut microbiome of patients with AP did not show much variation with treatment. In contrast, the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota, such as the essential chemical reactions that produce energy and maintain life, were partially reinstated after treatment. The severe AP (SAP) patients contained less beneficial bacteria (i.e.,
Bacteroides xylanisolvens
,
Clostridium lavalense,
and
Roseburia inulinivorans
) and weaker sugar degradation function than mild AP patients before treatment. Moreover, etiology was one of the drivers of gut microbiome composition and explained the 3.54% variation in species’ relative abundance. The relative abundance of pathways related to lipid synthesis was higher in the gut of hyperlipidemia AP patients than in biliary AP patients. The composition and functional profiles of the gut microbiota reflect the severity and etiology of AP. Otherwise, we also identified bacterial species associated with SAP, i.e.,
Oscillibacter
sp
.
57_20
, Parabacteroides johnsonii, Bacteroides stercoris, Methanobrevibacter smithii, Ruminococcus lactaris, Coprococcus comes,
and
Dorea formicigenerans
, which have the potential to identify the SAP at an early stage.

Importance

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a type of digestive system disease with high mortality. Previous studies have shown that gut microbiota can participate in the development and treatment of acute pancreatitis by affecting the host’s metabolism. However, fewer studies acquired metagenomic sequencing data to associate species to functions intuitively and performed longitudinal analysis to explore how gut microbiota influences the development of AP. We followed 20 AP patients to generate longitudinal gut microbiota profiles and activity during disease and studied the differences in intestinal flora under different severities and etiologies. We have two findings. First, the gut microbiota profile has the potential to identify the severity and etiology of AP at an early stage. Second, gut microbiota likely acts synergistically in the development of AP. This study provides a reference for characterizing the driver flora of severe AP to identify the severity of acute pancreatitis at an early stage.
Escherichia coli
cells are primed for survival before lethal antibiotic stress
Authors: Hossain Tahmina , Singh Abhyudai , Butzin Nicholas C.
Published: September 2023

Non-genetic factors can cause significant fluctuations in gene expression levels. Regardless of growing in a stable environment, this fluctuation leads to cell-to-cell variability in an isogenic population. This phenotypic heterogeneity allows a tiny subset of bacterial cells in a population called persister cells to tolerate long-term lethal antibiotic effects by entering into a non-dividing, metabolically repressed state. We occasionally noticed a high variation in persister levels, and to explore this, we tested clonal populations starting from a single cell using a modified Luria-Delbrück fluctuation test. Although we kept the conditions same, the diversity in persistence level among clones was relatively consistent: varying from ~60- to 100- and ~40- to 70-fold for ampicillin and apramycin, respectively. Then, we divided and diluted each clone to observe whether the same clone had comparable persister levels for more than one generation. Replicates had similar persister levels even when clones were divided, diluted by 1:20, and allowed to grow for approximately five generations. This result explicitly shows a cellular memory passed on for generations and eventually lost when cells are diluted to 1:100 and regrown (>seven generations). Our result demonstrates (1) the existence of a small population prepared for stress (“primed cells”) resulting in higher persister numbers; (2) the primed memory state is reproducible and transient, passed down for generations but eventually lost; and (3) a heterogeneous persister population is a result of a transiently primed reversible cell state and not due to a pre-existing genetic mutation.

IMPORTANCE

Antibiotics have been highly effective in treating lethal infectious diseases for almost a century. However, the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance is again causing these diseases to become life-threatening. The longer a bacteria can survive antibiotics, the more likely it is to develop resistance. Complicating matters is that non-genetic factors can allow bacterial cells with identical DNA to gain transient resistance (also known as persistence). Here, we show that a small fraction of the bacterial population called primed cells can pass down non-genetic information (“memory”) to their offspring, enabling them to survive lethal antibiotics for a long time. However, this memory is eventually lost. These results demonstrate how bacteria can leverage differences among genetically identical cells formed through non-genetic factors to form primed cells with a selective advantage to survive antibiotics.
Subgroup analysis of phase 2 study of ceftolozane/tazobactam in neonates and young infants with pyelonephritis
Authors: Roilides Emmanuel , Bradley John S. , Lonchar Julia , Huntington Jennifer A. , Wickremasingha Prachi , Su Feng-Hsiu , Bruno Christopher J. , Johnson Matthew G.
Published: September 2023

Ceftolozane/tazobactam is approved for the treatment of patients from birth to <18 y old with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). This post hoc analysis evaluated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of ceftolozane/tazobactam compared with meropenem in neonates and young infants. NCT03230838 was a phase 2, randomized, active comparator-controlled, double-blind study of patients from birth to <18 y of age with cUTI, including pyelonephritis, given ceftolozane/tazobactam or meropenem in a 3:1 ratio. This subset analysis included only neonates and young infants < 3 mo of age. The microbiologic modified intent-to-treat population (mMITT) included 20 patients (ceftolozane/tazobactam,
n
= 14; meropenem,
n
= 6). All patients had pyelonephritis at baseline; two patients in each treatment group had bacteremia (overall 4/20, 20%).
Escherichia coli
was the most common baseline pathogen (overall 16/20, 80%). Safety and efficacy results were similar between treatment groups and consistent with the overall pediatric population. There were no serious drug-related adverse events (AEs), no discontinuations due to AEs, and no AEs leading to death in either treatment group. For the ceftolozane/tazobactam and meropenem treatment groups, clinical cure rates in the mMITT population were 92.9% and 100%, respectively. The population PK analysis of neonates and young infants demonstrated similar ceftolozane and tazobactam exposures to those of adults, achieving pharmacodynamic targets associated with clinical and microbiologic cure. Ceftolozane/tazobactam has a favorable safety profile and achieves high clinical cure and microbiologic eradication rates in neonates and young infants < 3 mo of age with cUTI and pyelonephritis.

Importance

Extrapolation of antibacterial agent pharmacokinetics from adults to newborns and young infants may not be appropriate; similarly, the clinical manifestations of infectious diseases and outcomes following antibacterial treatment may not be similar. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is an antibacterial drug combination active against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and other multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. A clinical study led to the approval for ceftolozane/tazobactam in patients from birth to 18 y of age who have complicated urinary tract infections, including those with serious kidney infections. Based on data collected during that clinical study, we compared newborns and young infants who were treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam (14 patients) and those who were treated with meropenem (6 patients). We found that ceftolozane/tazobactam treatment of newborns and young infants up to 3 mo of age who have complicated urinary tract infections demonstrated a favorable safety profile and high clinical cure and microbiologic eradication rates, similar to meropenem.
A unique record of prokaryote cell pyritization
Authors: Barling Nathan , Saleh Farid , Ma Xiaoya
Published: September 2023

Prokaryotes, including bacteria, are a major component of both modern and ancient ecosystems. Although fossilized prokaryotes are commonly discovered in sedimentary rocks, it is rare to find them preserved in situ alongside macrofossils, particularly as pyritized cells in sites of exceptional fossil preservation. We examined prokaryotes preserved in the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil and demonstrate the widespread presence of spherical microorganisms preserved on the surface of Crato invertebrate fossils. These microorganisms were pyritized, covering decaying carcasses, 1.14 ± 0.01 μm in size, hollow with smooth surfaces, and can be found as aggregates resembling modern prokaryotes, particularly, coccoid bacterial colonies. It is likely that the observed microorganisms covered the carcasses before permissive conditions were established for pyritization, which must have been so rapid as to inhibit the autolysis of their delicate membranes. This is a new record of prokaryote fossils preserved in pyrite in association with macrofossils, which highlights the unique diagenetic and paleoenvironmental conditions of the Crato Formation that facilitated this mode of fossilization.
Supplemental Material: Slab breakoff diorite porphyries derived from two cratons in a continental subduction zone, Sulu orogen, China
Authors: Feng Peng , Wang Lu , et al.
Published: September 2023

Tables S1–S6, including mineral compositions, whole-rock chemical compositions, and U-Pb isotopes, trace elements and Lu-Hf isotopes of zircon; Figure S1, including mineral compositions.
Mustela strandi (Mustelidae, Carnivora) from the Early Pleistocene of Crimea
Authors: Gimranov D. O. , Jiangzuo Q. , Lavrov A. V. , Lopatin A. V.
Published: September 2023

The dentary of Mustela strandi Kormos, 1934 is described from the Lower Pleistocene deposits (Late Villafranchian, 1.8–1.5 Ma) of the Taurida cave in Crimea. It is the first finding of M. strandi in Russia. This extinct mustelid species is rarely found in the Lower and Middle Pleistocene of Central Europe.
Tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte subsets and their individual prognostic impact in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kakkar Aanchal , Thakur Rishikesh , Roy Diya , Sood Ridhi , Sharma Atul , Malhotra Rajeev Kumar , Thakar Alok
Published: September 2023

Aims

Current understanding of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is incomplete with regard to prognostic factors that lead to the considerable heterogeneity in treatment response and patient outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the impact of individual tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) subsets on prognosis as a possible rationale for this, in a retrospective observational study.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantitatively assess cell densities of CD3+, CD20+, CD4+, CD8+ and FOXP3+TIL subsets in 50 surgically treated OSCC cases. Results were correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Youden index were applied to determine prognostically significant cut-off values.

Results

Mean counts for CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+ and FOXP3+TILs were 243, 52, 132, 53 and 116 cells per high power field, respectively. High CD8+ and low FOXP3+TIL counts, and high ratio of CD8:FOXP3 were significantly associated with longer DFS and OS, as well as with improved tumour–host interface parameters.

Conclusions

Host immune response and its interaction with cancer cells have a significant impact on OSCC outcomes, with some TIL subsets being more clinically relevant than others. High cytotoxic T-cell (CD8) and low Treg (FOXP3) counts, and high cytotoxic T-cell to Treg (CD8:FOXP3) ratio are significantly associated with favourable prognosis. These results may serve as a leading point in identifying novel therapeutic agents that can redesign the tumour immune microenvironment by reducing infiltrating FOXP3-lymphocytes, and modifying their signalling pathways.
Ethical issues arising from the government allocation of physicians to rural areas: a case study from Japan
Authors: Matsumoto Masatoshi , Aikyo Tatsuki
Published: September 2023

The geographically inequitable distribution of physicians has long posed a serious social problem in Japan. The government tackled this problem by establishing and managing Jichi Medical University (JMU) and regional quotas (RQs) for medical schools. JMU/RQs recruit local students who hope to work as physicians in rural areas, educate them for 6 years without tuition (JMU) or with scholarship (RQs), and after graduation, assign them to their home prefectures for 9 years, including 4–6 years of rural service. JMU/RQs entrants now occupy 11.6% of all medical school entrants. While JMU/RQs have been shown to be highly effective in securing physicians for rural areas, ethical issues related to these policies have been raised, such as whether the government truly needs to implement these policies using tax money, and whether it is acceptable to limit the personal freedoms of the physicians. In this paper, we discuss these issues from the perspectives of social justice, utilitarianism, luck egalitarianism, liberty, medical professionalism and consistency with national health insurance and the Japanese Constitution. We conclude that JMU/RQs are necessary and ethically valid policies, and also propose some institutional improvements to better secure the integrity and maturity of these systems.
Vegetation growth promotion and overall strength improvement using biopolymers in vegetated soils
Authors: Ni Jing , Wang Zi-Teng , Geng Xue-Yu
Published: September 2023

Planting vegetation is a sustainable and eco-friendly method for shallow slope stabilization. However, in water-limited regions, this method is facing challenges such as retarded vegetation growth, which leads to unprotected soils. Biopolymers, with potentials in both vegetation growth promotion and soil strength enhancement, are therefore tested in this study with regard to their possibility in assisting soil reinforcement with vegetation through vegetation cultivation and direct shear tests. Both sugar-based and protein-based biopolymers improved water availability to growing plants and nutrient uptake. The most suitable polysaccharide xanthan gum was adopted to further explore the effects of treatment conditions (i.e., blending content) and external environment (i.e., precipitation) on the vegetated soil performance. Under a variety of water supplies, xanthan gum with a medium blending content of 0.5% (i.e., with respect to dry soil mass) led to the most substantial improvement in the ability to resist shear loading. This indicates that the appropriate dosage of biopolymers used at the initial stage of plant growth should provide moderate bond strength between soil particles, while not impeding root penetration. Supported by the obtained results, biopolymers are suggested to be used in combination with plants for soil reinforcement for the best efficiency.
Effect of government removal of salmon farms on sea lice infection of juvenile wild salmon in the Discovery Islands
Authors: Routledge Richard , Morton Alexandra
Published: September 2023

In response to a federal government order, the number of salmon farms operating in the Discovery Islands region declined from eight in 2020, to one in 2022. Over this period, 1627 juvenile pink ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum ( Oncorhynchus keta) salmon captured at sites throughout the study area were examined for sea lice. The average number of sea lice per juvenile salmon declined by 96% over the study period. Such a substantial decline was not witnessed in similar samples from the nearby Broughton Archipelago. The decline could not be attributed to chance sampling, and only a small proportion of it was associated with environmental fluctuations.
Astrophysical and electromagnetic emissivity properties of black holes surrounded by a quintessence type exotic fluid in the scalar–vector–tensor modified gravity
Authors: Sheikhahmadi Haidar , Soroushfar Saheb , Sajadi S. N. , Harko Tiberiu
Published: September 2023

The astrophysical consequences of the presence of a quintessence scalar field on the evolution of the horizon and on the accretion disk surrounding a static black hole, in the scalar–vector–tensor version of modified gravity (MOG), are investigated. The positions of the stable circular orbits of the massive test particles, moving around the central object, are obtained from the extremum of the effective potential. Detailed calculations are also presented to investigate the light deflection, shadow and Shapiro effect for such a black hole. The electromagnetic properties of the accretion disks that form around such black holes are considered in detail. The energy flux and efficiency parameter are estimated analytically and numerically. A comparison with the disk properties in Schwarzschild geometry is also performed. The quantum properties of the black hole are also considered, and the Hawking temperature and the mass loss rate due to the Hawking radiation are considered. The obtained results may lead to the possibility of direct astrophysical tests of black hole type objects in modified gravity theories.
Shadow and deflection angle of asymptotic, magnetically-charged, non-singular black hole
Authors: Kumaran Yashmitha , Övgün Ali
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we investigate a solution for an asymptotic, magnetically-charged, non-singular (AMCNS) black hole. By utilizing the Gauss–Bonnet theorems, we aim to unravel the intricate astrophysics associated with this unique black hole. The study explored various aspects including the black hole’s gravitational field, intrinsic properties, light bending, the shadow and greybody bounding of the black hole. Through rigorous calculations and simulations, we derive the weak deflection angle of the optical metric of AMCNS black hole. Additionally, we investigate the impact of the dark matter medium on the deflection angle, examined the distinctive features of the black hole’s shadow, and bound its greybody factors. Our findings not only deepen our understanding of gravitational lensing but also pave the way for future improvements in black hole theories by minimizing restrictive assumptions and incorporating a more realistic representation of these cosmic phenomena.
A high-accuracy voltage reference with high-order curvature compensation and base-current-canceling techniques
Authors: Chen Yan , Wang Ruoyang , Wang Yao
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a low dropout bandgap voltage reference circuit that combines high output voltage accuracy and low temperature-coefficient in a wide temperature range. The low temperature-coefficient is achieved by an advanced high-order curvature compensation technique, which is implemented by a novel exponential piecewise compensation term in a high-temperature range. A supply noise self-regulation technique is proposed to realize an excellent power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) without using any amplifiers in this paper. The proposed high-accuracy voltage reference is designed in a 2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m bipolar process. The circuit generates a reference voltage of 3.3[Formula: see text]V and can operate under a minimum supply voltage of 3.8[Formula: see text]V, while consuming 44.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A. The output voltage accuracy is ± 0.15%. The PSRR at 10[Formula: see text]Hz and 1[Formula: see text]MHz is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]dB, respectively. The line regulation is 2.45[Formula: see text]ppm/V in a supply voltage range from 3.8[Formula: see text]V to 20[Formula: see text]V. The average temperature coefficient is 11.9[Formula: see text]ppm/∘C in a temperature range from [Formula: see text]C to +125∘C.