bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk assessment of Bacillus cereus in lettuce grown in open-field and greenhouse farming systems in China: A comparative study
Authors: Qu Yang , Yu Shenghao , Gu Haotian , Wang Wen , Wang Wenbo , He Zhaoying , Shan Hong , Gao Min , Zhao Xin , Wei Chao , Tao Tingting , Zhao Guanghua , Zhou Changyan , Suo Yujuan
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Bacillus cereus isolates from vegetables can cause diarrheal syndrome food poisoning. Lettuce, the most highly consumed ready-to-eat vegetable, poses a significant risk of B. cereus exposure. Hence, B. cereus monitoring and evaluation during cultivation are essential for preventing foodborne illnesses caused by this food–pathogen combination. However, the impact of different cultivation practices on B. cereus contamination in lettuce currently remains unclear. Furthermore, a validity indicator for the experimental models cannot be effectively validated under field conditions.

Materials and Methods

Herein, we assessed the risk of B. cereus exposure using lettuce grown under two different cultivation farming systems in China (open-field versus greenhouse) using a quantitative microbial risk assessment model. Tukey’s mean comparison method and kernel density estimation frequency distribution statistics were used for model validation using environmental samples and lettuce.

Results

The mean concentration of B. cereus in open-field-grown lettuce was significantly higher than that in greenhouse-grown lettuce (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between measured, formula-calculated, and risk assessment values in environmental samples or lettuce (P>0.05), verifying the accuracy of the risk model.

Conclusion

Soil solarization, complete manure treatment, usage of mulch films, and irrigation water quality should be considered in agricultural practices to control B. cereus concentrations in lettuce. Overall, we found that B. cereus was more abundant in open-field-grown lettuce, and we provide a risk evaluation framework that can guide farmers and policy-makers to control B. cereus contamination in farm-to-fork lettuce chains in China.
Changes in Body Mass Index and Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment Among African American Older Adults
Authors: Aiken-Morgan Adrienne T , Capuano Ana W , Wilson Robert S , Barnes Lisa L
Published: November 2023

Background

Previous research suggests a decline in body mass index (BMI) among older adults is associated with negative health outcomes, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and incident dementia. However, no studies have examined the effects of education or developing MCI on BMI trajectories over time. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize trajectories of change in BMI among older adults who develop MCI.

Methods

Participants were from the Minority Aging Research Study (MARS), a longitudinal cohort study of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease in older African Americans living in the greater Chicago, Illinois, area. The study included annual clinical evaluations of cognitive status, as well as measurements of height and weight for BMI calculation. Older African American participants without cognitive impairment at baseline were included in the present analysis (N = 436, 78% women, mean baseline age = 72 [SD = 5.7], mean education = 15 [SD = 3.5]).

Results

In piecewise linear mixed-effects models that included a random intercept and 2 random slopes, BMI declined over time (B = −0.20, SE = 0.02, p < .001), with a faster decline after MCI diagnosis (additional decline, B = −0.15, SE = 0.06, p = .019). Older age was associated with lower baseline BMI (B = −0.19, SE = 0.05, p < .001), as was higher education (B = −0.34, SE = 0.09, p < .001). Further, higher education was associated with a slower decline in BMI before MCI (B = 0.02, SE = 0.006, p = .001), but a faster decline after MCI (B = −0.06, SE = 0.022, p = .003).

Conclusions

These results suggest an accelerated decline in BMI following an MCI diagnosis, with higher education related to an even faster BMI decline.
Crustal structure of onshore-offshore Atlantic Canada and environs from constrained 3-D gravity inversion using variable mesh depths
Authors: Welford J Kim
Published: November 2023

Atlantic Canada encompasses geological evidence of the orogenic and rifting episodes that inspired the development of the theory of plate tectonics and the fundamental concept of the Wilson cycle. To provide a regional crustal-scale view that can complement surface mapping studies and sparse seismological investigations, an onshore–offshore 3-D constrained gravity inversion methodology is proposed involving incorporation of topography and an inversion mesh that is laterally variable in terms of its maximum depth extent. A 3-D density anomaly model for the entirety of Atlantic Canada and its environs is generated, with the inverted density distribution structure and extracted isodensity surfaces showing excellent correspondence with independent and co-located controlled source and passive seismic constraints. The full density model and crustal thicknesses from this work are made freely available so that they may be used for further study, for instance as inputs for deformable plate reconstruction modelling.
Convergent finite element methods for the perfect conductivity problem with close-to-touching inclusions
Authors: Li Buyang , Li Haigang , Yang Zongze
Published: November 2023

In the perfect conductivity problem (i.e., the conductivity problem with perfectly conducting inclusions), the gradient of the electric field is often very large in a narrow region between two inclusions and blows up as the distance between the inclusions tends to zero. The rigorous error analysis for the computation of such perfect conductivity problems with close-to-touching inclusions of general geometry still remains open in three dimensions. We address this problem by establishing new asymptotic estimates for the second-order partial derivatives of the solution with explicit dependence on the distance $\varepsilon $ between the inclusions, and use the asymptotic estimates to design a class of graded meshes and finite element spaces to solve the perfect conductivity problem with possibly close-to-touching inclusions. In particular, we propose a special finite element basis function that resolves the asymptotic singularity of the solution by making the interpolation error bounded in $W^{1,\infty }$ in a neighborhood of the close-to-touching point, even though the solution itself is blowing up in $W^{1,\infty }$. This is crucial in the error analysis for the numerical approximations. We prove that the proposed method yields optimal-order convergence in the $H^1$ norm, uniformly with respect to the distance $\varepsilon $ between the inclusions, in both two and three dimensions for general convex smooth inclusions, which are possibly close-to-touching. Numerical experiments are presented to support the theoretical analysis and to illustrate the convergence of the proposed method for different shapes of inclusions in both two- and three-dimensional domains.
Immunogenicity and Safety of Heterologous Omicron BA.1 and Bivalent SARS-CoV-2 Recombinant Spike Protein Booster Vaccines: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Bennett Chijioke , Rivers E Joy , Woo Wayne , Bloch Mark , Cheung King , Griffin Paul , Mohan Rahul , Deshmukh Sachin , Arya Mark , Cumming Oscar , Neville A Munro , Pardey Toni McCallum , Plested Joyce S , Cloney-Clark Shane , Zhu Mingzhu , Kalkeri Raj , Patel Nita , Buchanan Agi , Marcheschi Alex , Swan Jennifer , Smith Gale , Cho Iksung , Glenn Gregory M , Walker Robert , Mallory Raburn M
Published: November 2023

Background

Mutations present in emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants permit evasion of neutralization with prototype vaccines. A novel Omicron BA.1 subvariant–specific vaccine (NVX-CoV2515) was tested alone or as a bivalent preparation with the prototype vaccine (NVX-CoV2373) to assess antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

Participants aged 18 to 64 years immunized with 3 doses of prototype mRNA vaccines were randomized 1:1:1 to receive a single dose of NVX-CoV2515, NVX-CoV2373, or the bivalent mixture in a phase 3 study investigating heterologous boosting with SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccines. Immunogenicity was measured 14 and 28 days after vaccination for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 sublineage and ancestral strain. Safety profiles of vaccines were assessed.

Results

Of participants who received trial vaccine (N = 829), those administered NVX-CoV2515 (n = 286) demonstrated a superior neutralizing antibody response to BA.1 vs NVX-CoV2373 (n = 274) at day 14 (geometric mean titer ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.33–2.03). Seroresponse rates were 73.4% (91/124; 95% CI, 64.7–80.9) for NVX-CoV2515 vs 50.9% (59/116; 95% CI, 41.4–60.3) for NVX-CoV2373. All formulations were similarly well tolerated.

Conclusions

NVX-CoV2515 elicited a superior neutralizing antibody response against the Omicron BA.1 subvariant as compared with NVX-CoV2373 when administered as a fourth dose. Safety data were consistent with the established safety profile of NVX-CoV2373.

Clinical Trials Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05372588).
Varicella Zoster Virus Downregulates Expression of the Nonclassical Antigen Presentation Molecule CD1d
Authors: Traves Renee , Opadchy Tara , Slobedman Barry , Abendroth Allison
Published: November 2023

Background

The nonclassical antigen presentation molecule CD1d presents lipid antigens to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Activation of these cells triggers a rapid cytokine response providing an interface between innate and adaptive immune responses. The importance of CD1d and iNKT cells in varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection has been emphasized by clinical reports of individuals with CD1d or iNKT cell deficiencies experiencing severe, disseminated varicella postvaccination.

Methods

Three strains of VZV (VZV-S, rOka, and VZV rOka-66S) were used to infect Jurkat cells. Flow cytometry of VZV- and mock-infected cells assessed the modulatory impact of VZV on CD1d protein. Infected cell supernatant and transwell co-culture experiments explored the role of soluble factors in VZV-mediated immunomodulation. CD1d transcripts were assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Surface and intracellular flow cytometry demonstrated that CD1d was strikingly downregulated by VZV-S and rOka in both infected and VZV antigen-negative cells compared to mock. CD1d downregulation is cell-contact dependent and CD1d transcripts are targeted by VZV. Mechanistic investigations using rOka-66S (unable to express the viral kinase ORF66) implicate this protein in CD1d modulation in infected cells.

Conclusions

VZV implements multiple mechanisms targeting both CD1d transcript and protein. This provides evidence of VZV interaction with and manipulation of the CD1d–iNKT cell axis.
Inhibitory effect of tannic acid on the growth of Apiospora arundinis and 3-Nitropropionic acid production
Authors: Jiang Wenyan , Liang Xuelian , Li Huiling , Mo Leixing , Chen Wei , Wang Tianshun , Wang Haijun , Xing Yihao , Liao Jie
Published: November 2023

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of tannic acid (TA) on the growth of Apiospora arundinis and 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) production.

Methods and results

To investigate the antifungal mechanism, the effects of TA on the hypha growth, electrical conductivity, hypha morphology, defense-related enzymes, and 3-NPA production of A. arundinis were studied. TA concentrations of 640 and 1280 μg ml−1 exhibited strong antifungal activity against A. arundinis. The results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that the hypha of the A. arundinis was severely deformed after TA treatment, and the cell membrane was blurred and thin, vacuoles were obviously shrunken and smaller, and most of the organelles were decomposed into irregular fragments. The increased electrical conductivity and malondialdehyde content indicated that TA caused peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and damaged the structure of the cell membrane. The decrease of intracellular ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase content indicated that TA damaged the function of mitochondria, and participated in the inhibition of respiratory metabolism. In addition, TA significantly reduced 3-NPA production and completely inhibited 3-NPA production at 640 and 1280 μg ml−1.

Conclusion

TA effectively inhibited both growth of A. arundinis in vitro and 3-NPA production.
Effect of heating, microbial fermentation, and enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal microbiota of weaned piglets
Authors: Tang Jiayong , Li Wentao , Zhou Qiang , Fang Zhengfeng , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Feng Bin , Zhuo Yong , Jiang Xuemei , Zhao Hua , Wu De , Trabalza-Marinucci Massimo , Che Lianqiang
Published: November 2023

The macromolecular proteins, anti-nutritional factors, and allergens contained in soybean meal (SBM) have a negative impact on the growth of weaned piglets. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heating, microbial fermentation, and enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemistry, intestinal morphology, volatile fatty acids, and microbiota of weaned piglets. After the preparation of soaked SBM (SSBM), enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM (ESBM), and microbial fermented and enzymatically hydrolyzed SBM (MESBM), 72 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three groups for a 21-d trial. In the three groups, 17% of conventional SBM in basal corn-soybean meal diet was replaced by an equivalent amount of SSBM (control group), ESBM, or MESBM. The results showed that the contents of glycinin, β-conglycinin, trypsin inhibitor, and proteins above 20 kDa were significantly decreased in ESBM and MESBM, compared with SSBM, and the surface of ESBM and MESBM had more pores and fragmented structure. In the second week and throughout the entire experimental period, the diarrhea index was reduced (P < 0.01) in ESBM and MESBM in contrast with SSBM. Furthermore, the inclusion of ESBM and MESBM in the diet improved the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and crude protein (P < 0.05), and increased the abundances of the genera Lactobacillus and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, respectively. Metagenomic sequencing further identified that members of six species of Proteobacteria, four species of Clostridiales, and three species of Negativiautes were enriched in the colon of piglets fed MESBM, while two bacterial species, Lachnoclostridium and Lactobacillus_points, were enriched in the colon of piglets fed ESBM. In conclusion, replacing SSBM with ESBM or MESBM in the diet decreased the diarrhea index, which could be associated with improved nutrient digestibility and microbial composition.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Electrical Burns
Authors: AlQhtani Abdullh Z , Al-swedan Nasser H , Alkhunani Tala A , Basalem Abdulaziz A , Alotaibi Abdulwhab M , Alsaygh Khaled W , AlSahabi Abdulrahman M , Alabdulkarim Abdulaziz O
Published: November 2023

Burn prevention programs can effectively reduce morbidity and mortality rates. In this article, we present the findings of our investigation of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Saudi Arabian population regarding electrical burns. Our study was a cross-sectional online survey that used a five-part questionnaire to assess the participant’s demographic information, knowledge of electrical burns, attitudes toward electrical injuries, and practices related to electrical burns and their prevention. Overall, 2314 individuals responded to the survey (males: 41.2%; females: 58.8%). A total of 839 participants (36%) had a personal or family history of electrical burns. Approximately ≥90% of the responses to questions on electrical burn-related knowledge were correct; relatively less responses to questions on the extent of tissue damage from electrical burns and arcs were correct (74% and 29%, respectively). Only 54% of the respondents knew that applying first aid to the burn-affected areas at home could lead to a better outcome; 27% and 19% did not know the correct answer and thought that this would not lead to a better outcome, respectively. The most common source of information was school or college (38.9%), followed by social media (20.8%) and internet websites (16.3%). Enhancing community awareness and practices related to electrical burns is a cost-effective and straightforward strategy to prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with electrical injuries.
Data-driven integration framework for four-dimensional building information modeling simulation in modular construction: a case study approach
Authors: Rehman Saddiq Ur , Kim Inhan , Choi Jungsik
Published: November 2023

Modular construction is becoming more popular because of its efficiency, cost-saving, and environmental benefits, but its successful implementation necessitates detailed planning, scheduling, and coordination. Building information modeling (BIM) and four-dimensional (4D) simulation techniques have emerged as invaluable tools for visualizing and analyzing the construction process in order to meet these requirements. However, integrating distinctive data sources and developing comprehensive 4D BIM simulations tailored to modular construction projects present significant challenges. Case studies are used in this paper to define precise data needs and to design a robust data integration framework for improving 4D BIM simulations in modular construction. The validation of the framework in a real-world project demonstrates its efficacy in integrating data, promoting cooperation, detecting risks, and supporting informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing modular building results through more realistic simulations. By solving data integration difficulties, this research provides useful insights for industry practitioners and researchers, enabling informed decision-making and optimization of modular building projects.
Multiscale pore network modeling and flow property analysis for tight sandstone: a case study
Authors: Wu Xiang , Wang Fei , Xiao Zhanshan , Zhang Yonghao , Zhao Jianbin , Fang Chaoqiang , Wei Bo
Published: November 2023

Digital rock characterization enables high-fidelity quantification of core samples, facilitating computational studies of physical properties at the microscopic scale. Multiscale tomographic imaging resolves microstructural features from sub-nanometer to millimeter dimensions. However, single-resolution volumes preclude capturing cross-scale morphological attributes due to the inverse relationship between the field of view and resolution. Constructing multiscale, multiresolution, multiphase digital rock model is therefore imperative for reconciling this paradox. We performed multiscale scanning imaging on tight sandstone samples. Based on pore network model integration algorithms, we constructed dual-scale pore network model (PNM) and fracture-pore hybrid network model to analyze their flow characteristics. Results showed that the absolute permeability of the dual-scale PNM exhibited a distinct linear increase with the number of extra cross-scale throats and throat factor, but the rate of increase became smaller when the throat factor exceeded 0.6. For dual-scale pore network with cross-scale throat and throat factor of 1 and 0.7, the predicted porosity matched experimental results well. For the fracture-pore hybrid network model, the relationship between absolute permeability and cross-scale throat properties is similar to the dual-scale PNM. When fluid flow was parallel to the fracture orientation, permeability increased markedly with fracture aperture as a power-law function. However, the dip angle did not induce obvious permeability variation trends across different flow directions.
Accuracy of oncologists’ estimates of expected survival time in advanced cancer
Authors: Nahm Sharon H , Martin Andrew J , Clayton Josephine M , Grimison Peter , Moth Erin B , Pavlakis Nick , Sjoquist Katrin , Smith-Uffen Megan E S , Tognela Annette , Vasista Anuradha , Stockler Martin R , Kiely Belinda E
Published: November 2023

Background

To evaluate the claim that oncologists overestimate expected survival time (EST) in advanced cancer.

Methods

We pooled 7 prospective studies in which observed survival time (OST) was compared with EST (median survival in a group of similar patients estimated at baseline by the treating oncologist). We hypothesized that EST would be well calibrated (approximately 50% of EST longer than OST) and imprecise (<30% of EST within 0.67 to 1.33 of OST), and that multiples of EST would provide well-calibrated scenarios for survival time: worst-case (approximately 10% of OST <1/4 of EST), typical (approximately 50% of OST within half to double EST), and best-case (approximately 10% of OST >3 times EST). Associations between baseline characteristics and calibration of EST were assessed.

Results

Characteristics of 1,211 patients: median age 66 years, male 61%, primary site lung (40%) and upper gastrointestinal (16%). The median OST was 8 months, and EST was 9 months. Oncologists’ estimates of EST were well calibrated (50% longer than OST) and imprecise (28% within 0.67 to 1.33 of OST). Scenarios for survival time based on simple multiples of EST were well calibrated: 8% of patients had an OST less than 1/4 their EST (worst-case), 56% had an OST within half to double their EST (typical), and 11% had an OST greater than 3 times their EST (best-case). Calibration was independent of age, sex, and cancer type.

Conclusions

Oncologists were no more likely to overestimate survival time than to underestimate it. Simple multiples of EST provide well-calibrated estimates of worst-case, typical, and best-case scenarios for survival.
New methods for radial-velocity measurements of double-lined binaries, and detection of a circumbinary planet orbiting TIC 172900988
Authors: Sairam Lalitha , Triaud Amaury H M J , Baycroft Thomas A , Orosz Jerome , Boisse Isabelle , Heidari Neda , Sebastian Daniel , Dransfield Georgina , Martin David V , Santerne Alexandre , Standing Matthew R
Published: November 2023

Ongoing ground-based radial-velocity observations seeking to detect circumbinary planets focus on single-lined binaries even though over 9 in every 10 binary systems in the solar neighbourhood are double lined. Double-lined binaries are on average brighter, and should in principle yield more precise radial velocities. However, as the two stars orbit one another, they produce a time-varying blending of their weak spectral lines. This makes an accurate measure of radial velocities difficult, producing a typical scatter of $10{\!-\!}15~\rm m\, s^{-1}$. This extra noise prevents the detection of most orbiting circumbinary planets. We develop two new data-driven approaches to disentangle the two stellar components of a double-lined binary, and extract accurate and precise radial velocities. Both approaches use a Gaussian process regression, with the first one working in the spectral domain, whereas the second works on cross-correlated spectra. We apply our new methods to TIC 172900988, a proposed circumbinary system with a double-lined binary, and detect a circumbinary planet with an orbital period of $150~\rm d$, different than previously proposed. We also measure a significant residual scatter, which we speculate is caused by stellar activity. We show that our two data-driven methods outperform the traditionally used TODCOR and TODMOR, for that particular binary system.
Population synthesis of Be X-ray binaries: metallicity dependence of total X-ray outputs
Authors: Liu Boyuan , Sartorio Nina S , Izzard Robert G , Fialkov Anastasia
Published: November 2023

X-ray binaries (XRBs) are thought to regulate cosmic thermal and ionization histories during the Epoch of Reionization and Cosmic Dawn (z ∼ 5–30). Theoretical predictions of the X-ray emission from XRBs are important for modelling such early cosmic evolution. Nevertheless, the contribution from Be-XRBs, powered by accretion of compact objects from decretion discs around rapidly rotating O/B stars, has not been investigated systematically. Be-XRBs are the largest class of high-mass XRBs (HMXBs) identified in local observations and are expected to play even more important roles in metal-poor environments at high redshifts. In light of this, we build a physically motivated model for Be-XRBs based on recent hydrodynamic simulations and observations of decretion discs. Our model is able to reproduce the observed population of Be-XRBs in the Small Magellanic Cloud with appropriate initial conditions and binary stellar evolution parameters. We derive the X-ray output from Be-XRBs as a function of metallicity in the (absolute) metallicity range Z ∈ [10−4, 0.03] with a large suite of binary population synthesis (BPS) simulations. The simulated Be-XRBs can explain a non-negligible fraction ($\gtrsim 30{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$) of the total X-ray output from HMXBs observed in nearby galaxies for Z ∼ 0.0003–0.02. The X-ray luminosity per unit star formation rate from Be-XRBs in our fiducial model increases by a factor of ∼8 from Z = 0.02 to Z = 0.0003, which is similar to the trend seen in observations of all types of HMXBs. We conclude that Be-XRBs are potentially important X-ray sources that deserve greater attention in BPS of XRBs.
Are the ultra-high-redshift galaxies at z > 10 surprising in the context of standard galaxy formation models?
Authors: Yung L Y Aaron , Somerville Rachel S , Finkelstein Steven L , Wilkins Stephen M , Gardner Jonathan P
Published: November 2023

A substantial number of ultra-high redshift (8 ≲ z ≲ 17) galaxy candidates have been detected with JWST, posing the question: Are these observational results surprising in the context of current galaxy formation models? We address this question using the well-established Santa Cruz semi-analytic models, implemented within merger trees from the new suite of cosmological N-body simulations gureft, which were carefully designed for ultra-high redshift studies. Using our fiducial models calibrated at z = 0, we present predictions for stellar mass functions, rest-frame UV luminosity functions, and various scaling relations. We find that our (dust-free) models predict galaxy number densities at z ∼ 11 (z ∼ 13) that are an order of magnitude (a factor of ∼30) lower than the observational estimates. We estimate the uncertainty in the observed number densities due to cosmic variance, and find that it leads to a fractional error of ∼20–30 per cent at z = 11 (∼30–80  per cent at z = 14) for a 100 arcmin2 field. We explore which processes in our models are most likely to be rate-limiting for the formation of luminous galaxies at these early epochs, considering the halo formation rate, gas cooling, star formation, and stellar feedback, and conclude that it is mainly efficient stellar-driven winds. We find that a modest boost of a factor of ∼4 to the UV luminosities, which could arise from a top-heavy stellar initial mass function, would bring our current models into agreement with the observations. Adding a stochastic component to the UV luminosity can also reconcile our results with the observations.
Constraints on redshifts of blazars from extragalactic background light attenuation using Fermi-LAT data
Authors: Domínguez Alberto , Láinez María , Paliya Vaidehi S , Álvarez-Crespo Nuria , Ajello Marco , Finke Justin , Nievas-Rosillo Mireia , Contreras Jose Luis , Desai Abhishek
Published: November 2023

The extragalactic high-energy γ-ray sky is dominated by blazars, which are active galactic nuclei with their jets pointing towards us. Distance measurements are of fundamental importance yet for some of these sources are challenging because any spectral signature from the host galaxy may be outshone by the non-thermal emission from the jet. In this paper, we present a method to constrain redshifts for these sources that relies only on data from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. This method takes advantage of the signatures that the pair-production interaction between photons with energies larger than approximately 10 GeV and the extragalactic background light leaves on γ-ray spectra. We find upper limits for the distances of 303 γ-ray blazars, classified as 157 BL Lacertae objects, 145 of uncertain class, and 1 flat-spectrum-radio quasar, whose redshifts are otherwise unknown. These derivations can be useful for planning observations with imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes and also for testing theories of supermassive black hole evolution. Our results are applied to estimate the detectability of these blazars with the future Cherenkov Telescope Array, finding that at least 21 of them could be studied in a reasonable exposure of 20 h.
WInDI: a Warp-Induced Dust Instability in protoplanetary discs
Authors: Aly Hossam , Nealon Rebecca , Gonzalez Jean-François
Published: November 2023

We identify a new dust instability that occurs in warped discs. The instability is caused by the oscillatory gas motions induced by the warp in the bending wave regime. We first demonstrate the instability using a local 1D (vertical) toy model based on the warped shearing box coordinates and investigate the effects of the warp magnitude and dust Stokes number on the growth of the instability. We then run 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulations and show that the instability is manifested globally by producing unique dust structures that do not correspond to gas pressure maxima. The 1D and SPH analysis suggest that the instability grows on dynamical time-scales and hence is potentially significant for planet formation.
The Taurid Resonant Swarm at Mercury
Authors: Christou Apostolos A , Egal Auriane , Georgakarakos Nikolaos
Published: November 2023

It has previously been suggested that ejection and vaporization of Hermean surface material by meteoroids from comet 2P/Encke causes a seasonal enhancement in Mercury’s Ca exosphere observed by the NASA MESSENGER spacecraft in 2011-2015. The ESA/JAXA BepiColoen mission, now routeute to Mercury, will likely provide the next set of observational tests of this hypothesis after it enters orbit in late 2025. Here we study the Taurid Swarm Complex (IAU Code: STS), a population of cm-sized or larger meteoroids from Encke’s comet that encounters the Earth every 3–7 yr. Through analysis of previous observations of the STS and many-particle numerical simulations, we study the circumstances of encounters between the STS and Mercury and find that, unlike the Earth where STS encounters is observed in some years but not others, each time the STS is at perihelion it encounters Mercury on three consecutive planetary orbits. We further predict that the STS will encounter this planet during the early stages of BepiColombo’s orbital mission. The temporal flux profile during each encounter will be broad and possibly double-peaked with total number fluence 0.4×–1.7× that of the sporadic fluence for >1 kg meteoroids on the sub-radiant hemisphere of the planet. The meteoroid arrival direction and sub-radiant point strongly depend on True Anomaly Angle, switching from mainly nightside to mainly dayside impacts as Mercury travels from orbital perihelion to aphelion. Our predictions may be used to create detailed models of exosphere generation by Encke stream meteoroids.
Observing network effect of shipping emissions from space: A natural experiment in the world’s busiest port
Authors: Liu Song , Li Xicheng , Li Juan , Shu Lei , Fu Tzung-May , Yang Xin , Zhu Lei
Published: November 2023

Maritime trade and associated emissions are dynamic in nature. Although shipping emissions contribute significantly to air quality and climate change, their trade-governed dynamics remain less explored due to the lack of observational evidence. Here, we use satellite measurements to capture the redistribution of shipping nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from Shanghai port, the world’s busiest port, during a natural experiment posted by the localized COVID-19 lockdown in 2022. Viewing the ports as nodes in a network linked by ship journeys, we quantify a lockdown-induced −42% reduction in shipping NOx emissions for Shanghai port. We further identify an emission transfer to its neighboring connected ports, confirmed by comprehensive vessel activity observations. Our study highlights the socioeconomic drivers of shipping emissions, which may add additional layers of complexity to air quality management.
Development of DynamicMC for PHITS Monte Carlo package
Authors: Watabe Hiroshi , Sato Tatsuhiko , Yu Kwan Ngok , Zivkovic Milena , Krstic Dragana , Nikezic Dragoslav , Kim Kyeong Min , Yamaya Taiga , Kawachi Naoki , Tanaka Hiroki , Haque A K F , Islam M Rafiqul , Shahmohammadi Beni Mehrdad
Published: November 2023

Previously, we have developed DynamicMC for modeling relative movement of Oak Ridge National Laboratory phantom in a radiation field for the Monte Carlo N-Particle package (Health Physics. 2023,124(4):301–309). Using this software, three-dimensional dose distributions in a phantom irradiated by a certain mono-energetic (Mono E) source can be deduced through its graphical user interface. In this study, we extended DynamicMC to be used in combination with the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) by providing it with a higher flexibility for dynamic movement for an anthropomorphic phantom. For this purpose, we implemented four new functions into the software, which are (1) to generate not only Mono E sources but also those having an energy spectrum of an arbitrary radioisotope (2) to calculate the absorbed doses for several radiologically important organs (3) to automatically average the calculated absorbed doses along the path of the phantom and (4) to generate user-defined slab shielding materials. The first and third items utilize the PHITS-specific modalities named radioisotope-source and sumtally functions, respectively. The computational cost and complexity can be dramatically reduced with these features. We anticipate that the present work and the developed open-source tools will be in the interest of nuclear radiation physics community for research and teaching purposes.
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid proteomic signatures of acutely sleep-deprived humans: an exploratory study
Authors: Vaquer-Alicea Ana , Yu Jinsheng , Liu Haiyan , Lucey Brendan P
Published: November 2023

Study Objectives

Acute sleep deprivation affects both central and peripheral biological processes. Prior research has mainly focused on specific proteins or biological pathways that are dysregulated in the setting of sustained wakefulness. This exploratory study aimed to provide a comprehensive view of the biological processes and proteins impacted by acute sleep deprivation in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Methods

We collected plasma and CSF from human participants during one night of sleep deprivation and controlled normal sleep conditions. One thousand and three hundred proteins were measured at hour 0 and hour 24 using a high-scale aptamer-based proteomics platform (SOMAscan) and a systematic biological database tool (Metascape) was used to reveal altered biological pathways.

Results

Acute sleep deprivation decreased the number of upregulated and downregulated biological pathways and proteins in plasma but increased upregulated and downregulated biological pathways and proteins in CSF. Predominantly affected proteins and pathways were associated with immune response, inflammation, phosphorylation, membrane signaling, cell-cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix organization.

Conclusions

The identified modifications across biofluids add to evidence that acute sleep deprivation has important impacts on biological pathways and proteins that can negatively affect human health. As a hypothesis-driving study, these findings may help with the exploration of novel mechanisms that mediate sleep loss and associated conditions, drive the discovery of new sleep loss biomarkers, and ultimately aid in the identification of new targets for intervention to human diseases.
DNA Damage Response After Treatment of Cycling and Quiescent Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells With Distinct Genotoxic Noxae
Authors: Becker Fabienne , Ouzin Meryem , Liedtke Stefanie , Raba Katharina , Kogler Gesine
Published: November 2023

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from cord blood can be applied as an alternative to bone marrow in transplantation to treat hematological diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) consists of cycling and non-cycling CD34+/CD45low cells needed for long-term and short-term engraftment. After sorting and subsequent in vitro culture, quiescent HSCs enter the cell cycle. This enables the analysis of HSCs in 2 different cell cycle stages and the comparison of their responses to different genotoxic noxae. To analyze different mechanisms of DNA damage induction in cells, 2 different genotoxins were compared: etoposide, a topoisomerase II inhibitor that targets mitosis in the S/G2-phase of the cell cycle and the alkylating nitrosamine N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU), which leads to the formation of methyl DNA adducts resulting in DNA double breaks during DNA replication and persistent mutations. Cycling cells recovered after treatment even with higher concentrations of etoposide (1.5µM/ 5µM/10µM), while sorted cells treated with MNU (0.1mM/0.3mM/0.5mM/1mM/3Mm/ 5mM) recovered after treatment with the lower MNU concentrations whereas high MNU concentrations resulted in apoptosis activation. Quiescent cells were not affected by etoposide treatment showing no damage upon entry into the cell cycle. Treatment with MNU, similarly to the cycling cells, resulted in a dose-dependent cell death. In conclusion, we found that depending on the genotoxic trigger and the cycling status, CD34+cells have distinct responses to DNA damage. Cycling cells employ both DDR and apoptosis mechanisms to prevent damage accumulation. Quiescent cells predominantly undergo apoptosis upon damage, but their cell cycle status protects them from certain genotoxic insults.
Searching for Mediterranean bath sponges (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida: Spongiidae) in the Northeast Atlantic reveals a new species: an integrative taxonomic approach
Authors: Grenier Marie , Simmler Charlotte , Chevaldonné Pierre , Callizot Noëlle , Pérez Thierry
Published: November 2023

Bath sponges, included in the Spongiidae (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida), are distributed across the oceans of the world, with a greater abundance in temperate, subtropical, and tropical zones. Their harvest started during ancient times in the Mediterranean Sea, which shed light on the whole family. Most of the Mediterranean Spongiidae have been reported repeatedly from the Northeast Atlantic, notably along the Iberian peninsula. The aim of this study was to clarify the taxonomic status of these sponges after a recent sampling effort in the French Pays Basque and the Spanish Cantabria, complemented by several Mediterranean Sea stations, including the Strait of Gibraltar. An integrative taxonomic approach was adopted for the first time on a set of Spongiidae samples from the Northeast Atlantic, assessing the congruence of analyses of: (i) the morphology of the spongin skeleton; (ii) two different parts of the genome (mitochondrial and nuclear); and (iii) metabolomic fingerprints, to delimit the frontiers between species better. A new bath sponge species is described herein, and significant advances and changes are proposed for the systematics of the family.
Inequities Along the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Services Continuum for Black Women in the United States, 2015–2020
Authors: Townes Ashley , Tanner Mary R. , Yu Lei , Johnson Wayne D. , Zhu Weiming , Iqbal Kashif , Dominguez Kenneth L. , Henny Kirk D. , Drezner Kate , Schumacher Christina , Bickham Jacquelyn , Elopre Latesha , Edelstein Zoe R. , Hoover Karen W. ,   the Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) Project Team*
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the number of women who received human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services by race and ethnicity in seven THRIVE (Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic)–funded jurisdictions and to estimate associations of age and syphilis and gonorrhea diagnoses with receipt of HIV PrEP services.

METHODS:

We analyzed data collected from 2015 to 2020 in Birmingham, Alabama; Baltimore City, Maryland; Washington, DC, New Orleans, Louisiana; Brooklyn, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Hampton Roads, Virginia. We compared Black women and women of additional racial and ethnic groups by age, HIV status at enrollment, receipt of STI testing and test positivity, and steps in the PrEP continuum (screened, eligible, referred, linked, and prescribed). We also examined the association of age, syphilis, or gonorrhea with the following steps in the PrEP continuum: screened, referred, linked, and prescribed.

RESULTS:

Black women made up 69.2% (8,758/12,647) of women served in THRIVE. Compared with non-Black women, Black women were more likely to have a positive test result for syphilis (3.3% vs 2.1%), gonorrhea (4.9% vs 3.5%), chlamydia (5.1% vs 1.9%), or more than one STI (1.4% vs 0.3%). Among women with negative HIV test results or unknown HIV status, Black women were more likely to be screened for PrEP eligibility (88.4% vs 64.9%). Among Black women, the proportion screened for PrEP was higher among those diagnosed with syphilis (97.3%) or gonorrhea (100%) than among those without an STI (88.1% and 87.8%, respectively). Among 219 Black women who presented with syphilis, only 10 (4.6%) were prescribed PrEP; among 407 with gonorrhea, only 11 (2.7%) were prescribed PrEP.

CONCLUSION:

Although most Black women seeking services received STI testing, the proportion of Black women who were eligible for PrEP and prescribed PrEP was low. To achieve national HIV-prevention goals, it is imperative that Black women have access to PrEP information and services.
Patient Surgical Outcomes When Surgery Residents Are the Primary Surgeon by Intensity of Surgical Attending Supervision in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers
Authors: Kashner T. Michael , Greenberg Paul B. , Birnbaum Andrea D. , Byrne John M. , Sanders Karen M. , Wilson Mark A. , Bowman Marjorie A.
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Using health records from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the largest healthcare training platform in the United States, we estimated independent associations between the intensity of attending supervision of surgical residents and 30-day postoperation patient outcomes.

Background:

Academic leaders do not agree on the level of autonomy from supervision to grant surgery residents to best prepare them to enter independent practice without risking patient outcomes.

Methods:

Secondary data came from a national, systematic 1:8 sample of n = 862,425 teaching encounters where residents were listed as primary surgeon at 122 VA medical centers from July 1, 2004, through September 30, 2019. Independent associations between whether attendings had scrubbed or not scrubbed on patient 30-day all-cause mortality, complications, and 30-day readmission were estimated using generalized linear-mixed models. Estimates were tested for any residual confounding biases, robustness to different regression models, stability over time, and validated using moderator and secondary factors analyses.

Results:

After accounting for potential confounding factors, residents supervised by scrubbed attendings in 733,997 nonemergency surgery encounters had fewer deaths within 30 days of the operation by 14.2% [0.3%, 29.9%], fewer case complications by 7.9% [2.0%, 14.0%], and fewer readmissions by 17.5% [11.2%, 24.2%] than had attendings not scrubbed. Over the 15 study years, scrubbed surgery attendings may have averted an estimated 13,700 deaths, 43,600 cases with complications, and 73,800 readmissions.

Conclusions:

VA policies on attending surgeon supervision have protected patient safety while allowing residents in selected teaching encounters to have limited autonomy from supervision.
Diagnosis and management of primary heart involvement in systemic sclerosis
Authors: De Luca Giacomo , Matucci-Cerinic Marco , Mavrogeni Sophie I.
Published: November 2023

Purpose of review

In systemic sclerosis (SSc) primary heart involvement (pHI) is frequent, even though often unrecognized due to its occult nature and to the lack of a specific diagnostic algorithm. The purpose of this review is to report the state of the art of the evidence in the current literature, as well as the overall diagnostic modalities and therapeutic strategies for primary heart involvement in SSc.

Recent findings

SSc-pHI is defined by the presence of cardiac abnormalities that are predominantly attributable to SSc rather than other causes and/or complications; it may be sub-clinical and must be confirmed through diagnostic investigations. Novel electrocardiographic analysis and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with mapping techniques have been recently proposed, showing a great utility in the early identification of SSc-pHI and in the noninvasive characterization of myocardial tissue. Immunosuppressive therapy emerged as fundamental to curb myocardial inflammation, and recent preclinical and clinical data support the role of antifibrotic drugs to treat SSc-pHI.

our review will help clinicians to properly integrate the available diagnostic modalities for the assessment of SSc-pHI. The ultimate goal is to propose a feasible diagnostic algorithm for the early identification of patients with SSc-pHI, and a schematic therapeutic approach to manage SSc-pHI.
Supraglottic Airway Versus Tracheal Intubation for Airway Management in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Forestell Ben , Ramsden Sophie , Sharif Sameer , Centofanti John , Al Lawati Kumait , Fernando Shannon M. , Welsford Michelle , Nichol Graham , Nolan Jerry P. , Rochwerg Bram
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES:

Given the uncertainty regarding the optimal approach for airway management for adult patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the use of supraglottic airways (SGAs) with tracheal intubation for initial airway management in OHCA.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, as well as unpublished sources, from inception to February 7, 2023.

STUDY SELECTION:

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adult OHCA patients randomized to SGA compared with tracheal intubation for initial prehospital airway management.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Reviewers screened abstracts, full texts, and extracted data independently and in duplicate. We pooled data using a random-effects model. We used the modified Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool and assessed certainty of evidence using the Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. We preregistered the protocol on PROSPERO (CRD42022342935).

DATA SYNTHESIS:

We included four RCTs (n = 13,412 patients). Compared with tracheal intubation , SGA use probably increases return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (relative risk [RR] 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02–1.15; moderate certainty) and leads to a faster time to airway placement (mean difference 2.5 min less; 95% CI, 1.6–3.4 min less; high certainty). SGA use may have no effect on survival at longest follow-up (RR 1.06; 95% CI, 0.84–1.34; low certainty), has an uncertain effect on survival with good functional outcome (RR 1.11; 95% CI, 0.82–1.50; very low certainty), and may have no effect on risk of aspiration (RR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.16; low certainty).

CONCLUSIONS:

In adult patients with OHCA, compared with tracheal intubation, the use of SGA for initial airway management probably leads to more ROSC, and faster time to airway placement, but may have no effect on longer-term survival outcomes or aspiration events.