bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial proximity effects on the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes within the alimentary tract of yellow mealworm larvae
Authors: Crippen Tawni L , Sullivan John P , Anderson Robin C
Published: February 2024

The arthropod intestinal tract and other anatomical parts naturally carry microorganisms. Some of which are pathogens, secrete toxins, or carry transferable antibiotic-resistance genes. The risks associated with the production and consumption of edible arthropods are dependent on indigenous microbes, as well as microbes introduced during the processes of rearing. This mass arthropod production puts individual arthropods in close proximity, which increases the possibility of their exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria carried by bacteria from fellow insects, industry workers, or rearing hardware and substrates. The purpose of this study was to determine if the alimentary tract of the yellow mealworm provided an environment permitting horizontal gene transfer between bacteria. The effect of the concentration of bacterial exposure was also assessed. Antibiotic resistance gene transfer between marker Salmonella Lignières (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) and Escherichia coli (Migula) (Enterobacterales: Enterobacteriaceae) introduced into the larval gut demonstrated that the nutrient-rich environment of the yellow mealworm gut provided favorable conditions for the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. Conjugation frequencies were similar across inoculum concentrations; however, transconjugant production correlated positively to increased exposure concentration. The lowest concentration of bacterial exposure required enrichment to detect and thus may have been approaching a threshold level for the 2 bacteria to colocate within the expanse of the larval gut. While many factors can affect this transfer, the simple factor of the proximity of donor and recipient bacteria, as defined by the concentration of bacteria within the volume of the insect gut, likely primarily contributed to the efficiency of antibiotic gene transfer.
Efficacy of long-lasting insecticide-incorporated nets on 2 scolytinae pests, the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei and tropical nut borer Hypothenemus obscurus under laboratory conditions
Authors: Aigbedion-Atalor Pascal , de Rocquigny Nathalie , Acebes-Doria Angelita
Published: February 2024

Several pests affect coffee (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae) and macadamia, Macadamia integrifolia Maiden & Betche (Proteaceae) in Hawaii. The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is the most damaging to coffee, while the tropical nut borer, Hypothenemus obscurus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), is one of the worst pests of macadamia. This paper investigates the potential efficacy of a long-lasting insecticide-incorporated net (LLIN) under laboratory conditions to manage these pests. The LLIN (40 denier with mesh size 625 knots/in²), incorporated with α-cypermethrin (0.34%), was excised into 100 mm circles and inserted in 100 mm Petri dishes. Nets with the same quality but without insecticides were used as control treatments. Twenty beetles (H. obscurus or H. hampei) each were placed on the treated and non-treated netting at 4 treatment or exposure hours—1, 6, 12, and 24—with 5 replicates. Subsequently, the beetles were ranked alive, affected, or dead. The results showed that the LLIN with α-cypermethrin had significant lethal and sub-lethal effects on both Hypothenemus species, causing over 90% mortality after 24 h of exposure and paralysis after 1, 6, and 12 h of exposure. The highest lethality value was recorded after 24 h of exposure for both H. obscurus and H. hampei. The LT50 of H. obscurus and H. hampei was 18.78 min and 2.15 h, respectively, while the LT90 values were 32.11 and 20.67 h. These results imply the potential effectiveness of LLINs with α-cypermethrin for management of H. obscurus and H. hampei, but field studies are warranted for optimization.
Investigation of the suitability of 3 insect meals as protein sources for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Owens Cheyenne E , Powell Madison S , Gaylord T Gibson , Conley Zachariah B , Sealey Wendy M
Published: February 2024

An in vivo trial was conducted to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of insect meals for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Rainbow trout (approximately 370 g ± 23 g, mean ± SD initial weight) were stocked 25 per tank into 400-liter tanks. Fish were fed a reference diet, or 1 of 5 test diets created by blending the reference diet in a 70:30 ratio (dry-weight basis) with menhaden fish meal (MFM), 2 house cricket (Acheta domesticus) meals (cricket A and cricket B), Galleria mellonella meal, and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal. Diets were assigned to 3 replicate tanks of fish and fed twice daily for 14 days prior to fecal collection. Ingredients, diets, and fecal matter were analyzed in duplicate for proximate, mineral, and amino acid composition. House cricket meals were 67.3% and 69.0% protein (CP) and 16.6% and 17.1% lipid (CL), for house cricket A and B, respectively. Yellow mealworm meal contained 56.5% CP and 27.7% CL, and G. mellonella larvae meal contained 32.5% CP and 54.2% CL. Protein ADCs were 78.9 for G. mellonella larvae meal, 78.0 for yellow mealworm meal, and 76.5 for house cricket A and not different from the MFM protein ADC of 76.6, while house cricket B protein ADC was 65.8 and was significantly lower than the MFM protein ADC (F = 7.39; df = 4,14; P = 0.0049). Together, these nutritional values suggest house crickets, and yellow mealworms show promise as alternative protein sources in salmonid feeds, with the potential of G. mellonella as an alternative lipid source.
Phylogeographic analyses of an endemic Neotropical fox (Lycalopex vetulus) reveal evidence of hybridization with a different canid species (L. gymnocercus)
Authors: Garcez Fabricio Silva , Tchaicka Ligia , Lemos Frederico Gemesio , Kasper Carlos Benhur , Dalponte Júlio Cesar , Eizirik Eduardo
Published: February 2024

The hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) is the only species of the Canidae (Mammalia: Carnivora) endemic to Brazil, and so far has been the target of few genetic studies. Using microsatellites and mtDNA markers, we investigated its present genetic diversity and population structure. We also tested the hypothesis that this species currently hybridizes with the pampas fox (L. gymnocercus), as suggested by previous mtDNA data from two individuals. We collected tissue and blood samples from animals representing most of the two species’ distributions in Brazil (n = 87), including their recently discovered geographic contact zone in São Paulo state. We observed that the hoary fox exhibits high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of population structure. We identified six individuals from São Paulo state with clear evidence of hybridization based on introgressed pampas fox mitochondrial DNA and/or admixed microsatellite genotypes (three individuals bore both types of evidence). These results demonstrate the existence of admixed individuals between hoary and pampas foxes in southeastern Brazil, representing the first identified case of interspecies admixture between native South American canids. We discuss our findings in the context of the evolutionary history of these foxes and address potential conservation implications of this interspecies hybridization process.
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council: Colliding (Mis)Understandings?
Authors: de Mattos Vieira Marina A R , Viaene Lieselotte
Published: February 2024

Indigenous peoples have been struggling worldwide to have their rights recognized. Despite relevant legal advances, such as the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), the implementation gap between the adoption of international standards by States and their compliance still remains. This article relies on empirical examples from Interactive Dialogues (ID) with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (SRIP) and the Expert Mechanism on the Right of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), held between 2011 and 2021 in the Human Rights Council sessions, to exemplify how these struggles also become noticeable in the public and global arenas. It highlights the emblematic case of conflicting narratives between Indigenous peoples and the Brazilian State in 2020, when the latter strategically used ‘misunderstandings’ to delegitimize Indigenous peoples’ claims. It concludes that the underlying challenge in the implementation of Indigenous peoples’ rights rests in ontological conflicts between States and Indigenous peoples, especially concerning the meaning of self-determination. These struggles are reflected in the disputing of narratives in the UN human rights arenas, and have been shaping interpretations of Indigenous peoples’ rights that privilege a perspective antagonistic to them. The article provides some practice-oriented recommendations for reducing discourse manipulation at the HRC.
Application of noninvasive sampling technique in mitochondrial genome intraspecific phylogeny of the endangered butterfly, Teinopalpus aureus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: Yang Wen-Jing , He Gui-Qiang , Huang Chao-Bin , Zhou Shan-Yi , Jia Feng-Hai , Zeng Ju-Ping
Published: February 2024

The butterfly genus of Teinopalpus, endemic to Asia, embodies a distinct species of mountain-dwelling butterflies with specific habitat requirements. These species are rare in the wild and hold high conservation and research value. Similar to other protected species, the genetic analysis of the rare Teinopalpus aureus poses challenges due to the complexity of sampling. In this study, we successfully extracted DNA and amplified mitochondrial genomic DNA from various noninvasive sources such as larval feces, larval exuviae, larval head capsules, pupal exuviaes, and filamentous gland secretions, all integral parts of butterfly metamorphosis. This was conducted as part of a research initiative focused on the artificial conservation of T. aureus population in Jinggang Shan Nature Reserve. Our findings illustrated the successful extraction of DNA from multiple noninvasive sources, achieved through modified DNA extraction methodologies. Although the DNA concentration obtained from noninvasive samples was lower than that from muscle tissues of newly dead larvae during rearing, all samples met the requirements for PCR amplification and sequencing, yielding complete circular sequences. These sequences are pivotal for both interspecific and intraspecific genetic relationship analysis. Our methods can be extended to other insects, especially scarce species.
Molecular characterization of Vitellogenin-like1 gene in Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), and its function on reproduction
Authors: Xu Changyu , Li Fei , Hou Maolin , Liu Yudi
Published: February 2024

In this study, a vitellogenin like1 gene (SfVg-like1) in Sogatella furcifera was identified. The open reading frame (ORF) encoded 1,321 amino acid sequence. Structure analysis reveals that the amino acid sequence of SfVg-like1 has 3 conserved LPD_N, DUF1943 and VWFD domains. Phylogenetic analyses showed that SfVg-like1 was clustered in the same branch with the Vg-like1 of Nilaparvata lugens (100% bootstrap value) compared with other Hemiptera insects Vgs associated with vitellogenesis. Temporo-spatial expression analyses showed that SfVg-like1 expressed during all stages, and in both genders. The relative expression levels of SfVg-like1 mRNA were higher in adults than in nymph developmental stages. The knockdown of SfVg-like1 gene resulted in the inhibition of the ovarian development in female adults, whereas the morphology of the testis in male adults was not been affected. The silence of SfVg-like1 could decrease the relative expression levels of target of rapamycin (SfTOR, GenBank MW193765) and vitellogenin (SfVg, GenBank MH271114) genes significantly in female adults. However, the knockdown of SfTOR or SfVg genes in female adults did not affect the transcript level of SfVg-like1. Therefore, it demonstrated that SfVg-like1 might locate on the upstream signaling pathways of SfTOR and SfVg. These results demonstrate that SfVg-like1 is essential for S. furcifera reproduction, and it could be the potential target for the control of this pest.
Five human pathogens detected by tick surveillance in New York City parks, 2014–2015
Authors: Bajwa Waheed , Kennedy Ashley , Vincent Zachary , Heck Garrett , Riaj Shamim , Shah Zahir , Kanapathipillai Kamesan , Casal Cory , Haynes Scott , Cornman Hannah , Egizi Andrea , Stromdahl Ellen , Nadolny Robyn
Published: February 2024

A total of 2,504 ticks of 5 species (Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, Amblyomma americanum, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, and H. longicornis) were collected over 2 yr (2014–2015) in New York City parks. Specimens were collected via tick-dragging, identified to species, and tested for pathogens of human diseases. The causative agents of 5 human diseases (Lyme borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever) were detected in a subset of samples. Results of this surveillance effort further illustrate that risk of tick-borne disease is considerable even in parks located adjacent to densely populated areas.
Lateral geniculate body is spared of tau pathology in Pick disease
Authors: Chang Koping , Barrett Alexander , Pham Khoa , Troncoso Juan C
Published: February 2024

The pathobiology of tau is of great importance for understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in aging and age-associated disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementias. It is critical to identify neuronal populations and brain regions that are vulnerable or resistant to tau pathological changes. Pick disease (PiD) is a three-repeat (3R) tauopathy that belongs to the group of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. The neuropathologic changes of PiD are characterized by globular tau-positive neuronal intracytoplasmic inclusions, called Pick bodies, in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus and frontal and temporal neocortices, and ballooned neurons, named Pick neurons, in the neocortex. In the present study, we examined 13 autopsy-confirmed cases of PiD. Using immunohistochemistry for phospho-tau (AT8) and 3R tau isoform, all PiD cases demonstrated extensive lesions involving the hippocampus and neocortex. However, the lateral geniculate body (LGB) is spared of significant tau lesions in contrast to the neighboring hippocampus and other thalamic nuclei. Only 1 PiD case (7.7%) had tau-positive neurons, and 4 cases had tau-positive neurites (31%) in the LGB. By contrast, the LGB does consistently harbor tau lesions in other tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and AD.
Drivers of mortality: risk factors and inequality
Authors: Cairns Andrew J G , Kleinow Torsten , Wen Jie
Published: February 2024

This paper takes a detailed look at socio-economic variation in mortality across England. Generic metrics such as the index of multiple deprivation (IMD) can be effective at the aggregate level of national deciles, but we demonstrate that they perform much less well at the regional, urban–rural, and neighbourhood level. We use local linear regression to develop a new, customized index for neighbourhood mortality that addresses the mortality-specific shortcomings of the IMD based on socio-economic and related, non-spatial predictive variables. We find that old-age income deprivation and employment deprivation are key determinants of mortality, but also that urban–rural class and the presence of care homes in a neighbourhood have an important role to play in assessing underlying mortality rates relative to national mortality. Residual spatial/regional variation in mortality is found to be much less significant than socio-economic variation and much lower than the residual regional variation that results from the use of the IMD.
Properties of the brightest young stellar clumps in extremely lensed galaxies at redshifts 4 to 5
Authors: Messa Matteo , Dessauges-Zavadsky Miroslava , Adamo Angela , Richard Johan , Claeyssens Adélaïde
Published: February 2024

We study the populations of stellar clumps in three high-redshift galaxies, at z = 4.92, 4.88, and 4.03, gravitationally lensed by the foreground galaxy clusters MS1358, RCS0224, and MACS0940, respectively. The lensed galaxies consist of multiple counter-images with large magnifications, mostly above $\mu > 5$ and in some cases reaching $\mu > 20$. We use rest-frame UV observations from the HST to extract and analyse their clump populations, counting 10, 3, and 11 unique sources, respectively. Most of the clumps have derived effective radii in the range $R_{\rm eff}=10\!-\!100$ pc, with the smallest one down to 6 pc, i.e. consistent with the sizes of individual stellar clusters. Their UV magnitudes correspond to $\rm SFR_{UV}$ mostly in the range $0.1\!-\!1\ {\rm M_\odot \, yr}^{-1}$; the most extreme ones, reaching ${\rm SFR_{UV}}=5\ {\rm M_\odot \, yr}^{-1}$ are among the UV-brightest compact ($R_{\rm eff} < 100$ pc) star-forming regions observed at any redshift. Clump masses span a broad range from 106 to $10^9\,{\rm M}_\odot$; stellar mass surface densities are comparable and in many cases larger than the ones of local stellar clusters, while being typically 10 times larger in size. By compiling published properties of clump populations at similar spatial resolution between redshifts 0 and 5, we find a tentative evolution of $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ and $\Sigma _{M_\star }$ with redshift, especially when very compact clumps ($R_{\rm eff}\leqslant 20$ pc) are considered. We suggest that these trends with redshift reflect the changes in the host galaxy environments where clumps form. Comparisons with the local universe clumps/star clusters shows that, although rare, conditions for elevated clump $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$ and $\Sigma _{M_\star }$ can be found.
FlexKnot as a generalized model of the sky-averaged 21-cm signal at z ∼ 6–30 in the presence of systematics
Authors: Shen Emma , Anstey Dominic , de Lera Acedo Eloy , Fialkov Anastasia
Published: February 2024

Global 21-cm experiments are built to study the evolution of the Universe between the cosmic dawn and the epoch of reionization. FlexKnot is a function parametrized by freely moving knots stringed together by splines. Adopting the FlexKnot function as the signal model has the potential to separate the global 21-cm signal from the foregrounds and systematics while being capable of recovering the crucial features given by theoretical predictions. In this paper, we implement the FlexKnot method by integrating twice over a function of freely moving knots interpolated linearly. The function is also constrained at the lower frequencies corresponding to the dark ages by theoretical values. The FlexKnot model is tested in the framework of the realistic data analysis pipeline of the REACH global signal experiment using simulated antenna temperature data. We demonstrate that the FlexKnot model performs better than existing signal models, e.g. the Gaussian signal model, at reconstructing the shape of the true signals present in the simulated REACH data, especially for injected signals with complex structures. The capabilities of the FlexKnot signal model is also tested by introducing various systematics and simulated global signals of different types. These tests show that four to five knots are sufficient to recover the general shape of most realistic injected signals, with or without sinusoidal systematics. We show that true signals whose absorption trough is of amplitude between 120 and 450 mK can be well recovered with systematics up to about 50 mK.
The TESS-SPOC FFI target sample explored with Gaia
Authors: Doyle Lauren , Armstrong David J , Bayliss Daniel , Rodel Toby , Kunovac Vedad
Published: February 2024

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has provided the community with high-precision times-series photometry for ∼2.8 million stars across the entire sky via the full frame image (FFI) light curves produced by the TESS Science Processing Operations Center (SPOC). This set of light curves is an extremely valuable resource for the discovery of transiting exoplanets and other stellar science. However, due to the sample selection, this set of light curves does not constitute a magnitude-limited sample. In order to understand the effects of this sample selection, we use Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) and Data Release 3 (DR3) to study the properties of the stars in the TESS-SPOC FFI light-curve set, with the aim of providing vital context for further research using the sample. We report on the properties of the TESS-SPOC FFI targets in Sectors 1–55 (covering Cycles 1–4). We cross-match the TESS-SPOC FFI targets with the Gaia DR2 and DR3 catalogues of all targets brighter than Gaia magnitude 14 to understand the effects of sample selection on the overall stellar properties. This includes Gaia magnitude, parallax, radius, temperature, non-single star flags, luminosity, radial velocity, and stellar surface gravity. In total, there are ∼16.7 million Gaia targets brighter than G = 14, which when cross-matched with the TESS-SPOC FFI targets leaves ∼2.75 million. We investigate the binarity of each TESS-SPOC FFI target and calculate the radius detection limit from two detected TESS transits that could be detected around each target. Finally, we create a comprehensive main-sequence TESS-SPOC FFI target sample that can be utilized in future studies.
Wafer-level heterogeneous integration of electrochemical devices and semiconductors for a monolithic chip
Authors: Xu Sixing , Xia Fan , Li Zhangshanhao , Xu Minghao , Hu Bingmeng , Feng Haizhao , Wang Xiaohong
Published: February 2024

Micro-scale electrochemical devices, despite their wide applications and unique potential to achieve ‘More than Moore's law’, face significant limitations in constructing functional chips due to their inability to integrate with semiconductors. In this study, we propose an electrochemical gating effect and material work function matching criteria, and thus establish the first heterogeneous integration theory for electrochemical devices and semiconductors. Accordingly, we create a novel 3D integration architecture and CMOS-compatible fabrication methodology, including optimizing individual devices, electron/ionic isolation, interconnection, and encapsulation. As a demonstration, we integrate electrochemical micro supercapacitors with a P-N junction diode rectifier bridge circuit and successfully obtain the first monolithic rectifier-filter chip, which shows a revolutionary volume reduction of 98% compared to non-integrateable commercial products. The chip can provide a stable output with a tiny ripple factor of 0.23% in typical conditions, surpassing the requirements of most applications by more than one order of magnitude. More importantly, all the processes are suitable for mass production in standard foundries, allowing ubiquitous applications of electrochemistry in integrated electronics.
Ultra-low frequency magnetic energy focusing for highly effective wireless powering of deep-tissue implantable electronic devices
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Chen Zhipeng , Liu Yuxin , Liu Zijian , Wu Tong , Zhang Yuanxi , Peng Lelun , Huang Xinshuo , Huang Shuang , Lin Xudong , Xie Xi , Jiang Lelun
Published: February 2024

The limited lifespan of batteries is a challenge in the application of implantable electronic devices. Existing wireless power technologies such as ultrasound, near-infrared light and magnetic fields cannot charge devices implanted in deep tissues, resulting in energy attenuation through tissues and thermal generation. Herein, an ultra-low frequency magnetic energy focusing (ULFMEF) methodology was developed for the highly effective wireless powering of deep-tissue implantable devices. A portable transmitter was used to output the low-frequency magnetic field (<50 Hz), which remotely drives the synchronous rotation of a magnetic core integrated within the pellet-like implantable device, generating an internal rotating magnetic field to induce wireless electricity on the coupled coils of the device. The ULFMEF can achieve energy transfer across thick tissues (up to 20 cm) with excellent transferred power (4–15 mW) and non-heat effects in tissues, which is remarkably superior to existing wireless powering technologies. The ULFMEF is demonstrated to wirelessly power implantable micro-LED devices for optogenetic neuromodulation, and wirelessly charged an implantable battery for programmable electrical stimulation on the sciatic nerve. It also bypassed thick and tough protective shells to power the implanted devices. The ULFMEF thus offers a highly advanced methodology for the generation of wireless powered biodevices.
Advancing brain-inspired computing with hybrid neural networks
Authors: Liu Faqiang , Zheng Hao , Ma Songchen , Zhang Weihao , Liu Xue , Chua Yansong , Shi Luping , Zhao Rong
Published: February 2024

Brain-inspired computing, drawing inspiration from the fundamental structure and information-processing mechanisms of the human brain, has gained significant momentum in recent years. It has emerged as a research paradigm centered on brain–computer dual-driven and multi-network integration. One noteworthy instance of this paradigm is the hybrid neural network (HNN), which integrates computer-science-oriented artificial neural networks (ANNs) with neuroscience-oriented spiking neural networks (SNNs). HNNs exhibit distinct advantages in various intelligent tasks, including perception, cognition and learning. This paper presents a comprehensive review of HNNs with an emphasis on their origin, concepts, biological perspective, construction framework and supporting systems. Furthermore, insights and suggestions for potential research directions are provided aiming to propel the advancement of the HNN paradigm.
Cultural attraction in pottery practice: Group-specific shape transformations by potters from three communities
Authors: Nonaka Tetsushi , Gandon Enora , Endler John A , Coyle Thelma , Bootsma Reinoud J
Published: February 2024

Pottery is a quintessential indicator of human cultural dynamics. Cultural alignment of behavioral repertoires and artifacts has been considered to rest upon two distinct dynamics: selective transmission of information and culture-specific biased transformation. In a cross-cultural field experiment, we tested whether community-specific morphological features of ceramic vessels would arise when the same unfamiliar shapes were reproduced by professional potters from three different communities who threw vessels using wheels. We analyzed the details of the underlying morphogenesis development of vessels in wheel throwing. When expert potters from three different communities of practice were instructed to faithfully reproduce common unfamiliar model shapes that were not parts of the daily repertoires, the morphometric variation in the final shape was not random; rather, different potters produced vessels with more morphometric variation among than within communities, indicating the presence of community-specific deviations of morphological features of vessels. Furthermore, this was found both in the final shape and in the underlying process of morphogenesis; there was more variation in the morphogenetic path among than within communities. These results suggest that the morphological features of ceramic vessels produced by potters reliably and nonrandomly diverge among different communities. The present study provides empirical evidence that collective alignment of morphological features of ceramic vessels can arise from the community-specific habits of fashioning clay.
‘What is my risk really?’: a qualitative exploration of preventive interventions among individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chapman Lara S , Siddle Heidi J , Serban Stefan , Mankia Kulveer , Rooney Christopher M , Mustufvi Zhain , Pini Simon , Vinall-Collier Karen
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Intervention in the pre-arthritis phase of RA could prevent or delay the onset of disease. The primary aim of this study was to explore perspectives of being at risk and potential preventive interventions among individuals at risk of developing RA and to identify factors influencing their engagement with prevention. A secondary aim, established during the analytical process, was to understand and compare different approaches to health-related behaviours related to prevention of RA.

Methods

Anti-CCP-positive (CCP+) at-risk individuals with musculoskeletal symptoms but no synovitis participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, followed by a secondary ideal-type analysis.

Results

Nineteen CCP+ at-risk individuals (10 women; age range 35–70 years) participated. Three overarching themes were identified: being CCP+ at risk; aiming to prevent RA; and influencers of engagement. Participants described distress related to symptoms and uncertainty about disease progression. Many participants had concerns about medication side effects. In contrast, most participants expressed willingness to make lifestyle changes with the aim of preventing RA. Engagement with preventive measures was influenced by symptom severity, personal risk level, co-morbidities, experiences of taking other medications/supplements, knowledge of RA, risk factors and medications, and perceived effort. Three types of participants were identified from the data: proactive preventers, change considerers and fearful avoiders. Overall orientation to health behaviours also impacted the attitude towards preventing RA.

Conclusion

Findings could inform recruitment and retention in RA prevention research and promote uptake of preventive interventions in clinical practice.
Reservation Raises: The Aggregate Labour Supply Curve at the Extensive Margin
Authors: Mui Preston , Schoefer Benjamin
Published: February 2024

We measure desired labour supply at the extensive (employment) margin in two representative surveys of the U.S. and German populations. We elicit reservation raises: the percent wage change that renders a given individual indifferent between employment and nonemployment. It is equal to her reservation wage divided by her actual, or potential, wage. The reservation raise distribution is the nonparametric aggregate labour supply curve. Locally, the curve exhibits large short-run elasticities above 3, consistent with business cycle evidence. For larger upward shifts, arc elasticities shrink towards 0.5, consistent with quasi-experimental evidence from tax holidays. Existing models fail to match this nonconstant, asymmetric curve.
CPU–GPU-coupled acceleration method for point flux calculation in Monte Carlo particle transport
Authors: Yanheng Pu , Zhen Wu , Yisheng Hao , Shenshen Gao , Rui Qiu , Hui Zhang , Junli Li
Published: February 2024

In Monte Carlo particle transport simulations, point flux tallying is a variance reduction technique that performs well with small detectors and finds broad application in source–detector problems and local point dose calculations. However, its use in large-scale point flux tallying computation adds substantial computational time. To address this issue, we propose a CPU–GPU-coupled acceleration method, which separates the complex logic and computationally intensive parts of particle transport calculation and assigns them to the CPU and GPU, respectively. This proposed method greatly enhances the efficiency of large-scale point flux tallies, providing significant convenience for subsequent dose calculations and other related steps. We validated our method by comparing the performance of a pure CPU program with our CPU–GPU accelerated program using the NUREG/CR-6115 PWR benchmark problem. The results indicate identical outcomes for photon point flux estimation, with the accelerated program being ~50 times faster.
Elevations in the Mitochondrial Matrix Protein Cyclophilin D Correlate With Reduced Parvalbumin Expression in the Prefrontal Cortex of Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: O’Brien John T , Jalilvand Sophia P , Suji Neha A , Jupelly Rohan K , Phensy Aarron , Mwirigi Juliet M , Elahi Hajira , Price Theodore J , Kroener Sven
Published: February 2024

Background and Hypothesis

Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are linked to dysfunctions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), including alterations in parvalbumin (PV)-expressing interneurons (PVIs). Redox dysregulation and oxidative stress may represent convergence points in the pathology of schizophrenia, causing dysfunction of GABAergic interneurons and loss of PV. Here, we show that the mitochondrial matrix protein cyclophilin D (CypD), a critical initiator of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and modulator of the intracellular redox state, is altered in PVIs in schizophrenia.

Study Design

Western blotting was used to measure CypD protein levels in postmortem DLPFC specimens of schizophrenic patients (n = 27) and matched comparison subjects with no known history of psychiatric or neurological disorders (n = 26). In a subset of this cohort, multilabel immunofluorescent confocal microscopy with unbiased stereological sampling methods were used to quantify (1) numbers of PVI across the cortical mantle (20 unaffected comparison, 14 schizophrenia) and (2) PV and CypD protein levels from PVIs in the cortical layers 2–4 (23 unaffected comparison, 18 schizophrenia).

Study Results

In schizophrenic patients, the overall number of PVIs in the DLPFC was not significantly altered, but in individual PVIs of layers 2–4 PV protein levels decreased along a superficial-to-deep gradient when compared to unaffected comparison subjects. These laminar-specific PVI alterations were reciprocally linked to significant CypD elevations both in PVIs and total DLPFC gray matter.

Conclusions

Our findings support previously reported PVI anomalies in schizophrenia and suggest that CypD-mediated mPTP formation could be a potential contributor to PVI dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Gender Equality for Whom? The Changing College Education Gradients of the Division of Paid Work and Housework Among US Couples, 1968–2019
Authors: Pessin Léa
Published: February 2024

In response to women’s changing roles in labor markets, couples have adopted varied strategies to reconcile career and family needs. Yet, most studies on the gendered division of labor focus almost exclusively on changes either in work or family domain. Doing so neglects the process through which couples negotiate and contest traditional work and family responsibilities. Studies that do examine these tradeoffs have highlighted how work–family strategies range far beyond simple traditional-egalitarian dichotomies but are limited to specific points in time or population subgroups. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and latent-class analysis, this article provides the first population-based estimates of the couple-level tradeoffs inherent in work–family strategies in the United States, documents trends in the share of couples who fall into each of these strategies, and considers social stratification by gender and college education in these trends. Specifically, I identify seven distinct work–family strategies (traditional, neotraditional, her-second-shift, egalitarian, his-second-shift, female-breadwinner, and neither-full-time couples). Egalitarian couples experienced the fastest increase in prevalence among college-educated couples, whereas couples that lacked two full-time earners increased among less-educated couples. Still, about a quarter of all couples adopted “her-second-shift” strategies, with no variation across time, making it the modal work–family strategy among dual-earner couples. The long-run, couple-level results support the view that the gender revolution has stalled and suggest that this stall may be caused partly by strong traditional gender preferences, whereas structural resources appear to facilitate gender equality among a selected few.
MAST: Phylogenetic Inference with Mixtures Across Sites and Trees
Authors: Wong Thomas K F , Cherryh Caitlin , Rodrigo Allen G , Hahn Matthew W , Minh Bui Quang , Lanfear Robert
Published: February 2024

Hundreds or thousands of loci are now routinely used in modern phylogenomic studies. Concatenation approaches to tree inference assume that there is a single topology for the entire dataset, but different loci may have different evolutionary histories due to incomplete lineage sorting (ILS), introgression, and/or horizontal gene transfer; even single loci may not be treelike due to recombination. To overcome this shortcoming, we introduce an implementation of a multi-tree mixture model that we call mixtures across sites and trees (MAST). This model extends a prior implementation by Boussau et al. (2009) by allowing users to estimate the weight of each of a set of pre-specified bifurcating trees in a single alignment. The MAST model allows each tree to have its own weight, topology, branch lengths, substitution model, nucleotide or amino acid frequencies, and model of rate heterogeneity across sites. We implemented the MAST model in a maximum-likelihood framework in the popular phylogenetic software, IQ-TREE. Simulations show that we can accurately recover the true model parameters, including branch lengths and tree weights for a given set of tree topologies, under a wide range of biologically realistic scenarios. We also show that we can use standard statistical inference approaches to reject a single-tree model when data are simulated under multiple trees (and vice versa). We applied the MAST model to multiple primate datasets and found that it can recover the signal of ILS in the Great Apes, as well as the asymmetry in minor trees caused by introgression among several macaque species. When applied to a dataset of 4 Platyrrhine species for which standard concatenated maximum likelihood (ML) and gene tree approaches disagree, we observe that MAST gives the highest weight (i.e., the largest proportion of sites) to the tree also supported by gene tree approaches. These results suggest that the MAST model is able to analyze a concatenated alignment using ML while avoiding some of the biases that come with assuming there is only a single tree. We discuss how the MAST model can be extended in the future.
Water loss after stomatal closure: quantifying leaf minimum conductance and minimal water use in nine temperate European tree species during a severe drought
Authors: Wang Songwei , Hoch Günter , Grun Georges , Kahmen Ansgar
Published: February 2024

Residual canopy transpiration (Emin_canop) is a key physiological trait that determines trees’ survival time under drought after stomatal closure and after trees have limited access to soil water. Emin_canop mainly depends on leaf minimum conductance (gmin) and vapor pressure deficit. Here we determined the seasonal variation of gmin and how gmin is related to interspecies variation in leaf cuticular and stomatal traits for nine European tree species in a mature forest. In addition, we determined the species-specific temperature responses of gmin. With this newly obtained insight, we calculated Emin_canop for the nine species for one day at our research site during the 2022 central European hot drought. Our results show that at ambient temperatures gmin ranged from 0.8 to 4.8 mmol m−2 s−1 across the nine species and was stable in most species throughout the growing season. The interspecies variation of gmin was associated with leaf cuticular and stomatal traits. Additionally, gmin exhibited strong temperature responses and increased, depending on species, by a factor of two to four in the range of 25–50 °C. For the studied species at the site, during a single hot drought day, Emin_canop standardized by tree size (stem basal area) ranged from 2.0 to 36.7 L m−2, and non-standardized Emin_canop for adult trees ranged from 0.3 to 5.3 L. Emin_canop also exhibited species-specific rapid increases under hotter temperatures. Our results suggest that trees, depending on species, need reasonable amounts of water during a drought, even when stomates are fully closed. Species differences in gmin and ultimately Emin_canop can, together with other traits, affect the ability of a tree to keep its tissue hydrated during a drought and is likely to contribute to species-specific differences in drought vulnerability.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone induces autophagy to preserve the primordial follicle pool in mice
Authors: Lecot‐Connan Tatiana , Boumerdassi Yasmine , Magnin Françoise , Binart Nadine , Kamenický Peter , Sonigo Charlotte , Beau Isabelle
Published: February 2024

The reserve pool of primordial follicles (PMFs) is finely regulated by molecules implicated in follicular growth or PMF survival. Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced by granulosa cells of growing follicles, is known for its inhibitory role in the initiation of PMF growth. We observed in a recent in vivo study that injection of AMH into mice seemed to induce an activation of autophagy. Furthermore, injection of AMH into mice activates the transcription factor FOXO3A which is also known for its implication in autophagy regulation. Many studies highlighted the key role of autophagy in the ovary at different stages of folliculogenesis, particularly in PMF survival. Through an in vitro approach with organotypic cultures of prepubertal mouse ovaries, treated or not with AMH, we aimed to understand the link among AMH, autophagy, and FOXO3A transcription factor. Autophagy and FOXO3A phosphorylation were analyzed by western blot. The expression of genes involved in autophagy was quantified by RT‐qPCR. In our in vitro model, we confirmed the decrease in FOXO3A phosphorylation and the induction of autophagy in ovaries incubated with AMH. AMH also induces the expression of genes involved in autophagy. Interestingly, most of these genes are known to be FOXO3A target genes. In conclusion, we have identified a new role for AMH, namely the induction of autophagy, probably through FOXO3A activation. Thus, AMH protects the ovarian reserve not only by inhibiting the growth of PMFs but also by enabling their survival through activation of autophagy.
Left Gastric Vein Direct Anastomosis as Alternative to Portal Flow Reconstruction in Liver Transplantation
Authors: Sampaio Raquel Lima , Coelho Gustavo Rego , Mesquita Denissa Ferreira Gomes , Soares Carlos Eduardo Lopes , Garcia José Huygens Parente
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

The most relevant limiting factor for performing end-to-end anastomosis is portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which leads to challenging vascular reconstructions. This study aimed to analyze a single center’s experience using the left gastric vein (LGV) for portal flow reconstruction in liver transplantation (LT).

Methods:

This retrospective observational study reviewed laboratory and imaging tests, a description of the surgical technique, and outpatient follow-up of patients with portal system thrombosis undergoing LT with portal flow reconstruction using the LGV. This study was conducted at a single transplant reference center in the northeast region of Brazil from January 2016 to December 2021.

Results:

Between January 2016 and December 2021, 848 transplants were performed at our center. Eighty-two patients (9.7%) presented with PVT, most of whom were treated with thrombectomy. Nine patients (1.1% with PVT) had extensive thrombosis of the portal system (Yerdel III or IV), which required end-to-side anastomosis between the portal vein and the LGV without graft, and had no intraoperative complications. All patients had successful portal flow in Doppler ultrasound control evaluations.

Discussion:

The goal was to reestablish physiological flow to the graft. A surgical strategy includes using the LGV graft. According to our reports, using LGV fulfilled the requirements for excellent vascular anastomosis and even allowed the dispensing of venous grafts. This is the largest case series in a single center of reconstruction of portal flow with direct anastomosis with the LGV without needing a vascular graft.
Surgical Technique: Brachioradialis to Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus and Brevis Nerve Transfers for Tetraplegia
Authors: Long Azad Chao , Orlando Nicholas A. , Belzberg Allan J. , Tuffaha Sami H.
Published: February 2024

Improving upper extremity function in high cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with tetraplegia is a challenging task owing to the limited expendable donor muscles and nerves that are available. Restoring active wrist extension for these patients is critical because it allows for tenodesis grasp. This is classically achieved with brachioradialis (BR) to extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) tendon transfer, but outcomes are suboptimal because BR excursion is insufficient and its origin proximal to the elbow further limits the functionality of the tendon transfer, particularly in the absence of elbow extension. As an alternative approach to restore wrist extension in patients with ICSHT group 1 SCI, we present the first clinical report of the BR to extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and BR to ECRB nerve transfers.
Impact of Lactate Clearance on Clinical and Neurological Outcomes of Patients With Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Treated With Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Secondary Data Analysis*
Authors: Sugimoto Momoko , Takayama Wataru , Inoue Akihiko , Hifumi Toru , Sakamoto Tetsuya , Kuroda Yasuhiro , Otomo Yasuhiro ,   the Study of Advanced Life Support for Ventricular Fibrillation with Extracorporeal Circulation in Japan (SAVE-J II) Study Group
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVES:

Serial evaluations of lactate concentration may be more useful in predicting outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) than a single measurement. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lactate clearance (LC) on clinical and neurologic outcomes in patients with OHCA who underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).

DESIGN:

Retrospective multicenter observational study.

SETTING:

Patients with OHCA receiving ECPR at 36 hospitals in Japan between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2018.

PATIENTS:

This study evaluated 1227 patients, with lactateinitial assessed upon emergency department admission and lactatesecond measured subsequently. To adjust for the disparity in the time between lactate measurements, the modified 6-hour LC was defined as follows: ([lactateinitial–lactatesecond]/lactateinitial) × 100 × (6/the duration between the initial and second measurements [hr]). The patients were divided into four groups according to the modified 6-hour LC with an equivalent number of patients among LC quartiles: Q1 (LC < 18.8), Q2 (18.8 < LC < 59.9), Q3 (60.0 < LC < 101.2), and Q4 (101.2 < LC).

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The 30-day survival rates increased as the 6-hour LC increased (Q1, 21.2%; Q2, 36.8%; Q3, 41.4%; Q4, 53.6%; p for trend < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the modified 6-hour LC was significantly associated with a 30-day survival rate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.003; 95% CI, 1.001–1.005; p < 0.001) and favorable neurologic outcome (AOR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000–1.004; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with OHCA who underwent ECPR, an increase in the modified 6-hour LC was associated with favorable clinical and neurologic outcome. Thus, LC can be a criterion to assess whether ECPR should be continued.