bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Farmers’ adaptation practices in climate-stressed coastal Bangladesh: a systematic review
Authors: Ashik Ur Rahman Md , Swarnokar Sadhon Chandra , Ahasan S M Nayem , Mohibbullah M , Mou Sadia Islam , Gain Animesh K
Published: December 2024

Climate change poses serious threats, making it crucial to develop strong adaptation strategies. This is especially true in Bangladesh, where agriculture, the backbone of the economy, is highly vulnerable. Local communities in Bangladesh have used Indigenous knowledge and practices to adapt, but there is a lack of systematic examination of these strategies. In this study, we review literature from Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We identify various adaptation strategies grouped into six main themes and twenty-six sub-themes: crop management, water management, farm management, financial management, social adaptation, and traditional/local knowledge use. Diversifying income sources stands out as a key strategy against climate challenges. However, most strategies are short-term, reactive, and lack long-term sustainability. Our study highlights the importance of local adaptation strategies and questions their integration into national and regional development plans. The dominance of foreign-funded projects in publishing research shows the vital role of international collaboration in improving research quality and global knowledge exchange. The findings are relevant for regions where coastal agriculture is vital but impacted by climate change, including countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and South America.
Cost-effective fabrication of NiCo-LDH

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Ni inverse opal-like electrodes for high current stable supercapacitors
Authors: Torres Soto Hiram Eli , Encinas Armando , de la Torre Medina Joaquín
Published: December 2024

This study presents a cost-effective fabrication process for synthesizing NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) active materials on Ni inverse opal (Ni-IO) porous networks anchored on bakelite PCB substrates without using binders. Electrodeposition at a constant reduction potential was used to grow NiCo-LDH coatings on Ni-IO current collectors to investigate the influence of their thickness on the electrochemical performance of NiCo-LDH

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Ni-IO electrodes at current densities as high as 184 A g−1. The highest specific capacitance values between 548 F g−1 and 588 F g−1 and excellent cycling stability after 5000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles at 150 A g−1, were achieved using a 67 nm thick LDH coating. Specifically, the capacitance retention of 92% and coulombic efficiency of 99% after the cycle life tests at high current densities validate the remarkable stability of the electrodes. Additionally, remarkable energy and power densities were recorded for electrodes with LDH thickness between 30 and 67 nm, ranging from 49 to 65.7 Wh kg−1 and 26.4 to 128 kW kg−1 at current densities between 17 and 184 A g−1. The superior cycling stability, high energy and power densities, and cost-effective production of NiCo-LDH

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Ni-IO electrodes on commercial PCB phenolic substrates highlight their potential for high-performance supercapacitor applications.
scRGCL: a cell type annotation method for single-cell RNA-seq data using residual graph convolutional neural network with contrastive learning
Authors: Yuan Lin , Sun Shengguo , Jiang Yufeng , Zhang Qinhu , Ye Lan , Zheng Chun-Hou , Huang De-Shuang
Published: December 2024

Cell type annotation is a critical step in analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. A large number of deep learning (DL)–based methods have been proposed to annotate cell types of scRNA-seq data and have achieved impressive results. However, there are several limitations to these methods. First, they do not fully exploit cell-to-cell differential features. Second, they are developed based on shallow features and lack of flexibility in integrating high-order features in the data. Finally, the low-dimensional gene features may lead to overfitting in neural networks. To overcome those limitations, we propose a novel DL-based model, cell type annotation of single-cell RNA-seq data using residual graph convolutional neural network with contrastive learning (scRGCL), based on residual graph convolutional neural network and contrastive learning for cell type annotation of single-cell RNA-seq data. scRGCL mainly consists of a residual graph convolutional neural network, contrastive learning, and weight freezing. A residual graph convolutional neural network is utilized to extract complex high-order features from data. Contrastive learning can help the model learn meaningful cell-to-cell differential features. Weight freezing can avoid overfitting and help the model discover the impact of specific gene expression on cell type annotation. To verify the effectiveness of scRGCL, we compared its performance with six methods (three shallow learning algorithms and three state-of-the-art DL-based methods) on eight single-cell benchmark datasets from two species (seven in human and one in mouse). Experimental results not only show that scRGCL outperforms competing methods but also demonstrate the generalizability of scRGCL for cell type annotation. scRGCL is available at https://github.com/nathanyl/scRGCL.
Pilot study of topical ruxolitinib demonstrates efficacy and blunting of heterogeneous inflammatory processes in mild hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Schell Stephanie L , Sennett Mackenzie L , Feehan Robert P , Wallace Tierney E , Meiszberg Elizabeth C , Longenecker Amy L , Helm Matthew F , Kirby Joslyn S , Nelson Amanda M
Published: December 2024

Background

Therapeutic options for mild hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) represent a significant gap in the current treatment landscape, with no U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies for early-stage HS. Topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (JAKi) are a compelling option due to the known upregulation of inflammatory JAK signalling in HS lesions and the recent success of systemic JAKi for the treatment of moderate-to-severe HS.

Objectives

To assess the clinical efficacy of ruxolitinib in a pilot cohort and to investigate the underlying biologic mechanisms associated with clinical response.

Methods

This was a pilot single-site open-label prospective 24-week clinical trial of topical ruxolitinib (NCT04414514). Men and women with mild HS (Hurley stage I or II), with active inflammatory nodules, were recruited. All participants were observed for 8 weeks to monitor lesion counts (observational phase); active therapy (treatment phase) was then administered for 16 weeks. Topical ruxolitinib 1.5% cream was applied twice daily, covering the entirety of each HS-affected body site. Clinician- and patient-reported outcome measures were recorded throughout the study. Lesional skin punch biopsies were taken at the start and end of treatment for downstream mechanistic RNA sequencing and histological analyses.

Results

Ten participants were enrolled in the study; four dropped out before the treatment phase of the trial. Six individuals with Hurley stage I (no tunnels) HS completed the study, five of whom successfully achieved Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR50) through 16 weeks of therapy. In this interim analysis, differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses revealed reduced activation of JAK-dependent interferon, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2 and epidermal growth factor receptor signalling, and antimicrobial and keratinocyte responses. In contrast, signatures of wound healing and lipid metabolism were increased following JAKi treatment, indicating a return to homeostasis. Histological analyses revealed that clinically responsive patients had significantly reduced epidermal and dermal inflammation. Affected inflammatory infiltrate included neutrophils, T cells and plasma cells, with the predominantly affected cell types specific to the patient.

Conclusions

Collectively, the broad activity of topical ruxolitinib on inflammatory signalling processes resulted in promising efficacy, even with heterogeneity in baseline inflammation, in this pilot cohort. Importantly, topical treatment not only resolved epidermal inflammation, but also cleared deeper inflammatory infiltrate. The observed efficacy provides rationale to further investigate topical JAKi and other novel topical treatments in HS.
Guselkumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in pediatric patients: results of the phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled PROTOSTAR study
Authors: Prajapati Vimal H , Seyger Marieke M B , Wilsmann-Theis Dagmar , Szakos Erzsebet , Kaszuba Andrzej , van Hartingsveldt Bart , Jett Meg , Jiang Gigi , Li Shu , Sinha Vikash , Crauwels Herta , DeKlotz Cynthia M C , Paller Amy S
Published: December 2024

Background

No currently approved treatment for pediatric plaque psoriasis selectively targets interleukin (IL)-23. In adults, guselkumab (a selective IL-23 inhibitor targeting the p19 subunit) demonstrated substantial efficacy with a favorable safety profile in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Objective

PROTOSTAR (NCT03451851) evaluated the efficacy and safety of guselkumab in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods

This phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolled patients ≥6 to <18 years of age with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In Part 1 (Week [W]0–W16), patients were randomized to receive guselkumab, placebo, or open-label etanercept (active reference arm). At W16, Part 1 patients entered a guselkumab withdrawal/retreatment period or continued/crossed over to receive guselkumab (W16–W52). Co-primary endpoints were Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)75 (or United States Food and Drug Administration-required PASI90 co-primary endpoint) responses at W16 of Part 1. Part 2 evaluated continuous open-label guselkumab treatment (W0–W52).

Results

Of 92 and 28 patients enrolled in Parts 1 and 2, respectively, 86% and 96% continued treatment through W52. In Part 1, at W16, significantly higher proportions of guselkumab-treated than placebo-treated patients achieved IGA 0/1 (66% vs 16%; P<0.001), PASI75 (76% vs 20%; P<0.001), and PASI90 (56% vs 16%; P<0.01). More than one-third of guselkumab-treated patients achieved clear skin (IGA 0: 39% vs 4% placebo; PASI100: 34% vs 0% placebo; both P<0.01). In Part 2, at W52, 86%, 93%, and 82% of guselkumab-treated patients achieved IGA 0/1, PASI75, and PASI90, respectively. Through W16 of Part 1, 42%, 68%, and 58% of guselkumab-, placebo-, and etanercept-treated patients, respectively, had adverse events (AEs). Rates of AEs with guselkumab were similar through W52 in Parts 1 and 2; common AEs included nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, and COVID-19. No serious or opportunistic infections occurred.

Conclusions

Guselkumab demonstrated significant and clinically meaningful responses in pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and all co-primary and major secondary endpoints were met. Guselkumab safety outcomes were similar to placebo; no new safety signals were identified. These findings support the use of guselkumab to treat pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Data management (and sharing) in neuroscience: balancing possible, practical and perfect solutions
Authors: Spires-Jones Tara L
Published: December 2024

Our editor discusses re-organizing her lab’s data storage to facilitate sharing and archiving data. She also advertises the ‘Brain Communications’ early career researcher paper prize for the first author of a paper published in the journal in 2024—please send nominations!
Complex auditory regularity processing across levels of consciousness in coma: Stage 1 Registered Report
Authors: Pelentritou Andria , Cataldi Jacinthe , Zubler Frederic , Iten Manuela , Haenggi Matthias , Ben-Hamouda Nawfel , Rossetti Andrea O , Tzovara Athina , De Lucia Marzia
Published: December 2024

A key question for the scientific study of consciousness is whether it is possible to identify specific features in brain activity that are uniquely linked to conscious experience. This question has important implications for the development of markers to detect covert consciousness in unresponsive patients. In this regard, many studies have focused on investigating the neural response to complex auditory regularities. One noteworthy example is the local global paradigm, which allows for the investigation of auditory regularity encoding at the ‘global’ level, based on the repetition of groups of sounds. The inference of global regularities is thought to depend on conscious access to such complex auditory stimuli as mostly shown in chronic stages of disorders of consciousness patients. However, whether global regularity encoding can identify covert consciousness along the consciousness spectrum including earlier stages of these disorders remains controversial. Here, we aim to fill this gap by investigating whether the inference of global auditory regularities can occur in acute coma, in the absence of consciousness, and how this may be modulated by the severity of the patients’ clinical condition and consciousness level measured using the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) score. We will acquire 63-channel continuous electroencephalography to measure the neural response to global auditory regularity in comatose patients (N = 30) during the first day after cardiac arrest, when patients are unconscious, sedated and under normothermia, and during the second day (with reduced or absent sedation and body temperature control). We hypothesize that global regularity encoding will persist in the absence of consciousness independent of patient outcome, observed as above chance decoding of the neural response to global regularities using multivariate decoding analyses. We further hypothesize that decoding performance will positively correlate with the FOUR score, which indexes consciousness level, and typically improves between the first and second day after coma onset following cardiac arrest in patients with favourable outcome. In an exploratory analysis, we will also evaluate whether global regularity encoding may be influenced by the patients’ clinical management, specifically sedation, also shown to affect global deviance detection. Our results will shed light on the neurophysiological correlates of complex auditory regularity processing in unconscious patients and on the link to residual levels of consciousness during the underexplored state of coma upon the first days after cardiac arrest.
Low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and its impact on skin ageing among healthcare workers
Authors: Koç Huriye Aybüke , Altınöz Güney Cansu
Published: December 2024

Background

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) is an occupational risk for healthcare professionals and can result in a range of health issues.

Objectives

To assess the relationship between chronic low-dose IR exposure and the development of early ageing-related facial skin wrinkles in healthcare workers.

Methods

Facial skin wrinkles present in 70 healthcare workers who had been exposed to low-dose IR for at least 5 years were compared with those of 70 nonexposed healthcare workers. Skin wrinkles were assessed using the Lemperle wrinkle assessment scale and the scores of the IR-exposed healthcare workers were compared with those of the nonexposed controls.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in sociodemographic factors and Fitzpatrick skin types between the IR-exposed healthcare workers and the control group. Analysis of the Lemperle wrinkle assessment scale scores revealed significant differences, with IR-exposed workers showing higher scores for all facial wrinkle categories evaluated (all P < 0.001) and for horizontal neck folds (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess healthcare workers with long-term exposure to low-dose IR for facial skin wrinkles, a visible consequence of skin ageing. Chronic low-dose IR exposure can lead to increased skin wrinkles, representative of advanced skin ageing in healthcare workers. These findings underscore the need for enhanced protective measures and regular monitoring for individuals exposed to occupational radiation.
Structure of subcortico-cortical tracts in middle-aged and older adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Cordova Michaela , Hau Janice , Schadler Adam , Wilkinson Molly , Alemu Kalekirstos , Shryock Ian , Baker Ashley , Chaaban Chantal , Churchill Emma , Fishman Inna , Müller Ralph-Axel , Carper Ruth A
Published: December 2024

Middle-aged and older adults with autism spectrum disorder may be susceptible to accelerated neurobiological changes in striato- and thalamo-cortical tracts due to combined effects of typical aging and existing disparities present from early neurodevelopment. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we employed diffusion-weighted imaging and automated tract-segmentation to explore striato- and thalamo-cortical tract microstructure and volume differences between autistic (n = 29) and typical comparison (n = 33) adults (40 to 70 years old). Fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and tract volumes were measured for 14 striato-cortical and 12 thalamo-cortical tract bundles. Data were examined using linear regressions for group by age effects and group plus age effects, and false discovery rate correction was applied. Following false discovery rate correction, volumes of thalamocortical tracts to premotor, pericentral, and parietal regions were significantly reduced in autism spectrum disorder compared to thalamo-cortical groups, but no group by age interactions were found. Uncorrected results suggested additional main effects of group and age might be present for both tract volume and mean diffusivity across multiple subcortico-cortical tracts. Results indicate parallel rather than accelerated changes during adulthood in striato-cortical and thalamo-cortical tract volume and microstructure in those with autism spectrum disorder relative to thalamo-cortical peers though thalamo-cortical tract volume effects are the most reliable.
Crucial rhythms and subnetworks for emotion processing extracted by an interpretable deep learning framework from EEG networks
Authors: Li Peiyang , Lin Ruiting , Huang Weijie , Tang Hao , Liu Ke , Qiu Nan , Xu Peng , Tian Yin , Li Cunbo
Published: December 2024

Electroencephalogram (EEG) brain networks describe the driving and synchronous relationships among multiple brain regions and can be used to identify different emotional states. However, methods for extracting interpretable structural features from brain networks are still lacking. In the current study, a novel deep learning structure comprising both an attention mechanism and a domain adversarial strategy is proposed to extract discriminant and interpretable features from brain networks. Specifically, the attention mechanism enhances the contribution of crucial rhythms and subnetworks for emotion recognition, whereas the domain-adversarial module improves the generalization performance of our proposed model for cross-subject tasks. We validated the effectiveness of the proposed method for subject-independent emotion recognition tasks with the SJTU Emotion EEG Dataset (SEED) and the EEGs recorded in our laboratory. The experimental results showed that the proposed method can effectively improve the classification accuracy of different emotions compared with commonly used methods such as domain adversarial neural networks. On the basis of the extracted network features, we also revealed crucial rhythms and subnetwork structures for emotion processing, which are consistent with those found in previous studies. Our proposed method not only improves the classification performance of brain networks but also provides a novel tool for revealing emotion processing mechanisms.
Time to Staphylococcus aureus Blood Culture Positivity as a Risk Marker of Infective Endocarditis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Strömdahl Martin , Hagman Karl , Hedman Karolina , Westman Anna , Hedenstierna Magnus , Ursing Johan
Published: December 2024

Background

Endocarditis occurs in approximately 10%–15% of patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Short time to positivity (TTP) in blood culture flasks has been linked to endocarditis in smaller studies. This study evaluated the association between TTP and endocarditis in SAB in a large cohort.

Methods

Adult patients with ≥1 S. aureus positive blood culture treated at a tertiary-level, 500-bed hospital in Stockholm, Sweden between 2011–2021 were retrospectively identified. The primary outcome was the presence of infective endocarditis.

Results

A total of 1703 episodes of SAB (23/1703 methicillin-resistant) in 1610 patients were included. Median age was 75 (interquartile range [IQR], 63–84) years and median Charlson comorbidity index score was 2 (IQR, 1–3). Echocardiography was performed in 1102/1703 (65%). Thirty-day mortality was 406/1703 (24%) and endocarditis was found in 154/1703 (9%). Median TTP was shorter in patients with endocarditis (9 [IQR, 7–12] hours) compared to patients without endocarditis (13 [interquartile range, 10–18] hours; P < .001). The risk of endocarditis decreased with 11% per hour (odds ratio [OR], 0.89 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .54–.92]; P < .001) in a univariate analysis using TTP as a continuous variable. In multivariate analysis, TTP <13 hours (the median) was independently associated with endocarditis (OR, 3.59 [95% CI, 2.35–5.3]; P < .001). The negative predictive value of TTP >13 hours for endocarditis was 96% (95% CI, 95%–97%).

Conclusions

Short TTP was associated with endocarditis. The negative predictive value of >95% suggests that TTP >13 hours can be used to risk-stratify patients with SAB.
Derivation and Validation of an Electronic Health Record Penicillin Allergy De-Labeling Prevalence Measure
Authors: Blumenthal Kimberly G , Jiang Bohang , King Andrew J , Mann Jushin T , Zhang Yuqing , Wurcel Alysse G
Published: December 2024

With no standard method to capture penicillin allergy de-labeling prevalence across populations, we developed and validated a simple penicillin allergy de-labeling prevalence measure from electronic health records that achieved perfect sensitivity (100.0%), high specificity (99.4%), and strong agreement with a comprehensive algorithm that included free-text manual review (kappa = .997).
Validation of a high bleeding risk definition in cancer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Gitto Mauro , Gilhooley Sean , Smith Kenneth , Vogel Birgit , Sartori Samantha , Bay Benjamin , Krishnan Prakash , Sweeny Joseph , Oliva Angelo , Moreno Pedro , Di Muro Francesca Maria , Krishnamoorthy Parasuram Melarcode , Kini Annapoorna , Dangas George , Mehran Roxana , Sharma Samin
Published: December 2024

Aims

Due to the absence of validated bleeding risk tools in cancer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), we aimed to validate an adapted version of the Academic Research Consortium (ARC) High Bleeding Risk (HBR) criteria.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with active or remission cancer undergoing PCI between 2012 and 2022 at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, USA) were included. Patients were considered at HBR if they met at least one of the major ARC-HBR criteria, other than cancer, or two minor criteria. The primary endpoint was a composite of periprocedural in-hospital or post-discharge bleeding at 1 year. The key secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Of the 2007 cancer patients included in this study, 1142 (56.9%) were classified as HBR. Moderate to severe anaemia was the most prevalent major HBR criterion (35%). At 1 year, the incidence of bleeding was significantly higher in HBR compared with non-HBR patients [10.9 vs. 3.9%, adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57–3.53, P < 0.001], mainly driven by higher periprocedural bleeding. Similarly, HBR patients were at higher risk of MACCE (11.0% vs. 3.2%, adjusted HR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.72–4.47, P < 0.001) and death (8.8% vs. 2.2%, adjusted HR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.87–5.77, P < 0.001) than non-HBR patients.

Conclusion

An adapted version of the ARC-HBR criteria, in which cancer is not a major criterion, effectively delineates cancer patients undergoing PCI who are at HBR. Cancer patients at HBR according to this definition also exhibited a higher mortality risk.
Impact and Heterogeneity of Self-reported Hearing on Trajectories of Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Couples
Authors: Wang Xinfeng , Ye Xin
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Hearing status is identified as a significant predictor of cognitive function. The life course principle of linked lives posits that the lives of couples often become increasingly interconnected or embedded over time, thereby cumulatively intensifying their influence on spouse’s health and well-being. We aim to examine the impact of self-reported hearing on cognitive function among married couples across adulthood and whether there is heterogeneity in the associations.

Methods

Utilizing data from the 2011, 2013, 2015, to 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (n = 2,847 middle-aged and older couples, totaling 5,694 observations across all waves), we employ the growth curve model to examine the impact of self-reported hearing, both individually and from spouses, on the age-related trajectories of cognitive function.

Results

This study demonstrates that poor self-reported hearing is significantly associated with worse cognitive function compared with those with good hearing. Additionally, there is a significant temporal association between poor spousal hearing and cognitive decline, compared with individuals whose spouses have good hearing. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the association between poor spousal hearing and increasing cognitive disadvantage across time is particularly significant among men and rural residents.

Discussion

This research provides new evidence of the longitudinal association between hearing and cognitive function among married couples, thus contributing to a growing body of literature documenting the importance of understanding how spousal health conditions affect health trajectories.
Damage mechanisms of bisphenols on the quality of mammalian oocytes
Authors: Pandey Ashutosh N , Yadav Pramod K , Premkumar Karuppanan V , Tiwari Meenakshi , Antony Mano Mohan , Pandey Ajai K , Chaube Shail K
Published: December 2024

The extensive use of bisphenols in the plastics industry globally is a major growing concern for human health. Bisphenol compounds are easily leached out from plastic containers to food, beverages, and drinking water and contaminate the natural environment. Daily exposure of bisphenol compounds increases their load and impairs various organs, including the reproductive system. Bisphenol compounds directly or indirectly affect ovarian functions, such as folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, oogenesis, and thereby oocyte quality. Bisphenol A (BPA) and its structural analogues act as endocrine disruptors and induce generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the ovary. Excess levels of ROS induce death pathways in follicular steroidogenic cells and affect ovarian steroidogenesis. The reduced level of estradiol-17β impairs follicular growth and development that reduces the number and quality of oocytes. In addition, excess levels of ROS in follicular fluid trigger meiotic instability, which further deteriorates oocyte quality. The high level of ROS generates oxidative stress that triggers various death pathways in germ cells as well as in oocytes, induces follicular atresia, and depletes ovarian reserve. Although growing evidence indicates the destructive effects of bisphenol compounds at the level of ovary, potential effects and underlying mechanisms that deteriorate oocyte quality remain poorly understood. Therefore, this review summarizes the mechanisms by which bisphenols cause damage to the ovary, impair oocyte quality, and affect women's fertility.
Effects of a preweaning socialization system on piglet livability, lifetime growth performance, and subsequent sow performance
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Giacomini Paula , Tokach Mike D , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Woodworth Jason C , Lerner Annie B , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: December 2024

A total of 3,307 (PIC L 42) sows and 55,160 piglets were used to determine the effects of different farrowing systems on piglet livability and lifetime growth performance. Treatments were assigned to farrowing rooms and consisted of a conventional farrowing system (sows and piglets housed in individual farrowing stalls) or a preweaning socialization system (stall dividers removed between farrowing stalls and walkways within 6 to 24 h post-farrowing such that 12 to 32 litters of piglets were co-mingled). A total of 40 farrowing rooms with 80 stalls each were used with 20 rooms per treatment. Pigs were weaned at approximately 23 d of age. No differences were observed in lactation length, total born, born alive, stillborn, mummies, or number of pigs weaned. Pre-wean mortality was increased (P < 0.001) for pigs from the preweaning socialization system compared to the conventional farrowing system (14.7% vs. 12.6%, respectively). At weaning, a subset of offspring (4,313 pigs initially 5.4 ± 0.15 kg) were transported to a commercial research facility to evaluate lifetime performance. Weaning weights were heavier (P < 0.001) for pigs in the conventional farrowing system compared to the preweaning socialization system. Pigs were housed in pens according to sow treatment with 44 to 46 pigs per pen and 48 pens per treatment. During the nursery and finishing periods, pigs from the conventional farrowing system had increased (P < 0.001) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), but decreased gain-to-feed (G:F) compared to the preweaning socialization system. In the nursery phase, removals, mortality, and total removals and mortality were greater (P ≤ 0.059) for pigs raised in the preweaning socialization system than the conventional farrowing system, but no differences were observed in the finishing phase. Overall (days 23 to 183), pigs from the conventional farrowing system had increased (P ≤ 0.001) BW, ADG, and ADFI, but decreased (P = 0.010) G:F compared to the preweaning socialization system. No differences were observed for overall removals and mortality after weaning. Pigs from the conventional farrowing system had increased (P ≤ 0.094) live BW, hot carcass weight, carcass yield, loin depth, and percentage lean compared to the preweaning socialization system. No differences were observed in backfat. In summary, pigs raised in a conventional farrowing system had increased livability, lifetime growth performance, and improved carcass characteristics compared to the preweaning socialization system.
Peri-Implant Enhancement of the Breast: Imaging Features, Significance, and Management Strategies
Authors: Maimone Santo , Srivastava Shweta , Ho Olivia S , Robinson Kristin A , Morozov Andrey P , Letter Haley P , Leon Amie , Rinker Brian D
Published: December 2024

Objective

Peri-implant enhancement can be seen on contrast-enhanced breast MRI, but its association with malignancy has not been described, leading to considerable variability in assessment and recommendations by radiologists. This study evaluated imaging features, management, and outcomes of implant-related enhancement.

Methods

This multisite IRB-approved retrospective review queried all breast MRI reports for keywords describing peri-implant enhancement, fluid, and/or masses (plus synonymous descriptions) and implant-associated malignancies, with subsequent imaging and chart review. Peri-implant enhancement and implant features were characterized. Assessments and outcomes were evaluated via clinical and imaging follow-up, aspiration/biopsy, and/or capsulectomy to evaluate for association of peri-implant enhancement with implant-related malignancy.

Results

A total of 100 patients had peri-implant enhancement. Uniform thin peripheral enhancement was most common (79/100, 79%). Capsulectomy was performed in 31/100 (31%), with benign capsular fibrosis/inflammation discovered in 26/31 (83.9%). Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma was present in 2/100 (2%), both with textured implants, while 98/100 (98%) had no implant-related malignancy. MRI recommendations varied: resume routine imaging (26/100, 26%), clinical management (18/100, 18%), follow-up MRI (17/100, 17%), MRI-directed US (17/100, 17%), aspiration/biopsy (11/100, 11%), and surgical consultation (10/100, 10%).

Conclusion

Peri-implant enhancement is a nonspecific imaging finding with a low malignant association, especially when seen in isolation (no associated effusion, mass, or adenopathy). Implant surface texture should be considered in management recommendations; diagnostic capsulectomy is not recommended in patients with smooth implants. Additional studies are encouraged to validate nonoperative management recommendations.
Effect of fast and slow-acting bait toxicants on tawny crazy ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) foraging and nesting in the field
Authors: Oi David H , Atchison Rachel A , Read Quentin D
Published: December 2024

Tawny crazy ants (TCAs), Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) are an invasive species that develops extremely large populations that overrun landscapes. Control measures frequently rely on spraying contact insecticides, which often are inadequate. To provide insights for utilizing baits for their control, TCA foraging behavior was examined on liquid ant bait formulations that contained either fast-acting dinotefuran or slow-acting disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), and the impacts of these baits were assessed. Bayesian modeling of counts from time-lapse photography of TCA feeding on the baits and a control of sucrose solution in the field revealed strong evidence of similar foraging intensities between the control and the DOT bait and less foraging intensity on the dinotefuran bait. TCA abundance on the dinotefuran bait peaked within 8 h, then diminished to smaller feeding bouts over the 3-day study. In contrast, foraging on the DOT and control remained consistently high before bait depletion. The impact of the fast and slow-acting baits in field plots were based on TCA nest sizes and TCA abundance on sausage lures. Bayesian modeling predictions revealed nest sizes declined over the 2 months with bait present while the control had large nests. Abundance on the lures in the dinotefuran plots declined from the start of the study, while with the slow-acting DOT bait, declines in abundance were not lower than the control plot until 30 days after baiting was initiated. Further refinements in baiting with liquid baits containing fast and slow acting active ingredients may provide fast and sustained control of TCA.
Spatial distribution and sequential sampling plan for Oligonychus punicae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) on grapevine
Authors: Melo André S , Oliveira José Eudes M , Melo José Wagner S , Gondim-Junior Manoel G C
Published: December 2024

Sequential sampling plans are employed for the rapid characterization of infestations to facilitate decision-making. This study aimed to (i) investigate the spatial distribution of Oligonychus punicae (Hirst) in grapevine crops, (ii) determine the most representative branch, leaf, and leaf region for monitoring, and (iii) develop a sequential sampling plan for decision-making to control O. punicae in the table grape varieties Arra 15, BRS Vitória, Cotton Candy, Sugar Crisp, and Timpson at different phenological stages. O. punicae distribution was analyzed across all varieties and developmental stages. Notably, O. punicae distribution varied among the tested varieties, with no consistent pattern observed in branches and leaves. However, a distinct distribution pattern was evident within leaves, with larger populations concentrated in the central regions. The lower and upper economic thresholds implement control measures varied according to the phenological stage, with the lower thresholds (economic threshold) set at 36% and the upper thresholds (economic injury level) at 40%. Consequently, a minimum of 3 and maximum of 20 plants were sampled. Overall, this study provides a robust approach to optimizing resource allocation and minimizing the environmental impact of O. punicae management.
Whose [Crime] is it Anyway?
Authors: Carpenter Christine
Published: December 2024

The concurrent increase in states’ cyber-capabilities and in the potential (mis)uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to further harmful state objectives raise the question: is ICL prepared to grapple with AI-powered cyberattacks conducted by and against states? Or does AI’s conduct run the risk of falling into a legal loophole, shielding from liability the human actors who commissioned its use? Addressing these questions, this article analyses how AI impacts ICL’s fundamental elements of international crimes — namely, the requirements of actus reus and mens rea. Specifically examining the literature’s more recently explored notion of the crime of ‘cyber-aggression’, this article scrutinizes the efficacy of the current text and interpretation of the Rome Statute in according international criminal responsibility where AI causes an act of cyber-aggression. It examines the spectrum on which potential acts of cyber-aggression may be fairly ‘reduced to human activity’, and thus where criminal responsibility may flow to the AI’s human instructor, versus where the act committed was perhaps too removed from human intervention to justify criminal responsibility under the applicable culpable mental state. In this article, the author argues the elements for criminal responsibility of an act of aggression, in their current construction and interpretation, are ill-prepared when faced with the murky implications of cyber-aggression conducted via state-backed AI systems. In order to engage in such a discussion, this article proceeds by providing an overview of the crime of aggression and introducing the emerging concept of ‘cyber-aggression’. Then, the article explores the challenges AI-powered acts of aggression present for the conventional elements of international criminal responsibility. Finally, the article details solutions posed by the literature and proposes an additional approach, before offering concluding remarks.
Assessment of heterogeneity according to hospital or medical experience factors in outcomes of chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract cancer: a post-hoc analysis of JCOG1113
Authors: Fukushi Koh , Imaoka Hiroshi , Ikeda Masafumi , Mizusawa Junki , Morizane Chigusa , Okusaka Takuji , Kobayashi Satoshi , Sasahira Naoki , Shimizu Satoshi , Yamazaki Kentaro , Okano Naohiro , Miwa Haruo , Hara Kazuo , Satoi Sohei , Sano Keiji , Sakai Kenji , Sugimoto Rie , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Terashima Takeshi , Ozaka Masato , Ueno Makoto ,   JCOG Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology Group, Fukushi Koh , Imaoka Hiroshi , Ikeda Masafumi , Morizane Chigusa , Okusaka Takuji , Kobayashi Satoshi , Sasahira Naoki , Shimizu Satoshi , Yamazaki Kentaro , Okano Naohiro , Miwa Haruo , Hara Kazuo , Satoi Sohei , Sano Keiji , Sakai Kenji , Sugimoto Rie , Nakamura Kazuyoshi , Terashima Takeshi , Ozaka Masato , Ueno Makoto , Mizusawa Junki
Published: December 2024

Background

JCOG1113 is a randomized phase III trial that showed non-inferiority of gemcitabine plus S-1 to gemcitabine plus cisplatin in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Assessment of inter-institutional heterogeneity in chemotherapy contributes to confirm generalizability and reliability of the study itself. However, there have been no studies conducted to assess the heterogeneity among participating centers in randomized phase III trials for biliary tract cancer.

Methods

The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to assess the inter-institutional heterogeneity in the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with advanced biliary tract cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy in the JCOG1113 trial. The heterogeneity in the overall survival and progression-free survival was assessed according to three factors: hospital volume, experience in medical oncology and experience in biliary intervention. A total of 300 advanced biliary tract cancer patients were analyzed. There were no statistically significant trends observed between hospital volume, experience in medical oncology, or experience in biliary intervention and overall survival (hospital volume: adjusted trend P value = 0.6796; experience in medical oncology: adjusted trend P value = 0.4092; experience in biliary intervention: adjusted trend P value = 0.6112). Similarly, no statistically significant trends were observed between these factors and progression-free survival (hospital volume: adjusted trend P value = 0.3000; experience in medical oncology: adjusted trend P value = 0.1108; experience in biliary intervention: adjusted trend P value = 0.2898).

Conclusions

This study revealed no inter-institutional heterogeneity in the overall survival and progression-free survival in the JCOG1113 study population of advanced biliary tract cancer patients.
Larval competition between the invasive Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) and the Caribbean endemic Aedes mediovittatus (Diptera: Culicidae) from Puerto Rico, USA
Authors: Yee Donald A , Nelsen Joseph A , Fijman Nicole S , Reyes-Torres Limarie J , Everly Jaclyn , Eastmond Bradley , Alto Barry W
Published: December 2024

Competition between mosquito species during the larval phase is a well-established mechanism structuring container mosquito communities, with invasive species often outperforming natives. We assessed the competitive outcome between 2 species that occur on the island of Puerto Rico, the historic invasive Aedes aegypti (L.) and the endemic Aedes mediovittatus (Coquillett) (Diptera: Culicidae). Trials were conducted under intra- and interspecific densities crossed with 2 amounts of 4 different leaf types serving as detrital resources for developing larvae; leaf types were representative of either urban or rural locations. Response variables included survival, male and female mass and development time, and a composite index of population growth (λʹ). We also measured tannin levels in detrital environments, a secondary metabolite that can negatively influence mosquito development and survival. The co-occurrence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. mediovittatus generally did not affect survival or population growth of Ae. mediovittatus, however the converse was not true. Specifically, Ae. aegypti suffered lower survival and lower population growth in the presence of Ae. mediovittatus compared to when it was alone. Tannin concentrations did not correspond to competitive outcomes, as the highest tannin levels occurred under the detrital conditions where mosquitoes had highest growth and survival, with no evidence of differences between urban or rural leaf types. This is the first study to quantify the competitive outcomes between these species, both of which are part of the dengue transmission cycle on the island, and our findings suggest that Ae. mediovittatus is capable of outcompeting Ae. aegypti under some resource environments.
Root RADAR: how ‘rhizocrine’ signals allow roots to detect and respond to their soil environment and stresses
Authors: Pandey Bipin K , George Timothy S , Cooper Hannah V , Sturrock Craig J , Bennett Tom , Bennett Malcolm J
Published: December 2024

Agricultural intensification coupled with changing climate are causing soils to become increasingly vulnerable to stresses such as drought, soil erosion, and compaction. The mechanisms by which roots detect and respond to soil stresses remain poorly understood. Recent breakthroughs show that roots release volatile and soluble hormone signals into the surrounding soil, then monitor their levels to sense soil stresses. Our review discusses how hormones can act ‘outside the plant’ as ‘rhizocrine’ signals that function to improve plant resilience to different soil stresses. We also propose a novel signalling paradigm which we term ‘root RADAR’ where ‘rhizocrine’ levels change in soil in response to environmental stresses, feeding back to roots and triggering adaptive responses.
Uncovering the truth about M101, NGC 3938, and their significant others through radiative transfer
Authors: Pricopi D , Popescu C C , Rushton M T , Murphy D , Inman C J , Toma R
Published: December 2024

Solving the inverse problem in spiral galaxies, that allows the derivation of the spatial distribution of dust, gas, and stars, together with their associated physical properties, directly from panchromatic imaging observations, is one of the main goals of this work. To this end, we used radiative transfer models to decode the spatial and spectral distributions of the nearby face-on galaxies M101 and NGC 3938. In both cases, we provide excellent fits to the surface-brightness distributions derived from GALEX, SDSS, 2MASS, Spitzer, and Herschel imaging observations. Together with previous results from M33, NGC 628, M51, and the Milky Way, we obtain a small statistical sample of modelled nearby galaxies that we analyse in this work. We find that in all cases Milky Way-type dust with Draine-like optical properties provide consistent and successful solutions. We do not find any ‘submm excess’, and no need for modified dust-grain properties. Intrinsic fundamental quantities like star-formation rates (SFR), specific SFR (sSFR), dust opacities, and attenuations are derived as a function of position in the galaxy and overall trends are discussed. In the SFR surface density versus stellar mass surface density space, we find a structurally resolved relation (SRR) for the morphological components of our galaxies, that is steeper than the main sequence (MS). Exception to this is for NGC 628, where the SRR is parallel to the MS.
Formation of giant clumps in high-z disc galaxies by compressive turbulence
Authors: Mandelker Nir , Ginzburg Omry , Dekel Avishai , Bournaud Frederic , Krumholz Mark R , Ceverino Daniel , Primack Joel
Published: December 2024

We address the formation of giant clumps in violently unstable gas-rich disc galaxies at cosmic noon. While these are commonly thought to originate from gravitational Toomre instability, some cosmological simulations have indicated that clumps can form in Lagrangian proto-clump regions where the Toomre Q parameter is well above unity, which are linearly stable. Examining one of these cosmological simulations, we find that it exhibits an excess in compressive modes of turbulence with converging motions. The energy in converging motions within proto-clumps is ${\sim} 70~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the total turbulent energy, compared to ${\sim} 17~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ expected in equipartition. When averaged over the whole disc, ${\sim} 40~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the turbulent energy is in compressive modes, mostly in converging motions, with the rest in solenoidal modes, compared to the $(1/3)-(2/3)$ division expected in equipartition. By contrast, we find that in an isolated-disc simulation with similar properties, resembling high-z star-forming galaxies, the different turbulence modes are in equipartition, both in proto-clumps and over the whole disc. We conclude that the origin of excessive converging motions in proto-clumps is external to the disc, and propose several mechanisms that can induce them. This is an additional mechanism for clump formation, complementary to and possibly preceding gravitational instability.