bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fragile X cortex is characterized by decreased parvalbumin-expressing interneurons
Authors: Juarez Pablo , Salcedo-Arellano Maria Jimena , Dufour Brett , Martinez-Cerdeño Veronica
Published: March 2024

Fragile X syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene in the X chromosome. Many fragile X syndrome cases present with autism spectrum disorder and fragile X syndrome cases account for up to 5% of all autism spectrum disorder cases. The cellular composition of the fragile X syndrome cortex is not well known. We evaluated alterations in the number of Calbindin, Calretinin, and Parvalbumin expressing interneurons across 5 different cortical areas, medial prefrontal cortex (BA46), primary somatosensory cortex (BA3), primary motor cortex (BA4), superior temporal cortex (BA22), and anterior cingulate cortex (BA24) of fragile X syndrome and neurotypical brains. Compared with neurotypical cases, fragile X syndrome brains displayed a significant reduction in the number of PV+ interneurons in all areas and of CR+ interneurons in BA22 and BA3. The number of CB+ interneurons did not differ. These findings are the first to demonstrate that fragile X syndrome brains are characterized by cortical wide PV+ interneuron deficits across multiple cortical areas. These add to the idea that deficits in PV+ interneurons could disrupt the cortical balance and promote clinical deficits in fragile X syndrome patients and help to develop novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders like fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
ELSM: Evidence-Based Line Segment Merging
Authors: Hamid Naila , Khan Nazar , Akram Arbish
Published: March 2024

Existing line segment detectors break perceptually contiguous linear structures into multiple line segments. This can be offset by re-merging the segments, but existing merging algorithms over-merge and produce globally incorrect segments. Geometric cues are necessary but not sufficient for deciding whether to merge two segments or not. By restricting the result of any merging decision to have underlying image support, we reduce over-merging and globally incorrect segments. We propose a novel measure for evaluating merged segments based on line segment Hausdorff distance. On images from YorkUrbanDB, we show that our algorithm improves both qualitative and quantitative results obtained from four existing line segment detection methods and is better than two existing line segment merging methods. Our method does not suffer from inconsistent results produced by four recent deep learning-based models. The method is easily customisable to work for line drawings such as hand-drawn maps to obtain vectorized representations.
Software Failure Prediction Based On Program State and First-Error Characteristics
Authors: Zhu Lina , Zhang Zuochang
Published: March 2024

Evaluating program reliability against software faults involves the work of analyzing program failure against software faults as behavior on failures is fundamental for assessing reliability. Similar failure behavior reflects similar reliability assessment against software faults of same time–space distribution. Since program failure is determined by fault manifestations, working on similarities on fault manifestations helps figuring out failures in similarity as well. In this paper, we propose a novel method to characterize program behavior by defining fine-grained runtime states at assembly-level of code, aiming to capture the very first abnormal manifestation—first-error—after software fault being activated during program run. Failure prediction model and measurement is presented based on similarities reflected by the runtime behaviors obtained. Fault injection experiments are conducted to verify the prediction measurement by utilizing software faults of Orthogonal Defect Classification to inject and MiBench programs to perform. Over 15 000+ times of fault injection by considering type and location of fault were conducted into each program in order to quantify and analyze the sensitivity on first-error and similarity on failure accordingly. The results show that programs having particular structural features (e.g. massive operations with regards to calculations, nested function-calls, case structures and loop structures, etc.) are well characterized toward first-error behaviors by extracting fine-grained states. Similarities on first-error sensitivity can be represented better for these programs as well. Same trend is seen on failure behavior and its prediction measurement.
SDTA: Secure Decentralized Trading Alliance for Electronic Medical Data
Authors: Zhang Xi , Su Ye , Qin Jing , Sun Jiameng
Published: March 2024

Massive medical data are indispensable for training diagnostic models to provide high-quality health monitoring services. The methods for sharing data in existing works involve securely and essentially copying data but often overlook the integration and efficiency of data storage, exchange and application. In this paper, we propose a Secure Decentralized Trading Alliance (SDTA) to encompass the entire process holistically. With monetary incentives, we formulate a chain-net structure for recording data digests and authentic transactions, thereby transforming data sharing into data trading without duplicating data storage. Data privacy is promised by encryption. To manage and employ encrypted medical data, users can update and search their encrypted data using an index and keywords, subsequently retrieving data within the SDTA framework. It is realized by a novel dynamic searchable symmetric encryption (SSE) with an $l$-level access strategy, which confines users to data pertinent solely to them, thus circumventing unnecessary data leakage. We scrutinize the storage efficiency and prove the fairness and security of SDTA. Finally, we generate datasets of varying sizes, where the time required to search for a single keyword is approximately 0.04 s with 1 000 000 (keyword, identifier) pairs, showing it quite acceptable.
Human Activity Recognition Based On Video Summarization And Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Kushwaha Arati , Khare Manish , Bommisetty Reddy Mounika , Khare Ashish
Published: March 2024

In this technological era, human activity recognition (HAR) plays a significant role in several applications like surveillance, health services, Internet of Things, etc. Recent advancements in deep learning and video summarization have motivated us to integrate these techniques for HAR. This paper introduces a computationally efficient HAR technique based on a deep learning framework, which works well in realistic and multi-view environments. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) normally suffer from different constraints, including data size dependencies, computational complexity, overfitting, training challenges and vanishing gradients. Additionally, with the use of advanced mobile vision devices, the demand for computationally efficient HAR algorithms with the requirement of limited computational resources is high. To address these issues, we used integration of DCNN with video summarization using keyframes. The proposed technique offers a solution that enhances performance with efficient resource utilization. For this, first, we designed a lightweight and computationally efficient deep learning architecture based on the concept of identity skip connections (features reusability), which preserves the gradient loss attenuation and can handle the enormous complexity of activity classes. Subsequently, we employed an efficient keyframe extraction technique to minimize redundancy and succinctly encapsulate the entire video content in a lesser number of frames. To evaluate the efficacy of the proposed method, we performed the experimentation on several publicly available datasets. The performance of the proposed method is measured in terms of evaluation parameters Precision, Recall, F-Measure and Classification Accuracy. The experimental results demonstrated the superiority of the presented algorithm over other existing state-of-the-art methods.
Identity Driven Information Ecosystems
Authors: Hiaeshutter-Rice Dan , Madrigal Guadalupe , Ploger Gavin , Carr Sydney , Carbone Mia , Battocchio Ava Francesca , Soroka Stuart
Published: March 2024

This article proposes a theoretical approach that highlights the role of identity in information exposure and processing. This Identity Driven Information Ecosystem (IDIE) approach is premised on the idea that everyone’s information ecosystem varies, shaped by who they are, where they live, and who they interact with. Identities play a crucial role in determining the sites of communication that individuals use and engage with, and as a result, there are systematic differences in where people get information, what information they see, and how they react to it. This article lays out an argument for how identity is associated with the information we are exposed to, select, believe, and share; and it argues that identity, technology, affordances, and structures interact to shape our information ecosystems. The article concludes with a case study of the COVID-19 pandemic as an illustration of applying the IDIE approach to understand individual-level variation in information ecosystems.
Sex differences and outcomes in surgical infective endocarditis
Authors: Leterrier Juliette , Iung Bernard , de Tymoski Christian , Deconinck Laurene , Para Marylou , Duval Xavier , Provenchere Sophie , Mesnier Jules , Delhomme Clemence , Haviari Skerdi , Urena Marina , Suc Gaspard
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with significant hospital mortality, and female sex may be associated with worse outcomes. However, the impact of sex on the presenting characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients operated on for acute infective endocarditis (IE) has not been adequately studied.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of our study was to analyse differences in management and outcome of IE between women and men who undergo surgery.

METHODS

Clinical data of 717 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for IE between December 2005 and December 2019 were prospectively collected. Sex-related postoperative outcomes including in-hospital mortality were recorded. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify potential sex-related determinant of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

In all, 532 male patients (74.2%) and 185 female patients (25.8%) underwent surgery for IE. At baseline, women had more frequent mitral regurgitation with 63 patients (34.1%) than men with 135 patients (25.4%) (P = 0.002). Female sex was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (23.2% versus 17.3%, P = 0.049). However, multivariable analysis revealed age (P < 0.01), antibiotics < 7 days before surgery (P = 0.01) and staphylococcal IE (P < 0.01) but not female sex (P = 0.99) as independent determinants of hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of patients operated-on for IE, female sex was associated with more severe manifestations of IE and significantly higher in-hospital mortality. However, after multivariable analysis, initial presentation, but not sex, seemed to determine clinical outcomes.
Extensive Disease and Exposure to Multiple Biologics Precolectomy Is Associated with Endoscopic Cuffitis Post–Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Posner Hannah , Lombard Rachel , Akiyama Shintaro , Cohen Nathaniel A , Rubin David T , Dubinsky Marla C , Dalal Sushila , Kayal Maia
Published: March 2024

Introduction

To better inform the risk of cuffitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), we aimed to identify its occurrence and associated precolectomy factors in a large multicenter cohort of patients who underwent restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with stapled ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA).

Methods

This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of individuals diagnosed with UC or indeterminate colitis who underwent RPC with IPAA for refractory disease or dysplasia at Mount Sinai Hospital or the University of Chicago followed by at least 1 pouchoscopy with report of the pouch–anal anastomosis. The primary outcome was cuffitis defined as ulceration of the cuff as reported in each pouchoscopy report.

Results

The pouch–anal anastomosis was mentioned in the pouchoscopy reports of 674 patients, of whom 525 (77.9%) had a stapled anastomosis. Among these, cuffitis occurred in 313 (59.6%) patients a median of 1.51 (interquartile range 0.59-4.17) years after final surgical stage. On multivariable analysis, older age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.02), extensive disease (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.78), exposure to biologics before colectomy (HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.93-3.27), and exposure to at least 2 or more biologics before colectomy (HR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.40-3.39) were significantly associated with subsequent cuffitis.

Conclusions

In this multicenter study of patients who underwent RPC with stapled IPAA and at least 1 follow-up pouchoscopy, cuffitis occurred in approximately 60% and was significantly associated with extensive disease and exposure to multiple biologics precolectomy.
The relationship among vedolizumab drug concentrations, biomarkers of inflammation, and clinical outcomes in a Canadian real-world study
Authors: Seow Cynthia H , Marshall John K , Stewart Erin , Pettengell Christopher , Ward Ryan , Afif Waqqas
Published: March 2024

Background and Aims

Therapeutic drug monitoring is used to optimize anti-tumour necrosis factor biologic effectiveness in inflammatory bowel disease, but its role with other biological classes is unclear. This study explores relationships between post-induction vedolizumab trough concentrations and biochemical outcomes in a real-world study of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

This retrospective analysis of data from a national patient support program between 2018 and 2020, included 436 individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis receiving vedolizumab. Optimal vedolizumab concentration thresholds (at weeks 6 and 14) were determined based on their ability to predict biochemical normalization (week 30 faecal calprotectin [<250 µg/g], C-reactive protein [<5 mg/l]). Thresholds best associated with each outcome were evaluated in multivariate analyses.

Results

Among patients with Crohn’s disease, week 6 serum vedolizumab concentrations (>41.65 µg/ml) predicted normalization defined by C-reactive protein: Spearman correlation coefficient [ρ] = −0.26, P = 0.002 and multivariate analysis (MVA)—OR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.32–7.87, P = 0.01, and at week 14 (>22.25 µg/ml): ρ = −0.38, P < 0.0001, and MVA—OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.26–8.17 but not faecal calprotectin. Similarly, among patients with ulcerative colitis, week 6 vedolizumab concentrations (>39.65 g/ml) predicted normalization defined by C-reactive protein: ρ = −0.26, P = 0.005 and MVA—OR: 4.03, 95% CI: 1.30–12.52, P = 0.016, and at week 14 (>17.35 µg/ml): ρ = −0.39, P = 0.0001 and MVA—OR: 6.95, 95% CI: 1.81–26.77, P = 0.005, but not faecal calprotectin.

Conclusions

Induction and post-induction serum vedolizumab were not consistently associated with biochemical normalization. As such, proactive therapeutic drug monitoring for vedolizumab should not be routinely incorporated in a treat to target strategy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT04567628.
Optimized network for detecting burr-breakage in images of milling workpieces
Authors: Riego del Castillo Virginia , Sánchez-González Lidia , Strisciuglio Nicola
Published: March 2024

Quality standards fulfilment is an essential task in manufacturing processes that involves high costs. One target is to avoid the presence of burrs in the edge of machine workpieces, which reduce the quality of the products. Furthermore, they are not easily removed since the part can even be damaged. In this paper, we propose an optimized Convolutional Neural Network, to detect the presence of burrs in images of milling parts. Its design is focused on the optimization of classification (accuracy) and performance metrics (training time and number of trainable parameters). The proposed architecture identifies burrs with a 91.16% accuracy in the test set, outperforming existing models as EfficientNetB0. It also reduces the number of trainable parameters from other models as AlexNet by 1.5 million. The prediction process just takes 48.39 milliseconds per image. Finally, in order to check if the model gets a high activation in the region of interest, a visual explanation of the model is also carried out by using Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping.
Sign-based image criteria for social interaction visual question answering
Authors: Chuganskaya Anfisa A , Kovalev Alexey K , Panov Aleksandr I
Published: March 2024

The multi-modal tasks have started to play a significant role in the research on artificial intelligence. A particular example of that domain is visual–linguistic tasks, such as visual question answering. The progress of modern machine learning systems is determined, among other things, by the data on which these systems are trained. Most modern visual question answering data sets contain limited type questions that can be answered either by directly accessing the image itself or by using external data. At the same time, insufficient attention is paid to the issues of social interactions between people, which limits the scope of visual question answering systems. In this paper, we propose criteria by which images suitable for social interaction visual question answering can be selected for composing such questions, based on psychological research. We believe this should serve the progress of visual question answering systems.
Hemorrhagic giant adrenal myelolipoma discovered incidentally: a case report
Authors: Alhassan Luma , Nasser Hassan , Ali Mohammed A , Sagher Haneen G , Al-janabi Moatasem H
Published: March 2024

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign, nonfunctional tumors composed of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements. Hemorrhage within an adrenal myelolipoma is an uncommon occurrence, and when it happens, it can present with various clinical manifestations. Here, we report a case of a hemorrhagic giant adrenal myelolipoma in a 45-year-old female that was discovered incidentally. We discuss the clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical intervention, and postoperative outcomes in this case report.
Navigating missing link: innovative cannulation for robotic mitral valve repair in the absence of inferior vena cava
Authors: Alwatari Yahya , Randall Lindsey , Rowse Phillip G , Daly Richard C , Arghami Arman
Published: March 2024

Cardiac surgeries often require the use of cardiopulmonary bypass to allow visualization and manipulation of tissues. Vascular anomalies may impose challenges with access configuration. A patient was evaluated for robot-assisted mitral valve repair and found to have an atretic inferior vena cava secondary due to chronic occlusion. The patient was cannulated arterially through the left common femoral artery, and two cannulation sites were applied for venous drainage: the right intrajugular vein and a second percutaneous access site directly into the right atrium through the chest wall. The procedure was completed without immediate complications, and the patient’s perioperative course was unremarkable.
Multidisciplinary approach to the management of renal angiomyolipoma with inferior vena cava thrombus and pulmonary embolism: a case report
Authors: Perdue Jordyn , Wells Alexandra , Patel Krishna , Du Plessis Wihan , Varre Jaya , Salibi Patrick
Published: March 2024

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign tumor with rare venous extension. We present a case of a patient with renal AML with inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus and acute pulmonary embolism (PE). A 34-year-old female presented with chest pain. Imaging revealed a 5 cm right renal AML, with tumor thrombus into the renal vein and IVC, and acute left lower lobe PE. Right radical nephrectomy and caval thrombectomy were performed using intraoperative ultrasound. Rarely, these benign tumors generate thrombus with caval extension. The location of IVC thrombus guides surgical planning, which may involve suprahepatic IVC control or cardiopulmonary bypass. Early involvement of a multidisciplinary team with extensive preoperative planning can help achieve successful outcomes.
High-grade B-cell lymphoma with a quadruple-hit genetic profile including concurrent MYC, BCL2, BCL6, and CCND1 gene rearrangements
Authors: Gagnon Marie-France , Meyer Reid G , Weaver Eric J , Wood Adam J , Dupuy Dudley A , Menachery Sudeep J , Shi Min , Baughn Linda B , Ketterling Rhett P , Peterson Jess F
Published: March 2024

Several reports of concurrent MYC, BCL2, BCL6, and CCND1 rearrangements in high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBL) have been recently described. Herein, we aimed to delineate the scope of this entity through a review of HGBL with a “quadruple-hit” genetic profile identified at our institution. We performed a retrospective review (2015-2023) at our institution of B-cell lymphoma (BCL) cases that were evaluated with concurrent MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 break-apart and IGH::MYC and IGH::CCND1 dual-color dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization studies. Of 203 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 2 (1%) with a quadruple-hit genetic profile were identified. Case 1 represented a 59-year-old female with widespread lymphadenopathy and a diagnosis of HGBL who exhibited primary refractoriness to dose-adjusted etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R) chemotherapy. Case 2 represented a 58-year-old male with mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy and a diagnosis of large BCL who died from disease after 1 cycle of DA-EPOCH-R chemotherapy. Similarly, a literature review of 7 previously reported cases of HGBL with a quadruple-hit profile also demonstrated aggressive disease behavior. Our study adds 2 new cases to the rarely encountered quadruple-hit HGBL, and a brief meta-analysis of the 9 available cases indicates aggressive disease behavior conferred by this constellation of genetic events.
A reanalysis of the LHS 1140 b atmosphere observed with the Hubble Space Telescope
Authors: Biagini Alfredo , Cracchiolo Gianluca , Petralia Antonino , Maldonado Jesús , Di Maio Claudia , Micela Giuseppina
Published: March 2024

The super-Earth LHS 1140 b is an interesting target for atmospheric observations since it is close to the habitable zone of its star and falls in the gap of the radius distribution of small exoplanets, in the region thought to correspond to the transition between planets with and without atmospheres. Observations of the primary transit with WFC3 onboard of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) revealed a modulation in the planet transmission spectrum compatible with the presence of water; however, this modulation may be also due to stellar activity-related phenomena. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the WFC3/HST observations to probe the nature of this modulation and to understand if it can be attributable to the presence of unocculted spots on the stellar surface. Our analysis strongly suggests that LHS1140 is a rather quiet star with subsolar [Fe/H] and enriched in α elements. Therefore, we rule out the possibility that the planetary spectrum is affected by the presence of spots and faculae. This analysis shows the importance of a proper modelling of the stellar spectrum when analysing transit observations. Finally, we modelled the planetary atmosphere of LHS1140 b to retrieve its atmospheric composition. However, the low resolution and the narrow spectral range of HST observations prevented us from definitively determining whether the spectral features are attributable to the presence of water or of other molecules in the planetary atmosphere.
The S-PLUS Fornax Project (S+FP): A first 12-band glimpse of the Fornax galaxy cluster
Authors: Smith Castelli A V , Cortesi A , Haack R F , Lopes A R , Thainá-Batista J , Cid Fernandes R , Lomelí-Núñez L , Ribeiro U , de Bom C R , Cernic V , Sodré Jr L , Zenocratti L , De Rossi M E , Calderón J P , Herpich F , Telles E , Saha K , Lopes P A A , Lopes-Silva V H , Gonçalves T S , Bambrila D , Cardoso N M , Buzzo M L , Astudillo Sotomayor P , Demarco R , Leigh N , Sarzi M , Menéndez-Delmestre K , Faifer F R , Jiménez-Teja Y , Grossi M , Hernández-Jiménez J A , Krabbe A C , Gutiérrez Soto L A , Brandão D , Espinosa L , Olave-Rojas D E , Oliveira Schwarz G B , Almeida-Fernandes F , Schoenell W , Ribeiro T , Kanaan A , Mendes de Oliveira C
Published: March 2024

The Fornax galaxy cluster is the richest nearby (D ∼ 20 Mpc) galaxy association in the southern sky. As such, it provides a wealth of opportunities to elucidate on the processes where environment holds a key role in transforming galaxies. Although it has been the focus of many studies, Fornax has never been explored with contiguous homogeneous wide-field imaging in 12 photometric narrow and broad bands like those provided by the Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS). In this paper, we present the S-PLUS Fornax Project (S+FP) that aims to comprehensively analyse the galaxy content of the Fornax cluster using S-PLUS. Our data set consists of 106 S-PLUS wide-field frames (FoV∼1.4 × 1.4 deg2) observed in five Sloan Digital Sky Survey-like ugriz broad bands and seven narrow bands covering specific spectroscopic features like [O ii], Ca ii H+K, Hδ, G band, Mg b triplet, Hα, and the Ca ii triplet. Based on S-PLUS specific automated photometry, aimed at correctly detecting Fornax galaxies and globular clusters in S-PLUS images, our data set provides the community with catalogues containing homogeneous 12-band photometry for ∼3 × 106 resolved and unresolved objects within a region extending over ∼208 deg2 (∼5 Rvir in RA) around Fornax’ central galaxy, NGC 1399. We further explore the eagle and IllustrisTNG cosmological simulations to identify 45 Fornax-like clusters and generate mock images on all 12 S-PLUS bands of these structures down to galaxies with M⋆ ≥ 108 M⊙. The S+FP data set we put forward in this first paper of a series will enable a variety of studies some of which are briefly presented.
Including a luminous central remnant in radiative transfer simulations for Type Iax supernovae
Authors: Callan F P , Sim S A , Collins C E , Shingles L J , Lach F , Röpke F K , Pakmor R , Kromer M , Srivastav S
Published: March 2024

Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) are proposed to arise from deflagrations of Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs (WDs). Previous deflagration simulations have achieved good agreement with the light curves and spectra of intermediate-luminosity and bright SNe Iax. However, the model light curves decline too quickly after peak, particularly in red optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands. Deflagration models with a variety of ignition configurations do not fully unbind the WD, leaving a remnant polluted with 56Ni. Emission from such a remnant may contribute to the luminosity of SNe Iax. Here we investigate the impact of adding a central energy source, assuming instantaneous powering by 56Ni decay in the remnant, in radiative transfer calculations of deflagration models. Including the remnant contribution improves agreement with the light curves of SNe Iax, particularly due to the slower post-maximum decline of the models. Spectroscopic agreement is also improved, with intermediate-luminosity and faint models showing greatest improvement. We adopt the full remnant 56Ni mass predicted for bright models, but good agreement with intermediate-luminosity and faint SNe Iax is only possible for remnant 56Ni masses significantly lower than those predicted. This may indicate that some of the 56Ni decay energy in the remnant does not contribute to the radiative luminosity but instead drives mass ejection, or that escape of energy from the remnant is significantly delayed. Future work should investigate the structure of remnants predicted by deflagration models and the potential roles of winds and delayed energy escape, as well as extend radiative transfer simulations to late times.
Constraining ion transport in the diamagnetic cavity of comet 67P
Authors: Lewis Z M , Beth A , Galand M , Henri P , Rubin M , Stephenson P
Published: March 2024

The European Space Agency Rosetta mission escorted comet 67P for a 2-yr section of its six and a half-year orbit around the Sun. By perihelion in 2015 August, the neutral and plasma data obtained by the spacecraft instruments showed the comet had transitioned to a dynamic object with large-scale plasma structures and a rich ion environment. One such plasma structure is the diamagnetic cavity: a magnetic field-free region formed by interaction between the unmagnetized cometary plasma and the impinging solar wind. Within this region, unexpectedly high ion bulk velocities have been observed, thought to have been accelerated by an ambipolar electric field. We have developed a 1D numerical model of the cometary ionosphere to constrain the impact of various electric field profiles on the ionospheric density profile and ion composition. In the model, we include three ion species: H2O+, H3O+, and $\mathrm{NH_4^+}$. The latter, not previously considered in ionospheric models including acceleration, is produced through the protonation of NH3 and only lost through ion–electron dissociative recombination, and thus particularly sensitive to the time-scale of plasma loss through transport. We also assess the importance of including momentum transfer when assessing ion composition and densities in the presence of an electric field. By comparing simulated electron densities to Rosetta Plasma Consortium data sets, we find that to recreate the plasma densities measured inside the diamagnetic cavity near perihelion, the model requires an electric field proportional to r−1 of around 0.5–2 mV m−1 surface strength, leading to bulk ion speeds at Rosetta of 1.2–3.0 km s−1.
Health Care Utilization and Clinical Management of All-Cause and Norovirus-Associated Acute Gastroenteritis Within a US Integrated Health Care System
Authors: Cates Jordan , Mattison Claire P , Groom Holly , Donald Judy , Hall Rebecca P , Schmidt Mark A , Hall Aron J , Naleway Allison L , Mirza Sara A
Published: March 2024

Background

Norovirus-associated acute gastroenteritis (AGE) exacts a substantial disease burden, yet the health care utilization for and clinical management of norovirus-associated AGE are not well characterized.

Methods

We describe the health care encounters and therapeutics used for patients with all-cause and norovirus-associated AGE in the Kaiser Permanente Northwest health system from 1 April 2014 through 30 September 2016. Medical encounters for patients with AGE were extracted from electronic health records, and encounters within 30 days of one another were grouped into single episodes. An age-stratified random sample of patients completed surveys and provided stool samples for norovirus testing.

Results

In total, 40 348 individuals had 52 509 AGE episodes; 460 (14%) of 3310 participants in the substudy tested positive for norovirus. An overall 35% of all-cause AGE episodes and 29% of norovirus-associated AGE episodes had ≥2 encounters. While 80% of norovirus-associated AGE episodes had at least 1 encounter in the outpatient setting, all levels of the health care system were affected: 10%, 22%, 10%, and 2% of norovirus-associated AGE episodes had at least 1 encounter in virtual, urgent care, emergency department, and inpatient settings, respectively. Corresponding proportions of therapeutic use between norovirus-positive and norovirus-negative episodes were 13% and 10% for intravenous hydration (P = .07), 65% and 50% for oral rehydration (P < .001), 7% and 14% for empiric antibiotic therapy (P < .001), and 33% and 18% for antiemetics (P < .001).

Conclusions

Increased health care utilization and therapeutics are likely needed for norovirus-associated AGE episodes during peak norovirus winter seasons, and these data illustrate that effective norovirus vaccines will likely result in less health care utilization.
Property and the end of Empire in International Zones, 1919–1947
Authors: Ross Anna
Published: March 2024

At the end of the First World War, defeated European empires ceded a wealth of imperial patronage, including palaces, government buildings and offices, to newly forming states in central Europe. While we know a great deal about these property transfers, the fate of ceded property in mandates and other newly emerging sovereign spaces, such as international zones, is less well known. This article traces the ways in which central European properties were reallocated and sold in international zones, with special reference to the International Zone of Tangier. While the remains of central European imperialism in Tangier were integrated into the international administration, this process encouraged erstwhile imperial powers to vie ever harder to reclaim ‘their’ former property, including private property portfolios. Meanwhile, it encouraged existing imperial powers to support private property purchases in order to secure advantages in the administration. In other words, internationalization entailed widespread competition for property that is omitted from the usual accounts of these spaces. Drawing attention to this phenomenon is important as it reveals the new forms imperial rivalries took on within the international structures created after the war.
Littoral phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in a tropical reservoir: Pantabangan Reservoir, the Philippines
Authors: Alpecho Bryan C , Duya Mariano R M , Mendoza Nikki Y B , Magbanua Francis S
Published: March 2024

Littoral phytoplankton and zooplankton diversity are influenced by the water quality parameters and their trophic interactions. In the largest reservoir of the Philippines, this study examined the water quality and plankton community composition in the littoral zone across three sampling sites and four depths. Of the three sites, one is located near active fish cages, one near the mouth of a tributary and one near an outlet of an upstream dam. A total of 36 phytoplankton and 34 zooplankton taxa were identified, with most taxa belonging to Chlorophyta and Cyclopoida. The most abundant phytoplankton and zooplankton taxa were Aulacoseira and Microcyclops, respectively. The three most abundant phytoplankton (Aulacoseira, Oscillatoria, Volvox) were most positively correlated with the nutrient levels [total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and TN:TP ratio]. A significant interaction of sampling site and depth was recorded for the phytoplankton’s Shannon diversity index and community composition. The decreased zooplankton diversity amidst decreased phytoplankton diversity in the aquaculture site aligns with the effect of lowered resource heterogeneity on zooplankton. The increased phytoplankton diversity and decreased zooplankton density and taxon richness at shallower depths were probably linked with the light availability.
Large Order Behavior Near the AD Point: The Case of 𝒩 = 2, su(2), Nf = 2
Authors: Chan Chuan-Tsung , Itoyama H , Yoshioka R
Published: March 2024

A non-perturbative effect in κ (renormalized string coupling) obtained from the large order behavior in the vicinity of the prototypical Argyres–Douglas critical point of su(2), Nf = 2, $\mathcal {N} =2$ supersymmetric gauge theory can be studied in the Gross–Witten–Wadia unitary matrix model with the log term: one as the work done against the barrier of the effective potential by a single eigenvalue lifted from the sea and the other as a non-perturbative function contained in the solutions of the nonlinear differential Painlevé II equation that goes beyond the asymptotic series. The leading behaviors are of the form $\exp \{[-({4}/{3})({1}/{\kappa })] \, [1, \left({s}/{K}\right)^{{3}/{2}}]\}$. We make comments on their agreement.
A simple spacecraft – vector intersection methodology and applications
Authors: Xystouris Georgios , Shebanits Oleg , Arridge Christopher S
Published: March 2024

Observations with spacecraft-mounted instruments are usually limited by their field-of-view and are often affected by the spacecraft's shadow or wake. Their extent though can be derived from the spacecraft's geometry. In this work we present a robust method for calculating the field-of-view as well as the extent of a spacecraft shadow and wake from readily available spacecraft CAD models. We demonstrate these principles on Cassini, where we give examples of vector-spacecraft intersection for the Cassini Langmuir Probe, as well the field-of-view of the Langmuir Probe and the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer.
Triple-layered core-shell fiber dressings with enduring platelet conservation and sustained growth factor release abilities for chronic wound healing
Authors: Lai Simin , Wu Tingbin , Shi Chenxi , Wang Xiaojing , Liu Pengbi , Wang Lihuan , Yu Hui
Published: March 2024

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the most popular biomaterials in regenerative medicine. However, the difficulties encountered in its preservation, and the requirement for on-demand preparation severely limit its application. In addition, its rapid degradation in the wound microenvironment makes the sustained release of growth factors impossible and finally reduces the therapeutic effect on chronic wounds. Here, a multifunctional dressing based on triple-layered core-shell fibers for loading and enduring preservation of PRP was developed using a one-step coaxial bioprinting technique combined with freeze-drying. The platelets were effectively dispersed and immobilized in the core layer of the fiber, leading to a sustained release of growth factors from the PRP. The rate of release can be controlled by adjusting the triple-layered core-shell structure. Simultaneously, the triple-layered core-shell structure can reduce the deactivation of PRP during freezing and storage. The experimental findings suggest that PRP exhibits sustained activity, facilitating the process of wound healing even after a storage period of 180 days. Furthermore, the protective mechanism of PRP by the triple-layered core-shell fiber was investigated, and the conditions for freeze-drying and storage were optimized, further enhancing the long-term storability of PRP. As a result, the multifunctional core-shell fiber dressings developed in this study offer a novel approach for sustained growth factor release and the enduring preservation of active PRP.
Skilled Immigration, R&D Concentration, and Industry Consolidation
Authors: Aggarwal Rajesh K , Baxamusa Mufaddal
Published: March 2024

We demonstrate a novel link between skilled immigration restrictions, corporate innovation, and industry consolidation. Binding restrictions on H1B visas are a shock to firms’ R&D labor supply, leading firms to shift R&D expenditures and employees overseas. Organizationally and financially constrained firms are less able to adjust to the restrictions. They reduce basic research and patenting, are less able to acquire other firms for intellectual property, and are more likely to exit. Industry concentration and firm-level markups increase when firms are better able to adjust. This increase in market power is an unintended consequence of skilled immigration restrictions.
Intensive Longitudinal Social Sensing in Patients With Psychosis Spectrum Disorders: An Exploratory Pilot Study
Authors: von Heyden Moritz , Grube Paul , Sack Markus , Wiesner Johannes , Frank Oliver , Becker Kathrin , Heintz Stefan , Reinhard Iris , Hohmann Sarah , Hirjak Dusan , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Braun Urs
Published: March 2024

Background

Psychosis spectrum disorders are characterized by significant alterations in social functioning, which is a major factor for patient recovery. Despite its importance, objectively quantifying the complex day-to-day social behavior in real-life settings has rarely been attempted. Here, we conducted a pilot study with wearable sensors that passively and continuously register interactions with other participants. We hypothesized that the amount and pattern of social interaction was associated with the severity of psychotic symptoms.

Study Design

We recruited 7 patients with psychosis spectrum disorders and 18 team members from a Soteria-style ward. Each participant wore a radio frequency identification badge, sending and receiving signals from nearby badges, allowing passive quantification of social interactions. In addition, symptom severity was assessed weekly by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS).

Study Results

During an 11-week period, we identified 17 970 interactions among patients and staff. On average, patients spent 2.6 h per day interacting, capturing relevant aspects of daily social life. Relative daily interaction time, average interaction duration, and clustering coefficient, a measure of local network integration, were significantly associated with lower PANSS scores. Self-reported interaction time did not correlate with measured interaction time or with PANSS, indicating the importance of objective markers.

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of passively recording social interaction of patients and staff at high resolution and for a long observation period in a real-life setting in a psychiatric department. We show links between quantified social interaction and psychopathology that may facilitate development and personalization of targeted treatments.
Beneficial role of amygdalin extracts against animal growth regulator Boldjan induced cardiac toxicity, injury and oxidative stress in male rats
Authors: Hussain Eman M , Alkadhimy Sura M , Neamah Asmaa M , Tousson Ehab
Published: March 2024

Millions of individuals have used illicit anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), but the long-term cardiovascular associations of these drugs remain incompletely understood. Boldjan is AAS medication which is used in veterinary medicine and by young adults aiming to have a better appearance improving their self-esteem. Therefore; the objective of the current investigation was to examine any potential preventative effects of amygdalin extract against anabolic steroid Boldjan induced cardic toxicity, injury and oxidative stress in male rat. Forty adult male Wistar rats were classified into five groups (Gp1, Control Gp; Gp2, Amygdalin Gp in which rats treated with amygdalin (100 mg/kg body weight/day) daily for 2 weeks; Gp3, Boldjan Gp in which rats treated with Boldjan (10 mg/Kg BW/week) for 4 weeks; Gp4, Boldjan + Amygdalin). Boldjan induced a significant rises in serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase MB (CK MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and very-low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (VLDL-C), cardiac injury, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and a significant depletion in serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), cardiac reduced glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (Cat) activities as compared to control Gp. In contrast, Amygdalin significantly reversed the Boldjan induced cardiac toxicity in post treated rats Gp (Boldjan + Amygdalin). Amygdalin could be an efficient preventive supplement for mitigating Boldjan induced cardiac toxicity, possibly via controlling oxidative stress events.
The avatar law and (cyber) transnational contracts
Authors: Kozuka Souichirou
Published: March 2024

The virtual world, often referred to as “Metaverse”, has recently emerged as the forum for people to communicate and socialise with each other. It will not be long before economic activities take place in the Metaverse, booming the Metaverse economy. To provide legal certainties to such activities, the law on the subjects of such activities, namely avatars, needs to be explored, besides the law on the objects in the virtual world, or digital assets, which have already been extensively discussed. There can be three possible approaches to the law of avatars. They are to treat an avatar either as a device (thing) deployed by a person or corporation in the real world, as an agent of the latter, or as an entity with distinct legal personality. Depending on which approach is to be followed, the existing laws of identity management and trust services, those of agency or those of mutual recognition of legal personalities may be useful in forming the law on avatars. When choosing the approach to the issue, law-makers have to make a policy decision, carefully examining the economic and social benefits and problems that each approach will entail. In doing so, the functional analysis of the corporate law will be helpful.
A mysterious treasure originated from Africa: evolutionary history of the endangered spoon-winged lacewings (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae) from China
Authors: Zheng Yuchen , Liu Xingyue
Published: March 2024

The spoon-winged lacewings (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae) are a group of charismatic insects with morphological and biological specializations. Among the known 105 species of Nemopterinae worldwide, only one species, namely Nemopistha sinica Yang, 1986, is recorded from East Asia. However, the morphology, taxonomic status, and evolutionary history of this rare species are poorly known. Here, we present a systematic revision of the Chinese Nemopterinae and establish a new genus, Sinonemoptera, that comprises Sinonemoptera sinica (Yang, 1986) comb. nov. from western Yunnan and a new species, Sinonemoptera tibetana sp. nov., from southeastern Tibet. Based on the phylogeny of Nemopterinae combining morphological and molecular evidence, Nemopterinae are divided into two major clades by the length of the adult abdomen, and Sinonemoptera gen. nov. together with some Afrotropical genera constitute a monophyletic lineage characterized by a long abdomen. Our results suggest a Late Cretaceous African origin and three Tertiary transcontinental dispersals in shaping the global distribution of Nemopterinae. Our ecological niche modelling demonstrates the specific requirement for warm and dry habitats in nemopterines and highlights the urgent need for protection of the savannah-like habitat along the Nujiang valley for the Chinese Nemopterinae.