bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced picosecond precision Radio Frequency Timer
Authors: Zhamkochyan S. , Kakoyan V. , Abrahamyan S. , Elbakyan H. , Ayvazyan G. , Ayvazyan R. , Ghalumyan A. , Kakoyan A. , Mayilyan S. , Papyan A. , Piloyan A. , Rostomyan H. , Safaryan A. , Sughyan G. , Vardanyan H. , Zohrabyan H. , Annand J. , Livingston K. , Montgomery R. , Achenbach P. , Pochodzalla J. , Balabanski D.L. , Nakamura S.N. , Aprahamian A. , Brodeur M. , Sharyy V. , Yvon D. , Margaryan A.
Published: February 2024

A new type of radio frequency (RF) timing technique is presented. It is based on a helical deflector, which performs circular or elliptical sweeps of photo- or secondary electrons, accelerated to keV energies, by means of RF fields in the 500–1000 MHz range. By converting a time distribution of the electrons to a hit position distribution on a circle or ellipse, this device achieves extremely precise timing, similar to streak cameras. Detection of the scanned electrons, using a position sensitive detector based on microchannel plates and a delay line anode, resulted in a timing resolution of 10 ps, which can be potentially improved to 1 ps. RF-Timer-based single photon and heavy ion detectors have potential applications in different fields of science and industry, which include high energy nuclear physics and imaging technologies. This technique could play a crucial role in developing of sub 10 ps Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography.
A numerical study on the aerodynamic effects of dynamic twisting on forward flight flapping wings
Authors: Dong Yuanbo , Song Bifeng , Yang Wenqing , Xue Dong
Published: February 2024

To better understand the secret of natural flying vertebrates such as how humming-birds twist their wings to achieve superb flight ability, we presented a numerical investigation of dynamic twisting based on a hummingbird-like flapping wing model. Computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed to examine the effects of dynamic twisting on the unsteady flow field, the generation of instantaneous aerodynamic forces, and the time-averaged aerodynamic performance. This research reveals the details of leading-edge vortices (LEVs) and the underlying mechanisms behind the positive effects of wing torsion. The results demonstrated that wing torsion can effectively maintain the favorable distribution of effective angle of attack along the wing spanwise, resulting in a higher time-averaged thrust and vertical force. Further, the proper parameters of dynamic twisting can also improve the propulsive efficiency in forward flight. Dynamic twisting also showed a superior ability in controlling the airflow separation over the wing surface and maintaining the stability of the LEV. The amplitudes of effective angle of attack associated with the highest peak thrust and the maximum thrust-to-power at different advanced ratios were also explored, and it was found that the amplitudes decrease with increasing advanced ratio. To improve the efficiency during larger advanced ratio, specific modifications to the pitching of the wing were proposed in this work. The research in this paper has promising implications for the bio-inspired flapping wing.
A biomimetic orthogonal flow sensor based on an asymmetric optical fiber sensory structure for marine sensing
Authors: Wang Yujia , Song Mingwang , Fu Xianping
Published: February 2024

With increasing attention on the world’s oceans, a significant amount of research has been focused on the sensing of marine-related parameters in recent years. In this paper, a bioinspired flow sensor with corrosion resistance, anti-interference capability, a portable design structure, easy integration, and directional sensing ability is presented to realize flow speed sensing in open water. The sensor is realized by a flexible artificial cupula that seals one side of an optical fiber acting as an artificial kinocilium. Below the artificial kinocilium, an encapsulated s-tapered optical fiber mimics the fish neuromast sensory mechanism and is supported by a 3D-printed structure that acts as the artificial supporting cell. To characterize the sensor, the optical transmission spectra of the sensory fiber under a set of water flow velocities and four orthogonal directions were monitored. The sensor’s peak intensity responses were found to demonstrate flow sensing ability for velocity and direction, proving that this biomimetic portable sensing structure is a promising candidate for flow sensing in marine environments.
Analyzing the kinematics and longitudinal aerodynamics of a four-wing bionic aircraft
Authors: Wang Lishuang , Shi Zhiwei , Geng Xi , Tong Shengxiang , Chen Zhen
Published: February 2024

This paper designs a bionic aircraft model equipped with multiple degrees of freedom to study the inertial force equation and the aerodynamic interaction between its forewings and hindwings. Each wing’s phase difference angle (PDA) and stroke plane angle (SPA) are independently adjustable. Employing the kinematic equation of a single wing, we establish a model for the inertial force of the four-wing aircraft, validating its accuracy through experimental comparisons. Furthermore, we analyze various combinations of PDA and SPA parameters for the fore- and hindwings to ascertain the most efficient aerodynamic motion modes. Our findings reveal that aerodynamic interference between the fore- and hindwings tends to be unfavorable, predominantly due to the hindwings being exposed to the wake generated by the forewings, hindering their lift-capturing ability. Nevertheless, a specific PDA = 270° (forewing ahead of hindwing 270°) helps mitigate this interference across a wider range of SPA. Interestingly, when the stroke plane aligns parallel to the horizontal direction, asynchronous flapping of the fore- and hindwings, forming a lift mechanism akin to clap-and-fling wings, positively impacts lift. Consequently, staggered flapping of the fore- and hindwings reduces fuselage jitter and alleviates aerodynamic interference through specialized PDA, resulting in a temporary lift enhancement. The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical support for the longitudinal attitude control of four-wing aircraft.
Advantages and limitations of using cell viability assays for 3D bioprinted constructs
Authors: Avnet Sofia , Pompo Gemma Di , Borciani Giorgia , Fischetti Tiziana , Graziani Gabriela , Baldini Nicola
Published: February 2024

Bioprinting shows promise for bioengineered scaffolds and three-dimensional (3D) disease models, but assessing the viability of embedded cells is challenging. Conventional assays are limited by the technical problems that derive from using multi-layered bioink matrices dispersing cells in three dimensions. In this study, we tested bioprinted osteogenic bioinks as a model system. Alginate- or gelatin-based bioinks were loaded with/without ceramic microparticles and osteogenic cells (bone tumor cells, with or without normal bone cells). Despite demonstrating 80%–90% viability through manual counting and live/dead staining, this was time-consuming and operator-dependent. Moreover, for the alginate-bioprinted scaffold, cell spheroids could not be distinguished from single cells. The indirect assay (alamarBlue), was faster but less accurate than live/dead staining due to dependence on hydrogel permeability. Automated confocal microscope acquisition and cell counting of live/dead staining was more reproducible, reliable, faster, efficient, and avoided overestimates compared to manual cell counting by optical microscopy. Finally, for 1.2 mm thick 3D bioprints, dual-photon confocal scanning with vital staining greatly improved the precision of the evaluation of cell distribution and viability and cell–cell interactions through the z-axis. In summary, automated confocal microscopy and cell counting provided superior accuracy for the assessment of cell viability and interactions in 3D bioprinted models compared to most commonly and currently used techniques.
Challenges in distinguishing functional proteins from polyproteins in databases: implications for drug discovery
Authors: Llop-Peiró Ariadna , Pujadas Gerard , Garcia-Vallvé Santiago
Published: February 2024

This opinion article addresses a major issue in molecular biology and drug discovery by highlighting the complications that arise from combining polyproteins and their functional products within the same database entry. This problem, exemplified by the discovery of novel inhibitors for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease, has an influence on our ability to retrieve precise data and hinders the development of targeted therapies. It also emphasizes the need for improved database practices and underscores their significance in advancing scientific research. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need of learning from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in order to improve global preparedness for future health crises.
Long-term drug survival of adalimumab, infliximab, secukinumab and ustekinumab in hidradenitis suppurativa: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Ring Hans Christian , Thorsen Jonathan , Kirby Brian , Ingram John R , Rosenø Nana Aviaaja Lippert , Holgersen Nikolaj , Nielsen Valdemar W , Thein Aagaard David Nikolai , Maul Julia-Tatjana , Wu Jashin J , Thyssen Jacob P , Egeberg Alexander , Thomsen Simon F
Published: February 2024

This nationwide cohort study included 452 patients (873 treatment series) and reported drug survival data on patients with hidradenitis suppurativa treated with biologics such as adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab and secukinumab. The median drug survival time for adalimumab was approximately 8 months, but bio-naïve patients had a significantly longer drug survival time compared with non-naïve patients.
Clinical and experimental treatment of primary humoral immunodeficiencies
Authors: Szaflarska Anna , Lenart Marzena , Rutkowska-Zapała Magdalena , Siedlar Maciej
Published: February 2024

Selective IgA deficiency (sIgAD), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI) are the most frequent forms of primary antibody deficiencies. Difficulties in initial diagnosis, especially in the early childhood, the familiar occurrence of these diseases, as well as the possibility of progression to each other suggest common cellular and molecular patomechanism and a similar genetic background. In this review, we discuss both similarities and differences of these three humoral immunodeficiencies, focusing on current and novel therapeutic approaches. We summarize immunoglobulin substitution, antibiotic prophylaxis, treatment of autoimmune diseases, and other common complications, i.e. cytopenias, gastrointestinal complications, and granulomatous disease. We discuss novel therapeutic approaches such as allogenic stem cell transplantation and therapies targeting-specific proteins, dependent on the patient’s genetic defect. The diversity of possible therapeutics models results from a great heterogeneity of the disease variants, implying the need of personalized medicine approach as a future of primary humoral immunodeficiencies treatment.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase 3 Safety and Efficacy Study of Ridinilazole Versus Vancomycin for Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection: Clinical Outcomes With Microbiome and Metabolome Correlates of Response
Authors: Okhuysen Pablo C , Ramesh Mayur S , Louie Thomas , Kiknadze Nino , Torre-Cisneros Julian , de Oliveira Claudia Murta , Van Steenkiste Christophe , Stychneuskaya Alena , Garey Kevin W , Garcia-Diaz Julia , Li Jianling , Duperchy Esther , Chang Betty Y , Sukbuntherng Juthamas , Montoya Jose G , Styles Lori , Clow Fong , James Danelle , Dubberke Erik R , Wilcox Mark
Published: February 2024

Background

Exposure to antibiotics predisposes to dysbiosis and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) that can be severe, recurrent (rCDI), and life-threatening. Nonselective drugs that treat CDI and perpetuate dysbiosis are associated with rCDI, in part due to loss of microbiome-derived secondary bile acid (SBA) production. Ridinilazole is a highly selective drug designed to treat CDI and prevent rCDI.

Methods

In this phase 3 superiority trial, adults with CDI, confirmed with a stool toxin test, were randomized to receive 10 days of ridinilazole (200 mg twice daily) or vancomycin (125 mg 4 times daily). The primary endpoint was sustained clinical response (SCR), defined as clinical response and no rCDI through 30 days after end of treatment. Secondary endpoints included rCDI and change in relative abundance of SBAs.

Results

Ridinilazole and vancomycin achieved an SCR rate of 73% versus 70.7%, respectively, a treatment difference of 2.2% (95% CI: −4.2%, 8.6%). Ridinilazole resulted in a 53% reduction in recurrence compared with vancomycin (8.1% vs 17.3%; 95% CI: −14.1%, −4.5%; P = .0002). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent ridinilazole benefit for reduction in rCDI across subgroups. Ridinilazole preserved microbiota diversity, increased SBAs, and did not increase the resistome. Conversely, vancomycin worsened CDI-associated dysbiosis, decreased SBAs, increased Proteobacteria abundance (∼3.5-fold), and increased the resistome.

Conclusions

Although ridinilazole did not meet superiority in SCR, ridinilazole greatly reduced rCDI and preserved microbiome diversity and SBAs compared with vancomycin. These findings suggest that treatment of CDI with ridinilazole results in an earlier recovery of gut microbiome health.

Clinical Trials Registration.Ri-CoDIFy 1 and 2: NCT03595553 and NCT03595566.
Non-KPC Attributes of Newer β-lactam/β-lactamase Inhibitors, Part 1: Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Fratoni Andrew J , Gethers Matthew L , Nicolau David P , Kuti Joseph L
Published: February 2024

Gram-negative antibiotic resistance continues to grow as a global problem due to the evolution and spread of β-lactamases. The early β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs) are characterized by spectra limited to class A β-lactamases and ineffective against carbapenemases and most extended spectrum β-lactamases. In order to address this therapeutic need, newer BLIs were developed with the goal of treating carbapenemase producing, carbapenem resistant organisms (CRO), specifically targeting the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC). These BL/BLI combination drugs, avibactam/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, and imipenem/relebactam, have proven to be indispensable tools in this effort. However, non-KPC mechanisms of resistance are rising in prevalence and increasingly challenging to treat. It is critical for clinicians to understand the unique spectra of these BL/BLIs with respect to non-KPC CRO. In Part 1of this 2-part series, we describe the non-KPC attributes of the newer BL/BLIs with a focus on utility against Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Win Ratio Analyses of Piperacillin-Tazobactam Versus Meropenem for Ceftriaxone-Nonsusceptible Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infections: Post Hoc Insights From the MERINO Trial
Authors: Hardy Melissa , Harris Patrick N A , Paterson David L , Chatfield Mark D , Mo Yin ,   for the MERINO Trial Investigators, Tambyah Paul A , Lye David C , Lee Tau H , Yilmaz Mesut , Alenazi Thamer H , Arabi Yaseen , Falcone Marco , Bassetti Matteo , Righi Elda , Rogers Benjamin A , Kanj Souha , Bhally Hasan , Iredell Jon , Mendelson Marc , Boyles Tom H , Looke David , Miyakis Spiros , Walls Genevieve , Khamis Mohammed Al , Zikri Ahmed , Crowe Amy , Ingram Paul , Daneman Nick , Griffin Paul , Athan Eugene , Lorenc Penelope , Baker Peter , Roberts Leah , Beatson Scott A , Harris-Brown Tiffany , Peleg Anton Y
Published: February 2024

Background

Clinical trials of treatments for serious infections commonly use the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality. However, many trial participants survive their infection and this endpoint may not truly reflect important benefits and risks of therapy. The win ratio uses a hierarchical composite endpoint that can incorporate and prioritize outcome measures by relative clinical importance.

Methods

The win ratio methodology was applied post hoc to outcomes observed in the MERINO trial, which compared piperacillin-tazobactam with meropenem. We quantified the win ratio with a primary hierarchical composite endpoint, including all-cause mortality, microbiological relapse, and secondary infection. A win ratio of 1 would correspond to no difference between the 2 antibiotics, while a ratio <1 favors meropenem. Further analyses were performed to calculate the win odds and to introduce a continuous outcome variable in order to reduce ties.

Results

With the hierarchy of all-cause mortality, microbiological relapse, and secondary infection, the win ratio estimate was 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], .22–.71]; P = .002), favoring meropenem over piperacillin-tazobactam. However, 73.4% of the pairs were tied due to the small proportion of events. The win odds, a modification of the win ratio accounting for ties, was 0.79 (95% CI, .68–.92). The addition of length of stay to the primary composite greatly minimized the number of ties (4.6%) with a win ratio estimate of 0.77 (95% CI, .60–.99; P = .04).

Conclusions

The application of the win ratio methodology to the MERINO trial data illustrates its utility and feasibility for use in antimicrobial trials.
Effect of Obesity on the Exposure of Long-acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine: A Modeling Study
Authors: Bettonte Sara , Berton Mattia , Stader Felix , Battegay Manuel , Marzolini Catia
Published: February 2024

Background

Obesity is increasingly prevalent among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH). Obesity can reduce drug exposure; however, limited data are available for long-acting (LA) antiretrovirals. We performed in silico trials using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to determine the effect of obesity on the exposure of LA cabotegravir and rilpivirine after the initial injection and after multiple injections.

Methods

Our PBPK model was verified against available clinical data for LA cabotegravir and rilpivirine in normal weight/ overweight (body mass index [BMI] <30 kg/m2) and in obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). Cohorts of virtual individuals were generated to simulate the exposure of LA cabotegravir/rilpivirine up to a BMI of 60 kg/m2. The fold change in LA cabotegravir and rilpivirine exposures (area under the curve [AUC]) and trough concentrations (Cmin) for monthly and bimonthly administration were calculated for various BMI categories relative to normal weight (18.5–25 kg/m2).

Results

Obesity was predicted to impact more cabotegravir than rilpivirine with a decrease in cabotegravir AUC and Cmin of >35% for BMI >35 kg/m2 and in rilpivirine AUC and Cmin of >18% for BMI >40 kg/m2 at steady-state. A significant proportion of morbidly obese individuals were predicted to have both cabotegravir and rilpivirine Cmin below the target concentration at steady-state with the bimonthly administration, but this was less frequent with the monthly administration.

Conclusions

Morbidly obese PWH are at risk of presenting suboptimal Cmin for cabotegravir/rilpivirine after the first injection but also at steady-state particularly with the bimonthly administration. Therapeutic drug monitoring is advised to guide dosing interval adjustment.
Pulmonary vein narrowing after pulsed field versus thermal ablation
Authors: Mansour Moussa , Gerstenfeld Edward P , Patel Chinmay , Natale Andrea , Whang William , Cuoco Frank A , Mountantonakis Stavros E , Gibson Douglas N , Harding John D , Holland Scott K , Achyutha Anitha B , Schneider Christopher W , Mugglin Andrew S , Albrecht Elizabeth M , Stein Kenneth M , Lehmann John W , Reddy Vivek Y
Published: February 2024

Aims

When it occurs, pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is associated with significant morbidity. Even mild-to-moderate PV narrowing may have long-term implications. Unlike thermal ablation energies, such as radiofrequency (RF) or cryothermy, pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a non-thermal modality associated with less fibrotic proliferation. Herein, we compared the effects of PFA vs. thermal ablation on PV narrowing after AF ablation.

Methods and results

ADVENT was a multi-centre, randomized, single-blind study comparing PFA (pentaspline catheter) with thermal ablation—force-sensing RF or cryoballoon (CB)—to treat drug-refractory paroxysmal AF. Pulmonary vein diameter and aggregate cross-sectional area were obtained by baseline and 3-month imaging. The pre-specified, formally tested, secondary safety endpoint compared a measure of PV narrowing between PFA vs. thermal groups, with superiority defined by posterior probability > 0.975. Among subjects randomized to PFA (n = 305) or thermal ablation (n = 302), 259 PFA and 255 thermal ablation (137 RF and 118 CB) subjects had complete baseline and 3-month PV imaging. No subject had significant (≥70%) PV stenosis. Change in aggregate PV cross-sectional area was less with PFA (−0.9%) than thermal ablation (−12%, posterior probability > 0.999)—primarily driven by the RF sub-cohort (−19.5%) vs. CB sub-cohort (−3.3%). Almost half of all PFA PV diameters did not decrease, but the majority (80%) of RF PVs decreased, regardless of PV anatomic location.

Conclusion

In this first randomized comparison of PFA vs. thermal ablation, PFA resulted in less PV narrowing—thereby underscoring the qualitatively differential and favourable impact of PFA on PV tissue.
The MAT1 locus is required for microconidia-mediated sexual fertility in the rice blast fungus
Authors: Kita Kohtetsu , Uchida Momotaka , Arie Tsutomu , Teraoka Tohru , Kaku Hisatoshi , Kanda Yasukazu , Mori Masaki , Arazoe Takayuki , Kamakura Takashi
Published: February 2024

Rice blast fungus (Pyricularia oryzae) is a heterothallic ascomycete that causes the most destructive disease in cultivated rice worldwide. This fungus reproduces sexually and asexually, and its mating type is determined by the MAT1 locus, MAT1-1 or MAT1-2. Interestingly, most rice-infecting field isolates show a loss of female fertility, but the MAT1 locus is highly conserved in female-sterile isolates. In this study, we performed a functional analysis of MAT1 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in female- and male-fertile isolates and female-sterile (male-fertile) isolates. Consistent with a previous report, MAT1 was essential for sexual reproduction but not for asexual reproduction. Meanwhile, deletion mutants of MAT1-1-1, MAT1-1-2, and MAT1-1-3 exhibited phenotypes different from those of other previously described isolates, suggesting that the function of MAT1-1 genes and/or their target genes in sexual reproduction differs among strains or isolates. The MAT1 genes, excluding MAT1-2-6, retained their functions even in female-sterile isolates, and deletion mutants lead to loss or reduction of male fertility. Although MAT1 deletion did not affect microconidia (spermatia) production, microconidia derived from the mutants could not induce perithecia formation. These results indicated that MAT1 is required for microconidia-mediated male fertility in addition to female fertility in P. oryzae .
Abstract and embodied: the political economy of the French Revolution
Authors: Coleman Charly , Walton Charles
Published: February 2024

The political economy of the French Revolution struggled to reconcile the promises of economic abstraction and the challenges of embodying wealth. In their attempts to realize these dual aims, revolutionaries drew not only on Enlightenment ideas about laissez-faire but also on an economic theology of money and consumption with roots in alchemy and the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist. Both strains of thought had radicalizing effects. Proponents of laissez-faire cast society as a self-regulating field of reciprocal exchanges, thereby obviating the need for fiscal redistribution and frustrating those demanding social welfare and manufacturing subsidies. When the anticipated prosperity of laissez-faire failed to materialize, revolutionaries put their hopes in the new paper currency, the assignat, believing that it would generate wealth ad infinitum and circulate it justly. Breaking with laissez-faire but still committed to economic theology, radicals such as Jacques Roux and Maximilien Robespierre joined the Parisian popular movement in justifying government oversight to ensure the satisfaction of an ever-expanding panoply of needs. Whereas historians now tend to explain the Terror as the outcome of ideological, psychological and institutional contingencies, the fate of laissez-faire suggests that political radicalization was intimately linked to revolutionaries’ abstract economic principles and beliefs.
Premature endocycling of Drosophila follicle cells causes pleiotropic defects in oogenesis
Authors: Herriage Hunter C , Calvi Brian R
Published: February 2024

Endocycling cells grow and repeatedly duplicate their genome without dividing. Cells switch from mitotic cycles to endocycles in response to developmental signals during the growth of specific tissues in a wide range of organisms. The purpose of switching to endocycles, however, remains unclear in many tissues. Additionally, cells can switch to endocycles in response to conditional signals, which can have beneficial or pathological effects on tissues. However, the impact of these unscheduled endocycles on development is underexplored. Here, we use Drosophila ovarian somatic follicle cells as a model to examine the impact of unscheduled endocycles on tissue growth and function. Follicle cells normally switch to endocycles at mid-oogenesis. Inducing follicle cells to prematurely switch to endocycles resulted in the lethality of the resulting embryos. Analysis of ovaries with premature follicle cell endocycles revealed aberrant follicular epithelial structure and pleiotropic defects in oocyte growth, developmental gene amplification, and the migration of a special set of follicle cells known as border cells. Overall, these findings reveal how unscheduled endocycles can disrupt tissue growth and function to cause aberrant development.
Smiling women pitching down: auditing representational and presentational gender biases in image-generative AI
Authors: Sun Luhang , Wei Mian , Sun Yibing , Suh Yoo Ji , Shen Liwei , Yang Sijia
Published: February 2024

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models like DALL·E 2 can interpret prompts and generate high-quality images that exhibit human creativity. Though public enthusiasm is booming, systematic auditing of potential gender biases in AI-generated images remains scarce. We addressed this gap by examining the prevalence of two occupational gender biases (representational and presentational biases) in 15,300 DALL·E 2 images spanning 153 occupations. We assessed potential bias amplification by benchmarking against the 2021 U.S. census data and Google Images. Our findings reveal that DALL·E 2 underrepresents women in male-dominated fields while overrepresenting them in female-dominated occupations. Additionally, DALL·E 2 images tend to depict more women than men with smiles and downward-pitching heads, particularly in female-dominated (versus male-dominated) occupations. Our algorithm auditing study demonstrates more pronounced representational and presentational biases in DALL·E 2 compared to Google Images and calls for feminist interventions to curtail the potential impacts of such biased AI-generated images on the media ecology.
Surviving or thriving political defeat on social media: a temporal analysis of how electoral loss exacerbates the gender gap in political expression
Authors: Dahlke Ross , Zhang Yini
Published: February 2024

Extensive research reveals gender gaps in social media expression, particularly women’s reduced propensity for sharing political information and opinions. We examine the impact of political defeat on the gender gap in political expression on social media by pairing Twitter data from candidate supporters with a voter file. Our results indicate that Trump’s 2020 defeat reduced tweet volumes only among his female supporters, while his male supporters remained unaffected. This dampening effect was stronger for female Trump supporters who expressed their gender identity in their Twitter bios than those who did not. Tweet content remained largely unchanged for both genders. These findings enhance our understanding of how social media and political defeat together contribute to the gender expression gap and its relationship with offline political behaviors post-defeat. They also demonstrate the power of our methodological approach in revealing temporal and individual differences.
Categorizing the non-categorical: the challenges of studying gendered phenomena online
Authors: Shugars Sarah , Quintana-Mathé Alexi , Lange Robin , Lazer David
Published: February 2024

Studies of gendered phenomena online have highlighted important disparities, such as who is likely to be elevated as an expert or face gender-based harassment. This research, however, typically relies upon inferring user gender—an act that perpetuates notions of gender as an easily observable, binary construct. Motivated by work in gender and queer studies, we therefore compare common approaches to gender inference in the context of online settings. We demonstrate that gender inference can have downstream consequences when studying gender inequities and find that nonbinary users are consistently likely to be misgendered or overlooked in analysis. In bringing a theoretical focus to this common methodological task, our contribution is in problematizing common measures of gender, encouraging researchers to think critically about what these constructs can and cannot capture, and calling for more research explicitly focused on gendered experiences beyond a binary.
Real-world data on the comprehensive genetic profiling test for Japanese patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Koguchi Dai , Tsumura Hideyasu , Tabata Ken-ichi , Shimura Soichiro , Satoh Takefumi , Ikeda Masaomi , Watanabe Akinori , Yoshida Tsutomu , Sasaki Jiichiro , Matsumoto Kazumasa , Iwamura Masatsugu
Published: February 2024

Objective

comprehensive genomic profiling test has been covered by Japanese health insurance since June 2019. However, no real-world data on the test have been reported with a focus on Japanese patients with prostate cancer.

Methods

we retrospectively reviewed the data of 45 consecutive patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, who underwent the comprehensive genomic profiling tests at Kitasato University Hospital between August 2019 and December 2022. Patients’ characteristics, prevalence of gene alterations and therapeutic impact of genotype-matched therapy were assessed.

Results

genomic data were obtained using a tissue-based test (n = 32) and liquid-based test (n = 13). Actionable genomic alternations were identified in 51.1% of patients, and 22.2% were treated with genotype-matched therapy. The main reason for not receiving genotype-matched therapy was disease progression, accounting for 46.2% (6/13). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly longer overall survival after the comprehensive genomic profiling tests in patients with genotype-matched therapy under public insurance (17.8%, n = 8) than those without it (median: not reached vs. 18.1 months; P = 0.003). Five (62.5%) out of the eight patients with genotype-matched therapy under public insurance had BRCA1 or 2 deleterious alteration. Multivariate analyses showed that BRCA deleterious alteration (17.8%, n = 8) was an independent risk factor for shorter time to castration-resistant prostate cancer (hazard ratio: 2.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–5.87; P = 0.041), and no patients with the alteration had ≤5 bone metastases.

Conclusions

the results of this study showed the promising survival outcomes in patients with genotype-matched therapy under public insurance, even in the castration-resistant prostate cancer setting. Further detection of promising therapeutic target gene is expected to increase the number of patients who reach genotype-matched therapies.
Phenotypic variation in biting behavior associated with differences in expression of olfactory genes in the vector mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Heilig Mara , Sturiale Samantha L , Marzec Sarah , Holzapfel Christina M , Bradshaw William E , Meuti Megan E , Armbruster Peter A
Published: February 2024

We evaluated miRNA and mRNA expression differences in head tissues between avid-biting vs. reluctant-biting Aedes albopictus (Skuse) females from a single population over a 20-min timescale. We found no differences in miRNA expression between avid vs. reluctant biters, indicating that translational modulation of blood-feeding behavior occurs on a longer timescale than mRNA transcription. In contrast, we detected 19 differentially expressed mRNAs. Of the 19 differentially expressed genes at the mRNA level between avid-biting vs. reluctant-biting A. albopictus, 9 are implicated in olfaction, consistent with the well-documented role of olfaction in mosquito host-seeking. Additionally, several of the genes that we identified as differentially expressed in association with phenotypic variation in biting behavior share similar functions with or are inferred orthologues of, genes associated with evolutionary variation in biting behaviors of Wyeomyia smithii (Coq.) and Culex pipiens (Lin.). A future goal is to determine whether these genes are involved in the evolutionary transition from a biting to a non-biting life history.
Importance of phenotypic plasticity in crop resilience
Authors: Laitinen Roosa A E
Published: February 2024

This article comments on:

Guo T, Wei J, Li X, Yu J. 2024. Environmental context of phenotypic plasticity in flowering time in sorghum and rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 1004–1015.
Phenotyping photosynthesis: yes we can
Authors: Taylor Samuel H
Published: February 2024

This article comments on:

Keller B, Soto J, Steier A, Portilla-Benavides AE, Raatz B, Studer B, Walter A, Muller O, Urban MO. 2024. Linking photosynthesis and yield reveals a strategy to improve light use efficiency in a climbing bean breeding population. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 901–916.
Research on photosynthetic oscillations supports the classical concept of cyclic electron transport producing ATP
Authors: Shikanai Toshiharu
Published: February 2024

This article comments on:

Degen GE, Pastorelli F, Johnson MP. 2024. Proton Gradient Regulation 5 is required to avoid photosynthetic oscillations during light transitions. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 947–961.
H3K27 demethylase SsJMJ4 negatively regulates drought-stress responses in sugarcane
Authors: Yu Guangrun , Chen Daoqian , Ye Meiling , Wu Xiaoge , Zhu Zhiying , Shen Yan , Mehareb Eid M , Esh Ayman , Raza Ghulam , Wang Kai , Wang Qiongli , Jin Jing Bo
Published: February 2024

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a leading sugar and energy crop, is seriously impacted by drought stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying sugarcane drought resistance, especially the functions of epigenetic regulators, remain elusive. Here, we show that a S. spontaneum KDM4/JHDM3 group JmjC protein, SsJMJ4, negatively regulates drought-stress responses through its H3K27me3 demethylase activity. Ectopic overexpression of SsJMJ4 in Arabidopsis reduced drought resistance possibly by promoting expression of AtWRKY54 and AtWRKY70, encoding two negative regulators of drought stress. SsJMJ4 directly bound to AtWRKY54 and AtWRKY70, and reduced H3K27me3 levels at these loci to ensure their proper transcription under normal conditions. Drought stress down-regulated both transcription and protein abundance of SsJMJ4, which was correlated with the reduced occupancy of SsJMJ4 at AtWRKY54 and AtWRKY70 chromatin, increased H3K27me3 levels at these loci, as well as reduced transcription levels of these genes. In S. spontaneum, drought stress-repressed transcription of SsWRKY122, an ortholog of AtWRKY54 and AtWRKY70, was associated with increased H3K27me3 levels at these loci. Transient overexpression of SsJMJ4 in S. spontaneum protoplasts raised transcription of SsWRKY122, paralleled with reduced H3K27me3 levels at its loci. These results suggest that the SsJMJ4-mediated dynamic deposition of H3K27me3 is required for an appropriate response to drought stress.
Arabidopsis transcription factor STOP1 directly activates expression of NOD26-LIKE MAJOR INTRINSIC PROTEIN5;1, and is involved in the regulation of tolerance to low-boron stress
Authors: Zhang Cheng , He Mingliang , Jiang Zhexuan , Liu Tongtong , Wang Chuang , Wang Sheliang , Xu Fangsen
Published: February 2024

Transcriptional regulation is a crucial component of plant adaptation to numerous different stresses; however, its role in how plants adapt to low-boron (B) stress remains unclear. In this study, we show that the C2H2-type transcription factor SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIZOTOXICITY1 (STOP1) in Arabidopsis is essential for improving plant growth under low-B conditions. STOP1 and the boric acid-channel protein NOD26-LIKE MAJOR INTRINSIC PROTEIN5;1 (NIP5;1) were found to co-localize in root epidermal cells, and STOP1 binds to the 5´-untranslated region of NIP5;1 to activate its expression and enhance B uptake by the roots. Overexpression of STOP1 increased tolerance to low-B stress by up-regulating NIP5;1 transcript levels. Further genetic analyses revealed that STOP1 and NIP5;1 function together in the same pathway to confer low-B tolerance. These results highlight the importance of the STOP1–NIP5;1 module in improving plant growth under low-B conditions.
Small-scale radio jets and tidal disruption events: a theory of high-luminosity compact symmetric objects
Authors: Sullivan Andrew G , Blandford Roger D , Begelman Mitchell C , Birkinshaw Mark , Readhead Anthony C S
Published: February 2024

Double lobe radio sources associated with active galactic nuclei represent one of the longest studied groups in radio astronomy. A particular subgroup of double radio sources comprises the compact symmetric objects (CSOs). CSOs are distinguished by their prominent double structure and subkpc total size. It has been argued that the vast majority of high-luminosity CSOs (CSO 2s) represent a distinct class of active galactic nuclei with its own morphological structure and lifecycle. In this work, we present theoretical considerations regarding CSO 2s. We develop a semi-analytic evolutionary model, inspired by the results of large-scale numerical simulations of relativistic jets, that reproduces the features of the radio source population. We show that CSO 2s may be generated by finite energy injections and propose stellar tidal disruption events as a possible cause. We find that tidal disruption events of giant branch stars with masses ≳1 M⊙ can fuel these sources and discuss possible approaches to confirming this hypothesis. We predict that if the tidal disruption scenario holds, CSO 2s with sizes less than 400 pc should outnumber larger sources by more than a factor of 10. Our results motivate future numerical studies to determine whether the scenarios we consider for fuelling and source evolution can explain the observed radio morphologies. Multiwavelength observational campaigns directed at these sources will also provide critical insight into the origins of these objects, their environments, and their lifespans.
Seismology of rubble-pile asteroids in binary systems
Authors: DellaGiustina D N , Ballouz R -L , Walsh K J , Marusiak A G , Bray V J , Bailey S H
Published: February 2024

The mutual gravitational interaction of binary asteroids, which make up approximately 15 per cent of the near-Earth asteroid (NEA) population, provides a continuous tidal force, creating ground motion. We explore the potential of kilometre-sized binary asteroids as targets for seismological studies of their interior structure. We use a numerical model wherein each body is constructed of discrete particles interacting via gravity and contact forces. The system's orbital properties are modelled based on those of typical binary NEAs: a secondary body orbits a primary body at a distance of a few to 10 primary radii, resulting in orbital periods of a few tens of hours. We varied the elastic moduli (stiffness) of the constituent particles and measured a strain of a few micrometres caused by the orbiting satellite. Over eight orbital periods, the acceleration of the strain vector along the primary body's equatorial axis indicates that tidally induced ground motion generated by a binary asteroid system is detectable by modern seismometers, like the instruments deployed on the InSight mission to Mars. Owing to the relatively short orbital period of the satellite – a mean of 25.8 h for known binary NEAs – only a modest mission lifetime would be required for a seismometer to adequately characterize an asteroid's interior through tidally induced deformation. Future deployment of seismometers on binary asteroids will allow for a detailed characterization of the structure of these objects.
The minimal sizes of impactors that formed the Vesta family and 15 other asteroid families
Authors: Leliwa-Kopystynski J , Wlodarczyk I
Published: February 2024

The minimal sizes of impactors that produced asteroid families were calculated, and their maximal sizes, i.e. the size that corresponds to head-on collisions, were estimated. We used data for 16 large families and the physical parameters of some members of these families available in NASA's JPL updated in 2022. We found that the typical minimal sizes of family-forming impactors were of the order of one-tenth the size of the parent bodies (PBs). The Themis family, for which the ratio of the radii rimp/RPB = 0.08 and the mass loss is as large as 0.55, presents an example. The families of Juno and Euphrosyne, with the impactor to PB size ratio of an order of 0.01, are rather exceptional. The PBs of Juno and Euphrosyne families lost only 0.0014 and 0.0061 of their mass, respectively. It was found that the double structure of the Vesta family could have originated from two impacts by the bodies with radii as small as about 4 km, at least.
Origin of 60Fe nuclei in cosmic rays: the contribution of local OB associations
Authors: de Séréville Nicolas , Tatischeff Vincent , Cristofari Pierre , Gabici Stefano , Diehl Roland
Published: February 2024

The presence of live 60Fe nuclei (lifetime of 3.8 Myr) in cosmic rays detected by the Advanced Composition Explorer/Cosmic Ray Isotope Spectrometer instrument suggests a nearby nucleosynthesis source. 60Fe is primarily produced in core-collapse supernovae, and we aim to clarify whether the detected 60Fe nuclei can be associated with a particular local supernova. We consider 25 OB associations and subgroups located within 1 kpc of the Solar system based on recent Gaia census. A model is developed that combines stellar population synthesis within these OB associations, cosmic ray acceleration within associated superbubbles, and cosmic ray transport to the Solar system. The most critical model parameter impacting 60Fe cosmic ray production is the explodability criterion, which determines if a massive star ends its life as a supernova. Our study points to the Scorpius–Centaurus (Sco–Cen) OB association as the most probable origin of the observed 60Fe nuclei, particularly suggesting they were accelerated in the Sco–Cen superbubble by a young supernova aged ≤500 kyr with a progenitor mass of approximately 13–20 M⊙. A less likely source is the supernova at the origin of the Geminga pulsar 342 kyr ago, if the progenitor originated in the Orion OB1 association. The contribution of local OB associations to the cosmic ray density of stable 56Fe is estimated to be around 20 per cent, with some sensitivity to cosmic ray acceleration efficiency and diffusion coefficient. These findings shed light on the origins of cosmic ray nuclei, connecting them to nucleosynthesis events within our local cosmic neighbourhood.
Cloudlet capture model for the accretion streamer onto the disc of DG Tau
Authors: Hanawa Tomoyuki , Garufi Antonio , Podio Linda , Codella Claudio , Segura-Cox Dominique
Published: February 2024

DG Tau is a nearby T Tauri star associated with a collimated jet, a circumstellar disc, and a streamer a few hundred au long. The streamer connects to the disc at ∼50 au from DG Tau. At this location SO emission is observed, likely due to the release of sulphur from dust grains caused by the shock of the impact of the accretion streamer onto the disc. We investigate the possibility that the DG Tau streamer was produced via cloudlet capture on the basis of hydrodynamic simulations, considering a cloudlet initiating infall at 600 au from DG Tau with low angular momentum so that the centrifugal force is smaller than the gravitational force, even at 50 au. The elongation of the cloudlet into a streamer is caused by the tidal force when its initial velocity is much less than the free-fall velocity. The elongated cloudlet reaches the disc and forms a high-density gas clump. Our hydrodynamic model reproduces the morphology and line-of-sight velocity of CS (5 − 4) emission from the northern streamer observed with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. We discuss the conditions for forming a streamer based on the simulations. We also show that the streamer should perturb the disc after impact for several thousands of years.
Multiple pattern speeds and the manifold spirals in a simulation of a barred spiral galaxy
Authors: Zouloumi K , Harsoula M , Efthymiopoulos C
Published: February 2024

Observations of real galaxies as well as N-body simulations often indicate the presence of multiple pattern speeds in the disc of a barred spiral galaxy. In this paper we use an accurate frequency extraction algorithm (NAFF) to determine the pattern speeds in an N-body model simulation of a secularly evolving barred spiral galaxy. Then, we compute the manifold spirals under multiple pattern speeds using the algorithm proposed in a previous paper by Efthymiopoulos et al. Our main new results are: (i) We demonstrate that precise frequency extraction algorithms as NAFF allow for a determination of pattern speeds in time windows of length much shorter than the one required by the traditional time-Fourier spectrum of the m = 2 mode. This is particularly convenient in cases where the pattern speeds slowly change in time due to secular evolution in the disc, and/or, the different modes spatially overlap in the disc. (ii) Once we get the frequencies, we compute the approximate gravitational potential, and the manifolds (iii) We show that the observed structures formed by the spiral arms in the simulation (change of form, formation of ‘bridges’, etc.) can be modelled by manifolds, and that this is consistent with the fact that the bar and spirals have different pattern speeds.