bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chocolate toxicosis in pets
Authors: Bates Nicola
Published: October 2024

Chocolate ingestion is very common in pets, particularly dogs, but has also been reported in other animals including cats and rabbits. Most cases occur around Christmas and Easter, when large amounts of chocolate are often present in the home in the form of chocolate bars, snacks, confectionery, Easter eggs and chocolate figurines. Chocolate-covered raisins, nuts and coffee beans present an additional toxicological hazard in dogs. The type of chocolate is defined in law by the percentage of cocoa solids, with dark (plain) chocolate containing more than milk chocolate. The main toxic component of chocolate is theobromine, a methylxanthine, although caffeine, another methylxanthine, is also present. These cause central nervous system stimulation with cardiac and respiratory hyperactivity. Signs include gastrointestinal effects, excitability, hyperactivity, tachycardia, tremors, hypertension and hyperthermia. Signs of toxicosis generally occur within a few hours of ingestion. The mainstays of treatment are decontamination and supportive care with rehydration, control of central nervous system stimulation and arrhythmias as required. Most pets recover fully, and death is uncommon; however, prognosis is more guarded in pets with seizures or arrhythmias.
Improving feline and canine anaesthetic safety: a clinical audit on premedication choices
Authors: Pritchard Francesca
Published: October 2024

A clinical audit reveals pre-medication choice impact hypotension in feline anaesthesia.
The degenerated glenohumeral joint
Authors: Toegel Stefan , Martelanz Luca , Alphonsus Juergen , Hirtler Lena , Gruebl-Barabas Ruth , Cezanne Melanie , Rothbauer Mario , Heuberer Philipp , Windhager Reinhard , Pauzenberger Leo
Published: October 2024

Aims

This study aimed to define the histopathology of degenerated humeral head cartilage and synovial inflammation of the glenohumeral joint in patients with omarthrosis (OmA) and cuff tear arthropathy (CTA). Additionally, the potential of immunohistochemical tissue biomarkers in reflecting the degeneration status of humeral head cartilage was evaluated.

Methods

Specimens of the humeral head and synovial tissue from 12 patients with OmA, seven patients with CTA, and four body donors were processed histologically for examination using different histopathological scores. Osteochondral sections were immunohistochemically stained for collagen type I, collagen type II, collagen neoepitope C1,2C, collagen type X, and osteocalcin, prior to semiquantitative analysis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 levels were analyzed in synovial fluid using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Cartilage degeneration of the humeral head was associated with the histological presentation of: 1) pannus overgrowing the cartilage surface; 2) pores in the subchondral bone plate; and 3) chondrocyte clusters in OmA patients. In contrast, hyperplasia of the synovial lining layer was revealed as a significant indicator of inflammatory processes predominantly in CTA. The abundancy of collagen I, collagen II, and the C1,2C neoepitope correlated significantly with the histopathological degeneration of humeral head cartilage. No evidence for differences in MMP levels between OmA and CTA patients was found.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive histological characterization of humeral cartilage and synovial tissue within the glenohumeral joint, both in normal and diseased states. It highlights synovitis and pannus formation as histopathological hallmarks of OmA and CTA, indicating their roles as drivers of joint inflammation and cartilage degradation, and as targets for therapeutic strategies such as rotator cuff reconstruction and synovectomy.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(10):596–610.
ÁREA DE INFLUÊNCIA COMO INDICADOR DE COMPETITIVIDADE DE CLUSTERS VAREJISTAS
Authors: Telles Renato , Augusto Minciotti Silvio , Ferreira Gabriel , Maria de Oliveira Licorio Angelina , Yoshihiro Hamji Edison
Published: October 2024

As organizações estão enfrentando ambientes cada vez mais competitivos e, neste sentido, adotando, entre outras estratégias, abordagens mais cooperativas e baseadas em perspectivas coletivas de operação. Concentrações comerciais de negócios oferecendo produtos correlatos para consumidores finais, tratados neste trabalho como clusters varejistas, constituem um exemplo, em geral, exitoso desse tipo de postura. Nesse contexto, este estudo tem como objetivo investigar esse fenômeno, focalizando na propriedade do conceito de área de influência como um indicador consistente e relevante na avaliação da competitividade de clusters varejistas. Optou-se pela investigação de clusters de bares para o estudo de campo. Com base na revisão da literatura, buscou-se levantar fundamentação teórica e evidências empíricas que sustentassem a hipótese de associação significante entre competitividade e área de influência para clusters varejistas. Os resultados apresentam indicações consistentes de relação entre competitividade e áreas de influência secundária e terciária de clusters varejistas, oferecendo um aporte inovador na apreciação da competitividade deles, assim como a viabilidade de utilização da área de influência como um marcador relevante na gestão dessas aglomerações.
Habitat characteristics and threats of little-known endemic dragonfly, Neurothemis feralis (Burmeister, 1839) (Odonata: Libellulidae) in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: SUSANTO MUHAMAD AZMI DWI , GAMA ZULFAIDAH PENATA , LEKSONO AMIN SETYO
Published: October 2024

Abstract. Susanto MAD, Gama ZP, Leksono AS. 2024. Habitat characteristics and threats of little-known endemic dragonfly, Neurothemis feralis (Burmeister, 1839) (Odonata: Libellulidae) in East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2907-2920. Neurothemis feralis is a dragonfly with limited distribution and is found only in the lowlands of Java, Sumatra, Krakatau, and Bangka. Its habitats that traverse anthropogenic area face various threats from human activities. Despite the imminent of its depopulation, many essential information regarding the biology of N. feralis remain scarce, deem it with data deficient conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This study aims to study habitat characteristics of N. feralis for future conservation purposes. This study was conducted in Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Gresik, East Java Province, with a five-month study period of July-November 2023. The results showed that N. feralis prefers locations with 36-64% air humidity, 29.2-35.8°C air temperature, and 16970-36400 lux light intensity. Air humidity positively correlated with the abundance of N. feralis, while high temperatures and light intensity tend to have negative impact. The coverage of vegetation with 20-100 cm height was found as another habitat component that positively affects its abundance, while the loss of this coverage understandably negate the dragonfly abundance. Vegetation provides habitat for N. feralis, as well as its prey, competitors and even predators. Despite N. feralis population can still be observed from urban areas with up to 82.40% residential allotment (within 500 m radius of the study site), the disappearance of its population is likely if believably impending if anthropogenic activities (e.g., land conversion and vegetation burning) continue to occur.
Fungal diversity in the temple with an Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) molecular and morphological approach
Authors: WIJAYANTI CHANTIKA , KUSWYTASARI NENGAH DWIANITA , SHOVITRI MAYA , DANILYAN EDO , ZULAIKA ENNY
Published: October 2024

Abstract. Wijayanti C, Kuswytasari ND, Shovitri M, Danilyan E, Zulaika E. 2024. Fungal diversity in the temple with an Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) molecular and morphological approach. Biodiversitas 25: 2896-2906. Red bricks and andesite stones comprise most of Indonesia's temple architecture. Red brick is a highly porous building material that weathers rapidly in temples. Physical and biological weathering are the main causes of temple weathering. Rain and other physical elements can raise the temple's humidity, encouraging the growth of lichen and fungus. Many studies have been conducted to investigate the fungal variety in temples made of andesite stones, but the diversity found in these studies has only been identified at the genus level. This research aimed to determine the variety of fungi in the temples by employing morphological and molecular approaches like ITS biomarkers. Macroscopic characterization involves visual inspection of the colony's color on its surface and back and its edges, texture, diameter, shape, and surface to perform morphological identification. Meanwhile, the slide culture method was used for microscopic characterization, utilizing character observations such as reproductive and hyphal structures. Several steps were involved in the molecular identification process: DNA extraction using the Genomic ex Promega Corp Wizard kit, ITS marker-based DNA amplification visualized with Gel Documenter, DNA sequencing, BLAST searches to determine the isolate species, and MEGA 11 phylogenetic tree reconstruction. Class Eurotiomycetes, which includes Talaromyces funiculosus (CB L1B isolate), Talaromyces purpureogenus (CB L3A isolate), Penicillium oxalicum (CB L4A isolate), Penicillium cataractarum (CT TL3 isolate), and Aspergillus aflatoxiformans (CT TL4 isolate), was the most prevalent among the identified species from the classes Sordariomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. Purpureocillium lilacinum (CBL1C isolate), Trichoderma anaharzianum (CB L3B isolate), and Fusarium equiseti (CT L41 isolate) were the discovered species from the Sordariomycetes class.
Short Communication: Calcareous nannofossil assemblages and age determination in Leuwi Kenit, Ciletuh Palabuhanratu Geopark, Indonesia
Authors: PRATIWI SANTI DWI , NURDRAJAT NURDRAJAT , PRATIWY FITTRIE MEYLLIANAWATY , CHIYONOBU SHUN
Published: October 2024

Abstract. Pratiwi SD, Nurdrajat, Pratiwy FM, Chiyonobu S. 2024. Short Communication: Calcareous nannofossil assemblages and age determination in Leuwi Kenit, Ciletuh Palabuhanratu Geopark, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 3200-3207. Our meticulous and comprehensive investigation of nannofossil diversity in Leuwi Kenit, Sukabumi District, West Java Province, Indonesia, a part of the Ciletuh Palabuhanratu UGG, where the study of nannofossils is limited, is of significant importance their implications for age determination and clarifying the geological history of the region. The initial documentation of calcareous nannofossils in the Leuwi Kenit traverse of the Cikarang Member within the Jampang Formation resulted in the identification of thirty-three species from 62 samples. The studied section reveals seven nannofossil biozones, arranged from oldest to youngest as follows: LO Sphenolithus ciperoensis; LO Cyclicargolithus abisectus; FO Sp. disbelemnos; FCO Helicosphaera carteri; FO Sp. belemnos; LCO Sp. belemnos; LO Sp. conicus and FCO Sp. heteromorphus. Notably, the abundance of Coccolithus pelagicus, Cyclicargolithus floridanus, Reticulofenestra spp., and Sphenolithus spp. characterized their occurrence throughout the section. The diversity and preservation of nannofossils were found to be good, and based on nannofossil biohorizons, the age of Leuwi Kenit spans from 24.3 million years ago to around 17.7 million years ago at Paleogene (Oligocene age) to Neogen Periode (Early Miocene age). Based on the nannofossils assemblages, results show that the area has many important indicator species, making it essential for future research on ancient ocean conditions and past climate changes within this geopark.
Assessing ecological impacts of agricultural practices using frogs as bioindicators
Authors: KURNIANTO AGUNG SIH , KUSUMAWATI ATI , WIDJAYANTHI LENNY , WULANJARI DISTIANA , IBANAH INDAH , MAJID MUHAMMAD ARDIAN ARSY , PUSPITASARI DEA AYU , PRIAMBODO BAGUS
Published: October 2024

Abstract. Kurnianto AS, Kusumawati A, Widjayanthi L, Wulanjari D, Ibanah I, Majid MAA, Puspitasari DA, Priambodo B. 2024. Assessing ecological impacts of agricultural practices using frogs as bioindicators. Biodiversitas 25: 3208-3215. The rapid intensification of agriculture, driven by the increasing global demand for food, heavily relies on chemical inputs like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. While these practices enhance production, they pose significant challenges to ecological balance and environmental health. Biomonitoring efforts have been developed to detect and evaluate the chemical pollutants' impact on the environment, employing species like the rice field frog (Fejervarya limnocharis Gravenhorst 1829) as bioindicators. This study aimed to assess the reliability of rice field frogs' liver gravimetry and morphology as biomonitoring tools using various analytical methods. Samples were collected from rice fields managed both organically and conventionally to analyze liver weight, individual weight, and Snout-Vent Length (SVL). This analysis was conducted to understand the environmental effects on these physiological parameters. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two management practices, indicating environmental conditions notably influence the frogs' physiological parameters, highlighting their potential as bioindicators for chemical pollutants. The findings underscore the need for further research to optimize biomonitoring methods for sustaining environmental health and agricultural practices. This study contributes to the development of more sophisticated and effective biomonitoring methods, supporting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental mitigation strategies.
The phenotypic characteristics and morphology of Jabres and Pasundan cattle differences
Authors: SURYAKA YOYO , SUTOPO SUTOPO , SETIAJI ASEP
Published: October 2024

Abstract. Suryaka Y, Sutopo S, Setiaji A. 2024. The phenotypic characteristics and morphology of Jabres and Pasundan cattle differences. Biodiversitas 25: 3239-3246. Pasundan and Jabres cattle, prominent Indonesian breeds, exhibit unique phenotypic characteristics crucial for sustainable breeding and conservation. This study, aimed at delineating phenotypic differences between Pasundan and Jabres cattle, two prominent Indonesian breeds, is a hope for the country's sustainable breeding and conservation efforts. Data were collected from 131 adult cattle (71 Pasundan, 60 Jabres) from Kuningan and Brebes Districts, spanning July 2022 to June 2023. Morphological and morphometric analyses highlighted key distinctions: Pasundan cattle predominantly feature a solid reddish-brown coat, while Jabres cattle exhibit more diverse colors, including black. Jabres cattle showed significantly greater body length and chest girth than Pasundan cattle. Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) effectively distinguished the breeds, especially in females, with 83.33% accuracy for Pasundan and 79.31% for Jabres. Critical discriminant traits included chest width and rump length. The findings suggest that Pasundan and Jabres cattle possess unique phenotypic traits driven by genetic, environmental, and management factors. These insights are crucial for developing targeted breeding strategies to enhance breed-specific characteristics, laying the groundwork for a promising future for Indonesia's cattle industry.
INFOGRAFICO RED-LUS: REDUZINDO OS EFEITOS DA LUMINOSIDADE NOS PARÂMETROS CLÍNICOS DE RECÉM-NASCIDOS PREMATUROS
Authors: Max Douglas de Jesus Carmo  , Luciano Marques dos Santos
Published: October 2024

Após o nascimento, o RNPT, devido à sua imaturidade orgânica, será hospitalizado na unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal (UTIN) para receber cuidados relacionados ao restabelecimento ou manutenção das funções dos sistemas neurológico, cardiorrespiratório, metabólico, digestório e renal, além da prevenção de infecções.
Composite underwater optical wireless channel modeling based on the electric field Monte Carlo method
Authors: Wang Long , Yin Xiaoli , Jin Xiaoguang
Published: October 2024

In this study, we propose a simulation method to investigate the scattering characteristics of beams with specific phase structures in waters containing micrometer-scale particles and bubbles. This method is based on the electric field Monte Carlo (EMC) algorithm and utilizes the Mie theory and ray tracing method. We simulate the propagation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams in a composite underwater channel using the proposed method and analyze the impact of bubble density on the spiral phase distribution of the OAM beams. We also design an underwater experiment in a water tank to simulate the propagation of OAM beams in the composite channel. The results reveal that the power of the desired mode of the OAM beam decreases as the bubble density increases, which is consistent with the simulation results. This method facilitates a realistic simulation of structured light beam propagation in waters containing particles and bubbles and can provide reference data for studying the scattering characteristics of structured beams in composite underwater channels.
Optimization of stacked Fabry-Perot cavities for VO2-based broadband adaptive thermal radiators
Authors: Shrewsbury Bo K. , Yu Raymond , Barako Michael T. , Lien Max R. , Rosenzweig Rachel , Howes Austin , Povinelli Michelle L.
Published: October 2024

The performance of an adaptive thermal radiator (ATR) for temperature regulation depends on its ability to modulate spectral emissivity across a broad wavelength range. For a single cavity, we found that the tunable, thermal emissivity from 2-30 µm is maximized using a spacer material with low n and k, such as BaF2 . However, a single cavity produces a narrowband peak in the spectral emissivity. Stacking multiple cavities introduces additional resonances that create high-temperature spectral emissivity peaks. Here, we designed cavities composed of VO2 and BaF2 to have different resonant wavelengths to demonstrate a broadband response across the infrared spectrum out to ∼30 µm. In this work, we find that up to three cavities increases the tunable thermal emissivity with negligible changes from additional cavities.
Spectral dependence of the magnetic modulation of surface plasmon-polaritons in hyperbolic metasurfaces
Authors: Usik Maksim O. , Kuzmin Dmitry A. , Bychkov Igor V. , Shavrov Vladimir G.
Published: October 2024

The deposition of hyperbolic plasmonic metasurface on top of magnetic dielectric can significantly enhance the magnetic field-induced modulation of the surface plasmon polariton (SPP) wave vector. In this work, we have theoretically investigated this effect in the spectral range 660–1500 nm for Au and Ag-based hyperbolic metasurfaces. We have found that the effect of the magnetic field on both SPP phase shift and propagation length plays a significant role in the modulation. We conclude that the complex interplay between the evolution of the SPP properties and the magneto-optical parameter with wavelength leads to the non-monotonic behavior of the modulation. An adequate figure of merit including both SPP phase shift and change of SPP propagation distance is studied for different geometrical parameters of the metasurface, such as its periodicity and filling factor.
Influence of polarization on demodulation methods for determining the SRI value for a single TFBG and an orthogonal grating system
Authors: Cięszczyk Sławomir , Harasim Damian , Skorupski Krzysztof , Panas Patryk , Klimek Jacek
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a comparison of the spectra of single and cascade of two tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) sensors. These sensors are characterized by high sensitivity to the refractive index. The disadvantage of a single TFBG is cross-sensitivity to changes in the polarization of the light introduced to the sensor, which is visible both when analyzing individual modes and when analyzing a wide spectral range with global demodulation algorithms. In response, a cascade structure was created consisting of a set of two TFBGs connected in series with 90 degrees of mutual rotation between them. This work presents a comparison of the polarization cross-sensitivity of sensor spectral demodulation algorithms for measuring the surrounding refractive index (SRI). While maintaining the high accuracy of the SRI measurement typical of TFBG gratings, a cascade of two such gratings properly oriented toward each other allows for a significant reduction in the sensitivity of the SRI measurement to polarization changes. Importantly, the reduction in the polarization cross-sensitivity is significantly greater for the demodulation methods that determine the cutoff wavelength shift; owing to this, a perpendicular TFBG(P-TFBG) measurement system without polarization control remains highly reliable. The application of the proposed P-TFBG system also allows greater SRI sensitivity to be obtained for a single tilted grating with the same tilt angle.
Standardization of metal coil configuration in thermoacoustic imaging
Authors: Su Li , Rodríguez-Andina Juan J. , Li Tianming
Published: October 2024

Existing TAI systems mostly use metal wires to calibrate their spatial resolution. However, research on the imaging mechanism of the metal wire and the setting of the wire parameters that can affect the system’s spatial resolution is not sufficient in this context. In general, there is a lack of understanding of the factors affecting spatial resolution. A TAI system, consisting of parallel plate irradiation structures has been developed. Results show that the source of the thermoacoustic signals is the ohmic loss generated by the induced electromotive force. Moreover, the pulse width of the induced electromotive force signal is narrower than that of the system excitation signal, which holds the potential benefits for improving the spatial resolution of the TAI.
Integrated convolutional kernel based on two-dimensional photonic crystals
Authors: Li Daxing , Zhang Kuo , Hu Xiaoyong , Feng Shuai
Published: October 2024

Optical neural networks (ONNs) exhibit significant potential for accelerating artificial intelligence task processing due to their low latency, high bandwidth, and parallel processing capabilities. Photonic crystals (PhCs) are extensively utilized in integrated optoelectronics because of their unique photonic bandgap properties and precise control of light waves. In this study, we propose an optical reconfigurable convolutional kernel based on PhCs. This kernel can perform convolutional operations on weights by constructing a PhC weight bank. The convolutional kernel demonstrates exceptional performance within the developed optical convolutional neural network framework, successfully realizing various image edge processing tasks. It achieves blind recognition accuracies of 97.81% for the MNIST dataset and 80.31% for the Fashion-MNIST dataset. This study not only demonstrates the feasibility of constructing optical neural networks based on PhCs but to our knowledge, also offers new avenues for the future development of optical computing
Caustic and marginal ray curves obtained from images generated by means of a star test using digital image processing
Authors: González-García Jorge , Cordero-Dávila Alberto , López-López Enrique Alejandro , Ramírez-Santiago Diego
Published: October 2024

Images are generated by means of a star test program, considering a set of aberrations using the Zernike polynomials. Additionally, the spot diagram, marginal rays, and the caustic curves of the corresponding images are generated with other programs. A process is applied to the images to generate a processed image, which consists of a set of filters that allows for the extraction of the caustic curves of the last image. It is shown that the caustic curves extracted from the processed image and the caustic curves simulated are practically the same. Results obtained with experimental images are shown too.
Modeling the Effects of Locational Uncertainty, Particles, and Turbulence in Non-Line-of-Sight UWOC Systems
Authors: Li YUNLONG , Yue Peng , Xu Dongling
Published: October 2024

Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) offers high-speed, low-latency data transmission but is challenged by absorption, scattering effects from particles and turbulence, and receiver locational uncertainty due to ocean dynamics. In this paper, we present a novel attenuation model that, for the first time, simultaneously accounts for the combined effects of particles, turbulence, and locational uncertainty in a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) multiple scattering underwater channel. Utilizing this model, we analyze the photon scattering process and quantify the impact of locational uncertainty on channel characteristics. Our results reveal that locational uncertainty significantly affects the scattering behavior of photons, increases the path loss (PL), and reduces the strength of the channel impulse response (CIR). Notably, the attenuation caused by locational uncertainty is independent of transceiver configurations and channel conditions, depending solely on the extent of the locational uncertainty. These findings underscore the importance of considering locational uncertainty in the analysis and design of UWOC systems to enhance their performance and reliability.
LD-transpeptidation is crucial for fitness and polar growth in Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Aliashkevich Alena , Guest Thomas , Alvarez Laura , Gilmore Michael C. , Rea Daniel , Amstutz Jennifer , Mateus André , Schiffthaler Bastian , Ruiz Iñigo , Typas Athanasios , Savitski Mikhail M. , Brown Pamela J. B. , Cava Felipe
Published: October 2024

Peptidoglycan (PG), a mesh-like structure which is the primary component of the bacterial cell wall, is crucial to maintain cell integrity and shape. While most bacteria rely on penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) for crosslinking, some species also employ LD-transpeptidases (LDTs). Unlike PBPs, the essentiality and biological functions of LDTs remain largely unclear. The Hyphomicrobiales order of the Alphaproteobacteria, known for their polar growth, have PG which is unusually rich in LD-crosslinks, suggesting that LDTs may play a more significant role in PG synthesis in these bacteria. Here, we investigated LDTs in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens and found that LD-transpeptidation, resulting from at least one of 14 putative LDTs present in this bacterium, is essential for its survival. Notably, a mutant lacking a distinctive group of 7 LDTs which are broadly conserved among the Hyphomicrobiales exhibited reduced LD-crosslinking and tethering of PG to outer membrane β-barrel proteins. Consequently, this mutant suffered severe fitness loss and cell shape rounding, underscoring the critical role played by these Hyphomicrobiales-specific LDTs in maintaining cell wall integrity and promoting elongation. Tn-sequencing screens further revealed non-redundant functions for A. tumefaciens LDTs. Specifically, Hyphomicrobiales-specific LDTs exhibited synthetic genetic interactions with division and cell cycle proteins, and a single LDT from another group. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that strains lacking all LDTs except one displayed distinctive phenotypic profiles and genetic interactions. Collectively, our work emphasizes the critical role of LD-crosslinking in A. tumefaciens cell wall integrity and growth and provides insights into the functional specialization of these crosslinking activities.
Yellow fever in Ghana: Predicting emergence and ecology from historical outbreaks
Authors: Judson Seth D. , Kenu Ernest , Fuller Trevon , Asiedu-Bekoe Franklin , Biritwum-Nyarko Alberta , Schroeder Lee F. , Dowdy David W.
Published: October 2024

Understanding the epidemiology and ecology of yellow fever in endemic regions is critical for preventing future outbreaks. Ghana is a high-risk country for yellow fever. In this study we estimate the disease burden, ecological cycles, and areas at risk for yellow fever in Ghana based on historical outbreaks. We identify 2387 cases and 888 deaths (case fatality rate 37.7%) from yellow fever reported in Ghana from 1910 to 2022. During the approximately 30-year periods before and after implementation of routine childhood vaccination in 1992, the reported mean annual number of cases decreased by 80%. The geographic distribution of yellow fever cases has also changed over the past century. While there have been multiple large historical outbreaks of yellow fever in regions throughout Ghana, recent outbreaks have originated in northern regions. Comparing the locations where yellow fever outbreaks have emerged, we find patterns with seasons and different ecological transmission cycles. Using an ecological niche modeling framework, we predict areas in Ghana that are similar to where prior yellow fever outbreaks have originated based on temperature, precipitation, vegetation, and human population density. We find that these predictions differ depending on the ecological cycles of outbreaks. Ultimately, these findings and methods could be used to inform further subnational risk assessments for yellow fever in Ghana and other high-risk countries.
Validation of morphological ear classification devised by principal component analysis using three-dimensional images for human identification
Authors: Biwasaka Hitoshi , Usui Akihito , Takamiya Masataka , Angelakopoulos Nikolaos , Cameriere Roberto , Kumagai Akiko
Published: October 2024

This study attempts to classify ear morphology for human identification in forensic investigations by distinguishing between the upper auricle and lobule areas. A three-dimensional homologous model of the ear was created using 414 ear images of males aged 17–93 years reconstructed from computed tomography scans of forensic autopsy cases. Morphological changes were visualized using principal component analysis and areas of significant individual differences within the entire ear were identified. The classification criterion images for the upper auricle (ten images) and lobule (12 images) were developed by combining multiple principal component values: components 1–5 for the upper auricle and 1–6 for the lobule. Three-dimensional ear images of the upper auricle and lobule areas from 414 subjects were categorized using a measurement method based on the minimum distance between 5,507 corresponding points. The results indicate the applicability of the criterion images for the morphological classification of ears in this study.
Examining the effect of post-depositional processes on the preservation and identification of stone tool residues from temperate environments: An experimental approach
Authors: Cnuts Dries , Rots Veerle
Published: October 2024

Studying taphonomy is crucial for understanding how post-depositional processes impact archaeological remains. This knowledge is pivotal for accurately interpreting the archaeological record. Although taphonomy has a long tradition in archaeology, it is less developed in the analysis of stone tool residues compared to other subdisciplines. To address this gap, our study aims to further develop our understanding of the preservation potential of stone tool residues in temperate environments through actualist experiments. To achieve this, we develop a multidimensional experimental program that features the first biweekly monitoring of weathering processes on residues over a one-year cycle, aiming to understand the short-term effects of weathering immediately after tool discard. Additionally, the program involves the study of longer-term burial and weathering visual effects on different residue types within various previously unexplored depositional environments. This approach allows us to observe the visual effects of both weathering and burial processes and to improve our understanding of the different mechanisms involved in the diagenesis of stone tool residues. While known factors such as microbial activity and soil acidity play a primary role in residue decay, specific stone tool-related factors also prove important, underscoring the need to develop further a specific branch of taphonomy related to stone tool residues. Moreover, our results show that certain residue types may survive within these environments that are often considered as being hostile. A residue analysis of stone tools from temperate contexts may thus contribute unique data that can improve our understanding of past human behaviour. Future research with more diverse residue types and depositional conditions will permit further refinement of our understanding of how taphonomy affects residue preservation and enhance the reliability of residue identifications. As such, stone tool residue analysis will become firmly rooted within broader functional approaches to address how humans use stone tools and how this affects stone tool variability.
An One-step Triple Enhanced weakly supervised semantic segmentation using image-level labels
Authors: Quan Longjie , Huang Dandan , Liu Zhi , Gao Kai , Mi Xiaohong
Published: October 2024

Weakly supervised semantic segmentation, based on image-level labels, abandons the pixel-level labels relied upon by traditional semantic segmentation algorithms. It only utilizes images as supervision information, thereby reducing the time cost and human resources required for marking pixel data. The prevailing approach in weakly supervised segmentation involves two-step method, introducing an additional network and numerous parameters, thereby complicating the model structure. Furthermore, image-level labels typically furnishes only category information for the entire image, lacking specific location details and accurate target boundaries during model training. We propose an innovative One-Step Triple Enhanced weakly supervised semantic segmentation network(OSTE). OSTE streamlines the model structure, which can accomplish both pseudo-labels generation and semantic segmentation tasks in just one step. Furthermore, we augment the weakly supervised semantic segmentation network in three key aspects based on the class activation map construction method, thereby enhancing segmentation accuracy: Firstly, by integrating local information from the activation map with the image, we can enhance the network’s localization and expansion capabilities to obtain more accurate and rich location information. Then, we refine the seed areas of the class activation map by exploiting the correlation between multi-level feature. Finally, we incorporate conditional random field theory to generate pseudo-labels with higher confidence and richer boundary information. In comparison to the prevailing two-step weakly supervised semantic segmentation schemes, the segmentation network proposed in this paper achieves a more competitive mean Intersection over Union (mIoU) score of 58.47% on Pascal VOC. Additionally, it enhances the mIoU score by at least 5.03% when compared to existing end-to-end schemes.
Methodology for developing and validating Bangladesh healthy eating index: A study protocol
Authors: Jubayer Ahmed , Nowar Abira , Islam Saiful , Islam Md. Hafizul , Nayan Md. Moniruzzaman
Published: October 2024

Background

One of the widely used methods for evaluating the overall quality of a diet is the Healthy Eating Index. In the present study protocol, we lay out the methodological approach to the development and validation of a healthy eating index specific for the Bangladeshi population (hereinafter referred to as Bangladesh Healthy Eating Index (BD-HEI)).

Methods

Bangladesh Healthy Eating Index will be developed based on the Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) of Bangladesh. Using a scoring system that aligns with the eleven food groups outlined in the FBDG, the index will consist of eleven eating components. A cross-sectional community nutrition survey will be carried out among 1080 reproductive-aged women. Through this survey, quantitative dietary data will be collected following multiple pass 24h dietary recall method. Repeated 24-hour dietary data (of two consecutive days) will be collected from one-third of the respondents. Evaluating usual food and nutrient intake as well as the probability of nutrient intake adequacy, the study will examine the validity of the BD-HEI. Following a suitable statistical procedure, the reliability and construct validity of BD-HEI will be evaluated.

Significance of the study

Country-specific HEI can be used to assess the dietary quality of the people of that country. The findings from this research can inform policy decisions and strategies to promote healthier eating habits and combat the rising burden of diet-related diseases in the country.
Interactive segmentation with curve-based template deformation for spatiotemporal computed tomography of swallowing motion
Authors: Kimura Yuki , Ijiri Takashi , Inamoto Yoko , Hashimoto Takuya , Michiwaki Yukihiro
Published: October 2024

Repeating X-ray computed tomography (CT) measurements over a short period of time allows for obtaining a spatiotemporal four-dimensional (4D) volume image. This study presents an interactive method for segmenting a 4DCT image by fitting a template model to a target organ. The template consists of a three-dimensional (3D) mesh model and free-form-deformation (FFD) cage enclosing the mesh. The user deforms the template by placing multiple curve constraints that specify the boundary shape of the template in 3D space. We also present curve constraints shared over all time frames and interpolated along the time axis to facilitate efficient curve specification. Our method formulates the template deformation using the FFD cage modification, allowing the user to switch between our curve-based method and traditional FFD at any time. To illustrate the feasibility of our method, we show segmentation results in which we could accurately segment three organs from a 4DCT image capturing a swallowing motion. To evaluate the usability of our method, we conducted a user study comparing our curve-based method with the cage-based FFD. We found that the participants finished segmentation in approximately 20% interaction time periods on average with our method.
A human cadaveric model for venous air embolism detection tool development
Authors: Robinson Nathaniel L. , Marcellino Chris , Johnston Matthew , Abcejo Arnoley S.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

A human cadaveric model combining standard lung protective mechanical ventilation and modified cardiac bypass techniques was developed to allow investigation into automated modes of detection of venous air emboli (VAE) prior to in vivo human or animal investigations.

Methods

In this study, in order to create an artificial cardiopulmonary circuit in a cadaver that could mimic VAE physiology, the direction of flow was reversed from conventional cardiac bypass. Normal saline was circulated in isolation through the heart and lungs as opposed to the peripheral organs by placing the venous cannula into the aorta and the arterial cannula into the inferior vena cava with selective ligation of other vessels.

Results

Mechanical ventilation and this reversed cardiac bypass scheme allowed preliminary detection of VAE independently but not in concert in our current simulation scheme due to pulmonary edema in the cadaver. A limited dissection approach was used initially followed by a radical exposure of the great vessels, and both proved feasible in terms of air signal detection. We used electrical impendence as a preliminary tool to validate detection in this cadaveric model however we theorize that it would work for echocardiographic, intravenous ultrasound or other novel modalities as well.

Conclusion

A cadaveric model allows monitoring technology development with reduced use of animal and conventional human testing.
Diffuse white matter pathology in multiple sclerosis during treatment with dimethyl fumarate—An observational study of changes in normal-appearing white matter using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Tisell Anders , Söderberg Kristina , Link Yumin , Lundberg Peter , Mellergård Johan
Published: October 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease with neurodegenerative features causing risk for neurologic irreversible disability over time. Examination of normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) changes in MS by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), may detect diffuse white matter pathology that is associated with neurodegeneration.

Methods

In this observational study of in total twenty-six patients with MS, starting treatment with dimethyl fumarate (DMF), we measured the absolute concentration of metabolites in periventricular NAWM using 1H-MRS at baseline and after one and three years of treatment. Metabolite concentrations were analyzed both cross-sectionally, in relation to 10 controls and longitudinally in relation to disease activity.

Results

Patients with MS had higher concentrations of myo-inositol (mIns) in NAWM at baseline compared with controls (mean 5.98 ± 1.37 (SD) and 4.32 ± 1.16 (SD), p<0.01, independent samples t-test). The disease duration was inversely correlated with concentrations of total N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (tNA) (r = -0.62, p<0.01) in NAWM as well as positively to the ratio of mIns and tNA (r = 0.51, p = 0.03). Metabolite concentrations during one-year (n = 19) and three-years (n = 11) follow-up were generally stable. The dropouts were caused by treatment switch after one year, mainly due to new MRI activity. Cross-sectional analyses showed that there was an inverse correlation between concentrations of tNA and mIns at both baseline and at 1 and 3-years follow-up (r = -0.44 to -0.65, p = 0.04 to 0.004). Metabolite concentrations were stable during 1-year follow-up independently of disease activity.

Conclusions

Higher concentrations of the astrogliosis marker mIns in MS compared to controls, the inverse relation between MS disease duration and the neuroaxonal integrity marker tNA, as well as the consistent inverse relation between these two metabolites during follow-up, showed that non-lesional white matter pathology is present in this cohort of MS patients in early disease stages. However, metabolite concentrations during follow-up were generally stable and did not reflect differences in disease activity among patients.
Treatment preferences in spinal muscular atrophy: A swing weighting study for caregivers of patients with SMA types 1 and 2
Authors: Patel Anish , Toro Walter , Bourke Siobhan , Oluboyede Yemi , Barbier Sylvaine , Bogoeva Nataliya , Reyna Sandra P. , Dabbous Omar
Published: October 2024

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy. Patients with SMA types 1 and 2 develop severe disabilities conferring substantial patient and caregiver burden. Caregiver treatment characteristic preferences are useful for informing treatment choices and improving adherence. We aimed to identify drivers of SMA treatment preference from the perspective of caregivers of patients with SMA types 1 or 2 in the United States. We quantified the relative importance of different treatment characteristics and compared preferences for hypothetical treatment scenarios. Treatment attributes and attribute levels elicited were based on a literature search and interviews with caregivers and health care professionals. The most important treatment characteristics from the perspective of health care professionals and caregivers were identified and used in a survey to quantify relative importance for caregivers. Caregivers completed surveys regarding their preferences using swing weighting methodology. These results were used to estimate the relative value of four hypothetical SMA treatment scenarios exploring different modes of treatment administration. The swing weighting survey, completed by 20 caregivers, demonstrated that the attributes driving treatment preference were reduction in permanent ventilation needs and risk of severe adverse events, followed by treatment access (including cost coverage and availability), increased ability to sit without support, and less treatment administration burden. The hypothetical SMA treatment scenarios with the highest relative value offered an easier mode of administration, lowest risk of severe adverse events, less need of permanent ventilation, and highest ability of patients to feed and sit without support. Our findings suggest that caregivers prefer a treatment with reduced clinical burden and risk in which the cost is covered and treatment is available in the short term. These results can provide important contextual information for decision-makers and help promote patient-centered care for patients with SMA.
Evaluation of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for improving pain and cognitive function in elderly patients around the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery: A meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Sujuan , Huang Kai , Jiang Qing
Published: October 2024

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) in elderly patients around the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery.

Methods

The China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Wangfang Data, VIP database, SinoMed, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for relevant publications until August 2024. All randomized controlled studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of TEAS in patients around the perioperative period of hip replacement surgery. We calculated pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs for binary outcomes and standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes. The Cochrane’s Risk of Bias Tool were used to evaluate the quality of studies.

Results

A total of 13 studies with 946 patients were included in this analysis. 1-day visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and 2-day VAS scores were significantly lower in the TEAS group compared to the control group (SMD: -0.78, 95% CI: -1.47, -0.09, P = 0.02 and SMD:-0.54, 95% CI:-1.00,-0.09,P = 0.02). Furthermore, 1-day mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores and 3-day MMSE scores were significantly higher in the TEAS group compared to the control group (SMD: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.68, 2.51,P<0.001 and SMD:1.31, 95% CI:1.03,1.59,P<0.001), along with a lower postoperative cognitive dysfunction rate (RR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.73, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that TEAS significantly reduces pain and improves cognitive function in patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. Future studies should further investigate the optimal TEAS protocols to maximize these benefits across different population and surgical settings.
Isoginkgetin and Madrasin are poor splicing inhibitors
Authors: Tellier Michael , Ansa Gilbert , Murphy Shona
Published: October 2024

The production of eukaryotic mRNAs requires transcription by RNA polymerase (pol) II and co-transcriptional processing, including capping, splicing, and cleavage and polyadenylation. Pol II can positively affect co-transcriptional processing through interaction of factors with its carboxyl terminal domain (CTD), comprising 52 repeats of the heptapeptide Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7, and pol II elongation rate can regulate splicing. Splicing, in turn, can also affect transcriptional activity and transcription elongation defects are caused by some splicing inhibitors. Multiple small molecule inhibitors of splicing are now available, some of which specifically target SF3B1, a U2 snRNP component. SF3B1 inhibition results in a general downregulation of transcription elongation, including premature termination of transcription caused by increased use of intronic poly(A) sites. Here, we have investigated the effect of Madrasin and Isoginkgetin, two non-SF3B1 splicing inhibitors, on splicing and transcription. Surprisingly, we found that both Madrasin and Isoginkgetin affect transcription before any effect on splicing, indicating that their effect on pre-mRNA splicing is likely to be indirect. Both small molecules promote a general downregulation of transcription. Based on these and other published results, we conclude that these two small molecules should not be considered as primarily pre-mRNA splicing inhibitors.