bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abnormal release of cardiac biomarkers in the presence of myocardial oedema evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance after uncomplicated revascularization procedures
Authors: Ribas Fernando Faglioni , Hueb Whady , Rezende Paulo Cury , Rochitte Carlos Eduardo , Nomura Cesar Higa , Villa Alexandre Volney , Morais Thamara Carvalho , Lima Eduardo Gomes , Boeing Boros Gustavo André , Ribeiro Matheus de Oliveira Laterza , Linhares-Filho Jaime Paula Pessoa , Dallazen Anderson Roberto , Silva Rafael Rocha Mol , Franchini Ramires Jose Antonio , Kalil-Filho Roberto
Published: July 2023

Aims

To analyse the association of myocardial oedema (ME), observed as high T2 signal intensity (HT2) in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, with the release of cardiac biomarkers, ventricular ejection, and clinical outcomes after revascularization.

Methods and results

Patients with stable coronary artery disease with the indication for revascularization were included. Biomarker levels [troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)] and T2-weighted and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were obtained before and after the percutaneous or surgical revascularization procedures. The association of HT2 with the levels of biomarkers, with and without LGE, evolution of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and 5-year clinical outcomes were assessed. A total of 196 patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (HT2, 40) and Group 2 (no HT2, 156). Both peak cTnI (8.9 and 1.6 ng/mL) and peak CK-MB values (44.7 and 12.1 ng/mL) were significantly higher in Group 1. Based on the presence of new LGE, patients were stratified into Groups A (no HT2/LGE, 149), B (HT2, 9), C (LGE, 7), and D (both HT2/LGE, 31). The peak cTnI and CK-MB values were 1.5 and 12.0, 5.4 and 44.7, 5.0 and 18.3, and 9.8 and 42.8 ng/mL in Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively, and were significantly different. The average LVEF decreased by 4.4% in Group 1 and increased by 2.2% in Group 2 (P = 0.057).

Conclusion

ME after revascularization procedures was associated with increased release of cardiac necrosis biomarkers, and a trend towards a difference in LVEF, indicating a role of ME in cardiac injury after interventions.
Cardiometabolic risk management: insights from a European Society of Cardiology Cardiovascular Round Table
Authors: Cosentino Francesco , Verma Subodh , Ambery Philip , Treppendahl Marianne Bach , van Eickels Martin , Anker Stefan D , Cecchini Michele , Fioretto Paola , Groop Per-Henrik , Hess David , Khunti Kamlesh , Lam Carolyn S P , Richard-Lordereau Isabelle , Lund Lars H , McGreavy Paul , Newsome Philip N , Sattar Naveed , Solomon Scott , Weidinger Franz , Zannad Faiez , Zeiher Andreas
Published: July 2023

Metabolic comorbidities are common in patients with cardiorenal disease; they can cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), speed progression, and adversely affect prognosis. Common comorbidities are Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity/overweight, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic liver disease. The cardiovascular system, kidneys, and liver are linked to many of the same risk factors (e.g. dyslipidaemia, hypertension, tobacco use, diabetes, and central/truncal obesity), and shared metabolic and functional abnormalities lead to damage throughout these organs via overlapping pathophysiological pathways. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the management of cardiometabolic diseases. Obesity, T2DM, CKD, and liver disease are associated with increased risk of poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection, and conversely, COVID-19 can lead to worsening of pre-existing ASCVD. The high rates of these comorbidities highlight the need to improve recognition and treatment of ASCVD in patients with obesity, insulin resistance or T2DM, chronic liver diseases, and CKD and equally, to improve recognition and treatment of these diseases in patients with ASCVD. Strategies to prevent and manage cardiometabolic diseases include lifestyle modification, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. There is a need for more programmes at the societal level to encourage a healthy diet and physical activity. Many pharmacotherapies offer mechanism-based approaches that can target multiple pathophysiological pathways across diseases. These include sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and combined glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Non-surgical and surgical weight loss strategies can improve cardiometabolic disorders in individuals living with obesity. New biomarkers under investigation may help in the early identification of individuals at risk and reveal new treatment targets.
Naturally induced biphasic phytoplankton spring bloom reveals rapid and distinct substrate and bacterial community dynamics
Authors: Dlugosch Leon , Bunse Carina , Bunk Boyke , Böttcher Lea , Tran Den Quoc , Dittmar Thorsten , Hartmann Maike , Heinrichs Mara , Hintz Nils H , Milke Felix , Mori Corinna , Niggemann Jutta , Spröer Cathrin , Striebel Maren , Simon Meinhard
Published: July 2023

Phytoplankton spring blooms are typical features in coastal seas and provide heterotrophic bacteria with a rich blend of dissolved substrates. However, they are difficult to study in coastal seas in-situ. Here, we induced a phytoplankton spring bloom and followed its fate for 37 days in four 600 L-mesocosms. To specifically investigate the significance of phytoplankton-born dissolved organic carbon (DOC) we used artificial seawater with low DOC background and inoculated it with a 100 µm-prefiltered plankton community from the North Sea. A biphasic bloom developed, dominated by diatoms and Phaeocystis globosa respectively. In between, bacterial numbers peaked, followed by a peak in virus-like particles, implying that virus infection caused the collapse. Concentrations of dissolved free amino acids exhibited rapid changes, in particular during the diatom bloom and until the peak in bacterial abundance. Dissolved combined amino acids and neutral monosaccharides accumulated continuously, accounting for 22% of DOC as a mean and reaching levels as high as 44%. Bacterial communities were largely dominated by Bacteroidetes, especially the NS3a marine group (family Flavobacteriaceae), but Rhodobacteraceae and Gammaproteobacteria were also prominent members. Our study shows rapid organic matter and community composition dynamics that are hard to trace in natural coastal ecosystems.
Improving the safety and efficacy of phage therapy from the perspective of phage-mammal interactions
Authors: Zou Geng , He Lijun , Rao Jing , Song Zhiyong , Du Hu , Li Runze , Wang Wenjing , Zhou Yang , Liang Lu , Chen Huanchun , Li Jinquan
Published: July 2023

Phage therapy has re-emerged as a promising solution for combating antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections. Increasingly, studies have revealed that phages possess therapeutic potential beyond their antimicrobial properties, including regulating the gut microbiome and maintain intestinal homeostasis, as a novel nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery. However, the complexity and unpredictability of phage behavior during treatment pose a significant challenge in clinical practice. The intricate interactions established between phages, humans, and bacteria throughout their long coexistence in the natural ecosystem contribute to the complexity of phage behavior in therapy, raising concerns about their efficacy and safety as therapeutic agents. Revealing the mechanisms by which phages interact with the human body will provide a theoretical basis for increased application of promising phage therapy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of phage-mammal interactions, including signaling pathways, adaptive immunity responses, and phage-mediated anti-inflammatory responses. Then, from the perspective of phage-mammalian immune system interactions, we present the first systematic overview of the factors affecting phage therapy, such as the mode of administration, the physiological status of the patient, and the biological properties of the phage, to offer new insights into phage therapy for various human diseases.
Somatic mutations inferred from RNA-seq data highlight the contribution of replication timing to mutation rate variation in a model plant
Authors: Staunton Patrick M , Peters Andrew J , Seoighe Cathal
Published: July 2023

Variation in the rates and characteristics of germline and somatic mutations across the genome of an organism is informative about DNA damage and repair processes and can also shed light on aspects of organism physiology and evolution. We adapted a recently developed method for inferring somatic mutations from bulk RNA-seq data and applied it to a large collection of Arabidopsis thaliana accessions. The wide range of genomic data types available for A. thaliana enabled us to investigate the relationships of multiple genomic features with the variation in the somatic mutation rate across the genome of this model plant. We observed that late replicated regions showed evidence of an elevated rate of somatic mutation compared to genomic regions that are replicated early. We identified transcriptional strand asymmetries, consistent with the effects of transcription-coupled damage and/or repair. We also observed a negative relationship between the inferred somatic mutation count and the H3K36me3 histone mark which is well documented in the literature of human systems. In addition, we were able to support previous reports of an inverse relationship between inferred somatic mutation count and guanine-cytosine content as well as a positive relationship between inferred somatic mutation count and DNA methylation for both cytosine and noncytosine mutations.
Robotic reconstruction of a left hemi-diaphragm defect with double mesh in a patient with trisomy 21
Authors: Turner Joe , Alqudah Obada , Hogan John , Kouritas Vasileios
Published: July 2023

Robotic reconstructions of large diaphragmatic defects with mesh reconstructions are rare in the literature. We present a case of a complicated diaphragmatic defect, in an adult with trisomy 21, which was successfully repaired robotically with double mesh reinforcement. The meshes were sutured together via a separate suture in the middle to avoid fluid accumulation between them. The patient recovered quickly and uneventfully. On follow-up, he reported no pain, and his performance score improved dramatically. We present this complicated reconstruction in this specific patient, who we think benefitted from avoiding a thoraco-abdominal incision, demonstrating the merits of persevering with a robotic approach.
The ROSA-Like Prophage Colonizing Staphylococcus aureus Promotes Intracellular Survival, Biofilm Formation, and Virulence in a Chronic Wound Environment
Authors: Ahmad-Mansour Nour , Plumet Lucile , Pouget Cassandra , Kissa Karima , Dunyach-Remy Catherine , Sotto Albert , Lavigne Jean-Philippe , Molle Virginie
Published: July 2023

Background

The transition from colonization to invasion is critical in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Staphylococcus aureus can colonize DFU, or invade the underlying tissues, causing serious infections. The ROSA-like prophage has previously been implicated in strain colonization characteristics of S aureus isolates in uninfected ulcers.

Methods

In this study, we investigated this prophage in the S aureus-colonizing strain using an in vitro chronic wound medium mimicking the chronic wound environment.

Results

Chronic wound medium reduced bacterial growth and increased biofilm formation and virulence in a zebrafish model.

Conclusions

The ROSA-like prophage promoted intracellular survival of S aureus-colonizing strain in macrophages, keratinocytes, and osteoblasts.
Validation of the GlutenTox® ELISA Rapid G12 Test Kit for Determination of Gluten in Select Non-Heat-Processed Matrixes and Heat-Processed Matrixes: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 042301
Authors: Galera Carlos , Salagre Claudia , López Ana
Published: July 2023

Background

The GlutenTox® ELISA Rapid G12 test kit is a quantitative method designed for the determination of the immunotoxic fraction of gluten in food samples.

Objective

To obtain AOAC Performance-Tested MethodsSM certification for the method for the detection and quantification of gluten from wheat, barley, and rye flours in select foods (non-heat-processed) and incurred (heat-processed) matrixes.

Methods

The method was evaluated following the Guidelines for Validation of Quantitative Gluten Methods, with Specific Examples for ELISA Assays. The validation study was conducted at Hygiena Diagnóstica España using five food matrixes (soy flour, corn bread, seasoning mix, rolled oats, and evaporated milk) artificially contaminated with gluten from wheat, barley, or rye flour at different concentrations: 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. For each matrix and gluten contamination level, five or six individually extracted test portions were analyzed. A second bread matrix was prepared by baking a gluten-free bread mix spiked at 0, 20, and 30 mg/kg gluten from wheat, barley, or rye flour for incurred matrix testing. Ten individually extracted test portions were tested for each incurred bread and contamination level of gluten.

Results

The method met the AOAC performance requirements for detection and quantification of wheat gluten in the selected food matrixes, incurred bread sample, and spike levels of wheat gluten, showing an acceptable recovery. When tested with barley and rye flours, most of the results showed acceptable recoveries or a slight overestimation, depending on the matrix and gluten concentration. Method developer and independent laboratory results were comparable.

Conclusions

The validation study demonstrated that the test kit is a reliable, accurate, quick, and easy-to-use method for the detection and quantification of gluten concentration in food and incurred matrixes from wheat, barley, and rye flours.

Highlights

Most reagents provided in the kit are at ready-to-use concentrations.
Determination of Arsenic Species in Edible Insects by LC–ICP-MS
Authors: Matsumoto Eri , Matsumoto Makoto
Published: July 2023

Background

Edible insects may contain arsenic. Analysis of arsenic species is necessary in order to accurately assess arsenic exposure.

Objective

An analytical method was validated and used to determine and quantitate arsenic species in edible insects.

Methods

Arsenic species were extracted from edible insects by heating at 100°C in 0.3 mol/L nitric acid. The concentration of arsenic species was then determined by LC–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LC–ICP-MS) using an octadecylsilane (ODS) column with a mobile phase containing an ion-pair reagent.

Results

The LOD (0.007–0.012 mg/kg), LOQ (0.021–0.038 mg/kg), repeatability (1.2–3.2%), intermediate precision (2.8–4.5%), and trueness (recoveries 97–102% based on spiked samples) of the proposed method were satisfactory for inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and arsenobetaine (AB) in edible insects. Total arsenic was detected in all samples obtained in Japan (Asian forest scorpion, diving beetles, giant water bug, grasshoppers, June beetles, mole crickets, male rhino beetle, female rhino beetle, sago worms, and silkworm pupae) and consisted of mostly inorganic arsenic. Beetles in particular showed relatively high levels.

Conclusion

Arsenic content varies among edible insect species. Feed control is important, as arsenic concentrations in edible insects may be feed dependent.

Highlights

Arsenic species in edible insects were analyzed by LC–ICP-MS using an ODS column with a mobile phase containing an ion-pair reagent. Inorganic arsenic was detected in most samples, with concentrations ranging from <0.04 to 29.3 mg/kg.
Eco-Friendly UV-Spectrophotometric Methods Employing Magnetic Nano-Composite Polymer for the Extraction and Analysis of Sexual Boosters in Adulterated Food Products: Application of Computer-Aided Design
Authors: Abdelshakour Mohamed A , Attala Khaled , Elsonbaty Ahmed , Abdel Salam Randa A , Hadad Ghada M , Mostafa Aziza E , Eissa Maya S
Published: July 2023

Background

Solid phase extraction (SPE) techniques, based on computationally designed magnetic-based multi-targeting molecular imprinted polymer (MT-MIP), combined with UV spectrophotometric approaches provide advantages in the examination of counterfeit samples.

Objective

The current work describes an innovative and sustainable methodology for the simultaneous determination of tadalafil (TAD) and dapoxetine hydrochloride (DAP) in aphrodisiac counterfeit products (honey and instant coffee) utilizing SPE exploiting MT-MIP. Additionally, an innovative UV spectrophotometric method capable of resolving TAD in its pharmaceutical binary mixtures with DAP was developed. A novel computational approach was implemented to tailor the synthesis and design of the MT-MIP particles.

Methods

We applied a newly developed UV spectrophotometric method which was based on a Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD) method coupled with the isoabsorptive point for determination of TAD and DAP in pharmaceutical dosage form. We also applied an SPE process based on MT-MIP designed particles, assisting in the analysis of both drugs in counterfeit food samples. The SPE process and the UV spectroscopic methodology were assessed regarding their greenness using the pioneering green analytical procedure index (GAPI), analytical greeness including sample preparation (AGREEprep) and AGREE tools. The synthesized MT-MIP particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.

Results

The suggested spectrophotometric methods revealed a wide linear concentration range of 2–50 µg/mL with lower LODs in the range of 0.604–0.994 µg/mL. Additionally, the suggested method demonstrated the utmost sensitivity and eco-friendliness for their target in its mixed dosage form and counterfeit food products.

Conclusion

The SPE process and the developed analytical UV spectroscopic methodology were validated as per the ICH guidelines, and were found to be suitable for overseeing some counterfeiting activities in commercially available honey and instant coffee aphrodisiac products.

Highlights

An SPE method based on MT-MIP magnetic-based polymer and a UV spectroscopic method were successfully developed for analysis of TAD and DAP in different matrices.
Terms and conditions apply: an ethical analysis of mobile health user agreements in research
Authors: Gelinas Luke , Morrell Walker , Bierer Barbara E
Published: July 2023

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies raise unique risks to user privacy and confidentiality that are often embedded in lengthy and complex Privacy Policies, Terms of Use, and End User License Agreements. We seek to improve the ethical review of these documents (‘user agreements’) and their risks in research using mHealth technologies by providing a framework for identifying when these risks are research risks, categorizing the key information in these agreements under relevant ethical and regulatory categories, and proposing strategies to mitigate them. MHealth user agreements typically describe the nature of the data collected by mHealth technologies, why or for what purposes user data are collected and shared, who will have access to the different types of data collected, and may include exculpatory language. The risks raised by data collection and sharing typically increase with the sensitivity and identifiability of the data and vary by whether data are shared with researchers, the technology developer, and/or third-party entities. The most important risk mitigation strategy is disclosure of the key information found in user agreements to participants during the research consent process. In addition, researchers should prioritize mHealth technologies with favorable risk–benefit balances.
Out of the Shadows: Ukraine and the Shock of Non-Hybrid War
Authors: Porter Patrick
Published: July 2023

For two decades, a large body of security practitioners and scholars axiomatically expected “future war” to be ambiguous and hybrid, based on recent cases. The scale and overt form of the Russia–Ukraine war, which begun on February 22, 2022, demonstrates the limits of this orthodoxy. This article asks why informed opinion fell prey to such false expectations. It argues that as well as the pathologies of fashion in military-academic circles, there was an intellectual failure. Those who confidently expected war to remain in the shadows did not take seriously enough war’s political nature, and the possibility that it will intensify as political stakes rise. Either they assumed apolitically that war’s form was determined by the tools of globalization, or that the politics would be of the status quo, whereby the stability of the unipolar era would endure. Paying lip service to Carl von Clausewitz, in fact, they were unwittingly channeling Francis Fukuyama. To demonstrate this failure, I examine three representative texts of the genre and unpack their assumptions, by David Richards, Antoine Bousquet, and Sean McFate.
Plant growth and microbial responses from urban agriculture soils amended with excavated local sediments and municipal composts
Authors: Garcia J , Bray N , Son Y , Butler-Jones A , Egendorf S P , Kao-Kniffin J
Published: July 2023

With increasing urbanization and critical issues of food insecurity emerging globally, urban agriculture is expanding as an agroecosystem with a distinct soil type. Growing food in cities is challenged by legacy contaminants in soils, which necessitates the use of imported, safe soils and composts. To promote the long-term sustainability of urban agriculture, we examined the agronomic potential of constructing safe, locally sourced soils to support food production. We collected composts from four municipal composting facilities in New York City: Big Reuse, Long Island City, Queens (BRL), New York Department of Sanitation, Fresh Kills, Staten Island (DNY), Lower Eastside Ecology Center (LES) and Queens Botanic Garden (QBG). We then created two types of constructed soils using each compost: 100% pure compost and a 50:50 blend of compost and clean excavated sediments from the New York City Clean Soil Bank. We then assessed the growth of tomato, pepper and kale in the constructed soils within a plant growth chamber facility. We found Clean Soil Bank sediments enhanced tomato aboveground biomass production by 98%, kale aboveground biomass production by 50% and pepper plant height by 52% when mixed with compost from BRL. At the same time, Clean Soil Bank Sediments decreased tomato plant height by 16% and aboveground biomass production by 29% in LES compost and tomato plant height by 18% in QBG compost, likely due to compost properties. The addition of Clean Soil Bank sediments showed no decline in the symbiosis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi across all composts, which is an important beneficial plant–microbe interaction in agroecosystems. A positive ecosystem service was found when Clean Soil Bank sediments were added to municipal composts, with up to a 74% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions of soil CO2 in BRL compost. The results indicate that urban agricultural soils can be constructed using clean, locally sourced materials, such as composted organic waste and excavated sediments from city development sites to support sustainable urban agriculture while enhancing ecosystem services.
Post-COVID-19 rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis—A clinico-mycological study from North India
Authors: Taneja Juhi , Chatterjee Kuhu , Sasidharan Jaseetha , Abbas Syed Zafar , Rai Anil Kumar , Raychaudhury Sujata , Das Bhabatosh , Das Asim
Published: July 2023

The second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), during the early 2021, lead to a devastating outbreak of mucormycosis in India. This study aimed to determine the aetiology, clinical features, comorbidities, and risk factors of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) and antifungal susceptibility pattern for the isolates. The study included all suspected cases of ROCM in post-COVID-19 patients attending the hospital from May to December 2021. A total of 70 patients were diagnosed with mucormycosis during the study period. The commonest presentations were rhino-orbital and rhino-orbito-cerebral in 35.7% of cases each. Diabetes mellitus was the commonest associated risk factor in 95.7% of all patients, while 78.5% of the patients were treated with corticosteroids in the recent past, and 25.7% presented with active COVID-19 pneumonia. The commonest isolate was Rhizopus arrhizus n = 14, followed by Aspergillus flavus n = 16, A. fumigatus n = 4, A. niger n = 3, Fusarium oxysporumn = 1, and Apophysomyces variabilisn = 1. Fungal species identification was done by phenotypic methods for all the isolates and DNA sequence analysis of 18 isolates, and antifungal susceptibility testing of 30 isolates was performed by commercially prepared HiMIC plate (HiMedia, Mumbai, India) using broth microdilution for amphotericin B, isavuconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. The MIC50 and MIC90 of amphotericin B for R. arrhizus strains were 0.25 and 4 μg/ml, respectively; and the MIC50 and MIC90 results for itraconazole, posaconazole, and isavuconazole were 8 and 8, 2 and 2, and 2 and 8 μg/ml, respectively. In vitro data showed that amphotericin B was the most effective antifungal against most species. The commercially available ready-to-use minimum inhibitory concentration plates are user-friendly for performing antifungal susceptibility, which may be useful in choosing appropriate regimens and monitoring emerging resistance.
Yeasts from blood cultures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital: Shift in species epidemiology, steady low antifungal resistance and full in vitro ibrexafungerp activity
Authors: Díaz-García Judith , Mesquida Aina , Machado Marina , Sánchez-Carrillo Carlos , Muñoz Patricia , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesús
Published: July 2023

Several institutions reported a rise not only in fungemia incidence but also in the number of cases caused by Candida auris or fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic broke out in early 2020, we studied its impact on fungemia incidence, species epidemiology, potential patient-to-patient transmission, and antifungal resistance in 166 incident yeast isolates collected from January 2020 to December 2022. Isolates were molecularly identified, and their antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, azoles, micafungin, anidulafungin, and ibrexafungerp were studied following the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) method, and genotyped. The fungemia incidence (episodes per 1000 admissions) tended to decrease over time (2020 = 1.60, 2021 = 1.36, 2022 = 1.16); P > .05). Species distribution was C. albicans (50.6%, n = 84), C. parapsilosis (18.7%, n = 31), C. glabrata (12.0%, n = 20), C. tropicalis (11.4%, n = 19), C. krusei (3.0%, n = 5), other Candida spp. (1.2%, n = 2), and non-Candida yeasts (3.0%, n = 5). The highest and lowest proportions of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis were detected in 2020. The proportion of isolates between 2020 and 2022 decreased in C. albicans (60.3% vs. 36.7%) and increased in C. parapsilosis (10.3% vs. 28.6%; P < .05) and C. tropicalis (8.8% vs. 16.3%; P > .05). Only three C. albicans intra-ward clusters involving two patients each were detected, and the percentages of patients involved in intra-ward clusters reached 9.8% and 8.0% in 2020 and 2021, respectively, suggesting that clonal spreading was not uncontrolled. Fluconazole resistance (5%) exhibited a decreasing trend (P > .05) over time (2020 = 7.6%; 2021 = 4.2%; and 2022 = 2.1%). Ibrexafungerp showed high in vitro activity.
N2/CO ratio in comets insensitive to orbital evolution
Authors: Anderson S E , Rousselot P , Noyelles B , Jehin E , Mousis O
Published: July 2023

Comets are seen as depleted in nitrogen compared to the protosolar value, but a small number exhibit significantly higher than typical N2/CO ratios: C/1908 R1 (Morehouse), C/1940 R2 (Cunningham), C/1947 S1 (Bester), C/1956 R1 (Arend–Roland), C/1957 P1 (Mrkos), C/1961 R1 (Humason), C/1969 Y1 (Bennett), C/1973 E1 (Kohoutek), C/1975 V1-A (West), C/1986 P1 (Wilson), C/1987 P1 (Bradfield), C/2001 Q4 (NEAT), C/2002 VQ94 (LINEAR), C/2016 R2 (PanSTARRS), and periodic comets 1P/Halley, 29P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 1, and 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. This study examines the composition and dynamical histories of these N2-‘rich’ comets to unearth insights into their formation processes. Using updated N2 fluorescence factors, we re-estimate the N2/CO ratios of this sample and find that they are consistent with the expected values for comets based on estimations of the protosolar nebula. These also often display larger nucleus sizes and show rapid tail morphology variations due to their ionic nature. Numerical simulations reveal no common dynamical history, suggesting that the N2/CO ratio is independent of the number of inner Solar System passages and that N2 is homogeneously distributed within these comets. These volatile-rich comets share an Oort Cloud origin which is consistent with their survival over the past 4.5 Gyr. Our study also suggests that there may be a bias using modern high-resolution spectrometers with narrow slits, which could potentially overlook the ion tail of comets. We advocate for the use of long-slit spectroscopy to potentially detect a wider range of N2-rich comets, thereby enriching our understanding of comet compositions and origins.
Polarization fraction of Planck Galactic cold clumps and forecasts for the Simons Observatory
Authors: Clancy J , Puglisi G , Clark S E , Coppi G , Fabbian G , Hervías-Caimapo C , Hill J C , Nati F , Reichardt C L
Published: July 2023

We measure the mean-squared polarization fraction of a sample of 6282 Galactic cold clumps at 353 GHz, consisting of Planck Galactic cold clump (PGCC) catalogue category 1 objects [flux densities measured with signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) > 4]. At 353 GHz, we find the mean-squared polarization fraction, which we define as the mean-squared polarization divided by the mean-squared intensity, to be (4.79 ± 0.44) × 10−4 equation to an $11\, \sigma$ detection of polarization. We test if the polarization fraction depends on the clumps’ physical properties, including flux density, luminosity, Galactic latitude, and physical distance. We see a trend towards increasing polarization fraction with increasing Galactic latitude, but find no evidence that polarization depends on the other tested properties. The Simons Observatory, with angular resolution of order 1 arcmin and noise levels between 22 and $54\, \mu$K−arcmin at high frequencies, will substantially enhance our ability to determine the magnetic field structure in Galactic cold clumps. At $\ge 5\, \sigma$ significance, we predict the Simons Observatory will detect at least ∼12 000 cold clumps in intensity and ∼430 cold clumps in polarization. This number of polarization detections would represent a two orders of magnitude increase over the current Planck results. We also release software that can be used to mask these Galactic cold clumps in other analyses.
Full spectroscopic model and trihybrid experimental-perturbative-variational line list for ZrO
Authors: Perri Armando N , Taher Fadia , McKemmish Laura K
Published: July 2023

Zirconium monoxide (ZrO) absorption lines define rare S-type stars and are currently being sought on exoplanets. Successful detection is dependent on an accurate and comprehensive line list, with existing data not ideal for many applications. Specifically, the Plez et al. line list is near-complete but has insufficient accuracy for high-resolution cross-correlation, while the Sorensen & Bernath data have high accuracy but only consider a small number of spectral bands. This article presents a novel spectroscopic model, variational line list, and trihybrid line list for the main 90Zr16O isotopologue, as well as isotopologue-extrapolated hybrid line lists for the 91Zr16O, 92Zr16O, 93Zr16O, 94Zr16O, and 96Zr16O isotopologues. These were constructed using Duo based on icMRCI-SD/CASSCF ab initio electronic data calculated using molpro, experimental energies obtained from a previous MARVEL data compilation, and perturbative energies from Sorensen & Bernath. The new 90Zr16O ExoMol-style trihybrid line list, ZorrO, comprises 227 118 energies (13 075 experimental) and 47  662 773 transitions up to 30 000 cm −1 (333 nm) between 10 low-lying electronic states (X 1Σ+, a 3Δ, A 1Δ, b 3Π, B 1Π, C 1Σ+, d 3Φ, e 3Π, f 3Δ, and F 1Δ). The inclusion of experimental energy levels in ZorrO means ZrO will be much easier to detect using high-resolution ground-based telescopes in the 12 500–17 500 cm−1 (571–800 nm) spectral region. The inclusion of variational energy levels means that the ZorrO line list has very high completeness and can accurately model molecular absorption cross-sections even at high temperatures. The ZorrO data will hopefully facilitate the first detection of ZrO in the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter exoplanet, or alternatively more conclusively exclude its presence.
Not hydro: using neural networks to estimate galaxy properties on a dark-matter-only simulation
Authors: Hernández Cristian A , González Roberto E , Padilla Nelson D
Published: July 2023

Using data from TNG300-2, we train a neural network (NN) to recreate the stellar mass (M*) and star formation rate (SFR) of central Galaxies in a dark-matter-only simulation. We conider 12 input properties from the halo and sub-halo hosting the galaxy and the near environment. M* predictions are robust, but the machine does not fully reproduce its scatter. The same happens for SFR, but the predictions are not as good as for M*. We chained NNs, improving the predictions on SFR to some extent. For SFR, we time-averaged this value between z = 0 and z = 0.1, which improved results for z = 0. Predictions of both variables have trouble reproducing values at lower and higher ends. We also study the impact of each input variable in the performance of the predictions using a leave-one-covariate-out approach, which led to insights about the physical and statistical relation between input variables. In terms of metrics, our machine outperforms similar studies, but the main discoveries in this work are not linked with the quality of the predictions themselves, but to how the predictions relate to the input variables. We find that previously studied relations between physical variables are meaningful to the machine. We also find that some merger tree properties strongly impact the performance of the machine. We conclude that machine learning models are useful tools to understand the significance of physical different properties and their impact on target characteristics, as well as strong candidates for potential simulation methods.
Star formation efficiency and AGN feedback in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with fast X-ray nuclear winds
Authors: Salomé Q , Krongold Y , Longinotti A L , Bischetti M , García-Burillo S , Vega O , Sánchez-Portal M , Feruglio C , Jiménez-Donaire M J , Zanchettin M V
Published: July 2023

We present the first systematic study of the molecular gas and star formation efficiency in a sample of ten narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies selected to have X-ray Ultra Fast Outflows and, therefore, to potentially show AGN feedback effects. CO observations were obtained with the IRAM 30-m telescope in six galaxies and from the literature for four galaxies. We derived the stellar mass, star formation rate, AGN, and FIR dust luminosities by fitting the multi-band spectral energy distributions with the CIGALE code. Most of the galaxies in our sample lie above the main sequence (MS), and the molecular depletion time is one to two orders of magnitude shorter than the one typically measured in local star-forming galaxies. Moreover, we found a promising correlation between the star formation efficiency and the Eddington ratio, as well as a tentative correlation with the AGN luminosity. The role played by the AGN activity in the regulation of star formation within the host galaxies of our sample remains uncertain (little or no effect? positive feedback?). Nevertheless, we can conclude that quenching by the AGN activity is minor and that star formation will likely stop in a short time due to gas exhaustion by the current starburst episode.
The physical drivers of gas turbulence in simulated disc galaxies
Authors: Jiménez Esteban , Lagos Claudia del P , Ludlow Aaron D , Wisnioski Emily
Published: July 2023

We use the eagle cosmological simulations to study the evolution of the vertical velocity dispersion of cold gas, σz, in central disc galaxies and its connection to stellar feedback, gravitational instabilities, cosmological gas accretion, and galaxy mergers. To isolate the impact of feedback, we analyse runs that turn off stellar and (or) active galactic nuclei feedback in addition to a run that includes both. The evolution of σz and its dependence on stellar mass and star formation rate in eagle are in good agreement with observations. Galaxies hosted by haloes of similar virial mass, $\rm M_{200}$, have similar σz values even in runs where feedback is absent. The prevalence of local instabilities in discs is uncorrelated with σz at low redshift and becomes only weakly correlated at high redshifts and in galaxies hosted by massive haloes. σz correlates most strongly with the specific gas accretion rate onto the disc as well as with the degree of misalignment between the inflowing gas and the disc’s rotation axis. These correlations are significant across all redshifts and halo masses, with misaligned accretion being the primary driver of high gas turbulence at redshifts z ≲ 1 and for halo masses $\rm M_{200} \lesssim 10^{11.5} {\rm M}_{\odot }$. Galaxy mergers increase σz, but because they are rare in our sample, they play only a minor role in its evolution. Our results suggest that the turbulence of cold gas in eagle discs results from a complex interplay of different physical processes whose relative importance depends on halo mass and redshift.
Representation of conspecific vocalizations in amygdala of awake marmosets
Authors: Jia Guoqiang , Bai Siyi , Lin Yingxu , Wang Xiaohui , Zhu Lin , Lyu Chenfei , Sun Guanglong , An Kang , Roe Anna Wang , Li Xinjian , Gao Lixia
Published: July 2023

Human speech and animal vocalizations are important for social communication and animal survival. Neurons in the auditory pathway are responsive to a range of sounds, from elementary sound features to complex acoustic sounds. For social communication, responses to distinct patterns of vocalization are usually highly specific to an individual conspecific call, in some species. This includes the specificity of sound patterns and embedded biological information. We conducted single-unit recordings in the amygdala of awake marmosets and presented calls used in marmoset communication, calls of other species and calls from specific marmoset individuals. We found that some neurons (47/262) in the amygdala distinguished ‘Phee’ calls from vocalizations of other animals and other types of marmoset vocalizations. Interestingly, a subset of Phee-responsive neurons (22/47) also exhibited selectivity to one out of the three Phees from two different ‘caller’ marmosets. Our findings suggest that, while it has traditionally been considered the key structure in the limbic system, the amygdala also represents a critical stage of socially relevant auditory perceptual processing.
Similar parasite communities but dissimilar infection patterns in two closely related chickadee species
Authors: Theodosopoulos Angela N , Grabenstein Kathryn C , Larrieu Mia E , Arnold Vanessa , Taylor Scott A
Published: July 2023

Hemosporidian parasite communities are broadly similar in Boulder County, Colorado, between two common songbirds––the Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli). However, Mountain Chickadees appear more likely to be infected with Plasmodium and potentially experience higher infection burdens with Leucocytozoon in contrast to Black-capped Chickadees. We found that elevation change (and associated ecology) drives the distributions of these parasite genera. For Boulder County chickadees, environmental factors play a more important role in structuring hemosporidian communities than host evolutionary differences. However, evolutionary differences are likely key to shaping the probability of infection, infection burden, and whether an infection remains detectable over time. We found that for recaptured birds, their infection status (i.e. presence or absence of detectable parasite infection) tends to remain consistent across capture periods. We sampled 235 chickadees between 2017 and 2021 across a ~1,500-m elevation gradient from low elevation (i.e. the city of Boulder) to comparatively high elevation (i.e. the CU Boulder Mountain Research Station). It is unknown whether long-term hemosporidian abundance trends have changed over time in our sampling region. However, we ask whether potentially disparate patterns of Plasmodium susceptibility and Leucocytozoon infection burden could be playing a role in the negative population trends of Mountain Chickadees.
Taxing cryptocurrencies
Authors: Baer Katherine , De Mooij Ruud , Hebous Shafik , Keen Michael
Published: July 2023

Policy-makers are struggling to accommodate cryptocurrencies within tax systems not designed to handle them; this paper reviews the issues that arise. The greatest challenges are for implementation: crypto’s pseudonymity is an inherent obstacle to third-party reporting. Design problems arise from cryptocurrencies’ dual nature as investment assets and means of payment: more straightforward is a compelling case for corrective taxation of carbon-intensive mining. Ownership is highly concentrated at the top, but many crypto investors have only moderate incomes. The capital gains tax revenue at stake worldwide may be in the tens of billions of dollars, but the more profound risks may ultimately be for VAT/sales taxes.
Association between prehospital lactate categories with short- and long-term mortality: a prospective, observational multicenter study
Authors: Martín-Rodríguez F , Sanz-García A , Martínez Fernández F T , Otero de la Torre S , Delgado Benito J F , del Pozo Vegas C , Pérez García R , Ingelmo Astorga E A , Sanchez Coalla A , López-Izquierdo R
Published: July 2023

Background

Lactate is an already recognized biomarker for short-term mortality in emergency medical services (EMS). However, how different levels of lactate are associated with short-, mid- and long-term outcomes should be unveiled.

Aim

To determine how different categories of hyperlactatemia are associated with mortality. We also aim to clinically characterize hyperlactatemia groups.

Design

A multicenter, prospective, observational study performed between January 2019 and February 2022, considering 48 basic life support units and 5 advanced life support units referring to 4 tertiary care hospitals (Spain). Patients were recruited from phone requests for emergency assistance in adults, evacuated to emergency departments. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality from any cause within the first to the 365-day period following EMS attendance. The main measures were demographical and biochemical variables, prehospital advanced life support techniques used and patient condition categorized in 24 diseases.

Methods

Univariate and Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 5072 participants fulfilled inclusion criteria. Group #1 (non-hyperlactatemia) was composed of 2389 subjects (47.1%), Group #2 (mild hyperlactatemia) of 1834 (36.1%), Group #3 (hyperlactatemia) of 333 (6.6%) and, finally, Group #4 (severe hyperlactatemia) of 516 (10.2%). The 1-day mortality was 0.2%, 1.1%, 9% and 22.3% in the four lactate groups, respectively. Long-term mortality (365 days) was 10.2%, 22.7%, 38.7% and 46.7% in the four lactate groups, respectively. Differences between patients’ conditions of lactatemia groups were also found.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that prehospital lactate categories were associated with short- and long-term outcomes in a different manner. These results will allow EMS to establish different risk states according to the prehospital lactate categories.
How unpredictable is research impact? Evidence from the UK’s Research Excellence Framework
Authors: Yaqub Ohid , Malkov Dmitry , Siepel Josh
Published: July 2023

Although ex post evaluation of impact is increasingly common, the extent to which research impacts emerge largely as anticipated by researchers, or as the result of serendipitous and unpredictable processes, is not well understood. In this article, we explore whether predictions of impact made at the funding stage align with realized impact, using data from the UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF). We exploit REF impact cases traced back to research funding applications, as a dataset of 2,194 case–grant pairs, to compare impact topics with funder remits. For 209 of those pairs, we directly compare their descriptions of ex ante and ex post impact. We find that impact claims in these case–grant pairs are often congruent with each other, with 76% showing alignment between anticipated impact at funding stage and the eventual claimed impact in the REF. Co-production of research, often perceived as a model for impactful research, was a feature of just over half of our cases. Our results show that, contrary to other preliminary studies of the REF, impact appears to be broadly predictable, although unpredictability remains important. We suggest that co-production is a reasonably good mechanism for addressing the balance of predictable and unpredictable impact outcomes.
Phylogenomics reveals patterns of ancient hybridization and differential diversification that contribute to phylogenetic conflict in willows, poplars, and close relatives
Authors: Sanderson Brian J , Gambhir Diksha , Feng Guanqiao , Hu Nan , Cronk Quentin C , Percy Diana M , Freaner Francisco Molina , Johnson Matthew G , Smart Lawrence B , Keefover-Ring Ken , Yin Tongming , Ma Tao , DiFazio Stephen P , Liu Jianquan , Olson Matthew S
Published: July 2023

Despite the economic, ecological, and scientific importance of the genera Salix L. (willows) and Populus L. (poplars, cottonwoods, and aspens) Salicaceae, we know little about the sources of differences in species diversity between the genera and of the phylogenetic conflict that often confounds estimating phylogenetic trees. Salix subgenera and sections, in particular, have been difficult to classify, with one recent attempt termed a “spectacular failure” due to a speculated radiation of the subgenera Vetrix and Chamaetia. Here, we use targeted sequence capture to understand the evolutionary history of this portion of the Salicaceae plant family. Our phylogenetic hypothesis was based on 787 gene regions and identified extensive phylogenetic conflict among genes. Our analysis supported some previously described subgeneric relationships and confirmed the polyphyly of others. Using an fbranch analysis, we identified several cases of hybridization in deep branches of the phylogeny, which likely contributed to discordance among gene trees. In addition, we identified a rapid increase in diversification rate near the origination of the Vetrix–Chamaetia clade in Salix. This region of the tree coincided with several nodes that lacked strong statistical support, indicating a possible increase in incomplete lineage sorting due to rapid diversification. The extraordinary level of both recent and ancient hybridization in both Salix and Populus have played important roles in the diversification and diversity in these two genera.