bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sparse Backdoor Attack Against Neural Networks
Authors: Zhong Nan , Qian Zhenxing , Zhang Xinpeng
Published: October 2023

Recent studies show that neural networks are vulnerable to backdoor attacks, in which compromised networks behave normally for clean inputs but make mistakes when a pre-defined trigger appears. Although prior studies have designed various invisible triggers to avoid causing visual anomalies, they cannot evade some trigger detectors. In this paper, we consider the stealthiness of backdoor attacks from input space and feature representation space. We propose a novel backdoor attack named sparse backdoor attack, and investigate the minimum required trigger to induce the well-trained networks to make incorrect results. A U-net-based generator is employed to create triggers for each clean image. Considering the stealthiness of the trigger, we restrict the elements of the trigger between −1 and 1. In the aspect of the feature representation domain, we adopt an entanglement cost function to minimize the gap between feature representations of benign and malicious inputs. The inseparability of benign and malicious feature representations contributes to the stealthiness of our attack against various model diagnosis-based defences. We validate the effectiveness and generalization of our method by conducting extensive experiments on multiple datasets and networks.
Adaptation by death? Cell death-based tolerance to cadmium in 150-generation exposure of Spodoptera exiqua Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Babczyńska Agnieszka , Rost-Roszkowska Magdalena , Kafel Alina , Łozowski Bartosz , Augustyniak Maria , Tarnawska Monika
Published: October 2023

Mechanisms, including autophagy and apoptosis, which serve to regulate and ensure proper organism functions under optimal conditions, play additional defensive roles under environmental pressure. The aim of this study was to test the following hypotheses: (i) elevated autophagy and apoptosis intensity levels, as defensive processes in response to contact with cadmium, are maintained for a limited number of generations and (ii) the number of generations after which levels of cell death processes reach the reference level depends on selective pressure. Cell death processes were assessed by light and transmission electron microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL), and cytometric analyses. Model insects (Spodoptera exiqua, Hübner, 1808) were orally exposed to various concentrations of cadmium for 18 generations and compared with reference strains exposed to cadmium or not (control) for over 150 generations. Elevated programmed cell death intensity levels decreased after several generations, indicating tolerance of individuals to cadmium in the diet and verifying the first hypothesis; however, testing the second hypothesis indicated that the number of generations depended not only on pressure intensity, but also on cell death type, since levels of autophagy remained increased for a minimum of 12 generations.
Acute type B aortic dissection with multiple cholesterol embolism: an autopsy case report
Authors: Yamasaki Masataka , Ikutomi Masayasu , Masuda Yoshio , Yamasaki Masao
Published: October 2023

Background

Most cases of cholesterol embolism are known to be triggered by cardiac catheterization, cardiovascular surgery, anticoagulation, or fibrinolytic therapy; however, spontaneous cases after aortic dissection are rare. In this report, we describe a case of cholesterol embolism after type B aortic dissection, which rapidly developed into multiple organ failure and death.

Case summary

A 65-year-old man with untreated hypertension was admitted to our hospital with sudden back pain and diagnosed with type B aortic dissection. The patient experienced a rapid progression of inflammation and developed respiratory and renal failure, despite computed tomography showing no obvious progression of dissection. We attributed them to a cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but steroid pulse therapy did not alleviate the symptoms. Finally, the patient died on Day 6 after admission, and an autopsy was performed, which revealed cholesterol crystal occlusions in the kidney, spleen, and the left lower leg. The lumen in the aorta is filled with atheroma and thrombus, and we suspect that aortic dissection triggered failure of the aortic plaques and released cholesterol crystals to distal arteries that led to cholesterol embolism.

Discussion

We experienced a patient with a type B aortic dissection that led to cholesterol embolism and rapid progression of respiratory and renal failure, resulting in death. The aortic dissection combined with cholesterol embolism was considered to trigger the subsequent severe inflammation, leading to rapid respiratory and renal failure. Our case points to the possibility that cholesterol embolism can extensively escalate inflammation after aortic dissection.
A liberalizing effect of happiness? The impact of improvements and deteriorations in different dimensions of subjective well-being on concerns about immigration
Authors: Kratz Fabian
Published: October 2023

High levels of concerns about immigration pose a threat to the successful integration of immigrants and may even destabilize heterogeneous societies. This study assesses the mechanisms underlying the association between subjective well-being and concerns about immigration. The analyses rely on the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (1999-2017), a long-running data set that follows individuals over time with a total of 60,319 respondents and 329,556 person-year observations. Individuals who are on average more satisfied with their income, housing situation, and life overall are less concerned about consequences stemming from immigration. The impact of changes in subjective well-being reaches beyond the influence of objective well-being; moreover, if the same individuals become less satisfied with any one of these life dimensions, their concerns about immigration increase. In turn, an increase in satisfaction is followed by a decline of immigration-based concerns. These results imply that political measures that strengthen resilience and foster coping mechanisms are critical to reducing concerns about immigration, cultivating societal integration.
Occupational class differences in male suicide risk in Finland from 1970 to 2019
Authors: Raittila Simo , Kouvonen Anne , Koskinen Aki , Väänänen Ari
Published: October 2023

Background

In the last few decades, suicide rates have decreased in most European countries. However, periodic changes in risk by occupational class have not been studied as much in detail.

Methods

Representative cohorts of Finnish working-age men were followed for nine years on suicide mortality starting from five different census years (1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010). Each cohort included between 300 970 and 332 318 men. Cox regression modelling was used to estimate hazard ratios by census year, occupational class and their interactions. Further models adjusted for age and its interactions with census year and occupational class.

Results

The risk of male suicide has more than halved between 1991 and 2019. The relative hazard ratio of suicide in manual workers compared to managers and professionals was around 1.6 to 1.8 times higher. The period when the suicide risk started to decline differed by occupational class: a significant decrease compared to 1970s’ levels was seen for managers and professionals already in the 1990s and for lower non-manual employees around 10 years later (in the 2000s). Manual workers only reached the 1970s suicide risk of managers and professionals in the 2000s and 2010s.

Conclusion

A delayed reduction of suicide rates among lower occupational classes suggests that the impact of social changes can occur at different speed in different population groups.
Microbial communities in paddy soils: differences in abundance and functionality between rhizosphere and pore water, the influence of different soil organic carbon, sulfate fertilization and cultivation time, and contribution to arsenic mobility and speciation
Authors: Zecchin Sarah , Wang Jiajia , Martin Maria , Romani Marco , Planer-Friedrich Britta , Cavalca Lucia
Published: October 2023

Abiotic factors and rhizosphere microbial populations influence arsenic accumulation in rice grains. Although mineral and organic surfaces are keystones in element cycling, localization of specific microbial reactions in the root/soil/pore water system is still unclear. Here, we tested if original unplanted soil, rhizosphere soil and pore water represented distinct ecological microniches for arsenic-, sulfur- and iron-cycling microorganisms and compared the influence of relevant factors such as soil type, sulfate fertilization and cultivation time. In rice open-air-mesocosms with two paddy soils (2.0% and 4.7% organic carbon), Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated minor effects of cultivation time and sulfate fertilization that decreased Archaea-driven microbial networks and incremented sulfate-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Different compartments, characterized by different bacterial and archaeal compositions, had the strongest effect, with higher microbial abundances, bacterial biodiversity and interconnections in the rhizosphere vs pore water. Within each compartment, a significant soil type effect was observed. Higher percentage contributions of rhizosphere dissimilatory arsenate- and iron-reducing, arsenite-oxidizing, and, surprisingly, dissimilatory sulfate-reducing bacteria, as well as pore water iron-oxidizing bacteria in the lower organic carbon soil, supported previous chemistry-based interpretations of a more active S-cycling, a higher percentage of thioarsenates and lower arsenic mobility by sorption to mixed Fe(II)Fe(III)-minerals in this soil.
The skills of fashion: guild conflicts between bonnetières-coiffeuses and merchant mercers over enjolivement in eighteenth-century Rouen
Authors: Perras Jean-Alexandre
Published: October 2023

This article examines the history of women’s coiffure in eighteenth-century France beyond its visual representations. Focusing on the city of Rouen, it adopts the perspective of the trades involved in the creation of coiffures, and in particular the legal conflicts between the female guild of bonnetières, brodeuses, enjoliveuses and coiffeuses and the merchant mercers over the business of embellishment. Emphasizing the interactions between male and female workers in the fashion trades, the study seeks to identify the impact that the acceleration of fashion innovation had on the practices of fashion workers and the ways in which they conceptualized the skills involved in the production of fashion novelties.
Whole genome assembly and annotation of the endangered Caribbean coral Acropora cervicornis
Authors: Selwyn Jason D , Vollmer Steven V
Published: October 2023

Coral species in the genus Acropora are key ecological components of coral reefs worldwide and represent the most diverse genus of scleractinian corals. While key species of Indo-Pacific Acropora have annotated genomes, no annotated genome has been published for either of the two species of Caribbean Acropora. Here we present the first fully annotated genome of the endangered Caribbean staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis. We assembled and annotated this genome using high-fidelity nanopore long-read sequencing with gene annotations validated with mRNA sequencing. The assembled genome size is 318 Mb, with 28,059 validated genes. Comparative genomic analyses with other Acropora revealed unique features in A. cervicornis, including contractions in immune pathways and expansions in signaling pathways. Phylogenetic analysis confirms previous findings showing that A. cervicornis diverged from Indo-Pacific relatives around 41 million years ago, with the closure of the western Tethys Sea, prior to the primary radiation of Indo-Pacific Acropora. This new A. cervicornis genome enriches our understanding of the speciose Acropora and addresses evolutionary inquiries concerning speciation and hybridization in this diverse clade.
Frequent, infinitesimal bottlenecks maximize the rate of microbial adaptation
Authors: Delaney Oscar , Letten Andrew D , Engelstädter Jan
Published: October 2023

Serial passaging is a fundamental technique in experimental evolution. The choice of bottleneck severity and frequency poses a dilemma: longer growth periods allow beneficial mutants to arise and grow over more generations, but simultaneously necessitate more severe bottlenecks with a higher risk of those same mutations being lost. Short growth periods require less severe bottlenecks, but come at the cost of less time between transfers for beneficial mutations to establish. The standard laboratory protocol of 24-h growth cycles with severe bottlenecking has logistical advantages for the experimenter but limited theoretical justification. Here we demonstrate that contrary to standard practice, the rate of adaptive evolution is maximized when bottlenecks are frequent and small, indeed infinitesimally so in the limit of continuous culture. This result derives from revising key assumptions underpinning previous theoretical work, notably changing the metric of optimization from adaptation per serial transfer to per experiment runtime. We also show that adding resource constraints and clonal interference to the model leaves the qualitative results unchanged. Implementing these findings will require liquid-handling robots to perform frequent bottlenecks, or chemostats for continuous culture. Further innovation in and adoption of these technologies has the potential to accelerate the rate of discovery in experimental evolution.
Longitudinal Associations of Neighborhood Social Cohesion With Self-Perceptions of Aging and Loneliness
Authors: Choi Eun Young
Published: October 2023

Objectives

One’s aging experience is structurally embedded in the social aspects of the residential environment. However, it is largely unknown how this upstream contextual factor may shape self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and loneliness, critical aspects of later-life psychological well-being with profound health implications. This study examines the longitudinal association of neighborhood social cohesion with SPA and ­loneliness, as well as the potential bidirectional associations between outcomes.

Methods

This study used 8-year data from the Health and Retirement Study, with an analytic sample of 9,299 U.S. adults aged 50 or older. Latent growth curve models were implemented to assess the associations of baseline neighborhood social cohesion with trajectories of SPA and loneliness. Path analysis was conducted to examine the longitudinal mediation mechanisms connecting neighborhood social cohesion with SPA and loneliness.

Results

Respondents from cohesive neighborhoods at baseline started with and maintained more positive initial SPA over time, but their positive perceptions decreased faster over time. Cohesive neighborhoods were associated with lower levels of loneliness over an 8-year study period, but also with slower rates of decline in loneliness. Path analysis revealed that neighborhood social cohesion indirectly affected SPA and loneliness, via bidirectional mechanisms.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the significant role of environmental factors beyond individual predictors and advocates for the potential of neighborhood environments as a target for interventions to foster positive aging perception and tackle loneliness. Furthermore, it indicates that loneliness and SPA could reciprocally influence each other in the context of neighborhood social cohesion, enriching our understanding of their dynamics.
Age-Related Differences in Mind Wandering: The Role of Emotional Valence
Authors: Welhaf Matthew S , Banks Jonathan B , Bugg Julie M
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Older adults consistently report fewer experiences of mind wandering compared to younger adults. Aging is also associated with a shift in the emotional focus of our thoughts, with older adults tending to experience an increase in attention toward positive information, or a “positivity bias,” relative to younger adults. Here, we tested if the positivity bias associated with aging can also predict age-related changes in the content of older adults’ mind wandering.

Method

Older adults and younger adults completed a go/no-go task with periodic thought probes to assess rates of emotionally valenced mind wandering.

Results

Older adults reported significantly less negatively and neutrally valenced mind wandering compared to younger adults, but there was no age difference in reports of positively valenced mind wandering. Overall rates of mind wandering predicted poorer task performance for both age groups: Individuals who mind wandered more, performed worse, but this did not differ by the emotional valence. Both older adults and younger adults showed similar in-the-moment performance deficits, with mind wandering reports being associated with worse immediate no-go accuracy and faster reaction times, consistent with mindless responding.

Discussion

Focusing on different dimensions of thought content, such as emotional valence, can provide new insight into age-related differences in mind wandering. Older adults’ mind wandering reports were less negative and neutral compared to younger adults’ reports suggesting a positivity bias for older adults. However, this positivity bias does not seem to affect task performance. We discuss the implications of the findings for mind wandering theories and the positivity bias.
A systematic review of population and patient perspectives and experiences as measured in Latin American and Caribbean surveys
Authors: Medina-Ranilla Jesús , Espinoza-Pajuelo Laura , Mazzoni Agustina , Roberti Javier , García- Elorrio Ezequiel , Leslie Hannah Hogan , García Patricia Jannet
Published: October 2023

High-quality health systems must provide accessible, people-centred care to both improve health and maintain population trust in health services. Furthermore, accurate measurement of population perspectives is vital to hold health systems accountable and to inform improvement efforts. To describe the current state of such measures in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), we conducted a systematic review of facility and population-based assessments that included patient-reported experience and satisfaction measures. Five databases were searched for publications on quantitative surveys assessing healthcare quality in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking LAC countries, focusing on the domains of processes of care and quality impacts. We included articles published since 2011 with a national sampling frame or inclusion of multiple subnational regions. We tabulated and described these articles, identifying, classifying and summarizing the items used to assess healthcare quality into the domains mentioned earlier. Of the 5584 publications reviewed, 58 articles met our inclusion criteria. Most studies were cross-sectional (95%), assessed all levels of healthcare (57%) and were secondary analyses of existing surveys (86%). The articles yielded 33 unique surveys spanning 12 LAC countries; only eight of them are regularly administered surveys. The most common quality domains assessed were satisfaction (in 33 out of 58 articles, 57%), evidence-based/effective care (34%), waiting times (33%), clear communication (33%) and ease of use (31%). Items and reported ratings varied widely among instruments used, time points and geographical settings. Assessment of patient-reported quality measures through population- and facility-based surveys is present but heterogeneous in LAC countries. Satisfaction was measured frequently, although its use in accountability or informing quality improvement is limited. Measurement of healthcare quality in LAC needs to be more systematic, regular, comprehensive and to be led collaboratively by researchers, governments and policymakers to enable comparison of results across countries and to effectively inform policy implementation.
Social determinants of health literacy: a cross-sectional exploratory study
Authors: Dolezel Diane , Hewitt Barbara
Published: October 2023

Despite the importance of health literacy to health-promoting behaviors, few studies have assessed the social determinants of health literacy in a random sample of individuals from the USA. The study evaluated the association of sociodemographic factors with individual health literacy levels. This cross-sectional web-based observational study utilized the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ), a multidimensional instrument measuring nine areas of literacy. Multivariate regression results revealed several factors associated with HLQ scores such as self-rated health rating, frequency of visits to healthcare providers, smoking, gender and rural versus urban residence. Low health literacy was associated with lower self-rated overall health and with less frequent visits to healthcare providers. Males scored higher on engaging with health providers, navigating, understanding the health system and understanding health information well enough to know what to do. These findings can guide healthcare professionals to focus on individuals from groups having lower health literacy scores to promote healthy behaviors.
Undisciplined History: Creative Methods and Academic Practice
Authors: Twells Alison , Pooley Will , Houlbrook Matt , Rogers Helen
Published: October 2023

This article explores the relationship between scholarly practice and the growing field of creative histories. Drawing on examples from the United Kingdom, it seeks to unsettle dominant approaches to creative methodologies within our discipline and suggest what these more playful and experimental approaches might add to our practice as historians. Prompted by our encounters with the rich and vital histories made by schoolchildren, community groups, filmmakers, and songwriters, we are interested in the potential of these imaginative engagements with the past to enrich academic history. The article is in conversation with online features published at Paper Trails, a new open access platform with UCL Press.
Local government and small business revenue forecasting: evidence from a transition economy
Authors: Nguyen Bach
Published: October 2023

This study examines the importance of governance quality of local government in small businesses’ future revenue growth forecasting accuracy. Forecasting errors are due to either overestimation or under-estimation. When local governance quality improves, transaction costs are eliminated, boosting firms’ actual performance up to the level forecast, thereby reducing overestimation. Also, when local governance quality improves, institutional trust (trust in government) and generalized trust (trust in strangers) improve, lifting the expectation of future performance to the actual level, thereby reducing under-estimation. We investigate these two mechanisms using a set of more than 250,000 small businesses in Vietnam using an instrumental variable approach to control for potential endogeneity. It is found that governance quality enhances forecasting accuracy by reducing under-estimation forecasting errors but, interestingly, without affecting overestimation errors. This paper is one of the first that links governance quality to business forecasting, indicating that local authorities can help local businesses make efficient resource preparation by improving their governance quality.
A Lexicographic Practice Map of Europe
Authors: Tiberius Carole , Kallas Jelena , Koeva Svetla , Langemets Margit , Kosem Iztok
Published: October 2023

This article presents the combined results of three international surveys that were carried out in the context of the Horizon 2020 European Lexicographic Infrastructure project (ELEXIS). The aim of these surveys was to gain more insight into lexicographic practices and the needs of lexicographers in Europe. The surveys were delivered via online platforms. Based on the combined results, we sketch a map of lexicographic practices in Europe, both for born-digital and retrodigitized resources, analyze current needs in terms of tools, functionalities and training, and identify emerging trends that will affect lexicography in the short and long term.
Coupling optimization of hydropower and hydrogen systems considering energy supply safety culture
Authors: Guo Renlin
Published: October 2023

Although China's new energy power generation industry has developed, how to efficiently use clean energy and ensure safe supply needs further research. As a clean, pollution-free and high calorific value energy, hydrogen provides a solution for absorbing renewable energy and ensuring the stable operation of the power system. Based on the public goods attribute of system security and system operation behavior, this paper analyzes how to express the cultural value of energy supply security through economic means, and makes configuration adjustment under different interaction modes with the power grid, so as to achieve the effect of energy supply security. A multi-objective planning and operation optimization model is established, and the resource, social, economic and environmental benefits are analyzed. The model is solved by NSGA-II. The results show that the energy waste rate of hydrogen microgrid system can be reduced by 37.16%. The probability of power failure can be reduced to 0. Typical scenarios in both off-grid mode and grid-connected mode can increase economic income. In addition, up to more than 1000 tons of carbon emissions per day could be reduced under a typical scenario.
Renewable energy resource assessment for rural electrification: a case study in Nepal
Authors: Sedai Ashish , Dhakal Rabin , Koirala Pranik , Gautam Shishir , Pokhrel Rajat , Lohani Sunil Prasad , Moussa Hanna , Pol Suhas
Published: October 2023

Renewable energy could mitigate remote area energy crises through rural electrification. Karnali province, one of the seven federal provinces of Nepal, is such a remote location and is most deprived in terms of electricity access. Around 67% of the population of the Karnali province is not connected to the national grid electricity supply. High altitude, mountainous topography makes it difficult to provide grid access to the region. This study summarizes the current electricity access status in Nepal and Karnali province specifically. The paper discusses the energy, economic and environmental (3E) analysis of different renewable energy resources like solar and wind energy for the grid-isolated region in Mugu and Jumla district of Karnali province. The study investigates the feasibility of a 200-kW solar power plant installation in Gamghadi, the capital of Mugu district and a 100-kW wind power plant installation in Tila village, Jumla district. The study suggests whether a similar installation of the distributed energy plant is a solution to mitigate the energy crisis problem in the high Himalayas regions, like Karnali province of Nepal. Based on the high-level resource assessment, the study estimates an investment cost ranging from 7 to 9 million USD would be necessary for the installation of such distributed solar PV and wind turbines.
Efficacy of smallpox vaccines against Mpox infections in humans
Authors: Christodoulidou Melissa M , Mabbott Neil A
Published: October 2023

The Mpox virus (MPXV) is endemic in certain countries in Central and West Africa, where several mammalian species, especially rodents, are natural reservoirs. However, the MPXV can infect nonhuman primates and cause zoonotic infections in humans after close contact with an infected animal. Human-to-human transmission of MPXV can also occur through direct close contact with an infected individual or infected materials. In May 2022 an initial cluster of human Mpox cases was identified in the UK, with the first case confirmed in a patient who had recently travelled to Nigeria. The infection subsequently spread via human-to-human transmission within the UK and Mpox cases began to appear in many other countries around the world where the MPXV is not endemic. No specific treatments for MPXV infection in humans are available. However, data from studies undertaken in Zaire in the 1980s revealed that those with a history of smallpox vaccination during the global smallpox eradication campaign also had good cross-protection against MPXV infection. However, the vaccines used during the global eradication campaign are no longer available. During the 2022 global Mpox outbreak over a million doses of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara–Bavarian Nordic (MVA–BN) smallpox vaccine were offered either as pre or postexposure prophylaxis to those at high risk of MPXV infection. Here, we review what has been learned about the efficacy of smallpox vaccines in reducing the incidence of MPXV infections in high-risk close contacts.
Profiling the Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1–Specific Immununoglobulin G Response Among Ghanaian Children With Hemoglobin S and C
Authors: Oleinikov Andrew V , Seidu Zakaria , Oleinikov Irina V , Tetteh Mary , Lamptey Helena , Ofori Michael F , Hviid Lars , Lopez-Perez Mary
Published: October 2023

Members of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family are important targets for protective immunity. Abnormal display of PfEMP1 on the surfaces of infected erythrocytes (IEs) and reduced cytoadhesion have been demonstrated in hemoglobin (Hb) AS and HbAC, inherited blood disorders associated with protection against severe P. falciparum malaria. We found that Ghanaian children with HbAS had lower levels of immunoglobulin G against several PfEMP1 variants and that this reactivity increased more slowly with age than in their HbAA counterparts. Moreover, children with HbAS have lower total parasite biomass than those with HbAA at comparable peripheral parasitemias, suggesting impaired cytoadhesion of HbAS IEs in vivo and likely explaining the slower acquisition of PfEMP1-specific immunoglobulin G in this group. In contrast, the function of acquired antibodies was comparable among Hb groups and appears to be intact and sufficient to control parasitemia via opsonization and phagocytosis of IEs.
Gallic acid inhibits Staphylococcus aureus RecA protein functions: Role in countering antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Authors: Kiran Kajal , Patil K Neelakanteshwar
Published: October 2023

Aim

Recombinase RecA and its homologs play a key role in homologous recombination DNA repair and revive stalled replication fork DNA synthesis. RecA plays an essential role in the evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains via stress-induced DNA repair mechanisms during the SOS response. Accordingly, RecA has become an attractive target to slow down antibiotic resistance rates and prevent mutations in pathogenic bacterial species.

Methods and results

We employed RecA conserved activities: DNA binding, displacement loop formation, strand exchange, ATP hydrolysis, and LexA cleavage, to elucidate the inhibitory role of gallic acid on Staphylococcus aureus RecA functions. Gallic acid inhibition of the SOS response by western blot analysis and its antibacterial activity were measured. The gallic acid inhibited all the canonical activities of S. aureus RecA protein.

Conclusion

The natural phenolic compound gallic acid interferes with RecA protein DNA complex formation and inhibits activities such as displacementloop formation, strand exchange reaction, ATP hydrolysis, and coprotease activity of S. aureus. Additionally, gallic acid can obstruct ciprofloxacin-induced RecA expression and eventually confer the inhibitory role of gallic acid in the SOS survival mechanism in S. aureus.
Using machine learning to develop smart reflex testing protocols
Authors: McDermott Matthew , Dighe Anand , Szolovits Peter , Luo Yuan , Baron Jason
Published: October 2023

Objective

Reflex testing protocols allow clinical laboratories to perform second line diagnostic tests on existing specimens based on the results of initially ordered tests. Reflex testing can support optimal clinical laboratory test ordering and diagnosis. In current clinical practice, reflex testing typically relies on simple “if-then” rules; however, this limits the opportunities for reflex testing since most test ordering decisions involve more complexity than traditional rule-based approaches would allow. Here, using the analyte ferritin as an example, we propose an alternative machine learning-based approach to “smart” reflex testing.

Methods

Using deidentified patient data, we developed a machine learning model to predict whether a patient getting CBC testing will also have ferritin testing ordered. We evaluate applications of this model to reflex testing by assessing its performance in comparison to possible rule-based approaches.

Results

Our underlying machine learning models performed moderately well in predicting ferritin test ordering (AUC=0.731 in reference to actual ordering) and demonstrated promising potential to underlie key clinical applications. In contrast, none of the many traditionally framed, rule-based, hypothetical reflex protocols we evaluated offered sufficient agreement with actual ordering to be clinically feasible. Using chart review, we further demonstrated that the strategic deployment of our model could avoid important ferritin test ordering errors.

Conclusions

Machine learning may provide a foundation for new types of reflex testing with enhanced benefits for clinical diagnosis.
Feeding level during the last week of gestation can influence performance of sows and their litters in the subsequent lactation
Authors: Bruun Thomas S , Eskildsen Maria , Hojgaard Camilla K , Nørskov Natalja P , Knudsen Knud Erik Bach , Theil Peter K , Feyera Takele
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the impact of feeding level during the last week of gestation on performance of sows and their litters in the subsequent lactation. A total of 48 sows were assigned to one of six feeding levels (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, or 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until farrowing. Post-farrowing, all sows were fed similarly during lactation with a gradual increase in feed allowance in accordance with Danish recommendation until it reached the maximum allowance of 9 kg/d on day 17 of lactation. Plasma samples were collected from the sows during farrowing and lactation, and sow’s body weight and backfat thickness, and milk samples were taken during lactation. Litters were standardized to have 13 to 15 piglets each and weighed once weekly during lactation. Plasma concentrations of urea, acetate, and butyrate in sows linearly increased (P < 0.001), while non-esterified fatty acids linearly decreased (P < 0.001) during farrowing with increasing feeding level. Moreover, concentrations of triglycerides (P < 0.001), acetate (P = 0.007), and succinate (P < 0.001) were greater in plasma collected at the onset of farrowing compared to the end of farrowing. Conversely, concentrations of glucose, urea, and butyrate (P < 0.001) were lower in plasma collected at the onset of farrowing than at the end. Sows fed 2.4 and 3.1 kg/d exhibited greater triglyceride concentrations than those fed 3.7 (P = 0.03) and 5.0 (P = 0.02) kg/d. Sows fed 1.8 kg/d during the last week of gestation had lower milk yield in wk 1 (P < 0.001) and wk 2 (P = 0.001) of lactation compared to the other groups. Additionally, litter weight gain (P = 0.04) and litter weaning weight (P = 0.007) were lower in sows fed 1.8 kg/d compared to the other groups. The greatest milk yield, litter growth, and litter size were observed in sows fed 3.7 kg/d during the last week of gestation, whereas the estimate generated by the regression model revealed that sows should have been provided with 4.0 to 4.1 kg/d as an adequate feeding level to maximize these performances in the subsequent lactation. Interestingly, feeding level during the last week of gestation did not influence feed intake during lactation. In conclusion, this study highlights the significance of adequate feed supply (4.0 to 4.1 kg/d) during the last week of gestation in order to maximize performance of sows in the subsequent lactation.
New distribution ofReticulitermes speratus speratus(Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) in Korea
Authors: Lee Hyo bin , Seo Min Seok , Lee Sang-Bin , Lee Wonhoon
Published: October 2023

Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) is economically important pest in East Asia including Korea, Japan, and China where they infest wooden structures in urban areas. Previously, it has been reported that R. speratus consists of 5 subspecies, R. speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, R. speratus speratus Kolbe, R. speratus leptolabralis Morimoto, R. speratus okinawanus Morimoto, R. speratus yaeyamanus Morimoto, while only R. speratus kyushuensis was recorded in Korea in the past. However, it remains elusive if different subspecies of R. speratus other than R. speratus kyushuensis are present in Korea. In this study, we report the first record of R. speratus speratus from Korea, which was verified using soldier morphology and molecular characteristics obtained from a mitochondrial gene. R. speratus speratus Kolbe, 1885 (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) are found in several provinces, mainly southern regions in Korea, whereas R. speratus kyushuensis are distributed throughout the country. Our morphological comparison showed that R. speratus speratus can be distinguishable from R. speratus kyushuensis by the ratio of the posterior postmentum width to length. In the molecular comparison, R. speratus speratus revealed genetic differences of 3.06% (range 2.60–4.10%) from R. speratus kyushuensis using cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene sequences.
Comparison of 3 DNA extraction methods for extracting DNA from an adult Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Firmansyah Nurhadi Eko , Thongseesuksai Thaksaporn , Boonmars Thidarut , Sungkar Saleha , Laummaunwai Porntip
Published: October 2023

The aim of this study was to compare 3 DNA extraction methods: the PureLink Genomic DNA kit, DNAzol Direct reagent, and a microwave-based method, for extracting DNA from an adult Culex quinquefasciatus by focusing on the quantity and purity of DNA, cost, and time required. Ten mosquitoes were individually used for DNA extraction by each method. Based on the results obtained, DNA was extracted from each method using specific primers, resulting in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product with a length of 274 bp. The DNA quantity extracted using the DNAzol Direct (179.08 ± 3.77 ng/µl) differs significantly from that of the commercial kit (115.98 ± 4.57 ng/µl) and a microwave-based method (119.26 ± 3.06 ng/µl). The absorbance ratio of DNA extracted using the PureLink Genomic DNA kit, the DNAzol Direct, and the microwave-based methods was 1.92 ± 0.02, 1.79 ± 0.01, and 1.87 ± 0.01, respectively. Among the 3 methods evaluated, the microwave-based method is simpler, less expensive, and more time efficient. This is the first evaluation of the microwave-based method for extracting DNA from an adult mosquito. This study provides a useful guide for alternative DNA extraction methods for PCR-based assays, especially in low-resource settings.
It is buzziness time: rearing, mating, and overwintering Bombus vosnesenskii (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Christman Morgan E , Barkan N Pinar , Campion Claire , Heraghty Sam D , Keaveny Ellen C , Verble Kelton M , Waybright Sarah A , Dillon Michael E , Lozier Jeffrey D , Strange James P
Published: October 2023

Bombus vosnesenskii Radowszkowski, 1862 is one of three bumble bee species commercially available for pollination services in North America; however, little is documented about B. vosnesenskii colony life cycle or the establishment of ex situ rearing, mating, and overwintering practices. In this study, we documented nest success, colony size, and gyne production; recorded the duration of mating events; assessed overwintering survival of mated gynes; and evaluated second-generation nest success for colonies established from low- and high-elevation wild-caught B. vosnesenskii gynes. Of the 125 gynes installed, 62.4% produced brood cells (nest initiation) and 43.2% had at least 1 worker eclose (nest establishment). High-elevation B. vosnesenskii gynes had significantly higher nest initiation and establishment success than low-elevation gynes. However, low-elevation colonies were significantly larger with queens producing more gynes on average. Mating was recorded for 200 low-elevation and 37 high-elevation gynes, resulting in a mean duration of 62 and 51 min, respectively. Mated gynes were then placed into cold storage for 54 days to simulate overwintering, which resulted in 59.1% of low-elevation gynes surviving and 91.9% of high-elevation gynes surviving. For second-generation low-elevation gynes, 26.4% initiated nesting and 14.3% established nesting. Second-generation high-elevation gynes did not initiate nesting despite CO2 narcosis treatments. Overall, these results increase our understanding of B. vosnesenskii nesting, mating, and overwintering biology from 2 elevations. Furthermore, this study provides information on successful husbandry practices that can be used by researchers and conservationists to address knowledge gaps and enhance the captive rearing of bumble bees.
The “Risks of Routine Tests” and Analogical Reasoning in Assessments of Minimal Risk
Authors: Kwek Adrian
Published: October 2023

Research risks have to meet minimal risk requirements in order for the research to qualify for expedited ethics review, to be exempted from ethics review, or to be granted consent waivers. The definition of “minimal risk” in the Common Rule (45 CFR 46) relies on the risks-of-daily-life and risks-of-routine-tests as comparators against which research activities are assessed to meet minimal risk requirements. While either or both comparators have been adopted by major ethics codes, they have also been criticized. In response to criticisms, elaborations, and alternative comparators have been proposed. In this paper, I approach the search for workable comparators from the point of view that ethical reasoning about minimal risk involves analogical reasoning using comparators. In this regard, I develop two necessary conditions for an adequate minimal risk conception, which I use to assess three comparators. I conclude that the risks-of-routine-tests best fits the analogical reasoning operating in minimal risk assessments.
Fatal error: Who is winning in the war between Russia and Ukraine?
Authors: Hill Timothy Martyn
Published: October 2023

Almost two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, experts remain divided on who is likely to emerge the victor. Through painstaking statistical analysis, Timothy Martyn Hill explores which areas have to be measured before we can even attempt to answer the question
Fit for purpose
Authors: Prats Jordi
Published: October 2023

Why is it so difficult to find well-fitting clothes? Jordi Prats tries the data for size, in the first of a two-part series
“My professor said, ‘You can have this great career in mathematics if you go into statistics’”: Interview with Robert Santos
Authors: Britten Anna , Tarran Brian
Published: October 2023

Robert Santos became director of the US Census Bureau in January 2022, the first person of colour in the role. At this year’s Joint Statistical Meetings in Toronto, Brian Tarran and Anna Britten interviewed him and top-ranking Bureau colleagues
‘This app is evil forest true true’: metaphor-based metadiscursive evaluations of Twitter by Nigerians
Authors: Inya Onwu
Published: October 2023

Previous linguistic studies on Nigeria-based Twitter discourse have investigated radicalist, terrorist, campaign, and electioneering discourses. These previous studies focus on discourses produced on Twitter, and not metadiscursive reflections about the social media space itself, and the discursive practice of dragging, in the context of celebrity–newcomer socialization, drawing theoretical insights from metaphoric conceptualizations. This article examines metaphor-based metadiscursive evaluations of the microblogging space by Nigerians. The data for the study comprise tweets retrieved from the Twitter account of a Nigerian celebrity new to Twitter, and subjected to metaphor scenario analysis. It was found that the metaphoric concepts of EVIL FOREST, STREET AS CULTURE/HIGHWAY, and DRAG/TIGER GENERATOR provide frames for characterizing, and evaluating Twitter, and the practice of dragging, respectively. Such user-based metadiscursive metaphoric reflections about the digital space, and culture grant access to the conceptual, and ideological structures that underscore participation in cyberspace. This article has implications for understanding the conceptual and ideological structures that underscore participation on Twitter NG, and the (dis)affiliative stance towards online bullying inherent in the practice of dragging.
The 2021 mutual phenomena involving the Galilean satellites of Jupiter and the inner satellite Thebe
Authors: Catani L M , Assafin M , Morgado B E , Santos-Filho S , Braga-Ribas F , Vieira-Martins R , Arcas-Silva J , Milone A C , Lima I J , Botelho R B
Published: October 2023

Astrometric studies and orbital modelling of planetary moons have contributed significantly to advancing our understanding of their orbital dynamics. These studies require precise positions measured over extended periods. In this paper, we present the results of the 2021 Brazilian Jovian mutual phenomena campaign. The data correspond to eight events between Galilean satellites, in addition to a rare eclipse of Thebe, an inner satellite, totalling nine events. A geometric model along with the DE440/JUP365 ephemerides was used to reproduce the events and simulate the light curves. A Monte Carlo method and chi-squared statistics were used to fit the simulated light curves to the observations. The reflectance model adopted for our simulations was the complete version of the Oren–Nayer model. The average uncertainty of the relative positions of the Galilean satellites was 5 mas (15 km) and for the inner Thebe satellite 32 mas (96 km). The seven mutual events (nine independent observations) here analysed represent an addition of 17 per cent events (10 per cent light curves) with respect to the 2021 international mutual phenomena campaign. Furthermore, our result of Thebe eclipse is only the second measurement published to date. Our results contribute to the ephemeris data base, being fundamental to improving satellite orbits and thus minimizing their uncertainties.
Double black hole mergers in nuclear star clusters: eccentricities, spins, masses, and the growth of massive seeds
Authors: Chattopadhyay Debatri , Stegmann Jakob , Antonini Fabio , Barber Jordan , Romero-Shaw Isobel M
Published: October 2023

We investigate the formation of intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) through hierarchical mergers of stellar origin black holes (BHs), as well as BH mergers formed dynamically in nuclear star clusters. Using a semi-analytical approach that incorporates probabilistic mass-function-dependent double BH (DBH) pairing, binary-single encounters, and a mass-ratio-dependent prescription for energy dissipation in hardening binaries, we find that IMBHs with masses of $\mathcal {O}(10^2)$–$\mathcal {O}(10^4)\, \rm M_\odot$ can be formed solely through hierarchical mergers in time-scales of a few 100 Myrs to a few Gyrs. Clusters with escape velocities ≳400 km s−1 inevitably form high-mass IMBHs. The spin distribution of IMBHs with masses ≳ 103 M⊙ is strongly clustered at χ ∼ 0.15; while for lower masses, it peaks at χ ∼ 0.7. Eccentric mergers are more frequent for equal-mass binaries containing first- and/or second-generation BHs. Metal-rich, young, dense clusters can produce up to 20 per cent of their DBH mergers with eccentricity ≥0.1 at $10\, \rm Hz$, and ∼2–9 per cent of all in-cluster mergers can form at >10 Hz. Nuclear star clusters are therefore promising environments for the formation of highly eccentric DBH mergers, detectable with current gravitational-wave detectors. Clusters of extreme mass (∼108 M⊙) and density (∼108 M⊙ pc−3) can have about half of all of their DBH mergers with primary masses ≥100 M⊙. The fraction of in-cluster mergers increases rapidly with increasing cluster escape velocity, being nearly unity for vesc ≳ 200 km s−1. Cosmological merger rate of DBHs from nuclear clusters varies ⪅0.01–1 Gpc−3 yr−1, where the large error bars come from uncertainties in the cluster initial conditions, number density distribution, and redshift evolution of nucleated galaxies.