bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid spatial assessment of leaf‐absorbed irradiance
Authors: Zhang Jiayu , Kaiser Elias , Marcelis Leo F. M. , Vialet‐Chabrand Silvere
Published: December 2023

Image‐based high‐throughput phenotyping promises the rapid determination of functional traits in large plant populations. However, interpretation of some traits – such as those related to photosynthesis or transpiration rates – is only meaningful if the irradiance absorbed by the measured leaves is known, which can differ greatly between different parts of the same plant and within canopies. No feasible method currently exists to rapidly measure absorbed irradiance in three‐dimensional plants and canopies.

We developed a method and protocols to derive absorbed irradiance at any visible part of a canopy with a thermal camera, by fitting a leaf energy balance model to transient changes in leaf temperature. Leaves were exposed to short light pulses (30 s) that were not long enough to trigger stomatal opening but strong enough to induce transient changes in leaf temperature that was proportional to the absorbed irradiance.

The method was successfully validated against point measurements of absorbed irradiance in plant species with relatively simple architecture (sweet pepper, cucumber, tomato, and lettuce). Once calibrated, the model was used to produce absorbed irradiance maps from thermograms.

Our method opens new avenues for the interpretation of plant responses derived from imaging techniques and can be adapted to existing high‐throughput phenotyping platforms.
Consensus on pharmacological treatment of obesity in Latin America
Authors: Cappelletti Ana María , Valenzuela Montero Alex , Cercato Cintia , Duque Ossman John Jairo , Fletcher Vasquez Pablo Enrique , García García Juan Eduardo , Mancillas‐Adame Leonardo Guadalupe , Manrique Herald Andrés , Ranchos Monterroso Flor de María , Segarra Pablo , Navas Trina
Published: December 2023

A panel of 10 experts in obesity from various Latin American countries held a Zoom meeting intending to reach a consensus on the use of anti‐obesity medicines and make updated recommendations suitable for the Latin American population based on the available evidence. A questionnaire with 16 questions was developed using the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (Result) methodology, which was iterated according to the modified Delphi methodology, and a consensus was reached with 80% or higher agreement. Failure to reach a consensus led to a second round of analysis with a rephrased question and the same rules for agreement. The recommendations were drafted based on the guidelines of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice. This panel of experts recommends drug therapy in patients with a body mass index of ≥30 or ≥27 kg/m2 plus at least one comorbidity, when lifestyle changes are not enough to achieve the weight loss objective; alternatively, lifestyle changes could be maintained while considering individual parameters. Algorithms for the use of long‐term medications are suggested based on drugs that increase or decrease body weight, results, contraindications, and medications that are not recommended. The authors concluded that anti‐obesity treatments should be individualized and multidisciplinary.
Clinical course of suspected familial and sporadic idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Data from the PROOF‐Next registry
Authors: Froidure Antoine , Bondue Benjamin , Dahlqvist Caroline , Guiot Julien , Gusbin Natacha , Wirtz Gil , Brusselle Guy , Strens Danielle , Slabbynck Hans , Wuyts Wim A.
Published: December 2023

Background and Objective

Real‐life data on suspected familial fibrosis, defined as the occurrence of the disease in a patient younger than 50 and/or having at least one relative affected by pulmonary fibrosis remain scarce.

Methods

The Belgian and Luxembourg IPF registry (PROOF‐Next) is a multicentric prospective longitudinal and observational study set in Belgium and Luxembourg. We compared characteristics and clinical course of patients with suspected familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF) and sporadic IPF.

Results

We included 618 patients in the analysis, of whom 76 (12%) fulfilled criteria for FPF. They were significantly younger than sIPF (median age (range) 65 (43–87), vs. 72 (51–98), p = 0.0001). Male gender proportion and smoking status did not differ between groups, but the number of pack‐year among current and former smokers was lower in FPF (20 vs. 25, p = 0.02). Besides, 87% of FPF and 76% of sIPF were treated with antifibrotic (p = 0.047).

Baseline pulmonary function tests were similar in both groups, as well as median time before progression and transplant‐free survival. Finally, genetic testing, performed in a minority, led to the identification of 10 telomerase‐related gene variants.

Conclusion

Although younger and exposed to less tobacco, patients with FPF show an equally aggressive progression as observed in sporadic IPF patients. These results warrant early referral of FPF patients to expert centres for optimal management.
The importance of risk and insurance teaching within the ARIA mission
Authors: Medders Lorilee , Epermanis Karen , Avila Stephen , Russell David
Published: December 2023

The American Risk and Insurance Association (ARIA) is a scholarly association devoted to the study of and promotion of risk and insurance economics and has a history of innovative scholarship in fields that are vital to economic development and resiliency throughout the world. Association members have an equally important mission and history of passing along important knowledge to students and the risk professions. The Risk and Insurance Teaching Society (RITS) was established as part of the pedagogical and academic program roles of ARIA. This paper outlines the importance of pedagogy within business higher education and more specifically within the academic discipline of risk and insurance and the increasing role that RITS plays in pedagogical innovation and idea sharing among risk and insurance academics.
Confidence bands for survival curves from outcome‐dependent stratified samples
Authors: Saegusa Takumi , Nandori Peter
Published: December 2023

We consider the construction of confidence bands for survival curves under the outcome‐dependent stratified sampling. A main challenge of this design is that data are a biased dependent sample due to stratification and sampling without replacement. Most literature on regression approximates this design by Bernoulli sampling but variance is generally overestimated. Even with this approximation, the limiting distribution of the inverse probability weighted Kaplan–Meier estimator involves a general Gaussian process, and hence quantiles of its supremum is not analytically available. In this paper, we provide a rigorous asymptotic theory for the weighted Kaplan–Meier estimator accounting for dependence in the sample. We propose the novel hybrid method to both simulate and bootstrap parts of the limiting process to compute confidence bands with asymptotically correct coverage probability. Simulation study indicates that the proposed bands are appropriate for practical use. A Wilms tumor example is presented.
New immigration destinations in Sweden: Migrant residential trajectories intersecting rural areas
Authors: Haandrikman Karen , Hedberg Charlotta , Chihaya Guilherme Kenji
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to examine the residential trajectories of immigrants that intersect rural areas in Sweden. It adds to the literature on new immigration destinations (NIDs) and addresses the need to include migration routes intersecting rural areas, immigrants’ secondary migration patterns and temporal dimensions of migration, as well as the multiplicity of migrants in such destinations. We examine whether NIDs have emerged in Sweden and immigrants’ subsequent internal mobility from such areas and its determinants. Employing sequence analysis to full‐population register data, we identify typical migration pathways. According to the results, NIDs are an emerging phenomenon in rural and small‐sized cities in Sweden. We find limited support for the Swedish discourse that the diverse groups of rural migrants leave soon after arrival; also, those leaving are not doing so for labour market–related reasons, nor are they heading for metropolitan areas. We suggest that NIDs offer an important contribution to understanding migration patterns.
How to … grow a team in clinical education research
Authors: Da Silva Ana , Bussey Sonia , Macdougall Colin , Alberti Hugh , Lett Aaron M. , Samuriwo Ray
Published: December 2023

The Incubator for Clinical Education Research (ClinEdR) is a UK‐wide network, established with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), to lead initiatives to build capacity in the field. Our lived experiences as members of the NIHR ClinEdR Incubator and wider literature are woven into this ‘How to …’ paper, which outlines what to consider as you seek to grow and develop a ClinEdR team. This paper sets out pragmatic steps to grow an effective ClinEdR team that has a wider impact and mutual benefits for its members and their institution(s). Growing a ClinEdR team requires more than a dynamic character to bring people together. In our view, you can grow a ClinEdR team with other people through a structured, well‐thought‐out approach, in which its members develop through collaborative work to achieve a shared objective.
The diagnosis and management of vulval intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Henderson Ian , Lewis Fiona , Williams Anthony , Yap Jason , Krishna Archana
Published: December 2023

Key content

High‐risk human papilloma virus (HPV)‐associated vulval high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and HPV‐independent differentiated vulval intraepithelial lesions represent distinct disease processes with different risks of progression to vulval squamous cell carcinoma.

First‐line medical management is appropriate for women with biopsy‐confirmed vulval high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions who have been adequately counselled on the risk of occult invasive disease. Topical treatment should be undertaken in the context of a specialist clinic because it is not suitable for all patients.

Surgical management is needed for differentiated vulval intraepithelial neoplasia.

Learning objectives

To understand the clinical, histological, and pathological classification of squamous intraepithelial lesions and diagnostic challenges.

To be able to contribute to the multidisciplinary investigation and diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions.

To understand the basis for patient‐centred counselling on the investigation, diagnosis and treatment of suspected squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Ethical issues

Treatment must be tailored towards the patient's appreciation of risk and benefit, informed by the clinical and pathological features of the disease.
Repeat turnover meets stable chromosomes: repetitive DNA sequences mark speciation and gene pool boundaries in sugar beet and wild beets
Authors: Schmidt Nicola , Sielemann Katharina , Breitenbach Sarah , Fuchs Jörg , Pucker Boas , Weisshaar Bernd , Holtgräwe Daniela , Heitkam Tony
Published: December 2023

Sugar beet and its wild relatives share a base chromosome number of nine and similar chromosome morphologies. Yet, interspecific breeding is impeded by chromosome and sequence divergence that is still not fully understood. Since repetitive DNAs are among the fastest evolving parts of the genome, we investigated, if repeatome innovations and losses are linked to chromosomal differentiation and speciation. We traced genome and chromosome‐wide evolution across 13 beet species comprising all sections of the genera Beta and Patellifolia. For this, we combined short and long read sequencing, flow cytometry, and cytogenetics to build a comprehensive framework that spans the complete scale from DNA to chromosome to genome. Genome sizes and repeat profiles reflect the separation into three gene pools with contrasting evolutionary patterns. Among all repeats, satellite DNAs harbor most genomic variability, leading to fundamentally different centromere architectures, ranging from chromosomal uniformity in Beta and Patellifolia to the formation of patchwork chromosomes in Corollinae/Nanae. We show that repetitive DNAs are causal for the genome expansions and contractions across the beet genera, providing insights into the genomic underpinnings of beet speciation. Satellite DNAs in particular vary considerably between beet genomes, leading to the evolution of distinct chromosomal setups in the three gene pools, likely contributing to the barriers in beet breeding. Thus, with their isokaryotypic chromosome sets, beet genomes present an ideal system for studying the link between repeats, genomic variability, and chromosomal differentiation and provide a theoretical fundament for understanding barriers in any crop breeding effort.
PRESENTATION OF ANUÁRIO DO INSTITUTO DE GEOCIÊNCIAS, Volume 46
Authors: Dereczynski Claudine
Published: December 2023

Presentation of Anuário do Instituto de Geociências Volume 46
Biodiversity and mite population fluctuation in different apple orchards in southern Brazil
Authors: De Andrade Rode Priscila , Bizarro Gabriel Lima , Schussler Matheus , Malmann Daniele , Spohr Guilherme André , Da-Costa Tairis , Ferla Noeli  Juarez
Published: December 2023

The aim of this work was to know the population fluctuation of the mites in apple (Malus domestica Borkh: Rosaceae) orchards with different crop management strategies, with emphasis on Aculus schlechtendali Nalepa (Eriophyidae) and Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Tetranychidae) and their natural enemies. The studies were carried out in 2020-21, in three organic orchards (Eva, Fuji and Gala), from Antônio Prado, two conventional (Fuji and Gala), from Muitos Capões, RS, Brazil, and two of regenerative agriculture (Fuji and Gala), in São Joaquim, SC, Brazil. Forty plants/orchard were sampled, from which three leaves/plant from the apical, median and basal offshoot were detached. The material was screened and identified in the laboratory. A total of 7.193 specimens, belonging to 14 families, 29 genera, and 40 species, were collected. The most common phytophagous mites were A. schlechtendali (46.2%), P. ulmi (16.9%) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Tarsonemidae) (10.9%). Panonychus ulmi was observed in all orchards, being abundant in conventional and regenerative orchards. The most common predatory mites were Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Phytoseiidae), Agistemus riograndensis Johann and Ferla (Stigmaeidae) and Agistemus brasiliensis Matioli, Ueckermann and Oliveira (Stigmaeidae). Among predators, greater diversity was observed in organic orchards, while in conventional and regenerative orchards N. californicus was the most common. Greater acarine abundance was observed when there was an increase in temperatures, and the predatory mites increased their populations in response to the presence of phytophagous mites. The results suggest that the mite populations were influenced by the cultivar and mainly by the management used.
Shape tuning of large area silicon nanotip arrays through reactive ion etching
Authors: Sankabathula Giridhar Tulasi Ram , Valluri Srujana , Norden Nick , Binderup Stephen , Sumant Anirudha , Divan Ralu , Mohsen Osama , Piot Philippe , Korampally Venumadhav
Published: December 2023

Nanostructures formed in silicon form an important class of structures that span a broad spectrum of application areas. Of these, columnar structures of silicon featuring tiplike apexes have their own niche applications. The ability to afford shape tunability for these structures further enhances their application potential. In this paper, we present our findings on the large area fabrication of silicon nanotips defined through microsphere lithography and shape tuned through a combination of different reactive ion etching (RIE) techniques. The self-sharpening mechanism of the tips when using nonplanar etch masks (microspheres) under anisotropic etching conditions is elucidated. We further show that depending on the manner of etching (continuous versus discrete multistep etch), identical anisotropic etching recipes produce vastly different tip morphologies. Hourglass-shaped silicon tips were obtained when silicon was subjected to anisotropic followed by isotropic etching conditions. Sharp silicon tips with tip apex radii on the order of 2 nm have been successfully realized when the RIE shape tuned tips were subjected to a series of oxidative sharpening steps.
Are cryptocurrencies currencies? Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador
Authors: Alvarez Fernando , Argente David , Van Patten Diana
Published: December 2023

A currency’s essential feature is to be a medium of exchange. This study explores the potential of cryptocurrencies to be used in daily transactions in El Salvador, the first country to make bitcoin legal tender. The government’s “big push” introduced “Chivo Wallet,” a digital wallet sharing features with Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), with perks to use it for trading bitcoins and US dollars. Through a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of 1800 households and blockchain data encompassing all Chivo Wallet transactions, we document a pattern of low and decreasing usage of digital payments and bitcoin. Privacy and security concerns are key adoption barriers, which speaks to a policy debate on crypto and CBDCs with anonymity at its core. Additionally, we estimate Chivo Wallet’s adoption cost and complementarities among adopters.
Data geopolitics
Data Sovereignty: From the Digital Silk Road to the Return of the State
Anupam Chander and Haochen Sun, Eds.
Oxford University Press, 2023. 408 pp.
Authors: Greenbaum Dov
Published: December 2023

A group of scholars explore the implications of how governments control and restrict digital information
Endel Tulving (1927–2023)
Authors: Cabeza Roberto , Düzel Emrah
Published: December 2023

Explorer, innovator, and theorist of human memory
In Other Journals
Authors: Simonti Corinne , Wible Brad , Maroso Mattia , Suleymanov Yury , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Grocholski Brent , Ash Caroline
Published: December 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
NRA donations spike in school shooting counties
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: December 2023

Parallel surges for a gun control advocacy group not seen
Chimps remember faces of old friends and family for decades
Authors: Gibbons Ann
Published: December 2023

Recognition ability rivals all other animals, including humans
Nutrient status changes bacterial interactions in a synthetic community
Authors: Qiao Yizhu , Huang Qiwei , Guo Hanyue , Qi Meijie , Zhang He , Xu Qicheng , Shen Qirong , Ling Ning
Published: December 2023

Microbial interactions affect community stability and niche spaces in all ecosystems. However, it is not clear what factors influence these interactions, leading to changes in species fitness and ecological niches. Here, we utilized 16 monocultures and their corresponding pairwise co-cultures to measure niche changes among 16 cultivable bacterial species in a wide range of carbon sources, and we used resource availability as a parameter to alter the interactions of the synthetic bacterial community. Our results suggest that metabolic similarity drives niche deformation between bacterial species. We further found that resource limitation resulted in increased microbial inhibition and more negative interactions. At high resource availability, bacteria exhibited little inhibitory potential and stronger facilitation (in 71% of cases), promoting niche expansion. Overall, our results show that metabolic similarity induces different degrees of resource competition, altering pairwise interactions within the synthetic community and potentially modulating bacterial niches. This framework may lay the basis for understanding complex niche deformation and microbial interactions as modulated by metabolic similarity and resource availability.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the intricate dynamics of microbial interactions is crucial for unraveling the stability and ecological roles of diverse ecosystems. However, the factors driving these interactions, leading to shifts in species fitness and ecological niches, remain inadequately explored. We demonstrate that metabolic similarity serves as a key driver of niche deformation between bacterial species. Resource availability emerges as a pivotal parameter, affecting interactions within the community. Our findings reveal heightened microbial inhibition and more negative interactions under resource-limited conditions. The prevalent facilitation is observed under conditions of high resource availability, underscoring the potential for niche expansion in such contexts. These findings emphasize that metabolic similarity induces varying degrees of resource competition, thereby altering pairwise interactions within the synthetic community and potentially modulating bacterial niches. Our workflow has broad implications for understanding the roles of metabolic similarity and resource availability in microbial interactions and for designing synthetic microbial communities.
Development and implementation of a Type I-C CRISPR-based programmable repression system for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Geslewitz Wendy E. , Cardenas Amaris , Zhou Xufei , Zhang Yan , Criss Alison K. , Seifert H Steven
Published: December 2023

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas systems have proven instrumental in genetically manipulating many eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. Despite its usefulness, a CRISPR system had yet to be developed for use in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(Gc), a bacterium that is the main etiological agent of gonorrhea infection. Here, we developed a programmable and IPTG-inducible Type I-C CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system derived from the commensal species
Neisseria lactamica
as a gene repression system in Gc. As opposed to generating genetic knockouts, the Type I-C CRISPRi system allows us to block transcription of specific genes without generating deletions in the DNA. We explored the properties of this system and found that a minimal spacer array is sufficient for gene repression while also facilitating efficient spacer reprogramming. Importantly, we also show that we can use CRISPRi to knockdown genes that are essential to Gc that cannot normally be knocked out under laboratory settings. Gc encodes ~800 essential genes, many of which have no predicted function. We predict that this Type I-C CRISPRi system can be used to help categorize gene functions and perhaps contribute to the development of novel therapeutics for gonorrhea.
Nitrogenase cofactor biosynthesis using proteins produced in mitochondria of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Dobrzyńska Katarzyna , Pérez-González Ana , Echavarri-Erasun Carlos , Coroian Diana , Salinero-Lanzarote Alvaro , Veldhuizen Marcel , Dean Dennis R. , Burén Stefan , Rubio Luis M.
Published: December 2023

Biological nitrogen fixation, the conversion of inert N2 to metabolically usable NH3, is a process exclusive to diazotrophic microorganisms and relies on the activity of nitrogenases. The assembly of the nitrogenase [7Fe-9S-C-Mo-
R
-homocitrate]-cofactor (FeMo-co) in a eukaryotic cell is a pivotal milestone that will pave the way to engineer cereals with nitrogen fixing capabilities and therefore independent of nitrogen fertilizers. In this study, we identified NifEN protein complexes that were functional in the model eukaryotic organism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. NifEN is an essential component of the FeMo-co biosynthesis pathway. Furthermore, the FeMo-co biosynthetic pathway was recapitulated
in vitro
using only proteins expressed in
S. cerevisiae
. FeMo-co biosynthesis was achieved by combining nitrogenase FeMo-co assembly components from different species, a promising strategy to engineer nitrogen fixation in eukaryotic organisms.
New Gland Type Discovered in Cestodes: Neurosecretory Neurons Release a Secret into the Fish Host
Authors: Biserova N. M. , Kutyrev I. A. , Malakhov V. V.
Published: December 2023

Free endings of peripheral neurosecretory neurons (NNs) were found in the tegument of plerocercoids of five species of parasitic cestodes of fish in an ultrastructural study. The free terminals secreted vesicles on the tegument surface and into the host body. Secretion was experimentally shown to increase in response to the host fish blood serum. In the cestode body, NNs form paracrine-type contacts near the cell membranes of the frontal glands, the tegument, and muscles, functioning as endocrine glands. Simultaneously, NNs function as exocrine glands and secrete the so-called manipulative factors, which influence the physiology of the host.
Paediatricsand toe: radiographic, ultrasound and MRI findings of dorsomedial capsular injury
Authors: Vazquez Manuel , Henry Stephen , Pairot Luis , Subhawong Ty
Published: December 2023

Hyperflexion injury to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe, referred to assand toe, can cause significant functional impairment. To our knowledge, there have been no radiological descriptions of this injury in the paediatric age group. Here, we report radiographic, sonographic and MRI findings in a male paediatric patient who sustained asand toeinjury, highlighting structural damage to the dorsomedial capsule and medial sagittal band, and discusssand toe’sfavourable prognosis with conservative management.
Deep (aggressive) angiomyxoma of the vulva in a pregnant woman
Authors: Smet Carolina , Martins Ana Constâncio , Costa Teresa
Published: December 2023

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare mesenchymal tumour, which usually appears in the pelvic region of women in their reproductive age. Although benign, it is a locally infiltrative tumour with frequent recurrence. We report a case of a pregnant woman in her 30s with a vulvar aggressive angiomyxoma which was initially misdiagnosed. Features of this case are discussed, highlighting the difficulty in its diagnosis and the challenge of the follow-up and treatment of recurrences.
Exertional angina after cardiac bypass surgery successfully solved by endovascular occlusion of unligated lateral costal artery
Authors: Hudák Marek , Rašiová Mária , Moščovič Matej , Koščo Martin
Published: December 2023

The internal mammary artery has become the primary conduit for the surgical revascularisation of the left anterior descending artery. Large side branches of internal mammary artery are typically ligated during cardiac surgery to avoid a potential coronary steal phenomenon. However, ligation of side branches can be unsuccessful due to the technically difficult surgical exploration of internal mammary artery branches. In this article, we present a case of a man who suffered from exertion angina pectoris despite successful surgical revascularisation of occluded left anterior descending artery by the internal mammary artery bypass. The coronary steal syndrome caused by the mighty side branch of internal mammary artery, that is, lateral costal artery was concluded as the reason of exertional angina. The endovascular procedure was performed and the lateral costal artery was successfully occluded using vascular plug. The occlusion of lateral costal artery has led to a complete disappearance of the exertional angina.
Association of alpha globin gene copy number with exhaled nitric oxide in a cross-sectional study of healthy Black adults
Authors: Ruhl A Parker , Jackson Jarrett M , Carhuas Carlos J , Niño de Rivera Jessica G , Fay Michael P , Weinberg J Brice , Que Loretta G , Ackerman Hans C
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The genetic determinants of fractional exhalation of nitric oxide (FeNO), a marker of lung inflammation, are understudied in Black individuals. Alpha globin (HBA) restricts nitric oxide signalling in arterial endothelial cells via interactions with nitric oxide synthase; however, its role in regulating the release of NO from respiratory epithelium is less well understood. We hypothesised that anHBAgene deletion, common among Black individuals, would be associated with higher FeNO.

Methods

Healthy Black adults were enrolled at four study sites in North Carolina from 2005 to 2008. FeNO was measured in triplicate using a nitric oxide analyzer. The −3.7 kbHBAgene deletion was genotyped using droplet digital PCR on genomic DNA. The association of FeNO withHBAcopy number was evaluated using multivariable linear regression employing a linear effect ofHBAcopy number and adjusting for age, sex and serum immunoglobulin-E levels. Post-hoc analysis employing a recessive mode of inheritance was performed.

Results

895 individuals were in enrolled in the study and 720 consented for future genetic research; 643 had complete data and were included in this analysis. Median (25th, 75th) FeNO was 20 (13, 31) ppb.HBAgenotypes were: 30 (4.7%) -a/-a, 197 (30.6%) -a/aa, 405 (63%) aa/aa and 8 (1.2%) aa/aaa. Subjects were 35% male with median age 20 (19, 22) years. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed no association between FeNO andHBAcopy number (β=−0.005 (95% CI −0.042 to 0.033), p=0.81). In the post-hoc sensitivity analysis, homozygosity for the HBA gene deletion was associated with higher FeNO (β=0.107 (95% CI 0.003 to 0.212); p=0.045).

Conclusion

We found no association betweenHBAcopy number and FeNO using a prespecified additive genetic model. However, a post hoc recessive genetic model found FeNO to be higher among subjects homozygous for theHBAdeletion.
Performance of non-binary athletes in mass-participation running events
Authors: Armstrong John , Sullivan Alice , Perry George M
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To test the hypothesis that, controlling for age, natal-sex differences in running performance are lower among non-binary athletes than in the rest of the population. To test the hypothesis that natal-male non-binary athletes outperform natal-female non-binary athletes.

Methods

A secondary analysis of 166 race times achieved by non-binary athletes within a data set of 85 173 race times derived from races with a non-binary category in the New York Road Runners database. The natal sex of non-binary athletes was modelled probabilistically using US Social Security Administration data when it could not be derived from previous races. Race times were used as the outcome variable in linear models with explanatory variables derived from natal sex, gender identity, age and the event being raced. Statistical significance was estimated using Monte Carlo methods as the model was not Gaussian.

Results

There was no evidence that controlling for age, natal-sex differences in running performance are lower among non-binary athletes. Natal-male non-binary athletes outperform natal-female non-binary athletes at a confidence level of p=0.1%.

Conclusions

Both natal sex and gender identity may be useful explanatory variables for the performance of athletes in mass-participation races. It is, therefore, valuable to include both variables in data collection.
Risk factor analyses of contrast leakage and contrast-induced encephalopathy following coil embolization for unruptured intracranial aneurysm
Authors: Kim Kyung Hwan , Yang Kiyoon , Jeong Eun-Oh , Lee Han-Joo , Jeong Heewon , Choi Seung-Won , Kim Seon-Hwan , Koh Hyeon-Song , Kwon Hyon-Jo
Published: December 2023

Background

Contrast-induced encephalopathy (CIE) following endovascular interventions is a rare but serious complication. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of contrast leakage (CL) and CIE in patients who underwent coil embolization of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs).

Methods

Patients with UIAs who underwent coil embolization at a single tertiary institute between January 2019 and January 2022 were enrolled retrospectively. CL was defined as cortical or subcortical contrast enhancement with effacement of the cortical sulci. CIE was defined as the new onset of neurological deficits associated with CL. Following the procedure, all patients underwent CT scans, and MRI scans were performed on those with symptoms. Patient and procedural risk factors were investigated.

Results

In total, 459 patients were analyzed. The median procedure time and contrast dose were 69 min and 96 mL, respectively. CL was evident in 35 patients. In the multivariate analysis, hypertension, large aneurysm, longer procedure time, and greater contrast dose were associated with CL. CIE was diagnosed in 19 patients, and the risk factors included large aneurysm, longer procedure time, and greater contrast dose. The procedure time was predictive of both CL (P<0.001) and CIE (P=0.01). The optimal cut-off value for procedure time was 81.5 min. All CIE patients recovered completely within 8–96 hours.

Conclusions

A large aneurysm and prolonged procedure time may increase the patient’s risk of CL and CIE due to increased contrast exposure. Patients who underwent a procedure that exceeded 1.5 hours necessitate post-procedure evaluation and monitoring.
Healthcare professionals knowledge, attitude, practices, and perspectives providing care to Muslims in Western countries who fast during Ramadan: a scoping review
Authors: Hillier Katherine A.W. , Longworth Zoe L. , Vatanparast Hassan
Published: December 2023

The practice of fasting during the month of Ramadan is an obligation for healthy Muslims and involves abstaining from food and drinks from dawn to dusk for 29–30 consecutive days annually. With changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns, healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a significant role in supporting Muslims health during Ramadan. In this scoping review, we employed a systematic approach to map existing literature on HCPs’ knowledge, attitude, practices, and perspectives working with Muslims who fast during Ramadan in Western countries. Our aim was to identify research gaps and opportunities for improving healthcare services for Muslims during Ramadan. Literature searches were generated through multiple scientific literature databases, including Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase and reviewed following The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. From the eight sources included in this review, it was found that HCPs’ knowledge of Ramadan fasting practices vary, with many lacking adequate knowledge. While HCPs recognize potential health complications, adjustments to medications for fasting patients, especially those with diabetes, are often neglected. Challenges in care included language barriers, limited cultural training, and resource awareness. Strategies identified to address barriers include reducing language barriers, providing resources in relevant languages, and enhancing cultural competence training. Further research is required on HCPs’ knowledge providing care to Muslims during Ramadan, cultural competency training impact, and diverse healthcare interventions for fasting Muslims. Addressing these gaps may enhance culturally safe care and improve patient outcomes.
Cluster properties of heavy nuclei predicted with the Barcelona-Catania-Paris-Madrid energy density functional
Authors: Giuliani Samuel A. , Robledo Luis M.
Published: December 2023

We study the cluster emission properties of $$^{224}$$

224

Ra and $$^{238}$$

238

Pu employing the Barcelona-Catania-Paris-Madrid (BCPM) energy density functional (EDF). Starting from two-dimensional potential energy surfaces, coexisting fission paths are identified. A fission valley located at large octupole deformations, corresponding to a highly-asymmetric mass distribution, is found in both nuclei. As the corresponding fragments are dominated by the presence of $$^{208}$$

208

Pb, we can relate this fission path to the emergence of cluster emission. Using the octupole moment as collective degree of freedom, we compute the cluster decay half-lives and study the impact of collective inertias, pairing strength and collective zero-point energy. The agreement with experimental data resembles the results obtained for spontaneous fission half-lives, indicating the capability of BCPM to consistently describe a large variety of fission phenomena, including cluster emission.
B-physics from lattice gauge theory
Authors: Tsang J. Tobias , Della Morte Michele
Published: December 2023

We discuss the main issues in dealing with heavy quarks on the lattice and shortly present the different approaches used. We discuss a selection of computations covering first the b-quark mass and the $$B_{(s)}$$

B

(
s
)

meson decay constants as the consolidated results (neglecting isospin breaking corrections). In the second part, we consider recent calculations of form factors for tree-level semileptonic decays with emphasis on the tensions between the results produced by different collaborations. We propose benchmark quantities and tests suited to investigate the origin of such tensions. Finally, we review computations of the bag parameters parameterising neutral meson mixing and provide an overview on a few recent developments in the field.
Congruence Relations and Direct Decomposition of Uninorms on Bounded Lattices
Authors: Karaçal Funda , Ertuğrul Ümit , Arpacı Samet , Kesicioğlu M. Nesibe
Published: December 2023

In this paper, the concept of [Formula: see text]-compatible congruence and its related properties are studied. We also focus on homomorphism theorems for uninorms. Decomposition of uninorms is investigated via factor congruences, at first. Subsequently, we investigate decomposition of conjunctive and disjunctive uninorms, respectively. After all, we determine necessary and sufficient conditions for decomposition of some uninorms that are neither conjunctive nor disjunctive. In addition to all these, we shed light on the application of our results with the examples.
Utilizing ARMA Models for System Identification in Stirred Tank Heater: Different Approaches
Authors: Sadeghi Kiavash Hossein , Razminia Abolhassan , Marashian Arash
Published: December 2023

Since system identification is a substantial part of many control algorithms, attaining a suitable model is necessary. In this paper, as a novelty, six standard identification methods are used so as to identify the linear ARMA forms of the proposed, widely used model of stirred tank heater. We have chosen these six methods because these methods fit to our desire for the parameter estimation of the ARMA model and they are new and applicable for modeling of all fields of engineering and systems. Beyond that, the mathematics of these methods are so easy to apply and they provide enough data for identifying a wide variation of systems. Furthermore, these algorithms are brought up in a simple and concise manner and easy to implement. In addition, the mathematical form of the suggested stirred tank heater is presented. Furthermore, identification methods are compared in terms of some measures, such as rate of convergence and produced error. Finally, the effectiveness of the six presented identification methods for estimating the stirred tank heater model is illustrated.
Evaluating reservoir properties and seal capacities of volcaniclastic rocks for hydrocarbon containment and their application to CO
2
storage
Authors: Passey Simon R. , McLean Charlotte E.
Published: December 2023

Volcaniclastic rocks are commonly overlooked as reservoirs or seals in hydrocarbon plays because their compositions are variably unstable and reactive during burial diagenesis. This study investigated the petrography and petrophysical characteristics of 60 volcaniclastic and four siliciclastic samples from three Paleogene volcanic provinces – East Greenland, Faroe Islands and Ethiopia. The volcaniclastic samples have highly variable helium porosities (average 25.2%), but negligible total optical porosities (average 1.9%), implying reduced reservoir potential. The samples have, however, highly variable air permeabilities (average 11 mD), suggesting that they could make tight reservoirs. The permeabilities are related to either early calcite cements or the devitrification of volcanic glass. Mercury injection capillary pressure data were collected for a subset of 33 samples that at leakage/breakthrough saturations could, under near-surface conditions, hold oil column heights of between 4 and 1181 m (average 240 m). The best seals consistently have zeolite contents of >20 vol% owing to their small pore throat radii. Conversely, the worst seals are dominated by smectite and a conspicuous absence of zeolite minerals. The zeolite-rich volcaniclastic rocks could, therefore, make good shallow seals. These features also apply to CO
2
storage, but questions remain about the reactivity of the volcanic material and secondary minerals with injected CO
2
, but also the adsorbent properties of zeolites, particularly clinoptilolite, in the presence of CO
2
.
What Should We Do when Our Ideas of Fairness Conflict?
Authors: Raghavan Manish
Published: December 2023

Standards for fair decision making could help us develop algorithms that comport with our consensus views; however, algorithmic fairness has its limits.
Protecting Life-Saving Medical Devices from Cyberattack
Authors: Vakulov Alex
Published: December 2023

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Communications
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Alex Vakulov ponders how to protect the Internet of Medical Things.
The Perils of Leveraging Evil Digital Twins as Security-Enhancing Enablers
Authors: Suhail Sabah , Iqbal Mubashar , Jurdak Raja
Published: December 2023

Seeking more secure and effective digital representations.
DeepFlow: A Cross-Stack Pathfinding Framework for Distributed AI Systems
Authors: Ardalani Newsha , Pal Saptadeep , Gupta Puneet
Published: December 2023

Over the past decade, machine learning model complexity has grown at an extraordinary rate, as has the scale of the systems training such large models. However, there is an alarmingly low hardware utilization (5–20%) in large scale AI systems. The low system utilization is a cumulative effect of minor losses across different layers of the stack, exacerbated by the disconnect between engineers designing different layers spanning across different industries. To address this challenge, in this work we designed a cross-stack performance modelling and design space exploration framework. First, we introduce CrossFlow, a novel framework that enables cross-layer analysis all the way from the technology layer to the algorithmic layer. Next, we introduce DeepFlow (built on top of CrossFlow using machine learning techniques) to automate the design space exploration and co-optimization across different layers of the stack. We have validated CrossFlow’s accuracy with distributed training on real commercial hardware and showcase several DeepFlow case studies demonstrating pitfalls of not optimizing across the technology-hardware-software stack for what is likely the most important workload driving large development investments in all aspects of computing stack.
A Machine Learning–Based Readability Model for Gujarati Texts
Authors: Bhogayata Chandrakant K.
Published: December 2023

This study aims to develop a machine learning–based model to predict the readability of Gujarati texts. The dataset was 50 prose passages from Gujarati literature. Fourteen lexical and syntactic readability text features were extracted from the dataset using a machine learning algorithm of the unigram parts of speech tagger and three Python programming scripts. Two samples of native Gujarati speaking secondary and higher education students rated the Gujarati texts for readability judgment on a 10-point scale of “easy” to “difficult” with the interrater agreement. After dimensionality reduction, seven text features as the independent variables and the mean readability rating as the dependent variable were used to train the readability model. As the students' level of education and gender were related to their readability rating, four readability models for school students, university students, male students, and female students were trained with a backward stepwise multiple linear regression algorithm of supervised machine learning. The trained model is comparable across the raters’ groups. The best model is the university students’ readability rating model. The model is cross-validated. It explains 91% and 88% of the variance in readability ratings at training and cross-validation, respectively, and its effect size and power are large and high.
Carotid body denervation improves hyperglycemia in obese mice
Authors: Shin Mi-Kyung , Tang Wan-Yee , Amorim Mateus R. , Sham James S.-K. , Polotsky Vsevolod Y.
Published: December 2023

This paper provides first evidence that carotid body denervation abolishes hypertension and improves fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance in mice with diet-induced obesity. Furthermore, we have shown that this phenomenon is associated with increased liver glycogen content, whereas insulin sensitivity and enzymes of gluconeogenesis were not affected.
Effects of Dietary Fish Meal Replaced by Fish Steak Meal on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Health and Microflora, Inflammatory Response, and Protein Metabolism of Large Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea
Authors: Zhang Dianguang , Zheng Yunzong , Wang Xuexi , Wang Dejuan , Luo Hongjie , Zhu Wenbo , Zhang Weini , Chen Zhengbang , Shao Jianchun
Published: December 2023

Although fish steak meal (FSM) is a potentially available protein source, its efficiency as a fish meal (FM) substitute remains unclear to date. To this end, this study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary FM replaced by FSM on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health and microflora, inflammatory response, and protein metabolism of large yellow croaker. Five isolipidic and isonitrogenous diets were formulated by substituting FM with FSM at levels of 0% (FSM0, control diet), 25% (FSM25), 50% (FSM50), 75% (FSM75), and 100% (FSM100), and were fed to juvenile large yellow croaker for 8 weeks. Compared with the control diet, the replacement of 25% dietary FM with FSM did not markedly alter the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). When the FM substitution level was over 25%, WG and SGR markedly reduced. The intestinal structure observation found that the FSM75 and FSM100 diets markedly decreased villus height, villus width, and muscle thickness of the anterior intestine. The FSM75 and FSM100 diets significantly decreased enzyme activities of amylase (AMS), lipase (LPS), trypsin, catalase (CAT), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the liver of large yellow croaker. The mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier and inflammatory response-related genes suggested that the FSM50, FSM75, and FSM100 diets significantly decreased the mRNA abundances of intestinal barrier-related genes and anti-inflammatory response-related genes, and increased the mRNA abundances of proinflammatory gene il-6 in the anterior intestine. The compositions of intestinal microflora displayed that the FSM50, FSM75, and FSM100 diets decreased relative abundances of Firmicutes phylum and increased relative abundances of Proteobacteria phylum. In addition, the results of protein expression levels showed that the phosphorylation level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in FSM75 and FSM100 groups were markedly reduced. In conclusion, FSM can replace up to 25% dietary FM without compromising the growth performance, intestinal health, and protein metabolism of the large yellow croaker.