bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From microbiome composition to functional engineering, one step at a time
Authors: Burz Sebastian Dan , Causevic Senka , Dal Co Alma , Dmitrijeva Marija , Engel Philipp , Garrido-Sanz Daniel , Greub Gilbert , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Hardt Wolf-Dietrich , Hatzimanikatis Vassily , Heiman Clara Margot , Herzog Mathias Klaus-Maria , Hockenberry Alyson , Keel Christoph , Keppler Andreas , Lee Soon-Jae , Luneau Julien , Malfertheiner Lukas , Mitri Sara , Ngyuen Bidong , Oftadeh Omid , Pacheco Alan R. , Peaudecerf François , Resch Grégory , Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Sahin Asli , Sanders Ian R. , Slack Emma , Sunagawa Shinichi , Tackmann Janko , Tecon Robin , Ugolini Giovanni Stefano , Vacheron Jordan , van der Meer Jan Roelof , Vayena Evangelia , Vonaesch Pascale , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: November 2023

Communities of microorganisms (microbiota) are present in all habitats on Earth and are relevant for agriculture, health, and climate. Deciphering the mechanisms that determine microbiota dynamics and functioning within the context of their respective environments or hosts (the microbiomes) is crucially important. However, the sheer taxonomic, metabolic, functional, and spatial complexity of most microbiomes poses substantial challenges to advancing our knowledge of these mechanisms. While nucleic acid sequencing technologies can chart microbiota composition with high precision, we mostly lack information about the functional roles and interactions of each strain present in a given microbiome. This limits our ability to predict microbiome function in natural habitats and, in the case of dysfunction or dysbiosis, to redirect microbiomes onto stable paths. Here, we will discuss a systematic approach (dubbed the N
+
1/N−1 concept) to enable step-by-step dissection of microbiome assembly and functioning, as well as intervention procedures to introduce or eliminate one particular microbial strain at a time. The N+1/N−1 concept is informed by natural invasion events and selects culturable, genetically accessible microbes with well-annotated genomes to chart their proliferation or decline within defined synthetic and/or complex natural microbiota. This approach enables harnessing classical microbiological and diversity approaches, as well as omics tools and mathematical modeling to decipher the mechanisms underlying N+1/N−1 microbiota outcomes. Application of this concept further provides stepping stones and benchmarks for microbiome structure and function analyses and more complex microbiome intervention strategies.
Phytophthora capsici
genome assembly for two isolates using long-read Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencing
Authors: Szadkowski Emmanuel , Lagnel Jacques , Touhami Nasradin , Sayeh Amalia , Lopez-Roques Céline , Bouchez Olivier , Lefebvre Véronique
Published: November 2023

The oomycete
Phytophthora capsici
is a common pathogen of the Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae families. An improved assembly for the reference isolate LT1534 was constructed using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina data. Additionally, an unpolished assembly was produced for the European isolate Pc285 collected on chili pepper using Oxford Nanopore reads.
Draft genome sequences of two
Pseudomonas
strains isolated from
129
I plumes at the Hanford Site
Authors: Robinson Courtney J. , Oliver Jerome J. O. , Anike Alexis , Howard M. Hope , Saunders Danielle L. , Lee Brady D.
Published: November 2023

Pseudomonas
strains DVZ6 and DVZ24 were isolated from a sediment trap incubated in an
129
I plume at the Hanford Site (Washington State, USA). Whole-genome sequencing of the strains revealed that both genomes are 5.77 Mb in size, with a G + C content of 64.75%.
Characterizing the dynamics of the rumen microbiota, its metabolites, and blood metabolites across reproductive stages in Small-tailed Han sheep
Authors: Sha Yuzhu , Liu Xiu , Pu Xiaoning , He Yanyu , Wang Jiqing , Zhao Shengguo , Shao Pengyang , Wang Fanxiong , Xie Zhuanhui , Chen Xiaowei , Yang Wenxin
Published: November 2023

Different reproductive stages of mammals involve complex biological processes, and the intestinal microbiota, as an endocrine organ or an “invisible organ,” is involved in the regulation of hormone levels, immune function, and metabolism. However, the effects of the rumen microbiota, its metabolites, and blood metabolites on the reproductive performance of ruminants remain unclear. This study revealed that the
Prevotella
abundance increased significantly during pregnancy (
P
< 0.01); the
Fibrobacter
abundance increased significantly during lactation (
P
< 0.05); and rumen microbial carbohydrate metabolism, glucose biosynthesis, and metabolic functions were significantly enriched during pregnancy (
P
< 0.05). Microbial metabolic profile analysis showed that the differentially abundant microbial metabolites during pregnancy and lactation were mainly enriched in the biosynthesis of ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinones, and there was a certain correlation with the microbiota. Among them, sapindoside A was increased during pregnancy, nicotinamide riboside and β-cryptoxanthin were reduced during pregnancy, and L-tryptophan was significantly increased during lactation. In addition, the volatile fatty acid levels in lactation were significantly higher than those in non-pregnancy and pregnancy (
P
< 0.05), and the NH
3
-N content during pregnancy was significantly higher than that during lactation and non-pregnancy (
P
< 0.05). Moreover, there were differences in the serum metabolite levels at different reproductive stages, and similar metabolites existed when comparing the rumen metabolites, which were mainly enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, and ABC transporter protein, resulting in significantly higher serum IgA and IgM levels during lactation than during non-pregnancy and pregnancy (
P
< 0.05).

IMPORTANCE

Our study illustrates the succession of the rumen microbiota and its metabolites in Small-tailed Han sheep at different reproductive stages. Among them, Firmicutes and
Prevotella
, which are related to energy metabolism, increased in abundance during pregnancy, while
Fibrobacter
, a fiber-degrading bacterium, increased in abundance during lactation. At the same time, the microbial metabolic profile and serum metabolic profile characteristics of different reproductive stages were revealed, and some functional pathways and metabolites related to energy and immunity were found. This study provides a reference for the health management of ruminants during non-pregnancy, pregnancy, and lactation.
Basalts of a Seamount on the Eastern Flank of the Charlie Gibbs Transform Fracture Zone, North Atlantic: Petrochemical and Isotopic Evidence of a Microplume-Affected Formation in the Axial Zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Authors: Skolotnev S. G. , Peyve A. A. , Dokashenko S. A. , Dobrolyubov V. N. , Okina O. I. , Ermolaev B. V.
Published: November 2023

The composition of basalts dredged from the slopes of a single seamount (guyot), which is located south of the eastern end of the Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone in the North Atlantic, is studied. Groups of high- and low-Ti rocks, which belong to oceanic tholeiites of the E-MORB and T-MORB types, respectively, are recognized. The first group of basalts have higher contents of TiO2, Na2O, K2O, P2O5, Fe2O3, and incompatible trace elements. The basalts of both groups are similar in the normalized lithophile element patterns indicating their melting from a similar mantle substrate. The difference in their composition is probably caused by melting of high-Ti volcanic rocks at a deeper intermediate level between spinel and garnet facies. Our studies give grounds to believe that the seamount also formed as a large neovolcanic rise 64–67 Ma ago under the influence of a microplume, which was a branch of the Milne deep mantle plume.
Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome in a patient on anticoagulation: a management dilemma
Authors: Mithanthaya Aditya , Ismail Ali Galalah Mostafa , Muwanwella Niroshan , Venugopal Kannan
Published: November 2023

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare condition characterised by vascular malformations mostly of the skin and gastrointestinal tract and less commonly of the central nervous system, liver, thyroid, spleen and lungs. We report a rare case of BRBNS in a patient on anticoagulation who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and no cutaneous or other organ involvement. We discuss the difficulty in balancing bleeding and clotting risks in this patient who developed two episodes of venous thromboembolism while off anticoagulation to minimise gastrointestinal bleeding. We also highlight the potential role of somatostatin analogues such as lanreotide in decreasing gastrointestinal bleeding risk in BRBNS, particularly in the setting of anticoagulation. The occurrence of two episodes of venous thromboembolism within a short time frame in this case, in conjunction with known associations between other vascular anomalies and venous thromboembolism, raises the question of whether BRBNS may be associated with a prothrombotic state.
How the marketing practices of commercial milk formula companies impact infant breastfeeding practices in China
Authors: Zhu Zhonghai , Narayan Anuradha , Zhang Shuyi , Wang Liang , Zhu Yingze , Yang Wenfang , Cheng Yue , Zeng Lingxia , Chang Suying
Published: November 2023

Background

The marketing practices used by commercial milk formula (CMF) companies undermine breast feeding. However, it remains unclear how specific types of marketing practices result in suboptimal breast feeding.

Objectives

We aimed to examine the associations of CMF marketing practices with breastfeeding outcomes, determine the influencing pathways, how it changes the perceptions and attitudes of mothers towards CMF, and how it impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing and Jinan, China that mapped the CMF marketing practices in 2020. Mothers were interviewed about the feeding practices for the youngest child under the age of 18 months. Maternal attitude towards CMF was assessed using a set of five questions. Six common CMF marketing practices were reviewed. A logistic regression was performed to examine the associations between the CMF marketing practices and predominant breast feeding, with adjustments for maternal age, education, occupation, socioeconomic class and caesarean section. Furthermore, a path analysis was conducted to explore the pathways between the CMF marketing practices, maternal attitude towards CMF and predominant breast feeding.

Results

A total of 750 mothers were interviewed, with 20.0% of mothers predominantly breast feeding their young children. Two marketing practices, online engagement with CMF companies and promotions and discounts, were statistically associated with a lower likelihood of predominant breast feeding, with an adjusted ORs of 0.53 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.82) and 0.45 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.92). Furthermore, per CMF marketing practice increase mothers concurrently exposed to was associated with a 0.79 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.92) times lower likelihood of predominant breast feeding. In addition, online engagement and free formula samples distributed in hospitals had indirect effects on suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes, which was partly mediated by positive maternal attitude towards CMF.

Conclusions

CMF marketing practices were associated with a lower likelihood of optimal breastfeeding through influencing the maternal attitude towards CMF.
The COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions to maternal and child health services in public primary care Malaysia: a retrospective time-series analysis
Authors: Mohd Ujang Izzatur Rahmi , Hamidi Normaizira , Ab Hamid Jabrullah , Awang Samsiah , Zulkifli Nur Wahida , Supadi Roslina , Mohamed Nur Ezdiani , Sooryanarayana Rajini
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Maintaining essential health services, including maternal and child health (MCH), while addressing the pandemic is an enormous task. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilisation of MCH services in Malaysian public primary care.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted using national administrative data from 1124 public primary care clinics. Eight indicators were selected to measure service utilisation covering antenatal, postnatal, women’s health, child health, and immunisation services. Interrupted time-series analysis was used to evaluate changes in levels and trends of indicators during four different periods: pre-pandemic (January 2019–February 2020), during pandemic and first lockdown (March–May 2020), after the first lockdown was lifted (June–December 2020) and after the second lockdown was implemented (January–June 2021).

Results

Most indicators showed no significant trend in monthly utilisation prior to the pandemic. The onset of the pandemic and first lockdown implementation were associated with significant decreasing trends in child health (−19.23%), women’s health (−10.12%), antenatal care (−8.10%), contraception (−6.50%), postnatal care (−4.85%) and postnatal care 1-week (−3.52%) indicators. These indicators showed varying degrees of recovery after the first lockdown was lifted. The implementation of the second lockdown caused transient reduction ranging from −11.29% to −25.92% in women’s health, contraception, child and two postnatal indicators, but no sustained reducing trend was seen afterwards. Two immunisation indicators appeared unaffected throughout the study period.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted MCH services utilisation in Malaysia. While most MCH services were negatively affected by the lockdown implementation with varying degrees of recovery, infant immunisation showed resilience throughout. This highlights the need for a targeted preparedness plan to ensure the resilience of MCH services in future crises.
Incidence of admission ionised hypocalcaemia in paediatric major trauma: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hibberd Owen , Price James , Harris Tim , Barnard Ed Benjamin Graham
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Hypocalcaemia forms part of the ‘diamond of death’ in major trauma, alongside hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy. In adults, admission hypocalcaemia prior to transfusion is associated with increased mortality, increased blood transfusion requirements and coagulopathy. Data on paediatric major trauma patients are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to describe and synthesise the available evidence relevant to paediatric trauma, admission hypocalcaemia and outcome.

Methods and analysis

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guidelines will be used to construct this review. A planned literature search for articles in the English language will be conducted from inception to the date of searches using MEDLINE on the EBSCO platform, CINAHL on the EBSCO platform and Embase on the Ovid platform. The grey literature will also be searched. Both title and abstract screening and full-text screening will be done by two reviewers, with an adjudicating third reviewer. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2test, and the risk of bias will be assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. A meta-analysis will be undertaken using ratio measures (OR) and mean differences for measures of effect. When possible, the estimate of effect will be presented along with a CI and a p value.

Ethical review and dissemination

Ethical review is not required, as no original data will be collected. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and at academic conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023425172.
Views and experiences of long-acting reversible contraception among ethnic minorities in high-income countries: a systematic review of qualitative studies
Authors: Ahmed Sumayyah , McLoughlin Dymond Abigail , Correa Michele , Willcox Merlin L
Published: November 2023

Background

Ethnic minorities in high-income countries have higher rates of unintended pregnancies but are less likely to use highly efficacious long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). The reasons for this are unclear.

Aim

To understand the views and experiences of ethnic minorities within high-income countries about LARC.

Methodology

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and Sociological Abstracts were searched systematically to find qualitative articles about views on LARC. Titles and abstracts were screened to select qualitative studies about LARC whose participants were mainly from ethnic minorities in high-income countries. Quality assessment was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Thematic synthesis was conducted.

Results

Seventeen studies (19 articles) met the inclusion criteria, 14 of which were from the USA (227 participants identified as Latina, 222 Black, 15 multiracial, 4 Asian). Two studies included 32 Chinese women in the UK and Australia and one included 20 Aboriginal women in Australia. Factors influencing uptake of LARC included side effects, convenience, and perceived efficacy of LARC compared with other methods; women’s ideas, concerns and expectations; and external influences (partner, family/friends, health professionals and society). Convenience of LARC, control over reproductive decisions, and desire to prevent pregnancy were the main facilitators. Barriers included specific cultural concerns about irregular bleeding, concerns about racial discrimination, and family/friends having negative views on LARC.

Conclusions

Ethnic minority women often have additional needs and concerns about LARC compared with the White majority. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate customised respectful counselling on contraception options for ethnic minority women and their partners.
Timed adoptive T cell transfer during chemotherapy in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Verdegaal Els M E , Santegoets Saskia J , Welters Marij J P , de Bruin Linda , Visser Marten , van der Minne Caroline E , de Kok Pita M , Loof Nikki M , Boekestijn Sanne , Roozen Inge , Westra Inge M , Meij Pauline , Van der Burg Sjoerd H , Kroep Judith R
Published: November 2023

Background

The presence of T cells and suppressive myeloid cells in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) correlate with good and bad clinical outcome, respectively. This suggests that EOC may be sensitive to adoptive cell therapy with autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), provided that immunosuppression by myeloid-derived suppressor cells and M2 macrophages is reduced. Platinum-based chemotherapy can alleviate such immunosuppression, potentially creating a window of opportunity for T cell-based immunotherapy.

Methods

We initiated a phase I/II trial (NCT04072263) in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive EOC receiving TIL during platinum-based chemotherapy. TILs were administered 2 weeks after the second, third and fourth chemotherapy course. Patients were treated in two cohorts with or without interferon-α (IFNa), as conditioning and TIL support regimen. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the feasibility and safety according to CTCAE V.4.03 criteria and the clinical response and immune modulatory effects of this treatment were evaluated as secondary endpoints.

Results

Sixteen patients were enrolled. TIL could be successfully expanded for all patients. TIL treatment during chemotherapy without IFNa (n=13) was safe but the combination with IFNa added to the chemotherapy-induced toxicity with 2 out of 3 patients developing thrombocytopenia as dose-limiting toxicity. Fourteen patients completed treatment with a full TIL cycle and were further evaluated for clinical and immunological response. Platinum-based chemotherapy resulted in reduction of circulating myeloid cell numbers and IL-6 plasma levels, confirming its immunosuppression-alleviating effect. Three complete (CR), nine partial responses and two stable diseases were recorded, resulting in an objective response rate of 86% (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors V.1.1). Interestingly, progression free survival that exceeded the previous platinum-free interval was detected in two patients, including an exceptionally long and ongoing CR in one patient that coincided with sustained alleviation of immune suppression.

Conclusion

TIL therapy can be safely combined with platinum-based chemotherapy but not in combination with IFNa. The chemotherapy-mediated reduction in immunosuppression and the increase in platinum-free interval for two patients warrants further exploration of properly-timed TIL infusions during platinum-based chemotherapy, possibly further benefiting from IL-2 support, as a novel treatment option for EOC patients.
Update on the ethical, legal and technical challenges of translating xenotransplantation
Authors: Thom Rebecca , Ayares David , Cooper David K C , Dark John , Fovargue Sara , Fox Marie , Gusmano Michael , Locke Jayme , McGregor Chris , Parent Brendan , Ravanan Rommel , Shaw David , Dorling Anthony , Cronin Antonia J
Published: November 2023

This manuscript reports on a landmark symposium on the ethical, legal and technical challenges of xenotransplantation in the UK. King’s College London, with endorsement from the British Transplantation Society (BTS), and the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT), brought together a group of experts in xenotransplantation science, ethics and law to discuss the ethical, regulatory and technical challenges surrounding translating xenotransplantation into the clinical setting. The symposium was the first of its kind in the UK for 20 years. This paper summarises the content of the expert lectures showcasing the progress which has been made in xenotransplantation including—the history of xenotransplantation, advances in gene edited animals and progress towards clinical xenotransplantation. We then set out the ethical and legal issues still to be resolved. Finally, we report the themes of the roundtable discussion highlighting areas of consensus and controversy. While the detail of the legal discussion was directed towards the UK, the principles and summary reported here are intended to be applicable to any jurisdiction seeking to implement clinical xenotransplantation.
Sex-specific difference in cardiac function in patients with systemic sclerosis: association with cardiovascular outcomes
Authors: Gegenava Tea , Fortuni Federico , van Leeuwen Nina Marijn , Tennoe Anders H , Hoffmann-Vold Anna-Maria , Jurcut Ruxandra , Giuca Adrian , Groseanu Laura , Tanner Felix , Distler Oliver , Bax Jeroen J , De Vries-Bouwstra Jeska , Ajmone Marsan Nina
Published: November 2023

Background

Cardiovascular involvement is one of the leading causes of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is reported to be higher in men as compared with women. However, the cause of this difference is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to assess sex differences in echocardiographic characteristics, including left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS), as a potential explanation of sex differences in outcomes.

Methods

A total of 746 patients with SSc from four centres, including 628 (84%, 54±13 years) women and 118 (16%, 55±15 years) men, were evaluated with standard and advanced echocardiographic examinations. The independent association of the echocardiographic parameters with the combined endpoint of cardiovascular events-hospitalisation/death was evaluated.

Results

Men and women with SSc showed significant differences in disease characteristics and cardiac function. After adjusting for the most important clinical characteristics, while LV ejection fraction and diastolic function were not significantly different anymore, men still presented with more impaired LV GLS as compared with women (−19% (IQR −20% to −17%) vs −21% (IQR: −22% to −19%), p<0.001). After a median follow-up of 48 months (IQR: 26–80), the combined endpoint occurred in 182 patients. Men with SSc experienced higher cumulative rates of cardiovascular events-hospitalisation/mortality (χ2=8.648; Log-rank=0.003), and sex differences were maintained after adjusting for clinical confounders, but neutralised when matching the groups for LV GLS.

Conclusion

In patients with SSc, male sex is associated with worse cardiovascular outcomes even after adjusting for important clinical characteristics. LV GLS was more impaired in men as compared with women and potentially explains the sex difference in cardiovascular outcomes.
Optimized total RNA isolation from bovine sperm with enhanced sperm head lysis
Authors: Tiwari Saurabh , Shahat Abdallah , Kastelic John , Thakor Nehal , Thundathil Jacob
Published: November 2023

Increasing evidence of sperm RNA's role in fertilization and embryonic development has provided impetus for its isolation and thorough characterization. Sperm are considered tough-to-lyse cells due to the compact condensed DNA in sperm heads. Lack of consensus among bovine sperm RNA isolation protocols introduces experimental variability in transcriptome studies. Here, we describe an optimized method for total RNA isolation from bovine sperm using the TRIzol reagent. This study critically investigated the effects of various lysis conditions on sperm RNA isolation. Sperm suspended in TRIzol were subjected to a combination of mechanical treatments (sonication and passage through a 30G needle and syringe) and chemical treatments (supplementation with reducing agents 1,4-dithiothreitol and tris(2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP)). Microscopic evaluation of sperm lysis confirmed preferential sperm tail versus sperm head lysis. Interestingly, only TCEP-supplemented TRIzol (both mechanical treatments) had progressive sperm head lysis and consistently yielded total sperm RNA. Furthermore, RNA integrity was confirmed based on the electrophoresis profile and an absence of genomic DNA and somatic cells (e.g., epithelial cells, spermatids, etc.) with RT-qPCR. Our findings highlighted the importance of sperm lysis, specifically of the sperm head using TCEP with mechanical treatment, in total RNA isolation and presented a bovine-specific sperm RNA isolation method to reduce experimental variabilities.
Evaluation of alternative harvest policies for striped bass and their prey, Atlantic menhaden
Authors: Schiano Samantha , Nesslage Geneviève M. , Drew Katie , Schueller Amy M. , Woodland Ryan J. , Wilberg Michael J.
Published: November 2023

Ecosystem approaches to fisheries management are being explored worldwide, but few evaluations of multispecies harvest control rules (HCRs) exist. Our goal was to perform a simulation test of a suite of HCRs using an age-structured predator–prey model to represent the dynamics of a small pelagic fish, Atlantic menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus), and its predator, striped bass ( Morone saxatilis). We evaluated a suite of static and dynamic single and multispecies HCRs to estimate effects on stock performance metrics. No single HCR achieved ecosystem management objectives for both stocks given their current reference points, but HCRs that involved the “40–10 rule” for striped bass performed well across all predator performance metrics. The most influential factor determining performance of striped bass HCRs was striped bass fishing mortality, and relatively few HCRs achieved target SSB for Atlantic menhaden. Our study indicated that some HCRs recommended for forage fish management may not be effective in systems with generalist predators, and that ecosystem management objectives might be achievable by simultaneously adopting HCRs for both predator and prey stocks that complement one another.
f(G, T) and its cosmological implications
Authors: Yousaf Z. , Bhatti M.Z. , Ganesan T. , Aman H.
Published: November 2023

A coupled formulation of the Gauss–Bonnet invariant term G and the energy–momentum trace T term, which provide a modified f( G, T) gravity, has been analyzed in this study. The functional form for the f( G, T) gravity has been taken as f( G, T) = α T + β G n , where α and β are free parameters. The field equations are produced in general, which then used a dust case to extract a novel Hubble parameter. The stability of the assumed model and explanation for the late-time acceleration have been studied by the energy bound. Furthermore, the dynamical variables are used to analyze the behavior of the equation of state parameter by restricting different parameters with respect to the recent observational data. A quintessence-like evolution has been achieved as a result of this study.
The effect of modified hybrid and logarithmic teleparallel gravity on the interior solutions of compact stars
Authors: Ditta Allah , Tiecheng Xia , Mustafa G. , Errehymy Abdelghani
Published: November 2023

This study aims to investigate spherically symmetric anisotropic solutions that describe compact stellar objects in the modified Rastall teleparallel (MRT) theory of gravity. In order to achieve this goal, we utilize the Karmarkar condition to evaluate the spherically symmetric components of the line element. We explore the field equations by selecting appropriate off-diagonal tetrad fields for two different scenarios. In the first scenario, we use a hybrid form of $$f(T)=\beta e^{m T} T^n$$

f

(
T
)

=
β

e

mT

T
n

and a linear equation of state (EoS) $$p_r=\xi \rho +\phi $$

p
r

=
ξ
ρ
+
ϕ

, where $$0< \xi < 1$$

0
<
ξ
<
1

, to evaluate h(T). In the second scenario, we again use a hybrid form of $$f(T)=\beta e^{m T} T^n$$

f

(
T
)

=
β

e

mT

T
n

and a logarithmic form of $$h(T)=\psi \log (\phi T^{\chi })$$

h

(
T
)

=
ψ
log

(
ϕ

T
χ

)

. We aim to investigate the possible forms of gravity modifications by evaluating the function for different values of m and n, reducing the gravity forms to hybrid, power law form, and exponential form. Our findings reveal that the exponential-logarithmic case is unstable in our scenario. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to attempt to explore compact star models in MRT gravity. After obtaining the field equations, we investigate different physical parameters that demonstrate the stability and physical acceptability of the stellar models. We utilize observational data, such as the mass and radius of the $$PSRJ\;1416-2230$$

P
S
R
J

1416
-
2230

model, to ensure the physical plausibility of our findings.
Lepton $$g-2$$ and W-boson mass anomalies in the DFSZ axion model
Authors: Ahmadvand Moslem , Hajkarim Fazlollah
Published: November 2023

With regard to the leptonic magnetic dipole moment anomaly as well as the W-boson mass excess, we study the DFSZ axion model. Considering theoretical and experimental constraints, we show that the muon and electron $$g-2$$

g
-
2

anomalies can be explained within the parameter space of the model for extra Higgs bosons with mass spectra around the electroweak scale and for an almost equivalent contribution of one-and two-loop diagrams. A negative electron $$g-2$$

g
-
2

could be achieved by introducing heavy neutrinos. Furthermore, the W-boson mass excess can be consistently addressed within the mass range of the matter content testable at collider experiments.
Multicentre investigation of neutron contamination at cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) location due to high-energy photon beams using passive detectors and Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Mele A. , Aslian H. , Bolzonella M. , Caresana M. , Ciolini R. , d’Errico F. , Longo F. , Mordacchini C. , Quattrocchi M. , Kaiser S. Ren , Nascimento D. Siqueira , Severgnini M. , Tuttoilmondo E.
Published: November 2023

Radiotherapy treatments involving LINACs operating at accelerating potentials >10 MV generate (photo)neutrons which deliver dose to patients also outside the target volume. This effect is particularly relevant for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), which can be damaged by the therapeutic irradiation. In the last few years, there has been a rising interest in this issue, and it seems that damage to CIEDs is primarily associated with the thermal component of the photoneutron field. In particular, a recent study led by Politecnico di Milano considered CIEDs from various manufacturers and showed that some of these devices can be damaged after an irradiation with a thermal neutron fluence of about $$10^{9}\hbox { cm}^{-2}$$

10
9

cm

-
2

. The present work results from a collaboration among Politecnico di Milano, the University of Pisa, the University of Trieste and three Italian hospitals located in Lucca, Trieste and Varese, respectively, and it is primarily aimed at evaluating the thermal neutron fluence in CIED region for some high-energy treatments delivered at 15 and 18 MV and to determine whether it is comparable to the critical value given above, which has been experimentally determined to be potentially harmful for CIEDs. Thermal neutron fluence was measured through CR-39 detectors and TLDs, which were housed inside a BOMAB-like phantom mimicking the patient’s trunk. The experimental sessions involved two models of LINAC, Varian Clinac DHX (Varese hospital) and Elekta Synergy (Lucca and Trieste hospitals). The experimental results show that the treatments considered in this study can lead to a thermal neutron fluence in the cardiac region comparable to the critical value. Furthermore, detailed Monte Carlo geometries for the facilities involved in this project were developed with the MCNP code (v. 6.2), and they were tested by comparing simulation results to measurements considering some benchmark irradiation plans. Bubble detectors were also employed for fast neutron fluence measurements to be compared to simulation outputs. These computational models stand out as promising tools for the investigations required in this work, and they can be used for further studies also extending their use to analogous facilities hosting the same models of LINACs.
Influence of exponential heat source, variable viscosity and shape factor on a hybrid nanofluid flow over a flat plate when thermal radiation and chemical reaction are significant
Authors: Sreenivasulu M. , Bhuvana Vijaya R.
Published: November 2023

The significance of hybrid nanofluid flow over a flat plate lies in its ability to enhance heat transfer, improve energy efficiency, enable temperature control, and provide surface protection. For instance, hybrid nanofluids can provide a protective coating on the surface of a flat plate due to the presence of nanoparticles. This coating can offer improved corrosion resistance, erosion resistance, and anti-fouling properties. Consequently, it can extend the lifespan of the flat plate and reduce maintenance requirements. In this study, we examined how several characteristics, such as variable viscosity, chemical reaction, thermal radiation and shape factor of nanoparticles, affect the flow of a hybrid nanofluid (H[Formula: see text]) through a flat plate. The equations required to represent the problem have been turned into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and this system has been unraveled by means of the bvp4c solver. Outcomes are provided for three instances related to shape factor i.e. Platelet, Cylinder and Spherical. Using Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), we investigated how physical parameters of concern together with friction factor, are affected by a variety of parameters. It is remarked that the fluid’s velocity lessens as the variable viscosity parameter enhances. It is discovered that the temperature profile increases with the rise in exponential heat source parameter ([Formula: see text]). It is discovered that when [Formula: see text], the Nusselt number declines by 0.03588 (Platelet shape), 0.03562 (Cylinder shape), and 0.03489 (Spherical shape). It has been noted that magnetic field parameter (Mg) reduces the coefficient of skin friction. At [Formula: see text], the skin friction coefficient is seen to drop at a rate of 1.15018 (Platelet shape), 1.14871 (Cylinder shape), and 1.14476 (Spherical shape). There is an enhancement in the Sherwood number with the rise in Schmidt number (St) and chemical reaction parameter (Cr). At [Formula: see text] the Sherwood number is seen to rise at a rate of 0.248303 (Platelet shape), 0.248344 (Cylinder shape), and 0.248447 (Spherical shape). Furthermore, it is detected that the fluid’s temperature rises as the thermal radiation parameter enhances and the entropy generation increases as the variable viscosity parameter increases.
High-performance thermosets for additive manufacturing
Authors: Lima Thamires Andrade , Fridman Anh , McLaughlin Jaclyn , Francis Clayton , Clay Anthony , Narayanan Ganesh , Yoon Heedong , Idrees Mohanad , Palmese Giuseppe R. , Scala John La , Alvarez Nicolas Javier
Published: November 2023

Additive manufacturing (AM) has come a long way since its initial inception. Previously considered a fast prototyping method, it offers significant benefits for use as a method of producing user-end parts that are limited in quantity, customizable, and/or complicated geometries. For AM to be considered in high-performance applications, such as automotive and aerospace, we must consider AM technology and the available and compatible printing materials. Typically only thermoset plastic resins are capable of meeting high-performance specifications, such as sufficiently high strength, stiffness, and toughness, as well as excellent chemical and environmental resistance. This review presents a broad overview of the available high-performance thermoset chemistries and formulations, i.e., resin blends. The base resin chemistries that are covered are: vinyl, epoxy, imides, cyanate ester, urethanes, benzoxazine, and click chemistries (e.g., Michael addition). Subsequently, more application-relevant blends of these base resins are discussed. Each section focuses on resin details such as reaction mechanisms, typical monomer structure, mechanical properties, and applications specific to AM. The review is organized as follows. We begin with an introduction on the state-of-the-art, the challenges still faced by the field, and a benchmark definition of “high performance.” This is followed by a discussion of the available AM technologies for thermoset printing, with a focus on their advantages and disadvantages. Next, we cover the details of different resin chemistry, followed by their blends. The following section details the difficulties in developing AM technologies that allow for the incorporation of fillers, such as rheological modifiers and reinforcements. The review ends with a perspective on the future of AM technologies that would bridge the gap between pure resin printing and the much needed composite printing for high-performance applications.
Configuring and Coordinating End-to-end QoS for Emerging Storage Infrastructure
Authors: Gupta Jit , Kant Krishna , Pal Amitangshu , Biswas Joyanta
Published: November 2023

Modern data center storage systems are invariably networked to allow for consolidation and flexible management of storage. They also include high-performance storage devices based on flash or other emerging technologies, generally accessed through low-latency and high-throughput protocols such as Non-volatile Memory Express (NVMe) (or its derivatives) carried over the network. With the increasing complexity and data-centric nature of the applications, properly configuring the quality of service (QoS) for the storage path has become crucial for ensuring the desired application performance. Such QoS is substantially influenced by the QoS in the network path, in the access protocol, and in the storage device. In this article, we define a new transport-level QoS mechanism for the network segment and demonstrate how it can augment and coordinate with the access-level QoS mechanism defined for NVMe, and a similar QoS mechanism configured in the device. We show that the transport QoS mechanism not only provides the desired QoS to different classes of storage accesses but is also able to protect the access to the shared persistent memory devices located along with the storage but requiring much lower latency than storage. We demonstrate that a proper coordinated configuration of the three QoS’s on the path is crucial to achieve the desired differentiation, depending on where the bottlenecks appear.
Brain–Behavior Relationships of Trust in Shared Space Human–Robot Collaboration
Authors: Hopko Sarah K. , Zhang Yinsu , Yadav Aakash , Pagilla Prabhakar R. , Mehta Ranjana K.
Published: November 2023

Trust in human–robot collaboration is an essential consideration that relates to operator performance, utilization, and experience. While trust’s importance is understood, the state-of-the-art methods to study trust in automation, like surveys, drastically limit the types of insights that can be made. Improvements in measuring techniques can provide a granular understanding of influencers like robot reliability and their subsequent impact on human behavior and experience. This investigation quantifies the brain–behavior relationships associated with trust manipulation in shared space human–robot collaboration to advance the scope of metrics to study trust. Thirty-eight participants, balanced by sex, were recruited to perform an assembly task with a collaborative robot under reliable and unreliable robot conditions. Brain imaging, psychological and behavioral eye-tracking, quantitative and qualitative performance, and subjective experiences were monitored. Results from this investigation identify specific information processing and cognitive strategies that result in identified trust-related behaviors that were found to be sex specific. The use of covert measurements of trust can reveal insights that humans cannot consciously report, thus shedding light on processes systematically overlooked by subjective measures. Our findings connect a trust influencer (robot reliability) to upstream cognition and downstream human behavior and are enabled by the utilization of granular metrics.
Eyes See Hazy while Algorithms Recognize Who You Are
Authors: Zeng Yong , Liu Jiale , Dong Tong , Pei Qingqi , Ma Jianfeng , Liu Yao
Published: November 2023

Facial recognition technology has been developed and widely used for decades. However, it has also made privacy concerns and researchers’ expectations for facial recognition privacy-preserving technologies. To provide privacy, detailed or semantic contents in face images should be obfuscated. However, face recognition algorithms have to be tailor-designed according to current obfuscation methods, as a result the face recognition service provider has to update its commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products for each obfuscation method. Meanwhile, current obfuscation methods have no clearly quantified explanation. This paper presents a universal face obfuscation method for a family of face recognition algorithms using global or local structure of eigenvector space. By specific mathematical explanations, we show that the upper bound of the distance between the original and obfuscated face images is smaller than the given recognition threshold. Experiments show that the recognition degradation is 0% for global structure based and 0.3%-5.3% for local structure based, respectively. Meanwhile, we show that even if an attacker knows the whole obfuscation method, he/she has to enumerate all the possible roots of a polynomial with an obfuscation coefficient, which is computationally infeasible to reconstruct original faces. So our method shows a good performance in both privacy and recognition accuracy without modifying recognition algorithms.
Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation and its Impact on Cardiovascular Autonomic Regulation after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Solinsky Ryan , Burns Kathryn , Tuthill Christopher , Hamner Jason W. , Taylor J. Andrew
Published: November 2023

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have significant dysfunction in cardiovascular autonomic regulation. While recent findings postulate that spinal cord stimulation improves autonomic regulation, limited scope of past methods have tested only above level sympathetic activation, leaving significant uncertainty. To identify whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation improves cardiovascular autonomic regulation, two pairs of well-matched individuals with and without high-thoracic, complete SCI were recruited. Baseline autonomic regulation was characterized with multiple tests of sympathoinhibition and above/below injury level sympathoexcitation. At three subsequent visits, testing was repeated with the addition sub-motor threshold transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation at three previously advocated frequencies. Uninjured controls demonstrated no autonomic deficits at baseline and had no changes with any frequency of stimulation. As expected, individuals with SCI had baseline autonomic dysfunction. In a frequency-dependent manner, spinal cord stimulation enhanced sympathoexcitatory responses, normalizing previously impaired Valsalva's maneuvers. However, stimulation exacerbated already impaired sympathoinhibitory responses, resulting in significantly greater mean arterial pressure increases with the same phenylephrine doses compared to baseline. Impaired sympathoexcitatory response below the level of injury were also further exacerbated with spinal cord stimulation. At baseline, neither individual with SCI demonstrated autonomic dysreflexia with the noxious foot cold pressor test; the addition of stimulation led to a dysreflexic response in every trial, with greater relative hypertension and bradycardia indicating no improvement in cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Collectively, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation demonstrates no improvements in autonomic regulation after SCI, and instead likely generates tonic sympathoexcitation which may lower the threshold for dangerous autonomic dysreflexia.
An Assessment of Pediatric Nurses Awareness and Perceived Knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Gulf State Survey
Authors: Alruwaili Majed , Elsayed Ramadan Osama Mohamed , shaban Mostafa , Alruwaili Abeer , Alsadaan Nourah , Ali Sayed , Al Thobaity Abdulellah , Salihu Dauda
Published: November 2023

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine pediatric nurses’ knowledge of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods. We conducted a population‐based online survey of 273 pediatric nurses in eastern Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling method. Perceived knowledge was assessed using the knowledge of childhood autism among Health Professionals Questionnaire (KCAHW) that was translated into Arabic. We used multivariate regression analysis to determine the influence of demographic factors on the perceived knowledge. Using Pearson’s correlation analysis, we assessed the correlation between the outcome variables and the predictor variables. Results. ASD knowledge is generally higher among pediatric nurses with higher academic qualifications (r = 0.29, p < 0.001). They scored higher on general knowledge (M = 21.5, SD = 5.7) and lower on signs and symptoms (M = 15.2, SD = 4.3), diagnosis (M = 13.8, SD = 3.9), and management of ASD (M = 12.4, SD = 4.1). A significant correlation was found between mean KCAHW and age (r = 0.12, p = 0.029), sex (r = 0.18, p = 0.003), years of experience (r = 0.25, p < 0.001), education level (r = 0.34, p < 0.001), and hospital type (r = 0.21, p = 0.001). Predictors of knowledge and understanding were level of education (β = 0.23, p = 0.001), formal training (β = 0.16, p = 0.012), and years of experience (β = 0.19, p = 0.005). The majority could not define ASD or recognize early signs and symptoms or associated comorbidities. Lack of social and emotional reciprocity and impaired language development have been reported, as well as the perception of ASD as a neurodevelopmental disorder. Conclusion. Higher academic qualifications are associated with high general knowledge of ASD; however, nurses in this cohort performed poorly in ASD sign and symptom recognition, diagnosis, and management.