bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suture zones, speciation, and evolution
Authors: Wait Daniel R , Peñalba Joshua V
Published: December 2024

In the more than 50 years since the initial conceptualization of the suture zone, little work has been done to take full advantage of the comparative capability of these geographic regions. During this time, great advances have been made in hybrid zone research that have provided invaluable insight into speciation and evolution. Hybrid zones have long been recognized to be “windows to the evolutionary process.” If a single hybrid zone provides a window, then multiple hybrid zones in a suture zone can provide a panoramic view of the evolutionary process. Here, we hope to redirect attention to suture zones, bring the advances from hybrid zone research to a comparative framework, and further expand our understanding of speciation and evolution. In this review, we recount the historical discussions surrounding suture zones, briefly review what we can learn from hybrid zones, and review the comparative studies done on suture zones thus far. We also highlight the opportunities and challenges of performing research in suture zones to help guide researchers hoping to start a research project in these regions. Lastly, we propose future directions and questions for comparative research that can be done in suture zones.
Genetic basis of resistance in hosts facing alternative infection strategies by a virulent bacterial pathogen
Authors: Mathieu-Bégné Eglantine , Gattis Sabrina , Ebert Dieter
Published: December 2024

Having alternative infection routes is thought to help parasites circumvent host resistance, provided that these routes are associated with different host resistance loci. This study tests this postulate by examining whether alternate infection routes of the parasite Pasteuria ramosa are linked to distinct resistance loci in its crustacean host, Daphnia magna. We focus on the P. ramosa isolate P15, which can attach and penetrate the host through either the hindgut or the foregut. Using a global panel of 174 D. magna genotypes supplemented with breeding experiments, we analyzed resistance patterns for each of these infection routes. Our findings confirm our hypothesis in D. magna, hindgut attachment is determined by the D locus, while foregut attachment is controlled by a newly identified G locus. We established a gene model for the G locus that indicated Mendelian segregation and epistatic interaction with at least one other resistance locus for P. ramosa, the C locus. Using genomic Pool-sequencing data, we localized the G locus within a known Pasteuria Resistance Complex on chromosome 4 of D. magna, whereas the D locus is on chromosome 7. Two candidate genes for the G locus, belonging to the Glycosyltransferase gene family, were identified. Our study sheds new light on host–parasite coevolution and enhances our understanding of how parasites evolve infection strategies.
Effectiveness of Robot Care Intervention and Maintenance for People with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Nam Su-Jung , Park Eun-Young
Published: December 2024

Background and Objectives

Robots have the potential to improve the quality of life of people with dementia. This study examined the effectiveness of robot care intervention and maintenance effect for people with dementia.

Research Design and Methods

Meta-analytical procedures were used to identify and synthesize articles for analysis. Coding procedures were used to record the moderators, including robot type, outcomes, intervention length, intervention duration, and intervention frequency. Hedge’s g statistic was employed to interpret effect sizes and quantify individual research findings.

Results

The literature review identified 20 eligible randomized controlled trials. Meta-analysis results indicated an overall small effect of g = 0.286 for robot care intervention and g = 0.279 for robot care maintenance. Outcomes for robot care intervention indicated a small and significant effect size at g > 0.2, while the Bomy robot type had an insignificant effect size. Outcomes for robot care maintenance showed a medium and significant effect size.

Discussion and Implications

This study confirmed the intervention effect of robot care on people with dementia and its sustainability for neuropsychiatric and social health outcomes. This highlights the effectiveness of humanoid-type robots in dementia care.
A new lattice spring model for seismic wave simulation in heterogeneous anisotropic media
Authors: Wang Yuhang , Jia Xiaofeng , Hu Xiaolin
Published: December 2024

Lattice spring model (LSM) provides an alternative numerical approach for simulating seismic wave propagation in heterogeneous media. This method has gained great popularity in fractured media due to its intuitive physical representation. Originating from the discrete element method, the LSM allows particles to achieve micromechanical interactions through springs rather than directly solving the differential equation. The most important issue in the LSM is calibrating the spring coefficients, which can be derived through experiments or physical principles. By simply removing the springs that exceed their strength, the LSM can easily simulate the entire failure process of materials, a task that is challenging for continuum-based methods such as the finite difference method (FDM) and finite element method. In this paper, we propose a new LSM for seismic wave simulation in heterogeneous anisotropic media, which yields more accurate results compared to the regular particle-based methods. Unlike the conventional LSM, which calibrates spring coefficients using the wave equation with an implicit homogeneous approximation, our new LSM calibrates the coefficients using a modified wave equation in heterogeneous media. Compared with the conventional LSM, whose spring coefficients only contain the elasticity tensor itself, our new LSM additionally takes the first derivative terms of the elasticity tensor into account, and thus can accurately handle the scattering waves in seismic wave simulation. We investigate the spring coefficients of the two LSMs and derive the numerical dispersion and stability condition. To validate the accuracy of the new LSM, we test several scattering, layered and complex heterogeneous anisotropic models, respectively, comparing their results with those obtained using the high-accuracy FDM. Numerical experiments demonstrate the high quality of the new LSM in complex media compared with the conventional LSM. Finally, two fracture models are simulated to illustrate the new LSM’s capability in modelling the complex failure process.
Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, an intriguing polysaccharide from sea cucumber: past, present, and future
Authors: Felix Adriani L , Penno Suzane M , Bezerra Francisco F , Mourão Paulo A S
Published: December 2024

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS) is a unique polysaccharide, first described nearly four decades ago, and found exclusively in sea cucumbers. It is a component of the extracellular matrix, possibly associated with peculiar properties of the invertebrate tissue. The carbohydrate features a chondroitin sulfate core with branches of sulfated α-Fuc linked to position 3 of the β-GlcA. FCSs from different species of sea cucumbers share a similar chondroitin sulfate core but the structure of the sulfated α-Fuc branches varies significantly. The predominant pattern consists of a single unit of sulfated α-Fuc, though some species exhibit branches with multiple α-Fuc units. This comprehensive review focuses on four major aspects of FCS. Firstly, we describe the initial approaches to elucidate the structure of FCS using classical methods of carbohydrate chemistry. Secondly, we highlight the impact of two-dimensional NMR methods in consolidating and revealing further details about the structure of FCS. These studies were conducted by various researchers across different countries and involving multiple species of sea cucumbers. Thirdly, we summarize the biological activities reported for FCS. Our survey identified 104 publications involving FCS from 42 species of sea cucumbers, reporting 10 types of biological activities. Most studies focused on anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities. Finally, we discuss future perspectives for studies related to FCS. These studies aim to clarify the evolutionary advantage for sea cucumbers in developing such a peculiar fucosylated glycosaminoglycan. Additionally, there is a need to identify the enzymes and genes involved in the metabolism of this unique carbohydrate.
Psychometric properties of Persian version of health literacy for Iranian school-age children scale
Authors: Abdollahpour Ibrahim , Yazdi Maryam , Salimi Yahya , Kelishadi Roya , Paakkari Olli
Published: December 2024

Health literacy may play an important role in the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Health Literacy for School-Aged Children (P-HLSAC) employing data that covered the entire school path. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023–24 among 605 school-aged students in Isfahan, Iran. Reliability indices as well as content, predictive and concurrent validity were evaluated. The factor structure of P-HLSAC was assessed and confirmed employing exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, respectively. The scale content validity indices, Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient were acceptable. A significant correlation was found between quality of life and health literacy (Pearson’s r = 0.28, p < 0.001) demonstrating a good predictive validity. The mean of health literacy in those with daily self-health learning behavior was significantly higher than those without it (33.60 vs. 31.9, p < 0.001) highlighting the concurrent validity of P-HLSAC. Confirmatory factor analysis approved both one- and two-factor structure of P-HLSAC. The model indices verified an adequate model fit for both one- and two-factor structure of P-HLSAC. This study confirmed the reliability and validity of the P-HLSAC for estimating health literacy in an Iranian cultural context among primary to upper secondary school students. Considering its briefness, the psychometric characteristics of P-HLSAC were approved for its utilization in large-scale studies among entire school-path Iranian school-age children.
The first-person effect: A test of the reflection hypothesis
Authors: Moser Klaus , Soucek Roman , Galais Nathalie , Paul Karsten I , Gunnesch-Luca George
Published: December 2024

The “third-person effect” (also called “third-person perception” because it represents a difference between two perceptions) describes the inclination to overestimate the effects that mass communications (e.g., advertisements) have on others as compared to the self. We introduce the reflection hypothesis that predicts a notable exception from the general results pattern found in this research field. According to this hypothesis, asking for the effects of messages for desirable causes will result in a first-person effect (FPE), that is, a stronger perceived impact on the self than on others, under a specific condition: If effects on reflection (rather than effects on behavior) is used as the measure of perceived effectiveness. Results of two studies using mock non-profit advertisements as desirable messages confirmed this hypothesis. Because the reporting of an effect of a desirable message on the self can still be seen as supposed evidence of conformity, emergence of a FPE seems to depend on people being able to report an accepted version of conformity: the desirable message has an impact on their reflection (i.e., their thinking).
Trends in fluoroquinolone prescribing in UK primary and secondary care between 2019 and 2023
Authors: Hamilton Fergus , Darley Elizabeth , Arnold Karon , MacGowan Alasdair
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Fluoroquinolones are important antibiotics but have associations with a number of adverse outcomes. A recent (January 2024) decision by the UK drug regulator, the Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA), restricted systemic use of these antibiotics to when ‘absolutely necessary’. One stated reason for the ban was the failure of previous guidance (2019, 2023) to reduce prescribing, with the MHRA stating there had been ‘no change in prescribing’ of fluoroquinolones in relation to guidance.

Methods

We evaluated the trend in prescribing of fluoroquinolones and comparator antibiotics using national data for all primary care practices in England from 2019 to 2023. We calculated the percent change in prescribing of fluoroquinolones using linear regression, comparing with other antibacterials. We also performed analysis on secondary care prescribing and included hospital inpatient stay data.

Results

In primary care, there was a negative trend in fluoroquinolone item dispensing, with a 4.2% reduction in items dispensed per year (95% CI −5.2% to −3.3%; P = 6 × 10−13). This occurred despite no change in overall antibacterial prescription and no decrease in comparator antibiotics. Secondary care data showed stable prescription of fluoroquinolones, but comparator antibiotics increased, leading to relatively fewer prescriptions compared with other agents.

Conclusions

There was a reduction in fluoroquinolone prescribing in England in absolute and relative terms between 2019 and 2023 in primary care, and absolute terms in secondary care. These findings do not support the MHRA’s claim that there has been no change in prescribing in response to warnings.
Application of large language models in clinical record correction: a comprehensive study on various retraining methods
Authors: Maitin Ana M , Nogales Alberto , Fernández-Rincón Sergio , Aranguren Enrique , Cervera-Barba Emilio , Denizon-Arranz Sophia , Mateos-Rodríguez Alonso , García-Tejedor Álvaro J
Published: December 2024

Objectives

We evaluate the effectiveness of large language models (LLMs), specifically GPT-based (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) and Llama-2 models (13B and 7B architectures), in autonomously assessing clinical records (CRs) to enhance medical education and diagnostic skills.

Materials and Methods

Various techniques, including prompt engineering, fine-tuning (FT), and low-rank adaptation (LoRA), were implemented and compared on Llama-2 7B. These methods were assessed using prompts in both English and Spanish to determine their adaptability to different languages. Performance was benchmarked against GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Llama-2 13B.

Results

GPT-based models, particularly GPT-4, demonstrated promising performance closely aligned with specialist evaluations. Application of FT on Llama-2 7B improved text comprehension in Spanish, equating its performance to that of Llama-2 13B with English prompts. Low-rank adaptation significantly enhanced performance, surpassing GPT-3.5 results when combined with FT. This indicates LoRA’s effectiveness in adapting open-source models for specific tasks.

Discussion

While GPT-4 showed superior performance, FT and LoRA on Llama-2 7B proved crucial in improving language comprehension and task-specific accuracy. Identified limitations highlight the need for further research.

Conclusion

This study underscores the potential of LLMs in medical education, providing an innovative, effective approach to CR correction. Low-rank adaptation emerged as the most effective technique, enabling open-source models to perform on par with proprietary models. Future research should focus on overcoming current limitations to further improve model performance.
A brief history of chlorfluazuron in termite bait in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Dhang Partho
Published: December 2024

Chlorfluazuron was discovered and developed in the Asia-Pacific region by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (ISK) Japan and launched in the 1980s. The compound is a benzoylphenyl urea and acts as an insect growth regulator by inhibiting chitin synthesis in insects. Subsequently, Ensystex developed chlorfluazuron for termite baits, with test results demonstrating that it met key criteria for good termite baits. The first commercial introduction of a chlorfluazuron-based bait in the Asia-Pacific region occurred in Australia in 2002. Since then, the bait has been registered in most major countries across the region. Several studies have been published on the efficacy of the bait against termite species, including those from both the Heterotermitidae and Termitidae families. Tested species include Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, C. acinaciformis (Froggatt); C. gestroi, Wasmann; C curvignathus Holmgren; Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann), Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen), Microcerotermes losbanosensis (Oshima), Globitermes sulphureus (Haviland), and Odontotermes obesus (Rambur). This article presents a brief history and use of chlorfluazuron baits, considering its importance in the fast-growing urban environment of the Asia-Pacific region.
First record of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in Alberta: expanding distributions and ecotype patterns in a western Canadian province
Authors: Pan Tiffany , Seal Michaela , Shaw Hailey , Mohanaraj Shahaanaa , Morinaga Gen , Hogaboam Brittany , Jenkins Michael , Coker Alexandra , Soghigian John
Published: December 2024

Culex pipiens is an invasive mosquito found in temperate regions globally. It is considered among the most important disease vectors worldwide and is responsible for the transmission of a range of pathogens, including West Nile virus, avian malaria, Saint Louis encephalitis, and filarial worms. Throughout its northern temperate range, this mosquito is found in 2 ecotypes: form pipiens and form molestus. In Canada, this mosquito was previously thought restricted to the Pacific coast of British Columbia and the eastern provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Through routine mosquito surveillance and targeted trapping for Cx. pipiens, we detected this mosquito in 2 Albertan municipalities earlier than suggested by species distribution modeling based on climate change data. We confirmed the identity of putative Cx. pipiens specimens using DNA sequencing and found that alleles associated with form molestus were present, but at a low frequency compared to alleles associated with form pipiens. Furthermore, we compared the frequency of ecotype-related alleles in Alberta to elsewhere in North America and found a general trend of increased form pipiens in more northern latitudes, similar to previously reported results. We discuss our findings in the context of vector-borne disease activity in Canada, particularly West Nile virus.
Bayesian state-space models for the modelling and prediction of the results of English Premier League football
Authors: Ridall P Gareth , Titman Andrew C , Pettitt Anthony N
Published: December 2024

The attraction of using state-space models (SSMs) is their ability to efficiently and dynamically predict in the presence of change. In this paper, we formulate a Bayesian SSM capable of predicting the outcomes of football matches and the associated states, which are the attacking and defensive strengths of each side and the common home goal advantage. Our filter achieves accuracy and efficiency by exploiting conjugacy in its update step and using exact expressions to describe the evolution of the states. The presence of conjugacy enables us to use a mean-field approximation to update the states given fresh observations. The method is evaluated using the full history of the English Premier League and shown to be competitive, or superior, to weighted likelihood or score-driven time-series-based methods.
Rebalancing the seed proteome following deletion of vicilin-related genes in pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Rayner Tracey , Saalbach Gerhard , Vickers Martin , Paajanen Pirita , Martins Carlo , Wouters Roland H M , Chinoy Catherine , Mulholland Francis , Bal Mark , Isaac Peter , Novak Petr , Macas Jiří , Ellis Noel , Steuernagel Burkhard , Domoney Claire
Published: December 2024

Null mutations for genes encoding a major seed storage protein in pea, vicilin, were sought through screening a fast-neutron mutant population. Deletion mutations at four or five vicilin loci, where all vicilin genes within each locus were deleted, were combined to address the question of how removal or reduction of a major storage protein and potential allergen might impact the final concentration of protein per unit of mature seed weight, seed yield, and viability. While the concentration of seed protein was not reduced in mature seeds of mutant lines, indicative of a re-balancing of the proteome, notable differences were apparent in the metabolite, proteomic, and amino acid profiles of the seeds, as well as in some functional properties. Major effects of the deletions on the proteome were documented. The genomic regions which were deleted were defined by whole-genome sequencing of the parental line, JI2822, and its quintuple vicilin null derivative, providing a comprehensive description of each vicilin locus and its genic arrangement. An annotated reference genome has been generated for JI2822, which will serve as a very valuable resource for the research community and support further study of the associated deletion mutant population.
Physical Demands of Brazilian Air Force Critical Combat Tasks
Authors: Magraner José Mauricio , Botta Willian Carrero , Campos Fabio Angioluci Diniz , Heinrich Katie M , Borin João Paulo
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The present study aimed to identify the physical demands of Brazilian Air Force (BAF) critical Combat Tasks (CTs) and investigate the occurrence of differences in their difficulty perceived ratings, considering aspects such as sex, military experience, and academic degree of the evaluators.

Methods

The Subject Matter Expert (SME) cohort was assembled based on the BAF’s Physical Training Specialists (n = 13, military, at least 2 years of experience). Based on the BAF’s previous studies, a questionnaire defining and rating the physical demands of 12 BAF critical CTs was developed. The SMEs evaluated the components related to the physical demands of each CT on a scale of 0 (unnecessary) to 10 (very demanding) using an online survey.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha was employed to analyze the internal consistency of the assessments and demonstrated an “almost perfect” correlation (α = 0.986). The Mann-Whitney test revealed minimal discrepancies in the distributions of SMEs’ responses based on sex (2.5%), military experience (5.8%), or academic level (6.7%); P < .05. The evaluations of the SMEs allowed the establishment of a profile of the biomotor skills involved of the BAF CTs.

Conclusions

The evaluations of the biomotor skills involved in the performance of the critical CTs of the BAF demonstrated that the profile required of the BAF’s tactical athletes is predominantly related to the components of muscular strength, muscular endurance, and aerobic fitness. Although further research is required to fully understand the physiological demands of CTs, the biomotor skills identified can inform the design of training programs, allowing for a more targeted approach.
A Universal Money Pump for the Myopic, Naive, and Minimally Sophisticated
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E
Published: December 2024

The money-pump argument aims to show that cyclic preferences are irrational. The argument can be based on a number of different exploitation schemes that vary in what needs to be assumed about the agent. The Standard Money Pump works for myopic and naive agents, but not for sophisticated agents who use backward induction. The Upfront Money Pump works for sophisticated agents, but not for myopic or naive agents. In this paper, I present a new money pump, the Universal Money Pump, that works for myopic, naive, and sophisticated agents. Moreover, the Universal Money Pump (just like the Upfront Money Pump) also works for minimally sophisticated agents who need not assume that they will choose rationally at nodes that can only be reached by irrational choices. This enables an argument that rational preferences are acyclic, which is based on weaker assumptions about dynamic rationality than existing money-pump arguments.
On the correlation between X-rays and TeV gamma-rays in HBL Blazars
Authors: Osorio-Archila M , González M M , Sacahui J R
Published: December 2024

The gamma-ray emission in blazars can be attributed to the leptonic synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model, photohadronic interactions, or a combination thereof. While evidence supports both models, their specific contributions remain uncertain. One supportive piece of evidence for the SSC model is the correlation between synchrotron and SSC fluxes in some blazar’s spectral energy distribution (SED), indicating the relative contributions of leptonic and hadronic mechanisms. Observational studies of the high-synchrotron peaked BL Lac (HBL) blazar Markarian 421 over several years, spanning TeV gamma-rays and X-rays, have reported a linear correlation across various time-scales, which breaks at the highest gamma-ray fluxes. Extending this analysis to four HBL blazars – Markarian 501, 1ES 1959+650, PKS 2155−304, and 1ES 2344+514 – we utilize multiwavelength data from ground-based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes for gamma-rays and satellite observations for X-rays. Our long-term study confirms a linear correlation between fluxes across these energy bands, except for Markarian 501, which shows a correlation index of $1.45 \pm 0.01$. Notably, the exceptional flaring episode of PKS 2155−304 exhibits a correlation index of 2 with extreme values of gamma-ray fluxes. We observe outliers with high gamma-ray fluxes, suggesting the involvement of another mechanism, either of hadronic or leptonic origin. Finally, all other correlations exhibit alignment with a general correlation, suggesting a common acceleration mechanism among them with slight variations likely due to individual magnetic field strengths.
Circumbinary accretion as a diagnostic for binary–disc misalignment
Authors: Smallwood Jeremy L , Li Ya-Ping , Deng Hongping , Franchini Alessia
Published: December 2024

Binary star systems can accrete material originating from a circumbinary disc. Since it is common for the circumbinary disc to be tilted with respect to the binary orbital plane, we test whether the accretion dynamics can be a diagnostic for binary–disc misalignment. We present hydrodynamical simulations to model the accretion flow from a circumbinary disc around an eccentric binary with initial tilts ranging from $0^\circ$ to $180^\circ$ in increments of $15^\circ$. Based on the initial tilt, the circumbinary disc will align towards three different configurations: prograde coplanar, polar, or retrograde coplanar. For discs with initial tilts evolving towards prograde coplanar alignment, the accretion rates on to the primary and secondary stars exhibit alternating preferential accretion. Circumbinary discs evolving towards polar alignment exhibit no alternating preferential accretion on to the binary unless the initial tilt is close to the critical tilt that sets the boundary between coplanar or polar alignment. Such cases cause strong disc warping, leading to disc breaking. The inner disc becomes eccentric, leading to alternating preferential accretion on to the binary. As the break propagates outward, the disc tilt damps towards a polar state and the disc eccentricity decreases. As the disc recircularizes, the accretion rate transitions back from alternating preferential accretion to non-alternating accretion. Lastly, no alternating preferential accretion exists for discs undergoing retrograde coplanar alignment. From the summary of the accretion rates from our suite of smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations, it is evident that the accretion rate evolution can be affected by the initial tilt and subsequent evolution of the circumbinary disc.
Predicting Lyα emission from distant galaxies with neural network architecture
Authors: Yoshioka Takehiro , Kashikawa Nobunari , Takeda Yoshihiro , Ito Kei , Liang Yongming , Ishimoto Rikako , Arita Junya , Nishimura Yuri , Hoshi Hiroki , Shimizu Shunta
Published: December 2024

The Ly$\alpha$ emission line is a characteristic feature found in high-z galaxies, serving as a probe of cosmic reionization. While previous works present various correlations between Ly$\alpha$ emission and physical properties of host galaxies, it is still unclear which characteristics predominantly determine the Ly$\alpha$ emission. In this study, we introduce a neural network approach to simultaneously handle multiple properties of galaxies. The neural-network-based prediction model that identifies Ly$\alpha$ emitters (LAEs) from six physical properties: star formation rate, stellar mass, UV absolute magnitude $M_\mathrm{UV}$, age, UV slope $\beta$, and dust attenuation $E(B-V)$, obtained by the spectral energy distribution fitting. The network is trained with galaxy samples from the VANDELS and MUSE spectroscopic surveys and achieves the performance of 77 per cent true positive rate and 14 per cent false positive rate. The permutation feature importance method shows that $\beta$, $M_\mathrm{UV}$, and $M_*$ are important for the prediction of LAEs. As an independent validation, we find that 91 per cent of LAEs spectroscopically confirmed by the JWST have a probability of LAE higher than 70 per cent in this model. This prediction model enables the efficient construction of a large LAE sample in a wide and continuous redshift space using only photometric data. We apply the prediction model to the JWST photometric galaxy sample and obtain Ly$\alpha$ fraction consistent with previous studies. Moreover, we demonstrate that the difference between the distributions of LAEs predicted by the model and the spectroscopically identified LAEs provides a strong constraint on the H ii bubble size.
Comparison of observed vertical stratifications of iron in blue horizontal-branch stars to those predicted by atomic diffusion
Authors: LeBlanc F , Alecian G , Stift M J , Khalack V
Published: December 2024

Recent spectroscopic analysis has shown that hot blue horizontal-branch (BHB) stars often exhibit a significant increase in iron abundance with depth in their atmospheres. The aim of this work is to verify whether these abundance stratifications are compatible with those that are predicted by atomic diffusion. Indeed, this physical process has been suspected for several decades of being at the origin of the abundance anomalies detected in BHB stars, as well as the observed photometric anomalies. Using the most recent version of the caratmotion code for modelling time-dependent diffusion in stellar atmospheres, we have calculated iron diffusion in the atmosphere of three BHB stars where iron stratification has been detected. It appears that the Fe stratifications predicted by our calculations are generally compatible with those observed. It is also shown that at certain phases detailed quantitative agreement between observations and calculations is achieved.
Properties of 3D H i filaments in the smith high velocity cloud
Authors: Holm-Hansen Colin , Putman M E , Kim D A
Published: December 2024

We present findings of 3D filamentary structures in the Smith Cloud, a high-velocity cloud (HVC) located at $l=38^{\circ }$, $b=-13^{\circ }$. These data represent the first detection of velocity-resolved 3D H i filaments within an HVC. We use data from the Galactic Arecibo L-Band Feed Array H i (GALFA-H i) along with our new filament detection algorithm, fil3d, to characterize these structures. In this paper, we also discuss how different input parameters affect the output of fil3d. We study filaments in the local interstellar medium (ISM) and compare them to those found in the Smith Cloud. Based on thermal line width estimations we find supporting evidence that the Smith Cloud filaments are part of its warm neutral medium. We also find a relationship between thermal line width and the $v_{\mathrm{LSR}}$ of the filaments. We study the plane-of-sky magnetic field as traced by Planck 353 GHz polarized dust emission along the line of sight and find none of our filament populations are aligned with this tracer of the magnetic field. This is likely related to their location close to dynamic processes in the Galactic Plane and/or the low column density of the filaments relative to emission in the Plane. The results show that 3D H i filaments are found in a wide range of Galactic environments and form through multiple processes.
MPO-ANCA-positive eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by alveolar haemorrhage treated with mepolizumab as an induction therapy: Case report
Authors: Yoshida Mana , Iwata Shigeru , Tabata Kayoko , Hashimoto Aya , Matsumiya Ryo , Tanaka Katsunori , Iwamoto Ryuta , Jinnin Masatoshi , Fujii Takao
Published: December 2024

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis preceded by bronchial asthma or allergic sinusitis and accompanied by peripheral blood eosinophilia. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as cyclophosphamide in addition to high-dose glucocorticoids (GCs), are recommended for induction of remission in patients with severe EGPA. Although mepolizumab is widely recognised as remission induction therapy in nonfatal/nonorgan disabling or relapsed/refractory EGPA, its efficacy and safety in induction of remission for severe cases have been ambiguous. In this context, we report a case of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive severe EGPA in which the patient had a favourable course using mepolizumab as an induction remission therapy. The patient, a 74-year-old man, had myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-positive severe EGPA with alveolar haemorrhage. High-dose GCs and intravenous cyclophosphamide were started as remission induction therapy. However, after the initiation of intravenous cyclophosphamide, alveolar haemorrhage worsened, and there was development of opportunistic infections, such as aspergillus and cytomegalovirus antigenaemia. Treatment with the antifungal drug voriconazole and the antiviral drug ganciclovir was started for opportunistic infection, and the treatment for EGPA was switched from intravenous cyclophosphamide to mepolizumab. As a result, alveolar haemorrhage improved, GCs were reduced, and the infection also improved. Mepolizumab as remission induction therapy for severe EGPA were thought to be appropriate and effective treatment in this case. However, the efficacy and safety of mepolizumab for this purpose require comprehensive evaluation.
Optimal glucocorticoid therapy in lupus nephritis
Authors: Figueroa-Parra Gabriel , Bautista-Vargas Mario , Navarro-Mendoza Erika , Duarte-García Alí
Published: December 2024

This review provides an in-depth analysis of glucocorticoid therapy for lupus nephritis (LN), a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus that affects up to 51.7% of patients. LN significantly increases the risk of mortality and progression to end-stage kidney disease. Glucocorticoids have been central to LN treatment for decades due to their anti-inflammatory properties, but optimal dosing strategies remain uncertain. The review discusses the historical evolution of glucocorticoid use, highlighting the shift from high-dose regimens to combined approaches with immunosuppressants and lower glucocorticoid doses to minimize adverse effects. Mechanistically, glucocorticoids exert effects through genomic and non-genomic pathways, modulating immune responses and metabolism. Long-term use is associated with risks such as infection, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia and cardiovascular disease. The review examines different dosing strategies, including intravenous pulse therapy and oral regimens, and presents evidence of their efficacy and safety. It also explores alternative approaches, such as low-dose and glucocorticoid-free regimens, which show promise but require further study. The review concludes by emphasizing the need for future research to optimize glucocorticoid regimens, refine tapering protocols and identify safer therapeutic combinations, as glucocorticoids remain a cornerstone in LN management despite their challenges.
The Systematic Development of a Mobile Phone Delivered Text-Messaging Tobacco Cessation Intervention in India
Authors: Sequeira Miriam , Naughton Felix , Velleman Richard , Gaikwad Leena , Murthy Pratima , Pacheco Marimilha Grace , D’souza Joseline , Nair Ganga , Shah Rachit , Sambari Seema , Bhatia Urvita , Nadkarni Abhijit
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Tobacco consumption is a leading cause of mortality globally. Eighty percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this, there is a large treatment gap due to both demand and supply-side barriers. Digital interventions are an innovative solution to bridge this gap. We describe the systematic development of ToQuit, a text-messaging intervention for tobacco cessation in India.

Aims and Methods

ToQuit was developed in sequential steps: (1) Identifying Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs) from evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions; (2) Identifying additional BCTs through in-depth interviews; (3) Online expert survey to rate BCTs on feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness when delivered via text messaging; and (4) A consultation workshop with practitioners.

Results

Thirty BCTs were identified from steps 1 and 2. Three were excluded in step 3. The final intervention included 27 BCTs delivered over three phases: phase 1—orientation (information about antecedents and consequences of tobacco consumption, goal setting, reattribution, pros and cons of quitting); phase 2—skill building (self-monitoring, avoidance of cues for behavior, behavior substitution, distraction, stress management, handling urges, restructuring physical and social environments, instructions on how to perform a behavior, prompts and cues, problem-solving, social support, and referrals among others); and phase 3—relapse prevention (psychoeducation about lapse and relapse, review goals, action planning, and feedback on behavior). The intervention is delivered via text messages over 8 weeks with 2–3 messages a day, 2–3 days a week.

Conclusions

ToQuit is a contextually relevant and potentially scalable text-messaging intervention for tobacco cessation in resource-constrained settings.

Implications

This manuscript is an important piece in the development of contextually relevant digital interventions for the cessation of both smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco. The detailed description of the steps followed in developing the ToQuit intervention will help others replicate these procedures while developing similar interventions responsive to their contexts; particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Adherence and Retention in Early or Late Time-Restricted Eating: A Narrative Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Lin Yi , Ezzati Armin , McLaren Christian , Zeidan Rola S , Anton Stephen D
Published: December 2024

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a form of intermittent fasting that involves reducing the time-period in which food is typically consumed daily. While TRE is known to induce health benefits, particularly for adults with obesity, there is currently debate about whether the time of day in which food is consumed also contributes to the health benefits of TRE. Early TRE (eTRE) and late TRE (lTRE) are subtypes of TRE that involve consuming food and caloric beverages either in the early or later part of the day. A growing body of literature indicates that eTRE may offer additional health benefits compared with lTRE. An important and unanswered question, however, is whether most adults can adhere to this type of eating pattern and whether adherence and retention differ between eTRE and lTRE. This narrative review compared adherence and retention in studies that implemented either eTRE or lTRE in adults for 8 weeks or longer. Five databases were searched, and 10 studies met our eligibility criteria. The key finding was that participants had high and comparable levels of adherence and retention in both eTRE and lTRE interventions. Specifically, the mean adherence rate was 81.4% for eTRE and 82.3% for lTRE, while the mean retention rate was 81% for eTRE and 85.8% for lTRE in eligible studies. Thus, the findings support the feasibility of both approaches. The lowest adherence and retention rates occurred in studies in which either eTRE or lTRE regimens were combined with other dietary interventions. Notably, the duration of the eating window did not seem to negatively affect adherence and retention rates for either eTRE or lTRE. More research is warranted to determine the influence of other factors, such as age and study location, on adherence to and retention of both eTRE and lTRE interventions.
Disseminated TB With IRIS Presenting as a Pancreatic Mass in Newly Diagnosed HIV: A Case Report
Authors: Akbar Nina , Mariuz Peter
Published: December 2024

Pancreatic tuberculosis (TB) is an uncommon extrapulmonary presentation of TB. Identification of coinfection with HIV may unmask not only disseminated TB but also immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). We present the case of a 70-year-old Indian woman newly diagnosed with AIDS and pancreatic tuberculosis with miliary disseminated disease. Her clinical course was complicated by IRIS related to HIV-TB coinfection despite sequential and targeted anti-infective therapies. We review the presentation, pathophysiology, and risk factors for developing IRIS with HIV and pancreatic TB.
Comprehensive performance analysis of an advanced power generation cycle for liquid hydrogen cold energy recovery
Authors: Xia Rui , Wang Jun , Lund Peter D
Published: December 2024

Liquid hydrogen is one of the most efficient ways to store hydrogen. To reduce the energy loss in the liquid hydrogen cycle, the cold energy released at ultra-low temperature in hydrogen regasification should be utilized. Here, an integrated two-stage organic Rankine cycle power generation system for cold energy recovery from liquid hydrogen regasification is proposed. The designed system could recover some 15.3% of the cold energy and increasing the hydrogen cycle exergy efficiency to 71.8%. The working fluid pair R41/R1270 gave the best results and improved the net present value by 2.3%.
Euphagus carolinus (Rusty Blackbird) from two different breeding populations in northeastern North America exhibit chain migration yet use the same region for stopover
Authors: Walker Jacob , Bégin-Marchand Camille , Terrigeol Alexandre , Therrien Jean-François , Côté Pascal , Burford Levi , Foss Carol R , Tremblay Junior A
Published: December 2024

Bird populations within the same species may follow different migratory strategies and phenology depending on their breeding location and latitude, and migratory strategies may be influenced by important stopover sites. Understanding these strategies and identifying important stopover sites is crucial for the conservation of species with regionally varying population trends. In this study, Euphagus carolinus (Rusty Blackbird) from 2 populations in eastern North America were affixed with NanoTag (Lotek) transmitters and tracked using the Motus Wildlife Tracking System to determine migratory routes and connectivity, stopover locations, and wintering areas. During fall migration, birds tagged at Observatoire d’oiseaux de Tadoussac, Québec and breeding sites in New England maintained separate migratory routes north of 43° latitude, as indicated by positive Mantel statistics of migratory connectivity, before converging on stopover areas in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays region of the mid-Atlantic U.S. Migratory strategy differed between the 2 populations: birds from New England spent ~2 months longer at breeding latitudes than birds from Québec, and Québec birds spent more time at fall stopover sites and wintering latitudes. Birds from both populations made >1-week stopovers during spring and fall migrations and made long-distance (up to 645 km) nocturnal flights. The few winter detections suggested that E. carolinus from New England wintered at more southern latitudes than birds from Québec. Land cover data around stopover sites indicated that E. carolinus were positively associated with percent cover of wooded wetlands, croplands, and hay/pasture. Results from this study could help identify and protect regionally important stopover and wintering areas for E. carolinus, a species that has experienced dramatic long-term population declines linked to habitat loss in the nonbreeding range.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of SEED FATTY ACID REDUCER genes significantly increased seed oil content in soybean
Authors: Liao Wenying , Guo Runze , Li Jie , Liu Na , Jiang Lixi , Whelan James , Shou Huixia
Published: December 2024

Increasing seed oil content (SOC) is an important breeding goal for soybean breeding. While significant efforts have been made to improve SOC through metabolic pathway engineering, research to increase soybean SOC by reducing lipid degradation and fatty acid (FA) decomposition during seed maturation process is limited. Seed fatty acid reducers (SFARs) are members of the GDSL enzyme family and play a crucial role in lipid metabolism. Among them, a pair of the GmSFAR4 genes is highly expressed in soybean seeds during seed desiccation and germination. In the study, GmSFAR4a/b double mutants were generated using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technique. The seed FA content of GmSFAR4a/b double mutants was significantly increased by ∼8% compared to wild type when grown in greenhouse, and ∼17% when grown in the field, without any adverse effects on seed vitality and plant growth. Our work enriches the understanding of soybean seed oil metabolism and provides a new approach to increase soybean SOC.
Calcium signaling in hypoxic response
Authors: Bakshi Arkadipta , Gilroy Simon
Published: December 2024

Plants can experience a lack of oxygen due to environmental conditions, such as flooding events or intense microbial blooms in the soil, and from their own metabolic activities. The associated limit on aerobic respiration can be fatal. Therefore, plants have evolved sensing systems that monitor oxygen levels and trigger a suite of metabolic, physiologic, and developmental responses to endure, or potentially escape, these oxygen-limiting conditions. Low oxygen stress has long been known to trigger changes in cytosolic Ca2+ levels in plants, and recent work has seen some major steps forward in characterizing these events as part of a Ca2+-based signaling system through (1) defining how hypoxia may trigger and then shape the dynamics of these Ca2+ signals, and (2) identifying a host of the downstream elements that allow Ca2+ to regulate a wide-ranging network of hypoxia responses. Calcium transporters such as the CAX family of Ca2+/H+ antiporters at the tonoplast have emerged as important components of the system that forms hypoxia-related Ca2+ signals. Downstream lies a web of Ca2+-responsive proteins such as the calmodulin like proteins, Ca2+-dependent kinases, and the calcineurin-B like proteins along with their interacting kinases. A host of other regulators such as reactive oxygen species and lipid-mediated signals then act in parallel to the Ca2+-dependent events to closely control and coordinate the myriad responses that characterize the plant's low oxygen response.