bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ditching characteristics of a seaplane under various wave conditions and effects of biomimetic floats
Authors: Zha Ruosi , Tu Xinuo , Liang Junwen , Liang Zebin , Zhao Mengshang , Wang Kai
Published: September 2024

This paper presents a numerical investigation into the hydrodynamic loads and motions experienced by two seaplane models during ditching in calm water and regular waves. The original bare model is susceptible to jet flows and wave overwash at the nose, which can adversely impact the aircraft's ditching performance. To address these issues, we introduced two biomimetic floats symmetrically to the original model and assessed their influence on the ditching dynamics. A comparative analysis was conducted on the accelerations, impact loads, and the coupled heave and pitch motions of both the original and the redesigned model equipped with floats during ditching in both calm waters and regular waves. For the wave ditching scenario, a detailed investigation of the slamming phase was first carried out, involving impacts at the wave's zero-crossing, crest, and trough. The cases with a variety of wave heights, wave lengths, and wave headings were evaluated. A particular focus was placed on understanding how the biomimetic floats affect the seaplane's performance during ditching in both calm and wavy conditions. The analysis of maximum accelerations and pitch angles during wave ditching revealed that slamming at the wave trough presents the most significant hazards. Additionally, the phenomena of gliding and wave overwash were identified as substantial risks under wave conditions. The results suggested that the biomimetic floats can effectively mitigate the maximum horizontal acceleration and pitch angle of the original model, enhancing the safety of ditching operations in both calm water and waves.
Ultrafast manipulations of nanoscale skyrmioniums
Authors: Dong H. M. , Fu P. P. , Duan Y. F. , Chang K.
Published: September 2024

The advancement of next-generation magnetic devices depends on fast manipulating magnetic microstructures at the nanoscale. A universal method is presented for rapid and reliable generating, controlling, and driving nano-scale skyrmioniums, through high-throughput micromagnetic simulations. Ultrafast switches are realized between skyrmionium and skyrmion states and rapidly change their polarities in monolayer magnetic nanodisks by perpendicular magnetic fields. The transition mechanism by alternating magnetic fields differs from that under steady magnetic fields. New skyrmionic textures, such as flower-like and windmill-like skyrmions, are discovered. Moreover, this nanoscale skyrmionium can move rapidly and stably in nanoribbons using weaker spin-polarized currents. Explicit discussions are held regarding the physical mechanisms involved in ultrafast manipulations of skyrmioniums. This work provides further physical insights into the manipulation and application of topological skyrmionic structures for developing low-power consumption and nanostorage devices.
Continuum models for meso-scale simulations of HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane) guided by molecular dynamics: Pore collapse, shear bands, and hotspot temperature
Authors: Nguyen Yen Thi , Okafor Chukwudubem , Zhao Puhan , Sen Oishik , Picu Catalin R. , Sewell Tommy , Udaykumar H. S.
Published: September 2024

Meso-scale calculations of energy localization and initiation in energetic material microstructures must capture the deformation and collapse of pores and high-temperature shear bands, which lead to hotspots. Because chemical reaction rates depend sensitively on temperature, predictive continuum models need to get the pore-collapse dynamics and resulting hotspot temperatures right; this imposes stringent demands on the fidelity of thermophysical model forms and parameters and on the numerical methods employed to perform high-resolution meso-scale calculations. Here, continuum material models for β-HMX are examined in the context of shock-induced pore collapse, treating predictions from all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as ground truth. Using atomistics-consistent material properties, we show that the currently available strength models for HMX fail to correctly capture pore collapse and hotspot temperatures. Insights from MD are then employed to advance a Modified Johnson–Cook (M-JC) strength model, which is shown to capture key aspects of the physics of shock-induced localization in HMX. The study culminates in a MD-guided strength model for β-HMX that produces continuum pore-collapse results in better alignment on several aspects with those predicted by MD, including pore-collapse mechanism and rate, shear-band formation in the collapse zone, and temperature, strain, and stress fields in the hotspot zone and the surrounding material. The resulting MD-informed/MD-determined M-JC model should improve the fidelity of meso-scale simulations to predict the detonation initiation of HMX-based energetic materials in microstructure-aware multi-scale frameworks.
Efficient anti-frosting enabled by femtosecond laser-induced salt-philic and superhydrophobic surface
Authors: Deng Qinwen , Wu Tingni , Yin Kai , Li Xun , Wang Lingxiao , Huang Qiaoqiao , Huang Yin , Arnusch Christopher J. , Duan Ji-An
Published: September 2024

Frost formation is a normal phase transition phenomenon in cold climates, while it usually brings certain troubles to human lives and production. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop frost resistant materials and key technologies. Here, a salt-philic and superhydrophobic surface is designed on a PDMS substrate by femtosecond laser direct writing technology in combination with salt–ethanol–water mixtures droplet treatment. The laser-treated PDMS embedded salt (LTP-S) surface exhibits superhydrophobicity, which alone is a property that can resist the formation of frost and enables a self-cleaning effect. Meanwhile, the salt coating further enhances the frost resistance of the surface by reducing the freezing point temperature. The LTP-S surface is revealed to perform well in frosting-defrosting cycles, washing resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, heating resistance, and long-term air exposure tests as a highly efficient and stable anti-frosting surface. This work demonstrates a facile strategy to fabricate a salt-philic and superhydrophobic surface for efficient anti-frosting.
Flora and structure of the naturally regenerating riparian vegetation of the Rio Doce River: basis for environmental restoration actions
Authors: Neves José Gustavo Santana , Souza Camila Silveira , Figueiredo João Carlos Gomes , Veloso Cristina Pereira de Jesus , de Ávila Marly Antonielle , Oliveira Odirlei Simões de , Azevedo Islaine Franciely Pinheiro de , dos Santos Rubens Manoel , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson , Nunes Yule Roberta Ferreira
Published: September 2024

Context The failure of the Fundão dam devastated a large area of the Atlantic Forest, causing damage to and loss of riparian forests. Considering all the ecological roles of a terrestrial and freshwater community, it is necessary to understand the functioning of riparian forests and their regenerative potential, which will be decisive in selecting actions to restore these ecosystems, especially Atlantic Forest remnants. Aims We evaluated the flora and structure of the regenerating stratum in three riparian vegetation remnants along the Rio Doce basin to support the propagation and restoration of the affected environments. Methods Plots of 5 m × 5 m were made in each area, totalling 77 sampling units. In these plots, all woody individuals with a diameter at soil height (DSH) of at least ≥1 cm and diameter at breast height (1.3 m from the soil) of at least <5 cm were marked, measured (in height and DSH), sampled and identified. Key results A total of 275 species distributed in 47 families were sampled, with Fabaceae the most diverse family and Siparuna guianensis Aubl. the most abundant species. Variation in β diversity was significant, and composition analysis showed that plots of each area tended to cluster. Principal component analysis and linear models showed that the edaphic parameters were not related to the richness and abundance of species in the sampled areas. Conclusions The areas sampled here serve as a reference for the restoration of impacted areas. Implications This study represents an important step towards knowing the species in reference areas for an active and efficient restoration in impacted areas.
The effect of cranioplasty on outcomes and complications of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome and minimally responsive state
Authors: Aidinoff Elena , Lehrer Hiela , Gelernter Ilana , Dayan Ilil , Kfir Adi , Front Lilach , Oksamitny Ana , Catz Amiram
Published: September 2024

Background Studies that have shown neurological improvement following cranioplasty (CP) after decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) did not include control groups. The aim of this study was to assess the justification of CP for these patients. Methods Data were collected from medical records of inpatients with UWS and MCS admitted between 2002 and 2018. Results Of the 144 participants (mean age 40 years, 76% males, 75% in UWS), 37% had CP following DC. The Loewenstein Communication Scale (LCS) gain was 12 ± 17 and 16 ± 17 for the control and study patients, respectively. The corresponding consciousness recovery rate (based on Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores) was 51% and 53%, respectively. One-year survival rates were 0.80 and 0.93, and 5-year survival rates were 0.67 and 0.73, respectively. Mean outcome values were higher for the study group, but the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions The study did not demonstrate that CP increases brain recovery or survival. Nevertheless, it showed that CP did not decrease them either, and it did not increase complications rate. The findings, therefore, support offering CP to patients with UWS and MCS as CP does not increase risks and can achieve additional goals for these patients.
Alpha-synuclein expression in GnRH neurons of young and old bovine hypothalami
Authors: Niyonzima Yvan Bienvenu , Asato Yuuki , Murakami Tomoaki , Kadokawa Hiroya
Published: September 2024

Context Understanding of central nervous system mechanisms related to age-related infertility remains limited. Fibril α-synuclein, distinct from its monomer form, is implicated in age-related diseases and propagates among neurons akin to prions. Aims We compared α-synuclein expression in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-expressing neurons (GnRH neurons) in the pre-optic area, arcuate nucleus, and median eminence of healthy heifers and aged cows to determine its role in age-related infertility. Methods We analysed mRNA and protein expression, along with fluorescent immunohistochemistry for GnRH and α-synuclein, followed by Congo red staining to detect amyloid deposits, and confocal microscopy. Key results Both mRNA and protein expressions of α-synuclein were confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blots in bovine cortex, hippocampus, and anterior and posterior hypothalamus tissues. Significant differences in α-synuclein mRNA expression were observed in the cortex and hippocampus between young and old cows. Western blots showed five bands of α-synuclein, probably reflecting monomer, dimer, and oligomers, in the cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus tissues, and there were significant differences in some bands between young and old cows. Bright-field and polarised light microscopy did not detect obvious amyloid deposition in aged hypothalami; however, higher-sensitive confocal microscopy unveiled strong positive signal of Congo red and α-synuclein in GnRH neurons in aged hypothalami. Additionally, α-synuclein expression was detected in immortalised GnRH neurons, GT1-7 cells. Conclusion Alpha-synuclein was expressed in GnRH neurons, and some differences were observed between young and old hypothalami. Implications Alpha-synuclein may play an important role in aging-related infertility.
Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change
Authors: McDonald Sarah E. , Simmons Aaron T. , Harden Steven , Orgill Susan E. , Guerschman Juan , Strong Craig
Published: September 2024

Practices that improve the quantity, composition, and persistence of ground cover can contribute to a range of ecosystem services that support agricultural production, regulate climate, reduce erosion and support nutrient cycling. In rangeland grazing systems, incorporating periods of rest and matching stocking rates to feed availability is commonly used with the goal of improving land condition and productivity at a property scale. Understanding and quantifying differences in ground cover associated with changes to grazing management can provide livestock producers with greater confidence in the outcomes associated with their management. It can also demonstrate their nature positive activities which may be valued in emerging markets. This study sought to quantify any changes in ground cover resulting from changed grazing management (strategically managing the timing, intensity and duration of grazing events to maintain or improve land condition) across seven mixed grazing (cattle, sheep and/or goats) study sites in the semi-arid rangelands of western New South Wales, Australia. Time-series estimates of ground cover derived from Landsat imagery for each study site were compared with biophysically similar regional benchmark areas as controls. Overall, ground cover was found to have increased significantly (2–7%) following change in grazing management at four of the seven study sites, relative to control benchmark areas. It was apparent different land units varied in their response to the management change, and that the preceding 12 months rainfall (such as wet, intermediate or dry rainfall years) did not have a consistently significant effect on the relative response. Results of this study highlight that improvements in ground cover and land condition may be achieved through changes to grazing management, but also that there are complexities in both achieving and measuring any change. This study demonstrates the practical application of remotely sensed cover data and dynamic regional comparison techniques to document environmental outcomes at the property scale from grazing management in low input, extensive rangeland grazing systems.
Atomic-engineered gradient tunable solid-state metamaterials
Authors: Yan Zhiyuan , Handoko Albertus Denny , Wu Weikang , Yang Chuchu , Wang Hao , Yilmaz Meltem , Zhang Zhiyong , Cheng Libo , Cheng Xinbin , Ho Ghim Wei , Feng Bin , Shibata Naoya , Zhao Rong , Yang Joel K. W. , Chong Chong Tow , Ikuhara Yuichi , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: September 2024

Metamaterial has been captivated a popular notion, offering photonic functionalities beyond the capabilities of natural materials. Its desirable functionality primarily relies on well-controlled conditions such as structural resonance, dispersion, geometry, filling fraction, external actuation, etc. However, its fundamental building blocks—meta-atoms—still rely on naturally occurring substances. Here, we propose and validate the concept of gradient and reversible atomic-engineered metamaterials (GRAM), which represents a platform for continuously tunable solid metaphotonics by atomic manipulation. GRAM consists of an atomic heterogenous interface of amorphous host and noble metals at the bottom, and the top interface was designed to facilitate the reversible movement of foreign atoms. Continuous and reversible changes in GRAM’s refractive index and atomic structures are observed in the presence of a thermal field. We achieve multiple optical states of GRAM at varying temperature and time and demonstrate GRAM-based tunable nanophotonic devices in the visible spectrum. Further, high-efficiency and programmable laser raster-scanning patterns can be locally controlled by adjusting power and speed, without any mask-assisted or complex nanofabrication. Our approach casts a distinct, multilevel, and reversible postfabrication recipe to modify a solid material’s properties at the atomic scale, opening avenues for optical materials engineering, information storage, display, and encryption, as well as advanced thermal optics and photonics.
Exploring sperm cell rheotaxis in microfluidic channel: the role of flow and viscosity
Authors: Puri Dhiraj B , Jacob Paul , Hemadri Vadiraj , Banerjee Arnab , Tripathi Siddhartha
Published: September 2024

Rheotaxis is a fundamental mechanism of sperm cells that guides them in navigating towards the oocyte. The present study investigates the phenomenon of sperm rheotaxis in Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluid media, which for the first time explores a viscosity range equivalent to that of the oviductal fluid of the female reproductive tract in rectilinear microfluidic channels. Three parameters, the progressive velocity while performing rheotaxis, the radius of rotation during rheotaxis, and the percentage of rheotactic sperm cells in the bulk and near-wall regions of the microfluidic channel were measured. Numerical simulations of the flow were conducted to estimate the shear rate, flow velocity, and the drag force acting on the sperm head at specific locations where the sperms undergo rheotaxis. Increasing the flow velocity resulted in a change in the position of rheotactic sperm from the bulk center to the near wall region, an increase and subsequent decrease in the sperm’s upstream progressive velocity, and a decrease in the radius of rotation. We observed that with an increase in viscosity, rheotactic sperms migrate to the near wall regions at lower flow rates, the upstream progressive velocity of the sperm decreases for Newtonian and increases for non-Newtonian media, and the radius of rotation increases for Newtonian and decreases for non-Newtonian media. These results quantify the effects of fluid properties such as viscosity and flow rate on sperm rheotaxis and navigation, thereby paving the way for manipulating sperm behavior in microfluidic devices, potentially leading to advancements in assisted reproduction techniques.
The Principle of Legality in the Criminal System
Authors: Khodadadi Bahman
Published: September 2024

Chapter 2 is devoted to the assessment of the Iranian constitutional tenets of the rule of law and the Rechtsstaat, which leads us directly to a particular concentration on criminal law, that is, the principle of legality in the criminal system. Exploring religious fundamentals and legal regulations as contributions to the principle of legality in the Iranian legal system, the chapter embarks on a discussion surrounding the religious and legal contributions to the principle of legality. By examining whether the principle of the legality of crimes and punishments has been enshrined in the Iranian legal system as a whole, the chapter offers a sustained and careful account of how the Constitution itself impinges upon the legal system and undermines the rule of law by violating the principle of nulla poena sine lege, a basic requirement of the rule of law.
The Mental Health Consequences of George Floyd’s Murder in Minneapolis in Black, Latine, and White Communities
Authors: Santaularia N Jeanie , Larson Ryan , Robertson Christopher E , Uggen Christopher
Published: September 2024

The high-profile police murder of George Floyd is likely to have an aftermath of negative health consequences, particularly among Black people. Our study evaluates the impact of the murder of Mr. Floyd on mental health in Black, Latine, and white communities in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We constructed a panel dataset merging data from the Minnesota Hospital Association, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minneapolis Police Department, and American Community Survey. First, we specify an overall and racial subgroup autoregressive interrupted time-series design to identify the impact of the murder on rates of mental health hospital discharge at the city-level. We then examine the spatial heterogeneity in the impact of the murder by specifying zip code tabulation area (ZCTA)-level panel models. We find a 0.23 per 1,000 increase in mental health conditions among Black people in the immediate post-murder period, followed by a weekly decline (-.007) in mental health diagnoses. We do not find a substantial rate increase in White or Latine residents. Further, our analyses at the ZCTA-week-level corroborate these findings, while showing that the increase for Black residents was global. These findings speak to the traumatizing effects of police violence and the short- and longer-term public health consequences for Black communities.
Neighbors affect vocal behavior of tropical wrens: a multispeaker density-manipulation experiment
Authors: Sánchez Natalie V , Vargas-Valverde Isabel , Espejo-Uribe María José , Mennill Daniel J
Published: September 2024

For territorial animals, the behavior of conspecific neighbors sets the social context of communication. Despite numerous investigations of vocalizations related to territory defense and mate attraction, the effect of neighbor density on animal vocal behavior has received little attention, particularly in tropical animals and animals where both sexes produce complex acoustic signals. In this study, we used an innovative multispeaker playback experiment to manipulate the apparent density of neighbors in rufous-and-white wrens, Thryophilus rufalbus, living in Costa Rica’s tropical dry forest. In this tropical songbird, both males and females defend year-round territories and sing complex, learned songs for territory defense. We recorded the singing behavior of 24 subjects (12 pairs), and then we used an array of 6 loudspeakers to simulate the presence of 6 new territorial neighbors (3 simulated pairs) outside each subject pair’s breeding territory. The stimuli persisted for 3 consecutive days, with both male and female songs broadcast at a natural rate from dawn to dusk. We found that the mean male song rate increased by almost 50% in response to the simulated increase in local density. Females showed less frequent song-type switching rates following the simulated increase in local density, although it was a marginal increase. These findings reveal that male and female songbirds’ vocal behavior varies with the local density of territorial neighbors. We conclude that birds are sensitive to acoustic signals of conspecific density arising from sounds beyond their territory boundaries, and that they use this public information to guide their vocal behavior.
Treatment of mosaic ALPK1 driven Blaschkoid cylindroma with Mohs micrographic surgery
Authors: Carson Luke , Roberts Catherine , Carson Naomi , Bray Adam , Adams David J , Rajan Neil
Published: September 2024

ALPK1 somatic mutation (p.V1092A) during fetal development can cause spiradenoma or cylindroma to occur early in life along a line of Blaschko. Excision using Mohs micrographic surgery can delineate the subclinical extent and may reduce the future risk of spiradenocarcinoma where ALPK1 is a driver mutation. Our case supports the testing of CYLD and ALPK1 in skin tissue of suspected mosaic cases of CYLD cutaneous syndrome.
Structure–function coupling in highly sampled individual brains
Authors: Rajesh Aishwarya , Seider Nicole A , Newbold Dillan J , Adeyemo Babatunde , Marek Scott , Greene Deanna J , Snyder Abraham Z , Shimony Joshua S , Laumann Timothy O , Dosenbach Nico U F , Gordon Evan M
Published: September 2024

Structural connectivity (SC) between distant regions of the brain support synchronized function known as functional connectivity (FC) and give rise to the large-scale brain networks that enable cognition and behavior. Understanding how SC enables FC is important to understand how injuries to SC may alter brain function and cognition. Previous work evaluating whole-brain SC-FC relationships showed that SC explained FC well in unimodal visual and motor areas, but only weakly in association areas, suggesting a unimodal-heteromodal gradient organization of SC-FC coupling. However, this work was conducted in group-averaged SC/FC data. Thus, it could not account for inter-individual variability in the locations of cortical areas and white matter tracts. We evaluated the correspondence of SC and FC within three highly sampled healthy participants. For each participant, we collected 78 min of diffusion-weighted MRI for SC and 360 min of resting state fMRI for FC. We found that FC was best explained by SC in visual and motor systems, as well as in anterior and posterior cingulate regions. A unimodal-to-heteromodal gradient could not fully explain SC-FC coupling. We conclude that the SC-FC coupling of the anterior–posterior cingulate circuit is more similar to unimodal areas than to heteromodal areas.
Navigating New Waters: IMO’s Efforts to Regulate Autonomous Shipping
Authors: Stępień Barbara
Published: September 2024

New technological development in autonomous and unmanned vessels challenges the international legal framework prevailing at sea. Currently, the regulations applicable to international shipping constitute regulatory barriers preventing their operation on a worldwide scale. Hence, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), responsible for international shipping, has been working to accommodate these new types of vessels within the existing legal instruments. This paper traces the IMO’s steps to establish a new regulatory framework for them.
Ten tips to carry out video consultations in nephrology
Authors: Woywodt Alexander , Payne Rebecca E , Huuskes Brooke M , Hezer Bartu
Published: September 2024

Video consultations have seen increasing use in nephrology since the COVID-19 pandemic with an aim to address constraints in F2F outpatient capacity and also patients’ concerns around risks of infection when attending healthcare facilities. Nephrologists have learned through experience to use video consultations for providing routine follow up and also for ad hoc triage of unwell patients. Advantages of video consultations include convenience, cost savings through avoiding clinic overheads, and reducing the carbon footprint of care. The last is increasingly relevant as nephrologists consider climate change and its implications. Video consultations are not a panacea to overcome challenges in nephrology and risks also exist for example when it comes to redesigning pathways and maintaining access to F2F assessments when required. It is equally important to consider practical aspects such as reimbursement, prescribing, and documentation. Some clinicians may wish to carry out video consultations from home to save time spent commuting but this, too, requires careful thought. Another consideration is the digital divide and support should be provided for patients who are less IT literate or who have no access to the digital world. Patients with special needs such as those with visual or hearing impairment and those with language issues also require consideration. We view video consultations as a developing and growing part of the portfolio of renal care. We see their main role in providing routine follow up to stable and IT literate outpatients, particularly where there is provider continuity and where care is provided across a large geographical area.
Structure connectivity and substructure connectivity of Möbius cubes
Authors: Zhao Xiaojun , Xue Shudan , Deng Qingying , Li Pingshan
Published: September 2024

The connectivity is an important measurement for the fault-tolerance of networks. To provide more accurate measures for the fault-tolerance of networks than the connectivity, some generalizations of connectivity have been introduced. Substructure connectivity and structure connectivity are two extended concepts of classical connectivity. As a variant of the popular network hypercube, the Möbius cubes is also a famous interconnection network in parallel and distributed systems. In this article, we calculate $H$-substructure connectivity and $H$-structure connectivity of Möbius cubes when $H$ is isomorphic to $P_{m},C_{m}$ and $K_{1,m}$.
Bacteraemia and infective endocarditis following left-sided heart valve surgery
Authors: Holgersson Christine , Østergaard Lauge , Havers-Borgersen Eva , Stahl Anna , Hadji-Turdeghal Katra , Alhakak Amna , Voldstedlund Marianne , Smerup Morten , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Fosbøl Emil Loldrup
Published: September 2024

Background and aims

In patients undergoing heart valve surgery, subsequent bacteraemia and infective endocarditis (IE) are feared events. Data on the incidence and bacterial microbiological etiology following left-sided heart valve surgery are sparse.

Methods and results

Between 2010 and 2021, all patients undergoing left-sided valve surgery were identified using Danish nationwide registries. Incidence and type bacteraemia within 1-year post-surgery was analysed. Secondary outcome of interest was IE. Cumulative incidence curves were stratified for bacterial species and for subgroups of interest: type of valve surgery, age, and sex. A total of 14 935 patients were included, of which 69% were male and the median age was 70.4 years (25th–75th percentile 62.4–76.2 years). The 1-year cumulative incidence of bacteraemia was 6.1% (95% CI 5.7–6.5%), and the most frequent bacteraemia was coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (27%). More than half of the bacteraemia with CoNS occurred within 30 days of follow-up. Patients developing bacteraemia had a significantly higher Charlson comorbidity score at baseline, more often underwent coronary artery bypass grafting concomitant to valve surgery, and more often had surgery on both valves. The 1-year cumulative incidence of IE was 1.5% (95% CI 1.3–1.7), of which 23% were caused by Enterococci, and 22% were blood culture negative. The median time from surgery to IE was 109 days.

Conclusion

Bacteraemia and infective endocarditis following left-sided heart valve surgery occurred in 6.1% and 1.5% of patients, respectively. The most frequent bacteraemia was coagulase-negative staphylococci, and more than half of these occurred within 30 days of surgery. Optimization of prophylactic strategies are warranted.
Patients like any others? Providing coverage to undocumented migrants in France: effects on access to care and usual source of care
Authors: Marsaudon Antoine , Jusot Florence , Wittwer Jérôme , Dourgnon Paul
Published: September 2024

Medical State Assistance is a French public health insurance programme that allows undocumented migrants (UM) to access primary, secondary, and tertiary care services free of user charge, either premium or out-of-pocket. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of Medical State Assistance on access to healthcare services and on usual source of care (USC). We rely on representative data of 1,223 UM attending places of assistance to vulnerable populations in Paris and in the greater area of Bordeaux (France). In this sample, 51% of UM are covered by Medical State Assistance. We use probit and ordinary least square regressions to model healthcare uses of undocumented migrants. The results show that UM covered by Medical State Assistance are more likely to access outpatient healthcare services (by +22.4 percentage points) and less likely to do so on non-governmental organizations (by −6.7 percentage points) than their eligible but uncovered counterpart. Additionally, covered undocumented migrants made 36.9% more medical visits in outpatient healthcare services and 65.4% fewer visits in non-governmental organizations than eligible but uncovered ones. Moreover, covered UM are also more likely to report that primary care services are their USC, in preference to emergency departments and other outpatient care services. UM covered by Medical State Assistance are more likely to consult in outpatient healthcare services.
Teosinte populations exhibit weak local adaptation to their rhizosphere biota despite strong effects of biota source on teosinte fitness and traits
Authors: O’Brien Anna M , Sawers Ruairidh J H , Gasca-Pineda Jaime , Baxter Ivan , Eguiarte Luis E , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey , Strauss Sharon Y
Published: September 2024

While biotic interactions often impose selection, species and populations vary in whether they are locally adapted to biotic interactions. Evolutionary theory predicts that environmental conditions drive this variable local adaptation by altering the fitness impacts of species interactions. To investigate the influence of an environmental gradient on adaptation between a plant and its associated rhizosphere biota, we cross-combined teosinte (Zea mays ssp. mexicana) and rhizosphere biota collected across a gradient of decreasing temperature, precipitation, and nutrients in a greenhouse common garden experiment. We measured both fitness and phenotypes expected to be influenced by biota, including concentrations of nutrients in leaves. Independent, main effects of teosinte and biota source explained most variation in teosinte fitness and traits. For example, biota from warmer sites provided population-independent fitness benefits across teosinte hosts. Effects of biota that depended on teosinte genotype were often not specific to their local hosts, and most traits had similar relationships to fitness across biota treatments. However, we found weak patterns of local adaptation between teosinte and biota from colder sites, suggesting environmental gradients may alter the importance of local adaptation in teosinte–biota interactions, as evolutionary theory predicts.
Sex-specific viability effects of mutations in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Melde Robert H , Abraham JoHanna M , Ugolini Maryn R , Castle Madison P , Fjalstad Molly M , Blumstein Daniela M , Durski Sarah J , Sharp Nathaniel P
Published: September 2024

In populations with separate sexes, genetic load due to deleterious mutations may be expressed differently in males and females. Evidence from insect models suggests that selection against mutations is stronger in males. This pattern will reduce deleterious allele frequencies at the expense of males, such that female mean fitness is greater than expected, preserving population persistence in the face of high mutation rates. While previous studies focus on reproductive success, mutation load depends on total selection in each sex, including selection for viability. We might expect minimal sex differences in viability effects in fruit flies, since male and female larvae behave similarly, yet many genes show sex-biased expression in larvae. We measured the sex-specific viability effects of nine “marker” mutations and 123 mutagenized chromosomes. We find that both types of mutations generally reduce viability in both sexes. Among marker mutations we detect instances of sex-biased effects in each direction; mutagenized chromosomes show little sex-specific mutational variance, but recessive lethals show a female bias, including in FlyBase records. We conclude that mutations regularly affect viability in a sex-specific manner, but that the strong pattern of male-biased mutational effects observed previously for reproductive success is not apparent at the pre-reproductive stage.
Microbial ecology of nitrate-, selenate-, selenite-, and sulfate-reducing bacteria in a H2-driven bioprocess
Authors: Boltz Joshua P , Rittmann Bruce E
Published: September 2024

A hydrogen (H2)-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR) can reduce electron acceptors nitrate (NO3−), selenate (SeO42−), selenite (HSeO3−), and sulfate (SO42−), which are in wastewaters from coal mining and combustion. This work presents a model to describe a H2-driven microbial community comprised of hydrogenotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria that respire NO3−, SeO42−, HSeO3−, and SO42−. The model provides mechanistic insights into the interactions between autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria in a microbial community that is founded on H2-based autotrophy. Simulations were carried out for a range of relevant solids retention times (SRT; 0.1–20 days) and with adequate H2-delivery capacity to reduce all electron acceptors. Bacterial activity began at an ∼0.6-day SRT, when hydrogenotrophic denitrifiers began to accumulate. Selenate-reducing and selenite-reducing hydrogenotrophs became established next, at SRTs of ∼1.2 and 2 days, respectively. Full NO3−, SeO42−, and HSeO3− reductions were complete by an SRT of ∼5 days. SO42− reduction began at an SRT of ∼10 days and was complete by ∼15 days. The desired goal of reducing NO3−, SeO42−, and HSeO3−, but not SO42−, was achievable within an SRT window of 5–10 days. Autotrophic hydrogenotrophs dominated the active biomass, but nonactive solids were a major portion of the solids, especially for an SRT ≥ 5 days.
Acetylomics reveals an extensive acetylation diversity within Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Broeckaert Nand , Longin Hannelore , Hendrix Hanne , De Smet Jeroen , Franz-Wachtel Mirita , Maček Boris , van Noort Vera , Lavigne Rob
Published: September 2024

Bacteria employ a myriad of regulatory mechanisms to adapt to the continuously changing environments that they face. They can, for example, use post-translational modifications, such as Nε-lysine acetylation, to alter enzyme activity. Although a lot of progress has been made, the extent and role of lysine acetylation in many bacterial strains remains uncharted. Here, we applied stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) in combination with the immunoprecipitation of acetylated peptides and LC-MS/MS to measure the first Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 acetylome, revealing 1076 unique acetylation sites in 508 proteins. Next, we assessed interstrain acetylome differences within P. aeruginosa by comparing our PAO1 acetylome with two publicly available PA14 acetylomes, and postulate that the overall acetylation patterns are not driven by strain-specific factors. In addition, the comparison of the P. aeruginosa acetylome to 30 other bacterial acetylomes revealed that a high percentage of transcription related proteins are acetylated in the majority of bacterial species. This conservation could help prioritize the characterization of functional consequences of individual acetylation sites.
Internal deformation of the North Andean Sliver in Ecuador-southern Colombia observed by InSAR
Authors: Marconato L , Audin L , Doin M-P , Nocquet J-M , Jarrin P , Rolandone F , Harrichhausen N , Mothes P , Mora-Páez H , Cisneros D
Published: September 2024

In the Northern Andes, partitioning of oblique subduction of the Nazca plate beneath the South American continent induces a northeastward motion of the North Andean Sliver. The strain resulting from this motion is absorbed by crustal faults, which have produced magnitude 7 + earthquakes historically in the Andean Cordillera of Ecuador and southern Colombia. In order to quantify the strain in that area, we derive a high-resolution surface velocity map using InSAR time-series processing. We analyzed 6 to 8 years of Sentinel-1 data and combined different satellite line-of-sight directions to produce a reliable velocity map in the East direction. We use interpolated GNSS data to express the velocity map with respect to Stable South America and remove the long-wavelength pattern due to the post-seismic deformation following the 2016 Mw 7.8 Pedernales earthquake. The InSAR velocity map finds high E-W shortening strain rates along N-S trending structures within the Western Cordillera and the Interandean valley, with little deformation taking place east of them. This result strengthens the previous proposition of a ∼350 km long Quito-Latacunga tectonic block, forming a restraining bend in the overall right-lateral strike-slip fault system accommodating the northeastward escape motion of the North Andean Sliver. However, the high spatial resolution provided by InSAR indicates that previously proposed boundaries for this block need to be revised. In particular, InSAR results highlight high strain rate (>300 nstrain/yr) along undescribed active structures, south and west of the proposed limits for the Quito-Latacunga block, respectively in Peltetec and Ibarra regions. Interestingly, the two areas with the largest strain rates spatially correlate with the proposed areas of large historical earthquakes. Modeling of the InSAR and GNSS velocities in these areas suggests shallow coupling and high slip rates on structures which, previously, were not identified as active. We also demonstrate a slow-down of the shallow aseismic slip on the Quito fault after the Pedernales earthquake, suggesting that stress changes following large megathrust events might trigger transient slip behaviors on crustal faults. The high-resolution strain map provided by this work provides a new basis for future tectonic models in the Ecuadorian and southern Colombian Andes, and will contribute to the seismic hazard assessment in this highly populated area of the Andes.
Modeling antisense oligonucleotide therapy in MECP2 duplication syndrome human iPSC-derived neurons reveals gene expression programs responsive to MeCP2 levels
Authors: Bajikar Sameer S , Sztainberg Yehezkel , Trostle Alexander J , Tirumala Harini P , Wan Ying-Wooi , Harrop Caroline L , Bengtsson Jesse D , Carvalho Claudia M B , Pehlivan Davut , Suter Bernhard , Neul Jeffrey L , Liu Zhandong , Jafar-Nejad Paymaan , Rigo Frank , Zoghbi Huda Y
Published: September 2024

Genomic copy-number variations (CNVs) that can cause neurodevelopmental disorders often encompass many genes, which complicates our understanding of how individual genes within a CNV contribute to pathology. MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS or MRXSL in OMIM; OMIM#300260) is one such CNV disorder caused by duplications spanning methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2) and other genes on Xq28. Using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) to normalize MECP2 dosage is sufficient to rescue abnormal neurological phenotypes in mouse models overexpressing MECP2 alone, implicating the importance of increased MECP2 dosage within CNVs of Xq28. However, because MDS CNVs span MECP2 and additional genes, we generated human neurons from multiple MDS patient-derived induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) to evaluate the benefit of using an ASO against MECP2 in a MDS human neuronal context. Importantly, we identified a signature of genes that is partially and qualitatively modulated upon ASO treatment, pinpointed genes sensitive to MeCP2 function, and altered in a model of Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by loss of MeCP2 function. Furthermore, the signature contained genes that are aberrantly altered in unaffected control human neurons upon MeCP2 depletion, revealing gene expression programs qualitatively sensitive to MeCP2 levels in human neurons. Lastly, ASO treatment led to a partial rescue of abnormal neuronal morphology in MDS neurons. All together, these data demonstrate that ASOs targeting MECP2 benefit human MDS neurons. Moreover, our study establishes a paradigm by which to evaluate the contribution of individual genes within a CNV to pathogenesis and to assess their potential as a therapeutic target.
Pathomechanisms of Monoallelic variants in TTN causing skeletal muscle disease
Authors: Gohlke Jochen , Lindqvist Johan , Hourani Zaynab , Rich Kelly , Arnold W David , Heintzman Sarah , Tonino Paola , Elsheikh Bakri , Morales Ana , Vatta Matteo , Burghes Arthur , Granzier Henk , Roggenbuck Jennifer
Published: September 2024

Pathogenic variants in the titin gene (TTN) are known to cause a wide range of cardiac and musculoskeletal disorders, with skeletal myopathy mostly attributed to biallelic variants. We identified monoallelic truncating variants (TTNtv), splice site or internal deletions in TTN in probands with mild, progressive axial and proximal weakness, with dilated cardiomyopathy frequently developing with age. These variants segregated in an autosomal dominant pattern in 7 out of 8 studied families. We investigated the impact of these variants on mRNA, protein levels, and skeletal muscle structure and function. Results reveal that nonsense-mediated decay likely prevents accumulation of harmful truncated protein in skeletal muscle in patients with TTNtvs. Splice variants and an out-of-frame deletion induce aberrant exon skipping, while an in-frame deletion produces shortened titin with intact N- and C-termini, resulting in disrupted sarcomeric structure. All variant types were associated with genome-wide changes in splicing patterns, which represent a hallmark of disease progression. Lastly, RNA-seq studies revealed that GDF11, a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is upregulated in diseased tissue, indicating that it might be a useful therapeutic target in skeletal muscle titinopathies.
Deciphering single-cell gene expression variability and its role in drug response
Authors: Liu Sizhe , Chen Liang
Published: September 2024

The effectiveness of drug treatments is profoundly influenced by individual responses, which are shaped by gene expression variability, particularly within pharmacogenes. Leveraging single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, our study explores the extent of expression variability among pharmacogenes in a wide array of cell types across eight different human tissues, shedding light on their impact on drug responses. Our findings broaden the established link between variability in pharmacogene expression and drug efficacy to encompass variability at the cellular level. Moreover, we unveil a promising approach to enhance drug efficacy prediction. This is achieved by leveraging a combination of cross-cell and cross-individual pharmacogene expression variation measurements. Our study opens avenues for more precise forecasting of drug performance, facilitating tailored and more effective treatments in the future.
Can there be responsible AI without AI liability? Incentivizing generative AI safety through ex-post tort liability under the EU AI liability directive
Authors: Noto La Diega Guido , Bezerra Leonardo C T
Published: September 2024

In Europe, the governance discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has been predominantly centred on the AI Act, with a proliferation of books, certification courses, and discussions emerging even before its adoption. This narrow focus has overshadowed other crucial regulatory interventions that promise to fundamentally shape AI. This article highlights the proposed EU AI liability directive (AILD), the first attempt to harmonize general tort law in response to AI-related threats, addressing critical issues such as evidence discovery and causal links. As AI risks proliferate, this article argues for the necessity of a responsive system to adequately address AI harms as they arise. AI safety and responsible AI, central themes in current regulatory discussions, must be prioritized, with ex-post liability in tort playing a crucial role in achieving these objectives. This is particularly pertinent as AI systems become more autonomous and unpredictable, rendering the ex-ante risk assessments mandated by the AI Act insufficient. The AILD’s focus on fault and its limited scope is also inadequate. The proposed easing of the burden of proof for victims of AI, through enhanced discovery rules and presumptions of causal links, is insufficient in a context where Large Language Models exhibit unpredictable behaviours and humans increasingly rely on autonomous agents for complex tasks. Moreover, the AILD’s reliance on the concept of risk, inherited from the AI Act, is misplaced, as tort liability intervenes after the risk has materialized. However, the inherent risks in AI systems could justify EU harmonization of AI torts in the direction of strict liability. Bridging the liability gap will enhance AI safety and responsibility, better protect individuals from AI harms, and ensure that tort law remains a vital regulatory tool.