bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of direct patient outreach with a narrative naloxone and overdose prevention video to patients prescribed long-term opioid therapy in the USA: the Naloxone Navigator randomised clinical trial
Authors: Glanz Jason M , Mueller Shane R , Narwaney Komal J , Wagner Nicole M , Xu Stanley , Kraus Courtney R , Wain Kris , Botts Sheila , Binswanger Ingrid A
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Public health efforts to reduce opioid overdose fatalities include educating people at risk and expanding access to naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression. People receiving long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) are at increased risk for overdose, yet naloxone uptake in this population remains low. The objective of this study was to determine if a targeted, digital health intervention changed patient risk behaviour, increased naloxone uptake and increased knowledge about opioid overdose prevention and naloxone.

Methods

We conducted a pragmatic randomised clinical trial among patients prescribed LTOT in a healthcare delivery system in Colorado. Participants were randomly assigned to receive an animated overdose prevention and naloxone educational video (intervention arm) or usual care (control arm). The 6 min video was designed to educate patients about opioid overdose and naloxone, increase overdose risk perception and prompt them to purchase naloxone from the pharmacy. Over an 8-month follow-up, opioid risk behaviour was assessed with the Opioid-Related Behaviours in Treatment survey instrument, and overdose and naloxone knowledge was measured with the Prescription Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale after viewing the video at baseline. Naloxone dispensations were evaluated using pharmacy data over a 12-month period. Data were analysed with generalised linear mixed effects and log-binomial regression models.

Results

There were 519 participants in the intervention arm and 485 participants in the usual care arm. Opioid risk behaviour did not differ between the study arms over time (study arm by time interaction p=0.93). There was no difference in naloxone uptake between the arms (risk ratio 1.13, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.66). Knowledge was significantly greater in the intervention arm compared with usual care (p<0.001).

Conclusions

A targeted, digital health intervention video effectively increased knowledge about opioid overdose and naloxone, without increasing opioid risk behaviour. Naloxone uptake did not differ between the intervention and usual care arms.

Trial registration number

NCT03337009.
Physical health complications in children and young people with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: James Rachel Marie , O’Shea Jonathan , Micali Nadia , Russell Simon J , Hudson Lee D
Published: July 2024

Background

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder with known acute and longstanding physical health complications in children and young people (CYP) and commonly presents to paediatricians.

Objective

To systematically review the published literature on physical health complications in CYP with ARFID using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library was performed on 14 February 2024. Studies reporting physical health complications in CYP ≤25 years with ARFID were included. We pooled studies for meta-analysis comparing ARFID with healthy controls or anorexia nervosa (AN).

Results

Of 9058 studies found in searches, we included 132 studies. We found evidence for low weight, nutritional deficiencies and low bone mineral density. CYP with ARFID can present across the weight spectrum; however, the majority of CYP with ARFID were within the healthy weight to underweight range. Most studies reported normal range heart rates and blood pressures in ARFID, but some CYP with ARFID do experience bradycardia and hypotension. CYP with ARFID had higher heart rates than AN (weighted mean difference: 12.93 bpm; 95% CI: 8.65 to 17.21; n=685); heterogeneity was high (I2: 81.33%).

Conclusion

There is a broad range of physical health complications associated with ARFID requiring clinical consideration. Many CYP with ARFID are not underweight yet still have complications. Less cardiovascular complications found in ARFID compared with AN may be related to chronicity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022376866.
Outcome of creating clustering nursing care and healing environment on premature infants’ behavioural outcomes
Authors: Hendy Abdelaziz , Alsharkaw Sabah Saad , El-Nagger Nahed Saied , Hendy Ahmed , Sayed Salwa , Nashwan Abdulqadir J
Published: July 2024

We conducted a quasi-experimental study in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from January to July 2021, focusing on the effects of clustering nursing care and creating a healing environment on premature infants’ behavioural outcomes. The study included 106 infants, with 53 in both the study and control groups. Significant improvements were observed in organisation state/sleep and responsiveness/interaction domains in the study group, along with shorter hospital stays and greater weight gain on discharge. These findings highlight the positive impact of targeted interventions on premature infants’ developmental outcomes, emphasising the need for comprehensive care strategies in NICU settings.
Critical dialogue method of ethics consultation: making clinical ethics facilitation visible and accessible
Authors: Delany Clare , Feldman Sharon , Kameniar Barbara , Gillam Lynn
Published: July 2024

In clinical ethics consultations, clinical ethicists bring moral reasoning to bear on concrete and complex clinical ethical problems by undertaking ethical deliberation in collaboration with others. The reasoning process involves identifying and clarifying ethical values which are at stake or contested, and guiding clinicians, and sometimes patients and families, to think through ethically justifiable and available courses of action in clinical situations. There is, however, ongoing discussion about the various methods ethicists use to do this ethical deliberation work. In this paper, we make visible and accessible seven steps of facilitation used in the critical dialogue method of ethics consultation.

We describe how the facilitation techniques serve two overall purposes. First, to identify ethically justified responses to ethical questions. Second, to assist participants to gain greater moral clarity, understanding and confidence to respond to ethical challenges as independent moral agents.

By describing in detail facilitation steps for clinical ethics consultation, we aim to advance the scholarship of ‘clinical ethics facilitation methods’ and to demystify the ethical deliberation work undertaken by clinical ethicists.
The birth of StatPhys: the 1949 Florence conference at the juncture of national and international physics reconstruction after World War II
Authors: Lalli Roberto , Politi Paolo
Published: July 2024

In spring 1949 about 70 physicists from eight countries met in Florence to discuss recent trends in statistical mechanics. This scientific gathering, co-organized by the Commission on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) and the Italian Physical Society (SIF), initiated a tradition of IUPAP-sponsored international conferences on statistical mechanics that lasts to this day. In 1977, when this conference series took the name of StatPhys, the foundational role of the Florence conference was recognized by retrospectively naming it StatPhys1. This paper examines the dual scientific and social significance of the conference, situating it in the broader contexts of the post-World War II reconstruction in Italian physics and of the revitalization of the international science organization. Through an analysis of IUPAP archives and Italian records, we illustrate how the event’s success hinged on the aligned objectives of its organizers. Internationally, it was instrumental in defining the scientific and organizational foundations for the activities of IUPAP commissions during a critical phase of IUPAP’s history, when the Union was resurging on the international scene after the inactivity of the interwar period. Nationally, the conference served as a cornerstone in SIF’s strategy to re-establish Italian physics’ international stature and to aid the domestic revitalization of physics through the internationalization of its activities, notably of its flagship journal, Il Nuovo Cimento. This analysis not only sheds light on the conference’s impact but also informs recent discussions in the history of science about the multiple roles of international scientific conferences.
Bioconvective reversible (an esterification process) Casson nanofluid flow over a radiative spinning disc with microorganism
Authors: Prabhakar S. , Umadevi R. , Santra Shyam Sundar , Nandi Susmay
Published: July 2024

This study describes the Casson (a non-Newtonian fluid) nanofluid bioconvection flow across a spinning disc in the presence of gyrotactic microorganisms, many slips and thermal radiation. Also, the flow is considered as a reversible flow. The esterification process is taken into account. Using the proper variables, a system of extremely nonlinear PDEs is converted into a system of ODEs. To arrive to the solution of such equations, a numerical approach is used. Using the bvp4c approach, nonlinear flow equations can be numerically solved. Investigated are the effects of different numbers on the thermal field, volumetric concentration of nanoparticles and microbiological field. The key characteristics of the parameters in relation to the profiles of the velocity, temperature, concentration and microorganisms are graphically assessed with appropriate physical effects. A graphical explanation is provided for the wall shear stress, local Nusselt number, local Sherwood number and local motile density number. Rate of motile density number shows a prominent difference between reversible and irreversible flows for Brownian motion and Peclet number. The results of the theoretical simulations have dynamic applications in the fields of biotechnology and thermal engineering.
Quantum mechanical operator Touchard polynomials studied by virtue of operators’ normal ordering and Weyl ordering
Authors: Wu Wei-Feng , Fan Hong-Yi
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we propose quantum mechanical operator formalism for Touchard polynomials whose generating function is [Formula: see text] That is replacing [Formula: see text] by [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the number operator, and using the method of integration within ordered product we find that [Formula: see text] is just the normal ordering form [Formula: see text]. Then by virtue of the Weyl ordering form of quantum mechanical operator, we also introduce a new special polynomial whose generating function is [Formula: see text] With use of the Weyl ordering form of [Formula: see text] we prove [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] denotes Weyl ordering. It seems that quantum mechancal operator formalism presents a new and simpler approach for generalizing Touchard polynomial theory.
Research on the Entrepreneurial Process of Hidden Champion: A Case Study Base on Opportunity-resource Integration
Authors: Ge Baoshan , Yu Yaokun
Published: July 2024

Objective: This research aimed to explore the internal mechanism of transforming strategic orientation into the entrepreneurial performance of hidden champion start-ups. Methods: Based on the theory of opportunity-resource integration, the research adopted a longitudinal single-case study method to explore the opportunity-resource integration behaviors guided by the strategic orientation of Company A, and build the “orientation-behavior-performance” model. Results: The research found that internal and external factors influenced the selection of strategic orientation at each stage of hidden champion start-ups. Guided by different strategic orientations, hidden champion start-ups achieved rapid growth in entrepreneurial performance through corresponding opportunity-resource integration behaviors. Conclusion: Start-ups should flexibly choose a strategic orientation to guide the identification of opportunities and integration of resources according to the resources available at each stage.
First-Come-First-Served as a Separate Principle
Authors: Hesselink Wim H. , Buhr Peter A. , Parsons Colby A.
Published: July 2024

A lock is a mechanism to guarantee mutual exclusion with eventual progress, i.e., some degree of fairness. First-come-first-served (FCFS) progress is perfectly fair. FCFS progress can be offered by a locking algorithm or added by wrapping a non-FCFS lock with a separate FCFS algorithm. A new separate FCFS algorithm is presented that creates FCFS progress by wrapping a lock’s entry protocol (acquire). The algorithm addresses an important safety issue in locking, called barging, where arriving threads proceed before waiting threads or waiting threads are serviced with some bias. Barging increases latency for waiting threads and is non-intuitive to concurrent programmers, even though it is inherent to non-deterministic concurrent execution.

A correctness proof is presented for the new FCFS algorithm and verified with the proof assistant PVS. Experimental tests are performed to ensure the presented wrapper provides FCFS progress when used to transform non-FCFS software and hardware locks. The performance of the non-FCFS and transformed FCFS counterparts is compared and contrasted with locks using inherent FCFS progress. The results show the FCFS transforms are performant for most algorithms, providing an additional tool for application developers to achieve correctness without a significant global performance reduction.
Noise-Tolerant Hybrid Prototypical Learning with Noisy Web Data
Authors: Liang Chao , Zhu Linchao , Yang Zongxin , Chen Wei , Yang Yi
Published: July 2024

We focus on the challenging problem of learning an unbiased classifier from a large number of potentially relevant but noisily labeled web images given only a few clean labeled images. This problem is particularly practical because it reduces the expensive annotation costs by utilizing freely accessible web images with noisy labels. Typically, prototypes are representative images or features used to classify or identify other images. However, in the few clean and many noisy scenarios, the class prototype can be severely biased due to the presence of irrelevant noisy images. The resulting prototypes are less compact and discriminative, as previous methods do not take into account the diverse range of images in the noisy web image collections. On the other hand, the relation modeling between noisy and clean images is not learned for the class prototype generation in an end-to-end manner, which results in a suboptimal class prototype. In this article, we introduce a similarity maximization loss named SimNoiPro. Our SimNoiPro first generates noise-tolerant hybrid prototypes composed of clean and noise-tolerant prototypes and then pulls them closer to each other. Our approach considers the diversity of noisy images by explicit division and overcomes the optimization discrepancy issue. This enables better relation modeling between clean and noisy images and helps extract judicious information from the noisy image set. The evaluation results on two extended few-shot classification benchmarks confirm that our SimNoiPro outperforms prior methods in measuring image relations and cleaning noisy data.
Evolution-Aware Constraint Derivation Approach for Software Remodularization
Authors: Meng Fanyi , Wang Ying , Chong Chun Yong , Yu Hai , Zhu Zhiliang
Published: July 2024

Existing software clustering techniques tend to ignore prior knowledge from domain experts, leading to results (suggested big-bang remodularization actions) that cannot be acceptable to developers. Incorporating domain experts knowledge or constraints during clustering ensures the obtained modularization aligns with developers’ perspectives, enhancing software quality. However, manual review by knowledgeable domain experts for constraint generation is time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this article, we propose an evolution-aware constraint derivation approach,
Escort
, which automatically derives clustering constraints based on the evolutionary history from the analyzed software. Specifically,
Escort
can serve as an alternative approach to derive implicit and explicit constraints in situations where domain experts are absent. In the subsequent constrained clustering process,
Escort
can be considered as a framework to help supplement and enhance various unconstrained clustering techniques to improve their accuracy and reliability. We evaluate
Escort
based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis. In quantitative validation,
Escort
, using generated clustering constraints, outperforms seven classic unconstrained clustering techniques. Qualitatively, a survey with developers from five IT companies indicates that 89% agree with
Escort
’s clustering constraints. We also evaluate the utility of refactoring suggestions from our constrained clustering approach, with 54% acknowledged by project developers, either implemented or planned for future releases.
Low-Cost Flexible Graphene Oxide Humidity Sensor Fabricated Using Inkjet Printing and Aerosol Deposition
Authors: Afsana  , Bansal Sonia
Published: July 2024

Flexible humidity sensors play a critical role in medical diagnostics and industrial control systems. In this study, a low-cost flexible humidity sensor is presented. The humidity sensor is developed by printing silver interdigitated electrodes (IDE) on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using an Epson Stylus C88+ inkjet printer. The sensing layer of the humidity sensor was fabricated using graphene oxide (GO) ink, which is deposited onto the electrodes using an aerosol deposition technique. The GO humidity sensor achieves excellent sensing performance over a wide range of humidity levels from 11% to 97% RH range, with a fast response time of 2 s and recovery time of 17 s. The sensor also exhibits ultra-high sensitivity (243 kΩ/%RH), low hysteresis (2.16%), excellent repeatability, long-term stability, and high flexibility (tested at bending radiuses of 4 cm, 3.5 cm, 3 cm, and 2.5 cm). The humidity sensing mechanism of the proposed GO humidity sensor was also discussed. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited excellent capabilities in monitoring human respiration, distinguishing between nose and mouth breathing, detecting finger movements without physical contact, and even recognising basic spoken words. These features of the sensor possess significant potential for various applications in human healthcare.
A Microporous Channel Copper Immersion Layer Promotes the Rapid Ni-P Electroless Plating Process on Aluminum Alloys at Medium and Low Temperatures
Authors: Zhu Dongdong , Wang Qinghui , Sun Jiale , Yang Xijia , Li Xuesong , Wang Liying
Published: July 2024

Electroless plating is a commonly used method to enhance the corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and decorative performance of aluminum alloys. However, in electroless plating processes, it is customary to maintain the solution temperature at levels exceeding 85 °C, a critical condition that ensures a sufficiently rapid deposition rate and thereby fosters the formation of high-performance coatings. Conventional immersion pretreatments with zinc and palladium result in lower deposition rates at low temperatures. This study shows that a copper immersion layer with microporous channels can facilitate the electroless plating process for aluminum alloys at lower temperatures. Through a redox reaction in a Cu2+-containing solution at 70 °C, a copper immersion layer with a microporous structure could be created on an aluminum alloy. The microporous channels between the copper immersion layer and the aluminum alloy create electrochemical corrosion cells in the plating solution, accelerating the electroless plating process. The Ni-P coating obtained after pretreatment by copper immersion has a higher hardness (578 HV) and a lower corrosion current density (0.55 μA cm−2). This work provides a practical method to rapidly fabricate high-performance Ni-P coatings at intermediate temperatures (70 °C–75 °C).
Investigation of Electrical and Dielectrically Properties of a Novel Structure of PANI-PPy--GO-MWCNTs Composite/MnO2/Fe3O4/n-Si Structure
Authors: Ashery A. , Gad S. A.
Published: July 2024

We investigated here the electrical properties of the novel structure of PANI-PPy-GO-MWCNTs composite/MnO2/Fe3O4/n-Si. This structure has not been addressed in literature before, the manufacture of this novel structure is carried out using a simple technique. So, we introduce here a novel structure with a simple method of manufacture. The imaginary part of modulus M″ has two behaviors, the first behavior at high and low frequency and the second behavior at mid frequency, so the M″ gives two contrarian behaviors, The M″ is a strong function of frequency and we can change the behavior of M″ by change of frequencies. The Col—Col diagram of modulus has ideal figures at some voltages including two semicircles of grains and grain boundaries. The imaginary part of impedance Z″ vs frequency creates peaks, the peaks shift toward the low frequencies. The novel here the Z″ has positive and negative values, despite the Z″ should have negative values only. The real part of impedance Z″ keeps on without change at high frequencies and splits for all temperatures at low and mid frequencies. Some electrical properties such as barrier height ɸb,Wd the width of the depletion layer, Nss the density of states, and acceptor carrier concentration Na were obtained by C—V2. All these parameters were strong functions of frequency.
Tunable Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of BaMg0.4Al0.4Fe11.2O19 and SiO2 Composites for High-Frequency Applications
Authors: Ramesh T. , Ashok K. , Usha P. , Pavan Kumar N. , K. Sadhana , K. Praveena
Published: July 2024

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of Mg and Al co-doped M-type Barium hexaferrite (BaMg0.4Al0.4Fe11.2O19) powder via the sol-gel method. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the single-phase structure of the synthesized powder. Morphological properties were examined through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), revealing hexagonal particle morphology with an average size of approximately 60 nm for BaMg0.4Al0.4Fe11.2O19. To fabricate composites, commercially purchased SiO2 was used to prepare the composites of (1–x) BaMg0.4Al0.4Fe11.2O19+ (x) SiO2 {where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7). The composites were prepared using the mixing method followed by microwave sintered at 1000 °C/90 min. FESEM and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to analyze the morphology and elemental composition of the composites. The composites ‘ frequency-dependent complex permittivity was measured over 300 kHz to 3 GHz. Magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loops were used to analyze the magnetic properties of composite samples. A reduction in magnetic saturation was observed with increasing SiO2 concentration, while there was a slight increase in coercivity for the composite samples compared to pure hexaferrite. Coercivity remained relatively unchanged with varying SiO2 concentrations in the composites. A possible relation between the magnetic and dielectric properties and the microstructure of the sintered composites with the composition variation was investigated.
Better Approximation Properties by New Modified Baskakov Operators
Authors: Jabbar Ahmed F. , Hassan Amal K.
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a new idea to obtain a better order of approximation for the Baskakov operator. We conclude two new operators from orders one and two of the Baskakov type. Also, we prove some directed results concerning the rate of convergence of these operators. We apply the Maple software to demonstrate how the operators converge to a specific function.
BSDE with Jumps When Mean Reflection Is Nonlinear
Authors: Mwigilwa Winfrida Felix , Mhlanga Farai Julius
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we investigate a reflected backward stochastic differential equation (RBSDE) with jumps, focusing on cases where the mean reflection is nonlinear. Unlike traditional RBSDEs, this particular type of RBSDE imposes a constraint defined by the mean of a loss function that does not follow the continuous condition. We start by deriving an a priori estimate of the solution, followed by establishing the uniqueness and existence of the solution. Theoretical results are illustrated by way of an example of the application of super‐hedging to the reinsurance and investment problem under a risk constraint.
Figure S1 from Characterization of Non-Monotonic Relationships between Tumor Mutational Burden and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Anaya Jordan , Kung Julia , Baras Alexander S.
Published: July 2024

Simulated step data and examples with a polynomial transformation. 15 simulated survival datasets were generated for a step relationship with TMB (A). B shows the hazard ratios and associated log-likelihood ratio tests and associated cutoffs of searching for an optimal cutoff, while C shows the fits of a Cox model, FCN neural network, and a neural network comprised of a single neuron with sigmoid activation. D shows an example of a quadratic relationship with TMB (E). Generating a simulated dataset from the risk relationship in D we explored fitting a Cox model with a two degree polynomial in addition to a neural net. In F we show the fit of a two degree polynomial with non-monotonic data.
Culprit-Only Revascularization, Single-Setting Complete Revascularization, and Staged Complete Revascularization in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From a Mixed Treatment Comparison Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Maqsood Muhammad Haisum , Tamis-Holland Jacqueline E. , Rao Sunil V. , Stone Gregg W. , Bangalore Sripal
Published: July 2024

BACKGROUND:

Complete revascularization improves cardiovascular outcomes compared with culprit-only revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction ([MI]; ST-segment–elevation MI or non–ST-segment–elevation MI) and multivessel coronary artery disease. However, the timing of complete revascularization (single-setting versus staged revascularization) is uncertain. The aim was to compare the outcomes of single-setting complete, staged complete, and culprit vessel–only revascularization in patients with acute MI and multivessel disease.

METHODS:

PubMed, EMBASE, and
clinicaltrials.gov
databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that compared 3 revascularization strategies.

RESULTS:

From 16 randomized controlled trials that randomized 11 876 patients with acute MI and multivessel disease, both single-setting complete and staged complete revascularization reduced primary outcome (cardiovascular mortality/MI; odds ratio [OR], 0.52 [95% CI, 0.41–0.65]; OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.62–0.88]), composite of all-cause mortality/MI (OR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.40–0.67]; OR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67–0.91]), major adverse cardiovascular event (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.32–0.56]; OR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.47–0.82]), MI (OR, 0.39 [95% CI, 0.26–0.57]; OR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.59–0.90]), and repeat revascularization (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.18–0.47]; OR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.30–0.71]) compared with culprit-only revascularization. Single-setting complete revascularization reduced cardiovascular mortality/MI (OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.55–0.91]), major adverse cardiovascular event (OR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.50–0.91]), and all-cause mortality/MI driven by a lower risk of MI (OR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.36–0.77]) compared with staged complete revascularization. Single-setting complete revascularization ranked number 1, followed by staged complete revascularization (number 2) and culprit-only revascularization (number 3) for all outcomes. The results were largely consistent in subgroup analysis comparing ST-segment–elevation MI versus non–ST-segment–elevation MI cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS:

Single-setting complete revascularization may offer the greatest reductions in cardiovascular events in patients with acute MI and multivessel disease. A large-scale randomized trial of single-setting complete versus staged complete revascularization is warranted to evaluate the optimal timing of complete revascularization.
Endovascular Thrombectomy Versus Intravenous Alteplase For Distal Medium Vessel Occlusions: A Propensity Score‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Yoshie Tomohide , Ueda Toshihiro , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Takeuchi Masataka , Morimoto Masafumi , Tsuboi Yoshifumi , Yamamoto Ryoo , Kaku Shogo , Ayabe Junichi , Akiyama Takekazu , Yamamoto Daisuke , Mori Kentaro , Kagami Hiroshi , Ito Hidemichi , Onodera Hidetaka , Kaga Yasuyuki , Ohtsubo Haruki , Tatsuno Kentaro , Usuki Noriko , Takaishi Satoshi , Yamano Yoshihisa ,   the K‐NET Registry Investigators
Published: July 2024

Background

The benefits of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs) are not well established. This study aimed to determine the superiority of EVT over intravenous tissue‐type plasminogen activator (IV tPA) in the treatment of DMVOs.

Methods

This study analyzed data from the Kanagawa Intravenous and Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Registry, a prospective, multicenter, observational registry of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with EVT or IV tPA. The study evaluated patients with acute DMVOs who were treated with EVT and/or IV tPA. DMVOs was defined as occlusions in M2–M3 segment of the middle cerebral artery, anterior cerebral artery, or posterior cerebral artery. The analysis included primary DMVOs and excluded secondary DMVOs, such as distal embolism after recanalization of proximal vessel occlusion. Propensity score‐matched analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes between EVT and IV tPA alone. A good outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score 0–2 or no worsening at 90 days. An excellent outcome was defined as an modified Rankin Scale score 0–1.

Results

The study included 1148 patients with DMVOs, of whom 816 were treated with EVT and 332 were IV tPA alone. Before propensity score matching, the incidence of good and excellent outcomes was significantly lower in EVT group (good outcomes: EVT 50.3% versus IV tPA 68.0%;
P
 < 0.01; excellent outcomes: 39.8% versus 59.8%;
P
 < 0.001). After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences between EVT and IV tPA groups in good outcomes (EVT 57.8% versus IV tPA 61.3%;
P
 = 0.51), excellent outcomes (46.6% versus 55.0%;
P
 = 0.17), all cerebral hemorrhage (11.6% versus 12.7%;
P
 = 0.74), and symptomatic hemorrhage (2.9% versus 0.6%;
P
 = 0.13). Subarachnoid hemorrhage was more frequent in EVT group (14.5% versus IV tPA 0%).

Conclusion

The benefits of EVT for acute DMVOs were similar to IV tPA alone. Randomized multicenter trials are warranted to establish the superiority of EVT over IV tPA alone for DMVOs.
Multilayer meta-matching: Translating phenotypic prediction models from multiple datasets to small data
Authors: Chen Pansheng , An Lijun , Wulan Naren , Zhang Chen , Zhang Shaoshi , Ooi Leon Qi Rong , Kong Ru , Chen Jianzhong , Wu Jianxiao , Chopra Sidhant , Bzdok Danilo , Eickhoff Simon B. , Holmes Avram J. , Yeo B.T. Thomas
Published: July 2024

Resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) is widely used to predict phenotypic traits in individuals. Large sample sizes can significantly improve prediction accuracies. However, for studies of certain clinical populations or focused neuroscience inquiries, small-scale datasets often remain a necessity. We have previously proposed a “meta-matching” approach to translate prediction models from large datasets to predict new phenotypes in small datasets. We demonstrated a large improvement over classical kernel ridge regression (KRR) when translating models from a single source dataset (UK Biobank) to the Human Connectome Project Young Adults (HCP-YA) dataset. In the current study, we propose two meta-matching variants (“meta-matching with dataset stacking” and “multilayer meta-matching”) to translate models from multiple source datasets across disparate sample sizes to predict new phenotypes in small target datasets. We evaluate both approaches by translating models trained from five source datasets (with sample sizes ranging from 862 participants to 36,834 participants) to predict phenotypes in the HCP-YA and HCP-Aging datasets. We find that multilayer meta-matching modestly outperforms meta-matching with dataset stacking. Both meta-matching variants perform better than the original “meta-matching with stacking” approach trained only on the UK Biobank. All meta-matching variants outperform classical KRR and transfer learning by a large margin. In fact, KRR is better than classical transfer learning when less than 50 participants are available for finetuning, suggesting the difficulty of classical transfer learning in the very small sample regime. The multilayer meta-matching model is publicly available at https://github.com/ThomasYeoLab/Meta_matching_models/tree/main/rs-fMRI/v2.0.
A Continuity in Logical Development: Domain-General Disjunctive Inference by Toddlers
Authors: Cesana-Arlotti Nicolò , Halberda Justin
Published: July 2024

Children grow up surrounded by opportunities to learn (the language of their community, the movements of their body, other people's preferences and mental lives, games, social norms, etc.). Here, we find that toddlers (N = 36; age range 2.3–3.2 years) rely on a logical reasoning strategy, Disjunctive Inference (i.e., A OR B, A is ruled out, THEREFORE, B), across a variety of situations, all before they have any formal education or extensive experience with words for expressing logical meanings. In learning new words, learning new facts about a person, and finding the winner of a race, toddlers systematically consider and reject competitors before deciding who must be the winner. This suggests that toddlers may have a general-purpose logical reasoning tool that they can use in any situation.
A novel Mallocybe species (Inocybaceae, Agaricales) discovered in the Longquan Mountain of Southwestern China
Authors: LIU FENG , LIU CHAO , CHEN XIAO-HANG , CHEN XIAO-HANG , LAN ZHENG-YONG , XU XIU-LAN , LIU YING-GAO , YANG CHUN-LIN
Published: July 2024

Within the genus Mallocybe, new species have been continuously discovered on a global scale, yet only few species have been reported from China. During surveys of macro-fungi diversity and taxonomy in Sichuan Province, China, two samples were collected in the forests dominated by Quercus glauca and identified as a new member of this genus, namely Mallocybe longquanensis. Morphologically, M. longquanensis is distinguished by its small-sized basidioma, light brown to yellowish-brown pileus covered with tomentose-fibrillose, ellipsoidal or ovoid basidiospores, as well as the utriform, clavate to cylindrical cheilocystidia. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU, and rpb2 also revealed that the new taxon forms a distinct lineage within the genus Mallocybe. The detailed morphological features, color photographs, and comparisons with morphological similar taxa are provided.
Four new species of Valvifera (Crustacea: Isopoda) from ANDEEP cruises in the Weddell Sea
Authors: POORE GARY C. B. , BLACK JAY R.
Published: July 2024

Four new species of Isopoda Valvifera are described from ANDEEP cruises in the Weddell Sea. They belong to three families: Fissarcturus brandtae sp. nov. and Fissarcturus polarsternae sp. nov. (Antarcturidae); Dolichiscus clarencensis sp. nov. (Austrarcturellidae); and Rectarcturus antarcticus sp. nov. (Rectarcturidae). Each new species is compared with others from the Southern Ocean. The species are illustrated using line drawings, microphotographs and micro-CT scans.
Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound suppresses pain by modulating pain-processing brain circuits
Authors: Kim Min Gon , Yu Kai , Yeh Chih-Yu , Fouda Raghda , Argueta Donovan , Kiven Stacy , Ni Yunruo , Niu Xiaodan , Chen Qiyang , Kim Kang , Gupta Kalpna , He Bin
Published: July 2024

There is an urgent and unmet clinical need to develop nonpharmacological interventions for chronic pain management because of the critical side effects of opioids. Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is an emerging noninvasive neuromodulation technology with high spatial specificity and deep brain penetration. Here, we developed a tightly focused 128-element ultrasound transducer to specifically target small mouse brains using dynamic focus steering. We demonstrate that tFUS stimulation at pain-processing brain circuits can significantly alter pain-associated behaviors in mouse models in vivo. Our findings indicate that a single-session focused ultrasound stimulation to the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) significantly attenuates heat pain sensitivity in wild-type mice and modulates heat and mechanical hyperalgesia in a humanized mouse model of chronic pain in sickle cell disease. Results further revealed a sustained behavioral change associated with heat hypersensitivity by targeting deeper cortical structures (eg, insula) and multisession focused ultrasound stimulation to S1 and insula. Analyses of brain electrical rhythms through electroencephalography demonstrated a significant change in noxious heat hypersensitivity-related and chronic hyperalgesia–associated neural signals after focused ultrasound treatment. Validation of efficacy was carried out through control experiments, tuning ultrasound parameters, adjusting interexperiment intervals, and investigating effects on age, sex, and genotype in a head-fixed awake model. Importantly, tFUS was found to be safe, causing no adverse effects on motor function or the brain’s neuropathology. In conclusion, the validated proof-of-principle experimental evidence demonstrates the translational potential of novel focused ultrasound neuromodulation for next-generation pain treatment without adverse effects.
How I Treat: Differentiation Therapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Issa Ghayas C. , Stein Eytan M. , DiNardo Courtney D. D
Published: July 2024

An increasing number of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapeutics have been developed, not as cytotoxic therapies, but rather as targeted agents able to restore the aberrant and leukemogenic "block" in normal differentiation. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are classic examples of differentiating agents for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL); newer therapies functioning through differentiation include isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 inhibitors, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors, and menin inhibitors. The terminal differentiation of leukemic blasts via differentiating agent therapy can lead to a constellation of signs and symptoms, originally referred to as "retinoic acid syndrome" and now termed "differentiation syndrome" (DS), characterized predominantly by systemic inflammatory response system (SIRS)-like features of dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural and pericardial effusions, unexplained fevers, hypotension, edema, and renal insufficiency. DS in patients with newly diagnosed APL is generally straightforward to identify, however DS in patients with multiply relapsed AML can be more challenging to diagnose, due to non-specific signs and symptoms which can be mistakenly attributed to infectious etiologies or the underlying refractory leukemia itself. Prompt consideration of DS, rapid initiation of systemic corticosteroids, and early cytoreduction in the setting of concomitant hyperleukocytosis, are essential for optimal management.
Evaluation on Configuration Stiffness of Overconstrained 2R1T Parallel Mechanisms
Authors: Ma Xuejian , Xu Zhenghe , Xu Yundou , Wang Yu , Yao Jiantao , Zhao Yongsheng
Published: July 2024

Currently, two rotations and one translation (2R1T) three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel mechanisms (PMs) are widely applied in five-DOF hybrid machining robots. However, there is a lack of an effective method to evaluate the configuration stiffness of mechanisms during the mechanism design stage. It is a challenge to select appropriate 2R1T PMs with excellent stiffness performance during the design stage. Considering the operational status of 2R1T PMs, the bending and torsional stiffness are considered as indices to evaluate PMs' configuration stiffness. Subsequently, a specific method is proposed to calculate these stiffness indices. Initially, the various types of structural and driving stiffness for each branch are assessed and their specific values defined. Subsequently, a rigid-flexible coupled force model for the over-constrained 2R1T PM is established, and the proposed evaluation method is used to analyze the configuration stiffness of the five 2R1T PMs in the entire workspace. Finally, the driving force and constraint force of each branch in the whole working space are calculated to further elucidate the stiffness evaluating results by using the proposed method above. The obtained results demonstrate that the bending and torsional stiffness of the 2RPU/UPR/RPR mechanism along the x and y-directions are larger than the other four mechanisms.
Identification, validation and candidate gene analysis of major QTL for Supernumerary spikelets in wheat
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Li Haojie , Zhou Xinjian , Mou Yuzhou , Zhang Ying , Yu Lang , Chen Xudong , Wu Fangkun , Zhou Hong , Lin Yu , Li Caixia , Liu Yaxi
Published: July 2024

Background

The number of spikelets per spike is a key trait that affects the yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Identification of the QTL for spikelets per spike and its genetic effects that could be used in molecular assistant breeding in the future.

Results

In this study, four recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations were generated and used, having YuPi branching wheat (YP), with Supernumerary Spikelets (SS) phenotype, as a common parent. QTL (QSS.sicau-2 A and QSS.sicau-2D) related to SS trait were mapped on chromosomes 2 A and 2D through bulked segregant exome sequencing (BSE-Seq). Fourteen molecular markers were further developed within the localization interval, and QSS.sicau-2 A was narrowed to 3.0 cM covering 7.6 Mb physical region of the reference genome, explaining 13.7 − 15.9% the phenotypic variance. Similarly, the QSS.sicau-2D was narrowed to 1.8 cM covering 2.4 Mb physical region of the reference genome, and it explained 27.4 − 32.9% the phenotypic variance. These two QTL were validated in three different genetic backgrounds using the linked markers. QSS.sicau-2 A was identified as WFZP-A, and QSS.sicau-2D was identified a novel locus, different to the previously identified WFZP-D. Based on the gene expression patterns, gene annotation and sequence analysis, TraesCS2D03G0260700 was predicted to be a potential candidate gene for QSS.sicau-2D.

Conclusion

Two significant QTL for SS, namely QSS.sicau-2 A and QSS.sicau-2D were identified in multiple environments were identified and their effect in diverse genetic populations was assessed. QSS.sicau-2D is a novel QTL associated with the SS trait, with TraesCS2D03G0260700 predicted as its candidate gene.
Benchmarking short and long read polishing tools for nanopore assemblies: achieving near-perfect genomes for outbreak isolates
Authors: Luan Tu , Commichaux Seth , Hoffmann Maria , Jayeola Victor , Jang Jae Hee , Pop Mihai , Rand Hugh , Luo Yan
Published: July 2024

Background

Oxford Nanopore provides high throughput sequencing platforms able to reconstruct complete bacterial genomes with 99.95% accuracy. However, even small levels of error can obscure the phylogenetic relationships between closely related isolates. Polishing tools have been developed to correct these errors, but it is uncertain if they obtain the accuracy needed for the high-resolution source tracking of foodborne illness outbreaks.

Results

We tested 132 combinations of assembly and short- and long-read polishing tools to assess their accuracy for reconstructing the genome sequences of 15 highly similarSalmonella entericaserovar Newport isolates from a 2020 onion outbreak. While long-read polishing alone improved accuracy, near perfect accuracy (99.9999% accuracy or ~ 5 nucleotide errors across the 4.8 Mbp genome, excluding low confidence regions) was only obtained by pipelines that combined both long- and short-read polishing tools. Notably, medaka was a more accurate and efficient long-read polisher than Racon. Among short-read polishers, NextPolish showed the highest accuracy, but Pilon, Polypolish, and POLCA performed similarly. Among the 5 best performing pipelines, polishing with medaka followed by NextPolish was the most common combination. Importantly, the order of polishing tools mattered i.e., using less accurate tools after more accurate ones introduced errors. Indels in homopolymers and repetitive regions, where the short reads could not be uniquely mapped, remained the most challenging errors to correct.

Conclusions

Short reads are still needed to correct errors in nanopore sequenced assemblies to obtain the accuracy required for source tracking investigations. Our granular assessment of the performance of the polishing pipelines allowed us to suggest best practices for tool users and areas for improvement for tool developers.
Rapid evolution of promoters from germline-specifically expressed genes including transposon silencing factors
Authors: McQuarrie David W. J. , Alizada Azad , Nicholson Benjamin Czech , Soller Matthias
Published: July 2024

Background

The piRNA pathway in animal gonads functions as an ‘RNA-based immune system’, serving to silence transposable elements and prevent inheritance of novel invaders. In Drosophila, this pathway relies on three gonad-specific Argonaute proteins (Argonaute-3, Aubergine and Piwi) that associate with 23–28 nucleotide piRNAs, directing the silencing of transposon-derived transcripts. Transposons constitute a primary driver of genome evolution, yet the evolution of piRNA pathway factors has not received in-depth exploration. Specifically, channel nuclear pore proteins, which impact piRNA processing, exhibit regions of rapid evolution in their promoters. Consequently, the question arises whether such a mode of evolution is a general feature of transposon silencing pathways.

Results

By employing genomic analysis of coding and promoter regions within genes that function in transposon silencing in Drosophila, we demonstrate that the promoters of germ cell-specific piRNA factors are undergoing rapid evolution. Our findings indicate that rapid promoter evolution is a common trait among piRNA factors engaged in germline silencing across insect species, potentially contributing to gene expression divergence in closely related taxa. Furthermore, we observe that the promoters of genes exclusively expressed in germ cells generally exhibit rapid evolution, with some divergence in gene expression.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that increased germline promoter evolution, in partnership with other factors, could contribute to transposon silencing and evolution of species through differential expression of genes driven by invading transposons.