bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
94 Effects of Palliative Care Consultation Triggers in the Burn Unit
Authors: Savetamal Alisa , Swanson Curtis
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Palliative care consultation has become increasingly utilized as an important part of the care of severely ill and chronically ill patients. In our burn center, in collaboration with our palliative care specialists, we introduced automatic "triggers" for palliative care consultation. We seek to assess how implementation of these triggers has changed the hospital courses of patients who died in the burn unit of their injuries. Our burn center has previously investigated the characteristics of patients succumbing to their burn injuries. In this review, we here compare our current results to the pre-trigger era.

Methods

A pre/post, retrospective review of all adult patients who died in the burn center between 2020 and 2023 was undertaken and compared to results of our previous study (2013-2017). Patient demographics were obtained (age; gender; TBSA; presence of inhalation injury; LOS; Baux scores). All patients in the later era received a palliative care (PC) consultation. Patients without burn injury were excluded (complex wounds; SJS/TENS). Patients in both time periods were stratified into early, intermediate, and late death groups ( < 48 hours; >48 hours and < 14 days; >14 days).

Results

From January 2020 to June 2023, twenty patients were identified who died of burn injuries. Of these, six (30%) were female). The average age of all of the patients was 59.4, average TBSA was 50.4, and average Baux scores of all patients was 112.4. Patients were stratified into early, intermediate, and late groups (3, 11, and 6 patients respectively; the previous review had 16, 13, and 13). The average Baux scores after stratification were 132.3, 125, and 99.5, similar to previous findings of 133.6, 93.7, and 102.6 (p>0.05). The average number of procedures in each group was 0.3, 2.5, and 3.3, compared to previous findings of 0, 1.1, and 4.6 (p = 0.35). Average length of stay in the "late" group was 25.3 days, compared to 31.7 days in the previous review (p=0.48).

Conclusions

After implementation of palliative care triggers in our burn center, a greater proportion of patients fell into the intermediate death group (55% vs 30.9% previously), suggesting that having earlier palliative care conversations helped to guide families and patients in making difficult but important end-of-life discussions. In addition, the number of procedures per patient was reduced in the late death group after the institution of palliative care triggers. Length of stay in the "late" group, which was the only group not time-limited by stratification, decreased by an average of 6 day. While these findings were not statistically significant. they do suggest that PC consultation helped to guide the team and patients' families in surgical decision-making in this group of largely older patients.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Palliative care consultation can be of benefit and should be considered early for burn patients meeting institutional criteria.
546 When Do Patients Arrive to the Burn Center? “Business Hours” Don’t Apply to Burns
Authors: Mittal Rohit , Hollowed Kathleen , Carter Jeffrey E , Kahn Steven A
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Burn patients can present to a medical facility at any given time. By their nature, one cannot predict when a burn injury will occur. Anecdotal accounts suggest that most burn patients present after “business hours,” however, limited objective data exists on presentation patterns of burn injury. Hospitals tend to have less staffing at night, which can impede care of complex patients. Accurate data is critical for resource allocation and patient centered care. This study seeks to characterize the frequency in which burn patients arrive to the burn center after hours.

Methods

Retrospective arrival times of all patients presenting to the emergency room at two different burn centers in different states were collected over a 1-year period. Business hours were defined as 8AM – 4 PM. Patients arrival times were queried via the institutional electronic medical records over a 1-year period. Total number of patients arriving after hours (4PM – 8AM) were compared between centers with a Fisher’s Exact Test. A secondary time window of 6PM – 8AM was also assessed.

Results

A total of 712 patients presented to the ER at both centers – 315 at center A and 397 at center B. Of these, 214 (67.9%) patients at center A and 227 (57.2%) of patients at center B presented after 4PM and before 8AM. Center A had a significantly higher number of patients arrive at night (p=0.004). Overall, 61.9% of all patients presented to the ER after normal business hours at both centers. On average, 51.1% of all patients presented to the ER in the 6PM – 8AM window at both centers.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the majority (>60%) of patients present to the emergency room with a burn injury come after normal business hours. Even when business hours are extended to 6PM, more than half all patients still present after hours. Paradoxically, most centers have fewer key personnel available at night. These results have potential implications on how resources are dedicated with regards to hospital staffing of multidisciplinary burn team members and research staff for studies with time sensitive enrollment. Further study should investigate patient complexity and care quality while capturing more burn centers with a wider variety of size and geographic distribution.

Applicability of Research to Practice

Understanding patient admission, throughput, and census statistics allows optimization of staffing.
561 Financial Savings of Utilizing TeleBurn for Burn Triage
Authors: McGuire Beth , Bernal Nicole P , Pezzopane Laura K
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Introduction

Hospital to hospital transfers through the emergency department (ED) after a burn injury for wound assessment/care followed by discharge is an unnecessary expense to the patient and the medical system. It presents waste to the healthcare system with EDs at capacity and having limited space/staffing.

Initially we used telemedicine stoke robot photography technology to connect the referring hospital with burn physicians through the transfer center. It has grown to include non-stroke network facilities using shared services via the electronic medical record. We sought to define the cost savings to the patient in time and dollars by expedited patient care, time reduction/resource utilization in patient flow, and show a net savings to the medical system and patient without additional time to the physicians.

Methods: Methods

Regional outreach coordinators were given posters with the TeleBurn triage information for outlying facilities to educate providers how to initiate the process.

The Teleburn triage process starts with the transfer center nurses taking information/pictures when the referring hospital provider is asking for an opinion or possible follow-up. For small/non-emergent injuries, patients are scheduled in clinic within 48 hours; if they need surgery/admission, direct admission or outpatient procedures are arranged.

Results: Results

Financials reviewed an average ED visit cost for time/travel. Over the course of the program there have been 133 patients that were triaged to clinic instead of the ED for a total cost saving of $535,069.50 and 917 hours of travel (Table 1). We continue to trend increased clinic patient visits and reduced ED visits with inpatient growth.

Conclusions

Conclusion: TeleBurn triage process can be done in a HIPPA compliant manor without having to purchase new technology or require additional physician time. We demonstrated a significant cost/time/resource savings and improved the flow through the medical system.

Applicability of Research to Practice: Applicability of Research to Practice

The TeleBurn triage program was not developed with the intention for billing these encounters but to expedite patient care and move the initial burn evaluation for smaller burns to the outpatient clinic from the ED. The program’s continued impact has led to improved connections with referring hospitals who are more confident with rapid connection and follow-up process.
780 Usage of Botulinum Toxin a in Acute Burn Care: A Case Study
Authors: Rodgers Ariel J , Barth Sarah , DuRose Lily , Fleming Irma D , Lewis Giavonni M , Thompson Callie M , LaChapelle Christopher R
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Burn scar contractures over joints can be challenging for everyone, from patient to therapist to burn surgeon. They can be managed in a multitude of ways; however, the use of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in acute burns has not been described. We describe a case report introducing the possibility of the use of BTA in the acute setting to minimize scarring and reduce contracture formation.

Methods

This is a case study on a 16-year-old male with a 48% TBSA full thickness flame burn from an electrical arc, most significantly to his torso and bilateral upper extremities. The patient underwent excisional debridement and allografting within the first 72 hours after injury. Seven days later, at the time of autografting, BTA was injected under ultrasound guidance into the bilateral sternocleidomastoid (20 units each), bilateral pectoralis major (20 units each), and platysma muscles (20 units) for a total of 100 units. He required two operations to complete his autografting. He resumed aggressive therapy with range of motion exercises after 5 days of immobilization following each grafting surgery.

Results

The patient did not have any complications from BTA injections. He was able to actively participate in burn therapy over the entirety of his hospital course. Table 1 shows the bilateral shoulders’ active range of motion measurements after BTA injection. The photos in Figure 1 are representative of those measurements.

Conclusions

A paucity of literature investigating the use of BTA in chronic burn scar contractures exists. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of BTA in the management of acute burns to reduce or prevent contractures. This case study demonstrates safe administration of BTA. Drawing further conclusions of efficacy is challenging given the lack of standardized data collection or benchmarks for range of motion after burn injury. Prospective data will be beneficial in showing this efficacy and then subsequently identifying ideal patients and optimizing timing of administration.

Applicability of Research to Practice

This report of the use of BTA injections in acute burns should increase the interest in research regarding its use in the treatment algorithm for initial grafting post-injury. This case report highlights the need for range of motion benchmarks for burn patients and survivors.
Deep learning-aided topology design of metasurfaces for Rayleigh waves
Authors: Zhao Cheng , Liu Chen-Xu , Yu Gui-Lan
Published: April 2024

Metasurfaces can effectively attenuate Rayleigh waves propagating in soil, safeguarding structures from ambient vibrations or earthquakes. However, there remains a lack of efficient approaches for designing metasurfaces that can isolate Rayleigh waves within desired frequency ranges under different site conditions. This study presents a deep learning (DL)-based topology optimization method for designing metasurfaces isolating Rayleigh waves in a target frequency range, which has potential applications for surface wave control. The proposed DL model employs a variational autoencoder to transform high-dimensional and discrete topologies into low-dimensional and continuous latent vectors, reducing the design difficulty. On this basis, the conditional tandem neural network is constructed to optimize latent vectors under different soil conditions, improving the design efficiency and verifying the universality of the method. The design reliability of the DL model is validated through 100 tests with determination coefficients more than 0.99. In addition, the generations of different metasurfaces for the same target are explored, providing designers with more choices. The insulation capabilities of the designed metasurfaces against Metro-induced Rayleigh waves are demonstrated from the time- and frequency-domain responses. The presented DL-aided design method provides a novel insight into the customization of metasurfaces for manipulating Rayleigh waves.
Aphid parasitism in winter wheat fields in a heterogeneous agricultural landscape
Authors: Elliott Norman C , Giles Kristopher L , Baum Kristen A , Elzay Sarah D , Backoulou Georges F
Published: April 2024

The number, timing, and fitness of colonizing parasitoids in fields of ephemeral crops often depend on factors external to the fields. We investigated cereal aphid parasitism in 23 winter wheat fields using sentinel plants infested with bird cherry-oat aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and we investigated the effect of parasitoids on cereal aphid population growth using exclusion and parasitoid-accessible cages infested with bird cherry-oat aphids. Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Aphelinus nigritus (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), and Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), in decreasing order of abundance, parasitized R. padi on sentinel plants. The mean percent parasitism in parasitoid-accessible cages was 5.2% in autumn and 35.0% in spring. Aphid population intensity was greater in complete exclusion than in parasitoid-accessible cages. Measures of landscape composition and configuration were quantified, and aphid parasitism in autumn by L. testaceipes and A. nigritus was positively associated with % landcover by summer crops and patch density. Parasitism by both species was negatively associated with contagion and % woodlands. Parasitism during spring was positively associated with % grassland and fractal dimension and negatively associated with % canola. The number of braconid mummies per sentinel plant was positively correlated to the number of braconid mummies on wheat stems from parasitoid-accessible cages. Results indicate that cereal aphid mortality caused by parasitoids and their ability to exert effective biological control is related to landscape structure. Comparing this study to an earlier study in the same agroecosystem demonstrated temporal stability of the landscape influence on aphid parasitism by L. testaceipes in winter wheat.
Combined hip arthroscopy with periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia: a systematic review
Authors: Lukas Kenneth J , Ojaghi Reza , Thavorn Kednapa , Carsen Sasha , Smit Kevin , Beaulé Paul E
Published: April 2024

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgical procedure that corrects acetabular dysplasia without necessarily addressing intra-articular pathology. Hip arthroscopy is being increasingly used to address soft tissue pathologies at the time of a PAO. This review aims to determine patient-reported outcome measure scores (PROMs) of combining hip arthroscopy and PAO. This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify English studies that reported upon patient populations that had PAO’s performed with arthroscopy at the time of surgery for correcting developmental hip dysplasia. We identified 428 articles; 14 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. Between 2011 and 2022, 1083 hips from the selected articles underwent a combined PAO and arthroscopic procedure, with a mean follow-up of 3.7 years. Of the studies that reported it, 63% of the evaluated population were found to have labral tears that required either labral repair (49%), labral debridement (12%) or combined procedure. Multiple PROMs were identified in the literature, with no standardized reporting system used between articles. All articles reported statistically improved patient-reported outcomes from a combined PAO and arthroscopy procedure. There was no difference in PROMs when comparing PAO performed with or without arthroscopy. One study suggested superior outcomes for active individuals who underwent PAO and arthroscopy. Patient-reported outcome scores improve significantly after PAO with or without arthroscopy, with no differences in adverse events, and only limited evidence that active individuals benefit from labral repair.
Discovery of Streptomyces species CS-62, a novel producer of the Acinetobacter baumannii selective antibiotic factumycin
Authors: Alwali Amir Y , Santos Diane , Aguilar César , Birch Audrey , Rodriguez-Orduña Lorena , Roberts Carson B , Modi Ramya , Licona-Cassani Cuauhtemoc , Parkinson Elizabeth I
Published: April 2024

Narrow-spectrum antibiotics are of great interest given their ability to spare the microbiome and decrease widespread antibiotic resistance compared to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Herein, we screened an in-house library of Actinobacteria strains for selective activity against Acinetobacter baumannii and successfully identified Streptomyces sp. CS-62 as a producer of a natural product with this valuable activity. Analysis of the cultures via high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, followed by comparison with molecules in the Natural Product Atlas and the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking platform, suggested a novel natural product. Genome mining analysis initially supported the production of a novel kirromycin derivative. Isolation and structure elucidation via mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses revealed that the active natural product was the known natural product factumycin, exposing omissions and errors in the consulted databases. While public databases are generally very useful for avoiding rediscovery of known molecules, rediscovery remains a problem due to public databases either being incomplete or having errors that result in failed dereplication. Overall, the work describes the ongoing problem of dereplication and the continued need for public database curation.
Hydrodynamical simulations of merging galaxy clusters: giant dark matter particle colliders, powered by gravity
Authors: Sirks Ellen L , Harvey David , Massey Richard , Oman Kyle A , Robertson Andrew , Frenk Carlos , Everett Spencer , Gill Ajay S , Lagattuta David , McCleary Jacqueline
Published: April 2024

Terrestrial particle accelerators collide charged particles, then watch the trajectory of outgoing debris – but they cannot manipulate dark matter. Fortunately, dark matter is the main component of galaxy clusters, which are continuously pulled together by gravity. We show that galaxy cluster mergers can be exploited as enormous, natural dark matter colliders. We analyse hydrodynamical simulations of a universe containing self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) in which all particles interact via gravity, and dark matter particles can also scatter off each other via a massive mediator. During cluster collisions, SIDM spreads out and lags behind cluster member galaxies. Individual systems can have quirky dynamics that makes them difficult to interpret. Statistically, however, we find that the mean or median of dark matter’s spatial offset in many collisions can be robustly modelled, and is independent of our viewing angle and halo mass even in collisions between unequal-mass systems. If the SIDM cross-section were σ/m = 0.1 cm2 g−1 = 0.18 barn GeV−1, the ‘bulleticity’ lag would be ∼5 per cent that of gas due to ram pressure, and could be detected at 95 per cent confidence level in weak lensing observations of ∼100 well-chosen clusters.
Maser flares driven by isothermal shock waves
Authors: Gray M D , Etoka S , Pimpanuwat B , Richards A M S
Published: April 2024

We use 3D computer modelling to investigate the time-scales and radiative output from maser flares generated by the impact of shock waves on astronomical unit-scale clouds in interstellar and star-forming regions, and in circumstellar regions in some circumstances. Physical conditions are derived from simple models of isothermal hydrodynamic (single-fluid) and C-type (ionic and neutral fluid) shock waves, and based on the ortho-H2O 22-GHz transition. Maser saturation is comprehensively included, and we find that the most saturated maser inversions are found predominantly in the shocked material. We study the effect on the intensity, flux density, and duration of flares of the following parameters: the pre-shock level of saturation, the observer’s viewpoint, and the shock speed. Our models are able to reproduce observed flare rise times of a few times 10 d, specific intensities of up to 105 times the saturation intensity and flux densities of order 100(R/d)2 Jy from a source of radius R astronomical units at a distance of d kiloparsec. We found that flares from C-type shocks are approximately five times more likely to be seen by a randomly placed observer than flares from hydrodynamically shocked clouds of similar dimensions. We computed intrinsic beaming patterns of the maser emission, finding substantial extension of the pattern parallel to the shock front in the hydrodynamic models. Beaming solid angles for hydrodynamic models can be as small as 1.3 × 10−5 sr, but are an order of magnitude larger for C-type models.
Dense stellar clump formation driven by strong quasar winds in the FIRE cosmological hydrodynamic simulations
Authors: Mercedes-Feliz Jonathan , Anglés-Alcázar Daniel , Oh Boon Kiat , Hayward Christopher C , Cochrane Rachel K , Richings Alexander J , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André , Wellons Sarah , Terrazas Bryan A , Moreno Jorge , Su Kung Yi , Hopkins Philip F
Published: April 2024

We investigate the formation of dense stellar clumps in a suite of high-resolution cosmological zoom-in simulations of a massive, star-forming galaxy at z ∼ 2 under the presence of strong quasar winds. Our simulations include multiphase ISM physics from the Feedback In Realistic Environments (FIRE) project and a novel implementation of hyper-refined accretion disc winds. We show that powerful quasar winds can have a global negative impact on galaxy growth while in the strongest cases triggering the formation of an off-centre clump with stellar mass ${\rm M}_{\star }\sim 10^{7}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$, effective radius ${\rm R}_{\rm 1/2\, \rm Clump}\sim 20\, {\rm pc}$, and surface density $\Sigma _{\star } \sim 10^{4}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm pc}^{-2}$. The clump progenitor gas cloud is originally not star-forming, but strong ram pressure gradients driven by the quasar winds (orders of magnitude stronger than experienced in the absence of winds) lead to rapid compression and subsequent conversion of gas into stars at densities much higher than the average density of star-forming gas. The AGN-triggered star-forming clump reaches ${\rm SFR} \sim 50\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm yr}^{-1}$ and $\Sigma _{\rm SFR} \sim 10^{4}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm yr}^{-1}\, {\rm kpc}^{-2}$, converting most of the progenitor gas cloud into stars in ∼2 Myr, significantly faster than its initial free-fall time and with stellar feedback unable to stop star formation. In contrast, the same gas cloud in the absence of quasar winds forms stars over a much longer period of time (∼35 Myr), at lower densities, and losing spatial coherency. The presence of young, ultra-dense, gravitationally bound stellar clumps in recently quenched galaxies could thus indicate local positive feedback acting alongside the strong negative impact of powerful quasar winds, providing a plausible formation scenario for globular clusters.
Mapping the intracluster medium in the era of high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Congyao , Zhuravleva Irina , Markevitch Maxim , ZuHone John , Mernier François , Biffi Veronica , Bogdán Ákos , Chakraborty Priyanka , Churazov Eugene , Dolag Klaus , Ettori Stefano , Forman William R , Hernquist Lars , Jones Christine , Khabibullin Ildar , Kilbourne Caroline , Kraft Ralph , Lau Erwin T , Lin Sheng-Chieh , Nagai Daisuke , Nelson Dylan , Ogorzałek Anna , Rasia Elena , Sarkar Arnab , Simionescu Aurora , Su Yuanyuan , Vogelsberger Mark , Walker Stephen
Published: April 2024

High-resolution spectroscopy in soft X-rays will open a new window to map multiphase gas in galaxy clusters and probe physics of the intracluster medium (ICM), including chemical enrichment histories, circulation of matter and energy during large-scale structure evolution, stellar and black hole feedback, halo virialization, and gas mixing processes. An eV-level spectral resolution, large field of view, and effective area are essential to separate cluster emissions from the Galactic foreground and efficiently map the cluster outskirts. Several mission concepts that meet these criteria have been proposed recently, e.g. LEM, HUBS, and Super DIOS. This theoretical study explores what information on ICM physics could be recovered with such missions and the associated challenges. We emphasize the need for a comprehensive comparison between simulations and observations to interpret the high-resolution spectroscopic observations correctly. Using Line Emission Mapper (LEM) characteristics as an example, we demonstrate that it enables the use of soft X-ray emission lines (e.g. O vii/viii and Fe-L complex) from the cluster outskirts to measure the thermodynamic, chemical, and kinematic properties of the gas up to r200 and beyond. By generating mock observations with full backgrounds, analysing their images/spectra with observational approaches, and comparing the recovered characteristics with true ones from simulations, we develop six key science drivers for future missions, including the exploration of multiphase gas in galaxy clusters (e.g. temperature fluctuations, phase-space distributions), metallicity, ICM gas bulk motions and turbulence power spectra, ICM-cosmic filament interactions, and advances for cluster cosmology.
Investigating cosmic homogeneity using multifractal analysis of the SDSS-IV eBOSS DR16 quasar catalogue
Authors: Goyal Priya , Malik Sunil , Yadav Jaswant K , Seshadri T R
Published: April 2024

We analyse the volume-limited subsamples extracted from the sixteenth data release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-IV (SDSS-IV) eBOSS quasar survey spanning a redshift interval of 0.8 < z < 2.2, to estimate the scale of transition to homogeneity in the Universe. The multifractal analysis used for this purpose considers the scaling behaviour of different moments of quasar distribution in different density environments. This analysis gives the spectrum of generalized dimension Dq, where positive values of q characterize the scaling behaviour in overdense regions and the negative ones in underdense regions. We expect fractal correlation dimension Dq(r) = 3, for a homogeneous, random point distribution in 3-Dimensions. The fractal correlation dimension Dq(r), corresponding to q = 2 obtained in our study stabilizes in the range (2.8–2.9) for scales r > 80 h−1 Mpc. The observed quasar distribution shows consistency with the simulated mock data and the random distribution of quasars within one sigma. Further, the generalized dimension spectrum Dq(r) also reveals transition to homogeneity beyond >110 h−1 Mpc, and the dominance of clustering at small scales r < 80 h−1 Mpc. Consequently, our study provides strong evidence for the homogeneity in SDSS quasar distribution, offering insights into large-scale structure properties and, thus can play a pivotal role in scrutinizing the clustering properties of quasars and its evolution in various upcoming surveys such as Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and Extremely Large Telescope.
Effects of particle creation rate in two-fluid interacting cosmologies
Authors: Banerjee Trishit , Mandal Goutam , Biswas Atreyee , Biswas Sujay Kr
Published: April 2024

In this work, a two-fluid interacting model in a flat FLRW universe has been studied considering particle creation mechanism with a particular form of particle creation rate $\Gamma =\Gamma _0 H+\frac{\Gamma _1}{H}$ from different aspects. Statistical analysis with a combined data set of SNe Ia (Supernovae Type Ia) and Hubble data is performed to achieve the best-fitting values of the model parameters, and the model is compatible with current observational data. We also perform a dynamical analysis of this model to get an overall qualitative description of the cosmological evolution by converting the governing equations into a system of ordinary differential equations considering a proper transformation of variables. We find some non-isolated sets of critical points, among which some usually are normally hyperbolic sets of points that describe the present acceleration of the universe dominated by dark energy mimicking cosmological constant or phantom fluid. Scaling solutions are also obtained from this analysis, and they can alleviate the coincidence problem successfully. Statefinder diagnosis is also carried out for this model to compare it with the ΛCDM, and any other dark energy models byfinding various statefinder parameters. Finally, the thermodynamic analysis shows that the generalized second law of thermodynamics is valid in an irreversible thermodynamic context.
Beyond the rings: Polar ring galaxy NGC 4262 and its globular cluster system
Authors: Akhil Krishna R , Kartha Sreeja S , Mathew Blesson
Published: April 2024

In the context of the hierarchical model of galaxy evolution, polar ring galaxies (PRGs) are considered the intermediate phase between ongoing mergers and quiescent galaxies. This study explores the globular cluster system (GCS) and its properties in the nearest PRG, NGC4262, serving as a pilot investigation to study GCS in nearby PRGs. We utilize wide and deep-field observations of the CFHT as part of the NGVS to investigate the GCS of NGC4262. We presented the first optical image of NGC4262 with an optically faint ring component. The photometric analysis of the GCS displays a distinct colour bimodality. We estimate the total number of GCs for NGC4262 to be 266 $\pm$ 16 GCs with a specific frequency of 4.2 $\pm$ 0.8 and a specific mass of 0.23 $\pm$ 0.01, which is relatively high compared to other galaxies of similar mass and environmental conditions. The spatial and azimuthal distributions of subpopulations reveal strong evidence of previous interactions within the host galaxy. The colour distribution of GCS in NGC4262 shows a gradient of –0.05 $\pm$ 0.01 within 5.5$^\prime$, supporting the notion of past interactions and evolutionary transitions. PRG NGC4262 conforms to the overall trend of the GCS mass with respect to the halo mass. Furthermore, our investigation of the global scaling relations between GCS and host galaxy parameters provides further support for the hypothesis that PRGs are an intermediate phase connecting ongoing mergers and quiescent galaxies.
Observation of the L5 Kordylewski dust cloud with a portable imaging polarimetric telescope in the Namibian Khomas Highland
Authors: Slíz-Balogh Judit , Mádai Attila , Sári Pál , Barta András , Horváth Gábor
Published: April 2024

The Kordylewski dust clouds (KDCs) around the L5 and L4 Lagrange points of the Earth–Moon system have been first observed by imaging polarimetry in 2017 and 2022 in a Hungarian astronomical observatory. Due to the non-ideal (almost always hazy, aerosol-polluted) astroclimate of Hungary and the extremely low intensity of dust-scattered sunlight, the polarimetric hunt after both KDCs lasted 2–7 yr. Waiting for cloud- and aerosol-free atmosphere and appropriate astronomical conditions (e.g. moonless sky with above-horizon KDC) in our Hungarian observatory takes a long time. Thus, our goal was to build a portable imaging polarimetric, wide field-of-view telescope and use it in the very good astroclimate of the Isabis Astro Lodge in the Khomas Highland of Namibia. Our long term aim is to study the dynamics of KDCs with this instrument in Namibian 1-month astropolarimetric campaigns in the next decade. In this work, we describe our portable imaging polarimetric telescope and present our first KDC observation achieved with it in Namibia during our 4-week astropolarimetric campaign between 2023 July 18 and August 15. We conclude that our portable polarimetric telescope functions well. Using it in Namibia, we corroborated the existence of the L5 KDC, the polarization characteristics (polarization degree and angle) of which refer to an inhomogeneous dust cloud composed of several particle agglomerations that scatter and linearly polarize the illuminating sunlight.
Transit spectroscopy of K2-33b with subaru/IRD: Spin-Orbit alignment and tentative atmospheric helium
Authors: Hirano Teruyuki , Gaidos Eric , Harakawa Hiroki , Hodapp Klaus W , Kotani Takayuki , Kudo Tomoyuki , Kurokawa Takashi , Kuzuhara Masayuki , Mann Andrew W , Nishikawa Jun , Omiya Masashi , Serizawa Takuma , Tamura Motohide , Thao Pa Chia , Ueda Akitoshi , Vievard Sebastien
Published: April 2024

Exoplanets in their infancy are ideal targets to probe the formation and evolution history of planetary systems, including the planet migration and atmospheric evolution and dissipation. In this paper, we present spectroscopic observations and analyses of two planetary transits of K2-33b, which is known to be one of the youngest transiting planets (age ≈ 8–11 Myr) around a pre-main-sequence M-type star. Analysing K2-33’s near-infrared spectra obtained by the IRD instrument on Subaru, we investigate the spin-orbit angle and transit-induced excess absorption for K2-33b. We attempt both classical modelling of the Rossiter–McLaughlin (RM) effect and Doppler-shadow analyses for the measurements of the projected stellar obliquity, finding a low angle of $\lambda =-6_{-58}^{+61}$ deg (for RM analysis) and $\lambda =-10_{-24}^{+22}$ deg (for Doppler-shadow analysis). In the modelling of the RM effect, we allow the planet-to-star radius ratio to float freely to take into account the possible smaller radius in the near infrared, but the constraint we obtain ($R_p/R_s=0.037_{-0.017}^{+0.013}$) is inconclusive due to the low radial-velocity precision. Comparison spectra of K2-33 of the 1083 nm triplet of metastable ortho-He I obtained in and out of the 2021 transit reveal excess absorption that could be due to an escaping He-rich atmosphere. Under certain conditions on planet mass and stellar XUV emission, the implied escape rate is sufficient to remove an Earth-mass H/He in ∼1 Gyr, transforming this object from a Neptune to a super-Earth.
Computationally Efficient Demographic History Inference from Allele Frequencies with Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Tran Linh N , Sun Connie K , Struck Travis J , Sajan Mathews , Gutenkunst Ryan N
Published: April 2024

Inferring past demographic history of natural populations from genomic data is of central concern in many studies across research fields. Previously, our group had developed dadi, a widely used demographic history inference method based on the allele frequency spectrum (AFS) and maximum composite-likelihood optimization. However, dadi’s optimization procedure can be computationally expensive. Here, we present donni (demography optimization via neural network inference), a new inference method based on dadi that is more efficient while maintaining comparable inference accuracy. For each dadi-supported demographic model, donni simulates the expected AFS for a range of model parameters then trains a set of Mean Variance Estimation neural networks using the simulated AFS. Trained networks can then be used to instantaneously infer the model parameters from future genomic data summarized by an AFS. We demonstrate that for many demographic models, donni can infer some parameters, such as population size changes, very well and other parameters, such as migration rates and times of demographic events, fairly well. Importantly, donni provides both parameter and confidence interval estimates from input AFS with accuracy comparable to parameters inferred by dadi’s likelihood optimization while bypassing its long and computationally intensive evaluation process. donni’s performance demonstrates that supervised machine learning algorithms may be a promising avenue for developing more sustainable and computationally efficient demographic history inference methods.
The structure assessment web server: for proteins, complexes and more
Authors: Waterhouse Andrew M , Studer Gabriel , Robin Xavier , Bienert Stefan , Tauriello Gerardo , Schwede Torsten
Published: April 2024

The ‘structure assessment’ web server is a one-stop shop for interactive evaluation and benchmarking of structural models of macromolecular complexes including proteins and nucleic acids. A user-friendly web dashboard links sequence with structure information and results from a variety of state-of-the-art tools, which facilitates the visual exploration and evaluation of structure models. The dashboard integrates stereochemistry information, secondary structure information, global and local model quality assessment of the tertiary structure of comparative protein models, as well as prediction of membrane location. In addition, a benchmarking mode is available where a model can be compared to a reference structure, providing easy access to scores that have been used in recent CASP experiments and CAMEO. The structure assessment web server is available at https://swissmodel.expasy.org/assess.
m6ACali: machine learning-powered calibration for accurate m6A detection in MeRIP-Seq
Authors: Ye Haokai , Li Tenglong , Rigden Daniel J , Wei Zhen
Published: April 2024

We present m6ACali, a novel machine-learning framework aimed at enhancing the accuracy of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptome profiling by reducing the impact of non-specific antibody enrichment in MeRIP-Seq. The calibration model serves as a genomic feature-based classifier that refines the identification of m6A sites, distinguishing those genuinely present from those that can be detected in in-vitro transcribed (IVT) control experiments. We find that m6ACali effectively identifies non-specific binding peaks reported by exomePeak2 and MACS2 in novel MeRIP-Seq datasets without the need for paired IVT controls. The model interpretation revealed that off-target antibody binding sites commonly occur at short exons and short mRNAs, originating from high read coverage regions that share the motif sequence with true m6A sites. We also reveal that the ML strategy can efficiently adjust differentially methylated peaks and other antibody-dependent, base-resolution m6A detection techniques. As a result, m6ACali offers a promising method for the universal enhancement of m6A profiles generated by MeRIP-Seq experiments, elevating the benchmark for omics-level m6A data integration.
Colonialism and Human Rights
Authors: Faulkner Elizabeth A. , Nyamutata Conrad
Published: April 2024

Human rights remain a contested issue, with fierce critiques identifying the irretrievably entrenched colonial logic within them. The United Nations has styled itself as a protector of internationally proclaimed rights of all, adopting a series of human rights instruments since its creation in wake of the Second World War. It is within this context that the role of colonialism and the logics of colonialism in shaping human rights discourse emerge. As human rights are frequently paraded as the hallmark of fundamental freedoms, a series of aspirational goals for which each state is obligated to provide, a specific focus upon the universal acceptance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) demonstrates the exceptionalism of rights in relation to children. Yet discussions of colonialism and children’s rights remain on the sideline in many ways, mirroring how children’s rights scholarship is often situated at the periphery of human rights scholarship.
Glutathionylation of a glycolytic enzyme promotes cell death and vigor loss during aging of elm seeds
Authors: Li Ying , Wang Yu , He Yu-Qi , Ye Tian-Tian , Huang Xu , Wu Hao , Ma Tian-Xiao , Pritchard Hugh W , Wang Xiao-Feng , Xue Hua
Published: April 2024

Seed deterioration during storage is a major problem in agricultural and forestry production and for germplasm conservation. Our previous studies have shown that a mitochondrial outer membrane protein VOLTAGE-DEPENDENT ANION CHANNEL (VDAC) is involved in programmed cell death-like viability loss during the controlled deterioration treatment (CDT) of elm (Ulmus pumila L.) seeds, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that the oxidative modification of GLYCERALDEHYDE-3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (GAPDH) is functioned in the gate regulation of VDAC during the CDT of elm seeds. Through biochemical and cytological methods and observations of transgenic material [Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), Nicotiana benthamiana, and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)], we demonstrate that cysteine S-glutathionylated UpGAPDH1 interacts with UpVDAC3 during seed aging, which leads to a mitochondrial permeability transition and aggravation of cell death, as indicated by the leakage of the mitochondrial proapoptotic factor cytochrome c and the emergence of apoptotic nucleus. Physiological assays and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis revealed that GAPDH glutathionylation is mediated by increased glutathione, which might be caused by increases in the concentrations of free metals, especially Zn. Introduction of the Zn-specific chelator TPEN [(N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine)] significantly delayed seed aging. We conclude that glutathionylated UpGAPDH1 interacts with UpVDAC3 and serves as a proapoptotic protein for VDAC-gating regulation and cell death initiation during seed aging.
Nano-hydroxyapatite promotes cell apoptosis by co-activating endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondria damage to inhibit glioma growth
Authors: Wang Yifu , Wu Hongfeng , Chen Zhu , Cao Jun , Zhu Xiangdong , Zhang Xingdong
Published: April 2024

Despite a growing body of studies demonstrating the specific anti-tumor effect of nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HA), the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are two key players in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and both require Ca2+ to participate. Moreover, the ER–mitochondria interplay coordinates the maintenance of cellular Ca2+ homeostasis to prevent any negative consequences from excess of Ca2+, hence there needs in-depth study of n-HA effect on them. In this study, we fabricated needle-like n-HA to investigate the anti-tumor effectiveness as well as the underlying mechanisms from cellular and molecular perspectives. Data from in vitro experiments indicated that the growth and invasion of glioma cells were obviously reduced with the aid of n-HA. It is interesting to note that the expression of ER stress biomarkers (GRP78, p-IRE1, p-PERK, PERK, and ATF6) were all upregulated after n-HA treatment, along with the activation of the pro-apoptotic transcription factor CHOP, showing that ER stress produced by n-HA triggered cell apoptosis. Moreover, the increased expression level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and the mitochondrial membrane depolarization, as well as the downstream cell apoptotic signaling activation, further demonstrated the pro-apoptotic roles of n-HA induced Ca2+ overload through inducing mitochondria damage. The in vivo data provided additional evidence that n-HA caused ER stress and mitochondria damage in cells and effectively restrain the growth of glioma tumors. Collectively, the work showed that n-HA co-activated intracellular ER stress and mitochondria damage are critical triggers for cancer cells apoptosis, offering fresh perspectives on ER-mitochondria targeted anti-tumor therapy.
The clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization in IgG4-related disease: a claims-based analysis of commercially insured adults in the United States
Authors: Wallace Zachary S , Miles Gandarvaka , Smolkina Ekaterina , Petruski-Ivleva Natalia , Madziva Duane , Guzzo Krishan , Cook Claire , Fu Xiaoqing , Zhang Yuqing , Stone John H , Choi Hyon K
Published: April 2024

Objectives

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) can affect nearly any organ and is often treated with glucocorticoids, which contribute to organ damage and toxicity. Comorbidities and healthcare utilization in IgG4-RD are poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study using claims data from a US managed care organization. Incident IgG4-RD cases were identified using a validated algorithm; general population comparators were matched by age, sex, race/ethnicity and index date. The frequency of 21 expert-defined clinical outcomes associated with IgG4-RD or its treatment and healthcare-associated visits and costs were assessed 12 months before and 36 months after the index date (date of earliest IgG4-RD-related claim).

Results

There were 524 cases and 5240 comparators. Most cases received glucocorticoids prior to (64.0%) and after (85.1%) the index date. Nearly all outcomes, many being common glucocorticoid toxicities, occurred more frequently in cases vs comparators. During follow-up, the largest differences between cases and comparators were seen for gastroesophageal reflux disease (prevalence difference: +31.2%, P < 0.001), infections (+17.3%, P < 0.001), hypertension (+15.5%, P < 0.01) and diabetes mellitus (+15.0%, P < 0.001). The difference in malignancy increased during follow-up from +8.8% to +12.5% (P < 0.001). Some 17.4% of cases used pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy during follow-up. Over follow-up, cases were more often hospitalized (57.3% vs 17.2%, P < 0.01) and/or had an emergency room visit (72.0% vs 36.7%, P < 0.01); all costs were greater in cases than comparators.

Conclusions

Patients with IgG4-RD are disproportionately affected by adverse outcomes, some of which may be preventable or modifiable with vigilant clinician monitoring. Glucocorticoid-sparing treatments may improve these outcomes.
Clinical Applications of Machine Learning
Authors: Mateussi Nadayca , Rogers Michael P. , Grimsley Emily A. , Read Meagan , Parikh Rajavi , Pietrobon Ricardo , Kuo Paul C.
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This review introduces interpretable predictive machine learning approaches, natural language processing, image recognition, and reinforcement learning methodologies to familiarize end users.

Background:

As machine learning, artificial intelligence, and generative artificial intelligence become increasingly utilized in clinical medicine, it is imperative that end users understand the underlying methodologies.

Methods:

This review describes publicly available datasets that can be used with interpretable predictive approaches, natural language processing, image recognition, and reinforcement learning models, outlines result interpretation, and provides references for in-depth information about each analytical framework.

Results:

This review introduces interpretable predictive machine learning models, natural language processing, image recognition, and reinforcement learning methodologies.

Conclusions:

Interpretable predictive machine learning models, natural language processing, image recognition, and reinforcement learning are core machine learning methodologies that underlie many of the artificial intelligence methodologies that will drive the future of clinical medicine and surgery. End users must be well versed in the strengths and weaknesses of these tools as they are applied to patient care now and in the future.
For Debate: The 2023 European Society of Hypertension guidelines - cause for concern
Authors: Shantsila Eduard , Beevers D. Gareth , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: April 2024

Originally, the beta-blockers were equally ranked alongside the other antihypertensive drug classes. Things changed when two major long-term randomized controlled trials, ASCOT-BPLA and LIFE showed that the patients receiving the beta-blockers based regimes suffered 25–30% more strokes than those receiving a calcium channel blocker based regime or an angiotensin receptor blocker based regime. The inferiority of the beta-blockers at stroke prevention was not due to differences in blood pressure control during the follow-up period in both trials. The 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines still argue in favour of beta-blockers that their clinical inferiority was simply to lesser blood pressure reduction rather than class effect. The analysis argues that the return of beta-blockers as a first-line option for the management of uncomplicated hypertension by the ESH is a cause for concern and should be reconsidered.