bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and early operation of a new-generation internal beam dump for CERN’s Super Proton Synchrotron
Authors: Francia A. Romero , Marcone A. Perillo , Pianese S. , Andersen K. , Izquierdo G. Arnau , Briz J. A. , Perez D. Carbajo , Carlier E. , Coiffet T. , Esposito L. S. , Grenard J. L. , Grenier D. , Humbert J. , Kershaw K. , Lendaro J. , Rolo A. Ortega , Scibor K. , Senajova D. , Sgobba S. , Sharp C. , Steyaert D. , Velotti F. M. , Vincke H. , Vlachoudis V. , Calviani M.
Published: April 2024

The Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) is the last stage in the injector chain for CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, and it also provides proton and ion beams for several fixed-target experiments. The SPS has been in operation since 1976, and it has been upgraded over the years. For the SPS to operate safely, its internal beam dump must be able to repeatedly absorb the energy of the circulating beams without sustaining damage that would affect its function. The latest upgrades of the SPS led to the requirement for its beam dump to absorb proton beams with a momentum spectrum from 14 to 450  GeV/c and an average beam power of up to ∼270  kW. This paper presents the technical details of a new design of the SPS beam dump that was installed in one of the long straight sections of the SPS during the 2019–2020 shutdown of CERN’s accelerator complex within the framework of the Large Hadron Collider Injectors Upgrade Project. This new beam dump has been in the operation since May 2021, and it is foreseen that it will operate with a lifetime of 20 years. The key challenges in the design of the beam dump were linked to the high levels of thermal energy to be dissipated—to avoid overheating and damage to the beam dump itself—and high induced levels of radiation, which have implications for personnel access to monitor the beam dump and repair any problems occurring during operation. The design process, therefore, included extensive thermomechanical finite-element simulations of the beam-dump core and its cooling system’s response to normal operation and worst-case scenarios for beam dumping. To ensure high thermal conductivity between the beam-dump core and its water-cooling system, hot isostatic pressing techniques were used in its manufacturing process. A comprehensive set of instrumentation was installed in the beam dump to monitor it during operation and to cross-check the numerical models with operational feedback. The beam dump and its infrastructure design were also optimized to ensure it can be maintained, repaired, or replaced while minimizing the radiation doses received by personnel.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Three Puzzles with Covariance and Supertranslation Invariance of Angular Momentum Flux and Their Solutions
Authors: Javadinezhad Reza , Porrati Massimo
Published: April 2024

We describe and solve three puzzles arising in covariant and supertranslation-invariant formulas for the flux of angular momentum and other Lorentz charges in asymptotically flat spacetimes: (i) Supertranslation invariance and covariance imply invariance under spacetime translations; (ii) the flux depends on redundant auxiliary degrees of freedom that cannot be set to zero in all Lorentz frames without breaking Lorentz covariance; (iii) supertranslation-invariant Lorentz charges do not generate the transformations of the Bondi mass aspect implied by the isometries of the asymptotic metric. In this Letter, we solve the first two puzzles by presenting covariant formulas that unambiguously determine the auxiliary degrees of freedom and clarify the last puzzle by explaining the different roles played by covariant and canonical charges. Our construction makes explicit the choice of reference frame underpinning seemingly unambiguous results presented in the current literature.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Bacteria Tune a Trade-off between Adhesion and Migration to Colonize Surfaces under Flow
Authors: Simsek Ahmet Nihat , Koch Matthias D. , Sanfilippo Joseph E. , Gitai Zemer , Gompper Gerhard , Sabass Benedikt
Published: April 2024

The bacterial colonization of surfaces is a ubiquitous process that shapes nature and profoundly affects human health. While much is known about the biology of this process, the pivotal interplay between physical environment and active bacterial micromechanics remains poorly understood. In fact, strong adhesion and high motility, both of which are essential for surface colonization, are two apparently contradictory goals, as they mutually obstruct each other. Here, we investigate how the human pathogen optimizes its behavior for colonization of surfaces under flow. From the analysis of the dynamics of fluorescently labeled type-IV pili, we construct a mathematical model that quantitatively connects individual motor dynamics with whole-cell motility and migration. The data analysis also reveals that cells upregulate the number of visible pili on surface contact, although individual pili do not display a measurable sensory response to surfaces. When applying shear flow, we unexpectedly find that robust sticking to a surface requires passive surface adhesion rather than pilus activity. Instead, pilus activity actually promotes cell detachment while enabling migration. Using genetic perturbations of the pilus apparatus, it is shown that wild-type cells achieve a trade-off between adhesion and migration by limiting the number of pili. Simulations reveal a generic underlying trait space, where, depending on the interplay of active and passive forces, adhesion and migration are either compatible or a trade-off is required for efficient bacterial surface colonization. The discovered adhesion-migration problem is paradigmatic of a broad class of piliated bacteria and may also have implications for other cells.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Work integrated learning and trending areas for future studies: a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Amarathunga Buddhini
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study intends to conceptually and technically examine the literature on work integrated learning (WIL) through a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis. The present study addresses eight distinct research questions: (1) descriptive features of the extracted literature on WIL, (2) publications trends and thematic evolution in the field of WIL, (3) the most relevant and high-impact sources on WIL, (4) the most global cited articles on WIL, (5) the most relevant and high-impact authors on WIL, (6) the most relevant countries on WIL, (7) outcomes of Bradford’s Law of Scattering and Lotka’s Law of Scientific Productivity and (8) trending research avenues for future studies in the field of WIL.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study employed systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis mapping techniques to analyze 1,295 articles extracted from the Scopus database. The analysis utilized Biblioshiny software and VOSviewer software as the primary tools.

Findings

The findings reveal that WIL constitutes a steadily expanding subject discipline, showcasing a notable 23.28% annual growth in scientific production spanning from 2002 to 2023 (July). Australia, South Africa and Canada emerged as the most productive countries within the field of WIL, as evidenced by their cumulative scientific production. The thematic map of keyword analysis suggests several burgeoning avenues for future researchers in the WIL domain, including education, reflective practices, curriculum, employability skills, international students, learning and self-efficacy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the WIL discourse by providing a comprehensive literature review. The present study’s findings hold significance for graduates, universities, employers, the higher education industry, policymakers, regulators and the broader community.
The collaborative approaches of the knowledge-based performance management system and lean six sigma to improve contractor productivity and safety performances
Authors: Bayu Sejati Rahadian Haryo , Wibisono Dermawan , Adhiutama Akbar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to design a hybrid model of knowledge-based performance management system (KBPMS) for facilitating Lean Six-Sigma (L6s) application to increase contractor productivity without compromising human safety in Indonesian upstream oil field operations that manage ageing and life extension (ALE) facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design applies a pragmatic paradigm by employing action research strategy with qualitative-quantitative methodology involving 385 of 1,533 workers. The KBPMS-L6s conceptual framework is developed and enriched with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize fit-for-purpose Key Performance Indicators. The application of L6s with Human Performance Modes analysis is used to provide a statistical baseline approach for pre-assessment of the contractor’s organizational capabilities. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the contextual framework.

Findings

The KBPMS-L6s concept has given an improved hierarchy for strategic and operational levels to achieve a performance benchmark to manage ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream oil field operations. To increase quality management practices in managing ALE facilities, the L6s application requires an assessment of the organizational capability of contractors and an analysis of Human Performance Modes (HPM) to identify levels of construction workers’ productivity based on human competency and safety awareness that have never been done in this field.

Research limitations/implications

The action research will only focus on the contractors’ productivity and safety performances that are managed by infrastructure maintenance programs for managing integrity of ALE facilities in Indonesian upstream of oil field operations. Future research could go toward validating this approach in other sectors.

Practical implications

This paper discusses the implications of developing the hybrid KBPMS- L6s enriched with AHP methodology and the application of HPM analysis to achieve a 14% reduction in inefficient working time, a 28% reduction in supervision costs, a 15% reduction in schedule completion delays, and a 78% reduction in safety incident rates of Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), Days Away Restricted or Job Transfer (DART) and Motor Vehicle Crash (MVC), as evidence of achieving fit-for-purpose KPIs with safer, better, faster, and at lower costs.

Social implications

This paper does not discuss social implications

Originality/value

This paper successfully demonstrates a novel use of Knowledge-Based system with the integration AHP and HPM analysis to develop a hybrid KBPMS-L6s concept that successfully increases contractor productivity without compromising human safety performance while implementing ALE facility infrastructure maintenance program in upstream oil field operations.
Entrepreneurship ethics and its contribution to sustainable development goals
Authors: Sreenivasan Aswathy , M. Suresh
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Research done to date has produced a wide range of perspectives that center on the junction between the specific function and responsibility of the entrepreneur when applying ethical dimensions to the field of entrepreneurship. By combining a bibliometric analysis with the literature review, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of entrepreneurship ethics and its contribution to sustainable development goals, along with future research directions on the topic of entrepreneurship and ethics.

Design/methodology/approach

The research looked for literature based on entrepreneurship ethics from the Dimension database. The authors accumulated 2,279 articles for the period of 2002–2022 for analysis. The authors used bibliometric analysis for analyzing the topic with the use of VosViewer and Excel.

Findings

By combining a bibliometric analysis with a literature review, this study aimed to provide an overview of the ethics and entrepreneurship and contribution to sustainable development goals. The most influential author and journal are Vanessa Ratten and the Journal of Business Ethics, respectively. The top sustainable development goals (SDGs) being contributed by entrepreneurship ethics are SDG4, SDG8, SDG16, SDG11 and SDG3. By contrasting these two interpretations, the authors have demonstrated that the entrepreneurship environment involves various ethical issues connected to personal, organizational and societal sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The current study may serve as a general guideline for future investigation into this topic.

Practical implications

Regarding the practical ramifications, the findings can help entrepreneurs who are preparing to launch a business or are already doing so. The findings provide a comprehensive framework of success variables that must be considered to improve the venture’s performance.

Originality/value

This study’s originality is from presenting a structured and in-depth literature review that describes the current state of entrepreneurship ethics and its contribution to sustainable development goals. A complete analysis of the data gathered on entrepreneurship ethics is offered to establish that it is sustainable.
Tourism research from 1945 to 2022
Authors: Zhong Lina , Li Xiaonan , Sun Sunny , Law Rob , Zhu Mengyao
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Existing tourism review articles have limited review topics and cover a relatively short period. This review paper aims to extend the coverage of the previous literature and enhances the completeness of tourism-related studies to provide comprehensive tourism-related literature from 1945 (World War II onward) to 2022. Specifically, this paper reveals the major research themes present in published tourism research during this time period and highlights the evolution of tourism research from the preliminary phase, the transversal phase, to the growth phase.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study visualizes tourism research through networks of coauthors and their countries and regions, cocitation analysis of keywords and explores the thematic evolution of tourism research after the World War II (i.e., 1945–2022) from Web of Science and Google Scholar through bibliometric analysis.

Findings

Findings reveal that the themes of tourism research in the past years can be divided into seven major research themes. The tourism research evolution from World War II to 2022 can be categorized into three stages: preliminary (1945–1970), transversal (1971–2004) and growth (2005–2022). In addition, the research themes of tourism are not static but evolve according to the dynamics of the society and the industry, and that seven main research themes have been formed, namely, “heritage tourism,” “medical tourism,” “adventure tourism,” “dark tourism,” “sustainable tourism,” “rural tourism” and “smart tourism.”

Originality/value

The present study expands and refines the comprehensive literature in tourism research, as well as reveals the trends and dynamics in tourism research through network analysis and thematic evolution research methods.
In‐vivo and ex‐vivo tests for culprit drugs identification in severe cutaneous adverse drugs reactions
Authors: Sittiwattanawong P. , Kantikosum K. , Charoenchaipiyakul K. , Pootongkam S. , Asawanonda P. , Kerr S. J. , Thantiworasit P. , Sodsai P. , Hirankarn N. , Klaewsongkram J. , Rerknimitr P.
Published: April 2024

Drug causality assessment in severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) remains challenging. We investigated the usefulness of in‐vivo drug patch tests (PT), ex‐vivo interferon (IFN)‐γ enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay, and lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) in 30 SCARs patients within the past 36 months. Drug PT yielded a 20% positivity rate (n = 6), while IFN‐γ ELISpot and LTT showed positive rates of 56.67% (n = 17) and 41.38% (n = 12), respectively. Combining the three tests resulted in an overall positive rate of 66.67% (n = 20) of cases. IFN‐γ ELISpot offered additional positivity, especially with oxypurinol. Employing a combined diagnostic approach may enhance the chances of obtaining a positive result.
Individual vital rates respond differently to local‐scale environmental variation and neighbour removal
Authors: Catling Alexandra A. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Dwyer John M.
Published: April 2024

Understanding how plant fitness varies along natural gradients is critical for predicting responses to environmental change. However, individual vital rates are often used as fitness proxies without knowing how other vital rates vary along the same gradients.

We investigated how canopy cover, plant–plant interactions, water availability and soil properties influenced the emergence, survival, seed production and population growth rates of eight annual plant species in semi‐arid Western Australia. We sowed seeds into sun‐exposed and shaded blocks across a reserve, removed all neighbouring plants from half of the interaction neighbourhoods, and used rainout shelters to reduce and increase precipitation relative to ambient plots.

Canopy cover had strong negative effects on emergence, but few direct impacts on other vital rates and population growth rates. Direct competitive effects on survival and seed production were rare, although evident for population growth rate for 3/8 species. Competition was stronger in open than shaded plots for half of the species. Canopy cover also interacted with the watering treatment to influence survival of half of the species, but watering alone had few direct impacts on species' vital and population growth rates. We found only positive significant correlations between pairs of rates, and survival and seed production were far more frequently correlated with population growth rate than emergence.

Synthesis. Our study illustrates that vital rates can respond to the same local‐scale environmental variation in different ways that are likely not driven by life history trade‐offs. We caution against using emergence as a proxy for population growth rate and emphasise that no single vital rate was a reliable fitness proxy overall. Interactions among abiotic and biotic factors were important drivers of vital and population growth rates for some species, highlighting the need to account for plant–plant interactions when predicting population responses to environmental change.
Regional variation in intergenerational social mobility in Britain
Authors: Breen Richard , In Jung
Published: April 2024

We present the first comprehensive set of estimates of variation in intergenerational social mobility across regions of Great Britain using data from the UK Labour Force Survey. Unlike the Social Mobility Index produced by the Social Mobility Commission, we focus directly on variation in measures of intergenerational social class mobility between the regions in which individuals were brought up. We define regions using the NUTS classification and we consider three levels, from 11 large NUTS1 regions, to 168 NUTS3 regions, across England, Wales, and Scotland. We investigate whether it is possible to form an index of social mobility from these measures and we address a neglected question: how much does the region in which someone was raised matter in comparison with the social class in which they were raised?
How to promote the sustainability of China's rural waste management system: Increase government subsidies or increase waste service management fees?
Authors: Tian Mengling , Liu Ruifeng , Wang Jian , Liang Jiahao , Nian Yefan , Ma Hengyun
Published: April 2024

Rural waste management is a highly complex issue requiring multi‐stakeholders' cooperation. The promotion of cooperative action through social mobilization is essential. Based on evolutionary game theory, this study constructs a dynamic model consisting of government, social funds, and rural residents to study the effectiveness of public–private partnership (PPP) projects in rural waste management in China. The results show that excessively high or low subsidies from the government to social funds are detrimental to the sustainability of rural waste management. The optimal subsidy rate ranges from 600,000 RMB to PPP 750,000 RMB. It may strike a balance between avoiding excessive financial burden on the government and encouraging a 5% increase in social funds' investment. Waste management fees are suitable for promoting the quality of rural waste management services, with the maximum ideal fee being 24 RMB. The simulation results also demonstrate that the policy combination of high incentives and high penalties and low supervision and high penalties is conducive to tripartite cooperation in PPP projects. In addition, the government should impose fines of more than 750,000 RMB on social funds to prevent potentially ineffective management services offered by the social funds.
Insight on kleptoparasitic bee, Melecta chinensis (hymenoptera: Apidae), in the Republic of Korea: Morphology, biology and molecular characteristics
Authors: Kim Sora , Lim Kayun , Park Duk‐Young , Park Jinsung , Jeong In‐Won , Lee Seunghwan
Published: April 2024

This study focused on a kleptoparasitic bee, Melecta chinensis, which is not well‐known in the Republic of Korea. We provided a detailed morphological illustration of the adult bees and their nesting biological characteristics with distributional data. Additionally, the complete mitochondrial genome of the species is presented for the first time, and its phylogenetic position within the family Apidae is estimated.

As a result, we could suggest a full redescription of M. chinenesis for identification and a newly reported potential flower host for it. In addition, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of M. chinensis is revealed as 15,489 base pairs (bp) long, with 35 eukaryotic mitochondrial genes (13PCGs, 2 rRNAs, and 20 tRNAs) and a 706 bp AT‐rich region. The overall base composition is 75.82% AT and 24.18% GC. The 13 protein‐coding genes (PCGs) started with a typical ATN codon (ATA in nine genes and ATG in four genes) and terminated with TNN (TAN in 10 genes and TTT in one gene) or ANN (AAC in one gene and ATT in one gene). The phylogenetic results based on 13 PCGs showed that M. chinensis is distantly positioned to bumble bees (Bombus) and honey bees (Apis) but closely related to a stingless bee, Frieseomelitta varia, within the family.
Comparing Equil patch versus traditional catheter insulin pump in type 2 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring metrics and profiles
Authors: Li Yu‐Jiao , Shao Zi‐Yue , Zhu Yun‐Qing , Chen Da‐Shuang , Zhu Jian
Published: April 2024

Aims

It is not clear whether there are differences in glycemic control between the Equil patch and the MMT‐712 insulin pump. Our objective was to compare two types of insulin pumps in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics and profiles.

Methods

This was a randomized case‐crossover clinical trial. Participants were hospitalized and randomly allocated to two groups and underwent two types of insulin pump treatments (group A: Equil patch—Medtronic MMT‐712 insulin pump; group B: Medtronic MMT‐712—Equil patch insulin pump) separated by a 1‐day washout period. Glycemic control was achieved after 7–8 days of insulin pump therapy. Each patient received CGM for 5 consecutive days (from day 1 to day 5). On day 3 of CGM performance, the Equil patch insulin pump treatment was switched to Medtronic MMT‐712 insulin pump treatment at the same basal and bolus insulin doses or vice versa. CGM metrics and profiles including glycemic variability (GV), time in range (TIR, 3.9–10.0 mmol/L), time below range (TBR, <3.9 mmol/L), time above range (TAR, >10.0 mmol/L), and postprandial glucose excursions, as well as incidence of hypoglycemia.

Results

Forty‐six T2DM patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in parameters of daily GV and postprandial glucose excursions between the Equil patch insulin pump treatment and the Medtronic insulin pump treatment. Similarly, there was no between‐treatment difference in TIR, TBR, and TAR, as well as the incidence of hypoglycemia.

image

Conclusion

The Equil patch insulin pump was similar to the traditional MMT‐712 insulin pump in terms of glycemic control. Equil patch insulin pump is a reliable tool for glycemic management of diabetes mellitus.
Genome‐wide association study identifies a novel candidate gene for egg production traits in chickens
Authors: Kang Huimin , Lu Yuedan , Zhang Weitu , Hua Guohong , Gan Jiankang , Deng Xuqing , Zhang Zhengfen , Li Hua
Published: April 2024

Qingyuan partridge chicken is a renowned indigenous yellow broiler breed in China. Egg production traits are important economic traits for chickens. With the decreasing cost of whole genome resequencing, identifying candidate genes with more precision has become possible. In order to identify molecular markers and candidate genes associated with egg production traits, we conducted genome‐wide association studies based on the resequencing data of 287 female Qingyuan partridge chickens. For each hen, age at first egg and egg laying rate were recorded and calculated, respectively. With a univariate linear mixed model, we detected one genome‐wide significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and three chromosome‐wide significant SNPs associated with egg laying rate. MTA2 is highly likely to be a functional gene for egg laying rate. Our study identifies MTA2 as the first time to be associated with egg laying rate. Findings in our study will advance our understanding of the genetic basis of egg production and have the potential to improve the efficiency of genomic selection in chickens.
Foundational guiding principles for a flourishing Earth system
Authors: Hejnowicz Adam P. , Ritchie‐Dunham James L.
Published: April 2024

In this perspectives article, we maintain that the current local to global sustainable development predicaments we face are the result of humanity's impact on the Earth System (ES)—that is to say, on the very systemic fabric of the ES (i.e., its functioning and configuration), combined with an insufficiently coherent application of sustainable development policy to address and resolve this systemic problem. In response to what is an urgent crisis, we propose four foundational guiding principles, which we contend provide an overarching framing that, if implemented, would offer an approach to steer global sustainable development policy in a manner that would be to the benefit of the ES and the securing of a flourishing future for all. Our principles are applicable at the levels from a local business ecosystem, national‐regional networks, to global policy.
How Network Structure Shapes Languages: Disentangling the Factors Driving Variation in Communicative Agents
Authors: Josserand Mathilde , Allassonnière‐Tang Marc , Pellegrino François , Dediu Dan , de Boer Bart
Published: April 2024

Languages show substantial variability between their speakers, but it is currently unclear how the structure of the communicative network contributes to the patterning of this variability. While previous studies have highlighted the role of network structure in language change, the specific aspects of network structure that shape language variability remain largely unknown. To address this gap, we developed a Bayesian agent‐based model of language evolution, contrasting between two distinct scenarios: language change and language emergence. By isolating the relative effects of specific global network metrics across thousands of simulations, we show that global characteristics of network structure play a critical role in shaping interindividual variation in language, while intraindividual variation is relatively unaffected. We effectively challenge the long‐held belief that size and density are the main network structural factors influencing language variation, and show that path length and clustering coefficient are the main factors driving interindividual variation. In particular, we show that variation is more likely to occur in populations where individuals are not well‐connected to each other. Additionally, variation is more likely to emerge in populations that are structured in small communities. Our study provides potentially important insights into the theoretical mechanisms underlying language variation.
Home range and dynamic space use reveals age‐related differences in risk exposure for reintroduced parrots
Authors: Forrest Scott W. , Rodríguez‐Recio Mariano , Seddon Philip J.
Published: April 2024

Individual‐level differences in animal spatial behavior can lead to differential exposure to risk. We assessed the risk‐exposure of a reintroduced population of kākā (Nestor meridionalis) in a fenced reserve in New Zealand by GPS tracking 10 individuals and comparing the proportion of each individual's home range beyond the reserve's fence in relation to age, sex, and fledging origin. To estimate dynamic space use, we used a sweeping window framework to estimate occurrence distributions (ODs) from temporally overlapping snapshots. For each OD, we calculated the proportion outside the reserve's fence to assess temporal risk exposure, and the area, centroid, and overlap to represent the behavioral pattern of space use. Home range area declined significantly and consistently with age, and the space use of juvenile kākā was more dynamic, particularly in relation to locational changes of space use. The wider‐ranging and more dynamic behavior of younger kākā resulted in more time spent outside the reserve, which aligned with a higher number of incidental mortality observations. Quantifying both home range and dynamic space use is an effective approach to assess risk exposure, which can provide guidance for management interventions. We also emphasize the dynamic space use approach, which is flexible and can provide insights into a species' spatial ecology.
Healthcare policy reforms in postcolonial countries: Putting Surinamese developments in context
Authors: van der Woerd Oemar , Soekhai Vikas
Published: April 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Declerck et al. on pages 1485–1495 of this issue.
Present and future situation of West Nile virus in the Afro‐Palaearctic pathogeographic system
Authors: García‐Carrasco José‐María , Souviron‐Priego Lucrecia , Muñoz Antonio‐Román , Olivero Jesús , Fa Julia E. , Real Raimundo
Published: April 2024

West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally widespread arthropod‐borne virus that poses a significant public health concern. Mosquitoes transmit the virus in an enzootic cycle among birds, which act as reservoirs. Climate plays a crucial role in these outbreaks as mosquitoes are highly influenced by climatic conditions, and bird migrations are also affected by weather patterns. Consequently, changes in climate can potentially impact the occurrence of WNV outbreaks. We used biogeographic modelling based on machine learning algorithms and fuzzy logic to analyse and evaluate separately the risk of WNV outbreaks in two different biogeographic regions, the Afrotropical and the Western Palaearctic region. By employing fuzzy logic tools, we constructed a comprehensive risk model that integrates the Afro‐Palaearctic system as a unified operational unit for WNV spread. This innovative approach recognizes the Afro‐Palaearctic region as a pathogeographic system, characterized by biannual connections facilitated by billions of migratory bird reservoirs carrying the disease. Subsequently, we forecasted the effects of different climate change scenarios on the spread of WNV in the Afro‐Palaearctic system for the years 2040 and 2070. Our findings revealed an increasing epidemic and epizootic risk south of the Sahara. However, the area where an upsurge in risk was forecasted the most lies within Europe, with the anticipation of risk expansion into regions presently situated beyond the virus' distribution range, including central and northern Europe. Gaining insight into the risk within the Afro‐Palaearctic system is crucial for establishing coordinated and international One Health surveillance efforts. This becomes particularly relevant in the face of ongoing climate change, which disrupts the ecological equilibrium among vectors, reservoirs, and human populations. We show that the application of biogeographical tools to assess risk of infectious disease, i.e. pathogeography, is a promising approach for understanding distribution patterns of zoonotic diseases and for anticipating their future spread.
Herbarium data accurately predict the timing and duration of population‐level flowering displays
Authors: Park Isaac W. , Ramirez‐Parada Tadeo , Record Sydne , Davis Charles , Ellison Aaron M. , Mazer Susan J.
Published: April 2024

Forecasting the impacts of changing climate on the phenology of plant populations is essential for anticipating and managing potential ecological disruptions to biotic communities. Herbarium specimens enable assessments of plant phenology across broad spatiotemporal scales. However, specimens are collected opportunistically, and it is unclear whether their collection dates – used as proxies of phenological stages – are closest to the onset, peak, or termination of a phenophase, or whether sampled individuals represent early, average, or late occurrences in their populations. Despite this, no studies have assessed whether these uncertainties limit the utility of herbarium specimens for estimating the onset and termination of a phenophase. Using simulated data mimicking such uncertainties, we evaluated the accuracy with which the onset and termination of population‐level phenological displays (in this case, of flowering) can be predicted from natural‐history collections data (controlling for biases in collector behavior), and how the duration, variability, and responsiveness to climate of the flowering period of a species and temporal collection biases influence model accuracy. Estimates of population‐level onset and termination were highly accurate for a wide range of simulated species' attributes, but accuracy declined among species with longer individual‐level flowering duration and when there were temporal biases in sample collection, as is common among the earliest and latest‐flowering species. The amount of data required to model population‐level phenological displays is not impractical to obtain; model accuracy declined by less than 1 day as sample sizes rose from 300 to 1000 specimens. Our analyses of simulated data indicate that, absent pervasive biases in collection and if the climate conditions that affect phenological timing are correctly identified, specimen data can predict the onset, termination, and duration of a population's flowering period with similar accuracy to estimates of median flowering time that are commonplace in the literature.
Policy measures effectively reduce soil nitrous oxide emissions with minor trade‐offs in crop yield
Authors: Foldal Cecilie Birgitte , Kittinger Martina , Haas Edwin , Zechmeister‐Boltenstern Sophie
Published: April 2024

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are closely linked to agricultural fertilisation. European and national policy incentives have been set to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; however, only a few evaluations have been conducted. Avoiding such emissions is an important climate change mitigation measure, but it is still uncertain which management measures over a long‐term, best out‐balance crop yield and GHG balances in agricultural systems. We here used the process‐based LandscapeDNDC model to simulate N2O emissions and trade‐offs in yield and soil nitrogen budget for four alternative arable cropping systems in three Austrian agricultural production zones belonging to different climatic regions. We evaluated statistical data on crop rotations and management practices, predominant soil types, and 10‐year daily weather conditions for four cropping systems: (1) conventional farming receiving the maximum allowed nitrogen fertilisation rate (Nmax), (2) conventional farming receiving 15% less fertiliser, (3) conventional farming receiving 25% less fertiliser, and (4) organic farming. Our results showed that soil N2O emissions could be best reduced in wet, high‐yield regions. Reducing nitrogen fertilisation by 15% and 25% mitigated N2O emissions by, on average, 22% and 39%, respectively, while the yield was reduced by 5% and 9%, respectively. In comparison, the same crops grown in the organic cropping system released 60% less N2O, but yield declined on average by 23%. Corn, winter barley, and vegetables showed the highest N2O reduction potential under reduced fertiliser input in conventional farming. In addition to N2O emissions, reduced fertilisation substantially decreased other nitrogen losses into the water and atmosphere. Generally, the soils under all cropping systems maintained a positive mean nitrogen budget. Our results suggest a significant emission reduction potential in certain production zones which, however, were accompanied by yield reductions. Knowledge of the emission patterns from cropping systems under different environmental conditions is essential to set the appropriate measures. In addition, region‐specific measures to reduce soil N2O emissions have to be in line with farmers' interests in order to facilitate the successful implementation of targeted nitrogen management.
Ethosuximide lowers lamotrigine serum concentrations: Evidence for a clinically relevant interaction
Authors: Hagemann Anne , Herting Arne , Klimpel Dennis , Bien Christian G. , Polster Tilman
Published: April 2024

We investigated the effect of comedication with ethosuximide (ESM) on lamotrigine (LTG) blood levels. Based on observations from clinical practice, we hypothesized that ESM reduces the LTG serum concentration. We additionally evaluated this effect in the presence of concomitant valproic acid (VPA). We retrospectively analyzed samples of inpatients from our department who had been treated with a combination of ESM and LTG between 2017 and 2021. We additionally used data on LTG serum concentrations from a previously published cohort from our center. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used for statistical analyses. We included 523 samples from 209 patients. GEE analyses showed that LTG trough serum concentrations were significantly lower in samples with ESM comedication and significantly higher in samples with concomitant VPA. The effect of ESM was moderated by patients' age; in children and adolescents, LTG serum concentrations were 37% lower than in samples without ESM, whereas in adults, LTG serum concentrations were 14% lower. The effect we found in our data is relevant to daily clinical practice, if patients are not seizure‐free despite typical daily LTG dosage, or if they develop side effects during ESM withdrawal. It should be considered especially in children and adolescents.
‘KULTURKRIEG’ BEHIND BARBED WIRE: GERMAN THEATRE IN AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST‐WORLD‐WAR INTERNMENT CAMP
Authors: Benbow Heather , Dorrer Andreas
Published: April 2024

This article is the first in‐depth study of the ‘Deutsches Theater Liverpool’, probably the most successful non‐English theatre ever on Australian soil, selling out daily performances and mounting a new production each week. The theatre's success was due in large part to its location inside the ‘German Concentration Camp’, the largest First World War (WWI) internment camp in Australia. In contrast to most WWI internment camps around the world, its almost six thousand ‘enemy alien’ internees were a mixture of civilians – most of whom called Australia home before the war – merchant sailors and naval personnel. For this diverse group of men, the theatre was more than entertainment; it was an important way to spend their time meaningfully. We argue that this meaning was strongly connected to the (re)negotiation of identity through theatre, allowing the internees to contribute to the war effort understood at the time in German public discourse as a ‘Kulturkrieg’, a battle for the survival of German culture. Theatre‐makers and audiences (re)engaged with their Germanness through ideas of ‘Kameradschaft’, German diligence and the joint duty of ‘durchhalten’ – ‘making do’. The critical importance of female impersonation in the achievement of the theatre's cultural aims rounds out our analysis of the D.T.L.
The triglyceride glucose index as a sensitive predictor for the risk of MACCEs in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: An ambispective longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Wei Rongyan , Chen Shangyu , Huang Xiuxian , Zhai Zhenwei , Wang Qiu , Sun Jingxia , Mo Jianming , Huang Jianhao , Xu Yancheng , Lu Wensheng
Published: April 2024

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been confirmed a predictive value for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no research has yet confirmed whether there is a linear correlation between the TyG index and MACCEs in DFUs. The present study aimed to delve into the association between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in patients with DFUs. A total of 960 inpatients with DFUs were recruited. All participants were followed up every 6 months for 11 years with a median of 83 months. According to the cut‐off value of the TyG index acquired from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the subjects were divided into two groups: low‐level (<9.12, n = 480) and high‐level (≥9.12, n = 480). The relationship between the TyG index and MACCEs was evaluated by the multivariable Cox regression model, restricted cubic spline (RCS) model, stratified analysis and the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Out of 960 participants, 271 experienced MACCEs (28.22%), of whom 79 (29.15%) died. ROC analysis got the optimal TyG index cut‐off value of 9.12. Multivariable Cox regression analysis combined with the RCS model showed that the TyG index was positively associated with MACCEs in an S‐shaped non‐linear dose‐dependent manner within the range of TyG index 7.5–9.5 (p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated the higher the TyG index, the greater the cumulative incidence of MACCEs (log‐rank, p < 0.001). The study first confirmed an S‐shaped non‐linear dose‐dependent positive relationship between the TyG index and the risk of MACCEs in DFUs. Consequently, lowering the TyG index level aids in improving the prognosis of patients with DFUs.
Usability of myocardial work parameters to demonstrate subclinical myocardial involvement in normotensive individuals with exaggerated hypertensive response in treadmill exercise testing
Authors: Cagan Efe Süleyman , Buğrahan Cicek Mahmut , Unkun Tuba , Yucel Enver , Karagöz Ali , Doğan Cem , Bayram Zübeyde , Tekatlı Ali Furkan , Bozan Baver , Karaçam Murat , Halil Gülümser Sevgin , Karabağ Turgut , Kaymaz Cihangir , Ozdemir Nihal
Published: April 2024

Early determination of changes in myocardial functions is essential for the protection of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate myocardial work parameters in healthy individuals who developed an exaggerated hypertensive response during the treadmill exercise test procedure. The study included a total of 64 patients for whom an exercise electrocardiography test was planned for functional capacity evaluation. The study population was divided according to the presence of exaggerated hypertensive response to exercise (EBPRE) (SBP/DBP ≥210/105 mmHg in males ≥190/105 mmHg in females) and normal blood pressure response to exercise (NBPRE). Patients’ echocardiographic evaluations were made at rest, and myocardial work parameters were calculated. There was no statistical difference between the groups (NBPRE vs. EBPRE, respectively) in terms of left ventricular 2,3 and 4 chamber strains and global longitudinal strain (GLS) values (−20.6 ± −2.3, −19.7 ± −1.9, p:.13; −21.3 ± −2.7, −21 ± −2.4, p:.68; −21.2 ± −2.2, −21.2 ± −2.3, p:.93; and −20.8 ± −1.5, −20.4 ± −1.5, p:.23, respectively). Global constrictive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were not statistically different between the two groups (2374 ± 210, 2465 ± 204, p:.10; 142 ± 64, 127 ± 42, p:.31; 94.3 ± 2.5, 95.1 ± 1.5, p:.18, respectively). In contrast, global work index (GWI) parameters were different between the two groups (2036 ± 149, 2147 ± 150, p < .001). The GWI was independently associated with EBPRE (odds ratio with 95% 3.32 (1.02‐11.24), p = .03). The partial effect plots were used for GWI to predict EBPRE, according to the results, an increase in GWI predicts probability of exaggerated hypertensive response. In conclusion, Myocardial work analyses might be used to identify early signs of myocardial involvement in normotensive patients with EBPRE.
Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Mycoplasma genitalium at pharyngeal and anorectal sites in patients presenting to an STI outpatient ward
Authors: Kogler A. , Sadoghi B. , Draschl A. , Chromy D. , Binder L. , Schiefer‐Niederkorn A. , Hofmann‐Wellenhof E. L. , Wolf P.
Published: April 2024

Background

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is unbridled and on the rise. Extragenital STIs (anal and pharyngeal infections) are commonly asymptomatic, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment and consequently higher chances of onward transmission.

Objective

The aim of this observational single‐centre study was to determine the prevalence of STIs at extragenital sites in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients presenting at an STI outpatient clinic.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who presented between October 2019 and February 2021 at the STI outpatient clinic of a tertiary centre in Central Europe. Patients were included in the study if they received at least one pharyngeal and/or anorectal swab in addition to a genital swab for multiplex‐PCR STI diagnostics. Demographic data, symptoms and serological results were collected and analysed.

Results

Data collected from 440 patients were analysed (mean age: 33.9 years, male: n = 345, 78.4%, female: n = 95, 21.6%). Ninety‐seven males reported having sex with men (MSM); 174 patients identified as heterosexual (132 males, 42 females), and 10 females as bisexual. The sexual orientation was not reported in 159 cases. An STI was confirmed in 195 patients (44.3%) and, among those, 109 patients (55.9%) tested positive for an STI at extragenital sites. Seventy‐one patients had a pharyngeal STI whereas 61 were infected in the anorectal region. Of those suffering from an extragenital STI, 64.2% (70 out of 109) tested negative for relevant pathogens at genital sites. The most frequently detected extragenital pathogen was Neisseria gonorrhoeae (71.8% of all pharyngeal STIs [51 out of 71], 55.7% of anorectal STIs [34 out of 61]), followed by Chlamydia trachomatis (41.0% of all anal infections [25 out of 61], 5.6% of pharyngeal infections [4 out of 71]). Pharyngeal and anorectal infections were asymptomatic in 88.7% [63 out of 71] and 65.6% [40 out of 61] of the cases, respectively.

Conclusions

These results underline the need to perform multisite testing, regardless of the presence of symptoms.