bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemic modeling for misinformation spread in digital networks through a social intelligence approach
Authors: Govindankutty Sreeraag , Gopalan Shynu Padinjappurath
Published: August 2024

Online digital networks, including social networks, have significantly impacted individuals’ personal and professional lives. Aside from exchanging news and topics of interest, digital networks play an essential role in the diffusion of information, which frequently significantly impacts worldwide societies. In this paper, we present a new mathematical epidemic model for digital networks that considers the sentiment of solitary misinformation in the networks and characteristics of human intelligence that play an important role in judging and spreading misinformation inside the networks. Our mathematical analysis has proved the existence and validity of the system in a real-time environment. Considering the real-world data, our simulation predicts how the misinformation could spread among different global communities and when an intervention mechanism should have to be carried out by the policyholders. Our simulation using the model proves that effective intervention mechanisms by isolating the fake news can effectively control the spread of misinformation among larger populations. The model can analyze the emotional and social intelligence of groups frequently subjected to disinformation and disseminating fake news.
TEMPRO: nanobody melting temperature estimation model using protein embeddings
Authors: Alvarez Jerome Anthony E. , Dean Scott N.
Published: August 2024

Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) or nanobodies have received widespread attention due to their small size (~ 15 kDa) and diverse applications in bio-derived therapeutics. As many modern biotechnology breakthroughs are applied to antibody engineering and design, nanobody thermostability or melting temperature (Tm) is crucial for their successful utilization. In this study, we present TEMPRO which is a predictive modeling approach for estimating the Tm of nanobodies using computational methods. Our methodology integrates various nanobody biophysical features to include Evolutionary Scale Modeling (ESM) embeddings, NetSurfP3 structural predictions, pLDDT scores per sdAb region from AlphaFold2, and each sequence’s physicochemical characteristics. This approach is validated with our combined dataset containing 567 unique sequences with corresponding experimental Tm values from a manually curated internal data and a recently published nanobody database, NbThermo. Our results indicate the efficacy of protein embeddings in reliably predicting the Tm of sdAbs with mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.03 °C and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 5.66 °C, thus offering a valuable tool for the optimization of nanobodies for various biomedical and therapeutic applications. Moreover, we have validated the models’ performance using experimentally determined Tms from nanobodies not found in NbThermo. This predictive model not only enhances nanobody thermostability prediction, but also provides a useful perspective of using embeddings as a tool for facilitating a broader applicability of downstream protein analyses.
The mediating role of health behaviors in the relationship between internal locus of control and life satisfaction in public health students
Authors: Nowak Paweł F. , Rogowska Aleksandra M. , Kwaśnicka Aleksandra
Published: August 2024

Well-being is a continuous process requiring decisions and actions to maintain or build health. This study examines the indirect effect of health locus of control on life satisfaction via healthy behaviors based on living systems theory. Participants were 730 students of various majors related to medicine and health, aged between 19 and 30 (M = 22.29, SD = 1.64), including 79.04% women. Self-report measures were used to assess life satisfaction, multidimensional health locus of control, and health behavior. Women scored higher than men on the total health behavior scale, especially in a healthy diet and preventive behavior. Men scored higher than women on internal health locus of control (HLC), while women scored higher than men on the powerful others HLC in making decisions about their health. The study confirmed the mediating effect of healthy behavior on the relationship between the internal HLC and life satisfaction. The present mechanism highlights the crucial role of internal motivation in increasing subjective well-being by maintaining health behaviors among young adults. The role of intervention programs focused on improving internal HLC and health behaviors is discussed.
Chromosome-level genome assemblies reveal genome evolution of an invasive plant Phragmites australis
Authors: Wang Cui , Liu Lele , Yin Meiqi , Liu Bingbing , Wu Yiming , Eller Franziska , Gao Yingqi , Brix Hans , Wang Tong , Guo Weihua , Salojärvi Jarkko
Published: August 2024

Biological invasions pose a significant threat to ecosystems, disrupting local biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The genomic underpinnings of invasiveness, however, are still largely unknown, making it difficult to predict and manage invasive species effectively. The common reed (Phragmites australis) is a dominant grass species in wetland ecosystems and has become particularly invasive when transferred from Europe to North America. Here, we present a high-quality gap-free, telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of Phragmites australis consisting of 24 pseudochromosomes and a B chromosome. Fully phased subgenomes demonstrated considerable subgenome dominance and revealed the divergence of diploid progenitors approximately 30.9 million years ago. Comparative genomics using chromosome-level scaffolds for three other lineages and a previously published draft genome assembly of an invasive lineage revealed that gene family expansions in the form of tandem duplications may have contributed to the invasiveness of the lineage. This study sheds light on the genome evolution of Arundinoideae grasses and suggests that genetic drivers, such as gene family expansions and tandem duplications, may underly the processes of biological invasion in plants. These findings provide a crucial step toward understanding and managing the genetic basis of invasiveness in plant species.
Shifts in benthic megafauna communities after glacial retreat in an Antarctic fjord
Authors: Kim Dong-U , Ahn In-Young , Noh Junsung , Lee Changkeun , Khim Jong Seong
Published: August 2024

Underwater imagery survey was conducted to address changes in Antarctic benthic megafauna communities by recent glacial retreat in Marian Cove, where distance from the glacier was proportional to retreat period. Benthic megafauna communities showed lesser variation due to frequent ice-scouring at 10 m than deeper seabed. At deep seabed (50–90 m), where glacier impacts decreased, benthic megafauna was scarce right in front of the glacier, but near the glacier (~10 years after seabed exposure), density peaked (128 ind. m−2) with pioneer species. At the outermost site, pioneer species were extremely limited (5 ind. m−2) while late-successional species were abundant (42 ind. m−2). Taxonomic and functional diversities peaked near the glacier and outermost site, respectively, indicating different mechanisms of structural and functional change after glacial retreat. This study showed a four-step successional process of benthic megafauna communities after glacial retreat in Antarctic nearshore: high disturbance, colonization, transition, and maturing stages.
Morphological changes of the south-eastern wall of Askja caldera, Iceland over the past 80 years
Authors: Shevchenko Alina V. , Walter Thomas R. , Gudmundsson Magnus T. , Belart Joaquín M. C. , Marzban Pouria , Zorn Edgar U. , Sæmundsson Þorsteinn , Helgason Jón Kristinn , Turowski Jens M. , Vassileva Magdalena S. , Motagh Mahdi , Müller Daniel
Published: August 2024

Calderas are subcircular depressions with near-vertical walls, which are often gravitationally unstable and prone to mass movements that sequentially widen their basins. However, the details of these erosional changes are difficult to decipher due to short observational periods. Here, we use a photogrammetric dataset of nearly 80 years to study the landslide-prone south-eastern wall of Askja caldera (Iceland). We analyzed aerial data from 1945 and 1987, stereo satellite data from 2013 and 2022, and drone images acquired in 2019, 2022, and 2023. We developed an inventory of geomorphological features and identified types of slope instability. We describe over 700 features, including circa 500 fractures, 200 sinkholes, and four major landslides. We found that morphological changes were persistent over the observation period, accumulating in a sector that collapsed in 2014. We discuss various factors of slope instability at Askja including possible volcano-permafrost interaction, and other processes that could induce mass wasting.
Thermally tunable anti-ambipolar heterojunction devices
Authors: Chen Shengyao , Jin Jiyou , Wang Wenxiang , Wang Shu , Du Xiaoshan , Wang Feng , Ma Lijun , Wang Junqi , Wang Cong , Zhang Xinzheng , Liu Qian
Published: August 2024

High-performance anti-ambipolar 2D van der Waals heterostructure devices with a wide-range of temperature tunability and large peak to valley ratios.
Biophysical insights into sugar-dependent medium acidification promoting YfaL protein-mediated Escherichia coli self-aggregation, biofilm formation and acid stress resistance
Authors: Chekli Yankel , Thiriet-Rupert Stanislas , Caillet Céline , Quilès Fabienne , Le Cordier Hélène , Deshayes Emilie , Bardiaux Benjamin , Pédron Thierry , Titecat Marie , Debarbieux Laurent , Ghigo Jean-Marc , Francius Grégory , Duval Jérôme F. L. , Beloin Christophe
Published: August 2024

Fermentable sugars lower the pH of E. coli growth medium, which alters cell surface properties via YfaL. This promotes YfaL-mediated self-recognition, biofilm formation and improves survival under stress. Graphical abstract created with BioRender.
NaIO4/air-initiated phosphorylation of alcohols with H-phosphine oxides for the construction of P(O)–O bonds in water
Authors: Wang Huabin , Xu Lianhua , Liu Xiongwei , Shi Yang , Yao Zhen , Zhou Ying , Huang Qiang
Published: August 2024

A variety of phosphoryl compounds were smoothly constructed up to 89% yield via NaIO4/air-initiated phosphorylation of alcohols with H-phosphine oxides in water, providing an alternative method for constructing P(O)–O bonds.
Structural and vacancy assisted engineering of cobalt selenide for ultrahigh energy density sodium ion pouch cell
Authors: Huang Ziling , Liu Jing , Xu Kang , Li Yue , Tan Yajun , Sun Chencheng , Yang Jun , Geng Hongbo
Published: August 2024

Cobalt selenide (CoSe) exhibits potential as an anode material in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), but challenges remain in achieving stable Na+ storage and high energy density full cells by controlling CoSe.
From elementary to advanced: rational design of single component phosphorescence organogels for anti-counterfeiting applications
Authors: Lin Huamiao , Shi Yi , Li Yan , Chen Shuzhan , Wang Wei , Geng Peng , Yan Jiaying , Xiao Shuzhang
Published: August 2024

In this work, we designed and synthesized two non-conventional organogels (DBF-dAc and DBF-dPh). DBF-dPh organogels emitted long-lasting room-temperature phosphorescence with a visible afterglow and multi-layered anti-counterfeiting capabilities.
Composition regulation of Ni-BDC MOF architecture to enhance electrocatalytic urea oxidation in alkaline solution
Authors: Fu Xin , Pu Bo , Pan Li , Ming Ruiqi , Lv Qian , Chen Xiaobo , Tian Lihong
Published: August 2024

Tri-metallic NiMnCo MOF on nickel foam exhibits superior electrochemical activity for urea oxidation and delivers 500 mA cm−2 current density at a low potential of 1.41 V vs. RHE.
Gram-scale production of vertically aligned holey graphene nanosheet arrays derived from a renewable biomass precursor via a facile hydrothermal/salt-assisted pyrolysis method for aqueous high-performance redox supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Qincheng , Liu Shuaibing , Li Qianglin , Wu Ling , Zhou Binghua , Wang Zhipeng , Huang Zheng-Hong , Yang Hao , Wang Ming-Xi
Published: August 2024

Vertically aligned graphene nanosheet via facile hydrothermal/salt-assisted pyrolysis (HSP) method for high-performance redox supercapacitors.
Covalent organic framework-based Li–S batteries: functional separators promoting Li+ transport and polysulfide trapping
Authors: Gullace Sara , Abruzzese Matteo , Cusin Luca , Saleh Gabriele , Thorat Sanjay B. , Gamberini Agnese , Bellani Sebastiano , Ciesielski Artur , Bonaccorso Francesco , Samorì Paolo
Published: August 2024

Li–S batteries (LSBs) comprising two Kagome imine COFs as modifiers for Celgard separators are fabricated. The work highlights the cooperative effect of polysulfide trapping, Li+ sieving and electrocatalytic properties for high-performance LSBs.
Heterogeneous three-dimensional FeSiAl@SiO2@MoS2 composite with a SiO2 wave-transmitting layer for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption performance
Authors: Han Yige , Chen Feng , Fu Qiang
Published: August 2024

The incorporation of wave-transparent SiO2 layer expands the incidence area for EMWs, which significantly enhances the electromagnetic wave absorption performance of the FeSiAl@SiO2@MoS2.
Hydration effect and molecular geometry conformation as critical factors affecting the longevity stability of G4-structure-based supramolecular hydrogels
Authors: Liu Jiang , Cao Lideng , Wang Zheng , Chen Qianming , Zhao Hang , Guo Xiurong , Yuan Yao
Published: August 2024

The disorder and strength of the hydration effect and the stability of the sugar ring geometry conformation are crucial for the longevity stability of G4-structure-based supramolecular hydrogels.
“One stone two birds” design of borates featuring edge-sharing [BO4] and different B–O configurations in one structure utilizing covalent tetrahedra
Authors: Wang Haoran , Jiao Jiahao , Tudi Abudukadi , Pan Shilie , Zhang Min
Published: August 2024

Two borates with ES-[BO4] were created. KABO is the first borate with ES-[BO4] and two distinct dimensional B–O configurations ([B6O12] and ). KAMBO is a rare borate contains ES-[BO4] and two isolated B–O groups ([B6O12] and [B3O6]).
Assessing South African metropolitan cities’ online place brands
Authors: Mbinza Zenzile E.
Published: August 2024

This exploratory paper assesses the websites of South Africa’s eight metropolitan cities to ascertain how each uses place branding to anchor itself in the global economy. The paper commences by describing the evolution of South Africa’s local government landscape. After that, the paper pivots place branding as a competition-setting process. Next on the agenda is a discussion on the role and significance of metropolitan cities in driving nation-state economic growth and a description of well-functioning websites, which form the framework of analysis. A presentation of the websites of each of South Africa’s metropolitan cities follows this. The paper uses screenshots to guide this presentation. The paper illuminates significant gaps and oversights in projecting South Africa’s metropolitan cities to the international community, tourists and businesses. The paper concludes by offering reflective notes on the need for intensified place branding processes in South Africa. The paper contributes to place branding scholarship by interrogating the efficacy of platforms that are becoming pervasive in transporting narratives and agendas far beyond territorial borders. It diversifies the place branding discipline and advocates for its further exposition and understanding.
Under the guise of Latinidad: Latinx ambiguity and ethno-racial identifications in Switched at Birth
Authors: Fernández Laura Michelle
Published: August 2024

This article examines the performance of Latinidad in the television show Switched at Birth (2011–2017) by excavating how Latinidad is used as a mask-like prop that characters can easily put on or discard depending on their ethno-racial and economic contexts. By connecting media, Latinx, and performance studies, this article demonstrates how popular television series exploit Latinx identities and render them commodities that are easily consumable by the presumed white viewer. Through an analysis of the show’s two teenaged “Latinx” characters—Bay Kennish and Daphne Vasquez—this study focuses on how one can presumably become and unbecome Latinx if one happens to fit a certain idealized image of Latinidad. In examining the policing and erasing of Latinx identity in the show, this article contributes to the growing field of Latinx pop culture studies by illustrating how shows like Switched at Birth fail to provide a sense of cultural belonging for Latinx audiences.
cypress: an R/Bioconductor package for cell-type-specific differential expression analysis power assessment
Authors: Yu Shilin , Meng Guanqun , Tang Wen , Ma Wenjing , Wang Rui , Zhu Xiongwei , Sun Xiaobo , Feng Hao
Published: August 2024

Recent methodology advances in computational signal deconvolution have enabled bulk transcriptome data analysis at a finer cell-type level. Through deconvolution, identifying cell-type-specific differentially expressed (csDE) genes is drawing increasing attention in clinical applications. However, researchers still face a number of difficulties in adopting csDE genes detection methods in practice, especially in their experimental design. Here we present cypress, the first experimental design and statistical power analysis tool in csDE genes identification. This tool can reliably model purified cell-type-specific (CTS) profiles, cell-type compositions, biological and technical variations, offering a high-fidelity simulator for bulk RNA-seq convolution and deconvolution. cypress conducts simulation and evaluates the impact of multiple influencing factors, by various statistical metrics, to help researchers optimize experimental design and conduct power analysis.

Availability and implementation

cypress is an open-source R/Bioconductor package at https://bioconductor.org/packages/cypress/.
WatFinder: a ProDy tool for protein–water interactions
Authors: Krieger James M , Doljanin Frane , Bogetti Anthony T , Zhang Feng , Manivarma Thiliban , Bahar Ivet , Mikulska-Ruminska Karolina
Published: August 2024

We introduce WatFinder, a tool designed to identify and visualize protein–water interactions (water bridges, water-mediated associations, or water channels, fluxes, and clusters) relevant to protein stability, dynamics, and function. WatFinder is integrated into ProDy, a Python API broadly used for structure-based prediction of protein dynamics. WatFinder provides a suite of functions for generating raw data as well as outputs from statistical analyses. The ProDy framework facilitates comprehensive automation and efficient analysis of the ensembles of structures resolved for a given protein or the time-evolved conformations from simulations in explicit water, as illustrated in five case studies presented in the Supplementary Material.

Availability and implementation

ProDy is open-source and freely available under MIT License from https://github.com/ProDy/ProDy.
Advancing age grading techniques for Glossina morsitans morsitans, vectors of African trypanosomiasis, through mid-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Pazmiño-Betancourth Mauro , Casas Gómez-Uribarri Ivan , Mondragon-Shem Karina , Babayan Simon A , Baldini Francesco , Rafuse Haines Lee
Published: August 2024

Tsetse are the insects responsible for transmitting African trypanosomes, which cause sleeping sickness in humans and animal trypanosomiasis in wildlife and livestock. Knowing the age of these flies is important when assessing the effectiveness of vector control programs and modelling disease risk. Current methods to assess fly age are, however, labour-intensive, slow, and often inaccurate as skilled personnel are in short supply. Mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS), a fast and cost-effective tool to accurately estimate several biological traits of insects, offers a promising alternative. This is achieved by characterising the biochemical composition of the insect cuticle using infrared light coupled with machine–learning (ML) algorithms to estimate the traits of interest. We tested the performance of MIRS in estimating tsetse sex and age for the first-time using spectra obtained from their cuticle. We used 541 insectary-reared Glossina m. morsitans of two different age groups for males (5 and 7 weeks) and three age groups for females (3 days, 5 weeks, and 7 weeks). Spectra were collected from the head, thorax, and abdomen of each sample. ML models differentiated between male and female flies with a 96% accuracy and predicted the age group with 94% and 87% accuracy for males and females, respectively. The key infrared regions important for discriminating sex and age classification were characteristic of lipid and protein content. Our results support the use of MIRS as a rapid and accurate way to identify tsetse sex and age with minimal pre-processing. Further validation using wild-caught tsetse could pave the way for this technique to be implemented as a routine surveillance tool in vector control programmes.
Diffusion-weighted MRI precisely predicts telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation status in World Health Organization grade IV gliomas using a residual convolutional neural network
Authors: Hu Congman , Fang Ke , Du Quan , Chen Jiarui , Wang Lin , Zhang Jianmin , Bai Ruiliang , Wang Yongjie
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (pTERT) mutation status plays a key role in making decisions and predicting prognoses for patients with World Health Organization (WHO) grade IV glioma. This study was conducted to assess the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for predicting pTERT mutation status in WHO grade IV glioma.

Methods

MRI data and molecular information were obtained for 266 patients with WHO grade IV glioma at the hospital and divided into training and validation sets. The ratio of training to validation set was approximately 10:3. We trained the same residual convolutional neural network (ResNet) for each MR modality, including structural MRIs (T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted) and DWI*, to compare the predictive capacities between DWI and conventional structural MRI. We also explored the effects of different regions of interest on pTERT mutation status prediction outcomes.

Results

Structural MRI modalities poorly predicted the pTERT mutation status (accuracy = 51%-54%; area under the curve [AUC]=0.545-0.571), whereas DWI combined with its apparent diffusive coefficient maps yielded the best predictive performance (accuracy = 85.2%, AUC = 0.934). Including the radiological and clinical characteristics did not further improve the performance for predicting pTERT mutation status. The entire tumour volume yielded the best prediction performance.

Conclusions

DWI technology shows promising potential for predicting pTERT mutations in WHO grade IV glioma and should be included in the MRI protocol for WHO grade IV glioma in clinical practice.

Advances in knowledge

This is the first large-scale model study to validate the predictive value of DWI for pTERT in WHO grade IV glioma.
Radiomic study of antenatal prediction of severe placenta accreta spectrum from MRI
Authors: Bartels Helena C , Wolsztynski Eric , O’Doherty Jim , Brophy David P , MacDermott Roisin , Atallah David , Saliba Souha , El Kassis Nadine , Moubarak Malak , Young Constance , Downey Paul , Donnelly Jennifer , Geoghegan Tony , Brennan Donal J , Curran Kathleen M
Published: August 2024

Objectives

We previously demonstrated the potential of radiomics for the prediction of severe histological placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) subtypes using T2-weighted MRI. We aim to validate our model using an additional dataset. Secondly, we explore whether the performance is improved using a new approach to develop a new multivariate radiomics model.

Methods

Multi-centre retrospective analysis was conducted between 2018 and 2023. Inclusion criteria: MRI performed for suspicion of PAS from ultrasound, clinical findings of PAS at laparotomy and/or histopathological confirmation. Radiomic features were extracted from T2-weighted MRI. The previous multivariate model was validated. Secondly, a 5-radiomic feature random forest classifier was selected from a randomized feature selection scheme to predict invasive placenta increta PAS cases. Prediction performance was assessed based on several metrics including area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), sensitivity, and specificity.

Results

We present 100 women [mean age 34.6 (±3.9) with PAS], 64 of whom had placenta increta. Firstly, we validated the previous multivariate model and found that a support vector machine classifier had a sensitivity of 0.620 (95% CI: 0.068; 1.0), specificity of 0.619 (95% CI: 0.059; 1.0), an AUC of 0.671 (95% CI: 0.440; 0.922), and accuracy of 0.602 (95% CI: 0.353; 0.817) for predicting placenta increta. From the new multivariate model, the best 5-feature subset was selected via the random subset feature selection scheme comprised of 4 radiomic features and 1 clinical variable (number of previous caesareans). This clinical-radiomic model achieved an AUC of 0.713 (95% CI: 0.551; 0.854), accuracy of 0.695 (95% CI 0.563; 0.793), sensitivity of 0.843 (95% CI 0.682; 0.990), and specificity of 0.447 (95% CI 0.167; 0.667).

Conclusion

We validated our previous model and present a new multivariate radiomic model for the prediction of severe placenta increta from a well-defined, cohort of PAS cases.

Advances in knowledge

Radiomic features demonstrate good predictive potential for identifying placenta increta. This suggests radiomics may be a useful adjunct to clinicians caring for women with this high-risk pregnancy condition.
A practical guide to the standardization of hair loss photography for clinicians
Authors: Takwale Anita , Arthur Emily , Pearce Julian , Farrant Paul , Holmes Susan , Harries Matthew
Published: August 2024

Background

Global and trichoscopic photography are fundamental in the clinical assessment of hair loss. At present, standardized protocols for hair loss photography are lacking.

Objectives

To create novel, pragmatic and flexible standardized photography protocols for hair loss that are practical to use for clinicians and medical photographers alike.

Methods

Published disease severity scales for a variety of hair loss conditions were utilized to create standardized photography protocols. These protocols were reviewed and refined by a national clinical working group of consultant dermatologists specializing in hair loss.

Results

Three main presentation-based protocols are provided, defined by the type of hair loss a patient may present with, including pattern loss, frontal fibrosing alopecia/traction alopecia, alopecia areata and other patchy hair loss disorders. Additional supplementary protocols facilitate further specific views for a variety of individualized clinical scenarios, based on user discretion.

Conclusions

We present novel, pragmatic, standardized photography protocols for hair loss disorders. These can be used by clinicians even where formal medical photography units are unavailable. Standardization allows for the creation of high-quality, informative images for objective assessment and monitoring of hair loss in clinical practice and in research settings.
Naftifine: an effective therapeutic option in cases of tinea corporis and tinea cruris – observations from an open-label randomized controlled trial
Authors: Das Anupam , Banerjee Saikat , Raza Shahrukh , Chatterjee Sambit , Sengupta Sujata
Published: August 2024

Many clinical trials have been conducted with the purpose of finding better drugs, both in terms of effectiveness and safety in treating dermatophytoses. Luliconazole cream is a preferred treatment option. However, owing to the risk of developing resistance to azoles, allylamines are being tried as potential alternatives. We aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of naftifine 2% cream vs. luliconazole 1% cream in treating dermatophytoses. We found that naftifine can be safely used in the treatment of steroid-modified dermatophytoses and the molecule offers up itself as a new, effective and promising addition to our treatment arsenal for dermatophytoses.
Clinical outcomes of the management of basal cell carcinomas in individuals aged 90 years and over: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nicholls Isabelle , Moncrieff Marc , Patel Martyn , Nobes Jenny , Garioch Jennifer
Published: August 2024

Background

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken to examine the management of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in older patients.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify subgroups where intervention could be minimized, based on frailty and trends in survival.

Methods

All patients aged ≥ 90 years with histologically confirmed BCC during 2017 and 2018 were included within the study (n = 319).

Results

Age was the most significant predictor of survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–1.17; P = 0.001]. Maximum threshold analysis identified 93 years as the significant age cutpoint. Median survival was 40 months for patients aged ≤ 93 years and 28 months for those aged > 93 years (P = 0.002). Patients with dementia had a worse survival than those without (median survival 25 months vs. 35 months, respectively; HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.18–3.13; P = 0.009). There was a statistically significant difference in survival for patients who received treatment for their BCC (n = 294) compared with the untreated cohort (n = 25) (median survival 34 months vs. 21 months, respectively; HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.85; P = 0.007). All other comorbidities examined had no influence on survival.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence in support of active treatment of BCC in individuals aged ≥ 90 years, seen in secondary care. Conservative options may be preferable in patients with dementia or those > 93 years old.
Blind individuals’ enhanced ability to sense their own heartbeat is related to the thickness of their occipital cortex
Authors: Stroh Anna-Lena , Radziun Dominika , Korczyk Maksymilian , Crucianelli Laura , Ehrsson H Henrik , Szwed Marcin
Published: August 2024

Blindness is associated with heightened sensory abilities, such as improved hearing and tactile acuity. Moreover, recent evidence suggests that blind individuals are better than sighted individuals at perceiving their own heartbeat, suggesting enhanced interoceptive accuracy. Structural changes in the occipital cortex have been hypothesized as the basis of these behavioral enhancements. Indeed, several studies have shown that congenitally blind individuals have increased cortical thickness within occipital areas compared to sighted individuals, but how these structural differences relate to behavioral enhancements is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between cardiac interoceptive accuracy and cortical thickness in 23 congenitally blind individuals and 23 matched sighted controls. Our results show a significant positive correlation between performance in a heartbeat counting task and cortical thickness only in the blind group, indicating a connection between structural changes in occipital areas and blind individuals’ enhanced ability to perceive heartbeats.
Association between metabolic syndrome and white matter integrity in young and mid-age post-9/11 adult Veterans
Authors: Van Etten Emily J , Knoff Aubrey A , Colaizzi Tristan A , Knight Arielle R , Milberg William P , Fortier Catherine B , Leritz Elizabeth C , Salat David H
Published: August 2024

Metabolic syndrome has been associated with reduced brain white matter integrity in older individuals. However, less is known about how metabolic syndrome might impact white matter integrity in younger populations. This study examined metabolic syndrome-related global and regional white matter integrity differences in a sample of 537 post-9/11 Veterans. Metabolic syndrome was defined as ≥3 factors of: increased waist circumference, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, and high fasting glucose. T1 and diffusion weighted 3 T MRI scans were processed using the FreeSurfer image analysis suite and FSL Diffusion Toolbox. Atlas-based regions of interest were determined from a combination of the Johns Hopkins University atlas and a Tract-Based Spatial Statistics-based FreeSurfer WMPARC white matter skeleton atlas. Analyses revealed individuals with metabolic syndrome (n = 132) had significantly lower global fractional anisotropy than those without metabolic syndrome (n = 405), and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was the only metabolic syndrome factor significantly related to lower global fractional anisotropy levels. Lobe-specific analyses revealed individuals with metabolic syndrome had decreased fractional anisotropy in frontal white matter regions compared with those without metabolic syndrome. These findings indicate metabolic syndrome is prevalent in this sample of younger Veterans and is related to reduced frontal white matter integrity. Early intervention for metabolic syndrome may help alleviate adverse metabolic syndrome-related brain and cognitive effects with age.
A multi-frequency approach of the altered functional connectome for autism spectrum disorder identification
Authors: Ding Yupan , Zhang Ting , Cao Wenming , Zhang Lei , Xu Xiaowen
Published: August 2024

Autism spectrum disorder stands as a multifaceted and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition. The utilization of functional magnetic resonance imaging to construct functional brain networks proves instrumental in comprehending the intricate interplay between brain activity and autism spectrum disorder, thereby elucidating the underlying pathogenesis at the cerebral level. Traditional functional brain networks, however, typically confine their examination to connectivity effects within a specific frequency band, disregarding potential connections among brain areas that span different frequency bands. To harness the full potential of interregional connections across diverse frequency bands within the brain, our study endeavors to develop a novel multi-frequency analysis method for constructing a comprehensive functional brain networks that incorporates multiple frequencies. Specifically, our approach involves the initial decomposition of functional magnetic resonance imaging into distinct frequency bands through wavelet transform. Subsequently, Pearson correlation is employed to generate corresponding functional brain networks and kernel for each frequency band. Finally, the classification was performed by a multi-kernel support vector machine, to preserve the connectivity effects within each band and the connectivity patterns shared among the different bands. Our proposed multi-frequency functional brain networks method yielded notable results, achieving an accuracy of 89.1%, a sensitivity of 86.67%, and an area under the curve of 0.942 in a publicly available autism spectrum disorder dataset.
The role of between-group signaling in the evolution of primate ornamentation
Authors: Grueter Cyril C , Lüpold Stefan
Published: August 2024

Gregarious mammals interact to varying degrees and in a variety of ways with neighboring groups. Since navigating this wider social environment via conventional means (social knowledge) may be challenging, we hypothesize that between-group socio-spatial dynamics have exerted strong selection on phenotypic markers of individual identity, quality, and competitive ability. Ornaments are sexually selected decorative traits with far-reaching signaling potential. Here, we examined the links between sexual dimorphism in ornamentation, home range use and encounter rates across 144 primate species in a Bayesian framework. We show that home range overlap (shared space among neighbors), an indicator of the complexity of between-group interactions (but not necessarily male-male competition), is positively associated with dimorphism in ornamentation. We find no clear effect for between-group encounter rates. We also find that inter-group interactions were less agonistic when there was greater home range overlap. Taken together, these findings indicate that ornaments play a hitherto underappreciated role in signaling to conspecifics outside the realms of their home groups.
SoMarker: a genetic marker searching tool for Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Dai Chuan-Yang , Zhang Haobo , Zuryn Steven
Published: August 2024

Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the most popular model organisms used to genetically dissect complex biological phenomena. One common technique used routinely in the C. elegans laboratory is the generation of strains carrying combinations of genetic mutations via classical genetic crosses. Here, we have developed a simple and convenient application to quickly identify useful genetic markers (phenotypical and fluorescent) and their chromosomal positions to aid in the development of genetic cross strategies. The user-friendly software identifies and prioritizes markers with the least genetic distance to a gene of interest, as well as displays the strain name, ease of scoring, nature of the marker (fluorescent transgene or phenotypic information), mating efficiency, and number of available alleles. In addition, recombination frequencies between the gene of interest and each genetic marker are calculated automatically. The application, called “SoMarker,” is designed for both MacOS and Windows environments and is available to freely download and modify through open-source software.
Integrated seismotectonic model of the 2013 Mw 6.6 and 2022 Mw 5.8 earthquake sequences in the southwestern section of the Longmenshan Fault Zone, China, and its implication
Authors: Xu Li-Sheng , Wang Chang-Zai , Zhang Zhe , Fang Li-Hua , Yi Lei , Zhang Xu , Guo Xiang-Yun , Li Chun-Lai
Published: August 2024

The 2008 Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured the middle and northeastern segments of the Longmenshan Fault Zone (LMSFZ), and the 2013 Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake ruptured a 50-km-long fault in the southwestern segment. Subsequently, an Mw 5.8 earthquake occurred approximately 10 km distant from the Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake. Therefore, the potential risk for larger earthquakes (>Mw 6.6) on the southwestern section must be considered. This study collects the latest seismological and GPS data to construct an integrated seismotectonic model for the two neighbouring earthquake sequences. The model integrates the fault planes involved, the main shock rupture processes, the main shock-caused Coulomb stress perturbation, the aftershock distribution and the 3-D velocity structure of the source region, providing information for seismic risk evaluation. We find that three fault planes were involved, two of which were related to the main shocks, and the third was generated by the aftershocks following the first main shock. The main shocks were caused by nearly pure thrust faulting on the two planes with dip angles of approximately 45° and almost opposite dipping directions, thereby forming a conjugate angle of around 90°. The third plane was located between the two main shocks, approximately parallel to the second main shock's fault plane. Each of the main shocks primarily ruptured a single asperity, displaying simple time history. The Coulomb stress change of the first main shock facilitated the generation of the second main shock and the third fault plane, and the second main shock increased the stress on the first main shock's fault plane. The aftershocks were distributed within stratified materials by spatially varying interfaces and characterized by high Vp and Vs velocity, and a low Vp/Vs ratio. The atypical dip angles of approximately 45° for thrust faults and the conjugate angle of approximately 90° are indicative of high stress state. The single asperity rupture implies simple stress accumulation. The main shock-caused Coulomb stress change did not reduce the seismic risk in the source region. The varying interfaces are interpreted as a consequence of long-term horizontal compression. All of these characteristics suggest that the two earthquake sequences were generated by the breakage of three immature faults under strong compression by background stress, and the high stress state remains within the southwestern LMSFZ.
Evolving chimp optimization algorithm using quantum mechanism for engineering applications: a case study on fire detection
Authors: Zhang Ziyang , Khishe Mohammad , Qian Leren , Martín Diego , Abualigah Laith , Ghazal Taher M
Published: August 2024

This paper introduces the Quantum Chimp Optimization Algorithm (QU-ChOA), which integrates the Chimp Optimization Algorithm (ChOA) with quantum mechanics principles to enhance optimization capabilities. The study evaluates QU-ChOA across diverse domains, including benchmark tests, the IEEE CEC-06–2019 100-Digit Challenge, real-world optimization problems from IEEE-CEC-2020, and dynamic scenarios from IEEE-CEC-2022. Key findings highlight QU-ChOA’s competitive performance in both unimodal and multimodal functions, achieving an average success rate (SR) of 88.98% across various benchmark functions. QU-ChOA demonstrates robust global search abilities, efficiently finding optimal solutions with an average fitness evaluations (AFEs) of 14 012 and an average calculation duration of 58.22 units in fire detection applications. In benchmark tests, QU-ChOA outperforms traditional algorithms, including achieving a perfect SR of 100% in the IEEE CEC-06–2019 100-Digit Challenge for several functions, underscoring its effectiveness in complex numerical optimization. Real-world applications highlight QU-ChOA’s significant improvements in objective function values for industrial processes, showcasing its versatility and applicability in practical scenarios. The study identifies gaps in existing optimization strategies and positions QU-ChOA as a novel solution to these challenges. It demonstrates QU-ChOA’s numerical advancements, such as a 20% reduction in AFEs compared to traditional methods, illustrating its efficiency and effectiveness across different optimization tasks. These results establish QU-ChOA as a promising tool for addressing intricate optimization problems in diverse fields.
An investigation on the face inversion effect in deaf children
Authors: Zhang Yunxiang , He Huizhong , Yi Lixin
Published: August 2024

The face inversion effect is an important indicator of holistic face perception and reflects the developmental level of face processing. This study examined the face inversion effect in deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children aged 7–17 using the face dimensions task. This task uses photographic images of a face, in which configural and featural information in the eye and mouth regions have been parametrically and independently manipulated. The study aimed to discuss the effect of face inversion on facial processing in DHH children, including two aspects of information processing types (configural versus featural) and processing regions (eyes versus mouth) and compared the results with hearing children. The results revealed that DHH children aged 7–17 years exhibit significant face inversion effect, with disruptions observed in both the featural and configural processing of eyes and mouths when faces were inverted. Configural processing was more affected by inversion than featural processing in all children, with larger differences observed in DHH children than in hearing children. This supports the dual-mode hypothesis of holistic face processing. Age correlations were observed in the sensitivity of DHH children to face inversion effect but not among hearing children. The inversion effect of configural mouth processing decreases with age in DHH children.
Emotional capital in citizen agency: contesting administrative burden through anger
Authors: Monrad Merete
Published: August 2024

The literature on administrative burden has focused on cognitive, material, and social resources, leaving emotional strategies and processes largely unexplored. This study begins to address this research gap by elaborating the concept of emotional capital in the context of citizen agency. The article uses the concept of emotional capital to analyze claimant anger in response to administrative burdens examining the question: how do citizens understand and maneuver the potential benefits and risks of expressing their anger when experiencing administrative burdens? The article is based on ethnographic fieldwork in Danish job centers involving interviews with seventy-one claimants and observations of ten conversations between caseworkers and claimants. The article contributes to theorize the role of emotions in citizen-state encounters by showing that emotional capital works as a resource moderating the experience of and coping with administrative burden.
Understanding key priority areas of mental health among queer asylum seekers and refugees in Australia through the lens of structural violence: A modified Delphi method study
Authors: Istiko Satrio Nindyo , Liem Andrian , Surijah Edwin Adrianta , Correa-Velez Ignacio
Published: August 2024

Queer asylum seekers and refugees (QASaR) are more likely to have poor mental health compared to non-QASaR. This paper examines key priority areas for refugee services to improve mental health outcomes of QASaR in Australia. The key priority areas were identified through a modified Delphi method (DM), comprised of two stages: a scoping review of literature and three rounds of consensus building process. In the second stage, twenty-one participants were involved, including QASaR, health/social care professionals, and people in policy/funding-related roles. Drawing on Farmer’s understanding of structural violence, our consensus suggests QASaR’s poor mental health is primarily produced by the asylum system, further exacerbated by the lack of safe queer-inclusive refugee services, and can be improved by supporting QASaR-led organizations. Greater investments in QASaR-led organizations and initiatives are needed to improve cultural safety of refugee services and achieve systemic change.
Role of three-dimensional printing and laser scanning in aesthetic restoration of Parry Romberg’s disease using de-epithelialized anterolateral thigh flap: a case report
Authors: Kumari Anupama , Singh Veena , Haq Ansarul , Sharma Sarsij , Bhalara Niraj
Published: August 2024

Parry Romberg syndrome also known as progressive hemifacial atrophy is an uncommon degenerative condition, characterized by unilateral, slow, and progressive atrophy of face. Patient presents with loss of facial symmetry and neurological manifestations. After the degenerative process settles, reconstructive surgeries are performed to address facial asymmetry. For accurate assessment of volume deficit, laser scanning and three- dimensional printing can be used which offers the advantage of precise surgical planning and good aesthetic outcome. We present a case of soft tissue reconstruction in Parry Romberg syndrome with anterolateral thigh flap with use of three- dimensional laser scanning.