bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bibliometric analysis of the global trends in immune‐related recurrent pregnancy loss research over the last two decades
Authors: Li Jing‐wei , Xv Honglin , Wan Ren‐tao
Published: March 2024

Problem

A comprehensive analysis was conducted to explore the scientific output on immune‐related recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and its key aspects. Despite the lack of clear explanations for most RPL cases, immune factors were found to play a significant role.

Method of Study

The study utilized a bibliometric approach, searching the Web of Science Core Collection database for relevant literature published between 2004 and 2023.

Results

The collected dataset consisted of 2228 articles and reviews, revealing a consistent increase in publications and citations over the past two decades. The analysis identified the United States and China as the most productive countries in terms of RPL research. Among the institutions, Fudan University in China emerged as the top contributor, followed by Shanghai Jiaotong University. Kwak‐kim J was the most prolific author, while Christiansen Ob had the highest number of co‐citations. The top 25 co‐cited references on diagnosis, treatment, and mechanisms formed the foundation of knowledge in this field. By examining keyword co‐occurrence and co‐citations, the study found that antiphospholipid syndrome and natural killer cells were the primary areas of focus in immune‐related RPL research. Additionally, three emerging hotspots were identified: chronic endometritis, inflammation, and decidual macrophages. These aspects demonstrated increasing interest and research activity within the field of immune‐related RPL.

Conclusions

Overall, this comprehensive bibliometric analysis provided valuable insights into the patterns, frontiers, and focal points of global scientific output related to immune‐related RPL.
Significance of clinical‐immunological patterns and diagnostic yield of biopsies in microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Fernandes‐Serodio João , Prieto‐González Sergio , Espígol‐Frigolé Georgina , Ríos‐Garcés Roberto , Gómez‐Caverzaschi Verónica , Araújo Olga , Espinosa Gerard , Jordà‐Sánchez Raül , Alba Marco A. , Quintana Luis , Blasco Miquel , Guillen Elena , Viñas Odette , Ruiz‐Ortiz Estíbaliz , Pelegrín Laura , Sainz de la Maza Maite , Sánchez‐Dalmau Bernardo , García‐Herrera Adriana , Solé Manel , Castillo Paola , Aldecoa Iban , Cano María D. , Sellarés Jacobo , Hernández‐González Fernanda , Agustí Carlos , Lucena Carmen M. , López‐Rueda Antonio , Sánchez Marcelo , Benegas Mariana , Capurro Sebastián , Sanmartí Raimon , Grau Josep M. , Vilaseca Isabel , Alobid Isam , Cid Maria C. , Hernández‐Rodríguez José
Published: March 2024

Background

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) are the two major antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐associated vasculitis (AAV).

Objectives

To characterize a homogenous AAV cohort and to assess the impact of clinicopathological profiles and ANCA serotypes on clinical presentation and prognosis. Clinical differences in GPA patients according to ANCA serotype and the diagnostic yield for vasculitis of biopsies in different territories were also investigated.

Results

This retrospective study (2000–2021) included 152 patients with AAV (77 MPA/75 GPA). MPA patients (96.1% myeloperoxidase [MPO]–ANCA and 2.6% proteinase 3 [PR3]–ANCA) presented more often with weight loss, myalgia, renal involvement, interstitial lung disease (ILD), cutaneous purpura, and peripheral nerve involvement. Patients with GPA (44% PR3–ANCA, 33.3% MPO, and 22.7% negative/atypical ANCA) presented more commonly with ear, nose, and throat and eye/orbital manifestations, more relapses, and higher survival than patients with MPA. GPA was the only independent risk factor for relapse. Poor survival predictors were older age at diagnosis and peripheral nerve involvement. ANCA serotypes differentiated clinical features in a lesser degree than clinical phenotypes. A mean of 1.5 biopsies were performed in 93.4% of patients in different territories. Overall, vasculitis was identified in 80.3% (97.3% in MPA and 61.8% in GPA) of patients.

Conclusions

The identification of GPA presentations associated with MPO–ANCA and awareness of risk factors for relapse and mortality are important to guide proper therapeutic strategies in AAV patients. Biopsies of different affected territories should be pursued in difficult‐to‐diagnose patients based on their significant diagnostic yield.
Effect of institutional antimicrobial stewardship guidelines on prescription of critically important antimicrobials for dogs and cats
Authors: Robbins Sarah N. , Goggs Robert , Kraus‐Malett Sydney , Goodman Laura
Published: March 2024

Background

Veterinary hospital antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) guidelines might help combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Objectives

Determine the conditions and types of infection for which antimicrobial drugs (AMDs) deemed critically important (CIA) by the World Health Organization (WHO) were prescribed and assess the effect of hospital AMS guidelines on adherence to International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases published guidelines for the treatment of superficial bacterial folliculitis, respiratory tract disease and urinary tract infection in these cases.

Animals

Dogs and cats managed at an academic veterinary hospital from 1/21 to 6/21 and 9/21 to 6/22.

Methods

Prescriptions of cephalosporins (third or fourth generation), glycopeptides, macrolides/ketolides, polymyxins, and quinolones were identified. Data on culture and susceptibility (C/S) testing and previous AMD exposure were collected. Frequencies were compared between time periods using Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni corrections.

Results

In animals prescribed ≥1 WHO‐CIA AMD, fluoroquinolones were the most frequently prescribed WHO‐CIA class in dogs (567/1724, 32.9%) and cats (192/450, 42.7%). No animals were prescribed carbapenems, dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors/sulfonamides, or polymyxins. No cats were prescribed aminoglycosides or amphenicols. Institutional guidelines were followed in 57.8% (324/561) cases. The most frequent causes of nonadherence were failure to perform C/S testing 46.0% (109/237) and unnecessary use of a higher‐tier AMD 43.0% (102/237). Bacterial C/S testing was more frequently performed after AMS guideline institution (59.7% vs. 46.8%, P = 0.0006).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Adherence to published guidelines remained poor despite an increase in C/S testing. There were no changes in the frequencies of confirmed infections, positive cultures or AMD resistance between time periods.
In‐fleet structural health monitoring of roadway bridges using connected and autonomous vehicles’ data
Authors: Shokravi Hoofar , Vafaei Mohammadreza , Samali Bijan , Bakhary Norhisham
Published: March 2024

Drive‐by structural health monitoring (SHM) is a cost‐efficient alternative to the direct SHM of short‐ to medium‐size bridges requiring no sensors to be installed on the structure. However, drive‐by SHM is generally known as a short‐term monitoring technique due to the challenges associated with using multiple passages of instrumented vehicles for a long time. This paper proposes combining the potentiality of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) into drive‐by damage detection by introducing In‐Fleet SHM. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that proposes using CAVs for SHM application in civil engineering structures. Each In‐Fleet CAV could automatically collect the vehicle's persistent and temporal data by the embedded sensors and transmit them to edge computing systems for analysis. These persistent data include type and model and temporal parameters encompassing position, speed, heading, and vertical acceleration of CAVs. Knowing the persistent and temporal data of the passing vehicles over the transportation infrastructures enables the identification of the dynamic parameters of the bridge from the vehicles’ vertical acceleration response using drive‐by techniques and, on the other hand, reconstruction of the finite element model of the passing vehicles over the supporting bridges in a near real‐time manner. In contrast to the drive‐by SHM, In‐Fleet monitoring has an expanded spatial and temporal coverage, enabling continuous near real‐time monitoring of highway bridges of the transportation network. The accuracy and resolution of the identified modal components in In‐Fleet SHM are enhanced due to the crowdsensing nature of the collected data. Furthermore, by offering a unique set of characteristics, this method fills the crucial gap in implementing Industry 4.0 technologies and digital twins for SHM of bridges.
Prokinetics‐safety and efficacy: The European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility/The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society expert review
Authors: Bor Serhat , Kalkan İsmail H. , Savarino Edoardo , Rao Satish , Tack Jan , Pasricha Jay , Cangemi David , Schol Jolien , Karunaratne Tennekoon , Ghisa Matteo , Ahuja Nitin K. , Lacy Brian
Published: March 2024

Background

Prokinetics are a class of pharmacological drugs designed to improve gastrointestinal (GI) motility, either regionally or across the whole gut. Each drug has its merits and drawbacks, and based on current evidence as high‐quality studies are limited, we have no clear recommendation on one class or other. However, there remains a large unmet need for both regionally selective and/or globally acting prokinetic drugs that work primarily intraluminally and are safe and without systemic side effects.

Purpose

Here, we describe the strengths and weaknesses of six classes of prokinetic drugs, including their pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, safety and tolerability and potential indications.
LONESOME HIGHWAY‐TARGET OF MONOPTEROS5 transcription factor complex promotes a predifferentiation state for xylem vessel differentiation in the root apical meristem by inducing the expression of VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN genes
Authors: Ohashi‐Ito Kyoko , Iwamoto Kuninori , Fukuda Hiroo
Published: March 2024

In Arabidopsis thaliana, heterodimers comprising two bHLH family proteins, LONESOME HIGHWAY (LHW) and TARGET OF MONOPTEROS5 (TMO5) or its homolog TMO5‐LIKE 1 (T5L1) control vascular development in the root apical meristem (RAM). The LHW‐TMO5/T5L1 complex regulates vascular cell proliferation, vascular pattern organization, and xylem vessel differentiation; however, the mechanism of preparation for xylem vessel differentiation in the RAM remains elusive.

We examined the relationship between LHW‐T5L1 and VASCULAR‐RELATED NAC‐DOMAIN (VND) genes, which are key regulators of vessel differentiation, using reverse genetics approaches.

LHW‐T5L1 upregulated the expression of VND1, VND2, VND3, VND6, and VND7 but not that of other VNDs. The expression of VND1–VND3 in the RAM was decreased in lhw. In vnd1 vnd2 vnd3 triple loss‐of‐function mutant roots, metaxylem differentiation was delayed, and VND6 and VND7 expression was reduced. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of VND1‐overexpressing cells revealed that VND1 upregulates genes involved in the synthesis of secondary cell wall components.

These results suggest that LHW‐T5L1 upregulates VND1–VND3 at the early stages of vascular development in the RAM, and VNDs promote a predifferentiation state for xylem vessels by triggering low levels of VND6 and VND7 as well as genes for the synthesis of secondary cell wall materials.
Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids: A potential treatment for obesity‐related diseases
Authors: Li Lili , Wang Ping , Jiao Xudong , Qin Song , Liu Zhengyi , Ye Yanrui , Song Yipeng , Hou Hu
Published: March 2024

Obesity, a burgeoning worldwide health system challenge, is associated with multiple chronic diseases, including diabetes and chronic inflammation. Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are newly identified lipids with mitigating and anti‐inflammatory effects in diabetes. Increasing work has shown that FAHFAs exert antioxidant activity and enhance autophagy in neuronal cells and cardiomyocytes. We systematically summarized the biological activities of FAHFAs, including their regulatory effects on diabetes and inflammation, antioxidant activity, and autophagy augmentation. Notably, the structure–activity relationships and potential biosynthesis of FAHFAs are thoroughly discussed. FAHFAs also showed potential roles as diagnostic biomarkers. FAHFAs are a class of resources with promising applications in the biomedical field that require in‐depth research and hotspot development, as their structure has not been fully resolved and their biological activity has not been fully revealed.
Boundary of mandibular molar distalization in orthodontic treatment: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Keyuan , Chu Guang , Zhang Chengfei , Yang Yanqi
Published: March 2024

To explore the mandibular retromolar space length (MRSL), initial root‐inner cortex contact percentage (IRCCP), and the various factors that influence mandibular molar distalization. Searches were undertaken in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and grey literature (Google Scholar and OpenGrey) for eligible cross‐sectional observational studies measuring the MRSL and IRCCP in healthy adult patients. The risk of bias and evidence quality were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's checklist and GRADE framework. Thirteen studies involving 1169 patients were included for qualitative synthesis. Seven of these studies were eligible for quantitative analysis. Meta‐analysis showed that the mean MRSL at the subfurcation‐6 mm plane in Asian normodivergent cases was 3.78 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.81–4.35; I2 = 79.7%) for skeletal Class‐I malocclusions, 3.02 mm (95% CI: 2.10–3.94; I2 = 62.5%) for Class‐II, and 4.43 mm (95% CI: 3.14–5.73; I2 = 75.1%) for Class‐III. The mean MRSL at the sub‐cementoenamel junction (CEJ)‐10 mm plane for Asian, Class‐I, normodivergent cases was 3.28 mm (95% CI: 2.44–4.12; I2 = 68.9%). The mean IRCCP for Asian, Class‐I, normodivergent cases was 27.2% (95% CI: 0.22–0.32; I2 = 0%). In Asian normodivergent cases, MRSL ranges from 3.28 to 4.43 mm with a 27.2% IRCCP for Class‐I. Cone‐beam computed tomography imaging is recommended for measuring the MRSL in the apex region particularly before molar distalization. Factors influencing MRSL and IRCCP include different races, skeletal patterns, facial types, and third‐molar status.
Weapons of mass division: Sputnik Latvia's Russophobia narratives and testing the rejection‐identification model in Russian speakers in Latvia
Authors: Hoyle Aiden , Powell Tom , Doosje Bertjan , van den Berg Helma , Wagnsson Charlotte
Published: March 2024

The effects of exposure to Russian propaganda have long been feared; however, academic research examining responses is scarce. This study aims to investigate the responses of Russian speakers in Latvia to a narrative propagated by the Kremlin‐sponsored media outlet Sputnik Latvia that narrates Latvian government policy as Russophobic. The potential to entrench existing ethnopolitical divisions has been highlighted as a possible effect of Russian speakers consuming this narration. We adopt a comprehensive, mixed‐method research approach, where we first provide an analysis of the content of Sputnik Latvia's Russophobia narrative in its recent output. Then, using this analysis, we examine how Russian‐speaking participants respond to this content in a preregistered survey experiment and a focus group. Theoretically, we orient around the rejection‐identification model. This predicts individuals to generally experience lower well‐being after perceiving group‐based discrimination, but that embracing the stigmatized identity can help maintain well‐being despite this perceived devaluation. Our results showed that even brief exposure to Sputnik Latvia's Russophobia narrative led to higher levels of perceived discrimination and group identification in Russian speakers. However, we found no significant effects on well‐being, which deviates from extant literature on discrimination. We discuss the reasons for this and suggest future directions.
Epididymitis with Pasteurella multocida isolated from two male Japanese Black beef calves
Authors: Kanno Chihiro , Sato Shogo , Maeda Yosuke , Ando Ryo , Park Chun‐Ho , Kawaguchi Hiroaki , Tanabe Taishi , Takahashi Fumiaki
Published: March 2024

Two male Japanese Black calves developed an enlarged scrotum and testis. Orchiectomy was performed and pus was collected during surgery. After removal of the testis, bacteriological and histopathological examinations were conducted to investigate the cause and confirm the diagnosis. Based on the results obtained, both cases were diagnosed with epididymitis caused by an infection with Pasteurella multocida. This is the first study to show that P. multocida causes epididymitis in male calves. Further studies are required to clarify the details underlying the infection of calves with P. multocida.
The effect of cross‐border shopping on commodity tax revenue: results from Norway's COVID‐19 border closings
Authors: Friberg Richard , Halseth Emil M. S. , Steen Frode , Ulsaker Simen A.
Published: March 2024

We use grocery data from Norway and COVID‐19 border closings to gauge the effect of cross‐border shopping on commodity tax revenue. Detailed store–category‐level data identify differential treatment effects that depend on distance to Swedish stores. Economically significant effects extend to up to two hours' drive from the border, and even further for prominent cross‐border shopping products, such as beer, cigarettes, and carbonated soft drinks. Across all products, cross‐border shopping decreases tax revenue from VAT by 3.6 percent at the national level. National commodity tax revenue from carbonated soft drinks (subject to a sugar tax) is reduced by 8.1 percent and from cigarettes by 11.9 percent.
A phylogenetic framework of Palaearctic and Indomalayan Limacodidae (Lepidoptera, Zygaenoidea) based on sequence capture data
Authors: Liang Jiamin , Zhu Yaowei , Solovyev Alexey V. , He Mao , Lohman David J. , Wahlberg Niklas , Li Wentao , Li Jing , Wang Min , Liang Dan , Wang Houshuai
Published: March 2024

The slug moth family Limacodidae is a cosmopolitan group of economic importance, but its higher level systematics remains poorly understood. Here, we present a robust, higher level phylogenetic framework for Palaearctic and Indomalayan members of the family using sequence capture data of 148 nuclear protein‐coding and 13 mitochondrial markers from 145 samples of 126 species in 67 genera representing all five morphologically delineated limacodid lineages. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Limacodidae in which six major clades are recognized. The relationships among these clades are revealed, with Phrixolepia‐clade being the most basal group followed by Apoda‐clade, Euphlyctinides‐clade, Cania‐clade and Phlossa‐clade + Parasa‐clade, respectively. We also add publicly available DNA barcode sequences from additional species worldwide to this phylogenetic framework to infer the most completely sampled phylogeny of Limacodidae to date. Our work provides a major step towards understanding the systematics and evolution of slug moths.
A placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study evaluating the effect of orally administered polyunsaturated fatty acids on the oclacitinib dose for atopic dogs
Authors: Schäfer Laura , Thom Nina
Published: March 2024

Background

Supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) enables dose reduction of prednisolone and ciclosporin in canine atopic dermatitis (cAD).

Objective

To determine if oral administration of PUFA reduces the dose of oclacitinib in cAD.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs with cAD receiving oclacitinib.

Materials and Methods

Dogs received a fish oil product (PUFA) or paraffin oil (placebo) for 16 weeks. Owners adjusted the oclacitinib dose according to daily pruritus assessments. On Day (D)0, D56 and D112, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, fourth iteration (CADESI‐04), pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS), quality‐of‐life score (QoL), Global Assessment (GA), quality‐of‐coat (QoC) and adverse events were recorded.

Results

Mean daily oclacitinib dose was significantly reduced in the PUFA group from 0.51 ± 0.20 mg/kg/24 h (D0) to 0.19 ± 0.14 mg/kg/24 h (D85–112; p < 0.00001) and not in the placebo group (D0: 0.70 ± 0.33 mg/kg/24 h; D85–112: 0.53 ± 0.35 mg/kg/24 h, p = 0.5422). CADESI‐04 did not change over time or differ between groups. PVAS was significantly lower in the PUFA group (2.8 ± 1.5) compared to placebo (4.2 ± 1.6) at D112 (p = 0.0375). QoL and QoC improved only in the PUFA group (QoL: D0: 20 ± 7, D112: 12 ± 5, p = 0.0057; QoC: D0: 0 ± 0.5, D112: 1 ± 0.5, p = 0.0410). GA on D112 was higher in the PUFA group (p = 0.008). No adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Oral supplementation of PUFA allowed dose reduction of oclacitinib and improved PVAS, QoL, QoC and GA. The use of PUFA is recommended and was safe in the atopic study dogs receiving oclacitinib.
Economic evaluations of neglected tropical disease interventions in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mahapatra Biswajit , Mukherjee Nirmalya , Khatoon Sajda , Bhattacharya Paramita , Das Pritha , Bharti Omesh , John Denny
Published: March 2024

Objective:

The objective of this systematic review is to provide an overview of economic evaluation studies of interventions for neglected tropical diseases in low- and/or middle-income countries.

Introduction:

The majority of people most susceptible to neglected tropical diseases reside in low- and middle-income countries and suffer significant economic impact due to these diseases. The World Health Organization suggests utilizing a systematic and cross-cutting approach with multiple interventions to lessen the neglected tropical disease burden.

Inclusion criteria:

Studies will be eligible for inclusion if they include economic evaluations of interventions for neglected tropical diseases and are conducted in low- and/or middle-income country settings.

Methods:

A preliminary search of MEDLINE (PubMed) was undertaken using MeSH terms, such as neglected tropical disease, economic evaluation, therapeutics, low- and/or middle-income countries. Two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts independently, followed by a full-text review against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer. To assess methodological quality, the JBI checklist for economic evaluations will be used. For economic evaluations, data will be extracted using the standardized JBI data extraction form. The Dominance Ranking Matrix will be used to summarize and compare the results of different types of economic evaluations. Cost per quality adjusted life year gained and cost per disability adjusted life year averted will be measures for economic evaluation. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used to assess the certainty of economic evidence, such as resource use and costs.

Review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42017070386
Theses on the Metaphors of Digital-Textual History
Authors: Eve Martin Paul
Published: March 2024

Digital spaces are saturated with metaphor: we have pages, sites, mice, and windows. Yet, in the world of digital textuality, these metaphors no longer function as we might expect. Martin Paul Eve calls attention to the digital-textual metaphors that condition our experience of digital space, and traces their history as they interact with physical cultures. Eve posits that digital-textual metaphors move through three life phases. Initially they are descriptive. Then they encounter a moment of fracture or rupture. Finally, they go on to have a prescriptive life of their own that conditions future possibilities for our text environments—even when the metaphors have become untethered from their original intent. Why is "whitespace" white? Was the digital page always a foregone conclusion? Over a series of theses, Eve addresses these and other questions in order to understand the moments when digital-textual metaphors break and to show us how it is that our textual softwares become locked into paradigms that no longer make sense. Contributing to book history, literary studies, new media studies, and material textual studies, Theses on the Metaphors of Digital-Textual History provides generative insights into the metaphors that define our digital worlds.
Predicting the Performance of Turbine Exhaust Diffuser-Collector Systems Across the Operating Range: Comparison of Lattice-Boltzmann Method Simulations With Experiments
Authors: Langford Matthew , Siorek Michal , Guillot Stephen , Ng Wing F.
Published: March 2024

The predictive capability of the lattice-Boltzmann very large eddy simulation (LBM-VLES) methodology was evaluated for industrial gas turbine exhaust diffuser-collector applications. The effort focused on evaluating the accuracy of performance predictions against experimental rig data gathered at engine representative conditions including the Reynolds number, Mach number, and inlet flow conditions. The performance prediction capability of LBM-VLES simulations was also compared against Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. Evaluations were completed for two distinct exhaust rig geometries at conditions indicative of their respective design points, and the performance prediction capability was also evaluated at conditions depicting two off-design cases. The off-design conditions were represented by an increase in inlet swirl angle and associated incidence on the diffuser struts. Overall, the authors found that LBM-VLES simulations were a suitable approach for predicting the performance of gas turbine exhaust diffuser-collector systems at both on- and off-design conditions. The LBM-VLES simulation accuracy was substantially better than that achieved by RANS simulations, with 66% lower RMS pressure recovery error between computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experiments for the four cases studied, and an 89% reduction in error for the furthest off-design case. The computational cost of the transient LBM-VLES simulations was roughly the same as the RANS simulations performed using best practices for that solver.
Aerosol inhalation of inflammatory cells-targeted dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate for efficient allergic asthma therapy
Authors: Chen Danfei , Xuan Xiaobo , Chen Yuyan , Fang Xia , Liu Liwei , Wang Guowei , Chen Jian
Published: March 2024

Allergic asthma (AA) is a common breathing disorder clinically characterized by the high occurrence of acute and continuous inflammation. However, the current treatment options for AA are lacking in effectiveness and diversity. In this study, we determined that the cell membrane receptor of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was highly overexpressed on the inflammatory cells that infiltrate the pulmonary tissues in AA cases. Therefore, we developed a GGT-specific dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate (GSHDDC) that could be administered via aerosol inhalation to treat AA in a rapid and sustained manner. The GSHDDC was fabricated by the covalent attachment of 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate-modified dexamethasone to polyamidoamine dendrimers via a carbonic ester linkage and the amino Michael addition, followed by the surface modification of the dendrimers with the GGT substrate of glutathione. After aerosol inhalation by the AA mice, the small particle-sized GSHDDC could easily diffuse into pulmonary alveoli and touch with the inflammatory cells via the glutathione ligand/GGT receptor-mediated recognition. The overexpressed GGT on the surface of inflammatory cells then triggers the gamma-glutamyl transfer reactions of glutathione to generate positively charged primary amines, thereby inducing rapid cationization-mediated cellular endocytosis into the inflammatory cells. The dexamethasone was gradually released by the intracellular enzyme hydrolysis, enabling sustained anti-inflammatory effects (e.g., reducing eosinophil infiltration, decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors) in the ovalbumin-induced AA mice. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of an inhalational and active inflammatory cells-targeted dendrimer-dexamethasone conjugate for efficient AA therapy.
Physical Activity, Long-COVID, and Inactivity: A Detrimental Endless Loop
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Mattiuzzi Camilla , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian
Published: March 2024

The risk of developing medium- and long-term sequelae after recovery from COVID-19 is validated. Long-COVID burden represents a major health care issue, thus paving the way to effective prevention and/or treatment measures. Physical activity prevents many human pathologies, including COVID-19. Being physically active before and immediately after a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection substantially lowers the risk of developing long-COVID. In addition, long-COVID is an important cause of physical inactivity. Physically inactive individuals are at increased risk of developing long-COVID, while patients with long-COVID are more likely to reduce their physical activity levels after recovering from the acute infection, with the risk of generating a continuous loop. This harmful interaction needs to be recognized by public health institutions, and the adoption of physical activity as a routine clinical practice in all individuals after a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection needs to be proactively promoted.
Non-
faecium
non-
faecalis
enterococci: a review of clinical manifestations, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Mullally Christopher A. , Fahriani Marhami , Mowlaboccus Shakeel , Coombs Geoffrey W.
Published: March 2024

Enterococci are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that are typically found as commensals in humans, animals, and the environment. Occasionally, they may cause clinically relevant diseases such as endocarditis, septicemia, urinary tract infections, and wound infections. The majority of clinical infections in humans are caused by two species:
Enterococcus faecium
and
Enterococcus faecalis
. However, there is an increasing number of clinical infections caused by non-
faecium
non-
faecalis
(NFF) enterococci. Although NFF enterococcal species are often overlooked, studies have shown that they may harbor antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and virulence factors that are found in
E. faecium
and
E. faecalis
. In this review, we present an overview of the NFF enterococci with a particular focus on human clinical manifestations, epidemiology, virulence genes, and AMR genes.
Complete genome sequence of
Selenomonas species
strain TAMA-11512, isolated from blood culture of a septic patient
Authors: Horiba Kazuhiro , Aso Sakura , Oda Rentaro , Tateishi Yoshinori , Ura Kuniko , Kuroda Makoto
Published: March 2024

We report the complete sequence of
Selenomonas
species strain TAMA-11512, isolated from the blood culture of a septic patient. The phylogeny and average nucleotide identity show that the strain TAMA-11512 is considered a novel bacterial species in
Selenomonas
genus.
Rich microbial and depolymerising diversity in Antarctic krill gut
Authors: Möller Lars , Vainshtein Yevhen , Meyer Bettina , Neidhardt John , Eren A. Murat , Sohn Kai , Rabus Ralf
Published: March 2024

With almost a quadrillion individuals, the Antarctic krill processes five million tons of organic carbon every day during austral summer. This high carbon flux requires a broad range of hydrolytic enzymes to decompose the diverse food-derived biopolymers. While krill itself possesses numerous such enzymes, it is unclear, to what extent the endogenous microbiota contribute to the hydrolytic potential of the gut environment. Here we applied amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, cultivation, and physiological assays to characterize the krill gut microbiota. The broad bacterial diversity (273 families, 919 genera, and 2,309 species) also included a complex potentially anaerobic sub-community. Plate-based assays with 198 isolated pure cultures revealed widespread capacities to utilize lipids (e.g., tributyrin), followed by proteins (casein) and to a lesser extent by polysaccharides (e.g., alginate and chitin). While most isolates affiliated with the genera
Pseudoalteromonas
and
Psychrobacter
, also
Rubritalea
spp. (Verrucomicrobia) were observed. The krill gut microbiota growing on marine broth agar plates possess 13,012 predicted hydrolyses; 15-fold more than previously predicted from a transcriptome-proteome compendium of krill. Cultivation-independent and -dependent approaches indicated members of the families
Flavobacteriaceae
and
Pseudoalteromonadaceae
to dominate the capacities for lipid/protein hydrolysis and to provide a plethora of carbohydrate-active enzymes, sulfatases, and laminarin- or porphyrin-depolymerizing hydrolases. Notably, also the potential to hydrolyze plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate and polylactatide was observed, affiliating mostly with Moraxellaceae. Overall, this study shows extensive microbial diversity in the krill gut, and suggests that the microbiota likely play a significant role in the nutrient acquisition of the krill by enriching its hydrolytic enzyme repertoire.

IMPORTANCE

The Antarctic krill (
Euphausia superba
) is a keystone species of the Antarctic marine food web, connecting the productivity of phyto- and zooplankton with the nutrition of the higher trophic levels. Accordingly, krill significantly contributes to biomass turnover, requiring the decomposition of seasonally varying plankton-derived biopolymers. This study highlights the likely role of the krill gut microbiota in this ecosystem function by revealing the great number of diverse hydrolases that microbes contribute to the krill gut environment. The here resolved repertoire of hydrolytic enzymes could contribute to the overall nutritional resilience of krill and to the general organic matter cycling under changing environmental conditions in the Antarctic sea water. Furthermore, the krill gut microbiome could serve as a valuable resource of cold-adapted hydrolytic enzymes for diverse biotechnological applications.
Rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of heterobicyclic akenes with heteroarene nucleophiles: an experimental and computational investigation
Authors: Pounder Austin , Neufeld Eric , Chen Leanne D. , Tam William
Published: March 2024

We present an experimental and computational investigation into the rhodium-catalyzed ring-opening reactions of heterobicyclic alkenes with heteroarene nucleophiles. The reaction provides a facile route to trans-substituted dihydronaphthalen-1-ol and 1-amino-dihydronaphthalene products in up to a 95% yield as a single diastereomer. This reaction is 100% atom-economic and offers C–C bond formation without prior functionalization of the coupling partners. The mechanism and origins of selectivity were probed with density functional theory (DFT) at the MN15/Def2-TZVPP level of theory. The energetic barriers between iridium- and rhodium-catalyzed pathways were compared via DFT. Additionally, the reactivity and energetic barriers across diverse heterobicyclic alkenes and heteroarenes were calculated to unveil their relative reactivity.
Investigating the influence of minor krill-predators on the krill-predator dynamics of the Antarctic ecosystem in the International Whaling Commission's Management Area II
Authors: Moosa Naseera , Butterworth Doug S.
Published: March 2024

Krill ( Euphausia superba), a small pelagic crustacean. is the largest food resource serving many predators in the Antarctic ecosystem. Given the recent slow expansion of the krill fishery, interest is increasing on how best to harvest krill without unduly impacting its natural predators. The Mori–Butterworth Antarctic ecosystem model attempted to explain the dynamics of the “major” predators through predator–prey interactions alone. That model considered blue, fin, humpback, and minke whales, and crabeater and Antarctic fur seals. Here, this model is expanded to include “minor” krill-predators, such as mackerel icefish. It focuses on a smaller scale, roughly corresponding to International Whaling Commission Management Area II. Results suggest a meaningful difference (historical abundance trajectories differing by more than 5% on average over time) when including “minor” predators. Hence, at an area-specific level, “minor” predators should be considered for further models of at least certain sectors of the Antarctic, as they may meaningfully influence the dynamics of krill and its “major” predators. This in turn could impact management decisions for the krill fishery, as regards optimal krill harvesting.
Landscape determinants of aquatic estuarine habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon
Authors: Beamer Eric M. , Greene Correigh M. , Chamberlin Joshua W. , Hood W. Gregory , Ellings Christopher S. , Hodgson Sayre , Zackey W. Todd
Published: March 2024

Habitat restoration planning and design can be informed by information on spatial patterns in habitat use, which can be obtained from temporally and spatially extensive monitoring efforts. Using records from long-term monitoring in four tidal deltas, we modeled how landscape features (channel types, wetland vegetation types, and a channel network connectivity index) influenced juvenile natural-origin (NOr) and hatchery-origin (HOr) Chinook salmon presence/absence and density when present. Models detected strong effects of landscape characteristics on either presence/absence or density, although the directionality and relative importance of these features differed between NOr and HOr fish. In addition, while interannual differences were stronger for NOr juveniles, the seasonal pattern was much stronger for HOr fish and was in fact the strongest predictor of density. For both types of fish, interactions between landscape features and seasonal pattern existed, indicating that habitat use changed dynamically from the beginning to the end of the rearing period. These findings help provide general principles for prioritizing location and designing habitat restoration projects.
Extended gravitational vortex without dark matter
Authors: Ludwig G. O.
Published: March 2024

This paper analyzes, within the extended gravitoelectromagnetic (GEM) formulation, the equilibrium of a large scale gravitational system formed by rotating dust. The force balance equation gives the rotation velocity in terms of the GEM fields. Boundary conditions for the fields are introduced using Helmholtz’s decomposition and the virtual casing principle. Hydro-gravitomagnetic Cauchy invariance is implemented to relate the fluid and gravitomagnetic field vorticities. An energy conservation equation gives the rotation velocity in terms of the gravitational field and respective boundary values. A detailed solution is calculated for the case of rotating oblate spheroids. The equilibrium is in the form of a sheared rotational vortex, without introducing dark matter. The results are consistent with the Tully–Fisher relation and the Virginia Trimble correlations.
The popular gene of hot event: A hot event propagation mechanism based on information coupling and information energy interaction
Authors: Dang Zhongkai , Shi Lei , Yao Yuan , Li Lixiang
Published: March 2024

Recently, the research on the propagation of hot events has received widespread attention. By analyzing the data of hot events and the data of the common events in the same period on the network, we found that hot events usually break out quickly and opinion leaders and cluster behaviors exist in their propagation process. At the same time, the media public opinion fields of reporting hot events overlap and promote each other. Based on the common factors that drive an event to become a hot event, we used the heat calculation formula and entropy method to put forward the propagation model of hot events based on information coupling and information energy interaction. In the model, the coupling values of different event information are quantified based on the information fragment coupling effect. The heat calculation formula is used to dynamically adjust the propagation probability of different individuals in the propagation process of hot event, and the sensational effect threshold is introduced based on the overall energy value of the event. Finally, we used the real social relationship networks to simulate the evolution propagation process of the hot events, and compared it with the crawling real propagation curve of the events. The proposed model provides a good supplement for the study of the hot events.
Abusing AI for Advertising
Authors: Kirkpatrick Keith
Published: March 2024

Will generative artificial intelligence accelerate the growth of made-for-advertising sites?
A Survey of Cutting-edge Multimodal Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Singh Upendra , Abhishek Kumar , Azad Hiteshwar Kumar
Published: March 2024

The rapid growth of the internet has reached the fourth generation, i.e., web 4.0, which supports Sentiment Analysis (SA) in many applications such as social media, marketing, risk management, healthcare, businesses, websites, data mining, e-learning, psychology, and many more. Sentiment analysis is a powerful tool for governments, businesses, and researchers to analyse users’ emotions and mental states in order to generate opinions and reviews about products, services, and daily activities. In the past years, several SA techniques based on Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and other soft computing approaches were proposed. However, growing data size, subjectivity, and diversity pose a significant challenge to enhancing the efficiency of existing techniques and incorporating current development trends, such as Multimodal Sentiment Analysis (MSA) and fusion techniques. With the aim of assisting the enthusiastic researcher to navigating the current trend, this article presents a comprehensive study of various literature to handle different aspects of SA, including current trends and techniques across multiple domains. In order to clarify the future prospects of MSA, this article also highlights open issues and research directions that lead to a number of unresolved challenges.
Advanced White-Box Heuristics for Search-Based Fuzzing of REST APIs
Authors: Arcuri Andrea , Zhang Man , Galeotti Juan
Published: March 2024

Due to its importance and widespread use in industry, automated testing of REST APIs has attracted major interest from the research community in the last few years. However, most of the work in the literature has been focused on black-box fuzzing. Although existing fuzzers have been used to automatically find many faults in existing APIs, there are still several open research challenges that hinder the achievement of better results (e.g., in terms of code coverage and fault finding). For example, under-specified schemas are a major issue for black-box fuzzers. Currently,
EvoMaster
is the only existing tool that supports white-box fuzzing of REST APIs. In this paper, we provide a series of novel white-box heuristics, including for example how to deal with under-specified constrains in API schemas, as well as under-specified schemas in SQL databases. Our novel techniques are implemented as an extension to our open-source, search-based fuzzer
EvoMaster
. An empirical study on 14 APIs from the EMB corpus, plus one industrial API, shows clear improvements of the results in some of these APIs.
DMHomo: Learning Homography with Diffusion Models
Authors: Li Haipeng , Jiang Hai , Luo Ao , Tan Ping , Fan Haoqiang , Zeng Bing , Liu Shuaicheng
Published: March 2024

Supervised homography estimation methods face a challenge due to the lack of adequate labeled training data. To address this issue, we propose
DMHomo
, a diffusion model-based framework for supervised homography learning. This framework generates image pairs with accurate labels, realistic image content, and realistic interval motion, ensuring that they satisfy adequate pairs. We utilize unlabeled image pairs with pseudo labels such as homography and dominant plane masks, computed from existing methods, to train a diffusion model that generates a supervised training dataset. To further enhance performance, we introduce a new probabilistic mask loss, which identifies outlier regions through supervised training, and an iterative mechanism to optimize the generative and homography models successively. Our experimental results demonstrate that DMHomo effectively overcomes the scarcity of qualified datasets in supervised homography learning and improves generalization to real-world scenes. The code and dataset are available at GitHub (
https://github.com/lhaippp/DMHomo
).
A Novel Electrochemical Sensor for Chloramphenicol Based on MXenes and Carbon Nanofiber from Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Guo Hangyu , Xu Feng , Li Lijun , Qin Danfeng
Published: March 2024

In this study, three-dimensional porous MXene/carbon nanofiber (CNF) nanocomposites were prepared by assembling environmentally friendly and inexpensive bacterial cellulose (BC) gel sheets as a carbon source with novel two-dimensional MXenes nanoplate clusters and pyrolyzing the composite. The structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of MXene/CNF was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The experimental results revealed that the MXene/CNF nanocomposites had excellent electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, abundant active sites, and excellent electrochemical properties. The sensitive electrochemical determination of chloramphenicol (CAP) was achieved by constructing an electrochemical sensor using the MXene/CNF composite. The response current values of the MXene/CNF sensor exhibited a good linear response with CAP concentration ranging from 0.03-25μM, with a low detection limit of 9 nM. In addition, the sensor demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility with relative standard deviations of 2.94 and 3.29%, respectively. Remarkably, the developed sensor was successfully used for the real-time detection of CAP in milk and jasmine tea beverage and satisfactory rates were obtained.
Upconversion Luminescence Properties and Temperature Sensing Characteristics of Tm3+, Yb3+-codoped SrAl2Si2O8 Phosphors with High Thermometric Sensitivities
Authors: Taximaimaiti Aierpati , Sidike Aierken , Abulimiti Halizati , Wang Qingling
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a SrAl2Si2O8:Tm3+,Yb3+ upconversion (UC) phosphor was prepared with a high-temperature solid-phase method, and proved that the strontium feldspar structure was an excellent UC matrix. The Tm3+ were shown to have a maximum relative thermometric sensitivity (Sr) of 1.67% K−1 at 298 K and a maximum absolute thermometric sensitivity (Sa) of 1.34% K−1 at 573 K. The non-thermally coupled energy level corresponded to the maximum relative thermometry sensitivity (Sr) of 2.4% K−1 at 298 K and a maximum absolute sensitivity (Sa) of 13% K−1 at 423 K. The use of the fluorescence intensity ratio of the nonthermally coupled energy levels of Tm3+ for temperature measurements improved the temperature measurement sensitivity of the same material. These results indicated that the phosphor has good temperature sensing performance with a wide sensing range and good stability and has potential thermometry applications in the first biological window.