bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods for risk assessment of old overhead transmission lines
Authors: Zhou Chenxi , Wang Yangming , Guo Wei , Wen Qingfeng , Li Longji , Zhang Chi , Wang Songbo , Li Xuegang , Yang Zhiying
Published: November 2023

In view of the problem that the transmission line body elements are not considered comprehensively in the current evaluation methods of old transmission lines, this paper proposes a comprehensive risk assessment method for old overhead transmission lines based on practical operation experience. Firstly, the risk factors affecting the safe operation of the old overhead transmission lines were summarized. The pylons in the line segment were investigated item by item. All the hidden trouble points in the line segment were sorted out, and the risk value was calculated by danger source identification and risk assessment method. Secondly, according to the possibility of fault caused by technical factors on the old line, the weight coefficient is given to calculate the deduction value to judge the risk grade state. Finally, when the total deduction is greater than 60 points, or the single deduction is greater than 24 points, it is necessary to formulate a corresponding management plan to guide the orderly management of line hidden dangers.
Research on Radar Clutter Suppression Method Based on Stagger MTI
Authors: Liu Zheng , Li Duo , Guo Haoran , Wang Xinpeng
Published: November 2023

A large number of clutter interference signals were involved in radar echoes. Radar detection and tracking performance degrade when the signal-to-noise ratio of the echo signal is too low. Therefore, how to suppress clutter interference is a problem that is worth studying in designing. In this paper, the statistical characteristics of radar clutter were analyzed, and a clutter suppression method based on staggered MTI was proposed for the blind speed problem of traditional MTI filters. Simulation experiments verified the model and processing method of staggered filtering. The results indicated that the method improved the blind speed while effectively suppressing the clutter.
Optimal Allocation Strategy of Virtual Inertia and Damping for Improving the Small-signal Stability
Authors: Liu Mosi , Sun Zhiyuan , Zheng Kun , Li Mingpo
Published: November 2023

The application of the virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control technology to engage the inertia response of renewable energy generation systems is an effective means of coping with the problem of weak inertia in power systems. To deal with the problem of small-signal stability in the weak inertia power system, this paper studies how the strength of virtual inertia and damping affect the small-signal stability, and proposes an optimal allocation strategy of virtual inertia and damping for improving the small-signal stability. The optimal allocation model of virtual inertia is constructed to minimize the energy imbalance of the system under small-signal by selecting the virtual inertia and damping as optimization variables. Regarding the aforementioned model, the evolutionary algorithm is used to obtain the optimal allocation of virtual inertia and damping. Simulations on a virtual synchronized microgrid system show the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in improving small-signal stability.
Design and Research of Oscillator Circuit with Soft Starting in Power Management Chip
Authors: Li Yongchao , Fan Jiaqi
Published: November 2023

In this paper, an oscillator circuit with a soft start function is designed for DC-DC converters, and its working principle is analyzed. Based on the NUVOTON 0.35 μm BCD technology, the circuit is fully simulated and optimized via Cadence software. Under the typical environment of 5 V and 27°C, the typical oscillation frequency of the oscillator is 800 kHz and the duty ratio is 20%. The expected index is reached and the circuit function is realized. At the same time, a temperature-independent current bias is designed to charge and discharge a capacitor in the oscillator so that the frequency of the oscillator is very little affected by temperature. Under the simulation condition of -40°C–140°C, the operation of the oscillator is stable and its frequency variation is 2.95% over the above temperature range.
Effects of Attack Interference on Radio Signal Classification
Authors: Li Yongting , Li Peng , Qian Rongrong , Yang Jingjing , Huang Ming
Published: November 2023

Signal recognition and classification are urgent issues in the field of radio monitoring. Although there have been many academic publications on the automatic modulation classification of radio signals, these studies have focused on how to use the new algorithms to increase signal recognition accuracy, and there is a lack of consideration of the effect of interference on classification accuracy. Based on publicly available datasets, RF datasets for Machine Learning, this paper uses the deep learning algorithm to generate an attack interference dataset and studies the impact of attack interference and noise on the classification accuracy of radio signals. The experimental results are as follows. Firstly, the presence of attack interference generally reduces the accuracy of radio signal classification. Secondly, the power of attack interference has a direct relationship with classification accuracy. Thirdly, under the condition of attack interference, the classification performance trends of the three open-source public datasets are consistent. This further illustrates how optimizing the modulation classification performance in the presence of interference is the key to applying the algorithm to practice.
Optimized Voltage Equalization Algorithm for Modular Multilevel Converters
Authors: Yu Xi
Published: November 2023

The switching frequency of modular multilevel converters increases with the number of bridge arm submodules. Therefore, an improved voltage equalization technology based on fast sorting algorithm is proposed, which introduces the maximum voltage deviation between sub-modules and reduces the unnecessary switching operations caused by small changes in the capacitor voltage of factor modules. With the help of Matlab/Simulink, a modular multilevel converter with optimized control was simulated to verify the downscaling effect of the voltage-sharing optimization method.
Demagnetization Fault Diagnosis of Permanent Magnet Direct Drive Generator Based on Improved Residual Neural Network
Authors: Wang Sen , Zhao Dianzhe , Liang Daili , Chen Nan , Zhao Bingnan , Wang Wenshuo , Yu Wanhong
Published: November 2023

The permanent magnet direct drive wind turbine is the core equipment of the wind turbine. Barrier analysis ensures its safe and reliable operation. The demagnetization failure of the permanent magnet motor will occur because the wind energy equipment works under bad conditions. Taking the permanent magnet direct drive wind turbine as the research object, this paper uses ANSYS simulation software to build a two-dimensional electromagnetic field model of the generator to simulate the uniform demagnetization fault of the permanent magnet direct drive generator to obtain the back electromotive force waveform under different operating conditions and convert the back electromotive force waveform into images as input data for fault diagnosis of the improved residual neural network. Two kinds of materials are used to verify the effect of the diagnosis model, and the simulation results show that both materials can be used for demagnetizing fault diagnosis, which proves the effectiveness of the fault diagnosis strategy.
Software Defined Security Flow Scheduling Method Based on PSO Algorithm
Authors: Zhu Sheng , Li Weiwei , Zhou Cheng
Published: November 2023

To solve the problem of link load imbalance and bandwidth waste in software defined security, a secure traffic scheduling method based on particle swarm optimization is proposed in this paper. This method combines the software defined security controller to obtain the network topology information and the current link bandwidth resource status, aiming at the matching degree between the link bandwidth and the network flow size and the function matching degree between the link node and the network flow service chain, combined with specific constraints to establish the objective function. The optimized particle swarm optimization algorithm finds out the best scheduling path of network traffic from the shortest path set. The experiment results show that compared with other algorithms, the proposed algorithm can improve the average throughput of the network and maintain a low packet loss rate in the process of traffic transmission, thus reducing the waste of bandwidth resources and realizing the load balancing of software defined network security traffic better.
Satisfaction with a digital support tool targeting alcohol consumption: perspectives from participants in a randomized control trial
Authors: Collier Elizabeth S , Blomqvist Jenny , Bendtsen Marcus
Published: November 2023

Aim

Intervention design may be improved through evaluating the feedback from those who have been exposed to such interventions. As such, here the perspectives of the intervention group from a recent randomized control trial investigating the effectiveness of a digital alcohol intervention, in terms of perceived suitability and usefulness of the support tool they engaged with, were investigated.

Methods

Respondents (N=475; 45% of the intervention group) answered five quantitative questions addressing user experience, completed the 10-item System Useability Scale, and were offered the opportunity to write free-text feedback. Quantitative measures were analysed using ordinal and linear regression with baseline characteristics as predictors, and free-text responses were evaluated using content analysis.

Results

Overall, respondents were positive towards the intervention in terms of it fitting their needs, the usefulness of the tools included, and the usefulness of text message content. The intervention was perceived as more helpful by respondents with lower total weekly alcohol consumption, higher self-reported confidence in their ability to reduce their drinking, and the perceived importance there of, at baseline. The free-text comments revealed the value of reminders as prompts to reflect on one’s own drinking behaviour. Nonetheless, criticisms of the intervention were voiced, primarily highlighting the repetitive nature of the reminders and the lack of individuation in advice. Some also feltlike the intervention was impersonal and targeted only a specific drinking pattern.

Conclusions

Experiences of the intervention group in this trial were generally positive, though there may be demand for more individualised, targeted intervention design.
Male fertility advantage within and between seasons in the perennial androdioecious plant Phillyrea angustifolia
Authors: Laugier F , Saumitou-Laprade P , Vernet P , Lepart J , Cheptou P -O , Dufay M
Published: November 2023

Background and Aims

Androdioecy, the co-occurrence of males and hermaphrodites, is a rare reproductive system. Males can be maintained if they benefit from a higher male fitness than hermaphrodites, referred to as male advantage. Male advantage can emerge from increased fertility owing to resource reallocation. However, empirical studies usually compare sexual phenotypes over a single flowering season, thus ignoring potential cumulative effects over successive seasons in perennials. In this study, we quantify various components of male fertility advantage, both within and between seasons, in the long-lived perennial shrub Phillyrea angustifolia (Oleaceae). Although, owing to a peculiar diallelic self-incompatibility system and female sterility mutation strictly associated with a breakdown of incompatibility, males do not need fertility advantage to persist in this species, this advantage remains an important determinant of their equilibrium frequency.

Methods

A survey of >1000 full-sib plants allowed us to compare males and hermaphrodites for several components of male fertility. Individuals were characterized for proxies of pollen production and vegetative growth. By analysing maternal progeny, we compared the siring success of males and hermaphrodites. Finally, using a multistate capture–recapture model we assessed, for each sexual morph, how the intensity of flowering in one year impacts next-year growth and reproduction.

Key Results

Males benefitted from a greater vegetative growth and flowering intensity. Within one season, males sired twice as many seeds as equidistant, compatible hermaphroditic competitors. In addition, males more often maintained intense flowering over successive years. Finally, investment in male reproductive function appeared to differ between the two incompatibility groups of hermaphrodites.

Conclusion

Males, by sparing the cost of female reproduction, have a higher flowering frequency and vegetative growth, both of which contribute to male advantage over an individual lifetime. This suggests that studies analysing sexual phenotypes during only single reproductive periods are likely to provide inadequate estimates of male advantage in perennials.
The Impact of Filipina Domestic Workers on Hong Kong Primary School Children’s L2 English Spoken CAF and Reading Accuracy and Fluency
Authors: Wolfaardt Jacobus Francois , Leung Alex Ho-Cheong
Published: November 2023

This study investigates the impact of Filipina domestic workers (FilDWs), a marginalized group in Hong Kong (HK), on HK children’s language development. It focusses on FilDWs’ influence on the second language (L2) English of bilingual HK primary school children attending an English Medium of Instruction school. The elements investigated are L2 English spoken complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF), and reading accuracy and fluency. Participants comprise 34 children (17 boys and 17 girls, mean age 8;11) from homes with FilDWs and 30 (15 boys and 15 girls, mean age 8;11) from homes with no FilDW. Participants completed an English reading and speaking task, and an English working memory capacity (WMC) test. Participants from households with FilDWs scored significantly higher on all aspects of both English language measures, while no significant differences for WMC were observed. These suggest that FilDWs exert a positive impact on children’s L2 English proficiency, placing them in a different position to the low status they are usually ascribed. These findings have implications for decolonizing and decentring language learning and teaching.
Comparison of Aesthetic Outcomes of Epidermal Staples vs Sutures in Deep Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Ockerman Kyle M , Han Sabrina H , Trieu Nhan S , Mardourian Markos , Neal Dan , Kanchwala Suhail , Spiguel Lisa , Furnas Heather J , Sorice-Virk Sarah
Published: November 2023

Background

A secondary benefit of abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction may be improving the abdominal contour; however, poor scaring can lead to aesthetic dissatisfaction and complications. Although studies have demonstrated favorable aesthetic results and decreased operative time using dermal or subcuticular stapling (Insorb), no reports exist regarding epidermal stapling.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to compare the aesthetic abdominal scar outcomes, closure time, and postoperative complications of abdominally based breast reconstruction patients who have undergone suture closure vs epidermal staple closure.

Methods

A total of 217 patients who underwent abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction from 2011 to 2022 were included and retrospectively analyzed (staples = 41, suture = 176). Twenty-four patients’ postoperative abdominal scar photographs were randomly chosen (staples = 12, sutures = 12) and assessed by 3 board-certified plastic surgeons using a modified patient observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) and visual analog scale (VAS). Closure time (minutes per centimeter) using staples or sutures was also analyzed.

Results

The assessment of abdominal scars closed by epidermal staples revealed significant improvements in thickness (P = .033), relief (P = .033), surface area (P = .017), overall opinion (P = .033), POSAS score (P = .034), and VAS scar score (P = .023) in comparison with scars closed by sutures. Closing the abdominal wound with staples was significantly faster than closing with sutures (P < .0001). Staple and suture closure had similar postoperative complication rates.

Conclusions

Abdominal donor-site scar quality may be superior and faster using the epidermal staple compared to traditional suture closure.

Level of Evidence: 2
A Bibliometric Analysis of the Highest Cited Rhytidectomy Literature
Authors: Dutt Atul , Dutt Ajay P , Reddy Rohin K , Charles Walton N , Khademi Mansour Hamid Reza , Nahai Foad , Khajuria Ankur
Published: November 2023

In this bibliometric analysis, we investigated the top 100 most cited articles on rhytidectomy, a prevalent cosmetic surgical procedure in the United States of America. Using data from Web of Science spanning from 1900 to 2021, we found these papers collectively cited 7737 times, with individual citation counts ranging from 277 to 37 (mean 77). Notably, the majority of these papers (58 out of 100) were categorized as Level of Evidence 5, indicating a prevalence of expert opinions, anatomical studies, and narrative reviews. Interestingly, none of the papers achieved Level 1 status, underscoring a lack of high-quality research in the field. The primary focus of these papers was on operative techniques (48 papers) and surgical anatomy of the face (20 papers). Only 10 articles incorporated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), but none utilized validated scales. This analysis highlights the urgent need for improved research methodologies in rhytidectomy studies, emphasizing the necessity for rigorous, high-quality research, and the implementation of validated rhytidectomy-specific PROMs.

Level of Evidence: 3
UniProtExtractR: an app and R package for easily extracting protein-specific UniProtKB information and fine-tuning organelle resolution
Authors: Panov Alexandra , Harper J Wade
Published: November 2023

UniProtKB is a publicly accessible database of annotated protein features for numerous organisms; however, globally extracting protein entry information for data visualization and categorization can be challenging. While the UniProtKB entry syntax maintains database consistency, it simultaneously obscures key terms within long character strings. To increase accessibility, UniProtExtractR is both an app and R package that extracts desired information across nine UniProtKB categories: DNA binding, Pathway, Transmembrane, Signal peptide, Protein families, Domain [FT], Motif, Involvement in disease, and Subcellular location [CC]. The app features interactive frequency tables that globally summarize both the original UniProtKB input query as well as the extracted/changed entry values. Moreover, UniProtExtractR includes a tractable mapping algorithm to define custom organelle-level resolution. UniProtExtractR exists as a freely accessible Shiny app that requires no coding experience as well as R package, the code of which is entirely open source.

Availability and implementation

UniProtExtractR source code and user manual, including example files and troubleshooting, is available at https://github.com/alex-bio/UniProtExtractR. The Shiny app is hosted at https://harperlab.connect.hms.harvard.edu/uniprotextractR.
Compositional analysis of microbiome data using the linear decomposition model (LDM)
Authors: Hu Yi-Juan , Satten Glen A
Published: November 2023

There are compelling reasons to test compositional hypotheses about microbiome data. We present here linear decomposition model-centered log ratio (LDM-clr), an extension of our LDM approach to allow fitting linear models to centered-log-ratio-transformed taxa count data. As LDM-clr is implemented within the existing LDM program, this extension enjoys all the features supported by LDM, including a compositional analysis of differential abundance at both the taxon and community levels, while allowing for a wide range of covariates and study designs for either association or mediation analysis.

Availability and implementation

LDM-clr has been added to the R package LDM, which is available on GitHub at https://github.com/yijuanhu/LDM.
Spatiotemporal patterns of historical connections between Amazonian and Atlantic forests
Authors: Fabrício Machado Arielli , Nakamura Gabriel , Duarte Ritter Camila , Duarte Leandro
Published: November 2023

Despite the disjunct distribution of the Amazonian and the Atlantic forests, three historical connections between those biomes have been hypothesized: through Northeast Brazil, the Brazilian Cerrado, and the Southeast–Northwest. Temporal variation has been suggested to occur in these connections, with recent connections for the Northeast and older connections for the Southeast–Northwest. We tested for the hypothesis of temporal variation in these connections using Neotropical mammals as a study group. Phylogenetic and spatial data of sister groups from each forest were combined to access the spatiotemporal patterns of these connections. The relationship between distance route and divergence times was tested using linear regression. The results revealed that the previously suggested spatiotemporal pattern was corroborated only for Rodentia but not for Didelphimorphia and Chiroptera, showing both old and recent connections for all routes. In addition, each family revealed specific connections at different times. We refute the previously proposed absence of old connections through the Northeast route. Rather, temporal variation in the Northeast differs among the mammalian groups according to their evolutionary histories. Owing to the biogeographical history of each group, different connections were found at different times. Therefore, connections between these forests cannot be explained by a single spatiotemporal pattern.
Serum metallomics reveals insights into the associations of elements with the progression of preleukemic diseases toward acute leukemia
Authors: Siddiqui Amna Jabbar , Khan Noman , Fatima Kauser , Farooq Sabiha , Ramzan Muhammad , El-Seedi Hesham R , Uddin Jalal , Muhsinah Abdullatif Bin , Musharraf Syed Ghulam
Published: November 2023

Acute leukemia (AL) is a critical neoplasm of white blood cells with two main subtypes: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study is focused on understanding the association of the preleukemic disease aplastic anemia (APA) with ALL and AML at metallomic level, using healthy subjects as a control. In this study, a validated and efficient inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry/MS-based workflow was employed to profile a total of 13 metallomic features. The study encompassed 41 patients with AML, 62 patients with ALL, 46 patients with APA, and 55 age-matched healthy controls. The metallomic features consisted of eight essential elements (Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Se, and Zn) and five non-essential/toxic elements (Ag, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb). Six out of the 13 elements were found to be substantially different (P < .05) using absolute concentrations between serum samples of AL (ALL and AML) and preleukemia (APA) patients in comparison with healthy subjects. Elements including magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, and zinc were upregulated and only one element (chromium) was downregulated in serum samples of disease when compared with healthy subjects. Through the utilization of both univariate tests and multivariate classification modeling, it was determined that chromium exhibited a progressive behavior among the studied elements. Specifically, chromium displayed a sequential upregulation from healthy individuals to preleukemic disease (APA), and ultimately in patients diagnosed with ALL. Overall, metallomic-based biomarkers may have the utility to predict the association of APA with ALL.
Composite quality measures of abdominal surgery at a population level: systematic review
Authors: Rajesh Joel , Sorensen Jan , McNamara Deborah A
Published: November 2023

Background

Measurement of surgical quality at a population level is challenging. Composite quality measures derived from administrative and clinical information systems could support system-wide surgical quality improvement by providing a simple metric that can be evaluated over time. The aim of this systematic review was to identify published studies of composite measures used to assess the overall quality of abdominal surgical services at a hospital or population level.

Methods

A search was conducted in PubMed and MEDLINE for references describing measurement instruments evaluating the overall quality of abdominal surgery. Instruments combining multiple process and quality indicators into a single composite quality score were included. The identified instruments were described in terms of transparency, justification, handling of missing data, case-mix adjustment, scale branding and choice of weight and uncertainty to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022345074).

Results

Of 5234 manuscripts screened, 13 were included. Ten unique composite quality measures were identified, mostly developed within the past decade. Outcome measures such as mortality rate (40 per cent), length of stay (40 per cent), complication rate (60 per cent) and morbidity rate (70 per cent) were consistently included. A major challenge for all instruments is the reliance of valid administrative data and the challenges of assigning appropriate weights to the underlying instrument components. A conceptual framework for composite measures of surgical quality was developed.

Conclusion

None of the composite quality measures identified demonstrated marked superiority over others. The degree to which administrative and clinical data influences each composite measure differs in important ways. There is a need for further testing and development of these measures.
Total neoadjuvant therapy followed by a watch-and-wait strategy for patients with rectal cancer (TOWARd): protocol for single-arm phase II/III confirmatory trial (JCOG2010)
Authors: Hashimoto Tadayoshi , Tsukamoto Shunsuke , Murofushi Keiko , Ito Yoshinori , Hirano Hidekazu , Tsukada Yuichiro , Sasaki Keita , Mizusawa Junki , Fukuda Haruhiko , Takashima Atsuo , Kanemitsu Yukihide
Published: November 2023

Background

Radical surgery is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, but can impact quality of life. Recently, the concept of total neoadjuvant therapy with a watch-and-wait strategy has been proposed in which patients with a cCR after total neoadjuvant therapy do not proceed to surgery. However, most investigations of a watch-and-wait strategy have reported cases where cCR was achieved coincidentally via total neoadjuvant therapy. The aim is to assess whether total neoadjuvant therapy is effective in early-stage rectal cancer in patients that achieve cCR and are offered a watch-and-wait strategy.

Methods

JCOG2010 (TOWARd) is a multi-institutional, single-arm phase II/III confirmatory investigation of the safety and efficacy of total neoadjuvant therapy followed by a watch-and-wait strategy for rectal cancer. Key eligibility criteria include cT2–3 N0 M0 rectal adenocarcinoma, tumour diameter less than or equal to 5 cm, age 18–75 years, performance status 0–1, and no history of pelvic irradiation or rectal surgery. Total neoadjuvant therapy involves neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (capecitabine and radiotherapy: 45 Gy/25 fractions to the whole pelvis plus boost of 5.4 Gy/3 fractions to the primary tumour) followed by consolidation chemotherapy (four cycles of capecitabine/oxaliplatin). Patients will be re-staged every 8 weeks after total neoadjuvant therapy, and those who achieve cCR will undergo a watch-and-wait strategy, those with near complete response will undergo a watch-and-wait strategy or local resection, and those with an incomplete response will undergo radical surgery. The primary endpoint is the cCR rate in phase II and 5-year overall survival in phase III. Secondary endpoints include postoperative anal, urinary, and sexual function. A total of 105 patients (phase II, 40 patients; phase III, 65 patients) will be enrolled over 3.5 years.

Conclusion

This trial will determine whether total neoadjuvant therapy and a watch-and-wait strategy is an effective alternative to radical surgery for early-stage rectal cancer in patients with cT2–3 N0 M0 and tumour size less than or equal to 5 cm.

Registration number

jRCTs031220288 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs031220288).
Revisiting a Positive Living Group Climate as a Citizenship Climate: A Socio-Spatial Perspective on Residential Youth Care
Authors: Remmery Matthias , Allemeersch Simon , Roose Rudi , Roets Griet
Published: November 2023

The concept of a positive living group climate is currently used as a key strategy to substantially realise the citizenship of youngsters in residential youth care. The concept focuses mainly on what happens inside the residential youth care facility, as the interpersonal relationships between the professionals and the youngsters are identified as the main component of a positive living group climate. How the youngsters practise and experience their citizenship in their everyday lives is also socio-spatially shaped and accommodated outside the residential youth care facility. We implement a multi-method qualitative research approach to explore how the pedagogical climate in residential youth care is socio-spatially shaped and accommodated as a living environment. The findings show that residential youth care is embedded in a wider social living environment in which youngsters navigate physically and socially through different relationships, circumstances and pedagogical milieus. This results in a synergy between dynamics in residential youth care and the wider social living environment, in which meaningful pedagogical interventions can take place. We consider it necessary to deepen and broaden the concept of a positive living group climate in residential youth care, revisiting the pedagogical climate as a citizenship climate.
Caspase cleavage of gasdermin E causes neuronal pyroptosis in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Fernandes Jason P , Branton William G , Cohen Eric A , Koopman Gerrit , Kondova Ivanela , Gelman Benjamin B , Power Christopher
Published: November 2023

Despite effective antiretroviral therapies, 20–30% of persons with treated HIV infection develop a neurodegenerative syndrome termed HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).

HAND is driven by HIV expression coupled with inflammation in the brain but the mechanisms underlying neuronal damage and death are uncertain. The inflammasome-pyroptosis axis coordinates an inflammatory type of regulated lytic cell death that is underpinned by the caspase-activated pore-forming gasdermin proteins. The mechanisms driving neuronal pyroptosis were investigated herein in models of HAND, using multi-platform molecular and morphological approaches that included brain tissues from persons with HAND and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected non-human primates as well as cultured human neurons.

Neurons in the frontal cortices from persons with HAND showed increased cleaved gasdermin E (GSDME), which was associated with β-III tubulin degradation and increased HIV levels. Exposure of cultured human neurons to the HIV-encoded viral protein R (Vpr) elicited time-dependent cleavage of GSDME and Ninjurin-1 (NINJ1) induction with associated cell lysis that was inhibited by siRNA suppression of both proteins. Upstream of GSDME cleavage, Vpr exposure resulted in activation of caspases-1 and 3. Pretreatment of Vpr-exposed neurons with the caspase-1 inhibitor, VX-765, reduced cleavage of both caspase-3 and GSDME, resulting in diminished cell death. To validate these findings, we examined frontal cortical tissues from SIV-infected macaques, disclosing increased expression of GSDME and NINJ1 in cortical neurons, which was co-localized with caspase-3 detection in animals with neurological disease. Thus, HIV infection of the brain triggers the convergent activation of caspases-1 and -3, which results in GSDME-mediated neuronal pyroptosis in persons with HAND.

These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which a viral infection causes pyroptotic death in neurons while also offering new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HAND and other neurodegenerative disorders.
To ChatGPT or not to ChatGPT: the use of artificial intelligence in writing scientific papers
Authors: Marescotti Manuela
Published: November 2023

Our Scientific Editor discusses the current use of artificial intelligence in writing academic papers and reports the updated guidelines for Brain Communications on the use of this tool in scientific writing.
Mitogenomics clarifies the position of the Nearctic magpies (Pica hudsonia and Pica nuttalli) within the Holarctic magpie radiation
Authors: Kryukov Alexey P , Kryukov Kirill A , Collier Kathleen , Fang Bohao , Edwards Scott V
Published: November 2023

Partial separation of a peripheral population may lead to its divergence and, potentially, speciation due to genetic drift followed by selection and geographic isolation. This process may cause taxonomic uncertainty because reproductive isolation in allopatry cannot be verified directly. The two Nearctic allopatric species of magpies (Aves, Corvidae: Pica) serve as a good example of these problems. The Black-billed magpie Pica hudsonia is widely distributed in North America, whereas the Yellow-billed Magpie Pica nuttalli is endemic to a restricted range in California. Their relationships with Palearctic species have been little studied. We obtained complete mitochondrial genomes of both Nearctic magpie species, along with the Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica) and the Oriental Magpie (Pica serica), 20 mitogenomes in total. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a basal position of P. serica, and P. pica as a sister clade to the two Nearctic species. P. hudsonia and P. nuttalli form reciprocal monophyletic subclades, showing recent divergence between and within them. Our data show that the Nearctic magpie lineage diverged from the common ancestor with P. pica, with a single migration wave via the Beringia. Within the Nearctic, we hypothesize a peripatric mode of speciation among Pica taxa due to the divergence and separation of the small marginal population in California below the Sierra-Nevada mountains. Diversifying amino acid substitutions in ND4-ND5-ND6 genes along the branch leading to the New World clade may indicate selection for heat-tolerance. Considering the clear phenotypic differences between P. hudsonia and P. nuttalli, our data, showing their reciprocal monophylies and genetic distinctness, is consistent with the two-species taxonomy.
LeishMANIAdb: a comparative resource for Leishmania proteins
Authors: Tusnády Gábor E , Zeke András , Kálmán Zsófia E , Fatoux Marie , Ricard-Blum Sylvie , Gibson Toby J , Dobson Laszlo
Published: November 2023

Leishmaniasis is a detrimental disease causing serious changes in quality of life and some forms can lead to death. The disease is spread by the parasite Leishmania transmitted by sandfly vectors and their primary hosts are vertebrates including humans. The pathogen penetrates host cells and secretes proteins (the secretome) to repurpose cells for pathogen growth and to alter cell signaling via host–pathogen protein–protein interactions). Here, we present LeishMANIAdb, a database specifically designed to investigate how Leishmania virulence factors may interfere with host proteins. Since the secretomes of different Leishmania species are only partially characterized, we collated various experimental evidence and used computational predictions to identify Leishmania secreted proteins to generate a user-friendly unified web resource allowing users to access all information available on experimental and predicted secretomes. In addition, we manually annotated host–pathogen interactions of 211 proteins and the localization/function of 3764 transmembrane (TM) proteins of different Leishmania species. We also enriched all proteins with automatic structural and functional predictions that can provide new insights in the molecular mechanisms of infection. Our database may provide novel insights into Leishmania host–pathogen interactions and help to identify new therapeutic targets for this neglected disease.

Database URL:  https://leishmaniadb.ttk.hu/
Data-Driven Envelopment with Privacy-Policy Tying
Authors: Condorelli Daniele , Padilla Jorge
Published: November 2023

We present a theory of monopoly protection by means of entry in adjacent markets that have a common customer base (i.e., envelopment). A firm dominant in its market enters a data-rich secondary market and engages in predatory pricing and privacy-policy tying. We define the latter as conditioning service provision to the subscription of a privacy policy that allows bundling of user data across all sources. Acquiring data from the secondary market confers an advantage in the data-intensive primary market that shields the dominant firm from entry, thus harming consumers. We discuss potential remedies, including data unbundling and portability.
Isolation and identification of specific lytic bacteriophages as a biocontrol agent against Serratia odorifera PBA-IAUF-1 and Kluyvera intermedia PBA-IAUF-6 causing bacterial canker in the grape and Siberian pear
Authors: Parsafar Somayeh , Beheshti Maal Keivan , Akkafi Hamid Reza , Rahimzadeh Torabi Ladan
Published: November 2023

Bacterial canker, a prevalent disease among fruit trees, is a significant concern. The use of phage therapy is presently seen as a dependable biological strategy to control bacterial diseases in fruits. The objective of this research was to use various biochemical and molecular techniques to determine the types of bacteria responsible for causing cankers in various fruits. Additionally, their ability to cause disease in the fruit tissues was assessed, the specific bacteriophages targeting these bacteria were isolated and identified. The bacteria were separated from different parts of the infected fruits like grapes and Siberian pears. The selection of fruit tissues showing signs of canker disease was performed, and the validation of the isolates’ pathogenicity was confirmed following Koch’s principles. Subsequently, in order to establish a conclusive identification of the bacterial species, molecular identification was conducted through the sequencing of a specific fragment within the 16S rRNA following amplification by PCR by using universal primers, RW01 and DG74. Isolation and titration of phages specific to fruit spoilage bacteria was done by spot and double-layer agar method, and the growth curve of the isolated bacteriophage was drawn. The phages were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of the study proved the presence of canker causing agents, Kluyvera intermedia PBA-IAUF-6 with the code Sh6 in the Siberian pears, and Serratia odorifera PBA-IAUF-1 with the code Rz3 in the grape fruits, which were deposited in GenBank with the accession numbers of KU878579 and KU168605, respectively. Isolation of the specific bacteriophages to the S. odorifera PBA-IAUF-1 and K. intermedia PBA-IAUF-6 bacterial strains were done from the effluent of South Isfahan wastewater treatment plant and Caspian Sea water, respectively. The titer of the specific phage to S. odorifera PBA-IAUF-1 and K. intermedia PBA-IAUF-6 was detected in the samples as 2.2 × 10−5 and 5 × 10−11 PFU/ml, respectively. An electron micrograph of a bacteriophage that targets two different bacterial strains revealed phages with a geometrically shaped head and a flexible tail, which resembled viruses from the Siphoviridae family.
Noise correlation analysis: the role of the inflection points in the formation of zero-time waves
Authors: Xia Yingjie , Feng Xuping , Chen Xiaofei
Published: November 2023

The cross-correlation function (CCF) of seismic noise recorded at two stations often exhibits a prominent burst of energy near zero time. However, the excitation mechanism of such unexpected signals remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that this phenomenon arises from constructive interference of body waves radiating from sources near the mid-vertical plane between two receivers. This interference is driven by the occurrence of an inflection point effect in the traveltime difference between waves reaching the two receivers. When noise source distribution is asymmetric, the cumulative effect of such sources results in the generation of zero-time waves. It is noteworthy that a noise source distribution that is either uniform or follows a cosϕ pattern, with ϕ denoting the azimuth from the centre of the receiver pair, can counteract the formation of these waves. Additionally, our investigation reveals that this constructive interference does not occur in the correlation of 2-D surface waves. We used numerical simulation to support our findings. In conclusion, this study offers a theoretical explanation for the emergence of zero-time waves on the CCF and provides efficient means of investigating the extraction of inter-receiver waves with uneven noise source distribution.
Long-term follow-up of a consecutive cohort validating an epidermal growth factor receptor mutation as an independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Matsumura Yuki , Hayasaka Kazuki , Ohira Tetsuya , Shiono Satoshi , Abe Jiro , Notsuda Hirotsugu , Sakurada Akira , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Okada Yoshinori
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors were recently reported to be effective as adjuvant therapy for resected lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) harbouring common EGFR mutations. However, whether the EGFR mutation is a direct risk factor for postoperative recurrence remains unknown. Therefore, we conducted a multi-institutional observational study to compare postoperative survival according to EGFR mutation status.

METHODS

We collected the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for ADC between 2005 and 2012 at 4 participating institutions. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) associated with EGFR mutation status were evaluated. We further analysed survival after pair-matching patients’ clinicopathological characteristics.

RESULTS

EGFR mutations were harboured by 401 of 840 (48%) enrolled patients. The number of patients with an EGFR mutation (M group) differed from that with the EGFR wild-type sequence (W group) in terms of sex, smoking history and pathological stage. The median follow-up period was 85 months. The five-year RFS/OS rates of the M and W groups were 70%/85% and 61%/75%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both groups). However, multivariable analysis revealed that EGFR mutation status was not independently related with both RFS and OS. In pair-matched analysis, the RFS and OS curves of the patients with an EGFR mutation and wild-type sequence were not statistically different, either.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term follow-up of consecutive patients did not show that a common EGFR mutation was an independent risk factor of recurrence or prognostic factor for completely resected lung ADC.
Surgery for bronchiectasis-destroyed lung: feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and surgical outcomes
Authors: Xu Xinnan , Dai Jie , Jin Kaiqi , Liu Xiaogang , Yang Yang , Ge Tao , Li Qiuyuan , Jiang Chao , He Wenxin , Wang Haifeng , Zhang Peng , Jiang Gening
Published: November 2023

OBJECTIVES

To provide the experience of surgical treatment for bronchiectasis-destroyed lung (BDL) and evaluate the feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

BDL patients underwent surgical treatment between January 2013 and June 2018 were included. Logistic regression was performed to assess factors for major complications, and Cox’s regression was performed to assess factors affected symptomatic outcome.

RESULTS

Totally, 143 patients were treated by VATS (n = 64) and thoracotomy (n = 79). Nine (14.1%) cases scheduled for VATS were converted to thoracotomy for dense adhesions (n = 6) and frozen hilum (n = 3). The VATS group had a median chest tube duration, hospitalization and a time of returning to full activity of 4 days, 5 days and 1.5 months, respectively. Major complications occurred in 28 (19.6%) of all patients, 50.0% after pneumonectomy and 13.4% after lobectomy/extensive lobectomy. Multivariable analysis identified pneumonectomy [odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–11.21] as a significant predictor for major complications. Overall, 141 (98.6%) patients benefitted from surgery (completely asymptomatic, n = 109; acceptable alleviation, n = 32). Thirty-four patients experienced relapse of the disease, including 13 with productive cough, 11 with haemoptysis and 10 with recurrent infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection [hazard ratio (HR), 3.07; 95% CI, 1.38–6.83] and extent of remanent bronchiectatic areas (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00–1.05) were independent risk factors for shorter relapse free interval.

CONCLUSIONS

VATS for BDL is feasible in well-selected patients. Pneumonectomy increased the risk of postoperative major complications. Removing all BDL lesions contributed to satisfactory prognosis.
Population-level detection of early loss of kidney function: 7-year follow-up of a young adult cohort at risk of Mesoamerican nephropathy
Authors: Gonzalez-Quiroz Marvin , Heggeseth Brianna , Camacho Armando , Oomatia Amin , Al-Rashed Ali M , Zhang Yixuan , McCreight Alexander , Jewell Nicholas , Aragon Aurora , Nitsch Dorothea , Pearce Neil , Caplin Ben
Published: November 2023

Background

Mesoamerican nephropathy is a leading contributor to premature mortality in Central America. Efforts to identify the cause are hampered by difficulties in distinguishing associations with potential initiating factors from common exposures thought to exacerbate the progression of all forms of established chronic kidney disease (CKD). We explored evidence of disease onset or departure from the healthy estimated glomerular filtration rate distribution [departure from ∼eGFR(healthy)] in an at-risk population.

Methods

Two community-based cohorts (adults aged 18–30 years, n = 351 and 420) from 11 rural communities in Northwest Nicaragua were followed up over 7 and 3 years respectively. We examined associations with both (i) incident CKD and (ii) the time point of departure from ∼eGFR(healthy), using a hidden Markov model.

Results

CKD occurred in men only (male incidence rate: 0.7%/year). Fifty-three (out of 1878 visits, 2.7%) and 8 (out of 1067 visits, 0.8%) episodes of probable departure from ∼eGFR(healthy) occurred in men and women, respectively. Cumulative time in sugarcane work and symptoms of excess occupational sun exposure were associated with incident CKD. The same exposures were associated with probability of departure from ∼eGFR(healthy) in time-updated analyses along with measured and self-reported weight loss, nausea, vomiting and cramps, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.

Conclusions

CKD burden in this population is high and risk factors for established disease are occupational. Additionally, a syndrome suggesting an alternative exposure is associated with evidence of disease onset supporting a possible separate unknown initiating factor for which further investigation is needed. Interventions to reduce the impact of occupational risks should be pursued meanwhile.