bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and Verification of Two-dimensional Surface Hydraulic Calculation Model
Authors: Zheng Haiya , Fang Xuezhi , Xiao Jianhua , Liu Rongwei , Zhang Yancheng , Yu Jiangshun , Cai Yun
Published: November 2023

Accurate calculation and prediction of the surface water flow process in the substation and surrounding area is of great significance for on-site flood control and disaster reduction of the substation. Aiming at the dynamic process of surface water flow, this paper simulated the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of surface water flow by establishing a two-dimensional hydrodynamic calculation model. Based on the N-S equation, a finite volume integral method is used to discrete the governing equations. On this basis, a hydrodynamic model for two-dimensional numerical simulation of surface water flow is constructed, and the basic governing equations for two-dimensional surface shallow water movement are derived. Based on the Toce River physical model and water flow control experiment, the corresponding conceptual model is established. On this basis, the measured data are used to verify the constructed two-dimensional surface hydrodynamic calculation model. The results show that the model can better simulate the process of surface water flow and describe its temporal and spatial distribution characteristics. The research results will provide effective technical support for substation site flood warning and prevention.
A two-dimensional hydrodynamics prediction framework for mantle-undulated propulsion robot using multiple proper orthogonal decomposition and long short term memory neural network
Authors: Ying Zixiang , Zhang Haozhi , Wang Linxiang , Melnik Roderick
Published: November 2023

In this paper, a deep learning based framework has been developed to predict hydrodynamic forces on a mantle-undulated propulsion robot (MUPRo). A multiple proper orthogonal decomposition (MPOD) algorithm has been proposed to efficiently identify fluid features near the undulating mantle of the MUPRo globally and locally. The results indicate that the

L
2

error of the solution states near the undulating boundary of the proposed MPOD algorithm converges almost linearly to 0.2%. Furthermore, a hydrodynamics prediction framework has been developed based on the proposed MPOD algorithm, where a long short-term memory neural network predicts the temporal coefficients of the MPOD spatial modes. The developed framework achieves economical and reliable predictions of hydrodynamic forces acting on the undulating boundary compared to simulations and experiments. Moreover, the

L
2

error of the developed framework is one to two orders of magnitude lower than that of the frameworks based on the classical POD algorithm when the degrees of freedom are consistent. Finally, the reliability of the proposed MPOD-NIROM is discussed through an offline parameter planning case of an aquatic-inspired robot. The model presented in this paper can provide support for the offline parameter planning of aquatic-inspired robots.
Investigating and forecasting the impact of crop production shocks on global commodity prices
Authors: Zelingher Rotem , Makowski David
Published: November 2023

In this study, we investigate and forecast the impact of crop production shocks on the global prices of three major international agricultural commodities: maize, soybean, and cocoa. We perform a thorough assessment of the forecasting performances of five econometric and machine learning models using 60 years of data. First, we train the models on production and price data to forecast the monthly price variations for each crop separately considering different time horizons. Next, we implement a cross-validation procedure to identify the models with the most accurate forecasting ability for each crop. After choosing the best forecaster, we identify the most influential producing areas using several local and global model-agnostic interpretation tools. Our findings indicate significant differences among commodities in terms of prediction accuracy, with cocoa exhibiting a higher level of prediction error compared to less volatile markets like maize and soybean. Our results reveal a significant influence of Northern America’s maize and soybean production on the global prices of these commodities. The effects of production on prices are asymmetrical: small decreases in US production lead to substantial price increases, while small increases in production do not systematically decrease prices. In contrast, cocoa price variations are influenced by production coming from several regions, not from a single one.
Adjustable accuracy of phase steps in a double-aperture common-path interferometer by rotating and displacing grating at Fourier plane
Authors: Castillo-Luna Marymar , Meneses-Fabian Cruz
Published: November 2023

Detuning errors limit the accuracy of phase extraction in phase-shifting interferometry (PSI). To improve this accuracy, the systems to control the phase shifter dispositive must be highly accurate, involving high technology, exhaustive calibration, high cost, and constant maintenance. This manuscript presents a method for improving the accuracy of the phase step generated at the Fourier plane by rotating and displacing the grating in a double-aperture common-path interferometer. It is demonstrated that both the detuning errors and the phase extraction uncertainty decrease with the grating rotation angle. The experimental implementation is very simple, as it does not require any sophisticated mechanical system to improve the accuracy, no exhaustive calibration, and no additional mechanical and optical dispositive. With the present approach, the PSI method could be achieved very simply and with high accuracy by using a low-accuracy actuator. The theoretical model and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the present proposal.
Preparation and performance of surface-modified adsorbent materials from discarded traditional chinese medicine residues
Authors: Ren Junpeng , Wang Yu , Zhou Jinkang , Hu Lanxin
Published: November 2023

Waste Chinese medicine residue was used as a raw material and pretreated with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide, followed by chemical modification with a silane to prepare an inexpensive and highly efficient hydrophobic biobased adsorbent material. The adsorbent was characterized with SEM, TGA and FTIR analyses. The adsorption capacities and wettabilities of the Chinese medicine residue were analyzed before and after surface modification to explore the adsorption performance and surface modification mechanism of the material. The results showed that the modified Chinese medicine residue was rough and uniformly modified, with successfully grafted hydrophobic functional groups, and it had added adsorption sites, exhibiting good hydrophobicities and oleophilicities. The contact angles between the modified materials and water reached 127°, and the modified Chinese medicine residue had an adsorption capacity of 51.7 mg g−1 for organic compounds, which was a significant improvement over the original waste Chinese medicine residue. The adsorption kinetics were best described with the pseudosecond-order kinetic model, which exhibited a higher linear correlation and was closer to the measured adsorption equilibrium value based on chemical adsorption. This study demonstrated a novel use of waste Chinese medicine residues for environmental remediation.
Mechanical, and corrosive properties of AA7075 aluminium reinforced with rice husk ash particulates
Authors: Joseph O O , Dirisu J O , Atiba J , Ante S , Ajayi J A
Published: November 2023

The mechanical and corrosive properties of AA7075 alloy reinforced with rice husk ash (RHA) particles were studied. AA7075 matrix composite reinforced with varying percentage weight compositions of rice husk ash particles (5%, 10%, 15% and 20% wt) were prepared using stir casting technique. The mechanical, and corrosive properties of the new material were compared with that of the matrix alloy. The mechanical properties were also improved due to the automated stirring action employed during the casting process. AA7075-RHA composites had improved mechanical properties compared to the base matrix (AA7075). In terms of tensile strength there was an increase in this mechanical property with an increase in weight fraction of RHA particle (51% at 10% RHA), hardness (25.67% at 20% RHA), while for impact resistance, the reverse was the case as there was a 10.98% decrease in the resistance of the composite as the reinforcement fraction increased from 0%–20% RHA. The progressive decreases in the impact strength of the reinforced composite were probably due to agglomeration and non-homogeneity at higher reinforcements values. Corrosion experiments carried out showed improved properties in the reinforced composite compared to the unreinforced alloy, the corrosive properties improved with an increase in weight fraction of RHA in terms of weight loss (20.63% at 10% RHA), potentio-dynamic polarization (30.7% at 10% RHA) and open circuit potential (1.60% at 20%RH). The developed composite may be suitably applied in high-speed rotating shafts and automotive engineered brake parts.
Finite Groups Which are Almost Groups of Lie Type in Characteristic 𝐩
Authors: Parker Chris , Pientka Gerald , Seidel Andreas , Stroth Gernot
Published: November 2023

Let

p
p

be a prime. In this paper we investigate finite

K

{
2
,
p
}

\mathcal K_{\{2,p\}}

-groups

G
G

which have a subgroup

H
≤
G

H \le G

such that

K
≤
H
=

N
G

(
K
)
≤
Aut
⁡
(
K
)

K \le H = N_G(K) \le \operatorname {Aut}(K)

for

K
K

a simple group of Lie type in characteristic

p
p

, and

|

G
:
H

|

|G:H|

is coprime to

p
p

. If

G
G

is of local characteristic

p
p

, then

G
G

is called almost of Lie type in characteristic

p
p

. Here

G
G

is of local characteristic

p
p

means that for all nontrivial

p
p

-subgroups

P
P

of

G
G

, and

Q
Q

the largest normal

p
p

-subgroup in

N
G

(
P
)

N_G(P)

we have the containment

C
G

(
Q
)
≤
Q

C_G(Q)\le Q

. We determine details of the structure of groups which are almost of Lie type in characteristic

p
p

. In particular, in the case that the rank of

K
K

is at least

3
3

we prove that

G
=
H

G = H

. If

H
H

has rank

2
2

and

K
K

is not

PSL
3

⁡
(
p
)

\operatorname {PSL}_3(p)

we determine all the examples where

G
≠
H

G \ne H

. We further investigate the situation above in which

G
G

is of parabolic characteristic

p
p

. This is a weaker assumption than local characteristic

p
p

. In this case, especially when

p
∈
{
2
,
3
}

p \in \{2,3\}

, many more examples appear.

In the appendices we compile a catalogue of results about the simple groups with proofs. These results may be of independent interest.
Chemical structure-aware molecular image representation learning
Authors: Xiang Hongxin , Jin Shuting , Liu Xiangrong , Zeng Xiangxiang , Zeng Li
Published: November 2023

Current methods of molecular image-based drug discovery face two major challenges: (1) work effectively in absence of labels, and (2) capture chemical structure from implicitly encoded images. Given that chemical structures are explicitly encoded by molecular graphs (such as nitrogen, benzene rings and double bonds), we leverage self-supervised contrastive learning to transfer chemical knowledge from graphs to images. Specifically, we propose a novel Contrastive Graph-Image Pre-training (CGIP) framework for molecular representation learning, which learns explicit information in graphs and implicit information in images from large-scale unlabeled molecules via carefully designed intra- and inter-modal contrastive learning. We evaluate the performance of CGIP on multiple experimental settings (molecular property prediction, cross-modal retrieval and distribution similarity), and the results show that CGIP can achieve state-of-the-art performance on all 12 benchmark datasets and demonstrate that CGIP transfers chemical knowledge in graphs to molecular images, enabling image encoder to perceive chemical structures in images. We hope this simple and effective framework will inspire people to think about the value of image for molecular representation learning.
Efficient prediction of peptide self-assembly through sequential and graphical encoding
Authors: Liu Zihan , Wang Jiaqi , Luo Yun , Zhao Shuang , Li Wenbin , Li Stan Z
Published: November 2023

In recent years, there has been an explosion of research on the application of deep learning to the prediction of various peptide properties, due to the significant development and market potential of peptides. Molecular dynamics has enabled the efficient collection of large peptide datasets, providing reliable training data for deep learning. However, the lack of systematic analysis of the peptide encoding, which is essential for artificial intelligence-assisted peptide-related tasks, makes it an urgent problem to be solved for the improvement of prediction accuracy. To address this issue, we first collect a high-quality, colossal simulation dataset of peptide self-assembly containing over 62 000 samples generated by coarse-grained molecular dynamics. Then, we systematically investigate the effect of peptide encoding of amino acids into sequences and molecular graphs using state-of-the-art sequential (i.e. recurrent neural network, long short-term memory and Transformer) and structural deep learning models (i.e. graph convolutional network, graph attention network and GraphSAGE), on the accuracy of peptide self-assembly prediction, an essential physiochemical process prior to any peptide-related applications. Extensive benchmarking studies have proven Transformer to be the most powerful sequence-encoding-based deep learning model, pushing the limit of peptide self-assembly prediction to decapeptides. In summary, this work provides a comprehensive benchmark analysis of peptide encoding with advanced deep learning models, serving as a guide for a wide range of peptide-related predictions such as isoelectric points, hydration free energy, etc.
Rare variant association on unrelated individuals in case–control studies using aggregation tests: existing methods and current limitations
Authors: Boutry Simon , Helaers Raphaël , Lenaerts Tom , Vikkula Miikka
Published: November 2023

Over the past years, progress made in next-generation sequencing technologies and bioinformatics have sparked a surge in association studies. Especially, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have demonstrated their effectiveness in identifying disease associations with common genetic variants. Yet, rare variants can contribute to additional disease risk or trait heterogeneity. Because GWASs are underpowered for detecting association with such variants, numerous statistical methods have been recently proposed. Aggregation tests collapse multiple rare variants within a genetic region (e.g. gene, gene set, genomic loci) to test for association. An increasing number of studies using such methods successfully identified trait-associated rare variants and led to a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanism. In this review, we compare existing aggregation tests, their statistical features and scope of application, splitting them into the five classical classes: burden, adaptive burden, variance-component, omnibus and other. Finally, we describe some limitations of current aggregation tests, highlighting potential direction for further investigations.
Peptide RL-QN15 promotes wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and smad3/miR-4482-3p/vascular endothelial growth factor B axis
Authors: Sun Dandan , Guo Kun , Liu Naixin , Li Yilin , Li Yuansheng , Hu Yan , Li Shanshan , Fu Zhe , Wang Yinglei , Wu Yutong , Zhang Yingxuan , Li Jiayi , Li Chao , Wang Zhuo , Kang Zijian , Sun Jun , Wang Ying , Yang Xinwang
Published: November 2023

Background

Wound management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) is a complex and challenging task, and existing strategies fail to meet clinical needs. Therefore, it is important to develop novel drug candidates and discover new therapeutic targets. However, reports on peptides as molecular probes for resolving issues related to DFUs remain rare. This study utilized peptide RL-QN15 as an exogenous molecular probe to investigate the underlying mechanism of endogenous non-coding RNA in DFU wound healing. The aim was to generate novel insights for the clinical management of DFUs and identify potential drug targets.

Methods

We investigated the wound-healing efficiency of peptide RL-QN15 under diabetic conditions using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. RNA sequencing, in vitro transfection, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, dual luciferase reporter gene detection, in vitro cell scratches, and cell proliferation and migration assays were performed to explore the potential mechanism underlying the promoting effects of RL-QN15 on DFU repair.

Results

Peptide RL-QN15 enhanced the migration and proliferation of human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) in a high-glucose environment and accelerated wound healing in a DFU rat model. Based on results from RNA sequencing, we defined a new microRNA (miR-4482-3p) related to the promotion of wound healing. The bioactivity of miR-4482-3p was verified by inhibiting and overexpressing miR-4482-3p. Inhibition of miR-4482-3p enhanced the migration and proliferation ability of HaCaT cells as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGFB). RL-QN15 also promoted the migration and proliferation ability of HaCaT cells, and VEGFB expression was mediated via inhibition of miR-4482-3p expression by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and smad3 signaling pathways.

Conclusions

RL-QN15 is an effective molecule for the treatment of DFUs, with the underlying mechanism related to the inhibition of miR-4482-3p expression via the p38MAPK and smad3 signaling pathways, ultimately promoting re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and wound healing. This study provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of RL-QN15 as a molecular probe in promoting DFU wound healing.
RAM is upregulated during T cell activation and is required for RNA cap formation and gene expression
Authors: Knop Katarzyna , Gomez-Moreira Carolina , Galloway Alison , Ditsova Dimitrinka , Cowling Victoria H
Published: November 2023

On T cell activation, upregulation of gene expression produces the protein required for the differentiation and proliferation of effector cell populations. RAM (RNMT-Activating Mini protein/RAMAC/Fam103a1), the cofactor of the RNA cap methyltransferase RNMT (RNA guanosine N-7 cap methyltransferase), is upregulated following activation. Formation of the RNA cap protects RNA during synthesis and guides RNA processing and translation. Using conditional gene deletion, we found that Ram expression stabilizes RNMT protein in T cells and is required for its upregulation on activation. When the Ram gene is deleted in naïve T cells, there are major impacts on activation-induced RNA cap formation and gene expression. Activated T cell proliferation is dependent on increased ribosome production; in Ram knockout T cells, activation-induced expression of ribosomal protein genes and snoRNAs is most severely reduced. Consistent with these changes, Ram deletion resulted in reduced protein synthesis, and reduced growth and proliferation of CD4 T cells. Deletion of Ram results in a similar but milder phenotype to Rnmt deletion, supporting the role of RAM as a RNMT cofactor.
Infective endocarditis caused by Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Depta Filip , Pažitný Martin , Trebišovský Michal , Maďarová Tatiana , Deptová Jana
Published: November 2023

Background

Paenibacillus constitutes a genus of gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that act as potentially opportunistic pathogens. With only a few documented case studies to date, Paenibacillus species are rarely the cause of a disease in humans.

Case summary

We report a case involving a 64-year-old male with known mild mitral regurgitation, who presented with fever and dyspnoea. Initially treated with empirical antibiotics, his blood cultures cultivated Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus, a previously unreported cause of endocarditis. Transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated vegetations on the both leaflets of mitral valve along with severe mitral regurgitation, thus confirming a diagnosis of endocarditis. The patient was referred for cardiac surgery; however, the procedure was delayed due to complications related to a known hepatic cyst and additionally contraction of COVID-19 infection. The patient subsequently underwent mitral valve replacement without complications.

Discussion

Because of its rarity, guidelines to recommend specific antibiotics to treat Paenibacillus infective endocarditis are absent. To confirm the pathogen, molecular methods such as mass spectrometry or 16S rRNA sequencing are required. Early targeted antibiotic therapy and cardiac surgery are warranted to achieve good clinical outcomes.
A case series of patients with filamin-C truncating variants attending a specialized cardiac genetic clinic
Authors: Hespe Sophie , Isbister Julia C , Duflou Johan , Puranik Raj , Bagnall Richard D , Semsarian Christopher , Gray Belinda , Ingles Jodie
Published: November 2023

Background

FLNC encodes for filamin-C, a protein expressed in Z-discs of cardiac and skeletal muscle, involved in intracellular signalling and mechanical stabilization. Variants can cause diverse phenotypes with skeletal (myofibrillar or distal myopathy) and/or cardiac (hypertrophic, restrictive, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies) manifestations. Truncating variants have recently been implicated in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) without skeletal disease.

Case summary

Retrospective review of medical records, including cardiac investigations, was performed for families attending a specialized clinic with a FLNC truncating variant (FLNCtv). Variants were classified according to accepted variant interpretation criteria. Of seven families identified, six had primary cardiac phenotypes with one nonsense and five frameshift variants (nonsense-mediated decay competent) identified. One family had no cardiac phenotype, with a pathogenic variant (p.Arg2467Alafs*62) identified as secondary genetic finding. Of the six with cardiac phenotypes, proband age at diagnosis ranged 27–35 years (four females). Five families experienced sudden cardiac death (SCD) of a young relative (age range: 30–43 years), and one patient listed for cardiac transplant. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ranged from 13 to 46%, with LV fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement) on cardiac imaging or on postmortem histology seen in three families. Two families had one genotype-positive/phenotype-negative relative.

Discussion

The FLNCtv causes a left-sided ACM phenotype with a high risk of severe cardiac outcomes including end-stage heart failure and SCD. Incomplete penetrance is observed with implications for reporting secondary genetic findings.
Smashing Statues: Re-evaluating Iconoclasm in History
Authors: Dwyer Philip , Orr Nikolas
Published: November 2023

In 2020, as statues around the world were pulled down, intellectuals scrambled to make sense of the phenomenon. Veteran voices joined new experts from varied disciplines in contributing to the established field of iconoclasm studies, adding to the ongoing debates around history, memory, politics and public monuments. This seemingly global movement was fuelled by, and indeed fuelled, debates among the broader public about the meaning of statues in public life, and whether colonial statues of white men with dubious political and moral histories should remain in place or be removed from sight. The movement also met with a certain amount of backlash from conservative commentators who positioned themselves as the champions of Empire and a particular version of history in Britain, and from right-wing groups attempting to defend what they saw as an attack on white culture. The debate around statues, in other words, quickly became politically fraught. The authors ask what four recent works on iconoclasm add to an already extensive literature. What do they bring to the debates around history, memory, politics and public monuments? Two of the books (Thompson and Tunzelmann) are aimed at a broader readership, while the other two (Freedberg and Tugendhaft) are more specialised in their approach. We conclude that what is missing from these works is a global and comparative approach to the destruction of racist statues that also considers struggles against colonialism in national independence and Indigenous resistance movements throughout the modern and early modern periods.
A short tool to screen self-care preparedness: cross-sectional study in general practice
Authors: Mikkonen Ulla , Tusa Nina , Sinikallio Sanna , Kautiainen Hannu , Mäntyselkä Pekka
Published: November 2023

Background

Self-care is crucial in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. It is important to identify patients who need support with self-care.

Objectives

This study introduces a self-care preparedness index (SCPI) and examines its associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and other outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of adults (n = 301) with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or diabetes in primary health care. Based on the self-care questionnaire, SCPI was formed. A higher SCPI value indicated better self-care preparedness. We examined correlations and a hypothesis of linearity between SCPI and HRQoL (15D), depressive symptoms (BDI), patient activation (PAM), and health-related outcomes (self-rated health, life satisfaction, physical activity, body mass index [BMI], waist, low-density lipoprotein). Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the construct validity of SCPI.

Results

A total of 293 patients with a mean age of 68 (54.3% women) were included in the analysis. BDI, BMI, and waist had a negative linear trend with SCPI. Self-rated health, physical activity, patient activity, and life satisfaction had a positive linear trend with SCPI. SCPI correlated with HRQoL (r = 0.31 [95% CI: 0.20 to 0.41]). Exploratory factor analysis of the SCPI scores revealed 3 factors explaining 82% of the total variance.

Conclusions

SCPI seems to identify individuals with different levels of preparedness in self-care. This provides means for health care providers to individualize the levels of support and counselling. SCPI seems to be a promising tool in primary health care but needs further validation before use in large scale trials or clinical practice.
kGWASflow: a modular, flexible, and reproducible Snakemake workflow for k-mers-based GWAS
Authors: Corut Adnan Kivanc , Wallace Jason G
Published: November 2023

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been widely used to identify genetic variation associated with complex traits. Despite its success and popularity, the traditional GWAS approach comes with a variety of limitations. For this reason, newer methods for GWAS have been developed, including the use of pan-genomes instead of a reference genome and the utilization of markers beyond single-nucleotide polymorphisms, such as structural variations and k-mers. The k-mers-based GWAS approach has especially gained attention from researchers in recent years. However, these new methodologies can be complicated and challenging to implement. Here, we present kGWASflow, a modular, user-friendly, and scalable workflow to perform GWAS using k-mers. We adopted an existing kmersGWAS method into an easier and more accessible workflow using management tools like Snakemake and Conda and eliminated the challenges caused by missing dependencies and version conflicts. kGWASflow increases the reproducibility of the kmersGWAS method by automating each step with Snakemake and using containerization tools like Docker. The workflow encompasses supplemental components such as quality control, read-trimming procedures, and generating summary statistics. kGWASflow also offers post-GWAS analysis options to identify the genomic location and context of trait-associated k-mers. kGWASflow can be applied to any organism and requires minimal programming skills. kGWASflow is freely available on GitHub (https://github.com/akcorut/kGWASflow) and Bioconda (https://anaconda.org/bioconda/kgwasflow).
The use of bivalve shells by the shellback crabsHypoconcha arcuataStimpson, 1858 andH. parasitica(Linnaeus, 1763) (Brachyura: Dromiidae: Hypoconchinae) in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Garcia-Bento Maria A , Zara Fernando J , Paschoal Lucas R P
Published: November 2023

We describe the use of abraded bivalve shells by the shellback crabs Hypoconcha arcuataStimpson, 1858 and H. parasitica (Linnaeus, 1763) in southeastern Brazil. Shells from four species of bivalves were associated with the crabs: Eucallista purpurata (Lamarck, 1818), Chionopsis crenata (Gmelin, 1791), and Tivela zonaria (Lamarck, 1818) (Veneridae), and, most frequently (50%), Dallocardia delicatula (E.A. Smith, 1915) (Cardiidae). This was the first documented record of shellback crabs using valves of veneriid bivalves, as well as the first report of a crab-shell association for Hypoconcha in the South Atlantic Ocean. The relationship between the increase in size of shellback crabs and the size of the chosen shell was discussed.
Climate Constitutionalism as a Foundation for Climate Litigation in Latin America
Authors: de Carvalho Délton Winter , da Rosa Rafaela Santos Martins
Published: November 2023

Climate emergency is one of the facets shaping the current stage of ecological imbalance and requires action to be taken. The trend to address conflicts involving climate change by legal means is clearly on the rise, and the article argues that this calls for an evolving constitutional dialogue on human rights. The article examines the phenomenon, particularly in Latin American countries, explaining how past development of constitutions in the region, for all its precarious effectiveness, has already served to consolidate a path demanding judicial review in matters affecting human rights of constitutional stature. It argues that this path is being pursued by the ongoing climate litigation in Latin America. Based on case discussions, the article demonstrates how compliance with the Paris Agreement has been assimilated as a commitment to constitutional protection of human rights in the region, and how this process must deepen, taking into account regional vulnerabilities and future developments, in order to strengthen the fundamental human right not only to mitigation, but also to adaptation and equitable transitions.
Seasonal roost characteristics and fall behavior of coastal populations of Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis)
Authors: Hoff Samantha , Pendergast Casey , Johnson Luanne , Olson Elizabeth , O’Dell Danielle , Dowling Zara R , Gorman Katherine M , Herzog Carl , Turner Wendy C
Published: November 2023

Temperate bats exhibit seasonal and sex differences in resource selection and activity patterns that are influenced by ambient conditions. During fall, individuals face energetic trade-offs as they make choices relating to migration, mating, and hibernation that may diverge for populations throughout their range. However, research has largely focused on the summer maternity and winter hibernation seasons, whereas the prehibernation period remains comparatively understudied. Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) have experienced precipitous population declines from white-nose syndrome (WNS), leading to their protected status in the United States and Canada. Therefore, understanding their ecology throughout the year is paramount to inform conservation. We compared seasonal roosts and documented fall behaviors between study sites and sexes on 3 islands: Long Island (New York), Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket Island (Massachusetts). Between 2017 and 2020, we radio-tracked 54 individuals to analyze activity patterns and characterize fall roosts to compare with previously known summer roosts. Summer tree roosts were of smaller diameter, later stages of decay, and lower canopy closure than those used in fall. Both sexes selected trees of similar diameter and decay stage during fall. Anthropogenic roost use was documented in both seasons but use of anthropogenic structures was greater during fall and increased as the season progressed. Bats made short inter-roost movements with males traveling greater distances than females on average. Activity occurred until late November, with males exhibiting a longer active period than females. We tracked 23% of tagged bats to local hibernacula in subterranean anthropogenic structures, the majority of which were crawlspaces underneath houses. Use of anthropogenic structures for roosts and hibernacula may facilitate survival of this species in coastal regions despite the presence of WNS infections. Timing of restrictions on forest management activities for bat conservation may be mismatched based on prehibernation activity observed in these coastal populations, and the conservation of habitat surrounding anthropogenic roosts or hibernacula may be warranted if the structures themselves cannot be protected.
Sex and age mediate the effects of rapid environmental change for a forest carnivore, the Fisher (Pekania pennanti)
Authors: Kuntze Corbin C , Peery M Zachariah , Green Rebecca E , Purcell Kathryn L , Pauli Jonathan N
Published: November 2023

Rapid environmental changes—in climate, land use, and biotic interactions—are accelerating species extinctions and extirpations globally. Identifying drivers that threaten populations is essential for conservation yet can be difficult given the variable nature of the response of an organism to biotic and abiotic stressors. We analyzed a long-term monitoring data set to explore demographic responses of fishers (Pekania pennanti) to rapid environmental change in the southern Sierra Nevada, California, United States. Fisher survival was sensitive to both biotic and abiotic factors, although the strength and direction of these effects were ultimately mediated by age and sex. Specifically, male survival was lower among young individuals and decreased with increasing temperatures and fungi consumption. Female survival was resilient to age effects and diet but increased with greater forest heterogeneity and decreased with increasing temperatures and snow depth. Our findings suggest that continued climate change will likely have consequences for fishers through both incremental stressors and extreme weather events, but increasing forest heterogeneity may help to buffer against the impacts of such change. Further, we illustrate the importance of disentangling the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on survival, especially among species with distinct sexual or ontogenetic differences. As global drivers of environmental change intensify in strength and frequency, understanding these complex relationships will allow practitioners to best manage for population persistence and habitat resilience concurrently.
Adaptive hybrid control design for comparative clinical trials with historical control data
Authors: Guo Beibei , Laird Glen , Song Yang , Chen Josh , Yuan Ying
Published: November 2023

We propose an adaptive hybrid control causal (AHCC) design to leverage historical control data to reduce the sample size demanded by standard randomised controlled trials (RCT). Under the causal inference framework, we define the causal estimand of the average treatment effect and derive the corresponding estimator based on the trial data and historical control data. The AHCC design takes a multistage or group sequential approach. The number of patients randomised to the concurrent control is adaptively adjusted based on the amount of information borrowed from the historical control data. At each stage, based on the interim data, the contribution of the historical control data, quantified by the effective sample size, is updated and used to determine the randomisation ratio between the treatment and control arms for the next stage, with the goal to resemble a standard RCT upon the completion of the trial. Simulation studies show that the AHCC design has desirable operating characteristics. For example, it saves on sample size when substantial information can be borrowed from the historical control, and it maintains power when little information can be borrowed from the historical control.
LTBK-09. RESULTS OF BMX-HGG STUDY: A MULTI-INSTITUTIONAL, RANDOMIZED PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL OF CONCURRENT CHEMORADIATION WITH OR WITHOUT BMX-001 IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED HIGH GRADE GLIOMA
Authors: Peters Katherine , Cohen Adam , Butowski Nicholas , Villano John , Mendez Joe , Giglio Pierre , McGranahan Tresa , Zhang Chi , Smeltzer Jacob , Raza Shahzad , Nabors Burt , Lobbous Mina , Herndon James , Buckley Evan , MacLeod David , Penchev Sara , Silberstein David , Batinic-Haberle Ines , Spasojevic Ivan , Gad Shayne , Radoff David , Barboriak Daniel , Crapo James
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Standard treatment for high grade glioma (HGG) remains neurosurgical resection followed by concurrent radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). Overall survival (OS) for GBM is roughly 12-16 months. RT is associated with cognitive and quality of life (QoL) impairments. Advances are needed to improve OS while mitigating injury to the normal brain. BMX-001 is a novel metalloporphyrin that radiosensitizes cancer cells and radioprotects normal tissue.

METHODS

This multi-institutional, open-label, phase 2 trial randomized newly diagnosed HGG patients to receive RT/TMZ with or without BMX-001 (NCT02655601). Both arms received 6 weeks RT/TMZ (75 mg/m2). BMX-001 was administered as a loading dose of 28 mg sc before RT, followed by 14 mg twice weekly for 8 weeks. Randomization was stratified by tumor grade and institution. Key eligibility criteria include histologically confirmed HGG, age ≥ 18 years, and KPS ≥ 70%. The primary endpoint was OS. Key secondary/exploratory outcomes included cognition, QoL, and white matter integrity using advanced imaging. OS evaluation occurred after 84 deaths when a 1-tailed logrank test (α=0.2) had 90% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.63. Two interim analyses and a final analysis were conducted using an O’Brien-Fleming stopping boundary.

RESULTS

Of the 160 patients randomized, 72.5% had GBM, and 62.5% were male. Analyses focused on 145 patients who completed RT/TMZ (74 with BMX-001, 71 without BMX-001). Median OS of BMX-001+RT/TMZ group (31.3 [95% CI, 21.6, not reached] months) was longer than RT/TMZ group (24.7 [95% CI, 19.6-32.6] months), HR=0.735; p=0.079 (significant at the predefined α level). Common toxicities (Grade 1-2) attributed to BMX-001 were injection site reactions (64), tachycardia (24), and pruritus (17) with no related Grade 4-5. Diffusion tensor MR imaging indicated mitigation of dose-related white matter damage in BMX-001+RT/TMZ group.

CONCLUSIONS

BMX-001 is safe, and there is improved OS in HGG patients receiving BMX-001.
Value dissonance in research(er) assessment: individual and perceived institutional priorities in review, promotion, and tenure
Authors: Ross-Hellauer Tony , Klebel Thomas , Knoth Petr , Pontika Nancy
Published: November 2023

There are currently broad moves to reform research assessment, especially to better incentivize open and responsible research and avoid problematic use of inappropriate quantitative indicators. This study adds to the evidence base for such decision-making by investigating researcher perceptions of current processes of research assessment in institutional review, promotion, and tenure processes. Analysis of an international survey of 198 respondents reveals a disjunct between personal beliefs and perceived institutional priorities (‘value dissonance’), with practices of open and responsible research, as well as ‘research citizenship’ comparatively poorly valued by institutions at present. Our findings hence support current moves to reform research assessment. But we also add crucial nuance to the debate by discussing the relative weighting of open and responsible practices and suggesting that fostering research citizenship activities like collegiality and mentorship may be an important way to rebalance criteria towards environments, which better foster quality, openness, and responsibility.
Anthropause on tardigrade urban communities during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Salta, Argentina
Authors: González-Reyes Andrea , Grabosky Alfonsina , Rocha Mariana , Ballardini Florentina , Ostertag Belén , Rodríguez-Artigas Sandra , Fernández Daniel , Corronca José
Published: November 2023

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The ‘anthropause’ almost emptied our streets of vehicles. In urban areas, automobile traffic is a major environmental factor, and tardigrades can serve as bioindicators of environmental change. During the winter of 2019–2020, samples were taken both before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. In both cases, traffic variables (vehicles per minute), environmental variables, and microhabitats were evaluated. Both before and after the COVID-19 lockdown, the true species diversity and the β-diversity of each habitat and habitat pair were compared. The indicator value method identified species that served as indicators of habitat. Although species richness increased during the anthropause, abundance decreased, as evidenced by the discovery of previously unknown species of Paramacrobiotus and Milnesium in 2020 and by the first record of Mesobiotus in the same year. Different variables were affected in different ways by the decline in vehicular traffic that occurred during the anthropause. Compared to the other examined traffic conditions, the behaviour of the variables was distinct in medium traffic, resulting in more stable conditions. Patterns of nested urban diversity might produce reversible gradients over time. Between habitats with high vehicular traffic and those with medium vehicular traffic, the greatest loss of species occurs.
Diagnostic Yield of Exome Sequencing in Isolated Fetal Growth Restriction: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Pauta M. , Martinez-Portilla R. J. , Meler E. , Otaño J. , Borrell A.
Published: November 2023

(Abstracted from Prenat Diagn 2023;43:596–604)

An estimate of fetal weight below a certain percentile is defined as fetal growth restriction (FGR); different medical organizations define the threshold for FGR differently. Regardless of the definition used, long-term adverse outcomes have been associated with FGR, such as an increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay, along with other, short-term adverse outcomes.
Association of Body Mass Index With Early Age at Diagnosis of Endometrial Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Nicholson Kaitlin , Macharia Annliz , Furuya Rachel , Manning Chelsea , Hacker Michele R. , Harris Devon A. , Esselen Katharine , Dottino Joseph
Published: November 2023

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2023;175:15–19)

The development of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN), a precursor lesion to endometrioid endometrial cancer, is related to prolonged and unopposed excess estrogen stimulation in the endometrium. The 2 conditions are frequently diagnosed concurrently.
Nonestrogen Therapies for Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Systematic Review
Authors: Casiano Evans Elizabeth A. , Hobson Deslyn T. G. , Aschkenazi Sarit O. , Alas Alexandriah N. , Balgobin Sunil , Balk Ethan M. , Dieter Alexis A. , Kanter Gregory , Orejuela Francisco J. , Sanses Tatiana V. D. , Rahn David D.
Published: November 2023

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2023;1(00):00)

Genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSMs) are common and include vaginal dryness, discomfort and dyspareunia, and urinary urgency and frequency. Women often do not seek treatment, although commercially available local estrogen products have been shown to be effective.
Programmed Intermittent Bolus for Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Intercostal Nerve Block with Patient-controlled Intravenous Analgesia in Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Wang Tian , Wang Xuedong , Yu Zhuoying , Li Min
Published: November 2023

Objective:

Postoperative analgesia is crucial after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study was designed to investigate whether the analgesic effect of programmed intermittent bolus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is non-inferior to that of intercostal nerve block with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (ICNB-PCIA) for VATS.

Methods:

The study was designed as a single-center, open labelled, randomized non-inferiority trial. A total of 80 patients (ASA I–III) undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or bulla resection were randomly allocated to the ICNB-PCIA (n=40) or the ESPB (n=40) group using a programmed intermittent bolus (PIB) injection. The primary outcome was pain intensity at movement at 4 h postoperatively using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Secondary outcomes included pain scores at rest and movement in the recovery room, at 8, 24, and 48 h postoperatively, perioperative analgesics, adverse effects, hospital stay and patient satisfaction.

Results:

The mean difference in NRS scores at movement at 4 h postoperatively between the ESPB (n=39) and the ICNB-PCIA (n=37) groups was under the non-inferiority margin. NRS scores were significantly higher in the ICNB-PCIA group than the ESPB group at movement postoperatively. At rest, NRS scores were significantly elevated in the ICNB-PCIA at 4 h, 8 h and at 24 h. The postoperative opioids consumption was decreased in the ESPB group. No difference was found in rescue analgesics, hospital stay and patient satisfaction.

Discussion:

ESPB using a PIB injection offers non-inferior analgesia to ICNB with PCIA after VATS.
Multidetector computed tomography evaluation of obstructive jaundice: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary hospital of Nepal
Authors: Khadka Sujan , Mahat Asim , Yadav Gopal K. , Thapa Priya , Mishra Upama , Bhattarai Manoj , Awale Laligen , Pradhan Anju , Gupta Mukesh K.
Published: November 2023

Background:

The utilization of advanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology along with postprocessing reconstruction techniques has significantly enhanced the clarity of visualization of the hepato-biliary tree. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic statistics of MDCT and its associated features in the evaluation of obstructive jaundice, with respect to surgical or histopathological diagnoses.

Methods and methodology:

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study among 30 participants with obstructive jaundice using purposive sampling. The authors calculated the diagnostic statistics of non-neoplastic and neoplastic types, along with specific etiologies of obstructive jaundice identified through MDCT using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) v21 and MedCalc v12.3.0. The ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review committee of BPKIHS, Nepal (Ref no: Acd/291/075/076-IRC).

Results:

The sensitivity and the negative predictive value of MDCT for non-neoplastic cause to detect obstructive jaundice were 100% (95% CI: 79.41–100.00) and 100% (95% CI: 75.29–100.00), while the specificity and the positive predictive value for neoplastic cause to detect obstructive jaundice were 100% (95% CI: 79.41–100.00) and 100% (95% CI: 75.29–100.00), respectively. Similarly, the accuracy for either non-neoplastic or neoplastic cause was 96.67% (95% CI: 82.78–99.92). The most common cause of obstructive jaundice was choledocholithiasis (33.34%) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (20%), ampullary carcinoma (13.33%), and choledochal cyst (13.33%). The diagnostic accuracy of the individual etiology of common causes of obstructive jaundice ranged from 82.78 to 100%. Biliary obstruction was most frequently observed in the periampullary region (83.33%), followed by the proximal common bile duct (6.67%), hilar region (6.67%), and intrahepatic region (3.33%).

Conclusion:

The MDCT could serve as the initial and time-efficient excellent imaging modality for diagnosing various causes of obstructive jaundice with greater accuracy. It can differentiate non-neoplastic from neoplastic causes of obstructive jaundice.