bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal inference using genome-wide association study results of Hanwoo carcass traits: Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Kim Ji Yeong , Kang Ho Chan , Myung Cheol Hyun , Lim Hyun Tae
Published: October 2024

Setting breeding objectives to enhance carcass traits in Hanwoo is essential for increasing the profitability of the Hanwoo industry and ensuring that consumers receive high-quality meat. Key carcass traits, including carcass weight (CWT), eye muscle area (EMA), back-fat thickness (BFT), and marbling score (MS), are genetically correlated. Understanding the causal relationships among these traits is vital for comprehending the complex biological systems of Hanwoo. This study analyzed data from 392 Hanwoo using a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants. These variants were subsequently employed as instrumental variables in a Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to infer causality. With CWT as the exposure variable and MS as the outcome variable, the selected instrumental variables were validated for their assumptions through tests for heterogeneity and pleiotropy. The MR analysis revealed that, except for the MR-Egger model, significant positive relationships were observed across all models, indicating that an increase in CWT causally influences an increase in MS, beyond mere genetic correlations. It was confirmed that a 1 kg increase in CWT results in an approximate 0.01-point increase in MS. Thus, this study underscores the importance of utilizing genetic variants identified through GWAS as instrumental variables for inferring causal relationships between CWT and MS via MR analysis. These findings can contribute to developing effective breeding strategies and improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms related to carcass traits.
A study on closed breeding of Hanwoo for preservation and genetic diversity
Authors: Kim Hyoun Ju , Jin Shil , Won Jeong Il , Kang Sung-Sik , Kim Sung Woo , Kim Eunju , Jang Sun Sik , Baek Youl Chang , Moon Sung Jin , Park Myung Sun , Choi Woo Hun , Lee Seung Hwan
Published: October 2024

Hanwoo is Korean native beef cattle which contains high-marbled meat. To maintain genetic diversity and preserve the breed of Hanwoo, the Hanwoo research institute of the National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) has been conducting research on the formation of Selection line (SI) using their own sires and 300 cows for 15 years. As a results, principal component analysis (PCA) of the group using Korean proven bull semen and the SI group showed genetic differences explained by 1.39% and 1.23% variance, although complete differentiation was not achieved. However, due to differences in group size and selection intensity, the genetic improvement rate was somewhat lower. By understanding the characteristics of this herd and continuing related research to form a group with differentiated breeding objectives, it is expected that in the future, the creation of specialized herd with genetic diversity will contributed to the preservation of the Hanwoo breed.
Approach to Validate ISPM-15 Compliance for Commercial Treatment Certification of Dielectric Standard Heating of Bulk Solid Wood Packing Materials using Radio Frequency
Authors: Szymona Karolina K. , Janowiak John J. , Mack Ron , Hamelin Mark , Gagnon Mark , Hoover Kelli
Published: October 2024

To substantially reduce the risk of alien invasive species moving to new geographic areas, phytosanitary treatment of wood packaging materials (WPM) in compliance with the International Standard of Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM-15) is required by trading partners. Approved treatments include conventional heating, methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride fumigation, and dielectric heating (DH). The DH standard was officially adopted in 2013 but has not been practiced commercially due primarily to insufficient operational validation at commercial scale. In 2022, we converted our 50-kW radio frequency (RF) unit with a 1,200-board foot capacity from an oscillator electromagnetic field power generator to a solid-state power supply, which allows for selective power input adjustments during treatment; we also switched from a five-plate to a three-plate winged electrode system to improve heating uniformity. Each loading cycle can treat sufficient material to build ∼94 standard Grocery Manufacturers Association pallets. Our research team characterized the dielectric heating pattern and options for monitoring wood temperatures over a wide-ranging test matrix of WPM that varied by wood species, dimension, moisture content, and loading configuration. We found that this upgraded RF system markedly reduced treatment times and improved heating uniformity, allowing us to develop methods that can be used to verify compliance with ISPM-15 for improved technology transfer to industry. We also discuss the operational cost of RF treatment and make general cost comparisons to conventional heat treatment for WPM.
Osteochondroma versus Chondrosarcoma a Diagnostic Dilemma – a Case Report
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India,, Srikanth I Muni , Abraham Vineet Thomas ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India,, Joshi Prashant Pranesh ,   Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India., Talwar Pratik ,   Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India,
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Osteochondroma is a benign bone tumor, commonly seen as a bony outgrowth from the metaphysis of long bones, having a stalk and cartilage cap. They may be sessile or multiple and usually arise before 20 years of age with no growth beyond puberty. Malignant transformation is a rare complication seen in 1% of solitary cases and 3–5% in the hereditary multiple enchondromatosis variety. Here, we report a rare case of atypical benign osteochondroma with clinical and radiological features suggestive of a malignant transformation. Case Report: A 17-year-old boy presented to us with a complaint of swelling in his right thigh for 12 years. Radiological features were suggestive of malignant transformation, with bony outgrowth exhibiting heterogeneous calcification, local invasion, and a cartilage cap of size 2.5 cm. Bilateral lung nodules were detected on high-resolution computed tomography. Positron emission tomography scan showed no evidence of metastasis. The patient underwent a wide excision of the tumor and the histopathology revealed it to be a benign osteochondroma. It is an atypical presentation of osteochondroma in which we had a discrepancy in radio-histopathological correlation. Conclusion: In instances of diagnostic uncertainty concerning atypical osteochondroma, opting for an excisional biopsy serves as a prudent next step for the planning of subsequent management. The patient needs to be followed up regularly to look for recurrence or any other signs of metastasis. Keywords: Osteochondroma, exostosis, HME, imaging, chondrosarcoma.
Eating Is Living: A Case Report of Post-Traumatic Myositis Ossificans in Elbow
Authors:   Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Nizar Abin Mahmood , Sathiyaseelan Naveen ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Vinodh J Benjamin ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Vignesh Arun ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India., Rathi Nitesh Kumar ,   Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Myositis ossificans (MO) is the most frequent type of heterotopic ossification, occurring in individuals aged 20–40 years within major muscles, and roughly 75% of cases are triggered by trauma. It is most commonly present in locations with a high risk of injury, such as the quadriceps femoris and the arm’s flexor muscles, and it is infrequently found in intra-articular sites. Case Report: A 19-year-old male with a history of pain, swelling, and restriction of movements of the right elbow for the last 6 years with a history of difficulty in eating and combing hair with the right hand. History of trauma to his right elbow 6 years ago for which he underwent conservative native treatment with massage. Physical examination found a swelling over the right medial elbow joint of size approximately 7 cm × 6 cm × 3 cm, with no local rise of temperature or tenderness. There was a fixed flexion deformity of 75°. There were no sensory or vascular deficits. Under general anesthesia, through the anterior approach, an irregular bony mass was visualized which was excised. Through a posterior approach, a skin incision was made, subcutaneous tissue dissected, muscles retracted and then a calcified mass visualized over the olecranon process which was excised. The post-operative period was uneventful. Elbow joint mobilization was started from day 2 which showed significant correction of fixed flexion deformity. Conclusion: It is necessary to rule out non-traumatic MO when a patient exhibits radiologically detectable calcification and complains of a painful lump forming in a muscle. The degree of calcification and mature bone growth varies depending on the stage of the lesion. A biopsy of the lesion can rule out malignant transformation. Surgical excision is required for the management of mature lesions. Keywords:Elbow, myositis ossificans, heterotopic ossification, post-traumatic.
Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of the Femur Managed with Masquelet Technique
Authors:   Department of orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India., Kantiwal Prabodh , Aggarwal Aakarsh ,   Department of orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India., Elhence Abhay ,   Department of orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India., Banerjee Sumit ,   Department of orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Congenital pseudoarthrosis is a rare disorder, and mostly occurs in the radius, ulna, tibia, and fibula, but is not reported in the femur. Congenital cases that were reported in the literature, most were associated with neurofibromatosis, cleidocranial dysostosis, congenital constriction band syndrome and fibrous dysplasia, and the acquired cases followed fractures of bones or tuberculosis. Since the life span of the patient is affected rarely, clinical examination of these patients and serial radiographs can give us plenty of information about the limb abnormality, its clinical course, and the nature of the underlying disturbance of growth. Case Report: A 3-year-old female child presents to the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital with complaints of pain, swelling, and deformity thigh region right side for 5 months. On examination, swelling was present (2 × 2 cm) at the junction of the mid and distal thigh, smooth surface, ill-defined edges, soft and non-tender. There was abnormal mobility which was noted at the right thigh at the junction of the middle and distal 1/3 right femur. Magnetic resonance imaging reported circumferential periosteal reaction with cortical surface irregularity of the right femoral shaft was also noted. The findings were reported to be concerning for chronic osteomyelitis with non-united fracture and cortical resorption/chronic bone loss. Histopathological sections showed multiple bits of viable bony trabeculae with surrounding fibrocollagenous tissue displaying significant proliferation of fibroblasts, slit-like blood vessels, arterioles and moderate mixed inflammatory infiltrate of plasma cells, few neutrophils, lymphocytes, histiocytes and few multinucleated histiocytes. She was managed with resection of pseudoarthrosis and masquelet procedure stage 1 and later masquelet stage 2 (cement spacer removal and ipsilateral ileac crest bone grafting with fixation with 7-hole distal fibular anatomical plate and bone graft substitute placement [ChronOs]). Conclusion: Idiopathic or primary congenital pseudoarthrosis can involve the femur as well as other long bones. It may or may not be associated with hip dysplasia and the outcome may not be as bad as previously reported in the pseudoarthrosis of other long bones. Keywords: Congenital pseudoarthrosis femur, masquelet procedure, congenital disorder, pseudoarthrosis.
Brodie’s Abscess of the Humeral Paddle in a Child: A case Report
Authors:   Pediatric Surgery Unit, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Hospital, Essaouira, Morocco,, Ahmed El Mouloua , Fatima El Omari ,   Medical Imaging Unit, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Hospital, Essaouira, Morocco., Soumia Nasri ,   Medical Imaging Unit, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Hospital, Essaouira, Morocco., Eddine El Mahi Kamal ,   Medical Imaging Unit, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah Hospital, Essaouira, Morocco.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Brodie’s abscess is a form of localized sub-acute osteomyelitis that rarely occurs in the humerus. Its diagnosis stems from clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The current paper describes the first case in the literature of humeral paddle Brodie’s abscess. Case Report: This report describes the first case of Brodie’s abscess in the humeral paddle of a 12-year-old boy, revealed by swelling and pain in the right elbow. Radiographs and computerized tomography (CT) scans showed a well-defined cavitary surrounded by a rim of sclerosis, alongside evidence of cortical expansion and periosteal reaction. The patient was treated with debridement and curettage of the cavity combined with antibiotics. They resulted in the complete disappearance of the cavity. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient can practice daily activities with no pain, and imaging showed no signs of recurrence. Conclusion: The present case highlights the utility of CT scans in diagnosing Brodie’s abscesses when an MRI is either unavailable or contraindicated. CT scans serve as a valuable alternative diagnostic modality in such cases. Keywords: Brodie’s abscess, humeral paddle, children, computerized tomography scan, case report.
The Use of Botulinum Toxin in Pre-Pubic Aponeurotic Complex Injuries: A Case Report
Authors:   Kinemove Rehabilitation Centers Pontremoli- La Spezia, Pontremoli, Italy,, Nicola Bisciotti Gian , Alessio Auci ,   Azienda USL Toscana Nord-Ovest, Marina di Massa, Italy,, Andrea Bisciotti ,   [1] Kinemove Rehabilitation Centers Pontremoli- La Spezia, Pontremoli, Italy,  [3] Orthopaedics of the Knee and Sport Traumatology Unit, IRCSS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy., Alessandro Bisciotti ,   Kinemove Rehabilitation Centers Pontremoli- La Spezia, Pontremoli, Italy,
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The pre-pubic aponeurotic complex (PPAC) is a fibrous capsule which lines the anterior of the pubic symphysis. The PPAC may be injured during pelvic torsional movements and single-stance maneuvers. Case Report: This case report describes a PPAC lesion in a 23-year-old professional male athlete specializing in decathlon on a national level. The lesion was treated with US-guided infiltration therapy with botulinum toxin (BTX) and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRPt) to the longus adductor (LA) and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles. The magnetic resonance imaging control performed at 24 weeks after BTX infiltration and PRPt showed a total restitution ad integrum of the lesion area. At a 3-year follow-up, the subject no longer complained of pain and was restored to his pre-injury level of sport. Conclusion: The distention of LA and RA obtained by BTX infiltration coupled with PRPt allowed PPAC to heal. The BTX infiltrative therapy coupled with PRPt may represent a new and promising treatment for PPAC lesions. Keywords: Botulinum toxin, pre-pubic aponeurotic complex, groin pain.
Co-existing Ankylosing Spondylitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Patient Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Under Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Authors:   Department of Arthroplasty, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India,, Sanghavi Sahil , Sable Aashiket ,   Department of Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine, Sportsmed, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India., Joshi Rajeev ,   Department of Arthroplasty, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India,, Adhye Bharati ,   Department of Arthroplasty, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India,, Sancheti Parag ,   Department of Arthroplasty, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India,, Shyam Ashok ,   Department of Arthroplasty, Sancheti Institute for Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Pune, Maharashtra, India,
Published: October 2024

Introduction: While laboratory tests and clinical criteria are well-defined, the simultaneous presence of concomitant symptoms can lead to a misdiagnosis and delay in the initiation of appropriate pharmacotherapy. Similarly, natural joint disease progression may also vary and present with atypical presentations. Case Report: Here, we report a case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) proven clinically, radiologically, as well as serologically, in whom multiple joint replacement procedures were performed. The association between these two conditions with overlapping features and laboratory markers constitutes an interesting phenomenon and can pose a diagnostic dilemma, thus, increasing the importance of awareness and early diagnosis of this coexistence. We report the case of a 63- year-old male who had a known case of ASankylosing spondylitis since the age of 38. The patient had undergone a staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty 18 years ago and presented to us with knee arthritis necessitating total knee arthroplasty. The patient was subsequently diagnosed to have coexisting RARheumatoid Arthritis. After a failed attempt for spinal anesthesia, a parasacral sciatic block in the lateral position, an infrainguinal femoral nerve block, and an obturator nerve block in the supine position were given under ultrasound guidance. The total knee replacement was performed successfully without any intraoperative complications. Conclusion: This combined entity requires accurate assessment or can be easily misleading. No definite conclusion is possible with regard to the etiopathogenesis of these conditions coexisting but this association with overlapping features and laboratory markers constitutes an interesting phenomenon and can pose a diagnostic dilemma. Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthroplasty, hip, knee.
Floating Wrist: A Rare Case Report and Review of Anatomical, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Aspects
Authors:   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Anass Abaydi , Mohamed Kadi ,   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Mohamed Tabti ,   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Jihad Radi ,   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Amine Marzouki ,   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco., Fawzi Boutayb ,   Department A of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery, Hassan 2 University Hospital Center, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Joint injuries in the upper limb are uncommon and have received limited attention in the literature. This case report presents the first described case in the literature of a “floating wrist” and aims to highlight the diagnostic, anatomical, and therapeutic aspects of this injury. Case Report: A 27-year-old male was involved in a severe car accident, resulting in a closed deformity of the right wrist. The patient suffered fractures of the forearm bones and dislocation fracture of all five wrist rays. Surgical intervention was performed to repair the fractures and stabilize the wrist. Despite post-operative complications, the patient demonstrated positive functional outcomes after a 12-month follow-up. Discussion: The term “floating wrist” refers to a rare condition characterized by fractures and/or dislocations of all five wrist rays, accompanied by fractures of the forearm bones. Diagnosis can be complicated due to polytrauma and wrist edema. Early surgical management and rehabilitation are essential for achieving favorable outcomes. Further research is necessary to improve our understanding of this uncommon injury. Conclusion: This case report highlights a unique instance of a “floating wrist” and emphasizes the significance of early diagnosis, appropriate surgical intervention, and prompt rehabilitation in a comprehensive management of these complex injuries. Enhanced comprehension of this rare condition is crucial for improving patient outcomes in similar traumatic scenarios. Keywords: Floating wrist, fractures of the forearm bones, distal radius and ulna fractures, dislocation fracture of the five metacarpal bones, dislocation fracture of the five wrist rays, carpometacarpal dislocation, radio-clinical diagnosis, surgical intervention, rehabilitation, functional outcomes.
In the Shadow of King Coal
Authors: Jones Sarah
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Writer and director Elaine McMillion Sheldon begins her latest documentary, King Coal , with a funeral rite. A multigenerational, multiracial procession of people in black clothing walks slowly up a country road. All is quiet except for the sound of insects and a steady drum. Who are these mourners? Sheldon lets the mystery linger. But we learn eventually that the solemn rite is for a king—King Coal—or perhaps for the past he represents.
The Unity Convention
Authors: Iber Patrick
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: At the 1968 Democratic National Convention, Chicago police (as well as the National Guard and regular army troops) responded to protests with a riot of their own. They beat protesters, chanting “kill, kill, kill.” Along Michigan Avenue, antiwar activists were clubbed and arrested. “The policeman isn’t there to create disorder,” Mayor Richard Daley announced as he spoke to reporters, before making a telling slip of the tongue: “The policeman is there to preserve disorder.” Delegates on the convention floor fought each other too.
Squad Goals
Authors: Romanow Lissy
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib were first elected six years ago, it seemed they might herald a new direction for the Democratic Party. The “Squad” offered hope to those of us who had occupied Zuccotti Park, marched for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and voted for Bernie Sanders—a resurgent left that lacked representation in American politics. Now the fate of the Squad is unclear. In June Jamaal Bowman lost the most expensive House primary in U.S. history to George Latimer; in August Cori Bush lost to challenger Wesley Bell. This year there are no new insurgent congressional candidates up for election. In November the Squad will shrink for the first time since its emergence in 2018.
Jobs Are a Source of Meaning: A Response by Dustin Guastella
Authors: Guastella Dustin
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Fred Block has written an admirable critique of the job guarantee idea from the left. He raises valid concerns about the technical weaknesses of certain job guarantee proposals, and he offers a number of laudable alternative policies that he finds preferable. Yet according to the criteria he uses to judge the job guarantee, none of his alternatives are any better.
Public Jobs and Full Employment: A Response by Mark Levinson
Authors: Levinson Mark
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Fred Block raises serious questions about the logistics of a job guarantee. There are better ways, he argues, to achieve full employment.
A New Suburban Politics
Authors: Geismer Lily
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Amid the pandemic lockdowns and mass protests of 2020, political figures on both the right and left invoked the American suburban ideal. On the campaign trail, Donald Trump made almost desperate appeals to “the suburban housewives of America.” Claiming that Joe Biden would “abolish the suburbs,” Trump tweeted that he would protect the “Suburban Lifestyle Dream” from rising crime and the construction of affordable housing for low-income people of color. During protests following the killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also painted a rosy image of suburban life. “People ask me, ‘What does a world where we defund the police look like?’” she said. “I tell them it looks like a suburb.”
Great Symbols Enacted the Age!
Authors: Casper Michael
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: More than perhaps any other poet in New York in the 1930s and ’40s, Delmore Schwartz defined the direction of American letters. “Cosmopolitan, radical, at home with Rilke, Trotsky, Pound, he was the very embodiment of the New York intelligentsia,” James Atlas wrote in his classic 1977 biography of Schwartz. A provocative, Byronic figure who edited Partisan Review in its prime, Schwartz was at all the parties: the one where Norman Mailer stabbed his wife; another where Schwartz himself accosted Hannah Arendt; gin-soaked parties with W.H. Auden, Djuna Barnes, Christopher Isherwood, Stephen Spender, and Dylan Thomas. Schwartz is crouching, with a cigarette and a mischievous smirk, in the foreground of a famous 1948 photo in which Elizabeth Bishop, Marianne Moore, Gore Vidal, Tennessee Williams, and other members of the American literary pantheon blend into the crowd. Irving Howe, the cofounder of Dissent , remembered that on the eve of the Second World War, Schwartz was “the poet of the historical moment.”
Unsettling Fire: Recognizing Narrative Compassion
Authors: James Erin , Kredell Jack , Ladino Jennifer , Cohn Teresa Cavazos , Bordelon Kayla , Decker Michael
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Through close analysis of first-hand narratives of modern wildfire from residents in underrepresented rural communities in the American West, framed with cutting edge research in affect studies and narrative theory, we argue for an expansion of a theory of narrative empathy to make legible an alternate emotional response to texts: narrative compassion , in which narrative interpreters feel “toward” instead of “with” characters and/or narrators. We assess the capacity for narrative compassion to function as both a feeling toward and a standing with others, which maintains agency and lines of difference while still fostering prosocial relationships. We argue for the urgency of this expansion, given that many personal experience narratives about the environmental crisis in which we write, like narratives of modern wildfire, feature a high degree of evaluation as narrators attempt to make sense of confusing and unsettling experiences of a rapidly changing world. As such, these narratives tend to resist the emotional “twinning” upon which empathy relies and demand alternative modes of emotional engagement between narrators and interpreters.
Landscape Rhetoricity: Narrative, Ecology, and Topographic Form
Authors: McAllister Brian J.
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: This essay expands concerns of rhetorical narrative theory and econarratology by attending to rhetorical agencies of nonhuman beings within emergent conditions of landscape. Through analysis of two site-specific art pieces—Alan Sonfist’s Time Landscape and Agnes Denes’s Wheatfield: A Confrontation —it considers ways that interactions between humans, animals, plants, and other living beings produce situated networks of rhetorical engagement. In both sites, artists tell specific stories through affordances of landscape. These human narratives take advantage of and exist alongside various nonhuman rhetorical agencies, which are also shaped by affordances of landscape, though directed to different audiences for different purposes. From this ecological perspective, humans and nonhumans exist within rhetorical, multispecies communities that are shaped by and shape the affordances of topographic form. Rhetoricity and topographic form emerge simultaneously and cooperatively through interactive conditions of interspecies being. This understanding of landscape rhetoricity remains sensitive to radical openness in the rhetorical occasion, noting ways that ecological conditions shape and are shaped by rhetorical interaction.
Narrative Creativity Training: A Case Study from the US Army
Authors: McConnell Richard , Benveniste Mike
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: Though integral to thinking about causality, narrative—in particular narrative thinking—has been overlooked in traditional approaches to creativity studies and creative problem solving. Emphasizing the intrinsically speculative and causal aspects of narrative, this study investigates the effectiveness of narrative creativity training as a means of fostering innovative problem-solving skills within the US Army. Through two experiments conducted at the US Army Command and General Staff College, this research compares the outcomes of narrative training against conventional associational creativity training. Our results suggest that specifically narrative capacities are cognitively distinct, can be directly trained, and substantially improve problem solving. This research contributes to scholarship on the practical and empirical applications of narrative theory, as well as scholarship in creativity studies and creative problem solving, evincing the specific utility of narrative thinking in addressing complex, open-ended challenges.
“Your History is Being Worked Up”: Microfiction in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Tonetto Maria Grazia
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT: This article is primarily concerned with the dialectics between dividuality—the Deleuzian concept for the fragmentation of the subject into discrete sets of separate information—and individuality in microfiction. After contextualizing the emergence of microfiction in the digital age, it analyzes the widespread use of anonymity in this genre in relation to the modes of data-based subjectivation. Its central claim is that recent examples of microfiction display a modulatory tension between categorical identities and individuality: while many texts present increasingly anonymized characters, who have less and less agency and are caught in tight but overcrowded spaces, they also mourn the disappearance of the individual into the anonymity of the type. The article develops this claim in four sections: the first contextualizes microfiction in the “world of the now” that shapes the fourth industrial revolution, in order to reconsider brevity; the second traces the development of microfiction in parallel with the impact of technologies upon subjectivation; the third section addresses the vulnerability of the individual in the divided but overcrowded space of onlife and the related choice of “threshold sites” as a favorite setting in microfiction; finally, the concluding part explores how several texts articulate anxieties about individuality and the inaccessibility of the data double as two key elements that shape characterization. The Lacanian model for the primary alienation of the subject has been adopted as a convenient structure to grasp the impact of the digital translation of the gaze upon subjectivation. Overall, this article suggests a frame to understand the development of microfiction in light of innovations and disruptions that have been silently shaping the last four decades.
Efficient pretraining model based on multi-scale local visual field feature reconstruction for PCB CT image element segmentation
Authors: Chen Chen , Qiao Kai , Yang Jie , Chen Jian , Yan Bin
Published: October 2024

Element segmentation is a key step in nondestructive testing of printed circuit boards
(PCBs) based on computed tomography (CT) technology. In recent years,
there has been rapid development of self-supervised pretraining
technology that can obtain general image features without labeled
samples and then uses a small amount of labeled samples to solve
downstream tasks, which has good potential in PCB element
segmentation. At present, a masked image modeling (MIM) pretraining
model has been initially applied in PCB CT image element segmentation.
However, due to the small and regular size of PCB elements such as
vias, wires, and pads, the global visual field has redundancy for a
single-element reconstruction, which may damage the performance of the
model. Based on this issue, we propose an efficient pretraining model
based on multi-scale local visual field feature reconstruction for PCB
CT image element segmentation (EMLR-seg). In this model, the
teacher-guided MIM pretraining model is introduced into PCB CT image
element segmentation for the first time, to our knowledge, and a
multi-scale local visual field extraction (MVE) module is proposed to
reduce redundancy by focusing on local visual fields. At the same
time, a simple four-Transformer-blocks decoder is used. Experiments
show that EMLR-seg can achieve 88.6% mIoU on the PCB CT image dataset
we proposed, which exceeds 1.2% by the baseline model, and the
training time is reduced by 29.6 h, a reduction of 17.4% under
the same experimental condition, which reflects the advantage of
EMLR-seg in terms of performance and efficiency.
Spatial-temporal modulation method of nanosecond laser for the double-cone ignition scheme
Authors: Zhang Yujia , Fan Wei , Lu Xinghua , Wang Jiangfeng , Wang Xiaochao , Zhang Yanli , Jiang Xiuqing , Wang Bingyan , Wu Fuyuan , Wang Weimin
Published: October 2024

In order to improve the stability of the pulse, realize the high requirements of the direct drive ignition design for the uniformity of the target irradiation, reduce the interference of laser plasma instability, and improve the laser-target coupling efficiency, a nanosecond laser spatial-temporal modulation of high-power laser driver for double-cone ignition (DCI) research was proposed. Under the premise of satisfying the near-isentropic compression waveform of driving implosion, the time-power curves of all sub-beams in the facility are redistributed to reduce the waveform contrast ratio of each sub-beam. A fewer number of sub-beams are utilized to generate low-power foot pulses, which are focused on the target surface of the initial radius. And the remaining sub-beams are utilized to generate high-power driving main pulses, which are focused on a relatively small target surface. It is shown that the stability of the time-power curve of each sub-beam and the power balance control ability can be effectively improved by redistributing. At the same time, the variable focal spot control can be realized to reduce the influence of cross-beam energy transfer (CBET).
1.645 µm Er:YAG single-mode dual-wavelength emitter for CH4 differential absorption lidar
Authors: Edouart Dimitri , Gibert Fabien , Cénac Claire
Published: October 2024

We present a hybrid fiber/bulk laser source at 1.645 µm designed for methane (CH4) monitoring using differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measurements in the atmosphere. The emitter is also suited for coherent wind Doppler lidar. It relies on a Q-switched Er:YAG ring cavity pumped by erbium fiber lasers at 1532 nm. The pulsed laser is sequentially seeded by two fiber-coupled CW distributed feedback (DFB) laser diodes in the center of the CH4 line multiplet at 1645.55 nm (ON wavelength) and out of at 1645.30 nm (OFF wavelength). Despite a gain difference in the crystal between the ON and OFF wavelengths, pulses with equal energies and durations (9 mJ/300 ns) are obtained at a rate of 1 kHz. The spectral stability and purity properties in the dual-wavelength operating regime are presented.
Biquaternionic Diffraction Theory
Authors: Pimenta Wanderson , de la Rosa Marco Pérez
Published: October 2024

In this work we introduce the biquaternionic version of the Integral Theorem of Helmholtz and Kirchhoff, that manifests the basic idea of the Huygens-Fresnel principle. We further introduce the biquaternionic Fresnel-Kirchhoff Diffraction Formula and the biquaternionic Rayleigh-Sommerfeld Diffraction Formula. This approach allows to obtain, as a particular case, the classical scalar diffraction theory and introduce, for the first time, a precise mathematical formulation of vector diffraction theory.
Charge diffusion and repulsion in semiconductor detectors
Authors: Matito Manuel Ballester , Kaspar Jaromir , massanes francesc , Vija Hans , Katsaggelos Aggelos
Published: October 2024

Semiconductor detectors for high-energy sensing (X/gamma-rays) play a critical role in fields such as astronomy, particle physics, spectroscopy, medical imaging, and homeland security. The increasing need for precise detector characterization highlights the importance of developing advanced digital twins, which help optimize the design and performance of imaging systems. Current simulation frameworks primarily focus on modeling electron-hole pair dynamics within the semiconductor bulk after the photon absorption, leading to the current signals at the nearby electrodes. However, most simulations neglect charge diffusion and Coulomb repulsion, which spatially expand the charge cloud during propagation, due to the high complexity they add to the physical models. Although these effects are relatively weak, their inclusion is essential for achieving high-fidelity replication of real detector behavior. There are some existing methods that successfully incorporate these two phenomena with minimal computational cost, developed by Gatti in 1987, and by Benoit and Hamel in 2009. The present work evaluates these two approaches and proposes a novel Monte Carlo technique that offers higher accuracy in exchange for increased computational time. Our new method enables more realistic performance predictions while remaining within practical computational limits.
Compact Si-SiN photonic fiber optic gyroscope transceiver for large volume manufacturing
Authors: Lu Zhizhou , Fu Hongmin , Sun Daoxin , Liu Huacheng , Jiao Hongchen , Fan Shijia , Gao Shan , Li Tonghui , Wang Lingyu , Jin Li , Zhao Heng , Liu Wenxuan , Liu Jian , Yu Haipeng , Ren Zhuoheng , Cui Naidi , Xu Wenyuan , Feng Lishuang , Guo Jin , Feng Junbo
Published: October 2024

Miniaturized interferometric fiber optic gyroscopes (IFOGs) providing high-precision angular measurement are highly desired in various smart applications. In this work, we present a high-performance Si-SiN photonic FOG transceiver composed of an optical source, polarizer, splitter, and on-chip germanium (Ge) photodetector (PD). The transceiver is assembled in a standard butterfly package with a thermo-electric cooler (TEC). The optical loss (including two edge couplers, as well as one 3 dB splitter) and polarization extinction ratio (PER) are less than 7 dB and greater than 20 dB at room temperature, respectively. Built with the polarization maintaining (PM) fiber coil with 70 mm average diameter and 580 m length, the transceiver-based IFOG exhibits record-low bias stability of 0.022 deg/h at an integration time of 10 s, the angular random walk (ARW) of 0.0012 deg/h, and the bias instability of 0.003 deg/h, to the best of our knowledge. The preliminary reliability test agrees well with the practical requirements. Our work verifies that the on-chip Ge PD is eligible for high-performance FOG applications. Leveraged with the typical CMOS compatible 8-inch (200 mm diameter wafers) silicon photonics platform and decreased fiber splicing points, the presented transceiver provides a promising solution toward a low-loss and miniaturized FOG system with large volume manufacturing capability.
An integrated active case detection and management of skin NTDs in yaws endemic health districts in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
Authors: Tchatchouang Serges , Basing Laud A. , Kouadio-Aboh Hugues , Handley Becca L. , G-Beiras Camila , Amanor Ivy , Ndzomo Philippe , Bakheit Mohammed , Becherer Lisa , Knauf Sascha , Müller Claudia , Njih-Tabah Earnest , Njamnshi Theophilus , Crucitti Tania , Borst Nadine , Lüert Simone , Frischmann Sieghard , Gmoser Helena , Landmann Emelie , Sylla Aboubacar , Kouamé-Sina Mireille S. , Arhinful Daniel , Awondo Patrick , Menguena Gely , Harding-Esch Emma-Michèle , Tano Adingra , Kaloga Mamadou , Koffi-Aboa Paul , Konama-Kotey Nana , Mitjà Oriol , Eyangoh Sara , Kwasi-Addo Kennedy , Ngazoa-Kakou Solange , Marks Michael
Published: October 2024

Background

Integrated approaches to mapping skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) may be cost-effective way to guide decisions on resource mobilization. Pilot studies have been carried out, but large-scale data covering multiple countries endemic for skin NTDs are lacking. Within the LAMP4YAWS project, we collected integrated data on the burden of multiple skin NTDs.

Methods

From March 2021 to March 2023, integrated case searches for yaws alongside other skin conditions were performed in endemic health districts of yaws in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana. Integrated activities included training, social mobilization and active case detection. Initial screening involved a brief clinical examination of participants to determine if any skin conditions were suspected. Cases of skin NTDs were then referred to a health facility for appropriate management.

Results

Overall 61,080 individuals screened, 11,387 (18.6%) had skin lesions. The majority of individuals (>90%) examined were children aged 15 years old and under. The proportion of serologically confirmed yaws cases was 8.6% (18/210) in Cameroon, 6.8% (84/1232) in Côte d’Ivoire, and 26.8% (440/1643) in Ghana. Other skin conditions based on clinical examination included: scabies, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis (lymphoedema and hydrocele), tungiasis, and fungal infections. The most common conditions were scabies and superficial fungal infections. In Cameroon, scabies and superficial fungal infections accounted for 5.1% (214/4204) and 88.7% (3730/4204) respectively, 25.2% (1285/5095) and 50.4% (2567/5095) in Côte d’Ivoire. In Ghana, 20% (419/2090) of individuals had scabies but superficial fungal infections were not routinely recorded and were reported in only 1.3% (28/2090). Other skin NTDs were less common across all three countries.

Conclusion

This study confirms that integrated screening allows simultaneous detection of multiple skin NTDs, maximising use of scarce resources.
Navigating cross-reactivity and host species effects in a serological assay: A case study of the microscopic agglutination test for Leptospira serology
Authors: Mummah Riley O. , Gomez Ana C. R. , Guglielmino Angela H. , Borremans Benny , Galloway Renee L. , Prager Katherine C. , Lloyd-Smith James O.
Published: October 2024

Background

Serology (the detection of antibodies formed by the host against an infecting pathogen) is frequently used to assess current infections and past exposure to specific pathogens. However, the presence of cross-reactivity among host antibodies in serological data makes it challenging to interpret the patterns and draw reliable conclusions about the infecting pathogen or strain.

Methodology/Principal findings

In our study, we use microscopic agglutination test (MAT) serological data from three host species [California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), island fox (Urocyon littoralis), and island spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis)] with confirmed infections to assess differences in cross-reactivity by host species and diagnostic laboratory. All host species are known to be infected with the same serovar of Leptospira interrogans. We find that absolute and relative antibody titer magnitudes vary systematically across host species and diagnostic laboratories. Despite being infected by the same Leptospira serovar, three host species exhibit different cross-reactivity profiles to a 5-serovar diagnostic panel. We also observe that the cross-reactive antibody titer against a non-infecting serovar can remain detectable after the antibody titer against the infecting serovar declines below detectable levels.

Conclusions/Significance

Cross-reactivity in serological data makes interpretation difficult and can lead to common pitfalls. Our results show that the highest antibody titer is not a reliable indicator of infecting serovar and highlight an intriguing role of host species in shaping reactivity patterns. On the other side, seronegativity against a given serovar does not rule out that serovar as the cause of infection. We show that titer magnitudes can be influenced by both host species and diagnostic laboratory, indicating that efforts to interpret absolute titers (e.g., as indicators of recent infection) must be calibrated to the system under study. Thus, we implore scientists and health officials using serological data for surveillance to interpret the data with caution.
Avidity sequencing of whole genomes from retinal degeneration pedigrees identifies causal variants
Authors: Biswas Pooja , Villanueva Adda , Krajacich Benjamin J. , Moreno Juan , Zhao Junhua , Berry Anne Marie , Lazaro Danielle , Lajoie Bryan R. , Kruglyak Semyon , Ayyagari Radha
Published: October 2024

Whole genome sequencing has been an effective tool in the discovery of variants that cause rare diseases. In this study, we determined the suitability of a novel avidity sequencing approach for rare disease applications. We built a sample to results workflow, combining this sequencing technology with standard library preparation kits, analysis workflows, and interpretation tools. We applied the workflow to ten pedigrees with inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) phenotype. Candidate variants of interest identified through whole genome sequencing were further evaluated using segregation analysis in the additional family members. Potentially causal variants in known IRD genes were detected in five of the ten cases. These high confidence variants were found in ABCA4, CERKL, MAK, PEX6 and RDH12 genes associated with retinal degeneration, that could be sufficient to cause pathology. Pending confirmatory clinical evaluation, we observed a 50% diagnostic yield, consistent with previously reported outcomes of IRD patient analysis. The study confirms that avidity sequencing is effective in detection of causal variants when used for whole genome sequencing in rare disease applications.