bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeding the Pantanal: orchestrating research to overcome restoration barriers in the world's largest tropical wetland
Authors: Gonçalves Driele S. A. , Oliveira Patrícia C. , Gonçalves Stela R. A. , Silveira Fernando A. O. , Teixido Alberto L.
Published: April 2024

Knowledge on seed ecology is foundational for effective seed‐based restoration including seedling production, direct seed sowing, topsoil transplant, and natural regeneration. Consequently, quantifying available knowledge and biases in seed‐based research allows practitioners to better plan and implement seed‐based restoration programs and identify research priorities. Using a systematic review comprising 45 papers, 401 species, and 2,415 case studies, we provide an overview of seed ecology research in the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland. We identified geographic, taxonomic, and ecological biases, as well as knowledge gaps in seed functions including production, dispersal, dormancy, germination, predation, and stress tolerance. Studies concentrated near large cities resulting in extensive unexplored sites in central Pantanal, in Paraguay, and in Bolivia. Unexpectedly, the most studied species were conducted with dry‐fruited, terrestrial forbs, or shrubs with autochoric or zoochoric dispersal syndromes. Seed banks, stress tolerance, and dispersal were the most studied topics, whereas studies on dormancy and seedling establishment remain rare. We also found disproportionate research interest across the angiosperm tree of life with many examples of underrepresented and overrepresented families. Altogether, persistent knowledge gaps in seed‐based research in the Pantanal hinder upscaling restoration programs and consequently the likelihood of achieving the targets of UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. We propose an integrated agenda consisting of a series of orchestrated actions to overcome such barriers, close biodiversity knowledge shortfalls, and promote successful large‐scale restoration programs in the Pantanal.
Anomalous Political Discursive Narratives on Indigeneity: In Ethiopia's Regional States
Authors: Zeleke Shumet Amare
Published: April 2024

The major purpose of this article is to critically probe the competing political narratives on indigeneity‐ in the form of autochthony‐ the sons of the soil, and its instrumentalization for discrimination against non‐indigenous groups in Ethiopia's regional states. To this end, the article argues that the political discourses (narratives) determine Ethiopia's ethnic‐based state structure and politics that dichotomize citizens as indigenes and non‐indigenes, which, in reality, is not viable. Each ethnic group, which forms the region, has a warranty of sovereign political power and territorial autonomy. Inside the regions, except for the Amhara and the South Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Regions, the privileged ethnic group (the indigenous) has been empowered to hold prominent political positions. Non‐indigenous ethnic groups, on the other hand, are discriminated against in politics, economy, and social affairs. Thus, these political narratives have created a system of inequality and discrimination that has persisted even after the end of EPRDF era. To address these intractable problems, Ethiopians seek to balance diversity and unity in order to create an inclusive and all‐empowering environment in society through multiculturalism.
Two concepts of virtue: Rousseau on love of fatherland and love of humanity
Authors: Ren Shuhuai
Published: April 2024

Rousseau's conception of virtue is puzzling, for he sometimes defines virtue as self‐mastery and sometimes as patriotism. The prevailing Kantian interpretation emphasizes the first definition with its man‐citizen thesis, while attributing the latter to Rousseau's inconsistency. This article challenges this reading and argues that Rousseau intentionally operates with two conceptions of virtue: political virtue as love of fatherland and moral virtue as love of humanity. While the former relies on a state‐level amour‐propre that draws motivation from the division between nations, the latter hinges on conscience—an intelligent form of amour de soi—that reaches universal humanity. Underlying the two virtues is the irreconcilable tension between nature and politics. Where nature demands universal happiness incorporating all humans, politics necessitates passions that entail division. Retrieving Rousseau's dual conception of virtue highlights Rousseau's fundamental pessimism toward human politics, which has been blurred in the emerging Kantian‐liberal scholarship.
Basic concepts in facial and neck thread lifting procedures
Authors: Hong Gi‐Woong , Kim Soo‐Bin , Park Soo Yeon , Wan Jovian , Yi Kyu‐Ho
Published: April 2024

In this review article, our objective is to elucidate fundamental principles and offer practical illustrations concerning the procedures involved in facial and neck thread lifting. Moreover, we aim to explore associated concepts such as the fixing point, hanging point, and anchoring point terminologies, along with the elucidation of vectors. Additionally, we will provide anatomically oriented explanations of the lifting process required for each facial region using thread lifting methods like V, U, and I techniques using floating type threads (Secrete line, Hyundai Meditech., Inc., Wonjusi, Republic of Korea). Furthermore, our intention is to delve deeply into the concepts of tensile strength, anchoring strength, and holding strength, contextualizing their practical applications within this specific field.
The “Détente to Step Forward” Diplomatic Strategy and Efforts to Save Vietnam’s Fragile Peace from March 1946 to December 1946
Authors: Thắm Hoàng Thị
Published: April 2024

The historical period 1945–1946 occupies a particularly prominent position in modern Vietnamese history. It was a period full of challenges for the Communist Party, the newly formed government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and the Vietnamese people. It was also a period with many historical events including the diplomatic struggle of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to protect and strengthen the revolutionary government in the face of imperialist countries’ plot to monopolize Vietnam. The current study set out to describe the art of the diplomatic struggle of the Government of Vietnam and the Communist Party in the fight against the sabotage of the Preliminary Agreement of March 6, 1946, by Chiang Kai-shek’s army and his henchmen, and the violation of the same agreement by the French colonialists using historical research, logic, analysis, and listing. The diplomatic struggle was “firm in objectives, flexible in strategies and tactics.” Study findings on Vietnam’s revolutionary and modern diplomatic art revealed the plot of France and Chiang, and how the Vietnamese peacefully protected their territorial integrity and national sovereignty.
Off‐diagonal estimates for the helical maximal function
Authors: Beltran David , Duncan Jennifer , Hickman Jonathan
Published: April 2024

The optimal mapping properties for the (local) helical maximal function are obtained, except for endpoints. The proof relies on tools from multilinear harmonic analysis and, in particular, a localised version of the Bennett–Carbery–Tao restriction theorem.
A Formulated Method for Streams Splitting in Heat Exchanger Network Design Using Pinch Analysis
Authors: Anass Lebnaiti , Najwa Jbira , Sanaa Hayani Mounir
Published: April 2024

Thermal processes constitute a significant portion of energy consumption in the industrial sector. In this context, pinch analysis has emerged as a powerful method for achieving substantial energy savings. By systematically analyzing process streams and their heat transfer characteristics, pinch analysis enables the identification of heat recovery opportunities, leading to the design of an optimized heat exchanger network that minimizes energy requirements. In this study, a formulated stream splitting method is proposed to design a feasible minimum energy requirement heat exchanger network. This method aims to achieve two main goals. First, it gives a practical formulated method to help the designer when splitting streams and focuses on splitting the streams in such a way that creates sub-streams with the exact enthalpy required to satisfy heat exchanges with a specific number of streams, in order to minimize the need for process-utility heat exchangers whenever possible. Subsequently, the method aims to eliminate exergy destruction caused by temperature differences in the mixer used to recombine the split streams, by ensuring an isothermal mixture of streams, preventing unnecessary energy losses. The design of the heat exchanger network is conducted using the hint software, allowing for a comprehensive and detailed analysis of each step. The results obtained show that the heat exchanger network attained not only achieves the minimum energy consumption but also mitigates exergy destruction and avoids unnecessary process-utility heat exchangers, resulting in enhanced overall system performance.
Attenuation of Inlet Distortion Effects on Fans Using Asymmetric Inlet Guide Vanes
Authors: Liu Lina , Vo Huu Duc
Published: April 2024

This research proposes and preliminarily analyzes a novel concept to passively reduce the negative impact of deep inlet distortion on the fan of an aero-engine. It consists of placing a row of non-axisymmetric inlet guide vanes (IGVs) just upstream of the fan rotor to induce a spatially varying swirl distribution. The swirl distribution is tailored so as to reduce flow incidence in the distorted flow region and increase it in the undistorted flow region to decrease the fluctuation in aerodynamic force on the fan blades under large inlet distortion that can lead to blade failure, as well as attenuate the negative effect of flow non-uniformity on fan/engine aerodynamic performance. A computational study is carried out on a high-speed (transonic) fan rotor (NASA Rotor 67) from a published distortion study using full-annulus unsteady 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The asymmetric IGV is designed through a process of manual iterations and CFD simulations to take into account the change in flow redistribution with IGV geometry. The asymmetric IGV design, though not optimized, reduces the aerodynamic force variation amplitude by around two-thirds. Moreover, it allows the fan to recover over half of the loss in total pressure rise due to inlet distortion. The asymmetric IGV is also able to reduce the total pressure distortion at the fan rotor exit. Spanwise analysis indicates that the effectiveness of the asymmetric IGV can be improved on all three metrics if better 3D IGV shaping is performed.
Classical and quantum light-induced non-adiabaticity in molecular systems
Authors: Fábri Csaba , Csehi András , Halász Gábor J. , Cederbaum Lorenz S. , Vibók Ágnes
Published: April 2024

The exchange of energy between electronic and nuclear motion is the origin of non-adiabaticity and plays an important role in many molecular phenomena and processes. Conical intersections (CIs) of different electronic potential energy surfaces lead to the most singular non-adiabaticity and have been intensely investigated. The coupling of light and matter induces conical intersections, which are termed light-induced conical intersections (LICIs). There are two kinds of LICIs, those induced by classical (laser) light and those by quantum light like that provided by a cavity. The present work reviews the subject of LICIs, discussing the achievements made so far. Particular attention is paid to comparing classical and quantum LICIs, their similarities and differences and their relationship to naturally occurring CIs. In contrast to natural CIs, the properties of which are dictated by nature, the properties of their light-induced counterparts are controllable by choosing the frequency and intensity (or coupling to the cavity) of the external light source. This opens the door to inducing and manipulating various kinds of non-adiabatic effects. Several examples of diatomic and polyatomic molecules are presented covering both dynamics and spectroscopy. The computational methods employed are discussed as well. To our opinion, the young field of LICIs and their impact shows much future potential.
PbS quantum dot thin film dry etching
Authors: Le Brun Nicolas , Cunge Gilles , Gouraud Pascal , Petit-Etienne Camille , Parmigiani Linda , Allegret-Maret Stéphane , Guiheux Denis , Steckel Jonathan S.
Published: April 2024

Many consumer products used daily contain sensors and image sensors (smartphones, cars, automated tools, etc.). There is a growing demand to enhance the capabilities of industrial products to probe their environment more efficiently, i.e., under difficult conditions (smoke, darkness, etc.). One solution is to extend the capabilities of image sensors to detect light toward the near-infrared and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions. Because silicon has weak absorption properties in the infrared, especially in the SWIR region, manufacturers are investigating the use of new materials to build these sensors. To this end, colloidal quantum dot (QD) thin films made from the assembly of PbS nanoparticles have emerged as promising materials. They offer tunable bandgaps, favorable absorption properties, and scalability in production. However, patterning the active parts of photodiodes by plasma etching of this new material presents challenges. The etching chemistry must be selected to volatilize Pb and S without modifying the unetched active part of the PbS QD photodiode, and the etching profile should be anisotropic. In this study, we have screened several plasma operating conditions (power, pressure, and temperature) in various chemistries (H2, Cl2, HBr, and N2). To understand the etch mechanisms and profiles, ToF-SIMS and TEM/energy dispersive x-ray were employed. Our findings reveal that halogen-based plasmas cause QD material deterioration through Cl or Br diffusion deep in the film. While H2 plasmas are efficient to etch PbS QD films, they result in high roughness due to the removal of the carbonated ligands that separate PbS QDs. This ligand etching is followed by QD coalescence leading to significant roughness. However, the addition of N2 to H2 can prevent this phenomenon by forming a diffusion barrier at the surface, resulting in favorable etching characteristics.
High-speed and acceleration micrometric jets induced by GHz streaming: A numerical study with direct numerical simulations
Authors: Daru Virginie , Vincent Bjarne , Baudoin Michael
Published: April 2024

Gigahertz acoustic streaming enables the synthesis of localized microjets reaching speeds of up to meters per second, offering tremendous potential for precision micromanipulation. However, theoretical and numerical investigations of acoustic streaming at these frequencies remain so far relatively scarce due to significant challenges including: (i) the inappropriateness of classical approaches, rooted in asymptotic development, for addressing high-speed streaming with flow velocities comparable to the acoustic velocity; and (ii) the numerical cost of direct numerical simulations generally considered as prohibitive. In this paper, we investigate high-frequency bulk streaming using high-order finite difference direct numerical simulations. First, we demonstrate that high-speed micrometric jets of several meters per second can only be obtained at high frequencies, due to diffraction limits. Second, we establish that the maximum jet streaming speed at a given actuation power scales with the frequency to the power of 3/2 in the low attenuation limit and linearly with the frequency for strongly attenuated waves. Last, our analysis of transient regimes reveals a dramatic reduction in the time required to reach the maximum velocity as the frequency increases (power law in –5/2), leading to characteristic time on the order of μs at gigahertz frequencies, and hence accelerations within the Mega-g range.
Physical Education Alternative Certification Programs: Learning Opportunities for Teacher Candidates
Authors: Jung Jaehun , Case Layne , Logan Samuel W. , Yun Joonkoo
Published: April 2024

Purpose: This study investigated differences in (a) completion of teaching methods courses and (b) participation in professional development opportunities between alternatively and traditionally certified physical educators. Method: The sample included 1,850 physical educators (mean age: 42.7 years, male: 61.7%, female: 38.3%) from the 2017 to 2018 National Teacher and Principal Survey. Prevalence estimates of physical educators who (a) completed undergraduate or graduate teaching methods courses during their education and training and (b) participated in professional development were calculated. Results: The results of binary logistic regressions reveal that alternatively certified physical educators were less likely to complete various teaching methods courses before entering the teaching profession. In addition, there were no differences in participation in professional development except in instructional strategies for students with disabilities. Conclusion: Considering unprepared teachers tend to leave the profession early, alternative certification programs need to provide substantial levels of learning opportunities, including teaching methods courses.
“I Live With and By Nature”: Swedish Alpine Skiers Reflect on Professional and Lifestyle Skiing, Nature, and Snow, 1964–2023
Authors: Larneby Marie
Published: April 2024

Alpine skiing has been a popular activity since the 1950s. However, global warming leads to milder weather, melting glaciers, and reduced snowfall which deteriorates possibilities to skiing. The purpose of this paper is to sketch a contemporary history of alpine skiing and environmental awareness in Sweden through the narratives of ten alpine skiers. A temporal and spatial perspective contributes to make changes over time and meaning of places visible. The skiers share a fixed narrative: nature as central for skiing. This is not unproblematic since nature has been more adapted and modified and resulted in a crowded landscape. Nature is a space to be preserved but also as a space to enable skiing. In this constructed landscape, over time snowmaking is reconstructed to being normal, albeit not natural. A way to handle these changes is to care more for nature, travel less, ski more local, and show environmental awareness.
Population pharmacokinetic modeling of dolutegravir/lamivudine to support a once-daily fixed-dose combination regimen in virologically suppressed adults living with HIV-1
Authors: Chandasana Hardik , Singh Rajendra , Adkison Kimberly , Ait-Khaled Mounir , Pene Dumitrescu Teodora
Published: April 2024

A fixed-dose combination (FDC) of 50 mg dolutegravir and 300 mg lamivudine is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. This analysis aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of dolutegravir and lamivudine based on data from a phase 3 study (TANGO) in virologically suppressed adults living with HIV-1 switching to dolutegravir/lamivudine FDC. These analyses included 362 participants who contributed 2,629 dolutegravir and 2,611 lamivudine samples collected over 48 weeks. A one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination parameterized by apparent oral clearance (CL/F), apparent volume of distribution (V/F), and absorption rate constant (Ka) described dolutegravir PK. Covariate search yielded body weight, bilirubin, and ethnicity as predictors of CL/F, and weight was predictive for V/F. The estimates of CL/F, V/F, and Ka were 0.858 L/h, 16.7 L, and 2.15 h
−1
, respectively. A two-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination parameterized by CL/F, apparent intercompartmental clearance (Q/F), apparent central volume of distribution (V2/F), apparent peripheral volume of distribution (V3/F), and Ka described lamivudine PK. Covariate search yielded eGFR and race as predictors of CL/F, and weight was predictive for V2/F. The estimated parameter values were CL/F = 19.6 L/h, Q/F = 2.97 L/h, V2/F = V3/F = 105 L, and Ka = 2.30 h
−1
. The steady-state prediction suggested that the effect of covariates dolutegravir and lamivudine exposures was small (<20%) and not clinically relevant. Therefore, no dose adjustments are recommended based on these analyses. The results support the use of dolutegravir/lamivudine FDC in the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

CLINICAL TRIALS

This study is registered with
ClinicalTrials.gov
as
NCT03446573
.
Influenza C virus susceptibility to antivirals with different mechanisms of action
Authors: Chesnokov Anton , Ivashchenko Andrei A. , Matsuzaki Yoko , Takashita Emi , Mishin Vasiliy P. , Ivachtchenko Alexandre V. , Gubareva Larisa V.
Published: April 2024

Antiviral susceptibility of influenza viruses was assessed using a high-content imaging-based neutralization test. Cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors, baloxavir and AV5116, were superior to AV5115 against type A viruses, and AV5116 was most effective against PA mutants tested. However, these three inhibitors displayed comparable activity (EC
50
8–22 nM) against type C viruses from six lineages. Banana lectin and a monoclonal antibody, YA3, targeting the hemagglutinin-esterase protein effectively neutralized some, but not all, type C viruses.
A novel ionizing radiation-induced small RNA, DrsS, promotes the detoxification of reactive oxygen species in
Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Rai Shiv Narayan , Dutta Tanmay
Published: April 2024

A plethora of gene regulatory mechanisms with eccentric attributes in
Deinoccocus radiodurans
confer it to possess a distinctive ability to survive under ionizing radiation. Among the many regulatory processes, small RNA (sRNA)-mediated regulation of gene expression is prevalent in bacteria but barely investigated in
D. radiodurans
. In the current study, we identified a novel sRNA, DrsS, through RNA-seq analysis in
D. radiodurans
cells while exposed to ionizing radiation. Initial sequence analysis for promoter identification revealed that
drsS
is potentially co-transcribed with
sodA
and
dr_1280
from a single operon. Elimination of the
drsS
allele in
D. radiodurans
chromosome resulted in an impaired growth phenotype under γ-radiation. DrsS has also been found to be upregulated under oxidative and genotoxic stresses. Deletion of the
drsS
gene resulted in the depletion of intracellular concentration of both Mn
2+
and Fe
2+
by ~70% and 40%, respectively, with a concomitant increase in carbonylation of intracellular protein. Complementation of
drsS
gene in
ΔdrsS
cells helped revert its intracellular Mn
2+
and Fe
2+
concentration and alleviated carbonylation of intracellular proteins. Cells with deleted
drsS
gene exhibited higher sensitivity to oxidative stress than wild-type cells. Extrachromosomally expressed
drsS
in
ΔdrsS
cells retrieved its oxidative stress resistance properties by catalase-mediated detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
In vitro
binding assays indicated that DsrS directly interacts with the coding region of the
katA
transcript, thus possibly protecting it from cellular endonucleases
in vivo
. This study identified a novel small RNA DrsS and investigated its function under oxidative stress in
D. radiodurans
.

IMPORTANCE

Deinococcus radiodurans
possesses an idiosyncratic quality to survive under extreme ionizing radiation and, thus, has evolved with diverse mechanisms which promote the mending of intracellular damages caused by ionizing radiation. As sRNAs play a pivotal role in modulating gene expression to adapt to altered conditions and have been delineated to participate in almost all physiological processes, understanding the regulatory mechanism of sRNAs will unearth many pathways that lead to radioresistance in
D. radiodurans
. In that direction, DrsS has been identified to be a γ-radiation-induced sRNA, which is also induced by oxidative and genotoxic stresses. DrsS appeared to activate catalase under oxidative stress and detoxify intracellular ROS. This sRNA has also been shown to balance intracellular Mn(II) and Fe concentrations protecting intracellular proteins from carbonylation. This novel mechanism of DrsS identified in
D. radiodurans
adds substantially to our knowledge of how this bacterium exploits sRNA for its survival under stresses.
Retracing the evolution of
Pneumocystis
species, with a focus on the human pathogen
Pneumocystis jirovecii
Authors: Cissé Ousmane H. , Ma Liang , Kovacs Joseph A.
Published: April 2024

Every human being is presumed to be infected by the fungus
Pneumocystis jirovecii
at least once in his or her lifetime. This fungus belongs to a large group of species that appear to exclusively infect mammals, with
P. jirovecii
being the only one known to cause disease in humans. The mystery of
P. jirovecii
origin and speciation is just beginning to unravel. Here, we provide a review of the major steps of
P. jirovecii
evolution. The
Pneumocystis
genus likely originated from soil or plant-associated organisms during the period of Cretaceous ~165 million years ago and successfully shifted to mammals. The transition coincided with a substantial loss of genes, many of which are related to the synthesis of nutrients that can be scavenged from hosts or cell wall components that could be targeted by the mammalian immune system. Following the transition, the
Pneumocystis
genus cospeciated with mammals. Each species specialized at infecting its own host. Host specialization is presumably built at least partially upon surface glycoproteins, whose protogene was acquired prior to the genus formation.
P. jirovecii
appeared at ~65 million years ago, overlapping with the emergence of the first primates.
P. jirovecii
and its sister species
P. macacae
, which infects macaques nowadays, may have had overlapping host ranges in the distant past. Clues from molecular clocks suggest that
P. jirovecii
did not cospeciate with humans. Molecular evidence suggests that
Pneumocystis
speciation involved chromosomal rearrangements and the mounting of genetic barriers that inhibit gene flow among species.
A highly conserved tRNA modification contributes to
C. albicans
filamentation and virulence
Authors: Böttcher Bettina , Kienast Sandra D. , Leufken Johannes , Eggers Cristian , Sharma Puneet , Leufken Christine M. , Morgner Bianka , Drexler Hannes C. A. , Schulz Daniela , Allert Stefanie , Jacobsen Ilse D. , Vylkova Slavena , Leidel Sebastian A. , Brunke Sascha
Published: April 2024

tRNA modifications play important roles in maintaining translation accuracy in all domains of life. Disruptions in the tRNA modification machinery, especially of the anticodon stem loop, can be lethal for many bacteria and lead to a broad range of phenotypes in baker’s yeast. Very little is known about the function of tRNA modifications in host-pathogen interactions, where rapidly changing environments and stresses require fast adaptations. We found that two closely related fungal pathogens of humans, the highly pathogenic
Candida albicans
and its much less pathogenic sister species,
Candida dubliniensis
, differ in the function of a tRNA-modifying enzyme. This enzyme, Hma1, exhibits species-specific effects on the ability of the two fungi to grow in the hypha morphology, which is central to their virulence potential. We show that Hma1 has tRNA-threonylcarbamoyladenosine dehydratase activity, and its deletion alters ribosome occupancy, especially at 37°C—the body temperature of the human host. A
C. albicans HMA1
deletion mutant also shows defects in adhesion to and invasion into human epithelial cells and shows reduced virulence in a fungal infection model. This links tRNA modifications to host-induced filamentation and virulence of one of the most important fungal pathogens of humans.

IMPORTANCE

Fungal infections are on the rise worldwide, and their global burden on human life and health is frequently underestimated. Among them, the human commensal and opportunistic pathogen,
Candida albicans,
is one of the major causative agents of severe infections. Its virulence is closely linked to its ability to change morphologies from yeasts to hyphae. Here, this ability is linked—to our knowledge for the first time—to modifications of tRNA and translational efficiency. One tRNA-modifying enzyme, Hma1, plays a specific role in
C. albicans
and its ability to invade the host. This adds a so-far unknown layer of regulation to the fungal virulence program and offers new potential therapeutic targets to fight fungal infections.
Outbreak of
Streptococcus pyogenes emm89
ST646 in a head and neck surgical oncology ward
Authors: Hayama Brian , Harada Sohei , Suzuki Masahiro , Doi Yohei , Nomura Yusuke , Aoki Kotaro , Takehana Kazumi , Akatsuchi Tomomi , Enokida Taisuke , Takeda Koichi , Seto Akira , Mitani Hiroki , Ohkushi Daisuke
Published: April 2024

Streptococcus pyogenes
causes a variety of human infections, and hospital outbreaks with this pathogen have also been reported. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics of an outbreak of
S. pyogenes
involving 15 patients and four healthcare workers (HCWs), as well as the molecular characteristics of the causative isolates. The course and response to the outbreak were reviewed, and information on the characteristics of the patients was extracted retrospectively from the medical records. Whole-genome sequencing of the 16 causative isolates (14 from patients and two from HCWs) was also performed. All 15 patients were postoperative of head and neck cancer with tracheotomy, and 12 had invasive infections, primarily surgical site infections, all of which resolved without causing serious illness. All but the first case was detected more than 7 days after admission.
S. pyogenes
was detected in two patients after empiric antimicrobial administration was performed on all inpatients and HCWs, and the outbreak was finally contained in approximately 2 months. All isolates detected in patients and HCWs belonged to
emm89
/clade 3, a hypervirulent clone that has emerged worldwide and was classified as sequence type 646. These isolates had single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) differences of zero to one, indicating clonal transmission. This study demonstrated an outbreak of
S. pyogenes emm89
/clade 3 in a ward of patients with head and neck cancer. The global emergence of hypervirulent isolates may increase the risk of outbreaks among high-risk patients.

IMPORTANCE

This study describes an outbreak of
Streptococcus pyogenes
that occurred in a ward caring for patients with head and neck cancer and tracheostomies. Many cases of invasive infections occurred in a short period, and extensive empiric antimicrobial administration on patients and healthcare workers was performed to control the outbreak. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of the causative strains confirmed that it was a monoclonal transmission of strains belonging to
emm89
/clade 3. The epidemiology and clinical characteristics of
S. pyogenes
infections have changed with the replacement of the prevalent clones worldwide. In the 1980s, there was a reemergence of
S. pyogenes
infections in high-income countries due to the spread of hypervirulent emm1 strains.
emm89
/clade 3 has recently been spreading worldwide and shares common features with emm1, including increased production of two toxins, NADase, and streptolysin O. The outbreak reported here may reflect the high spreading potential and virulence of
emm89
/clade 3.
Supplemental Material: Oligocene melting of subducted mélange and its mantle dynamics in northeast Asia
Authors: Hong Ke-Chun , al. et
Published: April 2024

 Detailed analytical methods, Tables S1–S4, and Figures S1–S4.  
Incidence and analysis of intraoperative complications in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery: a large-scale cohort study to establish the learning curve
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Xu Wen , Shentu Xingchao , Chen Peiqing , Yu Yibo , Lai Kairan , Li Jiayong , Wang Wei , Chen Xinyi , Yao Ke
Published: April 2024

Aims

To assess the safety of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) based on surgical parameters and intraoperative complications analysis and to determine the length of the learning curve for FLACS.

Methods

A prospective consecutive cohort study was conducted on Chinese patients who underwent either FLACS (3289 cases) or contemporaneous conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery (2130 cases). The laser group was divided into four subgroups in chronological order. We recorded intraoperative complication incidences and compared with surgical parameters between groups. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the learning curve of FLACS.

Results

The laser group had a 4.93% incidence of incomplete capsulotomies and a 1.22% incidence of anterior capsule tears. Subgroup analysis showed significant differences in 8 aspects between the first 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases, but only 2 aspects differed between the second 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases. There were no significant differences between the third 250 cases (50 cases per surgeon) and the last 2539 cases.

Conclusions

The intraoperative complications of FLACS were reported, and the learning curve is associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of intraoperative complications. The length of the basic learning curve of FLACS is 100 cases, and the length of the advanced learning curve was 150 cases. This study demonstrated that FLACS is characterised by a relatively straightforward and secure operative technique.
Peripapillary atrophy area predicts the decrease of macular choroidal thickness in young adults during myopia progression
Authors: Li Menghan , Shi Ya , Chen Qiuying , Hu Guangyi , Xie Jiamin , Ye Luyao , Fan Ying , Zhu Jianfeng , He Jiangnan , Xu Xun
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the influence of peripapillary atrophy (PPA) area and axial elongation on the longitudinal changes in macular choroidal thickness (ChT) in young individuals with myopia.

Methods and analysis

In this longitudinal investigation, 431 eyes—342 categorised as non-high myopia (non-HM) and 89 as HM—were examined for 2 years. Participants were examined with swept-source optical coherence tomography. The macular ChT, PPA area and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline and follow-up visits. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with ChT changes. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were analysed to ascertain the predictive capacity of the PPA area and axial elongation for the reduction in macular ChT.

Results

Initial measurements revealed that the average macular ChT was 240.35±56.15 µm in the non-HM group and 198.43±50.27 µm in the HM group (p<0.001). It was observed that the HM group experienced a significantly greater reduction in average macular ChT (−7.35±11.70 µm) than the non-HM group (−1.85±16.95 µm, p=0.004). Multivariate regression analysis showed that a greater reduction of ChT was associated with baseline PPA area (β=−26.646, p<0.001) and the change in AL (β=−35.230, p<0.001). The combination of the baseline PPA area with the change in AL was found to be effective in predicting the decrease in macular ChT, with an area under the curve of 0.741 (95% CI 0.694 to 0.787).

Conclusion

Over 2 years, eyes with HM exhibit a more significant decrease in ChT than those without HM. Combining the baseline PPA area with the change in AL could be used to predict the decrease of macular ChT.
Parental stress, depression, anxiety and participation in care in neonatal intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study in Italy comparing mothers versus fathers
Authors: Bua Jenny , Dalena Paolo , Mariani Ilaria , Girardelli Martina , Ermacora Maddalena , Manzon Ursula , Plet Sabrina , Travan Laura , Lazzerini Marzia
Published: April 2024

Background

This study aimed at documenting the levels of stress, depression, anxiety and participation in care among mothers versus fathers of newborns hospitalised in a third-level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Northern Italy.

Methods

Parental stress, depression and anxiety were assessed by the Parental Stressor Scale in NICU (PSS:NICU), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Participation in care was evaluated with the Index of Parental Participation. Differences between mothers and fathers were assessed with the Mood’s median test and z-test, respectively for continuous and discrete variables. Multivariate analyses controlling for potential confounders were performed to confirm gender differences.

Results

191 parents (112 mothers and 79 fathers) were enrolled. Mothers reported significantly higher median scores for stress (2.9 vs 2.2, p<0.001) and trait anxiety (37 vs 32, p=0.004) and higher depression rates (EPDS ≥12: 43.8% vs 19.0%, p<0.001). ‘High stress’ (PSS:NICU ≥3) was reported by 45.5% of mothers compared with 24.1% of fathers (p=0.004). The frequency of the three conditions simultaneously was significantly higher among mothers (20.0% vs 3.8%, p=0.016), with the vast majority of mothers (76.0%) suffering from at least one condition compared with less than half of fathers (45.3%, p<0.001). Participation in care was more frequent in mothers (median score: 19 vs 15, p<0.001), with the exception of activities related to advocacy (median 5 vs 4, p=0.053). In a multivariate analysis, gender differences in mental health outcomes did not change.

Conclusions

Routine screening of mental distress among parents of infants in NICU is warranted, and gender differences need to be acknowledged in order to deliver tailored support and to promote collaboration with the family of vulnerable newborns. Knowledge and skills on how to prevent and cope with mental distress of parents should be part of the core curriculum of staff working in NICU.
Causal associations of antioxidants with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive function: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Wang Jiao , Huang Yingyue , Bei Chunhua , Yang Huiling , Lin Zihong , Xu Lin
Published: April 2024

Background

Circulating antioxidants are associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in observational studies, suggesting potential target areas for intervention. However, whether the associations are causal remains unclear. Here, we studied the causality between antioxidants and AD or cognitive function using two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR).

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphisms strongly (p<5×10−8) associated with antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, selenium, β-carotene and urate) and outcomes (AD, cognitive performance and reaction time) were obtained from the largest and most recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS). MR inverse variance weighting (IVW) and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were used for data analysis.

Results

Higher genetically determined selenium level was associated with 5% higher risk of AD (OR 1.047, 95% CI 1.005 to 1.091, p=0.028) using IVW. Higher genetically determined urate level was associated with worse cognitive performance (β=−0.026, 95% CI −0.044 to −0.008, p=0.005) using MR-PRESSO. No association between the other antioxidants and AD, cognitive performance and reaction time was found. Similar results were found in the sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that lifelong exposure to higher selenium may be associated with a higher risk of AD, and higher urate levels could be associated with worse cognitive performance. Further analyses using larger GWAS of antioxidants are warranted to confirm these observations. Our results suggest that caution is needed in the interpretation of traditional observational evidence on the neuroprotective effects of antioxidants.
PD-1 downregulation enhances CAR-T cell antitumor efficiency by preserving a cell memory phenotype and reducing exhaustion
Authors: Ouyang Wanyan , Jin Shi-Wei , Xu Nan , Liu Wei-Yang , Zhao Han , Zhang Liuqingqing , Kang Liqing , Tao Yi , Liu Yuanfang , Wang Yan , Wang Jin , Liu Feng , Yu Lei , Liu Zhiqiang , Mi Jian-Qing
Published: April 2024

Background

Despite the encouraging outcome of chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) in managing relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients, the therapeutic side effects and dysfunctions of CAR-T cells have limited the efficacy and clinical application of this promising approach.

Methods

In this study, we incorporated a short hairpin RNA cassette targeting PD-1 into a BCMA-CAR with an OX-40 costimulatory domain. The transduced PD-1KDBCMA CAR-T cells were evaluated for surface CAR expression, T-cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and subsets when they were exposed to a single or repetitive antigen stimulation. Safety and efficacy were initially observed in a phase I clinical trial for RRMM patients.

Results

Compared with parental BCMA CAR-T cells, PD-1KDBCMA CAR-T cell therapy showed reduced T-cell exhaustion and increased percentage of memory T cells in vitro. Better antitumor activity in vivo was also observed in PD-1KDBCMA CAR-T group. In the phase I clinical trial of the CAR-T cell therapy for seven RRMM patients, safety and efficacy were initially observed in all seven patients, including four patients (4/7, 57.1%) with at least one extramedullary site and four patients (4/7, 57.1%) with high-risk cytogenetics. The overall response rate was 85.7% (6/7). Four patients had a stringent complete response (sCR), one patient had a CR, one patient had a partial response, and one patient had stable disease. Safety profile was also observed in these patients, with an incidence of manageable mild to moderate cytokine release syndrome and without the occurrence of neurological toxicity.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates a design concept of CAR-T cells independent of antigen specificity and provides an alternative approach for improving the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy.
Management of carotid atherosclerosis in stroke
Authors: Evans Nicholas Richard , Bhakta Shiv , Chowdhury Mohammed M , Markus Hugh , Warburton Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Internal carotid artery atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for stroke, accounting for 15–20% of ischaemic strokes. Revascularisation procedures—either carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting—can reduce the risk of stroke for those with significant (>50%) luminal stenosis but particularly for those with more severe (70–99%) stenosis. However, advances in medical pharmacotherapy have implications for the relative benefit from surgery for symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis, as well as our approach to asymptomatic disease. This review considers the evidence underpinning the current medical and surgical management of symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis, the importance of factors beyond the degree of luminal stenosis, and developments in therapeutic strategies. We also discuss the importance of non-stenotic but high-risk carotid atherosclerotic plaques on the cause of stroke, and their implications for clinical practice.
Representation of regeneration dynamics in growth and yield models: a review
Authors: Dempster W. Richard
Published: April 2024

Models of forest regeneration dynamics have been less widely applied in forest management than those representing growth and mortality in later stages of stand development, in spite of the critical role of regeneration in maintaining forest ecosystems. This omission is demonstrated by a review of pertinent literature and examined in the context of reforestation in the province of Alberta. Regeneration assessments in Alberta are undertaken before the regeneration phase of stand development is complete. As a result, existing growth and yield models, used to predict whether regeneration performance will meet management objectives, do not adequately represent juvenile mortality, ingress of natural regeneration, stand density, and the responses of ingress and mortality to reforestation treatments. A long-term experiment monitoring regeneration of lodgepole pine stands following harvest has over the last 20 years attempted to address some of the resulting challenges. Opportunities and needs for regeneration modelling include extension to other boreal species and ecotypes, incorporation of climatic variables, and innovations in data collection and analytical techniques. Steps are recommended for expediting the required research.
The LHC as a Neutrino-Ion Collider
Authors: Cruz-Martinez Juan M. , Fieg Max , Giani Tommaso , Krack Peter , Mäkelä Toni , Rabemananjara Tanjona R. , Rojo Juan
Published: April 2024

Proton-proton collisions at the LHC generate a high-intensity collimated beam of neutrinos in the forward (beam) direction, characterised by energies of up to several TeV. The recent observation of LHC neutrinos by FASER$$\nu $$
ν
and SND@LHC signifies that this previously overlooked particle beam is now available for scientific investigation. Here we quantify the impact that neutrino deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) measurements at the LHC would have on the parton distributions (PDFs) of protons and heavy nuclei. We generate projections for DIS structure functions for FASER$$\nu $$
ν
and SND@LHC at Run III, as well as for the FASER$$\nu $$
ν
2, AdvSND, and FLArE experiments to be hosted at the proposed Forward Physics Facility (FPF) operating concurrently with the High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). We determine that up to one million electron-neutrino and muon-neutrino DIS interactions within detector acceptance can be expected by the end of the HL-LHC, covering a kinematic region in x and $$Q^2$$

Q
2

overlapping with that of the Electron-Ion Collider. Including these DIS projections in global (n)PDF analyses, specifically PDF4LHC21, NNPDF4.0, and EPPS21, reveals a significant reduction in PDF uncertainties, in particular for strangeness and the up and down valence PDFs. We show that LHC neutrino data enable improved theoretical predictions for core processes at the HL-LHC, such as Higgs and weak gauge boson production. Our analysis demonstrates that exploiting the LHC neutrino beam effectively provides CERN with a “Neutrino-Ion Collider” without requiring modifications in its accelerator infrastructure.
UC and BUC plane partitions
Authors: Zhang Shengyu , Yan Zhaowen
Published: April 2024

This paper is concerned with the investigation of UC and BUC plane partitions based upon the fermion calculus approach. We construct generalized the vertex operators in terms of free charged fermions and neutral fermions and present the interlacing (strict) 2-partitions. Furthermore, it is showed that the generating functions of UC and BUC plane partitions can be written as product forms.
A generalized static spherically symmetric anisotropic compact stellar model
Authors: Govender Megandhren , Das Shyam
Published: April 2024

We report here a new exact solution of the Einstein field equations that describes a static spherically symmetric, anisotropic compact stellar fluid sphere. A generalized metric form corresponding to the $$g_{rr}$$

g

rr

component and a specific anisotropic profile generates the model. The new class of generalized solutions reduces to Finch-Skea, Vaidya Tikekar and Schwarzschild interior solutions for specific cho-ices of the model parameters. The model parameters have been determined from the continuity of the interior and exterior metrics at the surface of the star and setting the radial pressure at the boundary to zero. Recent observed measurements from some pulsars as sources have been utilized to validate our model.
Quantization of non-Abelian Yang-Mills theories
Authors: Eshraim Walaa I.
Published: April 2024

A non-Abelian theory of fermions interacting with gauge bosons, the constrained system, is studied. The equations of motion for a singular system are obtained as total differential equations in many variables. The integrability conditions are investigated, and the set of equations of motion is integrable. The Senjanovic and the canonical methods are used to quantize the system, and the integration is taken over the canonical phase space coordinates.