bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breaking efficiency-bandwidth limits of integrated silicon modulator using rib waveguide slab region doping design
Authors: Chen Yifei , Liu Mingxin , Niu Hongsheng , Guo Chen , Shi Shangqing , Cheng Wei , Wang Jin , Wang Qichao , Zhu Wanghua , Hu Guohua , Yun Binfeng
Published: September 2024

Doping optimization in the slab waveguide region of a silicon photonic (SiP) modulator has always been considered to balance the optical loss and electrical resistance–capacitance constant. We found that the AC PN junction capacitance could be significantly decreased by specific doping concentrations in the slab areas. Benefiting from this effect, microwave losses are reduced and the electro-optic (EO) bandwidth is increased. As a proof-of-concept, we propose a silicon modulator based on a conventional lateral PN junction with optimized doping in the waveguide slab region. The simulation results show that a 3 dB-EO bandwidth exceeds 100 GHz can be achieved with a modulation length of 2 mm. In addition, the modulation efficiencies are 1.26 V·cm and 1.45 V·cm under −4 V bias and −6 V bias, respectively. This design shows the potential of high-speed signal transmission in SiPs.
Carceral Recycling
Authors: Berg Anne
Published: September 2024

Carceral recycling—a system of camp-based waste labor—was instrumental to the Judeocide. Tracing the connections between resource fetishism and ideas about cleanliness, this article shows that waste utilization lay at the heart of a destructive matrix that exploited camp and prison labor in the service of racial purification and imperial expansion. The Nazi regime imagined itself as resource poor and spaceless and accordingly mined junk and people rather than land in a desperate attempt to close the energy cycle and squeeze annihilative capacity out of forced labor and waste products. As an extreme form of securitization infrastructure, the landscape of prisons and camps manifested the Nazi paranoia about the existential threat that Jews and biosocial others supposedly posed in distinct locations of forced labor and murder. An extraction machine, the camp complex served a crucial economic function in an empire that did not distinguish between junk and jewels. Grounding this story in the history of carcerality, imperial extraction, and discard studies, this article draws attention to the dynamic relationship among ideas about cleanliness, security, and order that firmly ground the Nazi system of plunder and murder in the trajectory of Western imperialism and its enlightened rationality.
Carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants combine common developmental processes to make a complex epidermal trapping surface
Authors: Lessware Oona C , Mantell Judith M , Bauer Ulrike
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

A hierarchical micro-topography of ridges and steps renders the trap rim of carnivorous Nepenthes pitcher plants unusually wettable, and slippery for insects when wet. This complex three-dimensional epidermis structure forms, hidden from plain sight, inside the still-closed developing pitcher bud. Here, we reveal the sequence of epidermal patterning events that shape the trap rim. By linking this sequence to externally visible markers of bud development, we provide a framework for targeting individual stages of surface development in future studies.

Methods

We used cryo-scanning electron microscopy to investigate the detailed morphogenesis and epidermal patterning of the Nepenthes × hookeriana pitcher rim. In addition, we collected morphometric and qualitative data from developing pitcher traps including those sampled for microscopy.

Key Results

We identified three consecutive patterning events. First, strictly oriented cell divisions resulted in radially aligned rows of cells and established a macroscopic ridge-and-groove pattern. Next, conical papillate cells formed, and papillae elongated towards the trap interior, increasingly overlapping adjacent cells and eventually forming continuous microscopic ridges. In between these ridges, the flattened papillae formed acutely angled arched steps. Finally, the cells elongated radially, thereby establishing the convex collar shape of the rim. This general sequence of surface development also showed a spatial progression from the outer to the inner trap rim edge, with several consecutive developmental stages co-occurring at any given time.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that the complex surface micro-topography of the Nepenthes pitcher rim develops by sequentially combining widespread, evolutionarily conserved epidermal patterning processes in a new way. This makes the Nepenthes trap rim an excellent model for studying epidermal patterning mechanisms in leaves.
Nikki Lee
Authors: Lee Nikki
Published: September 2024

Researcher Nikki Lee tells the story of Margaret Bryan, an 18th century teacher, author, widow, mother… and friend to top astronomers
Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the important role of Dcaf17 in spermatogenesis of golden hamsters
Authors: Ma Rongzhu , Liang Shuang , Zeng Wentao , Li Jianmin , Lai Yana , Yang Xiaoyu , Diao Feiyang
Published: September 2024

Dcaf17, also known as DDB1- and CUL4-associated factor 17, is a member of the DCAF family and acts as the receptor for the CRL4 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. Several previous studies have reported that mutations in Dcaf17 cause Woodhouse–Sakati syndrome, which results in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and male infertility. As a model to explore the role of Dcaf17 in the male reproductive system, we created Dcaf17-deficient male golden hamsters using CRISPR-Cas9 technology; the results of which demonstrate that deletion of Dcaf17 led to abnormal spermatogenesis and infertility. To uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms involved, we conducted single cell Ribonucleic Acid sequencing analysis to evaluate the effect of Dcaf17 deficiency on transcriptional levels in spermatogenic cells during various stages of spermatogenesis. These data emphasize the significant regulatory role played by Dcaf17 in early spermatogenic cells, with many biological processes being affected, including spermatogenesis and protein degradation. Dysregulation of genes associated with these functions ultimately leads to abnormalities. In summary, our findings highlight the critical function of Dcaf17 in spermatogenesis and clarify the specific stage at which Dcaf17 exerts its effects, while simultaneously providing a novel animal model for the study of Dcaf17.
The Impact of Infectious Diseases Scholarly Mentorship on Subsequent Infectious Disease Fellowship Application
Authors: Marcus Joseph E , Yun Heather C , Barsoumian Alice E
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Infectious diseases physicians invest significant time mentoring medical students and internal medicine residents through research projects as well as case reports. Although having an infectious diseases mentor has been shown to be associated with subsequent infectious diseases fellowship application, the impact of specific scholarly activities on future application to infectious diseases fellowship is unknown.

Methods

All research and case reports published or presented from Brooke Army Medical Center between 2014 and 2022 with an infectious diseases senior author and a medical student or internal medicine resident first author were evaluated. The presentations and publications that resulted from each project as well as whether the trainee applied to infectious diseases were recorded.

Results

During the study period, 16 faculty mentored 35 medical student and resident research projects and 26 case reports. Research and case reports were primarily performed by residents (88% and 96%, respectively). Compared to case reports, research projects were more likely to be presented at national meetings (77% vs 32%, P = .0009). Of the 55 projects performed by trainees who completed training, research was associated with greater rates of infectious disease fellowship application as compared to case reports (41% vs 4%, P = .0012).

Conclusions

Internal medicine resident and medical student involvement in research mentored by an infectious disease physician was associated with a greater infectious diseases fellowship application rate as compared to those who were mentored for case reports. Investment in trainee research may be a strategy for recruiting the next generation of infectious diseases physicians.
An uncommon and challenging finding regarding the tricuspid valve: case report, clinical considerations, and practical management
Authors: Sciatti Edoardo , Limonta Raul , D’Isa Salvatore , Duino Vincenzo , Senni Michele
Published: September 2024

Background

The differential diagnosis of tricuspid masses remains challenging.

Case summary

This case involves the incidental detection of a lesion with a non-solid appearance, exhibiting the characteristic ‘finger-in-glove’ and ‘garland-like’ morphology, resembling a blind-ended protrusion of the tricuspid leaflet. This presentation is consistent with a tricuspid valve aneurysm, without significant associated stenosis or regurgitation.

Discussion

Given the lesion’s morphological features, the patient’s asymptomatic status, and the absence of a precipitating event suggestive of an alternative diagnosis, we concluded that the most likely diagnosis is aseptic tricuspid valve aneurysm. Following a multidisciplinary heart team discussion, surgical intervention was deemed unnecessary.
Acute myocarditis and haemoptysis in an adult with human bocavirus monoinfection: a case report
Authors: Tustiu Iulia , Woods Sara , Lee Jennifer , Buckley Orla , Moore David
Published: September 2024

Background

Bocavirus monoinfection-related acute myocarditis is an aetiology that has rarely been described in the literature.

Case summary

A 36-year-old male, with no significant medical history, presented to the emergency department with a 4-day history of dyspnoea, haemoptysis, left-sided chest pain, and high-grade pyrexia. The initial investigations revealed a raised troponin T, raised C-reactive protein, and a normal electrocardiogram. A comprehensive microbiological and virological work-up (testing for 14 viruses and bacteria) detected human bocavirus (HBoV) DNA monoinfection. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed left ventricular ejection fraction of 48%, with subepicardial late gadolinium enhancement. Other imaging modalities (chest X-ray, echocardiography, computed tomography pulmonary angiography, and bronchoscopy) revealed no other causative pathology. The patient was treated with anti-inflammatory medications and left ventricle remodelling therapy. He had a good clinical outcome. Moreover, a collateral history revealed that the patient’s infant had presented with a severe respiratory illness, which was felt to be of viral aetiology, several days prior to the patient’s own onset of symptoms.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of HBoV-related acute myocarditis in an immunocompetent adult. This case also displays new clinical features for HBoV infection—haemoptysis, high-grade pyrexia, and a potential for vertical transmission from infants.
Update on antithrombotic therapy and body mass: a clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy and the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Thrombosis
Authors: Gigante Bruna , Tamargo Juan , Agewall Stefan , Atar Dan , ten Berg Jurrien , Campo Gianluca , Cerbai Elisabetta , Christersson Christina , Dobrev Dobromir , Ferdinandy Péter , Geisler Tobias , Gorog Diana A , Grove Erik L , Kaski Juan Carlos , Rubboli Andrea , Wassmann Sven , Wallen Håkan , Rocca Bianca
Published: September 2024

Obesity and underweight are a growing health problem worldwide and a challenge for clinicians concerning antithrombotic therapy, due to the associated risks of thrombosis and/or bleeding. This clinical consensus statement updates a previous one published in 2018, by reviewing the most recent evidence on antithrombotic drugs based on body size categories according to the World Health Organization classification. The document focuses mostly on individuals at the extremes of body weight, i.e. underweight and moderate-to-morbid obesity, who require antithrombotic drugs, according to current guidelines, for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases or venous thromboembolism. Managing antithrombotic therapy or thromboprophylaxis in these individuals is challenging, due to profound changes

in body composition, metabolism and organ function, and altered drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as weak or no evidence from clinical trials. The document also includes artificial intelligence simulations derived from in silico pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models, which can mimic the pharmacokinetic changes and help identify optimal regimens of antithrombotic drugs for severely underweight or severely obese individuals. Further, bariatric surgery in morbidly obese subjects is frequently performed worldwide. Bariatric surgery causes specific and additional changes in metabolism and gastrointestinal anatomy, depending on the type of the procedure, which can also impact the pharmacokinetics of antithrombotic drugs and their management. Based on existing literature, the document provides consensus statements on optimizing antithrombotic drug management for underweight and all classes of obese patients, while highlighting the current gaps in knowledge in these complex clinical settings, which require personalized medicine and precision pharmacology.
Social mating systems in birds: resource-defense polygamy—but not lekking—is a macroevolutionarily unstable trait
Authors: Marcondes Rafael S , Douvas Nicolette
Published: September 2024

Our understanding of the evolution of social mating systems is largely based on an atemporal ecological framework, whereas macroevolutionary and phylogenetic perspectives looking at the causes of mating systems variation are less developed. Here, we present analyses of the evolution of social mating systems in birds at an unprecedented scale, including 66% of the world’s birds and using trait-dependent speciation and extinction models. We found that lekking (no social bond between the sexes) is very rarely lost, in accordance with the hypothesis that a male shifting to investing in one rather than multiple mates would suffer a severe fitness cost. In contrast, resource-defense polygamous lineages (with a weak, transient socio-sexual bond) frequently revert back to monogamy (strong, durable socio-sexual bond) and have an elevated extinction fraction. We tentatively attribute this to the impossibility of females settling on an optimal parental care strategy under this system. Finally, we found that most gains of lekking have been directly from monogamy rather than through an intermediate stage of resource-defense polygamy.
Conserved signaling modules regulate filamentous growth in fungi: a model for eukaryotic cell differentiation
Authors: Vandermeulen Matthew D , Lorenz Michael C , Cullen Paul J
Published: September 2024

Eukaryotic organisms are composed of different cell types with defined shapes and functions. Specific cell types are produced by the process of cell differentiation, which is regulated by signal transduction pathways. Signaling pathways regulate cell differentiation by sensing cues and controlling the expression of target genes whose products generate cell types with specific attributes. In studying how cells differentiate, fungi have proved valuable models because of their ease of genetic manipulation and striking cell morphologies. Many fungal species undergo filamentous growth—a specialized growth pattern where cells produce elongated tube-like projections. Filamentous growth promotes expansion into new environments, including invasion into plant and animal hosts by fungal pathogens. The same signaling pathways that regulate filamentous growth in fungi also control cell differentiation throughout eukaryotes and include highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which is the focus of this review. In many fungal species, mucin-type sensors regulate MAPK pathways to control filamentous growth in response to diverse stimuli. Once activated, MAPK pathways reorganize cell polarity, induce changes in cell adhesion, and promote the secretion of degradative enzymes that mediate access to new environments. However, MAPK pathway regulation is complicated because related pathways can share components with each other yet induce unique responses (i.e. signal specificity). In addition, MAPK pathways function in highly integrated networks with other regulatory pathways (i.e. signal integration). Here, we discuss signal specificity and integration in several yeast models (mainly Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans) by focusing on the filamentation MAPK pathway. Because of the strong evolutionary ties between species, a deeper understanding of the regulation of filamentous growth in established models and increasingly diverse fungal species can reveal fundamentally new mechanisms underlying eukaryotic cell differentiation.
Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Community-Based Interventions for Promoting Active Aging: A Systematic Review of the Roles of Technology
Authors: Chang Fangyuan , Wang Gubing , Gu Zhenyu
Published: September 2024

Background and Objectives

Researchers from different fields are increasingly interested in incorporating technology into community-based interventions that promote active aging. Yet, there lacks a comprehensive understanding of technology roles, posing challenges for designers seeking to maximize the intended impacts of such interventions. This systematic review aims to fill the gap by examining existing community-based interventions that integrate digital technologies to promote active aging.

Research Design and Methods

Thirteen studies were screened, with a total of 14 interventions examined, following the PRISMA Guideline.

Results

The challenges in designing and operating community-based interventions, the roles of technology in the interventions, and the caveats of utilizing technology during the process were identified. The review emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges in community-based interventions and leveraging technology to enhance the intended impacts.

Discussion and Implications

The findings underscore the need to understand technology’s nuanced roles in community-based interventions for active aging. The article provides a starting point for accumulating knowledge and practice in utilizing technology to navigate the challenges and opportunities encountered in such interventions. It also sheds light on a notable gap: the lack of innovative and strategic approaches that harness digital interventions appropriately in community-based interventions. This emphasizes a crucial requirement for guidelines to assist designers, policymakers, and community staff in integrating technology appropriately into community-based interventions or implementing interventions that incorporate digital technologies at the community level.
Simultaneous joint inversion of surface wave and gravity data for revealing 3-D crustal S-wave velocity and density structures: a case study of the NE Tibetan plateau
Authors: Wang Xiang , Guo Lianghui , Bao Xueyang , Chen Yang
Published: September 2024

3-D shear wave velocity and density models are important for understanding the structures, material composition, tectonic deformations and dynamical mechanisms of the Earth's crust. Such models are usually based on surface wave tomography and gravity inversion, which provide high resolution in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. The joint inversion of surface wave and gravity methods can promote the mutual constraints and complementary advantages of seismic and gravity information, improving the imaging resolution and reducing the uncertainty in the individual methods. However, the traditional joint inversion methods directly construct only the shear wave velocity model, excluding density models. We present a joint inversion method of surface wave and gravity data that simultaneously constructs both crustal shear wave velocity and density models. Unlike the previous studies, we reconfigure the seismic kernels of surface wave tomography to preserve the seismic kernel of density. Moreover, the gravity kernel of density is combined with the seismic kernels to establish an objective function of simultaneous joint inversion. Consequently, the imaging resolution of density structure is improved. Our method is validated on the northeastern Tibetan plateau. The inversion results show that the Dingxi, Jiuzhaigou and Jishishan earthquakes occurred in the high–low-anomaly transition zones of shear wave velocity or density, implying that they were induced by accumulation of strain energy in the upper crust of the northeastern Tibetan plateau when the surrounding harder blocks extruded during the tectonic deformation process.
Shear-wave velocity structure of the Blanco oceanic transform fault zone
Authors: Adimah Nicholas Irabor , Tan Yen Joe , Russell Joshua Berryman
Published: September 2024

Oceanic transform faults (OTFs) facilitate hydrothermal circulation which can modify the fault zone materials and affect their rheological evolution. However, the depth extent and variability of fluid infiltration, degree of mineral alteration and their relationship with earthquake behaviour has only been characterized along a few OTFs globally. Here, we use first-overtone Rayleigh waves extracted from seismic ambient noise to estimate the shear-wave velocity structure beneath the Blanco Transform Fault Zone (BTFZ). Compared to the adjoining normal oceanic plates, relatively variable and slow velocities reduced by at least $\sim$0.2–0.4 km s−1 ($\sim$4–8 per cent) are observed from the crust down to $\sim$22 km depth along some segments of the BTFZ. The crustal slow velocities can be explained by enhanced fluid-filled porosity of $\sim$0.4–10.9 per cent caused by intense fracturing associated with abundant seismicity. Slow uppermost mantle velocities are predominantly consistent with $\sim$1.2–37 per cent serpentinization and $\sim$9 per cent hydration, indicating variable and deep fluid infiltration that exceeds 15 km depth. For instance, shear-wave velocities ($\sim$4.3–4.4 km s−1) in the uppermost mantle beneath the Blanco Ridge suggest extensive serpentinization ($\sim$13–25 per cent), which might explain the recently documented earthquake swarms linked with aseismic creep. In comparison, within the vicinity of the ridge-transform intersections at depths $\sim$$\gt $16 km, low velocities ($\sim$4.1–4.2 km s−1) that are consistent with the presence of up to $\sim$1.6 per cent partial melt suggest intratransform magmatism which would contradict the long-held simple conservative strike-slip characterization of OTFs.
Stress regimes in the Himalaya–Karakoram–Tibet, the western part of India–Eurasia collision: stress field implications based on focal mechanism solution data
Authors: Babu Vivek G , Kumar Naresh , Pal Sanjit Kumar
Published: September 2024

The stress regime patterns of high-seismically active regions within the western part of the India–Eurasia collision, spanning from 67° E to 83° E and 27° N to 39° N, are elucidated through analysis of 684 Focal Mechanism Solutions from 1962 to 2021. Eighteen seismically active zones used for the stress tensor inversion, are defined based on the spatial extent of the seismicity, the depth distribution of seismic events, focal mechanism studies, and seismotectonics of the region. The defined regimes are: (1) Sulaiman Ranges and Lobe Region, (2) Hindukush, (3) Pamir, (4) Nanga Parbat Syntaxis, (5) Hazara Syntaxis, (6) Kashmir–Zanskar region, (7) Kangra–Chamba, (8) Kinnaur and Kaurik–Chango fault zone (KCFZ), (9) Garhwal, (10) Kumaon, (11) Karakoram fault zone, and (12) Gozha–Ashikule fault zone. Seismicity is reported only in the crust or up to mid-crust in most of the regions, except for the Pamir and Hindukush, where the seismicity can be observed down to 160 and 280 km, respectively. We report a clockwise rotation of the maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) of about 42° and 21° in the Hindukush and Pamir regions, respectively. with increasing focal depths from north west to north. The region where major and strong earthquakes occur indicates pure compressive regimes. Most of the zones support transpressive and transtensional tectonics with a few zones by normal and strike-slip fault regimes. Regions like Nanga Parbat syntaxis, Kinnaur, KCFZ, and Zanskar are exceptions, where extensional and transformational tectonic features dominate. Plate convergence force has less effect on defining the stress regime in the Karakoram fault zone and Gozha–Ashikule regions, which display transtensional and pure extensional regimes, respectively. Underthrusting of the Indian plate through complex tectonics is indicated by dominant compression stresses with evidences of normal, strike-slip, and oblique fault mechanisms.
Schizophrenia risk-associated SNPs affect expression of microRNA 137 host gene: a postmortem study
Authors: Feng Ningping , Mandal Ajeet , Jambhale Ananya , Narnur Pranav , Chen Gang , Akula Nirmala , Kramer Robin , Kolachana Bhaskar , Xu Qing , McMahon Francis J , Lipska Barbara K , Auluck Pavan K , Marenco Stefano
Published: September 2024

Common variants in the MicroRNA 137 host gene MIR137HG and its adjacent gene DPYD have been associated with schizophrenia risk and the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). Genome-Wide Association Study on schizophrenia has confirmed and extended these findings. To elucidate the association of schizophrenia risk-associated SNPs in this genomic region, we examined the expression of both mature and immature transcripts of the miR-137 host gene (MIR137HG) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) of postmortem brain samples of donors with schizophrenia and psychiatrically-unaffected controls using qPCR and RNA-Seq approaches. No differential expression of miR-137, MIR137HG, or its transcripts was observed. Two schizophrenia risk-associated SNPs identified in the PGC study, rs11165917 (DLPFC: P = 2.0e-16; sgACC: P = 6.4e-10) and rs4274102 (DLPFC: P = 0.036; sgACC: P = 0.002), were associated with expression of the MIR137HG long non-coding RNA transcript MIR137HG-203 (ENST00000602672.2) in individuals of European ancestry. Carriers of the minor (risk) allele of rs11165917 had significantly lower expression of MIR137HG-203 compared with those carrying the major allele. However, we were unable to validate this result by short-read sequencing of RNA extracted from DLPFC or sgACC tissue. This finding suggests that immature transcripts of MIR137HG may contribute to genetic risk for schizophrenia.
Reference Values of Ceruloplasmin across the Adult Age Range in a Large Italian Healthy Population
Authors: Pelucchi Sara , Risca Giulia , Lanzafame Corradina , Scollo Chiara Mariadele , Garofalo Andrea , Martinez Davide , Mariani Raffaella , Botti Mara , Capitoli Giulia , Rossi Fabio , Casati Marco , Piperno Alberto , Galimberti Stefania
Published: September 2024

Background

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is the most important serum copper transport protein playing a key role in the binding of iron to transferrin. It is a positive acute-phase response protein and the first-level diagnostic marker for Wilson disease and aceruloplasminemia. However, standardization of Cp measurement has not been successful, and assay specific reference levels of Cp are required.

Methods

From May 2019 to July 2022, we enrolled 1706 consecutive healthy Italian blood donors (1285 men and 421 women, 18 to 65 years) to identify the reference intervals of serum Cp through quantile regression and evaluate the relationship of Cp with age, sex, iron, and metabolic status through linear regression.

Results

We found that mean serum Cp was influenced by sex and slightly by age. The lower reference Cp value rose slightly with increasing age in both men and women. The upper reference value increased, reaching a plateau of about 25 mg/dL around 25 years in men, while in women it initially increased to around 45 mg/dL in young adults to fall sharply below 30 mg/dL for adults after their fifties.

Conclusions

We showed that the normal reference curves of serum Cp vary according to sex in a large population of healthy adults. While the lower reference values did not appear to be influenced by age and sex, the upper ones differed according to sex and age showing a particularly high variability in women, possibly reflecting different hormonal status.
Study of infostealers using Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Bustos-Tabernero Álvaro , López-Sánchez Daniel , González-Arrieta Angélica , Novais Paulo
Published: September 2024

Cybersecurity technology has the ability to detect malware through a variety of methods, such as signature recognition, logical rules or the identification of known malware stored in a database or public source. However, threat actors continuously try to create new variants of existing malware by obfuscating or altering parts of the code to evade detection by antivirus engines. Infostealers are one of the most common malicious programs aimed at obtaining personal or banking information from an infected system and exfiltrating it. In addition, they are the precursors of potentially high-security incidents because attackers gain a entry into companies’ internal systems and may even access them with administrator permissions. This article demonstrates how a feature vector can be obtained from the assembly code of a Windows binary and how a a Graph Neural Network can be used to determine, with ninety percent accuracy, whether it is an infostealer.
The Gaia ultracool dwarf sample – V: the ultracool dwarf companion catalogue
Authors: Baig Sayan , Smart R L , Jones Hugh R A , Gagné Jonathan , Pinfield D J , Cheng Gemma , Moranta Leslie
Published: September 2024

We present the Ultracool Dwarf Companion Catalogue of 278 multiple systems, 32 of which are newly discovered, each with at least one spectroscopically confirmed Ultracool Dwarf, within a 100 pc volume-limited sample. This catalogue is compiled using the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars for stellar primaries and the Gaia Ultracool Dwarf Sample for low-mass companions and includes 241 doubles, 33 triples, and 4 higher-order systems established from positional, proper motion, and parallax constraints. The catalogue seeks to identify probable benchmark systems within 100 pc to obtain model-independent astrophysical parameters of Ultracool Dwarfs. Chance alignment probabilities are calculated to evaluate the physical nature of each system. Astrometric and photometric data from Gaia Data Release 3 and the Two Micron All Sky Survey are included for all objects. We identify potential unseen companions using a combination of the renormalized unit weight error, image parameter determination statistics, non-single star solutions, and photometric blending as provided by Gaia, identifying hierarchical Ultracool triple systems. Our catalogue includes 17 White Dwarf – Ultracool Dwarf systems, whose ages are determined using cooling models. We also use the Gaia FLAME results and the BANYAN Σ procedures to age 40 and 34 systems, respectively, and derive mass estimates from evolutionary models.
Early stages of gap opening by planets in protoplanetary discs
Authors: Cordwell Amelia J , Rafikov Roman R
Published: September 2024

Annular substructures in protoplanetary discs, ubiquitous in sub-mm observations, can be caused by gravitational coupling between a disc and its embedded planets. Planetary density waves inject angular momentum into the disc leading to gap opening only after travelling some distance and steepening into shocks (in the absence of linear damping); no angular momentum is deposited in the planetary co-orbital region, where the wave has not shocked yet. Despite that, simulations show mass evacuation from the co-orbital region even in inviscid discs, leading to smooth double-trough gap profiles. Here, we consider the early time-dependent stages of planetary gap opening in inviscid discs. We find that an often-overlooked contribution to the angular momentum balance caused by the time-variability of the specific angular momentum of the disc fluid (caused, in turn, by the time-variability of the radial pressure support) plays a key role in gap opening. Focusing on the regime of shallow gaps with depths of $\lesssim 20~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, we demonstrate analytically that early gap opening is a self-similar process, with the amplitude of the planet-driven perturbation growing linearly in time and the radial gap profile that can be computed semi-analytically. We show that mass indeed gets evacuated from the co-orbital region even in inviscid discs. This evolution pattern holds even in viscous discs over a limited period of time. These results are found to be in excellent agreement with 2D numerical simulations. Our simple gap evolution solutions can be used in studies of dust dynamics near planets and for interpreting protoplanetary disc observations.
Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard) has been replacing Anas rubripes (American Black Duck) in human-altered landscapes in Ontario, 1996 to 2019
Authors: Roy Christian , Iverson Samuel , Meyer Shawn W , Dyson Matthew E , Cox Amelia R
Published: September 2024

Anas rubripes (American Black Duck) has received much attention over the years as a popular game bird species that experienced historical declines on its wintering grounds. Declines may be due to changes in the quality and quantity of breeding habitat, competition with A. platyrhynchos (Mallard), or both. Although the A. rubripes population has stabilized, spatial variation in regional population trends of A. rubripes on their breeding grounds can provide insight into the relative importance of these alternative hypotheses at provincial and local scales. We analyzed indicated breeding pairs count data collected in Ontario between 1996 and 2019 through the Eastern Waterfowl Survey to evaluate the correlation in breeding densities and trends of the 5 most abundant waterfowl species. We also tested whether habitat and anthropogenic disturbance variables could explain the distribution of those species. Overall, A. platyrhynchos breeding pair densities increased across the survey area, whereas A. rubripes breeding pair densities decreased in the southern and northern part of the survey area but remained stable in the central part. Densities of breeding pairs of A. rubripes and A. platyrhynchos were negatively correlated across survey plots but the trends in breeding densities were not correlated. Densities of A. platyrhynchos breeding pairs increased in human altered landscapes, whereas the density of A. rubripes breeding pairs was negatively correlated with agriculture. Our results suggest that A. platyrhynchos did not competitively exclude A. rubripes on the breeding grounds, but instead, A. rubripes were replaced by A. platyrhynchos following encroachment of agriculture into A. rubripes breeding habitat. Habitat management plans focused on breeding A. rubripes should emphasize reduction in the expansion of anthropogenic perturbations and increases in habitat conservation efforts in the central area of the breeding range in Ontario.
From complexity to clarity: How AI enhances perceptions of scientists and the public's understanding of science
Authors: Markowitz David M
Published: September 2024

This article evaluated the effectiveness of using generative AI to simplify science communication and enhance the public's understanding of science. By comparing lay summaries of journal articles from PNAS, yoked to those generated by AI, this work first assessed linguistic simplicity differences across such summaries and public perceptions in follow-up experiments. Specifically, study 1a analyzed simplicity features of PNAS abstracts (scientific summaries) and significance statements (lay summaries), observing that lay summaries were indeed linguistically simpler, but effect size differences were small. Study 1b used a large language model, GPT-4, to create significance statements based on paper abstracts and this more than doubled the average effect size without fine-tuning. Study 2 experimentally demonstrated that simply-written generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) summaries facilitated more favorable perceptions of scientists (they were perceived as more credible and trustworthy, but less intelligent) than more complexly written human PNAS summaries. Crucially, study 3 experimentally demonstrated that participants comprehended scientific writing better after reading simple GPT summaries compared to complex PNAS summaries. In their own words, participants also summarized scientific papers in a more detailed and concrete manner after reading GPT summaries compared to PNAS summaries of the same article. AI has the potential to engage scientific communities and the public via a simple language heuristic, advocating for its integration into scientific dissemination for a more informed society.
Causal linkage of psoriasis with ageing: Mendelian randomization and enrichment analysis towards telomere length and psoriasis
Authors: Cao Ziqin , Li Yajia , Wu Jianhuang
Published: September 2024

Objective

Several studies demonstrated potential associations between the telomere length (TL) in leukocytes and psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study aimed to investigate whether there was the causal genetic relationship between TL and psoriatic diseases bidirectionally.

Methods

Two-sample univariable MR (UVMR) analysis was applied to explore the bidirectional causal association of TL with overall psoriasis, psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and PsA. Multivariable MR (MVMR) and the mediation effects analysis were applied to test whether the bidirectional associations between TLs and psoriasis were mediated by body mass index (BMI), alcohol, and smoking status.

Results

According to the UVMR results, a negative causal impact of TL on the risk of overall psoriasis was found (OR = 0.775; 95% CI: 0.646–0.931; P = 6.36 × 10−3), and a similar trend was observed in the reversed direction for psoriasis-TL (IVW-β = −0.0097; 95% CI: −0.0170 to −0.0024; P = 9.12 × 10−3). There were also negative genetic associations between TL and PV bidirectionally. The independent association of genetically predicted TL and overall psoriasis persisted in the MVMR results controlled for BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption (ORMVMR = 0.736; 95% CI: 0.597 to 0.907; P = 0.004). An independent significant association of genetic predisposition to PsA with TL was also found (βMVMR = 0.006; 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.012; P = 0.033). The mediation analysis showed that BMI partially mediated the reverse association between PSO and TL.

Conclusion

This MR study revealed an association between genetic indicators of shortened TL and risk of overall psoriasis and PV, and genetic predisposition to PsA was associated with longer TL.

Key message What is already known on this topic?  Telomere length (TL) is acknowledged to reflect an individual's biological age but is also associated with dysregulated immune function and immunosenescence. The impact of aging on psoriasis is controversial. Existing evidence suggests that aging may influence pathological changes and clinical course but whether aging is an independent risk factor remains unclear. What this study adds?  The current study found an association between genetic indicators of shortened TL and the risk of overall psoriasis and psoriasis vulgaris (PV). There was a bidirectional link between genetically indicated overall psoriasis and shortened TL. A possible positive genetic association between PsA and TL was also found. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy?  Our study may provide evidence for TL as new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in clinical practices for psoriasis. Greater efforts to psoriasis management may substantially reduce the aging attributable to TL shortening. Future large-scale GWAS and experimental studies are warranted to examine the mechanistic basis for links between TL and psoriasis to improve understanding and illuminate possible therapeutic targets for psoriatic disease.
How Advanced Practice Clinicians Support Education for and Contribute to Education of Graduate Medical Education Trainees: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Barker Andrea M. , Konopasky Abigail W. , Varpio Lara , Soh Michael , Poole Brian R. , Stalmeijer Renée E.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

With the introduction of physician assistants and nurse practitioners (i.e., advanced practice clinicians [APCs]), the landscape of graduate medical education (GME) has fundamentally changed. Whereas APCs’ role in GME settings has been mainly described as substitutes for postgraduate medical trainees, APCs are increasingly considered integrated and collaborative team members. However, APCs’ contributions to trainees’ education and learning remain underexplored. This critical review synthesized the literature available on how APCs contribute to trainees’ workplace learning and how these contributions are enabled.

Method

The authors searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO from database inception dates to April 2023 for published articles reporting on educational or guiding behaviors of APCs in GME contexts, resulting in 1,830 articles for possible inclusion. Using a critical review approach, the analysis was informed by a previously published framework describing workplace guidance behaviors and the authors’ clinical and research expertise.

Results

A total of 58 articles were included in the study. Advanced practice clinicians contribute to trainees’ workplace learning through a variety of guidance behaviors, including learning from patient care, demonstrating, support, socialization, feedback, involvement in evaluations, and other unspecified contributions. Thematic analysis indicated that APCs’ contributions were enabled by their close working relationships with trainees, their unique perspective within the workplace, and the extent to which they were formally incorporated within workplace learning.

Conclusions

This critical review offers a concrete description of ways APCs are contributing to trainees’ learning and education in the GME workplace across the literature. These results suggest that APCs could be a potentially untapped source for further optimizing workplace learning. However, unlocking this potential will require a shift in the conceptualization of APCs’ role in the workplace. Opportunities for APC professional development and formalization of APCs’ educational role should be considered.
Comparison of Performance for Cochlear-Implant Listeners Using Audio Processing Strategies Based on Short-Time Fast Fourier Transform or Spectral Feature Extraction
Authors: Zhang Yue , Johannesen Peter T. , Molaee-Ardekani Behnam , Wijetillake Aswin , Attili Chiea Rafael , Hasan Pierre-Yves , Segovia-Martínez Manuel , Lopez-Poveda Enrique A.
Published: September 2024

Objectives:

We compared sound quality and performance for a conventional cochlear-implant (CI) audio processing strategy based on short-time fast-Fourier transform (Crystalis) and an experimental strategy based on spectral feature extraction (SFE). In the latter, the more salient spectral features (acoustic events) were extracted and mapped into the CI stimulation electrodes. We hypothesized that (1) SFE would be superior to Crystalis because it can encode acoustic spectral features without the constraints imposed by the short-time fast-Fourier transform bin width, and (2) the potential benefit of SFE would be greater for CI users who have less neural cross-channel interactions.

Design:

To examine the first hypothesis, 6 users of Oticon Medical Digisonic SP CIs were tested in a double-blind design with the SFE and Crystalis strategies on various aspects: word recognition in quiet, speech-in-noise reception threshold (SRT), consonant discrimination in quiet, listening effort, melody contour identification (MCI), and subjective sound quality. Word recognition and SRTs were measured on the first and last day of testing (4 to 5 days apart) to assess potential learning and/or acclimatization effects. Other tests were run once between the first and last testing day. Listening effort was assessed by measuring pupil dilation. MCI involved identifying a five-tone contour among five possible contours. Sound quality was assessed subjectively using the multiple stimulus with hidden reference and anchor (MUSHRA) paradigm for sentences, music, and ambient sounds. To examine the second hypothesis, cross-channel interaction was assessed behaviorally using forward masking.

Results:

Word recognition was similar for the two strategies on the first day of testing and improved for both strategies on the last day of testing, with Crystalis improving significantly more. SRTs were worse with SFE than Crystalis on the first day of testing but became comparable on the last day of testing. Consonant discrimination scores were higher for Crystalis than for the SFE strategy. MCI scores and listening effort were not substantially different across strategies. Subjective sound quality scores were lower for the SFE than for the Crystalis strategy. The difference in performance with SFE and Crystalis was greater for CI users with higher channel interaction.

Conclusions:

CI-user performance was similar with the SFE and Crystalis strategies. Longer acclimatization times may be required to reveal the full potential of the SFE strategy.
Developing a Framework for Industrial Noise Risk Management Based on Noise Kurtosis and Its Adjustment
Authors: Zhang Meibian , Zeng Anke , Zou Hua , Xin Jiarui , Su Shibiao , Qiu Wei , Sun Xin
Published: September 2024

Objectives:

Noise risk control or management based on noise level has been documented, but noise risk management based on a combination of noise level and noise’s temporal structure is rarely reported. This study aimed to develop a framework for industrial noise risk management based on noise kurtosis (reflecting noise’s temporal structure) and its adjustment for the noise level.

Design:

A total of 2805 Chinese manufacturing workers were investigated using a cross-sectional survey. The noise exposure data of each subject included LEX,8h, cumulative noise exposure (CNE), kurtosis, and kurtosis-adjusted LEX,8h (LEX,8h-K). Noise-induced permanent threshold shifts were estimated at 3, 4, and 6 kHz frequencies (NIPTS346) and 1, 2, 3, and 4 kHz frequencies (NIPTS1234). The prevalence of high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss prevalence (HFNIHL%) and noise-induced hearing impairment (NIHI%) were determined. Risk346 or Risk1234 was predicted using the ISO 1999 or NIOSH 1998 model. A noise risk management framework based on kurtosis and its adjustment was developed.

Results:

Kurtosis could identify the noise type; Kurtosis combining noise levels could identify the homogeneous noise exposure group (HNEG) among workers. Noise kurtosis was a risk factor of HFNIHL or NIHI with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.57 or 1.52 (p < 0.01). At a similar CNE level, the NIPTS346, HFNIHL%, NIPTS1234, or NIHI% increased with increasing kurtosis. A nonlinear regression equation (expressed by logistic function) could rebuild a reliable dose–effect relationship between LEX,8h-K and NIPTS346 at the 70 to 95 dB(A) noise level range. After the kurtosis adjustment, the median LEX,8h was increased by 5.45 dB(A); the predicted Risk346 and Risk1234 were increased by 11.2 and 9.5%, respectively; NIPTS346-K of complex noise at exposure level <80, 80 to 85, and 85 to 90 dB(A), determined from the nonlinear regression equation, was almost the same as the Gaussian noise. Risk management measures could be recommended based on the exposure risk rating or the kurtosis-adjusted action levels (e.g., the lower and upper action levels were 80 and 85 dB(A), respectively).

Conclusions:

The kurtosis and its adjustment for noise levels can be used to develop an occupational health risk management framework for industrial noise. More human studies are needed to verify the risk management framework.