bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protection against necrotizing enterocolitis by fecal filtrate transfer requires an active donor virome
Authors: Spiegelhauer Malene Roed , Offersen Simone Margaard , Mao Xiaotian , Gambino Michela , Nielsen Dennis Sandris , Nguyen Duc Ninh , Brunse Anders
Published: September 2024

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains a frequent catastrophic disease in preterm infants, but fecal filtrate transfer (FFT) has been identified as a promising prophylactic therapy in preclinical studies. This study examined the importance of the FFT virome viability on gut colonization and NEC occurrence. We established an ultraviolet irradiation-based viral inactivation protocol and demonstrated total loss of infectivity of a viral mock community. Using this protocol, we inactivated an aliquot of sterile-filtered donor feces and compared the response in preterm piglets subjected to experimental NEC induction. Gut pathology and barrier properties were assessed, and bacterial and viral compositions were determined by 16S rRNA amplicon and viral metagenomics sequencing, respectively. Native FFT decreased NEC severity and proinflammatory cytokines, but inactivated FFT (iFFT) completely abolished these effects. Mild side effects in the form of diarrhea manifested earlier in recipients of native FFT than iFFT or controls. A distinct gut colonization pattern of increased viral heterogeneity increased bacterial homogeneity and reduction in pathobionts likeClostridium perfringensandEscherichiawas observed in the group receiving native FFT, but not in the iFFT group. The present study uncovered a clear distinction between active and inactivated transferred viromes in the ability to modulate gut colonization after preterm birth and decrease NEC. FFT efficacy is potentially driven by active bacteriophages targeting pathogenic bacteria.
Loss of Diurnal Oscillatory Rhythms in Gut Microbiota Correlates with Progression of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhang He , Zhang Xiaohan , Yun Zihan , Chen Yang , Cang Suhua , Shao Yating , Jia Erteng , Chen Renjin
Published: September 2024

Circadian rhythms in gut microbiota composition are crucial for metabolic function and disease progression, yet the diurnal oscillation patterns of gut microbiota in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and their role in disease progression remain unknown. Here, we investigate gut bacterial dynamics in ApoE-/-mice within a day, and elucidated the dynamic changes in fecal microbiota composition and function differences among C57BL/6 and ApoE-/-mice with standard chow diet or high-fat, high-cholesterol diet under ad libitum conditions. Compared with C57BL/6 mice, ApoE-/-mice exhibit significant differences in fecal microbial composition. Rhythmic analysis showed that the dynamic changes in the composition and function of fecal microbiota in ApoE-/-mice were significantly different from those in C57BL/6 mice. We further found that the rhythmic strains (Blautia Coccoides) inhibit the progression of ASCVD by improving the intestinal and endothelial barrier function. Our findings demonstrate that diurnal oscillations in gut microbiota are closely related to the progression of ASCVD, and provide a new insight for microbial-targeted therapies for ASCVD.
Brief Investigation: On the rate of aneuploidy reversion in a wild yeast model
Authors: Hose James , Zhang Qi , Sharp Nathaniel P. , Gasch Audrey P.
Published: September 2024

Aneuploidy, arising from gain or loss of chromosomes due to nondisjunction, is a special class of mutation. It can create significant phenotypic changes by altering abundance of hundreds of genes in a single event, providing material for adaptive evolution. But it can also incur large fitness costs relative to other types of mutations. Understanding mutational dynamics of aneuploidy is important for modeling its impact in nature, but aneuploidy rates are difficult to measure accurately. One challenge is that aneuploid karyotypes may revert back to euploidy, biasing forward mutation rate estimates – yet the rate of aneuploidy reversion is largely uncharacterized. Furthermore, current rate estimates are confounded because fitness differences between euploids and aneuploids are typically not accounted for in rate calculations. We developed a unique fluctuation assay in a wild-yeast model to measure the rate of extra-chromosome loss across three aneuploid chromosomes, while accounting for fitness differences between aneuploid and euploid cells. We show that incorporating fitness effects is essential to obtain accurate estimates of aneuploidy rates. Furthermore, the rate of extra-chromosome loss, separate from karyotype fitness differences, varies across chromosomes. We also measured rates in a strain lacking RNA-binding protein Ssd1, important for aneuploidy tolerance and implicated in chromosome segregation. We found no role for Ssd1 in the loss of native aneuploid chromosomes, although it did impact an engineered chromosome XV with a perturbed centromeric sequence. We discuss the impacts and challenges of modeling aneuploidy dynamics in real world situations.

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Errors in chromosome segregation can produce aneuploid cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. Aneuploidy is not uncommon in wild populations of fungi and can underlie emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. But modeling the impact of aneuploidy on evolution has been challenging, because rates of aneuploidy emergence and reversion have been difficult to measure. This work used a novel fluctuation assay that incorporates euploid-aneuploid fitness differences to calculate rates of extra-chromosome loss in aneuploidSaccharomyces cerevisiae, across several chromosomes. The results present for the first time estimates of aneuploidy reversion (“back mutation”) rates and implications for previously measured rates of aneuploidy.
Somatosensory cortex and body representation: Updating the motor system during a visuo-proprioceptive cue conflict
Authors: Mirdamadi Jasmine L. , Babu Reshma , Wali Manasi , Seigel Courtney R. , Hsiao Anna , Lee-Miller Trevor , Block Hannah J.
Published: September 2024

The brain’s representation of hand position is critical for voluntary movement. Representation is multisensory, combining visual and proprioceptive cues. When these cues conflict, the brain recalibrates its unimodal estimates, shifting them closer together to compensate. Converging evidence from research in perception, behavior, and neurophysiology suggest that such updates to body representation are communicated to the motor system to keep hand movements accurate. We hypothesized that primary somatosensory cortex (SI) is crucial in this updating process due to its role in proprioception and connections with primary motor cortex. We tested this hypothesis in two experiments. We predicted that proprioceptive, but not visual, recalibration would be associated with change in short latency afferent inhibition (SAI), a measure of sensorimotor integration (influence of sensory input on motor output) (Expt. 1). We further predicted that modulating SI activity with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) should affect recalibration of the proprioceptive estimate of hand position, but have no effect on the visual estimate or on the normal inverse relationship between proprioceptive and visual recalibration (Expt. 2). Our results are consistent with these predictions, supporting the idea that (1) SI is indeed a key region in facilitating motor system updates based on changes in body representation, and (2) this function is mediated by unisensory (proprioceptive) processing, separate from multisensory visuo-proprioceptive computations. Other aspects of the body representation (visual and multisensory) may be conveyed to the motor system via separate pathways, e.g. from posterior parietal regions to motor cortex.

Significance Statement

Representation of the hand, which is critical for accurate control of movement, comes from weighting and combining available proprioceptive (position sense) and visual cues. Our results suggest that when the hand representation is modified by introducing a conflict between these cues, the motor system receives updates directly from the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). These updates are specific to the change in proprioceptive representation and are absent when cues are not in conflict. This may represent a unisensory pathway to the motor system that conveys information about hand representation, acting in parallel with multisensory pathways involving posterior parietal and premotor regions.
Cardiac responses to auditory irregularities reveal hierarchical information processing during sleep
Authors: Koroma Matthieu , Boulakis Paradeisios Alexandros , Raimondo Federico , Gialama Vaia , Blume Christine , Strauss Mélanie , Demertzi Athena
Published: September 2024

Our ability to process environmental stimuli varies during sleep. Although much research focused on neural processing, emerging evidence shows that bodily signals may play a key role in understanding high-level sensory processing during sleep. Here, we tested how cardiac responses to the local-global paradigm, a typical oddball task probing the processing of simple (local) and complex (global) sensory irregularities. To do so, we analyzed electrocardiography (ECG) signals in a total of 56 participants from two existing datasets which contained cerebral responses to local auditory irregularities, but which did not analyze the ECG data before. We found that cardiac activity slowed down after global, but not local, auditory irregularities, revealing the presence of global deviance effect in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. In contrast, cardiac activity was faster after local, but not global, deviants in Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. Overall, our results demonstrate that cardiac responses to auditory irregularities inform about hierarchical information processing and its variations during sleep beyond cerebral activity. They highlight the embodiment of cognitive function and the value of cardiac signals to understand the variations of sensory processing during sleep.
Nonlinear Sigma model amplitudes to all loop orders are contained in the
Tr(Φ3)
theory
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima , Cao Qu , Dong Jin , Figueiredo Carolina , He Song
Published: September 2024

Scattering amplitudes for the simplest theory of colored scalar particles—the Tr(Φ3) theory—have recently been the subject of active investigations. In this work we describe an unanticipated wider implication of this work: the Tr(Φ3) theory secretly contains nonlinear sigma model (NLSM) amplitudes to all loop orders. The NLSM amplitudes are obtained from Tr(Φ3) amplitudes by a unique shift of kinematic variables. We show that this shifted kinematics produces amplitudes for a cubic theory with a linear term in the potential, with extrema spontaneously breaking

U

(

N

)

→

U

(

N

−

k

)

×

U

(

k

)

. The Goldstone amplitudes for this theory coincide with those of pions in the U(N)×U(N)→U(N) chiral Lagrangian to all orders in the planar limit. We also give a purely on-shell understanding of this correspondence, showing that integrands defined by the kinematic shifts have the correct residues on poles and appropriately produce the Adler zero. Finally, we discuss how similar kinematic shifts produce certain infinite classes of mixed amplitudes of pions and Tr(Φ3) scalars, most of which are not interpretable from the Lagrangian description.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Superconductivity and Mott Physics in Organic Charge Transfer Materials
Authors: Menke Henri , Klett Marcel , Kanoda Kazushi , Georges Antoine , Ferrero Michel , Schäfer Thomas
Published: September 2024

The phase diagrams of quasi two-dimensional organic superconductors display a plethora of fundamental phenomena associated with strong electron correlations, such as unconventional superconductivity, metal-insulator transitions, frustrated magnetism and spin liquid behavior. We analyze a minimal model for these compounds, the Hubbard model on an anisotropic triangular lattice, using cutting-edge quantum embedding methods respecting the lattice symmetry. We demonstrate the existence of unconventional superconductivity by directly entering the symmetry-broken phase. We show that the crossover from the Fermi liquid metal to the Mott insulator is associated with the formation of a pseudogap. The predicted momentum-selective destruction of the Fermi surface into hot and cold regions provides motivation for further spectroscopic studies. Our theoretical results agree with experimental phase diagrams of κ-BEDT organics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations for Rydberg-blockade processes
Authors: Fromonteil Charles , Tricarico Roberto , Cesa Francesco , Pichler Hannes
Published: September 2024

We discuss time-optimal control problems for two setups involving globally driven Rydberg atoms in the blockade limit by deriving the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. From these equations, we extract the globally optimal trajectories and the corresponding controls for several target processes of the atomic system, using a generalized method of characteristics. We apply this method to retrieve known results for CZ and C-phase gates, and to find new optimal pulses for all elementary processes involved in the universal quantum computation scheme introduced in [].

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Tuning structural modulation and magnetic properties in metal–organic coordination polymers [CH3NH3]Co
x
Ni1−x
(HCOO)3
Authors: Geers Madeleine , Fabelo Oscar , Cliffe Matthew J. , Cañadillas-Delgado Laura
Published: September 2024

Three solid solutions of [CH3NH3]Co
x
Ni1−x
(HCOO)3, with x = 0.25 (1), x = 0.50 (2) and x = 0.75 (3), were synthesized and their nuclear structures and magnetic properties were characterized using single-crystal neutron diffraction and magnetization measurements. At room temperature, all three compounds crystallize in the Pnma orthorhombic space group, akin to the cobalt and nickel end series members. On cooling, each compound undergoes a distinct series of structural transitions to modulated structures. Compound 1 exhibits a phase transition to a modulated structure analogous to the pure Ni compound [Cañadillas-Delgado, L., Mazzuca, L., Fabelo, O., Rodríguez-Carvajal, J. & Petricek, V. (2020). Inorg. Chem.
59, 17896–17905], whereas compound 3 maintains the behaviour observed in the pure Co compound reported previously [Canadillas-Delgado, L., Mazzuca, L., Fabelo, O., Rodriguez-Velamazan, J. A. & Rodriguez-Carvajal, J. (2019). IUCrJ, 6, 105–115], although in both cases the temperatures at which the phase transitions occur differ slightly from the pure phases. Monochromatic neutron diffraction measurements showed that the structural evolution of 2 diverges from that of either parent compound, with competing hydrogen bond interactions that drive the modulation throughout the series, producing a unique sequence of phases. It involves two modulated phases below 96 (3) and 59 (3) K, with different q vectors, similar to the pure Co compound (with modulated phases below 128 and 96 K); however, it maintains the modulated phase below magnetic order [at 22.5 (7) K], resembling the pure Ni compound (which presents magnetic order below 34 K), resulting in an improper modulated magnetic structure. Despite these large-scale structural changes, magnetometry data reveal that the bulk magnetic properties of these solid solutions form a linear continuum between the end members. Notably, doping of the metal site in these solid solutions allows for tuning of bulk magnetic properties, including magnetic ordering temperature, transition temperatures and the nature of nuclear phase transitions, through adjustment of metal ratios.
Synthesis, characterization, and crystal structure of hexakis(1-methyl-1H-imidazole-κN
3)zinc(II) dinitrate
Authors: Magwa Nomampondo Penelope , Rashamuse Thompho Jason
Published: September 2024

The synthesis of the title compound, [Zn(C4H6N2)6](NO3)2, is described. This complex consists of a central zinc metal ion surrounded by six 1-methylimidazole ligands, charge balanced by two nitrate anions. The complex crystallizes in the space group P\overline{3}. In the crystal, the nitrate ions are situated within the cavities created by the [Zn(N-Melm)6]2+ cations, serving as counter-ions. The three oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion engage in weak C—H...O interactions. In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the complex was characterized using elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy.
Synthesis and crystal structure of poly[[μ-chlorido-μ-(2,3-dimethylpyrazine)-copper(I)] ethanol hemisolvate], which shows a new isomeric CuCl(2,3-dimethylpyrazine) network
Authors: Näther Christian , Jess Inke
Published: September 2024

Reaction of copper(I)chloride with 2,3-dimethylpyrazine in ethanol leads to the formation of the title compound, poly[[μ-chlorido-μ-(2,3-dimethylpyrazine)-copper(I)] ethanol hemisolvate], {[CuCl(C6H8N2)]·0.5C2H5OH}
n
or CuCl(2,3-dimethylpyrazine) ethanol hemisolvate. Its asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent copper cations, two chloride anions and two 2,3-dimethylpyrazine ligands as well as one ethanol solvate molecule in general positions. The ethanol molecule is disordered and was refined using a split model. The methyl H atoms of the 2,3-dimethylpyrazine ligands are also disordered and were refined in two orientations rotated by 60° relative to each other. In the crystal structure, each copper cation is tetrahedrally coordinated by two N atoms of two bridging 2,3-dimethylpyrazine ligands and two μ-1,1-bridging chloride anions. Each of the two copper cations are linked by pairs of bridging chloride anions into dinuclear units that are further linked into layers via bridging 2,3-dimethylpyrazine coligands. These layers are stacked in such a way that channels are formed in which the disordered solvent molecules are located. The topology of this network is completely different from that observed in the two polymorphic modifications of CuCl(2,3-dimethylpyrazine) reported in the literature [Jess & Näther (2006). Inorg. Chem.
45, 7446–7454]. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the title compound is unstable and transforms immediately into an unknown crystalline phase.
Inflation-threshold effect on current account imbalance in Tunisia: new evidence from a nonlinear approach
Authors: Bousnina Rihab , Gabsi Foued Badr
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In this article, we assess the impact of inflation on the current account balance in the case of Tunisia, covering the period 1976–2022.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes a threshold regression approach proposed by Hansen (2001) in a bid to identify inflation threshold values.

Findings

The results show two inflation threshold values (3.87% and 8.41%), which determine three inflation regimes in the case of Tunisia. In lower inflation regimes, inflation has a positive and statistically significant impact on the current account balance. However, in higher inflation regimes, where inflation rates exceed 3.87%, there is a negative and statistically significant correlation with the current account balance, resulting in a deficit.

Originality/value

The research suggests the need for a new policy approach that considers these threshold levels to address high inflation rates, which currently stand at approximately 11%, and aims to restore them to the targeted rate of 4%. This necessitates coordinated monetary and fiscal measures.
An integrated machine learning approach for evaluating critical success factors influencing project portfolio management adoption in the construction industry
Authors: Elnabwy Mohamed T. , Khalaf Diaa , Mlybari Ehab A. , Elbeltagi Emad
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In today’s intricate and dynamic construction sector, traditional project management techniques, which view projects in isolation, are no longer sufficient. Project Portfolio Management (PPM) has proven to be an efficient alternative solution for handling multiple construction projects. As such, based on a Machine Learning (ML) approach, this study aims to explore the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) influencing the adoption of PPM, aiming to enhance PPM implementation in construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire based on CSFs gathered from prior studies was developed and validated by experts. Afterward, exploratory data analysis is conducted to understand CSF–PPM relationships. Preprocessing techniques ensure uniformity in variable magnitudes. Lastly, ML techniques, namely Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Logistic Regression (LR) and Extra Trees Classifier (ETC) are developed to model and investigate CSFs' impact on PPM adoption.

Findings

The findings pointed out that the ETC model marginally outperforms other ML models with a classification accuracy of 93%. Also, the project size, utilized PPM tool and resource allocation-related factors are the most significant CSFs that influenced the PPM performance by about 48.5%.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by raising awareness among construction companies and other project stakeholders about the pivotal CSFs that must be considered when prioritizing projects and designing an optimal PPM approach.
Analyzing barriers to design thinking adoption within organizations: a DEMATEL approach
Authors: Kabra Gaurav , Mukerjee Hory Sankar
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The adoption of the design thinking approach (DTA) within organizations is crucial for generating creative and innovative solutions to complex business and societal problems. However, the integration of DTA into organizational practices is progressing slowly and needs immediate attention. Numerous interrelated and interdependent barriers hinder the integration of DTA into organizational practices. This study aims to identify and categorize barriers to DTA adoption within organizations into cause and effect (C–E) groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Barriers to the implementation of DTA were identified through a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with eight professionals to gather insights into real world barriers. The study follows the resource-based view (RBV) theory to identify the barriers. Following this, the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was applied to categorize the barriers into C–E groups.

Findings

The study identifies 18 barriers to DTA adoption within organizations in the Indian context. The results revealed that the most prominent barrier to the DTA implementation within organizations is the misfit with existing processes and structures, followed by weak organizational culture and difficulties in implementing the idea. Our findings suggest that managers should champion the adoption process. This will help in motivating employees and fostering a culture of design thinking in the organization. Organizations need an open mindset and should give employees more opportunities to experiment. There is an immediate need for measures that enable better collaboration between business organizations and educational institutions, including universities, to promote DTA.

Practical implications

The findings of the study will help the organizations and decision-makers in expediting the adoption of DTA within their organizations. The results categorize the barriers into C–E groups, allowing organizations to take appropriate measures to address the cause group barriers and minimize the impact of the effect group barriers.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to utilize the RBV theory in identifying and classifying barriers to DTA adoption within Indian organizations. However, the findings are also applicable to other countries with similar business environments.
In-service teachers’ gameful practices
Authors: Bacsa-Károlyi Borbála , Fehérvári Anikó
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to validate a typology of factors previously established by the authors that influence teachers' gameful practices and to investigate these factors further qualitatively.

Design/methodology/approach

A focus group interview was conducted with four experienced teachers to gather their views on gameful education. The interview also included a metaphor analysis focusing on their beliefs about the compatibility of school learning and gamefulness. The data were coded using a deductive approach, and qualitative thematic analysis was employed.

Findings

Individual factors are more positive influences on gameful practices than institutional or system-level factors. Teachers stated that digital equipment is not essential for gameful practices, but governmental support in reshaping exam-centric education systems might be a key step in promoting their adoption.

Practical implications

In the 21st century, students' learning needs differ from past generations, creating challenging situations for teachers in exam-centric cultures. Gameful education could help teachers by introducing an engaging and motivating learning environment for students. This paper aims to help teachers implement and decision-makers support innovative practices that target lifelong learning.

Originality/value

The empirical findings validated the previously established typology of factors. This research presents best practices for teachers in implementing gameful methods and highlights hindering factors for school leaders and decision-makers aiming to support gameful practices.
Climbing route development affects cliff vascular plants more than subsequent climbing: A guide to evidence‐based conservation management to regulate climbing
Authors: Morales‐Armijo Felipe , Sobrevilla‐Covarrubias Andrea , Estrada‐Castillón Eduardo , Escudero Adrián , Scheepens J. F. , Lorite Juan , March‐Salas Martí
Published: September 2024

Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35%–66% of the world's endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from sport climbing. Evidence suggests that unclimbed cliffs harbour approximately twice the plant richness compared with climbed cliffs, with increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether the climbing impact on cliff vegetation originates from the development (opening) of climbing routes or from temporal changes resulting from subsequent climbing.

We recorded cliff vascular plants and lichens at the protected natural area of El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before and after the development of new climbing routes. Subsequently, we re‐recorded the routes at sequential timepoints after 10, 20, and 30 ascents. Additionally, we examined whether the abundance of cliff vegetation influences the extent of climbing impact and whether the surroundings of the routes were also affected.

We found that the opening of climbing routes exerted the strongest negative effects on cliff plants, reducing species richness by 38%, while subsequent ascents generated a minimal impact. Worryingly, route opening affected not only species richness in the route itself but also the surroundings of the routes. After 30 ascents, cliff plant abundance decreased by 60.6% within the bolted routes, whereas it decreased by 42.3% in the surroundings. However, this impact depended on the original cliff vegetation abundance. Lichen cover showed a gradual decrease, indicating that cliff‐dwelling lichens are affected not only by the opening of the route but also by subsequent ascents.

Synthesis and applications: Given the almost non‐existent regulation of outdoor climbing activities in most countries, we urge the implementation of a conservation management protocol that defines clear strategies to regulate climbing activities and preserve pristine cliffs. On yet unclimbed cliffs with narrow endemic, rare, or threatened species, we propose banning the establishment of new climbing areas. On climbed cliffs lacking protected species, dynamic management actions should be implemented, such as setting a maximum number of routes that can be established and defining limits of acceptable change as climbing intensity increases. The proposed conservation management should help to halt the loss of unique cliff biodiversity and safeguard pristine cliff ecosystems.
Retrodiction of forest demography: Backward simulation with reverse matrix models
Authors: Picard Nicolas , Hansen Jack Andrew , Harris Nancy , Liang Jingjing
Published: September 2024

Reconstructing past ecological population dynamics and demographic events is crucial for understanding the dynamics of ecological processes, evaluating the impact of environmental changes and making informed conservation decisions. In forest ecosystems, retrodiction (i.e. the backward projection of ecological populations) plays a pivotal role in understanding historical forest carbon levels and the factors that have influenced their variation over time, because forest demography is a major determinant of the amount of carbon stored in forest ecosystems. The persistent lack of quantitative methods has been a significant obstacle in retrodicting forest demography, especially in applications of a broad geographical scale. While there is a wealth of models for predicting future forest conditions, models that can project these conditions backward in time are scarce.

This study presents reverse matrix model (RMM), an innovative retrodiction modelling approach grounded in the principles of transition matrix models. RMM is designed to deduce past demographic characteristics of ecological populations using current data, making it one of the first models capable of projecting the fine‐scale dynamics of forest demography into the past.

We assessed the retrodictive performance of RMM by fitting it to a dataset of a disturbed tropical rainforest in French Guiana in 2001–2023, then comparing the retrodictions to observations back to 1983 when the disturbance occurred. We further empirically evaluated the viability of retrodiction over a defined duration by inverting the density‐dependent matrix model by Lin et al. (1996), which predicts the dynamics of northern hardwoods in the United States.

The case studies demonstrate significant potential for RMM application in various domains of forestry and conservation, including ecosystem management and conservation planning, global change impact assessment and biodiversity monitoring.
Individualized HCC surveillance using risk stratification scores in advanced fibrosis and cirrhotic HCV patients who achieved SVR: Prospective study
Authors: Shiha Gamal , Hassan Ayman , Mousa Nasser , El‐domiaty Nada , Mikhail Nabiel , Gameaa Reham , Kobtan Abdelrahman , El Bassat Hanan , Sharaf‐Eldin Mohamed , Waked Imam , Eslam Mohamed , Soliman Riham
Published: September 2024

Background

Several HCC risk stratification scores were developed; however, none has been prospectively validated. The primary aim is to validate the clinical utility of six HCC risk scores in large prospective study of F3‐4 patients achieving SVR following DAAs according to EASL guidelines. The secondary aim is to explore whether individualized risk stratification improves detection of HCC at early stages amenable to curative treatment.

Methods

This prospective study included two cohorts: Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH) cohort of 463 chronic HCV patients with advanced liver disease (F3 and F4) achieved SVR with a follow‐up every 6 months according to EASL guidelines using 6 simple HCC risk scores and Tanta cohort of 492 comparable patients where individualized surveillance intervals were tailored based on HCC risk assessments using GES score as follows: low‐risk patients were followed yearly, intermediate‐risk every 6 months and high‐risk every 2–3 months.

Results

All scores, except Watanabe post, successfully stratified patients into low‐, intermediate‐ and high‐risk groups, with log‐rank p‐value of 0.001 and Harrell's C ranging from 0.669 to 0.728. Clinical utility of these scores revealed that the highest percentage of patients classified as low risk was 42.5% using the GES, while the lowest was 8.9% using the aMAP. ELRIAH cohort, 25 patients developed HCC with 52% diagnosed at BCLC 0 and A. Tanta cohort, 35 patients developed HCC, with 80% diagnosed at BCLC 0 and A.

Conclusion

Individualized risk stratification using HCC risk scores was associated with improved early‐stage detection and receipt of curative treatment.
Methods and measures of source monitoring in children: A scoping review
Authors: Li Qiuhong , Li Mengyuan , Wu Chao
Published: September 2024

Source monitoring (SM) refers to attributing sources of information. There are various methods for measuring SM in children. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases from their inception to February 24, 2023, to summarize the methods and measures of SM in children, identifying 141 studies. The procedure for the SM tasks encompassed encoding, interval and testing. The encoding tasks were classified into ground‐based activities (n = 67), computer‐based experiments (n = 42) and mixed methods (n = 34). The testing approaches were categorized into old/new recognition and source discrimination, n‐alternative forced‐choice, yes/no questions and recall/direct questions. Among 10 commonly used indicators, source‐correct, source‐incorrect, discrimination score and source accuracy were recommended to present the SM function. We also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different SM methods in children, providing a reference for researchers to design and select SM measurements that meet their research objectives.
Real‐world genome profiling in Japanese patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma focusing on HRD implications
Authors: Doi Toshifumi , Ishikawa Takeshi , Sakakida Tomoki , Itani Junichiro , Sone Daiki , Morita Ryuichi , Kataoka Seita , Miyake Hayato , Seko Yuya , Yamaguchi Kanji , Moriguchi Michihisa , Sogame Yoshio , Konishi Hideyuki , Murashima Kyoko , Iwasaku Masahiro , Takayama Koichi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: September 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant challenges due to its high mortality, making it a critical area of research. This retrospective observational study aimed to analyze real‐world data from comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) of Japanese patients with PDAC, mainly focusing on differences in gene detection rates among panels and the implications for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) status. This study enrolled 2568 patients with PDAC who had undergone CGP between June 2019 and December 2021 using data from the nationwide Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics database. Two types of CGP assays (tissue and liquid biopsies) were compared and a higher detection rate of genetic abnormalities in tissue specimens was revealed. HRD‐related gene alterations were detected in 23% of patients, with BRCA1/2 mutations accounting for 0.9% and 2.9% of patients, respectively. Treatment outcome analysis indicated that patients with BRCA1/2 mutations had a longer time to treatment discontinuation with FOLFIRINOX than gemcitabine plus nab‐paclitaxel as first‐line therapy (9.3 vs. 5.6 months, p = 0.028). However, no significant differences were observed in the treatment response among the other HRD‐related genes. Logistic regression analysis identified younger age and family history of breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers as predictive factors for HRD‐related gene alterations. Despite the lack of progression‐free survival data and the inability to discriminate between germline and somatic mutations, this study provides valuable insights into the clinical implications of CGP in Japanese patients with PDAC. Further research is warranted to optimize panel selection and elucidate the efficacy of platinum‐based therapies depending on the HRD status.
Interpretable machine learning model predicting immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced hypothyroidism: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhu Su‐Yan , Yang Tong‐Tong , Zhao Yi‐Zhuo , Sun Yu , Zheng Xiao‐Meng , Xu Hong‐Bin
Published: September 2024

Hypothyroidism is a known adverse event associated with the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in cancer treatment. This study aimed to develop an interpretable machine learning (ML) model for individualized prediction of hypothyroidism in patients treated with ICIs. The retrospective cohort of patients treated with ICIs was from the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University. ML methods applied include logistic regression (LR), random forest classifier (RFC), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). The area under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve (AUC) was the main evaluation metric used. Furthermore, the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) was utilized to interpret the outcomes of the prediction model. A total of 458 patients were included in the study, with 59 patients (12.88%) observed to have developed hypothyroidism. Among the models utilized, XGBoost exhibited the highest predictive capability (AUC = 0.833). The Delong test and calibration curve indicated that XGBoost significantly outperformed the other models in prediction. The SHAP method revealed that thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) was the most influential predictor variable. The developed interpretable ML model holds potential for predicting the likelihood of hypothyroidism following ICI treatment in patients. ML technology offers new possibilities for predicting ICI‐induced hypothyroidism, potentially providing more precise support for personalized treatment and risk management.
Evaluation of Virtual Care in Kidney Transplant Recipients in the Early Posttransplant Period
Authors: Almarzouk Saad , Alazwari Monther , Matias Evangelyn Grace , Clase Catherine M. , Yohanna Seychelle
Published: September 2024

Background

Though virtual care was widely adopted during the COVID‐19 pandemic, evidence to support its use in kidney transplant recipients early after transplantation is limited.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study comparing post kidney transplant outcomes in patients who received in‐person transplant care before the COVID‐19 pandemic with those who received mainly virtual transplant care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The usual‐care group included 69 patients who received a kidney transplant from March 1, 2019 to September 1, 2019, and the virtual‐care group included 64 patients who received a kidney transplant from September 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021.

Results

At 6 months, five patients in the usual‐care group and three patients in the virtual‐care group died. There was one graft loss and one episode of acute rejection in the usual‐care group, and two episodes of acute rejection in the virtual‐care group (p = 0.60). Estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher for patients in the virtual‐care group (59 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 52 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.046) and serum creatinine was not different (138 µmol/L vs. 127 µmol/L, p = 0.27). There was no difference in mean blood pressure or hospitalizations.

Conclusion

Outcomes were similar among recipients of a kidney transplant prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic when care was mainly in person and during the pandemic when care was mainly virtual, without a signal of harm. Patient and donor selection may have led to unmeasured differences between groups.
S3 guideline: Diagnosis and treatment of epidermal necrolysis (Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) – Part 1: Diagnosis, initial management, and immunomodulating systemic therapy
Authors: Heuer Ruben , Paulmann Maren , Annecke Thorsten , Behr Björn , Boch Katharina , Boos Anja M. , Brockow Knut , French Lars E. , Gille Jochen , Gundlach Verena , Hartmann Bernd , Höger Peter , Hofmann Silke C. , Klein Tobias , Lehnhardt Marcus , Liß Yvonne , Maier Philip , Mandel Philipp , Marathovouniotis Nicos , Marlok Finnja , Mittelviefhaus Hans , Pleyer Uwe , Pradeau Marie , Rall Katharina , Rieg Siegbert , Rittner Heike , Sander Frank , Schnitzler Stefan , Schut Christina , Stolle Annette , Vorobyev Artem , Wedi Bettina , Weiss Johannes , Zepp Maximilian , Ziemer Mirjana , Mockenhaupt Maja , Nast Alexander
Published: September 2024

Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) are rare, predominantly drug‐induced, acute, life‐threatening diseases of skin and mucosae. SJS and TEN are nowadays considered variants of one disease entity with varying degrees of severity called epidermal necrolysis (EN). EN is associated with high morbidity and mortality and constitutes a major disease burden for affected patients. The guideline “Diagnosis and treatment of epidermal necrolysis (Stevens‐Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis)” was developed under systematic consideration of existing scientific literature and in a formal consensus process according to regulations issued by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) to establish an evidence‐based framework to support clinical decision‐making. The interdisciplinary guideline commission consisted of representatives from various specialist societies and patient representatives. The guideline is aimed at specialists in the fields of dermatology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery, intensive care, and pediatrics in hospitals and offices, as well as other medical speciallved in the diagnosis and treatment of EN. The guideline is also aimed at patients, their relatives, insurance funds, and policymakers. This first part focuses on the diagnostic aspects, the initial management as well as the immunomodulating systemic therapy.
Tree drought–mortality risk depends more on intrinsic species resistance than on stand species diversity
Authors: Decarsin Renaud , Guillemot Joannès , le Maire Guerric , Blondeel Haben , Meredieu Céline , Achard Emma , Bonal Damien , Cochard Hervé , Corso Déborah , Delzon Sylvain , Doucet Zoé , Druel Arsène , Grossiord Charlotte , Torres‐Ruiz José Manuel , Bauhus Jürgen , Godbold Douglas L. , Hajek Peter , Jactel Hervé , Jensen Joel , Mereu Simone , Ponette Quentin , Rewald Boris , Ruffault Julien , Sandén Hans , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Serrano‐León Hernán , Simioni Guillaume , Verheyen Kris , Werner Ramona , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas
Published: September 2024

Increasing tree diversity is considered a key management option to adapt forests to climate change. However, the effect of species diversity on a forest's ability to cope with extreme drought remains elusive. In this study, we assessed drought tolerance (xylem vulnerability to cavitation) and water stress (water potential), and combined them into a metric of drought–mortality risk (hydraulic safety margin) during extreme 2021 or 2022 summer droughts in five European tree diversity experiments encompassing different biomes. Overall, we found that drought–mortality risk was primarily driven by species identity (56.7% of the total variability), while tree diversity had a much lower effect (8% of the total variability). This result remained valid at the local scale (i.e within experiment) and across the studied European biomes. Tree diversity effect on drought–mortality risk was mediated by changes in water stress intensity, not by changes in xylem vulnerability to cavitation. Significant diversity effects were observed in all experiments, but those effects often varied from positive to negative across mixtures for a given species. Indeed, we found that the composition of the mixtures (i.e., the identities of the species mixed), but not the species richness of the mixture per se, is a driver of tree drought–mortality risk. This calls for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms before tree diversity can be considered an operational adaption tool to extreme drought. Forest diversification should be considered jointly with management strategies focussed on favouring drought‐tolerant species.
Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers in pediatric supraventricular tachycardia
Authors: Sullivan John , Pompa Anthony G. , Schieber Jonah , Arora Gaurav , Dionne Audrey , Beach Cheyenne
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a common pediatric arrhythmia. Beta blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are used for treatment despite little data examining their use. We describe the prescriptive tendencies, efficacy, and tolerability of BBs and CCBs used in the treatment of pediatric SVT.

Methods and Results

This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study from three academic children's hospitals. Individuals aged 1–21 years at time of SVT diagnosis initiated on a BB or a CCB between 01/01/2010 and 12/31/2020 were included. Exclusion criteria were pre‐excitation, ectopic atrial tachycardia, and hemodynamically significant heart disease. Demographic, comorbidity, symptomatology, and medication data were collected. Treatment success was defined using a composite data abstraction tool. Of 164 patients, 151 received a BB and 13 received a CCB. The success rate on the initial dosage was 46% for both BB and CCB; the success rate following dosage adjustments was also comparable for BBs (98/151, 65%) and CCBs (9/13, 69%). While 27 (18%) BB patients experienced intolerable side effects, no CCB patient did.

Conclusion

Treatment with a BB or CCB was successful in half of patients. BBs were prescribed more frequently than CCBs but were associated with more side effects.
Validation of the Generic Version of China Health Related Outcomes Measures (CHROME‐G) among individuals with type 2 diabetes in China
Authors: Li Meixuan , Xie Shitong , Yang Minyan , Wu Yanan , Li Zijun , Li Rui , Li Xiuxia , Li Xue , Liu Yijun , Wu Jing , Zhao Kun , Xie Feng , Yang Kehu
Published: September 2024

Objective

The Generic Version of China Health Related Outcomes Measures (CHROME‐G) was a new preference‐based health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument designed specifically for the Chinese population. This study aimed to validate and compare measurement properties of CHROME‐G with EuroQol‐5 Dimensions‐5 Levels (EQ‐5D‐5L), Short Form‐6 Dimensions version 2 (SF‐6Dv2), and Diabetes‐Specific Quality of Life (DSQL) scales among the elderly Chinese population with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

A representative sample population was recruited across the country. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Hypotheses testing including convergent validity and known‐groups validity were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation and effect sizes, respectively. Sensitivity was examined using relative efficiency and receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

A total of 131 individuals with type 2 diabetes (54.20% male; mean age 69.03 years) were enrolled. Cronbach's alpha was 0.94 for DSQL, 0.93 for CHROME‐G, 0.87 for EQ‐5D‐5L, and 0.88 for SF‐6Dv2. For the convergent validity of CHROME‐G, 24/29 (82.76%) correlations met the predefined hypotheses, with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients ranging from 0.51 to 0.96. Among the different health subgroups, the effect sizes for CHROME‐G, DSQL, EQ‐5D‐5L, and SF‐6Dv2 were 0.19–1.26, 0.36–1.62, 0.22–1.06, and 0.49–0.87, respectively. CHROME‐G, DSQL, and SF‐6Dv2 had higher efficiency compared with EQ‐5D‐5L in detecting differences in self‐reported health status, with relative efficiency of 3.18 and 1.76, 4.38 and 6.52, and 1.56 and 2.09, respectively.

Conclusions

CHROME‐G demonstrates relatively good measurement properties compared with EQ‐5D‐5L and SF‐6Dv2 for measuring the HRQoL among the elderly Chinese population with type 2 diabetes. The sensitivity of DSQL appears to be better than that of the three generic instruments.