bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orientia tsutsugamushi
infection reduces host gluconeogenic but not glycolytic substrates
Authors: Sanchez Savannah E. , Chiarelli Travis J. , Park Margaret A. , Carlyon Jason A.
Published: September 2024

Orientia tsutsugamushi
a causal agent of scrub typhus, is an obligate intracellular bacterium that, akin to other rickettsiae, is dependent on host cell-derived nutrients for survival and thus pathogenesis. Based on limited experimental evidence and genome-based
in silico
predictions,
O. tsutsugamushi
is hypothesized to parasitize host central carbon metabolism (CCM). Here, we (re-)evaluated
O. tsutsugamushi
dependency on host cell CCM as initiated by glucose and glutamine.
Orientia
infection had no effect on host glucose and glutamine consumption or lactate accumulation, indicating no change in overall flux through CCM. However, host cell mitochondrial activity and ATP levels were reduced during infection and correspond with lower intracellular glutamine and glutamate pools. To further probe the essentiality of host CCM in
O. tsutsugamushi
proliferation, we developed a minimal medium for host cell cultivation and paired it with chemical inhibitors to restrict the intermediates and processes related to glucose and glutamine metabolism. These conditions failed to negatively impact
O. tsutsugamushi
intracellular growth, suggesting the bacterium is adept at scavenging from host CCM. Accordingly, untargeted metabolomics was utilized to evaluate minor changes in host CCM metabolic intermediates across
O. tsutsugamushi
infection and revealed that pathogen proliferation corresponds with reductions in critical CCM building blocks, including amino acids and TCA cycle intermediates, as well as increases in lipid catabolism. This study directly correlates
O. tsutsugamushi
proliferation to alterations in host CCM and identifies metabolic intermediates that are likely critical for pathogen fitness.

IMPORTANCE

Obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens have evolved strategies to reside and proliferate within the eukaryotic intracellular environment. At the crux of this parasitism is the balance between host and pathogen metabolic requirements. The physiological basis driving
O. tsutsugamushi
dependency on its mammalian host remains undefined. By evaluating alterations in host metabolism during
O. tsutsugamushi
proliferation, we discovered that bacterial growth is independent of the host’s nutritional environment but appears dependent on host gluconeogenic substrates, including amino acids. Given that
O. tsutsugamushi
replication is essential for its virulence, this study provides experimental evidence for the first time in the post-genomic era of metabolic intermediates potentially parasitized by a scrub typhus agent.
A multicenter evaluation of a novel microfluidic rapid AST assay for Gram-negative bloodstream infections
Authors: Berinson Benjamin , Davies Emma , Torpner Jessie , Flinkfeldt Linnea , Fernberg Jenny , Åman Amanda , Bergqvist Johan , Öhrn Håkan , Ångström Jonas , Johansson Cecilia , Jäder Klara , Andersson Helena , Ghaderi Ehsan , Rolf Maria , Sundqvist Martin , Rohde Holger , Fernandez-Zafra Teresa , Malmberg Christer
Published: September 2024

Common phenotypic methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) of bacteria are slow, labor intensive, and display considerable technical variability. The QuickMIC system provides rapid AST using a microfluidic linear gradient. Here, we evaluate the performance of QuickMIC at four different laboratories with regard to speed, precision, accuracy, and reproducibility in comparison to broth microdilution (BMD). Spiked (
n
= 411) and clinical blood cultures (
n
= 148) were tested with the QuickMIC Gram-negative panel and compared with BMD for the 12 on-panel antibiotics, and 10 defined strains were run at each site to measure reproducibility. Logistic and linear regression analysis was applied to explore factors affecting assay performance. The overall essential agreement and categorical agreement between QuickMIC and BMD were 95.6% and 96.0%, respectively. Very major error, major error, and minor error rates were 1.0%, 0.6%, and 2.4%, respectively. Inter-laboratory reproducibility between the sites was high at 98.9% using the acceptable standard of ±1 twofold dilution. The mean in-instrument analysis time overall was 3 h 13 min (SD: 29 min). Regression analysis indicated that QuickMIC is robust with regard to initial inoculum and delay time after blood culture positivity. We conclude that QuickMIC can be used to rapidly measure MIC directly from blood cultures in clinical settings with high reproducibility, precision, and accuracy. The microfluidics-generated linear gradient ensures high reproducibility between laboratories, thus allowing a high level of trust in MIC values from single testing, at the cost of reduced measurement range compared to BMD.

IMPORTANCE

Increasing antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for new diagnostic solutions to guide therapy, but traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is often inadequate in time-critical diseases such as sepsis. This work presents a novel and rapid AST system with a rapid turnaround of results, which may help reduce the time to guided therapy, possibly allowing early de-escalation of broad-spectrum empirical therapy as well as rapid adjustments to treatments when coverage is lacking.
Headless hemagglutinin-containing influenza viral particles direct immune responses toward more conserved epitopes
Authors: Hamele Cait E. , Luo Zhaochen , Leonard Rebecca A. , Spurrier M. Ariel , Burke Kaitlyn N. , Webb Stacy R. , Rountree Wes , Li Zongli , Heaton Brook E. , Heaton Nicholas S.
Published: September 2024

Seasonal influenza vaccines provide mostly strain-specific protection due to the elicitation of antibody responses focused on evolutionarily plastic antigenic sites in the hemagglutinin head domain. To direct the humoral response toward more conserved epitopes, we generated an influenza virus particle where the full-length hemagglutinin protein was replaced with a membrane-anchored, “headless” variant while retaining the normal complement of other viral structural proteins such as the neuraminidase as well as viral RNAs. We found that a single administration of a headless virus particle-based vaccine elicited high titers of antibodies that recognized more conserved epitopes on the major viral glycoproteins. Furthermore, the vaccine could elicit these responses even in the presence of pre-existing, hemagglutinin (HA) head-focused influenza immunity. Importantly, these antibody responses mediated protective, but non-neutralizing functions such as neuraminidase inhibition and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Additionally, we show the vaccine can provide protection from homologous and heterologous challenges in mouse models of severe influenza without any measurable HA head-directed antibody responses. Thus, headless hemagglutinin containing viral particles may represent a tool to drive the types of antibody responses predicted to increase influenza vaccine breadth and durability.

IMPORTANCE

Current seasonal influenza vaccines provide incomplete protection from disease. This is partially the result of the antibody response being directed toward parts of the virus that are tolerant of mutations. Redirecting the immune response to more conserved regions of the virus has been a central strategy of next-generation vaccine designs and approaches. Here, we develop and test a vaccine based on a modified influenza virus particle that expresses a partially deleted hemagglutinin protein along with the other viral structural proteins. We demonstrate this vaccine elicits antibodies that recognize the more conserved viral epitopes of the hemagglutinin stalk and neuraminidase protein to facilitate protection against influenza viruses despite a lack of classical viral neutralization activity.
Transition metals and oxidation reactions trigger stargate opening during the initial stages of the replicative cycle of the giant Tupanvirus
Authors: Cortines Juliana R. , Bridges Charles M. , Subramanian Sundharraman , Schrad Jason R. , Araújo Glauber R. S. , Nunes Gabriel Henrique Pereira , Oliveira Juliana dos Santos , Essus Victor Alejandro , Abrahão Jônatas S. , White Simon , Parent Kristin N. , Teschke Carolyn
Published: September 2024

Tupanviruses, members of the family
Mimiviridae
, infect phagocytic cells. Particle uncoating begins inside the phagosome, with capsid opening via the stargate. The mechanism through which this opening takes place is unknown. Once phagocytized, metal ion flux control and ROS are induced to inactivate foreign particles, including viruses. Here, we studied the effect of iron ions, copper ions, and H
2
O
2
on Tupanvirus particles. Such treatments induced stargate opening
in vitro
, as observed by different microscopy techniques. Metal-treated viruses were found to be non-infectious, leading to the hypothesis that stargate opening likely resulted in the release of the viral seed, which is required for infection initiation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a giant virus capsid morphological change induced by transition metals and H
2
O
2
, which may be important to describe new virulence factors and capsid uncoating mechanisms.
The complete genome sequence of a
Paenibacillus tundrae
strain MLY93 isolated from spot disease-infected tobacco leaves in China
Authors: Lin Guan , Yang Xianhai , Xiang Dong , Yang Lei , Liu Yong , Zhang Huilin , Liu Shiwang
Published: September 2024

This study presents the complete gene sequence of a
Paenibacillus tundrae
strain isolated from tobacco spot disease leaves in Xingyi, Guizhou Province, China. The genetic understanding of
P. tundrae
is advanced by this research.
Magmatic processes in the plumbing system of the Cenozoic ultrapotassic volcanic rocks in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Ma Rui , Bi Xian-Wu , Xu Lei-Luo , Yang Zong-Yong , Huang Ming-Liang , Liu Gong
Published: September 2024

Although great effort has been put into characterizing the sources of the Cenozoic ultrapotassic volcanic rocks in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, insufficient attention has been paid to the magmatic processes in the magma plumbing systems of these rocks. We filled this gap by analyzing clinopyroxene (Cpx) phenocrysts of these rocks from the Wozhong area for major and trace elements and Sr isotopes. Based on textural and Mg# variations, Cpx phenocrysts were classified into five subtypes: type 1 has three zones (core, mantle, and rim) with decreasing Mg# outward (normal zoning); type 2 has two zones (core and rim) with normal zoning; type 3 has three zones with reverse zoning; type 4 has a homogeneous core and an oscillatory-zoned rim; and type 5 has fine oscillatory zoning. Estimated crystallization temperatures and pressures for the different types/zones are variable at grain scale, suggesting that the crystallization of a single crystal took place at various depths. The prevalence of oscillatory and reverse zoning, parallel trace-element patterns, and overlapping chemical-isotopic compositions of the Cpx phenocrysts with relatively high Mg# (87–93) indicate that magma recharge and mixing took place in the magma plumbing system. All of the Cpx data together show two different compositional evolution trends that are consistent with fractional crystallization and melt-mush reactions induced by magma recharge in the magmatic plumbing system. Trace elements and Sr isotopes of the most primitive Cpx (Mg# 87–93) support the interpretation that the parental magma for the Wozhong ultrapotassic volcanic rocks was originally derived from a metasomatized mantle source.
Dissolution of Ta–Nb and Nb Minerals in Granitoid Melts
Authors: Chevychelov V. Yu. , Viryus A. A.
Published: September 2024

The effective solubilities (maximum contents) of Ta and Nb in model felsic lithium-fluoride melts of variable alkalinity and alumina content were experimentally determined at the dissolution of Ta–Nb and Nb minerals: pyrochlore, microlite, ilmenorutile, and ferrotapiolite at T = 650–850°C and P = 100 and 400 MPa. The Ta and Nb partitioning in the mineral-melt systems was also studied. When pyrochlore is dissolved in granitoid melts at P = 100 MPa and T = 650–850°C, the highest effective solubilities of Nb (0.7–1.8 wt %) are obtained in alkaline melt, and they significantly decrease (to 0.03–0.5 wt %) in subaluminous and peraluminous melts. A temperature increase increases the solubility (content) of Nb in the melt. Similar dependences were obtained for Ta solubility by dissolving microlite. In peraluminous granitoid melt, microlite remains stable, while pyrochlore becomes unstable. A pressure decrease from 400 to 100 MPa in alkaline and subaluminous melts was found out to not significantly affect on the dissolution of microlite and pyrochlore, whereas Ta and Nb contents in the peraluminous melt noticeably decrease. The dependences of Nb solubility and its partitioning between granitoid melts and ilmenorutile on the alkalinity–alumina content of the melt are similar to those for the dissolution of columbite and tantalite. The dependences obtained by dissolving ferrotapiolite, pyrochlore, and microlite differ from them.
Associations of genetic variants for refractive error and axial length in adults with ocular endophenotypes in children: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Zaabaar Ebenezer , Shing Erica , Zhang Xiu Juan , Wang Yuyao , Kam Ka Wai , Zhang Yuzhou , Yip Wilson W. K. , Young Alvin L. , Tam Pancy O. S. , Tham Clement C. , Pang Chi Pui , Yam Jason C. , Chen Li Jia
Published: September 2024

Aims

To investigate the associations of genetic variants previously linked to axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent refraction (SE) in adults with refractive error and related endophenotypes in children, at baseline and 3-year follow-up.

Methods

15 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), selected from previous Genome-Wide Association Studies and meta-analyses, were genotyped in 2819 Chinese children, who had undergone baseline and 3-year follow-up cycloplegic refraction, ocular biometry and ocular health examinations. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations of the SNPs with baseline measurements and longitudinal changes in SE, spherical power (SPH), AL, corneal radius of curvature (CR) and AL/CR ratio.

Results

SNPsZMAT4rs7829127,ZMAT4rs16890057,TOXrs7837791,GRIA4rs11601239 andRDH5rs3138142 were associated with SE (β=0.233, p=4.21×10−4; β=0.221, p=7.87×10−4; β=0.106, p=0.0076; β=0.084, p=0.041; β=0.14, p=0.013, respectively) and SPH (β=0.24, p=2.3×10−4; β=0.232, p=3.8×10−4; β=0.088, p=0.025; β=0.086, p=0.034; β=0.14, p=0.012, respectively). Among them,ZMAT4rs7829127 and rs16890057, were also associated with AL (β=−0.128, p=5.6×10−4; β=−0.128, p=5.21×10−4) and AL/CR ratio (β=−0.014, p=0.0028; β=−0.014, p=0.0034), whereasTOXrs7837791 was associated with AL (β=−0.062, p=0.0058) andGRIA411 601 239 with AL/CR ratio (β=−0.0058, p=0.049). Additionally,CD55rs1652333 andRDH5rs3138142 were associated with 3-year longitudinal changes in AL (β=0.062, p=0.018; β=−0.079, p=0.029) and CR (β=0.014, p=0.027; β=−0.018, p=0.035).

Conclusion

Among SNPs previously associated with AL and SE in adults, variants inZMAT4,TOXandGRIA4were associated with AL, SE, SPH, and/or AL/CR ratio, while variants inRDH5andCD55showed associations with AL and CR changes in children.
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy versus exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tears: 10-year follow-up of the OMEX randomised controlled trial
Authors: Berg Bjørnar , Roos Ewa M , Englund Martin , Kise Nina Jullum , Engebretsen Lars , Eftang Cathrine Nørstad , Risberg May Arna
Published: September 2024

Objective

To evaluate radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression, development of knee OA, patient-reported outcomes and knee muscle strength at 10-year follow-up after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) or exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tears.

Methods

Randomised controlled trial including 140 participants, with a degenerative meniscal tear and no or minimal radiographic OA changes. Participants were randomised to either APM or 12 weeks of exercise therapy (1:1 ratio). The primary outcome was knee OA progression assessed by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas sum score (sum of medial and lateral compartment joint space narrowing and osteophyte score). Secondary outcomes included incidence of radiographic and symptomatic knee OA, patient-reported pain and knee function and isokinetic knee muscle strength.

Results

The adjusted mean difference in change in the OARSI sum score was 0.39 (95% CI −0.19 to 0.97), with more progression in the APM group. The incidence of radiographic knee OA was 23% in the APM group and 20% in the exercise group (adjusted risk difference 3% (95% CI −13% to 19%)). No clinically relevant differences were found in patient-reported outcomes or isokinetic knee muscle strength.

Conclusion

No differences in radiographic knee OA progression and comparable rates of knee OA development were observed 10 years following APM and exercise therapy for degenerative meniscal tears. Both treatments were associated with improved patient-reported pain and knee function.

Trial registration number

NCT01002794.
Impact of the degree of synergy between patient and nurse perceptions on the clinical outcome of pressure injury prevention: a mixed-methods systematic review protocol
Authors: Trozic Irhad , Fischer Lisa , Deckert Stefanie , Gmeinwieser Kerstin
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Pressure injuries are a common and significant concern in clinical practice, often serving as a vital quality indicator. While (clinical) practice guidelines have been established to offer recommendations for mitigating hospital-acquired pressure injuries, adherence among stakeholders remains inconsistent. The subjective perceptions of stakeholders, such as patients and nurses, may impede adherence to pressure ulcer prevention guidelines, potentially reducing the effectiveness of these interventions. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to comprehensively understand this influence. Therefore, this review aims to offer a broader understanding of how the perspectives of patients and nurses engaged in pressure injury prevention affect the effectiveness of specific interventions for pressure ulcer management.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a convergent, segregated mixed-methods systematic review and perform a narrative synthesis with a focus on evidence of the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention strategies and patient and nurse perceptions. Our search will encompass several databases, including the 'Centre for Reviews and Dissemination' (CRD) Database, Medline (via Ovid), CINAHL (via Ebsco) and Scopus (via Elsevier). Additionally, we will cross-check reference lists from all included systematic reviews. Two independent reviewers will screen titles, abstracts, and full texts and extract data from the included studies. The quality of methodology of systematic reviews will be assessed using 'A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2' (AMSTAR 2) and the risk of bias using 'Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews' (ROBIS). Qualitative studies will undergo critical appraisal using appropriate Joanna Briggs checklists. If it is feasible to pool data from included studies, we will synthesise them accordingly, using meta-analysis for quantitative reviews and meta-aggregation for qualitative studies. The results from both qualitative and quantitative analyses will be compared with derive new recommendations for healthcare practice aimed at enhancing the quality of care.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not required due to the nature of this intended review. The results of this review will be disseminated through publications, reports and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023438792
Determinants of physical activity commitment in adolescents and young adults with cancer: sociological protocol for a hospital-based mixed methods study (ETAPE-AJA)
Authors: Bruneau Charlotte , Perrin Claire , Bertrand Amandine , Mongondry Rodolf , Marec-Berard Perrine , Fervers Béatrice , Pérol Olivia
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer undergo physical transformations due to disease and treatments occurring alongside puberty and adolescence. Although physical activity is recommended for its benefits, its practice among AYA with cancer remains insufficient. The aim of the Éducation Thérapeutique et Activité Physique: Engagement des Adolescents et Jeunes Adultes atteints de cancer study is to identify the evolution of AYA with cancer medical knowledge and powers (power to act, to express oneself) over life and cancer care, and their role in commitment in adapted physical activity (APA) and therapeutic patient education during and after oncological treatments.

Methods and analysis

This prospective mixed methods monocentre study will be conducted in a French comprehensive cancer centre. Observations will be conducted two times a week during medical consultations, APA interventions and therapeutic education sessions for AYA with cancer. Semidirective interviews will involve 70 participants, including AYA with cancer aged 15–25, health professionals, APA teachers and parents. Quantitative data will be collected on AYA’s social characteristics and participation in physical activity intervention and therapeutic education sessions. A correspondence factor analysis will supplement inductive analysis of ethnographic qualitative data, involving patient coresearchers. The results will help to improve the understanding of AYAs’ medical knowledge and powers, their commitment in physical activity and to develop strategies to increase their participation.

Ethics and dissemination

This study complies with reference methodology MR004 of the French National Data Protection Authority and was registered by the Data Protection Officer of the Leon Berard Cancer Center on the activity registry of the institution (Ref. N°R201-004-259; 5 July 2022). Ethics approval has been obtained from the Centre Léon Bérard ethics board (Ref. N°2022–006; 20 July 2022). Oral informed consent will be obtained from all participants before data collection. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, national and international conferences.
Efficacy and safety of esketamine hydrochloride adjunct to sufentanil in non-surgical patients under mechanical ventilation in the ICU (SENSATION trial): protocol for a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial
Authors: Long Yi , Hong Donghuang , Ni Haibin , Zhou Dandan , Zhou Tingfa , Liu Songwu , Luo Xiang , Liu Qian , Li Rui , Jiang Zhengying , Ke Lu
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Pain is common in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Intravenous opioids are recommended as first-line therapy for pain management; however, opioids have adverse side effects. Based on low-quality evidence, low-dose ketamine is therefore recommended as an opioid adjunct to reduce opioid consumption. Esketamine is an alternative to ketamine with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. However, evidence on the use of esketamine in patients receiving mechanical ventilation is lacking. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of esketamine as an adjunct to sufentanil for analgesic therapy in non-surgical ICU patients under mechanical ventilation.

Methods and analysis

This ongoing multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial is being conducted at six ICUs in China. 132 non-surgical patients under mechanical ventilation will be randomly assigned to the standard care and S-ketamine groups at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the standard care group received a minimal dose of sufentanil as the sole analgesic agent. Patients in the S-ketamine group received a minimal dose of sufentanil in addition to an esketamine infusion at a fixed rate of 0.2 mg/kg/hour for analgesia. The primary outcome is mean hourly sufentanil consumption during the treatment period.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital (CZLS2022067-A). Participants are required to provide informed consent. The results of this trial will be reported in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200058933.
Combining electronic health records data from a clinical research network with registry data to examine long-term outcomes of interventions and devices: an observational cohort study
Authors: Mao Jialin , Matheny Michael , Smolderen Kim G , Mena-Hurtado Carlos , Sedrakyan Art , Goodney Philip
Published: September 2024

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of assessing long-term outcomes of peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) by linking data from a clinical registry to electronic health records (EHR) data from a clinical research network.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Vascular Quality Initiative registry linked to INSIGHT Clinical Research Network, which aggregated EHR data from multiple institutions in New York City.

Participants

Patients receiving PVI during 1 January 2013–30 November 2021 in four centres in New York City.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We examined the proportion of registry patients retained in EHR over time and predictors of EHR retention after year 1. We evaluated the implications of EHR attrition by examining amputation-free survival (AFS) in the observed data and predicted data when patients discontinued in the EHR were hypothesised to have increased risks of events than the observed average.

Results

We included 1405 patients receiving PVI (age=70.8±11.2 years, 51.3% male). Among eligible patients, 75.2% were retained in EHR through year 3. Patients who aged 75 years or above (vs <65: OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.62), had Medicaid (vs Medicare: OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.79), congestive heart failure (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.90), dialysis (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.91) and reduced ambulation (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.75) were less likely to be retained in EHR. When discontinued patients were hypothesised to have increased risks of death or amputation than observed, AFS estimates diverged from the observed data around 6–12 months.

Conclusions

Studies using registry-EHR data may benefit from the timeliness of the data but may be most appropriate to focus on short-term to intermediate-term outcomes of interventions and devices. Future research is needed to investigate the value of registry-EHR linkage in facilitating short-term to intermediate-term outcome assessment following vascular interventions and advanced statistical approaches to account for non-random missing long-term data.
Maryland opioid overdose deaths from 2018 to 2022: occupational patterns and their sociodemographic variations
Authors: Amin-Esmaeili Masoumeh , Susukida Ryoko , Byregowda Himani , Zhou Zhiqing E , Mitchell Clifford S , Johnson Renee M
Published: September 2024

Introduction

We aimed to describe the occupational pattern of opioid overdose deaths in Maryland between 2018 and 2022 and determine the occupations at higher risk of opioid overdose death.

Methods

The sample included undetermined or unintentional opioid overdose deaths among those aged 16 years or older in Maryland, drawn from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. We calculated population-based incidence overdose rates by occupation, stratified by sex and race. We further calculated the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing each occupation with all other groups combined and estimated the IRRs among males versus females and non-Hispanic whites versus other racial/ethnic groups.

Results

The pooled sample included 11 455 opioid overdose decedents (72% male and 55% non-Hispanic whites) of whom 80% were employed. The three occupation groups with the highest incidence rates were ‘construction and extraction’, ‘transportation and material moving’ and ‘installation/maintenance and repair’ with 291, 137 and 133 deaths per 100 000 workers in these respective occupational groups. Incidence rates were significantly higher in males than females in all categories except those ‘Not in Labour Force’ (IRR=0.51, p<0.001). Non-Hispanic whites relative to other racial/ethnic groups had a lower incidence of opioid overdose death in ‘Military-Specific’ occupations (IRR=0.53, p=0.031).

Conclusion

Opioid overdose deaths vary by type of occupation and certain occupations are at higher risk of overdose death. The findings highlight the need for priority setting in the implementation and expansion of existing strategies to target the workers most impacted by opioid overdose.
Military and occupational exposures among Veterans in the Million Veteran Program by survey self-report: a descriptive study
Authors: Sordillo Joanne E , Dey Andrew , Ho Yuk-Lam , Kosik Nicole , Harrington Kelly , Costa Lauren , Muralidhar Sumitra , Hauser Elizabeth , Gaziano John Michael , Cho Kelly , Whitbourne Stacey
Published: September 2024

Objective

We aimed to characterise self-reported military and occupational exposures including Agent Orange, chemical/biological warfare agents, solvents, fuels, pesticides, metals and burn pits among Veterans in the Department of Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program (MVP).

Methods

MVP is an ongoing longitudinal cohort and mega-biobank of over one million US Veterans. Over 500 000 MVP participants reported military exposures on the baseline survey, and over 300 000 reported occupational exposures on the lifestyle survey. We determined frequencies of selected self-reported occupational exposures by service era, specific deployment operation (1990–1991 Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF)), service in a combat zone and occupational categories. We also explored differences in self-reported exposures by sex and race.

Results

Agent Orange exposure was mainly reported by Vietnam-era Veterans. Gulf War and OEF/OIF Veterans deployed to a combat zone were more likely to report exposures to burn pits, chemical/biological weapons, anthrax vaccination and pyridostigmine bromide pill intake as compared with non-combat deployers and those not deployed. Occupational categories related to combat (infantry, combat engineer and helicopter pilot) often had the highest percentages of self-reported exposures, whereas those in healthcare-related occupations (dentists, physicians and occupational therapists) tended to report exposures much less often. Self-reported exposures also varied by race and sex.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that the distribution of self-reported exposures varied by service era, demographics, deployment, combat experience and military occupation in MVP. Overall, the pattern of findings was consistent with previous population-based studies of US military Veterans.
Peripheral nerve microanatomy: new insights into possible mechanisms for block success
Authors: McLeod Graeme A , Sadler Amy , Boezaart Andre , Sala-Blanch Xavier , Reina Miguel Angel
Published: September 2024

Postmortem histology and in vivo, animal-based ultra-high-definition microultrasound demonstrate a complex array of non-communicating adipose tissue compartments enclosed by fascia. Classic nerve block mechanisms and histology do not consider this tissue. Injected local anesthetic agents can occupy any of these adipose compartments, which may explain the significant differences in outcomes such as success rates, onset time, block density, duration of nerve block, and secondary continuous block failure. Furthermore, these adipose tissue compartments may influence injection pressures, making conclusions about needle tip location unreliable. This educational review will explain the neural anatomy associated with these fatty compartments in detail and suggest how they may affect block outcomes.
Poses of People in Art: A Dataset for Human Pose Estimation in Digital Art History
Authors: Schneider Stefanie , Vollmer Ricarda
Published: September 2024

With the
Poses of People in Art
dataset, we introduce the first openly licensed dataset for estimating human poses in art and validating human pose estimators. It consists of 2,454 images from 22 art-historical depiction styles, including those that have increasingly moved away from lifelike representations of the body since the 19th century. A total of 10,749 human figures are enclosed by rectangular bounding boxes, with a maximum of 4 per image labeled by up to 17 keypoints. For machine learning purposes, the dataset is divided into three subsets—training, validation, and test—that follow the JSON-based Microsoft
Common Objects in Context
(COCO) format, respectively. Each image annotation provides metadata from the online visual art encyclopedia WikiArt, in addition to mandatory fields. In this article, we report on the acquisition and constitution of the dataset, address various application scenarios, and discuss the prospects for a digitally supported art history. We show that the dataset allows for the study of body phenomena in art, whether on the level of individual figures, which can thus be captured in their subtleties, or entire figure constellations, whose position or distance to each other is considered.
Performance Analysis of CNN Inference/Training with Convolution and Non-Convolution Operations on ASIC Accelerators
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Hadi , Ghodrati Soroush , Kahng Andrew B. , Kinzer Sean , Manasi Susmita Dey , Sapatnekar Sachin S. , Wang Zhiang
Published: September 2024

Today’s performance analysis frameworks for deep learning accelerators suffer from two significant limitations. First, although modern convolutional neural networks (CNNs) consist of many types of layers other than convolution, especially during training, these frameworks largely focus on convolution layers only. Second, these frameworks are generally targeted towards inference and lack support for training operations. This work proposes a novel open-source performance analysis framework, SimDIT, for general ASIC-based systolic hardware accelerator platforms. The modeling effort of SimDIT comprehensively covers convolution and non-convolution operations of both CNN inference and training on a highly parameterizable hardware substrate. SimDIT is integrated with a backend silicon implementation flow and provides detailed end-to-end performance statistics (i.e., data access cost, cycle counts, energy, and power) for executing CNN inference and training workloads. SimDIT-enabled performance analysis reveals that on a 64×64 processing array, non-convolution operations constitute 59.5% of total runtime for ResNet-50 training workload. In addition, by optimally distributing available off-chip DRAM bandwidth and on-chip SRAM resources, SimDIT achieves 18× performance improvement over a generic static resource allocation for ResNet-50 inference.
Instance-optimal Truncation for Differentially Private Query Evaluation with Foreign Keys
Authors: Dong Wei , Fang Juanru , Yi Ke , Tao Yuchao , Machanavajjhala Ashwin
Published: September 2024

Answering SPJA queries under differential privacy (DP), including graph pattern counting under node-DP as an important special case, has received considerable attention in recent years. The dual challenge of foreign-key constraints combined with self-joins is particularly tricky to deal with, and no existing DP mechanisms can correctly handle both. For the special case of graph pattern counting under node-DP, the existing mechanisms are correct (i.e., satisfy DP), but they do not offer nontrivial utility guarantees or are very complicated and costly. In this article, we propose two mechanisms for solving this problem with both efficiency and strong utility guarantees. The first mechanism, called
R2T
, is simple and efficient, while achieving
down-neighborhood optimality
with a logarithmic optimality ratio. Down-neighborhood optimality is a new notion of optimality that we introduce for measuring the utilities of DP mechanisms, which can be considered as a natural relaxation of instance optimality, and it is especially suitable for functions with a large or unbounded sensitivity. Our second mechanism further reduces the optimality ratio to a double logarithm, which is also known to be optimal, thus we call this mechanism
OPT
2
. While OPT
2
also runs in polynomial time, it does have a higher computational cost than R2T in practice. Both R2T and OPT
2
are simple enough that they can be easily implemented on top of any RDBMS and an LP solver. Experimental results show that they offer order-of-magnitude improvements in terms of utility over existing techniques, even those specifically designed for graph pattern counting.
Hybrid Algorithm Selection and Hyperparameter Tuning on Distribute Machine Learning Resources: Hierarchical Agent-based Approach
Authors: Esmaeili Ahmad , Rayz Julia , Matson Eric
Published: September 2024

Algorithm selection and hyperparameter tuning are critical steps in both academic and applied machine learning (ML). These steps are becoming increasingly delicate due to the extensive rise in the number, diversity, and distributed nature of ML resources. Multi-agent systems, when applied to the design of ML platforms, bring about several distinctive characteristics, such as scalability, flexibility, and robustness, just to name a few. This article proposes a fully automatic and collaborative agent-based mechanism for selecting distributed ML algorithms and simultaneously tuning their hyperparameters. Our method builds upon an existing agent-based hierarchical ML platform and augments its query structure to support the aforementioned functionalities without being limited to specific learning, selection, and tuning mechanisms. We have conducted theoretical assessments, formal verification, and analytical study to demonstrate the correctness, resource utilization, and computational efficiency of our technique. According to the results, our solution is algorithmically correct and exhibits linear time and space complexity in relation to the size of available resources. To further verify its correctness and demonstrate its effectiveness and flexibility across a range of algorithmic options and datasets, the article also presents a series of empirical results on a system composed of 24 algorithms and 9 datasets. The findings not only highlight the efficiency and scalability of the proposed approach, but also show its flexibility and openness to responding to the dynamic and distributed ML ecosystem.
Physicochemical Hydrodynamics of Particle Diffusiophoresis Driven by Chemical Gradients
Authors: Ault Jesse T. , Shin Sangwoo
Published: September 2024

Chemical gradients, the spatial variations in chemical concentrations and components, are omnipresent in environments ranging from biological and environmental systems to industrial processes. These thermodynamic forces often play a central role in driving transport processes taking place in such systems. This review focuses on diffusiophoresis, a phoretic transport phenomenon driven by chemical gradients. We begin by revisiting the fundamental physicochemical hydrodynamics governing the transport. Then we discuss diffusiophoresis arising in flow systems found in natural and artificial settings. By exploring various scenarios where chemical gradients are encountered and exploited, we aim to demonstrate the significance of diffusiophoresis and its state-of-the-art development in technological applications.
Multiwavelength and Multimessenger Counterparts of Fast Radio Bursts
Authors: Zhang Bing
Published: September 2024

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are brief, highly dispersed bursts detected in the radio band that originate from cosmological distances. The only such event detected in the Milky Way Galaxy, FRB 20200428D—which was associated with an X-ray burst emitted by a magnetar named SGR J1935+2154—revealed the first case of a multiwavelength counterpart of an FRB. Counterparts in other wavelengths accompanying or following FRBs, as well as the bright emission associated with the progenitor of the FRB engine, have been proposed in various FRB models, but no robust detection has been made so far. In general, FRBs as we know them are not favored multimessenger emitters. Nonetheless, possible neutrino and gravitational wave emission signals associated with FRBs or FRB-like events have been discussed in the literature. Here I review these suggested multiwavelength and multimessenger counterparts of FRBs or FRB-like events and the observational progress in searching for these signals. Topics include multiwavelength (X-rays, γ-rays, optical) emission and neutrino emission from FRBs within the framework of the magnetar source models and possible FRB-like events associated with gravitational waves.
High-Field Magnets for Future Hadron Colliders
Authors: Sabbi GianLuca
Published: September 2024

Recent strategy updates by the international particle physics community have confirmed strong interest in a next-generation energy frontier collider after completion of the High-Luminosity LHC program and construction of a e + e − Higgs factory. Both hadron and muon colliders provide a path toward the highest energies, and both require significant and sustained development to achieve technical readiness and optimize the design. For hadron colliders, the energy reach is determined by machine circumference and the strength of the guiding magnetic field. To achieve a collision energy of 100 TeV while limiting the circumference to 100 km, a dipole field of 16 T is required and is within the reach of niobium–tin magnets operating at 1.9 K. Magnets based on high-temperature superconductors may enable a range of alternatives, including a more compact footprint, a reduction of the cooling power, or a further increase of the collision energy to 150 TeV. The feasibility and cost of the magnet system will determine the possible options and optimal configurations. In this article, I review the historical milestones and recent progress in superconducting materials, design concepts, magnet fabrication, and test results and emphasize current developments that have the potential to address the most significant challenges and shape future directions.
High-Luminosity B Factory e+e− Colliders
Authors: Seeman John T.
Published: September 2024

Three double-ring B factories—PEP-II, KEKB, and SuperKEKB—were built with asymmetric beam energies to produce high luminosity at the Υ(4S) resonance producing copious B mesons and associated particle physics data, delivered to their respective particle physics detectors, BaBar, Belle, and Belle II. In PEP-II and KEKB, the primary goal was achieved to make the first measurements of charge parity (CP) violation in decays in the B meson system. PEP-II and KEKB have finished beam operations, but particle data analysis continues. SuperKEKB is extending those measurements. The beam operation of SuperKEKB with Belle II has recently started. These three accelerators have pushed the state of the art of accelerators of two-ring colliders, including small beam emittances, small interaction point beam sizes, large stored beam currents, crab cavities, top-up injection with the detectors on, bunch-by-bunch feedbacks, crab waist operation, high beam–beam parameters, high peak luminosity, and high integrated luminosity.
The Power and Pitfalls of Social Norms
Authors: Wenzel Michael , Woodyatt Lydia
Published: September 2024

Social norms have long been considered across the social and behavioral sciences for their effects on human behavior. This review focuses on norms that explicitly or implicitly convey socially shared views about what people should or should not do. Such injunctive norms can be powerful influences on behavior through internalization or through formal or informal enforcement. They can underpin interventions to shape people's behavior through conformity but can also be drawn upon by individuals to question social practices. However, norms also have pitfalls and may fail to affect behavior as intended: They can pose a threat to the individual's self (autonomy, morality, values), compromise motives and social meanings (intrinsic motivation, trust, sincerity), or be egocentrically reconstrued (through biased perceptions and selective social/temporal referents). Depending on one's stance on an issue, such pitfalls may also be turned into powers to inoculate against undesirable norms or to advance social change.
Exogenous ketosis attenuates acute mountain sickness and mitigates normobaric high-altitude hypoxemia
Authors: Stalmans Myrthe , Tominec Domen , Lauriks Wout , Robberechts Ruben , Debevec Tadej , Poffé Chiel
Published: September 2024

Ketone ester intake attenuated the development of acute mountain sickness at a simulated altitude of 4,000–4,500 m. This likely resulted from a mitigation of arterial and cerebral hypoxemia, reduced cerebral blood flow, and increased sympathetic drive.
Extraction of Bioactive Compounds From Centella asiatica and Enlightenment of Its Utilization Into Food Packaging: A Review
Authors: Pillai Athira R. S. , Bhosale Yuvraj Khasherao , Roy Swarup
Published: September 2024

Centella asiatica is a medicinal herb, well known for its phytochemical activities because of the presence of terpenoids and polyphenols, which contribute to the bioactivity of herb extract that can be effectively utilized in the packaging industry. Biopolymers infused with C. asiatica extract could be a promising solution in the food sector. The antibacterial and antioxidant qualities of C. asiatica can help preserve the quality and lengthen the freshness of food products, thereby preventing food loss. Selection of a suitable extraction method is essential to retain the yield and properties of the bioactive compounds of C. asiatica extract. Many research has been conducted on the separation of C. asiatica by using conventional and novel extraction techniques and its execution in packaging as a functional component. This review provides an overview of the extraction of phytochemicals from C. asiatica and its utilization in biopolymer film as an active component to modify the packaging film characteristics.
Magnesium‐Based Biodegradable Alloy Materials for Bone Healing Application
Authors: Dachasa Kena , Chuni Aklilu Tsion , Gashaw Ewnete Bethelhem , Mosisa Ejeta Balisa , Fufa Bakare Fetene
Published: September 2024

Medically relevant biodegradable materials assist in the recovery of damaged tissue in the bones. Oral, cardiovascular, and orthopedic implants frequently use metallic implants. The incorporation of biodegradable metals (BMs) in medical applications is growing as a result of their suitability for use as temporary implants and their capacity to degrade once they accomplished their intended use. BMs have strong biocompatibility, which is the capacity of the substance to function with the proper host interaction in a specific situation. The implant will disintegrate during the healing process, preventing long‐term negative effects and the requirement for surgical removal. Because magnesium (Mg) is the body’s fourth‐most plentiful element, its broken‐down by‐products can either be stored in new bone or calluses, or they can be released into circulation and eliminated through the urine. Mg is a biodegradable substance, although it has far lower corrosion resistance than other orthopedic implants. Mg‐based biomaterials are the most thoroughly researched and often used BMs due to their elastic modulus matching that of human bones, as well as their biosafety, biodegradability, and radiographic visibility. Thus, under this review, BM alloys, specifically Mg‐based metal alloys, and their properties, advantages, and challenges of Mg alloy were reviewed.